高山流水

gāoshānliúshuǐ

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 zhēn shì gāoshānliúshuǐ, 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 gāoshānliúshuǐ, lìng rén 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