琅琅上口 (láng láng shàng kǒu) — (of a text) to read smoothly and fluently, to trip off the tongue

Definition

A chengyu describing text (poems, slogans, prose) that reads smoothly and fluently, with a pleasant rhythm that makes it easy to recite and remember. Used as a compliment on the musicality of writing.

idiom
(of a text) to read smoothly and fluentlyto trip off the tongue

Examples

  • 琅琅上口。
    Zhè shǒu shī dú qǐ lái láng láng shàng kǒu.
    This poem reads smoothly and trippingly off the tongue.
  • 琅琅上口，。
    Guǎng gào cí xiě dé láng láng shàng kǒu, hěn róng yì jì zhù.
    The advertising slogan is crafted to roll off the tongue easily, making it very memorable.
  • ，琅琅上口。
    Zhè piān sǎn wén yǔ yán yōu měi, dú lái láng láng shàng kǒu.
    The language of this essay is beautiful and flows smoothly when read aloud.

Origin

Characters in this word

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yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
良
良liáng琅láng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

琅 pairs 玉 (jade) with 良, which gives the character's sound.

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yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
良
良liáng琅láng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

琅 pairs 玉 (jade) with 良, which gives the character's sound.

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →

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

The form 口 looks like an open mouth.

Open 口 →

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