# 靡靡之音

mǐ mǐ zhī yīn

Music judged languid or morally decadent

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Soft and enervating sounds

**Register:** Formal · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe a critical judgment of indulgent music.

An evaluative, often old-fashioned label.

## Understanding the expression

The expression judges music by an assumed effect on the listener: excessive softness or indulgence is thought to weaken resolve. It therefore carries a moral criticism rather than a neutral description of musical style. Modern speakers may quote it when discussing earlier criticism of popular songs, or use it with irony. A gentle melody alone does not establish decadence; the label reflects the values and perspective of the person applying it.

## Examples

他把这些情歌斥为靡靡之音。

### Traditional Chinese

他把這些情歌斥為靡靡之音。

tā bǎ zhè xiē qíng gē chì wèi mǐ mǐ zhī yīn 。

He dismissed these love songs as decadent music.

她不同意把流行乐叫作靡靡之音。

### Traditional Chinese

她不同意把流行樂叫作靡靡之音。

tā bù tóng yì bǎ liú xíng lè jiào zuò mǐ mǐ zhī yīn 。

She disagrees with calling pop music decadent.

他把舒缓的乐曲斥为靡靡之音，却说不出理由。

### Traditional Chinese

他把舒緩的樂曲斥為靡靡之音，卻說不出理由。

tā bǎ shū huǎn de yuè qǔ chì wèi mǐ mǐ zhī yīn ， què shuō bù chū lǐ yóu 。

He dismissed the gentle music as decadent but could not explain why.

爷爷说这是靡靡之音，我们却觉得温柔。

### Traditional Chinese

爺爺說這是靡靡之音，我們卻覺得溫柔。

yé ye shuō zhè shì mǐ mǐ zhī yīn ， wǒ men què jué de wēn róu 。

Grandpa called it decadent music, but we found it gentle.

## 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=%E9%9D%A1%E9%9D%A1%E4%B9%8B%E9%9F%B3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=734&webMd=1&la=0)

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