📖 Meaning
A metaphor for letters not getting through and correspondence being completely cut off. It describes a situation where news between separated people ceases entirely. The image draws on the ancient Chinese tradition of fish and geese as carriers of letters.
📜 Origin Story
From Ming dynasty writer Gao Lian's (高濂) song suite 'Wa Pen Er - Ti Qing' (《瓦盆儿·题情》), which laments separation from a loved one. The line reads: 'I do not know if his heart has been sincere since we parted; he must resent that fish sink and geese are still.' In classical Chinese symbolism, fish and geese were traditional carriers of letters (鱼雁传书), so fish sinking and geese going quiet signifies that no correspondence arrives.
💡 Example Usage
自他远行后便鱼沉雁静，至今未得半字音讯。
Since he departed on his long journey, there has been utter silence—no word has arrived to this day.
🏷️ Category
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🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 鱼沉雁静
- Pinyin: yú chén yàn jìng
- Literal Translation: fish sink, goose quiet
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4