decorative food; ornate rhetoric
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
decorative food (for ceremonial display)
literaryRefers to food items used for display at sacrifices or banquets in classical contexts, rather than for consumption.
Gǔ古
dài代
jì祭
sì祀
shí时
，
dòu豆
dìng饤
bǎi摆
fàng放
zài在
jì祭
tán坛
zhī之
shàng上
。
In ancient times, decorative food offerings were placed upon the altar during sacrifices.
Zhè这
xiē些
dòu豆
dìng饤
jīng精
qiǎo巧
huá华
lì丽
，
jǐn仅
gōng供
guān观
shǎng赏
。
These decorative food items are exquisite and magnificent, meant only for display.
verb
to pile up ornate phrases; to use flowery language
literaryMetaphorical usage comparing excessive rhetorical ornamentation in writing to the display of decorative food.
Zuò作
wén文
guì贵
zài在
zhēn真
qíng情
shí实
gǎn感
，
qiè切
jì忌
dòu豆
dìng饤
duī堆
qì砌
。
Good writing values genuine emotion; avoid piling up flowery phrases.
Tā他
de的
wén文
zhāng章
chōng充
mǎn满
dòu豆
dìng饤
，
quē缺
fá乏
shí实
zhì质
nèi内
róng容
。
His writing is full of ornate rhetoric but lacks substantive content.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Zhè这
zhǒng种
dòu豆
dìng饤
zhī之
xué学
，
bù不
zú足
wéi为
xùn训
。
Such pedantic showmanship is not worth emulating.