山高水长

shān-gāo-shuǐ-cháng

literal meaning: mountains are tall, waters are long
translated: one's reputation travels far beyond them

This idiom is used to compare the persistence of a person's reputation to the endurance of natural landmarks, and suggests that a person's "greatness" persists long after they are gone, like a legacy. Just as it is widely known that mountains are tall and rivers are long, a person's deeds and character will forever be associated with their name.

This idiom is used to compare the persistence of a person's reputation to the endurance of natural landmarks, and suggests that a person's "greatness" persists long after they are gone, like a legacy. Just as it is widely known that mountains are tall and rivers are long, a person's deeds and character will forever be associated with their name.

山

shān

mountain

高

gāo

tall, high

水

shuǐ

water, river

长

cháng

long

Examples

毛不易 - 消愁

Mao Buyi - Xiao Chou

虽然从不相信所谓山高水长

Suīrán cóng bù xiāngxìn suǒwèi shāngāo-shuǐcháng

Although I never believed in a so-called "everlasting legacy"

In this song, the singer expresses doubt that people can have an influence which outlasts them, instead believing that once gone, people will quickly be forgotten.