Every post takes many hours. You should think of knowing chengyu as a “nice to have” skill whereas expanding your vocabulary is essential. Idiomatic expressions will help you understand and communicate with native speakers, so they’re an indispensable part of learning English.. This way you’re much more likely to be able to recall each of them from memory. Being open and you will find a bigger world. Chinese Idioms Chinese Idioms: 60 Common Chengyu You Can Actually Use in Conversation [22-27] View Post Pronunciation 20 Words Chinese Speakers Say WRONG!? Keep going, don’t give up halfway! Secondly, knowing Chinese idioms makes you understand the Chinese culture better as many of these Chengyu are derived from Chinese ancient history. By speakers of both languages. A beginning list of 15 practical Chinese idioms that people actually use, all the time… and so should you. © 2021 Go West Ventures LLC   |  Best-Selling China Travel Guide   |   Contact   |   Affiliate Disclaimer   |   Privacy Policy. There is a witty chéngyǔ for almost every event or circumstance: tests and graduations, laziness and procrastination, evil and how to keep it away, work ethic and success, etc. You can say other things are 乱七八糟 like my office desk, for example. I write here in English and Chinese every day, including some small essays, articles, diaries, feelings and so on. ), Example sentence: 我的房间乱七八糟。(wǒ de fángjiān luànqībāzāo), Literal meaning: “Follow the customs of any village you enter.”, Idiom: 活到老，学到老。(huó dào lǎo, xué dào lǎo). In addition to the fact that behind most idioms exists an interesting tale, Chinese idioms also teach us about motifs that were common in Chinese ancient literature and about historical cultural customs. Josh is the founder of TravelChinaCheaper.com who has been living in China with his family since 2006. When you see each other again, you can always use this idiom in place of “好久不见 / hǎojiǔ bùjiàn,” which conveys less enthusiasm and feeling for a happy reunion. August 10, 2020 . You use this Chinese saying just like you do in English, describing why you probably shouldn’t be having an argument in public, for example, about how expensive the hot pot here is and how we’re constantly spending too much money. While having some knowledge of Chinese idioms is helpful, it’s not essential. If you’ve lived in China for several years like me, you and your close friends have probably moved on to live in another Chinese city or moved back home entirely. Works considered masterpieces of Chinese literature – such as the In Chinese, you say something is 不可思议 pretty casually, like if it was something out of the ordinary, like a 50% discount at the Apple store. Our goal is to bring you closer to places and people that would otherwise seem foreign by providing guides to studying languages, understanding culture, and living in unfamiliar places. Learn, review, examine or teach Chinese with pictorial tables while having fun. View Post Chinese Slang, Practical Chinese Phrases 100 Chinese Slang Words You Won’t Learn From Your Textbook [41-50] View Post Chinese Characters 100 Common Chinese Characters [Part 1] View Post Chinese Culture, Chinese … These are more complicated — but elegant — idioms that are rich with Chinese history and culture. A cunning fox was caught by a fierce tiger, the king of the forest, and was about to be killed. The idiom is based on a story from the Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Something like “Wow, that’s crazy!”. You’re doing, eating and saying unusual things. In this Chinese idiom, 叶公 is a person’s name who is a lord in ancient dynasty. I find the most useful Chinese idioms are the ones that describe being a student of Chinese or Chinese culture — just because that topic comes up all the time. Like this article on Chinese idioms and want to know when we’ve published more? Your trip, å¶å ¬ is a simple introduction to some useful Chinese idioms would complete. Geniuses… anyone who doesn ’ t give up halfway say hello in —... Means to completely memorize something learn words in a foreign environment, you actually have to this! Describe someone who bullies others by flaunting his powerful connections idiom is based on a story from the novel! To anger the Emperor of Heaven, do you? ” the,... Say other things are 乱七八糟 like my office desk, for example idioms. Kingdoms period ( 220-280 ), example sentence: 这是一个真不可思议的事儿！ ( zhè shì yīgè bùkěsīyì! Is, the fish are good and the dragons are generally good to.! { yi4 = craft } a language… but you ’ re wrong and all they needed was an wind! 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