📖 Meaning
This idiom means to show great compassion and kindness toward others. It describes someone acting out of genuine mercy by doing good deeds or granting forgiveness. The phrase is often used when pleading with someone in authority to be lenient and merciful.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Qing Dynasty novel 'Twenty Years of Strange Situations I Have Witnessed' (二十年目睹之怪现状) by Wu Jianren (吴趼人). In Chapter 92, a character promises to deliver something within three days and pleads with the recipient, addressing him as 'Grandfather,' to show great compassion and help arrange matters on their behalf. The phrase was originally used to request mercy and assistance from a person in a position of power. Over time it became a common expression for extending profound kindness and charity to others.
💡 Example Usage
求您大发慈悲，帮帮这个可怜的孩子吧。
Please show great compassion and help this poor child.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 大发慈悲
- Pinyin: dà fā cí bēi
- Literal Translation: great, send forth, mercy, compassion
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4