Lesson 7 · Two Idiom Stories
成语故事两则

Two Idiom Stories

2 readings45 new words
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课文一: 盲人摸象

The classic idiom story of the Blind Men and the Elephant.

29 new words

(大)象(dà) xiàngelephant
尽(力)jìn(lì)to try one's best
Listen to the text 
Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.

Grammar

他们看不见,却急着说出摸到的东西,谁也不肯承认瞎猜。They could not see, yet each hurried to describe what he had touched, and none would admit he was only guessing.
瞎+ Verb

瞎. '瞎' as a verb means 'to be blind'. As an adverb before verbs, it means 'blindly' or 'foolishly', indicating doing something without proper basis or method.

一天,他让士兵们去找一头大象和一些出生时眼睛就瞎了的人回来。
Yì tiān, tā ràng shìbīngmen qù zhǎo yì tóu dàxiàng hé yìxiē chūshēng shí yǎnjing jiù xiāle de rén huílái.
One day, he had his soldiers go find an elephant and some people who had been born blind.
一则成语故事讲几位盲人分别围着大象摸索。The idiom ‘blind people examining an elephant’ tells of several blind people touching an elephant from different positions.
分别+ Verb

分别. '分别' as a verb means 'to separate'. As an adverb, it means 'respectively' or 'separately', indicating that actions are done individually.

分别是暂时的,我们以后一定会再见。
Fēnbié shì zànshí de, wǒmen yǐhòu yídìng huì zàijiàn.
Separation is temporary, we will definitely meet again.
一人摸到象的牙齿,断言那是硬石头;另一人抓住一根尾巴,认定是绳子。One touched a tusk and said the elephant was like a hard stone; another touched its tail and said it was like a rope.
数量+根+名词

根. '根' is a measure word used for long and thin objects like sticks, ropes, needles, etc.

这棵树的根又粗又长。
Zhè kē shù de gēn yòu cū yòu cháng.
The roots of this tree are thick and long.
Which word means “stone, rock”?
Culture

凡事应有的态度 - The Right Attitude Toward Everything

Traditional Chinese thought often reminds people to act with a sense of proportion. There is no need to be proud when meeting success, and no need to lose heart at once when meeting failure. Careful preparation, respect for others, and willingness to accept consequences are all part of a dependable attitude. Some problems in life cannot be solved immediately, and in such moments patient observation and continued learning are more useful than complaint. Remaining open does not mean having no principles; it means being able to make more suitable choices amid change.

课文二: 精诚所至,金石为开

The idiom story about General Li Guang and absolute sincerity.

16 new words

Listen to the text 

Grammar

一天,他忽然看见草丛里有个黑影,便全神贯注地蹲下,拉开弓,尽力射出一支箭。One day he suddenly saw a dark shape in the grass, crouched in full concentration, drew his bow, and shot an arrow with all his strength.
Condition +便+ Result

便. '便' is an adverb meaning 'then' or 'consequently', often used in written language to indicate that something happens naturally as a result.

楼上新买了一套钢琴,我们家便多了一些不安静。
Lóushàng xīn mǎile yí tào gāngqín, wǒmen jiā biàn duōle yìxiē bù ānjìng.
The upstairs neighbors bought a piano, so our home became less quiet.
Fill the gap后来人们用这句话称赞诚心和坚持:不是说金属真的会开,而是说人有了明确的目标,一时的失败就____,只管坚持下去。

Write the new characters

0 of 29 written
盲 from 盲人 · blind person
Trace the strokes in order

Practice

8 questions · about 4 minutes
Pick the meaningListenFill the gapMatchWord order

Finish

Finish the practice to complete this lesson.