荡气回肠

蕩氣回腸

dàngqì-huícháng

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

HSK 4

这首老歌唱得荡气回肠，听众都流下了眼泪。

Zhè shǒu lǎogē chàng de dàngqìhuícháng, tīngzhòng dōu liúxià le yǎnlèi.

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

HSK 7-9

电影的结局荡气回肠，让人久久不能平静。

Diànyǐng de jiéjú dàngqìhuícháng, ràng rén jiǔjiǔ bùnéng píngjìng.

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

HSK 7-9

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 dàngqìhuícháng, gǎndòng le zàichǎng suǒyǒurén.

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