心血来潮
心血来潮 (xīn xuè lái cháo) literally means “heart's blood comes in a tide” and expresses “acting on a sudden impulse or whim”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: xin xue lai chao, xin xue lai chao,心血来潮 meaning, 心血来潮 in english
Acting on a sudden impulse or whim
Pronunciation: xīn xuè lái cháo Literal meaning: Heart's blood comes in a tide
Origin & Usage
This idiom comes from traditional Chinese medicine concepts where the heart (心) was believed to govern blood (血) circulation and emotions. When blood rushes to the heart like a tide (潮), it was thought to cause sudden impulses or inspirations. The phrase gained literary currency during the Ming Dynasty in novels describing characters acting on sudden urges. In modern usage, it describes impulsive decisions or sudden whims, carrying a neutral to slightly cautionary tone about acting without deliberation.
Examples
English: "On a whim, she decided to book a flight to Paris."
Chinese: 她心血来潮，决定订一张去巴黎的机票。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 心血来潮 mean in English?
心血来潮 (xīn xuè lái cháo) literally translates to “Heart's blood comes in a tide” and is used to express “Acting on a sudden impulse or whim”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 心血来潮 used?
Situation: On a whim, she decided to book a flight to Paris.
What is the pinyin for 心血来潮?
The pinyin pronunciation for 心血来潮 is “xīn xuè lái cháo”.