| Entry | Pinyin | Meaning | Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| 三长两短 | sǎn cháng liǎng duǎn |
Used to refer to an unexpected misfortune, especially death |
Ancient Times |
| 与虎谋皮 | yǔ hǔ móu pí |
To attempt something impossible; refers to a scheme that is difficult to accomplish because it involves hurting one of the involved parties |
Ancient Times |
| 亡羊补牢 | wáng yáng bǔ láo |
When, after experiencing some sort of issue, someone takes timely steps to ensure that they don't face that issue again |
Ancient Times |
| 名落孙山 | míng luò sūn shān |
To fail a test or not be selected for a position |
Ancient Times |
| 囫囵吞枣 | hú lún tūn zǎo |
To accept information with insufficient analysis or consideration |
Ancient Times |
| 天衣无缝 | tiān yī wú fèng |
Indicates that something is absolutely perfect; without even a single flaw |
Ancient Times |
| 夸父追日 | kuā fù zhuī rì |
To overestimate one's abilities. Originally used to highlight one's determination |
Ancient Times |
| 女娲补天 | nǚ wā bǔ tiān |
Describes strength and spirit that can transform the world |
Ancient Times |
| 害群之马 | hài qún zhī mǎ |
Refers to a person that has a negative influence on the group that they're in |
Ancient Times |
| 开天辟地 | kāi tiān pì dì |
This is used to indicate that something is unprecedented/the first of its kind |
Ancient Times |
| 循序渐进 | xún xù jiàn jìn |
Eventually; gradually; slowly; deliberately |
Ancient Times |
| 愚公移山 | yú gōng yí shān |
To have resolute will and not be afraid of hardship and difficulty |
Ancient Times |
| 拔苗助长 | bá miáo zhù zhǎng |
When someone is impatient for something and tries to hurry things along, only to have the results turn out to be the opposite of what they wanted |
Ancient Times |
| 望洋兴叹 | wàng yáng xīng tàn |
To feel helpless when attempting to do a task because of one's inadequacies or shortcomings. Originally referred to standing before a great object or creature and lamenting one's insignificance |
Ancient Times |
| 杀鸡骇猴 | shā jī hài hóu |
To punish one person as a warning to others |
Ancient Times |
| 牛郎织女 | niú láng zhī nǚ |
Refers to a husband and wife who have been physically apart for a long time |
Ancient Times |
| 盲人摸象 | máng rén mō xiàng |
To draw broad conclusions based off one's partial understanding of a topic |
Ancient Times |
| 空中楼阁 | kōng zhōng lóu gé |
Refers to unrealistic plans or ideas, as well as imaginary or fictional things |
Ancient Times |
| 精卫填海 | jīng wèi tián hǎi |
Indicates that one's will is strong and resolute. Sometimes and originally used to indicate that one's hatred ran deep and that they vowed retaliation |
Ancient Times |
| 道听途说 | dào tīng tú shuō |
Hearsay, gossip, rumors; information that does not have factual basis |
Ancient Times |
| 骑驴觅驴 | qí lǘ mì lǘ |
To search for something that one already has; to search for another job because one finds their current one unsatisfactory |
Ancient Times |
| 黔驴技穷 | qián lǘ jì qióng |
To use up one's already limited abilities |
Ancient Times |
| 一窍不通 | yī qiào bù tōng |
To not understand a single thing that's going on; to be exceptionally ignorant. Often used to ridicule others' foolishness or stupidity. |
Shang Dynasty |
| 恶贯满盈 | è guàn mǎn yíng |
To commit endless crimes and deserve judgement/damnation |
Shang Dynasty |
| 爱屋及乌 | ài wū jí wū |
To love someone so much that even things related to that person are loved as well |
Shang Dynasty |