亡國之音

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Chinese

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to perish; perished state 's; him/her/it; this sound; noise; news
trad. (亡國之音) 亡國
simp. (亡国之音) 亡国

Etymology

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From the Book of Rites, Book 19 (《禮記·樂記》):

是故治世亂世亡國之音 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
是故治世乱世亡国之音 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4th – 2nd century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Shìgù zhìshì zhī yīn ān yǐ lè, qí zhèng hé. Luànshì zhī yīn yuàn yǐ nù, qí zhèng guāi. Wángguó zhī yīn āi yǐ sī, qí mín kùn. [Pinyin]
Hence, the airs of an age of good order indicate composure and enjoyment. The airs of an age of disorder indicate dissatisfaction and anger, and its government is perversely bad. The airs of a state going to ruin are expressive of sorrow and (troubled) thought.

Pronunciation

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Idiom

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亡國之音

  1. degenerate or decadent music