乐极生悲
乐极生悲 (lè jí shēng bēi) literally means “extreme joy begets sorrow” and expresses “moderation is key”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: le ji sheng bei, le ji sheng bei,乐极生悲 meaning, 乐极生悲 in english
Moderation is key
Pronunciation: lè jí shēng bēi Literal meaning: Extreme joy begets sorrow
Origin & Usage
The idiom 乐极生悲 (lè jí shēng bēi) originates from the classical Chinese text 《淮南子》 (Huáinánzǐ) and is further illustrated in 《史记》 (Shǐjì), the Records of the Grand Historian. The story involves 淳于髡 (Chúnyú Kūn), a statesman of the Warring States period, who cleverly advised the King of Qi, 齐威王 (Qí Wēi Wáng), on the dangers of excessive indulgence. The king, known for his love of drinking, was warned by Chúnyú Kūn that extreme joy (乐, lè) could lead to sorrow (悲, bēi). This idiom emphasizes the importance of moderation, suggesting that when happiness reaches its peak, it may turn into sadness. In modern usage, it serves as a reminder to maintain balance and avoid excess in life.
Examples
English: "His celebration turned into a tragedy when he received the bad news."
Chinese: 他的庆祝活动在收到坏消息后变成了悲剧。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 乐极生悲 mean in English?
乐极生悲 (lè jí shēng bēi) literally translates to “Extreme joy begets sorrow” and is used to express “Moderation is key”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 乐极生悲 used?
Situation: His celebration turned into a tragedy when he received the bad news.
What is the pinyin for 乐极生悲?
The pinyin pronunciation for 乐极生悲 is “lè jí shēng bēi”.