Hello,

For some reason I can't seem to find the previous thread concerning the chengyu list...

I prepared a draft custom list of 50 chengyus on a Google doc, and I'd like to get some opinions on it.
In the definitions of the chengyus I don't include the story that's behind the origin of the idiom, but just simply the common use that is made for it. I would not mind including the story too, but I don't know if that would be clear enough, and if it would fit in Skritter's definition zone.

go for it...I have been meaning to do the same, but haven't had the time. a one liner would be enough, like in CEDICT.

Hey Élie, sorry I haven't been responding; my computer and I are doing many battles the past few days.

The old chengyu thread is here (searched "chengyu" in the search box):

http://www.skritter.com/forum/topic?id=7026381

Yeah, I don't think the stories are going to fit, so just put the definitions.

Anyone can remix the list at any time, if more chengyus should be added, so don't worry about publishing early.

But post the link to the Google doc here and make it editable. I was looking at the definitions and thinking that it'd be better to format them more directly, so:

"lacking practical experience; doing things mechanically by following set rules"

instead of

"This idiom is used metaphorically to indicate lacking practical experience and doing things mechanically by following set rules."

I think most of these are new, so you'll get to define most of them; if any of the ones in there now really need to be redefined, too, let me know.

No probs Nick, I saw your account of the mighty battle with itunes. I'll rewrite the definitions to make them roadworthy and then publish it in the custom lists. I'll try to get that done by the end of the week.
Here is a link to the Google doc, I hope it's editable, if anyone wants to jump in and revise the definitions, be my guest :)

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dm5mttr_10hk85fjg2&hl=en

For the 50 other chengyus I'll try and get that done in the week-end or next week.

PS: when searching for the thread I tried 成语 and probably chengyus or something like that. I also did a search with my username, but couldn't find it. I probably just missed it though.

I have to admit I'm a bit puzzled by this Google doc business, I've never had to use it before. In case the link above doesn't work, I just published the doc at this address:

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dm5mttr_10hk85fjg2

My brain is a bit fuzzy from 4h1/2 of great tennis, sorry about the double post. Hope that works.

I was able to open it under both those links. I first wasn't sure whether having each description starting with "This idiom..". But it's probably not too bad especially because while practicing it won't be all together and that makes it clear again that it's a chengyu.

P.S. Being Swiss I was rooting for Federer (not the patriotic kind normally though), but Roddick played some incredible tennis out there and I would honestly say that there were several parts where I would have though he deserved to win...as you say...4 1/2 hours or great tennis...but now back to go through some more reviews.

I agree with the 'this idiom' thing though. If someone is going through a list of 100 chengyus, it might get really annoying. I'll think about it during the week.

P.S: I was for Federer, but I must admit that during some of those games I kinda was for Roddick, he played admirably. The 2nd set tie-break was unbelievable though.

I just wrote the draft in the custom list. Sorry it's taking long, I've had the flu (swine flu?). Hopefully finished by next week :S