📖 Meaning
It is widely known by everyone; a fact that is common knowledge to all. Used to introduce information that the speaker assumes the audience already agrees upon or is aware of.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase appears in the classical novel "Yu Jiao Li" (《玉娇梨》), Chapter 20, a work from the late Ming to early Qing dynasty. In the passage, a character remarks that the city is too noisy and difficult to live in, suggesting instead settling in the well-known Stone Village (石村) as a neighbor of Mr. Bai. Over time, the expression evolved into a standard way to refer to facts that are common knowledge among the general public.
💡 Example Usage
众所周知，长期熬夜会对身体健康造成严重影响。
As is widely known, staying up late for extended periods can seriously harm one's physical health.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 众所周知
- Pinyin: zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī
- Literal Translation: everyone, that which, universally, known
- Category: Knowledge
- Characters: 4