门庭若市
门庭若市 (mén tíng ruò shì) literally means “doorway busy as market” and expresses “extremely popular”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: men ting ruo shi, men ting ruo shi,门庭若市 meaning, 门庭若市 in english
Extremely popular
Pronunciation: mén tíng ruò shì Literal meaning: Doorway busy as market
Origin & Usage
This vivid idiom describes a household's entrance (门庭) being as busy as a marketplace (若市). It originated during the Han Dynasty, initially describing the homes of influential officials where countless visitors sought audience. The metaphor gained particular significance during the Tang Dynasty, when it came to represent both social success and intellectual influence. Notable examples include the residence of poet Bai Juyi, where fellow scholars gathered in such numbers that his gateway resembled a bustling market. Modern usage extends beyond literal crowds to indicate popularity, influence, or high demand - whether describing a successful business, a popular professor's office hours, or a sought-after professional's schedule.
Examples
English: "The new restaurant was so popular that it was always packed with customers"
Chinese: 这家新餐厅很受欢迎，总是顾客盈门
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
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百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
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水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
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天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
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破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
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守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
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青出于蓝
qīng chū yú lán
Student surpasses master
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逆水行舟
nì shuǐ xíng zhōu
Progress needs constant effort
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 门庭若市 mean in English?
门庭若市 (mén tíng ruò shì) literally translates to “Doorway busy as market” and is used to express “Extremely popular”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 门庭若市 used?
Situation: The new restaurant was so popular that it was always packed with customers
What is the pinyin for 门庭若市?
The pinyin pronunciation for 门庭若市 is “mén tíng ruò shì”.
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