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周游列国
周游列国
周游列国
周游列国
周游列国
周游列国
周游列国
周游列国
周游列国
周游列国

周游列国 — “To travel extensively throughout various regions or countries”

周游列国 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to travel extensively throughout various regions or countries”. To tour extensively across the land. Literally, “Tour numerous states”.

Frequency

周游列国 Pronunciation and Pinyin

周游列国 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
周
zhōu8complete cycle or week
游
yóu12swim, travel, wander
列
liè6arrange in a line
国
guó8country or China

Example Sentence with 周游列国

他退休后,决定周游列国,看看世界各地的风土人情。
After retirement, he decided to travel extensively throughout various places to experience different cultures and customs around the world.

Origin and Story of 周游列国

During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius led his disciples on journeys to various vassal states, hoping to advocate his political philosophy. However, his conservative views often clashed with the ambitions of the warring feudal lords, and he was frequently met with indifference.

On one occasion, Confucius became separated from his students. He stood by the East Gate, looking dejected.

When his disciple, Zigong, inquired of a local from the State of Zheng about Confucius's whereabouts, the person replied, "By the East Gate, there's an old man who looks like a homeless dog, standing there in a daze."

Idioms Related to 周游列国

More idioms starting with 周

  • zhōu周gōng公tǔ吐bǔ哺eagerly seek and treat talented people
  • zhōu周tīng听bù不bì蔽Listen widely to avoid being misled
  • zhōu周qī妻hé何ròu肉worldly pleasures hindering higher goals
  • zhōu周jí急jì济pín贫relieve urgent needs and aid the poor
  • zhōu周jí急jì继fá乏relieve the distressed and succor the poor
  • zhōu周qíng情kǒng孔sī思profound thoughts of Duke Zhou and Confucius
  • zhōu周yú瑜dǎ打huáng黄gài盖a willing act to deceive others
  • zhōu周qióng穷xù恤kuì匮relieve the poor and assist the needy
  • zhōu周ér而bù不bǐ比harmonious but not cliquish
  • zhōu周ér而fù复shǐ始cycle and repeat
  • zhōu周ér而fù复shēng生cycle and regenerate
  • zhōu周guī规zhé折jǔ矩Adhere strictly to established rules

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Questions about 周游列国

What does 周游列国 mean?

周游列国 (zhōu yóu liè guó) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to travel extensively throughout various regions or countries”.

How do you pronounce 周游列国?

周游列国 is pronounced zhōu yóu liè guó in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 周游列国 literally mean?

Literally, 周游列国 means “Tour numerous states”. It is used to mean “to travel extensively throughout various regions or countries”.

Where does 周游列国 come from?

周游列国 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to modern Chinese. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 周游列国?

周游:全都走到,游遍。原指孔丘带着他的学生周游当时的许多国家,希望得到重用,以便推行儒家的政治主张。后指走遍各地。

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