Idioms about People

Yi Yan Jiu Ding – Words of Great Weight

Chinese Idiom: 一言九鼎 (Yi Yan Jiu Ding) English Translation: Words of Great Weight pīn yīn: yī yán jiǔ dǐng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone whose words carry significant weight and influence, with every sentence having a major impact. “一言” means a single word in Chinese, while “九鼎” refers to a precious artifact symbolizing great

Yi Yan Jiu Ding – Words of Great Weight Read More »

Yi Mao Bu Ba – Stinginess to the Extreme

Chinese Idiom: 一毛不拔 (Yi Mao Bu Ba) English Translation: Stinginess to the Extreme pīn yīn: yī máo bù bá Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to someone who is extremely stingy or selfish, unwilling to give up even the smallest thing. “毛” refers to hair, emphasizing the minute nature of what is being withheld. Historical Source:

Yi Mao Bu Ba – Stinginess to the Extreme Read More »

Yi Si Bu Gou – Attention to Detail

Chinese Idiom: 一丝不苟 (Yi Si Bu Gou) English Translation: Attention to Detail pīn yīn: yī sī bù gǒu Idiom Meaning: This idiom means to be meticulous and thorough, paying attention to even the smallest details. “丝” (silk thread) refers to something extremely small, and “苟” (careless) means to be negligent or perfunctory. Historical Source: The

Yi Si Bu Gou – Attention to Detail Read More »

Yi Zhi Ban Jie – One-Sided Understanding

Chinese Idiom: 一知半解 (Yi Zhi Ban Jie) English Translation: One-Sided Understanding pīn yīn: yī zhī bàn jiě Idiom Meaning: This idiom means knowing something incompletely or understanding it superficially. “Knowing” (知) means being aware or informed, and “understanding” (解) means comprehending or grasping. “One-sided” (一知) implies having limited knowledge and shallow comprehension. Historical Source: Tang

Yi Zhi Ban Jie – One-Sided Understanding Read More »

Yi Xiang Qing Yuan – One-Sided Willingness

Chinese Idiom: 一厢情愿 (Yi Xiang Qing Yuan) English Translation: One-Sided Willingness pīn yīn: yī xiāng qíng yuàn Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to doing something or thinking about something solely based on one’s own wishes, without considering objective conditions or the wishes of others. “One side” (一厢) means one party or one side, and “willingness”

Yi Xiang Qing Yuan – One-Sided Willingness Read More »

Yi Pu Shi Han – Short Effort, Long Rest

Chinese Idiom: 一曝十寒 (Yi Pu Shi Han) English Translation: Short Effort, Long Rest pīn yīn: yī pù shí hán Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the lack of a consistent plan or persistence in learning or doing things, often stopping and starting irregularly. Historical Source: Mencius, “Gaozi I” Idiom Story: Mencius, also known as Meng Ke,

Yi Pu Shi Han – Short Effort, Long Rest Read More »

Yi Wang Qing Shen – Deep and Unwavering Affection

Chinese Idiom: 一往情深 (Yi Wang Qing Shen) English Translation: Deep and Unwavering Affection pīn yīn: yī wǎng qíng shēn Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes having deep and uncontrollable affection for someone or something. Historical Source: hishuo Xinyu, “Rendang.” Idiom Story: Huan Yi, a renowned general of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, was also known by the

Yi Wang Qing Shen – Deep and Unwavering Affection Read More »

Scroll to Top