We all know the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words", but how many of us actually know the stories behind the words or sayings themselves? All the more so, when you consider the centuries of history and knowledge being passed down to our textbooks today.

 

So, why did the King's advisor point at a deer and call it a horse? Why were loyal aides killed after winning the war? And why did a general ask his men to break the pots and sink the ships? In this ep, Kady shares with us the stories behind 5 Chinese idioms, as well as the tangled tales of politics, betrayal, and cunning that lay in between the words.

 

Tune in to find out more.

 

P.S. We've included the idioms referenced in this episode in case you want to learn more:

 

Case 1 - 卧薪尝胆 (wò xīn cháng dǎn)

Literal translation: Sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall

Meaning: Enduring hardships in order to achieve a major goal

 

Case 2 - 兔死狗烹 (tù sǐ gǒu pēng)

Literal translation: Rabbit dies, dog is cooked

Meaning: Getting rid of the people who helped you once they are no longer useful

 

Case 3 - 指鹿为马（Zhǐ lù wéi mǎ）

Literal translation: Point at the deer and call it a horse

Meaning: To deliberately misrepresent the truth, distort facts, or call black white

 

Case 4 -  破釜沉舟 (pò fǔ chén zhōu)

Literal translation: Break pots, sink ships

Meaning: Forcing yourself to fully commit to a goal

 

Case 5 -  四面楚歌 (sì miàn chǔ gē)

Literal translation: Songs of Chu from all sides

Meaning: To be in a completely helpless situation

 

Tune in to find out more.

 

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