📖 Meaning
Radiant light shining brilliantly far and wide. Originally used to describe magnificent poetry and prose that endures through the ages. Now often used to describe new things or endeavors with great promise and a brilliant future ahead.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Han Yu (韩愈) titled 'Tiao Zhang Ji' (《调张籍》), in which he praised the literary works of Li Bai and Du Fu, writing: 'The works of Li and Du endure, their brilliance shines ten thousand zhang long.' Han Yu was defending the legacy of these two great poets against contemporary critics who dismissed them, arguing that their poetry would shine eternally. Over time, the phrase evolved from describing literary brilliance to characterizing anything with magnificent, far-reaching promise.
💡 Example Usage
这座古老的城市在新时代的光焰万丈中焕发出勃勃生机。
This ancient city has been revitalized, radiating vitality in the brilliant light of the new era.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 光焰万丈
- Pinyin: guāng yàn wàn zhàng
- Literal Translation: light, flame, ten thousand, zhang (a unit of length)
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4