四字经典 Four-Character Classics
90% of Chinese idioms are four-character phrases (成语), featuring compact structures and tonal rhythms (e.g., “千军万马” qiān-jūn-wàn-mǎ, where tones alternate neatly).
shǒu zhū dài tù
守株待兔
Paraphrase:
Wait passively for luck instead of taking action.
（比喻固守经验，不知变通。）
Example sentence:
成功需要努力，守株待兔只会错失机会。
Success requires effort; waiting idly for luck leads to missed opportunities.
hòu dé zài wù
厚德载物
Paraphrase:
Virtue as vast as earth carrying all things.
（形容品德高尚包容。）
Example sentence:
企业应以厚德载物为核心理念，履行社会责任。
Companies should embrace moral integrity as their core value and fulfill social responsibilities.
láng bèi wéi jiān
否极泰来
Paraphrase:
Adversity gives way to prosperity.
（比喻逆境终将过去。）
Example sentence:
失业三年后他否极泰来，创办了自己的公司。
After three years of unemployment, his fortunes reversed and he started a company.
zì qiáng bù xī
自强不息
Paraphrase:
Strive continuously for self-improvement.
（形容不断努力奋进。）
Example sentence:
尽管身体残疾，他仍自强不息，成为著名作家。
Despite his disability, he persevered and became a renowned writer.
三字俗语 Three-Character Sayings
(These expressions) are highly colloquial and often carry negative connotations.
ěr biān fēng
耳边风
Paraphrase:
Ignore advice as passing wind.
（比喻不重视别人的劝告。）
Example sentence:
父母的话他总当耳边风，结果吃了大亏。
He ignored his parents’ advice like wind in his ears and paid the price.
pāi mǎ pì
拍马屁
Paraphrase:
Flatter someone to gain favor.
（比喻阿谀奉承。）
Example sentence:
他靠拍马屁升职，同事们私下都很不屑。
He rose through flattery, earning his colleagues’ disdain.
tì zuì yáng
替罪羊
Paraphrase:
Scapegoat for others’ faults.
（比喻代人受过。）
Example sentence:
项目失败后，新人成了替罪羊，被推出来担责。
The new hire became the scapegoat after the project failed.
qiáng tóu cǎo
墙头草
Paraphrase:
One who bends with the wind.
（比喻立场不坚定。）
Example sentence:
他在会议上总是墙头草，谁强势就支持谁。
He sways like grass on a wall, supporting whoever is dominant.
mǎ hòu pào
马后炮
Paraphrase:
Criticize or advise after the fact.
（比喻事后诸葛亮。）
Example sentence:
问题发生了才提解决方案，纯属马后炮。
(Offering solutions post-crisis is just hindsight criticism.)
对仗句式 Parallel Structure
The two paired words are either antithetical or complementary (e.g., “high standards” vs. “low skills”), embodying the aesthetic balance of the Chinese language.
yǎn gāo shǒu dī
眼高手低
Paraphrase:
Have high ambitions but lack skill.
（要求标准高，实际能力低。）
Example sentence:
他总批评别人，自己却眼高手低，一事无成。
He criticizes others but achieves nothing due to his own incompetence.)ues.
zuǒ gù yòu pàn
左顾右盼
Paraphrase:
Look around hesitantly.
（形容犹豫不决或注意力不集中。）
Example sentence:
面试时他左顾右盼，显得缺乏自信。
He glanced around nervously during the interview, showing a lack of confidence.
shàng xíng xià xiào
上行下效
Paraphrase:
Subordinates imitate superiors’ behavior.
（上级怎么做，下级跟着学。）
Example sentence:
管理层迟到早退，员工自然上行下效。
When bosses leave early, employees follow suit.
nán yuán běi zhé
南辕北辙
Paraphrase:
Actions contradict goals.
（比喻行动与目的相反。）
Example sentence:
用污染环境的方式发展经济，简直是南辕北辙。
Polluting for economic growth is like driving south while heading north.
qián yīn hòu guǒ
前因后果
Paraphrase:
Cause and effect chain.
（事件的完整发展脉络。）
Example sentence:
警方正在梳理案件的前因后果。
Police are analyzing the crime’s causes and consequences.
叠字韵律 Reduplication
Reduplicated characters enhance rhythmic cadence and typically describe states or sounds.
jīng jīng yè yè
兢兢业业
Paraphrase:
Work with dedication and caution.
（形容做事谨慎勤恳。）
Example sentence:
她兢兢业业工作二十年，终于成为部门主管。
After two decades of diligent work, she finally became a department head.
xīn xīn niàn niàn
心心念念
Paraphrase:
Constantly thinking about something.
（形容时刻惦记。）
Example sentence:
她心心念念想去巴黎留学，终于攒够了学费。
She dreamed of studying in Paris daily, finally saving enough funds.
yáng yáng sǎ sǎ
洋洋洒洒
Paraphrase:
Lengthy and flowing writing.
（形容文章或讲话丰富流畅。）
Example sentence:
他洋洋洒洒写了三小时演讲稿，听众却昏昏欲睡。
His three-hour speech was verbose, putting the audience to sleep.
xī xī rǎng rǎng
熙熙攘攘
Paraphrase:
Bustling with people.
（形容热闹拥挤。）
Example sentence:
步行街上熙熙攘攘，商家叫卖声不绝于耳。
The pedestrian street buzzed with crowds and vendors’ calls.
tūn tūn tǔ tǔ
吞吞吐吐
Paraphrase:
Hesitate in speech.
（形容说话不干脆。）
Example sentence:
他吞吞吐吐半天，才承认弄丢了文件。
He hemmed and hawed before confessing he lost the documents.
典故缩写 Allusion-Based
Understanding the full典故 (allusion) is required (e.g., the story of “Lord Ye” satirizes superficial enthusiasm), making such idioms suitable for advanced learners.
yè gōng hào lón
叶公好龙
Paraphrase:
Pretend to love what one actually fears.
（比喻表面上爱好，实则畏惧。）
Example sentence:
他自称热爱冒险，遇到危险却退缩，真是叶公好龙。
He claims to love adventure but panics in danger—a true Lord Ye who “loved dragons”.
hán dān xué bù
邯郸学步
Paraphrase:
Imitate others and lose one’s strengths.
（比喻盲目模仿适得其反。）
Example sentence:
盲目效仿竞争对手的策略，结果邯郸学步，失去了自身特色。
Copying rivals’ strategies made them lose their unique edge.
dōng shī xiào pín
东施效颦
Paraphrase:
Clumsy imitation worsens one’s image.
（比喻拙劣模仿。）
Example sentence:
她模仿明星穿搭却东施效颦，显得不伦不类。
Copying a star’s style backfired, making her look ridiculous.
kè zhōu qiú jiàn
刻舟求剑
Paraphrase:
Stubbornly cling to outdated methods.
（比喻不知变通。）
Example sentence:
用五年前的方案解决新问题，无异于刻舟求剑。
Applying outdated solutions to new problems is futile.