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…
German: das ist mir Wurst (I don’t care.)
German: das ist mir Wurst = Das-ist-mir-Wurst (Phonetic text), I don't care / It doesn't matter to me. Literally in German “This is sausage to me.” Example: “Leave me alone,…
Chinese: Dai-zai-jia (Stay at home)
Chinese Idioms Dai-zai-jia 呆在家 (Chinese) Stay at home, literally in Chinese “dai” 呆 = stay, “zai” 在 = at, “jia” 家 = home.Example:During this COVID-19 pandemic, most people dai-zaijia (stay…
Ci sono quattro gatti
Italian: Ci sono quattro gatti = Ci-sono-quattro-gatti (Phonetic text) There aren't many people at this party / venue". Literally in Italian “There are four cats". Example: Because of the COVID-19,…
IDIOMS -Asia: China-Japan-Korea
Idioms from Around the World: A Window into Language and Culture Idioms are expressions that carry meanings beyond their literal words. They reflect the history, humor, and mindset of a…
Irish: Is fánach an áit a bhfaighfeá gliomach. (It’s a small world.)
Irish: Is fánach an áit a bhfaighfeá gliomach; It's a small world. Is-fanach-an-ait-a-bhfaighfea-gliomach. (Phonetic text) Literally in Irish “What an odd place to find a lobster?”Example:When we are in the…