Chinese idioms starting with C

Four-character idioms (chengyu) from CC-CEDICT, sorted by pinyin.

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• 擦亮眼睛 cā liàng yǎn jīng to keep one's eyes open
• 才高八斗 cái gāo bā dǒu of great talent
• 才华出众 cái huá chū zhòng outstanding talent ; incomparable artistic merit
• 才华盖世 cái huá gài shì peerless talent ; incomparable artistic merit
• 才兼文武 cái jiān wén wǔ talent in both military and civil field
• 采兰赠芍 cǎi lán zèng sháo (lit.) to pluck orchids and gift peonies
• 才貌双全 cái mào shuāng quán talented and good-looking
• 财迷心窍 cái mí xīn qiào mad about money
• 才气过人 cái qì guò rén an outstanding talent
• 才识过人 cái shí guò rén an outstanding talent
• 才疏学浅 cái shū xué qiǎn (humble expr.) of humble talent and shallow learning ; Pray
• 财源滚滚 cái yuán gǔn gǔn profits pouring in from all sides
• 才子佳人 cái zǐ jiā rén lit. gifted scholar, beautiful lady
• 残兵败将 cán bīng bài jiàng ruined army, defeated general ; scattered remnants
• 惨不忍睹 cǎn bù rěn dǔ lit. so horrible that one cannot bear to look
• 惨不忍闻 cǎn bù rěn wén dreadful to hear
• 惨淡经营 cǎn dàn jīng yíng to manage by painstaking effort
• 残花败柳 cán huā bài liǔ broken flower, withered willow ; fig. fallen woman
• 惨绝人寰 cǎn jué rén huán extremely tragic ; with unprecedented brutality
• 残酷无情 cán kù wú qíng cruel and unfeeling
• 残民害物 cán mín hài wù to harm people and damage property
• 残年短景 cán nián duǎn jǐng at the end of the year
• 灿若繁星 càn ruò fán xīng bright as a multitude of stars ; extremely able talent
• 蚕食鲸吞 cán shí jīng tūn (lit.) to nibble like a silkworm or swallow like a whale
• 惨无人道 cǎn wú rén dào inhuman
• 沧海桑田 cāng hǎi sāng tián lit. the blue sea turned into mulberry fields
• 沧海一粟 cāng hǎi yī sù (lit.) one grain floating on the ocean
• 沧海遗珠 cāng hǎi yí zhū undiscovered talent
• 仓皇出逃 cāng huáng chū táo to run off in a great panic
• 藏龙卧虎 cáng lóng wò hǔ lit. hidden dragon, crouching tiger
• 藏器待时 cáng qì dài shí to conceal one's abilities and wait ; to lie low and await t
• 苍松翠柏 cāng sōng cuì bǎi evergreen pine and cypress ; steadfast nobility
• 藏头露尾 cáng tóu lù wěi to hide the head and show the tail ; to give a partial accou
• 藏污纳垢 cáng wū nà gòu to hide dirt, to conceal corruption ; to shelter evil people
• 草草收兵 cǎo cǎo shōu bīng to work vaguely then retreat ; sloppy and half-hearted
• 草菅人命 cǎo jiān rén mìng to have disregard for human life
• 草满囹圄 cǎo mǎn líng yǔ lit. jails overgrown with grass ; fig. peaceful society
• 草木皆兵 cǎo mù jiē bīng lit. every tree or bush an enemy soldier ; fig. to panic and
• 草率收兵 cǎo shuài shōu bīng to work vaguely then retreat ; sloppy and half-hearted
• 操之过急 cāo zhī guò jí to act with undue haste ; eager and impatient
• 参差不齐 cēn cī bù qí variable
• 参差错落 cēn cī cuò luò uneven and jumbled ; irregular and disorderly
• 层出不穷 céng chū bù qióng more and more emerge
• 曾经沧海 céng jīng cāng hǎi lit. having crossed the vast ocean
• 层峦叠嶂 céng luán dié zhàng range upon range of mountains
• 层见叠出 céng xiàn dié chū to occur frequently; to occur repeatedly
• 插翅难飞 chā chì nán fēi lit. even given wings, you couldn't fly ; fig. impossible to
• 茶饭不思 chá fàn bù sī no thought for tea or rice ; melancholic and suffering
• 插科打诨 chā kē dǎ hùn to include impromptu comic material in opera performance ; t
• 差强人意 chā qiáng rén yì just passable
• 察言观色 chá yán guān sè to weigh up sb's words and observe their facial expression
• 姹紫嫣红 chà zǐ yān hóng lit. beautiful purples and brilliant reds
• 拆东补西 chāi dōng bǔ xī lit. pull down the east wall to repair the west ; fig. tempo
• 豺狼当道 chái láng dāng dào wicked people hold power; a vicious tyranny rules the land
• 豺狼虎豹 chái láng hǔ bào (lit.) jackals, wolves, tigers and panthers
• 柴门小户 chái mén xiǎo hù woodcutter's cottage ; poor person's hovel
• 柴米油盐 chái mǐ yóu yán (lit.) firewood, rice, oil and salt
• 颤抖不已 chàn dǒu bù yǐ to shake like a leaf
• 缠夹不清 chán jiā bù qīng to muddle things together
• 缠绵悱恻 chán mián fěi cè (of a person) sad beyond words
• 馋涎欲滴 chán xián yù dī lit. to drool with desire
• 唱对台戏 chàng duì tái xì to put on a rival show ; to set oneself up against sb
• 长风破浪 cháng fēng pò làng lit. to ride the wind and crest the waves
• 长话短说 cháng huà duǎn shuō to make a long story short; to keep it brief
• 尝尽心酸 cháng jìn xīn suān to experience one's full share of sorrows
• 唱空城计 chàng kōng chéng jì (lit.) to sing "The Empty City Stratagem"
• 长乐未央 cháng lè wèi yāng endless happiness
• 长命百岁 cháng mìng bǎi suì to live to be a hundred years old (often used as a blessing
• 长年累月 cháng nián lěi yuè year in, year out
• 长辔远驭 cháng pèi yuǎn yù to control from a distance
• 长篇累牍 cháng piān lěi dú (of a text) very lengthy
• 长驱直入 cháng qū zhí rù to march straight in unchallenged (military)
• 怅然若失 chàng rán ruò shī to feel a profound sense of loss; to feel disconsolate
• 长生不老 cháng shēng bù lǎo to live forever and never grow old
• 长生久视 cháng shēng jiǔ shì to live forever and never grow old
• 畅所欲言 chàng suǒ yù yán lit. fluently saying all one wants ; to preach freely on one
• 长袖善舞 cháng xiù shàn wǔ long sleeves help one dance beautifully ; money and power wi
• 长吁短叹 cháng xū duǎn tàn long moan and short gasp ; continually moaning and groaning
• 长夜漫漫 cháng yè màn màn endless night ; fig. long suffering
• 长夜难明 cháng yè nán míng lit. many nights under a harsh moon
• 吵吵嚷嚷 chǎo chǎo rǎng rǎng to make an (unnecessary) racket
• 超群绝伦 chāo qún jué lún outstanding ; incomparable
• 车水马龙 chē shuǐ mǎ lóng endless stream of horse and carriages
• 彻头彻尾 chè tóu chè wěi lit. from head to tail ; thoroughgoing
• 尘埃落定 chén āi luò dìng lit. the dust has settled
• 陈陈相因 chén chén xiāng yīn to slavishly follow old patterns; to stick to outdated conve
• 陈规陋习 chén guī lòu xí outmoded conventions; old-fashioned ways
• 趁火打劫 chèn huǒ dǎ jié (lit.) to loot a burning house
• 沉湎酒色 chén miǎn jiǔ sè to wallow in alcohol and sex ; overindulgence in wine and wo
• 沉默寡言 chén mò guǎ yán habitually silent
• 沉默是金 chén mò shì jīn silence is golden
• 趁人之危 chèn rén zhī wēi to take advantage of sb's difficulties
• 称心如意 chèn xīn rú yì after one's own heart; gratifying; satisfactory; everything
• 晨钟暮鼓 chén zhōng mù gǔ lit. morning bell, evening drum, symbolizing monastic practi
• 沉着应战 chén zhuó yìng zhàn to remain calm in the face of adversity
• 成败得失 chéng bài dé shī lit. success and failure, the gains and losses
• 成败利钝 chéng bài lì dùn succeed or fail, sharp or blunt ; advantages and disadvantag
• 成败论人 chéng bài lùn rén to judge people based on their success or failure
• 惩恶扬善 chéng è yáng shàn to uphold virtue and condemn evil
• 乘风破浪 chéng fēng pò làng to brave the wind and the billows ; to have high ambitions
• 诚惶诚恐 chéng huáng chéng kǒng in fear and trepidation ; in reverence before your majesty (
• 成家立室 chéng jiā lì shì to get married
• 成家立业 chéng jiā lì yè to get married and start a career
• 程门立雪 Chéng mén lì xuě lit. the snow piles up at Cheng Yi's door
• 瞠目结舌 chēng mù jié shé dumbfounded; flabbergasted; stunned
• 成年累月 chéng nián lěi yuè year in, year out
• 惩前毖后 chéng qián bì hòu lit. to punish those before to prevent those after ; to crit
• 成千成万 chéng qiān chéng wàn lit. by the thousands and tens of thousands ; untold numbers
• 成千累万 chéng qiān lěi wàn lit. by the thousands and tens of thousands ; untold numbers
• 承前启后 chéng qián qǐ hòu to follow the past and herald the future ; part of a histori
• 成千上万 chéng qiān shàng wàn (lit.) by the thousands and tens of thousands
• 成群结队 chéng qún jié duì making up a group; forming a troupe; in large numbers; as a
• 乘人不备 chéng rén bù bèi to take advantage of sb in an unguarded moment
• 成人之美 chéng rén zhī měi beauty of helping others succeed; act of helping sb fulfill
• 承上起下 chéng shàng qǐ xià to follow the past and herald the future ; part of a histori
• 诚心诚意 chéng xīn chéng yì earnestly and sincerely ; with all sincerity
• 诚心实意 chéng xīn shí yì earnestly and sincerely
• 乘虚而入 chéng xū ér rù to enter by exploiting a weak spot ; to take advantage of a
• 惩一儆百 chéng yī jǐng bǎi lit. punish one to warn one hundred
• 赤膊上阵 chì bó shàng zhèn lit. to go into battle bare-breasted
• 吃大锅饭 chī dà guō fàn lit. to eat from the common pot
• 赤胆忠心 chì dǎn zhōng xīn lit. red-bellied devotion ; wholehearted loyalty
• 吃干抹净 chī gān mā jìng to devour (food)
• 吃喝嫖赌 chī hē piáo dǔ (lit.) to go dining, wining, whoring and gambling
• 吃喝玩乐 chī hē wán lè (lit.) to eat, drink, play and be merry
• 齿颊生香 chǐ jiá shēng xiāng lit. to feel the taste in one's mouth
• 吃苦耐劳 chī kǔ nài láo hardworking and enduring hardships
• 吃里扒外 chī lǐ pá wài to work against the interests of sb one derives support from
• 魑魅魍魉 chī mèi wǎng liǎng all kinds of malevolent or mischievous spirits
• 赤贫如洗 chì pín rú xǐ without two nickels to rub together
• 赤手空拳 chì shǒu kōng quán with one's bare hands (unarmed – also figuratively: without
• 吃香喝辣 chī xiāng hē là lit. to eat delicious food and drink hard liquor
• 痴心妄想 chī xīn wàng xiǎng to be carried away by one's wishful thinking
• 叱咤风云 chì zhà fēng yún lit. to rebuke Heaven and Earth ; fig. shaking the whole wor
• 持之以恒 chí zhī yǐ héng to pursue unremittingly ; to persevere
• 重操旧业 chóng cāo jiù yè to resume one's old trade
• 重蹈覆辙 chóng dǎo fù zhé lit. to follow in the tracks of an overturned cart
• 重睹天日 chóng dǔ tiān rì to see the light again ; delivered from oppression
• 充耳不闻 chōng ěr bù wén to block one's ears and not listen ; to turn a deaf ear
• 冲锋陷阵 chōng fēng xiàn zhèn to charge into battle; (fig.) to be on the front lines
• 冲昏头脑 chōng hūn tóu nǎo lit. to be muddled in the brain ; fig. excited and unable to
• 重见天日 chóng jiàn tiān rì to see the light again ; delivered from oppression
• 冲口而出 chōng kǒu ér chū to blurt out without thinking
• 重峦叠嶂 chóng luán dié zhàng range upon range of mountains
• 重起炉灶 chóng qǐ lú zào to start over from scratch
• 宠妾灭妻 chǒng qiè miè qī favor the concubine and do away with the wife
• 崇山峻岭 chóng shān jùn lǐng towering mountains and precipitous ridges
• 宠擅专房 chǒng shàn zhuān fáng an especially favored concubine
• 重温旧梦 chóng wēn jiù mèng to revive old dreams ; to relive past experiences
• 崇洋媚外 chóng yáng mèi wài to revere everything foreign and pander to overseas powers ;
• 重整旗鼓 chóng zhěng qí gǔ lit. to reorganize flags and drums ; to regroup after a setb
• 臭不可闻 chòu bù kě wén to stink to high heaven
• 愁肠百结 chóu cháng bǎi jié hundred knots of worry in one's intestines ; weighed down wi
• 抽抽噎噎 chōu chou yē yē to sob and sniffle
• 踌躇满志 chóu chú mǎn zhì enormously proud of one's success ; smug
• 愁眉苦脸 chóu méi kǔ liǎn to look anxious
• 臭名昭彰 chòu míng zhāo zhāng notorious for his misdeeds
• 臭气冲天 chòu qì chōng tiān to stink to high heaven
• 臭气熏天 chòu qì xūn tiān overwhelming stench
• 抽丝剥茧 chōu sī bō jiǎn (lit.) to unwind the silk thread from the cocoon
• 除暴安良 chú bào ān liáng to root out the strong and give people peace ; to rob the ri
• 处变不惊 chǔ biàn bù jīng to remain calm in the face of events
• 楚楚可怜 chǔ chǔ kě lián pitiable; sweet, innocent and vulnerable
• 初出茅庐 chū chū máo lú venturing from one's thatched hut for the first time
• 触斗蛮争 chù dòu mán zhēng constant bickering and fighting ; constantly at each other's
• 除恶务尽 chú è wù jìn to eradicate evil completely ; thorough in rooting out wicke
• 出乎意料 chū hū yì liào unexpected
• 出乎意外 chū hū yì wài beyond expectation ; unexpected
• 出乎预料 chū hū yù liào beyond expectation ; unexpected
• 触景伤情 chù jǐng shāng qíng circumstances that evoke mixed feelings
• 触景生情 chù jǐng shēng qíng scene which recalls past memories
• 除旧布新 chú jiù bù xīn to get rid of the old to bring in the new ; to innovate
• 除旧更新 chú jiù gēng xīn to replace the old with new
• 出口成章 chū kǒu chéng zhāng (of one's speech) eloquent
• 出类拔萃 chū lèi bá cuì to excel the common ; surpassing
• 初露头角 chū lù tóu jiǎo lit. to first show one's horns ; fig. a first show of emergi
• 出谋划策 chū móu huà cè to put forward plans and ideas (also derogatory)
• 怵目惊心 chù mù jīng xīn lit. shocks the eye, astonishes the heart ; shocking
• 触目惊心 chù mù jīng xīn lit. shocks the eye, astonishes the heart ; shocking
• 触目伤心 chù mù shāng xīn distressing sight
• 出其不意 chū qí bù yì to do sth when least expected ; to catch sb off guard
• 锄强扶弱 chú qiáng fú ruò to root out the strong and support the weak ; to rob the ric
• 出人头地 chū rén tóu dì to stand out among one's peers
• 出人意料 chū rén yì liào unexpected
• 出人意外 chū rén yì wài turned out other than expected ; unexpected
• 出神入化 chū shén rù huà to reach perfection ; a superb artistic achievement
• 出生入死 chū shēng rù sǐ from the cradle to the grave ; to go through fire and water
• 出水芙蓉 chū shuǐ fú róng as a lotus flower breaking the surface ; surpassingly beauti
• 处堂燕雀 chù táng yàn què lit. a caged bird in a pavilion ; fig. to lose vigilance by
• 处心积虑 chǔ xīn jī lǜ to plot actively
• 出自肺腑 chū zì fèi fǔ from the bottom of one's heart
• 穿金戴银 chuān jīn dài yín richly bedecked
• 川流不息 chuān liú bù xī the stream flows without stopping ; unending flow
• 串亲访友 chuàn qīn fǎng yǒu to call on friends and relations
• 串通一气 chuàn tōng yī qì to act in collusion
• 穿凿附会 chuān záo fù huì to make far-fetched claims; to offer outlandish explanations
• 穿针引线 chuān zhēn yǐn xiàn lit. to thread a needle ; fig. to act as a go-between
• 创巨痛深 chuāng jù tòng shēn deeply distressed
• 窗明几净 chuāng míng jī jìng lit. clear window and clean table
• 吹灯拔蜡 chuī dēng bá là lit. to blow out the lamp and put out the candle
• 吹灰之力 chuī huī zhī lì a slight effort
• 垂帘听政 chuí lián tīng zhèng lit. to govern from behind the curtain
• 吹毛求疵 chuī máo qiú cī lit. to blow apart the hairs upon a fur to discover any defe
• 垂死挣扎 chuí sǐ zhēng zhá deathbed struggle
• 垂头丧气 chuí tóu sàng qì hanging one's head dispiritedly ; dejected
• 垂涎三尺 chuí xián sān chǐ to drool (over)
• 垂涎欲滴 chuí xián yù dī to drool with desire ; to envy
• 捶胸顿足 chuí xiōng dùn zú to beat one's chest and stamp one's feet (in sorrow, anguish
• 唇齿相依 chún chǐ xiāng yī lit. as close as lips and teeth ; closely related
• 蠢蠢欲动 chǔn chǔn yù dòng to begin to stir
• 春风和气 chūn fēng hé qì amiable as a spring breeze
• 春风化雨 chūn fēng huà yǔ lit. spring wind and rain ; fig. the long-term influence of
• 莼羹鲈脍 chún gēng lú kuài the dishes from one's hometown
• 春光乍泄 chūn guāng zhà xiè spring sunshine emerges to bring the world alive
• 莼鲈之思 chún lú zhī sī homesickness
• 春暖花开 chūn nuǎn huā kāi (lit.) springtime when the weather is warm and flowers are i
• 唇枪舌剑 chún qiāng shé jiàn to cross verbal swords; to have a heated verbal exchange
• 春秋大梦 chūn qiū dà mèng grand dreams
• 唇亡齿寒 chún wáng chǐ hán lit. without the lips, the teeth feel the cold ; fig. intima
• 绰绰有余 chuò chuò yǒu yú more than enough
• 戳心灌髓 chuō xīn guàn suǐ to strike at one's core; to deeply hurt sb
• 慈悲为本 cí bēi wéi běn mercy as the guiding principle ; the Buddhist teaching that
• 慈眉善目 cí méi shàn mù kind-looking; benevolent-looking
• 此起彼伏 cǐ qǐ bǐ fú up here, down there ; to rise and fall in succession
• 此起彼落 cǐ qǐ bǐ luò to rise and fall in succession
• 词人墨客 cí rén mò kè writer; wordsmith
• 此消彼长 cǐ xiāo bǐ zhǎng one declines while the other flourishes; one loses out when
• 词约指明 cí yuē zhǐ míng concise but unambiguous
• 从长计议 cóng cháng jì yì to take one's time making a decision; to consider at length
• 从谏如流 cóng jiàn rú liú to follow admonition as natural flow ; to accept criticism o
• 从井救人 cóng jǐng jiù rén to jump into a well to rescue sb else ; fig. to help others
• 聪明伶俐 cōng ming líng lì bright; clever; quick-witted
• 从善如流 cóng shàn rú liú readily following good advice ; willing to accept other peop
• 从天而降 cóng tiān ér jiàng to fall from the sky
• 从中作梗 cóng zhōng zuò gěng to deliberately create obstacles; to obstruct from behind th
• 醋海生波 cù hǎi shēng bō lit. waves on a sea of vinegar
• 粗鲁不文 cū lǔ bù wén crude and ill-educated
• 促膝谈心 cù xī tán xīn to sit side-by-side and have a heart-to-heart talk
• 粗枝大叶 cū zhī dà yè thick stems and broad leaves
• 粗制滥造 cū zhì làn zào to churn out large quantities without regard for quality ; r
• 蹿房越脊 cuān fáng yuè jǐ lit. to leap the house and cross the roofridge ; dashing ove
• 璀璨夺目 cuǐ càn duó mù dazzling
• 寸步不离 cùn bù bù lí to follow sb closely
• 寸步不让 cùn bù bù ràng not to yield an inch
• 寸步难行 cùn bù nán xíng unable to move a single step
• 寸草不生 cùn cǎo bù shēng barren; devoid of vegetation
• 寸土寸金 cùn tǔ cùn jīn land is extremely expensive (in that area)
• 厝火积薪 cuò huǒ jī xīn lit. to put a fire under a pile of firewood
• 错落不齐 cuò luò bù qí disorderly and uneven ; irregular and disorderly
• 错落有致 cuò luò yǒu zhì in picturesque disorder ; irregular arrangement with charmin
• 措手不及 cuò shǒu bù jí no time to deal with it ; caught unprepared
• 措置裕如 cuò zhì yù rú to handle easily ; effortless
• 错综复杂 cuò zōng fù zá tangled and complicated

Data: CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.