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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

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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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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:

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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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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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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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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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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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

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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