Chinese Idiom: 雷厉风行 (Lei Li Feng Xing) English Translation: Thunderous and Swift Action pīn yīn: léi lì fēng xíng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the strictness and rapidity with which policies and laws are implemented or characterizes a decisive and proactive approach to matters. Historical Source: From Han Yu’s “Letter to the Emperor” (《潮州刺史谢上表》) during […]
Chinese Idiom: 落井下石 (Luo Jing Xia Shi) English Translation: Drop stones while someone is in the well pīn yīn: luò jǐng xià shí Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to taking advantage of someone’s difficulties to harm or exploit them. Historical Source: The idiom originates from Memorial for Liu Zongyuan (《柳子厚墓志铭》) by Han Yu (韩愈) during
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Chinese Idiom: 铸成大错 (Zhu Cheng Da Cuo) English Translation: Forged into a major mistake pīn yīn: zhù chéng dà cuò Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to causing a significant error or mistake. Historical Source: The idiom originates from Zizhi Tongjian (《资治通鉴》), specifically from the Tang Dynasty annals. Idiom Story: During the late Tang Dynasty, a
Chinese Idiom: 虚有其表 (Xu You Qi Biao) English Translation: Has an Attractive Appearance, but Lacks Substance pīn yīn: xū yǒu qí biǎo Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to something that has a good-looking exterior but lacks real value or substance. It describes a situation or person that is impressive in appearance but ineffective or unqualified
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Chinese Idiom: 萍水相逢 (Ping Shui Xiang Feng) English Translation: Meeting by Chance Like Floating Duckweed pīn yīn: píng shuǐ xiāng féng Idiom Meaning: Refers to the chance meeting of unfamiliar people. “萍” (píng) refers to floating duckweed, while “逢” (féng) means to encounter. Historical Source: From Wang Bo’s 《滕王阁序》 (Preface to the Pavilion of Prince
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Chinese Idiom: 请君入瓮 (Qing Jun Ru Weng) English Translation: Please enter the jar pīn yīn: qǐng jūn rù wēng Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the act of using someone’s own methods against them, leading to their self-inflicted suffering. It suggests a sense of poetic justice where individuals are punished by their own
Chinese Idiom: 挺身而出 (Ting Shen Er Chu) English Translation: Stand out and take action pīn yīn: tǐng shēn ér chū Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who volunteers courageously and stands out from the crowd to take on responsibilities, regardless of the risks involved. Historical Source: Old Book of Tang (《旧唐书 ·敬君弘传》). Idiom Story: During
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: 袖手旁观 (Xiu Shou Pang Guan) English Translation: Stand by with hands in one’s sleeves pīn yīn: xiù shǒu páng guān Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically describes a situation where one observes from the sidelines without intervening or participating in a matter, indicating indifference or detachment. Historical Source: Essay on the Memorial for Liu
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Chinese Idiom: 俯首帖耳 (Fu Shou Tie Er) English Translation: Bowing the head and drooping the ears pīn yīn: fǔ shǒu tiē ěr Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a submissive and servile demeanor, indicating a disgraceful attitude of bowing down and obeying. Historical Source: Han Yu’s Letter to Wei She (唐代韩愈《应科目时与人书》) Idiom Story: The idiom “俯首帖耳”
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