10 Chinese Idioms to Impress in Job Interviews

Foresee big from small signs

Literal: See small know large

First appearing in the Book of Changes, this idiom describes the ability to see (见) subtle signs (微) to understand (知) significant developments (著). During the Warring States period, strategist Sun Bin emphasized this principle in military observation. The concept gained broader application during t...

Have great vision

Literal: Hills and valleys in heart

First appearing in Tang Dynasty literary criticism, this phrase describes having hills (丘) and valleys (壑) within one's heart/mind (胸). It originated from descriptions of landscape painters who could visualize entire scenes before touching brush to paper. The metaphor suggests a rich internal landsc...

Read between lines

Literal: Watch words observe face

This psychological idiom combines watching words (察言) and observing expressions (观色), reflecting ancient Chinese diplomatic practices where court officials needed acute skills in reading both verbal and non-verbal cues. The practice became crucial during the Warring States period, where misreading a...

Study extremely hard

Literal: Hang beam stab thigh

This idiom pairs two classical studying techniques: tying (悬) hair to a beam (梁) to prevent dozing off and stabbing (刺) one's thigh (股) with an awl to stay alert. These practices were attributed to Su Qin and Sun Jing, two scholars from the Warring States period who initially failed their examinatio...

Almost catch up

Literal: See only their neck back

This vivid phrase describes only being able to see someone's neck (项) and back (背) while looking up (望) at them, originally appearing in Confucian texts about students striving to match accomplished masters. The physical imagery of looking up at someone so far ahead that you can only see their back ...

Vast and mighty

Literal: Vast mighty flow

This rhythmic description of vast (浩浩) flowing (荡荡) movement originated from classical descriptions of the Yellow River's mighty course. During the Tang Dynasty, it evolved to describe impressive military processions and large-scale social movements. The doubled characters create a sense of continuo...

Concentrate fully

Literal: Gather essence meet spirit

Dating to Daoist meditation manuals from the Han Dynasty, this idiom describes the gathering (聚) of vital essence (精) to commune (会) with spirit (神). Early practitioners believed that scattered attention depleted one's vital energy, while focused concentration could unite body and mind. The concept ...

Penetrating deeply to the essence

Literal: Whip strikes into core

This penetrating idiom describes how a whip strike (鞭辟) penetrates (入) to the innermost layer (里), originating from Tang Dynasty literary criticism. It first appeared in evaluations of essays that revealed profound truths beneath surface appearances. The whip metaphor reflected the sharp, cutting po...

Find advantage in all directions

Literal: Left right meet springs

This fortunate idiom describes encountering (逢) springs/resources (源) whether turning left or right (左右), originating from Tang Dynasty descriptions of ideal terrain for settlement. It initially described geographical locations where water sources were abundant in all directions, representing perfec...

Decisively and firmly without hesitation

Literal: Chop nail cut iron

Born in the workshops of Tang Dynasty metalworkers, this phrase captures the clean, decisive action of chopping nails (斩钉) and cutting iron (截铁). The imagery demands absolute commitment - hesitation ruins both material and tools. Song Dynasty administrators adopted it to describe unequivocal decisio...