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成语 (chéng yǔ) — Chinese set expression (usually 4 characters, often with a historical allusion)

Definition

A 成语 is a fixed four-character idiom, usually from classical Chinese or a historical story. It is more formal and literary than a 俗话/俗语 (everyday folk saying) or 名言 (famous quote from a person).

noun
Chinese set expression (usually 4 characters, often with a historical allusion)
Measure word · 条, 本, 句

Examples

  • 成语。
    Tā xǐ huan xué xí chéng yǔ.
    She likes studying Chinese idioms.
  • 成语。
    Zhè běn chéng yǔ shū lǐ yǒu hěn duō hǎo jù zi.
    This idiom book has many good sentences.
  • 成语？
    Nǐ néng jiě shì zhè jù chéng yǔ de yì si ma?
    Can you explain the meaning of this idiom?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

成chéngestablished
语yǔphrase

The first part means established or fixed, and the second means phrase or saying, so together they refer to a long-standing fixed expression.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
戊戊wù
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng成chéng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

成 puts 戊, a weapon, beside 丁, which gives the sound. The weapon part relates to protection, as in the old sense of city walls.

Open 成 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 語; 语 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
吾
吾wú語yǔ
Same sound today

The form 語 pairs 言 (speech) with 吾, which gives the sound; this note is about 語, not 语.

Open 语 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 5Language

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