12 Flowing Chinese Idioms About Water (水)

Persistence achieves anything

Literal meaning: Water drops pierce stone

This idiom captures the power of persistence through the image of water (水) drops (滴) piercing (穿) stone (石). First documented in Han Dynasty texts, it was inspired by observations of natural cave formations created by centuries of dripping water. The imagery gained prominence during the Tang Dynast...

Advantage from close connections

Literal meaning: Pavilion close to water

First appearing in Tang Dynasty poetry, this idiom describes pavilions (楼台) close (近) to water (水), referring to their advantageous position to catch the moon's reflection first. The phrase gained wider usage during the Song Dynasty as a metaphor for privileged access or favorable positioning. Origi...

Progress needs constant effort

Literal meaning: Boat moving against current

This idiom describes a boat (舟) moving (行) against (逆) the current (水), originally appearing in Tang Dynasty texts discussing persistence in difficult endeavors. The metaphor draws from the experience of river traders who understood that stopping meant drifting backward. During the Song Dynasty, it ...

Success comes naturally

Literal meaning: Water comes channel forms

Drawing from ancient Chinese irrigation practices, this idiom captures how water (水) flowing consistently will naturally create its channel (渠). First appearing in Tang Dynasty agricultural texts, it reflected the observation that steady water flow would eventually carve its path through even the ha...

Clear and calm mind

Literal meaning: Clear mirror still water

This metaphor likens a clear (明) mirror (镜) and still (止) water (水) to a state of perfect mental clarity. Rooted in Tang Dynasty Buddhist meditation texts, it describes the ideal state of mind - like a mirror's spotless surface or an undisturbed pond perfectly reflecting reality. The image resonated...

In perfect element

Literal meaning: Fish finds water

This idiom captures the harmony between fish (鱼) and water (水), drawing from Daoist observations of natural affinities. In ancient texts, particularly those of Zhuangzi, the fish swimming effortlessly through water epitomized the ideal state of being perfectly suited to one's environment. The metaph...

Remember your roots

Literal meaning: Drink water think source

This reflection on gratitude emerged during the Tang Dynasty, using the everyday act of drinking (饮) water (水) to remind one to think (思) of its source (源). The idiom gained prominence through Buddhist texts that emphasized mindful appreciation of life's foundations. It was particularly meaningful i...

Absolutely flawless and thorough

Literal meaning: No water drop leaks

This meticulous idiom describes arrangements so perfect that not even a drop (滴) of water (水) can leak through (不漏), originating from Song Dynasty architectural standards for imperial roofing. Court builders used it to describe the ideal construction quality for palace structures, where even the sma...

Perfect artistic understanding between friends

Literal meaning: High mountain flowing water

This aesthetic idiom pairs lofty (高) mountains (山) with flowing (流) water (水), originating from a famous friendship between Zhong Ziqi and musician Bo Ya during the Spring and Autumn period. Historical texts recount how Bo Ya would play his qin while Zhong Ziqi perfectly understood his musical inten...

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...

Fight with total commitment having no retreat

Literal meaning: Back to water one battle

This idiom originated from the 'Records of the Grand Historian' account of Han Xin's 204 BCE victory. This brilliant general deliberately trapped his outnumbered forces against a river, eliminating retreat possibilities to ensure total commitment. During the Han Dynasty, it entered strategic lexicon...

To eagerly await someone or something

Literal meaning: Gazing through autumn waters

This idiom originates from Tang Dynasty poetry, where 'autumn waters' (秋水) was a literary metaphor for bright, clear eyes. The phrase describes looking so intently and longingly that one's gaze seems to pierce through clear autumn waters. It gained prominence through the works of poet Wang Bo and la...