Chinese Idiom: Bǎi-lǐ tiāo-yī = 百里挑一
Chinese Idiom: Bǎi-lǐ tiāo-yī = 百里挑一: cream of the crop. Literally in Chinese “Select one from hundred”. Bǎi 百 = hundred, lǐ 里 = among, tiāo 挑 = select, yī…
shí-quán shí-měi 十全十美
Chinese idiom: shí-quán shí-měi 十全十美 Literal translation: Ten, entirety, ten, beauty. This idiom is used to describe something that is flawless and perfect. You can also use it to describe…
jiǔ-niú yī-máo 九牛一毛
Chinese idiom: jiu-niú yī-máo 九牛一毛 Literal translation: Nine cows, one strand of cow hair. This idiom is used to refer to something very small that you wouldn’t notice. It’s very…
bā-miàn líng-óng 八面玲珑
Chinese idiom: bā-miàn líng-óng = 八面玲珑 Literal translation: Eight sides, exquisite/delicate. This one is a bit more complex because its meaning has shifted over time. Originally, it was used to…
qi-zui ba-sheh 七嘴八舌
Chinese idiom: qī zuǐ bā shé = 七嘴八舌; confusion of disarray. Literally, qi-zui 七嘴 = seven mouths, ba-she 八舌 = eight tongues. Example: In a heated discussion, everyone is qi-zui…
wu-yan liu-se 五顏六色
Chinese idiom: wu-yan liu-se = 五顏六色；colorful, various colors. Literally, wu-yan 五顏 = five colors, liu-se 六色 = six colors. Example: rainbows are wu-yan liu-se.
si-mian ba-fang = 四面八方
Chinese idiom: si-mian ba-fang = 四面八方; from all around, from far and near, or in all directions. Literally, si-mian 四面 = four sides, ba-fang 八方 = eight directions. Example: They…
san-xin er-yi = 三心二意
Chinese idiom: san-xin er-yi = 三心二意; half-hearted, being of two minds, or being hesitant. Literally, san-xin 三心 = three hearts, er-yi 二意 = two minds. Example: She is always…
er-hua bu-shui 二話不說
Chinese idiom: er-hua bu-shui = 二話不說; to act quickly without saying another word. Literally, er-hua 二話 = second word, bu-shuo 不說 = not said. Example: er-hua bu-shui, he acted without…
yi-luo qian-zhang
Chinese idiom: yi-luo qian-zhang = 一落千丈; One mistake or fault can result in disastrous consequences. Literally yi-luo 一落 = one fall, qian-zhang 千丈 = a thousand feet. Example: He made…