Chinese-English idiom bilingual search. 60 famous 成语 with pinyin, literal + figurative meaning, English equivalent idiom (e.g. 画蛇添足 → gild the lily), example, and classical origin.
Chinese-English Idiom Bilingual Search (中英成语对照)
How to use
Multiple search modes
Chinese (画蛇添足), pinyin (hua she), English equivalent (gild the lily), or keyword (spoil, wait) — all work.
Full info per idiom
Each idiom returns: pinyin, literal meaning, figurative meaning, English equivalent, example, classical origin.
Match to English idioms
Most chengyu have direct English equivalents (e.g. 一举两得 = kill two birds with one stone). When none exists, an English explanation is given.
Browse all 60
Below the search — a complete reference list good for systematic study.
Chengyu (成语) — 1,000+ years of Chinese culture compressed into 4 characters
Chengyu are Chinese\'s uniquely 4-character fixed phrases drawn from ancient fables, historical events, and classical texts. China has 30,000+ chengyu, of which ~1,500 are in common use. Each carries a story — for learners, they\'re the key bridge from "language" to "culture".
Sources
(1) Historical classics (Records of the Grand Historian, Zuo Zhuan, Strategies of the Warring States) — e.g. 破釜沉舟, 指鹿为马. (2) Philosophers (Zhuangzi, Mencius, Analects) — 井底之蛙, 揠苗助长, 己所不欲. (3) Pre-Qin literature (Classic of Poetry, Songs of Chu). (4) Buddhist sutras (天花乱坠 etc.).
"Every chengyu = one story. To master chengyu is to master classical narratives. This is why Chinese carries 10× the cultural density of most other languages."
English equivalents
Many chengyu have direct English idiom equivalents: 画蛇添足 = gild the lily; 对牛弹琴 = pearls before swine; 一箭双雕 / 一举两得 = kill two birds with one stone; 塞翁失马 = a blessing in disguise. But many have no English equivalent — they\'re uniquely Chinese cultural experiences.
This tool\'s scope
60 most common chengyu across 5 themes: fables (井底之蛙), historical narratives (卧薪尝胆), Confucian (温故知新), Daoist (朝三暮四), folk wisdom (熟能生巧). Each entry has all 6 fields: pinyin, literal, figurative, English equivalent, example, classical origin.
10 facts about Chinese chengyu
Chinese has 30,000+ chengyu; ~1,500 in common use — the highest idiom density of any language.
"画蛇添足" dates to the 4th century BC Strategies of Warring States — 2,400+ years in continuous use, with an exact English match "gild the lily".
Records of the Grand Historian (史记) by Sima Qian (~100 BC) is the chengyu treasure trove — hundreds of idioms come from this single work.
"己所不欲,勿施于人" (Analects) is the global Golden Rule — predates the Biblical "Do unto others" by ~500 years.
"塞翁失马" = "a blessing in disguise". From Huainanzi (Han dynasty) — Daoist dialectics that misfortune may turn into fortune.
"指鹿为马" is essentially 2,200-year-old "gaslighting" — from Qin minister Zhao Gao deliberately calling a deer a horse to test courtier loyalty.
"滴水穿石" = "constant dripping wears the stone" — almost word-for-word identical Chinese-English, rare perfect translation.
"画龙点睛" ("dot the dragon's eye") comes from Northern-Southern dynasty painter Zhang Sengyou — he painted dragons that flew away once their eyes were dotted.
"闻鸡起舞" = the byword for disciplined self-improvement. From Jin dynasty general Zu Ti, who rose to practice swordplay each morning at cock-crow.
SG + MY Chinese, due to simplified Chinese-language education, often recognise fewer chengyu than mainland/HK/TW peers. This tool is well-suited to overseas Chinese learners.
Frequently Asked Questions
60 most common idioms across 5 themes (fables, history, philosophy, folk wisdom). China has 30,000+ chengyu (~1,500 in common use) — this tool is a curated starter set.
Because they're uniquely Chinese cultural experiences — e.g. 卧薪尝胆 (Wu-Yue rivalry tale), 指鹿为马 (Qin political allegory). When no match exists, the tool gives an English explanation instead.
Yes. Search "gild the lily" or "kill two birds" — the tool reverse-looks up the Chinese chengyu.
Characters = precise (画蛇添足 → 1 result). Pinyin = fuzzy (hua she → possibly multiple results). Try characters first.
Highly recommended. Chinese business emails, reports, speeches benefit from chengyu — they signal sophistication. But avoid overly obscure or overly literary ones (e.g. 鞠躬尽瘁 is too lofty for routine business).
The vast majority are 4 characters. A few are 3 (莫须有), 6 (五十步笑百步), or 8 (己所不欲,勿施于人). This tool focuses on the 4-char standard form.
5 main sources: (1) Historical classics like Records of the Grand Historian; (2) Philosophical works (Analects, Mencius); (3) Pre-Qin literature (Classic of Poetry); (4) Buddhist sutras; (5) Folk sayings later canonised.
99% identical (all rooted in classics). Minor simplified/traditional differences (this tool shows both) and slight usage-frequency variations.
Chinese Chengyu Dictionary (Commercial Press) + Modern Chinese Dictionary (7th ed.). Classical sources cited for every entry.
Yes. All RECATOOLS tools are 100% free, ad-supported.
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