EnglishMeaning/ Definition of Chinese idioms and phrases that appear in novels
Idioms
Meaning
三天打鱼,两天晒网
Unable to persevere in work and study
人在屋檐下
When people are inferior to others in power and opportunities, they have to bow their heads and give in
牡丹花下死,做鬼也风流
The consequence is death at most, regardless if you are a ghost, you will be happy, contented!
留着青山在,不怕没柴烧
While there is life, there is hope
瘦死的骆驼比马大
People who have special expertise in one aspect, even if they suddenly become poor in this aspect, are better than some people who have just come out in this aspect (just started in the field)
青出一蓝而胜于蓝
Pupil surpasses the teacher
有过之无不及 与 有过之而无不及
Not to be inferior in any aspects
见人说人话,见鬼说鬼话
Say different things to different people
打是亲,骂是爱
Parents strict teaching style is out of love for the kid
子不教父子过
It is the father’s fault for not teaching the child properly
不見棺材不掉淚
To refuse to be convinced until one is faced with the grim reality
百口莫辩
Even a hundred mouthes can’t explain it properly
天外有天,人外有人
Moral that one shouldn’t be too arrogant as there’s always better out there
天不從人願
Things don’t go as people would like
欲将取之,必先予之
If you want to seize something, then you have to temporarily pay the price to induce the other party to relax their vigilance, and then looking for opportunities to take it.
死道友不死贫道
Hurting others for your own benefit (better for you to die than me)
长得虎头虎脑
Looks healthy, simple and straightforward
闻新人笑,不闻旧人哭
When someone only listens to a new person and focuses on them, but ignore people from the past
势同水火
Two sides opposing like fire and water
鸡飞又狗跳
Great disorder/ turmoil
无事献殷勤,非奸即盗
One who is unaccountably solicitous/ hiding evil intentions
酒廊饭袋
Someone who only eats and drinks and has no ability
只许州官放火,不许百姓点灯
Powerful people can do whatever they want, while ordinary people are restricted to legitimate activities
情人眼里总是出西施
If you like them, no matter how they look, you would think they are beautiful
三岁看到老
One can see how their adulthood will be when they are three years old
夜长梦多
Undue delay may bring trouble
顺水推舟
To take advantage of the situation for one’s own benefit; to go with the flow
Meanings of Chinese slang that appear in novels
Slang
Meaning
吃素的
Easygoing
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Chinese Idiom Glossary
EnglishMeaning/ Definition of Chinese idioms and phrases that appear in novels
Idioms
Meaning
三天打鱼,两天晒网
Unable to persevere in work and study
人在屋檐下
When people are inferior to others in power and opportunities, they have to bow their heads and give in
牡丹花下死,做鬼也风流
The consequence is death at most, regardless if you are a ghost, you will be happy, contented!
留着青山在,不怕没柴烧
While there is life, there is hope
瘦死的骆驼比马大
People who have special expertise in one aspect, even if they suddenly become poor in this aspect, are better than some people who have just come out in this aspect (just started in the field)
青出一蓝而胜于蓝
Pupil surpasses the teacher
有过之无不及 与 有过之而无不及
Not to be inferior in any aspects
见人说人话,见鬼说鬼话
Say different things to different people
打是亲,骂是爱
Parents strict teaching style is out of love for the kid
子不教父子过
It is the father’s fault for not teaching the child properly
不見棺材不掉淚
To refuse to be convinced until one is faced with the grim reality
百口莫辩
Even a hundred mouthes can’t explain it properly
天外有天,人外有人
Moral that one shouldn’t be too arrogant as there's always better out there
天不從人願
Things don’t go as people would like
欲将取之,必先予之
If you want to seize something, then you have to temporarily pay the price to induce the other party to relax their vigilance, and then looking for opportunities to take it.
死道友不死贫道
Hurting others for your own benefit (better for you to die than me)
长得虎头虎脑
Looks healthy, simple and straightforward
闻新人笑,不闻旧人哭
When someone only listens to a new person and focuses on them, but ignore people from the past
势同水火
Two sides opposing like fire and water
鸡飞又狗跳
Great disorder/ turmoil
无事献殷勤,非奸即盗
One who is unaccountably solicitous/ hiding evil intentions
酒廊饭袋
Someone who only eats and drinks and has no ability
只许州官放火,不许百姓点灯
Powerful people can do whatever they want, while ordinary people are restricted to legitimate activities
情人眼里总是出西施
If you like them, no matter how they look, you would think they are beautiful
三岁看到老
One can see how their adulthood will be when they are three years old
夜长梦多
Undue delay may bring trouble
顺水推舟
To take advantage of the situation for one’s own benefit; to go with the flow