📖 Meaning
Literally 'breath like an orchid,' this idiom describes a beautiful woman whose breath is as fragrant as orchid flowers. It is also used metaphorically to praise writing or speech that is elegant and exquisitely refined.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Qing dynasty work 'Tingyan Xiaolu' by Chen Peizhi, specifically in the preface to 'Runxiang Jushi.' In the preface, the author describes a woman whose breath was as fragrant as orchids and whose conduct was as pure as jade. The expression later gained wider circulation through Wang Zhuo's 'Jinshi Shuo,' where Wang Yanting praised the poet Peng Xianmen's lyrical writing using this very phrase.
💡 Example Usage
她启齿微吟，吹气如兰，令在场宾客无不心醉。
As she softly recited her poem, her breath was as fragrant as orchids, enchanting every guest present.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 吹气如兰
- Pinyin: chuī qì rú lán
- Literal Translation: blow, breath, like, orchid
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4