玄之又玄 profound and mysterious
Explanation
原指道家学说中对“道”的描述,形容道的深奥玄妙,难以言说。后多用来形容事物奥妙深邃,难以理解。
Originally refers to the description of "Dao" in Taoist philosophy, describing the profound and mysterious nature of Dao, which is hard to express. Later, it is often used to describe things that are profound and mysterious, difficult to understand.
Origin Story
话说庄子游历四方,来到一个深山古刹。寺庙里住持是一位德高望重的长老,他见庄子学问渊博,便想考考他。长老指着寺庙里一尊千年古佛,说道:“这尊佛像,历经千年风雨,其中蕴含着宇宙的奥妙,你能否参悟其中玄机?”庄子凝神静思良久,缓缓说道:“佛像看似静止,实则包含着生生不息的宇宙规律,其玄妙之处,玄之又玄,众妙之门,非我等凡人所能完全参透。”长老捋须微笑,赞叹道:“妙哉,妙哉!你已窥探到宇宙的奥秘,真乃奇才也!”
It is said that Zhuangzi traveled far and wide, and came to an ancient temple in a deep mountain. The abbot of the temple was a highly respected elder, who, seeing Zhuangzi's vast knowledge, wanted to test him. The elder pointed to a thousand-year-old Buddha statue in the temple, and said: "This statue has weathered a thousand years of wind and rain, and it contains the mysteries of the universe. Can you comprehend its mysteries?" Zhuangzi pondered for a long time, and slowly said: "The statue seems still, but in fact contains the unceasing laws of the universe. Its mysteriousness is such that it is beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals." The elder stroked his beard, smiled, and praised: "Wonderful, wonderful! You have glimpsed the mystery of the universe, you are truly a rare talent!"
Usage
用于形容事理深奥难懂。
Used to describe something profound and hard to understand.
Examples
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这其中的道理,玄之又玄,非三言两语能够解释清楚。
zhè qízhōng de dàolǐ, xuán zhī yòu xuán, fēi sān yán liǎng yǔ nénggòu jiěshì qīngchǔ.
The truth behind this is very profound, and cannot be easily explained.
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他提出的理论,玄之又玄,令人难以捉摸。
tā tíchū de lǐlùn, xuán zhī yòu xuán, lìng rén nán yǐ zhuōmó
The theory he proposed is very mysterious and hard to grasp.