Chinese Idioms 成语 Ancient Wisdom
Discover profound wisdom in four-character expressions that have guided Chinese culture for millennia!
Wisdom Heritage 💭
Thousands of idioms preserving ancient Chinese wisdom and cultural values
Total Idioms
Recorded expressions
Documented
Common Usage
Frequently used
In daily speech
Historical Age
Years of wisdom
Years old
Character Length
Typical format
Characters
Popular Chinese Idioms 🀄
Essential four-character expressions that capture deep wisdom and life lessons
画蛇添足
Huà Shé Tiān Zú
Meaning:
"Adding feet to a snake" - Doing unnecessary things that spoil the effect
Lesson:
Know when to stop; don't overdo things
雨过天晴
Yǔ Guò Tiān Qíng
Meaning:
"After rain comes clear sky" - Troubles will pass, better times ahead
Lesson:
Stay hopeful during difficult times
水滴石穿
Shuǐ Dī Shí Chuān
Meaning:
"Dripping water penetrates stone" - Persistence achieves the impossible
Lesson:
Consistent effort yields great results
Master Chinese Wisdom
Discover the profound meanings behind Chinese idioms and enrich your understanding of Chinese culture
画龙点睛
To dot the dragon's eyes - adding the crucial finishing touch that brings something to life.
一箭双雕
One arrow, two eagles - accomplishing two objectives with a single action.
破釜沉舟
Break the cauldrons and sink the boats - show determination by cutting off retreat.
愚公移山
The foolish old man removes mountains - persistence can overcome any obstacle.
庄周梦蝶
Zhuangzi dreams of being a butterfly - questioning the nature of reality and identity.
举一反三
Lift one, return three - learning to infer many things from one example.
Idiom Categories
Historical (历史典故)
Idioms based on historical events, famous figures, and ancient stories.
Nature (自然现象)
Expressions drawn from observations of animals, plants, and natural phenomena.
Wisdom (智慧哲理)
Philosophical insights about life, learning, and human nature.
Emotions (情感表达)
Idioms expressing feelings, relationships, and human emotions.
Traditional Proverbs (俗语谚语)
学而时习之，不亦说乎？
xuě ér shí xí zhī, bù yì shuō hū?
"Is it not a pleasure to study and practice what you learn?" - The joy of continuous learning.
千里之行，始于足下
qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Great achievements start with small actions.
知己知彼，百战不殆
zhī jǐ zhī bǐ, bǎi zhàn bù dài
"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated" - Strategic wisdom from Sun Tzu.
Learning Chinese Idioms
Study Tips
- • Learn the historical story behind each idiom
- • Practice with context and example sentences
- • Group idioms by themes or categories
- • Use visual associations and mnemonics
- • Start with commonly used idioms in daily life
Cultural Significance
- • Reflects Chinese values and worldview
- • Shows respect for traditional wisdom
- • Demonstrates education and cultural literacy
- • Connects speakers to Chinese heritage
- • Expresses complex ideas concisely and elegantly