Chinese Idiom: 韦编三绝 (Wei Bian San Jue) English Translation: Worn out the leather thongs from repeated study pīn yīn: wéi biān sān jué Idiom Meaning: Describes a person’s diligent and persistent study habits. It implies that one is so dedicated to learning that even the binding of their books wears out from frequent use. Historical […]
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Chinese Idiom: 中饱私囊 (Zhong Bao Si Nang) English Translation: Stuffing one’s own pockets pīn yīn: zhōng bǎo sī náng Idiom Meaning: Refers to individuals who exploit their positions of power to enrich themselves at the expense of their duties. Historical Source: “Han Feizi · Wai Chu Shuo Zuo Xia” (《韩非子 · 外储说左下》) Idiom Story In
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Chinese Idiom: 中流砥柱 (Zhong Liu Di Zhu) English Translation: Pillar in the middle of the river pīn yīn: zhōng liú dǐ zhù Idiom Meaning: Refers to a powerful force or person that plays a crucial supporting role in difficult and turbulent situations. Historical Source: “Yanzi Chunqiu · Neipian Jianxia” (《晏子春秋 · 内篇谏下》) Idiom Story According
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Chinese Idiom: 心腹之患 (Xin Fu Zhi Huan) English Translation: A grave internal threat English Translation: A grave internal threat pīn yīn: xīn fù zhī huàn Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to a serious problem or threat that is hidden within an organization or a situation, especially one that poses a significant risk to its core
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Chinese Idiom: 心驰神往 (Xin Chi Shen Wang) English Translation: Deeply fascinated and yearn for something pīn yīn: xīn chí shén wǎng Idiom Meaning: his idiom describes a state of intense longing or admiration, where one’s heart and mind are irresistibly drawn towards something. Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (《史记·孔子世家》) Idiom Story The idiom
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Chinese Idiom: 日暮途穷 (Ri Mu Tu Qiong) English Translation: The Sun Sets and the Road Ends pīn yīn: rì mù tú qióng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where all efforts have failed and there is no hope left. It conveys a sense of reaching the end of one’s resources or options. Historical Source:
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Chinese Idiom: 专心致志 (Zhuan Xin Zhi Zhi) English Translation: Devoted and Focused pīn yīn: zhuān xīn zhì zhì Idiom Meaning: To concentrate one’s attention and energy on a particular task or subject with dedication and single-mindedness. Historical Source: Mencius (《孟子·告子上》) Idiom Story During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a renowned chess player named
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Chinese Idiom: 小题大做 (Xiao Ti Da Zuo) English Translation: Making a mountain out of a molehill pīn yīn: xiǎo tí dà zuò Idiom Meaning: This idiom means to make a big fuss over a minor issue, treating something trivial as if it were of great importance. Historical Source: “Records of the Grand Historian” (史记·平原君列传) Idiom
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Chinese Idiom: 大公无私 (Da Gong Wu Si) English Translation: Selfless and Impartial pīn yīn: dà gōng wú sī Idiom Meaning: Describes someone who acts with complete fairness and without personal bias, always prioritizing the interests of the public or a cause above personal gain. Historical Source: The Annals of Lü Buwei Idiom Story: During the
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Chinese Idiom: 以貌取人 (Yi Mao Qu Ren) English Translation: Judge a Person Based on Their Appearance pīn yīn: yǐ mào qǔ rén Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to making judgments about someone’s character or capabilities solely based on their outward appearance, rather than their true qualities or actions. Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian
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