Chinese Idiom: 长驱直入 (Chang Qu Zhi Ru) English Translation: Drive Straight Ahead pīn yīn: cháng qū zhí rù Idiom Meaning: This idiom depicts an unstoppable advance or swift progress, often used to convey a successful and smooth campaign or action. Historical Source: Han Dynasty – Cao Cao’s Command to Xu Huang (汉末曹操《劳徐晃令》). Idiom Story In […]
Chinese Idiom: 大声疾呼 (Da Sheng Ji Hu) English Translation: Loudly Cry Out pīn yīn: dà shēng jí hū Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes urgently and loudly shouting to draw people’s attention. Historical Source: Han Yu’s Second Letter to the Prime Minister Nineteen Days Later from the Tang Dynasty. Idiom Story: In the eighth year of
Chinese Idiom: 三人行，必有我师 (San Ren Xing, Bi You Wo Shi) English Translation: Among Three People, There Must Be My Teacher pīn yīn: sān rén xíng, bì yǒu wǒ shī Idiom Meaning: The original meaning suggests that among a group of people walking together, there is always someone from whom one can learn. It later came
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Chinese Idiom: 三人成虎 (San Ren Cheng Hu) English Translation: Three Men Make a Tiger pīn yīn: sān rén chéng hǔ Idiom Meaning: This idiom illustrates that if a false rumor is repeated often enough, it can be believed as true. Historical Source: Strategies of the Warring States (战国策), specifically the strategies of the state of
Chinese Idiom: 三令五申 (San Ling Wu Shen) English Translation: Repeated Admonitions pīn yīn: sān lìng wǔ shēn Idiom Meaning: To repeatedly warn or admonish. The numbers “three” and “five” are not to be taken literally but indicate multiple times; “申” means to express or explain. Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (史记) by Sima
Chinese Idiom: 十年树木 (Shi Nian Shu Mu) English Translation: Ten Years to Grow a Tree pīn yīn: shí nián shù mù Idiom Meaning: This idiom highlights that nurturing talent takes a long time, much like how it takes ten years to grow a tree that can eventually provide benefits. It signifies that cultivating talent is
Chinese Idiom: 十步芳草 (Shi Bu Fang Cao) English Translation: Ten Steps of Fragrant Grass pīn yīn: shí bù fāng cǎo Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically describes a situation where talented individuals and virtuous people are present everywhere, all the time. Historical Source: Sayings of the Forest (说苑·谈丛) and also mentioned in Qianfu Lun (潜夫论·实质). Idiom
Chinese Idiom: 九死一生 (Jiu Si Yi Sheng) English Translation: Nine Lives pīn yīn: jiǔ sǐ yī shēng Idiom Meaning: Refers to using an opponent’s arguments to criticize or refute them. “操” (cāo) means “to wield” and “戈” (gē) means “a spear” or “weapon.” Historical Source: Li Sao (离骚) by Qu Yuan, Warring States period Idiom
Chinese Idiom: 人言可畏 (Ren Yan Ke Wei) English Translation: Words of Others Are to Be Feared pīn yīn: rén yán kě wèi Idiom Meaning: Refers to the pressure and anxiety caused by irresponsible gossip and idle chatter. Historical Source: The Book of Songs (Shījīng) – “Ode to the Master of the House” (《郑风·将仲子》). Idiom Story:
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Chinese Idiom: 人给家足 (Ren Ji Jia Zu) English Translation: People Enjoy Abundance at Home pīn yīn: rén jǐ jiā zú Idiom Meaning: Everyone is well-fed and warm, and every family is prosperous and comfortable. “给” and “足” imply affluence and abundance. Historical Source: “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shǐjì) – “The Preface by the Grand
