10 Chinese Idioms About Dreams & Aspirations

Sudden, remarkable success

Literal meaning: 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...

Many twists and turns

Literal meaning: 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...

Return to righteousness

Literal meaning: 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...

Commit with no retreat

Literal meaning: 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...

Overestimate oneself

Literal meaning: 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...

Surrounded by hostility

Literal meaning: 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...

Less effort, better results

Literal meaning: 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...

Fortune's wheel will turn.

Literal meaning: 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...

Craftsmanship beyond natural limits

Literal meaning: 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 ...

Judge with limited perspective

Literal meaning: 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...