# 空谷足音

kōng gǔ zú yīn

Something valuable and rarely encountered

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Footsteps heard in an empty valley

**Register:** Literary · formal

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Welcome a rare useful voice, idea, or contribution.

It implies rarity and value, not just an unusual noise.

## The image & its use

A quiet valley makes a single set of footsteps especially noticeable. The image extends to a useful contribution arriving where little has been heard before. A thoughtful suggestion, a welcome letter, or an unusually clear explanation can receive this praise. The expression is literary and appreciative. Describe the surrounding lack as well as the contribution's value, because an ordinary item in an already crowded discussion may not deserve such strong emphasis.

## Examples

这条实用建议如空谷足音。

### Traditional Chinese

這條實用建議如空谷足音。

zhè tiáo shí yòng jiàn yì rú kōng gǔ zú yīn 。

The practical suggestion was a rare and welcome contribution.

在缺少资料时，这篇文章是空谷足音。

### Traditional Chinese

在缺少資料時，這篇文章是空谷足音。

zài quē shǎo zī liào shí ， zhè piān wén zhāng shì kōng gǔ zú yīn 。

When information was scarce, the article was especially welcome.

她的来信让人有空谷足音之感。

### Traditional Chinese

她的來信讓人有空谷足音之感。

tā de lái xìn ràng rén yǒu kōng gǔ zú yīn zhī gǎn 。

Her letter felt like a rare and welcome voice.

这样的细致研究可谓空谷足音。

### Traditional Chinese

這樣的細緻研究可謂空谷足音。

zhè yàng de xì zhì yán jiū kě wèi kōng gǔ zú yīn 。

Such careful research is a rare and valuable contribution.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1056&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%A9%BA%E8%B0%B7%E8%B6%B3%E9%9F%B3)

## Keep exploring

- [空前绝后 kōng qián jué hòu Be uniquely unmatched before or after ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/kong-qian-jue-hou)

- [空穴来风 kōng xué lái fēng A rumor arises, often said to be groundless ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/kong-xue-lai-feng)

- [脍炙人口 kuài zhì rén kǒu Be widely loved and praised ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/kuai-zhi-ren-kou)

- [来龙去脉 lái lóng qù mài The complete background and sequence of events ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/lai-long-qu-mai)

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