悲欢离合

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bēi huān lí hé
• English Translation: Joy and sorrow, partings and reunions; the bittersweet experiences of meeting and parting, happiness and sadness
• Idiom Composition: 「悲」（Sorrow, sadness）＋「欢」（Joy, happiness）＋「离」（Separation, parting）＋「合」（Reunion, coming together）
• Meaning: Refers to the various emotional changes and circumstances in life, especially the meetings and partings between people, along with the accompanying joys and sorrows. It is also used to express the impermanence of life and the ever-changing nature of the world.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「悲欢离合」 contains the following nuances:

• A microcosm of life: Expresses the ups and downs of various events and emotions in life through the contrasting elements of meetings and partings.
• Sense of impermanence: Implies the fleeting and transient nature of human relationships and fate, reflecting the philosophical concept of impermanence.
• Universality: Represents universal emotions and experiences that everyone encounters, regardless of individual or era.
• Acceptance: Includes a philosophical perspective of accepting not only sorrow and parting but also joy and reunion as integral parts of life.

3. Usage

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

• Describing life: Used to express the various experiences and emotional changes in life.
  • Example:「人生就是一场悲欢离合的戏剧。」
    （Life is a drama of joys and sorrows, partings and reunions.）
• Changes in relationships: Used to describe the changes in human relationships involving repeated meetings and partings.
  • Example:「他们之间经历了无数次的悲欢离合。」
    （They have experienced countless joys and sorrows, partings and reunions.）
• Themes in literature and film: Often used in works that explore the impermanence of life and the fragility of human relationships.
  • Example:「这部小说讲述了一个家族几代人的悲欢离合。」
    （This novel depicts the joys and sorrows, partings and reunions of several generations of a family.）

Additional Examples:

1. 在战争年代，人们更能体会到悲欢离合的滋味。
   （During times of war, people can more deeply feel the bittersweet experiences of joys and sorrows, partings and reunions.）
2. 虽然我们不能控制生活中的悲欢离合，但我们可以学会如何面对它们。
   （Although we cannot control the joys and sorrows, partings and reunions in life, we can learn how to face them.）
3. 这部电影深刻地描绘了人物的悲欢离合，令人动容。
   （This film deeply portrays the characters' joys and sorrows, partings and reunions, moving the audience.）
4. 他们经历了许多悲欢离合，但最终还是走到了一起。
   （They went through many joys and sorrows, partings and reunions, but ultimately came together.）
5. 人生如戏，悲欢离合，都是常态。
   （Life is like a play; joys and sorrows, partings and reunions are all part of the norm.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Common expression in Chinese literature: '悲欢离合' originates from a famous line by the Song dynasty poet Su Shi in his poem 'Shui Diao Ge Tou – Mid-Autumn Festival of the Bingchen Year': 'People experience joys and sorrows, partings and reunions; the moon has its phases of dimness and fullness. Such things have been difficult to perfect since ancient times.' This idiom is widely known as a poetic expression of life's impermanence.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 喜怒哀乐 (xǐ nù āi lè): The four basic human emotions: joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.
  • 聚散无常 (jù sàn wú cháng): Meetings and partings are unpredictable and uncertain.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 一帆风顺 (yì fān fēng shùn): Everything goes smoothly and without obstacles.

6. Summary

'悲欢离合' is a rich and nuanced idiom that comprehensively expresses the joys and sorrows, meetings and partings of life. It not only reflects emotional fluctuations but also the changes in relationships and the transient nature of fate, embodying the concept of impermanence in Chinese culture. Understanding this idiom allows for a deeper appreciation of Chinese literature, films, and other artistic works, as well as gaining profound insights into the various events of life.