CozyChinese.COM

一箭雙鵰 (yī jiàn shuāng diāo) – Two hawks with one Arrow
[audio:yi1.mp3,jian4.mp3,shuang1.mp3,diao1.mp3]

There is an English expression, ‘Two birds with one stone’. However, this same idea is expressed in Chinese as Yi-jian-shuang-diao or Shooting two hawks with one arrow, and is an expression found in the Pei-shih or the official history of the Northern -Wei dynasty, 386-605 A.D., written by the Tang (唐 táng) historian, Li Yen-shou. In an historical anecdote, the following is related. Read the rest of this entry »

千里送鵝毛 (qiān lǐ sòng é máo) – A gift of Sincere Wishes
[audio:qian1.mp3,li3.mp3,song4.mp3,e2.mp3,mao2.mp3]

Gift-giving is an important part of Chinese tradition and culture. The custom of bringing something as a house-warming gift when visiting to gifts to mark various celebrations, rites of passage, important events, festivals, etc. Some types of gifts become standard, such as seasonal foods and cakes, or fruits and cakes. Whatever the case may be, there are various forms of gift-rapping, such as boxes, trays, envelopes, etc, each marked for various occasions. However, there is also a traditional custom to attach a feather with or on the gift. This defines the gift as Qian-li-song-e-mao, literally, a swan feather from a thousand miles. meaning a gift which may be small but, carries with it the sincere wishes of the sender. Read the rest of this entry »

锦上添花[jǐn shàng tiān huā]
[audio:jin3.mp3,shang4.mp3,tian1.mp3,hua1.mp3]
Adding flower to a bouquet
[Providing unnecessary favor or help]

各花入各眼[gè huā rù gè yǎn]
[audio:ge4.mp3,hua1.mp3,ru4.mp3,ge4.mp3,yan3.mp3]
Different flowers match different eyes
[Beauty is in the eye of the beholder]

[tags]Chinese proverb, bouquet, flower, favor, provide, help, favor, match, beauty, eye, beholder, pinyin, chinese voice, pinyin voice, learn Chinese[/tags]

远水救不了近火[yuǎn shuǐ jiù bù liǎo jìn huǒ]
[audio:yuan3.mp3,shui3.mp3,jiu4.mp3,bu4.mp3,liao3.mp3,jin4.mp3,huo3.mp3]
Can not fight fire with distant water
[Used to emphasize timing in resolving an issue]

远水解不了近渴[yuǎn shuǐ jiě bù liǎo jìn kě]
[audio:yuan3.mp3,shui3.mp3,jie3.mp3,bu4.mp3,liao3.mp3,jin4.mp3,ke3.mp3]
Can not quench thirst with distant water
[Used to emphasize timing in resolving an issue]

[tags]Chinese proverb, water, fire, timing, resolve, thirst, quench, pinyin voice, Chinese pinyin, pinyin voice, pinyin audio[/tags]

[tags]Chinese Proverbs, failure, redundant, snake, drawing, legs, dismantle, bridge, crossing, selfish, unthankful, chinese pinyin, pinyin voice, pinyin audio, learn chinese, pinyin[/tags]