CHENGYU
万紫千红(wàn zǐ qiān hóng)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- literary, approving
- Source:
- 宋·朱熹《春日》
MEANING
- Literal
- ten thousand purples and a thousand reds
- Figurative meaning
- a profusion of flowers in bloom; flourishing variety
ORIGIN STORY
Zhu Xi's poem "Spring Day": "Easily I know the east wind's face — ten thousand purples and a thousand reds are all spring." The line paints spring as a riot of blossoming color, and the phrase outgrew the season.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“in full bloom”
EXAMPLES
春天，公园里万紫千红。Chūntiān, gōngyuán li wàn zǐ qiān hóng.HSK6
In spring the park blazes with ten thousand purples and a thousand reds.
文艺舞台上百花齐放，万紫千红。Wényì wǔtái shàng bǎihuā qífàng, wàn zǐ qiān hóng.HSK6
The arts flourish — a hundred flowers in bloom, a riot of color.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: It describes abundant, thriving bloom or variety — not just the two colors named.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01