发人深省

發人深省

fārénshēnxǐng

idiom #31,368

Meanings

1 thought-provoking
2 to stir deep reflection in people
3 to provide food for thought

Characters

to arouse; to provoke

to reflect; to become aware

Examples

这部纪录片发人深省。

Zhè bù jìlùpiàn fārénshēnxǐng.

This documentary is deeply thought-provoking.

他的演讲发人深省，让在场的每个人都陷入了沉思。

Tā de yǎnjiǎng fārénshēnxǐng, ràng zàichǎng de měi gè rén dōu xiànrù le chénsī.

His speech was so thought-provoking that everyone present fell into deep reflection.

这个故事虽短，却发人深省。

Zhège gùshi suī duǎn, què fārénshēnxǐng.

Though short, this story is profoundly thought-provoking.

Tips

history

From Du Fu's Tang-dynasty 《游龙门奉先寺》: 欲觉闻晨钟，令人发深省 — 'just as I am about to wake, the morning bell makes me deeply reflect.' The bell that rouses one from sleep is the metaphor: something jolts awareness.

mistakes

省 here is read xǐng (reflect/realize), NOT shěng (save/province). 发 is also read fā (to issue/arouse), not fà.

Stroke Order

发 fā

人 rén

深 shēn

省 shěng