諺語 · a single proverb
下里巴人
What does 下里巴人 (xià lǐ bā rén) mean?
下里巴人 (xià lǐ bā rén) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "people of Xiali and Ba." In use it means: Popular, accessible art or entertainment. The opposite of highbrow. Something everyone can enjoy. 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 Pig.
Literally: "people of Xiali and Ba."
The reading
The song in the court that no one could sing along with was admired by five people. The song in the street that everyone knew was admired by thousands. Popularity and quality are different measurements. The accessible thing is not lesser because more people understand it. It reaches further.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Song Yu 宋玉, 對楚王問 (Warring States period)
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 Harmony, Virtue & Balance, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Pig, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 下里巴人 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 下里巴人 (xià lǐ bā rén) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Song Yu 宋玉, 對楚王問 (Warring States period). 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 下里巴人?
In Mandarin it is xià lǐ bā rén. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 下里巴人 aloud in Mandarin.