Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 煮豆燃萁 Pinyin: zhǔ dòu rán qí Literal Meaning: Boil beans with bean stalks as fuel. Figurative Meaning: Brothers or close kin attack and harm one another. Cultural Background This idiom comes from a well-known story of the Cao brothers during the Three Kingdoms period. Cao Pi (曹丕), the new emperor,…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 价值连城Pinyin: jià zhí lián chéngLiteral Meaning: Worth a cluster of connected cities, worth several cities.Figurative Meaning: Extremely precious and invaluable Cultural Background Derived from the tale of the He Shi Bi jade, a legendary ancient treasure. The idiom is used to praise rare treasures, precious artworks or invaluable talents. In…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 江东父老Pinyin: jiāng dōng fù lǎoLiteral Meaning: Elders and folks living east of the Yangtze RiverFigurative Meaning: Hometown elders, clansmen and fellow townsfolk Cultural Background The phrase originates from the tragic story of the ancient hero Xiang Yu. It is commonly used when people feel ashamed and defeated, unwilling to face…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 假途灭虢Pinyin: jiǎ tú miè guóLiteral Meaning: Seize a state by borrowing passage through its territoryFigurative Meaning: A crafty tactic of taking advantage of asking for passage to invade and eliminate the target party secretly Cultural Background The idiom comes from Spring and Autumn Period history. It exposes deceptive military and…
Chinese Idiom: 狡兔三窟Pinyin: jiǎo tù sān kūLiteral Meaning: A cunning hare has three burrows.Figurative Meaning: One keeps multiple hideouts or backup plans to avoid dangers and troubles. Cultural Note This idiom originates from a classic political story in ancient China. It depicts prudent survival wisdom, referring to people who prepare multiple ways out to…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 破釜沉舟Pinyin: pò fǔ chén zhōuLiteral Meaning: Smash cooking pots and sink sailing boats.Figurative Meaning: Fight a decisive battle with no retreat. It also means making a firm resolution to carry things through regardless of difficulties. Cultural Background Derived from a well-known ancient military story – Xiang Yu’s Gamble at Julu.…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 卧薪尝胆Pinyin: wò xīn cháng dǎnLiteral Meaning: Sleep on firewood and taste bitter gallbladder.Figurative Meaning: Endure hardships and humbly endure setbacks to encourage oneself, strive hard to achieve ambitions and avenge humiliation.
Basic Info Chinese Idiom: 闻鸡起舞Pinyin: wén jī qǐ wǔLiteral meaning: Rise to practice sword-dancing upon hearing roosters crow.Extended meaning: Ambitious people seize every moment to strive hard and temper themselves for lofty goals. Cultural Supplement This idiom comes from a famous inspirational historical story, Zu Ti’s Northern Expedition, in ancient China. It has always…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 危如累卵Pinyin: wēi rú lěi luǎnLiteral Meaning: As dangerous as eggs piled one on top of another.Figurative Meaning: A situation is extremely precarious and likely to collapse or fail at any moment. Extended Background & Usage Notes This ancient Chinese idiom uses a vivid visual metaphor. Stacking eggs is extremely unstable…