心驰神往 (xīn chí shén wǎng) — to be captivated by; to have one's heart set on… | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literary idiom meaning the heart races toward something and the spirit longs for it — a vivid, written way to say you are captivated or deeply yearn for a place or experience. Used in formal prose, not everyday speech.

idiom

to be captivated byto have one's heart set onto yearn for

Examples

。
Xī zàng de fēng jǐng ràng wú shù rén xīn chí shén wǎng.
The scenery of Tibet captivates countless people.
心驰神往。
Tā duì nà piàn shén mì de tǔ dì yì zhí xīn chí shén wǎng.
He has always been fascinated by that mysterious land.
心驰神往。
Zhè ge gǔ lǎo de gù shi lìng rén xīn chí shén wǎng.
This ancient story is utterly captivating.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

心驰heart races

心xīnheart驰chírace

主谓Subject + predicate

神往spirit yearns

神shénspirit往wǎngyearn

主谓Subject + predicate

心 races and 神 yearns, together expressing a strong longing.

Characters in this word

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

The shape of 心 comes from a drawing of a heart, now highly stylized.

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

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.

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.

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