Definition
扣人心弦 (kòu rén xīn xián) describes a story, performance, or match that is thrilling and emotionally gripping, keeping you on the edge of your seat. It's similar to 引人入胜 (fascinating, absorbing) but emphasizes tension and excitement rather than enchantment; and it's less intense than 惊心动魄 (heart-stopping, hair-raising), which implies shock or danger.
phrase
thrillinggrippingexciting (of a story, performance, match, etc.)
Examples
- 扣人心弦，。Zhè chǎng zúqiú juésài kòu rén xīn xián, guānzhòng dōu jīdòng de zhàn le qǐlái.This football final was gripping, and the audience stood up in excitement.
- 扣人心弦，。Nà bù diànyǐng kòu rén xīn xián, měi ge qíngjié dōu ràng rén jǐnzhāng.That movie was thrilling; every plot point made people nervous.
- 扣人心弦，。Tā xiě le yí bù kòu rén xīn xián de xiǎoshuō, dúzhě dōu fēicháng xǐhuan.He wrote a gripping novel that readers all loved very much.
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