Free Chinese learning materials for you! This series uncovers idioms and proverbs, rich in meaning. Let’s break down 「飲鴆止渴」 and its usage.
Today, we explore the idiom 「飲鴆止渴」. Below, we’ll cover its meaning and practical uses.
鴆: A legendary poisonous bird whose feathers can be used to soak wine to kill people. Drink poisonous wine to quench your thirst. A metaphor for using the wrong method to solve immediate problems without considering the serious consequences.
The Mandarin pronunciation of this idiom is :
yǐn zhèn zhǐ kě
while its Cantonese pinyin is :
yam2 jam6 ji2 hot3
Chinese idioms, with their vast variety, hold different meanings and uses. Their abundance makes studying them rewarding, and these materials are here to help you along the way.
