五花八门
五花八门 (wǔ huā bā mén) literally means “five flowers and eight gates” and expresses “a bewildering variety; all kinds of”. 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: wu hua ba men, wu hua ba men,五花八门 meaning, 五花八门 in english
A bewildering variety; all kinds of
Pronunciation: wǔ huā bā mén Literal meaning: Five flowers and eight gates
Origin & Usage
This idiom has roots in ancient Chinese military strategy, where 'five flowers' (五花) referred to five tactical formations and 'eight gates' (八门) to eight strategic positions. The phrase originally described the complexity of battlefield tactics. Over time, it evolved to describe any diverse or varied collection. Some scholars also trace it to the five-element theory and eight trigrams of Chinese philosophy. In modern usage, it describes a wide variety of things, often with a connotation of being overwhelming or confusingly diverse.
When to Use
Situation: The market offers a bewildering variety of products.
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
匠心独运
jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
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独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
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别具一格
bié jù yī gé
Have unique style; be distinctive
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独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
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出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
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lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
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得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 五花八门 mean in English?
五花八门 (wǔ huā bā mén) literally translates to “Five flowers and eight gates” and is used to express “A bewildering variety; all kinds of”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 五花八门 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving a bewildering variety; all kinds of.
What is the pinyin for 五花八门?
The pinyin pronunciation for 五花八门 is “wǔ huā bā mén”.