五光十色
Bright with many colors
Literalmente: Five lights, ten colors
Use it to describe anything that is both brilliantly colorful and dazzlingly bright.
En 15 segundos
- Describes dazzling, brilliantly multicolored scenes or objects.
- Uses 'five' and 'ten' to mean 'a great variety'.
- Perfect for neon lights, jewelry, or vibrant city life.
Significado
Imagine a scene so vibrant and dazzling that it feels like every color in the rainbow is dancing at once. It describes things that are brilliantly multicolored, dazzling, or a rich, diverse variety of experiences.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Describing a city at night
上海的夜景五光十色，非常迷人。
Shanghai's night view is bright with many colors and very charming.
Looking at a jewelry display
橱窗里的宝石五光十色，让人看花了眼。
The gems in the display window are dazzlingly colorful; they make my head spin.
In a formal travel brochure
欢迎来到这个五光十色的热带天堂。
Welcome to this brilliantly colorful tropical paradise.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the traditional Chinese numerical system where 'five' and 'ten' signify totality. Historically used to describe rare treasures and jewels, it transitioned in the modern era to describe the dazzling electric lights of urban development.
Light vs. Color
Remember the '光' (light) in the phrase. If there's no brightness or shimmer involved, you might prefer '五颜六色' instead.
Don't over-count
Don't take the 'five' and 'ten' literally. If you use it to describe exactly five lights, native speakers will think you're being funny!
En 15 segundos
- Describes dazzling, brilliantly multicolored scenes or objects.
- Uses 'five' and 'ten' to mean 'a great variety'.
- Perfect for neon lights, jewelry, or vibrant city life.
What It Means
五光十色 (wǔ guāng shí sè) is your go-to phrase for visual overload in the best way possible. The numbers 'five' and 'ten' aren't literal counts. In Chinese, they often represent 'many' or 'complete.' Think of it as 'all the lights and all the colors.' It describes a scene that is literally glowing and multicolored. It can also describe a lifestyle or world that is flashy and full of variety.
How To Use It
You usually place this phrase after a noun or use it as an adjective. If you see a neon-lit street in Shanghai, that is 五光十色. If you are describing a bustling night market, this is your word. You can say 五光十色 followed by a noun using the particle 的. For example: 五光十色的霓虹灯. It sounds sophisticated but is very easy to drop into conversation.
When To Use It
Use it when you are genuinely impressed by a visual display. It works perfectly for fireworks, jewelry stores, or a vibrant coral reef. You can also use it metaphorically. If you are talking about the 'glitzy' life of a celebrity, this phrase fits perfectly. Use it when you want to sound more descriptive than just saying 'pretty' or 'colorful.' It adds a layer of 'dazzle' to your speech.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for things that are just 'messy' or 'too much.' If your friend wears a shirt with too many clashing patterns, 五光十色 might be too complimentary. It implies a certain beauty or brilliance. Also, avoid using it for things that are naturally muted. A beautiful forest is usually 绿意盎然 (lush green), not 五光十色. Save this for the bright, the shiny, and the neon.
Cultural Background
This phrase originates from classical literature, specifically the 'South Sea Records.' It reflects the ancient Chinese fascination with light and precious gems. In traditional culture, 'five' and 'ten' are auspicious numbers. They represent a sense of wholeness and abundance. Today, it’s the ultimate 'big city' idiom. It captures the transition from old China to the neon-soaked skylines of modern metropolises like Shenzhen.
Common Variations
You might hear 五颜六色 (wǔ yán liù sè). While they both mean colorful, 五颜六色 is more basic. It just means 'many colors' like a box of crayons. 五光十色 adds that 'light' and 'shimmer' element. If it glows or sparkles, use the one with 'light' (光). If it’s just a colorful painting, stick to the colors.
Notas de uso
This is a versatile Chengyu (idiom) that fits most social situations. It is slightly more descriptive and 'prettier' than basic adjectives, making you sound more fluent.
Light vs. Color
Remember the '光' (light) in the phrase. If there's no brightness or shimmer involved, you might prefer '五颜六色' instead.
Don't over-count
Don't take the 'five' and 'ten' literally. If you use it to describe exactly five lights, native speakers will think you're being funny!
The 'Glitz' Factor
In modern Chinese, this phrase often implies the 'temptations' of a big city. It's the 'bright lights, big city' vibe.
Ejemplos
6上海的夜景五光十色，非常迷人。
Shanghai's night view is bright with many colors and very charming.
Standard use describing urban lights.
橱窗里的宝石五光十色，让人看花了眼。
The gems in the display window are dazzlingly colorful; they make my head spin.
Focuses on the shimmer and variety of colors.
欢迎来到这个五光十色的热带天堂。
Welcome to this brilliantly colorful tropical paradise.
Used to create an inviting, vivid image.
昨晚的派对灯光五光十色，太酷了！
The lights at the party last night were so colorful and bright, so cool!
Casual way to describe event atmosphere.
你的房间真是“五光十色”，我找不到我的包了。
Your room is truly 'dazzlingly colorful'; I can't find my bag.
Using irony to describe a chaotic but colorful mess.
他过着五光十色的生活，总是充满惊喜。
He leads a colorful and varied life, always full of surprises.
Metaphorical use for a rich, exciting lifestyle.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best phrase to describe the neon lights of Times Square.
时代广场的霓虹灯___，吸引了无数游客。
Times Square is famous for its dazzling, bright lights, making '五光十色' the perfect fit.
Which word completes the metaphorical description of a vibrant career?
演艺圈是一个___的世界。
The entertainment industry is often described as 'glitzy' or 'colorful,' which matches this idiom.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 五光十色
Texting friends about a cool light show.
灯光五光十色的！
Describing a travel destination or a city.
五光十色的城市。
Used in literature or professional speeches.
展现出五光十色的文化底蕴。
Where to use 五光十色
Modern Cityscape
Neon signs in Hong Kong
Nature
Coral reefs or exotic birds
Festivals
Fireworks or lantern festivals
Lifestyle
The glitzy world of fashion
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt literally means 'five lights and ten colors.' In Chinese, these numbers represent a vast variety, so it means 'brilliantly multicolored.'
Yes, but only if the painting feels bright or shimmering. For a standard colorful drawing, 五颜六色 is more common.
Yes, it is a neutral idiom. You can use it to describe a 'diverse and vibrant market' like 五光十色的市场.
五颜六色 just means many colors. 五光十色 adds the element of light and dazzle. Think 'matte' vs 'glossy'.
It has ancient roots in literature but is extremely popular in modern Chinese to describe urban life.
Not their personality, but you can describe their 'life' or 'experiences' as 五光十色 to mean exciting and varied.
Using it for things that are colorful but dull. It needs that 'wow' factor of brightness.
Not really, but it can be used sarcastically to describe something that is distractingly flashy.
Often you use 的 when it modifies a noun, like 五光十色的世界 (a dazzling world).
Absolutely! Fireworks are the perfect example of 五光十色 because they involve both light and color.
Frases relacionadas
五颜六色 (Many colors/Colorful)
光彩夺目 (Dazzlingly brilliant)
绚丽多彩 (Magnificent and colorful)
万紫千红 (A variety of colors, usually for flowers)
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