Definition
青云 literally means 'blue clouds,' but in literary and formal Chinese it is a metaphor for high official position, moral integrity, or a lofty ambition—most famously in the idiom 平步青云 ('to rise rapidly in the world'). It can also refer to a secluded, retired life away from worldly affairs, often after a successful career. The word carries classical, aspirational overtones and is rarely used for literal weather.
n.
(literary) high official positionrapid advancement in rank(literary) lofty virtue or moral eminence(literary) retirementpeaceful seclusion
Examples
- 。Tā niánqīng shí biàn lìzhì yào píng bù qīng yún.He set his ambition as a young man to rise rapidly in officialdom.
- 青云。Zhè wèi lǎorén de pǐndé rú qīng yún bān gāojié.This elderly person's virtue is as noble as the azure clouds.
- ，青云。Gōng chéng míng jiù hòu, tā xuǎnzé yǐntuì qīng yún.After achieving fame and success, he chose to retire into seclusion.
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