Chinese Idiom: 聊胜于无 (Liao Sheng Yu Wu) English Translation: Slightly better than nothing pīn yīn: liáo shèng yú wú Idiom Meaning: Indicates that having something is slightly better than having nothing at all. Historical Source: From Tao Yuanming’s poem 和刘柴桑 (Responding to Liu Chaisang) during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Idiom Story: This poem was composed […]
Chinese Idiom: 晨钟暮鼓 (Chen Zhong Mu Gu) English Translation: Morning bell and evening drum pīn yīn: chén zhōng mù gǔ Idiom Meaning: Originally refers to the solitary life of monks and nuns; it also symbolizes words or teachings that awaken reflection and insight. Historical Source: From Du Fu’s poem 游龙门奉先寺 (Visiting the Fengxian Temple at
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Chinese Idiom: 剪烛西窗 (Jian Zhu Xi Chuang) English Translation: Cutting the candle at the western window pīn yīn: jiǎn zhú xī chuāng Idiom Meaning: Originally referring to the longing for a distant spouse and wishing for a reunion; it now broadly signifies intimate conversations among friends and family. Historical Source: From Li Shangyin’s poem 夜雨寄北
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Chinese Idiom: 惊天动地 (Jing Tian Dong Di) English Translation: Shocking the heavens and moving the earth pīn yīn: jīng tiān dòng dì Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a voice or reputation that is resoundingly loud and impactful, often used to characterize great undertakings or achievements. Historical Source: From Bai Juyi’s poem 李白墓 (Tomb of Li
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Chinese Idiom: 盘根错节 (Pan Gen Cuo Jie) English Translation: Roots and branches intertwined and crossed. pīn yīn: pán gēn cuò jié Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the complex and entangled nature of situations or issues, indicating that they are difficult to manage. It can also suggest that certain influences or powers are deeply rooted
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Chinese Idiom: 顽石点头 (Wan Shi Dian Tou) English Translation: Stubborn stones nodding pīn yīn: wán shí diǎn tóu Idiom Meaning: This idiom signifies that if something is reasoned well, even the most unyielding entities (like stone) can be moved. It is often used to describe explanations that are vivid and compelling. Historical Source: From the
Chinese Idiom: 家书抵万金 (Jia Shu Di Wan Jin) English Translation: A family letter is worth ten thousand gold pīn yīn: jiā shū dǐ wàn jīn Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically highlights the preciousness of family letters, emphasizing that receiving news from home during difficult times is incredibly valuable, as if it were worth a fortune.
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Chinese Idiom: 秦镜高悬 (Qin Jing Gao Xuan) English Translation: The Qin mirror hangs high pīn yīn: qín jìng gāo xuán Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the ability to discern right from wrong and to administer justice impartially. It is also known as “明镜高悬” (ming jing gao xuan). Historical Source: Xi Jing Za Ji (《西京杂记》)
Chinese Idiom: 倾盆大雨 (Qing Pen Da Yu) English Translation: Pouring rain pīn yīn: qīng pén dà yǔ Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a very heavy downpour of rain, evoking an image of rain pouring down as if from a bucket. Historical Source: Du Fu’s Poem “White Emperor” (唐代杜甫《白帝》诗) Idiom Story: The Yangtze River, known as
Chinese Idiom: 谈何容易 (Tan He Rong Yi) English Translation: Easier said than done. pīn yīn: tán hé róng yì Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes how something is often much harder to accomplish than it is to talk about. Historical Source: Book of Han (Han Shu), Biography of Dongfang Shuo Idiom Story: Dongfang Shuo, a well-known
