Chinese Idiom: 急如星火 (Ji Ru Xing Huo) English Translation: As Urgent as Shooting Stars pīn yīn: jí rú xīng huǒ Idiom Meaning: This idiom compares an urgent situation to the fleeting nature of a shooting star, symbolizing a pressing need for swift action. Historical Source: 《陈情表》 by Li Mi, Western Jin Dynasty Idiom Story: In […]
Chinese Idiom: 闻鸡起舞 (Wen Ji Qi Wu) English Translation: Rise to Dance Upon Hearing the Rooster pīn yīn: wén jī qǐ wǔ Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically refers to people with the ambition to serve their country who are persistent and take action. It suggests that they respond swiftly to opportunities or challenges. Historical Source:
Wen Ji Qi Wu – Rise to Dance Upon Hearing the Rooster Read More »
Chinese Idiom: 草木皆兵 (Cao Mu Jie Bing) English Translation: Every tree and bush is an enemy soldier pīn yīn: cǎo mù jiē bīng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a state of extreme fear and anxiety, where a person perceives threats everywhere and becomes overly jumpy and paranoid. Historical Source: “晋书” (Book of Jin), specifically in
Cao Mu Jie Bing – Every tree and bush is an enemy soldier Read More »
Chinese Idiom: 杯弓蛇影 (Bei Gong She Ying) English Translation: A Bow’s Shadow Resembles a Snake pīn yīn: bēi gōng shé yǐng Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is overly suspicious or fearful, mistaking the false for the true, and causing unnecessary alarm or distress. Historical Source: The Book of
Bei Gong She Ying – A Bow’s Shadow Resembles a Snake Read More »
Chinese Idiom: 迎刃而解 (Yin Ren Er Jie) English Translation: Resolve issues as smoothly as a knife cutting through bamboo pīn yīn: yíng rèn ér jiě Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where problems are solved easily and efficiently. Historical Source: “Book of Jin” (《晋书》), specifically in the biography of Du Yu (杜预). Idiom Story:
Yin Ren Er Jie – Resolve issues as smoothly as a knife cutting through bamboo Read More »
Chinese Idiom: 百感交集 (Bai Gan Jiao Ji) English Translation: A hundred feelings mingle together pīn yīn: bǎi gǎn jiāo jí Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a state where numerous emotions and thoughts are intertwined, reflecting a complex and deeply felt sentiment. Historical Source: 《世说新语·言语》 (Shishuo Xinyu · Words and Phrases). Idiom Story: During the reign
Bai Gan Jiao Ji – A hundred feelings mingle together Read More »
Chinese Idiom: 生灵涂炭 (Sheng Ling Tu Tan) English Translation: Living beings in mud and fire pīn yīn: shēng líng tú tàn Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes the extreme suffering and dire situation of the common people under oppressive rule. “生灵” (shēng líng) refers to the people or living beings, while “涂炭” (tú tàn) denotes extreme
Sheng Ling Tu Tan – Living beings in mud and fire Read More »
Chinese Idiom: 口若悬河 (Kou Ruo Xuan He) English Translation: To speak eloquently and at length pīn yīn: kǒu ruò xuán hé Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is highly articulate, able to speak fluently and persuasively, with a continuous and powerful flow of words, like a rushing river. Historical Source: “Shishuo Xinyu · Shang
Kou Ruo Xuan He – To speak eloquently and at length Read More »
