画龙点睛

huà lóng diǎn jīng

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

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Definitions

1. to paint a dragon and dot in the eyes (idiom); fig. to add the vital finishing touch
2. the crucial point that brings the subject to life
3. a few words to clinch the point

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 画蛇添足 huà shé tiān zú 画蛇添足 huà shé tiān zú lit. draw legs on a snake (idiom); fig. to ruin the effect by adding sth superfluous 比喻多余的动作，与画龙点睛的完美最后一笔相对: lit. draw legs on a snake (idiom); fig. to ruin the effect by adding sth superfluous
• 锦上添花 jǐn shàng tiān huā 锦上添花 jǐn shàng tiān huā lit. add flowers to brocade (idiom) 比喻好上加好，与画龙点睛的关键润色相近: lit. add flowers to brocade (idiom)

Usage notes

Collocations

常与“起到……的作用”或“是……之笔”连用，如“这段话起到了画龙点睛的作用”。

Example Sentences

1 shown

最后那句话是 画龙点睛 之笔。

That final sentence was the finishing touch that brought it all to life.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 画龙点睛

• 点 点 diǎn: point
• 龙 龙 lóng: dragon
• 睛 睛 jīng: eye; eyeball
• 画 画 huà: to draw