Chinese word

惊心动魄

Pronunciation

Pinyinjīng xīn dòng pò

Meaning

  • idiombreathtaking

Example

他的表演真惊心动魄，观众起立鼓掌。tā de biáo yǎn zhēn jīng xīn dòng pò guān zhòng qǐ lì gú zhǎng

His performance was truly breathtaking, and the audience stood up and applauded.

Illustration for 惊心动魄 (breathtaking)

More examples

比赛最后一刻的逆转真让人惊心动魄，全场沸腾。bǐ sài zuì hòu yí kè de nì zhuǎn zhēn ràng rén jīng xīn dòng pò quán chǎng fèi téng

The comeback in the final moment of the game was truly breathtaking, and the whole stadium erupted.

Core concept

A powerful scene or story hits the heart so hard that breath seems to stop.

Common phrases

  • 令人惊心动魄lìng rén jīng xīn dòng pò

    breathtaking

  • 惊心动魄的表演jīng xīn dòng pò de biáo yǎn

    breathtaking performance

  • 惊心动魄的结局jīng xīn dòng pò de jié jú

    breathtaking ending

Similar words

扣人心弦kòu rén xīn xián: Describes a scene or story that keeps people absorbed by creating intense suspense or emotion.
震撼人心zhèn hàn rén xīn: Describes a powerful event or work that deeply stirs people's hearts with shock or emotion.

Definition in Chinese

用来描述场面或情节极其震撼，使人感到紧张或感动到忘记呼吸。yòng lái miáo shù chǎng miàn huò qíng jié jí qí zhèn hàn shǐ rén gǎn dào jǐn zhāng huò gǎn dòng dào wàng jì hū xī

Word origin

The idiom joins 惊 (jīng, "startle") + 心 (xīn, "heart") + 动 (dòng, "move") + 魄 (pò, "spirit") to picture an experience that shakes both the heart and spirit.

Usage tips

  • The word suits a performance, film, event, or plot with a strong emotional impact, rather than something that is merely excellent or impressive.

Other meanings

  • nerve-rackingidiom
  • thrillingidiom
  • movingidiom

Opposites

  • 波澜不惊bō lán bù jīngcalm and uneventfulidiom
  • 平淡无奇píng dàn wú qíplain and unremarkableidiom

Word lists with this word