Simple phrases and idiomatic expressions, known as chéngyǔ (成语) in Mandarin, are essential elements of the Chinese language that greatly enrich communication by encapsulating profound meanings, cultural wisdom, and historical stories in a few characters. These idioms typically consist of four characters and convey complex ideas, emotions, or moral lessons succinctly, often carrying meanings that cannot be understood from a direct word-for-word translation.

Greetings

• Nǐ hǎo – Hello • Nǐ hǎo ma? – How are you? • Xiè xiè – Thank you • Duì bù qǐ – Excuse me/sorry • Zài jiàn – Goodbye • Hěn gāoxìng rènshì nǐ – Glad to meet you • Bú kèqì – You’re welcome

Basic Phrases

• Wǒ jiào – My name is… • Wǒ lái zì – I come from… • Wǒ bù lǐ jiě – I don't understand • Qǐng shuō màn yī diǎn – Please speak slower • Wǒ bù zhīdào – I don’t know • Cè suǒ zài nǎlǐ? – Where is the bathroom? • Wǒ bú huì shuō zhōngwén – I can't speak Chinese • Méi guānxi – It’s okay / No problem • Wǒ xū yào – I need… • Wǒ xiǎng chī – I'm hungry/I want to eat • Zhè lǐ yǒu – Is there...here? • Duō shǎo qián - How much money?

Popular Mandarin Idiomatic Expressions (Chéngyǔ)

Idioms in Mandarin are short, often four-character phrases that carry deep meaning; 1. Mǎ mǎ hū hū – Literally "horse horse tiger tiger." It means something is just okay or so-so. Example: “How was your day?” - “Mǎ mǎ hū hū.” 2. Yī shí èr niǎo – Literally "one stone, two birds." It means to kill two birds with one stone. Used just like the English version. 3. Rù xiāng suí sú – "When you enter a village, follow the local customs.” This means: Adapt to local ways or "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." 4. Jǐng dǐ zhī wā – A "frog at the bottom of a well." This idiom describes someone with a limited perspective who thinks their small world is all that exists. 5. Huà shé tiān zú – "Draw a snake and add legs to it." This means ruining something by overdoing it or adding unnecessary extras. 6. Bàn tú ér fèi – "To give up halfway." It refers to someone who quits before finishing something. 7. Diào yǐ qīng xīn – "Throwing away the heart lightly". It means to “Take lightly” or “be careless”. 8. Jiā yóu – Literally “add oil” It means “keep going,” “good luck,” or “you can do it!”

How to Learn and Use These Expressions

1. Use them in context – Try including one or two in your daily conversations or journal writing.
2. Watch Chinese shows – Listening to idioms used naturally helps reinforce them.
3. Practice pronunciation – Repeat them aloud to get comfortable.
4. Create story links – Learn the story behind idioms; many come from ancient fables.
5. Start with the easiest – Begin with short and commonly used ones.

Learning Mandarin isn’t just about memorising words; it’s about stepping into a new way of thinking and expressing yourself. Simple phrases help you survive, but idioms help you thrive. They give your speech colour, culture, and character. So, whether you're casually saying "xièxiè" or dropping a clever "rù xiāng suí sú" in a conversation, remember: every phrase you learn is a step closer to fluency. Jiā yóu! – Keep going! You're doing great