山珍海味 (shān zhēn hǎi wèi) — exotic delicacies; rare and expensive food from the mountains and seas; (metaphor) a lavish feast

Definition

Set phrase for rare delicacies from both mountains and seas — used figuratively to describe a lavish, extravagant spread of food.

idiom
exotic delicaciesrare and expensive food from the mountains and seas(metaphor) a lavish feast

Examples

  • 山珍海味，。
    Jīn tiān de wǎn yàn zhēn shì shān zhēn hǎi wèi, ràng rén dà kāi yǎn jiè.
    Today's dinner was truly a feast of exotic delicacies; it really opened my eyes.
  • 山珍海味，。
    Zhè jiā cān tīng yǐ shān zhēn hǎi wèi zhù chēng, jià gé bù fěi.
    This restaurant is famous for its exotic delicacies, and the prices are high.
  • ，山珍海味。
    Guò nián de shí hou, tā jiā zhǔn bèi le yì zhuō shān zhēn hǎi wèi.
    During Chinese New Year, his family prepared a table of exotic delicacies.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

山珍mountain delicacies
山shānmountain珍zhēndelicacy
偏正Modifier + head
海味sea flavors
海hǎisea味wèiflavor
偏正Modifier + head

山 and 海 name mountains and seas, while 珍 and 味 name delicacies and flavors, together meaning fine foods from both.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

山 shows three mountain peaks side by side.

Open 山 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
玉玉yù
Sound part声符shēngfú
㐱
㐱㐱珍
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

珍 pairs 玉, a jade or gem, with 㐱, which gives the sound; the 玉 part fits its early meaning of a rich gemstone.

Open 珍 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
每
每měi海hǎi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

海 pairs 氵 (water) with 每, which gives the sound. The 氵 side shows it is about water.

Open 海 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
未
未wèi味wèi
Same sound today

味 combines 口 (mouth) with 未, which gives the sound wèi; the mouth part relates to taste.

Open 味 →

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