Chinese Idiom: 出奇制胜 (Chu Qi Zhi Cheng) English Translation: Win through unconventional means pīn yīn: chū qí zhì shèng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to achieving success or victory by employing methods or strategies that are unexpected or unconventional, surprising the opponent and catching them off guard. Historical Source: “The Art of War” (《孙子兵法》), specifically […]
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Chinese Idiom: 出其不意 (Chu Qi Bu Yi) English Translation: Strike when the opponent least expects pīn yīn: chū qí bù yì Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to executing an action or attack in a manner that is unexpected to the opponent, catching them off guard. Originally used in military contexts, it now broadly signifies doing
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Chinese Idiom: 生灵涂炭 (Sheng Ling Tu Tan) English Translation: Living beings in mud and fire pīn yīn: shēng líng tú tàn Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the extreme suffering and dire situation of the common people under oppressive rule. “生灵” (shēng líng) refers to the people or living beings, while “涂炭” (tú tàn) denotes extreme
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Chinese Idiom: 生吞活剥 (Sheng Tun Huo Bo) English Translation: Swallow raw and strip alive pīn yīn: shēng tūn huó bō Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the act of using others’ words or ideas without proper adaptation or understanding, essentially lifting content in a crude and unoriginal manner. It can also refer to
Chinese Idiom: 生死存亡 (Sheng Si Cun Wang) English Translation: Life and death, survival and extinction pīn yīn: shēng sǐ cún wáng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation of extreme urgency where outcomes are critical, and it is a matter of life or death, survival or destruction. Historical Source: Zuo Zhuan (《左传》), specifically from the
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Chinese Idiom: 归马放牛 (Gui Niu Fang Ma) English Translation: Return horses to the mountains pīn yīn: guī mǎ fàng niú Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to signify that a period of war has ended and peace has been restored. Historical Source: Book of Documents (《尚书·武成》). Idiom Story: After the defeat of King Zhou of
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Chinese Idiom: 石破天惊 (Shi Po Tian Jing) English Translation: Stone shatters the sky, causing a shock pīn yīn: shí pò tiān jīng Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe something that is unexpectedly extraordinary and shocking, often in the context of a remarkable idea, piece of writing, or event that has a powerful impact.
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Chinese Idiom: 白驹过隙 (Bai Ju Guo Xi) English Translation: A white steed passes a crevice pīn yīn: bái jū guò xì Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically describes how swiftly time passes, comparing it to a white horse darting past a narrow gap. “白驹” (bái jū) refers to a white steed and is often used as
Chinese Idiom: 对酒当歌 (Dui Jiu Dang Ge) English Translation: Facing wine, sing a song pīn yīn: duì jiǔ dāng gē Idiom Meaning: Originally, this idiom referred to enjoying wine and singing during a banquet. It later came to symbolize indulgence in pleasure and revelry. “当” can mean “facing” or “should.” Historical Source: Short Song Style
Chinese Idiom: 四分五裂 (Si Fen Wu Lie) English Translation: Four divisions and five splits pīn yīn: sì fēn wǔ liè Idiom Meaning: To be thoroughly fragmented and disordered, with no coherence or unity. Historical Source: Strategies of the Warring States: Wei Strategy One (《战国策·魏策一》). Idiom Story: During the Warring States period, the state of Qin
