Chengyu about body parts

Body-part imagery in **chengyu (成语)** turns feelings, thinking, speech, and action into vivid four-character snapshots. Learn the literal picture, idiomatic meaning, and a natural example so you can sound precise and expressive.

  • Chengyu Idioms
  • 2 min read
Article 3 of 5 in Thematic-Chengyu-Groups/

Heart & Mind (心)

  • 一心一意 (yì xīn yí yì)one heart, one intentwholeheartedly
    例:她一心一意准备考试。
  • 三心二意 (sān xīn èr yì)three hearts, two intentionshalf-hearted; distracted
    例:别三心二意,先把这章学完。
  • 心安理得 (xīn ān lǐ dé)heart at peace, reason satisfiedwith a clear conscience
    例:按规则办事才心安理得
  • 心急如焚 (xīn jí rú fén)heart anxious like burningextremely anxious
    例:孩子发烧,家长心急如焚

Mouth & Speech (口/舌)

  • 口是心非 (kǒu shì xīn fēi)mouth says yes, heart says nosay one thing, mean another
    例:他表面同意,其实口是心非
  • 口若悬河 (kǒu ruò xuán hé)mouth like a hanging rivertalk nonstop; very eloquent
    例:演讲时他口若悬河,很有感染力。
  • 七嘴八舌 (qī zuǐ bā shé)seven mouths, eight tongueseveryone talking at once
    例:会议上大家七嘴八舌地提意见。
  • 口干舌燥 (kǒu gān shé zào)dry mouth, parched tongueparched from talking/heat
    例:讲了两小时,我都口干舌燥了。

Eyes & Ears (眼/耳/眉)

  • 眼高手低 (yǎn gāo shǒu dī)eyes high, hands lowaim high, skills low
    例:别眼高手低,先打好基础。
  • 眼明手快 (yǎn míng shǒu kuài)eyes sharp, hands quickquick-witted and deft
    例:他眼明手快,及时接住了杯子。
  • 耳闻目睹 / 耳濡目染 (ěr wén mù dǔ / ěr rú mù rǎn)hear & see personally / be subtly influenced by hearing/seeing
    例:在书香家庭耳濡目染,她从小爱读书。
  • 眉开眼笑 (méi kāi yǎn xiào)brows open, eyes smilingbeaming with joy
    例:收到录取通知他眉开眼笑

Hands & Feet (手/足)

  • 手忙脚乱 (shǒu máng jiǎo luàn)hands busy, feet in chaosin a flap; flustered
    例:第一次直播我有点手忙脚乱
  • 手不释卷 (shǒu bù shì juàn)hand never leaves the scrollnever stop reading/studying
    例:他暑假手不释卷
  • 手足无措 (shǒu zú wú cuò)hands and feet without a planat a loss
    例:突发状况让新人手足无措
  • 脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì)feet step on solid grounddown-to-earth; practical
    例:团队脚踏实地推进项目。

Head, Face, Chest, Back (头/面/胸/背)

  • 头头是道 (tóu tóu shì dào)every point has its pathwell-organized and logical
    例:她的汇报头头是道
  • 面红耳赤 (miàn hóng ěr chì)face red, ears scarletblushing; very angry/embarrassed
    例:争论到最后两人面红耳赤
  • 面目全非 (miàn mù quán fēi)appearance entirely changedchanged beyond recognition
    例:旧城改造后面目全非
  • 胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú)bamboo formed in the chestplan well in mind; confident
    例:她对答胸有成竹
  • 背道而驰 (bèi dào ér chí)run in opposite directionsgo against; be at odds
    例:做法与目标背道而驰

Quick Thematic Clusters

  • 情绪与态度心安理得、心急如焚、眉开眼笑、面红耳赤
  • 表达与沟通口若悬河、七嘴八舌、口是心非
  • 能力与行动眼高手低、眼明手快、脚踏实地、手不释卷
  • 组织与方向头头是道、面目全非、背道而驰、手足无措

Placement & Register Tips

  • 多作谓语/状语/定语
    • 谓语:他的陈述头头是道
    • 状语:她脚踏实地地推进研究。
    • 定语:一个面目全非的旧厂房。
  • 语气心急如焚、手忙脚乱色彩偏急;口是心非带批评意味;正式写作更宜用胸有成竹、头头是道等中性/褒义表达。

Mini Dialogues

  • A:方案定了吗?
    B:别急,我胸有成竹,今晚给你初稿。

  • A:第一次主持会紧张吗?
    B:开始手忙脚乱,后来就头头是道了。

  • A:他怎么又改主意?
    B:表面同意,实际上口是心非

Micro-Practice(Choose the Best Chengyu)

  1. 目标高但动手能力弱 → 眼高手低
  2. 说话滔滔不绝 → 口若悬河
  3. 做事踏实可靠 → 脚踏实地
  4. 变化太大认不出来 → 面目全非
  5. 慌乱到不知道怎么办 → 手足无措

Learning Tips

  • 对比记忆一心一意 ↔ 三心二意眼高手低 ↔ 脚踏实地
  • 造句输出:把每条写进你的一天(学习、会议、锻炼)。
  • 少而精:每次对话只用一条,保证自然度。

Takeaway: 掌握一组高频“身体”成语(如 一心一意、口若悬河、眼高手低、手忙脚乱、脚踏实地、胸有成竹、面目全非),你的中文将更生动、凝练、有画面感。

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Chengyu Idioms

Written by : Chengyu Idioms

A lifelong scholar and enthusiast of Chinese culture and language.

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