Four Classic Novels

English

Etymology

Calque from Chinese 四大名著 (Sìdàmíngzhù, literally “Four Big Famous Works”)

Proper noun

Four Classic Novels

1. The four works of Chinese literature most highly regarded in Chinese literary criticism: the Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong, the Water Margin by Shi Nai'an, the Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en, and the Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin.

Usage notes

Not to be confused with the Four Books and Five Classics, two separate lists of ancient Chinese Confucian classics.

Translations

the four works of Chinese literature most highly regarded in Chinese literary criticism

• Chinese:

  Cantonese: 四書五經／四书五经 (sei³ daai⁶ ming⁴ zyu³)

  Mandarin: 四書五經／四书五经 (zh) (Sìshūwǔjīng)

• Vietnamese: Tứ đại danh tác (四大名著)