tí醍clarified butterhú醐to pourguàn灌to pourdǐng顶crown of head
To enlighten someone; to awaken someone to the truth.
Literal meaning
clarified butter (醍) — to pour (醐) — to pour (灌) — crown of head (顶)
Origin
Originally a Buddhist term referring to the best of all flavors, used metaphorically to describe sudden enlightenment. A classical four-character phrase.
Examples
tīng听le了tā他de的jiě解shì释，wǒ我dùn顿shí时yǒu有tí醍hú醐guàn灌dǐng顶de的gǎn感jué觉。
After listening to his explanation, I suddenly felt enlightened.
lǎo老shī师de的yī一xí席huà话，ràng让wǒ我tí醍hú醐guàn灌dǐng顶，míng明bái白le了rén人shēng生de的yì意yì义。
The teacher's words enlightened me and made me understand the meaning of life.
Usage & nuances
Describes a moment of sudden and profound understanding.
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