商务谈判 Business
In formal contexts, four-character idioms are preferred, while colloquialisms should be avoided.
hù lì gòng yíng
互利共赢
Paraphrase:
Mutual benefit and shared success.
（双方合作共同获益。）
Example sentence:
两国签订贸易协定，实现了互利共赢的局面。
The two nations signed a trade agreement, achieving mutual benefit and shared success.
tǎo jià huán jià
讨价还价
Paraphrase:
Bargain persistently over terms.
（反复商议条件。）
Example sentence:
双方讨价还价三小讨价还价时，最终敲定合同细节。
Three hours of haggling finalized the contract terms.
gè tuì yī bù
各退一步
Paraphrase:
Compromise for mutual concession.
（双方让步达成协议。）
Example sentence:
谈判陷入僵局时，双方各退一步才打破僵局。
Deadlock broke when both sides compromised.
yī chuí dìng yīn
一锤定音
Paraphrase:
Final decision made by authority.
（比喻最终裁决。）
Example sentence:
董事长一锤定音，批准了并购方案。
The chairman’s final approval greenlit the merger.
社交赞美 Compliments
For women, “xiù wài huì zhōng” (秀外慧中, “graceful and intelligent”) is commonly used, whereas men are more often praised as “cái gāo bā dǒu” (才高八斗, “exceptionally talented”). Avoid terms like “lǎo dāng yì zhuàng” (老当益壮, “old but vigorous”), which may imply advanced age.
cái gāo bā dǒu
才高八斗
Paraphrase:
Exceptionally talented.
（形容才华极高。）
Example sentence:
这位诗人被誉为才高八斗，作品流传千古。
This poet, renowned for his exceptional talent, created works that endure through the ages.
dé cái jiān bèi
德才兼备
Paraphrase:
Excel in both virtue and talent.
（品德与能力俱佳。）
Example sentence:
她德才兼备，是团队当之无愧的领导者。
Her integrity and competence make her the ideal leader.
xū huái ruò gǔ
虚怀若谷
Paraphrase:
Open-minded like an empty valley.
（形容谦虚包容。）
Example sentence:
教授虽成就斐然，却虚怀若谷倾听学生意见。
The accomplished professor humbly values students’ input.
miào bǐ shēng huā
妙笔生花
Paraphrase:
Brilliant writing talent.
（形容文笔优美。）
Example sentence:
这篇小说妙笔生花，读者仿佛身临其境。
The novel’s vivid prose immerses readers in its world.
gāo zhān yuǎn zhǔ
高瞻远瞩
Paraphrase:
Farsighted vision.
（比喻眼光长远。）
Example sentence:
CEO高瞻远瞩，提前布局新能源市场。
(The CEO’s foresight positioned the company in the新能源 sector early.)
委婉批评 Criticism
Neutral idioms can soften direct criticism—e.g., replacing “you’re wrong” with “shì yǔ yuàn wéi” (事与愿违, “things go contrary to one’s wishes”).
huá ér bù shí
华而不实
Paraphrase:
Showy but insubstantial.
（比喻外表华丽，内容空虚。）
Example sentence:
这份报告华而不实，缺乏具体数据支持。
The flashy report lacks substantive data.
hào gāo wù yuǎn
好高骛远
Paraphrase:
Aim too high without practicality.
（比喻不切实际。）
Example sentence:
刚入职就妄想当总监，未免太好高骛远。
Aiming for a director role as a new hire is unrealistic.
zhǐ shàng tán bīng
纸上谈兵
Paraphrase:
Theoretical talk without action.
（比喻空谈理论。）
Example sentence:
他的方案全是纸上谈兵，根本无法落地执行。
(His impractical plan is mere theoretical talk.)
yǎn gāo shǒu dī
眼高手低
Paraphrase:
Think thrice before acting.
（比喻谨慎行事。）
Example sentence:
重大决策需三思而行，避免冲动。
Major decisions require careful consideration.
gù bù zì fēng
固步自封
Paraphrase:
Refuse to innovate or progress.
（比喻因循守旧。）
Example sentence:
企业若固步自封，迟早被市场淘汰。
Companies stuck in the past will be phased out by the market.