心如刀绞

心如刀絞

xīnrú-dāojiǎo

idiom

Meanings

1 heart feels like it's being twisted by a knife
2 in agony
3 heartbroken

Characters

to twist; wring

Examples

HSK 7-9

听到这个噩耗，她心如刀绞。

Tīngdào zhège èhào, tā xīnrú-dāojiǎo.

Hearing the terrible news, her heart felt like it was being wrung by a knife.

HSK 7-9

看着孩子受苦，父母心如刀绞。

Kàn zhe háizi shòukǔ, fùmǔ xīnrú-dāojiǎo.

Watching their child suffer, the parents were in anguish.

Tips

usage

Reserved for intense grief - loss of a loved one, seeing someone suffer. Don't use for everyday disappointment. Compare 心如刀割 (same meaning, almost interchangeable).

Stroke Order

心 xīn

如 rú

刀 dāo

绞 jiǎo