八面玲瓏

ㄅㄚ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

бамяньлинлун

/pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/paːt̚³ miːn²² lɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

/pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/paːt̚³ miːn²² lɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

smooth and slick (in making social contacts)


八面光

/pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːt̚³ miːn²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːt̚³ miːn²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵/


白雲蒼狗

white clouds are so changeable in shape that they look now like white garments and now like grey hounds

ㄅㄞˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄘㄤ ㄍㄡˇ

байюньцангоу

/paɪ̯³⁵ yn³⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² wɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵/

/paɪ̯³⁵ yn³⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² wɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵/

freakishness; changeable and strange; changes in human affairs often take freakish forms


白手成家

ㄅㄞˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄚ

байшоучэнцзя

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

to build up from nothing; to start from scratch


白面書生

ㄅㄞˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄨ ㄕㄥ

баймяньшушэн

/paɪ̯³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² miːn²² syː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

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

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² bin³³⁻²¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² bin³³⁻¹¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bin³³⁻²¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ bin³³⁻¹¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/paɪ̯³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² miːn²² syː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² bin³³⁻²¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² bin³³⁻¹¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bin³³⁻²¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ bin³³⁻¹¹ su⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

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


包辦替代

ㄅㄠ ㄅㄢˋ ㄊㄧˋ ㄉㄞˋ

баобань тидай

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ paːn²² tʰɐi̯³³ tɔːi̯²²/

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ paːn²² tʰɐi̯³³ tɔːi̯²²/

包辦代替 包辦代替#Chinese

包办代替 包办代替#Chinese

Alternative form of 包辦代替／包办代替 (bāobàn dàitì)


遍體鱗傷

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄕㄤ

бяньтилиньшан

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɵn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ⁴⁴/

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

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin¹³⁻²² siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lin²³⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɵn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ⁴⁴/

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

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin¹³⁻²² siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pʰiɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lin²³⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

2004 December 9, Xu Wei (lyrics and music), “曾經的你 [You in the Past]”, in 每一刻都是嶄新的 [Every Moment Is Completely New], performed by Xu Wei:
愛情總讓你渴望又感到煩惱 曾讓你遍體鱗傷 [MSC, trad.]
爱情总让你渴望又感到烦恼 曾让你遍体鳞伤 [MSC, simp.]

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

Àiqíng zǒng ràng nǐ kěwàng yòu gǎndào fánnǎo, Céng ràng nǐ biàntǐlínshāng [Pinyin]

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


老夫老妻

ㄌㄠˇ ㄈㄨ ㄌㄠˇ ㄑㄧ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/lou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/lou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵/


滄海桑田

ja-r

滄海桑田(そうかいそうでん) (sōkaisōden)

CJKV/code

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

→ Vietnamese: bể dâu (calque)

ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ ㄙㄤ ㄊㄧㄢˊ

цанхайсантянь

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn²¹/

/t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²³ hai⁵² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰaŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn²¹/

/t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²³ hai⁵² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰaŋ⁵⁵/

Originally 東海桑田／东海桑田 (literally “East China sea becoming mulberry fields”). From Shenxian Zhuan (神仙傳·麻姑):
麻姑自說云：「接待以來，已見東海三為桑田。向到蓬萊，水又淺于往者會時略半也。豈將復還為陵陸乎。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]麻姑自说云：「接待以来，已见东海三为桑田。向到蓬莱，水又浅于往者会时略半也。岂将复还为陵陆乎。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Mágū zì shuō yún: “Jiēdài yǐlái, yǐ jiàn Dōnghǎi sān wèi sāngtián. Xiàng dào Pénglái, shuǐ yòu qiǎn yú wǎngzhě huì shí lüè bàn yě. Qǐ jiāng fùhái wèi líng lù hū.” [Pinyin]
Magu said: "Since we met last time, I have seen the East China Sea turned into mulberry fields thrice. When I visited Penglai Island just now, I saw that the water was shallower than half of it was when we met. Is it going to turn into land again?"

zh-x

麻姑 自 說 云：「接待 以來，已 見 ^東海 三 為 桑田。向 到 ^蓬萊，水 又 淺 于 往者 會 時 略 半 也。豈 將 復還 為 陵 陸 乎。」

the vast sea (turned into) mulberry fields

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


格殺勿論

Beat (someone) dead, and (the killer) will not be prosecuted.

ㄍㄜˊ ㄕㄚ ㄨˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

/kɤ³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/kaːk̚³ saːt̚³ mɐt̚² lɵn²²/

/kɤ³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/kaːk̚³ saːt̚³ mɐt̚² lɵn²²/

Use of deadly force authorized; it is permitted to kill (someone) without any legal consequence.


授受不親

ㄕㄡˋ ㄕㄡˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄣ

шоушоубуцинь

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯²² sɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯²² sɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

(of a man and woman) to not have direct contact when giving or receiving an item


十指相扣

ㄕˊ ㄓˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄎㄡˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² t͡siː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯³³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² t͡siː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯³³/


大吉大利

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄧˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²² lei̯²²/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kit̚¹ tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ li⁵³/

/tai²²⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai²²⁻²¹ li²²/

/tai³³⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻²¹ li³³/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻¹¹ li³³/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ kik̚²⁻⁴ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ li³⁵/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²² lei̯²²/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kit̚¹ tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ li⁵³/

/tai²²⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai²²⁻²¹ li²²/

/tai³³⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻²¹ li³³/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻¹¹ li³³/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ kik̚²⁻⁴ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ li³⁵/


彬彬有禮

ㄅㄧㄣ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧˇ

/pin⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ lɐi̯¹³/

/pin⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ lɐi̯¹³/


自欺欺人

ㄗˋ ㄑㄧ ㄑㄧ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡siː²² hei̯⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi³³⁻²³ kʰi³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡siː²² hei̯⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi³³⁻²³ kʰi³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵/

to deceive oneself as well as others; to fool oneself alongside others


取而代之

ㄑㄩˇ ㄦˊ ㄉㄞˋ ㄓ

/t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jiː²¹ tɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jiː²¹ tɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

to take the place of; to substitute for; to replace


大相徑庭

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄊㄧㄥˊ

дасянцзинтин

/tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ tʰiŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² sœːŋ³³ kɪŋ³³ tʰɪŋ²¹/

/tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ tʰiŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² sœːŋ³³ kɪŋ³³ tʰɪŋ²¹/

From Zhuangzi:
:
吾驚怖其言，猶河漢而無極也；大有徑庭，不近人情焉。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]吾惊怖其言，犹河汉而无极也；大有径庭，不近人情焉。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE
Wú jīngbù qí yán, yóu héhàn ér wújí yě; dà yǒu jìngtíng, bù jìn rénqíng yān. [Pinyin]
I was frightened and scared by his words; they were like the Milky Way which cannot be traced to its beginning or end. They had no connexion with one another, and were not akin to the experiences of men.

吾 驚怖 其 言，猶 河漢 而 無極 也；大 有 徑庭，不 近 人情 焉。

completely different; poles apart; as different as can be


百煉成鋼

ㄅㄞˇ ㄌㄧㄢˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄍㄤ

байляньчэнган

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ liːn²² sɪŋ²¹ kɔːŋ³³/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ liːn²² sɪŋ²¹ kɔːŋ³³/


百孔千瘡

ㄅㄞˇ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄔㄨㄤ

байкунцяньчуан

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ hʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ hʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵/

riddled with gaping wounds; afflicted with many ills; in very bad condition


百聽不厭

ㄅㄞˇ ㄊㄧㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ

байтин буянь

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ tʰɪŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ tʰɪŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³/

worth hearing a hundred times; never boring to listen to it


百喙莫辯

ㄅㄞˇ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄇㄛˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

байхуэймобянь

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ fuːi̯³³ mɔːk̚² piːn²²/

/paːk̚³ fuːi̯³³ mɔːk̚² piːn²²/


百萬雄師

ㄅㄞˇ ㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄕ

байвань сюнши

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ maːn²² hʊŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ maːn²² hʊŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵/


百問不厭

ㄅㄞˇ ㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ

байвэнь буянь

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ mɐn²² pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ mɐn²² pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³/

never get impatient with somebody's questions (of a shop assistant, teacher, etc.)


百無禁忌

ㄅㄞˇ ㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄐㄧˋ

байуцзиньцзи

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

nothing is taboo; anything goes; all taboos are lifted (a magic formula credited with the power to neutralize offenses committed against taboos)


百無聊賴

ㄅㄞˇ ㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄌㄞˋ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ laɪ̯⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ mou̯²¹ liːu̯²¹ laːi̯²²/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ laɪ̯⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ mou̯²¹ liːu̯²¹ laːi̯²²/

bored to death; bored stiff; overcome with boredom


百年之後

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄓ ㄏㄡˋ

байняньчжихоу

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²²/

/*pˤrak C.nˤi[ŋ] tə [ɢ]ˤ(r)oʔ|[ɢ]ˤ(r)oʔ-s/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²²/

为存者立庙，使视其先人。魂而有灵，吾百年之后何恨哉！ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 202, Cao Cao, 軍譙令
Wèi cún zhě lì miào, shǐ shì qí xiānrén. Hún ér yǒu líng, wú bǎi nián zhīhòu hé hèn zāi! [Pinyin]

為存者立廟，使視其先人。魂而有靈，吾百年之後何恨哉！ [Classical Chinese, trad.]

I built the temple for the survivors so that they can pay their respects to their ancestors. If the souls know this, what would I regret after hundred years?

(euphemistic) after somebody's death; when somebody has passed away


百問不厭，百拿不煩

ㄅㄞˇ ㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄚˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˊ

baak³ man⁶ bat¹ jim³, baak³ naa⁴ bat¹ faan⁴

байвэнь буянь

байна буфань

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ nä³⁵ pu⁵¹ fän³⁵/

baak⁸ man⁶ bat⁷ jim³, baak⁸ naa⁴ bat⁷ faan⁴

/paːk̚³ mɐn²² pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³ paːk̚³ naː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ faːn²¹/

to patiently answer the customer's questions and show them the goods they want; to serve the customers patiently and tirelessly (of a shop assistant)


百讀不厭

ㄅㄞˇ ㄉㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ tʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ tʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³/

worth reading a hundred times; can be reread many times with delight


百川歸海

ㄅㄞˇ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄏㄞˇ

байчуаньгуйхай

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚³ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/paːk̚³ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

natural trend; all eyes look toward; all things tend to go in the same logical direction; everyone turns to somebody for guidance


半路出家

ㄅㄢˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄔㄨ ㄐㄧㄚ

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ lou̯²² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ lou̯²² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

to switch to a job one was not trained for; to change professions completely


百花爭妍

ㄅㄞˇ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄓㄥ ㄧㄢˊ

байхуачжэнъянь

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/paːk̚³ faː⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/paːk̚³ faː⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

a hundred flowers contend in beauty; the flowers are a riot of color


百步穿楊

ㄅㄞˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄧㄤˊ

байбучуаньян

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/paːk̚³ pou̯²² t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/paːk̚³ pou̯²² t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹/

Derived from the story of the archer 養由基 (Yang Youji) as presented in Zhan Guo Ce.

to shoot an arrow through a willow leaf at a hundred paces; to split a willow wand at a hundred paces

(figurative, of archery, gun shooting, basketball, etc.) to shoot with great precision


敗軍之將

ㄅㄞˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄤ

байцзюньчжицзян

/paɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːi̯²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³/

/paɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːi̯²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³/

general of a defeated army; defeated general


半壁江山

ㄅㄢˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄕㄢ

баньбицзяншань

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ pɪk̚⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ pɪk̚⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

half of the country (usually referring to the unoccupied part of an invaded country)


斑駁陸離

ㄅㄢ ㄅㄛˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/pän⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵ lu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/paːn⁵⁵ pɔːk̚³ lʊk̚² lei̯²¹/

/pän⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵ lu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/paːn⁵⁵ pɔːk̚³ lʊk̚² lei̯²¹/


百裡挑一

ㄅㄞˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄊㄧㄠ ㄧ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ lɵy̯¹³ tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ lɵy̯¹³ tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵/


阪上走丸

ㄅㄢˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄗㄡˇ ㄨㄢˊ

баньшанцзоувань

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän³⁵/

/paːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ jyːn²¹⁻³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ jyːn²¹⁻³⁵/

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän³⁵/

/paːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ jyːn²¹⁻³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ jyːn²¹⁻³⁵/

rapidly developing situation; rapid changes


自命不凡

ㄗˋ ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˊ

цзыминбуфань

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ fän³⁵/

/t͡siː²² mɪŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ faːn²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ fän³⁵/

/t͡siː²² mɪŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ faːn²¹/

to think no end of oneself; to think too much of oneself; to be self-important


半壁河山

ㄅㄢˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄢ

баньбихэшань

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ pɪk̚⁵ hɔː²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ pɪk̚⁵ hɔː²¹ saːn⁵⁵/


板板六十四

ㄅㄢˇ ㄅㄢˇ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄕˊ ㄙˋ

баньбань люшисы

/pän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ sz̩⁵¹/

/paːn³⁵ paːn³⁵ lʊk̚² sɐp̚² sei̯³³/

/paːn³⁵ paːn³⁵ lʊk̚² sɐp̚² sei̯³³/

During Song dynasty, the number of coins that could be produced with one mold was 64 as prescribed by law.

(regional) unaccommodating; inflexible; hard-nosed


敗興而歸

ㄅㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

байсин эргуй

/paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/paːi̯²² hɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/paːi̯²² hɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

to return in low spirits; to come back disappointed


敗子回頭

ㄅㄞˋ ㄗˇ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄊㄡˊ

байцзыхуэйтоу

/paɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/paːi̯²² t͡siː³⁵ wuːi̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/paɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/paːi̯²² t͡siː³⁵ wuːi̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹/


搬弄是非

ㄅㄢ ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

баньнуншифэй

/pän⁵⁵ nʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/puːn⁵⁵ lʊŋ²² siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/

/pän⁵⁵ nʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/puːn⁵⁵ lʊŋ²² siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/

to sow discord; to tell tales; to make mischief


百花爭豔

ㄅㄞˇ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄓㄥ ㄧㄢˋ

байхуачжэнъянь

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ faː⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ jiːm²²/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ faː⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ jiːm²²/


半死不活

ㄅㄢˋ ㄙˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄛˊ

/pän⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/pän⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/


稀奇古怪

ㄒㄧ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄞˋ

/ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/hei̯⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ kuː³⁵ kʷaːi̯³³/

/ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/hei̯⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ kuː³⁵ kʷaːi̯³³/

crazy; bizarre; weird; fantastic; strange


旗鼓相當

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (旗鼓相當):
* → Japanese: 旗(き)鼓(こ)相(あい)当(あ)たる (kiko aiataru)

two armies have equivalent banners and drums

ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄉㄤ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ kuː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ kuː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵/

to be well-matched; to match in capabilities


冒天下之大不韙

ㄇㄠˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄓ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˇ

мао тянься чжи дабувэй

/mɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯¹³/

to act in defiance of universal condemnation


不能自拔

ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄥˊ ㄗˋ ㄅㄚˊ

/pu⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ pä³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ nɐŋ²¹ t͡siː²² pɐt̚²/

/pu⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ pä³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ nɐŋ²¹ t͡siː²² pɐt̚²/

to be in an inextricable situation; to be unable to stop


引人入勝

ㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ

иньжэньжушэн

inʹžɛnʹžušɛn

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jɐn²¹ jɐp̚² sɪŋ³³/

/in⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ zip̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jɐn²¹ jɐp̚² sɪŋ³³/

/in⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ zip̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹/

to be bewitching; attractive; spectacular


反覆無常

ㄈㄢˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄔㄤˊ

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ fʊk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sœːŋ²¹/

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ fʊk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sœːŋ²¹/

to be capricious; to be erratic; to be fickle


洪荒之力

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄤ ㄓ ㄌㄧˋ

хунхуанчжили

/xʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lɪk̚²/

/xʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lɪk̚²/

Originated from a post-match interview with Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui.

(neologism, slang, humorous) all of one's ability or power; the entirety of one's potential; mystic powers


異曲同工

ㄧˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² kʰʊk̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/i²²⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻²² kʰiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³/

/i²²⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i³³⁻¹¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i³³⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² kʰʊk̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/i²²⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻²² kʰiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³/

/i²²⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i³³⁻¹¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i³³⁻²¹ kʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

different approaches but equally satisfactory results


大街小巷

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ hɔːŋ²²/

/tua³³⁻¹¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua³³⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ sio⁵²⁻³⁵ haŋ¹¹/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ hɔːŋ²²/

/tua³³⁻¹¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua³³⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ sio⁵²⁻³⁵ haŋ¹¹/

high streets and back lanes; throughout the city


一分為二

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ fɐn²² wɐi̯²¹ jiː²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ fɐn²² wɐi̯²¹ jiː²²/


融會貫通

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄊㄨㄥ

жунхуэйгуаньтун

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹ wuːi̯²² kuːn³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hue³⁵⁻¹¹ kuaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tʰoŋ³³/

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹ wuːi̯²² kuːn³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hue³⁵⁻¹¹ kuaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tʰoŋ³³/

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


無孔不入

ㄨˊ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˋ

/u³⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔːŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐp̚²/

/u³⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔːŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐp̚²/

to seize every opportunity; to be all pervasive


各有千秋

ㄍㄜˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄑㄧㄡ

/kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/


千篇一律

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄧ ㄌㄩˋ

цяньпяньилюй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ lɵt̚²/

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

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ pʰiɛn³³ it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lut̚²⁴/

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

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

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

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ lɵt̚²/

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

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ pʰiɛn³³ it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lut̚²⁴/

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

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


一吐為快

ㄧ ㄊㄨˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄎㄨㄞˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰou̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ faːi̯³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰou̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ faːi̯³³/

get something off one's chest
get something off one's chest


一聲不響

ㄧ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hœːŋ³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hœːŋ³⁵/


一年一度

ㄧ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄧ ㄉㄨˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tou̯²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tou̯²²/


一呼百應

ㄧ ㄏㄨ ㄅㄞˇ ㄧㄥˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xu⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ jɪŋ³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xu⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ jɪŋ³³/

to be able to rally multitudes at one's call


一病不起

ㄧ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɛːŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɛːŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³⁵/

to fall gravely ill and never recover since


一反常態

ㄧ ㄈㄢˇ ㄔㄤˊ ㄊㄞˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ faːn³⁵ sœːŋ²¹ tʰaːi̯³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ faːn³⁵ sœːŋ²¹ tʰaːi̯³³/

to act out of character; uncharacteristically


一往無前

ㄧ ㄨㄤˇ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ wɔːŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ wɔːŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

to advance indomitably; to press forward


一命嗚呼

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ miŋ⁵¹ u⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²² wuː⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ miŋ⁵¹ u⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²² wuː⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵/


一唱一和

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xɤ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ wɔː²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xɤ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ wɔː²²/


一盤散沙

ㄧ ㄆㄢˊ ㄙㄢˇ ㄕㄚ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰän³⁵ sän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰuːn²¹ saːn³⁵ saː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰän³⁵ sän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰuːn²¹ saːn³⁵ saː⁵⁵/


一紙空文

ㄧ ㄓˇ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄨㄣˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ wən³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ wən³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/


一拍即合

ㄧ ㄆㄞ ㄐㄧˊ ㄏㄜˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːk̚³ t͡sɪk̚⁵ hɐp̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːk̚³ t͡sɪk̚⁵ hɐp̚²/

(of two parties) to hit it off immediately; things fit together at one go


一敗塗地

ㄧ ㄅㄞˋ ㄊㄨˊ ㄉㄧˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ tʰu³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ paːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ tei̯²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ tʰu³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ paːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ tei̯²²/


中西合璧

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄏㄜˊ ㄅㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ hɐp̚² pɪk̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ hɐp̚² pɪk̚⁵/

to harmoniously combine Chinese and Western elements


一馬平川

ㄧ ㄇㄚˇ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄨㄢ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ pʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ pʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵/

wide expanse of flat land; wide stretch of flat country


一而再，再而三

цзай эр сань

/i⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ jiː²¹ saːm⁵⁵/

again and again; time and again; repeatedly


東觀西望

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄒㄧ ㄨㄤˋ

дунгуаньсиван

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²²/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²²/


臨淵羨魚

tostand on the edge of a pool and idly long for fish

ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄩㄢ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄩˊ

линьюаньсяньюй

/lin³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ y³⁵/

/lɐm²¹ jyːn⁵⁵ siːn²² jyː²¹/

/lin³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ y³⁵/

/lɐm²¹ jyːn⁵⁵ siːn²² jyː²¹/

to wish for something good but take no action to obtain it; irresoluteness


一落千丈

ㄧ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄤˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ²²/

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

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lo(ʔ)²⁴⁻² t͡sʰiɛn³³ tŋ̍⁴¹/

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

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

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

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ²²/

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

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lo(ʔ)²⁴⁻² t͡sʰiɛn³³ tŋ̍⁴¹/

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

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

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


一諾千金

Sino-Xenic (一諾千金):
* → Japanese: 一諾千金(いちだくせんきん) (ichidakusenkin)
* → Korean: 일낙천금(一諾千金) (illakcheon'geum)

ㄧ ㄋㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄣ

иноцяньцзинь

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ nu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ nɔːk̚² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ nu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ nɔːk̚² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

From Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian.
「楚人諺曰『得黃金百，不如得季布一諾』」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]「楚人谚曰『得黄金百，不如得季布一诺』」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
“Chǔrén yàn yuē ‘Dé huángjīn bǎi, bùrú dé Jì Bù yī nuò’” [Pinyin]
The people of Chu have a saying: "receiving 100 jin of gold is nothing compared to accepting a promise from Ji Bu."

zh-x

「^楚人 諺 曰『^得 黃金 百，不如 得 ^季 ^布 一 諾』」

Records of the Grand Historian
Sima Qian


樂善好施

ㄌㄜˋ ㄕㄢˋ ㄏㄠˋ ㄕ

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² siːn²² hou̯³³ siː⁵⁵/

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² siːn²² hou̯³³ siː⁵⁵/


樂不可支

ㄌㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄓ

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

次二：樂不可支，辰於天。測曰：樂不可支，以時歲也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
次二：乐不可支，辰于天。测曰：乐不可支，以时岁也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: Yang Xiong, The Canon of Supreme Mystery, 2 BCE

Cì èr: lèbùkězhī, chén yú tiān. Cè yuē: lèbùkězhī, yǐ shí suì yě. [Pinyin]

百姓歌曰：「桑無附枝，麥穗兩岐。張君為政，樂不可支。」 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
百姓歌曰：「桑无附枝，麦穗两岐。张君为政，乐不可支。」 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

From: The Book of the Later Han, circa 5ᵗʰ century CE

Bǎixìng gē yuē: “Sāng wú fù zhī, màisuì liǎng qí. Zhāng jūn wèizhèng, lèbùkězhī.” [Pinyin]


一言既出，駟馬難追

CJKV/code

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

ja-r

一言既に出ずれば駟馬も追い難し

いちごん すで に いずれば しば も おい がた し

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

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄔㄨ

ㄙˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄟ

jat¹ jin⁴ gei³ ceot¹, si³ maa⁵ naan⁴ zeoi¹

сымананьчжуй

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

jat⁷ jin⁴ gei³ tsoet⁷, si³ maa⁵ naan⁴ dzoey¹

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ kei̯³³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ siː³³ maː¹³ naːn²¹ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵/

Based on a passage in the Analects, Book 12 (《論語·顏淵》):
:
子貢曰：「惜乎！夫子之說君子也。駟不及舌。……」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子贡曰：「惜乎！夫子之说君子也。驷不及舌。……」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐgòng yuē: “Xī hū! Fūzǐ zhī shuō jūnzǐ yě. Sì bùjí shé.......” [Pinyin]
Zigong said: "How regrettable are your words about the superior person. A four-horse-team cannot overtake the tongue. …"

zh-x

@^子貢 曰：「惜 乎！夫子 之 說 君子 也。駟 不及 舌。……」

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

once said, a team of horses cannot unsay it

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


一擲千金

ㄧ ㄓˋ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄣ

ㄧ ㄓˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄣ

ичжицяньцзинь

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

to spend money like water; to be extravagant


一擁而入

ㄧ ㄩㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄖㄨˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ jɐp̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ jɐp̚²/


例行公事

ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄕˋ

/li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/lɐi̯²² hɐŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ siː²²/

/li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/lɐi̯²² hɐŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ siː²²/

to do one's routine business; to do as a mere formality; routine business


迫在眉睫

ㄆㄛˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄇㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

поцзаймэйцзе

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pɪk̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² mei̯²¹ t͡siːt̚²/

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pɪk̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² mei̯²¹ t͡siːt̚²/


力挽狂瀾

ㄌㄧˋ ㄨㄢˇ ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄌㄢˊ

ливанькуанлань

/li⁵¹ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ län³⁵/

/lɪk̚² waːn¹³ kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ laːn²¹/

/li⁵¹ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ län³⁵/

/lɪk̚² waːn¹³ kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ laːn²¹/


勞民傷財

ㄌㄠˊ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄕㄤ ㄘㄞˊ

лаоминьшанцай

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ min³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/lou̯²¹ mɐn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ min³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/lou̯²¹ mɐn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/


剛愎自用

ㄍㄤ ㄅㄧˋ ㄗˋ ㄩㄥˋ

/kɑŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ t͡siː²² jʊŋ²²/

/kɑŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ t͡siː²² jʊŋ²²/


鷸蚌相爭

ㄩˋ ㄅㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄓㄥ

юйбансянчжэн

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚² pʰɔːŋ¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/lɵt̚² pʰɔːŋ¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/jyːt̚² pʰɔːŋ¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚² pʰɔːŋ¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/lɵt̚² pʰɔːŋ¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/jyːt̚² pʰɔːŋ¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

neighbors who can't agree lose out to a third party


九霄雲外

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄩㄣˊ ㄨㄞˋ

цзюсяоюньвай

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ yn³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐu̯³⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ wɐn²¹ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siau⁴⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² ɡue²²/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ yn³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐu̯³⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ wɐn²¹ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siau⁴⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² ɡue²²/

他早已把這事抛到九霄雲外去了。 [MSC, trad.]
他早已把这事抛到九霄云外去了。 [MSC, simp.]

Tā zǎoyǐ bǎ zhè shì pāo dào jiǔxiāoyúnwài qù le. [Pinyin]


如法炮製

ㄖㄨˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄆㄠˊ ㄓˋ

/ʐu³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ faːt̚³ pʰaːu̯³³ t͡sɐi̯³³/

/zu²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ pʰau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²¹/

/zi²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ pʰau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²¹/

/ʐu³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ faːt̚³ pʰaːu̯³³ t͡sɐi̯³³/

/zu²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ pʰau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²¹/

/zi²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ pʰau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²¹/


漸入佳境

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

цзяньжуцзяцзин

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siːm²² jɐp̚² kaːi̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/t͡siam³³⁻²¹ zip̚⁴⁻³² ka⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siːm²² jɐp̚² kaːi̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/t͡siam³³⁻²¹ zip̚⁴⁻³² ka⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴¹/

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

to start doing well; to be getting better


不為人知

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ

бувэйжэньчжи

buvɛjžɛnʹčži

/pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/


歷歷在目

ㄌㄧˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄇㄨˋ

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/lɪk̚² lɪk̚² t͡sɔːi̯²² mʊk̚²/

/lɪk̚⁵ lɪk̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² mʊk̚²/

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/lɪk̚² lɪk̚² t͡sɔːi̯²² mʊk̚²/

/lɪk̚⁵ lɪk̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² mʊk̚²/


適可而止

ㄕˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄦˊ ㄓˇ

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

/sɪk̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː³⁵/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁵³/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁵³/

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

/sɪk̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː³⁵/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁵³/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁵³/

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


面壁思過

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄙ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/miːn²² pɪk̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/miːn²² pɪk̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/

to face the wall and ponder about one's misdeeds


大失所望

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄤˋ

/tä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐt̚⁵ sɔː³⁵ mɔːŋ²²/

/tai²²⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ²²/

/tai⁴¹⁻²² sit̚⁵⁻²⁴ sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bɔŋ⁴¹/

/tai²²⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁵ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ²²/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³/

/tai³³⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³/

/tä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐt̚⁵ sɔː³⁵ mɔːŋ²²/

/tai²²⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ²²/

/tai⁴¹⁻²² sit̚⁵⁻²⁴ sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bɔŋ⁴¹/

/tai²²⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁵ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ²²/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³/

/tai³³⁻²¹ sit̚³²⁻⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³/


森羅萬象

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (森羅萬象):
* → Korean: 삼라만상(森羅萬象) (samnamansang)

ㄙㄣ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

сэньлованьсян

/sən⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɔː²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

/sən⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɔː²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/


皆大歡喜

ㄐㄧㄝ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄢ ㄒㄧˇ

цзедахуаньси

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ xu̯än⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² fuːn⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/kai³³⁻²³ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ hueŋ³³⁻²³ hi⁵²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ xu̯än⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² fuːn⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/kai³³⁻²³ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ hueŋ³³⁻²³ hi⁵²/

to everyone's delight and satisfaction; everyone is happy


萬眾一心

→ Bouyei: wanqzungqyifxiny

ㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

ваньчжунъисинь

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/maːn²² t͡sʊŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/ban²²⁻²¹ t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/maːn²² t͡sʊŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/ban²²⁻²¹ t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴/

我們萬眾一心，冒著敵人的炮火，前進！ [MSC, trad.]
我们万众一心，冒著敌人的炮火，前进！ [MSC, simp.]

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

Wǒmen wànzhòngyīxīn, mào zhù dírén de pàohuǒ, qiánjìn! [Pinyin]


說來話長

ㄕㄨㄛ ㄌㄞˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄔㄤˊ

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/syːt̚³ lɔːi̯²¹ waː²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/syːt̚³ lɔːi̯²¹ waː²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/


雞毛鴨血

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ aːp̚³ hyːt̚³/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ aːp̚³ hyːt̚³/

(Cantonese) in big trouble; a bad situation


小鹿亂撞

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

сяолулуаньчжуан

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ lʊk̚² lyːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

/siːu̯³⁵ lʊk̚² lyːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

have butterflies in one's stomach
have butterflies in one's stomach

(figurative) to have butterflies in one's stomach (often used to describe a lovestruck person); (of one's heart) to go pit-a-pat; to flutter


有條不紊

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²²/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²²/

From the Book of Documents:
:
若網在綱，有條而不紊；若農服田，力穡乃亦有秋。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]若网在纲，有条而不紊；若农服田，力穑乃亦有秋。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Documents, circa 4ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ century BCE
Ruò wǎng zài gāng, yǒu tiáo ér bù wěn; ruò nóng fútián, lì sè nǎi yì yǒu qiū. [Pinyin]
When the net has its line, there is order and not confusion; and when the husbandman labours upon his fields, and reaps with all his might, there is the (abundant) harvest.

zh-x

若 網 在 綱，有 條 而 不 紊；若 農 服田，力 穡 乃 亦 有 秋。


無話不說

ㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄛ

/u³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ waː²² pɐt̚⁵ syːt̚³/

/u³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ waː²² pɐt̚⁵ syːt̚³/

從無話不說到無話可說 [MSC, trad.]
从无话不说到无话可说 [MSC, simp.]

From being able to talk about everything, to having nothing to talk about

cóng wúhuàbùshuō dào wúhuàkěshuō [Pinyin]

to be able to talk about everything (with each other)


九死一生

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄙˇ ㄧ ㄕㄥ

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

/kɐu̯³⁵ sei̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/kiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ su⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

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

/kɐu̯³⁵ sei̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/kiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ su⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴/


鑄劍為犁

ㄓㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄧˊ

чжуцзяньвэйли

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ li³⁵/

/t͡syː³³ kiːm³³ wɐi̯²¹ lɐi̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ li³⁵/

/t͡syː³³ kiːm³³ wɐi̯²¹ lɐi̯²¹/

beat one's swords into ploughshares
beat one's swords into ploughshares


欲擒故縱

ㄩˋ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄍㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄥˋ

юйциньгуцзун

/y⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹/

/jʊk̚² kʰɐm²¹ kuː³³ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/y⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹/

/jʊk̚² kʰɐm²¹ kuː³³ t͡sʊŋ³³/

to loosen the reins in order to grasp them better


狡兔三窟

ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄨˋ ㄙㄢ ㄎㄨ

цзяотусаньку

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kʰu⁵⁵/

/kaːu̯³⁵ tʰou̯³³ saːm⁵⁵ fɐt̚⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kʰu⁵⁵/

/kaːu̯³⁵ tʰou̯³³ saːm⁵⁵ fɐt̚⁵/

First attested in the Strategies of the Warring States, completed in the second century BC, as part of advice given by a retainer named Feng Xuan to his master Lord Mengchang (died 279 BC):
馮諼曰；「狡兔有三窟，僅得免其死耳。今君有一窟，未得高枕而臥也。請為君復鑿二窟。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]冯谖曰；「狡兔有三窟，仅得免其死耳。今君有一窟，未得高枕而卧也。请为君复凿二窟。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhanguo Ce, circa 5ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ centuries BCE
Féng Xuān yuē; “jiǎo tù yǒu sān kū, jǐn dé miǎn qí sǐ ěr. Jīn jūn yǒu yī kū, wèi dé gāozhěn ér wò yě. Qǐng wèi jūn fù záo èr kū.” [Pinyin]
Feng Xuan said, "A crafty rabbit has three burrows, but even so it barely manages to escape death. As of now, my lord has one burrow. You cannot yet lie down on a pile of pillows and sleep. Please allow me to dig the two other burrows for you, my lord."

^馮 ^諼 曰；「狡 兔 有 三 窟，僅 得 免 其 死 耳。今 君 有 一 窟，未 得 高枕 而 臥 也。請 為 君 復 鑿 二 窟。」

(figurative) a crafty person has more than one hideout; a sly individual has more than one plan to fall back on


囫圇吞棗

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (囫圇吞棗):
* → Korean: 홀륜탄조(囫圇呑棗) (hollyuntanjo)

ㄏㄨˊ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄊㄨㄣ ㄗㄠˇ

хулуньтуньцзао

/xu³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ tʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄏㄨˊ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄊㄨㄣ ㄗㄠˇㄦ

хулуньтуньцзаор

/xu³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ tʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡saʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐt̚⁵ lɵn²¹ tʰɐn⁵⁵ t͡sou̯³⁵/

/xu³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ tʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐt̚⁵ lɵn²¹ tʰɐn⁵⁵ t͡sou̯³⁵/

From a story in the Blue Cliff Record (《碧巖錄》):
:
若是知有底人，細嚼來嚥；若是不知有底人，一似渾崙吞箇棗。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]若是知有底人，细嚼来咽；若是不知有底人，一似浑仑吞个枣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Ruòshì zhī yǒu de rén, xì jué lái yān; ruòshì bùzhī yǒu de rén, yīsì húnlún tūn gè zǎo. [Pinyin]
Those who know the ins and outs will chew and swallow it slowly and carefully; those who don't will act like swallowing a jujube whole.

zh-x

若是 知 有 底{de} 人，細 嚼 來 嚥；若是 不知 有 底{de} 人，一似 渾崙 吞 箇 棗。

囫囵吞枣
渾崙吞棗
鶻崙吞棗

(figurative) to accept without thinking; to read without understanding


豐衣足食

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ sɪk̚²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ sɪk̚²/

having ample food and clothing; well-fed and clothed


臨渴掘井

CJKV/code

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

ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

линькэцзюэцзин

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

/lɐm²¹ hɔːt̚³ kʷɐt̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/lim²⁴⁻²² kʰat̚³²⁻⁴ kut̚⁴⁻³² t͡sĩ⁵³/

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

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

/lɐm²¹ hɔːt̚³ kʷɐt̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/lim²⁴⁻²² kʰat̚³²⁻⁴ kut̚⁴⁻³² t͡sĩ⁵³/

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

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

Based on the Annals of Master Yan:
:
溺而後問隊，迷而後問路，譬之猶臨難而遽鑄兵，臨噎而遽掘井，雖速亦無及已。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]溺而后问队，迷而后问路，譬之犹临难而遽铸兵，临噎而遽掘井，虽速亦无及已。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Annals of Master Yan, c. 3ʳᵈ century BCE
Nì érhòu wèn suì, mí érhòu wèn lù, pì zhī yóu línnàn ér jù zhùbīng, lín yē ér jù juéjǐng, suī sù yì wú jí yǐ. [Pinyin]
To ask the way after drowning and to ask for directions after getting lost is like, for example, quickly making weapons when facing a disaster or quickly digging a well when choking; though fast, it is too late.

zh-x

溺 而後 問 隊{suì}，迷 而後 問.路，譬 之 猶 臨難{nàn} 而 遽 鑄兵，臨 噎 而 遽 掘井，雖 速 亦 無 及 已。

宜未雨而綢繆，毋臨渴而掘井。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
宜未雨而绸缪，毋临渴而掘井。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

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

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

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

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


不學無術

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄨˊ ㄕㄨˋ

/pu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ u³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔːk̚² mou̯²¹ sɵt̚²/

/pu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ u³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔːk̚² mou̯²¹ sɵt̚²/

to be tactless due to the lack of knowledge; without learning or skills; to be not keen on learning anything


量力而為

ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄨㄟˊ

/li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/lœːŋ²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/lœːŋ²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

量力而行 量力而行#Chinese


量力而行

ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/lœːŋ²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ hɐŋ²¹/

/li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/lœːŋ²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ hɐŋ²¹/

cut one's coat according to one's cloth
cut one's coat according to one's cloth

to act according to one's capability; to weigh one's abilities and do it; cut one's coat according to one's cloth


有備無患

CJKV/code

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

ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄟˋ ㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ pei̯²² mou̯²¹ waːn²²/

/i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ pʰi⁵⁵ vu¹¹ fam⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi²²⁻²¹ bu²⁴⁻²² huan²²/

/iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pi⁴¹⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² huan⁴¹/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi²²⁻²¹ bu¹³⁻²² huan²²/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi³³⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ huan³³/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pi³³⁻²¹ bu²³⁻³³ huan³³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ pei̯²² mou̯²¹ waːn²²/

/i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ pʰi⁵⁵ vu¹¹ fam⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi²²⁻²¹ bu²⁴⁻²² huan²²/

/iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pi⁴¹⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² huan⁴¹/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi²²⁻²¹ bu¹³⁻²² huan²²/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi³³⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ huan³³/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pi³³⁻²¹ bu²³⁻³³ huan³³/

to be prepared against adverse events; just in case


身不由己

Sino-Xenic (身不由己):
* → Vietnamese: thân bất do kỷ (身不由己)

ㄕㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧˇ

/ʂən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ kei̯³⁵/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ iu²³⁻³³ ki⁴¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ iu²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁵³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ kei̯³⁵/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ iu²³⁻³³ ki⁴¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ iu²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁵³/

From the Southern drama play 張協狀元 "Top Graduate Zhang Xie", included in the Yongle Encyclopedia:
是則無妻我身自不由己，須有爹媽在家鄉尤未知。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]是则无妻我身自不由己，须有爹妈在家乡尤未知。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
Shìzé wúqī wǒ shēnzìbùyóujǐ, xū yǒu diēmā zài jiāxiāng yóu wèizhī. [Pinyin]
Although I have no wife, I have no choice in this matter; father and mother are back home and still do not know.

zh-x

是-則 無-妻 我 @身自不由己，須 有 爹媽 在 家鄉 尤 未知。

關公曰：「汝怎敢抗吾？」禁曰：「上命差遣，身不由己。望君侯憐憫，誓以死報。」 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
关公曰：「汝怎敢抗吾？」禁曰：「上命差遣，身不由己。望君侯怜悯，誓以死报。」 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

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

Lord Guan said: "How dare you oppose me?" (Yu) Jin said: "We were ordered from above, (we did so) not on our own accord. We hope ye, milord, would have mercy. We swear we'll repay that with death."

Guāngōng yuē: “Rǔ zěn gǎn kàng wú?” Jìn yuē: “Shàngmìng chāiqiǎn, shēnbùyóujǐ. Wàng jūnhóu liánmǐn, shì yǐ sǐ bào.” [Pinyin]

to be unable to determine for oneself; to be involuntary


國泰民安

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (國泰民安):
* → Japanese: 国(こく)泰(たい)民(みん)安(あん) (kokutaimin'an)
* → Korean: 국태민안(國泰民安) (guktaeminan)
* → Vietnamese: quốc thái dân an (國泰民安)

ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄊㄞˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄢ

готайминьань

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ min³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ tʰaːi̯³³ mɐn²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵/

/kuoʔ²⁴⁻⁵⁵ tʰai²¹³⁽⁻²¹⁾ miŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ ^((Ø-))ŋaŋ⁵⁵/

/kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰai²¹⁻⁵³ bin²⁴⁻²² an⁴⁴/

/kɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ tʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² an³³/

/kɔk̚³²⁻⁵ tʰai²¹⁻⁵³ bin¹³⁻²² an⁴⁴/

/kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ an⁴⁴/

/kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ bin²³⁻³³ an⁴⁴/

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ min³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ tʰaːi̯³³ mɐn²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵/

/kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰai²¹⁻⁵³ bin²⁴⁻²² an⁴⁴/

/kɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ tʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² an³³/

/kɔk̚³²⁻⁵ tʰai²¹⁻⁵³ bin¹³⁻²² an⁴⁴/

/kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ an⁴⁴/

/kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ bin²³⁻³³ an⁴⁴/

the country flourishes and the people are living in peace


慷慨激昂

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (慷慨激昂):
* → Vietnamese: khảng khái khích ngang (慷慨激昂)

ㄎㄤ ㄎㄞˇ ㄐㄧ ㄤˊ

/kʰɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ˀɑŋ³⁵/

/hɔːŋ³⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ kɪk̚⁵ ŋɔːŋ²¹/

/kʰɔːŋ³⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ kɪk̚⁵ ŋɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ kɪk̚⁵ ŋɔːŋ²¹/

/kʰɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ kiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ ɡɔŋ²⁴/

/kʰɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ kiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ ɡɔŋ²³/

/kʰɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ˀɑŋ³⁵/

/hɔːŋ³⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ kɪk̚⁵ ŋɔːŋ²¹/

/kʰɔːŋ³⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ kɪk̚⁵ ŋɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ kɪk̚⁵ ŋɔːŋ²¹/

/kʰɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ kiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ ɡɔŋ²⁴/

/kʰɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ kiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ ɡɔŋ²³/


綽綽有餘

ㄔㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄩˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ t͡sʰœːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ jyː²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ t͡sʰœːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ jyː²¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 223 (《詩經·小雅·角弓》):
:
此令兄弟，綽綽有裕。
不令兄弟，交相為瘉。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]此令兄弟，绰绰有裕。
不令兄弟，交相为愈。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Cǐ lìng xiōngdì, chuòchuò yǒu yù.
Bù lìng xiōngdì, jiāoxiàng wéi yù. [Pinyin]
Those brothers who are good, Continue to display much generous feeling; But between brothers who are not good, Their intercourse is marked by troubles.

lang

(《詩經·小雅·角弓》)

(《詩經·小雅·角弓》)

zh-x

此 令 兄弟，@綽綽 有 裕。
^不 令 兄弟，交相 為{wéi} 瘉。


萬念俱灰

ㄨㄢˋ ㄋㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄏㄨㄟ

ваньняньцзюйхуэй

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/maːn²² niːm²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/maːn²² niːm²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵/

every hope turns to dust; completely disheartened


人傑地靈

ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ

жэньцзедилин

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ti⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kiːt̚² tei̯²² lɪŋ²¹/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ti⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kiːt̚² tei̯²² lɪŋ²¹/

the greatness of a person lends glory to a place; a place derives reflected glory from an illustrious son


唉聲嘆氣

ㄞ ㄕㄥ ㄊㄢˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/aːi̯⁵⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ tʰaːn³³ hei̯³³/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/aːi̯⁵⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ tʰaːn³³ hei̯³³/

to sigh in disappointment or alas; to heave a sigh


圖窮匕見

ㄊㄨˊ ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄅㄧˇ ㄒㄧㄢˋ

/tʰu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/tʰou̯²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹ pei̯²² jiːn²²/

/tʰu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/tʰou̯²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹ pei̯²² jiːn²²/

From the story of Jing Ke [227 BC], who tried to assassinate Ying Zheng (who later became the first emperor of China) using a dagger concealed inside a map scroll.

When the map is unrolled, the dagger is revealed

to expose the hidden malicious intents at the end


走馬觀花

ㄗㄡˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ

цзоумагуаньхуа

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ maː¹³ kuːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ mã⁵³ kuan⁴⁴⁻²² hua⁴⁴/

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ maː¹³ kuːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ mã⁵³ kuan⁴⁴⁻²² hua⁴⁴/

From the story of Tang-dynasty poet Meng Jiao (孟郊) admiring flowers while riding on horseback, after his success in the imperial examinations at the age of 46. He composed the following poem at the time to express his joy:
:
昔日齷齪不足誇，今朝放蕩思無涯。春風得意馬蹄疾，一日看盡長安花。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]昔日龌龊不足夸，今朝放荡思无涯。春风得意马蹄疾，一日看尽长安花。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 796 CE, Meng Jiao, 《登科後》 (After Passing the Examination), translation from Scripture in Chinese Chengyu (2010) by James Beasley
Xīrì wòchuò bùzú kuā, jīnzhāo fàngdàng sī wúyá. Chūnfēng déyì mǎtí jí, yīrì kàn jìn Cháng'ān huā. [Pinyin]
The reservations of yesterday are nothing to boast about;
Today, feeling unrestrained, my joy is boundless.
The spring breeze kisses my face as the horse picks up speed;
In one day I will see all the flowers and beauties of Chang'an.

昔日 齷齪 不足 誇，今朝{zhāo} 放蕩 思 無涯。春風.得意 馬蹄 疾，一日 看 盡 ^長安 花。

796 <small class='ce-date'>CE</small>, Meng Jiao, 《登科後》 (After Passing the Examination), translation from Scripture in Chinese Chengyu (2010) by James Beasley

(figurative) to make a hurried and cursory observation; to gain only a superficial understanding of something


面紅耳赤

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄦˇ ㄔˋ

мяньхунъэрчи

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ xʊŋ³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹/

/miːn²² hʊŋ²¹ jiː¹³ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ xʊŋ³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹/

/miːn²² hʊŋ²¹ jiː¹³ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/

red in the face (from embarrassment, anxiety or anger)


拍案驚奇

ㄆㄞ ㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄑㄧˊ

пайаньцзинци

/pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pʰaːk̚³ ɔːn³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pʰaːk̚³ ɔːn³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹/

(figurative) to be surprised by the excellence (of something)


詩情畫意

ㄕ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄧˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ waː²²⁻³⁵ jiː³³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ waː²²⁻³⁵ jiː³³/

(figurative) picturesque or poetic charm


追風逐電

ㄓㄨㄟ ㄈㄥ ㄓㄨˊ ㄉㄧㄢˋ

чжуйфэнчжудянь

/ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² tiːn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² tiːn²²/

get on like a house on fire
get on like a house on fire

(figurative) to chase swiftly; to get on like a house on fire; fast-paced progress


好景不長

ㄏㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄤˊ

хаоцзинбучан

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/hou̯³³ kɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/hou̯³³ kɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/


亡羊補牢

ㄨㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ ㄅㄨˇ ㄌㄠˊ

/wɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ pou̯³⁵ lou̯²¹/

/wɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ pou̯³⁵ lou̯²¹/

From Zhan Guo Ce:
:
見兔而顧犬，未為晚也；亡羊而補牢，未為遲也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]见兔而顾犬，未为晚也；亡羊而补牢，未为迟也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhanguo Ce, circa 5ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ centuries BCE
Jiàn tù ér gù quǎn, wèi wéi wǎn yě; wáng yáng ér bǔ láo, wèi wéi chí yě. [Pinyin]
Sending the hunting dogs outside only when one sees the rabbits is not considered too late, and repairing a sheep pen only after a sheep is lost is not considered tardy.
This is also the origin for the idiom 見兔顧犬／见兔顾犬.

見 兔 而 顧 犬，未 為{wéi} 晚 也；亡 羊 而 補 牢，未 為{wéi} 遲 也。

to close the stable door after the horse has bolted; to act belatedly


韋編三絕

ㄨㄟˊ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄙㄢ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

вэйбяньсаньцзюэ

/weɪ̯³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/wɐi̯²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/wɐi̯¹³ pʰiːn⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/weɪ̯³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/wɐi̯²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/wɐi̯¹³ pʰiːn⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

From the story of Confucius studying the Classic of Changes so diligently that the tanned leather threads which connected the bamboo slips broke several times.

the leather binding (of the bamboo scroll) has broken three times


行雲流水

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

синъюньлюшуй

/ɕiŋ³⁵ yn³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐŋ²¹ wɐn²¹ lɐu̯²¹ sɵy̯³⁵/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ yn³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐŋ²¹ wɐn²¹ lɐu̯²¹ sɵy̯³⁵/

(of calligraphy, writing, etc.) very smooth and natural; natural and unforced style


撥亂反正

ㄅㄛ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄈㄢˇ ㄓㄥˋ

болуаньфаньчжэн

/pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/puːt̚² lyːn²² faːn³⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/puːt̚² lyːn²² faːn³⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³/

From the Commentary of Gongyang:
君子曷為為《春秋》？撥亂世，反諸正，莫近諸《春秋》。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]君子曷为为《春秋》？拨乱世，反诸正，莫近诸《春秋》。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Gongyang, c. 206 BCE– 9 CE
Jūnzǐ héwèi wéi “Chūnqiū”? Bō luànshì, fǎn zhū zhèng, mò jìn zhū “Chūnqiū”. [Pinyin]
For what (purpose) did the Noble One compose the Spring and Autumn Annals? To repair a chaotic world and redress it in goodness and justice — there is no other way closer to (achieving this ideal) than (the meanings contained in the words of) the Spring and Autumn.
The character 撥 in this phrase is traditionally glossed as 治 (zhì, “to impose order; to govern/manage; to repair/cure; etc.”) — for instance by He Xiu (何休, 129–182 CE) and Yan Shigu (顏師古, 581–645 CE) — whereas 亂 is interpreted as "disordered; chaotic; upside-down". Alternatively (and rarely), 亂 is used as a verb that means "to apply order; to arrange; to manage", and is considered a synonym of 撥 here.

君子 曷-為{wèi} 為{wéi} 《^春秋》？撥 亂世，反 諸 正，莫 近 諸 《^春秋》。

zh-m

漢興，撥亂反正，日不暇給，猶命叔孫通制禮儀，以正君臣之位。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
汉兴，拨乱反正，日不暇给，犹命叔孙通制礼仪，以正君臣之位。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: The Book of Han, circa 1ˢᵗ century CE

In the early days since Han arose, (the imperial government) was thoroughly immersed in the business of righting the wrongs (of Qin and the wars that followed) as if there were never enough hours in each day, yet it was still able to commission Shusun Tong with the creation of court ceremonies, in order that the monarch and the subjects could find themselves in their rightful places.

Hàn xìng, bōluànfǎnzhèng, rì bù xiá jǐ, yóu mìng Shūsūn Tōng zhì lǐyí, yǐ zhèng jūnchén zhī wèi. [Pinyin]

to bring order out of chaos; to set right what have been thrown into disorder; to restore justice

Commentary of Gongyang
Spring and Autumn Annals
Yan Shigu
zh:何休


花言巧語

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄧㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄠˇ ㄩˇ

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ haːu̯³⁵ jyː¹³/

/fa²⁴ ŋi̯en¹¹ kʰau̯³¹ ŋi²⁴/

/fa²⁴ ŋi̯an¹¹ kʰau̯³¹ ŋi²⁴/

/hua⁴⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² kʰa⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡu⁵³/

/hua⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰa⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡu⁵³/

/hua⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kʰa⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡi⁴¹/

/faː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ haːu̯³⁵ jyː¹³/

/fa²⁴ ŋi̯en¹¹ kʰau̯³¹ ŋi²⁴/

/fa²⁴ ŋi̯an¹¹ kʰau̯³¹ ŋi²⁴/

/hua⁴⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² kʰa⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡu⁵³/

/hua⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰa⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡu⁵³/

/hua⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kʰa⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡi⁴¹/

原來你是花言巧語真情予你騙騙去 [Taiwanese Hokkien, trad.]
原来你是花言巧语真情予你骗骗去 [Taiwanese Hokkien, simp.]

From: 1992, 愛情的騙子我問你 (Cheater of Love, I Ask You), sung by 陳小雲 (Chen Hsiao-yun), lyrics by 蔣錦鴻, composed by 俞隆華

Turns out it was all your sweet talk, you were really setting out to swindle me

goân-lâi lí sī hoa-giân-khá-gí chin-chêng hō͘ lí phiàn phiàn khì [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]

sweet but insincere (usually flattering) speech; slick talk; dishonest rhetoric


黃粱一夢

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄧ ㄇㄥˋ

хуанлянъимэн

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/wɔːŋ²¹ lœːŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mʊŋ²²/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/wɔːŋ²¹ lœːŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mʊŋ²²/

fanciful dream of wealth and rank; pipe dream; one's hopes coming to nothing


有口皆碑

ㄧㄡˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄅㄟ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ hɐu̯³⁵ kaːi̯⁵⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ hɐu̯³⁵ kaːi̯⁵⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/

to enjoy an extensive public reputation; to be universally acclaimed


大快人心

ㄉㄚˋ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

дакуайжэньсинь

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² faːi̯³³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² faːi̯³³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

(of the punishment of a criminal, etc.) to be to the satisfaction of the people


紙上談兵

ㄓˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄊㄢˊ ㄅㄧㄥ

чжишантаньбин

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ tʰän³⁵ piŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ sœːŋ²² tʰaːm²¹ pɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tam²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tam²³⁻³³ piɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ tam²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ tam²³⁻³³ piɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ tam²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ tʰän³⁵ piŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ sœːŋ²² tʰaːm²¹ pɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tam²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tam²³⁻³³ piɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ tam²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ tam²³⁻³³ piɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ tam²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴/

to engage in theoretical discussion that is worse than useless in practice; armchair strategist; idle theorizing


胸有成竹

ㄒㄩㄥ ㄧㄡˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄓㄨˊ

/ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

to have grown an image of bamboo in one's mind (when trying to draw a bamboo plant)

(figurative) to have a well-thought-out plan; to plan in advance


負荊請罪

ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄑㄧㄥˇ ㄗㄨㄟˋ

фуцзинцинцзуй

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ³⁵ t͡sɵy̯²²/

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ³⁵ t͡sɵy̯²²/

From the story of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru.

to bring a bramble and ask for punishment

to offer someone a humble apology, requesting punishment and forgiveness


望梅止渴

ㄨㄤˋ ㄇㄟˊ ㄓˇ ㄎㄜˇ

/wɑŋ⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɔːŋ²² muːi̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ hɔːt̚³/

/mo¹¹ bue⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡si⁵²⁻³⁵ kuaʔ²/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɔːŋ²² muːi̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ hɔːt̚³/

/mo¹¹ bue⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡si⁵²⁻³⁵ kuaʔ²/

From the tale of the warlord Cao Cao deceiving his severely dehydrated troops with the promise of a forest of plums not far ahead.
魏武行役，失汲道，軍皆渴，乃令曰：「前有大梅林，饒子，甘酸，可以解渴。」士卒聞之，口皆出水，乘此得及前源。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]魏武行役，失汲道，军皆渴，乃令曰：「前有大梅林，饶子，甘酸，可以解渴。」士卒闻之，口皆出水，乘此得及前源。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: Liu Yiqing (editor), A New Account of the Tales of the World, 5ᵗʰ century CE
Wèi Wǔ xíng yì, shī jí dào, jūn jiē kě, nǎi lìng yuē: “Qián yǒu dà méilín, ráo zǐ, gān suān, kěyǐ jiěkě.” Shìzú wén zhī, kǒu jiē chūshuǐ, chéng cǐ dé jí qián yuán. [Pinyin]
Emperor Wu of Wei (Cao Cao) was leading his army., but failed to find a path with water source, and his army was thirty. He then ordered, “There is a big plum forest ahead with many fruits. They are very sweet and sour and you can relieve your thirst there.” When the army heard what he said, they drooled and then they seized the opportunity to reach the water source ahead

zh-x

@^魏 @^武 行 役 ，失 汲 道，軍 皆 渴，乃 令 曰：「前 有 大 梅林，饒 子，甘 酸，可以 解渴。」士卒 聞 之，口 皆 出水，乘 此 得 及 前 源。

to quench one's thirst by thinking of plums


江郎才盡

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄌㄤˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

цзянланцайцзинь

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɵn²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɵn²²/

初，淹罷宣城郡，遂宿冶亭，夢一美丈夫，自稱郭璞，謂淹曰：「我有筆在卿處多年矣，可以見還。」淹探懷中，得五色筆以授之。爾後為詩，不復成語，故世傳江淹才盡。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]初，淹罢宣城郡，遂宿冶亭，梦一美丈夫，自称郭璞，谓淹曰：「我有笔在卿处多年矣，可以见还。」淹探怀中，得五色笔以授之。尔后为诗，不复成语，故世传江淹才尽。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhong Rong, The Critique of Poetry (詩品)
Chū, Yān bà Xuānchéng jùn, suì sù Yětíng, mèng yī měi zhàngfū, zìchēng Guō Pú, wèi Yān yuē: “Wǒ yǒu bǐ zài qīng chù duōnián yǐ, kěyǐ jiàn hái.” Yān tàn huái zhōng, dé wǔsè bǐ yǐ shòu zhī. Ěrhòu wèi shī, bù fù chéng yǔ, gù shì chuán Jiāng Yān cái jìn. [Pinyin]
At first, Jiang Yan resigned from his official post at Xuancheng. Then, he resided at Yeting (in Nanjing). There he dreamt a handsome man who called himself Guo Pu. He said, "I have a writing brush that you borrowed for many years. Can you return it to me now?" Jiang Yan then searched inside his clothes, and he found a five-coloured brush and then returned to him. After that, when Jiang tried to write poems, he could never write a single sentence again. Therefore, it was said that Jiang's talent has been exhausted.

初， @^淹 罷 ^宣城 郡 ， 遂 宿 ^@冶亭 ， 夢 一 美 丈夫 ， 自稱 @^郭 @^璞 ， 謂 @^淹 曰 ： 「 我 有 筆 在 卿 處 多年 矣 ， 可以 見 還 。」 @^淹 探 懷 中 ， 得 五色 筆 以 授 之 。 爾後 為 詩 ， 不 復 成 語 ， 故 世 傳 @^江 @^淹 才 盡 。

(figurative) to have used up one's creative powers; to have writer's block

Guo Pu
Jiang Yan
Jiang Yan (poet)
Zhong Rong
zh:詩品


依樣畫葫蘆

ㄧ ㄧㄤˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄏㄨˊ ˙ㄌㄨ

иян хуа хулу

/i⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹ xu³⁵ lu³/

/jiː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² waːk̚² wuː²¹ lou̯²¹/

/i⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹ xu³⁵ lu³/

/jiː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² waːk̚² wuː²¹ lou̯²¹/

(figurative) to copy something mechanically without attempt at originality


曲高和寡

ㄑㄩˇ ㄍㄠ ㄏㄜˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ

/t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xɤ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ wɔː²² kʷaː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xɤ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ wɔː²² kʷaː³⁵/

From an ancient piece of dialogue disputably bearing the author's name of Song Yu
楚襄王問於宋玉曰：「先生其有遺行與？何士民衆庶，不譽之甚也？」宋玉對曰：「唯！然！有之。願大王寬其罪，使得畢其辭。客有歌於郢中者，其始曰《下里》《巴人》，國中屬而和者數千人；其為《陽阿》《薤露》，國中屬而和者數百人；其為《陽春》《白雪》，國中屬而和者不過數十人；引商刻羽，雜以流徵，國中屬而和者，不過數人而已。是其曲彌高，其和彌寡。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]楚襄王问于宋玉曰：「先生其有遗行与？何士民众庶，不誉之甚也？」宋玉对曰：「唯！然！有之。愿大王宽其罪，使得毕其辞。客有歌于郢中者，其始曰《下里》《巴人》，国中属而和者数千人；其为《阳阿》《薤露》，国中属而和者数百人；其为《阳春》《白雪》，国中属而和者不过数十人；引商刻羽，杂以流徵，国中属而和者，不过数人而已。是其曲弥高，其和弥寡。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: c. 3rd century BC, Song Yu ,宋玉《對楚王問》, translated into English as Unpopularity by Herbert Allen Giles, 1922.
Chǔ xiāngwáng wèn yú Sòngyù yuē: “Xiānshēng qí yǒu yíxíng yú? Hé shìmínzhòngshù, bùyù zhī shèn yě?” Sòngyù duì yuē: “Wéi! Rán! Yǒu zhī. Yuàn dàwáng kuān qí zuì, shǐ dé bì qí cí. Kè yǒu gē yú Yǐngzhōng zhě, qí shǐ yuē “xiàlǐ” “bārén”, guózhōng zhǔ ér hè zhě shùqiān rén; qí wéi “yáng'ē” “xièlù”, guózhōng zhǔ ér hè zhě shùbǎi rén; qí wéi “yángchūn” “báixuě”, guózhōng zhǔ ér hè zhě bùguò shùshí rén; yǐn shāng kè yǔ, zá yǐ liúzhǐ, guózhōng zhǔ ér hè zhě, bùguò shù rén éryǐ. Shì qí qū mí gāo, qí hè mí guǎ.” [Pinyin]
The Prince of Ch'u said to his prime minister, "What have you done that should cause the officers and people of this State to abuse you so clamorously?"
"Abuse me indeed they do," replied the minister; "but pardon my boldness, and I will explain. A stranger was singing in one of our villages the other day, and this was the subject of his lay: There is the music of the masses; there is the music of a narrower circle; that of a narrower circle still; and lastly, the classical music of the cultured few. This classical music is too lofty, and too difficult of comprehension, for the masses."

^楚.襄王 問 於 ^宋-玉 曰：「先生 其 有 遺行 與{yú}？何 士民-衆庶，不-譽 之 甚 也？」^宋-玉 對 曰：「唯！然！有 之。願 大王 寬 其 罪，使 得 畢 其 辭。客 有 歌 於 ^郢中 者，其 始 曰《下里》《巴人》，國中 屬{zhǔ} 而 和{hè} 者 數千 人；其 為{wéi}《陽-阿{ē}》《薤-露》，國中 屬{zhǔ} 而 和{hè} 者 數-百 人；其 為{wéi}《陽春》《白雪》，國中 屬{zhǔ} 而 和{hè} 者 不過 數十 人；引 商 刻 羽，雜 以 流徵􂀿徵􂁀{zhǐ}，國中 屬{zhǔ} 而 和{hè} 者，不過 數 人 而已。是 其 曲 彌 高，其 和{hè} 彌 寡。」

songs of a highbrow type will find very few people joining in the chorus

to be highbrow and unpopular, as it cannot be easily understood by the common people


沆瀣一氣

ㄏㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄧ ㄑㄧˋ

/xɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/hɔːŋ²¹ haːi̯²² jɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/

/xɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/hɔːŋ²¹ haːi̯²² jɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/

A story during the Tang dynasty:
:
又乾符二年，崔沆放崔瀣，譚者稱「座主門生，沆瀣一氣」。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]又乾符二年，崔沆放崔瀣，谭者称「座主门生，沆瀣一气」。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Song dynasty, 錢易 (Qian Yi), 《南部新書》
Yòu Qiánfú èr nián, Cuī Hàng fàng Cuī Xiè, tánzhě chēng “zuòzhǔ ménshēng, hàngxièyīqì”. [Pinyin]
In the second year of Qianfu (i.e. 875 CE), a student, named Cui Xie, was admitted by an examiner, named Cui Hang, during the imperial examinations. Both Xie and Hang meant “mist of vapour in the air” in Classical Chinese, and people at the time remarked: “the examiner and the student ― Hang and Xie ― are of the same gang”.

又 ^乾􂀿乾􂁀符 二 年，^崔 ^沆 放 ^崔 ^瀣，譚-者 稱「座主 門生，沆瀣一氣」。

In the second year of Qianfu (i.e. 875 <small class='ce-date'>CE</small>), a student, named Cui Xie, was admitted by an examiner, named Cui Hang, during the imperial examinations. Both Xie and Hang meant “mist of vapour in the air” in Classical Chinese, and people at the time remarked: “the examiner and the student ― Hang and Xie ― are of the same gang”.

2020, Wang Chen, “zh:关于《全国人民代表大会关于建立健全香港特别行政区维护国家安全的法律制度和执行机制的决定（草案）》的说明 (Explanation on the Decision of the National People's Congress on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Safeguard National Security (Draft))”, in Communique of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, page 285:
近年來，一些外國和境外勢力公然干預香港事務，通過立法、行政、非政府組織等多種方式進行插手和搗亂，與香港反中亂港勢力勾連合流、沆瀣一氣 [MSC, trad.]
近年来，一些外国和境外势力公然干预香港事务，通过立法、行政、非政府组织等多种方式进行插手和捣乱，与香港反中乱港势力勾连合流、沆瀣一气 [MSC, simp.]

Moreover in recent years, certain foreign or external forces have flagrantly interfered in Hong Kong's affairs. They have made intervention and created disturbances in various ways, such as by legislative and administrative means and through non-governmental organizations. In collusion with those anti-China Hong Kong disputers, these same forces colluded with them in disruption […]

jìnnián lái, yīxiē wàiguó hé jìngwài shìlì gōngrán gānyù xiānggǎng shìwù, tōngguò lìfǎ, xíngzhèng, fēizhèngfǔzǔzhī děng duōzhǒng fāngshì jìnxíng chāshǒu hé dǎoluàn, yǔ xiānggǎng fǎnzhōngluàngǎng shìlì gōulián héliú, hàngxièyīqì [Pinyin]

(derogatory, literary) to act in collusion; to gang up


名落孫山

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄙㄨㄣ ㄕㄢ

минлосуньшань

/miŋ³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ lɔːk̚² syːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ loʔ⁴⁻² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ sũã³³/

/miŋ³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ lɔːk̚² syːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ loʔ⁴⁻² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ sũã³³/

A story during the Song dynasty:
:
吳人孫山，滑稽才子也。赴舉他郡，鄉人托以子偕往。鄉人子失意，山綴榜末。先歸，鄉人問其子得失，山曰：「解名盡處是孫山，賢郎更在孫山外。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]吴人孙山，滑稽才子也。赴举他郡，乡人托以子偕往。乡人子失意，山缀榜末。先归，乡人问其子得失，山曰：「解名尽处是孙山，贤郎更在孙山外。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Song dynasty, poet Fan Gongcheng (范公偁), 《過庭錄》
Wú rén Sūn Shān, huájī cáizǐ yě. Fù jǔ tā jùn, xiāngrén tuō yǐ zǐ xié wǎng. Xiāngrén zǐ shīyì, Shān zhuì bǎngmò. Xiān guī, xiāngrén wèn qí zǐ déshī, Shān yuē: “Jièmíng jìnchù shì Sūn Shān, xiánláng gèng zài Sūn Shān wài.” [Pinyin]
Sun Shan, a talented and humorous scholar from the Wu region, went to a different prefecture for the imperial examination. A fellow villager sent his son to go with Sun for the exam. When exam results were announced, the son of the fellow villager failed to make it in the list of successful candidates, while Sun Shan was the last name on the list. When they returned, the villager asked Sun how his son had performed, and Sun replied with a poem:
　My humble name appeared at the bottom of the list of successful candidates,
　While your dear son ranked behind me.

^吳 人 ^孫 ^山，滑稽 才子 也。赴 舉 他 郡，鄉人 托 以 子 偕 往。鄉人 子 失意，^山 綴 榜-末。先 歸，鄉人 問 其 子 得失，^山 曰：「解{jiè}名 盡處 是 ^孫 ^山，賢郎 更 在 ^孫 ^山 外。」

to fall behind Sun Shan (who ranked last on the admitted candidates)

(figurative) to fail an exam; to fall behind (in a competition)


呆若木雞

ㄉㄞ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄐㄧ

/taɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/ŋɔːi̯²¹ jœːk̚² mʊk̚² kɐi̯⁵⁵/

/taɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/ŋɔːi̯²¹ jœːk̚² mʊk̚² kɐi̯⁵⁵/

From Zhuangzi, chapter 19 (《莊子·達生》):
:
紀渻子為王養鬬雞。
十日而問：「雞已乎？」曰：「未也，方虛憍而恃氣。」
十日又問，曰：「未也，猶應嚮景。」
十日又問，曰：「未也，猶疾視而盛氣。」
十日又問，曰：「幾矣，雞雖有鳴者，已无變矣，望之似木雞矣，其德全矣。異雞无敢應者，反走矣。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]纪渻子为王养鬬鸡。
十日而问：「鸡已乎？」曰：「未也，方虚㤭而恃气。」
十日又问，曰：「未也，犹应向景。」
十日又问，曰：「未也，犹疾视而盛气。」
十日又问，曰：「几矣，鸡虽有鸣者，已无变矣，望之似木鸡矣，其德全矣。异鸡无敢应者，反走矣。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translation from The Complete Works Of Chuang Tzu (2013), by Burton Watson
Jì Xǐng Zǐ wèi wáng yǎng dòujī.
Shí rì ér wèn: “Jī yǐ hū?” Yuē: “Wèi yě, fāng xūjiāo ér shì qì.”
Shí rì yòu wèn, yuē: “Wèi yě, yóu yìng xiǎng yǐng.”
Shí rì yòu wèn, yuē: “Wèi yě, yóu jí shì ér shèng qì.”
Shí rì yòu wèn, yuē: “Jī yǐ, jī suī yǒu míng zhě, yǐ wú biàn yǐ, wàng zhī sì mù jī yǐ, qí dé quán yǐ. Yì jī wú gǎn yìng zhě, fǎn zǒu yǐ.” [Pinyin]
Ji Xing Zi was training gamecocks for the king. After ten days the king asked if they were ready. "Not yet. They're too haughty and rely on their nerve."
Another ten days and the king asked again. "Not yet. They still respond to noises and movements."
Another ten days and the king asked again. "Not yet. They still look around fiercely and are full of spirit."
Another ten days and the king asked again. "They're close enough. Another cock can crow and they show no sign of change. Look at them from a distance and you'd think they were made of wood. Their virtue is complete. Other cocks won't dare face them, but will turn and run."
In the past, this term was describing the quality of being able to stay calm.

@^紀.^渻{xǐng}.^子 為{wèi} 王 養 鬥雞\鬬{dòu}雞。
十 日 而 問：「雞 已 乎？」曰：「未 也，方 虛驕\虛憍 而 恃 氣。」
十 日 又 問，曰：「未 也，猶 應 嚮{xiǎng} 景{yǐng}。」
十 日 又 問，曰：「未 也，猶 疾 視 而 盛 氣。」
十 日 又 問，曰：「幾{jī} 矣，雞 雖 有 鳴 者，已 无 變 矣，望 之 似 @木 @雞 矣，其 德 全 矣。異 雞 无 敢 應 者，反 走 矣。」


趾高氣揚

ㄓˇ ㄍㄠ ㄑㄧˋ ㄧㄤˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ hei̯³³ jœːŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ hei̯³³ jœːŋ²¹/

From the book Zuozhuan:
:
莫敖必敗。舉趾高，心不固矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]莫敖必败。举趾高，心不固矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Mò'áo bì bài. Jǔ zhǐ gāo, xīn bù gù yǐ. [Pinyin]
The Mo'ao will certainly be defeated. He walks high in his steps; ― his mind is not firm.

莫敖 必 敗。舉 趾 高，心 不 固 矣。

to walk with a high-stepping gait and look proud

(derogatory) to be on one's high horse; to be very self-righteous; to be arrogant


知足常樂

ㄓ ㄗㄨˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄜˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹ lɔːk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹ lɔːk̚²/

a contented mind is a perpetual feast
a contented mind is a perpetual feast

one who is contented is always happy; to be content with one's lot and be cheerful in life; a contented mind is a perpetual feast


感激涕零

ㄍㄢˇ ㄐㄧ ㄊㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ

ганьцзитилин

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ tʰi⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/kɐm³⁵ kɪk̚⁵ tʰɐi̯³³ lɪŋ²¹/

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ tʰi⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/kɐm³⁵ kɪk̚⁵ tʰɐi̯³³ lɪŋ²¹/

to shed tears of gratitude; to be overwhelmingly moved by another person's kindness


疑神疑鬼

ㄧˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄟˇ

/i³⁵ ʂən³⁵ i³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː²¹ sɐn²¹ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯³⁵/

/ɡi²⁴⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁵³/

/ɡi²³⁻³³ sin²³⁻³³ ɡi²³⁻³³ kui⁴¹/

/i³⁵ ʂən³⁵ i³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː²¹ sɐn²¹ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯³⁵/

/ɡi²⁴⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁵³/

/ɡi²³⁻³³ sin²³⁻³³ ɡi²³⁻³³ kui⁴¹/

to be extremely suspicious; to be afraid of one's own shadow


恍然大悟

ㄏㄨㄤˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄨˋ

/xu̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ³⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² ŋ̍²²/

/hɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃²²/

/hɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃³³/

/huaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋo³⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ³⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² ŋ̍²²/

/hɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃²²/

/hɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃³³/

/huaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋo³⁵/


高抬貴手

ㄍㄠ ㄊㄞˊ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄡˇ

гаотайгуйшоу

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kou̯⁵⁵ tʰɔːi̯²¹ kʷɐi̯³³ sɐu̯³⁵/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kou̯⁵⁵ tʰɔːi̯²¹ kʷɐi̯³³ sɐu̯³⁵/

An expression for requesting forgiveness or accommodation: to be generous; to be magnanimous; (ironic) give me a break


貪新忘舊

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ kɐu̯²²/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ kɐu̯²²/

(Cantonese) to love the new and forget the old; to be fickle in affection

GT - General Taiwanese (no specific region identified)


每況愈下

ㄇㄟˇ ㄎㄨㄤˋ ㄩˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

мэйкуанъюйся

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/muːi̯¹³ fɔːŋ³³ jyː²² haː²²/

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/muːi̯¹³ fɔːŋ³³ jyː²² haː²²/

Corrupted from 每下愈況／每下愈况 (měixiàyùkuàng) under folk etymology, reinterpreting 況／况 (kuàng) (originally meaning "more") as "condition; situation".

zh-l

每下愈況／每下愈况 (měixiàyùkuàng)

out of the frying pan and into the fire
out of the frying pan and into the fire

to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire; to go from bad to worse; to steadily deteriorate


蒸蒸日上

ㄓㄥ ㄓㄥ ㄖˋ ㄕㄤˋ

чжэнчжэнжишан

čžɛnčžɛnžišan

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚² sœːŋ¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚² sœːŋ¹³/

資產階級分子和從舊社會來的知識分子的絕大多數都是愛國的，他們願意為蒸蒸日上的社會主義祖國服務。 [MSC, trad.]
资产阶级分子和从旧社会来的知识分子的绝大多数都是爱国的，他们愿意为蒸蒸日上的社会主义祖国服务。 [MSC, simp.]

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

The vast majority of the bourgeoisie and the intellectuals who come from the old society are patriotic and are willing to serve their flourishing socialist motherland.

Zīchǎn jiējí fènzǐ hé cóng jiùshèhuì lái de zhīshi fènzǐ de juédàduōshù dōu shì àiguó de, tāmen yuànyì wèi zhēngzhēngrìshàng de shèhuì zhǔyì zǔguó fúwù. [Pinyin]

to become more prosperous by the day; to make progress


垂頭喪氣

ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄙㄤˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/sɵy̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ sɔːŋ³³ hei̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/sɵy̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ sɔːŋ³³ hei̯³³/

From “Goodbye to Penury” (《送窮文》) by Han Yu (韓愈):
:
主人於是垂頭喪氣，上手稱謝，燒車與船，延之上座。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]主人于是垂头丧气，上手称谢，烧车与船，延之上座。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Zhǔrén yúshì chuítóusàngqì, shàngshǒu chēngxiè, shāo chē yǔ chuán, yán zhī shàngzuò. [Pinyin]
The master then bowed his head and felt disheartened, raised his hand to thank them [the ghosts of poverty], burned the cart and boat, and invited them to the seat of honour.

zh-x

主人 於是 垂頭喪氣，上手 稱謝，燒 車 與 船，延 之 上座。

The master then bowed his head and felt disheartened, raised his hand to thank them 􂀿the ghosts of poverty􂁀, burned the cart and boat, and invited them to the seat of honour.

他受一點挫折就垂頭喪氣了。 [MSC, trad.]
他受一点挫折就垂头丧气了。 [MSC, simp.]

He became frustrated after experiencing a little setback.

Tā shòu yīdiǎn cuòzhé jiù chuítóusàngqì le. [Pinyin]


依依不捨

/i⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/

/i³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ sia²¹³/

/i⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/

/i³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ sia²¹³/

讓我依依不捨的不止你的溫柔 [MSC, trad.]
让我依依不舍的不止你的温柔 [MSC, simp.]

What makes me linger is more than your tenderness

ràng wǒ yīyībùshě de bùzhǐ nǐ de wēnróu [Pinyin]

to be reluctant to part; to feel broken-hearted at having to leave; to linger


忘恩負義

ㄨㄤˋ ㄣ ㄈㄨˋ ㄧˋ

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀən⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²¹ jɐn⁵⁵ fuː²² jiː²²/

/mɔŋ¹¹ ɛn⁴⁴⁻³⁵ fu⁵³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵³/

/buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ɯŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ eŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀən⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²¹ jɐn⁵⁵ fuː²² jiː²²/

/mɔŋ¹¹ ɛn⁴⁴⁻³⁵ fu⁵³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵³/

/buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ɯŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ eŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

bite the hand that feeds one
bite the hand that feeds one

to be devoid of gratefulness; to forget someone’s kindness and turn one’s back on him; to bite the hand that feeds one


掩耳盜鈴

ㄧㄢˇ ㄦˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/jiːm³⁵ jiː¹³ tou̯²² lɪŋ²¹/

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/jiːm³⁵ jiː¹³ tou̯²² lɪŋ²¹/

From a story in Lüshi Chunqiu:
:
范氏之亡也，百姓有得鐘者，欲負而走。則鐘大不可負，以椎毀之，鐘況然有音。恐人聞之而奪己也，遽揜其耳。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]范氏之亡也，百姓有得钟者，欲负而走。则钟大不可负，以椎毁之，钟况然有音。恐人闻之而夺己也，遽揜其耳。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Lü Buwei, Master Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals, 239 BCE
Fàn shì zhī wáng yě, bǎixìng yǒu dé zhōng zhě, yù fù ér zǒu. Zé zhōng dà bùkě fù, yǐ chúi huǐ zhī, zhōng huàngrán yǒu yīn. Kǒng rén wén zhī ér duó jǐ yě, jù yǎn qí ěr. [Pinyin]
When the Fan family was wiped out, there was a thief who wanted to carry their bell on his back and leave. Since the bell was too big for him to carry, he smashed it with a hammer, but the bell clanged loudly. For fear that people would hear it and take it from him, he quickly covered his ears.

范 氏 之 亡 也，百姓 有 得 鐘 者，欲 負 而 走。則 鐘 大 不可 負，以 椎{chúi} 毀 之，鐘 況{huàng}然{rán} 有 音。恐 人 聞 之 而 奪 己 也，遽 揜{yǎn} 其 耳。

掩耳盗铃
盜鐘掩耳
盜鈴掩耳
竊鈴掩耳
塞耳盜鐘
塞耳偷鈴
掩耳盜鐘
掩耳偷鈴

tocover one’s ears while stealing a bell

bury one's head in the sand
bury one's head in the sand

to fool oneself; to bury one's head in the sand


滿載而歸

ㄇㄢˇ ㄗㄞˋ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

маньцзайэргуй

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/muːn¹³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/muːn¹³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ li²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ li²⁴⁻²² kui³³/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ li¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai¹¹⁻⁵³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴/

/muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁴¹ li²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/muːn¹³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/muːn¹³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ li²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ li²⁴⁻²² kui³³/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ li¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai¹¹⁻⁵³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴/

/muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁴¹ li²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴/

to return home fully loaded; to return home fruitfully


種瓜得瓜

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄉㄜˊ ㄍㄨㄚ

чжунгуадэгуа

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ kʷaː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ kʷaː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵/


三長兩短

ㄙㄢ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄨㄢˇ

саньчанляндуань

/sän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄙㄢ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄨㄢˇㄦ

саньчанляндуаньр

/sän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tu̯ɑɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lœːŋ¹³ tyːn³⁵/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²³⁻³³ nŋ̍³³⁻²¹ te⁴¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ nŋ̍³³⁻¹¹ te⁵³/

/san³³ ʈ͡ʂan¹³ li̯æn⁴¹ tõ⁴¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lœːŋ¹³ tyːn³⁵/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²³⁻³³ nŋ̍³³⁻²¹ te⁴¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ nŋ̍³³⁻¹¹ te⁵³/

/san³³ ʈ͡ʂan¹³ li̯æn⁴¹ tõ⁴¹/

Extended from 長短／长短 (chángduǎn), which already has the meaning of “mishap”. 三 and 兩／两 are two arbitrary numbers which can also mean “some” (see 二三 (èrsān) and 三兩／三两 (sānliǎng)).
Folk etymology states that the term is a euphemism referring to a coffin, which consists of 3 pieces of long and 2 pieces of short wood excluding the cover.

unexpected misfortune; unexpected accident; sudden death


接踵而至

ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓㄨㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄓˋ

цзечжунъэрчжи

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siːp̚³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siːp̚³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː³³/

to follow each other and arrive successively; to be unceasing


傾城傾國

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³/

傾國傾城 傾國傾城#Chinese

倾国倾城 倾国倾城#Chinese


傾國傾城

desc

Vietnamese: → nghiêng nước nghiêng thành (calque), → nghiêng thành đổ nước (calque)

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹/

From the story of Consort Li, a concubine to the Emperor Wu of Han:
:
孝武李夫人，本以倡進。初，夫人兄延年性知音，善歌舞，武帝愛之。每為新聲變曲，聞者莫不感動。
延年侍上起舞，歌曰：「北方有佳人，絕世而獨立，一顧傾人城，再顧傾人國。寧不知傾城與傾國，佳人難再得！」
上歎息曰：「善！世豈有此人乎？」
平陽主因言延年有女弟，上乃召見之，實妙麗善舞。由是得幸，生一男，是為昌邑哀王。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]孝武李夫人，本以倡进。初，夫人兄延年性知音，善歌舞，武帝爱之。每为新声变曲，闻者莫不感动。
延年侍上起舞，歌曰：「北方有佳人，绝世而独立，一顾倾人城，再顾倾人国。宁不知倾城与倾国，佳人难再得！」
上叹息曰：「善！世岂有此人乎？」
平阳主因言延年有女弟，上乃召见之，实妙丽善舞。由是得幸，生一男，是为昌邑哀王。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Han, circa 1ˢᵗ century CE
Xiàowǔ Lǐ fūrén, běn yǐ chàng jìn. Chū, fūrén xiōng Yánnián xìng zhī yīn, shàn gēwǔ, Wǔ dì ài zhī. Měi wéi xīn shēng biàn qǔ, wén zhě mò bù gǎndòng.
Yánnián shì shàng qǐwǔ, gē yuē: “Běifāng yǒu jiārén, juéshì ér dúlì, yī gù qīng rén chéng, zài gù qīng rén guó. Nìng bùzhī qīngchéng yǔ qīngguó, jiārén nán zài dé!”
Shàng tànxī yuē: “Shàn! Shì qǐ yǒu cǐ rén hū?”
Píngyáng zhǔ yīn yán Yánnián yǒu nǚdì, shàng nǎi zhàojiàn zhī, shí miàolì shàn wǔ. Yóu shì dé xìng, shēng yī nán, shì wéi Chāngyì Āiwáng. [Pinyin]
Consort Li, concubine to the Emperor Wu of Han, was originally a dancing performer. Her brother Yannian was a gifted musician and dancer, beloved by the emperor. Every time he composed something new, it never failed to move those listening to it.
One day, Yannian did a dance and sang, “There is a beauty in the north, who stands out among the generations. One look will topple the men of the city. A second look will topple the men of the country. I would rather not know about toppled cities and toppled countries, because a beauty of this caliber may not come around again!”
His majesty sighed and said, “Wow! Can there really be such a person in this world?”
Whereupon Pingyang mentioned that Yannian had a sister. His majesty summoned her, and she was indeed a sight to behold, and a good dancer. As a result, she received the emperor's favor, and bore him a son; this was Prince Ai of Changyi. (Wiktionary translation)

zh-x

孝武 ^李 夫人，本 以 倡 進。初，夫人 兄 ^延-年 性 知 音，善 歌舞，^武 帝 愛 之。每 為{wéi} 新 聲 變 曲{qǔ}，聞 者 莫 不 感動。
延-年 侍 上 起舞，歌 曰：「北方 有 佳人，絕世 而 獨立，一 顧 傾 人 城，再 顧 傾 人 國。寧{nìng} 不知 傾城 與 傾國，佳人 難 再 得！」
上 歎息 曰：「善！世 豈 有 此 人 乎？」
平陽 主 因 言 ^延-年 有 女弟，上 乃 召見 之，實 妙麗 善 舞。由 是 得 幸，生 一 男，是 為{wéi} ^昌邑 ^哀王。

capable of causing the downfall of a city or state

(figurative, of a woman) to be devastatingly beautiful; to be drop-dead gorgeous


乘勝追擊

ㄔㄥˊ ㄕㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄐㄧ

ㄔㄥˊ ㄕㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄐㄧˊ

чэншэнчжуйцзи

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ³³ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

/siɪŋ²³⁻³³ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ tui⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪk̚³²/

/siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ tui⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪk̚³²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ³³ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

/siɪŋ²³⁻³³ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ tui⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪk̚³²/

/siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ tui⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪk̚³²/

to follow up a victory with pursuit and attack; to continue pursuing a retreating army


一舉一動

ㄧ ㄐㄩˇ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

zh-l

舉動／举动 (jǔdòng)

each and every move; every single action


有朝一日

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚²/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiau⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ lit̚⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tiau⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² zit̚⁴/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚²/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiau⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ lit̚⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tiau⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² zit̚⁴/


日日夜夜

ㄖˋ ㄖˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² jɐt̚² jɛː²² jɛː²²/

/zit̚⁴⁻³² zit̚⁴⁻³² ia³³⁻²¹ ia³³/

/lit̚⁴⁻³² lit̚⁴⁻³² ia³³⁻¹¹ ia³³/

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² jɐt̚² jɛː²² jɛː²²/

/zit̚⁴⁻³² zit̚⁴⁻³² ia³³⁻²¹ ia³³/

/lit̚⁴⁻³² lit̚⁴⁻³² ia³³⁻¹¹ ia³³/


拭目以待

ㄕˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄉㄞˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɪk̚⁵ mʊk̚² jiː¹³ tɔːi̯²²/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tai²²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɪk̚⁵ mʊk̚² jiː¹³ tɔːi̯²²/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tai²²/

to anticipate or wait for something to happen


尊姓大名

ㄗㄨㄣ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзуньсиндамин

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ sɪŋ³³ taːi̯²² mɛːŋ²¹/

/t͡sun⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ tai³³⁻²¹ biɪŋ²³/

/t͡sun⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ tai³³⁻¹¹ biɪŋ²⁴/

/t͡sun⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ tai²²⁻²¹ biɪŋ²⁴/

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ sɪŋ³³ taːi̯²² mɛːŋ²¹/

/t͡sun⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ tai³³⁻²¹ biɪŋ²³/

/t͡sun⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ tai³³⁻¹¹ biɪŋ²⁴/

/t͡sun⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ tai²²⁻²¹ biɪŋ²⁴/

這位新朋友，請問尊姓大名啊？——尊字不敢當啊，我叫李靜。 [MSC, trad.]
这位新朋友，请问尊姓大名啊？——尊字不敢当啊，我叫李静。 [MSC, simp.]
Zhè wèi xīn péngyou, qǐngwèn zūnxìngdàmíng a? — zūn zì bù gǎndāng a, wǒ jiào Lǐ Jìng. [Pinyin]

May I know the esteemed name of our new friend? — My name is hardly esteemed. I am Li Jing.


舉一反三

ㄐㄩˇ ㄧ ㄈㄢˇ ㄙㄢ

цзюйифаньсань

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ faːn³⁵ saːm⁵⁵/

/kɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² huaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ sã³³/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ faːn³⁵ saːm⁵⁵/

/kɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² huaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ sã³³/

From the Analects, Book 7 (《論語·述而》):
:
子曰：「不憤不啟，不悱不發，舉一隅不以三隅反，則不復也。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「不愤不启，不悱不发，举一隅不以三隅反，则不复也。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Bù fèn bù qǐ, bù fěi bù fā, jǔ yī yú bù yǐ sān yú fǎn, zé bù fù yě.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "I do not open up the truth to one who is not eager to get knowledge, nor help out any one who is not anxious to explain himself. When I have presented one corner of a subject to any one, and he cannot from it learn the other three, I do not repeat my lesson."

zh-x

子曰：「不 憤 不 啟，不 悱 不 發，@舉 @一 隅 不 以 @三 隅 @反，則 不 復 也。」

to learn by analogy; to infer other cases based on one instance


忐忑不安

ㄊㄢˇ ㄊㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄢ

таньтэбу’ань

/tʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵/

/tʰaːn³⁵ tʰɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵/

/tʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵/

/tʰaːn³⁵ tʰɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵/


入木三分

ㄖㄨˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄙㄢ ㄈㄣ

жумусаньфэнь

/ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚² mʊk̚² saːm⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚² mʊk̚² saːm⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

written in a forceful hand; penetrating; profound


出言不遜

ㄔㄨ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄣˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɵn³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɵn³³/


甘拜下風

ㄍㄢ ㄅㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄈㄥ

ганьбайсяфэн

/kän⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ paːi̯³³ haː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kän⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ paːi̯³³ haː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

(humble) to step down gracefully; to concede defeat; to play second fiddle


不得要領

ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧㄠˋ ㄌㄧㄥˇ

/pu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jiːu̯³³ lɪŋ¹³/

/pu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jiːu̯³³ lɪŋ¹³/


華而不實

ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ

/xu̯ä³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/waː²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚²/

/xu̯ä³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/waː²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚²/

having a handsome exterior but hollow inside; flashy and without substance


篳路藍縷

ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄢˊ ㄌㄩˇ

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ län³⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² laːm²¹ lɵy̯¹³/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² laːm²¹ lɐu̯¹³/

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ län³⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² laːm²¹ lɵy̯¹³/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² laːm²¹ lɐu̯¹³/

From Zuozhuan:
:
訓之以若敖、蚡冒篳路藍縷以啟山林。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]训之以若敖、蚡冒筚路蓝缕以启山林。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translation from Zuozhuan: Commentary on the "Spring and Autumn Annals" (2017), by Stephen Durrant, Wai-yee Li and David Schaberg
Xùn zhī yǐ Ruò'áo, Fénmào bìlù lánlǚ yǐ qǐ shānlín. [Pinyin]
He admonishes them on how the Chu ancestors Ruo'ao and Fenmao, riding in rugged wooden carts and clad in tattered hemp, opened up hills and forests for cultivation.

訓 之 以 ^若敖、^蚡冒 篳路.藍縷 以 啟 山林。

筚路蓝缕
蓽路藍縷
蓽露藍蔞
篳路襤褸

drive a cart in rags to blaze a new trail

(figurative, of a pioneer) braving hardships and difficulties in beginning an undertaking


不知所云

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄩㄣˊ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ yn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ wɐn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ yn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ wɐn²¹/

今當遠離，臨表涕泣，不知所云。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
今当远离，临表涕泣，不知所云。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

I am going to leave Your Majesty soon. Now, as I read this memorial, I am unable to hold back my tears and I do not know what to say.

Jīn dāng yuǎnlí, lín biǎo tìqì, bùzhīsuǒyún. [Pinyin]

to not know what someone is driving at; to be unintelligible


廢寢忘食

ㄈㄟˋ ㄑㄧㄣˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄕˊ

фэйциньванши

/feɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ t͡sʰɐm³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ sɪk̚²/

/feɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ t͡sʰɐm³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ sɪk̚²/

to be completely wrapped up in one's work and skip one's sleep and meals


重見天日

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄖˋ

чунцзяньтяньжи

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ kiːn³³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kieŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tʰieŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zik̚⁴/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ kiːn³³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

delivered from oppression; to regain freedom


不合時宜

ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄕˊ ㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐp̚² siː²¹ jiː²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²⁴⁻²² ɡi²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hap̚²⁴⁻² si²⁴⁻²² ɡi²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ si¹³⁻²² ɡi¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²³⁻³³ ɡi²³/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ haʔ⁴⁻² si⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐp̚² siː²¹ jiː²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²⁴⁻²² ɡi²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hap̚²⁴⁻² si²⁴⁻²² ɡi²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ si¹³⁻²² ɡi¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²³⁻³³ ɡi²³/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ haʔ⁴⁻² si⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

untimely; premature; inopportune; ill-timed; out of fashion; behind the times


後生可畏

ㄏㄡˋ ㄕㄥ ㄎㄜˇ ㄨㄟˋ

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/hɐu̯²² saːŋ⁵⁵ hɔː³⁵ wɐi̯³³/

/hɐu̯²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ hɔː³⁵ wɐi̯³³/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/hɐu̯²² saːŋ⁵⁵ hɔː³⁵ wɐi̯³³/

/hɐu̯²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ hɔː³⁵ wɐi̯³³/

From the Analects, Book 9 (《論語·子罕》):
:
子曰：「後生可畏，焉知來者之不如今也？四十、五十而無聞焉，斯亦不足畏也已。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「后生可畏，焉知来者之不如今也？四十、五十而无闻焉，斯亦不足畏也已。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Hòushēng kěwèi, yān zhī láizhě zhī bùrú jīn yě? Sìshí, wǔshí ér wú wén yān, sī yì bùzú wèi yě yǐ.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? If he reach the age of forty or fifty, and has not made himself heard of, then indeed he will not be worth being regarded with respect."

子曰：「後生.可畏，焉 知 來者 之 不如 今 也？四十、五十 而 無 聞 焉，斯 亦 不足 畏 也 已。」

a young person displaying exceptional skills; a young person's abilities must be respected; though inexperienced, the younger generations will surpass us in time


才高八斗

ㄘㄞˊ ㄍㄠ ㄅㄚ ㄉㄡˇ

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ toʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ kou̯⁵⁵ paːt̚³ tɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ toʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ kou̯⁵⁵ paːt̚³ tɐu̯³⁵/

From Xie Lingyun's comment about Cao Zhi:
謝靈運嘗曰：「天下才有一石，曹子建獨占八斗，我得一斗，天下共分一斗。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]谢灵运尝曰：「天下才有一石，曹子建独占八斗，我得一斗，天下共分一斗。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Song dynasty, anonymous, 《釋常談》 (Shi Chang Tan)
Xiè Língyùn cháng yuē: “Tiānxià cái yǒu yī dàn, Cáo Zǐjiàn dúzhàn bā dǒu, wǒ dé yī dǒu, tiānxià gòng fēn yī dǒu. [Pinyin]
Xie Lingyun once said, “If all talents in the world weigh one dan (i.e. 10 dous) in total, Cao Zijian (courtesy name of Cao Zhi) owned 8 dous, I own 1 dou, and all others in the world share the remaining 1 dou.”
In this statement, Xie expressed his admiration of Cao Zhi as well as his pride.

@謝 @^靈運 嘗 曰 ： 「 天下 才 有 一 石{dàn} ， @^曹 @^子建 獨占 八 斗 ， 我 得 一 斗 ， 天下 共 分 一 斗 。


鞭長莫及

ㄅㄧㄢ ㄔㄤˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ

бяньчанмоцзи

/pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/piːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/

/piɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/piɛn³³ tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² kip̚²⁴/

/piɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kip̚¹²¹/

/piɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/piɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/piːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/

/piɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/piɛn³³ tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² kip̚²⁴/

/piɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

/piɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kip̚⁴/

beyond one's influence; too far to be able to help


分庭抗禮

ㄈㄣ ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄎㄤˋ ㄌㄧˇ

фэньтинканли

/fən⁵⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐn⁵⁵ tʰɪŋ²¹ kʰɔːŋ³³ lɐi̯¹³/

/fən⁵⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐn⁵⁵ tʰɪŋ²¹ kʰɔːŋ³³ lɐi̯¹³/

From Zhuangzi, chapter 31 (《莊子·漁父》), where Zilu gives some comments after a conversation between Confucius and a fisherman.
:
萬乘之主，千乘之君，見夫子未嘗不分庭伉禮，夫子猶有倨敖之容。今漁父杖拏逆立，而夫子曲要磬折，言拜而應，得无太甚乎？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]万乘之主，千乘之君，见夫子未尝不分庭伉礼，夫子犹有倨敖之容。今渔父杖拿逆立，而夫子曲要磬折，言拜而应，得无太甚乎？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translation from The Complete Works Of Chuang Tzu (2013), by Burton Watson
Wànshèng zhī zhǔ, qiānshèng zhī jūn, jiàn fūzǐ wèicháng bù fēntíng kànglǐ, fūzǐ yóu yǒu jù'ào zhī róng. Jīn yúfù zhàng ná nì lì, ér fūzǐ qūyāo qìngzhé, yán bài ér yìng, dé wú tàishèn hū? [Pinyin]
The rulers of ten thousand chariots, the lords of a thousand chariots, when they receive you, invariably seat you on the same level as themselves and treat you with the etiquette due to an equal, and still you maintain a stiff and haughty air. But now this old fisherman, pole in hand, presents himself in front of you, and you double up at the waist, as bent as a chiming stone, and bow every time you reply to his words — this is going too far, isn’t it?

萬乘{shèng} 之 主，千乘{shèng} 之 君，見 夫子 未嘗 不 @分庭 @伉禮，夫子 猶 有 倨傲\倨敖{ào} 之 容。今 漁父 杖 拏 逆 立，而 夫子 曲腰\曲要{yāo} 磬折，言 拜 而 應，得 无 太甚 乎？

to stand up (to someone) as an equal; to function as rivals


大材小用

ㄉㄚˋ ㄘㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄩㄥˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯³⁵ jʊŋ²²/

/tä⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯³⁵ jʊŋ²²/

use a sledgehammer to crack a nut
use a sledgehammer to crack a nut

to use a talented person in an insignificant position; to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut


出類拔萃

ㄔㄨ ㄌㄟˋ ㄅㄚˊ ㄘㄨㄟˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹ pä³⁵ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ lɵy̯²² pɐt̚² sɵy̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹ pä³⁵ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ lɵy̯²² pɐt̚² sɵy̯²²/

From Mencius (《孟子·公孫丑上》):
:
麒麟之於走獸，鳳凰之於飛鳥，太山之於丘垤，河海之於行潦，類也。聖人之於民，亦類也。出於其類，拔乎其萃，自生民以來，未有盛於孔子也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]麒麟之于走兽，凤凰之于飞鸟，太山之于丘垤，河海之于行潦，类也。圣人之于民，亦类也。出于其类，拔乎其萃，自生民以来，未有盛于孔子也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Qílín zhī yú zǒushòu, fènghuáng zhī yú fēiniǎo, tàishān zhī yú qiūdié, héhǎi zhī yú xíngliáo, lèi yě. Shèngrén zhī yú mín, yì lèi yě. Chū yú qí lèi, bá hū qí cuì, zì shēng mín yǐ lái, wèiyǒu shèng yú Kǒngzǐ yě. [Pinyin]
There is the Qi-lin among quadrupeds, the Feng-huang among birds, the Tai mountain among mounds and ant-hills, and rivers and seas among rain-pools. Though different in degree, they are the same in kind. So the sages among mankind are also the same in kind. But they stand out from their fellows, and rise above the level, and from the birth of mankind till now, there never has been one so complete as Confucius.

麒麟 之 於 走獸，鳳凰 之 於 飛鳥，太山 之 於 丘垤，河海 之 於 行潦，類 也。聖人 之 於 民，亦 類 也。@出 於 其 @類，拔 乎 其 萃，自 生 民 以 來，未有 盛 於 ^孔子 也。

to excel the common; surpassing; preeminent; outstanding


黔驢技窮

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄩˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄑㄩㄥˊ

цяньлюйцзицюн

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ly³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/kʰiːm²¹ lou̯²¹ kei̯²² kʰʊŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ly³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/kʰiːm²¹ lou̯²¹ kei̯²² kʰʊŋ²¹/

Based on a fable written by Tang-dynasty writer Liu Zongyuan:
:
黔無驢，有好事者船載以入，至則無可用，放之山下。虎見之，龐然大物也，以為神。蔽林間窺之，稍出近之，憖憖然，莫相知。他日，驢一鳴，虎大駭，遠遁，以為且噬己也，甚恐。然往來視之，覺無異能者，益習其聲，又近出前後，終不敢搏。稍近益狎，蕩倚衝冒。驢不勝怒，蹄之。虎因喜，計之曰：「技止此耳！」因跳踉大㘚，斷其喉，盡其肉，乃去。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]黔无驴，有好事者船载以入，至则无可用，放之山下。虎见之，庞然大物也，以为神。蔽林间窥之，稍出近之，慭慭然，莫相知。他日，驴一鸣，虎大骇，远遁，以为且噬己也，甚恐。然往来视之，觉无异能者，益习其声，又近出前后，终不敢搏。稍近益狎，荡倚冲冒。驴不胜怒，蹄之。虎因喜，计之曰：「技止此耳！」因跳踉大㘎，断其喉，尽其肉，乃去。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Tang dynasty, Liu Zongyuan, 《三戒·黔之驢》 (The Donkey of Qian)
Qián wú lǘ, yǒu hàoshì zhě chuán zài yǐ rù, zhì zé wú kě yòng, fàng zhī shān xià. Hǔ jiàn zhī, pángrán dàwù yě, yǐ wéi shén. Bì lín jiān kuī zhī, shāo chū jìn zhī, yìnyìn rán, mò xiāng zhī. Tā rì, lǘ yī míng, hǔ dàhài, yuǎndùn, yǐwéi qiě shì jǐ yě, shèn kǒng. Rán wǎnglái shì zhī, jué wú yìnéng zhě, yì xí qí shēng, yòu jìn chū qiánhòu, zhōng bù gǎn bó. Shāo jìn yì xiá, dàng yǐ chōng mào. Lǘ bù shèng nù, tí zhī. Hǔ yīn xǐ, jì zhī yuē: “Jì zhǐ cǐ ěr!” Yīn tiàoliàng dà hǎn, duàn qí hóu, jìn qí ròu, nǎi qù. [Pinyin]
The prefecture of Qian (now in Chongqing and Guizhou) did not have any donkeys. There was a busybody who had the idea of introducing one, and had it shipped to the region. However, he found that there was not much use of the donkey after it had arrived, so he left the donkey at the foot of a hill.
In time a tiger saw it. Having never seen a donkey before, the tiger was impressed by its size and thought it was a supernatural being, so it hid in the bushes to take a peek. The tiger remained very cautious in coming nearer to the donkey.
One day, the donkey brayed. The terrified tiger fled in horror, fearing that the donkey was going to bite him. However, as the tiger observed further, it did not seem to have any other special powers. Over time, the tiger became accustomed to the bray of the donkey and came closer to the donkey, but did not dare attack it still. As it became closer to the donkey, it flirted with the donkey by touching it, leaning on it, and bumping into it. The donkey was greatly enraged, and gave the tiger a kick. The tiger rejoiced, thinking: “The donkey's tricks are merely these!” Then the tiger roared and pounced on the donkey, gnawed at its neck, and ate the donkey's entire flesh. After that, the tiger went off contented.

黔 無 驢，有 好{hào}事 者 船 載{zài} 以 入，至 則 無 可 用，放 之 山 下。虎 見 之，龐然.大物 也，以 為{wéi} 神。蔽 林 間 窺 之，稍 出 近 之，憖{yìn}憖{yìn} 然，莫 相{xiāng} 知。他 日，驢 一 鳴，虎 大駭，遠遁，以為{wéi} 且 噬 己 也，甚 恐。然 往來 視 之，覺{jué} 無 異能 者，益 習 其 聲，又 近 出 前後，終 不 敢 搏。稍 近 益 狎，蕩 倚 衝 冒。驢 不 勝 怒，蹄 之。虎 因 喜，計 之 曰：「技 止 此 耳！」因 跳踉 大 㘚，斷 其 喉，盡 其 肉，乃 去。

The donkey in the prefecture of Qian has exhausted its tricks

(figurative) to exhaust one's limited abilities


駭人聽聞

ㄏㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄊㄧㄥ ㄨㄣˊ

хайжэньтинвэнь

/xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ wən³⁵/

/haːi̯¹³ jɐn²¹ tʰɛːŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

/hɔːi̯¹³ jɐn²¹ tʰɛːŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

/xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ wən³⁵/

/haːi̯¹³ jɐn²¹ tʰɛːŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

/hɔːi̯¹³ jɐn²¹ tʰɛːŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

該仙子何以迫不及待，並不奏聞請旨，任聽部下逞豔於非時之候，獻媚於世主之前，致令時序顛倒，駭人聽聞。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
该仙子何以迫不及待，并不奏闻请旨，任听部下逞艳于非时之候，献媚于世主之前，致令时序颠倒，骇人听闻。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: 《鏡花緣》第六回

Gāi xiānzǐ héyǐ pòbùjídài, bìngbù zòuwén qǐng zhǐ, rèn tīng bùxià chěng yàn yú fēi shí zhī hòu, xiànmèi yú shìzhǔ zhīqián, zhì lìng shíxù diāndǎo, hàiréntīngwén. [Pinyin]

2024 August 9, 察客, “下午察：中國倒賣屍體案留下的問號 [Afternoon investigation: Question marks left behind by China’s corpse reselling case]”, in Lianhe Zaobao:
中國律師易勝華星期四（8月8日）在網絡上公佈一份材料，揭發山西奧瑞生物材料有限公司涉嫌盜竊、侮辱、故意毀壞原本應火化的數千具屍體，駭人聽聞的案情迅速引爆輿論。 [MSC, trad.]
中国律师易胜华星期四（8月8日）在网络上公布一份材料，揭发山西奥瑞生物材料有限公司涉嫌盗窃、侮辱、故意毁坏原本应火化的数千具尸体，骇人听闻的案情迅速引爆舆论。 [MSC, simp.]
Zhōngguó lǜshī Yì Shènghuá xīngqīsì (8yuè 8 rì) zài wǎngluò shàng gōngbù yī fèn cáiliào, jiēfā Shānxī Àoruì shēngwù cáiliào yǒuxiàngōngsī shèxián dàoqiè, wǔrǔ, gùyì huǐhuài yuánběn yìng huǒhuà de shùqiān jù shītǐ, hàiréntīngwén de ànqíng xùnsù yǐnbào yúlùn. [Pinyin]

Chinese lawyer Yi Shenghua published a document on the Internet on Thursday (August 8), revealing that Shanxi Orui Biomaterials Co., Ltd. was suspected of stealing, insulting, and deliberately destroying thousands of corpses that were supposed to be cremated. The shocking case quickly aroused public opinion.

shocking; horrifying; atrocious; terrible


九牛一毛

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄧ ㄇㄠˊ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄧ ㄇㄠˊㄦ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ maʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹/

/kau⁵²⁻³⁵ ɡu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mo⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiɤ³³ n̠ʲiɤ⁵⁵ iɪʔ³³ mɔ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹/

/kau⁵²⁻³⁵ ɡu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mo⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiɤ³³ n̠ʲiɤ⁵⁵ iɪʔ³³ mɔ²¹/

假令僕伏法受誅，若九牛亡一毛，與螻蟻何以異？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]假令仆伏法受诛，若九牛亡一毛，与蝼蚁何以异？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Sima Qian, Letter to Ren An. 1st century BCE. Translated by Burton Watson.
Jiǎlìng pú fúfǎ shòuzhū, ruò jiǔniú wáng yīmáo, yǔ lóuyǐ héyǐ yì? [Pinyin]
If I fell before the law and was executed, it would make no more difference to most people than one hair off nine oxen, for I was a mere ant to them.

假令 僕 伏法 受誅，若 @九-@牛 亡 @一-@毛，與 螻蟻 何以 異？

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


赴湯蹈火

to go through boiling water and tread on fire

ㄈㄨˋ ㄊㄤ ㄉㄠˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

ㄈㄨˋ ㄊㄤ ㄉㄠˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/fu⁵¹ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fu⁵¹ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fuː²² tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ tou̯²² fɔː³⁵/

/fu⁵¹ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fu⁵¹ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fuː²² tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ tou̯²² fɔː³⁵/

(figurative) to defy all difficulties and dangers; to fear and shun no difficulties or dangers


目不識丁

ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄉㄧㄥ

ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄉㄧㄥ

/mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/mu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ tɪŋ⁵⁵/

/mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/mu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ tɪŋ⁵⁵/

According to the Old Book of Tang, the Tang-dynasty official Zhang Hongjing once scornfully said to his soldiers:
:
「……今天下無事，汝輩挽得兩石力弓，不如識一丁字。」 [Literary Chinese, trad.]「……今天下无事，汝辈挽得两石力弓，不如识一丁字。」 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: The Old Book of Tang, 945 CE
“...... Jīn tiānxià wúshì, rǔbèi wǎn dé liǎng dàn lì gōng, bùrú shí yī dīng zì.” [Pinyin]
“ […] Now that the world is in peace, although you all are able to draw a bow that takes two dan [a unit of measure] of force to be drawn, that is not as good as being able to read the simplest characters like 丁.”

「……今 天下 無事，汝輩 挽 得 兩 石{dàn} 力 弓，不如 識 一 丁 字。」

“ […] Now that the world is in peace, although you all are able to draw a bow that takes two dan 􂀿a unit of measure􂁀 of force to be drawn, that is not as good as being able to read the simplest characters like 丁.”

(derogatory) to not even know the most basic characters; to be densely illiterate

Old Book of Tang
Tang dynasty
Zhang Hongjing


懲前毖後

to punish those before to prevent those after

ㄔㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄏㄡˋ

ㄔㄥˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄏㄡˋ

чэнцяньбихоу

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ pei̯³³ hɐu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ pei̯³³ hɐu̯²²/

to criticize former mistakes firmly to prevent them happening again


汗流浹背

ㄏㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄅㄟˋ

ㄏㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄚˊ ㄅㄟˋ

ханьлюцзябэй

/xän⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/xän⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/hɔːn²² lɐu̯²¹ t͡siːp̚³ puːi̯³³/

/hɔːn²² lɐu̯²¹ kaːp̚³ puːi̯³³/

/xän⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/xän⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/hɔːn²² lɐu̯²¹ t͡siːp̚³ puːi̯³³/

/hɔːn²² lɐu̯²¹ kaːp̚³ puːi̯³³/


不脛而走

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄦˊ ㄗㄡˇ

буцзинъэрцзоу

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ li²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ t͡sau⁴¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ li²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ t͡sau⁴¹/

to get round fast; to spread like wildfire


大義滅親

ㄉㄚˋ ㄧˋ ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄑㄧㄣ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² jiː²² miːt̚² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/*lˤat-s|lˤa[t]-s ŋ(r)aj-s [m]et [tsʰ]i[n]/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² jiː²² miːt̚² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

From Zuo Zhuan. Zhou Yu (w:zh:州吁) had murdered his brother, Duke Huan of Wey (w:zh:衛桓公), and taken his place. But he could not gain the favor of the people of Wey. Shi Que (w:zh:石碏), an officer loyal to the state, devised a scheme and had the usurper killed. Shi Que's son Shi Hou was a close associate of Zhou Yu, so Shi Que had his son killed as well. The people praised his act (《左傳·隱公四年》):
:
君子曰：「石碏，純臣也，惡州籲而厚與焉。『大義滅親』，其是之謂乎！」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]君子曰：「石碏，纯臣也，恶州吁而厚与焉。『大义灭亲』，其是之谓乎！」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Jūnzǐ yuē: “Shí Què, chún chén yě, wù Zhōu Yù ér Hòu yǔ yān. ‘dàyì miè qīn’, qí shì zhī wèi hū!” [Pinyin]
A superior man may say, "Shi Que was a minister without blemish. He hated Zhou Yu, with whom his own son Hou was art and part; — and did he not so afford an illustration of the saying that great righteousness is supreme over the affections?"

君子 曰：「@石.^碏，純 臣 也，惡{wù} @^州.^籲 而 @^厚 與 焉。『大義.滅.親』，其 是 之 謂 乎！」

to place righteousness before family; to be ready to punish one's own family if justice demands it


不假思索

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄙ ㄙㄨㄛˇ

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kaː³⁵ siː⁵⁵ sɔːk̚³/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kaː³⁵ siː⁵⁵ sɔːk̚³/


三七二十一

ㄙㄢ ㄑㄧ ㄦˋ ㄕˊ ㄧ

сань ци эршии

/sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ jiː²² sɐp̚² jɐt̚⁵/

/sam²⁴ t͡sʰit̚² ŋi⁵⁵ sɨp̚⁵ it̚²/

/sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ jiː²² sɐp̚² jɐt̚⁵/

/sam²⁴ t͡sʰit̚² ŋi⁵⁵ sɨp̚⁵ it̚²/

Originally a line in the Chinese multiplication table.

(figurative) (to not care about) the actual situation; facts of the matter


點頭哈腰

ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄏㄚ ㄧㄠ

/ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ xä⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/tiːm³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ haː⁵⁵ jiːu̯⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ xä⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/tiːm³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ haː⁵⁵ jiːu̯⁵⁵/

to uncritically and enthusiastically support someone; (specifically) to be excessively but superficially obsequious


朝九晚五

ㄓㄠ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄨㄢˇ ㄨˇ

чжаоцзюваньу

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ maːn¹³ ŋ̍¹³/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ maːn¹³ ŋ̍¹³/

(of a job) to start at 9 am and finish at 5 pm, as a daily routine; 9 to 5


如臨深淵

ㄖㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄕㄣ ㄩㄢ

жулиньшэньюань

/ʐu³⁵ lin³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵/

/jyː³⁵ lɐm²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn⁵⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ lin³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵/

/jyː³⁵ lɐm²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn⁵⁵/


戰戰兢兢

ja-r

せん%せん%きょう%きょう

CJKV/code

せん%せん%きょう%きょう

Sino-Xenic (戰戰兢兢):
* → Japanese: 戦(せん)々(せん)恐(きょう)々(きょう) (sensenkyōkyō)
* → Korean: 전전긍긍(戰戰兢兢) (jeonjeon'geunggeung)

CJKV

せん%せん%きょう%きょう

ㄓㄢˋ ㄓㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄥ

чжаньчжаньцзинцзин

/ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siːn³³ t͡siːn³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siːn³³ t͡siːn³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 195 (《詩經·小雅·小旻》):
:
戰戰兢兢，如臨深淵，如履薄冰。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]战战兢兢，如临深渊，如履薄冰。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zhànzhàn jīngjīng, rú lín shēnyuān, rú lǚ bóbīng. [Pinyin]
We should be apprehensive and careful,
As if we were on the brink of a deep gulf,
As if we were treading on thin ice.

lang

(《詩經·小雅·小旻》)

(《詩經·小雅·小旻》)

zh-x

戰戰.兢兢，如.臨.深淵，如.履.薄冰。

(ideophonic) trembling with fear; apprehensive and careful; fearful and cautious


源遠流長

ㄩㄢˊ ㄩㄢˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄤˊ

юаньюаньлючан

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ jyːn¹³ lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiaŋ⁵⁵/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ jyːn¹³ lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiaŋ⁵⁵/

having a long and rich history; to extend to the dim and distant past


汗牛充棟

(enough books) to make a pack-ox sweat or to fill a house to the rafters

ㄏㄢˋ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

ханьнючундун

/xän⁵¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/hɔːn²² ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ³³/

/xän⁵¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/hɔːn²² ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ³³/