Learn Chinese Idioms

Studying these Chinese idioms can help you sound more like a native.

Wondering about Chinese idioms? These four-word phrases are crucial for communicating complex ideas in a few words, and using these idioms can instantly make you sound more like a native. These idioms can incorporate natural elements, animals, humans, or abstract ideas. Some idioms in Chinese are deprived from English too!

These short phrases are derived from ancient legends, poems, and proverbs. They can be humorous or serious in nature and some even contain puns that make them difficult to translate accurately. Chances are you've already heard of some idioms, such as '守株待兔 (meaning: to wait for gains without pains)'. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Chinese idioms in the language. Even as a person who's been speaking Chinese as my native tongue, I still learn a couple of new idioms here and there.

Here are some idioms you might use in Chinese:

對牛彈琴 | 对牛弹琴 - to explain to deaf ears

一無所有 | 一无所有 - to have nothing left over

自由自在 | 自由自在 - to be carefree

半途而廢 | 半途而废 - to give up in the middle of a project

一氣呵成 | 一气呵成 - to finish a thing in a sitting

不可思議 | 不可思议 - an unbelievable thing

如魚得水 | 如鱼得水 - to find something perfectly suited for that person

斤斤計較 | 斤斤计较 - to care over small things

莫名其妙 | 莫名其妙 - mysterious

九牛一毛 | 九牛一毛 - barely anything

亂七八糟 | 乱七八糟 - messy

一石二鳥 | 一石二鸟 - kill two birds with one stone

More Idioms (relating to animals)

To teach Chinese idioms, I took a unique approach that features using ink paintings to teach my students. We found out that, by the artwork, students are better able to memorize and recall the meanings of the idioms. Additionally, allowing my students an artistic outlet helps them be more interested in the topic being covered. Because of the direct connection between the lesson and the art form, my students find that the lessons are more convenient and enjoyable as well.

There are so many of Chinese idioms. However, we soon found that if we related the idioms to a cultural theme, it was much easier to remember them. For example, when learning the idiom “水中撈月” (shuǐ zhōng lāo yuè), which means “to ask for the moon”, we did a quick painting of a monkey to try to catch the moon from water.

Let's Practice Chinese idioms from 12 animals with me! (Chinese Zodiac Idiom)

The story of 水中撈月 | 水中捞月 (shuǐ zhōng lāo yuè)

Literal Meaning: To ask for the moon

The Idiom's Meaning: Things that can’t be done; hopeless endeavor

Varient: 海底撈月 | 海底捞月 (hǎi dǐ lāo yuè)

Red idioms are the ones we will learn.

All Chinese Zodiac Animal Idioms

【鼠】鼠目寸光，鼠肚雞腸，鼠竊狗盜，投鼠忌器，獐頭鼠目，膽小如鼠

【牛】牛鬼蛇神，牛刀小試，牛鼎烹飪雞，，汗牛充棟，對牛彈琴，九牛一毛

【虎】虎視眈眈，虎口餘生，虎頭虎腦，生龍活虎，虎背熊腰，虎頭蛇尾，羊入虎口

【兔】兔死狐悲，兔死狗烹飪，狡兔三窟，鳥飛兔走，守株待兔

【龍】龍騰虎躍，龍飛鳳舞，龍馬精神，龍鳳呈祥，畫龍點睛，來龍去脈，葉公好龍，生龍活虎

【蛇】蛇蠍心腸，畫蛇添足，打草驚蛇，龍蛇扭曲，杯弓蛇影，牛鬼蛇神

【馬】馬到成功，馬不停蹄，馬革包裹屍，一馬當先，老馬識途，汗馬功勞

【羊】羊質虎皮，羊腸小道，羊入虎口，亡羊補牢，虎入羊群，順手牽羊

【猴】猴年馬月，沐猴而冠，尖嘴猴腮，殺雞儆猴

【雞】雞毛蒜皮，雞鳴狗盜，雞飛狗跳，雞犬不寧，呆若木雞，雞犬升天

【狗】狗急跳牆，狗尾續貂，狗仗人勢，狗血噴頭，犬馬之勞，豬狗不如

【豬】豬狗不如，殺豬宰羊，鳳頭豬肚，一龍一豬

Here I have made 12 videos about Chinese idioms featuring animals:

Find More Idioms in this Playlist

水中撈月/ 水中捞月

To ask for the moon!

Things that can't be done

English equivalent: A futile attempt *

騎虎難下/ 骑虎难下

*If you ride a tiger, it's hard to get off *

Impossible to stop halfway

老馬識途 / 老马识途

An old horse knows the way *

If you wish good advice, consult an old man *

An experienced worker knows what to do

打草驚蛇 / 打草惊蛇 dǎ cǎo jīng shé

English equivalent :"Let sleeping dogs lie" “Wake a Sleeping Dog”.

Beat the grass and frighten away the snake.

Act rashly and alert the enemy.

猿意馬 / 心猿意马 xīn yuán yì mǎ

Literal Meaning:"Carry fire in one hand and water in the other”

In a restless and jumping mind *

生龍活虎 / 生龙活虎 Shēng lóng huó hǔ

Literal Meaning: Alive and Kicking Doughty as a dragon and lively as a tiger; be full of vim and vigour.

呆若木雞 / 呆若木鸡 Dāi ruò mù jī

Literal Meaning: To stand like a log

Meaning: To be du

羊入虎口 yáng rù hǔ kǒu

Literal Meaning: A lamb in a tiger's den *

*To be in a hopeless situation *

*To tread dangerous ground

對牛彈琴/ 对牛弹琴

To play the piano to a cow ( qín can refer to any stringed instrument ) To preach to deaf ears English Equivalent: Cast pearls before swine *

守株待兔

English Equivalent: Wait for gains without pains

*Waiting for a hare to turn up *To wait idly for opportunities

投鼠忌器

English Equivalent: caution in taking action

Beware of damages when pelting rats!

To not act against an evil so as to prevent harm to innocents

投鼠忌器

English Equivalent: caution in taking action

Beware of damages when pelting rats!

To not act against an evil so as to prevent harm to innocents

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