水落石出
水落石出 (shuǐ luò shí chū) literally means “water recedes, stones appear” and expresses “truth will emerge”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: shui luo shi chu, shui luo shi chu,水落石出 meaning, 水落石出 in english
Truth will emerge
Pronunciation: shuǐ luò shí chū Literal meaning: Water recedes, stones appear
Origin & Usage
The idiom 水落石出 (shuǐ luò shí chū) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to convey the idea that the truth will eventually be revealed. The literal imagery is of water (水, shuǐ) receding (落, luò) to expose (出, chū) the stones (石, shí) beneath. This vivid image illustrates how hidden truths or realities become apparent over time as circumstances change. In modern usage, the idiom is often employed to suggest that with patience and the passage of time, the underlying truth of a situation will come to light, much like stones emerging from beneath the water.
Examples
English: "After the scandal, the truth finally came to light, revealing the real issues at hand."
Chinese: 在丑闻之后，真相终于浮出水面，揭示了真正的问题。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 水落石出 mean in English?
水落石出 (shuǐ luò shí chū) literally translates to “Water recedes, stones appear” and is used to express “Truth will emerge”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 水落石出 used?
Situation: After the scandal, the truth finally came to light, revealing the real issues at hand.
What is the pinyin for 水落石出?
The pinyin pronunciation for 水落石出 is “shuǐ luò shí chū”.