大相径庭
大相径庭 (dà xiāng jìng tíng) literally means “greatly different like paths and courtyards” and expresses “vastly different; poles apart”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: da xiang jing ting, da xiang jing ting,大相径庭 meaning, 大相径庭 in english
Vastly different; poles apart
Pronunciation: dà xiāng jìng tíng Literal meaning: Greatly different like paths and courtyards
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes things as different as paths (径) and courtyards (庭) - completely (大相) dissimilar. The phrase comes from 'Zhuangzi,' where it described the vast difference between the Dao and ordinary understanding. Paths lead away while courtyards are enclosed spaces - fundamentally different in nature and direction. Modern usage describes opinions, approaches, or outcomes that differ substantially, emphasizing significant rather than minor differences.
Examples
English: "Their views on the matter are completely different."
Chinese: 他们对这件事的看法大相径庭。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 大相径庭 mean in English?
大相径庭 (dà xiāng jìng tíng) literally translates to “Greatly different like paths and courtyards” and is used to express “Vastly different; poles apart”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 大相径庭 used?
Situation: Their views on the matter are completely different.
What is the pinyin for 大相径庭?
The pinyin pronunciation for 大相径庭 is “dà xiāng jìng tíng”.