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2026

Fool’s Idioms (蠢语)


Idioms, or 成语 (chéng yǔ), are four-character phrases used to pass down lessons, history, or philosophy. Often lighthearted, sometimes stern, and usually with a moral underneath.

蠢语 (chǔn yǔ) takes some of that seriousness away. The lessons are a little dumber, a little funnier, and sometimes question the morality they were meant to teach in the first place.




一吃二睡 (yī chī èr shuì)
There’s nothing more important than to eat and sleep.
Original: 一哭二闹



一见双笑 (yì jiàn shuāng xiào)
Two who are always happy to meet
Original: 一箭双雕



不可私饮 (bù kě sī yǐn)
One must not drink alone.
Original: 不可思议



没心没病 (méi xīn méi bìng)
As long as you don’t care, nothing can hurt you.
Original: 一心一意



埋头干饭 (mái tóu gàn fàn)
Bury your head and feast.
Original: 埋头苦干



一路饼干 (yī lù bǐng gān)
There’ll always be food on the journey, never go hungry.
Original: 一路平安



宝刀会老 (băo dāo huì lǎo)
Even the best of us will get old.
Original: 宝刀未老



卧酒藏笼 (wò jǐu cáng lóng)
Hide the alcohol and the bamboo steamer, to be protective of food.
Original: 卧虎藏龙



对树谈心 (duì shù tán xīn)
Have a heart to heart talk with a tree (or plant).
Original: 对牛弹琴



半土就退 (bàn tú jiù tuì)
It’s ok to give up halfway.
Original: 半途而废



熟能生吃 (shú néng shēng chī)
Something can be eaten once ripe.
Original: 熟能生巧



九妞一耗 (jiǔ niū yī hào)
Nine girls and a rat, meaning a sleazeball trying to get lucky with the ladies.
Original: 九牛一毛



家裕护小 (jiā yù hù xiǎo)
In a rich family, they are quick to defend their own.
Original: 家喻户晓



一剑中禽 (yī jiàn zhòng qín)
To hit a bird in one strike, bullseye.
Original: 一见钟情



麻麻糊糊 (má má hú hú)
When food is bland and overcooked.
Original: 马马虎虎



颈上添花 (jǐng shàng tiān huā)
To give or receive hickeys.
Original: 锦上添花



嗨群之马 (hāi qún zhī mǎ)
To be the life of the party.
Original: 害群之马 



亿卵积食 (yì luǎn jī shí)
100 million eggs can cause indigestion.
Original: 以卵击石



ARTWORK DETAILSCalligraphy ink on raw xuan paper, unmounted.
One piece only. Not for sale.



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