声情并茂

shēng qíng bìng mào
Literal: "sound, emotion, both, flourishing"

📖 Meaning

Describes a vocal performance where both the technical quality of the voice and the emotional expression are equally outstanding and deeply moving. It is most commonly used to praise singers, narrators, or reciters whose delivery captivates the audience through a perfect blend of vocal skill and heartfelt feeling.

📜 Origin Story

This idiom has no recorded classical source and is considered a modern idiomatic expression that emerged from everyday language use. It draws on the imagery of lush, flourishing vegetation (茂) to metaphorically describe a performance rich in both vocal technique and emotional depth. The phrase gained popularity in the 20th century as a standard term of praise in Chinese music and theater criticism. Though not rooted in ancient texts, it has become a widely recognized and frequently used idiom in contemporary Chinese.

💡 Example Usage

他在朗诵比赛中声情并茂,赢得了全场掌声。

His recitation at the competition was rich in both voice and emotion, earning him a standing ovation from the entire audience.

🏷️ Category

➕ Similar Idioms

➖ Opposite Idioms

🔤 Quick Facts

  • Chinese: 声情并茂
  • Pinyin: shēng qíng bìng mào
  • Literal Translation: sound, emotion, both, flourishing
  • Category: Skill
  • Characters: 4