SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Chinese idiom

  • 火眼金睛 (huǒ yǎn jīn jīng)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 火眼金睛Pinyin: huǒ yǎn jīn jīngLiteral Meaning: Fiery golden eyes. Figurative definition Extraordinarily sharp insight; the ability to see through tricks, disguises and false appearances, and detect hidden truths. Cultural & historical background This idiom originates from Yang Jingxian’s Journey to the West, a Yuan‑dynasty theatrical script. In the legend, Sun…

  • 祸起萧墙 (huò qǐ xiāo qiáng)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 祸起萧墙Pinyin: huò qǐ xiāo qiángLiteral Meaning: Disaster arises from the xiao‑qiang screen‑wall. Figurative definition Calamity, conflict or rebellion originates from inside a group, organization or nation, rather than from outside enemies. Cultural & historical background This idiom comes from a famous passage in the Analects (in the chapter Jishi). The…

  • 万无一失 (wàn wú yī shī)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 万无一失Pinyin: wàn wú yī shīLiteral Meaning: Out of ten‑thousand attempts, not a single failure occurs. Figurative definition To have absolute certainty; no possibility of mistakes or mishaps. It describes a plan or action so well‑prepared that failure is virtually impossible.English equivalents: no chance of going wrong, foolproof, absolutely safe, a…

  • 高枕无忧 (gāo zhěn wú yōu)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 高枕无忧Pinyin: gāo zhěn wú yōuLiteral Meaning: Prop one’s pillow high and sleep without worry. Figurative definition Cultural & historical background This idiom comes directly from the same famous story as “狡兔三窟” (The cunning rabbit has three burrows), recorded in the Warring States Records (Zhanguoce, 《战国策》). The powerful noble Lord Mengchang…

  • Jǔ Àn Qí Méi (举案齐眉)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 举案齐眉Pinyin: jǔ àn qí méiLiteral Meaning: Hold the food tray level with one’s eyebrows.Figurative Meaning: Describe a married couple who treat each other with deep respect and courtesy in daily life.

  • Yǐn Láng Rù Shì (引狼入室)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 引狼入室Pinyin: yǐn láng rù shìLiteral Meaning: Lead a wolf into one’s own house.Figurative Meaning: To invite malicious, dangerous people into one’s home, team or inner circle, thus bringing disasters and troubles upon oneself.

  • Ān Bù Dāng Chē (安步当车)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 安步当车Pinyin: ān bù dāng chē Literal Meaning: Take leisurely slow walks as if riding a carriage. Figurative Meaning: Lead a simple, tranquil life without craving luxurious transportation or material comforts; walk unhurriedly and contentedly instead of taking a vehicle. It also embodies a calm, peaceful mindset that finds satisfaction in plain living.…

  • Sì Tǐ Bù Qín, Wǔ Gǔ Bù Fēn (四体不勤，五谷不分)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 四体不勤，五谷不分Pinyin: sì tǐ bù qín, wǔ gǔ bù fēnLiteral Meaning: One does not work with one’s four limbs, and cannot tell the five staple grains apart.Figurative Meaning: A person who lives in comfort, never engages in manual labor, and lacks basic knowledge of farming and everyday practical life. It criticizes…

  • Huàn Nàn Yǔ Gòng (患难与共)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 患难与共Pinyin: huàn nàn yǔ gòngLiteral Meaning: Share hardships and misfortunes together.Figurative Meaning: Stand side by side through all troubles, disasters and difficult times, bearing hardships jointly with another person or group. Cultural Background This idiom embodies the virtue of loyal companionship in Chinese culture. Its source sentence creates a sharp…