Delivering a Goose Feather from a Thousand Miles away

Friday, September 8, 2023

The Chinese idiom "千里送鹅毛" (qiān lǐ sòng é máo) is a phrase rich in historical significance and profound meaning. This idiom has its roots in a beautiful story that illustrates the lengths one can go to fulfill a promise. In this article, we will explore the story behind "千里送鹅毛" (qiān lǐ sòng é máo), its symbolic meaning, and how it can be applied in daily life.

The Story

Long ago, during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), there lived a young scholar named Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮 ZhūgéLiàng). He was known for his wisdom and integrity. Once, a distant friend sent him a letter requesting a goose feather fan to cool himself during the hot summer. Zhuge Liang has a very deep friendship 情义 (qíngyì) with this friend. Zhuge Liang agreed to the request and sent a messenger on a journey of a thousand miles to deliver the goose feather. Despite the challenging journey, the messenger successfully obtained the feather and returned to present it to Zhuge Liang's friend. This story demonstrates the unwavering dedication and commitment to keeping one's word, even at great personal cost.

情义(qíngyì):refers to the deep emotions and obligations within interpersonal relationships. It emphasizes loyalty, trust, and concern for others on an emotional level, typically manifesting as providing support and assistance during difficult times.

Example:

The friendship between them is very deep.
他们之间的情义非常深厚
Tāmen zhījiān de qíngyìfēicháng shēnhòu.

During his difficult times,his friends showed true friendship.
在他的困难时期,朋友们表现出了真正的情义
Zài tāde kùnnán shíqí,péngyǒumen biǎoxiàn chūle zhēnzhèng de qíngyì.

Symbolic Meaning

The idiom "千里送鹅毛" (qiān lǐ sòng é máo) carries the meaning of fulfilling a promise or obligation regardless of the distance, difficulty, or sacrifice involved .It symbolizes the importance of keeping one's word and being trustworthy. It also emphasizes the value of selflessness and dedication to helping others.

Daily Application

In our daily lives, we can apply the concept of "千里送鹅毛" (qiān lǐ sòng é máo) by:

Keeping Promises (遵守承诺-zūn shǒu chéng nuò): Whether it's a simple commitment to meet a friend or a more significant promise, always strive to keep your word, even if it requires extra effort.

Helping Others Selflessly (无私帮助-wú sī bāng zhù): Actively offer assistance to those in need, without expecting anything in return. This demonstrates your dedication to supporting others.

Demonstrating Reliability (可靠性-kě kào xìng): Build a reputation for being trustworthy and dependable in both personal and professional relationships. This will strengthen your bonds with others.

Key Sentences:

I traveled a long way to pick up your favorite coffee,just as a small token of our friendship qiān lǐsòngémáo
我走了很远的路来给你买你最喜欢的咖啡,就是为了表达我们的友情,千里送鹅毛
Wǒzǒu le hěn yuǎn de lùlái gěi nǐmǎi nǐzuìxǐhuān de kāfēi,jiùshìwèile biǎodáwǒmen de yǒuqíng,qiān lǐsòngémáo

He helped me,and that's a perfect example of qiān lǐsòngémáo
他帮助了我,这就是千里送鹅毛
Tābāngzhùle wǒ,zhèjiùshìqiān lǐsòngémáo.

She selflessly assisted me,disregarding her own needs,truly embodying
她不顾一切帮助了我,就像千里送鹅毛一样。
Tābùgùyīqièbāngzhùle wǒ,jiùxiàng qiān lǐsòngémáo yīyàng.

Have you learned how to use this word? To learn more, check out our one-on-one mandarin lessons.

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

Certainly, we offer a complimentary 30 - minute trial lesson for you to experience our services before committing to a purchase.This will allow you to gain a better understanding of our qualified tutors, innovative teaching methods, comprehensive class materials, and more.We are committed to providing you with the highest level of service and ensuring your satisfaction with our courses.
We offer secure and convenient payment options, including PayPal. PayPal is a widely recognized and trusted online payment platform that provides a secure way to make transactions. We also follow industry-standard security protocols to ensure the safety of your personal and financial information.
Our learning is different from traditional language learning in a number of ways. Firstly, we use technology to enhance the learning experience and provide personalized learning paths for each student. Secondly, our focus is not just on language proficiency, but also on cultural understanding and practical application of the language.Thirdly, we place a strong emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing.Additionally, we incorporate modern teaching methods and materials, such as multimedia resources and interactive exercises.Finally, our courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their own schedule.
We offer highly flexible class schedules that cater to your needs, with lessons available from 7am to 10pm Beijing time, seven days a week.This allows you to conveniently take lessons at any time and from any location that suits your schedule.
We provide a wealth of Chinese teaching materials and learning resources, including but not limited to textbooks, workbooks, listening materials, reading materials, video courses, and online courses.Our teaching materials and resources are carefully selected and designed to meet the learning needs and goals of different learners. At the same time, our teachers will provide personalized teaching and guidance based on the learning characteristics and needs of students to ensure that students can learn and master Chinese language efficiently.
No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.