近水楼台 — “The pavilion near the water gets the moon first”
近水楼台 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to enjoy priority or obtain benefits and advantages due to one's favorable position, proximity, or close relationship; to be in a position of advantage”. Literally, “The pavilion near the water gets the moon first”.
近水楼台 Pronunciation and Pinyin
近水楼台 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 近水楼台
Origin and Story of 近水楼台
During the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, Fan Zhongyan, the prefect of Hangzhou, was known for his mild temper and shared hardships with his subordinates. Many people received his care and were recommended for promotion.
A local inspector named Su Lin came to Hangzhou on official business and presented Fan Zhongyan with a poem: "The pavilion near the water gets the moon first; the flowers and trees facing the sun are the first to welcome spring." Fan Zhongyan understood his implicit request and granted him what he desired.
Idioms Related to 近水楼台
Antonyms of 近水楼台
More idioms starting with 近
- jìn近xiāng乡qíng情qiè怯apprehension nearing hometown after long absence
- jìn近jiāo交yuǎn远gōng攻befriend nearby, attack distant
- jìn近qīn亲fán繁zhí殖inbreeding or lack of diversity
- jìn近zài在zhǐ咫chǐ尺extremely close at hand
- jìn近zài在méi眉jié睫imminent; close at hand
- jìn近yuè悦yuǎn远lái来content locals attract distant people
- jìn近zhū朱zhě者chì赤Good company makes good people
- jìn近zhū朱zhě者chì赤，，jìn近mò墨zhě者hēi黑Environment influences one's character
- jìn近shuǐ水lóu楼tái台xiān先dé得yuè月Proximity to power brings privilege
- jìn近huǒ火xiān先jiāo焦Those nearest danger suffer first
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Open the tool →Questions about 近水楼台
What does 近水楼台 mean?
近水楼台 (jìn shuǐ lóu tái) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to enjoy priority or obtain benefits and advantages due to one's favorable position, proximity, or close relationship; to be in a position of advantage”.
How do you pronounce 近水楼台?
近水楼台 is pronounced jìn shuǐ lóu tái in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 近水楼台 literally mean?
Literally, 近水楼台 means “the pavilion near the water gets the moon first”. It is used to mean “to enjoy priority or obtain benefits and advantages due to one's favorable position, proximity, or close relationship; to be in a position of advantage”.
Where does 近水楼台 come from?
近水楼台 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 近水楼台?
水边的楼台先得到月光。比喻能优先得到利益或便利的某种地位或关系。