子虚乌有 — “Pure fabrication”
子虚乌有 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “Pure fabrication”. Sheer invention; fictitious; imaginary; groundless.
Frequency
子虚乌有 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 子zǐ
- 虚xū
- 乌wū
- 有yǒu
子虚乌有 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 子虚乌有
那些关于他将要离职的谣言完全是子虚乌有，他依然在努力工作。
Those rumors about him leaving his post were pure fabrication; he is still working diligently.
Origin and Story of 子虚乌有
During the Western Han Dynasty, Sima Xiangru's literary work, "Zixu Fu" (Rhapsody on Mr. Nothing), was greatly admired by Emperor Wu of Han.
The "Zixu Fu" narrates a story where the King of Chu dispatches Zixu to visit the King of Qi. The King of Qi then leads all the skilled hunters from his kingdom to accompany Zixu on a hunting expedition.
Zixu vigorously brags to Mr. Wuyou (Mr. No Such Thing), who is also present, about the splendid hunting achievements of the King of Chu, intentionally disparaging the King of Qi. Mr. Wuyou promptly refutes Zixu on behalf of the King of Qi and challenges his assertions.
Idioms Related to 子虚乌有
More idioms starting with 子
- zi子bù不yǔ语guài怪Confucius did not speak of strange phenomena
- zǐ子chǒu丑yín寅mǎo卯the whole story
- zǐ子wéi为fù父yǐn隐Son conceals father's misconduct
- zi子xià夏xuán悬chún鹑poor but content and principled
- zǐ子nǚ女yù玉bó帛cherished possessions
- zǐ子nǚ女jīn金bó帛people and property
- zǐ子zǐ子sūn孙sūn孙descendants for generations
- zǐ子sūn孙hòu后dài代future generations
- zǐ子sūn孙hòu后bèi辈descendants and future generations
- zǐ子xiào孝fù父cí慈filial children and loving parents
- zi子chéng承fù父yè业Son inherits father's business or legacy
- zǐ子yuē曰shī诗yún云Confucian teachings and classical pronouncements
Questions about 子虚乌有
- What does 子虚乌有 mean?
- 子虚乌有 (zǐ xū wū yǒu) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “Pure fabrication”.
- How do you pronounce 子虚乌有?
- 子虚乌有 is pronounced zǐ xū wū yǒu in Mandarin Chinese.
- Where does 子虚乌有 come from?
- 子虚乌有 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 子虚乌有?
- 子虚：并非真实；乌有：哪有。指假设的、不存在的、不真实的事情。