行云流水

行雲流水

xíngyúnliúshuǐ

idiom #35,392

Meanings

1 like drifting clouds and flowing water
2 smooth and natural in style
3 unforced and graceful

Characters

to move; to travel

Examples

他的文笔行云流水，读起来非常流畅。

Tā de wénbǐ xíngyúnliúshuǐ, dú qǐlái fēicháng liúchàng.

His writing flows like clouds and water — very smooth to read.

这位舞者的动作如行云流水，令人陶醉。

Zhè wèi wǔzhě de dòngzuò rú xíngyúnliúshuǐ, lìngrén táozuì.

The dancer's movements were as fluid as drifting clouds and flowing water — enchanting.

Tips

history

From Su Shi's 《答谢民师书》: 大略如行云流水，初无定质，但常行于所当行，止于不可不止 — Su's own description of good prose: it flows where it should and stops where it must.

Stroke Order

行 xíng

云 yún

流 liú

水 shuǐ