📖 Meaning
Refers to all kinds of trades and professions. The numbers 'nine' and 'eight' are used figuratively to indicate a wide variety of occupations. It is often used to describe the diverse range of work people do across society.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom appears in Gu Xiaoyan's novel 'What Are You Thinking About' (《你在想什么》). In the passage, the author describes the mine as the most fascinating place outside of mythological fairylands, and states that among the three teachings and nine schools, the nine trades and eight professions, miners are the most noble occupation. The phrase builds on the traditional Chinese rhetorical pattern of using numbers like nine and eight to denote comprehensiveness and variety.
💡 Example Usage
这座城市里九行八业的人都有，热闹非凡。
In this city there are people from all kinds of trades and professions, and it is bustling with activity.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 九行八业
- Pinyin: jiǔ háng bā yè
- Literal Translation: nine, trades, eight, professions
- Category: Variety
- Characters: 4