泾渭分明

涇渭分明

jīngwèi-fēnmíng

idiom #51,896

Meanings

1 as clearly separated as the Jing and Wei rivers
2 a sharp distinction between right and wrong
3 clearly demarcated

Characters

to divide; to separate

clear; distinct

Examples

HSK 7-9

两派观点泾渭分明，互不相让。

Liǎng pài guāndiǎn jīngwèi-fēnmíng, hùbù xiāng ràng.

The two camps' views are sharply divided, and neither will give ground.

HSK 7-9

他是非观念泾渭分明，从不含糊。

Tā shìfēi guānniàn jīngwèi-fēnmíng, cóngbù hánhú.

He has a clear sense of right and wrong and never equivocates.

HSK 7-9

这两种风格泾渭分明，不容混淆。

Zhè liǎng zhǒng fēnggé jīngwèi-fēnmíng, bùróng hùnxiáo.

These two styles are clearly distinct and must not be confused.

Tips

history

From the 《诗经·邶风·谷风》: 泾以渭浊，湜湜其沚. The classical reading is that the Jing looks muddy beside the clear Wei. The Jing and Wei rivers meet near Xi'an, and their different colors stay visible side by side for some distance, a natural image of clear separation.

culture

You can still see the boundary between the Jing and Wei at their confluence near Gaoling (Xi'an). The phrase is used by Chinese media when reporting on this site, a favorite anecdote for the chengyu's literal basis.

Stroke Order

泾 jīng

渭 wèi

分 fēn

明 míng