Definition
惊天动地 (jīng tiān dòng dì) describes an event or achievement so significant or shocking it 'startles heaven and moves earth' — it emphasizes the magnitude of impact. This contrasts with 翻天覆地 (fān tiān fù dì), which focuses on thorough transformation/upheaval, and 惊心动魄 (jīng xīn dòng pò), which describes a thrilling or hair-raising emotional experience. 开天辟地 (kāi tiān pì dì) is about creating something unprecedented, like the first of its kind.
phrase
world-shakingearth-shattering (idiom)describes something extremely significant or shocking
Examples
- 惊天动地。Tā niánqīng shí zuò guò yí jiàn jīng tiān dòng dì de dà shì.When he was young, he did something earth-shattering.
- 惊天动地，。Zhè chǎng gémìng suīrán bú suàn jīng tiān dòng dì, què gǎibiàn le wúshù rén de mìngyùn.Although this revolution wasn't exactly world-shaking, it changed the fate of countless people.
- 惊天动地，。Bié zhǐwàng měi gè xiàngmù dōu jīng tiān dòng dì, jiǎotàshídì gèng zhòngyào.Don't expect every project to be earth-shattering; being down-to-earth is more important.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.