海底摸針

ㄏㄞˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄇㄛ ㄓㄣ

ㄏㄞˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄇㄛ ㄓㄣ

хайдимочжэнь

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hoi̯³¹ tai̯³¹ mi̯a²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨm²⁴/

/hai³³⁻³⁵ tɛ³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ muo⁵⁵ t͡sɛiŋ⁵⁵/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ mɔ̃⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hoi̯³¹ tai̯³¹ mi̯a²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨm²⁴/

/hai³³⁻³⁵ tɛ³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ muo⁵⁵ t͡sɛiŋ⁵⁵/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ mɔ̃⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

1977, 楊小萍, 相思海

Hái-tóe-bong-chiam siuⁿ-si hái, bong chiam gōng-tōa-tai.

海底摸針相思海，摸針戇大呆。

1977, 楊小萍, 相思海

海底摸针相思海，摸针戆大呆。

2013, “歹逗陣”performed by 江蕙 [Jody Chiang] ft. 陳嘉樺 [Ella Chen]:

Unfortunately, there is a vast sea of people, whoa. To look for someone who can get along with me is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I've got no hope early on.

Khó-sioh lîn-hái bâng-bâng, beh chhē ē-ha̍h ê lâng, o͘h ~, chhin-chhiūⁿ hái-té-bong-chiam, gún chá-tiō bô ǹg-bāng.

可惜人海茫茫，要找會合的人，喔～，親像海底摸針，阮早就無央望。

可惜人海茫茫，要找会合的人，喔～，亲像海底摸针，阮早就无央望。

a needle in a haystack
a needle in a haystack


不修邊幅

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˊ

/pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ piːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn⁴⁴⁻²² hɔk̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ piːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn⁴⁴⁻²² hɔk̚³²/

to not care about one's appearance; to be slovenly in dress and manner; to be unkempt


以身作則

ㄧˇ ㄕㄣ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄜˊ

ㄧˇ ㄕㄣ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄜˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

/i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ t͡sek̚²/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

/i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ t͡sek̚²/


目中無人

ㄇㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄇㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ

мучжунъужэнь

mučžunʺužɛnʹ

/mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/mʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/mʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³/

to be prideful; to be haughty; to be arrogant


殺人越貨

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyːt̚² fɔː³³/

/sat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² uat̚⁴⁻³² he²¹/

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyːt̚² fɔː³³/

/sat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² uat̚⁴⁻³² he²¹/

to kill somebody for their property; to murder for money


火上加油

ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄡˊ

ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄡˊ

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kaː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²⁴/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻²² iu²⁴/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kaː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²⁴/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻²² iu²⁴/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

add fuel to the fire
add fuel to the fire

to add fuel to the fire (to worsen a conflict)


亂七八糟

ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄚ ㄗㄠ

луаньцибацзао

/lu̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lyːn²² t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ paːt̚³ t͡sou̯⁵⁵/

/lɔn⁵³⁻⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰit̚¹ pat̚¹ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ pat̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ pa⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ pa⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰik̚²⁻⁴ poiʔ²⁻⁴ t͡sau³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lu̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lyːn²² t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ paːt̚³ t͡sou̯⁵⁵/

/lɔn⁵³⁻⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰit̚¹ pat̚¹ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ pa⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ pa⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰik̚²⁻⁴ poiʔ²⁻⁴ t͡sau³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

This is the Ghost Island (nickname for Taiwan), an out-of-order Ghost Island

2019, 黃明志 ft. 大支 (Namewee ft. Dwagie), 《鬼島》 ("Ghost Island")

這就是鬼島亂七八糟的鬼島

这就是鬼岛乱七八糟的鬼岛


悲歡離合

ㄅㄟ ㄏㄨㄢ ㄌㄧˊ ㄏㄜˊ

ㄅㄟ ㄏㄨㄢ ㄌㄧˊ ㄏㄜˊ

бэйхуаньлихэ

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ li³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻²¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ li³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻²¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

sorrow, joy, separation and reunion; vicissitudes of life; sorrows and joys


猶豫不決

ㄧㄡˊ ㄩˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

ㄧㄡˊ ㄩˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

/joʊ̯³⁵ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jyː²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/iu²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ i³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/joʊ̯³⁵ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jyː²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/iu²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ i³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

to be hesitant or indecisive; to waver; to shilly-shally


自作自受

ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗˋ ㄕㄡˋ

ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗˋ ㄕㄡˋ

цзыцзоцзышоу

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² sɐu̯²²/

/t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ t͡sok̚² t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ su⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɨ³³ t͡sok⁵⁻² t͡sʰɨ³³ ʃiu³³/

/t͡su³³⁻²¹ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡su³³⁻²¹ siu³³/

/t͡su³³⁻¹¹ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡su³³⁻¹¹ siu³³/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² sɐu̯²²/

/t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ t͡sok̚² t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ su⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɨ³³ t͡sok⁵⁻² t͡sʰɨ³³ ʃiu³³/

/t͡su³³⁻²¹ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡su³³⁻²¹ siu³³/

/t͡su³³⁻¹¹ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡su³³⁻¹¹ siu³³/

You'll get what you deserve for what you've done.

你也有今天都是你自作自受。

you've made your bed, now lie in it
you've made your bed, now lie in it

as one sows, so shall one reap; to reap what one sows; you've made your bed, now lie in it


袖手旁觀

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄆㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄢ

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄆㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄢ

сюшоупангуань

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔːŋ²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/

/siu²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kuan⁴⁴/

/siu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kuan³³/

/siu²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ¹³⁻²² kuan⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²³⁻³³ kuan⁴⁴/

/siu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰiu⁵²⁻³⁵ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kuaŋ³³/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔːŋ²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/

/siu²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kuan⁴⁴/

/siu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kuan³³/

/siu²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ¹³⁻²² kuan⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²³⁻³³ kuan⁴⁴/

to put one's hands into one's sleeves and look on; to observe and do nothing; to stand by; to become a passive observer


萬事如意

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (萬事如意):
* → Vietnamese: vạn sự như ý (萬事如意)

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/ᵐban³² ɬu³² ᵑɡui²² ji³³/

/van⁵⁵ sɨ⁵⁵ i¹¹ i⁵⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ su³³ zu²³⁻³³ i²¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ su²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ su³³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² su⁴¹ lu²⁴⁻²² i⁴¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ sɯ²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/bueŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/buaŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/ᵐban³² ɬu³² ᵑɡui²² ji³³/

/van⁵⁵ sɨ⁵⁵ i¹¹ i⁵⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ su³³ zu²³⁻³³ i²¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ su²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ su³³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² su⁴¹ lu²⁴⁻²² i⁴¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ sɯ²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/bueŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/buaŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

祝你身體健康，萬事如意。

祝你身体健康，万事如意。

may all your hopes be fulfilled; all the best


青梅竹馬

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄇㄟˊ ㄓㄨˊ ㄇㄚˇ

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄇㄟˊ ㄓㄨˊ ㄇㄚˇ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ maː¹³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ³³ muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² muĩ¹³⁻²² tiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ muĩ²⁴⁻¹¹ tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ muĩ²³⁻³³ tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹/

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ bue⁵⁵ tek̚²⁻⁴ be⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ me³³ t͡soʔ³³ ma²¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ maː¹³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ³³ muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² muĩ¹³⁻²² tiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ muĩ²⁴⁻¹¹ tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ muĩ²³⁻³³ tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹/

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ bue⁵⁵ tek̚²⁻⁴ be⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ me³³ t͡soʔ³³ ma²¹/

From a poem by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai:
:
The same poem was also the source of the idiom 兩小無猜／两小无猜 (liǎngxiǎowúcāi), which has a very similar meaning.

zh-l

兩小無猜／两小无猜 (liǎngxiǎowúcāi)

My forehead covered by my hair cut straight,
I played with flowers pluck'd before the gate.
On hobby horse you came upon the scene,
Around the well we played with plums still green.
We lived, close neighbors on Riverside Lane,
Carefree and innocent, we children twain.
At fourteen years when I became your bride,
I'd often turn my bashful face aside. […]

Li Bai (701–762), Ballad of a Trader's Wife (長干里), translated by Xu Yuanchong

Qiè fà chū fù é, zhé huā mén qián jù. Láng qí zhúmǎ lái, rào chuáng nòng qīng méi. Tóngjū cháng gān lǐ, liǎng xiǎo wú xián cāi. Shísì wéi jūn fù, xiū yán wèicháng kāi.

妾髮初覆額，折花門前劇。郎騎竹馬來，繞床弄青梅。同居長干里，兩小無嫌猜。十四為君婦，羞顏未嘗開。

妾发初覆额，折花门前剧。郎骑竹马来，绕床弄青梅。同居长干里，两小无嫌猜。十四为君妇，羞颜未尝开。

a girl and a boy playing innocently together; a man and a woman who had an innocent affection for each other in childhood; childhood sweethearts


登峰造極

ㄉㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄗㄠˋ ㄐㄧˊ

ㄉㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄗㄠˋ ㄐㄧˊ

дэнфэнцзаоцзи

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³ kɪk̚²/

/ten²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰo⁵⁵ kʰit̚⁵/

/tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡so²²⁻²¹ kiɪk̚⁴/

/tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰo²¹⁻⁵³ kiɪk̚⁴/

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³ kɪk̚²/

/ten²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰo⁵⁵ kʰit̚⁵/

/tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡so²²⁻²¹ kiɪk̚⁴/

/tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰo²¹⁻⁵³ kiɪk̚⁴/

His painting of people attained a level never known before.

Tā de rénwùhuà zài dāngshí kěwèi dēngfēngzàojí.

他的人物畫在當時可謂登峰造極。

他的人物画在当时可谓登峰造极。

Reaching the pinnacle (in technical skills or scholastic achievements); to reach the peak of perfection; to come to a climax


豈有此理

ㄑㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄘˇ ㄌㄧˇ

ㄑㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄘˇ ㄌㄧˇ

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ li⁵⁵⁴/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹/

/kʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²/

/kʰa⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²⁻²¹/

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ li⁵⁵⁴/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹/

/kʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²/

/kʰa⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²⁻²¹/

嚇，豈有此理！

吓，岂有此理！


山盟海誓

ㄕㄢ ㄇㄥˊ ㄏㄞˇ ㄕˋ

ㄕㄢ ㄇㄥˊ ㄏㄞˇ ㄕˋ

шаньмэнхайши

/ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹/

/sũã³³⁻²³ meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵²⁻³⁵ si¹¹/

/ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹/

/sũã³³⁻²³ meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵²⁻³⁵ si¹¹/


一視同仁

ㄧ ㄕˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄧ ㄕˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² d͡zin¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ lin²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² d͡zin¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ lin²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

他對學生們一視同仁。

他对学生们一视同仁。

keoi⁵ deoi³ di¹ hok⁶ saang¹ jat¹ si⁶ tung⁴ jan⁴.

佢對啲學生一視同仁。

佢对啲学生一视同仁。

伊對遐的學生一視同仁。

伊对遐的学生一视同仁。


慘不忍睹

ㄘㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˇ ㄉㄨˇ

ㄘㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˇ ㄉㄨˇ

цаньбужэньду

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ tou̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ lim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ zim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ tou̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ lim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ zim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁴¹/

Chēhuò xiànchǎng, xuèròuhéngfēi, lìngrén cǎnbùrěndǔ.

車禍現場，血肉橫飛，令人慘不忍睹。

车祸现场，血肉横飞，令人惨不忍睹。

(of people or situations) to be too horrible to look at


一勞永逸

ㄧ ㄌㄠˊ ㄩㄥˇ ㄧˋ

ㄧ ㄌㄠˊ ㄩㄥˇ ㄧˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ wɪŋ¹³ jɐt̚²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ lo¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚¹²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔ²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iak̚²⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ wɪŋ¹³ jɐt̚²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ lo¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚¹²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔ²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iak̚²⁴/

Zhège jiějué fāng'àn bùshì yīláoyǒngyì de.

這個解決方案不是一勞永逸的。

这个解决方案不是一劳永逸的。


杞人憂天

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (杞人憂天):
* → Korean: 기인우천(杞人憂天) (giinucheon)

ㄑㄧˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧㄡ ㄊㄧㄢ

ㄑㄧˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧㄡ ㄊㄧㄢ

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kei̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ iu⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kei̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ iu⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/

From a story in Liezi, early first millennium, "Heaven's Gifts", adapted from the translation by A. C. Graham

There was a man of Qi country who was so worried that heaven and earth might fall down, and his body would have nowhere to lodge, that he forgot to eat and sleep. There was another man who was worried that he should be so worried about it, and therefore went to enlighten him, saying, "Heaven is nothing but the accumulated air; there is no place where there is not air. You walk and stand all day inside heaven, stretching and bending, breathing in and breathing out; why should you worry about it falling down?"
The man said, "If heaven really is accumulated air, shouldn't the sun and moon and stars fall down?"
The man who sought to enlighten him said, "The sun and moon and stars are air which shines inside the accumulated air. Even if they did fall down, they couldn't hit or harm anyone."
The man said, "What about the earth giving way?"
The man who sought to enlighten him said, "The earth is nothing but accumulated soil, filling the void in all four directions; there is no place where there is not soil. You walk and stand all day on the earth, stamping about with abrupt spurts and halts; why should you worry about it giving way?"
The man was satisfied and greatly cheered; and so was the man who enlightened him.

Qǐ guó yǒu rén, yōu tiāndì bēngzhuì, shēn wáng suǒ jì, fèi qǐnshí zhě. Yòu yǒu yōu bǐ zhī suǒ yōu zhě, yīn wǎng xiǎo zhī, yuē: “Tiān, jīqì ěr, wáng chù wáng qì. Ruò qūshēn hūxī, zhōngrì zài tiān zhōng xíngzhǐ, nàihé yōu bēngzhuì hū?”
Qí rén yuē: “Tiān guǒ jīqì, rìyuè xīngsù bùdāng zhuì xié?”
Xiǎo zhī zhě yuē: “Rìyuè xīngsù, yì jīqì zhōng zhī yǒu guāngyào zhě, zhǐ shǐ zhuì, yì bùnéng yǒu suǒ zhōngshāng.”
Qí rén yuē: “Nài dì huài hé?”
Xiǎo zhě yuē: “Dì jīkuài ěr, chōngsài sì xū, wáng chù wáng kuài. Ruò chú bù cīdǎo, zhōngrì zài dìshàng xíngzhǐ, nàihé yōu qí huài?”
Qí rén shèrán dàxǐ, xiǎo zhī zhě yì shèrán dàxǐ.

杞國有人，憂天地崩墜，身亡所寄，廢寢食者。又有憂彼之所憂者，因往曉之，曰：「天，積氣耳，亡處亡氣。若屈伸呼吸，終日在天中行止，奈何憂崩墜乎？」
其人曰：「天果積氣，日月星宿不當墜邪？」
曉之者曰：「日月星宿，亦積氣中之有光耀者，只使墜，亦不能有所中傷。」
其人曰：「奈地壞何？」
曉者曰：「地積塊耳，充塞四虛，亡處亡塊。若躇步跐蹈，終日在地上行止，奈何憂其壞？」
其人舍然大喜，曉之者亦舍然大喜。

杞国有人，忧天地崩坠，身亡所寄，废寝食者。又有忧彼之所忧者，因往晓之，曰：「天，积气耳，亡处亡气。若屈伸呼吸，终日在天中行止，奈何忧崩坠乎？」
其人曰：「天果积气，日月星宿不当坠邪？」
晓之者曰：「日月星宿，亦积气中之有光耀者，只使坠，亦不能有所中伤。」
其人曰：「奈地坏何？」
晓者曰：「地积块耳，充塞四虚，亡处亡块。若躇步跐蹈，终日在地上行止，奈何忧其坏？」
其人舍然大喜，晓之者亦舍然大喜。

the man of Qi fear that the sky might fall


全力以赴

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄧˇ ㄈㄨˋ

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄧˇ ㄈㄨˋ

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ lɪk̚² jiː¹³ fuː²²/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ lɪk̚² jiː¹³ fuː²²/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

to do all one can; to do one's utmost; to spare no effort; to go all-out


舉世聞名

ㄐㄩˇ ㄕˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

ㄐㄩˇ ㄕˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзюйшивэньмин

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ sɐi̯³³ mɐn²² mɪŋ²¹/

/ku⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁵³ bun²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁴¹ bun²³⁻³³ biɪŋ²³/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ sɐi̯³³ mɐn²² mɪŋ²¹/

/ku⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁵³ bun²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁴¹ bun²³⁻³³ biɪŋ²³/


可想而知

ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄦˊ ㄓ

ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄦˊ ㄓ

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ sœːŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ sœːŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/


理所當然

ㄌㄧˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄤ ㄖㄢˊ

ㄌㄧˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄤ ㄖㄢˊ

/li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/lei̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛn²⁴/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴/

/li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³/

/li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/lei̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛn²⁴/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴/

/li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³/

to be only right and proper; to be taken as a matter of course; naturally


品學兼優

ㄆㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄧㄡ

ㄆㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄧㄡ

пиньсюэцзянью

/pʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐn³⁵ hɔːk̚² kiːm⁵⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ hak̚²⁴⁻² kiam³³ iu³³/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐn³⁵ hɔːk̚² kiːm⁵⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ hak̚²⁴⁻² kiam³³ iu³³/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

a good student who excels both ethically and academically

一個品學兼優的好學生

一个品学兼优的好学生

to excel both ethically and academically; to be an exemplar of virtue and scholarship


名副其實

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/miŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚⁴/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚²⁴/

/miã¹³⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki¹³⁻²² sit̚¹²¹/

/miã²⁴⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/miã²³⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sik̚⁴/

/miŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚⁴/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚²⁴/

/miã¹³⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki¹³⁻²² sit̚¹²¹/

/miã²⁴⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/miã²³⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sik̚⁴/

to be not just in name, but also in reality; to be worthy of the name; to live up to reputation


山珍海味

ㄕㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨㄟˋ

ㄕㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨㄟˋ

шаньчжэньхайвэй

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/

/san²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨn²⁴ hoi̯³¹ mi⁵⁵/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/

/san²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨn²⁴ hoi̯³¹ mi⁵⁵/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

1989, “又閣天黑黑”, 李興中 (lyrics)performed by 宏星特攻隊:

My grandpa, seventy-two years old, eats delicious delicacies everyday

Gún a-kong chhit-cha̍p-lī, múi-kang lóng sī san-tin-hái-bī

阮阿公七十二 每工攏是山珍海味

阮阿公七十二 每工拢是山珍海味

exotic delicacies; (by extension) abundant food


同病相憐

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (同病相憐):
* → Vietnamese: đồng bệnh tương liên (同病相憐)

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

тунбинсянлянь

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ pɛːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ liːn²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pẽ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pĩ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ pɛːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ liːn²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pẽ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pĩ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

misery loves company
misery loves company

in the same boat; fellow sufferers sympathise with each other; misery loves company


有情有義

ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄧˋ

ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄧˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː²²/

/i̯u²⁴ t͡sʰin¹¹ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/u³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː²²/

/i̯u²⁴ t͡sʰin¹¹ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/u³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

The bachelor is full of affection; the bar's hostess is full of coldness

ū-chêng-ū-gī cha̍p-it-ko; bô-chêng-bô-gī chiú-kan-á-só

有情有義十一哥；無情無義酒矸仔嫂

有情有义十一哥；无情无义酒矸仔嫂

having affection and faith; affectionate and just/righteous


緣木求魚

ㄩㄢˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄩˊ

ㄩㄢˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄩˊ

/ɥɛn³⁵ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ y³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ mʊk̚² kʰɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹/

/iɛn²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻²² ɡu²⁴/

/iɛn²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²³⁻³³ hi²³/

/iɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻¹¹ hu²⁴/

/ɥɛn³⁵ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ y³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ mʊk̚² kʰɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹/

/iɛn²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻²² ɡu²⁴/

/iɛn²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²³⁻³³ hi²³/

/iɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻¹¹ hu²⁴/

"It is even worse," was the reply. "If you climb a tree to seek for fish, although you do not get the fish, you will not suffer any subsequent calamity. But doing what you do to seek for what you desire, doing it moreover with all your heart, you will assuredly afterwards meet with calamities."

Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Yuē: “Dài yǒu shèn yān. Yuán mù qiú yú, suī bùdé yú, wú hòu zāi. Yǐ ruò suǒ wéi, qiú ruò suǒ yù, jìn xīnlì ér wéi zhī, hòu bì yǒu zāi.”

曰：「殆有甚焉。緣木求魚，雖不得魚，無後災。以若所為，求若所欲，盡心力而為之，後必有災。」

曰：「殆有甚焉。缘木求鱼，虽不得鱼，无后灾。以若所为，求若所欲，尽心力而为之，后必有灾。」

to pursue an end by impossible or unjustifiable means


自力更生

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (自力更生):
* → Korean: 자력갱생(自力更生) (jaryeokgaengsaeng)
* → Vietnamese: tự lực cánh sinh (自力更生)

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄍㄥ ㄕㄥ

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄍㄥˋ ㄕㄥ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤŋ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² kiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤŋ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² kiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

to rely on one's own efforts; to become self-reliant


天經地義

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄉㄧˋ ㄧˋ

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄉㄧˋ ㄧˋ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² jiː²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tue³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ keŋ³³ ti¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² jiː²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tue³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ keŋ³³ ti¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

From an aphorism posthumously attributed to Zichan (子產) by You Ji (aka. Zitaishu, 子大叔) as recorded in the Zuozhuan.

Propriety, it is the unchanging ways of heaven, the just ways of earth, and the rightful path of every human being.

Fú lǐ, tiān zhī jīng yě, dì zhī yì yě, mín zhī xìng yě.

夫禮，天之經也，地之義也，民之行也。

夫礼，天之经也，地之义也，民之行也。

It is a matter of course to pay debts when one owes money.

欠債還錢，天經地義

欠债还钱，天经地义

conforming to the traditional Chinese notion of the rules of heaven and the principles of Earth; that which is taken as a matter of course; proper practice or convention; time-honoured principle


顯而易見

ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄦˊ ㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄦˊ ㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

сяньэрицзянь

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hiːn³⁵ jiː²¹ jiː²² kiːn³³/

/hiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² i²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/hiɛn⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ĩ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hiːn³⁵ jiː²¹ jiː²² kiːn³³/

/hiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² i²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/hiɛn⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ĩ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/


相提並論

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄊㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄊㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

сянтибинлунь

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ pɪŋ²² lɵn²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²²⁻²¹ lun²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lun²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ pɪŋ²² lɵn²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²²⁻²¹ lun²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lun²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵/

This, too, may be called a "policy of benevolence" if you like, but it is imposed by us on the members of the enemy classes and cannot be mentioned in the same breath with the work of self-education which we carry on within the ranks of the revolutionary people.

1949, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《論人民民主專政》 (On the People's Democratic Dictatorship). English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Zhè yě kěyǐ shuō shì “shī rénzhèng” ba, dàn zhè shì wǒmen duìyú yuánlái shì díduì jiējí de rénmen suǒ qiángpò de shīxíng de, hé wǒmen duìyú gémìng rénmín nèibù de zìwǒ jiàoyù gōngzuò, bù néng xiāngtíbìnglùn.

這也可以說是「施仁政」吧，但這是我們對於原來是敵對階級的人們所強迫地施行的，和我們對於革命人民內部的自我教育工作，不能相提並論。

这也可以说是「施仁政」吧，但这是我们对于原来是敌对阶级的人们所强迫地施行的，和我们对于革命人民内部的自我教育工作，不能相提并论。

to discuss two very different things at the same time; to mention different things on equal terms


今非昔比

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄈㄟ ㄒㄧ ㄅㄧˇ

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄈㄟ ㄒㄧˊ ㄅㄧˇ

цзиньфэйсиби

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/

/kim⁴⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ pi⁵³/

/kim³³⁻²³ hui³³⁻²³ t͡sa⁵²⁻³⁵ pi⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/

/kim⁴⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ pi⁵³/

/kim³³⁻²³ hui³³⁻²³ t͡sa⁵²⁻³⁵ pi⁵²⁻²¹/

the present cannot compare with the past; times have changed


軒然大波

ㄒㄩㄢ ㄖㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄛ

ㄒㄩㄢ ㄖㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄛ

сюаньжаньдабо

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/hiːn⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² pɔː⁵⁵/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ pʰo⁴⁴/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ pʰɤ⁴⁴/

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/hiːn⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² pɔː⁵⁵/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ pʰo⁴⁴/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ pʰɤ⁴⁴/


有目共睹

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄨˇ

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄨˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʊŋ⁵¹ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² kʊŋ²² tou̯³⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴ kiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ tɔ⁵³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʊŋ⁵¹ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² kʊŋ²² tou̯³⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴ kiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ tɔ⁵³/


心灰意冷

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄧˋ ㄌㄥˇ

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄧˋ ㄌㄥˇ

синьхуэйилэн

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːŋ¹³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² hue⁴⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːŋ¹³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² hue⁴⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/


榮華富貴

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɪŋ²¹ waː²¹ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

/iɪŋ²⁴⁻²² hua²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ kui²¹/

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɪŋ²¹ waː²¹ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

/iɪŋ²⁴⁻²² hua²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ kui²¹/

If you have not craved for wealth and fame till you lost your conscience, how could you now fall into such a condition as this?

Ruò bùshì nǐ tāntú rónghuáfùguì mǐnmiè tiānliáng, yòu qǐ huì luò dào rújīn zhèbān tiándì?

若不是你貪圖榮華富貴泯滅天良，又豈會落到如今這般田地？

若不是你贪图荣华富贵泯灭天良，又岂会落到如今这般田地？

high social position and great financial wealth


無藥可救

no medicine can save; unable to be saved by any medicine

ㄨˊ ㄧㄠˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

ㄨˊ ㄧㄠˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

/u³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jœːk̚² hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ioʔ⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu¹¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ iɤʔ⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹/

/u³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jœːk̚² hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ioʔ⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu¹¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ iɤʔ⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹/

他是個無藥可救的蘿莉控。

他是个无药可救的萝莉控。

utterly hopeless; unable to be saved (helped); beyond the point of help


防不勝防

ㄈㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄈㄤˊ

ㄈㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄤˊ

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ²³/

/huaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huaŋ⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ²³/

/huaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huaŋ⁵⁵/

the utmost care could not prevent it from happening; to be impossible to defend effectively


速戰速決

ㄙㄨˋ ㄓㄢˋ ㄙㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

ㄙㄨˋ ㄓㄢˋ ㄙㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

сучжаньсуцзюэ

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ kuat̚⁵/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁵ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ kuat̚⁵/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁵ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

to take prompt action to achieve a quick victory; to adopt a blitzkrieg strategy


老馬識途

desc

→ Vietnamese: ngựa quen đường cũ (calque)

ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄕˊ ㄊㄨˊ

ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄕˋ ㄊㄨˊ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ maː¹³ sɪk̚⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/lo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ²⁴/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ maː¹³ sɪk̚⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/lo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ²⁴/

From a story in Han Feizi, Chapter 22 (《韓非子·說林上》)

Guan Zhong and Xi Peng (隰朋) accompanied Duke Huan in the expedition against Guzhu. When spring was gone and winter came again, they went astray and lost the way. Thereupon Guan Zhong said: "The wisdom of old horses is trustworthy." So they let old horses go of themselves and followed them from behind, till they found the way.

Han Feizi, circa 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on W. K. Liao's version

Guǎn Zhòng, Xí Péng cóng yú Huán gōng ér fá Gūzhú, chūn wǎng dōng fǎn, míhuò shī dào, Guǎn Zhòng yuē: “Lǎo mǎ zhī zhì kě yòng yě.” Nǎi fàng lǎo mǎ ér suí zhī, suì dé dào.

管仲、隰朋從於桓公而伐孤竹，春往冬反，迷惑失道，管仲曰：「老馬之智可用也。」乃放老馬而隨之，遂得道。

管仲、隰朋从于桓公而伐孤竹，春往冬反，迷惑失道，管仲曰：「老马之智可用也。」乃放老马而随之，遂得道。

an experienced worker knows what to do; an old hand knows the ropes

Duke Huan of Qi
Guan Zhong
Guzhu
Han Feizi
zh:隰朋


一觸即發

ㄧ ㄔㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄈㄚ

ㄧ ㄔㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄈㄚ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faːt̚³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɪk̚³²⁻⁵ huat̚³²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ huat̚³²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sʰiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sit̚⁵⁻²⁴ huat̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faːt̚³/

could break out or flare up at any time (of a situation); on the verge of crisis; in a tense and volatile situation


玩火自焚

ㄨㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄣˊ

ㄨㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄣˊ

ваньхоцзыфэнь

/wän³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

ㄨㄢˊㄦ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄣˊ

ваньрхоцзыфэнь

/wɑɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/waːn²¹⁻³⁵ fɔː³⁵ t͡siː²² fɐn²¹/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su²²⁻²¹ hun²⁴/

/uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡su³³⁻²¹ hun²³/

/wän³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/wɑɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/waːn²¹⁻³⁵ fɔː³⁵ t͡siː²² fɐn²¹/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su²²⁻²¹ hun²⁴/

/uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡su³³⁻²¹ hun²³/

sow the wind, reap the whirlwind
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind

he who plays with fire will get burnt; sow the wind, reap the whirlwind


黨同伐異

ㄉㄤˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄚˊ ㄧˋ

ㄉㄤˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄚ ㄧˋ

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä³⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ fɐt̚² jiː²²/

/tɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁴⁻³² i²²/

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä³⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ fɐt̚² jiː²²/

/tɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁴⁻³² i²²/

to unite with those who agree and fight those who differ


事過境遷

ㄕˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

ㄕˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

шигоцзинцянь

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²² kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/su²²⁻²¹ ko²¹⁻⁵³ kiɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²² kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/su²²⁻²¹ ko²¹⁻⁵³ kiɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴/

the issue is in the past and the situation has changed; things change with the passage of time


一技之長

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kei̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ki³³ t͡si³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kei̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ki³³ t͡si³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³/


無能為力

ㄨˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄧˋ

ㄨˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/u³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ nɐŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ui²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴/

/u³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ nɐŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ui²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴/


無情無義

ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄧˋ

ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/u³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ i⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ jiː²²/

/mo¹¹ t͡sʰin¹¹ mo¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo¹³⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ ɡi³³/

/bo²⁴⁻²¹ t͡seŋ²⁴⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²¹ ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi⁴¹/

/u³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ i⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ jiː²²/

/mo¹¹ t͡sʰin¹¹ mo¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo¹³⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ ɡi³³/

/bo²⁴⁻²¹ t͡seŋ²⁴⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²¹ ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi⁴¹/


提心吊膽

to carry the heart and hang the gallbladder

ㄊㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄢˇ

ㄊㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄢˇ

тисиньдяодань

/tʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ tiːu̯³³ taːm³⁵/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim³³ tiau⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tã⁵⁵⁴/

/tʰe¹³⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ tã⁴¹/

/tʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ tiːu̯³³ taːm³⁵/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim³³ tiau⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tã⁵⁵⁴/

/tʰe¹³⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ tã⁴¹/

to be on tenterhooks; to be scared or jittery; to be in constant fear


美輪美奐

ㄇㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

ㄇㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

мэйлуньмэйхуань

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ huan⁴¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun¹³⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan¹¹/

/bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lun²³⁻³³ bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ huan⁴¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun¹³⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan¹¹/

/bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lun²³⁻³³ bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

From the Book of Rites, Book 4 (《禮記·檀弓下》)

(The ruler of) Jin having congratulated Wen-zi on the completion of his residence, the Great officers of the state went to the house-warming. Zhang Lao said, "How elegant it is, and lofty! How elegant and splendid! Here will you have your songs! Here will you have your wailings! Here will you assemble the representatives of the great families of the state!"

The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Jìn xiàn Wénzǐ chéng shì, Jìn dàfū fā yān. Zhāng Lǎo yuē: “Měi zāi lún yān! Měi zāi huàn yān! Bàn yú sī, kū yú sī, jù guózú yú sī.”

晉獻文子成室，晉大夫發焉。張老曰：「美哉輪焉！美哉奐焉！拌於斯，哭於斯，聚國族於斯。」

晋献文子成室，晋大夫发焉。张老曰：「美哉轮焉！美哉奂焉！拌于斯，哭于斯，聚国族于斯。」

美轮美奂
美侖美奐
美奐美輪

splendid and magnificent houses; sumptuous mansion; spectacular; magnificent


人情世故

ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄕˋ ㄍㄨˋ

ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄕˋ ㄍㄨˋ

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³ kuː³³/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ²¹/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³ kuː³³/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ²¹/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

the ways of the world; traditional code of conduct; worldly wisdom


上行下效

ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ haː²² haːu̯²²/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ hau²²/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ haː²² haːu̯²²/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ hau²²/

(originally derogatory) subordinates follow the example of their superiors


愛屋及烏

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ u⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ ʊk̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/ai²¹⁻⁵³ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kip̚⁴⁻³² ɔ⁴⁴/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ u⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ ʊk̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/ai²¹⁻⁵³ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kip̚⁴⁻³² ɔ⁴⁴/

One who loves someone also loves the crow on his roof.

愛人者，兼其屋上之烏。

爱人者，兼其屋上之乌。

love me, love my dog; love for a person extends even to the crows on his roof; involvement with somebody and everyone connected


不可收拾

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄡ ㄕˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄡ ㄕˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄡ ˙ㄕ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu³³ sip̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu³³ sip̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

irremediable; unsalvageable; unmanageable; out of hand


深入淺出

ㄕㄣ ㄖㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˇ ㄔㄨ

ㄕㄣ ㄖㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˇ ㄔㄨ

шэньжуцяньчу

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡sʰiːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻³³ zip̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiɛn⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰut̚³²/

/t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻²² d͡zip̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰut̚³²/

/t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰut̚³²/

/t͡sʰim³³ lip̚²⁴⁻² t͡sʰiɛn⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰut̚⁵/

/t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰut̚³²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡sʰiːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

to explain a complex matter using simple language; simple and easy to understand; explaining in simple terms despite being immensely knowledgeable


五顏六色

ㄨˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄙㄜˋ

ㄨˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍¹³ ŋaːn²¹ lʊk̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋ̍²² ŋe⁵⁵ loʔ³³ səʔ²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍¹³ ŋaːn²¹ lʊk̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋ̍²² ŋe⁵⁵ loʔ³³ səʔ²¹/

multicoloured; colourful; variegated; of many colors


懸崖勒馬

to rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄇㄚˇ

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄞˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄇㄚˇ

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ lɐk̚² maː¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² ɡai²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² mã⁵³/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ lɐk̚² maː¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² ɡai²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² mã⁵³/

to desist from doing something before it is too late; to pull back before it is too late


東西南北

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄟˇ

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄟˇ

дунсинаньбэй

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/

/tuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴ nam¹¹ pet̚²/

/taŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ sai⁴⁴⁻³³ lam²³⁻³³ pak̚³²/

/taŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ sai⁴⁴⁻³³ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ pak̚³²/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/

/tuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴ nam¹¹ pet̚²/

/taŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ sai⁴⁴⁻³³ lam²³⁻³³ pak̚³²/

/taŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ sai⁴⁴⁻³³ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ pak̚³²/

east, west, south and north; everywhere; all corners of the world


撫躬自問

ㄈㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗˋ ㄨㄣˋ

ㄈㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗˋ ㄨㄣˋ

фугунцзывэнь

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

to perform self-examination; to examine one's conscience; to examine oneself


撫今追昔

ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄒㄧ

ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄒㄧˊ

фуцзиньчжуйси

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

to contemplate the present and recall the past with emotion; to recall the past and compare it with the present


燙手山芋

ㄊㄤˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕㄢ ㄩˋ

ㄊㄤˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕㄢ ㄩˋ

таншоу шаньюй

/tʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ³³ sɐu̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ suã³³ ɔ⁴¹/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ³³ sɐu̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ suã³³ ɔ⁴¹/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

hot potato (awkward or delicate problem)


虎視眈眈

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (虎視眈眈):
* → Japanese: 虎(こ)視(し)眈(たん)々(たん) (koshitantan)
* → Korean: 호시탐탐(虎視眈眈) (hositamtam)
* → Vietnamese: hổ thị đam đam (虎視眈眈)

ㄏㄨˇ ㄕˋ ㄉㄢ ㄉㄢ

ㄏㄨˇ ㄕˋ ㄉㄢ ㄉㄢ

хушиданьдань

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ tän⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ siː²² taːm⁵⁵ taːm⁵⁵/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tam³³ tam³³/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hõũ⁵²⁻³⁵ si³⁵⁻¹¹ tam³³⁻²³ tam³³/

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ tän⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ siː²² taːm⁵⁵ taːm⁵⁵/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tam³³ tam³³/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hõũ⁵²⁻³⁵ si³⁵⁻¹¹ tam³³⁻²³ tam³³/

The fourth SIX, divided, shows one looking downwards for (the power to) nourish. There will be good fortune. Looking with a tiger's downward unwavering glare, and with his desire that impels him to spring after spring, he will fall into no error.

I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Liùsì: diān yí, jí, hǔshì dāndān, qí yù zhúzhú, wú jiù.

六四：顛頤，吉，虎視眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。

六四：颠颐，吉，虎视眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。

to glare like a tiger watching its prey; to glare at with fierceness; to keep a vigilant eye on; to eye covetously

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 27


僧多粥少

ㄙㄥ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓㄡ ㄕㄠˇ

ㄙㄥ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓㄡ ㄕㄠˇ

сэндочжоушао

/sɤŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

/t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ siau⁴¹/

/t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ to⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ siau⁵³/

/sɤŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

not enough to go around; having demands exceeding supply


千辛萬苦

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄎㄨˇ

цяньсиньваньку

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ uan²¹³ kʰu⁵³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ɕin⁴² uan¹¹ kʰu²¹³/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴⁴ ɕin⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰu³¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ sin³³ ban⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ sin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ ɕin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ uan²¹³ kʰu⁵³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ɕin⁴² uan¹¹ kʰu²¹³/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴⁴ ɕin⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰu³¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ sin³³ ban⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ sin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ ɕin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

it is not easy for them thoroughly to comprehend the hardships our people went through in the struggle to free themselves from the oppression of the imperialists and Kuomintang reactionaries

1957, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《關於正確處理人民內部矛盾的問題》 (On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

bù róngyì shēnqiè liǎojiě wǒguó rénmín céngjīng zěnyàng jīnglì qiānxīnwànkǔ de dòuzhēng cái bǎituō le dìguó zhǔyì hé Guómíndǎng fǎndòngpài de yāpò

不容易深切了解我國人民曾經怎樣經歷千辛萬苦的鬥爭才擺脫了帝國主義和國民黨反動派的壓迫

不容易深切了解我国人民曾经怎样经历千辛万苦的斗争才摆脱了帝国主义和国民党反动派的压迫

trials and tribulations
trials and tribulations

suffering untold hardships; trials and tribulations


刣雞教猴

刣鸡教猴
刣鷄教猴
刣雞敎猴
刣鷄敎猴

/tʰai⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kie⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻¹¹ kue⁴⁴⁻³³ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue³³ ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai¹³⁻²² ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau¹³/

/tʰai²³⁻³³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ kau²³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵⁵/

/tʰai⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kie⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻¹¹ kue⁴⁴⁻³³ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue³³ ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai¹³⁻²² ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau¹³/

/tʰai²³⁻³³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ kau²³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵⁵/

(Min) to make a public demonstration of punishing a wrongdoer in order to deter innocents who might mimic the example of the wrongdoer


我行我素

ㄨㄛˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄛˇ ㄙㄨˋ

ㄨㄛˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄛˇ ㄙㄨˋ

/wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/ŋɔː¹³ hɐŋ²¹ ŋɔː¹³ sou̯³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ¹¹/

uá kiâⁿ uá sù

/ua⁵² kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ua⁵²⁻³⁵ su²¹³/

/wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/ŋɔː¹³ hɐŋ²¹ ŋɔː¹³ sou̯³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ¹¹/

/ua⁵² kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ua⁵²⁻³⁵ su²¹³/

to persist in one's old ways; to continue in one's own way no matter what others say


世外桃源

ㄕˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄊㄠˊ ㄩㄢˊ

ㄕˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄊㄠˊ ㄩㄢˊ

шивайтаоюань

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ ŋɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ jyːn²¹/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡua³³⁻²¹ tʰɤ²³⁻³³ ɡuan²³/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ tʰo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan²⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ ŋɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ jyːn²¹/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡua³³⁻²¹ tʰɤ²³⁻³³ ɡuan²³/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ tʰo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan²⁴/

Based on The Peach Blossom Spring (《桃花源記》) by Tao Yuanming (陶淵明).

On days when there are no parties, Koh Phangan is extremely serene, just like a utopia, separate from the world. It has attracted a group of young people who live engaging in spirituality and yoga to move here, set up classes and teach students. Even the Thai emperor has been attracted by this utopia

Méiyǒu pàiduì de rìzǐ, Pà'ān Dǎo shífēn níngjìng, xiàng yǔshìgéjué bān de shìwàitáoyuán, xīyǐn le yī pī yǐ língxiū, yújiā guòhuó de niánqīngrén yíjū cǐdì, kāibān shòutú. Jiù lián tàihuáng dōu bèi zhè shìwàitáoyuán xīyǐn

沒有派對的日子，帕安島十分寧靜，像與世隔絕般的世外桃源，吸引了一批以靈修、瑜珈過活的年輕人移居此地，開班授徒。就連泰皇都被這世外桃源吸引

没有派对的日子，帕安岛十分宁静，像与世隔绝般的世外桃源，吸引了一批以灵修、瑜珈过活的年轻人移居此地，开班授徒。就连泰皇都被这世外桃源吸引

The Peach Blossom Land; Shangri-La; Arcadia; lotus land; utopia; unexpectedly fantastic place off the beaten path, usually an unspoiled wilderness of great beauty; land of idyllic beauty; fictitious land of peace; heaven of peace and happiness; retreat away from the turmoil of the world; place for taking refuge


樑上君子

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ

ляншанцзюньцзы

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sœːŋ²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sœːŋ²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

From a story in the Book of the Later Han.


全神貫注

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨˋ

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨˋ

цюаньшэньгуаньчжу

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² kuan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡su⁴¹/

/t͡suan¹³⁻²² sin¹³⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡su¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ sin²³⁻³³ kuan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡su²¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan¹³⁻²² sin¹³⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡su¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ sin²³⁻³³ kuan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡su²¹/


過河拆橋

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄔㄞ ㄑㄧㄠˊ

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄔㄞ ㄑㄧㄠˊ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄜˊㄦ ㄔㄞ ㄑㄧㄠˊ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

to burn one's bridges; to abandon one's benefactor upon achieving one's goal


有頭無尾

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˇ

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

to have a beginning but not an end; to fail to carry things through; to leave something unfinished; to have begun but not well-ended; to not have spoken or done something to the point


派上用場

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˇ

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˊ

пайшанъюнчан

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/


如意算盤

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄢˊ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄢˊ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ˙ㄆㄢ

жуисуаньпань

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

don't count your chickens before they're hatched

one's wishful thinking; counting the chickens before they are hatched


一年半載

ㄧ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄗㄞˇ

ㄧ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄗㄞˇ

иняньбаньцзай

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sai⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sai⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/


靈機一動

ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

to be struck by a brainwave; to hit upon a clever idea


風土人情

ㄈㄥ ㄊㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

ㄈㄥ ㄊㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

фэнтужэньцин

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/


特立獨行

ㄊㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

ㄊㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

From the Book of Rites, Book 41 (《禮記·儒行》)

When the state is well governed, he does not show any casualness or negligence; when it goes in disarray, he does not feel remorseful or frustrated. He never forms cliques with those who share a common goal, nor does he ever reproach those who cherish different ideals. Such is the distinctiveness of an outstanding Confucian scholar.

The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE

Shì zhì bù qīng, shì luàn bù jǔ, tóng fú yǔ, yì fú fēi yě, qí tèlì dúxíng yǒu rúcǐ zhě.

世治不輕，世亂不沮，同弗與，異弗非也，其特立獨行有如此者。

世治不轻，世乱不沮，同弗与，异弗非也，其特立独行有如此者。

A commendable person's steadfastness in his unique path is solely in accordance with righteousness.

c. early 9ᵗʰ century, 韓愈 (Han Yu), 《伯夷頌》(Ode to Boyi)

士之特立獨行，適於義而已。

士之特立独行，适于义而已。

independent in mind and action; unconventional and strong-minded


身體力行

ㄕㄣ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

ㄕㄣ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

practice what one preaches
practice what one preaches

to practice what one preaches; to set an example by personally taking part


烏合之眾

⇒ Japanese: 烏合の衆 (ugō no shū)

ㄨ ㄏㄜˊ ㄓ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

ㄨ ㄏㄜˊ ㄓ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/

From《意林》Volume I quoting Guanzi:
:
The quotation above cannot be found in the current version of Guanzi.

A disorderly crowd like crows may share momentary harmony at first, but will later inevitably turn on each other.

Wū hé zhī zhòng, chū suī yǒu huān, hòu bì xiàng tù.

烏合之衆，初雖有歡，後必相吐。

乌合之众，初虽有欢，后必相吐。


嫁禍於人

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/ka²¹⁻⁵³ ho²² u²⁴⁻²² d͡zin²⁴/

/ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ho⁴¹ u²⁴⁻²² d͡zin²⁴/

/ka²¹⁻⁵³ ho²² u¹³⁻²² d͡zin¹³/

/ka¹¹⁻⁵³ ho³³ u²⁴⁻¹¹ d͡zin²⁴/

/ka²¹⁻⁴¹ hɤ³³ u²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/ke²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hua³⁵ i³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/ka²¹⁻⁵³ ho²² u²⁴⁻²² d͡zin²⁴/

/ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ho⁴¹ u²⁴⁻²² d͡zin²⁴/

/ka²¹⁻⁵³ ho²² u¹³⁻²² d͡zin¹³/

/ka¹¹⁻⁵³ ho³³ u²⁴⁻¹¹ d͡zin²⁴/

/ka²¹⁻⁴¹ hɤ³³ u²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/ke²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hua³⁵ i³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵/

to shift the blame on others; to pass the buck


有眼無珠

有眼无珠
有目無珠
有眼無瞳
肉眼無珠
眼內無珠
盲眼無珠

ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

(figurative) lacking the ability to see or discern; to have a narrow vision; ignorant


不擇手段

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

буцзэшоудуань

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã²²/

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã²²/

(derogatory) to take any measures to do something; to stop at nothing; by hook or by crook; unscrupulously

只要目的正當，可以不擇手段 / 只要目的正当，可以不择手段

zhǐyào mùdì zhèngdàng, kěyǐ bùzéshǒuduàn


言過其實

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

Things have inherent forms; forms have inherent names. Words should not stretch the truth, and truth should not be used to go after immoderate fame.

Wù gù yǒu xíng, xíng gù yǒu míng. Cǐ yán bùdé guòshí, shí bùdé yán míng.

物固有形，形固有名。此言不得過實，實不得延名。

物固有形，形固有名。此言不得过实，实不得延名。

to overstate the facts; to stretch the truth; to exaggerate


悶悶不樂

ㄇㄣˋ ㄇㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄜˋ

ㄇㄣˋ ㄇㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄜˋ

мэньмэньбулэ

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/


一頭霧水

ㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

ㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tʰau¹³⁻²² bu²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³⁻³³ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡sui⁴¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³⁻³³ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡sui⁴¹/

to be completely muddle-headed; to be baffled


語無倫次

ㄩˇ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄘˋ

ㄩˇ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄘˋ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

to speak incoherently; to ramble in one's statement; confused and incomprehensible speech


錦囊妙計

desc

→ Korean: 비단 주머니 (bidan jumeoni) (calque)

ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄋㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄧˋ

ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄋㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄧˋ

цзиньнанмяоцзи

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kɐm³⁵ nɔːŋ²¹ miːu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ¹³⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/ɡim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ biau³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kɐm³⁵ nɔːŋ²¹ miːu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ¹³⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/ɡim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ biau³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/

From an episode in the fourteenth-century novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in which the strategist Zhuge Liang gives the general Zhao Yun—who is escorting the protagonist Liu Bei to the neighboring realm of Wu, ruled by Sun Quan―three brocade pouches containing cunning instructions on how to thwart Sun Quan's schemes to keep Liu Bei hostage.

Liu Bei
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Sun Quan
Wu
Zhao Yun
Zhuge Liang


一筆勾銷

ㄧ ㄅㄧˇ ㄍㄡ ㄒㄧㄠ

ㄧ ㄅㄧˇ ㄍㄡ ㄒㄧㄠ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ kau³³ siau³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ kau³³ siau³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

to write off at one stroke; to cancel once and for all


一廂情願

ㄧ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄢˋ

ㄧ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄢˋ

исянцинъюань

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³/

one's own wishful thinking; unilateral willingness; unrequited love


節哀順變

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄞ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄞ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

цзеайшуньбянь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɵn²² piːn³³/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻¹¹ piɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ai³³⁻²³ suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɵn²² piːn³³/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻¹¹ piɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ai³³⁻²³ suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³/

The rites of mourning are the extreme expression of grief and sadness. In modulating grief, one accords with changes; this is how the gentleman keeps mindful of those to whom we owe our being.

Sānglǐ, āiqī zhī zhì yě. Jié'āi, shùnbiàn yě; jūnzǐ niàn shǐ zhī zhě yě.

喪禮，哀戚之至也。節哀，順變也；君子念始之者也。

丧礼，哀戚之至也。节哀，顺变也；君子念始之者也。

請節哀順變！

请节哀顺变！

to restrain one's grief and accept fate (used to console family of a deceased person); my condolences


啞口無言

ㄧㄚˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

ㄧㄚˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/jä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/a³¹ kʰi̯eu̯³¹ vu¹¹ ŋi̯en¹¹/

/a³¹ kʰi̯eu̯³¹ vu¹¹ ŋi̯an¹¹/

/a²⁴⁻³³ kʰieu²⁴ vu⁵⁵ ŋien⁵⁵/

/a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/jä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/a³¹ kʰi̯eu̯³¹ vu¹¹ ŋi̯en¹¹/

/a³¹ kʰi̯eu̯³¹ vu¹¹ ŋi̯an¹¹/

/a²⁴⁻³³ kʰieu²⁴ vu⁵⁵ ŋien⁵⁵/

/a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

to be speechless in response to being interrogated or refuted


千變萬化

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (千變萬化):
* → Japanese: 千変万化(せんぺんばんか) (senpenbanka)
* → Korean: 천변만화(千變萬化) (cheonbyeonmanhwa)
* → Vietnamese: thiên biến vạn hoá (千變萬化)

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

цяньбяньваньхуа

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ piːn³³ maːn²² faː³³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ piɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ban⁴¹⁻²² hua⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ ban³³⁻¹¹ hua¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ ban³³⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ piːn³³ maːn²² faː³³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ piɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ban⁴¹⁻²² hua⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ ban³³⁻¹¹ hua¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ ban³³⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

an innumerable amount of changes; countless changes


一派胡言

ㄧ ㄆㄞˋ ㄏㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

ㄧ ㄆㄞˋ ㄏㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːi̯³³ wuː²¹ jiːn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ¹³⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːi̯³³ wuː²¹ jiːn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ¹³⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

I've heard that someone is defaming Chongqing, and the targets include me and my family. Someone even says that my son is driving a red Ferrari when studying abroad. That's complete nonsense! I feel very angry! That's complete nonsense!

9 Mar 2012, Bo Xilai's response to reporters' questions on Chongqing Municipal People's Congresshttps://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese_news/2012/03/120309_china_boxilai_smear

Wǒ tīngshuō yǒurén zhèng gěi Chóngqìng “pōzāngshuǐ”, bāokuò gěi wǒ běnrén, gěi jiātíng pōzāngshuǐ, shènzhì shuō wǒ érzǐ zài wàimiàn xuéxí kāi “hóngsè Fǎlālì”. Yīpàihúyán! Wǒ gǎnjiào fēicháng qìfèn, yīpàihúyán!

我聽說有人正給重慶「潑髒水」，包括給我本人、給家庭潑髒水，甚至說我兒子在外面學習開「紅色法拉利」。一派胡言！我感覺非常氣憤，一派胡言！

我听说有人正给重庆「泼脏水」，包括给我本人、给家庭泼脏水，甚至说我儿子在外面学习开「红色法拉利」。一派胡言！我感觉非常气愤，一派胡言！


不可理喻

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄩˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄩˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ lei̯¹³ jyː²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ lei̯¹³ jyː²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²²/

做一件不可理喻的事

簡直不可理喻。

简直不可理喻。

to defy reason; to be unreasonable because of stupidity or stubbornness


一掃而空

ㄧ ㄙㄠˇ ㄦˊ ㄎㄨㄥ

ㄧ ㄙㄠˇ ㄦˊ ㄎㄨㄥ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sou̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sau²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sou̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sau²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/


一表人才

ㄧ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄘㄞˊ

ㄧ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄘㄞˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ piːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ piau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ piːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ piau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

(usually used to describe a man) to be a person of striking appearance; to be fine-looking and talented


不堪設想

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄕㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄕㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³ sœːŋ³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ⁵⁵⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹/

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³ sœːŋ³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ⁵⁵⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹/

後果不堪設想。

后果不堪设想。

To be overthrown is painful and is unbearable to contemplate for those overthrown, for example, for the Kuomintang reactionaries whom we are now overthrowing and for Japanese imperialism which we together with other peoples overthrew some time ago.

Lìrú yǎnqián Guómíndǎng fǎndòngpài bèi wǒmen suǒ tuīfān, guòqù Rìběn dìguó zhǔyì bèi wǒmen hé gèguó rénmín suǒ tuīfān, duìyú bèituīfānzhě lái shuō, zhè shì tòngkǔ de, bùkānshèxiǎng de.

例如眼前國民黨反動派被我們所推翻，過去日本帝國主義被我們和各國人民所推翻，對於被推翻者來說，這是痛苦的，不堪設想的。

例如眼前国民党反动派被我们所推翻，过去日本帝国主义被我们和各国人民所推翻，对于被推翻者来说，这是痛苦的，不堪设想的。

too dreadful to contemplate; too horrible to imagine


再接再厲

再接再厉
再接再勵
再接再礪

ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄗㄞˋ ㄌㄧˋ

ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄗㄞˋ ㄌㄧˋ

цзайцзецзайли

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ lɐi̯²²/

/t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ le²²/

/t͡sai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siap̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ le⁴¹/

/t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ le²²/

/t͡sai¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai¹¹⁻⁵³ le³³/

/t͡sai²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁴¹ le³³/

/t͡sai²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡siap̚²⁻⁴ t͡sai²¹³⁻⁵⁵ li³⁵/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ lɐi̯²²/

to make persistent efforts; to redouble one's efforts; to keep up one's good work


批碗摔箸

/pʰue⁴⁴⁻²² uã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siak̚³²⁻⁴ ti²²/

/pʰe⁴⁴⁻²² uã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siak̚³²⁻⁵ ti²²/

/pʰue⁴⁴⁻²² uã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siak̚³²⁻⁴ ti²²/

/pʰe⁴⁴⁻²² uã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siak̚³²⁻⁵ ti²²/

(Southern Min) to lose one's temper to the point that one has a violent and frenzied behavior


一籌莫展

ㄧ ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄓㄢˇ

ㄧ ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄓㄢˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɔːk̚² t͡siːn³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² tiɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ tiu¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mok̚⁴⁻² tiaŋ⁵²/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɔːk̚² t͡siːn³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² tiɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ tiu¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mok̚⁴⁻² tiaŋ⁵²/

to be unable to find a solution; to be at wits' end


一馬當先

ㄧ ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄤ ㄒㄧㄢ

ㄧ ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄤ ㄒㄧㄢ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ³³ siɛn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ³³ siɛn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

to gallop at the head; to take the lead; to be in the foremost rank


來歷不明

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/laɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/lai²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³/

/lai²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴/

/laɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/lai²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³/

/lai²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴/


不一而足

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄦˊ ㄗㄨˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄦˊ ㄗㄨˊ

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔk̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔk̚³²/

The original and literal meaning in the Gongyang was "to not make full (the approval) all at once", i.e., to be conditional and graduated in dispensing approval. It was also written as "不壹而足" in the Gongyang, and typically used in the phrase
:
As chengyu, the phrase has been re-analysed semantically in common usage and shifted in meaning.

To approve of a barbarian, one does not do so to the full degree all at once.

Commentary of Gongyang, c. 206 BCE– 9 CE

許夷狄者不一而足也。

许夷狄者不一而足也。

cannot be described only by one example; by no means an isolated case; to be numerous; innumerable


不謀而合

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄡˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄜˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄡˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄜˊ

/pu⁵¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ hɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ hɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

As many graves lay side by side, it was hard to decide which one was hers. Some maids in the palace remembered the clothes she was wearing when she died, so two witches were summoned to discover which ghost had on such clothes. They were made to stay in different places without any contact with each other, supervised by an official. A long while later, both of them reported, “I saw a woman over thirty years old...” The two witches had had the same statement though they had not consulted with each other. The grave they indicated was opened, and the clothes in the coffin were found to be what the princess had worn.

In Search of the Sacred, circa 3ʳᵈ century CE

Zhǒngmù xiàng yà, bùkě shíbié, ér gōngrén pō shí zhǔ wáng shí suǒ zhuó yīfú, nǎi shǐ liǎng wū gè zhù yīchù, yǐ sì qí líng, shǐ chá jiàn zhī, bùdé xiàngjìn. Jiǔshí, èrrén jù bái jiàn yī nǚrén, nián kě sānshí yú...... Èrrén zhī yán, bùmóu'érhé, yúshì kāi zhǒng, yīfú rú zhī.

冢墓相亞，不可識別，而宮人頗識主亡時所著衣服，乃使兩巫各住一處，以伺其靈，使察鑒之，不得相近。久時，二人俱白見一女人，年可三十餘……二人之言，不謀而合，於是開冢，衣服如之。

冢墓相亚，不可识别，而宫人颇识主亡时所着衣服，乃使两巫各住一处，以伺其灵，使察鉴之，不得相近。久时，二人俱白见一女人，年可三十余……二人之言，不谋而合，于是开冢，衣服如之。

to happen to hold the same views; to agree without previous collaboration


不勞而獲

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄠˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄠˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/pu⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hiɪk̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hiɪk̚⁴/

Suppose someone sneaks into an orchard and steals peaches, plums, melons, and gingers. The government officials will punish him when they catch him, and people will condemn him when they hear about it. Why is that? Because the person did not participate in the labour but took the produce and property that do not belong to them.

Jīn yǒurén yú cǐ, rù rén zhī chǎngyuán, qǔ rén zhī táolǐ guā jiāng zhě, shàng dé qiě fá zhī, zhòng wén zé fēi zhī, shì hé yě? Yuē: bù yù qí láo huò qí shí, yǐ fēi qí yǒu suǒ qǔ zhī gù.

今有人於此，入人之場園，取人之桃李瓜薑者，上得且罰之，衆聞則非之，是何也？曰：不與其勞獲其實，已非其有所取之故。

今有人于此，入人之场园，取人之桃李瓜姜者，上得且罚之，众闻则非之，是何也？曰：不与其劳获其实，已非其有所取之故。

Who doesn't want to be a rich kid born with a silver spoon? Who doesn't want to get something for nothing?

Shéi bù yuànyì yī chūshēng jiù shì hán zhe jīntāngchí de fùjiā zǐdì, shéi bù yuànyì bùláo'érhuò?

誰不願意一出生就是含著金湯匙的富家子弟，誰不願意不勞而獲？

谁不愿意一出生就是含着金汤匙的富家子弟，谁不愿意不劳而获？

to reap without sowing; to live off the toil of other people


不可多得

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄉㄜˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄉㄜˊ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ to³³ tit̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ to³³ tit̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

to be hard to come by; to be rare to have


不眠不休

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ

/pu⁵¹ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ miːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bin¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/pu⁵¹ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ miːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bin¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

to toil without taking a break to rest or sleep


不足為奇

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ki²³/

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ki²³/

He has history. That he defected is not at all surprising.

Tā de pànbiàn shì yǒu láilì de, bùzúwéiqí.

他的叛變是有來歷的，不足為奇。

他的叛变是有来历的，不足为奇。

to be commonplace and not at all surprising


乏人問津

ㄈㄚˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

ㄈㄚˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

фажэньвэньцзинь

/fä³⁵ ʐən³⁵ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/fɐt̚² jɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/huat̚⁴⁻³² zin²³⁻³³ bun³³⁻²¹ t͡sin⁴⁴/

/fä³⁵ ʐən³⁵ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/fɐt̚² jɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/huat̚⁴⁻³² zin²³⁻³³ bun³³⁻²¹ t͡sin⁴⁴/

to have few people making enquiries about the matter; to be unable to attract people's attention


五彩繽紛

五彩缤纷
五彩賓紛
五采繽紛

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄈㄣ

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄈㄣ

уцайбиньфэнь

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pʰin³³ hun³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pʰin³³ hun³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

all the colours in profusion; full of bright colours; multicoloured; garish display


奄奄一息

ㄧㄢˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄧ ㄒㄧ

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/jɛn⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/jiːm⁵⁵ jiːm⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/am⁴⁴⁻³³ am⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/jɛn⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/jiːm⁵⁵ jiːm⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/am⁴⁴⁻³³ am⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

breathe one's last breath
breathe one's last breath


空前絕後

ㄎㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄡˋ

ㄎㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄡˋ

кунцяньцзюэхоу

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯²²/

/kʰoŋ³³⁴ t͡sʰiɛn¹¹ t͡sit̚⁵⁻³⁴ hau⁵³/

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯²²/

/kʰoŋ³³⁴ t͡sʰiɛn¹¹ t͡sit̚⁵⁻³⁴ hau⁵³/

unprecedented and never to be duplicated; the first and the last; unmatched; unique


壽終正寢

ㄕㄡˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄣˇ

ㄕㄡˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄣˇ

шоучжунчжэнцинь

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɐm³⁵/

/siu³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰim⁵³/

/siu³³⁻²¹ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰim⁴¹/

/sɐu̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɐm³⁵/

被難

to be killed in a disaster, political incident


煥然一新

ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

хуаньжаньисинь

/xu̯än⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/huan²¹⁻⁴¹ ziɛn²³⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/huan¹¹⁻⁵³ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/huaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² siŋ³³/

/xu̯än⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/huan²¹⁻⁴¹ ziɛn²³⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/huan¹¹⁻⁵³ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/


為虎作倀

ㄨㄟˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄤ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄤ

ㄨㄟˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄤ

/weɪ̯⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/ui²²⁻²¹ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɔŋ⁴⁴/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/ui²²⁻²¹ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɔŋ⁴⁴/

to assist a devil; to help a villain do evil


蛛絲馬跡

ㄓㄨ ㄙ ㄇㄚˇ ㄐㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ maː¹³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/tu⁴⁴⁻²² si⁴⁴⁻²² mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/tu⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziaʔ³²/

/tu³³⁻²³ si³³⁻²³ be⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡siaʔ²/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ maː¹³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/tu⁴⁴⁻²² si⁴⁴⁻²² mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/tu⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziaʔ³²/

/tu³³⁻²³ si³³⁻²³ be⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡siaʔ²/


義無反顧

ㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄈㄢˇ ㄍㄨˋ

ㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄈㄢˇ ㄍㄨˋ

/i⁵¹ u³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/jiː²² mou̯²¹ faːn³⁵ kuː³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo¹³⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ¹¹/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ huan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/i⁵¹ u³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/jiː²² mou̯²¹ faːn³⁵ kuː³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo¹³⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ¹¹/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ huan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

to pursue justice with no second thoughts; to proceed without hesitation


無魂無影

/bo²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² iã⁵³/

/bo²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² iã⁵⁵⁴/

/bo¹³⁻²² hun¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² iã⁵³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ hun²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ iã⁵³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ hun²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ iã⁴¹/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ĩã⁵²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² iã⁵³/

/bo²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² iã⁵⁵⁴/

/bo¹³⁻²² hun¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² iã⁵³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ hun²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ iã⁵³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ hun²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ iã⁴¹/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ĩã⁵²/

(Hakka, Southern Min) to disappear without a trace


螳臂當車

⇒ Japanese: 蟷螂の斧

ㄊㄤˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄉㄤ ㄔㄜ

ㄊㄤˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄉㄤˇ ㄔㄜ

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ pei̯³³ tɔːŋ³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² pi²¹⁻⁵³ tɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰia⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pi²¹⁻⁴¹ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pi¹¹⁻⁵³ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ku⁴⁴/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ pei̯³³ tɔːŋ³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² pi²¹⁻⁵³ tɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰia⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pi²¹⁻⁴¹ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pi¹¹⁻⁵³ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ku⁴⁴/

Do you not know the praying mantis? It angrily stretches out its arms, to block the car tracks, unconscious of its inability for such a task, but showing how much it thinks of its own powers.

Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Rǔ bùzhī fú tángláng hū? Nù qí bì yǐ dāng chēzhé, bùzhī qí bù shēngrèn yě, shì qí cái zhī měi zhě yě.

汝不知夫螳蜋乎？怒其臂以當車轍，不知其不勝任也，是其才之美者也。

汝不知夫螳蜋乎？怒其臂以当车辙，不知其不胜任也，是其才之美者也。

a mantis blocking a vehicle with its arms

稍有常識的人都會看出，如果我們的鐵騎繼續前進，這個螳臂當車的歹徒，難道能夠阻擋得了嗎？ [MSC, trad.]
稍有常识的人都会看出，如果我们的铁骑继续前进，这个螳臂当车的歹徒，难道能够阻挡得了吗？ [MSC, simp.]
Shāo yǒu chángshí de rén dōuhuì kànchū, rúguǒ wǒmen de tiěqí jìxù qiánjìn, zhège tángbìdāngchē de dǎitú, nándào nénggòu zǔdǎng de liǎo ma? [Pinyin]

Everyone with some common sense can see that if our tanks continued to move forward, how can this ruffian with no knowledge in his ability resist?

(figurative) to overrate oneself and attempt something impossible


義憤填膺

ㄧˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄥ

ㄧˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄥ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ iŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² fɐn¹³ tʰiːn²¹ jɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ hun¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰiɛn²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ iŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² fɐn¹³ tʰiːn²¹ jɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ hun¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰiɛn²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

Kàn wán diànshì xīnwén suǒ bàodǎo de nüèdài dòngwù àn, dàjiā bùjiào dì yìfèntiányīng.

看完電視新聞所報導的虐待動物案，大家不覺地義憤填膺。

看完电视新闻所报导的虐待动物案，大家不觉地义愤填膺。


揠苗助長

ㄧㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

ㄧㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

/jä⁵¹ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄧㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄠˊㄦ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

ямяорчжучжан

/jä⁵¹ mi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/aːt̚³ miːu̯²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/at̚³²⁻⁴ biau²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ²²⁻²¹ tiɔŋ⁵³/

/jä⁵¹ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jä⁵¹ mi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/aːt̚³ miːu̯²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/at̚³²⁻⁴ biau²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ²²⁻²¹ tiɔŋ⁵³/

There was a man of Song, who was grieved that his growing corn was not longer, and so he pulled it up. Having done this, he returned home, looking very troubled, and said to his people, “I am tired today. I have been helping the corn to grow long.” His son ran to look at it, and found the corn all withered.

Sòng rén yǒu mǐn qí miáo zhī bù zhǎng ér yà zhī zhě, mángmángrán guī. Wèi qí rén yuē: “Jīnrì bìng yǐ, yú zhù miáo zhǎng yǐ.” Qí zǐ qū ér wǎng shì zhī, miáo zé gǎo yǐ.

宋人有閔其苗之不長而揠之者，芒芒然歸。謂其人曰：「今日病矣，予助苗長矣。」其子趨而往視之，苗則槁矣。

宋人有闵其苗之不长而揠之者，芒芒然归。谓其人曰：「今日病矣，予助苗长矣。」其子趋而往视之，苗则槁矣。

(figurative) to be hasty and use inappropriate methods in order to achieve a goal quickly, but by doing so ruin things instead and fail in the end


歃血為盟

ㄕㄚˋ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄥˊ

ㄕㄚˋ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄥˊ

ㄕㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄥˊ

/ʂä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/ʂä⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/ʂä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/saːp̚³ hyːt̚³ wɐi̯²¹ mɐŋ²¹/

/sap̚³²⁻⁴ hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

/ʂä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/ʂä⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/ʂä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/saːp̚³ hyːt̚³ wɐi̯²¹ mɐŋ²¹/

/sap̚³²⁻⁴ hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

to smear the lips with blood when taking an oath


力不從心

ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴/

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴/

to lack the ability to do what one wants; one's strength does not match one's ambitions; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak


拔苗助長

ㄅㄚˊ ㄇㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

ㄅㄚˊ ㄇㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

бамяочжучжан

/pä³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄅㄚˊ ㄇㄧㄠˊㄦ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

бамяорчжучжан

/pä³⁵ mi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚² miːu̯²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/puat̚⁴⁻³² biau²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ²²⁻²¹ tiɔŋ⁵³/

/pä³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pä³⁵ mi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚² miːu̯²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/puat̚⁴⁻³² biau²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ²²⁻²¹ tiɔŋ⁵³/

zh-l

揠苗助長／揠苗助长 (yàmiáozhùzhǎng)

to try to help the shoots grow by pulling them upward


金城湯池

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (金城湯池):
* → Japanese: 金(きん)城(じょう)湯(とう)池(ち) (kinjōtōchi)

[[[city]] with] metal walls and boiling moat

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄔㄥˊ ㄊㄤ ㄔˊ

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄔㄥˊ ㄊㄤ ㄔˊ

цзиньчэнтанчи

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/kim⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ti²⁴/

/*k(r)[ə]m [d]eŋ l̥aŋ|l̥ˤaŋ|r̥ˤaŋ Cə.lraj/

/*krɯm djeŋ l̥ʰaːŋ|l̥ʰaːŋs|hljaŋ l'aːl|l'al/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/kim⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ti²⁴/


事到如今

ㄕˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄣ

ㄕˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄣ

шидаожуцзинь

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/siː²² tou̯³³ jyː²¹ kɐm⁵⁵/

/su³³⁻²¹ kau²¹⁻⁴¹ zu²³⁻³³ kim⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻¹¹ kau¹¹⁻⁵³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ kim⁴⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/siː²² tou̯³³ jyː²¹ kɐm⁵⁵/

/su³³⁻²¹ kau²¹⁻⁴¹ zu²³⁻³³ kim⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻¹¹ kau¹¹⁻⁵³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ kim⁴⁴/

(Can we date this quote?), “碎心戀”, 黃敏 (lyrics), performed by 文鶯:

What should I do at this point? I don't dare make a decision.

sū-kàu-lû-kim beh cháiⁿ-iūⁿ, gún iā m̄-káⁿ chòe chú-ì

事到如今要怎樣 阮也不敢做主意

事到如今要怎样 阮也不敢做主意

as things stand; currently; getting this far; up to this point


飽經風霜

ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄨㄤ

ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄨㄤ

баоцзинфэншуан

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːu̯³⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² sɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːu̯³⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² sɔŋ⁴⁴/

weather-beaten; having had one's fill of hardships; having experienced the hardship of life


半信半疑

Sino-Xenic (半信半疑):
* → Japanese: 半(はん)信(しん)半(はん)疑(ぎ) (hanshinhangi)
* → Korean: 반신반의(半信半疑) (bansinbanui)
* → Vietnamese: bán tín bán nghi (半信半疑)

ㄅㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄢˋ ㄧˊ

ㄅㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄢˋ ㄧˊ

баньсиньбаньи

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹ i³⁵/

/puːn³³ sɵn³³ puːn³³ jiː²¹/

/puan¹¹⁻⁵³ sin¹¹⁻⁵³ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡi²⁴/

/puan²¹⁻⁴¹ sin²¹⁻⁴¹ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡi²³/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹ i³⁵/

/puːn³³ sɵn³³ puːn³³ jiː²¹/

/puan¹¹⁻⁵³ sin¹¹⁻⁵³ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡi²⁴/

/puan²¹⁻⁴¹ sin²¹⁻⁴¹ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡi²³/

half-believing, half-doubting; not quite convinced


包羅萬象

ㄅㄠ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

ㄅㄠ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

баолованьсян

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ lɔː²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

/pau⁴⁴⁻²² lo²⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ siɔŋ²²/

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ lɔː²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

/pau⁴⁴⁻²² lo²⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ siɔŋ²²/


跋山涉水

ㄅㄚˊ ㄕㄢ ㄕㄜˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

ㄅㄚˊ ㄕㄢ ㄕㄜˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/pä³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚² saːn⁵⁵ siːp̚³ sɵy̯³⁵/

/puat̚⁴⁻³² san⁴⁴⁻²² siap̚⁴⁻³² sui⁵³/

/pä³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚² saːn⁵⁵ siːp̚³ sɵy̯³⁵/

/puat̚⁴⁻³² san⁴⁴⁻²² siap̚⁴⁻³² sui⁵³/

to travel afar under difficult conditions; to travel over land and water


白面書生

ㄅㄞˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄨ ㄕㄥ

ㄅㄞˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄨ ㄕㄥ

баймяньшушэн

/paɪ̯³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² miːn²² syː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/pɛiʔ⁵⁻²¹ mieŋ²⁴²⁽⁻²¹⁾ ^((t͡s-))ʒy⁵⁵ ⁽ˢ⁻⁾lɛiŋ⁵⁵/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² bin³³⁻²¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² bin³³⁻¹¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bin³³⁻²¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ bin³³⁻¹¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/paɪ̯³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² miːn²² syː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² bin³³⁻²¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² bin³³⁻¹¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bin³³⁻²¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ bin³³⁻¹¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

young scholar who is well-versed in academic theories but lacks real-life experience; young and inexperienced person without practical experience


遍體鱗傷

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄕㄤ

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄕㄤ

бяньтилиньшан

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɵn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰe⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ³³/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin¹³⁻²² siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lin²³⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɵn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰe⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ³³/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin¹³⁻²² siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lin²³⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

2004 December 9, Xu Wei, “曾經的你 [You in the Past]”, in 每一刻都是嶄新的 [Every Moment Is Completely New], performed by Xu Wei:

Love always made you eager and upset / It once made you seriously wounded

Àiqíng zǒng ràng nǐ kěwàng yòu gǎndào fánnǎo, Céng ràng nǐ biàntǐlínshāng

愛情總讓你渴望又感到煩惱 曾讓你遍體鱗傷

爱情总让你渴望又感到烦恼 曾让你遍体鳞伤

to be covered all over with cuts and bruises; to be seriously wounded


滄海桑田

ja-r

滄海桑田(そうかいそうでん) (sōkaisōden)

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (滄海桑田):
* → Japanese: 滄海桑田(そうかいそうでん) (sōkaisōden)
* → Korean: 창해상전(滄海桑田) (changhaesangjeon)
* → Vietnamese: thương hải tang điền (滄海桑田)

→ Vietnamese: bể dâu (calque)

ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ ㄙㄤ ㄊㄧㄢˊ

ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ ㄙㄤ ㄊㄧㄢˊ

цанхайсантянь

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn²¹/

/t͡sʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɛn²⁴/

/t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²³ hai⁵² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰaŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn²¹/

/t͡sʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɛn²⁴/

/t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²³ hai⁵² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰaŋ⁵⁵/

Originally 東海桑田／东海桑田 (literally “East China sea becoming mulberry fields”). From Shenxian Zhuan (神仙傳·麻姑)

zh-l

Magu said: "Since we met last time, I have seen the East China Sea turned into mulberry fields thrice. When I visited Penglai Island just now, I saw that the water was shallower than half of it was when we met. Is it going to turn into land again?"

Mágū zì shuō yún: “Jiēdài yǐlái, yǐ jiàn Dōnghǎi sān wèi sāngtián. Xiàng dào Pénglái, shuǐ yòu qiǎn yú wǎngzhě huì shí lüè bàn yě. Qǐ jiāng fùhái wèi líng lù hū.”

麻姑自說云：「接待以來，已見東海三為桑田。向到蓬萊，水又淺于往者會時略半也。豈將復還為陵陸乎。」

麻姑自说云：「接待以来，已见东海三为桑田。向到蓬莱，水又浅于往者会时略半也。岂将复还为陵陆乎。」

the vast sea (turned into) mulberry fields

time brings drastic changes to the world; the vicissitudes of life


大吉大利

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄧˋ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄧˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²² lei̯²²/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kit̚¹ tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ li⁵³/

/tai²²⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai²²⁻²¹ li²²/

/tai³³⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻²¹ li³³/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻¹¹ li³³/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ kik̚²⁻⁴ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ li³⁵/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²² lei̯²²/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kit̚¹ tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ li⁵³/

/tai²²⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai²²⁻²¹ li²²/

/tai³³⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻²¹ li³³/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻¹¹ li³³/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ kik̚²⁻⁴ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ li³⁵/


有空無榫

/u²² kʰaŋ³³ bo²⁴⁻²² sun⁵⁵⁴/

/u³³⁻¹¹ kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ sun⁵³/

/u³³⁻²¹ kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ sun⁴¹/

/u²²⁻²¹ kʰaŋ⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻²² sŋ̍⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ kʰaŋ⁴⁴ bo¹³⁻²² sŋ̍⁵³/

/u²² kʰaŋ³³ bo²⁴⁻²² sun⁵⁵⁴/

/u³³⁻¹¹ kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ sun⁵³/

/u³³⁻²¹ kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ sun⁴¹/

/u²²⁻²¹ kʰaŋ⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻²² sŋ̍⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ kʰaŋ⁴⁴ bo¹³⁻²² sŋ̍⁵³/

(Southern Min) crazy; bizarre; weird; fantastic; strange


有七無八

/u²² t͡sʰit̚⁵ bo²⁴⁻²² pueʔ⁵/

/u²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ bo²⁴⁻²² pueʔ³²/

/u²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁵ bo¹³⁻²² peʔ³²/

/u²² t͡sʰit̚⁵ bo²⁴⁻²² pueʔ⁵/

/u²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ bo²⁴⁻²² pueʔ³²/

/u²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁵ bo¹³⁻²² peʔ³²/

(Hokkien) at sixes and sevens; all sixes and nines; in a state of confusion; in a state of uncertainty; in a state of incompleteness; in a state of disorder; in an awful mess


引人入勝

ㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ

ㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ

иньжэньжушэн

inʹžɛnʹžušɛn

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jɐn²¹ jɐp̚² sɪŋ³³/

/in⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ zip̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jɐn²¹ jɐp̚² sɪŋ³³/

/in⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ zip̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹/

First attested in c. 440, in A New Account of the Tales of the World

Wang Hui [youngest son of Wang Dao] once said, "Alcohol is just the thing which naturally draws a man up and sets him in a transcendent place."

Liu Yiqing (editor), A New Account of the Tales of the World, 5ᵗʰ century CE

Wáng Wèijūn yún: jiǔ zhèngzì yǐnrén zhuó shèngdì.

王衛軍云：酒正自引人著勝地。

王卫军云：酒正自引人着胜地。

to be bewitching; attractive; spectacular

A New Account of the Tales of the World
Wang Dao


大街小巷

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ hɔːŋ²²/

/tua³³⁻¹¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua³³⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ sio⁵²⁻³⁵ haŋ¹¹/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ hɔːŋ²²/

/tua³³⁻¹¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua³³⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ sio⁵²⁻³⁵ haŋ¹¹/

high streets and back lanes; throughout the city


異曲同工

ㄧˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ

ㄧˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² kʰʊk̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/i²²⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻²² kʰiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³/

/i²²⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i³³⁻¹¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i³³⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² kʰʊk̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/i²²⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻²² kʰiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³/

/i²²⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i³³⁻¹¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i³³⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

First attested in the early 9th century, see 同工異曲／同工异曲 (tónggōngyìqǔ)

同工異曲／同工异曲 (tónggōngyìqǔ)

different approaches but equally satisfactory results


融會貫通

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄊㄨㄥ

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄊㄨㄥ

жунхуэйгуаньтун

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹ wuːi̯²² kuːn³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² hue²²⁻²¹ kuan²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hue³⁵⁻¹¹ kuaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tʰoŋ³³/

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹ wuːi̯²² kuːn³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² hue²²⁻²¹ kuan²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hue³⁵⁻¹¹ kuaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tʰoŋ³³/

to gain a thorough understanding of something by integrating knowledge from different areas


千篇一律

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄧ ㄌㄩˋ

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄧ ㄌㄩˋ

цяньпяньилюй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ lɵt̚²/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² pʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ lut̚⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ pʰiɛn³³ it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lut̚²⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² pʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁵ lut̚¹²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ pʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ lut̚⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ pʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ lut̚⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ lɵt̚²/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² pʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ lut̚⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ pʰiɛn³³ it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lut̚²⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ pʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ lut̚⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ pʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ lut̚⁴/


一落千丈

ㄧ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄤˋ

ㄧ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄤˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tŋ̍²²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lo(ʔ)²⁴⁻² t͡sʰiɛn³³ tŋ̍⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ lo(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tŋ̍²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tŋ̍²²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lo(ʔ)²⁴⁻² t͡sʰiɛn³³ tŋ̍⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍³³/

(figurative) to suffer a devastating decline; to decline drastically


一言既出，駟馬難追

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (一言既出，駟馬難追):
* → Vietnamese: nhất ngôn ký xuất, tứ mã nan truy (一言既出，駟馬難追)

ja-r

一言既に出ずれば駟馬も追い難し

いちごん すで に いずれば しば も おい がた し

→ Japanese: 一言既(いちごんすで)に出(い)ずれば駟馬(しば)も追(お)い難(がた)し (ichigon sude ni izureba shiba mo oi gata shi) (calque)

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄔㄨ

ㄙˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄟ

jat¹ jin⁴ gei³ ceot¹, si³ maa⁵ naan⁴ zeoi¹

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄔㄨ

ㄙˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄟ

сымананьчжуй

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

jat⁷ jin⁴ gei³ tsoet⁷, si³ maa⁵ naan⁴ dzoey¹

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ kei̯³³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ siː³³ maː¹³ naːn²¹ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴ ki¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰut̚³² su¹¹⁻⁵³ mã⁵³ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ tui⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²³ ki²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰut̚³² su²¹⁻⁴¹ mã⁴¹ lan²³⁻³³ tui⁴⁴/

Based on a passage in the Analects, Book 12 (《論語·顏淵》)

Zigong said: "How regrettable are your words about the superior person. A four-horse-team cannot overtake the tongue. …"

The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Zǐgòng yuē: “Xī hū! Fūzǐ zhī shuō jūnzǐ yě. Sì bùjí shé.......”

子貢曰：「惜乎！夫子之說君子也。駟不及舌。……」

子贡曰：「惜乎！夫子之说君子也。驷不及舌。……」

once said, a team of horses cannot unsay it

A word once spoken cannot be taken back; A promise must be kept


九霄雲外

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄩㄣˊ ㄨㄞˋ

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄩㄣˊ ㄨㄞˋ

цзюсяоюньвай

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ yn³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐu̯³⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ wɐn²¹ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siau⁴⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² ɡue²²/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ yn³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐu̯³⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ wɐn²¹ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siau⁴⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² ɡue²²/

He had long since thrown it to the highest heavens.

Tā zǎoyǐ bǎ zhè shì pāo dào jiǔxiāoyúnwài qù le.

他早已把這事抛到九霄雲外去了。

他早已把这事抛到九霄云外去了。


漸入佳境

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

цзяньжуцзяцзин

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siːm²² jɐp̚² kaːi̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/t͡siam³³⁻²¹ zip̚⁴⁻³² ka⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siːm²² jɐp̚² kaːi̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/t͡siam³³⁻²¹ zip̚⁴⁻³² ka⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴¹/

From an episode in the seventh-century history Book of Jin, concerning the famous painter Gu Kaizhi.

to start doing well; to be getting better


如法炮製

ㄖㄨˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄆㄠˊ ㄓˋ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄆㄠˊ ㄓˋ

/ʐu³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ faːt̚³ pʰaːu̯³³ t͡sɐi̯³³/

/zu²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ pʰau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²¹/

/zi²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ pʰau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²¹/

/ʐu³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ faːt̚³ pʰaːu̯³³ t͡sɐi̯³³/

/zu²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ pʰau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²¹/

/zi²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ pʰau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²¹/


適可而止

ㄕˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄦˊ ㄓˇ

ㄕˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄦˊ ㄓˇ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː³⁵/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁵³/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁵³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː³⁵/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁵³/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁵³/

to stop when appropriate; not to overdo; enough is enough


大失所望

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄤˋ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄤˋ

/tä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐt̚⁵ sɔː³⁵ mɔːŋ²²/

/tai²²⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ²²/

/tai⁴¹⁻²² sit̚⁵⁻²⁴ sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bɔŋ⁴¹/

/tai²²⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁵ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ²²/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³/

/tai³³⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³/

/tä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐt̚⁵ sɔː³⁵ mɔːŋ²²/

/tai²²⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ²²/

/tai⁴¹⁻²² sit̚⁵⁻²⁴ sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bɔŋ⁴¹/

/tai²²⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁵ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ²²/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³/

/tai³³⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³/


萬眾一心

→ Bouyei: wanqzungqyifxiny

ㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

ㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

ваньчжунъисинь

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/maːn²² t͡sʊŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/ban²²⁻²¹ t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/maːn²² t͡sʊŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/ban²²⁻²¹ t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴/

1935, “義勇軍進行曲 [Yìyǒngjūn Jìnxíngqǔ]”, 田漢 (lyrics), performed by 聶耳:

Wǒmen wànzhòngyīxīn, mào zhù dírén de pàohuǒ, qiánjìn!

We are united as one, face the enemy's fire, march on!

我們萬眾一心，冒著敵人的炮火，前進！

我们万众一心，冒著敌人的炮火，前进！


大言不慚

ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄢˊ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄢˊ

/tä⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵/

/tai²²⁻²¹ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰan²⁴/

/tai⁴¹⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sʰan²⁴/

/tai²²⁻²¹ ɡiɛn¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sʰan¹³/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰan²⁴/

/tai³³⁻²¹ ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰan²³/

/tä⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵/

/tai²²⁻²¹ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰan²⁴/

/tai⁴¹⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sʰan²⁴/

/tai²²⁻²¹ ɡiɛn¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sʰan¹³/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰan²⁴/

/tai³³⁻²¹ ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰan²³/


九死一生

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄙˇ ㄧ ㄕㄥ

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄙˇ ㄧ ㄕㄥ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ sei̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/kiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ su⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ sei̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/kiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ su⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

As if with a snap of fingers
Past are thirty-eight years;
Oh, how the human world changes its gown
As heaven and sea are upside down!
Remember still the war fires neigh
And narrow escapes from death on our way
Happen as if it were yesterday.
(Translated by Gu Zhengkun)

1965 May, first published in Selected Poems of Mao Zedong (People's Literature Publishing House, Sept. 1986),《念奴嬌•井岡山》(To the tune of Charm of Maiden Niannu: Jinggangshan)

Tánzhǐ sānshíbā nián, rénjiān biàn le, sì tiānyuān dìfù. Yóu jì dāngshí fēnghuǒ lǐ, jiǔsǐyīshēng rú zuó.

彈指三十八年，人間變了，似天淵地覆。猶記當時烽火里，九死一生如昨。

弹指三十八年，人间变了，似天渊地覆。犹记当时烽火里，九死一生如昨。


臨渴掘井

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (臨渴掘井):
* → Japanese: 臨(りん)渇(かつ)掘(くっ)井(せい) (rinkatsukussei)
* → Korean: 임갈굴정(臨渴掘井) (imgalguljeong)
* → Vietnamese: lâm khát quật tỉnh (臨渴掘井)

ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

линькэцзюэцзин

/lin³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐm²¹ hɔːt̚³ kʷɐt̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/lim²⁴⁻²² kʰat̚³²⁻⁴ kut̚⁴⁻³² t͡sĩ⁵³/

/lim²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰat̚³²⁻⁴ kut̚⁴⁻³² t͡siɪŋ⁵³/

/lim²³⁻³³ kʰat̚³²⁻⁴ kut̚⁴⁻³² t͡siɪŋ⁴¹/

/lɐm²¹ hɔːt̚³ kʷɐt̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/lim²⁴⁻²² kʰat̚³²⁻⁴ kut̚⁴⁻³² t͡sĩ⁵³/

/lim²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰat̚³²⁻⁴ kut̚⁴⁻³² t͡siɪŋ⁵³/

/lim²³⁻³³ kʰat̚³²⁻⁴ kut̚⁴⁻³² t͡siɪŋ⁴¹/

To ask the way after drowning and to ask for directions after getting lost is like, for example, quickly making weapons when facing a disaster or quickly digging a well when choking; though fast, it is too late.

Annals of Master Yan, c. 3ʳᵈ century BCE

Nì érhòu wèn suì, mí érhòu wèn lù, pì zhī yóu línnàn ér jù zhùbīng, lín yē ér jù juéjǐng, suī sù yì wú jí yǐ.

溺而後問隊，迷而後問路，譬之猶臨難而遽鑄兵，臨噎而遽掘井，雖速亦無及已。

溺而后问队，迷而后问路，譬之犹临难而遽铸兵，临噎而遽掘井，虽速亦无及已。

One should, when it is not yet raining, bind tightly the window. One should not wait until one is thirsty to dig a well.
i.e. One should prepare before it is too late.

Zhu Yongchun, Zhu Zi's Family Maxims, 17ᵗʰ century CE

Yí wèi yǔ ér chóumóu, wú lín kě ér jué jǐng.

宜未雨而綢繆，毋臨渴而掘井。

宜未雨而绸缪，毋临渴而掘井。

(figurative) to fail to make a timely preparation and look for a solution at the last minute


有備無患

Sino-Xenic (有備無患):
* → Japanese: 有(ゆう)備(び)無(む)患(かん) (yūbimukan)
* → Korean: 유비무환(有備無患) (yubimuhwan)

ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄟˋ ㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄟˋ ㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ pei̯²² mou̯²¹ waːn²²/

/i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ pʰi⁵⁵ vu¹¹ fam⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi²²⁻²¹ bu²⁴⁻²² huan²²/

/iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pi⁴¹⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² huan⁴¹/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi²²⁻²¹ bu¹³⁻²² huan²²/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi³³⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ huan³³/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pi³³⁻²¹ bu²³⁻³³ huan³³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ pei̯²² mou̯²¹ waːn²²/

/i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ pʰi⁵⁵ vu¹¹ fam⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi²²⁻²¹ bu²⁴⁻²² huan²²/

/iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pi⁴¹⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² huan⁴¹/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi²²⁻²¹ bu¹³⁻²² huan²²/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi³³⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ huan³³/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pi³³⁻²¹ bu²³⁻³³ huan³³/

to be prepared against adverse events; just in case