惊心动魄
惊心动魄 (jīng xīn dòng pò) literally means “startle the heart and soul” and expresses “profoundly moving”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: jing xin dong po, jing xin dong po,惊心动魄 meaning, 惊心动魄 in english
Profoundly moving
Pronunciation: jīng xīn dòng pò Literal meaning: Startle the heart and soul
Origin & Usage
The idiom 惊心动魄 (jīng xīn dòng pò) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe experiences that are profoundly shocking or emotionally stirring. The characters paint a vivid image: 惊 (jīng) means 'startle' or 'shock,' 心 (xīn) means 'heart,' 动 (dòng) means 'move,' and 魄 (pò) refers to the 'soul' or 'spirit.' Together, they convey the idea of an event or experience that is so intense it moves both the heart and soul. In modern usage, this idiom is often employed to describe thrilling or breathtaking situations, such as a suspenseful movie or a dramatic life event, emphasizing the powerful emotional impact it has on individuals.
Examples
English: "The breathtaking performance left the audience in awe, feeling as if their hearts had been shaken."
Chinese: 那场令人惊心动魄的表演让观众惊叹不已，仿佛心灵被震撼。
Related Chinese Idioms
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yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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sài wēng shī mǎ
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 惊心动魄 mean in English?
惊心动魄 (jīng xīn dòng pò) literally translates to “Startle the heart and soul” and is used to express “Profoundly moving”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 惊心动魄 used?
Situation: The breathtaking performance left the audience in awe, feeling as if their hearts had been shaken.
What is the pinyin for 惊心动魄?
The pinyin pronunciation for 惊心动魄 is “jīng xīn dòng pò”.