Lesson 1 More >>
gǒu ná hào zi – duō guǎn xián shì
狗拿耗子 – 多管闲事
Dog trying to catch mice – meddling in other people's business
xiǎo cōng bàn dòu fu – yī qīng èr bái
小葱拌豆腐 – 一清二白
White bean curd and green scallions – as clear as daylight
狗拿耗子 – 多管闲事
Dog trying to catch mice – meddling in other people's business
xiǎo cōng bàn dòu fu – yī qīng èr bái
小葱拌豆腐 – 一清二白
White bean curd and green scallions – as clear as daylight
Lesson 2 More >>
qí lǘ kàn chàng běn – zǒu zhe qiáo
骑驴看唱本 – 走着瞧
Reading a play while riding a donkey – wait and see
qiān lǐ sòng é máo – lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng
千里送鹅毛 -- 礼轻情意重
Goose feather sent from 500 kilometers away – a small gift sent from afar conveys deep feeling
骑驴看唱本 – 走着瞧
Reading a play while riding a donkey – wait and see
qiān lǐ sòng é máo – lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng
千里送鹅毛 -- 礼轻情意重
Goose feather sent from 500 kilometers away – a small gift sent from afar conveys deep feeling
Lesson 3 More >>
xiā zi diǎn dēng – bái fèi là
瞎子点灯 – 白费蜡
Lighting a candle for a blind man– a waste of effort or time
lóng zi de ĕr duo – băi shè
聋子的耳朵 – 摆设
A deaf man's ears - they are merely ornamental; something done just for show
瞎子点灯 – 白费蜡
Lighting a candle for a blind man– a waste of effort or time
lóng zi de ĕr duo – băi shè
聋子的耳朵 – 摆设
A deaf man's ears - they are merely ornamental; something done just for show
Lesson 4 More >>
lăo shŭ guò jiē – rén rén hăn dă
老鼠过街 – 人人喊打
A rat runs across the street. – Everybody shouts, "Kill it!"; to be extremely unpopular
duì niú tán qín – bù qĭ zuò yòng
对牛弹琴 – 不起作用
Play the lute to a cow – address the wrong audience; to act to little effect
老鼠过街 – 人人喊打
A rat runs across the street. – Everybody shouts, "Kill it!"; to be extremely unpopular
duì niú tán qín – bù qĭ zuò yòng
对牛弹琴 – 不起作用
Play the lute to a cow – address the wrong audience; to act to little effect
Lesson 5 More >>
fēng chuī qiáng tóu căo – liăng biān dăo
风吹墙头草 – 两边倒
The grass on top of a wall blows either way with the wind – someone who sits on the fence will end up going along with the crowd; to sit on the fence
dă zhǒng liăn chōng pàng zi – sĭ yào miàn zi
打肿脸充胖子 – 死要面子
Try to look fat by slapping one's face till it's swollen – to try to look impressive; be keen on face-saving
风吹墙头草 – 两边倒
The grass on top of a wall blows either way with the wind – someone who sits on the fence will end up going along with the crowd; to sit on the fence
dă zhǒng liăn chōng pàng zi – sĭ yào miàn zi
打肿脸充胖子 – 死要面子
Try to look fat by slapping one's face till it's swollen – to try to look impressive; be keen on face-saving
Lesson 6 More >>
tū tóu shàng de shī zi – míng băi zhe
秃头上的虱子 – 明摆着
Like a flea on a bald head – perfectly clear
kŏng fū zǐ bān jiā – jìn shì shū (shū)
孔夫子搬家 – 尽是书（输）
When Confucius moves (houses), there is nothing but books (because he is a philosopher). – Figuratively, it means you always lose (书 is a homophone for 输)
秃头上的虱子 – 明摆着
Like a flea on a bald head – perfectly clear
kŏng fū zǐ bān jiā – jìn shì shū (shū)
孔夫子搬家 – 尽是书（输）
When Confucius moves (houses), there is nothing but books (because he is a philosopher). – Figuratively, it means you always lose (书 is a homophone for 输)
Lesson 7 More >>
shí wŭ ge diào tŏng dă shuǐ – qī shàng bā xià
十五个吊桶打水 – 七上八下
Have one's heart clang like fifteen buckets in one well, seven going up and eight going down – have one's heart pound with uncertainty, fear or turmoil
niú tóu bù duì mă zuĭ – hú lā luàn chĕ
牛头不对马嘴 – 胡拉乱扯
Horses' jaws don't match cows' heads – incongruous; irrelevant
十五个吊桶打水 – 七上八下
Have one's heart clang like fifteen buckets in one well, seven going up and eight going down – have one's heart pound with uncertainty, fear or turmoil
niú tóu bù duì mă zuĭ – hú lā luàn chĕ
牛头不对马嘴 – 胡拉乱扯
Horses' jaws don't match cows' heads – incongruous; irrelevant
Lesson 8 More >>
jĭng dĭ de há ma – jiàn shi shăo
井底的蛤蟆 – 见识少
Frog in a well – A person with a very limited outlook
kŏng fū zĭ de kŏu dài – shū dāi (dài) zi
孔夫子的口袋 – 书呆（袋）子
Confucius' bag is full of books. (Confucius is the Chinese philosopher, educator and founder of Confucianism in late Spring and Autumn Period.) – Somebody is a pedant or bookworm.
井底的蛤蟆 – 见识少
Frog in a well – A person with a very limited outlook
kŏng fū zĭ de kŏu dài – shū dāi (dài) zi
孔夫子的口袋 – 书呆（袋）子
Confucius' bag is full of books. (Confucius is the Chinese philosopher, educator and founder of Confucianism in late Spring and Autumn Period.) – Somebody is a pedant or bookworm.
Lesson 9 More >>
dāng yī tiān hé shang zhuàng yī tiān zhōng – dé guò qiĕ guò
当一天和尚撞一天钟 – 得过且过
Go on tolling the bell as long as one is a monk – drift or muddle along; do the least that is expected of one; take a passive attitude towards one's work.
ài kè sī guāng zhào rén – kàn tòu le
爱克斯光照人 – 看透了
X-ray somebody –see through him/her.
当一天和尚撞一天钟 – 得过且过
Go on tolling the bell as long as one is a monk – drift or muddle along; do the least that is expected of one; take a passive attitude towards one's work.
ài kè sī guāng zhào rén – kàn tòu le
爱克斯光照人 – 看透了
X-ray somebody –see through him/her.
Lesson 10 More >>
dà hăi lāo zhēn – wú chù xún
大海捞针 – 无处寻
Fish for a needle in the ocean – one can find it nowhere; be next to impossible
shā jī yòng niú dāo – xiăo tí dà zuò
杀鸡用牛刀 – 小题大做
Use a butcher's knife or cleaver to kill a chicken – break a butterfly on the wheel; use a hammer to swat a fly
大海捞针 – 无处寻
Fish for a needle in the ocean – one can find it nowhere; be next to impossible
shā jī yòng niú dāo – xiăo tí dà zuò
杀鸡用牛刀 – 小题大做
Use a butcher's knife or cleaver to kill a chicken – break a butterfly on the wheel; use a hammer to swat a fly
Lesson 11 More >>
yă ba chī jiăo zi – xīn lĭ yŏu shù
哑巴吃饺子 – 心里有数
A dumb person eats dumplings. – (literally) He knows the number in his mind, although he cannot say it. Figuratively, it means somebody has a clear idea of the situation.
máng rén qí xiā mă – luàn chuăng luàn pèng
盲人骑瞎马 – 乱闯乱碰
A blind man on a blind horse – rushing headlong into disaster
哑巴吃饺子 – 心里有数
A dumb person eats dumplings. – (literally) He knows the number in his mind, although he cannot say it. Figuratively, it means somebody has a clear idea of the situation.
máng rén qí xiā mă – luàn chuăng luàn pèng
盲人骑瞎马 – 乱闯乱碰
A blind man on a blind horse – rushing headlong into disaster
Lesson 12 More >>
sān ge chòu pí jiang – dĭng ge zhū gĕ liàng
三个臭皮匠 – 顶个诸葛亮
Three cobblers with their wits combined equal the mastermind Zhuge Liang – Collective wisdom often proves superior; two heads are better than one.
zhōu yú dă huáng gài – yī ge yuàn dă yī ge yuàn ái
周瑜打黄盖 – 一个愿打，一个愿挨
Zhou Yu (a famous military strategist for the State of Wu during the period of the Three Kingdoms) beats Huang Gai (a military general for the State of Wu during the Three Kingdoms) – The punishment is appropriately given by one and willingly accepted by the other.
三个臭皮匠 – 顶个诸葛亮
Three cobblers with their wits combined equal the mastermind Zhuge Liang – Collective wisdom often proves superior; two heads are better than one.
zhōu yú dă huáng gài – yī ge yuàn dă yī ge yuàn ái
周瑜打黄盖 – 一个愿打，一个愿挨
Zhou Yu (a famous military strategist for the State of Wu during the period of the Three Kingdoms) beats Huang Gai (a military general for the State of Wu during the Three Kingdoms) – The punishment is appropriately given by one and willingly accepted by the other.
Lesson 13 More >>
tuó zi diē gēn tou – liăng tóu bù zhuó (luò) shí
驼子跌跟头 – 两头不着（落）实
Like a hunchback falling down with neither the head nor the feet touching the ground – fall between two stools
dĕng gōng jī xià dàn – méi zhĭ wang
等公鸡下蛋 – 没指望
Never expect a rooster to lay an egg. – There is no hope for something.
驼子跌跟头 – 两头不着（落）实
Like a hunchback falling down with neither the head nor the feet touching the ground – fall between two stools
dĕng gōng jī xià dàn – méi zhĭ wang
等公鸡下蛋 – 没指望
Never expect a rooster to lay an egg. – There is no hope for something.
Lesson 14 More >>
ǎi zi pá lóu tī – bù bù dēng gāo
矮子爬楼梯 – 步步登高
A dwarf climbing a ladder – becoming higher with each step
chá fěn jìn guān cai – sĭ yào miàn zi
搽粉进棺材 – 死要面子
Putting make-up on before entering the coffin – saving face even when dying
矮子爬楼梯 – 步步登高
A dwarf climbing a ladder – becoming higher with each step
chá fěn jìn guān cai – sĭ yào miàn zi
搽粉进棺材 – 死要面子
Putting make-up on before entering the coffin – saving face even when dying
Lesson 15 More >>
dà gū niang zuò huā jiào – tóu yī huí
大姑娘坐花轿 – 头一回
A girl sitting in a bridal sedan chair – the very first time (Traditionally, a bride was carried in a special sedan chair to the groom's home, which was a first-time experience for every girl.)
diē sĭ niáng jià rén – gè rén gù gè rén
爹死娘嫁人 – 各人顾各人
After Dad's death, Mom gets married again. – Everyone is for him/herself.
大姑娘坐花轿 – 头一回
A girl sitting in a bridal sedan chair – the very first time (Traditionally, a bride was carried in a special sedan chair to the groom's home, which was a first-time experience for every girl.)
diē sĭ niáng jià rén – gè rén gù gè rén
爹死娘嫁人 – 各人顾各人
After Dad's death, Mom gets married again. – Everyone is for him/herself.
Lesson 16 More >>
jià chu qu de nǚ ér pō chu qu de shuĭ – shōu bù huí lái
嫁出去的女儿，泼出去的水 – 收不回来
A married daughter is like spilt water. – A married daughter is no longer a member of the family. Figuratively, it means something cannot be taken back.
hóu zi lāo yuè liang – kōng máng yī chăng
猴子捞月亮 – 空忙一场
Monkeys fish for the moon in the water. – make vain efforts; be busy for nothing
嫁出去的女儿，泼出去的水 – 收不回来
A married daughter is like spilt water. – A married daughter is no longer a member of the family. Figuratively, it means something cannot be taken back.
hóu zi lāo yuè liang – kōng máng yī chăng
猴子捞月亮 – 空忙一场
Monkeys fish for the moon in the water. – make vain efforts; be busy for nothing
Lesson 17 More >>
bān mén nòng fŭ – zì bù liàng lì
班门弄斧 – 自不量力
Wield the axe before Lu Ban (the ancient master carpenter); display one's learning or parade one's skill in the presence of an expert – overestimate oneself or one's strength; overrate oneself
lăo băo mŭ dài hái zi – rén jiā de
老保姆带孩子 – 人家的
A babysitter looks after kids. – The kids are not his/her own. Figuratively, it means something one has is not his/her own, or something one does with effort is for the sake of others.
班门弄斧 – 自不量力
Wield the axe before Lu Ban (the ancient master carpenter); display one's learning or parade one's skill in the presence of an expert – overestimate oneself or one's strength; overrate oneself
lăo băo mŭ dài hái zi – rén jiā de
老保姆带孩子 – 人家的
A babysitter looks after kids. – The kids are not his/her own. Figuratively, it means something one has is not his/her own, or something one does with effort is for the sake of others.
Lesson 18 More >>
kŏng fū zǐ jiāo sān zì jīng – mái mò rén cái
孔夫子教《三字经》 – 埋没人才
Confucius teaches Three Character Classic or Three Character Primer. (The Three Character Classic refers to a three character textbook for beginners, which is said to be compiled by Wang Yinglin (王应麟) of the southern Song Dynasty.) – stifle real talents
lài há ma xiăng chī tiān é ròu – chī xīn wàng xiăng
癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉 – 痴心妄想
A toad lusting after a swan's flesh – crave for something one is not worthy of; have sheer illusion or wishful thinking
孔夫子教《三字经》 – 埋没人才
Confucius teaches Three Character Classic or Three Character Primer. (The Three Character Classic refers to a three character textbook for beginners, which is said to be compiled by Wang Yinglin (王应麟) of the southern Song Dynasty.) – stifle real talents
lài há ma xiăng chī tiān é ròu – chī xīn wàng xiăng
癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉 – 痴心妄想
A toad lusting after a swan's flesh – crave for something one is not worthy of; have sheer illusion or wishful thinking
Lesson 19 More >>
kŏng fū zǐ chuān xī zhuāng – bù tŭ bù yáng
孔夫子穿西装 – 不土不洋
Confucius in Western-style clothes – neither fish nor flesh
jí xìng zi pèng dào màn xìng zi – nǐ jí tā bù jí
急性子碰到慢性子 – 你急他不急
An impetuous person comes across a slowcoach. – One is impatient to do something but the other not.
孔夫子穿西装 – 不土不洋
Confucius in Western-style clothes – neither fish nor flesh
jí xìng zi pèng dào màn xìng zi – nǐ jí tā bù jí
急性子碰到慢性子 – 你急他不急
An impetuous person comes across a slowcoach. – One is impatient to do something but the other not.
Lesson 20 More >>
lú gōu qiáo de shí shī zi – shǔ bù qīng
卢沟桥的石狮子 – 数不清
There are numerous stone lions on Lugou Bridge. (Lugou Bridge, also known as Macro Polo Bridge, was first built in 1187 to the southwest of today's Beijing.) – a large amount
èr wàn wǔ qiān lǐ cháng zhēng – rèn zhòng dào yuăn
二万五千里长征 – 任重道远
Long March of 25,000 li, or 12,500 kilometers (made by the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, 1934-1935) – the task is arduous and the road ahead is long; shoulder heavy responsibilities in years to come
卢沟桥的石狮子 – 数不清
There are numerous stone lions on Lugou Bridge. (Lugou Bridge, also known as Macro Polo Bridge, was first built in 1187 to the southwest of today's Beijing.) – a large amount
èr wàn wǔ qiān lǐ cháng zhēng – rèn zhòng dào yuăn
二万五千里长征 – 任重道远
Long March of 25,000 li, or 12,500 kilometers (made by the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, 1934-1935) – the task is arduous and the road ahead is long; shoulder heavy responsibilities in years to come
Lesson 21 More >>
tài suì tóu shang dòng tǔ – hăo dà de dăn
太岁头上动土 – 好大的胆
Dig clay near Taisui, a god in Chinese mythology – be reckless. This allegory is always used in the case when one risks offending a person of power and influence.
zhū bā jiè dài ĕr huán – zì yǐ wéi mĕi
猪八戒戴耳环 – 自以为美
Zhu Bajie (Pig in Journey to the West, one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, who carries a rake as a weapon) wears earrings. – He considers himself to be beautiful. This allegory is used to satirize one who, although ugly-looking, is pleased with oneself.
太岁头上动土 – 好大的胆
Dig clay near Taisui, a god in Chinese mythology – be reckless. This allegory is always used in the case when one risks offending a person of power and influence.
zhū bā jiè dài ĕr huán – zì yǐ wéi mĕi
猪八戒戴耳环 – 自以为美
Zhu Bajie (Pig in Journey to the West, one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, who carries a rake as a weapon) wears earrings. – He considers himself to be beautiful. This allegory is used to satirize one who, although ugly-looking, is pleased with oneself.
Lesson 22 More >>
hé shang chī hūn – zhī fă fàn fă
和尚吃荤 – 知法犯法
A Buddhist monk takes meat. – know the law but break it; deliberately flout the law; knowingly violate the law
zhū bā jiè chī rén shēn guŏ – quán bù zhī zī wèi
猪八戒吃人参果 – 全不知滋味
Zhu Bajie (Pig in Journey to the West, one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature) eats ginseng fruit. – He doesn't know the taste at all. This allegory means either not appreciating the taste of food or not knowing the value of something.
和尚吃荤 – 知法犯法
A Buddhist monk takes meat. – know the law but break it; deliberately flout the law; knowingly violate the law
zhū bā jiè chī rén shēn guŏ – quán bù zhī zī wèi
猪八戒吃人参果 – 全不知滋味
Zhu Bajie (Pig in Journey to the West, one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature) eats ginseng fruit. – He doesn't know the taste at all. This allegory means either not appreciating the taste of food or not knowing the value of something.
Lesson 23 More >>
biǎn dan méi zā – liǎng tóu dǎ tā
扁担没扎 – 两头打塌
When the carrying/shoulder pole is not secured at both ends, its loads slip off. – try to grab both but end up getting neither; fall between two stools
gŏu niǎn yā zi – guā guā jiào
狗撵鸭子 – 呱呱叫
A duck chased by a dog – quacking at the top of its voice. "呱呱叫" in colloquial Chinese is often used to describe something excellent or someone who is very skillful and can accomplish something perfectly.
扁担没扎 – 两头打塌
When the carrying/shoulder pole is not secured at both ends, its loads slip off. – try to grab both but end up getting neither; fall between two stools
gŏu niǎn yā zi – guā guā jiào
狗撵鸭子 – 呱呱叫
A duck chased by a dog – quacking at the top of its voice. "呱呱叫" in colloquial Chinese is often used to describe something excellent or someone who is very skillful and can accomplish something perfectly.
Lesson 24 More >>
tōu jī bù chéng shí bǎ mǐ – bù hé suàn; dé bù cháng shī
偷鸡不成蚀把米 – 不合算；得不偿失
Attempt to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice; go for wool and come back shorn – the loss outweighs the gain
huáng shǔ láng dān yǎo bìng yā zi – dăo méi yuè jiā dăo méi
黄鼠狼单咬病鸭子 – 倒霉越加倒霉
A sick duck is bitten by a weasel. – more bad luck. This allegory describes someone who has already suffered a misfortune and then meets another disaster.
偷鸡不成蚀把米 – 不合算；得不偿失
Attempt to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice; go for wool and come back shorn – the loss outweighs the gain
huáng shǔ láng dān yǎo bìng yā zi – dăo méi yuè jiā dăo méi
黄鼠狼单咬病鸭子 – 倒霉越加倒霉
A sick duck is bitten by a weasel. – more bad luck. This allegory describes someone who has already suffered a misfortune and then meets another disaster.
Lesson 25 More >>
dà nián chū yī dǎi tù zi – yǒu tā guò nián, wú tā yě guò nián
大年初一逮兔子 – 有它过年，无它也过年
Trying to catch a rabbit on the first day of the lunar year – One celebrates or spends the New Year, no matter whether s/he has got a rabbit or not. This allegory refers to something is so negligible that it has little impact on the overall situation.
chuān tù zi xié de – pǎo de kuài
穿兔子鞋的 – 跑得快
Like wearing a rabbit's shoes – run fast
大年初一逮兔子 – 有它过年，无它也过年
Trying to catch a rabbit on the first day of the lunar year – One celebrates or spends the New Year, no matter whether s/he has got a rabbit or not. This allegory refers to something is so negligible that it has little impact on the overall situation.
chuān tù zi xié de – pǎo de kuài
穿兔子鞋的 – 跑得快
Like wearing a rabbit's shoes – run fast
Lesson 26 More >>
dà xiàng de bí zi – néng qū néng shēn
大象的鼻子 – 能屈能伸
Like an elephant's nose, be able to stoop or stand erect – submit or assert oneself as the occasion requires; be adaptable to circumstances
lǎo hǔ lā chē – shéi găn (găn)
老虎拉车 – 谁敢（赶）
When a tiger pulls a cart, nobody dares to drive it. – This allegory means nobody has that great courage to do something.
大象的鼻子 – 能屈能伸
Like an elephant's nose, be able to stoop or stand erect – submit or assert oneself as the occasion requires; be adaptable to circumstances
lǎo hǔ lā chē – shéi găn (găn)
老虎拉车 – 谁敢（赶）
When a tiger pulls a cart, nobody dares to drive it. – This allegory means nobody has that great courage to do something.
Lesson 27 More >>
gǔ dǒng dāng pò làn mài – bù shí huò
古董当破烂卖 – 不识货
Take antiques for junk and sell them – be unable to tell good from bad; don't know what's what
jiǔ guǐ hē qì shuǐ – bù guò yǐn
酒鬼喝汽水 – 不过瘾
A drunkard drinks soda water. – One can't enjoy oneself to the full; one can't do something to his heart's content.
古董当破烂卖 – 不识货
Take antiques for junk and sell them – be unable to tell good from bad; don't know what's what
jiǔ guǐ hē qì shuǐ – bù guò yǐn
酒鬼喝汽水 – 不过瘾
A drunkard drinks soda water. – One can't enjoy oneself to the full; one can't do something to his heart's content.
Lesson 28 More >>
lín dài yù de xìng zi – duō chóu shàn găn
林黛玉的性子 – 多愁善感
Like Lin Daiyu, one is excessively sentimental. [Lin Daiyu is a principal character (one of the heroines) in the Chinese classic novel "Dream of the Red Chamber."]
liáng shān bó kàn dào zhù yīng tái – yī jiàn zhōng qíng
梁山伯看到祝英台 – 一见钟情
Like Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, two people fall in love or become captivated at first sight. [The Chinese legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, a well-known tragic love story set in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), is often regarded as the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet.]
林黛玉的性子 – 多愁善感
Like Lin Daiyu, one is excessively sentimental. [Lin Daiyu is a principal character (one of the heroines) in the Chinese classic novel "Dream of the Red Chamber."]
liáng shān bó kàn dào zhù yīng tái – yī jiàn zhōng qíng
梁山伯看到祝英台 – 一见钟情
Like Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, two people fall in love or become captivated at first sight. [The Chinese legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, a well-known tragic love story set in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), is often regarded as the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet.]
Lesson 29 More >>
sī mǎ zhāo zhī xīn – lù rén jiē zhī
司马昭之心 – 路人皆知
Everyone on the street is aware of Sima Zhao's intent. – The villain's design is obvious to all.
wŏ jiĕ lǎn nǐ tuī chuán – shùn shuǐ rén qíng
我解缆，你推船 – 顺水人情
I untie the mooring rope and you push the boat. – a favor done at little or no cost to oneself
司马昭之心 – 路人皆知
Everyone on the street is aware of Sima Zhao's intent. – The villain's design is obvious to all.
wŏ jiĕ lǎn nǐ tuī chuán – shùn shuǐ rén qíng
我解缆，你推船 – 顺水人情
I untie the mooring rope and you push the boat. – a favor done at little or no cost to oneself
Lesson 30 More >>
lĕng shuǐ pào chá – wú wèi
冷水泡茶 – 无味
Make tea with unboiled water – Literally, unpleasant tasting; tasteless. Figuratively, uninteresting
gǔn shuǐ pào chá – yòu nóng yòu xiāng
滚水泡茶 – 又浓又香
Make tea with boiling water – of rich flavor; of strong fragrance or aroma
冷水泡茶 – 无味
Make tea with unboiled water – Literally, unpleasant tasting; tasteless. Figuratively, uninteresting
gǔn shuǐ pào chá – yòu nóng yòu xiāng
滚水泡茶 – 又浓又香
Make tea with boiling water – of rich flavor; of strong fragrance or aroma
Lesson 31 More >>
guān yǔ xiáng cáo cāo – shēn zài cáo yíng xīn zài hàn
关羽降曹操 – 身在曹营心在汉
Guan Yu (160-219), a general in the period of the Three Kingdoms, surrendered to Cao Cao (155-220), a military strategist and statesman during the Three Kingdoms. – live in the Cao camp but with one's heart in the Han camp; though one is physically here, one's mind is elsewhere; be half-hearted
cáo cāo shā huà tuó – yǐ yuàn bào dé
曹操杀华佗 – 以怨报德
Cao Cao (155-220), a military strategist and statesman during the Three Kingdoms, killed Hua Tuo (141-203), a noted surgeon and physician at the end of the Han Dynasty. – return evil for good; repay good with evil
关羽降曹操 – 身在曹营心在汉
Guan Yu (160-219), a general in the period of the Three Kingdoms, surrendered to Cao Cao (155-220), a military strategist and statesman during the Three Kingdoms. – live in the Cao camp but with one's heart in the Han camp; though one is physically here, one's mind is elsewhere; be half-hearted
cáo cāo shā huà tuó – yǐ yuàn bào dé
曹操杀华佗 – 以怨报德
Cao Cao (155-220), a military strategist and statesman during the Three Kingdoms, killed Hua Tuo (141-203), a noted surgeon and physician at the end of the Han Dynasty. – return evil for good; repay good with evil
Lesson 32 More >>
guān qǐlái dă luó –míng shēng zài wài
关起门来打锣 – 名声在外
Close the door to beat gongs – be well-known
hán dōng là yuè de mă fēng wō – kōng kōng dòng dòng
寒冬腊月的马蜂窝 – 空空洞洞
A hornet's nest in severe winter – empty; hollow; devoid of substance
关起门来打锣 – 名声在外
Close the door to beat gongs – be well-known
hán dōng là yuè de mă fēng wō – kōng kōng dòng dòng
寒冬腊月的马蜂窝 – 空空洞洞
A hornet's nest in severe winter – empty; hollow; devoid of substance
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