胆战心惊
胆战心惊 (dǎn zhàn xīn jīng) literally means “trembling courage startled heart” and expresses “extreme fear or anxiety”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: dan zhan xin jing, dan zhan xin jing,胆战心惊 meaning, 胆战心惊 in english
Extreme fear or anxiety
Pronunciation: dǎn zhàn xīn jīng Literal meaning: Trembling courage startled heart
Origin & Usage
The idiom 胆战心惊 (dǎn zhàn xīn jīng) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe a state of extreme fear or anxiety. The characters paint a vivid picture: 胆 (dǎn) refers to the gallbladder, symbolizing courage; 战 (zhàn) means to tremble; 心 (xīn) is the heart; and 惊 (jīng) means to be startled. Together, they convey the image of one's courage trembling and heart being startled, capturing the intense physical and emotional reactions to fear. In modern usage, this idiom is often used to describe situations where someone feels deeply frightened or anxious, such as before a significant event or when facing a daunting challenge.
Examples
English: "The thought of the upcoming exam made her heart tremble with fear."
Chinese: 想到即将到来的考试，她胆战心惊。
Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 胆战心惊 mean in English?
胆战心惊 (dǎn zhàn xīn jīng) literally translates to “Trembling courage startled heart” and is used to express “Extreme fear or anxiety”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 胆战心惊 used?
Situation: The thought of the upcoming exam made her heart tremble with fear.
What is the pinyin for 胆战心惊?
The pinyin pronunciation for 胆战心惊 is “dǎn zhàn xīn jīng”.