bù不nothán寒coldér而butlì栗shiver
To shudder despite not being cold; to be frightened or terrified.
Literal meaning
not (不) — cold (寒) — but (而) — shiver (栗)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase, describing a feeling of fear or dread.
Examples
tīng听dào到zhè这ge个xiāo消xī息，wǒ我bù不hán寒ér而lì栗。
Hearing this news, I shuddered with fear.
kàn看dào到nà那kǒng恐bù怖de的chǎng场jǐng景，tā他gǎn感dào到bù不hán寒ér而lì栗。
Seeing that terrifying scene, he felt a chill of fear.
Usage & nuances
Used to express a strong feeling of fear or apprehension.
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