冷冷清清
冷冷清清 (lěng lěng qīng qīng) literally means “cold cold quiet quiet” and expresses “deserted and lifeless atmosphere”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: leng leng qing qing, leng leng qing qing,冷冷清清 meaning, 冷冷清清 in english
Deserted and lifeless atmosphere
Pronunciation: lěng lěng qīng qīng Literal meaning: Cold cold quiet quiet
Origin & Usage
Song Dynasty poets coined this atmospheric phrase combining coldness (冷冷) with quietness (清清) to describe abandoned places. Their verses painted pictures of once-bustling temples and palaces now standing empty. Ming Dynasty writers adopted it to establish lonely settings in their stories. The doubled characters intensify both the thermal and auditory dimensions of absence, creating a more profound sense of emptiness than either quality alone could convey.
When to Use
Situation: The once-bustling shopping mall now stood eerily deserted
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 冷冷清清 mean in English?
冷冷清清 (lěng lěng qīng qīng) literally translates to “Cold cold quiet quiet” and is used to express “Deserted and lifeless atmosphere”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 冷冷清清 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving deserted and lifeless atmosphere.
What is the pinyin for 冷冷清清?
The pinyin pronunciation for 冷冷清清 is “lěng lěng qīng qīng”.