Learn Chinese idioms about interpersonal relationships, social bonds, moral character, and behavioral patterns. These sayings illuminate human nature and the dynamics of human connections.
57 idioms in this category
gè shū jǐ jiàn
“Each express own view”
Everyone freely express their own opinions
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fù jīng qǐng zuì
“Carry thorns request punishment”
Sincerely admit fault and accept consequences
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fēi é pū huǒ
“Flying moth rushes fire”
Be irresistibly drawn toward self-destruction
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è guàn mǎn yíng
“Evil accumulated fully filled”
Accumulated evil deeds ripe for punishment
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dōng zhāng xī wàng
“East stretch west gaze”
Look around nervously or suspiciously
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diū sān là sì
“Lose three drop four”
Habitually forgetful and disorganized
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dé cùn jìn chǐ
“Gain inch advance foot”
Take advantage by demanding increasingly more
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dà gōng wú sī
“Great public no private”
Completely impartial without self-interest
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chéng rén zhī wēi
“Ride person's danger”
Exploit others during their vulnerability
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cháng huà duǎn shuō
“Long story briefly tell”
Make a long story short
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cè mù ér shì
“Side eye and look”
Look askance with suspicion or disdain
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bú zé shǒu duàn
“Not choose methods”
Use any means regardless of ethics
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bù yán ér yù
“Not speak yet understood”
Self-evident requiring no explanation
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bù xiè yī gù
“Not deign one glance”
Disdainfully dismiss as beneath consideration
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mén dāng hù duì
“Door match household align”
Match between families of similar social status
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lè yú zhù rén
“Happy to help people”
Find genuine pleasure in helping others
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dài rén rè qíng
“Treat people warmly”
Treat others with genuine warmth and enthusiasm
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xīn dì shàn liáng
“Heart ground kind good”
Fundamentally kind and virtuous character
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bàn miàn zhī jiāo
“Half-face acquaintance”
Superficial acquaintance without depth
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ài máo fǎn qiú
“Love fur turn inside-out fur coat”
Honor one's teachers or humble origins
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zì zuò cōng míng
“Self make cleverness”
Too clever for one's own good
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zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī
“Everyone completely knows”
As everyone knows or is widely recognized
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zhāo qín mù chǔ
“Morning Qin evening Chu”
Constantly shifting loyalty for personal gain
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zhǎn dīng jié tiě
“Chop nail cut iron”
Decisively and firmly without hesitation
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zǒng ér yán zhī
“Altogether and speaking it”
To sum up everything discussed
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zhǐ sāng mà huái
“Point mulberry, curse locust tree”
Indirect criticism of real target
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hú li wěi ba
“Fox's tail”
True nature eventually revealed
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qīng méi zhú mǎ
“Green plums and bamboo horses”
Childhood sweethearts or friends
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xū zhāng shēng shì
“Empty show of strength”
Bluffing with fake display
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guò hé chāi qiáo
“Cross river, dismantle bridge”
Abandoning those who helped you
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dǐng lǐ mó bài
“Highest reverence and worship”
Extreme adoration or worship
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nán xiōng nán dì
“Difficult elder and younger brothers”
Companions united through shared hardship
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bù bēi bù kàng
“Neither humble nor proud”
Maintain perfect dignified composure
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gāo shān liú shuǐ
“High mountain flowing water”
Perfect artistic understanding between friends
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zuò huái bù luàn
“Sit in lap not disorderly”
Maintain perfect integrity despite temptation
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jìng yè lè qún
“Respect work enjoy community”
Balance excellence with social harmony
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kǒu shì xīn fēi
“Mouth yes heart no”
Words differ from thoughts
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yán bù yóu zhōng
“Words not from heart”
Speak without meaning it
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yī nuò qiān jīn
“One promise thousand gold”
Keep promises faithfully
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yǐn shuǐ sī yuán
“Drink water think source”
Remember your roots
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wán bì guī zhào
“Return jade to Zhao complete”
Return something perfect
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qīng gài rú gù
“Tilt hat like old friends”
Instant friendship
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xuě zhōng sòng tàn
“Send coal in snow”
Help in time of need
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shǒu zhèng bù ē
“Keep right no flattery”
Keep integrity without compromise
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zhòng zhì chéng chéng
“Many wills make wall”
Unity creates strength
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shǒu kǒu rú píng
“Guard mouth like bottle”
Keep secrets well
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yī yán jiǔ dǐng
“Words heavy as nine cauldrons”
Words carry great weight
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ài wū jí wū
“Love house and its crow”
Love extends to all connections
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shǒu wàng xiāng zhù
“Watch and help each other”
Help and support each other
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hú jiǎ hǔ wēi
“Fox uses tiger's power”
Borrow authority to intimidate
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chūn fēng huà yǔ
“Spring wind becomes rain”
Gentle, nurturing influence
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fēng yǔ tóng zhōu
“Share boat in wind and rain”
Share hardships together
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tóng zhōu gòng jì
“Cross river in same boat”
Face challenges together
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yǐ hé wéi guì
“Value harmony as precious”
Value harmony above all
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hǎi nà bǎi chuān
“Sea accepts hundred rivers”
Accept all with open mind
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yǐ xīn huàn xīn
“Exchange heart for heart”
Treat others as yourself
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yī mú yī yàng
“One mold one appearance”
Exactly identical
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