Chinese idioms starting with Y

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

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• 哑口无言 yǎ kǒu wú yán dumbstruck and unable to reply
• 鸦雀无声 yā què wú shēng lit. crow and peacock make no sound
• 雅俗共赏 yǎ sú gòng shǎng can be enjoyed by scholars and lay-people alike
• 睚眦必报 yá zì bì bào lit. to seek revenge over a dirty look
• 言不及义 yán bù jí yì to talk nonsense
• 言不尽意 yán bù jìn yì (conventional letter ending) words cannot fully express what
• 言不由衷 yán bù yóu zhōng to say sth without meaning it ; to speak tongue in cheek
• 眼不转睛 yǎn bù zhuàn jīng with fixed attention
• 眼馋肚饱 yǎn chán dù bǎo to have eyes bigger than one's belly
• 严惩不贷 yán chéng bù dài to punish severely
• 眼穿肠断 yǎn chuān cháng duàn waiting anxiously
• 言传身教 yán chuán shēn jiào to teach by words and example
• 言多必失 yán duō bì shī if you say too much, you're bound to slip up at some point
• 掩耳盗铃 yǎn ěr dào líng lit. to cover one's ears whilst stealing a bell
• 言而无信 yán ér wú xìn untrustworthy; not true to one's word
• 言而有信 yán ér yǒu xìn to speak and keep one's promise ; as good as one's word
• 眼高手低 yǎn gāo shǒu dī to have high standards but little ability
• 言归正传 yán guī zhèng zhuàn to return to the topic
• 言过其实 yán guò qí shí to exaggerate; to overstate the facts
• 烟花风月 yān huā fēng yuè refers to lovemaking
• 眼疾手快 yǎn jí shǒu kuài quick to notice and react
• 言简意赅 yán jiǎn yì gāi concise and comprehensive
• 言近旨远 yán jìn zhǐ yuǎn simple words with a profound meaning
• 延颈企踵 yán jǐng qǐ zhǒng to stand on tiptoe and crane one's neck ; fig. to yearn for
• 掩面而泣 yǎn miàn ér qì to bury one's head in one's hands and weep
• 颜面扫地 yán miàn sǎo dì lit. for one's face to reach rock bottom
• 延年益寿 yán nián yì shòu to prolong life; to extend lifespan
• 偃旗息鼓 yǎn qí xī gǔ lit. lay down the flag and still the drums ; fig. to cease
• 燕雀处堂 yàn què chù táng lit. a caged bird in a pavilion ; fig. to lose vigilance by
• 燕雀相贺 yàn què xiàng hè lit. sparrow and swallow's congratulation ; fig. to congratu
• 嫣然一笑 yān rán yī xiào to smile sweetly
• 掩人耳目 yǎn rén ěr mù to fool people
• 严丝合缝 yán sī hé fèng to fit together snugly; to dovetail perfectly
• 言谈林薮 yán tán lín sǒu articulate in speech
• 言听计从 yán tīng jì cóng to see, hear and obey ; to take advice
• 言外之意 yán wài zhī yì unspoken implication; the actual meaning of what was said
• 言为心声 yán wéi xīn shēng one's words reflect one's thinking
• 眼瞎耳聋 yǎn xiā ěr lóng to be deaf and blind
• 烟消云散 yān xiāo yún sàn to vanish like smoke in thin air; to disappear
• 言行不符 yán xíng bù fú to say one thing and do another
• 言行不一 yán xíng bù yī to say one thing and do another
• 言行若一 yán xíng ruò yī one's actions are in keeping with what one says
• 言行一致 yán xíng yī zhì one's actions are in keeping with what one says
• 烟熏火燎 yān xūn huǒ liǎo smoke and baking fire ; surrounded by flames and smoke
• 雁杳鱼沉 yàn yǎo yú chén without news from sb
• 严以律己 yán yǐ lǜ jǐ to be strict with oneself
• 言犹在耳 yán yóu zài ěr words still ringing in one's ears
• 言之无物 yán zhī wú wù (of a writing etc) to have no substance
• 言之凿凿 yán zhī záo záo to speak with conviction
• 扬长避短 yáng cháng bì duǎn to foster strengths and avoid weaknesses
• 羊肠小道 yáng cháng xiǎo dào road as twisty as sheep's intestine ; narrow and winding roa
• 扬幡招魂 yáng fān zhāo hún (lit.) to raise a banner to summon the soul of a dying perso
• 阳奉阴违 yáng fèng yīn wéi outward devotion but inner opposition ; to pay lip service
• 阳光明媚 yáng guāng míng mèi the sun shines brightly
• 阳光普照 yáng guāng pǔ zhào sunlight shines over all things
• 养虎伤身 yǎng hǔ shāng shēn Rear a tiger and court disaster. ; fig. if you're too lenien
• 养虎为患 yǎng hǔ wéi huàn lit. to nurture a tiger invites calamity
• 养虎遗患 yǎng hǔ yí huàn Rear a tiger and court disaster. ; fig. if you're too lenien
• 养家糊口 yǎng jiā hú kǒu to provide for one's family
• 养家活口 yǎng jiā huó kǒu to support one's family
• 养精蓄锐 yǎng jīng xù ruì to preserve and nurture one's spirit ; honing one's strength
• 扬名四海 yáng míng sì hǎi known throughout the country ; world-famous
• 洋腔洋调 yáng qiāng yáng diào to speak with a foreign accent or using words from a foreign
• 仰人鼻息 yǎng rén bí xī to rely on others for the air one breathes ; to depend on sb
• 羊入虎口 yáng rù hǔ kǒu lit. a lamb in a tiger's den
• 养生送死 yǎng shēng sòng sǐ to be looked after in life and given a proper burial thereaf
• 仰屋著书 yǎng wū zhù shū lit. to stare at the ceiling while writing a book ; to put o
• 洋洋得意 yáng yáng dé yì immensely pleased with oneself
• 洋洋洒洒 yáng yáng sǎ sǎ voluminous
• 洋洋自得 yáng yáng zì dé immensely pleased with oneself
• 养痈遗患 yǎng yōng yí huàn lit. to foster an ulcer and bequeath a calamity ; tolerating
• 羊质虎皮 yáng zhì hǔ pí lit. the heart of a sheep in the skin of a tiger
• 养尊处优 yǎng zūn chǔ yōu to live like a prince
• 腰缠万贯 yāo chán wàn guàn lit. ten thousand strings of cash in money belt ; carrying l
• 药到病除 yào dào bìng chú lit. the disease is cured the moment the medicine is taken
• 咬紧牙关 yǎo jǐn yá guān to grit one's teeth tightly
• 腰金衣紫 yāo jīn yī zǐ golden seal at the waist, purple gown ; in official position
• 妖魔鬼怪 yāo mó guǐ guài all kinds of evil spirits or malevolent beings
• 幺麽小丑 yāo mó xiǎo chǒu insignificant wretch
• 摇旗呐喊 yáo qí nà hǎn to wave flags and shout battle cries ; to egg sb on
• 杳如黄鹤 yǎo rú huáng hè to be gone forever
• 药食同源 yào shí tóng yuán lit. food and medicine come from the same source
• 药石无灵 yào shí wú líng (of a sick person or disease) to be incurable
• 摇头摆尾 yáo tóu bǎi wěi to nod one's head and wag one's tail
• 摇尾乞怜 yáo wěi qǐ lián lit. to behave like a dog wagging its tail, seeking its mast
• 咬文嚼字 yǎo wén jiáo zì to bite words and chew characters ; punctilious about minuti
• 杳无人迹 yǎo wú rén jì without trace of human presence; uninhabited; deserted
• 耀武扬威 yào wǔ yáng wēi to show off one's military strength ; to strut around
• 咬牙切齿 yǎo yá qiè chǐ to gnash one's teeth; to fume with rage
• 妖言惑众 yāo yán huò zhòng to mislead the public with rumors
• 遥遥领先 yáo yáo lǐng xiān a long way in front; to lead by a wide margin
• 遥遥无期 yáo yáo wú qī far in the indefinite future ; so far away it seems forever
• 夜不闭户 yè bù bì hù lit. doors not locked at night ; fig. stable society
• 夜不归宿 yè bù guī sù to stay out all night
• 叶公好龙 Yè Gōng hào lóng lit. Lord Ye's passion for dragons
• 业荒于嬉 yè huāng yú xī to be distracted from one's work and fail to achieve results
• 业精于勤 yè jīng yú qín mastery of study lies in diligence . You can only master a s
• 夜阑人静 yè lán rén jìng the still of the night
• 夜郎自大 Yè láng zì dà lit. Yelang thinks highly of itself
• 叶落归根 yè luò guī gēn a falling leaf returns to the roots ; everything has its anc
• 夜深人静 yè shēn rén jìng in the dead of night
• 野心勃勃 yě xīn bó bó highly ambitious
• 夜行昼伏 yè xíng zhòu fú to travel at night and lie low by day
• 夜以继日 yè yǐ jì rì night and day ; continuous strenuous effort
• 一败涂地 yī bài tú dì lit. defeated, the ground blanketed with bodies
• 一般见识 yī bān jiàn shi to lower oneself to (sb's) level
• 一板三眼 yī bǎn sān yǎn lit. one strong beat and three weak beats in a measure of mu
• 一板一眼 yī bǎn yī yǎn lit. one strong beat and one weak beats in a measure of musi
• 一饱眼福 yī bǎo yǎn fú to feast one's eyes on
• 一本万利 yī běn wàn lì small capital, huge profit ; to put in a little and get a lo
• 一本正经 yī běn zhèng jīng in deadly earnest; deadpan
• 一笔不苟 yī bǐ bù gǒu lit. not even one stroke is negligent
• 一笔带过 yī bǐ dài guò to mention only very briefly; to skate over (a topic)
• 一病不起 yī bìng bù qǐ to fall gravely ill, never to recover
• 一秉虔诚 yī bǐng qián chéng earnestly and sincerely ; devoutly
• 衣不蔽体 yī bù bì tǐ lit. clothes not covering the body
• 一步登天 yī bù dēng tiān reaching heaven in a single bound ; (esp. with negative: don
• 义不容辞 yì bù róng cí not to be shirked without dishonor
• 亦步亦趋 yì bù yì qū to blindly follow suit
• 一唱三叹 yī chàng sān tàn (of literature or music) concise yet deeply evocative; invit
• 一长一短 yī cháng yī duǎn talking endlessly; long-winded
• 一唱一和 yī chàng yī hè to echo one another
• 一尘不染 yī chén bù rǎn untainted by even a speck of dust; spotlessly clean; (of a p
• 逸尘断鞅 yì chén duàn yāng lit. kicking up the dust and breaking the harness
• 一成不变 yī chéng bù biàn immutable; impervious to change; set in stone
• 遗臭万年 yí chòu wàn nián to have one's name go down in history as a byword for infamy
• 一蹴而就 yī cù ér jiù to get there in one step ; easily done
• 一蹴即至 yī cù jí zhì lit. to get there in one step
• 一蹴可几 yī cù kě jī to succeed at the first try
• 衣单食薄 yī dān shí bó thin coat, meager food ; life of wretched poverty
• 一刀两断 yī dāo liǎng duàn to make a clean break with; to have nothing more to do with
• 以德报怨 yǐ dé bào yuàn to return good for evil
• 亦敌亦友 yì dí yì yǒu to be both friend and foe to each other; to have a friendly
• 一丁不识 yī dīng bù shí illiterate
• 蚁斗蜗争 yǐ dòu wō zhēng lit. the ant fights, the snail contends ; fig. petty squabbl
• 以讹传讹 yǐ é chuán é to spread falsehoods
• 一反常态 yī fǎn cháng tài complete change from the normal state ; quite uncharacterist
• 一帆风顺 yī fān fēng shùn propitious wind throughout the journey
• 以防万一 yǐ fáng wàn yī to guard against the unexpected ; just in case
• 义愤填胸 yì fèn tián xiōng righteous indignation fills one's breast ; to feel indignant
• 义愤填膺 yì fèn tián yīng righteous indignation fills one's breast ; to feel indignant
• 一分为二 yī fēn wéi èr one divides into two
• 一分一毫 yī fēn yī háo the tiniest bit
• 移风易俗 yí fēng yì sú to reform habits and customs
• 一概而论 yī gài ér lùn to lump different matters together
• 一改故辙 yī gǎi gù zhé complete change from the old rut ; dramatic change of direct
• 一干二净 yī gān èr jìng thoroughly
• 一官半职 yī guān bàn zhí some official position (esp. a low-ranking one)
• 衣冠禽兽 yī guān qín shòu lit. dressed up animal
• 异国他乡 yì guó tā xiāng foreign lands and places ; living as expatriate
• 一哄而散 yī hōng ér sàn to disperse in confusion
• 一呼百诺 yī hū bǎi nuò one command brings a hundred responses ; having hundreds of
• 一呼百应 yī hū bǎi yìng (of a call) to elict an enthusiastic response; to receive ex
• 移花接木 yí huā jiē mù (lit.) to graft flowers onto a tree
• 一技之长 yī jì zhī cháng proficiency in a particular field
• 以假乱真 yǐ jiǎ luàn zhēn to pass off the fake as genuine; to blur the line between fa
• 一见高低 yī jiàn gāo dī lit. to fight it out with sb to see who is best
• 一箭双雕 yī jiàn shuāng diāo lit. one arrow, two golden eagles
• 一箭之仇 yī jiàn zhī chóu a wrong suffered
• 一见钟情 yī jiàn zhōng qíng to fall in love at first sight
• 衣锦还乡 yī jǐn huán xiāng lit. to come back to one's hometown in silken robes
• 衣锦荣归 yī jǐn róng guī to come back to one's hometown in silken robes ; to return i
• 以儆效尤 yǐ jǐng xiào yóu to warn against following bad examples; as a warning to othe
• 一举成名 yī jǔ chéng míng to become famous in one stroke; to shoot to fame (originally
• 一举两得 yī jǔ liǎng dé (lit.) one action, two gains
• 一举一动 yī jǔ yī dòng every movement; each and every move
• 一蹶不振 yī jué bù zhèn one stumble, unable to rise ; a setback leading to total col
• 异军突起 yì jūn tū qǐ to emerge as a new force to be reckoned with
• 一刻千金 yī kè qiān jīn time is gold; every minute is precious
• 一孔之见 yī kǒng zhī jiàn partial view; limited outlook
• 异口同声 yì kǒu tóng shēng different mouths, same voice
• 忆苦思甜 yì kǔ sī tián to view one's past as miserable and one's present as happy
• 一夔已足 yī kuí yǐ zú one talented person is enough for the job
• 一览无余 yī lǎn wú yú to cover all at one glance
• 倚老卖老 yǐ lǎo mài lǎo to flaunt one's seniority; to rely on one's age or length of
• 以泪洗面 yǐ lèi xǐ miàn to bathe one's face in tears
• 以礼相待 yǐ lǐ xiāng dài to treat sb with due respect
• 一了百了 yī liǎo bǎi liǎo once the main problem is solved, all troubles are solved; de
• 意料之外 yì liào zhī wài contrary to expectation; unexpected
• 一鳞半爪 yī lín bàn zhǎo lit. one scale and half a claw
• 以邻为壑 yǐ lín wéi hè to use one's neighbor as a drain
• 一路货色 yī lù huò sè (pejorative) as detestable as each other; birds of a feather
• 一路顺风 yī lù shùn fēng to have a pleasant journey
• 以卵击石 yǐ luǎn jī shí lit. to strike a stone with egg ; to attempt the impossible
• 议论纷纷 yì lùn fēn fēn to discuss spiritedly
• 一落千丈 yī luò qiān zhàng lit. to drop a thousand zhang in one fall
• 一马当先 yī mǎ dāng xiān to take the lead
• 一马平川 yī mǎ píng chuān flat land one could gallop straight across ; wide expanse of
• 一脉相承 yī mài xiāng chéng traceable to the same stock ; of a common origin (of trends,
• 一毛不拔 yī máo bù bá (lit.) unwilling to spare a single hair
• 以貌取人 yǐ mào qǔ rén to judge sb by appearances
• 一门心思 yī mén xīn si to set one's heart on sth
• 一面之缘 yī miàn zhī yuán one-time encounter (e.g. 有一面之缘 (yǒu yī miàn zhī yuán) "to ha
• 一鸣惊人 yī míng jīng rén to amaze the world with a single brilliant feat ; an overnig
• 一命呜呼 yī mìng wū hū to die
• 一目了然 yī mù liǎo rán obvious at a glance
• 一木难支 yī mù nán zhī lit. a single post cannot prop up a falling house
• 一目十行 yī mù shí háng ten lines at a glance
• 一模一样 yī mú yī yàng exactly alike; identical
• 一男半女 yī nán bàn nǚ a son or daughter; a child
• 一年一度 yī nián yī dù annual; once a year
• 一诺千金 yī nuò qiān jīn (lit.) a promise worth a thousand pieces of gold
• 一拍即合 yī pāi jí hé lit. to be together from the first beat
• 一盘散沙 yī pán sǎn shā lit. like a sheet of loose sand
• 一炮打响 yī pào dǎ xiǎng to hit the jackpot with a single shot; to achieve success at
• 一炮而红 yī pào ér hóng to win instant success
• 一贫如洗 yī pín rú xǐ penniless; destitute
• 意气风发 yì qì fēng fā high-spirited; full of mettle
• 一骑绝尘 yī qí jué chén to lead the pack by a wide margin; to leave one's competitor
• 意气用事 yì qì yòng shì to let emotions affect one's decisions
• 一钱不值 yī qián bù zhí not worth a penny; utterly worthless
• 一钱如命 yī qián rú mìng stingy; penny-pinching
• 以强凌弱 yǐ qiáng líng ruò to use one's strength to bully the weak
• 一窍不通 yī qiào bù tōng lit. doesn't (even) enter a single aperture (of one's head)
• 一切就绪 yī qiè jiù xù everything in its place and ready
• 一琴一鹤 yī qín yī hè carrying very little luggage
• 移情别恋 yí qíng bié liàn change of affection, shift of love ; to change one's feeling
• 一清二白 yī qīng èr bái perfectly clean
• 一清二楚 yī qīng èr chǔ to be very clear about sth
• 一清如水 yī qīng rú shuǐ lit. as clear as water
• 一丘之貉 yī qiū zhī hé jackals of the same tribe ; fig. They are all just as bad as
• 异曲同工 yì qǔ tóng gōng different tunes played with equal skill
• 以权谋私 yǐ quán móu sī to use one's position for personal gain
• 依然故我 yī rán gù wǒ to be one's old self
• 依然如故 yī rán rú gù back to where we were; absolutely no improvement; things hav
• 怡然自得 yí rán zì dé happy and content
• 一日千里 yī rì qiān lǐ lit. one day, a thousand miles ; rapid progress
• 一日三秋 yī rì sān qiū a single day apart seems like three seasons
• 一日之雅 yī rì zhī yǎ lit. friends for a day
• 以柔克刚 yǐ róu kè gāng to use softness to conquer strength
• 易如反掌 yì rú fǎn zhǎng easy as a hand's turn ; very easy
• 一如既往 yī rú jì wǎng just as in the past; as before; continuing as always
• 以弱胜强 yǐ ruò shèng qiáng using the weak to defeat the strong ; to win from a position
• 一扫而空 yī sǎo ér kōng to make a clean sweep of; to clean out
• 以少胜多 yǐ shǎo shèng duō using the few to defeat the many ; to win from a position of
• 以身报国 yǐ shēn bào guó to give one's body for the nation ; to spend one's whole lif
• 一身是胆 yī shēn shì dǎn devoid of fear
• 以身试法 yǐ shēn shì fǎ to challenge the law
• 以慎为键 yǐ shèn wéi jiàn to take caution as the key ; to proceed very carefully
• 以身许国 yǐ shēn xǔ guó to dedicate oneself to the cause of one's country
• 以身作则 yǐ shēn zuò zé to set an example ; to serve as a model
• 一生一世 yī shēng yī shì a whole lifetime ; all my life
• 一时半刻 yī shí bàn kè a short time; a little while
• 一石二鸟 yī shí èr niǎo to kill two birds with one stone
• 以示警戒 yǐ shì jǐng jiè to serve as a warning
• 一视同仁 yī shì tóng rén to treat everyone equally favorably ; not to discriminate be
• 以史为鉴 yǐ shǐ wéi jiàn to learn from history
• 一事无成 yī shì wú chéng to have achieved nothing; to be a total failure; to get nowh
• 衣食无忧 yī shí wú yōu not having to worry about clothes and food
• 衣食无虞 yī shí wú yú not having to worry about food and clothes
• 一矢中的 yī shǐ zhòng dì to hit the target with a single shot
• 衣食住行 yī shí zhù xíng (lit.) clothing, food, housing and transportation
• 一丝不苟 yī sī bù gǒu not one thread loose ; strictly according to the rules
• 一丝不挂 yī sī bù guà not wearing one thread ; absolutely naked
• 一丝一毫 yī sī yī háo one thread, one hair ; a tiny bit
• 一塌糊涂 yī tā hú tu muddled and completely collapsing ; in an awful condition
• 一弹指顷 yī tán zhǐ qǐng a snap of the fingers ; in a flash
• 以汤沃沸 yǐ tāng wò fèi to manage a situation badly
• 一通百通 yī tōng bǎi tōng grasp this fundamental point and all the rest will follow
• 一团和气 yī tuán hé qì to keep on the right side of everyone (often at the expense
• 一网打尽 yī wǎng dǎ jìn lit. to catch everything in the one net
• 一望而知 yī wàng ér zhī to be evident at a glance
• 一望无际 yī wàng wú jì as far as the eye can see
• 一往无前 yī wǎng wú qián to advance courageously
• 一望无垠 yī wàng wú yín to stretch as far as the eye can see
• 一文不值 yī wén bù zhí worthless
• 义无反顾 yì wú fǎn gù honor does not allow one to glance back ; duty-bound not to
• 一无是处 yī wú shì chù not one good point; everything about it is wrong
• 一无所有 yī wú suǒ yǒu not having anything at all ; utterly lacking
• 一无所知 yī wú suǒ zhī not knowing anything at all; completely ignorant
• 一五一十 yī wǔ yī shí lit. count by fives and tens ; to narrate systematically and
• 一夕数惊 yī xī shù jīng (lit.) one scare after another in a single night
• 一线生机 yī xiàn shēng jī a chance of survival; a fighting chance; a ray of hope
• 异香扑鼻 yì xiāng pū bí exotic odors assail the nostrils
• 异想天开 yì xiǎng tiān kāi to imagine the wildest thing; to indulge in fantasy
• 一心二用 yī xīn èr yòng to do two things at once
• 一心一德 yī xīn yī dé of one heart and one mind
• 颐性养寿 yí xìng yǎng shòu to take care of one's spirit and keep fit
• 以虚带实 yǐ xū dài shí to use the abstract to guide the concrete
• 一雪前耻 yī xuě qián chǐ to wipe away a humiliation
• 一言不发 yī yán bù fā to not say a word
• 一言不合 yī yán bù hé to have a disagreement (typically leading to a quarrel or fi
• 以言代法 yǐ yán dài fǎ to substitute one's words for the law ; high-handedly puttin
• 以眼还眼 yǐ yǎn huán yǎn an eye for an eye ; fig. to use the enemy's methods against
• 一言九鼎 yī yán jiǔ dǐng one word worth nine sacred tripods ; words of enormous weigh
• 一眼看穿 yī yǎn kàn chuān to see through something at first glance
• 一言难尽 yī yán nán jìn hard to explain in a few words ; complicated and not easy to
• 一言千金 yī yán qiān jīn one word worth a thousand in gold ; valuable advice
• 一言为定 yī yán wéi dìng it's a deal
• 一言为重 yī yán wéi zhòng each word carries weight
• 一言一动 yī yán yī dòng (one's) every word and deed
• 一言一行 yī yán yī xíng every word and action
• 颐养天年 yí yǎng tiān nián lit. to nurture one's years
• 一叶障目 yī yè zhàng mù lit. eyes obscured by a single leaf
• 一叶知秋 yī yè zhī qiū lit. the falling of one leaf heralds the coming of autumn
• 依依不舍 yī yī bù shě reluctant to part ; broken-hearted at having to leave
• 以逸待劳 yǐ yì dài láo to wait at one's ease for the exhausted enemy
• 一意孤行 yī yì gū xíng obstinately clinging to one's course
• 一以贯之 yī yǐ guàn zhī (of a principle, purpose etc) consistently upheld; adhered t
• 以一驭万 yǐ yī yù wàn to control a key point is to be master of the situation
• 以夷制夷 yǐ yí zhì yí to use foreigners to subdue foreigners ; let the barbarians
• 一饮而尽 yī yǐn ér jìn to drain the cup in one gulp
• 一拥而入 yī yōng ér rù to swarm in (of people etc)
• 一语不发 yī yǔ bù fā to not say a word
• 抑郁不平 yì yù bù píng in a state of depression
• 一语成谶 yī yǔ chéng chèn to have one's words turn out to be (tragically) prophetic
• 一雨成秋 yī yǔ chéng qiū a sudden shower towards the end of summer brings an abrupt a
• 一语道破 yī yǔ dào pò one word says it all
• 一语中的 yī yǔ zhòng dì to hit the mark with a comment; to say sth spot on
• 一元复始 yī yuán fù shǐ a new year begins
• 以债养债 yǐ zhài yǎng zhài debt nurtures more debt
• 一朝一夕 yī zhāo yī xī lit. one morning and one evening
• 一针见血 yī zhēn jiàn xiě lit. to draw blood on the first prick
• 义正辞严 yì zhèng cí yán to speak forcibly out of a sense of righteousness
• 以正视听 yǐ zhèng shì tīng in order to set the record straight; to clarify matters for
• 一知半解 yī zhī bàn jiě to have a superficial knowledge of a subject; to know a smat
• 一枝独秀 yī zhī dú xiù lit. only one branch of the tree is thriving
• 颐指风使 yí zhǐ fēng shǐ lit. to order people by pointing the chin ; to signal orders
• 一纸空文 yī zhǐ kōng wén a worthless piece of paper
• 颐指气使 yí zhǐ qì shǐ lit. to order people by pointing the chin ; to signal orders
• 一掷千金 yī zhì qiān jīn lit. stake a thousand pieces of gold on one throw ; to throw
• 一之为甚 yī zhī wéi shèn once is more than enough
• 一柱擎天 yī zhù qíng tiān lit. to support the sky as a single pillar
• 一字褒贬 yī zì bāo biǎn (lit.) to dispense praise or blame with a single word
• 一字不差 yī zì bù chà word for word; verbatim; without a single mistake or omissio
• 一字不提 yī zì bù tí to not mention a single word (about sth)
• 一字千金 yī zì qiān jīn one word worth a thousand in gold
• 一字一泪 yī zì yī lèi each word is a teardrop
• 以资证明 yǐ zī zhèng míng in support or witness hereof
• 一醉方休 yī zuì fāng xiū to get thoroughly drunk
• 因爱成恨 yīn ài chéng hèn hatred caused by love
• 因材施教 yīn cái shī jiào to teach in accordance with the student's aptitude; to tailo
• 阴差阳错 yīn chā yáng cuò due to an unexpected turn of events
• 淫词秽语 yín cí huì yǔ obscene words; dirty talk
• 因地制宜 yīn dì zhì yí to use methods in line with local circumstances
• 隐恶扬善 yǐn è yáng shàn to highlight sb's good points but omit to mention their faul
• 因公殉职 yīn gōng xùn zhí to die in the course of performing one's duty
• 引狗入寨 yǐn gǒu rù zhài lit. to lead the dog into the village
• 引鬼上门 yǐn guǐ shàng mén lit. to invite the devil to one's house
• 引吭高歌 yǐn háng gāo gē to sing at the top of one's voice
• 饮恨吞声 yǐn hèn tūn shēng to harbor a grudge with deep-seated hatred
• 阴魂不散 yīn hún bù sàn lit. the soul of a deceased has not yet dispersed
• 因祸得福 yīn huò dé fú to have some good come out of a bad situation
• 引颈就戮 yǐn jǐng jiù lù to extend one's neck in preparation for execution
• 引经据典 yǐn jīng jù diǎn lit. to quote the classics
• 引狼入室 yǐn láng rù shì (lit.) to show the wolf into the house
• 因利乘便 yīn lì chéng biàn to rely on the most favorable method
• 饮流怀源 yǐn liú huái yuán lit. when you drink water, think of its source ; gratitude f
• 因陋就简 yīn lòu jiù jiǎn crude but simple methods ; use whatever methods you can
• 阴谋诡计 yīn móu guǐ jì crafty plots and machinations
• 因人成事 yīn rén chéng shì to get things done relying on others ; with a little help fr
• 因人而异 yīn rén ér yì varying from person to person ; different for each individua
• 引蛇出洞 yǐn shé chū dòng lit. to pull a snake from its hole
• 因势利导 yīn shì lì dǎo to take advantage of the new situation
• 因时制宜 yīn shí zhì yí to use methods appropriate to the current situation
• 引水入墙 yǐn shuǐ rù qiáng lit. to lead the water through the wall
• 饮水思源 yǐn shuǐ sī yuán lit. when you drink water, think of its source ; gratitude f
• 因小失大 yīn xiǎo shī dà to save a little only to lose a lot
• 阴虚火旺 yīn xū huǒ wàng an excess of heat caused by a deficiency in Yin energy
• 因循守旧 yīn xún shǒu jiù to continue in the same old rut
• 因噎废食 yīn yē fèi shí lit. not eating for fear of choking ; fig. to cut off one's
• 引以为傲 yǐn yǐ wéi ào to be intensely proud of sth
• 引以为憾 yǐn yǐ wéi hàn to consider sth regrettable
• 引以为戒 yǐn yǐ wéi jiè to take sth as a warning
• 引以为荣 yǐn yǐ wéi róng to regard it as an honor
• 隐隐约约 yǐn yǐn yuē yuē vaguely; faintly; indistinctly
• 殷忧启圣 yīn yōu qǐ shèng deep suffering can lead to enlightenment
• 引玉之砖 yǐn yù zhī zhuān lit. a brick thrown to prompt others to produce a jade
• 夤缘攀附 yín yuán pān fù to cling to the rich and powerful ; to advance one's career
• 饮鸩止渴 yǐn zhèn zhǐ kě lit. drinking poison in the hope of quenching one's thirst
• 迎风招展 yíng fēng zhāo zhǎn to flutter in the wind
• 应付裕如 yìng fu yù rú handling any occasion smoothly ; equal to any situation
• 应付自如 yìng fu zì rú to handle matters with ease
• 莺歌燕舞 yīng gē yàn wǔ the warbler sings and the swallow dances
• 应机立断 yìng jī lì duàn to act on an opportunity ; to take prompt advantage of a sit
• 应接不暇 yìng jiē bù xiá more than one can attend to
• 迎来送往 yíng lái sòng wǎng lit. to meet those arriving, to send of those departing ; bu
• 迎难而上 yíng nán ér shàng to press on in the face of challenges
• 英年早逝 yīng nián zǎo shì to die an untimely death
• 迎刃而解 yíng rèn ér jiě lit. (bamboo) splits when it meets the knife's edge
• 映入眼帘 yìng rù yǎn lián to greet the eye
• 樱桃小嘴 yīng táo xiǎo zuǐ lit. cherry mouth
• 应天承运 yìng tiān chéng yùn lit. to respond to heaven and suit the times ; to rule accor
• 应天顺时 yìng tiān shùn shí lit. to respond to heaven and suit the times ; to rule accor
• 迎头痛击 yíng tóu tòng jī to deliver a frontal assault
• 蝇头小利 yíng tóu xiǎo lì meager profit; petty gain
• 蝇营狗苟 yíng yíng gǒu gǒu (lit.) to swarm like flies around rotten food and drag out a
• 应有尽有 yīng yǒu jìn yǒu everything that should be here is here ; all one can think o
• 应运而生 yìng yùn ér shēng to emerge to meet a historic destiny
• 勇气可嘉 yǒng qì kě jiā to deserve praise for one's courage
• 庸人自扰 yōng rén zì rǎo lit. silly people get their panties in a bunch
• 用武之地 yòng wǔ zhī dì ample scope for abilities
• 永无止境 yǒng wú zhǐ jìng without end; never-ending
• 有备无患 yǒu bèi wú huàn Preparedness averts peril.
• 有得有失 yǒu dé yǒu shī you win some, you lose some
• 有的放矢 yǒu dì fàng shǐ lit. to have a target in mind when shooting one's arrows
• 有感而发 yǒu gǎn ér fā to express thoughts or feelings prompted by one's experience
• 油光可鉴 yóu guāng kě jiàn lit. oily and shiny to the point of reflecting
• 有害无利 yǒu hài wú lì harmful and without benefit ; more harm than good
• 有害无益 yǒu hài wú yì harmful and without benefit ; more harm than good

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