下里巴人 Xià Lǐ Bā Rén Xia Li Ba Ren

Explanation

下里巴人，原指战国时代楚国民间流行的一种歌曲。后比喻通俗的文学艺术。

Xia Li Ba Ren, originally a popular folk song in the Chu Kingdom during the Warring States period. Later used to describe popular literature and art.

Origin Story

战国时期，楚国有一位名叫宋玉的才子，以其才华横溢，文采斐然著称于世。有一次，楚王问他：“听说你写了许多美妙的诗歌，能否为我吟诵一首？”宋玉笑着回答：“我写的诗歌，有的高雅如阳春白雪，有的通俗如下里巴人。”楚王好奇地问：“何谓下里巴人？”宋玉便解释道：“下里巴人，是民间流行的通俗歌曲，简单易懂，老百姓都喜欢听。”楚王恍然大悟，说道：“原来如此！那你就为我吟诵一首下里巴人吧。”宋玉便吟诵了一首动听的民歌，楚王听后十分满意，赞不绝口。

zhàn guó shí qī, chǔ guó yǒu yī wèi míng jiào sòng yù de cái zǐ, yǐ qí cái huá héng yì, wén cái féi rán zhù chéng yú shì. yǒu yī cì, chǔ wáng wèn tā:“tīng shuō nǐ xiě le xǔ duō měi miào de shī gē, néng fǒu wèi wǒ yín sòng yī shǒu?” sòng yù xiào zhe huí dá: “wǒ xiě de shī gē, yǒu de gāo yǎ rú yáng chūn bái xuě, yǒu de tōng sú rú xià lǐ bā rén.” chǔ wáng hào qí de wèn:“hé wèi xià lǐ bā rén?” sòng yù biàn jiě shì dào: “xià lǐ bā rén, shì mín jiān liú xíng de tōng sú gē qǔ, jiǎn dān yì dǒng, lǎo bǎi xìng dōu xǐ huan tīng.” chǔ wáng huǎng rán dà wù, shuō dào:“yuán lái rú cǐ! nà nǐ jiù wèi wǒ yín sòng yī shǒu xià lǐ bā rén ba.” sòng yù biàn yín sòng le yī shǒu dòng tīng de mín gē, chǔ wáng tīng hòu shí fēn mǎn yì, zàn bù jué kǒu.

During the Warring States period, there was a talented man named Song Yu in the Chu Kingdom, known for his brilliant talent and extraordinary literary talent. Once, the King of Chu asked him: “I heard that you wrote many wonderful poems. Can you recite one for me?” Song Yu smiled and replied: “The poems I write are sometimes as elegant as Yangchun Baixue, and sometimes as commonplace as Xia Li Ba Ren.“ The King of Chu asked curiously: “What is Xia Li Ba Ren?” Song Yu then explained: “Xia Li Ba Ren are popular folk songs, simple to understand, and the people like them very much.” The King of Chu realized it and said: “Ah, so it is! Then recite a Xia Li Ba Ren for me.” Song Yu then recited a beautiful folk song, which the King of Chu greatly enjoyed and praised.

Usage

下里巴人通常用来形容通俗易懂、老少皆宜的文学艺术作品或语言风格。

xià lǐ bā rén tōng cháng yòng lái xíng róng tōng sú yì dǒng, lǎo shào jiē yí de wén xué yì shù zuò pǐn huò yǔ yán fēng gé.

Xia Li Ba Ren is usually used to describe literary and artistic works or language styles that are easy to understand and suitable for people of all ages.

Examples

  • 这首歌曲旋律优美，真是下里巴人，通俗易懂，老少皆宜。

    zhè shǒu gē qǔ xuán lǜ yōu měi, zhēn shì xià lǐ bā rén, tōng sú yì dǒng, lǎo shào jiē yí.

    This song has a beautiful melody, it's really simple and easy to understand, suitable for all ages.

  • 这部电影剧情简单，下里巴人，但依然很受欢迎。

    zhè bù diàn yǐng jù qíng jiǎn dān, xià lǐ bā rén, dàn yīrán hěn shòu huānyíng.

    The plot of this movie is simple, but it's still very popular.

  • 他的演讲内容通俗易懂，下里巴人，让大家听得津津有味。

    tā de yǎn jiǎng nèi róng tōng sú yì dǒng, xià lǐ bā rén, ràng dà jiā tīng de jīn jīn yǒu wèi.

    His speech is simple and easy to understand, so everyone listens with gusto.

Related Idioms

  • 通俗易懂

  • 下里巴音

  • 巴人下里

Opposite Idioms

  • 阳春白雪