令人发指
lìng rén fà zhǐ
The English phrase "chilling" can be translated into Chinese as 令人发指 (lìng rén fà zhǐ).
令人发指 is used to describe actions or behaviors that are so heinous, atrocious or outrageous that they provoke intense horror and indignation.
Meaning: causing mild fear (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "makes one's hair stand on end". This is composed of 令人 (makes people), 发 (hair) and 指 (stand up or point up).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
It is typically found in literature, formal speeches or written news reports rather than in casual, everyday conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
lìng rén fà zhǐ
Did you know?
- If you were to describe a 'chilling' horror movie using 令人发指, a native speaker would think you are describing a real-life war crime rather than a fictional film. The phrase is reserved for actual human atrocities.
- The phrase 令人发指 is a 成语 (chéngyǔ), a four-character idiom that functions more like a condensed piece of classical literature than a simple adjective. This gives the phrase a heavy, formal weight that a standard adjective lacks.
- Unlike the English 'chilling' which can be used in a 'chilling breeze', the Chinese idiom is strictly psychological and cannot be used to describe weather or temperature.
Examples in context
- 工作完成后，我喜欢喝一杯茶，听着轻音乐来放松，忘记一天的压力。After finishing my work, I like to have a cup of tea and listen to soft music to chill and forget about the day's stress.
- 我们去了海滩，躺在阳光下感觉真是爽极了，完全放松了。We went to the beach, and it was so relaxing to just lie under the sun and chill.
- 我们随便在城市中逛逛，度过个悠闲的一天，随意一点，不用担心什么。Let's just walk around the city and have a lazy day, being spontaneous and not worrying about anything.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Yuting are discussing a news report about a crime.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你看到那个新闻了吗？Nǐ kàndào nàge xīnwén le ma?Did you see that news report?
- 雨婷 Yuting看到了，那些罪行令人发指。Kàndào le, nàxiē zuìxíng lìngrén fāzhǐ.I did, those crimes are chilling.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我无法想象怎么会这样。Wǒ wúfǎ xiǎngxiàng zěnme huì zhèyàng.I can't imagine how this could happen.
- 雨婷 Yuting这真的太可怕了。Zhè zhēn de tài kěpà le.It really is too terrifying.
