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Common Idioms

Spoken Description

学习常用汉语习语：海量短语、成语释义、例句及实用技巧。适合中级学者加入到日常会话和书面表达中。点拨典藏习语，提升汉语表达的地道性与流畅性。

Learn common Chinese idioms: clear definitions, useful examples, and practical tips to incorporate into everyday language. Suitable for intermediate learners aiming for natural speech and writing.

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Chinese idioms, or 成语 chéngyǔ, often come from stories and compact wisdom. They add color and authority to speech when used right.

Cow Idioms

Cows appear in idioms about strength, patience, and usefulness. For example, 文牛 wénniú highlights steady effort, while 拉牛车 lāniú chē shows hard work pulling a heavy load.

Examples

Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Word(s)English Translation(s)
守株待兔shǒu zhū dài tùwait for windfall
对牛弹琴duì niú tán qínwaste words on deaf ears
老牛吃嫩草lǎo niú chī nèn cǎoolder man with younger woman
他想不劳而获，真是在守待兔。 (tree stump)

He wants to get something for nothing; he's really waiting idly for a windfall.

cow (animal)

1 of 3

Tiger Idioms

Tigers symbolize power and danger in idioms. 成语 like 虎头蛇尾 hǔ tóu shé wěi warn against losing steam, while 如虎添翼 rú hǔ tiān yì means gaining strength.

Examples

Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Word(s)English Translation(s)
卧虎藏龙wò hǔ cáng lónghidden talent
虎头蛇尾hǔ tóu shé wěistrong start, weak finish
如虎添翼rú hǔ tiān yìlike tiger with wings
他想不劳而获，真是在守待兔。 (tree stump)

He wants to get something for nothing; he's really waiting idly for a windfall.

cow (animal)

1 of 3

Dragon Idioms

Dragons represent luck, power, and transformation. Idioms like 望子成龙 wàng zǐ chéng lóng express high hopes, while 龙飞凤舞 lóng fēi fèng wǔ describes lively writing.

Examples

Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Word(s)English Translation(s)
望子成龙wàng zǐ chéng lónghope son becomes dragon
龙飞凤舞lóng fēi fèng wǔflamboyant handwriting
画龙点睛huà lóng diǎn jīngadd finishing touch
他想不劳而获，真是在守待兔。 (tree stump)

He wants to get something for nothing; he's really waiting idly for a windfall.

cow (animal)

1 of 3

Snake Idioms

Snakes often signal cunning or danger. 成语 like 杀鸡儆猴 shā jī jǐng hóu use animal metaphors for warning, while 蛇鼠一窝 shé shǔ yī wō describes a group of villains.

Examples

Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Word(s)English Translation(s)
杀鸡儆猴shā jī jǐng hóupunish to warn others
蛇鼠一窝shé shǔ yī wōnest of vipers
画蛇添足huà shé tiān zúruin by overdoing
他想不劳而获，真是在守待兔。 (tree stump)

He wants to get something for nothing; he's really waiting idly for a windfall.

cow (animal)

1 of 3

Bird Idioms

Birds in idioms can mean freedom, beauty, or gossip. 鸟语花香 niǎo yǔ huā xiāng sets a scene, while 指桑骂槐 zhǐ sāng mà huái describes indirect criticism.

Examples

Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Word(s)English Translation(s)
鸟语花香niǎo yǔ huā xiāngbirds sing, flowers smell
指桑骂槐zhǐ sāng mà huáiscold indirectly
一箭双雕yī jiàn shuāng diāokill two birds with one stone
他想不劳而获，真是在守待兔。 (tree stump)

He wants to get something for nothing; he's really waiting idly for a windfall.

cow (animal)

1 of 3

Fish Idioms

Fish idioms often relate to luck and abundance. 成语 like 滥竽充数 làn yú chōng shù warn against pretending competence, while 如鱼得水 rú yú dé shuǐ means perfect fit.

Examples

Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Word(s)English Translation(s)
如鱼得水rú yú dé shuǐlike fish in water
滥竽充数làn yú chōng shùfill in with inferior
双管齐下shuāng guǎn qí xiàtackle two tasks
他想不劳而获，真是在守待兔。 (tree stump)

He wants to get something for nothing; he's really waiting idly for a windfall.

cow (animal)

1 of 3

Summary

Idioms enrich speech by evoking vivid images and cultural stories. Learn animal idioms slowly and pay attention to their typical contexts to sound natural and expressive.

All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Mon Dec 8, 2025, 6:25 AM