Chinese Idioms

成语 [chéngyǔ] Idiom成语 [chéngyǔ] Idiom Attached here is a list of  Chinese Idioms (or 成语) that will be available in the  iHanzi flashcard app for iPhone.

Have I missed any more common and important? Perhaps made a character, pinyin or definition mistake?

I’d appreciate your input.

 

Simplified Traditional pinyin English Definition
爱不释手 愛不釋手 ài bú shì shǒu to fondle admiringly (lit. to love sth too much to part with it)
爱憎分明 愛憎分明 ài zēng fēn míng to be clear about whom or what to love or hate
按部就班 按部就班 àn bù jiù bān follow conventional procedures; in accordance with the prescribed order
安居乐业 安居樂業 ān jū lè yè live in peace and work happily
安然无恙 安然無恙 ān rán wú yàng to be in a good situation without any problem; usually pertaining to health
按图索骥 按圖索驥 àn tú suǒ jì follow clues to locate sth. (lit. looking for a fine horse using only a picture)
安土重迁 安土重遷 ān tǔ zhòng qiān hate to leave a place where one has lived long; be attached to one’s native land and reluctant to leave
拔苗助长 拔苗助長 bá miáo zhù zhǎng spoil things by excessive zeal
百步穿杨 百步穿楊 bǎi bù chuān yáng shoot with great precision
白首偕老 白首偕老 bái shǒu xié lǎo grow old together (as in a couple)
半斤八两 半斤八兩 bàn jīn bā liǎng much to choose between
班门弄斧 班門弄斧 bān mén nòng fǔ show off one’s slight talent/skill before an expert
半途而废 半途而廢 bàn tú ér fèi to give up halfway; to leave something unfinished
饱经沧桑 飽經滄桑 bǎo jīng cāng sāng having lived through many changes
杯弓蛇影 杯弓蛇影 bēi gōng shé yǐng be jittery; suffer from imaginary fears (lit. to see a bow reflected in a cup as a snake)
背井离乡 背井離鄉 bèi jǐng lí xiāng be forced to leave one’s home (for a remote place)
本末倒置 本末倒置 běn mò dào zhì confusing cause and effect; to reverse the primary and secondary tasks (lit. to invert root and branch)
必不可少 必不可少 bì bù kě shǎo absolutely necessary
闭门思过 閉門思過 bì mén sī guò shut oneself up and ponder one’s mistakes
变化无常 變化無常 biàn huà wú cháng irregular; capricious
别具一格 別具一格 bié jù yì gé to have a unique style; describes literature; art and architecture
博大精深 博大精深 bó dà jīng shēn wide-ranging and profound; broad and deep
波涛汹涌 波濤洶湧 bō tāo xiōng yǒng tumultuous situations
不加思索 不加思索 bù jiā sī suǒ to not think; to talk or act without thinking.
不可救药 不可救藥 bù kě jiù yào irremediable; hopeless
不可磨灭 不可磨滅 bù kě mó miè indelible
不可思议 不可思議 bù kě sī yì inconceivable; unimaginable; unfathomable
不劳而获 不勞而獲 bù láo ér huò reap without sowing
不唯如此 不唯如此 bù wéi rú cǐ so is the case
不相上下 不相上下 bù xiāng shàng xià equally matched; about the same
不屑一顾 不屑一顧 bú xiè yí gù to disdain as beneath contempt
不言而喻 不言而喻 bù yán ér yù obvious
不约而同 不約而同 bù yuē ér tóng a coincidence; taking the same action without prior consultation
不择手段 不擇手段 bù zé shǒu duàn by fair means or foul; by hook or by crook; unscrupulously
不知所措 不知所措 bù zhī suǒ cuò not knowing what to do; refers to an awkward or confusing situation
不自量力 不自量力 bú zì liàng lì overrate one’s own abilities
三言两语 三言兩語 cān yán liǎng yǔ just a few words
草木皆兵 草木皆兵 cǎo mù jiē bīng imaginary fears (lit. every tree or bush an enemy soldier)
参差不齐 參差不齊 cēn cī bù qí non-uniformity; non-standard
层出不穷 層出不窮 céng chū bù qióng more and more emerge; innumerable succession; breeding like flies
长驱 長驅 cháng qū make long drive; push deep
称心如意 稱心如意 chèn xīn rú yì after one’s heart; gratifying and satisfactory; everything one could wish
程门立雪 程門立雪 chéng mén lì xuě honor the teacher and respect his teachings
成千上万 成千上萬 chéng qiān shàng wà a massive amount (lit. by the thousands and tens of thousands)
持之以恒 持之以恆 chí zhī yǐ héng persevere
出口成章 出口成章 chū kǒu chéng zhāng quick and clever talking; eloquent
出人头地 出人頭地 chū rén tóu dì stand out among one’s fellows
川流不息 川流不息 chuān liú bù xī the stream flows without stopping; unending flow
传宗接代 傳宗接代 chuán zōnɡ jiē dài carry on the family name/line; produce a male heir to continue the family line; to carry on one’s ancestral line
词不达意 詞不達意 cí bù dá yì the words fail to convey the idea – poorly expressed; senseless; inarticulate
从容不迫 從容不迫 cóng róng bú pò calm; unruffled
寸步不离 寸步不離 cùn bù bù lí very close; inseparable; usually refers to two or more people
打草惊蛇 打草驚蛇 dǎ cǎo jīng shé inadvertently alert an enemy/opponent; punish sb. as a warning to others (lit. beat the grass to scare the snake)
大吃一惊 大吃一驚 dà chī yì jīng be greatly surprised
大海捞针 大海撈針 dà hǎi lāo zhēn hard to find; like finding a needle in a haystack (lit. to fish a needle from the sea)
大可不必 大可不必 dà kě bù bì need not; unnecessary
大器晚成 大器晚成 dà qì wǎn chéng great minds mature slowly; Rome wasn’t built in a day (lit. it takes a long time to make a big pot)
大失所望 大失所望 dà shī suǒ wàng extremely disappointing
大同小异 大同小異 dà tóng xiǎo yì similar in essential aspects; different in minor details
大义灭亲 大義滅親 dà yì miè qīn uphold righteousness above one’s family
当务之急 當務之急 dāng wù zhī jí top priority job; matter of vital importance
得不偿失 得不償失 dé bù cháng shī (saying) the gains do not make up for the losses
得天独厚 得天獨厚 dé tiān dú hòu (of an area) rich in resources; (of a person) gifted or able
得意忘形 得意忘形 dé yì wàng xíng carried away; beside oneself with joy
地大物博 地大物博 dì dà wù bó vast territory with abundant resources
丢三落四 丟三落四 diū sān là sì to be forgetful; scatterbrained
动人心弦 動人心弦 dòng rén xīn xián touching
东山再起 東山再起 dōng shān zài qǐ come back (lit. to return to office after living as a hermit on Mount Dongshan)
东施效颦 東施效顰 dōng shī xiào pín ludicrous attempt to imitate
东张西望 東張西望 dōng zhāng xī wàng to look in all directions; to glance around
独来独往 獨來獨往 dú lái dú wǎng be free and alone; come and go freely
独一无二 獨一無二 dú yī wú èr unlike any others; to be unique; one of a kind
断断续续 斷斷續續 duàn duàn xù xù intermittent; off and on; discontinuous; stop-go; stammering; disjointed; inarticulate
对牛弹琴 對牛彈琴 duì niú tán qín cast pearls before swine; talk over sb.’s head
对症下药 對症下藥 duì zhèng xià yào suit one’s methods to the situation (lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness)
多此一举 多此一舉 duō cǐ yì jǔ unnecessary; to do more than is required
多多益善 多多益善 duō duō yì shàn the more the better
尔虞我诈 爾虞我詐 ěr yú wǒ zhà deceive each other; engage in a battle of wits (lit. you hoodwink me and I cheat you)
反复推敲 反復推敲 fǎn fù tuī qiāo repeated scrutiny
飞禽走兽 飛禽走獸 fēi qín zǒu shòu birds and animals; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air
丰富多彩 豐富多彩 fēng fù duō cǎi diverse; rich and varied; rich and colorful; varied; eventful
风和日丽 風和日麗 fēng hé rì lì gentle breeze and beautiful sun; describes the weather
风土人情 風土人情 fēng tǔ rén qíng local conditions and customs
风雨无阻 風雨無阻 fēng yǔ wú zǔ rain or shine
负荆请罪 負荊請罪 fù jīng qǐng zuì offer humble apologies (lit. to bring a bramble and ask for punishment)
赴汤蹈火 赴湯蹈火 fù tāng dǎo huǒ go through fire and water
高而忘私 高而忘私 gāo ér wàng sī put the group ahead of self
高山流水 高山流水 gāo shān liú shuǐ bosom friend; refined music
高枕无忧 高枕無憂 gāo zhěn wú yōu sit back and relax; sleep an untroubled sleep
各抒己见 各抒己見 gè shū jǐ jiàn a discussion where everyone has equal say
根深蒂固 根深蒂固 gēn shēn dì gù deep-rooted (problem etc)
功败垂成 功敗垂成 gōng bài chuí chéng fail when on verge of success
供不应求 供不應求 gōng bú yìng qiú supply does not meet demand
归根到底 歸根到底 guī gēn dào dǐ to sum it up…
邯郸学步 邯鄲學步 hán dān xué bù slavishly imitate others
和蔼可亲 和藹可親 hé ǎi kě qīn friendly and amicable; usually refers to an elderly person
后顾之忧 後顧之憂 hòu gù zhī yōu fears of trouble in the rear; family worries (obstructing freedom of action); worries about the future consequences
互补长短 互補長短 hù bǔ cháng duǎn make up for each other’s shortcomings
狐假虎威 狐假虎威 hú jiǎ hǔ wēi bully people by flaunting one’s powerful connections (lit. the fox exploits the tiger’s might)
囫囵吞枣 囫圇吞棗 hú lún tūn zǎo lap up information without digesting it
互助合作 互助合作 hù zhù hé zuò co-operative
画饼充饥 畫餅充飢 huà bǐng chōng jī feed on illusions (lit. to allay one’s hunger using a picture of a cake)
画龙点睛 畫龍點睛 huà lóng diǎn jīng add touches that bring a work of art to life; add a word or two to clinch point
画蛇添足 畫蛇添足 huà shé tiān zú to overdo it (lit. draw legs on a snake)
黄粱美梦 黃粱美夢 huáng liáng měi mèn pipe dream; illusions of wealth and power (lit. dream of golden millet)
恍然大悟 恍然大悟 huǎng rán dà wù to suddenly realize; to suddenly see the light
毁性伤情 毀性傷情 huǐ xìng shāng qíng hurting one’s feelings deeply
火上加油 火上加油 huǒ shàng jiā yóu adding fuel to fire; to enrage people and make matters worse
急功近利 急功近利 jí gōng jìn lì seeking instant benefit; shortsighted vision; looking only for fast return
继往开来 繼往開來 jì wǎng kāi lái to follow the past and herald the future; part of a historical transition; forming a bridge between earlier and later stages
记忆犹新 記憶猶新 jì yì yóu xīn to remain fresh is one’s memory; remember vividly
急于求成 急於求成 jí yú qiú chéng anxious for quick results; to demand instant success; impatient for result; impetuous
家喻户晓 家喻戶曉 jiā yù hù xiǎo understood by everyone; well known; a household name
健步如飞 健步如飛 jiàn bù rú fēi fleet footed (lit. running as fast as flying)
见多识广 見多識廣 jiàn duō shí guǎng experienced and knowledgeable
见义勇为 見義勇為 jiàn yì yǒng wéi to see what is right and act courageously; to stand up bravely for the truth; acting heroically in a just cause
江郎才尽 江郎才盡 jiāng láng cái jìn have used up one’s literary talent/energy
竭尽全力 竭盡全力 jié jìn quán lì to spare no effort; to do one’s utmost
嗟来之食 嗟來之食 jiē lái zhī shí food rudely offered; grudging handout; help grudgingly
今非昔比 今非昔比 jīn fēi xī bǐ to see improvement in the present compared to the past (can be a fact or an opinion)
津津有味 津津有味 jīn jīn yǒu wèi with keen interest pleasure; with gusto; to relish; eagerly; with great interest
金石为开 金石為開 jīn shí wéi kāi sincerity can make metal and stone crack
近水楼台 近水樓台 jìn shuǐ lóu tái waterfront pavilion; favorable position; point of vantage
锦绣前程 錦繡前程 jǐn xiù qián chéng a bright future; a rosy future; brilliant prospects
精打细算 精打細算 jīng dǎ xì suàn (saying) meticulous planning and careful accounting
井底之蛙 井底之蛙 jǐng dǐ zhī wā a person with a very limited outlook and experience; an ignorant person (lit. a frog in a well)
兢兢业业 兢兢業業 jīng jīng yè yè cautious and conscientious
井井有条 井井有條 jǐng jǐng yǒu tiáo in perfect order; neat and tidy
精益求精 精益求精 jīng yì qiú jīng to perfect sth that is already outstanding; constantly improving
聚精会神 聚精會神 jù jīng huì shén to concentrate one’s attention
举世闻名 舉世聞名 jǔ shì wén míng (saying) world famous
举世无匹 舉世無匹 jǔ shì wú pī nothing can compare to this
举世瞩目 舉世矚目 jǔ shì zhǔ mù attract worldwide attention
举一反三 舉一反三 jǔ yī fǎn sān learn by analogy; to deduce many things from one case (lit.  to raise one and infer three)
举足轻重 舉足輕重 jǔ zú qīng zhòng a foot’s move sways the balance; to hold the balance of power; to play the decisive role
开诚布公 開誠布公 kāi chéng bù gōng speak frankly and sincerely (lit. deal sincerely and fairly)
开卷有益 開卷有益 kāi juàn yǒu yì the benefits of education (lit. opening a book is profitable)
开天辟地 開天闢地 kāi tiān pì dì creation of the world; since the beginning of time
刻不容缓 刻不容緩 kè bù róng huǎn to brook no delay; to demand immediate action
刻舟求剑 刻舟求劍 kè zhōu qiú jiàn take measures without regard to changes in circumstances (lit. a notch on the side of a boat to locate a sword dropped overboard)
空前绝后 空前絕後 kōng qián jué hòu unprecedented and never to be duplicated; the first and the last; unmatched; unique
口是心非 口是心非 kǒu shì xīn fēi saying something that one does not mean (lit. mouth says yes; heart no)
口说无凭 口說無憑 kǒu shuō wú píng oral expressions can not be taken as evidence; words of mouth alone don’t carry conviction
苦尽甘来 苦盡甘來 kǔ jìn gān lái bitterness finishes; sweetness begins; the hard times are over; the good times just beginning
滥竽充数 濫竽充數 làn yú chōng shù fill a position just to make up the number (lit. to play the yú 竽 mouth organ to make up numbers)
狼狈为奸 狼狽為奸 láng bèi wéi jiān villains collude together; to work hand in glove with sb.
狼吞虎咽 狼吞虎嚥 láng tūn hǔ yàn to eat very quickly and ravenously
老马识途 老馬識途 lǎo mǎ shí tú an old hand is a good guide; an experienced worker knows what to do
乐不思蜀 樂不思蜀 lè bù sī shǔ indulge in pleasure and forget home and duty
乐此不疲 樂此不疲 lè cǐ bù pí to enjoy sth and never tire of it
乐观进取 樂觀進取 lè guān jìn qǔ be positive
力不从心 力不從心 lì bù cóng xīn the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak; not as strong as one would wish
理所当然 理所當然 lǐ suǒ dāng rán as it should be by rights; proper and to be expected as a matter of course; inevitable and right
力所能及 力所能及 lì suǒ néng jí as far as one’s capabilities extend; to the best of one’s ability; within one’s powers
理直气壮 理直氣壯 lǐ zhí qì zhuàng in the right and self-confident; to have the courage of one’s convictions; just and forceful
两败俱伤 兩敗俱傷 liǎng bài jù shāng lose-lose; both sides suffer
两全其美 兩全其美 liǎng quán qí měi to the satisfaction of both parties; to have it both ways
漏网之鱼 漏網之魚 lòu wǎng zhī yú lucky survivor; fugitive; homeless exile (lit. fish that escaped the net)
屡见不鲜 屢見不鮮 lǚ jiàn bù xiān common occurrence; nothing new
乱七八糟 亂七八糟 luàn qī bā zāo in a mess; in terrible disorder
络绎不绝 絡繹不絕 luò yì bù jué continuously; in an endless stream
马到成功 馬到成功 mǎ dào chéng gōng instant success; beginner’s luck
满城风雨 滿城風雨 mǎn chéng fēng yǔ talk of the town; a big scandal (lit. wind and rain through the town)
满载而归 滿載而歸 mǎn zài ér guī rewarding; to return from a rewarding journey
冒充内行 冒充內行 mào chōng nèi háng pretend to be an expert
没精打采 沒精打採 méi jīng dǎ cǎi to be listless or apathetic
美中不足 美中不足 měi zhōng bù zú having only one small flaw; everything is fine except for one small defect
门当户对 門當戶對 mén dāng hù duì families of equal standing; be well-matched in social and economic status (for marriage); good [marriage] match
门庭若市 門庭若市 mén tíng ruò shì much-visited house; the shop is doing booming business; the courtyard is like a fair
孟母三迁 孟母三遷 mèng mǔ sān qiān a wise mother would try to find a good environment for her children’s best education.
面面俱到 面面俱到 miàn miàn jù dào cover everything
面目一新 面目一新 miàn mù yì xīn to change for the better; take on an entirely new look; take care of everything
妙语如珠 妙語如珠 miào yǔ rú zhū articulate (lit. smart words like a string of pearl)
名副其实 名副其實 míng fù qí shí not just in name only; but also in reality
名落孙山 名落孫山 míng luò sūn shān fail in a competitive/imperial examination
莫名其妙 莫名其妙 mò míng qí miào unfathomable mystery; subtle and ineffable; unable to make head or tail of it; boring (e.g. movie)
难能可贵 難能可貴 nán néng kě guì rare and commendable; estimable
南辕北辙 南轅北轍 nán yuán běi zhé diametrically opposite; act at cross-purposes; be poles apart
囊萤夜读 囊螢夜讀 náng yíng yè dú reading by the light of fireflies
呕心沥血 嘔心瀝血 ǒu xīn lì xuè throw all one’s energy into sth; to work one’s heart out (lit. to spit out one’s heart and spill blood)
抛砖引玉 拋磚引玉 pāo zhuān yǐn yù used to offer a humble remark before distinguished speech (lit. to throw a brick to attract jade)
鹏程万里 鵬程萬裡 péng chéng wàn lǐ have a bright future
飘忽无定 飄忽無定 piāo hū wú dìng someone who changes their mind a lot; someone who wanders around and is difficult to find
迫不及待 迫不及待 pò bù jí dài impatient; in a hurry; itching to get on with it
破釜沉舟 破釜沈舟 pò fǔ chén zhōu burn one’s bridges
剖腹藏珠 剖腹藏珠 pōu fù cáng zhū die in pursuit of gain (lit. cutting one’s stomach to hide a pearl)
扑朔迷离 撲朔迷離 pū shuò mí chī complicated and confusing; look both like a man and like a woman
奇耻大辱 奇恥大辱 qǐ chǐ dà rǔ outrageous shame and deep humiliation; a crying shame
迄今为止 迄今為止 qì jīn wéi zhǐ so far; up to now; still (not)
歧路亡羊 歧路亡羊 qí lù wáng yáng go astray in a complex situation
杞人忧天 杞人憂天 qǐ rén yōu tiān groundless fears (lit. man of Qǐ fears the sky falling)
七上八下 七上八下 qī shàng bā xià uneasiness; in a mess
齐心协力 齊心協力 qí xīn xié lì to work with a common purpose; to make concerted efforts; to pull together; to work as one
岂有此理 豈有此理 qǐ yǒu cǐ lǐ how can this be so?; preposterous; ridiculous; absurd
恰到好处 恰到好處 qià dào hǎo chù it’s just perfect; it’s just right
千差万别 千差萬別 qiān chā wàn bié unlike any other; different
千方百计 千方百計 qiān fāng bǎi jì a hundred plans; by every possible means (lit. thousand ways)
千钧一发 千鈞一髮 qiān jūn yī fà in imminent peril; extremely delicate situation; extremely critical moment
黔驴技穷 黔驢技窮 qián lǘ jì qióng sb. who has exposed his limited ability; to exhaust one’s limited abilities
千丝万缕 千絲萬縷 qiān sī wàn lǚ countless ties; a thousand and one links; interrelated in innumerable ways
千言万语 千言萬語 qiān yán wàn yǔ having much to say; talking nonstop
潜移默化 潛移默化 qián yí mò huà imperceptible influence; to influence secretly
强词夺理 強詞奪理 qiáng zí duó lǐ lame arguments; to argue illogically (lit. powerful words devoid of sense)
锲而不舍 鍥而不捨 qiè ér bù shě to chip away at a task and not abandon it; to chisel away at sth; to persevere; unflagging efforts
青出于蓝 青出於藍 qīng chū yú lán surpass the master (lit. green is born of blue; but beats blue)
轻而易举 輕而易舉 qīng ér yì jǔ easy; with no difficulty
秋高气爽 秋高氣爽 qīu gāo qì shuǎng better weather; clear and refreshing autumn weather
全力以赴 全力以赴 quán lì yǐ fù do at all costs; make an all-out effort
热泪盈眶 熱淚盈眶 rè lèi yíng kuàng eyes brimming with tears of excitement; extremely moved
人山人海 人山人海 rén shān rén hǎi huge crowds of people
任重道远 任重道遠 rèn zhòng dào yuǎn a heavy load and a long road; fig. to bear heavy responsibilities through a long struggle
日新月异 日新月異 rì xīn yuè yì to change very quickly; every day sees new developments
日益频繁 日益頻繁 rì yì pín fán increasingly common
如火如荼 如火如荼 rú huǒ rú tú magnificent; daunting and vigorous momentum (lit. white cogon flower like fire)
如鱼得水 如魚得水 rú yú dé shuǐ glad to be back in one’s proper surroundings (lit. like a fish back in water)
孺子可教 孺子可教 rú zǐ kě jiāo this child is teachable
三顾茅庐 三顧茅廬 sān gù máo lú repeatedly request sb. to take up a responsible post; earnestly seek the services of able and virtuous people
三心二意 三心二意 sān xīn èr yì half-hearted
山明水秀 山明水秀 shān míng shuǐ xìu picturesque
深情厚谊 深情厚誼 shēn qíng hòu yì profound friendship
事半功倍 事半功倍 shì bàn gōng bèi more with less; half the work; twice the effect
事倍功半 事倍功半 shì bèi gōng bàn twice the effort for half the result
十拿九稳 十拿九穩 shí ná jiǔ wěn very likely to happen; success within reach; extremely certain
十全十美 十全十美 shí quán shí měi to be completely perfect; flawless; to be perfect
实事求是 實事求是 shí shì qiú shì to seek truth from facts; to be practical and realistic
世外桃源 世外桃源 shì wài táo yuán haven of peace; utopia
十之八九 十之八九 shí zhī bā jiǔ most likely (lit. in eight or nine cases out of ten)
手足情深 手足情深 shǒu zú qín shūn brotherhood
熟能生巧 熟能生巧 shú néng shēng qiǎo skill comes from practice; with familiarity you learn the trick
数一数二 數一數二 shǔ yī shǔ èr one of the best; outstanding
水滴石穿 水滴石穿 shuǐ dī shí chuān constant perseverance yields success (lit. dripping water penetrates the stone)
水土不服 水土不服 shuǐ tǔ bù fú unaccustomed to a place; not acclimatized
死灰复燃 死灰復燃 sǐ huī fù rán resurgence; revival (lit. ashes burn once more)
四面楚歌 四面楚歌 sì miàn chǔ gē be besieged on all sides and without help (lit. on all sides; the songs of Chu)
似是而非 似是而非 sì shì ér fēi appeared right but actually was wrong
四通八达 四通八達 sì tōng bā dá extend in all directions; connected to all parts of the world
肆无忌惮 肆無忌憚 sì wú jì dàn absolutely unrestrained; unbridled; without the slightest scruple
私心窃喜 私心竊喜 sī xīn qiè xǐ secretly happy 私心=selfish and self-indulgent; 窃= surreptitiously; 喜=happy; celebratory
叹为观止 嘆為觀止 tàn wéi guān zhǐ acclaim sth. as the acme of perfection; to gasp in amazement
谈笑自若 談笑自若 tán xiào zì ruò go on talking and laughing as if nothing had happened; be cheerful and composed (in face of danger)
螳螂捕蝉 螳螂捕蟬 táng láng bǔ chán be unaware of impending danger; to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger
讨价还价 討價還價 tǎo jià huán jià bargain; haggle over a price
滔滔不绝 滔滔不絕 tāo tāo bù jué unceasing torrent; talking non-stop; gabbling forty to the dozen
天伦之乐 天倫之樂 tiān lún zhī lè pleasure of heavenly agreement; family love and joy; domestic bliss
田园之乐 田園之樂 tián yuán zhī lè heavenly happiness
统筹兼顾 統籌兼顧 tǒng chóu jiān gù an overall plan taking into account all factors
同舟共济 同舟共濟 tóng zhōu gòng jì to get through a time of difficulty by settle one’s difference and working together
投笔从戎 投筆從戎 tóu bǐ cóng róng renounce the pen for the sword; join the military service (esp. of educated person)
土头土脑 土頭土腦 tǔ tóu tǔ nǎo rustic; uncouth; countrified
拖泥带水 拖泥帶水 tuō ní dài shuǐ messy; sloppy; slovenly (lit. wading in mud and water)
完璧归赵 完璧歸趙 wán bì guī zhào return sth. to the owner in good condition (lit. to return the jade annulus to Zhao)
万事如意 萬事如意 wàn shì rú yì good luck; best wishes; all the best
望尘莫及 望塵莫及 wàng chén mò jí to be far too inferior (lit. to see only the other rider’s dust and have no hope of catching up)
望梅止渴 望梅止渴 wàng méi zhǐ kě to console oneself with illusions; feed on fancies (lit. to quench one’s thirst by thinking of plums)
亡羊补牢 亡羊補牢 wáng yáng bǔ láo better late than never; to remedy the situation (lit. to mend the pen after sheep are lost)
微不足道 微不足道 wēi bù zú dào negligible; insignificant
微乎其微 微乎其微 wēi hū qí wēi very little; next to nothing
为虎作伥 為虎作倀 wèi hǔ zuò chāng to help a villain do evil; (lit. to act as accomplice to the tiger)
闻鸡起舞 聞雞起舞 wén jī qǐ wǔ be roused into action
卧薪尝胆 臥薪嘗膽 wò xīn cháng dǎn inure oneself for future trials
无动于衷 無動於衷 wú dòng yú zhōng aloof; indifferent; unconcerned
无价之宝 無價之寶 wú jià zhī bǎo an object that is priceless or an asset (can also refer to abstract things)
无精打采 無精打采 wú jīng dǎ cǎi dispirited and downcast; listless; in low spirits; washed out
无可奉告 無可奉告 wú kě fèng gào “no comment”
无可奈何 無可奈何 wú kě nài hé have no way out; have no alternative
无理取闹 無理取鬧 wú lǐ qǔ nào to make trouble without reason; deliberately awkward; pointless provocation; willful trouble maker
物美价廉 物美價廉 wù měi jià lián cheap and fine; attractive in price and quality
无能为力 無能為力 wú néng wéi lì impotent; powerless; helpless
无穷无尽 無窮無盡 wú qióng wú jìn vast and limitless; endless span of time; no vestige of a beginning; no prospect of an end
无微不至 無微不至 wú wēi bú zhì in every possible way; meticulous
无忧无虑 無憂無慮 wú yōu wú lǜ carefree and without worries
喜气洋洋 喜氣洋洋 xǐ qì yáng yáng jubilant
喜闻乐见 喜聞樂見 xǐ wén lè jiàn a delight to see; an attractive spectacle
下不为例 下不為例 xià bù wéi lì never again; just this once; not to be repeated
显而易见 顯而易見 xiǎn ér yì jiàn clearly and easy to see; obviously
先见之明 先見之明 xiān jiàn zhī míng foresight
想方设法 想方設法 xiǎng fāng shè fǎ to think up every possible method; to devise ways and means; to try this; that and the other
相辅相成 相輔相成 xiāng fǔ xiāng chéng to complement one another
小心翼翼 小心翼翼 xiǎo xīn yì yì cautious and solemn; very carefully; prudent; gently and cautiously
心不在焉 心不在焉 xīn bú zài yān absent-minded
新陈代谢 新陳代謝 xīn chén dài xiè the new replaces the old (metabolism in biology)
信口开河 信口開河 xìn kǒu kāi hé empty promises; to talk off the cuff
心口如一 心口如一 xīn kǒu rú yī to be frank and unreserved; honest and straightforward (lit. heart and mouth as one)
欣欣向荣 欣欣向榮 xīn xīn xiàng róng luxuriant growth; flourishing; thriving
心直口快 心直口快 xīn zhí kǒu kuài frank and outspoken; to say what one thinks
兴高采烈 興高采烈 xìng gāo cǎi liè happy and excited; in high spirits; in great delight
兴致勃勃 興致勃勃 xìng zhì bó bó to become exhilarated; in high spirits; full of zest
悬崖峭壁 懸崖峭壁 xuán yá qiào bì sheer cliffs and precipitous rock faces
雪上加霜 雪上加霜 xuě shàng jiā shuāng to add hail to snow; one disaster on top of another; to make things worse in a bad situation
雪中送炭 雪中送炭 xuě zhōng sòng tàn timely assistance (lit. to send coal during snow)
循序渐进 循序漸進 xún xù jiàn jìn in sequence; step by step; to make steady progress incrementally
言行一致 言行一致 yán xíng yí zhì practice what they preach
养儿防老 養兒防老 yǎng er fáng lǎo (of parents) to bring up children for the purpose of being looked after in old age
咬牙切齿 咬牙切齒 yǎo yá qiè chǐ gnashing one’s teeth; displaying extreme anger; fuming with rage between gritted teeth
义不容辞 義不容辭 yì bù róng cí be duty bound
一帆风顺 一帆風順 yì fán fēng shùn smooth sailing (lit. single sail; gentle wind)
一见钟情 一見鐘情 yí jiàn zhōng qíng to fall in love at first sight
衣锦还乡 衣錦還鄉 yī jǐn huán xiāng to return in glory (lit. to come back to one’s hometown in silken robes)
一举两得 一舉兩得 yì jǔ liǎng dé kill two birds with one stone (lit. one stone kills two birds)
一鸣惊人 一鳴驚人 yì míng jīng rén become an overnight success
一目了然 一目瞭然 yí mù liǎo rán obvious at a glance
一曝十寒 一曝十寒 yí pù shí hán not persistent; sporadic effort; lack of sticking power; short attention span
易如反掌 易如反掌 yì rú fǎn zhǎng very easy; no effort at all (lit. easy as a hand’s turn)
一如既往 一如既往 yì rú jì wǎng just as in the past; as before; continuing as always
以身作则 以身作則 yǐ shēn zuò zé lead by example
一视同仁 一視同仁 yí shì tóng rén equal treatment; not to discriminate between people
一丝不苟 一絲不苟 yì sī bù gǒu not one thread loose; strictly according to the rules; meticulous; not one hair out of place
一枝独秀 一枝獨秀 yì zhī dú xiù to outshine others
因人而异 因人而異 yīn rén ér yì to vary with each individual; to differ from person to person
饮水思源 飲水思源 yǐn shuǐ sī yuán be grateful for all your blessings! (lit. when you drink water; think of its source)
因小失大 因小失大 yīn xiǎo shī dà missing the big picture; to save a little only to lose a lot
引以为耻 引以為恥 yǐn yǐ wéi chǐ to regard it as a disgrace; to consider it shameful
有利可图 有利可圖 yǒu lì kě tú profitable; economic
优胜劣汰 優勝劣汰 yōu shèng liè tài survival of the fittest
有条不紊 有條不紊 yǒu tiáo bù wěn regular and thorough; methodically arranged
愚不可及 愚不可及 yú bù kě jí couldn’t be more foolish; be hopelessly stupid
羽毛丰满 羽毛豐滿 yǔ máo fēng mǎ adjective become full-fledged; mature
与日俱增 與日俱增 yǔ rì jù zēng to increase steadily; to grow with each passing day
再接再厉 再接再厲 zài jiē zài lì to continue the struggle; to persist; unremitting efforts
斩钉截铁 斬釘截鐵 zhǎn dīng jié tiě to chop the nail and slice the iron; resolute and decisive; unhesitating; definitely; without any doubt
张口结舌 張口結舌 zhāng kǒu jié shé speechless (lit. agape and tongue-tied)
朝气蓬勃 朝氣蓬勃 zhāo qì péng bó full of youthful energy; vigorous; energetic; a bright spark
珍禽异兽 珍禽異獸 zhēn qín yì shòu rare birds and animals
争先恐后 爭先恐後 zhēng xiān kǒng hòu striving to be first and fearing to be last; outdoing one another
志同道合 志同道合 zhì tóng dào hé like-minded; fellow enthusiast
知足常乐 知足常樂 zhī zú cháng lè satisfied with what one has
众所周知 眾所周知 zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī as everyone knows
追踪而去 追蹤而去 zhuī zōng ér qù chasing closely (after someone)
自力更生 自力更生 zì lì gēng shēng regeneration through one’s own effort; self-reliance
自食其果 自食其果 zì shí qí guǒ suffer the consequences of one’s own doing; to reap what one sows (lit. to eat one’s own fruit)
自相矛盾 自相矛盾 zì xiāng máo dùn contradict oneself; self-contradictory; inconsistent
自由自在 自由自在 zì yóu zì zài free; carefree; leisurely
自圆其说 自圓其說 zì yuán qí shuō to make one’s statement valid; to justify oneself
总而言之 總而言之 zǒng ér yán zhī in short; in a word; in brief; all in all
走马看花 走馬看花 zǒu mǎ kàn huā to make a quick judgment based on inadequate information (lit. flower viewing from horseback)

 

 

 

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