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白雪皑皑
bái xuě ái ái◆idiom
snow-covered
远处的山峰白雪皑皑，在阳光下闪闪发光。
The distant peaks are snow-covered, gleaming in the sunlight.
literary
Covered in pure white snow, often used to describe landscapes or scenery in a poetic or literary context.
冬天的早晨，大地一片白雪皑皑，美得让人屏息。
On a winter morning, the earth is covered in white snow, breathtakingly beautiful.
诗人笔下的北国风光，总少不了白雪皑皑的群山。
In the poet's depiction of northern landscapes, snow-covered mountains are always present.
Primarily used in written Chinese, especially in classical or modern poetry, essays, and descriptive texts. Rarely used in casual conversation.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Visual Association
Imagine a vast, untouched snowy field under bright sunlight. The phrase emphasizes the purity and brightness of the snow, not just its presence. This helps distinguish it from simple descriptions of snowfall.
Gold Rule
Poetic vs. Literal
Use 白雪皑皑 only in poetic, descriptive, or literary contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation or to describe urban snow.
Word Origin
The idiom combines three characters: 白 (white), 雪 (snow), and 皑皑 (pure white, bright). 皑皑 is a reduplication of 皑, which describes the bright, pristine whiteness of snow. The phrase originated in classical Chinese literature, often used to evoke the serene beauty of winter landscapes.
Usage Notes
This idiom is almost exclusively used in written or formal spoken Chinese to describe natural scenery. It is not used to describe urban snowfall or artificial snow. The imagery it evokes is one of untouched, pristine whiteness, often associated with tranquility and beauty.
Word Breakdown
白
white
root雪
snow
root皑皑
pure white, bright
reduplication汉英词典