Working in Mainland China can be tough for Westerners, not simply because of the incredibly different culture and society, but also because almost everyone else speaks a different language.
And while learning Chinese can increase one’s ability to engage with Chinese colleagues and add value within a Chinese organization, most Westerners and those born outside Chinese-speaking countries will always be at a disadvantage compared to native Chinese speakers.
This can lead Westerners in Chinese organizations to feel left out of the loop or looked down on for not being able to communicate effectively. Mainland China has long been an enclosed and isolated country.
When combined with China’s long and illustrious culture, it can be hard for Mainland China natives to accept that non-Chinese are truly capable of understanding them, their culture, or their language.
This can amplify communication difficulties initially caused by language barriers, and make it much harder for Westerners to reach an understanding with their Chinese coworkers and partners.
However, there is an easy solution based on my own experience working with the Chinese, specifically to learn and use Chinese idioms. Chinese idioms are linked to the very cultural history that the Chinese value so highly, and can help Westerners build bridges and communicate more effectively with the Chinese.
In this article, I will introduce the concept of Chinese idioms and set phrases, including their background and significance to the Chinese, and how they can be used when communicating with the Chinese. For those interested in jumping straight in, a list of easy-to-use idioms I often use in business settings is provided at the end of this article.
The History of Literary Knowledge in Mainland China
Chinese idioms (often 4 characters) and set phrases (often 4-10 characters) are short sayings that contain a specific message or moral. They are often based on events or stories of historical significance and are viewed as an important part of the Chinese language and culture.
They possess the added bonus of delivering complex ideas in a quick and concise format. The one downside is that these phrases can not be ad-libbed.
There is only one way to say a particular combination of characters (hence the term “set phrase”), and thus they must be memorized exactly. Knowledge of literary phrases and texts has been highly regarded in Mainland China for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
A prime example is the ancient imperial examination system, which began coming to prominence in the Tang dynasty (618–906 AD). During the Tang dynasty, the Confucian classics were introduced as a core part of the higher-level examinations, and candidates were expected to memorize sections and even entire texts word for word (or character for character) if they expected to have any chance of success.
As a result, for hundreds of years, Imperial China’s government bureaucracy was dominated by so-called scholar elites, who possessed an outstanding knowledge of Chinese literature and Confucian philosophies (e.g., not science or economics).
And while modern China has now developed beyond this narrow definition of elite status, those in China with academic distinction, including those related to language and culture, continue to be admired for their knowledge and accomplishments.
Idioms in Modern China
Idioms and set phrases are very common in modern China, and while they are more often found in books, articles, and reports, they are common in spoken language as well.
I have observed them being used regularly by business leaders, academics, and others who desire to demonstrate their knowledge or refinement. Idioms and set phrases are also a very common sight in the Chinese entertainment industry.
In Chinese TV sitcoms, which often feature tales from ancient China, communist heroes, or modern business professionals, it is common for main characters to make use of idioms, which makes them appear smarter, more refine,d or in control of the situation.
Idioms even have specific game shows devoted to them, in which participants have to guess the correct phrase based on a clue. Needless to say, whoever has spent the most time studying and memorizing the idioms will come out ahead.
My Experiences Using Chinese Idioms
While I initially learned some idioms and set phrases over the course of my Chinese studies in college, I only really started using them after moving to China for work.
While working in China, I started to notice that idioms were employed in professional environments, mainly by managers, executives, and experts. I also observed that correctly employing idioms and set phrases in conversations with native Chinese speakers almost always led to a very surprised reaction, even more so than when using a colloquial Chinese phrase or greeting.
The correct use of idioms and set phrases in a conversation has almost always resulted in the Chinese speaker expressing their admiration and respect for a Westerner putting in the time to extensively study the Chinese culture and language.
Since then, I have continued to study idioms and set phrases, and have found them to be a very useful tool in my communications with Chinese managers and executives. For me, and I hope for you as well, these phrases have helped to bridge the cultural and language barriers between China and the West, and have allowed greater degrees of trust and cooperation to flourish between Chinese colleagues.
Here Are Some Idioms to Get You Started!
I have provided a shortlist of idioms and set phrases below (in addition to the five links above), which I have personally found to be very useful and relatively easy to apply in conversations with the Chinese.
The trick to effective idiom study and usage for non-native Chinese speakers is to choose and focus on a set number that you can see yourself using on a regular basis.
After that, it’s a simple matter of practice and repetition. To start with, try combining idioms you like with simple phrases such as “this/that is,” “don’t,” “remember…,” and “we should…, ” etc.
For those of you new to the Chinese language, I would suggest first checking out this guide to Hanyu Pinyin and basic pronunciation. Good Luck!
Simple Idioms and Set Phrases
一举两得 (yī jǔ liǎng dé): to achieve two gains in one effort. This means the same thing as the English expression, “to kill two birds with one stone.”
入乡随俗 (rù xiāng suí sú): when entering a village, obey all the local customs and traditions. This is the Chinese version of “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
前所未有 (qián suǒ wèi yǒu): unprecedented (e.g. of a situation).
不可思议 (bù kě sī yì): unimaginable or unfathomable.
骑虎难下 (qí hǔ nán xià): when one is riding a tiger it is hard to dismount. The idea behind this idiom is that when one is stuck in a difficult situation, all one can do is continue onwards and do one’s 
讨价还价 (tǎo jià huán jià): to haggle over a price.
精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng): to improve something that is already outstanding.
对牛弹琴 (duì niú tán qín): playing a lute to a cow. This saying describes talking to the wrong audience or to an unappreciative one.
功亏一篑 (gōng kuī yī kuì): failing for lack of a final bucketful. This saying refers to failing due to the lack of a final effort.
实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì): to seek the truth from facts. This saying means to be practical and realistic.
班门弄斧 (bān mén nòng fǔ): to play with one’s axe in front of the house of Lu Ban, the master carpenter. This saying refers to showing off one’s slight skill in front of an expert.
好事多磨 (hǎo shì duō mó): good things do not come without toil, or the road to happiness is paved with hardships.
听天由命 (tīng tiān yóu mìng): to consign oneself to the will of heaven. This saying means to resign oneself to fate or trust to luck.
情不自禁 (qíng bù zì jīn): unable to restrain one’s emotions; cannot help oneself.
半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi): to give up halfway or leave something unfinished.
Longer Set Phrases:
万事俱备，只欠东风 （wàn shì jù bèi, zhǐ qiàn dōng fēng）: everything has been prepared, and all that is needed is an easterly wind. This saying means to lack only one crucial (and final) item.
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If you or your organization is navigating China execution or cross-border alignment challenges, I work with teams on an embedded and remote basis. Reach out directly: Sean@SageSightConsulting.com
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