Each language has its own idiomatic richness. English is full of proverbs, sayings and odd phrases like ‘Bob’s yer uncle’. Chinese is no exception. When you learn Chinese online in China, you will definitely come across all kinds of interesting and creative ways of saying and expressing things. Chengyu are four character phrases that can be thrown into daily conversation but will throw up a wealth of meaning and significance to the interlocutor. Some of these phrases seem quite bizarre without a context, but many have a background story which explains the meaning and also conjures up images that reinforce the word’s meaning.
Studying at Hanbridge Mandarin has given me an opportunity to not just speak and learn Chinese Mandarin . but also to read and write. The cultural activities offered by the school really allowed me to accelerate my learning progress and gain a deeper understanding of the culture. At Hanbridge, I learned more than just how to use the Chinese language; I learned what it means to be Chinese.
The first chengyu we will look at is 东施效颦 (Dongshixiaopin/ Dong Shi effect frown). The literal translation is altogether puzzling but a native speaker would instantly know the meaning to be to imitate someone but have the opposite to the desired effect. It is only when we know the background story to the saying that we can fully comprehend it. The story goes that there was a beautiful girl named Xi Shi in the ancient Yue state who was admired by everyone in the village. However Dong Shi, another girl, was ugly and could never command attention. One day when Xi Shi fell ill she walked out of the door holding her hand to her breast, her face contorted in pain. All the villagers were concerned at her trouble and pain. Seeing this, Dong Shi attempted to imitate her mannerism. But when the villagers saw such a grotesque sight they were repulsed and ran away.
Chengyu Story and Background
In the Spring and Autumn period, a beauty by the name of Xi Shi lived in the State of Yue. Even though she only dressed modestly, everyone admired her whenever she left the house. Another girl in the village, Dong Shi, was very ugly – no matter what hair styles she tried and what clothes she wore, she never got the attention Xi Shi got.
One day, Xi Shi’s chest hurt and she frowned and held her hand by her breast to ease the pain. All the people in the village were worried about her and gave her even more attention. Dong Shi noticed that, got even more jealous and started doing the same. But when the people in the village saw the ugly Dong Shi frowning and holding her chest in pain, the mere sight got them so sick that they ran home and locked their doors tightly.
The ability to use chengyu well is very much admired in China and so it is well worth trying to improve one’s own use and trying to learn more. After a while some chengyu become so natural to explain a certain scenario or situation that sometimes they even surpass one’s own mother tongue equivalent word or phrase. Taking a Chinese language course from a professional language school could help to establish one’s linguistic and cultural foundation to be able to understand and use chengyus in a versatile way. Hanbridge was the best because they had excellent teachers and a very friendly and welcoming spirit . I really appreciate the opportunity to learn Mandarin in China and would recommend Hanbridge to others.I chose Hanbridge because they provide professional level language training in a warm and welcoming environment that makes learning easy. My excellent teachers were patient, kind and skilled. This school began to feel like home and I highly recommend you become part of the Hanbridge language learning family.
