绕梁三日
绕梁三日 (rào liáng sān rì) literally means “lingering around beams for days” and expresses “lasting impact of performance”. 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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Lasting impact of performance
Pronunciation: rào liáng sān rì
Literal meaning: Lingering around beams for days
Origin & Usage
This resonant idiom describes music lingering (绕) around ceiling beams (梁) for three (三) days (日), originating from the Spring and Autumn period. Historical accounts tell of legendary musician Boya's performance so moving that the sound remained in the hall for days afterward. The specific architectural reference to roof beams connected to classical Chinese building design, where open beam ceilings could create acoustic resonance. During the Tang Dynasty, music critics adopted it to describe compositions with lasting impact beyond their performance. Modern usage describes any aesthetic experience with powerful, lingering effects on the audience, particularly artistic performances or expressions that continue to resonate emotionally long after the initial exposure.
Examples
English: "The singer's haunting melody remained in everyone's minds long after the concert ended"
Chinese: 这位歌手悠扬的旋律在音乐会结束很久后仍萦绕在每个人心中
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 绕梁三日 mean in English?
绕梁三日 (rào liáng sān rì) literally translates to “Lingering around beams for days” and is used to express “Lasting impact of performance”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 绕梁三日 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving lasting impact of performance.
What is the pinyin for 绕梁三日?
The pinyin pronunciation for 绕梁三日 is “rào liáng sān rì”.