草长莺飞

Pronunciation: cǎo zhǎng yīng fēi Literal meaning: Grass grows, orioles fly

Origin & Usage

Commonly used in classical Chinese, the idiom 草长莺飞 (cǎo zhǎng yīng fēi) paints a vivid picture of the late spring landscape in the Jiangnan region. The phrase originates from a line in the poem 《村居》 by Qing dynasty poet Gao Ding, which reads: '草长莺飞二月天' (cǎo zhǎng yīng fēi èr yuè tiān). This line captures the essence of spring with grass growing (草长) and orioles flying (莺飞), evoking a sense of renewal and vibrancy. The imagery is further enriched by its earlier mention in the Southern Dynasties text by Qiu Chi, describing the lush scenery of late spring. In modern usage, this idiom symbolizes the flourishing of life and nature, often used to describe the beauty and vitality of springtime.

Examples

English: "As spring arrives, the landscape transforms, bringing new life and joy."

Chinese: 春天来了，草长莺飞，万物复苏。