Figurative Use of Chinese Words

Figurative Use of Chinese Words

Much influenced by traditional concepts, the way in which the Han people think has the following characteristics: concrete, associative, and based on their real experience of the world. Therefore, straightforwardness, concreteness, and figurativeness became the features of Chinese vocabulary, which explains why the earliest characters in Chinese are “象形文字” (xiangxing wen zi, pictographic characters). Even in modern Chinese, 72% of the vocabulary is “形声字” (xingsheng zi, phonograms), with their components indicating the meaning and the sound of the character.

The figurative use of Chinese vocabulary is mainly based on people’s understanding of the visual sense of a character, aided by other senses of feel, hear, taste, smell, and touch, etc. Words formed with these characters are often associative, analogical and are often used rhetorically.

Figurative Use of Words and Expressions

(1) On Visual Sense

Many plants and animals are named figuratively. For example:

“马尾松” (mawei song, masson pine—a pine named after the tail of a horse)

“佛手” (foshou, Buddha’s hand—a medical herb; a name after “佛” to get the “holly, sacred power”, e. g. “佛手瓜”—Buddha’s hand-shaped melon)

“向日葵” (xiangri kui, sunflower—a flower always faces towards the sunlight)

“鸡冠花” (jiguan hua, cockscomb—a flower that has the shape of “cockscomb”)

“狗尾巴草” (gouyiba cao, green bristlegrass—a grass that has the shape of a dog’s tail, with short, straight hair)

“喇叭花” (laba hua, white-edged morning glory—a bell-shaped flower)

“蚕豆” (can dou, broad bean—a bean that looks like a silkworm)

“木耳” (mu’er, an edible fungus—shaping like an ear)

“长颈鹿” (changjing lu, giraffe—the deer that has the extremely long neck)

“梅花鹿” (meihua lu, spotted deer—a deer so named because of its plum-like fur)

“猫头鹰” (maotou ying, owl—the animal that has a cat-like head)

“眼镜蛇” (yanjing she, cobra—a snake that has big eyes as if having spectacles on)

“竹叶青蛇” (zhuye qing she, green bamboo snake—a snake that has the same green of bamboo leaves)

“带鱼” (daijyu, hairtail—the kind of fish that is long, thin that like a belt)

“斑马” (banma, zebra—a horse-like animal so named because of its speckles and strips on the body; so “斑马线” banma xian, zebra crossing used for traffic control)

“袋鼠” (daishu, kangaroo—the animal that has a “bag” that carries the youths)

“河马” (hema, hippo or river horse—so named in Chinese because it looks like a horse but lives in water)

“狗熊” (gouxiong, black bear—a bear that looks somewhat like a dog)

Vocabulary by this direct image and association often goes for people. For Example:

“旗手” (qishou, standard-bearer, originally means a man who holds up the big flag, but is now more used as a “model,” a good example for the general public)

“园丁” (yuanding, gardener, someone who is engaged in horticulture, but is more commonly known as a school teacher, who devotes her hard work to educating pupils)

“泰斗” (taidou, Mount Tai and the North Star; but is now popularly used to mean “an eminent scholar who has outstanding achievements and is highly respected”)

“饭桶” (fantong, rice bucket, implying “a big eater,” but it carries a strong negative sense to mean “good-for-nothing”)

“铁人” (tieren, iron man, implying “a strong-willed man who has persistent and dauntless spirit”, and so is “铁军” tiejun, the iron army, to mean “all conquering and ever-victorious”; today there are expressions like “铁饭碗”, tie fanwan, “iron rice bowl” to mean “a secure job”, “铁哥们,” tie gemen, “close brothers,” and “铁三角,” tie sanjiao, the powerful three who are highly recognized for their coordinated efforts to excellent team work and can never be broken apart)

“校花” (xiao hua, a flower in the school, but to mean “the prettiest girl in school”, and “交际花”, jiaoji hua, sometimes ironically used to mean “a society woman or social butterfly”)

“落汤鸡” (luotang ji, a chicken in water, but is ironic to mean “someone who is wet, drenched and soaked through”)

“笑面虎” (xiaomian hu, a smiling tiger, is strongly negative to mean “an outwardly kind but inwardly a cruel person”)

The different parts of human body are more impressive with the figurative use of words. For example:

“蒜头鼻” (suantou bi, a garlic-head like nose)

“瓜子脸” (guazi lian, an oval face, a face with the shape of melon seeds)

“麻子脸” (mazi lian, pockmark face)

“樱桃口” (yingtao kou, cheery lips, the small red mouth of a pretty woman)

“鸡皮挖瘩” (jipi geda, gooseflesh)

“鱼尾纹” (yuwei wen, crow’s feet, wrinkles at the corners of eyes that look like a fish’s tail)

“扇风耳” (shanfeng er, protruding ears)

“刘海儿” (liuhai er, bang, fringe, a hairstyle for women who keep hair in bangs at the forehead)

“虎口” (hukou, part of a hand between the thumb and the index finger)

“鸡眼” (jiyan, corn, small, painful areas of hard skin that look like eyes of a chicken, formed esp. near toes)

“心田” (xintian, heart)

“心扉” (xinfei, heart, the door of one’s heart)

“心坎” (xinkan, heart, the bottom of one’s heart)

On the contrary, people use part of human body as word morpheme to name many objects. For example:

“山口” (shankou, mountain pass)

“山头” (shantou, hill/mountain top)

“山腰” (shanyao, halfway up the mountain)

“山脚” (shanjiao, the foot of a hill)

“山脉” (shanmai, mountain range/chain)

“山脊” (shanji, mountain/hill ridge)

“壶嘴” (huzui, kettle mouth)

“枪眼” (qiangyan, bullet hole)

“枪口” (qiangkou, aim)

“泉眼” (quanyan, the mouth of a spring)

“港口” (gangkou, port/ harbour)

“洞 口” (dongkou, the mouth of a hole)

“井口” (jingkou, the mouth of a well)

“齿轮” (chilun, gear wheel)

“据齿” (juchi, sawtooth)

“拳头产品” (quantou chanping, competitive products).

The figurative use of words has also been commonly used for clothing. For instance:

“蝙蝠衫” (bianfu shan, an upper outer garment with batwing sleeves)

“喇叭裤” (laba ku, bell-bottoms)

“灯笼裤” (denglong ku, knee-length/ankle-length sports trousers)

“鸭舌帽” (yashemao, peaked cap)

“瓜皮帽” (guapi mao, skullcap, resembling the rind of half a watermelon)

“蝴蝶结” (hudie jie, bowknot).

Some foods are also described figuratively. For example:

“月饼” (yuebing, mooncake, cakes eaten at the Mid-Autumn Festival)

“荷包蛋” (hebao dan, fried egg, shaped like a small bag for carrying money and odds and ends)

“獅子头” (shizi tou, large meatball, shaped like a lion-head, usu. deep-fried)

“心里美” (xinli mei, turnip, a kind of turnip with green peel and purple-red flesh)

Many things used in our daily lives are also described with vivid images. For instance:

“老虎钳” (laohu qian, vise, similarly “老虎凳” rack)

“蜂窝煤” (fengwo mei, honeycomb briquet, coal made in the shape of a honeycomb)

“河床” (hechuang, riverbed)

“法网” (fa wang, the net of justice, the arm of the law)

“鱼雷” (yulei, torpedo, bombs in the shape of a fish)

“牛角尖” (niujiao jian, the tip of a horn—an insignificant or insoluble problem)

“面包车” (mianbao che, van, so named because of the shape of bread)

“把柄” (babing, handle)

“矛盾” (maodun, contradictions; “矛” and “盾” are rival weapons used at war during ancient times)

“电脑” (diannao, computer)

“新潮” (xinchao, new trend/fashion)

“浪花” (langhua, the foam of breaking waves)

Many verb collocations bring vivid descriptions, too. For example:

“雀跃” (queyue, jump for joy)

“蜂拥” (fengyong, swarm, flock)

“蛙泳” (wayong, breaststroke)

“蝶泳” (dieyong, butterfly stroke)

“吹牛” (chuiniu, boast, brag, talk big)

“拍马” (paima, lick sb’s boots; flatter)

“变卦” (biangua, go back on one’s word; break an agreement)

“囊括” (nangkuo, include, embrace, win all)

“瓜分” (guafen, cut up a melon—carve up, divide up)

“抹黑” (mohei, blacken sb’s name, bring shame on)

“吃醋” (chicu, be jealous, usually a rival in love)

“撞车” (zhuangche, the collision of vehicles—clash of opinions or interests)

The Chinese language is characteristic of its vivid use of adjectives. For example:

“雪白” (xuebai, snow-white)

“鱼肚白” (yudubai, the whitish colour of a fish’s belly—grey dawn)

“白花花” (bai huahua, shining white)

“火红” (huohong, red as fire, fiery-red, flaming)

“枣红” (zaohong, purplish red)

“红彤彤” (hong tongtong, bright red, glowing)

“橙黄” (cheng huang, orange colour)

“土黄” (tuhuang, yellowish brown)

“黄灿灿” (huangcancan, bright yellow, golden)

“翠绿” (cuilv, jade green)

“苹果绿” (pingguolv, apple green)

“绿油油” (lvyouyou, fresh green)

“天蓝” (tianlan, sky blue)

“海蓝” (hailan, sea blue)

“蓝晶晶” (lanjingjing, bright blue)

“漆黑” (qihei, pitch-dark)

“乌黑” (wuhei, pitch-black, jet-black)

“黑糊糊” (heihuhu, blackened, rather dark)

“铁青” (tieqing, livid, ghastly pale)

“银灰” (yinghui, silver grey)

“灰蒙蒙” (huimengmeng, dusky, overcast)

There are also adjectives used to describe people’s manner. For instance:

“笑哈哈” (xiaohaha, laughingly)

“笑眯眯” (xiaomimi, smiling)

“乐呵呵” (lehehe, buoyant, happy and gay)

“胖乎乎” (panghuhu, plump, chubby)

“慢悠悠” (manyouyou, unhurried, leisurely)

“气冲冲” (qichongchong, furious, beside oneself with rage)

“直勾勾” (zhigougou, stare fixedly)

“醉醺醺” (zuixunxun, sottish, drunk)

(2) On Sense of Smell

“香喷喷” (xiangpenpen, sweet-smelling, appetizing)

“臭供供” (chouhonghong, stinking, smelly)

“甜丝丝” (tiansisi, pleasantly sweet)

“酸溜溜” (suanliuliu, sour)

“苦津津” (kujinjin, bitter)

“辣乎乎” (lahuhu, peppery, hot)

(3) On Sense of Feel

“冰凉” (bingliang, ice-cold)

“火热” (huore, burning hot, fiery)

“滚烫” (guntang, boiling/burning hot)

“冷冰冰” (lengbingbing, frosty)

“透心凉” (touxinliang, chilly)

“冷飕飕” (lengsousou, chilling, chilly)

“冷清清” (lengqingqing, cold and cheerless, lonely, deserted)

“硬邦邦” (yingbangbang, very hard, very stiff)

“软绵绵” (ruanmianmian, soft, weak)

“静悄悄” (jingqiaoqiao, very quiet)

“麻穌穌” (masusu, slightly numb, tingling)

“粘糊糊” (nianhuhu, sticky, glutinous)

(4) On Sense of Hearing

“乱哄哄” (luanhonghong, in noisy disorder)

“乱糟糟” (luanzaozao, chaotic, in a mess)

“哗啦啦” (hualala, rustle, crash)

“轰隆隆” (honglonglong, rumble)

“玎玲玲” (dinglingling, jingling, tinkling)

Figurative Use of Collocations

(1) Nouns

“老油条” (laoyoutiao, wily old bird, old campaigner)

“大锅饭” (daguofan, food prepared in a large canteen cauldron; mess)

“万金油” (wan jin you, a balm for treating headaches, scalds and other minor ailments—Jack of all trades and master of none)

“二百五” (erbaiwu, a stupid person)

“乌纱帽” (wushamao, black gauze cap, worn by feudal officials—official post)

“定心丸” (dingxinwan, sth. capable of setting sb’s mind at ease)

“主心骨” (zhuxingu, backbone, mainstay, pillar)

“夹生饭” (jiashengfan, half-cooked rice—a job not thoroughly done)

“墙头草” (qiangtoucao, grass atop a wall—a person who follows the crowd)

“软骨头” (ruangutou, a soft bone—a weak-kneed person, a coward)

“马后炮” (mahoupao, a Chinese chess term used figuratively to mean belated action or advice; belated effort)

“敲门砖” (qiaomenzhuan, a brick picked up to knock on the door and thrown away when it has served its purpose—a stepping stone to success)

“顶梁柱” (dingliangzhu, pillar, backbone)

“势利眼” (shiliyan, snob, snobbish attitude)

“狐狸精” (hulijing, fox spirit—a seductive woman)

“地头蛇” (ditoushe, a snake in its old haunts—local villain, bully)

“保护伞” (baohusan, umbrella—a protecting power)

“哈巴狗” (habagou, Pekinese—a breed of dog, pug )

(2) v. + n. Collocations

“走后门” (zou houmen, backdoor/backstairs influence)

“碰钉子” (peng dingzi, meet with a rebuff, hit/strike/run against a snag)

“穿小鞋” (chuan xiaoxie, give someone tight shoes to wear—make things hard to sb. by abusing one’s power; make it hot for sb.)

“踢皮球” (ti piqiu, kick sth. back and forth like a ball; shift responsibility onto each other)

“吃小灶” (chi xiaozao, be served with higher-grade food; be specially treated)

“抬轿子” (tai jiao zi, carry sb. in a sedan chair—flatter; sing the praises of)

“一刀切” (yidao qie, cut it even at one stroke—make everything rigidly uniform)

“吹冷风” (chuilengfeng, blow a cold wind over, make discouraging remarks)

“泼冷水” (polengshui, pour/throw cold water on; dampen the enthusiasm or spirits of)

“绊脚石” (banjiaoshi, stumbling block, obstacle)

“敲边鼓” (qiaobiangu, speak or act to assist sb. from the sidelines; back sb. up)

“找碴儿” (zhaocha’er, find fault; pick holes)

“挑刺儿” (tiaoci’er, find fault; pick holes; be captious)

“走过场” (zouguochang, do sth. as a mere formality; go through the motions)

“唱高调” (changgaodiao, mouth high-sounding words; say fine-sounding things)

“开夜车” (kaiyeche, work late into the night; burn the midnight oil)

“拖后腿” (tuohoutui, hold sb. back; be a drag on sb.)

“翅尾巴” (qiaoweiba, be cocky; get stuck-up)

“乱弹琴” (luantanqin, act or talk like a fool; talk nonsense)

“炒冷饭” (chaolengfan, stir-fry leftover rice—say or do the same old thing)

“炒鱿鱼” (chaoyouyu, give sb. the sack; fire)

“捅娄子” (tonglouzi, get oneself or others into trouble through a blunder; make a mess of sth.)

“捅马蜂窝” (tong mafengwo, stir up a hornet’s nest; bring a hornet’s nest about one’s ears)

“钻空子” (zuankongzi, exploit an advantage)

“挖墙脚” (waqiangjiao, sap the wall; undermine the foundation; cut the ground from under sb’s feet)

“打退堂鼓” (datuitanggu, retreat, withdraw)

“打气儿” (daqi’er, pump up—encourage, cheer up)

“打圆场” (da yuanchang, mediate a dispute; smooth things over)

“走马灯” (zoumadeng, running horse lantern—be busy, going from one place to another)

“露马脚” (loumajiao, give oneself away; let the cat out of the bag)

“倒插门” (daochamen, a man married into the wife’s family)

“剃光头” (tiguangtou, have one’s head shaved—score no points in games)

“吃闭门羹” (chibimengeng, shut the door in sb’s face—be denied a reception)

“擦屁股” (capigu, clear up the mess left by somebody else)

“滚雪球” (gunxueqiu, a business, project, etc. get bigger and bigger as it proceeds; snowball)

Collocations with Cooking and Food

Food is important to Chinese, and “food is the first necessity of the people”. Therefore, in Chinese, there are many figurative sayings related to ways of cooking and eating. For example:

“欠火候” (qianhuohou, undercooked—not perfect, not to the standard)

“回炉” (huilu, bake again—things not well done but have to go back and do it again) 

“煎熬” (jian’ao, deep fry and cook for a long time—suffering, torture)

“大杂絵” (dazahui, hotchpotch—things not logic, but in a mess)

“熏陶” (xuntao, exert a gradual, uplifting influence on)

“穷酸” (qiongsuan, poor and pedantic, esp. to a scholar)

“寒酸” (hansuan, shabby and miserable (of a scholar))

“半瓶醋” (banpingcu, half a bottle of vinegar—dabbler, smatterer)

“甜蜜” (tianmi, sweet, happy)

“尝到甜头” (changdao tiantou, become aware of the benefits of; come to know the good of)

“嘴甜” (zuitian, words honeyed)

“睡得香” (shuidexiang, a sound sleep)

“吃香” (chixiang, be very popular, be well-liked)

“尝鲜儿” (changxian’er, have a taste of delicacy, have a taste of what is just in the season)

“吞并” (tunbing, swallow up)

“囫囵吞枣” (hulun tunzao, swallow a date whole—read without understanding)

“哨书本” (kenshuben, delve into books)

“咬文嚼字” (yaowenjiaozi, pay excessive attention to wording)

“品头论足” (pintoulunzu, find fault, be overcritical)

“嘴馋” (zuichan, fond of good food; greedy)

“眼馋” (yanchan, eye sth. covetously)

“饱经风霜” (baojingfengshuang, weather-beaten)

“饱学之士” (baoxue zhishi, a learned scholar; a man of learning)

“腻烦” (nifan, be bored, be fed up)

“垂诞三尺” (chuixian sanchi, spittle three feet long—drool with envy)

“背黑锅” (beiheiguo, be unfairly treated)

“揭不开锅” (jiebukai guo, have nothing in the pot; go hungry)

“小菜一碟” (xiaocai yidie, something extremely easy to do or manage)

“吃着碗里看着锅里” (chizhe wanli kanzhe guoli, keep one’s eye on the pot while eating from a bowl—be greedy)

“肥缺” (feique, a lucrative post)

“挑肥栋瘦” (tiaofei jianshou, pick the fat or choose the lean—choose whatever is to one’s advantage)

“油头滑脑” (youtou huanao, slick, smooth, oily)

“油嘴滑舌” (youzui huashe, glib-tongued)

Other Figurative Expressions

“老黄牛” (laohuangniu, willing ox—a person who is diligent and conscientious in serving the people)

“替罪羊” (tizuiyang, scapegoat)

“风雨” (fengyu, wind and rain, trials and hardships)

“耳目”(ermu, one who spies for sb. else)

“眉目” (meimu, the prospect of a solution, a sign of a positive outcome)

“口舌” (koushe, talking round)

“喉舌” (houshe, mouthpiece)

“嘴脸” (zuilian, face, countenance)

“手脚” (shoujiao, underhand method, trick)

“骨肉” (gurou, flesh and blood; kindred)

“血肉” (xuerou, flesh and blood, the human body)

“心肠” (xinchang, heart, intention)

“硬骨头” (ying gutou, hard bone—a dauntless, unyielding person)

“外衣” (waiyi, outer garment, semblance, appearance)

“便衣” (bianyi, plain clothes)

Figurative Uses from History Records

Lots of modern Chinese sayings are coming directly or in some way from ancient books or mythology. They are popular and used a lot today.

(1) “红娘” (hongniang): coming from “西厢记” (xixiangji, Western Chamber). The maid in the play helps bring about the union of the lovers. Today it means more “go-between” or “matchmaker” not only in marriage but may be used in some other aspects of life.

(2) “月老” (yuelao): the Old Man (the God of Marriage, who has on record in a book the marriage prospects of those on earth and attaches engaged couples with a red cord which will bind them for life); Matchmaker.

(3) “黄泉” (huangquan): the Yellow Spring—the world of the dead; the underworld; the netherworld; “上穷碧落下黄泉，两处茫茫皆不见。” (白居易, Bai Juyi—poet) (Shangqiong biluo xia huangquan, liangchu mangmang jie bujian.) Above, he searched the Green Void, below, the Yellow Springs; but he failed, in either place, to find the one he looked for.

(4) “秋波” (qiubo), autumn ripples—the bright and clear eyes of a beautiful woman; “送秋波” (of a woman) cast amorous glances; Make eyes.

(5) “人门” (rumen): cross the threshold; learn the rudiments of a subject; have a way to learning or get instructed by the teacher.

(6) “鸿沟” (honggou): the military dividing line between the State of “楚” (Chu) and “汉” (Han); wide gap; gulf.

(7) “知音” (zhiyin): a friend keenly appreciative of one’s talents; an understanding friend; “不惜歌者苦，但伤知音稀。” (Buxi gezheku, dan shang zhiyinxi.) She does not regret that she is so sad, but minds that so few can understand her song.

(8) “云雨” (yunyu): the sport of cloud and rain—sexual intercourse.

(9) “狼烟” (langyan): the smoke of wolves’ dung burnt at border posts in ancient China to signal alarm; war.

(10) “状元” (zhuangyuan): Number One Scholar, a title conferred on the one who came first in the highest imperial examination; “养鸡状元” (yangji zhuangyuan): a champion chicken raiser.

(11) “说客” (shuike): a person often sent to win sb. over or enlist his support through persuasion during ancient times; a persuasive talker.

(12) “推敲” (tuiqiao): weight, deliberate.

(13) “劳驾” (laojia): officials or distinguished guests in ancient times used to sit on horse carriages, then “大驾,” “尊驾” was the addressing to them. “劳驾” is a polite request asking for conveniences. “Excuse me…” “May I trouble you…” “Would you please…”

(14) “乔迁” (qiaoqian): originally means moving to live where there are big trees; “乔木” (qiaomu, arbor): move to a better place or get a promotion.

(15) “问鼎” (wending): inquire about the tripods—aspire after the throne; have monarchic ambitions; compete for a championship; carry off the first prize.

(16) “问津” (wenjin): (usu. Used in the negative) make inquiries (as about prices or the situation).

(17) “涂鸦” (tuya): children’s handwriting like a crow; poor handwriting; scrawl; chicken tracks.

(18) “管窥” (guankui): look at something through a bamboo tube—have a restricted view.

(19) “破天荒” (potianhuang): occur for the first time; be unprecedented.

(20) “不成器” (buchengqi): good-for-nothing; worthless; never-do-well.

(21) “鸿门宴” (hongmenyan); Hongmen feast—a meeting contrived as a trap (originally a feast held at hongmen by “项羽” (Xiang Yu) for his rival “刘邦” at which an attempt was made on Liu’s life).

(22) “煞风景” (shafengjing): spoil the fun; be a wet blanket.

(23) “惊弓鸟” (jinggongniao): a bird that starts at the mere twang of a bow-string—a badly frightened person.

(24) “眼中钉，肉中剌” (yanzhongding, rouzhongci): a thorn in one’s flesh or side.

(25) “千里眼” (qianliyan): a farsighted person.

(26) “顺风耳” (shunfeng’er): a person in traditional Chinese novels who can hear voices a long way off; a well-informed person.

(27) “比翼鸟” (biyiniao): fabulous birds that had only one wing each and thus had to fly in pairs (used in poetry as an epithet for a loving couple); “在天愿作比翼鸟，在地愿为连理枝。” (白居易, Bai Juyi—poet) (Zaitian yuanzuo biyiniao, zaidi yuanwei lianlizhi.) On high, we'd be two lovebirds flying wing to wing. On earth, two trees with branches twined from spring to spring.

(28) “安乐窝” (anlewo): a cosy nest—a comfortable living condition.

(29) “耳边风” (erbianfeng): a puff of wind passing the ear—unheeded advice; turn a deaf ear to sth.

(30) “紧箱咒” (jinguzhou): originally used by the Monk in the novel Pilgrimage to the West (西游记, xiyouji), to keep the Money King under control—inhibition.

(31) “完璧归赵” (wanbi guizhao): return the jade intact to the State of Zhao—return sth. to its owner in its perfect condition.

(32) “破釜沉舟” (pofu chenzhou): break the cauldrons and sink the boats (after crossing)—cut all means of retreat; burn one’s boat.

(33) “四面楚歌” (simian chuge): be besieged on all sides; be utterly isolated; find oneself under fire from all quarters.

(34) “初出茅庐” (chuchu maolu): just come out of one’s thatched cottages—at the beginning of one’s career; young and inexperienced.

(35) “世外桃源” (shiwai taoyuan): the Land of Peach Blossoms—a fictitious land of peace, away from the turmoil of the world; a heaven of peace.

(36) “班门弄斧” (banmen nongfu): show off one’s skill with the axe before Lu Ban (鲁班) the master carpenter—display one’s slight skill before an expert.

(37) “逼上梁山” (bishang Liangshan): be driven to join the Liangshan rebels (a band of peasant rebels of the Song Dynasty, who had their stronghold on Liangshan mountain)—be driven to revolt.

(38) “塞翁失马” (saiweng shima): the old frontiersman losing its horse—a blessing in disguise.

(39) “亡羊补牢” (wangyang bulao): mend the fold after the sheep is lost; it’s never too late to mend.

(40) “守株待兔” (shouzhu daitu): stand by a stump waiting for more hares to come and dash themselves against it—trust to chance and strokes of luck.

(41) “画蛇添足” (huashe tianzu): draw a snake and add feet to it—ruin the effect by adding sth. superfluous.

(42) “揠苗助长” (yamiao zhuzhang): try to help shoots grow by pulling them up—spoil things by excessive enthusiasm.

(43) “滥竽充数” (lanyuchongshu): pass oneself off as one of the players in an ensemble—be there just to make up the number (used of incompetent people or inferior goods).

(44) “杯弓蛇影” (beigong sheying): mistaking the reflection of a bow in the cup for a snake—beset with imaginary fears; extremely suspicious.

(45) “叶公好龙” (yegong haolong): Lord Ye’s love of dragons—professed love of what one really fears.

(46) “杞人忧天” (qiren youtian): like the man of Qi who feared that the sky might fall—entertain imaginary or groundless fears.

(47) “狐假虎威” (hujia huwei): the fox borrows the tiger’s fierceness (by walking in the latter’s company)—bully people by flaunting one’s powerful connections.

(48) “愚公移山” (yugong yishan): like the foolish old man who removed the mountains—with dogged perseverance.

(49) “对牛弹琴” (duiniu tanqin): play the lute to a cow—address the wrong audience; talk over sb’s head.

(50) “削足适履” (xuezu shilv): cut the feet to fit the shoes.

(51) “杯水车薪” (beishui chexin); trying to put out a blazing cartload of faggots with a cup of water—an utterly inadequate measure.

(52) “望洋兴叹” (wangyang xingtan): lament one’s littleness before the vast ocean—bemoan one’s inadequacy in the face of a great task.

(53) “南辕北撤” (nanyuan beizhe): try to go south by driving the chariot north—act in a way that defeats one’s purpose.

(54) “画龙点睛” (hualong dianjing): bring a picture of dragon to life by putting in the pupils of its eyes—add the touch that brings a work of art to life; add the finishing touch.

(55) “画饼充饥” (huabing chongji): draw cakes to allay hunger—feed on illusions.

(56) “天衣无缝” (tianyi wufeng): a seamless heavenly robe—flawless.

(57) “黔驴技穷” (qianlv jiqiong): the (proverbial) Guizhou donkey has exhausted its tricks—at one’s wit’s end; at the end of one’s rope.

(58) “指鹿为马” (zhilu weima): call a stag a horse—deliberately misrepresent.

(59) “脱颖而出” (tuoying erchu); the point of an awl sticking out through a bag—talent revealing itself.

(60) “得陇望蜀” (delong wangshu): covet Shu after getting Long—have insatiable desires.

(61) “宰相肚里能撑船” (zaixiang duli neng chengchuan), a prime minister’s heart is big enough to pole a boat in—a great person is large-hearted or magnanimous.

(62) “一朝天子一朝臣” (yichao tianzi yichaochen), every sovereign brings his courtiers—a new chief brings in new aids.

(63) “情人眼里出西施” (qingren yanlichu xishi), a lover sees a Xishi in his beloved; in the eyes of the lover, his beloved is a beauty.

(64) “过五关，斩六将” (guowuguan, zhanliujiang), force five passes and slay six captains—win glory in battle; surmount numerous difficulties.

(65) “说曹操，曹操就到” (shuocaocao, caocaojiudao), mention Cao Cao, and there he is—talk of the devil (and he will appear).

(66) “知彼知己，百战不殆” (zhibizhiji, baizhanbudai), know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat.

(67) “三十六计走为上” (sanshiliuji zouweishang): of the thirty-six strategies, the best is running away; the best thing to do now is to quit.