# 发人深省

fā rén shēn xǐng

Prompt careful and substantial reflection

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Cause people to reflect deeply

**Traditional Chinese:** 發人深省

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Praise an idea or work that invites reconsideration.

A serious tone alone does not make something insightful.

## The image & its use

The expression describes an effect on the audience: people pause and reconsider what they thought or how they act. A thoughtful question, an ordinary experience explained clearly, or a well observed essay can produce it. The depth comes from the connection to something worth examining, rather than solemn wording. Show the question or insight that invites reflection. A brief friendly conversation can be just as thought provoking as a long formal presentation.

## Examples

这篇关于时间安排的文章发人深省。

### Traditional Chinese

這篇關於時間安排的文章發人深省。

zhè piān guān yú shí jiān ān pái de wén zhāng fā rén shēn xǐng 。

The article about organizing time invites careful reflection.

老师的问题很简单，却发人深省。

### Traditional Chinese

老師的問題很簡單，卻發人深省。

lǎo shī de wèn tí hěn jiǎn dān ， què fā rén shēn xǐng 。

The teacher's question was simple but thought provoking.

她分享的经历发人深省。

### Traditional Chinese

她分享的經歷發人深省。

tā fēn xiǎng de jīng lì fā rén shēn xǐng 。

The experience she shared prompted deep reflection.

一段发人深省的话改变了我的看法。

### Traditional Chinese

一段發人深省的話改變了我的看法。

yí duàn fā rén shēn xǐng de huà gǎi biàn le wǒ de kàn fǎ 。

A thoughtful remark led me to reconsider my view.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1163&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%99%BC%E4%BA%BA%E6%B7%B1%E7%9C%81)

## Keep exploring

- [非驴非马 fēi lǘ fēi mǎ Be an incoherent mixture of types ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/fei-lv-fei-ma)

- [愤世嫉俗 fèn shì jí sú Feel bitterly hostile toward society and convention ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/fen-shi-ji-su)

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- [风花雪月 fēng huā xuě yuè Romantic or ornamental matters detached from practical concerns ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/feng-hua-xue-yue)

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