10 Chinese Idioms About Dreams & Aspirations
Dreamy Chinese idioms about dreams, both literal night dreams and metaphorical life aspirations.
Dreams in Chinese idioms represent both literal visions and life aspirations. These expressions capture the magic of dreaming - from fleeting fantasies to the burning ambitions that drive us forward.
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rénSudden, remarkable success
Literal: Bird cry that startles all
This idiom emerged during the Han Dynasty in scholarly discourse about late-blooming talent. The image of a seemingly ordinary bird (鸣, cry) suddenly producing an extraordinary song that startles (惊) everyone (人) was inspired by the story of a rural scholar who, after years of obscurity, stunned the...
Example
After years of quiet preparation, his novel became an overnight sensation
经过多年默默准备，他的小说一夜成名
一波三折
yī bō sān zhéMany twists and turns
Literal: One wave three turns
This idiom originates from the Jin Dynasty master calligrapher Wang Xizhi's observation about brushwork, where he noted that when drawing one (一) wave (波), he would fold or turn (折) his brush three (三) times. This technical description of calligraphic technique evolved beyond its artistic origins to...
Example
Their journey to success had many unexpected challenges
他们的成功之路经历了许多意想不到的挑战
改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèngReturn to righteousness
Literal: Turn from wrong return to right
Emerging from Buddhist texts during the Eastern Han Dynasty, this idiom describes the journey of turning away (改) from wrong (邪) to return (归) to righteousness (正). The metaphor draws from astronomical observations where wandering stars return to their proper paths. It gained prominence during the T...
Example
After the scandal, the company implemented strict ethical guidelines
在丑闻之后，公司实施了严格的道德准则
破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōuCommit with no retreat
Literal: Break pots sink boats
Originating from a famous historical event in 207 BCE, this idiom recounts how general Xiang Yu ordered his troops to break (破) their cooking pots (釜) and sink (沉) their boats (舟) before battling the Qin army. By eliminating the possibility of retreat, he created absolute commitment to victory. Duri...
Example
He quit his job to start a business, fully committed to success
他辞去工作创业，全身心投入追求成功
夜郎自大
yè láng zì dàOverestimate oneself
Literal: Small kingdom thinks itself great
This idiom references the ancient kingdom of Yelang (夜郎), whose ruler allegedly believed his small state rivaled the Han Empire in greatness (自大). The story first appeared in official Han histories, recording how a Yelang king asked a Han envoy if his kingdom was larger than Han - displaying remarka...
Example
Having never left his small town, he thought his local success made him world-class
从未离开过小城镇的他，以为本地的成功就意味着世界级水平
四面楚歌
sì miàn chǔ gēSurrounded by hostility
Literal: Chu songs from four sides
This poignant idiom originates from the final battle of Xiang Yu in 202 BCE. Surrounded by Han forces at Gaixia, Xiang Yu heard songs (歌) from his homeland of Chu being sung from all four sides (四面), indicating his own people had surrendered to Liu Bang. The psychological warfare strategy proved dev...
Example
The small company found itself facing competition from all sides
这家小公司发现自己四面受敌
事半功倍
shì bàn gōng bèiLess effort, better results
Literal: Half effort double result
This mathematical idiom describes situations where half (半) the effort (事) yields double (倍) the result (功). First appearing in Han Dynasty agricultural texts, it originally described efficient farming techniques that maximized yield while minimizing labor. The concept gained broader application dur...
Example
Using the new software doubled her productivity
使用新软件使她的工作效率提高了一倍
时来运转
shí lái yùn zhuǎnFortune's wheel will turn.
Literal: Time comes and fortune turns
This optimistic idiom describes the moment when time arrives (时来) and fortune turns (运转). It emerged from the practice of divination during the Zhou Dynasty, where fortune was seen as cyclical rather than fixed. The concept gained particular resonance during the Tang Dynasty, as stories spread of sc...
Example
After years of struggle, his business finally found its market opportunity
经过多年的奋斗，他的企业终于找到了市场机会
巧夺天工
qiǎo duó tiān gōngCraftsmanship beyond natural limits
Literal: Skill surpasses nature's work
This expression praises human craftsmanship so skillful (巧) it seems to surpass (夺) heaven's/nature's (天) work (工), first appearing in Han Dynasty art criticism. It originated from evaluations of exceptional jade carvings and bronze vessels that achieved seemingly impossible refinement. The concept ...
Example
The intricate jade carving exceeded what seemed humanly possible
这件精细的玉雕超越了人力所能及的极限
坐井观天
zuò jǐng guān tiānJudge with limited perspective
Literal: Sit in well view sky
This limiting idiom describes sitting (坐) in a well (井) while attempting to view (观) the sky (天), originating from philosophical debates during the Warring States period. It first appeared in texts critiquing narrow viewpoints resulting from limited experience. The well imagery created a powerful me...
Example
Having never traveled abroad, his perspective on international relations was severely limited
由于从未出国旅行，他对国际关系的看法非常有限
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