Chinese

Noun

成語

1. chengyu, a certain kind of Chinese set phrase originating in Classical Chinese, typically four or five characters in length   (Classifier: 句; 個／个; 條／条; 本)

   我最喜歡的成語是「畫蛇添足」。 [MSC, trad.]

   我最喜欢的成语是“画蛇添足”。 [MSC, simp.]

   Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de chéngyǔ shì "huàshétiānzú". [Pinyin]

   My favourite chengyu is "huàshétiānzú".

2. any idiomatic expression or set phrase   (Classifier: 句; 個／个; 條／条; 本)

Usage notes

• Although often translated as idiom, in fact 成語／成语 (chéngyǔ) refers to a specific kind of idiomatic expression in Chinese (see Chengyu). Other kinds of idioms include 俗語／俗语 (súyǔ), 諺語／谚语 (yànyǔ) and 歇後語／歇后语 (xiēhòuyǔ). The specific word for idiom or idiomatic expression in Chinese is 習慣用語／习惯用语 (xíguànyòngyǔ) or 習語／习语 (xíyǔ).

Japanese

Noun

成語 ‎(hiragana せいご, romaji seigo)

1. set phrase

Korean

Noun

成語 • ‎(seong-eo) ‎(hangeul 성어)

1. Hanja form^? of 성어, “set phrase”.

Vietnamese

Noun

成語

1. Hán tự form of thành ngữ, “set phrase”