山高水低 mountains are high, water is low
Explanation
这个成语指的是不幸的事情，尤其指人的死亡。它源自古人对山高水低的自然现象的理解，认为山高容易阻挡阳光，水低则容易积水，不利于生长，象征着不好的预兆。
This idiom refers to unfortunate events, especially the death of a person. It originates from the ancient understanding of the natural phenomena of high mountains and low waters, which were considered bad omens because high mountains block sunlight and low waters cause waterlogging, which is not conducive to growth.
Origin Story
从前，有个名叫王老汉的老人，他家住在一个山区，山高水低，交通不便。王老汉的儿子在城里工作，每个月都会寄钱回来，他非常感谢儿子对自己的照顾。有一天，王老汉突然感到身体不适，他强忍着疼痛，想给儿子打电话，但由于山高水低，信号不好，他无法拨通电话。他担心自己的身体情况，便把儿子叫来家里照顾他。儿子回来后，仔细询问了老汉的病情，然后带他去城里的医院看病。医生检查后，诊断老汉患上了严重的疾病，需要立即住院治疗。王老汉的儿子为了治好老汉的病，卖掉了自己辛苦攒的房子，凑齐了医药费，每天都在医院照顾父亲。经过一段时间的治疗，王老汉的身体渐渐康复。他非常感谢儿子对自己的付出，也深深地体会到，虽然山高水低，但只要有亲情，困难就会迎刃而解。
Once upon a time, there was an old man named Wang who lived in a mountainous area where the mountains were high and the water was low, making transportation inconvenient. Wang's son worked in the city and sent him money every month, for which Wang was very grateful. One day, Wang suddenly felt unwell. He endured the pain and tried to call his son, but due to the high mountains and low water, the signal was poor and he couldn't get through. Worried about his health, he called his son home to take care of him. His son returned, carefully inquired about his father's illness, and then took him to the city hospital for treatment. After examination, the doctor diagnosed Wang with a serious illness that required immediate hospitalization. In order to cure his father's illness, Wang's son sold his hard-earned house to raise the medical expenses and took care of his father in the hospital every day. After a period of treatment, Wang's health gradually recovered. He was very grateful to his son for his efforts and deeply realized that even in an area with high mountains and low water, difficulties can be overcome with love and care.
Usage
这个成语通常用来形容遇到不幸的事情，尤其是指人的死亡，表达一种伤感或不安的心情。例如，当听到朋友遭遇意外时，可能会说：“哎，真是山高水低，太可惜了！”
This idiom is often used to describe unfortunate events, especially the death of a person, expressing a feeling of sadness or unease. For example, when hearing about a friend's accident, one might say, “Oh, it's really a pity, as if the mountains are high and the water is low!”
Examples
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他一听到这个消息，便觉得山高水低，心中忐忑不安。
ta yi ting dao zhe ge xiao xi, bian jue de shan gao shui di, xin zhong tan te bu an.
He felt uneasy, as if the mountains were high and the water was low, when he heard the news.
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老王最近身体不好，家里人担心他山高水低，不放心他独自一人出门。
lao wang zui jin shen ti bu hao, jia li ren dan xin ta shan gao shui di, bu fang xin ta du zi yi ren chu men.
Old Wang's family is worried that he is not in good health recently and are afraid that he might die if he goes out alone.