A hutong is an alleyway or lane. The hutongs of Beijing are one of its most distinctive features. Many of Beijing's ancient hutongs still stand today, and several have been designated protected areas. The old neighborhoods that survive offer a glimpse of life in the city as it was generations ago.
Mài kè:
Hú tòng shì shén me yì si?
麦克：
胡同是什么意思？
Mike:
What does the word "hutong" mean?
Lì li:
Hú tòng zuì chū de yì si shì rén men jù jí hé jū zhù de dì fang.
丽丽：
胡同最初的意思是人们聚集和居住的地方。
Lili:
The original meaning of hutong was a place where people live and gather together.
Mài kè:
Yě jiù shì jū mín qū, duì ma?
麦克：
也就是居民区，对吗？
Mike:
Like a residential area, right?
Lì li:
Shì de.Hú tòng lìng wài yí gè yì si shì jiē qū zhī jiān de guò dào.
丽丽：
是的。胡同另外一个意思是街区之间的过道。
Lili:
Yes. It also refers to the passageways between living quarters.
Mài kè:
Tīng shuō běi jīng de hú tòng duō de bú jì qí shù.
Literally translated, it means to help seedlings grow by pulling them up. However, its true meaning is to spoil or damage things because of a desire for quick success.
Jí rén tiān xiàng
【吉人天相 】
Heaven helps a good man; heaven keeps the good out of harm's way
Jí xīng gāo zhào
【吉星高照】
Describes when someone's star is rising or on the ascendant
Huaí cái bú yù
【怀才不遇】
To not have had the opportunity to use one's talents
Huái cái bú lù
【怀才不露】
To refrain from showing one's abilities; to be modest about one's talents or skills
