Idiom

Meaning: Remaining calm and brave when facing serious danger or difficulty. A positive trait.

Use to praise someone's composure and courage during a crisis.

Meaning: Knowledge or strategy that exists only in theory, lacking practical application. Literally: discussing military tactics only on paper.

Use to criticize impractical people or plans that ignore reality.

Meaning: To regain power, position, or success after defeat or retirement. From the story of Xie An, who left politics and later returned in triumph.

Use when a person or organization bounces back successfully.

Meaning: Waiting passively for luck without effort; wishful thinking without action. Literally: a farmer who once saw a rabbit run into a tree stump now waits for it to happen again.

Use to describe laziness or unrealistic optimism.

Meaning: Adding unnecessary extras that ruin the original; overworking something that was already fine. Literally: drawing a snake and adding feet to it.

Use when someone's attempt to improve something actually makes it worse.

Meaning: Hidden talents, abilities, or strength not yet revealed. Use it to describe a place, group, or situation that contains unexpected excellence.

Example: This small company is 卧虎藏龙, it has many skilled experts.

yǎn ěr dào líng (cover ears, steal bell). Meaning: engaging in futile self-deception; pretending something is not happening. Use to criticize willful ignorance or self-delusion.

hòu jī bó fā (thick accumulation, sparing release). Meaning: building up skills or knowledge over a long time, then achieving sudden, great success. Use to describe careful preparation before a breakthrough.

lè cǐ bù pí (happy with this, never tiring). Meaning: finding such joy in something that one never tires of doing it again and again. Use when someone is passionate and absorbed in an activity.

zhì zài qiān lǐ (ambition extends a thousand li). Meaning: to have great aspirations and pursue lofty goals. Use to describe someone with big dreams and determination.

wáng yáng bǔ láo (sheep gone, repair the pen). Meaning: it is still possible to fix the situation after a loss or failure. Use to say that remedying mistakes is never too late.

dà qì wǎn chéng (great vessel matures late). Meaning: someone with exceptional talent whose success comes later than others'. Use to encourage patience with delayed achievement.

zhòng zhì chéng chéng (collective will builds a fortress). Meaning: when people unite with one mind and purpose, great things are achieved. Use to emphasize the power of teamwork and solidarity.

lín wēi bù jù (facing danger without fear). Meaning: remaining calm and courageous when confronted with danger or crisis. Use to praise someone's bravery and composure.

shǒu zhū dài tù (guard the stump, wait for rabbits). Meaning: relying on luck instead of effort; passively hoping for good fortune. Use to criticize a passive, unrealistic attitude.

dōng shān zài qǐ (Dongshan rises again). Meaning: a strong return or recovery after a major setback. Use when someone bounces back powerfully from defeat or hardship.

wò hǔ cáng lóng (crouching tiger, hidden dragon). Meaning: a place or group containing great, undiscovered talent or potential. Use to describe latent abilities in an ordinary-looking situation.

huà shé tiān zú (draw a snake, add feet). Meaning: to add unnecessary details to something already complete, making it worse. Use when someone tries to "improve" a finished work but actually ruins it.

Means: do something but hear nothing back; vanish without a trace. Example: "He submitted his job application and it went 泥牛入海, he never heard back."

Means: two things that cannot coexist; a self-contradiction. From the tale of a merchant selling an all-piercing spear and an impenetrable shield. Example: "You want to save money but spend lavishly, that's 矛盾."

Means: to have grand goals and high aspirations. From a poem by Cao Cao. Example: "He 志在千里, wants to become CEO of the world's largest company."

Means: can do anything, nothing is impossible (often used with humor or irony). Example: "He claims he's 无所不能, but he's not actually good at anything."

Means: accumulate much over a long time, then suddenly show great strength. Describes thorough preparation for success. Example: "She 厚积薄发, studied accounting for 5 years then became an expert."

Means: when people share strong will, they form unbreakable solidarity. Used to praise unity. Example: "The community 众志成城 to rebuild after the disaster."

Means: influencing or teaching in a subtle, non-coercive way. Like spring rain nourishing plants. Example: "Her teacher's 春风化雨 approach created a wonderful generation of students."

Means: not afraid when facing danger or difficulty. Describes courage and composure. Example: "The police officers 临危不惧 ran into the building to rescue the trapped people."

Means: cut off your own retreat and commit fully to a course of action. From the tale of general Xiang Yu in ancient China. Example: "He sold his house to start a business, 破釜沉舟."

Means: every large task starts from small steps. Used to encourage someone to begin, no matter how difficult. Example: "You want to learn Chinese? 千里之行，始于足下, learn 10 words a day."

Means: adding one crucial small detail that makes work perfect. From a tale of an artist who painted a dragon, only the eyes were needed to bring it to life. Example: "Your presentation was good, but that concluding sentence is 画龙点睛."

Means: there are talented people or untapped potential waiting to be discovered. Use it to describe someone or a place full of promise that hasn't been noticed yet. Example: "This small company is 卧虎藏龙, full of young talent."