高山流水

gāoshān-liúshuǐ

idiom

Meanings

1 lofty mountains and flowing water — a metaphor for a true friend who understands one's heart
2 exquisite music

Characters

Examples

能遇到知己真是高山流水，难得啊。

Néng yùdào zhījǐ zhēnshì gāoshān-liúshuǐ, nándé a.

Finding a true kindred spirit is as rare as the meeting of lofty mountains and flowing water.

他的琴声如高山流水，令人陶醉。

Tā de qínshēng rú gāoshān-liúshuǐ, lìngrén táozuì.

His qin music is like lofty mountains and flowing water — utterly enchanting.

Tips

history

From 《列子·汤问》: the qin master Boya played, his friend Zhong Ziqi said, 'How lofty — like Mount Tai!' Then, 'How vast — like rushing rivers!' When Ziqi died, Boya broke his qin, believing no one else could understand his music. Hence 高山流水 = deep, mutual understanding (知音 zhīyīn).

Stroke Order

高 gāo

山 shān

流 liú

水 shuǐ