世外桃源 shì wài táo yuán Peach Blossom Spring

Explanation

世外桃源指与现实社会隔绝，生活安乐的理想境界。也指环境幽静生活安逸的地方。

An idyllic landscape secluded from civilization and where one leads a peaceful life. It can also refer to a place where the surroundings are quiet and life is pleasant.

Origin Story

东晋时期，一位名叫陶渊明的隐士写了一篇著名的文章《桃花源记》。文章讲述了一个渔夫在捕鱼时，无意中发现了一个与世隔绝的山谷。山谷里住着人们过着自给自足，安居乐业的生活。他们远离了战乱和纷争，过着和谐美好的生活，这就是世外桃源。

dōng jìn shí qī, yī wèi míng jiào táo yuān míng de yǐnshì xiě le yī piān zhùmíng de wén zhāng 《táohuā yuán jì》。wén zhāng jiǎngshù le yīgè yúfū zài bǔ yú shí, wú yì zhōng fāxiàn le yīgè yǔ shì gèjué de shān gǔ。shān gǔ lǐ zhù zhe rén men guò zhe zì jǐ zì zú, ān jū lè yè de shēnghuó。tāmen yuǎn lí le zhànluàn hé fēnzhēng, guò zhe héxié měihǎo de shēnghuó, zhè jiùshì shì wài táo yuán。

During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, a hermit named Tao Yuanming wrote a famous essay called "Record of the Peach Blossom Spring". The essay tells of a fisherman who, while fishing, inadvertently discovered a valley isolated from the world. In the valley lived people who lived a self-sufficient and peaceful life. They were far from war and strife, living a harmonious and beautiful life; this is the paradise outside the world.

Usage

世外桃源常用来形容一个远离尘嚣，宁静祥和的地方，也用来比喻理想中的美好世界。

shì wài táo yuán cháng yòng lái xíngróng yīgè yuǎn lí chénxiāo, níngjìng xiánghé de dìfāng, yě yòng lái bǐyù lǐxiǎng zhōng de měihǎo shìjiè。

The term "Shi Wai Tao Yuan" is often used to describe a peaceful and quiet place far from the hustle and bustle of life, but it can also refer to an idealized world.

Examples

• 世外桃源般的景象令人向往。

  shì wài táo yuán de jǐng xiàng lìng rén xiàng wǎng

  The scenery of a paradise outside the world is attractive.

• 他向往着世外桃源般的生活。

  tā xiàng wǎng zhe shì wài táo yuán bān de shēng huó

  He yearns for a life like in a paradise outside the world.

• 这山谷就像一个世外桃源。

  zhè shān gǔ jiù xiàng yīgè shì wài táo yuán

  This valley resembles a paradise outside the world

Related Idioms

• 桃花源记

• 乌托邦

• 理想乡

Opposite Idioms

• 人间地狱

• 水深火热