📖 Meaning
A letter or written correspondence. In ancient China, writing was done on wooden slips, and the slips used for letters measured about a foot in length, hence the term. It is a classical way of referring to a short written message or missive.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase appears in the 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记·淮阴侯列传) in the context of Han Xin advising that an eloquent envoy bearing a mere letter could persuade the state of Yan to submit. Song dynasty scholar Su Xun later used it in his famous letter to Ouyang Xiu (上欧阳内翰第一书), wondering how he could recommend himself to a great official with only a short letter. The term thus evokes the modesty and concision of a brief written appeal to someone of higher standing.
💡 Example Usage
他仅凭咫尺之书，便说服了守将开城归降。
With nothing but a brief letter, he persuaded the garrison commander to open the gates and surrender.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 咫尺之书
- Pinyin: zhǐ chǐ zhī shū
- Literal Translation: eight cun, one foot, of, letter
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4