惊天动地

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jīng tiān dòng dì
• English Translation: To startle the heavens and shake the earth (earth-shattering)
• Idiom Composition: 「惊」（To startle, shock, or alarm）＋「天」（Heaven or the sky）＋「动」（To move, shake, or vibrate）＋「地」（The earth or the ground）
• Meaning: Literally describing a sound or force so powerful it startles the heavens and moves the earth. Figuratively, it refers to monumental achievements, world-shaking events, or a tremendous impact that shocks the public.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「惊天动地」 contains the following nuances:

• Physical Magnitude: It describes sounds like explosions, thunder, or massive cheers that seem to vibrate through the entire universe.
• Social and Historical Impact: It characterizes great feats, revolutions, or major incidents that shock society or change the course of history. It can be used in both positive (great deeds) and negative (major disasters) contexts.

3. Usage

「惊天动地」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Great Achievements or Heroic Deeds: Used to praise monumental successes or heroic actions that leave a mark on history.
  • Example:「他立志要做一番惊天动地的大事业。」
    （He is determined to accomplish a world-shaking career.）
• Sound or Physical Force: Used to emphasize the sheer volume of a sound or the physical intensity of a disaster.
  • Example:「一声惊天动地的巨响之后，大楼倒塌了。」
    （With an earth-shattering roar, the building collapsed.）
• Intensity of Emotions or Romance: Metaphorically describes dramatic or intense personal experiences, such as a legendary love story.
  • Example:「他们经历了一场惊天动地的爱情，最终修成正果。」
    （They went through an epic romance before finally getting married.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这场地震的破坏力惊天动地，整个城市瞬间变成了废墟。
   （The destructive power of this earthquake was earth-shattering, turning the entire city into ruins in an instant.）
2. 虽然他只是个普通人，但他做出的牺牲却是惊天动地的。
   （Although he was just an ordinary man, the sacrifice he made was monumental.）
3. 真正的幸福往往是平淡的，不需要惊天动地。
   （True happiness is often found in the mundane; it doesn't need to be earth-shaking.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The idiom originates from a poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi (白居易) titled 'The Tomb of Li Bai' (李白墓). He wrote, 'Alas, the bones in this desolate grave once produced earth-shattering writings,' using 惊天动地 (jīng tiān dòng dì) to describe the immense talent of the 'Poet Immortal' Li Bai (李白).
• While it originally referred to the power of literary talent and writing, in modern usage, it is more commonly applied to the scale of events, the volume of sounds, or the significance of achievements. It is reserved for large-scale phenomena and is rarely used for trivial daily matters.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 震天动地 (zhèn tiān dòng dì): To shake the heavens and move the earth; almost synonymous, emphasizing the power of sound or momentum.
  • 石破天惊 (shí pò tiān jīng): The rocks crack and the heavens are startled; used to describe remarkably original writing or music, or a sudden, shocking event.
  • 声势浩大 (shēng shì hào dà): To have great momentum and influence.link
  • 惊心动魄 (jīng xīn dòng pò): To describe a scene or experience that is extremely thrilling and exciting.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 风平浪静 (fēng píng làng jìng): The wind is calm and the waves are still; describing a state of peace and tranquility.
  • 万籁俱寂 (wàn lài jù jì): All sounds are hushed; describing absolute silence in the surroundings.
  • 平淡无奇 (píng dàn wú qí): Ordinary, nothing special.link
  • 无声无息 (wú shēng wú xī): Without a sound or a trace.link

6. Summary

The idiom 惊天动地 (jīng tiān dòng dì) is used to describe events or achievements of immense scale. Originally used by the poet Bai Juyi (白居易) to praise the literary genius of Li Bai (李白), it has evolved to describe anything from a deafening explosion to a historical revolution that changes the world.