大街小巷

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: dà jiē xiǎo xiàng
• English Translation: Big streets and small alleys (every nook and cranny of the city)
• Idiom Composition: 「大」（Big; major）＋「街」（Street; thoroughfare）＋「小」（Small; narrow）＋「巷」（Alley; lane）
• Meaning: A phrase referring to every part of a city, from the main thoroughfares to the narrowest backstreets. It is used to emphasize the idea of 'everywhere' or 'all over town' within an urban environment.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「大街小巷」 contains the following nuances:

• Spatial Coverage: By contrasting 'big streets' with 'small alleys,' the idiom visually represents reaching every corner of the urban space, leaving no area untouched.
• Prevalence and Penetration: It is often used to show how topics, fashions, news, or specific products have permeated the daily lives of the entire population within a city.

3. Usage

「大街小巷」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Trends and News: Used to describe songs, fashions, or news spreading throughout the city.
  • Example:「这首流行歌曲传遍了大街小巷，连小孩子都会唱。」
    （This pop song has spread to every nook and cranny of the city, and even children can sing it.）
• Searching and Exploration: Emphasizes the breadth of an area when searching for something or wandering around.
  • Example:「为了寻找走失的小狗，他跑遍了这座城市的大街小巷。」
    （To find the lost puppy, he ran through every street and alley of this city.）
• Atmosphere and Decoration: Describes how a city is decorated or filled with a certain vibe during festivals.
  • Example:「春节期间，大街小巷都挂满了红灯笼，充满了节日的气氛。」
    （During the Spring Festival, red lanterns are hung in every street and alley, filling the city with a festive atmosphere.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这种传统小吃在大街小巷随处可见。
   （This traditional snack can be found everywhere in the city.）
2. 关于那个明星的传闻已经传遍了大街小巷。
   （Rumors about that star have already spread to every corner of the town.）
3. 清洁工人们每天清晨都在打扫大街小巷。
   （Every morning, cleaners tidy up the main streets and the small alleys.）
4. 无论是繁华的大街还是僻静的小巷，都留下了我们的足迹。
   （Whether it is a bustling boulevard or a quiet lane, our footprints are left in every part of the city.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In traditional Chinese urban planning, 大街 (dà jiē) (main streets) and 小巷 (xiǎo xiàng) (alleys, such as the 'Hutongs' in Beijing) are the two primary elements of living space. Combining them symbolizes the entirety of the living environment.
• Because it is composed of simple, everyday characters, 大街小巷 (dà jiē xiǎo xiàng) is frequently used in daily conversation and news reports, making it a very accessible and friendly expression for learners.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 街头巷尾 (jiē tóu xiàng wěi): 'Street corners and alley ends.' Often used when referring to where gossip or public opinion circulates.
  • 家家户户 (jiā jiā hù hù): 'Every household.' Refers to every single family or home.link
  • 千家万户 (qiān jiā wàn hù): Refers to numerous families and households.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 荒无人烟 (huāng wú rén yān): Desolate and without a sign of human life.
  • 人迹罕至 (rén jì hǎn zhì): Where human footprints are rarely seen; off the beaten path.link

6. Summary

大街小巷 (dà jiē xiǎo xiàng) combines 'big streets' and 'small alleys' to mean 'everywhere in the city.' It is used to describe how trends, news, or festive atmospheres permeate the entire urban landscape. It is a very common and versatile expression in both spoken and written Chinese.