川流不息
川流不息 (chuān liú bù xī) literally means “river flows without ceasing” and expresses “continuous flow; never-ending stream”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
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Continuous flow; never-ending stream
Pronunciation: chuān liú bù xī Literal meaning: River flows without ceasing
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes rivers (川) flowing (流) without (不) ceasing (息). The natural image of perpetually flowing water represents continuous movement or activity. The phrase appeared in classical texts describing busy markets and prosperous cities. It captures the vitality of constant activity. Modern usage commonly describes heavy traffic, busy streets, or any situation characterized by continuous, uninterrupted flow of people, vehicles, or activity.
Examples
English: "The busy street sees constant traffic day and night."
Chinese: 这条繁忙的街道车流川流不息。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 川流不息 mean in English?
川流不息 (chuān liú bù xī) literally translates to “River flows without ceasing” and is used to express “Continuous flow; never-ending stream”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 川流不息 used?
Situation: The busy street sees constant traffic day and night.
What is the pinyin for 川流不息?
The pinyin pronunciation for 川流不息 is “chuān liú bù xī”.