赏心悦目 (shǎng xīn yuè mù) — pleasing to the eye and the mind; visually and emotionally satisfying

Definition

A chengyu describing a scene that delights both the eye and the heart — used for beautiful views, art, or arrangements that feel emotionally as well as visually satisfying.

idiom
pleasing to the eye and the mindvisually and emotionally satisfying

Examples

  • 赏心悦目
    Chuāng wài de fēng jǐng zhēn shì shǎng xīn yuè mù.
    The view outside the window is truly pleasing to the eye and the mind.
  • 赏心悦目
    Zhè fú huà sè cǎi hé xié, ràng rén shǎng xīn yuè mù.
    The colors of this painting are harmonious, pleasing to the eye and the mind.
  • 赏心悦目
    Gōng yuán lǐ bǎi huā shèng kāi, yí piàn shǎng xīn yuè mù de jǐng xiàng.
    A hundred flowers are in full bloom in the park, a sight that pleases the eye and the mind.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

赏心delight the mind
shǎngdelightxīnmind
动宾Verb + object
悦目please the eye
yuèpleaseeye
动宾Verb + object

赏心悦目 joins 赏心, delighting the mind, with 悦目, pleasing the eye, so it describes visual and emotional satisfaction.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 賞; 赏 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
bèicowry
Sound part声符shēngfú
shāngshǎng
Same sound today

The traditional form 賞 pairs 商 for sound with 貝, a cowry shell; the simplified 赏 is a shorthand.

Open 赏 →

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
Written in full asxīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
duìyuè
Same sound today

The heart part 忄 shows the feeling of delight; 兌 gives the sound.

Open 悦 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

目 began as a drawing of a human eye, turned sideways.

Open 目 →

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