Definition
亭亭玉立 is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'to stand gracefully like a jade statue'. It is used to describe a woman's slim, elegant posture, or metaphorically for tall and erect trees. Use it in a positive, appreciative context — never for men or non-living things.
f.e.
(of a woman) slim and gracefulwith elegant bearing(of trees) tall and erect
Examples
- ，亭亭玉立，。Tā zhàn zài wǔtái zhōngyāng, tíng tíng yù lì, qìzhì fēifán.She stood in the center of the stage, slim and graceful, with extraordinary poise.
- 亭亭玉立，。Lù biān de báiyáng shù tíng tíng yù lì, xiàng wèishì yíyàng tǐngbá.The poplar trees along the roadside are tall and erect, standing like guards.
- 亭亭玉立，。Zhè wèi niánqīng nǚzǐ shēncái tíng tíng yù lì, jǔzhǐ yōuyǎ.This young woman has a slim and graceful figure and elegant manners.
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