📖 Meaning
The shimmering light on a lake and the beauty of the surrounding mountains. It describes a picturesque landscape where water and hills come together in natural harmony, evoking a scene of serene and breathtaking beauty.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom first appeared in Wu Zimu's 'Meng Liang Lu' (《梦粱录》), a Song Dynasty work recording the customs and landscapes of Hangzhou. In the chapter on figures of the Five Dynasties, the author praised Hangzhou's exquisite lake and mountain scenery, noting that such natural beauty nurtured exceptional people of rare talent and character. The line captures how the city's landscape was considered the finest under heaven.
💡 Example Usage
西湖的湖光山色令人流连忘返。
The shimmering lake and mountain scenery of West Lake make visitors linger and forget to leave.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 湖光山色
- Pinyin: hú guāng shān sè
- Literal Translation: lake, light, mountain, scenery
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4