Chinese Idioms
Explore over 1,000 Chinese idioms (Chengyu) and their corresponding historical narratives. Each entry details the origins, cultural context, and profound wisdom behind these timeless phrases, offering deep insight into the heritage that shaped the Chinese language.
Table of contents
旁若无人 (Acting as If No One Else Is Around)
烟霞痼疾 (Incurable Love for Mist and Clouds)
请自隗始 (Start with Me)
谈何容易 (Easier Said Than Done)
谈言微中 (Subtle Words Hit the Mark)
谈虎色变 (Turning Pale at the Mention of Tigers)
谈笑自若 (Laughing and Talking as Usual)
谈辞如云 (Words Flowing Like Clouds)
疲于奔命 (Exhausted by Constant Running)
病入膏肓 (The Disease Reaches the Vital Organs)
疾风劲草 (Strong Grass in a Gale)
疾恶如仇 (Hating Evil Like an Enemy)
害群之马 (The Black Sheep of the Herd)
宾至如归 (At Home Away from Home)
宾客盈门 (Guests Crowding the Door)
宽仁大度 (Broad-Minded and Generous)
家无儋石 (Not a Single Stone of Grain)
家至户晓 (Household by Household)
家鸡野雉 (Home Fowl, Wild Pheasant)
家有敝帚，享之千金 (A Broom in Hand, Worth a Fortune)
涉危履险 (Walking Through Danger)
酒池肉林 (A Forest of Meat and a Lake of Wine)
流血千里 (Blood Flows a Thousand Li)
流言蜚语 (Rumors and Gossip)
高下在心 (High and Low in the Heart)
高山流水 (High Mountains and Flowing Water)
高职酒徒 (High Official, Heavy Drinker)
高屋建瓴 (Pour Water from a Rooftop)
难兄难弟 (Troubled Brothers in Arms)
绨袍之情 (The Affection of a Silk Robe)
梧鼠之技 (The Squirrel's Many Skills)
聊以卒岁 (Just Getting By)
萧规曹随 (Xiao He's Rules, Cao Can Follows)
萍水相逢 (Meeting by Chance)
雪窗萤几 (Snow Window Firefly Desk)
黄袍加身 (Donning the Yellow Robe)
黄雀衔环 (The Yellow Bird Returns the Ring)
黄粱一梦 (The Millet Dream)
黄绢幼妇 (Yellow Silk, Young Girl)
盛名之下，其实难副 (A Great Name, Hard to Match)
捭阖纵横 (Open and Close, Vertical and Horizontal)
捷足先登 (The Swift Foot Reaches First)
捧腹大笑 (Hold One's Sides with Laughter)
掷地作金石声 (A Sound Like Metal and Stone)
掉以轻心 (Treat It Lightly)
排山压卵 (Push Mountains Crush Eggs)
排难解纷 (Resolving Disputes and Troubles)
探骊得珠 (Plucking the Pearl from the Black Dragon)
探囊取物 (Reach Into the Bag)
掩耳盗铃 (Covering Ears to Steal a Bell)
推心置腹 (Place Trust in One's Heart)
雀屏中选 (Peacock Screen Selection)
趾高气扬 (High and Mighty)
野火烧不尽 (Wildfire Never Truly Dies)
唾手可取 (Within Arm's Reach)
唾面自干 (Let It Dry on Your Face)
虚左以待 (Reserve the Left Seat)
虚有其表 (All Show, No Substance)
唱筹量沙 (Singing Tallies, Measuring Sand)
眼中之钉 (A Thorn in the Eye)
悬河泻水 (A Torrent from a Hanging River)
悬梁刺股 (Hair Suspended, Awl in Thigh)
犁庭扫闾 (Plow the Court, Sweep the Village)
脚踏实地 (Down to Earth)
甜言蜜语 (Sweet Words and Honeyed Phrases)
盘根错节 (Interlocking Roots and Knotty Branches)
偃旗息鼓 (Lower the Banners, Muffle the Drums)
假手于人 (Delegating to Others)
欲盖弥彰 (The More You Hide, the More It Shows)
欲加之罪，何患无辞 (If You Want to Blame, Words Will Come)
矫枉过正 (Overcorrecting the Error)
矫情自饰 (Affectation and Self-Decoration)
矫情镇物 (Feigning Calm to Steady Others)
得不酬失 (Gains Outweigh Losses)
得心应手 (The Heart Guides the Hand)
得过且过 (Get By Day by Day)
得陇望蜀 (Gain Long, Eye Shu)
得意忘形 (Drunk with Success)
梁上君子 (The Gentleman on the Beam)
鹿死谁手 (Who Will Claim the Deer)
鹿裘不完 (A Deerskin Coat Unfinished)
寄人篱下 (Living Under Another's Roof)
剪须和药 (Cut Beard for Medicine)
盗憎主人 (The Thief Hates the Owner)
率兽食人 (Leading Beasts to Devour Men)
惘然若失 (Lost in a Daze)
惜墨如金 (Treasure Ink Like Gold)
惟命是从 (Only Following Orders)
惊弓之鸟 (A Bird Startled by a Bow)
惊惶失措 (Panic-Stricken)
断头将军 (The Beheaded General)
断章取义 (Out of Context)
断齑画粥 (Breaking Porridge with Pickled Vegetables)
望门投止 (Seeking Shelter at Any Door)
望云之情 (Longing for Home Through the Clouds)
望风披靡 (Fleeing at the Sight of the Wind)
望尘而拜 (Bowing Before the Dust)
望尘莫及 (Not Even a Dust Cloud)
望秋先零 (Withering Before Autumn)
望洋兴叹 (Sighing at the Vast Ocean)