Chinese Idioms.doc

ＣｈｉｎｅｓｅＩｄｉｏｍｓ

作者：

来源：《中国经贸聚焦·英文版》2007年第04期

yúmáowèifēng

羽毛未丰

Literal meaning: being unfledged

Metaphorical meaning:not being strong enough

Background Story:

During the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) in ancient China, Su Qin, a lobbyist went to the State of Qin, trying to persuade the king to gobble up other states to unite China.

He said to the king, “The state of Qin has a geographical advantage with abundant resources and fertile land. Your people are well fed, and your army well trained. With your wisdom, your royal highness, why not unite the country by gobbling up the other states.”

But Su Qin’s advice came at a wrong time. At that time, there was political infighting in the s tate of Qin. The state was not as strong as Su Qin described. Therefore, the king of Qin didn’t think it was time for such action.

So then he politely responded to Su Qin, “there was a saying that an unfledged young bird can’t fly high and far. I appreciate very much your suggestions and am especially grateful that you came all the way here to voice your opinion. But our strength is not great enough to do what you have advocated. Let us wait another few years when we become fully-fledged. We’ll tak e your advice then.”

Su Qin failed to lobby the king. He used up his money and had to leave the kingdom.

Young and inexperienced, Su Qin himself was referred to as an unfledged bird.

yúh?móupí

与虎谋皮

Literal meaning:to ask the tiger for its skin

Metaphorical meaning: to request that selfish people act against their own interests

Background Story:

Long ago there lived a man who did everything out of wishful thinking. One day, he wanted to make a fur-lined jacket.He heard that a fox fur jacket was light and warm.So he went into the forest to look for a fox.

When he found one, he said to him, “Mr. Fox, I want to use your fur to make a nice light, warm jacket. Could you do me the favo r of giving me your skin?” On hearing this, the fox ran away at once. “What an absurd idea!” the fox thought to himself, “ If my skin was peeled off, I would surely die. How foolish the man is to ask for such a favor.” The man didn’t get the skin he wanted, and went back home.

Over the centuries, people changed “fox” to “tiger” which is more violent and fierce.

From that story people drew the idiom yú h? móu pí. Today it is used to tell people that if they are asking for a favor from someone who has a conflict interest with them, it is impossible to achieve their goal.