Chinese word

引人入胜

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǐn rén rù shèng

Meaning

  • idiomfascinating

Example

这本书的第一章很引人入胜。zhè běn shū de dì yì zhāng hěn yǐn rén rù shèng

The first chapter of this book is very fascinating.

Illustration for 引人入胜 (fascinating)

More examples

这部纪录片的叙事简洁却引人入胜，信息密集。zhè bù jì lù piàn de xù shì jiǎn jié què yǐn rén rù shèng xìn xī mì jí

The documentary's narration is concise yet captivating, and packed with information.

Core concept

A work or performance pulls attention inward and keeps the mind engaged from one moment to the next.

Common phrases

  • 开篇引人入胜kāi piān yǐn rén rù shèng

    fascinating opening

  • 故事引人入胜gù shì yǐn rén rù shèng

    captivating story

Similar words

扣人心弦kòu rén xīn xián: A story or performance grips people with powerful emotion or suspense and keeps them fully focused.
引人神往yǐn rén shén wǎng: A scene or place is so appealing that people admire it and long to visit.
惊心动魄jīng xīn dòng pò: A frightening or thrilling event creates such a strong shock that people hold their breath.

Definition in Chinese

表示某事物或表演特别有趣或精彩，使人愿意继续观看或聆听，通常作为褒义评价使用。biǎo shì mǒu shì wù huò biáo yǎn tè bié yǒu qù huò jīng cǎi shǐ rén yuàn yì jì xù guān kàn huò líng tīng tōng cháng zuò wéi bāo yì píng jià shǐ yòng

Word origin

The idiom combines 引 (yǐn, "draw") + 人 (rén, "people") + 入 (rù, "enter") + 胜 (shèng, "a beautiful place"), creating the image of drawing people into a wonderful scene.

Usage tips

  • This word is most natural as an evaluation of content or a performance, such as a novel, documentary, lecture, or concert, rather than as a description of a person's character.

Other meanings

  • interestingadjective
  • captivatingadjective

Opposites

  • 平淡无奇píng dàn wú qíplain and unremarkableidiom
  • 索然无味suǒ rán wú wèidull and uninterestingidiom

Word lists with this word