世外桃源
世外桃源 (shì wài táo yuán) literally means “peach spring beyond world” and expresses “perfect peaceful place”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: shi wai tao yuan, shi wai tao yuan,世外桃源 meaning, 世外桃源 in english
Perfect peaceful place
Pronunciation: shì wài táo yuán
Literal meaning: Peach spring beyond world
Origin & Usage
This phrase describing a peach (桃) blossom spring (源) beyond (外) the world (世) comes from Tao Yuanming's famous 5th-century prose poem about a fisherman discovering an isolated utopia. The story of finding a hidden valley where people lived in perfect harmony, unaware of the empire's political turbulence, resonated deeply in Chinese culture. The idyllic community, accessed through a cave in a peach grove, became the archetypal symbol of escape from worldly troubles. During the Tang and Song dynasties, countless poets and painters reinterpreted this theme, creating a rich tradition of utopian imagery. Modern usage describes any peaceful retreat from society's pressures, whether physical or metaphorical, particularly in contexts where people seek authenticity and simplicity away from modern complications.
Examples
English: "The remote mountain retreat offered perfect sanctuary from city stress"
Chinese: 偏远的山林度假村为城市压力提供了完美的避难所
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
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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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一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
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千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 世外桃源 mean in English?
世外桃源 (shì wài táo yuán) literally translates to “Peach spring beyond world” and is used to express “Perfect peaceful place”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 世外桃源 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving perfect peaceful place.
What is the pinyin for 世外桃源?
The pinyin pronunciation for 世外桃源 is “shì wài táo yuán”.