万紫千红
万紫千红 (wàn zǐ qiān hóng) literally means “ten thousand purples, thousand reds” and expresses “diverse and flourishing”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
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Diverse and flourishing
Pronunciation: wàn zǐ qiān hóng Literal meaning: Ten thousand purples, thousand reds
Origin & Usage
The idiom 万紫千红 (wàn zǐ qiān hóng) originates from a line in the poem 'Spring Day' by the Song dynasty philosopher Zhu Xi. The line '等闲识得东风面，万紫千红总是春' describes the vibrant and colorful scene of blooming flowers in spring. The characters 万 (wàn) and 千 (qiān) denote 'ten thousand' and 'thousand,' while 紫 (zǐ) and 红 (hóng) refer to 'purple' and 'red,' respectively, painting a picture of a landscape filled with diverse and vivid blossoms. In modern usage, this idiom extends beyond natural imagery to symbolize diversity and prosperity in various fields, such as culture and economy. It is often used to describe situations where multiple elements coexist harmoniously, contributing to a flourishing environment.
Examples
English: "The garden in spring is a riot of colors, showcasing nature's beauty."
Chinese: 春天的花园里万紫千红，展示了大自然的美丽。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 万紫千红 mean in English?
万紫千红 (wàn zǐ qiān hóng) literally translates to “Ten thousand purples, thousand reds” and is used to express “Diverse and flourishing”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 万紫千红 used?
Situation: The garden in spring is a riot of colors, showcasing nature's beauty.
What is the pinyin for 万紫千红?
The pinyin pronunciation for 万紫千红 is “wàn zǐ qiān hóng”.