意存笔先，画尽意在 yì cún bǐ xiān ， huà jìn yì zài

idea before brush; picture shows spirit

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. the idea is present before the first stroke of the brush, when the last stroke is placed the idea shines through

Characters

Character Meaning
意 yì HSK 2
meaning; idea; thought
存 cún HSK 4
to keep; to store; to deposit
笔 bǐ HSK 2
pen; pencil; the strokes of Chinese characters
先 xiān HSK 1
first; in advance; early
画 huà HSK 3
to draw; painting; picture
尽 jìn HSK 4
to the greatest extent; to be within the limits of
意 yì HSK 2
meaning; idea; thought
在 zài HSK 1
(located) at; (to be) in