📖 Meaning
It refers to all the streets and alleys of a town or city. The phrase is used to describe places everywhere among the common people, especially where everyday life and gossip spread.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Song dynasty text Wudeng Huiyuan (五灯会元, "Compendium of the Five Lamps"), compiled by the monk Shi Puji (释普济) in volume 31. In a Zen dialogue, a monk asked the master where the student should turn to find awakening, and the master replied "street head, alley end" (街头巷尾). The reply pointed to enlightenment being found in ordinary, everyday places rather than in remote seclusion.
💡 Example Usage
一到过年，街头巷尾都挤满了采办年货的人群。
When the New Year approaches, the streets and alleys are all crowded with people shopping for holiday goods.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 街头巷尾
- Pinyin: jiē tóu xiàng wěi
- Literal Translation: street, head, alley, tail
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4