Chinese idiom · 成语
黄钟大吕
Meaning
Grand, solemn, and resonant music or language; literally two ancient musical pitch standards.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary metaphorHuangzhong and dalü are names in the ancient system of musical pitch standards, not simply a yellow bell and a large chime. The Book of Jin's discussion of music places huangzhong among the yang pitches and dalü among the yin pitches. Their names acquired an association with the dignity of classical music.
A figurative use appears in the recorded sayings of the Song thinker Lu Jiuyuan: writing is praised by comparison with these resonant musical standards. The expression consequently celebrates stately, powerful music or language. Its force is not merely that something is loud; it suggests gravity, depth, and an elevated expressive quality.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
这段朗诵有黄钟大吕之势，让全场安静下来。
This passage was recited with such solemn power that the whole room fell silent.
A literary compliment for grand, resonant music or eloquence; not ordinary loudness.