全神貫注

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨˋ

цюаньшэньгуаньчжу

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² kuan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡su⁴¹/

/t͡suan¹³⁻²² sin¹³⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡su¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ sin²³⁻³³ kuan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡su²¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan¹³⁻²² sin¹³⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡su¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ sin²³⁻³³ kuan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡su²¹/


身陷囹圄

ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄩˇ

шэньсяньлинъюй

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɐm²² lɪŋ²¹ jyː¹³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɐm²² lɪŋ²¹ jyː¹³/


傾家蕩產

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ

цинцзяданчань

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰyn⁵⁵ t͡ɕia⁵⁵ taŋ²¹³ t͡sʰan⁵³/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɔːŋ²² t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

/kʰen⁵⁵ ka³³ ɔŋ³² t͡sʰan⁵⁵/

/kʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ taŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sũã⁵²/

/t͡ɕʰyn⁵⁵ t͡ɕia⁵⁵ taŋ²¹³ t͡sʰan⁵³/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɔːŋ²² t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

/kʰen⁵⁵ ka³³ ɔŋ³² t͡sʰan⁵⁵/

/kʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ taŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sũã⁵²/

to exhaust all of a family's financial resources; to break the bank; to bring a family to ruin


言歸於好

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄩˊ ㄏㄠˇ

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

Originally part of an oath which was sworn, for instance, on the Convention of Kuiqiu (葵丘之會 [651 BCE]) as recorded in the Zuozhuan:
:
凡我同盟之人，既盟之後，言歸于好。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]凡我同盟之人，既盟之后，言归于好。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Fán wǒ tóngméng zhī rén, jì méng zhīhòu, yán guī yú hǎo. [Pinyin]
We all who have united in this convention shall hereafter be reconciled in goodness.
The same oath was also quoted in the Mencius.

zh-x

凡 我 同盟 之 人，既 盟 之後，@言 @歸 @于 @好。

to bury the hatchet; to become reconciled


過河拆橋

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄔㄞ ㄑㄧㄠˊ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

to burn one's bridges; to abandon one's benefactor upon achieving one's goal


鮮為人知

ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ

сяньвэйжэньчжи

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/siːn³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/siːn³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

to be rarely known to anyone; to be secret to all but a few


不揣冒昧

ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄞˇ ㄇㄠˋ ㄇㄟˋ

бучуаймаомэй

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ mou̯²² mɐi̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ mou̯²² mɐi̯²²/

to venture to; presume; to take the liberty of


淚流滿面

ㄌㄟˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

лэйлюманьмянь

/leɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² lɐu̯²¹ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

/leɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² lɐu̯²¹ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

to have tears streaming down one's face; to be extremely sad or moved


津津樂道

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄌㄜˋ ㄉㄠˋ

цзиньцзиньлэдао

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

to take delight in talking about; to discuss enthusiastically; to love to talk about


婦孺皆知

ㄈㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓ

/fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fuː¹³ jyː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fuː¹³ jyː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/


喧賓奪主

the voice of the guest overwhelms that of the host

ㄒㄩㄢ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄓㄨˇ

сюаньбиньдочжу

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² t͡syː³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² t͡syː³⁵/

商家抓住這一消費心理，在包裝上下功夫，甚至不惜喧賓奪主，讓月餅變了味、人情走了樣 [MSC, trad.]
商家抓住这一消费心理，在包装上下功夫，甚至不惜喧宾夺主，让月饼变了味、人情走了样 [MSC, simp.]

From: 《经济日报》, 2022年09月12日, “轻装”月饼味更香

Merchants seize upon this consumer mindset, taking great care over the packaging, even allowing it to overshadow the main event, causing mooncakes to have changed their taste and human sentiment to have grown cold.

Shāngjiā zhuāzhù zhè yī xiāofèi xīnlǐ, zài bāozhuāng shàng xià-gōngfū, shènzhì bùxī xuānbīnduózhǔ, ràng yuèbǐng biànlewèi, rénqíng zǒuleyàng [Pinyin]

a minor issue takes precedence over a major one; a minor player upstages the main attraction


實話實說

ㄕˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄕˊ ㄕㄨㄛ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² waː²² sɐt̚² syːt̚³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² waː²² sɐt̚² syːt̚³/

call a spade a spade
call a spade a spade

to speak the truth; to call a spade a spade


有頭無尾

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

to have a beginning but not an end; to fail to carry things through; to leave something unfinished; to have begun but not well-ended; to not have spoken or done something to the point


嶄露頭角

ㄓㄢˇ ㄌㄨˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

чжаньлутоуцзяо

/ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡saːm³⁵ lou̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ kɔːk̚³/

/t͡saːm³⁵ lou̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ kɔːk̚³/

(of talent) to come to the fore; to stand out as conspicuously brilliant


四海為家

ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄚ

/sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

2004 December 9, Xu Wei (lyrics and music), “曾經的你 [You in the Past]”, in 每一刻都是嶄新的 [Every Moment Is Completely New], performed by Xu Wei:
年少的心總有些輕狂/如今你四海為家 [MSC, trad.]
年少的心总有些轻狂/如今你四海为家 [MSC, simp.]

Your young heart was always somewhat unrestrained / Now you live a wandering life

Niánshào de xīn zǒng yǒuxiē qīngkuáng / Rújīn nǐ sìhǎiwéijiā [Pinyin]

to make one's home wherever one is; to consider the entire country, or world, to be one's own; to live a wandering life


派上用場

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˇ

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˊ

пайшанъюнчан

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/


如意算盤

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄢˊ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ˙ㄆㄢ

жуисуаньпань

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

don't count your chickens before they're hatched

one's wishful thinking; counting the chickens before they are hatched


玩世不恭

ㄨㄢˊ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

/wän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

to despise worldly conventions; to be cynical; frivolous


趁火打劫

torob during a fire; to take advantage of a fire and plunder

ㄔㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

ㄔㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇㄦ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

чэньхордацзе

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔɻ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

to take advantage of chaos for one's own profit


五臟俱全

ㄨˇ ㄗㄤˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

уцзанцзюйцюань

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

此外，車窗也換成了壓克力材料，該有的緊急斷電開關和滅火器都能在五臟俱全的小廠車看見，非常適合作為新手的初賽用車。 [MSC, trad.]
此外，车窗也换成了压克力材料，该有的紧急断电开关和灭火器都能在五脏俱全的小厂车看见，非常适合作为新手的初赛用车。 [MSC, simp.]
Cǐwài, chēchuāng yě huànchéngle yākèlì cáiliào, gāi yǒu de jǐnjí duàndiàn kāiguān hé mièhuǒqì dōu néng zài wǔzàngjùquán de xiǎo chǎngchē kànjiàn, fēicháng shìhé zuòwéi xīnshǒu de chūsài yòngchē. [Pinyin]

2018, “競技用骰子 Brabus Smart Fortwo 賽車化？”, in 改裝車訊 [Option Parts], number 229, page 44

(please add an English translation of this quotation)

麻雀雖小，五臟俱全 麻雀雖小，五臟俱全#Chinese

麻雀虽小，五脏俱全 麻雀虽小，五脏俱全#Chinese

Short for 麻雀雖小，五臟俱全／麻雀虽小，五脏俱全 (máquè suī xiǎo, wǔzàng jùquán).


陳腔濫調

ㄔㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄌㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

чэньцянланьдяо

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːm¹³ tiːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːm¹³ tiːu̯²²/

(usually of writing) hackneyed; unoriginal; stereotyped


好學不倦

ㄏㄠˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄢˋ

хаосюэбуцзюань

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/


破財消災

ㄆㄛˋ ㄘㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄗㄞ

поцайсяоцзай

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

to buy peace with one's money; to trade money for safety (often said to comfort someone who has suffered unexpected financial losses)


囂張跋扈

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄓㄤ ㄅㄚˊ ㄏㄨˋ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

arrogant and despotic; domineering and aggressive


形影不離

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄥˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/


生意興隆

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (生意興隆):
* → Vietnamese: sinh ý hung long (生意興隆)

ㄕㄥ ˙ㄧ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

ㄕㄥ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i² ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i² ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

thriving and prosperous business or trade (often as a greeting)


一年半載

ㄧ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄗㄞˇ

иняньбаньцзай

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sai⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sai⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/


靈機一動

ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

to be struck by a brainwave; to hit upon a clever idea


風土人情

ㄈㄥ ㄊㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

фэнтужэньцин

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/


淨身出戶

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋ

цзиншэньчуху

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋㄦ

цзиншэньчухур

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

(usually of a man) to leave without taking any property after divorce; to leave a marriage with nothing (no possessions or properties)


笑掉大牙

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄚˊ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ jä³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ tiːu̯²² taːi̯²² ŋaː²¹/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ jä³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ tiːu̯²² taːi̯²² ŋaː²¹/

laugh one's head off
laugh one's head off

to laugh one's head off; ridiculous and embarrassing


特立獨行

ㄊㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

independent in mind and action; unconventional and strong-minded


一問一答

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²² jɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mɯŋ¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tap̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²² jɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mɯŋ¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tap̚²/

一問一答式的對話 [MSC, trad.]
一问一答式的对话 [MSC, simp.]

a conversation in which one side asks questions and the other side answers

to ask and answer interchangeably or successively


中流砥柱

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄧˇ ㄓㄨˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄧˇ ㄓㄨˋㄦ

чжунлюдичжур

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

From the so-called Mount Dizhu (砥柱山), which is situated midstream of the Yellow River, splitting its flow.

(figurative) mainstay; cornerstone; chief support


人云亦云

ㄖㄣˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄧˋ ㄩㄣˊ

/ʐən³⁵ yn³⁵ i⁵¹ yn³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ jɪk̚² wɐn²¹/

/ʐən³⁵ yn³⁵ i⁵¹ yn³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ jɪk̚² wɐn²¹/

to say what others say; to follow the herd


一貧如洗

ㄧ ㄆㄧㄣˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄒㄧˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰin³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰɐn²¹ jyː²¹ sɐi̯³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰin³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰɐn²¹ jyː²¹ sɐi̯³⁵/

poor as a church mouse
poor as a church mouse


如意郎君

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄌㄤˊ ㄐㄩㄣ

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ lɔːŋ²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ lɔːŋ²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

ideal husband; Mr. Right; Prince Charming


身體力行

ㄕㄣ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

practice what one preaches
practice what one preaches

to practice what one preaches; to set an example by personally taking part


青春年少

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄠˋ

цинчуньняньшао

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ siːu̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ siːu̯³³/


風塵碌碌

ㄈㄥ ㄔㄣˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/

to be busy with worldly affairs; toiling over ordinary chores


春風化雨

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ

чуньфэнхуаюй

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

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

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

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

春風化雨暖透我的心，一生眷顧無言地送贈。 [Literary Cantonese, trad.]
春风化雨暖透我的心，一生眷顾无言地送赠。 [Literary Cantonese, simp.]

From: 1989, Beyond, 真的愛你 (Really Love You), in Beyond IV

The positive influence warmed my heart completely, the blessings of a lifetime are given without words.

ceon¹ fung¹ faa³ jyu⁵ nyun⁵ tau³ ngo⁵ dik¹ sam¹, jat¹ sang¹ gyun³ gu³ mou⁴ jin⁴ dei⁶ sung³ zang⁶. [Jyutping]

(figurative) benefits of education; positive influence of a teacher


白手起家

ㄅㄞˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄚ

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

to go from rags to riches; to start an enterprise from scratch; to build up from nothing; to start from scratch


烏合之眾

⇒ Japanese: 烏合の衆 (ugō no shū)

ㄨ ㄏㄜˊ ㄓ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/


永無止境

ㄩㄥˇ ㄨˊ ㄓˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

without an end; endless; never-ending; boundless


安於現狀

ㄢ ㄩˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

аньюйсяньчжуан

/ˀän⁵⁵ y³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ y³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

to be content with the status quo (and unwilling to progress); to take things as they are


強詞奪理

ㄑㄧㄤˇ ㄘˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯¹³/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯¹³/

to use lame arguments and perverted logic; shoving false arguments down people's throats; sophistry


嫁禍於人

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

to shift the blame on others; to pass the buck


安家落戶

ㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˋ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

ㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˋㄦ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² wuː²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² wuː²²/

to set up home in a new place; to settle in a new place


可望而不可即

ㄎㄜˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧˊ

кэ ван эр букэ цзи

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

in sight but unattainable; within sight but beyond reach; inaccessible


自知之明

цзычжичжимин

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

From Tao Te Ching:
:
知人者智，自知者明。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]
From: Tao Te Ching, 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Zhī rén zhě zhì, zì zhī zhě míng. [Pinyin]
He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent.

zh-x

知 人 者 智，自 知 者 明。

人貴有自知之明。 [MSC, trad.]
人贵有自知之明。 [MSC, simp.]


自相殘殺

ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄘㄢˊ ㄕㄚ

цзысянцаньша

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ saːt̚³/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ saːt̚³/

to slaughter each other; to massacre one another


莊周夢蝶

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄓㄡ ㄇㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄝˊ

чжуанчжоумэнде

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² tiːp̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² tiːp̚²/

From a tale in the book Zhuangzi:
:
昔者莊周夢為胡蝶，栩栩然胡蝶也，自喻適志與。不知周也。俄然覺，則蘧蘧然周也。不知周之夢為胡蝶與，胡蝶之夢為周與。周與胡蝶，則必有分矣。此之謂物化。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]昔者庄周梦为胡蝶，栩栩然胡蝶也，自喻适志与。不知周也。俄然觉，则蘧蘧然周也。不知周之梦为胡蝶与，胡蝶之梦为周与。周与胡蝶，则必有分矣。此之谓物化。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE
Xī zhě Zhuāng Zhōu mèng wéi húdié, xǔxǔ rán húdié yě, zìyù shì zhì yǔ. Bùzhī Zhōu yě. Érán jué, zé qúqú rán Zhōu yě. Bùzhī Zhōu zhī mèng wéi húdié yǔ, húdié zhī mèng wéi Zhōu yǔ. Zhōu yǔ húdié, zé bì yǒu fēn yǐ. Cǐ zhī wèi wùhuà. [Pinyin]
Once, Zhuang Zhou dreamed he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering about, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know that he was Zhuang Zhou. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Zhuang Zhou. But he didn't know if he was Zhuang Zhou who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming that he was Zhuang Zhou. Between Zhuang Zhou and the butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the "Transformation of Things".

昔 者 ^莊 ^周 夢 為{wéi} 胡蝶，栩栩 然 胡蝶 也，自喻 適 志 與。不知 ^周 也。俄然 覺{jué}，則 蘧蘧 然 ^周 也。不知 ^周 之 夢 為{wéi} 胡蝶 與，胡蝶 之 夢 為{wéi} ^周 與。周 與 胡蝶，則 必 有 分 矣。此 之 謂 物化。

(figurative, philosophy) one is never certain whether what one sees is reality or illusion; changeable nature of human life


血氣方剛

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

From the Analects, Book 16 (《論語·季氏》):
:
孔子曰：「君子有三戒：少之時，血氣未定，戒之在色；及其壯也，血氣方剛，戒之在鬭；及其老也，血氣既衰，戒之在得。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]孔子曰：「君子有三戒：少之时，血气未定，戒之在色；及其壮也，血气方刚，戒之在斗；及其老也，血气既衰，戒之在得。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Kǒng Zǐ yuē: “Jūnzǐ yǒu sān jiè: shào zhī shí, xuèqì wèi dìng, jiè zhī zài sè; jí qí zhuàng yě, xuèqì fāng gāng, jiè zhī zài dòu; jí qí lǎo yě, xuèqì jì shuāi, jiè zhī zài dé.” [Pinyin]
Confucius said, "There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth, when the physical powers are not yet settled, he guards against lust. When he is strong and the physical powers are full of vigor, he guards against quarrelsomeness. When he is old, and the animal powers are decayed, he guards against covetousness."

^孔.^子 曰：「君子 有 三 戒：少 之 時，血氣 未 定，戒 之 在 色；及 其 壯 也，血氣.方.剛，戒 之 在 鬭{dòu}；及 其 老 也，血氣 既 衰，戒 之 在 得。」

(usually of youth) hot-blooded; full of vigour; buoyant and impetuous


皮包骨頭

ㄆㄧˊ ㄅㄠ ㄍㄨˇ ˙ㄊㄡ

ㄆㄧˊ ㄅㄠ ㄍㄨˊ ˙ㄊㄡ

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³/

/pʰei̯²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³/

/pʰei̯²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/


群言堂

ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄊㄤˊ

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

democratic decision making; decision making by consensus


脣齒相依

ㄔㄨㄣˊ ㄔˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄧ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵/

(figurative) to be closely related and mutually dependent (like the lips and teeth)


有目無珠

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

有眼無珠 有眼無珠#Chinese

有眼无珠 有眼无珠#Chinese


相依為命

相依为命
相須為命
相倚為命
相與為命

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄧ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã¹¹/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã¹¹/

to depend on each other for survival; to rely on one another for life


有眼無珠

有眼无珠
有目無珠
有眼無瞳
肉眼無珠
眼內無珠
盲眼無珠

ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

(figurative) lacking the ability to see or discern; to have a narrow vision; ignorant


千真萬確

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ

цяньчжэньваньцюэ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ t͡sən⁵⁵ uan²¹³ t͡ɕʰyo²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² kʰɔːk̚³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ t͡sən⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰɔk̚¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ ʈ͡ʂən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡sən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ t͡sən⁵⁵ uan²¹³ t͡ɕʰyo²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² kʰɔːk̚³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ t͡sən⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰɔk̚¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ ʈ͡ʂən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡sən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

absolutely true; one can swear it is true


面無表情

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² mou̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² mou̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

stolid; showing little expression on the face


直截了當

直截了当
直接了當
直捷了當

ㄓˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄤˋ

чжицзеляодан

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡siːt̚² liːu̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡siːt̚² liːu̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³/


不擇手段

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

буцзэшоудуань

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã²²/

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã²²/

(derogatory) to take any measures to do something; to stop at nothing; by hook or by crook; unscrupulously

只要目的正當，可以不擇手段／只要目的正当，可以不择手段

zhǐyào mùdì zhèngdàng, kěyǐ bùzéshǒuduàn


言過其實

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

From Guanzi:
:
物固有形，形固有名。此言不得過實，實不得延名。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]物固有形，形固有名。此言不得过实，实不得延名。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Guanzi, 5ᵗʰ century BCE to 220 CE
Wù gù yǒu xíng, xíng gù yǒu míng. Cǐ yán bùdé guòshí, shí bùdé yán míng. [Pinyin]
Things have inherent forms; forms have inherent names. Words should not stretch the truth, and truth should not be used to go after immoderate fame.

物 固 有 形，形 固 有 名。此 言 不得 過實，實 不得 延 名。

to overstate the facts; to stretch the truth; to exaggerate


悶悶不樂

ㄇㄣˋ ㄇㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄜˋ

мэньмэньбулэ

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/


大顯身手

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇ

дасяньшэньшоу

/tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇㄦ

дасяньшэньшоур

/tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂɤʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² hiːn³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

/tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² hiːn³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

這可是你大顯身手的好機會呀。 [MSC, trad.]
这可是你大显身手的好机会呀。 [MSC, simp.]

This is a good opportunity for you to show off your skills.

Zhè kěshì nǐ dàxiǎnshēnshǒu de hǎo jīhuì ya. [Pinyin]

to display all of one's capabilities; to strut one's stuff; to show off one's skills


沉默寡言

ㄔㄣˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄧㄢˊ

чэньмогуаянь

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ mɐk̚² kʷaː³⁵ jiːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ mɐk̚² kʷaː³⁵ jiːn²¹/


積少成多

ㄐㄧ ㄕㄠˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄉㄨㄛ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

to accumulate little by little; many small things add to something great


去蕪存菁

to get rid of the weeds and keep the flowers

ㄑㄩˋ ㄨˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄥ

цюйуцуньцзин

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

separate the wheat from the chaff
separate the wheat from the chaff


不予理睬

ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄘㄞˇ

/pu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ lei̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ lei̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

to ignore; to dismiss; to pay no attention to


付之一笑

ㄈㄨˋ ㄓ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³/

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³/

to laugh something off; to dismiss with a laugh


毋庸置疑

/u³⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

/u³⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

no need to question; without any doubt; undoubtedly


一頭霧水

ㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tʰau¹³⁻²² bu²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³⁻³³ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡sui⁴¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³⁻³³ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡sui⁴¹/

to be completely muddle-headed; to be baffled


腰酸背痛

ㄧㄠ ㄙㄨㄢ ㄅㄟˋ ㄊㄨㄥˋ

яосуаньбэйтун

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯än⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯⁵⁵ syːn⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ tʰʊŋ³³/

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯än⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯⁵⁵ syːn⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ tʰʊŋ³³/

(medicine) to have a pain in the back, especially the lower back


語無倫次

ㄩˇ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄘˋ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

to speak incoherently; to ramble in one's statement; confused and incomprehensible speech


千古罪人

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄍㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄖㄣˊ

цяньгуцзуйжэнь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kuː³⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kuː³⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐn²¹/


條分縷析

ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄈㄣ ㄌㄩˇ ㄒㄧ

тяофэньлюйси

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/

to make a careful and detailed analysis; to analyze thoroughly point by point


化雨春風

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄈㄥ

хуаюйчуньфэн

/xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/faː³³ jyː¹³ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/faː³³ jyː¹³ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

benefits of education; positive influence of a teacher


東風化雨

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/


百年大計

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˋ

байняньдацзи

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐi̯³³/

(figurative) matter of paramount importance; vital long-term project


百年不遇

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˋ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jyː²²/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jyː²²/

(figurative) once-in-a-hundred-years (event); not seen in a hundred years


裝瘋賣傻

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄈㄥ ㄇㄞˋ ㄕㄚˇ

чжуанфэнмайша

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ maɪ̯⁵¹ ʂä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ maːi̯²² sɔː²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ maɪ̯⁵¹ ʂä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ maːi̯²² sɔː²¹/


大勢已去

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕˋ ㄧˇ ㄑㄩˋ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐi̯³³ jiː¹³ hɵy̯³³/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐi̯³³ jiː¹³ hɵy̯³³/

that ship has sailed
that ship has sailed

the game is as good as lost; that ship has sailed


雕蟲小技

ㄉㄧㄠ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧˋ

дяочунсяоцзи

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

ㄉㄧㄠ ㄔㄨㄥˊㄦ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧˋ

дяочунрсяоцзи

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊ̃ɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ kei̯²²/

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ kei̯²²/

insignificant talent; minor accomplishment


口耳相傳

ㄎㄡˇ ㄦˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

коуэрсянчуань

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ jiː¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/hɐu̯³⁵ jiː¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to be passed down orally (from generation to generation)


辭舊迎新

ㄘˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/t͡sʰz̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯²² jɪŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰz̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯²² jɪŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

to ring out the old and ring in the new; to bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new


拖泥帶水

ㄊㄨㄛ ㄋㄧˊ ㄉㄞˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ni³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɔː⁵⁵ nɐi̯²¹ taːi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵/

/tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ni³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɔː⁵⁵ nɐi̯²¹ taːi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵/

(derogatory) to do something in a long-drawn or slovenly manner; to be indecisive or beat about the bush


無一幸免

ㄨˊ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄢˇ

/u³⁵ i⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ hɐŋ²² miːn¹³/

/u³⁵ i⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ hɐŋ²² miːn¹³/

nobody was spared from the disaster; no one was fortunate enough to avoid


光陰荏苒

ㄍㄨㄤ ㄧㄣ ㄖㄣˇ ㄖㄢˇ

гуанъиньжэньжань

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ in⁵⁵ ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵ jɐm¹³ jiːm¹³/

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ in⁵⁵ ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵ jɐm¹³ jiːm¹³/


時不我待

ㄕˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄞˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/siː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ tɔːi̯²²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/siː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ tɔːi̯²²/

The word order features the inversion of verb (待) and object (我) in negative sentences in Classical Chinese.

time waits for no one
time waits for no one


視而不見

ㄕˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siː²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siː²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³/

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

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

to turn a blind eye; to deliberately overlook or ignore


悔過自新

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

хуэйгоцзысинь

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ kʷɔː³³ t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ kʷɔː³³ t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/

turn over a new leaf
turn over a new leaf


錦囊妙計

desc

→ Korean: 비단 주머니 (bidan jumeoni) (calque)

ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄋㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄧˋ

цзиньнанмяоцзи

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kɐm³⁵ nɔːŋ²¹ miːu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ¹³⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/ɡim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ biau³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kɐm³⁵ nɔːŋ²¹ miːu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ¹³⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/ɡim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ biau³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/

From an episode in the fourteenth-century novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in which the strategist Zhuge Liang gives the general Zhao Yun—who is escorting the protagonist Liu Bei to the neighboring realm of Wu, ruled by Sun Quan―three brocade pouches containing cunning instructions on how to thwart Sun Quan's schemes to keep Liu Bei hostage.

Liu Bei
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Sun Quan
Wu
Zhao Yun
Zhuge Liang


自告奮勇

ㄗˋ ㄍㄠˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄩㄥˇ

цзыгаофэньюн

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² kou̯³³ fɐn¹³ jʊŋ¹³/

/t͡siː²² kou̯³³ fɐn¹³ jʊŋ¹³/

to offer to do something voluntarily and enthusiastically; to volunteer for


一筆勾銷

ㄧ ㄅㄧˇ ㄍㄡ ㄒㄧㄠ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ kau³³ siau³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ kau³³ siau³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

to write off at one stroke; to cancel once and for all


以貌取人

ㄧˇ ㄇㄠˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄖㄣˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ maːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jɐn²¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ maːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jɐn²¹/

judge a book by its cover
you can't judge a book by its cover

to judge a book by its cover; to judge people by their appearance


突發奇想

ㄊㄨ ㄈㄚ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

ㄊㄨˊ ㄈㄚ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/tʰu⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰu³⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐt̚² faːt̚³ kʰei̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

/tʰu⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰu³⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐt̚² faːt̚³ kʰei̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

to suddenly come up with an ingenious idea; to suddenly be inspired to do something


開誠布公

ㄎㄞ ㄔㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ pou̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ pou̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

wear one's heart on one's sleeve
wear one's heart on one's sleeve

to wear one's heart on one's sleeve; to be frank and sincere


一廂情願

ㄧ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄢˋ

исянцинъюань

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³/

one's own wishful thinking; unilateral willingness; unrequited love


不依不撓

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄠˊ

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ nɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ naːu̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ nɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ naːu̯²¹/

不依不饒 不依不饒#Chinese

不依不饶 不依不饶#Chinese

Alternative form of 不依不饒／不依不饶 (bùyībùráo, “unforgiving; unwilling to pardon”)


紅光滿面

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

хунгуанманьмянь

/xʊŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

/xʊŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

(of complexion) glowing with health; ruddy and radiant


前後不一

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄡˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/


人間蒸發

ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄓㄥ ㄈㄚ

жэньцзяньчжэнфа

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ faːt̚³/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ faːt̚³/

inexplicably out of sight; to vanish into thin air


節哀順變

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄞ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

цзеайшуньбянь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɵn²² piːn³³/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻¹¹ piɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ai³³⁻²³ suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɵn²² piːn³³/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻¹¹ piɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ai³³⁻²³ suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³/

From the Book of Rites, Book 4 (《禮記·檀弓下》):
:
喪禮，哀戚之至也。節哀，順變也；君子念始之者也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]丧礼，哀戚之至也。节哀，顺变也；君子念始之者也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Sānglǐ, āiqī zhī zhì yě. Jié'āi, shùnbiàn yě; jūnzǐ niàn shǐ zhī zhě yě. [Pinyin]
The rites of mourning are the extreme expression of grief and sadness. In modulating grief, one accords with changes; this is how the gentleman keeps mindful of those to whom we owe our being.

zh-x

喪{sāng}禮，哀戚 之 至 也。@節哀，@順變 也；君子 念 始 之 者 也。

請節哀順變！／请节哀顺变！

to restrain one's grief and accept fate (used to console family of a deceased person); my condolences


翻山越嶺

ㄈㄢ ㄕㄢ ㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄥˇ

фаньшаньюэлин

/fän⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɪŋ¹³/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɛːŋ¹³/

/fän⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɪŋ¹³/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɛːŋ¹³/

to pass over mountains and ridges; to trek over mountains; to make a long and difficult journey


垂涎三尺

ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄢ ㄔˇ

чуйсяньсаньчи

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵy̯²¹ jiːn²¹ saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/

/sɵy̯²¹ jiːn²¹ saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/

to drool (over); to yearn for (certain food or an item); to covet


河水不犯井水

river water not interfering with the wellwater

ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

héshuǐ bùfàn jǐngshuǐ [Phonetic:héshuǐbúfànjíngshuǐ]

хэшуй буфань цзиншуй

/xɤ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fän⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːn²² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

井水不犯河水 井水不犯河水#Chinese

Alternative form of 井水不犯河水 (jǐngshuǐ bùfàn héshuǐ, “two things keeping to themselves”)


井水不犯河水

河水不犯井水
河水勿犯井水

ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

jǐngshuǐ bùfàn héshuǐ [Phonetic:jíngshuǐbúfànhéshuǐ]

цзиншуй буфань хэшуй

/t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fän⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːn²² hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵/

minding their own business
mind one's own business

“wellwater not interfering with the river water”—two things keeping to themselves; everyone minding their own business


亡命之徒

ㄨㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄓ ㄊㄨˊ

/wɑŋ³⁵ miŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ mɪŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/wɑŋ³⁵ miŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ mɪŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹/


早生貴子

ㄗㄠˇ ㄕㄥ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄗˇ

цзаошэнгуйцзы

/t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

to give birth to a son soon; wish you early birth of a healthy baby (propitiatory compliment to the newly-weds)


放誕不羈

ㄈㄤˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧ

фанданьбуцзи

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/


披星戴月

ㄆㄧ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄉㄞˋ ㄩㄝˋ

/pʰi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ taːi̯³³ jyːt̚²/

/pʰi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ taːi̯³³ jyːt̚²/

(figurative) to get up by starlight and not stop working until the moon rises; to work or travel through night and day


低三下四

ㄉㄧ ㄙㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄙˋ

/ti⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ haː²² sei̯³³/

/ti⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ haː²² sei̯³³/


跌打損傷

ㄉㄧㄝ ㄉㄚˇ ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄕㄤ

ㄉㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄚˇ ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄕㄤ

/ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛ³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tiːt̚³ taː³⁵ syːn³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛ³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tiːt̚³ taː³⁵ syːn³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

traditional Chinese medicine
traditional Chinese medicine

(traditional Chinese medicine) fractures or other injuries from falls, blows, contusions, sprains and so on; all musculoskeletal injuries


一念之差

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵/

the difference caused by a single thought; momentary slip; ill-considered action


烏煙瘴氣

ㄨ ㄧㄢ ㄓㄤˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/u⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ hei̯³³/

/u⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ hei̯³³/

(of an atmosphere) filled with black smoke and toxic gas; turgid atmosphere; pandemonium


滾瓜爛熟

ripe as a melon that rolls from its vine

ㄍㄨㄣˇ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄢˋ ㄕㄨˊ

ㄍㄨㄣˇ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄢˋ ㄕㄡˊ

гуньгуаланьшу

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

гуньгуаланьшоу

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɐn³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ laːn²² sʊk̚²/

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɐn³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ laːn²² sʊk̚²/

(to know something) by heart; (recite, etc.) fluently


憤世嫉俗

ㄈㄣˋ ㄕˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄙㄨˊ

/fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ su³⁵/

/fɐn¹³ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɐt̚² t͡sʊk̚²/

/fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ su³⁵/

/fɐn¹³ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɐt̚² t͡sʊk̚²/

別聽他的話，他是個憤世嫉俗的家伙 [MSC, trad.]
别听他的话，他是个愤世嫉俗的家伙 [MSC, simp.]

From: Blackboard Jungle, 1955 (OpenSubtitles)

bié tīng tā de huà, tā shì ge fènshìjísú de jiāhuo [Pinyin]

還是憤世嫉俗的樣子，你一點沒變 [MSC, trad.]
还是愤世嫉俗的样子，你一点没变 [MSC, simp.]

From: Bayside Shakedown 2, 2003 (OpenSubtitles)

háishì fènshìjísú de yàngzǐ, nǐ yīdiǎn méi biàn [Pinyin]


曠日持久

ㄎㄨㄤˋ ㄖˋ ㄔˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ

/kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɔːŋ³³ jɐt̚² t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵/

/kʷʰɔːŋ³³ jɐt̚² t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵/

有好獵者，曠日持久而不得獸。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
有好猎者，旷日持久而不得兽。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: Lü Buwei, Master Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals, 239 BCE

There was a man fond of hunting who was not able to catch game for a long time.

Yǒu hào liè zhě, kuàngrìchíjiǔ ér bùdé shòu. [Pinyin]


啞口無言

ㄧㄚˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/jä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/jä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

to be speechless in response to being interrogated or refuted


千變萬化

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (千變萬化):
* → Japanese: 千変万化(せんぺんばんか) (senpenbanka)
* → Korean: 천변만화(千變萬化) (cheonbyeonmanhwa)
* → Vietnamese: thiên biến vạn hoá (千變萬化)

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

цяньбяньваньхуа

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ piːn³³ maːn²² faː³³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ piɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ban⁴¹⁻²² hua⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ ban³³⁻¹¹ hua¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ ban³³⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ piːn³³ maːn²² faː³³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ piɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ban⁴¹⁻²² hua⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ ban³³⁻¹¹ hua¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ ban³³⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

an innumerable amount of changes; countless changes


久而久之

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄦˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄓ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

in the course of time; over a long period of time


人頭湧湧

/jɐn²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ jʊŋ³⁵ jʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ jʊŋ³⁵ jʊŋ³⁵/

(Cantonese) to have large crowds of people


拾金不昧

ㄕˊ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄟˋ

шицзиньбумэй

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² kɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ muːi̯²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻² kim³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ mue³⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² kɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ muːi̯²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻² kim³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ mue³⁵/

to not pocket the money or other valuables one picks up; to return lost property to its owner


不可理喻

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄩˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ lei̯¹³ jyː²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ lei̯¹³ jyː²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²²/

做一件不可理喻的事 [MSC, trad. and simp.]
zuò yī jiàn bùkělǐyù de shì [Pinyin]
to do something that defies reason

簡直不可理喻。／简直不可理喻。

to defy reason; to be unreasonable because of stupidity or stubbornness


一派胡言

ㄧ ㄆㄞˋ ㄏㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːi̯³³ wuː²¹ jiːn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ¹³⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːi̯³³ wuː²¹ jiːn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ¹³⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

我聽說有人正給重慶「潑髒水」，包括給我本人、給家庭潑髒水，甚至說我兒子在外面學習開「紅色法拉利」。一派胡言！我感覺非常氣憤，一派胡言！ [MSC, trad.]
我听说有人正给重庆「泼脏水」，包括给我本人、给家庭泼脏水，甚至说我儿子在外面学习开「红色法拉利」。一派胡言！我感觉非常气愤，一派胡言！ [MSC, simp.]

From: 9 Mar 2012, Bo Xilai's response to reporters' questions on Chongqing Municipal People's Congresshttps://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese_news/2012/03/120309_china_boxilai_smear

I've heard that someone is defaming Chongqing, and the targets include me and my family. Someone even says that my son is driving a red Ferrari when studying abroad. That's complete nonsense! I feel very angry! That's complete nonsense!

Wǒ tīngshuō yǒurén zhèng gěi Chóngqìng “pōzāngshuǐ”, bāokuò gěi wǒ běnrén, gěi jiātíng pōzāngshuǐ, shènzhì shuō wǒ érzǐ zài wàimiàn xuéxí kāi “hóngsè Fǎlālì”. Yīpàihúyán! Wǒ gǎnjiào fēicháng qìfèn, yīpàihúyán! [Pinyin]


一表人才

ㄧ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄘㄞˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ piːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ piau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ piːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ piau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

(usually used to describe a man) to be a person of striking appearance; to be fine-looking and talented


一掃而空

ㄧ ㄙㄠˇ ㄦˊ ㄎㄨㄥ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sou̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sau²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sou̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sau²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/


不堪設想

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄕㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³ sœːŋ³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ⁵⁵⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹/

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³ sœːŋ³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ⁵⁵⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹/

後果不堪設想。／后果不堪设想。

例如眼前國民黨反動派被我們所推翻，過去日本帝國主義被我們和各國人民所推翻，對於被推翻者來說，這是痛苦的，不堪設想的。 [MSC, trad.]
例如眼前国民党反动派被我们所推翻，过去日本帝国主义被我们和各国人民所推翻，对于被推翻者来说，这是痛苦的，不堪设想的。 [MSC, simp.]

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

To be overthrown is painful and is unbearable to contemplate for those overthrown, for example, for the Kuomintang reactionaries whom we are now overthrowing and for Japanese imperialism which we together with other peoples overthrew some time ago.

Lìrú yǎnqián Guómíndǎng fǎndòngpài bèi wǒmen suǒ tuīfān, guòqù Rìběn dìguó zhǔyì bèi wǒmen hé gèguó rénmín suǒ tuīfān, duìyú bèituīfānzhě lái shuō, zhè shì tòngkǔ de, bùkānshèxiǎng de. [Pinyin]

too dreadful to contemplate; too horrible to imagine


再接再厲

再接再厉
再接再勵
再接再礪

ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄗㄞˋ ㄌㄧˋ

цзайцзецзайли

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ lɐi̯²²/

/t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ le²²/

/t͡sai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siap̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ le⁴¹/

/t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ le²²/

/t͡sai¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai¹¹⁻⁵³ le³³/

/t͡sai²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁴¹ le³³/

/t͡sai²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡siap̚²⁻⁴ t͡sai²¹³⁻⁵⁵ li³⁵/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ lɐi̯²²/

to make persistent efforts; to redouble one's efforts; to keep up one's good work


不可或缺

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄩㄝ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ waːk̚² kʰyːt̚³/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ waːk̚² kʰyːt̚³/


刀山火海

ㄉㄠ ㄕㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄞˇ

даошаньхохай

/tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

mountains of daggers and seas of flames; (figurative) extreme danger


天災人禍

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄗㄞ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

тяньцзайжэньхо

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ wɔː²²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ wɔː²²/

natural disasters and man-made calamities; catastrophes


大錯特錯

ㄉㄚˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄜˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³ tɐk̚² t͡sʰɔː³³/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³ tɐk̚² t͡sʰɔː³³/

to be as wrong as wrong can be; to be utterly wrong; to be grievously mistaken


趕盡殺絕

ㄍㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄕㄚ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

ганьцзиньшацзюэ

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/kɔːn³⁵ t͡sɵn²² saːt̚³ t͡syːt̚²/

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/kɔːn³⁵ t͡sɵn²² saːt̚³ t͡syːt̚²/

to drive away and kill all; to kill to the last one; to exterminate


成行成市

ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄤˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄕˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɔːŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹ siː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɔːŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹ siː¹³/

(of many stalls and shops) to gather to become a brisk market; to be flourishing; to be booming


愁眉苦臉

ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄎㄨˇ ㄌㄧㄢˇ

чоумэйкулянь

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯²¹ mei̯²¹ fuː³⁵ liːm¹³/

/sɐu̯²¹ mei̯²¹ fuː³⁵ liːm¹³/

with knitted brows and a doleful look; looking distressed


無所事事

ㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄕˋ ㄕˋ

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ siː²² siː²²/

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ siː²² siː²²/

這孩子無所事事，只是在街頭閒盪。 [MSC, trad.]
这孩子无所事事，只是在街头闲荡。 [MSC, simp.]

The kid has nothing to do but hang around the street corners.

Zhè háizi wúsuǒshìshì, zhǐshì zài jiētóu xiándàng. [Pinyin]


撒手人寰

ㄙㄚ ㄕㄡˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ

сашоужэньхуань

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/


來歷不明

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/laɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/lai²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³/

/lai²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴/

/laɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/lai²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³/

/lai²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴/


不勞而獲

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄠˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/pu⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hiɪk̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hiɪk̚⁴/

誰不願意一出生就是含著金鑰匙的富家孩子，誰不願意不勞而獲？ [MSC, trad.]
谁不愿意一出生就是含著金钥匙的富家孩子，谁不愿意不劳而获？ [MSC, simp.]

Who doesn't want to be a rich kid born with a silver spoon? Who doesn't want to get something for nothing?

Shéi bù yuànyì yī chūshēng jiù shì hán zhe jīnyàoshi de fùjiā háizi, shéi bù yuànyì bùláo'érhuò? [Pinyin]

to reap without sowing; to live off the toil of other people


一馬當先

ㄧ ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄤ ㄒㄧㄢ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ³³ siɛn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ³³ siɛn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

to gallop at the head; to take the lead; to be in the foremost rank


不足為奇

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ki²³/

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ki²³/

他的叛變是有來歷的，不足為奇。 [MSC, trad.]
他的叛变是有来历的，不足为奇。 [MSC, simp.]

He has history. That he defected is not at all surprising.

Tā de pànbiàn shì yǒu láilì de, bùzúwéiqí. [Pinyin]

to be commonplace and not at all surprising


乏人問津

ㄈㄚˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

фажэньвэньцзинь

/fä³⁵ ʐən³⁵ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/fɐt̚² jɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/huat̚⁴⁻³² zin²³⁻³³ bun³³⁻²¹ t͡sin⁴⁴/

/fä³⁵ ʐən³⁵ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/fɐt̚² jɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/huat̚⁴⁻³² zin²³⁻³³ bun³³⁻²¹ t͡sin⁴⁴/

to have few people making enquiries about the matter; to be unable to attract people's attention


不一而足

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄦˊ ㄗㄨˊ

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔk̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔk̚³²/

The original and literal meaning in the Gongyang was "to not make full (the approval) all at once", i.e., to be conditional and graduated in dispensing approval. It was also written as "不壹而足" in the Gongyang, and typically used in the phrase
:
許夷狄者不一而足也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]许夷狄者不一而足也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Gongyang, c. 206 BCE– 9 CE
Xǔ yídí zhě bù yī'érzú yě. [Pinyin]
To approve of a barbarian, one does not do so to the full degree all at once.
As chengyu, the phrase has been re-analysed semantically in common usage and shifted in meaning.

zh-x

許 夷狄 者 不.一而足 也。

cannot be described only by one example; by no means an isolated case; to be numerous; innumerable


不謀而合

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄡˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄜˊ

/pu⁵¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ hɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ hɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

to happen to hold the same views; to agree without previous collaboration


一籌莫展

ㄧ ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄓㄢˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɔːk̚² t͡siːn³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² tiɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ tiu¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mok̚⁴⁻² tiaŋ⁵²/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɔːk̚² t͡siːn³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² tiɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ tiu¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mok̚⁴⁻² tiaŋ⁵²/

to be unable to find a solution; to be at wits' end


五彩繽紛

五彩缤纷
五彩賓紛
五采繽紛

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄈㄣ

уцайбиньфэнь

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pʰin³³ hun³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pʰin³³ hun³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

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


不眠不休

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ

/pu⁵¹ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ miːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bin¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/pu⁵¹ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ miːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bin¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

to toil without taking a break to rest or sleep


不可多得

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄉㄜˊ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ to³³ tit̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ to³³ tit̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

to be hard to come by; to be rare to have


比手畫腳

ㄅㄧˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

ㄅㄧˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

бишоухуацзяо

/pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pei̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ waːk̚² kœːk̚³/

/pei̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ waːk̚² kœːk̚³/

to use movement of either the hands or of some other body limb in order to supplement that which can not be expressed in words; to use sign language; to communicate by using hand gestures


心知肚明

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓ ㄉㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

синьчжидумин

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/


矯枉過正

ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄨㄤˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄥˋ

цзяовангочжэн

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/kiːu̯³⁵ wɔːŋ³⁵ kʷɔː³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/kiːu̯³⁵ wɔːŋ³⁵ kʷɔː³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

to overcorrect; to hypercorrect; to overcompensate


奄奄一息

ㄧㄢˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄧ ㄒㄧ

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/jɛn⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/jiːm⁵⁵ jiːm⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/am⁴⁴⁻³³ am⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/jɛn⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/jiːm⁵⁵ jiːm⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/am⁴⁴⁻³³ am⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

breathe one's last breath
breathe one's last breath


空前絕後

ㄎㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄡˋ

кунцяньцзюэхоу

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯²²/

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯²²/

unprecedented and never to be duplicated; the first and the last; unmatched; unique


過目難忘

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄨㄤˋ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ nän³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔː³³ mʊk̚² naːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ nän³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔː³³ mʊk̚² naːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

to be hard to forget when one has run eyes over something; unforgettable


橫空出世

ㄏㄥˊ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄔㄨ ㄕˋ

/xɤŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/xɤŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

From the 1935 poem 《念奴嬌·崑崙》 by Mao Zedong.


味同嚼蠟

ㄨㄟˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄠˊ ㄌㄚˋ

ㄨㄟˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄌㄚˋ

вэйтунцзяола

/weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ lä⁵¹/

вэйтунцзюэла

/weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/mei̯²² tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sœːk̚³ laːp̚²/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/mei̯²² tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sœːk̚³ laːp̚²/

tastes as if one is chewing wax; insipid; tasteless


塵埃落定

ㄔㄣˊ ㄞ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tɪŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tɪŋ²²/

(of a matter) to be finalised; to get sorted out


一無所獲

ㄧ ㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ wɔːk̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ wɔːk̚²/


鬱鬱寡歡

ㄩˋ ㄩˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄏㄨㄢ

юйюйгуахуань

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ kʷaː³⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ kʷaː³⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/


重蹈覆轍

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄉㄠˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄜˊ

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄔㄜˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tou̯²² fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tʰiek̚²/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tʰiak̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tou̯²² fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tʰiek̚²/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tʰiak̚²/

Based on the Book of the Later Han:
:
今不慮前事之失，復循覆車之軌。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]今不虑前事之失，复循覆车之轨。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of the Later Han, circa 5ᵗʰ century CE
Jīn bù lǜ qiánshì zhī shī, fù xún fùchē zhī guǐ. [Pinyin]
Now [we] are not considering past mistakes and following the tracks of an overturned cart again.

今 不 慮 前事 之 失，復 循 覆車 之 軌。

Now 􂀿we􂁀 are not considering past mistakes and following the tracks of an overturned cart again.

to go on the tracks of an overturned cart again

我們務必要記取過去慘痛的教訓，絕對不能重蹈覆轍，讓相同的情形再發生。 [Taiwanese Mandarin, trad.]
我们务必要记取过去惨痛的教训，绝对不能重蹈覆辙，让相同的情形再发生。 [Taiwanese Mandarin, simp.]

From: 2005 February 5, 總統府新聞稿, in 《總統府公報》, number 6617

We must remember and draw from the painful lessons of the past, and we absolutely cannot repeat the same mistakes and allow the same situation to reoccur.

Wǒmen wùbì yào jìqǔ guòqù cǎntòng de jiàoxùn, juéduì bùnéng chóngdàofùchè, ràng xiāngtóng de qíngxíng zài fāshēng. [Pinyin]

我不過是怕啊，我怕我的孩子重蹈我的覆轍，我想我這一生稀裏糊塗地做女人就夠了，我的孩子不必了。 [MSC, trad.]
我不过是怕啊，我怕我的孩子重蹈我的覆辙，我想我这一生稀里糊涂地做女人就够了，我的孩子不必了。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2010, 趙銳, 《母親手記：我與孩子的故事》, page 181

It's just that I'm afraid; I'm afraid that my child will repeat my mistakes. I think it's enough just for me to live a muddled life as a woman; my child does not have to.

Wǒ bùguò shì pà a, wǒ pà wǒ de háizi chóngdǎo wǒ de fùzhé, wǒ xiǎng wǒ zhè yī shēng xīlihútú de zuò nǚrén jiù gòu le, wǒ de háizi bùbì le. [Pinyin]

to repeat the same mistake; to recommit the same error


煥然一新

ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

хуаньжаньисинь

/xu̯än⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/huan²¹⁻⁴¹ ziɛn²³⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/huan¹¹⁻⁵³ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/huaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² siŋ³³/

/xu̯än⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/huan²¹⁻⁴¹ ziɛn²³⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/huan¹¹⁻⁵³ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/


刀下留人

ㄉㄠ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/tou̯⁵⁵ haː²² lɐu̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/tou̯⁵⁵ haː²² lɐu̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

used as an exclamation requesting that the decapitation of a prisoner be stayed or suspended: Spare him / her!


悒鬱寡歡

ㄧˋ ㄩˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄏㄨㄢ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ kʷaː³⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ kʷaː³⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/


其樂無窮

ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄩㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ lɔːk̚² mou̯²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ lɔːk̚² mou̯²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹/

it is a great joy to (do something); to find it an infinite delight (to do something)


壽終正寢

ㄕㄡˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄣˇ

шоучжунчжэнцинь

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɐm³⁵/

/sɐu̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɐm³⁵/

被難

to be killed in a disaster, political incident


不求甚解

ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ sɐm²² kaːi̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ sɐm²² kaːi̯³⁵/

好讀書，不求甚解，每有會意，便欣然忘食。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]好读书，不求甚解，每有会意，便欣然忘食。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 《五柳先生傳》
Hào dúshū, bùqiúshènjiě, měi yǒu huìyì, biàn xīnrán wàng shí. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)
Originally means "to put emphasis on comprehending argumentation instead of words".

好{hào} 讀書，不求甚解，每 有 會意，便 欣然 忘 食。

to not seek deep understanding; to read or know things on a superficial level


一言不發

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/


飲鴆止渴

ㄧㄣˇ ㄓㄣˋ ㄓˇ ㄎㄜˇ

иньчжэньчжикэ

inʹčžɛnʹčžikɛ

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐm³⁵ t͡sɐm²² t͡siː³⁵ hɔːt̚³/

/jɐm³⁵ t͡sɐm²² t͡siː³⁵ hɔːt̚³/

Based on a quote in Book of Later Han:
*
譬猶療飢於附子，止渴於酖毒，未入膓胃，已絕咽喉，豈可爲哉！ [Literary Chinese, trad.]譬犹疗饥于附子，止渴于鸩毒，未入肠胃，已绝咽喉，岂可为哉！ [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of the Later Han, circa 5ᵗʰ century CE
Pìyóu liáojī yú fùzǐ, zhǐkě yú zhèndú, wèi rù chángwèi, yǐ jué yānhóu, qǐ kě wéi zāi! [Pinyin]
It's like sating hunger with aconite roots and slaking thirst with zhen's poison; they would not even enter the stomach and guts before already having killed by blocking off the throat; how can such a thing be done?

譬猶 療飢 於 附子，止渴 於 酖{zhèn}-毒，未 入 膓胃，已 絕 咽喉，豈 可 爲{wéi} 哉！

todrink poisonous liquor to quench thirst

to do something harmful in order to seek any relief


洛陽紙貴

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄓˇ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/lɔːk̚² jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lok̚⁴⁻² iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sua⁵²⁻³⁵ kui²¹³/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/lɔːk̚² jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lok̚⁴⁻² iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sua⁵²⁻³⁵ kui²¹³/

From the incident that the Western Jin poet Zuo Si's work Rhapsodies on the Three Capitals was extremely popular that people were making copies of it, causing a shortage in paper and pushing up its price in Luoyang.
:
於是豪貴之家競相傳寫，洛陽為之紙貴。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]于是豪贵之家竞相传写，洛阳为之纸贵。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: 648 CE, Fang Xuanling (lead editor), Book of Jin
Yúshì háoguì zhī jiā jìngxiāng chuánxiě, Luòyáng wèi zhī zhǐ guì. [Pinyin]
After that the noblemen were eagerly making copies of the work, causing paper to become expensive in Luoyang.

於是 豪貴 之 家 競相{xiāng} 傳寫 ，^洛陽 為 之 紙 貴。

(of a literary work, e.g. a new book) to be all the rage for a time; to be immensely popular


為虎作倀

ㄨㄟˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄤ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄤ

/weɪ̯⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/ui²²⁻²¹ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɔŋ⁴⁴/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/ui²²⁻²¹ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɔŋ⁴⁴/

to assist a devil; to help a villain do evil


蛛絲馬跡

ㄓㄨ ㄙ ㄇㄚˇ ㄐㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ maː¹³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/tu⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziaʔ³²/

/tu³³⁻²³ si³³⁻²³ be⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡siaʔ²/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ maː¹³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/tu⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziaʔ³²/

/tu³³⁻²³ si³³⁻²³ be⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡siaʔ²/


談笑風生

ㄊㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄥ

таньсяофэншэн

/tʰän³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰaːm²¹ siːu̯³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰän³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰaːm²¹ siːu̯³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

to talk in a jovial mood; to joke together; to talk cheerfully and wittily


惺惺惜惺惺

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄥ

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄥ

синсинсисинсин

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

people of intelligence and talent appreciate one another; like-minded people relate well to each other


孤苦伶仃

ㄍㄨ ㄎㄨˇ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄧㄥ

/ku⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ liŋ³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ lɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ku⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ liŋ³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ lɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ⁵⁵/


負隅頑抗

ㄈㄨˋ ㄩˊ ㄨㄢˊ ㄎㄤˋ

/fu⁵¹ y³⁵ wän³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹/

/fuː²² jyː²¹ waːn²¹ kʰɔːŋ³³/

/fu⁵¹ y³⁵ wän³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹/

/fuː²² jyː²¹ waːn²¹ kʰɔːŋ³³/

A tale from Mencius:
:
晉人有馮婦者，善搏虎，卒為善士。則之野，有眾逐虎。虎負嵎，莫之敢攖。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]晋人有冯妇者，善搏虎，卒为善士。则之野，有众逐虎。虎负嵎，莫之敢撄。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Jìn rén yǒu Féng Fù zhě, shàn bó hǔ, zú wéi shànshì. Zé zhī yě, yǒu zhòng zhú hǔ. Hǔ fù yú, mò zhī gǎn yīng. [Pinyin]
 […] There was a man named Feng Fu in Jin, famous for his skill in seizing tigers. Afterwards he became a scholar of reputation, and going once out to the wild country, he found the people all in pursuit of a tiger. The tiger took refuge in a corner of a hill, where no one dared to attack him.

晉 人 有 ^馮 ^婦 者，善 搏 虎，卒 為{wéi} 善士。則 之 野，有 眾 逐 虎。虎 負 嵎，莫 之 敢 攖。

(figurative) to make a last-ditch fight (relying on a strategically inaccessible place or other conditions)


渾水摸魚

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹⁻³⁵/

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹⁻³⁵/

fish in troubled waters
fish in troubled waters

to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain; to fish in troubled waters


混水摸魚

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹/

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹/

渾水摸魚 渾水摸魚#Chinese

浑水摸鱼 浑水摸鱼#Chinese

Alternative form of 渾水摸魚／浑水摸鱼 (húnshuǐmōyú)


摩拳擦掌

ㄇㄛˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄘㄚ ㄓㄤˇ

моцюаньцачжан

/mu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ t͡sʰä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɔː⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/mɔː⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

to rub one's fists and wipe one's palms; to roll up one's sleeves for a battle


驕奢淫逸

ㄐㄧㄠ ㄕㄜ ㄧㄣˊ ㄧˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵⁵ in³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛː⁵⁵ jɐm²¹ jɐt̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵⁵ in³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛː⁵⁵ jɐm²¹ jɐt̚²/

From Zuo Zhuan. Duke Zhuang I of Wey (w:zh:衛前莊公) had a favored son, Zhou Yu (w:zh:州吁), and did not restrain him. One of his officers was concerned (《左傳·隱公三年》):
:
石碏諫曰：「臣聞愛子，教之以義方，弗納于邪。驕、奢、淫、泆，所自邪也。四者之來，寵祿過也。將立州籲，乃定之矣，若猶未也，階之為禍。…… [Classical Chinese, trad.]石碏谏曰：「臣闻爱子，教之以义方，弗纳于邪。骄、奢、淫、泆，所自邪也。四者之来，宠禄过也。将立州吁，乃定之矣，若犹未也，阶之为祸。…… [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Shí Què jiàn yuē: “Chén wén ài zǐ, jiào zhī yǐ yì fāng, fú nà yú xié. Jiāo, shē, yín, yì, suǒ zì xié yě. Sì zhě zhī lái, chǒng lù guò yě. Jiāng lì Zhōu Yù, nǎi dìng zhī yǐ, ruò yóu wèi yě, jiē zhī wéi huò....... [Pinyin]
Shi Que remonstrated with the duke, saying, "Your servant has heard that, when you love a son, you should teach him righteous ways, and not help him on in the course of depravity. There are pride, extravagance, lewdness, and dissipation, by which one depraves himself; but these four vices come from over-indulgence and allowances. If you are going to make Zhou Yu your successor, settle him in that position; if you have not yet decided on such a step, you are paving the way for him to create disorder. …

@石.^碏 諫 曰：「臣 聞 愛 子，教 之 以 義 方，弗 納 于 邪。驕、奢、淫、泆{yì}，所 自 邪 也。四 者 之 來，寵 祿 過 也。將 立 @^州.^籲，乃 定 之 矣，若 猶 未 也，階 之 為{wéi} 禍。……


無動於衷

ㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄩˊ ㄓㄨㄥ

/u³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ tʊŋ²² jyː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ tʊŋ²² jyː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

aloof; indifferent; unmoved; unconcerned


秀外慧中

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄨㄥ

сювайхуэйчжун

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² wɐi̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/siu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ɡua¹¹ hui³⁵⁻¹¹ toŋ³³/

/sɐu̯⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² wɐi̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/siu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ɡua¹¹ hui³⁵⁻¹¹ toŋ³³/

(usually of a girl) good-looking and intelligent


一錘定音

ㄧ ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄧㄣ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹ in⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ tɪŋ²² jɐm⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹ in⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ tɪŋ²² jɐm⁵⁵/


原原本本

ㄩㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄅㄣˇ ㄅㄣˇ

юаньюаньбэньбэнь

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


義無反顧

ㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄈㄢˇ ㄍㄨˋ

/i⁵¹ u³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/jiː²² mou̯²¹ faːn³⁵ kuː³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo¹³⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ¹¹/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ huan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/i⁵¹ u³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/jiː²² mou̯²¹ faːn³⁵ kuː³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo¹³⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ¹¹/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ huan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

to pursue justice with no second thoughts; to proceed without hesitation


死心塌地

ㄙˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄊㄚ ㄉㄧˋ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tʰä⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ tʰaːp̚³ tei̯²²/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tʰä⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ tʰaːp̚³ tei̯²²/

她死心塌地地跟著那個男人。 [MSC, trad.]
她死心塌地地跟着那个男人。 [MSC, simp.]

Tā sǐxīntādì de gēnzhe nàge nánrén. [Pinyin]

to be hell-bent on; to be dead set on (following someone)


葉公好龍

ㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄏㄠˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

ㄕㄜˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄏㄠˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/jɛ⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤ⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/siːp̚³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯³³ lʊŋ²¹/

/jiːp̚² kʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯³³ lʊŋ²¹/

/jɛ⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤ⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/siːp̚³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯³³ lʊŋ²¹/

/jiːp̚² kʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯³³ lʊŋ²¹/

From a parable in 《新序》 (New Prefaces), describing a man named 葉公 (Shè Gōng/Yè Gōng, “Lord Ye/Lord She”), who was obsessed with drawings of dragons, but fled in terror when he saw a real dragon.
葉公子高好龍，鉤以寫龍，鑿以寫龍，屋室雕文以寫龍。於是天龍聞而下之，窺頭於牖，施尾於堂。葉公見之，棄而還走，失其魂魄，五色無主。是葉公非好龍也，好夫似龍而非龍者也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]叶公子高好龙，钩以写龙，凿以写龙，屋室雕文以写龙。于是天龙闻而下之，窥头于牖，施尾于堂。叶公见之，弃而还走，失其魂魄，五色无主。是叶公非好龙也，好夫似龙而非龙者也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Dynasty, New Prefaces (新序), Liu Xiang (劉向)
Shègōng Zǐgāo hào lóng, gōu yǐ xiě lóng, záo yǐ xiě lóng, wū shì diāo wén yǐ xiě lóng. Yúshì tiānlóng wén ér xià zhī, kuī tóu yú yǒu, yì wěi yú táng. Shègōng jiàn zhī, qì ér xúanzǒu, shī qí húnpò, wǔsèwúzhǔ. Shì Shègōng fēi hào lóng yě, hào fū sì lóng ér fēi lóng zhě yě. [Pinyin]
Lord Ye/She Zigao liked dragons, dragons drawn on hooks, dragons drawn on wine vessels, dragons drawn at house carvings. So, the dragon in the sky listened then went down, head peeking through the windowsill, tail extended into the hall. Lord Ye/She saw it, gave up then turned around and ran, losing his soul, extremely terrified. This is Lord Ye/She not liking dragons, he liked those resembling dragons but are not dragons.

zh-x

^@葉{shè}公 ^@子高 好{hào} 龍，鉤 以 寫 龍，鑿 以 寫 龍，屋 室 雕 文 以 寫 龍。於是 天龍 聞 而 下 之，窺 頭 於 牖，施{yì} 尾 於 堂。 ^@葉{shè}公 見 之，棄 而 還{xúan}走，失 其 魂魄，五色無主。是 ^@葉{shè}公 非 好{hào} 龍 也，好{hào} 夫 似 龍 而 非 龍 者 也。

to pretend to like something which one actually dislikes or fears


身懷六甲

ㄕㄣ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ

ㄕㄣ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ

шэньхуайлюцзя

/ʂən⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

шэньхуайлуцзя

/ʂən⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ lʊk̚² kaːp̚³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ lʊk̚² kaːp̚³/


返老還童

ㄈㄢˇ ㄌㄠˇ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

фаньлаохуаньтун

/fän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ lou̯¹³ waːn²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/fän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ lou̯¹³ waːn²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹/

to recover one's youthful vigour; to become young again; to become rejuvenated in one's old age


流連忘返

ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄨㄤˋ ㄈㄢˇ

люляньванфань

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²¹ liːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ faːn³⁵/

/liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ liaŋ⁵⁵ buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huaŋ⁵²/

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²¹ liːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ faːn³⁵/

/liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ liaŋ⁵⁵ buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huaŋ⁵²/

to remain enjoying oneself and forget to go home; to be unable to tear oneself away; to linger


束之高閣

ㄕㄨˋ ㄓ ㄍㄠ ㄍㄜˊ

/ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ kɔːk̚³/

/ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ kɔːk̚³/

如果有了正確的理論，只是把它空談一陣，束之高閣，並不實行，那末，這種理論再好也是沒有意義的。 [MSC, trad.]
如果有了正确的理论，只是把它空谈一阵，束之高阁，并不实行，那末，这种理论再好也是没有意义的。 [MSC, simp.]

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

If we have a correct theory but merely prate about it, pigeonhole it and do not put it into practice, then that theory, however good, is of no significance.

Rúguǒ yǒu le zhèngquè de lǐlùn, zhǐshì bǎ tā kōngtán yīzhèn, shùzhīgāogé, bìngbù shíxíng, nàme, zhè zhǒng lǐlùn zài hǎo yě shì méiyǒu yìyì de. [Pinyin]

tied up in a bundle on a high shelf; to put something on the back burner


義憤填膺

ㄧˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄥ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ iŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² fɐn¹³ tʰiːn²¹ jɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ hun¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰiɛn²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ iŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² fɐn¹³ tʰiːn²¹ jɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ hun¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰiɛn²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴⁴/


一語成讖

ㄧ ㄩˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄔㄣˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːm³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːm³³/

one's careless words (inauspiciously) turned out to be a prophecy


螳臂當車

→ Japanese: 蟷螂の斧

ㄊㄤˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄉㄤ ㄔㄜ

ㄊㄤˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄉㄤˇ ㄔㄜ

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ pei̯³³ tɔːŋ³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² pi²¹⁻⁵³ tɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰia⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pi²¹⁻⁴¹ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pi¹¹⁻⁵³ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ku⁴⁴/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ pei̯³³ tɔːŋ³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² pi²¹⁻⁵³ tɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰia⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pi²¹⁻⁴¹ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pi¹¹⁻⁵³ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ku⁴⁴/

From Zhuangzi:
汝不知夫螳蜋乎？怒其臂以當車轍，不知其不勝任也，是其才之美者也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]汝不知夫螳蜋乎？怒其臂以当车辙，不知其不胜任也，是其才之美者也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Rǔ bùzhī fú tángláng hū? Nù qí bì yǐ dāng chēzhé, bùzhī qí bù shēngrèn yě, shì qí cái zhī měi zhě yě. [Pinyin]
Do you not know the praying mantis? It angrily stretches out its arms, to block the car tracks, unconscious of its inability for such a task, but showing how much it thinks of its own powers.

汝 不知 夫{fú} 螳螂\螳蜋{láng} 乎？怒 其 臂 以 當{dāng} 車轍，不知 其 不 勝{shēng}任 也，是 其 才 之 美 者 也。

a mantis blocking a vehicle with its arms

飘扬，共和国的旗帜 (in Chinese), 1989
稍有常識的人都會看出，如果我們的鐵騎繼續前進，這個螳臂當車的歹徒，難道能夠阻擋得了嗎？ [MSC, trad.]
稍有常识的人都会看出，如果我们的铁骑继续前进，这个螳臂当车的歹徒，难道能够阻挡得了吗？ [MSC, simp.]

Everyone with some common sense can see that if our tanks continued to move forward, how can this ruffian with no knowledge in his ability resist?

Shāo yǒu chángshí de rén dōuhuì kànchū, rúguǒ wǒmen de tiěqí jìxù qiánjìn, zhège tángbìdāngchē de dǎitú, nándào nénggòu zǔdǎng de liǎo ma? [Pinyin]

(figurative) to overrate oneself and attempt something impossible


飢腸轆轆

ㄐㄧ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/kei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/kei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/


千錘百煉

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄅㄞˇ ㄌㄧㄢˋ

цяньчуйбайлянь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ paːk̚³ liːn²²/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ paːk̚³ liːn²²/


朝秦暮楚

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (朝秦暮楚):
* → Korean: 조진모초(朝秦暮楚) (jojinmocho)

in the morning, Qin; in the evening, Chu

ㄓㄠ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄔㄨˇ

чжаоциньмучу

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn²¹ mou̯²² t͡sʰɔː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn²¹ mou̯²² t͡sʰɔː³⁵/

(figurative) to be quick to switch sides


厝火積薪

ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄐㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰou̯³³ fɔː³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰou̯³³ fɔː³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/


載歌載舞

ㄗㄞˋ ㄍㄜ ㄗㄞˋ ㄨˇ

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ kɤ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ kɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯³³ mou̯¹³/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ kɤ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ kɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯³³ mou̯¹³/

singing and dancing; festive celebrations


虛與委蛇

/ɕy⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ i³⁵/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³ wɐi̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹/

/ɕy⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ i³⁵/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³ wɐi̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹/

From the book Zhuangzi:
:
鄉吾示之以未始出吾宗，吾與之虛而委蛇。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]乡吾示之以未始出吾宗，吾与之虚而委蛇。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE
Xiàng wú shì zhī yǐ wèi shǐ chū wú zōng, wú yǔ zhī xū ér wēiyí. [Pinyin]
I was showing him myself after the pattern of what was before I began to come from my author. I confronted him with pure vacancy, and an easy indifference.

zh-x

鄉{xiàng} 吾 示 之 以 未 始 出 吾 宗，吾 與 之 虛 而 委{wēi}蛇{yí}。

sham politeness and compliance; courtesy without sincerity; false civility


呼天搶地

ㄏㄨ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄉㄧˋ

/xu⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/fuː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²²/

/fuː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ³⁵ tei̯²²/

/xu⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/fuː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²²/

/fuː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ³⁵ tei̯²²/

to cry bitterly and loudly in excessive grief


呶呶不休

ㄋㄠˊ ㄋㄠˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ

/nɑʊ̯³⁵ nɑʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/naːu̯²¹ naːu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/nɑʊ̯³⁵ nɑʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/naːu̯²¹ naːu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/


自怨自艾

ㄗˋ ㄩㄢˋ ㄗˋ ㄧˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² jyːn³³ t͡siː²² ŋaːi̯²²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² jyːn³³ t͡siː²² ŋaːi̯²²/


官運亨通

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄩㄣˋ ㄏㄥ ㄊㄨㄥ

гуаньюньхэнтун

/ku̯än⁵⁵ yn⁵¹ xɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kuːn⁵⁵ wɐn²² hɐŋ⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ yn⁵¹ xɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kuːn⁵⁵ wɐn²² hɐŋ⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

(of a political career) everything is going smoothly


怙惡不悛

ㄏㄨˋ ㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄢ

/xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/wuː²² ɔːk̚³ pɐt̚⁵ syːn⁵⁵/

/xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/wuː²² ɔːk̚³ pɐt̚⁵ syːn⁵⁵/

to keep doing evil without a sense of repentance


便宜行事

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄕˋ

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ i³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/piːn²² jiː²¹ hɐŋ²¹ siː²²/

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ i³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/piːn²² jiː²¹ hɐŋ²¹ siː²²/


相形見絀

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄔㄨˋ

сянсинцзяньчу

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹ kiːn³³ t͡syːt̚³/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹ kiːn³³ t͡syːt̚³/

接著講理查遜的《帕摩娜》，這是當時風行的盧梭書信體小說，但是比起我讀過的《少年維特之煩惱》來，又相形見絀了。 [MSC, trad.]
接著讲理查逊的《帕摩娜》，这是当时风行的卢梭书信体小说，但是比起我读过的《少年维特之烦恼》来，又相形见绌了。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2016, Xu Yuanchong, Dreams and Truths, Henan Literature and Art Publishing House (March 2017), page 109

Then Richardson's Pamela was taught. It's an epistolary novel popular at the time. However, The Sorrows of Young Werther, which I had read before, made it pale by comparison.

Jiēzhe jiǎng Lǐcháxùn de “Pàmónà”, zhè shì dāngshí fēngxíng de Lúsuō shūxìn tǐ xiǎoshuō, dànshì bǐqǐ wǒ dúguo de “Shàonián Wéitè Zhī Fánnǎo” lái, yòu xiàngxíngjiànchù le. [Pinyin]


佶屈聱牙

ㄐㄧˊ ㄑㄩ ㄠˊ ㄧㄚˊ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ˀɑʊ̯³⁵ jä³⁵/

/kiːt̚² wɐt̚⁵ ŋou̯²¹ ŋaː²¹/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ˀɑʊ̯³⁵ jä³⁵/

/kiːt̚² wɐt̚⁵ ŋou̯²¹ ŋaː²¹/

From 9th century, Han Yu (韓愈), 《進學解》:
周誥殷盤，佶屈聱牙。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]周诰殷盘，佶屈聱牙。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: c. 813, Han Yu, "On Advancing Scholarship" (《進學解》)
Zhōu Gào Yīn Pán, jíqū'áoyá. [Pinyin]
The Announcements of Zhou and Pan Geng of Yin, with their unpronounceable phonology crooked and rough on the teeth.

^周 ^誥 ^殷 ^盤，佶屈聱牙。

(of a text) difficult to read and understand


前倨後恭

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄏㄡˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

цяньцзюйхоугун

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ kɵy̯³³ hɐu̯²² kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ kɵy̯³³ hɐu̯²² kʊŋ⁵⁵/

Quoted from Su Qin, where he was ridiculng his sister-in-law for her attitude after he became famous:
蘇秦笑謂其嫂曰：「何前倨而後恭也？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]苏秦笑谓其嫂曰：「何前倨而后恭也？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Sū Qín xiào wèi qí sǎo yuē: “Hé qián jù ér hòu gōng yě?” [Pinyin]
Su Qin smiled and said to his sister-in-law, “Why were you so arrogant in the past but so respectful to me now?”

@蘇 @^秦 笑 謂 其 嫂 曰 ： 「何 @前 @倨 而 @後 @恭 也？」

to change from arrogance to humility (describing behaviour of snobbish people)


餓殍遍野

ㄜˋ ㄆㄧㄠˇ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄝˇ

/ˀɤ⁵¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋɔː²² pʰiːu̯¹³ pʰiːn³³ jɛː¹³/

/ŋɔː²² pʰiːu̯¹³ pʰiːn³³ jɛː¹³/

strewn with corpses of victims of starvation


不蔓不枝

neitherspreading about nor branching out

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ män⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ maːn²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ män⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ maːn²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

(figurative) succinct and to the point; written in a pithy and smooth style; concise (of an article, speech, etc.)


叱吒風雲

ㄔˋ ㄓㄚˋ ㄈㄥ ㄩㄣˊ

ㄔˋ ㄔㄚˋ ㄈㄥ ㄩㄣˊ

чичжа фэнъюнь

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵/

чича фэнъюнь

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ t͡saː⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹/

/t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ t͡saː⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹/

/t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐn²¹/


開花結果

ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄍㄨㄛˇ

ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄍㄨㄛˇ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄚㄦ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄍㄨㄛˇㄦ

кайхуарцзегор

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ɑɻ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ kiːt̚³ kʷɔː³⁵/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ kiːt̚³ kʷɔː³⁵/


稗官野史

ㄅㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄧㄝˇ ㄕˇ

/paɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːi̯²² kuːn⁵⁵ jɛː¹³ siː³⁵/

/paɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːi̯²² kuːn⁵⁵ jɛː¹³ siː³⁵/

anecdotal history; romances; books of anecdotes


揠苗助長

ㄧㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

/jä⁵¹ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄧㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄠˊㄦ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

ямяорчжучжан

/jä⁵¹ mi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/aːt̚³ miːu̯²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/at̚³²⁻⁴ biau²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ²²⁻²¹ tiɔŋ⁵³/

/jä⁵¹ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jä⁵¹ mi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/aːt̚³ miːu̯²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/at̚³²⁻⁴ biau²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ²²⁻²¹ tiɔŋ⁵³/

From Mencius (《孟子·公孫丑上》):
:
宋人有閔其苗之不長而揠之者，芒芒然歸。謂其人曰：「今日病矣，予助苗長矣。」其子趨而往視之，苗則槁矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]宋人有闵其苗之不长而揠之者，芒芒然归。谓其人曰：「今日病矣，予助苗长矣。」其子趋而往视之，苗则槁矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Sòng rén yǒu mǐn qí miáo zhī bù zhǎng ér yà zhī zhě, mángmángrán guī. Wèi qí rén yuē: “Jīnrì bìng yǐ, yú zhù miáo zhǎng yǐ.” Qí zǐ qū ér wǎng shì zhī, miáo zé gǎo yǐ. [Pinyin]
There was a man of Song, who was grieved that his growing corn was not longer, and so he pulled it up. Having done this, he returned home, looking very troubled, and said to his people, “I am tired today. I have been helping the corn to grow long.” His son ran to look at it, and found the corn all withered.

宋 人 有 閔 其 苗 之 不 長{zhǎng} 而 @揠 之 者，芒芒然 歸。謂 其 人 曰：「今日 病 矣，予{yú} 助 @苗 長{zhǎng} 矣。」其 子 趨 而 往 視 之，苗 則 槁 矣。

(figurative) to be hasty and use inappropriate methods in order to achieve a goal quickly, but by doing so ruin things instead and fail in the end


莘莘學子

ㄕㄣ ㄕㄣ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄗˇ

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄗˇ

шэньшэньсюэцзы

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

синьсиньсюэцзы

/ɕin⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːk̚² t͡siː³⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːk̚² t͡siː³⁵/


歃血為盟

ㄕㄚˋ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄥˊ

ㄕㄚˋ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄥˊ

ㄕㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄥˊ

/ʂä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/ʂä⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/ʂä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/saːp̚³ hyːt̚³ wɐi̯²¹ mɐŋ²¹/

/sap̚³²⁻⁴ hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

/ʂä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/ʂä⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/ʂä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/saːp̚³ hyːt̚³ wɐi̯²¹ mɐŋ²¹/

/sap̚³²⁻⁴ hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

to smear the lips with blood when taking an oath


審時度勢

ㄕㄣˇ ㄕˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄕˋ

ㄕㄣˇ ㄕˊ ㄉㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ

/ʂən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/ʂən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɐm³⁵ siː²¹ tɔːk̚² sɐi̯³³/

/ʂən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/ʂən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɐm³⁵ siː²¹ tɔːk̚² sɐi̯³³/

to judge the hour and size up the situation; to take stock


故弄玄虛

ㄍㄨˋ ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄒㄩ

гунунсюаньсюй

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ nʊŋ⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ lʊŋ²² jyːn²¹ hɵy̯⁵⁵/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ nʊŋ⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ lʊŋ²² jyːn²¹ hɵy̯⁵⁵/

deliberately mystifying; to make something unnecessarily mysterious


家徒四壁

there is nothing in the house except four bare walls

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄊㄨˊ ㄙˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹ sei̯³³ pɪk̚⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹ sei̯³³ pɪk̚⁵/


有名無實

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄕˊ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ u³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ u³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ sɐt̚²/


平分秋色

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄣ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄙㄜˋ

/pʰiŋ³⁵ fən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ fən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/


一衣帶水

ㄧ ㄧ ㄉㄞˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ i⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ taːi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ i⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ taːi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵/

中國和日本是一衣帶水的鄰邦。 [MSC, trad.]
中国和日本是一衣带水的邻邦。 [MSC, simp.]

China and Japan are neighbouring countries separated only by a narrow strip of water.

Zhōngguó hé Rìběn shì yīyīdàishuǐ de línbāng. [Pinyin]


下不為例

ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹/

/haː²² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ lɐi̯²²/

/ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹/

/haː²² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ lɐi̯²²/


力不從心

ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴/

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴/

/liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴/

to lack the ability to do what one wants; one's strength does not match one's ambitions; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak


白山黑水

ㄅㄞˊ ㄕㄢ ㄏㄟ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

байшаньхэйшуй

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² saːn⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² saːn⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

白山 (Báishān, literally “white mountains”) refers to 長白山／长白山 (Chángbáishān, “Changbai Mountain”), while 黑水 (Hēishuǐ, literally “black waters”) refers to the Songhua (Sungari) River, historically referred to as 混同江. First attested in the History of Jin:
:
生女直地有混同江、長白山，混同江亦號黑龍江，所謂「白山、黑水」是也。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]生女直地有混同江、长白山，混同江亦号黑龙江，所谓「白山、黑水」是也。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: 1344 CE, Toqto'a (lead editor), History of Jin
Shēngnǚzhí dì yǒu Hùntóngjiāng, Chángbáishān, Hùntóngjiāng yì hào Hēilóngjiāng, suǒwèi “báishān, hēishuǐ” shìyě. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

zh-x

生女直 地 有 ^混同江、^長白山，^混同江 亦 號 ^黑龍江，所謂「白山、黑水」是也。


拔苗助長

ㄅㄚˊ ㄇㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

бамяочжучжан

/pä³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄅㄚˊ ㄇㄧㄠˊㄦ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ

бамяорчжучжан

/pä³⁵ mi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚² miːu̯²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/puat̚⁴⁻³² biau²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ²²⁻²¹ tiɔŋ⁵³/

/pä³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pä³⁵ mi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚² miːu̯²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/puat̚⁴⁻³² biau²⁴⁻²² t͡sɔ²²⁻²¹ tiɔŋ⁵³/

zh-l

揠苗助長／揠苗助长 (yàmiáozhùzhǎng)

to try to help the shoots grow by pulling them upward


九牛二虎之力

the strength of nine bulls and two tigers

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄦˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄓ ㄌㄧˋ

цзю ню эр ху чжи ли

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹ jiː²² fuː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lɪk̚²/


想入非非

ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄖㄨˋ ㄈㄟ ㄈㄟ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ³⁵ jɐp̚² fei̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/sĩõ³⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zip̚⁴⁻² hui³³⁻²³ hui³³/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ³⁵ jɐp̚² fei̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/sĩõ³⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zip̚⁴⁻² hui³³⁻²³ hui³³/

to indulge in fantastical thoughts; to daydream


金城湯池

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (金城湯池):
* → Japanese: 金(きん)城(じょう)湯(とう)池(ち) (kinjōtōchi)

[[[city]] with]metal walls and boiling moat

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄔㄥˊ ㄊㄤ ㄔˊ

цзиньчэнтанчи

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/*k(r)[ə]m [d]eŋ l̥aŋ|l̥ˤaŋ|r̥ˤaŋ Cə.lraj/

/*krɯm djeŋ l̥ʰaːŋ|l̥ʰaːŋs|hljaŋ l'aːl|l'al/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/


有恃無恐

ㄧㄡˇ ㄕˋ ㄨˊ ㄎㄨㄥˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː¹³ mou̯²¹ hʊŋ³⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː¹³ mou̯²¹ hʊŋ³⁵/

Paraphrase of a story [634 BCE] from the Zuo Zhuan:
:
夏，齊孝公伐我北鄙…齊侯曰：「魯人恐乎？」對曰：「小人恐矣，君子則否。」齊侯曰：「室如縣罄，野無青草，何恃而不恐？」對曰：「恃先王之命。…恃此以不恐。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]夏，齐孝公伐我北鄙…齐侯曰：「鲁人恐乎？」对曰：「小人恐矣，君子则否。」齐侯曰：「室如县罄，野无青草，何恃而不恐？」对曰：「恃先王之命。…恃此以不恐。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Xià, Qí Xiàogōng fá wǒ běi bǐ... Qíhóu yuē: “Lǔrén kǒng hū?” Duì yuē: “Xiǎorén kǒng yǐ, jūnzǐ zé fǒu.” Qíhóu yuē: “Shì rú xuán qìng, yě wú qīngcǎo, héshì ér bùkǒng?” Duì yuē: “Shì xiānwáng zhī mìng.... Shì cǐ yǐ bùkǒng.” [Pinyin]
In summer, Duke Xiao of Qi invaded our northern frontiers… "Are the people of Lu afraid?" asked the Duke of Qi. "The inferior are afraid indeed, but the superior ones are not," said Zhan Xi in reply. The Duke asks, "Your households suffer from such want like empty containers hang upside down, and not even green grass grow on your fields, let alone food. Whence your lack of fear?" "We rely on the indisputable and everlasting commandments of the Sovereign Forefather," said Xi. "… thus supported, we have nothing to fear."

zh-x

夏，^齊 ^孝-公 伐 我 北 鄙… ^齊-侯 曰：「^魯-人 恐 乎？」對 曰：「小人 恐 矣，君子 則 否。」^齊-侯 曰：「室 如 縣{xuán} 罄，野 無 青草，何-恃 而 不-恐？」對 曰：「恃 先王 之 命。…恃 此 以 不-恐。」

得不到的永遠在騷動 被偏愛的都有恃無恐 [MSC, trad.]
得不到的永远在骚动 被偏爱的都有恃无恐 [MSC, simp.]

Deprived, in a disturbance;Possessed, how supercilious.

dé bùdào de yǒngyuǎn zài sāodòng, bèi piān'ài de dōu yǒushìwúkǒng [Pinyin]

to be emboldened in the knowledge that one has backing; to fear nothing with someone at one's back

Duke Xiao of Qi
King Cheng of Zhou
Zuo Zhuan


事到如今

ㄕˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄣ

шидаожуцзинь

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/siː²² tou̯³³ jyː²¹ kɐm⁵⁵/

/su³³⁻²¹ kau²¹⁻⁴¹ zu²³⁻³³ kim⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻¹¹ kau¹¹⁻⁵³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ kim⁴⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/siː²² tou̯³³ jyː²¹ kɐm⁵⁵/

/su³³⁻²¹ kau²¹⁻⁴¹ zu²³⁻³³ kim⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻¹¹ kau¹¹⁻⁵³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ kim⁴⁴/

事到如今要怎樣 阮也不敢做主意 [Taiwanese Hokkien, trad.]
事到如今要怎样 阮也不敢做主意 [Taiwanese Hokkien, simp.]

What should I do at this point? I don't dare make a decision.

sū-kàu-lû-kim beh cháiⁿ-iūⁿ, gún iā m̄-káⁿ chòe chú-ì [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]

as things stand; currently; getting this far; up to this point


臨陣磨槍

ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄓㄣˋ ㄇㄛˊ ㄑㄧㄤ

линьчжэньмоцян

/lin³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/lɐm²¹ t͡sɐn²² mɔː²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/lin³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/lɐm²¹ t͡sɐn²² mɔː²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/


不速之客

ㄅㄨˋ ㄙㄨˋ ㄓ ㄎㄜˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ su⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ haːk̚³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ su⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ haːk̚³/

From I Ching, Hexagram 5 (《易经·需卦》):
:
上六：入于穴，有不速之客三人來，敬之終吉。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]上六：入于穴，有不速之客三人来，敬之终吉。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Shàng liù: rù yú xué, yǒu bùsù zhī kè sān rén lái, jìng zhī zhōng jí. [Pinyin]
The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject entered into the cavern. (But) there are three guests coming, without being urged, (to his help). If he receive them respectfully, there will be good fortune in the end.

上 六：入 于 穴，有 不速.之.客 三 人 來，敬 之 終 吉。

她是晚会上的不速之客。 [MSC, trad. and simp.]
Tā shì wǎnhuì shàng de bùsùzhīkè. [Pinyin]
She was an uninvited guest at the party.

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 5


飽經滄桑

ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄘㄤ ㄙㄤ

баоцзинцансан

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːu̯³⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːu̯³⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵/

to experience many vicissitudes; to have experienced many vicissitudes of life; to have lived through many changes


報仇雪恥

ㄅㄠˋ ㄔㄡˊ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄔˇ

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pou̯³³ sɐu̯²¹ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/pou̯³³ sɐu̯²¹ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

to avenge a wrong and wipe out or erase humiliation; to take revenge for an insult


報喜不報憂

ㄅㄠˋ ㄒㄧˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄠˋ ㄧㄡ

bàoxǐ bù bàoyōu [Phonetic:bàoxǐ bú bàoyōu]

баоси бу баою

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pou̯³³ hei̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pou̯³³ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pou̯³³ hei̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pou̯³³ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

to report the good news but not the bad news; to report only what is good while withholding what is unpleasant


飽學之士

ㄅㄠˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄓ ㄕˋ

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/paːu̯³⁵ hɔːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ siː²²/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/paːu̯³⁵ hɔːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ siː²²/

erudite person; learned scholar; man of learning


飽以老拳

ㄅㄠˇ ㄧˇ ㄌㄠˇ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

баоилаоцюань

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/paːu̯³⁵ jiː¹³ lou̯¹³ kʰyːn²¹/

/paːu̯³⁵ jiː¹³ lou̯¹³ kʰyːn²¹/

to spend the whole day eating (i.e. not doing any work)


寶山空回

return empty-handed from a mountain of treasure

ㄅㄠˇ ㄕㄢ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄏㄨㄟˊ

баошанькунхуэй

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵/

/pou̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵/

/pou̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹/

to fail to benefit from a visit to a great master, a center of learning, etc.


飽經風霜

ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄨㄤ

баоцзинфэншуан

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːu̯³⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² sɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/paːu̯³⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² sɔŋ⁴⁴/

weather-beaten; having had one's fill of hardships; having experienced the hardship of life


飽食終日

ㄅㄠˇ ㄕˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄖˋ

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/paːu̯³⁵ sɪk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/paːu̯³⁵ sɪk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

See 飽食終日，無所用心／饱食终日，无所用心 (bǎoshízhōngrì, wúsuǒyòngxīn).


包攬詞訟

ㄅㄠ ㄌㄢˇ ㄘˊ ㄙㄨㄥˋ

баолань цысун

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ län²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ sʊŋ⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ laːm¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ t͡sʊŋ²²/

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ län²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ sʊŋ⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ laːm¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ t͡sʊŋ²²/

to pettifog; to engage in legal pettifoggery; to practice chicanery


包辦代替

ㄅㄠ ㄅㄢˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄊㄧˋ

баобань дайти

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ paːn²² tɔːi̯²² tʰɐi̯³³/

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ paːn²² tɔːi̯²² tʰɐi̯³³/

to take away somebody else's work; to run things all by oneself without consulting others


半新不舊

ㄅㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

баньсинь буцзю

/pän⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/puːn³³ sɐn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯²²/

/pän⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/puːn³³ sɐn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯²²/

no longer new; showing signs of wear; worn


包羅萬象

ㄅㄠ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

баолованьсян

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ lɔː²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

/pau⁴⁴⁻²² lo²⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ siɔŋ²²/

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ lɔː²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

/pau⁴⁴⁻²² lo²⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ siɔŋ²²/


包藏禍心

ㄅㄠ ㄘㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

баоцанхосинь

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ wɔː²² sɐm⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/paːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ wɔː²² sɐm⁵⁵/

《左傳·昭公元年》:
小國無罪，恃實其罪。將恃大國之安靖己，而無乃包藏禍心以圖之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]小国无罪，恃实其罪。将恃大国之安靖己，而无乃包藏祸心以图之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Xiǎoguó wúzuì, shì shí qí zuì. Jiāng shì dàguó zhī ānjìng jǐ, ér wúnǎi bāocánghuòxīn yǐ tú zhī. [Pinyin]
Our small country has not done wrong; the only real fault of ours, if any, is that we have had no choice but to rely on others. If only our trust on your mighty country were enough to keep ourselves at peace! But are you not, with concealed malice, conspiring to take us over?

zh-x

小國 無罪，恃 實 其 罪。將{jiāng} 恃 大國 之 安靖 己，而 無乃 包藏禍心 以 圖 之。

to harbor evil intentions; to conceal malice


半信半疑

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (半信半疑):
* → Japanese: 半(はん)信(しん)半(はん)疑(ぎ) (hanshinhangi)
* → Korean: 반신반의(半信半疑) (bansinbanui)
* → Vietnamese: bán tín bán nghi (半信半疑)

ㄅㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄢˋ ㄧˊ

баньсиньбаньи

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹ i³⁵/

/puːn³³ sɵn³³ puːn³³ jiː²¹/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹ i³⁵/

/puːn³³ sɵn³³ puːn³³ jiː²¹/

half-believing, half-doubting; not quite convinced


金蘭之交

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄌㄢˊ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄠ

цзиньланьчжицзяо

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ län³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ laːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːu̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ län³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ laːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːu̯⁵⁵/


八面威風

ㄅㄚ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄟ ㄈㄥ

бамяньвэйфэн

/pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/paːt̚³ miːn²² wɐi̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/pat̚² mi̯en⁵⁵ vi²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴/

/pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/paːt̚³ miːn²² wɐi̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/pat̚² mi̯en⁵⁵ vi²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴/

intimidating, commanding presence; aura of awesome might


跋山涉水

ㄅㄚˊ ㄕㄢ ㄕㄜˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/pä³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚² saːn⁵⁵ siːp̚³ sɵy̯³⁵/

/puat̚⁴⁻³² san⁴⁴⁻²² siap̚⁴⁻³² sui⁵³/

/pä³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚² saːn⁵⁵ siːp̚³ sɵy̯³⁵/

/puat̚⁴⁻³² san⁴⁴⁻²² siap̚⁴⁻³² sui⁵³/

to travel afar under difficult conditions; to travel over land and water


跋前疐後

ㄅㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄓˋ ㄏㄡˋ

бацяньчжихоу

/pä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚² t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡siː³³ hɐu̯²²/

/pä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚² t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡siː³³ hɐu̯²²/

Originally from the Classic of Poetry (《詩》), 《豳風·狼跋》:
狼跋其胡，載疐其尾。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]狼跋其胡，载疐其尾。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Láng bá qí hú, zǎi zhì qí wěi. [Pinyin]
The wolf springs forward on his dewlap,
Or trips back on his tail.
Han Yu wrote in the 9th century:
然而公不見信於人，私不見助於友，跋前疐後，動輒得咎。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]然而公不见信于人，私不见助于友，跋前疐后，动辄得咎。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: c. 813, Han Yu, "On Encouraging Scholarship" (《進學解》)
Rán'ér gōng bù jiàn xìn yú rén, sī bù jiàn zhù yú yǒu, báqiánzhìhòu, dòngzhé dé jiù. [Pinyin]
Yet you, in public affairs, fail to gain the trust of others. In private, none of your friends are willing to help you. You go forward and step on your dewlap, and step back only to trip on your tail. As soon as you move at all, you incur fault upon yourself.

zh-x

狼 @跋 其 胡，載 @疐 其 尾。

然而 公 不 見 信 於 人，私 不 見 助 於 友，跋前疐後，動輒 得 咎。

他正處於跋前疐後的尷尬局面。 [MSC, trad.]
他正处于跋前疐后的尴尬局面。 [MSC, simp.]

Tā zhèng chǔyú báqiánzhìhòu de gāngà júmiàn. [Pinyin]

to encounter obstacles ahead and behind; to be beset with difficulties; to be surrounded by problems


白璧微瑕

ㄅㄞˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄨㄟ ㄒㄧㄚˊ

ㄅㄞˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄚˊ

/paɪ̯³⁵ pi⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä³⁵/

/paɪ̯³⁵ pi⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ä³⁵/

/paːk̚² pɪk̚⁵ mei̯²¹ haː²¹/

/paɪ̯³⁵ pi⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä³⁵/

/paɪ̯³⁵ pi⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ä³⁵/

/paːk̚² pɪk̚⁵ mei̯²¹ haː²¹/

minor blemish in a thing of beauty; slight defect in a person of integrity