Translation guide
The English phrase 'tears of blood' is used literally for crying blood, and figuratively for extreme suffering, anguish, or a painful effort. In Japanese, the literal expression exists but is less common; figurative uses are more often expressed through idioms about hardship, bitter tears, or blood, sweat, and tears.
Describing the physical act of shedding tears of blood, often in a dramatic, literary, or medical context.
The direct Japanese equivalent, used in literary or dramatic contexts. It can be literal or metaphorical.
He shed tears of blood.
Verb phrase meaning 'to shed tears of blood'. More common as a set phrase.
At that sight, she shed tears of blood.
Expressing deep emotional pain, grief, or torment, often metaphorically.
Used metaphorically for intense sorrow or anguish, similar to English.
Hearing the news, I shed tears of blood in my heart.
Literally 'a feeling as if blood is coming out', meaning excruciating emotional pain or a heart-wrenching experience.
Literally 'gut-wrenching feeling', a classical idiom for heart-rending grief. Often used in formal or written contexts.
Literally 'blood-soaked effort', used for a desperate, painful struggle. More about effort than tears, but conveys similar intensity.
Describing a situation where someone works extremely hard, often suffering, to achieve something. Similar to 'blood, sweat, and tears'.
Direct equivalent of 'blood, sweat, and tears'. Commonly used for great effort and sacrifice.
Success is the fruit of blood, sweat, and tears.
Literally 'effort that oozes blood', meaning painstaking, backbreaking effort.
Similar to above, emphasizing the painful nature of the effort.
While '血の涙' is understood, using it in everyday conversation may sound overly dramatic or literary. For expressing sadness or hardship, simpler phrases like 'とても悲しい' (very sad) or '大変な努力' (great effort) are more natural.
'血の涙' focuses on emotional pain or literal tears of blood, while '血と汗と涙' is specifically about hard work and sacrifice, similar to the English 'blood, sweat, and tears'. Do not confuse the two.
When I lost him, it felt like my heart was bleeding.
With a heavy heart, I made that decision.
After a blood-soaked effort, he succeeded.
After painstaking effort, he became a doctor.
Through blood-like effort, he achieved his goal.