Exhaustive Study Guide: Han Chiang High School Chinese Idioms (Exercises 15–20)

Institutional and Curriculum Framework

• Compiling Institution: Penang Han Chiang High School (槟城韩江中学; also appearing as 槟城錦江中学 in exercise documentation).
• Curriculum Compiler: Compiled by Teacher Guo Yanling (郭燕玲师 整理).
• Core Subject Area: Advanced Chinese Idioms and Set Phrases (成语练习, Exercises 15 through 20).
• Archival and Physical Page Markings:
  • Exercise 15: Page 16; includes marginal package and print stamps: "Gunung Safari Pers", "Jakaras Mahmu", "PRODUCT OF INDONESIA", and "Faret 609"; recorded date: 19/6.
  • Exercise 16: Page 17; recorded date field left blank.
  • Exercise 17: Page 18; recorded date entry: 771812626.
  • Exercise 18: Page 19; recorded date field left blank.
  • Exercise 19: Page 20; recorded date entries: 71912636 and marginal numeric notation 80.
  • Exercise 20: Page 21; recorded date entry: 218.

Idiom Exercise 15 (成语练习十五)

• 1. 固步自封 (gù bù zì fēng):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: gù bù zì fēng.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻守着老一套，不求进步。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Don't want to improve"; "keep the old side, don't expect improvement".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Used metaphorically to describe standing still, clinging stubbornly to antiquated habits or traditional methods, and making no active effort toward self-improvement or progress.

• 2. 好事多磨 (hǎo shì duō mó):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: hao shi duo mo / hǎo shì duō mó.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 好事情在实现、成功前，常常会遇到许多波折。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Good thing take tim and effort to happen!"; "good things go throught pain and discouragement".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Signifies that valuable endeavors and positive achievements rarely materialize smoothly; they frequently encounter roadblocks, setbacks, and delays before reaching fruition.

• 3. 片甲不留 (piàn jiǎ bù liú):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: pe piàn jiǔ bùliǔ / piàn jiǎ bù liú.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容全军覆没。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Completely defeated; nothing left."; "defeated until no soldiers were left".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Military idiom describing total annihilation or decisive defeat where not even a scrap of armor or a single combatant remains.

• 4. 平易近人 (píng yì jìn rén):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: pingyi jing ren / píng yì jìn rén.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 对人和蔼可亲，没有架子，使人容易接近。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "friendly and easy to talk to."; "very nice to people, so people warmup with them the person very quickly."
  • Explanatory Nuance: Describes an amiable, humble character disposition devoid of arrogance or pretension, making an individual approachable and easy for anyone to interact with.

• 5. 扑朔迷离 (pū shuò mí lí):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: pushuò mó ti / pū shuò mí lí.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容事情错综复杂，难以辨别清楚。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "hard to understand"; "Situation very wrong and Confusing, hard to 分别清楚".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Conveys an intricate, convoluted state of affairs where clues are tangled, deceptive, or murky, rendering discernment and clarity exceptionally difficult.

• 6. 气急败坏 (qì jí bài huài):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: jí bài huài / qì jí bài huài; accompanied by marginal notation: "心水?".
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容十分慌张或恼怒。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "very angry"; "very frightened or very angry".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Represents extreme agitation, fluster, or flabbergasted fury, typically resulting from unexpected humiliation, defeat, or panic.

• 7. 千篇一律 (qiān piān yī lǜ):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qiān piān yī lù / qiān piān yī lǜ.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻办事按一个格式，非常机械。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "All the same".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Literally meaning "a thousand compositions following one tune"; metaphorically denotes absolute monotony, rigid standardized repetition, mechanical execution, and absence of originality.

• 8. 前倨后恭 (qián jù hòu gōng):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qián jùhàuggōng / qián jù hòu gōng; accompanied by marginal notation: "欠负弱小,".
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容对人的态度改变。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Rude first, polite later".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Describes an abrupt shift in interpersonal demeanor—acting arrogant and dismissive initially, but turning subservient and flattering once the other party's wealth, status, or power is revealed.

• 9. 巧言令色 (qiǎo yán lìng sè):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qiǎo yán ling sè / qiǎo yán lìng sè.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容花言巧语，虚伪讨好。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Sweet talking".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Depicts glib, deceitful speech paired with an artificial, ingratiating countenance aimed entirely at currying favor and manipulating others.

• 10. 轻描淡写 (qīng miáo dàn xiě):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qing miáo dàn xiè / qīng miáo dàn xiě; verified with checking annotation: "V".
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 多指说话或文章把重要问题轻轻带过。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "talk about something like its not important".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Describes downplaying crucial issues in speech or writing, treating serious topics with superficial brushstrokes to evade gravity or avoid accountability.

Idiom Exercise 16 (成语练习十六)

• 1. 高瞻远瞩 (gāo zhān yuǎn zhǔ):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: gao zhan yuan su / gāo zhān yuǎn zhǔ.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻眼光远大。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "See big picture".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Metaphor for possessing grand vision and far-reaching foresight, looking past immediate circumstances to anticipate distant developments.

• 2. 害群之马 (hài qún zhī mǎ):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: hai qún zhi ma / hài qún zhī mǎ.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻危害社会或集体的人。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "one person spoils whole group".
  • Explanatory Nuance: A figurative term for an individual whose malicious, reckless, or toxic actions inflict damage upon the entire community, group, or organization.

• 3. 厚此薄彼 (hòu cǐ bó bǐ):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: hou cí boby / hòu cǐ bó bǐ.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻对两方面的待遇不同。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "treating someone better throther" (treating one better than the other).
  • Explanatory Nuance: Describes demonstrating bias or discrimination by favoring one party while treating another with coldness, neglect, or lesser regard.

• 4. 狐假虎威 (hú jiǎ hǔ wēi):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: hú jiǎ hy wei / hú jiǎ hǔ wēi.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻依仗别人的势力欺压人。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "use someone's power to feel strong, bully others" (with directional pointer linking to "欺压人").
  • Explanatory Nuance: Originates from the fable of the fox strutting with the tiger's ferocity; denotes using the authority, stature, or influence of powerful backers to intimidate and oppress others.

• 5. 虎头蛇尾 (hǔ tóu shé wěi):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: hu toushé wei / hǔ tóu shé wěi.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻开始时声势很大，到后来劲头很小，有始无终。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Start strong, finish weak".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Depicts projects or endeavors that commence with grand fanfare and imposing momentum but peter out without resolve, lacking follow-through.

• 6. 化险为夷 (huà xiǎn wéi yí):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: hua xian wéi yí / huà xiǎn wéi yí.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻转危为安。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Turn danger into safety."
  • Explanatory Nuance: Signifies transforming a perilous, critical predicament into one of peace, safety, and stability.

• 7. 混水摸鱼 (hún shuǐ mō yú):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: hún shui mo yu / hún shuǐ mō yú.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻乘混乱的时候从中捞取利益。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Take advantage of confusion to get what you want."
  • Explanatory Nuance: To fish in muddy waters; seizing illicit gains, opportunities, or personal advantages amidst chaos, turmoil, or social disruption.

• 8. 饥不择食 (jī bù zé shí):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: ji bù zhé shí / jī bù zé shí.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻需要急迫，顾不得选择。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "So desperate, take whatever you can get."
  • Explanatory Nuance: Figuratively applied to situations where pressing desperation leaves no room for selectivity, forcing someone to accept whatever minimal options are available.

• 9. 寄人篱下 (jì rén lí xià):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: gì rén lí xìa / jì rén lí xià.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻依附别人的生活。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "rely on someone else".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Living under another's roof and fence; metaphor for living in total dependence upon others, lacking personal autonomy and enduring subservient conditions.

• 10. 见仁见智 (jiàn rén jiàn zhì):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: jiàn rén jiàn zhi / jiàn rén jiàn zhì; accompanied by bottom marginal character: "呲".
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 对同一问题，不同的人从不同的立场或角度有不同的看法。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "People have different opinions."
  • Explanatory Nuance: Expresses the coexistence of subjective perspectives; different individuals evaluating the identical subject draw divergent conclusions based on differing angles and worldviews.

Idiom Exercise 17 (成语练习十七)

• 1. 孤陋寡闻 (gū lòu guǎ wén):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: gu ibu gud win / gū lòu guǎ wén.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容学识浅陋，见闻不广。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Know very little".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Characterizes an individual of shallow scholarly attainment and limited exposure to the world, lacking broad experience or intellectual depth.

• 2. 丰功伟绩 (fēng gōng wěi jì):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: fēng gōng wù jù / fēng gōng wěi jì.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 伟大的功绩。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Great work".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Denotes monumental deeds, exceptional historic accomplishments, or transcendent meritorious service.

• 3. 江河日下 (jiāng hé rì xià):

  • Transcribed Pinyin / Script Variation: Transcribed in student notes as "江河湖下" with standard form jiāng hé rì xià; accompanied by the synonym annotation "每况愈下".
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻情况一天天地坏下去。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "getting worst day by day" (getting worse day by day).
  • Explanatory Nuance: Figuratively depicts circumstances deteriorating steadily and irreversibly, just as major rivers flow perpetually downward.

• 4. 娇生惯养 (jiāo shēng guàn yǎng):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: jiān shēngguàn yăng / jiāo shēng guàn yǎng.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 从小就被溺爱，娇养惯。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Spoiled".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Raised from childhood amidst excessive indulgence, pampering, and sheltering, producing individuals who are soft, entitled, or unaccustomed to hardship.

• 5. 街头巷尾 (jiē tóu xiàng wěi):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: jie tou xiang wei / jiē tóu xiàng wěi.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 指大街小巷。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "the whole area".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Denotes all parts of an urban environment—streets, avenues, and alleys—referring collectively to public spaces or widespread neighborhood presence.

• 6. 进退维谷 (jìn tuì wéi gǔ):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: jìn tuù wú gǔ / jìn tuì wéi gǔ.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容进退两难。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Stuck".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Expresses a severe dilemma or trap where advancing and retreating are equally fraught with danger and obstruction, leaving no viable escape.

• 7. 开门见山 (kāi mén jiàn shān):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: kai menjian shan / kāi mén jiàn shān; accompanied by student marginal query: "什么?".
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻说话或写文章直截了当谈本题，不拐弯抹角。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Straight to the point".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Opening the door to see the mountain immediately; metaphor for addressing the core issue directly in discourse or writing without circuitous preambles.

• 8. 口蜜腹剑 (kǒu mì fù jiàn):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: kǔ ni fù jiàn / kǒu mì fù jiàn.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容两面派的狡猾阴险。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Sweet words inside bad intentions"; "two face bad intentions".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Honey on the lips, a dagger in the belly; denotes two-faced deceit where gentle, charming speech masks treacherous, lethal plots.

• 9. 漫山遍野 (màn shān biàn yě):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: màn shān biàn ye / màn shān biàn yě.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容很多。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "every thing allover the place" (everything all over the place).
  • Explanatory Nuance: Spreading across mountains and open wilderness; indicates an overwhelming abundance or vast presence carpeting an entire geographical space.

• 10. 毛遂自荐 (máo suì zì jiàn):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: mão sui zhijian / máo suì zì jiàn.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻自告奋勇自己推荐自己担任某项工作。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "recommend yourself".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Alludes to the Warring States figure Mao Sui; signifies stepping forward courageously of one's own accord to volunteer for challenging responsibilities.

Idiom Exercise 18 (成语练习十八)

• 1. 和盘托出 (hé pán tuō chū):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: he pan tuō chū / hé pán tuō chū.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻全都讲出来，毫无保留。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "hide nothing"; "Tell everything at once".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Bringing out the entire tray; signifies revealing all secrets, facts, or sentiments without holding back a single element.

• 2. 俯拾即是 (fǔ shí jí shì):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: fùshí jí shì / fǔ shí jí shì.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容多而易得。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "easy to find"; "easy to get".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Bending down to pick up items everywhere; emphasizes that objects, examples, or materials exist in such profusion that acquiring them requires minimal effort.

• 3. 离群索居 (lí qún suǒ jū):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: íqún shù jū / lí qún suǒ jū.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 离开集体或群众，过着孤独生活。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Live away from people".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Withdrawing entirely from social collectives and peers to lead a solitary, isolated existence.

• 4. 立锥之地 (lì zhuī zhī dì):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: lì zhuī zhì dì / lì zhuī zhī dì.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容极小的一块地方，也指极小的安身处。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "tiny place".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Land barely large enough to stand an awl upright; denotes an infinitesimally small space, typically symbolizing extreme poverty and having nowhere to settle.

• 5. 寥若星辰 (liǎo ruò xīng chén):

  • Transcribed Pinyin / Textual Variant: Presented as 寥若星辰 (variant of 寥若晨星); pinyin liǎo ruò xīng chén.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 指为数极少。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "very few".
  • Explanatory Nuance: As sparse as stars in the daylight dawn; indicates an exceedingly small quantity or extraordinary rarity.

• 6. 六神无主 (liù shén wú zhǔ):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: iù shén wù zhǔ / liù shén wú zhǔ.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容惊慌着急，没了主意，不知如何是好。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Confused".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Refers to the internal governing spirits being scattered; describes being so thoroughly panicked, flustered, and distressed that one completely loses judgment.

• 7. 路不拾遗 (lù bù shí yí):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: lù bù shí ù / lù bù shí yí.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容社会风气好。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Society is so good".
  • Explanatory Nuance: People do not pick up and pocket lost items on the road; serves as a traditional benchmark for an exceptionally moral, honest, and lawful society.

• 8. 来龙去脉 (lái lóng qù mài):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: G lóng qù mài / lái lóng qù mài.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻一件事的前因后果。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "whole story start to end".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Derived from geomantic landscape veins; metaphorically details the complete lineage, development, causal origins, and concluding trajectory of an event.

• 9. 老羞成怒 (lǎo xiū chéng nù):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: laoxiùchéngnù / lǎo xiū chéng nù.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 由于羞愧到了极点，下不了台而发怒。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "angry because of shame".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Reaching an extreme threshold of mortification and loss of face, causing a person to turn aggressively defensive and lash out in rage.

• 10. 门可罗雀 (mén kě luó què):

  • Transcribed Pinyin / Textual Variant: Rendered with handwritten variation 门可量 (mén nǐ ló què); standard idiom 门可罗雀 (mén kě luó què); includes displaced marginal notations "欺负弱小," and "社会风气好。".
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容十分冷落，宾客稀少。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Very quiet".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Conditions outside the doorway are so deserted and devoid of visitors that one could spread a net to trap sparrows; signifies abandonment and lack of patronage.

Idiom Exercise 19 (成语练习十九)

• 1. 和颜悦色 (hé yán yuè sè):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: hé bon què se (with written correction yán); standard hé yán yuè sè.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容和善可亲。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "kind and friendly look".
  • Explanatory Nuance: A mild countenance and pleasant facial expression demonstrating gentleness, warmth, and benevolence toward others.

• 2. 国计民生 (guó jì mín shēng):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: guoji mín sheng / guó jì mín shēng.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 国家经济和人民生活。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Country and people daily lifes" (Country and people's daily lives).
  • Explanatory Nuance: Encompasses the macroscopic economic affairs of the state coupled with the fundamental livelihood, material well-being, and daily subsistence of the citizenry.

• 3. 面目全非 (miàn mù quán fēi):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: mian mù quản tài / fēi; standard miàn mù quán fēi.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容改变得不成样子。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "unrecognisable" (unrecognizable).
  • Explanatory Nuance: Complete and drastic alteration of original appearances or structures to the degree that previous features are lost or unrecognizable.

• 4. 名不虚传 (míng bù xū chuán):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: míng bù xī a chuón / míng bù xū chuán.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 指实在好，不是空有虚名。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "as good as people say it is".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Having a stellar reputation that is wholly justified by genuine excellence and verifiable facts rather than empty, unearned acclaim.

• 5. 明目张胆 (míng mù zhāng dǎn):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: míng mù zhōng dàn / zhang; standard míng mù zhāng dǎn.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容公开放肆地干坏事。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Do something bad openly".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Engaging in unscrupulous, unlawful, or destructive deeds in plain public view without the slightest fear, shame, or concealment.

• 6. 目不转睛 (mù bù zhuǎn jīng):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: mù bu zhuan jing / mù bù zhuǎn jīng.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容注意力集中。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Can't look away".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Staring intently without even rolling or turning the pupils; represents rapt, uninterrupted focus and intense visual concentration.

• 7. 难能可贵 (nán néng kě guì):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: nánnéng kě guī / nán néng kě guì.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 指不容易做到的事居然能做到，非常可贵。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Hard to do, valuable".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Accomplishing something remarkably arduous against the odds, making the virtue, achievement, or conduct exceptionally commendable.

• 8. 牛鬼蛇神 (niú guǐ shé shén):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: niú gui shé shen / niú guǐ shé shén.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻社会上形形色色的人（多指坏人）。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "All kinds of bad people".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Mythological monstrosities (ox-headed demons and snake spirits); figurative reference to diverse sorts of villains, disreputable actors, and disruptive elements in society.

• 9. 藕断丝连 (ǒu duàn sī lián):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: ou duan si lian / ǒu duàn sī lián.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻没有彻底断绝的关系。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Connected even when apart".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Lotus roots snapped in two while the fine connective fibers remain unbroken; symbolizes relationships (especially emotional or romantic ties) that appear severed but retain persistent, lingering entanglements.

• 10. 庞然大物 (páng rán dà wù):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: páng rán dà wù.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 指高大笨重的东西；现也用来形容表面上很强大但实际上很虚弱的事物。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Something huge".
  • Explanatory Nuance: A colossal, hulking entity; in modern application, also signifies things that appear towering and formidable on the surface but are hollow, fragile, and weak in substance.

Idiom Exercise 20 (成语练习二十)

• 1. 顾名思义 (gù míng sī yì):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: gu ming shi y / gù míng sī yì.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 从名称想到所包含的意义。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "know what it means from the name".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Discerning or comprehending the intrinsic function, quality, or essence of something directly by considering its title or name.

• 2. 好整以暇 (hào zhěng yǐ xiá):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: hào zhěn yi xiá / hào zhěng yǐ xiá.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容既严整，又从容。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Calm and relaxed even when busy".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Maintaining immaculate order, discipline, and composed serenity even while managing high-pressure, tumultuous, or critical operations.

• 3. 平分秋色 (píng fēn qiū sè):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: píng fēn qiū sè.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻双方各得一半，不分上下。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: Sharing equally; tied contest.
  • Explanatory Nuance: Dividing the autumn scenery equally; denotes two competing parties sharing honors, outcomes, or power on equal terms without either gaining supremacy.

• 4. 萍水相逢 (píng shuǐ xiāng féng):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: ping sui xiang an / feng / shui; standard píng shuǐ xiāng féng.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻向来不认识的人偶然相遇。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Meet by chance (strangers)".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Drifting duckweed encountering each other randomly across water surfaces; illustrates serendipitous meetings between people previously unacquainted.

• 5. 期期艾艾 (qī qī ài ài):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qī qī ài ài.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容口吃的人吐辞重复，说话不流利。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Stutter".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Alludes to historical figures Zhou Chang (who stammered "qi-qi") and Deng Ai (who repeated "ai-ai"); portrays faltering speech and halting verbal repetition.

• 6. 弃暗投明 (qì àn tóu míng):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qì àn tóu míng.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻在政治上脱离反动阵营，转向进步方面。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Leave bad side join good side".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Turning away from darkness to seek the light; metaphorically describes forsaking corrupt, reactionary, or evil factions to embrace justice, progress, and truth.

• 7. 千载一时 (qiān zǎi yī shí):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qian zai yi shí / qiān zǎi yī shí.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容机会极其难得。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Very rare".
  • Explanatory Nuance: A window occurring once in a thousand years; signifies an extraordinary, fleeting, and irreplaceable opportunity.

• 8. 枪林弹雨 (qiāng lín dàn yǔ):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qiang lin dan yu / qiāng lín dàn yǔ.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 形容战斗激烈。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Very dangerous".
  • Explanatory Nuance: A forest of gun barrels and a hail of bullets; encapsulates the mortal danger and extreme ferocity of an active battlefield.

• 9. 切磋琢磨 (qiē cuō zhuó mó):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qie cuo zuó mó / qiē cuō zhuó mó.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻学习或研究问题时彼此商讨，互相吸取长处，改正缺点。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Learn from each other".
  • Explanatory Nuance: Derived from the artisanal cutting, filing, carving, and polishing of bone, horn, and jade; describes collaborative academic inquiry, constructive exchange, and mutual moral refinement.

• 10. 蜻蜓点水 (qīng tíng diǎn shuǐ):

  • Transcribed Pinyin: qing ting di an shui / qīng tíng diǎn shuǐ.
  • Verbatim Chinese Definition: 比喻做事肤浅不深入。
  • English Translation & Semantic Gloss: "Touch something, but not deep enough."
  • Explanatory Nuance: A dragonfly merely skimming the surface of water; represents approaching tasks, investigations, or studies in a superficial, perfunctory manner without substantive immersion.