Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'so touching or heartbreaking that it makes people cry.' It's used to describe stories, movies, speeches, or situations that stir strong sad emotions. You can use it as a predicate or attributive modifier, e.g., '一个催人泪下的故事' (a tear-jerking story). The literal meaning 'urging tears to fall' gives a vivid sense of emotional force.
v
so moving that it brings tears to one's eyesdeeply touching
Examples
- 催人泪下，。Zhè bù diànyǐng de qíngjié cuī rén lèi xià, měi ge guānzhòng dōu kū le.The plot of this movie was so touching that every audience member cried.
- 催人泪下，。Tā jiǎng le yí ge cuī rén lèi xià de gùshi, zài chǎng de rén wú bú dòngróng.He told a tear-jerking story, and everyone present was moved.
- 催人泪下，。Zhè duàn lìshǐ cuī rén lèi xià, zhídé wǒmen míngjì.This period of history is deeply moving and worth remembering.
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