写经换鹅 — “To exchange a copied scripture for geese”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 写经换鹅?

以书写经文来换鹅。形容书法高超

写经换鹅 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to exchange a copied scripture for geese”. Used to describe someone with exceptionally high calligraphic skills, referencing the story of Wang Xizhi. Literally, “Copy scriptures to exchange for geese”.

Frequency

写经换鹅 Pronunciation and Pinyin

写经换鹅 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
写	xiě	5	write, compose, describe
经	jīng	8	pass through, manage, classic
换	huàn	10	exchange, change, replace
鹅	é	12	large web-footed water bird

Example Sentence with 写经换鹅

他的书法技艺精湛，简直到了可以写经换鹅的境界。

His calligraphic skill is so exquisite that it's almost at the level of "copying scriptures to exchange for geese".

Origin and Story of 写经换鹅

During the Jin Dynasty, Wang Xizhi, a great calligrapher, was particularly fond of geese and wished to keep some as pets. One day, he visited a temple in Shanyin to offer incense and noticed the Taoist priest there had well-kept geese. He wanted to buy a few.

The Taoist, aware of Wang Xizhi's reputation as a great calligrapher, firmly refused to sell them but proposed that Wang Xizhi copy the 'Dao De Jing' instead. After Wang Xizhi finished copying the scripture, the Taoist gifted him the geese.