Chinese idioms, or 成语 (chéngyǔ), are an integral part of the Chinese language. These four-character expressions are not only concise and poetic but also carry deep meanings derived from ancient stories, historical events, and philosophical thoughts. While many idioms have ancient origins, they are still widely used today in everyday conversations, advertisements, literature, and even professional settings. For non-native speakers learning Chinese, mastering these idioms can greatly enhance your fluency and help you better understand Chinese culture.
In this article, we will introduce you to some of the most common Chinese idioms you are likely to hear in daily conversations, their meanings, and how to use them. If you’re looking to improve your Chinese and master the use of idioms, consider enrolling in Chinese classes at LC Chinese School in Oslo. Our flexible courses are designed to meet the needs of students at all levels. You can learn more and sign up here.
Why Are Chinese Idioms Important?
Chinese idioms are more than just language tools; they are a reflection of Chinese history, philosophy, and social values. By understanding these idioms, you gain insight into Chinese thinking and ways of communicating. Idioms are often used in both formal and informal settings, making them essential for anyone aiming to achieve fluency in Mandarin. Whether you are discussing everyday topics with friends, reading the news, or watching Chinese dramas, you are likely to come across idioms frequently. Knowing them can improve your comprehension and make your speech more natural and expressive.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common Chinese idioms and explore their origins, meanings, and how they are used in everyday life.
1. 一举两得 (yī jǔ liǎng dé) – “Killing two birds with one stone”
Meaning:
一举两得 literally means “one action, two gains.” It is the Chinese equivalent of the English idiom “killing two birds with one stone.” It refers to doing one thing that results in two benefits or solving two problems with a single action.
How to use it:
This idiom is commonly used in everyday conversations when describing an action that achieves multiple outcomes. For example, if you take a walk to the grocery store to get exercise while buying groceries, you could describe that as 一举两得.
- Example:
去散步顺便买菜，一举两得。
(Qù sànbù shùnbiàn mǎi cài, yī jǔ liǎng dé.)
“Going for a walk and buying groceries at the same time kills two birds with one stone.”
2. 自相矛盾 (zì xiāng máo dùn) – “Self-contradiction”
Origin:
This idiom comes from a story during the Warring States period in ancient China. A merchant was selling both spears and shields, claiming that his spears were sharp enough to pierce any shield, while his shields were strong enough to block any spear. When someone asked what would happen if his spear were used against his shield, the merchant had no answer.
Meaning:
自相矛盾 refers to something that contradicts itself. It is used to describe a situation where someone’s statements or actions are inconsistent or logically conflicting.
How to use it:
You can use this idiom when pointing out contradictions in someone’s argument or actions.
- Example:
他说自己很忙，却整天在家玩游戏，真是自相矛盾。
(Tā shuō zìjǐ hěn máng, què zhěng tiān zài jiā wán yóuxì, zhēn shì zìxiāngmáodùn.)
“He says he’s very busy, but he spends all day playing video games. That’s self-contradictory.”
3. 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) – “May all your wishes come true”
Meaning:
心想事成 is a positive and hopeful expression that means “may all your wishes come true” or “may your dreams be fulfilled.” It’s often used as a greeting or a wish for someone’s success or good fortune.
How to use it:
This idiom is commonly used during celebrations, such as New Year’s, birthdays, or when someone is embarking on a new venture.
- Example:
祝你新年快乐，心想事成！
(Zhù nǐ xīnnián kuàilè, xīnxiǎngshìchéng!)
“Happy New Year! May all your wishes come true!”
4. 井底之蛙 (jǐng dǐ zhī wā) – “A frog at the bottom of a well”
Origin:
This idiom originates from an ancient Chinese fable in which a frog lives in a well and believes that the small patch of sky it can see from the bottom of the well is the entire world. When the frog meets a sea turtle, it realizes how vast the ocean is compared to its limited view.
Meaning:
井底之蛙 refers to someone with a narrow or limited perspective. It describes people who are unaware of the broader world and remain confined in their own small world of experience.
How to use it:
This idiom is often used to criticize someone who is overconfident despite their limited knowledge or who is ignorant of the bigger picture.
- Example:
你不能总是待在这个小地方，变成井底之蛙，要出去看看世界。
(Nǐ bù néng zǒngshì dài zài zhège xiǎo dìfāng, biànchéng jǐngdǐzhīwā, yào chūqù kàn kàn shìjiè.)
“You can’t always stay in this small place and become like a frog at the bottom of a well. You need to go out and see the world.”
5. 举一反三 (jǔ yī fǎn sān) – “Learn by analogy”
Origin:
This idiom comes from The Analects of Confucius, where Confucius praises students who can infer and learn more than what they are explicitly taught. The idea is that if someone is given one example, they can apply it to three different situations.
Meaning:
举一反三 means “to infer many things from one example.” It refers to the ability to draw broader conclusions or learn more by analogy from limited information.
How to use it:
You can use this idiom to describe someone who is quick to learn or who can apply one piece of knowledge to various contexts.
- Example:
他学东西很快，老师教了一个例子，他就能举一反三。
(Tā xué dōngxī hěn kuài, lǎoshī jiāole yīgè lìzi, tā jiù néng jǔ yī fǎn sān.)
“He learns very quickly. The teacher gave one example, and he was able to learn by analogy.”
6. 九牛一毛 (jiǔ niú yī máo) – “A drop in the ocean”
Origin:
This idiom literally translates to “one hair from nine cows.” It comes from the idea that pulling a single hair from nine cows is insignificant compared to the whole.
Meaning:
九牛一毛 means something is so small or insignificant that it hardly makes a difference. It is often used to describe situations where a contribution or action is so minimal that it does not impact the overall outcome.
How to use it:
You can use this idiom when referring to something trivial or insignificant compared to the larger whole.
- Example:
这些损失对公司来说只是九牛一毛，不会有太大的影响。
(Zhèxiē sǔnshī duì gōngsī lái shuō zhǐshì jiǔniúyīmáo, bù huì yǒu tài dà de yǐngxiǎng.)
“These losses are just a drop in the ocean for the company and won’t have much impact.”
7. 对牛弹琴 (duì niú tán qín) – “Playing the lute to a cow”
Origin:
This idiom comes from an ancient Chinese story where a man plays beautiful music on a lute in front of a cow. However, the cow doesn’t appreciate the music, as it can’t understand it.
Meaning:
对牛弹琴 refers to doing something that is misunderstood or not appreciated by the intended audience. It’s often used to describe situations where someone is speaking or performing for people who are unable to understand or appreciate it.
How to use it:
You can use this idiom when someone is making an effort that goes unappreciated by their audience.
- Example:
他跟那些不懂艺术的人谈论绘画，简直是对牛弹琴。
(Tā gēn nàxiē bù dǒng yìshù de rén tánlùn huìhuà, jiǎnzhí shì duìniútánqín.)
“Talking about painting with people who don’t understand art is like playing the lute to a cow.”
8. 破釜沉舟 (pò fǔ chén zhōu) – “Burn one’s boats”
Origin:
This idiom comes from a famous historical event during the Chu-Han contention in ancient China. General Xiang Yu led his troops across a river to engage in battle, but once they crossed, he ordered his men to destroy their cooking pots and boats, leaving them no option but to fight and win. With no way to retreat, they fought with full determination and won the battle.
Meaning:
破釜沉舟 means to commit oneself fully to a course of action with no turning back. It’s similar to the English idiom “burning one’s boats.”
How to use it:
You can use this idiom to describe someone who has made a bold decision and is fully committed to it, with no intention of going back.
- Example:
他已经破釜沉舟，决定辞职创业。
(Tā yǐjīng pòfǔchénzhōu, juédìng cízhí chuàngyè.)
“He has burned his boats and decided to quit his job to start his own business.”
Conclusion
Chinese idioms are not just linguistic tools but cultural treasures that reflect the wisdom and history of Chinese civilization. Learning and using these idioms can enhance your communication skills, make your speech more colorful, and give you deeper insight into Chinese culture. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, incorporating idioms into your language learning will significantly improve your fluency and cultural understanding.
If you’re looking to master more Chinese idioms and improve your language skills, consider enrolling in Chinese classes at LC Chinese School in Oslo. Our flexible classes are tailored to meet the needs of students at all levels. You can register here.
By practicing idioms and integrating them into your daily conversations, you’ll not only boost your fluency but also gain a greater appreciation of the richness and depth of the Chinese language.
