These classical four-character expressions are less common in everyday speech but powerful in essays, commentary, and literary writing. You’ll see the chengyu in Chinese with pinyin, followed by concise English meanings and natural example lines.
These idioms come from **lesser-known or narrowly referenced episodes** in Chinese history. Learn the mini-scene (who/where), the idiom with pinyin, the distilled meaning in English, and a natural modern use.
Many well-loved chengyu crystallize images and lines from **Tang and Song poetry**. Learn the original poetic picture, the idiom’s compact meaning, and how to use it naturally today. Chengyu appear in Chinese with pinyin; all guidance and examples are in English.
Some four-character expressions are strongly associated with **regional usage** (Cantonese, Taiwan Mandarin, Wu/Shanghai, Southwest, etc.). A few are true classical chengyu that happen to be popular in a region; others are **four-beat regional idioms** that look like chengyu but aren’t part of the classical set. Learn to recognize both, use them naturally, and know their standard-Mandarin equivalents.
Some high-level chengyu (成语) carry **more than one interpretation** across time, register, or context. Others are **commonly misread**, creating a *practical* two-meaning reality (what writers intend vs. what readers think). Learn each idiom’s competing readings, safest usage, and quick tests.