Structure: 突然/ 忽然 + Verb Meaning: 突然 and 忽然 both can put in the sentence as adverbs or adjectives, just make sure to put them before the verb or the adjective! Examples:     睡觉 Read More

Meaning: 苦肉计 (kǔròujì) ruse of self-injury;Inflict injury upon oneself to gain trust Usage: “苦肉计”是指故意伤害自己以骗取对方信任的计策。 “苦肉计”means a trick of having oneself tortured to win the confidence of the other person involved. Examples: 1. 你别相信他，他在用苦肉计博得你的同情。     Read More

Meaning: 吊胃口 (diào wèikǒu) tempt (someone with something); stimulate someone’s desire Usage: “吊胃口”是指用好吃的东西引起别人的食欲，也比喻让人产生某种欲望或兴趣。常说“吊某人的胃口”。 “吊胃口”indicates tempting somebody with delicious food or stimulating someone’s desire. It is often said as “吊某人的胃口”. Examples: 1. 这个政客惯用的手段就是用假消息来吊媒体的胃口。     Zhè Read More

Structure: Adjective/Verb + 什么 + (Adjective/Verb) Meaning: Adding 什么(shénme) to the end of an adjective (or less frequently a verb) can be used to form a rhetorical question. In the phrase 你急什么？”what are you Read More

Meaning: 嚼舌头 (jiáo shétou) tittle-tattle Usage: “嚼舌头”的字面意义是咀嚼舌头。比喻说是非或者说废话。也说“嚼舌根”。常用作贬义词。 “嚼舌头” literally means to chew one’s tongue. It metaphorically means tittle-tattle or to say some nonsense words. It is also said as “嚼舌根”which is used as a Read More

Meaning: 打车 (dǎ chē) take a taxi Usage: “打车”是指租用出租汽车；乘坐出租汽车。 “打车(dǎ chē)” means taking a taxi. Examples: 1. 现在是下班高峰期，很难打车。     Xiànzài shì xiàbān gāofēngqī, hěn nán dǎ chē.     It’s the rush hour, so it’s Read More

Structure: Subject + 有的是 + Noun Meaning: In Chinese, there are “a lot” of ways to say “a lot.” “有的是” (yǒudeshì) is one of those ways. However, we need to be very clear: “有的是” Read More

Meaning: 相亲 (xiāngqīn) blind date Usage: “相亲”是指通过介绍人认识的陌生男女之间的约会，这种约会通常以结婚为目的。 “相亲(xiāngqīn)” means a date between two strangers, which is usually arranged by a match maker. In China, this kind of date is expected to lead to a Read More

Meaning: 老掉牙 (lǎo diào yá) very old; out of date; obsolete Usage: “老掉牙” 形容事物、言论等陈旧过时。常用作定语。 “老掉牙” means sth. or speeches are out of date. It often acts as an attribute. Examples: 1. 关于他的新闻已经老掉牙了。     Guānyú Read More

Meaning: 老大难 (lǎo dà’nán) nagging problems Usage: “老大难”是指复杂的，难以解决或者是很长时间都没有进展的事情。 “老大难” means matters are difficult or taking a long time to deal with. Examples: 1. 她年龄越来越大，还很挑剔，找对象成了老大难了。     Tā niánlíng yuè lái yuè dà, hái hĕn tiāotì, Read More