壁画

• Pinyin: bì huà
• Hanzi breakdown: 壁 = 辟 (open) + 土 (earth); 画 = 田 (field) + 凵 (container)

Meaning

Mural; fresco. A painting applied directly to a wall or ceiling surface.

Refers to any painting on a wall, whether ancient cave art, religious frescoes, or modern street murals. Often associated with cultural heritage sites, temples, and historical landmarks. In contemporary usage, can also refer to urban street art.

Examples

1. 敦煌莫高窟的壁画是中国艺术史上的瑰宝，每年吸引无数游客。 The murals in Dunhuang's Mogao Caves are treasures of Chinese art history and attract countless visitors every year.
2. 这位艺术家用了三个月时间才完成了地铁站里的那幅壁画。 It took this artist three months to complete the mural in the subway station.
3. 教堂内的壁画历经数百年依然色彩鲜艳，令人叹为观止。 The frescoes inside the church have remained vibrant after hundreds of years — truly breathtaking.

Usage Guide

Context: art, history, tourism

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这幅壁画的保存状态非常好。(This mural is very well preserved.)
• 壁画上描绘的是古代的宫廷生活。(The mural depicts ancient court life.)

Don't Say

• 把普通挂画叫壁画 (Don't call a framed painting hung on a wall 壁画 — it must be painted directly on the wall)

Origin & History

壁 (wall) + 画 (painting). A painting on a wall.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal