chù触touchmù目eyejīng惊startlexīn心heart
A shocking sight; a scene that shocks the eye and alarms the heart.
Literal meaning
touch (触) — eye (目) — startle (惊) — heart (心)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing a shocking or disturbing scene.
Examples
Chēhuò xiànchǎng chùmù-jīngxīn.车祸现场触目惊心。
The scene of the car accident was shocking.
Zhànzhēng de cánkù chùmù-jīngxīn.战争的残酷触目惊心。
The cruelty of war is shocking.
Usage & nuances
Describes a scene that is visually and emotionally disturbing.
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