触景生情(觸景生情)
触景生情 (chù jǐng shēng qíng) literally means “touching scenery produces feelings”and expresses “moved by the sight of something familiar”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: chu jing sheng qing, chu jing sheng qing,触景生情 meaning, 触景生情 in english
Pronunciation: chù jǐng shēng qíng Literal meaning: Touching scenery produces feelings
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes how encountering (触) a scene (景) can produce (生) emotions (情). It captures the powerful connection between places, objects, and emotional memory. The phrase appeared in Tang Dynasty poetry theory explaining how poets drew inspiration from their surroundings. Chinese aesthetics has long valued this responsiveness to environment as essential to artistic sensitivity. Modern usage describes being moved by revisiting meaningful places, encountering nostalgic objects, or any situation where external stimuli awaken deep feelings.
When to Use
Situation: Returning to his childhood home stirred deep emotions within him.
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
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四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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安土重迁
ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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故土难离
gù tǔ nán lí
Hard to leave one's homeland
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落叶归根
luò yè guī gēn
Return to one's roots; go back home
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 触景生情 mean in English?
触景生情 (chù jǐng shēng qíng) literally translates to “Touching scenery produces feelings”and is used to express “Moved by the sight of something familiar”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theLife Philosophy category..
When is 触景生情 used?
Situation: Returning to his childhood home stirred deep emotions within him.
What is the pinyin for 触景生情?
The pinyin pronunciation for 触景生情 is “chù jǐng shēng qíng”.