守望相助

ㄕㄡˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄓㄨˋ

шоувансянчжу

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɔːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɔːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

From Mencius:
:
死徙無出鄉，鄉田同井，出入相友，守望相助，疾病相扶持，則百姓親睦。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]死徙无出乡，乡田同井，出入相友，守望相助，疾病相扶持，则百姓亲睦。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Sǐ xǐ wú chū xiāng, xiāng tián tóng jǐng, chūrù xiàngyǒu, shǒuwàng xiàngzhù, jíbìng xiàng fúchí, zé bǎixìng qīnmù. [Pinyin]
. On occasions of death, or removal from one dwelling to another, there will be no quitting the district. In the fields of a district, those who belong to the same nine squares render all friendly offices to one another in their going out and coming in, aid one another in keeping watch and ward, and sustain one another in sickness. Thus the people are brought to live in affection and harmony.

死 徙 無 出 鄉，鄉 田 同 井，出入 相友，守望 相助，疾病 相 扶持，則 百姓 親睦。

to keep watch and defend and help one another


清心寡慾

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄩˋ

цинсиньгуаюй

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ jʊk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ jʊk̚²/

to cleanse one's mind of distracting thoughts and limit one's worldly desires


囊中羞澀

ㄋㄤˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄙㄜˋ

/nɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/nɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ kiːp̚³/

/nɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/nɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ kiːp̚³/


河水不洗船

ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧˇ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

хэшуй бу си чуань

/xɤ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³⁵ syːn²¹/

/hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³⁵ syːn²¹/


布袋裡老鴉

ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄌㄠˇ ㄧㄚ

будай ли лаоя

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jä⁵⁵/

/pou̯³³ tɔːi̯²² lɵy̯¹³ lou̯¹³ aː⁵⁵/

/pou̯³³ tɔːi̯²² lɵy̯¹³ lou̯¹³ aː⁵⁵/


振臂一呼

ㄓㄣˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄧ ㄏㄨ

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xu⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ pei̯³³ jɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xu⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ pei̯³³ jɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵/

to raise one's arm and cry out to rally people


口出狂言

ㄎㄡˇ ㄔㄨ ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄧㄢˊ

коучукуанъянь

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ jiːn²¹/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ jiːn²¹/


表裡如一

ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧ

/pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/piːu̯³⁵ lɵy̯¹³ jyː²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

/pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/piːu̯³⁵ lɵy̯¹³ jyː²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

to think and act in one and the same way


披麻戴孝

ㄆㄧ ㄇㄚˊ ㄉㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/pʰi⁵⁵ mä³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ maː²¹ taːi̯³³ haːu̯³³/

/pʰi⁵⁵ mä³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ maː²¹ taːi̯³³ haːu̯³³/

你也想著一家兒披麻帶孝為何由，故來這靈堂裡尋鬥毆。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
你也想着一家儿披麻带孝为何由，故来这灵堂里寻斗殴。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: 元．無名氏《冤家債主》第二折

Nǐ yě xiǎng zhe yījiā'ér pīmádàixiào wéi héyóu, gù lái zhè língtáng lǐ xún dòu'ōu. [Pinyin]


時至今日

ㄕˊ ㄓˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄖˋ

шичжицзиньжи

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/siː²¹ t͡siː³³ kɐm⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/siː²¹ t͡siː³³ kɐm⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/


雙喜臨門

ㄕㄨㄤ ㄒㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄇㄣˊ

шуансилиньмэнь

/ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ mən³⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ lɐm²¹ muːn²¹/

/ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ mən³⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ lɐm²¹ muːn²¹/

two happy events happen at the same time


龍騰虎躍

like a soaring dragon and a leaping tiger

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄥˊ ㄏㄨˇ ㄩㄝˋ

/lʊŋ³⁵ tʰɤŋ³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ tʰɐŋ²¹ fuː³⁵ jœːk̚³/

/lʊŋ³⁵ tʰɤŋ³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ tʰɐŋ²¹ fuː³⁵ jœːk̚³/

active and vigorous; mighty and bustling


家賊難防

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄗㄟˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄈㄤˊ

цзяцзэйнаньфан

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ nän³⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚² naːn²¹ fɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ nän³⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚² naːn²¹ fɔːŋ²¹/

it is difficult to guard against a thief within one's house; bad people from within are the most difficult to guard against


隱惡揚善

ㄧㄣˇ ㄜˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄕㄢˋ

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/jɐn³⁵ ɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²¹ siːn²²/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/jɐn³⁵ ɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²¹ siːn²²/

From the Doctrine of the Mean (《中庸》) in the Book of Rites:
:
子曰：「舜其大知也與！舜好問而好察邇言，隱惡而揚善，執其兩端，用其中於民，其斯以為舜乎！」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「舜其大知也与！舜好问而好察迩言，隐恶而扬善，执其两端，用其中于民，其斯以为舜乎！」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐ yuē: “Shùn qí dàzhī yě yú! Shùn hàowèn ér hào chá ěryán, yǐn è ér yáng shàn, zhí qí liǎngduān, yòng qí zhōng yú mín, qí sī yǐwèi Shùn hū!” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "There was Shun: He indeed was greatly wise! Shun loved to question others, and to study their words, though they might be shallow. He concealed what was bad in them and displayed what was good. He took hold of their two extremes, determined the Mean, and employed it in his government of the people. It was by this that he was Shun!"

zh-x

子 曰：「^舜 其 大知 也 與{yú}！舜 好{hào}問 而 好{hào} 察 邇-言，@隱.惡 而 @揚.善，執 其 兩端，用 其 中 於 民，其 斯 以為 ^舜 乎！」

to conceal someone's faults and praise their merits


洞若觀火

ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

дунжогуаньхо

/tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ²² jœːk̚² kuːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ²² jœːk̚² kuːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/


有名有姓

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ³³/

/u³³⁻²¹ miã²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ sẽ²¹/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ³³/

/u³³⁻²¹ miã²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ sẽ²¹/


說一不二

˙ㄕㄨ ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄦˋ

/ʂu i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/syːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

/ʂu i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/syːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

to mean what one says; to stand by one's word


別具隻眼

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄓ ㄧㄢˇ

бецзюйчжиянь

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/piːt̚² kɵy̯²² t͡sɛːk̚³ ŋaːn¹³/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/piːt̚² kɵy̯²² t͡sɛːk̚³ ŋaːn¹³/


別出心裁

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄘㄞˊ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/piːt̚² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/piɛt̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰai²⁴/

/piɛt̚²⁴⁻² t͡sʰut̚⁵⁻²⁴ sim³³ t͡sʰai²⁴/

/piɛt̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁵ sim⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰai¹³/

/piɛt̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰai²⁴/

/piɛt̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰai²³/

/piak̚⁴⁻² t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ sim³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/piːt̚² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/piɛt̚²⁴⁻² t͡sʰut̚⁵⁻²⁴ sim³³ t͡sʰai²⁴/

/piak̚⁴⁻² t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ sim³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/

to try to be different; to be out of the ordinary


別具匠心

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

бецзюйцзянсинь

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/piːt̚² kɵy̯²² t͡sœːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/piːt̚² kɵy̯²² t͡sœːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵/

(chiefly of literature or art) to show great ingenuity; to have originality


養虎遺患

ㄧㄤˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄧˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

/jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jœːŋ¹³ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ waːn²²/

/jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jœːŋ¹³ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ waːn²²/

to not eliminate bad people or the enemy and bring future trouble to oneself


引喻失義

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (引喻失義):
* → Japanese: 引喩失義(いんゆしつぎ) (in'yushitsugi)

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jyː²² sɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jyː²² sɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

From Chu Shi Biao [227] by Zhuge Liang:
:
誠宜開張聖聽，以光先帝遺德，恢弘志士之氣，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失義，以塞忠諫之路也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]诚宜开张圣听，以光先帝遗德，恢弘志士之气，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失义，以塞忠谏之路也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 227, 諸葛亮 (Zhūgě Liàng) (Zhuge Liang), 出師表
Chéng yí kāizhāng shèngtīng, yǐ guāng xiāndì yídé, huīhóng zhìshì zhī qì, bùyí wàngzìfěibó, yǐnyùshīyì, yǐ sè zhōngjiàn zhī lù yě. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

zh-x

誠 宜 開張 聖聽，以 光 先帝 遺德，恢弘 志士 之 氣，不宜 妄自菲{fěi}薄，引喻失義，以 塞{sè} 忠諫 之 路 也。


悔不當初

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄤ ㄔㄨ

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵/


榜上有名

ㄅㄤˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/pɔːŋ³⁵ sœːŋ²² jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/paŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sĩõ¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã⁵⁵/

/pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/pɔːŋ³⁵ sœːŋ²² jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/paŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sĩõ¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã⁵⁵/


庖丁解牛

ㄆㄠˊ ㄉㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄝˇ ㄋㄧㄡˊ

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/pʰaːu̯²¹ tɪŋ⁵⁵ kaːi̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹/

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/pʰaːu̯²¹ tɪŋ⁵⁵ kaːi̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹/

From Zhuangzi.
庖丁为文惠君解牛，手之所触，肩之所倚，足之所履，膝之所踦，砉然向然，奏刀騞然，莫不中音。合于《桑林》之舞，乃中《經首》之会。文惠君曰：“嘻，善哉！技蓋至此乎？”庖丁释刀对曰：“臣之所好者道也，进乎技矣。始臣之解牛之时，所见无非牛者。三年之後，未嘗見全牛也。方今之时，臣以神遇而不以目视，官知止而神欲行。依乎天理，批大郤，导大窾，因其固然，技經肯綮之未嘗，而況大軱乎！良庖歲更刀，割也；族庖月更刀，折也。今臣之刀十九年矣，所解數千牛矣，而刀刃若新发于硎。彼節者有間，而刀刃者無厚；以無厚入有間，恢恢乎其於游刃必有余地矣，是以十九年而刀刃若新發於硎。雖然，每至於族，吾見其難為，怵然為戒，視為止，行為遲。動刀甚微，謋然已解，如土委地。提刀而立，為之四顧，為之躊躇滿志，善刀而藏之。」文惠君曰：「善哉！吾聞庖丁之言，得養生焉。” [Classical Chinese, trad.]庖丁为文惠君解牛，手之所触，肩之所倚，足之所履，膝之所踦，砉然向然，奏刀𬴃然，莫不中音。合于《桑林》之舞，乃中《经首》之会。文惠君曰：“嘻，善哉！技盖至此乎？”庖丁释刀对曰：“臣之所好者道也，进乎技矣。始臣之解牛之时，所见无非牛者。三年之后，未尝见全牛也。方今之时，臣以神遇而不以目视，官知止而神欲行。依乎天理，批大郤，导大窾，因其固然，技经肯綮之未尝，而况大𮝴乎！良庖岁更刀，割也；族庖月更刀，折也。今臣之刀十九年矣，所解数千牛矣，而刀刃若新发于硎。彼节者有间，而刀刃者无厚；以无厚入有间，恢恢乎其于游刃必有余地矣，是以十九年而刀刃若新发于硎。虽然，每至于族，吾见其难为，怵然为戒，视为止，行为迟。动刀甚微，𰵼然已解，如土委地。提刀而立，为之四顾，为之踌躇满志，善刀而藏之。」文惠君曰：「善哉！吾闻庖丁之言，得养生焉。” [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Páodīng wèi Wénhuìjūn jiě niú, shǒu zhī suǒ chù, jiān zhī suǒ yǐ, zú zhī suǒ lǚ, xī zhī suǒ jī, huārán xiǎng rán, zòu dāo huōrán, mò bù zhōng yīn. Hé yú “Sānglín” zhī wǔ, nǎi zhōng “Jīngshǒu” zhī huì. Wénhuìjūn yuē: “Xī, shàn zāi! Jì hé zhì cǐ hū?” Páodīng shì dāo duì yuē: “Chén zhī suǒ hǎo zhě dào yě, jìn hū jì yǐ. Shǐ chén zhī jiě niú zhī shí, suǒ jiàn wú fēi niú zhě. Sān nián zhīhòu, wèi cháng jiàn quán niú yě. Fāng jīn zhī shí, chén yǐ shén yù ér bù yǐ mù shì, guān zhī zhǐ ér shén yù xíng. Yī hū tiānlǐ, pī dàxì, dǎo dàkuǎn, yīn qí gùrán, zhījīng kěnqǐ zhī wèi cháng, érkuàng dà gū hū! Liáng páo suì gèng dāo, gē yě; zú páo yuè gèng dāo, zhé yě. Jīn chén zhī dāo shíjiǔ nián yǐ, suǒ jiě shù qiān niú yǐ, ér dāorèn ruò xīn fā yú xíng. Bǐ jié zhě yǒu jiān, ér dāorèn zhě wú hòu; yǐ wú hòu rù yǒu jiān, huīhuī hū qí yú yóu rèn bì yǒuyú dì yǐ, shì yǐ shíjiǔ nián ér dāorèn ruò xīn fā yú xíng. Suīrán, měi zhì yú zú, wú jiàn qí nán wèi, chùrán wèi jiè, shì wèi zhǐ, xíng wèi chí. Dòng dāo shèn wēi, huòrán yǐ jiě, rú tǔ wěi dì. Tí dāo ér lì, wèi zhī sìgù, wèi zhī chóuchúmǎnzhì, shàn dāo ér cáng zhī.” Wénhuìjūn yuē: “Shàn zāi! Wú wén Páodīng zhī yán, dé yǎngshēng yān.” [Pinyin]
His cook, Ding, cut up an ox for the ruler Wanhui. Whenever he applied his hand, leaned forward with his shoulder, planted his foot, and employed the pressure of his knee, in the audible ripping off of the skin, and slicing operation of the knife, the sounds were all in regular cadence. Movements and sounds proceeded as in the dance of the 'Mulberry Forest' and the blended notes of Jingshou. The ruler said, 'Ha, good! That your art should have become so perfect!' (Having finished his operation), the cook put down his knife, and replied, said,
'What your servant loves is the method of the Dao, something in advance of any art. When I first began to cut up an ox, I saw nothing but the (entire) carcass. After three years I ceased to see it as a whole. Now I deal with it in a spirit-like manner, and do not look at it with my eyes. The use of my senses is discarded, and my spirit acts as it wills. Observing the natural lines, (my knife) slips through the great crevices and slides through the great cavities, taking advantage of the facilities thus presented. My art avoids the membranous ligatures, and much more the great bones! 'A good cook changes his knife every year cutting; an ordinary cook changes his every month broken. Now my knife has been in use for nineteen years; it has cut up several thousand oxen, and yet its edge is as sharp as if it had newly come from the whetstone. There are the interstices of the joints, and the edge of the knife not thick; when that which is so thin enters where the interstice is, how easily it moves along! The blade has more than room enough. Nevertheless, whenever I come to a complicated joint, and see that there will be some difficulty, I proceed anxiously and with caution, not allowing my eyes to wander from the place, and moving my hand slowly. Then by a very slight movement of the knife, the part is quickly separated, and drops like earth to the ground. Then standing up with the knife in my hand, I look all round, and in a leisurely manner, self-satisfied, wipe it clean, and put it away.' The ruler Wanhui said, 'Good! I have heard the words of cook Ding, and learned from them to keep in good health.'

^@庖丁 为 ^@文惠君 解 牛 ，手 之 所 触，肩 之 所 倚，足 之 所 履，膝 之 所 踦，砉然 向{xiǎng} 然，奏 刀 騞然，莫 不 中 音。合 于《^@桑林》之 舞，乃 中《^@經首》之 会。^@文惠君 曰：“嘻 ，善 哉！技 蓋{hé} 至 此 乎？” ^@庖丁 释 刀 对 曰：“臣 之 所 好 者 道 也，进 乎 技 矣。始 臣 之 解 牛 之 时，所 见 无 非 牛 者。三 年 之後，未 嘗 見 全 牛 也。方 今 之 时，臣 以 神 遇 而 不 以 目 视，官 知 止 而 神 欲 行。依 乎 天理，批 大郤，导 大窾，因 其 固然，技{zhī}經 肯綮 之 未 嘗，而況 大 軱{gū} 乎！良 庖 歲 更 刀，割 也；族 庖 月 更 刀，折 也。今 臣 之 刀 十九 年 矣，所 解 數 千 牛 矣，而 刀刃 若 新 发 于 硎。彼 節 者 有 間，而 刀刃 者 無 厚；以 無 厚 入 有 間，恢恢 乎 其 於 游 刃 必 有余 地 矣，是 以 十九 年 而 刀刃 若 新 發 於 硎。雖然，每 至 於 族，吾 見 其 難 為，怵然 為 戒，視 為 止，行 為 遲。動 刀 甚 微，謋{huò}然 已 解，如 土 委 地。提 刀 而 立，為 之 四顧，為 之 躊躇滿志，善 刀 而 藏 之。」 ^@文惠君 曰：「善 哉！吾 聞 ^@庖丁 之 言，得 養生 焉。”

like a hot knife through butter
like a hot knife through butter

to be skilled at what one does; to do something with ease; like a hot knife through butter


別有天地

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄧˋ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/piːt̚² jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tei̯²²/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/piːt̚² jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tei̯²²/

being of or showing another level of scenery; (of a place) to be amazingly beautiful and unique


別有風味

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄈㄥ ㄨㄟˋ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/piːt̚² jɐu̯¹³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ mei̯²²/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/piːt̚² jɐu̯¹³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ mei̯²²/


山明水秀

ㄕㄢ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄡˋ

шаньминшуйсю

/ʂän⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/san³³ biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu⁴¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² biɪŋ¹³⁻²² t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡sui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/ʂän⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/san³³ biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu⁴¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² biɪŋ¹³⁻²² t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡sui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

picturesque scenery; beautiful mountains and rivers


山清水秀

ㄕㄢ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄡˋ

шаньциншуйсю

/ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/


照貓畫虎

ㄓㄠˋ ㄇㄠ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄏㄨˇ

чжаомаохуаху

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ mɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯³³ maːu̯⁵⁵ waːk̚² fuː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ mɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯³³ maːu̯⁵⁵ waːk̚² fuː³⁵/

to copy or imitate slavishly without attempt at originality


冰清玉潔

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

бинцинъюйцзе

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ y⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jʊk̚² kiːt̚³/

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ y⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jʊk̚² kiːt̚³/


哄堂大笑

鬨堂大笑
轟堂大笑
烘堂大笑

ㄏㄨㄥ ㄊㄤˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/xʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²² tʰɔːŋ²¹ taːi̯²² siːu̯³³/

/xʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²² tʰɔːŋ²¹ taːi̯²² siːu̯³³/

the whole room bursts into laughter simultaneously


日居月諸

ㄖˋ ㄐㄧ ㄩㄝˋ ㄓㄨ

ㄖˋ ㄐㄩ ㄩㄝˋ ㄓㄨ

жи цзи юэ чжу

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

жи цзюй юэ чжу

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² kei̯⁵⁵ jyːt̚² t͡syː⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² kɵy̯⁵⁵ jyːt̚² t͡syː⁵⁵/

/lit̚²⁴⁻² ki³³ ɡuat̚²⁴⁻² t͡sɯ³³/

/lit̚⁴⁻³² ki⁴⁴ ɡuat̚⁴⁻³² t͡su⁴⁴/

/d͡zit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ ki⁴⁴ ɡuat̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² kei̯⁵⁵ jyːt̚² t͡syː⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² kɵy̯⁵⁵ jyːt̚² t͡syː⁵⁵/

/lit̚²⁴⁻² ki³³ ɡuat̚²⁴⁻² t͡sɯ³³/

/lit̚⁴⁻³² ki⁴⁴ ɡuat̚⁴⁻³² t͡su⁴⁴/

/d͡zit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ ki⁴⁴ ɡuat̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

From Shijing, Odes Of Bei, "Sun and Moon":
日居月諸、照臨下土。
乃如之人兮、逝不古處。
胡能有定、寧不我顧。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]日居月诸、照临下土。
乃如之人兮、逝不古处。
胡能有定、宁不我顾。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Rìjīyuèzhū, zhàolín xiàtǔ.
Nǎirú zhī rén xī, shì bù gǔchù.
Hú néng yǒu dìng, nìng bù wǒ gù. [Pinyin]
O sun; O moon, which enlighten this lower earth!
Here is the man, who treats me not according to the ancient rule.
How can he get his mind settled? Would he then not regard me?

日居{jī}月諸 、 照臨 下土。
乃如 之 人 兮 、 逝 不 古處。
胡 能 有 定 、 寧{nìng} 不 我 顧。

(literary) time flies quickly, time is inexorable


才調秀出

ㄘㄞˊ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄔㄨ

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tiːu̯²² sɐu̯³³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tiːu̯²² sɐu̯³³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

From the Book of Jin [circa 7th century C.E.].
:
王接才調秀出，見賞知音，惜其夭枉，未申驥足，嗟夫！ [Classical Chinese, trad.]王接才调秀出，见赏知音，惜其夭枉，未申骥足，嗟夫！ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Book of Jin
Wáng Jiē cáidiàoxiùchū, jiàn shǎng zhīyīn, xī qí yāo wǎng, wèi shēn jìzú, jiēfū! [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

defdate

circa 7th century <small class='ce-date'>C.E.</small>

zh-x

^王 ^接 才調秀出，見 賞 知音，惜 其 夭 枉，未 申 驥足，嗟夫！

having outstanding talent; having one's talent stand out from the crowd


前言不搭後語

前言不搭后语
前言不答後語
前言不對後語

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄚ ㄏㄡˋ ㄩˇ

цяньянь бу да хоуюй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ tä⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³ hɐu̯²² jyː¹³/


兵貴神速

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄣˊ ㄙㄨˋ

бингуйшэньсу

/piŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂən³⁵ su⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ sɐn²¹ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵/

/piŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂən³⁵ su⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ sɐn²¹ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵/

(literally, figuratively) speed is essential in war


克敵制勝

ㄎㄜˋ ㄉㄧˊ ㄓˋ ㄕㄥˋ

/kʰɤ⁵¹ ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/hɐk̚⁵ tɪk̚² t͡sɐi̯³³ sɪŋ³³/

/kʰɤ⁵¹ ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/hɐk̚⁵ tɪk̚² t͡sɐi̯³³ sɪŋ³³/


福壽雙全

ㄈㄨˊ ㄕㄡˋ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

фушоушуанцюань

/fu³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ sɐu̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/fu³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ sɐu̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to enjoy both good fortune and longevity


壽頭壽腦

ㄕㄡˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄕㄡˋ ㄋㄠˇ

шоутоушоунао

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ sɐu̯²² nou̯¹³/

/zɤ²² dɤ⁵⁵ zɤ³³ nɔ²¹/

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ sɐu̯²² nou̯¹³/

/zɤ²² dɤ⁵⁵ zɤ³³ nɔ²¹/


土頭土腦

ㄊㄨˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄨˇ ㄋㄠˇ

/tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰou̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰou̯³⁵ nou̯¹³/

/tʰou̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰou̯³⁵ nou̯¹³/


風高浪急

ㄈㄥ ㄍㄠ ㄌㄤˋ ㄐㄧˊ

фэнгаоланцзи

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²² kɐp̚⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²² kɐp̚⁵/

風急浪高 風急浪高#Chinese

风急浪高 风急浪高#Chinese


不堪入耳

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄖㄨˋ ㄦˇ

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² jiː¹³/

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² jiː¹³/

intolerable to the ear (e.g. of coarse language)


俯拾皆是

ㄈㄨˇ ㄕˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄕˋ

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ sɐp̚² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siː²²/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ sɐp̚² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siː²²/


鳩佔鵲巢

ㄐㄧㄡ ㄓㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄔㄠˊ

цзючжаньцюэчао

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡siːm³³ t͡sœːk̚³ t͡sʰaːu̯²¹/

/kɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡siːm³³ t͡sœːk̚³ t͡sʰaːu̯²¹/

鵲巢鳩佔 鵲巢鳩佔#Chinese

鹊巢鸠占 鹊巢鸠占#Chinese


一分一毫

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ hou̯²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ hou̯²¹/


兵強馬壯

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

бинцянмачжуан

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹ maː¹³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹ maː¹³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/


徇私枉法

ㄒㄩㄣˋ ㄙ ㄨㄤˇ ㄈㄚˇ

/ɕyn⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ wɔːŋ³⁵ faːt̚³/

/ɕyn⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ wɔːŋ³⁵ faːt̚³/


言行不一

ㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

one's actions do not match up to one's words


永誌不忘

ㄩㄥˇ ㄓˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄤˋ

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ t͡siː³³ pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ t͡siː³³ pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

要之，上海、廣州、馬德里、蓋尼加格、拉諾勒、巴塞龍納、亞美利亞各城城名足以象徵法西斯在中西兩國境內所作之重大罪行，吾人今後定必永誌不忘。 [MSC, trad.]
要之，上海、广州、马德里、盖尼加格、拉诺勒、巴塞龙纳、亚美利亚各城城名足以象征法西斯在中西两国境内所作之重大罪行，吾人今后定必永志不忘。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1938 September 1, 運公, 《國際反對轟炸不設防城市大會議決制裁日本》, in 《東方雜誌》, volume 35, issue 17, page 50

Yàozhī, Shànghǎi, Guǎngzhōu, Mǎdélǐ, Gàiníjiāgé, Lānuòlè, Bāsàilóngnà, Yàměilìyà gè chéng chéngmíng zúyǐ xiàngzhēng fǎxīsī zài Zhōng Xī liǎng guó jìngnèi suǒ zuò zhī zhòngdà zuìxíng, wúrén jīnhòu dìngbì yǒngzhìbùwàng. [Pinyin]

永誌不忘紀念 往事不如煙 [MSC, trad.]
永志不忘纪念 往事不如烟 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2018 December 26, Jolin Tsai; Ashin (lyrics), RAZOR Chiang; Jolin Tsai (music), 《玫瑰少年》 (Womxnly), performed by Jolin Tsai

But your story will be etched in stone, it won't disappear like a puff of smoke

yǒngzhìbùwàng jìniàn, wǎngshì bù rú yān [Pinyin]


五彩斑斕

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄢ ㄌㄢˊ

уцайбаньлань

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pän⁵⁵ län³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ paːn⁵⁵ laːn²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pän⁵⁵ län³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ paːn⁵⁵ laːn²¹/

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


芝麻小事

ㄓ ˙ㄇㄚ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄕˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mä² ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ maː²¹ siːu̯³⁵ siː²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mä² ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ maː²¹ siːu̯³⁵ siː²²/


窮鼠齧貓

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄋㄧㄝˋ ㄇㄠ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ mɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ jiːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋiːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ mɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ jiːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋiːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

窮鼠齧狸 窮鼠齧狸#Chinese

穷鼠啮狸 穷鼠啮狸#Chinese


狐藉虎威

desc

→ Japanese: 虎の威を借る狐 (tora no i o karu kitsune) (partial calque)

ㄏㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄨㄟ

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wuː²¹ t͡sɛː³³ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵/

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wuː²¹ t͡sɛː³³ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵/

狐假虎威 狐假虎威#Chinese


窮鼠齧狸

ja-r

きゅうそ ねこ を かむ

Japanese: 窮鼠(きゅうそ)猫(ねこ)を噛(か)む (kyūso neko o kamu)

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄋㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ li³⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ jiːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋiːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ li³⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ jiːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋiːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːt̚² lei̯²¹/

From the Discourses on Salt and Iron (鹽鐵論·詔聖／盐铁论·诏圣):
:
死不再生，窮鼠嚙狸，匹夫奔萬乘，舍人折弓，陳勝、吳廣是也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]死不再生，穷鼠啮狸，匹夫奔万乘，舍人折弓，陈胜、吴广是也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Huan Kuan, Discourses on Salt and Iron, c. 1ˢᵗ century BCE
Sǐ bù zàishēng, qióng shǔ niè lí, pǐfū bēn wànchéng, shèrén zhé gōng, Chén Shèng, Wú Guǎng shì yě. [Pinyin]
People cannot revive if they die, so a cornered rat will bite a cat; An ordinary man would go to assault the Emperor; A servant of a noble would destroy his bow. This is precisely the case of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang.

zh-x

死 不 再生，窮 鼠 嚙 狸，匹夫 奔 萬乘，舍人 折 弓，^陳 ^勝、^吳 ^廣 是 也。

窮鼠嚙狸
窮鼠齧貍
窮鼠嚙貍
穷鼠啮狸

(figurative) a cornered rat will bite a cat, weak people will attack when cornered


少年易老學難成

desc

少年老いやすく学なりがたし

→ Japanese: 少年老いやすく学なりがたし (shōnen oiyasuku gaku narigatashi) (calque)

ㄕㄠˋ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄧˋ ㄌㄠˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄔㄥˊ

шаонянь и лао сюэ нань чэн

/ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ nän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ niːn²¹ jiː²² lou̯¹³ hɔːk̚² naːn²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

From Zhu Xi's poem 《偶成》:
:
少年易老學難成，一寸光陰不可輕 [Classical Chinese, trad.]少年易老学难成，一寸光阴不可轻 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
shàonián yì lǎo xué nán chéng, yīcùn guāngyīn bùkě qīng [Pinyin]
It's easy for a youth to become old but hard to accomplish much learning. Every second of the time should not be undervalued.

zh-x

少年 易 老 學 難 成，一寸 光陰 不可 輕

if you do not study when you are young, you will grow old quickly without accomplishing much learning


堂堂之陣

ㄊㄤˊ ㄊㄤˊ ㄓ ㄓㄣˋ

тантан чжи чжэнь

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐn²²/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐn²²/

A disciplined, orderly army with high morale.


胡編亂造

ㄏㄨˊ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄗㄠˋ

хубяньлуаньцзао

/xu³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/wuː²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ lyːn²² t͡sou̯²²/

/hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ luaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sau³⁵/

/xu³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/wuː²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ lyːn²² t͡sou̯²²/

/hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ luaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sau³⁵/

to fabricate (stories, etc.); to cook up


一炮而紅

ㄧ ㄆㄠˋ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄥˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːu̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːu̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ²¹/


三十而立

ㄙㄢ ㄕˊ ㄦˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/sän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ sɐp̚² jiː²¹ lɐp̚²/

/sän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ sɐp̚² jiː²¹ lɐp̚²/

From the Analects, Book 2 (《論語·爲政》):
:
子曰：「吾十有五而志于學，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳順，七十而從心所欲，不踰矩。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「吾十有五而志于学，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳顺，七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Wú shí yòu wǔ ér zhì yú xué, sānshí ér lì, sìshí ér bùhuò, wǔshí ér zhī tiānmìng, liùshí ér ěr shùn, qīshí ér cóng xīn suǒ yù, bù yújǔ.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth. At seventy, I could follow what my heart desired, without transgressing what was right.

^子曰：「吾 十 有{yòu} 五 而 志 于 學，三十.而.立，四十 而 不惑，五十 而 知 天命，六十 而 耳 順，七十 而 從.心.所.欲，不 踰矩。」

to become independent at the age of thirty


焚琴煮鶴

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (焚琴煮鶴):
* → Japanese: 焚琴煮鶴(ふんきんしゃかく) (funkin shakaku)
* → Korean: 분금자학(焚琴煮鶴) (bun'geumjahak)

ja-r

こと を やき つる を にる

→ Japanese: 琴(こと)を焚(や)き鶴(つる)を煮(に)る (koto o yaki tsuru o niru) (calque)

ㄈㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄓㄨˇ ㄏㄜˋ

фэнь цинь чжу хэ

/fən³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ⁵¹/

/fɐn²¹ kʰɐm²¹ t͡syː³⁵ hɔːk̚²/

/fən³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ⁵¹/

/fɐn²¹ kʰɐm²¹ t͡syː³⁵ hɔːk̚²/

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

zh-l

大煞風景／大煞风景 (dàshāfēngjǐng)

zh-x

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

(figuratively) vulgar, tasteless behaviors that spoil elegant or beautiful things


鬱鬱不得志

ㄩˋ ㄩˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄓˋ

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/wɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/wɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

From the New Book of Tang:
:
變姓名為劉智遠，教授諸生自給，鬱鬱不得志，哀吟泣下。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]变姓名为刘智远，教授诸生自给，郁郁不得志，哀吟泣下。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: The New Book of Tang, 1060 CE
Biàn xìngmíng wéi Liú Zhìyuǎn, jiàoshòu zhūshēng zìgěi, yùyùbùdézhì, āi yín qì xià. [Pinyin]
[Li Mi] changed his name to Liu Zhiyuan, and taught the people how to make a life. He felt depressed and sobbed in grief.

變 姓名 為{wéi} ^劉 ^智-遠，教授 諸生 自給，鬱鬱不得志，哀 吟 泣 下。

to feel depressed because one cannot achieve their ambition


高風亮節

ㄍㄠ ㄈㄥ ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

гаофэнлянцзе

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/kou̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ lœːŋ²² t͡siːt̚³/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/kou̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ lœːŋ²² t͡siːt̚³/

to be a person of noble character and steadfast integrity


超凡脫俗

ㄔㄠ ㄈㄢˊ ㄊㄨㄛ ㄙㄨˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fän³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ su³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ faːn²¹ tʰyːt̚³ t͡sʊk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fän³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ su³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ faːn²¹ tʰyːt̚³ t͡sʊk̚²/


黑不溜秋

ㄏㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄡ ㄑㄧㄡ

/xeɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lɐu̯²² t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/

/xeɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lɐu̯²² t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/

(colloquial, derogatory) in black colour


葉落歸根

→ Vietnamese: lá rụng về cội (calque)

ㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/jiːp̚² lɔːk̚² kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/jiːp̚² lɔːk̚² kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

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

葉落歸根，來 時 無 口。

宋·釋道原《景德傳燈錄》

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


重修舊好

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄠˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯²² hou̯³⁵/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siu⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siu³³ ku⁴¹⁻²² ho⁵⁵⁴/

/tiɔŋ¹³⁻²² siu⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻¹¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻²¹ hɤ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯²² hou̯³⁵/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siu⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siu³³ ku⁴¹⁻²² ho⁵⁵⁴/

/tiɔŋ¹³⁻²² siu⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻¹¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻²¹ hɤ⁴¹/


知人善任

ㄓ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄖㄣˋ

чжижэньшаньжэнь

čžižɛnʹšanʹžɛnʹ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐən⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ siːn²² jɐm²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐən⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ siːn²² jɐm²²/

to know one's subordinates well enough to assign them jobs commensurate with their abilities


退避三舍

ㄊㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄙㄢ ㄕㄜˋ

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯³³ pei̯²² saːm⁵⁵ sɛː³³/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯³³ pei̯²² saːm⁵⁵ sɛː³³/

From the account of Duke Wen of Jin, who, prior to becoming the ruler of Jin, had fled from a succession crisis and had been seeking shelter in various states. After receiving him, King Cheng of Chu asked how he would pay back if he were to become the ruler of Jin. His reply was (《左傳·僖公二十三年》):
:
若以君之靈，得反晉國，晉楚治兵，遇於中原，其辟君三舍。若不獲命，其左執鞭弭，右屬櫜鞬，以與君周旋。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]若以君之灵，得反晋国，晋楚治兵，遇于中原，其辟君三舍。若不获命，其左执鞭弭，右属櫜鞬，以与君周旋。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Ruò yǐ jūn zhī líng, dé fǎn Jìn guó, Jìn Chǔ zhì bīng, yù yú zhōngyuán, qí bì jūn sān shè. Ruò bù huò mìng, qí zuǒ zhí biān mǐ, yòu shǔ gāo jiān, yǐ yǔ jūn zhōuxuán. [Pinyin]
If by your lordship's powerful influence I shall recover the State of Jin, should Chu and Jin go to war and meet in the plain of the Middle Land, I will withdraw from your lordship three stages [each of 30 li]. If then I do not receive your commands to cease from hostilities, with my whip and my bow in my left hand, and my quiver and my bowcase on my right, I will manaeuvre with your lordship.

lang

(《左傳·僖公二十三年》)

(《左傳·僖公二十三年》)

zh-x

若 以 君 之 靈，得 反 ^晉 國，^晉 ^楚 治 兵，遇 於 中原，其 辟{bì} 君 @三 @舍。若 不 獲 命，其 左 執 鞭 弭，右 屬 櫜{gāo} 鞬，以 與 君 周旋。

If by your lordship's powerful influence I shall recover the State of Jin, should Chu and Jin go to war and meet in the plain of the Middle Land, I will withdraw from your lordship three stages 􂀿each of 30 li􂁀. If then I do not receive your commands to cease from hostilities, with my whip and my bow in my left hand, and my quiver and my bowcase on my right, I will manaeuvre with your lordship.

to give way to avoid a conflict in the face of superior strength (to avoid heavy losses)


不成功便成仁

ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

бу чэнгун бянь чэнжэнь

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ piːn²² sɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ piːn²² sɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/


玄之又玄

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄓ ㄧㄡˋ ㄒㄩㄢˊ

сюаньчжиюсюань

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² jyːn²¹/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² iu²²⁻²¹ hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡si³³ iu⁴¹⁻²² hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn¹³⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² iu²²⁻²¹ hiɛn¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ iu³³⁻¹¹ hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn²³⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ iu³³⁻²¹ hiɛn²³/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² jyːn²¹/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² iu²²⁻²¹ hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡si³³ iu⁴¹⁻²² hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn¹³⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² iu²²⁻²¹ hiɛn¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ iu³³⁻¹¹ hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn²³⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ iu³³⁻²¹ hiɛn²³/

From Tao Te Ching:
:
玄之又玄，眾妙之門。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]玄之又玄，众妙之门。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Tao Te Ching, 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Xuánzhīyòuxuán, zhòng miào zhī mén. [Pinyin]
Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful.

玄之又玄，眾 妙 之 門。


無聲無氣

/mou̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ hei̯³³/

/mo¹¹ saŋ⁴⁴⁻³⁵ mo¹¹ hi⁵³/

/mou̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ hei̯³³/

/mo¹¹ saŋ⁴⁴⁻³⁵ mo¹¹ hi⁵³/


清湯寡水

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄊㄤ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

цинтангуашуй

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/


杳無音訊

ㄧㄠˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄣ ㄒㄩㄣˋ

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ in⁵⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³/

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ in⁵⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³/

杳無音信 杳無音信#Chinese

杳无音信 杳无音信#Chinese


怨天怨地

ㄩㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄩㄢˋ ㄉㄧˋ

юаньтяньюаньди

/ɥɛn⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/ɥɛn⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

to blame everyone and everything; to incessantly grumble about things


浩氣長存

ㄏㄠˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ

хаоци чанцунь

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/hou̯²² hei̯³³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/hou̯²² hei̯³³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/


久病成醫

Prolonged illness makes a doctor of a patient.

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ pɛːŋ²² sɪŋ²¹ jiː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ pɛːŋ²² sɪŋ²¹ jiː⁵⁵/

experience is the best teacher
experience is the best teacher


說古道今

ㄕㄨㄛ ㄍㄨˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

шогудаоцзинь

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/syːt̚³ kuː³⁵ tou̯²² kɐm⁵⁵/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/syːt̚³ kuː³⁵ tou̯²² kɐm⁵⁵/

From General Yue Fei [circa 17th–18th c.].
:
你們又文縐縐的說古道今，我那裏省得？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]你们又文绉绉的说古道今，我那里省得？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Shuo Yue Quan Zhuan
Nǐmen yòu wénzhòuzhòu de shuōgǔdàojīn, wǒ nà lǐ xǐngdé? [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

你們 又 文縐縐 的 說古道今，我 那 裏 省得？

everything under the sun
everything under the sun


天荒地老

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄤ ㄉㄧˋ ㄌㄠˇ

тяньхуандилао

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² lou̯¹³/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² lou̯¹³/


含飴弄孫

ㄏㄢˊ ㄧˊ ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄙㄨㄣ

ханьинунсунь

/xän³⁵ i³⁵ nʊŋ⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/hɐm²¹ jiː²¹ lʊŋ²² syːn⁵⁵/

/xän³⁵ i³⁵ nʊŋ⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/hɐm²¹ jiː²¹ lʊŋ²² syːn⁵⁵/

From Book of the Later Han.
:
吾但當含飴弄孫，不能復知政事。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]吾但当含饴弄孙，不能复知政事。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of the Later Han, circa 5ᵗʰ century CE
Wú dàn dāng hányínòngsūn, bùnéng fù zhī zhèngshì. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

吾 但 當 含飴弄孫，不能 復 知 政事。


默默無聞

ㄇㄛˋ ㄇㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄣˊ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/mɐk̚² mɐk̚² mou̯²¹ mɐn²¹/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/mɐk̚² mɐk̚² mou̯²¹ mɐn²¹/


豆蔻年華

ㄉㄡˋ ㄎㄡˋ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ

доукоуняньхуа

/toʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/tɐu̯²² kʰɐu̯³³ niːn²¹ waː²¹/

/toʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/tɐu̯²² kʰɐu̯³³ niːn²¹ waː²¹/

(figuratively) thirteen to fourteen years of age (of a girl); maidenhood


甘之如飴

/kän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː²¹/

/kän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː²¹/


如飢似渴

ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧ ㄙˋ ㄎㄜˇ

/ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː¹³ hɔːt̚³/

/ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː¹³ hɔːt̚³/

as if thirsting or hungering for something; with great eagerness


片言隻語

ㄆㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄓ ㄩˇ

пяньяньчжиюй

/pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰiːn³³ jiːn²¹ t͡sɛːk̚³ jyː¹³/

/pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰiːn³³ jiːn²¹ t͡sɛːk̚³ jyː¹³/

隻言片語 隻言片語#Chinese

只言片语 只言片语#Chinese


正人君子

ㄓㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ

чжэнжэньцзюньцзы

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ jɐn²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ jɐn²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

From Jiutangshu:
:
胤所悅者闒茸下輩，所惡者正人君子。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]胤所悦者阘茸下辈，所恶者正人君子。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: The Old Book of Tang, 945 CE
Yìn suǒ yuè zhě tàróng xià bèi, suǒ wù zhě zhèngrénjūnzǐ. [Pinyin]
[Cui] Yin was fond of incompetent people, but hated the upright and honest ones.

胤 所 悅 者 闒茸 下 輩，所 惡{wù} 者 正人君子。

􂀿Cui􂁀 Yin was fond of incompetent people, but hated the upright and honest ones.

(formal, sometimes sarcastic) an upright and honest person


一語中的

ㄧ ㄩˇ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ t͡sʊŋ³³ tɪk̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ t͡sʊŋ³³ tɪk̚⁵/


神魂顛倒

ㄕㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄉㄧㄢ ㄉㄠˇ

шэньхуньдяньдао

/ʂən³⁵ xu̯ən³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ tiːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵/

/ʂən³⁵ xu̯ən³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ tiːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵/

From Stories to Awaken the World:
:
小娘們多有愛他的，奉得神魂顛倒，連家裡也不思想。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]小娘们多有爱他的，奉得神魂颠倒，连家里也不思想。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: Feng Menglong, Stories to Awaken the World, 1627 CE
Xiǎo niángmen duō yǒu ài tā de, fèng dé shénhúndiāndǎo, lián jiā lǐ yě bù sīxiǎng. [Pinyin]
Young ladies fell in love with him, becoming so obsessed with him that they didn't think of their own families.

小 娘們 多 有 愛 他 的，奉 得 神魂顛倒，連 家 裡 也 不 思想。

(sometimes derogatory) possessed; obsessed


乾手淨腳

/kɔːn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɛːŋ²² kœːk̚³/

/kɔːn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɛːŋ²² kœːk̚³/

(Cantonese) done well and neatly, without loose ends


投石問路

to toss a stone to find out what's ahead

ㄊㄡˊ ㄕˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ sɛːk̚² mɐn²² lou̯²²/

/tau²⁴⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ lɔ²²/

/tau²⁴⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)²⁴⁻² bun⁴¹⁻²² lɔ⁴¹/

/tau¹³⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ lɔ²²/

/tau²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sio(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ lɔ³³/

/tau²³⁻³³ t͡siɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ lɔ³³/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ sɛːk̚² mɐn²² lou̯²²/

/tau²⁴⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ lɔ²²/

/tau²⁴⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)²⁴⁻² bun⁴¹⁻²² lɔ⁴¹/

/tau¹³⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ lɔ²²/

/tau²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sio(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ lɔ³³/

/tau²³⁻³³ t͡siɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ lɔ³³/


為反而反

ㄨㄟˋ ㄈㄢˇ ㄦˊ ㄈㄢˇ

вэйфаньэрфань

/weɪ̯⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐi̯²¹ faːn³⁵ jiː²¹ faːn³⁵/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐi̯²¹ faːn³⁵ jiː²¹ faːn³⁵/

opposing for the sake of opposing; contrary


一望而知

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²² jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²² jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/


及時行樂

ㄐㄧˊ ㄕˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄜˋ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/kʰɐp̚² siː²¹ hɐŋ²¹ lɔːk̚²/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/kʰɐp̚² siː²¹ hɐŋ²¹ lɔːk̚²/


因時制宜

/in⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ siː²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

/in⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ siː²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

to use methods appropriate to the current situation


燈火闌珊

ㄉㄥ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄌㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

дэнхоланьшань

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/teŋ³³⁻²³ hue⁵²⁻³⁵ laŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ saŋ³³/

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/teŋ³³⁻²³ hue⁵²⁻³⁵ laŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ saŋ³³/


流水行雲

ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄣˊ

люшуйсинъюнь

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ yn³⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ hɐŋ²¹ wɐn²¹/

/liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵²⁻³⁵ kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huŋ⁵⁵/

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ yn³⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ hɐŋ²¹ wɐn²¹/

/liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵²⁻³⁵ kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huŋ⁵⁵/

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


犯顏直諫

ㄈㄢˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄓˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

фаньяньчжицзянь

/fän⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/faːn²² ŋaːn²¹ t͡sɪk̚² kaːn³³/

/fän⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/faːn²² ŋaːn²¹ t͡sɪk̚² kaːn³³/

From Han Feizi:
:
犯顏極諫，臣不如東郭牙，請立以為諫臣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]犯颜极谏，臣不如东郭牙，请立以为谏臣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Feizi, circa 2ⁿᵈ century BCE
Fànyán jí jiàn, chén bùrú Dōngguō Yá, qǐng lì yǐ wéi jiànchén. [Pinyin]
In moving against the facial expression of the ruler and making utmost remonstrations, I am not as good as Dongguo Ya. May Your Highness appoint him Minister of Censorship.

犯顏 極 諫，臣 不如 ^東郭 ^牙，請 立 以 為{wéi} 諫臣。

constructive criticism
constructive criticism

to give constructive criticism to the emperor at the risk of offending him


苦思冥想

ㄎㄨˇ ㄙ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

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

/fuː³⁵ siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

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

/fuː³⁵ siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/


招搖撞騙

ㄓㄠ ㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄆㄧㄢˋ

чжаояочжуанпянь

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ t͡sɔːŋ²² pʰiːn³³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ t͡sɔːŋ²² pʰiːn³³/

我是對得天的，從不敢起這要錢的念頭。只是奴才在外招搖撞騙，鬧出事來我就吃不住了。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
我是对得天的，从不敢起这要钱的念头。只是奴才在外招摇撞骗，闹出事来我就吃不住了。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: Cao Xueqin, Dream of the Red Chamber, mid-18ᵗʰ century CE

Wǒ shì duì dé tiān de, cóng bùgǎn qǐ zhè yào qián de niàntou. Zhǐshì núcái zàiwài zhāoyáozhuàngpiàn, nào chū shì lái wǒ jiù chībùzhù le. [Pinyin]

你若借此招搖撞騙，可要置你於死地！ [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
你若借此招摇撞骗，可要置你于死地！ [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: 1907 CE, Liu E, The Travels of Lao Can

Nǐ ruò jiè cǐ zhāoyáozhuàngpiàn, kě yào zhì nǐ yú sǐdì! [Pinyin]

冒充人民警察招搖撞騙的，依照前款的規定從重處罰。 [MSC, trad.]
冒充人民警察招摇撞骗的，依照前款的规定从重处罚。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1997, 《中华人民共和国刑法》 [Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China]

Whoever impersonates a people's policeman to go about and deceive people shall be given a heavier punishment in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Màochōng rénmín jǐngchá zhāoyáozhuàngpiàn de, yīzhào qián kuǎn de guīdìng cóngzhòng chùfá. [Pinyin]

to pass oneself off as someone prominent and swindle people


心口不一

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄎㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ

/ɕin⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

/ɕin⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/


機不可失

ㄐㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kei̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/ki⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sit̚³²/

/ki⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sit̚³²/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kei̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/ki⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sit̚³²/

/ki⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sit̚³²/


藥石罔效

ㄧㄠˋ ㄕˊ ㄨㄤˇ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/jɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² sɛːk̚² mɔːŋ¹³ haːu̯²²/

/jɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² sɛːk̚² mɔːŋ¹³ haːu̯²²/


較勝一籌

ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄧ ㄔㄡˊ

цзяошэнъичоу

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kaːu̯³³ sɪŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹/

/kaːu̯³³ sɪŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹/


春秋鼎盛

desc

→ Japanese: 春秋鼎に盛んなり (shunjū masa ni sakan nari) (calque)

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄥˋ

чуньцюдиншэн

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ tɪŋ³⁵ sɪŋ²²/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ tɪŋ³⁵ sɪŋ²²/


非親非故

ㄈㄟ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄈㄟ ㄍㄨˋ

фэйциньфэйгу

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ku⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kuː³³/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ku⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kuː³³/

(of two people) to be neither relatives nor friends


情非得已

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄟ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˇ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jiː¹³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jiː¹³/

From Flowers in the Mirror [circa 19th century].
:
適才躲避桌下，自知失儀露醜，實系情非得已，諸位姐姐莫要發笑。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]适才躲避桌下，自知失仪露丑，实系情非得已，诸位姐姐莫要发笑。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Jing Hua Yuan
Shìcái duǒbì zhuō xià, zìzhī shī yí lù chǒu, shí xì qíngfēidéyǐ, zhūwèi jiějiě mò yào fāxiào. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

zh-x

適才 躲避 桌 下，自知 失 儀 露 醜，實 系 情非得已，諸位 姐姐 莫 要 發笑。

to have circumstances beyond one's control


先入之見

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄖㄨˋ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

сяньжучжицзянь

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siːn⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ kiːn³³/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siːn⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ kiːn³³/


日升月恆

ㄖˋ ㄕㄥ ㄩㄝˋ ㄏㄥˊ

/ʐ̩⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² sɪŋ⁵⁵ jyːt̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² sɪŋ⁵⁵ jyːt̚² hɐŋ²¹/

From Shijing:
如月之恆、如日之升。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]如月之恒、如日之升。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Rú yuè zhī héng, rú rì zhī shēng. [Pinyin]
Like the moon advancing to the full,
Like the sun ascending the heavens.

如 月 之 恆、如 日 之 升。

(figuratively) in the ascendant; ever increasing


日月升恆

ㄖˋ ㄩㄝˋ ㄕㄥ ㄏㄥˊ

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² jyːt̚² sɪŋ⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² jyːt̚² sɪŋ⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

日升月恆 日升月恆#Chinese


春秋筆法

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄅㄧˇ ㄈㄚˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

春秋 (chūnqiū) refers to Confucius' Spring and Autumn Annals, in which Confucius seldom made direct comments when evaluating historical events, but rather relied on different writing styles and vocabularies to convey his opinion.

這篇文章並沒有春秋筆法，只是記錄事實而已。 [MSC, trad.]
这篇文章并没有春秋笔法，只是记录事实而已。 [MSC, simp.]
Zhè piān wénzhāng bìng méiyǒu chūnqiūbǐfǎ, zhǐshì jìlù shìshí éryǐ. [Pinyin]

to make value-laden evaluations through writing styles and vocabularies


世事難料

ㄕˋ ㄕˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄠˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ nän³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ siː²² naːn²¹ liːu̯²²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ nän³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ siː²² naːn²¹ liːu̯²²/

worldly affairs are difficult to predict


不計前嫌

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ

буцзицяньсянь

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐi̯³³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jiːm²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐi̯³³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jiːm²¹/


東拼西湊

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄆㄧㄣ ㄒㄧ ㄘㄡˋ

дунпиньсицоу

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰin⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡sʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ³³ sɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯³³/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰin⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡sʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ³³ sɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯³³/

to assemble bits and pieces; to gather from all over the place


竹報平安

ㄓㄨˊ ㄅㄠˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄢ

чжубаопинъань

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ pou̯³³ pʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ pou̯³³ pʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵/

letter sent home to report that all is well


吉祥如意

ㄐㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ jyː²¹ jiː³³/

to be lucky and have everything go as one wishes


賣兒鬻女

ㄇㄞˋ ㄦˊ ㄩˋ ㄋㄩˇ

/maɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːi̯²² jiː²¹ jʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/maɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːi̯²² jiː²¹ jʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

to be forced to sell one's children because one is destitute


身強力壯

ㄕㄣ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

шэньцянличжуан

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹ lɪk̚² t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹ lɪk̚² t͡sɔːŋ³³/


孔武有力

ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄨˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧˋ

/kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/hʊŋ³⁵ mou̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ lɪk̚²/

/kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/hʊŋ³⁵ mou̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ lɪk̚²/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 80 (《詩經·鄭風·羔裘》):
:
羔裘豹飾，孔武有力。
彼其之子，邦之司直。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]羔裘豹饰，孔武有力。
彼其之子，邦之司直。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Gāo qiú bào shì, kǒng wǔ yǒu lì.
Bǐ qí zhī zǐ, bāng zhī sī zhí. [Pinyin]
His lambs's fur, with its cuffs of leopard-skin. Looks grandly martial and strong.
That officer, In the country will ever hold to the right.

lang

(《詩經·鄭風·羔裘》)

(《詩經·鄭風·羔裘》)

zh-x

羔 裘 豹 飾，孔.武.有.力。
彼 其 之 子，邦 之 司 直。

to have great physical strength and courage


獨尊儒術

ㄉㄨˊ ㄗㄨㄣ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄨˋ

/tu³⁵ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² t͡syːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ sɵt̚²/

/tu³⁵ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² t͡syːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ sɵt̚²/


獨步天下

ㄉㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/tu³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² pou̯²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/

/tu³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² pou̯²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/


東一榔頭西一棒子

东一榔头西一棒子
東一榔頭，西一棒子

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄧ ㄌㄤˊ ˙ㄊㄡ ㄒㄧ ㄧ ㄅㄤˋ ㄗˇ

dung¹ jat¹ long⁴ tau⁴ sai¹ jat¹ paang⁵ zi²

dōng yī lángtou xī yī bàngzǐ [Phonetic:dōng yì lángtou xī yí bàngzǐ]

дун и лантоу си и банцзы

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³ ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pɑŋ⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

dung¹ jat⁷ long⁴ tau⁴ sai¹ jat⁷ paang⁵ dzi²

dung¹ yed¹ long⁴ teo⁴ sei¹ yed¹ pang⁵ ji²

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ lɔːŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ sɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːŋ¹³ t͡siː³⁵/

[Phonetic: dōng yì lángtou xī yí bàngzǐ]

(figurative) doing things without clear organisation or objective


東一榔頭，西一棒子

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄧ ㄌㄤˊ ˙ㄊㄡ

dung¹ jat¹ long⁴ tau⁴, sai¹ jat¹ paang⁵ zi²

дун и лантоу

dung¹ jat⁷ long⁴ tau⁴, sai¹ jat⁷ paang⁵ dzi²

dung¹ yed¹ long⁴ teo⁴, sei¹ yed¹ pang⁵ ji²

東一榔頭西一棒子 東一榔頭西一棒子#Chinese

东一榔头西一棒子 东一榔头西一棒子#Chinese

Alternative form of 東一榔頭西一棒子／东一榔头西一棒子 (dōng yī lángtou xī yī bàngzǐ)


五彩賓紛

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄈㄣ

уцайбиньфэнь

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

五彩繽紛 五彩繽紛#Chinese

五彩缤纷 五彩缤纷#Chinese

(uncommon) Alternative form of 五彩繽紛／五彩缤纷 (wǔcǎibīnfēn)


裹足不前

ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

/ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/kʷɔː³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛn¹³/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²³/

/ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/kʷɔː³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛn¹³/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²³/


明媒正娶

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄓㄥˋ ㄑㄩˇ

минмэйчжэнцюй

/miŋ³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ muːi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/

/miŋ³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ muːi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/


揮灑自如

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄙㄚˇ ㄗˋ ㄖㄨˊ

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ sä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ saː³⁵ t͡siː²² jyː²¹/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ sä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ saː³⁵ t͡siː²² jyː²¹/

to write or paint without constraint; to be skilful in writing, calligraphy, or painting


坐收漁利

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄡ ㄩˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² sɐu̯⁵⁵ jyː²¹ lei̯²²/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² sɐu̯⁵⁵ jyː²¹ lei̯²²/

to reap the benefits of two other parties fighting


歡聚一堂

ㄏㄨㄢ ㄐㄩˋ ㄧ ㄊㄤˊ

хуаньцзюйитан

/xu̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fuːn⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐt̚⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/xu̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fuːn⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐt̚⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/


齊心合力

ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄜˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hɐp̚² lɪk̚²/

/t͡sʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sim³³⁻²³ hap̚⁴⁻² lak̚⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hɐp̚² lɪk̚²/

/t͡sʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sim³³⁻²³ hap̚⁴⁻² lak̚⁴/


夜不閉戶

ㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄏㄨˋ

/jɛ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/jɛː²² pɐt̚⁵ pɐi̯³³ wuː²²/

/jɛ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/jɛː²² pɐt̚⁵ pɐi̯³³ wuː²²/

doors are left open at night (because of good public order)


遠渡重洋

ㄩㄢˇ ㄉㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄤˊ

юаньдучунъян

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ tou̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ tou̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/


念茲在茲

ㄋㄧㄢˋ ㄗ ㄗㄞˋ ㄗ

няньцзыцзайцзы

/ni̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ni̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵/


自立門戶

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄏㄨˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ mən³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² laːp̚² muːn²¹ wuː²²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ mən³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² laːp̚² muːn²¹ wuː²²/

to establish one's own group, school of thought, business, etc.; to strike out on one's own


薪盡火傳

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

синьцзиньхочуань

/ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² fɔː³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² fɔː³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

knowledge or a skill is passed on from generation to generation (from teacher to student)


豪言壯語

ㄏㄠˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄩˇ

хаояньчжуанъюй

/xɑʊ̯³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hou̯²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ³³ jyː¹³/

/xɑʊ̯³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hou̯²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ³³ jyː¹³/

brave and proud words; bold and grandiose words


一屍兩命

ㄧ ㄕ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ mɛːŋ²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ mɛːŋ²²/

a pregnant woman and her fetus die together


齋戒沐浴

ㄓㄞ ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄩˋ

/ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/t͡saːi̯⁵⁵ kaːi̯³³ mʊk̚² jʊk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/t͡saːi̯⁵⁵ kaːi̯³³ mʊk̚² jʊk̚²/

to fast (by abstaining from meat, wine, etc.) and bathe oneself and change into clean clothes before a ritual or ceremony


生死搏鬥

ㄕㄥ ㄙˇ ㄅㄛˊ ㄉㄡˋ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ pɔːk̚³ tɐu̯³³/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ pɔːk̚³ tɐu̯³³/


補偏救弊

ㄅㄨˇ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/pou̯³⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ pɐi̯²²/

/pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/pou̯³⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ pɐi̯²²/


大可不必

ㄉㄚˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/tä⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ piːt̚⁵/

/tä⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ piːt̚⁵/


不亢不卑

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄤˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄟ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʰɔːŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʰɔːŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/


赤子之心

чицзычжисинь

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪk̚³ t͡siː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪk̚³ t͡siː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

From Mencius [circa 4th century BC].
:
大人者，不失其赤子之心者也。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Dàrén zhě, bùshī qí chìzǐzhīxīn zhě yě. [Pinyin]
A gentleman is that who do not lose the purity as an infant.

大人 者，不失 其 赤子之心 者 也。


前塵往事

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄨㄤˇ ㄕˋ

цяньчэньванши

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰɐn²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ siː²²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰɐn²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ siː²²/


不過意

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ jiː³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ jiː³³/


不咎既往

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄨㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³³ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³³ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

let bygones be bygones
let bygones be bygones


不見經傳

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓㄨㄢˋ

буцзяньцзинчжуань

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡syːn²²/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡syːn²²/


不解之緣

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ ㄓ ㄩㄢˊ

буцзечжиюань

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kaːi̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kaːi̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/


不即不離

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/


不經之談

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓ ㄊㄢˊ

буцзинчжитань

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰaːm²¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰaːm²¹/


斷壁殘垣

ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄘㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ

дуаньбицаньюань

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/tyːn²² pɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ wuːn²¹/

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/tyːn²² pɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ wuːn²¹/

dilapidated and collapsed walls; ruins of a building


歸心似箭

ㄍㄨㄟ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄙˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

гуйсиньсыцзянь

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː¹³ t͡siːn³³/

/kui³³⁻²³ sim³³⁻²³ sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ²¹³/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː¹³ t͡siːn³³/

/kui³³⁻²³ sim³³⁻²³ sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ²¹³/

to have one's heart set on returning home; to have an urge to return home


魚米之鄉

ㄩˊ ㄇㄧˇ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄤ

/y³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ mɐi̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/y³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ mɐi̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

land where rice and fish are abundantly produced


老弱婦孺

ㄌㄠˇ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ jœːk̚² fuː¹³ jyː²¹/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ jœːk̚² fuː¹³ jyː²¹/

the elderly, the infirm, women, and children


徒有虛名

ㄊㄨˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄩ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/tʰu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ hɵy̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/tʰu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ hɵy̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

to have a reputation for something one actually lacks; having a fake reputation


歷久彌新

ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² kɐu̯³⁵ nei̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

/li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² kɐu̯³⁵ nei̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

to last long and become even more vigorous as time passes


直搗黃龍

ㄓˊ ㄉㄠˇ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

чжидаохуанлун

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² tou̯³⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² tou̯³⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

Quoted from Yue Fei:
:
飛大喜，語其下曰：「直抵黃龍府，與諸君痛飲爾！」 [Literary Chinese, trad.]飞大喜，语其下曰：「直抵黄龙府，与诸君痛饮尔！」 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: 1345 CE, Toqto'a (lead editor), History of Song
Fēi dàxǐ, yǔ qí xià yuē: “Zhídǐ Huánglóngfǔ, yǔ zhūjūn tòngyǐn ěr!” [Pinyin]
Yue Fei became very delighted and said to his subordinates, "We will attack to Huanglong Prefecture (an important city of the Jurchen Empire) directly, and then let's drink our fill there!"

飛 大喜 ， 語 其 下 曰 ： 「 直抵 @^黃龍府 ， 與 諸君 痛飲 爾 ！ 」

to attack the enemy's headquarters or lair directly


不是玩兒的

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄨㄢˊㄦ ˙ㄉㄜ

буши ваньр дэ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wɑɻ³⁵ d̥ə³/

/pɐt̚⁵ siː²² wuːn²² jiː²¹ tɪk̚⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wɑɻ³⁵ d̥ə³/

/pɐt̚⁵ siː²² wuːn²² jiː²¹ tɪk̚⁵/


勸善懲惡

ㄑㄩㄢˋ ㄕㄢˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄜˋ

ㄑㄩㄢˋ ㄕㄢˋ ㄔㄥˇ ㄜˋ

цюаньшаньчэнъэ

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/hyːn³³ siːn²² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːk̚³/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/hyːn³³ siːn²² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːk̚³/

zh-l

懲惡勸善／惩恶劝善 (chéng'èquànshàn)

to encourage the good and punish the wicked


冒大不韙

ㄇㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˇ

/mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²² taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯¹³/

/mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²² taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯¹³/

to act in defiance of universal condemnation


善男信女

ㄕㄢˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄋㄩˇ

шаньнань синьнюй

/ʂän⁵¹ nän³⁵ ɕin⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn²² naːm²¹ sɵn³³ nɵy̯¹³⁻³⁵/

/siːn²² naːm²¹ sɵn³³ nɵy̯¹³/

/siɛn³³⁻¹¹ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ sin¹¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵³/

/siɛn²²⁻²¹ lam²⁴⁻²² sin²¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵³/

/siɛn³³⁻²¹ lam²³⁻³³ sin²¹⁻⁴¹ lu⁴¹/

/siɛn⁴¹⁻²² lam²⁴⁻²² sin⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ lɯ⁵⁵⁴/

/siɛn²²⁻²¹ lam¹³⁻²² sin²¹⁻⁵³ li⁵³/

/ʂän⁵¹ nän³⁵ ɕin⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn²² naːm²¹ sɵn³³ nɵy̯¹³⁻³⁵/

/siːn²² naːm²¹ sɵn³³ nɵy̯¹³/

/siɛn³³⁻¹¹ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ sin¹¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵³/

/siɛn²²⁻²¹ lam²⁴⁻²² sin²¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵³/

/siɛn³³⁻²¹ lam²³⁻³³ sin²¹⁻⁴¹ lu⁴¹/

/siɛn⁴¹⁻²² lam²⁴⁻²² sin⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ lɯ⁵⁵⁴/

/siɛn²²⁻²¹ lam¹³⁻²² sin²¹⁻⁵³ li⁵³/

devotees or followers of Buddhism, later extended to Taoism and other Chinese traditions


甜言美語

ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄩˇ

тяньяньмэйюй

/tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːm²¹ jiːn²¹ mei̯¹³ jyː¹³/

/tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːm²¹ jiːn²¹ mei̯¹³ jyː¹³/

sweet words and honeyed phrases; cajolery


不知所終

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄓㄨㄥ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

to not know what has become of someone; to not know someone's whereabouts; to not know what happened to someone


將功補過

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ kʷɔː³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ kʷɔː³³/

to make amends for one's faults by good deeds


親力親為

ㄑㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄨㄟˊ

циньлициньвэй

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/


公報私仇

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄠˋ ㄙ ㄔㄡˊ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³³ siː⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³³ siː⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹/

to use one's official position to avenge a personal grudge


馬革裹屍

to have one's corpse shrouded in horse leather

ㄇㄚˇ ㄍㄜˊ ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄕ

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ³⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/maː¹³ kaːk̚³ kʷɔː³⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ³⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/maː¹³ kaːk̚³ kʷɔː³⁵ siː⁵⁵/

to die in the battlefield (of a soldier)


分文不取

ㄈㄣ ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩˇ

фэньвэньбуцюй

/fən⁵⁵ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐn⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/

/fən⁵⁵ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐn⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/


害人害己

ㄏㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄞˋ ㄐㄧˇ

хайжэньхайцзи

/xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ hɔːi̯²² kei̯³⁵/

/xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ hɔːi̯²² kei̯³⁵/


濟濟一堂

ㄐㄧˇ ㄐㄧˇ ㄧ ㄊㄤˊ

/t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

many people gather together in the same place


深居簡出

ㄕㄣ ㄐㄩ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄔㄨ

шэньцзюйцзяньчу

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ kaːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ kaːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

to live a secluded life and rarely come out of one's home


後會無期

ㄏㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧ

ㄏㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² wuːi̯²² mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² wuːi̯²² mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

to not know when paths will cross once more


過目不忘

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄤˋ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔː³³ mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔː³³ mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/


軟硬兼施

ㄖㄨㄢˇ ㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄕ

жуаньин цзяньши

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jyːn¹³ ŋaːŋ²² kiːm⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jyːn¹³ ŋaːŋ²² kiːm⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/


殘垣斷壁

ㄘㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄧˋ

цаньюаньдуаньби

/t͡sʰän³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ wuːn²¹ tyːn²² pɪk̚⁵/

/t͡sʰän³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ wuːn²¹ tyːn²² pɪk̚⁵/


沁人心脾

ㄑㄧㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄆㄧˊ

циньжэньсиньпи

/t͡ɕʰin⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pʰi³⁵/

/sɐm³³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰei̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pʰi³⁵/

/sɐm³³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰei̯²¹/


嘴硬心軟

ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄖㄨㄢˇ

цзуйинсиньжуань

/t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯³⁵ ŋaːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn¹³/

/t͡sɵy̯³⁵ ŋaːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn¹³/

to have a foul mouth hiding a soft heart


殘渣餘孽

ㄘㄢˊ ㄓㄚ ㄩˊ ㄋㄧㄝˋ

/t͡sʰän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä⁵⁵ y³⁵ ni̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ t͡saː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiːp̚²/

/t͡sʰän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä⁵⁵ y³⁵ ni̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ t͡saː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiːp̚²/


相得益彰

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ ㄓㄤ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jɪk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jɪk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

Based on a passage in Records of the Grand Historian [circa 2nd century AD].
:
夷、叔齊雖賢，得夫子而名益彰。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]夷、叔齐虽贤，得夫子而名益彰。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Shi Ji
Yí, shū qí suī xián, dé fūzǐ ér míng yì zhāng. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

zh-x

夷、叔 齊 雖 賢，得 夫子 而 名 益 彰。

to help and complement each other so both can hone their talents better


狗頭軍師

ㄍㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄕ

гоутоуцзюньши

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

an incompetent person who likes to give suggestions to others


粉墨登場

ㄈㄣˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄉㄥ ㄔㄤˇ

ㄈㄣˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄉㄥ ㄔㄤˊ

фэньмодэнчан

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ tɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ tɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐn³⁵ mɐk̚² tɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ tɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐn³⁵ mɐk̚² tɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/


扭虧為盈

ㄋㄧㄡˇ ㄎㄨㄟ ㄨㄟˊ ㄧㄥˊ

/ni̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/nɐu̯³⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

/ni̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/nɐu̯³⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

to turn loss into gain; to be back in the black


望而卻步

ㄨㄤˋ ㄦˊ ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄅㄨˋ

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² jiː²¹ kʰœːk̚³ pou̯²²/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² jiː²¹ kʰœːk̚³ pou̯²²/


磨穿鐵硯

ㄇㄛˊ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄧㄢˋ

мочуаньтеянь

/mu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹/

/mɔː²¹ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ tʰiːt̚³ jiːn²²/

/mu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹/

/mɔː²¹ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ tʰiːt̚³ jiːn²²/

(figuratively) to show extreme diligence in one's studies


遮天蔽日

ㄓㄜ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄅㄧˋ ㄖˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pɐi̯³³ jɐt̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pɐi̯³³ jɐt̚²/


藏龍臥虎

ㄘㄤˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˇ

/t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ wɔ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ ŋɔː²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ wɔ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ ŋɔː²² fuː³⁵/

to have many hidden talented individuals


就事論事

ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄕˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄕˋ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯²² siː²² lɵn²² siː²²/

/t͡siu³⁵⁻¹¹ sɯ¹¹ luŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sɯ¹¹/

/t͡sɐu̯²² siː²² lɵn²² siː²²/

/t͡siu³⁵⁻¹¹ sɯ¹¹ luŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sɯ¹¹/

to consider the matter in isolation; to judge the case as it stands (and not a specific individual)


黃湯辣水

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄊㄤ ㄌㄚˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

хуантанлашуй

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ lä⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːt̚² sɵy̯³⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ lä⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːt̚² sɵy̯³⁵/


清光滑辣

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄌㄚˋ

цингуанхуала

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ waːt̚² laːt̚²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ waːt̚² laːt̚²/


油腔滑調

ㄧㄡˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

/joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ waːt̚² tiːu̯²²/

/joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ waːt̚² tiːu̯²²/

for one's words to be unserious and insincere


曾經滄海

ㄘㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ

цэнцзинцанхай

/t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

been there, done that
been there, done that


貪小便宜

ㄊㄢ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄆㄧㄢˊ ˙ㄧ

ㄊㄢ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄆㄧㄢˊ ㄧˊ

таньсяопяньи

/tʰän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³/

/tʰän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ pʰiːn²¹ jiː²¹⁻³⁵/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ pʰiːn²¹ jiː²¹/

/tʰän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³/

/tʰän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ pʰiːn²¹ jiː²¹⁻³⁵/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ pʰiːn²¹ jiː²¹/


風雨如晦

ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

фэнъюйжухуэй

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ jyː²¹ fuːi̯³³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ jyː²¹ fuːi̯³³/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 90 (《詩經·鄭風·風雨》):
:
風雨如晦，雞鳴不已。
既見君子，云胡不喜。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]风雨如晦，鸡鸣不已。
既见君子，云胡不喜。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Fēngyǔ rú huì, jīmíng bùyǐ.
Jì jiàn jūnzǐ, yún hú bù xǐ. [Pinyin]
Through the wind and rain all looks dark, And the cock crows without ceasing.
But I have seen my husband, And how should I not rejoice?

lang

(《詩經·鄭風·風雨》)

(《詩經·鄭風·風雨》)

zh-x

風雨.如.晦，雞鳴 不已。
既 見 君子，云 胡 不 喜。


面有菜色

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄘㄞˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/miːn²² jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³³ sɪk̚⁵/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/miːn²² jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³³ sɪk̚⁵/

to have a sallow complexion and look famished


放屁辣臊

ㄈㄤˋ ㄆㄧˋ ㄌㄚˋ ㄙㄠ

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lä⁵¹ sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ pʰei̯³³ laːt̚² sou̯⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lä⁵¹ sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ pʰei̯³³ laːt̚² sou̯⁵⁵/


薑桂老辣

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄌㄠˇ ㄌㄚˋ

цзянгуйлаола

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lä⁵¹/

/kœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ lou̯¹³ laːt̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lä⁵¹/

/kœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ lou̯¹³ laːt̚²/


穩中求進

ㄨㄣˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

вэньчжунцюцзинь

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/wɐn³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sɵn³³/

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/wɐn³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sɵn³³/

to seek further progress on the basis of stability


敢為人先

ㄍㄢˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄢ

ганьвэйжэньсянь

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɐm³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ siːn⁵⁵/

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɐm³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ siːn⁵⁵/

to have the courage to do what others have not done; to have the courage to take the lead


招風招雨

чжаофэнчжаоюй

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³/


只爭朝夕

ㄓˇ ㄓㄥ ㄓㄠ ㄒㄧˋ

чжичжэнчжаоси

čžičžɛnčžaosi

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/


飛禽走獸

ㄈㄟ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄗㄡˇ ㄕㄡˋ

фэйциньцзоушоу

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ kʰɐm²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ kʰɐm²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/


眾望所歸

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄤˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄍㄨㄟ

чжунвансогуй

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ mɔːŋ²² sɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ mɔːŋ²² sɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/


摸老虎屁股

ㄇㄛ ㄌㄠˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄆㄧˋ ˙ㄍㄨ

мо лаоху пигу

/mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹ g̊u¹/

/mɔː³⁵ lou̯¹³ fuː³⁵ pʰei̯³³ kuː³⁵/

/mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹ g̊u¹/

/mɔː³⁵ lou̯¹³ fuː³⁵ pʰei̯³³ kuː³⁵/

(Mainland China, figurative, colloquial) to offend an influential person


掇臀捧屁

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄊㄨㄣˊ ㄆㄥˇ ㄆㄧˋ

ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄊㄨㄣˊ ㄆㄥˇ ㄆㄧˋ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ən³⁵ pʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹/

/tu̯ɔ³⁵ tʰu̯ən³⁵ pʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹/

/t͡syːt̚³ tʰyːn²¹ pʰʊŋ³⁵ pʰei̯³³/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ən³⁵ pʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹/

/tu̯ɔ³⁵ tʰu̯ən³⁵ pʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹/

/t͡syːt̚³ tʰyːn²¹ pʰʊŋ³⁵ pʰei̯³³/


茶餘酒後

ㄔㄚˊ ㄩˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄏㄡˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ y³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaː²¹ jyː²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ hɐu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ y³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaː²¹ jyː²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ hɐu̯²²/


察察為明

ㄔㄚˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sʰaːt̚³ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sʰaːt̚³ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

to think one is discerning and shrewd for focusing on minutiae, but neglecting the bigger picture


虎背熊腰

to have the back of a tiger and the waist of a bear

ㄏㄨˇ ㄅㄟˋ ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄧㄠ

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ puːi̯³³ hʊŋ²¹ jiːu̯⁵⁵/

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ puːi̯³³ hʊŋ²¹ jiːu̯⁵⁵/


奼紫嫣紅

ㄔㄚˋ ㄗˇ ㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄥˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰaː³³ t͡siː³⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰaː³³ t͡siː³⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/


妙趣橫生

ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄑㄩˋ ㄏㄥˊ ㄕㄥ

мяоцюйхэншэн

/mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³³ waːŋ²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/miau³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hũẽ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sẽ³³/

/mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³³ waːŋ²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/miau³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hũẽ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sẽ³³/


饞涎欲滴

ㄔㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄩˋ ㄉㄧ

чаньсяньюйди

/ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y⁵¹ ti⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰaːm²¹ jiːn²¹ jʊk̚² tɪk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y⁵¹ ti⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰaːm²¹ jiːn²¹ jʊk̚² tɪk̚²/


纏綿悱惻

ㄔㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄟˇ ㄘㄜˋ

чаньмяньфэйцэ

/ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ mi̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ miːn²¹ fei̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ mi̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ miːn²¹ fei̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/


誤打誤撞

ㄨˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

/u⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍²² taː³⁵ ŋ̍²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

/u⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍²² taː³⁵ ŋ̍²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/


神憎鬼厭

ㄕㄣˊ ㄗㄥ ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄧㄢˋ

шэньцзэнгуйянь

/ʂən³⁵ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³⁵ jiːm³³/

/ʂən³⁵ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³⁵ jiːm³³/

to be extremely detestable; to be extremely irritating

神檯貓屎——神憎鬼厭／神台猫屎——神憎鬼厌

san4 toi4 maau1 si2, san4 zang1 gwai2 jim3


輸打贏要

beat (the opponent) when one loses, but only accept (the results) when one wins

ㄕㄨ ㄉㄚˇ ㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄠˋ

/ʂu⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/syː⁵⁵ taː³⁵ jɛːŋ²¹ jiːu̯³³/

/ʂu⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/syː⁵⁵ taː³⁵ jɛːŋ²¹ jiːu̯³³/

(chiefly Cantonese) to refuse to accept the outcome after losing


有心無力

ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ u³⁵ li⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ u³⁵ li⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

to have the will but not the power or strength to do something


一漿十餅

ㄧ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄕˊ ㄅㄧㄥˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ piŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐp̚² pɛːŋ³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ piŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐp̚² pɛːŋ³⁵/


牛嚼牡丹

ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄇㄨˇ ㄉㄢ

нюцзюэмудань

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡siːu̯²² maːu̯¹³ taːn⁵⁵/

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡siːu̯²² maːu̯¹³ taːn⁵⁵/

not knowing the value of food, hence wasting it


昊天罔極

ㄏㄠˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄨㄤˇ ㄐㄧˊ

хаотяньванцзи

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hou̯²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ kɪk̚²/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hou̯²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ kɪk̚²/

From the Classic of Poetry.
父兮生我，母兮鞠我，拊我畜我，長我育我，顧我復我，出入腹我。欲報之德，昊天罔極。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]父兮生我，母兮鞠我，拊我畜我，长我育我，顾我复我，出入腹我。欲报之德，昊天罔极。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Fù xī shēng wǒ, mǔ xī jū wǒ, fǔ wǒ xù wǒ, zhǎng wǒ yù wǒ, gù wǒ fù wǒ, chū rù fù wǒ. Yù bào zhī dé, hàotiānwǎngjí. [Pinyin]
O my father, who begat me! O my mother, who nourished me! Ye indulged me, ye fed me, ye held me up, ye supported me, ye looked after me, ye never left me, out and in ye bore me in your arms. If I would return your kindness, it is like great Heaven, illimitable.

父 兮 生 我，母 兮 鞠 我，拊 我 畜 我，長{zhǎng} 我 育 我，顧 我 復 我，出 入 腹 我。欲 報 之 德，昊天罔極。

the immeasurable kindness of parents and elders, as boundless as the sky


動人心弦

ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄢˊ

дунжэньсиньсянь

/tʊŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʊŋ²² jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

/tʊŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʊŋ²² jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

to be deeply moving; to tug at one's heartstrings


量出為入

ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄔㄨ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄨˋ

/li̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/lœːŋ²² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐp̚²/

/li̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/lœːŋ²² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐp̚²/

From volume 234, Zizhi Tongjian:
:
是以聖王立程，量入為出，雖遇災難，下無困窮。理化既衰，則乃反是，量出為入，不恤所無。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
是以圣王立程，量入为出，虽遇灾难，下无困穷。理化既衰，则乃反是，量出为入，不恤所无。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: 1084 CE, Sima Guang, Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government
Shìyǐ shèngwáng lì chéng, liàngrùwèichū, suī yù zāinán, xià wú kùnqióng. Lǐ huà jì shuāi, zé nǎi fǎnshì, liàngchūwèirù, bù xù suǒ wú. [Pinyin]
A wise ruler, therefore, measures the expenditures according to his revenues. Although he may encounter disasters, the lower level can still avoid poverty. When the manners weaken, on the other hand, it will be upside down: He measures the revenues according to his expenditures, and has no sympathy for those who have nothing. (Wiktionary translation)

是以 聖王 立 程，量入為出，雖 遇 災難，下 無 困窮。理 化 既 衰，則 乃 反是，量出為入，不 恤 所 無。

2020, 李述德 (Lee Sush-der), 《國政芻言》政府財政應量出為入, 台灣醒報 (Awakening News Networks):
政府施政為民服務，一般應該先決定政務優先順序，再據以籌措適量財源，以資因應，此乃政府財政「量出為入」的原則，實不宜以政府有錢或沒錢來決定應否執行政務。 [MSC, trad.]
政府施政为民服务，一般应该先决定政务优先顺序，再据以筹措适量财源，以资因应，此乃政府财政「量出为入」的原则，实不宜以政府有钱或没钱来决定应否执行政务。 [MSC, simp.]

Generally, when it comes to serving the people, the government should decide the priority of government affairs first, then raise the appropriate revenue to get by. This is the principle of measuring revenues within the expenditure. The government should not decide affairs by the revenue of the treasury.

Zhèngfǔ shīzhèng wèi mín fúwù, yībān yìnggāi xiān juédìng zhèngwù yōuxiān shùnxù, zài jù yǐ chóucuò shìliàng cáiyuán, yǐ zī yīnyìng, cǐ nǎi zhèngfǔ cáizhèng “liàngchūwèirù” de yuánzé, shí bùyí yǐ zhèngfǔ yǒuqián huò méiqián lái juédìng yìngfǒu zhíxíng zhèngwù. [Pinyin]

2013, 譚介輝, 淺談量入為出與量出為入, 人民日報理論版 (People's Daily: theory page):
量出為入，強調應收才收、收支匹配，意味著支出決定於職能的實現，預算收入為支出提供保証，但不能據此片面地認為支出決定收入，為好大喜功、脫離實際找借口。 [MSC, trad.]
量出为入，强调应收才收、收支匹配，意味著支出决定于职能的实现，预算收入为支出提供保証，但不能据此片面地认为支出决定收入，为好大喜功、脱离实际找借口。 [MSC, simp.]

To measure government's revenues according to its expenditures emphasise collecting taxes only when necessary and balancing the budget. The principle implies that the expenditure should be based on a function's implementation, and the revenue guarantees the expenditure. The principle cannot be unilaterally interpreted as the expenditure decides the revenue, making excuses of craving greatness or being out of touch.

Liàngchūwèirù, qiángdiào yìng shōu cái shōu, shōuzhī pǐpèi, yìwèi zhù zhīchū juédìng yú zhínéng de shíxiàn, yùsuàn shōurù wèi zhīchū tígōng bǎozhèng, dàn bùnéng jù cǐ piànmiàn dì rènwèi zhīchū juédìng shōurù, wèi hǎodàxǐgōng, tuōlí shíjì zhǎo jièkǒu. [Pinyin]

to measure one's revenues according to one's expenditures


噓寒問暖

ㄒㄩ ㄏㄢˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄋㄨㄢˇ

сюйханьвэньнуань

/ɕy⁵⁵ xän³⁵ wən⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ hɔːn²¹ mɐn²² nyːn¹³/

/ɕy⁵⁵ xän³⁵ wən⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ hɔːn²¹ mɐn²² nyːn¹³/

to show concern for someone by asking about their lives


水浸眼眉

/sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɐm³³ ŋaːn¹³ mei̯²¹/

/sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɐm³³ ŋaːn¹³ mei̯²¹/


街知巷聞

known in the streets and heard in the alleys

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɔːŋ²² mɐn²¹/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɔːŋ²² mɐn²¹/

(Cantonese) very well-known; ubiquitously known


不在少數

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄕㄠˇ ㄕㄨˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² siːu̯³⁵ sou̯³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² siːu̯³⁵ sou̯³³/


趨吉避凶

ㄑㄩ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄩㄥ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ kɐt̚⁵ pei̯²² hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ kɐt̚⁵ pei̯²² hʊŋ⁵⁵/

to seek good fortune and avoid disasters


七擒七縱

ㄑㄧ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄑㄧ ㄗㄨㄥˋ

цициньцицзун

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ kʰɐm²¹ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ d͡ʑin⁴⁴ t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ t͡soŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ kʰɐm²¹ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ d͡ʑin⁴⁴ t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ t͡soŋ⁴⁴/

to use strategies optimally; to be strategic


謙謙君子

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ

цяньцяньцзюньцзы

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hiːm⁵⁵ hiːm⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/hiːm⁵⁵ hiːm⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

From I Ching, Hexagram 15 (《易经·謙卦》):
:
初六：謙謙君子，用涉大川，吉。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]初六：谦谦君子，用涉大川，吉。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Chū liù: qiānqiān jūnzǐ, yòng shè dà chuān, jí. [Pinyin]
The first SIX, divided, shows us the superior man who adds humility to humility. (Even) the great stream may be crossed with this, and there will be good fortune.

初 六：謙謙.君子，用 涉 大 川，吉。

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 15


醉生夢死

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄥ ㄇㄥˋ ㄙˇ

цзуйшэнмэнсы

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

to lead a befuddled life as if one is drunk or dreaming


三番四次

/saːm⁵⁵ faːn⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sʰiː³³/

/saːm⁵⁵ faːn⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sʰiː³³/

(Cantonese, Nanning Pinghua) again and again; over and over again


梅花間竹

/muːi̯²¹ faː⁵⁵ kaːn³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/muːi̯²¹ faː⁵⁵ kaːn³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/


蓬首垢面

ㄆㄥˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄍㄡˋ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

пэншоугоумянь

/pʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯³³ miːn²²/

/pʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯³³ miːn²²/

蓬頭垢面 蓬頭垢面#Chinese

蓬头垢面 蓬头垢面#Chinese

Synonym of 蓬頭垢面／蓬头垢面 (péngtóugòumiàn, “messy hair and dirty face”)


良辰美景

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

лянчэньмэйцзин

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sɐn²¹ mei̯¹³ kɪŋ³⁵/

/lœːŋ²¹ sɐn²¹ mei̯¹³ kɪŋ³⁵/


深耕細作

ㄕㄣ ㄍㄥ ㄒㄧˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

шэньгэнсицзо

/ʂən⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːk̚³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːk̚³/

(figuratively) to develop deeply and thoroughly


緣慳一面

ㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄧ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

юаньцяньимянь

/ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

to not have the chance or luck to meet somebody because of destiny


雞飛狗走

ㄐㄧ ㄈㄟ ㄍㄡˇ ㄗㄡˇ

цзифэйгоуцзоу

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

雞飛狗跳 雞飛狗跳#Chinese

鸡飞狗跳 鸡飞狗跳#Chinese

(chiefly Cantonese) Synonym of 雞飛狗跳／鸡飞狗跳 (jīfēigǒutiào, “complete turmoil; total chaos”)


雞飛狗跳

ㄐㄧ ㄈㄟ ㄍㄡˇ ㄊㄧㄠˋ

цзифэйгоутяо

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯³³/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯³³/


鐵樹開花

ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄕㄨˋ ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄚ

те шукай хуа

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ syː²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ syː²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

From the fact that king sago palm rarely blossoms, which is especially true if the plant was cultivated outside of tropical areas.


虎虎生風

ㄏㄨˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄥ

/xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ fuː³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ fuː³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/


鴻運當頭

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄩㄣˋ ㄉㄤ ㄊㄡˊ

хунъюньдантоу

/xʊŋ³⁵ yn⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ wɐn²² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² un²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² un⁴¹⁻²² tŋ̍³³ tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² un²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ un³³⁻¹¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ un³³⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³/

/xʊŋ³⁵ yn⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ wɐn²² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² un²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² un⁴¹⁻²² tŋ̍³³ tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² un²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ un³³⁻¹¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ un³³⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³/

to experience a huge stroke of good luck


痌瘝在抱

ㄊㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄠˋ

тунгуаньцзайбао

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² pʰou̯¹³/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² pʰou̯¹³/

to be concerned for the populace's sufferings


狗血噴頭

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄆㄣ ㄊㄡˊ

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄆㄣ ㄊㄡˊ

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄆㄣ ㄊㄡˊ

гоусюэпэньтоу

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

гоусепэньтоу

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ hyːt̚³ pʰɐn³³ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/ˈkiɛu²¹³⁻¹³ ɕyɵt̚⁵ pʰɨn⁴² tʰɛu²⁴/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pʰun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔ²⁴/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ hyːt̚³ pʰɐn³³ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/ˈkiɛu²¹³⁻¹³ ɕyɵt̚⁵ pʰɨn⁴² tʰɛu²⁴/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pʰun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔ²⁴/

bite someone's head off
bite someone's head off

(figurative) to bite someone's head off; to scold fiercely; to curse; to berate


狗尾續貂

ㄍㄡˇ ㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄩˋ ㄉㄧㄠ

гоувэйсюйдяо

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵¹ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ mei̯¹³ t͡sʊk̚² tiːu̯⁵⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵¹ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ mei̯¹³ t͡sʊk̚² tiːu̯⁵⁵/


如假包換

ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄅㄠ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

жуцзябаохуань

/ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ kaː³⁵ paːu̯⁵⁵ wuːn²²/

/ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ kaː³⁵ paːu̯⁵⁵ wuːn²²/


慢條斯理

ㄇㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄙ ㄌㄧˇ

/män⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄇㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄙ ㄌㄧˇㄦ

маньтяосылир

/män⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ liə̯ɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²² tʰiːu̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/

/män⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/män⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ liə̯ɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²² tʰiːu̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/


滄海遺珠

ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ ㄧˊ ㄓㄨ

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

From the comment of Yan Liben about Di Renjie quoted in New Book of Tang:
仲尼稱觀過知仁，君可謂滄海遺珠矣。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]仲尼称观过知仁，君可谓沧海遗珠矣。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: The New Book of Tang, 1060 CE
Zhòngní chēng guān guò zhī rén, jūn kěwèi cānghǎiyízhū yǐ. [Pinyin]
Confucius said that by observing the mistakes made by a person, it can be known that whether he is kind or not. [Based on what I have observed,] I think that you're like a pearl left in the ocean.

仲尼 稱 觀 過 知 仁 ， 君 可謂 滄海遺珠 矣 。

Confucius said that by observing the mistakes made by a person, it can be known that whether he is kind or not. 􂀿Based on what I have observed,􂁀 I think that you're like a pearl left in the ocean.

a person with talent or something valuable, but is neglected by the society


大中至正

ㄉㄚˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓˋ ㄓㄥˋ

дачжунчжичжэн

dačžunčžičžɛn

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/


草草了事

ㄘㄠˇ ㄘㄠˇ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄕˋ

/t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰou̯³⁵ t͡sʰou̯³⁵ liːu̯¹³ siː²²/

/t͡sʰou̯³⁵ t͡sʰou̯³⁵ liːu̯¹³ siː²²/


家成業就

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ jiːp̚³ t͡sɐu̯³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ jiːp̚³ t͡sɐu̯³³/

to be married, having started a family, and achieved success in one's career


家嘈屋閉

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯²¹ ʊk̚⁵ pɐi̯³³/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯²¹ ʊk̚⁵ pɐi̯³³/

(Cantonese) to be quarrelsome within a household


風風火火

ㄈㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

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

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ fɔː³⁵/

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

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ fɔː³⁵/


阮囊羞澀

ㄖㄨㄢˇ ㄋㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄙㄜˋ

жуаньнансюсэ

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/jyːn¹³ nɔːŋ²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵ saːp̚³/

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/jyːn¹³ nɔːŋ²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵ saːp̚³/


撼天動地

ㄏㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄧˋ

ханьтяньдунди

/xän⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/hɐm²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² tei̯²²/

/xän⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/hɐm²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² tei̯²²/


溢於言表

ㄧˋ ㄩˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ

/i⁵¹ y³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚² jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ piːu̯³⁵/

/i⁵¹ y³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚² jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ piːu̯³⁵/

喜悅之情溢於言表 [MSC, trad.]
喜悦之情溢于言表 [MSC, simp.]


中氣十足

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˊ ㄗㄨˊ

чжунци шицзу

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³³ sɐp̚² t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³³ sɐp̚² t͡sʊk̚⁵/


老羞成怒

ㄌㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄔㄥˊ ㄋㄨˋ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ nu⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ nou̯²²/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ nu⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ nou̯²²/


路見不平

ㄌㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

луцзяньбупин

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/lou̯²² kiːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/lɔ³³⁻¹¹ kiɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/lɔ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²³/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/lou̯²² kiːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/lɔ³³⁻¹¹ kiɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/lɔ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²³/

to stand up for the truth and fight for justice


修身養性

ㄒㄧㄡ ㄕㄣ ㄧㄤˇ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

сюшэнь янсин

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ jœːŋ¹³ sɪŋ³³/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ jœːŋ¹³ sɪŋ³³/

to behave properly to improve one's character


坐而論道

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄦˊ ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄉㄠˋ

цзоэрлуньдао

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² jiː²¹ lɵn²² tou̯²²/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² jiː²¹ lɵn²² tou̯²²/

(derogatory) to indulge in empty talk instead of doing anything useful


官官相衛

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄨㄟˋ

гуаньгуаньсянвэй

/ku̯än⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/kuːn⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²²/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/kuːn⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²²/

(derogatory) officials shielding each other; officials covering up for each other


傷風敗俗

ㄕㄤ ㄈㄥ ㄅㄞˋ ㄙㄨˊ

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ su³⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ paːi̯²² t͡sʊk̚²/

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ su³⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ paːi̯²² t͡sʊk̚²/


飛揚跋扈

ㄈㄟ ㄧㄤˊ ㄅㄚˊ ㄏㄨˋ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹ pɐt̚² wuː²²/


頂禮膜拜

ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄇㄛˊ ㄅㄞˋ

ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄅㄞˋ

/tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/tɪŋ³⁵ lɐi̯¹³ mou̯²¹ paːi̯³³/

/tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/tɪŋ³⁵ lɐi̯¹³ mou̯²¹ paːi̯³³/

(sometimes sarcastic) to worship somebody with great respect


握髮吐哺

ㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄚˋ ㄊㄨˇ ㄅㄨˇ

ㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄚˇ ㄊㄨˇ ㄅㄨˇ

/wɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fä⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɔ⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/aːk̚⁵ faːt̚³ tʰou̯³³ pou̯²²/

/wɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fä⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɔ⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/aːk̚⁵ faːt̚³ tʰou̯³³ pou̯²²/

From The Biography of the Duke of Zhou (魯周公世家) in the Records of the Grand Historian:
:
「然我一沐三握髮，一飯三[[#Chinese|]]吐哺，起以待士，猶恐失天下之賢人。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]「然我一沐三握发，一饭三[[#Chinese|]]吐哺，起以待士，犹恐失天下之贤人。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
“rán wǒ yī mù sān wò fà, yī fàn sān tù bǔ, qǐ yǐ dài shì, yóu kǒng shī tiānxià zhī xiánrén.” [Pinyin]
[the Duke of Zhou said,] " […] Yet each time I bathe, I am called away three times, wringing out my hair in haste; each time I dine, I rush off three times, spitting out my food in haste, in order to wait upon some gentleman. I do so because I am always fearful that I may otherwise fail to gain the service of a worthy man."

「 然 我 一 沐 三 握 髮 ， 一 飯 三 吐 哺 ， 起 以 待 士 ， 猶 恐 失 天下 之 賢人 。 」

􂀿the Duke of Zhou said,􂁀 " […] Yet each time I bathe, I am called away three times, wringing out my hair in haste; each time I dine, I rush off three times, spitting out my food in haste, in order to wait upon some gentleman. I do so because I am always fearful that I may otherwise fail to gain the service of a worthy man."

Duke of Zhou
Records of the Grand Historian


老成持重

ㄌㄠˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄔˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

лаочэн чичжун

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹ t͡sʊŋ²²/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹ t͡sʊŋ²²/


沒齒難忘

ㄇㄛˋ ㄔˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄨㄤˋ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/muːt̚² t͡sʰiː³⁵ naːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/muːt̚² t͡sʰiː³⁵ naːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

您的救命之恩，我沒齒難忘。 [MSC, trad.]
您的救命之恩，我没齿难忘。 [MSC, simp.]

I shall never forget that you have saved my life.

Nín de jiùmìng zhī ēn, wǒ mòchǐnánwàng. [Pinyin]

memorable for the rest of one's life (usually for describing someone else's mercy or kind deed)


無頭公案

ㄨˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄢˋ

/u³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ɔːn³³/

/bo²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² an²¹/

/bo²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³ an⁴¹/

/bo¹³⁻²² tʰau¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² an²¹/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an¹¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an²¹/

/u³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ɔːn³³/

/bo²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² an²¹/

/bo²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³ an⁴¹/

/bo¹³⁻²² tʰau¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² an²¹/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an¹¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an²¹/


海枯石爛

ㄏㄞˇ ㄎㄨ ㄕˊ ㄌㄢˋ

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ län⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ fuː⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² laːn²²/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ län⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ fuː⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² laːn²²/


風流雲散

ㄈㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄙㄢˋ

фэнлююньсань

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ yn³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ wɐn²¹ saːn³³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ yn³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ wɐn²¹ saːn³³/


俯仰之間

ㄈㄨˇ ㄧㄤˇ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄢ

фуянчжицзянь

/fu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ jœːŋ¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːn⁵⁵/

/fu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ jœːŋ¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːn⁵⁵/

以大為小，以強為弱，在俯仰之間耳。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]以大为小，以强为弱，在俯仰之间耳。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Han, circa 1ˢᵗ century CE
Yǐ dà wéi xiǎo, yǐ qiáng wéi ruò, zài fǔyǎngzhījiān ěr. [Pinyin]
It only takes an instant for a big and strong power to turn into a small and weak one.

以 大 為{wéi} 小，以 強 為{wéi} 弱，在 俯仰之間 耳。


春風得意

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄈㄥ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jiː³³/

/t͡sʰun²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴ tet̚² i⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jiː³³/

/t͡sʰun²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴ tet̚² i⁵⁵/

to ride high; to feel pleasant because of success


背脊骨落

/puːi̯³³ t͡sɛːk̚³ kʷɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/puːi̯³³ t͡sɛːk̚³ kʷɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

(Cantonese) to have obtained benefits but cannot enjoy them or could only do so uncomfortably


置之度外

ㄓˋ ㄓ ㄉㄨˋ ㄨㄞˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ tou̯²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ tou̯²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

to leave (one's own safety or interest) out of consideration


揚長避短

ㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄢˇ

янчанбидуань

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ pei̯²² tyːn³⁵/

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ pei̯²² tyːn³⁵/

to make best use of one's advantages while avoiding their shortcomings


如魚得水

ㄖㄨˊ ㄩˊ ㄉㄜˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/ʐu³⁵ y³⁵ tɤ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ jyː²¹ tɐk̚⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ y³⁵ tɤ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ jyː²¹ tɐk̚⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

to find oneself in a suitable environment where one can perform well, or to meet people who share common ideas or interests


博而不精

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (博而不精):
* → Korean: 박이부정(博而不精) (bagibujeong)

ㄅㄛˊ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

jack of all trades, master of none
jack of all trades, master of none

to be a jack of all trades, master of none


富麗堂皇

ㄈㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄊㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄤˊ

фули танхуан

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/fuː³³ lɐi̯²² tʰɔːŋ²¹ wɔːŋ²¹/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/fuː³³ lɐi̯²² tʰɔːŋ²¹ wɔːŋ²¹/


花團錦簇

bouquets of flowers and piles of brocades

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄊㄨㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄘㄨˋ

хуатуаньцзиньцу

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ tʰu̯än³⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ tʰyːn²¹ kɐm³⁵ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵/

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ tʰu̯än³⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ tʰyːn²¹ kɐm³⁵ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵/


風口浪尖

where the wind is the strongest and waves are the highest

ㄈㄥ ㄎㄡˇ ㄌㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄢ

фэнкоуланцзянь

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ lɔːŋ²² t͡siːm⁵⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ lɔːŋ²² t͡siːm⁵⁵/


方方面面

ㄈㄤ ㄈㄤ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

фанфанмяньмянь

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ miːn²² miːn²²/

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ miːn²² miːn²²/

AABB-type reduplication of 方面 (fāngmiàn).


神不知鬼不覺

ㄕㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

шэнь бучжи гуй буцзюэ

/ʂən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːk̚³/


不見兔子不撒鷹

Don't release the falcon (to hunt) if you can't spot a hare

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄊㄨˋ ˙ㄗ ㄅㄨˋ ㄙㄚ ㄧㄥ

bùjiàn tùzi bù sā yīng [Phonetic:bújiàn tùzi bù sā yīng]

буцзянь туцзы бу са ин

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰu⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ pu⁵¹ sä⁵⁵ iŋ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ tʰou̯³³ t͡siː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ saːt̚³ jɪŋ⁵⁵/

don't rush to take actions until you've made your objective clear


令行禁止

ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄓˇ

линсинцзиньчжи

/liŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɪŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ kɐm³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/liŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɪŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ kɐm³³ t͡siː³⁵/

令則行，禁則止。憲之所及，俗之所被，如百體之從心，政之所期也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]令则行，禁则止。宪之所及，俗之所被，如百体之从心，政之所期也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Guanzi, 5ᵗʰ century BCE to 220 CE
Lìng zé xíng, jìn zé zhǐ. Xiàn zhī suǒjí, sú zhī suǒ bèi, rú bǎitǐ zhī cóng xīn, zhèng zhī suǒ qī yě. [Pinyin]
If there is an order, carry it out. If there is an prohibition on something, stop doing it. Wherever the laws and customs reach should [accept and abide by them,] just like how one's organs follow their heart, which is what politicians expect.

zh-x

令 則 行，禁 則 止。憲 之 所及，俗 之 所 被，如 百體 之 從 心，政 之 所 期 也。

If there is an order, carry it out. If there is an prohibition on something, stop doing it. Wherever the laws and customs reach should 􂀿accept and abide by them,􂁀 just like how one's organs follow their heart, which is what politicians expect.

to carry out orders and proclaim prohibitions; to abide by orders


以身相許

ㄧˇ ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄒㄩˇ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɵy̯³⁵/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɵy̯³⁵/


身輕如燕

ㄕㄣ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧㄢˋ

шэньцинжуянь

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiːn³³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiːn³³/


緩兵之計

ㄏㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄓ ㄐㄧˋ

хуаньбинчжицзи

/xu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/wuːn²² pɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kɐi̯³³/

/uan²²⁻²¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² ke²¹/

/uan⁴¹⁻²² piɪŋ³³ t͡si³³ ke⁴¹/

/uan²²⁻²¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² ke²¹/

/uan³³⁻¹¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ ke¹¹/

/uan³³⁻²¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ ke²¹/

/xu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/wuːn²² pɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kɐi̯³³/

/uan²²⁻²¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² ke²¹/

/uan⁴¹⁻²² piɪŋ³³ t͡si³³ ke⁴¹/

/uan²²⁻²¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² ke²¹/

/uan³³⁻¹¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ ke¹¹/

/uan³³⁻²¹ piɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ ke²¹/


如釋重負

ㄖㄨˊ ㄕˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄈㄨˋ

/ʐu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ sɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ¹³ fuː²²/

/lu²⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ hu²²/

/zu²³⁻³³ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tiɔŋ³³⁻²¹ hu³³/

/zi²³⁻³³ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tiɔŋ³³⁻²¹ hu³³/

/ʐu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ sɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ¹³ fuː²²/

/lu²⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ hu²²/

/zu²³⁻³³ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tiɔŋ³³⁻²¹ hu³³/

/zi²³⁻³³ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tiɔŋ³³⁻²¹ hu³³/

to feel as if a weight has been lifted from one’s shoulders


讚口不絕

ㄗㄢˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

цзанькоубуцзюэ

/t͡sän⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡saːn³³ hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/t͡san²¹⁻⁵³ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡suat̚⁴/

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

/t͡san²¹⁻⁵³ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡suat̚¹²¹/

/t͡san¹¹⁻⁵³ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡suat̚⁴/

/t͡san²¹⁻⁴¹ kʰau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡suat̚⁴/

/t͡sän⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡saːn³³ hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

讚不絕口 讚不絕口#Chinese

赞不绝口 赞不绝口#Chinese

(nonstandard) Alternative form of 讚不絕口／赞不绝口 (zànbùjuékǒu)


唇槍舌劍

ㄔㄨㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄕㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

чуньцяншэцзянь

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ siːt̚² kiːm³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ siːt̚² kiːm³³/


櫛比鱗次

ㄓˋ ㄅㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄘˋ

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄘˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹ lin³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ pei̯³³ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹ lin³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ pei̯³³ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

鱗次櫛比 鱗次櫛比#Chinese

鳞次栉比 鳞次栉比#Chinese


天差地遠

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄔㄚ ㄉㄧˋ ㄩㄢˇ

тяньчадиюань

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ tei̯²² jyːn¹³/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ tei̯²² jyːn¹³/

to be completely different; to be poles apart


似懂非懂

toseem to understand, but not to understand

ㄙˋ ㄉㄨㄥˇ ㄈㄟ ㄉㄨㄥˇ

/sz̩⁵¹ tʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ tʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ tʊŋ³⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ tʊŋ³⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ tʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ tʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ tʊŋ³⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ tʊŋ³⁵/

to not really understand; to half-understand


戴罪立功

ㄉㄞˋ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

дайцзуйлигун

/taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯³³ t͡sɵy̯²² laːp̚² kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯³³ t͡sɵy̯²² laːp̚² kʊŋ⁵⁵/

to atone for one's crimes or mistakes by making contributions; to redeem oneself


舉目無親

ㄐㄩˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄣ

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

to be a lonely stranger in a strange land with no one to depend on


開枝散葉

ㄎㄞ ㄓ ㄙㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ saːn³³ jiːp̚²/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ saːn³³ jiːp̚²/


春風風人

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄈㄥ ㄈㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ

чуньфэнфэнжэнь

čunʹfɛnfɛnžɛnʹ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/


曾參殺人

ㄗㄥ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ

Цзэн Шэнь шажэнь

Czɛn Šɛnʹ šažɛnʹ

/t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jɐn²¹/

/t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jɐn²¹/

A tale in Zhan Guo Ce:
昔者曾子處費，費人有與曾子同名族者而殺人，人告曾子母曰：「曾參殺人。』曾子之母曰：『吾者不殺人。』置自若。有頃焉，人又曰：『曾參殺人。』其母尚置自若也。頃之，一人又告之曰：『曾參殺人。』其母懼，投杼逾牆而走。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]昔者曾子处费，费人有与曾子同名族者而杀人，人告曾子母曰：「曾参杀人。』曾子之母曰：『吾者不杀人。』置自若。有顷焉，人又曰：『曾参杀人。』其母尚置自若也。顷之，一人又告之曰：『曾参杀人。』其母惧，投杼逾墙而走。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhanguo Ce, circa 5ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ centuries BCE
Xīzhě Zēngzǐ chù Fèi, Fèi rén yǒu yǔ Zēngzǐ tóng míng zú zhě ér shārén, rén gào Zēngzǐ mǔ yuē: “Zēng Shēn shārén.’ Zēngzǐ zhī mǔ yuē: ‘Wú zhě bù shārén.’ Zhì zìruò. Yǒuqǐng yān, rén yòu yuē: ‘Zēng Shēn shārén.’ Qí mǔ shàng zhì zìruò yě. Qǐngzhī, yīrén yòu gào zhī yuē: ‘Zēng Shēn shārén.’ Qí mǔ jù, tóu zhù yú qiáng ér zǒu. [Pinyin]
In the past when Zengzi (real name Zeng Shen) was living in Fei County, there was a man who had the same name as him committed murder. Somebody then informed Zengzi’s mother, “Zeng Shen committed murder.” Zengzi's mother replied, “My son will never commit a murder,” and she kept calm. A short while later, another person informed her, “Zeng Shen committed murder.” She still kept calm. A short while later, yet another person informed her, “Zeng Shen committed murder.” Zengzi's mother feared, cast aside her weaving shuttle, leapt across the walls, and fled.

昔者 曾{Zēng}子 處 ^費 ， ^費 人 有 與 曾{Zēng}子 同 名 族 者 而 殺人 ， 人 告 曾{Zēng}子 母 曰 ： 「 @曾{Zēng} @參{Shēn} 殺人 。』 曾{Zēng}子 之 母 曰 ：『 吾 者 不 殺人 。』 置 自若 。 有頃 焉 ， 人 又 曰 ：『 @曾{Zēng} @參{Shēn} 殺人。』 其 母 尚 置 自若 也 。 頃之 ， 一人 又 告 之 曰：『 @曾{Zēng} @參{Shēn} 殺人。』 其 母 懼 ， 投 杼 逾 牆 而 走。

(figurative) Used as an example to show that the effects of rumours can be fearsome.


不知所謂

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄟˋ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²²/

(chiefly Cantonese) ridiculous; absurd; nonsense


千夫所指

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄈㄨ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄓˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

criticism from the public; universal condemnation


潔身自愛

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄕㄣ ㄗˋ ㄞˋ

цзешэньцзыай

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/kiːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² ɔːi̯³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/kiːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² ɔːi̯³³/

to keep one's integrity and not follow the ways of evil people


大模廝樣

ㄉㄚˋ ㄇㄨˊ ㄙ ㄧㄤˋ

/tä⁵¹ mu³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²²/

/tä⁵¹ mu³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²²/

大模大樣 大模大樣#Chinese

大模大样 大模大样#Chinese


華佗再世

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄊㄨㄛˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄕˋ

ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄊㄨㄛˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄕˋ

Хуа То цзайши

/xu̯ä⁵¹ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/xu̯ä³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/waː²² tʰɔː²¹ t͡sɔːi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

/waː²¹ tʰɔː²¹ t͡sɔːi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/xu̯ä³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/waː²² tʰɔː²¹ t͡sɔːi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

/waː²¹ tʰɔː²¹ t͡sɔːi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

a doctor with excellent medical skills, just like Hua Tuo reincarnated


憶苦思甜

ㄧˋ ㄎㄨˇ ㄙ ㄊㄧㄢˊ

/i⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/jɪk̚⁵ fuː³⁵ siː⁵⁵ tʰiːm²¹/

/i⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/jɪk̚⁵ fuː³⁵ siː⁵⁵ tʰiːm²¹/

to recall one's difficult past and savour one's joyful present


同工異曲

ja-r

同工異曲(どうこういきょく) (dōkōikyoku)

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (同工異曲):
* → Japanese: 同工異曲(どうこういきょく) (dōkōikyoku)

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄧˋ ㄑㄩˇ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː²² kʰʊk̚⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː²² kʰʊk̚⁵/

異曲同工 異曲同工#Chinese

异曲同工 异曲同工#Chinese


花拳繡腿

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄊㄨㄟˇ

хуацюаньсютуй

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faː⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ sɐu̯³³ tʰɵy̯³⁵/

/faː⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ sɐu̯³³ tʰɵy̯³⁵/

highly embellished and ineffectual; fancy but impractical skills; all show and no go; pugilistic


男歡女愛

ㄋㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄢ ㄋㄩˇ ㄞˋ

наньхуаньнюйай

/nän³⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ fuːn⁵⁵ nɵy̯¹³ ɔːi̯³³/

/nän³⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ fuːn⁵⁵ nɵy̯¹³ ɔːi̯³³/

passionate love between a man and a woman


橫刀奪愛

ㄏㄥˊ ㄉㄠ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄞˋ

/xɤŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ tou̯⁵⁵ tyːt̚² ɔːi̯³³/

/xɤŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ tou̯⁵⁵ tyːt̚² ɔːi̯³³/

to rob somebody of something or someone they cherish


花錢找罪受

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄓㄠˇ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄡˋ

хуа цянь чжао цзуй шоу

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹⁻³⁵ t͡saːu̯³⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² sɐu̯²²/

to spend money on something that turns out to be unsatisfactory or even disastrous


百密一疏

ㄅㄞˇ ㄇㄧˋ ㄧ ㄕㄨ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ mɐt̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɔː⁵⁵/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ mɐt̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɔː⁵⁵/

我覺得你呢個借刀殺人計劃百密一疏，呢度係公海，唔可以亂嚟，只有呢隻船註冊嘅國家先至可以拉我㗎！ [Cantonese, trad.]
我觉得你呢个借刀杀人计划百密一疏，呢度系公海，唔可以乱嚟，只有呢只船注册嘅国家先至可以拉我㗎！ [Cantonese, simp.]
ngo⁵ gok³ dak¹ nei⁵ ni¹ go³ ze³ dou¹ saat³ jan⁴ gai³ waak⁶ baak³ mat⁶ jat¹ so¹, ni¹ dou⁶ hai⁶ gung¹ hoi², m⁴ ho² ji⁵ lyun⁶⁻² lai⁴, zi² jau⁵ ne¹ zek³ syun⁴ zyu³ caak³ ge³ gwok³ gaa¹ sin¹ zi³ ho² ji⁵ laa¹ ngo⁵ gaa³! [Jyutping]

I think that your plan of killing [Ko Yee] with my hand missed out a thing. We're in the international waters. You can't act recklessly. Only the country in which this ship was registered can arrest me.

something was missed in a sophisticated plan


奇談怪論

ㄑㄧˊ ㄊㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄞˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

цитаньгуайлунь

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʰän³⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/kʰei̯²¹ tʰaːm²¹ kʷaːi̯³³ lɵn²²/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʰän³⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/kʰei̯²¹ tʰaːm²¹ kʷaːi̯³³ lɵn²²/


重新做人

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄖㄣˊ

чунсиньцзожэнь

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sou̯²² jɐn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sou̯²² jɐn²¹/

turn over a new leaf
turn over a new leaf


耳聞目睹

ㄦˇ ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄉㄨˇ

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ mu⁵¹ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː¹³ mɐn²¹ mʊk̚² tou̯³⁵/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ mu⁵¹ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː¹³ mɐn²¹ mʊk̚² tou̯³⁵/

to hear with one's ears and see with one's eyes; to personally see and hear