Chinese word

五花八门

Pronunciation

Pinyinwǔ huā bā mén

Meaning

  • idiomall kinds of

Example

书店里有五花八门的书。shū diàn lǐ yǒu wǔ huā bā mén de shū

The bookstore has all kinds of books.

Illustration for 五花八门 (all kinds of)

More examples

电视里五花八门的广告让人眼花缭乱。diàn shì lǐ wǔ huā bā mén de guǎng gào ràng rén yǎn huā liáo luàn

The many different advertisements on TV are dazzling.

Core concept

A wide field of choices spread across many different forms and categories.

Common phrases

  • 五花八门的节目wǔ huā bā mén de jié mù

    all kinds of programs

  • 五花八门的创意wǔ huā bā mén de chuàng yì

    all kinds of ideas

  • 五花八门的手段wǔ huā bā mén de shǒu duàn

    all kinds of methods

Similar words

形形色色xíng xíng sè sè: Many different types with varied qualities or characteristics are present.
花样繁多huā yàng fán duō: A great many patterns, formats, or ways of doing something are available.
琳琅满目lín láng mǎn mù: A striking display of many valuable or beautiful goods catches the eye.
林林总总lín lín zóng zǒng: A large, mixed assortment of miscellaneous things or types is gathered together.

Definition in Chinese

用来形容可供选择的类别或样式很多，常用于强调选择余地广泛。yòng lái xíng róng kě gōng xuǎn zé de lèi bié huò yàng shì hěn duō cháng yòng yú qiáng diào xuǎn zé yú dì guǎng fàn

Word origin

五花八门 (wǔhuābāmén, "five flowers, eight gates") is traditionally associated with military formations arranged in varied patterns, which led to its modern sense of many types.

Usage tips

  • 五花八门 (wǔhuābāmén, "varied in many ways") can describe products, styles, services, or activities, making it useful when the range itself is the main point.

Opposites

Word lists with this word