Meaning: 唱反调 (chàngfǎndiào) to speak or act contrary to Usage: “唱反调”是指提出相反的主张，采取相反的行动。 “唱反调” is when someone takes the contrary opinion or performs an opposing action. Examples: 1. 由于有人唱反调，调查工作受到了阻碍。 Yóuyú yǒurén chàngfǎndiào, diàochá gōngzuò shòudào le zǔ’ài. Because someone made Continue Reading
Meaning: 面子 (miànzi) face Usage: “面子”原本指物体的表面，后来发展出两个意思：一是表面的虚荣；二是情面。中国人向来重视“面子”问题，有时与自尊联系在一起。 “面子” means the face or surface of an object. It then developed two meanings: one is superficial vanity; the other is to save face. Chinese people pay close attention to questions regarding face, which Continue Reading
Meaning: 打酱油 (dǎ jiàngyóu) to buy some sauce, to be a bystander Usage: “打酱油”原指孩子大了可以帮家长做一些家务事。网络语境中，表示某人对话题漠不关心，或者在一项活动中没有起到任何作用。 “打酱油” originally referred to how kids, when they grow up, can help their parents with housework. When used on the internet, it means that someone is Continue Reading
Meaning: 抬举 (táijǔ) to praise or promote someone to show favor Usage: “抬举”的本义是抬高、举高。引申义为看重一个人，称赞或者培养提拔他。当批评一个人不懂得欣赏他人对自己的称赞时，口语中常说：“某人不识抬举”，说这句话时，通常带有不满的情绪。 “抬举” originally means to lift. It extendedly means to praise or promote someone to show favor. When criticizing someone who is unappreciative of others’ praise, orally we Continue Reading
Meaning: 瓜葛(guāgé) creeping vines; complicated relationship Usage: “瓜”和“葛”都是蔓生植物，本义是纠缠、纠纷，后来指人与人之间的亲属关系或社会关系，也指两件事件之间相牵连。 Both “瓜” and “葛” come from vines, so this phrase originally meant to twist and dispute. It now refers to family or social relationships. It can also mean a complicated relationship between Continue Reading
Meaning: 炮轰 (pàohōng) to bombard Usage: “炮轰”源自战争词语，指对某件事或某个人的言论进行言语攻击，表示极其不同意或不满。 “炮轰” is a term that comes from wartime. It refers to attacking something or someone’s speech to express disagreement or dissatisfaction. Examples: 1. 网友在论坛上炮轰国内食品安全问题。 Wǎngyǒu zài lùntán shàng pàohōng guónèi shípǐn ānquán Continue Reading
Meaning: 风靡 (fēngmǐ) fashionable Usage: “风靡”指某种商品、某项爱好、某个人在一段时间内非常流行。 “风靡” means some that a particular product, hobby, or person is very popular during a certain period of time. Examples: 1. 苹果手机正风靡全球。 Píngguǒ shǒujī zhèng fēngmǐ quánqiú Apple’s iPhone is fashionable around Continue Reading
Meaning: 动真格 (dòngzhēngé) to do something seriously Usage: “动真格”指态度上认真地对待，行动上坚定地执行。 “动真格” means to form an opinion seriously and to take actions firmly. Examples: 1. 公司宣称要动真格地治理迟到现象。 Gōng sī xuānchēng yào dòngzhēngé de zhìlǐ chí dào xiàn xiàng The company has Continue Reading
Meaning: 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) filial; filial piety Usage: “孝顺”是尽心地奉养父母，顺从父母的意志。是以情感和尊重为基础的，发自内心对长辈的热爱。 “孝顺” is to respect and support wholeheartedly one’s elders, as well as to defer to their authority. It means a love of older generation based on feelings and respect. Examples: 1. 孝顺父母是中华民族的传统美德。 Continue Reading
Meaning: 眉目 (méimù) signs of a positive outcome Usage: “眉目”本来指五官中的眉毛和眼睛，现在一般是指事情的头绪。 “眉目” originally meant the eyebrows and eyes, and now generally refers to signs of a positive outcome. Examples: 1. 项目的规划工作依然没有任何眉目。 Xiàngmù de guīhuà gōngzuò yīrán méiyǒu rènhé méimù Continue Reading
