📖 Meaning
To welcome those who arrive and see off those who depart. The idiom describes treating guests and travelers with warm, courteous hospitality, showing proper regard for both newcomers and those leaving.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom comes from the passage 'Soul-Destroying Bridge' (销魂桥) in the 'Anecdotes of the Kaiyuan and Tianbao Eras' (开元天宝遗事) by Wang Renyu of the Five Dynasties period, a collection of tales from the Tang dynasty. According to the text, east of the Tang capital Chang'an at Baling (灞陵) there was a bridge where people would come to welcome arrivals and see off those departing. Because it was a place of farewell, it was nicknamed the 'Soul-Destroying Bridge.' The idiom derives from this description of greeting and sending off travelers at the bridge.
💡 Example Usage
这家旅店的掌柜来迎去送，往来客人无不称道。
The innkeeper welcomed every arrival and saw off every departure, earning praise from all passing travelers.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 来迎去送
- Pinyin: lái yíng qù sòng
- Literal Translation: come, welcome, go, see off
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4