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巧笑倩兮

qiǎoxiào qiàn xī
quotation

Meanings

  1. 1 how charming her artful smile

Examples

HSK 5
照片里的新娘巧笑倩兮，美得像画一样。
Zhàopiàn lǐ de xīnniáng qiǎoxiào qiàn xī, měi de xiàng huà yíyàng.
The bride in the photo has the most charming smile and is as lovely as a painting.

Tips

history
From 硕人 in the 卫风 of the 诗经, a portrait of the bride 庄姜. After likening her hands, skin, neck, teeth and brows to fine things, the ode brings her to life: 巧笑倩兮，美目盼兮 'how charming her artful smile, how bright her lovely eyes'. In the 论语, the disciple 子夏 asks Confucius what these lines mean.
usage
兮 is a particle of early verse, much like 'oh', that fills out the beat. 倩 pictures the charm of a smile, and thanks to this line it became a favourite character in women's names. The line is still quoted, often on its own, to praise a woman's smile.

Stroke Order

巧 qiǎo
笑 xiào
倩 qiàn
兮 xī