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河鱼之疾
河鱼之疾
河鱼之疾
河鱼之疾
河鱼之疾
河鱼之疾
河鱼之疾
河鱼之疾

河鱼之疾 — “A euphemism for diarrhea or an upset stomach”

河鱼之疾 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a euphemism for diarrhea or an upset stomach”. Metaphorically referring to an intestinal illness or internal distress, stemming from the idea that fish rot from within.

Frequency

河鱼之疾 Pronunciation and Pinyin

河鱼之疾 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
河
hé8river
鱼
yú8aquatic vertebrate with gills and fins
之
zhī4possessive or connective particle
疾
jí10illness, fast, or hate

Example Sentence with 河鱼之疾

他昨天吃了不洁食物,结果河鱼之疾发作,很不舒服。
He ate some unclean food yesterday, and consequently suffered from an upset stomach, feeling quite unwell.

Origin and Story of 河鱼之疾

In the winter of 597 BC, the state of Chu launched an attack on the state of Xiao, laying siege to its capital city.

Shen Shuzhan, a high official of Chu, and Huan Wushe, a high official of Xiao, were close friends. With Huan Wushe trapped inside the besieged city, Shen Shuzhan was unable to openly come to his aid.

He resorted to using the cryptic phrase 'heyu zhiji' (river fish's ailment) as a secret signal, hinting to his friend to seek refuge in a dry well to escape the impending danger.

Ultimately, he succeeded in saving his friend.

Idioms Related to 河鱼之疾

Synonyms of 河鱼之疾

  • hé河yú鱼fù腹jí疾suffer from diarrhea

More idioms starting with 河

  • hé河bù不chū出tú图A period of disorder or misrule
  • hé河dōng东sān三qiè箧lost books collection
  • hé河dōng东shī狮hǒu吼wife's fierce scolding
  • hé河dōng东shī狮zi子a shrewish or jealous wife
  • hé河dōng东shī狮zi子hǒu吼jealous wife's outburst of anger
  • hé河bó伯wéi为huàn患corrupt practices cause harm
  • hé河qīng倾yuè月luò落night drawing to a close
  • hé河jué决yú鱼làn烂completely ruined and irreparable
  • hé河chū出fú伏liú流hidden power erupts unstoppably
  • hé河tóng同shuǐ水mì密inseparable and deeply connected
  • hé河bēn奔hǎi海jù聚broad thinking, eloquent writing
  • hé河shān山zhī之dé德a woman's noble virtues and graceful demeanor

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Questions about 河鱼之疾

What does 河鱼之疾 mean?

河鱼之疾 (hé yú zhī jí) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a euphemism for diarrhea or an upset stomach”.

How do you pronounce 河鱼之疾?

河鱼之疾 is pronounced hé yú zhī jí in Mandarin Chinese.

Where does 河鱼之疾 come from?

河鱼之疾 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 河鱼之疾?

河鱼:腹疾的隐称,因鱼腐烂是从腹中开始而得名。指腹泻。

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