鸡犬不宁

雞犬不寧

jīquǎn-bùníng

idiom

Meanings

1 not even chickens and dogs are at peace
2 pervasive disturbance, pandemonium

Characters

Examples

装修期间楼上楼下鸡犬不宁。

Zhuāngxiū qījiān lóushàng lóuxià jīquǎnbùníng.

During the renovations, the whole building upstairs and down was in pandemonium.

他一回来就把家里搞得鸡犬不宁。

Tā yì huílai jiù bǎ jiālǐ gǎo de jīquǎnbùníng.

The moment he came home, he turned the house upside down.

Tips

history

From 柳宗元《捕蛇者说》: Liu Zongyuan described harsh tax collectors who 'shout and crash through the village until not even the chickens and dogs are left in peace.' A Tang-era protest against the toll of cruel governance.

Stroke Order

鸡 jī

犬 quǎn

不 bù

宁 níng