Grey’s Anatomy: Cristina’s 10 Most Emotional Quotes, Ranked

Of all the characters on Grey’s Anatomy, Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) remains one of the most beloved, fan-favorite characters. She’s ambitious with her work as a cardiothoracic surgeon, relatable with her storylines, and a true best friend to Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).

Throughout the ten seasons that Cristina was a part of the show, she gave audiences plenty of memorable quotes and passages. Some of them are humorous that fans can relate to on a daily basis, while others are more heartbreaking and emotional. Cristina certainly knows how to tug on viewers’ heartstrings.

10 “I Am Dead. I Am Wrecked.”

If you have ever felt like everyone else is doing fine while you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Cristina Yang knows exactly how it feels. In one of her most relatable quotes, she asks: “How are you fine? How are you just completely fine? I am ruined, okay? I am dead. I am wrecked.”

Cristina proves that you don’t need to have your life together all the time. It’s natural to struggle and to feel “ruined.” These types of characters are more relatable than perfectionists.

9 “Everything Isn’t So Perfectly Right Or Perfectly Wrong.”

After Cristina’s longtime boyfriend and husband, Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), cheats on her, Meredith thinks this is unforgivable and that Cristina should leave him. However, Cristina is more mature about the situation and tries to be rational. She knows Owen was drunk and he was unaware of his actions. It’s not a crime.

Cristina tells Meredith, “Everything isn’t so perfectly right or perfectly wrong.” Everyone is flawed and makes mistakes. No one is perfectly wrong or right. With this in consideration, Cristina was ready to forgive Owen.

8 “Pretty Good Is Not Enough. I Wanna Be Great.”

Cristina might understand that not everyone is perfect, but she doesn’t apply this life lesson to herself. She wants to be as close to perfection that she can get. She wouldn’t accept anything less than greatness for her professional work as a surgeon. If she’s going to be a surgeon, she’s going to be one of the best.

Cristina knows what it takes to be a successful surgeon. She works hard to meet her goals, regardless of what happens in her personal life. She isn’t going to give up. Fans admired her commitment to her dreams.

7 “You’re On Your Own. Be On Your Own.”

Cristina knows what to do when she’s struggling with her self-confidence. She has learned how to overcome these struggles, and she can give advice to others. For example, she says, “Have some fire. Be unstoppable. Be a force of nature. Be better than anyone here, and don’t give a damn what anyone thinks.”

She adds, “There are no teams here, no buddies. You’re on your own. Be on your own.” Work hard for yourself. Cristina works hard for her own personal goals, not depending on others for support. She’s not afraid to ask for help when it’s needed, but she also knows it’s important to work for herself.

6 “If You Want Crappy Things To Stop Happening To You, Then Stop Accepting Crap And Demand Something More.”

The majority of Cristina’s quotes are about self-confidence. The surgeon doesn’t let anyone walk all over her. For example, she memorably says, “If you want crappy things to stop happening to you, then stop accepting crap and demand something more.”

Cristina isn’t afraid to be authentically herself. She tells people exactly what she thinks. She doesn’t accept crap and she demands more action. The other doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial hospital know better than to double-cross her.

5 “Sometimes The Future Changes Quickly And Completely, And We’re Left With Only The Choice Of What To Do Next.”

When Cristina decided to leave Seattle and move to Switzerland at the end of the tenth season, she had some advice for the television viewers who were devoted to her over the years. She was moving to a foreign place, and it was scary. However, she knew it was ultimately the right decision. Change can be scary, but it’s also important.

In a voiceover, she says: “Sometimes the future changes quickly and completely, and we’re left with only the choice of what to do next…We can choose to be afraid of it, to stand there trembling not moving, assuming the worst that can happen, or we can step forward into the unknown and assume it will be brilliant.” It’s better to prepare for change with an open mind, assuming only the best will happen.

4 “Being Aware Of Your Crap And Actually Overcoming Your Crap Are Two Very Different Things.”

It’s not easy to overcome personal troubles. Cristina knows it’s important to be aware of these problems. She tells Meredith, “Being aware of your crap and actually overcoming your crap are two very different things.”

According to Cristina, it’s impossible to solve important issues until you know the cause of the problem. When Meredith is struggling with her “dark and twisty” nature in the show’s fourth season, Cristina is right beside her to help her figure out these problems. She knows that Meredith needs to identify these issues before she can overcome them.

3 “And Eventually, You’ll Remember Her And It Will Only Hurt A Little.”

In the season 10 episode “How Insensitive,” Cristina opens up past wounds while spending time with a heart patient’s young daughter. When the daughter asks about what will happen if her mother dies, Cristina talks directly to her, telling her the honest truth.

She says: “If your mom dies, you’ll feel a lot of things. First, you’ll feel like, uh, you could have done more to help her, but it’s not true. You did everything you could. You won’t feel that way, but remember me telling you this. You did everything you could. And it’ll hurt every time you think of her, but over time, it will hurt less and less, and eventually, you’ll remember her, and…It’ll only hurt a little.” While the other doctors think Cristina was insensitive to the young girl, her advice is relevant to anyone who has lost a loved one. It hurts in the beginning, but then it gradually gets a little easier to live with the loss.

2 “She’s My Person.”

Everyone wants a friendship like Meredith and Cristina’s bond on Grey’s Anatomy. They’re best friends. While Meredith has an intense romantic relationship with Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Cristina is her true soulmate and number-one companion. This is mostly due to the incredible on-screen chemistry between Pompeo and Oh.

In the show’s third season, Cristina delivers one of her most famous speeches to her fiancé, Dr. Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), explaining how much Meredith means to her. She says, “She’s my person. If I murdered someone, she’s the person I’d call to help me drag the corpse across the living room floor. She’s my person.” Cristina and Meredith would do anything for each other, and that’s a rare friendship to find.

1 “He Is Not The Sun—You Are.”

When Cristina moves away from Seattle, it’s heartbreaking to see the end of the onscreen action between Cristina and Meredith. They’re each other’s “person.” How could they be separated? Before leaving, Cristina has a final piece of advice for Meredith about her marriage with Derek.

She says, “Don’t let what he wants eclipse what you need. He’s very dreamy, but he is not the sun—you are.” According to Cristina, Meredith should never sacrifice her own dreams for what Derek wants. She is still in control of her life. Cristina has always believed in Meredith and she wanted to make sure that Meredith would still be confident without her in Seattle. She would be proud of everything Meredith has accomplished since then.

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