If you want to talk about your “dream-something” then this is the idiom for you. Whether it be your dream-job, dream-girl/guy or that dream-epic staff of the monkeyballs, why not give this bad-boy a try next time you wish to … Continue reading
A treasure knife does not age. This is a great idiom that is almost always used to describe old people who’ve still got it. What better example could there be than good old 史恩·康納萊 (shǐ ēn · kāng nà lái). … Continue reading
Hey guys, I’m back! This week’s idiom is a really useful one for describing things which may seem easier than they actually are, such as say, learning Chinese for example. 談何容易（谈何容易） Pinyin: tán hé róng yì English: easier said than … Continue reading
If you’ve been paying attention over the last few weeks you would have seen the ongoing series of posts about “The Burnout Cycle”, if you’ve managed to miss them then quickly catch up by checking out the first 3 stages … Continue reading
If you’ve been to China or Taiwan then you have no doubt entered the toilet only to find a Japanese squat-style toilet awaiting you. Putting aside the quandary of which way to face, the more important question is should you … Continue reading
Continuing the no-nonsense memes series here is a new idiom that uses the Forever Alone meme to help you remember the meaning. 孑然一身（孑然一身） Pinyin: jiérányīshēn English: all alone in the world editors note – we’re gonna have to start doing … Continue reading
Whether it’s food, clothes, music or any area where people differ this is a great idiom to use, the Taiwan education department even use medicine in their dictionary example. 因人而異（因人而异） Pinyin: yīn rén ér yì English: to vary from person … Continue reading
Thankfully we have a more positive idiom after last week’s ‘to suffer a crushing defeat‘ example. 自由自在（自由自在） Pinyin: zì yóu zì zài English: Leisurely and carefree; free and easy Image from the movie Free Willy Note: The word in the … Continue reading
It’s no-nonsense idiom time, though hopefully you won’t have to use this one often for describing yourself. It’s great to use for competitions, sports activities and elections etc. 一敗塗地（一败涂地） Pinyin: yī bài tú dì English: to suffer a crushing defeat; … Continue reading
It’s Thursday – which means another no-nonsense Chinese idiom: 栩栩如生（栩栩如生） Pinyin: xŭ xŭ rú shēng English: realistic; lifelike Usage Traditional 這些栩栩如生的香蕉人像是藝術家刻出來的 Simplified 这些栩栩如生的香蕉人像是艺术家刻出来的 Pinyin zhè xiē xŭxŭrúshēng de xiāngjiāo rénxiàng shì yìshùjiā kēchūlái de English These lifelike banana figures were … Continue reading
