释然 (shìrán) — relieved; at ease; unburdened
HSK 5 | adjective | feeling relief and peace of mind after worry or tension is resolved
释然 (shìrán)
释然 describes the feeling of relief, release, and peace of mind that comes when a worry, burden, or tension is resolved, and is a nuanced emotional term used in literary and formal contexts.
Meanings
- [adjective] relieved; at ease; unburdened; having let go of worry
Example Sentences
得知考试通过后，他顿时感到释然，悬着的心终于放下了。 Dé zhī kǎoshì tōngguò hòu, tā dùnshí gǎndào shìrán, xuánzhe de xīn zhōngyú fàngxiàle. Upon learning he had passed the exam, he immediately felt relieved, and the worried heart that had been hanging finally settled.
她将心中多年的委屈说出来之后，感到一阵释然。 Tā jiāng xīnzhōng duō nián de wěiqu shuō chūlái zhīhòu, gǎndào yī zhèn shìrán. After expressing the grievances she had held in her heart for many years, she felt a wave of relief.
双方达成和解后，他心中积压已久的怨恨终于释然了。 Shuāngfāng dáchéng héjiě hòu, tā xīnzhōng jīyā yǐ jiǔ de yuànhèn zhōngyū shìrán le. After both sides reached a reconciliation, the long-suppressed resentment in his heart was finally released.
她接受了命运的安排，内心反而变得释然。 Tā jiēshòule mìngyùn de ānpái, nèixīn fǎn'ér biàn de shìrán. After accepting the arrangement of fate, her heart actually became at ease.
当他终于说出了那句话，彼此都感到一种说不清的释然。 Dāng tā zhōngyū shuō chūle nà jù huà, bǐcǐ dōu gǎndào yī zhǒng shuō bu qīng de shìrán. When he finally said those words, both felt an indescribable sense of relief.
看着孩子平安归来，她心中那份沉甸甸的担忧彻底释然了。 Kànzhe háizi píng'ān guī lái, tā xīnzhōng nà fèn chéndiāndiān de dānyōu chèdǐ shìrán le. Watching her child return safely, the heavy worry in her heart was completely released.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 感到释然 (gǎndào shìrán) | feel relieved |
| 心中释然 (xīnzhōng shìrán) | feel relieved at heart |
| 顿时释然 (dùnshí shìrán) | immediately feel relieved |
| 彻底释然 (chèdǐ shìrán) | completely relieved |
| 释然一笑 (shìrán yī xiào) | smile with relief |
| 内心释然 (nèixīn shìrán) | inner peace/relief |
Usage Notes
释然 is primarily a literary and formal word, less common in casual spoken Chinese than in written narratives, literary prose, and formal reflection. It specifically captures the sense of a burden or tension being released, which distinguishes it from the more general 放心 (fàngxīn, to feel reassured) or 轻松 (qīngsōng, relaxed).
The construction 感到释然 is the most common pattern. 释然 can also follow a verb indicating the cause: 说出来之后释然了 (felt relieved after speaking it out).
Memory Hook
释 (to release/free) + 然 (in a state of...) = in a state of having been released from worry.