Difference between revisions of "Language/Multiple-languages/Culture/Idioms-in-Set-Phrases"

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In Han script, there is a type of idiomatic expression called “set phrases” [成語], which are mostly four character long. In this lesson, you will find idioms from various languages in set phrases. This is a way to learn about idioms around the world, as well as a less tedious way to learn Han script.
In Han script, there is a type of idiomatic expression called “set phrases” [成語], which are mostly four character long. In this lesson, you will find idioms from various languages in set phrases. This is a way to learn about idioms around the world, as well as a less tedious way to learn Han script.
The structure of a four-character set phrase are
* parataxis
* modifier-head
* subject-predicate
* verb-object
* verb-complement
* adjective-complement
* serial verb
* verb-pivotal-verb
* overlap
The creation of set phrases requires two process:
# select the structure
# select the word


In progress
In progress


== Main ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!idiom
!idiom
Line 110: Line 96:
|積羽沉舟 : accumulating + feathers + sinks + boat
|積羽沉舟 : accumulating + feathers + sinks + boat
|}
|}
== Explanation ==
The structure of a four-character set phrase are
* parataxis
* modifier-head
* subject-predicate
* verb-object
* verb-complement
* adjective-complement
* serial verb
* verb-pivotal-verb
* overlap
The creation of set phrases requires two process:
# select the structure
# select the word

Revision as of 15:45, 18 May 2025

Hi, polyglots.

In Han script, there is a type of idiomatic expression called “set phrases” [成語], which are mostly four character long. In this lesson, you will find idioms from various languages in set phrases. This is a way to learn about idioms around the world, as well as a less tedious way to learn Han script.

In progress

Main

idiom idiom in set phrase similar Chinese set phrase
  • [eng] bring home the bacon
 攜臘返歸 : carry + cured meat + return home 養家活口 : support + family + make a living for + members
  • [eng] burn the midnight oil
 夜半燃油 : at midnight + burn + oil 焚膏繼晷 : burn + grease + continue + sunlight shadow
  • [eng] don't cry over spilt milk
 毋啼覆乳 : don't + cry over + spilt + milk 覆水難收 : spilt + water + hard to + collect
  • [eng] have seen better days
 既見良辰 : have already + seen + good + days 江河日下 : rivers + day by day + go down
  • [eng] jump on the bandwagon
 縱上花車 : jump + onto + bandwagon 隨波逐流 : follow + waves + chase + flows
  • [eng] let the cat out of the bag
 放貓出囊 : let + cat + out of + bag 走漏風聲 : leak + wind + sounds
  • [eng] like a fish out of water
 如魚出水 : like + fish + out of + water 如坐針氈 : like + sitting on + needle + mat
  • [eng] miss the boat
 參差擺渡 : miss + ferry boat 失之交臂 : miss + it + arm touching arm
  • [eng] not my cup of tea
 非我杯茗 : not + my + cup of + tea 不合我意 : does not + fit + my + mind
  • [eng] once in a blue moon
 藍月一現 : blue + moon + once + shows up 杳如黃鶴 : rare + as + yellow + crane
  • [eng] piece of cake
 菓子一切 : cake + a + cut 小菜一碟 : small + dish + a + plate
  • [eng] pull someone's leg
 扯腿相嬉 : pull + leg + towards the other + amuse 嬉皮笑脸 : playful + skin + smiling + face
  • [eng] raining cats and dogs
 天降貓狗 : from the sky + drop + cats + dogs 傾盆大雨 : turned + basin + huge + rain
  • [eng] save for a rainy day
 蓄備雨日 : save + prepare for + rainy + day 未雨綢繆 : not yet + rain + bound (the window) tightly
  • [eng] show one's true colours
 顯露真色 : show + true + colours 原形畢露 : original + form + all + exposed
  • [eng] sink or swim
 或沒或泅 : either + sink + or + swim 背水一戰 : back-facing-water (formation) + a + battle
  • [eng] the last straw
 終末一稈 : the last + one + straw 積羽沉舟 : accumulating + feathers + sinks + boat

Explanation

The structure of a four-character set phrase are

  • parataxis
  • modifier-head
  • subject-predicate
  • verb-object
  • verb-complement
  • adjective-complement
  • serial verb
  • verb-pivotal-verb
  • overlap

The creation of set phrases requires two process:

  1. select the structure
  2. select the word
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