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琴棋书画

qín qí shū huà

HSK 7–9

Meaning

  • the four arts (zither, Go, calligraphy, painting)
  • the accomplishments of a well-educated person

Definition

指古琴、围棋、书法、绘画四种艺术，常用来形容文人雅士的修养和才艺。

Refers to the four arts: guqin (a musical instrument), go (a board game), calligraphy, and painting, often used to describe the cultivation and talents of a refined scholar.

Usage

用作名词，常与‘精通’、‘擅长’等动词搭配，或用于形容一个人多才多艺、具有高雅情趣。

Used as a noun, often with verbs like '精通' (proficient in) or '擅长' (skilled in), or to describe a person who is versatile and has refined tastes.

Examples

  • 1 他琴棋书画样样精通，是个真正的才子。 (He is proficient in all four arts: guqin, go, calligraphy, and painting. He is a true talent.)
  • 2 古代文人常以琴棋书画陶冶情操。 (Ancient literati often cultivated their minds through the four arts.)
  • 3 这位老先生琴棋书画无所不能，令人敬佩。 (This old gentleman is capable of all four arts, which is admirable.)
  • 4 她从小学习琴棋书画，气质十分优雅。 (She studied the four arts since childhood and has a very elegant demeanor.)
  • 5 琴棋书画是中国传统文化的重要组成部分。 (The four arts are an important part of traditional Chinese culture.)

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