沉鱼落雁
沉鱼落雁 (chén yú luò yàn) literally means “sink fish fall geese” and expresses “beauty so stunning it affects natural world”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: chen yu luo yan, chen yu luo yan,沉鱼落雁 meaning, 沉鱼落雁 in english
Beauty so stunning it affects natural world
Pronunciation: chén yú luò yàn Literal meaning: Sink fish fall geese
Origin & Usage
Han Dynasty legends tell of beauty so extraordinary it caused fish to sink (沉鱼) and flying geese to descend (落雁). The phrase combines two legendary beauties: Xi Shi, whose reflection mesmerized fish into forgetting to swim, and Wang Zhaojun, whose appearance caused migrating geese to pause mid-flight. The power of beauty to disrupt even natural behavior suggested an almost supernatural level of impact. Modern usage describes beauty that creates an immediate, profound impact beyond mere aesthetic appreciation.
When to Use
Situation: The legendary beauty attracted admiring glances wherever she appeared
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 沉鱼落雁 mean in English?
沉鱼落雁 (chén yú luò yàn) literally translates to “Sink fish fall geese” and is used to express “Beauty so stunning it affects natural world”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 沉鱼落雁 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving beauty so stunning it affects natural world.
What is the pinyin for 沉鱼落雁?
The pinyin pronunciation for 沉鱼落雁 is “chén yú luò yàn”.