胸膛

• Pinyin: xiōng táng
• Hanzi breakdown: 胸 = 月 + 匈 (chest); 膛 = 月 + 堂 (cavity/hall-like hollow)

Meaning

The chest; the front part of the torso from neck to abdomen.

Used both literally for the physical chest and figuratively to represent the heart, courage, or the capacity to embrace something. Common in literary and emotional contexts.

Examples

1. 他挺起胸膛，昂首阔步地走上领奖台，接受来自全场观众热烈的掌声与欢呼。 He puffed out his chest and strode onto the awards stage with his head held high, accepting the audience’s thunderous applause and cheers.
2. 母亲将孩子紧紧搂入胸膛，低声安慰着哭泣的孩子，直到他渐渐平静下来。 The mother pulled her child tightly against her chest and softly comforted him as he cried, until he gradually calmed down.
3. 战士们敞开胸膛，用血肉之躯筑成一道坚不可摧的防线，保卫了整座城市。 The soldiers bared their chests and formed an unbreakable line with their own flesh and blood, defending the entire city.

Usage Guide

Context: body, literature, emotion, military

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他拍了拍胸膛，向大家保证这件事一定会处理妥当，请大家放心。(He patted his chest and assured everyone that the matter would be handled properly — they need not worry.)
• 她将信纸贴近胸膛，闭上眼睛，回想起那段刻骨铭心的岁月。(She pressed the letter to her chest, closed her eyes, and recalled those deeply etched years.)

Don't Say

• 胸膛里装满了知识 — while 胸膛 can extend metaphorically, knowledge is better expressed with 脑海 or 心中; 胸膛 as a figurative container suits emotions and resolve, not intellectual content

Origin & History

胸 (chest) + 膛 (cavity/hollow of body) — the hollow front of the torso

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal