📖 Meaning
Literally describing the autumn scenery of the west wind blowing and leaves falling. It is often used metaphorically to indicate that a person or thing has declined or is fading from its former prominence.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Tang dynasty poet Jia Dao's poem 'Recalling Scholar Wu on the River' (《忆江上吴处士》). The poem contains the celebrated lines: 'The autumn wind blows over the Wei River, fallen leaves fill Chang'an.' This vivid imagery of autumn wind sweeping through the capital and blanketing it with leaves came to symbolize the withering atmosphere of autumn. Over time, it was adopted as a metaphor for decline and fading vitality in people or affairs.
💡 Example Usage
昔日繁华的街道如今只剩西风落叶，令人感慨万千。
The once-bustling streets now hold nothing but the west wind and falling leaves, filling one with endless lament.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 西风落叶
- Pinyin: xī fēng luò yè
- Literal Translation: west wind, falling leaves
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4