Chinese Idiom: 患难相共 (Huan Nan Xiang Gong) English Translation: Share hardships together pīn yīn: huàn nàn xiāng gòng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the idea of sharing difficulties and misfortunes together, highlighting solidarity in times of trouble. Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (史记) – “The House of King Goujian of Yue.” Idiom […]
Chinese Idiom: 趾高气扬 (Zhi Gao Qi Yang) English Translation: Walking with one’s head held high pīn yīn: zhǐ gāo qì yáng Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is arrogant and conceited, forgetting their true position due to their achievements. 趾高 (zhǐ gāo) means to walk with high steps, full of confidence;
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Chinese Idiom: 铤而走险 (Ting Er Zou Xian) English Translation: Take risks in a desperate situation pīn yīn: tíng ér zǒu xiǎn Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes taking a risky action when there are no options left or when one has no other choice. 铤 (tǐng) means to walk quickly; 走险 means to rush into danger.
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Chinese Idiom: 离群索居 (Li Qun Suo Ju) English Translation: Living in solitude away from the group pīn yīn: lí qún suǒ jū Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the act of leaving a community and living alone, often implying a sense of loneliness. Historical Source: The Book of Rites (《礼记 ·檀弓上》). Idiom Story: During the late
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Chinese Idiom: 起死回生 (Qi Si Hui Sheng) English Translation: Bring the dead back to life pīn yīn: qǐ sǐ huí shēng Idiom Meaning: This idiom is often used to metaphorically refer to exceptional medical skills that can save patients on the brink of death. Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (《史记 ·扁鹊仓公列传》). Idiom Story:
Chinese Idiom: 倒行逆施 (Dao Xing Ni Shi) English Translation: Acting in reverse and doing things contrary to reason pīn yīn: dào xíng nì shī Idiom Meaning: Originally referring to actions that violate common sense, it now often describes outrageous behaviors or wrongdoings, including subversive acts. Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of Wu
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Chinese Idiom: 唇亡齿寒 (Chun Wang Chi Han) English Translation: When the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold pīn yīn: chún wáng chǐ hán Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically describes the close interdependence between two parties, often used to illustrate the relationship between countries or factions. It conveys the idea that if one party is
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Chinese Idiom: 病入膏育 (Bing Ru Gao Huang) English Translation: Illness has entered the vital organs pīn yīn: bìng rù gāo huāng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to a disease that has progressed to a point where it cannot be treated, or it can be used metaphorically to describe a situation that has developed to an
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Chinese Idiom: 捉襟见肘 (Zhuo Jin Jian Zhou) English Translation: Pulling the lapels exposes the elbows pīn yīn: zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu Idiom Meaning: Originally, this idiom described someone whose clothes are so tattered that pulling on their lapels would expose their elbows due to the holes in their sleeves. It now figuratively refers to a
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Chinese Idiom: 宾至如归 (Bin Zhi Ru Gui) English Translation: Guests Feel at Home pīn yīn: bīn zhì rú guī Idiom Meaning: Describes sincere, warm, and thoughtful hospitality that makes guests feel at home. Historical Source: This idiom comes from Zuo Zhuan (《左传》), specifically from the 31st year of Duke Xiang of Lu. Idiom Story: In
