兼而有之

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄦˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄓ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kiːm⁵⁵ jiː²¹ jɐu̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kiːm⁵⁵ jiː²¹ jɐu̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵/


妙筆生花

ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄧˇ ㄕㄥ ㄏㄨㄚ

/mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

/mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/


欺男霸女

ㄑㄧ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄚˋ ㄋㄩˇ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ nän³⁵ pä⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hei̯⁵⁵ naːm²¹ paː³³ nɵy̯¹³/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ nän³⁵ pä⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hei̯⁵⁵ naːm²¹ paː³³ nɵy̯¹³/

to oppress the people; to act tyrannically


大呼小叫

ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

/tä⁵¹ xu⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² fuː⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ kiːu̯³³/

/tä⁵¹ xu⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² fuː⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ kiːu̯³³/


冰雪聰明

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄘㄨㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

бинсюэцунмин

/piŋ⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/piŋ⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

From a poem by Du Fu:
:
冰雪淨聰明，雷霆走精銳。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]冰雪净聪明，雷霆走精锐。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Tang dynasty, Du Fu, Seeing Off Attendant Censor Fan (23) on his Way to a Post as Administrative Assistant in Hanzhong (《送樊二十三侍御赴漢中判官》), translation by Stephen Owen, The Poetry of Du Fu
Bīngxuě jìng cōngmíng, léitíng zǒu jīngruì. [Pinyin]
Your apprehension is as bright as ice and snow, your military sharpness speeds like thunder.

lang

《送樊二十三侍御赴漢中判官》

《送樊二十三侍御赴漢中判官》

zh-x

冰雪 淨 聰明，雷霆 走 精銳。

Du Fu
Stephen Owen (sinologist)
Tang dynasty


有頭威，冇尾陣

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ wɐi̯⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ mei̯¹³ t͡sɐn²²/

(Cantonese) to start off strong, but finish weak; to be inconsistent with one's effort


根正苗紅

ㄍㄣ ㄓㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄠˊ ㄏㄨㄥˊ

гэньчжэнмяохун

/kən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/kɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ miːu̯²¹ hʊŋ²¹/

/kən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/kɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ miːu̯²¹ hʊŋ²¹/


吉人天相

ㄐㄧˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

цзижэньтяньсян

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐən³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/kɐt̚⁵ jɐn²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ³³/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐən³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/kɐt̚⁵ jɐn²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ³³/

Short for 吉人自有天相 (jírén zìyǒu tiānxiàng).

short for

我們希望他吉人天相，早日康復。 [MSC, trad.]
我们希望他吉人天相，早日康复。 [MSC, simp.]

We hope that he will be blessed by the Heaven and get well soon.

Wǒmen xīwàng tā jíréntiānxiàng, zǎorì kāngfù. [Pinyin]

A good person enjoys the help from the Heaven. (Used as blessing words for people in difficulties)


公事公辦

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄕˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄢˋ

гуншигунбань

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pän⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ siː²² kʊŋ⁵⁵ paːn²²/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pän⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ siː²² kʊŋ⁵⁵ paːn²²/

to do official business according to official rules; to handle matters without bias and favouritism


功高蓋主

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄍㄠ ㄍㄞˋ ㄓㄨˇ

гунгаогайчжу

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ t͡syː³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ t͡syː³⁵/

one's contributions or feats are so great that one's monarch or superior feels uneasy and insecure


吹大法螺

to play the Buddhist conch shell trumpet

ㄔㄨㄟ ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄚˇ ㄌㄨㄛˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² faːt̚³ lɔː²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² faːt̚³ lɔː²¹/

大吹法螺 大吹法螺#Chinese


大飲大食

/taːi̯²² jɐm³⁵ taːi̯²² sɪk̚²/

/taːi̯²² jɐm³⁵ taːi̯²² sɪk̚²/

(Cantonese) to indulge in eating and drinking; to binge eat and drink


良辰吉日

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄐㄧˊ ㄖˋ

лянчэньцзижи

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/lœːŋ²¹ sɐn²¹ kɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚²/

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/lœːŋ²¹ sɐn²¹ kɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚²/


熟門熟路

ㄕㄨˊ ㄇㄣˊ ㄕㄨˊ ㄌㄨˋ

/ʂu³⁵ mən³⁵ ʂu³⁵ lu⁵¹/

/sʊk̚² muːn²¹ sʊk̚² lou̯²²/

/ʂu³⁵ mən³⁵ ʂu³⁵ lu⁵¹/

/sʊk̚² muːn²¹ sʊk̚² lou̯²²/

to know something very well; to be very familiar with something


大吃大喝

ㄉㄚˋ ㄔ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄜ

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ xɤ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɛːk̚³ taːi̯²² hɔːt̚³/

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ xɤ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɛːk̚³ taːi̯²² hɔːt̚³/


擦身而過

ㄘㄚ ㄕㄣ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/t͡sʰä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ kʷɔː³³/

/t͡sʰä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ kʷɔː³³/

to brush past (someone, opportunity, death, etc.)


年輕力壯

ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄌㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

няньцинличжуан

/ni̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/niːn²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lɪk̚² t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/ni̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/niːn²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lɪk̚² t͡sɔːŋ³³/


年富力強

ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ

/ni̯ɛn³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/niːn²¹ fuː³³ lɪk̚² kʰœːŋ²¹/

/ni̯ɛn³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/niːn²¹ fuː³³ lɪk̚² kʰœːŋ²¹/


人所共知

ㄖㄣˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄓ

жэньсогунчжи

/ʐən³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ sɔː³⁵ kʊŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ sɔː³⁵ kʊŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

to be known by everyone; to be common knowledge


獨闢蹊徑

ㄉㄨˊ ㄆㄧˋ ㄒㄧ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/tu³⁵ pʰi⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² pʰɪk̚⁵ hɐi̯²¹ kɪŋ³³/

/tu³⁵ pʰi⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² pʰɪk̚⁵ hɐi̯²¹ kɪŋ³³/

to blaze a trail; to pioneer a new approach


單人匹馬

ㄉㄢ ㄖㄣˊ ㄆㄧˇ ㄇㄚˇ

даньжэньпима

/tän⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ pʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːn⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ pʰɐt̚⁵ maː¹³/

/tän⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ pʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːn⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ pʰɐt̚⁵ maː¹³/


妻離子散

ㄑㄧ ㄌㄧˊ ㄗˇ ㄙㄢˋ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ li³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ saːn³³/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ li³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ saːn³³/

From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王上》):
:
彼奪其民時，使不得耕耨以養其父母，父母凍餓，兄弟妻子離散。彼陷溺其民，王往而征之，夫誰與王敵？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]彼夺其民时，使不得耕耨以养其父母，父母冻饿，兄弟妻子离散。彼陷溺其民，王往而征之，夫谁与王敌？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Bǐ duó qí mín shí, shǐ bùdé gēng nòu yǐ yǎng qí fùmǔ, fùmǔ dòng'è, xiōngdì qīzǐ lísàn. Bǐ xiàn nì qí mín, wáng wǎng ér zhēng zhī, fú shuí yǔ wáng dí? [Pinyin]
The rulers of those States rob their people of their time, so that they cannot plough and weed their fields, in order to support their parents. Their parents suffer from cold and hunger. Brothers, wives, and children are separated and scattered abroad. Those rulers, as it were, drive their people into pit-falls, or drown them. Your Majesty will go to punish them. In such a case, who will oppose your Majesty?

zh-x

彼 奪 其 民 時，使 不得 耕 耨 以 養 其 父母，父母 凍餓，兄弟 妻子 離散。彼 陷 溺 其 民，王 往 而 征 之，夫{fú} 誰{shuí} 與 王 敵？


貨不對板

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄢˇ

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ pän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɔː³³ paːt̚⁵ tɵy̯³³ paːn²²⁻³⁵/

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ pän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɔː³³ paːt̚⁵ tɵy̯³³ paːn²²⁻³⁵/

货不对板
貨不對版
貨不對辦

the goods do not match their descriptions


入不敷支

ㄖㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨ ㄓ

/ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚² pɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚² pɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

入不敷出 入不敷出#Chinese

Synonym of 入不敷出 (rùbùfūchū, “unable to make ends meet; income cannot cover expenditure; to spend more than one earns”)


與時並進

ㄩˇ ㄕˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

юйшибинцзинь

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ siː²¹ pɪŋ²² t͡sɵn³³/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ siː²¹ pɪŋ²² t͡sɵn³³/

與時俱進 與時俱進#Chinese

与时俱进 与时俱进#Chinese

Synonym of 與時俱進／与时俱进 (yǔshíjùjìn, “to move with the times; to keep abreast of current developments”)


誇誇其談

ㄎㄨㄚ ㄎㄨㄚ ㄑㄧˊ ㄊㄢˊ

куакуацитань

/kʰu̯ä⁵⁵ kʰu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/kʷʰaː⁵⁵ kʷʰaː⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ tʰaːm²¹/

/kʰu̯ä⁵⁵ kʰu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/kʷʰaː⁵⁵ kʷʰaː⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ tʰaːm²¹/


其樂融融

ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ lɔːk̚² jʊŋ²¹ jʊŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ lɔːk̚² jʊŋ²¹ jʊŋ²¹/

From Zuo Zhuan. Duke Zhuang of Zheng had exiled his mother and swore that he shall not see her until he "reaches the yellow spring (黃泉)", i.e. until he dies. But then he repented this. An officer, Ying Kao Shu, had a solution (《左傳·隱公元年》):
:
對曰：「君何患焉？若闕地及泉，隧而相見，其誰曰不然？」公從之。公入而賦：「大隧之中，其樂也融融！」姜出而賦：「大隧之外，其樂也洩洩！」遂為母子如初。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]对曰：「君何患焉？若阙地及泉，隧而相见，其谁曰不然？」公从之。公入而赋：「大隧之中，其乐也融融！」姜出而赋：「大隧之外，其乐也泄泄！」遂为母子如初。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Duì yuē: “Jūn hé huàn yān? Ruò què dì jí quán, suì ér xiàngjiàn, qí shéi yuē bùrán?” Gōng cóng zhī. Gōng rù ér fù: “Dà suì zhī zhōng, qí lè yě róngróng!” Jiāng chū ér fù: “Dà suì zhī wài, qí lè yě yìyì!” Suì wéi mǔzǐ rú chū. [Pinyin]
"Why should you be distressed about that?" said the officer. "If you dig into the earth to the yellow springs, and then make a subterranean passage, where you can meet each other, who can say that your oath is not fulfilled?" The duke followed this suggestion; and as he entered the passage sang, "This great tunnel, within, With joy doth run." When his mother came out, she sang, "This great tunnel, without, The joy flies about." After this, they were mother and son as before.

對 曰：「君 何 患 焉？若 闕 地 及 泉，隧 而 相見，其 誰 曰 不然？」公 從 之。公 入 而 賦：「大 隧 之 中，@其 @樂{lè} 也 @融融！」姜 出 而 賦：「大 隧 之 外，其 樂{lè} 也 洩{yì}洩{yì}！」遂 為{wéi} 母子 如 初。


非異人任

ㄈㄟ ㄧˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄖㄣˋ

фэйижэньжэнь

fɛjižɛnʹžɛnʹ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʐən⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ jiː²² jɐn²¹ jɐm²²/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʐən⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ jiː²² jɐn²¹ jɐm²²/


一親芳澤

ㄧ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄈㄤ ㄗㄜˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːk̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːk̚²/

to get close to; to get on intimate terms with (someone or something that one likes)


毀家紓難

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄕㄨ ㄋㄢˋ

хуэйцзяшунань

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ nän⁵¹/

/wɐi̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵ syː⁵⁵ naːn²¹/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ nän⁵¹/

/wɐi̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵ syː⁵⁵ naːn²¹/

From Zuo Zhuan (《左傳·莊公三十年》):
:
秋，申公鬭班殺子元，鬭谷於菟爲令尹，自毀其家以紓楚國之難。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]秋，申公鬭班杀子元，鬭谷於菟为令尹，自毁其家以纾楚国之难。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Qiū, Shēn Gōng Dǒu Bān shā Zǐyuán, Dǒu Gǔwūtú wéi lìngyǐn, zì huǐ qí jiā yǐ shū Chǔ guó zhī nàn. [Pinyin]
In autumn, Dou Ban (w:zh:鬬班), duke of Shen, put Ziyuan (w:zh:子元) to death. Dou Guwutu (w:zh:鬬㝅於菟) became chief minister, and emptied his house of everything to alleviate the difficulties of the State.

lang

(《左傳·莊公三十年》)

(《左傳·莊公三十年》)

zh-x

秋，^@申 ^公 ^@鬭􂀿鬭􂁀.^班 殺 ^@子元，^@鬭􂀿鬭􂁀.^谷於􂀿於􂁀{wū}菟{tú} 爲{wéi} 令尹，自 @毀 其 @家 以 @紓 ^楚 國 之 @難{nàn}。

sacrifice one's family wealth to save the state


與狐謀皮

ㄩˇ ㄏㄨˊ ㄇㄡˊ ㄆㄧˊ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu³⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ pʰi³⁵/

/jyː¹³ wuː²¹ mɐu̯²¹ pʰei̯²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu³⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ pʰi³⁵/

/jyː¹³ wuː²¹ mɐu̯²¹ pʰei̯²¹/

Quoted from Zuo Qiuming, the author of Master Zuo's Spring and Autumn Annals:
:
周人有愛裘而好珍羞，欲為千金之裘而與狐謀其皮，欲具少牢之珍而與羊謀其羞。言未卒，狐相率逃於重丘之下，羊相呼藏於深林之中。故周人十年不制一裘，五年不具一牢。何者？周人之謀失之矣。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]周人有爱裘而好珍羞，欲为千金之裘而与狐谋其皮，欲具少牢之珍而与羊谋其羞。言未卒，狐相率逃于重丘之下，羊相呼藏于深林之中。故周人十年不制一裘，五年不具一牢。何者？周人之谋失之矣。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: Taiping Yulan (Readings of the Taiping Era), 977 – 983 CE
Zhōu rén yǒu ài qiú ér hǎo zhēnxiū, yù wèi qiānjīn zhī qiú ér yǔ hú móu qí pí, yù jù shàoláo zhī zhēn ér yǔ yáng móu qí xiū. Yán wèi zú, hú xiàng lǜ táo yú zhòng qiū zhīxià, yáng xiàng hū cáng yú shēnlín zhī zhōng. Gù zhōu rén shí nián bù zhì yī qiú, wǔ nián bù jù yī láo. Hézhě? Zhōu rén zhī móu shī zhī yǐ. [Pinyin]
There was a man from Zhou who loved fur coats and delicacies. He would ask foxes for their skin for splendid fur coats, and ask lambs for its meat to make a feast. But before he finished saying this, the foxes fled to under mountains following each other, and the lambs hid themselves deep in forests whining. As a results, that man from Zhou could never make a coat even after ten years, and could never have a feast even after five years. Why? It was because he discussed with the wrong person.

周 人 有 愛 裘 而 好 珍饈\珍羞 ， 欲 為 千金 之 裘 而 與 狐 謀 其 皮 ， 欲 具 少牢 之 珍 而 與 羊 謀 其 羞 。 言 未 卒 ， 狐 相 率 逃 於 重 丘 之下 ， 羊 相 呼 藏 於 深林 之 中 。 故 周 人 十 年 不 制 一 裘 ， 五 年 不 具 一 牢 。 何者 ？ 周 人 之 謀 失 之 矣 。

與虎謀皮 與虎謀皮#Chinese

与虎谋皮 与虎谋皮#Chinese


故舊不棄

ㄍㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/kuː³³ kɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/kuː³³ kɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/


出神入化

ㄔㄨ ㄕㄣˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐn²¹ jɐp̚² faː³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐn²¹ jɐp̚² faː³³/


逢凶化吉

ㄈㄥˊ ㄒㄩㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ

фэнсюнхуацзи

/fɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ kɐt̚⁵/

/fɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ kɐt̚⁵/

to get through a dangerous crisis; to land on one's feet


反其道而行

ㄈㄢˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

фань ци дао эр син

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ kʰei̯²¹ tou̯²² jiː²¹ hɐŋ²¹/

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ kʰei̯²¹ tou̯²² jiː²¹ hɐŋ²¹/

to do just the opposite; to act in a diametrically opposite way


一夔已足

ㄧ ㄎㄨㄟˊ ㄧˇ ㄗㄨˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʷʰɐi̯²¹ jiː¹³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʷʰɐi̯²¹ jiː¹³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

In Chinese mythology, Kui, who Emperor Shun appointed to be his Music Minister, invented classical Chinese music and dancing.


樂而不淫

ㄌㄜˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄣˊ

/lɤ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ in³⁵/

/lɔːk̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐm²¹/

/lɤ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ in³⁵/

/lɔːk̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐm²¹/

From the Analects, Book 3 (《論語·八佾》):
:
子曰：「《關雎》，樂而不淫，哀而不傷。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「《关雎》，乐而不淫，哀而不伤。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: ““Guān Jū”, lè ér bù yín, āi ér bù shāng.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "The Guan Ju (《關雎》) is expressive of enjoyment without being licentious, and of grief without being hurtfully excessive."

^子曰：「《@^關.^雎》，樂{lè}.而.不.淫，哀.而.不.傷。」


哀而不傷

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

^子曰：「《@^關.^雎》，樂{lè}.而.不.淫，哀.而.不.傷。」


待價而沽

ㄉㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨ

/taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku⁵⁵/

/tɔːi̯²² kaː³³ jiː²¹ kuː⁵⁵/

/taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku⁵⁵/

/tɔːi̯²² kaː³³ jiː²¹ kuː⁵⁵/

From the Analects, Book 9 (《論語·子罕》):
:
子貢曰：「有美玉於斯，韞匵而藏諸？求善賈而沽諸？」子曰：「沽之哉！沽之哉！我待賈者也。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子贡曰：「有美玉于斯，韫𰅥而藏诸？求善贾而沽诸？」子曰：「沽之哉！沽之哉！我待贾者也。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐgòng yuē: “Yǒu měi yù yú sī, yùn dú ér cáng zhū? Qiú shàn jià ér gū zhū?” Zǐyuē: “Gū zhī zāi! Gū zhī zāi! Wǒ dài jià zhě yě.” [Pinyin]
Zigong said, "There is a beautiful gem here. Should I lay it up in a case and keep it? or should I seek for a good price and sell it?" The Master said, "Sell it! Sell it! But I would wait for one to offer the price."

@^子貢 曰：「有 美 玉 於 斯，韞 匵{dú} 而 藏 諸？求 善 賈{jià} @而 @沽 諸？」子曰：「沽 之 哉！沽 之 哉！我 @待 賈{jià} 者 也。」

to wait for the highest bid before selling an item; to wait for the best job offer before providing one's service


一以貫之

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiː¹³ kuːn³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiː¹³ kuːn³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

From the Analects, Book 4 (《論語·里仁》):
:
子曰：「參乎！吾道一以貫之。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「参乎！吾道一以贯之。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Cān hū! Wú dào yī yǐ guàn zhī.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "Shen, my doctrine is that of an all-pervading unity."

^子曰：「^參 乎！吾 道 一.以.貫.之。」

其變化之法，必以同一行之字母。既通此例，一以貫之，毫無窒礙矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
其变化之法，必以同一行之字母。既通此例，一以贯之，毫无窒碍矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Qí biànhuà zhī fǎ, bì yǐ tóng yī xíng zhī zìmǔ. Jì tōng cǐ lì, yīyǐguànzhī, háowú zhì'ài yǐ. [Pinyin]

1900 July 24, 梁啟超 [Liang Qichao], chapter 16, in 和文漢讀法 [The Chinese Method of Reading Japanese], Tokyo: 秀英舍, page 10

The method of their conjugation is to use kana in the same row. Having understood this rule, [you can conjugate all verbs] with the same principle with no obstructions whatsoever.

to go through all things with the same principle


夜深人靜

ㄧㄝˋ ㄕㄣ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

ешэньжэньцзин

/jɛ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/jɛː²² sɐm⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sɪŋ²²/

/mẽ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰim³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sẽ³⁵/

/jɛ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/jɛː²² sɐm⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sɪŋ²²/

/mẽ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰim³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sẽ³⁵/


倒屣相迎

ㄉㄠˋ ㄒㄧˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄧㄥˊ

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/tou̯³³ saːi̯³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/tou̯³³ saːi̯³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹/

獻帝西遷，粲徙長安，左中郎將蔡邕見而奇之。時邕才學顯著，貴重朝廷，常車騎填巷，賓客盈坐。聞粲在門，倒屣迎之。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]献帝西迁，粲徙长安，左中郎将蔡邕见而奇之。时邕才学显著，贵重朝廷，常车骑填巷，宾客盈坐。闻粲在门，倒屣迎之。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms, circa 3ʳᵈ century CE
Xiàndì xī qiān, Càn xǐ Cháng'ān, zuǒ zhōnglángjiàng Cài Yōng jiàn ér qí zhī. Shí Yōng cáixué xiǎnzhù, guìzhòng cháotíng, cháng jūjì tián xiàng, bīnkè yíng zuò. Wén Càn zài mén, dào xǐ yíng zhī. [Pinyin]
When Emperor Xian moved the capital west to Chang'an, Wang Can followed the emperor and also moved there. When Cai Yong, the Left Commander of the Palace Guards met him, he was surprised at him. At that time, Cai was already known for his rich knowledge and was highly valued by the imperial court. The alleys near his house was often full of carriages and horses of his visitors, and his house was full of guests. One day, when he heard that Wang Can was in front of his house's door, he was too eager to welcome him that he put his shoes on the wrong feet.

^@獻帝 西 遷 ， ^@粲 徙 ^長安 ， 左 中郎將{jiàng} ^@蔡 ^@邕 見 而 奇 之 。 時 ^@邕 才學 顯著 ， 貴重 朝廷 ， 常 車{jū}騎{jì} 填 巷 ， 賓客 盈 坐 。 聞 ^粲 在 門 ， 倒{dào} 屣 迎 之。


飛蛾撲火

ㄈㄟ ㄜˊ ㄆㄨ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ ˀɤ³⁵ pʰu⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fei̯⁵⁵ ŋɔː²¹ pʰɔːk̚³ fɔː³⁵/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ ˀɤ³⁵ pʰu⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fei̯⁵⁵ ŋɔː²¹ pʰɔːk̚³ fɔː³⁵/

(figurative) to court self-destruction; to look for someone's own demise


天妒英才

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄨˋ ㄧㄥ ㄘㄞˊ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu⁵¹ iŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ tou̯²² jɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu⁵¹ iŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ tou̯²² jɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

The Heaven is jealous of talents. (used to express regret to a talented person who died young)


無心插柳

ㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄔㄚ ㄌㄧㄡˇ

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːp̚³ lɐu̯¹³/

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːp̚³ lɐu̯¹³/

無心插柳柳成蔭 無心插柳柳成蔭#Chinese

无心插柳柳成荫 无心插柳柳成荫#Chinese

Short for 無心插柳柳成蔭／无心插柳柳成荫 (wúxīn chā liǔ liǔ chéng yìn).


此消彼長

ㄘˇ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄅㄧˇ ㄓㄤˇ

/t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

something declines while something else rises


指點迷津

ㄓˇ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄇㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄣ

чжидяньмицзинь

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ tiːm³⁵ mɐi̯²¹ t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ tiːm³⁵ mɐi̯²¹ t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

to provide the solution; to point out the right way


蒙主寵召

ㄇㄥˊ ㄓㄨˇ ㄔㄨㄥˇ ㄓㄠˋ

мэнчжучунчжао

/mɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mʊŋ²¹ t͡syː³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡siːu̯²²/

/mʊŋ²¹ t͡syː³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡siːu̯²²/

被難

to be killed in a disaster, political incident


內外交困

ㄋㄟˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄎㄨㄣˋ

нэйвайцзяокунь

/neɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kʰu̯ən⁵¹/

/nɔːi̯²² ŋɔːi̯²² kaːu̯⁵⁵ kʷʰɐn³³/

/neɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kʰu̯ən⁵¹/

/nɔːi̯²² ŋɔːi̯²² kaːu̯⁵⁵ kʷʰɐn³³/

diplomatic relations
diplomatic relations

when a country's (internal) economy and (external) diplomatic relations are in dire straits


言行舉止

ㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄩˇ ㄓˇ

ㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄩˇ ㄓˇ

яньсинцзюйчжи

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²² kɵy̯³⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²² kɵy̯³⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

speech and behaviour; words, actions and manners


人強馬壯

ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

жэньцянмачжуан

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ kʰœːŋ²¹ maː¹³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ kʰœːŋ²¹ maː¹³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

(of an army) high in combat effectiveness


懲羹吹齏

ja-r

あつもの に こり て なます を ふく

→ Japanese: 羹(あつもの)に懲(こ)りて膾(なます)を吹(ふ)く (atsumono ni kori te namasu o fuku) (calque)

ㄔㄥˊ ㄍㄥ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄐㄧ

чэнгэнчуйцзи

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯⁵⁵/

懲於羹者而吹齏兮，何不變此志也？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]惩于羹者而吹齑兮，何不变此志也？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Verses of Chu, 4ᵗʰ century BCE – 2ⁿᵈ century CE
Chéng yú gēng zhě ér chuī jī xī, hé bùbiàn cǐ zhì yě? [Pinyin]
If a person gets burnt by hot soup, he would blow at cold food. Why do you still not change your ambition?

zh-x

懲 於 羹 者 而 吹 齏 兮， 何 不變 此 志 也 ？

Once burnt by hot soup, one would blow at cold food

once bitten, twice shy
once bitten, twice shy


人離鄉賤

ㄖㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

жэньлисянцзянь

/ʐən³⁵ li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːn²²/

/ʐən³⁵ li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːn²²/

people receive little respect from others when they are away from their native places


判若兩人

ㄆㄢˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄖㄣˊ

паньжолянжэнь

/pʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pʰuːn³³ jœːk̚² lœːŋ¹³ jɐn²¹/

/pʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pʰuːn³³ jœːk̚² lœːŋ¹³ jɐn²¹/

(of behavior) to be like a different person


精挑細選

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄊㄧㄠ ㄒㄧˋ ㄒㄩㄢˇ

цзинтяосисюань

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ syːn³⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ syːn³⁵/


生離死別

ㄕㄥ ㄌㄧˊ ㄙˇ ㄅㄧㄝˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ li³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ sei̯³⁵ piːt̚²/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ li³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ sei̯³⁵ piːt̚²/


活靈活現

ㄏㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄛˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ

/xu̯ɔ³⁵ liŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/wuːt̚² lɪŋ²¹ wuːt̚² jiːn²²/

/xu̯ɔ³⁵ liŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/wuːt̚² lɪŋ²¹ wuːt̚² jiːn²²/


活龍活現

ㄏㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄛˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ

/xu̯ɔ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/wuːt̚² lʊŋ²¹ wuːt̚² jiːn²²/

/xu̯ɔ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/wuːt̚² lʊŋ²¹ wuːt̚² jiːn²²/


悠然自得

ㄧㄡ ㄖㄢˊ ㄗˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡siː²² tɐk̚⁵/

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡siː²² tɐk̚⁵/

From the Book of Jin (《s:zh:晉書·苻堅載記·附王猛》):
:
自不參其神契，略不與交通，是以浮華之士咸輕而笑之。猛悠然自得，不以屑懷。 [MSC, trad.]自不参其神契，略不与交通，是以浮华之士咸轻而笑之。猛悠然自得，不以屑怀。 [MSC, simp.]
Zì bù cān qí shén qì, lüè bù yǔ jiāotōng, shìyǐ fú huá zhī shì xián qīng ér xiào zhī. Měng yōuránzìdé, bù yǐ xiè huái. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

lang

(《zh:晉書·苻堅載記·附王猛》)

(《s:zh:晉書·苻堅載記·附王猛》)

zh-x

自 不 參 其 神 契，略 不 與 交通，是以 浮 華 之 士 咸 輕 而 笑 之。猛 悠然自得，不 以 屑 懷。

你的悠然自得我卻束手無策 [MSC, trad.]
你的悠然自得我却束手无策 [MSC, simp.]

Your leisure and contentment makes me completely helpless

nǐ de yōuránzìdé wǒ què shùshǒuwúcè [Pinyin]


噏三噏四

/ŋɐp̚⁵ saːm⁵⁵ ŋɐp̚⁵ sei̯³³/

/ŋɐp̚⁵ saːm⁵⁵ ŋɐp̚⁵ sei̯³³/

(Cantonese) to chatter away; to gossip; to talk nonsense


日思夜想

ㄖˋ ㄙ ㄧㄝˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/ʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚² siː⁵⁵ jɛː²² sœːŋ³⁵/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚² siː⁵⁵ jɛː²² sœːŋ³⁵/

家乡嘅土地我日思夜想 [Taishanese, simp.]
家鄉嘅土地我日思夜想 [Taishanese, trad.]

(Can we date this quote?), 朱英俊 (lyrics and music), “返家乡”performed by 明枫

The land of my hometown, I long for it day and night


六月飛霜

ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄩㄝˋ ㄈㄟ ㄕㄨㄤ

/li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² jyːt̚² fei̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² jyːt̚² fei̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

From a legend related to Zou Yan, which was believed to be from Huainanzi:
:
鄒衍事燕惠王盡忠，左右贊之；王系之，仰天而哭。夏五月，天為之下霜。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]邹衍事燕惠王尽忠，左右赞之；王系之，仰天而哭。夏五月，天为之下霜。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Xu Jian, Zhang Yue, Wei Shu; Chu Xue Ji (《初學記》), c. 7th Century
Zōu Yǎn shì Yàn Huìwáng jìnzhōng, zuǒyòu zàn zhī; wáng xì zhī, yǎngtiān ér kū. Xià wǔyuè, tiān wèi zhī xià shuāng. [Pinyin]
Zou Yan was very loyal to the King Hui of Yan, he was praised by the King's ministers. But the King imprisoned him, Zou cried his heart out. In Summer when it was the fifth month (approximately June to July in the Gregorian calendar), the Heaven snowed for him.
Later popularized through the play The Injustice to Dou E in Yuan dynasty.

@^鄒 @^衍 事 @^燕 @^惠王 盡忠，左右 贊 之 ； 王 系 之 ，仰天 而 哭。夏 五月， 天 為 之 下 霜 。

snow in sixth month of the Chinese calendar (mid-Summer)

Huainanzi
King Hui of Yan
The Injustice to Dou E
Xu Jian (Tang dynasty)
Zhang Yue (Tang dynasty)
Zou Yan
zh:初學記
zh:韋述


柔腸寸斷

ㄖㄡˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄘㄨㄣˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

жоучанцуньдуань

/ʐoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn³³ tyːn²²/

/ʐoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn³³ tyːn²²/


與世隔絕

ㄩˇ ㄕˋ ㄍㄜˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kɤ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jyː¹³ sɐi̯³³ kaːk̚³ t͡syːt̚²/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kɤ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jyː¹³ sɐi̯³³ kaːk̚³ t͡syːt̚²/

to be isolated from the rest of the world


自動自覺

ㄗˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄗˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

цзыдунцзыцзяо

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² tʊŋ²² t͡siː²² kɔːk̚³/

/t͡siː²² tʊŋ²² t͡siː²² kɔːk̚³/


無憑無據

ㄨˊ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄐㄩˋ

/u³⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ kɵy̯³³/

/u³⁵ pʰin² u³⁵ t͡ɕy³⁵/

/u³⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ kɵy̯³³/

/u³⁵ pʰin² u³⁵ t͡ɕy³⁵/


迢迢千里

ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˇ

тяотяоцяньли

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ tʰiːu̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/

/tʰiau²³⁻³³ tʰiau²³⁻³³ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ li⁴¹/

/tʰiau²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰiau²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ li⁵³/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ tʰiːu̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/

緣份跟著春風輕輕飛 迢迢千里也會相會 [Taiwanese Hokkien, trad.]
缘份跟著春风轻轻飞 迢迢千里也会相会 [Taiwanese Hokkien, simp.]
iân-hūn tòe-tio̍h chhun-hong khin-khin poe, thiâu-thiâu-chhian-lí iā ē siong-hōe [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]

2016, “幸福乾杯”, 邱宏瀛 (lyrics), 黃秀清 (music)performed by 陳百潭 [Paitan Chen] and 鳳娘 [Elly Chang]

(please add an English translation of this quotation)

千里迢迢 千里迢迢#Chinese


方枘圓鑿

ㄈㄤ ㄖㄨㄟˋ ㄩㄢˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

фанжуйюаньцзо

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɵy̯²² jyːn²¹ t͡sɔːk̚²/

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɵy̯²² jyːn²¹ t͡sɔːk̚²/

square peg in a round hole
square peg in a round hole

incompatible; square peg in a round hole


蜚短流長

ㄈㄟ ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄤˊ

фэйдуаньлючан

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fei̯⁵⁵ tyːn³⁵ lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fei̯⁵⁵ tyːn³⁵ lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/


文治武功

ㄨㄣˊ ㄓˋ ㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄥ

/wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mɐn²¹ t͡siː²² mou̯¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mɐn²¹ t͡siː²² mou̯¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵/


痛哭流涕

ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄨ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄊㄧˋ

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰi⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ hʊk̚⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tʰɐi̯³³/

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰi⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ hʊk̚⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tʰɐi̯³³/


左穿右插

ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄧㄡˋ ㄔㄚ

/t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² t͡sʰaːp̚³/

/t͡sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² t͡sʰaːp̚³/

(chiefly Cantonese) to weave in and out of something (e.g. traffic)


血絲

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

兩眼布滿血絲／两眼布满血丝


震級

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ kʰɐp̚⁵/

/t͡sin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰip̚⁵/

/t͡sin¹¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/t͡sin²¹⁻⁴¹ kip̚³²/

/t͡sin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kip̚³²/

/t͡sin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kip̚³²/

/t͡siŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ kʰip̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ kʰɐp̚⁵/

/t͡sin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰip̚⁵/

/t͡sin¹¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/t͡sin²¹⁻⁴¹ kip̚³²/

/t͡sin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kip̚³²/

/t͡sin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kip̚³²/

/t͡siŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ kʰip̚²/

里氏震級／里氏震级

(seismology) Short for 地震震級／地震震级 (dìzhèn zhènjí, “earthquake magnitude”).


保境安民

ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄢ ㄇㄧㄣˊ

баоцзинъаньминь

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵ min³⁵/

/pou̯³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵ min³⁵/

/pou̯³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

to protect the territory and ensure the peace of the people


七窮六絕

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹ lʊk̚² t͡syːt̚²/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹ lʊk̚² t͡syːt̚²/

我雖然七窮六絕，都唔會領綜援！ [Hong Kong Cantonese, trad.]
我虽然七穷六绝，都唔会领综援！ [Hong Kong Cantonese, simp.]

Even if I am penniless, I'll not go on the dole.

ngo⁵ seoi¹ jin⁴ cat¹ kung⁴ luk⁶ zyut⁶, dou¹ m⁴ wui⁵ leng⁵ zung¹ wun⁴! [Jyutping]

poor as a church mouse
poor as a church mouse

(Cantonese) in a state of utter poverty, destitute, penniless, poor as a church mouse


伯樂相馬

ㄅㄛˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄇㄚˇ

Бо Лэ сян ма

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚³ lɔːk̚² sœːŋ³³ maː¹³/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚³ lɔːk̚² sœːŋ³³ maː¹³/

From the Han shi waizhuan:
:
使驥不得伯樂，安得千里之足？ [MSC, trad.]使骥不得伯乐，安得千里之足？ [MSC, simp.]
From: 150 BCE, Han Ying, 韓詩外傳/卷第7
Shǐ jì bùdé Bó Lè, āndé qiānlǐ zhī zú? [Pinyin]
If the horse that can travel 1000 li in a day had not been discovered by Bo Le, how could it show its ability to travel one thousand li in a single day?
From the Zashuosi:
:
世有伯樂，然後有千里馬。千里馬常有，而伯樂不常有。 [MSC, trad.]世有伯乐，然后有千里马。千里马常有，而伯乐不常有。 [MSC, simp.]
From: Han Yu, 雜說四
Shì yǒu Bó Lè, ránhòu yǒu qiānlǐmǎ. Qiānlǐmǎ cháng yǒu, ér Bó Lè bùcháng yǒu. [Pinyin]
In all of the world, there was Bo Le first, then there were thousand li horses. Thousand li horses often exist, but a Bo Le does not often exist.

使 驥 不得 ^伯.^樂{lè}，安得 千里 之 足？

世 有 ^伯.^樂{lè}，然後 有 千里馬。千里馬 常 有，而 ^伯.^樂{lè} 不常 有。

Praising those who are good at discovering talent


伯樂一顧

ㄅㄛˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄧ ㄍㄨˋ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ku⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ lɔːk̚² jɐt̚⁵ kuː³³/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ku⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ lɔːk̚² jɐt̚⁵ kuː³³/

From the Zhan Guo Ce:
:
蘇代為燕說齊，未見齊王，〈鮑本閔。〉先說淳于髡曰：「人有賣駿馬者，比〈鮑本比，猶連。〉三旦立市，人莫之知。往見伯樂曰：『臣有駿馬，欲賣之，比三旦立於市，人莫與言，願〈鮑本無「願」字。○〉子還而視之，去而顧之，〈鮑本顧，反視。補曰：還，當音旋，義同。〉臣請獻一朝之賈。』〈鮑本「賈」作「費」。○ 補曰：疑「費」字。〉伯樂乃還而視之，去而顧之，一旦而馬價十倍。今臣〈鮑本「臣」下有「之」字。○ 補曰：一本無。姚同。〉欲以駿馬〈鮑本馬，自喻也。〉見於王，莫為臣先後者，〈鮑本為之助也。〉足下有意為臣伯樂乎？臣請獻白璧一雙，黃金千鎰，以為馬食。」〈鮑本自喻為馬，則此所獻，馬之食也。正曰：獻此以為馬之食。〉淳于髡曰：「謹聞命矣。」入言之王而見之，齊王大說蘇子。 [MSC, trad.]苏代为燕说齐，未见齐王，〈鲍本闵。〉先说淳于髡曰：「人有卖骏马者，比〈鲍本比，犹连。〉三旦立市，人莫之知。往见伯乐曰：『臣有骏马，欲卖之，比三旦立于市，人莫与言，愿〈鲍本无「愿」字。○〉子还而视之，去而顾之，〈鲍本顾，反视。补曰：还，当音旋，义同。〉臣请献一朝之贾。』〈鲍本「贾」作「费」。○ 补曰：疑「费」字。〉伯乐乃还而视之，去而顾之，一旦而马价十倍。今臣〈鲍本「臣」下有「之」字。○ 补曰：一本无。姚同。〉欲以骏马〈鲍本马，自喻也。〉见于王，莫为臣先后者，〈鲍本为之助也。〉足下有意为臣伯乐乎？臣请献白璧一双，黄金千镒，以为马食。」〈鲍本自喻为马，则此所献，马之食也。正曰：献此以为马之食。〉淳于髡曰：「谨闻命矣。」入言之王而见之，齐王大说苏子。 [MSC, simp.]
From: 500–300 BCE, Liu Xiang, 戰國策黃丕烈札記/燕/二
Sū Dài wèi Yàn shuō Qí, wèi jiàn Qí Wáng, ‘Bào běn Mǐn.’ Xiān shuō Chúnyú Kūn yuē: “Rén yǒu mài jùnmǎ zhě, bǐ ‘Bào běn bǐ, yóu lián.’ Sān dàn lì shì, rén mò zhī zhī. Wǎng jiàn Bó Lè yuē: ‘Chén yǒu jùnmǎ, yù mài zhī, bǐ sān dàn lì yú shì, rén mò yǔ yán, yuàn ‘Bào běn wú “yuàn” zì. ○’ zǐ hái ér shì zhī, qù ér gù zhī, ‘Bào běn gù, fǎn shì. Bǔ yuē: hái, dāng yīn xuán, yì tóng.’ Chén qǐng xiàn yīcháo zhī gǔ.’ ‘Bào běn “gǔ” zuò “fèi”. ○, bǔ yuē: yí “fèi” zì.’ Bó Lè nǎi hái ér shì zhī, qù ér gù zhī, yīdàn ér mǎ jià shí bèi. Jīn chén ‘Bào běn “chén” xià yǒu “zhī” zì. ○, bǔ yuē: yīběn wú. Yáo tóng.’ Yù yǐ jùnmǎ ‘bào běn mǎ, zì yù yě.’ Jiàn yú Wáng, mò wèi chén xiānhòu zhě, ‘Bào běn wèi zhī zhù yě.’ Zúxià yǒu yì wèi chén Bó Lè hū? Chén qǐng xiàn bái bì yī shuāng, huángjīn qiān yì, yǐwèi mǎ shí.” ‘Bào běn zì yù wèi mǎ, zé cǐ suǒ xiàn, mǎ zhī shí yě. Zhèng yuē: xiàn cǐ yǐwèi mǎ zhī shí.’ Chúnyú Kūn yuē: “Jǐn wén mìng yǐ.” Rù yán zhī Wáng ér jiàn zhī, Qí Wáng dà shuō Sūzǐ. [Pinyin]
Su Dai, working on Yan's behalf, went to exercise his persuasions in Qi, but before seeking an audience with the King, (Min in the Bao version.) he first tried his arguments on Chunyu Kun, saying, "There was a person who want to sell a thoroughbred, so he went to the market with it three mornings in a row (In a row is as if repeatedly in the Bao version. ) but no one recognized its quality. He then went and sought an audience with Bo Le and said, 'I have a thoroughbred I wish to sell. I went to the market three mornings in a row but none of the people there have come to speak to me about it. I would like (The words "would like" do not exist in the Bao version. ○) you to return with me to look at it. Then, when you go to leave, glance backwards as you do so. (Glance backwards is look back in the Bao version. The supplement says that return is equal to return in pronunciation and their meanings are the same.) Your servant begs to offer you one day's expenses for this.' ("Expenses" is written as "fees" in the Bao version. ○ The supplement says that it is doubtful the word "fees" was used.) Accordingly, Bo Le returned with him and looked at the horse. Then he left, glancing backwards as he did so. The next morning, the horse's price was ten times what it had been. Now I (The word "of" exists under "I" in the Bao version. ○ The supplement says that another version does not have it. It is the same as the Yao.) have a quality horse (Horse is refer to myself as in the Bao version.) that I wish to show to the King, but I have no one to assist me. (To help me in the Bao version.) Would you consider being your servant's Bo Le? I beg permission to offer a pair of jade disks and a thousand yi of gold to cover your own expenses." (I refer to myself as a horse, so these things that are offered are to feed your horses in the Bao version. The correction says that I offer these to serve as food for your horses.) Chunyu Kun said, "I will listen attentively to your instructions." He thus entered the court and spoke to the King, securing an audience for Su Dai. The King of Qi was delighted with Master Su.

lw

s:zh:戰國策黃丕烈札記/燕/二

戰國策黃丕烈札記/燕/二

戰國策黃丕烈札記/燕/二

zh-x

@蘇 @^代 為 ^燕 說 ^齊，未 見 ^齊 ^王，〈^鮑 本 ^閔。〉先 說 @^淳于 @^髡 曰：「人 有 賣 駿馬 者，比〈^鮑 本 比，猶 連。〉三 旦 立 市，人 莫 之 知。往 見 ^伯.^樂{lè} 曰：『臣 有 駿馬，欲 賣 之，比 三 旦 立 於 市，人 莫 與 言，願〈^鮑 本 無「願」字。○〉子 還 而 視 之，去 而 顧 之，〈^鮑 本 顧，反 視。補 曰：還，當 音 旋，義 同。〉臣 請 獻 一朝 之 賈。』〈^鮑 本「賈」作「費」。○　補 曰：疑「費」字。〉^伯.^樂{lè} 乃 還 而 視 之，去 而 顧 之，一旦 而 馬 價 十 倍。今 臣〈^鮑 本「臣」下 有「之」字。○　補 曰：一本 無。姚 同。〉欲 以 駿馬〈鮑 本 馬，自 喻 也。〉見 於 ^王，莫 為 臣 先後 者，〈^鮑 本 為 之 助 也。〉足下 有 意 為 臣 ^伯.^樂{lè} 乎？臣 請 獻 白 璧 一 雙，黃金 千 鎰，以為 馬 食。」〈^鮑 本 自 喻 為 馬，則 此 所 獻，馬 之 食 也。正 曰：獻 此 以為 馬 之 食。〉@^淳于 @^髡 曰：「謹 聞 命 矣。」入 言 之 ^王 而 見 之，^齊 ^王 大 說 @^蘇子。

To instantly raise the ask price of something


寅吃卯糧

to have eaten the yearly ration of the Year of the Rabbit in the Year of the Tiger (one year ahead)

ㄧㄣˊ ㄔ ㄇㄠˇ ㄌㄧㄤˊ

/in³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ mɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ hɛːk̚³ maːu̯¹³ lœːŋ²¹/

/in³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ mɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ hɛːk̚³ maːu̯¹³ lœːŋ²¹/

(figurative) to prematurely overconsume; unable to make both ends meet


分身乏術

want to use bilocation but it is impossible

ㄈㄣ ㄕㄣ ㄈㄚˊ ㄕㄨˋ

фэньшэньфашу

fɛnʹšɛnʹfašu

/fən⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ fä³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/fɐn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ fɐt̚² sɵt̚²/

/fən⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ fä³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/fɐn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ fɐt̚² sɵt̚²/

to be extremely busy that one is unable to handle other things


有頭有尾

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄨㄟˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ bue⁵³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ bue⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²¹³⁻³³ u³³⁻¹¹ buɛ⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau¹³⁻²² u²²⁻²¹ bue⁵³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻³³ u³³⁻¹¹ bue⁵³/

/u⁴¹⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² u⁴¹⁻²² be⁵⁵⁴/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² u²²⁻²¹ be⁵³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ bue⁵³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ bue⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²¹³⁻³³ u³³⁻¹¹ buɛ⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau¹³⁻²² u²²⁻²¹ bue⁵³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻³³ u³³⁻¹¹ bue⁵³/

/u⁴¹⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² u⁴¹⁻²² be⁵⁵⁴/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² u²²⁻²¹ be⁵³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

to have a beginning and an end; to carry things through; to see something to completion


恩斷義絕

ㄣ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄧˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

эньдуаньицзюэ

/ˀən⁵⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ tyːn²² jiː²² t͡syːt̚²/

/ˀən⁵⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ tyːn²² jiː²² t͡syːt̚²/

(of a married couple, etc.) to sever all ties


除惡務盡

ㄔㄨˊ ㄜˋ ㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ ɔːk̚³ mou̯²² t͡sɵn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ ɔːk̚³ mou̯²² t͡sɵn²²/

one must be thorough in eradicating the evil


反求諸己

ㄈㄢˇ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄓㄨ ㄐㄧˇ

фаньцючжуцзи

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn³⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵/

From Mencius and Liji:
:
仁者如射，射者正己而後發。發而不中，不怨勝己者，反求諸己而已矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]仁者如射，射者正己而后发。发而不中，不怨胜己者，反求诸己而已矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Rénzhě rú shè, shè zhě zhèng jǐ érhòu fā. Fā ér bù zhòng, bù yuàn shèng jǐ zhě, fǎn qiú zhū jǐ éryǐ yǐ. [Pinyin]
The man who would be benevolent is like the archer. The archer adjusts himself and then shoots. If he misses, he does not murmur against those who surpass himself. He simply turns round and seeks the cause of his failure in himself.
:
愛人不親反其仁，治人不治反其智，禮人不答反其敬。行有不得者，皆反求諸己，其身正而天下歸之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]爱人不亲反其仁，治人不治反其智，礼人不答反其敬。行有不得者，皆反求诸己，其身正而天下归之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Ài rén bù qīn fǎn qí rén, zhì rén bù zhì fǎn qí zhì, lǐ rén bù dá fǎn qí jìng. Xíng yǒu bùdé zhě, jiē fǎn qiú zhū jǐ, qí shēn zhèng ér tiānxià guī zhī. [Pinyin]
If a man love others, and no responsive attachment is shown to him, let him turn inwards and examine his own benevolence. If he is trying to rule others, and his government is unsuccessful, let him turn inwards and examine his wisdom. If he treats others politely, and they do not return his politeness, let him turn inwards and examine his own feeling of respect. When we do not, by what we do, realise what we desire, we must turn inwards, and examine ourselves in every point. When a man's person is correct, the whole kingdom will turn to him with recognition and submission.
:
射者，仁之道也。射求正諸己，己正然後發，發而不中，則不怨勝己者，反求諸己而已矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]射者，仁之道也。射求正诸己，己正然后发，发而不中，则不怨胜己者，反求诸己而已矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE
Shè zhě, rén zhī dào yě. Shè qiú zhèng zhū jǐ, jǐ zhèng ránhòu fā, fā ér bù zhòng, zé bù yuàn shèng jǐ zhě, fǎn qiú zhū jǐ éryǐ yǐ. [Pinyin]
Archery suggests to us the way of benevolence. (The archer) seeks to be correct in himself, and then discharges his arrow. If it miss the mark, he is not angry with the one who has surpassed himself, but turns round and seeks (for the cause of failure) in himself.

仁者 如 射，射 者 正 己 而後 發。發 而 不 中{zhòng}，不 怨 勝 己 者，反.求.諸.己 而已 矣。

愛 人 不 親 反 其 仁，治 人 不 治 反 其 智，禮 人 不 答 反 其 敬。行 有 不得 者，皆 反.求.諸.己，其 身 正 而 天下 歸 之。

射 者，仁 之 道 也。射 求 正 諸 己，己 正 然後 發，發 而 不 中{zhòng}，則 不 怨 勝 己 者，反.求.諸.己 而已 矣。

to self-reflect; to engage in self-examination


珠光寶氣

ㄓㄨ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄅㄠˇ ㄑㄧˋ

чжугуанбаоци

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ hei̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ hei̯³³/

(of attire or furnishings) dripping with jewels; luxurious; splendid; gorgeous


死去活來

ㄙˇ ㄑㄩˋ ㄏㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄞˊ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ hɵy̯³³ wuːt̚² lɔːi̯²¹/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ hɵy̯³³ wuːt̚² lɔːi̯²¹/

哭得死去活來／哭得死去活来

within an inch of one's life
within an inch of one's life

to be devastated; to suffer terribly; to be within an inch of one's life


大發脾氣

ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄚ ㄆㄧˊ ㄑㄧˋ

/tä⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ pʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² faːt̚³ pʰei̯²¹ hei̯³³/

/tua¹¹ huak̚²⁻⁴ sɯ̃³³⁻²³ kʰi²¹³/

/tä⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ pʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² faːt̚³ pʰei̯²¹ hei̯³³/

/tua¹¹ huak̚²⁻⁴ sɯ̃³³⁻²³ kʰi²¹³/


險象環生

ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄕㄥ

сяньсянхуаньшэн

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ xu̯än³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/hiːm³⁵ t͡sœːŋ²² waːn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/hiam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰuan²⁴⁻²² siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/hiam⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰuan²⁴⁻²² siɪŋ³³/

/hiam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰuan¹³⁻²² siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/hiam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰuan²⁴⁻¹¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/hiam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰuan²³⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ xu̯än³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/hiːm³⁵ t͡sœːŋ²² waːn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/hiam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰuan²⁴⁻²² siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/hiam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰuan¹³⁻²² siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/hiam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰuan²⁴⁻¹¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/hiam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰuan²³⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

dangerous situations happen again and again


屎淋尿瀨

/siː³⁵ lɐm²¹ niːu̯²² laːi̯²²/

/siː³⁵ lɐm²¹ niːu̯²² laːi̯²²/

scared the shit out of
scare the shit out of

(Cantonese) being scared the shit out of someone


屁滾尿流

ㄆㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄣˇ ㄋㄧㄠˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/pʰi⁵¹ ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/pʰei̯³³ kʷɐn³⁵ niːu̯²² lɐu̯²¹/

/pʰi⁵¹ ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/pʰei̯³³ kʷɐn³⁵ niːu̯²² lɐu̯²¹/


假仁假義

ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄧˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/kaː³⁵ jɐn²¹ kaː³⁵ jiː²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/kaː³⁵ jɐn²¹ kaː³⁵ jiː²²/


綁手綁腳

ㄅㄤˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄅㄤˇ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

баншоубанцзяо

/pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɔːŋ³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ pɔːŋ³⁵ kœːk̚³/

/pɔːŋ³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ pɔːŋ³⁵ kœːk̚³/

to be heavily constrained and unable to act freely


其貌不揚

ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄤˊ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ maːu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ maːu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ²¹/

to be undistinguished or unattractive in appearance


因公殉職

ㄧㄣ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄒㄩㄣˋ ㄓˊ

иньгунсюньчжи

/in⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕyn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/in⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕyn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵/


升官發財

ㄕㄥ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄈㄚ ㄘㄞˊ

шэнгуаньфацай

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

to be promoted to a higher position as an official and make a fortune


言之有理

ㄧㄢˊ ㄓ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧˇ

/jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ lei̯¹³/

/jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ lei̯¹³/

to speak in a rational or convincing way; to sound reasonable


擊中要害

ㄐㄧ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧㄠˋ ㄏㄞˋ

ㄐㄧˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧㄠˋ ㄏㄞˋ

цзичжунъяохай

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xaɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xaɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɪk̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³ jiːu̯³³ hɔːi̯²²/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xaɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xaɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɪk̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³ jiːu̯³³ hɔːi̯²²/

hit the nail on the head
hit the nail on the head

to hit the nail on the head; to nail it; to hit home; to hit someone's vital point


引以為傲

ㄧㄣˇ ㄧˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄠˋ

/in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ ŋou̯²²/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃²²/

/in⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ i⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁴¹/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui¹³⁻²² ŋɔ̃²²/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃³³/

/in⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃³³/

/in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ ŋou̯²²/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃²²/

/in⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ i⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁴¹/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui¹³⁻²² ŋɔ̃²²/

/in⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃³³/

/in⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃³³/


多不勝數

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄕㄨˇ

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄕㄨˇ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɔː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sou̯³⁵/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɔː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sou̯³⁵/


死皮賴臉

ㄙˇ ㄆㄧˊ ㄌㄞˋ ㄌㄧㄢˇ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi³⁵ laɪ̯⁵¹ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sei̯³⁵ pʰei̯²¹ laːi̯²² liːm¹³/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi³⁵ laɪ̯⁵¹ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sei̯³⁵ pʰei̯²¹ laːi̯²² liːm¹³/

brazen and unreasonable; thick-skinned and hard to shake off


生生世世

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

玄宗感動情懷，說道：「你我恁般恩愛，豈忍相離；今就星光之下，你我二人密相誓願，心中但願生生世世，長為夫婦。」 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
玄宗感动情怀，说道：「你我恁般恩爱，岂忍相离；今就星光之下，你我二人密相誓愿，心中但愿生生世世，长为夫妇。」 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

Xuán Zōng gǎndòng qínghuái, shuōdào: “Nǐwǒ rènbān ēn'ài, qǐ rěn xiànglí; jīn jiù xīngguāng zhī xià, nǐ wǒ èr rén mì xiāng shìyuàn, xīnzhōng dànyuàn shēngshēngshìshì, cháng wéi fūfù.” [Pinyin]

every life; every incarnation; eternity; forever


搖身一變

ㄧㄠˊ ㄕㄣ ㄧ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jiːu̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ piːn³³/

/io²⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² piɛn²¹/

/io²⁴⁻²² sin³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² piɛn⁴¹/

/io¹³⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/io²⁴⁻¹¹ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² piɛn¹¹/

/iɤ²³⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² piɛn²¹/

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jiːu̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ piːn³³/

/io²⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² piɛn²¹/

/io²⁴⁻²² sin³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² piɛn⁴¹/

/io¹³⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/io²⁴⁻¹¹ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² piɛn¹¹/

/iɤ²³⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² piɛn²¹/

(usually derogatory and said of bad people) to suddenly change into a different appearance or identity; to assume a different persona or disguise


蠅頭小利

ㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄧˋ

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ siːu̯³⁵ lei̯²²/

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ siːu̯³⁵ lei̯²²/


難如登天

ㄋㄢˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄉㄥ ㄊㄧㄢ

наньжудэнтянь

/nän³⁵ ʐu³⁵ tɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/naːn²¹ jyː²¹ tɐŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/lan²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/lan²³⁻³³ zu²³⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/nän³⁵ ʐu³⁵ tɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/naːn²¹ jyː²¹ tɐŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/lan²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/lan²³⁻³³ zu²³⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/


強顏歡笑

ㄑㄧㄤˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄢ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

цянъяньхуаньсяо

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ ŋaːn²¹ fuːn⁵⁵ siːu̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ ŋaːn²¹ fuːn⁵⁵ siːu̯³³/


自甘墮落

ㄗˋ ㄍㄢ ㄉㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² kɐm⁵⁵ tɔː²² lɔːk̚²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² kɐm⁵⁵ tɔː²² lɔːk̚²/

to abandon oneself to vice; to willingly fall into degeneracy or depravity


求神問卜

ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄨˇ

цюшэньвэньбу

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂən³⁵ wən⁵¹ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰɐu̯²¹ sɐn²¹ mɐn²² pʊk̚⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂən³⁵ wən⁵¹ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰɐu̯²¹ sɐn²¹ mɐn²² pʊk̚⁵/

那三歲的女兒，出起極重的痘子來，求神問卜，請醫調治，百無一靈。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
那三岁的女儿，出起极重的痘子来，求神问卜，请医调治，百无一灵。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

Nà sān suì de nǚ'ér, chū qǐ jí zhòng de dòuzi lái, qiúshénwènbǔ, qǐng yī tiáozhì, bǎi wú yī líng. [Pinyin]

to pray to gods for blessings and consult divination


非此即彼

ㄈㄟ ㄘˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄧˇ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/


所剩無幾

ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄕㄥˋ ㄨˊ ㄐㄧˇ

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɔː³⁵ sɪŋ²² mou̯²¹ kei̯³⁵/

/sɔː³⁵ t͡sɪŋ²² mou̯²¹ kei̯³⁵/

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɔː³⁵ sɪŋ²² mou̯²¹ kei̯³⁵/

/sɔː³⁵ t͡sɪŋ²² mou̯²¹ kei̯³⁵/


戀戀不捨

ㄌㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄜˇ

ляньляньбушэ

/li̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lyːn³⁵ lyːn³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/

/lyːn³⁵ lyːn³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/


閒情逸致

ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄧˋ ㄓˋ

сяньцинъичжи

/ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/haːn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚² t͡siː³³/

/ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/haːn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚² t͡siː³³/


寓教於樂

ㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄩˊ ㄌㄜˋ

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ y³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/jyː²² kaːu̯³³ jyː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ y³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/jyː²² kaːu̯³³ jyː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

to educate through entertainment; to provide edutainment


群策群力

ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄘㄜˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄌㄧˋ

цюньцэцюньли

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ li⁵¹/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʷʰɐn²¹ lɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ li⁵¹/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʷʰɐn²¹ lɪk̚²/

to pool the wisdom and efforts of everyone; to work with collective wisdom and concerted efforts


情隨事遷

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄙㄨㄟˊ ㄕˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

цинсуйшицянь

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ su̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ siː²² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² sui²⁴⁻²² su²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ su̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ siː²² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/


所見所聞

ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄣˊ

соцзяньсовэнь

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵/

/sɔː³⁵ kiːn³³ sɔː³⁵ mɐn²¹/

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵/

/sɔː³⁵ kiːn³³ sɔː³⁵ mɐn²¹/


欺師滅祖

ㄑㄧ ㄕ ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄗㄨˇ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to betray one's teacher or master and bring dishonor to them


國富兵強

ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄑㄧㄤˊ

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ fu⁵¹ piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ fuː³³ pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹/

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ fu⁵¹ piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ fuː³³ pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹/

the nation is prosperous and its military is powerful


炒買炒賣

ㄔㄠˇ ㄇㄞˇ ㄔㄠˇ ㄇㄞˋ

чаомайчаомай

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ maɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ maɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːu̯³⁵ maːi̯¹³ t͡sʰaːu̯³⁵ maːi̯²²/

/t͡sʰaːu̯³⁵ maːi̯¹³ t͡sʰaːu̯³⁵ maːi̯²²/


湖光山色

ㄏㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄕㄢ ㄙㄜˋ

хугуаншаньсэ

/xu³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/wuː²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/xu³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/wuː²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains


嘖嘖稱讚

ㄗㄜˊ ㄗㄜˊ ㄔㄥ ㄗㄢˋ

цзэцзэ чэнцзань

/t͡sɤ³⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sän⁵¹/

/t͡saːk̚³ t͡saːk̚³ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːn³³/

/t͡sɤ³⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sän⁵¹/

/t͡saːk̚³ t͡saːk̚³ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːn³³/


明查暗訪

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄢˋ ㄈㄤˇ

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ˀän⁵¹ fɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaː²¹ ɐm³³ fɔːŋ³⁵/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡sa⁴⁴⁻³³ am²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ⁴¹/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sa⁴⁴⁻³³ am¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ⁵³/

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ˀän⁵¹ fɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaː²¹ ɐm³³ fɔːŋ³⁵/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡sa⁴⁴⁻³³ am²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ⁴¹/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sa⁴⁴⁻³³ am¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ⁵³/

明察暗訪 明察暗訪#Chinese

明察暗访 明察暗访#Chinese


尋死覓活

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄙˇ ㄇㄧˋ ㄏㄨㄛˊ

/ɕyn³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ sei̯³⁵ mɪk̚² wuːt̚²/

/ɕyn³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ sei̯³⁵ mɪk̚² wuːt̚²/


油嘴滑舌

ㄧㄡˊ ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄕㄜˊ

/joʊ̯³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ waːt̚² siːt̚³/

/joʊ̯³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ waːt̚² siːt̚³/

你这游方的和尚，便是有些油嘴滑舌的说话。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: Wu Cheng'en, Journey to the West, 16ᵗʰ century CE
Nǐ zhè yóufāng de héshàng, biànshì yǒuxiē yóuzuǐhuáshé de shuōhuà. [Pinyin]

你這遊方的和尚，便是有些油嘴滑舌的說話。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]

就如世上油嘴滑舌之人，无风作有，信著伶口俐舌，长篇大论，胡板乱扯，敷演出一篇话来。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: Cao Xueqin, Dream of the Red Chamber, mid-18ᵗʰ century CE
Jiù rú shìshàng yóuzuǐhuáshé zhī rén, wúfēng zuò yǒu, xìn zhù língkǒulìshé, chángpiāndàlùn, hú bǎn luàn chě, fūyǎn chū yī piān huà lái. [Pinyin]

就如世上油嘴滑舌之人，無風作有，信著伶口俐舌，長篇大論，胡板亂扯，敷演出一篇話來。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]

speaking in a confident way but without careful thought or honesty; glib, being a fast-talker


得罪人多，稱呼人少

dak¹ zeoi⁶ jan⁴ do¹, cing¹ fu¹ jan⁴ siu²

dak⁷ dzoey⁶ jan⁴ do¹, tsing¹ fu¹ jan⁴ siu²

/tɐk̚⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ siːu̯³⁵/

(Cantonese) to have offended many and rarely talk to others with politeness and respect


電光火石

ㄉㄧㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄕˊ

дяньгуан хоши

/ti̯ɛn⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/tiːn²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ sɛːk̚²/

/ti̯ɛn⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/tiːn²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ sɛːk̚²/

電光石火 電光石火#Chinese

电光石火 电光石火#Chinese

(Hong Kong) Misspelling of 電光石火／电光石火 (diànguāng shíhuǒ).


走南闖北

ㄗㄡˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄔㄨㄤˇ ㄅㄟˇ

цзоунаньчуанбэй

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ naːm²¹ t͡sʰɔːŋ³⁵ pɐk̚⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ naːm²¹ t͡sʰɔːŋ³⁵ pɐk̚⁵/

to journey north and south; to travel far and wide


細枝末節

ㄒㄧˋ ㄓ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ muːt̚² t͡siːt̚³/

/ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ muːt̚² t͡siːt̚³/

trivial detail; tiny and insignificant detail


練精學懶

/liːn²² t͡sɛːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːk̚² laːn¹³/

/liːn²² t͡sɛːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːk̚² laːn¹³/

(Cantonese) to use petty tricks so that one can shrink from duties


天公作美

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄟˇ

тяньгунцзомэй

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ mei̯¹³/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ mei̯¹³/

the weather is good, especially for an event


洋洋大觀

ㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄍㄨㄢ

янъяндагуань

/jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ taːi̯²² kuːn⁵⁵/

/iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ kuan⁴⁴/

/jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ taːi̯²² kuːn⁵⁵/

/iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ kuan⁴⁴/


閉關自守

ㄅㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄗˋ ㄕㄡˇ

бигуаньцзышоу

/pi⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐi̯³³ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sɐu̯³⁵/

/pi⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐi̯³³ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sɐu̯³⁵/

to close off the country to the outside world and conduct no trade or exchanges with other countries


神乎其技

ㄕㄣˊ ㄏㄨ ㄑㄧˊ ㄐㄧˋ

/ʂən³⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ kei̯²²/

/ʂən³⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ kei̯²²/

extremely skilful; having extraordinary or outstanding skills


白吃白喝

ㄅㄞˊ ㄔ ㄅㄞˊ ㄏㄜ

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ xɤ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² hɛːk̚³ paːk̚² hɔːt̚³/

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ xɤ⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² hɛːk̚³ paːk̚² hɔːt̚³/


水靜鵝飛

/sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɪŋ²² ŋɔː²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɪŋ²² ŋɔː²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

水靜河飛 水靜河飛#Chinese

水静河飞 水静河飞#Chinese

Synonym of 水靜河飛／水静河飞 (“desolate; without human activity”)


攬頭攬頸

/laːm¹³⁻³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ laːm¹³⁻³⁵ kɛːŋ³⁵/

/laːm¹³⁻³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ laːm¹³⁻³⁵ kɛːŋ³⁵/


人財兩空

ㄖㄣˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄎㄨㄥ

жэньцайлянкун

/ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ lœːŋ¹³ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ lœːŋ¹³ hʊŋ⁵⁵/


搔首弄姿

ㄙㄠ ㄕㄡˇ ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄗ

саошоунунцзы

/sɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ nʊŋ⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/sou̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ lʊŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/sɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ nʊŋ⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/sou̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ lʊŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵/


目無王法

ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄤˊ ㄈㄚˇ

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ wɔːŋ²¹ faːt̚³/

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ wɔːŋ²¹ faːt̚³/

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


東鱗西爪

a scale from the east, a claw from the west

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄒㄧ ㄓㄨㄚˇ

дунлиньсичжуа

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ lin³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ lɵn²¹ sɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡saːu̯³⁵/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ lin³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ lɵn²¹ sɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡saːu̯³⁵/


人力回天

ㄖㄣˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄊㄧㄢ

жэньлихуэйтянь

/ʐən³⁵ li⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ lɪk̚² wuːi̯²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ li⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ lɪk̚² wuːi̯²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

to rely on human effort to save a difficult situation


手下留情

ㄕㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ haː²² lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ haː²² lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

to show mercy when implementing a punishment or fighting


說長道短

ㄕㄨㄛ ㄔㄤˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄨㄢˇ

шочандаодуань

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/syːt̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tou̯²² tyːn³⁵/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/syːt̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tou̯²² tyːn³⁵/


起居飲食

ㄑㄧˇ ㄐㄩ ㄧㄣˇ ㄕˊ

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/hei̯³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ jɐm³⁵ sɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/hei̯³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ jɐm³⁵ sɪk̚²/

飲食起居 飲食起居#Chinese

饮食起居 饮食起居#Chinese

Synonym of 飲食起居／饮食起居 (yǐnshíqǐjū, “activities and rest; daily life”)


風和日暖

ㄈㄥ ㄏㄜˊ ㄖˋ ㄋㄨㄢˇ

фэнхэжинуань

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɔː²¹ jɐt̚² nyːn¹³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wɔː²¹ jɐt̚² nyːn¹³/

风和日暖，时过野店山村；路直沙平，夜宿邮亭驿馆。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: Shi Nai'an, Water Margin, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE
Fēnghérìnuǎn, shí guò yědiàn shāncūn; lù zhí shā píng, yè sù yóutíng yìguǎn. [Pinyin]

風和日暖，時過野店山村；路直沙平，夜宿郵亭驛館。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]

他只得繞出樹林，看那後面却又是碧綠的高粱田，遠處散點着幾間小小的土屋。風和日暖，鴉雀無聲。 [MSC, trad.]
他只得绕出树林，看那后面却又是碧绿的高粱田，远处散点着几间小小的土屋。风和日暖，鸦雀无声。 [MSC, simp.]
Tā zhǐdé rào chū shùlín, kàn nà hòumiàn què yòu shì bìlǜ de gāoliáng tián, yuǎnchù sàn diǎn zhe jǐ jiān xiǎoxiǎo de tǔwū. Fēnghérìnuǎn, yāquèwúshēng. [Pinyin]

1926, Lu Xun, “奔月”, in 故事新編, 文化生活出版社, published 1935, pages 23–24

to have warm sunshine and gentle breezes


負債累累

ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄞˋ ㄌㄟˇ ㄌㄟˇ

фучжай лэйлэй

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fuː²² t͡saːi̯³³ lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/

/fuː²² t͡saːi̯³³ lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/


打跛腳都唔使憂

打跛脚都唔使忧
打跛腳唔使憂

no worries even if one beats his leg and becomes lame

/taː³⁵ pɐi̯⁵⁵ kœːk̚³ tou̯⁵⁵ m̩²¹ sɐi̯³⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) to have no worries because one has obtained a large amount of money


枯木逢春

ㄎㄨ ㄇㄨˋ ㄈㄥˊ ㄔㄨㄣ

/kʰu⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ fɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵/

/fuː⁵⁵ mʊk̚² fʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵/

/kʰu⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ fɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵/

/fuː⁵⁵ mʊk̚² fʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵/

to get a new lease of life in a desperate situation


有商有量

ㄧㄡˇ ㄕㄤ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧㄤˊ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ lœːŋ²¹/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ lœːŋ²¹/

able to engage in discussions or dialogue


興味索然

ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄢˊ

синвэйсожань

/ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵/

/hɪŋ³³ mei̯²² saːk̚³ jiːn²¹/

/ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵/

/hɪŋ³³ mei̯²² saːk̚³ jiːn²¹/


興之所至

ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄓˋ

/ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hɪŋ³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡siː³³/

/ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hɪŋ³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡siː³³/


一官半職

ㄧ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄅㄢˋ ㄓˊ

игуаньбаньчжи

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ pän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ puːn³³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ pän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ puːn³³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

low-ranking official position (in the government)


天理不容

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

话说杀人偿命，是人世间最大的事，非同小可。所以是真难假，是假难真。真的时节，纵然有钱可以通神，目下脱逃宪网，到底天理不容，无心之中，自然败露。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: c. 1627, Ling Mengchu, 初刻拍案驚奇
Huàshuō shārénchángmìng, shì rénshìjiān zuì dà de shì, fēitóngxiǎokě. Suǒyǐ shì zhēn nán jiǎ, shì jiǎ nán zhēn. Zhēn de shíjié, zòngrán yǒuqián kěyǐ tōngshén, mùxià tuōtáo xiànwǎng, dàodǐ tiānlǐbùróng, wúxīn zhī zhōng, zìrán bàilù. [Pinyin]

話說殺人償命，是人世間最大的事，非同小可。所以是真難假，是假難真。真的時節，縱然有錢可以通神，目下脫逃憲網，到底天理不容，無心之中，自然敗露。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]

providence would not forgive (something)


睹物思人

ㄉㄨˇ ㄨˋ ㄙ ㄖㄣˊ

/tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/tou̯³⁵ mɐt̚² siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/tou̯³⁵ mɐt̚² siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

这王十朋也不通的很，不管在那里祭一祭罢了，必定跑到江边子上来作什么！俗语说『睹物思人』，天下的水总归一源，不拘那里的水舀一碗看着哭去，也就尽情了。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: Cao Xueqin, Dream of the Red Chamber, mid-18ᵗʰ century CE
Zhè Wáng Shípéng yě bùtōng de hěn, bùguǎn zài nǎlǐ jì yī jì bàle, bìdìng pǎo dào jiāng biānzǐ shàng lái zuò shénme! Súyǔ shuō ‘dǔwùsīrén’, tiānxià de shuǐ zǒng guī yī yuán, bùjū nǎlǐ de shuǐ yǎo yī wǎn kàn zhe kū qù, yě jiù jìnqíng le. [Pinyin]

這王十朋也不通的很，不管在那裡祭一祭罷了，必定跑到江邊子上來作什麼！俗語說『睹物思人』，天下的水總歸一源，不拘那裡的水舀一碗看著哭去，也就盡情了。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]

seeing things left behind by someone or the belongings of the deceased triggers one's memories of that person


大富大貴

ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² fuː³³ taːi̯²² kʷɐi̯³³/

/tua³³⁻²¹ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ tua³³⁻²¹ kui²¹/

/tua³³⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ tua³³⁻¹¹ kui¹¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² fuː³³ taːi̯²² kʷɐi̯³³/

/tua³³⁻²¹ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ tua³³⁻²¹ kui²¹/

/tua³³⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ tua³³⁻¹¹ kui¹¹/


畫虎類犬

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄌㄟˋ ㄑㄩㄢˇ

хуахулэйцюань

/xu̯ä⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ leɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːk̚² fuː³⁵ lɵy̯²² hyːn³⁵/

/waːk̚² fuː³⁵ lɵy̯²² hyːn³⁵/

畫虎不成反類犬 畫虎不成反類犬

画虎不成反类犬 画虎不成反类犬

Short for 畫虎不成反類犬／画虎不成反类犬 (huà hǔ bùchéng fǎn lèi quǎn).


功成身退

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄔㄥˊ ㄕㄣ ㄊㄨㄟˋ

гунчэншэньтуй

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɵy̯³³/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɵy̯³³/

to retire after accomplishing great tasks


名成利就

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹ lei̯²² t͡sɐu̯²²/

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹ lei̯²² t͡sɐu̯²²/

(chiefly Cantonese) to reap both fame and fortune


近水樓臺

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄌㄡˊ ㄊㄞˊ

цзиньшуйлоутай

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ loʊ̯³⁵ tʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tʰɔːi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ loʊ̯³⁵ tʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tʰɔːi̯²¹/

to have a close relationship with someone or be in close proximity to something, which confers advantages


掌上明珠

ㄓㄤˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄨ

чжаншанминчжу

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ³⁵ sœːŋ²² mɪŋ²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ³⁵ sœːŋ²² mɪŋ²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

apple of someone's eye
apple of someone's eye


太平盛世

ㄊㄞˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄥˋ ㄕˋ

/tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰaːi̯³³ pʰɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ²² sɐi̯³³/

/tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰaːi̯³³ pʰɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ²² sɐi̯³³/


荒山野嶺

ㄏㄨㄤ ㄕㄢ ㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄥˇ

хуаншаньелин

/xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jɛː¹³ lɛːŋ¹³/

/xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jɛː¹³ lɛːŋ¹³/


附庸風雅

ㄈㄨˋ ㄩㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄧㄚˇ

/fu⁵¹ jʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fuː²² jʊŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ ŋaː¹³/

/fu⁵¹ jʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fuː²² jʊŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ ŋaː¹³/

to put on an air of pretension despite one's own lack of cultural knowledge


撫心自問

ㄈㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄗˋ ㄨㄣˋ

фусиньцзывэнь

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

to reflect on oneself; to ask oneself honestly


不明就裡

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄌㄧˇ

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯²² lɵy̯¹³/

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯²² lɵy̯¹³/

to not know the inside story; to be unfamiliar with the details of the situation


不知就裡

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄌㄧˇ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² lɵy̯¹³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² lɵy̯¹³/


快高長大

ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄍㄠ ㄓㄤˇ ㄉㄚˋ

куайгаочжанда

/kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹/

/faːi̯³³ kou̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵ taːi̯²²/

/kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹/

/faːi̯³³ kou̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵ taːi̯²²/


走漏風聲

ㄗㄡˇ ㄌㄡˋ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄥ

цзоулоуфэншэн

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ loʊ̯⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ lɐu̯²² fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ loʊ̯⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ lɐu̯²² fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/


老奸巨猾

ㄌㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄐㄩˋ ㄏㄨㄚˊ

лаоцзяньцзюйхуа

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ xu̯ä³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ kaːn⁵⁵ kɵy̯²² waːt̚²/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ xu̯ä³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ kaːn⁵⁵ kɵy̯²² waːt̚²/

to be extremely cunning and crafty; to be a wily old fox; to be an old hand at trickery and deception


湮沒無聞

ㄧㄢ ㄇㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄣˊ

ㄧㄣ ㄇㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄣˊ

/jɛn⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/in⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ muːt̚² mou̯²¹ mɐn²¹/

/jɛn⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/in⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ muːt̚² mou̯²¹ mɐn²¹/

2020 September 19, 袁源隆, “雷競璇：記住那些被時代遺忘的古巴華僑”, in 明周文化:
[…]不然古巴華僑的獨特歷程就會湮沒無聞 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
[…]不然古巴华侨的独特历程就会湮没无闻 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
[…] or else the unique journey of Cuban Chinese diaspora will fade into obscurity

… bat¹ jin⁴ gu² baa¹ waa⁴ kiu⁴ dik¹ duk⁶ dak⁶ lik⁶ cing⁴ zau⁶ wui⁵ jan¹ mut⁶ mou⁴ man⁴ [Jyutping]


淚如雨下

ㄌㄟˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄩˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/leɪ̯⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² jyː²¹ jyː¹³ haː²²/

/leɪ̯⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² jyː²¹ jyː¹³ haː²²/


急不及待

ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄉㄞˋ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐp̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² tɔːi̯²²/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐp̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² tɔːi̯²²/

急不可待 急不可待#Chinese

Synonym of 急不可待 (jíbùkědài, “to be too impatient to wait”)


手到拿來

ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄋㄚˊ ㄌㄞˊ

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ nä³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ tou̯³³ naː²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ nä³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ tou̯³³ naː²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

to capture someone or something or do something easily and effortlessly


千古絕唱

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄍㄨˇ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄔㄤˋ

цяньгуцзюэчан

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kuː³⁵ t͡syːt̚² t͡sʰœːŋ³³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kuː³⁵ t͡syːt̚² t͡sʰœːŋ³³/


渺無人煙

ㄇㄧㄠˇ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧㄢ

мяо’ужэньянь

/mi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵ jɛn⁵⁵/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹ jiːn⁵⁵/

/mi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵ jɛn⁵⁵/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹ jiːn⁵⁵/

to be deserted; to be desolate; to be uninhabited


白手興家

ㄅㄞˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ

байшоусинцзя

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

to start an enterprise from scratch; to build up from nothing; to start from scratch


後生遙遙

/hɐu̯²² saːŋ⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ jiːu̯²¹/

/hɐu̯²² saːŋ⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ jiːu̯²¹/

後生遙遙講咩老… [Cantonese, trad.]
后生遥遥讲咩老… [Cantonese, simp.]
hau⁶ saang¹ jiu⁴ jiu⁴ gong² me¹ lou⁵... [Jyutping]

2017, Cuson Lo, 怪叔叔耆遇記, Hong Kong: 非凡出版, page 51

You're young and still have a long life ahead of you. What old are you talking about...

(Cantonese) young, with a long life full of potential ahead


淚水漣漣

ㄌㄟˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

лэйшуй ляньлянь

/leɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/lɵy̯²² sɵy̯³⁵ liːn²¹ liːn²¹/

/leɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/lɵy̯²² sɵy̯³⁵ liːn²¹ liːn²¹/


目定口呆

ㄇㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄉㄞ

/mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mʊk̚² tɪŋ²² hɐu̯³⁵ ŋɔːi̯²¹/

/mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mʊk̚² tɪŋ²² hɐu̯³⁵ ŋɔːi̯²¹/

伯芬听了，不觉目定口呆，涨红了脸，回答不上来，只好搭讪着走了。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: 1910, 吳趼人 [Wu Jianren], 《二十年目睹之怪現狀》 [Bizarre Happenings Eyewitnessed over Two Decades], chapter 93
Bófēn tīng le, bùjiào mùdìngkǒudāi, zhàng hóng le liǎn, huídá bù shànglái, zhǐhǎo dāshàn zhe zǒu le. [Pinyin]

伯芬聽了，不覺目定口呆，漲紅了臉，回答不上來，只好搭訕著走了。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]

目瞪口呆 目瞪口呆#Chinese

Synonym of 目瞪口呆 (mùdèngkǒudāi, “to be stupefied; to be dumbfounded”)


狼多肉少

ㄌㄤˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄖㄡˋ ㄕㄠˇ

/lɑŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɔːŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ jʊk̚² siːu̯³⁵/

/lɑŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɔːŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ jʊk̚² siːu̯³⁵/

a situation where many individuals fight over scarce resources


推三阻四

ㄊㄨㄟ ㄙㄢ ㄗㄨˇ ㄙˋ

туйсаньцзусы

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ t͡sɔː³⁵ sei̯³³/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ t͡sɔː³⁵ sei̯³³/

to find excuses to put off doing something


無殼蝸牛

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˊ ㄨㄛ ㄋㄧㄡˊ

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˊ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄋㄧㄡˊ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ³⁵ wɔ⁵⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ³⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ hɔːk̚³ wɔː⁵⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ³⁵ wɔ⁵⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ³⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ hɔːk̚³ wɔː⁵⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹/

(Taiwan, Hong Kong, figuratively) people who cannot afford to buy their own home


另結新歡

ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄨㄢ

линцзесиньхуань

/liŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/lɪŋ²² kiːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/

/liŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/lɪŋ²² kiːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/


朝饔夕飧

breakfast in the morning, supper in the evening

ㄓㄠ ㄩㄥ ㄒㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄣ

чжаоюнсисунь

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² syːn⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² syːn⁵⁵/

talentless (used to describe someone who does little other than eat)


櫛風沐雨

to be combed by the wind and bathed by the rain

ㄓˋ ㄈㄥ ㄇㄨˋ ㄩˇ

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄈㄥ ㄇㄨˋ ㄩˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːt̚³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ mʊk̚² jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːt̚³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ mʊk̚² jyː¹³/

to travel and work despite harsh conditions


骨肉至親

ㄍㄨˇ ㄖㄡˋ ㄓˋ ㄑㄧㄣ

гужоучжицинь

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/kʷɐt̚⁵ jʊk̚² t͡siː³³ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/kʷɐt̚⁵ jʊk̚² t͡siː³³ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/


天朗氣清

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄌㄤˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄥ

тяньланцицин

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ lɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ lɔːŋ¹³ hei̯³³ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ lɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ lɔːŋ¹³ hei̯³³ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

First attested in 蘭亭集序.
:
是日也，天朗氣清，惠風和暢。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]是日也，天朗气清，惠风和畅。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 353, Wang Xizhi, 蘭亭集序
Shìrì yě, tiānlǎngqìqīng, huìfēng héchàng. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

是日 也，天朗氣清，惠風 和暢。


易學難精

ㄧˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄥ

исюэнаньцзин

/i⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ nän³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² hɔːk̚² naːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ nän³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² hɔːk̚² naːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

to be easy to pick up but hard to master


賊眉鼠眼

ㄗㄟˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄧㄢˇ

цзэймэйшуянь

/t͡seɪ̯³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰaːk̚² mei̯²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːn¹³/

/t͡seɪ̯³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰaːk̚² mei̯²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːn¹³/

to look shifty or furtive; to look like a crook


賊眉賊眼

ㄗㄟˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄗㄟˊ ㄧㄢˇ

цзэймэйцзэйянь

/t͡seɪ̯³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰaːk̚² mei̯²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚² ŋaːn¹³/

/t͡seɪ̯³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰaːk̚² mei̯²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚² ŋaːn¹³/


欲言又止

ㄩˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄡˋ ㄓˇ

/y⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jʊk̚² jiːn²¹ jɐu̯²² t͡siː³⁵/

/y⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jʊk̚² jiːn²¹ jɐu̯²² t͡siː³⁵/


逍遙自在

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄧㄠˊ ㄗˋ ㄗㄞˋ

сяояоцзыцзай

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ t͡siː²² t͡sɔːi̯²²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ t͡siː²² t͡sɔːi̯²²/

free and unfettered; leisurely and carefree


無利可圖

ㄨˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄊㄨˊ

/u³⁵ li⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ lei̯²² hɔː³⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ li³³⁻²¹ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔ²³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ li³³⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔ²⁴/

/u³⁵ li⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ lei̯²² hɔː³⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ li³³⁻²¹ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔ²³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ li³³⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔ²⁴/


聯群結隊

ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄨㄟˋ

ляньцюньцзедуй

/li̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/lyːn²¹ kʷʰɐn²¹ kiːt̚³ tɵy̯²²/

/li̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/lyːn²¹ kʷʰɐn²¹ kiːt̚³ tɵy̯²²/

(chiefly Cantonese) to gather in groups; to gather in crowds; to band together


損兵折將

ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄓㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄤˋ

суньбинчжэцзян

/su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/syːn³⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːt̚³ t͡sœːŋ³³/

/su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/syːn³⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːt̚³ t͡sœːŋ³³/


蛇頭鼠眼

ㄕㄜˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄧㄢˇ

/ʂɤ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɛː²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːn¹³/

/ʂɤ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɛː²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːn¹³/

to look ugly and shifty; to be obnoxious in appearance and cunning-looking


遠見卓識

ㄩㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄕˊ

ㄩㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄕˋ

юаньцзяньчжоши

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyːn¹³ kiːn³³ t͡sʰœːk̚³ sɪk̚⁵/

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyːn¹³ kiːn³³ t͡sʰœːk̚³ sɪk̚⁵/


一沉百踩

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐm²¹ paːk̚³ t͡sʰaːi̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐm²¹ paːk̚³ t͡sʰaːi̯³⁵/

(Cantonese) someone who is experiencing misfortune is further bullied or taunted by others


萬萬不可

ㄨㄢˋ ㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ

ваньваньбукэ

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²² maːn²² pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²² maːn²² pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵/


誓不兩立

ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄌㄧˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ¹³ laːp̚²/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ liɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lip̚⁴/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lip̚⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ¹³ laːp̚²/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ liɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lip̚⁴/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lip̚⁴/

mutually exclusive; extremely antagonistic; irreconcilable


加官進爵

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

цзягуаньцзиньцзюэ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³³ t͡sœːk̚³/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³³ t͡sœːk̚³/

to be promoted to a higher office or rank


陳規陋習

ㄔㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄌㄡˋ ㄒㄧˊ

чэньгуйлоуси

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ lɐu̯²² t͡saːp̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ lɐu̯²² t͡saːp̚²/

outdated and objectionable rules and customs


暮鼓晨鐘

ㄇㄨˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄔㄣˊ ㄓㄨㄥ

мугучэньчжун

/mu⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²² kuː³⁵ sɐn²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mu⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²² kuː³⁵ sɐn²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

晨鐘暮鼓 晨鐘暮鼓#Chinese

晨钟暮鼓 晨钟暮鼓#Chinese

Alternative form of 晨鐘暮鼓／晨钟暮鼓 (chénzhōngmùgǔ)


肥頭耷耳

/fei̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tɐp̚⁵ jiː¹³/

/fei̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tɐp̚⁵ jiː¹³/


不值一提

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˊ ㄧ ㄊㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/


稱孤道寡

ㄔㄥ ㄍㄨ ㄉㄠˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ku⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kuː⁵⁵ tou̯²² kʷaː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ku⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kuː⁵⁵ tou̯²² kʷaː³⁵/


得一想二

/tɐk̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ³⁵ jiː²²/

/tɐk̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ³⁵ jiː²²/

(Cantonese) to wish to acquire more after obtaining something


奇珍異寶

ㄑㄧˊ ㄓㄣ ㄧˋ ㄅㄠˇ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ i⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ jiː²² pou̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ i⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ jiː²² pou̯³⁵/


捨車保帥

ㄕㄜˋ ㄐㄩ ㄅㄠˇ ㄕㄨㄞˋ

шэцзюйбаошуай

/ʂɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɛː³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ sɵy̯³³/

/ʂɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɛː³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ sɵy̯³³/

棄車保帥 棄車保帥#Chinese

弃车保帅 弃车保帅#Chinese


有條有理

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ lei̯³³/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ lei̯³³/


真人真事

ㄓㄣ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓㄣ ㄕˋ

чжэньжэньчжэньши

čžɛnʹžɛnʹčžɛnʹši

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɐn⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ siː²²/

/t͡siŋ³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵ t͡siŋ³³⁻²³ sɯ¹¹/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɐn⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ siː²²/

/t͡siŋ³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵ t͡siŋ³³⁻²³ sɯ¹¹/

true story; events that actually happened to real people


成年累月

ㄔㄥˊ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄟˇ ㄩㄝˋ

чэнняньлэйюэ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ niːn²¹ lɵy̯²² jyːt̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ niːn²¹ lɵy̯²² jyːt̚²/

over many years and months; year in, year out


成千累萬

ㄔㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄌㄟˇ ㄨㄢˋ

чэнцяньлэйвань

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ maːn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ maːn²²/

by the thousands and tens of thousands; untold numbers; innumerable; thousands upon thousands


成龍配套

ㄔㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄆㄟˋ ㄊㄠˋ

чэнлунпэйтао

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ pʰeɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ pʰuːi̯³³ tʰou̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ pʰeɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ pʰuːi̯³³ tʰou̯³³/


開源節流

ㄎㄞ ㄩㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

кайюаньцзелю

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jyːn²¹ t͡siːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jyːn²¹ t͡siːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹/

(figurative) to increase income and reduce spending


碎屍萬段

ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄕ ㄨㄢˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

суйшиваньдуань

/su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹/

/sɵy̯³³ siː⁵⁵ maːn²² tyːn²²/

/su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹/

/sɵy̯³³ siː⁵⁵ maːn²² tyːn²²/

我要把你碎屍萬段！ [MSC, trad.]
我要把你碎尸万段！ [MSC, simp.]

to dismember a corpse into numerous small pieces; to cut up a corpse into many small pieces


成竹在胸

ㄔㄥˊ ㄓㄨˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄒㄩㄥ

чэнчжуцзайсюн

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² hʊŋ⁵⁵/

胸有成竹 胸有成竹#Chinese

Alternative form of 胸有成竹 (xiōngyǒuchéngzhú)


自打嘴巴

ㄗˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄗㄨㄟˇ ˙ㄅㄚ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴ b̥ä⁴/

/t͡siː²² taː³⁵ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ paː⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴ b̥ä⁴/

/t͡siː²² taː³⁵ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ paː⁵⁵/

to be inconsistent; to contradict oneself


目不斜視

ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄕˋ

/mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɛː²¹ siː²²/

/mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɛː²¹ siː²²/

to look straight ahead without casting any sidelong glances


自成一格

ㄗˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧ ㄍㄜˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kɤ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² sɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kaːk̚³/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kɤ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² sɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kaːk̚³/


程門立雪

ㄔㄥˊ ㄇㄣˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄩㄝˇ

чэнмэньлисюэ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ li⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ muːn²¹ laːp̚² syːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ li⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ muːn²¹ laːp̚² syːt̚³/


懲一警百

ㄔㄥˊ ㄧ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄅㄞˇ

чэнъицзинбай

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ paːk̚³/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ paːk̚³/


懲惡揚善

ㄔㄥˊ ㄜˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄕㄢˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²¹ siːn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²¹ siːn²²/


寧缺勿濫

ㄋㄧㄥˊ ㄑㄩㄝ ㄨˋ ㄌㄢˋ

/niŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ län⁵¹/

/nɪŋ²¹ kʰyːt̚³ mɐt̚² laːm²²/

/niŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ län⁵¹/

/nɪŋ²¹ kʰyːt̚³ mɐt̚² laːm²²/

would rather go without than have some something less than satisfactory; it is better to leave a deficiency uncovered than have it covered without discretion


孤苦無依

/ku⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ i⁵⁵/

/kuː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiː⁵⁵/

/ku⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ i⁵⁵/

/kuː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiː⁵⁵/


眾所鳩知

/t͡sʊŋ³³ sɔː³⁵ kɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ sɔː³⁵ kɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

From a speech error on a press conference in 2012 by James Shing, the then CEO of Asia Television.

眾所周知 眾所周知#Chinese

众所周知 众所周知#Chinese

(Hong Kong Cantonese, vulgar, sarcastic) Synonym of 眾所周知／众所周知 (zhòngsuǒzhōuzhī)


欺上瞞下

ㄑㄧ ㄕㄤˋ ㄇㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ män³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/hei̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ²² muːn²¹ haː²²/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ män³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/hei̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ²² muːn²¹ haː²²/

to deceive and hide the truth from those above and below


乏善足陳

ㄈㄚˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄔㄣˊ

фашаньцзучэнь

/fä³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/fɐt̚² siːn²² t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹/

/fä³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/fɐt̚² siːn²² t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹/

乏善可陳 乏善可陳#Chinese

乏善可陈 乏善可陈#Chinese

Synonym of 乏善可陳／乏善可陈 (fáshànkěchén, “to have nothing notable or praiseworthy”)


大驚失色

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕ ㄙㄜˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/


七拼八湊

ㄑㄧ ㄆㄧㄣ ㄅㄚ ㄘㄡˋ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pʰin⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ³³ paːt̚³ t͡sʰɐu̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pʰin⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ³³ paːt̚³ t͡sʰɐu̯³³/

to rig up; to throw together; to piece together


攻城略地

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄔㄥˊ ㄌㄩㄝˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ly̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ lœːk̚² tei̯²²/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ly̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ lœːk̚² tei̯²²/

攻城掠地 攻城掠地#Chinese

Alternative form of 攻城掠地 (gōngchénglüèdì)


低眉順眼

ㄉㄧ ㄇㄟˊ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄧㄢˇ

димэйшуньянь

/ti⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ mei̯²¹ sɵn²² ŋaːn¹³/

/ti⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ mei̯²¹ sɵn²² ŋaːn¹³/

但中國一般的趨勢，卻只在向馴良之類——「靜」的一方面發展，低眉順眼，唯唯諾諾，才算一個好孩子，名之曰「有趣」。 [MSC, trad.]
但中国一般的趋势，却只在向驯良之类——「静」的一方面发展，低眉顺眼，唯唯诺诺，才算一个好孩子，名之曰「有趣」。 [MSC, simp.]
Dàn Zhōngguó yībān de qūshì, què zhǐ zài xiàng xùnliáng zhī lèi — “jìng” de yī fāngmiàn fāzhǎn, dīméishùnyǎn, wéiwéinuònuò, cái suàn yī ge hǎo háizǐ, míng zhī yuē “yǒuqù”. [Pinyin]

1934, Lu Xun, “從孩子的照相說起”, in 且介亭雜文, 上海三閒書屋, published 1937, page 92


說話算話

ㄕㄨㄛ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

шохуасуаньхуа

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/syːt̚³ waː²² syːn³³ waː²²/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/syːt̚³ waː²² syːn³³ waː²²/

as good as one's word
as good as one's word

to be as good as one's word; to be true to one's word; to keep one's word


秋後的螞蚱

ㄑㄧㄡ ㄏㄡˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄇㄚˋ ˙ㄓㄚ

цюхоу ди мачжа

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ mä⁵¹ ɖ͡ʐ̥ä¹/

/t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² tɪk̚⁵ maː²² t͡saː³³/

/t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² tɪk̚⁵ maː²² t͡saː³³/

From 秋後的螞蚱——蹦躂不了幾天／秋后的蚂蚱——蹦跶不了几天 (qiūhòu dì màzha, bèngda bùliǎo jǐtiān).

zh-l

秋後的螞蚱——蹦躂不了幾天

someone or something (especially being unpleasant) that is active now, but is ultimately doomed to fail