胸有丘壑
胸有丘壑 (xiōng yǒu qiū hè) literally means “hills and valleys in heart” and expresses “have great vision”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Have great vision
Pronunciation: xiōng yǒu qiū hè
Literal meaning: Hills and valleys in heart
Origin & Usage
First appearing in Tang Dynasty literary criticism, this phrase describes having hills (丘) and valleys (壑) within one's heart/mind (胸). It originated from descriptions of landscape painters who could visualize entire scenes before touching brush to paper. The metaphor suggests a rich internal landscape of knowledge and imagination, shaped by both study and contemplation. This idea influenced the development of Chinese artistic theory, particularly the concept that true mastery requires internal cultivation before external expression. Contemporary usage describes deep expertise or sophisticated understanding, especially in creative or strategic fields.
Examples
English: "The architect had a clear vision for the city's transformation"
Chinese: 建筑师对城市的改造有着清晰的愿景
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 胸有丘壑 mean in English?
胸有丘壑 (xiōng yǒu qiū hè) literally translates to “Hills and valleys in heart” and is used to express “Have great vision”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 胸有丘壑 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving have great vision.
What is the pinyin for 胸有丘壑?
The pinyin pronunciation for 胸有丘壑 is “xiōng yǒu qiū hè”.