Chinese idiom · 成语
下里巴人
Meaning
Popular, accessible songs or art; often contrasted with highbrow works.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary dialogueIn the literary dialogue 'Answering the King of Chu,' traditionally attributed to Song Yu, the king asks why so many people criticize the speaker. The reply describes a singer in Ying: thousands can join familiar, accessible songs, but progressively fewer can follow the more demanding pieces and elaborate techniques. The speaker uses the comparison to argue that uncommon excellence may have few admirers.
下里巴人 names the popular songs at the accessible end of that comparison. It later came to mean popular literature or art, often contrasted with 阳春白雪. The dialogue's hierarchy of taste is part of its argument, not proof that widely enjoyed art is worthless.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
这部喜剧走的是下里巴人的路线，笑料朴实，却很打动观众。
This comedy aims for popular appeal: its humor is simple but really connects with audiences.
A literary term for accessible popular art; can sound dismissive depending on context.