Dictionary of 1,000 Chinese Idioms [Paperback]

Marjorie Lin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Four-character idioms (know as "chengyu") are key ingredients of the Chinese language. The authors have selected 1,000 of the most frequently used idioms, listing them in alphabetical order with Pinyin transcription, while providing the equivalent English translation and the original Chinese characters. This is an essential book for any serious student of the Chinese language, as well as for Chinese speakers studying English as a second language.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Schalk Leonard and Marjorie Lin

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781808200
• ISBN-13: 978-0781808200
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not great, May 26, 2001

By 

David K. Dresser (Foxboro) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dictionary of 1,000 Chinese Idioms (Paperback)

This book has a very good overview of 1000 idioms alphabetized by Pinyin. It has the 4 chineses characters for each idiom followed by the Pinyin, a literal translation as well as an explanation of what it is trying to say. One major complaint and one small one. Major: There are no tone marks on the pinyin! If you want to use a saying you need a dictionary to get the tones. Minor: the font chosen for the characters simulates natural handwriting and is difficult for a beginer to read. If they rereleased the book with these changes it would be a 4 stars.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive, but not great, November 1, 2005

By 

K. Ericson "ericsonk" (Fort Wayne, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dictionary of 1,000 Chinese Idioms (Paperback)

I agree with the previous reviewer - if this book had tone marks with the PinYin, it would rate a full star higher! The Chinese is a little difficult to read (I'm just starting out learning Chinese) due to the typesetting fint used. I like the organization - based upon the first Chinese character in the phrase - you can find related phrases together.

I have no trouble recemmending this book, but could be much more enthusiastic if there were a couple printing changes made.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, not Great, October 17, 2010

By 

M. Sullivan (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dictionary of 1,000 Chinese Idioms (Paperback)

First, let me start off by saying that I like this book. The worst that will happen is that you'll learn more Chinese.

However, the book does have some flaws. Primarily, that the characters are not standard typeface, but more handwritten, is a problem for newcomers to Chinese. Second, the Pinyin does not include tone marks. It's definitely better than not having them, but it's limiting.

The main problem with this book is the choice of idioms. There are 1000, but they're not all in use or even recognized by native Chinese. I had a teacher (from China), one of the most educated people I've ever met, and she didn't recognize a good portion of these idioms. Furthermore, the book does not include the stories behind the idioms. (Most idioms have some Chinese folk tale associated with them, cementing their meaning in Chinese culture.)

For the advanced: yes, these are all Chengyus, in four character format. Some of the meanings are evident from the component characters. Some are not and would really benefit from the backstory. For example, "bu san bu si" doesn't immediately tell you why it means "neither fish nor fowl; a shady person; incongruous."

(Amazon apparently doesn't allow for Chinese characters in reviews.)