📖 Meaning
Refers to two contrasting styles of adornment—light, elegant makeup and rich, heavy makeup. The idiom implies that both approaches suit the subject equally well, suggesting inherent beauty that shines through regardless of decoration. It is often used to describe scenery or people whose charm is versatile and unfailing.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from a poem by the Northern Song dynasty poet Su Shi (1037–1101), titled 'Drinking on the Lake, First Clear then Rain' (饮湖上初晴后雨), written around 1073 during his official posting in Hangzhou. In the poem, Su Shi compares West Lake to the legendary beauty Xi Shi (西施), arguing that just as Xi Shi looked stunning whether in light or heavy makeup, West Lake is enchanting in both clear and rainy weather. The lines '欲把西湖比西子，淡妆浓抹总相宜' became one of the most celebrated descriptions of West Lake in Chinese literary history.
💡 Example Usage
这姑娘天生丽质，淡妆浓抹总相宜。
The girl is a natural beauty—whether in light or heavy makeup, she always looks just right.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 淡妆浓抹
- Pinyin: dàn zhuāng nóng mǒ
- Literal Translation: light, makeup, heavy, apply powder
- Category: Variety
- Characters: 4