蓬荜生辉

蓬蓽生輝

péngbìshēnghuī

idiom #31,161

Meanings

1 your visit brings light to my humble dwelling
2 (humble) honored by your presence
3 (also as response to receiving a gift of art) your gift greatly adorns my home

Characters

蓬

péng

fleabane; thatch (humble)

荜

bì

brushwood; hawthorn (humble)

Examples

您能光临寒舍，真是蓬荜生辉。

Nín néng guānglín hánshè, zhēnshì péngbìshēnghuī.

Your visit truly honors my humble home.

收到您送的字画，蓬荜生辉。

Shōu dào nín sòng de zìhuà, péngbìshēnghuī.

Your gift of calligraphy and painting brings great glory to my modest home.

Tips

history

From the Yuan-dynasty zaju play 《剪发待宾》 (Cutting Hair to Receive Guests) by Qin Jianfu (秦简夫), 第三折: 贵脚踏于贱地，蓬荜生光 'Your noble feet step on humble ground — the thatched-and-thornwood gate gains splendor'. 蓬 (péng, fleabane / thatch grass) and 荜 (bì, hawthorn / brushwood) refer to the materials of a poor man's gate, by extension a humble home.

Strictly humble/polite, used by the host about their own home — never said about someone else's place. Common in formal greetings, thank-you notes for gifts of art, or wedding/housewarming speeches.

Stroke Order

蓬 péng

荜 bì

生 shēng

辉 huī