肝肠寸断

Pronunciation: gān cháng cùn duàn Literal meaning: Liver and intestines cut

Origin & Usage

The idiom 肝肠寸断 (gān cháng cùn duàn) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe a state of extreme sorrow or heartbreak. The phrase literally translates to 'liver and intestines cut into inches,' evoking a vivid image of intense emotional pain. The earliest known reference to this idiom can be traced back to the Western Han period in the text 《战国策·燕策三》, where it describes the profound grief of a person facing imminent death. The imagery of internal organs being severed into pieces symbolizes the depth of one's anguish. In modern usage, this idiom is often employed to express the deepest levels of sadness, particularly in the context of personal loss or tragic events.

Examples

English: "The news of her departure left him heartbroken."

Chinese: 她的离去让他肝肠寸断。