惊心动魄 (jīng xīn dòng pò) — heart-stopping; hair-raising; breathtaking (of… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

An idiom for experiences so intense they shake the heart and soul — used for gripping stories, films, and events. Stronger and more emotionally overwhelming than 扣人心弦 (thrilling, about pacing) and more awe-struck than 触目惊心 (horrifying to look at).

phrase

heart-stoppinghair-raisingbreathtaking (of a scene, story, experience)

Examples

惊心动魄。
Diàn yǐng lǐ de dǎ dòu chǎng miàn zhēn ràng rén jīng xīn dòng pò.
The fight scenes in the movie are truly heart-stopping.
惊心动魄。
Tā jiǎng le yí gè jīng xīn dòng pò de zhàn zhēng jīng lì.
He told a blood-chilling war experience.
惊心动魄。
Zhè duàn lì shǐ ràng rén kàn le gǎn dào jīng xīn dòng pò.
This history makes people feel awe-struck when they see it.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

惊心startle the heart

惊jīngstartle心xīnheart

动宾Verb + object

动魄stir the soul

动dòngstir魄pòsoul

动宾Verb + object

惊 and 动 describe shocking and stirring, while 心 and 魄 show the effect on heart and soul.

Characters in this word

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

忄京惊

Meaning part形符xíngfú

忄Written in full as心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

京

京jīng惊jīng

Same sound today

惊 is made from 忄 (heart) and 京, which gives the sound.

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.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

重力動

Meaning part形符xíngfú

力力lìstrength

Sound part声符shēngfú

重

重zhòng動dòng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Emotions & Feelings Idioms & Set Phrases

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.