张灯结彩

• Pinyin: zhāng dēng jié cǎi
• Hanzi breakdown: 张 = 弓 + 长 (to stretch/hang); 灯 = 火 + 丁 (lamp); 结 = 纟 + 吉 (to tie); 彩 = 采 + 彡 (color)

Meaning

To hang up lanterns and decorations; to be festively decorated. Describes elaborate decorations for celebrations.

A four-character idiom describing festive atmosphere. Used for traditional holidays like Spring Festival, weddings, and major celebrations. Evokes colorful, joyous scenes with lanterns and silk decorations.

Examples

1. 春节期间，大街小巷张灯结彩，到处洋溢着喜庆气氛。 During the Spring Festival, streets and alleys are decorated with lanterns and colorful ornaments, and the festive atmosphere is everywhere.
2. 婚礼当天，酒店大堂张灯结彩，布置得如同童话世界。 On the wedding day, the hotel lobby was decked out with lanterns and decorations, like something out of a fairy tale.
3. 国庆节来临，整座城市张灯结彩，一片欢腾景象。 With National Day approaching, the whole city was decorated with lanterns and ornaments, full of celebration and excitement.

Usage Guide

Context: festivals, weddings, celebrations

Tone: festive/joyous

Do Say

• 中秋节的夜晚，古镇张灯结彩，游人如织。(On Mid-Autumn Festival night, the ancient town was festively decorated with visitors everywhere.)
• 公司年会场地布置得张灯结彩，喜气洋洋。(The company annual party venue was decorated with lanterns and streamers, full of festive cheer.)

Don't Say

• 张灯结彩地学习 — this idiom only describes visual decorations, not actions or activities

Origin & History

张 (to hang) + 灯 (lanterns) + 结 (to tie) + 彩 (colored silk)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal