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
望梅止渴 (Quenching Thirst by Thinking of Plums)
渐入佳境 (Gradual Entry into Bliss)
鸿鹄之志 (The Ambition of a Swan)
深沟高垒 (Deep Moat and High Ramparts)
深思远虑 (Deep Thought and Far Vision)
祸从天降 (Disaster Falls from Heaven)
祸起萧墙 (Trouble Within the Walls)
堕甑不顾 (Let the Broken Vessel Go)
屠龙之技 (The Art of Slaying Dragons)
巢毁卵破 (The Nest Destroyed, the Eggs Broken)
骑虎难下 (Riding a Tiger, Hard to Dismount)
弹丸之地 (A Land the Size of a Pellet)
弹冠相庆 (Dusting Hats in Celebration)
弹铗无鱼 (Strumming the Sword, No Fish)
绿衣使者 (The Green-Clad Messenger)
隋侯之珠 (The Pearl of the Marquis of Sui)
随踵而至 (Following at Every Step)
逼上梁山 (Forced to Join the Rebels)
期月有成 (Results in a Month)
雁足传书 (Wild Geese Deliver Letters)
雄鸡断尾 (The Cock Cuts Its Tail)
焚书坑儒 (Burning Books, Burying Scholars)
焚骨扬灰 (Burn Bones to Ashes)
董狐之笔 (Dong Hu's Brush)
喜形于色 (Joy Written on the Face)
博士买驴 (The Scholar Buys a Donkey)
博而不精 (Broad but Not Deep)
博闻多识 (Wide Learning, Broad Knowledge)
博闻强识 (Wide Learning, Strong Memory)
揽辔澄清 (Clear the Realm with Reins)
揭竿而起 (Rise with Bamboo Poles)
提剑汗马 (Sword in Hand, Horse in Sweat)
握手言欢 (Shake Hands and Make Peace)
握发吐哺 (Holding Hair, Spitting Out Food)
握椠怀铅 (Carrying Slips and Holding Lead)
欺世盗名 (Deceiving the World for Fame)
越俎代疱 (Overstepping One's Duties)
趋炎附势 (Currying Favor with the Powerful)
超群绝伦 (Unrivaled Excellence)
韩寿偷香 (Han Shou Steals the Scent)
朝三暮四 (Three at Dawn, Four at Dusk)
赔了夫人又折兵 (Losing Both Wife and Soldiers)
嗟来之食 (Food Offered in Contempt)
黑白混淆 (Confusing Black and White)
凿壁偷光 (Borrowing Light Through a Chiseled Wall)
量入为出 (Measure Income Against Expenses)
量力而行 (Act Within Your Means)
量才录用 (Hire by Merit)
量体裁衣 (Tailor the Garment to Fit)
跛鳖千里 (A Lame Turtle Travels a Thousand Li)
赏罚无章 (Rewards Without Rules)
赏罚分明 (Rewards and Punishments Clear)
脾肉之叹 (Sighing Over Thigh Flesh)
程门立雪 (Standing in Snow at Cheng's Gate)
筐箧中物 (Items in a Basket)
筚路蓝缕 (Driven by Hardship)
筑坛拜将 (Build an Altar for a General)
鲁鱼亥豕 (Copying Errors Through Generations)
铸成大错 (A Monumental Mistake)
锐不可当 (Sharp and Unstoppable)
铺锦列绣 (A Brocade of Splendor)
集苑集枯 (Gathering in the Garden, Gathering in the Withered)
集思广益 (Pooling Wisdom for Broader Benefit)
焦头烂额 (Burned Head and Bruised Forehead)
傅粉何郎 (The Powdered Beauty)
傍人门户 (Living Under Another's Roof)
智囊人物 (A Wise Counselor)
惩一儆百 (Punish One to Warn a Hundred)
貂裘换酒 (Mink Coat for Wine)
惴惴不安 (Uneasy and Restless)
曾参杀人 (Zeng Shen Killed Someone)
善自为谋 (Good at Self-Planning)
渭阳之情 (The Affection of Weiyang)
痛心疾首 (Heartfelt Anguish)
痛饮黄龙 (Drink to Victory at Huanglong)
痛定思痛 (Pain Recalls the Pain)
道不拾遗 (No One Pockets Lost Items)
道合志同 (Like Minds, Same Path)
道听途说 (Roadside Hearsay)
道路以目 (Eyes on the Road)
渴骥奔泉 (A Thirsty Steed Racing to the Spring)
屡见不鲜 (Commonplace and Unremarkable)
强弩之末 (The End of a Strong Crossbow)
楚弓楚得 (Chu's Bow, Chu's Gain)
楚材晋用 (Chu Talent, Jin Employed)
颐指气使 (Ordering by Chin and Expression)
想当然 (Taking It for Granted)
颜人世 (Face the World with Dignity)
感激涕零 (Tears of Gratitude)
雷霆之怒 (The Thunderous Rage)
蓝田生玉 (Jade Born in Lantian)
蓬生麻中 (The Creeping Vine in the Hemp)
蓬头垢面 (Unkempt and Disheveled)
摸棱两可 (Ambiguous and Evasive)
携老扶弱 (Support the Elderly and the Weak)
愚公移山 (The Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains)
蜀犬吠日 (Shu Dogs Barking at the Sun)
置之度外 (Beyond All Consideration)
罪不容诛 (Death Not Enough for the Crime)
遥遥华胄 (Distant Noble Ancestry)