10 Chinese Idioms for Wishing Good Health in the New Year

Youthful despite old age

Literal meaning: Crane hair, child face

This complimentary idiom describes someone with white hair (鹤发) like a crane yet maintaining a child-like complexion (童颜), representing the ideal of aging gracefully. It first appeared in Tang Dynasty texts describing Daoist masters who supposedly preserved youthful vitality through meditation and a...

Youthful vigor despite old age

Literal meaning: Dragon-horse spirit

This vigorous idiom combines dragon (龙) and horse (马) energy (精神), originating from Tang Dynasty descriptions of elderly but energetic officials. Both animals symbolized tremendous vitality in Chinese culture—dragons representing imperial power and horses signifying tireless strength. The phrase gai...

Extraordinary healing skill

Literal meaning: Skilled hands bring spring

This healing idiom praises marvelous (妙) hands (手) that can bring back (回) spring/life (春), originating from Tang Dynasty medical texts. It first described legendary physician Sun Simiao's ability to revive seemingly hopeless patients. The seasonal metaphor of spring representing renewal was particu...

Completely safe and unharmed through danger

Literal meaning: Peaceful without illness

This idiom originated from the 'Records of the Three Kingdoms' describing survivors of catastrophe. The term '恙' originally referred specifically to plague or epidemic disease before broadening to general harm. During the Jin Dynasty, it became shorthand in military reporting for troops surviving da...

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)...

Look happy and content

Literal meaning: Spring wind fills the face

This idiom describes spring wind (春风) filling (满) the face (面). It depicts someone whose face radiates warmth and happiness like the pleasant spring breeze. The phrase captures the appearance of contentment and good fortune. Modern usage describes someone who looks happy and satisfied, whose good mo...

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...

Everything in right place

Literal meaning: Each finds its place

Emerging from early Confucian texts discussing social harmony, this concept describes how each (各) element finds (得) its proper (其) place (所). The idea gained practical application during the Han Dynasty's civil service reforms, where officials sought to match talents with appropriate roles. Histori...

Gentle, nurturing influence

Literal meaning: Spring wind becomes rain

This poetic metaphor traces back to the Han Dynasty's educational philosophy, where ideal teaching was compared to spring winds (春风) transforming into nurturing rain (化雨). The imagery draws from agricultural wisdom – spring breezes and gentle rains nurture plants without forcing growth. Scholar Han ...

Feel at ease with a clear conscience

Literal meaning: Heart at peace, reason satisfied

This idiom describes the heart (心) being at peace (安) because reason (理) is satisfied (得). It describes the inner tranquility that comes from knowing one has acted correctly. The phrase connects moral behavior with psychological well-being. Modern usage describes the peace of mind that follows ethic...