Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun a certain kind of Chinese
set phrase originating inClassical Chinese , typically four or fivecharacters in length
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From Mandarin 成語 (simplified: 成语) (chéngyǔ).
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Examples
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China's many chengyu, or idiomatic phrases derived from traditional fables and classical texts, present a high hurdle for learners.
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Some experts put the number of chengyu expressions at 5,000, though others settle for no fewer than 20,000.
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McDonald's website, hosted by Professor Ronald, offers "Happy Courses" for multiplication and "chengyu fun" i.e., classical four-character classical Chinese phrases, the usage of which, even today, is a sign of a keen mind.
The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com Tom Doctoroff 2011
cydonian commented on the word chengyu
Chinese idiomatic expressions consisting of four characters. 井底之蛙 (కూపస�?థమండూకమ�?) is one very good example, apparently.
September 7, 2007