洋洋大观
洋洋大观 (yáng yáng dà guān) literally means “vast and magnificent to behold” and expresses “a rich and impressive array”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: yang yang da guan, yang yang da guan,洋洋大观 meaning, 洋洋大观 in english
A rich and impressive array
Pronunciation: yáng yáng dà guān Literal meaning: Vast and magnificent to behold
Origin & Usage
洋洋 describes something vast and overflowing, and 大观 a grand spectacle. The root image goes back to Zhuangzi, which describes the Way as covering and sustaining all things, 'vast, how great it is' (洋洋乎大哉), though the four-character idiom itself is much later — it appears in the Qing memoir Six Records of a Floating Life (《浮生六记》). It is used for an impressive, abundant array: an exhibition, a feast, a festival market, a collection. In a Goat year it picks up an extra layer, because 洋 (yáng) is pronounced exactly like 羊 (yáng), the goat — the same pun that makes 喜气洋洋 a Goat-year favourite.
Examples
English: "The New Year market was a magnificent sight, with stalls of lanterns, sweets and paper-cuts as far as you could see."
Chinese: 春节庙会上各色年货应有尽有，真是洋洋大观。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
喜气洋洋
xǐ qì yáng yáng
Radiating happiness
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吉祥止止
jí xiáng zhǐ zhǐ
Blessings settle where the mind is calm
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三阳开泰
sān yáng kāi tài
A fortunate new beginning
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吉祥如意
jí xiáng rú yì
Good fortune and fulfilment
Learn more →
美意延年
měi yì yán nián
Cheerfulness brings a long life
Learn more →
望洋兴叹
wàng yáng xīng tàn
Feel overwhelmed by greatness
Learn more →
善始善终
shàn shǐ shàn zhōng
See a thing through to a proper finish
Learn more →
大同小异
dà tóng xiǎo yì
Essentially the same with minor differences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 洋洋大观 mean in English?
洋洋大观 (yáng yáng dà guān) literally translates to “Vast and magnificent to behold” and is used to express “A rich and impressive array”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 洋洋大观 used?
Situation: The New Year market was a magnificent sight, with stalls of lanterns, sweets and paper-cuts as far as you could see.
What is the pinyin for 洋洋大观?
The pinyin pronunciation for 洋洋大观 is “yáng yáng dà guān”.
Curated Lists Featuring 洋洋大观
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