15 Widely Used Idioms
Chinese idioms, or chengyu, are a quintessential part of the Chinese language. These four-character expressions are steeped in cultural history and wisdom. Understanding them not only helps in language proficiency but also offers insights into Chinese culture and values. Let’s explore 15 of the most commonly used Chinese idioms, their meanings, and how to use them in everyday conversations.
Discovering the Essence of Chinese Language: 15 Widely Used Idioms:
- 狐假虎威 (hú jiǎ hǔ wēi)
Literal Translation: The fox exploits the tiger’s might.
Meaning: To bully others by flaunting one’s powerful connections.
He’s not really powerful; he’s just relying on his boss’s authority—狐假虎威.
Example:
狐假虎威：他只是一个组长，却总是借着经理势力狐假虎威。
He’s just a team lead, but always throws his weight around, playing the big boss with the manager’s influence.
- 井底之蛙 (jǐng dǐ zhī wā)
Literal Translation: Frog in a well.
Meaning: A person with a limited outlook and experience.
He’s never traveled abroad and thinks his hometown is the best. He’s quite the 井底之蛙.
Example:
我不想做井底之蛙，我想趁年轻，多出去看看！
I don’t want to be a frog at the bottom of a well. I want to explore more while I’m young!
- 掩耳盗铃 (yǎn ěr dào líng)
Literal Translation: Cover one’s ears while stealing a bell.
Meaning: Fooling oneself, thinking others can’t see through the act.
Copying during an exam and thinking no one will notice is just 掩耳盗铃.
Example:
无论是工作还是学习，都要真诚，不要掩耳盗铃！
Be genuine in both work and study, and avoid self-deception or misleading others!
- 对牛弹琴 (duì niú tán qín)
Literal Translation: Play the lute to a cow.
Meaning: Offering a discourse that is not appreciated by the audience.
Explaining quantum physics to young children is like 对牛弹琴.
Example:
我已经教了他十几次了，还是学不会，真是对牛弹琴。
I’ve taught him more than a dozen times, but he still can’t learn. It’s like playing the lute to a cow.
- 班门弄斧 (bān mén nòng fǔ)
Literal Translation: Display one’s slight skill before an expert.
Meaning: To show off one’s talent or skill in front of a true expert, often leading to embarrassment.
Trying to show off your piano skills in front of a concert pianist is 班门弄斧.
Example:
他是这个领域的大师，你在他面前简直是班门弄斧。
He is an expert in this field, and compared to him, you’re like bringing a worn-out tool to a skilled craftsman.
- 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú)
Literal Translation: Draw a snake and add feet to it.
Meaning: To ruin the effect by adding something superfluous.
The essay was perfect until you added that unnecessary paragraph, which was a bit 画蛇添足.
Example:
这件衣服原来已经很完美了，加了这个胸针反而画蛇添足。
This outfit was already perfect; adding this brooch is like drawing legs on a snake.
- 杯弓蛇影 (bēi gōng shé yǐng)
Literal Translation: Seeing a bow’s reflection in a cup and thinking it’s a snake.
Meaning: Being paranoid or frightened by imaginary fears.
He heard a rumor about layoffs and now sees danger in every meeting—it’s a classic case of 杯弓蛇影.
Example:
这只是你想象出来的的东西，你不要杯弓蛇影。
This is just something you imagined, don’t get unnecessary suspicions.
- 朝三暮四 (zhāo sān mù sì)
Literal Translation: Say three in the morning but four in the evening.
Meaning: To change one’s mind frequently; inconsistency.
She promised to help, but then she backed out. She’s always 朝三暮四.
Example:
我最讨厌朝三暮四的人了。
I really dislike people who say one thing and do another.
- 老马识途 (lǎo mǎ shí tú)
Literal Translation: An old horse knows the way.
Meaning: Experienced people know what to do; valuing experience.
Let’s ask Mr. Wang for advice on this project; 老马识途.
Example:
尽管爷爷已经六十岁了，但是老马识途，他对市场的变化非常敏锐。
Even though Grandpa is sixty years old, he’s like an old horse that knows the way, always aware of the market changes.
- 塞翁失马 (sài wēng shī mǎ)
Literal Translation: The old man lost his horse, but it might be a blessing in disguise.
Meaning: A misfortune may turn into a blessing; the unpredictability of life’s events.
I missed the flight, but then it got delayed. 塞翁失马, I suppose.
Example:
虽然这次的比赛输了，但是塞翁失马，我们队受到了许多观众的喜爱
Even though we didn’t win the game this time, it’s like a hidden blessing. Our team has garnered a lot of love from the audience, much like the old man who lost his horse.
11. 刻舟求剑 (kè zhōu qiú jiàn)
Literal Translation: Mark the boat to find the sword.
Meaning: Taking measures that are pointless in the changing circumstances.
Refusing to upgrade your old phone is like 刻舟求剑.
Example:
刻舟求剑的方法是不合适的，我们不可能永远停在这里。
Trying to find the sword by carving the boat is not the way to go; we can’t stay stuck here forever.
- 指鹿为马 (zhǐ lù wéi mǎ)
Literal Translation: Pointing at a deer and calling it a horse.
Meaning: Deliberately misrepresenting something; deceiving.
He called the mistake a ‘strategic decision,’ which is just 指鹿为马.
Example:
这明明是一个苹果，你却指鹿为马说它是一个梨。
This is clearly an apple, but you’re calling it a pear and trying to deceive me.
- 守株待兔 (shǒu zhū dài tù)
Literal Translation: Guarding a stump waiting for rabbits.
Meaning: Relying on luck or an unlikely windfall rather than putting in effort.
Not applying for jobs and just waiting for a perfect opportunity is like 守株待兔.
Example:
机会不会自己找上门来，我们不能守株待兔，要主动出击！
Opportunities won’t just show up at our doorstep; we must be proactive and seize them ourselves!
- 鹬蚌相争 (yù bàng xiāng zhēng)
Literal Translation: The snipe and the clam fight.
Meaning: When two parties fight, a third party benefits.
The two competitors focused on each other, allowing a third company to rise—鹬蚌相争.
Example:
他们吵得越厉害，我越高兴，鹬蚌相争，我就能获得更多的利益。
The more they fight, the happier I am. It’s like when birds and clams clash—more noise means more gains for me!
- 胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú)
Literal Translation: Having bamboo in one’s chest.
Meaning: To have a well-thought-out plan or a clear idea in one’s mind.
He was confident during the presentation; he clearly had 胸有成竹.
Example:
看他胸有成竹的样子，我相信他一定能取得好成绩！
He looks so confident, I believe he will definitely achieve good results!
Chinese idioms are a gateway to understanding the depth of the language and culture. Incorporating them into your Mandarin vocabulary not only enhances your speaking and writing skills but also deepens your appreciation of Chinese wisdom and history.
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