人山人海

rénshān-rénhǎi

idiom #33,174

Meanings

国庆假期，景区人山人海。

Guóqìng jiàqī, jǐngqū rénshānrénhǎi.

During the National Day holiday, the scenic area was packed with people.

演唱会门口人山人海。

Yǎnchànghuì ménkǒu rénshānrénhǎi.

There was a sea of people outside the concert venue.

春节的庙会人山人海，热闹非凡。

Chūnjié de miàohuì rénshānrénhǎi, rènào fēifán.

The Spring Festival temple fair was jam-packed and buzzing with excitement.

history

Appears in 《水浒全传》 ch.51: 赚得那人山人海价看 — 'drew a mountain of people and sea of people to watch'. The 'mountain + sea' doubling vividly conveys scale.

memory

Just stacks two images: a mountain of people and a sea of people. The ABAC pattern (人X人Y) is common in Chinese — see also 人来人往, 人山人海, 人心人意.

人 rén

山 shān

海 hǎi