Chinese Idioms from Stories

Min Wei Bang Ben – The People Are the Foundation of the State

Chinese Idiom: 民为邦本 (Min Wei Bang Ben) English Translation: Min Wei Bang Ben – The People Are the Foundation of the State pīn yīn: mín wéi bāng běn Idiom Meaning: This idiom emphasizes that the well-being of a country depends fundamentally on its people. It underscores the importance of caring for and valuing the populace […]

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Sheng Hua Miao Bi – A pen that produces flowers

Chinese Idiom: 生花妙笔 (Sheng Hua Miao Bi) English Translation: A pen that produces flowers pīn yīn: shēng huā miào bǐ Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to exceptional writing talent, suggesting that one’s writing is so skillful that it seems to produce beautiful and elegant expressions effortlessly, much like how a brush might create blooming flowers.

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Qiao Qu Hao Duo – Cunningly obtain and forcefully seize

Chinese Idiom: 巧取豪夺 (Qiao Qu Hao Duo) English Translation: Cunningly obtain and forcefully seize pīn yīn: qiǎo qǔ háo duó Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to obtaining property, power, or other benefits through coercion or deception. “巧取” (qiǎo qǔ) means to obtain something through trickery or deceit, while “豪夺” (háo duó) means to seize something

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Shi Fu Yi Lin – Losing an axe and suspecting the neighbor

Chinese Idiom: 失斧疑邻 (Shi Fu Yi Lin) English Translation: Losing an axe and suspecting the neighbor pīn yīn: shī fǔ yí lín Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the act of jumping to conclusions and suspecting others without proper investigation, often leading to unjust accusations. Historical Source: Liezi (《列子 ·说符》) Idiom Story: The

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Shao Jian Duo Guai – Little experience, much surprise

Chinese Idiom: 少见多怪 (Shao Jian Duo Guai) English Translation: Little experience, much surprise pīn yīn: shǎo jiàn duō guài Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to mock people who have limited knowledge or experience and, as a result, are easily surprised by ordinary things. It describes someone who overreacts to common occurrences simply because they

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Jian Guai Bu Guai – See something strange and not be surprised

Chinese Idiom: 见怪不怪 (Jian Guai Bu Guai) English Translation: See something strange and not be surprised pīn yīn: jiàn guài bù guài Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where someone encounters something unusual or strange and remains unfazed or indifferent. It signifies a level of familiarity or resignation to oddities, implying that one has

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Tian Yi Wu Fen – Heavenly Clothes Without Seams

Chinese Idiom: 天衣无缝 (Tian Yi Wu Fen) English Translation: Heavenly Clothes Without Seams pīn yīn: tiān yī wú fèng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes something that is flawless, with no visible flaws or imperfections. It can also refer to a piece of writing that is exquisitely crafted with no visible signs of editing or roughness.

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Tian Zhu Di Mie – Condemned by Heaven and Earth

Chinese Idiom: 天诛地灭 (Tian Zhu Di Mie) English Translation: Condemned by Heaven and Earth pīn yīn: tiān zhū dì miè Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is so evil and malevolent that they deserve to be punished by both heaven and earth. Historical Source: Casual Notes from Kan Shan Pavilion (看山阁闲笔)

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