📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to the everyday discussions and gossip among neighbors in streets and alleys. It describes the talk and opinions of ordinary people at the grassroots level. It generally denotes folk opinion or informal public discourse in local communities.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom is a variant of the well-known '街谈巷议' (jiē tán xiàng yì), which can be traced back to the Han dynasty. The concept describes how common people would gather in neighborhoods and lanes to share news, debate events, and express opinions. No single classical text is attributed as the definitive source for the specific phrasing '里谈巷议,' though it follows the same imagery as its more common counterpart. It captures the voice of the common folk in traditional Chinese society.
💡 Example Usage
新政策颁布后，里谈巷议纷纷。
After the new policy was announced, it became a topic of lively discussion in every neighborhood.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 里谈巷议
- Pinyin: lǐ tán xiàng yì
- Literal Translation: neighborhood, talk, alley, discuss
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4