Chengyu Flashcards
(25 cards)
画蛇添足
Paint the snake adding feet
Ruin the effect by adding something superfluous.
坐井观天
Looking at the sky from the bottom of a well.
Having a restricted outlook
拔苗助长
Pull up the seedlings to help them grow higher.
Spoil things because of a desire for quick success.
对牛弹琴
Play the qin to a cow.
Address the wrong audience, talk over someone’s head.
纸上谈兵
Discuss military tactics on paper.
To have unrealistic ideas, talk armchair strategies.
自相矛盾
To beat oneself with one’s own spear and shield.
Self contradictory.
入乡随俗
When you enter a village follow the customs.
Do as the natives do.
覆水难收
Water poured out is hard to put back.
Things done cannot be undone.
唇亡齿寒
The teeth will feel cold if the lips are gone.
The first cannot survive without the second.
如鱼得水
Feel just like a fish in the water.
In agreeable circumstances.
青出于蓝胜于蓝
Indigo came from blue but is prettier.
The student surpasses the master.
亡羊补牢
Mend the sheep fold after the sheep are lost.
To take action after suffering a loss.
饮水思源
When one drinks water think of its source.
Don’t forget where ones happiness comes from.
打草惊蛇
Beat the grass to scare the snake.
Act rashly and alert the enemy.
四海为家
Regard the four seas as home.
Make one’s home where ever one is.
骑虎难下
If you ride a tiger, it’s hard to get off.
Impossible to stop halfway.
塞翁失马
The old frontiersman lost his mare.
A blessing in disguise.
闻鸡起舞
Rise upon hearing the first crow of a rooster and practice the sword.
 To be diligent and self disciplined in one’s studies.
愚公移山
The foolish old man removes the mountains.
Where there’s a will there’s a way.
过目不忘
Remember after one reading.
Have a highly retentive memory.
水落石出
When the water recedes the rocks emerge.
The truth comes to light.
草船借箭
Using straw boats to borrow arrows.
To use others’ manpower and resources for one’s own ends.
步步为营
To advance gradually and entrench oneself at every step.
To consolidate every step, to act cautiously.
草木皆兵
Every bush and tree looks like an enemy soldier.
State of extreme suspicion and fear.
