4 characters Idiom and proverb 5 659

We want to help you study Chinese for free! This series spotlights idioms and proverbs, known for their meaning and use. Learn about 「半截入土」 below.

The idiom being introduced now is 「半截入土」. Below, you’ll find its meaning and usage examples.

Cut: section. Half of the body was buried in the soil. It is a metaphor that a person will not live long.

The Mandarin pronunciation of this idiom is :

bàn jié rù tǔ

while its Cantonese pinyin is :

bun3 jit6 yap6 tou2

Chinese idioms are vast in number, each carrying unique meanings and usages. With such variety, there’s a lot to learn and appreciate. Hopefully, these resources will aid you on your journey to mastering Chinese.