Chinese idioms starting with G

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

盖棺定论 gài guān dìng lùn don't pass judgment on a person's life until the lid is on t
盖棺论定 gài guān lùn dìng don't pass judgment on a person's life until the lid is on t
改过自新 gǎi guò zì xīn to reform and start afresh ; to turn over a new leaf
改头换面 gǎi tóu huàn miàn to change outwardly while remaining essentially the same (de
改弦易辙 gǎi xián yì zhé change of string, move out of rut ; dramatic change of direc
改邪归正 gǎi xié guī zhèng to mend one's ways
干柴烈火 gān chái liè huǒ explosive mutual passion; blaze of passion (esp. between lov
肝肠寸断 gān cháng cùn duàn lit. liver and guts cut to pieces
肝胆相照 gān dǎn xiāng zhào to treat one another with absolute sincerity ; to show total
感恩图报 gǎn ēn tú bào grateful and seeking to repay the kindness
感激不尽 gǎn jī bù jìn can't thank sb enough
感激涕零 gǎn jī tì líng to shed tears of gratitude ; moved to tears
赶尽杀绝 gǎn jìn shā jué to kill to the last one
感情用事 gǎn qíng yòng shì to act impetuously ; on an impulse
感人肺腑 gǎn rén fèi fǔ deeply touching
感人至深 gǎn rén zhì shēn deeply touching
感天动地 gǎn tiān dòng dì deeply affecting
敢为人先 gǎn wéi rén xiān to dare to be first
甘心情愿 gān xīn qíng yuàn willingly and gladly
敢作敢为 gǎn zuò gǎn wéi to stop at nothing; to dare to do anything
刚愎自用 gāng bì zì yòng obstinate and self-opinionated
纲举目张 gāng jǔ mù zhāng if you lift the headrope the meshes spread open
刚柔并济 gāng róu bìng jì to couple strength and gentleness
刚毅木讷 gāng yì mù nè resolute and taciturn
高岸深谷 gāo àn shēn gǔ high bank, deep valley ; secluded location
高不可攀 gāo bù kě pān too high to reach ; eminent and unapproachable
高唱入云 gāo chàng rù yún loud songs reaches the clouds ; fig. to praise to the skies
高城深池 gāo chéng shēn chí high walls and deep moat ; impenetrable defense
高低不就 gāo dī bù jiù can't reach the high or accept the low ; not good enough for
高风峻节 gāo fēng jùn jié a high-class upright character
高风亮节 gāo fēng liàng jié of noble character and unquestionable integrity
高高在上 gāo gāo zài shàng situated high; aloft
高歌猛进 gāo gē měng jìn to advance singing loudly ; triumphant progress
高官厚禄 gāo guān hòu lù high post and generous salary ; promotion to a high official
高举远蹈 gāo jǔ yuǎn dǎo to leave office for a high and distant place ; to retire and
告老还乡 gào lǎo huán xiāng to retire from official service due to old age and return to
膏粱子弟 gāo liáng zǐ dì pampered scion of a wealthy family
高朋满座 gāo péng mǎn zuò surrounded by distinguished friends ; in company
高手如云 gāo shǒu rú yún teeming with experts
高耸入云 gāo sǒng rù yún tall and erect, reaching through the clouds ; used to descri
高抬贵手 gāo tái guì shǒu to be generous
高头大马 gāo tóu dà mǎ tall, imposing horse; (of a person) tall and well-built
告一段落 gào yī duàn luò to come to the end of a phase
高瞻远瞩 gāo zhān yuǎn zhǔ to stand tall and see far ; taking the long and broad view
高枕无忧 gāo zhěn wú yōu to sleep peacefully
隔岸观火 gé àn guān huǒ to watch the fires burning across the river
各奔东西 gè bèn dōng xī to go separate ways
各奔前程 gè bèn qián chéng each goes his own way ; each person has his own life to lead
各持己见 gè chí jǐ jiàn each sticks to his own opinion ; chacun son gout
各得其所 gè dé qí suǒ each in the correct place; each is provided for
格格不入 gé gé bù rù inharmonious
革故鼎新 gé gù dǐng xīn to discard the old and introduce the new ; to innovate
割股疗亲 gē gǔ liáo qīn to cut flesh from one's thigh to nourish a sick parent
各尽所能 gè jìn suǒ néng each does his utmost
各就各位 gè jiù gè wèi (of the people in a group) to get into position
隔年皇历 gé nián huáng lì lit. almanac from years back
割袍断义 gē páo duàn yì to rip one's robe as a sign of repudiating a sworn brotherho
隔墙有耳 gé qiáng yǒu ěr the walls have ears
各取所需 gè qǔ suǒ xū each takes what he needs
隔三差五 gé sān chà wǔ every few days; every once in a while
各色各样 gè sè gè yàng diverse; various; all kinds of
格杀勿论 gé shā wù lùn to kill on sight (without fear of prosecution)
歌舞升平 gē wǔ shēng píng (lit.) to celebrate peace with songs and dance
格物致知 gé wù zhì zhī to study the underlying principle to acquire knowledge ; pur
各显所长 gè xiǎn suǒ cháng each displays their own strengths
各行其是 gè xíng qí shì each one does what he thinks is right
隔靴搔痒 gé xuē sāo yǎng lit. to scratch the outside of the boot
各有千秋 gè yǒu qiān qiū each has its own merits
各有所好 gè yǒu suǒ hào everyone has their likes and dislikes
各执己见 gè zhí jǐ jiàn each sticks to his own view ; a dialogue of the deaf
各执一词 gè zhí yī cí each sticks to his own version ; a dialogue of the deaf
亘古不变 gèn gǔ bù biàn unchanging since times immemorial
根深叶茂 gēn shēn yè mào deep roots and vigorous foliage
耿耿于怀 gěng gěng yú huái to take troubles to heart ; brooding
羹藜含糗 gēng lí hán qiǔ nothing but herb soup and dry provisions to eat ; to survive
羹藜唅糗 gēng lí hān qiǔ nothing but herb soup and dry provisions to eat ; to survive
更深人静 gēng shēn rén jìng deep at night and all is quiet
更有甚者 gèng yǒu shèn zhě furthermore
功败垂成 gōng bài chuí chéng to fail within sight of success ; last-minute failure
功不可没 gōng bù kě mò one's contributions cannot go unnoticed
功成不居 gōng chéng bù jū not to claim personal credit for achievement
攻城略地 gōng chéng lüè dì to take cities and seize territories
功成名就 gōng chéng míng jiù to win success and recognition
觥筹交错 gōng chóu jiāo cuò wine goblets and gambling chips lie intertwined
功德无量 gōng dé wú liàng no end of virtuous achievements ; boundless beneficence
功德圆满 gōng dé yuán mǎn virtuous achievements come to their successful conclusion
公而忘私 gōng ér wàng sī for the common good and forgetting personal interests ; to b
功高不赏 gōng gāo bù shǎng high merit that one can never repay ; invaluable achievement
功高盖主 gōng gāo gài zhǔ lit. one's accomplishments overshadow the authority of the s
功高望重 gōng gāo wàng zhòng high merit and worthy prospects
功亏一篑 gōng kuī yī kuì lit. to ruin the enterprise for the sake of one basketful
功名利禄 gōng míng lì lù position and wealth ; rank, fame and fortune
功莫大焉 gōng mò dà yān no greater contribution has been made than this
公事公办 gōng shì gōng bàn to do things in a strictly businesslike manner
拱手让人 gǒng shǒu ràng rén to surrender sth without resistance
拱手相让 gǒng shǒu xiāng ràng to surrender sth without resistance
功完行满 gōng wán xíng mǎn to fully achieve one's ambitions
公之于世 gōng zhī yú shì to announce to the world; to make public; to let everyone kn
公之于众 gōng zhī yú zhòng to make known to the masses ; to publicize widely
公诸同好 gōng zhū tóng hào to share pleasure in the company of others ; shared enjoymen
公诸于世 gōng zhū yú shì to announce to the world
狗逮老鼠 gǒu dǎi lǎo shǔ lit. a dog who catches mice
狗胆包天 gǒu dǎn bāo tiān extremely daring
狗窦大开 gǒu dòu dà kāi dog hole wide open ; fig. gap caused by missing teeth (used
篝火狐鸣 gōu huǒ hú míng to tell fox ghost stories around a bonfire and incite rebell
狗急跳墙 gǒu jí tiào qiáng a cornered dog will jump over the wall
勾肩搭背 gōu jiān dā bèi arms around each other's shoulders
狗拿耗子 gǒu ná hào zi lit. a dog who catches mice
狗屁不通 gǒu pì bù tōng (of writing, speech etc) incoherent; nonsensical
苟且偷安 gǒu qiě tōu ān seeking only ease and comfort ; making no attempt to improve
苟且偷生 gǒu qiě tōu shēng to drift and live without purpose ; to drag out an ignoble e
狗尾续貂 gǒu wěi xù diāo lit. to use a dog's tail as a substitute for sable fur
狗血喷头 gǒu xiě pēn tóu torrent of abuse
勾心斗角 gōu xīn dòu jiǎo to fight and scheme against each other
狗血淋头 gǒu xuè lín tóu lit. to pour dog's blood on
苟延残喘 gǒu yán cán chuǎn to struggle on whilst at death's door
狗仗人势 gǒu zhàng rén shì a dog threatens based on master's power ; to use one's posit
故步自封 gù bù zì fēng stuck in the old ways ; refusing to acknowledge new ideas
顾此失彼 gù cǐ shī bǐ lit. to attend to one thing and lose sight of another
孤独于世 gū dú yú shì alone in the world
孤芳自赏 gū fāng zì shǎng lone flower admiring itself ; narcissism
骨鲠在喉 gǔ gěng zài hóu fish bone stuck in one's throat ; fig. to feel obliged to sp
骨鲠之臣 gǔ gěng zhī chén lit. fish bone of a minister ; fig. person one can rely on f
鼓鼓囊囊 gǔ gu nāng nāng (of a pocket, pouch etc) full and bulging
呱呱坠地 gū gū zhuì dì (of a baby) to enter the world with a loud cry; to be born
孤魂野鬼 gū hún yě guǐ wandering ghosts without living descendants to pray for them
蛊惑人心 gǔ huò rén xīn to stir up public sentiment by false statements
孤家寡人 gū jiā guǎ rén one who is cut off from others
古今中外 gǔ jīn zhōng wài at all times and in all places
古井无波 gǔ jǐng wú bō calm and collected; unaffected by external influences
孤军奋战 gū jūn fèn zhàn lit. lone army putting up a brave fight
顾客至上 gù kè zhì shàng the customer reigns supreme
孤苦伶仃 gū kǔ líng dīng solitary and impoverished
古灵精怪 gǔ líng jīng guài mischievously clever; whimsically quirky
沽名钓誉 gū míng diào yù to angle for fame
顾盼自雄 gù pàn zì xióng to strut about feeling complacent
顾全大局 gù quán dà jú to take the big picture into consideration
骨肉相残 gǔ ròu xiāng cán close kindred slaughter one another ; internecine strife
骨肉相连 gǔ ròu xiāng lián lit. interrelated as bones and flesh ; inseparably related
固若金汤 gù ruò jīn tāng (lit.) secure as a city protected by a wall of metal and a m
孤身只影 gū shēn zhī yǐng lit. a lonely body with only a shadow for company
骨瘦如柴 gǔ shòu rú chái as thin as a match; emaciated
姑息养奸 gū xī yǎng jiān to tolerate is to nurture an evildoer ; spare the rod and sp
顾影自怜 gù yǐng zì lián lit. looking at one's shadow and feeling sorry for oneself
姑置勿论 gū zhì wù lùn to put (an issue) to one side for the moment
寡不敌众 guǎ bù dí zhòng the few are no match for the many
寡二少双 guǎ èr shǎo shuāng peerless
瓜熟蒂落 guā shú dì luò when the melon is ripe, it falls ; problems sort themselves
挂一漏万 guà yī lòu wàn to mention some but omit many others
怪腔怪调 guài qiāng guài diào strange accent; odd manner of speaking or singing
拐弯抹角 guǎi wān mò jiǎo lit. going round the curves and skirting the corners
官报私仇 guān bào sī chóu to take advantage of official post for personal revenge
官逼民反 guān bī mín fǎn a government official drives the people to revolt ; a minist
鳏寡孤独 guān guǎ gū dú (lit.) widowers, widows, orphans and the childless
官官相护 guān guān xiāng hù officials shield one another ; a cover-up
关怀备至 guān huái bèi zhì the utmost care ; to look after sb in every possible way
管见所及 guǎn jiàn suǒ jí in my humble opinion
关门打狗 guān mén dǎ gǒu lit. shut the door and beat the dog
关门大吉 guān mén dà jí to close down a business for good and put the best face on i
关门捉贼 guān mén zhuō zéi to catch a thief by closing his escape route
冠冕堂皇 guān miǎn táng huáng high-sounding
官私合营 guān sī hé yíng public and private interests working together
观衅伺隙 guān xìn sì xì lit. to look for holes, and observe gaps
官运亨通 guān yùn hēng tōng (of a political career) everything is going smoothly
管中窥豹 guǎn zhōng kuī bào lit. to see a leopard through a narrow tube ; fig. to miss t
光风霁月 guāng fēng jì yuè lit. light breeze and clear moon
广结良缘 guǎng jié liáng yuán to earn people's praise through one's good deeds
广开言路 guǎng kāi yán lù to encourage the free airing of views
光芒万丈 guāng máng wàn zhàng boundless radiance; splendor
光明磊落 guāng míng lěi luò open and candid ; straightforward and upright
光前裕后 guāng qián yù hòu to bring honor to one's ancestors and benefit future generat
光说不练 guāng shuō bù liàn all talk and no action
光说不做 guāng shuō bù zuò to be all talk and no action; to preach what one does not pr
光天化日 guāng tiān huà rì the full light of day
光耀门楣 guāng yào mén méi splendor shines on the family's door
光阴荏苒 guāng yīn rěn rǎn How time flies!
光阴似箭 guāng yīn sì jiàn time flies like an arrow ; How time flies!
鬼斧神工 guǐ fǔ shén gōng supernaturally fine craft ; the work of the Gods
归根究底 guī gēn jiū dǐ in the final analysis
贵古贱今 guì gǔ jiàn jīn to revere the past and despise the present
鬼鬼祟祟 guǐ guǐ suì suì sneaky; secretive; furtive
鬼话连篇 guǐ huà lián piān to tell one lie after another
诡计多端 guǐ jì duō duān deceitful in many ways ; wily and mischievous
规矩绳墨 guī ju shéng mò compasses, set square and straight line marker ; fig. establ
规矩准绳 guī ju zhǔn shéng compasses, set square, spirit level and plumbline ; fig. est
诡谲多变 guǐ jué duō biàn unpredictable; ever-changing
鬼哭狼嚎 guǐ kū láng háo to wail and scream loudly
鬼摸脑壳 guǐ mō nǎo ké muddled; momentarily confused
鬼怕恶人 guǐ pà è rén lit. ghosts are afraid of evil too
贵人多忘 guì rén duō wàng an eminent person has short memory
鬼使神差 guǐ shǐ shén chāi demons and gods at work ; unexplained event crying out for a
归心似箭 guī xīn sì jiàn with one's heart set on speeding home
规行矩步 guī xíng jǔ bù to follow the compass and go with the set square ; to follow
鬼由心生 guǐ yóu xīn shēng devils are born in the heart
贵远贱近 guì yuǎn jiàn jìn to revere the past and despise the present
滚瓜烂熟 gǔn guā làn shú lit. ripe as a melon that rolls from its vine ; fig. to know
滚油煎心 gǔn yóu jiān xīn to suffer mental anguish
果不其然 guǒ bù qí rán just as expected
过关斩将 guò guān zhǎn jiàng to surmount all difficulties (on the way to success) (abbr.
过河拆桥 guò hé chāi qiáo (lit.) to destroy the bridge after crossing the river
国计民生 guó jì mín shēng national economy and people's livelihood
过江之鲫 guò jiāng zhī jì vast multitude of people
国破家亡 guó pò jiā wáng the country ruined and the people starving
国弱民穷 guó ruò mín qióng the country weakened and the people empoverished
国色天香 guó sè tiān xiāng national grace, divine fragrance ; an outstanding beauty
过时不候 guò shí bù hòu being late is not acceptable
果实累累 guǒ shí léi léi lit. prodigious abundance of fruit
国泰民安 guó tài mín ān the country prospers, the people at peace ; peace and prospe
过眼云烟 guò yǎn yún yān passing mist and clouds (metaphor for sth fleeting)
裹足不前 guǒ zú bù qián to stand still without advancing ; to hesitate and hold back

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