10 Auspicious Chinese Idioms for Housewarming

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Literal meaning: Doorway busy as market

This vivid idiom describes a household's entrance (门庭) being as busy as a marketplace (若市). It originated during the Han Dynasty, initially describing the homes of influential officials where countless visitors sought audience. The metaphor gained particular significance during the Tang Dynasty, whe...

Get straight to point

Literal meaning: Open door see mountain

This straightforward idiom reflects the architectural wisdom of traditional Chinese design, where opening (开) a door (门) to see (见) mountains (山) represented ideal feng shui. During the Song Dynasty, it evolved from literal description to literary technique, advocating direct communication without p...

At home anywhere

Literal meaning: Four seas become home

Emerging during the Han Dynasty's period of expansion, this cosmopolitan idiom envisions the four seas (四海) becoming one's home (家). It reflected the era's growing international trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road. Historical texts praise diplomats and merchants who could adapt to divers...

Know something thoroughly

Literal meaning: Count like family treasures

This idiom captures the intimate knowledge of counting (数) family (家) treasures (珍) with perfect familiarity. It originated from descriptions of merchant families during the Song Dynasty, who knew their inventory in precise detail. The metaphor gained broader cultural significance as scholars applie...

Feel overwhelmed by greatness

Literal meaning: Gaze at ocean sigh deeply

This idiom captures the feeling of gazing (望) at the vast ocean (洋) and responding with deep sighs (兴叹) of awe or resignation. It originated from the Qin Dynasty, reportedly from Jing Ke's reaction upon seeing the eastern sea before his assassination attempt on the future First Emperor. The phrase g...

Innocent bystanders suffer from others' problems

Literal meaning: City gate catches fire

This idiom comes from a longer expression where the city gate (城门) catches fire (失火), but the disaster spreads to harm fish in the moat (殃及池鱼). It originated from Han Dynasty governance warnings about how problems at centers of power affect even distant, unrelated parties. The image drew from actual...

Creating without practical feedback

Literal meaning: Build cart behind closed doors

This isolated idiom describes building (造) a cart (车) behind closed (闭) doors (门), originating from the Warring States period text 'Hanfeizi.' It tells of a man who crafted a carriage in isolation, only to discover it couldn't fit through doorways or navigate common roads. The tale gained prominence...

Showing amateur skills to masters

Literal meaning: Show carpentry to Lu Ban

This presumptuous idiom describes displaying (弄) axe skills (斧) before Lu Ban's door (班门), the legendary master craftsman, originating from a Tang Dynasty poem by Li He. Lu Ban, revered as China's patron deity of carpentry, represented unsurpassed craftsmanship. The poet used this image to express h...

Choose simpler pleasures over status displays

Literal meaning: Peaceful walking substitutes carriage

This idiom originated from the 'Eastern Han Records' biography of Cui Yuan, an official who declined the emperor's gift of a carriage, preferring to walk and appreciate nature's beauty. During the Tang Dynasty, it became emblematic of the scholarly ideal of finding joy in simplicity. The contrast be...

Live peacefully and work happily

Literal meaning: Peaceful dwelling happy occupation

This idiom originated from Han Dynasty governmental ideals in the 'Book of Han,' first appearing as an administrative goal representing balanced prosperity. During the Tang Dynasty, it became standard terminology in policy documents measuring governance success. The pairing of peaceful dwelling (安居)...