How to learn Chinese idioms

Jan 02, 2024

Today I want to talk about the important topic of idioms. When I first started learning Chinese, the thought of learning idioms was scary.

I was already having trouble learning basic characters and two-character words so having to remember 4 character phrases was daunting. Little did I know, Chinese idioms are used very commonly in everyday conversation, and neglecting idioms hindered my progress.

Today, I'll explain why learning Chinese idioms is important for improving your listening and speaking and how to best learn them.

What Are Idioms?

Chinese idioms, also known as chengyu (成语), are a type of traditional expression in the Chinese language. These idioms are usually four-character phrases that convey a deep and often metaphorical meaning.

Chinese idioms are an essential part of the language and carry cultural, historical, or philosophical significance. They are widely used in both written and spoken Chinese, including literature, conversation, and media.

You’re Learning The Wrong Idioms

One of the main reasons learning idioms was hard was because I was learning the wrong idioms.

As a beginner, I was often taught famous idioms like 画龙点睛，杯弓蛇影, 马马虎虎， that have vivid backstories about dragons and snakes and horses and tigers. Very vivid. Very famous. Very sexy.

But the problem is that they are not commonly used in daily life.

This makes learning idioms hard because there aren’t many opportunities to use and apply the idioms you learn. Thus, I easily forget them.

As a result, I thought all idioms were the same, a cool aspect of the Chinese language but not that useful and practical for learners.

But I was wrong.

There are plenty of common idioms that don’t have “sexy” and vivid backstories but are used all the time by native speakers.

I noticed this when I first started listening to native podcasts and realized how often I would not understand the same string of 4 characters. These were idioms.

This is why I recommend learning from real Chinese material to learn the most common and colloquial phrases. I teach this in the Copy Paste Speaking Course.

Learn Common Idioms

After this realization, I started learning common idioms that I would hear all the time on the radio, in podcasts, and in native speech and conversations.

I noticed a massive improvement in my listening and ability to comprehend native speakers. Additionally, using idioms in your speech showcases a deeper understanding of the language, boosting your confidence and making you sound more like a native speaker.

Below is a list of the most common idioms that I learned as a beginner and that I still hear and use all the time to this day as an advanced learner.

有利有弊 (Yǒulì yǒu bì) - Pros and cons
做任何决定都要考虑到有利有弊。(Zuò rènhé juédìng dōu yào kǎolǜ dào yǒulì yǒu bì.) - Consider the pros and cons in making any decision. Example audio
*This was the first idiom I learned that stuck because it was so easy to remember and use.
莫名其妙 (Mòmíngqímiào) - Baffling
他的行为真是莫名其妙。(Tā de xíngwéi zhēnshi mòmíngqímiào.) - His behavior is truly baffling. Example audio
自然而然 (Zìrán ér rán) - Naturally
在交流中，好的默契会自然而然地建立起来。(Zài jiāoliú zhōng, hǎo de mòqì huì zìrán ér rán de jiànlì qǐlái.) - In communication, good understanding will naturally develop. Example audio
迫不及待 (Pò bù jídài) - Can't wait
我迫不及待地想看到她的反应。(Wǒ pò bù jídài de xiǎng kàn dào tā de fǎnyìng.) - I can't wait to see her reaction. Example audio
不可思议 (Bùkě sīyì) - Unbelievable
这个故事真是不可思议！(Zhège gùshì zhēnshi bùkě sīyì!) - This story is truly unbelievable! Example audio
半途而废 (Bàntú ér fèi) - Give up halfway
无论遇到多大困难，都不能半途而废。(Wúlùn yùdào duō dà kùnnán, dōu bùnéng bàntú ér fèi.) - No matter how difficult it is, one should not give up halfway. Example audio
无能为力 (Wúnéng wéi lì) - Powerless
面对自然灾害，我们常常感到无能为力。(Miàn duì zìrán zāihài, wǒmen chángcháng gǎndào wúnéng wéi lì.) - Faced with natural disasters, we often feel powerless. Example audio
想方设法 (Xiǎngfāng shèfǎ) - Think of every possible way
他想尽了各种想法设法来解决这个问题。(Tā xiǎng jìn le gè zhǒng xiǎngfǎ shèfǎ lái jiějué zhège wèntí.) - He tried every possible way to solve the problem. Example audio
理所当然 (Lǐsuǒdāngrán) - of course, as it should be, inevitable and right, to be taken for granted
他总是觉得成功是理所当然的事情。(Tā zǒng shì juédé chénggōng shì lǐsuǒdāngrán de shìqing.) - He always feels that success is something taken for granted. Example audio
力所能及 (Lì suǒ néng jí) - Within one's power
我们应该尽力去帮助那些力所能及的人。(Wǒmen yīnggāi jìnlì qù bāngzhù nàxiē lì suǒ néng jí de rén.) - We should do our best to help those within our power to help. Example audio
习以为常 (Xí yǐ wéi cháng) - To be used to or accustomed to
久了，他把这种环境习以为常了。(Jiǔ le, tā bǎ zhèzhǒng huánjìng xí yǐ wéi cháng le.) - Over time, he became accustomed to his environment. Example audio
循序渐进 (Xúnxù jiànjìn) - Step by step
学习一门新技能最好是循序渐进地进行。(Xuéxí yī mén xīn jìnéng zuì hǎo shì xúnxù jiànjìn de jìnxíng.) - It's best to learn a new skill step by step. Example audio
全力以赴 (Quánlì yǐ fù) - Go all out
面对考试，他决定全力以赴，不留遗憾。(Miàn duì kǎoshì, tā juédìng quánlì yǐ fù, bù liú yíhàn.) - Facing the exam, he decided to go all out and leave no regrets. Example audio
学以致用 (Xué yǐ zhì yòng) - Apply what one has learned
学到的知识要学以致用，才能真正有所成就。(Xué dào de zhīshì yào xué yǐ zhì yòng, cái néng zhēnzhèng yǒu suǒ chéngjiù.) - The knowledge learned should be applied in order to achieve real success. Example audio
日复一日 (Rì fù yī rì) - Day by day
生活中的改变是日如一日地发生的。(Shēnghuó zhōng de gǎibiàn shì rì rú yī rì de fāshēng de.) - Changes in life happen day by day. Example audio
按部就班 (Àn bù jiù bān) - to follow a prescribed order, Methodically
在解决问题时，要按部就班，一步一步来。(Zài jiějué wèntí shí, yào àn bù jiù bān, yī bù yī bù lái.) - When solving problems, it's important to proceed methodically, step by step. Example audio
朝九晚五 (Zhāo jiǔ wǎn wǔ) - Nine to five
他过着朝九晚五的生活，每天都很规律。(Tā guòzhe zhāo jiǔ wǎn wǔ de shēnghuó, měitiān dōu hěn guīlǜ.) - He leads a nine-to-five life, very regular every day. Example audio

How to Study Idioms

I recommend learning idioms in context. Contextual learning means understanding the context in which an idiom is used. This will help you remember and apply it correctly.

The best way to do this is to learn from real native speech such as podcasts, street interviews, and real speech. This is why I included the example audio link so that you can hear real native speakers use the idioms in real sentences. Learn more about how to do this in the Copy Paste Speaking Course.

In addition to learning in context, it is important to apply the idioms you learn. I recommend creating your own sentences and practicing saying the idioms and recording yourself. Learn how to do this effectively in the Copy Paste Speaking Course.

Moving Forward

Chinese idioms seem daunting at first, but that’s because many learners are learning the wrong ones. The famous idioms are fun but they are impractical for daily use and can be learned later.

The idioms list I’ve provided are less “sexy” but they are practical and frequently used. By familiarizing yourself with common idioms and incorporating them into your language practice, you not only enhance your listening comprehension but also gain confidence in speaking like I did.

If you want more help with how to find practical idioms and incorporate them to improve your listening and speaking, check out the Copy Paste Speaking Course.

循序渐进，

Danyo

PS Here are some ways I can help you level up your Chinese:

Copy Paste Speaking Course: The exact method I used to learn to speak Chinese like native speakers without
Language Learner OS: This is a digital system to help organize your language studies, track vocabulary, build connections, stay productive, and learn faster!