行云流水

行雲流水
xíngyún-liúshuǐ
idiom #35,392

Meanings

  1. 1 like drifting clouds and flowing water
  2. 2 smooth and natural in style
  3. 3 unforced and graceful

Examples

HSK 7-9
Tā de wénbǐ xíngyún-liúshuǐ, dú qǐlái fēicháng liúchàng.
His writing flows like clouds and water - very smooth to read.
HSK 7-9
Zhèwèi wǔzhě de dòngzuò rú xíngyún-liúshuǐ, lìngrén táozuì.
The dancer's movements were as fluid as drifting clouds and flowing water - enchanting.

Tips

history
From Su Shi's 《答谢民师书》: 大略如行云流水,初无定质,但常行于所当行,止于不可不止 - Su's own description of good prose: it flows where it should and stops where it must.

Stroke Order

xíng
yún
liú
shuǐ