心有靈犀一點通
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Chinese[edit]
heart; mind | to have; there is; there are to have; there is; there are; to exist; to be |
one touch | go through; know well; to connect go through; know well; to connect; to communicate; open | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
trad. (心有靈犀一點通) | 心 | 有 | 靈犀 | 一點 | 通 | |
simp. (心有灵犀一点通) | 心 | 有 | 灵犀 | 一点 | 通 |
Etymology[edit]
From one of Li Shangyin's “Untitled” (《無題》) poems:
- 身無彩鳳雙飛翼,心有靈犀一點通。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
- From: Tang dynasty, Li Shangyin, “Untitled” (《無題》)
Translation from: C. K. Ho (何中堅) (2015), Tang Poems in original Rhyme: An Innovative Translation (《原韻英譯唐詩精選》) - Shēn wú cǎifèng shuāngfēi yì, xīn yǒu língxī yīdiǎn tōng. [Pinyin]
- Phoenix's wings we lacked,
to fly as a pair,
But linked were our hearts
by the rhino horn's magical might.
身无彩凤双飞翼,心有灵犀一点通。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]- From: Tang dynasty, Li Shangyin, “Untitled” (《無題》)
The rhinoceros' horn is reputed to confer telepathic powers – it is thought to be extremely sensitive, able to pass stimulus information from its tip straight to the brain in an instant.
Pronunciation[edit]
Idiom[edit]
心有靈犀一點通
- (figurative) two hearts linked as one; having minds that are in sync; two hearts beat as one; having great chemistry