Chinese word

震撼

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhèn hàn

Meaning

  • verbshock

Example

我被这张照片震撼了。wǒ bèi zhè zhāng zhào piān zhèn hàn le

I was shocked by this photo.

Illustration for 震撼 (shock)

More examples

那段历史令人震撼。nà duàn lì shǐ lìng rén zhèn hàn

That part of history was shocking.

Core concept

A powerful sight, sound, or experience shakes the mind and leaves a deep emotional impact.

Common phrases

  • 令人震撼lìng rén zhèn hàn

    shocking

  • 使人震撼shǐ rén zhèn hàn

    shock people

  • 被震撼bèi zhèn hàn

    be shocked

Similar words

震惊zhèn jīng: Causes deep shock and surprise when something sudden happens.
吃惊chī jīng: Reacts briefly with surprise to something unexpected.
惊讶jīng yà: Feels surprised after discovering something unexpected.

Definition in Chinese

因外界的强烈刺激而感到强烈的情绪动摇或惊讶，常用于描述视觉、声音或经历带来的深刻冲击。yīn wài jiè de qiáng liè cì jī ér gǎn dào qiáng liè de qíng xù dòng yáo huò jīng yà cháng yòng yú miáo shù shì jué shēng yīn huò jīng lì dài lái de shēn kè chōng jī

Word origin

震 (zhèn, "shake") + 撼 (hàn, "shake forcefully") joins two images of physical shaking to describe an experience that shakes a person's inner state.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Chinese, 震撼 (zhènhàn, "shock") can describe admiration as well as distress, so it suits powerful art, scenery, music, and personal stories, not only bad news.

Other meanings

  • overwhelmverb
  • move deeplyverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 震撼人心zhèn hàn rén xīndeeply movingidiom
  • 震撼力zhèn hàn lìimpactnoun

Word lists with this word