力透纸背
lì tòu zhǐ bèi
forceful (of brushwork); powerful, penetrating (of writing)
Character by character
力lì
strength
strength
透tòu
pierce
pierce
纸zhǐ
paper
paper
背bèi
back
back
Example
老先生八十多岁了，写出来的字依然力透纸背。
At over eighty the old gentleman still writes as if his brush would press right through the paper.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
First said of brushwork so strong the ink seems to soak through to the back of the sheet; now also of writing whose argument or feeling hits hard: 文章写得力透纸背.
Learn this in Lesson 91 · HSK 6–7: 兰亭序与书法 (The Orchid Pavilion and the art of calligraphy)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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