刻骨铭心
刻骨铭心 (kè gǔ míng xīn) literally means “carve bone inscribe heart” and expresses “deeply and permanently affected”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ke gu ming xin, ke gu ming xin,刻骨铭心 meaning, 刻骨铭心 in english
Deeply and permanently affected
Pronunciation: kè gǔ míng xīn
Literal meaning: Carve bone inscribe heart
Origin & Usage
This profound idiom describes experiences so intense they seem carved (刻) into one's bones (骨) and inscribed (铭) in the heart (心), emerging from Han Dynasty ancestral worship practices, where important family events were literally carved into bone tokens for remembrance. The phrase gained emotional resonance through Tang Dynasty poetry, particularly in works describing profound grief or love. The specific pairing of bones (representing physical permanence) with heart (emotional core) emphasized how certain experiences transform both body and spirit. Modern usage describes formative experiences that fundamentally alter one's identity - from profound trauma to transformative love - suggesting memories that remain perpetually vivid and influential.
Examples
English: "The refugee's experiences of war left indelible memories that shaped his entire life"
Chinese: 难民的战争经历留下了难以磨灭的记忆，塑造了他的一生
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 刻骨铭心 mean in English?
刻骨铭心 (kè gǔ míng xīn) literally translates to “Carve bone inscribe heart” and is used to express “Deeply and permanently affected”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 刻骨铭心 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving deeply and permanently affected.
What is the pinyin for 刻骨铭心?
The pinyin pronunciation for 刻骨铭心 is “kè gǔ míng xīn”.