触目惊心
触目惊心 (chù mù jīng xīn) literally means “touch eyes shock heart” and expresses “shocking; deeply disturbing”. 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: chu mu jing xin, chu mu jing xin,触目惊心 meaning, 触目惊心 in english
Shocking; deeply disturbing
Pronunciation: chù mù jīng xīn
Literal meaning: Touch eyes shock heart
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes sights that touch (触) the eyes (目) and shock (惊) the heart (心). It captures the visceral impact of disturbing scenes that affect both vision and emotion. The phrase appeared in texts describing disasters, battlefields, and scenes of suffering. It emphasizes how some sights penetrate beyond mere observation to deeply disturb the viewer. Modern usage describes shocking scenes, alarming statistics, or disturbing evidence that profoundly affects observers.
Examples
English: "The devastation from the earthquake was deeply shocking."
Chinese: 地震造成的破坏触目惊心。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 触目惊心 mean in English?
触目惊心 (chù mù jīng xīn) literally translates to “Touch eyes shock heart” and is used to express “Shocking; deeply disturbing”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 触目惊心 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving shocking; deeply disturbing.
What is the pinyin for 触目惊心?
The pinyin pronunciation for 触目惊心 is “chù mù jīng xīn”.