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Expressing "idiom" with 成语 (chéngyǔ)
Explanation
The noun 成语 (chéngyǔ) means "idiom" or "set phrase" and refers to the fixed four-character expressions that are a distinctive feature of the Chinese language. Most 成语 originate from classical literature, historical events, or fables and carry a moral or deeper meaning. They are widely used in both written and spoken Chinese to express ideas concisely.
Examples
中文里有很多来自历史故事的成语。
Zhōngwén lǐ yǒu hěn duō láizì lìshǐ gùshi de chéngyǔ.
There are many idioms in Chinese that come from historical stories.
他说话总喜欢用成语，听起来很有文化。
Tā shuōhuà zǒng xǐhuān yòng chéngyǔ, tīng qǐlái hěn yǒu wénhuà.
He always likes to use idioms when he speaks, which makes him sound very cultured.
老师让我们每天背两个成语。
Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen měi tiān bèi liǎng gè chéngyǔ.
The teacher asked us to memorize two idioms every day.