Chinese Idiom: 南辕北辙 (Nan Yuan Bei Zhe) English Translation: The Southern Reins and Northern Tracks pīn yīn: nán yuán běi zhé Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically signifies actions that are in direct contradiction to one’s goals or intentions. It describes a situation where one’s efforts lead away from the desired outcome, emphasizing a fundamental misalignment […]
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Chinese Idiom: 狡兔三窟 (Jiao Tu San Ku) English Translation: A cunning rabbit has three burrows pīn yīn: jiǎo tù sān kū Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically refers to having multiple places to hide, making it easier to avoid disaster. It can also imply being prepared with various plans or options to leave room for maneuvering.
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Chinese Idiom: 洞见症结 (Dong Jian Zheng Jie) English Translation: See through the crux of a problem pīn yīn: dòng jiàn zhèng jié Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a doctor who diagnoses accurately and can pinpoint the location of a patient’s ailment. It is often used metaphorically to describe someone with sharp insight, capable of seeing
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Chinese Idiom: 春秋无义战 (Chun Qiu Wu Yi Zhan) English Translation: No just wars in the Spring and Autumn period pīn yīn: chūn qiū wú yì zhàn Idiom Meaning: This idiom indicates that during the Spring and Autumn period, there were no just wars, and it broadly refers to wars that lack justice. Historical Source: Book
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Chinese Idiom: 食不甘味 (Shi Bu Gan Wei) English Translation: Eating without enjoyment pīn yīn: shí bù gān wèi Idiom Meaning: This idiom originally refers to eating without being able to discern the flavors, indicating that one is preoccupied with worries or is unwell. Historical Source: “战国策” (Strategies of the Warring States), specifically in the section
Chinese Idiom: 青云直上 (Qing Yun Zhi Shang) English Translation: Rising straight to the blue clouds pīn yīn: qīng yún zhí shàng Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone whose status or career rises rapidly, often due to good fortune or personal achievement. It implies a swift and significant promotion or advancement. Historical Source:
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Chinese Idiom: 青出于蓝 (Qing Chu Yu Lan) English Translation: Blue comes from indigo pīn yīn: qīng chū yú lán Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a situation where the student surpasses the teacher, or the successor exceeds the predecessor. It emphasizes the idea that the next generation can improve upon the previous one.
Chinese Idiom: 取长补短 (Qu Chang Bu Duan) English Translation: Take strengths and compensate for weaknesses pīn yīn: qǔ cháng bǔ duǎn Idiom Meaning: This idiom means to learn from others’ strengths to make up for one’s own shortcomings. It can also refer to using the strengths of one thing to compensate for the weaknesses of
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Chinese Idiom: 舍本求末 (She Ben Qiu Mo) English Translation: Abandon the root to pursue the branch pīn yīn: shě běn qiú mò Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically signifies the act of neglecting fundamental principles or important matters in favor of trivial details or secondary issues. It criticizes a lack of focus on what is essential
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Chinese Idiom: 歧路亡羊 (Qi Lu Wang Yang) English Translation: The lost sheep at the fork in the road pīn yīn: qí lù wáng yáng Idiom Meaning: This idiom signifies that one must have a clear direction when seeking the truth; otherwise, one risks going astray. It also refers to the complexity and variability of matters,
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