{"product_id":"the-chinese-idiom-compendium-roy-shiba-9798198370036","title":"The Chinese Idiom Compendium: 1,000 Chengyu for Wisdom, Character, and Life: Ancient Chinese Wisdom, Modern Application","description":"\u003cb\u003eUnlock 3,000 years of Chinese wisdom-one four-character story at a time.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Chinese Idiom Compendium\u003c\/i\u003e is your curated guide to 1,000 essential chengyu (成语), the compact time machines of the Chinese language. Each idiom carries not just a meaning, but an entire parable, historical turning point, or philosophical insight from Confucius, Laozi, or the great strategists of ancient China.\u003cbr\u003eWhy learn chengyu? Because a native speaker saying \u003ci\u003eduì niú tán qín\u003c\/i\u003e (对牛弹琴) isn't just saying \"you're wasting your time\"-they are evoking a 2,000-year-old image of a musician playing a beautiful melody to an indifferent cow. Master these phrases, and you master the cultural DNA of China.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside this compendium: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e1,000 curated chengyu\u003c\/b\u003e - from daily essentials to deep philosophical gems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLiteral translation + modern definition\u003c\/b\u003e for every idiom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHistorical origin, dynasty, and story context\u003c\/b\u003e (first 50 entries expanded in full)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e10 thematic categories\u003c\/b\u003e - Wisdom, Character, Emotions, Success\/Failure, Time, Nature, Warfare, Philosophy, and more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAncient wisdom, modern application\u003c\/b\u003e - use these insights in business, relationships, and personal growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003eWhether you are a \u003cb\u003eChinese learner (HSK 4+)\u003c\/b\u003e, a \u003cb\u003etraveler\u003c\/b\u003e enchanted by Chinese poetry and gardens, a \u003cb\u003ereader of classical literature\u003c\/b\u003e, or simply a seeker of timeless wisdom, this book opens a door into three millennia of Chinese thought-one four-character story at a time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"Opening a book is always beneficial.\"\u003c\/i\u003e - 开卷有益\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Roy Shiba\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798198370036\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/24\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 590\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.72lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 1.19d","brand":"Roy Shiba","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48743243383039,"sku":"9798198370036","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-chinese-idiom-compendium-roy-shiba-9798198370036","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}