諺語 · a single proverb
鳥語花香
Simplified: 鸟语花香
What does 鳥語花香 (niǎo yǔ huā xiāng) mean?
鳥語花香 (niǎo yǔ huā xiāng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "birdsong and flower fragrance." In use it means: A beautiful spring scene. Everything alive, everything pleasant. The world at its most welcoming. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rabbit.
Literally: "birdsong and flower fragrance."
The reading
The birds are talking. The flowers are sending their scent into the air. Neither needs a reason. This is the world operating at baseline beauty, without human effort. The phrase reminds you that the planet produces this for free, every spring, whether or not you stop to notice.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Common literary phrase; Song dynasty poetry
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Nature, Seasons & Health, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 鳥語花香 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 鳥語花香 (niǎo yǔ huā xiāng) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Common literary phrase; Song dynasty poetry. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 鳥語花香?
In Mandarin it is niǎo yǔ huā xiāng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 鳥語花香 aloud in Mandarin.