S7E01 | Lips n’ Teeth
Saying: “without the lips, the teeth feel the cold”
Pinyin: Chún Wáng Chǐ Hán
Chinese: 唇亡齿寒
Happy New Year everyone!! We begin 2023 with a brand new season of The Chinese Sayings Podcast. For the Season 7 opener, we're going with another one that came straight from The Chronicles of Zuo: Chún Wáng Chǐ Hán 唇亡齿寒. If the lips are gone, the teeth get cold. Those of you familiar with the Korean War might recall Chairman Mao using this one.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Chéngyǔ | 成语 | A Chinese Saying or idiom |
| Chún Wáng Chǐ Hán | 唇亡齿寒 | If the lips are gone, the teeth get cold |
| Máo Zédōng | 毛泽东 | 1893-1976, best known as Chairman Mao, he is called the founder of the People's Republic of China and served as CCP Chairman from 1949-1976 |
| Zuǒ Zhuàn | 左传 | The Chronicles of Zuǒ that detailed the history of Eastern Zhou China from 722 to 468 BC. The Spring and Autumn Period |
| Chún | 唇 | Lip |
| Wáng | 亡 | To flee, run away, lose, be gone |
| Chǐ | 齿 | tooth |
| Hán | 寒 | cold |
| State of Jìn | 晋国 | The State of Jin, a Zhou Dynasty state that was particularly strong during the Middle Zhou that was based mainly in southern Shanxi |
| Eastern Zhōu | 东周 | The Eastern Zhou, 771-256 BC |
| Guó | 虢国 | A Zhou Era vassal state that lasted from the 9th Century to the 7th Century BC |
| Yú | 虞国 | Another Zhou Era vassal state that lasted from 1046-655 BC. Located in the south of modern day Shanxi Province. |
| Western Zhōu | 西周 | The first half of the 789 year Zhou Dynasty which lasted 1046-771 BC |
| King Chéng | 周成王 | The second king of the Zhou Dynasty, reigning 1042-1021 BC |
| King Wǔ | 周武王 | Father to King Cheng. King Wu is considered a co-founder of the Zhou Dynasty |
| Jī family | 姬家族 | The royal Jī Family who founded the Zhou Dyansty as well as several surrounding vassal states whose leaders shared the royal Jī surname |
| Jìn Xiàn Gōng | 晋献公 | Duke Xiàn of Jin. Reigned 676-651 BC |
| Xún Xī | 荀息 | Advisor to Duke Xian of Jin |
| Gōng Zhīqí | 宫之奇 | Advisor to the Duke of Yu |
| Jiǎ Tú Fá Guó | 假途伐虢 | Another Chinese Saying related to 唇亡齿寒. This one comes from The Thirty-Six Stratagems. "Borrow the resources of an ally to attack a common enemy. Once the enemy is defeated, use those resources to turn on the ally that lent them in the first place." |
| Péng Déhuái | 彭德怀 | 1898-1974, on of the great military leaders of the PRC |
| Chéngyǔ Yánjiū Zhōngxīn | 成语研究中心 | The Teacup Chengyu Research Center where Emma reigns as Director-General |
