138 idioms
bù yuǎn qiān lǐ
“Not consider a thousand miles far”
Willingly travel far; make great efforts
This idiom describes not (不) considering far (远) a thousand (千) miles (里). From Mencius describing the willingness to travel great distances for impor...
Learn more →
zhāo sī mù xiǎng
“Think in morning, yearn at night”
Think about constantly; yearn for
This idiom describes thinking (思) in the morning (朝) and yearning (想) at night (暮). It depicts constant preoccupation from dawn to dusk. The phrase ca...
Learn more →
hún qiān mèng yíng
“Soul pulled, dreams haunted”
Yearn day and night
This idiom describes the soul (魂) being pulled (牵) and dreams (梦) being haunted (萦). It depicts longing so intense it occupies both waking and sleepin...
Learn more →
liàn liàn bù shě
“Attached and unwilling to part”
Be deeply reluctant to leave
This idiom describes being attached (恋恋) and unwilling (不舍) to leave. Similar to 依依不舍 but with stronger emotional attachment through the character 恋 (...
Learn more →
nán fēn nán shě
“Hard to part, hard to leave”
Be inseparable; hate to part
This idiom describes being hard (难) to part (分) and hard (难) to leave (舍). It depicts the pain of separation when attachment is strong. The doubled st...
Learn more →
hǎi kū shí làn
“Seas dry, stones rot”
Until the end of time; eternal love
This idiom describes seas (海) drying up (枯) and stones (石) rotting (烂). These are impossibilities that would take eternity - seas don't dry and stones...
Learn more →
yī jiàn zhōng qíng
“One glance, feelings concentrate”
Love at first sight
This idiom describes at one (一) glance (见) feelings (情) concentrate (钟). It captures the experience of instant romantic attraction where love strikes ...
Learn more →
bái tóu xié lǎo
“White heads together in old age”
Grow old together; lifelong partnership
This idiom describes white (白) heads (头) together (偕) in old age (老). It depicts couples who grow old together, their hair turning white side by side....
Learn more →
jǔ àn qí méi
“Raise tray level with eyebrows”
Married couple with great mutual respect
This idiom describes raising (举) a food tray (案) level (齐) with one's eyebrows (眉). It comes from the story of Meng Guang who showed deep respect for ...
Learn more →
xiāng jìng rú bīn
“Respect each other like guests”
Treat each other with respect
This idiom describes respecting each other (相敬) like guests (如宾). It comes from Zuozhuan describing an ideal married couple who maintained the courtes...
Learn more →
xiāng rú yǐ mò
“Moisten each other with foam”
Help each other in adversity
This idiom describes moistening each other (相濡) with foam (以沫). From Zhuangzi's parable of fish in a drying pond who keep each other alive by sharing ...
Learn more →
wěn jǐng zhī jiāo
“Friendship of severed necks”
Be sworn friends; absolute loyalty
This idiom describes a friendship (交) of severed necks (刎颈). It comes from the story of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru who reconciled their enmity and became...
Learn more →
mò nì zhī jiāo
“Friendship without opposition”
Be bosom friends
This idiom describes a friendship (交) without (莫) opposition (逆). It comes from Zhuangzi describing friends whose relationship has no discord or confl...
Learn more →
qíng tóu yì hé
“Feelings cast, ideas match”
Be perfectly compatible; hit it off
This idiom describes feelings (情) being cast together (投) and ideas (意) matching (合). It depicts natural compatibility where both emotions and thought...
Learn more →
zhì tóng dào hé
“Same aspirations, aligned paths”
Share the same goals and values
This idiom describes having the same (同) aspirations (志) and aligned (合) paths (道). It depicts people united by shared goals and values rather than me...
Learn more →
tuī xīn zhì fù
“Push heart, place in belly”
Speak from the heart; confide completely
This idiom describes pushing (推) one's heart (心) and placing (置) it in another's belly (腹). It depicts such trust that one metaphorically gives their ...
Learn more →
gān dǎn xiāng zhào
“Livers and galls illuminate each other”
Share complete trust and loyalty
This idiom describes livers (肝) and galls (胆) illuminating (照) each other (相). In Chinese culture, these organs represent courage and sincerity. The p...
Learn more →
kāi chéng bù gōng
“Open sincerity, spread fairness”
Be candid and fair
This idiom describes opening (开) sincerity (诚) and spreading (布) fairness (公). It originated from descriptions of Zhuge Liang's governance style - tra...
Learn more →
yī yán jì chū
“Once a word is spoken”
A promise once made must be kept
This idiom describes once (既) a word (一言) is spoken (出). It is often paired with 驷马难追 (four horses cannot catch it) to emphasize that spoken words can...
Learn more →
biǎo lǐ rú yī
“Outside and inside as one”
Be consistent inside and out
This idiom describes the outside (表) and inside (里) being as (如) one (一). It depicts consistency between one's public persona and private self, betwee...
Learn more →
tǎn tǎn dàng dàng
“Open and broad-minded”
Live openly with clear conscience
This idiom describes being open (坦坦) and broad (荡荡). The doubled characters emphasize the degree of openness and freedom from anxiety. It depicts some...
Learn more →
qiū háo wú fàn
“Not violating even autumn down”
Show strict discipline; not take anything
This idiom describes not (无) violating (犯) even the finest autumn hair (秋毫). Autumn down refers to the tiny new hairs animals grow for winter - extrem...
Learn more →
chóu méi kǔ liǎn
“Worried brows, bitter face”
Look worried and unhappy
This idiom describes worried (愁) brows (眉) and a bitter (苦) face (脸). It depicts the physical manifestation of anxiety and unhappiness in facial expre...
Learn more →
méi kāi yǎn xiào
“Brows open, eyes smile”
Be all smiles; radiate happiness
This idiom describes brows (眉) opening (开) and eyes (眼) smiling (笑). It depicts the full facial expression of genuine happiness where both brows relax...
Learn more →
méi fēi sè wǔ
“Eyebrows fly, expression dances”
Be animated with excitement
This idiom describes eyebrows (眉) flying (飞) and expression (色) dancing (舞). It captures the animated facial expressions of someone excited or enthusi...
Learn more →
xǐ xiào yán kāi
“Happy smile, face opens up”
Be beaming with joy
This idiom describes being so happy (喜) that one smiles (笑) and the face (颜) opens up (开). It captures the physical transformation that genuine joy br...
Learn more →
nù bù kě è
“Anger that cannot be suppressed”
Be furious beyond control
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 phr...
Learn more →
xǐ nù wú cháng
“Joy and anger without constancy”
Be moody; have unpredictable emotions
This idiom describes having joy (喜) and anger (怒) without (无) consistency (常). It depicts someone whose emotions are unpredictable and volatile. The p...
Learn more →
wàng zì zūn dà
“Unreasonably consider oneself great”
Be conceited; have an inflated ego
This idiom describes unreasonably (妄) considering oneself (自) honorable and great (尊大). It is the opposite of 妄自菲薄, describing excessive self-importan...
Learn more →
zhǐ gāo qì yáng
“Toes high, spirits lifted”
Strut arrogantly; be conceited
This idiom describes walking with toes (趾) high (高) and spirits (气) raised (扬). It depicts someone strutting with such arrogance that even their toes ...
Learn more →
yí zhǐ qì shǐ
“Command with chin gestures and breath”
Be domineering and arrogant
This idiom describes commanding others with chin (颐) gestures (指) and breathing (气) to direct (使). It depicts someone so arrogant they give orders thr...
Learn more →
gū míng diào yù
“Fish for fame and angle for reputation”
Seek fame through calculated actions
This idiom describes seeking to buy (沽) fame (名) and fishing (钓) for reputation (誉). It criticizes those who pursue recognition through calculated act...
Learn more →
cè yǐn zhī xīn
“Heart of compassionate concealment”
Compassion; empathy for others
This idiom describes the heart (心) of compassion (恻隐). It comes from Mencius, who argued this feeling of pain at others' suffering is innate to all hu...
Learn more →
fù tāng dǎo huǒ
“Go into boiling water step on fire”
Go through fire and water; brave any danger
This idiom describes going into (赴) boiling water (汤) and stepping on (蹈) fire (火). It represents willingness to face extreme danger or hardship. The ...
Learn more →
wàng zì fěi bó
“Wrongly self-deprecate”
Underestimate oneself; excessive self-deprecation
This idiom describes wrongly (妄) depreciating (菲薄) oneself (自). It warns against excessive self-deprecation that undervalues one's abilities. The phra...
Learn more →
yán xíng yī zhì
“Words and actions consistent”
Practice what one preaches
This idiom describes words (言) and actions (行) being consistent (一致). It embodies the Confucian ideal of integrity where speech matches behavior. The ...
Learn more →
tóng bìng xiāng lián
“Same illness mutually sympathize”
Sympathize with those sharing similar troubles
This idiom describes those with the same (同) illness or affliction (病) mutually (相) sympathizing (怜). It captures the special understanding between pe...
Learn more →
xiāng jiàn hèn wǎn
“Meeting each other regret it was late”
Regret not meeting sooner; instant rapport
This idiom describes meeting (相见) and regretting (恨) it was late (晚). It expresses the feeling when connecting with someone special and wishing the re...
Learn more →
xīn xīn xiāng yìn
“Heart and heart mutually seal”
Perfect mutual understanding; hearts in harmony
This idiom describes hearts (心心) mutually (相) sealing or imprinting upon (印) each other. It comes from Chan (Zen) Buddhism describing the wordless tra...
Learn more →
mù zhōng wú rén
“No person in one's eyes”
Extremely arrogant; look down on everyone
This idiom describes having no (无) person (人) in one's eyes (目中) - looking through people as if they don't exist. It criticizes extreme arrogance that...
Learn more →
píng yì jìn rén
“Level and easy to approach”
Approachable; easy to get along with
This idiom describes being level/even (平易) and easy to approach (近人). It praises those who, despite status or accomplishment, remain accessible and un...
Learn more →
yǔ zhòng bù tóng
“Different from the crowd”
Unique; distinctive
This idiom describes being different (不同) from (与) the crowd (众). It can express either positive uniqueness or critical isolation, depending on contex...
Learn more →
tòng gǎi qián fēi
“Painfully change previous wrongs”
Sincerely repent and reform
This idiom describes painfully (痛) changing (改) one's previous (前) wrongs (非). The inclusion of 'tong' (痛, pain) suggests genuine remorse rather than ...
Learn more →
wú wēi bù zhì
“No detail not attended to”
Meticulous; attentive to every detail
This idiom describes care where no (无) detail, however small (微), is not (不) attended to (至). It emphasizes thoroughness that extends to the smallest ...
Learn more →
xìn kǒu kāi hé
“Trust mouth open river”
Talk irresponsibly; make things up
This idiom describes opening (开) a river (河) from one's trusted mouth (信口) - letting words flow freely without verification or thought. The image of a...
Learn more →
dà jīng xiǎo guài
“Big surprise small strange”
Make a fuss about nothing
This idiom describes making big (大) surprise (惊) over small (小) strange things (怪) - overreacting to minor matters. The phrase criticizes disproportio...
Learn more →
yī yī bù shě
“Clinging and unwilling to part”
Reluctant to part; lingering attachment
This idiom uses the reduplicated 'yiyi' (依依), meaning clinging or attached, combined with unwilling (不舍) to part. It describes the emotional difficult...
Learn more →
yī rú jì wǎng
“Same as it has always been”
As always; unchanged
This idiom describes being the same (一如) as it has always been (既往). It emphasizes consistency and unchanged behavior or quality over time. The phrase...
Learn more →
xīn zhào bù xuān
“Hearts illuminate without declaring”
Tacit understanding; unspoken agreement
This idiom describes hearts (心) that illuminate/understand each other (照) without (不) explicit declaration (宣). It captures the special rapport betwee...
Learn more →
jū gōng jìn cuì
“Bow and exhaust oneself completely”
Devote oneself completely; work until exhausted
This idiom describes bowing (鞠躬) while exhausting oneself completely (尽瘁). It comes from Zhuge Liang's famous memorial 'Chu Shi Biao,' where he pledge...
Learn more →
biàn běn jiā lì
“Change origin add severity”
Get worse; intensify negatively
This idiom describes change (变) from the original (本) state by adding (加) severity (厉). It depicts situations that worsen instead of improving, with p...
Learn more →
ruò wú qí shì
“As if nothing happened”
Act as if nothing happened
This idiom describes behaving as if (若) there was no (无) such matter (其事). It depicts maintaining a calm or normal demeanor despite significant events...
Learn more →
shì ér bù jiàn
“Look but not see”
Turn a blind eye; deliberately ignore
This idiom describes looking (视) but not (不) seeing (见), indicating willful blindness rather than genuine inability to perceive. The phrase originated...
Learn more →
yán guò qí shí
“Words exceed the reality”
Exaggerate; overstate
This idiom describes words (言) that exceed (过) the actual reality (其实). It originated from 'Records of the Three Kingdoms,' where Zhuge Liang used it ...
Learn more →
xīn gān qíng yuàn
“Heart sweet feeling willing”
Willingly; without reluctance
This idiom describes a state where the heart (心) finds sweetness (甘) and feelings (情) are willing (愿). It emphasizes genuine, voluntary acceptance wit...
Learn more →
zhēng lùn bù xiū
“Arguing without rest”
Argue endlessly without resolution
This idiom describes arguing (争论) without (不) stopping (休). The phrase captures the frustration of debates that continue indefinitely without resoluti...
Learn more →
yī shì tóng rén
“One view same benevolence”
Treat everyone equally without discrimination
This idiom describes viewing (视) everyone with the same (一同) benevolence (仁). The Confucian concept of 'ren' (仁, benevolence) is extended equally to a...
Learn more →
mò mò wú wén
“Silently without fame”
Unknown; working in obscurity
This idiom describes working silently (默默) without (无) anyone hearing of it (闻). It depicts humble labor without recognition or fame. The phrase can d...
Learn more →
wú dòng yú zhōng
“No movement in the heart”
Unmoved; indifferent
This idiom describes having no (无) movement (动) within (于) one's heart (衷). The character 衷 specifically refers to the innermost feelings. The phrase ...
Learn more →
tāo tāo bù jué
“Surging waves never ceasing”
Talk endlessly; speak at great length
This idiom uses the image of surging (滔滔) waves that never (不) cease (绝) to describe continuous, flowing speech. The reduplicated 'taotao' evokes the ...
Learn more →
míng zhī gù fàn
“Clearly know yet deliberately violate”
Knowingly commit a violation
This idiom describes clearly knowing (明知) something is wrong yet deliberately (故) doing it anyway (犯). The phrase emphasizes the moral culpability tha...
Learn more →
zì gào fèn yǒng
“Self-recommend with vigor and courage”
Volunteer bravely; step forward willingly
This idiom describes volunteering (自告) with vigor (奋) and courage (勇), emphasizing initiative and bravery in stepping forward. The phrase combines sel...
Learn more →
xíng yǐng bù lí
“Body and shadow never separate”
Inseparable; always together
This idiom compares close companions to a person (形, form/body) and their shadow (影) that never (不) separate (离). The phrase originates from ancient C...
Learn more →
guāng míng lěi luò
“Bright and open-hearted”
Upright and open; above board
This idiom combines 'bright and luminous' (光明) with 'open and upright' (磊落) to describe someone of impeccable moral character. The character 磊 depicts...
Learn more →
qī zuǐ bā shé
“Seven mouths eight tongues”
Everyone talking at once; lively discussion
This idiom uses the numbers seven (七) and eight (八), which in Chinese often suggest 'many' or 'various,' combined with mouths (嘴) and tongues (舌) to d...
Learn more →
xīn píng qì hé
“Heart calm and breath harmonious”
Calm and composed; even-tempered
This idiom combines 'calm heart' (心平) with 'harmonious breath/energy' (气和), reflecting traditional Chinese understanding of emotional and physical bal...
Learn more →
zì yǐ wéi shì
“Considering oneself to be right”
Self-righteous; opinionated
This idiom appears in the ancient Daoist text 'Zhuangzi' and was used by Confucius to criticize those who considered themselves (自以为) always right (是)...
Learn more →
cū xīn dà yì
“Rough heart and careless mind”
Careless; negligent
This idiom combines 'rough/coarse' (粗) heart (心) with 'big/careless' (大) intention (意) to describe a lack of attention to detail. While both component...
Learn more →
míng fù qí shí
“Name matches reality”
Living up to one's name or reputation
This idiom originates from the Han Dynasty text 'Hou Han Shu' (后汉书), where it described officials whose abilities matched their titles. The phrase com...
Learn more →
yán ér yǒu xìn
“Words with trustworthiness”
To be true to one's word
This idiom comes from 'The Analects of Confucius' (论语), where the sage emphasized that a person's words (言) must be accompanied by trustworthiness (信)...
Learn more →
tiān cháng dì jiǔ
“Heaven is long, earth is lasting”
Everlasting; eternal
This idiom derives from Chapter 7 of the Daoist classic 'Tao Te Ching' (道德经) by Laozi: 'Heaven and earth are long-lasting.' The phrase uses the eterna...
Learn more →
wàng chuān qiū shuǐ
“Gazing through autumn waters”
To eagerly await someone or something
This idiom originates from Tang Dynasty poetry, where 'autumn waters' (秋水) was a literary metaphor for bright, clear eyes. The phrase describes lookin...
Learn more →
jí gōng jìn lì
“Rush achievement near profit”
Seek quick success and immediate benefit
Tang Dynasty court critics first used this phrase to condemn officials rushing achievements (急功) for immediate benefits (近利). Song Dynasty Neo-Confuci...
Learn more →
huì mò rú shēn
“Avoid discussing as deep”
Maintain absolute silence about sensitive matter
Han Dynasty court protocols first established this practice of avoiding discussion (讳莫) as deeply (如深) as possible regarding sensitive imperial matter...
Learn more →
hú shuō bā dào
“Reckless speak eight ways”
Talk complete nonsense without any foundation
Ming Dynasty vernacular speech gave us this colorful description of reckless speaking (胡说) scattered in eight directions (八道). Qing Dynasty scholars u...
Learn more →
hǔ jù lóng pán
“Tiger crouch dragon coil”
Commanding imposing strategic position
Three Kingdoms period geographers first described Nanjing's terrain as having tigers crouching (虎踞) and dragons coiling (龙盘). The image combined earth...
Learn more →
hǎo hǎo xiān sheng
“Good good mister”
Person who agrees with everyone to avoid conflict
Qing Dynasty political commentators first used this phrase to criticize excessively agreeable (好好) officials (先生) who prioritized harmony over necessa...
Learn more →
hài qún zhī mǎ
“Harm herd's horse”
Individual whose behavior harms entire group
Han Dynasty horse breeders first noted how a single problematic horse (马) could harm (害) an entire herd (群). Tang Dynasty administrators adopted it to...
Learn more →
guǎi wān mò jiǎo
“Turn corners wipe angles”
Speak or act in deliberately indirect manner
Ming Dynasty urban guides first used this phrase to describe physical paths that turn corners (拐弯) and smooth angles (抹角). Qing Dynasty diplomatic wri...
Learn more →
gè shū jǐ jiàn
“Each express own view”
Everyone freely express their own opinions
Spring and Autumn period diplomatic protocols established this principle of each person expressing (抒) their own (己) view (见). Warring States strategi...
Learn more →
fù jīng qǐng zuì
“Carry thorns request punishment”
Sincerely admit fault and accept consequences
The 'Records of the Grand Historian' tells how general Lin Xiangru carried thorns (负荆) while requesting punishment (请罪) to demonstrate sincere regret ...
Learn more →
fēi é pū huǒ
“Flying moth rushes fire”
Be irresistibly drawn toward self-destruction
Han Dynasty naturalists first documented this self-destructive phenomenon of moths (飞蛾) rushing toward flames (扑火). Tang Dynasty poets transformed thi...
Learn more →
è guàn mǎn yíng
“Evil accumulated fully filled”
Accumulated evil deeds ripe for punishment
Han Dynasty metaphysical discussions introduced this image of wickedness (恶) accumulating until fully (满) overflowing (盈). Buddhist influence strength...
Learn more →
dōng zhāng xī wàng
“East stretch west gaze”
Look around nervously or suspiciously
Han Dynasty court observers first noted this revealing behavior of looking anxiously east (东张) and west (西望) as a sign of concealed intentions. The ca...
Learn more →
diū sān là sì
“Lose three drop four”
Habitually forgetful and disorganized
Ming Dynasty vernacular speech captured this pattern of losing three things (丢三) and dropping four (落四). The non-sequential numbers created a perfect ...
Learn more →
dé cùn jìn chǐ
“Gain inch advance foot”
Take advantage by demanding increasingly more
This excessive demand idiom describes gaining an inch (寸) then advancing to demand a foot (尺), originating from Han Dynasty negotiation terminology re...
Learn more →
dà gōng wú sī
“Great public no private”
Completely impartial without self-interest
Han Dynasty administrative manuals first set this standard of great fairness (大公) without self-interest (无私) for imperial officials. Tang Dynasty Neo-...
Learn more →
chéng rén zhī wēi
“Ride person's danger”
Exploit others during their vulnerability
Han Dynasty military treatises first condemned this practice of taking advantage (乘) of others' moments of vulnerability (危). Tang Dynasty Confucian s...
Learn more →
cháng huà duǎn shuō
“Long story briefly tell”
Make a long story short
Yuan Dynasty theater introduced this narrative technique of telling long stories (长话) in brief form (短说). Stage directors used it to help performers c...
Learn more →
cè mù ér shì
“Side eye and look”
Look askance with suspicion or disdain
Han Dynasty court etiquette manuals first described this technique of looking (视) with eyes turned sideways (侧目) as a way for lower officials to show ...
Learn more →
bú zé shǒu duàn
“Not choose methods”
Use any means regardless of ethics
Tang Dynasty historians first used this phrase to criticize those who refuse to discriminate (不择) between different means (手段) in pursuing their goals...
Learn more →
bù yán ér yù
“Not speak yet understood”
Self-evident requiring no explanation
Han Dynasty Confucian scholars celebrated this ideal of matters that without (不) being spoken (言) are nevertheless understood (喻). It represented the ...
Learn more →
bù xiè yī gù
“Not deign one glance”
Disdainfully dismiss as beneath consideration
The 'Records of the Grand Historian' captures a haughty Jin Kingdom minister's refusal (不屑) to give even a single glance (一顾) at Wei's alliance propos...
Learn more →
mén dāng hù duì
“Door match household align”
Match between families of similar social status
Tang Dynasty marriage arrangers first used this architectural metaphor of matching doors (门) and households (户) to describe suitable unions. Family ge...
Learn more →
lè yú zhù rén
“Happy to help people”
Find genuine pleasure in helping others
This phrase originated from Confucian ethical teachings in the Analects compiled around 500 BCE. The concept appears in Confucius' discussions of diff...
Learn more →
dài rén rè qíng
“Treat people warmly”
Treat others with genuine warmth and enthusiasm
This phrase originated from Song Dynasty etiquette manuals for merchant households, first providing guidance for commercial hospitality before broaden...
Learn more →
xīn dì shàn liáng
“Heart ground kind good”
Fundamentally kind and virtuous character
This phrase originated from Buddhist terminology during the Eastern Han Dynasty introduction of Buddhism to China. It appeared in early sutras transla...
Learn more →
bàn miàn zhī jiāo
“Half-face acquaintance”
Superficial acquaintance without depth
This idiom originated from Tang Dynasty social terminology, first appearing in poetry describing fleeting encounters that created recognition without ...
Learn more →
ài máo fǎn qiú
“Love fur turn inside-out fur coat”
Honor one's teachers or humble origins
The Warring States period text 'Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals' introduces this image of loving fur (爱毛) so much that one turns a fur coat inside out (...
Learn more →
zì zuò cōng míng
“Self make cleverness”
Too clever for one's own good
Ming Dynasty storytellers gave us this sharp critique of those who create their own version of cleverness (自作聪明), often leading to foolish decisions. ...
Learn more →
zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī
“Everyone completely knows”
As everyone knows or is widely recognized
Han Dynasty imperial edicts first employed this phrase to establish what everyone (众) completely (周) knows (知) before introducing new policies. Tang D...
Learn more →
zhāo qín mù chǔ
“Morning Qin evening Chu”
Constantly shifting loyalty for personal gain
During the turbulent Warring States period, this phrase emerged to describe officials who served Qin state in the morning (朝秦) but switched to Chu by ...
Learn more →
zhǎn dīng jié tiě
“Chop nail cut iron”
Decisively and firmly without hesitation
Born in the workshops of Tang Dynasty metalworkers, this phrase captures the clean, decisive action of chopping nails (斩钉) and cutting iron (截铁). The ...
Learn more →
zǒng ér yán zhī
“Altogether and speaking it”
To sum up everything discussed
This formal idiom combines totality (总) with expression (言之) through a linking particle (而), emerging directly from Han Dynasty scholarly writing rath...
Learn more →
bīng qīng yù jié
“Ice clear jade pure”
Impeccable moral character and integrity
This purity idiom pairs the clarity of ice (冰清) with the unsullied nature of jade (玉洁), originating from Han Dynasty descriptions of exemplary officia...
Learn more →
yè gōng hào lóng
“Lord Ye loves dragons”
Professed love hiding actual fear
This ironic tale tells of Lord Ye (叶公) who professed to love (好) dragons (龙) but fled in terror when faced with a real one. During the Six Dynasties p...
Learn more →
zhǐ sāng mà huái
“Point mulberry, curse locust tree”
Indirect criticism of real target
This indirect idiom describes pointing at (指) mulberry trees (桑) while cursing (骂) locust trees (槐), originating from the Spring and Autumn period. It...
Learn more →
hú li wěi ba
“Fox's tail”
True nature eventually revealed
This revealing idiom references a fox's (狐狸) tail (尾巴) as something hidden that eventually shows itself, originating from Tang Dynasty folklore where ...
Learn more →
qīng méi zhú mǎ
“Green plums and bamboo horses”
Childhood sweethearts or friends
This nostalgic idiom pairs green plums (青梅) with bamboo horses (竹马), originating from Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai's verse about childhood playmates. It d...
Learn more →
xū zhāng shēng shì
“Empty show of strength”
Bluffing with fake display
This deceptive idiom describes creating false (虚) displays (张) of power (势) through noise (声), originating from Warring States period military strateg...
Learn more →
guò hé chāi qiáo
“Cross river, dismantle bridge”
Abandoning those who helped you
This ungrateful idiom describes crossing (过) a river (河) and then dismantling (拆) the bridge (桥), originating from Tang Dynasty political commentary. ...
Learn more →
dǐng lǐ mó bài
“Highest reverence and worship”
Extreme adoration or worship
This reverential idiom combines the highest form of respect (顶礼) with devout worship (膜拜), originating from Buddhist ritual practices during the Easte...
Learn more →
nán xiōng nán dì
“Difficult elder and younger brothers”
Companions united through shared hardship
This related idiom describes troubled (难) elder brother (兄) and troubled (难) younger brother (弟), originating from Qing Dynasty vernacular literature....
Learn more →
bù bēi bù kàng
“Neither humble nor proud”
Maintain perfect dignified composure
This balanced idiom advocates being neither (不) servile (卑) nor (不) arrogant (亢), originating from Confucian texts of the Warring States period. It fi...
Learn more →
gāo shān liú shuǐ
“High mountain flowing water”
Perfect artistic understanding between friends
This aesthetic idiom pairs lofty (高) mountains (山) with flowing (流) water (水), originating from a famous friendship between Zhong Ziqi and musician Bo...
Learn more →
zuò huái bù luàn
“Sit in lap not disorderly”
Maintain perfect integrity despite temptation
This idiom refers to maintaining propriety (不乱) even when a woman sits (坐) in one's lap (怀), originating from a story about Confucian scholar Liuxia H...
Learn more →
jìng yè lè qún
“Respect work enjoy community”
Balance excellence with social harmony
This balanced approach advocates respecting (敬) one's profession (业) while enjoying (乐) community (群), first appearing in Confucian educational texts ...
Learn more →
kǒu shì xīn fēi
“Mouth yes heart no”
Words differ from thoughts
Originating in Tang Dynasty Buddhist texts discussing the alignment of speech and thought, this idiom describes when the mouth (口) says yes (是) but th...
Learn more →
yán bù yóu zhōng
“Words not from heart”
Speak without meaning it
First appearing in Han Dynasty court records, this idiom describes words (言) not originating (不由) from within one's heart (衷). It gained particular si...
Learn more →
yī nuò qiān jīn
“One promise thousand gold”
Keep promises faithfully
Emerging from the Spring and Autumn period, this idiom equates one (一) promise (诺) with a thousand in gold (千金). It gained prominence through the stor...
Learn more →
yǐn shuǐ sī yuán
“Drink water think source”
Remember your roots
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 sourc...
Learn more →
wán bì guī zhào
“Return jade to Zhao complete”
Return something perfect
This idiom stems from the Warring States period when Lin Xiangru, a diplomat of Zhao state, was tasked with protecting a precious jade disk (璧) that K...
Learn more →
qīng gài rú gù
“Tilt hat like old friends”
Instant friendship
Dating to the Spring and Autumn period, this elegant idiom describes the instant rapport between kindred spirits, comparing it to tilting (倾) carriage...
Learn more →
xuě zhōng sòng tàn
“Send coal in snow”
Help in time of need
Sending (送) coal (炭) in snow (雪) weather captured the essence of timely assistance during critical moments. This Song Dynasty idiom arose from stories...
Learn more →
shǒu zhèng bù ē
“Keep right no flattery”
Keep integrity without compromise
Emerging from Han Dynasty political discourse, this phrase combines maintaining righteousness (守正) with refusing to flatter or compromise principles (...
Learn more →
zhòng zhì chéng chéng
“Many wills make wall”
Unity creates strength
This architectural metaphor shows how many wills (众志) can form an impenetrable wall (城), drawing from ancient Chinese defensive architecture. It gaine...
Learn more →
shǒu kǒu rú píng
“Guard mouth like bottle”
Keep secrets well
Comparing one's mouth to a sealed bottle (瓶), this idiom emerged during the Tang Dynasty when court intrigue made discretion essential for survival. T...
Learn more →
yī yán jiǔ dǐng
“Words heavy as nine cauldrons”
Words carry great weight
During the Zhou Dynasty, nine sacred bronze cauldrons (鼎) symbolized imperial authority. This idiom equates a single (一) word (言) with the weight of t...
Learn more →
ài wū jí wū
“Love house and its crow”
Love extends to all connections
This tender expression describes how love (爱) for a house (屋) extends (及) even to the crow (乌) perched on its roof. Dating back to the Warring States ...
Learn more →
shǒu wàng xiāng zhù
“Watch and help each other”
Help and support each other
Originating from ancient Chinese village organization principles, this phrase describes communities watching (守望) and helping (相助) each other. Histori...
Learn more →
hú jiǎ hǔ wēi
“Fox uses tiger's power”
Borrow authority to intimidate
This idiom emerged from a Warring States period fable where a fox (狐) borrowed (假) the authority (威) of a tiger (虎) to intimidate other animals. The s...
Learn more →
chūn fēng huà yǔ
“Spring wind becomes rain”
Gentle, nurturing influence
This poetic metaphor traces back to the Han Dynasty's educational philosophy, where ideal teaching was compared to spring winds (春风) transforming into...
Learn more →
fēng yǔ tóng zhōu
“Share boat in wind and rain”
Share hardships together
Closely related to '同舟共济' but with added emotional depth, this idiom evokes sharing a boat (同舟) amid wind (风) and rain (雨). It first appeared in Song ...
Learn more →
tóng zhōu gòng jì
“Cross river in same boat”
Face challenges together
This idiom shares deep connections with China's river-centric civilization, where crossing (济) together (共) in the same boat (同舟) was often a matter o...
Learn more →
yǐ hé wéi guì
“Value harmony as precious”
Value harmony above all
This idiom, promoting harmony (和) as precious (贵), traces back to the Zhou Dynasty classic 'Guoyu,' reflecting early Chinese diplomatic philosophy. Th...
Learn more →
hǎi nà bǎi chuān
“Sea accepts hundred rivers”
Accept all with open mind
This idiom describes how the sea (海) accepts (纳) a hundred (百) rivers (川), celebrating inclusivity and breadth of mind. It first gained prominence dur...
Learn more →
yǐ xīn huàn xīn
“Exchange heart for heart”
Treat others as yourself
This idiom emerged during the Han Dynasty, expressing the profound concept of exchanging (换) one heart (心) for another (以). It first appeared in diplo...
Learn more →
yī mú yī yàng
“One mold one appearance”
Exactly identical
Originating in Ming Dynasty craftsmen's guilds, this idiom literally means one (一) mold (模) produces one (一) appearance (样). It derives from the ancie...
Learn more →