常用成语
cháng yòng chéng yǔ
Useful idioms · trad. 常用成語
常用成语 (chángyòng chéngyǔ) refers to commonly used four-character idioms in Chinese. These concise phrases often carry deep historical or literary meanings, making your language more expressive and sophisticated.
When to use it
Generally neutral to formal. Using 常用成语 can make your speech or writing sound more educated and refined. While some are very common in daily conversation, many are more suited for formal contexts, literature, or to convey complex ideas succinctly.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "CHAHNG-yong CHUNG-yoo." The first character 常用 (chángyòng) means "commonly used," and 成语 (chéngyǔ) means "idiom." Note the rising tone on 常用's first character and 成语's first character, and the falling tone on 常用's second character, and the third tone on 成语's second character.
Other ways to say it
- 成语chéng yǔidiom (general term)
- 俗语sú yǔcommon saying / proverb (broader, often more colloquial)
- 谚语yàn yǔproverb (often with moral lessons)
Examples
学习常用成语可以提高你的中文水平。
xué xí cháng yòng chéng yǔ kě yǐ tí gāo nǐ de zhōng wén shuǐ píng 。
Learning useful idioms can improve your Chinese level.
他经常在演讲中使用常用成语，让他的话更有力量。
tā jīng cháng zài yǎn jiǎng zhōng shǐ yòng cháng yòng chéng yǔ ， ràng tā de huà gèng yǒu lì liàng 。
He often uses useful idioms in his speeches, making his words more powerful.
掌握一些常用成语对理解中国文化很有帮助。
zhǎng wò yì xiē cháng yòng chéng yǔ duì lǐ jiě zhōng guó wén huà hěn yǒu bāng zhù 。
Mastering some useful idioms is very helpful for understanding Chinese culture.
Pro tip: While many 成语 are four characters, not all four-character phrases are 成语. 成语 specifically refer to fixed expressions with historical or literary origins, often carrying a deeper meaning than their literal translation. Understanding their backstory is key!
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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