别有洞天 bié yǒu dòng tiān A different world

Explanation

原指山洞中另有一个天地，形容风景奇特，引人入胜。后也用来形容事物表面看来平常，实际上却别有奥妙，或隐藏着不为人知的秘密。

Originally refers to a place inside a mountain cave that is a completely different world, describing the unique and captivating scenery. Later, it was also used to describe things that appear ordinary on the surface, but actually have hidden mysteries or secrets unknown to others.

Origin Story

传说，在遥远的古代，有一位名叫王先生的书生，他爱好游历山水。一天，他在郊外的一座山脚下遇到一位老翁，老翁告诉他，这山里有一处别有洞天的美景，如果想去看的话，就沿着山间的小路一直走下去。王先生十分好奇，便沿着老翁指引的小路走去。走了很久，王先生来到一片茂密的树林，树林里光线昏暗，树木枝繁叶茂，遮天蔽日。王先生心想：这山里怎么会有美景呢？正准备转身回去，却突然听到一阵清脆的鸟鸣声。循声望去，发现前方有一道石缝，石缝中透出一丝亮光。王先生好奇地走近，发现石缝后面别有洞天，原来是一处幽静的山谷，谷中奇花异草，溪水潺潺，景色秀丽。王先生忍不住感叹道：真是别有洞天啊！

chuán shuō, zài yáo yuǎn de gǔ dài, yǒu yī wèi jìng miáo wáng xiān shēng de shū shēng, tā ài hào yóu lì shān shuǐ. yī tiān, tā zài jiāo wài de yī zuò shān jiǎo yù dào yī wèi lǎo wēng, lǎo wēng gàosu tā, zhè shān lǐ yǒu yī chù bié yǒu dòng tiān de měi jǐng, rú guǒ xiǎng qù kàn de huà, jiù yán zhe shān jiān de xiǎo lù yī zhí zǒu xià qù. wáng xiān shēng shí fèn hào qí, biàn yán zhe lǎo wēng zhǐ yǐn de xiǎo lù zǒu qù. zǒu le hěn jiǔ, wáng xiān shēng lái dào yī piàn mào mì de shù lín, shù lín lǐ guāng xiàn hūn àn, shù mù zhī fán yè mào, zhē tiān bì rì. wáng xiān shēng xiǎng xīn: zhè shān lǐ zěn me huì yǒu měi jǐng ne? zhèng zhǔn bèi zhuǎn shēn huí qù, què túrán tīng dào yī zhèn qīng cuì de niǎo míng shēng. xún shēng wàng qù, fā xiàn qián fāng yǒu yī dào shí fèng, shí fèng zhōng tòu chū yī sī liàng guāng. wáng xiān shēng hào qí de zǒu jìn, fā xiàn shí fèng hòu miàn bié yǒu dòng tiān, yuán lái shì yī chù yōu jìng de shān gǔ, gǔ zhōng qí huā yì cǎo, xī shuǐ chán chán, jǐng sè xiù lì. wáng xiān shēng rěn bù zhù gǎn tàn dào: zhēn shì bié yǒu dòng tiān a!

Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a scholar named Mr. Wang who loved to travel through mountains and rivers. One day, he met an old man at the foot of a mountain outside the city. The old man told him that there was a beautiful landscape in the mountain, a different world, and that if he wanted to see it, he should just follow the mountain path. Mr. Wang was very curious and followed the path the old man had shown him. He walked for a long time and came to a dense forest. The forest was dark and the trees were full of leaves and branches, blocking out the sun. Mr. Wang thought: How can there be a beautiful landscape in this mountain? Just as he was about to turn around and go back, he suddenly heard a clear bird song. He followed the sound and discovered a crack in a rock, with a ray of light shining through. Mr. Wang curiously went closer and discovered that behind the crack was a completely different world, a quiet valley. In the valley bloomed strange flowers and herbs, and a stream flowed gently, the scenery was beautiful. Mr. Wang couldn't help but sigh:

Usage

形容风景奇特，引人入胜，也可以用来形容事物表面看来平常，实际上却别有奥妙，或隐藏着不为人知的秘密。

xióng róng fēng jǐng qí tè, yǐn rén rù shèng, yě kě yǐ yòng lái xióng róng shì wù biǎo miàn kàn lái píng cháng, shí jì shàng què bié yǒuào miào, huò yǐn cáng zhe bù wéi rén zhī de mì mì.

It describes a unique and captivating scenery, but can also be used to describe things that appear ordinary on the surface, but actually have hidden mysteries or secrets unknown to others.

Examples

  • 这山谷别有洞天，景色美不胜收。

    zhè shān gǔ bié yǒu dòng tiān, jǐng sè měi bù shèng shōu.

    This valley is a different world, the scenery is breathtaking.

  • 这间小屋别有洞天，内部装饰精美别致。

    zhè jiān xiǎo wū bié yǒu dòng tiān, nèi bù zhuāng shì jīng měi bié zhì.

    This little house is a different world, the interior decoration is exquisite and elegant.

  • 没想到这个小公司别有洞天，竟有如此强大的研发实力。

    méi xiǎng dào zhège xiǎo gōng sī bié yǒu dòng tiān, jìng yǒu rú cǐ qiáng dà de yán fā shí lì

    I didn't expect this small company to have a different world, it has such a strong R&D capability.

Related Idioms

  • 别有天地

  • 柳暗花明

  • 峰回路转

Opposite Idioms

  • 平平无奇

  • 乏善可陈

  • 一成不变