rùmùsānfēn

入木三分

Word · Idiom

forceful calligraphy; penetrating insight

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 7 examples
1.

idiom

(of calligraphy) forceful and vigorous; written with penetrating strength

literary

Derived from the story of Wang Xizhi, the Jin Dynasty calligrapher whose ink supposedly penetrated three fen (about 1 cm) into wood. Used to praise powerful, vigorous brushwork.

Wáng王
Xī羲
zhī之
de的
shū书
fǎ法
rù入
mù木
sān三
fēn分
 ,
bǐ笔
lì力
xióng雄
jiàn健
 。

Wang Xizhi's calligraphy was powerful and vigorous, with penetrating strength.

Zhè这
fú幅
zì字
xiě写
de得
rù入
mù木
sān三
fēn分
 ,
zhēn真
shì是
lì力
tòu透
zhǐ纸
bèi背
 。

These characters are written with such penetrating force that the ink seems to seep through the paper.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
de的
bǐ笔
chù触
rù入
mù木
sān三
fēn分
 ,
zhǎn展
xiàn现
le了
shēn深
hòu厚
de的
gōng功
dǐ底
 。

His brushwork is powerful and vigorous, demonstrating profound skill.

2.

idiom

(of analysis, criticism, or insight) penetrating; profound; incisive; keen

Extended metaphorical usage describing sharp, profound analysis or commentary that gets to the heart of the matter.

Zhè这
piān篇
wén文
zhāng章
duì对
shè社
huì会
wèn问
tí题
de的
fēn分
xī析
rù入
mù木
sān三
fēn分
 。

This article offers a penetrating analysis of social issues.

Tā他
de的
píng评
lùn论
rù入
mù木
sān三
fēn分
 ,
yī一
zhēn针
jiàn见
xiě血
de地
zhǐ指
chū出
le了
wèn问
tí题
de的
běn本
zhì质
 。

His commentary is incisive and gets right to the heart of the matter.

Show 2 more examples
Lǔ鲁
Xùn迅
de的
xiǎo小
shuō说
duì对
fēng封
jiàn建
lǐ礼
jiào教
de的
pī批
pàn判
rù入
mù木
sān三
fēn分
 。

Lu Xun's novels offer a profound critique of feudal ethics.

Dǎo导
yǎn演
bǎ把
zhè这
gè个
rén人
wù物
kè刻
huà画
de得
rù入
mù木
sān三
fēn分
 。

The director portrayed this character with penetrating depth.