12 Essential Chinese Idioms for HSK 4 Learners

Foresee big from small signs

Literal meaning: See small know large

First appearing in the Book of Changes, this idiom describes the ability to see (见) subtle signs (微) to understand (知) significant developments (著). During the Warring States period, strategist Sun Bin emphasized this principle in military observation. The concept gained broader application during t...

Trace back to source

Literal meaning: Chase root trace source

Emerging from Song Dynasty (960-1279) scholarly methodology, this idiom combines the actions of chasing (追) to the root (本) and tracing (溯) to the source (源). It reflected the Neo-Confucian emphasis on understanding phenomena by examining their origins, influenced by Han Dynasty historiographical tr...

Public opinion is powerful

Literal meaning: 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...

Find value among worthless

Literal meaning: Sift sand pick gold

This idiom emerged from gold panning techniques along ancient China's river systems, where sifting (披) through sand (沙) to pick out (拣) gold (金) required patience and discernment. Originally used in Han Dynasty texts to describe the careful evaluation of historical documents, it gained prominence du...

Have great vision

Literal meaning: Hills and valleys in heart

First appearing in Tang Dynasty literary criticism, this phrase describes having hills (丘) and valleys (壑) within one's heart/mind (胸). It originated from descriptions of landscape painters who could visualize entire scenes before touching brush to paper. The metaphor suggests a rich internal landsc...

Hide evil behind sweet words

Literal meaning: 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 ...

Plan strategy carefully

Literal meaning: Plan behind curtain

Rooted in military strategy, this idiom describes making crucial decisions behind the curtains (帷幄) of a military command tent while planning (运筹) campaigns. It gained prominence through records of Liu Bang, founder of the Han Dynasty, who was praised for his strategic planning abilities within his ...

Read between lines

Literal meaning: 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...

Hide malice behind smile

Literal meaning: Hide knife in smile

This chilling idiom describes hiding a knife (刀) within a smile (笑), originating from historical accounts of court intrigue during the Late Han period. It gained prominence through stories of strategic advisors who maintained friendly appearances while plotting against rivals. The contrast between t...

Overcome all obstacles

Literal meaning: Cut thorns break brambles

This vivid idiom describes cutting through (披) thorny shrubs (荆) and hacking (斩) through brambles (棘), originating from historical accounts of early settlers clearing wilderness for cultivation. During the Han Dynasty, it became associated with the founding of new territories and opportunities. The ...

Study extremely hard

Literal meaning: Hang beam stab thigh

This idiom pairs two classical studying techniques: tying (悬) hair to a beam (梁) to prevent dozing off and stabbing (刺) one's thigh (股) with an awl to stay alert. These practices were attributed to Su Qin and Sun Jing, two scholars from the Warring States period who initially failed their examinatio...

Study despite poverty

Literal meaning: Pierce wall steal light

The story of Kuang Heng, who pierced (凿) his wall (壁) to steal (偷) light (光) from his neighbor's lamp for studying, emerged during the Han Dynasty and was recorded in official histories. Too poor to afford oil for his own lamp, his determination to study despite poverty inspired generations of stude...