8 Chinese Idioms With Ear (耳)
Listen carefully to Chinese idioms featuring the ear - about hearing, listening, and the wisdom of paying attention.
The ear (耳, ěr) in Chinese idioms represents listening, awareness, and the wisdom gained through paying attention. These expressions teach that hearing is different from truly listening.
众口铄金
zhòng kǒu shuò jīnPublic opinion is powerful
Literal: Many mouths melt gold
This powerful metaphor suggests that numerous (众) mouths (口) speaking together can melt (铄) even gold (金). Originating in the Han Dynasty, it reflects the ancient Chinese understanding of public opinion's force. The image of collective voices generating enough heat to melt precious metal dramaticall...
Example
The social media campaign succeeded in changing the company's policy
社交媒体运动成功改变了公司的政策
口蜜腹剑
kǒu mì fù jiànHide evil behind sweet words
Literal: Mouth honey belly sword
This vivid idiom contrasts honey (蜜) in the mouth (口) with swords (剑) in the belly (腹), originating from Tang Dynasty political discourse. It was first recorded in descriptions of court officials who spoke pleasantly while harboring harmful intentions. The imagery draws from the traditional Chinese ...
Example
The consultant's flattering advice concealed his ulterior motives
顾问奉承的建议掩盖了他的别有用心
察言观色
chá yán guān sèRead 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...
Example
The experienced negotiator could read subtle shifts in the room
经验丰富的谈判代表能够察觉房间里细微的氛围变化
枕流漱石
zhěn liú shù shíLive simply
Literal: Pillow stream rinse stone
This idiom, literally meaning 'pillow on the stream (流) and rinse with stones (石),' originated from a story about Sun Chu during the Jin Dynasty. He intended to say 枕石漱流 (pillow on stones, rinse in the stream), describing a life of reclusion. However, he mistakenly said 枕流漱石. When corrected, he stu...
Example
The researcher lived modestly while dedicating everything to her discoveries
研究员过着简朴的生活，把一切都投入到研究发现中
言不由衷
yán bù yóu zhōngSpeak without meaning it
Literal: Words not from heart
First appearing in Han Dynasty court records, this idiom describes words (言) not originating (不由) from within one's heart (衷). It gained particular significance during the Tang Dynasty when court intrigue made distinguishing sincere from insincere speech crucial for survival. Historical accounts tel...
Example
His praise felt empty because it didn't match his actions
他的赞美感觉空洞，因为与他的行动不符
口干舌燥
kǒu gān shé zàoExhausted from excessive talking
Literal: Mouth dry tongue parched
This physical idiom describes a dry (干) mouth (口) and parched (燥) tongue (舌), originating from Tang Dynasty medical texts. It initially appeared in clinical descriptions of febrile diseases where dehydration produced these uncomfortable symptoms. During the Song Dynasty, it expanded beyond medical c...
Example
After speaking for three hours, the presenter needed water desperately
讲了三个小时后，演讲者迫切需要水
差强人意
chà qiáng rén yìMeets minimum standards only
Literal: Barely satisfies expectations
This nuanced idiom describes something that somewhat (差) forcefully (强) satisfies (人意) expectations, originating from Han Dynasty literary criticism. Interestingly, its meaning evolved significantly - originally indicating exceeding expectations, it gradually shifted to describe barely adequate perf...
Example
The project's results were acceptable but not impressive
项目的结果可以接受，但并不令人印象深刻
总而言之
zǒng ér yán zhīTo sum up everything discussed
Literal: Altogether and speaking it
This formal idiom combines totality (总) with expression (言之) through a linking particle (而), emerging directly from Han Dynasty scholarly writing rather than narrative origins. During the Song Dynasty, it became standard in academic conclusions as Neo-Confucian scholars systematized knowledge presen...
Example
In summary, the research demonstrates three key findings about consumer behavior
总而言之，这项研究揭示了关于消费者行为的三个关键发现
Quick Reference
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