📖 Meaning
To send letters or messages across great distances, originally by entrusting them to migrating wild geese. It is now used metaphorically for sending correspondence or news to someone far away.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from a poem by Song dynasty poet Huang Tingjian (1045–1105), titled 'Sending to Huang Jifu.' The poet lamented that he lived by the Northern Sea while his friend lived by the Southern Sea, and even wild geese—the traditional carriers of letters—declined to make the journey, saying they could not go so far. The image draws on the ancient legend of Han dynasty envoy Su Wu, who was detained by the Xiongnu and allegedly sent word home tied to a goose's foot. Over time, the phrase became a poetic shorthand for sending letters across vast distances.
💡 Example Usage
二人天各一方，只能寄雁传书以诉相思。
Separated by vast distances, the two could only send letters to express their longing for each other.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 寄雁传书
- Pinyin: jì yàn chuán shū
- Literal Translation: entrust, wild goose, transmit, letter
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4