heartache

Compared meaning: deep sadness from loss or hardship (noun).

比较义项：因失去、悲剧或严重挫折而感到的悲伤、心痛（名词）。

• grief

  Grief is the strongest and most definite term, almost always tied to death, bereavement, or a major disaster; it is the standard word for mourning.

  grief 语气最强、含义最明确，几乎总是与死亡、丧亲或重大灾难相关，是表达「哀悼」的标准用词。

  The whole town shared in the family's grief at the funeral.

  整个小镇的人都在葬礼上分担了那家人的悲伤。

• heartbreak

  Heartbreak describes a sudden, intense burst of emotional pain from a major loss or disappointment, such as a breakup or a crushing defeat; it can feel dramatic and be shared publicly.

  heartbreak 指因重大失去或挫折（如分手或惨败）而产生的突如其来、强烈的心碎感，语气可以比较戏剧化，也常用于公开场合。

  The last-minute defeat brought heartbreak to the entire stadium.

  最后一刻的失利让整个体育场都陷入了心碎之中。

• heartache 本词

  Heartache is quieter and more prolonged than heartbreak, often describing lingering sadness or longing, such as missing someone, rather than one dramatic event.

  heartache 比 heartbreak 更安静、更持久，常指思念某人等带来的绵长悲伤，而非某个戏剧性的单一事件。

  He felt a quiet heartache every time he thought about the friend who moved away.

  每次想起搬走的朋友，他心里都会泛起一阵淡淡的心痛。

Grief, heartbreak, and heartache all mean sadness from loss, but strength differs. Grief is strongest, almost always tied to death or a disaster. Heartbreak is sudden and intense, from a big loss like a breakup or defeat. Heartache is quieter and longer, about missing someone.

这三个词都表示因失去或打击而产生的悲伤情绪，但侧重不同：grief 语气最强，多与死亡或重大灾难相关；heartbreak 强调突如其来、强烈的心碎感，也可用于比赛失利等重大打击；heartache 则多指持续、隐忍的心痛或思念之苦。这里不比较 grief 在口语中「麻烦，烦恼」（如 give someone grief）的用法。