Focusing on physical sensations:
* The rain hammered against the windowpane, each drop a tiny fist pounding against the glass, echoing the relentless ache in her chest. (This uses imagery of rain and sound to connect to a physical ache.)
* His hands, once calloused from years of labor, now lay limp, their skin pale and translucent, the life drained from them like water from a cracked jug. (This focuses on the physical deterioration of hands, associating it with a loss of vitality.)
Focusing on the environment:
* The house stood silent, its windows dark and empty like hollow eyes staring into the twilight, a monument to a life that had once been full of laughter and joy. (This uses imagery of a deserted house to evoke a feeling of loss and emptiness.)
* The wind whispered through the bare branches of the willow tree, a mournful sigh that carried the scent of autumn leaves and a promise of winter's cold embrace. (This uses imagery of the natural world to create a melancholic tone.)
Focusing on a specific detail:
* The unwashed dishes piled in the sink, crusty with dried food, were a stark reminder of the meals they would never share again. (This focuses on a mundane detail – dirty dishes – to symbolize a lost connection and shared routine.)
* The worn teddy bear lay abandoned on the floor, its once vibrant fur now faded and threadbare, a silent witness to the childhood dreams that had vanished. (This focuses on a childhood object to evoke a sense of lost innocence and nostalgia.)
Ultimately, the best way to evoke sadness with concrete description is to choose details that resonate with the reader's personal experiences and emotions. Consider the specific situation and characters in your story, and use language that can vividly bring those feelings to life.