HSK · Level 31
135 words
Chinese word
成语
Pronunciation
Pinyinchéng yǔ
Meaning
- nounidiom
Example
这个成语我不懂。zhè ge chéng yǔ wǒ bù dǒng
I do not understand this idiom.
More examples
很多成语的来历可以追溯到古代。hěn duō chéng yǔ de lái lì ké yǐ zhuī sù dào gǔ dài
The origins of many idioms can be traced back to ancient times.
Core concept
A small, fixed verbal package that turns a whole situation into familiar shorthand.
Common phrases
成语故事chéng yǔ gù shì
idiom story
常用成语cháng yòng chéng yǔ
commonly used idiom
四字成语sì zì chéng yǔ
four-character idiom
Similar words
俗语sú yǔ: A widely known spoken saying with a plain, informal flavor and folk roots.
谚语yàn yǔ: A clear, memorable saying drawn from what people have seen and learned over time.
习语xí yǔ: A fixed word combination understood as one complete expression with its own meaning.
Definition in Chinese
由固定搭配或古代典故凝成的惯用短语，通常字数较少（常见为四字），用以简洁地表达特定情形或性格，书面与正式语境中使用率较高。yóu gù dìng dā pèi huò gǔ dài diǎn gù níng chéng de guàn yòng duán yǔ tōng cháng zì shù jiào shǎo cháng jiàn wèi sì zì yòng yǐ jiǎn jié dì biǎo dá tè dìng qíng xíng huò xìng gé shū miàn yǔ zhèng shì yǔ jìng zhōng shǐ yòng lǜ jiào gāo
Word origin
成 (chéng, "become established") + 语 (yǔ, "words") names words that have become established as a set expression, often through classical writing or an old tale.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, these expressions can sound more formal or literary than a direct explanation, especially when the listener does not know the background story.
Other meanings
- set phrasenoun
Related words
- 成语故事chéng yǔ gù shìidiom storynoun
- 成语词典chéng yǔ cí diǎnidiom dictionarynoun
- 四字成语sì zì chéng yǔfour-character idiomnoun