蜂擁而上

ㄈㄥ ㄩㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄕㄤˋ

фэнъюнъэршан

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

(of a large crowd) to rush forward together; to swarm


天下第一

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄧ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² tɐi̯²² jɐt̚⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² tɐi̯²² jɐt̚⁵/

number one in the world; peerless; unequaled


居心不良

ㄐㄩ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄤˊ

цзюйсиньбулян

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

to harbor bad intentions; to be malicious


手忙腳亂

ㄕㄡˇ ㄇㄤˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄨㄢˋ

шоуманцзяолуань

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯än⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ kœːk̚³ lyːn²²/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ kœːk̚³ lyːn²²/

to act in an disorderly and flustered manner


兜口兜面

/tɐu̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ tɐu̯⁵⁵ miːn²²/

/tɐu̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ tɐu̯⁵⁵ miːn²²/

(Cantonese) to one's face; directly towards someone


未卜先知

to already know without having performed divination

ㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄓ

вэйбусяньчжи

/weɪ̯⁵¹ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mei̯²² pʊk̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/bue¹¹ pok̚²⁻⁴ sãĩ³³⁻²³ t͡sai³³/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mei̯²² pʊk̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/bue¹¹ pok̚²⁻⁴ sãĩ³³⁻²³ t͡sai³³/

to predict accurately; to foretell accurately


兜頭蓋臉

ㄉㄡ ㄊㄡˊ ㄍㄞˋ ㄌㄧㄢˇ

доутоугайлянь

/toʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʰɔːi̯³³ liːm¹³/

/toʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʰɔːi̯³³ liːm¹³/


多才多藝

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘㄞˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄧˋ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²²/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²²/

to possess a great deal of different skills and talents


劈頭蓋臉

ㄆㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄍㄞˋ ㄌㄧㄢˇ

питоугайлянь

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɛːk̚³ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʰɔːi̯³³ liːm¹³/

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɛːk̚³ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʰɔːi̯³³ liːm¹³/


可有可無

ㄎㄜˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄨˊ

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ hɔː³⁵ mou̯²¹/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ hɔː³⁵ mou̯²¹/


人生苦短

ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄥ ㄎㄨˇ ㄉㄨㄢˇ

жэньшэнкудуань

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ tyːn³⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ tyːn³⁵/


循環往復

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄨㄤˇ ㄈㄨˋ

сюньхуаньванфу

/ɕyn³⁵ xu̯än³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ waːn²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ fʊk̚²/

/ɕyn³⁵ xu̯än³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ waːn²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ fʊk̚²/

實踐、認識、再實踐、再認識，這種形式，循環往復以至無窮，而實踐和認識之每一循環的內容，都比較地進到了高一級的程度。 [MSC, trad.]
实践、认识、再实践、再认识，这种形式，循环往复以至无穷，而实践和认识之每一循环的内容，都比较地进到了高一级的程度。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1937, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《實踐論》 (On Practice), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

This form repeats itself in endless cycles, and with each cycle the content of practice and knowledge rises to a higher level.

Shíjiàn, rènshi, zài shíjiàn, zài rènshi, zhè zhǒng xíngshì, xúnhuánwǎngfù yǐzhì wúqióng, ér shíjiàn hé rènshi zhī měi yī xúnhuán de nèiróng, dōu bǐjiào de jìndào le gāo yī jí de chéngdù. [Pinyin]


以管窺天

ㄧˇ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄎㄨㄟ ㄊㄧㄢ

игуанькуйтянь

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jiː¹³ kuːn³⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/jiː¹³ kuːn³⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

to have narrow and superficial knowledge and views


為時未晚

ㄨㄟˊ ㄕˊ ㄨㄟˋ ㄨㄢˇ

вэйшивэйвань

/weɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐi̯²¹ siː²¹ mei̯²² maːn¹³/

/weɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐi̯²¹ siː²¹ mei̯²² maːn¹³/


為時已晚

ㄨㄟˊ ㄕˊ ㄧˇ ㄨㄢˇ

/weɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐi̯²¹ siː²¹ jiː¹³ maːn¹³/

/weɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐi̯²¹ siː²¹ jiː¹³ maːn¹³/


歲月如梭

time moves as quickly as a weaver's shuttle

ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄩㄝˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛ

/su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ su̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³³ jyːt̚² jyː²¹ sɔː⁵⁵/

/su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ su̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³³ jyːt̚² jyː²¹ sɔː⁵⁵/


隨波逐流

ㄙㄨㄟˊ ㄅㄛ ㄓㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/su̯eɪ̯³⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ pɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² lɐu̯²¹/

/su̯eɪ̯³⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ pɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² lɐu̯²¹/

(derogatory) to go with the flow; to swim with the tide; to act or behave the same way as the majority of others


供過於求

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ ㄑㄧㄡˊ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ jyː⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ jyː⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹/

to have an oversupply; the supply exceeds the demand


三催四請

ㄙㄢ ㄘㄨㄟ ㄙˋ ㄑㄧㄥˇ

саньцуйсыцин

/sän⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sʰɛːŋ³⁵/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sʰɛːŋ³⁵/


罪有應得

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄥ ㄉㄜˊ

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯²² jɐu̯¹³ jɪŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯²² jɐu̯¹³ jɪŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

to deserve one's punishment for one's crimes or bad behavior


大動肝火

ㄉㄚˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² tʊŋ²² kɔːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² tʊŋ²² kɔːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/


又驚又喜

ㄧㄡˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄧㄡˋ ㄒㄧˇ

/joʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯²² kɪŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² hei̯³⁵/

/joʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯²² kɪŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² hei̯³⁵/

to be pleasantly surprised; to be surprised and delighted


風狂雨驟

ㄈㄥ ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄩˇ ㄓㄡˋ

ㄈㄥ ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄩˇ ㄗㄡˋ

фэнкуанъюйчжоу

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

фэнкуанъюйцзоу

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡soʊ̯⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ jyː¹³ t͡saːu̯²²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡soʊ̯⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ jyː¹³ t͡saːu̯²²/


食無定時

/sɪk̚² mou̯²¹ tɪŋ²² siː²¹/

/sɪk̚² mou̯²¹ tɪŋ²² siː²¹/

(Cantonese) to eat meals at irregular times; to have an irregular eating schedule


崢嶸歲月

ㄓㄥ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄩㄝˋ

чжэнжунсуйюэ

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/t͡saːŋ⁵⁵ wɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³³ jyːt̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/t͡saːŋ⁵⁵ wɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³³ jyːt̚²/


護國佑民

ㄏㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄧㄡˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ

/xu⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ min³⁵/

/wuː²² kʷɔːk̚³ jɐu̯²² mɐn²¹/

/xu⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ min³⁵/

/wuː²² kʷɔːk̚³ jɐu̯²² mɐn²¹/


萬劫不復

ㄨㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨˋ

/wän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fu⁵¹/

/maːn²² kiːp̚³ pɐt̚⁵ fʊk̚²/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ kiap̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ hɔk̚⁴/

/ban³³⁻²¹ kiap̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ hɔk̚⁴/

/wän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fu⁵¹/

/maːn²² kiːp̚³ pɐt̚⁵ fʊk̚²/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ kiap̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ hɔk̚⁴/

/ban³³⁻²¹ kiap̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ hɔk̚⁴/

萬劫不復的深淵／万劫不复的深渊 ― wànjiébùfù de shēnyuān

如果從奴隸生活中尋出「美」來，讚歎，撫摩，陶醉，那可簡直是萬劫不復的奴才了！ [MSC, trad.]
如果从奴隶生活中寻出「美」来，赞叹，抚摩，陶醉，那可简直是万劫不复的奴才了！ [MSC, simp.]
Rúguǒ cóng núlì shēnghuó zhōng xún chū “měi” lái, zàntàn, fǔmó, táozuì, nà kě jiǎnzhí shì wànjiébùfù de núcái le! [Pinyin]

1933, Lu Xun, “漫與”, in 南腔北調集, 同文書店, published 1934, page 198

(please add an English translation of this quotation)

to be doomed eternally; to be beyond redemption; to be never able to recover


旁敲側擊

ㄆㄤˊ ㄑㄧㄠ ㄘㄜˋ ㄐㄧ

ㄆㄤˊ ㄑㄧㄠ ㄘㄜˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ haːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐk̚⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ haːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐk̚⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

beat around the bush
beat around the bush

to express something indirectly by making oblique statements; to beat around the bush


打橫嚟講

/taː³⁵ waːŋ²¹ lɐi̯²¹ kɔːŋ³⁵/

/taː³⁵ waːŋ²¹ lei̯²¹ kɔːŋ³⁵/

/taː³⁵ waːŋ²¹ lɐi̯²¹ kɔːŋ³⁵/

/taː³⁵ waːŋ²¹ lei̯²¹ kɔːŋ³⁵/

(Cantonese) to use lame arguments and perverted logic; to not talk sense


後悔莫及

ㄏㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ

хоухуэймоцзи

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² fuːi̯³³ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/

/hio³³⁻¹¹ hue⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/hiɤ³³⁻²¹ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/hɔ³³⁻¹¹ hue⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/hɔ³³⁻²¹ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² fuːi̯³³ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/

/hio³³⁻¹¹ hue⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/hiɤ³³⁻²¹ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/hɔ³³⁻¹¹ hue⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/hɔ³³⁻²¹ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/


從輕發落

ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄈㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ faːt̚³ lɔːk̚²/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁴ loʔ⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰin³³ huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ loʔ²⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ¹³⁻²² kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁵ loʔ¹²¹/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ loʔ⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ lɤʔ⁴/

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ faːt̚³ lɔːk̚²/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁴ loʔ⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰin³³ huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ loʔ²⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ loʔ⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ lɤʔ⁴/


片面之詞

ㄆㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄓ ㄘˊ

пяньмяньчжицы

/pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ miːn²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ miːn²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/


後起之秀

ㄏㄡˋ ㄑㄧˇ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄡˋ

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/hɐu̯²² hei̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/au²²⁻²¹ kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² siu²¹/

/au⁴¹⁻²² kʰi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡si³³ siu⁴¹/

/au²²⁻²¹ kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² siu²¹/

/au³³⁻¹¹ kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ siu¹¹/

/au³³⁻²¹ kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ siu²¹/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/hɐu̯²² hei̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/au²²⁻²¹ kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² siu²¹/

/au⁴¹⁻²² kʰi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡si³³ siu⁴¹/

/au²²⁻²¹ kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² siu²¹/

/au³³⁻¹¹ kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ siu¹¹/

/au³³⁻²¹ kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ siu²¹/

a young rising star; a young and promising talent


不以為恥

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄔˇ

/pu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/


無日無之

/u³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jɐt̚² mou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jɐt̚² mou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

not a single day without a particular thing happening


三言兩語

ㄙㄢ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄩˇ

саньяньлянъюй

/sän⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːm⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ lœːŋ¹³ jyː¹³/

/sæ̃¹¹ ie¹¹ liɒ̃⁵³⁻¹¹ y⁵³/

/san³³ i̯ẽ¹³ li̯æn⁴¹ y⁴¹/

/sän⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːm⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ lœːŋ¹³ jyː¹³/

/sæ̃¹¹ ie¹¹ liɒ̃⁵³⁻¹¹ y⁵³/

/san³³ i̯ẽ¹³ li̯æn⁴¹ y⁴¹/


倒果為因

ㄉㄠˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄧㄣ

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/tou̯³⁵ kʷɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn⁵⁵/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/tou̯³⁵ kʷɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn⁵⁵/

to reverse the cause and the effect; to reverse causality


通宵達旦

ㄊㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄉㄚˊ ㄉㄢˋ

тунсяодадань

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tä³⁵ tän⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ taːt̚² taːn³³/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tä³⁵ tän⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ taːt̚² taːn³³/


言之過早

ㄧㄢˊ ㄓ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄠˇ

яньчжигоцзао

/jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ t͡sou̯³⁵/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ kue²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sa⁴¹/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ ke¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sa⁵³/

/jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ t͡sou̯³⁵/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ kue²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sa⁴¹/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ ke¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sa⁵³/

too soon to tell; premature to speak about something


令人咋舌

ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄜˊ

линжэньцзэшэ

linžɛnʹczɛšɛ

/liŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/lɪŋ²² jɐn²¹ t͡saː³³ siːt̚³/

/liŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/lɪŋ²² jɐn²¹ t͡saː³³ siːt̚³/

to leave people speechless with fear or surprise


戕害不辜

ㄑㄧㄤ ㄏㄞˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨ

ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄏㄞˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ku⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ku⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ hɔːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ kuː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ku⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ku⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ hɔːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ kuː⁵⁵/


飲飽食醉

to be full from drinking and drunk from eating

/jɐm³⁵ paːu̯³⁵ sɪk̚² t͡sɵy̯³³/

/jɐm³⁵ paːu̯³⁵ sɪk̚² t͡sɵy̯³³/

(Cantonese) to be satisfied after having a lot to eat and drink; to get one's fill


不能自已

ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄥˊ ㄗˋ ㄧˇ

/pu⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ nɐŋ²¹ t͡siː²² jiː¹³/

/pu⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ nɐŋ²¹ t͡siː²² jiː¹³/

to be unable to control one's intense emotions


若隱若現

ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄒㄧㄢˋ

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² jɐn³⁵ jœːk̚² jiːn²²/

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² jɐn³⁵ jœːk̚² jiːn²²/


模糊不清

ㄇㄛˊ ㄏㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄥ

/mu̯ɔ³⁵ xu³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ wuː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/mu̯ɔ³⁵ xu³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ wuː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

(literally and figuratively) blurry; vague; obscure


木已成舟

the wood has already been made into a boat

ㄇㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄓㄡ

/mu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/mʊk̚² jiː¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/

/mu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/mʊk̚² jiː¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/


寡廉鮮恥

ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄔˇ

гуаляньсяньчи

/ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷaː³⁵ liːm²¹ siːn³⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/kʷaː³⁵ liːm²¹ siːn³⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵/


十萬火急

ㄕˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄐㄧˊ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ wän⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/sɐp̚² maːn²² fɔː³⁵ kɐp̚⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ wän⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/sɐp̚² maːn²² fɔː³⁵ kɐp̚⁵/


時移世易

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ i³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/siː²¹ jiː²¹ sɐi̯³³ jɪk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ i³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/siː²¹ jiː²¹ sɐi̯³³ jɪk̚²/

times have changed; things have changed and are now different than they used to be


功德無量

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄉㄜˊ ㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄤˋ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ u³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ lœːŋ²²/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ liɔŋ³³/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² liɔŋ²²/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ bu²³⁻³³ liɔŋ³³/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ u³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ lœːŋ²²/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ liɔŋ³³/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² liɔŋ²²/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ bu²³⁻³³ liɔŋ³³/

(of deeds) great; of boundless beneficence; to do immeasurable good


語重心長

ㄩˇ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄔㄤˊ

юйчжунсиньчан

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyː¹³ t͡sʊŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻²¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²⁴/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyː¹³ t͡sʊŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻²¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²⁴/


呱呱墮地

ㄍㄨ ㄍㄨ ㄉㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧˋ

ㄨㄚ ㄨㄚ ㄉㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/ku⁵⁵ ku⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/wä⁵⁵ wä⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kuː⁵⁵ tɔː²² tei̯²²/

/waː⁵⁵ waː⁵⁵ tɔː²² tei̯²²/

/ku⁵⁵ ku⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/wä⁵⁵ wä⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kuː⁵⁵ tɔː²² tei̯²²/

/waː⁵⁵ waː⁵⁵ tɔː²² tei̯²²/

呱呱墜地 呱呱墜地#Chinese

呱呱坠地 呱呱坠地#Chinese

Synonym of 呱呱墜地／呱呱坠地 (gūgūzhuìdì, “(of a baby) to be born”)


呱呱墜地

ㄍㄨ ㄍㄨ ㄓㄨㄟˋ ㄉㄧˋ

ㄨㄚ ㄨㄚ ㄓㄨㄟˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/ku⁵⁵ ku⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/wä⁵⁵ wä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kuː⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² tei̯²²/

/waː⁵⁵ waː⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² tei̯²²/

/ku⁵⁵ ku⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/wä⁵⁵ wä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kuː⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² tei̯²²/

/waː⁵⁵ waː⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² tei̯²²/


先睹為快

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄉㄨˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄎㄨㄞˋ

сяньдувэйкуай

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ faːi̯³³/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ faːi̯³³/

to be the first to witness something and regard such action as a pleasure


衛道之士

ㄨㄟˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄓ ㄕˋ

/weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/wɐi̯²² tou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ siː²²/

/weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/wɐi̯²² tou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ siː²²/

(sometimes derogatory) people who defend a certain religion, doctrine, orthodoxy or traditional principles


自愧弗如

ㄗˋ ㄎㄨㄟˋ ㄈㄨˊ ㄖㄨˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ fu³⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kʷʰɐi̯³³ fɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ fu³⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kʷʰɐi̯³³ fɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹/

自愧不如 自愧不如#Chinese

Synonym of 自愧不如 (zìkuì-bùrú, “to be ashamed of not being as good as someone else”)


孤芳自賞

ㄍㄨ ㄈㄤ ㄗˋ ㄕㄤˇ

/ku⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kuː⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sœːŋ³⁵/

/ku⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kuː⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sœːŋ³⁵/

to be conceited and indulge in self-admiration


親痛仇快

ㄑㄧㄣ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄔㄡˊ ㄎㄨㄞˋ

циньтунчоукуай

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ sɐu̯²¹ faːi̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ sɐu̯²¹ faːi̯³³/

全體共產黨員、廣大人民群眾和各界愛國人士，一定要響應黨和政府的號召，明辨是非，顧全大局，迅速行動起來，挺身而出與製造暴亂的極少數人作堅決的鬥爭，而不要做任何親痛仇快的事情。 [MSC, trad.]
全体共产党员、广大人民群众和各界爱国人士，一定要响应党和政府的号召，明辨是非，顾全大局，迅速行动起来，挺身而出与制造暴乱的极少数人作坚决的斗争，而不要做任何亲痛仇快的事情。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1989 June 4, 《中共中央、国务院告全体共产党员和全国人民书》, in People's Daily, →ISSN, page 1

Quántǐ gòngchǎndǎngyuán, guǎngdà rénmín qúnzhòng hé gèjiè àiguó rénshì, yīdìng yào xiǎngyìng Dǎng hé zhèngfǔ de hàozhào, míngbiànshìfēi, gùquán dàjú, xùnsù xíngdòng qǐlái, tǐngshēn'érchū yǔ zhìzào bàoluàn de jíshàoshù rén zuò jiānjué de dòuzhēng, ér bùyào zuò rènhé qīntòngchóukuài de shìqíng. [Pinyin]

親者痛，仇者快 親者痛，仇者快#Chinese

亲者痛，仇者快 亲者痛，仇者快#Chinese

Synonym of 親者痛，仇者快／亲者痛，仇者快 (qīn zhě tòng, chóu zhě kuài, “that which saddens people close to oneself and brings joy to one's enemies (should not be done)”)


沉冤得雪

ㄔㄣˊ ㄩㄢ ㄉㄜˊ ㄒㄩㄝˇ

чэньюаньдэсюэ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ jyːn⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ syːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ jyːn⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ syːt̚³/

沉冤昭雪 沉冤昭雪#Chinese

Synonym of 沉冤昭雪 (chényuānzhāoxuě, “gross injustice or grievances redressed”)


如獲至寶

ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄓˋ ㄅㄠˇ

/ʐu³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ wɔːk̚² t͡siː³³ pou̯³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ wɔːk̚² t͡siː³³ pou̯³⁵/


可喜可賀

ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄏㄜˋ

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ⁵¹/

/hɔː³⁵ hei̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵ hɔː²²/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ⁵¹/

/hɔː³⁵ hei̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵ hɔː²²/


有驚無險

ㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄢˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ hiːm³⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ hiːm³⁵/

to have had only frightening moments but no dangers; to be successful at the end though having encountered obstacles


飽讀詩書

ㄅㄠˇ ㄉㄨˊ ㄕ ㄕㄨ

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/paːu̯³⁵ tʊk̚² siː⁵⁵ syː⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/paːu̯³⁵ tʊk̚² siː⁵⁵ syː⁵⁵/


和顏悅色

ㄏㄜˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/xɤ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/wɔː²¹ ŋaːn²¹ jyːt̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/hua⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zuak̚⁴⁻² sek̚²/

/xɤ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/wɔː²¹ ŋaːn²¹ jyːt̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/hua⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zuak̚⁴⁻² sek̚²/


躊躇滿志

ㄔㄡˊ ㄔㄨˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄓˋ

чоучуманьчжи

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰyː²¹ muːn¹³ t͡siː³³/

/tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mũã⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡si²¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰyː²¹ muːn¹³ t͡siː³³/

/tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mũã⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡si²¹³/

提刀而立，為之四顧，為之躊躇滿志，善刀而藏之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]提刀而立，为之四顾，为之踌躇满志，善刀而藏之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Tí dāo ér lì, wèizhī sìgù, wèizhī chóuchú mǎnzhì, shàn dāo ér cáng zhī. [Pinyin]
Then standing up with the knife in my hand, I look all round, and in a leisurely manner, with an air of satisfaction, wipe it clean, and put it in its sheath.

zh-x

提 刀 而 立，為-之 四-顧，為-之 躊躇.滿志，善 刀 而 藏 之。


長篇大論

ㄔㄤˊ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

чанпяньдалунь

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² lɵn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² lɵn²²/


勞苦功高

ㄌㄠˊ ㄎㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄍㄠ

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lou̯²¹ fuː³⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵/

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lou̯²¹ fuː³⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵/

to have worked hard and made enormous contributions


屈指一算

ㄑㄩ ㄓˇ ㄧ ㄙㄨㄢˋ

цюйчжиисуань

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ su̯än⁵¹/

/wɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ syːn³³/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ su̯än⁵¹/

/wɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ syːn³³/


博覽群書

ㄅㄛˊ ㄌㄢˇ ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄕㄨ

боланьцюньшу

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ län²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ laːm¹³ kʷʰɐn²¹ syː⁵⁵/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ län²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ laːm¹³ kʷʰɐn²¹ syː⁵⁵/

to be well-read; to have read extensively and be learned


客死他鄉

ㄎㄜˋ ㄙˇ ㄊㄚ ㄒㄧㄤ

/kʰɤ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰä⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/haːk̚³ sei̯³⁵ tʰaː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰä⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/haːk̚³ sei̯³⁵ tʰaː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/


客死異鄉

ㄎㄜˋ ㄙˇ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄤ

/kʰɤ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/haːk̚³ sei̯³⁵ jiː²² hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/haːk̚³ sei̯³⁵ jiː²² hœːŋ⁵⁵/

客死他鄉 客死他鄉#Chinese

客死他乡 客死他乡#Chinese

Synonym of 客死他鄉／客死他乡 (kèsǐtāxiāng, “to die in a foreign land”)


蔚為奇觀

ㄨㄟˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄢ

вэйвэйцигуань

/weɪ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/


朝氣勃勃

ㄓㄠ ㄑㄧˋ ㄅㄛˊ ㄅㄛˊ

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/


生氣勃勃

ㄕㄥ ㄑㄧˋ ㄅㄛˊ ㄅㄛˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³³ puːt̚² puːt̚²/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³³ puːt̚² puːt̚²/


深藏不露

ㄕㄣ ㄘㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄡˋ

ㄕㄣ ㄘㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ

шэньцанбулоу

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ loʊ̯⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²²/

/sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²²/

hide one's light under a bushel
hide one's light under a bushel

to hide one's light under a bushel; to conceal one's talents


四處漂泊

ㄙˋ ㄔㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄅㄛˊ

/sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sei̯³³ t͡sʰyː³³ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ pɔːk̚²/

/sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sei̯³³ t͡sʰyː³³ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ pɔːk̚²/

to rove; to wander around; to roam around


居無定所

ㄐㄩ ㄨˊ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ u³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ tɪŋ²² sɔː³⁵/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ u³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ tɪŋ²² sɔː³⁵/


拍案叫絕

ㄆㄞ ㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

пайаньцзяоцзюэ

/pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/pʰaːk̚³ ɔːn³³ kiːu̯³³ t͡syːt̚²/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/pʰaːk̚³ ɔːn³³ kiːu̯³³ t͡syːt̚²/


生殺予奪

ㄕㄥ ㄕㄚ ㄩˇ ㄉㄨㄛˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jyː¹³ tyːt̚²/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jyː¹³ tyːt̚²/

(to hold power over the) life, death, reward and punishment (of others)


話中有話

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

хуачжунъюхуа

/xu̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/waː²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ waː²²/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/waː²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ waː²²/

there are unspoken implications in one's words


烈日當空

ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄖˋ ㄉㄤ ㄎㄨㄥ

/li̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/liːt̚² jɐt̚² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/li̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/liːt̚² jɐt̚² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/


地大物博

ㄉㄧˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄨˋ ㄅㄛˊ

/ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/tei̯²² taːi̯²² mɐt̚² pɔːk̚³/

/ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/tei̯²² taːi̯²² mɐt̚² pɔːk̚³/


閉目塞聽

ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄙㄜˋ ㄊㄧㄥ

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/pɐi̯³³ mʊk̚² sɐk̚⁵ tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/pɐi̯³³ mʊk̚² sɐk̚⁵ tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

一個閉目塞聽、同客觀外界根本絕緣的人，是無所謂認識的。 [MSC, trad.]
一个闭目塞听、同客观外界根本绝缘的人，是无所谓认识的。 [MSC, simp.]

For a person who shuts their eyes, stops their ears and totally cuts themselves off from the objective world there can be no such thing as knowledge.

Yī gè bìmùsètīng, tóng kèguān wàijiè gēnběn juéyuán de rén, shì wúsuǒwèi rènshi de. [Pinyin]


由表及裡

ㄧㄡˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄌㄧˇ

/joʊ̯³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ kʰɐp̚² lɵy̯¹³/

/jɐu̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ kʰɐp̚² lɵy̯¹³/

要完全地反映整個的事物，反映事物的本質，反映事物的內部規律性，就必須經過思考作用，將豐富的感覺材料加以去粗取精、去偽存真、由此及彼、由表及裡的改造製作工夫，造成概念和理論的系統，就必須從感性認識躍進到理性認識。 [MSC, trad.]
要完全地反映整个的事物，反映事物的本质，反映事物的内部规律性，就必须经过思考作用，将丰富的感觉材料加以去粗取精、去伪存真、由此及彼、由表及里的改造制作工夫，造成概念和理论的系统，就必须从感性认识跃进到理性认识。 [MSC, simp.]

Fully to reflect a thing in its totality, to reflect its essence, to reflect its inherent laws, it is necessary through the exercise of thought to reconstruct the rich data of sense perception, discarding the dross and selecting the essential, eliminating the false and retaining the true, proceeding from the one to the other and from the outside to the inside, in order to form a system of concepts and theories—it is necessary to make a leap from perceptual to rational knowledge.

Yào wánquán de fǎnyìng zhěnggè de shìwù, fǎnyìng shìwù de běnzhì, fǎnyìng shìwù de nèibù guīlǜxìng, jiù bìxū jīngguò sīkǎo zuòyòng, jiāng fēngfù de gǎnjué cáiliào jiāyǐ qùcūqǔjīng, qùwěicúnzhēn, yóucǐjíbǐ, yóubiǎojílǐ de gǎizào zhìzuò gōngfu, zàochéng gàiniàn hé lǐlùn de xìtǒng, jiù bìxū cóng gǎnxìng rènshi yuèjìn dào lǐxìng rènshi. [Pinyin]

from the outside to the inside; from the superficial to the profound; from outward appearance to inner essence


向壁虛造

ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄩ ㄗㄠˋ

сянбисюйцзао

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕy⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hœːŋ³³ pɪk̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sou̯²²/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕy⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hœːŋ³³ pɪk̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sou̯²²/

From the preface to the Shuowen Jiezi by Xu Shen.

向壁虚造
嚮壁虛造
鄉壁虛造

向壁虛構 向壁虛構#Chinese

向壁虚构 向壁虚构#Chinese

Synonym of 向壁虛構／向壁虚构 (xiàngbìxūgòu, “to make up out of one's head; to fabricate”)


向壁虛構

ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄩ ㄍㄡˋ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕy⁵⁵ koʊ̯⁵¹/

/hœːŋ³³ pɪk̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯³³/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕy⁵⁵ koʊ̯⁵¹/

/hœːŋ³³ pɪk̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯³³/

我對平劇並非內行，但以上的意見也絕非向壁虛構，有暇打算對戲劇問題另寫專文討論。 [MSC, trad.]
我对平剧并非内行，但以上的意见也绝非向壁虚构，有暇打算对戏剧问题另写专文讨论。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1941, 王實味 (Wang Shiwei), 《文藝民族形式問題上的舊錯誤與新偏向》, quoted from the Marxists Internet Archive

I am not an expert in Peking Opera, but the opinions above are by no means groundless fabrication. I plan to write a special article on drama when I have time.

Wǒ duì píngjù bìngfēi nèiháng, dàn yǐshàng de yìjiàn yě juéfēi xiàngbìxūgòu, yǒu xiá dǎsuàn duì xìjù wèntí lìng xiě zhuānwén tǎolùn. [Pinyin]

to make up out of one's head; to fabricate; to imagine without ground


去偽存真

去伪存真
去僞存真
去僞存眞

ㄑㄩˋ ㄨㄟˇ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄓㄣ

ㄑㄩˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄓㄣ

цюйвэйцуньчжэнь

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ ŋɐi̯²² t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ ŋɐi̯²² t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɐn⁵⁵/

to discard the false and retain the true; to sift the true from the false


去粗取精

ㄑㄩˋ ㄘㄨ ㄑㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄥ

цюйцуцюйцзин

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ t͡sʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ t͡sʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

to discard the dross and select the essential


黔驢之技

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄩˊ ㄓ ㄐㄧˋ

цяньлюйчжицзи

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ly³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kʰiːm²¹ lou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ kei̯²²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ly³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kʰiːm²¹ lou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ kei̯²²/

zh-l

黔驢技窮／黔驴技穷 (qiánlǘjìqióng)

tricks of the donkey in the prefecture of Qian


真心實意

ㄓㄣ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄕˊ ㄧˋ

чжэньсиньшии

čžɛnʹsinʹšii

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵¹/

/t͡sɐn⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ sɐt̚² jiː³³/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵¹/

/t͡sɐn⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ sɐt̚² jiː³³/

同志們，真正的銅牆鐵壁是什麼？是群眾，是千百萬真心實意地擁護革命的群眾。 [MSC, trad.]
同志们，真正的铜墙铁壁是什么？是群众，是千百万真心实意地拥护革命的群众。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1934, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《關心群眾生活，注意工作方法》 (Be Concerned with the Well-Being of the Masses, Pay Attention to Methods of Work), 《毛澤東選集》 (Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung), English translation based on the Foreign Language Press edition

Comrades! What is a true bastion of iron? It is the masses, the millions upon millions of people who genuinely and sincerely support the revolution.

Tóngzhìmen, zhēnzhèng de tóngqiángtiěbì shì shénme? Shì qúnzhòng, shì qiānbǎiwàn zhēnxīnshíyì de yōnghù gémìng de qúnzhòng. [Pinyin]

from the bottom of one's heart
from the bottom of one's heart

genuine and sincere; from the bottom of one's heart; in real earnest


吹吹拍拍

ㄔㄨㄟ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄆㄞ ㄆㄞ

чуйчуйпайпай

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pʰaːk̚³ pʰaːk̚³/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pʰaːk̚³ pʰaːk̚³/

為了這些，就要拉攏一些人，排擠一些人，在同志中吹吹拍拍，拉拉扯扯，把資產階級政黨的庸俗作風也搬進共產黨裡來了。 [MSC, trad.]
为了这些，就要拉拢一些人，排挤一些人，在同志中吹吹拍拍，拉拉扯扯，把资产阶级政党的庸俗作风也搬进共产党里来了。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1942, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《整頓黨的作風》 (Rectify the Party's Style of Work), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

With this aim, they draw some people in, push others out and resort to boasting, flattery and touting among the comrades, thus importing the vulgar style of the bourgeois political parties into the Communist Party.

Wèile zhèxiē, jiù yào lālǒng yīxiē rén, páijǐ yīxiē rén, zài tóngzhì zhōng chuīchuīpāipāi, lālāchěchě, bǎ zīchǎn jiējí zhèngdǎng de yōngsú zuòfēng yě bānjìn Gòngchǎndǎng lǐ lái le. [Pinyin]


克己復禮

ㄎㄜˋ ㄐㄧˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ

/kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐk̚⁵ kei̯³⁵ fʊk̚² lɐi̯¹³/

/haːk̚⁵ kei̯³⁵ fʊk̚² lɐi̯¹³/

/kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐk̚⁵ kei̯³⁵ fʊk̚² lɐi̯¹³/

/haːk̚⁵ kei̯³⁵ fʊk̚² lɐi̯¹³/

From the Analects, Book 12 (《論語·顏淵》):
:
顏淵問仁。子曰：「克己復禮為仁。一日克己復禮，天下歸仁焉。為仁由己，而由人乎哉？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]颜渊问仁。子曰：「克己复礼为仁。一日克己复礼，天下归仁焉。为仁由己，而由人乎哉？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yán Yuān wèn rén. Zǐyuē: “Kè jǐ fù lǐ wèi rén. Yīrì kè jǐ fù lǐ, tiānxià guī rén yān. Wéi rén yóu jǐ, ér yóu rén hū zāi?” [Pinyin]
Yan Yuan asked about perfect virtue. The Master said, "To subdue one's self and return to propriety, is perfect virtue. If a man can for one day subdue himself and return to propriety, all under heaven will ascribe perfect virtue to him. Is the practice of perfect virtue from a man himself, or is it from others?"

zh-x

@^顏.^淵 問 仁。^子曰：「克.己.復.禮 為 仁。一日 克.己.復.禮，天下 歸 仁 焉。為{wéi} 仁 由 己，而 由 人 乎 哉？」

to subdue oneself and return to propriety


以德報德

ㄧˇ ㄉㄜˊ ㄅㄠˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɤ³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ tɐk̚⁵ pou̯³³ tɐk̚⁵/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɤ³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ tɐk̚⁵ pou̯³³ tɐk̚⁵/

From the Analects, Book 14 (《論語·憲問》):
:
或曰：「以德報怨，何如？」子曰：「何以報德？以直報怨，以德報德。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]或曰：「以德报怨，何如？」子曰：「何以报德？以直报怨，以德报德。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Huòyuē: “Yǐ dé bào yuàn, hérú?” Zǐ yuē: “Héyǐ bàodé? Yǐ zhí bào yuàn, yǐ dé bào dé.” [Pinyin]
Some one said, "What do you say concerning the principle that injury should be recompensed with kindness?" The Master said, "With what then will you recompense kindness? Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness."

或曰：「以.德.報.怨，何如？」子 曰：「何以 報德？以.直.報.怨，以.德.報.德。」


以直報怨

ㄧˇ ㄓˊ ㄅㄠˋ ㄩㄢˋ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ t͡sɪk̚² pou̯³³ jyːn³³/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ t͡sɪk̚² pou̯³³ jyːn³³/


乍暖還寒

ㄓㄚˋ ㄋㄨㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄏㄢˊ

чжануаньхуаньхань

/ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än³⁵ xän³⁵/

/t͡saː³³ nyːn¹³ waːn²¹ hɔːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än³⁵ xän³⁵/

/t͡saː³³ nyːn¹³ waːn²¹ hɔːn²¹/

乍暖還寒時候，最難將息。 [Ci, trad.]
乍暖还寒时候，最难将息。 [Ci, simp.]

Zhànuǎnháihán shíhòu, zuì nán jiāngxī. [Pinyin]

(of weather) with temperatures fluctuating between warm and cold


時日無多

ㄕˊ ㄖˋ ㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄛ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/siː²¹ jɐt̚² mou̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/siː²¹ jɐt̚² mou̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

to have a limited amount of time remaining (until a deadline, etc)


驢年馬月

ㄌㄩˊ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄩㄝˋ

/ly³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

ㄌㄩˊㄦ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄩㄝˋ

люйрняньмаюэ

/lyə̯ɻ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²¹ niːn²¹ maː¹³ jyːt̚²/

/ly³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/lyə̯ɻ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²¹ niːn²¹ maː¹³ jyːt̚²/

time that will never come; impossible date; the remote future; God knows when; an unknown and long time; donkey's years


未嘗不可

ㄨㄟˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ

/weɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mei̯²² sœːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mei̯²² sœːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵/


博文約禮

ㄅㄛˊ ㄨㄣˊ ㄩㄝ ㄌㄧˇ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ wən³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɔːk̚³ mɐn²¹ jœːk̚³ lɐi̯¹³/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ wən³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɔːk̚³ mɐn²¹ jœːk̚³ lɐi̯¹³/

From the Analects, Book 6 (《論語·雍也》):
:
子曰：「君子博學於文，約之以禮，亦可以弗畔矣夫！」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「君子博学于文，约之以礼，亦可以弗畔矣夫！」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Jūnzǐ bóxué yú wén, yuē zhī yǐ lǐ, yì kěyǐ fú pàn yǐ fū!” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "The superior man, extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, may thus likewise not overstep what is right."
Also Book 9 (《論語·子罕》):
:
夫子循循然善誘人，博我以文，約我以禮。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]夫子循循然善诱人，博我以文，约我以礼。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Fūzǐ xúnxúnrán shàn yòu rén, bó wǒ yǐ wén, yuē wǒ yǐ lǐ. [Pinyin]
The Master, by orderly method, skillfully leads men on. He enlarged my mind with learning, and taught me the restraints of propriety.

子曰：「君子 博學 於 @文，@約 之 以 @禮，亦 可以 弗 畔 矣 夫！」

夫子 循-循-然 善 誘 人，@博 我 以 @文，@約 我 以 @禮。

to extensively study texts and restrain oneself with propriety


諄諄告誡

ㄓㄨㄣ ㄓㄨㄣ ㄍㄠˋ ㄐㄧㄝˋ

чжуньчжуньгаоцзе

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ən⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ kou̯³³ kaːi̯³³/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ kou̯³³ kaːi̯³³/

馬克思、恩格斯、列寧、斯大林給了我們這樣的根據嗎？沒有。相反地，他們總是諄諄告誡我們，要密切聯繫群眾，而不要脫離群眾。 [MSC, trad.]
马克思、恩格斯、列宁、斯大林给了我们这样的根据吗？没有。相反地，他们总是谆谆告诫我们，要密切联系群众，而不要脱离群众。 [MSC, simp.]

Have Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin given us any grounds? They have not. On the contrary, they have always earnestly enjoined us to form close ties with the masses and not divorce ourselves from them.

Mǎkèsī, Ēngésī, Lièníng, Sīdàlín gěi le wǒmen zhèyàng de gēnjù ma? Méiyǒu. Xiāngfǎn de, tāmen zǒngshì zhūnzhūngàojiè wǒmen, yào mìqiè liánxì qúnzhòng, ér bùyào tuōlí qúnzhòng. [Pinyin]

to tirelessly counsel; to admonish repeatedly


以鄰為壑

ㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄜˋ

ㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ xɤ⁵¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ lɵn²¹ wɐi̯²² kʰɔːk̚³/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ xɤ⁵¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ lɵn²¹ wɐi̯²² kʰɔːk̚³/

From Mencius (《孟子·告子下》):
禹之治水，水之道也。是故禹以四海為壑，今吾子以鄰國為壑。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]禹之治水，水之道也。是故禹以四海为壑，今吾子以邻国为壑。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yǔ zhī zhìshuǐ, shuǐ zhī dào yě. Shìgù Yǔ yǐ sìhǎi wéi hè, jīn wúzǐ yǐ línguó wéi hè. [Pinyin]
Yu's regulation of the waters was according to the laws of water. He therefore made the four seas their receptacle, while you make the neighbouring States their receptacle.

^禹 之 治水，水 之 道 也。是故 ^禹 以 四海 為{wéi} 壑，今 吾子 @以 鄰國 @為{wéi} @壑。

use the neighbour's field as an outlet for one's overflow

誰要是對別人的困難不管，別人要調他所屬的幹部不給，或以壞的送人，「以鄰為壑」，全不為別部、別地、別人想一想，這樣的人就叫做本位主義者，這就是完全失掉了共產主義的精神。 [MSC, trad.]
谁要是对别人的困难不管，别人要调他所属的干部不给，或以坏的送人，「以邻为壑」，全不为别部、别地、别人想一想，这样的人就叫做本位主义者，这就是完全失掉了共产主义的精神。 [MSC, simp.]

Whoever is indifferent to the difficulties of others, refuses to transfer cadres to other units on request, or releases only the inferior ones, "using the neighbour's field as an outlet for their overflow", and does not give the slightest consideration to other departments, localities or people—such a person is a selfish departmentalist who has entirely lost the spirit of communism.

Shéi yàoshi duì biérén de kùnnán bù guǎn, biérén yào diào tā suǒshǔ de gànbù bù gěi, huò yǐ huài de sòng rén, “yǐlínwéihè”, quán bù wèi biébù, biédì, biérén xiǎng yi xiǎng, zhèyàng de rén jiù jiàozuò běnwèizhǔyìzhě, zhè jiùshì wánquán shīdiào le gòngchǎnzhǔyì de jīngshén. [Pinyin]

(figuratively) to benefit oneself at others' expense


羊腸小道

ㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄠˋ

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ tou̯²²/

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ tou̯²²/


作賊心虛

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄩ

цзоцзэйсиньсюй

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːk̚² sɐm⁵⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːk̚² sɐm⁵⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵/

to feel anxious because one is guilty and has committed wrongdoings


日理萬機

ㄖˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄨㄢˋ ㄐㄧ

/ʐ̩⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

to deal with numerous matters daily; to be very busy


歷久不衰

ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄞ

/li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² kɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² kɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/


擇善固執

ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄍㄨˋ ㄓˊ

цзэшаньгучжи

/t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/t͡saːk̚² siːn²² kuː³³ t͡sɐp̚⁵/

/t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/t͡saːk̚² siːn²² kuː³³ t͡sɐp̚⁵/

From the Doctrine of the Mean (《中庸》) in the Book of Rites:
:
誠之者，擇善而固執之者也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]诚之者，择善而固执之者也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Chéng zhī zhě, zé shàn ér gùzhí zhī zhě yě. [Pinyin]
He who attains to sincerity is he who chooses what is good, and firmly holds it fast.

誠 之 者，@擇.善 而 @固執 之 者 也。


博聞強記

ㄅㄛˊ ㄨㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄐㄧˋ

бовэньцянцзи

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ wən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/pɔːk̚³ mɐn²¹ kʰœːŋ²¹ kei̯³³/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ wən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/pɔːk̚³ mɐn²¹ kʰœːŋ²¹ kei̯³³/

博學強記 博學強記#Chinese

博学强记 博学强记#Chinese

Synonym of 博學強記／博学强记 (bóxuéqiángjì, “to have a lot of knowledge and a good memory”)


經久不息

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧ

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/


亂臣賊子

ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄔㄣˊ ㄗㄟˊ ㄗˇ

луаньчэньцзэйцзы

/lu̯än⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lyːn²² sɐn²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚² t͡siː³⁵/

/lyːn²² sɐn²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚² t͡siː³⁵/

From Mencius:
:
孔子成《春秋》，而亂臣賊子懼。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]孔子成《春秋》，而乱臣贼子惧。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Kǒngzǐ chéng “chūnqiū”, ér luànchénzéizǐ jù. [Pinyin]
Confucius completed the "Spring and Autumn," and rebellious ministers and villainous sons were struck with terror.

孔子 成 《春秋》，而 亂臣賊子 懼。

rebellious minister disloyal to the monarch


舉不勝舉

ㄐㄩˇ ㄅㄨˊ ㄕㄥˋ ㄐㄩˇ

цзюйбушэнцзюй

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³⁵/

too numerous to mention one by one; too numerous to count one by one.


未老先衰

ㄨㄟˋ ㄌㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄕㄨㄞ

вэйлаосяньшуай

/weɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mei̯²² lou̯¹³ siːn⁵⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mei̯²² lou̯¹³ siːn⁵⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

to decline in health before becoming old


不留餘地

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄩˊ ㄉㄧˋ

/pu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ y³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹ tei̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ y³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹ tei̯²²/

to leave no room; to make no allowance for


冥思苦想

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄙ ㄎㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/miŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ¹³ siː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ sœːŋ³⁵/

/miŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ¹³ siː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ sœːŋ³⁵/

冥思苦索 冥思苦索#Chinese

Synonym of 冥思苦索 (míngsīkǔsuǒ, “to think long and hard”)


冥思苦索

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄙ ㄎㄨˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ

/miŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ¹³ siː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ sɔːk̚³/

/miŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ¹³ siː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ sɔːk̚³/

只有蠢人，才是他一個人，或者邀集一堆人，不作調查，而只是冥思苦索地「想辦法」，「打主意」。 [MSC, trad.]
只有蠢人，才是他一个人，或者邀集一堆人，不作调查，而只是冥思苦索地「想办法」，「打主意」。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1930, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《反對本本主義》 (Oppose Book Worship), 《毛澤東選集》 (Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung), English translation based on https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-6/mswv6_11.htm

Only a blockhead cudgels his brains on his own, or together with a group, to "find solution" or "evolve an idea" without making any investigation.

Zhǐyǒu chǔnrén, cái shì tā yī gè rén, huòzhě yāojí yī duī rén, bù zuò diàochá, ér zhǐshì míngsīkǔsuǒ de “xiǎng bànfǎ”, “dǎ zhǔyì”. [Pinyin]

to think long and hard; to rack one's brains; to cudgel one's brains


放長線釣大魚

to throw a long line to catch a big fish

ㄈㄤˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄩˊ

фан чансянь дяо даюй

/fɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ y³⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ siːn³³ tiːu̯³³ taːi̯²² jyː²¹⁻³⁵/

同年六月，上海發表了《工人階級說話了》，賡即展開了反「右派」鬥爭，大家這才明白，原來是「放長線釣大魚」，讓你浮出水面，一網打盡。 [MSC, trad.]
同年六月，上海发表了《工人阶级说话了》，赓即展开了反「右派」斗争，大家这才明白，原来是「放长线钓大鱼」，让你浮出水面，一网打尽。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2015, 赵芳举, 《夕阳忆语──时代的变迁和我的托派生涯》, chapter 19

In June of the same year, an article titled "The working class has spoken out" was published in Shanghai, which was immediately followed by the Anti-Rightist Campaign. Then the people realized that it was a long-term plan to make [the "Rightists"] identify themselves and catch them all.

Tóngnián liùyuè, Shànghǎi fābiǎo le “Gōngrén jiējí shuōhuà le”, gēngjí zhǎnkāi le fǎn “yòupài” dòuzhēng, dàjiā zhè cái míngbai, yuánlái shì “fàng chángxiàn diào dàyú”, ràng nǐ fúchū shuǐmiàn, yīwǎngdǎjìn. [Pinyin]

to adopt a long-term plan to secure something big


完完全全

ㄨㄢˊ ㄨㄢˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

ваньваньцюаньцюань

/wän³⁵ wän³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ jyːn²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/wän³⁵ wän³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ jyːn²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

你完完全全調查明白了，你對那個問題就有解決的辦法了。 [MSC, trad.]
你完完全全调查明白了，你对那个问题就有解决的办法了。 [MSC, simp.]

When you have investigated the problem thoroughly, you will know how to solve it.

Nǐ wánwánquánquán diàochá míngbai le, nǐ duì nàge wèntí jiù yǒu jiějué de bànfǎ le. [Pinyin]

(emphatic) completely; absolutely; entirely


十月懷胎

ㄕˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄊㄞ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɐp̚² jyːt̚² waːi̯²¹ tʰɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɐp̚² jyːt̚² waːi̯²¹ tʰɔːi̯⁵⁵/

(literally) to be pregnant for ten months


短兵相接

ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄝ

дуаньбинсянцзе

/tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/tyːn³⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːp̚³/

/tuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siap̚³²/

/tuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siap̚³²/

/tuan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siap̚³²/

/tuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siap̚³²/

/tuan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siap̚³²/

/tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/tyːn³⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːp̚³/

在這樣日益走向尖銳的短兵相接的階級鬥爭的形勢之下，無產階級要取得勝利，就完全要靠他的政黨——共產黨的鬥爭策略的正確和堅決。 [MSC, trad.]
在这样日益走向尖锐的短兵相接的阶级斗争的形势之下，无产阶级要取得胜利，就完全要靠他的政党——共产党的斗争策略的正确和坚决。 [MSC, simp.]
Zài zhèyàng rìyì zǒuxiàng jiānruì de duǎnbīngxiāngjiē de jiējí dòuzhēng de xíngshì zhī xià, wúchǎn jiējí yào qǔdé shènglì, jiù wánquán yào kào tā de zhèngdǎng — Gòngchǎndǎng de dòuzhēng cèlüè de zhèngquè hé jiānjué. [Pinyin]

In a situation when the class struggle grows increasingly acute and is waged at close quarters, the proletariat has to depend for its victory entirely on the correct and firm tactics of struggle of its own party, the Communist Party.

to fight hand to hand; to be in close combat


果不其然

ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄖㄢˊ

/ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/kʷɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/kuo²¹³⁻²¹ pɨt̚¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ lɛn³⁵/

/ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/kʷɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/kuo²¹³⁻²¹ pɨt̚¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ lɛn³⁵/

今日果不其然！如今拿了銀子家去罵這死砍頭短命的奴才！ [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
今日果不其然！如今拿了银子家去骂这死砍头短命的奴才！ [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

Jīnrì guǒbùqírán! Rújīn ná le yínzǐ jiā qù mà zhè sǐ kǎntóu duǎnmìng de núcái! [Pinyin]


空洞無物

ㄎㄨㄥ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄨˊ ㄨˋ

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹ u³⁵ u⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² mou̯²¹ mɐt̚²/

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹ u³⁵ u⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² mou̯²¹ mɐt̚²/

我們的教條主義者違背列寧的指示，從來不用腦筋具體地分析任何事物，做起文章或演說來，總是空洞無物的八股調，在我們黨內造成了一種極壞的作風。 [MSC, trad.]
我们的教条主义者违背列宁的指示，从来不用脑筋具体地分析任何事物，做起文章或演说来，总是空洞无物的八股调，在我们党内造成了一种极坏的作风。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1937, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《矛盾論》 (On Contradiction), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Our dogmatists have violated Lenin's teachings; they never use their brains to analyse anything concretely, and in their writings and speeches they always use stereotypes devoid of content, thereby creating a very bad style of work in our Party.

Wǒmen de jiàotiáozhǔyìzhě wéibèi Lièníng de zhǐshì, cónglái bù yòng nǎojīn jùtǐ de fēnxī rènhé shìwù, zuòqǐ wénzhāng huò yǎnshuō lai, zǒngshì kōngdòngwúwù de bāgǔdiào, zài wǒmen Dǎng nèi zàochéng le yī zhǒng jí huài de zuòfēng. [Pinyin]

utter lack of substance; devoid of content


閉關鎖國

ㄅㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

/pi⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/pɐi̯³³ kʷaːn⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ kʷɔːk̚³/

/pi⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/pɐi̯³³ kʷaːn⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ kʷɔːk̚³/

帝國主義的俄國變為社會主義的蘇聯，封建的閉關鎖國的日本變為帝國主義的日本，這些國家的地理和氣候並沒有變化。 [MSC, trad.]
帝国主义的俄国变为社会主义的苏联，封建的闭关锁国的日本变为帝国主义的日本，这些国家的地理和气候并没有变化。 [MSC, simp.]

Imperialist Russia changed into the socialist Soviet Union, and feudal Japan, which had locked its doors against the world, changed into imperialist Japan, although no change occurred in the geography and climate of either country.

Dìguó zhǔyì de Éguó biànwéi shèhuì zhǔyì de Sūlián, fēngjiàn de bìguānsuǒguó de Rìběn biànwéi dìguó zhǔyì de Rìběn, zhèxiē guójiā de dìlǐ hé qìhòu bìng méiyǒu biànhuà. [Pinyin]

to cut off one's country from the outside world


兼聽則明

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄊㄧㄥ ㄗㄜˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзяньтинцзэмин

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kiːm⁵⁵ tʰɪŋ³³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kiːm⁵⁵ tʰɪŋ³³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

Listen to both/all sides and you will be enlightened.


以形補形

ㄧˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ jɪŋ²¹ pou̯³⁵ jɪŋ²¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ jɪŋ²¹ pou̯³⁵ jɪŋ²¹/

to supposedly heal or nourish a body part by eating something that is visually similar to the respective body part, often the corresponding body part of an animal


概莫能外

ㄍㄞˋ ㄇㄛˋ ㄋㄥˊ ㄨㄞˋ

/kaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʰɔːi̯³³ mɔːk̚² nɐŋ²¹ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/kaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʰɔːi̯³³ mɔːk̚² nɐŋ²¹ ŋɔːi̯²²/

這是共通的道理，古今中外，概莫能外。 [MSC, trad.]
这是共通的道理，古今中外，概莫能外。 [MSC, simp.]

This is a universal truth for all times and all countries, which admits of no exception.

Zhè shì gòngtōng de dàolǐ, gǔjīnzhōngwài, gàimònéngwài. [Pinyin]

to be no exception; to admit of no exception whatsoever


止於至善

ㄓˇ ㄩˊ ㄓˋ ㄕㄢˋ

чжиюйчжишань

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ t͡siː³³ siːn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ t͡siː³³ siːn²²/

From the Great Learning (《大學》) in the Book of Rites:
:
大學之道，在明明德，在親民，在止於至善。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]大学之道，在明明德，在亲民，在止于至善。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Dàxué zhī dào, zài míng míngdé, zài xīn mín, zài zhǐ yú zhì shàn. [Pinyin]
What the Great Learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.

大學 之 道，在 明 明德，在 親{xīn} 民，在 止.於.至.善。


謀財害命

ㄇㄡˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄏㄞˋ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

моуцайхаймин

/moʊ̯³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹/

/mɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ hɔːi̯²² mɪŋ²²/

/moʊ̯³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹/

/mɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ hɔːi̯²² mɪŋ²²/

to murder for money; to kill someone for his or her property


迎風飄舞

ㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄥ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄨˇ

/iŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɪŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ mou̯¹³/

/iŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɪŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ mou̯¹³/


殃及池魚

ㄧㄤ ㄐㄧˊ ㄔˊ ㄩˊ

/jɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ y³⁵/

/jœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐp̚² t͡sʰiː²¹ jyː²¹/

/jɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ y³⁵/

/jœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐp̚² t͡sʰiː²¹ jyː²¹/

城門失火，殃及池魚 城門失火，殃及池魚#Chinese

城门失火，殃及池鱼 城门失火，殃及池鱼#Chinese

Short for 城門失火，殃及池魚／城门失火，殃及池鱼 (chéngmén shīhuǒ, yāngjí chíyú, “to suffer as a bystander; to get caught in the crossfire”).


風聲鶴唳

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (風聲鶴唳):
* → Japanese: 風声鶴唳(ふうせいかくれい) (fūsei kakurei)
* → Korean: 풍성학려(風聲鶴唳) (pungseonghangnyeo)

ㄈㄥ ㄕㄥ ㄏㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ hɔːk̚² lɵy̯²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² ho(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ lui²²/

/hɔŋ³³ siã³³ ho(ʔ)²⁴⁻² lui⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² ho(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ lui²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ ho(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ lui³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ lui³³/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ sĩã³³⁻²³ hoʔ⁴⁻² li³⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ hɔːk̚² lɵy̯²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² ho(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ lui²²/

/hɔŋ³³ siã³³ ho(ʔ)²⁴⁻² lui⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² ho(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ lui²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ ho(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ lui³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ lui³³/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ sĩã³³⁻²³ hoʔ⁴⁻² li³⁵/

From the Book of Jin:
:
餘眾棄甲宵遁，聞風聲鶴唳，皆以為王師已至。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]余众弃甲宵遁，闻风声鹤唳，皆以为王师已至。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: 648 CE, Fang Xuanling (lead editor), Book of Jin
Yú zhòng qì jiǎ xiāo dùn, wén fēngshēnghèlì, jiē yǐwèi wángshī yǐ zhì. [Pinyin]
The rest of the troop dropped their armors and escaped overnight. Hearing the sound of the wind and the cry of cranes, they thought the monarch's army had come.

zh-x

餘 眾 棄 甲 宵 遁，聞 風聲鶴唳，皆 以為 王師 已 至。

to panic and feel apprehensive for even the slightest sound


不思進取

ㄅㄨˋ ㄙ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄑㄩˇ

бусыцзиньцюй

/pu⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/

rest on one's laurels
rest on one's laurels

to rest on one's laurels; to make no further effort to improve oneself


以淚洗面

ㄧˇ ㄌㄟˋ ㄒㄧˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ leɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ lɵy̯²² sɐi̯³⁵ miːn²²/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ leɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ lɵy̯²² sɐi̯³⁵ miːn²²/

(figurative) to grieve greatly; to be filled with sorrow


時不我與

ㄕˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄩˇ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ jyː¹³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ jyː¹³/


歲不我與

ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄩˇ

/su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵy̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ jyː¹³/

/su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵy̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ jyː¹³/

From the Analects, Book 17 (《論語·陽貨》). Yang Huo (陽貨) is trying to persuade Confucius into taking office:
:
曰：「懷其寶而迷其邦，可謂仁乎？」曰：「不可。」「好從事而亟失時，可謂知乎？」曰：「不可。」「日月逝矣，歲不我與。」孔子曰：「諾。吾將仕矣。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]曰：「怀其宝而迷其邦，可谓仁乎？」曰：「不可。」「好从事而亟失时，可谓知乎？」曰：「不可。」「日月逝矣，岁不我与。」孔子曰：「诺。吾将仕矣。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yuē: “Huái qí bǎo ér mí qí bāng, kěwèi rén hū?” Yuē: “Bùkě.” “hào cóng shì ér jí shīshí, kě wèi zhì hū?” Yuē: “Bùkě.” “rìyuè shì yǐ, suì bù wǒ yǔ.” Kǒng Zǐ yuē: “Nuò. Wú jiāng shì yǐ.” [Pinyin]
He then asked, "Can he be called benevolent who keeps his jewel in his bosom, and leaves his country to confusion?" Confucius replied, "No." "Can he be called wise, who is anxious to be engaged in public employment, and yet is constantly losing the opportunity of being so?" Confucius again said, "No." "The days and months are passing away; the years do not wait for us." Confucius said, "Right; I will go into office."

曰：「懷 其 寶 而 迷 其 邦，可謂 仁 乎？」曰：「不可。」「好{hào} 從 事 而 亟 失時，可 謂 知{zhì} 乎？」曰：「不可。」「日月 逝 矣，歲.不.我.與。」^孔.^子 曰：「諾。吾 將 仕 矣。」

time and tide wait for no man
time and tide wait for no man

to have missed an opportunity; time and tide wait for no man


正大光明

ㄓㄥˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

чжэндагуанмин

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ taːi̯²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ taːi̯²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

光明正大 光明正大#Chinese

Synonym of 光明正大 (guāngmíngzhèngdà, “high-principled; open and aboveboard; just and honorable; frank and righteous; without artifice”)


大放異彩

ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄤˋ ㄧˋ ㄘㄞˇ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² fɔːŋ³³ jiː²² t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² fɔːŋ³³ jiː²² t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

to shine; to be outstanding; to perform splendidly


人中之龍

ㄖㄣˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

жэньчжунчжилун

žɛnʹčžunčžilun

/ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

/ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

outstanding and extraordinary person among a group


逝者如斯

ㄕˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄙ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/sɐi̯²² t͡sɛː³⁵ jyː²¹ siː⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/sɐi̯²² t͡sɛː³⁵ jyː²¹ siː⁵⁵/

From the Analects, Book 9 (《論語·子罕》):
:
子在川上，曰：「逝者如斯夫！不舍晝夜。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子在川上，曰：「逝者如斯夫！不舍昼夜。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐ zài chuān shàng, yuē: “Shìzhě rú sī fū! Bù shě zhòuyè.” [Pinyin]
The Master standing by a stream, said, "It passes on just like this, not ceasing day or night!"

^子 在 川 上，曰：「逝者.如.斯 夫！不 舍{shě} 晝夜。」


人才輩出

ㄖㄣˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄅㄟˋ ㄔㄨ

жэньцайбэйчу

/ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ puːi̯³³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ puːi̯³³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/


豐儉由人

ㄈㄥ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄧㄡˊ ㄖㄣˊ

фэнцзяньюжэнь

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kiːm²² jɐu̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kiːm²² jɐu̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

to have different products or services at different prices (cheap and expensive) to choose from


歸根結蒂

ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄧˋ

гуйгэньцзеди

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kiːt̚³ tɐi̯³³/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kiːt̚³ tɐi̯³³/

馬克思主義告訴我們，民主屬於上層建築，屬於政治這個範疇。這就是說，歸根結蒂，它是為經濟基礎服務的。 [MSC, trad.]
马克思主义告诉我们，民主属于上层建筑，属于政治这个范畴。这就是说，归根结蒂，它是为经济基础服务的。 [MSC, simp.]

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

Marxism teaches us that democracy is part of the superstructure and belongs to the realm of politics. That is to say, in the last analysis, it serves the economic base.

Mǎkèsī zhǔyì gàosu wǒmen, mínzhǔ shǔyú shàngcéng jiànzhù, shǔyú zhèngzhì zhège fànchóu. Zhè jiù shì shuō, guīgēnjiédì, tā shì wèi jīngjì jīchǔ fúwù de. [Pinyin]

歸根結底 歸根結底#Chinese

归根结底 归根结底#Chinese

Synonym of 歸根結底／归根结底 (guīgēnjiédǐ, “all in all; ultimately it comes down to”)


麻痺大意

ㄇㄚˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄧˋ

/mä³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/maː²¹ pei̯³³ taːi̯²² jiː³³/

/mä³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/maː²¹ pei̯³³ taːi̯²² jiː³³/

在一般情況下，人民內部的矛盾不是對抗性的。但是如果處理得不適當，或者失去警覺，麻痺大意，也可能發生對抗。 [MSC, trad.]
在一般情况下，人民内部的矛盾不是对抗性的。但是如果处理得不适当，或者失去警觉，麻痹大意，也可能发生对抗。 [MSC, simp.]

In ordinary circumstances, contradictions among the people are not antagonistic. But if they are not handled properly, or if we relax our vigilance and lower our guard, antagonism may arise.

Zài yībān qíngkuàng xià, rénmín nèibù de máodùn bùshì duìkàngxìng de. Dànshì rúguǒ chǔlǐ de bù shìdàng, huòzhě shīqù jǐngjué, mábìdàyì, yě kěnéng fāshēng duìkàng. [Pinyin]

to lower one's guard; to be careless and unconcerned


挑撥離間

ㄊㄧㄠˇ ㄅㄛ ㄌㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

тяоболицзянь

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ li³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ puːt̚² lei̯²¹ kaːn³³/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻²² puat̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² kan²¹/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ pua(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ li³³⁻¹¹ kan⁴⁴/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ pua(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ li³³⁻²¹ kan⁴⁴/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ pua(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ kan⁴⁴/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ pua(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ li²³⁻³³ kan⁴⁴/

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ li³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ puːt̚² lei̯²¹ kaːn³³/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻²² puat̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² kan²¹/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ pua(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ li³³⁻¹¹ kan⁴⁴/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ pua(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ li³³⁻²¹ kan⁴⁴/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ pua(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ kan⁴⁴/

/tʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ pua(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ li²³⁻³³ kan⁴⁴/

社會主義國家內部的反動派同帝國主義者互相勾結，利用人民內部的矛盾，挑撥離間，興風作浪，企圖實現他們的陰謀。 [MSC, trad.]
社会主义国家内部的反动派同帝国主义者互相勾结，利用人民内部的矛盾，挑拨离间，兴风作浪，企图实现他们的阴谋。 [MSC, simp.]

It was a case of the reactionaries inside a socialist country, in league with the imperialists, attempting to achieve their conspiratorial aims by taking advantage of contradictions among the people to foment dissension and stir up disorder.

Shèhuì zhǔyì guójiā nèibù de fǎndòngpài tóng dìguó zhǔyìzhě hùxiāng gōujié, lìyòng rénmín nèibù de máodùn, tiǎobōlíjiàn, xīngfēngzuòlàng, qǐtú shíxiàn tāmen de yīnmóu. [Pinyin]

to incite one person against another; to drive a wedge between; to foment disunity and dissension; to sow discord


國計民生

ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄕㄥ

гоцзиминьшэн

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ min³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ kɐi̯³³ mɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ min³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ kɐi̯³³ mɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

為了對付帝國主義的壓迫，為了使落後的經濟地位提高一步，中國必須利用一切於國計民生有利而不是有害的城鄉資本主義因素，團結民族資產階級，共同奮鬥。 [MSC, trad.]
为了对付帝国主义的压迫，为了使落后的经济地位提高一步，中国必须利用一切于国计民生有利而不是有害的城乡资本主义因素，团结民族资产阶级，共同奋斗。 [MSC, simp.]

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

To counter imperialist oppression and to raise her backward economy to a higher level, China must utilize all the factors of urban and rural capitalism that are beneficial and not harmful to the national economy and the people's livelihood; and we must unite with the national bourgeoisie in common struggle.

Wèile duìfu dìguó zhǔyì de yāpò, wèile shǐ luòhòu de jīngjì dìwèi tígāo yībù, Zhōngguó bìxū lìyòng yīqiè yú guójìmínshēng yǒulì ér bùshì yǒuhài de chéngxiāng zīběn zhǔyì yīnsù, tuánjié mínzú zīchǎn jiējí, gòngtóng fèndòu. [Pinyin]


彈丸之地

ㄉㄢˋ ㄨㄢˊ ㄓ ㄉㄧˋ

даньваньчжиди

/tän⁵¹ wän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/tän⁵¹ wän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

香港這片彈丸之地，竟然住了七百萬人。 [MSC, trad.]
香港这片弹丸之地，竟然住了七百万人。 [MSC, simp.]

There is a shocking population of 7 million in a tiny place like Hong Kong.

Xiānggǎng zhè piàn dànwánzhīdì, jìngrán zhù le qībǎiwàn rén. [Pinyin]

此彈丸之地，猶不予也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
此弹丸之地，犹不予也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: Zhanguo Ce, circa 5ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ centuries BCE


穿鑿附會

ㄔㄨㄢ ㄗㄠˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

ㄔㄨㄢ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

чуаньцзаофухуэй

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

чуаньцзофухуэй

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚² fuː²² wuːi̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚² fuː²² wuːi̯²²/

to give an implausible explanation and draw far-fetched analogies


平步青雲

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄩㄣˊ

пинбуцинъюнь

/pʰiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ pou̯²² t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹/

/piɪŋ²³⁻³³ pɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²⁴/

/piɪŋ²³⁻³³ pɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰẽ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²⁴/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ pou̯²² t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹/

/piɪŋ²³⁻³³ pɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²⁴/

/piɪŋ²³⁻³³ pɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰẽ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²⁴/

rise through the ranks
rise through the ranks


恭恭敬敬

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

гунгунцзинцзин

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪŋ³³ kɪŋ³³/

/kuŋ⁴² kuŋ² t͡ɕin³⁵ t͡ɕin²/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪŋ³³ kɪŋ³³/

/kuŋ⁴² kuŋ² t͡ɕin³⁵ t͡ɕin²/

我們必須向一切內行的人們（不管什麼人）學經濟工作。拜他們做老師，恭恭敬敬地學，老老實實地學。 [MSC, trad.]
我们必须向一切内行的人们（不管什么人）学经济工作。拜他们做老师，恭恭敬敬地学，老老实实地学。 [MSC, simp.]
Wǒmen bìxū xiàng yīqiè nèixíng de rénmen (bùguǎn shénme rén) xué jīngjì gōngzuò. Bài tāmen zuò lǎoshī, gōnggōngjìngjìng de xué, lǎolǎoshíshí de xué. [Pinyin]

We must learn to do economic work from all who know how, no matter who they are. We must esteem them as teachers, learning from them respectfully and conscientiously.

most respectfully; in an attitude of respect;


且歌且舞

ㄑㄧㄝˇ ㄍㄜ ㄑㄧㄝˇ ㄨˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɛː³⁵ kɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛː³⁵ mou̯¹³/

/t͡sʰɛː³⁵ kɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛː³⁵ mou̯¹³/


稀世珍寶

ㄒㄧ ㄕˋ ㄓㄣ ㄅㄠˇ

сишичжэньбао

/ɕi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hei̯⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ pɔː³⁵/

/ɕi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hei̯⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ pɔː³⁵/


力學篤行

ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄉㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/li⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/lɪk̚² hɔːk̚² tʊk̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/li⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/lɪk̚² hɔːk̚² tʊk̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

to diligently study and put into practice what one has learnt


一枝獨秀

ㄧ ㄓ ㄉㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄡˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʊk̚² sɐu̯³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻²² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² siu²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ki³³ tɔk̚²⁴⁻² siu⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ki⁴⁴⁻²² tɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ siu²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² siu¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² siu²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʊk̚² sɐu̯³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻²² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² siu²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ki³³ tɔk̚²⁴⁻² siu⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ki⁴⁴⁻²² tɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ siu²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² siu¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² siu²¹/


青山綠水

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄕㄢ ㄌㄩˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

циншаньлюйшуй

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ly⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ lʊk̚² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² sui⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² sui⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² sui⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² sui⁴¹/

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ sua³³⁻²³ lek̚⁴⁻² t͡sui⁵²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ly⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ lʊk̚² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² sui⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² sui⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² sui⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² sui⁴¹/

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ sua³³⁻²³ lek̚⁴⁻² t͡sui⁵²/

green hills and rivers; beautiful landscape


扶老攜幼

ㄈㄨˊ ㄌㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄡˋ

ㄈㄨˊ ㄌㄠˇ ㄒㄧ ㄧㄡˋ

/fu³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/fu³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²¹ lou̯¹³ kʷʰɐi̯²¹ jɐu̯³³/

/hu²⁴⁻¹¹ lo⁵³ he²⁴⁻¹¹ iu¹¹/

/hu²⁴⁻²² lo⁵³ he²⁴⁻²² iu²¹/

/hu²³⁻³³ lɤ⁴¹ he²³⁻³³ iu²¹/

/fu³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/fu³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²¹ lou̯¹³ kʷʰɐi̯²¹ jɐu̯³³/

/hu²⁴⁻¹¹ lo⁵³ he²⁴⁻¹¹ iu¹¹/

/hu²⁴⁻²² lo⁵³ he²⁴⁻²² iu²¹/

/hu²³⁻³³ lɤ⁴¹ he²³⁻³³ iu²¹/

to bring the young and old along; to take everyone along


十居其九

/sɐp̚² kɵy̯⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ kɐu̯³⁵/

/sɐp̚² kɵy̯⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ kɐu̯³⁵/


人中豪傑

ㄖㄣˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄏㄠˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

жэньчжунхаоцзе

/ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯²¹ kiːt̚²/

/ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯²¹ kiːt̚²/


開宗明義

ㄎㄞ ㄗㄨㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄧˋ

кайцзунминъи

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ i⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ jiː²²/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ i⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ jiː²²/

to make clear the main idea at the beginning in one's speech or writing


搜索枯腸

ㄙㄡ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄎㄨ ㄔㄤˊ

/soʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ saːk̚³ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ sɔːk̚³ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/soʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ saːk̚³ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ sɔːk̚³ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

to rack one's brain; to think extremely hard


福星高照

ㄈㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄍㄠ ㄓㄠˋ

фусингаочжао

/fu³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fʊk̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯³³/

/fu³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fʊk̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯³³/


平心而論

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄦˊ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

пинсиньэрлунь

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jiː²¹ lɵn²²/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jiː²¹ lɵn²²/


顧此失彼

ㄍㄨˋ ㄘˇ ㄕ ㄅㄧˇ

/ku⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kuː³³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sɐt̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/

/ku⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kuː³³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sɐt̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/

to attend to one thing and lose sight of another; to be unable to take care of everything at once


知無不言

ㄓ ㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u³⁵ pu⁵¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u³⁵ pu⁵¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹/


尸位素餐

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (尸位素餐):
* → Japanese: 尸(し)位(い)素(そ)餐(さん) (shīsosan)

ㄕ ㄨㄟˋ ㄙㄨˋ ㄘㄢ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² sou̯³³ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵/

/si⁵⁵⁻⁵³ ui²⁴²⁽⁻²¹⁾ ⁽ˢ⁻⁾lu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ^((t͡sʰ-))ʒuaŋ⁵⁵/

/si³³⁻²³ ui¹¹ su²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰaŋ³³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² sou̯³³ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵/

/si³³⁻²³ ui¹¹ su²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰaŋ³³/

今朝廷大臣，上不能匡主，下亡以益民，皆尸位素餐。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]
From: The Book of Han, circa 1ˢᵗ century CE
Jīn cháotíng dàchén, shàng bù néng kuāngzhǔ, xià wú yǐ yìmín, jiē shīwèisùcān. [Pinyin]
Now in the royal court, ministers who can't assist the emperor or benefit the people all hold their positions and live without doing anything.

zh-x

今 朝廷 大臣，上 不.能 匡-主，下 亡{wú} 以 益-民，皆 尸位素餐。

為什麼元好問要說「當官避事平生恥」？習總書記為什麼又要說「為官避事平生恥」呢？因為在我們中國人看來啊，在其位就得謀其政，一個人要是尸位素餐的話，本身就是為人不齒的一件事。 [MSC, trad.]
为什么元好问要说「当官避事平生耻」？习总书记为什么又要说「为官避事平生耻」呢？因为在我们中国人看来啊，在其位就得谋其政，一个人要是尸位素餐的话，本身就是为人不齿的一件事。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2021 February 21, 《为官避事平生耻》 (text), in 《平“语”近人——习近平喜欢的典故》, season 2, episode 4, CCTV-1, spoken by Meng Man, 5:59 from the start

Wèishénme Yuán Hàowèn yào shuō “dāngguān bìshì píngshēng chǐ”? Xí zǒngshūjì wèishénme yòu yào shuō “wéi guān bìshì píngshēng chǐ” ne? Yīnwèi zài wǒmen zhōngguórén kànlái a, zài qí wèi jiù děi móu qí zhèng, yīge rén yàoshì shīwèisùcān dehuà, běnshēn jiùshì wéi rén bùchǐ de yī jiàn shì. [Pinyin]

(derogatory or humble) hold one's position and live without doing anything


十室九空

ㄕˊ ㄕˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄎㄨㄥ

ㄕˊ ㄕˇ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄎㄨㄥ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐp̚² sɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐp̚² sɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

(of a space) desolate after a war or disaster; deserted as people have died or fled


亂中有序

ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄩˋ

луаньчжунъюсюй

/lu̯än⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵¹/

/lyːn²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sɵy̯²²/

/lu̯än⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵¹/

/lyːn²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sɵy̯²²/


詭計多端

ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄐㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄉㄨㄢ

гуйцзидодуань

/ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tu̯än⁵⁵/

/kʷɐi̯³⁵ kɐi̯³³ tɔː⁵⁵ tyːn⁵⁵/

/ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tu̯än⁵⁵/

/kʷɐi̯³⁵ kɐi̯³³ tɔː⁵⁵ tyːn⁵⁵/


痛快淋漓

ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ

тункуайлиньли

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³³ faːi̯³³ lɐm²¹ lei̯²¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³³ faːi̯³³ lɐm²¹ lei̯²¹/


井然有序

ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄩˋ

цзинжаньюсюй

/t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵¹/

/t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ jiːn²¹ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sɵy̯²²/

/t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵¹/

/t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ jiːn²¹ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sɵy̯²²/


雄心壯志

ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄓˋ

сюнсиньчжуанчжи

/ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɔːŋ³³ t͡siː³³/

/hioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sim³³⁻²³ t͡saŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡si²¹³/

/ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɔːŋ³³ t͡siː³³/


淋漓盡致

ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄓˋ

линьлицзиньчжи

/lin³⁵ li³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/lɐm²¹ lei̯²¹ t͡sɵn²² t͡siː³³/

/lin³⁵ li³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/lɐm²¹ lei̯²¹ t͡sɵn²² t͡siː³³/


聲威大震

ㄕㄥ ㄨㄟ ㄉㄚˋ ㄓㄣˋ

шэнвэйдачжэнь

šɛnvɛjdačžɛnʹ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² t͡sɐn³³/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² t͡sɐn³³/


通力合作

ㄊㄨㄥ ㄌㄧˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ li⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ lɪk̚² hɐp̚² t͡sɔːk̚³/

/tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡sɔk̚³²/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ li⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ lɪk̚² hɐp̚² t͡sɔːk̚³/

/tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡sɔk̚³²/

to work together; to make a concerted effort to do a task


舉國上下

ㄐㄩˇ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɵy̯³⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ sœːŋ²² haː²²/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɵy̯³⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ sœːŋ²² haː²²/


聲勢浩大

ㄕㄥ ㄕˋ ㄏㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ hou̯²² taːi̯²²/

/siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ ho²²⁻²¹ tai²²/

/siã⁴⁴⁻³³ se²¹⁻⁴¹ hɤ³³⁻²¹ tai³³/

/siã⁴⁴⁻³³ se¹¹⁻⁵³ ho³³⁻¹¹ tai³³/

/siã⁴⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ ho²²⁻²¹ tai²²/

/siã⁴⁴⁻³³ si²¹⁻⁴¹ hɤ³³⁻²¹ tai³³/

/siã⁴⁴⁻³³ si¹¹⁻⁵³ ho³³⁻¹¹ tai³³/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ hou̯²² taːi̯²²/

/siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ ho²²⁻²¹ tai²²/

/siã⁴⁴⁻³³ se²¹⁻⁴¹ hɤ³³⁻²¹ tai³³/

/siã⁴⁴⁻³³ se¹¹⁻⁵³ ho³³⁻¹¹ tai³³/

/siã⁴⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ ho²²⁻²¹ tai²²/

/siã⁴⁴⁻³³ si²¹⁻⁴¹ hɤ³³⁻²¹ tai³³/

/siã⁴⁴⁻³³ si¹¹⁻⁵³ ho³³⁻¹¹ tai³³/


輾轉反側

ㄓㄢˇ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄈㄢˇ ㄘㄜˋ

чжаньчжуаньфаньцэ

/ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 1 (《詩經·周南·關雎》):
:
求之不得，寤寐思服。
悠哉悠哉，輾轉反側。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]求之不得，寤寐思服。
悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Qiú zhī bù dé, wùmèi sīfú.
Yōuzāi yōuzāi, zhǎnzhuǎn fǎncè. [Pinyin]
He sought her and found her not, and waking and sleeping he thought about her.
Long he thought; oh! long and anxiously; on his side, on his back, he turned, and back again.

lang

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

zh-x

求 之 不 得，寤寐 思服。
悠哉.悠哉，輾轉.反側。

to toss and turn in bed as one has something on one's mind


素不相識

ㄙㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄕˊ

ㄙㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄕˋ

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sou̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sou̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

to not know one another before; to be strangers to one another


掩人耳目

ㄧㄢˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄦˇ ㄇㄨˋ

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹/

/jiːm³⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː¹³ mʊk̚²/

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹/

/jiːm³⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː¹³ mʊk̚²/

to deceive and hide the truth from others


勤政愛民

ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄓㄥˋ ㄞˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ

циньчжэнъайминь

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ min³⁵/

/kʰɐn²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ ɔːi̯³³ mɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ min³⁵/

/kʰɐn²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ ɔːi̯³³ mɐn²¹/

to attend to government affairs diligently and love the people


鮮血淋漓

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ

сяньсюэлиньли

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

сяньселиньли

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

to be dripping with blood; to have blood streaming down


累死累活

ㄌㄟˇ ㄙˇ ㄌㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄛˊ

/leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/lɵy̯²² sei̯³⁵ lɵy̯²² wuːt̚²/

/lɵy̯²² sei̯³⁵ lɵy̯²² wuːt̚²/

work oneself to death; tire oneself out through overwork


離題萬里

to stray from the subject by ten thousand li

ㄌㄧˊ ㄊㄧˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄌㄧˇ

/li³⁵ tʰi³⁵ wän⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ tʰɐi̯²¹ maːn²² lei̯¹³/

/li³⁵ tʰi³⁵ wän⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ tʰɐi̯²¹ maːn²² lei̯¹³/


實不相瞞

ㄕˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄇㄢˊ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ män³⁵/

/sɐt̚² pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ muːn²¹/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ män³⁵/

/sɐt̚² pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ muːn²¹/

to tell you the truth; to tell you honestly


互相監督

ㄏㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄉㄨ

хусян цзяньду

/xu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu⁵⁵/

/wuː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ kaːm⁵⁵ tʊk̚⁵/

/xu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu⁵⁵/

/wuː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ kaːm⁵⁵ tʊk̚⁵/

各黨派互相監督的事實，也早已存在，就是各黨派互相提意見，作批評。 [MSC, trad.]
各党派互相监督的事实，也早已存在，就是各党派互相提意见，作批评。 [MSC, simp.]

Mutual supervision among the various parties is also a long-established fact, in the sense that they have long been advising and criticizing each other.

Gè dǎngpài hùxiāng jiāndū de shìshí, yě zǎoyǐ cúnzài, jiù shì gè dǎngpài hùxiāng tí yìjiàn, zuò pīpíng. [Pinyin]

mutual supervision; to supervise each other


將信將疑

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄧˊ

цзянсиньцзянъи

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɵn³³ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɵn³³ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹/

take with a pinch of salt
take with a pinch of salt

to take with a pinch of salt; to be doubtful; to be not quite convinced


積習難改

ㄐㄧ ㄒㄧˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄍㄞˇ

цзисинаньгай

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ nän³⁵ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚² naːn²¹ kɔːi̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ nän³⁵ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚² naːn²¹ kɔːi̯³⁵/

established habits are difficult to change


草率收兵

ㄘㄠˇ ㄕㄨㄞˋ ㄕㄡ ㄅㄧㄥ

цаошуайшоубин

/t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰou̯³⁵ sɵt̚⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰou̯³⁵ sɵt̚⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵/

應當在處理鬧事的過程中，進行細緻的工作，不要用簡單的方法去處理，不要「草率收兵」。 [MSC, trad.]
应当在处理闹事的过程中，进行细致的工作，不要用简单的方法去处理，不要「草率收兵」。 [MSC, simp.]

In handling any disturbance, we should take pains and not use over-simple methods, or hastily declare the matter closed.

Yīngdāng zài chǔlǐ nàoshì de guòchéng zhōng, jìnxíng xìzhì de gōngzuò, bùyào yòng jiǎndān de fāngfǎ qù chǔlǐ, bùyào “cǎoshuàishōubīng”. [Pinyin]

to hastily declare the matter closed; to wind up in a hurry


造謠生事

ㄗㄠˋ ㄧㄠˊ ㄕㄥ ㄕˋ

/t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sou̯²² jiːu̯²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ siː²²/

/t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sou̯²² jiːu̯²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ siː²²/

他們可能利用和歪曲我們的方針，故意提出無理的要求來煽動群眾，或者故意造謠生事，破壞社會的正常秩序。 [MSC, trad.]
他们可能利用和歪曲我们的方针，故意提出无理的要求来煽动群众，或者故意造谣生事，破坏社会的正常秩序。 [MSC, simp.]

They are apt to take advantage of our policies and distort them, and deliberately put forward unreasonable demands in order to incite the masses, or deliberately spread rumours to create trouble and disrupt public order.

Tāmen kěnéng lìyòng hé wāiqū wǒmen de fāngzhēn, gùyì tíchū wúlǐ de yāoqiú lái shāndòng qúnzhòng, huòzhě gùyì zàoyáoshēngshì, pòhuài shèhuì de zhèngcháng zhìxù. [Pinyin]


長期共存

ㄔㄤˊ ㄑㄧ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄘㄨㄣˊ

ㄔㄤˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄘㄨㄣˊ

чанци гунцунь

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ kʰei̯²¹ kʊŋ²² t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ kʰei̯²¹ kʊŋ²² t͡sʰyːn²¹/

共產黨同各民主黨派長期共存，這是我們的願望，也是我們的方針。 [MSC, trad.]
共产党同各民主党派长期共存，这是我们的愿望，也是我们的方针。 [MSC, simp.]

It is our desire as well as our policy to exist side by side with the democratic parties for a long time to come.

Gòngchǎndǎng tóng gè mínzhǔ dǎngpài chángqī gòngcún, zhè shì wǒmen de yuànwàng, yě shì wǒmen de fāngzhēn. [Pinyin]

to exist side by side for a long time; long-term coexistence (especially of the Communist Party with the democratic parties)


漁人之利

ㄩˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ ㄌㄧˋ

/y³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

/y³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

See 鷸蚌相爭，漁人得利／鹬蚌相争，渔人得利 (yùbàng xiāngzhēng, yúrén délì).

zh-l

the benefits reaped by a third party when two sides quarrel


長期共存，互相監督

ㄔㄤˊ ㄑㄧ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄘㄨㄣˊ

ㄏㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄉㄨ

ㄔㄤˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄘㄨㄣˊ

coeng⁴ kei⁴ gung⁶ cyun⁴, wu⁶ soeng¹ gaam¹ duk¹

чанци гунцунь

хусян цзяньду

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ xu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ xu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu⁵⁵/

chèuhng kèih guhng chyùhn, wuh sēung gāam dūk

tsoeng⁴ kei⁴ gung⁶ tsyn⁴, wu⁶ soeng¹ gaam¹ duk⁷

cêng⁴ kéi⁴ gung⁶ qun⁴, wu⁶ sêng¹ gam¹ dug¹

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ kʰei̯²¹ kʊŋ²² t͡sʰyːn²¹ wuː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ kaːm⁵⁵ tʊk̚⁵/

因此，我們希望各民主黨派都能注意思想改造，爭取和共產黨一道長期共存，互相監督，以適應新社會的需要。 [MSC, trad.]
因此，我们希望各民主党派都能注意思想改造，争取和共产党一道长期共存，互相监督，以适应新社会的需要。 [MSC, simp.]

Thus, we hope that in order to fit in with the needs of the new society, all the democratic parties will pay attention to ideological remoulding and strive for long-term coexistence with the Communist Party and mutual supervision.

Yīncǐ, wǒmen xīwàng gè mínzhǔ dǎngpài dōu néng zhùyì sīxiǎng gǎizào, zhēngqǔ hé Gòngchǎndǎng yīdào chángqī gòngcún, hùxiāng jiāndū, yǐ shìyìng xīnshèhuì de xūyào. [Pinyin]

(Maoism, socialism) long-term coexistence and mutual supervision (of the Communist party and the democratic parties)


統籌兼顧

ㄊㄨㄥˇ ㄔㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄍㄨˋ

тунчоуцзяньгу

/tʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ kiːm⁵⁵ kuː³³/

/tʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ kiːm⁵⁵ kuː³³/

無論糧食問題，災荒問題，就業問題，教育問題，知識分子問題，各種愛國力量的統一戰線問題，少數民族問題，以及其它各項問題，都要從對全體人民的統籌兼顧這個觀點出發，就當時當地的實際可能條件，同各方面的人協商，作出各種適當的安排。 [MSC, trad.]
无论粮食问题，灾荒问题，就业问题，教育问题，知识分子问题，各种爱国力量的统一战线问题，少数民族问题，以及其它各项问题，都要从对全体人民的统筹兼顾这个观点出发，就当时当地的实际可能条件，同各方面的人协商，作出各种适当的安排。 [MSC, simp.]
Whatever the problem – whether it concerns food, natural calamities, employment, education, the intellectuals, the united front of all patriotic forces, the minority nationalities, or anything else – we must always proceed from the standpoint of over-all consideration, which embraces the whole people, and must make the proper arrangement, after consultation with all the circles concerned, in the light of what is feasible at a particular time and place.

Wúlùn liángshí wèntí, zāihuāng wèntí, jiùyè wèntí, jiàoyù wèntí, zhīshi fènzǐ wèntí, gèzhǒng àiguó lìliàng de tǒngyī zhànxiàn wèntí, shǎoshù mínzú wèntí, yǐjí qítā gè xiàng wèntí, dōu yào cóng duì quántǐ rénmín de tǒngchóujiāngù zhège guāndiǎn chūfā, jiù dāngshí dāngdì de shíjì kěnéng tiáojiàn, tóng gè fāngmiàn de rén xiéshāng, zuòchū gèzhǒng shìdàng de ānpái. [Pinyin]

to give overall consideration; to make overall planning


樸實無華

ㄆㄨˇ ㄕˊ ㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ

ㄆㄨˊ ㄕˊ ㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ

/pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/pʰu³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/pʰɔːk̚³ sɐt̚² mou̯²¹ waː²¹/

/pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/pʰu³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/pʰɔːk̚³ sɐt̚² mou̯²¹ waː²¹/

unadorned and not ostentatious; plain and not showy


厲行節約

ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄩㄝ

/li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵/

/lɐi̯²² hɐŋ²¹ t͡siːt̚³ jœːk̚³/

/li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵/

/lɐi̯²² hɐŋ²¹ t͡siːt̚³ jœːk̚³/

要使我國富強起來，需要幾十年艱苦奮鬥的時間，其中包括執行厲行節約、反對浪費這樣一個勤儉建國的方針。 [MSC, trad.]
要使我国富强起来，需要几十年艰苦奋斗的时间，其中包括执行厉行节约、反对浪费这样一个勤俭建国的方针。 [MSC, simp.]

To make China prosperous and strong needs several decades of hard struggle, which means, among other things, pursuing the policy of building up our country through diligence and thrift, that is, practicing strict economy and fighting waste.

Yào shǐ wǒguó fùqiáng qilai, xūyào jǐshí nián jiānkǔfèndòu de shíjiān, qízhōng bāokuò zhíxíng lìxíngjiéyuē, fǎnduì làngfèi zhèyàng yīge qínjiǎnjiànguó de fāngzhēn. [Pinyin]


勤儉建國

ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

циньцзяньцзяньго

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/kʰɐn²¹ kiːm²² kiːn³³ kʷɔːk̚³/

/kʰɐn²¹ kiːm²² kiːn³³ kʷɔːk̚³/

to build up a country through diligence and thrift


鋪張浪費

ㄆㄨ ㄓㄤ ㄌㄤˋ ㄈㄟˋ

пучжанланфэй

/pʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/pʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²² fɐi̯³³/

/pʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/pʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²² fɐi̯³³/


平鋪直敘

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄆㄨ ㄓˊ ㄒㄩˋ

/pʰiŋ³⁵ pʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕy⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ pʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² t͡sɵy̯²²/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ pʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕy⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ pʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² t͡sɵy̯²²/


鏗鏘有力

ㄎㄥ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧˋ

/kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/hɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ lɪk̚²/

/kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/hɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ lɪk̚²/


單刀直入

ㄉㄢ ㄉㄠ ㄓˊ ㄖㄨˋ

даньдаочжижу

/tän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/taːn⁵⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐp̚²/

/tän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/taːn⁵⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐp̚²/

to get straight to the point; to be straightforward


日光日白

/jɐt̚² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚² paːk̚²/

/jɐt̚² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚² paːk̚²/

(Cantonese) in broad daylight; during daytime with ample illumination


化敵為友

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄉㄧˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄧㄡˇ

/xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faː³³ tɪk̚² wɐi̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faː³³ tɪk̚² wɐi̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³/


望塵莫及

to see the dust ahead and be unable to catch up

ㄨㄤˋ ㄔㄣˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ

ванчэньмоцзи

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²² t͡sʰɐn²¹ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/

/bɔŋ²²⁻²¹ tin²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/bɔŋ⁴¹⁻²² tin²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² kip̚²⁴/

/bɔŋ²²⁻²¹ tin¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kip̚¹²¹/

/bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tin²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tin²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²² t͡sʰɐn²¹ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/

/bɔŋ²²⁻²¹ tin²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/bɔŋ⁴¹⁻²² tin²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² kip̚²⁴/

/bɔŋ²²⁻²¹ tin¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kip̚¹²¹/

/bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tin²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tin²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/


萬里無雲

ㄨㄢˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄨˊ ㄩㄣˊ

/wän⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ yn³⁵/

/wän⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ yn³⁵/


晴空萬里

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄨㄢˋ ㄌㄧˇ

цинкунваньли

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ maːn²² lei̯¹³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ maːn²² lei̯¹³/


血流如注

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄓㄨˋ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄓㄨˋ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄓㄨˋ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹ t͡syː³³/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹ t͡syː³³/


血流成河

blood shed flows over the ground like a river

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄜˊ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄜˊ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄜˊ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹ hɔː²¹/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹ hɔː²¹/

無聊！我要看到血流成河！ [MSC, trad.]
无聊！我要看到血流成河！ [MSC, simp.]

From: SpongeBob SquarePants, Season 6, Episode 103a (Taiwanese Mandarin dubbed version)

Wúliáo! Wǒ yào kàn dào xuèliúchénghé! [Pinyin]

to be a bloodbath; a large number of people are killed


長風破浪

ㄔㄤˊ ㄈㄥ ㄆㄛˋ ㄌㄤˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɔː³³ lɔːŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɔː³³ lɔːŋ²²/

From Book of Song by 沈約 (Shen Yue):
:
愨年少時，炳問其志，愨曰：「願乘長風破萬里浪。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]悫年少时，炳问其志，悫曰：「愿乘长风破万里浪。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Shen Yue, Book of Song, 492-493 CE
Què niánshào shí, bǐng wèn qí zhì, què yuē: “Yuàn chéng chángfēng pò wànlǐ làng.” [Pinyin]
When Zong Que was young, his uncle Zong Bing asked him his ambitions, to which he replied, "I would mount a long wind and break ten thousand lis of waves."
From The Hard Road by 李白 (Li Bai):
:
長風破浪會有時，直掛雲帆濟滄海。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]长风破浪会有时，直挂云帆济沧海。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 774, 李白, 《行路難》其一
Chángfēngpòlàng huì yǒu shí, zhí guà yúnfān jì cānghǎi. [Pinyin]
I will mount a long wind some day and break the heavy waves, and set my cloudy sail straight and bridge the deep, deep sea.

zh-x

愨 年少 時，炳 問 其 志，愨 曰：「願 乘 長風 破 萬里 浪。」

長風破浪 會 有 時，直 掛 雲帆 濟 滄海。

774, 李白, 《行路難》其一

to have great aspirations and courageously pursue them


酒池肉林

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (酒池肉林):
* → Japanese: 酒(しゅ)池(ち)肉(にく)林(りん) (shuchinikurin)
* → Korean: 주지육림(酒池肉林) (jujiyungnim)

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄔˊ ㄖㄡˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ

цзючижоулинь

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ lin³⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ jʊk̚² lɐm²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ lin³⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ jʊk̚² lɐm²¹/

Originally referring to the recreational facility built by King Zhou of Shang:
:
大冣樂戲於沙丘，以酒為池，縣肉為林，使男女倮相逐其閒，為長夜之飲。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]大冣乐戏于沙丘，以酒为池，县肉为林，使男女倮相逐其闲，为长夜之饮。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Dà jù yuè xì yú shāqiū, yǐ jiǔ wèi chí, xuán ròu wèi lín, shǐ nánnǚ luǒ xiàng zhú qíjiān, wèi chángyè zhī yǐn. [Pinyin]
(King Zhou) gathered entertainers at a dune and built a pool with wine and a forest with meat there. He also let boys and girls chase each other naked and had drinking parties overnight.

zh-x

大 聚\冣{jù} 樂 戲 於 沙丘，以 酒 為 池，懸\縣{xuán} 肉 為 林 ，使 男女 裸\倮 相 逐 其間\其閒{jiān}，為 長夜 之 飲。

debauched activities; excessive extravagance


勞師動眾

ㄌㄠˊ ㄕ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

лаошидунчжун

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/lou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² t͡sʊŋ³³/

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/lou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² t͡sʊŋ³³/


割地賠款

ㄍㄜ ㄉㄧˋ ㄆㄟˊ ㄎㄨㄢˇ

гэдипэйкуань

/kɤ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ pʰeɪ̯³⁵ kʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɔːt̚³ tei̯²² pʰuːi̯²¹ fuːn³⁵/

/kɤ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ pʰeɪ̯³⁵ kʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɔːt̚³ tei̯²² pʰuːi̯²¹ fuːn³⁵/

to cede territory and pay indemnities (under an unequal treaty) after losing a war


福壽無疆

ㄈㄨˊ ㄕㄡˋ ㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄤ

/fu³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ sɐu̯²² mou̯²¹ kœːŋ⁵⁵/

/fu³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ sɐu̯²² mou̯²¹ kœːŋ⁵⁵/

to have boundless good fortune and longevity


掌聲雷動

ㄓㄤˇ ㄕㄥ ㄌㄟˊ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

чжаншэнлэйдун

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ leɪ̯³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ³⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ lɵy̯²¹ tʊŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ leɪ̯³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ³⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ lɵy̯²¹ tʊŋ²²/


擾人清夢

ㄖㄠˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄇㄥˋ

жаожэньцинмэн

/ʐɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ mʊŋ²²/

/ʐɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ mʊŋ²²/


滿腹狐疑

ㄇㄢˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄏㄨˊ ㄧˊ

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ xu³⁵ i³⁵/

/muːn¹³ fʊk̚⁵ wuː²¹ jiː²¹/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ xu³⁵ i³⁵/

/muːn¹³ fʊk̚⁵ wuː²¹ jiː²¹/


飯來張口

open one's mouth when someone brings food for him (so as to let others to feed him)”

ㄈㄢˋ ㄌㄞˊ ㄓㄤ ㄎㄡˇ

фаньлайчжанкоу

/fän⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn²² lɔːi̯²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/

/fän⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn²² lɔːi̯²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/


事無大小

ㄕˋ ㄨˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄠˇ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siː²² mou̯²¹ taːi̯²² siːu̯³⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siː²² mou̯²¹ taːi̯²² siːu̯³⁵/

every matter, regardless of size and importance


全盤否定

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄆㄢˊ ㄈㄡˇ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

цюаньпаньфоудин

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ pʰän³⁵ foʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ pʰuːn²¹ fɐu̯³⁵ tɪŋ²²/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ pʰän³⁵ foʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ pʰuːn²¹ fɐu̯³⁵ tɪŋ²²/


矢口否認

ㄕˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄈㄡˇ ㄖㄣˋ

шикоуфоужэнь

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ foʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ fɐu̯³⁵ jɪŋ²²/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ fɐu̯³⁵ jɪŋ²²/


落葉歸根

desc

낙엽귀근 / 락엽귀근(落葉歸根)

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (落葉歸根):
* → Korean: 낙엽귀근 / 락엽귀근(落葉歸根) (nagyeopgwigeun / ragyeopgwigeun)

→ Vietnamese: lá rụng về cội (calque)

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² jiːp̚² kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² jiːp̚² kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

From Song dynasty book《景德傳燈錄》by 釋道原, originally written as 葉落歸根／叶落归根 (yèluòguīgēn):
:
葉落歸根，來時無口。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]叶落归根，来时无口。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 宋·釋道原《景德傳燈錄》
Yèluòguīgēn, lái shí wú kǒu. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

zh-l

葉落歸根／叶落归根 (yèluòguīgēn)

zh-x

葉落歸根，來 時 無 口。

宋·釋道原《景德傳燈錄》

a person who has been away from his or her hometown for a long time would eventually return


樂天知命

ㄌㄜˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄓ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

лэтяньчжимин

/lɤ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/lɔːk̚² tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²²/

/lɤ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/lɔːk̚² tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²²/

From I Ching:
:
旁行而不流，樂天知命，故不憂。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]旁行而不流，乐天知命，故不忧。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE
Páng xíng ér bù liú, yuètiānzhīmìng, gù bù yōu. [Pinyin]
He acts according to the exigency of circumstances without being carried away by their current; he rejoices in Heaven and knows its ordinations; - and hence he has no anxieties.

旁 行 而 不 流，樂天知命，故 不 憂。


含糊其辭

ㄏㄢˊ ㄏㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄘˊ

/xän³⁵ xu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/hɐm²¹ wuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/xän³⁵ xu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/hɐm²¹ wuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/


聽之任之

ㄊㄧㄥˋ ㄓ ㄖㄣˋ ㄓ

тинчжижэньчжи

tinčžižɛnʹčži

/tʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tʰiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tʰɪŋ³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/tʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tʰiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tʰɪŋ³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

to let matters drift; to allow something to continue or develop


居心叵測

ㄐㄩ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄆㄛˇ ㄘㄜˋ

цзюйсиньпоцэ

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚⁵/

/kɯ³³⁻²³ sim³³⁻²³ pʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sʰek̚²/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚⁵/

/kɯ³³⁻²³ sim³³⁻²³ pʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sʰek̚²/

to harbor sinister intentions difficult to guess


付諸東流

ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄨ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/fuː²² t͡syː⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹/

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/fuː²² t͡syː⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹/

(figurative) to go in vain; to go down the drain; to be completely wasted


神采飛揚

ㄕㄣˊ ㄘㄞˇ ㄈㄟ ㄧㄤˊ

шэньцайфэйян

/ʂən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/sɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹/

/ʂən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/sɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹/

(of one's face) to radiate vigor; to be in high spirits


付之東流

ㄈㄨˋ ㄓ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹/

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹/

付諸東流 付諸東流#Chinese

付诸东流 付诸东流#Chinese

Synonym of 付諸東流／付诸东流 (fùzhūdōngliú, “to go in vain; to go down the drain; to be completely wasted”)


容光煥發

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄈㄚ

жунгуанхуаньфа

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ wuːn²² faːt̚³/

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ wuːn²² faːt̚³/

(of one's face) to glow with vigour and joy


急於求成

ㄐㄧˊ ㄩˊ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄥˊ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ y³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/kɐp̚⁵ jyː⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ y³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/kɐp̚⁵ jyː⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

to be too eager for success or accomplishments


設身處地

ㄕㄜˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨˇ ㄉㄧˋ

/ʂɤ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyː³³ tei̯²²/

/t͡sʰiːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³ tei̯²²/

/siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹⁻⁵³ te²²/

/siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰu²¹⁻⁴¹ te³³/

/siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰu¹¹⁻⁵³ tue³³/

/siak̚²⁻⁴ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ti¹¹/

/ʂɤ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyː³³ tei̯²²/

/t͡sʰiːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³ tei̯²²/

/siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹⁻⁵³ te²²/

/siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰu²¹⁻⁴¹ te³³/

/siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰu¹¹⁻⁵³ tue³³/

/siak̚²⁻⁴ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ti¹¹/

put oneself in someone's shoes
put oneself in someone's shoes


急起直追

ㄐㄧˊ ㄑㄧˇ ㄓˊ ㄓㄨㄟ

цзицичжичжуй

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/kɐp̚⁵ hei̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚² t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/kɐp̚⁵ hei̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚² t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵/

to rouse oneself immediately and catch up


蕩然無存

ㄉㄤˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄨˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ

данжаньуцунь

/tɑŋ⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/tɔːŋ²² jiːn²¹ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/tɑŋ⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/tɔːŋ²² jiːn²¹ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to completely disappear or be destroyed and no longer exist


胸無點墨

ㄒㄩㄥ ㄨˊ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄇㄛˋ

/ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ tiːm³⁵ mɐk̚²/

/ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ tiːm³⁵ mɐk̚²/


天網恢恢

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄨㄤˇ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄏㄨㄟ

тяньванхуэйхуэй

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ fuːi̯⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ fuːi̯⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵/


座無虛席

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄒㄩ ㄒㄧˊ

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sɔː²² mou̯²¹ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

/t͡so²²⁻²¹ bu²⁴⁻²² hu⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚⁴/

/t͡so³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ hi⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪk̚⁴/

/t͡sɤ³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ hi⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪk̚⁴/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sɔː²² mou̯²¹ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

/t͡so²²⁻²¹ bu²⁴⁻²² hu⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚⁴/

/t͡so³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ hi⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪk̚⁴/

/t͡sɤ³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ hi⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪk̚⁴/

to have a full house; to have a capacity audience


付諸一炬

ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄨ ㄧ ㄐㄩˋ

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡syː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯²²/

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡syː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯²²/


啼笑皆非

ㄊㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄈㄟ

/tʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ siːu̯³³ kaːi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/tʰi²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰio²¹⁻⁵³ kai⁴⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/tʰi²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰio⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kai³³ hui³³/

/tʰi¹³⁻²² t͡sʰio²¹⁻⁵³ kai⁴⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/tʰi²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰio¹¹⁻⁵³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

/tʰi²³⁻³³ t͡sʰiɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

/tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰio²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kai³³⁻²³ hui³³/

/tʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ siːu̯³³ kaːi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/tʰi²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰio²¹⁻⁵³ kai⁴⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/tʰi²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰio⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kai³³ hui³³/

/tʰi¹³⁻²² t͡sʰio²¹⁻⁵³ kai⁴⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/tʰi²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰio¹¹⁻⁵³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

/tʰi²³⁻³³ t͡sʰiɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

/tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰio²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kai³³⁻²³ hui³³/

to be so ridiculous that it is both saddening and provokes laughter at the same time


死無對證

ㄙˇ ㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄥˋ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ tɵy̯³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ tɵy̯³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

dead men tell no tales
dead men tell no tales

to be unable to know the truth as the person who could testify has died; dead men tell no tales


循環不息

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧ

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧˊ

сюньхуаньбуси

/ɕyn³⁵ xu̯än³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ɕyn³⁵ xu̯än³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn²¹ waːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/ɕyn³⁵ xu̯än³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ɕyn³⁵ xu̯än³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn²¹ waːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/


永不磨滅

ㄩㄥˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄛˊ ㄇㄧㄝˋ

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ pɐt̚⁵ mɔː²¹ miːt̚²/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ pɐt̚⁵ mɔː²¹ miːt̚²/


面不改容

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄞˇ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

мяньбугайжун

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

面不改色 面不改色#Chinese

Synonym of 面不改色 (miànbùgǎisè, “one's facial expression remains unchanged; to remain calm”)


皮開肉綻

ㄆㄧˊ ㄎㄞ ㄖㄡˋ ㄓㄢˋ

пикайжоучжань

/pʰi³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/pʰei̯²¹ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jʊk̚² t͡saːn²²/

/pʰi³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/pʰei̯²¹ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jʊk̚² t͡saːn²²/

to have one's skin torn and cracked as a result of being badly beaten


多彩多姿

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘㄞˇ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄗ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/


深謀遠慮

ㄕㄣ ㄇㄡˊ ㄩㄢˇ ㄌㄩˋ

шэньмоуюаньлюй

/ʂən⁵⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ly⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jyːn¹³ lɵy̯²²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ly⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jyːn¹³ lɵy̯²²/

to think deeply and plan carefully; to be circumspect and farsighted


轉來轉去

ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄌㄞˊ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄑㄩˋ

чжуаньлайчжуаньцюй

/ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/t͡syːn³³ lɔːi̯²¹ t͡syːn³³ hɵy̯³³/

/t͡syːn³³ lɔːi̯²¹ t͡syːn³³ hɵy̯³³/

run around in circles
run around in circles

to rove around; to walk back and forth; to run around in circles


投其所好

ㄊㄡˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄠˋ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ hou̯³³/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ hou̯³³/

to do what someone likes; to adapt to someone's taste


食不果腹

ㄕˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄈㄨˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/sɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/sɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

to always be hungry as one is impoverished


得來不易

ㄉㄜˊ ㄌㄞˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˋ

/tɤ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

/tit̚³²⁻⁴ lai²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ i²²/

/tit̚⁵⁻²⁴ lai²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ i⁴¹/

/tit̚³²⁻⁵ lai¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ i²²/

/tit̚³²⁻⁴ lai²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ i³³/

/tit̚³²⁻⁴ lai²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ i³³/

/tɤ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

/tit̚³²⁻⁴ lai²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ i²²/

/tit̚⁵⁻²⁴ lai²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ i⁴¹/

/tit̚³²⁻⁵ lai¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ i²²/

/tit̚³²⁻⁴ lai²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ i³³/

/tit̚³²⁻⁴ lai²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ i³³/

hard-earned; to have been obtained with a great deal of effort


學富五車

ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄨˇ ㄔㄜ

ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄨˇ ㄐㄩ

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/hɔːk̚² fuː³³ ŋ̍¹³ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/hɔːk̚² fuː³³ ŋ̍¹³ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

From Zhuangzi's comment about Hui Shi:
:
惠施多方，其書五車，其道舛駁，其言也不中。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]惠施多方，其书五车，其道舛驳，其言也不中。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE
Huì Shī duō fāng, qí shū wǔ chē, qí dào chuǎnbó, qí yán yě bù zhòng. [Pinyin]
Hui Shi knows many things in different fields. He has read five carts of books. However, his philosophy is messy, and what he says are not appropriate either.

zh-q

惠.^施 多 方 ， 其 書 五 車 ， 其 道 舛駁 ， 其 言 也 不 中{zhòng} 。

with rich knowledge that can be put into five carts

to be learned; to be extremely knowledgeable


橫生枝節

ㄏㄥˊ ㄕㄥ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

хэншэн чжицзе

/xɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/waːŋ²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

/xɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/waːŋ²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

to raise unexpected difficulties; to deliberately complicate an issue


忠黨愛國

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄉㄤˇ ㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

чжунданъайго

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tɔːŋ³⁵ ɔːi̯³³ kʷɔːk̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tɔːŋ³⁵ ɔːi̯³³ kʷɔːk̚³/

to be patriotic and also loyal to the party


忠君愛國

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (忠君愛國):
* → Vietnamese: trung quân ái quốc (忠君愛國)

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

чжунцзюньайго

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ ɔːi̯³³ kʷɔːk̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ ɔːi̯³³ kʷɔːk̚³/

君子之儒，忠君愛國，守正惡邪，務使澤及當時，名留後世。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
君子之儒，忠君爱国，守正恶邪，务使泽及当时，名留后世。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: Romance of the Three Kingdoms, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

A True scholar is loyal to his sovereign and loves his country, abiding by the right and hating evil, eager to benefit the men of his time and leave a good name to posterity.

Jūnzǐ zhī rú, zhōngjūn'àiguó, shǒuzhèng wùxié, wù shǐ zé jí dāngshí, míng liú hòushì. [Pinyin]

to be loyal to the monarch and patriotic


好心好意

ㄏㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄠˇ ㄧˋ

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/hou̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵ jiː³³/

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/hou̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵ jiː³³/


販夫走卒

ㄈㄢˋ ㄈㄨ ㄗㄡˇ ㄗㄨˊ

фаньфуцзоуцзу

/fän⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵/

/faːn³³ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɵt̚⁵/

/fän⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵/

/faːn³³ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɵt̚⁵/


普天同慶

ㄆㄨˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄥˋ

путяньтунцин

/pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵¹/

/pʰou̯³⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ hɪŋ³³/

/pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵¹/

/pʰou̯³⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ hɪŋ³³/


神通廣大

ㄕㄣˊ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄤˇ ㄉㄚˋ

шэньтунгуанда

/ʂən³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ³⁵ taːi̯²²/

/ʂən³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ³⁵ taːi̯²²/

to have vast magic powers; to possess unusual powers; to be infinitely resourceful


月明星稀

ㄩㄝˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧ

/ɥɛ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/jyːt̚² mɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵/

/ɥɛ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/jyːt̚² mɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵/

From Duan Ge Xing by 曹操 (Cao Cao):
:
月明星稀，烏鵲南飛。繞樹三匝，何枝可依？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]月明星稀，乌鹊南飞。绕树三匝，何枝可依？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 2nd–3rd century CE, 曹操 (Cao Cao), 短歌行
Yuèmíngxīngxī, wūquè nán fēi. Rào shù sān zā, hé zhī kě yī? [Pinyin]
The moon is bright and the stars are few, and southward the crows flew. Circling the tree thrice, on which branch can they perch?

zh-x

月明星稀，烏鵲 南 飛。繞 樹 三 匝，何 枝 可 依？

the moon is bright while the stars are few


捨我其誰

ㄕㄜˇ ㄨㄛˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕㄟˊ

/ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂeɪ̯³⁵/

/sɛː³⁵ ŋɔː¹³ kʰei̯²¹ sɵy̯²¹/

/ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂeɪ̯³⁵/

/sɛː³⁵ ŋɔː¹³ kʰei̯²¹ sɵy̯²¹/

From Mencius (《孟子·公孫丑下》):
:
夫天，未欲平治天下也；如欲平治天下，當今之世，舍我其誰也？吾何為不豫哉？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]夫天，未欲平治天下也；如欲平治天下，当今之世，舍我其谁也？吾何为不豫哉？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Fú tiān, wèi yù píngzhì tiānxià yě; rú yù píngzhì tiānxià, dāngjīn zhī shì, shě wǒ qí shéi yě? Wú héwèi bù yù zāi? [Pinyin]
But Heaven does not yet wish that the kingdom should enjoy tranquillity and good order. If it wished this, who is there besides me to bring it about? How should I be otherwise than dissatisfied?

夫{fú} 天，未 欲 平治 天下 也；如 欲 平治 天下，當今 之 世，@舍{shě}.我.其.誰 也？吾 何為 不 豫 哉？


月黑風高

ㄩㄝˋ ㄏㄟ ㄈㄥ ㄍㄠ

/ɥɛ⁵¹ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jyːt̚² hɐk̚⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵/

/jyːt̚² haːk̚⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵/

/ɥɛ⁵¹ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jyːt̚² hɐk̚⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵/

/jyːt̚² haːk̚⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵/


貽笑大方

ㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄤ

/i³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²¹ siːu̯³³ taːi̯²² fɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/i³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²¹ siːu̯³³ taːi̯²² fɔːŋ⁵⁵/

to be ridiculed by experts or intellectuals


人贓俱獲

ㄖㄣˊ ㄗㄤ ㄐㄩˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

жэньцзанцзюйхо

/ʐən³⁵ t͡sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ wɔːk̚²/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ wɔːk̚²/

(of a thief, etc.) to be caught with stolen items; to be caught red-handed


聲名大噪

ㄕㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄗㄠˋ

шэнминдацзао

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ taːi̯²² t͡sʰou̯³³/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ taːi̯²² t͡sʰou̯³³/


連戰皆捷

ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄓㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

ляньчжаньцзецзе

/li̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/li̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/


目光短淺

ㄇㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄑㄧㄢˇ

мугуандуаньцянь

/mu⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mʊk̚² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ tyːn³⁵ t͡sʰiːn³⁵/

/mʊk̚² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ tyːn³⁵ t͡sʰiːn³⁵/

short-sighted; myopic; lacking foresight


與有榮焉

ㄩˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄢ

/y²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ jɛn⁵⁵/

/jyː¹³ jɐu̯¹³ wɪŋ²¹ jiːn²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ jɛn⁵⁵/

/jyː¹³ jɐu̯¹³ wɪŋ²¹ jiːn²¹/

to feel honored as an associated person or organization is successful


人贓並獲

ㄖㄣˊ ㄗㄤ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

жэньцзанбинхо

/ʐən³⁵ t͡sɑŋ⁵⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ pɪŋ²² wɔːk̚²/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡sɑŋ⁵⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ pɪŋ²² wɔːk̚²/


屢戰屢勝

ㄌㄩˇ ㄓㄢˋ ㄌㄩˇ ㄕㄥˋ

люйчжаньлюйшэн

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/lɵy̯¹³ t͡siːn³³ lɵy̯³³ sɪŋ³³/

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/lɵy̯¹³ t͡siːn³³ lɵy̯³³ sɪŋ³³/


屢戰屢敗

ㄌㄩˇ ㄓㄢˋ ㄌㄩˇ ㄅㄞˋ

люйчжаньлюйбай

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/lɵy̯¹³ t͡siːn³³ lɵy̯¹³ paːi̯²²/

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/lɵy̯¹³ t͡siːn³³ lɵy̯¹³ paːi̯²²/


昭然若揭

ㄓㄠ ㄖㄢˊ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝ

чжаожаньжоцзе

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ jœːk̚² kʰiːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ jœːk̚² kʰiːt̚³/


漏網之魚

ㄌㄡˋ ㄨㄤˇ ㄓ ㄩˊ

/loʊ̯⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/lɐu̯²² mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː²¹/

/loʊ̯⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/lɐu̯²² mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː²¹/

(figurative) people that are able to escape legal sanctions by luck


行有餘力

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄩˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ li⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jyː²¹ lɪk̚²/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ li⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jyː²¹ lɪk̚²/

From the Analects, Book 1 (《論語·學而》):
:
子曰：「弟子入則孝，出則弟，謹而信，汎愛眾，而親仁。行有餘力，則以學文。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「弟子入则孝，出则弟，谨而信，泛爱众，而亲仁。行有余力，则以学文。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Dìzǐ rù zé xiào, chū zé tì, jǐn ér xìn, fàn ài zhòng, ér qīn rén. Xíng yǒu yúlì, zé yǐ xué wén.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies."

^子曰：「弟子 入 則 孝，出 則 弟{tì}，謹 而 信，汎{fàn} 愛 眾，而 親 仁。行.有.餘力，則 以 學 文。」

to have time and energy remaining after doing something


千呼萬喚

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄏㄨ ㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

цяньхуваньхуань

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ maːn²² wuːn²²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ maːn²² wuːn²²/

From the poem 琵琶行 (The Song of the Pipa Player) by Bai Juyi (772-846):
:
千呼萬喚始出來，猶抱琵琶半遮面。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]千呼万唤始出来，犹抱琵琶半遮面。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 816, 白居易 (Bai Juyi), 琵琶行 (The Song of the Pipa Player)
Qiānhūwànhuàn shǐ chūlái, yóu bào pípá bàn zhē miàn. [Pinyin]
Yet we called and urged a thousand times before she started toward us,
Still hiding half her face from us behind her pipa.

千呼萬喚 始 出來，猶 抱 琵琶 半 遮 面。


面色蒼白

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄙㄜˋ ㄘㄤ ㄅㄞˊ

мяньсэцанбай

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

/miːn²² sɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːk̚²/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

/miːn²² sɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːk̚²/

to have pallor; to have pale complexion (due to illness)


春回大地

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄉㄧˋ

чуньхуэйдади

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ taːi̯²² tei̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ taːi̯²² tei̯²²/

spring returns to the earth; spring is here again


分門別類

ㄈㄣ ㄇㄣˊ ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄟˋ

фэньмэньбелэй

/fən⁵⁵ mən³⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/fɐn⁵⁵ muːn²¹ piːt̚² lɵy̯²²/

/fən⁵⁵ mən³⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/fɐn⁵⁵ muːn²¹ piːt̚² lɵy̯²²/

to classify; to categorize; to organize into categories


表裡不一

ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ

/pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/piːu̯³⁵ lɵy̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

/pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/piːu̯³⁵ lɵy̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

to think in one way but speak and act in another; to be two-faced


合而為一

ㄏㄜˊ ㄦˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄧ

/xɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/hɐp̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

/xɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/hɐp̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

to combine into one; to merge into a single whole


捨本逐末

ㄕㄜˇ ㄅㄣˇ ㄓㄨˊ ㄇㄛˋ

/ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɛː³⁵ puːn³⁵ t͡sʊk̚² muːt̚²/

/ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɛː³⁵ puːn³⁵ t͡sʊk̚² muːt̚²/

to attend to minor unimportant details while neglecting the essentials


博古通今

ㄅㄛˊ ㄍㄨˇ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄐㄧㄣ

богутунцзинь

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ kuː³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ kuː³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

to possess a wide knowledge of things ancient and modern; erudite and informed


日甚一日

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂən⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² sɐm²² jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚²/

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂən⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² sɐm²² jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚²/


安貧樂道

ㄢ ㄆㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄉㄠˋ

аньпиньлэдао

/ˀän⁵⁵ pʰin³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ pʰɐn²¹ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ pʰin³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ pʰɐn²¹ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

to be contented with living in poverty and take delight in abiding by moral principles


陽奉陰違

ㄧㄤˊ ㄈㄥˋ ㄧㄣ ㄨㄟˊ

янфэнъиньвэй

/jɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ in⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/jœːŋ²¹ fʊŋ²² jɐm⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/jɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ in⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/jœːŋ²¹ fʊŋ²² jɐm⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

From 范景文 Fan Jingwen's 〈革大戶行召募疏〉:
*
如有日與胥徒比，而陽奉陰違、名去實存者，斷以白簡隨其後。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]如有日与胥徒比，而阳奉阴违、名去实存者，断以白简随其后。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Rú yǒurì yǔ xūtú bǐ, ér yángfèngyīnwéi, míngqùshícún zhě, duàn yǐ báijiǎn suí qíhòu. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

如 有日 與 胥-徒 比，而 陽奉陰違、名-去-實-存 者，斷 以 白簡 隨 其後。

余藎臣取過看時，只見上面寫的無非勸戒屬員，嗣後不准再到秦淮河吃酒住夜；倘若陽奉陰違，定行參辦不貸各等語。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
余荩臣取过看时，只见上面写的无非劝戒属员，嗣后不准再到秦淮河吃酒住夜；倘若阳奉阴违，定行参办不贷各等语。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: 李寶嘉 (Li Baojia), 《官場現形記》 (Officialdom Unmasked), [early 20th century]

When Yu Jinchen took it and looked at it, he only saw that what was written on it was nothing but a warning to the subordinates that thenceafter they were forbidden from again going to the Qinhuai river (region) to drink and stay overnight; if anyone'd overtly comply yet covertly defy, then impeachments and punishments would be certainly implemented without exception.

Yú Jìnchén qǔ guò kàn shí, zhǐ jiàn shàngmiàn xiě de wúfēi quànjiè shǔyuán, sìhòu bùzhǔn zài dào Qínhuái hé chī jiǔ zhù yè; tǎngruò yángfèngyīnwéi, dìng xíng cān bàn bùdài gè děng yǔ. [Pinyin]

張成澤雖然早有骯髒的政治野心，但在金日成主席和金正日總書記在世時不敢興風作浪而察言觀色，在幕後同床異夢、陽奉陰違。 [MSC, trad.]
张成泽虽然早有肮脏的政治野心，但在金日成主席和金正日总书记在世时不敢兴风作浪而察言观色，在幕后同床异梦、阳奉阴违。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2013, Korean Central News Agency, “Traitor Jang Song Thaek Executed”

From long ago, Jang had a dirty political ambition. He dared not raise his head when Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were alive. But, reading their faces, Jang had an axe to grind and involved himself in double-dealing.

Zhāng Chéngzé suīrán zǎo yǒu āngzāng de zhèngzhì yěxīn, dàn zài Jīn Rìchéng zhǔxí hé Jīn Zhèngrì zǒngshūjì zàishì shí bùgǎn xīngfēngzuòlàng ér cháyánguānsè, zài mùhòu tóngchuángyìmèng, yángfèngyīnwéi. [Pinyin]

to comply in appearance but oppose in heart; to overtly agree but covertly oppose; double-dealing