"Che Shui Ma Long" is a vivid and expressive idiom. Its literal meaning is that vehicles flow continuously like water, and horses shuttle ceaselessly like swimming dragons. It originates from the "Book of the Later Han: Annals of Empress Mingde Ma," which records that Empress Ma refused to grant titles and rewards to her maternal relatives, saying, "Previously, when I passed by the Zhuolong Gate, I saw those from my maternal family inquiring after one another's well-being, with carriages like flowing water and horses like swimming dragons," describing the bustling scene of carriages and horses coming and going among imperial relatives at that time. Later, this idiom came to describe an endless stream of carriages and horses and a bustling, lively scene. It is usually used to depict places such as city streets, commercial districts, and transportation hubs where the flow of people and vehicles is dense and extraordinarily lively, carrying a positive or neutral connotation and emphasizing prosperity and vitality. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the ancient praise of urban prosperity and also embodies the Chinese language's characteristic use of metaphor and parallelism. It has a wide range of usage scenarios: it can realistically portray heavy traffic, and it can also metaphorically describe a thriving career or frequent social interactions. Emotionally, it conveys a positive, lively, and vibrant atmosphere.
📝 Example
1. During the National Day holiday, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street was bustling with heavy traffic and a constant stream of visitors. (Describing a street with many vehicles and pedestrians, very lively.)
2. This emerging city is bustling with heavy traffic, filled with a modern commercial atmosphere everywhere. (Describing a city with busy transportation and economic prosperity.)