標題: Chinese Idioms and Slang [打印本頁] 作者: chrislampeace 時間: 2020-3-12 09:45 AM 標題: Chinese Idioms and Slang
喝西北風 "喝西北風" literally means to breathe the northwest wind. This phrase describes a straitened circumstance where there's nothing to eat but the wind. There are different stories attributed as the origin of this habitual phrase: one story suggests that "喝西北風" advocates the ideal state of a Taoist: living solely by breathing air; another story suggests that in China, the northwest wind is the most frigid wind during winter, breathing this wind while having nothing to eat further exacerbate the pain of hunger and cold.
馬大哈 This phrase originated from a 1950s comic dialogue which the main character in this comic dialogue was named “馬大哈.” 馬大哈 was a careless, casual, jovial, and indifferent person. Ever since the comic dialogue, people who are forgetful, careless, and have an indifferent attitude are called “馬大哈.”
老鼠過街，人人喊打 Rats survive by stealing human food; they sometimes get over-populated and can spread infectious disease. As a result, rats are seen as harmful to many people. When people see a rat running in the open, most will want to kill it and thus we have the common saying “老鼠過街，人人喊打” to express the hatred of someone or something that’s harmful to the general public. Another version of this folk adage is “過街老鼠，人人喊打” . The phrase “過街（的）老鼠” can also be used independently to indicate people or things that are harmful to the public.
不聽老人言，吃虧在眼前 The Chinese believe that people who are older are inclined to have more experience, therefore, before someone sets out to do something, that person should heed the opinion of that older and more experienced person (“聽老人言”); if not, that person is bound to suffer losses and setbacks. The phrase “不聽老人言，吃虧在眼前” is often used on those younger people who do not heed advice from more experienced and older people. This phrase can also be used as an admonishment.
腳踩兩隻船 This phrase literally means one person stepping on two boats. Figuratively, this phrase means for the purpose of doing speculation or leaving more opportunities for oneself, one keeps in touch with both sides. Nowadays, the phrase is commonly used to describe the relationship between men and women. The verb “踩” can be replaced with “踏,” and the measure word “只” can be changed to “條.” For example, “腳踏兩隻船,” “腳踩兩條船,” etc.
百聞不如一見 To get to know something or someone, it is better to see that person or thing once than to listen to other people talk about it a hundred times .This adage is trying to convey that personally seeing something or someone is much more reliable than listening to someone’s description about it. This phrase is often used as praise for someone or something that the speaker has heard about many times but first time seeing.
醜話說在前頭 “醜話” indicates unpleasant but realistic and honest talk. To warn someone of potential bad results or unfavorable factors before that person sets out to do something is called “醜話說在前頭”. “醜話說在前頭” is often a warning or suggestion to someone else; this phrase could also be used as “醜話說到前頭”.
瞎貓碰上死耗子 This phrase literally means a blind cat lucky enough to come across a dead mouse, just like a pie in the sky notion that came true. This slang is used to describe someone who is extremely lucky by accomplishing something capriciously. This slang sometimes is also said as “瞎貓碰著(zháo)死耗子”.
千里之行，始於足下 This phrase came out of Laozi and literally means a thousand mile journey must begin with a single step. Metaphorically, this phrase means success is built from the accumulation of many trials and errors. People cite this phrase to indicate that all endeavors must begin small.
走彎路 "彎路" means a path that is not straight, it represents a troublesome or indirect way to achieve one's goal. When one takes this detour, one often wastes time and energy. Therefore, "走彎路" means wasting time and energy by doing something the wrong way or making a mistake.
打腫臉充胖子 Literally, this slang means to beat one’s face until it’s swollen in an effort to look imposing; metaphorically, it means to do something beyond one’s means.
拆東牆,補西牆 To mend the west side wall by taking materials from the east side wall. This metaphor describes someone who tries to solve one problem, but creates another in doing so, often through short-term planning that does not resolve the fundamental problem.
這山望著那山高 The phrase “這山望著那山高” indicates that when standing on one mountain top, other mountain tops always seems higher. “這山” indicates ones current condition and “那山” indicates other peoples'condition. Therefore, this phrase is often used to mean feeling unsatisfied with one's own situation and thinking other people's situation is better.
一是一，二是二 “一” represents a situation and “二” represents another situation; to describe something as it really is: one is one and two is two. The phrase describes an attitude towards doing something that's unequivocal and methodistic.
一個巴掌拍不響 “巴掌” means the palm. One can only clap and make a sound when both palms hit each other. This expression is an analogy suggesting that the consequence of a matter is often caused by the participants of the affair and not the responsibility of an individual.
聽風是雨 Hear the wind and mistake it for the rain. “聽風是雨” describes someone who believe anything they hear and even exaggerates what they have heard. This derogatory phrase is often used as “聽風就是雨” or “聽見風就是雨.”
假惺惺 “假” means unreal and false and “假惺惺” is a derogatory term that describes a manner that is hypocritical and not sincere. This term is often followed by “地” acting as the adverbial modifier.
吊兒郎當 On the one hand, “吊兒郎當” can describe someone with a slovenly look; on the other hand, the phrase can also be expounded to mean a non-serious attitude or a careless and irresponsible approach to a task. “吊兒郎當” is a colloquial phrase that is often used to describe someone who spend time idly and unfruitfully.
背黑鍋 “黑鍋” does not really indicates a black pot but the unjust and accusation that a person has received. “背黑鍋” often means shouldering other people’s faults and bearing charges that belongs to another person. When we say “A替/為B背黑鍋” we mean A bore the mistakes of B; when we say “A讓B背黑鍋,” it means B bore the mistakes of A.
一根筋 “筋” refers to the tendons and sinews in the human body. When the body only has one “筋,” it indicates simplicity and represents the person is stubborn and inflexible. In Chinese, the expression is often: “sb.+一根筋” or “一根筋+do sth.”