Free Chinese learning, tailored for you! This series highlights idioms and proverbs, useful in many contexts. Let’s explain 「源清流清」 and how it’s used.
The idiom 「源清流清」 we’re featuring is explained below, showcasing its meaning and usage.
If the water at the source is clear, the water downstream will naturally be clear. It is a metaphor for the connection between cause and effect. If the origin of things is good, their development and outcome will be good; or if the leader is wise, his subordinates will be honest. Source, also written as original. Also written as “the source is clear and the stream is clean” and “the source is clear and the stream is pure.”
The Mandarin pronunciation of this idiom is :
yuán qīng liú qīng
while its Cantonese pinyin is :
yun4 ching1 lau4 ching1
The collection of Chinese idioms is enormous, with each one holding its own meaning and purpose. We hope these resources can assist you in better understanding and learning Chinese.
