熙熙攘攘

xīxīrǎngrǎng

idiom HSK 7-9 #31,120

Meanings

Bustling and jostling - a lively crowd.

街上熙熙攘攘的，到处都是人。

Jiēshàng xīxīrǎngrǎng de, dàochù dōu shì rén.

The street was bustling with people everywhere.

春节期间，商场里熙熙攘攘。

Chūnjié qījiān, shāngchǎng lǐ xīxīrǎngrǎng.

During Spring Festival, the mall is bustling with crowds.

熙熙攘攘的人群中，他显得格外孤独。

Xīxīrǎngrǎng de rénqún zhōng, tā xiǎnde géwài gūdú.

Among the bustling crowd, he seemed especially lonely.

history

From Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian: 天下熙熙，皆为利来；天下攘攘，皆为利往 - "All the world bustles for profit; all the world hustles for gain."

memory

熙熙 = joyful bustling, 攘攘 = jostling crowds. Double the characters, double the noise and activity.

熙 xī

攘 rǎng