📖 Meaning
This idiom describes something that has lost its original luster or brilliance, becoming dull and lifeless. It is used to convey that an object, scene, or even a person's presence has faded in vibrancy compared to its former state. The phrase emphasizes the absence of color or radiance that once made something striking.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from a colophon by the Qing dynasty painter and calligrapher Zheng Xie (郑燮), also known as Zheng Banqiao, in his work 'Inscription on Painting Bamboo' (题画竹). He reflected on how the Song dynasty literatus Su Dongpo painted withered trees, bamboo, and stones together, noting that if a painting had withered trees and stones but lacked bamboo, the composition would appear dull and colorless. The remark highlighted the essential role of bamboo in enlivening the artwork.
💡 Example Usage
没有灯光的舞台黯然无色，失去了往日的魅力。
Without lighting, the stage looked dull and colorless, losing its former charm.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 黯然无色
- Pinyin: àn rán wú sè
- Literal Translation: dimly, without color
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4