{"id":6825,"date":"2017-06-23T15:59:25","date_gmt":"2017-06-23T07:59:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.writtenchinese.com\/?p=6825"},"modified":"2022-06-05T11:00:21","modified_gmt":"2022-06-05T03:00:21","slug":"15-of-the-most-popular-idioms-in-chinese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.writtenchinese.com\/15-of-the-most-popular-idioms-in-chinese\/","title":{"rendered":"15 of the Most Popular Idioms in Chinese"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Idiom comes from the Greek word meaning \u2018one of a kind<\/a>\u2019. They\u2019re often used to convey a special meaning that is not directly spoken. Idioms also shorten a longer meaning, and can add colour to a language and emphasis to a specific phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Idioms, known as \u719f\u8bed<\/a> (sh\u00f3u y\u01d4) or \u6210\u8bed<\/a> (ch\u00e9ng y\u01d4) if made up of 4 characters in Chinese, are commonplace in both English and Chinese culture. Whilst some have crossed cultures and been translated literally, there are others which strongly reflect the cultural origins and have been translated to demonstrate Chinese or English traditions and history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are 15 popular idioms in the English language, translated into Chinese. Some have been translated quite literally from their English origins, other have taken on a more \u2018Chinese\u2019 translation or use an existing Chinese equivalent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. High as a kite \u55e8\u5230\u98de\u8d77<\/a> (h\u0101i d\u00e0o f\u0113i q\u01d0)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The idiom high as a kite was first used in the 19th century in the US and UK, meaning to be \u2018high above the ground\u2019. The modern meaning, \u2018to be intoxicated\u2019 or \u2018excited\u2019 probably came about after the use of \u2018high\u2019 as meaning \u2018to be intoxicated with drugs\u2019 came about in the 1930s<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Raining cats and dogs \u503e\u76c6\u5927\u96e8<\/a> (q\u012bng p\u00e9n d\u00e0 y\u01d4)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This phrase is thought to have come from the 17th century, when dead animals would be washed along the streets during heavy rain. The meaning of the idiom is \u2018heavy rain\u2019, which feels like you\u2019re being pelted by cats and dogs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese version comes from the Tang Dynasty poet, \u675c\u752b<\/a> (d\u00f9 f\u01d4) Du Fu’s poem \u201c\u767d\u5e1d\u57ce\u4e2d\u4e91\u51fa\u95e8\uff0c\u767d\u5e1d\u57ce\u4e0b\u96e8\u7ffb\u76c6<\/a>\u3002\u201d It means the rain is as heavy as pouring away the water from basin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Speak of the devil \u8bf4\u66f9\u64cd\u66f9\u64cd\u5c31\u5230<\/a> (shu\u014d c\u00e1o c\u0101o c\u00e1o c\u0101o ji\u00f9 d\u00e0o)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Speak of the devil means to talk about someone, and that person appears unexpectedly. The idiom originated in England around the 16th century and comes from the phrase, \u2018Speak of the devil, and he will appear\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese equivalent comes from the story \u300a\u4e09\u56fd\u6f14\u4e49<\/a>\u300b(s\u0101n gu\u00f3 y\u01cen y\u00ec) Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written in the 14th century by Luo Guanzhong \u7f57\u8d2f\u4e2d<\/a> (lu\u00f3 gu\u00e0n zh\u014dng) and predates the western use of the phrase. The tale tells of the Three Kingdoms during the breaking of the Han in 200 AD. \u66f9\u64cd (c\u00e1o c\u0101o) Cao cao is the leader of the Wei and the villain of the piece in contrast with the heroic Liu Bei, the leader of the Shu. The Chinese translation is literally, \u2018speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Between a rock and a hard place \u5de6\u53f3\u4e3a\u96be<\/a> (zu\u01d2 y\u00f2u w\u00e9i n\u00e1n)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This phrase means to be caught between two difficult situations or choices. The phrase originated in the early 20 century, relating to bankruptcy and the mining industry<\/a> in Arizona, USA. Miners were said to have the choice to either work without pay or go unemployed and starving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese version was originally seen in a Yuan dynasty (1271 – 1368) drama, \u300a\u6f47\u6e58\u96e8<\/a>\u300b(xi\u0101o xi\u0101ng y\u01d4) Rain on the Xiaoxiang River – \u201c\u6211\u6b32\u5f85\u4eb2\u81ea\u53bb\u5bfb\u6765\uff0c\u9650\u6b21\u53c8\u7d27\uff0c\u7740\u8001\u592b\u5de6\u53f3\u4e3a\u96be\uff0c\u5982\u4f55\u662f\u597d<\/a>\uff01\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Two birds with one stone \u4e00\u77f3\u4e8c\u9e1f<\/a> (y\u012b sh\u00ed \u00e8r ni\u01ceo)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This idiom is said to have originated in China, but there are also stories in Greek mythology<\/a> (the tale of \u2018Daedalus and Icarus\u2019)<\/i> that suggests an earlier source for the term. Two birds with one stone means to complete two actions in one go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese origin is said to have come from the Chengyu \u4e00\u7bad\u53cc\u96d5<\/a> (y\u012b ji\u00e0n shu\u0101ng di\u0101o) meaning to \u2018kill two golden eagles with one arrow\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. When in Rome \u5165\u5883\u95ee\u4fd7<\/a> (r\u00f9 j\u00ecng w\u00e8n s\u00fa) \/ Do as the natives do \u5165\u4e61\u968f\u4fd7<\/a> (r\u00f9 xi\u0101ng su\u00ed s\u00fa)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The origins of this phrase comes from a Christian saint who wrote in circa 390 AD, that on visiting Rome, he would fast on Saturday, which was not his normal custom, and that his friend should do the same to avoid \u2018scandal\u2019. The full phrase, When in Rome, do as the Romans do suggests that when travelling in another place with different customs than your own, follow the customs of the place to prevent offense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese equivelant was originally from the Daoist author, Zhuang Zi\u2019s \u2018The Mountain Tree\u2019\u300a\u5e84\u5b50\u00b7\u5c71\u6728<\/a>\u300b(zhu\u0101ng z\u01d0 \u00b7 sh\u0101n m\u00f9) – \u201c\u5165\u5176\u4fd7\uff0c\u4ece\u5176\u4ee4<\/a>\u3002\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Take the bull by the horns \u8fce\u96be\u800c\u4e0a<\/a> (y\u00edng n\u00e1n \u00e9r sh\u00e0ng)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The origin of this idiom, meaning \u2018to address something head-on\u2019 is hazy. Whilst some sources say it originated in the 19th century and is connected with bullfighting, others have connected it with rodeos in USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese version of the phrase, translates the meaning of the idiom, to \u2018face difficulty head on)\u2019 and comes from the story of \u8f66\u80e4<\/a> (ch\u0113 y\u00ecn) written in the \u664b (j\u00ecn) Jin dynasty, who studies hard through poor family circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Don\u2019t judge a book by its cover \u4eba\u4e0d\u53ef\u8c8c\u76f8\uff0c\u6d77\u6c34\u4e0d\u53ef\u6597\u91cf<\/a> (r\u00e9n b\u00f9 k\u011b m\u00e0o xi\u00e0ng ,h\u01cei shu\u01d0 b\u00f9 k\u011b d\u01d2u li\u00e0ng)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This idiom was popularised in the 1940s<\/a> after it was used in several texts released during this time. The meaning is that you \u2018cannot make a decision about something just on its appearance\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese idiom which translates to \u2018You can’t judge a person by appearance, just as you can’t measure the sea with a pint pot\u2019, comes from the Story of the Journey to the West \u300a\u897f\u6e38\u8bb0<\/a>\u300b(x\u012b y\u00f3u j\u00ec) Chapter 62 \u201c\u965b\u4e0b\uff0c\u4eba\u4e0d\u53ef\u8c8c\u76f8\uff0c\u6d77\u6c34\u4e0d\u53ef\u6597\u91cf\u3002\u82e5\u7231\u4e30\u59ff\u8005\uff0c\u5982\u4f55\u6349\u5f97\u5996\u8d3c\u4e5f<\/a>\uff1f”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Grass is always greener \u8fd9\u5c71\u671b\u7740\u90a3\u5c71\u9ad8<\/a> (zh\u00e8 sh\u0101n w\u00e0ng zhe n\u00e0 sh\u0101n g\u0101o)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The phrase became well known in the 1920s when the song \u2018The Grass is Always Greener in the Other Fellow\u2019s Yard\u2019 was released in 1924, however the origins of the idiom are said to have come from as far back as to the poet Ovid<\/a> (43 BC \u2013 17 or 18 AD) in his poem \u2018Art of Love\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese version of this idiom translates as lit. the next mountain looks taller and comes from the poem \u300a\u4e61\u4e07\u89e3\u9890\u00b7\u5730\u90e8<\/a>\u300b(xi\u0101ng w\u00e0n ji\u011b y\u00ed\u00b7d\u00ec b\u00f9): \u201c\u82e5\u8fd9\u5c71\u770b\u7740\u90a3\u5c71\u9ad8\uff0c\u7554\u63f4\u6b46\u7fa1\u4e4b\u8bcd\u4e5f<\/a>\u3002\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Scrape the barrel \u522e\u6876\u7684\u5e95\u90e8<\/a> (gu\u0101 t\u01d2ng de d\u01d0 b\u00f9)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To \u2018scrape the bottom of the barrel\u2019 originated in the USA in the days before refrigerators<\/a> when food was stored in barrels. The remainder of the food (which would no doubt be spoiled) would have to be scraped out with spoons (gross!) which produces the meaning, \u2018to take an undesirable option because it\u2019s the only choice\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u522e\u6876\u7684\u5e95\u90e8 is a literal translation of \u2018to scrape the barrel\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Can\u2019t teach an old dog new tricks \u8001\u72d7\u73a9\u4e0d\u51fa\u65b0\u628a\u620f<\/a> (l\u01ceo g\u01d2u w\u00e1n b\u00f9 ch\u016b x\u012bn b\u01ce x\u00ec)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This phrase, meaning \u2018older people cannot learn as easily as the young\u2019, originates from as far back as the 1500s<\/a>, when it was mentioned in \u2018The Boke of Husbandry\u2019, written by John Fitzherbert in 1534.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Two peas in a pod \u4e00\u6a21\u4e00\u6837<\/a> (y\u012b m\u00fa y\u012b y\u00e0ng)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This phrase was first seen in John Lyly\u2019s \u2018Euphues and his England<\/a>\u2019, 1580 \u201cthe Twinnes of Hippocrates, (who wer as lyke as one pease is to an other).”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original Chinese phrase was first seen in the Ming dynasty novel, \u2018Slapping the Table in Amazement\u2019\u300a\u521d\u523b\u62cd\u6848\u60ca\u5947<\/a>\u300b(ch\u016b k\u00e8 p\u0101i \u00e0n j\u012bng q\u00ed): \u201c\u8bdd\u8bf4\u4eba\u751f\u53ea\u6709\u9762\u8c8c\u6700\u4e0d\u540c\uff0c\u76d6\u56e0\u5404\u7236\u6bcd\u6240\u751f\uff0c\u5343\u652f\u4e07\u6d3e\uff0c\u90a3\u80fd\u591f\u4e00\u6a21\u4e00\u6837\u7684<\/a>\uff1f\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Up the creek without a paddle \u5c71\u7a77\u6c34\u5c3d<\/a> (sh\u0101n qi\u00f3ng shu\u01d0 j\u00ecn)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The phrase \u2018up shit creek\u2019 originated during the 1860s when it was quoted<\/a> by the Secretary of War that, “Our men have put old [Abraham] Lincoln up shit creek.” The phrase means to be in an almost \u2018impossible or uncomfortable situation\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese idiom has a similar meaning and comes from \u9646\u6e38<\/a> (l\u00f9 y\u00f3u) Lu You’s poem from the Song dynasty\u300a\u6e38\u5c71\u897f\u6751<\/a>\u300b(y\u00f3u sh\u0101n x\u012b c\u016bn): \u201c\u5c71\u91cd\u6c34\u590d\u7591\u65e0\u8def\uff0c\u67f3\u6697\u82b1\u660e\u53c8\u4e00\u6751<\/a>\u3002\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Once bitten, twice shy \u4e00\u671d\u88ab\u86c7\u54ac\uff0c\u5341\u5e74\u6015\u4e95\u7ef3<\/a> (y\u012b zh\u0101o b\u00e8i sh\u00e9 y\u01ceo , sh\u00ed ni\u00e1n p\u00e0 j\u01d0ng sh\u00e9ng)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The phrase became popular in the 1920s after several authors, including Joseph Conrad and Aldous Huxley, used it in their work. However it is said to have been used first in William Caxton\u2019s translation of Aesop\u2019s Fables<\/a> in 1484.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese version of this idiom comes from \u300a\u7eed\u4f20\u706f\u5f55\u300b\u201c\u4e00\u5ea6\u8457\u86c7\u54ac\uff0c\u6015\u89c1\u65ad\u4e95\u7d22\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Literally meaning \u2018once you\u2019ve been bitten by a snake, you\u2019ll be afraid of a rope for ten years\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Time flies \u5149\u9634\u4f3c\u7bad<\/a> (gu\u0101ng y\u012bn s\u00ec ji\u00e0n)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This phrase originates from the Latin, \u2018empus fugit<\/a>\u2018 and was taken from the poetry of Virgil. It was used as a common proverb by the Romans which they translated as \u2018time flees\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese idiom translates to \u2018time flies like an arrow\u2019, meaning \u2018time goes quickly (as an arrow) and was seen first in the Ming dynasty children\u2019s book \u300a\u589e\u5e7f\u8d24\u6587\u300b\u201c\u5149\u9634\u4f3c\u7bad\uff0c\u65e5\u6708\u5982\u68ad\u201d. The phrase is usually used to mean \u2018there isn\u2019t enough time to do something\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also like to check out our article, 10 Useful Chinese Chengyu and Idioms for Beginners. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have other idioms to share with us, please leave them in the comment section below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Idiom comes from the Greek word meaning \u2018one of a kind\u2019. They\u2019re often used to convey a special meaning that is not directly spoken. Idioms also shorten a longer meaning, and can add colour to a language and emphasis to a specific phrase. Idioms, known as \u719f\u8bed (sh\u00f3u y\u01d4) or \u6210\u8bed (ch\u00e9ng y\u01d4) if made… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6842,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[142,101],"tags":[421],"class_list":["use-editor no-single","post-6825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-vocabulary","tag-chengyu"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n15 of the Most Popular Idioms in Chinese<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn the Chinese translation and alternatives to some of the most popular idioms in English along with origins 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