Chinese Idiom: 山肴野蔌 (Shan Yao Ye Su)
English Translation: Mountain delicacies and wild vegetables
pīn yīn: shān yáo yě sù
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the various wild delicacies and vegetables found in the mountains. It is often used to describe a meal that includes rustic, natural, and local food.
Historical Source: From Ouyang Xiu’s Drunkard Pavilion Ode (《醉翁亭记》), Northern Song Dynasty
Idiom Story
“山肴野蔌” is derived from a famous passage in Drunkard Pavilion Ode (《醉翁亭记》), a celebrated essay by the Northern Song Dynasty writer Ouyang Xiu. The essay was written during his exile as the governor of Chuzhou (present-day Chuzhou, Anhui). It beautifully describes the picturesque landscapes of Chuzhou and the lively scenes at the Drunkard Pavilion.
In the passage, Ouyang Xiu writes:
“山肴野蔌，杂然而前陈者，太守宴也。”
This translates to: “The various mountain delicacies and wild vegetables laid out in front are the feast set by the governor.”
The description continues to portray the convivial atmosphere of the feast, highlighting that the joy of the gathering came not from musical performances but from activities like tossing arrows into a pot and playing chess. The scene is animated with guests enjoying themselves, drinking, and making noise, while the governor, portrayed as old and drunken, is nestled among the revelry.
In essence, “山肴野蔌” evokes a rustic and natural feast, representing the simple and authentic pleasures of local cuisine and the enjoyment of natural surroundings.
