此起彼伏
*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.
Have you ever been to the seaside?
Standing by the sea, you will see waves surging one after another; as one wave passes, another immediately follows.
At this moment, we can use the idiom "rising and falling alternately" to describe the scene of the waves.
The meaning of "rising and falling alternately" is that one side rises just as the other falls; then the other side rises while the first falls again.
It vividly depicts a continuous and alternating scene or sound.
This idiom first appeared in the Han Dynasty writer Zhang Heng's work "Western Capital Rhapsody."
At that time, Zhang Heng used "rising here and gathering there" to describe the alternating sounds and activities of animals in nature.
Later, people used the idiom "rising and falling alternately" to express various phenomena that appear continuously.
In daily life, we often use "rising and falling alternately" to describe many situations.
For example, in the park at night, as one frog finishes croaking, another starts, with sounds rising and falling alternately; or during sports games, the cheers of the audience also rise and fall alternately.
The idiom "rising and falling alternately" allows us to feel many beautiful moments in life.
When we pay attention to those alternating sounds and scenes around us, we find the world becomes more vivid and interesting.
So next time you notice sounds or scenes appearing continuously, try using "rising and falling alternately" to describe them!
1. Basic Information
- Pinyin: cǐ qǐ bǐ fú
- English Translation: Occurring here and there, happening one after another, continuing without interruption
- Idiom Composition: 「此」（this, here）＋「起」（to rise, to occur）＋「彼」（that, there）＋「伏」（to subside, to sink）
- Meaning: When something rises here, it subsides there; when it rises there, it subsides here. This idiom describes events or phenomena occurring one after another without interruption. It is often used to depict continuous occurrences or fluctuations such as sounds, voices, incidents, or emotions.
2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances
「此起彼伏」 contains the following nuances:
- Continuity: Emphasizes the continuity where the next event begins before the previous one ends.
- Repetition: Suggests that similar events occur repeatedly.
- Modulation: Often involves rises and falls, intensities and weakenings, reflecting modulation or rhythm.
- Dynamism: Indicates a dynamic state with constant movement or change rather than a static condition.
3. Usage
「此起彼伏」 is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Describing sounds or voices: Used to describe continuous sounds or voices such as music, conversations, or natural noises.
- Example:「远处传来此起彼伏的鞭炮声。」
（From afar, the sound of firecrackers rises and falls continuously.）
- Example:「远处传来此起彼伏的鞭炮声。」
- Describing incidents or events: Describes incidents or events happening one after another in succession.
- Example:「最近，社会上各种安全事故此起彼伏。」
（Recently, various safety accidents have been occurring one after another in society.）
- Example:「最近，社会上各种安全事故此起彼伏。」
- Describing emotions or thoughts: Describes emotions or thoughts fluctuating or wavering.
- Example:「听到这个消息，她心中此起彼伏，久久不能平静。」
（Upon hearing the news, her heart fluttered continuously and she could not calm down for a long time.）
- Example:「听到这个消息，她心中此起彼伏，久久不能平静。」
Additional Examples:
- 海浪此起彼伏，拍打着海岸。
（The waves rise and fall continuously, crashing against the shore.） - 比赛现场，观众的欢呼声此起彼伏。
（At the match venue, the audience's cheers rose and fell repeatedly.） - 战争期间，各地的抗议活动此起彼伏。
（During the war, protests occurred one after another across various places.） - 他脑海中各种念头此起彼伏，难以入睡。
（Various thoughts kept rising and falling in his mind, making it hard to fall asleep.） - 春天来了，各种花儿此起彼伏地开放。
（Spring has arrived, and various flowers bloom one after another.）
4. Cultural Background and Notes
- '此起彼伏' reflects ancient Chinese philosophical concepts such as Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, which emphasize the interaction of opposing forces creating continuous change.
5. Similar and Opposite Idioms
- Similar Idioms:
- 层出不穷 (céng chū bù qióng): Emerging one after another without end.
- Opposite Idioms:
- 风平浪静 (fēng píng làng jìng): Wind and waves are calm; a peaceful and quiet state.
- 一成不变 (yì chéng bú biàn): Once established, it does not change; a state without variation.
6. Summary
'此起彼伏' not only describes events occurring continuously but also conveys an inherent rhythm, modulation, and interaction. Being mindful of this dynamic imagery when using the idiom allows for more vivid descriptions. Additionally, understanding its connection to ancient Chinese philosophy deepens appreciation of its profound meaning.