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轻于鸿毛
轻于鸿毛
轻于鸿毛
轻于鸿毛
轻于鸿毛
轻于鸿毛
轻于鸿毛
轻于鸿毛

轻于鸿毛 — “Of no value or significance”

轻于鸿毛 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “of no value or significance”. Utterly worthless; insignificant, like a feather. Literally, “Lighter than a wild goose feather”.

Frequency

轻于鸿毛 Pronunciation and Pinyin

轻于鸿毛 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
轻
qīng9light in weight or degree
于
yú3at, in, on, to, from
鸿
hóng11wild goose, vast, or letter
毛
máo4Hair, fur, or rough

Example Sentence with 轻于鸿毛

他认为自己的付出如果不能带来任何有意义的改变,那一切努力都将轻于鸿毛。
He believed that if his efforts could not bring about any meaningful change, then all his hard work would be as light as a feather, utterly worthless.

Origin and Story of 轻于鸿毛

During the Western Han Dynasty, Sima Qian, the Grand Historian, continued compiling 'Records of the Grand Historian' to fulfill his father's dying wish.

He was subjected to brutal punishment due to the Li Ling incident. Enduring immense pain, he finally completed the monumental historical work 'Records of the Grand Historian' in 91 BC.

In a letter to his friend, he discussed his view on death: 'Though death befalls all men alike, it may be weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a goose feather.'

Idioms Related to 轻于鸿毛

Synonyms of 轻于鸿毛

  • bù不xiè屑yī一gù顾disdain to cast a glance
  • wú无zú足qīng轻zhòng重of no consequence or importance

Antonyms of 轻于鸿毛

  • jǔ举zú足qīng轻zhòng重play a decisive role
  • zhòng重yú于tài泰shān山of great significance

More idioms starting with 轻

  • qīng轻shì世ào傲wù物scorn the world and be arrogant
  • qīng轻shì世sì肆zhì志scorn conventions and indulge will
  • qīng轻jǔ举wàng妄dòng动act rashly without careful consideration
  • qīng轻jǔ举jué绝sú俗withdraw from society and live in seclusion
  • qīng轻jǔ举yuǎn远yóu游withdraw from society and live in seclusion
  • qīng轻shì事zhòng重bào报exaggerate a minor issue in a report
  • qīng轻wēi偎dī低bàng傍gently snuggling and leaning close
  • qīng轻yáo傜bó薄fù赋lighten corvée and reduce taxes
  • qīng轻dòng动gān干gē戈Rashly resort to military action
  • qīng轻zú卒ruì锐bīng兵agile elite troops with sharp weapons
  • qīng轻kǒu口bó薄shé舌speak carelessly or flippantly
  • qīng轻kǒu口qīng轻shé舌speak carelessly or frivolously

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Questions about 轻于鸿毛

What does 轻于鸿毛 mean?

轻于鸿毛 (qīng yú hóng máo) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “of no value or significance”.

How do you pronounce 轻于鸿毛?

轻于鸿毛 is pronounced qīng yú hóng máo in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 轻于鸿毛 literally mean?

Literally, 轻于鸿毛 means “Lighter than a wild goose feather”. It is used to mean “of no value or significance”.

Where does 轻于鸿毛 come from?

轻于鸿毛 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 轻于鸿毛?

鸿毛:大雁的毛。比大雁的毛还轻。比喻毫无价值。

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