Chinese Idiom Stories: 沉魚落雁 (chén yú luò yàn)

Table of Contents

Idiom: 沉魚落雁 (chén yú luò yàn)

Literal Meaning: fish sink and geese fall
Explanation: 沉魚落雁 (chén yú luò yàn) describes a beauty so enchanting that even fish sink and geese fall. It signifies a person of such astonishing appearance that they leave nature itself in awe. Often used to describe a woman’s extraordinary beauty, it reflects the depth of admiration and reverence for beauty in Chinese culture.

Chinese Idiom Stories

The idiom “沉魚落雁” originates from two famous tales. The first is about Xi Shi, a beautiful woman of the Spring and Autumn period.

Her beauty was said to be so captivating that when she looked into a river, the fish would stop swimming and sink to the bottom, entranced by her reflection. The second part of the idiom comes from the story of Wang Zhaojun, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China.

It was said that as she traveled north, her grace caused passing geese to forget to flap their wings, falling from the sky in admiration. Combined, these tales create the idiom “沉魚落雁,” describing unmatched beauty that captivates even nature.

Idiom Example Sentences

她的美貌真是沉魚落雁，令人難以忘懷。
- Tā de měimào zhēn shì chén yú luò yàn, lìngrén nányǐ wànghuái.
- Her beauty is so enchanting that it’s unforgettable.
這位演員以沉魚落雁的容貌迅速成名。
- Zhè wèi yǎnyuán yǐ chén yú luò yàn de róngmào xùnsù chéngmíng.
- This actress quickly became famous for her stunning looks.

Practice Exercise

你覺得現代社會還會用「沉魚落雁」來形容人的外貌嗎？為什麼？
- Nǐ juéde xiàndài shèhuì hái huì yòng “chén yú luò yàn” lái xíngróng rén de wàimào ma? Wèishéme?
- Do you think people in modern society still use “沉魚落雁” to describe someone’s appearance? Why or why not?
  - Answer: Answers may vary based on personal thoughts on cultural idioms.