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Chinese Idioms

A Thousand Miles

Estella Chen

Idioms, which we call chengyu in Chinese, can be directly translated as “already made words” or “formed words.” They are an essential part of the Chinese language. Woven together over thousands of years and taken from ancient myths, fairy tales, philosophical musings, and poetry, Chinese idioms are a testament to the longevity and continuity of the Chinese language. The purpose of this course is to provide a lens for our audience to learn more about Chinese history and culture through these unique idioms.

What you'll learn

You will be able to learn:

Commonly used Chinese idioms with daily use and business applications
Basic strokes of how Chinese characters are formed
Additional vocabulary words used on a daily basis with a variety of different meanings
Sentence patterns for making simple conversations

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Commonly used chinese idioms with daily use and business applications
Basic strokes of how chinese characters are formed

Additional vocabulary words used on a daily basis with a variety of different meanings
Sentence patterns for making simple conversations

Commonly used chinese idioms with daily use and business applications
Basic strokes of how chinese characters are formed
Additional vocabulary words used on a daily basis with a variety of different meanings
Sentence patterns for making simple conversations

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores Chinese idioms, which are an essential part of the Chinese language

Provides insight into Chinese history and culture through the study of idioms

Develops foundational skills in understanding Chinese characters and their formation

Teaches basic vocabulary and sentence patterns for everyday communication

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Reviews summary

Deep dive into chinese idioms & culture

According to learners, this course offers a deep dive into Chinese idioms, expertly weaving in rich historical context and cultural narratives that significantly enhance understanding and retention. Many highlight the engaging and knowledgeable instructor, Professor Li, who makes complex topics accessible. While the course excels at fostering a profound appreciation for Chinese history and culture, some students note that its promised business applications are less developed than general daily use. There's a slight divide on suitability for beginners, with some feeling it's better for those with prior basic Chinese. Recent reviews indicate improved video lecture quality, addressing past concerns.

Best for intermediate learners, less so for absolute beginners.

"For a beginner, it can be a bit overwhelming, despite the 'basic strokes' and 'simple conversations' promises. I felt I needed more foundational Chinese knowledge."

"I think it's better for intermediate learners who want to enrich their vocabulary."

"I would recommend having at least basic conversational Chinese before taking this course, as it assumes some familiarity."

"The 'basic strokes' and 'simple conversations' segments felt a bit elementary and out of place to me given the depth of the idiom content."

Recent updates have enhanced video lecture resolution.

"I also noticed that some older reviews mentioned the video quality, and it seems to have improved recently, which is good."

"My only real complaint is that some older videos had lower resolution, but it seems they've updated some segments."

Systematic and logical approach to complex topics.

"Idioms are notoriously difficult, but the systematic approach, combined with the rich cultural narratives, made them accessible."

"The structure made learning complex concepts digestible."

"The structure of the course is very logical, building knowledge progressively."

Professor Li is highly knowledgeable and engaging.

"The instructor is excellent at making complex topics accessible and engaging."

"The instructor's passion is evident."

"Professor Li is a phenomenal instructor – clear, engaging, and deeply knowledgeable."

Offers deep cultural and historical context for idioms.

"The way Professor Li integrates historical context and storytelling with each idiom is simply brilliant. I learned so much about Chinese culture alongside the language."

"The historical background provided for each chengyu made them much easier to remember and appreciate."

"This course not only teaches you idioms but also gives you a profound appreciation for Chinese history."

Business applications are not as strong as cultural insights.

"I wished for more advanced business application examples, as that was a key objective for me."

"The 'business applications' part was not as strong as advertised; it was more general use for me."

"For business applications, I might look for something more targeted, but for cultural understanding, it's superb."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Chinese Idioms: A Thousand Miles with these activities:

Read Warriors by Luo Guanzhong

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Read Warriors, a text that displays a multitude of Chinese idioms to strengthen your ability to recognize and understand the idioms.

View Iron Ox on Amazon

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Purchase the book from a bookstore or online retailer.
Read the book at a leisurely pace. Mark down any unfamiliar Chinese idioms.
Look up the meaning of the idioms you marked.

Watch videos on the history and meaning of Chinese idioms

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Watch videos on the history and meaning of Chinese idioms to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context.

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Search for videos on YouTube or other video sharing platforms.
Watch the videos and take notes on the key points.

Practice translating Chinese idioms into English

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Practice translating Chinese idioms into English to improve your understanding of the idioms and their meanings.

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Find a list of Chinese idioms online or in a textbook.
Translate the idioms into English using a dictionary or online translator.
Check your translations with a native speaker or online resource.

Two other activities

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Write a blog post about your favorite Chinese idiom

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Write a blog post about your favorite Chinese idiom to solidify your understanding and share your knowledge with others.

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Choose your favorite Chinese idiom.
Research the history and meaning of the idiom.
Write a blog post about the idiom, including its meaning, usage, and your personal connection to it.

Participate in a Chinese idiom competition

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Participating in a Chinese idiom competition can test your knowledge of idioms and provide motivation to learn more.

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Find a Chinese idiom competition online or in your local community.
Practice your idiom knowledge and prepare for the competition.
Participate in the competition and challenge yourself.

Career center

Learners who complete Chinese Idioms: A Thousand Miles will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Translation Consultant

Translation Consultants specialize in cultural context, terminology, and idiomatic expressions in a variety of language pairs. By learning about the origins and cultural context of idioms in this course, you'll have an edge in your mastery of linguistic nuance, a talent that Translation Consultants depend on for effective translations.

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Interpreters

Interpreters allow people to communicate across linguistic borders, and understanding idioms is vital for passing along the intent of verbal communication. Idioms are a staple of everyday speech and not always directly translatable. Understanding their meaning and usage can allow you to more accurately interpret conversations across languages.

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Foreign Language Teacher

Foreign Language Teachers must stay abreast of modern language usage and idioms in order to provide students with a complete understanding of a language. Idioms are an intrinsic part of the Chinese language, and are commonly used in both casual and formal settings. This course may help you to convey to your students the meanings of Chinese idioms, their origins, and their usage.

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Linguist

Linguists study the structure and meaning of languages. Understanding idioms and their use is an essential part of being able to understand a language at its most fundamental level. This course may aid in developing a stronger linguistic framework with which to approach other languages and their nuances.

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Language Analyst

Language Analysts help businesses and organizations create language-based assets, which includes translating marketing materials and transcribing minutes of meetings. Being able to understand idioms in a language allows Language Analysts to ensure that the correct tone and meaning are communicated across a linguistic divide.

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Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists are experts in the study of cultures and languages. Idioms can convey cultural nuances and values; studying Chinese idioms can help build a stronger understanding of the Chinese culture. This course may help you to understand the cultural context of Chinese idioms, which can be valuable for your work as a Cultural Anthropologist.

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Journalist

Journalists often use idioms to convey information in a concise and engaging way. Being able to understand and use idioms can help Journalists to effectively communicate with their audience and add a cultural dimension to their reporting. This course may aid in expanding your vocabulary and improving your ability to write and speak about complex topics.

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Historical Researcher

Historical Researchers use idioms to gain a deeper understanding of the past. This course can help you to understand the historical context of Chinese idioms, which can be valuable for your work as a Historical Researcher.

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Lexicographer

Lexicographers help to create and maintain dictionaries. Being able to understand idioms can help Lexicographers to define and explain the meaning of words in a comprehensive and accurate way.

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Translator

Translators convert written text from one language to another while conveying the same meaning. Understanding idioms can help Translators to accurately convey the intended message in the target language.

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Communications Specialist

Communications Specialists help organizations communicate with their audiences in a clear and effective way. Being able to understand and use idioms can help Communications Specialists to effectively convey messages to a target audience.

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Writer

Writers use idioms to add depth and interest to their work. By learning about the origins and cultural context of idioms in this course, you'll be able to use them effectively in your own writing.

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Speechwriter

Speechwriters help others communicate their ideas effectively. Understanding idioms can help Speechwriters to write speeches for any number of situations and audiences.

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Educator

Educators who teach Chinese or Asian history, literature, or culture may find this course helpful.

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Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Chinese Idioms: A Thousand Miles.

The Chinese Classics

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These classic texts of Chinese philosophy provide a good overview of the historical and cultural context in which many Chinese idioms have been used.

Chinese Idioms

A Thousand Miles

What you'll learn

What's inside

Learning objectives

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Deep dive into chinese idioms & culture

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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