Chinese word

峰回路转

Pronunciation

Pinyinfēng huí lù zhuǎn

Meaning

  • idiomtwists and turns

Example

这部电影峰回路转，结局意想不到。zhè bù diàn yǐng fēng huí lù zhuǎn jié jú yì xiǎng bú dào

This movie has many twists and turns, and the ending is unexpected.

Illustration for 峰回路转 (twists and turns)

More examples

这部小说的情节峰回路转，读来引人入胜。zhè bù xiǎo shuō de qíng jié fēng huí lù zhuǎn dú lái yǐn rén rù shèng

The plot of this novel has twists and turns, making it an engrossing read.

Core concept

A difficult route bends through many changes before the situation reaches a fresh opening.

Common phrases

  • 情节峰回路转qíng jié fēng huí lù zhuǎn

    a plot with twists and turns

  • 剧情峰回路转jù qíng fēng huí lù zhuǎn

    a storyline with twists and turns

Similar words

柳暗花明liǔ àn huā míng: Describes a bright opportunity emerging from difficult circumstances and bringing improvement.
转危为安zhuǎn wēi wéi ān: Describes a crisis changing into a safe and stable situation.
起死回生qí sǐ huí shēng: Describes a dramatic recovery from a situation that seemed almost hopeless.
东山再起dōng shān zài qǐ: Describes someone or a group returning to power after a setback.

Definition in Chinese

表示经过许多曲折后出现新的情况或转机。biǎo shì jīng guò xǔ duō qū zhé hòu chū xiàn xīn de qíng kuàng huò zhuǎn jī

Word origin

峰 (fēng, "peak") + 回 (huí, "turn back") + 路 (lù, "road") + 转 (zhuǎn, "turn") creates a mountain-road image for events that take an unexpected new course.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, the idiom can sound formal; ordinary speakers often choose simpler wording when describing a change in a plan or situation.

Other meanings

  • an unexpected turnidiom

Opposites

Word lists with this word