入木三分
入木三分 (rù mù sān fēn) literally means “enter wood three tenths” and expresses “profoundly penetrating insight”. 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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Profoundly penetrating insight
Pronunciation: rù mù sān fēn
Literal meaning: Enter wood three tenths
Origin & Usage
This penetrating idiom describes writing that enters (入) wood (木) to a depth of three-tenths (三分) of an inch, originating from praise for Jin Dynasty calligrapher Wang Xizhi. Historical accounts claim his brush strokes were so powerful they penetrated wooden writing tablets to remarkable depth. During the Tang Dynasty, the phrase expanded beyond calligraphy to describe any profound impact or penetrating insight. The specific measurement 'three-tenths' was significant in traditional Chinese units, representing substantial but not excessive penetration. Modern usage describes incisive analysis or powerful expression that penetrates beyond surfaces to reach deeper significance, particularly in intellectual contexts where depth of understanding is valued over superficial observations.
Examples
English: "Her critique penetrated to the core issues of the flawed proposal"
Chinese: 她的批评直击有缺陷提案的核心问题
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 入木三分 mean in English?
入木三分 (rù mù sān fēn) literally translates to “Enter wood three tenths” and is used to express “Profoundly penetrating insight”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 入木三分 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving profoundly penetrating insight.
What is the pinyin for 入木三分?
The pinyin pronunciation for 入木三分 is “rù mù sān fēn”.