Chinese Idiom Classification: Types, Methods, and Examples
A Multi-dimensional Analysis of Chinese Idiom Classification System with Practical Examples
Chinese idioms are crystallizations of Chinese cultural wisdom. Through our comprehensive classification system, understand how idioms are categorized by meaning, source, structure, and function. This guide is suitable for students, teachers, and Chinese language enthusiasts to deeply understand idiom usage.
Classification by Meaning
Categorizing idioms based on their meanings and expressive functions, this is the most fundamental and practical classification method.
Descriptive Idioms
Idioms used to describe people, scenery, and things
Character Description
Describing moral character, personality, and temperament
光明磊落
guāng míng lěi luò
Upright and honest in character
Used to praise someone who is righteous and acts with integrity
谦虚谨慎
qiān xū jǐn shèn
Modest and prudent
Describing someone's good qualities in dealing with people and matters
Appearance Description
Describing physical appearance and features
眉清目秀
méi qīng mù xiù
Having delicate and pretty features
Often used to describe feminine beauty
威风凛凛
wēi fēng lǐn lǐn
Majestic and impressive
Describing someone or something's imposing manner
Scenery Description
Describing natural landscapes and environments
山清水秀
shān qīng shuǐ xiù
Beautiful mountains and clear waters
Describing beautiful natural scenery
春暖花开
chūn nuǎn huā kāi
Spring is warm and flowers are blooming
Describing spring scenery or metaphorically beautiful scenes
Philosophical Idioms
Idioms containing philosophical thoughts and life principles
物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Things will develop in the opposite direction when they reach the extreme
Explaining the dialectical relationship in development
循序渐进
xún xù jiàn jìn
Advance step by step in proper order
Describing the importance of following proper sequence in progress
Emotional Idioms
Idioms expressing various emotions and psychological states
心花怒放
xīn huā nù fàng
Blooming with joy
Expressing great happiness and delight
忧心忡忡
yōu xīn chōng chōng
Full of worry and anxiety
Describing a state of great concern or worry
Classification by Source
Categorizing idioms based on their origins and sources, helping to understand their historical and cultural background.
Historical Stories
Idioms derived from historical events and historical figures
卧薪尝胆
wò xīn cháng dǎn
Endure hardships while working towards a goal
Story of King Goujian who endured hardships to eventually restore his kingdom
Describes someone enduring hardships with determination to achieve their goals
破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Break the cooking pots and sink the boats
Story of Xiang Yu who ordered his troops to destroy all retreat routes
Describes showing determination by cutting off all means of retreat
Literary Works
Idioms from ancient literary works
画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
Draw a dragon and dot in its eyes
Metaphor for adding the finishing touch that brings work to life
望梅止渴
wàng méi zhǐ kě
Quench one's thirst by thinking of plums
Metaphor for using imagination to comfort oneself
Folk Tales
Idioms originating from folk stories and legends
愚公移山
yú gōng yí shān
The Old Man Who Moved Mountains
Story of an old man who persisted in removing mountains blocking his way
Metaphor for perseverance in the face of difficulties
精卫填海
jīng wèi tián hǎi
The bird Jingwei trying to fill up the sea
Legend of a bird carrying pebbles to fill the sea
Metaphor for determination and persistence despite impossible odds
Buddhist Sources
Idioms derived from Buddhist classics and stories
放下屠刀
fàng xià tú dāo
Put down the butcher's knife
Metaphor for abandoning evil ways and turning to good
六根清净
liù gēn qīng jìng
The six senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind) are pure
Describing a pure mind free from worldly desires
Classification by Structure
Categorizing idioms based on their linguistic structure and composition patterns, helping to understand the word formation rules.
Parallel Structure
Formed by combining related words or phrases
天长地久
tiān cháng dì jiǔ
tiān cháng + dì jiǔ (noun+adj+noun+adj)
As eternal as heaven and earth
春去秋来
chūn qù qiū lái
chūn qù + qiū lái (noun+verb+noun+verb)
Spring goes and autumn comes
Progressive Structure
Idioms with progressively deepening meanings
闻名遐迩
wén míng xiá ěr
wén míng + xiá ěr (verb+noun+adj)
Famous far and near
日新月异
rì xīn yuè yì
rì xīn + yuè yì (noun+adj+noun+adj)
Changing with each passing day
Classification by Function
Categorizing idioms based on their functions and roles in language communication.
Descriptive Function
Idioms used to describe characteristics of things
栩栩如生
xǔ xǔ rú shēng
Describing artistic works as very lifelike
Describing artistic representations as extremely vivid and lifelike
绘声绘色
huì shēng huì sè
Describing vivid narration
Describing narration or description as vivid and colorful
Expressive Function
Idioms used to express emotions and attitudes
义愤填膺
yì fèn tián yīng
Expressing righteous indignation
Expressing strong anger at unjust behavior
欣喜若狂
xīn xǐ ruò kuáng
Expressing extreme joy
Describing being extremely happy, almost to the point of madness
