天翻地覆
天翻地覆 (tiān fān dì fù) literally means “heaven overturned, earth overturned” and expresses “dramatic upheaval”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: tian fan di fu, tian fan di fu,天翻地覆 meaning, 天翻地覆 in english
Dramatic upheaval
Pronunciation: tiān fān dì fù Literal meaning: Heaven overturned, earth overturned
Origin & Usage
The idiom 天翻地覆 (tiān fān dì fù) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe a situation where the world is turned upside down, indicating a dramatic change or upheaval. The characters paint a vivid image: 天 (tiān) means 'heaven' or 'sky,' 翻 (fān) means 'overturn,' 地 (dì) means 'earth,' and 覆 (fù) means 'cover' or 'overturn.' This idiom is often used to describe scenarios where everything is in chaos or has undergone a significant transformation. In modern usage, it can refer to both positive and negative changes, such as a revolution, a major life event, or a significant shift in circumstances.
Examples
English: "The political landscape changed dramatically after the revolution."
Chinese: 革命后，天翻地覆的变化让人震惊。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 天翻地覆 mean in English?
天翻地覆 (tiān fān dì fù) literally translates to “Heaven overturned, earth overturned” and is used to express “Dramatic upheaval”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 天翻地覆 used?
Situation: The political landscape changed dramatically after the revolution.
What is the pinyin for 天翻地覆?
The pinyin pronunciation for 天翻地覆 is “tiān fān dì fù”.