新亭对泣 — “To weep together at Xinting”

新亭对泣 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to weep together at Xinting”. Expressing deep sorrow and helplessness over a challenging situation or the decline of affairs, feeling unable to alter the course of events. Literally, “Weeping facing each other at Xinting Pavilion”.

Frequency

新亭对泣 Pronunciation and Pinyin

新亭对泣 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
新	xīn	13	new, fresh, recent
亭	tíng	9	pavilion or kiosk
对	duì	5	to be correct or right
泣	qì	8	to weep or sob quietly

Example Sentence with 新亭对泣

面对突如其来的变故，大家聚集在一起，仿佛新亭对泣一般，忧心忡忡却又束手无策。

Confronted with the sudden turn of events, everyone gathered together, much like those weeping at Xinting, filled with anxiety but utterly helpless.

Origin and Story of 新亭对泣

In the early Eastern Jin Dynasty, many renowned scholars from the north fled warfare and arrived in Jiankang (modern-day Nanjing).

When they missed their hometowns, they often gathered at Xinting Pavilion to drink and socialize.

At one such gathering, Zhou Yi remarked, "The scenery here is quite similar to that of Luoyang, the former capital. Yet, looking out, only the mountains and rivers have changed!" Hearing this, some couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions and shed tears.

At this moment, Wang Dao suddenly spoke with a serious expression, "We should all unite and jointly assist the royal family in restoring our lost territories. How can we, like captives of a fallen state, merely weep facing each other, utterly helpless?"