Chinese Idiom: 如火如荼 (Ru Huo Ru Tu) English Translation: As fierce as fire and as intense as grass pīn yīn: rú huǒ rú tú Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a scene or atmosphere that is extremely vigorous, intense, and heated, often used to depict energetic and lively situations or events. Historical Source: 《国语·吴语》 (Records of […]
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Chinese Idiom: 岌岌可危 (Ji Ji Ke Wei) English Translation: In imminent danger pīn yīn: jí jí kě wēi Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation that is extremely precarious or dangerous, where the possibility of disaster or failure is very high. Historical Source: 《孟子·万章上》 (Mencius, Book of Wan Zhang), a classic text of Confucianism written
Chinese Idiom: 师出无名 (Shi Chu Wu Ming) English Translation: Army marches without a proper name pīn yīn: shī chū wú míng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the situation where a military campaign or action is conducted without a legitimate reason or just cause. It can also be used more generally to describe actions taken
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Chinese Idiom: 厉兵秣马 (Li Bing Mo Ma) English Translation: Sharpen weapons and feed horses pīn yīn: lì bīng mò mǎ Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the act of making thorough preparations, especially for a battle or major endeavor. It can also be used more broadly to signify careful and diligent preparation for any task. Historical
Chinese Idiom: 未雨绸缪 (Wei Yu Chou Mo) English Translation: Repair the house before it rains pīn yīn: wèi yǔ chóu móu Idiom Meaning: This idiom means to make preparations in advance before trouble or difficulties arise. It emphasizes the importance of being proactive and prepared for potential problems. Historical Source: 《诗经 · 豳风 · 鸱鸮》
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Chinese Idiom: 对症下药 (Dui Zheng Xia Yao) English Translation: Administer the right medicine for the illness pīn yīn: duì zhèng xià yào Idiom Meaning: This idiom means to address a problem or situation with a suitable and appropriate solution. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring responses to specific conditions or issues, rather than applying a
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Chinese Idiom: 打草惊蛇 (Da Cao Jing She) English Translation: Scare the Snake by Beating the Grass pīn yīn: dǎ cǎo jīng shé Idiom Meaning: This idiom means that a careless action or slip-up has inadvertently alerted someone to a situation, causing them to be cautious or take precautions. It implies that an action has caused
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Chinese Idiom: 尔诈我虞 (Er Yu Wo Zha) English Translation: You Deceive Me, I Lie to You pīn yīn: lì lì zài mù Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where mutual distrust leads to deceitful behavior on both sides. It reflects a scenario where both parties engage in deception and mistrust each other. Historical Source:
Chinese Idiom: 民为邦本 (Min Wei Bang Ben) English Translation: Min Wei Bang Ben – The People Are the Foundation of the State pīn yīn: mín wéi bāng běn Idiom Meaning: This idiom emphasizes that the well-being of a country depends fundamentally on its people. It underscores the importance of caring for and valuing the populace
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Chinese Idiom: 灭此朝食 (Mie Ci Zhao Shi) English Translation: Annihilate This Before Breakfast pīn yīn: miè cǐ zhāo shí Idiom Meaning: This idiom expresses a determination to defeat or eliminate an opponent with urgency, suggesting that one is so focused on the task at hand that they will not even take a break for a
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