# 五光十色

wǔ guāng shí sè

Be dazzlingly colorful and varied

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Five lights and ten colors

**Register:** Standard · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe bright displays or rich variety.

Usually visual richness, not confusion alone.

## Understanding the expression

The numbers multiply lights and colors into a vivid display. The expression suits lanterns, shop windows, textiles, and other scenes rich in brightness and variety. It can also describe many kinds of things gathered together. The tone is usually appreciative or fascinated, although context may suggest excessive glitter. The image is stronger than saying something has several colors; it invites the reader to imagine an abundant and striking visual experience.

## Examples

橱窗里五光十色。

### Traditional Chinese

櫥窗裡五光十色。

chú chuāng lǐ wǔ guāng shí sè 。

The shop window is dazzlingly colorful.

彩灯把广场照得五光十色。

### Traditional Chinese

彩燈把廣場照得五光十色。

cǎi dēng bǎ guǎng chǎng zhào dé wǔ guāng shí sè 。

The colored lights fill the square with dazzling hues.

她收藏的玻璃珠五光十色。

tā shōu cáng de bō lí zhū wǔ guāng shí sè 。

Her collection of glass beads has a dazzling range of colors.

海底鱼群五光十色。

### Traditional Chinese

海底魚群五光十色。

hǎi dǐ yú qún wǔ guāng shí sè 。

The schools of fish underwater display brilliant colors.

## 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=%E4%BA%94%E5%85%89%E5%8D%81%E8%89%B2)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=993&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [五花八门 wǔ huā bā mén Come in a bewildering variety ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-hua-ba-men)

- [无与伦比 wú yǔ lún bǐ Be beyond comparison ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-yu-lun-bi)

- [无中生有 wú zhōng shēng yǒu Invent something without a factual basis ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-zhong-sheng-you)

- [显而易见 xiǎn ér yì jiàn Be readily apparent ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xian-er-yi-jian)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 无独有偶 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-du-you-ou) [Next idiom 乌合之众 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-he-zhi-zhong)