# 有声有色

yǒu shēng yǒu sè

Be vivid, engaging, and lively

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Have sound and color

**Traditional Chinese:** 有聲有色

**Register:** Positive · general

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Praise effective storytelling or lively execution.

Not necessarily literal audiovisual media.

## Understanding the expression

Sound and color make an account feel present rather than flat. The expression describes storytelling, performances, or activities that have vivid detail and energy. A written story can fit even without actual sound, because the reader imagines the scene. It can also praise a project run with lively effectiveness. The emphasis is on engaging realization rather than accuracy alone, so a vivid account still requires separate checking if its factual truth matters.

## Examples

她把经历讲得有声有色。

### Traditional Chinese

她把經歷講得有聲有色。

tā bǎ jīng lì jiǎng dé yǒu shēng yǒu sè 。

She recounted the experience vividly.

社区活动办得有声有色。

### Traditional Chinese

社區活動辦得有聲有色。

shè qū huó dòng bàn dé yǒu shēng yǒu sè 。

The community event was lively and engaging.

他把普通人物写得有声有色。

### Traditional Chinese

他把普通人物寫得有聲有色。

tā bǎ pǔ tōng rén wù xiě dé yǒu shēng yǒu sè 。

He portrayed ordinary people vividly.

孩子们演得有声有色。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子們演得有聲有色。

hái zi men yǎn dé yǒu shēng yǒu sè 。

The children performed with lively expression.

## 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%9C%89%E8%81%B2%E6%9C%89%E8%89%B2)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=553&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [有始无终 yǒu shǐ wú zhōng Begin something but fail to carry it through ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-shi-wu-zhong)

- [有条不紊 yǒu tiáo bù wěn Proceed in an orderly, methodical way ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-tiao-bu-wen)

- [有志竟成 yǒu zhì jìng chéng Determined effort can achieve a goal ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-zhi-jing-cheng)

- [愚公移山 yú gōng yí shān Persist through an enormous challenge ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yu-gong-yi-shan)

## 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 优柔寡断 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-rou-gua-duan) [Next idiom 有恃无恐 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-shi-wu-kong)