ChengYu, in many East Asian languages, stands as the English equivalent of an idiom. It tends to exist in four-character entities (variations do exist) and typically convey some specified sort of meaning, with a backstory that lies in history, myths, fables, et cetera. Though the use of ChengYu is day-to-day conversations is rare, it is still prevalent among East Asian language speakers today.
Ru-Ping Chen
Recent Posts
The Idiom
Traditional: 十面埋伏
Simplified: 十面埋伏
Pinyin: shí miàn mái fù
The Four Beauties of Ancient China were known for being so beautiful, they caused unparalleled political havoc. In Chinese culture, they were even more notorious than Helen of Troy. You can read our post on the first two women, Xi Shi (西施, xī shī) and Wang ZhaoJun (王昭君, wáng zhāo jūn) here. They were known for being so beautiful that "fish sank and birds fell from the sky." This post will focus on the other two of the four: : 貂蝉 (diāo chán) and 杨贵妃 (yáng guì fēi.)
THE IDIOM
Traditional: 閉月羞花
Simplified: 闭月羞花
Pinyin: bì yuè xiū huā
