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2. Simplicity
3. Brevity: Fewer Words are Best
5. Live In The Moment / Live In The Now
Speak simply, while expressing your idea completely
言簡意賅 is a Chinese proverb that suggests it is better to be brief and use fewer words while still expressing your main point or idea.
In another way to explain this, one should not use 100 words when 50 will do, or being more concise with your speech.
This can also be translated as concise, compendious, “brief in form but comprehensive in scope” or succinct.
This is a bit more positive than our other proverb for brevity.
簡 expresses the idea of something simple or the essence of simplicity in life in Chinese.
This can also refer to a simple slip of bamboo for taking notes or writing a letter (especially in Korean Hanja).
Technically this is a word meaning simplicity and brevity in Japanese but it's rarely used in modern Japanese. Therefore, you should probably only select this character if your audience is Chinese.
See Also: Brevity
Getting to the point quickly with the fewest words possible is the suggestion of this 少說為佳 Chinese proverb.
But taking it more profound, there is a warning that using too many words may act to “tip your hat” or “show your hand” (to use two American idioms).
It can also be said that using many words does not make the message have more value.
This is really about the art of brevity.
My only hope is that I did not use too many words to explain this proverb.
Before enlightenment or after, chores remain.
頓悟之前砍柴挑水; 頓悟之後砍柴挑水 means “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water; After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
This is a Chinese proverb that is attributed to 吴力 (Wú Lì) who lived between 1632 and 1718 - living part of his life as a devout Buddhist, and many years as a Catholic Jesuit Priest in China - what an interesting life!
This has been explained many times in many ways. I am a Buddhist, and here is my brief take on this proverb...
Before enlightenment, one may find daily chores mundane, tedious, and boring. However, upon reaching enlightenment one is not relieved of the details of daily life. An enlightened person will, however, see such chores as a joy, and do them mindfully.
There is another version floating around, which is 在你領悟之前砍柴、運水。在你領悟之後,砍柴、運水。
If you want this other version, just contact me. The meaning is the same, just different phrasing.
現世 is a very short way to write “live in the moment” or “live in the now” in Japanese.
This short word is open to interpretation. It's used in Japanese Buddhism to mean “the current epoch” or “the current age” (the current age is but a brief moment in the greater scope of existence). In that context, this is pronounced “utsushiyo” or “ustusiyo” in Japanese. Otherwise, it's pronounced “gensei” in Japanese.
Other translation possibilities include:
Note: This is also a word in Chinese and old Korean Hanja. While the meaning is more or less the same, this is not recommended for a wall scroll if your audience is Chinese or Korean. This selection is best if your audience is Japanese.
跆拳道精神禮義廉耻忍耐克己百折不屈 is General Choi's writing that is often called “The Tenets of Taekwon-do.”
The actual title would be translated as “Taekwondo Spirit” or “The Spirit of Taekwondo.” It was originally written in Korean Hanja (Chinese characters used in Korea for about 1600 years).
General Choi's original calligraphy is shown to the right. Your custom calligraphy will be unique, and not an exact match, as each calligrapher has their own style.Traditional Korean Hanja | Modern Korean Hangul | Pronunciation | English |
跆拳道精神 | 태권도정신 | tae gweon do jeong sin | Taekwondo Spirit |
禮儀 | 예의 | ye yi | Courtesy / Etiquette / Propriety / Decorum / Formality |
廉耻 | 염치 | yeom ci | Integrity / Sense of Honor |
忍耐 | 인내 | in nae | Patience / Perseverance / Endurance |
克己 | 극기 | geug gi | Self-Control / Self-Denial / Self-Abnegation |
百折不屈 | 백절불굴 | baeg jeor bur gur | Indomitable Spirit (Undaunted even after repeated attacks from the opponent) |
Note that the pronunciation is the official version now used in South Korea. However, it is different than what you may be used to. For instance, “Taekwon-do” is “tae gweon do.” This new romanization is supposed to be closer to actual Korean pronunciation. |
Customize a special Asian guest book for your wedding
Start customizing a “Double Happiness Guest Book Wall Scroll” Here!
The paper panel length can be whatever you choose from 68cm to 135cm (27” to 53”).
If you don't mention what paper length you want in the special instructions tab (on the next page), we'll make it about 100cm (40”).
The medium-size scroll with a 33cm x 100cm (13” x 40”) paper panel can usually handle up to 89 signatures. That breaks down to 37 signatures per empty square and 15 signatures around the 囍 character. If you switch to a 135cm paper panel, add another 37 potential signatures.
We can splice two 135cm papers together, but that would be a crazy-long scroll. These are only estimates, your mileage may vary.
With silk panels, this will yield a wall scroll about 155cm (61”) long. That's enough for up to 89 signatures. Of course, that depends on if your guests just sign a brief salutation and name, or more verbose good wishes. Customer feedback is that 126 people can sign the 135cm long paper on a medium-sized scroll. If we go bigger than that, there will be a minor paper seam and an extra charge. Email me with your specifications if you need something special.
Most customers pick the festive red paper with gold flecks and white or ivory silk. Red is a good luck color in Chinese culture, thus the most popular choice. But, you can do any color combination that you want.
There is a long history of Chinese-character-use outside of mainland China. This Double Happiness character is also seen at weddings in Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as in Chinese communities in Thailand, Indonesia, and elsewhere. While Japan borrowed Chinese characters into their language, you won't see 囍 as often at Japanese weddings.
These search terms might be related to Brief:
Brevity / Concise
Brief and to the Point
Fear Not Long Roads; Fear Only Short Ambition
Life is Short
Preparation Yields No Fear or Worries
Preparation Yields No Regrets
Teach / Instruct
Below are some entries from our dictionary that may match your Brief search...
Characters If shown, 2nd row is Simp. Chinese |
Pronunciation Romanization |
Simple Dictionary Definition |
簡約 简约 see styles |
jiǎn yuē jian3 yue1 chien yüeh kanyaku かんやく |
More info & calligraphy: Brevity / Concise(noun, transitive verb) (1) simplification; abbreviation; abridgment; condensation; (adjectival noun) (2) concise; brief; abridged; abbreviated; condensed |
片 see styles |
piàn pian4 p`ien pien hen へん |
thin piece; flake; a slice; film; TV play; to slice; to carve thin; partial; incomplete; one-sided; classifier for slices, tablets, tract of land, area of water; classifier for CDs, movies, DVDs etc; used with numeral 一[yi1]: classifier for scenario, scene, feeling, atmosphere, sound etc; Kangxi radical 91 (counter) (See 一片・いっぺん・1) counter for scraps, fragments, petals, etc.; (surname) Katayanagi A slice, slip, card; brief, few. |
略 see styles |
lüè lu:e4 lu:e ryaku りゃく |
brief; sketchy; outline; summary; to omit; (bound form before a single-character verb) a bit; somewhat; slightly; plan; strategy; to capture (territory) (n,n-suf) (1) abbreviation; omission; (2) outline; gist; (3) plan; strategy; scheme To mark off, define: abridge, outline, sketch; summarize in general; rather, somewhat. |
短 see styles |
duǎn duan3 tuan mijika みじか |
short; brief; to lack; weak point; fault (pref,suf) short; brief; (personal name) Iyama short |
簽 签 see styles |
qiān qian1 ch`ien chien |
to sign one's name; to write brief comments on a document; inscribed bamboo stick (variant of 籤|签[qian1]); visa |
跬 see styles |
kuǐ kui3 k`uei kuei |
brief; short step |
逗 see styles |
dòu dou4 tou tō |
to tease (playfully); to entice; (coll.) to joke; (coll.) funny; amusing; to stay; to sojourn; brief pause at the end of a phrase (variant of 讀|读[dou4]) Delay, loiter; skulk; beguile. |
一報 see styles |
ippou / ippo いっぽう |
(noun, transitive verb) (1) information; (brief) notice; letting someone know; dropping a line; (2) (See 第一報) first report; initial report |
一興 see styles |
ikkyou / ikkyo いっきょう |
amusement; fun; brief entertainment; (given name) Kazuoki |
一言 see styles |
yī yán yi1 yan2 i yen hitokoto ひとこと |
one sentence; brief remark (noun/participle) single word; a few words; brief comment; (place-name, surname) Hitokoto one word |
主訴 主诉 see styles |
zhǔ sù zhu3 su4 chu su shuso しゅそ |
(medicine) to complain of; a patient's brief account of their illness; (law) main suit; principal claim {med} chief complaint |
交代 see styles |
jiāo dài jiao1 dai4 chiao tai kyōtai こうたい |
to transfer (duties to sb else); to give instructions; to tell (sb to do something); to explain; to give an account; to brief; to confess; to account for oneself; (jocular) to come to a bad end (noun/participle) alternation; change; relief; relay; shift; substitution (sports, etc.); taking turns 交付 To hand over, entrust to. |
便覽 便览 see styles |
biàn lǎn bian4 lan3 pien lan |
brief guide |
冠省 see styles |
kanshou; kansei(ik) / kansho; kanse(ik) かんしょう; かんせい(ik) |
(formal salutation for a brief letter) Forgive me for dispensing with the preliminaries, but I hasten to inform you that... |
前略 see styles |
zenryaku ぜんりゃく |
(expression) (1) (at the beginning of a brief letter) dispensing with the preliminaries ...; (n,vs,vi) (2) (when quoting something) omitting the previous part |
勾勒 see styles |
gōu lè gou1 le4 kou le |
to draw the outline of; to outline; to sketch; to delineate contours of; to give a brief account of |
半句 see styles |
hanku はんく |
brief word |
字條 字条 see styles |
zì tiáo zi4 tiao2 tzu t`iao tzu tiao |
brief note |
寸感 see styles |
sunkan すんかん |
brief impression (of); quick comment (on) |
寸描 see styles |
sunbyou / sunbyo すんびょう |
thumbnail sketch; brief sketch |
寸評 see styles |
sunpyou / sunpyo すんぴょう |
brief review; brief comment |
寸陰 寸阴 see styles |
cùn yīn cun4 yin1 ts`un yin tsun yin sunin すんいん |
a very brief period of time (lit. the time it takes for a shadow to move an inch) (usu. in 寸陰を惜しむ) moment; short time |
小咄 see styles |
kobanashi こばなし |
(1) anecdote; (2) brief (comic) story |
小引 see styles |
shouin / shoin しょういん |
short preface; brief foreword; (place-name, surname) Kobiki |
小感 see styles |
shoukan / shokan しょうかん |
(obsolete) (See 寸感) brief impression (of); quick comment (on) |
小憩 see styles |
xiǎo qì xiao3 qi4 hsiao ch`i hsiao chi shoukei / shoke しょうけい |
to rest for a bit; to take a breather (noun/participle) short break; breather; brief recess; rest |
小結 小结 see styles |
xiǎo jié xiao3 jie2 hsiao chieh koyui こゆい |
summary; short; brief; wrap-up (sumo) wrestler of the fourth highest rank; (place-name) Koyui |
小話 see styles |
shouwa / showa しょうわ kobanashi こばなし |
(1) anecdote; (2) brief (comic) story |
少憩 see styles |
shoukei / shoke しょうけい |
(noun/participle) short break; breather; brief recess; rest |
急促 see styles |
jí cù ji2 cu4 chi ts`u chi tsu |
urgent; hurried and brief; rushing |
The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...
Title | Characters | Romaji (Romanized Japanese) | Various forms of Romanized Chinese | |
Brief and to the Point | 言簡意賅 言简意赅 | yán jiǎn yì gāi yan2 jian3 yi4 gai1 yan jian yi gai yanjianyigai | yen chien i kai yenchienikai |
|
Simplicity | 簡 简 | kan | jiǎn / jian3 / jian | chien |
Brevity: Fewer Words are Best | 少說為佳 少说为佳 | shǎo shuō wéi jiā shao3 shuo1 wei2 jia1 shao shuo wei jia shaoshuoweijia | shao shuo wei chia shaoshuoweichia |
|
Chop Wood, Carry Water | 頓悟之前砍柴挑水頓悟之后砍柴挑水 顿悟之前砍柴挑水顿悟之后砍柴挑水 | dùn wù zhī qián kǎn chái tiāo shuǐ dùn wù zhī hòu kǎn chái tiāo shuǐ dun4 wu4 zhi1 qian2 kan3 chai2 tiao1 shui3 dun4 wu4 zhi1 hou4 kan3 chai2 tiao1 shui3 dun wu zhi qian kan chai tiao shui dun wu zhi hou kan chai tiao shui | tun wu chih ch`ien k`an ch`ai t`iao shui tun wu chih hou k`an ch`ai t`iao shui tun wu chih chien kan chai tiao shui tun wu chih hou kan chai tiao shui |
|
Live In The Moment Live In The Now | 現世 现世 | gen sei / gensei | xiàn shì / xian4 shi4 / xian shi / xianshi | hsien shih / hsienshih |
Taekwondo Tenets Spirit of Taekwon-do | 跆拳道精神禮義廉耻忍耐克己百折不屈 跆拳道精神礼义廉耻忍耐克己百折不屈 | tái quán dào jīng shén lǐ yì lián chǐ rěn nài kè jǐ bǎi zhé bù qū tai2 quan2 dao4 jing1 shen2 li3 yi4 lian2 chi3 ren3 nai4 ke4 ji3 bai3 zhe2 bu4 qu1 tai quan dao jing shen li yi lian chi ren nai ke ji bai zhe bu qu | t`ai ch`üan tao ching shen li i lien ch`ih jen nai k`o chi pai che pu ch`ü tai chüan tao ching shen li i lien chih jen nai ko chi pai che pu chü |
|
Double Happiness Guest Book | 囍 喜喜 | xǐ / xi3 / xi | hsi | |
In some entries above you will see that characters have different versions above and below a line. In these cases, the characters above the line are Traditional Chinese, while the ones below are Simplified Chinese. |
Successful Chinese Character and Japanese Kanji calligraphy searches within the last few hours...
All of our calligraphy wall scrolls are handmade.
When the calligrapher finishes creating your artwork, it is taken to my art mounting workshop in Beijing where a wall scroll is made by hand from a combination of silk, rice paper, and wood.
After we create your wall scroll, it takes at least two weeks for air mail delivery from Beijing to you.
Allow a few weeks for delivery. Rush service speeds it up by a week or two for $10!
When you select your calligraphy, you'll be taken to another page where you can choose various custom options.
The wall scroll that Sandy is holding in this picture is a "large size"
single-character wall scroll.
We also offer custom wall scrolls in small, medium, and an even-larger jumbo size.
Professional calligraphers are getting to be hard to find these days.
Instead of drawing characters by hand, the new generation in China merely type roman letters into their computer keyboards and pick the character that they want from a list that pops up.
There is some fear that true Chinese calligraphy may become a lost art in the coming years. Many art institutes in China are now promoting calligraphy programs in hopes of keeping this unique form
of art alive.
Even with the teachings of a top-ranked calligrapher in China, my calligraphy will never be good enough to sell. I will leave that to the experts.
The same calligrapher who gave me those lessons also attracted a crowd of thousands and a TV crew as he created characters over 6-feet high. He happens to be ranked as one of the top 100 calligraphers in all of China. He is also one of very few that would actually attempt such a feat.
Check out my lists of Japanese Kanji Calligraphy Wall Scrolls and Old Korean Hanja Calligraphy Wall Scrolls.
Some people may refer to this entry as Brief Kanji, Brief Characters, Brief in Mandarin Chinese, Brief Characters, Brief in Chinese Writing, Brief in Japanese Writing, Brief in Asian Writing, Brief Ideograms, Chinese Brief symbols, Brief Hieroglyphics, Brief Glyphs, Brief in Chinese Letters, Brief Hanzi, Brief in Japanese Kanji, Brief Pictograms, Brief in the Chinese Written-Language, or Brief in the Japanese Written-Language.