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张灯结彩 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
张灯结彩zhāngdēngjiécǎito be decorated with lanterns and colored banners (idiom)HSK 7, unknown, 33 strokes, rank #87986, Very Hard
zhāngdēngjiécǎi(zhang1deng1jie2cai3)zhang deng jie cai T1
  1. 1to be decorated with lanterns and colored banners (idiom)
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March 24, 2026

张灯结彩(張燈結彩)zhāngdēngjiécǎi(zhang1deng1jie2cai3)

张灯结彩 is an idiom that means to decorate with lanterns and colorful banners, typically used to describe festive occasions. It conveys a sense of celebration and joy, often associated with traditional festivals like the Lantern Festival or Chinese New Year.

Strokes33Frequency#87986DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

张灯结彩 is commonly practiced during major Chinese festivals, symbolizing the welcoming of prosperity and happiness. It reflects the cultural importance of celebration in Chinese society, where visual splendor is a key component of festivities.

Memory tip

Imagine a vibrant festival scene where lanterns are hung high and colorful banners flutter in the wind, creating a joyous atmosphere. The phrase can be broken down: '张' (zhang) sounds like 'hang', '灯' (deng) means 'light' or 'lantern', '结' (jie) means 'to tie' or 'to knot', and '彩' (cai) means 'color'. Picture tying colorful lanterns together for a celebration.

Meanings of 张灯结彩

zhāngdēngjiécǎi(zhang1deng1jie2cai3)
1to be decorated with lanterns and colored banners (idiom)
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About 张灯结彩

张灯结彩Simplified
張燈結彩Traditional
33Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 张灯结彩

Quick Contrast

庆祝 (qìngzhù) vs 张灯结彩 (zhāngdēngjiécǎi): use 张灯结彩 specifically for visual decoration with lanterns and banners, while 庆祝 refers to the act of celebrating more generally.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in festive contexts, so it's important to use it when discussing celebrations. A common mistake is using it in a serious context, as it conveys a light-hearted tone. Common collocations include '节日' (festival) and '庆祝' (celebrate).

HSK Study Tips

This idiom may not be covered in the HSK vocabulary lists, but understanding it can enhance cultural comprehension. Students should focus on idiomatic expressions and their usage in festive contexts as they progress through HSK levels.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse the idiom with more general expressions of celebration, such as using it for mundane events. For example, saying '张灯结彩' when referring to a simple gathering is incorrect; it should be reserved for festive occasions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 张灯结彩

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Idiom spotlight: 张灯结彩

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:stretch lamp tie colorful

Component characters

张zhāngto open up
HSK 37 strokes弓
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灯dēnglamp
HSK 36 strokes火
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结jiéto bear fruit
HSK 59 strokes纟
View full entry
彩cǎi(bright) color
HSK 611 strokes彡
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How to say to be decorated with lanterns and colored banners (idiom) in Chinese

“to be decorated with lanterns and colored banners (idiom)” in Chinese is张灯结彩zhāngdēngjiécǎi

张灯结彩 is an idiom that means to decorate with lanterns and colorful banners, typically used to describe festive occasions. It conveys a sense of celebration and joy, often associated with traditional festivals like the Lantern Festival or Chinese New Year.

When to use 张灯结彩

This idiom is often used in festive contexts, so it's important to use it when discussing celebrations. A common mistake is using it in a serious context, as it conveys a light-hearted tone. Common collocations include '节日' (festival) and '庆祝' (celebrate).

张灯结彩 or something close to it

庆祝 (qìngzhù) vs 张灯结彩 (zhāngdēngjiécǎi): use 张灯结彩 specifically for visual decoration with lanterns and banners, while 庆祝 refers to the act of celebrating more generally.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse the idiom with more general expressions of celebration, such as using it for mundane events. For example, saying '张灯结彩' when referring to a simple gathering is incorrect; it should be reserved for festive occasions.

Write 张灯结彩

张
灯
结
彩

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Frequently asked questions about 张灯结彩

While it is primarily used for traditional festivals, it can also apply to any joyous celebration, but ensure the context is appropriate.

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