Chinese Idiom: 得过且过 (De Guo Qie Guo) English Translation: Get by as it goes pīn yīn: dé guò qiě guò Idiom Meaning: Refers to a careless and irresponsible attitude towards work, implying one is just getting by without effort or concern. Historical Source: From “The Record of Southern Village Farmers” (《南村辍耕录·寒号虫》). Idiom Story: There is […]
Chinese Idiom: 梅开二度 (Mei Kai Er Du) English Translation: The plum blossoms bloom a second time pīn yīn: méi kāi èr dù Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the renewal of a relationship, especially among couples who have reconciled after a separation. It can also symbolize a person who rises again after experiencing misfortune or
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Chinese Idiom: 掩耳盗铃 (Yan Er Dao Ling) English Translation: Covering one’s ears while stealing a bell pīn yīn: yǎn ěr dào líng Idiom Meaning: Refers to the act of being self-deceptive and thinking one can deceive others, when in reality, one is only fooling oneself. Historical Source: Lüshi Chunqiu (吕氏春秋) – “Self-Knowledge,” also mentioned in
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Chinese Idiom: 黄粱一梦 (Huang Liang Yi Meng) English Translation: A dream of yellow millet pīn yīn: huáng liáng yī mèng Idiom Meaning: This idiom symbolizes the ephemeral nature of wealth and honor, likening them to dreams that are ultimately illusory. It conveys the idea that worldly pursuits can be transient and insubstantial. Historical Source: From
Chinese Idiom: 害群之马 (Hai Qun Zhi Ma) English Translation: A horse that harms the herd pīn yīn: hài qún zhī mǎ Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to individuals who pose a danger to the collective, similar to a horse that endangers the safety of the herd. It highlights the idea that one person’s harmful actions
Chinese Idiom: 顽石点头 (Wan Shi Dian Tou) English Translation: Stubborn stones nodding pīn yīn: wán shí diǎn tóu Idiom Meaning: This idiom signifies that if something is reasoned well, even the most unyielding entities (like stone) can be moved. It is often used to describe explanations that are vivid and compelling. Historical Source: From the
Chinese Idiom: 秦镜高悬 (Qin Jing Gao Xuan) English Translation: The Qin mirror hangs high pīn yīn: qín jìng gāo xuán Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the ability to discern right from wrong and to administer justice impartially. It is also known as “明镜高悬” (ming jing gao xuan). Historical Source: Xi Jing Za Ji (《西京杂记》)
Chinese Idiom: 狼狈为奸 (Lang Bei Wei Jian) English Translation: Colluding like a wolf and a jackal pīn yīn: láng bèi wéi jiān Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the act of colluding or conspiring with others to engage in dishonest or harmful activities. “狼狈” (láng bèi) refers to a state of being in a difficult or
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Chinese Idiom: 恶贯满盈 (E Guan Man Ying) English Translation: Evil deeds strung together until the rope is full pīn yīn: è guàn mǎn yíng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to someone whose wickedness and crimes are so numerous that they have filled up the rope like beads on a string. It implies that the person
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Chinese Idiom: 高山流水 (Gao Shan Liu Shui) English Translation: Lofty mountains and flowing water pīn yīn: gāo shān liú shuǐ Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to a deep bond between kindred spirits or close friends (知己, zhī jǐ) who truly understand each other, often referred to as “知音” (zhī yīn). It can also be used
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