8 Chinese Idioms About Health & Wellness
Beneficial Chinese idioms about health, healing, and physical wellbeing - ancient wisdom for modern wellness.
Health and longevity have always been prized in Chinese culture. These idioms offer wisdom about maintaining wellness, remarkable healing, and the connection between mind and body.
防微杜渐
fáng wēi dù jiànStop problems before they grow
Literal: Prevent small stop gradual
This proactive idiom advocates preventing (防) minor problems (微) and blocking (杜) their gradual (渐) development, first appearing in Han Dynasty governance manuals. It gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty through Chancellor Wei Zheng's famous memorial warning Emperor Taizong that small issues ev...
Example
The company implemented strict compliance measures to prevent potential violations
公司实施了严格的合规措施，以防微杜渐
妙手回春
miào shǒu huí chūnExtraordinary healing skill
Literal: Skilled hands bring spring
This healing idiom praises marvelous (妙) hands (手) that can bring back (回) spring/life (春), originating from Tang Dynasty medical texts. It first described legendary physician Sun Simiao's ability to revive seemingly hopeless patients. The seasonal metaphor of spring representing renewal was particu...
Example
The surgeon's extraordinary technique saved the patient's life against all odds
外科医生非凡的技术在几乎不可能的情况下挽救了病人的生命
鹤发童颜
hè fà tóng yánYouthful despite old age
Literal: Crane hair, child face
This complimentary idiom describes someone with white hair (鹤发) like a crane yet maintaining a child-like complexion (童颜), representing the ideal of aging gracefully. It first appeared in Tang Dynasty texts describing Daoist masters who supposedly preserved youthful vitality through meditation and a...
Example
The 90-year-old professor maintained youthful energy despite his white hair
这位90岁的教授尽管白发苍苍，却依然保持着年轻的活力
讳疾忌医
huì jí jì yīHiding problems worsens them
Literal: Conceal illness, avoid doctors
This self-defeating idiom describes concealing (讳) illness (疾) and refusing (忌) medical treatment (医), originating from Han Dynasty historical records. It first described Emperor Wen's son who hid his illness for fear of appearing weak, ultimately dying from a treatable condition. During the Tang Dy...
Example
The company refused to acknowledge its financial problems until bankruptcy was inevitable
公司拒绝承认其财务问题，直到破产不可避免
安步当车
ān bù dāng chēChoose simpler pleasures over status displays
Literal: Peaceful walking substitutes carriage
This idiom originated from the 'Eastern Han Records' biography of Cui Yuan, an official who declined the emperor's gift of a carriage, preferring to walk and appreciate nature's beauty. During the Tang Dynasty, it became emblematic of the scholarly ideal of finding joy in simplicity. The contrast be...
Example
Rather than rushing between appointments, she chose to walk and enjoy the scenery
她没有匆忙赶往约会，而是选择步行，欣赏沿途风景
安居乐业
ān jū lè yèLive peacefully and work happily
Literal: Peaceful dwelling happy occupation
This idiom originated from Han Dynasty governmental ideals in the 'Book of Han,' first appearing as an administrative goal representing balanced prosperity. During the Tang Dynasty, it became standard terminology in policy documents measuring governance success. The pairing of peaceful dwelling (安居)...
Example
After years of turmoil, the region finally achieved stability where families could live securely and pursue livelihoods
经过多年的动荡，该地区终于实现了稳定，家庭可以安全生活并追求生计
同病相怜
tóng bìng xiāng liánSympathize with those sharing similar troubles
Literal: Same illness mutually sympathize
This idiom describes those with the same (同) illness or affliction (病) mutually (相) sympathizing (怜). It captures the special understanding between people who share similar suffering. The phrase originated in Han Dynasty texts describing exiles who found comfort in shared misfortune. Modern usage de...
Example
Having experienced similar losses, they truly understood each other.
经历过类似的失去，他们同病相怜。
坦坦荡荡
tǎn tǎn dàng dàngLive openly with clear conscience
Literal: Open and broad-minded
This idiom describes being open (坦坦) and broad (荡荡). The doubled characters emphasize the degree of openness and freedom from anxiety. It depicts someone who has nothing to hide and faces life with clear conscience. Modern usage describes people who live honestly and openly, whose transparency allow...
Example
He lived his life with nothing to hide or regret.
他活得坦坦荡荡，无愧于心。
Quick Reference
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