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. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: chuan liu bu xi, chuan liu bu xi,川流不息 meaning, 川流不息 in english
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。
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
步步高升
bù bù gāo shēng
Advance steadily; continuous promotion
Learn more →
一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
Learn more →
千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
Learn more →
民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
Learn more →
国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
Learn more →
太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
Learn more →
四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
Peace everywhere; universal harmony
Learn more →
安土重迁
ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
Learn more →
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: This idiom applies when describing situations involving continuous flow; never-ending stream.
What is the pinyin for 川流不息?
The pinyin pronunciation for 川流不息 is “chuān liú bù xī”.