Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 兔死狗烹Pinyin: tù sǐ gǒu pēngLiteral Meaning: After all hares are hunted down, the hunting hounds are boiled and eaten.Figurative Meaning: Once a goal is accomplished, those who were used to achieve it are abandoned or even eliminated. It mainly refers to persecuting loyal and meritorious people. Cultural Background This idiom…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 鸟尽弓藏Pinyin: niǎo jìn gōng cángLiteral Meaning: When all birds are gone, the bows are put away.Figurative Meaning: Abandon or betray those who have offered help once the goal is achieved. Historically, it particularly referred to rulers dismissing or even killing meritorious officials after seizing power. Cultural Background This idiom is…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 愚者千虑，必有一得Pinyin: yú zhě qiān lǜ, bì yǒu yī déLiteral Meaning: A foolish person who thinks a thousand times will eventually come up with something worthwhile.Figurative Meaning: Even ordinary or less intelligent people can offer valuable ideas or insights after repeated thinking. Nobody is completely useless.
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 智者千虑，必有一失Pinyin: zhì zhě qiān lǜ, bì yǒu yī shīLiteral Meaning: Even a wise person who thinks a thousand times will make at least one mistake.Figurative Meaning: No one is flawless. Even the wisest people may commit errors despite careful consideration.
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 坐山观虎斗Pinyin: zuò shān guān hǔ dòuLiteral Meaning: Sit on the mountain and watch two tigers fight.Figurative Meaning: To stand by and watch others struggle, waiting until both sides are weakened or defeated before stepping in to seize benefits for oneself. Cultural Background This idiom reflects a classic strategic mindset in…
Basic Info Chinese Idio: 智子疑邻Pinyin: zhì zǐ yí línLiteral Meaning: Think one’s own son is clever yet suspect the innocent neighbor.Figurative Meaning: Judge things with personal bias instead of objective facts; favor family while unfairly suspecting outsiders facing identical clues.
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 斩草除根 Pinyin: zhǎn cǎo chú gēn Literal Meaning: Cut weeds and pull out their roots entirely. Figurative Meaning: Eliminate the root of troubles or hostile forces thoroughly to avoid future dangers and hidden troubles. Cultural Background Derived from ancient farming wisdom and state-governing philosophy. Ancient Chinese farmers knew weeds would…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 放虎归山 Pinyin: fàng hǔ guī shān Literal Meaning: Set a tiger free and send it back to the mountains. Figurative Meaning: Spare a dangerous foe and let them escape, thus leaving hidden troubles and future threats. Cultural Background This is a common cautionary Chinese idiom rooted in ancient military history.…