相亲

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

票房

Meaning: 票房 (piàofáng) Box Office Usage: “票房”原来是指戏院、火车站、轮船码头等处的售票处,或指票友聚会练习的处所。现在多用来指上演电影、戏剧等因卖票而获得的经济效益。 “票房(piàofáng)” means the ticket office of a theater, railway station or dock, or the place for Beijing opera amateurs doing performance. Now it always refers to the Read More

老掉牙

Meaning: 老掉牙 (lǎo diào yá) very old; out of date; obsolete Usage: “老掉牙” 形容事物、言论等陈旧过时。常用作定语。 “老掉牙” means sth. or speeches are out of date.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

老大难

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

铜臭

Meaning: 铜臭 (tóngxiù) the stink of money; profit-before-everything mentality Usage: “铜臭”本义是铜钱的味道。它引申义是讽刺那些只看重金钱,不注重感情的人。 The original meaning of “铜臭” is the stink of copper. It extendedly satirizes people who think money the most important and never pay Read More

回马枪

Meaning: 回马枪 (huímǎqiāng) back thrust Usage: “回马枪”是指回过头来给别人的突然袭击,让人感觉很意外。口语中常说“杀(一个)回马枪”。 “回马枪”means giving somebody a surprise attack which was unexpected. It often say“杀(一个)回马枪”in spoken language. Examples: 1. 妈妈杀了个回马枪,把小明的游戏机拿走了。     Māma shāle gè huímǎqiāng,bǎ Xiǎo Míng de yóuxìjī názŏule Read More