Literary Forms · LT900

Sayings & Idioms

Living Chinese linguistic heritage comprising idioms, proverbs, aphorisms, and couplets.

333works

9sub-forms

11dynasties

Sub-forms

LT901IdiomsClassical four-character idiomatic expressions derived from historical masterworks.328 works · Zhou—Qing
  • Jingwei Fills the Sea
  • Kuafu Chases the Sun
  • Chang'e Flies to the Moon
LT902ProverbsFolk proverbs and agrarian wisdom sayings passed down across generations.2 works · Han
  • The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind
  • Xiang Zhuang's Sword Dance Aims at the Duke of Pei
LT903Common SayingsLiving vernacular colloquial sayings reflecting everyday social culture.2 works · Zhou
  • Not Knowing the Height of Heaven or Depth of Earth
  • Fifty Paces Mocking a Hundred
LT904Two-Part SayingsTwo-part allegorical sayings featuring humorous puns and riddle punchlines.Works in preparation
LT905AphorismsImmortal maxims, inspirational epigrams, and ethical golden verses.1 works · Zhou
  • Do Not Impose on Others What You Do Not Desire
LT906CoupletsSymmetrical antithetical couplets celebrating festivals, milestones, and landscapes.Works in preparation
LT907Rhymes & JinglesRhythmic folk rhymes, seasonal mnemonics, and enlightenment ditties.Works in preparation
LT908Lantern RiddlesCharacter riddles and literary puzzle games embodying linguistic wit.Works in preparation
LT909Drinking GamesLiterati parlor games, banquet challenges, and poetic rhyme constraints.Works in preparation

Sub-forms by dynasty

Where each sub-form's works fall across the fifteen dynasties; click an ink dot to open that sub-form at that dynasty.

Sayings & Idioms · Sub-forms by dynasty
XiaShangZhouQinHanThree KingdomsJinNorthern and SouthernSuiTangTen KingdomsSongYuanMingQing
Idioms328
Proverbs2
Common Sayings2
Aphorisms1
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