明月清风 míng yuè qīng fēng bright moon and clear wind

Explanation

指只与清风明月为伴，比喻不随便结交朋友，也比喻清闲无事。

It refers to only being accompanied by the clear wind and bright moon, a metaphor for not making friends casually, and also a metaphor for leisure.

Origin Story

话说唐朝时期，一位隐士名叫李白，他厌倦了官场纷争，便辞官归隐，隐居山林。一日，他漫步山间，只见明月当空，清风徐来，花香鸟语，景色宜人。他顿感心旷神怡，不禁吟诗一首：“举杯邀明月，对影成三人。”从此，他过着“明月清风”的生活，与世无争，怡然自乐。他经常在山间漫步，欣赏大自然的美丽景色，与清风明月为伴，修身养性。有时候，他会邀请一些志同道合的朋友来山间聚会，一起谈论诗歌，一起欣赏美丽的景色。即使生活清贫，他依然觉得很快乐。因为在他看来，真正的快乐并不是来自物质的享受，而是来自精神的满足。明月清风陪伴着他，让他在清静中领悟人生的真谛，过着一种超尘脱俗的悠闲生活。

huàshuō tángcháo shíqī，yī wèi yǐnshì míng jiào lǐ bái，tā yànjuàn le guānchǎng fēnzhēng，biàn cíguān guīyǐn，yǐnjū shānlín。yī rì，tā màn bù shānjiān，zhǐjiàn míngyuè dāngkōng，qīngfēng xú lái，huāxiāng niǎoyǔ，jǐngsè yí rén。tā dùn gǎn xīnkàng yíyí，bù jīn yín shī yī shǒu："jǔ bēi yāo míngyuè，duì yǐng chéng sān rén。"cóng cǐ，tā guòzhe "míngyuè qīngfēng" de shēnghuó，yǔ shì wú zhēng，yí rán zì lè。tā jīngcháng zài shānjiān màn bù，xīnshǎng dà zìrán de měilì jǐngsè，yǔ qīngfēng míngyuè wèi bàn，xiūshēn yǎngxìng。yǒu shíhòu，tā huì yāoqǐng yīxiē zhìtóng héhé de péngyou lái shānjiān jùhuì，yīqǐ tánlùn shīgē，yīqǐ xīnshǎng měilì de jǐngsè。jíshǐ shēnghuó qīngpín，tā yīrán juéde hěn kuàilè。yīnwèi zài tā kàn lái，zhēnzhèng de kuàilè bìng bù shì lái zì wùzhì de xiǎngshòu，ér shì lái zì jīngshen de mǎnzú。míngyuè qīngfēng péibànzhe tā，ràng tā zài qīngjìng zhōng lǐngwù rén shēng de zhēndì，guòzhe yī zhǒng chāochén tuósú de yōuxián shēnghuó。

It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, a hermit named Li Bai, tired of the political intrigues of the court, resigned from his official post and retired to the mountains. One day, while strolling through the mountains, he saw the moon in the sky, a gentle breeze blowing, flowers fragrant, birds singing; the scenery was delightful. He felt refreshed and composed a poem: "I raise my cup to invite the moon, my shadow makes three." From that day on, he lived a life of "moonlight and clear wind," free from worldly strife and content. He often walked in the mountains, admiring the beauty of nature, accompanied by the moonlight and breeze, cultivating his mind and body. Sometimes, he would invite like-minded friends to gather in the mountains to discuss poetry and appreciate the beautiful scenery. Even though his life was simple, he still felt very happy, because in his view, true happiness does not come from material enjoyment, but from spiritual fulfillment. The moonlight and clear wind accompanied him, allowing him to understand the true meaning of life in quietude, living a carefree life transcending the mundane.

Usage

常用于描写悠闲、宁静的生活状态，或表达不愿与世俗同流合污的意愿。

cháng yòng yú miáoxiě yōuxián，níngjìng de shēnghuó zhuàngtài，huò biǎodá bùyuàn yǔ shìsú tóngliú héwū de yìyuàn。

It is often used to describe a leisurely and peaceful life, or to express a reluctance to be involved in worldly affairs.

Examples

• 他喜欢过着明月清风的生活。

  tā xǐhuan guòzhe míngyuè qīngfēng de shēnghuó。

  He enjoys a life of moonlit nights and clear breezes.

• 远离城市的喧嚣，他过着明月清风的日子。

  yuǎnlí chéngshì de xuānxiāo，tā guòzhe míngyuè qīngfēng de rìzi。

  Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, he lives a life of tranquility.

• 他追求的是一种明月清风的生活境界。

  tā zhuīqiú de shì yī zhǒng míngyuè qīngfēng de shēnghuó jìngjiè。

  He pursues a state of life characterized by serenity and peace.

• 他喜欢明月清风，不喜欢热闹的场所。

  tā xǐhuan míngyuè qīngfēng，bù xǐhuan rènao de chǎngsuǒ。

  He prefers quiet nights and gentle breezes.

• 他退休后，过着明月清风的生活，十分自在。

  tā tuìxiū hòu，guòzhe míngyuè qīngfēng de shēnghuó，shífēn zìzài。

  After retirement, he lives a peaceful and carefree life of moonlight and fresh air.

Related Idioms

• 清风明月

• 幽静

Opposite Idioms

• 灯红酒绿

• 纸醉金迷