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Chinese Idioms (Chengyu) with Meanings, Origins & Examples

Chengyu (成语) are fixed four-character expressions, often drawn from classical stories and historical anecdotes. This hub explains 120 common idioms with figurative meaning, per-character glosses, origins when we can cite a source, and modern example sentences — so you can read them in context, not memorize isolated characters.

Pair idioms with common Chinese word guides for HSK-aligned vocabulary, pinyin, and usage examples.

Start here

Eight well-known chengyu with stories learners meet early — open any card for meaning and examples.

Classic fables & moral tales

Story-based chengyu that warn against folly or praise patience — common in textbooks and retellings of classical anecdotes.

History, war & strategy

Idioms from historical episodes — battles, diplomacy, and famous figures — still used to describe bold or risky moves.

Effort, persistence & focus

Phrases about working hard, staying steady, or giving your full attention — useful in study and workplace Chinese.

Success, results & ease

Chengyu for achieving goals, finishing smoothly, or describing when something works with little friction.

Luck, change & mixed outcomes

Expressions for fortune shifting, setbacks that teach, or situations that look bad but bring hidden benefits.

Scale, crowds & numbers

Idioms that exaggerate quantity, density, or insignificance — frequent in news headlines and casual emphasis.

Character, honesty & conduct

Judgments about how people act — sincere or fake, careful or reckless — in social and professional contexts.

Feelings, surprise & tension

Emotional color: shock, worry, delight, or unease — often figurative rather than literal body sensations.

Clarity, sameness & contrast

When something is obvious, identical, or stands out from the crowd — handy for explanations and comparisons.

  • 不言而喻

    HSK 7–9

    bù yán ér yù

    (idiom) it goes without saying; it is self-evident

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  • 不约而同

    HSK 7–9

    bù yuē ér tóng

    (idiom) (of two or more people) to take the same action without prior consultation; (usu. used adverbially) all (or both) of them, independently; as if by prior agreement

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  • 举一反三

    HSK 7–9

    jǔ yī fǎn sān

    to raise one and infer three

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  • 无独有偶

    Not on the HSK 3.0 syllabus

    wú dú yǒu ǒu

    not alone but in pairs (idiom, usually derog.); not a unique occurrence

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  • 显而易见

    HSK 7–9

    xiǎn ér yì jiàn

    clearly and easy to see (idiom); obviously

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  • 一目了然

    HSK 7–9

    yí mù liǎo rán

    obvious at a glance (idiom)

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  • 一模一样

    HSK 6

    yì mú yí yàng

    exactly alike; identical

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  • 与众不同

    HSK 7–9

    yǔ zhòng bù tóng

    (idiom) to stand out from the crowd; distinctive; different from the rest

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Difficulty, pressure & complexity

Dense situations, urgent deadlines, or tangled problems — common in essays and workplace updates.

More idioms

Additional chengyu in the collection — figurative meanings, glosses, and examples on each linked page.

Frequently asked questions

What is a chengyu?

Chengyu are set four-character phrases in Mandarin, often from history or literature. They carry a figurative meaning beyond the literal characters — like calling something “a drop in the bucket” in English. Our pages give the story, glosses, and modern example sentences.

How many idioms should I learn?

There is no single number, but recognizing 120 widely used chengyu helps with reading and exams. Start with a small set that appears in your textbooks or HSK materials, then add idioms that share characters with words you already know.

Are chengyu used in everyday speech?

Some are common in conversation and media; others appear mainly in writing or formal speech. Each entry notes tone where it matters. You do not need to force chengyu into daily chat — understanding them matters more for listening and reading comprehension.

Why are chengyu usually four characters?

Classical Chinese favored concise four-character lines in poetry and proverbs, so many idioms froze that length. The pattern became a recognizable signal of a set phrase. Modern Mandarin also has longer idioms, but “chengyu” in study materials usually means these four-character expressions.