耐人寻味

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: nài rén xún wèi
• English Translation: Rich in implication, thought-provoking, and full of subtle meaning
• Idiom Composition: 「耐」（To endure, to be able to withstand）＋「人」（People）＋「寻」（To search, to seek）＋「味」（Taste, meaning）
• Meaning: It means something that becomes more meaningful the more you think about it. It indicates that beyond the surface meaning, there is deep significance or truth worth carefully exploring.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「耐人寻味」 contains the following nuances:

• Profound meaning: Suggests that things or words that seem simple on the surface actually contain deep meaning or lessons.
• Stimulates thinking: Encourages the listener or reader to actively think and interpret.
• Aftertaste or lingering effect: Refers to expressions or situations whose meaning is not immediately clear but gradually becomes understood over time.
• Attractiveness: Indicates that it is not just difficult but also captivating and stimulates curiosity to explore further.

3. Usage

「耐人寻味」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Evaluating literary and artistic works: Used to express the depth and subtlety of artistic works such as story endings, lines of poetry, or painting compositions.
  • Example:「这部电影的结尾真是耐人寻味，让人久久不能忘怀。」
    （The ending of this movie is truly thought-provoking and unforgettable.）
• Evaluating statements or words: Used to appreciate meaningful or suggestive statements.
  • Example:「他的话虽然简单，但却耐人寻味，让人深思。」
    （His words are simple but thought-provoking, making people reflect deeply.）
• Describing events or phenomena: Used to indicate that events or phenomena that seem ordinary at first actually have deep meaning.
  • Example:「这个谜题的答案真是耐人寻味，让人百思不得其解。」
    （The answer to this puzzle is truly thought-provoking, leaving people puzzled no matter how much they think about it.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这幅画的色彩搭配非常独特，耐人寻味。
   （The color combination in this painting is very unique and thought-provoking.）
2. 他的行为虽然古怪，但仔细想想，却也耐人寻味。
   （His behavior is strange, but upon careful thought, it is also thought-provoking.）
3. 这个故事的情节设计巧妙，耐人寻味。
   （The plot of this story is cleverly designed and thought-provoking.）
4. 老教授的演讲内容丰富，耐人寻味，令在场的学生受益匪浅。
   （The old professor's lecture was rich and thought-provoking, greatly benefiting the students present.）
5. 他临终前留下了一段耐人寻味的话，至今无人能解。
   （He left behind a thought-provoking statement before his death, which no one has been able to decipher to this day.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In traditional Chinese culture, indirect and implicit expressions are often preferred over direct ones. The idiom '耐人寻味' reflects this cultural tendency.
• '寻味' not only means 'to taste' but also 'to seek' or 'to explore.' Therefore, something described as '耐人寻味' requires active exploration of its meaning rather than passive reception.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 意味深长 (yì wèi shēn cháng): To be meaningful and full of implication.
  • 引人入胜 (yǐn rén rù shèng): To captivate and engross people; to be fascinating.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 索然无味 (suǒ rán wú wèi): Completely uninteresting and tasteless.
  • 浅尝辄止 (qiǎn cháng zhé zhǐ): To stop after a superficial taste; not to pursue deeply.

6. Summary

'耐人寻味' is an idiom that embodies the aesthetic of subtlety and implication in Chinese culture. It teaches the importance of exploring the deeper meaning behind things beyond superficial understanding. Understanding this idiom, which is used in literature, art, philosophy, and other fields, will greatly enhance your expressive ability in Chinese.