有口皆碑

Pronunciation: yǒu kǒu jiē bēi Literal meaning: Every mouth is a monument

Origin & Usage

The idiom 有口皆碑 (yǒu kǒu jiē bēi) is rooted in classical Chinese literature, with its earliest known mention in the Song dynasty text 《五灯会元》 by Shi Puji. The phrase '劝君不用镌顽石，路上行人口似碑' suggests that the spoken praise of people (口, mouth) is akin to a monument (碑, stone tablet) that commemorates one's virtues. This idea was later popularized in the Qing dynasty novel 《老残游记》 by Liu E, where a character praises an official's achievements as being universally recognized and celebrated. The idiom vividly illustrates how genuine admiration and commendation from others can serve as a lasting testament to one's character and deeds, much like an inscribed stone tablet. In modern usage, it describes someone who is widely praised and respected.

Examples

English: "His contributions to the community were recognized by all, earning him widespread acclaim."

Chinese: 他对社区的贡献得到了大家的认可，有口皆碑。