What Chinese idioms can I use for Valentine’s Day?
February 14th is Saint Valentine’s Day, which in Chinese is the much more transparent 情人节 (Qíngrén jié), as it translates to “Lover’s Festival”.
It should be called Make-Florists-and-Chocolatiers-Rich Day, if you ask me, since the price of such items skyrockets in the run up to Valentine’s Day!
Why not save money and impress your paramour by sprinkling some lurve-related Chinese idioms 成语 instead? Because that would totally work.
OK, so some of these idioms can be used for non-romantic situations too, and some of Uncle Colin’s on-the-spot doodles definitely reflect the non-romantic meanings!
These are all taken from our CHINESE IDIOM CARTOON DICTIONARY.
花好月圆
huā hǎo yuè yuán
Literal Meaning 字面意思
Flowers good, moon round
Definition 定义
A state of happiness. (Often used to congratulate newlyweds.)
Examples 例句
祝福叔叔阿姨花好月圆，新婚圆满!
I wish Uncle and Auntie great happiness as newlyweds!
祝你们花好月圆，白头偕老。
Wishing you happiness and long life.
Let’s draw this 成语 together!
(Dim Sum Warriors Club members get to draw 成语 twice a week ‘live’ with Uncle Colin)
同甘共苦
Literal Meaning 字面意思
Same sweet, same bitter
Definition 定义
Shared delights and common hardships; to share life’s joys and sorrows
Examples 例句
爸爸妈妈是对同甘共苦的夫妻，如今依旧相敬如宾，可见患难见真情。
Papa and Mama have been through so much together as husband and wife. That they are still so respectful to each other today shows that genuine feelings are forged through tough times.
就算我没钱、没车、没房，还不喜欢洗澡，你还是愿意跟我一起同甘共苦，共度今生吗？
Even though I have no money, no car, no house, and don’t like to shower, would you be willing to spend the rest of your life with me, in sickness and in health?”
Let’s draw this 成语 together!
(Dim Sum Warriors Club members get to draw 成语 twice a week ‘live’ with Uncle Colin)
全心全意
Literal Meaning 字面意思
Whole heart, whole intent
Definition 定义
To act wholeheartedly; focused and single-minded; determined
Examples 例句
外公对外婆全心全意，年轻到老，从未变过。
Grandpa has always been devoted to Grandma wholeheartedly, from when they were young till now when they are old.
他全心全意地为了成为啦啦队队长努力着。
He worked whole-heartedly to become the captain of the cheerleading team.
Let’s draw this 成语 together!
(Dim Sum Warriors Club members get to draw 成语 twice a week ‘live’ with Uncle Colin)
不亦乐乎
Literal Meaning 字面意思
Beyond the limit of excitement and joy
Definition 定义
Extremely, very, insanely
Examples 例句
看着爸爸突然想到今天是情人节，连忙献殷勤的模样，妈妈眉开眼笑、不亦乐乎!
Seeing Papa suddenly realise today is Valentine’s Day, and rush to show how romantic he is, made Mama extremely happy.
有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎！
To have friends come from afar—isn’t this a really wonderful thing?
Let’s draw this 成语 together!
(Dim Sum Warriors Club members get to draw 成语 twice a week ‘live’ with Uncle Colin)
深情厚谊
shēn qíng hòu yì
Literal Meaning 字面意思
Deep feeling, thick friendship
Definition 定义
Deep friendship
Examples 例句
披萨与起司有着千丝万缕的深情厚意，他们总是形影不离、难分难舍。
Pizza and Cheese are bound in so many intimate ways, that they are inseparable.
他们的深厚情谊不是一般人可以介入的。
Their deep friendship is not something that ordinary people can disrupt.
Let’s draw this 成语 together!
(Dim Sum Warriors Club members get to draw 成语 twice a week ‘live’ with Uncle Colin)
和乐融融
Hé lè róng róng
Literal Meaning 字面意思
Blend with happiness
Definition 定义
Happy and harmonious
Examples 例句
多亏了爷爷奶奶至今仍然如胶似漆的感情，我们一家总是和乐融融，欢笑不断。
Thanks to the strong bonds between Grandpa and Grandma, our family has always been a happy and harmonous one.
长辈们年轻时为了维持一个和乐融融的家庭，付出了许多，我们要时常关心他们。
Our seniors sacrificed a lot to maintain a harmonious family when they were younger, so we should honor them.
Let’s draw this 成语 together!
(Dim Sum Warriors Club members get to draw 成语 twice a week ‘live’ with Uncle Colin)
和睦相处
Hé mù xiāng chǔ
Literal Meaning 字面意思
Harmony, get along
Definition 定义
Get along harmoniously
Examples 例句
妈妈说夫妻相处之道在于要尊重彼此想法，才能长久和睦相处。
Mama says that for a husband and wife to live in harmony for a long time, they must respect each other’s opinions.
我们邻居间和睦相处,只有她无事生非,老说别人坏话。
All of us neighbours get along harmoniously, except for her—she likes to stir up trouble and is always bad-mouthing people.
Let’s draw this 成语 together!
(Dim Sum Warriors Club members get to draw 成语 twice a week ‘live’ with Uncle Colin)
Thanks for reading and Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
For more crazy cartoons of Chinese idioms, please go to our CHINESE IDIOM CARTOON DICTIONARY
