# 跃然纸上

yuè rán zhǐ shàng

Come vividly to life in writing or drawing

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Leap visibly upon the paper

**Traditional Chinese:** 躍然紙上

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Praise a vivid portrayal that makes its subject easy to imagine.

It describes the portrayal's effect rather than literal movement.

## The image & its use

A few well-chosen details can make a scene feel close to the reader. The texture of a wooden desk, a character's familiar gesture, or the light through a window can give a written description a strong presence. This expression praises that vivid effect. It also suits a drawing whose subject feels especially lively. More detail is not always better; the details need to work together. Identify what feels vivid and how the portrayal creates that impression.

## Examples

她笔下的花园跃然纸上。

### Traditional Chinese

她筆下的花園躍然紙上。

tā bǐ xià de huā yuán yuè rán zhǐ shàng 。

The garden comes vividly to life in her writing.

这幅素描让小猫的神态跃然纸上。

### Traditional Chinese

這幅素描讓小貓的神態躍然紙上。

zhè fú sù miáo ràng xiǎo māo de shén tài yuè rán zhǐ shàng 。

The sketch vividly captures the kitten's expression.

几句对话就让人物的性格跃然纸上。

### Traditional Chinese

幾句對話就讓人物的性格躍然紙上。

jǐ jù duì huà jiù ràng rén wù de xìng gé yuè rán zhǐ shàng 。

A few lines of dialogue bring the character's personality vividly to life.

旅行中的温暖记忆在文章里跃然纸上。

### Traditional Chinese

旅行中的溫暖記憶在文章裡躍然紙上。

lǚ xíng zhōng de wēn nuǎn jì yì zài wén zhāng lǐ yuè rán zhǐ shàng 。

The trip's warm memories come vividly to life in the article.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1363&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%BA%8D%E7%84%B6%E7%B4%99%E4%B8%8A)

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