Four Classic Novels

English

Etymology

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

Proper noun

Four Classic Novels

  2. (literature) 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

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