荡气回肠

蕩氣回腸

dàngqìhuícháng

idiom #56,420

Meanings

1 to stir the spirit and twist the gut
2 deeply moving; soul-stirring
3 (of music, poetry, drama) heart-rending and unforgettable

Characters

to stir; to sway

to twist; to turn back

intestines; gut

Examples

这首老歌唱得荡气回肠，听众都流下了眼泪。

Zhè shǒu lǎogē chàng de dàng qì huí cháng, tīngzhòng dōu liúxiàle yǎnlèi.

The old song was sung so movingly that the audience was in tears.

电影的结局荡气回肠，让人久久不能平静。

Diànyǐng de jiéjú dàng qì huí cháng, ràng rén jiǔjiǔ bù néng píngjìng.

The film's ending was so deeply moving you couldn't shake it for a long time.

他朗诵的那首诗荡气回肠，感动了在场所有人。

Tā lǎngsòng de nà shǒu shī dàng qì huí cháng, gǎndòngle zàichǎng suǒyǒu rén.

The poem he recited was soul-stirring; it moved everyone present.

Tips

history

Built from Song Yu's 《高唐赋》 (Warring States) and Cao Pi's 《大墙上蒿行》 (Three Kingdoms): both describe music that 'stirs the heart and ear'. The phrase 荡气回肠 crystallized from these ancient lines.

usage

Reserved for art that genuinely moves you — songs, films, novels, performances, speeches. Don't apply it to mildly enjoyable content; it implies a real emotional gut-punch.

Stroke Order

荡 dàng

气 qì

回 huí

肠 cháng