# 脍炙人口

kuài zhì rén kǒu

Be widely loved and praised

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Tasty minced and roasted meat delights people

**Traditional Chinese:** 膾炙人口

**Register:** Appreciative · formal

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

## When to use it

Praise familiar, enduring artistic work.

Popularity alone does not establish artistic quality.

## Understanding the expression

The image begins with food that many people enjoy and transfers that shared pleasure to words, music, and art. A work described this way is known, repeated, and appreciated by a broad audience. Poems, songs, stories, and memorable lines are common subjects. The phrase praises public affection rather than merely reporting sales. Its tone suits works that have become familiar through lasting enjoyment and frequent sharing.

## Examples

这首歌脍炙人口。

### Traditional Chinese

這首歌膾炙人口。

zhè shǒu gē kuài zhì rén kǒu 。

This song is widely loved.

他的小说留下许多脍炙人口的片段。

### Traditional Chinese

他的小說留下許多膾炙人口的片段。

tā de xiǎo shuō liú xià xǔ duō kuài zhì rén kǒu de piàn duàn 。

His novel contains many widely cherished passages.

奶奶会唱不少脍炙人口的老歌。

### Traditional Chinese

奶奶會唱不少膾炙人口的老歌。

nǎi nai huì chàng bù shǎo kuài zhì rén kǒu de lǎo gē 。

Grandma sings many beloved old songs.

这句脍炙人口的诗常被引用。

### Traditional Chinese

這句膾炙人口的詩常被引用。

zhè jù kuài zhì rén kǒu de shī cháng bèi yǐn yòng 。

This widely admired verse is often quoted.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%86%BE%E7%82%99%E4%BA%BA%E5%8F%A3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=79&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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- [老生常谈 lǎo shēng cháng tán A familiar point repeated too often ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/lao-sheng-chang-tan)

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