浩浩荡荡
浩浩荡荡 (hào hào dàng dàng) literally means “vast mighty flow” and expresses “vast and mighty”. 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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Vast and mighty
Pronunciation: hào hào dàng dàng
Literal meaning: Vast mighty flow
Origin & Usage
This rhythmic description of vast (浩浩) flowing (荡荡) movement originated from classical descriptions of the Yellow River's mighty course. During the Tang Dynasty, it evolved to describe impressive military processions and large-scale social movements. The doubled characters create a sense of continuous, unstoppable momentum. Historical texts used it to convey both physical scale and moral force. Modern usage describes large-scale trends, social movements, or historical progress, suggesting both magnitude and inevitability. It captures the awe-inspiring nature of collective human endeavor while maintaining connection to natural imagery.
Examples
English: "The reform movement swept through the industry like a mighty wave"
Chinese: 改革运动浩浩荡荡地席卷了整个行业
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 浩浩荡荡 mean in English?
浩浩荡荡 (hào hào dàng dàng) literally translates to “Vast mighty flow” and is used to express “Vast and mighty”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 浩浩荡荡 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving vast and mighty.
What is the pinyin for 浩浩荡荡?
The pinyin pronunciation for 浩浩荡荡 is “hào hào dàng dàng”.