桃とう李り

noun

peach and plum

Literal meaning: peach and plum trees or their fruit. Often used in literary or poetic contexts.

• 庭にわに桃とう李りが植うえてある。

  Peach and plum trees are planted in the garden.

noun

person of one's recommendation; protégé

Metaphorical use derived from the Chinese proverb 桃李もの言わざれども下自ら蹊を成す (peach and plum trees do not speak, yet a path forms beneath them), referring to a person of virtue who naturally attracts followers or a recommended person. Rare and literary.

See also: 桃李もの言わざれども下自ら蹊を成す

• 彼かれは師しの桃とう李りとして知しられている。

  He is known as his teacher's protégé.

• 「桃とう李りもの言いわざれども下した自みずから蹊けいを成なす」ということわざがある。

  There is a proverb: 'Peach and plum trees do not speak, yet a path forms beneath them.'