# 心旷神怡

xīn kuàng shén yí

Feel refreshed, relaxed, and delighted

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The heart opens and the spirit is pleased

**Traditional Chinese:** 心曠神怡

**Register:** Positive · general

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

## When to use it

Describe the soothing effect of scenery or atmosphere.

More serene than excited celebration.

## Understanding the expression

An open heart and pleased spirit suggest relief from confinement and worry. The expression often describes the calm pleasure produced by fresh air, beautiful scenery, or gentle music. It emphasizes spacious ease rather than a sudden burst of excitement. The source may be external, but the feeling belongs to the observer. A quiet garden can create it without spectacular scenery, as long as the sentence shows how the experience relaxes and refreshes someone.

## Examples

山顶的景色令人心旷神怡。

### Traditional Chinese

山頂的景色令人心曠神怡。

shān dǐng de jǐng sè lìng rén xīn kuàng shén yí 。

The mountain view is wonderfully refreshing.

听着溪水声，她心旷神怡。

### Traditional Chinese

聽著溪水聲，她心曠神怡。

tīng zhe xī shuǐ shēng ， tā xīn kuàng shén yí 。

The stream's sound left her relaxed and happy.

清晨散步让我心旷神怡。

### Traditional Chinese

清晨散步讓我心曠神怡。

qīng chén sàn bù ràng wǒ xīn kuàng shén yí 。

A morning walk refreshes my mind.

这段音乐听来心旷神怡。

### Traditional Chinese

這段音樂聽來心曠神怡。

zhè duàn yīn yuè tīng lái xīn kuàng shén yí 。

This music feels soothing and refreshing.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BF%83%E6%9B%A0%E7%A5%9E%E6%80%A1)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=523&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [心满意足 xīn mǎn yì zú Feel fully content with what one has or achieves ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-man-yi-zu)

- [心猿意马 xīn yuán yì mǎ Be restless and unable to focus ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-yuan-yi-ma)

- [星罗棋布 xīng luó qí bù Distributed densely across an area ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xing-luo-qi-bu)

- [行云流水 xíng yún liú shuǐ Flow naturally and effortlessly in style ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xing-yun-liu-shui)

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