Chinese · B2 · Unit 20
Idioms and sayings
成语和俗语
By the end you can
- Use common idioms naturally
- Explain what a saying means
- Understand idioms in speech
Words and phrases
| Chinese | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 成语 | (chéngyǔ) chengyu (a set phrase, usually four characters) | 很多成语背后都有一个古代故事。 |
| 俗话说 | (súhuà shuō) as the saying goes | 俗话说，早起的鸟儿有虫吃。 |
| 这话怎么讲？ | (zhè huà zěnme jiǎng?) what do you mean by that? | “吃一堑，长一智”？这话怎么讲？ |
| 字面意思 | (zìmiàn yìsi) literal meaning | 这个词不能只看字面意思。 |
| 比喻 | (bǐyù) figure of speech, metaphor | “铁饭碗”是一个比喻，指稳定的工作。 |
| 熟能生巧 | (shú néng shēng qiǎo) practice makes perfect | 多练练，熟能生巧。 |
| 半途而废 | (bàn tú ér fèi) give up halfway | 学语言最怕半途而废。 |
| 一举两得 | (yì jǔ liǎng dé) kill two birds with one stone | 骑车上班，既省钱又锻炼，一举两得。 |
| 对牛弹琴 | (duì niú tán qín) talk to a brick wall (lit. play the zither to a cow) | 跟他讲道理，简直是对牛弹琴。 |
| 塞翁失马 | (sài wēng shī mǎ) a blessing in disguise (the full saying: 塞翁失马，焉知非福) | 丢了那份工作，也许是塞翁失马。 |
| 吃醋 | (chīcù) be jealous (lit. eat vinegar) | 看到女朋友跟别人聊天，他吃醋了。 |
| 马马虎虎 | (mǎmǎhūhū) so-so; careless | 我的中文马马虎虎，还在学。 |
Then talk it through
A friend uses a saying you don't know and explains it. In the app you have this conversation out loud or typed, with the unit's goals to tick off and corrections at the end.