HSK · Level 127
16 words
Chinese word
可歌可泣
Pronunciation
Pinyinkě gē kě qì
Meaning
- idiommoving
Example
这部电影真是可歌可泣。zhè bù diàn yǐng zhēn shì kě gē kě qì
This movie is truly moving.
More examples
老兵回忆起战争岁月，那些画面依然可歌可泣。lǎo bīng huí yì qǐ zhàn zhēng suì yuè nà xiē huà miàn yī rán kě gē kě qì
As the old soldier recalls the war years, those scenes remain deeply moving.
Core concept
A story or deed inspires admiration while also bringing tears to the eyes.
Common phrases
可歌可泣的英雄事迹kě gē kě qì de yīng xióng shì jì
deeply moving heroic deeds
可歌可泣的情节kě gē kě qì de qíng jié
a deeply moving plot
举动令人可歌可泣jǔ dòng lìng rén kě gē kě qì
a deeply moving act
Similar words
催人泪下cuī rén lèi xià: Describes something that strongly stirs emotion and makes people cry.
震撼人心zhèn hàn rén xīn: Describes something that strikes people deeply and gives them a powerful emotional response.
动人心弦dòng rén xīn xián: Describes something that reaches the heart and creates strong, lasting emotion.
Definition in Chinese
形容故事、事迹或场面既令人感动又足以令人落泪。xíng róng gù shì shì jì huò chǎng miàn jì lìng rén gǎn dòng yòu zú yǐ lìng rén luò lèi
Word origin
可 (kě, "worthy of") + 歌 (gē, "sing") + 可 (kě, "worthy of") + 泣 (qì, "weep") presents something worthy of both praise and tears.
Usage tips
- This idiom has an elevated, literary tone, so it fits film reviews, speeches, and serious stories better than casual comments about an emotional moment.
Other meanings
- tear-jerkingidiom
- heart-stirringidiom
Opposites
- 无动于衷wú dòng yú zhōngremain unmovedidiom