百感交集

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bǎi gǎn jiāo jí
• English Translation: A multitude of emotions welling up (mixed feelings)
• Idiom Composition: 「百」（A hundred; countless; representing a vast number）＋「感」（Feelings; emotions; reflections）＋「交」（To intersect; to mingle; to occur simultaneously）＋「集」（To gather; to collect in one place）
• Meaning: A state where various emotions such as joy, sorrow, nostalgia, and regret arise simultaneously, creating a complex mental state that is difficult to express in words.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「百感交集」 contains the following nuances:

• Complexity of Emotion: This idiom does not simply mean being 'very moved.' It specifically refers to a state where conflicting emotions (such as joy and sadness) or past memories are intricately intertwined.
• Overwhelming Sentiment: It describes a powerful emotional surge that fills the heart to the point where it is difficult to process or organize one's thoughts.

3. Usage

「百感交集」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Reunions and Homecomings: Frequently used when returning to a hometown after many years or reuniting with old friends, where nostalgia, surprise at changes, and reflections on time all hit at once.
  • Example:「回到阔别二十年的故乡，看着熟悉又陌生的街道，他不禁百感交集。」
    （Returning to his hometown after twenty years of absence and seeing the streets both familiar and strange, he could not help but feel a flood of mixed emotions.）
• Life Milestones and Retrospection: Used during moments like retirement, receiving an award, or anniversaries when one looks back on past hardships and efforts.
  • Example:「站在领奖台上回顾这一路的艰辛，她心中百感交集，热泪盈眶。」
    （Standing on the podium and looking back at the hardships along the way, she was overwhelmed by a multitude of feelings, and tears filled her eyes.）

Additional Examples:

1. 翻看旧时的照片，想起那些逝去的朋友，爷爷百感交集。
   （Looking through old photos and thinking of friends who had passed away, Grandfather was deeply moved by a surge of complex emotions.）
2. 听到这首老歌，往事涌上心头，令人百感交集。
   （Hearing this old song brought back memories of the past, leaving one filled with a myriad of feelings.）
3. 面对曾经伤害过自己的人如今落魄的样子，他一时百感交集，不知该说什么。
   （Facing the person who once hurt him now in a state of ruin, he was momentarily overcome by mixed emotions and didn't know what to say.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The idiom is derived from the phrase 百端交集 (bǎi duān jiāo jí) found in the 'Speech' chapter of the *A New Account of the Tales of the World* (世说新语 - Shìshuō Xīnyǔ) from the Southern Song Dynasty. It also appears in the works of the Song Dynasty scholar Chen Liang (陈亮).
• This expression captures the depth of life experience and the passage of time. It suggests a layered sentiment where conflicting feelings—such as the joy of success and the memory of past hardships—mingle together, reflecting a very mature and reflective emotional state.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 感慨万千 (gǎn kǎi wàn qiān): To be filled with countless emotions and reflections.link
  • 悲喜交加 (bēi xǐ jiāo jiā): A mixture of both grief and joy.
  • 触景生情 (chù jǐng shēng qíng): To be moved by a scene or situation, evoking certain feelings or memories.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 无动于衷 (wú dòng yú zhōng): To be completely indifferent or unmoved; literally 'no movement in the center (heart).'
  • 心如止水 (xīn rú zhǐ shuǐ): A mind as calm as still water; remaining unperturbed.
  • 平淡无奇 (píng dàn wú qí): Ordinary, nothing special.link

6. Summary

百感交集 (bǎi gǎn jiāo jí) describes a moment when past memories and present circumstances intertwine, causing a flood of complex emotions to rush into one's heart. It is a poignant expression often used during long-awaited reunions, major life milestones, or moments of deep reflection.