千里迢迢
千里迢迢 (qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo) literally means “a thousand miles distant” and expresses “travel a great distance”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: qian li tiao tiao, qian li tiao tiao,千里迢迢 meaning, 千里迢迢 in english
Travel a great distance
Pronunciation: qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo Literal meaning: A thousand miles distant
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes a thousand (千) miles (里) being distant (迢迢). The doubled 迢 emphasizes the remoteness and length of the journey. The phrase captures the effort of traveling great distances. Modern usage describes coming from far away, emphasizing the dedication shown by traveling long distances for a purpose, whether visiting loved ones or pursuing goals.
Examples
English: "She traveled from far away to attend her friend's wedding."
Chinese: 她千里迢迢赶来参加朋友的婚礼。
Related Chinese Idioms
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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 千里迢迢 mean in English?
千里迢迢 (qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo) literally translates to “A thousand miles distant” and is used to express “Travel a great distance”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 千里迢迢 used?
Situation: She traveled from far away to attend her friend's wedding.
What is the pinyin for 千里迢迢?
The pinyin pronunciation for 千里迢迢 is “qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo”.
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