浓墨重彩
nóng mò zhòng cǎi
with bold ink and rich colour; given heavy emphasis
Character by character
浓nóng
thick
thick
墨mò
ink
ink
重zhòng
heavy
heavy
彩cǎi
colour
colour
Example
2008年北京奥运会在中国体育的历史上写下了浓墨重彩的一笔。
The 2008 Beijing Olympics wrote a bold chapter in the history of Chinese sport.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Literally a painting style; now mostly figurative. The stock phrase 写下浓墨重彩的一笔 (to leave a lasting mark) is everywhere in news and speeches; also 浓墨重彩地描写 (to dwell on).
Learn this in Lesson 93 · HSK 6–7: 两幅北宋长卷 (Two Northern Song scrolls)
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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