Most advanced learners, I think, have a love-hate relationship with chengyu (\u6210\u8bed), those pesky, mostly four-character idioms taken from classical China. Sure, you get learners who are obsessed with them and endeavour to memorise one hundred a month only to find their practical usage is hazy to say the least. (It\u2019s also very difficult at times to discertain their true register, not to mention their grammatical usage.) You also get learners (like myself) who have, through the years, avoided them like the plague and have only bothered to absorb those that have actually come up in written texts or conversation. But are chengyu useful for learners and, if so, which ones are the best to learn?<\/p>\n
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Unfortunately, there are few resources \u2013 both on the web or in print \u2013 that actually tell you which chengyu are worth remembering. This is actually an important question considering that there are tens of thousands of them. Most textbooks simply give you a list of 100 or so and expect you to memorise them all, without actually telling you how they fit into a modern context. The worst are those massive lists you find on the Internet, often sourced from Chinese schools. These are merely lists of idioms that Chinese students are expected to learn at school and, whilst many of them may be well-known, native speakers simply don\u2019t use them as often as you would expect.<\/p>\n
Thus I\u2019ve carefully crafted this list to help intermediate and advanced learners become more aware of chengyu that are actually useful. It does not purport to be an exhaustive list of the most useful chengyu \u2013 indeed, I\u2019ve left many out, simply because they are too context-specific. Nor is it a list of the most common chengyu \u2013 there are other resources for that. Note also that I haven\u2019t included the detailed stories for all of them (some of them are quite complicated); what is more important, I think, is to understand the logic of their composition. If you happen to know the history behind it, though, then that\u2019s surely a bonus. If you\u2019re curious, Baidu will certainly help you out.<\/p>\n
But why learn them at all? Well, first and foremost, they\u2019re interesting and \u2013 at times \u2013 unusual, so they do help spice up your language a little bit. They also offer a little gem of Chinese wisdom, which is great for enhancing your cultural understanding of the language. Moreover, from time to time they help with your comprehension of classical Chinese by learning the odd character in an idiomatic context. This can come in handy when you see the same character used in again in a different context. The main thing, though, is to have fun with them and try to use them with your friends \u2013 it\u2019s always good fun to see their reaction, and it can be an important learning experience too.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 51,100,000 Google Hits: 32,100,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): Literally, \u201cthe grain sheds its husk and comes forth.\u201d
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To fully expose one\u2019s talent.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To come to the fore.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u4ed6\u5728\u6bd4\u8d5b\u4e2d\u8131\u9896\u800c\u51fa\u3002T\u0101 z\u00e0i b\u01d0s\u00e0i zh\u014dng tu\u014dy\u01d0ng\u00e9rch\u016b. \u2014 He came to the fore in the competition.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 25,000,000 Google Hits: 12,800,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): Literally, \u201c\u4e00\u4e1d [even] a little bit \u4e0d\u82df not careless \u2013 to attend to every thread.\u201d
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To be meticulous; to attend to every detail.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To cross one\u2019s T\u2019s
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u4ed6\u505a\u4e8b\u4ece\u6765\u90fd\u662f\u4e00\u4e1d\u4e0d\u82df\u3002T\u0101 zu\u00f2sh\u00ec c\u00f3ngl\u00e1i d\u014du sh\u00ec y\u012bs\u012bb\u00f9g\u01d2u. \u2014 He\u2019s always meticulous in everything he does.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 14,400,000 Google Hits: 8,570,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): Long story short \u2013 \u53f8\u7a7a comes from the title of \u201cthe Minister of Construction\u201d in ancient China who commented on \u201csing-song girls\u201d during a feast as \u89c1\u60ef (\u201ca common sight\u201d).
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To be an everyday occurrence; nothing unusual.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): None (unless you can think of one).
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u5728\u4e2d\u56fd\uff0c\u95ef\u7ea2\u706f\u662f\u53f8\u7a7a\u89c1\u60ef\u7684\u4e8b\u3002Z\u00e0i Zh\u014dnggu\u00f3, chu\u01cengh\u00f3ngd\u0113ng sh\u00ec s\u012bk\u014dngji\u00e0ngu\u00e0n de sh\u00ec. \u2014 In China, people running red lights is a common sight.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 13,400,000 Google Hits: 8,360,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): Literally, \u201c\u534a\u9014 half-way \u800c yet \u5e9f is given up\/is wasted.\u201d
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To give up halfway; to leave something unfinished.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To throw the towel in (sort of).
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u5c0f\u65f6\u5019\u6211\u5b66\u94a2\u7434\u534a\u9014\u800c\u5e9f\u3002Xi\u01ceosh\u00edhou w\u01d2 xu\u00e9 g\u0101ngq\u00edn b\u00e0nt\u00fa\u00e9rf\u00e8i. \u2014 When I was little I tried to learn how to play the piano but gave up.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 100,000,000 Google Hits: 7,930,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): Literally, \u201c\u4e0d\u53ef cannot be \u601d\u8bae conceived.\u201d
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To be inconceivable; unbelievable.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): None (off the top of my head).
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u5bf9\u6211\u6765\u8bf4\uff0c\u5403\u72d7\u8089\u662f\u4e0d\u53ef\u601d\u8bae\u7684\u4e8b\u60c5\u3002Du\u00ec w\u01d2 l\u00e1i shu\u014d, ch\u012b g\u01d2ur\u00f2u sh\u00ec b\u00f9k\u011bs\u012by\u00ec de sh\u00ecq\u00edng. \u2014 The way I see it, eating dog is inconceivable.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 11,600,000 Google Hits: 7,760,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): Literally, \u201cone chirp [which] surprises people\u201d, a metaphor for someone suddenly displaying talent.
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To become famous overnight.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To set the world on fire.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u674e\u7389\u6625\u4e00\u9e23\u60ca\u4eba\u3002L\u01d0 Y\u01d4ch\u016bn y\u012bm\u00edngj\u012bngr\u00e9n. \u2014 Li Yuchun became famous overnight.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 11,900,000 Google Hits: 7,570,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): \u4e00 (\u201call\u201d) \u7a8d (the [seven] orifices\u201d) \u4e0d\u901a (\u201cnot linked up\u201d).
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To be completely ignorant about something; to be out of one\u2019s depth.
\nSimilar English Expressions (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To not know one\u2019s arse from one\u2019s elbow (hah!); to be \u201call Greek\u201d to someone.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u4ed6\u5bf9\u7535\u8111\u4e00\u7a8d\u4e0d\u901a\u3002T\u0101 du\u00ec di\u00e0nn\u01ceo y\u012bqi\u00e0ob\u00f9t\u014dng. \u2014 He doesn\u2019t know the first thing about computers.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 11,600,000 Google Hits: 7,420,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): \u8c08 (\u201cto speak\u201d) + \u4f55 (classical Chinese, meaning \u201c\u4ec0\u4e48\u201d [what]) + \u5bb9\u6613 (\u201ceasy\u201d); \u201cin what way is it easy?\u201d
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To be no means easy; difficult to do.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): Easier said than done.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u6211\u8ddf\u4ed6\u5206\u624b\u8c08\u4f55\u5bb9\u6613\u3002W\u01d2 g\u0113n t\u0101 f\u0113nsh\u01d2u t\u00e1nh\u00e9r\u00f3ngy\u00ec. \u2014 Breaking up with him is easier said than done.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 31,400,000 Google Hits: 6,160,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): \u81ea\u7531 (\u201cfree\u201d) + \u81ea\u5728 (\u201clacking restrictions\u201d)
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To be carefree; to be peaceful and relaxed.
\nSimilar English Expressions (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To not have a care in the world; to be footloose and fancy-free; to be man or woman of leisure.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u6211\u60f3\u81ea\u7531\u81ea\u5728\u7684\u751f\u6d3b\u3002W\u01d2 xi\u01ceng z\u00ecy\u00f3uz\u00ecz\u00e0i de sh\u0113nghu\u00f3. \u2014 I want a carefree life.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 59,300,000 Google Hits: 4,200,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): \u4e71 (\u201cchaotic\u201d) + \u4e03 (\u201cseven\u201d) + \u516b (\u201ceight\u201d) + \u7cdf (\u201crotten; in a wretched state\u201d)
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To be in a huge mess.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To be at sixes and sevens.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u8fd9\u4e2a\u516c\u53f8\u7684\u7ba1\u7406\u4e71\u4e03\u516b\u7cdf\u3002Zh\u00e8 ge g\u014dngs\u012b de gu\u01cenl\u01d0 lu\u00e0nq\u012bb\u0101z\u0101o. \u2014 This company\u2019s administration is a complete mess.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 37,200,000 Google Hits: 3,850,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): \u4e00\u89c1 (\u201cupon first seeing\u201d) + \u949f\u60c5 (\u201cto fall deeply in love\u201d)
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To fall in love at first sight.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): Same as above.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u6211\u8ddf\u6211\u7684\u7537\u670b\u53cb\u4e00\u89c1\u949f\u60c5\u3002W\u01d2 g\u0113n w\u01d2 de n\u00e1n p\u00e9ngy\u01d2u y\u012bji\u00e0nzh\u014dngq\u00edng. \u2014 I fell in love with my bofriend at first sight.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 24,500,000 Google Hits: 2,460,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): Literally, \u201cto love and not let go of.\u201d
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To love something too much to part with it.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): None (that I can think of).
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u6211\u5bf9\u6211\u7684\u65b0\u73a9\u5177\u7231\u4e0d\u91ca\u624b\uff01W\u01d2 du\u00ec w\u01d2 de x\u012bn w\u00e1nj\u00f9 \u00e0ib\u00f9sh\u00ecsh\u01d2u! \u2014 I simply can\u2019t put down my new toy!<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 29,500,000 Google Hits: 2,220,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): \u4e00 (in classical Chinese it means \u5168 or \u90fd [“everything”]) + \u65e0 (\u201cnot\u201d) + \u6240\u6709 (\u201chave\u201d)
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To not own a thing in the world.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To not have a thing to one\u2019s name.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u5982\u679c\u4f60\u79bb\u5f00\u4e86\u6211\uff0c\u6211\u5c31\u4e00\u65e0\u6240\u6709\u3002R\u00fagu\u01d2 n\u01d0 l\u00edk\u0101i le w\u01d2, w\u01d2 ji\u00f9 y\u012bw\u00fasu\u01d2y\u01d2u. \u2014 If you leave me, I\u2019ll have nothing left.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 9,270,000 Google Hits: 747,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): \u81ea\u76f8 (\u201cself-\u201d) + \u77db\u76fe (\u201ccontradictory\u201d), from the famous story about the man who bragged he could sell a spear (\u77db) that could pierce anything in the world and a shield (\u76fe) that was impenetrable to any spear, an obvious paradox.
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To contradict oneself.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): None (I\u2019m guessing).
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u4f60\u8bf4\u7684\u8bdd\u81ea\u76f8\u77db\u76fe\u3002N\u01d0 shu\u014d de hu\u00e0 z\u00ecxi\u0101ngm\u00e1od\u00f9n. \u2014 You\u2019re contradicting yourself.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 6,680,000 Google Hits: 468,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): \u503e\u76c6 (\u201cpouring hard\u201d) + \u5927\u96e8 (\u201cheavy rain\u201d)
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): Heavy rain; downpour.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To rain cats and dogs.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u4eca \u5929\u4e0a\u5348\u7a81\u7136\u4e0b\u8d77\u4e86\u503e\u76c6\u5927\u96e8\uff0c\u6240\u4ee5\u6bd4\u8d5b\u4e34\u65f6\u53d6\u6d88\u4e86\u3002J\u012bnti\u0101n sh\u00e0ngw\u01d4 t\u016br\u00e1n xi\u00e0q\u01d0 \u00a0le q\u012bngp\u00e9nd\u00e0y\u01d4, su\u01d2y\u01d0 b\u01d0s\u00e0i l\u00ednsh\u00ed q\u01d4xi\u0101o le. \u2014 The competition was postponed this morning because of the sudden downpour.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 6,340,000 Google Hits: 447,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): Literally, \u201c[when] drawing [a] snake, add [a] foot\u201d.
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To ruin the effect my adding something superfluous.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To gild the lily (old-fashioned).
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u53d1\u660e\u8fd9\u4e24\u4e2a\u591a\u4f59\u7684\u7535\u94ae\u7eaf\u7cb9\u662f\u753b\u86c7\u6dfb\u8db3\u3002F\u0101m\u00edng zh\u00e8 li\u01ceng g\u00e8 du\u014dy\u00fa de di\u00e0nni\u01d4 ch\u00fancu\u00ec sh\u00ec hu\u00e0sh\u00e9ti\u0101nz\u00fa \u2014 The two extra buttons on this invention is really overdoing it.<\/p>\n
Baidu Hits: 5,220,000 Google Hits: 438,000
\nExplanation (\u89e3\u91ca): Literally,\u201dto keep [one’s] mouth shut, like [a] bottle.\u201d
\nTranslation (\u7ffb\u8bd1): To keep one\u2019s mouth shut; to not breathe a word.
\nSimilar English Expression (\u7c7b\u4f3c\u82f1\u6587\u6210\u8bed): To keep one\u2019s lips sealed.
\nExample (\u4f8b\u5b50): \u603b\u7406\u5bf9\u8fd9\u4e2a\u95ee\u9898\u5b88\u53e3\u5982\u74f6\u3002Z\u01d2ngl\u01d0 du\u00ec zh\u00e8ge w\u00e8nt\u00ed sh\u01d2uk\u01d2ur\u00fap\u00edng. \u2014 The president was tight-lipped about this issue.<\/p>\n