# 栩栩如生

xǔ xǔ rú shēng

Appear vividly lifelike

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Lively as though alive

**Register:** Positive · general

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

## When to use it

Praise realistic art, models, or portrayal.

Commonly portrayal rather than an actually living subject.

## Understanding the expression

The expression gives a represented subject the liveliness of real life. A sculpture may suggest movement, a drawing may capture expression, or a written character may feel convincing. Exact photographic detail is not always necessary; posture and feeling can create the impression. The praise concerns the success of representation. It is therefore more natural for a painted bird than for an ordinary living bird, whose life does not depend on an artist's convincing imitation.

## Examples

木雕小鸟栩栩如生。

### Traditional Chinese

木雕小鳥栩栩如生。

mù diāo xiǎo niǎo xǔ xǔ rú shēng 。

The carved bird is remarkably lifelike.

她把人物写得栩栩如生。

### Traditional Chinese

她把人物寫得栩栩如生。

tā bǎ rén wù xiě dé xǔ xǔ rú shēng 。

She portrays the characters vividly.

壁画中的马栩栩如生。

### Traditional Chinese

壁畫中的馬栩栩如生。

bì huà zhōng de mǎ xǔ xǔ rú shēng 。

The mural's horses look alive.

这套模型做得栩栩如生。

### Traditional Chinese

這套模型做得栩栩如生。

zhè tào mó xíng zuò dé xǔ xǔ rú shēng 。

The models are made with lifelike detail.

## 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=%E6%A0%A9%E6%A0%A9%E5%A6%82%E7%94%9F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=682&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [虚有其表 xū yǒu qí biǎo Impressive in appearance but lacking substance ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xu-you-qi-biao)

- [喧宾夺主 xuān bīn duó zhǔ Let something secondary overshadow the main focus ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xuan-bin-duo-zhu)

- [学富五车 xué fù wǔ chē Exceptionally learned ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xue-fu-wu-che)

- [言过其实 yán guò qí shí Exaggerate beyond the facts ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yan-guo-qi-shi)

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