Chinese Lessons
Experiencing Chinese
Experiencing Chinese
All members in a Chinese family have the same last name (surname, family name). Children all bear the same last name as their parents. When a bride marries into the family, she assumes the last name of her husband. When a daughter marries, she leaves the family and assumes the last name of her husband...
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 21: Shed Your Skin Like The Golden Cicada
The cicada sheds its skin intact, so that the shell looks like a real cicada. Similarly, outnumbered generals or those who were targets for assassination created false impersonations of themselves to escape danger.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 20: Fish in troubled waters
Literally speaking, this idiom means fish would be confused and disoriented in troubled waters, in this case people could take the opportunity to catch it and thus acquire unexpected profits.
The idiom literally means to take away the firewood from under the cauldron. As figure of speech it indicates to remove the ultimate cause of trouble.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 18: Catch bandits first catch the ringleader
When used for military affairs, it means catching the ringleader is an available way to crumple up the main force of the enemy, because this action will get the enemy into confusion and lose battle effectiveness.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 17: Throw out a brick to attract a jade
Now people try to use this statement which indicates that one first establishes a superficial opinion or analogy in order to lead others setup higher purposes or features.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Mencius' Mother Moving Three Times
The Chinese people think the outside environment is very important for a people's growth, Mencius's mother( Mencious, the great chinese ideologist in the ancient time)moved three times to find a better neighbourhood for the growth of his son.
Beginning with Yu the Great, the Xia Dynasty had lasted about four hundred years before Jie became the supreme ruler.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 16: To Catch Something, First Let It Go
Cornered prey will often mount a final desperate attack. To prevent this you let the enemy believe he still has a chance for freedom. His will to fight is thus dampened by his desire to escape. When in the end the freedom is proven a falsehood the enemy's morale will be defeated and he will surrender without a fight.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 15: Lure the Tiger Down the Mountain
Never directly attack a well-entrenched opponent. Instead lure him away from his stronghold and separate him from his source of strength.