动人

dòngrén

touching

HSK 5

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The adjective 动人 (dòngrén) describes something that moves or touches the heart emotionally. It is often used to describe stories, speeches, movies, or moments that evoke strong feelings such as sympathy, sadness, or inspiration.

Common Contexts

动人 is frequently used in literary or emotional contexts, such as describing a touching story (动人故事), a moving speech (动人演讲), or a heartfelt song. It conveys a sense of emotional impact rather than physical movement.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 动人故事: a touching story, used to describe narratives that evoke empathy or sadness.
  • 动人音乐: moving music, referring to music that stirs emotions.
  • 动人眼泪: tears that are emotionally touching, often used in poetic or descriptive language.

Nuances

When using 动人, speakers imply a deep emotional resonance. It is more formal and literary than simply saying 感动 (gǎndòng), which means 'to be moved.' 动人 often appears in written or formal spoken Chinese.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse 动人 with 动作 (dòngzuò), which refers to physical movement or action. 动人 specifically relates to emotional impact on people.

Example Sentences

她的故事非常动人,让人忍不住流泪。

Tā de gùshì fēicháng dòngrén, ràng rén rěnbuzhù liúlèi.

Her story is very moving, making people unable to hold back tears.

这部电影的结局特别动人,令人难以忘怀。

Zhè bù diànyǐng de jiéjú tèbié dòngrén, lìng rén nányǐ wànghuái.

The ending of this movie is especially touching and unforgettable.

他的演讲非常动人,激励了在场的每一个人。

Tā de yǎnjiǎng fēicháng dòngrén, jīlìle zàichǎng de měi yīgè rén.

His speech was very moving and inspired everyone present.