Definition
琴棋书画 (qín-qí-shū-huà) is a fixed phrase referring to the four traditional arts of the Chinese scholar: playing the guqin (a zither), the board game Go, calligraphy, and painting. It is a cultural concept, not a single skill like 书法 (shūfǎ 'calligraphy'), which is just one of the four arts. The phrase symbolizes the refined accomplishments of a well-educated person.
phrase
the four arts of the Chinese scholar (guqin, Go, calligraphy, and painting)accomplishments of a well-educated person
Examples
- 琴棋书画。Tā cóngxiǎo jiù kāishǐ xuéxí qín-qí-shū-huà.He started learning the four arts from childhood.
- 琴棋书画。qín-qí-shū-huà dàibiǎo le Zhōngguó gǔdài wénrén de cáiyì.The four arts represent the talents of ancient Chinese scholars.
- ，琴棋书画。Yào xiǎng chéngwéi yí wèi wénrén, bìxū jīngtōng qín-qí-shū-huà.To become a scholar, one must master the four arts.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.