天花乱坠 Tian Hua Luan Zhui Heavenly flowers falling randomly

Explanation

天花乱坠比喻说话有声有色,极其动听,但往往是夸张而不符合实际的。

The idiom "Tian Hua Luan Zhui" (天花乱坠) literally translates to "heavenly flowers falling randomly." It's used to describe speech or stories that are very beautiful and impressive, but often exaggerated and unrealistic.

Origin Story

南朝梁武帝时期,一位得道高僧在寺庙中宣讲佛法,他口若悬河,妙语连珠,引经据典,讲述了许多精彩绝伦的佛经故事。讲到动情处,天上竟纷纷飘落五彩缤纷的花朵,如同仙境一般,信众们无不啧啧称奇。从此,“天花乱坠”便用来形容说话华丽动听,但往往言过其实。而这个故事也流传至今,成为一段脍炙人口的佳话。

Nanchao Liang Wudi shiqi, yiwei dedao gaoseng zai simiao zhong xuangjiang fo fa, ta kou ruo xuanhe, miaoyu lian zhu, yin jing ju dian, jiangshu le xudu jingcai jue lun de fojing gushi. Jiang dao dongqing chu, tianshang jing fenfen piaoluo wu cai bin fen de huaduo, rugotong xianjing yiban, xinzhong men wu bu zeze chengqi. Congci, "tianhua luan zhui" bian yonglai xingrong shuohua huang li dong ting, dan wang wang yan guo qishi. Er zhege gushi ye liu chuan zhi jin, chengwei yiduan kuai zhi renkou de jia hua

During the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang in the Southern Dynasties, an enlightened monk preached Buddhism in the temple. His words flowed like a river, filled with wisdom and charm. As he spoke of particularly moving passages, colorful flowers actually fell from the sky, as if in a magical kingdom. The believers were all amazed. Since then, “Tian Hua Luan Zhui” has been used to describe a speech or story that sounds very beautiful and impressive, but is often exaggerated.

Usage

天花乱坠通常作状语或定语,用来形容说话华丽而夸张,不符合实际情况。

tianhua luan zhui tongchang zuo zhuangyu huo dingyu, yong lai xingrong shuohua huang li er kuazhang, bu fuhe shiji qingkuang.

"Tian Hua Luan Zhui" is usually used as an adverbial or adjectival modifier to describe speech that is flowery and exaggerated, not in line with reality.

Examples

  • 他的说法真是天花乱坠,令人难以置信。

    tade shuofashi zhenshi tianhualuanzhui, lingren nanyixinzhi.

    His words were so flowery and exaggerated, it was hard to believe him.

  • 这场演讲天花乱坠,却缺乏实际内容。

    zhejiang yanci tianhualuanzhui, quei quefue shiji neirong

    The speech was full of fancy language, but lacked substance.