耳熟能详

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: ěr shú néng xiáng
• English Translation: Familiar to the ear, well-known, often heard
• Idiom Composition: 「耳」（Ear）＋「熟」（Familiar, experienced）＋「能」（Can, able to）＋「详」（To explain in detail）
• Meaning: Describes being so familiar with something that one can explain it in detail. It refers to having heard it many times, remembering the details thoroughly, or it being widely known.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「耳熟能详」 contains the following nuances:

• High familiarity: Indicates that many people know it and that it is widely spread.
• Deep understanding: Means not only having heard of it but also having a deep understanding and being able to explain it in detail.
• Familiarity and affinity: Suggests that because it is familiar, it evokes a sense of closeness or empathy.

3. Usage

「耳熟能详」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Widely known matters: Used to describe famous stories, songs, people, or events that many people know.
  • Example:「这首民歌在中国耳熟能详，几乎人人会唱。」
    （This folk song is familiar to everyone in China, and almost everyone can sing it.）
• Subjects well known: Used to express that someone is well versed in a particular field or subject.
  • Example:「他对中国历史耳熟能详，各种典故信手拈来。」
    （He is very familiar with Chinese history and can easily cite various historical anecdotes.）
• Popular culture: Used to describe widely spread cultural phenomena or trends.
  • Example:「这部电视剧播出后，主题曲也变得耳熟能详。」
    （After this TV drama aired, its theme song also became widely familiar.）

Additional Examples:

1. 金庸先生的武侠小说在中国可谓耳熟能详。
   （Mr. Jin Yong's martial arts novels are well known throughout China.）
2. 这位歌手的许多歌曲都耳熟能详，深受歌迷喜爱。
   （Many songs by this singer are familiar to many and deeply loved by fans.）
3. 作为一名导游，他对当地的景点和历史必须耳熟能详。
   （As a tour guide, he must be very familiar with the local attractions and history.）
4. 这个广告语在电视上反复播放，现在已经是耳熟能详了。
   （This advertising slogan has been repeatedly broadcast on TV and is now well known.）
5. 他对这个故事耳熟能详，每次讲起来都绘声绘色。
   （He is very familiar with this story and tells it vividly every time.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Emphasis on learning and memorization: Traditional Chinese learning methods have placed great importance on memorization and recitation. '耳熟能详' is used to express deep familiarity with knowledge, reflecting this cultural background.
• Information dissemination: In modern times, information spreads instantly through the internet and mass media. '耳熟能详' is also used to describe how information becomes widely known in an information society.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 滚瓜烂熟 (gǔn guā làn shú): Being extremely familiar and able to recite smoothly.
  • 倒背如流 (dào bèi rú liú): Being so familiar that one can recite fluently even backwards.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 一知半解 (yì zhī bàn jiě): Knowing only a little and not fully understanding.
  • 生吞活剥 (shēng tūn huó bō): Memorizing or imitating without full understanding.

6. Summary

'耳熟能详' is an idiom that goes beyond simply having heard of something; it expresses deep understanding and the ability to explain it in detail. By understanding traditional Chinese learning culture and the way information spreads in modern society, learners can grasp this idiom more deeply and use it appropriately.