骇人听闻

No base JSON record found for this token.

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"骇人听闻" is a four-character idiom used to describe news, events, or stories that are shocking, horrifying, and hard to believe. It often carries a strong emotional impact, emphasizing the severity or terror of the situation.

Common Contexts

This idiom is frequently used in news reports, storytelling, and conversations about crimes, accidents, or disasters that evoke fear or shock.

Collocations and Patterns

These collocations highlight the idiom's use to intensify the negative emotional response to an event.

Usage Notes

When using 骇人听闻, speakers imply that the event or information is not only surprising but also disturbing or frightening. It is typically used in formal or serious contexts rather than casual conversation.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse 骇人听闻 with similar idioms that express surprise without the horror element, such as 惊讶 (surprising). 骇人听闻 specifically conveys a sense of dread or alarm.

Example Sentences

This shocking and horrifying accident shocked the entire community.

He told a horrifying crime story.

The media reported a shocking environmental pollution incident.