📖 Meaning
A dazzling array of beautiful things; an impressive collection of fine items filling one's field of vision. It describes a scene where exquisite, high-quality objects are displayed in great abundance, delighting the observer's eyes.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from Jin Dynasty scholar Lu Ji's (陆机) "Wen Fu" (文赋, Ode to Literature), where he wrote of beautiful things being displayed before one's eyes. The individual characters 琳 and 琅 both refer to types of fine jade, symbolizing preciousness. Over centuries the idiom evolved from describing literary excellence to broadly denoting any magnificent assortment of beautiful objects or rich offerings.
💡 Example Usage
走进博物馆的展厅，各种精美的古代玉器琳琅满目，令人叹为观止。
Walking into the museum's exhibition hall, the dazzling array of exquisite ancient jade artifacts left visitors in awe.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 琳琅满目
- Pinyin: lín láng mǎn mù
- Literal Translation: fine jade, full, eye
- Category: Variety
- Characters: 4