含苞待放

hánbāo-dàifàng

idiom

Meanings

1 in bud; about to blossom
2 (of a young woman) on the verge of womanhood

Characters

to hold in; to contain

to open; to release

Examples

花园里的玫瑰含苞待放，煞是好看。

Huāyuánlǐ de méiguī hánbāodàifàng, shà shì hǎokàn.

The roses in the garden are in bud, quite a sight to behold.

那个少女正含苞待放，青春动人。

Nàge shàonǚ zhèng hánbāodàifàng, qīngchūn dòngrén.

That young girl is on the verge of womanhood, youthful and lovely.

Tips

usage

Literal use describes flowers about to bloom; figurative use applies specifically to a girl blossoming into womanhood. Don't apply to men or to non-floral situations.

Stroke Order

含 hán

苞 bāo

待 dài

放 fàng