Success & Perseverance Chinese Idioms

Apply creative genius; show ingenuity

This idiom describes the craftsman's (匠) heart (心) uniquely (独) operating (运). A variant of 独具匠心, it emphasizes the active application of creative gen...

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Show great ingenuity; have original design

This idiom describes uniquely (独) possessing (具) a craftsman's (匠) heart (心). It depicts original creative thinking with the skill of a master artisan...

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Have unique style; be distinctive

This idiom describes separately (别) possessing (具) one (一) style (格). It depicts something with a unique character that distinguishes it from others. ...

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Be unique; have distinctive style

This idiom describes alone (独) raising (树) one (一) banner (帜). It depicts establishing a unique position or style that stands apart from all others. T...

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Come first; win top honors

This idiom describes alone (独) occupying (占) the turtle's (鳌) head (头). In imperial examinations, the top scholar would stand on the carved turtle hea...

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Reach supernatural skill level

This idiom describes transcending (出) the spiritual (神) and entering (入) transformation (化). It depicts skill so advanced it seems supernatural. The p...

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Achieve success and fame

This idiom describes merit (功) achieved (成) and name (名) established (就). It depicts the completion of one's life work and the establishment of lastin...

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Gain both fame and fortune

This idiom describes fame (名) and profit (利) both (双) obtained (收). It depicts the ideal outcome where one gains both reputation and financial reward....

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Advance steadily; continuous promotion

This idiom describes step (步) by step (步) rising (升) high (高). Unlike rapid ascent idioms, this depicts steady, continuous advancement. Each step brin...

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Rise quickly to high position

This idiom describes going straight (直) up (上) to blue (青) clouds (云). Similar to 平步青云, it depicts rapid ascent to high positions. The directness of 直...

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Rise rapidly; soar straight up

This idiom describes riding a whirlwind (扶摇) straight (直) up (上). From Zhuangzi's description of the roc bird rising ninety thousand li on the wind. T...

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Rise to fame and fortune rapidly

This idiom describes the flying (飞) yellow horse (黄) soaring (腾达). The yellow horse was a legendary swift steed. The phrase depicts rapid rise to prom...

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Rise rapidly to high position

This idiom describes level (平) steps (步) to blue (青) clouds (云). It depicts rising to great heights with ease, as if walking casually into the sky. Th...

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Win at the very start; immediate success

This idiom describes flags (旗) opening (开) and obtaining (得) victory (胜). It depicts winning immediately upon starting, like an army victorious in its...

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Win every battle; be undefeated

This idiom describes battles (战) having nothing (无) not (不) won (胜). Similar to 攻无不克, it depicts perfect military success. Often used together as 攻无不克...

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Win every battle; never fail in attacks

This idiom describes attacks (攻) having nothing (无) not (不) conquered (克). It depicts military forces that succeed in every assault. The phrase was us...

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Be invincible; have no rivals

This idiom describes wherever (所) directed (向), having no (无) enemies (敌). Similar to 所向披靡, it depicts invincibility. The phrase emphasizes the absenc...

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Be invincible; defeat all opponents

This idiom describes wherever (所) directed (向), all fall (披靡). It depicts an unstoppable force that defeats everything in its path. The phrase was use...

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Have victory assured; be confident of winning

This idiom describes the victory (胜) ticket (券) being in (在) one's grasp (握). Similar to 稳操胜券, it depicts assured victory. The phrase expresses confid...

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Have victory in the bag; be certain to win

This idiom describes firmly (稳) holding (操) the winning (胜) ticket (券). It depicts having victory virtually assured, like holding a winning lottery ti...

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Cross difficult terrain; overcome major obstacles

This idiom describes crossing (翻) mountains (山) and passing (越) ridges (岭). Similar to 跋山涉水, it emphasizes mountainous terrain specifically. The phras...

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Travel through hardship; overcome obstacles

This idiom describes climbing (跋) mountains (山) and fording (涉) waters (水). It depicts arduous travel through difficult terrain. The phrase captures t...

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Endure hardships of travel; rough it

This idiom describes eating (餐) in the wind (风) and sleeping (宿) in the dew (露). It depicts the hardships of travelers or workers without shelter, exp...

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Heavy burden and long journey ahead

This idiom describes heavy (重) responsibility (任) and a long (远) road (道). From the Analects where Confucius described the burden of benevolence. The ...

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Continue until death; lifelong commitment

This idiom describes stopping (已) only after (后) death (死). Often paired with 鞠躬尽瘁, it completes Zhuge Liang's famous statement of lifelong dedication...

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Give one's all; be completely sincere

This idiom describes exposing (披) one's liver (肝) and draining (沥) one's gallbladder (胆). These organs represent sincerity and courage in Chinese cult...

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Work hard to improve governance

This idiom describes exerting (励) one's essence (精) and planning (图) governance (治). It depicts dedicated, energetic effort to govern well. The phrase...

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Work tirelessly and diligently

This idiom describes working diligently (孜孜) without (不) becoming weary (倦). The doubled character 孜 emphasizes continuous effort. The phrase praises ...

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Walk proudly; show confidence

This idiom describes holding the head (首) high (昂) and the chest (胸) out (挺). It depicts confident, proud posture that shows self-assurance. The phras...

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Add to one's strength; become even more powerful

This idiom describes being like a tiger (如虎) that adds (添) wings (翼). A tiger is already formidable; with wings, it becomes unstoppable. The phrase de...

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Stand out; distinguish oneself

This idiom originates from a story where the advisor Mao Sui described talent like an awl in a bag - if truly sharp, its tip (颖) will emerge (脱而出). Th...

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Return with rich rewards

This idiom describes returning (归) fully (满) loaded (载). Originally describing fishing boats or trading vessels returning with holds full of catch or ...

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Thriving; flourishing

This idiom uses the reduplicated 'xinxin' (欣欣), meaning flourishing or joyful growth, combined with heading toward (向) prosperity (荣). It originally d...

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After hardship comes happiness

This idiom describes bitterness (苦) ending (尽) and sweetness (甘) arriving (来). It offers hope that suffering is temporary and will be followed by bett...

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Earth-shaking; tremendous

This idiom describes something so significant it startles (惊) heaven (天) and shakes (动) earth (地). The cosmic scale of the metaphor indicates events o...

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Practice makes perfect

This idiom states that familiarity/practice (熟) can (能) produce (生) skill (巧). It emphasizes that expertise comes from repeated practice rather than i...

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Flawless; beyond criticism

This idiom describes having no (无) weakness or gap (懈) that can (可) be attacked (击). Originally a military term describing impenetrable defenses, it e...

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Each shows their special skills

This idiom originates from Buddhist and Daoist stories where supernatural beings each (各) displayed (显) their divine powers (神通). The phrase 'shentong...

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For the first time ever; unprecedented

This idiom describes breaking (破) through heaven's (天) wasteland (荒). It originates from Tang Dynasty examination history when the Jingzhou region, lo...

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Build up from nothing; self-made

This idiom describes starting a family or business with white/empty (白) hands (手) - meaning no inherited wealth or resources. The phrase celebrates se...

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One of a kind; unique

This idiom describes something unique (独一) with no (无) second (二) example existing. The emphatic structure reinforces absolute uniqueness - not just r...

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Clear away confusion to see the truth

This idiom describes pushing away (拨) clouds (云) to see (见) the sun (日). The image captures the moment when obscurity clears and truth or understandin...

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Rank among the best; be at the top

This idiom originates from ancient Chinese military practice where commanders at the front of an army carried 'mao' (茅), a type of reed grass, as sign...

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Highest level of mastery; consummate skill

This idiom derives from Daoist alchemy, where the furnace fire (炉火) turning pure blue (纯青) indicated the highest temperature needed for successful tra...

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Easy; effortless

This idiom describes something so light (轻) that it can be easily (易) lifted (举). The physical image of effortless lifting translates to any task acco...

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Press forward courageously

This idiom describes advancing (往) with single-minded determination, with nothing (无) able to block the way ahead (前). The character 一 emphasizes unwa...

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Smooth sailing; everything going well

This idiom depicts a sailing vessel with one (一) sail (帆) catching favorable (顺) wind (风), moving smoothly toward its destination. It emerged from Chi...

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Indomitable; unyielding

This idiom combines two negations - not (不) bending (屈) and not (不) yielding (挠) - to describe absolute resistance to pressure. The phrase appears in ...

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Incomparable; unparalleled

This idiom states that nothing (无) exists to (与) compare (伦比) with something, indicating supreme excellence. The character 伦 relates to categories or ...

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Capable of taking charge independently

This idiom originates from military contexts in the Han Dynasty, describing generals capable of independently (独) managing (当) one front or flank (一面)...

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To disregard; put aside consideration of

This idiom means to place (置) something (之) outside (外) the bounds of consideration (度). It originates from historical texts describing generals and h...

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Emerging rapidly in great numbers

This idiom captures the natural phenomenon of bamboo shoots (春笋) growing rapidly after (后) spring rain (雨). In Chinese landscapes, bamboo groves visib...

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To show off one's abilities

This idiom combines 'greatly display' (大显) with 'body and hands' (身手), where 'shenshou' represents one's physical abilities and skills. The phrase ori...

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Wholeheartedly; with undivided attention

This idiom appears in Buddhist texts translated during the Han Dynasty, describing the focused mind required for meditation. The repetition of 'one' (...

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Being practical and down-to-earth

This idiom originated during the Song Dynasty in biographical accounts praising scholars who pursued knowledge through steady, practical effort rather...

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Latecomers surpass the early starters

This idiom originates from 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记), describing how later (后来) officials often rose (居上) to higher positions than their p...

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Achieve immediate success

This idiom originates from ancient Chinese military culture, where cavalry was crucial to victory. When war horses arrived at the battlefield, success...

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Strong start with weak finish

Tang Dynasty literary critics gave us this image of a tiger's head (虎头) with a snake's tail (蛇尾) to describe works that begin powerfully but end weakl...

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Attempt an extremely difficult search

Ming Dynasty storytellers gave us this image of searching for a needle at the bottom of the ocean (海底捞针), originally appearing in tales of impossible ...

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So absorbed as to neglect basic needs

Han Dynasty biographers first celebrated this level of dedication where scholars abandoned sleep (废寝) and forgot food (忘食). The phrase gained immortal...

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Make a comeback after setback or retirement

The story of Jin Dynasty official Xie An, who retreated to East Mountain (东山) before making a triumphant return to high office, gave us this enduring ...

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Uniquely blessed with natural advantages

This idiom originated from Tang Dynasty geographical descriptions of particularly fortunate territories, first documenting regions with exceptional na...

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Perfect accuracy every single time

This idiom originated from Tang Dynasty military assessments of elite archers who could hit the target (中) with every single shot (百发) fired. It first...

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Self-reliance without external dependence

Buddhist concepts of spiritual self-regeneration took on powerful new meaning during China's early 20th century struggle for independence. This idea o...

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Rush eagerly to be first, not last

The competitive atmosphere of the Han Dynasty imperial court gave birth to this phrase describing the twin drives of striving to be first (争先) while f...

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Vibrant youthful energy and enthusiasm

Early Daoist texts first connected morning energy (朝气) with vigorously flourishing spirit (蓬勃), seeing dawn as the embodiment of vital force. Tang Dyn...

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Continue efforts with undiminished enthusiasm

Found in the historical records of the Jin Dynasty, this expression of renewed connection (再接) and repeated encouragement (再厉) originally described mi...

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Methodical and well-organized action

This orderliness idiom describes having clear threads (有条) without tangling (不紊), originating from Han Dynasty textile terminology. It first described...

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Extraordinary popularity of intellectual work

This idiom tells of how paper in Luoyang (洛阳) became expensive (纸贵) due to overwhelming demand for a single work. It originated from the Jin Dynasty, ...

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Heroically reversing catastrophic situation

Born from Song Dynasty accounts of flood control efforts, this idiom describes using strength (力) to pull back (挽) wild (狂) tidal waves (澜). It first ...

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Wielding extraordinary influence over others

Ancient shamanistic traditions gave us this image of summoning wind (呼风) and calling rain (唤雨). Tang Dynasty writers transformed it from literal weath...

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Youthful vigor despite old age

This vigorous idiom combines dragon (龙) and horse (马) energy (精神), originating from Tang Dynasty descriptions of elderly but energetic officials. Both...

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Excellence that outshines all others

This distinguished idiom describes emerging (出) from a category (类) and rising above (拔) the crowd (萃), originating from the Book of Later Han. It fir...

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Unlimited potential for future success

This encouraging idiom describes a future path (前途) that has no (无) measure or limit (量), originating from Song Dynasty educational philosophy. It fir...

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Courage balanced with careful attention

This balanced idiom pairs a large gallbladder (胆大, representing courage) with a fine/careful heart (心细), originating from Ming Dynasty military manual...

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Flawless and perfectly seamless

This flawless idiom describes celestial garments (天衣) without (无) seams (缝), originating from Buddhist sutras introduced during the Eastern Han Dynast...

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Lasting impact of performance

This resonant idiom describes music lingering (绕) around ceiling beams (梁) for three (三) days (日), originating from the Spring and Autumn period. Hist...

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Perfect execution without revision

This flawless idiom describes writing (文) that needs no (不) added (加) corrections (点), referencing Three Kingdoms period literary genius Lu Ji. Histor...

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Quitting before completion

This unfinished idiom describes abandoning (废) a journey midway (半途), originating from Han Dynasty Confucian texts on perseverance. It first appeared ...

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Persistence overcomes huge obstacles

This persistent idiom tells of a determined old man (愚公) who began removing (移) mountains (山) that blocked his path, originating from the 'Liezi' duri...

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Endure hardship for future success

This perseverance idiom combines two historical stories of determined revenge. It references King Goujian of Yue who slept on brushwood (卧薪) to rememb...

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Excellence develops with time

This encouraging idiom suggests that significant talents or capacities (大器) often develop or succeed (成) late (晚). It originated during the Eastern Ha...

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Maintain perfect composure under pressure

This composed idiom describes remaining perfectly calm (泰然) and naturally (自) maintaining one's usual manner (若), originating from Han Dynasty philoso...

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Create effortlessly from mastery

This fluent idiom describes casually (信手) picking up or plucking (拈来) something with ease, originating from Tang Dynasty descriptions of master callig...

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Persist despite difficult conditions

This determined idiom states that wind (风) and rain (雨) present no (无) obstacle (阻), originating from Han Dynasty courier service standards. Historica...

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Strive continuously for self-improvement

This motivational idiom advocates constantly (不息) strengthening (强) oneself (自), originating from the Classic of Changes during the early Zhou Dynasty...

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Find advantage in all directions

This fortunate idiom describes encountering (逢) springs/resources (源) whether turning left or right (左右), originating from Tang Dynasty descriptions o...

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Perfected through repeated refinement

This metallurgical metaphor describes something subjected to a thousand (千) hammer blows (锤) and a hundred (百) forgings (炼), originating from Han Dyna...

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Extraordinary healing skill

This healing idiom praises marvelous (妙) hands (手) that can bring back (回) spring/life (春), originating from Tang Dynasty medical texts. It first desc...

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Craftsmanship beyond natural limits

This expression praises human craftsmanship so skillful (巧) it seems to surpass (夺) heaven's/nature's (天) work (工), first appearing in Han Dynasty art...

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Absolutely flawless and thorough

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 arc...

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Work through the entire night

This temporal idiom describes working throughout (通) the night (宵) until reaching (达) dawn (旦), dating to Han Dynasty accounts of diligent officials. ...

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Advance boldly through difficulty

This dynamic idiom describes bravely (勇) advancing (进) through rapid (急) currents (流), emerging from Tang Dynasty descriptions of skilled boatmen navi...

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Reach highest attainable level

This expression describes climbing (登) to the mountain peak (峰) and reaching (造) the ultimate limit (极), originating from Daoist geographical texts of...

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Invest utmost effort and emotion

This visceral idiom describes effort so intense it's like vomiting (呕) one's heart (心) and dripping (沥) blood (血), first appearing in Tang Dynasty lit...

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Impenetrable defenses

This military metaphor describes defenses firm (固) as (若) metal (金) and hot moat water (汤), originating from Han Dynasty fortress construction, where ...

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Press on despite awareness of challenges

This idiom describes the courage to recognize (知) difficulties (难) and still move forward (进), originating from Warring States military strategy texts...

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Courage under pressure

This idiom describes facing (临) danger (危) without (不) fear (惧), originating from accounts of general Yue Fei's courage during the Southern Song Dynas...

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Success after long preparation

This idiom compares patient accumulation (积) of deep (厚) knowledge with the eventual release (发) that requires minimal (薄) effort. It emerged during t...

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Everything in right place

Emerging from early Confucian texts discussing social harmony, this concept describes how each (各) element finds (得) its proper (其) place (所). The ide...

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Achieve instinctive mastery

This idiom comes from the Zhuangzi's famous story of butcher Ding, whose eyes (目) no longer saw (无) the whole (全) ox (牛) but rather the spaces between...

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Concentrate fully

Dating to Daoist meditation manuals from the Han Dynasty, this idiom describes the gathering (聚) of vital essence (精) to commune (会) with spirit (神). ...

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Constantly improve

This philosophy traces back to the Spring and Autumn period's craftsman traditions, where artisans (精) would continuously refine (益) their work while ...

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Vast and mighty

This rhythmic description of vast (浩浩) flowing (荡荡) movement originated from classical descriptions of the Yellow River's mighty course. During the Ta...

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Almost catch up

This vivid phrase describes only being able to see someone's neck (项) and back (背) while looking up (望) at them, originally appearing in Confucian tex...

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Perfect moment of opportunity

Drawing from ancient Chinese cosmology, this idiom describes the dramatic moment when wind (风) and clouds (云) gather (际会) before a momentous change. T...

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Extremely rare

Combining two of the most rare mythical elements - phoenix (凤) feathers (毛) and unicorn/qilin (麟) horns (角) - this idiom emerged from Han Dynasty impe...

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Complete in one go

This idiom captures the aesthetic ideal of completing (成) something in a single (一) breath (气) or effort (呵), originating from classical Chinese calli...

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Work day and night

This poetic idiom paints a picture of wearing (披) stars (星) and crowning (戴) oneself with the moon (月), describing dedication that extends from dawn t...

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Perfect through careful work

Originally appearing in the Classic of Poetry, this idiom references the painstaking process of jade (玉) craftsmanship, where the stone becomes (成) pe...

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Endure now for future

Emerging from Confucian teachings about personal development, this idiom combines bearing (负) weight (重) with reaching (致) far (远) distances. The imag...

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Exceptionally beautiful

Originating from descriptions of the legendary beauty Yang Guifei, one of China's Four Great Beauties, this idiom suggests a beauty so radiant it coul...

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In perfect element

This idiom captures the harmony between fish (鱼) and water (水), drawing from Daoist observations of natural affinities. In ancient texts, particularly...

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Focus intently

This vivid description of eyes (目) that don't (不) turn (转) their gaze (睛) originates from Han Dynasty descriptions of intense focus. The phrase first ...

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Small things build achievement

The concept of gathering (聚) sand (沙) to build (成) a tower (塔) emerged from Buddhist temple construction practices during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Th...

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Stand out from crowd

Han Dynasty observers first used this image of a crane standing (鹤立) among chickens (鸡群) to describe natural nobility amid the common. Unlike artifici...

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Persist despite impossibility

This poignant idiom comes from an ancient myth about Nüwa's daughter, who drowned in the Eastern Sea and became a bird (精卫) determined to fill (填) the...

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Success through persistence

The tale of an elderly woman grinding an iron (铁) pestle (杵) into a needle (针) dates to the Northern Song Dynasty. When Li Bai saw her task, she expla...

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Complete collapse

The vivid image of ice (冰) melting (消) and tiles (瓦) breaking apart (解) originated in military texts describing the sudden collapse of seemingly solid...

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Study despite poverty

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...

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Study extremely hard

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...

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Selfless dedication

The poignant image of the spring (春) silkworm (蚕) spinning until death (死) emerged from ancient observations of sericulture, where silkworms produce s...

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Overcome all obstacles

This vivid idiom describes cutting through (披) thorny shrubs (荆) and hacking (斩) through brambles (棘), originating from historical accounts of early s...

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Persevere until success

This idiom originates from the story of an ancient man who attempted to carve (锲) through a mountain with unwavering persistence (不舍). Recorded in pre...

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Gradual accumulation builds up

This idiom weaves together daily (日) accumulation (积) with monthly (月) gathering (累) to describe gradual progress. It first appeared in Han Dynasty te...

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Complete in one effort

Derived from the ancient military treatise 'Guan Zi', this idiom describes how soldiers' spirits (气) rise highest at the first drum (一鼓) beat before b...

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Plan strategy carefully

Rooted in military strategy, this idiom describes making crucial decisions behind the curtains (帷幄) of a military command tent while planning (运筹) cam...

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Success comes naturally

Drawing from ancient Chinese irrigation practices, this idiom captures how water (水) flowing consistently will naturally create its channel (渠). First...

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Progress from basic to advanced

Originally describing the physical progression from entering (登) the main hall (堂) to reaching (入) the inner chambers (室) of traditional Chinese homes...

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Have great vision

First appearing in Tang Dynasty literary criticism, this phrase describes having hills (丘) and valleys (壑) within one's heart/mind (胸). It originated ...

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Make difficult look easy

This idiom reflects a masterful approach to difficult tasks, where lifting (举) something heavy (重) appears (若) as effortless as something light (轻). I...

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Extremely careful and thorough

This meticulous idiom literally means not allowing a single (一) silk thread (丝) to be careless (不苟). Emerging from textile craftsmanship during the So...

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Practice with determination

This inspiring idiom recalls the story of Zu Di, a Jin Dynasty general who would rise (起) to practice sword dance (舞) whenever he heard (闻) roosters (...

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Small efforts make big results

This idiom originates from ancient Chinese furriers who gathered (集) small pieces of fur from animal armpits (腋) to make (成) a luxurious coat (裘). Fir...

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Progress despite difficulties

Emerging from Tang Dynasty (618-907) Buddhist texts, this idiom depicts the image of carrying (负) weight (重) while marching (行) forward (前). It origin...

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Volunteer oneself confidently

Named after Mao Sui (毛遂), a lesser official from the Warring States period (475-221 BCE) who boldly recommended (荐) himself (自) for a crucial diplomat...

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Achieve even greater success

Emerging from Chan Buddhist teachings of the Tang Dynasty, this idiom depicts a person balanced atop a hundred-foot (百尺) pole (竿头). The image comes fr...

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Less effort, better results

This mathematical idiom describes situations where half (半) the effort (事) yields double (倍) the result (功). First appearing in Han Dynasty agricultur...

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Work harder to compensate

This disarmingly simple idiom emerged from folk wisdom observing that slow (笨) birds (鸟) must start first (先飞) to reach their destination with the flo...

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Progress needs constant effort

This idiom describes a boat (舟) moving (行) against (逆) the current (水), originally appearing in Tang Dynasty texts discussing persistence in difficult...

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Student surpasses master

This idiom comes from a statement by Xunzi, noting that while blue (青) dye comes from (出于) the indigo plant (蓝), it surpasses its source in depth of c...

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Value time preciously

This idiom, emerging during the Song Dynasty's growing commercial culture, equates valuing (如) time (时) with gold (金). It gained prominence as mechani...

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Commit with no retreat

Originating from a famous historical event in 207 BCE, this idiom recounts how general Xiang Yu ordered his troops to break (破) their cooking pots (釜)...

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Heaven rewards diligence

This idiom encapsulates the belief that Heaven's way (天道) rewards (酬) diligence (勤). Emerging from Song Dynasty Neo-Confucian teachings, it reflects t...

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Extremely popular

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...

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Persistence achieves anything

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, i...

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Unshakeable despite adversity

Dating to the Warring States period, this idiom describes bamboo that bends a hundred (百) times (折) but never (不) yields (挠). The imagery comes from a...

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Sudden, remarkable success

This idiom emerged during the Han Dynasty in scholarly discourse about late-blooming talent. The image of a seemingly ordinary bird (鸣, cry) suddenly ...

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