触目惊心 (chù mù jīng xīn) — so shocking that the sight alone horrifies; a ghastly scene

Definition

A chengyu for scenes or images so horrifying that the sight alone shocks the viewer. Unlike 骇人听闻 (focused on news/stories) or 惊心动魄 (thrilling/exciting), this phrase stresses a visual scene that is deeply disturbing.

phrase
so shocking that the sight alone horrifiesa ghastly scene

Examples

  • 触目惊心
    Zhàn zhēng de zhào piàn zhēn shì chù mù jīng xīn.
    The war photos are truly shocking.
  • 触目惊心
    Tā jiǎng shù le nà duàn chù mù jīng xīn de jīng lì.
    He recounted that harrowing experience.
  • 触目惊心
    Kàn dào zhè xiē pín qióng de huà miàn, lìng rén chù mù jīng xīn.
    Seeing these images of poverty is shocking.

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