语重心长

Pronunciation: yǔ zhòng xīn cháng Literal meaning: Sincere words earnest wishes

Origin & Usage

The idiom 语重心长 (yǔ zhòng xīn cháng) originates from the Qing dynasty novel 《海国英雄记·回唐》 by Luo Risheng. In the story, a character reflects on the heartfelt and earnest advice (语重心长) given by his mother, highlighting the deep emotional connection and sincerity behind her words. The idiom is composed of 语 (yǔ, words), 重 (zhòng, heavy), 心 (xīn, heart), and 长 (cháng, long), which together convey the idea of words that are deeply meaningful and heartfelt. In modern usage, this idiom is often employed to describe advice or speech that is sincere, impactful, and filled with genuine emotion, especially from someone in a position of care or authority.

Examples

English: "Her heartfelt advice carried a weight that resonated deeply with him."

Chinese: 她的真诚建议让他深受感动。