盡力而為

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄨㄟˊ

цзиньлиэрвэй

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɵn²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɵn²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹/


戮力同心

ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² lɪk̚² tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² lɪk̚² tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

to join forces and make concerted efforts to accomplish something


難能可貴

ㄋㄢˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

наньнэнкэгуй

/nän³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ nɐŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kui⁴¹/

/lan¹³⁻²² liɪŋ¹³⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui¹¹/

/lan²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/nän³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ nɐŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kui⁴¹/

/lan¹³⁻²² liɪŋ¹³⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui¹¹/

/lan²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

precious and praiseworthy as such an achievement is difficult to make


風雨飄搖

ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄧㄠˊ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 155 (《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》):
:
予羽譙譙，予尾翛翛。予室翹翹，風雨所漂搖。予維音嘵嘵。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]予羽谯谯，予尾翛翛。予室翘翘，风雨所漂摇。予维音哓哓。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yǔ yǔ qiáoqiáo, yǔ wěi xiāoxiāo. Yú shì qiáoqiáo, fēngyǔ suǒ piàoyáo. Yǔ wéi yīn xiāoxiāo. [Pinyin]
My wings are all-injured;
My tail is all-broken;
My house is in a perilous condition;
It is tossed about in the wind and rain:
I can but cry out with this note of alarm.

lang

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

zh-x

予 羽 譙-譙，予 尾 翛-翛。予{yú} 室 翹{qiáo}-翹{qiáo}，@風雨 所 @漂搖。予 維 音 嘵-嘵。

(of a situation) turbulent; precarious; tottering


齊心協力

ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːp̚³ lɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːp̚³ lɪk̚²/

to unite and make concerted efforts to accomplish something


聞名天下

ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

вэньминтянься

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/


遠近馳名

ㄩㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄔˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

юаньцзиньчимин

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ kɐn²² t͡sʰiː²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ kɐn²² t͡sʰiː²¹ mɪŋ²¹/


選賢與能

ㄒㄩㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄩˇ ㄋㄥˊ

ㄒㄩㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩˇ ㄋㄥˊ

сюаньсяньюйнэн

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

сюаньсяньцзюйнэн

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ jyː¹³ nɐŋ²¹/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ jyː¹³ nɐŋ²¹/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

From the Book of Rites, Book 9 (《禮記·禮運》):
:
大道之行也，天下為公。選賢與能，講信修睦，故人不獨親其親，不獨子其子，使老有所終，壯有所用，幼有所長，矜寡孤獨廢疾者，皆有所養。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]大道之行也，天下为公。选贤与能，讲信修睦，故人不独亲其亲，不独子其子，使老有所终，壮有所用，幼有所长，矜寡孤独废疾者，皆有所养。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Dàdào zhī xíng yě, tiānxià wéi gōng. Xuǎn xián yǔ néng, jiǎng xìn xiū mù, gù rén bù dú qīn qí qīn, bù dú zǐ qí zǐ, shǐ lǎo yǒu suǒ zhōng, zhuàng yǒu suǒ yòng, yòu yǒu suǒ zhǎng, jīn guǎ gū dú fèi jí zhě, jiē yǒu suǒ yǎng. [Pinyin]
When the Grand course was pursued, a public and common spirit ruled all under the sky; they chose men of talents, virtue, and ability; their words were sincere, and what they cultivated was harmony. Thus men did not love their parents only, nor treat as children only their own sons. A competent provision was secured for the aged till their death, employment for the able-bodied, and the means of growing up to the young. They showed kindness and compassion to widows, orphans, childless men, and those who were disabled by disease, so that they were all sufficiently maintained.
與／与 (yǔ) is a tongjia character of 舉／举 (jǔ).

大道 之 行 也，天下.為{wéi}.公。選.賢.與.能，講 信 修 睦，故 人 不 獨 親 其 親，不 獨 子 其 子，使 老 有 所 終，壯 有 所 用，幼 有 所 長{zhǎng}，矜 寡 孤 獨 廢 疾 者，皆 有 所 養。

to choose and appoint people of talents, virtue, and ability


積穀防饑

ㄐㄧ ㄍㄨˇ ㄈㄤˊ ㄐㄧ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ kʊk̚⁵ fɔːŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ kʊk̚⁵ fɔːŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵/


湔雪前恥

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔˇ

цзяньсюэцяньчи

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/t͡siːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/


勢單力薄

ㄕˋ ㄉㄢ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄛˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ li⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ taːn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² pɔːk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ li⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ taːn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² pɔːk̚²/

(of a force or a group) to be small in size and of weak strength


勢在必行

ㄕˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/se²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/se²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

to be imperative or necessary under such circumstances


網開一面

ㄨㄤˇ ㄎㄞ ㄧ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

/wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ miːn²²/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin²²/

/baŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰui³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² bin⁴¹/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ bin²²/

/baŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

/baŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

/wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ miːn²²/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin²²/

/baŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰui³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² bin⁴¹/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ bin²²/

/baŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

/baŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

Originally as 網開三面 (“to leave open three sides of the net”)

zh-l

to be lenient and magnanimous with wrongdoers


意興闌珊

ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

исинланьшань

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ hɪŋ³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hiɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ lan²⁴⁻²² san³³/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan¹³⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i¹¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/i²¹⁻⁴¹ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ lan²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ hɪŋ³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hiɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ lan²⁴⁻²² san³³/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan¹³⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i¹¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/i²¹⁻⁴¹ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ lan²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/


自食其果

ㄗˋ ㄕˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄛˇ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² sɪk̚² kʰei̯²¹ kʷɔː³⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² sɪk̚² kʰei̯²¹ kʷɔː³⁵/

to bear the consequences of one's own misdeeds; to reap what one sows


玉石俱焚

ㄩˋ ㄕˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄈㄣˊ

юйшицзюйфэнь

/y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/jʊk̚² sɛːk̚² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ fɐn²¹/

/y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/jʊk̚² sɛːk̚² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ fɐn²¹/

From the chapter 胤征 of the Forged Old Text of Shangshu:
:
火炎崑岡，玉石俱焚。天吏逸德，烈于猛火。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]火炎昆冈，玉石俱焚。天吏逸德，烈于猛火。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Forged Old Text of the Book of Documents, circa 3ʳᵈ – 4ᵗʰ century CE
Huǒyán kūngāng, yù shí jù fén. Tiānlì yìdé, liè yú měnghuǒ. [Pinyin]
When the fire blazes over the ridge of Kun, gems and stones are burned together; but if a minister of Heaven exceed in doing his duty, the consequences will be fiercer than blazing fire.

zh-x

火炎 崑岡，玉.石.俱.焚。天吏 逸德，烈 于 猛火。

the good and the bad (or evil) perish together


待人接物

ㄉㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄨˋ

/taɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/tɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ t͡siːp̚³ mɐt̚²/

/tʰai²²⁻²¹ lin²⁴ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ but̚⁴/

/tʰai³³⁻²¹ zin²³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ but̚⁴/

/tʰai³⁵⁻¹¹ naŋ⁵⁵ t͡siap̚²⁻⁴ mueʔ⁴/

/taɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/tɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ t͡siːp̚³ mɐt̚²/

/tʰai²²⁻²¹ lin²⁴ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ but̚⁴/

/tʰai³³⁻²¹ zin²³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ but̚⁴/

/tʰai³⁵⁻¹¹ naŋ⁵⁵ t͡siap̚²⁻⁴ mueʔ⁴/

在陳老師的春風化雨下，我學會了如何待人接物。 [MSC, trad.]
在陈老师的春风化雨下，我学会了如何待人接物。 [MSC, simp.]

Under the positive influence of Teacher Chen, I've learnt to how to get along with others.

Zài Chén lǎoshī de chūnfēnghuàyǔ xià, wǒ xuéhuì le rúhé dàirénjiēwù. [Pinyin]

getting along with others; dealing with people


滂沱大雨

ㄆㄤ ㄊㄨㄛˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄩˇ

/pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹ taːi̯²² jyː¹³/

/pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹ taːi̯²² jyː¹³/

to rain very heavily; to rain cats and dogs


披荊斬棘

ㄆㄧ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓㄢˇ ㄐㄧˊ

пицзинчжаньцзи

/pʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻²² kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi³³ kiɪŋ³³ t͡sam⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kiɪk̚⁵/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻²² kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻²² kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi³³ kiɪŋ³³ t͡sam⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kiɪk̚⁵/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻²² kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

to overcome different difficulties and obstacles


自作聰明

ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄘㄨㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзыцзоцунмин

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

許多同志，不注重和不善於總結群眾鬥爭的經驗，而歡喜主觀主義地自作聰明地發表許多意見，因而使自己的意見變成不切實際的空論。 [MSC, trad.]
许多同志，不注重和不善于总结群众斗争的经验，而欢喜主观主义地自作聪明地发表许多意见，因而使自己的意见变成不切实际的空论。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1943, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《關於領導方法的若干問題》 (Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership), 毛澤東選集 (Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung). English translation based on the Foreign Language Press edition.

Many comrades do not see the importance of, or are not good at, summing up the experience of mass struggles, but fancying themselves clever, are fond of voicing their subjectivist ideas, and so their ideas become empty and impractical.

Xǔduō tóngzhì, bù zhùzhòng hé bù shànyú zǒngjié qúnzhòng dòuzhēng de jīngyàn, ér huānxǐ zhǔguānzhǔyì de zìzuòcōngmíng de fābiǎo xǔduō yìjiàn, yīn'ér shǐ zìjǐ de yìjiàn biànchéng bùqièshíjì de kōnglùn. [Pinyin]

to overestimate one's cleverness and act unwisely


逍遙法外

to remain free and unfettered outside the law

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄧㄠˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄨㄞˋ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ faːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²/

/siau³³ iau²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ ɡua⁴¹/

/siau⁴⁴⁻²² iau¹³⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁵ ɡua²²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ iau²⁴⁻¹¹ huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ iau²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ faːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²/

/siau³³ iau²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ ɡua⁴¹/

/siau⁴⁴⁻²² iau¹³⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁵ ɡua²²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ iau²⁴⁻¹¹ huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ iau²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³/

(of fugitives) to be at large; to be on the loose


披頭散髮

ㄆㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄙㄢˋ ㄈㄚˋ

ㄆㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄙㄢˋ ㄈㄚˇ

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ fä⁵¹/

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ saːn³³ faːt̚³/

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ fä⁵¹/

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ saːn³³ faːt̚³/

with disheveled hair; with hair in disarray


大雨滂沱

ㄉㄚˋ ㄩˇ ㄆㄤ ㄊㄨㄛˊ

/tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² jyː¹³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹/

/tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² jyː¹³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹/

滂沱大雨 滂沱大雨#Chinese

Synonym of 滂沱大雨 (pāngtuódàyǔ, “to rain very heavily; to rain cats and dogs”)


匹夫之勇

ㄆㄧˇ ㄈㄨ ㄓ ㄩㄥˇ

/pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊŋ¹³/

/pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊŋ¹³/

From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王下》):
:
對曰：「王請無好小勇。夫撫劍疾視曰：『彼惡敢當我哉！』此匹夫之勇，敵一人者也。王請大之！ [Classical Chinese, trad.]对曰：「王请无好小勇。夫抚剑疾视曰：『彼恶敢当我哉！』此匹夫之勇，敌一人者也。王请大之！ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Duì yuē: “Wáng qǐng wú hǎo xiǎo yǒng. Fú fǔjiàn jíshì yuē: ‘Bǐ wū gǎn dāng wǒ zāi!’ Cǐ pǐfū zhī yǒng, dí yīrén zhě yě. Wáng qǐng dà zhī! [Pinyin]
"I beg your Majesty," was the reply, "not to love small valour. If a man brandishes his sword, looks fiercely, and says, 'How dare he withstand me?' - this is the valour of a common man, who can be the opponent only of a single individual. I beg your Majesty to greaten it."

對 曰：「王 請 無 好 小 勇。夫{fú} 撫劍 疾視 曰：『彼 惡{wū} 敢 當 我 哉！』此 匹夫.之.勇，敵 一人 者 也。王 請 大 之！

顏良，文醜，匹夫之勇，一戰可擒。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
颜良，文丑，匹夫之勇，一战可擒。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

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

Yan Liang and Wen Chou have but foolhardiness. They can be handled with one battle.

Yán Liáng, Wén Chǒu, pǐfūzhīyǒng, yīzhàn kěqín. [Pinyin]

foolhardiness; courage without wisdom or prudence


反躬自省

ㄈㄢˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄥˇ

фаньгунцзысин

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sɪŋ³³/

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sɪŋ³³/


血氣之勇

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓ ㄩㄥˇ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓ ㄩㄥˇ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓ ㄩㄥˇ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊŋ¹³/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊŋ¹³/


假手於人

ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄩˊ ㄖㄣˊ

цзяшоуюйжэнь

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

to rely on or make use of others to get something done or accomplish one's own goals


揮之不去

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩˋ

хуэйчжибуцюй

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɵy̯³³/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɵy̯³³/

to linger and bother someone constantly, while being impossible to be got rid of


離群索居

ㄌㄧˊ ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄐㄩ

лицюньсоцзюй

/li³⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/lei̯²¹ kʷʰɐn²¹ sɔːk̚³ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/li³⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/lei̯²¹ kʷʰɐn²¹ sɔːk̚³ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

to isolate oneself from the crowd and live life alone; to keep to oneself


獨沽一味

ㄉㄨˊ ㄍㄨ ㄧ ㄨㄟˋ

/tu³⁵ ku⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² kuː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/

/tu³⁵ ku⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² kuː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/


可造之材

ㄎㄜˇ ㄗㄠˋ ㄓ ㄘㄞˊ

кэцзаочжицай

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ t͡sou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ t͡sou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

(figurative) a promising talent deserving training; a person with great potential


輕舉妄動

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄩˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

цинцзюйвандун

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ tʊŋ²²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ tʊŋ²²/


無獨有偶

ㄨˊ ㄉㄨˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄡˇ

/u³⁵ tu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ tʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ ŋɐu̯¹³/

/u³⁵ tu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ tʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ ŋɐu̯¹³/

to coincidentally have a parallel; to happen to have a similar counterpart


驕兵必敗

ㄐㄧㄠ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄅㄧˋ ㄅㄞˋ

цзяобинбибай

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/kiːu̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ paːi̯²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/kiːu̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ paːi̯²²/

the conceited army which underestimates its opponent is bound to lose


大煞風景

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄚ ㄈㄥ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

/tä⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² saːt̚³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/tä⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² saːt̚³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

From Li Shangyin's personal notes about such behaviours:
:
煞風景：花間喝道、看花淚下、苔上鋪席、斫卻垂楊、花下曬裩、遊春重載、石筍繫馬、月下把火、妓筵說俗事、果園種菜、背山起樓、花架下養雞鴨、步行將軍、清泉濯足、焚琴煮鶴、對花啜茶。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]煞风景：花间喝道、看花泪下、苔上铺席、斫却垂杨、花下晒裩、游春重载、石笋系马、月下把火、妓筵说俗事、果园种菜、背山起楼、花架下养鸡鸭、步行将军、清泉濯足、焚琴煮鹤、对花啜茶。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Li Shangyin, Yishan's notes (義山雜纂)
Shàfēngjǐng: huājiān hē dào, kàn huā lèi xià, tái shàng pū xí, zhuó què chuí yáng, huā xià shài kūn, yóu chūn zhòng zǎi, shísǔn jì mǎ, yuè xià bǎ huǒ, jì yán shuō sú shì, guǒyuán zhǒng cài, bèi shān qǐlóu, huājià xià yǎng jī yā, bùxíng jiāngjūn, qīngquán zhuó zú, fénqínzhǔhè, duì huā chuò chá. [Pinyin]
(Behaviours that) spoil beautiful sceneries: Shouting at a place with flowers, crying when looking at flowers, laying a carpet on moss, chopping willow trees, hanging pants under flowers, leaving behind when going on travel in spring, tying horse onto stalagmite, lighting torches under the moon, saying vulgar things on a party with female entertainers, planting vegetables in a fruit garden, constructing buildings before mountains, raising chicken and ducks in a flower frame, military general walking, washing feet in clear springs, burning guqins and cooking cranes, drinking only tea (but not wine) when having flower viewing.

@煞風景：花間 喝 道、看 花 淚 下、苔 上 鋪 席、斫 卻 垂 楊、花 下 曬 裩、遊 春 重 載、石筍 繫 馬、月 下 把 火、妓 筵 說 俗 事、果園 種 菜、背 山 起樓、花架 下 養 雞 鴨、步行 將軍、清泉 濯 足、焚琴煮鶴、對 花 啜 茶 。

to spoil or damage the beautiful scenery or a good occasion


弦外之音

ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄨㄞˋ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

сяньвайчжиинь

/ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/jiːn²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/jiːn²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

unsaid meaning of one's words; unspoken implication


殺人如麻

to massacre people like mowing down hemp

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄚˊ

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʐu³⁵ mä³⁵/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyː²¹ maː²¹/

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʐu³⁵ mä³⁵/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyː²¹ maː²¹/

朝避猛虎，夕避長蛇。磨牙吮血，殺人如麻。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
朝避猛虎，夕避长蛇。磨牙吮血，杀人如麻。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: c. early 8th century, Li Bai (李白), 《蜀道難》. Translated into the English as The Steep Road to Shuh by Shigeyoshi Obata (小畑薫良), 1922.

Fleeing at morn before the savage tigers,Fleeing at eve before the huge serpents,Men are killed and cut up like hemp,While the beasts whet their fangs and lick the blood.

Zhāo bì měnghǔ, xī bì chángshé. Móyá shǔnxuè, shārén rúmá. [Pinyin]

to have killed countless people; to have committed countless murders


天下無雙

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (天下無雙):
* → Japanese: 天(てん)下(か)無(む)双(そう) (tenkamusō)
* → Korean: 천하무쌍(天下無雙) (cheonhamussang)

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄨˊ ㄕㄨㄤ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² mou̯²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² mou̯²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/


才德兼備

ㄘㄞˊ ㄉㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄅㄟˋ

цайдэцзяньбэй

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵ kiːm⁵⁵ pei̯²²/

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵ kiːm⁵⁵ pei̯²²/

to be capable and virtuous at the same time


將錯就錯

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sɐu̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sɐu̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³/

to continue doing a thing that has been done incorrectly while adapting to the error made


直斥其非

ㄓˊ ㄔˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄟ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

to directly rebuke someone for his or her mistakes; to scold someone to his or her face for his or her mistakes


窮兵黷武

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄉㄨˊ ㄨˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ tu³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ pɪŋ⁵⁵ tʊk̚² mou̯¹³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ tu³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ pɪŋ⁵⁵ tʊk̚² mou̯¹³/

to start wars and use military might rashly and excessively


馬首是瞻

ㄇㄚˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕˋ ㄓㄢ

машоушичжань

/mä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵⁵/

/maː¹³ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡siːm⁵⁵/

/mä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵⁵/

/maː¹³ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡siːm⁵⁵/

From Zuo Zhuan, Duke Xiang, Year 14 (《左傳·襄公十四年》):
:
荀偃令曰：「雞鳴而駕，塞井夷灶，唯余馬首是瞻！」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]荀偃令曰：「鸡鸣而驾，塞井夷灶，唯余马首是瞻！」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Xún Yǎn lìng yuē: “Jīmíng ér jià, sè jǐng yí zào, wéi yú mǎshǒu shì zhān!” [Pinyin]
Xun Yan (荀偃) ordered, "At cockcrow, yoke your chariots, fill up the wells and level your furnaces. Look only at my horses' heads, [and follow me]!"

lang

(《左傳·襄公十四年》)

(《左傳·襄公十四年》)

zh-x

@^荀.^偃 令 曰：「雞鳴 而 駕，塞{sè} 井 夷 灶，唯 余 馬首.是.瞻！」

Xun Yan (荀偃) ordered, "At cockcrow, yoke your chariots, fill up the wells and level your furnaces. Look only at my horses' heads, 􂀿and follow me􂁀!"

to regard someone as the leader and follow his or her orders


據為己有

ㄐㄩˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ

/t͡ɕy⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɵy̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ kei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/ku¹¹⁻⁵³ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³/

/ku²¹⁻⁵³ ui²⁴⁻²² ki⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³/

/ki²¹⁻⁴¹ ui²³⁻³³ ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹/

/kɵy̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ kei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/ku¹¹⁻⁵³ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³/

/ku²¹⁻⁵³ ui²⁴⁻²² ki⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³/

/ki²¹⁻⁴¹ ui²³⁻³³ ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹/

to appropriate something than belongs to others


推波助瀾

ㄊㄨㄟ ㄅㄛ ㄓㄨˋ ㄌㄢˊ

туйбочжулань

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ län³⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²² laːn²¹/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ län³⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²² laːn²¹/

add fuel to the fire
add fuel to the fire

to aggravate an already undesirable situation; to add fuel to the fire


子孫滿堂

ㄗˇ ㄙㄨㄣ ㄇㄢˇ ㄊㄤˊ

цзысуньманьтан

/t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯ən⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ syːn⁵⁵ muːn¹³ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯ən⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ syːn⁵⁵ muːn¹³ tʰɔːŋ²¹/


敬業樂群

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄜˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄧㄠˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ

цзинъелэцюнь

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

цзинъеяоцюнь

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiːp̚² ŋaːu̯²² kʷʰɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiːp̚² ŋaːu̯²² kʷʰɐn²¹/

From the Book of Rites, Book 18 (《禮記·學記》):
:
比年入學，中年考校。一年視離經辨志，三年視敬業樂群，五年視博習親師，七年視論學取友，謂之小成；九年知類通達，強立而不反，謂之大成。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]比年入学，中年考校。一年视离经辨志，三年视敬业乐群，五年视博习亲师，七年视论学取友，谓之小成；九年知类通达，强立而不反，谓之大成。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Bǐ nián rùxué, zhōng nián kǎo jiào. Yī nián shì líjīng biànzhì, sān nián shì jìngyè yuèqún, wǔ nián shì bóxí qīnshī, qī nián shì lùnxué qǔyǒu, wèizhī xiǎochéng; jiǔ nián zhīlèi tōngdá, qiáng lì ér bù fǎn, wèizhī dàchéng. [Pinyin]
Every year some entered the college, and every second year there was a comparative examination. In the first year it was seen whether they could read the texts intelligently, and what was the meaning of each; in the third year, whether they were reverently attentive to their work, and what companionship was most pleasant to them; in the fifth year, how they extended their studies and sought the company of their teachers; in the seventh year, how they could discuss the subjects of their studies and select their friends. They were now said to have made some small attainments. In the ninth year, when they knew the different classes of subjects and had gained a general intelligence, were firmly established and would not fall back, they were said to have made grand attainments.

比 年 入學，中 年 考 校{jiào}。一 年 視 離-經 辨-志，三 年 視 敬業.樂群，五 年 視 博-習 親-師，七 年 視 論-學 取-友，謂-之 小成；九 年 知-類 通-達，強 立 而 不 反，謂-之 大成。

to be committed to one's work or studies and enjoy socializing with friends to learn from one another


煽風點火

ㄕㄢ ㄈㄥ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

шаньфэндяньхо

/ʂän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tiːm³⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/ʂän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tiːm³⁵ fɔː³⁵/


長驅直入

ㄔㄤˊ ㄑㄩ ㄓˊ ㄖㄨˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐp̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐp̚²/

to rapidly push straight into a place with irresistible force


波瀾壯闊

ㄅㄛ ㄌㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄎㄨㄛˋ

боланьчжуанко

/pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ län³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɔː⁵⁵ laːn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ³³ fuːt̚³/

/pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ län³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɔː⁵⁵ laːn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ³³ fuːt̚³/


窮凶極惡

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄒㄩㄥ ㄐㄧˊ ㄜˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪk̚² ɔːk̚³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪk̚² ɔːk̚³/


得償所願

ㄉㄜˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄩㄢˋ

/tɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹ sɔː³⁵ jyːn²²/

/tɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹ sɔː³⁵ jyːn²²/


耿耿於懷

ㄍㄥˇ ㄍㄥˇ ㄩˊ ㄏㄨㄞˊ

гэнгэнъюйхуай

/kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹/

/kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹/

to brood on; to not forget about a matter and always be troubled or vexed by it


此起彼伏

ㄘˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄅㄧˇ ㄈㄨˊ

/t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ hei̯³⁵ pei̯³⁵ fʊk̚²/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ hei̯³⁵ pei̯³⁵ fʊk̚²/

此起彼落 此起彼落#Chinese

Synonym of 此起彼落 (cǐqǐbǐluò, “(of sounds) rising and falling; continuous; unceasing”)


罪魁禍首

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄎㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄡˇ

цзуйкуйхошоу

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯²² fuːi̯⁵⁵ wɔː²² sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻²² ho²²⁻²¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue⁴¹⁻²² kʰue³³ ho⁴¹⁻²² siu⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻²² ho²²⁻²¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue³³⁻¹¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ ho³³⁻¹¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue³³⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ³³⁻²¹ siu⁴¹/

/t͡sue³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰue³³⁻²³ hua³⁵⁻¹¹ siu⁵²/

/t͡sɵy̯²² fuːi̯⁵⁵ wɔː²² sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻²² ho²²⁻²¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue⁴¹⁻²² kʰue³³ ho⁴¹⁻²² siu⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻²² ho²²⁻²¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue³³⁻¹¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ ho³³⁻¹¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue³³⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ³³⁻²¹ siu⁴¹/

/t͡sue³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰue³³⁻²³ hua³⁵⁻¹¹ siu⁵²/

(literal, figurative) ringleader; main culprit; principal offender


如願以償

ㄖㄨˊ ㄩㄢˋ ㄧˇ ㄔㄤˊ

/ʐu³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyː²¹ jyːn²² jiː¹³ sœːŋ²¹/

/lu²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²⁻²¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²⁴/

/zu²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²³/

/d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ sĩõ⁵⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyː²¹ jyːn²² jiː¹³ sœːŋ²¹/

/lu²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²⁻²¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²⁴/

/zu²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²³/

/d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ sĩõ⁵⁵/


息事寧人

ㄒㄧ ㄕˋ ㄋㄧㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄒㄧˊ ㄕˋ ㄋㄧㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/ɕi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ niŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ niŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ siː²² nɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ su³³⁻²¹ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ su²²⁻²¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/ɕi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ niŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ niŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ siː²² nɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ su³³⁻²¹ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ su²²⁻²¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

to end a dispute or conflict and calm the people down


灰飛煙滅

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄈㄟ ㄧㄢ ㄇㄧㄝˋ

хуэйфэйяньме

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/


拳打腳踢

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧ

цюаньдацзяоти

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi⁵⁵/

/kʰyːn²¹ taː³⁵ kœːk̚³ tʰɛːk̚³/

/kʰuŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ta⁵²⁻³⁵ kʰa³³⁻²³ tʰak̚²/

/kʰyːn²¹ taː³⁵ kœːk̚³ tʰɛːk̚³/

/kʰuŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ta⁵²⁻³⁵ kʰa³³⁻²³ tʰak̚²/


挺身而出

ㄊㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄣ ㄦˊ ㄔㄨ

/tʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/tʰɪŋ¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/tʰeŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰuk̚²/

/tʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/tʰɪŋ¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/tʰeŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰuk̚²/

to step forward bravely in an unjust or perilous situation


遙遙無期

ㄧㄠˊ ㄧㄠˊ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧ

ㄧㄠˊ ㄧㄠˊ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/jiːu̯²¹ jiːu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/iau²⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/iau²⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/iau¹³⁻²² iau¹³⁻²² bu¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/iau²⁴⁻¹¹ iau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/iau²³⁻³³ iau²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ ki²³/

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/jiːu̯²¹ jiːu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/iau²⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/iau²⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/iau¹³⁻²² iau¹³⁻²² bu¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/iau²⁴⁻¹¹ iau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/iau²³⁻³³ iau²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ ki²³/

南蘇丹約400萬人流離失所，全國大半人民食不果腹，而衝突各方數次簽署的停火協議多數淪為廢紙，和平遙遙無期。 [MSC, trad.]
南苏丹约400万人流离失所，全国大半人民食不果腹，而冲突各方数次签署的停火协议多数沦为废纸，和平遥遥无期。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 李逸达 (2018 February 10) “南苏丹和平进程艰难推进”, in People's Daily (in Chinese), page 11

Nánsūdān yuē 400 wàn rén liúlíshīsuǒ, quánguó dàbàn rénmín shíbùguǒfù, ér chōngtū gèfāng shù cì qiānshǔ de tínghuǒ xiéyì duōshù lúnwéi fèizhǐ, hépíng yáoyáowúqī. [Pinyin]

far away in time and not within the foreseeable future


強人所難

ㄑㄧㄤˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄋㄢˊ

цянжэньсонань

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ jɐn²¹ sɔː³⁵ naːn²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ jɐn²¹ sɔː³⁵ naːn²¹/

to force someone to do something he or she not wish to do or is unable to do


搬字過紙

/puːn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² kʷɔː³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/puːn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² kʷɔː³³ t͡siː³⁵/

(Cantonese) to directly copy from a source its exact content


諱莫如深

ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄇㄛˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄣ

хуэйможушэнь

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯¹³ mɔːk̚² jyː²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯¹³ mɔːk̚² jyː²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

to closely guard a secret and not utter a single word about it; to not breathe a word


視死如歸

ㄕˋ ㄙˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/siː²² sei̯³⁵ jyː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/si²⁴²⁻⁵³ ⁽ˢ⁻⁾ly³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ y⁵³⁻⁵⁵ ⁽ᵏ⁻⁾ui⁵⁵/

/*ɡljilʔ|ɡljils|ɢljils hljiʔ nja|njas klul/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/siː²² sei̯³⁵ jyː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

是故君子以義死難，視死如歸；生而辱不如死而榮。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
是故君子以义死难，视死如归；生而辱不如死而荣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE

Therefore a junzi, being at one with righteousness, embraces death in the face of calamity, and regards death as homecoming. To live a life of humiliation is worse than suffering death with honour.

Shìgù jūnzǐ yǐ yì sǐ nàn, shìsǐrúguī; shēng ér rǔ bùrú sǐ ér róng. [Pinyin]

to be courageous and not fear death; to not fear sacrificing oneself for a greater cause


堂堂正正

ㄊㄤˊ ㄊㄤˊ ㄓㄥˋ ㄓㄥˋ

тантанчжэнчжэн

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɪŋ²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siɪŋ⁴¹/

/tɔŋ¹³⁻²² tɔŋ¹³⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɪŋ²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɪŋ¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

just and dignified; upright and frank; aboveboard


虛張聲勢

сюйчжаншэнши

/ɕy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/ɕy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

to bluff; to show false bravado; to make an empty show of strength


氣喘吁吁

ㄑㄧˋ ㄔㄨㄢˇ ㄒㄩ ㄒㄩ

цичуаньсюйсюй

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵/

to pant or gasp heavily; to be out of breath


氣喘如牛

ㄑㄧˋ ㄔㄨㄢˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄋㄧㄡˊ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ jyː²¹ ŋɐu̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ jyː²¹ ŋɐu̯²¹/


朝不保夕

ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄠˇ ㄒㄧ

ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄠˇ ㄒㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pou̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pou̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

to be in a critical and desperate situation; to be on the verge of death (or collapse, defeat, etc.)


歸根究柢

ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ ㄐㄧㄡ ㄉㄧˇ

ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄉㄧˇ

гуйгэньцзюди

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ tɐi̯³⁵/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ tɐi̯³⁵/


朝不慮夕

ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄩˋ ㄒㄧ

ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄩˋ ㄒㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lɵy̯²² t͡sɪk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lɵy̯²² t͡sɪk̚²/

朝不保夕 朝不保夕#Chinese

Synonym of 朝不保夕 (zhāobùbǎoxī, “to be in a critical and desperate situation; to be on the verge of death (or collapse, defeat, etc.)”)


欺善怕惡

ㄑㄧ ㄕㄢˋ ㄆㄚˋ ㄜˋ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/hei̯⁵⁵ siːn²² pʰaː³³ ɔːk̚³/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/hei̯⁵⁵ siːn²² pʰaː³³ ɔːk̚³/

to bully the good and the weak but fear the savage and evil people


官逼民反

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄅㄧ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄈㄢˇ

гуаньбиминьфань

/ku̯än⁵⁵ pi⁵⁵ min³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kuːn⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ mɐn²¹ faːn³⁵/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ pi⁵⁵ min³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kuːn⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ mɐn²¹ faːn³⁵/

the oppression by the government forces the mass to revolt


讚不絕口

ㄗㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄎㄡˇ

цзаньбуцзюэкоу

/t͡sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡saːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡san²¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡suat̚⁴⁻³² kʰau⁵³/

/t͡san⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡suat̚²⁴⁻² kʰau⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡san²¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡suat̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kʰau⁵³/

/t͡san¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡suat̚⁴⁻³² kʰau⁵³/

/t͡san²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡suat̚⁴⁻³² kʰau⁴¹/

/t͡saːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/

to ceaselessly praise; to be full of praise


周而復始

ㄓㄡ ㄦˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕˇ

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² t͡sʰiː³⁵/


崎嶇不平

ㄑㄧˊ ㄑㄩ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/


古道熱腸

ㄍㄨˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄖㄜˋ ㄔㄤˊ

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kuː³⁵ tou̯²² jiːt̚² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kuː³⁵ tou̯²² jiːt̚² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/


欲蓋彌彰

ㄩˋ ㄍㄞˋ ㄇㄧˊ ㄓㄤ

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ kaɪ̯⁵¹ mi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊk̚² kʰɔːi̯³³ nei̯²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚²⁴⁻² kai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mĩ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡siɔŋ³³/

/iɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kai²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai¹¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai²¹⁻⁴¹ mĩ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ kaɪ̯⁵¹ mi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊk̚² kʰɔːi̯³³ nei̯²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚²⁴⁻² kai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mĩ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡siɔŋ³³/

/iɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kai²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai¹¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai²¹⁻⁴¹ mĩ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

冬，邾黑肱以濫來奔，賤而書名，重地故也。君子曰：「名之不可不慎也如是夫。有所有名，而不如其已。以地叛，雖賤必書地，以名其人，終為不義，弗可滅已。是故君子動則思禮，行則思義，不為利回，不為義疚。或求名而不得，或欲蓋而名章，懲不義也。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]冬，邾黑肱以滥来奔，贱而书名，重地故也。君子曰：「名之不可不慎也如是夫。有所有名，而不如其已。以地叛，虽贱必书地，以名其人，终为不义，弗可灭已。是故君子动则思礼，行则思义，不为利回，不为义疚。或求名而不得，或欲盖而名章，惩不义也。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Dōng, Zhū Hēigōng yǐ Làn lái bēn, jiàn ér shū míng, zhòngdì gù yě. Jūnzǐ yuē: “Míng zhī bùkě bùshèn yě rúshì fū. Yǒu suǒ yǒumíng, ér bùrú qí yǐ. Yǐ dì pàn, suī jiàn bì shū dì, yǐ míng qí rén, zhōng wèi bùyì, fú kě miè yǐ. Shìgù jūnzǐ dòng zé sī lǐ, xíng zé sī yì, bù wèi lì huí, bù wèi yì jiù. Huò qiú míng ér bùdé, huò yù gài ér míng zhāng, chéng bùyì yě.” [Pinyin]
In winter, Heihong of Zou state defected to the Lu state together with his Lan county (near present-day Tengzhou). Although he was lowly, his name was recorded (in the historical records) becuase lands are important (for a country). The Gentleman (i.e. the author) said, “As for fame, one cannot be incautious like this. If one has this kind of fame, this would not be as good as without fame. [For a person] defected with his land, the name of the land must be recorded, so as the name of the defector. He will eventually be regarded as immoral and this will be never be blot out. Therefore, when a gentleman acts, he thinks of etiquettes and righteousness, and he never betrays (his conscience) for benefits or regrets for doing unrighteous things. Some people seek for fame but failed. Some people wanted to conceal but their names were eventually spread. This was to punish those immoral ones.”

zh-q

冬 ， ^邾 @^黑肱 以 ^濫 來 奔 ， 賤 而 書 名 ， 重地 故 也 。 君子 曰 ：「 名 之 不可 不慎 也 如是 夫 。 有 所 有名 ， 而 不如 其 已 。 以 地 叛 ， 雖 賤 必 書 地 ， 以 名 其 人 ， 終 為 不義 ， 弗 可 滅 已 。 是故 君子 動 則 思 禮 ， 行 則 思 義 ， 不 為 利 回 ， 不 為 義 疚 。 或 求 名 而 不得 ， 或 欲 蓋 而 名 章，懲 不義 也 。」

In winter, Heihong of Zou state defected to the Lu state together with his Lan county (near present-day Tengzhou). Although he was lowly, his name was recorded (in the historical records) becuase lands are important (for a country). The Gentleman (i.e. the author) said, “As for fame, one cannot be incautious like this. If one has this kind of fame, this would not be as good as without fame. 􂀿For a person􂁀 defected with his land, the name of the land must be recorded, so as the name of the defector. He will eventually be regarded as immoral and this will be never be blot out. Therefore, when a gentleman acts, he thinks of etiquettes and righteousness, and he never betrays (his conscience) for benefits or regrets for doing unrighteous things. Some people seek for fame but failed. Some people wanted to conceal but their names were eventually spread. This was to punish those immoral ones.”

to attempt to cover up the truth but the truth becomes more apparent or further exposed

Lu (state)
Tengzhou
Zou (state)
Zuo Qiuming


凹凸不平

ㄠ ㄊㄨ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

ㄠ ㄊㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/nɐp̚⁵ tɐt̚² pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/nɐp̚⁵ tɐt̚² pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/


引經據典

ㄧㄣˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄩˋ ㄉㄧㄢˇ

иньцзинцзюйдянь

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³³ tiːn³⁵/

/jɐn¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³³ tiːn³⁵/


名過其實

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/miŋ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miŋ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

to have an exaggerated reputation; to fall short of one's reputation


自顧不暇

ㄗˋ ㄍㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ä³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kuː³³ pɐt̚⁵ haː²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ä³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kuː³³ pɐt̚⁵ haː²¹/

to have too much on one's plate; to have trouble even in dealing with one's own affairs, let alone taking care of others'


鍥而不捨

ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄜˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰiːt̚³ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰiːt̚³ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/

From Xunzi:
:
鍥而舍之，朽木不折；鍥而不舍，金石可鏤。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]锲而舍之，朽木不折；锲而不舍，金石可镂。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Xunzi, c. 3ʳᵈ century BCE
Qiè ér shě zhī, xiǔmù bù zhé; qiè'érbùshě, jīnshí kě lòu. [Pinyin]
If you start carving and give up, you will not be able to break even rotten wood, but if you start carving and do not give up, then you can engrave even metal and stone.

zh-x

鍥 而 舍{shě} 之，朽木 不 折；鍥而不舍{shě}，金石 可 鏤。

to persevere; to continue doing something in a determined way and not give up


知人之明

ㄓ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

чжижэньчжимин

čžižɛnʹčžimin

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

the ability to identify talented individuals; the ability to appreciate a person's character and capability


爭名奪利

ㄓㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/


危機四伏

ㄨㄟ ㄐㄧ ㄙˋ ㄈㄨˊ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧ ㄙˋ ㄈㄨˊ

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ sei̯³³ fʊk̚²/

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ sei̯³³ fʊk̚²/

dangers or hazards lurking everywhere; to be full of peril


茹毛飲血

ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄠˊ ㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄩㄝˋ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄠˊ ㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄩㄝˇ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄠˊ ㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄝˇ

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ mou̯²¹ jɐm³⁵ hyːt̚³/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ mou̯²¹ jɐm³⁵ hyːt̚³/

From the Book of Rites, Book 9 (《禮記·禮運》):
:
昔者先王，未有宮室，冬則居營窟，夏則居橧巢。未有火化，食草木之實、鳥獸之肉，飲其血，茹其毛。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]昔者先王，未有宫室，冬则居营窟，夏则居橧巢。未有火化，食草木之实、鸟兽之肉，饮其血，茹其毛。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Xī zhě xiānwáng, wèi yǒu gōngshì, dōng zé jū yíng kū, xià zé jū zēng cháo. Wèi yǒu huǒ huà, shí cǎomù zhī shí, niǎoshòu zhī ròu, yǐn qí xuè, rú qí máo. [Pinyin]
Formerly the ancient kings had no houses. In winter they lived in caves which they had excavated, and in summer in nests which they had framed. They knew not yet the transforming power of fire, but ate the fruits of plants and trees, and the flesh of birds and beasts, drinking their blood, and swallowing (also) the hair and feathers.

昔 者 先王，未 有 宮室，冬 則 居 營 窟，夏 則 居 橧{zēng} 巢。未 有 火 化，食 草木 之 實、鳥獸 之 肉，@飲 其 @血，@茹 其 @毛。

to consume raw animal meat with its hair and blood unremoved; to live a primitive life


指名道姓

ㄓˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

чжиминдаосин

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tou̯²² sɪŋ³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tou̯²² sɪŋ³³/


寸草不生

ㄘㄨㄣˋ ㄘㄠˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ

цуньцаобушэн

/t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰyːn³³ t͡sʰou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰyːn³³ t͡sʰou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

(of land) completely barren; completely devoid of vegetation


滅頂之災

ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄓ ㄗㄞ

мединчжицзай

/mi̯ɛ⁵¹ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/miːt̚² tɪŋ³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/mi̯ɛ⁵¹ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/miːt̚² tɪŋ³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/


何德何能

ㄏㄜˊ ㄉㄜˊ ㄏㄜˊ ㄋㄥˊ

/xɤ³⁵ tɤ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ tɐk̚⁵ hɔː²¹ nɐŋ²¹/

/xɤ³⁵ tɤ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ tɐk̚⁵ hɔː²¹ nɐŋ²¹/

(usually humble) what virtues and abilities (do I have to deserve something good like this?); what good have I done?


虛有其表

ㄒㄩ ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ

/ɕy⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵/


順藤摸瓜

to get to the melon by tracking the vines

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄊㄥˊ ㄇㄛ ㄍㄨㄚ

шуньтэнмогуа

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ tʰɤŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² tʰɐŋ²¹ mɔː³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵/

/suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ tiŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ moŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kue³³/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ tʰɤŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² tʰɐŋ²¹ mɔː³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵/

/suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ tiŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ moŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kue³³/

get to the bottom of
get to the bottom of

to follow the clues to get to the bottom of a matter or to thoroughly inquire into a matter


一雪前恥

ㄧ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/


蠻不講理

ㄇㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄤˇ ㄌㄧˇ

маньбуцзянли

/män³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːŋ³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/män³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːŋ³⁵ lei̯¹³/


撒手塵寰

ㄙㄚ ㄕㄡˇ ㄔㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ

сашоучэньхуань

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ waːn²¹/

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ waːn²¹/


人滿為患

ㄖㄣˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

жэньманьвэйхуань

/ʐən³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ muːn¹³ wɐi̯²¹ waːn²²/

/zin²³⁻³³ muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ui²³⁻³³ huan³³/

/ʐən³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ muːn¹³ wɐi̯²¹ waːn²²/

/zin²³⁻³³ muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ui²³⁻³³ huan³³/

到了旅遊旺季，各大景點都人滿為患。 [MSC, trad.]
到了旅游旺季，各大景点都人满为患。 [MSC, simp.]

During peak seasons for tourism, every site is packed with people.

Dào le lǚyóu wàngjì, gè dà jǐngdiǎn dōu rénmǎnwèihuàn. [Pinyin]

to cause problems due to being overcrowded; to cause problems due to being packed with people


鋃鐺入獄

ㄌㄤˊ ㄉㄤ ㄖㄨˋ ㄩˋ

/lɑŋ³⁵ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/lɔːŋ²¹ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² jʊk̚²/

/lɑŋ³⁵ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/lɔːŋ²¹ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² jʊk̚²/


可見一斑

ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄧ ㄅㄢ

кэцзяньибань

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ kiːn³³ jɐt̚⁵ paːn⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ kiːn³³ jɐt̚⁵ paːn⁵⁵/

to be able to deduce the whole picture of a matter from one small detail


當機立斷

ㄉㄤ ㄐㄧ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

данцзилидуань

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ lɐp̚² tyːn²²/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ laːp̚² tyːn²²/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan²¹/

/tɔŋ³³ ki³³ lip̚²⁴⁻² tuan⁴¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tuan²¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan¹¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan²¹/

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ lɐp̚² tyːn²²/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ laːp̚² tyːn²²/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan²¹/

/tɔŋ³³ ki³³ lip̚²⁴⁻² tuan⁴¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tuan²¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan¹¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan²¹/

to be decisive and make a decision promptly at a critical moment


前因後果

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄣ ㄏㄡˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ

цяньиньхоуго

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ in⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ jɐn⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ in⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ jɐn⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵/

the entire sequence of events (including its cause and outcome)


結黨營私

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄤˇ ㄧㄥˊ ㄙ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/kiːt̚³ tɔːŋ³⁵ jɪŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/kiːt̚³ tɔːŋ³⁵ jɪŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵/


罪孽深重

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄋㄧㄝˋ ㄕㄣ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

цзуйне шэньчжун

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɵy̯²² jiːp̚² sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²²/

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɵy̯²² jiːp̚² sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²²/


彰明較著

ㄓㄤ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄓㄨˋ

чжанминцзяочжу

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ kaːu̯³³ t͡syː³³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ kaːu̯³³ t͡syː³³/


清熱解毒

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄖㄜˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ ㄉㄨˊ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jiːt̚² kaːi̯³⁵ tʊk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jiːt̚² kaːi̯³⁵ tʊk̚²/

traditional Chinese medicine
traditional Chinese medicine

(traditional Chinese medicine) to clear heat and detoxify


大汗淋漓

ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ

даханьлиньли

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːn²² lɐm²¹ lei̯²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːn²² lɐm²¹ lei̯²¹/


和而不同

ㄏㄜˊ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

/xɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/wɔː²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/xɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/wɔː²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/

From the Analects, Book 13 (《論語·子路》):
:
子曰：「君子和而不同，小人同而不和。」 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Jūnzǐ hé ér bù tóng, xiǎorén tóng ér bù hé.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "The superior man is affable, but not adulatory; the mean man is adulatory, but not affable."

^子曰：「君子 和.而.不.同，小人 同 而 不 和。」

harmonious even when there exists different opinions; unity in diversity


喪盡天良

ㄙㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄌㄧㄤˊ

санцзиньтяньлян

/sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ t͡sɵn²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

/sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ t͡sɵn²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

這樣一來，一些喪盡天良的資本家，就見利忘義，躍躍欲試。 [MSC, trad.]
这样一来，一些丧尽天良的资本家，就见利忘义，跃跃欲试。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1940, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《新民主主義論》 (On New Democracy), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

At the prospect of profits, some conscienceless capitalists forget all moral principles and itch to have a go.

Zhèyàngyīlái, yīxiē sàngjìntiānliáng de zīběnjiā, jiù jiànlìwàngyì, yuèyuèyùshì. [Pinyin]

to be utterly devoid of conscience; to be extremely vicious and evil


花甲之年

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

хуацзячжинянь

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/faː⁵⁵ kaːp̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/faː⁵⁵ kaːp̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/


冥頑不靈

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ

минваньбулин

/miŋ³⁵ wän³⁵ pu⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/mɪŋ¹³ waːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lɪŋ²¹/

/miŋ³⁵ wän³⁵ pu⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/mɪŋ¹³ waːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lɪŋ²¹/

obstinate and ignorant; stubborn and benighted


賊喊捉賊

ㄗㄟˊ ㄏㄢˇ ㄓㄨㄛ ㄗㄟˊ

цзэйханьчжоцзэй

/t͡seɪ̯³⁵ xän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːk̚² haːm³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚²/

/t͡seɪ̯³⁵ xän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːk̚² haːm³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚²/

to accuse others of wrongdoing as the wrongdoer to escape guilt and responsibility by diverting attention


防微杜漸

ㄈㄤˊ ㄨㄟ ㄉㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

ㄈㄤˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄉㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

фанвэйдуцзянь

/fɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ²¹ mei̯²¹ tou̯²² t͡siːm²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bi²⁴⁻²² tɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siam²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bi²⁴⁻²² tɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡siam⁴¹/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² bi¹³⁻²² tɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siam²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bi²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡siam³³/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ bi²³⁻³³ tɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡siam³³/

/fɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ²¹ mei̯²¹ tou̯²² t͡siːm²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bi²⁴⁻²² tɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siam²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bi²⁴⁻²² tɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡siam⁴¹/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² bi¹³⁻²² tɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siam²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bi²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡siam³³/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ bi²³⁻³³ tɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡siam³³/

to nip in the bud; to put an end to a bad thing or mistake when it germinates


滿腔熱情

ㄇㄢˇ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄖㄜˋ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

маньцянжэцин

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/muːn¹³ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːt̚² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/muːn¹³ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːt̚² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

對於人民的缺點是需要批評的，我們在前面已經說過了，但必須是真正站在人民的立場上，用保護人民、教育人民的滿腔熱情來說話。 [MSC, trad.]
对于人民的缺点是需要批评的，我们在前面已经说过了，但必须是真正站在人民的立场上，用保护人民、教育人民的满腔热情来说话。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1942, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《在延安文藝座談會上的講話》 (Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

To criticize the people's shortcomings is necessary, as we have already said, but in doing so we must truly take the stand of the people and speak out of whole-hearted eagerness to protect and educate them.

Duìyú rénmín de quēdiǎn shì xūyào pīpíng de, wǒmen zài qiánmiàn yǐjīng shuōguò le, dàn bìxū shì zhēnzhèng zhàn zài rénmín de lìchǎng shàng, yòng bǎohù rénmín, jiàoyù rénmín de mǎnqiāngrèqíng lái shuōhuà. [Pinyin]


離心離德

ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˊ ㄉㄜˊ

/li³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li³⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/lei̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵/

/li³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li³⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/lei̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵/

受有億兆夷人，離心離德。予有亂臣十人，同心同德。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
受有亿兆夷人，离心离德。予有乱臣十人，同心同德。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: The Book of Documents, circa 4ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Shou has hundreds of thousands and millions of ordinary men, divided in heart and, divided in practice; I have of ministers, able to govern, ten men, one in heart and one in practice.

Shòu yǒu yìzhào yírén, líxīnlídé. Yǔ yǒu luànchén shí rén, tóngxīntóngdé. [Pinyin]

按照政治標準來說，一切利於抗日和團結的，鼓勵群眾同心同德的，反對倒退、促成進步的東西，便都是好的；而一切不利於抗日和團結的，鼓動群眾離心離德的，反對進步、拉著人們倒退的東西，便都是壞的。 [MSC, trad.]
按照政治标准来说，一切利于抗日和团结的，鼓励群众同心同德的，反对倒退、促成进步的东西，便都是好的；而一切不利于抗日和团结的，鼓动群众离心离德的，反对进步、拉着人们倒退的东西，便都是坏的。 [MSC, simp.]

According to the political criterion, everything is good that is helpful to unity and resistance to Japan, that encourages the masses to be of one heart and one mind, that opposes retrogression and promotes progress; on the other hand, everything is bad that is detrimental to unity and resistance to Japan, foments dissension and discord among the masses and opposes progress and drags people back.

Ànzhào zhèngzhì biāozhǔn lái shuō, yīqiè lìyú kàngrì hé tuánjié de, gǔlì qúnzhòng tóngxīntóngdé de, fǎnduì dàotuì, cùchéng jìnbù de dōngxi, biàn dōu shì hǎo de; ér yīqiè bù lìyú kàngrì hé tuánjié de, gǔdòng qúnzhòng líxīnlídé de, fǎnduì jìnbù, lāzhe rénmen dàotuì de dōngxi, biàn dōu shì huài de. [Pinyin]


歌功頌德

ㄍㄜ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄙㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/kɤ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sʊŋ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/kɔː⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² tɐk̚⁵/

/kɤ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sʊŋ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/kɔː⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² tɐk̚⁵/

From 《史記·周本紀》 (Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Zhou)
:
民皆歌樂之，頌其德。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]民皆歌乐之，颂其德。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Mín jiē gēyuè zhī, sòng qí dé. [Pinyin]
The people all sang his praises and eulogized his virtues.

民 皆 歌樂 之，頌 其 德。

(now derogatory) to sing somebody's praises; to heap praises and eulogies

List of Records of the Grand Historian chapters#Annals


桃李滿門

ㄊㄠˊ ㄌㄧˇ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄣˊ

таолиманьмэнь

/tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mən³⁵/

/tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mən³⁵/

(of a teacher) to have taught a great number of pupils (usually over a long period of time)


痛心疾首

ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧˊ ㄕㄡˇ

тунсиньцзишоу

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɐt̚² sɐu̯³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɐt̚² sɐu̯³⁵/

to be deeply sorrowful and intensely grieve for or abhor something


痛定思痛

ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄙ ㄊㄨㄥˋ

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ³³ tɪŋ²² siː⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³/

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ³³ tɪŋ²² siː⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³/

to recall one's painful experience after the sorrow has passed, often to learn a lesson from the bitter experience


喜極而泣

ㄒㄧˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄦˊ ㄑㄧˋ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ kɪk̚² jiː²¹ jɐp̚⁵/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ kɪk̚² jiː²¹ jɐp̚⁵/

to cry tears of joy as one becomes overjoyed


同流合污

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄏㄜˊ ㄨ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ xɤ³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ lɐu̯²¹ hɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² liu²⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² u⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ liu²⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² u¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ liu²³ hap̚⁴⁻³² u²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ liu²⁴ kap̚⁴⁻³² u¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ liu²³ kap̚⁴⁻³² u²¹/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ xɤ³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ lɐu̯²¹ hɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² liu²⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² u⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ liu²⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² u¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ liu²³ hap̚⁴⁻³² u²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ liu²⁴ kap̚⁴⁻³² u¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ liu²³ kap̚⁴⁻³² u²¹/

From Mencius:
:
同乎流俗，合乎污世。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Tóng hū liúsú, hé hū wūshì. [Pinyin]
They agree with the current customs. They consent with an impure age.

同 乎 流俗，合 乎 污世。

to commit evil deeds together with the contemptible and evil people


無可否認

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄈㄡˇ ㄖㄣˋ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ foʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ fɐu̯³⁵ jɪŋ²²/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ foʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ fɐu̯³⁵ jɪŋ²²/


無可避免

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄧㄢˇ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ pei̯²² miːn¹³/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ pei̯²² miːn¹³/


手民之誤

ㄕㄡˇ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄓ ㄨˋ

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ min³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ ŋ̍²²/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ min³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ ŋ̍²²/


二者必居其一

ㄦˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄩ ㄑㄧˊ ㄧ

эрчжэ би цзюй ци и

/ˀɤɻ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/jiː²² t͡sɛː³⁵ piːt̚⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

你是資產階級文藝家，你就不歌頌無產階級而歌頌資產階級；你是無產階級文藝家，你就不歌頌資產階級而歌頌無產階級和勞動人民：二者必居其一。 [MSC, trad.]
你是资产阶级文艺家，你就不歌颂无产阶级而歌颂资产阶级；你是无产阶级文艺家，你就不歌颂资产阶级而歌颂无产阶级和劳动人民：二者必居其一。 [MSC, simp.]

If you are a bourgeois writer or artist, you will eulogize not the proletariat but the bourgeoisie, and if you are a proletarian writer or artist, you will eulogize not the bourgeoisie but the proletariat and working people: it must be one or the other.

Nǐ shì zīchǎn jiējí wényìjiā, nǐ jiù bù gēsòng wúchǎn jiējí ér gēsòng zīchǎn jiējí; nǐ shì wúchǎn jiējí wényìjiā, nǐ jiù bù gēsòng zīchǎn jiējí ér gēsòng wúchǎn jiējí hé láodòng rénmín: èrzhě bì jū qí yī. [Pinyin]


固步自封

ㄍㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄈㄥ

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/


屈打成招

ㄑㄩ ㄉㄚˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄓㄠ

цюйдачэнчжао

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚⁵ taː³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰyəʔ²⁻⁴⁵ ta⁵³ t͡sʰə̃ŋ¹¹ t͡sau¹¹/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚⁵ taː³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰyəʔ²⁻⁴⁵ ta⁵³ t͡sʰə̃ŋ¹¹ t͡sau¹¹/

to confess to false charges under torture


奴顏婢膝

ㄋㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧ

/nu³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/nou̯²¹ ŋaːn²¹ pʰei̯¹³ sɐt̚⁵/

/nu³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/nou̯²¹ ŋaːn²¹ pʰei̯¹³ sɐt̚⁵/


三心兩意

ㄙㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄧˋ

саньсиньлянъи

/sän⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ jiː³³/

/sam²⁴⁻¹¹ sim²⁴ li̯oŋ³¹ i⁵⁵/

/sam⁴⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³⁵ liɔŋ³¹ i⁵³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i²¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍³³⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍³³⁻²¹ i²¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍²²⁻²¹ i²¹/

/sã³³ sim³³ nŋ̍³³⁻²² i⁴¹/

/san³³ ɕin³³ li̯æn⁴¹ i⁴⁵/

/sän⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ jiː³³/

/sam²⁴⁻¹¹ sim²⁴ li̯oŋ³¹ i⁵⁵/

/sam⁴⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³⁵ liɔŋ³¹ i⁵³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i²¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍³³⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍³³⁻²¹ i²¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍²²⁻²¹ i²¹/

/sã³³ sim³³ nŋ̍³³⁻²² i⁴¹/

/san³³ ɕin³³ li̯æn⁴¹ i⁴⁵/

shilly-shally; half-hearted; vacillating; without consistency or constancy; likely to change minds easily


挨家挨戶

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/aːi̯⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ aːi̯⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/aːi̯⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ aːi̯⁵⁵ wuː²²/

(to go) from door to door; from family to family; from house to house


愛憎分明

ㄞˋ ㄗㄥ ㄈㄣ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

айцзэнфэньмин

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

to be clear about what to love and what to hate


安身立命

ㄢ ㄕㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

аньшэньлимин

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ lɐp̚² mɪŋ²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ lɐp̚² mɪŋ²²/

to settle down and get on with one's pursuit


安如泰山

ㄢ ㄖㄨˊ ㄊㄞˋ ㄕㄢ

аньжутайшань

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tʰaːi̯³³ saːn⁵⁵/

/an⁴⁴⁻²² lu²⁴⁻²² tʰai²¹⁻⁵³ san⁴⁴/

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tʰaːi̯³³ saːn⁵⁵/

/an⁴⁴⁻²² lu²⁴⁻²² tʰai²¹⁻⁵³ san⁴⁴/

as solid as Mount Tai; as solid as a rock


生機盎然

ㄕㄥ ㄐㄧ ㄤˋ ㄖㄢˊ

шэнцзианжань

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ˀɑŋ⁵¹ ʐän³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ ɔːŋ³³ jiːn²¹/

/sẽ³³⁻²³ ki³³⁻²³ oŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ˀɑŋ⁵¹ ʐän³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ ɔːŋ³³ jiːn²¹/

/sẽ³³⁻²³ ki³³⁻²³ oŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵/


鬥志昂揚

ㄉㄡˋ ㄓˋ ㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ

/toʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/tɐu̯³³ t͡siː³³ ŋɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/toʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/tɐu̯³³ t͡siː³³ ŋɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

to have high morale; to be full of fight; to be militant


安步當車

ㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄜ

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

аньбуданцзюй

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ pou̯²² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ pou̯²² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

to walk over leisurely instead of riding on a carriage; to walk rather than ride


矮子裡拔將軍

ㄞˇ ˙ㄗ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄚˊ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄐㄩㄣ

ㄞˇ ˙ㄗ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄚˊ ㄐㄧㄤ ˙ㄐㄩㄣ

айцзы ли ба цзянцзюнь

/ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴ d͡z̥z̩⁴ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴ d͡z̥z̩⁴ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ d͡ʑ̥yn²/

/ɐi̯³⁵ t͡siː³⁵ lɵy̯¹³ pɐt̚² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

(figuratively) to choose the best one among people which are not good


礙手礙腳

ㄞˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

айшоу’айцзяо

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋɔːi̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² kœːk̚³/

/ŋai¹¹ sɨu²¹³⁻²⁴ ŋai¹¹ t͡ɕiɔʔ⁵/

/ɡai²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ɡai⁴¹⁻²² kʰa³³/

/ɡai²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai³³⁻¹¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡai³³⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ŋɔːi̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² kœːk̚³/

/ŋai¹¹ sɨu²¹³⁻²⁴ ŋai¹¹ t͡ɕiɔʔ⁵/

/ɡai²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ɡai⁴¹⁻²² kʰa³³/

/ɡai²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai³³⁻¹¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡai³³⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/


安營紮寨

ㄢ ㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄚ ㄓㄞˋ

ㄢ ㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄚˊ ㄓㄞˋ

аньинчжачжай

/ˀän⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹ t͡saːt̚³ t͡saːi̯²²/

/on²⁴ i̯aŋ¹¹ t͡sat̚² t͡sʰai̯⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹ t͡saːt̚³ t͡saːi̯²²/

/on²⁴ i̯aŋ¹¹ t͡sat̚² t͡sʰai̯⁵⁵/


人各有志

ㄖㄣˊ ㄍㄜˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄓˋ

жэнь гэ ючжи

žɛnʹ gɛ jučži

/ʐən³⁵ kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ t͡siː²¹/

/ʐən³⁵ kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ t͡siː²¹/

every person has his or her own aspiration


婦人之仁

ㄈㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ ㄖㄣˊ

фужэньчжижэнь

fužɛnʹčžižɛnʹ

/fu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fuː¹³ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/fu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fuː¹³ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/


殺人滅口

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄎㄡˇ

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ miːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ miːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/


遍地開花

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄚ

бяньдикайхуа

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ tei̯²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ tei̯²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

(figurative) to proliferate and become widespread; to spring up everywhere


大喝一聲

/tä⁵¹ xɤ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ xɤ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵/

在這種情形下，我們的工作，就是要向他們大喝一聲，說：「同志」們，你們那一套是不行的，無產階級是不能遷就你們的，依了你們，實際上就是依了大地主大資產階級，就有亡黨亡國的危險。 [MSC, trad.]
在这种情形下，我们的工作，就是要向他们大喝一声，说：「同志」们，你们那一套是不行的，无产阶级是不能迁就你们的，依了你们，实际上就是依了大地主大资产阶级，就有亡党亡国的危险。 [MSC, simp.]

In the circumstances it is our duty to jolt these “comrades” and tell them sharply, “That won't work! The proletariat cannot accommodate itself to you; to yield to you would actually be to yield to the big landlord class and the big bourgeoisie and to run the risk of undermining our Party and our country.”

Zài zhè zhǒng qíngxíng xià, wǒmen de gōngzuò, jiù shì yào xiàng tāmen dàhēyīshēng, shuō: “Tóngzhì” men, nǐmen nà yī tào shì bùxíng de, wúchǎn jiējí shì bù néng qiānjiù nǐmen de, yī le nǐmen, shíjìshàng jiù shì yī le dàdìzhǔ dà zīchǎn jiējí, jiù yǒu wángdǎng wángguó de wēixiǎn. [Pinyin]

to jolt someone and talk to them sharply


席地而坐

ㄒㄧˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

/ɕi³⁵ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sɔː²²/

/ɕi³⁵ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sɔː²²/


一飲而盡

ㄧˋ ㄧㄣˇ ㄦˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

/i⁵¹ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐm³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sɵn²²/

/i⁵¹ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐm³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sɵn²²/


懸壺濟世

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄏㄨˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄕˋ

сюаньхуцзиши

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ xu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ wuː²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ xu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ wuː²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/


無心之過

ㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/


無心之失

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

無心之過 無心之過#Chinese

无心之过 无心之过#Chinese

Synonym of 無心之過／无心之过 (wúxīnzhīguò, “unintentional mistake; careless mistake”)


易地而處

ㄧˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄔㄨˋ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/jɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sʰyː¹³/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/jɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sʰyː¹³/

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


平白無故

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄞˊ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨˋ

/pʰiŋ³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ paːk̚² mou̯²¹ kuː³³/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ paːk̚² mou̯²¹ kuː³³/


貪生怕死

ㄊㄢ ㄕㄥ ㄆㄚˋ ㄙˇ

/tʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰä⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ pʰaː³³ sei̯³⁵/

/tʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰä⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ pʰaː³³ sei̯³⁵/

(derogatory) to cravenly cling to life and fear death; to be cowardly and afraid of death


和盤托出

to put everything out including the tray

ㄏㄜˊ ㄆㄢˊ ㄊㄨㄛ ㄔㄨ

/xɤ³⁵ pʰän³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/wɔː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ tʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/xɤ³⁵ pʰän³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/wɔː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ tʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

(figurative) to come clean; to reveal all


睚眥必報

ㄧㄚˊ ㄗˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄅㄠˋ

/jä³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡saːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ pou̯³³/

/jä³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡saːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ pou̯³³/

(literary) vindictive; vengeful; unforgiving even with petty grievances


事必躬親

ㄕˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄣ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/siː²² piːt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/siː²² piːt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

to take care of every single task personally


耳目一新

ㄦˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/jiː¹³ mʊk̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/nĩ²²⁻²¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ⁴¹⁻²² bak̚²⁴⁻² it̚⁵⁻²⁴ sin³³/

/nĩ²²⁻²¹ bak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ it̚³²⁻⁵ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ³³⁻¹¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ³³⁻²¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/jiː¹³ mʊk̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/nĩ²²⁻²¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ⁴¹⁻²² bak̚²⁴⁻² it̚⁵⁻²⁴ sin³³/

/nĩ²²⁻²¹ bak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ it̚³²⁻⁵ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ³³⁻¹¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ³³⁻²¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

breath of fresh air; to find everything fresh and new


遊山玩水

ㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄢ ㄨㄢˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

юшаньваньшуй

/joʊ̯³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ wän³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯²¹ saːn⁵⁵ wuːn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ ɡuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sui⁵³/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ ɡuan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sui⁴¹/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sui⁵³/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sui⁴¹/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ uan²³⁻³³ sui⁴¹/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ uan²⁴⁻¹¹ sui⁵³/

/joʊ̯³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ wän³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯²¹ saːn⁵⁵ wuːn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ ɡuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sui⁵³/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ ɡuan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sui⁴¹/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sui⁵³/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sui⁴¹/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ uan²³⁻³³ sui⁴¹/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ uan²⁴⁻¹¹ sui⁵³/

to tour the scenic spots; to travel through nature


遮風擋雨

ㄓㄜ ㄈㄥ ㄉㄤˇ ㄩˇ

чжэфэнданъюй

/ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tɔːŋ³⁵ jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tɔːŋ³⁵ jyː¹³/


違法亂紀

ㄨㄟˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄐㄧˋ

вэйфалуаньцзи

/weɪ̯³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ faːt̚³ lyːn²² kei̯³⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ faːt̚³ lyːn²² kei̯³⁵/


目無法紀

ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄐㄧˋ

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

to have no regard for the law or discipline; to flagrantly violate the law or rules


萬中無一

ㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄧ

/wän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/maːn²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

/wän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/maːn²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

(figuratively) one in a million; extremely rare


四通八達

ㄙˋ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄅㄚ ㄉㄚˊ

/sz̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ tä³⁵/

/sei̯³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ taːt̚²/

/su²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/su⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰɔŋ³³ pat̚⁵⁻²⁴ tat̚²⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² pat̚³²⁻⁵ tat̚¹²¹/

/su¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/sz̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ tä³⁵/

/sei̯³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ taːt̚²/

/su²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/su⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰɔŋ³³ pat̚⁵⁻²⁴ tat̚²⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² pat̚³²⁻⁵ tat̚¹²¹/

/su¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

to extend in all directions; to open out on all sides; to be accessible from all sides


屍骨未寒

ㄕ ㄍㄨˇ ㄨㄟˋ ㄏㄢˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹ xän³⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mei̯²² hɔːn²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹ xän³⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mei̯²² hɔːn²¹/

第三點就是遮掉國民黨的師出無名。國民黨你現在補選你要怎麼辦？你說你要接續韓國瑜的大旗？幫韓國瑜報一箭之仇，是這樣嗎？那，韓國瑜是93萬票，高票被罷免的。你說不，我國民黨另起爐灶，凝觀，韓國瑜十天前才剛被罷免掉，屍骨未寒，你就另起爐灶。你也太絕了吧。 [MSC, trad.]
第三点就是遮掉国民党的师出无名。国民党你现在补选你要怎么办？你说你要接续韩国瑜的大旗？帮韩国瑜报一箭之仇，是这样吗？那，韩国瑜是93万票，高票被罢免的。你说不，我国民党另起炉灶，凝观，韩国瑜十天前才刚被罢免掉，尸骨未寒，你就另起炉灶。你也太绝了吧。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2020, Wang Shih-chien (王世堅), Era Money 獨！北韓金正恩.金與正開戰？！中國疫情再炸？！北京進入防控戰時狀態？！美國防部長承諾守護民主台灣？！陳其邁將宣布參加高雄市長補選？！國民黨推吳怡玎應戰？！【年代向錢看】20200616, 45:10

Dìsān diǎn jiùshì zhē diào Guómíndǎng de shīchūwúmíng. Guómíndǎng nǐ xiànzài bǔxuǎn nǐ yào zěnmebàn? Nǐ shuō nǐ yào jiēxù Hán Guóyú de dà qí? Bāng Hán Guóyú bào yī jiàn zhī chóu, shì zhèyàng ma? Nà, Hán Guóyú shì 93 wàn piào, gāopiào bèi bàmiǎn de. Nǐ shuō bù, wǒ Guómíndǎng lìngqǐlúzào, Níngguān, Hán Guóyú shí tiān qián cái gāng bèi bàmiǎn diào, shīgǔwèihán, nǐ jiù lìngqǐlúzào. Nǐ yě tài jué le ba. [Pinyin]


茅塞頓開

ㄇㄠˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄉㄨㄣˋ ㄎㄞ

маосэдунькай

/mɑʊ̯³⁵ sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ən⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/maːu̯²¹ sɐk̚⁵ tɵn²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/mɑʊ̯³⁵ sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ən⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/maːu̯²¹ sɐk̚⁵ tɵn²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵/

to be enlightened all of a sudden; to come to the realization all of a sudden


凡夫俗子

ㄈㄢˊ ㄈㄨ ㄙㄨˊ ㄗˇ

/fän³⁵ fu⁵⁵ su³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² t͡siː³⁵/

/huam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu³³⁻²³ sok̚⁴⁻² t͡sɯ⁵²/

/fän³⁵ fu⁵⁵ su³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² t͡siː³⁵/

/huam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu³³⁻²³ sok̚⁴⁻² t͡sɯ⁵²/


離鄉別井

ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

to leave one's hometown and move elsewhere


離鄉背井

ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄅㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

лисянбэйцзин

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/li²⁴⁻²² hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ⁵³/

/li³³⁻²¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻²¹ t͡sẽ⁴¹/

/li³³⁻¹¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ⁵³/

/li²⁴⁻¹¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ⁵³/

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/li²⁴⁻²² hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ⁵³/

/li³³⁻²¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻²¹ t͡sẽ⁴¹/

/li³³⁻¹¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ⁵³/

/li²⁴⁻¹¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ⁵³/

心的美夢～～實現 愛對叨位去 離鄉背井敢是 [Taiwanese Hokkien, trad.]
心的美梦～～实现 爱对叨位去 离乡背井敢是 [Taiwanese Hokkien, simp.]
sim ê bí-bāng ~ ~ si̍t-hiān, ài tùi tó-ūi khì, lī-hiong-pōe-chíⁿ kám-sī [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]

2007, “感恩的花蕊”, 詹雅雯 (lyrics), 劉清池 (music)performed by 詹雅雯

(please add an English translation of this quotation)


百依百順

ㄅㄞˇ ㄧ ㄅㄞˇ ㄕㄨㄣˋ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ jiː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ sɵn²²/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ jiː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ sɵn²²/


百無一失

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

no danger of anything going wrong; no risk at all


百足之蟲，死而不僵

a centipede does not topple over even when dead

ㄅㄞˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄓ ㄔㄨㄥˊ

ㄙˇ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄤ

baak³ zuk¹ zi¹ cung⁴, sei² ji⁴ bat¹ goeng¹

байцзучжичун

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

baak⁸ dzuk⁷ dzi¹ tsung⁴, sei² ji⁴ bat⁷ goeng¹

bag³ zug¹ ji¹ cung⁴, séi² yi⁴ bed¹ gêng¹

/paːk̚³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sei̯³⁵ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kœːŋ⁵⁵/


擺事實，講道理

ㄐㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄌㄧˇ

ㄅㄞˇ ㄕˋ ㄕˊ , ㄐㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄌㄧˇ

ㄅㄞˇ ㄕˋ ㄕˊ , ㄐㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄠˋ ˙ㄌㄧ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ li¹/

/paːi̯³⁵ siː²² sɐt̚² kɔːŋ³⁵ tou̯²² lei̯¹³/

to present the facts and reason things out


半文半白

ㄅㄢˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄅㄞˊ

баньвэньбаньбай

/pän⁵¹ wən³⁵ pän⁵¹ paɪ̯³⁵/

/pän⁵¹ wən³⁵ pän⁵¹ paɪ̯³⁵/

現在許多同志的文章，空話連篇的也有，但比較少；主要的缺點就是古文多，半文半白的味道很大。 [MSC, trad.]
现在许多同志的文章，空话连篇的也有，但比较少；主要的缺点就是古文多，半文半白的味道很大。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1955, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《農業合作化的一場辯論和當前的階級鬥爭》 (The Debate on the Co-operative Transformation of Agriculture and the Current Class Struggle), 《毛澤東選集·第五卷》 (Selected Works of Mao Zedong: Volume V) (1977). English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Now, of the articles written by many comrades, some are long-winded and devoid of substance, but these are relatively few; the chief defects are an overuse of classical Chinese and too strong a flavour of the semi-literary, semi-vernacular style.

Xiànzài xǔduō tóngzhì de wénzhāng, kōnghuàliánpiān de yě yǒu, dàn bǐjiào shǎo; zhǔyào de quēdiǎn jiùshì gǔwén duō, bànwénbànbái de wèidào hěn dà. [Pinyin]


詩詞歌賦

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ kɔː⁵⁵ fuː³³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ kɔː⁵⁵ fuː³³/

the various types of traditional Chinese poetry, such as shi, ci, qu and fu


端屎端尿

ㄉㄨㄢ ㄕˇ ㄉㄨㄢ ㄋㄧㄠˋ

дуаньшидуаньняо

/tu̯än⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵⁵ ni̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tyːn⁵⁵ siː³⁵ tyːn⁵⁵ niːu̯²²/

/tu̯än⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵⁵ ni̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tyːn⁵⁵ siː³⁵ tyːn⁵⁵ niːu̯²²/

to attend to someone's bowel and urinary needs


絆手絆腳

ㄅㄢˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄅㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

баньшоубаньцзяо

/pän⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/puːn²² sɐu̯³⁵ puːn²² kœːk̚³/

/puːn²² sɐu̯³⁵ puːn²² kœːk̚³/

礙手礙腳 礙手礙腳#Chinese

碍手碍脚 碍手碍脚#Chinese

Synonym of 礙手礙腳／碍手碍脚 (àishǒu'àijiǎo, “to be in the way; to be a hindrance”)


低人一等

ㄉㄧ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧ ㄉㄥˇ

/ti⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tɐŋ³⁵/

/ti⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tɐŋ³⁵/

to be inferior to others (in social status, etc.)


裝模作樣

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄇㄨˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄤˋ

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄇㄛˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄤˋ

чжуанмуцзоян

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mu³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑŋ⁵¹/

чжуанмоцзоян

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mu³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²²/

to behave in an affected way; to put on an act


保家衛國

ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/pou̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² kʷɔːk̚³/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/pou̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² kʷɔːk̚³/

to protect one's homes and defend one's country


實至名歸

ㄕˊ ㄓˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² t͡siː³³ mɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² t͡si²¹⁻⁵³ miã²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/sit̚²⁴⁻² t͡si⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ miã²⁴⁻²² kui³³/

/sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡si²¹⁻⁵³ miã¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² t͡si¹¹⁻⁵³ miã²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² t͡si²¹⁻⁴¹ miã²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² t͡siː³³ mɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² t͡si²¹⁻⁵³ miã²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/sit̚²⁴⁻² t͡si⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ miã²⁴⁻²² kui³³/

/sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡si²¹⁻⁵³ miã¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² t͡si¹¹⁻⁵³ miã²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² t͡si²¹⁻⁴¹ miã²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴/

fame follows merit; to live up to one's reputation; to deserve one's fame


誇大其詞

ㄎㄨㄚ ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄘˊ

/kʰu̯ä⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/kʷʰaː⁵⁵ taːi̯²² kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/kʰu̯ä⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/kʷʰaː⁵⁵ taːi̯²² kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/


抱薪救火

ㄅㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

баосиньцзюхо

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰou̯¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ fɔː³⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰou̯¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ fɔː³⁵/

to adopt a wrong method to save a situation and end up by making it worse


嘉言善行

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

цзяяньшаньсин

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ siːn²² hɐŋ²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ siːn²² hɐŋ²²/


嘉言懿行

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄢˊ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄢˊ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ jiː³³ hɐŋ²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ jiː³³ hɐŋ²²/


卑躬屈節

ㄅㄟ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄑㄩ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

бэйгунцюйцзе

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐt̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐt̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

to bow and scrape; to cringe; to act servilely or obsequiously


抱頭痛哭

ㄅㄠˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄨ

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/

/pʰou̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ³³ hʊk̚⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/

/pʰou̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ³³ hʊk̚⁵/

to weep in each other's arms; to cry on each other's shoulders


卑躬屈膝

ㄅㄟ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄑㄩ ㄒㄧ

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/


背城借一

to make a last-ditch stand before the city wall

ㄅㄟˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄧ

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/puːi̯³³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɛː³³ jɐt̚⁵/

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/puːi̯³³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɛː³³ jɐt̚⁵/

to fight to the last ditch; to put up a desperate struggle


悲天憫人

ㄅㄟ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄇㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄣˊ

бэйтяньминьжэнь

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ min²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɐn¹³ jɐn²¹/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ min²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɐn¹³ jɐn²¹/

to bemoan the state of the universe and pity the fate of humankind


推崇備至

ㄊㄨㄟ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄟˋ ㄓˋ

туйчунбэйчжи

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ sʊŋ²¹ pei̯²² t͡siː³³/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ sʊŋ²¹ pei̯²² t͡siː³³/

to highly recommend; to have the greatest esteem (for)


關懷備至

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄅㄟˋ ㄓˋ

гуаньхуайбэйчжи

/ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ pei̯²² t͡siː³³/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ pei̯²² t͡siː³³/

to show the utmost solicitude; to show somebody every consideration


悲喜交集

ㄅㄟ ㄒㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄐㄧˊ

бэйсицзяоцзи

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/


備而不用

ㄅㄟˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄩㄥˋ

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/pei̯²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²²/

/pi³³⁻²¹ zi²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ³³/

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/pei̯²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²²/

/pi³³⁻²¹ zi²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ³³/

to have something ready just in case; to keep something for possible future use


本固枝榮

when the root is firm, the branches flourish

ㄅㄣˇ ㄍㄨˋ ㄓ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

бэньгучжижун

/pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/puːn³⁵ kuː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ wɪŋ²¹/

/pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/puːn³⁵ kuː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ wɪŋ²¹/

only when the foundation is consolidated can the parts develop


虛驚一場

ㄒㄩ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄧ ㄔㄤˇ

ㄒㄩ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄧ ㄔㄤˊ

сюйцзинъичан

/ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/hi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiã⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tiũ²⁴/

/hi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiã⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tiũ²³/

/ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/hi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiã⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tiũ²⁴/

/hi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiã⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tiũ²³/


力學不倦

ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄢˋ

лисюэбуцзюань

/li⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɪk̚² hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/

/li⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɪk̚² hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/


歌舞昇平

ㄍㄜ ㄨˇ ㄕㄥ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

/kɤ⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kɔː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/ko³³⁻²³ bu⁵²⁻³⁵ seŋ³³⁻²³ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/

/kɤ⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kɔː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/ko³³⁻²³ bu⁵²⁻³⁵ seŋ³³⁻²³ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/


大行其道

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄉㄠˋ

/tä⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hɐŋ²¹ kʰei̯²¹ tou̯²²/

/tä⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hɐŋ²¹ kʰei̯²¹ tou̯²²/


溜之大吉

ㄌㄧㄡ ㄓ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/

/li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/


單打獨鬥

ㄉㄢ ㄉㄚˇ ㄉㄨˊ ㄉㄡˋ

/tän⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːn⁵⁵ taː³⁵ tʊk̚² tɐu̯³³/

/tan⁴⁴⁻²² tã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² tau²¹/

/tan³³ tã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔk̚²⁴⁻² tau⁴¹/

/tan⁴⁴⁻²² tã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tau²¹/

/tan⁴⁴⁻³³ tã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² tau¹¹/

/tan⁴⁴⁻³³ tã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² tau²¹/

/tän⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːn⁵⁵ taː³⁵ tʊk̚² tɐu̯³³/

/tan⁴⁴⁻²² tã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² tau²¹/

/tan³³ tã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔk̚²⁴⁻² tau⁴¹/

/tan⁴⁴⁻²² tã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tau²¹/

/tan⁴⁴⁻³³ tã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² tau¹¹/

/tan⁴⁴⁻³³ tã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔk̚⁴⁻³² tau²¹/


獨佔鰲頭

ㄉㄨˊ ㄓㄢˋ ㄠˊ ㄊㄡˊ

дучжаньаотоу

/tu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ˀɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/tʊk̚² t͡siːm³³ ŋou̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/tu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ˀɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/tʊk̚² t͡siːm³³ ŋou̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹/


分崩離析

ㄈㄣ ㄅㄥ ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧ

/fən⁵⁵ pɤŋ⁵⁵ li³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ pɐŋ⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵/

/fən⁵⁵ pɤŋ⁵⁵ li³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ pɐŋ⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵/

From the Analects, Book 16 (《論語·季氏》):
:
孔子曰：「……故遠人不服，則修文德以來之。既來之，則安之。今由與求也，相夫子，遠人不服而不能來也；邦分崩離析而不能守也。……」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]孔子曰：「……故远人不服，则修文德以来之。既来之，则安之。今由与求也，相夫子，远人不服而不能来也；邦分崩离析而不能守也。……」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Kǒng Zǐ yuē: “...... Gù yuǎn rén bùfú, zé xiū wéndé yǐ lái zhī. Jì lái zhī, zé ān zhī. Jīn Yóu yǔ Qiú yě, xiàng fūzǐ, yuǎn rén bùfú ér bùnéng lái yě; bāng fēnbēng líxī ér bùnéng shǒu yě.......” [Pinyin]
Confucius said. "… Therefore, if remoter people are not submissive, all the influences of civil culture and virtue are to be cultivated to attract them to be so; and when they have been so attracted, they must be made contented and tranquil. Now, here are you, You and Qiu, assisting your chief. Remoter people are not submissive, and, with your help, he cannot attract them to him. In his own territory there are divisions and downfalls, leavings and separations, and, with your help, he cannot preserve it. …"

^孔.^子 曰：「……故 遠 人 不服，則 修 文-德 以 來 之。既 來 之，則 安 之。今 @^由 與 @^求 也，相 夫子，遠 人 不服 而 不能 來 也；邦 分崩.離析 而 不能 守 也。……」

(of a country or a group) to disintegrate; to fall apart


接踵而來

ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓㄨㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄌㄞˊ

цзечжунъэрлай

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siːp̚³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

/t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ lai²³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siːp̚³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

/t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ lai²³/

接踵而至 接踵而至#Chinese

Synonym of 接踵而至 (jiēzhǒng'érzhì, “to follow each other and arrive successively”)


救死扶傷

ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄙˇ ㄈㄨˊ ㄕㄤ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³³ sei̯³⁵ fuː²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³³ sei̯³⁵ fuː²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

與單于連戰十有餘日，所殺過當，虜救死扶傷不給。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]与单于连战十有余日，所杀过当，虏救死扶伤不给。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Sima Qian, Letter to Ren An. 1st century BCE. Translated by Burton Watson.
Yǔ Chányú lián zhàn shí yǒuyú rì, suǒ shā guò dāng, lǔ jiùsǐfúshāng bù jǐ. [Pinyin]
For over ten days they continued in combat with the Chanyu. The enemy fell in disproportionate numbers; those who tried to rescue their dead and wounded could not even save themselves.

與 ^單{chán}于 連 戰 十 有餘 日，所 殺 過 當{dāng}，虜 救死扶傷 不 給{jǐ}。

Sima Qian, Letter to Ren An. 1st century <small class='ce-date'>BCE</small>. Translated by Burton Watson.

to rescue the dying and treat the sick and the wounded


選賢舉能

ㄒㄩㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩˇ ㄋㄥˊ

сюаньсяньцзюйнэн

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

選賢與能 選賢與能#Chinese

选贤与能 选贤与能#Chinese

Synonym of 選賢與能／选贤与能 (“to choose and appoint people of talents, virtue, and ability”)


畏首畏尾

to beafraid of the head, terrified of the tail

ㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄨㄟˋ ㄨㄟˇ

вэйшоувэйвэй

/weɪ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐi̯³³ sɐu̯³⁵ wɐi̯³³ mei̯¹³/

/wɐi̯³³ sɐu̯³⁵ wɐi̯³³ mei̯¹³/

to be afraid of the slightest thing; ever fearful and nervous; to be full of misgivings; to be overcautious


不相伯仲

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄅㄛˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ paːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ²²/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ paːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ²²/


天公地道

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄉㄧˋ ㄉㄠˋ

тяньгундидао

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² tou̯²²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² tou̯²²/

absolutely fair and reasonable; right and proper


論功行賞

ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄤˇ

луньгунсиншан

/lu̯ən⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɵn²² kʊŋ⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

/lu̯ən⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɵn²² kʊŋ⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

to reward people based on their merits and achievements


始終如一

ㄕˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧ

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

to remain the same all along; to be consistent throughout


手不釋卷

ㄕㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄐㄩㄢˋ

шоубушицзюань

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kyːn³⁵/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kyːn³⁵/


剛正不阿

ㄍㄤ ㄓㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄜ

/kɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ˀɤ⁵⁵/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ ɔː⁵⁵/

/kɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ˀɤ⁵⁵/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ ɔː⁵⁵/

to be upright and not flatter; to be righteous and not curry favor with others


眾矢之的

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄕˇ ㄓ ㄉㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tɪk̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tɪk̚⁵/

a common target of criticism or attack by everyone


反敗為勝

ㄈㄢˇ ㄅㄞˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄕㄥˋ

фаньбайвэйшэн

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ paɪ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/faːn³⁵ paːi̯²² wɐi̯²¹ sɪŋ³³/

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ paɪ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/faːn³⁵ paːi̯²² wɐi̯²¹ sɪŋ³³/

to turn the tables; to turn defeat into victory


絕口不提

ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄎㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄧˊ

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/

to not say a word about a particular thing


茶餘飯後

ㄔㄚˊ ㄩˊ ㄈㄢˋ ㄏㄡˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ y³⁵ fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaː²¹ jyː²¹ faːn²² hɐu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ y³⁵ fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaː²¹ jyː²¹ faːn²² hɐu̯²²/


彌天大謊

ㄇㄧˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄤˇ

митяньдахуан

/mi³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ xu̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/nei̯²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² fɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/mi³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ xu̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/nei̯²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² fɔːŋ⁵⁵/


荷槍實彈

ㄏㄜˋ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄕˊ ㄉㄢˋ

/xɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tän⁵¹/

/hɔː²² t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐt̚² taːn²²⁻³⁵/

/xɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tän⁵¹/

/hɔː²² t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐt̚² taːn²²⁻³⁵/


粉飾太平

ㄈㄣˇ ㄕˋ ㄊㄞˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

фэньшитайпин

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/fɐn³⁵ sɪk̚⁵ tʰaːi̯³³ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/fɐn³⁵ sɪk̚⁵ tʰaːi̯³³ pʰɪŋ²¹/

to present a false picture of peace and cover up the ongoing turmoil in society


同年而語

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄩˇ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ niːn²¹ jiː²¹ jyː¹³/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ niːn²¹ jiː²¹ jyː¹³/


暗通款曲

ㄢˋ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄎㄨㄢˇ ㄑㄩ

аньтункуаньцюй

/ˀän⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/ɐm³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ fuːn³⁵ kʰʊk̚⁵/

/ˀän⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/ɐm³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ fuːn³⁵ kʰʊk̚⁵/


近在咫尺

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄓˇ ㄔˇ

цзиньцзайчжичи

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐn²² t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡siː³⁵ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/

/kɐn²² t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡siː³⁵ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/


內憂外患

ㄋㄟˋ ㄧㄡ ㄨㄞˋ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

нэйювайхуань

/neɪ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹/

/nɔːi̯²² jɐu̯⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² waːn²²/

/neɪ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹/

/nɔːi̯²² jɐu̯⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² waːn²²/

(of a country) internal and external troubles; internal upheaval and external invasions


各懷鬼胎

ㄍㄜˋ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄊㄞ

гэхуайгуйтай

/kɤ⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ waːi̯²¹ kʷɐi̯³⁵ tʰɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/kɤ⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ waːi̯²¹ kʷɐi̯³⁵ tʰɔːi̯⁵⁵/

each person has his or her own (hidden) thoughts or intentions


欣喜若狂

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧˇ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄎㄨㄤˊ

синьсижокуан

/ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ jœːk̚² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ jœːk̚² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/


舉棋不定

ㄐㄩˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹/

/kɵy̯³⁵ kʰei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tɪŋ²²/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹/

/kɵy̯³⁵ kʰei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tɪŋ²²/


運籌帷幄

ㄩㄣˋ ㄔㄡˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄨㄛˋ

/yn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ wɔ⁵¹/

/wɐn²² t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹ ɐk̚⁵/

/yn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ wɔ⁵¹/

/wɐn²² t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹ ɐk̚⁵/

to devise strategies behind the frontline


船堅炮利

ㄔㄨㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄆㄠˋ ㄌㄧˋ

чуаньцзяньпаоли

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/syːn²¹ kiːn⁵⁵ pʰaːu̯³³ lei̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/syːn²¹ kiːn⁵⁵ pʰaːu̯³³ lei̯²²/

to have a powerful navy (and by extension, military), with excellent weaponry


歡喜若狂

ㄏㄨㄢ ㄒㄧˇ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄎㄨㄤˊ

хуаньсижокуан

/xu̯än⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/fuːn⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ jœːk̚² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/

/xu̯än⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/fuːn⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ jœːk̚² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/

欣喜若狂 欣喜若狂#Chinese

Synonym of 欣喜若狂 (xīnxǐruòkuáng, “ecstatic; over the moon; overjoyed”)


政通人和

ㄓㄥˋ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄜˊ

чжэнтунжэньхэ

čžɛntunžɛnʹxɛ

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ wɔː²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ wɔː²¹/

From Memorial to Yueyang Tower (岳陽樓記) by 范仲淹 (Fan Zhongyan):
:
慶曆四年春，滕子京謫守巴陵郡。越明年，政通人和，百廢具興。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]庆历四年春，滕子京谪守巴陵郡。越明年，政通人和，百废具兴。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 1046, 范仲淹 (Fan Zhongyan), 《岳陽樓記》
Qìnglì sì nián chūn, Téng Zǐjīng zhéshǒu Bālíng jùn. Yuè míngnián, zhèngtōngrénhé, bǎifèijùxìng. [Pinyin]
In spring of the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Qingli, Teng Zijing was demoted and exiled to Baling County. After two years, governance is smooth, and the people are happy and harmonious; all the previously abandoned tasks are being undertaken.

^慶曆 四 年 春，^@滕 ^@子京 謫守 ^巴陵 郡。越 明年，政通人和，百廢具{jù}興。

to have smooth governance and a happy and harmonious society


禍國殃民

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄧㄤ ㄇㄧㄣˊ

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ jɑŋ⁵⁵ min³⁵/

/wɔː²² kʷɔːk̚³ jœːŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ jɑŋ⁵⁵ min³⁵/

/wɔː²² kʷɔːk̚³ jœːŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

to bring disaster to both the country and the people


碩果僅存

ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄘㄨㄣˊ

шогоцзиньцунь

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/sɛːk̚² kʷɔː³⁵ kɐn³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/sɛːk̚² kʷɔː³⁵ kɐn³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/


槍林彈雨

ㄑㄧㄤ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄉㄢˋ ㄩˇ

цянлиньданьюй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ lin³⁵ tän⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ lɐm²¹ taːn²² jyː¹³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ lin³⁵ tän⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ lɐm²¹ taːn²² jyː¹³/

showering bullets; fierce battles with intense gunfire


秘不發喪

ㄇㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚ ㄙㄤ

/mi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pei̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³ sɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/mi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pei̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³ sɔːŋ⁵⁵/

to not announce someone's (usually the emperor's) death


怒火中燒

ㄋㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄕㄠ

/nu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/nou̯²² fɔː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/nu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/nou̯²² fɔː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/


舊調重彈

ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄢˊ

цзюдяочунтань

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/kɐu̯²² tiːu̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tʰaːn²¹/

/kɐu̯²² tiːu̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tʰaːn²¹/


脫胎換骨

ㄊㄨㄛ ㄊㄞ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄍㄨˇ

тотайхуаньгу

/tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰyːt̚³ tʰɔːi̯⁵⁵ wuːn²² kʷɐt̚⁵/

/tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰyːt̚³ tʰɔːi̯⁵⁵ wuːn²² kʷɐt̚⁵/

(figurative) to completely reform oneself


改弦更張

ㄍㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄥ ㄓㄤ

гайсяньгэнчжан

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

The latter component has been attested as late as the Book of Han in a passage quoting verbatim from a letter by Dong Zhongshu to the Emperor Wu of Han [104 BCE].

to re-tune the strings or re-string the instrument

to reform or revamp (a system or policy)

Book of Han
Dong Zhongshu
Emperor Wu of Han


避而不談

ㄅㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄢˊ

/pi⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

/pei̯²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰaːm²¹/

/pi⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

/pei̯²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰaːm²¹/


大獲全勝

ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄥˋ

дахоцюаньшэн

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² wɔːk̚² t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɪŋ³³/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² wɔːk̚² t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɪŋ³³/


改弦易轍

ㄍㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄧˋ ㄓㄜˊ

ㄍㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄧˋ ㄔㄜˋ

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ jɪk̚² t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/kai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛt̚⁴/

/kai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛt̚⁴/

/kai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɛn²³⁻³³ iɪk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛt̚⁴/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ jɪk̚² t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/kai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛt̚⁴/

/kai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛt̚⁴/

/kai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɛn²³⁻³³ iɪk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛt̚⁴/


迂迴曲折

ㄩ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄩ ㄓㄜˊ

юйхуэйцюйчжэ

/y⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/jyː⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

/y⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/jyː⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

with many twists and turns; twisted; tortuous


曲折縈紆

ㄑㄩ ㄓㄜˊ ㄧㄥˊ ㄩ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ iŋ³⁵ y⁵⁵/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³ jɪŋ²¹ jyː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ iŋ³⁵ y⁵⁵/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³ jɪŋ²¹ jyː⁵⁵/


獲益良多

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄉㄨㄛ

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/wɔːk̚² jɪk̚⁵ lœːŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/wɔːk̚² jɪk̚⁵ lœːŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/


揚長而去

ㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄦˊ ㄑㄩˋ

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/jœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ jiː²¹ hɵy̯³³/

/iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² kʰi²¹/

/iɔŋ²³⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ kʰi²¹/

/iɔŋ²³⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ kʰu²¹/

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/jœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ jiː²¹ hɵy̯³³/

/iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² kʰi²¹/

/iɔŋ²³⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ kʰi²¹/

/iɔŋ²³⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ kʰu²¹/


身敗名裂

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (身敗名裂):
* → Vietnamese: thân bại danh liệt (身敗名裂)

ㄕㄣ ㄅㄞˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄝˋ

шэньбайминле

/ʂən⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ paːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹ liːt̚²/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² pai²²⁻²¹ miã²⁴⁻²² liɛt̚⁴/

/sin³³ pai⁴¹⁻²² miã²⁴⁻²² liɛt̚²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² pai²²⁻²¹ miã¹³⁻²² liɛt̚¹²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ pai³³⁻¹¹ miã²⁴⁻¹¹ liɛt̚⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ pai³³⁻²¹ miã²³⁻³³ liɛt̚⁴/

/ʂən⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ paːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹ liːt̚²/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² pai²²⁻²¹ miã²⁴⁻²² liɛt̚⁴/

/sin³³ pai⁴¹⁻²² miã²⁴⁻²² liɛt̚²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² pai²²⁻²¹ miã¹³⁻²² liɛt̚¹²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ pai³³⁻¹¹ miã²⁴⁻¹¹ liɛt̚⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ pai³³⁻²¹ miã²³⁻³³ liɛt̚⁴/

to lose one's status and have one's reputation destroyed


新瓶舊酒

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ

синьпинцзюцзю

/ɕin⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ kɐu̯²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ kɐu̯²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

old wine in a new bottle
old wine in a new bottle

old wine in a new bottle; an existing concept offered again in a newer form


厭舊貪新

ㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄊㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ

яньцзютаньсинь

/jɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ tʰän⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/jiːm³³ kɐu̯²² tʰaːm⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/jɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ tʰän⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/jiːm³³ kɐu̯²² tʰaːm⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

GT - General Taiwanese (no specific region identified)


明辨是非

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

минбяньшифэй

/miŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ piːn²² siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/

/miŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ piːn²² siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/

to know right from wrong; to distinguish between right and wrong


暢通無阻

ㄔㄤˋ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄗㄨˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰœːŋ³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sɔː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰœːŋ³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sɔː³⁵/


急轉直下

ㄐㄧˊ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄓˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

цзичжуаньчжися

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɐp̚⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ t͡sɪk̚² haː²²/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɐp̚⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ t͡sɪk̚² haː²²/

take a turn for the worse
take a turn for the worse

to suddenly and rapidly worsen or deteriorate; to take a turn for the worse


力竭聲嘶

ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄕㄥ ㄙ

/li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² kʰiːt̚³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵/

/li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² kʰiːt̚³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵/

聲嘶力竭 聲嘶力竭#Chinese

声嘶力竭 声嘶力竭#Chinese

Synonym of 聲嘶力竭／声嘶力竭 (shēngsīlìjié, “to shout oneself hoarse; to shout with all one's might”)


後患無窮

ㄏㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄩㄥˊ

хоухуаньуцюн

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² waːn²² mou̯²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² waːn²² mou̯²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹/

to have endless future troubles and calamities


扣人心弦

ㄎㄡˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄢˊ

коужэньсиньсянь

/kʰoʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/kʰɐu̯³³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/kʰoʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/kʰɐu̯³³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/


狂妄自大

ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄨㄤˋ ㄗˋ ㄉㄚˋ

куанванцзыда

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² taːi̯²²/

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² taːi̯²²/

egotistical; wildly arrogant; self-important


罪不可赦

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄜˋ

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sɵy̯²² pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɛː³³/

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sɵy̯²² pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɛː³³/

to be gravely sinful and cannot be pardoned


略知一二

/ly̯ɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/lœːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

/ly̯ɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/lœːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/


死有餘辜

ㄙˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄩˊ ㄍㄨ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ku⁵⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ jyː²¹ kuː⁵⁵/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ku⁵⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ jyː²¹ kuː⁵⁵/

to be so gravely sinful that even death of the person is insufficient to pay for his or her crimes


三足鼎立

ㄙㄢ ㄗㄨˊ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄌㄧˋ

саньцзудинли

/sän⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tɪŋ³⁵ lɐp̚²/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tɪŋ³⁵ laːp̚²/

/sän⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tɪŋ³⁵ lɐp̚²/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tɪŋ³⁵ laːp̚²/

中國在三國時代分裂為曹魏、孫吳和蜀漢三個政權，形成三足鼎立的局面。 [MSC, trad.]
中国在三国时代分裂为曹魏、孙吴和蜀汉三个政权，形成三足鼎立的局面。 [MSC, simp.]

During the Three Kingdoms, China was divided in the states of Wei, Wu and Shu, resulting in tripartite confrontation.

Zhōngguó zài sānguó shídài fēnliè wèi cáowèi, sūnwú hé shǔhàn sān ge zhèngquán, xíngchéng sānzúdǐnglì de júmiàn. [Pinyin]

to be in a situation of tripartite confrontation


紆尊降貴

ㄩ ㄗㄨㄣ ㄐㄧㄤˋ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

юйцзуньцзянгуй

/y⁵⁵ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jyː⁵⁵ t͡syːn⁵⁵ kɔːŋ³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

/y⁵⁵ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jyː⁵⁵ t͡syːn⁵⁵ kɔːŋ³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

to condescend; to descend to a less dignified level and act humbly


以理服人

ㄧˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄈㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ lei̯¹³ fʊk̚² jɐn²¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ lei̯¹³ fʊk̚² jɐn²¹/


通風報信

ㄊㄨㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄅㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ

тунфэнбаосинь

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³³ sɵn³³/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³³ sɵn³³/

to secretly pass on information to others; to tip somebody off


越俎代庖

ㄩㄝˋ ㄗㄨˇ ㄉㄞˋ ㄆㄠˊ

/ɥɛ⁵¹ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/jyːt̚² t͡sɔː³⁵ tɔːi̯²² pʰaːu̯²¹/

/ɥɛ⁵¹ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/jyːt̚² t͡sɔː³⁵ tɔːi̯²² pʰaːu̯²¹/

From Zhuangzi:
:
庖人雖不治庖，尸祝不越樽俎而代之矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]庖人虽不治庖，尸祝不越樽俎而代之矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE
Páorén suī bù zhìpáo, shīzhù bù yuè zūnzǔ ér dài zhī yǐ. [Pinyin]
Though the cook were not attending to his kitchen, the representative of the dead and the officer of prayer would not leave their cups and stands to take his place.

zh-x

庖人 雖 不 治庖，尸祝 不 越 樽俎 而 代 之 矣。

(the priest) leave his cups and takes the place of the cook

to overstep one's bounds and meddle in other's affairs


不為所動

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

/pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ⁴¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ⁴¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ³³/


雷電交加

ㄌㄟˊ ㄉㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄐㄧㄚ

лэйдяньцзяоцзя

/leɪ̯³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/lɵy̯⁵⁵ tiːn²² kaːu̯⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

/leɪ̯³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/lɵy̯⁵⁵ tiːn²² kaːu̯⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

thunder and lightning occur simultaneously or alternately


風馳電掣

ㄈㄥ ㄔˊ ㄉㄧㄢˋ ㄔㄜˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ tiːn²² t͡sɐi̯³³/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ tiːn²² t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ tiːn²² t͡sɐi̯³³/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ tiːn²² t͡sʰiːt̚³/

on the wings of the wind
on the wings of the wind

very swift; on the wings of the wind; at lightning speed


心狠手辣

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄣˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄌㄚˋ

синьхэньшоула

/ɕin⁵⁵ xən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lä⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ hɐn³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ laːt̚²/

/ɕin⁵⁵ xən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lä⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ hɐn³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ laːt̚²/


鑄成大錯

ㄓㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡syː³³ sɪŋ²¹ taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡syː³³ sɪŋ²¹ taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³/

to make a grave and irreversible mistake


好勇鬥狠

ㄏㄠˋ ㄩㄥˇ ㄉㄡˋ ㄏㄣˇ

хаоюндоухэнь

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ toʊ̯⁵¹ xən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔː³³ jʊŋ¹³ tɐu̯³³ hɐn³⁵/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ toʊ̯⁵¹ xən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔː³³ jʊŋ¹³ tɐu̯³³ hɐn³⁵/

From Mencius:
:
好勇鬥很，以危父母，五不孝也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]好勇斗很，以危父母，五不孝也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Hǎo yǒng dòu hěn, yǐ wēi fùmǔ, wǔ bùxiào yě. [Pinyin]
The fifth is being fond of bravery, fighting and quarrelling so as to endanger his parents.

好 勇 鬥 很，以 危 父母，五 不孝 也。

eager to demonstrate bravery and fight with others; bellicose


聲嘶力竭

ㄕㄥ ㄙ ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ lɪk̚² kʰiːt̚³/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ lɪk̚² kʰiːt̚³/

to shout oneself hoarse; to shout with all one's might


不懷好意

ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄏㄠˇ ㄧˋ

/pu⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ waːi̯²¹ hou̯³⁵ jiː³³/

/pu⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ waːi̯²¹ hou̯³⁵ jiː³³/


懷恨在心

ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄏㄣˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

хуайхэньцзайсинь

/xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ xən⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/waːi̯²¹ hɐn²² t͡sɔːi̯²² sɐm⁵⁵/

/xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ xən⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/waːi̯²¹ hɐn²² t͡sɔːi̯²² sɐm⁵⁵/

to hold a grudge against; to harbor resentment towards


雖敗猶榮

ㄙㄨㄟ ㄅㄞˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

/su̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/sɵy̯⁵⁵ paːi̯²² jɐu̯²¹ wɪŋ²¹/

/su̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/sɵy̯⁵⁵ paːi̯²² jɐu̯²¹ wɪŋ²¹/

to experience a glorious defeat; to feel honored despite having been defeated


忠肝義膽

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄍㄢ ㄧˋ ㄉㄢˇ

чжунганьидань

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵ i⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵ jiː²² taːm³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵ i⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵ jiː²² taːm³⁵/

loyal and righteous; faithful and virtuous


無言以對

ㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄧˇ ㄉㄨㄟˋ

/u³⁵ jɛn³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹ jiː¹³ tɵy̯³³/

/u³⁵ jɛn³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹ jiː¹³ tɵy̯³³/

to be left speechless; to be unable to respond


盡忠職守

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓˊ ㄕㄡˇ

цзиньчжунчжишоу

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵn²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵn²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

to be faithful and dedicated to one's duties


眾叛親離

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄆㄢˋ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˊ

чжунпаньциньли

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰän⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ li³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ puːn²² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ lei̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰän⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ li³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ puːn²² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ lei̯²¹/

(of a person) to be isolated and forsaken by everyone


少之又少

ㄕㄠˇ ㄓ ㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄠˇ

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːu̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² siːu̯³⁵/

/siːu̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² siːu̯³⁵/


降薪

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kɔːŋ³³ sɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kɔːŋ³³ sɐn⁵⁵/

to cut someone's pay; to reduce someone's salary


官商勾結

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄕㄤ ㄍㄡ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

гуаньшангоуцзе

/ku̯än⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ koʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/kuːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ kiːt̚³/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ koʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/kuːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ kiːt̚³/

collusion between the government and businesses


生殺大權

ㄕㄥ ㄕㄚ ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

шэншадацюань

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ saːt̚³ taːi̯²² kʰyːn²¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ saːt̚³ taːi̯²² kʰyːn²¹/


吃一塹，長一智

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hɛːk̚³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːm³³ t͡sœːŋ³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

人們經過失敗之後，也就從失敗取得教訓，改正自己的思想使之適合於外界的規律性，人們就能變失敗為勝利，所謂「失敗者成功之母」，「吃一塹長一智」，就是這個道理。 [MSC, trad.]
人们经过失败之后，也就从失败取得教训，改正自己的思想使之适合于外界的规律性，人们就能变失败为胜利，所谓「失败者成功之母」，「吃一堑长一智」，就是这个道理。 [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

After they fail, they draw their lessons, correct their ideas to make them correspond to the laws of the external world, and can thus turn failure into success; this is what is meant by “failure is the mother of success” and “a fall into the pit, a gain in your wit”.

Rénmen jīngguò shībài zhīhòu, yě jiù cóng shībài qǔdé jiàoxùn, gǎizhèng zìjǐ de sīxiǎng shǐ zhī shìhé yú wàijiè de guīlǜxìng, rénmen jiù néng biàn shībài wéi shènglì, suǒwèi “shībài zhě chénggōng zhī mǔ”, “chī yī qiàn zhǎng yī zhì”, jiùshì zhège dàolǐ. [Pinyin]

a fall into the pit, a gain in your wit; wisdom grows out of experience


計上心來

ㄐㄧˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄞˊ

цзишансиньлай

/t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹/


自作主張

ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄨˇ ㄓㄤ

цзыцзочжучжан

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡syː³⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡syː³⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

to make decisions without consulting others beforehand


前功盡廢

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄈㄟˋ

цяньгунцзиньфэй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² fɐi̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² fɐi̯³³/

前功盡棄 前功盡棄#Chinese

前功尽弃 前功尽弃#Chinese

Synonym of 前功盡棄／前功尽弃 (qiángōngjìnqì, “all previous achievements go down the drain; all the previous effort is wasted”)


移情別戀

ㄧˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧㄢˋ

/i³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jiː²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ piːt̚² lyːn³⁵/

/i³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jiː²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ piːt̚² lyːn³⁵/

to turn one's back on one's lover and develop affection for another; to have a new sweetheart


身歷其境

ㄕㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

шэньлицицзин

/ʂən⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² kʰei̯²¹ kɪŋ³⁵/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² ki²³⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² ki²⁴⁻¹¹ kiɪŋ⁵³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² kʰei̯²¹ kɪŋ³⁵/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² ki²³⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² ki²⁴⁻¹¹ kiɪŋ⁵³/

工人們，農人們，全國被軍閥和外力壓迫的同胞們！二月七日長辛店和漢口的大慘殺，你們已經耳聞目見或身歷其境了。 [MSC, trad.]
工人们，农人们，全国被军阀和外力压迫的同胞们！二月七日长辛店和汉口的大惨杀，你们已经耳闻目见或身历其境了。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1923, 《中国共产党为吴佩孚惨杀京汉路工告工人阶级与国民》

Workers, peasants, fellow countrypeople who are oppressed by warlords and foreign powers! You might have heard about, seen, or even personally faced the massacre which took place in Changxindian and Hankou on 7 February.

Gōngrénmen, nóngrénmen, quánguó bèi jūnfá hé wàilì yāpò de tóngbāomen! Èr yuè qī rì Chángxīndiàn hé Hànkǒu de dàcǎnshā, nǐmen yǐjīng ěrwénmùjiàn huò shēnlìqíjìng le. [Pinyin]

身臨其境 身臨其境#Chinese

身临其境 身临其境#Chinese

Synonym of 身臨其境／身临其境 (shēnlínqíjìng, “to be personally on the scene”)


不見蹤影

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄗㄨㄥ ㄧㄥˇ

буцзяньцзунъин

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ³⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ³⁵/

to disappear; to vanish; to be nowhere to be seen


迷途知返

ㄇㄧˊ ㄊㄨˊ ㄓ ㄈㄢˇ

/mi³⁵ tʰu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐi̯²¹ tʰou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ faːn³⁵/

/mi³⁵ tʰu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐi̯²¹ tʰou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ faːn³⁵/

to become aware of one's errors and turn back from one's wrong path; to realize one's mistakes and correct oneself


方寸大亂

ㄈㄤ ㄘㄨㄣˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄨㄢˋ

фанцуньдалуань

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯än⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn³³ taːi̯²² lyːn²²/

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯än⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn³³ taːi̯²² lyːn²²/

to be agitated; to be troubled and nervous


勢不兩立

ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄌㄧˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ¹³ laːp̚²/

/sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ¹³ lɐp̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ¹³ laːp̚²/

/sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ¹³ lɐp̚²/

irreconcilable; antagonistic and unable to coexist; at daggers drawn


一擁而上

ㄧ ㄩㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄕㄤˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ sœːŋ¹³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ sœːŋ¹³/

(of a large crowd) to rush forward together


蜂擁而至

ㄈㄥ ㄩㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄓˋ

фэнъюнъэрчжи

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː³³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː³³/


繩之於法

ㄕㄥˊ ㄓ ㄩˊ ㄈㄚˇ

/ʂɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ faːt̚³/

/ʂɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ faːt̚³/

繩之以法 繩之以法#Chinese

绳之以法 绳之以法#Chinese

Synonym of 繩之以法／绳之以法 (shéngzhīyǐfǎ, “to punish according to law; to bring to justice”)


血本無歸

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄅㄣˇ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄅㄣˇ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄅㄣˇ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ puːn³⁵ mou̯²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pun⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/hiɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ pun⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bo²⁴⁻²² kui³³/

/hiɛt̚³²⁻⁵ pun⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pun⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴/

/hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pun⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɤ²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ puːn³⁵ mou̯²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pun⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/hiɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ pun⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bo²⁴⁻²² kui³³/

/hiɛt̚³²⁻⁵ pun⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pun⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴/

/hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pun⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɤ²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴/

to lose one's shirt; to lose all of one's savings