五花八门
五花八门 (wǔ huā bā mén) literally means “five flowers and eight gates” and expresses “a bewildering variety; all kinds of”. 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: wu hua ba men, wu hua ba men,五花八门 meaning, 五花八门 in english
A bewildering variety; all kinds of
Pronunciation: wǔ huā bā mén Literal meaning: Five flowers and eight gates
Origin & Usage
This idiom has roots in ancient Chinese military strategy, where 'five flowers' (五花) referred to five tactical formations and 'eight gates' (八门) to eight strategic positions. The phrase originally described the complexity of battlefield tactics. Over time, it evolved to describe any diverse or varied collection. Some scholars also trace it to the five-element theory and eight trigrams of Chinese philosophy. In modern usage, it describes a wide variety of things, often with a connotation of being overwhelming or confusingly diverse.
When to Use
Situation: The market offers a bewildering variety of products.
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
大同小异
dà tóng xiǎo yì
Essentially the same with minor differences
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一心一意
yī xīn yī yì
Wholeheartedly; with undivided attention
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脚踏实地
jiǎo tà shí dì
Being practical and down-to-earth
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南辕北辙
nán yuán běi zhé
Actions contrary to one's goals
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耳目一新
ěr mù yī xīn
A refreshing new experience
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势不可挡
shì bù kě dǎng
Unstoppable; irresistible momentum
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心血来潮
xīn xuè lái cháo
Acting on a sudden impulse or whim
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名副其实
míng fù qí shí
Living up to one's name or reputation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 五花八门 mean in English?
五花八门 (wǔ huā bā mén) literally translates to “Five flowers and eight gates” and is used to express “A bewildering variety; all kinds of”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 五花八门 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving a bewildering variety; all kinds of.
What is the pinyin for 五花八门?
The pinyin pronunciation for 五花八门 is “wǔ huā bā mén”.