Chinese Idioms Part II

For those of you who have read my Chinese Idioms Part I article, thank you and I hope you guys have acquired a lot from that article. As a continuation of my last article, today I will talk about six more Chinese idioms. Let’s take a look:

九牛一毛 (jiǔ niú yì máo) comparatively small

This idiom exactly means “9 cows and 1 stand of cow hair,” and it is typically used to define something small in comparison to something else. 跟我比你的问题简直是九牛一毛啊 — this sentence means in comparison to me, your problem is as small as it can get. 

自由自在 (zì yóu zì zài) to be free and easy

This idiom is usually used to express someone’s personality, behavior, or feelings towards a place. If someone says 你活得很自由自在, then that means that this person is very carefree.

津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) very tasty 

This idiom means very delicious and tasty. Not only can it be used to represent the taste or flavor of the food, but it can also be used to describe an activity that someone finds engaging. 他吃西瓜吃得津津有味 — this sentence indicates that the watermelon is very appetizing and the person eating it enjoys the taste.

两全其美 (liǎng quán qí měi) to satisfy both sides 

This idiom is typically used to imply a state of approval on both sides with the same matter. 这个真的是一个两全其美的办法 — this sentence means that this solution fulfills the desire of both sides. 

十全十美 (shí quán shí měi) absolutely perfect 

This idiom means to be impeccable in every way. When someone says 这真的是一个十全十美的办法, then that means this solution is perfect in any way. 

理所当然 (lǐ suǒ dāng rán) of course

This idiom is usually used to describe something very obvious. 当然 in English just means “of course.” If a problem is 理所当然, then it shouldn’t be specified anymore because it is already clear and evident.  

Sources

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/chinese/2013/12/26/chinese-idioms-chengyu/

There is one comment

  1. Jay Pierre

    Wow, what an interesting read! This article put English idioms in perspective and revealed some fun, quirky aspects of Mandarin.

Comments are closed.