侯门似海 — “The gates of a noble or wealthy family are as deep and vast as the sea”
侯门似海 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the gates of a noble or wealthy family are as deep and vast as the sea”. Implying their inaccessibility to common people and the strict social barriers. It also suggests that once someone enters such an elite circle, they become estranged from their former acquaintances due to differences in status and lifestyle, making it difficult to reconnect. Literally, “The gates of a marquis's residence are like the sea”.
侯门似海 Pronunciation and Pinyin
侯门似海 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 侯门似海
Origin and Story of 侯门似海
During the Tang Dynasty, a scholar named Cui Jiao developed a deep affection for his aunt's maidservant. Their love was profound.
However, the maidservant was later sold to a powerful military governor, and they were separated, unable to meet.
One day, Cui Jiao unexpectedly encountered her on the road, but they could not exchange words.
Deeply moved and sorrowful, Cui Jiao composed a poem: 'Noblemen and princes follow in your wake, a beauty weeps, her tears moistening her silk scarf. Once inside the marquis's gate, as deep and vast as the sea, from that moment on, Xiao Lang (a poetic self-reference) is but a stranger.'
Idioms Related to 侯门似海
Synonyms of 侯门似海
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Open the tool →Questions about 侯门似海
What does 侯门似海 mean?
侯门似海 (hóu mén sì hǎi) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the gates of a noble or wealthy family are as deep and vast as the sea”.
How do you pronounce 侯门似海?
侯门似海 is pronounced hóu mén sì hǎi in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 侯门似海 literally mean?
Literally, 侯门似海 means “the gates of a marquis's residence are like the sea”. It is used to mean “the gates of a noble or wealthy family are as deep and vast as the sea”.
Where does 侯门似海 come from?
侯门似海 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 侯门似海?
王公贵族的门庭像大海那样深遂。旧时豪门贵族、官府的门禁森严，一般人不能轻易进入。也比喻旧时相识的人，后因地位悬殊而疏远。