Must Know Chinese Idioms from Romance of the Three Kingdoms
One of the many things that makes Chinese such a fascinating language to learn is the wealth of idioms, proverbs, and expressions that you’ll come across, many of which come directly from ancient literature.
While digging into this side of Chinese might seem a bit overwhelming at first, the ancient historical novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” is a great place to start! While the book is somewhat difficult to approach, its plot and characters are often referred to in the form of idioms and other expressions. Knowing how to use these expressions and references is a sure-fire way to sound extra eloquent and well-read!
For more background on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, check out our timeline here, or check out our Three Kingdoms series to read an abridged version of the story yourself!
Idioms 成语
Chinese idioms, usually referred to as “chengyu”, are four-character idiomatic expressions used to express a complex idea or message in a concise way. Here are some famous chengyu derived from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms!
三顾茅庐: "To make three visits to the thatched cottage."
This idiom references Liu Bei’s three visits to the home of Zhuge Liang, a prodigy who would become his chief advisor and change the course of history! Nowadays, this idiom refers to persistence in asking for the help of a talented person. If you ever find yourself having to beg someone capable to lend you a hand, this idiom might come in handy!
乌合之众: "A trick to buy time"; "To stall"
This one refers to tactics employed by the aforementioned Zhuge Liang to slow down an enemy army. Nowadays, it refers to any tactic or trick used to stall or otherwise buy time. If you’ve ever pulled a stunt to extend an impending deadline, then you’re already familiar with this advanced war tactic!
步步为营: "To dig in at every step"
Literally “to make camp with every step forward”, this one again calls back to the brilliance of Zhuge Liang’s war strategy. It’s used to describe taking extreme caution and prudence when advancing towards a goal.
草船借箭: “To borrow arrows with straw boats”
This one requires a bit of background information. During the Battle of Red Cliffs, a pivotal moment in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, our favorite Zhuge Liang is challenged to procure 100,000 arrows in three days, lest he lose his head. To no one’s surprise, he managed to achieve this monumental feat by sending straw boats into enemy waters, pulling them back along with the staggering number of arrows that had been fired into them. Nowadays, this idiom is used to describe a situation where someone turns overwhelming odds in their favor through cunning.
桃园结义: “To make a pact of brotherhood”
This idiom refers to the unshakeable bond that was formed between Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and Guan Yu. These three heroes’ loyalty to each other throughout Romance of the Three Kingdoms has reached legendary status, and it all began with an oath that they swore in a peach garden. In modern Chinese, this idiom is used to describe a strong bond of brotherhood.
To read more about these three blood-brothers’ pact, check out Three Kingdoms Prologue: Oath of the Peach Garden!
Allusions and Other Expressions 典故
军令状: "Military Pledge"
苦肉计: "Ruse of self-injury"
The “ruse of self-injury” refers to the tactic of deliberately hurting oneself to garner sympathy or further some aim. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Huang Gai allows himself to be beaten in order to convince the enemy that he’d switched sides. Nowadays, a husband might do extra housework in order to gain forgiveness from his wife.
美人计: "Honey trap"
This is yet another tactic used in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where the beautiful Diao Chan leverages her charm to lure the tyrant Dong Zhuo into a weak position. Just like the English “honey pot”, this expression refers to the act of catching a target off-guard with the charm of a beautiful woman. Read this article to learn Diao Chan’s story!
Two Part Allegorical Sayings 歇后语
周瑜打黄盖…… 一个愿打， 一个愿挨:
"When Zhou Yu beat Huang Gai, one was willing to beat, the other to be beaten."
This one again calls back to Huang Gai being beaten by Zhou Yu to prove to the enemy that he’s defected, although this saying expresses a different meaning than 苦肉计: “Ruse of Self-Injury”. Here, the emphasis is on the fact that both parties were willing participants in what happened, specifically Huang Gai.
In everyday life, this phrase refers to someone who allows themselves to be victimized. For example, if someone stays at a job despite complaining constantly about a nasty boss, someone might say “Well, I don’t know what to say! One was willing to beat…!”
万事俱备…… 只欠东风:
"All is in place, all that’s missing is an Eastern wind."
This saying, “All is in place, all that’s missing is an Eastern wind”, is a direct reference to the Battle of Red Cliffs, where our heroes’ find that their elaborate plan hinges on the wind blowing Eastward. In daily life, it’s used when preparations have been made, but one crucial condition needs to be met before action can be taken.
For example, say today is your mom’s birthday. After she goes out to work, you and your dad bake a cake and set up a surprise party. In this situation, you might say to your dad, 万事俱备， 只欠东风” (All is in place, all that’s missing is an Eastern wind)! In English, you might say: “The stage is set, now we wait!”
Want to learn more?
Check out our Three Kingdoms series to learn the stories and characters that gave us these wonderful expressions!
If you are interested in more Chinese idioms, check out our Upper Intermediate course: Stories Behind Chinese Idioms.
