dung6 paak3 ging1 sam1動魄驚心动魄惊心

Jyutpingdung6 paak3 ging1 sam1

Yaleduhng paak gīng sām

形容詞

Definition

Terrifying, soul-stirring, or deeply shocking.

colloquialdescriptionsemotion

How it's used

This idiom describes events that shake one's soul or cause intense fear, often used for high-stakes situations like accidents or horror films. While it is interchangeable with 驚心動魄, the latter is significantly more common in both speech and writing. It carries a dramatic weight that makes it less suitable for minor inconveniences or mild frights.

Examples

go2嗰tou3套hung2恐bou3怖pin2片zan1真hai6係dung6動paak3魄ging1驚sam1心。

That horror movie was truly terrifying.

nei5你si3試gwo3過me1咩ging1經lik6歷hai6係dung6動paak3魄ging1驚sam1心㗎？

What kind of terrifying experience have you had?

Common phrases

coeng4場min2面dung6動paak3魄ging1驚sam1心

a terrifying scene

ging1經lik6歷dung6動paak3魄ging1驚sam1心

a terrifying experience

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 驚心動魄, which is the standard order of the characters. While both are understood, using the non-standard order might sound slightly awkward or like a slip of the tongue to native speakers.