Chinese Idioms Learning (7)

Chinese Idioms Learning (7)
Dec 11, 2007 00:38
ZOEY Points: Join Date: Nov 29, 2004 Status: offline	No.1 东施效颦(Dong 1 Shi 1 Xiao 4 Pin 2). It means ‘ Dongshi, an ugly woman, knitting her brows in imitation of the famous beauty Xishi, only to make herself uglier---crude imitation with ludicrous effect. History: During the period of Spring and Autumn, there was a beauty named Xishi living in the state of Yue. Her beauty was beyond words. No matter what she wore or where she went, she was always the focus. However, she suffered from heart trouble. One day, she was stuck by heart trouble so that she held her hands to her chest and frowned when she walked. All villagers were attracted by her way of walking. Dongshi, an ugly woman, lived as Xishi’s neighbor. She tried her best to attract others’ attention by changing her clothes frequently. However, no one was interested in her. She saw Xishi walking with her hands held to her chest and eyebrows frowned and many people were attracted by her. Thus, Dongshi decided to imitate Xishi’s walking style. However, this did not make her look more beautiful. Those villagers tried to hide away from her while seeing her and some even laughed at her. How silly Dongshi is!

Dec 11, 2007 00:38

ZOEY
Points:
Join Date: Nov 29, 2004
Status: offline

No.1 东施效颦(Dong 1 Shi 1 Xiao 4 Pin 2). It means ‘ Dongshi, an ugly woman, knitting her brows in imitation of the famous beauty Xishi, only to make herself uglier---crude imitation with ludicrous effect.

History: During the period of Spring and Autumn, there was a beauty named Xishi living in the state of Yue. Her beauty was beyond words. No matter what she wore or where she went, she was always the focus. However, she suffered from heart trouble. One day, she was stuck by heart trouble so that she held her hands to her chest and frowned when she walked. All villagers were attracted by her way of walking.

Dongshi, an ugly woman, lived as Xishi’s neighbor. She tried her best to attract others’ attention by changing her clothes frequently. However, no one was interested in her. She saw Xishi walking with her hands held to her chest and eyebrows frowned and many people were attracted by her. Thus, Dongshi decided to imitate Xishi’s walking style. However, this did not make her look more beautiful. Those villagers tried to hide away from her while seeing her and some even laughed at her. How silly Dongshi is!

Dec 11, 2007 00:39

ZOEY
Points:
Join Date: Nov 29, 2004
Status: Offline

No.2 No.2 对牛弹琴 (Dui 4 Niu 2 Tan 2 Qin 2). It refers to’ play the lute to a cow---address the wrong audience or talk over sb’s head.

History: During the Warring States Period, there was a famous musician named Gongming Yi who was very good at playing Zheng (a kind of musical instrument). People were fond of him playing Zheng. Gongming Yi played Zheng not only at his home but also in the fields when the weather was good. One day, he saw a cow grazing in the field. Inspired by the scene, he decided to play a tune for the cow. However, the cow could not understand what Gongming Yi was doing and just kept grazing. Gongming Yi thought that it might be difficult for the cow to understand this elegant tune. So he decided to play another tune for the cow. It still didn’t work. Gongming Yi was quite angry and tried his best to play whatever he could. But the cow still could not understand his music and kept grazing. Finally, the cow moved away. Gongming Yi was quite disappointed. Others who saw this told Gongming Yi that his tunes were very good. But the cow could not appreciate them. Gongming Yi sighed deeply and came home.

Post a Reply to: Chinese Idioms Learning (7)