引人入胜
*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.
1. Basic Information
- Pinyin: yǐn rén rù shèng
- English Translation: Leading one into a wonderland (fascinating/enchanting)
- Idiom Composition: 「引」(To lead, attract, or draw)
+ 「人」(People (the audience, readers, or viewers)) + 「入」(To enter or be drawn into) + 「胜」(A wonderful place or a beautiful realm (short for 胜境 - shèngjìng)) - Meaning: Describes scenery or artistic works (such as novels, films, or music) that are so attractive they draw the audience deep into a wonderful realm or a captivating story.
2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances
「引人入胜」 contains the following nuances:
- Intensity of Immersion: This idiom goes beyond simply being 'interesting.' It emphasizes a state where the audience is so absorbed in the world of the work that they may lose track of their actual surroundings.
- Broad Application: While it originally referred to the beauty of physical landscapes, in modern usage, it is most frequently applied to narrative structures, such as the plot of a novel or the pacing of a film.
3. Usage
「引人入胜」 is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Evaluating Stories or Artworks: Used to praise the skillful development of a plot in novels, movies, or dramas that keeps the audience fully engaged.
- Example:「这部悬疑小说的情节跌宕起伏,引人入胜,让人读了就停不下来。」
(The plot of this mystery novel is full of twists and turns, making it fascinating and impossible to put down.)
- Example:「这部悬疑小说的情节跌宕起伏,引人入胜,让人读了就停不下来。」
- Describing Scenery or Spaces: Describes beautiful landscapes or masterfully designed gardens that make visitors feel as if they have been transported to another world.
- Example:「九寨沟那如梦如幻的景色引人入胜,令无数游客流连忘返。」
(The dreamlike scenery of Jiuzhaigou (九寨沟) is enchanting, making many tourists reluctant to leave.)
- Example:「九寨沟那如梦如幻的景色引人入胜,令无数游客流连忘返。」
- Public Speaking and Lectures: Can be used for speeches or lectures where the speaker's delivery is so engaging that it captures the audience's full attention.
- Example:「教授把枯燥的历史讲得生动有趣、引人入胜。」
(The professor turned a dry history lesson into something vivid and captivating.)
- Example:「教授把枯燥的历史讲得生动有趣、引人入胜。」
Additional Examples:
- 这个游戏的剧情设计非常引人入胜,玩家很容易产生代入感。
(The plot design of this game is extremely immersive, making it easy for players to empathize with the characters.) - 虽然是一部纪录片,但导演独特的叙事手法使其引人入胜。
(Although it is a documentary, the director's unique storytelling style makes the film gripping.) - 这里的园林布局曲径通幽,步步引人入胜。
(The layout of this garden is deep and winding; every step leads to a new and enchanting view.) - 好的开头是文章引人入胜的关键。
(A good opening is the key to making an article engaging for the reader.)
4. Cultural Background and Notes
- The idiom originates from the book A New Account of the Tales of the World (世说新语 - Shìshuō Xīnyǔ), specifically the 'Ren Dan' (任诞) chapter. The original phrase was '酒正自引人着胜地' (Wine naturally leads one to a wonderful place), describing the pleasant feeling of intoxication.
- The character 胜 (shèng) in this context does not mean 'victory.' Instead, it refers to a 'scenic spot' or 'wonderful realm,' as seen in the word 胜地 (shèngdì).
- In modern Chinese, this is a standard positive expression frequently found in reviews of entertainment media like novels, movies, and TV dramas.
5. Similar and Opposite Idioms
- Similar Idioms:
- 扣人心弦 (kòu rén xīn xián): Literally 'tugging at one's heartstrings'; used when a story or performance is deeply moving or thrilling.link
- 令人神往 (lìng rén shén wǎng): To make one yearn for something; usually describes being strongly attracted to a beautiful place or a noble ideal.
- 耐人寻味 (nài rén xún wèi): Worth pondering over.link
- Opposite Idioms:
- 味同嚼蜡 (wèi tóng jiáo là): Literally 'tasting like chewing wax'; describes writing or speech that is dry, boring, and lacks any flavor.
- 索然无味 (suǒ rán wú wèi): Dull and tasteless; completely lacking in interest or excitement.
- 平淡无奇 (píng dàn wú qí): Ordinary, nothing special.link
6. Summary
引人入胜 (yǐn rén rù shèng) is a common idiom used to describe something—usually a landscape or a creative work—that is so compelling it pulls the observer into its world. While it originally described the pleasant sensation of being intoxicated by wine, it is now used as a high compliment for gripping plots or breathtaking views.
