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源远流长

yuán yuǎn liú cháng

HSK 7–9

Meaning

  • lit. source is distant and the flow is long (idiom); fig. sth goes back to the dim and distant past
  • a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then

Definition

源头很远,水流很长。比喻历史悠久,根底深厚。

A distant source and a long stream; meaning long history and deep roots.

Usage

用于形容文化、传统、友谊等历史悠久、影响深远的事物。

Used to describe things with long history and profound influence, such as culture, tradition, or friendship.

Examples

  • 1 中华文化源远流长,博大精深。(Chinese culture has a long history and is extensive and profound.)
  • 2 两国人民的友谊源远流长,可以追溯到古代。(The friendship between the two peoples has a long history dating back to ancient times.)
  • 3 这个家族的传统源远流长,已经传承了数百年。(This family's tradition has a long history and has been passed down for hundreds of years.)
  • 4 中医理论源远流长,对世界医学有重要贡献。(Traditional Chinese medicine theory has a long history and has made important contributions to world medicine.)
  • 5 丝绸之路的历史源远流长,促进了东西方交流。(The history of the Silk Road is long-standing, promoting exchanges between East and West.)

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