山
海Shanhai StoryChinese stories for learners
Saved words
Menu
Stories/Chinese folklore/Adding the Eyes to the Dragon
HSK 2 Chinese reading practice

画龙点睛

huà lóng diǎn jīng

Adding the Eyes to the Dragon

A painter leaves four dragons without eyes—and proves that one final detail can bring an entire work to life.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 2
READ3 min
HANZI157
Reading tools
Text size
文化
CULTURE

The finishing touch that changes everything

画龙点睛 literally means “to paint a dragon and dot in its eyes.” The story is traditionally associated with the painter Zhang Sengyou. Today the idiom describes adding one crucial final detail that makes a work complete or especially vivid.

Key vocabulary7 words from this story
Open vocabulary →
阅读理解 · COMPREHENSION

Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01张僧繇在墙上画了几条龙？
02四条龙开始都没有什么？
03画上眼睛以后，几条龙飞走了？
0 / 3questions answered
阅读练习完成

You finished the story.

Keep reading at the same level to build speed and confidence.

Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 画龙点睛

What does 画龙点睛 mean in English?

画龙点睛 (huà lóng diǎn jīng) literally means “paint the pupils onto a dragon.” It describes adding the crucial finishing touch that brings the whole work to life.

When is 画龙点睛 used?

Use 画龙点睛 for one small but decisive detail that completes or strengthens something. For example: The final sentence gave the speech its power and served as 画龙点睛.

What is the pinyin for 画龙点睛?

The pinyin pronunciation for 画龙点睛 is “huà lóng diǎn jīng.”