Chinese Idiom: 交口称誉 (Jiao Kou Cheng Yu) English Translation: Everyone speaks highly of pīn yīn: jiāo kǒu chēng yù Idiom Meaning: This idiom means that everyone praises or speaks highly of someone, indicating widespread and unanimous admiration. Historical Source: 《柳子厚墓志铭》 (Epitaph for Liu Zihou), written by the Tang Dynasty scholar Han Yu. Idiom Story: Liu […]
Chinese Idiom: 业精于勤 (Ye Jing Yu Qin) English Translation: Expertise comes from diligence pīn yīn: yè jīng yú qín Idiom Meaning: This idiom indicates that proficiency in a field is achieved through diligent effort. Historical Source: 韩愈《进学解》 (Han Yu’s “On the Advancement of Learning”). Idiom Story: Han Yu, a prominent scholar and official during the
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: 目不识丁 (Mu Bu Shi Ding) English Translation: Unable to recognize the character ‘Ding’ pīn yīn: mù bù shí dīng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is completely illiterate, unable to recognize even a single character or word. Historical Source: “Old Book of Tang” (《旧唐书》), specifically from the biography of Zhang Hongjing (张弘靖).
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Chinese Idiom: 叱咤风云 (Chi Zha Feng Yun) English Translation: Commanding the winds and clouds with shouts pīn yīn: chì zhà fēng yún Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a person or action that has a powerful influence over a situation, commanding great respect and authority. Historical Source: Luo Binwang’s (骆宾王) “Memorial for Xu Jingye” (《为徐敬业讨武瞾檄》), written
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Chinese Idiom: 火树银花 (Huo Shu Yin Hua) English Translation: Fire trees and silver flowers pīn yīn: huǒ shù yín huā Idiom Meaning: Describes the dazzling and splendid lights of fireworks and decorations during festive nights, particularly on special occasions like festivals. Historical Source: Tang Dynasty poet Su Weidao’s poem “The Night of the Fifteenth Day
Chinese Idiom: 手足之情 (Shou Zu Zhi Qing) English Translation: Deep Bond Between Siblings pīn yīn: shǒu zú zhī qíng Idiom Meaning: Describe the deep, affectionate bond between siblings, likening it to the closeness and support of hands and feet. It conveys the idea of a close, supportive relationship akin to that of brothers and sisters.
Chinese Idiom: 双管齐下 (Shuang Guan Qi Xia) English Translation: Using both brushes simultaneously pīn yīn: shuāng guǎn qí xià Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the simultaneous and effective handling of two tasks or approaches. Historical Source: Tang Dynasty Minghua Lu (《唐朝名画录》) by Zhu Jingxuan. Idiom Story The idiom “双管齐下” comes from the unique painting
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Chinese Idiom: 飞鸟惊蛇 (Fei Niao Jing She) English Translation: Birds flying, snakes startled pīn yīn: fēi niǎo jīng shé Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes calligraphy that is so graceful and dynamic that it resembles birds soaring and snakes being startled. The strokes of the characters are light and agile like flying birds, yet strong and
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Chinese Idiom: 口蜜腹剑 (Kou Mi Fu Jian) English Translation: Sweet words but a malicious heart pīn yīn: kǒu mì fù jiàn Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who says pleasant things but harbors malicious intentions. “口蜜” (kǒu mì) means “honey in the mouth,” indicating sweet and flattering speech, while “腹剑” (fù jiàn) means “a sword
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