Chinese Classic Sentences (3)

Li WenquJun 2024

3.6

Word count: 51K words
Chapters: 32

Summary

The Chinese language is vast and profound, and its written characters hold endless fascination. A long history has given us vivid, expressive words and phrases: every character, every sentence tells a story and touches the nerves of Chinese civilization. This series collects over a thousand famous sayings and maxims, thousands of two-part allegorical sayings, colloquialisms and proverbs, and hundreds of riddles and language stories. These lively expressions are concise and rich in meaning; most have been polished over and over and passed down through generations. Some carry deep implications, others are humorous and witty, and all leave a lasting impression. The book is rich in content, and browsing through it at random is a pleasure. Reading it sharpens language skills, broadens the mind, stirs the thinking, and reveals the profound wisdom of traditional culture. For lovers of literature, it is a treasure house of language and a trusted friend and teacher.

Editor's review

Chinese Sentence Treasury (3) continues the series' approach of compiling a rich corpus of language material, bringing together famous quotations, xiehouyu (two-part allegorical sayings), colloquial sayings, proverbs, riddles, and language stories in a substantial yet concise, entry-based format. Its value lies not in systematic exposition but in showcasing the expressive wisdom Chinese has crystallized over long circulation: many sayings, polished over generations, are either profound or witty, prompting a smile of recognition. The browsable arrangement lowers the barrier to entry, making it suitable for encountering a line or two that resonates in spare moments, then following the notes and stories to understand their origins. For writers, it is a ready treasury of language material; for general readers, it is more like a small window into the texture of Chinese civilization, offering a feel for the experience and charm of traditional life through brief sentences. This book is better suited to leisurely desk reading than to reading straight through in one sitting.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Middle school and university students looking to accumulate writing material and enrich their expression
Frontline teachers of Chinese who need classroom language examples
General readers who enjoy dipping into short sentences in spare moments
Enthusiasts of traditional culture interested in folk language such as sayings, proverbs, and xiehouyu

Not a good fit for

Specialist researchers needing systematic linguistic study or academic textual research
Readers accustomed to long, continuous narrative and plot-driven reading
Those hoping a single straight read will comprehensively improve their writing ability

Reading tips

Read by category in stages: start with xiehouyu and colloquial sayings, then famous quotations and language stories.
Keep an excerpt notebook; jot down interesting sentences and note suitable usage contexts.
Read only ten to twenty entries at a time, then reflect on the context in which each sentence fits best.
Compare with other volumes in the series to avoid fatigue from reading one book straight through.

版权信息
内容简介
歇后语
人生百态
情感天地
笑口常开
愤怒憎恶
惊慌抱怨
焦急盼望
恭维称赞
规劝开导
诅咒痛骂
猜疑阻挠
嘲笑讥讽
稳重精明
性格习惯
言行举止
怯懦守旧
虚伪浮夸
自私贪婪
阴险恶毒
惹是生非
进退两难
装疯卖傻
出乎意料
丢人现眼
穷途逆境
天灾人祸
谜语
人物谜
字词谜
地理谜

FAQ

Is this book suitable for reading straight through from cover to cover?

Not really. This is an entry-based compilation of language material with no continuous plot or argument linking the entries, so reading straight through easily causes fatigue. It is better kept at hand for browsing, reading a small section at a time and examining the notes and stories for any sentence that catches your interest.

How does it differ from other volumes in the series?

According to the available information, each volume in the series includes famous quotations, xiehouyu, colloquial sayings, proverbs, riddles, and language stories under a consistent editorial format; the difference lies mainly in the specific entries included. Readers can browse whichever volume they have on hand, with no fixed reading order and no sequential dependency requiring them to start from Volume 1.

Can reading this book improve my writing?

It can serve as a supplement. The sentences collected here are concise and have circulated for a long time, offering models of expression and material for writing. But improving writing depends more on actual practice and revision; use this book as a treasury of material and a resource for training language sense, excerpting and trying to imitate as you read, rather than expecting improvement simply from finishing it.

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About the author

Li Wenqu Author · Chinese · 1972

Li Wenqu, born in 1972, is a Chinese book planner and bestselling author who graduated from Southwest University of Political Science and Law. He has long been engaged in planning and writing books on social sciences, self-help and psychology, and currently works at Beijing Xianzhi Xianxing Culture Development Co., Ltd. His works cover a wide range of subjects, including social culture, Eastern philosophy, popular philosophy, biography and Chinese mythology, with 117 titles recorded in the library. Representative works include Instructions for Practical Living (Chuanxilu), Bingjian, A Collection of Chinese Myths, Everything You Need to Know About Chinese Culture, and the multi-volume series A Little Philosophy Every Day. He is skilled at turning philosophy, traditional culture and everyday knowledge into accessible reading, and his plain, fluent style emphasizes popularization and readability. Due to limited public information, details of his life are scarce, but his existing works show considerable experience in writing popular books on traditional culture and philosophy.