saan1 ming4 seoi2 sau3山明水秀
Jyutpingsaan1 ming4 seoi2 sau3
Yalesāan mìhng séui sau
Definition
With picturesque and beautiful natural scenery.
writtennaturedescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is a classic four character phrase used to describe landscapes that are both mountainous and watery, implying a harmonious and serene environment. It is almost exclusively used in descriptive or literary contexts rather than in casual, fast paced conversation. When you use it, you are emphasizing a sense of natural beauty that feels peaceful and untouched.
Examples
The countryside there has picturesque scenery and fresh air.
Do you think the scenery here is picturesque?
Related words
Common phrases
a place with picturesque scenery
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe urban areas or city views, but it strictly refers to natural landscapes. It is inappropriate to describe a modern city center or a shopping district as 山明水秀 even if the view is pleasant.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
