Popular Chinese idioms in Traditional Chinese

Popular and Essential Chinese Idioms (成語) — Free PDF and Flashcards

Popular and Essential Chinese Idioms (成語) is built for learners who want useful Traditional Chinese vocabulary in a clean reference format instead of a long, fluffy article.

Ready for a little language treasure hunt? As you explore these classic expressions, scroll to the bottom of the article for the free printable Popular Traditional Chinese Idioms vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable Popular Traditional Chinese Idioms flashcards—your study buddies for turning tricky 成語 into something delightfully manageable.

Use this list as a starting point, then keep going in the Yak Yacker Traditional Chinese section for more words, phrases, and study-friendly reference pages.

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ChengyuPinyinMeaningExample
暗室求物àn shì qiú wù在没有光亮的房间寻找东西。比喻读书不得要领,难见成效。
暗室私心àn shì sī xīn指在暗中做见不得人的亏心事。同暗室亏心”。
暗室逢灯àn shì féng dēng比喻在危难或困惑中,忽然遇人援救或指点引导。
暗度金针àn dù jīn zhēn度通渡”,过渡,引申为传授◇用于比喻秘诀。又借指幕后交易。日本政府,向来主张~,我国虽尚守中立,未曾加入协约团体,但日本如此举动,本使也很不赞成。
暗度陈仓àn dù chén cāngd臣已算定今番诸葛亮必效韩信~之计。
暗弱无断àn ruò wú duàn愚昧软弱,没有决断。
暗斗明争àn dòu míng zhēng暗里明里都在进行斗争。常形容尽力争权夺利。
暗昧之事àn mèi zhī shì指见不得人的丑事。
暗气暗恼àn qì àn nǎo受了气闷在心里。
暗淡无光àn dàn wú guāng暗淡不明亮,昏暗。形容失去光彩。太阳过了,整个天空又显得~,北风在头项上呼呼地嚎叫着。(欧阳山《苦斗》五八)
暗渡陈仓àn dù chén cāng渡越过;陈仓古县名,在今陕西省宝鸡市东。比喻用造假象的手段来达到某种目的。也隐喻男女私通。孤家用韩信之计,明修栈道,~,攻定三秦,动取五国。
暗箭中人àn jiàn zhòng rén暗暗中;箭放箭;中中伤。放冷箭伤害人。比喻暗中用阴险的手段攻击或陷害别人。
暗箭伤人àn jiàn shāng réns有荼毒生灵的强盗,有~的强盗。
暗箭明枪àn jiàn míng qiāng比喻各种公开的攻击和暗地里的中伤。
暗箭难防àn jiàn nán fáng冷箭最难防范。比喻阴谋诡计难以预防。孩儿也,一了说明枪好躲,~。
暗绿稀红àn lǜ xī hóng犹言绿肥红瘦。形容叶盛花稀的暮春景象。
暗锤打人àn chuí dǎ rén比喻暗中对人进行攻击。
暧昧不明ài mèi bù míng暧昧含糊,不清楚。指不清不楚,不明不白。形容态度不明朗,关系不鲜明。武汉国民政府和当权军人对于这叛变采取了~的态度,办求化大事为小事”。
暧昧之情ài mèi zhī qíng行为不光明,内有不可告人的隐情。也指男女互相爱悦可能的私事。而孤男寡女并外一室,不无~。
杯弓蛇影bēi gōng shé yǐngDon’t be paranoid. He just did not reply to the message.別杯弓蛇影了,他只是沒回訊息。
案兵束甲àn bīng shù jiǎ放下兵器,捆束铠甲。指停止作战。
案剑瞋目àn jiàn chēn mù案同按”,握住;瞋瞪眼。握住宝剑,瞪大双眼。
案无留牍àn wú liú dú桌案上没有积压的公文。形容办理公务干练、及时。一应公事,张令都听他决断。真是~,狱无冤刑,民心大悦。
案牍之劳àn dú zhī láo案牍公文。办理公文的劳累。吾徒幸无~,且有休退之日,登高能赋,此其时乎?
案牍劳形àn dú láo xíng案牍公文。文书劳累身体。形容公事繁忙。

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