鞭辟入里
鞭辟入里 (biān pì rù lǐ) literally means “whip strikes into core” and expresses “penetrating deeply to the essence”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Penetrating deeply to the essence
Pronunciation: biān pì rù lǐ
Literal meaning: Whip strikes into core
Origin & Usage
This penetrating idiom describes how a whip strike (鞭辟) penetrates (入) to the innermost layer (里), originating from Tang Dynasty literary criticism. It first appeared in evaluations of essays that revealed profound truths beneath surface appearances. The whip metaphor reflected the sharp, cutting power of incisive analysis. During the Song Dynasty, the expression became associated with Neo-Confucian philosophical methods that sought to penetrate superficial understanding to reach deeper principles. Unlike terms for general comprehension, it specifically honors analysis that reveals hidden depths. Modern usage describes intellectual work that cuts through complexity to expose fundamental truths, particularly in academic, literary, or philosophical contexts.
Examples
English: "The critic's analysis penetrated to the very heart of the artwork's meaning"
Chinese: 评论家的分析深入到艺术作品含义的核心
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 鞭辟入里 mean in English?
鞭辟入里 (biān pì rù lǐ) literally translates to “Whip strikes into core” and is used to express “Penetrating deeply to the essence”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 鞭辟入里 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving penetrating deeply to the essence.
What is the pinyin for 鞭辟入里?
The pinyin pronunciation for 鞭辟入里 is “biān pì rù lǐ”.