Chinese Idiom: 实事求是 (Shi Shi Qiu Shi) English Translation: Seek truth from facts. pīn yīn: shí shì qiú shì Idiom Meaning: This idiom signifies the approach of starting from actual circumstances to understand the inherent laws of things, guiding actions based on objective reality. It emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and factual analysis in […]
Chinese Idiom: 拨乱反正 (Bo Luan Fan Zheng) English Translation: Restore order by correcting chaos pīn yīn: bō luàn fǎn zhèng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the act of restoring what has been distorted or disrupted back to its correct state. It can also metaphorically mean returning things to their original nature or principles. Historical
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Chinese Idiom: 金城汤池 (Jin Cheng Tang Chi) English Translation: Golden city and boiling moat pīn yīn: jīn chéng tāng chí Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a place that is heavily fortified and extremely difficult to attack. It is often used metaphorically to refer to a strong defense. Historical Source: Han Shu · Biography of Kuai
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Chinese Idiom: 国士无双 (Guo Shi Wu Shuang) English Translation: A national hero without equal pīn yīn: guó shì wú shuāng Idiom Meaning: Refers to an extraordinary talent in the country, unmatched by anyone else. Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (《史记》) – Biographies of the Marquis of Huaiyin (淮阴侯列传). Idiom Story: Han Xin was
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Chinese Idiom: 视同儿戏 (Shi Tong Er Xi) English Translation: Regard something as if it were a child’s play pīn yīn: shì tóng ér xì Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically describes a situation where a task is approached without seriousness or diligence, treating it as a trivial game rather than a significant responsibility. Historical Source: Shiji
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Chinese Idiom: 卖剑买牛 (Mai Jian Mai Niu) English Translation: Sell the sword and buy an ox pīn yīn: mài jiàn mǎi niú Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the act of transitioning from military activities to agricultural work, symbolizing a shift from warfare to peaceful development. Historical Source: Book of Han (《汉书 · 龚遂传》). Idiom
Chinese Idiom: 贫贱之交 (Pin Jian Zhi Jiao) English Translation: Friendship formed in poverty pīn yīn: pín jiàn zhī jiāo Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to close friendships formed during times of poverty or hardship. It highlights the value of true friendship that persists through difficulties and challenges. Historical Source: Book of the Later Han (《后汉书
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Chinese Idiom: 怏怏不乐 (Yang Yang Bu Le) English Translation: Feeling gloomy and unhappy pīn yīn: yàng yàng bù lè Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a state of being discontent or unhappy due to feelings of injustice or dissatisfaction. Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (《史记 · 绛侯周勃世家》). Idiom Story: In the third year of
Chinese Idiom: 披荆斩棘 (Pi Jing Zhan Ji) English Translation: Clearing away thorns and brambles pīn yīn: pī jīng zhǎn jí Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to overcoming numerous difficulties and obstacles on the path to progress; it also describes the hardships of starting a business. Historical Source: Book of the Later Han (《后汉书》), specifically in
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Chinese Idiom: 抱残守缺 (Bao Can Shou Que) English Translation: Clinging to the Old and Incomplete pīn yīn: bào cán shǒu quē Idiom Meaning: Originally meant to cling to outdated or broken things, refusing to let go. It is now commonly used to describe a conservative mindset that resists new ideas or developments. Historical Source: Wenshi
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