Daily Chinese Idiom
Learn a new Chinese four-character idiom (chengyu) every day with origin story, meaning, pinyin, and example sentences.
💡 Meaning
Wait for good luck without effort
Literally: "Guard a tree stump, waiting for rabbits"
📝 Example Sentence
不能守株待兔，要主动去找机会。(You can't just wait for luck — go find opportunities.)
Idiom #4 of 15 · New idiom every day
Daily Chengyu (成语)
Chinese four-character idioms are the gems of the language. Each one tells a story from history, mythology, or folklore. Our Daily Idiom tool introduces one idiom per day with its origin story, literal meaning, and a practical example sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chinese idioms (chengyu)? ▼
Chengyu (成语) are four-character idiomatic expressions that come from classical Chinese. They carry deep cultural meaning and are widely used in everyday conversation, writing, and even business. Learning them shows advanced Chinese proficiency.
How many chengyu are there? ▼
There are over 5,000 commonly used chengyu in Chinese, with some estimates putting the total at over 20,000. Our tool focuses on the most popular and useful ones for learners.
Do I need to know chengyu to speak Chinese? ▼
While not essential for basic communication, knowing common chengyu greatly enriches your Chinese. Native speakers use them frequently, and understanding them helps with reading comprehension and cultural appreciation.
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