The Chinese Sayings Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Bonus Episode, An old favorite of Laszlo's Jan 07, 2024

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I wouldn't technically call this a Bonus Episode. We're in between seasons right now. And while Laszlo and Emma are busy brainstorming the chengyu lineup for Season 9, here's a re-recording of one of Laszlo's favorite episodes from the seven-year history of the CSP. How can anyone forget Mr. Nanguo, 南郭先生, who posed as a musician for three years without knowing how to play his instrument? He was a Làn Yú Chōng Shù 滥竽充数. He got the gig because the band only needed one more musician. And it didn't matter who it was. Mr. Nanguo was indiscriminately chosen just to make up the required number. A great story and it comes from the Han Feizi. Season 9 should start, hopefully, by the time the Year of the Dragon rolls around on 2/10/2024. Thanks, everyone. I hope you enjoy this Chinese Saying as much as I do.

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Bonus CSP Episode featuring Emma in the narrator's seat Dec 17, 2023

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As promised and advertised, to cap off another winning season of the Chinese Sayings Podcast, we're proud to feature none other than our very own Emma, presenting a special bonus episode. This time we look at another good one: 鹬蚌相争, 渔翁得利. Yù bàng xiāng zhēng, Yú wēng dé lì. This one comes from the Strategies of the Warring States. It tells the story of the Clam, the Sandpiper, and the fisherman, amidst the backdrop of the early 3rd century BC. This chengyu, like many presented before in the CSP, has plenty of relevance in today's world. Thanks, Emma for all your help this season

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S8E10 | Don't Count Me Out Yet Dec 04, 2023

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For the second time in a row, we feature the Cao Family of Wei in a Chinese Sayings Podcast Episode. This one concerns a story of someone who made the grade late in life. There are a lot of people in history who all throughout their early years and even into their prime, didn't make much of their life. But come their 50's or 60's they achieve greatness. This time we look at Dà Qì Wǎn Chéng 大器晚成 and the story of Cui Yan and his no-good young relative Cui Lin. February 1, 2024, I'll be in London as part of the opening festivities for an exhibition at the London Science Museum. Details here: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/zimingzhong Thanks everyone for another great season of The Chinese Sayings Podcast. Special episode coming next time featuring Emma.

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S8E09 | Why Can't We Live Together Nov 19, 2023

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So much rancor in this world these days. Here's one that describes the feeling of mutual enmity that existed between two giants of their day, Cao Cao and Sun Quan. During the waning years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, three powerful forces jockeyed for position to see who might push the Liu's off the throne and take over to found a new dynasty. There was no reconciliation in the tea leaves. As far as Cao Cao of Wei and Sun Quan of Wu were concerned, that throne was only big enough for one of them. Here's a story from 208 AD that features a useful Chinese Saying born on the eve of the epic Battle of Red Cliffs.

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S8E08 | Let's Stick Together Oct 22, 2023

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We human beings have been called social animals by nature. Some of us love other kinds of people more than others do. But no matter how enamored one might be about another culture, nation, or people, we all tend to stick with our own kind. This 4th Century BC Chinese Saying comes from "The Strategies of the Warring States." and concerns the witty and capable minister to King Wei of Qi and his son King Xuan: Chunyu Kun. King Xuan needed to round up several talented souls to help him manage the Kingdom of Qi, where the stunning and beautiful Shandong Peninsula is located. Answering the king's call, Chunyu Kun gathered a whole bunch of worthy and talented men and schooled the king about how easy it was to find them. This is the story behind Wù Yǐ Lèi Jù 物以类聚. I also mentioned another chengyu that goes along with this episode: yīmíng jīngrén 一鸣惊人. You get that one too, at no extra cost, I might add. Only two more episodes to go for this season. Like last time in Season 7, be looking for un episodio extra especial featuring our hardworking and brilliant 领导 of the 成语研究中心 in Beijing: Emma.

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S8E07 | Help! Oct 08, 2023

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We're back for the seventh time this season. This time we're happy to feature once again the great Daoist philosopher who never disappoints. This story about the fish in a rut is a rather well-known one from the Outer Chapters of The Zhuangzi, or Second Book of the Dao as it's sometimes called. Zhuangzi himself stars in today's episode: Hé Zhé Zhī Fù 涸辙之鲋.

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S8E06 | Looks can be deceiving Sep 24, 2023

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For the second time this season, we refer to Zuo Qiuming's "Chronicles of Zuo" for another good and useful chengyu. This one takes place in the Spring and Autumn Period and concerns a haughty self-important minister from Jin State stopping for the night at an inn in Ningyi (河南宁邑). He left quite an impression on the innkeeper there but when this simple innkeeper looked more closely at this official, he saw he was Huá Ér Bù Shí 华而不实. Enjoy this ancient story and learn a new Chinese Saying too.

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S8E05 | Shock the Monkey Sep 10, 2023

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Lovers of all things Song Dynasty will surely recall the story of Qin Hui. He has top billing in this tale concerning the story behind Shù Dǎo Húsūn Sàn 树倒猢狲散. This one has practical applications these days when we see political and corporate leaders fall from grace. When that happens, we often get to view the spectacle of hangers-on and sycophants scattering and heading for the hills, to search once more for someone to suck up to. This Chinese Saying comes in handy when this happens. We all need someone to lean on. Make sure the one you choose has some staying power.

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S8E04 | Run for your life Aug 27, 2023

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Once again we thank The Grand Historian for giving up another good one. This one's an eight-character chengyu. The story goes back to 206 BC and the famous story of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu's meeting at The Banquet at Hongmen. Here, the two contenders for the emperorship of China, meet face to face. Only one of them could sit on that throne and beginning right here, the Chu-Han Contention begins. The chengyu for this time, 项庄舞剑, 意在沛公 Xiàng Zhuāng Wǔ Jiàn, Yì Zài Pèi Gōng comes from this slice of history mentioned in the Record of the Grand Historian from the chapter on Xiang Yu. People who have a lot to lose, especially in the world of politics and government should pay attention to this one. It's a good one to use when describing someone who may appear all nice and pleasant but who has a hidden motive to do you harm. Enjoy!

White Vengeance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H3yXEh7KCQ

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S8E03 | Gimme Three Steps Aug 13, 2023

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With a cast of characters like the Dukes of Jin and Chu and everyone's favorite exile Chong Er, you're guaranteed a treat. This is the story behind the chengyu: 退避三舍 Tuì Bì Sān Shè. The story of Chong Er, his escape from persecution by his father Duke Xian of Jin, and his triumphant return to Jin in 636 BC is one of the countless unforgettable stories from ancient Chinese history. Before Chong Er became Duke Wen of Jin, he experienced a nineteen-year odyssey that took him throughout the states of the Zhou Dynasty. This story concerns a visit to Chu. Sometimes you gotta know when to make a strategic retreat.

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