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What Are Chengyu?
Shénme shì chéngyǔ?
什么是成语？
Chengyu (成语) are four-character idioms that are central to Chinese language and culture.
Chéngyǔ shì sì ge zì de xíyǔ, shì zhōngwén yǔyán hé wénhuà de zhōngxīn.
成语是四个字的习语，是中文语言和文化的中心。
Each one tells a story or expresses a complete idea in just four characters.
Měi ge chéngyǔ yòng sì ge zì jiǎng yī ge gùshì huò biǎodá yī ge wánzhěng de xiǎngfǎ.
每个成语用四个字讲一个故事或表达一个完整的想法。
They're used in both formal and casual speech, and understanding them will significantly boost your Chinese comprehension.
Chéngyǔ yòngzài zhèngshì hé rìcháng jiāotán zhōng, lǐjiě tāmen huì dàdà tígāo nǐ de zhōngwén lǐjiě néngly.
成语用在正式和日常交谈中，理解它们会大大提高你的中文理解能力。
Four Chengyu You Should Know 努力 (Nǔlì) → 功到自然成 (gōng dào zìrán chéng) While technically five characters, this captures the meaning of 坚持不懈 (jiānchí búxié) – perseverance.
Nǐ yīnggāi zhīdào de sì ge chéngyǔ
你应该知道的四个成语
When you keep trying, success comes naturally.
Dāng nǐ búduàn chángshì de shíhou, chénggōng zìrán jiù huì lái lín.
当你不断尝试的时候，成功自然就会来临。
Use it when discussing hard work and determination.
Zài tǎolùn nǔlì hé juéxīn de shíhou kěyǐ yòng zhège chéngyǔ.
在讨论努力和决心的时候可以用这个成语。
千里之行，始于足下 Qiānlǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zúxià (literally: "A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step")
Qiānlǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zúxià
千里之行，始于足下
This teaches that every big goal starts small.
Zhè jiāohuì wǒmen měi ge dà mùbiāo dōu shì cóng xiǎo dìfang kāishǐ de.
这教会我们每个大目标都是从小地方开始的。
It's perfect for encouraging someone beginning a new project or learning journey—like learning Chinese!
Zhège chéngyǔ fēicháng shìhé gǔlì gāng kāishǐ xīn xiàngmù huò xuéxí lǚchéng de rén——bǐrú xué zhōngwén!
这个成语非常适合鼓励刚开始新项目或学习旅程的人——比如学中文！
画蛇添足 Huà shé tiānyǐ zúxià (literally: "Adding feet to a painted snake")
zhè ge chéng yǔ de zì miàn yì si shì 「gěi shé huà shang é wài de jiǎo」
这个成语的字面意思是「给蛇画上额外的脚」
This means doing something unnecessary or overdoing it.
tā biǎo shì zuò bú bì yào de shì huò guò dù zuò mǒu shì。
它表示做不必要的事或过度做某事。
It comes from an old story about someone who drew a snake and then added extra feet to make it "better." Use it when someone complicates a simple situation.
zhè ge chéng yǔ lái zì yī ge gǔ lǎo de gù shi, jiǎng de shì yǒu rén huà le yī tiáo shé, ránhòu jiāshang é wài de jiǎo lái ràng tā 「gèng hǎo」。dāng yǒu rén bǎ jiǎn dān de qíng kuàng fù zá huà shí, jiù kě yǐ yòng zhè ge chéng yǔ。
这个成语来自一个古老的故事，讲的是有人画了一条蛇，然后加上额外的脚来让它「更好」。当有人把简单的情况复杂化时，就可以用这个成语。
卧虎藏龙 Wò hǔ cáng lóng (literally: "A crouching tiger, hidden dragon")
zhè ge chéng yǔ de zì miàn yì si shì 「wò zhe de lǎo hǔ, yǐn cáng de lóng」
这个成语的字面意思是「卧着的老虎，隐藏的龙」
This describes hidden talent or potential.
zhè ge chéng yǔ miáo shù le yǐn cáng de cái néng huò qián lì。
这个成语描述了隐藏的才能或潜力。
It suggests that someone ordinary might possess great abilities you don't see yet.
tā àn shi pǔ tōng de rén kě néng yōng yǒu nǐ kàn bu dào de wěi dà néng lì。
它暗示普通的人可能拥有你看不到的伟大能力。
You've heard it in the famous movie title!
nǐ kě néng zài zhù míng de diàn yǐng biāo tí zhōng tīng guò tā!
你可能在著名的电影标题中听过它!
How to Remember Them
zěn yàng jì zhù tā men
怎样记住它们
The best way to learn chengyu is through context and repetition.
xué xí chéng yǔ de zuì hǎo fāng fǎ shì tōng guò yǔ jìng hé chóng fù。
学习成语的最好方法是通过语境和重复。
Try reading them in sentences: 他 坚持不懈 地学习中文。(He studies Chinese with perseverance.) 别 画蛇添足 —保持简单!
shì zhe zài jù zi zhōng dú tā men：
试着在句子中读它们：
(Don't overcomplicate it—keep it simple!)
（ bú yào bǎ shì qing fù zá huà — bǎo chí jiǎn dān！）
（不要把事情复杂化——保持简单！）
Next Steps
xià yī bù
下一步
As you advance, you'll encounter chengyu constantly in news, literature, and conversation.
suí zhe nǐ de jìn bù， nǐ huì zài xīn wén、 wén xué hé rì cháng tán huà zhōng búduàn yù dào chéng yǔ。
随着你的进步，你会在新闻、文学和日常谈话中不断遇到成语。
Start with these four, notice them in media you consume, and gradually your vocabulary will grow.
cóng zhè sì ge chéng yǔ kāi shǐ， zài nǐ xiāo fèi de méi tǐ zhōng zhù yì dào tā men， nǐ de cí huì liàng huì zhú jiàn zēng jiā。
从这四个成语开始，在你消费的媒体中注意到它们，你的词汇量会逐渐增加。
Each chengyu carries cultural wisdom worth absorbing!
měi ge chéng yǔ dōu yùn hán zhe zhí de xī shōu de wén huà zhì huì！
每个成语都蕴含着值得吸收的文化智慧！