Mandarin Chinese Idioms Trivia Quiz

Answer: Someone who is confident.

This idiom is derived from the story of an artist in ancient China whose passion was to illustrate bamboo stalks. On every occasion in which he planned to perform this hobby, he possessed deep faith towards himself that he would succeed. An important reminder of this story that is contained in this idiom is the word "zhu", which in Chinese means "bamboo".

Answer: Severe anger

This idiom's direct translation is "jumping with rage like a storm". Thus,it is an impressive example of a comparison to nature. Many other idioms were inspired accordingly.

Answer: One who is lazy and relies solely on luck to sustain himself.

Another story accompanies this idiom. It explains how a busy farmer was taking a nap one afternoon under a tree when a rabbit collided with it and, consequently, died. The farmer, upon realizing his luck, believed that this rabbit was the first of a series of provisions presented to him. Thus, after this day, he refused to work, and constantly waited under the same tree, though his fortune never returned.

Answer: One who relies upon others for survival.

The basis of this idiom is simply a reference to a boy from a long time ago who was forced to be adopted and live in a foster home with a family of strangers.

Answer: A very dangerous and desperate situation.

The direct translation of this idiom in English is "an arrow that is already placed firmly on a bow and is ready to fire immediately". Therefore, it is an intrepid simile to a serious situation that, without stern attention, is likely to become a disaster, for example, a destructive war.

Answer: Use of thought to fulfill a desire.

Another story accompanies this idiom. According to legend, a long time ago, there was a man who was starving, but did not possess anything edible. Therefore, he decided to illustrate a biscuit on a scroll of paper, and stared at it for a long time. Gradually, the thought of this type of food allowed him to feel much better, hence the first two words of this idiom, "hua bing", which mean "drawing a biscuit".

Answer: A narrow escape from a deadly situation.

This idiom is again a comparison to nature. The fact is reflected by the first two words of the idiom, "hu kou", which mean "the mouth of a tiger". It is quite obvious that an encounter with a hungry tiger is rather life-threatening, therefore an escape from such a situation is rewarding. This idiom successfully summarizes this philosophy.

Answer: One who contradicts himself.

Again, there is a story that accompanies this idiom. A long time ago, there was a man who was selling military weapons at a large square. There, he announced that his spears were capable of piercing any type of shield, while his shields were capable of blocking any type of spear thrust. Every listener was puzzled. One of them questioned, "What happens if one of your spears is thrust into one of your shields?" The salesman did not know how to answer.

Therefore, the last two words of the idiom, "mao dun", translate into "spears and shields".

Answer: One who is extremely poor.

The last two words of this idiom reflect its meaning clearly. "Si bi" means "four walls" in Chinese. Thus, this idiom is referring to a household that possesses nothing except an empty, four-walled shelter.

Answer: Overconfidence resulting in the loss of an achievement.

To fully understand this idiom, we need to examine a chapter of Chinese history. After the fall of the Han dynasty in 220 AD, China was divided into three states known as Shu Han, Wei, and Wu. These states were constantly at war with one another during a period of time called the Three Kingdoms. One disputed territory coveted by all three states was Jing Zhou. Eventually, in the early 220's, a Shu Han general named Guan Yu managed to conquer this land.

However, he gradually grew increasingly arrogant and overconfident, until the forces of Wu expelled and executed him. That is why this idiom includes the phrase "shi jing zhou", which means "the loss of Jing Zhou".