About Classical Chinese Idiom (成語 / 成语)


Classical Chinese Idiom, or “Chéng Yǔ” (成語), is an important element in the Chinese language. Although many idioms can only be seen in classical Chinese literature today, some of them are still widely used in both speaking and writing of modern Chinese language, and most Chinese people are quite familiar with the stories behind these phrases.

Usually consisted of 4 words or characters, classical Chinese idioms are mostly derived from historical events or traditional folklores. The grammar and sentence structure of the idioms are somewhat different from that of modern Chinese language, and the use of words are more concise.