熙熙攘攘
- Literal
- lively, lively; jostling, jostling
- Figurative
- Describes a crowded, bustling place with people milling to and fro and jostling; it paints the hubbub of a throng rather than a steady stream.
Where does 熙熙攘攘 come from?
It comes from the 《史记》. In the chapter devoted to those who grew rich through trade and production, Sima Qian sums up people's striving this way: "All the world comes bustling in pursuit of profit; all the world goes jostling after profit." The two doubled words of that line, which painted the bustle of crowds driven by self-interest, were later joined into the idiom. Today it has almost entirely lost that nuance and simply describes streets, markets and stations full of people coming and going.
Source (出处): 《史记·货殖列传》
How is 熙熙攘攘 used? Two examples
- 春节前的火车站熙熙攘攘，到处都是拖着行李的人。
In the run-up to Spring Festival, the train station is teeming with people dragging their luggage.
- 我喜欢周末去早市，熙熙攘攘的，特别有烟火气。
I love going to the morning market on weekends; it's bustling with people and full of everyday life.
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