人山人海
人山人海 (rén shān rén hǎi) literally means “people mountain people sea” and expresses “vast crowds of people”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Vast crowds of people
Pronunciation: rén shān rén hǎi
Literal meaning: People mountain people sea
Origin & Usage
This crowded idiom describes people (人) forming mountains (山) and seas (海) through their sheer numbers, originating from Song Dynasty urban descriptions. It first appeared in accounts of imperial capital festivals where vast crowds gathered. The geographical metaphor created a powerful image of human density so great that individuals formed topographical features. During the Ming Dynasty, as urbanization increased, it became common in descriptions of city markets and gatherings. Unlike terms for simple crowds, it specifically emphasizes overwhelming scale beyond normal comprehension. Modern usage describes extremely dense gatherings where individual distinction disappears into collective mass, particularly at major events, popular attractions, or urban centers where human concentration reaches extraordinary levels.
When to Use
Situation: The famous tourist site was filled with countless visitors during the holiday
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 人山人海 mean in English?
人山人海 (rén shān rén hǎi) literally translates to “People mountain people sea” and is used to express “Vast crowds of people”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 人山人海 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving vast crowds of people.
What is the pinyin for 人山人海?
The pinyin pronunciation for 人山人海 is “rén shān rén hǎi”.