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C1 phrase #7,800 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

心有余悸

xīnyǒuyújì Top 7,800

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Erklärung 心有余悸 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '心有余悸' (xīn yǒu yú jì) yourself yet, but it's good to know it's about being scared. Think of it as 'scared again.' In English, we say 'I'm still scared when I think about it.' In Chinese, this four-character phrase is a fancy way to say that. Imagine you saw a big dog yesterday. Today, you see the same street and your heart goes 'thump thump.' That 'thump thump' is the 'jì' in this word. It's a very advanced word, so if you recognize it, people will be very impressed! Just remember: 心 (xīn) is heart, and the whole phrase means your heart is still feeling the fear from something that happened before. It is used for big scary things, not small things like losing a pen. When you see it in a book, look for the word '心' (heart) and '余' (leftover) to help you remember.

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For A2 learners, '心有余悸' (xīn yǒu yú jì) is a great 'reach' word. You know the word for 'scared' (害怕 - hàipà). This idiom is like 'hàipà' but for the future. It describes the feeling after a scary event is over. For example, if you almost fell off your bike, you might feel '心有余悸' when you look at that bike later. The grammar is simple: 'Subject + 心有余悸.' You can say '我心有余悸' (I have lingering fear). It’s often used with '想起' (xiǎngqǐ - to recall). So, '想起那件事，我心有余悸' means 'Thinking of that matter, I still feel the fear.' It’s a very common 'Chengyu' (idiom). Even though it looks hard, you can break it down: Heart + Has + Extra + Fear. It’s the 'extra fear' that stays with you after the danger is gone.

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At the B1 level, you should start recognizing '心有余悸' in stories and news. This idiom describes a lingering psychological state. It’s different from '害怕' because '害怕' is a general feeling, while '心有余悸' is specifically about the *after-effect* of a shock. You will often see it in the structure '让/令 + someone + 心有余悸' (to make someone feel lingering fear). For example, '那次事故让他心有余悸' (That accident made him have lingering fears). You can also use it to describe a person's expression: '心有余悸的样子' (a look of lingering fear). This shows you understand that idioms can act like adjectives. When you write about a past experience that was difficult or scary, using this phrase instead of just '我很怕' will make your Chinese sound much more natural and advanced.

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B2 learners should be able to distinguish '心有余悸' from similar idioms like '心惊胆战' or '惊魂未定.' Remember that '心有余悸' emphasizes the *remnant* (余) of the fear. It is a very effective word for describing trauma or deep-seated anxiety resulting from a specific incident. In your writing, try to use it as a predicate to provide emotional depth to a narrative. For instance, '尽管事情已经过去很久，但每当提及，他依然心有余悸.' This sentence shows a good grasp of '尽管...但...' (although... but...) and the temporal aspect of the idiom. You should also notice that it’s rarely used for positive excitement; it’s almost exclusively for negative, fearful experiences. It is a formal term, so it’s perfect for essays or formal speeches about safety, history, or personal growth.

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As a C1 learner, you should master the nuance of '心有余悸' in various registers. It is a classic 'Chengyu' that appears frequently in modern Chinese literature (such as Sun Li's 'Lian Hua Chi'). It captures the physiological aspect of fear—the '悸' (jì) refers specifically to heart palpitations. When using it, you should consider its collocations: it often follows adverbs like '依然' (still), '犹' (still - more formal), or '颇' (quite). You can also use it as an attributive: '心有余悸的幸存者' (survivors with lingering fears). Understand that this phrase carries a certain weight; it implies that the event was significant enough to leave a lasting mark on the person's psyche. It is also useful in metaphorical contexts, such as describing a nation's collective memory of a war or an investor's reaction to a market crash. Your goal is to use it to convey not just fear, but the *persistence* of fear.

At the C2 level, you should appreciate the stylistic elegance of '心有余悸.' It is a perfectly balanced four-character structure that provides a concise summary of a complex psychological state. In high-level discourse, you might use it to discuss the long-term impacts of social or political upheavals. For example, '那场动乱给一代人留下了心有余悸的阴影' (That turmoil left a shadow of lingering fear on a generation). You should also be able to contrast it with more obscure idioms like '谈虎色变' (to turn pale at the mention of a tiger) or '草木皆兵' (to see every bush and tree as an enemy soldier). '心有余悸' is more about the internal feeling, while '谈虎色变' is about the reaction to a trigger. Mastery at this level involves using the idiom not just correctly, but with an awareness of its rhythmic contribution to a sentence and its ability to evoke a specific, haunting atmosphere in your writing.

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心有余悸 in 30 Sekunden

Describes lingering fear after a dangerous event has already passed.
Literally means 'heart has remaining palpitations' (residual terror).
Used in formal and informal contexts for trauma or shocks.
Commonly paired with 'recall' (想起) or 'still' (依然).

The Chinese idiom 心有余悸 (xīn yǒu yú jì) is a profound psychological descriptor that translates literally to "the heart has a remaining palpitation." It describes the lingering sense of fear or the 'aftershocks' of a traumatic or terrifying experience. Unlike immediate terror, which happens during a crisis, xīn yǒu yú jì occurs when the danger has passed, but the body and mind haven't fully recovered from the shock. Imagine narrowly avoiding a car accident; hours later, your hands might still shake when you think about it. That specific, haunting sensation is exactly what this phrase captures. It is a staple of both literary descriptions and everyday conversation when discussing narrow escapes, close calls, or past hardships that still cast a shadow over the present.

Literal Character Breakdown: 心 (xīn): Heart or mind, the seat of emotion in Chinese philosophy.
有 (yǒu): To have or possess.
余 (yú): Remaining, surplus, or leftover.
悸 (jì): Palpitations, or the heart thumping due to fear.
Common Contexts: This phrase is frequently used in news reports regarding natural disasters, survivors reflecting on accidents, or individuals discussing a particularly stressful exam or high-stakes business failure. It implies that while the physical threat is gone, the psychological impact remains visceral.

虽然地震已经过去多年，但每当想起那一刻，我依然心有余悸。(Even though the earthquake happened many years ago, I still have lingering fears whenever I think of that moment.)

The beauty of this idiom lies in its focus on the 'residual' (余). It acknowledges that fear isn't a light switch that can be turned off; it has a half-life. In modern psychology, this could be seen as a mild form of PTSD or a stress response. When you use this phrase, you are communicating a deep vulnerability—that the event was so intense it fundamentally rattled your inner peace. It is often paired with verbs like '感到' (gǎndào - to feel) or '让' (ràng - to make someone feel).

那场惊险的飞行经历，至今让他心有余悸。(That harrowing flight experience still leaves him with lingering fears to this day.)

Register and Usage: It is a formal yet expressive term. While it appears in literature (like the works of Sun Li), it is also perfectly appropriate in semi-formal conversations. You wouldn't use it for a minor scare, like a spider, unless you were being hyperbolic.

Ultimately, xīn yǒu yú jì is about the echo of a scream. It’s the silence that follows a loud bang where your heart is still trying to catch up to the fact that you are safe. It bridges the gap between the event and the recovery process, highlighting the lasting power of fear on the human psyche.

Using 心有余悸 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as an adjective-like phrase. It usually functions as a predicate (following the subject) or a complement (describing the result of an action). It is rarely used as a direct modifier before a noun without a linking particle like '的'.

Pattern 1: Subject + (依然/还是) + 心有余悸: This is the most common structure. It translates to 'Subject still has lingering fears.'
Example: 回想起那次抢劫，我依然心有余悸。(Recalling that robbery, I still have lingering fears.)
Pattern 2: 让/令 + Person + 心有余悸: This causative structure means 'To make someone feel lingering fear.'
Example: 那次交通事故让人心有余悸。(That traffic accident makes people feel lingering fears.)

他带着心有余悸的神情，讲述了逃生的经过。(With a look of lingering fear, he recounted the process of his escape.)

When using this idiom, timing is crucial. The event must have concluded. You cannot be xīn yǒu yú jì while the monster is chasing you; you are xīn yǒu yú jì when you are safely locked in your room thinking about the monster. It emphasizes the aftermath. It is also important to note that the 'heart' (心) here is the subject of the fear, so the phrase implies a deeply felt, internal reaction rather than just a logical recognition of danger.

看到新闻里的火灾现场，我不禁对他当时的处境感到心有余悸。(Seeing the fire scene in the news, I couldn't help but feel lingering fear for his situation at that time.)

In writing, this phrase adds a layer of sophistication. Instead of simply saying someone is '害怕' (scared), xīn yǒu yú jì paints a picture of someone who is trying to move on but is still tethered to a moment of terror. It is highly effective in narrative essays and descriptive storytelling where character interiority is key.

Advanced Usage: As an Attribute: You can use it to describe a state or a look: '心有余悸的样子' (a look of lingering fear). This describes the physical manifestation of the internal state, such as paleness or trembling.

In the modern Chinese-speaking world, 心有余悸 is far from an archaic literary relic. It is a living part of the language found in various media and social interactions. From the evening news to personal blogs on platforms like WeChat or Weibo, this idiom serves as the go-to expression for describing the psychological impact of shocking events.

1. News and Journalism: Journalists often use this phrase when interviewing survivors of natural disasters (floods, earthquakes) or accidents. It provides a respectful and empathetic way to describe the victims' trauma. For instance, '幸存者回想起那一幕，依然心有余悸' (Survivors still have lingering fears when recalling that scene) is a common headline trope.
2. Personal Storytelling (Vlogs/Blogs): Content creators often use it to add drama to their stories. Whether it's a travel vlogger talking about a scary encounter in a foreign country or someone sharing a story about a medical scare, the phrase helps the audience feel the weight of the experience.

“刚才那辆车离我只有几厘米，我现在还心有余悸。” (“That car was only centimeters away from me just now; I still have lingering fears.”)

In financial circles, you might hear it used metaphorically. For example, investors who lived through a market crash might be '心有余悸' about investing in similar stocks again. This demonstrates the phrase's versatility—it isn't limited to physical danger but extends to any event that caused significant mental or emotional distress.

经历过那次经济危机的人，至今对投资房产感到心有余悸。(Those who experienced that economic crisis still feel lingering fears about investing in real estate.)

Finally, in literature and cinema, this phrase is used to build character depth. A character who is xīn yǒu yú jì is often portrayed as cautious or hesitant, their past trauma dictating their current actions. It’s a powerful tool for showing, rather than just telling, that a character has been through something life-altering.

While 心有余悸 is a high-frequency idiom, learners often trip up on its specific nuances and grammatical constraints. Understanding these pitfalls will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid awkward phrasing.

Mistake 1: Confusing Timing (Current vs. Past): The most common error is using it to describe current fear during an event. If a bear is currently looking at you, you are 害怕 (hàipà) or 心惊胆战 (xīnjīng dǎnzhàn). You only become 心有余悸 after you've escaped and are thinking back on it. Remember: '余' means 'remaining' or 'leftover'. You can't have leftovers of a meal you haven't finished yet!
Mistake 2: Using '很' (Very) Incorrectly: Because 心有余悸 functions as a complete predicate phrase (Subject + Has + Remaining + Palpitations), adding '很' (very) directly before it can sound clunky. While '我很心有余悸' is occasionally heard in casual speech, it is better to use '感到' (feel) or '十分' (extremely) to modify the intensity: '感到十分心有余悸'.

❌ Incorrect: 我正在看恐怖片，心有余悸。
✅ Correct: 看完恐怖片后，我依然心有余悸。

Another mistake is overusing it for trivial matters. If you forgot to buy milk and your spouse was slightly annoyed, saying you are xīn yǒu yú jì sounds overly dramatic and sarcastic. Reserve this for situations where there was a genuine threat to safety, health, or significant stability. Using it for minor inconveniences cheapens the emotional weight of the idiom.

Mistake 3: Redundancy: Avoid saying '心里的心有余悸' (the lingering fear in the heart). The word '心' is already in the idiom. Simply say '心有余悸' or '这种余悸'.

To truly master 心有余悸, it is helpful to compare it with other idioms and words that describe fear. Chinese has a rich vocabulary for terror, and choosing the right one depends on the timing and the intensity of the emotion.

心有余悸 vs. 惊魂未定 (jīng hún wèi dìng): 惊魂未定 means 'one's startled soul hasn't settled yet.' This is used for the immediate aftermath—minutes or hours after the event. 心有余悸 can be used days, months, or even years later. If you just stepped off a scary roller coaster, you are 惊魂未定. If you think about it next week and shudder, you are 心有余悸.
心有余悸 vs. 心惊胆战 (xīn jīng dǎn zhàn): 心惊胆战 describes being 'terrified to the core' (heart startled, gall bladder trembling). This is usually used for active fear—while the scary thing is happening or while you are anticipating something very frightening.

比较：
1. 考试时，他心惊胆战。(During the exam, he was terrified.)
2. 考完后，想起那道难题，他依然心有余悸。(After the exam, thinking of that hard question, he still had lingering fears.)

Other alternatives include 谈虎色变 (tán hǔ sè biàn), which means 'to turn pale at the mere mention of a tiger' (being so traumatized by something that just talking about it scares you). This is more specific than 心有余悸 and implies a permanent psychological scar. 后怕 (hòupà) is the colloquial equivalent of 心有余悸. In casual conversation, you might say '我想起来就后怕' (I feel scared whenever I think back on it).

Summary Table: - 心有余悸: Lingering fear (long term).
- 惊魂未定: Shaken up (short term).
- 心惊胆战: Active terror (during the event).
- 后怕: Colloquial lingering fear.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The character '悸' (jì) contains the 'heart' radical (忄) and the component '季' (jì). This suggests that the fear is something that 'seasons' the heart or stays with it.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ʃɪn joʊ juː dʒiː/

US /ʃɪn joʊ juː dʒiː/

The emphasis is usually placed on the final character 'jì' to highlight the fear aspect.

Reimt sich auf

悸 (jì) rhymes with 记 (jì - remember) 悸 (jì) rhymes with 寄 (jì - mail) 悸 (jì) rhymes with 季 (jì - season) 悸 (jì) rhymes with 技 (jì - skill) 悸 (jì) rhymes with 继 (jì - continue) 悸 (jì) rhymes with 寂 (jì - lonely) 悸 (jì) rhymes with 际 (jì - border) 悸 (jì) rhymes with 忌 (jì - taboo)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'jì' as 'jǐ' (third tone). It must be the falling fourth tone.
Confusing the 'yu' sound with the English 'you'. It is a rounded 'u' sound like in 'lune' (French).
Merging 'xīn' and 'yǒu' into one syllable.
Mispronouncing 'yú' as 'yǔ'.
Failing to aspirate the 'j' in 'jì' correctly.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

Requires knowledge of '悸', which is a less common character outside this idiom.

Schreiben 5/5

Writing '悸' correctly can be tricky for learners due to the strokes.

Sprechen 3/5

Easy to pronounce once the tones are mastered.

Hören 3/5

Distinct rhythm makes it easy to spot in speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

害怕 (Fear) 心 (Heart) 有 (Have) 想起 (Recall) 虽然 (Although)

Als Nächstes lernen

惊魂未定 (Soul not yet settled) 谈虎色变 (Pale at mention of tiger) 心惊肉跳 (Heart starts and flesh jumps) 阴影 (Shadow/Trauma) 心理疏导 (Psychological counseling)

Fortgeschritten

草木皆兵杯弓蛇影惊弓之鸟

Wichtige Grammatik

Chengyu as Predicate

他依然心有余悸。

Causative '让' (ràng)

这件事让他心有余悸。

Attributive '的' (de)

心有余悸的神情。

Adverbial '地' (de)

他心有余悸地看了看身后。

Concessive '虽然...依然...' (suīrán... yīrán...)

虽然安全了，但他依然心有余悸。

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Beispiele nach Niveau

想起大狗，我心有余悸。

Thinking of the big dog, I have lingering fears.

Subject + 心有余悸.

那件事让他心有余悸。

That matter made him feel lingering fear.

让 (ràng) + person + 心有余悸.

我依然心有余悸。

I still have lingering fears.

依然 (yīrán) means 'still'.

看到火，他心有余悸。

Seeing fire, he has lingering fears.

Simple cause and effect.

大家都心有余悸。

Everyone has lingering fears.

Plural subject.

想起那场雨，我心有余悸。

Thinking of that rain, I have lingering fears.

想起 (xiǎngqǐ) + noun.

他心有余悸地走开了。

He walked away with lingering fears.

Using 地 (de) to make it an adverb.

你还心有余悸吗？

Do you still have lingering fears?

Interrogative with 吗.

那场车祸后，我一直心有余悸。

After that car accident, I have been having lingering fears.

一直 (yīzhí) indicates a continuous state.

虽然没受伤，但我还是心有余悸。

Although I wasn't hurt, I still have lingering fears.

虽然...还是... (Although... still...).

听了那个故事，我感到心有余悸。

After hearing that story, I felt lingering fears.

感到 (gǎndào) + state.

那次飞行的经历令人心有余悸。

That flight experience makes people feel lingering fears.

令人 (lìngrén) means 'makes one...'

他带着心有余悸的表情告诉我真相。

He told me the truth with a look of lingering fear.

Using as an adjective with 的.

每当想起考试，我就心有余悸。

Whenever I think of the exam, I feel lingering fears.

每当...就... (Whenever... then...).

这真是一次让人心有余悸的冒险。

This was truly a lingering-fear-inducing adventure.

Complex noun phrase.

他们对那次洪水依然心有余悸。

They still have lingering fears about that flood.

对 (duì) + something + 心有余悸.

那场大火虽然扑灭了，但居民们依然心有余悸。

Although the big fire was put out, the residents still have lingering fears.

Contrast between the event ending and the feeling remaining.

回想起在森林里迷路的那晚，我至今心有余悸。

Recalling the night I got lost in the forest, I still have lingering fears to this day.

至今 (zhìjīn) means 'to this day'.

他那心有余悸的样子说明他还没从惊吓中恢复过来。

His look of lingering fear shows he hasn't recovered from the shock.

The idiom acts as a noun modifier.

看到新闻里的空难报道，我不禁心有余悸。

Seeing the report of the plane crash in the news, I couldn't help but feel lingering fear.

不禁 (bùjīn) means 'cannot help but'.

那次手术的风险很高，现在想起来还心有余悸。

The risk of that surgery was high; I still have lingering fears thinking about it now.

Implied subject (me).

地震发生时，那种地动山摇的感觉让人心有余悸。

When the earthquake happened, that feeling of the earth shaking made people feel lingering fears.

Descriptive clause before the idiom.

虽然已经安全回家，他还是感到心有余悸。

Although he had already returned home safely, he still felt lingering fears.

Emphasis on current safety vs. past fear.

那次失败的投资经历让他至今心有余悸，不敢再入市。

That failed investment experience has left him with lingering fears, making him afraid to re-enter the market.

Metaphorical use of fear in finance.

经历了那次惊心动魄的抢劫，受害者们都心有余悸。

Having experienced that soul-stirring robbery, the victims all have lingering fears.

Using another Chengyu (惊心动魄) to describe the event.

尽管时间已经过去了很久，但提起那段往事，他依然心有余悸。

Despite a long time having passed, when mentioning those past events, he still has lingering fears.

Complex conditional structure.

这种心有余悸的感觉，恐怕只有亲身经历过的人才能体会。

This feeling of lingering fear can probably only be understood by those who have experienced it personally.

Abstract noun phrase usage.

电影中真实的灾难场景令观众心有余悸。

The realistic disaster scenes in the movie left the audience with lingering fears.

Causative '令' (lìng).

他虽然嘴上说没事，但眼神中流露出的心有余悸却骗不了人。

Although he said he was fine, the lingering fear revealed in his eyes couldn't hide the truth.

Contrast between words and physical signs.

每当夜深人静，那种心有余悸的痛苦就会袭上心头。

Whenever it's late at night and quiet, that pain of lingering fear strikes the heart.

Personification of 'pain' (袭上心头).

面对如此险峻的山路，即使是经验丰富的司机也会心有余悸。

Facing such steep mountain roads, even experienced drivers would have lingering fears.

Hypothetical scenario using 即使...也...

那次海啸造成的破坏至今让人心有余悸。

The destruction caused by that tsunami still makes people feel lingering fears to this day.

Focus on the scale of the event.

幸存者在接受采访时，描述了那场让人心有余悸的灾难经过。

During the interview, the survivor described the process of that lingering-fear-inducing disaster.

Idiom used as an attributive adjective.

虽然金融危机已经缓解，但许多投资者仍心有余悸，持观望态度。

Although the financial crisis has eased, many investors still have lingering fears and are taking a wait-and-see approach.

Professional/Economic context.

那种与死神擦肩而过的感觉，至今让他心有余悸，无法释怀。

That feeling of brushing past the Grim Reaper still leaves him with lingering fears, unable to let it go.

Metaphorical language (与死神擦肩而过).

他在自传中写道，那段黑暗的岁月令他终生心有余悸。

He wrote in his autobiography that those dark years left him with lingering fears for his entire life.

Literary/Autobiographical context.

看着孩子从高处坠落又被接住的那一幕，围观群众都心有余悸。

Watching the scene where the child fell from a height and was caught, the onlookers all had lingering fears.

Collective reaction.

他心有余悸地看了一眼那口深井，再也不敢靠近。

He glanced at that deep well with lingering fear and never dared to approach it again.

Adverbial usage describing an action.

历史的惨痛教训应当铭记，但也不应让人永远心有余悸而不敢前行。

The painful lessons of history should be remembered, but they should not leave people in permanent lingering fear, afraid to move forward.

Philosophical/Social commentary.

那种心有余悸的心理阴影，需要长期的心理疏导才能消除。

That psychological shadow of lingering fear requires long-term psychological counseling to eliminate.

Medical/Psychological context.

在这部小说中，作者通过细腻的笔触，刻画了主人公在战后心有余悸的复杂心理。

In this novel, the author uses delicate brushstrokes to depict the protagonist's complex psychological state of lingering fear after the war.

Literary criticism context.

尽管社会秩序已经恢复，但那场瘟疫留下的心有余悸依然笼罩在城市上空。

Although social order has been restored, the lingering fear left by that plague still hangs over the city.

Metaphorical/Atmospheric usage.

他对此事的反应如此强烈，显然是心有余悸，而非无理取闹。

His reaction to this matter was so strong; it was clearly a result of lingering fear rather than making trouble out of nothing.

Logical deduction (而非...).

那些在动荡年代幸存下来的人们，谈起往事总不免心有余悸。

Those who survived the turbulent years cannot help but feel lingering fears when talking about the past.

Double negative (不免) for emphasis.

这篇文章深刻剖析了当代人对技术失控所持有的那种心有余悸的焦虑。

This article profoundly analyzes the lingering-fear-based anxiety that contemporary people hold toward technology spiraling out of control.

Abstract academic analysis.

在灾难片中，导演往往利用音效来强化那种让人心有余悸的紧张氛围。

In disaster movies, directors often use sound effects to strengthen that lingering-fear-inducing tense atmosphere.

Film studies context.

即便已经位居高位，他想起早年的艰辛奋斗，依然心有余悸。

Even though he now holds a high position, he still has lingering fears when thinking of his hard struggles in the early years.

Contrast between current success and past trauma.

这种心有余悸的情绪，在某种程度上成为了他创作的灵感源泉。

This emotion of lingering fear has, to some extent, become the source of inspiration for his creations.

Creative/Artistic context.

Synonyme

惊魂未定后怕心惊肉跳谈虎色变胆战心惊畏首畏尾余悸惶恐不安

Gegenteile

处之泰然泰然自若心安理得无所畏惧

Häufige Kollokationen

依然心有余悸

令人心有余悸

感到心有余悸

想起...心有余悸

心有余悸的神情

心有余悸的幸存者

至今心有余悸

颇感心有余悸

不免心有余悸

犹有余悸

Häufige Phrasen

心有余悸的阴影

— The shadow of lingering fear. Refers to a lasting psychological trauma.

那次失败在他心中留下了心有余悸的阴影。

回想起来心有余悸

— To have lingering fears when thinking back. A very standard way to use the idiom.

虽然已经过去很久，但回想起来依然心有余悸。

让人心有余悸的经历

— An experience that leaves one with lingering fears.

这是一段让人心有余悸的经历。

带着心有余悸

— Carrying lingering fear (in one's heart or expression).

他带着心有余悸离开了现场。

消除心有余悸

— To eliminate or get over lingering fears.

他需要时间来消除心中的心有余悸。

表现出心有余悸

— To show signs of lingering fear.

他在采访中表现出心有余悸。

产生心有余悸

— To develop a sense of lingering fear.

这种环境容易让人产生心有余悸。

心有余悸地描述

— To describe something with lingering fear.

她心有余悸地描述了当时的情况。

深感心有余悸

— To feel deeply lingering fear.

我对他所说的事实深感心有余悸。

心有余悸的痛

— The pain of lingering fear.

那是他心中永远心有余悸的痛。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

心有余悸 vs 心惊肉跳

心惊肉跳 is more about immediate, intense physical anxiety, while 心有余悸 is about the lingering effect after the event.

心有余悸 vs 惊魂未定

惊魂未定 is for the very first moments after a shock; 心有余悸 can last for years.

心有余悸 vs 胆战心惊

胆战心惊 usually describes fear during an ongoing threat.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"心有余悸"

— Lingering fear after a shock.

事故之后，他心有余悸。

General

"惊魂未定"

— Soul not yet settled; immediately after a shock.

他刚逃出来，惊魂未定。

Formal

"心惊肉跳"

— Heart starts and flesh jumps; extreme anxiety.

听到这个消息，他心惊肉跳。

Descriptive

"谈虎色变"

— Turning pale at the mention of a tiger; trauma.

提到战争，老人们谈虎色变。

Literary

"胆战心惊"

— Gall bladder trembling and heart startled.

他在黑暗中胆战心惊地走着。

Common

"草木皆兵"

— Seeing every bush and tree as an enemy; paranoia.

战败后，士兵们草木皆兵。

Literary

"杯弓蛇影"

— Mistaking a bow's reflection for a snake; false alarm.

他总是杯弓蛇影，自己吓自己。

Literary

"魂飞魄散"

— Soul and spirit flying away; scared to death.

那一声巨响吓得他魂飞魄散。

Graphic

"惊弓之鸟"

— A bird startled by the mere twang of a bow; once bitten, twice shy.

受过伤的他现在就像惊弓之鸟。

Literary

"如履薄冰"

— As if treading on thin ice; being extremely cautious.

他在新公司工作，每天都如履薄冰。

Formal

Leicht verwechselbar

心有余悸 vs 心怀鬼胎

Both start with '心' (heart).

心怀鬼胎 means to have evil or hidden intentions, while 心有余悸 means to have lingering fears. They are completely unrelated in meaning.

他心怀鬼胎，想偷我的钱包。

心有余悸 vs 心猿意马

Both are '心' idioms.

心猿意马 means to be restless or unfocused (heart like a monkey), whereas 心有余悸 is about fear.

上课时他总是心猿意马。

心有余悸 vs 心不在焉

Both start with '心'.

心不在焉 means absent-minded or not paying attention.

他心不在焉地听着老师讲课。

心有余悸 vs 心平气和

Both are '心' idioms describing an internal state.

心平气和 means calm and even-tempered, the opposite of the agitated state of 心有余悸.

我们要心平气和地解决问题。

心有余悸 vs 心如刀割

Both are '心' idioms for strong emotion.

心如刀割 describes extreme grief or sadness (heart cut by a knife), not fear.

听到这个不幸的消息，她心如刀割。

Satzmuster

我 + 心有余悸。

我心有余悸。

想起 + [Event] + 我 + 心有余悸。

想起那次考试，我心有余悸。

[Event] + 让人 + 心有余悸。

那场大雨让人心有余悸。

虽然 + [Safety] + 但 + [Subject] + 依然 + 心有余悸。

虽然已经回家了，但他依然心有余悸。

带着 + 心有余悸的 + [Noun]。

带着心有余悸的表情。

[Subject] + 至今 + 对 + [Event] + 心有余悸。

他至今对那次失败心有余悸。

[Abstract Noun] + 笼罩着 + 心有余悸的 + [Noun]。

城市笼罩着心有余悸的阴影。

[Subject] + 并非...而是 + 心有余悸。

他并非胆小，而是心有余悸。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

余悸 (yújì) - Lingering fear

心悸 (xīnjì) - Heart palpitations

Verben

悸动 (jìdòng) - To throb/palpitate

Adjektive

悸 (jì) - Fearful/shaking

Verwandt

心惊 (xīnjīng) - Startled

惊恐 (jīngkǒng) - Terrified

后怕 (hòupà) - Fear after the fact

阴影 (yīnyǐng) - Shadow/trauma

恢复 (huīfù) - Recover

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in literature, news, and formal speech; occasionally in casual speech.

Häufige Fehler

Using it while the scary event is still happening. → Use it only after the event has concluded.
The '余' means 'remaining.' You can't have 'remaining' fear while the primary fear is still active.
Saying '我很心有余悸'. → Say '我感到心有余悸' or '我依然心有余悸'.
Directly modifying a Chengyu with '很' is often considered poor style or slightly ungrammatical.
Using it for minor, non-scary things. → Reserve it for events that actually cause heart palpitations.
Using it for 'I forgot my keys' is too dramatic and sounds like a joke.
Confusing it with '心怀鬼胎'. → Use '心有余悸' for fear; '心怀鬼胎' for bad intentions.
The two phrases sound somewhat similar but have opposite meanings.
Mispronouncing 'jì' as 'jī' or 'jí'. → Ensure it is the fourth tone (jì).
Incorrect tones on idioms can make them completely unintelligible to native speakers.

Tipps

Predicate Use

Remember that '心有余悸' often acts as the main verb/adjective of the sentence. You don't always need '是' (shì) before it. Just say '我心有余悸'.

Timing Matters

Only use this for fear that remains *after* the danger is gone. If you are currently in danger, use '害怕' or '心惊胆战'.

Related Noun

Learn '余悸' (yújì) as a standalone noun for 'lingering fear.' It's useful for more complex sentence structures.

Narrative Depth

In essays, use '心有余悸' to transition from describing an action to describing a character's internal growth or struggle.

Tone Accuracy

The fourth tone on '悸' is sharp and falling. Practice it to avoid sounding like you're saying 'season' (jì) or 'remember' (jì) with the wrong intent.

Social Context

Using idioms like this in China shows respect for the language and can make difficult topics (like trauma) easier to discuss.

Spotting the Pattern

When reading, look for '想起' (recall) + '心有余悸'. This is the most common 'trigger-response' pattern in Chinese text.

News Clues

In news broadcasts, this phrase is a signal that the reporter is about to discuss the emotional impact on survivors.

The 'Leftover' Rule

Associate '余' (yú) with 'surplus' or 'leftovers.' It's the 'leftover fear' from a scary meal you already finished.

Cause and Effect

If you use '令人心有余悸', the subject must be the thing that caused the fear, not the person feeling it.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Xīn' (Heart) having a 'Yú' (Surplus/Leftover) of 'Jì' (Jitters). The 'Jitters' stay in your 'Heart' even after the party's over.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a heart inside a chest. The scary event is a lightning bolt that has already passed, but inside the heart, there are still small, glowing sparks (the 'yú jì') that won't go out.

Word Web

心 (Heart) 有 (Have) 余 (Leftover) 悸 (Palpitation) 害怕 (Fear) 过去 (Past) 想起 (Recall) 阴影 (Shadow)

Herausforderung

Try to write a sentence about a 'close call' you had (like almost dropping your phone) using '心有余悸'.

Wortherkunft

The phrase has roots in classical Chinese literature where '悸' (jì) was used to describe the physical sensation of the heart thumping in fear. While the exact four-character combination '心有余悸' became more standardized in modern literature (notably in the 20th century by writers like Sun Li), the components have been used to describe post-crisis fear for centuries.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The heart still thumping from a previous fright.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese Chengyu)

Kultureller Kontext

Be mindful when using this with people who have experienced genuine tragedy; it is a powerful word that acknowledges their pain.

In English, we might say 'once bitten, twice shy' or 'it still haunts me.' '心有余悸' is more clinical yet poetic at the same time.

Sun Li's 'Lian Hua Chi' (Lotus Pond) uses this phrase to describe wartime trauma. Commonly used in CCTV news reports during disaster anniversaries. Frequent in 'Wuxia' novels to describe a hero's reaction to a near-death duel.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Natural Disasters

地震过后的心有余悸
洪水让他心有余悸
灾民们依然心有余悸
面对天灾的心有余悸

Traffic Accidents

车祸后的心有余悸
开车时心有余悸
那场事故令人心有余悸
心有余悸的司机

Finance/Business

股市崩盘后的心有余悸
对投资感到心有余悸
破产的经历让人心有余悸
心有余悸的股东

Health/Medical

大病初愈后的心有余悸
对那场手术心有余悸
心有余悸的病患
想起病情依然心有余悸

Personal Safety

遇到抢劫后的心有余悸
独自走夜路心有余悸
心有余悸的报警人
那种感觉让人心有余悸

Gesprächseinstiege

"你有没有过什么让你至今想起还心有余悸的经历？ (Have you ever had an experience that still leaves you with lingering fears?)"

"那场电影的结局真是让人心有余悸，你觉得呢？ (The ending of that movie really leaves one with lingering fears, don't you think?)"

"听说你上次旅游遇到了风暴，现在还心有余悸吗？ (I heard you encountered a storm on your last trip; do you still have lingering fears?)"

"面对这种突发情况，大家难免会心有余悸。 (Faced with this kind of emergency, it's inevitable that everyone will have lingering fears.)"

"虽然事情解决了，但我总觉得有些心有余悸。 (Although the matter is resolved, I always feel a bit of lingering fear.)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

描述一次让你心有余悸的冒险经历，并说明你当时是如何克服的。 (Describe a lingering-fear-inducing adventure and explain how you overcame it at the time.)

为什么有些事情即使过去了很久，我们依然会心有余悸？ (Why is it that for some things, even after a long time has passed, we still have lingering fears?)

写一段关于你对未来某种不确定性感到心有余悸的文字。 (Write a passage about how you feel lingering fear regarding a certain future uncertainty.)

你认为时间真的能消除所有的心有余悸吗？ (Do you think time can really eliminate all lingering fears?)

描述一个你认识的人，他因为过去的某种经历而一直心有余悸。 (Describe someone you know who has had lingering fears because of a past experience.)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, '心有余悸' is almost exclusively used for negative, fearful, or traumatic experiences. You wouldn't use it for the 'lingering excitement' of a surprise party or a winning lottery ticket. For positive lingering feelings, you might use '回味无穷' (endless aftertaste) or '记忆犹新' (vivid memory).

It is slightly formal, but very commonly used. If you want to sound more casual, you can use the word '后怕' (hòupà). For example, '我想起来就后怕' is very natural in a conversation with friends. However, using '心有余悸' will make you sound more educated and precise.

Timing is the key difference. '惊魂未定' (jīng hún wèi dìng) is used immediately after a shock—when you are still trembling and haven't calmed down yet. '心有余悸' is used when the event is over, and you are recalling it later, even much later.

The idiom itself is usually a predicate or adjective. However, you can use the shortened form '余悸' (yújì) as a noun. For example, '心中的余悸' (the lingering fear in the heart).

While '心有余悸' covers the feeling of being haunted by a scare, '心理创伤' (xīnlǐ chuàngshāng) is the literal term for 'psychological trauma.' '心有余悸' is more about the *feeling* of the trauma resurfacing.

No, '悸' (jì) means palpitations or thumping of the heart. It is not related to '结' (jié). It is specifically used for fear-induced heart movements.

Yes! If a movie was so scary that you are still afraid to go to the bathroom alone an hour after it finished, you can say, '看完那部电影，我依然心有余悸。'

It's better to say '我感到心有余悸' or '我依然心有余悸.' Adding '很' (very) directly before a four-character idiom can sometimes sound slightly ungrammatical, though it is occasionally heard in casual speech.

The most common ones are '依然' (still), '犹' (still), '至今' (to this day), '颇' (quite), and '深' (deeply).

Usually, no. It would sound sarcastic or hyperbolic. '心有余悸' is reserved for significant events that truly 'shook' your heart.

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