眉飞色舞
眉飞色舞 (méi fēi sè wǔ) literally means “eyebrows fly, expression dances” and expresses “be animated with excitement”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: mei fei se wu, mei fei se wu,眉飞色舞 meaning, 眉飞色舞 in english
Be animated with excitement
Pronunciation: méi fēi sè wǔ
Literal meaning: Eyebrows fly, expression dances
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes eyebrows (眉) flying (飞) and expression (色) dancing (舞). It captures the animated facial expressions of someone excited or enthusiastic. The vivid imagery of moving eyebrows and dancing features depicts obvious enjoyment. Modern usage describes animated enthusiasm, the visible excitement when someone talks about something they love or find thrilling.
Examples
English: "He described his adventure with animated enthusiasm."
Chinese: 他眉飞色舞地描述着自己的冒险经历。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 眉飞色舞 mean in English?
眉飞色舞 (méi fēi sè wǔ) literally translates to “Eyebrows fly, expression dances” and is used to express “Be animated with excitement”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 眉飞色舞 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving be animated with excitement.
What is the pinyin for 眉飞色舞?
The pinyin pronunciation for 眉飞色舞 is “méi fēi sè wǔ”.