寓言

寓言 (yùyán) refers to a short story, typically with animals or inanimate objects as characters, that conveys a moral lesson. Unlike a simple story, a fable often uses allegory and symbolism to teach a deeper truth or ethical principle.

The character 寓 (yù) means 'to dwell' or 'to express indirectly,' while 言 (yán) means 'words' or 'speech.' Together, they suggest a story that 'expresses a hidden meaning,' making it a vehicle for moral instruction.

寓言 is widely used in Chinese literature and education, especially in teaching children about virtues like honesty, kindness, and perseverance. Famous examples include stories from the classic texts of Zhuangzi and Han Feizi, which use fables to illustrate philosophical ideas.