清风明月 qīng fēng míng yuè gentle wind and bright moon

Explanation

形容只与清风明月为伴，不随便结交朋友，也比喻清闲无事。体现了一种高洁的情操和对宁静生活的向往。

Describes someone who only keeps company with nature—the gentle wind and bright moon. It implies an unwillingness to make friends easily; instead, they select their company carefully. It can also describe a peaceful and relaxed state.

Origin Story

很久以前，在一个偏僻的山村里，住着一位名叫李白的隐士。他厌倦了尘世的喧嚣，追求宁静淡泊的生活。他整日与清风明月为伴，在山间小路上漫步，在溪边垂钓，在月光下吟诗作画，他的生活简单而快乐。他从不轻易结交朋友，因为他认为真正的朋友应该志同道合，彼此真诚相待。有一次，一位富商慕名而来，想与李白结交。富商带来了许多珍贵的礼物，想用这些礼物打动李白。但是李白拒绝了富商的礼物，他说：“我只需要清风明月为伴，这些身外之物对我来说毫无意义。”富商只好失望而归。李白的故事流传至今，成为了人们心中清风明月的生活境界的象征。

henjiu yiqian, zai yige pianpi de shancun li, zhushu yizhi mingjiao li bai de yinshi. ta yanjuan le chenshi de xuanxiao, zhuiqiu ningjing danbo de shenghuo. ta zhengri yu qingfeng mingyue wei ban, zai shanjian xiaolu shang manbu, zai xibian chuidiao, zai yueguang xia yinshi zuo hua, ta de shenghuo jiandan er kuai le. ta cong bu qingyi jiejiao pengyou, yinwei ta renwei zhenzheng de pengyou yinggai zhitong he, bici zhencheng xiangdai. you yici, yige fushang muming er lai, xiang yu li bai jiejiao. fushang dailai le xuduo zhen gui de liwu, xiang yong zhe xie liwu dadong li bai. danshi li bai jujue le fushang de liwu, ta shuo：“wo zhi xuyao qingfeng mingyue wei ban, zhe xie shenwai zhi wu dui wo lai shuo haowu yiyi.” fushang zhihao shiwang er gui. li bai de gushi liuchuan zhi jin, chengweile renmen xinzhong qingfeng mingyue de shenghuo jingjie de xiangzheng.

Long ago, in a remote mountain village, lived a recluse named Li Bai. Weary of the world’s hustle and bustle, he pursued a quiet, simple life. He spent his days in the company of the gentle wind and bright moon, strolling along mountain paths, fishing by streams, and composing poems and painting under the moonlight. His life was simple and joyful. He never readily made friends, for he believed that true friends should share common interests and treat each other with sincerity. Once, a wealthy merchant came to visit, hoping to befriend Li Bai. He brought many precious gifts, intending to impress Li Bai. But Li Bai refused the gifts, saying, “All I need is the gentle wind and the bright moon. These worldly possessions are meaningless to me.” The merchant left disappointed. Li Bai’s story is passed down to this day, and it has become a symbol of a life spent in the company of the gentle wind and the bright moon.

Usage

用于形容人清高孤傲，不与世俗交往，或形容环境清幽宁静。

yongyu xingrong ren qinggao guao, buyu shisu jiaowang, huo xingrong huanjing qingyou ningjing.

Used to describe someone who is noble and aloof, who does not associate with the world, or to describe a quiet and peaceful environment.

Examples

• 他为人清高，只与清风明月为伴，不与俗人交往。

  ta weiren qinggao, zhi yu qingfeng mingyue wei ban, buyu su ren jiaowang.

  He is aloof, keeping only the company of fine people and not associating with the common crowd.

• 我喜欢在闲暇时间，享受清风明月，远离城市的喧嚣。

  wo xihuan zai xianxia shijian, xiangshou qingfeng mingyue, yuanli chengshi de xuanxiao.

  I enjoy my free time appreciating nature's tranquil beauty, escaping the hustle and bustle of city life.

Related Idioms

• 清风朗月

• 明月清风

Opposite Idioms

• 灯红酒绿

• 纸醉金迷