骇人听闻 (hài rén tīng wén) — shocking, horrifying, appalling (said of news, events, or stories)
Definition
A set phrase meaning 'shocking to hear' — focuses on a story, report, or claim that is horrifying to listen to. Stronger than 震撼 (a single shocking event) and broader than 触目惊心 (which requires the sight itself to horrify).
phrase
shockinghorrifyingappalling (said of news, events, or stories)
Examples
- 骇人听闻。Zhè qǐ hài rén tīng wén de móu shā àn zhèn jīng le quán guó.This shocking murder case stunned the whole country.
- 骇人听闻。Tā jiǎng le yí gè hài rén tīng wén de kǒng bù gù shi.He told a horrifying scary story.
- 骇人听闻。Zhè xiē hài rén tīng wén de zuì xíng ràng rén wú fǎ xiāng xìn.These appalling crimes make people unable to believe them.
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