源远流长yuán yuǎn liú cháng(idiom) of long standing; with a long history; stretching back to ancient times

1. 1.

   (idiom) of long standing; with a long history; stretching back to ancient timesidiom

Figurative meaning

Of long standing; with a long history; stretching back to ancient times.

Literal meaning

A distant source and a long flow.

• 源source
• 远distant
• 流to flow
• 长long

No attested origin story

源远流长 often follows 历史 or 文化 as a predicate, as in 历史源远流长, and can also modify a noun with 的.

1. HSK 3

   中国的茶文化源远流长。

   Zhōngguó de chá wénhuà yuán yuǎn liú cháng.

   China's tea culture has a long history stretching back to ancient times.

2. HSK 4

   他们两家的友谊源远流长，已经几代人了。

   Tāmen liǎng jiā de yǒuyì yuán yuǎn liú cháng, yǐjīng jǐ dài rén le.

   The friendship between their two families is of long standing; it has already lasted several generations.

1. 
   Speaker A:

   你们为什么这么重视这个节日？

   Nǐmen wèishénme zhème zhòngshì zhège jiérì?

   Why do you value this festival so much?

2. 
   Speaker B:

   因为它的历史源远流长。

   Yīnwèi tā de lìshǐ yuán yuǎn liú cháng.

   Because its history stretches back a long way.

3. 
   Speaker A:

   那能讲讲它的来历吗？

   Nà néng jiǎngjiang tā de láilì ma?

   Then can you tell me how it began?

4. 
   Speaker B:

   可以，我慢慢说给你听。

   Kěyǐ, wǒ mànmàn shuō gěi nǐ tīng.

   Sure; I'll tell you slowly.

1. 1.What does 源远流长 mean?

   AOf long standing; with a long historyBTangled and complicatedCTo make matters even worse
2. 2.Which sentence uses 源远流长 correctly?

   A这座城市的文化源远流长。B他源远流长地跑了一圈。C今天天气源远流长。
3. 3.Which idiom fits best? 这条河的名字____，已经用了几百年。 (The name of this river is of long standing; it has already been used for several hundred years.)

   A源远流长B错综复杂C举一反三

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Related idioms

• 源源不断yuán yuán bú duàn(idiom) in an unending stream; continuousHSK 7–9
• 拔苗助长bá miáo zhù zhǎngto spoil things through excessive enthusiasmNot on the HSK 3.0 syllabus
• 一举两得yì jǔ liǎng détwo birds with one stoneHSK 7–9
• 一如既往yì rú jì wǎng(idiom) just as in the past; as before; continuing as alwaysHSK 7–9
• 一目了然yí mù liǎo ránobvious at a glance (idiom)HSK 7–9
• 不可思议bù kě sī yìinconceivable; unimaginable; unfathomableHSK 7–9

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