令人神往 (lìng rén shén wǎng) — breathtaking; enchanting; fascinating (of sights, experiences, or ideas that stir the imagination)

Definition

A written, elevated idiom meaning 'to captivate the imagination' — a place, idea, or experience so striking it makes you long to see or be there. Stronger than 吸引, and reserved for evocative, inspiring things rather than mere interest.

idiom
breathtakingenchantingfascinating (of sights, experiences, or ideas that stir the imagination)

Examples

  • 令人神往。
    Xī zàng de zhuàng lì fēng guāng zhēn ràng rén lìng rén shén wǎng.
    Tibet's magnificent scenery is truly breathtaking.
  • 令人神往。
    Nà bù kē huàn diàn yǐng miáo huì de wèi lái shì jiè lìng rén lìng rén shén wǎng.
    The future world depicted in that sci-fi movie is fascinating.
  • 令人神往，。
    Tā duì gǔ dài wén míng de miáo shù lìng rén lìng rén shén wǎng, wǒ hèn bu de mǎ shàng qù kàn kàn.
    His description of ancient civilizations is so fascinating that I can't wait to go see for myself.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 亼亼jí
  • 卩卩jié

In 令, the upper 亼 is an open mouth and the lower 卩 is a kneeling person, together showing someone giving orders.

Open 令 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

Open 人 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
示示shìgod; deity
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn神shén
Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

Open 神 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
止止zhǐfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
王
王wáng往wǎng
Same sound today

The form that became 往 paired 止, a foot, with 王 for the sound; a stepping part was later added, and the right side changed.

Open 往 →

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