沁人心脾 (qìn rén xīn pí) — (chengyu) refreshingly pleasant; to gladden the heart and refresh the mind

Definition

Literary chengyu meaning something deeply refreshing or heartening — fresh air, music, tea, poetry that 'seeps into the heart and spleen.' Stronger than just 舒服 or 好听; reserved for writing and elevated speech.

idiom
(chengyu) refreshingly pleasantto gladden the heart and refresh the mind

Examples

  • ，沁人心脾。
    Qīng chén de kōng qì qīng xīn tián měi, lìng rén qìn rén xīn pí.
    The morning air is fresh and sweet, refreshing the heart and mind.
  • ，沁人心脾。
    Zhè shǒu gāng qín qǔ xuán lǜ yōu měi, zhēn ràng rén gǎn dào qìn rén xīn pí.
    This piano piece has a beautiful melody that truly refreshes the soul.
  • ，沁人心脾。
    Hē yì kǒu qīng chá, dùn jué qìn rén xīn pí.
    A sip of clear tea instantly refreshes the mind and heart.

Origin

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
心
心xīn沁qìn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

沁 puts 氵 (water) on the left to show it is about water, and 心 on the right to give it its sound.

Open 沁 →

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 →

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.

Open 心 →

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
⺼Written in full as肉ròuorgan
Sound part声符shēngfú
卑
卑bēi脾pí
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

脾 uses ⺼ (a form of 肉, organ) for the meaning and 卑 for the sound.

Open 脾 →

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