力有未逮

ㄌㄧˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄨㄟˋ ㄉㄞˋ

/li⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/lɪk̚² jɐu̯¹³ mei̯²² tɐi̯²²/

/li⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/lɪk̚² jɐu̯¹³ mei̯²² tɐi̯²²/


喜氣洋洋

ㄒㄧˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/hei̯³⁵ hei̯³³ jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/hei̯³⁵ hei̯³³ jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/


人貴自知

ㄖㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄗˋ ㄓ

жэнь гуй цзычжи

/ʐən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kʷɐi̯³³ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kʷɐi̯³³ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵/


永無寧日

ㄩㄥˇ ㄨˊ ㄋㄧㄥˊ ㄖˋ

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ niŋ³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ nɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚²/

/iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ zit̚⁴/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ niŋ³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ nɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚²/

/iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ zit̚⁴/

to never have a peaceful day; to always be in turmoil or disorder


指點江山

ㄓˇ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄕㄢ

чжидяньцзяншань

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ tiːm³⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ tiːm³⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/


止戈為武

ㄓˇ ㄍㄜ ㄨㄟˊ ㄨˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː³⁵ kʷɔː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mou̯¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː³⁵ kʷɔː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mou̯¹³/

From the analysis of the character 武 as being composed of 止 (“to stop”) and 戈 (“war”) in Zuozhuan:
:
潘黨曰：「君盍築武軍，而收晉尸以為京觀，臣聞克敵，必示子孫，以無忘武功。」楚子曰：「非爾所知也，夫文，止戈為武。武王克商，作頌曰：『載戢干戈，載櫜弓矢，我求懿德，肆于時夏，允王保之。』」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]潘党曰：「君盍筑武军，而收晋尸以为京观，臣闻克敌，必示子孙，以无忘武功。」楚子曰：「非尔所知也，夫文，止戈为武。武王克商，作颂曰：『载戢干戈，载櫜弓矢，我求懿德，肆于时夏，允王保之。』」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Pān Dǎng yuē: “Jūn hé zhù wǔjūn, ér shōu Jìn shī yǐwèi jīngguān, chén wén kè dí, bì shì zǐsūn, yǐ wú wàng wǔgōng.” Chǔ zǐ yuē: “Fēi ěr suǒ zhī yě, fú wén, zhǐgēwéiwǔ. Wǔwáng kè Shāng, zuò sòng yuē: ‘Zǎi jí gāngē, zǎi gāo gōngshǐ, wǒ qiú yìdé, sì yú shí xià, yǔn wáng bǎo zhī.’” [Pinyin]
Pan Dang said to him, 'Why should your lordship not signalize your triumph by making a mound, and collect in it the bodies of the Jinites so as to form a grand monument? I have heard that successful battles should be shown to posterity, so that the prowess of them may not be forgotten." The viscount said, "You do not know what you are talking about. The character for 'prowess' is formed by those for 'to stay' and 'a spear'. When king Wu had subdued Shang, he made the ode, which says, 'He has called in shields and spears; He has returned to their cases bows and arrows. I will seek true virtue, and display it throughout the great land, that as king I may indeed preserve our appointment.'"

zh-x

^潘 ^黨 曰：「君 盍 築 武軍，而 收 ^晉 尸 以為 京觀，臣 聞 克 敵，必 示 子孫，以 無 忘 武功。」^楚 子 曰：「非 爾 所 知 也，夫{fú} 文，止戈為{wéi}武。^武王 克 ^商，作 頌 曰：『載 戢 干戈，載 櫜{gāo} 弓矢，我 求 懿德，肆 于 時 夏，允 王 保 之。』」

to end a war is the true military accomplishment


汰舊換新

ㄊㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

тайцзюхуаньсинь

/tʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/tʰaːi̯³³ kɐu̯²² wuːn²² sɐn⁵⁵/

/tʰaːi̯³³ kɐu̯²² wuːn²² sɐn⁵⁵/

to eliminate the old and replace them with the new


休戚與共

ㄒㄧㄡ ㄑㄧ ㄩˇ ㄍㄨㄥˋ

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ jyː¹³ kʊŋ²²/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ jyː¹³ kʊŋ²²/

to be closely connected and share joys and sorrows


歧路亡羊

ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄨㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ lu⁵¹ wɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ lou̯²² mɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ lu⁵¹ wɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ lou̯²² mɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

to become lost in a complex situation; to go astray


興師動眾

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄕ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

синшидунчжун

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² t͡sʊŋ³³/


過街老鼠

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄨˇ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɔː³³ kaːi̯⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ syː³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ kaːi̯⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ syː³⁵/

From 過街老鼠——人人喊打／过街老鼠——人人喊打 (guòjiē lǎoshǔ, rénrén hǎn dǎ).


遠走高飛

to run far away like a beast and fly high like a bird

ㄩㄢˇ ㄗㄡˇ ㄍㄠ ㄈㄟ

юаньцзоугаофэй

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jyːn¹³ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ko⁴⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ko⁴⁴⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jyːn¹³ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ko⁴⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ko⁴⁴⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

1989, Cui Jian (lyrics and music), “假行僧 [Fake Monk]”, in 新長征路上的搖滾 [Rock 'n' Roll on the New Long March], performed by Cui Jian:
要愛上我你就別怕後悔 總有一天我要遠走高飛 我不想留在一個地方 也不願有人跟隨 [MSC, trad.]
要爱上我你就别怕后悔 总有一天我要远走高飞 我不想留在一个地方 也不愿有人跟随 [MSC, simp.]

Don't be afraid of being regretful if you fall in love with me / I'll leave here for very faraway places one fine day / I'm unwilling to stay at one place / I'm unwilling to be followed by anyone too

Yào àishàng wǒ nǐ jiù biépà hòuhuǐ, Zǒng yǒu yītiān wǒ yào yuǎnzǒugāofēi, Wǒ bùxiǎng liú zài yīge dìfang, Yě bùyuàn yǒurén gēnsuí [Pinyin]

2011, Chan Ya-wen (lyrics and music), “欠情歌”, in 山伯英台, performed by Chan Ya-wen:
遠走高飛趕向前途 委屈要躲躲無路 [Taiwanese Hokkien, trad.]
远走高飞赶向前途 委屈要躲躲无路 [Taiwanese Hokkien, simp.]
[I] leave for a very faraway place, rushing towards prospects; [I] feel aggrieved, want to hide, but there's no way to hide

oán-cháu-ko-hui kóaⁿ hiòng chiân-tô͘, úi-khut beh bih bih bô-lō͘ [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]

to leave somewhere for a very faraway place (in order to escape)


環環相扣

ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄎㄡˋ

хуаньхуаньсянкоу

/xu̯än³⁵ xu̯än³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/waːn²¹ waːn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯³³/

/xu̯än³⁵ xu̯än³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/waːn²¹ waːn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯³³/

(of many things) to be closely connected


舞文弄墨

to dance around with words and play with ink

ㄨˇ ㄨㄣˊ ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄇㄛˋ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ nʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/mou̯¹³ mɐn²¹ lʊŋ²² mɐk̚²/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ nʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/mou̯¹³ mɐn²¹ lʊŋ²² mɐk̚²/

to show off one's literary skills; to be playful with language and words (in writing); to juggle with words


另眼相看

ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄧㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄎㄢˋ

линъяньсянкань

/liŋ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰän⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²² ŋaːn¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːn⁵⁵/

/lɪŋ²² ŋaːn¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːn³³/

/liŋ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰän⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²² ŋaːn¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːn⁵⁵/

/lɪŋ²² ŋaːn¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːn³³/

see someone in a new light
see someone in a new light

to see someone in a new light; to view someone differently


靜觀其變

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄑㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

цзингуаньцибянь

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² kuːn⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ piːn³³/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² kuːn⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ piːn³³/

see which way the cat jumps
see which way the cat jumps

wait and see; see which way the cat jumps; to delay taking action based on the outcome of something else.


風雲變幻

ㄈㄥ ㄩㄣˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

фэнъюньбяньхуань

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹ piːn³³ waːn²²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹ piːn³³ waːn²²/

changeable situation; volatile situation


暴露無遺

ㄆㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄧˊ

/pʰu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ u³⁵ i³⁵/

/pou̯²² lou̯²² mou̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/pʰu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ u³⁵ i³⁵/

/pou̯²² lou̯²² mou̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

to be completely exposed; to come out into the open


議論紛紛

ㄧˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄈㄣ ㄈㄣ

илуньфэньфэнь

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/jiː¹³ lɵn²² fɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/jiː¹³ lɵn²² fɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/


蹉跎歲月

ㄘㄨㄛ ㄊㄨㄛˊ ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄩㄝˋ

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵ tʰɔː²¹ sɵy̯³³ jyːt̚²/

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵ tʰɔː²¹ sɵy̯³³ jyːt̚²/

to idle away one's time; to waste one's time; to allow time to slip away


大起大落

ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³⁵ taːi̯²² lɔːk̚²/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³⁵ taːi̯²² lɔːk̚²/

to go through the ups and downs of rapid change


搓手頓腳

to wring one's hands and stamp one's feet

ㄘㄨㄛ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

цошоудуньцзяо

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ən⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ tɵn²² kœːk̚³/

/t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ tɵn²² kœːk̚³/


摧枯拉朽

crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood

ㄘㄨㄟ ㄎㄨ ㄌㄚ ㄒㄧㄡˇ

/t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kʰu⁵⁵ lä⁵⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ laːi̯⁵⁵ nɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ laːi̯⁵⁵ nɐu̯³⁵/


一言蔽之

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/


馬不停蹄

ㄇㄚˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄧˊ

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tʰiŋ³⁵ tʰi³⁵/

/maː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ tʰɪŋ²¹ tʰɐi̯²¹/

/mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² te²⁴/

/mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ tʰiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² te²⁴/

/mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁵ tʰiɪŋ¹³⁻²² te¹³/

/mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ te²⁴/

/mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɪŋ²³⁻³³ te²³/

/be⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ tʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ toi⁵⁵/

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tʰiŋ³⁵ tʰi³⁵/

/maː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ tʰɪŋ²¹ tʰɐi̯²¹/

/mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² te²⁴/

/mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ tʰiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² te²⁴/

/mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁵ tʰiɪŋ¹³⁻²² te¹³/

/mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ te²⁴/

/mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɪŋ²³⁻³³ te²³/

/be⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ tʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ toi⁵⁵/


風雲人物

ㄈㄥ ㄩㄣˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨˋ

фэнъюньжэньу

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵ ʐən³⁵ u⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹ jɐn²¹ mɐt̚²⁻³⁵/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³⁻³³ zin²³⁻³³ but̚⁴/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵ ʐən³⁵ u⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹ jɐn²¹ mɐt̚²⁻³⁵/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³⁻³³ zin²³⁻³³ but̚⁴/

heroic figure; famed personage; man of the hour


男盜女娼

ㄋㄢˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄋㄩˇ ㄔㄤ

наньдаонюйчан

/nän³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/naːm²¹ tou̯²² nɵy̯¹³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/nän³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/naːm²¹ tou̯²² nɵy̯¹³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/


風生水起

ㄈㄥ ㄕㄥ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄑㄧˇ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵/


起死回生

ㄑㄧˇ ㄙˇ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄕㄥ

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/hei̯³⁵ sei̯³⁵ wuːi̯²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/hei̯³⁵ sei̯³⁵ wuːi̯²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

相公一片热肠救你，那指望报答？但愿你此去，改行从善，莫负相公起死回生之德！ [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: 1627, Feng Menglong, 醒世恆言 (Stories to Awaken the World)
Xiànggōng yīpiàn rècháng jiù nǐ, nǎ zhǐwàng bàodá? Dànyuàn nǐ cǐ qù, gǎixíng cóngshàn, mò fù xiànggōng qǐsǐhuíshēng zhī dé! [Pinyin]

相公一片熱腸救你，那指望報答？但願你此去，改行從善，莫負相公起死回生之德！ [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]

(please add an English translation of this quotation)

(chiefly of a medical doctor) to bring the dying back to life; to turn around a hopeless situation


以眼還眼

ㄧˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄧㄢˇ

ияньхуаньянь

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː¹³ ŋaːn¹³ waːn²¹ ŋaːn¹³/

/jiː¹³ ŋaːn¹³ waːn²¹ ŋaːn¹³/

From the Chinese translation of the biblical phrase "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" (以眼還眼，以牙還牙／以眼还眼，以牙还牙 (yǐyǎnhuányǎn, yǐyáhuányá)).


招搖過市

ㄓㄠ ㄧㄠˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ kʷɔː³³ siː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ kʷɔː³³ siː¹³/

居衛月餘，靈公與夫人同車，宦者雍渠參乘。出，使孔子為次乘，招搖市過之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]居卫月余，灵公与夫人同车，宦者雍渠参乘。出，使孔子为次乘，招摇市过之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Jū Wèi yuè yú, Línggōng yǔ fūrén tóngchē, huànzhě Yōngqú cānshèng. Chū, shǐ Kǒngzǐ wéi cìshèng, zhāoyáo shì guò zhī. [Pinyin]
One day, not long after the first month of Confucius's stay in Wey, Duke Ling and the Lady went out with the eunuch Yongqu joining them in their personal carriage. They ordered Confucius to follow them in another carriage as entourage, and paraded through the busy market streets.

zh-x

居 ^衛 月 餘，^靈-公 與 夫人 同-車，宦者 ^雍-渠 參-乘{shèng}。出，使 ^孔子 為{wéi} 次-乘{shèng}，招搖 市 過 之。

to act ostentatiously in public; to flaunt one's scandals


貫徹始終

ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄔㄜˋ ㄕˇ ㄓㄨㄥ

гуаньчэшичжун

/ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kuːn³³ t͡sʰiːt̚³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kon⁵⁵ t͡sʰat̚⁵ sɨ³¹ t͡suŋ²⁴/

/kuan²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/kuan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰiɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ si⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡siɔŋ³³/

/kuan²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁵ si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/kuan¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/kuan²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ si⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kuːn³³ t͡sʰiːt̚³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kon⁵⁵ t͡sʰat̚⁵ sɨ³¹ t͡suŋ²⁴/

/kuan²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/kuan²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁵ si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/kuan¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/kuan²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ si⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

to follow through; to carry through to the end


痴心妄想

ㄔ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

чисиньвансян

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ sœːŋ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ sœːŋ³⁵/

to obsessively fantasize about something that cannot come true


裨補闕漏

ㄅㄧˋ ㄅㄨˇ ㄑㄩㄝ ㄌㄡˋ

/pi⁵¹ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ loʊ̯⁵¹/

/pei̯⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ kʰyːt̚³ lɐu̯²²/

/pi⁵¹ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ loʊ̯⁵¹/

/pei̯⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ kʰyːt̚³ lɐu̯²²/


宋襄之仁

ㄙㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄓ ㄖㄣˊ

сунсянчжижэнь

/sʊŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/sʊŋ³³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/sʊŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/sʊŋ³³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

From the story of the Battle of Hongshui between the state of Song and Chu in 638 BCE, in which Duke Xiang of Song, in order to display his benevolence, waited for the Chu army to fully cross the river and rearrange itself into a battle formation before attacking it, leading to the thorough defeat of the Song army.

the ridiculous act of showing benevolence towards one's enemy

Chu (state)
Duke Xiang of Song
Song (state)


尸祿素餐

ㄕ ㄌㄨˋ ㄙㄨˋ ㄘㄢ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ lʊk̚² sou̯³³ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ lʊk̚² sou̯³³ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵/

尸位素餐 尸位素餐#Chinese

(derogatory or humble) Synonym of 尸位素餐 (shīwèisùcān)


尸利素餐

ㄕ ㄌㄧˋ ㄙㄨˋ ㄘㄢ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ lei̯²² sou̯³³ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ lei̯²² sou̯³³ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵/

尸位素餐 尸位素餐#Chinese


挨生挨死

/ŋaːi̯²¹ saːŋ⁵⁵ ŋaːi̯²¹ sei̯³⁵/

/ai̯²⁴⁻¹¹ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ai̯²⁴ si³¹/

/ŋaːi̯²¹ saːŋ⁵⁵ ŋaːi̯²¹ sei̯³⁵/

/ai̯²⁴⁻¹¹ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ai̯²⁴ si³¹/

(Cantonese, Hakka) to drag out an ignoble existence; to endure hardships; to live a hard life and work very hard


悻悻而去

ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄦˇ ㄑㄩˋ

синсинъэрцюй

/ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²² hɐŋ²² jiː²¹ hɵy̯³³/

/ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²² hɐŋ²² jiː²¹ hɵy̯³³/


返魂乏術

ㄈㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄈㄚˊ ㄕㄨˋ

фаньхуньфашу

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ən³⁵ fä³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/faːn³⁵ wɐn²¹ fɐt̚² sɵt̚²/

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ən³⁵ fä³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/faːn³⁵ wɐn²¹ fɐt̚² sɵt̚²/


故態復萌

ㄍㄨˋ ㄊㄞˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄇㄥˊ

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ mɤŋ³⁵/

/kuː³³ tʰaːi̯³³ fʊk̚² mɐŋ²¹/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ mɤŋ³⁵/

/kuː³³ tʰaːi̯³³ fʊk̚² mɐŋ²¹/

to return to one's old bad habits; to relapse into a former undesirable state


絕子絕孫

ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄗˇ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄙㄨㄣ

цзюэцзыцзюэсунь

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ su̯ən⁵⁵/

你故意淹死了兩千二百個小工，每一個小工的性命你扣三百塊錢！姓周的，你發的是絕子絕孫的昧心財！你現在還—— [MSC, trad.]
你故意淹死了两千二百个小工，每一个小工的性命你扣三百块钱！姓周的，你发的是绝子绝孙的昧心财！你现在还—— [MSC, simp.]
Nǐ gùyì yānsǐ le liǎng qiān èr bǎi ge xiǎogōng, měi yīge xiǎogōng de xìngmìng nǐ kòu sān bǎi kuài qián! Xìng Zhōu de, nǐ fā de shì juézǐjuésūn de mèixīncái! Nǐ xiànzài hái — [Pinyin]

(often as a curse) to have no descendants


紅杏出牆

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄔㄨ ㄑㄧㄤˊ

/xʊŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ hɐŋ²² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/xʊŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ hɐŋ²² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

(of a wife) to have an affair; to cheat on her husband


爐火純青

ㄌㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄔㄨㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥ

/lu³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/lou̯²¹ fɔː³⁵ sɵn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/lu³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/lou̯²¹ fɔː³⁵ sɵn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

to have reached high perfection or complete mastery


拋妻棄子

ㄆㄠ ㄑㄧ ㄑㄧˋ ㄗˇ

/pʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰaːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ hei̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/pʰaːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ hei̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/


重整旗鼓

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄥˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨˇ

чунчжэн цигу

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sɪŋ³⁵ kʰei̯²¹ kuː³⁵/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sĩã⁵²⁻³⁵ ki⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kou⁵²/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sɪŋ³⁵ kʰei̯²¹ kuː³⁵/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sĩã⁵²⁻³⁵ ki⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kou⁵²/

to rally one's forces (after a defeat); to begin all over again


懲一儆百

ㄔㄥˊ ㄧ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄅㄞˇ

чэнъи цзинбай

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ paːk̚³/

/tʰeŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² keŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ peʔ²/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ paːk̚³/

/tʰeŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² keŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ peʔ²/


厚古薄今

ㄏㄡˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄅㄛˊ ㄐㄧㄣ

хоугубоцзинь

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯¹³ kuː³⁵ pɔːk̚² kɐm⁵⁵/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯¹³ kuː³⁵ pɔːk̚² kɐm⁵⁵/

to set great store by the past but look down on the present


謙沖自牧

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄗˋ ㄇㄨˋ

цяньчунцзыму

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/hiːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mʊk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/hiːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mʊk̚²/

using humility in practicing self-cultivation


喪權辱國

ㄙㄤˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄖㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

ㄙㄤˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

санцюаньжуго

/sɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ kʰyːn²¹ jʊk̚² kʷɔːk̚³/

/sɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ kʰyːn²¹ jʊk̚² kʷɔːk̚³/

to cause the country to lose its sovereignty and be humiliated


四鄰八舍

ㄙˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄅㄚ ㄕㄜˋ

/sz̩⁵¹ lin³⁵ pä⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/sei̯³³ lɵn²¹ paːt̚³ sɛː³³/

/si⁴⁵ lin¹³ pa̠²⁴ ʂɤ̞⁴⁵/

/ɕi⁴⁵ lin¹³ pa̠²⁴ sɤ̞⁴⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ lin³⁵ pä⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/sei̯³³ lɵn²¹ paːt̚³ sɛː³³/

/si⁴⁵ lin¹³ pa̠²⁴ ʂɤ̞⁴⁵/

/ɕi⁴⁵ lin¹³ pa̠²⁴ sɤ̞⁴⁵/

all the neighbors; the neighbors all around


生靈塗炭

ㄕㄥ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄨˊ ㄊㄢˋ

шэнлинтутань

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ liŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ tʰän⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lɪŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ tʰaːn³³/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ liŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ tʰän⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lɪŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ tʰaːn³³/

the people are living in extreme suffering and misery


和衷共濟

ㄏㄜˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄧˋ

хэчжунгунцзи

/xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/wɔː²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ²² t͡sɐi̯³³/

/xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/wɔː²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ²² t͡sɐi̯³³/

同志們！在今天的大會上，我還要代表黨中央和國務院，號召全黨全軍全國各族人民，和衷共濟，團結一致，立即行動起來，在各自的崗位上為制止動亂和穩定局勢做出貢獻。 [MSC, trad.]
同志们！在今天的大会上，我还要代表党中央和国务院，号召全党全军全国各族人民，和衷共济，团结一致，立即行动起来，在各自的岗位上为制止动乱和稳定局势做出贡献。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1989 May 19, 李鹏 (Li Peng), 在首都党政军干部大会上李鹏同志的讲话 [Speech by Comrade Li Peng at the Conference of Party, Government and Military Cadres in the Capital], on 中华人民共和国国务院公报 1989年第9号

Comrades! At today's conference, I also want to represent the Party Central Committee and the State Council to call on the whole Party, the whole Army and the people of all ethnic groups in the whole country to work together to overcome the difficulties, unite and act immediately, and contribute to stopping the turmoil and stabilizing the situation in their respective positions.

Tóngzhì men! Zài jīntiān de dàhuì shàng, wǒ hái yào dàibiǎo dǎngzhōngyāng hé Guówùyuàn, hàozhào quándǎng quánjūn quánguó gè zú rénmín, hézhōnggòngjì, tuánjié yīzhì, lìjí xíngdòng qǐlái, zài gèzì de gǎngwèi shàng wèi zhìzhǐ dòngluàn hé wěndìng júshì zuòchū gòngxiàn. [Pinyin]

to work together to overcome difficulties


看風使舵

ㄎㄢˋ ㄈㄥ ㄕˇ ㄉㄨㄛˋ

/kʰän⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/hɔːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³⁵ tʰɔː²¹/

/kʰän⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/hɔːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³⁵ tʰɔː²¹/

to bend with the wind; to change one's position, attitude, behaviour, etc. depending on the situation (usually with negative connotation)


見風轉舵

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄈㄥ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄉㄨㄛˋ

цзяньфэнчжуаньдо

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ tʰɔː²¹/

/kiːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡syːn³³ tʰɔː²¹/

/t͡ɕiɛn³⁵ fuŋ⁴² t͡sɵn²¹³⁻²⁴ tʰo¹¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ tʰɔː²¹/

/kiːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡syːn³³ tʰɔː²¹/

/t͡ɕiɛn³⁵ fuŋ⁴² t͡sɵn²¹³⁻²⁴ tʰo¹¹/

to bend with the wind; to change one's position, attitude, behaviour, etc. depending on the situation


橫行霸道

ㄏㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄚˋ ㄉㄠˋ

/xɤŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ hɐŋ²¹ paː³³ tou̯²²/

/ɦuɑ̃²² ɦin⁵⁵ po³³ dɔ²¹/

/xɤŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ hɐŋ²¹ paː³³ tou̯²²/

/ɦuɑ̃²² ɦin⁵⁵ po³³ dɔ²¹/

to act in a fierce, domineering and unreasonable way


胡作非為

ㄏㄨˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄟ ㄨㄟˊ

/xu³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/wuː²¹ t͡sɔːk̚³ fei̯⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hui⁴⁴⁻³³ ui²⁴/

/hɔ²³⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hui⁴⁴⁻³³ ui²³/

/hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sak̚² hui³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵/

/xu³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/wuː²¹ t͡sɔːk̚³ fei̯⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hui⁴⁴⁻³³ ui²⁴/

/hɔ²³⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hui⁴⁴⁻³³ ui²³/

/hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sak̚² hui³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵/

你我既然要成全這個女孩兒，豈有由他胡作非為、身入空門之理？ [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
你我既然要成全这个女孩儿，岂有由他胡作非为、身入空门之理？ [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: Wenkang, Ernü Yingxiongzhuan, 1878 CE

Nǐwǒ jìrán yào chéngquán zhège nǚhái'ér, qǐ yǒu yóu tā húzuòfēiwèi, shēn rù kōngmén zhī lǐ? [Pinyin]

委的沒有賭博，小的是經過老爺教訓過的，再不敢胡作非為。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
委的没有赌博，小的是经过老爷教训过的，再不敢胡作非为。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: 《歧路燈》第六五回

Wěide méiyǒu dǔbó, xiǎode shì jīngguò lǎoyé jiàoxùn guò de, zài bùgǎn húzuòfēiwèi. [Pinyin]

to disregard rules and do evil as one pleases; to act wildly in defiance or public opinion or the law


同生共死

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄥ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄙˇ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ²² sei̯³⁵/


天作之合

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓ ㄏㄜˊ

тяньцзочжихэ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɐp̚²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

/tʰiɛn³³ t͡sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡si³³ hap̚²⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁵ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚¹²¹/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɐp̚²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

/tʰiɛn³³ t͡sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡si³³ hap̚²⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 236 (《詩經·大雅·大明》):
:
天監在下，有命既集。
文王初載，天作之合。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]天监在下，有命既集。
文王初载，天作之合。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Tiān jiān zàixià, yǒu mìng jì jí.
Wénwáng chū zǎi, tiān zuò zhī hé. [Pinyin]
Heaven surveyed this lower world; And its appointment lighted [on king Wen].
In his early years, It made for him a mate.

lang

(《詩經·大雅·大明》)

(《詩經·大雅·大明》)

zh-x

天 監 在下，有 命 既 集。
^文王 初 載，天.作.之.合。

Heaven surveyed this lower world; And its appointment lighted 􂀿on king Wen􂁀.
In his early years, It made for him a mate.

heaven-made match; a match made in heaven


十年八載

ㄕˊ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄚ ㄗㄞˇ

шиняньбацзай

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐp̚² niːn²¹ paːt̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐp̚² niːn²¹ paːt̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

(chiefly Cantonese) about ten years; many years


缺一不可

ㄑㄩㄝ ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ 不ke²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰyːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ 不ke²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰyːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵/

not a single one is dispensable; none can be absent


行差踏錯

/haːŋ²¹ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ taːp̚² t͡sʰɔː³³/

/haːŋ²¹ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ taːp̚² t͡sʰɔː³³/

(Cantonese) to fall into the wrong path (in life); to go astray


蛇鼠一窩

ㄕㄜˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄧ ㄨㄛ

/ʂɤ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wɔ⁵⁵/

/sɛː²¹ syː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ wɔː⁵⁵/

/ʂɤ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wɔ⁵⁵/

/sɛː²¹ syː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ wɔː⁵⁵/

(of bad people) to be working together; to be acting in collusion with one another


插科打諢

(of anactor of traditional Chinese opera) to make people laugh through actions and jokes (during a performance)

ㄔㄚ ㄎㄜ ㄉㄚˇ ㄏㄨㄣˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːp̚³ fɔː⁵⁵ taː³⁵ wɐn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːp̚³ fɔː⁵⁵ taː³⁵ wɐn²²/

左冷禪籌劃這一場五嶽並派，原擬辦得莊嚴隆重，好教天下英雄齊生敬畏之心，不料斜刺里鑽了這六個憊懶家伙出來，插科打諢，將一個盛大的典禮搞得好似一場兒戲 [MSC, trad.]
左冷禅筹划这一场五岳并派，原拟办得庄严隆重，好教天下英雄齐生敬畏之心，不料斜刺里钻了这六个惫懒家伙出来，插科打诨，将一个盛大的典礼搞得好似一场儿戏 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1969 October 12, Jin Yong, The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, chapter 32

Zuo Lengchan originally designed this ceremony for a combination of the Five Mountain Sword Sects as a solemn and grand one which could make all the warriors in China revere it. Six naughty guys who suddenly appeared, however, made a ceremony which should be grand look like a trivial one by jesting and teasing […]

Zuǒ Lěngchán chóuhuà zhè yīchǎng wǔyuè bìngpài, yuán nǐ bànde zhuāngyán lóngzhòng, hǎo jiào tiānxià yīngxióng qí shēng jìngwèi zhī xīn, bùliào xiécìlǐ zuànle zhè liùgè bèilǎn jiāhuo chūlái, chākēdǎhùn, jiāng yīgè shèngdà de diǎnlǐ gǎode hǎosì yīchǎng érxì [Pinyin]

to jest; to joke; to tell a joke; to crack a joke; to wisecrack


徒勞無功

ㄊㄨˊ ㄌㄠˊ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄥ

/tʰu³⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ lou̯²¹ mou̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰu³⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ lou̯²¹ mou̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

to make a futile effort; to work fruitlessly


龍陽之好

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄤˊ ㄓ ㄏㄠˋ

лунъянчжихао

/lʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ hou̯³³/

/lʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ hou̯³³/


龍陽之癖

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄤˊ ㄓ ㄆㄧˇ

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄤˊ ㄓ ㄆㄧˋ

/lʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵/

/lʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵/


駁嘴駁舌

/pɔːk̚³ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ pɔːk̚³ siːt̚³/

/pɔːk̚³ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ pɔːk̚³ siːt̚²/

/pɔːk̚³ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ pɔːk̚³ siːt̚³/

/pɔːk̚³ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ pɔːk̚³ siːt̚²/

(Cantonese) to talk back; to answer back

GT - General Taiwanese (no specific region identified)


滿天神佛

ㄇㄢˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄕㄣˊ ㄈㄛˊ

маньтяньшэньфо

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

/muːn¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn²¹ fɐt̚²/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

/muːn¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn²¹ fɐt̚²/

there are multitudinous deities or celestial beings


履舄交錯

ㄌㄩˇ ㄒㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

люйси цзяоцо

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/lei̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵ kaːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³/

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/lei̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵ kaːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³/


喐身喐勢

/jʊk̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ jʊk̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/jʊk̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ jʊk̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

(Cantonese, of a person) to keep moving and be unable to sit or stand still; to be moving one's body constantly


監守自盜

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄕㄡˇ ㄗˋ ㄉㄠˋ

цзяньшоуцзыдао

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kaːm⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː²² tou̯²²/

/kaːm⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː²² tou̯²²/

to steal money or property one guards; to embezzle


身首異處

to have the head and body in different places

ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇ ㄧˋ ㄔㄨˋ

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jiː²² t͡sʰyː³³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jiː²² t͡sʰyː³³/


溜鬚拍馬

ㄌㄧㄡ ㄒㄩ ㄆㄞ ㄇㄚˇ

/li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²² sou̯⁵⁵ pʰaːk̚³ maː¹³/

/li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²² sou̯⁵⁵ pʰaːk̚³ maː¹³/

(chiefly Mandarin, colloquial) to brownnose; to kiss someone's ass; to suck up


四世同堂

ㄙˋ ㄕˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄤˊ

/sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/sei̯³³ sɐi̯³³ tʰʊŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/sei̯³³ sɐi̯³³ tʰʊŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/


噤若寒蟬

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄢˊ ㄔㄢˊ

цзиньжоханьчань

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ xän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵/

/kɐm³³ jœːk̚² hɔːn²¹ siːm²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ xän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵/

/kɐm³³ jœːk̚² hɔːn²¹ siːm²¹/

Cicadas sing in summer and autumn than die soon. The ancients did not realize this and thought cicadas could not make a sound when it was cold, so they use it to describe not dare to speak out. From the Book of the Later Han:
:
劉勝位為大夫，見禮上賓，而知善不薦，聞惡無言，隱情惜己，自同寒蟬，此罪人也。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]刘胜位为大夫，见礼上宾，而知善不荐，闻恶无言，隐情惜己，自同寒蝉，此罪人也。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of the Later Han, circa 5ᵗʰ century CE
Liú Shèng wèi wèi dàfū, jiàn lǐ shàngbīn, ér zhī shàn bù jiàn, wén è wúyán, yǐnqíng xī jǐ, zì tóng hánchán, cǐ zuìrén yě. [Pinyin]
As a scholar-official, Liu Sheng was treated like a distinguished guest, but he couldn't recommend virtuous person, refused to refute evil words, pretended to be deaf and mute, cherished his reputation, and kept silent, he's a sinner.

劉 ^勝 位 為 大夫，見 禮 上賓，而 知 善 不 薦，聞 惡 無言，隱情 惜 己，自 同 寒蟬，此 罪人 也。

自從被上司數落之後，他便噤若寒蟬，再也不敢發表意見了。 [MSC, trad.]
自从被上司数落之后，他便噤若寒蝉，再也不敢发表意见了。 [MSC, simp.]

Ever since he was scolded by his boss, he had become silent and never dared to express his opinions again.

Zìcóng bèi shàngsī shǔluò zhī hòu, tā biàn jìnruòhánchán, zài yě bùgǎn fābiǎo yìjiàn le. [Pinyin]

to remain silent out of fear; to refrain unwillingly from speaking out


駕輕就熟

to drive a light carriage on a familiar route

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄨˊ

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄡˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

цзяцинцзюшоу

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/

/kaː³³ hɛːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² sʊk̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/

/kaː³³ hɛːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² sʊk̚²/

to perform a task with which one is very familiar with great ease; (to deem a task) a piece of cake; (to go for) a hay ride


一潭死水

ㄧ ㄊㄢˊ ㄙˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰän³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰaːm²¹ sei̯³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰaːm²¹ sei̯³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/


死氣沉沉

ㄙˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄔㄣˊ ㄔㄣˊ

сыцичэньчэнь

sycičɛnʹčɛnʹ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ hei̯³³ t͡sʰɐm²¹ t͡sʰɐm²¹/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ hei̯³³ t͡sʰɐm²¹ t͡sʰɐm²¹/

lifeless; spiritless; lacking vitality or vigour


揭竿而起

ㄐㄧㄝ ㄍㄢ ㄦˊ ㄑㄧˇ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰiːt̚³ kɔːn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ hei̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰiːt̚³ kɔːn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ hei̯³⁵/


棄筆從戎

ㄑㄧˋ ㄅㄧˇ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/hei̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ jʊŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/hei̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ jʊŋ²¹/

投筆從戎 投筆從戎#Chinese

投笔从戎 投笔从戎#Chinese


春秋大夢

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄉㄚˋ ㄇㄥˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² mʊŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² mʊŋ²²/

做你的春秋大夢！ [MSC, trad.]
做你的春秋大梦！ [MSC, simp.]


私相授受

ㄙ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄕㄡˋ ㄕㄡˋ

/sz̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐu̯²² sɐu̯²²/

/sz̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐu̯²² sɐu̯²²/

to make underhand dealings among one another


不可告人

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄍㄠˋ ㄖㄣˊ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ kou̯³³ jɐn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ kou̯³³ jɐn²¹/

(of something negative) hidden; not to be divulged


先入為主

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄖㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓㄨˇ

сяньжувэйчжу

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn⁵⁵ jɐp̚² wɐi̯²¹ t͡syː³⁵/

/siɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ zip̚⁴⁻³² ui²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/siɛn⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² ui²⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn⁵⁵ jɐp̚² wɐi̯²¹ t͡syː³⁵/

/siɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ zip̚⁴⁻³² ui²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/siɛn⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² ui²⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

to be prejudiced by a first impression; to have a preconception


撩是鬥非

/liːu̯²¹ siː²² tɐu̯³³ fei̯⁵⁵/

/liːu̯²¹ siː²² tɐu̯³³ fei̯⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) to provoke a quarrel or a fight; to stir up trouble


天衣無縫

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (天衣無縫):
* → Japanese: 天衣無縫(てんいむほう) (ten'imuhō)

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄧ ㄨˊ ㄈㄥˋ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ u³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ fʊŋ²¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ fʊŋ²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² i⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² hɔŋ²²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ u³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ fʊŋ²¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ fʊŋ²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² i⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² hɔŋ²²/


敝帚自珍

ㄅㄧˋ ㄓㄡˇ ㄗˋ ㄓㄣ

бичжоуцзычжэнь

/pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/pɐi̯²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː²² t͡sɐn⁵⁵/

/pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/pɐi̯²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː²² t͡sɐn⁵⁵/

(figurative) to cherish something of little value simply because it is one's own


見步行步

/kiːn³³ pou̯²² haːŋ²¹ pou̯²²/

/kiːn³³ pou̯²² haːŋ²¹ pou̯²²/

(Cantonese) to play by ear; to react to events as they occur


聞風喪膽

ㄨㄣˊ ㄈㄥ ㄙㄤˋ ㄉㄢˇ

вэньфэнсандань

/wən³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɔːŋ³³ taːm³⁵/

/wən³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɔːŋ³³ taːm³⁵/

to be extremely terrified of a certain person, group or thing


自討苦吃

ㄗˋ ㄊㄠˇ ㄎㄨˇ ㄔ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² tʰou̯³⁵ fuː³⁵ hɛːk̚³/

/t͡siː²² tʰou̯³⁵ fuː³⁵ hɛːk̚³/

make a rod for one's own back
make a rod for one's own back

to ask for trouble; to make a rod for one's own back


言出必行

ㄧㄢˊ ㄔㄨ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ piːt̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰut̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ɡiɛn¹³⁻²² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ hiɪŋ¹³/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ piːt̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰut̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ɡiɛn¹³⁻²² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ hiɪŋ¹³/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/


錯有錯著

/t͡sʰɔː³³ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sœːk̚²/

/t͡sʰo⁵³ iu⁴⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰo⁵³ t͡sʰɔk̚⁵/

/t͡sʰɔː³³ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sœːk̚²/

/t͡sʰo⁵³ iu⁴⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰo⁵³ t͡sʰɔk̚⁵/

(Cantonese, Hakka) to leave a mistake uncorrected and have it turn out to be something good; a mistake turns out to be beneficial or useful


述而不作

ㄕㄨˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

/ʂu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɵt̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³/

/ʂu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɵt̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³/

From the Analects, Book 7 (《論語·述而》):
:
子曰：「述而不作，信而好古，竊比於我老彭。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「述而不作，信而好古，窃比于我老彭。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Shù ér bùzuò, xìn ér hàogǔ, qiè bǐ yú wǒ Lǎopéng.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "A transmitter and not a maker, believing in and loving the ancients, I venture to compare myself with the Venerable Peng."
The identity of 老彭 was unclear. According to the Elder Dai's Book of Rites (《大戴禮記》), a wise nobleman of the Shang-era bore that appellation.

zh-x

子曰：「述.而.不作，信 而 好{hào}-古，竊 比 於 我 ^老-彭。」

(literary) to refrain from unwarranted innovations; to resist the temptation to speculate


駕鶴西去

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄜˋ ㄒㄧ ㄑㄩˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/kaː³³ hɔːk̚² sɐi̯⁵⁵ hɵy̯³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/kaː³³ hɔːk̚² sɐi̯⁵⁵ hɵy̯³³/

被難

to be killed in a disaster, political incident


傲骨嶙峋

ㄠˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄒㄩㄣˊ

аогу линьсюнь

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ ɕyn³⁵/

/ŋou̯²² kʷɐt̚⁵ lɵn²¹ sɵn⁵⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ ɕyn³⁵/

/ŋou̯²² kʷɐt̚⁵ lɵn²¹ sɵn⁵⁵/

(of people) proud and indomitable; steadfast and honest


非死即傷

ㄈㄟ ㄙˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄕㄤ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/fei̯⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/fei̯⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

to be either dead or wounded; to be injured, if not die


畢生難忘

ㄅㄧˋ ㄕㄥ ㄋㄢˊ ㄨㄤˋ

бишэннаньван

/pi⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ naːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

/pi⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ naːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

difficult to forget for one's entire life


管中窺豹

ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄎㄨㄟ ㄅㄠˋ

гуаньчжункуйбао

/ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kuːn³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ pʰaːu̯³³/

/ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kuːn³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ pʰaːu̯³³/

to see only part of the big picture; to have only a limited view of something


以小見大

ㄧˇ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄉㄚˋ

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ siːu̯³⁵ kiːn³³ taːi̯²²/

/jiː¹³ siːu̯³⁵ kiːn³³ taːi̯²²/

see the forest for the trees
see the forest for the trees

to see the forest for the trees; to discern the big picture or an overall pattern from small details


駟馬難追

ㄙˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄟ

сымананьчжуй

/sz̩⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/siː³³ maː¹³ naːn²¹ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/su¹¹⁻⁵³ mã⁵³ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ tui⁴⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁴¹ mã⁴¹ lan²³⁻³³ tui⁴⁴/

/sz̩⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/siː³³ maː¹³ naːn²¹ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/su¹¹⁻⁵³ mã⁵³ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ tui⁴⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁴¹ mã⁴¹ lan²³⁻³³ tui⁴⁴/

words cannot be taken back once they are spoken


放虎歸山

ㄈㄤˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄕㄢ

фанхугуйшань

/fɑŋ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ fuː³⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ fuː³⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

to set free an enemy or a bad person which leads to future disasters


彌留之際

ㄇㄧˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄓ ㄐㄧˋ

/mi³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/nei̯²¹ lɐu̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³/

/mi³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/nei̯²¹ lɐu̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³/


朝令夕改

to change orders issued in the morning at the night (on the same day)

ㄓㄠ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧ ㄍㄞˇ

ㄓㄠ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧˋ ㄍㄞˇ

чжаолинсигай

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ liŋ⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ liŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ lɪŋ²² t͡sɪk̚² kɔːi̯³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ liŋ⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ liŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ lɪŋ²² t͡sɪk̚² kɔːi̯³⁵/

政策朝令夕改，令人無所適從。 [MSC, trad.]
政策朝令夕改，令人无所适从。 [MSC, simp.]

The policies change frequently and erratically, which make people not know what course to take.

Zhèngcè zhāolìngxīgǎi, lìng rén wúsuǒshìcóng. [Pinyin]

(of policies or orders) to change frequently and erratically


忘乎所以

ㄨㄤˋ ㄏㄨ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄧˇ

/wɑŋ⁵¹ xu⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɔːŋ²¹ fuː²¹ sɔː³⁵ jiː¹³/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ xu⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɔːŋ²¹ fuː²¹ sɔː³⁵ jiː¹³/

to forget oneself; to lose self-control; beside oneself (typically as a result of one's own behaviour)


自鳴得意

ㄗˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² mɪŋ²¹ tɐk̚⁵ jiː³³/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² mɪŋ²¹ tɐk̚⁵ jiː³³/


前呼後擁

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨ ㄏㄡˋ ㄩㄥˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xu⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² jʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xu⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² jʊŋ³⁵/

describes the grand and loud scene of government officials or important personages touring, with many attendants yelling to clear the way and clustering around the officials or personages to protect them


世衰道微

ㄕˋ ㄕㄨㄞ ㄉㄠˋ ㄨㄟ

ㄕˋ ㄕㄨㄞ ㄉㄠˋ ㄨㄟˊ

шишуайдаовэй

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ sɵy̯⁵⁵ tou̯²² mei̯²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ sɵy̯⁵⁵ tou̯²² mei̯²¹/

From Mencius:
:
世衰道微，邪說暴行有作，臣弒其君者有之，子弒其父者有之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]世衰道微，邪说暴行有作，臣弑其君者有之，子弑其父者有之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Shìshuāidàowēi, xiéshuō bàoxìng yǒu zuò, chén shì qí jūn zhě yǒu zhī, zǐ shì qí fù zhě yǒu zhī. [Pinyin]
Again the world fell into decay, and principles faded away. Perverse speakings and oppressive deeds waxed rife again. There were instances of ministers who murdered their sovereigns, and of sons who murdered their fathers.

世衰道微，邪說 暴行{xìng} 有 作，臣 弒 其 君 者 有 之，子 弒 其 父 者 有 之。

the world falls into decay and moral values deteriorate


音信杳然

ㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄢˊ

иньсиньяожань

/in⁵⁵ ɕin⁵¹ jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵/

/jɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³ miːu̯¹³ jiːn²¹/

/in⁵⁵ ɕin⁵¹ jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵/

/jɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³ miːu̯¹³ jiːn²¹/

to disappear without a trace; to become uncontactable


聽而不聞

ㄊㄧㄥ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˊ

тинъэрбувэнь

/tʰiŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/tʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/

/tʰiŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/tʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/

From the Great Learning (《大學》) in the Book of Rites:
:
心不在焉，視而不見，聽而不聞，食而不知其味。此謂修身在正其心。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]心不在焉，视而不见，听而不闻，食而不知其味。此谓修身在正其心。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Xīn bùzài yān, shì ér bù jiàn, tīng ér bù wén, shí ér bùzhī qí wèi. Cǐ wèi xiūshēn zài zhèng qí xīn. [Pinyin]
When the mind is not present, we look without seeing; we hear without understanding; and we eat and do not know the taste of what we eat. This is what is meant by saying that the cultivation of the person depends on the rectifying of the mind.

心.不在.焉，視.而.不.見，聽.而.不.聞 ，食 而 不知 其 味。此 謂 修身 在 正 其 心。

to hear but not pay attention or care; to turn a deaf ear; to be indifferent


粗口爛舌

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ laːn²² siːt̚²/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ laːn²² siːt̚³/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ laːn²² siːt̚²/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ laːn²² siːt̚³/


篤眼篤鼻

/tʊk̚⁵ ŋaːn¹³ tʊk̚⁵ pei̯²²/

/tʊk̚⁵ ŋaːn¹³ tʊk̚⁵ pei̯²²/

(Cantonese) to be an eyesore; to be an annoyance; to be an irritant


水過鴨背

ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄚ ㄅㄟˋ

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ jä⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɵy̯³⁵ kʷɔː³³ aːp̚³ puːi̯³³/

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ jä⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɵy̯³⁵ kʷɔː³³ aːp̚³ puːi̯³³/

like water off a duck's back
like water off a duck's back


王不見王

ㄨㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄤˊ

ванбуцзяньван

/wɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ wɑŋ³⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ wɔːŋ²¹/

/wɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ wɑŋ³⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ wɔːŋ²¹/

(xiangqi) the rule that the two kings (generals) must never be on the same file without any pieces in between them


缺衣少食

ㄑㄩㄝ ㄧ ㄕㄠˇ ㄕˊ

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kʰyːt̚³ jiː⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kʰyːt̚³ jiː⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪk̚²/

to have insufficient food and clothing due to poverty


兔死狗烹

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (兔死狗烹):
* → Korean: 토사구팽(兎死狗烹) (tosagupaeng)

ja-r

こうとし して そうく にらる

→ Japanese: 狡兎死(こうとし)して走狗烹(そうくに)らる (kōtoshi shite sōku niraru) (calque)

ㄊㄨˋ ㄙˇ ㄍㄡˇ ㄆㄥ

/tʰu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰou̯³³ sei̯³⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ pʰaːŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰou̯³³ sei̯³⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ pʰaːŋ⁵⁵/

From the Records of the Grand Historian, c. 91 BCE, quoting the fifth-century BCE strategist Fan Li:
:
蜚鳥盡，良弓藏；狡兔死，走狗烹。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]蜚鸟尽，良弓藏；狡兔死，走狗烹。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Fěi niǎo jìn, liáng gōng cáng; jiǎo tù sǐ, zǒugǒu pēng. [Pinyin]
When the flying birds are done with, the good bow is stored away; when the sly rabbit dies, the hunting dog is boiled [to eat].

zh-x

蜚 鳥 盡，良 弓 藏；狡 兔 死，走狗 烹。

When the flying birds are done with, the good bow is stored away; when the sly rabbit dies, the hunting dog is boiled 􂀿to eat􂁀.

to boil the dog once it caught the rabbit

to get rid of somebody once they have served their purpose


藝不壓身

ㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄚ ㄕㄣ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ jä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ aːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ jä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ aːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵/

Skills and arts are not a burden to a person; Learn more skills and arts


一手一腳

ㄧ ㄕㄡˇ ㄧ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ kœːk̚³/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ kœːk̚³/


忍俊不禁

ㄖㄣˇ ㄐㄩㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

жэньцзюньбуцзинь

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕyn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɐn³⁵ t͡sɵn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐm⁵⁵/

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕyn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɐn³⁵ t͡sɵn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐm⁵⁵/


數以萬計

ㄕㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄨㄢˋ ㄐㄧˋ

/ʂu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/sou̯³³ jiː¹³ maːn²² kɐi̯³³/

/ʂu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/sou̯³³ jiː¹³ maːn²² kɐi̯³³/

numbered by the ten thousands; a large number


投機取巧

ㄊㄡˊ ㄐㄧ ㄑㄩˇ ㄑㄧㄠˇ

тоуцзицюйцяо

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ haːu̯³⁵/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ haːu̯³⁵/


化外之地

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄓ ㄉㄧˋ

/xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/faː³³ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ tei̯²²/

/xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/faː³³ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ tei̯²²/

(historical) place inhabited by uncivilized people; place inhabited by non-Han ethnic groups that is less influenced by Han Chinese culture or not ruled or controlled by the Chinese government


瞬息萬變

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄒㄧ ㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄒㄧˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

шуньсиваньбянь

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sɵn³³ sɪk̚⁵ maːn²² piːn³³/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sɵn³³ sɪk̚⁵ maːn²² piːn³³/

myriad changes occur in an instant; rapid substantial change


財大氣粗

ㄘㄞˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄘㄨ

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ t͡sʰu⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ taːi̯²² hei̯³³ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ t͡sʰu⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ taːi̯²² hei̯³³ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵/

to be rich and act in a rude and overbearing manner


形單影隻

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄢ ㄧㄥˇ ㄓ

синданьинчжи

/ɕiŋ³⁵ tän⁵⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ taːn⁵⁵ jɪŋ³⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ tän⁵⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ taːn⁵⁵ jɪŋ³⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³/


字如其人

ㄗˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡siː²² jyː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡siː²² jyː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

one's handwriting reflects one's personality


捫心自問

ㄇㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄗˋ ㄨㄣˋ

мэньсиньцзывэнь

/mən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/muːn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

/mən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/muːn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

to reflect on oneself; to ask oneself honestly


涸轍之鮒

ㄏㄜˊ ㄓㄜˊ ㄓ ㄈㄨˋ

ㄏㄜˊ ㄔㄜˋ ㄓ ㄈㄨˋ

/xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/kʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʰiːt̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ fuː²²/

/xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/kʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʰiːt̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ fuː²²/

(figurative) a person in a desperate situation; a person in a tight spot


優哉游哉

ㄧㄡ ㄗㄞ ㄧㄡˊ ㄗㄞ

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 222 (《詩經·小雅·采菽》):
:
樂只君子，福祿膍之。
優哉游哉，亦是戾矣。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]乐只君子，福禄膍之。
优哉游哉，亦是戾矣。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Lè zhǐ jūnzǐ, fúlù pí zhī.
Yōuzāiyóuzāi, yì shì lì yǐ. [Pinyin]
To be rejoiced in are the princes, And their happiness and dignities are enlarged.
How joyous, how happy, Is their coming here!

lang

(《詩經·小雅·采菽》)

(《詩經·小雅·采菽》)

zh-x

樂{lè} 只 君子，福祿 膍{pí} 之。
@優哉游哉，亦 是 戾 矣。


鋒芒畢露

ㄈㄥ ㄇㄤˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ mɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ mɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²²/

to fail to show restraint and display one's talent or vigour to the fullest extent


杳無人煙

ㄧㄠˇ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧㄢ

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵ jɛn⁵⁵/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹ jiːn⁵⁵/

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵ jɛn⁵⁵/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹ jiːn⁵⁵/

师兄差疑了，似这杳无人烟之处，又无个怪兽妖禽，怕他怎的？ [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: Wu Cheng'en, Journey to the West, 16ᵗʰ century CE
Shīxiōng chā yí le, sì zhè yǎowúrényān zhī chù, yòu wú ge guàishòu yāoqín, pà tā zěnde? [Pinyin]

師兄差疑了，似這杳無人煙之處，又無個怪獸妖禽，怕他怎的？ [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]


書香門第

family filled up with the aroma of books

ㄕㄨ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄇㄣˊ ㄉㄧˋ

/ʂu⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mən³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/syː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵ muːn²¹ tɐi̯²²/

/ʂu⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mən³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/syː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵ muːn²¹ tɐi̯²²/


形同虛設

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄩ ㄕㄜˋ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

ineffectual; futile; with the setup or appearance but without the intended utility; set up but useless


刎頸之交

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (刎頸之交):
* → Korean: 문경지교(刎頸之交) (mun'gyeongjigyo)

desc

→ Japanese: 刎頸の交わり (funkei no majiwari) (calque)

ㄨㄣˇ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄠ

вэньцзинчжицзяо

/wən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐn¹³ kɛːŋ³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːu̯⁵⁵/

/mɐn¹³ kɛːŋ³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːu̯⁵⁵/

Figuratively, a solid friendship of no regret even if one is to be beheaded for the other, from the Biography of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru in the Records of the Grand Historian (《史記·廉頗藺相如列傳》).
:
既罷歸國，以相如功大，拜為上卿，位在廉頗之右。廉頗曰：「我為趙將，有攻城野戰之大功，而藺相如徒以口舌為勞，而位居我上，且相如素賤人，吾羞，不忍為之下。」宣言曰：「我見相如，必辱之。」相如聞，不肯與會。相如每朝時，常稱病，不欲與廉頗爭列。已而相如出，望見廉頗，相如引車避匿。於是舍人相與諫曰：「臣所以去親戚而事君者，徒慕君之高義也。今君與廉頗同列，廉君宣惡言而君畏匿之，恐懼殊甚，且庸人尚羞之，況於將相乎！臣等不肖，請辭去。」藺相如固止之，曰：「公之視廉將軍孰與秦王？」曰：「不若也。」相如曰：「夫以秦王之威，而相如廷叱之，辱其群臣，相如雖駑，獨畏廉將軍哉？顧吾念之，彊秦之所以不敢加兵於趙者，徒以吾兩人在也。今兩虎共鬥，其勢不俱生。吾所以為此者，以先國家之急而後私讎也。」廉頗聞之，肉袒負荊，因賓客至藺相如門謝罪。曰：「鄙賤之人，不知將軍寬之至此也。」卒相與驩，為刎頸之交。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]既罢归国，以相如功大，拜为上卿，位在廉颇之右。廉颇曰：「我为赵将，有攻城野战之大功，而蔺相如徒以口舌为劳，而位居我上，且相如素贱人，吾羞，不忍为之下。」宣言曰：「我见相如，必辱之。」相如闻，不肯与会。相如每朝时，常称病，不欲与廉颇争列。已而相如出，望见廉颇，相如引车避匿。于是舍人相与谏曰：「臣所以去亲戚而事君者，徒慕君之高义也。今君与廉颇同列，廉君宣恶言而君畏匿之，恐惧殊甚，且庸人尚羞之，况于将相乎！臣等不肖，请辞去。」蔺相如固止之，曰：「公之视廉将军孰与秦王？」曰：「不若也。」相如曰：「夫以秦王之威，而相如廷叱之，辱其群臣，相如虽驽，独畏廉将军哉？顾吾念之，强秦之所以不敢加兵于赵者，徒以吾两人在也。今两虎共斗，其势不俱生。吾所以为此者，以先国家之急而后私雠也。」廉颇闻之，肉袒负荆，因宾客至蔺相如门谢罪。曰：「鄙贱之人，不知将军宽之至此也。」卒相与欢，为刎颈之交。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Jì bà guī guó, yǐ Xiàng rú gōng dà, bài wèi shàngqīng, wèi zài Lián Pō zhī yòu. Lián Pō yuē: “Wǒ wèi Zhàojiāng, yǒu gōngchéng yězhàn zhī dàgōng, ér Lìn Xiàngrú tú yǐ kǒushé wèi láo, ér wèi jū wǒ shàng, qiě Xiàngrú sù jiànrén, wú xiū, bù rěn wèi zhī xià.” Xuānyán yuē: “Wǒ jiàn Xiàngrú, bì rǔ zhī.” Xiàngrú wén, bù kěn yǔ huì. Xiàngrú měi cháo shí, cháng chēng bìng, bù yù yǔ Lián Pō zhēng liè. Yǐ'ér Xiàngrú chū, wàngjiàn Lián Pō, Xiàngrú yǐn chē bìnì. Yú shì shèrén xiàngyǔ jiàn yuē: “Chén suǒyǐ qù qīnqī ér shì jūn zhě, tú mù jūn zhī gāoyì yě. Jīn jūn yǔ Lián Pō tóng liè, Lián jūn xuān èyán ér jūn wèinì zhī, kǒngjù shū shèn, qiě yōngrén shàng xiū zhī, kuàng yú jiāngxiàng hū! Chén děng bùxiào, qǐng cíqù.” Lìn Xiàngrú gù zhǐzhī, yuē: “Gōng zhī shì Lián jiāngjūn shú yǔ Qínwáng?” Yuē: “Bùruò yě.” Xiàngrú yuē: “Fú yǐ Qínwáng zhī wēi, ér Xiàngrú tíngchì zhī, rǔ qí qúnchén, Xiàngrú suī nú, dú wèi Lián jiāngjūn zāi? Gù wú niàn zhī, qiáng Qín zhīsuǒyǐ bùgǎn jiā bīng yú Zhào zhě, tú yǐ wú liǎng rén zài yě. Jīn liǎnghǔ gòngdòu, qí shì bù jù shēng. Wú suǒyǐ wéi cǐ zhě, yǐ xiān guójiā zhī jí ér hòu sīchóu yě.” Lián Pō wén zhī, ròutǎn fù jīng, yīn bīnkè zhì Lìn Xiàngrú mén xièzuì. Yuē: “Bǐjiàn zhī rén, bù zhī jiāngjūn kuān zhī zhìcǐ yě.” Zú xiāngyǔ huān, wèi wěnjǐngzhījiāo. [Pinyin]
They were already over and returned to the country; because of his achievement was great, Xiangru was appointed as a high-ranking official, and his rank was higher than Lian Po. Lian Po said: "I have become a general of Zhao, have some great achievements of siege and field battle; still, Lin Xiangru is above me by just achieving a feat by the conversation, and Xiangru was originally a lowly person; I am ashamed and can't bear to be under him." He declared: "When I see Xiangru, I'll be sure to humiliate him." Xiangru heard that and then he was reluctant to meet him. Every time Xiangru went to the court, he described himself as ill, and he didn't want to fight for the rank with Lian Po. Before long, Xiangru went out and observed Lian Po, and Xiangru hid by pulling the car. At that time, his servants remonstrated him together to say: "My lord, the reason why I left from my relatives to serve you is just because I admire your respectable personality. Now you have become in the same order with Lian Po; when Lord Lian stated bad words, you hid for fear of this, and awed too much; even mediocre people would be ashamed for that, and for generals and ministers, much more so! We are dishonorable; let us take our leave." Lin Xiangru insisted that they stay, saying "In your estimation, is General Lian more considerable than the king of Qin?" They said: "No, he isn't." Xiangru said: "Even under the intimidation of the king of Qin, I scolded him in his court and humiliated his men; though I am dull, should I be afraid of General Lian? What I am keenly aware is this, that the only reason why the mighty Qin dare not threaten Zhao with war is the presence of Lian and me. We are two tigers who cannot both survive a conflict with each other. The reason why I do that [not to hold a grudge against Lian] is to put the national emergency above my personal resentment." On hearing of that, Lian Po stripped his clothes off, bore a flogging rod, and came to Lin Xiangru's home via a retainer to apologize, "This mean and lowly person didn't know that you, general, is generous to this much." Finally, they got along with each other and vowed a friendship till death.

lang

《史記·廉頗藺相如列傳》

《史記·廉頗藺相如列傳》

zh-x

既 罷 歸.國，以 ^相 如 功 大，拜 為 上卿，位 在 ^廉 ^頗 之 右。^廉 ^頗 曰：「我 為 ^趙-將，有 攻城 野戰 之 大功，而 ^藺 ^相-如 徒 以 口舌 為 勞，而 位 居 我 上，且 ^相-如 素 賤人，吾 羞，不 忍 為 之 下。」宣言 曰：「我 見 ^相-如，必 辱 之。」^相-如 聞，不 肯 與 會。^相-如 每 朝 時，常 稱 病，不 欲 與 ^廉 ^頗 爭 列。已而 ^相-如 出，望見 ^廉 ^頗，^相-如 引 車 避匿。於 是 舍人 相與 諫 曰：「臣 所以 去 親戚 而 事 君 者，徒 慕 君 之 高義 也。今 君 與 ^廉 ^頗 同 列，^廉 君 宣 惡言 而 君 畏-匿 之，恐懼 殊 甚，且 庸人 尚 羞 之，況 於 將-相 乎！臣 等 不肖，請 辭去。」^藺 ^相{xiàng}-如 固 止-之，曰：「公 之 視 ^廉 將軍 孰 與{yǔ} ^秦-王？」曰：「不若 也。」^相{xiàng}-如 曰：「夫{fú} 以 ^秦-王 之 威，而 ^相-如 廷-叱 之，辱 其 群臣，^相-如 雖 駑，獨 畏 ^廉 將軍 哉？顧 吾 念 之，彊 ^秦 之所以 不敢 加.兵 於 ^趙 者，徒 以 吾 兩 人 在 也。今 兩-虎 共-鬥，其 勢 不 俱 生。吾 所以 為{wéi} 此 者，以 先 國家 之 急 而 後 私讎 也。」^廉 ^頗 聞 之，肉袒 負.荊，因 賓客 至 ^藺 ^相{xiàng}-如 門 謝罪。曰：「鄙賤 之 人，不 知 將軍 寬 之 至-此 也。」卒 相{xiāng}與 驩，為 刎頸之交。

They were already over and returned to the country; because of his achievement was great, Xiangru was appointed as a high-ranking official, and his rank was higher than Lian Po. Lian Po said: "I have become a general of Zhao, have some great achievements of siege and field battle; still, Lin Xiangru is above me by just achieving a feat by the conversation, and Xiangru was originally a lowly person; I am ashamed and can't bear to be under him." He declared: "When I see Xiangru, I'll be sure to humiliate him." Xiangru heard that and then he was reluctant to meet him. Every time Xiangru went to the court, he described himself as ill, and he didn't want to fight for the rank with Lian Po. Before long, Xiangru went out and observed Lian Po, and Xiangru hid by pulling the car. At that time, his servants remonstrated him together to say: "My lord, the reason why I left from my relatives to serve you is just because I admire your respectable personality. Now you have become in the same order with Lian Po; when Lord Lian stated bad words, you hid for fear of this, and awed too much; even mediocre people would be ashamed for that, and for generals and ministers, much more so! We are dishonorable; let us take our leave." Lin Xiangru insisted that they stay, saying "In your estimation, is General Lian more considerable than the king of Qin?" They said: "No, he isn't." Xiangru said: "Even under the intimidation of the king of Qin, I scolded him in his court and humiliated his men; though I am dull, should I be afraid of General Lian? What I am keenly aware is this, that the only reason why the mighty Qin dare not threaten Zhao with war is the presence of Lian and me. We are two tigers who cannot both survive a conflict with each other. The reason why I do that 􂀿not to hold a grudge against Lian􂁀 is to put the national emergency above my personal resentment." On hearing of that, Lian Po stripped his clothes off, bore a flogging rod, and came to Lin Xiangru's home via a retainer to apologize, "This mean and lowly person didn't know that you, general, is generous to this much." Finally, they got along with each other and vowed a friendship till death.

friendship of decapitation; throat-slashing friends

friends sworn to death; eternal friends; best friends who can face hardships together

Lian Po
Lin Xiangru
Qin (state)
Records of the Grand Historian
Zhao (state)


萬馬奔騰

ㄨㄢˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄅㄣ ㄊㄥˊ

ваньмабэньтэн

/wän⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pən⁵⁵ tʰɤŋ³⁵/

/maːn²² maː¹³ pɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐŋ²¹/

/wän⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pən⁵⁵ tʰɤŋ³⁵/

/maːn²² maː¹³ pɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐŋ²¹/

thousands of horses galloping, used to describe the magnificence of a scene


一字之師

/i⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

a teacher of one word; one who can significantly improve the quality of another's writing by changing one word and thus becomes his teacher


戮力一心

ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² lɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² lɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/


自高自大

ㄗˋ ㄍㄠ ㄗˋ ㄉㄚˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² kou̯⁵⁵ t͡siː²² taːi̯²²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² kou̯⁵⁵ t͡siː²² taːi̯²²/

self-important; conceited; arrogant; self-aggrandizing


邪不干正

ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄓㄥˋ

себуганьчжэн

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³/

邪不勝正 邪不勝正#Chinese

邪不胜正 邪不胜正#Chinese


邪不敵正

ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄧˊ ㄓㄥˋ

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tɪk̚² t͡sɪŋ³³/

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tɪk̚² t͡sɪŋ³³/

邪不勝正 邪不勝正#Chinese

邪不胜正 邪不胜正#Chinese


邪不壓正

ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄚ ㄓㄥˋ

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ jä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ aːt̚³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ jä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ aːt̚³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

邪不勝正 邪不勝正#Chinese

邪不胜正 邪不胜正#Chinese


有感而發

ㄧㄡˇ ㄍㄢˇ ㄦˊ ㄈㄚ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ kɐm³⁵ jiː²¹ faːt̚³/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ huat̚³²/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ kɐm³⁵ jiː²¹ faːt̚³/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ huat̚³²/

to express (something) after feeling touched


邪不犯正

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (邪不犯正):
* → Korean: 사불범정(邪不犯正) (sabulbeomjeong)

ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˋ ㄓㄥˋ

себуфаньчжэн

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ faːn²² t͡sɪŋ³³/

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ faːn²² t͡sɪŋ³³/

邪不勝正 邪不勝正#Chinese

邪不胜正 邪不胜正#Chinese


邪不勝正

ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄓㄥˋ

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/


邪不伐正

ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚˊ ㄓㄥˋ

ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚ ㄓㄥˋ

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ fä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚² t͡sɪŋ³³/

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ fä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɛː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚² t͡sɪŋ³³/

邪不勝正 邪不勝正#Chinese

邪不胜正 邪不胜正#Chinese


光芒萬丈

ㄍㄨㄤ ㄇㄤˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄤˋ

гуанманваньчжан

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mɑŋ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mɑŋ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

阿瑟是一位光芒萬丈的騎士。 [MSC, trad.]
阿瑟是一位光芒万丈的骑士。 [MSC, simp.]

Arthur is a knight in shining armor (literally: knight who (emits) countless rays of light).

Āsè shì yīwèi guāngmángwànzhàng de qíshì. [Pinyin]


一時三刻

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ sän⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²¹ saːm⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ sän⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²¹ saːm⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵/

(literary or Cantonese) brief period of time (especially in negative sentences)


淺嘗輒止

ㄑㄧㄢˇ ㄔㄤˊ ㄓㄜˊ ㄓˇ

цяньчанчжэчжи

cjanʹčančžɛčži

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn³⁵ sœːŋ²¹ t͡siːp̚³ t͡siː³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn³⁵ sœːŋ²¹ t͡siːp̚³ t͡siː³⁵/

to stop after getting a little knowledge of a subject and not study further or deeper


死蛇爛鱔

/sei̯³⁵ sɛː²¹ laːn²² siːn¹³/

/sei̯³⁵ sɛː²¹ laːn²² siːn¹³/

(Cantonese) to be a lazy bum; to be slobbish


身水身汗

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːn²²/

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːn²²/

(Cantonese, of a person) to be covered in sweat


嘈喧巴閉

/t͡sʰou̯²¹ hyːn⁵⁵ paː⁵⁵ pɐi̯³³/

/t͡sʰou̯²¹ hyːn⁵⁵ paː⁵⁵ pɐi̯³³/

(Cantonese) to be extremely noisy and rowdy


陰聲細氣

/jɐm⁵⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ hei̯³³/

/jɐm⁵⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ hei̯³³/

(Cantonese) soft-spoken; speaking softly


身有屎

/sɐn⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ siː³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ siː³⁵/

佢對眼一路避開老師，一定身有屎啦！ [Cantonese, trad.]
佢对眼一路避开老师，一定身有屎啦！ [Cantonese, simp.]

He kept looking away from the teacher. He must have done something wrong!

keoi⁵ deoi³ ngaan⁵ jat¹ lou⁶ bei⁶ hoi¹ lou⁵ si¹, jat¹ ding⁶ san¹ jau⁵ si² laa¹! [Jyutping]

(Cantonese) to have done something wrong, which could be used against the person if exposed


裙甩褲甩

/kʷʰɐn²¹ lɐt̚⁵ fuː³³ lɐt̚⁵/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ lɐt̚⁵ fuː³³ lɐt̚⁵/


因材施教

ㄧㄣ ㄘㄞˊ ㄕ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

иньцайшицзяо

/in⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ kaːu̯³³/

/in⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sai²⁴⁻²² si⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹/

/in⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sai¹³⁻²² si⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹/

/in⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²⁴⁻¹¹ si⁴⁴⁻³³ kau¹¹/

/in⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²³⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ kau²¹/

/in⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ kaːu̯³³/

/in⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sai²⁴⁻²² si⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹/

/in⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sai¹³⁻²² si⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹/

/in⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²⁴⁻¹¹ si⁴⁴⁻³³ kau¹¹/

/in⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²³⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ kau²¹/

to teach according to the student's ability


暢通易達

ㄔㄤˋ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄧˋ ㄉㄚˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː²² taːt̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː²² taːt̚²/

(chiefly Hong Kong) free and easily accessible (mainly used to describe facilities designed for the handicapped)


車毀人亡

ㄔㄜ ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄤˊ

чэхуэйжэньван

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɛː⁵⁵ wɐi̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɛː⁵⁵ wɐi̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

the vehicle is destroyed and the people die in the crash


漸行漸遠

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄩㄢˇ

цзяньсинцзяньюань

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːm²² hɐŋ²¹ t͡siːm²² jyːn¹³/

/t͡siːm²² hɐŋ²¹ t͡siːm²² jyːn¹³/

to become increasingly distant; to grow apart


歡呼雀躍

ㄏㄨㄢ ㄏㄨ ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄩㄝˋ

хуаньхуцюэюэ

/xu̯än⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/fuːn⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sœːk̚³ jœːk̚²/

/xu̯än⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/fuːn⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sœːk̚³ jœːk̚²/


反腐倡廉

ㄈㄢˇ ㄈㄨˇ ㄔㄤˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

фаньфучанлянь

/fän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ fuː²² t͡sʰœːŋ³³ liːm²¹/

/fän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ fuː²² t͡sʰœːŋ³³ liːm²¹/

(neologism, politics, officialese) to fight corruption and uphold integrity; to fight corruption and build a clean government


薪火相傳

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

синьхосянчуань

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰuan²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰuan²⁴/

/seŋ³³⁻²³ hue⁵²⁻³⁵ siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰuaŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰuan²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰuan²⁴/

/seŋ³³⁻²³ hue⁵²⁻³⁵ siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰuaŋ⁵⁵/

to pass down (good tradition, knowledge, skill, etc.) from generation to generation


裝聾作啞

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄚˇ

чжуанлунцзоя

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ t͡sɔːk̚³ aː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ t͡sɔːk̚³ aː³⁵/

to pretend to not know; to deliberately to not ask or listen


大展宏圖

ㄉㄚˋ ㄓㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄨˊ

дачжаньхунту

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ xʊŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siːn³⁵ wɐŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ xʊŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siːn³⁵ wɐŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹/


大展鴻圖

ㄉㄚˋ ㄓㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄨˊ

дачжаньхунту

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ xʊŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siːn³⁵ hʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ xʊŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siːn³⁵ hʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

大展宏圖 大展宏圖#Chinese

大展宏图 大展宏图#Chinese

Alternative form of 大展宏圖／大展宏图 (dàzhǎnhóngtú, “to carry out one's great plan”)


斗轉星移

the Big Dipper has turned and the stars have moved

ㄉㄡˇ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄧˊ

доучжуаньсинъи

/toʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵/

/tɐu̯³⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹/

/toʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵/

/tɐu̯³⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹/


民窮財盡

ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

миньцюнцайцзинь

/min³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɵn²²/

/min³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɵn²²/


魂牽夢縈

concerning with souls and getting carried away into dreams

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄇㄥˋ ㄧㄥˊ

хуньцяньмэнъин

/xu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ iŋ³⁵/

/wɐn²¹ hiːn⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² jɪŋ²¹/

/xu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ iŋ³⁵/

/wɐn²¹ hiːn⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² jɪŋ²¹/

(figurative) missing or longing for someone very much


天差地別

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄔㄚ ㄉㄧˋ ㄅㄧㄝˊ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ tei̯²² piːt̚²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ tei̯²² piːt̚²/

to be completely different; to be poles apart


水底撈針

ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄌㄠ ㄓㄣ

шуйдилаочжэнь

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ laːu̯²¹ t͡sɐm⁵⁵/

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ laːu̯²¹ t͡sɐm⁵⁵/

大海撈針 大海撈針#Chinese

大海捞针 大海捞针#Chinese


東海撈針

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄏㄞˇ ㄌㄠ ㄓㄣ

дунхайлаочжэнь

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ laːu̯²¹ t͡sɐm⁵⁵/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ laːu̯²¹ t͡sɐm⁵⁵/

大海撈針 大海撈針#Chinese

大海捞针 大海捞针#Chinese


海底撈針

ㄏㄞˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄌㄠ ㄓㄣ

хайдилаочжэнь

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ laːu̯²¹ t͡sɐm⁵⁵/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lo²⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ laːu̯²¹ t͡sɐm⁵⁵/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lo²⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

needle in a haystack
needle in a haystack


國士無雙

ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄕˋ ㄨˊ ㄕㄨㄤ

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ siː²² mou̯²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ siː²² mou̯²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

distinguished person of talent in the country that is matchless


居高不下

ㄐㄩ ㄍㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ haː²²/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ haː²²/

to stay high (and not decrease); to remain high


一期一會

ㄧ ㄑㄧˊ ㄧ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jɐt̚³⁵ kʰei̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ wuːi̯²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jɐt̚³⁵ kʰei̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ wuːi̯²²/

Wasei kango (和製漢語), orthographically borrowed from Japanese 一(いち)期(ご)一(いち)会(え) (ichigo ichie).

wasei kango

you should treasure every encounter, for it will never recur


海底摸月

/hɔːi̯³⁵ tɐi̯⁵⁵ mɔː⁵⁵ jyːt̚²⁻³⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyːt̚²/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ tɐi̯⁵⁵ mɔː⁵⁵ jyːt̚²⁻³⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyːt̚²/

(Cantonese, figurative) to make a hopeless, futile or vain effort at doing something; to ask for the moon


浪得虛名

ㄌㄤˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄒㄩ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/lɑŋ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːŋ²² tɐk̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/lɑŋ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːŋ²² tɐk̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

to not live up to one's illustrious reputation


名不虛傳

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (名不虛傳):
* → Korean: 명불허전(名不虛傳) (myeongbulheojeon)
* → Vietnamese: danh bất hư truyền (名不虛傳)

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

минбусюйчуань

/miŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/miŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to live up to one's illustrious reputation


以戰養戰

ㄧˇ ㄓㄢˋ ㄧㄤˇ ㄓㄢˋ

ичжаньянчжань

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ t͡siːn³³ jœːŋ¹³ t͡siːn³³/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ t͡siːn³³ jœːŋ¹³ t͡siːn³³/

to use resources obtained in a war to support that war


見好就收

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄏㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄡ

цзянь хао цзю шоу

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kiːn³³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯⁵⁵/

/kiːn³³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯⁵⁵/


眉目傳情

ㄇㄟˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

мэйму чуаньцин

/meɪ̯³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/mei̯²¹ mʊk̚² t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/meɪ̯³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/mei̯²¹ mʊk̚² t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

to flash amorous glances; to make eyes at somebody


芒刺在背

ㄇㄤˊ ㄘˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄟˋ

манцыцзайбэй

/mɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² puːi̯³³/

/mɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² puːi̯³³/

From the Book of Han [circa 2nd century AD].
:
宣帝始立，謁見高廟，大將軍光從驂乘，上内嚴憚之，若有芒刺在背。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]宣帝始立，谒见高庙，大将军光从骖乘，上内严惮之，若有芒刺在背。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Shu
Xuāndì shǐ lì, yèjiàn gāo miào, dàjiāngjūn guāng cóng cān chéng, shàng nèi yán dàn zhī, ruò yǒu mángcìzàibèi. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

zh-x

宣-帝 始 立，謁見 高 廟，大將軍 光 從 驂 乘，上 内 嚴 憚 之，若 有 芒刺在背。

to be jittery; to be on pins and needles


外強中乾

ㄨㄞˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄍㄢ

вайцянчжунгань

/waɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵/

/ŋɔːi̯²² kʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵/

/waɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵/

/ŋɔːi̯²² kʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵/

to appear strong on the outside but in reality be weak on the inside


逼良為娼

ㄅㄧ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄤ

/pi⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pɪk̚⁵ lœːŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pi⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pɪk̚⁵ lœːŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/


色厲內荏

ㄙㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄋㄟˋ ㄖㄣˇ

/sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ neɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ lɐi̯²² nɔːi̯²² jɐm¹³/

/sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ neɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ lɐi̯²² nɔːi̯²² jɐm¹³/

From the Analects, Book 17 (《論語·陽貨》):
:
子曰：「色厲而內荏，譬諸小人，其猶穿窬之盜也與？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「色厉而内荏，譬诸小人，其犹穿窬之盗也与？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Sè lì ér nèi rěn, pì zhū xiǎorén, qí yóu chuān yú zhī dào yě yú?” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "He who puts on an appearance of stern firmness, while inwardly he is weak, is like one of the small, mean people - yea, is he not like the thief who breaks through, or climbs over, a wall?"

^子曰：「@色.厲 而 @內.荏，譬 諸 小人，其 猶 穿 窬 之 盜 也 與{yú}？」

to appear tough on the outside but be weak and timid on the inside


一拍兩散

ㄧ ㄆㄞ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄙㄢˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːk̚³ lœːŋ¹³ saːn³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːk̚³ lœːŋ¹³ saːn³³/

(originally Cantonese) to part ways; to break up


獨來獨往

ㄉㄨˊ ㄌㄞˊ ㄉㄨˊ ㄨㄤˇ

/tu³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ tu³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊk̚² lɔːi̯²¹ tʊk̚² wɔːŋ¹³/

/tu³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ tu³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊk̚² lɔːi̯²¹ tʊk̚² wɔːŋ¹³/

to be a loner; to be alone and avoid the company of others


步態蹣跚

ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄞˋ ㄆㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

бутай паньшань

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ pʰän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/pou̯²² tʰaːi̯³³ pʰuːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ pʰän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/pou̯²² tʰaːi̯³³ pʰuːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

步履蹣跚 步履蹣跚#Chinese

步履蹒跚 步履蹒跚#Chinese


得意忘形

ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ ㄨㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚⁵ jiː³³ mɔːŋ²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

/tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚⁵ jiː³³ mɔːŋ²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

to be so excited that one gets carried away


情投意合

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄧˋ ㄏㄜˊ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ i⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ jiː³³ hɐp̚²/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² tau²⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ hap̚⁴/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ i⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ jiː³³ hɐp̚²/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² tau²⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ hap̚⁴/

to have affection for and be compatible with each other (often of a romantic couple)


民胞物與

ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄅㄠ ㄨˋ ㄩˇ

/min³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ mɐt̚² jyː¹³/

/min³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ mɐt̚² jyː¹³/

all people are brothers and sisters and all things are the same kind


羊入虎口

ㄧㄤˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄎㄡˇ

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jœːŋ²¹ jɐp̚² fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jœːŋ²¹ jɐp̚² fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/

to enter a dangerous situation where one will certainly suffer


生殺與奪

ㄕㄥ ㄕㄚ ㄩˇ ㄉㄨㄛˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jyː¹³ tyːt̚²/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jyː¹³ tyːt̚²/

生殺予奪 生殺予奪#Chinese

生杀予夺 生杀予夺#Chinese

Alternative form of 生殺予奪／生杀予夺 (shēngshāyǔduó, “(to hold power over the) life, death, reward and punishment (of others)”)


卓爾不群

ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄦˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ jiː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ kʷʰɐn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ jiː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ kʷʰɐn²¹/

to excel the common; outstanding; preeminent


千奇百怪

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄑㄧˊ ㄅㄞˇ ㄍㄨㄞˋ

цяньцибайгуай

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ paːk̚³ kʷaːi̯³³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ paːk̚³ kʷaːi̯³³/

黨內無派，千奇百怪 [MSC, trad.]
党内无派，千奇百怪 [MSC, simp.]

To have no factions within a party is very odd.


峰迴路轉

ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄢˇ

фэнхуэйлучжуань

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ lou̯²² t͡syːn³⁵/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hue²⁴⁻²² lɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ³³ hue²⁴⁻²² lɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡suan⁵⁵⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hue¹³⁻²² lɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue²⁴⁻¹¹ lɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue²³⁻³³ lɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡suan⁴¹/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ lou̯²² t͡syːn³⁵/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hue²⁴⁻²² lɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ³³ hue²⁴⁻²² lɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡suan⁵⁵⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hue¹³⁻²² lɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue²⁴⁻¹¹ lɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue²³⁻³³ lɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡suan⁴¹/


從善如流

ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːn²² jyː²¹ lɐu̯²¹/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɛn²²⁻²¹ lu²⁴⁻²² liu²⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɛn³³⁻²¹ zu²³⁻³³ liu²³/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɛn³³⁻²¹ zi²³⁻³³ liu²³/

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːn²² jyː²¹ lɐu̯²¹/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɛn²²⁻²¹ lu²⁴⁻²² liu²⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɛn³³⁻²¹ zu²³⁻³³ liu²³/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɛn³³⁻²¹ zi²³⁻³³ liu²³/

to be happy and quick to accept good advice


忠孝兩全

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

чжунсяолянцюань

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ haːu̯³³ lœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ haːu̯³³ lœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to be loyal to one's country and show filial piety to one's parents at the same time


物盡其用

ㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄩㄥˋ

/u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/mɐt̚² t͡sɵn²² kʰei̯²¹ jʊŋ²²/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin²²⁻²¹ ki²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ²²/

/but̚²⁴⁻² t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² ki²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ⁴¹/

/but̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ ki¹³⁻²² iɔŋ²²/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin³³⁻²¹ ki²³⁻³³ iɔŋ³³/

/u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/mɐt̚² t͡sɵn²² kʰei̯²¹ jʊŋ²²/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin²²⁻²¹ ki²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ²²/

/but̚²⁴⁻² t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² ki²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ⁴¹/

/but̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ ki¹³⁻²² iɔŋ²²/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin³³⁻²¹ ki²³⁻³³ iɔŋ³³/

to fully utilize something; to use something to the full


富甲一方

ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄧ ㄈㄤ

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³³ kaːp̚³ jɐt̚⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³³ kaːp̚³ jɐt̚⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵/


越演越烈

ㄩㄝˋ ㄧㄢˇ ㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄝˋ

/ɥɛ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ɥɛ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

愈演愈烈 愈演愈烈#Chinese

Synonym of 愈演愈烈 (yùyǎnyùliè, “to become more and more intense and serious”)


愈演愈烈

ㄩˋ ㄧㄢˇ ㄩˋ ㄌㄧㄝˋ

/y⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/jyː²² jiːn³⁵ jyː²² liːt̚²/

/y⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/jyː²² jiːn³⁵ jyː²² liːt̚²/

to become more and more intense and serious


牛高馬大

ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄍㄠ ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄚˋ

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ kou̯⁵⁵ maː¹³ taːi̯²²/

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ kou̯⁵⁵ maː¹³ taːi̯²²/


名譽掃地

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄩˋ ㄙㄠˇ ㄉㄧˋ

/miŋ³⁵ y⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ jyː²² sou̯³³ tei̯²²/

/miŋ³⁵ y⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ jyː²² sou̯³³ tei̯²²/

to fall into disrepute; to have one's reputation completely ruined


各取所需

ㄍㄜˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄒㄩ

/kɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ sɔː³⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/kɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ sɔː³⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/


步步高升

ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄠ ㄕㄥ

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/pou̯²² pou̯²² kou̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/pou̯²² pou̯²² kou̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

to advance step by step (especially in a career)


明文規定

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

минвэньгуйдин

/miŋ³⁵ wən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ mɐn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bun²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bun²⁴⁻²² kui³³ tiɪŋ⁴¹/

/biɪŋ¹³⁻²² bun¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bun²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ³³/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ bun²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ³³/

/miŋ³⁵ wən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ mɐn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bun²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bun²⁴⁻²² kui³³ tiɪŋ⁴¹/

/biɪŋ¹³⁻²² bun¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bun²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ³³/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ bun²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ³³/

to be defined clearly in writing; to be written out in black and white


連綿不斷

ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

ляньмяньбудуань

/li̯ɛn³⁵ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/li̯ɛn³⁵ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/


有備而來

ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄟˋ ㄦˊ ㄌㄞˊ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ pei̯²² jiː²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ pei̯²² jiː²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/


神機妙算

ㄕㄣˊ ㄐㄧ ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ

шэньцзимяосуань

/ʂən³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ miːu̯²² syːn³³/

/sin²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴ miãu³³⁻¹¹ suan¹¹/

/sin²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴ miãu³³⁻²¹ suan²¹/

/ʂən³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ miːu̯²² syːn³³/

/sin²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴ miãu³³⁻¹¹ suan¹¹/

/sin²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴ miãu³³⁻²¹ suan²¹/

brilliant intelligence; brilliant foresight

諸葛亮借東風——神機妙算／诸葛亮借东风——神机妙算

Zhūgě Liàng jiè dōngfēng, shénjīmiàosuàn


以和為貴

→ Japanese: 和を以て貴しと為す (calque)

ㄧˇ ㄏㄜˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ wɔː²¹ wɐi̯²¹ kʷɐi̯³³/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ wɔː²¹ wɐi̯²¹ kʷɐi̯³³/

武林要以和為貴，要講武德，不要搞窩裡鬥。 [MSC, trad.]
武林要以和为贵，要讲武德，不要搞窝里斗。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2020, 马保国 (Ma Baoguo), 《健身房的年轻后生不讲武德偷袭马老师，把马保国老师的眼睛给蹭了一下》

In the community of martial arts, harmony must be prized and maintained. Martial ethics must be emphasized. Internal strifles are not allowed.

Wǔlín yào yǐhéwéiguì, yào jiǎng wǔdé, bùyào gǎo wōlǐdòu. [Pinyin]


水乳交融

ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄖㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

шуйжуцзяожун

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ jyː¹³ kaːu̯⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

/sɵy̯³⁵ jyː¹³ kaːu̯⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

to get along well; to be very compatible; to be congruous


山搖地動

ㄕㄢ ㄧㄠˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

шаньяо дидун

/ʂän⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ tei̯²² tʊŋ²²/

/ʂän⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ tei̯²² tʊŋ²²/


地動山搖

ㄉㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄢ ㄧㄠˊ

дидун шаньяо

/ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/tei̯²² tʊŋ²² saːn⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

/ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/tei̯²² tʊŋ²² saːn⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/


男左女右

ㄋㄢˊ ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄋㄩˇ ㄧㄡˋ

/nän³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ t͡sɔː³⁵ nɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯²²/

/nän³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ t͡sɔː³⁵ nɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯²²/

the left refers to males and the right to females; the left is for males, the right is for females; males and females are different (traditional saying)


劣跡斑斑

ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄅㄢ ㄅㄢ

ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄧ ㄅㄢ ㄅㄢ

лецзибаньбань

/li̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵/

/li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵/

/li̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵/

/li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵/


畫荻教子

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄉㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄗˇ

хуади цзяо цзы

/xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːk̚² tɪk̚² kaːu̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːk̚² tɪk̚² kaːu̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

修母畫荻 修母畫荻#Chinese

修母画荻 修母画荻#Chinese


乘龍快婿

ㄔㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄒㄩˋ

чэнлун куайсюй

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ faːi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ faːi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

Based on the legend of Xiao Shi (萧史) and Nongyu (弄玉), the son-in-law and daughter of Duke Mu of Qin (秦穆公, r. 659 BC-621 BC, during China's Spring and Autumn Period. According to the legend, after the couple had retired to the seclusion of the middle peak of Mount Hua, one day Nongyu took her jade sheng (mouth organ) and mounted a colorful phoenix, and Xiao Shi took his jade xiao (vertical flute) and stepped onto a golden dragon. For a time, the dragon and the phoenix flew into the air. People at that time referred to Xiao Shi as "dragon-riding son-in-law," and this expression has evolved into a modern-day Chinese chengyu with the implied meaning of "ideal son-in-law."


熟口熟面

/sʊk̚² hɐu̯³⁵ sʊk̚² miːn²²/

/sʊk̚² hɐu̯³⁵ sʊk̚² miːn²²/


天花龍鳳

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ fʊŋ²²/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ fʊŋ²²/

(Cantonese) wild boast about something; extravagant embellishments; hype


物傷其類

ㄨˋ ㄕㄤ ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄟˋ

/u⁵¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɐt̚² sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ lɵy̯²²/

/u⁵¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɐt̚² sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ lɵy̯²²/

to grieve the misfortune of one's fellow beings


夜半三更

ㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄢˋ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄥ

ㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄢˋ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄥ

ебаньсаньгэн

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

/iɛ²¹³ pan²¹³ san⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/jɛː²² puːn³³ saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

/iɛ²¹³ pan²¹³ san⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/jɛː²² puːn³³ saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

夜半三更，無端端走嚟攬我一嘢，你都係驚我唔開心啫。 [Cantonese, trad.]
夜半三更，无端端走嚟揽我一嘢，你都系惊我唔开心啫。 [Cantonese, simp.]
je⁶ bun³ saam¹ gaang¹, mou⁴ dyun¹ dyun¹ zau² lai⁴ laam² ngo⁵ jat¹ je⁵, nei⁵ dou¹ hai⁶ geng¹ ngo⁵ m⁴ hoi¹ sam¹ ze¹. [Jyutping]

2009, 陳寶華 [Ella Chan], 黃予嬌, 26:34 from the start, in 絕代商驕 [You're Hired], episode 17 (television production), spoken by 麥提爽 [Mak Tai Song] (黃子華 [Dayo Wong]), via TVB

in the middle of the night; late at night


犁庭掃穴

ㄌㄧˊ ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄙㄠˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ

ㄌㄧˊ ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄙㄠˇ ㄒㄩㄝˋ

/li³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/li³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/lɐi̯²¹ tʰɪŋ²¹ sou̯³³ jyːt̚²/

/li³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/li³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/lɐi̯²¹ tʰɪŋ²¹ sou̯³³ jyːt̚²/


專橫跋扈

ㄓㄨㄢ ㄏㄥˋ ㄅㄚˊ ㄏㄨˋ

чжуаньхэнбаху

/ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ waːŋ²¹ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ waːŋ²¹ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

imperious and arbitrary; domineering and unreasonable


自求多福

ㄗˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄈㄨˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kʰɐu̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kʰɐu̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 235 (《詩經·大雅·文王》):
:
無念爾祖，聿脩厥德。
永言配命，自求多福。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]无念尔祖，聿脩厥德。
永言配命，自求多福。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Wú niàn ěr zǔ, yù xiū jué dé.
Yǒng yán pèi mìng, zì qiú duō fú. [Pinyin]
Ever think of your ancestor, Cultivating your virtue,
Always striving to accord with the will [of Heaven]. So shall you be seeking for much happiness.

lang

(《詩經·大雅·文王》)

(《詩經·大雅·文王》)

zh-x

無 念 爾 祖，聿 脩 厥 德。
^永 言 配 命，自.求.多.福。

Ever think of your ancestor, Cultivating your virtue,
Always striving to accord with the will 􂀿of Heaven􂁀. So shall you be seeking for much happiness.

to seek well-being or welfare using one's own abilities


談天說地

ㄊㄢˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄉㄧˋ

таньтяньшоди

/tʰän³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/tʰaːm²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ tei̯²²/

/tʰän³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/tʰaːm²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ tei̯²²/


地廣人稀

ㄉㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄤˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧ

дигуанжэньси

/ti⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tei̯²² kʷɔːŋ³⁵ jɐn²¹ hei̯⁵⁵/

/ti⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tei̯²² kʷɔːŋ³⁵ jɐn²¹ hei̯⁵⁵/


知書識禮

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ syː⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ lɐi̯¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ syː⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ lɐi̯¹³/


殫精竭慮

ㄉㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄩˋ

даньцзинцзелюй

/tän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/taːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰiːt̚³ lɵy̯²²/

/tän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/taːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰiːt̚³ lɵy̯²²/

to exhaust one's energy and rack one's brain


開疆拓土

ㄎㄞ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄊㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄨˇ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ kœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɔːk̚³ tʰou̯³⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ kœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɔːk̚³ tʰou̯³⁵/


棋逢敵手

ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄥˊ ㄉㄧˊ ㄕㄡˇ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fɤŋ³⁵ ti³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰei̯²¹ fʊŋ²¹ tɪk̚² sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fɤŋ³⁵ ti³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰei̯²¹ fʊŋ²¹ tɪk̚² sɐu̯³⁵/


千家萬戶

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨˋ

цяньцзяваньху

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ maːn²² wuː²²/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ka⁴² uan¹¹ fu¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ ka⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ fu⁵³/

/t͡sʰõĩ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ buaŋ¹¹ hou³⁵/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡ɕi̯a̠³³ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸu⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡ɕi̯a̠³³ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸu⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ maːn²² wuː²²/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ka⁴² uan¹¹ fu¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ ka⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ fu⁵³/

/t͡sʰõĩ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ buaŋ¹¹ hou³⁵/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡ɕi̯a̠³³ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸu⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡ɕi̯a̠³³ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸu⁴⁵/


不可名狀

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

букэминчжуан

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sɔːŋ²²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sɔːŋ²²/


傷痕累累

ㄕㄤ ㄏㄣˊ ㄌㄟˇ ㄌㄟˇ

шанхэньлэйлэй

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ xən³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐn²¹ lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²⁴ lui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lui⁵³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³ lui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lui⁴¹/

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ xən³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐn²¹ lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²⁴ lui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lui⁵³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³ lui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lui⁴¹/

(literal, figurative) riddled with scars and/or bruises


拔刀相向

ㄅㄚˊ ㄉㄠ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

/pä³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚² tou̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hœːŋ³³/

/pä³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚² tou̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hœːŋ³³/

to use force (to fight, start a war, etc.)


等而下之

ㄉㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄓ

/tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tɐŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ haː²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tɐŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ haː²² t͡siː⁵⁵/


大不如前

ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/tai³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ zu²³⁻³³ t͡siɛn²³/

/tai³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɛn²³/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/tai³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ zu²³⁻³³ t͡siɛn²³/

/tai³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɛn²³/

他已經七十多歲了，體力大不如前。 [MSC, trad.]
他已经七十多岁了，体力大不如前。 [MSC, simp.]

He is in his seventies. He does not have as much energy as before.

Tā yǐjīng qīshí duō suì le, tǐlì dàbùrúqián. [Pinyin]


深不可測

ㄕㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄘㄜˋ

/ʂən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/


始料不及

ㄕˇ ㄌㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ liːu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚²/

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ liːu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚²/

(of an event that occurred) to be unexpected; to be unanticipated


相持不下

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ haː²²/

/sio⁴⁴⁻²² ti²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ ha²²/

/sio³³ ti²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ha⁴¹/

/sio⁴⁴⁻²² ti¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ ha²²/

/sio⁴⁴⁻³³ ti²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ ha³³/

/siɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ ti²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ ha³³/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ haː²²/

/sio⁴⁴⁻²² ti²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ ha²²/

/sio³³ ti²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ha⁴¹/

/sio⁴⁴⁻²² ti¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ ha²²/

/sio⁴⁴⁻³³ ti²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ ha³³/

/siɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ ti²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ ha³³/

to be locked in a stalemate; neither side is winning or yielding in a standoff


悔之莫及

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄓ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ

хуэйчжимоцзи

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/


細微末節

ㄒㄧˋ ㄨㄟ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

ㄒㄧˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ɕi⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/ɕi⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ mei̯²¹ muːt̚² t͡siːt̚³/

/ɕi⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/ɕi⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ mei̯²¹ muːt̚² t͡siːt̚³/

trivial detail; tiny and insignificant detail


異軍突起

ㄧˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄊㄨ ㄑㄧˇ

ㄧˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄊㄨˊ ㄑㄧˇ

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ tɐt̚² hei̯³⁵/

/i²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁵³/

/i⁴¹⁻²² kun³³ tut̚²⁴⁻² kʰi⁵⁵⁴/

/i²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² tut̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kʰi⁵³/

/i³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁵³/

/i³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁴¹/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ tɐt̚² hei̯³⁵/

/i²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁵³/

/i⁴¹⁻²² kun³³ tut̚²⁴⁻² kʰi⁵⁵⁴/

/i²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² tut̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kʰi⁵³/

/i³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁵³/

/i³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁴¹/


先花後果

to blossom flowers first and bear fruits afterwards

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄏㄡˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ

сяньхуахоуго

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵/

生下三女一男：兒子名曰承祖，長女名玉英，次女名桃英，三女名月英。元來是先花後果的，倒是玉英居長，次即承祖。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
生下三女一男：儿子名曰承祖，长女名玉英，次女名桃英，三女名月英。元来是先花后果的，倒是玉英居长，次即承祖。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
[She bore three daughters and one son.] The son was named Chengzu, the eldest daughter Yuying, the second daughter Taoying, and the third daughter Yueying. Yuying was the eldest of the four and Chengzu the son was the second.

From: Feng Menglong, Stories to Awaken the World, 1627 CE

Shēngxià sān nǚ yī nán: érzǐ míng yuē Chéngzǔ, chángnǚ míng Yùyīng, cìnǚ míng Táoyīng, sānnǚ míng Yuèyīng. Yuánlái shì xiānhuāhòuguǒ de, dǎoshì Yùyīng jū cháng, cì jí Chéngzǔ. [Pinyin]

(obsolete) to give birth to a girl first and then a boy


後果前因

ㄏㄡˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄣ

хоугоцяньинь

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jɐn⁵⁵/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jɐn⁵⁵/

前因後果 前因後果#Chinese

前因后果 前因后果#Chinese


乖覺可喜

ㄍㄨㄞ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧˇ

гуайцзюэкэси

/ku̯aɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷaːi̯⁵⁵ kɔːk̚³ hɔː³⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/kʷaːi̯⁵⁵ kɔːk̚³ hɔː³⁵ hei̯³⁵/


不進則退

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄗㄜˊ ㄊㄨㄟˋ

буцзиньцзэтуй

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɵn³³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ tʰɵy̯³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɵn³³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ tʰɵy̯³³/


功德圓滿

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄉㄜˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄇㄢˇ

гундэюаньмань

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jyːn²¹ muːn¹³/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jyːn²¹ muːn¹³/

to conclude successfully; to end satisfactorily


見賢思齊

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄙ ㄑㄧˊ

цзяньсяньсыци

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/kiːn³³ jiːn²¹ siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/kiːn³³ jiːn²¹ siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

From the Analects, Book 4 (《論語·里仁》):
:
子曰：「見賢思齊焉，見不賢而內自省也。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「见贤思齐焉，见不贤而内自省也。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Jiàn xián sī qí yān, jiàn bù xián ér nèi zìxǐng yě.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves."

子曰：「見.賢.思.齊 焉，見 不 賢 而 內 自省 也。」

to see a virtuous person and think of following their example


君子不器

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (君子不器):
* → Korean: 군자불기(君子不器) (gunjabulgi)
* → Vietnamese: quân tử bất khí (君子不器)

ja-r

くん%し は き ならず

→ Japanese: 君(くん)子(し)は器(き)ならず (kunshi wa ki narazu) (calque)

ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˋ

цзюньцзыбуци

/t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/

/t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/

From the Analects, Book 2 (《論語·爲政》):
:
子曰：「君子不器。」 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Jūnzǐ bù qì.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "The accomplished scholar is not a utensil."

zh-x

^子曰：「君子.不.器。」

A gentleman is no specialist; Unlike a tool fashioned for a specific purpose, a gentleman is well-rounded, someone who has talents suited to any task.


歡蹦亂跳

ㄏㄨㄢ ㄅㄥˋ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄠˋ

хуаньбэн луаньтяо

/xu̯än⁵⁵ pɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuːn⁵⁵ pɐŋ⁵⁵ lyːn²² tʰiːu̯³³/

/fᵘɔn³³ paŋ⁵⁵ lᵘɔn³² hiau³³/

/xu̯än⁵⁵ pɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuːn⁵⁵ pɐŋ⁵⁵ lyːn²² tʰiːu̯³³/

/fᵘɔn³³ paŋ⁵⁵ lᵘɔn³² hiau³³/


乘火打劫

ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

to take advantage of another person's misfortune for personal gain


久負盛名

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ fuː²² sɪŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ fuː²² sɪŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

to have a good reputation for a long time


操之過急

ㄘㄠ ㄓ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ kɐp̚⁵/

/t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ kɐp̚⁵/


正中下懷

ㄓㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄞˊ

чжэнчжунсяхуай

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʊŋ³³ haː²² waːi̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʊŋ³³ haː²² waːi̯²¹/


舟車勞頓

ㄓㄡ ㄔㄜ ㄌㄠˊ ㄉㄨㄣˋ

чжоучэлаодунь

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ lou̯²¹ tɵn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ lou̯²¹ tɵn²²/

to become exhausted from travelling (in a vehicle, on a boat, train, airplane, etc.); to be fatigued by a long journey


莫之與京

ㄇㄛˋ ㄓ ㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄥ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/mɔːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/mɔːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

From the Commentary of Zuo:
:
有媯之後，將育于姜，五世其昌，並于正卿，八世之後，莫之與京。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]有妫之后，将育于姜，五世其昌，并于正卿，八世之后，莫之与京。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Yǒuguī zhīhòu, jiāng yù yú Jiāng, wǔshìqíchāng, bìng yú zhèngqīng, bā shì zhīhòu, mòzhīyǔjīng. [Pinyin]
The posterity of this scion of the Gui [surname of the House of Chen] will be nourished among the Jiang [surname of the House of Qi]. In five generations they will be prosperous, and the highest ministers in Qi; in eight, there will be none to compare with them for greatness.

^@有媯 之後，將 育 于 ^姜，五世其昌，並 于 正卿，八 世 之後，莫之與京。

The posterity of this scion of the Gui 􂀿surname of the House of Chen􂁀 will be nourished among the Jiang 􂀿surname of the House of Qi􂁀. In five generations they will be prosperous, and the highest ministers in Qi; in eight, there will be none to compare with them for greatness.


怒目而視

ㄋㄨˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄦˊ ㄕˋ

/nu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/nou̯²² mʊk̚² jiː²¹ siː²²/

/nu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/nou̯²² mʊk̚² jiː²¹ siː²²/


利令智昏

ㄌㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄓˋ ㄏㄨㄣ

лилинчжихунь

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ liŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ xu̯ən⁵⁵/

/lei̯²² lɪŋ²² t͡siː³³ fɐn⁵⁵/

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ liŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ xu̯ən⁵⁵/

/lei̯²² lɪŋ²² t͡siː³³ fɐn⁵⁵/

to be blinded by the lust for gains; to lose one's head because of greed


緩不濟急

ㄏㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄐㄧˊ

хуаньбуцзицзи

/xu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/wuːn²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³ kɐp̚⁵/

/uan²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se²¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kip̚⁵/

/uan²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡se²¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se¹¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se²¹⁻⁴¹ kip̚³²/

/xu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/wuːn²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³ kɐp̚⁵/

/uan²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se²¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kip̚⁵/

/uan²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡se²¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se¹¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se²¹⁻⁴¹ kip̚³²/

(of an action or plan) to be too slow and unable to address an urgent situation


千姿百態

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄗ ㄅㄞˇ ㄊㄞˋ

цяньцзыбайтай

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ tʰaːi̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ tʰaːi̯³³/


待時而動

ㄉㄞˋ ㄕˊ ㄦˊ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

/taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/tɔːi̯²² siː²¹ jiː²¹ tʊŋ²²/

/taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/tɔːi̯²² siː²¹ jiː²¹ tʊŋ²²/


積不相能

ㄐㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄋㄥˊ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

(literary) to not get along for a long time


一較高下

ㄧ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄍㄠ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kaːu̯³³ kou̯⁵⁵ haː²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kaːu̯³³ kou̯⁵⁵ haː²²/

to compete against one another and determine who is superior


一決高下

ㄧ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄍㄠ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ kou̯⁵⁵ haː²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ kou̯⁵⁵ haː²²/


因利乘便

ㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

иньличэнбянь

/in⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ lei̯²² sɪŋ²¹ piːn²²/

/in⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ lei̯²² sɪŋ²¹ piːn²²/

to make use of an advantageous situation


一決勝負

ㄧ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄕㄥˋ ㄈㄨˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ sɪŋ³³ fuː²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ sɪŋ³³ fuː²²/

to have a showdown to determine the victor


飛來橫禍

ㄈㄟ ㄌㄞˊ ㄏㄥˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ waːŋ²¹ wɔː²²/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ waːŋ²¹ wɔː²²/

unexpected disaster that suddenly befalls


足不出戶

ㄗㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋ

/t͡su³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

/t͡su³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

to not leave the house; to be confined to the house (but still able to ...)


一決雌雄

→ Japanese: 雌(し)雄(ゆう)を決(けっ)する (shiyū o kessuru) (calque)

ㄧ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄘˊ ㄒㄩㄥˊ

ㄧ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄘ ㄒㄩㄥˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/


有理有據

ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄩˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ lei̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ kɵy̯³³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ lei̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ kɵy̯³³/

to have solid grounds; well-grounded; well-founded


目無餘子

ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄩˊ ㄗˇ

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ y³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵/

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ y³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵/


好食懶飛

(of a bird) to be fond of eating and too lazy to fly

(Cantonese) to be fond of eating and averse to work; to be piggish


鑽木取火

ㄗㄨㄢ ㄇㄨˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

цзуаньмуцюйхо

/t͡su̯än⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ mʊk̚² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ mʊk̚² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵/


獨夫民賊

ㄉㄨˊ ㄈㄨ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄗㄟˊ

дуфуминьцзэй

/tʊk̚² fuː⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚²/

/tʊk̚² fuː⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚²/

tyrant who has no support and brings disaster to the country and the people


好景不常

ㄏㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄤˊ

хаоцзинбучан

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/hou̯³³ kɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹/

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/hou̯³³ kɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹/


好食懶做

/hau̯⁵⁵ sɨt̚⁵ nan²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so⁵⁵/

/hau̯⁵⁵ sɨt̚⁵ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so⁵⁵/

/hau⁵³ sət̚⁵ lan⁴⁴⁻³⁵ t͡so⁵³/

/hau̯⁵⁵ sɨt̚⁵ nan²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so⁵⁵/

/hau̯⁵⁵ sɨt̚⁵ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so⁵⁵/

/hau⁵³ sət̚⁵ lan⁴⁴⁻³⁵ t͡so⁵³/

正如投資日本樓，一想到收租事宜完全依賴那間香港仲介，我就極不安心，它可能發咗達好食懶做，也可能執笠不做，或者夾帶私逃，怎麼辦？ [Cantonese, trad.]
正如投资日本楼，一想到收租事宜完全依赖那间香港仲介，我就极不安心，它可能发咗达好食懒做，也可能执笠不做，或者夹带私逃，怎么办？ [Cantonese, simp.]
zing³ jyu⁴ tau⁴ zi¹ jat⁶ bun² lau⁴⁻², jat¹ soeng² dou³ sau¹ zou¹ si⁶ ji⁴ jyun⁴ cyun⁴ ji¹ laai⁶ naa⁵ gaan¹ hoeng¹ gong² zung⁶ gaai³, ngo⁵ zau⁶ gik⁶ bat¹ on¹ sam¹, taa¹ ho² nang⁴ faat³ zo² daat⁶ hou³ sik⁶ laan⁵ zou⁶, jaa⁵ ho² nang⁴ zap¹ lap¹ bat¹ zou⁶, waak⁶ ze² gaap³ daai³ si¹ tou⁴, zam² mo¹ baan⁶? [Jyutping]

From: 2017, 郭釗, 《HEA富學：一天只做2小時的創富方程式》, page 180

Just like with investing in Japanese properties, once I realized that rent collection is completely reliant on that agency in Hong Kong, I became very anxious. Maybe after making a fortune, they will love ease and be lazy, maybe they will just close down the business, or maybe they will just run off. What can I do?

(Cantonese, Hakka) to be fond of eating and averse to work; to be piggish


逐鹿中原

ㄓㄨˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄩㄢˊ

чжулучжунъюань

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚² lʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚² lʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

to fight for the throne and control over China


拂袖而去

ㄈㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄦˊ ㄑㄩˋ

/fu³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/fɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² jiː²¹ hɵy̯³³/

/fu³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/fɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² jiː²¹ hɵy̯³³/


習非成是

ㄒㄧˊ ㄈㄟ ㄔㄥˊ ㄕˋ

/ɕi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡saːp̚² fei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ siː²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻³² hui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² si²²/

/ɕi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡saːp̚² fei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ siː²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻³² hui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² si²²/

to be accustomed to mistakes that they instead are regarded as right


口腹之欲

ㄎㄡˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓ ㄩˋ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/hɐu̯³⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊk̚²/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/hɐu̯³⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊk̚²/

desire for food; desire to eat and drink


大廈將傾

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² haː²² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² haː²² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

to be about to collapse; to be about to crumble


成敗利鈍

ㄔㄥˊ ㄅㄞˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄣˋ

чэнбайлидунь

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ paːi̯²² lei̯²² tɵn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ paːi̯²² lei̯²² tɵn²²/

success or failure; smoothness or setback


妙手回春

ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄨㄣ

мяошоухуэйчунь

/mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ wuːi̯²¹ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ wuːi̯²¹ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵/

(of a doctor) to have superb medical skills and bring the dying back to life


迎頭痛擊

ㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄧ

ㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ³³ kɪk̚⁵/

/ɡiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ kiɪk̚³²/

/ɡiɪŋ²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ tʰɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ kiɪk̚³²/

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ³³ kɪk̚⁵/

/ɡiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ kiɪk̚³²/

/ɡiɪŋ²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ tʰɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ kiɪk̚³²/

to give a serious attack head-on or directly


城下之盟

ㄔㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄓ ㄇㄥˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ haː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ haː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹/

treaty or oath forced to make with the enemy when the it is right outside of the walls of the city


風言風語

ㄈㄥ ㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ

фэнъянь фэнъюй

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³/


挑肥揀瘦

ㄊㄧㄠ ㄈㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄡˋ

тяофэйцзяньшоу

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ fei̯²¹ kaːn³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ fei̯²¹ kaːn³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

to pick the best for oneself; to choose whatever is to one's advantage


漏洞百出

ㄌㄡˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄅㄞˇ ㄔㄨ

/loʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/lɐu̯²² tʊŋ²² paːk̚³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/loʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/lɐu̯²² tʊŋ²² paːk̚³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/


指揮若定

ㄓˇ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

чжихуэйжодин

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ fɐi̯⁵⁵ jœːk̚² tɪŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ fɐi̯⁵⁵ jœːk̚² tɪŋ²²/

to command and issue orders in a calm and poised manner


再造之恩

цзайцзаочжиэнь

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ˀən⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡sou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ˀən⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡sou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn⁵⁵/


戒備森嚴

ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄟˋ ㄙㄣ ㄧㄢˊ

цзебэйсэньянь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹ sən⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/kaːi̯³³ pei̯²² sɐm⁵⁵ jiːm²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹ sən⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/kaːi̯³³ pei̯²² sɐm⁵⁵ jiːm²¹/


以攻為守

ㄧˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄨㄟˊ ㄕㄡˇ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

to actively attack as a means of defense


衣錦榮歸

ㄧ ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

ㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

ицзиньжунгуй

/i⁵⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ kɐm³⁵ wɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/jiː⁵⁵ kɐm³⁵ wɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/i³³⁻²³ kim⁵²⁻³⁵ ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui³³/

/i⁵⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ kɐm³⁵ wɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/jiː⁵⁵ kɐm³⁵ wɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/i³³⁻²³ kim⁵²⁻³⁵ ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui³³/

衣錦還鄉 衣錦還鄉#Chinese

衣锦还乡 衣锦还乡#Chinese

Synonym of 衣錦還鄉／衣锦还乡 (“to return home a success; to return home in glory”)


深仇大恨

ㄕㄣ ㄔㄡˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄣˋ

шэньчоудахэнь

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² hɐn²²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² hɐn²²/


大做文章

ㄉㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄓㄤ

дацзовэньчжан

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡sou̯²² mɐn²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡sou̯²² mɐn²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

make a big thing out of
make a big thing out of

to make a big thing out of a certain matter to escalate the situation and achieve one's own goals


孺子可教

ㄖㄨˊ ㄗˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

/ʐu³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ kaːu̯³³/

/ʐu³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ kaːu̯³³/

From the story of Zhang Liang meeting his master (translation was adapted from Xinhua News Agency):
:
良嘗閒從容步游下邳圯上，有一老父，衣褐，至良所，直墮其履圯下，顧謂良曰：「孺子，下取履！」良鄂然，欲毆之。為其老，彊忍，下取履。父曰：「履我！」良業為取履，因長跪履之。父以足受，笑而去。良殊大驚，隨目之。父去里所，復還，曰：「孺子可教矣。後五日平明，與我會此。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]良尝闲从容步游下邳圯上，有一老父，衣褐，至良所，直堕其履圯下，顾谓良曰：「孺子，下取履！」良鄂然，欲殴之。为其老，强忍，下取履。父曰：「履我！」良业为取履，因长跪履之。父以足受，笑而去。良殊大惊，随目之。父去里所，复还，曰：「孺子可教矣。后五日平明，与我会此。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Liáng cháng xián cóngróng bù yóu xiàpī yí shàng, yǒu yī lǎofù, yì hè, zhì Liáng suǒ, zhí duò qí lǚ yí xià, gù wèi Liáng yuē: “Rúzǐ, xià qǔ lǚ!” Liáng èrán, yù ōu zhī. Wèi qí lǎo, qiángrěn, xià qǔ lǚ. Fù yuē: “Lǚ wǒ!” Liáng yè wèi qǔ lǚ, yīn cháng guì lǚ zhī. Fù yǐ zú shòu, xiào ér qù. Liáng shū dàjīng, suí mù zhī. Fù qù lǐ suǒ, fù hái, yuē: “Rúzǐkějiào yǐ. Hòu wǔ rì píngmíng, yǔ wǒ huì cǐ.” [Pinyin]
One day, Zhang Liang took a stroll on a bridge in Xiapi and met an old man in clothes made with coarse fibre there. The man walked toward Zhang and chucked his shoe down the bridge on purpose, after which he yelled at Zhang, "Hey boy, go down and fetch me my shoe!" Zhang was astonished. At first he wanted to beat the old man, but considering that the man was old, he then controlled his temper, and went down the bridge to take the shoe for him. The old man then told Zhang, “Put on the shoe for me!” Zhang kneeled and put the shoe on the old man's feet considering that he had already took the shoe for him. The man did not show any sign of gratitude and walked away laughing. Zhang felt surprised and looked at the old man. The old man came back after walking a distance and praised Zhang: "This child can be taught! Meet me here again at dawn five days later."

^@良 嘗 閒 從容 步 游 下邳 圯 上， 有 一 老父，衣{yì} 褐，至 @^良 所，直 墮 其 履 圯 下，顧 謂 ^@良 曰：「孺子，下 取 履！」^@良 愕然\鄂然 ， 欲 毆 之。為 其 老，強忍\彊忍，下 取 履。父 曰：「履 我！」^@良 業 為 取 履，因 長 跪 履 之 。父 以 足 受，笑 而 去。^@良 殊 大驚，隨 目 之。父 去 里 所，復 還，曰：「孺子可教 矣。後 五 日 平明，與 我 會 此。」


久聞大名

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄨㄣˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзювэньдамин

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹/

(polite, honorific) I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time


何樂不為

ㄏㄜˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ

/xɤ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/ho²⁴⁻²² lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/ho²⁴⁻²² lɔk̚²⁴⁻² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴/

/ho¹³⁻²² lɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³/

/ho²⁴⁻¹¹ lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/hɤ²³⁻³³ lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³/

/xɤ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/ho²⁴⁻²² lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/ho²⁴⁻²² lɔk̚²⁴⁻² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴/

/ho¹³⁻²² lɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³/

/ho²⁴⁻¹¹ lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/hɤ²³⁻³³ lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³/

(rhetorical) why not do it?; what is there against it?


生生不息

ㄕㄥ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧ

ㄕㄥ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/


大器小用

ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄩㄥˋ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³³ siːu̯³⁵ jʊŋ²²/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³³ siːu̯³⁵ jʊŋ²²/

大材小用 大材小用#Chinese


入口即化

ㄖㄨˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

/ʐu⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐp̚² hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faː³³/

/ʐu⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐp̚² hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faː³³/


各自為政

ㄍㄜˋ ㄗˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓㄥˋ

гэцзывэйчжэн

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³/

each acts on their own according to their own preferences or desires without any overall coordination