可歌可泣

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: kě gē kě qì
• English Translation: Worthy of song and tears, deeply moving, tear-inducing
• Idiom Composition: 「可」（able to, worthy of）＋「歌」（to sing）＋「可」（able to, worthy of）＋「泣」（to cry, to weep）
• Meaning: Describes something worthy of being praised in song and also worthy of tears when reflecting on the circumstances and emotions involved. It is used to describe heroic, devoted, or tragic events or people that deeply move the heart and inspire profound emotion.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「可歌可泣」 contains the following nuances:

• Deep emotion: Refers to matters that evoke profound, soul-stirring emotions beyond ordinary feelings.
• Praise and empathy: Heroic acts and great achievements are praised with 'song,' while tragic fates and hardships are met with 'tears' expressing empathy and mourning.
• Grandeur and tragic heroism: Often used to describe grand or tragic events that have significant social or historical impact, rather than personal incidents.
• Literary expression: A somewhat literary expression rarely used in daily conversation, mainly employed in writing or speeches in formal contexts.

3. Usage

「可歌可泣」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Praising heroic acts: Used to praise people who have faced difficulties and achieved great feats, or to honor such acts.
  • Example:「革命烈士的英雄事迹可歌可泣，永远激励着后人。」
    （The heroic deeds of revolutionary martyrs are deeply moving and continue to inspire future generations forever.）
• Mourning tragic events: Used to express deep mourning for events involving great sacrifice or people who have met tragic fates.
  • Example:「这场灾难中发生了许多可歌可泣的故事，让我们看到了人性的光辉。」
    （Many heart-wrenching stories emerged from this disaster, showing us the brilliance of human nature.）
• Evaluating artistic works: Also used when evaluating artistic works such as films, novels, and plays that provide deep emotional impact.
  • Example:「这部电影讲述了一个可歌可泣的爱情故事，深深打动了观众的心。」
    （This film depicts a deeply moving love story that profoundly touched the hearts of the audience.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他的英勇牺牲，谱写了一曲可歌可泣的壮丽篇章。
   （His brave sacrifice wrote a deeply moving and magnificent chapter.）
2. 这位科学家几十年如一日，默默奉献，他的精神可歌可泣。
   （This scientist has quietly contributed for decades, and his spirit is worthy of praise.）
3. 在抗震救灾中，涌现出了许多可歌可泣的英雄人物。
   （Many heroic and moving figures emerged during earthquake relief efforts.）
4. 这段历史中，有许多可歌可泣的故事，值得我们永远铭记。
   （There are many moving stories in this history that we should remember forever.）
5. 战士们浴血奋战，保家卫国，他们的事迹可歌可泣。
   （The soldiers fought bloody battles to defend their country. Their deeds are deeply moving.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In Chinese culture, there is a tradition of highly valuing heroes who sacrifice themselves for their country and people. '可歌可泣' is an expression that reflects this heroic ideal.
• The Chinese character '泣' is also used for crying from emotion or excitement. The '泣' in '可歌可泣' does not necessarily express sadness, but can also represent deep emotion or empathy.
• '可歌可泣' is rarely used in daily conversation and is a somewhat literary expression mainly used in writing or speeches in formal situations. Using it in everyday conversation may give an exaggerated impression.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 感人肺腑 (gǎn rén fèi fǔ): Deeply impressed, moved to the very core of one's being.
  • 催人泪下 (cuī rén lèi xià): Tear-inducing, very moving.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 无动于衷 (wú dòng yú zhōng): Indifferent, unmoved.
  • 麻木不仁 (má mù bù rén): Insensitive, cold and indifferent.

6. Summary

'可歌可泣' is a word that describes matters that evoke soul-stirring, profound emotions beyond mere 'feeling.' Heroic acts and great achievements are praised with 'song,' while tragic fates and hardships are met with 'tears' expressing empathy and mourning. When using this idiom, being conscious of its grandeur, tragic heroism, and literary resonance will allow you to convey emotion more effectively.