Chinese Conversation · Level 82
61 words
Chinese word
画龙点睛
Pronunciation
Pinyinhuà lóng diǎn jīng
Meaning
- idiomadd the finishing touch
Example
演讲结尾那一句话画龙点睛。yán jiǎng jié wěi nà yí jù huà huà lóng diǎn jīng
The final sentence of the speech adds the finishing touch.
More examples
这道菜最后撒上的香草画龙点睛，让味道更鲜明。zhè dào cài zuì hòu sā shàng de xiāng cǎo huà lóng diǎn jīng ràng wèi dào gèng xiān míng
The herbs sprinkled on the dish at the end add the finishing touch, making the flavor more distinct.
Core concept
One last mark brings a nearly complete creation to life by revealing what matters most.
Common phrases
用一句话画龙点睛yòng yí jù huà huà lóng diǎn jīng
add the finishing touch with one sentence
在结尾处画龙点睛zài jié wěi chù huà lóng diǎn jīng
add the finishing touch at the end
为方案画龙点睛wèi fāng àn huà lóng diǎn jīng
add the finishing touch to the plan
Similar words
点睛之笔diǎn jīng zhī bǐ: The important last stroke or remark that gives a work or speech its full impact.
锦上添花jǐn shàng tiān huā: Makes an already good thing more attractive or enjoyable by adding another pleasing feature.
Definition in Chinese
在文章、讲话或行为临近结束时用一句话或一举措强化主题或效果，使整体获得最后的完成与点明。zài wén zhāng jiǎng huà huò xíng wéi lín jìn jié shù shí yòng yí jù huà huò yì jǔ cuò qiáng huà zhǔ tí huò xiào guǒ shǐ zhéng tǐ huò dé zuì hòu de wán chéng yǔ diǎn míng
Word origin
The phrase 画龙点睛 (huàlóngdiǎnjīng, "add the finishing touch") refers to the story of adding eyes to a dragon painting, an act that completes the image and makes the dragon seem alive.
Usage tips
- The word suits a notable closing contribution, not every small improvement, which makes it useful for describing the key sentence or action at the end of a project.
Other meanings
- final strokeidiom
- concluding remarkidiom
Opposites
- 画蛇添足huà shé tiān zúspoil things by adding unnecessary detailsidiom
- 过犹不及guò yóu bù jítoo much is as bad as too littleidiom
Related words
- 点睛diǎn jīngadd the finishing touchverb
- 点睛之笔diǎn jīng zhī bǐfinishing touchidiom