Chengyu 成語 (成语)
chéngyǔ · from Chinese
What is a chengyu?
Chengyu are traditional Chinese idioms, usually four characters long, often compressing a classical story or saying into a set phrase.
Thousands exist; educated speakers use hundreds. Many come from classical texts such as the Analects, Zhuangzi or historical records, and their meaning depends on knowing the story. Japanese (yojijukugo), Korean (sajaseongeo) and Vietnamese (thành ngữ) borrowed many of them.
Examples
畫蛇添足 (画蛇添足) huà shé tiān zú (draw legs on a snake: overdo it); 對牛彈琴 (对牛弹琴) duì niú tán qín (play the lute to a cow); 馬馬虎虎 mǎmǎhūhū (so-so); 一石二鳥 isseki nichō (Japanese: kill two birds with one stone)
Kungfucius says: Four characters, one ancient story, and the smug satisfaction of using it correctly at dinner.