画龙点睛
画龙点睛 (huà lóng diǎn jīng) literally means “dot dragon's eyes” and expresses “add crucial finishing touch”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: hua long dian jing, hua long dian jing,画龙点睛 meaning, 画龙点睛 in english
Add crucial finishing touch
Pronunciation: huà lóng diǎn jīng
Literal meaning: Dot dragon's eyes
Origin & Usage
This vivid idiom comes from a story of the legendary painter Zhang Sengyou during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. After painting (画) four dragons (龙) on a temple wall, he deliberately left them without pupils. When questioned, he explained that dotting (点) the eyes (睛) would bring them to life. Skeptical onlookers insisted he complete one dragon - and upon adding the final dots, the dragon allegedly roared to life and soared into the sky, while the unpupilled dragons remained mere paintings. Beyond its artistic origins, the idiom gained prominence in literary criticism during the Tang Dynasty, describing the crucial detail that transforms good work into greatness. In modern usage, it refers to the finishing touch that brings any work to life - whether a presentation's key insight, a negotiation's decisive point, or a design's final refinement.
Examples
English: "Her final edit transformed the good presentation into an excellent one"
Chinese: 她最后的修改把这个好的演讲变成了一个出色的演讲
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Related Chinese Idioms
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得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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轻车熟路
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Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
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恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 画龙点睛 mean in English?
画龙点睛 (huà lóng diǎn jīng) literally translates to “Dot dragon's eyes” and is used to express “Add crucial finishing touch”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 画龙点睛 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving add crucial finishing touch.
What is the pinyin for 画龙点睛?
The pinyin pronunciation for 画龙点睛 is “huà lóng diǎn jīng”.