Understanding Chinese Idioms for “Strong” and “Weak” | Essential Mandarin Vocabulary

In this video, we dive into eight essential Chinese idioms related to “strong” (强) and “weak” (弱), helping you expand your Mandarin vocabulary and improve your understanding of Chinese culture. You’ll learn idioms like 弱肉强食 (the strong prey on the weak), 争强好胜 (competitive), and 发愤图强 (determined effort), along with practical examples of how these are used in daily life. We’ll also cover key vocabulary, pronunciation tips, and common phrases, such as 强颜欢笑 (to force a smile) and 强词夺理 (to argue irrationally).
This lesson is perfect for Mandarin learners who want to enhance their comprehension of Chinese expressions and idioms, as well as those looking to sharpen their language skills. Whether you’re preparing for HSK, practising conversational Chinese, or simply curious about Chinese idioms, this video will help you better grasp the nuanced meanings of “strong” and “weak” in Mandarin.
Key terms covered in this video include:
弱肉强食: Survival of the fittest
争强好胜: To be competitive and eager to win
发愤图强: To work hard and make determined efforts
不甘示弱: Unwilling to show weakness
弱不禁风: Frail, too weak to stand a breeze
老弱病残: The elderly, weak, sick, and disabled
By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a deeper understanding of these powerful idioms and how to use them in conversation.
Tags:
Mandarin idioms, Chinese vocabulary, Chinese idioms for strong and weak, learn Mandarin, HSK preparation, Chinese for beginners, Chinese idiom meanings, Mandarin pronunciation, Mandarin lessons, learn Chinese online, Chinese language tips, survival of the fittest idiom

[@Sky647-]

If 老弱病残 is used commonly in public places it seems like it would be particularly useful to know. Thank you for sharing, looking forward to your next video.

[@Lily_Chinese]

Thank you for encouraging me. See you in the next episode!