Chéngyǔ
出生入死 ()
Literally “to exit life and enter death,” this idiom metaphorically describes enduring extreme dangers or risking one’s life for a cause. Originating from the Dao De Jing (circa 4th century BCE), it emphasizes courage and sacrifice. While archaic in origin, it remains in modern use, often in heroic or militaristic contexts. A similar English expression is “to brave life and death” or “through thick and thin,” though the latter lacks the mortal peril connotation.
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Literally “affection like hands and feet,” it signifies a bond as close as siblings, implying mutual reliance and loyalty. Dating to classical Chinese texts, it is still widely used today. Comparable English phrases include “thick as thieves” (informal) or “like brothers,” though neither fully captures the familial metaphor.
脑满肠肥 ()
Literally “brain full, intestines fat,” this chéngyǔ (classical idiom) satirizes greed or excess, describing someone gluttonous, corrupt, or complacent. Originating from classical Chinese texts, it remains in modern use, often critiquing wealth inequality. A comparable English metaphor is “fat cat” (referring to the wealthy/powerful), though it lacks the visceral imagery.
杯水车薪 ()
Literal translation: “a cup of water to extinguish a cartload of burning firewood.” Figuratively, it describes futile efforts to solve major problems. It is an old chéngyǔ, originating from the classical text Mencius (4th century BCE). A similar English phrase is “a drop in the bucket” or “using a Band-Aid for a bullet wound.”
横挑鼻子竖挑眼 ()
Literal translation: “criticizing the nose horizontally and the eyes vertically.” Figuratively, it describes being overly nitpicky or fault-finding. It is an old chéngyǔ (Chinese idiom), reflecting perfectionist tendencies. A similar English phrase is “nitpicking” or “splitting hairs.” Origin: From the book 龙须沟 (“Dragon Beard Ditch”) by Lao She (老舍), published in 1950.
Metaphor
蛀虫 ()
Literally “borer insect,” this metaphor refers to individuals or forces that erode systems from within, akin to parasites. Modern in colloquial use (e.g., criticizing bureaucracy), it echoes older agricultural terms. Similar English expressions include “snake in the grass” (deceptive person) or “leech” (exploiter), though “parasite” is the closest direct equivalent.
狮子大开口 ()
Literal translation: “the lion opens its mouth wide”. Metaphorically, it refers to exorbitant demands or unreasonable requests, such as inflated prices. It is an ancient metaphor, supposedly present in chapter 12 of “The Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties” (隋唐演义), where lions symbolize greed. A similar English phrase is “asking for the moon” or “being a highway robber.”
蛰伏 ()
Literal translation: “to lie hidden and still,” akin to hibernation. Figuratively, it refers to a strategic period of waiting or temporary inactivity before future action. It is an old metaphor, rooted in classical Chinese literature. A similar English expression is “lying low” or “biding one’s time.”
把球踢给 ()
Literally, 把球踢给 means “to kick the ball to [someone].” Figuratively, it describes shifting responsibility or problems to someone else, avoiding dealing with the issue. It is a modern metaphor, derived from sports (football), but commonly used in everyday or professional contexts. It reflects a universal tendency to avoid accountability. A similar English expression would be “to pass the buck” or “to kick the ball to someone else.”
把球踢给自己 ()
Literally, 把球踢给自己 means “to kick the ball to oneself.” Figuratively, it can imply taking responsibility for something instead of passing it on to others. It is a modern metaphor, less common than 把球踢给, but still used in contexts where proactivity is valued. A similar English expression would be “to take responsibility” or “to keep the ball to oneself.”
Slang
伟光正 ()
The expression “伟光正” () is a modern abbreviation meaning “grand, glorious, and correct” (伟大, 光荣, 正确). Originally, it was used to laud the Chinese Communist Party, emphasizing its supposed greatness, glory, and ideological correctness. Over time, however, the phrase has also taken on an ironic or satirical tone, particularly in online contexts, to critique official propaganda or the excessive idealization of institutions or authority figures. It is a modern expression, classified as political slang or a meme, and reflects a mix of reverence and sarcasm. In English, a similar expression with an ironic tone might be “the great and powerful” or “the savior of the nation,” depending on the context.
扒着油水 ()
Literally, “扒着油水” () means “clinging to the grease” or “scraping off the fat.” Figuratively, it describes someone exploiting situations for personal gain, often opportunistically or corruptly. It is a modern slang from Chinese colloquial speech, reflecting the idea of extracting “grease” (profits). A similar English expression would be “milking the system” or “feathering one’s nest.”
拱火 ()
Literal translation: “stoking the fire.” Figuratively, it means provoking conflicts or escalating arguments, often deliberately. It is modern slang, popular on social media and in informal contexts. A similar English expression is “adding fuel to the fire” or “stirring the pot.”
太滋润 ()
Literally, 太滋润 () means “too moisturized” or “overly nourished.” Figuratively, it is modern slang describing someone living in extreme comfort or luxury, often used sarcastically (e.g., “Your life is 太滋润!” = “You’re living the high life!”). It emerged in contemporary Chinese colloquial speech, reflecting critiques of consumerism. A similar English phrase would be “living the good life” or “having it too easy.”
Historical and Archaic Terms
心系万民 ()
Literally, 心系万民 () means “heart tied to the ten thousand people” (万民 = “ten thousand people,” an archaic term for “the populace”). Figuratively, it expresses deep concern for the welfare of the people or society. It is a classical idiomatic expression, rooted in Chinese culture and Confucian values, often used to describe leaders or public figures who show compassion for the people. A similar English expression would be “to have the people at heart” or “to care deeply for the masses.”
朕 ()
Literally, 朕 () was a first-person pronoun reserved exclusively for the Chinese emperor, akin to “we” or “this emperor.” Figuratively, it symbolizes supreme authority and hierarchical detachment. It is an archaic term, rooted in classical Chinese, and fell out of use after the monarchy ended (1912). It is not modern but appears in historical, literary, or satirical contexts. An equivalent in English would be the royal “we” or “this sovereign.”
朝堂 ()
Literally, 朝堂 () means “imperial court hall” or “audience chamber.” It refers to the physical and symbolic space where the emperor met officials and governed. It is a historical term, tied to imperial China’s bureaucracy, and is obsolete in modern usage. A similar English expression would be “imperial court” or “throne hall.”
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