Tag Archives: Idioms

The desire of one's dreams - No-nonsense Chinese Idioms

The Desire of One’s Dreams – No-nonsense Chinese Idioms

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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

Sean Connery

A treasure knife does not age – No-nonsense Chinese Idioms

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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

LOTR Idiom

Easier said than done – No-nonsense Chinese Idioms

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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

Burnout

To be burned out – No-nonsense Chinese idioms

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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

When in Rome

When in Rome – No-nonsense Chinese idioms

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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

All alone in the world - no-nonsense Chinese idioms

To be all alone in the world – No-nonsense Chinese idioms

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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

Marmite 因人而異

To vary from person to person – no-nonsense Chinese idioms

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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

Free Willy

Leisurely and carefree – no-nonsense Chinese idioms

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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

Picard Facepalm

To suffer a crushing defeat – No-nonsense Chinese Idioms

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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

Lifelike - no-nonsense Chinese idioms

Lifelike and realistic – No-nonsense Chinese Idioms

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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