Definition
触景生情 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) meaning that a particular sight or scene stirs up old feelings and memories. It's often used in nostalgic or emotional contexts — when you see something that reminds you of the past and you are moved by it. The literal translation 'the sight strikes a chord in one's heart' captures the idea, but the idiom is more about the automatic emotional response triggered by a scene.
f.e.
to be moved by what one seesa scene evokes past emotions and memories
Examples
- ，触景生情，。Kàn dào lǎo zhàopiàn, tā bùyóude chù jǐng shēng qíng, xiǎng qǐ le tóngnián.Seeing the old photos, he couldn't help being moved by the scene and thought of his childhood.
- ，触景生情，。Huí dào gùxiāng, chù jǐng shēng qíng, tā liú xià le yǎnlèi.Returning to her hometown, the sight stirred her emotions and she shed tears.
- 触景生情。Zhè shǒu shī miáoxiě le zuòzhě chù jǐng shēng qíng de xīnqíng.This poem describes the author's feelings when moved by the scene.
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