Chinese Idiom: 尔诈我虞 (Er Yu Wo Zha) English Translation: You Deceive Me, I Lie to You pīn yīn: lì lì zài mù Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where mutual distrust leads to deceitful behavior on both sides. It reflects a scenario where both parties engage in deception and mistrust each other. Historical Source: […]
Chinese Idiom: 灭此朝食 (Mie Ci Zhao Shi) English Translation: Annihilate This Before Breakfast pīn yīn: miè cǐ zhāo shí Idiom Meaning: This idiom expresses a determination to defeat or eliminate an opponent with urgency, suggesting that one is so focused on the task at hand that they will not even take a break for a
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Chinese Idiom: 叹为观止 (Tan Wei Guan Zhi) English Translation: Sighing with admiration pīn yīn: tàn wéi guān zhǐ Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to express admiration for something that is so perfect or excellent that one feels nothing could surpass it. It denotes reaching a level of excellence that one feels is the ultimate.
Chinese Idiom: 生死存亡 (Sheng Si Cun Wang) English Translation: Life and death, survival and extinction pīn yīn: shēng sǐ cún wáng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation of extreme urgency where outcomes are critical, and it is a matter of life or death, survival or destruction. Historical Source: Zuo Zhuan (《左传》), specifically from the
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Chinese Idiom: 发愤忘食 (Fa Fen Wang Shi) English Translation: Resolve to work hard and forget to eat pīn yīn: fā fèn wàng shí Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is so dedicated and absorbed in their work or study that they forget to eat. It emphasizes extreme diligence and focus. Historical Source: The Analects
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Chinese Idiom: 甘拜下风 (Gan Bai Xia Feng) English Translation: Willingly bow to the lower wind pīn yīn: gān bài xià fēng Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to express sincere admiration or acknowledgment of being inferior to someone else. It signifies a willingness to concede or admit defeat with humility and respect. Historical Source: Zuo
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Chinese Idiom: 白驹过隙 (Bai Ju Guo Xi) English Translation: A white steed passes a crevice pīn yīn: bái jū guò xì Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically describes how swiftly time passes, comparing it to a white horse darting past a narrow gap. “白驹” (bái jū) refers to a white steed and is often used as
Chinese Idiom: 四体不勤，五谷不分 (Si Ti Bu Qin, Wu Gu Bu Fen) English Translation: Four limbs do not labor, five grains are not distinguished pīn yīn: sì tǐ bù qín, wǔ gǔ bù fēn Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is disconnected from manual labor and the common people. It can also refer more broadly
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Chinese Idiom: 去伪存真 (Qu Wei Cun Zhen) English Translation: Remove the false and retain the true pīn yīn: qù wěi cún zhēn Idiom Meaning: To discard what is false or deceptive and keep what is genuine or true. Historical Source: Lüshi Chunqiu (《吕氏春秋》), a philosophical work from the Warring States period. Idiom Story: The story
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Chinese Idiom: 包藏祸心 (Bao Cang Huo Xin) English Translation: Harboring malicious intent pīn yīn: bāo cáng huò xīn Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to someone secretly harboring bad intentions or a harmful plan. “祸心” (huò xīn) literally means “a heart of misfortune” or “malicious intent.” Historical Source: 《左传 · 昭公元年》 Idiom Story: In the late
