Chinese Idiom: 同流合污 (Tong Liu He Wu) English Translation: Flow with the same current and merge with the filth pīn yīn: tóng liú hé wū Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to associating with corrupt or immoral people and participating in their wrongful deeds. It implies that someone is involved in unethical behavior by aligning themselves […]
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Chinese Idiom: 东施效颦 (Dong Shi Xiao Pin) English Translation: Dong Shi Imitates Frowning pīn yīn: dōng shī xiào pín Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where someone imitates another person’s behavior or appearance without understanding the underlying reasons or context, leading to an outcome that is the opposite of the original. It implies that
Chinese Idiom: 出尔反尔 (Chu Er Fan Er) English Translation: Act one way and then act in the opposite manner pīn yīn: chū ěr fǎn ěr Idiom Meaning: Originally, this idiom referred to the idea that one’s own actions and attitudes would be reciprocated by others. In contemporary usage, it generally describes someone who is inconsistent,
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Chinese Idiom: 出类拔萃 (Chu Lei Ba Cui) English Translation: Stand out from the class pīn yīn: chū lèi bá cuì Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone or something that stands out for its exceptional quality, surpassing others of its kind. It highlights being outstanding in a particular field or category, with abilities or characteristics that
Chinese Idiom: 出奇制胜 (Chu Qi Zhi Cheng) English Translation: Win through unconventional means pīn yīn: chū qí zhì shèng Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to achieving success or victory by employing methods or strategies that are unexpected or unconventional, surprising the opponent and catching them off guard. Historical Source: “The Art of War” (《孙子兵法》), specifically
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Chinese Idiom: 目无全牛 (Mu Wu Quan Niu) English Translation: Not see the whole cow pīn yīn: mù wú quán niú Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a level of skill so advanced that one no longer sees the entire object or task but focuses on its finer details. It is used to express extreme proficiency and
Chinese Idiom: 左右逢源 (Zuo You Feng Yuan) English Translation: Meeting sources on both sides pīn yīn: zuǒ yòu féng yuán Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where one can smoothly navigate through various circumstances or gain favorable outcomes from all directions. It can also imply being tactful and opportunistic, adept at pleasing everyone and
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Chinese Idiom: 发人深省 (Fa Ren Shen Xing) English Translation: Inspire deep reflection in people pīn yīn: fā rén shēn xǐng Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes something that prompts deep thought and self-reflection, leading to an awakening or realization. It often refers to situations, stories, or experiences that make people reconsider their actions or perspectives. Historical
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Chinese Idiom: 四分五裂 (Si Fen Wu Lie) English Translation: Four divisions and five splits pīn yīn: sì fēn wǔ liè Idiom Meaning: To be thoroughly fragmented and disordered, with no coherence or unity. Historical Source: Strategies of the Warring States: Wei Strategy One (《战国策·魏策一》). Idiom Story: During the Warring States period, the state of Qin
Chinese Idiom: 乐极生悲 (Le Ji Sheng Bei) English Translation: Extreme joy leads to sorrow pīn yīn: lè jí shēng bēi Idiom Meaning: This idiom suggests that experiencing the highest level of happiness or success often leads to subsequent misfortune or sadness. Historical Source: Huainanzi (《淮南子》) Idiom Story: During the Warring States period in China, there
