先聲奪人 (Xiān shēng duó rén) To gain the upper hand by a show of strengthTo seize at the first sound From https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/bookView.jsp?ID=445 This idiom means to first inflate one’s own influence (prestige) in order to suppress the enemy’s morale. This is a commonly used tactic when two armies are facing one another in battle. It…
040. The Herons And The Toad
From Cuentos Populares en Chile (Chilean Folktales) – by Ramón A. LavalPart 1 – Magnificent Stories, Stories of Animals, Anecdotes (Cuentos maravillosos, Cuentos de animales, Anécdotas) 040. The Herons And The Toad (Los Guairaos Y El Sapo) Two Herons were flying [over a lake] when they saw a Toad lying on his back with his…
Wò xīn cháng dǎn (臥薪嚐膽 – 卧薪尝胆)
臥薪嚐膽 (Wò xīn cháng dǎn) Lit. to lie on firewood and taste gall (idiom);Fig. suffering patiently, but firmly resolved on revenge From https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/bookView.jsp?ID=199 According to the “Records of the Grand Historian – Volume 41 – King Goujian of Yue“, in the ending years of the Spring and Autumn Period, Wu and Yue often fought wars…
039. The Heron And The Little Toad
From Cuentos Populares en Chile (Chilean Folktales) – by Ramón A. LavalPart 1 – Magnificent Stories, Stories of Animals, Anecdotes (Cuentos maravillosos, Cuentos de animales, Anécdotas) 039. The Heron And The Little Toad (El Guairao Y El Sapito) A Heron was flying over an estuary when he saw a Little Toad, so he came down…
Wén jī qǐ wǔ (聞雞起舞 – 闻鸡起舞)
聞雞起舞 (Wén jī qǐ wǔ) (1) to start practicing at the first crow of the cock (idiom)(2) to be diligent in one’s studies From https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/bookView.jsp?ID=367 According to the Book of Jin – Volume 62 – Biography of Zu Ti, Zu Ti from the Jin Dynasty was of bold character and conducted himself chivalrously toward others….
038. The Owl And The Toad
From Cuentos Populares en Chile (Chilean Folktales) – by Ramón A. LavalPart 1 – Magnificent Stories, Stories of Animals, Anecdotes (Cuentos maravillosos, Cuentos de animales, Anécdotas) 038. The Owl and The Toad (El Pequén Y El Sapo) A little toad was sunbathing in the sun when an Owl, who saw him from high above, swooped…
Wàng yáng xīng tàn (望洋興嘆 – 望洋兴叹)
望洋興嘆 (Wàng yáng xīng tàn) (1) lit. to gaze at the ocean and lament one’s inadequacy (idiom)(2) fig. to feel powerless and incompetent (to perform a task) From https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/bookView.jsp?ID=920 “Gazing at the ocean and lamenting one’s inadequacy” originally refers to seeing and marveling at the vastness of the ocean. This idiom came from Zhuangzi –…
037. The Three Lies
From Cuentos Populares en Chile (Chilean Folktales) – by Ramón A. LavalPart 1 – Magnificent Stories, Stories of Animals, Anecdotes (Cuentos maravillosos, Cuentos de animales, Anécdotas) 037. Las Tres Mentiras (The Three Lies) A peasant, on dying, left to his three sons the sum of three hundred pesos as his entire inheritance. The two eldest,…
Wàng méi zhǐ kě (望梅止渴 – 望梅止渴)
望梅止渴 (Wàng méi zhǐ kě) (1) lit. to quench one’s thirst by thinking of plums (idiom)(2) fig. to console oneself with illusions From https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/bookView.jsp?ID=26 This is an old tale about Cao Cao making up a story that a plum forest just ahead is full of ripe fruits, inducing his soldiers to drool to quench their…
036. Why The Turkey Vulture Has A Featherless Head And Neck
From Cuentos Populares en Chile (Chilean Folktales) – by Ramón A. LavalPart 1 – Magnificent Stories, Stories of Animals, Anecdotes (Cuentos maravillosos, Cuentos de animales, Anécdotas) 036. Por Que El Jote Tiene La Cabeza Y El Cogote Sin Plumas (Why The Turkey Vulture Has A Featherless Head And Neck) (This little story and those that…