Most common:
* 眼泪 (yǎn lèi): This is the most common and general term for tears. It literally means "eye tears."
* 泪水 (lèi shuǐ): This is another common term, meaning "tear water." It emphasizes the liquid nature of tears.
Other options:
* 泪珠 (lèi zhū): This means "tear bead" and emphasizes the round shape of tears.
* 泪光 (lèi guāng): This means "tear light" and refers to the glistening of tears in the eyes.
* 热泪 (rè lèi): This means "hot tears" and is used to describe tears that are shed due to strong emotions like joy or sadness.
In specific contexts, you might also see:
* 眼淚 (yǎn lèi): This is an alternate spelling of 眼泪 (yǎn lèi), though less common.
* 泪 (lèi): This is a short form of 眼泪 (yǎn lèi), often used in poetry or other literary contexts.
The best translation for "tears" in Chinese will depend on the context and the desired level of formality.