Chinese Idiom: 怒发冲冠 (Nu Fa Chong Guan) English Translation: Hair standing on end, pushing the hat off pīn yīn: nù fà chōng guān Idiom Meaning: This idiom vividly describes extreme anger, where one’s fury is so intense that it feels like their hair is standing straight up, as if pushing off their hat. Historical Source: […]
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Chinese Idiom: 孤注一掷 (Gu Zhu Yi Zhi) English Translation: Place all bets in a single throw pīn yīn: gū zhù yī zhì Idiom Meaning: This phrase refers to using all remaining strength or resources to take a final gamble in a critical moment. Historical Source: History of Song (《宋史 · 寇准传》). Idiom Story: Kou Zhun,
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Chinese Idiom: 沧海一粟 (Cang Hai Yi Su) English Translation: A grain in the vast ocean pīn yīn: cāng hǎi yī sù Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to express something that is extremely small or insignificant in comparison to a larger context. Historical Source: Su Shi’s Preface to the Red Cliffs (《前赤壁赋》). Idiom Story: In
Chinese Idiom: 弄巧成拙 (Nong Qiao Cheng Zhuo) English Translation: Trying to be clever results in clumsiness pīn yīn: nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where someone, in an attempt to be clever or skillful, ends up making a foolish mistake. “巧” (qiǎo) refers to cleverness or skill, and “拙” (zhuō)
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Chinese Idiom: 身败名裂 (Shen Bai Ming Lie) English Translation: Suffer personal ruin and a shattered reputation. pīn yīn: shēn bài míng liè Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to a person’s downfall, resulting in the loss of their position and a tarnished reputation. Historical Source: He Xin Lang (《贺新郎》) by Xin Qiji. Idiom Story: In 1203,
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Chinese Idiom: 近水楼台 (Jin Shui Lou Tai) English Translation: The pavilion by the water gets the moonlight first pīn yīn: jìn shuǐ lóu tái Idiom Meaning: This idiom suggests that those who are in close proximity to power or authority are often the first to benefit from it. It implies a sense of favoritism and
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Chinese Idiom: 阴谋诡计 (Yin Mou Gui Ji) English Translation: Conspiracies and schemes pīn yīn: yīn móu guǐ jì Idiom Meaning: Refers to malicious plots or schemes that are secretly devised to harm others. Historical Source: “History of Song” (《宋史》), specifically the biography of Yu Shen (余深). Idiom Story: Yu Shen was a native of Fuzhou
Chinese Idiom: 名落孙山 (Ming Luo Sun Shan) English Translation: A name that falls behind Sun Shan pīn yīn: míng luò sūn shān Idiom Meaning: Refers to failing to make the list of successful candidates, particularly in the context of exams or selections. Historical Source: Fan Gongou’s “Records of the Courtyard” (《过庭录》). Idiom Story: During the
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Chinese Idiom: 名满天下 (Ming Man Tian Xia) English Translation: Famous throughout the world pīn yīn: míng mǎn tiān xià Idiom Meaning: Describes someone who has a great reputation, well-known across the country. Historical Source: “Su Shi’s Letter to Mei Zhi Jiang” (北宋苏轼《上梅直讲书》) Idiom Story: Mei Zhi Jiang, known as Mei Yaochen, was a famous poet
Chinese Idiom: 先忧后乐 (Xian You Hou Le) English Translation: First worry, then enjoy pīn yīn: xiān yōu hòu lè Idiom Meaning: This idiom signifies the importance of caring for the suffering of the people before pursuing personal happiness. It can also imply that one must endure hardship and labor in order to reap future rewards and
