Chinese Idiom: 乘风破浪 (Cheng Feng Po Lang) English Translation: Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves pīn yīn: chéng fēng pò làng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes ambitious aspirations and the courage to move forward, regardless of obstacles. Historical Source: From Li Bai’s poem Xing Lu Nan (《行路难三首》), specifically the first of three. Idiom Story: […]
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Chinese Idiom: 捕风捉影 (Bu Feng Zhuo Ying) English Translation: Catching the Wind and Grasping Shadows pīn yīn: bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to actions or statements made without solid evidence or basis, often implying that one is creating falsehoods or rumors out of nothing. Historical Source: From the Book of Han
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Chinese Idiom: 海内存知己，天涯若比邻 (Hai Nei Cun Zhi Ji, Tian Ya Ruo Bi Lin) English Translation: A True Friend is a Treasure, Even if Far Apart pīn yīn: hǎi nèi cún zhī jǐ, tiān yá ruò bǐ lín Idiom Meaning: This idiom emphasizes that as long as there is a true friendship, distance cannot diminish the
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Chinese Idiom: 树倒猢狲散 (Shu Dao Hu Sun San) English Translation: When the Tree Falls, the Monkeys Scatter pīn yīn: shù dǎo hú sūn sàn Idiom Meaning: This idiom satirizes how followers of a fallen leader lose their support and scatter when their patron falls from power. Historical Source: Compiled by Pang Yuanying in the Song
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Chinese Idiom: 挥汗成雨 (Hui Han Ru Yu) English Translation: Sweating Like Rain pīn yīn: huī hàn chéng yǔ Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation with a large number of people, using the imagery of sweat pouring down like rain. It can also signify profuse sweating. The term “挥” means to sprinkle or pour. Historical
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Chinese Idiom: 城下之盟 (Cheng Xia Zhi Meng) English Translation: Alliance at the City Gates pīn yīn: chéng xià zhī méng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to a situation where an enemy army besieges a city, forcing the defenders to humiliate themselves by seeking peace. The term “盟” (alliance) historically denotes an oath or agreement made
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Chinese Idiom: 养虎遗患 (Yang Hu Yi Huan) English Translation: Raising a Tiger Creates Future Trouble pīn yīn: yǎng hǔ yí huàn Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the danger of being lenient or accommodating toward bad people or bad deeds, which may lead to greater harm in the future. It emphasizes the consequences of failing
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Chinese Idiom: 适得其反 (Shi De Qi Fan) English Translation: Achieving the Opposite of One’s Intention pīn yīn: shì dé qí fǎn Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where the outcome is contrary to one’s intentions. “适” means to suit or be appropriate, while “其反” refers to the opposite of one’s subjective wishes. Historical Source:
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Chinese Idiom: 按兵不动 (An Bing Bu Dong) English Translation: Holding the Troops Still pīn yīn: àn bīng bù dòng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the act of holding back troops, often used to describe a situation where one adopts a wait-and-see attitude or refrains from taking action due to certain reasons. Historical Source: 吕氏春秋
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Chinese Idiom: 点金成铁 (Dian Jin Cheng Tie) English Translation: Turning Gold into Iron pīn yīn: diǎn jīn chéng tiě Idiom Meaning: It refers to the act of ruining someone else’s excellent writing or artwork. Historical Source: 冯梦龙《古今谭概·苦海部》 (Feng Menglong’s Tales of Ancient and Modern Times: The Bitter Sea) Idiom Story: The idiom originates from the
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