感人

• Pinyin: gǎn rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 感 = 咸 (all, phonetic) + 心 (heart), meaning to feel; 人 = pictograph of a person

Meaning

Moving; touching; heart-warming. Something that stirs emotions.

Used to describe stories, films, songs, actions, or scenes that evoke strong emotions, usually positive ones like warmth, sadness, or admiration. Common collocations: 感人至深 (deeply moving), 感人肺腑 (touching one's heart), 感人的故事 (touching story). Can sometimes be used ironically.

Examples

1. 这部电影讲述的故事太感人了，我看的时候哭了好几次。 The story in this movie was so touching that I cried several times while watching it.
2. 他坚持照顾生病的邻居三年，这种精神真的很感人。 He persisted in caring for his sick neighbor for three years — this spirit is truly moving.
3. 那位老师退休时学生们为她准备的告别仪式特别感人。 The farewell ceremony the students prepared for their teacher when she retired was especially touching.

Usage Guide

Context: reviews, descriptions, compliments

Tone: appreciative

Do Say

• 这个故事真感人。(This story is really touching.)
• 他的演讲非常感人。(His speech was very moving.)

Don't Say

• 讽刺场合用'太感人了'时不注意语气 (When used sarcastically, 太感人了 can mean the opposite — make sure tone is clear)

Origin & History

Compound of 感 (to feel, sense) + 人 (person). Together meaning 'causing people to feel (emotions)' — i.e., moving or touching.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal