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中西合璧

zhōngxī-hébì
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western elements
  2. 2 East meets West
  3. 3 fusion of Chinese and Western styles

Examples

HSK 5
这家餐厅的菜品中西合璧，很受欢迎。
Zhè jiā cāntīng de càipǐn zhōngxī-hébì, hěn shòu huānyíng.
This restaurant's dishes blend Chinese and Western styles - they're very popular.
HSK 7-9
他们的婚礼中西合璧，既有教堂仪式，也有中式敬茶。
Tāmen de hūnlǐ zhōngxī-hébì, jì yǒu jiàotáng yíshì, yě yǒu Zhōngshì jìng chá.
Their wedding combined East and West, with both a church ceremony and a Chinese tea ceremony.

Tips

history
From Li Baojia's late-Qing satirical novel 《官场现形记》 (Exposé of Officialdom, 1903-1905), chapter 31, which used the variant 中外合璧 to mock the clumsy mixing of Chinese and foreign military uniforms. 璧 is a circular jade with a hole; when two halves fit together perfectly, they form a 合璧 - the metaphor for a successful fusion.
culture
Usually positive, praising thoughtful fusion in food, architecture, music, or weddings. When used critically, speakers pick 不中不西 ('neither Chinese nor Western') instead.

Stroke Order

中 zhōng
西 xī
合 hé
璧 bì