悲欢离合

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bēi huān lí hé
• English Translation: Joys and sorrows, partings and reunions (the vicissitudes of life)
• Idiom Composition: 「悲」（Sorrow, sadness, or grief）＋「欢」（Joy, happiness, or celebration）＋「离」（Separation or parting from others）＋「合」（Reunion or coming together）
• Meaning: A collective term for the various changes in life's circumstances and emotions, specifically sorrow, joy, separation, and reunion. It is a literary and somewhat sentimental expression suggesting that life is full of unpredictable ups and downs.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「悲欢离合」 contains the following nuances:

• The Impermanence of Life: The idiom is rooted in the concept of 'impermanence,' acknowledging that life is a constant cycle of both positive and negative events.
• Emotions Paired with Circumstances: By combining internal emotions (悲 - sorrow, 欢 - joy) with external physical situations (离 - separation, 合 - union), the phrase emphasizes the dramatic and multifaceted nature of human existence.

3. Usage

「悲欢离合」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Reflecting on Life or Narratives: Used to summarize a long period of time or a complex story by highlighting the many events that occurred. It is suitable for formal writing, speeches, or literary reviews.
  • Example:「这部电影讲述了一对恋人跨越半个世纪的悲欢离合。」
    （This movie tells the story of a couple's joys and sorrows, partings and reunions spanning half a century.）
• Acceptance of Fate: Used to describe the inevitable changes in life as a natural law, often expressed with a sense of calm or sentimental resignation.
  • Example:「人有悲欢离合，这是谁也无法改变的自然规律。」
    （People experience joys and sorrows, partings and reunions; this is a natural law that no one can change.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他在小说中细腻地描写了普通家庭的悲欢离合。
   （In his novel, he delicately depicted the joys and sorrows of an ordinary family.）
2. 经历了世间的悲欢离合后，他变得更加成熟稳重了。
   （After experiencing the vicissitudes of life, he became more mature and steady.）
3. 这首歌曲唱尽了人间的悲欢离合，听得我热泪盈眶。
   （This song captures all the joys and sorrows of the human world, leaving me in tears.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: Derived from a famous line in the poem 'Shui Diao Ge Tou' (水调歌头) by the Northern Song Dynasty poet Su Shi (苏轼): 'People have joys and sorrows, partings and reunions, just as the moon has its phases of being dim or bright, waxing or waning' (人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺).
• Philosophical Background: This poem compares the imperfections of human life to the natural phases of the moon. It symbolizes a philosophical outlook deeply cherished in Chinese culture: the acceptance that while nothing is perfect or permanent, one can still find peace in the natural order of things.
• Usage Frequency: This is an exceptionally well-known idiom used in everything from daily conversation to high literature. It is particularly favored in summaries of dramas, novels, or when offering life advice.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 喜怒哀乐 (xǐ nù āi lè): Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness; refers to the full range of human emotions.link
  • 酸甜苦辣 (suān tián kǔ là): Sour, sweet, bitter, and pungent; a metaphor for the various hardships and flavors of life's experiences.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 平淡无奇 (píng dàn wú qí): Plain and unremarkable; describing a life or situation that is flat and lacks any excitement or change.link
  • 一成不变 (yī chéng bù biàn): To remain unchanged; to be set in one's ways.link

6. Summary

悲欢离合 (bēi huān lí hé) summarizes the full spectrum of human experience—joy, sorrow, meeting, and parting. Originating from a famous poem by Su Shi (苏轼), it expresses the idea that life is inherently volatile and often beyond one's control, carrying a sense of philosophical acceptance. It is frequently used when discussing the themes of a story or reflecting on one's life journey.