Overview
Style tags
Interpretation
Overview
(T_T) is one of the most iconic crying kaomoji. It shows a strongly emotional, cartoon-style sad face where both eyes are shaped like the letter
TVisual structure
- The parentheses
and(
form the outline of the face.) - The two
symbols inside act as the eyes, with the vertical stroke implying falling tears.T - The underscore
in the middle works as a flat, stiff mouth or nose area, emphasizing that the person is too sad to smile._ - The overall structure is very simple and easy to recognize even in a crowded chat.
Because the elements are strong and symmetrical, (T_T) reads instantly as a "crying hard" face rather than just slightly misty eyes.
Emotion and nuance
(T_T) mainly conveys:
- Deep sadness or feeling hurt inside.
- Being moved to tears by something touching or bittersweet.
- Self-pity in a light, somewhat playful way.
- Dramatic reaction to bad news, like a favorite show ending or a game loss.
It can be sincere or half-joking depending on context and surrounding text. With close friends, it often carries a playful tone, like "look how miserable I am" in an exaggerated way.
When to use
You can use (T_T) when:
- Reacting to genuinely sad news, like someone canceling plans or a project failing.
- Showing that you are emotionally affected by a story, drama, or song.
- Venting about a small frustration in daily life, such as bad weather or heavy workload.
- Responding to a teasing comment where you pretend to be hurt.
- Expressing that you miss someone or feel lonely.
In short, (T_T) is a versatile crying kaomoji that balances real sadness with a soft, expressive, anime-like style, making it suitable for both serious and lighthearted conversations.
Usage guide
Tips
Core feeling
(T_T) is best described as a big, obvious crying face. It works when you want to show that something really affected you emotionally, from genuine sadness to playful overreaction. The tone can shift depending on your words, but the visual always communicates strong tears and a hurt heart.
When to use
- When plans are canceled and you feel honestly disappointed, but still close enough to joke about it.
- After watching a sad movie, drama, or anime scene that left you feeling "emotionally damaged" in a funny way.
- While venting about work, exams, or daily stress that makes you feel exhausted or defeated.
- When you want to respond to teasing or banter by pretending to be deeply hurt.
- To show that you miss someone badly, especially in late-night chats.
Example pairings
- "You forgot my birthday (T_T)"
- "The concert tickets sold out before I could buy any (T_T)"
- "I studied all night and still failed the quiz (T_T)"
- "No more vacation days left for this year (T_T)"
Tips and notes
- Use (T_T) when you want the crying to be very visible; it is more dramatic than small-tear kaomoji.
- In professional or formal contexts, this kaomoji may feel too emotional or childish, so reserve it for friends, close colleagues, or casual communities.
- Pair it with light, humorous language if you want the mood to feel playful instead of heavy.
- If the situation is very serious or involves real grief, consider using plain words first and add (T_T) only if you are sure the other person is comfortable with a cartoon-style tone.
Usage examples
Real conversation samples that feature this kaomoji.
Example 1
Example 2