📖 Meaning
Describes the condition of having a dry mouth and chapped lips from talking too much. It conveys the physical exhaustion that comes from excessive speaking or persuasion. Often used to depict someone who has argued or explained at length without success.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from 'Gu Yuefu · Shan Zai Xing' (古乐府·善哉行), a collection of ancient folk poetry from the Han dynasty. The original line reads, '来日大难，口燥唇干' — 'Hard days are coming, mouth parched and lips dry.' The poem laments life's hardships and the futility of speech in the face of adversity. Over time, the expression became a standalone idiom used to describe the physical toll of excessive talking.
💡 Example Usage
他劝了半天，唇干口燥，对方还是不听。
He tried to persuade them for a long time until his lips were dry and mouth parched, but they still wouldn't listen.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 唇干口燥
- Pinyin: chún gān kǒu zào
- Literal Translation: lips, dry, mouth, parched
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4