MSG026: Romance of the Three Kingdoms (John Zhu)

1. 说曹操，曹操就到(shuō cáocāo, cáocāo jiù dào)

“Speak of the devil”

(Literally, “Say Caocao’s name and he’ll arrive!")

2. 望梅止渴(wàngméi zhǐ kě)

“Look at plums to quench your thirst”

Depending on promises of a beautiful future to help endure a painful present

3. 乐不思蜀(lèbù sī shǔ)

“So happy that you don’t even think of Shu anymore”

To forget your responsibilities or roots because you’re having fun

4. 周瑜打黄盖: 一个愿打一个愿挨(zhōuyú dǎ huáng gài: Yīgè yuàn dǎ yīgè yuàn āi)

“Zhou Yu beats Huang Gai: One is willing to beat, the other is willing to be beaten.”

A situation where one appears to punish another, but it’s just a ruse

Now, go listen to John’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin podcasts here! (In English)

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