📖 Meaning
To pay formal respects in the morning and inquire after someone's wellbeing in the evening, following proper etiquette. It describes the dutiful practice of visiting and caring for elders or superiors twice daily, reflecting filial piety and attentive devotion.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the 'Story of King Huanxi' (欢喜国王缘) preserved in the 'Dunhuang Bianwen Collection' (敦煌变文集), texts dating to the Tang and Five Dynasties period found in the Mogao Caves. In the tale, the queen (夫人) had to leave the palace, and the king, unable to keep her, sent concubines to accompany her home. They dutifully paid their respects morning and evening, bringing her medicine and tea. The phrase thus came to exemplify courteous, devoted care shown through regular ritual attendance.
💡 Example Usage
她侍奉婆母十余年，晨参暮省，从未间断。
She served her mother-in-law for over ten years, paying her respects morning and evening without ever a break.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 晨参暮省
- Pinyin: chén cān mù shěng
- Literal Translation: morning, pay respects, evening, inquire
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4