📖 Meaning
Literally describes a branch of red apricot blossoms extending beyond a garden wall, symbolizing that the beauty of spring cannot be contained. Originally a vivid image of spring in full bloom, irrepressible and full of life. In modern usage it is often used metaphorically to refer to a married person (traditionally a wife) being unfaithful, though the classical sense centers on the exuberance of spring.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom comes from a poem by the Song dynasty poet Ye Shaoweng titled 'Visiting a Small Garden Without Success' (《游小园不值》). The poet went to visit a friend's garden but the owner was not home and the door was closed. However, noticing a single branch of red apricot blossoms reaching over the wall, he realized the garden's spring beauty could not be locked away. The famous line reads, 'The garden's spring colors cannot be shut in; a branch of red apricot stretches over the wall.' Over time the phrase took on additional metaphorical meanings beyond its original celebration of spring.
💡 Example Usage
春日漫步郊外，忽见红杏出墙，满目春色令人陶醉。
Strolling in the countryside on a spring day, I suddenly saw apricot blossoms reaching over a wall, and the abundant spring colors were intoxicating.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 红杏出墙
- Pinyin: hóng xìng chū qiáng
- Literal Translation: red, apricot, out, wall
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4