xīn心heartjí急anxiousrú如likefén焚burning
Burning with impatience; extremely anxious.
Literal meaning
heart (心) — anxious (急) — like (如) — burning (焚)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing extreme anxiety.
Examples
kǎoshì chéngjì hái méi chūlái, tā xīnjí-rúfén.考试成绩还没出来，他心急如焚。
The exam results haven't come out yet, and he is burning with impatience.
dézhī nǚ'ér shīzōng de xiāoxi, tā xīnjí-rúfén.得知女儿失踪的消息，她心急如焚。
Hearing the news of her daughter's disappearance, she was extremely anxious.
Usage & nuances
Describes a state of extreme anxiety and worry.
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