Language/Mandarin-chinese/Vocabulary/Idiomatic-Expressions
Hi Mandarin Chinese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on idiomatic expressions in Mandarin Chinese. Idioms are a fun way to learn a language and add color to your speech. Mandarin Chinese has many idioms that reflect its culture and history. Understanding these expressions will help you sound more natural when communicating with native speakers.
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: House & How to Say Yes and No.
What are idiomatic expressions?[edit | edit source]
Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a figurative meaning that differs from the literal meaning of the words that make up the phrase. They often reflect the culture and history of a language. In Mandarin Chinese, idioms are called 成语 (chéngyǔ). There are about 5,000 chéngyǔ in Mandarin Chinese, and many Chinese people use them in daily conversation.
Why learn idiomatic expressions?[edit | edit source]
Learning idiomatic expressions in Mandarin Chinese will enrich your language skills and help you sound more like a native speaker. Understanding idioms can also help you understand Chinese culture better. Many chéngyǔ have historical or literary origins, and knowing them will give you a deeper appreciation of Chinese history and literature.
Idiomatic expressions to know[edit | edit source]
Here are some common idiomatic expressions in Mandarin Chinese along with their meanings:
| Mandarin Chinese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 马马虎虎 | mǎmǎhūhū | So-so |
| 一马当先 | yīmǎdāngxiān | Take the lead |
| 一心一意 | yīxīnyīyì | Wholeheartedly |
| 猫哭老鼠 | māokūlǎoshǔ | To fake sorrow or cry crocodile tears |
| 早餐吃什么，午餐又来送 | zǎocānchīshénme, wǔcānyòuláisòng | Rob Peter to pay Paul |
| 塞翁失马 | sàiwēngshīmǎ | Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise |
| 画龙点睛 | huàlóngdiǎnjīng | Add the finishing touches or provide the key to a problem |
| 守株待兔 | shǒuzhūdàitù | Wait idly for opportunities |
| 兔死狗烹 | tùsǐgǒupēng | To kill the goose that lays the golden eggs |
| 半途而废 | bàntú'érfèi | Quit halfway |
| 打草惊蛇 | dǎcǎojīngshé | Beat the grass and startle the snake |
| 龙马精神 | lóngmǎjīngshén | Full of vim and vigor |
To help you understand these idiomatic expressions in context, here's a dialogue:
- Person 1: 你觉得我唱歌怎么样？(Nǐ juédé wǒ chànggē zěnmeyàng?) (What do you think of my singing?)
- Person 2: 马马虎虎。(Mǎmǎhūhū.) (So-so.)
- Person 1: 现在该谁一马当先呢？(Xiànzài gāi shuí yīmǎdāngxiān ne?) (Who should take the lead now?)
- Person 2: 我们的团队队长应该。(Wǒmen de tuánduì duìzhǎng yīnggāi.) (Our team leader should.)
- Person 1: 你帮我写论文好不好？(Nǐ bāng wǒ xiě lùnwén hǎo bù hǎo?) (Can you help me write my paper?)
- Person 2: 当然，我一心一意帮你。(Dāngrán, wǒ yīxīnyīyì bāng nǐ.) (Of course, I will wholeheartedly help you.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Learning Mandarin Chinese idiomatic expressions is a great way to improve your language skills and gain a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture. Idioms can make your language sound more natural and colorful, and understanding them will give you insights into Chinese history and literature. To improve your Mandarin Chinese Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: 假 jià vacation, leave jiă false; if & 大 dà dài.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- 领(領) lĭng lead; head
- 认(認) rèn recognize; know; admit
- 谈(談) tán chat, talk
- Radical 艹
- 世 shì generation; world
- Numbers
- Months of the Year
- 人 rén
- 做 zuò do; make
- 算 suàn reckon, calculate