{"id":181418,"date":"2013-12-27T03:59:19","date_gmt":"2013-12-27T08:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/chinese-idioms-chengyu\/"},"modified":"2025-01-04T06:04:13","modified_gmt":"2025-01-04T11:04:13","slug":"chinese-idioms-chengyu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/chinese\/chinese-idioms-chengyu\/","title":{"rendered":"34 Interesting Chinese Idioms (Chengyu) for Cultural Appreciation"},"content":{"rendered":"

A chengyu is a succinct expression formed by combining four Chinese characters, conveying a complex idea in a very concise way.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These Chinese idioms encompass cultural, historical, or philosophical meanings and are often derived from classical literature, folklore, or significant events. So while it isn’t strictly necessary to learn idioms, it’s useful to know chengyu since they’re widely used in Mandarin.<\/p>\n

Read on for 34 Chinese idioms<\/strong> to help you sound more native<\/a> and understand more about the language and culture.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. \u811a\u8e0f\u5b9e\u5730\u00a0(ji\u01ceo t\u00e0 sh\u00ed d\u00ec)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:\u00a0<\/strong>Down to earth<\/p>\n

\"Shoes<\/a><\/p>\n

Literally “to step on solid ground,” this chengyu means that you work hard, focus on the important things and proceed steadily and stably. It’s a very positive idiom.<\/p>\n

\u73b0\u5728\u6211\u4eec\u8981\u7ee7\u7eed\u811a\u8e0f\u5b9e\u5730<\/strong>\u3002
\n(Xi\u00e0n z\u00e0i w\u01d2 men y\u00e0o j\u00ec x\u00f9 ji\u01ceo t\u00e0 sh\u00ed d\u00ec<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>Right now we need to continue staying grounded<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

2. \u4e5d\u725b\u4e00\u6bdb\u00a0(ji\u01d4 ni\u00fa y\u00ec m\u00e1o)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:\u00a0<\/strong>A drop in the bucket<\/p>\n

This chengyu literally means “nine cows, one strand of cow hair.” It means that something is so small it\u2019s like one strand of cow hair among nine cows.<\/p>\n

\u7535\u5b50\u5546\u52a1\u7684\u76c8\u5229\u5728\u4e2d\u56fd\u6574\u4f53\u5546\u4e1a\u73af\u5883\u4e2d\u7b80\u76f4\u662f\u4e5d\u725b\u4e00\u6bdb<\/strong>\u3002
\n(Di\u00e0n z\u01d0 sh\u0101ng w\u00f9 de y\u00edng l\u00ec z\u00e0i zh\u014dng gu\u00f3 zh\u011bng t\u01d0 sh\u0101ng y\u00e8 hu\u00e1n j\u00ecng zh\u014dng ji\u01cen zh\u00ed sh\u00ec ji\u01d4 ni\u00fa y\u00ec m\u00e1o<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>In the entire Chinese commercial environment, the profits from e-commerce are simply just a drop in the bucket<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

3. \u4e00\u65e0\u6240\u6709\u00a0(y\u00ec w\u00fa su\u01d2 y\u01d2u)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:\u00a0<\/strong>To have absolutely nothing; penniless<\/p>\n

This idiom describes something or someone that is utterly lacking.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u65e0\u5bb6\u53ef\u5f52\uff0c\u4e00\u65e0\u6240\u6709<\/strong>\u3002
\n(T\u0101 w\u00fa ji\u0101 k\u011b gu\u012b, <\/em>y\u00ec w\u00fa su\u01d2 y\u01d2u<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He was homeless and didn’t have a penny to his name<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

4. \u4e00\u89c1\u949f\u60c5\u00a0(y\u00ed ji\u00e0n zh\u014dng q\u00edng)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:\u00a0<\/strong>Love at first sight<\/p>\n

\"People<\/a><\/p>\n

While it\u2019s generally used for people, this chengyu can also be used for other physical objects.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u5c31\u662f\u6211\u7684\u4e00\u89c1\u949f\u60c5<\/strong>\u3002
\n(T\u0101 ji\u00f9 sh\u00ec w\u01d2 de y\u00ed ji\u00e0n zh\u014dng q\u00edng<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>She was my love at first sight<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

5. \u81ea\u7531\u81ea\u5728\u00a0(z\u00ec y\u00f3u z\u00ec z\u00e0i)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English: <\/strong>Free; carefree<\/p>\n

You can use this to describe someone’s personality, how someone behaves or how a place makes people feel.<\/p>\n

\u8fd9\u662f\u4e00\u4e2a\u81ea\u7531\u81ea\u5728<\/strong>\u7684\u5730\u65b9\u3002
\n(Zh\u00e8 sh\u00ec y\u012b g\u00e8 z\u00ec y\u00f3u z\u00ec z\u00e0i<\/strong> de d\u00ec f\u0101ng.)
\n<\/em>This is a free and easy<\/strong> place.<\/p>\n

6. \u83ab\u540d\u5176\u5999\u00a0(m\u00f2 m\u00edng q\u00ed mi\u00e0o)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Mysterious; baffling<\/p>\n

Literally, this chengyu means that it’s hard to articulate the profoundness or mystery of something.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u8bf4\u4e86\u51e0\u53e5\u83ab\u540d\u5176\u5999<\/strong>\u7684\u8bdd\u3002
\n(T\u0101 shu\u014d le j\u012b g\u014du m\u00f2 m\u00edng q\u00ed mi\u00e0o<\/strong> de hu\u00e0.)
\n<\/em>He said some mysterious<\/strong> words.<\/p>\n

7. \u534a\u9014\u800c\u5e9f\u00a0(b\u00e0n t\u00fa \u00e9r f\u00e8i)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Give up halfway<\/p>\n

\"Puzzle<\/a><\/p>\n

This describes when you start doing something only to give up in the middle. It means to leave something unfinished.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u4e0d\u662f\u534a\u9014\u800c\u5e9f<\/strong>\u7684\u4eba\u3002
\n(W\u01d2 b\u00fa sh\u00ec b\u00e0n t\u00fa \u00e9r f\u00e8i<\/strong> de r\u00e9n.)
\n<\/em>I\u2019m not someone who gives up halfway<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

8. \u629b\u7816\u5f15\u7389\u00a0(p\u0101o zhu\u0101n y\u01d0n y\u00f9)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Tossing out an idea<\/p>\n

With this, you\u2019re basically saying, \u201cMy idea isn’t good, but perhaps it will lead you to make a better contribution.\u201d It’s a bit similar to the English phrase “food for thought.”<\/p>\n

Literally, this chengyu means “to cast a brick to attract jade.” It gives others a starting point and is a humble way to contribute to a conversation.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u7684\u5efa\u8bae\u8fd8\u4e0d\u591f\u6210\u719f\uff0c\u7b97\u662f\u629b\u7816\u5f15\u7389<\/strong>\u5427\u3002
\n(W\u01d2 de ji\u00e0n y\u00ec h\u00e1i b\u00fa g\u00f2u ch\u00e9ng sh\u00fa, su\u00e0n sh\u00ec p\u0101o zhu\u0101n y\u01d0n y\u00f9<\/strong> ba.)
\n<\/em>My suggestion is still half-baked\u2014you could see it as just me tossing an idea out there<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

9. \u8c41\u7136\u5f00\u6717\u00a0(hu\u00f2 r\u00e1n k\u0101i l\u01ceng)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Suddenly see the light<\/p>\n

Originally, this saying referred to the refreshing, liberating feeling you get when you see a beautiful, open area. Through time, this came to refer to sudden enlightenment as well, like the feeling of an \u201caha!\u201d or \u201ceureka!\u201d moment.<\/p>\n

\u5927\u5b66\u65f6\u671f\uff0c\u4e54\u5c3c\u5f00\u59cb\u6709\u673a\u4f1a\u7528Mac\u505a\u8bbe\u8ba1\uff0c\u90a3\u662f\u4e00\u79cd\u8c41\u7136\u5f00\u6717<\/strong>\u7684\u4f53\u9a8c\u3002
\n(D\u00e0 xu\u00e9 sh\u00ed q\u00ed, qi\u00e1o n\u00ed k\u0101i sh\u01d0 y\u01d2u j\u012b hu\u00ec y\u00f2ng Mac zu\u00f2 sh\u00e8 j\u00ec, n\u00e0 sh\u00ec y\u00ec zh\u01d2ng hu\u00f2 r\u00e1n k\u0101i l\u01ceng<\/strong> de t\u01d0 y\u00e0n.)
\n<\/em>During college, Jonny began to have opportunities to use a Mac to design, and that was an eye-opening<\/strong> experience.<\/p>\n

10. \u6d25\u6d25\u6709\u5473\u00a0(j\u012bn j\u012bn y\u01d2u w\u00e8i)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Eagerly; with relish<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/a><\/p>\n

This idiom literally refers to the enthusiasm for consuming something delicious, but it can be used for engaging activities besides eating, too.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not something that people typically use to describe themselves, but you can use it for your friends. This chengyu has a positive meaning.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u6d25\u6d25\u6709\u5473<\/strong>\u5730\u8bfb\u7740\u62a5\u7eb8\u3002
\n(T\u0101 j\u012bn j\u012bn y\u01d2u w\u00e8i<\/strong> de d\u00fa zhe b\u00e0o zh\u01d0.)
\n<\/em>He read the newspaper with gusto<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

11. \u7406\u6240\u5f53\u7136\u00a0(l\u01d0 su\u01d2 d\u0101ng r\u00e1n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Naturally; taken for granted<\/p>\n

This one means something that “goes without saying.” Something so obvious that you’d say “duh, of course!” Literally, it means \u201caccording to reason, [it] should be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u6211\u4e0d\u60f3\u88ab\u89c6\u4e3a\u7406\u6240\u5f53\u7136<\/strong>\u3002
\n(W\u01d2 b\u00f9 xi\u01ceng b\u00e8i sh\u00ec w\u00e9i l\u01d0 su\u01d2 d\u0101ng r\u00e1n<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>I don’t want to be taken for granted<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

12. \u5168\u529b\u4ee5\u8d74\u00a0(qu\u00e1n l\u00ec y\u01d0 f\u00f9)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> All-out effort<\/p>\n

The literal translation here is \u201cexert all your strength.\u201d It means “to give all your effort for a goal.” It has a positive connotation. While somewhat formal, it can still be used in everyday speech.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that this chengyu is typically used for actions that haven’t been finished yet (rather than actions that have already been completed).<\/p>\n

\u65e0\u8bba\u8003\u751f\u7684\u7b14\u8bd5\u6210\u7ee9\u5982\u4f55\uff0c\u90fd\u8981\u5168\u529b\u4ee5\u8d74<\/strong>\u51c6\u5907\u9762\u8bd5\u3002
\n(W\u00fa l\u00f9n k\u01ceo sh\u0113ng de b\u01d0 sh\u00ec ch\u00e9ng j\u00ec r\u00fa h\u00e9, d\u014du y\u00e0o qu\u00e1n l\u00ec y\u01d0 f\u00f9<\/strong> zh\u01d4n b\u00e8i mi\u00e0n sh\u00ec.)
\n<\/em>No matter how the student\u2019s written test score is, they need to give 100%<\/strong> to prepare for the interview.<\/p>\n

13. \u4e71\u4e03\u516b\u7cdf\u00a0(lu\u00e0n q\u012b b\u0101 z\u0101o)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Messy; total confusion or disarray<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/a><\/p>\n

This means that something is a total mess. You can use it to describe tangible things (like messy rooms) or more abstract things (like a messed-up life).<\/p>\n

\u662f\u8c01\u5f04\u5f97\u4e71\u4e03\u516b\u7cdf<\/strong>\u7684\uff1f
\n(Sh\u00ec sh\u00e9i n\u00f2ng de lu\u00e0n q\u012b b\u0101 z\u0101o<\/strong> de?)
\n<\/em>Who made this mess<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

14. \u5fc3\u8840\u6765\u6f6e\u00a0(x\u012bn xu\u00e8 l\u00e1i ch\u00e1o)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Spur of the moment; on a whim<\/p>\n

Literally, this idiom evokes the image of blood rushing to your heart (in English we\u2019d say head, of course). It’s the perfect chengyu to use when telling a story.<\/p>\n

\u67d0\u65e5\u4ed6\u4eec\u5fc3\u8840\u6765\u6f6e<\/strong>\uff0c\u51b3\u5b9a\u6bd4\u62fc\u4e00\u4e0b\u5404\u81ea\u7684\u811a\u6cd5\u3002
\n(M\u01d2u r\u00ec t\u0101 men x\u012bn xu\u00e8 l\u00e1i ch\u00e1o<\/strong>, ju\u00e9 d\u00ecng b\u01d0 p\u012bn y\u00ed xi\u00e0 g\u00e8 z\u00ec de ji\u01ceo f\u01ce.)
\n<\/em>One day, on the spur of the moment<\/strong>, they decided to compare and compete to see whose footwork was best.<\/p>\n

15. \u4e0d\u53ef\u601d\u8bae\u00a0(b\u00f9 k\u011b s\u012b y\u00ec)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Unimaginable; amazing<\/p>\n

This chengyu means that something is noteworthy in an unexpected way. It can be used for things which are really unbelievable (e.g. magic or larger phenomena), and for unexpected everyday occurrences.<\/p>\n

\u771f\u662f\u4e0d\u53ef\u601d\u8bae<\/strong>\uff0c\u6211\u7684\u540d\u5b57\u8ddf\u4f60\u4e00\u6837\uff01
\n(Zh\u0113n sh\u00ec b\u00f9 k\u011b s\u012b y\u00ec, w\u01d2 de m\u00edng z\u00ec g\u0113n n\u01d0 y\u00ed y\u00e0ng!)
\n<\/em>It’s incredible<\/strong>, I have the same name as you!<\/p>\n

16. \u4e00\u7bad\u53cc\u96d5\u00a0(y\u00ed ji\u00e0n shu\u0101ng di\u0101o)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Kill two birds with one stone<\/p>\n

\"Group<\/a><\/p>\n

Just like the English saying, this idiom means you\u2019re using one action to solve two problems.<\/p>\n

Note that there are two other versions of this chengyu: \u4e00\u77f3\u4e8c\u9e1f (y\u00ec sh\u00ed \u00e8r ni\u01ceo)<\/em> and \u4e00\u4e3e\u4e24\u5f97 (y\u00ec j\u01d4 li\u01ceng d\u00e9)<\/em>. All are used with the same frequency\u2014the difference is merely preference.<\/p>\n

\u63d0\u4f9b\u66f4\u597d\u7684\u5ba2\u6237\u4f53\u9a8c\u662f\u4e00\u7bad\u53cc\u96d5<\/strong>\u7684\u89e3\u51b3\u65b9\u6848\u3002
\n(T\u00ed g\u014dng g\u00e8ng h\u00e0o de k\u00e8 h\u00f9 t\u01d0 y\u00e0n sh\u00ec y\u00ed ji\u00e0n shu\u0101ng di\u0101o<\/strong> de ji\u011b ju\u00e9 f\u0101ng \u00e0n.)
\n<\/em>Providing a better customer experience is the solution that kills two birds with one stone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

17. \u5982\u9c7c\u5f97\u6c34\u00a0(r\u00fa y\u00fa d\u00e9 shu\u01d0)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Like a fish in water<\/p>\n

Literally “like a fish in water,” this saying carries the same meaning as the English phrase “take to something like a duck to water.” It describes someone who performs well in a certain situation, as if they were meant to be in that environment. This idiom has a positive connotation.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u5982\u9c7c\u5f97\u6c34<\/strong>\u3002
\n(T\u0101 r\u00fa y\u00fa d\u00e9 shu\u01d0<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He fits in like a fish in water<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

18. \u864e\u5934\u86c7\u5c3e\u00a0(h\u01d4 t\u00f3u sh\u00e9 w\u011bi)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Start strong and finish weak<\/p>\n

You can use this chengyu to talk about something anticlimactic. It literally says “tiger head” and “snake tail,” and it means that something started off well and ended poorly.<\/p>\n

\u8fd9\u4e2a\u8d5b\u5b63\u7684\u786e\u6253\u5f97\u6709\u4e9b\u864e\u5934\u86c7\u5c3e<\/strong>\u3002
\n(Zh\u00e8 g\u00e8 s\u00e0i j\u00ec d\u00ed qu\u00e8 d\u01ce de y\u01d2u xi\u0113 h\u01d4 t\u00f3u sh\u00e9 w\u011bi<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>This season (I) indeed played strong at the beginning and finished weak<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

19. \u5bf9\u53f7\u5165\u5ea7\u00a0(du\u00ec h\u00e0o r\u00f9 zu\u00f2)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Take a seat<\/p>\n

\"Green<\/a><\/p>\n

This chengyu literally means “to take your seat based on your number.” Think of someone assuming that criticism or comment is about them. To tell them they “jumped to conclusions” or “got it wrong,” you could say “take a seat” in English. This chengyu is similar.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u8bf7\u52ff\u5bf9\u53f7\u5165\u5ea7<\/strong>\uff0c\u6211\u4eec\u5e76\u6ca1\u6709\u63d0\u5230\u5979\u3002
\n(Q\u01d0ng w\u00f9 du\u00ec h\u00e0o r\u00f9 zu\u00f2<\/strong>, w\u01d2 men b\u00ecng m\u00e9i y\u01d2u t\u00ed d\u00e0o t\u0101.)
\n<\/em>Please don\u2019t assume we\u2019re talking about her<\/strong>, we didn\u2019t bring her up at all.<\/p>\n

20. \u6709\u6c14\u65e0\u529b\u00a0(y\u01d2u q\u00ec w\u00fa l\u00ec)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Weak; feeble<\/p>\n

Literally, this idiom means “to have breath but no strength.” It describes someone who is feeling weak and lacking energy.<\/p>\n

This chengyu has a somewhat similar meaning to \u7d2f (l\u00e8i)<\/em> \u2014 tired. However, the chengyu is more formal, and (unlike \u7d2f) it can be used for bigger things like countries and markets.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u7ecf\u5e38\u6709\u6c14\u65e0\u529b<\/strong>\uff0c\u6ca1\u90a3\u4e48\u613f\u610f\u5e72\u6d3b\u4e86\u3002
\n(T\u0101 j\u012bng ch\u00e1ng y\u01d2u q\u00ec w\u00fa l\u00ec<\/strong>, m\u00e9i n\u00e0 me yu\u00e0n y\u00ec g\u00e0n hu\u00f3 le.)
\n<\/em>He often lacks energy<\/strong>\u00a0and isn\u2019t willing to work that hard.<\/p>\n

21. \u522b\u51fa\u5fc3\u88c1\u00a0(bi\u00e9 ch\u016b x\u012bn c\u00e1i)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> To take a unique approach<\/p>\n

Use this idiom to talk about an original, ingenious approach to something. It has artistic connotations, emphasizing creativity and originality, and describes someone or something that departs from established practices when facing a problem.<\/p>\n

\u5e08\u751f\u522b\u51fa\u5fc3\u88c1\u5730<\/strong>\u7528\u82f1\u8bed\u5531\u79e6\u8154\uff0c\u8fde\u5916\u56fd\u4eba\u90fd\u80fd\u542c\u61c2\u3002
\n(Sh\u012b sh\u0113ng bi\u00e9 ch\u016b x\u012bn c\u00e1i<\/strong> di y\u00f2ng y\u012bng y\u01d4 ch\u00e0ng q\u00edn qi\u0101ng, li\u00e1n w\u00e0i gu\u00f3 r\u00e9n d\u014du n\u00e9ng t\u012bng d\u01d2ng.)
\n<\/em>The teachers and students took an original approach<\/strong> and sang the Shaanxi Opera in English, (and) even foreigners could understand.<\/p>\n

22. \u51b0\u5c71\u4e00\u89d2\u00a0(b\u012bng sh\u0101n y\u00ec ji\u01ceo)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> The tip of the iceberg<\/p>\n

\"Iceberg<\/a><\/p>\n

This chengyu can be directly translated as the “tip of the iceberg.” And as in English, it means that only a small part of a larger whole is showing. It indicates that there is much more below the surface to be discovered.<\/p>\n

\u7f3a\u94b1\u53ea\u662f\u51b0\u5c71\u4e00\u89d2<\/strong>\u3002
\n(Qu\u0113 qi\u00e1n zh\u01d0 sh\u00ec b\u012bng sh\u0101n y\u00ec ji\u01ceo<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>Lack of money is just the tip of the iceberg<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

23. \u62ed\u76ee\u4ee5\u5f85 (sh\u00ec m\u00f9 y\u01d0 d\u00e0i)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Wait and see<\/p>\n

Literally “to rub eyes and wait,” this chengyu means that someone is eagerly awaiting a result, or that something must be given time before one can see the outcome.<\/p>\n

\u81f3\u4e8e\u5979\u4f1a\u53bb\u54ea\u6240\u5b66\u6821\uff0c\u6211\u4eec\u62ed\u76ee\u4ee5\u5f85<\/strong>\u3002
\n(Zh\u00ec y\u00fa t\u0101 hu\u00ec q\u00f9 n\u01ce su\u01d2 xu\u00e9 xi\u00e0o, w\u01d2 men sh\u00ec m\u00f9 y\u01d0 d\u00e0i<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>As for which school she’ll go to, we’ll wait and see<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

24. \u503e\u56fd\u503e\u57ce (q\u012bng gu\u00f3 q\u012bng ch\u00e9ng)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong>\u00a0Drop-dead gorgeous<\/p>\n

In English, we might call a very pretty woman “drop-dead gorgeous” or “devastatingly beautiful.” The literal translation of this idiom is “overthrow country, overthrow city.” It\u00a0describes a woman so beautiful that she can topple countries and cities.<\/p>\n

\u5979\u6709\u7740\u503e\u56fd\u503e\u57ce<\/strong>\u7684\u5bb9\u8c8c\uff0c\u8ba9\u5f88\u591a\u7537\u58eb\u5bf9\u5979\u7740\u8ff7\u3002
\n(T\u0101 y\u01d2u zhe q\u012bng gu\u00f3 q\u012bng ch\u00e9ng<\/strong> de r\u00f3ng m\u00e0o, r\u00e0ng h\u011bn du\u014d n\u00e1n sh\u00ec du\u00ec t\u0101 zh\u00e1o m\u00ed.)
\n<\/em>She has a drop-dead gorgeous<\/strong> appearance that makes lots of men enchanted by her.<\/p>\n

25. \u6c89\u9c7c\u843d\u96c1\u00a0(ch\u00e9n y\u00fa lu\u00f2 y\u00e0n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Extremely beautiful woman<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

In another visualization of the sheer power of feminine beauty, this chengyu describes a woman whose looks make “fish sink and geese fall out of the sky.” In English we might say she is “breath-taking” or “stunning.”<\/p>\n

As a historical note, this phrase was first used almost 2,000 years ago by the philosopher and poet \u5e84\u5b50 (zhu\u0101ng zi)<\/em> \u2014 Zhuangzi in his work \u9f50\u7269\u8bba (q\u00ed w\u00f9 l\u00f9n)<\/em> \u2014 “Equality of Things.”<\/p>\n

\u8c01\u4e5f\u4e0d\u80fd\u6f02\u4eae\u4e00\u8f88\u5b50\u7684\uff0c\u5c31\u7b97\u4f60\u66fe\u7ecf\u662f\u4e2a\u6c89\u9c7c\u843d\u96c1<\/strong>\u7684\u4e3b\u513f\uff0c\u90a3\u4e5f\u6709\u8001\u53bb\u7684\u90a3\u4e00\u5929\u3002
\n(Sh\u00e9i y\u011b b\u00f9 n\u00e9ng pi\u00e0o liang y\u00ed b\u00e8i zi de, ji\u00f9 su\u00e0n n\u01d0 c\u00e9ng j\u012bng sh\u00ec g\u00e8 ch\u00e9n y\u00fa lu\u00f2 y\u00e0n<\/strong> de zh\u01d4r, n\u00e0 y\u011b y\u01d2u l\u01ceo q\u00f9 de n\u00e0 y\u00ec ti\u0101n.)
\n<\/em>Nobody can be beautiful forever, even if you were once a stunning beauty<\/strong>, there will be a day when (you) get old.<\/p>\n

26. \u4e00\u9e23\u60ca\u4eba\u00a0(y\u00ec m\u00edng j\u012bng r\u00e9n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Overnight celebrity<\/p>\n

This saying literally means “one sound\/chirp that is surprising.” Figuratively, it refers to an astounding act that causes a lot of attention\u2014like when someone becomes famous overnight.<\/p>\n

\u771f\u4e86\u4e0d\u8d77\uff01\u8c01\u4f1a\u60f3\u5230\u4ed6\u4f1a\u4e00\u9e23\u60ca\u4eba<\/strong>\uff1f
\n(Zh\u0113n li\u01ceo b\u00f9 q\u01d0! Shu\u00ed hu\u00ec xi\u01ceng d\u00e0o t\u0101 hu\u00ec y\u00ec m\u00edng j\u012bng r\u00e9n?)
\n<\/em>Amazing! Who would have thought he\u2019d become famous overnight<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

27. \u4e00\u4e1d\u4e0d\u82df\u00a0(y\u00ec s\u012b b\u00f9 g\u01d2u)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Meticulous<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u4e1d means “a strand” and \u4e0d\u82df means “not careless,” so this phrase is used to describe a person who is fastidious and careful. Such a person never misses a single “strand” in their tasks.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u5bf9\u6bcf\u4ef6\u4e8b\u90fd\u662f\u4e00\u4e1d\u4e0d\u82df<\/strong>\u3002
\n(T\u0101 du\u00ec m\u011bi ji\u00e0n sh\u00ec d\u014du sh\u00ec y\u00ec s\u012b b\u00f9 g\u01d2u<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>He\u2019s always meticulous<\/strong> in every single thing he does.<\/p>\n

28. \u81ea\u76f8\u77db\u76fe\u00a0(z\u00ec xi\u0101ng m\u00e1o d\u00f9n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Contradictory<\/p>\n

\"Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

This chengyu literally refers to something that is “self-contradicting.” You can use it for someone who’s often saying two opposing things.<\/p>\n

\u8fd9\u79cd\u4eba\u4e0d\u503c\u5f97\u76f8\u4fe1\u3002\u4ed6\u8bf4\u7684\u6bcf\u53e5\u8bdd\u603b\u662f\u81ea\u76f8\u77db\u76fe<\/strong>\u3002
\n(Zh\u00e8 zh\u01d2ng r\u00e9n b\u00f9 zh\u00ed d\u00e9 xi\u0101ng x\u00ecn. T\u0101 shu\u014d de m\u011bi j\u00f9 hu\u00e0 z\u01d2ng sh\u00ec z\u00ec xi\u0101ng m\u00e1o d\u00f9n<\/strong>.)
\n<\/em>People like him can’t be trusted. He\u2019s always contradicting<\/strong> his every word.<\/p>\n

29. \u591a\u624d\u591a\u827a\u00a0(du\u014d c\u00e1i du\u014d y\u00ec)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Gifted; versatile<\/p>\n

\u624d and \u827a both refer to skill or talent. \u591a means “plenty,” so this chengyu refers to someone who has many skills or talents.<\/p>\n

\u6709\u673a\u4f1a\u5b66\u5c31\u5c3d\u91cf\u8ba9\u4ed6\u53bb\u5b66\uff0c\u4ee5\u540e\u4f60\u513f\u5b50\u5c31\u4f1a\u6210\u4e3a\u591a\u624d\u591a\u827a<\/strong>\u7684\u4eba\u3002
\n(Y\u01d2u j\u012b hu\u00ec xu\u00e9 ji\u00f9 j\u00ecn li\u00e0ng r\u00e0ng t\u0101 q\u00f9 xu\u00e9, y\u01d0 h\u00f2u n\u01d0 \u00e9r zi ji\u00f9 hu\u00ec ch\u00e9ng w\u00e9i du\u014d c\u00e1i du\u014d y\u00ec de r\u00e9n.)
\n<\/em>You should let your son learn whenever there\u2019s an opportunity so that he\u2019ll grow up to become a multi-talented<\/strong> individual.<\/p>\n

30. \u72ec\u4e00\u65e0\u4e8c\u00a0(d\u00fa y\u012b w\u00fa \u00e8r)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Unmatched; unique<\/p>\n

Literally, this chengyu means there is “only one and no number two.” It refers to something unrivaled, with no equal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u5979\u53c8\u6f02\u4eae\u53c8\u80fd\u5e72\u3002\u7b80\u76f4\u662f\u4e16\u754c\u4e0a\u72ec\u4e00\u65e0\u4e8c<\/strong>\u3002
\n(T\u0101 y\u00f2u pi\u00e0o liang y\u00f2u n\u00e9ng g\u00e0n. Ji\u01cen zh\u00ed sh\u00ec sh\u00ec ji\u00e8 sh\u00e0ng d\u00fa y\u012b w\u00fa \u00e8r.)
\n<\/em>She\u2019s beautiful and talented. There\u2019s really no one like her<\/strong> in this world.<\/p>\n

31. \u5de6\u53f3\u4e3a\u96be\u00a0(zu\u01d2 y\u00f2u w\u00e9i n\u00e1n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> In a dilemma<\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/a><\/p>\n

\u5de6 means “left” and \u53f3 means “right.” If you’re having difficulty going either direction, that means you’re caught up in a situation and can’t find a way out. So you can use this idiom to talk about being in an awkward predicament or a difficult position.<\/p>\n

\u600e\u4e48\u529e\uff1f\u6211\u5b9e\u5728\u60f3\u4e0d\u901a\u3002\u771f\u8ba9\u6211\u5de6\u53f3\u4e3a\u96be<\/strong>\uff01
\n(Z\u011bn me b\u00e0n? W\u01d2 sh\u00ed z\u00e0i xi\u01ceng b\u00f9 t\u014dng. Zh\u0113n r\u00e0ng w\u01d2 zu\u01d2 y\u00f2u w\u00e9i n\u00e1n!)
\n<\/em>What to do? I can\u2019t make up my mind. I’m really in a dilemma<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

32. \u585e\u7fc1\u5931\u9a6c\u00a0(s\u00e0i w\u0113ng sh\u012b m<\/em>\u01ce<\/em>)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> A blessing in disguise<\/p>\n

This phrase is similar to the English saying “Every cloud has a silver lining.” It refers to unexpected luck, like finding something good amid a setback or misfortune.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u751f\u75c5\u4f4f\u9662\u65f6\u548c\u4ed6\u7684\u62a4\u58eb\u604b\u7231\u4e86\u3002\u771f\u662f\u585e\u7fc1\u5931\u9a6c<\/strong>\uff0c\u7109\u77e5\u975e\u798f\u554a\uff01
\n(T\u0101 sh\u0113ng b\u00ecng zh\u00f9 yu\u00e0n sh\u00ed h\u00e9 t\u0101 de h\u00f9 sh\u00ec li\u00e0n \u00e0i le. Zh\u0113n sh\u00ec s\u00e0i w\u0113ng sh\u012b m<\/strong><\/em>\u01ce<\/em><\/strong>, y\u0101n zh\u012b f\u0113i f\u00fa a!)
\n<\/em>He was hospitalized for sickness and fell in love with his nurse. What a blessing in disguise<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

33. \u4e8c\u8bdd\u4e0d\u8bf4\u00a0(\u00e8r hu\u00e0 b\u00f9 shu\u014d)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Nothing further to say; no objections<\/p>\n

This chengyu is used when someone does something immediately. The request doesn’t need to be repeated because it\u2019s completed without a second thought. It’s something like the English phrases “without further ado” and “without a word.”<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4e8c\u8bdd\u4e0d\u8bf4<\/strong>\uff0c\u5c31\u628a\u94b1\u501f\u7ed9\u4e86\u6211\u3002
\n(T\u0101 \u00e8r hu\u00e0 b\u00f9 shuo<\/strong>, ji\u00f9 b\u01ce qi\u00e1n ji\u00e8 g\u011bi le w\u01d2.)
\n<\/em>Without a second thought<\/strong>, he lent me some money.<\/p>\n

34. \u7834\u955c\u91cd\u5706\u00a0(p\u00f2 j\u00ecng ch\u00f3ng yu\u00e1n)<\/em><\/h2>\n

English:<\/strong> Reunion<\/p>\n

\"Couple<\/a><\/p>\n

Here, \u7834\u955c refers to a broken mirror and \u91cd\u5706 means becoming complete again. It’s sometimes used like the English saying “to pick up the pieces and start again,” especially after a long separation.<\/p>\n

This chengyu is based on a myth about two lovers who were separated during a war. Each of them carried half of a mirror. When fate finally allowed them to reunite, the mirror was complete once again.<\/p>\n

\u4ed6\u4eec\u5206\u624b\u4e86\u5f88\u591a\u5e74\u540e, \u8fd8\u662f\u7834\u955c\u91cd\u5706<\/strong>\u4e86\u3002
\n(t\u0101 men f\u0113n sh\u01d2u le h\u011bn du\u014d ni\u00e1n h\u00f2u , h\u00e1i sh\u00ec p\u00f2 j\u00ecng ch\u00f3ng yu\u00e1n le.)
\n<\/em>After many years of separation, they still got back together<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For more information on chengyu, the language learning program FluentU<\/a><\/strong> lets you see these Chinese expressions in action.

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