8 Chinese Idioms About Jealousy & Envy

Make situation worse

Literal meaning: Carry wood save fire

This paradoxical image of carrying (抱) firewood (薪) to extinguish (救) a fire (火) emerged during the Warring States period as a metaphor for self-defeating actions. Historical records show it being used to criticize policies that appeared helpful but actually worsened situations. The image was partic...

Bring trouble upon oneself

Literal meaning: Draw fire burn self

This cautionary idiom describes the act of drawing (引) fire (火) to burn (烧) oneself (身), originating from the Spring and Autumn period. It first appeared in historical accounts of conspirators who, in attempting to harm others, ultimately destroyed themselves. The metaphor draws from ancient Chinese...

Observe troubles from safe distance

Literal meaning: Watch fire from opposite shore

This evocative idiom describes watching (观) a fire (火) from the opposite (隔) shore (岸), originating from Tang Dynasty accounts of riverside village fires. Historical records tell how those safely across the river could observe disasters without personal risk. The phrase gained moral dimensions durin...

Understand with absolute clarity

Literal meaning: Clear as watching fire

This idiom describes understanding something as clearly (洞) as (若) watching (观) fire (火), originating from the Warring States period. It first appeared in Daoist texts describing the mental clarity achieved through meditation, where complex truths became as obvious as flames in darkness. The fire me...

Actions cannot be undone

Literal meaning: Spilled water hard to recover

This irreversible idiom states that water once spilled (覆水) is difficult (难) to gather back (收), originating from Tang Dynasty poetry. It first appeared in a poem about irrevocable separation between husband and wife, comparing their relationship to water impossible to return to its container once p...

Accumulated evil deeds ripe for punishment

Literal meaning: Evil accumulated fully filled

Han Dynasty metaphysical discussions introduced this image of wickedness (恶) accumulating until fully (满) overflowing (盈). Buddhist influence strengthened its connection to inevitable karmic consequences. The metaphor of evil as a liquid gradually filling a vessel until it overflows perfectly captur...

Reap what one sows; suffer consequences

Literal meaning: Self eat its fruit

This idiom describes eating (食) the fruit (果) of one's own (自其) actions - suffering the consequences of one's behavior. The agricultural metaphor connects actions to their natural outcomes, like trees producing fruit from seeds planted. The phrase reflects the Buddhist and Confucian concept of moral...

Be furious beyond control

Literal meaning: Anger that cannot be suppressed

This idiom describes anger (怒) that cannot (不可) be suppressed (遏). It depicts rage so intense that it overwhelms all attempts at self-control. The phrase appeared in texts describing righteous fury at injustice or betrayal. Modern usage describes intense anger that demands expression, whether justif...