此起彼伏

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: cǐ qǐ bǐ fú
• English Translation: Rising and falling in succession (one after another)
• Idiom Composition: 「此」（this or here）＋「起」（to rise or emerge）＋「彼」（that or there）＋「伏」（to fall, subside, or crouch）
• Meaning: Literally meaning 'as this one rises, that one falls,' this idiom describes things occurring continuously and in succession, like waves. It is used to depict sounds, emotions, or events that emerge and subside repeatedly across different locations or times.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「此起彼伏」 contains the following nuances:

• Continuity and Wave-like Motion: It implies more than just 'continuing'; it suggests a rhythmic rising and falling motion, or things happening randomly but persistently across a space.
• Broad Application: It applies to physical movements (waves), auditory experiences (cheers), social phenomena (problems), and abstract internal states (emotions).

3. Usage

「此起彼伏」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Sounds and Voices: The most common usage, describing cheers, applause, or discussions that are heard continuously in a crowded place.
  • Example:「演唱会上，歌迷们的尖叫声此起彼伏。」
    （At the concert, the fans' screams rose and fell in succession.）
• Succession of Events: Describes a situation where as soon as one issue is resolved, another arises, suggesting a lack of stability.
  • Example:「最近公司内部的问题此起彼伏，让经理感到非常头疼。」
    （Recently, problems within the company have been occurring one after another, giving the manager a huge headache.）
• Fluctuating Emotions: Describes a restless mental state where various thoughts or feelings emerge and fade away.
  • Example:「听到这个消息，他心里的疑虑此起彼伏，久久不能平静。」
    （Upon hearing the news, doubts surged repeatedly in his mind, and he couldn't calm down for a long time.）

Additional Examples:

1. 麦浪在风中此起彼伏，像金色的海洋。
   （The waves of wheat undulated in the wind like a golden ocean.）
2. 会议上反对的意见此起彼伏，很难达成一致。
   （Opposing views erupted from all sides during the meeting, making it difficult to reach an agreement.）
3. 远处的山峦连绵不断，此起彼伏。
   （The distant mountains stretch out continuously, rising and falling into the horizon.）
4. 电话铃声此起彼伏，办公室里一片忙碌。
   （The telephone rang incessantly, making the office extremely busy.）
5. 各种谣言此起彼伏，让人不知道该相信谁。
   （Various rumors cropped up one after another, making it hard to know who to believe.）
6. 呼吸声此起彼伏，大家都累坏了。
   （The sound of heavy breathing rose and fell; everyone was exhausted.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Visual Imagery: Originally used to describe the physical 'highs and lows' of mountain ranges or waves, 此起彼伏 (cǐ qǐ bǐ fú) is now frequently used for the 'emergence and disappearance' of sounds and social phenomena.
• Contextual Versatility: This is a neutral idiom that can be used in positive contexts (cheers, lush fields) or negative ones (rumors, noise, anxiety).
• Literary Usage: It appears in modern literature, such as the works of Lu Xun (鲁迅), to describe unstable political or social climates.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 接连不断 (jiē lián bù duàn): Continuing without interruption; one after another.
  • 一波未平，一波又起 (yī bō wèi píng, yī bō yòu qǐ): Before one wave subsides, another rises; used when problems or events happen in quick succession.
  • 接二连三 (jiē èr lián sān): One after another, in continuous succession.link
  • 层出不穷 (céng chū bù qióng): To emerge one after another without end.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 风平浪静 (fēng píng làng jìng): Calm wind and quiet waves; a state of peace and tranquility.
  • 万籁俱寂 (wàn lài jù jì): All sounds are stilled; absolute silence.
  • 戛然而止 (jiá rán ér zhǐ): To stop abruptly.link
  • 销声匿迹 (xiāo shēng nì jì): To disappear without a trace, to vanish from public view.link

6. Summary

此起彼伏 (cǐ qǐ bǐ fú) is an idiom used to describe a lively or restless state where things happen repeatedly in different places. Whether it is the sound of cheering at a concert, a series of problems, or waves in a wheat field, it captures a sense of 'continuity' and 'undulation'.