中国成语英文小故事
东施效颦
In the Spring and Autumn Period (春秋时期,770-476 BC), there was a beauty in the State of Yue called Xishi (西施).
传说春秋时期，越国有一美女，名唤西施。She often suffered from pains in her chest, and so she would often walk around doubled over and with her brows knitted.
但是西施有心口疼的毛病，所以她经常手捂胸口，皱着眉头走着。There was an ugly girl in the village called Dongshi who envied Xishi.
村子里还住着一位丑姑娘，叫做东施，她十分嫉妒西施。Striving to emulate Xishi, she imitated her stoop, knitting her brows at the same time.
于是东施时常效仿西施，手捂胸口，紧皱眉头。She thought that this made her elegant, but in fact, it only made her more ugly.
东施觉得她效仿西施就会变得很美丽，但是实际上，只会使她变得更难看而已。Later, this idiom came to be used to indicate improper imitation that proces the reverse effect.
这个典故比喻不恰当的模仿，带来相反的效果。
⑵ 跪求英文的中国的历史，成语或神话故事 最好七到十段 尽量长一些 各位拜托了撒～>^<
二十四孝＿忠孝双全
明朝湖南道川守将沉至绪，有一个独生女儿，名叫沈云英。自小聪明好学，跟父亲学得一身好武艺。因其父率兵迎异军死在战场上，当时沈云英才十七岁，她登上高处大声呼曰：“我虽然是一个小女子，为完成父亲守城的遗志，我要决一死战。希望全体军民保卫家乡。”大家深受感动，发誓要夺回失地。很快解除了包围，取得了胜利。沈云英找到父亲的尸体，大声痛哭，全体军民都穿上孝服，参加了葬礼。朝廷下令追封沉至绪为副总兵，并任命沈云英为游击将军，继续守卫道州府。后来人们为她建了一座忠孝双全的纪念祠。有诗颂曰：
异军攻城围义兵，娥眉汗马解围城；父仇围难两湔雪，千古流芳忠孝名。
Man pages _ Zhongxiao queen
Ming-Chuan Wu Jiang, Hunan Road to Xu Shen, a daughter, named Shen Yun-ying. Smart studious young age, my father learned a swordsman. Shuaibing Ying horizon e to his father died on the battlefield, when Shen Yun excellence 17 years old, she boarded the height loud call, saying: "Although I was a small woman, for the completion of his father Shoucheng's behest, I would like to become accustomed. hope that the whole army to defend the homeland. "everyone was deeply moved and vowed to regain lost ground. Quickly lifted the siege, to victory. Shen Yun-ying to find his father's body, crying loudly, all the soldiers wore mourning to attend the funeral. Bestowed on the court order to thread the Fuzong Bing Shen, and named Shen Yun-ying for the guerrilla general, continue to guard the Road state capital. It was built for her a temple to commemorate the Chunghsiao queen. Song A poem reads:
Different military siege Wai-yi soldiers, crescent siege city of Khan MA; Fu Chou Wai difficult 2 Jian Xue, Liu-Fang Chung Hsiao name through the ages.
二十四孝＿上书救父
汉文帝时，有一位叫淳于意的人，拜齐国著名医师杨庆为师，学得一手高超的医术，曾经做过齐国的仓令。他的老师去世以后，弃官行医。因为个性刚直，行医的时候，得罪了一位有权势的人，导致后来自己遭陷害，被押往京城治罪。他的女儿名叫缇萦，虽然是一位弱小女子，然而不辞劳苦，长途跋涉一同前往长安向皇帝诉冤。她陈述了肉刑的害处，并说明了父亲做官时清廉爱民，行医时施仁济世，现在确实是遭人诬害。愿意替父受刑。汉文帝被缇萦的孝心深深感动，赦免了她的父亲，并且下诏书废除了肉刑。有诗颂曰：
随父赴京历苦辛，上书意切动机定； 诏书特赦成其孝，又废肉刑惠后人。
Man pages _ petitioned Jiufu
Emperor Wen of Han, there are a named Chunyu Italian people, thanks to well-known physician Qi Yang as a teacher, learned first-hand the superb art of healing, Qi positions have done so. After the death of his teacher, Qi Guan practice. Because upright and outspoken personality, practice time, offended a powerful person, which later led to his being framed and was then transferred to capital punishment. His daughter called Ti-ying, though a small woman, but the painstaking work, and travel long distances to travel together to the Emperor Chang-Su Yuan. She stated the harmful effects of corporal punishment, and describes his father as an official when the clean and loving, practicing medicine Ren Shi save the world, and now is really being Wuhai. For the parent is willing to torture. Han Emperor Wen Ti-ying of filial piety have been deeply moved, pardoned her father, and the abolition of corporal punishment under the imperial edict. Song A poem reads:
Calendar Kuxin father to Beijing, a petition intended to cut motive determined; edict into its filial amnesty, abolition of corporal punishment also benefit future generations.
刘备、关羽、张飞自桃园结义后，虽整天东奔西跑，但因缺少谋士，总觉得恢复汉朝天下无望。后来得徐庶帮助，连打胜仗。徐庶为救母无奈去了曹营。临走推荐了诸葛亮。
一日，刘备带关羽、张飞来到隆中卧龙冈，想请诸葛亮出山。小僮说："先生今早出去了。"刘备让僮子转告先生说他来访，然后拉马闷闷不乐地回去了。又过了数日，刘备控得诸葛亮已回家，便同关、张二次来访。僮子说："先生正在草堂看书。"刘备求见后得知不是诸葛亮，而是其弟诸葛钧。于是留下一封信，表达敬慕之情。兄弟三人又冒雪回去了。
回到新野不久，刘备想再次去请诸葛亮。关羽劝说："可能诸葛亮没本事，怕见我们。张飞则说：你们别去了，我用绳子捆来。刘备忙讲了当年文王访姜子牙的故事。兄弟三人又第三次来到卧龙冈。他们一到，小僮忙说："先生在睡觉。"刘备一直等到诸葛亮睡醒后更衣相见。刘备不辞劳苦，三顾顾庐，终于请出诸葛亮出山辅佐，共图大业
Liu bei, guan yu, zhang fei, though since taoyuan JieYi around all day, but because of lack of counselors, total feel restore the han dynasty world was hopeless. When it XuShu help, even triumphed. XuShu for saves mother went to CaoYing helpless. Facing to recommend the various ge bright.
1 take guan yu, zhang fei and liu bei to wolong longzhong, want to ask zhuge liang Oregon mountain. Small boy say: "sir this morning's out." Liu2 bei4 let TongZi tell Mr Says he visits, and vladimir radmanovic glumly back. And a few days, liu2 bei4 control have already home, then zhuge liang to pass, piece second visit. TongZi say: "sir are thatched cottage reading." Liu2 bei4 sought after zhuge liang, but that is not ZhuGeJun his brother. So leave a letter, express admiration of love. The three brothers and take snow back.
Return to a new item soon, liu2 bei4 would like to go please zhuge liang. Guan yu persuade: "may zhuge liang uselessness, dreads the us. ZhangFeiZe say: you don't go, I use rope bound to speak the same. Liu2 bei4 busy WenWangFang son tooth story. The three brothers and third arrived at wolong Oregon. They arrived, the small boy favour say:" sir in bed. "Liu2 bei4 until zhuge woke up and change clothes greet. Liu2 bei4 discomforts, three gu GuLu, finally please make zhuge liang mountain assisted, total diagram greatundertaking
赤壁
In 200, Yuan Shao amassed more than 100,000 troops and marched southwards on Xuchang in the name of rescuing the emperor. Cao Cao gathered 20,000 men in Guan, a strategic point on the shore of the Yellow River. The two armies come to a standstill as neither side was able to make much progress. Cao Cao's lack of men did not allow him to make significant attacks, and the pride of Yuan Shao forced him to target Cao Cao's force head-on. Despite his overwhelming advantage in terms of manpower Yuan Shao was unable to make full use of his resources because of his indecisive leadership and Cao Cao's location.
Besides the middle battleground of Guan, two lines of battle were present. The eastern line with Yuan Tan of Yuan Shao's army versus Zang Ba of Cao Cao's army was a one-sided battle in favor of Cao Cao, as Yuan Tan's own questionable leadership was no match for Xang Ba's local knowledge of the landscape and hit-and-run tactics. To the western side, Yuan Shao's cousin, Gao Gan, performed much better against Cao Cao's army and forced several reinforcements from Cao Cao's main camp to maintain the western battle. Liu Bei, who was at the time a guest in Yuan Shao's army, also suggested to ince uprising in the back of Cao Cao's lands as there were many connections to the Yuan family and their subordinates. The tactic was successful at first, but quickly countered by Man Chong's diplomatic skill. Man Chong had been placed as an official there for this specific reason, as Cao Cao had foreseen the situation prior to the battle.
Finally, with the help of a defector from Yuan Shao's army, Xu You, who informed Cao Cao of the location of Yuan Shao's army supply, Cao Cao broke the standstill and sent a special task force to burn all the supplies of Yuan Shao's army and won a decisive and seemingly impossible victory. Yuan Shao fell ill and died shortly after returning from the defeat, leaving his legacy to two of his sons – the eldest son, Yuan Tan and the youngest son, Yuan Shang. As he had designated the youngest son, Yuan Shang, as his successor, rather than the eldest as tradition dictated, the two brothers consistently feuded against each other, as they fought Cao Cao. Because of their internal divisions, Cao Cao was easily able to defeat them by using their differences to his advantage. Henceforth Cao Cao assumed effective rule over all of northern China. He sent armies further out and extended his control past the Great Wall into northern Korea, and southward to the Han River.
However, Cao Cao's attempt to extend his domination south of the Yangtze River was unsuccessful. He received an initial great success when Liu Biao, ruler of Jing Zhou, died, and his successor, Liu Zong surrendered to Cao Cao without resistance. Delighted by this turn-out (Cao Cao, a devoted follower of Sun Tzu's Art of War, also considered "defeating your enemy without battle" to be the highest form of achievement of war) he pressed on and hoped the same would happen despite the objections by his military advisors. His forces were then defeated by the first coalition of his archrivals Liu Bei and Sun Quan (who later founded the kingdoms of Shu and Wu respectively) at the Red Cliffs in 208.
⑶ 急求一个英语的成语故事！！！
Amazing the World with a Single Feat
In the Warring States Period, Duke Wei of Qi neglected state affairs, for the first three years of his reign, giving himself over to dissipation. One of his minister, Chun Yukun who had a good sense of humour, said to him:”There is a big bird which has neigher taken wing nor sung for three years.” The ke answered, “Once that bird starts to fly and sing, it will astonish the world.” The ke thereupon devoted himself to his ties and built his state up into a powerful one.
This idiom is used to indicate that a person may rise from obscurity and achieve greatness.
战国时代，齐威王即位后作了三年国君，只顾享乐，不理政事。有个善于说笑话的人叫淳于髡，一天对齐威王说：“城里有一只大鸟，三年不飞也不叫，你知道这是什么道理？”齐威王说：“这鸟不飞则罢，一飞就冲天；不鸣则罢，一鸣就惊人。”在淳于髡的激发下，齐威王开始治理国家，取得很大成绩，齐国的声威一直保持了几十年。
⑷ 简单英语中国成语故事30字
1 揠苗助长 ：比喻急于求成反而于事无成。
春秋时期，宋国有一个农回夫，他总是嫌田里答的庄稼长得太慢。 于是，他来到田里，把禾苗一棵一棵地往上拔。第二天，他发现田里的禾苗全都已经枯死了。
2 乘风破浪：形容不怕困难，奋勇前进的精神
古代南北朝的时候，宋国有位将军姓宗名悫，他从小就很勇敢，也很有抱负。有一天，宗悫的叔父问他有什么志向，宗悫回答道：“愿乘长风，破万里浪。”宗悫经过勤学苦练，努力奋斗，终于成为一位能征善战的将军。
3 一衣带水：比喻只隔了一条狭窄水域的，靠得非常近的两地
南北朝的时候，北方的北周和南方的陈国以长江为界。
北周的宰相杨坚，废了周静帝，自己当皇帝，建立了隋朝。
他决心要灭掉陈国，曾说：“我是全国老百姓的父母，难道能因为有一条像衣带那样窄的长江隔着，就看着南方百姓受苦而不拯救他们吗？ “
⑸ 英语的成语故事
画蛇添足
An official of the ancient State of Chu awarded a pot of wine to his men after the ceremony of Spring Sacrifice. One man said， “We have only one pot of wine. It's not enough for all of us but sufficient for one. Let's determine who'll have the wine by drawing a snake on the ground. He who finishes first will have the wine.”
The others agreed. Very soon， one man finished his snake. He was about to drink the wine when he saw the others were still busy drawing. He said complacently，“How slowly you are！ I still have enough time to add feet to my snke.” But before he finished the feet， another man finished his snke and grabbed the pot from him， saying，“Whoever has seen a snake with feet？ Yours is not a snke. So the wine should be mine！” He drank the wine. The man adding the feet to the snake had to give in and could only regret his foolishness.
楚国有一个官员，在春天祭过了祖宗之后，便将一壶酒赏给他的办事人员喝。有人提议：“我们只有一壶酒，肯定不够我们大家喝的，一个人喝倒是绰绰有余。我们每人在地上画一条蛇，谁画得最快，就把这壶酒给他。” 大家都同意了。
有一个人很快就把蛇画好了。他正打算喝这壶酒时，看见别人都还忙着画呢。他就得意扬扬地说：“你们画得好慢呀，等我再画上几只脚吧！” 他的蛇脚还没画完，另一个人已经把蛇画好了。那人把酒壶夺了过去说：“有谁见过长脚的蛇？你画的不是蛇，这壶酒应该是我的了。”说罢，就喝起酒来。那个给蛇画脚的人没办法，只能懊悔自己的愚蠢。
一鸣惊人
In the Warring States Period, Duke Wei of Qi neglected state affairs, for the first three years of his reign, giving himself over to dissipation. One of his ministers, Chun Yukun who had a good sense of humour, said to him: 'There is a big bird which has neither taken wing nor sung for three years.' The ke answered, 'Once that bird starts to fly and sing, it will astonish the world.' The ke thereupon devoted himself to his ties and built his state up into a powerful one.
战国时代，齐威王即位后做了三年国君，只顾享乐，不理政事。有个善于说笑话的人叫淳于髡，一天对齐威王说：“城里有一只大鸟，三年不飞也不叫，你知道这是什么道理？”齐威王说：“这鸟不飞则罢，一飞就冲天；不鸣则罢，一鸣就惊人。”在淳于髡的激发下，齐威王开始治理国家，取得很大成绩，齐国的声威一直保持了几十年。
杞人忧天
In the Spring and Autumn Period, in the State of Qi there was a man who always let his imagination run away with him. One day he even worried that the sky would fall on his head. He was so worried that he could neither eat nor sleep. Later, someone persuaded him that his fears were Ground-less.
春秋时代，杞国有一个喜欢胡思乱想的人。一天，他竟然想到，天会塌下来，地会陷下去，自己到哪里去安身？这个人越想越害怕，整天愁眉苦脸，坐立不安，白天吃不下饭，晚上睡不着觉。后来有人耐心地开到他，他才放下了心。
精卫填海
Once upon a time, the youngest daughter of Emperor Yan, legendary ruler of primitive China, went boating on the Eastern Sea. While she was enjoying herself, a strong wind rose on the sea and her boat capsized. Just before she was buried by the surging waves, her spirit turned into a beautiful bird. As it flew over the roaring sea, it cried sadly in the sound "jinwei, jingwei". That was why people called it "Jingwei".
The bird lived on a mountain near the sea. It hated the sea so much that it decided to fill it up. Every day, it flew to and fro between the mountain and the sea, carrying in a twig or a pebble from the mountain and dropping it into the sea.
One day, the roaring sea said to Jingwei, "Poor little bird, stop doing that meaningless thing! You'll never fill me up." Jingwei replied, "I'll fill you up no doubt! I will, even if it'll take me thousands of years! I'll fight on until doomsday!"
The brave little bird kept carrying twigs and pebbles from the mountain to the Eastern Sea without taking a rest.
From this fable comes the idiom "The bird Jingwei trying to fill the sea". We use it to describe people who are firm and indomitable and will not stop until they reach their goal.
从前，炎帝（传说中中国原始社会的统治者）的小女儿在东海上划船。正当她划得高兴时，海面上突然升起一阵大风，把她的小船弄翻了。就在她要被汹涌的波浪吞 没时，她的灵魂变成了一只美丽的小鸟。它飞过那咆哮的海面，伤心的叫着"精卫，精卫"的声音。所以人们就叫她"精卫"。
精卫鸟住在靠海的一座山上。它非常恨大海，所以决心要把它填平。它每天来回于山海之间，把从山上衔来的小树枝和小石子扔在大海里。
一天，咆哮的大海对精卫说："可怜的小鸟，停止你那无谓的举动吧！你是永远都填不平我的。" 精卫回答说："我当然会把你填平的！即使这需要千千万万年的时间，我也一定会斗争到底，直到你的末日来临！"
这只勇敢的小鸟继续从山上衔来小树枝和小石子，扔到东海中，从未有片刻休息。
"精卫填海"这个成语就是由这个传说而来的，形容那些坚定不移，不屈不挠，不到目的决不罢休的人。
⑹ 英语版中国成语故事带翻译，短一点
塞翁失马Blessing
or
Bane
战国时期，靠近北部边城，住着一个老人，名叫塞翁。塞翁养了许多马，一天，他的马群中忽然有一匹走失了。邻居们听说这件事，跑来安慰，劝他不必太着急，年龄大了，多注意身体。塞翁见有人劝慰，笑了笑说：“丢了一匹马损失不大，没准会带来什么福气呢。”
邻居听了塞翁的话，心里觉得很好笑。马丢了，明明是件坏事，他却认为也许是好事，显然是自我安慰而已。过了几天，丢失的马不仅自动返回家，还带回一匹匈奴的骏马。
邻居听说了，对塞翁的预见非常佩服，向塞翁道贺说：“还是您有远见，马不仅没有丢，还带回一匹好马，真是福气呀。”
塞翁听了邻人的祝贺，反而一点高兴的样子都没有，忧虑地说：“白白得了一匹好马，不一定是什么福气，也许惹出什么麻烦来。”
邻居们以为他故作姿态纯属老年人的狡猾。心里明明高兴，有意不说出来。
塞翁有个独生子，非常喜欢骑马。他发现带回来的那匹马顾盼生姿，身长蹄大，嘶鸣嘹亮，膘悍神骏，一看就知道是匹好马。他每天都骑马出游，心中洋洋得意。
一天，他高兴得有些过火，打马飞奔，一个趔趄，从马背上跌下来，摔断了腿。邻居听说，纷纷来慰问。
塞翁说：“没什么，腿摔断了却保住性命，或许是福气呢。”邻居们觉得他又在胡言乱语。他们想不出，摔断腿会带来什么福气。
不久，匈奴兵大举入侵，青年人被应征入伍，塞翁的儿子因为摔断了腿，不能去当兵。入伍的青年都战死了，唯有塞翁的儿子保全了性命。
Near
China's
northern
borders
lived
a
man
well
versed
in
the
practices
of
Taoism.
His
horse,
for
no
reason
at
all,
got
into
the
territory
of
the
northern
tribes.
Everyone
commiserated
with
him.
"Perhaps
this
will
soon
turn
out
to
be
a
blessing,"
said
his
father.
After
a
few
months,
his
animal
came
back,
leading
a
fine
horse
from
the
north.
Everyone
congratulated
him.
"Perhaps
this
will
soon
turn
out
to
be
a
cause
of
misfortune,"
said
his
father.
Since
he
was
well-off
and
kept
good
horses
his
son
became
fond
of
riding
and
eventually
broke
his
thigh
bone
falling
from
a
horse.
Everyone
commiserated
with
him.
"Perhaps
this
will
soon
turn
out
to
be
a
blessing,"
said
his
father.
One
year
later,
the
northern
tribes
started
a
big
invasion
of
the
border
regions.
All
able-bodied
young
men
took
up
arms
and
fought
against
the
invaders,
and
as
a
result,
around
the
border
nine
out
of
ten
men
died.
This
man's
son
did
not
join
in
the
fighting
because
he
was
crippled
and
so
both
the
boy
and
his
father
survived.
⑺ 英语版中国成语故事
江郎才尽
Southern Dynasties of Jiang Yan, word Wen-tung, when he was young, became a Dingdingyouming writer, his poems and articles at the time received high acclaims. However, when he is getting older, he has not previously written an article good, but a lot of setbacks. His poems written in prosaic; and pick up a pen-yin grip for a long time, still can not write a word, the occasional inspiration came; poem written, but the textual Kuse, content, plain were completely useless. So some people to legend, once a boat parked in Chan Jiang Yan-Ling Monastery river and dream of a self-named Zhang Jingyang person; to his followers repay a silk, he would arrest a few feet from her, he is also silk. Thus, his article there will be no wonderful. It was also legend; once the rule of Jiang Yan in the booth sleeping too; dreamed that a person claiming to Guo Pu, walked over to his side, his claim to the pen, said to him: "Man Michie, I have a pen in your place has been a long time, and now should be able to give it to me the bar! "Jiang Yan heard, they dig out from his arms, he is also a five-color pen. Reportedly Since then, Jiang Yan on Evans exhausted and could not write the article in any good.
Jiang Yan's talent has not really run out, but he was an officer after the one hand, as the Chief busy, on the other hand also because of career proud of, without their own write, to sweat, they did not write the. Over time, the article will bring out less, lacking in talent. (Excerpt from "Practical Writing" 1995 No. 8 "I hope," Jiang "was not exactly")
南朝的江淹，字文通，他年轻的时候，就成为一个鼎鼎有名的文学家，他的诗和文章在当时获得极高的评价。 可是，当他年纪渐渐大了以后，他的文章不但没有以前写得好了，而且退步不少。他的诗写出来平淡无奇；而且提笔吟握好久，依旧写不出一个字来，偶尔灵感来了；诗写出来了，但文句枯涩，内容 平淡得一无可取。于是就有人传说，有一次江淹乘船停在禅灵寺的河边，梦见一 个自称叫张景阳的人；向他讨还一匹绸缎，他就从怀中拘出几尺绸缎还他。因此,他的文章以后便不精彩了。又有人传说；有一次江淹在冶亭中睡午觉；梦见一个自称郭璞 的人，走到他的身边，向他索笔，对他说：“文通兄，我有一支笔在你那儿已经很久了，现在应该可以还给我了吧!” 江淹听了，就顺手从怀里取出一支五色笔来还他。据说从此以后，江淹就文思枯竭，再也写不出什么好的文章了。
其实并不是江淹的才华已经用完了，而是他当官以后，一方面由于政务繁忙，另一方面也由于仕途得意，无需自己动笔，劳心费力，就不再动笔了。久而久之，文章自然会逐渐逊色，缺乏才气。（节选自《应用写作》1995年第8期《但愿“江郎”才不尽》）
⑻ 谁有简单的英文成语故事
成语故事，中英文对照
惊弓之鸟
Birds Startled by the Mere Twang of a Bowstring
战国时期（公元前403―221年中国中原地区各诸侯国连年争战的时代）魏国有个名叫更羸的人。一天，他对国王说：“我只要拉开弓，空射一下，就能把天上的鸟射下来。”国王不相信。更羸便对准天上飞来的一只雁射去，果真那只雁听到拉弦的声音就掉了下来。国王感到很奇怪。更羸说，“那是一只受过伤的雁。它一听到我拉开弓弦的声响，就惊慌得支持不住，自然要掉下来了。”
In the Warring States Period, there was a man in the State of Wei called Geng Lei. One day he said to the king: 'I can shoot down birds by simply plucking my bowstring.' When the king expressed doubt, Geng Lei pointed his bow at a wild goose flying in the sky, twanged the bowstring, and the goose fell to the ground. Geng Lei said, 'This goose has been hurt in the past. Hearing the twang of the bowstring, it assumed that it was doomed. So it simply gave up trying to live.'
“惊弓之鸟”这个成语比喻受过惊恐之后，有一点动静就特别害怕。
This idiom means that if one has been frightened in the past one's will may become paralysed in a similar situation.
毛遂自荐
Mao Sui Recommending Himself
战国时代，秦国军队攻打赵国的都城。赵国的平原君打算亲自到楚国去请救兵，想挑选一个精明能干的人一同前去。有一个名叫毛遂的人，自告奋勇愿意同去。平原君到楚国后，与楚王谈了半天，没有一点结果。毛遂怒气冲冲地拿着宝剑，逼近楚王，终于迫使楚王答应出兵，与赵国联合共同抵抗秦国。
In the Warring States Period, the State of Qin besieged the capital of the State of Zhao. Duke Pingyuan of Zhao planned to ask the ruler of the State of Chu personally for assistance. He wanted to select a capable man to go with him. A man called Mao Sui volunteered. When the negoti-actions between the two states were stalled because the ruler of Chu hesitated to send troops, Mao Sui approached him, brandishing a sword. At that, the ruler of Chu agreed to help Zhao, against Qin.
“毛遂自荐”这个成语用来比喻自己推荐自己，不必别人介绍。
This idiom means to recommend oneself.
世外桃源
A Haven of Peace and Happiness
东晋的文学家陶渊明写了一片著名的文章叫《桃花源记》。叙述一个渔人出外捕鱼的时候，偶然来到了桃花源这个地方。从这里通过一个山洞，发现了一个村子，这里的居民是秦朝时避难人的后代。这是一个与世隔绝、没有剥削和压迫、人人安居乐业的美好社会。渔人告别村民回家以后，再也找不到这个地方了。
Tao Yuanming, a famous writer of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), wrote the well-known essay Peach-Blossom Spring. In it he tells a story which goes like this: A fisherman happened to come upon a place called Peach-Blossom Spring. Squeezing through a cave, he found a village, the residents of which were descendants of refugees from the Qin Dynasty. It was a paradise isolated from the outside world, without exploitation or oppression, and everybody living and working in peace and contentment. The fisherman left the villagers and went home. But he could never find the place again.
后来，由这个故事产生了“世外桃源”这个成语，用来比喻与世隔绝的、理想的美好世界。
This idiom is derived from the above story, and is used to mean an isolated, ideal world.
南辕北辙
Going South by Driving the Chariot North
从前有个人要到南方去，他坐的车子却向北方行驶。过路人说：“你去南方，车子怎么向北行驶呢？”他回答说：“我的马很能跑路，我的车夫驾车的技术也很高明，加上我又带了充足的路费。”这个人没有考虑到，方向弄反了，他的条件越好，离他要去的地方就越远。
Once a man wanted to go to the south, but his carriage was heading north. A passer-by asked him: 'If you are going to the south, why is your chariot heading north? ' The man answered, 'My horse is good at running, my driver is highly skilled at driving a carriage, and I have enough money. ' The man didn't consider that the direction might be wrong; the better his conditions were, the further he was away from his destination.
后来人们就把这个故事概括为“南辕北辙”，比喻一个人的行为和他的目的正好相反。
The idiom derived from this story indicates that one's action was the opposite effect to one's intention.
画龙点睛
Putting the Finishing Touch to the Picture of a Dragon
南北朝(公元420--589)时期，有个画家叫张僧繇。有一次，他到一个寺庙去游玩，在墙壁上面画了四条龙，可是都没有画出眼睛。看画的人觉得很奇怪，问他为什么不画出眼睛。他说：“眼睛是龙的关键，画上眼睛，龙就会飞走了。”大家不相信他说的话。张僧繇拿起笔来，刚给两条龙点上眼睛，立刻电闪雷鸣，两条龙飞向天空，墙上只剩下两条没有画眼睛的龙。
In the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period (420-589), there was a painter called Zhang Sengyou. Once he visited a temple and painted on the wall four dragons, but gave none of them eyes. The onlookers felt that this was odd, and asked why he hadn't painted the eyes. He answered, 'Eyes are crucial for dragons. With the eyes painted on, the dragons would fly away.' Nobody believed this, so Zhang Sengyou took up his brush and added eyes to two of the dragons. No sooner had he finished than the two dragons flew into the sky amid a thunderstorm. The two without eyes stayed painted on the wall.
“画龙点睛”这个成语用来比喻讲话或写文章时，在关键地方加一两句重要的话，使内容更加生动有力。
This idiom is used to describe how, when writing or speaking, one or two key sentences will enhance the contents.
画蛇添足
Drawing a snake and Adding Feet
战国时代有个楚国人祭他的祖先。仪式结束后，他拿出一壶酒赏给手下的几个人。大家商量说：“我们都来画蛇，谁先画好谁就喝这壶酒。”其中有一个人先画好了。但他看到同伴还没有画完，就又给蛇添上了脚。这时，另一个人也画好了，夺过酒壶吧酒喝了，并且说：“蛇本来是没有脚的，你怎么能给它添上脚呢？”
In the Warring States Period, a man in the State of Chu was offering a sacrifice to his ancestors. After the ceremony, the man gave a beaker of wine to his servants. The servants thought that there was not enough wine for all them, and decided to each draw a picture of a snake; the one who finished the picture first would get the wine. One of them drew very rapidly. Seeing that the others were still busy drawing, he added feet to the snake. At this moment another man finished, snatched the beaker and drank the wine, saying, 'A snake doesn't have feet. How can you add feet to a snake? '
“画蛇添足”这个成语比喻做了多余而不恰当的事，反而把事情弄糟了。
This idiom refers to ruining a venture by doing unnecessary and surplus things.
班门弄斧
Showing Off One's Proficiency with the Axe Before Lu Ban the Master Carpenter
古代有一个建筑和雕刻技术非常高超的人，名叫鲁班，木匠行里尊称他为祖师。传说他曾用木头制作了一只五彩斑斓的凤凰，能够在空中飞翔三天不掉下来。在鲁班门前摆弄斧子，当然显得有些自不量力了。
Lu Ban was supposed to be a consummate carpenter in ancient times. It is said that he once carved a wooden phoenix that was so lifelike that it actually flew in the sky for three days. Thus it was considered the height of folly to show off one's skill with an axe in front of Lu Ban.
“班门弄斧”这个成语，用来比喻在行家面前显示本领。
This idiom excoriates those who show off their slight accomplishments in front of experts.
可爱多 2005-6-13 08:38
怒发冲冠
So Angry That One' s Hair Lifts Up One' s Hat
战国时代，赵国的大臣蔺相如出使到秦国。在他向秦王索回玉璧的时候，秦王蛮不讲理，蔺相如气愤得连头发都竖了起来，向上冲着帽子。
In the Warring States Period, Lin Xiangru, chief min-ister of the State of Zhao, was sent as an envoy to the State of Qin to ask the ruler of Qin to return a fine piece of jade to Zhao. But the ruler of Qin was rude and unreasonable. Lin was angry, and his hair stood up so stiffly on his head that it lifted up his hat.
后来人们用“怒发冲冠”这个成语形容人愤怒到了极点。
This idiom came to be used to mean being extremely angry.
画饼充饥
Allaying Hunger with Pictures of Cakes
三国时代魏国的皇帝曹睿，准备选拔一个有才能的人到朝廷来做官。曹睿对他的大臣说：“选择人才，不能光找有虚名的人。虚名好像是在地上画的一块饼，只能看，不能解决肚子饥饿的问题啊！”
In the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), the king of the Wei, Cao Rui, wanted to select a very capable man to work for him. He said to his ministers: 'When choosing a talented person, always beware of one with a false reputation. A false reputation is just like a picture of a cake; it can' t relieve hunger.'
后来人们就用“画饼充饥”这个成语比喻用空想安慰自己，不能解决实际问题。
Later, this idiom came to be used to mean comforting oneself with unrealistic thoughts, without solving practical problems.
一鸣惊人
Amazing the World with a Single Feat
战国时代，齐威王即位后做了三年国君，只顾享乐，不理政事。有个善于说笑话的人叫淳于髡，一天对齐威王说：“城里有一只大鸟，三年不飞也不叫，你知道这是什么道理？”齐威王说：“这鸟不飞则罢，一飞就冲天；不鸣则罢，一鸣就惊人。”在淳于髡的激发下，齐威王开始治理国家，取得很大成绩，齐国的声威一直保持了几十年。
In the Warring States Period, Duke Wei of Qi neglected state affairs, for the first three years of his reign, giving himself over to dissipation. One of his ministers, Chun Yukun who had a good sense of humour, said to him: 'There is a big bird which has neither taken wing nor sung for three years.' The ke answered, 'Once that bird starts to fly and sing, it will astonish the world.' The ke thereupon devoted himself to his ties and built his state up into a powerful one.
“一鸣惊人”用来表示平时默默无闻，一旦行动起来，却做出惊人的成绩。
This idiom is used to indicate that a person may rise from obscurity and achieve greatness.
株待兔
Sitting by a Stump, Waiting for a Careless Hare
春秋时代，宋国有个农夫，一天在耕田的时候，忽然跑来一只兔子，恰巧碰在树桩上，脖子折断死了。农夫把兔子拾回家去，美美地吃了一顿兔肉。晚上他想：“我何必辛辛苦苦地种地呢？每天在树下能捡到一只兔子就够我吃的了。”于是，他从此不再耕作，每天坐在树下等待兔子的到来。
In the Spring and Autumn Period, a farmer in the State of Song was one day working in the fields when he saw a rabbit bump into a tree stump accidentally and break its neck. The farmer took the rabbit home, and cooked himself a delicious meal. That night he thought, 'I needn't work so hard. All I have to do is wait for a rabbit each day by the stump.' So from then on he gave up farming, and simply sat by the stump waiting for rabbits to come and run into it.
“守株待兔”这个成语，讥笑那些不想经过努力，存在侥幸心理，希望得到意外收获的人。
This idiom satirizes those who just wait for a stroke of luck, rather than making efforts to obtain what they need.
Zengzi Slaughters a Pig
曾子杀彘
engzi’s wife was going to the market. Her little son insisted on going with her, making a tearful scene. “Stay at home,” she said to the boy. “When I come back, I will slaughter a pig for you.” When she came back, Zengzi got ready to slaughter the pig. His wife stopped him, saying: “I was just kidding.” “A child is not to be kidded like that!” he replied. “A child does not know much and cannot judge for himself. He learns from his parents and listens to what they day. To lie to him is to teach him to lie to others. If a mother lies to her son, he will not trust her anymore. How is she then to ecate him?” With that Zengzi went to slaughter the pig and prepare a good meal for their son.
曾子的妻子到集市上去, 他的儿子哭着要跟去. 他的母亲说: “你回家呆着,待会儿我回来杀猪给你吃.” 她刚从集市上回来, 曾子就要捉猪去杀. 妻子劝止他说: “只不过是跟孩子开玩笑罢了.” 曾子说: “不能跟孩子开玩笑啊! 小孩子没有思考和判断能力, 要想父母亲学习, 听从父母的教导. 现在你欺骗他,这是教孩子骗人啊! 母亲欺骗儿子, 儿子就不再相信自己的母亲了, 这不是实现教育的方法.” 于是曾子就杀猪煮肉给孩子吃.
狐假虎威
Basking in Reflected Glory
老虎在山林里捉到了一只狐狸，要吃掉它。狐狸连忙说：“你不能吃我，我是天帝派来统治百兽的。你要吃了我，就违抗了天帝的命令。你不信，就跟我到山林里去一趟，看百兽见了我是不是都很害怕。”老虎相信了狐狸的话，就跟在狐狸的后面走进山林。百兽见了果然都纷纷逃命。老虎以为百兽真的害怕狐狸而不知道是害怕自己，于是就把狐狸给放了。
A tiger caught a fox in a forest, and was just about to eat it, when the fox said, 'You mustn't eat me. I was sent by Heaven to rule the animals. By eating me, you will violate the command of Heaven. If you don't believe me, just follow me to see whether the animals are afraid of me.' The tiger agreed, and followed the fox as it walked around the forest. The animals all ran away on seeing them. The tiger thought they were afraid of the fox, so he let it go. He didn't realise that it was him that the beasts were really afraid of.
“狐假虎威”这个成语用来比喻倚仗别人的势力去欺压人或吓唬人。
This idiom means relying on another's power to bully or frighten others.
破镜重圆
A Broken Mirror Made Whole Agian
南朝陈国(公元557-589)将要灭亡的时候，驸马徐德言把一面铜镜破开，跟妻子各留下一半。双方约定：如果将来夫妻失散了，就把它当作信物。后来，夫妻二人真的失散了，凭借着各人留下的半面镜子，他们最终又得到团圆。
In the Northern and Southern Dynasties when the State of Chen (A.D. 557-589) was facing its demise, Xu Deyan, husband of the princess, broke a bronze mirror into halves. Each of them kept a half as tokens in case they were separated. Soon afterwards, they did lose touch with each other, but the two halves of the mirror enabled them to be reunited.
“破镜重圆”这个成语比喻夫妻失散或分离后重新团聚。
This idiom is used to refer to the reunion of a couple after they lose touch or break up.
一鼓作气
Rousing the Spirits with the First Drum Roll
春秋时代，齐国派兵攻打鲁国。鲁国的国王鲁庄公带着谋士曹刿指挥作战。齐军第一次击鼓以后，鲁军准备发起进攻。曹刿说：“不行。”齐军三次击鼓以后，曹刿才说：“现在可以进攻了。”结果齐军大败。战斗结束后，鲁庄公问曹刿胜利的原因。曹刿说：“打仗要考勇气。第一次击鼓，士气十分旺盛；第二次击鼓，士气有些衰落；第三次击鼓，士气就消耗尽了。敌人士气耗尽，我们发起进攻，所以取得了胜利。”
During the Spring and Autumn Period, an army from the State of Qi confronted one from the State of Lu. After the first roll of drums from the Qi side to summon Lu to battle, the Lu ruler wanted to attack. But his counsellor Cao Gui said, 'We should wait until the third drum roll, sire.' After the Qi side had beaten the drums three times, the Lu army attacked and defeated the Qi army. After the battle, the king asked Cao Gui the reason for his odd advice. Cao Gui answered, 'Fighting needs spirit. Their spirit was aroused by the first roll or the drums, but was depleted by the second. And it was completely exhausted by the third. We started to attack when their spirit was exhausted. That's why we won.'
后来，“一鼓作气”形容鼓起劲头，一下子把事情干完。
This idiom later meant to get something done with one sustained effort.
⑼ 我急需中国成语英文小故事（中英对照）谢谢啦
成语故事，中英文对照
惊弓之鸟
Birds Startled by the Mere Twang of a Bowstring
战国时期（公元前403―221年中国中原地区各诸侯国连年争战的时代）魏国有个名叫更羸的人。一天，他对国王说：“我只要拉开弓，空射一下，就能把天上的鸟射下来。”国王不相信。更羸便对准天上飞来的一只雁射去，果真那只雁听到拉弦的声音就掉了下来。国王感到很奇怪。更羸说，“那是一只受过伤的雁。它一听到我拉开弓弦的声响，就惊慌得支持不住，自然要掉下来了。”
In the Warring States Period, there was a man in the State of Wei called Geng Lei. One day he said to the king: 'I can shoot down birds by simply plucking my bowstring.' When the king expressed doubt, Geng Lei pointed his bow at a wild goose flying in the sky, twanged the bowstring, and the goose fell to the ground. Geng Lei said, 'This goose has been hurt in the past. Hearing the twang of the bowstring, it assumed that it was doomed. So it simply gave up trying to live.'
“惊弓之鸟”这个成语比喻受过惊恐之后，有一点动静就特别害怕。
This idiom means that if one has been frightened in the past one's will may become paralysed in a similar situation.
毛遂自荐
Mao Sui Recommending Himself
战国时代，秦国军队攻打赵国的都城。赵国的平原君打算亲自到楚国去请救兵，想挑选一个精明能干的人一同前去。有一个名叫毛遂的人，自告奋勇愿意同去。平原君到楚国后，与楚王谈了半天，没有一点结果。毛遂怒气冲冲地拿着宝剑，逼近楚王，终于迫使楚王答应出兵，与赵国联合共同抵抗秦国。
In the Warring States Period, the State of Qin besieged the capital of the State of Zhao. Duke Pingyuan of Zhao planned to ask the ruler of the State of Chu personally for assistance. He wanted to select a capable man to go with him. A man called Mao Sui volunteered. When the negoti-actions between the two states were stalled because the ruler of Chu hesitated to send troops, Mao Sui approached him, brandishing a sword. At that, the ruler of Chu agreed to help Zhao, against Qin.
“毛遂自荐”这个成语用来比喻自己推荐自己，不必别人介绍。
This idiom means to recommend oneself.
世外桃源
A Haven of Peace and Happiness
东晋的文学家陶渊明写了一片著名的文章叫《桃花源记》。叙述一个渔人出外捕鱼的时候，偶然来到了桃花源这个地方。从这里通过一个山洞，发现了一个村子，这里的居民是秦朝时避难人的后代。这是一个与世隔绝、没有剥削和压迫、人人安居乐业的美好社会。渔人告别村民回家以后，再也找不到这个地方了。
Tao Yuanming, a famous writer of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), wrote the well-known essay Peach-Blossom Spring. In it he tells a story which goes like this: A fisherman happened to come upon a place called Peach-Blossom Spring. Squeezing through a cave, he found a village, the residents of which were descendants of refugees from the Qin Dynasty. It was a paradise isolated from the outside world, without exploitation or oppression, and everybody living and working in peace and contentment. The fisherman left the villagers and went home. But he could never find the place again.
后来，由这个故事产生了“世外桃源”这个成语，用来比喻与世隔绝的、理想的美好世界。
This idiom is derived from the above story, and is used to mean an isolated, ideal world.
南辕北辙
Going South by Driving the Chariot North
从前有个人要到南方去，他坐的车子却向北方行驶。过路人说：“你去南方，车子怎么向北行驶呢？”他回答说：“我的马很能跑路，我的车夫驾车的技术也很高明，加上我又带了充足的路费。”这个人没有考虑到，方向弄反了，他的条件越好，离他要去的地方就越远。
Once a man wanted to go to the south, but his carriage was heading north. A passer-by asked him: 'If you are going to the south, why is your chariot heading north? ' The man answered, 'My horse is good at running, my driver is highly skilled at driving a carriage, and I have enough money. ' The man didn't consider that the direction might be wrong; the better his conditions were, the further he was away from his destination.
后来人们就把这个故事概括为“南辕北辙”，比喻一个人的行为和他的目的正好相反。
The idiom derived from this story indicates that one's action was the opposite effect to one's intention.
画龙点睛
Putting the Finishing Touch to the Picture of a Dragon
南北朝(公元420--589)时期，有个画家叫张僧繇。有一次，他到一个寺庙去游玩，在墙壁上面画了四条龙，可是都没有画出眼睛。看画的人觉得很奇怪，问他为什么不画出眼睛。他说：“眼睛是龙的关键，画上眼睛，龙就会飞走了。”大家不相信他说的话。张僧繇拿起笔来，刚给两条龙点上眼睛，立刻电闪雷鸣，两条龙飞向天空，墙上只剩下两条没有画眼睛的龙。
In the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period (420-589), there was a painter called Zhang Sengyou. Once he visited a temple and painted on the wall four dragons, but gave none of them eyes. The onlookers felt that this was odd, and asked why he hadn't painted the eyes. He answered, 'Eyes are crucial for dragons. With the eyes painted on, the dragons would fly away.' Nobody believed this, so Zhang Sengyou took up his brush and added eyes to two of the dragons. No sooner had he finished than the two dragons flew into the sky amid a thunderstorm. The two without eyes stayed painted on the wall.
“画龙点睛”这个成语用来比喻讲话或写文章时，在关键地方加一两句重要的话，使内容更加生动有力。
This idiom is used to describe how, when writing or speaking, one or two key sentences will enhance the contents.
画蛇添足
Drawing a snake and Adding Feet
战国时代有个楚国人祭他的祖先。仪式结束后，他拿出一壶酒赏给手下的几个人。大家商量说：“我们都来画蛇，谁先画好谁就喝这壶酒。”其中有一个人先画好了。但他看到同伴还没有画完，就又给蛇添上了脚。这时，另一个人也画好了，夺过酒壶吧酒喝了，并且说：“蛇本来是没有脚的，你怎么能给它添上脚呢？”
In the Warring States Period, a man in the State of Chu was offering a sacrifice to his ancestors. After the ceremony, the man gave a beaker of wine to his servants. The servants thought that there was not enough wine for all them, and decided to each draw a picture of a snake; the one who finished the picture first would get the wine. One of them drew very rapidly. Seeing that the others were still busy drawing, he added feet to the snake. At this moment another man finished, snatched the beaker and drank the wine, saying, 'A snake doesn't have feet. How can you add feet to a snake? '
“画蛇添足”这个成语比喻做了多余而不恰当的事，反而把事情弄糟了。
This idiom refers to ruining a venture by doing unnecessary and surplus things.
班门弄斧
Showing Off One's Proficiency with the Axe Before Lu Ban the Master Carpenter
古代有一个建筑和雕刻技术非常高超的人，名叫鲁班，木匠行里尊称他为祖师。传说他曾用木头制作了一只五彩斑斓的凤凰，能够在空中飞翔三天不掉下来。在鲁班门前摆弄斧子，当然显得有些自不量力了。
Lu Ban was supposed to be a consummate carpenter in ancient times. It is said that he once carved a wooden phoenix that was so lifelike that it actually flew in the sky for three days. Thus it was considered the height of folly to show off one's skill with an axe in front of Lu Ban.
“班门弄斧”这个成语，用来比喻在行家面前显示本领。
This idiom excoriates those who show off their slight accomplishments in front of experts.
可爱多 2005-6-13 08:38
怒发冲冠
So Angry That One' s Hair Lifts Up One' s Hat
战国时代，赵国的大臣蔺相如出使到秦国。在他向秦王索回玉璧的时候，秦王蛮不讲理，蔺相如气愤得连头发都竖了起来，向上冲着帽子。
In the Warring States Period, Lin Xiangru, chief min-ister of the State of Zhao, was sent as an envoy to the State of Qin to ask the ruler of Qin to return a fine piece of jade to Zhao. But the ruler of Qin was rude and unreasonable. Lin was angry, and his hair stood up so stiffly on his head that it lifted up his hat.
后来人们用“怒发冲冠”这个成语形容人愤怒到了极点。
This idiom came to be used to mean being extremely angry.
画饼充饥
Allaying Hunger with Pictures of Cakes
三国时代魏国的皇帝曹睿，准备选拔一个有才能的人到朝廷来做官。曹睿对他的大臣说：“选择人才，不能光找有虚名的人。虚名好像是在地上画的一块饼，只能看，不能解决肚子饥饿的问题啊！”
In the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), the king of the Wei, Cao Rui, wanted to select a very capable man to work for him. He said to his ministers: 'When choosing a talented person, always beware of one with a false reputation. A false reputation is just like a picture of a cake; it can' t relieve hunger.'
后来人们就用“画饼充饥”这个成语比喻用空想安慰自己，不能解决实际问题。
Later, this idiom came to be used to mean comforting oneself with unrealistic thoughts, without solving practical problems.
一鸣惊人
Amazing the World with a Single Feat
战国时代，齐威王即位后做了三年国君，只顾享乐，不理政事。有个善于说笑话的人叫淳于髡，一天对齐威王说：“城里有一只大鸟，三年不飞也不叫，你知道这是什么道理？”齐威王说：“这鸟不飞则罢，一飞就冲天；不鸣则罢，一鸣就惊人。”在淳于髡的激发下，齐威王开始治理国家，取得很大成绩，齐国的声威一直保持了几十年。
In the Warring States Period, Duke Wei of Qi neglected state affairs, for the first three years of his reign, giving himself over to dissipation. One of his ministers, Chun Yukun who had a good sense of humour, said to him: 'There is a big bird which has neither taken wing nor sung for three years.' The ke answered, 'Once that bird starts to fly and sing, it will astonish the world.' The ke thereupon devoted himself to his ties and built his state up into a powerful one.
“一鸣惊人”用来表示平时默默无闻，一旦行动起来，却做出惊人的成绩。
This idiom is used to indicate that a person may rise from obscurity and achieve greatness.
株待兔
Sitting by a Stump, Waiting for a Careless Hare
春秋时代，宋国有个农夫，一天在耕田的时候，忽然跑来一只兔子，恰巧碰在树桩上，脖子折断死了。农夫把兔子拾回家去，美美地吃了一顿兔肉。晚上他想：“我何必辛辛苦苦地种地呢？每天在树下能捡到一只兔子就够我吃的了。”于是，他从此不再耕作，每天坐在树下等待兔子的到来。
In the Spring and Autumn Period, a farmer in the State of Song was one day working in the fields when he saw a rabbit bump into a tree stump accidentally and break its neck. The farmer took the rabbit home, and cooked himself a delicious meal. That night he thought, 'I needn't work so hard. All I have to do is wait for a rabbit each day by the stump.' So from then on he gave up farming, and simply sat by the stump waiting for rabbits to come and run into it.
“守株待兔”这个成语，讥笑那些不想经过努力，存在侥幸心理，希望得到意外收获的人。
This idiom satirizes those who just wait for a stroke of luck, rather than making efforts to obtain what they need.
Zengzi Slaughters a Pig
曾子杀彘
engzi’s wife was going to the market. Her little son insisted on going with her, making a tearful scene. “Stay at home,” she said to the boy. “When I come back, I will slaughter a pig for you.” When she came back, Zengzi got ready to slaughter the pig. His wife stopped him, saying: “I was just kidding.” “A child is not to be kidded like that!” he replied. “A child does not know much and cannot judge for himself. He learns from his parents and listens to what they day. To lie to him is to teach him to lie to others. If a mother lies to her son, he will not trust her anymore. How is she then to ecate him?” With that Zengzi went to slaughter the pig and prepare a good meal for their son.
曾子的妻子到集市上去, 他的儿子哭着要跟去. 他的母亲说: “你回家呆着,待会儿我回来杀猪给你吃.” 她刚从集市上回来, 曾子就要捉猪去杀. 妻子劝止他说: “只不过是跟孩子开玩笑罢了.” 曾子说: “不能跟孩子开玩笑啊! 小孩子没有思考和判断能力, 要想父母亲学习, 听从父母的教导. 现在你欺骗他,这是教孩子骗人啊! 母亲欺骗儿子, 儿子就不再相信自己的母亲了, 这不是实现教育的方法.” 于是曾子就杀猪煮肉给孩子吃.
狐假虎威
Basking in Reflected Glory
老虎在山林里捉到了一只狐狸，要吃掉它。狐狸连忙说：“你不能吃我，我是天帝派来统治百兽的。你要吃了我，就违抗了天帝的命令。你不信，就跟我到山林里去一趟，看百兽见了我是不是都很害怕。”老虎相信了狐狸的话，就跟在狐狸的后面走进山林。百兽见了果然都纷纷逃命。老虎以为百兽真的害怕狐狸而不知道是害怕自己，于是就把狐狸给放了。
A tiger caught a fox in a forest, and was just about to eat it, when the fox said, 'You mustn't eat me. I was sent by Heaven to rule the animals. By eating me, you will violate the command of Heaven. If you don't believe me, just follow me to see whether the animals are afraid of me.' The tiger agreed, and followed the fox as it walked around the forest. The animals all ran away on seeing them. The tiger thought they were afraid of the fox, so he let it go. He didn't realise that it was him that the beasts were really afraid of.
“狐假虎威”这个成语用来比喻倚仗别人的势力去欺压人或吓唬人。
This idiom means relying on another's power to bully or frighten others.
破镜重圆
A Broken Mirror Made Whole Agian
南朝陈国(公元557-589)将要灭亡的时候，驸马徐德言把一面铜镜破开，跟妻子各留下一半。双方约定：如果将来夫妻失散了，就把它当作信物。后来，夫妻二人真的失散了，凭借着各人留下的半面镜子，他们最终又得到团圆。
In the Northern and Southern Dynasties when the State of Chen (A.D. 557-589) was facing its demise, Xu Deyan, husband of the princess, broke a bronze mirror into halves. Each of them kept a half as tokens in case they were separated. Soon afterwards, they did lose touch with each other, but the two halves of the mirror enabled them to be reunited.
“破镜重圆”这个成语比喻夫妻失散或分离后重新团聚。
This idiom is used to refer to the reunion of a couple after they lose touch or break up.
一鼓作气
Rousing the Spirits with the First Drum Roll
春秋时代，齐国派兵攻打鲁国。鲁国的国王鲁庄公带着谋士曹刿指挥作战。齐军第一次击鼓以后，鲁军准备发起进攻。曹刿说：“不行。”齐军三次击鼓以后，曹刿才说：“现在可以进攻了。”结果齐军大败。战斗结束后，鲁庄公问曹刿胜利的原因。曹刿说：“打仗要考勇气。第一次击鼓，士气十分旺盛；第二次击鼓，士气有些衰落；第三次击鼓，士气就消耗尽了。敌人士气耗尽，我们发起进攻，所以取得了胜利。”
During the Spring and Autumn Period, an army from the State of Qi confronted one from the State of Lu. After the first roll of drums from the Qi side to summon Lu to battle, the Lu ruler wanted to attack. But his counsellor Cao Gui said, 'We should wait until the third drum roll, sire.' After the Qi side had beaten the drums three times, the Lu army attacked and defeated the Qi army. After the battle, the king asked Cao Gui the reason for his odd advice. Cao Gui answered, 'Fighting needs spirit. Their spirit was aroused by the first roll or the drums, but was depleted by the second. And it was completely exhausted by the third. We started to attack when their spirit was exhausted. That's why we won.'
后来，“一鼓作气”形容鼓起劲头，一下子把事情干完。
This idiom later meant to get something done with one sustained effort.