有緣無分

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (有緣無分):
* → Vietnamese: hữu duyên vô phận (有緣無分)

desc

→ Vietnamese: có duyên không phận (calque)

ㄧㄡˇ ㄩㄢˊ ㄨˊ ㄈㄣˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn³⁵ u³⁵ fən⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ jyːn²¹ mou̯²¹ fɐn²²/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn³⁵ u³⁵ fən⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ jyːn²¹ mou̯²¹ fɐn²²/

(of two people) to be destined to meet, but not fated to be together; not meant to be together; (in general) to be not destined for each other


無影無蹤

ㄨˊ ㄧㄥˇ ㄨˊ ㄗㄨㄥ

/u³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/


銷聲匿跡

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄕㄥ ㄋㄧˋ ㄐㄧˋ

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄕㄥ ㄋㄧˋ ㄐㄧ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ni⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ni⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ nɪk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡siɪk̚³²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡siɪk̚³²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ bi(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ ziaʔ³²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ni⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ni⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ nɪk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ bi(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ ziaʔ³²/

to keep silent and lie low; to vanish (from the public eye); to disappear from the scene


分道揚鑣

ㄈㄣ ㄉㄠˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄅㄧㄠ

фэньдаоянбяо

/fən⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ tou̯²² jœːŋ²¹ piːu̯⁵⁵/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² to²²⁻²¹ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² piau⁴⁴/

/fən⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ tou̯²² jœːŋ²¹ piːu̯⁵⁵/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² to²²⁻²¹ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² piau⁴⁴/

From the Book of Wei, chapter 14 (《魏書·神元平文諸帝子孫列傳第二》), where Emperor Xiaowen mediates between two officials arguing over their priority of passage.
:
高祖曰：「洛陽我之豐沛，自應分路揚鑣。自今以後，可分路而行。」 [Literary Chinese, trad.]高祖曰：「洛阳我之丰沛，自应分路扬镳。自今以后，可分路而行。」 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: Wei Shou, Book of Wei, 551 – 554 CE
Gāozǔ yuē: “Luòyáng wǒ zhī fēngpèi, zì yīng fēnlù yángbiāo. Zì jīn yǐhòu, kě fēnlù ér xíng.” [Pinyin]
Emperor Gaozu said: "Luoyang is my territory, you should divide the road and urge your horses on. From now on, you can go separate ways."

zh-x

高祖 曰：「洛陽 我 之 豐沛，自 應{yīng} @分路 @揚鑣。自 今 以後，可 分路 而 行。」

to take different roads and urge the horses on


望穿秋水

ㄨㄤˋ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

ванчуаньцюшуй

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɔːŋ²² t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

/baŋ³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰuan⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰiu⁴⁴⁻³³ sui⁴¹/

/baŋ³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰuan⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰiu⁴⁴⁻³³ sui⁵³/

/mɔːŋ²² t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/


奔走相告

ㄅㄣ ㄗㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄠˋ

бэньцзоусянгао

/pən⁵⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kou̯³³/

/pən⁵⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kou̯³³/


楊花水性

ㄧㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

/jɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/jœːŋ²¹ faː⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ sɪŋ³³/

/iɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ hua⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ¹¹/

/iɔŋ²³⁻³³ hua⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²¹/

/jɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/jœːŋ²¹ faː⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ sɪŋ³³/

/iɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ hua⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ¹¹/

/iɔŋ²³⁻³³ hua⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²¹/

(of a woman) frivolous; fickle; lascivious


抱得美人歸

ㄅㄠˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

бао дэ мэйжэнь гуй

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰou̯¹³ tɐk̚⁵ mei̯¹³ jɐn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰou̯¹³ tɐk̚⁵ mei̯¹³ jɐn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/


盡善盡美

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (盡善盡美):
* → Vietnamese: tận thiện tận mỹ (盡善盡美)

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄕㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄇㄟˇ

цзиньшаньцзиньмэй

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵn²² siːn²² t͡sɵn²² mei̯¹³/

/t͡sin²²⁻²¹ siɛn²²⁻²¹ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ bi⁵³/

/t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² siɛn⁴¹⁻²² t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² bi⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sin²²⁻²¹ siɛn²²⁻²¹ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ bi⁵³/

/t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ siɛn³³⁻¹¹ t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ bi⁵³/

/t͡sin³³⁻²¹ siɛn³³⁻²¹ t͡sin³³⁻²¹ bi⁴¹/

/t͡sɵn²² siːn²² t͡sɵn²² mei̯¹³/

/t͡sin²²⁻²¹ siɛn²²⁻²¹ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ bi⁵³/

/t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² siɛn⁴¹⁻²² t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² bi⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sin²²⁻²¹ siɛn²²⁻²¹ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ bi⁵³/

/t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ siɛn³³⁻¹¹ t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ bi⁵³/

/t͡sin³³⁻²¹ siɛn³³⁻²¹ t͡sin³³⁻²¹ bi⁴¹/

From the Analects, Book 3 (《論語·八佾》):
:
子謂韶，「盡美矣，又盡善也。」謂武，「盡美矣，未盡善也」。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子谓韶，「尽美矣，又尽善也。」谓武，「尽美矣，未尽善也」。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐ wèi Sháo, “jìn měi yǐ, yòu jìn shàn yě.” Wèi Wǔ, “jìn měi yǐ, wèi jìn shàn yě”. [Pinyin]
The Master said of the Shao that it was perfectly beautiful and also perfectly good. He said of the Wu that it was perfectly beautiful but not perfectly good.

zh-x

子 謂 ^韶，「@盡 @美 矣，又 @盡 @善 也。」謂 ^武，「@盡 @美 矣，未 @盡 @善 也」。

to exhaust what is good and beautiful; to be unsurpassed in goodness and beauty


雞骨支床

ㄐㄧ ㄍㄨˇ ㄓ ㄔㄨㄤˊ

цзигучжичуан

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹/

The original meaning was that, when relatives died, people would grieve excessively and become thin and weary on sleeping mats. Later used by analogy to mean that people could finish their filial duty if they attended their parents' funeral(s). Also means "very thin".


世風日下

ㄕˋ ㄈㄥ ㄖˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚² haː²²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚² haː²²/

the world's morals are worsening day by day.


瞭如指掌

ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄓˇ ㄓㄤˇ

ляожучжичжан

/li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/liːu̯²¹ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/liːu̯¹³ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/liːu̯²¹ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/liːu̯¹³ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

know like the back of one's hand
know like the back of one's hand


居安思危

цзюйаньсывэй

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹/

/kɯ³³⁻²³ ũã³³⁻²³ sɯ³³⁻²³ ŋũĩ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹/

/kɯ³³⁻²³ ũã³³⁻²³ sɯ³³⁻²³ ŋũĩ⁵⁵/

to think of danger in times of safety; to be vigilant in peacetime


和藹可親

ㄏㄜˊ ㄞˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄑㄧㄣ

/xɤ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/wɔː²¹ ɔːi̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/huo⁵³⁻³³ ai³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ kʰo³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/ho²⁴⁻¹¹ ai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰin⁴⁴/

/hɤ²³⁻³³ ai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰin⁴⁴/

/xɤ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/wɔː²¹ ɔːi̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/huo⁵³⁻³³ ai³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ kʰo³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/ho²⁴⁻¹¹ ai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰin⁴⁴/

/hɤ²³⁻³³ ai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰin⁴⁴/

老師應該是和藹可親、平易近人 [MSC, trad.]
老师应该是和蔼可亲、平易近人 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2014 November 19, 寒風, 大家談中國：老師辱罵學生，何以「素質教育」？, BBC News

Teachers should be affable and approachable

Lǎoshī yīnggāi shì hé'ǎikěqīn, píngyìjìnrén [Pinyin]


宵衣旰食

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄧ ㄍㄢˋ ㄕˊ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ kän⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ kɔːn³³ sɪk̚²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ kän⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ kɔːn³³ sɪk̚²/


日上三竿

日曬三杆
日高三丈
日出三竿
三竿日上

when the sun has already risen to as high as three poles stacked up

ㄖˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄢ

жишансаньгань

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² sœːŋ¹³ saːm⁵⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵/

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² sœːŋ¹³ saːm⁵⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵/


細思極恐

ㄒㄧˋ ㄙ ㄐㄧˊ ㄎㄨㄥˇ

/ɕi⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

細思恐極 細思恐極#Chinese

细思恐极 细思恐极#Chinese

(Mainland China, neologism, Internet slang) Alternative form of 細思恐極／细思恐极 (xìsīkǒngjí, “The more one thinks about it, the more petrified one becomes.”)


等閒之輩

ㄉㄥˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄓ ㄅㄟˋ

дэнсяньчжибэй

/tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/tɐŋ³⁵ haːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ puːi̯³³/

/tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/tɐŋ³⁵ haːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ puːi̯³³/


精蟲上腦

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄋㄠˇ

цзинчуншаннао

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sœːŋ¹³ nou̯¹³/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sœːŋ¹³ nou̯¹³/

(of a man) to lose the ability to think rationally when driven by sexual impulse


黯然神傷

ㄢˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄕㄤ

аньжаньшэньшан

anʹžanʹšɛnʹšan

/ˀän⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɐm³⁵ jiːn²¹ sɐn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɐm³⁵ jiːn²¹ sɐn²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/


無往不利

ㄨˊ ㄨㄤˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ

/u³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²²/

/bu²⁴⁻²² ɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ li²²/

/bu²⁴⁻²² ɔŋ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ li⁴¹/

/bu¹³⁻²² ɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁵ li²²/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ li³³/

/bu²³⁻³³ ɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ li³³/

/u³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²²/

/bu²⁴⁻²² ɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ li²²/

/bu²⁴⁻²² ɔŋ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ li⁴¹/

/bu¹³⁻²² ɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁵ li²²/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ li³³/

/bu²³⁻³³ ɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ li³³/


無念無想

ㄨˊ ㄋㄧㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/u³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ niːm²² mou̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

/u³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ niːm²² mou̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

(originally Buddhism) to be free from all distracting thoughts; to be in a frame of mind void of all thoughts and ideas


沽名釣譽

ㄍㄨ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄩˋ

/ku⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tiːu̯³³ jyː²²/

/ku²⁴ mi̯aŋ¹¹ ti̯au̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

/ku⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tiːu̯³³ jyː²²/

/ku²⁴ mi̯aŋ¹¹ ti̯au̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

to angle for fame; to fish for compliments


鴻雁傳書

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄢˋ ㄔㄨㄢˊ ㄕㄨ

хунъяньчуаньшу

/xʊŋ³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ ŋaːn²² t͡sʰyːn²¹ syː⁵⁵/

/xʊŋ³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ ŋaːn²² t͡sʰyːn²¹ syː⁵⁵/


忍無可忍

ㄖㄣˇ ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄖㄣˇ

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn³⁵ mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ jɐn³⁵/

/d͡zim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo¹³⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ d͡zim⁵³/

/zim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɤ²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zim⁴¹/

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn³⁵ mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ jɐn³⁵/

/d͡zim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo¹³⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ d͡zim⁵³/

/zim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɤ²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zim⁴¹/

to reach the limit of one's patience; to be unable to bear any more


執迷不悟

ㄓˊ ㄇㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ mi³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ u⁵¹/

/t͡sɐp̚⁵ mɐi̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋ̍²²/

/t͡sip̚³²⁻⁴ be²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ ŋɔ̃²²/

/t͡sip̚⁵⁻²⁴ be²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ŋɔ̃⁴¹/

/t͡sip̚³²⁻⁵ be¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ ŋɔ̃²²/

/t͡sip̚³²⁻⁴ be²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ ŋɔ̃³³/

/t͡sip̚³²⁻⁴ be²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ ŋɔ̃³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ mi³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ u⁵¹/

/t͡sɐp̚⁵ mɐi̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋ̍²²/

/t͡sip̚³²⁻⁴ be²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ ŋɔ̃²²/

/t͡sip̚⁵⁻²⁴ be²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ŋɔ̃⁴¹/

/t͡sip̚³²⁻⁵ be¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ ŋɔ̃²²/

/t͡sip̚³²⁻⁴ be²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ ŋɔ̃³³/

/t͡sip̚³²⁻⁴ be²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ ŋɔ̃³³/

to wilfully persist in going about things the wrong way; to refuse to realise one's error


耐人尋味

ㄋㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄨㄟˋ

найжэньсюньвэй

/naɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕyn³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/nɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɐm²¹ mei̯²²/

/nãi²²⁻²¹ lin²⁴⁻²² sim²⁴⁻²² bi²²/

/nãi³³⁻²¹ zin²³⁻³³ sim²³⁻³³ bi³³/

/naɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕyn³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/nɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɐm²¹ mei̯²²/

/nãi²²⁻²¹ lin²⁴⁻²² sim²⁴⁻²² bi²²/

/nãi³³⁻²¹ zin²³⁻³³ sim²³⁻³³ bi³³/

to be thought-provoking; to provide food for thought


與日俱增

ㄩˇ ㄖˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄗㄥ

юйжицзюйцзэн

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jyː¹³ jɐt̚² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jyː¹³ jɐt̚² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

to grow with each passing day; to increase steadily


不可磨滅

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄇㄛˊ ㄇㄧㄝˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mɔː²¹ miːt̚²/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ bua⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mik̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mɔː²¹ miːt̚²/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ bua⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mik̚⁴/

不可磨滅的印象／不可磨灭的印象

不可磨滅的貢獻／不可磨灭的贡献


突飛猛進

ㄊㄨ ㄈㄟ ㄇㄥˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

ㄊㄨˊ ㄈㄟ ㄇㄥˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

туфэймэнцзинь

/tʰu⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/tʰu³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/tɐt̚² fei̯⁵⁵ maːŋ¹³ t͡sɵn³³/

/tʰu⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/tʰu³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/tɐt̚² fei̯⁵⁵ maːŋ¹³ t͡sɵn³³/

社會主義制度促進了我國生產力的突飛猛進的發展，這一點，甚至連國外的敵人也不能不承認了。 [MSC, trad.]
社会主义制度促进了我国生产力的突飞猛进的发展，这一点，甚至连国外的敌人也不能不承认了。 [MSC, simp.]

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

The socialist system has promoted the rapid development of the productive forces of our country, a fact even our enemies abroad have had to acknowledge.

Shèhuì zhǔyì zhìdù cùjìn le wǒguó shēngchǎnlì de tūfēiměngjìn de fāzhǎn, zhè yī diǎn, shènzhì lián guówài de dírén yě bùnéngbù chéngrèn le. [Pinyin]


一筆一畫

ㄧ ㄅㄧˇ ㄧ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ waːk̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ waːk̚²/


鴻雁哀鳴

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄢˋ ㄞ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

хунъяньаймин

/xʊŋ³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ ŋaːn²² ɔːi̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/xʊŋ³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ ŋaːn²² ɔːi̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

(of disaster victims) living a miserable life of vagrancy


相安無事

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ siː²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ su³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² an⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² su²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ su³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ su³³/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ siː²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ su³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² an⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² su²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ su³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ an⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ su³³/


紅白大事

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄞˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄕˋ

/xʊŋ³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ paːk̚² taːi̯²² siː²²/

/xʊŋ³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ paːk̚² taːi̯²² siː²²/

Red (紅事): weddings; white (白事): funerals.

matters related to weddings and funerals


花枝招展

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄓ ㄓㄠ ㄓㄢˇ

хуачжичжаочжань

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡siːn³⁵/

/faː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡siːn³⁵/

(typically of a woman) gorgeously dressed; all dolled up; seductively dressed


魚龍混雜

fish (bad) and dragon (good) mixed together

ㄩˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄗㄚˊ

юйлунхуньцза

/y³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/jyː²¹ lʊŋ²¹ wɐn²² t͡saːp̚²/

/y³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/jyː²¹ lʊŋ²¹ wɐn²² t͡saːp̚²/

good and bad things or people being mixed together indiscriminately


好來好去

ㄏㄠˇ ㄌㄞˊ ㄏㄠˇ ㄑㄩˋ

хаолайхаоцюй

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/hou̯³⁵ lɐi̯²¹ hou̯³⁵ hɵy̯³³/

/hou̯³⁵ lei̯²¹ hou̯³⁵ hɵy̯³³/

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/hou̯³⁵ lɐi̯²¹ hou̯³⁵ hɵy̯³³/

/hou̯³⁵ lei̯²¹ hou̯³⁵ hɵy̯³³/

(now chiefly Cantonese) to begin well and end well


花天酒地

flowers in the sky, alcohol on the ground

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄉㄧˋ

хуатяньцзюди

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ tei̯²²/

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ tei̯²²/

(figurative) to indulge in sensual pleasures; to spend one's time in drinking and pleasure; life of debauchery


脈脈含情

ㄇㄛˋ ㄇㄛˋ ㄏㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ xän³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/hɐm²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ mɐk̚² mɐk̚²/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ xän³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/hɐm²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ mɐk̚² mɐk̚²/

含情脈脈 含情脈脈#Chinese

含情脉脉 含情脉脉#Chinese

Alternative form of 含情脈脈／含情脉脉 (hánqíngmòmò)


畫餅充飢

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄅㄧㄥˇ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄐㄧ

хуабинчунцзи

/xu̯ä⁵¹ piŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/waːk̚² pɛːŋ³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ piŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/waːk̚² pɛːŋ³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

Quoted from Cao Rui, from the Records of the Three Kingdoms:
:
時舉中書郎，詔曰：「得其人與否，在盧生耳。選舉莫取有名，名如畫地作餅，不可啖也。」 [Literary Chinese, trad.]时举中书郎，诏曰：「得其人与否，在卢生耳。选举莫取有名，名如画地作饼，不可啖也。」 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms, circa 3ʳᵈ century CE
Shí jǔ zhōngshūláng, zhào yuē: “Dé qí rén yǔ fǒu, zài Lúshēng ěr. Xuǎnjǔ mò qǔ yǒumíng, míng rú huàdì zuò bǐng, bùkě dàn yě.” [Pinyin]
At that time the Emperor of Wei was hiring the Central Secretary. He issued an edict to Lu Yu: “Whether we can hire the person depends on you. Please do not pick those who only have fame [but without talent]. Fame is just like a flatbread drawn on the ground, you cannot eat it.”

時 舉 中書郎 ， 詔 曰 ：「 得 其 人 與 否 ，在 ^@盧生 耳 。 選舉 莫 取 有名 ， 名 如 畫地 作 餅 ， 不可 啖 也 。」

At that time the Emperor of Wei was hiring the Central Secretary. He issued an edict to Lu Yu: “Whether we can hire the person depends on you. Please do not pick those who only have fame 􂀿but without talent􂁀. Fame is just like a flatbread drawn on the ground, you cannot eat it.”

to draw a flatbread to allay one's hunger

(figurative) to feed on illusions; (of something attractive-looking) to be of no actual use; like a pie in the sky

Cao Rui
Records of the Three Kingdoms
zh:盧毓


千秋萬代

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄨㄢˋ ㄉㄞˋ

цяньцюваньдай

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ maːn²² tɔːi̯²²/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ maːn²² tɔːi̯²²/

generation after generation; for generations to come


騎虎難下

ride a tiger and find it difficult to dismount

ㄑㄧˊ ㄏㄨˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kʰɛː²¹ fuː³⁵ naːn²¹ haː²²/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kʰɛː²¹ fuː³⁵ naːn²¹ haː²²/

(figurative) to get into a situation where both proceeding forward and backing down are difficult


婚喪嫁娶

ㄏㄨㄣ ㄙㄤ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄩˇ

хуньсанцзяцюй

/xu̯ən⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐn⁵⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kaː³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐn⁵⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kaː³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/

marriages and funerals (generally speaking)


心力交瘁

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄘㄨㄟˋ

синьлицзяоцуй

/ɕin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɪk̚² kaːu̯⁵⁵ sɵy̯²²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² kau⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰui¹¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² kau⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰui²¹/

/ɕin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɪk̚² kaːu̯⁵⁵ sɵy̯²²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² kau⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰui¹¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² kau⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰui²¹/


天不假年

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

тяньбуцзянянь

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kaː³⁵ niːn²¹/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kaː³⁵ niːn²¹/


性命攸關

ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄧㄡ ㄍㄨㄢ

синминъюгуань

/ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ³³ mɪŋ²² jɐu̯²¹ kʷaːn⁵⁵/

/ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ³³ mɪŋ²² jɐu̯²¹ kʷaːn⁵⁵/


大魚大肉

ㄉㄚˋ ㄩˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄖㄡˋ

/tä⁵¹ y³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² jyː²¹ taːi̯²² jʊk̚²/

/tä⁵¹ y³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² jyː²¹ taːi̯²² jʊk̚²/

dish with generous amounts of meat and fish; lavish meal


三天兩頭

ㄙㄢ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄊㄡˊ

саньтяньлянтоу

/sän⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

ㄙㄢ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄊㄡˊㄦ

саньтяньлянтоур

/sän⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɤʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵/

/saːm⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/sän⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/sän⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɤʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵/

/saːm⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹/

every two or three days (something bad happens); almost everyday


日行一善

ㄖˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄧ ㄕㄢˋ

/ʐ̩⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² hɐŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ siːn²²/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² hɐŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ siːn²²/

to do a good deed every day; to do a good turn daily


善解人意

ㄕㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧˋ

шаньцзежэньи

/ʂän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ i⁵¹/

/siːn²² kaːi̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː³³/

/ʂän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ i⁵¹/

/siːn²² kaːi̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː³³/


與時俱進

ㄩˇ ㄕˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

юйшицзюйцзинь

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ siː²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³³/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ siː²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³³/

to move with the times; to keep abreast of current developments


與虎謀皮

ㄩˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄇㄡˊ ㄆㄧˊ

/y²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ moʊ̯³⁵ pʰi³⁵/

/jyː¹³ fuː³⁵ mɐu̯²¹ pʰei̯²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ moʊ̯³⁵ pʰi³⁵/

/jyː¹³ fuː³⁵ mɐu̯²¹ pʰei̯²¹/

Originally 與狐謀皮／与狐谋皮 (yǔhúmóupí, “to ask a fox for its skin”). See the entry for details.
狐 (hú, “fox”) was replaced with 虎 (“tiger”) because the two characters have similar pronunciation. In addition, tiger is a fierce animal, making this form reflecting the meaning more.

zh-l

to request others (usually bad people) for something against their interests (which is impossible)


鰥寡孤獨

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄍㄨ ㄉㄨˊ

гуаньгуагуду

/ku̯än⁵⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵⁵ tu³⁵/

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ kuː⁵⁵ tʊk̚²/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵⁵ tu³⁵/

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ kuː⁵⁵ tʊk̚²/

From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王下》):
:
老而無妻曰鰥，老而無夫曰寡，老而無子曰獨，幼而無父曰孤。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]老而无妻曰鳏，老而无夫曰寡，老而无子曰独，幼而无父曰孤。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Lǎo ér wú qī yuē guān, lǎo ér wú fū yuē guǎ, lǎo ér wú zǐ yuē dú, yòu ér wú fù yuē gū. [Pinyin]
There were the old and wifeless, or widowers; the old and husbandless, or widows; the old and childless, or solitaries; the young and fatherless, or orphans

zh-x

老 而 無 妻 曰 @鰥，老 而 無 夫 曰 @寡，老 而 無 子 曰 @獨，幼 而 無 父 曰 @孤。


與生俱來

ㄩˇ ㄕㄥ ㄐㄩˋ ㄌㄞˊ

юйшэнцзюйлай

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/jyː¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ lai²⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siɪŋ³³ ku⁴¹⁻²² lai²⁴/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ lai¹³/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻¹¹ lai²⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻²¹ lai²³/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/jyː¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ lai²⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siɪŋ³³ ku⁴¹⁻²² lai²⁴/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ lai¹³/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻¹¹ lai²⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻²¹ lai²³/

existing since birth; innate; inborn; inherent


多事之秋

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄕˋ ㄓ ㄑㄧㄡ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/tɔː⁵⁵ siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/tɔː⁵⁵ siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/


望洋興嘆

ㄨㄤˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄊㄢˋ

ванъянсинтань

/wɑŋ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² jœːŋ²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰaːn³³/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² jœːŋ²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰaːn³³/

From the book Zhuangzi.
於是焉河伯始旋其面目，望洋向若而歎。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]于是焉河伯始旋其面目，望洋向若而叹。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yúshì yān Hébó shǐ xuán qí miànmù, wàngyáng xiàng Ruò ér tàn. [Pinyin]
Then he began to turn his face round, looked across the expanse, as if he were confronting Ruo, and said with a sigh.

於是 焉 ^河伯 始 旋 其 面-目，@望洋 向 ^若 而 @歎。

to lament one's littleness in face of something vast and great; to feel powerless in face of a great task


一言難盡

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

ияньнаньцзинь

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ nän³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ naːn²¹ t͡sɵn²²/

/iɪʔ³³ ɦi⁴⁴ ne²² ʑin⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ nän³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ naːn²¹ t͡sɵn²²/

/iɪʔ³³ ɦi⁴⁴ ne²² ʑin⁴⁴/

(of complicated matters) to be hard to explain in a few words; there is a lot to say; it's a long story


一言兩句

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄐㄩˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ lœːŋ¹³ kɵy̯³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ lœːŋ¹³ kɵy̯³³/


一言一語

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³/


各執己見

ㄍㄜˋ ㄓˊ ㄐㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

гэчжицзицзянь

/kɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sɐp̚⁵ kei̯³⁵ kiːn³³/

/kɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sɐp̚⁵ kei̯³⁵ kiːn³³/


一言半語

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄩˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ puːn³³ jyː¹³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ puːn³³ jyː¹³/


暢所欲言

ㄔㄤˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄩˋ ㄧㄢˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ³³ sɔː³⁵ jʊk̚² jiːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ³³ sɔː³⁵ jʊk̚² jiːn²¹/

論壇給了大家一個各抒己見、暢所欲言的機會。 [MSC, trad.]
论坛给了大家一个各抒己见、畅所欲言的机会。 [MSC, simp.]

The forum gave everyone an opportunity to express their opinions and speak freely.

Lùntán gěi le dàjiā yīge gèshūjǐjiàn, chàngsuǒyùyán de jīhuì. [Pinyin]

to speak freely; to say freely what one wants to say


各抒己見

ㄍㄜˋ ㄕㄨ ㄐㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

гэшуцзицзянь

/kɤ⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ syː⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵ kiːn³³/

/kɤ⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ syː⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵ kiːn³³/


一言立信

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ lɐp̚² sɵn³³/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ laːp̚² sɵn³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ lɐp̚² sɵn³³/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ laːp̚² sɵn³³/

to establish one's reputation with a single word (statement)


一字一句

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯³³/

一字一句地說／一字一句地说


一言僨事

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄣˋ ㄕˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ fɐn¹³ siː²²/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ fɐn³³ siː²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ fɐn¹³ siː²²/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ fɐn³³ siː²²/

一家仁，一國興仁；一家讓，一國興讓；一人貪戾，一國作亂。其機如此。此謂一言僨事，一人定國。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
一家仁，一国兴仁；一家让，一国兴让；一人贪戾，一国作乱。其机如此。此谓一言偾事，一人定国。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From the loving example of one family a whole state becomes loving, and from its courtesies the whole state becomes courteous while, from the ambition and perverseness of the One man, the whole state may be led to rebellious disorder; – such is the nature of the influence. This verifies the saying, "Affairs may be ruined by a single sentence; a kingdom may be settled by its One man."

From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Yījiā rén, yīguó xīng rén; yījiā ràng, yīguó xīng ràng; yīrén tānlì, yīguó zuòluàn. Qí jī rúcǐ. Cǐ wèi yīyán fèn shì, yīrén dìng guó. [Pinyin]


直言不諱

ㄓˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

чжияньбухуэй

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯¹³/

call a spade a spade
call a spade a spade

to call a spade a spade; to speak without reservation; not to mince one's words


無濟於事

ㄨˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄩˊ ㄕˋ

/u³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ jyː⁵⁵ siː²²/

/u³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ jyː⁵⁵ siː²²/

to no avail; of no use; does not help the matter


一言半句

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄐㄩˋ

ияньбаньцзюй

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ puːn³³ kɵy̯³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ puːn³³ kɵy̯³³/

一言半語 一言半語#Chinese

一言半语 一言半语#Chinese

Synonym of 一言半語／一言半语 (yīyánbànyǔ, “a few words”)


眾說紛紜

众说纷纭
衆說紛紜
眾説紛紜

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄈㄣ ㄩㄣˊ

чжуншофэньюнь

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ yn³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ syːt̚³ fɐn⁵⁵ wɐn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ yn³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ syːt̚³ fɐn⁵⁵ wɐn²¹/


情不自禁

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

цинбуцзыцзинь

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² kɐm³³/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡su²²⁻²¹ kim²¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² kɐm³³/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡su²²⁻²¹ kim²¹/

我情不自禁地哭了起來。 [MSC, trad.]
我情不自禁地哭了起来。 [MSC, simp.]

cannot hold back one's emotion; can't help


眾口一詞

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄧ ㄘˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ hɐu̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ hɐu̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/


莫衷一是

ㄇㄛˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧ ㄕˋ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mɔːk̚² t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siː²²/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ si²²/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mɔːk̚² t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siː²²/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ si²²/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³/

cannot decide which is right; unable to reach a unanimous conclusion


深信不疑

ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˊ

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ i³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ i³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹/

我對那人說的話深信不疑。 [MSC, trad.]
我对那人说的话深信不疑。 [MSC, simp.]

I firmly believe in / have no doubt about what that person says.

Wǒ duì nà rén shuō de huà shēnxìnbùyí. [Pinyin]


情有可原

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄩㄢˊ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ hɔː³⁵ jyːn²¹/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡuan²⁴/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ɡuan²⁴/

/t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡuan¹³/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡuan²⁴/

/t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡuan²³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ hɔː³⁵ jyːn²¹/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡuan²⁴/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ɡuan²⁴/

/t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡuan¹³/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡuan²⁴/

/t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡuan²³/


比比皆是

ㄅㄧˇ ㄅㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄕˋ

ㄅㄧˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄕˋ

/pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pei̯³³ pei̯³³ kaːi̯⁵⁵ siː²²/

/pei̯³⁵ pei̯³⁵ kaːi̯⁵⁵ siː²²/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻²² si²²/

/pi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kai³³ si⁴¹/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻²² si²²/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ si³³/

/pi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ si³³/

/pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pei̯³³ pei̯³³ kaːi̯⁵⁵ siː²²/

/pei̯³⁵ pei̯³⁵ kaːi̯⁵⁵ siː²²/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻²² si²²/

/pi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kai³³ si⁴¹/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻²² si²²/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ si³³/

/pi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ si³³/


無所不在

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (無所不在):
* → Korean: 무소부재(無所不在) (musobujae)

ㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄞˋ

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²²/

/bu²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai²²/

/bu²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai³³/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai³³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai³³/

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²²/

/bu²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai²²/

/bu²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai³³/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai³³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai³³/

ubiquitous; omnipresent; to be everywhere


打情罵俏

ㄉㄚˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄚˋ ㄑㄧㄠˋ

/tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ mä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/taː³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ maː²² t͡sʰiːu̯³³/

/tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ mä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/taː³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ maː²² t͡sʰiːu̯³³/

to exchange flirtatious banter with each other; to flirt


大權在握

ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄨㄛˋ

дацюаньцзайво

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɔ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kʰyːn²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² aːk̚⁵/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɔ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kʰyːn²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² aːk̚⁵/

to have (hold) great power in one's hands; to be in a position of power


謹小慎微

ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄣˋ ㄨㄟ

ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄣˋ ㄨㄟˊ

цзиньсяошэньвэй

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐn³⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɐn²² mei̯²¹/

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐn³⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɐn²² mei̯²¹/


聲名鵲起

ㄕㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄑㄧˇ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːk̚³ hei̯³⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sœːk̚³ hei̯³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːk̚³ hei̯³⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sœːk̚³ hei̯³⁵/


苦不堪言

ㄎㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄧㄢˊ

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/


連篇累牘

ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄌㄟˇ ㄉㄨˊ

ляньпяньлэйду

/li̯ɛn³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵/

/liːn²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ tʊk̚²/

/li̯ɛn³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵/

/liːn²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ tʊk̚²/

(of a piece of writing) lengthy; tedious; verbose


漠不關心

ㄇㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ

мобугуаньсинь

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/mɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/mɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/


油然而生

ㄧㄡˊ ㄖㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄕㄥ

/joʊ̯³⁵ ʐän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jiːn²¹ jiː²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯³⁵ ʐän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jiːn²¹ jiː²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

(of a thought, feeling, emotion, etc.) to arise spontaneously


如日中天

ㄖㄨˊ ㄖˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄊㄧㄢ

жужичжунтянь

/ʐu³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jɐt̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/zu²³⁻³³ zit̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰĩ⁴⁴/

/zi²³⁻³³ zit̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰĩ⁴⁴/

/ʐu³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jɐt̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/zu²³⁻³³ zit̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰĩ⁴⁴/

/zi²³⁻³³ zit̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰĩ⁴⁴/

at the height of prosperity or power; at its zenith


視若無睹

ㄕˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄉㄨˇ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siː²² jœːk̚² mou̯²¹ tou̯³⁵/

/si²²⁻²¹ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² bu²⁴⁻²² tɔ⁵³/

/si³³⁻²¹ ziɔk̚⁴⁻³² bɤ²³⁻³³ tɔ⁴¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siː²² jœːk̚² mou̯²¹ tou̯³⁵/

/si²²⁻²¹ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² bu²⁴⁻²² tɔ⁵³/

/si³³⁻²¹ ziɔk̚⁴⁻³² bɤ²³⁻³³ tɔ⁴¹/


生不如死

ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄙˇ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ sei̯³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ sei̯³⁵/

would rather be dead than alive; living hell


海不揚波

ㄏㄞˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄅㄛ

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ²¹ pɔː⁵⁵/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ²¹ pɔː⁵⁵/

calm and tranquil; peaceful and carefree


家傳戶曉

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄔㄨㄢˊ ㄏㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄠˇ

цзячуаньхусяо

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵ xu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹ wuː²² hiːu̯³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹ wuː²² hiːu̯³⁵/

known to every household; ubiquitously known; widespread; extremely well-known


咬牙切齒

ㄧㄠˇ ㄧㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄔˇ

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋaːu̯¹³ ŋaː²¹ t͡sʰiːt̚³ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/ka³⁵⁻¹¹ ɡe⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiak̚²⁻⁴ kʰi⁵²⁻²¹/

/ŋaːu̯¹³ ŋaː²¹ t͡sʰiːt̚³ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/ka³⁵⁻¹¹ ɡe⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiak̚²⁻⁴ kʰi⁵²⁻²¹/


自娛自樂

ㄗˋ ㄩˊ ㄗˋ ㄌㄜˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ y³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɤ⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² jyː²¹ t͡siː²² lɔːk̚²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ y³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɤ⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² jyː²¹ t͡siː²² lɔːk̚²/

娛樂／娱乐 (yúlè, “to entertain”) augmented with 自 (zì, “self”).

to entertain oneself; to amuse oneself; to have fun on one's own; to goof off


天理難容

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

тяньлинаньжун

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³ naːn²¹ jʊŋ²¹/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³ naːn²¹ jʊŋ²¹/

此人不紅，天理難容！ [MSC, trad.]
此人不红，天理难容！ [MSC, simp.]

This guy not becoming famous in the future, is something intolerable by the course of nature. (rhyming slang, humorous)

Cǐrén bù hóng, tiānlǐ nán róng! [Pinyin]

providence would not forgive (something); Heaven will not tolerate (if something happens or does not happen)


血流漂杵

enough blood flowing to float wooden clubs

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄔㄨˇ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄔㄨˇ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄔㄨˇ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyː³⁵/

/hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

/hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyː³⁵/

/hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

rivers of blood (on the battlefield); blood bath


深山幽谷

ㄕㄣ ㄕㄢ ㄧㄡ ㄍㄨˇ

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵ kʊk̚⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵ kʊk̚⁵/


深山窮谷

ㄕㄣ ㄕㄢ ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄍㄨˇ

шэньшаньцюнгу

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹ kʊk̚⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹ kʊk̚⁵/


下喬木入幽谷

ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧㄠˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄖㄨˋ ㄧㄡ ㄍㄨˇ

ся цяому жу югу

/ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/haː²² kʰiːu̯²¹ mʊk̚² jɐp̚² jɐu̯⁵⁵ kʊk̚⁵/

to forsake light for darkness; to go from a good situation into a bad one


趨之若鶩

ㄑㄩ ㄓ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄨˋ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jœːk̚² mou̯²²/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jœːk̚² mou̯²²/

(figurative, derogatory) to go after something like a flock of ducks; to scramble for something


無親無故

ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨˋ

/u³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ kuː³³/

/u³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ kuː³³/


雞飛蛋打

the chicken has flown the coop and the eggs are broken

ㄐㄧ ㄈㄟ ㄉㄢˋ ㄉㄚˇ

цзифэйданьда

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ tän⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ taːn²²⁻³⁵ taː³⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ tän⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ taːn²²⁻³⁵ taː³⁵/

(figurative) everything is lost; a dead loss


情何以堪

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄏㄜˊ ㄧˇ ㄎㄢ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ hɔː²¹ jiː¹³ hɐm⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ hɔː²¹ jiː¹³ hɐm⁵⁵/

你讓我情何以堪？ [MSC, trad.]
你让我情何以堪？ [MSC, simp.]

How did you expect me to take it? / Did you think of me at all?

how can someone stand it emotionally? how can something be endured?


答非所問

ㄉㄚˊ ㄈㄟ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄣˋ

/tä³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən⁵¹/

/taːp̚³ fei̯⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ mɐn²²/

/tä³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən⁵¹/

/taːp̚³ fei̯⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ mɐn²²/

to give an irrelevant answer to a question


耳鬢廝磨

ㄦˇ ㄅㄧㄣˋ ㄙ ㄇㄛˊ

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ pɐn³³ siː⁵⁵ mɔː²¹/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ pɐn³³ siː⁵⁵ mɔː²¹/

(one's) ear rubbing (the other's) hair at the temple

(of a boy and a girl) to have a close childhood relationship; (of a couple) very intimate; deeply in love


自投羅網

ㄗˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄨㄤˇ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² tʰɐu̯²¹ lɔː²¹ mɔːŋ¹³/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² tʰɐu̯²¹ lɔː²¹ mɔːŋ¹³/

to hurl oneself willingly or involuntarily into the net; to walk or fall into a trap


坐地起價

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄑㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄚˋ

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄑㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄚˋㄦ

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑɻ⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² tei̯²² hei̯³⁵ kaː³³/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² tei̯²² hei̯³⁵ kaː³³/

to raise the price at the transaction location


丟人現眼

ㄉㄧㄡ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄢˇ

дюжэньсяньянь

/ti̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jiːn²² ŋaːn¹³/

/ti̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jiːn²² ŋaːn¹³/

to make a fool of oneself; to make oneself lose face


庸脂俗粉

ㄩㄥ ㄓ ㄙㄨˊ ㄈㄣˇ

/jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su³⁵ fən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² fɐn³⁵/

/jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su³⁵ fən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² fɐn³⁵/

ordinary, unrefined women who adorn themselves with cheap face powder


假冒偽劣

ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄇㄠˋ ㄨㄟˇ ㄌㄧㄝˋ

ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄇㄠˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄌㄧㄝˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄇㄠˋㄦ ㄨㄟˇ ㄌㄧㄝˋ

цзямаорвэйле

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ maʊ̯ɻʷ⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/kaː³⁵ mou̯²² ŋɐi̯²² lyːt̚³/

/kaː³⁵ mou̯²² ŋɐi̯²² lyːt̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/kaː³⁵ mou̯²² ŋɐi̯²² lyːt̚³/

/kaː³⁵ mou̯²² ŋɐi̯²² lyːt̚²/

假冒偽劣產品／假冒伪劣产品

打擊假冒偽劣／打击假冒伪劣

to crack down on counterfeit and low-quality (goods)

fake, forged, counterfeit and poor-quality; counterfeit and shoddy (generally speaking)


大跌眼鏡

ㄉㄚˋ ㄉㄧㄝ ㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄉㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/tä⁵¹ ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/tä⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² tiːt̚³ ŋaːn¹³ kɛːŋ³³⁻³⁵/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ tiak̚²⁻⁴ ŋaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ keŋ²¹³/

/tä⁵¹ ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/tä⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² tiːt̚³ ŋaːn¹³ kɛːŋ³³⁻³⁵/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ tiak̚²⁻⁴ ŋaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ keŋ²¹³/

Literally “to suddenly drop one's eyeglasses”; said to be in reference to earlier, loosely-fitted glasses which fell off easily.

(figurative) to have one's jaws drop (often in a bad way); to be greatly surprised or astonished; to be dumbfounded


擦肩而過

ㄘㄚ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/t͡sʰä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːt̚³ kiːn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ kʷɔː³³/

/t͡sʰä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːt̚³ kiːn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ kʷɔː³³/

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


飲彈自盡

ㄧㄣˇ ㄉㄢˋ ㄗˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

иньданьцзыцзинь

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐm³⁵ taːn²² t͡siː²² t͡sɵn²²/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐm³⁵ taːn²² t͡siː²² t͡sɵn²²/

to commit suicide by shooting oneself in the back of the throat


同臺競技

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄞˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧˋ

тунтайцзинцзи

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ tʰɔːi̯²¹ kɪŋ²² kei̯²²/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ tʰɔːi̯²¹ kɪŋ²² kei̯²²/


惱羞成怒

ㄋㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄔㄥˊ ㄋㄨˋ

/nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ nu⁵¹/

/nou̯¹³ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ nou̯²²/

/nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ nu⁵¹/

/nou̯¹³ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ nou̯²²/


小作怡情

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄗㄨㄛ ㄧˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵⁵ i³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵⁵ i³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

Built on the existing 小酌怡情 (xiǎozhuóyíqíng, “drinking a small amount of alcohol keeps the mood light”), using the similar-sounding slang term 作 (zuō, “high-maintenance; pretentious; etc.”).

zh-l

(neologism) being “moderately high-maintenance” (i.e. affected and drama queen-like, yet coquettish) keeps the love relationship fun


長幼尊卑

ㄓㄤˇ ㄧㄡˋ ㄗㄨㄣ ㄅㄟ

чжанъюцзуньбэй

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ³⁵ jɐu̯³³ t͡syːn⁵⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ³⁵ jɐu̯³³ t͡syːn⁵⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/

From the Book of Rites:
為人君者謹其所好惡而已矣。君好之，則臣為之。上行之，則民從之。詩云誘民孔易，此之謂也。然後，聖人作為鞉、鼓、椌、楬、塤、篪，此六者德音之音也。然後鐘磬竽瑟以和之，干戚旄狄以舞之，此所以祭先王之廟也，所以獻酬酳酢也，所以官序貴賤各得其宜也，所以示後世有尊卑長幼之序也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]为人君者谨其所好恶而已矣。君好之，则臣为之。上行之，则民从之。诗云诱民孔易，此之谓也。然后，圣人作为鞉、鼓、椌、楬、埙、篪，此六者德音之音也。然后钟磬竽瑟以和之，干戚旄狄以舞之，此所以祭先王之庙也，所以献酬酳酢也，所以官序贵贱各得其宜也，所以示后世有尊卑长幼之序也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE
Wèi rén jūnzhě jǐn qí suǒ hǎo'è éryǐ yǐ. Jūn hǎo zhī, zé chén wèi zhī. Shàng xíng zhī, zé mín cóng zhī. Shī yún yòu mín kǒng yì, cǐ zhī wèi yě. Ránhòu, shèngrén zuòwèi 鞉, gǔ, 椌, 楬, xūn, chí, cǐ liùzhě dé yīn zhī yīn yě. Ránhòu zhōng qìng yú sè yǐ hé zhī, gān qī máo dí yǐ wǔ zhī, cǐ suǒyǐ jì xiān wáng zhī miào yě, suǒyǐ xiàn chóu yìn zuò yě, suǒyǐ guān xù guì jiàn gè dé qí yí yě, suǒyǐ shì hòushì yǒu zūnbēichángyòu zhī xù yě. [Pinyin]
'A ruler has only to be careful of what he likes and dislikes. What the ruler likes, his ministers will practise; and what superiors do, their inferiors follow. This is the sentiment in the Book of Poetry (III, ii, ode 10, 6), "To lead the people is very easy." Seeing this, and after (the repose of the people was secured), the sages made hand-drums and drums, the stopper and the starter, the earthen whistle and the bamboo flute - the six instruments which produced the sounds of their virtuous airs. After these came the bell, the sounding-stone, the organ with thirty-six pipes, and the large lute, to be played in harmony with them; the shields, axes, ox-tails, and plumes, brandished by the pantomimes in time and tune. These they employed at the sacrifices in the temple of the former kings, at festivals in offering and receiving the pledge cup; in arranging the services of officers (in the temple) according to the rank due to each, as noble or mean, and in showing to future ages how they observed the order due to rank and to age.

zh-x

為 人 君-者 謹 其 所 好惡 而已 矣。君 好 之，則 臣 為 之。上 行 之，則 民 從 之。詩 云 誘 民 孔 易，此 之 謂 也。然後，聖人 作為 鞉、鼓、椌、楬、塤、篪，此 六-者 德 音 之 音 也。然後 鐘 磬 竽 瑟 以 和 之，干 戚 旄 狄 以 舞 之，此 所以 祭 先 王 之 廟 也，所以 獻 酬 酳 酢 也，所以 官 序 貴 賤 各 得 其 宜 也，所以 示 後世 有 尊卑長幼 之 序 也。

old and young, high and low; senior and junior; seniority rules


小酌怡情

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄧˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ i³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/siːu̯³⁵ t͡sœːk̚³ jiː²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ i³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/siːu̯³⁵ t͡sœːk̚³ jiː²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

drinking a small amount of alcohol keeps the mood light


笑不露齒

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄔˇ

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄡˋ ㄔˇ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ loʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːu̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːu̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² t͡sʰiː³⁵/


含辛茹苦

ㄏㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄖㄨˊ ㄎㄨˇ

ханьсиньжуку

/xän³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐm²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ fuː³⁵/

/ham⁵⁵⁻¹¹ siŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰou⁵²/

/xän³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐm²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ fuː³⁵/

/ham⁵⁵⁻¹¹ siŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰou⁵²/

to suffer untold hardships (to bring up one's child); to endure sufferings


滴酒不沾

ㄉㄧ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄢ

дицзюбучжань

/ti⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵⁵/

/tɪk̚² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːm⁵⁵/

/ti⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵⁵/

/tɪk̚² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːm⁵⁵/

to never touch a drop of alcohol; to abstain from drinking; to be strictly teetotal


名利雙收

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄕㄡ

минлишуаншоу

/miŋ³⁵ li⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ lei̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵/

/miŋ³⁵ li⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ lei̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵/


口不擇言

ㄎㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄜˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² jiːn²¹/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² jiːn²¹/

to talk indiscreetly; to talk recklessly


凶多吉少

ㄒㄩㄥ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄐㄧˊ ㄕㄠˇ

/ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ kɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

/ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ kɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

to be more ominous than propitious; fraught with grim possibilities


靈丹妙藥

ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄢ ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄧㄠˋ

линданьмяояо

/liŋ³⁵ tän⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ taːn⁵⁵ miːu̯²² jœːk̚²/

/liŋ³⁵ tän⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ taːn⁵⁵ miːu̯²² jœːk̚²/


雙管齊下

ㄕㄨㄤ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

шуангуаньцися

/ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ kuːn³⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ haː²²/

/sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² kuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡se²⁴⁻²² ha²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻²² kuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡se²⁴⁻²² ha²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ kuan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡se²³⁻³³ ha³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ kuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sue²⁴⁻¹¹ ha³³/

/ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ kuːn³⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ haː²²/

/sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² kuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡se²⁴⁻²² ha²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻²² kuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡se²⁴⁻²² ha²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ kuan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡se²³⁻³³ ha³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ kuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sue²⁴⁻¹¹ ha³³/

From the story of Tang-dynasty painter Zhang Zao (張璪), recorded in Tu hua jian wen zhi (《圖畫見聞志》), written by Guo Ruoxu (郭若虛) during the Song dynasty.

to paint a picture with two brushes at the same time

to use a two-pronged approach; to work along both lines simultaneously


緊鑼密鼓

ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄇㄧˋ ㄍㄨˇ

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ɔ³⁵ mi⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐn³⁵ lɔː²¹ mɐt̚² kuː³⁵/

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ɔ³⁵ mi⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐn³⁵ lɔː²¹ mɐt̚² kuː³⁵/

to carry out an intense publicity campaign


掉以輕心

ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄧˇ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄣ

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯²² jiː¹³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/tio²²⁻²¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴/

/tio⁴¹⁻²² i⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰin³³ sim³³/

/tio²²⁻²¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴/

/tio³³⁻¹¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴/

/tiɤ³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴/

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯²² jiː¹³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/tio²²⁻²¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴/

/tio⁴¹⁻²² i⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰin³³ sim³³/

/tio²²⁻²¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴/

/tio³³⁻¹¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴/

/tiɤ³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴/

to lower one's guard; to relax one's vigilance; to treat something lightly


密鑼緊鼓

ㄇㄧˋ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄍㄨˇ

/mi⁵¹ lu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐt̚² lɔː²¹ kɐn³⁵ kuː³⁵/

/mi⁵¹ lu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐt̚² lɔː²¹ kɐn³⁵ kuː³⁵/

緊鑼密鼓 緊鑼密鼓#Chinese

紧锣密鼓 紧锣密鼓#Chinese

Alternative form of 緊鑼密鼓／紧锣密鼓 (jǐnluómìgǔ)


大雨傾盆

ㄉㄚˋ ㄩˇ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄆㄣˊ

/tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ pʰən³⁵/

/taːi̯²² jyː¹³ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ pʰuːn²¹/

/tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ pʰən³⁵/

/taːi̯²² jyː¹³ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ pʰuːn²¹/

傾盆大雨 傾盆大雨#Chinese

倾盆大雨 倾盆大雨#Chinese

Alternative form of 傾盆大雨／倾盆大雨 (qīngpéndàyǔ)


不知妻美

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄑㄧ ㄇㄟˇ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ mei̯¹³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ mei̯¹³/

(neologism) to not realise the beauty of one's wife (usually said of Liu Qiangdong)


熙熙攘攘

ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧ ㄖㄤˇ ㄖㄤˇ

ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧ ㄖㄤˊ ㄖㄤˊ

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵/

/hei̯⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ¹³ jœːŋ¹³/

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵/

/hei̯⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ¹³ jœːŋ¹³/

From the Records of the Grand Historian.

(ideophonic) bustling with activity; hustling and bustling


尋芳問柳

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄈㄤ ㄨㄣˋ ㄌㄧㄡˇ

сюньфанвэньлю

/ɕyn³⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ wən⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²² lɐu̯¹³/

/ɕyn³⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ wən⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ mɐn²² lɐu̯¹³/

to visit prostitutes; to frequent brothels


萬人空巷

ten thousand people (turning out to the event, and) alleyways are empty

ㄨㄢˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

ваньжэнькунсян

/wän⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/maːn²² jɐn²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ hɔːŋ²²/

/wän⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/maːn²² jɐn²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ hɔːŋ²²/

the whole town turns out to (an event); all of the people in a place have turned out to (an event)


大差不差

ㄉㄚˋ ㄔㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄚˋ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹/

(originally dialectal Mandarin, now slang) roughly the same; about the same; not far off


惻隱之心

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (惻隱之心):
* → Korean: 측은지심(惻隱之心) (cheugeunjisim)

ㄘㄜˋ ㄧㄣˇ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄣ

цэиньчжисинь

/t͡sʰɤ⁵¹ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɐk̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰaːk̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɤ⁵¹ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɐk̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰaːk̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

From Mencius (《孟子·公孫丑上》):
:
所以謂人皆有不忍人之心者，今人乍見孺子將入於井，皆有怵惕惻隱之心。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]所以谓人皆有不忍人之心者，今人乍见孺子将入于井，皆有怵惕恻隐之心。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Suǒyǐ wèi rén jiē yǒu bù rěn rén zhī xīn zhě, jīn rén zhà jiàn rúzǐ jiāng rù yú jǐng, jiē yǒu chùtì cèyǐn zhī xīn. [Pinyin]
When I say that all men have a mind which cannot bear to see the sufferings of others, my meaning may be illustrated thus: even now-a-days, if men suddenly see a child about to fall into a well, they will without exception experience a feeling of alarm and distress.

zh-x

所以 謂 人 皆 有 不 忍 人 之 心 者，今 人 乍 見 孺子 將 入 於 井，皆 有 怵惕 惻隱.之.心。

feeling of compassion; heart of sympathy


良師益友

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄕ ㄧˋ ㄧㄡˇ

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵ jɪk̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵ jɪk̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³/


狗屁不通

ㄍㄡˇ ㄆㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥ

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ pʰei̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ pʰei̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

已閱，狗屁不通！大字報在地上貼就行了，不要發到天上去。 [MSC, trad.]
已阅，狗屁不通！大字报在地上贴就行了，不要发到天上去。 [MSC, simp.]

Read. This is bullshit! Putting up dazibao on the ground is enough. Don't send it into space.

Yǐ yuè, gǒupìbùtōng! Dàzìbào zài dìshàng tiē jiù xíng le, bùyào fā dào tiānshàng qù. [Pinyin]

(figurative, vulgar) incoherent; nonsensical; bullshit


冤家路窄

ㄩㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄨˋ ㄓㄞˇ

юаньцзялучжай

/ɥɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɥɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

much as one wants to, one cannot avoid one's enemy


狹路相逢

ㄒㄧㄚˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄈㄥˊ

/ɕi̯ä³⁵ lu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ³⁵/

/haːp̚² lou̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ²¹/

/ɕi̯ä³⁵ lu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ³⁵/

/haːp̚² lou̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ²¹/

From “Xiang Feng Xing” (《相逢行》), a yuefu poem of the Han dynasty.


魚水之歡

ㄩˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄓ ㄏㄨㄢ

юйшуйчжихуань

/y³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/

/y³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/

This idiom is from the Yuan-dynasty play Romance of the Western Chamber, although the metaphor itself existed long prior to that.

the pleasure between fish and water; the pleasure of fishes in water

(euphemistic, figurative) the pleasure of close intimacy between a couple; (the pleasure of) sexual intercourse; harmonious and joyous life of a married couple

Romance of the Western Chamber
Yuan dynasty


七手八腳

七手八脚
七手八跤
七手八骹

ㄑㄧ ㄕㄡˇ ㄅㄚ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄑㄧ ㄕㄡˇ ㄅㄚ ㄐㄧㄠˇㄦ

цишоубацзяор

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ paːt̚³ kœːk̚³/

/t͡sʰit̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pue(ʔ)⁵ kʰa³³/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pue(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kʰa⁴⁴/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pe(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kʰa⁴⁴/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pe(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ paːt̚³ kœːk̚³/

with many people lending a hand; chaotically


殘花敗柳

ㄘㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄅㄞˋ ㄌㄧㄡˇ

цаньхуабайлю

/t͡sʰän³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ faː⁵⁵ paːi̯²² lɐu̯¹³/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ faː⁵⁵ paːi̯²² lɐu̯¹³/

(figurative, derogatory) impure woman, such as one who leads a promiscuous life, or one who has been abused and abandoned; fallen woman


小肚雞腸

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄨˋ ㄐㄧ ㄔㄤˊ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄨˋ ㄐㄧ ㄔㄤˊㄦ

сяодуцзичанр

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑ̃ɻ³⁵/

/siːu̯³⁵ tʰou̯¹³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑ̃ɻ³⁵/

/siːu̯³⁵ tʰou̯¹³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

(figurative, of a person) narrow-minded; small-minded; petty


相夫教子

ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄈㄨ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄗˇ

сянфуцзяоцзы

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sœːŋ³³ fuː⁵⁵ kaːu̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hu⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su⁵³/

/siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hu³³ kau⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡su⁵⁵⁴/

/siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hu⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su⁵³/

/siɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hu⁴⁴⁻³³ kau¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡su⁵³/

/siɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hu⁴⁴⁻³³ kau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡su⁴¹/

/sœːŋ³³ fuː⁵⁵ kaːu̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hu⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su⁵³/

/siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hu³³ kau⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡su⁵⁵⁴/

/siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hu⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su⁵³/

/siɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hu⁴⁴⁻³³ kau¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡su⁵³/

/siɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hu⁴⁴⁻³³ kau²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡su⁴¹/

(of a woman) to support one's husband and teach one's children


口是心非

ㄎㄡˇ ㄕˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄈㄟ

коушисиньфэй

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ siː²² sɐm⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ siː²² sɐm⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

to say one thing but mean another; what one thinks is different from what one says; two-faced; duplicity


雲裡霧裡

ㄩㄣˊ ㄌㄧˇ ㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ

/yn³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐn²¹ lɵy̯¹³ mou̯²² lɵy̯¹³/

/yn³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐn²¹ lɵy̯¹³ mou̯²² lɵy̯¹³/

From A New Account of the Tales of the World.

in the clouds, in the fog / amidst the clouds and mist

(figurative) completely puzzled; utterly baffled; unable to understand; unable to make head or tail of something


卒溜急剌

ㄘㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄡ ㄐㄧˊ ㄌㄚˋ

/t͡sʰu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ lä⁵¹/


然然可可

ㄖㄢˊ ㄖㄢˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄎㄜˇ

жаньжанькэкэ

žanʹžanʹkɛkɛ

/ʐän³⁵ ʐän³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʐän³⁵ ʐän³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

From Zhuangzi:
惡乎然？然於然。惡乎不然？不然於不然。惡乎可？可於可。惡乎不可？不可於不可。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]恶乎然？然于然。恶乎不然？不然于不然。恶乎可？可于可。恶乎不可？不可于不可。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Wūhū rán? Rán yú rán. Wūhū bù rán? Bù rán yú bù rán. Wūhū kě? Kě yú kě. Wūhū bù kě? Bù kě yú bù kě. [Pinyin]
How is a thing right? It is right because it is right. How is a thing wrong? It is wrong because it is wrong. How is a thing allowable? It is allowable because it is so. How is a thing not allowable? It is not allowable because it is not so.

惡{Wū}乎 然？然 於 然。惡{Wū}乎 不 然？不 然 於 不 然。惡{Wū}乎 可？可 於 可。惡{Wū}乎 不 可？不 可 於 不 可。

(literary) to be a yes man without any opinions of one's own


惘然若失

ㄨㄤˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄕ

/wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ¹³ jiːn²¹ jœːk̚² sɐt̚⁵/

/wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ¹³ jiːn²¹ jœːk̚² sɐt̚⁵/


鳥語花香

ㄋㄧㄠˇ ㄩˇ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄒㄧㄤ

/ni̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/niːu̯¹³ jyː¹³ faː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/niãu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hua⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ni̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/niːu̯¹³ jyː¹³ faː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/niãu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hua⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɔŋ⁴⁴/

birds sing and flowers give forth their fragrance (characterizing a fine spring day)


茫然若失

ㄇㄤˊ ㄖㄢˊ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄕ

/mɑŋ³⁵ ʐän³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mɑŋ³⁵ ʐän³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/


悵然若失

ㄔㄤˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄕ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ³³ jiːn²¹ jœːk̚² sɐt̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ³³ jiːn²¹ jœːk̚² sɐt̚⁵/

望著她，我悵然若失，好久說不出話來。 [MSC, trad.]
望着她，我怅然若失，好久说不出话来。 [MSC, simp.]

Looking at her, I became so lost and could not say a word.

Wàngzhe tā, wǒ chàngránruòshī, hǎojiǔ shuō bù chū huà lái. [Pinyin]


屎滾尿流

ㄕˇ ㄍㄨㄣˇ ㄋㄧㄠˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

scared the shit out of
scare the shit out of

panic-stricken (to the point of becoming doubly incontinent); being scared the shit out of by someone


現學現用

ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄩㄥˋ

сяньсюэсяньюн

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːn²² hɔːk̚² jiːn²² jʊŋ²²/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːn²² hɔːk̚² jiːn²² jʊŋ²²/

to put in practice something that one just learned


見義勇為

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄧˋ ㄩㄥˇ ㄨㄟˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kiːn³³ jiː²² jʊŋ¹³ wɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kiːn³³ jiː²² jʊŋ¹³ wɐi̯²¹/

Paraphrased from the Analects, Book 2 (《論語·爲政》):
見義不為，無勇也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]见义不为，无勇也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Jiàn yì bù wéi, wú yǒng yě. [Pinyin]
To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.


青春靚麗

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ

цинчуньлянли

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/


螟蛉之子

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄓ ㄗˇ

минлинчжицзы

/miŋ³⁵ liŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ lɪŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/miŋ³⁵ liŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ lɪŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 196 (《詩經·小雅·小宛》):
:
螟蛉有子，蜾蠃負之。
教誨爾子，式穀似之。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]螟蛉有子，蜾蠃负之。
教诲尔子，式谷似之。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Mínglíng yǒu zǐ, guǒluǒ fù zhī.
Jiàohuì ěr zǐ, shì gǔ sì zhī. [Pinyin]
The mulberry insect has young ones, And the sphex carries them away.
Teach and train your sons, And they will become good as you are.
See 螟蛉 (mínglíng) for more.

lang

(《詩經·小雅·小宛》)

(《詩經·小雅·小宛》)

zh-x

@螟蛉 有 @子，蜾蠃 負 之。
教誨 爾 子，式 穀 似 之。


輕裝上陣

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄓㄨㄤ ㄕㄤˋ ㄓㄣˋ

цинчжуаншанчжэнь

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ¹³ t͡sɐn²²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ¹³ t͡sɐn²²/

(originally) to go into battle with a light pack; (by extension) to go forward with one's burdens discarded; to join the action without any burdens


一介書生

ㄧ ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄕㄨ ㄕㄥ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kaːi̯³³ syː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kaːi̯³³ syː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

From Tengwang Ge Xu by 王勃 (Wang Bo):
:
勃，三尺微命，一介書生。無路請纓，等終軍之弱冠。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]勃，三尺微命，一介书生。无路请缨，等终军之弱冠。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 王勃 (Wang Bo), 《滕王閣序》
Bó, sān chǐ wēi mìng, yījièshūshēng. Wúlù qǐngyīng, děng Zhōng Jūn zhī ruòguàn. [Pinyin]
I, Wang Bo, am merely a scholar of low status. I have no way to serve the country like Zhong Jun did, despite being a young adult as he once was.

^勃，三 尺 微 命，一介書生。無路 請纓，等 ^終 ^軍 之 弱冠。

nothing but a scholar; a scholar; an intellectual


渾然一體

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄖㄢˊ ㄧ ㄊㄧˇ

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʐän³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵/

/wɐn²² jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵/

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʐän³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵/

/wɐn²² jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵/

to be one integrated mass; to be a unified entity


人心叵測

ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄆㄛˇ ㄘㄜˋ

жэньсиньпоцэ

/ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

the human mind is unpredictable; people may harbour an evil intent


精神奕奕

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄣˊ ㄧˋ ㄧˋ

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹ jɪk̚² jɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹ jɪk̚² jɪk̚²/


非池中物

ㄈㄟ ㄔˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˋ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mɐt̚²/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mɐt̚²/

(figurative, of a person) ambitious; full of aspiration


入不敷出

ㄖㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨ ㄔㄨ

/ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚² pɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚² pɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

unable to make ends meet; income cannot cover expenditure; to spend more than one earns


順水推舟

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄊㄨㄟ ㄓㄡ

шуньшуйтуйчжоу

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² sɵy̯³⁵ tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/

/sun²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siu⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siu⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻²¹ t͡sui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siu⁴⁴/

/suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵²⁻³⁵ tʰui³³⁻²³ t͡siu³³/

/sɵn²² sɵy̯³⁵ tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/

/sun²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siu⁴⁴/

/suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵²⁻³⁵ tʰui³³⁻²³ t͡siu³³/

to do something with the prevailing climate or tendency; to take advantage of the situation


兔走烏飛

ㄊㄨˋ ㄗㄡˇ ㄨ ㄈㄟ

/tʰu⁵¹ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰu⁵¹ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

兔 (tù, “rabbit”) and 烏／乌 (wū, “crow”) refer to the moon rabbit and the three-legged crow in Chinese mythology and represent the moon and the sun, respectively.


萬無一失

/wän⁵¹ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/maːn²² mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/ban²²⁻²¹ bu²⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ sit̚³²/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² it̚⁵⁻²⁴ sit̚⁵/

/ban²²⁻²¹ bu¹³⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁵ sit̚³²/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ sit̚³²/

/ban³³⁻²¹ bu²³⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sit̚³²/

/wän⁵¹ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/maːn²² mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/ban²²⁻²¹ bu²⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ sit̚³²/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² it̚⁵⁻²⁴ sit̚⁵/

/ban²²⁻²¹ bu¹³⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁵ sit̚³²/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ sit̚³²/

/ban³³⁻²¹ bu²³⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sit̚³²/


簡單明瞭

ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄉㄢ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄠˇ

цзяньданьминляо

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːn³⁵ taːn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ liːu̯²¹/

/kaːn³⁵ taːn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ liːu̯¹³/

/kaːn³⁵ taːn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ liːu̯²¹/

/kaːn³⁵ taːn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ liːu̯¹³/


巾幗英雄

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄧㄥ ㄒㄩㄥˊ

цзиньгоинсюн

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ iŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/kɐn⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ jɪŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ iŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/kɐn⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ jɪŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/


嘴歪眼斜

ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄨㄞ ㄧㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄝˊ

цзуйвайяньсе

/t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ waɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

to have a facial droop on one side (as a result of stroke or unilateral facial nerve palsy)


赫赫有名

ㄏㄜˋ ㄏㄜˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/haːk̚⁵ haːk̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/hɐk̚⁵ hɐk̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/haːk̚⁵ haːk̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/hɐk̚⁵ hɐk̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

having a great reputation; celebrated; illustrious


圖文並茂

ㄊㄨˊ ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄇㄠˋ

тувэньбинмао

/tʰu³⁵ wən³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰou̯²¹ mɐn²¹ pɪŋ²² mɐu̯²²/

/tʰu³⁵ wən³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰou̯²¹ mɐn²¹ pɪŋ²² mɐu̯²²/

to be excellent in both text and illustrations


生無可戀

ㄕㄥ ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄧㄢˋ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ lyːn³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ lyːn³⁵/

(neologism, slang) there is nothing worth yearning for in this life; a life devoid of meaning


字正腔圓

ㄗˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄩㄢˊ

цзычжэнцянъюань

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɪŋ³³ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɪŋ³³ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

pronouncing every word clearly and correctly


吃喝玩樂行

ㄔ ㄏㄜ ㄨㄢˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

чихэваньлэсин

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵ wän³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵ wän³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/


了無牽掛

ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄍㄨㄚˋ

ляо’уцяньгуа

/li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵¹/

/liːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ hiːn⁵⁵ kʷaː³³/

/li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵¹/

/liːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ hiːn⁵⁵ kʷaː³³/


英雄救美

ㄧㄥ ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄇㄟˇ

/iŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ kɐu̯³³ mei̯¹³/

/iŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ kɐu̯³³ mei̯¹³/

a (male) hero saves a damsel in distress


奶油小生

ㄋㄞˇ ㄧㄡˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄥ

/naɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/naːi̯¹³ jɐu̯²¹ siːu̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/naɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/naːi̯¹³ jɐu̯²¹ siːu̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

(figurative) handsome but effeminate young man; pretty boy


歪瓜裂棗

ㄨㄞ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄗㄠˇ

вайгуалецзао

/waɪ̯⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄨㄞ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄗㄠˇㄦ

вайгуалецзаор

/waɪ̯⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡saʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːi̯⁵⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ liːt̚² t͡sou̯³⁵/

/waɪ̯⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːi̯⁵⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ liːt̚² t͡sou̯³⁵/

(derogatory) a group of unattractive people (or objects)


繡花枕頭

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄓㄣˇ ˙ㄊㄡ

сюхуачжэньтоу

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄚㄦ ㄓㄣˇ ˙ㄊㄡ

сюхуарчжэньтоу

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯ɑɻ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/sɐu̯³³ faː⁵⁵ t͡sɐm³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯ɑɻ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/sɐu̯³³ faː⁵⁵ t͡sɐm³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

(figurative) one who is outwardly attractive but lacking ability or talent inside; just a pretty face


飄飄欲仙

ㄆㄧㄠ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄩˋ ㄒㄧㄢ

пяопяоюйсянь

/pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jʊk̚² siːn⁵⁵/

/pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jʊk̚² siːn⁵⁵/

feeling like one is flying up towards heaven like an immortal; sprightly as a fairy; high


歪瓜劣棗

ㄨㄞ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄗㄠˇ

вайгуалецзао

/waɪ̯⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄨㄞ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄗㄠˇㄦ

вайгуалецзаор

/waːi̯⁵⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ lyːt̚³ t͡sou̯³⁵/

/waɪ̯⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːi̯⁵⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ lyːt̚³ t͡sou̯³⁵/

歪瓜裂棗 歪瓜裂棗#Chinese

歪瓜裂枣 歪瓜裂枣#Chinese

Alternative form of 歪瓜裂棗／歪瓜裂枣 (wāiguālièzǎo)


無處可藏

ㄨˊ ㄔㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄘㄤˊ

/u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyː³³ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹/

/u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyː³³ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹/


同甘共苦

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄢ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄨˇ

тунганьгунку

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ kän⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ kɐm⁵⁵ kʊŋ²² fuː³⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kam⁴⁴⁻²² kiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kam³³ kiɔŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

/tɔŋ¹³⁻²² kam⁴⁴⁻²² kiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁴¹/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ kän⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ kɐm⁵⁵ kʊŋ²² fuː³⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kam⁴⁴⁻²² kiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kam³³ kiɔŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

/tɔŋ¹³⁻²² kam⁴⁴⁻²² kiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁴¹/

to share the joys and sorrows (usually emphasising the “sorrow” part)


有頭有臉

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧㄢˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧㄢˇㄦ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ liːm¹³/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ liːm¹³/

having fame and prestige; famous; respected; prestigious


因戲生情

ㄧㄣ ㄒㄧˋ ㄕㄥ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/in⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ hei̯³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/in⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ hei̯³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

(of an actor and an actress) to become a love couple as a result of working together in a movie or drama series


飲食男女

ㄧㄣˇ ㄕˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄋㄩˇ

иньшинаньнюй

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐm³⁵ sɪk̚² naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐm³⁵ sɪk̚² naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³/

desire for food and sex; basic human needs; natural disposition of mankind


宦海浮沉

ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄞˇ ㄈㄨˊ ㄔㄣˊ

хуаньхайфучэнь

/xu̯än⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/waːn²² hɔːi̯³⁵ fɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰɐm²¹/

/xu̯än⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/waːn²² hɔːi̯³⁵ fɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰɐm²¹/


意猶未盡

ㄧˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄨㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

/i⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jiː³³ jɐu̯²¹ mei̯²² t͡sɵn²²/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ iu²⁴⁻²² be²²⁻²¹ t͡sin²²/

/i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ iu²⁴⁻²² be⁴¹⁻²² t͡sin⁴¹/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ iu¹³⁻²² be²²⁻²¹ t͡sin²²/

/i¹¹⁻⁵³ iu²⁴⁻¹¹ be³³⁻¹¹ t͡sin³³/

/i²¹⁻⁴¹ iu²³⁻³³ be³³⁻²¹ t͡sin³³/

/i⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jiː³³ jɐu̯²¹ mei̯²² t͡sɵn²²/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ iu²⁴⁻²² be²²⁻²¹ t͡sin²²/

/i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ iu²⁴⁻²² be⁴¹⁻²² t͡sin⁴¹/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ iu¹³⁻²² be²²⁻²¹ t͡sin²²/

/i¹¹⁻⁵³ iu²⁴⁻¹¹ be³³⁻¹¹ t͡sin³³/

/i²¹⁻⁴¹ iu²³⁻³³ be³³⁻²¹ t͡sin³³/

to be left wanting more; to yearn for more; unsatisfied pleasure


共克時艱

ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄜˋ ㄕˊ ㄐㄧㄢ

гункэшицзянь

/kʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰɤ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kʊŋ²² hɐk̚⁵ siː²¹ kaːn⁵⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰɤ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kʊŋ²² hɐk̚⁵ siː²¹ kaːn⁵⁵/

[…]社會各方面團結一致、齊心協力，一方有難、八方支援，形成了共克時艱的強大合力；[…] [MSC, trad.]
[…]社会各方面团结一致、齐心协力，一方有难、八方支援，形成了共克时艰的强大合力；[…] [MSC, simp.]
[…]shèhuì gè fāngmiàn tuánjiéyīzhì, qíxīnxiélì, yīfāng yǒunàn, bāfāng zhīyuán, xíngchéng le gòngkèshíjiān de qiángdà hélì; […] [Pinyin]

From: 2020 July 29, 《总结抗击非典经验 促进改革发展稳定》, in People's Daily, →ISSN

(neologism, officialese) to overcome the present difficulties in a spirit of unity


不善言辭

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄢˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄘˊ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ siːn²² jiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ siːn²² jiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

to be untalkative, ineloquent or inarticulate


飄忽不定

ㄆㄧㄠ ㄏㄨ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

/pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹/

/pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ fɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tɪŋ²²/

/pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹/

/pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ fɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tɪŋ²²/

to be unsteady in motion; to drift from place to place; to be erratic


輕描淡寫

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄇㄧㄠˊ ㄉㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄝˇ

цинмяоданьсе

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ tän⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ miːu̯²¹ taːm²² sɛː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ tän⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ miːu̯²¹ taːm²² sɛː³⁵/

to touch on lightly; to mention casually; to play down


軟磨硬泡

ㄖㄨㄢˇ ㄇㄛˊ ㄧㄥˋ ㄆㄠˋ

жуаньмоинпао

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ iŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ iŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/

to coax and pester unceasingly; to tiresomely pursue something


不管不問

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˋ

бугуаньбувэнь

/pu⁵¹ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kuːn³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²²/

/pu⁵¹ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kuːn³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²²/

to neither pay attention nor ask about (it); to have no interest in


夜不歸宿

ㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄙㄨˋ

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ su⁵¹/

/jɛː²² pɐt̚⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ sʊk̚⁵/

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ su⁵¹/

/jɛː²² pɐt̚⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ sʊk̚⁵/

to stay out all night; to not return home all night


普天之下

ㄆㄨˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/pʰou̯³⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ haː²²/

/pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/pʰou̯³⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ haː²²/

See 普天之下，莫非王土 (pǔtiānzhīxià, mòfēiwángtǔ).


罵罵咧咧

ㄇㄚˋ ˙ㄇㄚ ㄌㄧㄝ ㄌㄧㄝ

ㄇㄚˋ ㄇㄚˋ ㄌㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄝˇ

ㄇㄚˋ ㄇㄚˋ ㄌㄧㄝ ㄌㄧㄝ

/mä⁵¹ mä¹ li̯ɛ⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/mä⁵¹⁻⁵³ mä⁵¹ li̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mä⁵¹⁻⁵³ mä⁵¹ li̯ɛ⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/mä⁵¹ mä¹ li̯ɛ⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/mä⁵¹⁻⁵³ mä⁵¹ li̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mä⁵¹⁻⁵³ mä⁵¹ li̯ɛ⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵⁵/

foul-mouthed; showering curses and abuse; continuously swearing


搞三搞四

ㄍㄠˇ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄠˇ ㄙˋ

гаосаньгаосы

/kɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵¹/

/kaːu̯³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ kaːu̯³⁵ sei̯³³/

/kɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵¹/

/kaːu̯³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ kaːu̯³⁵ sei̯³³/

to do something shady; to have illicit relationships


嘵嘵不休

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/


放諸四海而皆準

ㄈㄤˋ ㄓㄨ ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ ㄦˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓㄨㄣˇ

фан чжу сыхай эр цзе чжунь

/fɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɔːŋ³³ t͡syː⁵⁵ sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³⁵/

放之四海而皆準 放之四海而皆準#Chinese

放之四海而皆准 放之四海而皆准#Chinese

Synonym of 放之四海而皆準／放之四海而皆准 (fàng zhī sìhǎi ér jiē zhǔn, “applicable everywhere”)


放之四海而皆準

ㄈㄤˋ ㄓ ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ ㄦˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓㄨㄣˇ

фан чжи сыхай эр цзе чжунь

/fɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɔːŋ³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³⁵/

From the Book of Rites, Book 24 (《禮記·祭義》):
:
曾子曰：「夫孝，……推而放諸東海而準，推而放諸西海而準，推而放諸南海而準，推而放諸北海而準。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]曾子曰：「夫孝，……推而放诸东海而准，推而放诸西海而准，推而放诸南海而准，推而放诸北海而准。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zēngzǐ yuē: “Fú xiào,...... Tuī ér fàng zhū dōnghǎi ér zhǔn, tuī ér fàng zhū xīhǎi ér zhǔn, tuī ér fàng zhū nánhǎi ér zhǔn, tuī ér fàng zhū běihǎi ér zhǔn.” [Pinyin]
Zengzi said, "Filial piety […] push it on to the eastern sea, the western sea, the southern sea, and the northern sea, and it will be (everywhere) the law for men, and their obedience to it will be uniform."

^曾{Zēng}子 曰：「夫{Fú} 孝，……推 而 @放 諸 東海 而 準，推 而 放 諸 西海 而 準，推 而 放 諸 南海 而 準，推 而 放 諸 北海 @而 @準。」

Zengzi said, "Filial piety 􂀿…􂁀 push it on to the eastern sea, the western sea, the southern sea, and the northern sea, and it will be (everywhere) the law for men, and their obedience to it will be uniform."

中國人找到了馬克思列寧主義這個放之四海而皆準的普遍真理，中國的面目就起了變化了。 [MSC, trad.]
中国人找到了马克思列宁主义这个放之四海而皆准的普遍真理，中国的面目就起了变化了。 [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 https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-4/mswv4_65.htm

The Chinese found Marxism-Leninism, the universally applicable truth, and the face of China began to change.

Zhōngguórén zhǎo dào le Mǎkèsī-Lièníng zhǔyì zhège fàng zhī sìhǎi ér jiē zhǔn de pǔbiàn zhēnlǐ, Zhōngguó de miànmù jiù qǐ le biànhuà le. [Pinyin]


前無古人

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ u³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ mou̯²¹ kuː³⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ u³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ mou̯²¹ kuː³⁵ jɐn²¹/

From the first verse of 《登幽州台歌》 by Chen Zi'ang (661–702).


燈臺不自照

ㄉㄥ ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄓㄠˋ

dēngtái bù zì zhào [Phonetic:dēngtái bú zì zhào]

дэнтай бу цзы чжао

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ tʰɔːi̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² t͡siːu̯³³/

丈八燈臺——照遠不照近 丈八燈臺——照遠不照近#Chinese

丈八灯台——照远不照近 丈八灯台——照远不照近#Chinese

Synonym of 丈八燈臺——照遠不照近／丈八灯台——照远不照近 (zhàng bā dēngtái, zhào yuǎn bù zhào jìn)


老少男女

ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄠˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄋㄩˇ

лаошаонаньнюй

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lou̯¹³ siːu̯³³ naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lou̯¹³ siːu̯³³ naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³/

男女老少 男女老少#Chinese


前無古人，後無來者

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄏㄡˋ ㄨˊ ㄌㄞˊ ㄓㄜˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ u³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

tsin⁴ mou⁴ gu² jan⁴, hau⁶ mou⁴ loi⁴ dze²

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ mou̯²¹ kuː³⁵ jɐn²¹ hɐu̯²² mou̯²¹ lɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵/

From the first two verses of 《登幽州台歌》 by Chen Zi'ang (661–702).

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


毅然決然

ㄧˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄖㄢˊ

ижаньцзюэжань

/i⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²² jiːn²¹ kʰyːt̚³ jiːn²¹/

/i⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²² jiːn²¹ kʰyːt̚³ jiːn²¹/

without hesitation; resolutely and determinedly


橫豎撇捺

ㄏㄥˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄝˇ ㄋㄚˋ

/xɤŋ³⁵ ʂu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nä⁵¹/

ㄏㄥˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄝˇ ㄋㄚˋㄦ

/xɤŋ³⁵ ʂu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑɻ⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ syː²² pʰiːt̚³ naːt̚²/

/xɤŋ³⁵ ʂu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nä⁵¹/

/xɤŋ³⁵ ʂu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑɻ⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ syː²² pʰiːt̚³ naːt̚²/

horizontal stroke (一), vertical stroke (〡), leftward-falling stroke (丿) and rightward-falling stroke (乀); the basic strokes in Chinese writing


壁壘森嚴

ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄟˇ ㄙㄣ ㄧㄢˊ

билэйсэньянь

/pi⁵¹ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sən⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/pɪk̚⁵ lɵy̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ jiːm²¹/

/pi⁵¹ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sən⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/pɪk̚⁵ lɵy̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ jiːm²¹/


天淵之別

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄩㄢ ㄓ ㄅㄧㄝˊ

тяньюаньчжибе

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jyːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ piːt̚²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jyːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ piːt̚²/

as far apart as heaven from earth; poles apart; worlds apart


走肉行屍

ㄗㄡˇ ㄖㄡˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄕ

цзоужоусинши

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ jʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵/

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ jʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵/

行屍走肉 行屍走肉#Chinese

行尸走肉 行尸走肉#Chinese

Alternative form of 行屍走肉／行尸走肉 (xíngshīzǒuròu)


嘆為聽止

ㄊㄢˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄊㄧㄥ ㄓˇ

таньвэйтинчжи

/tʰän⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰän⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

zh-l

嘆為觀止／叹为观止 (tànwéiguānzhǐ)

叹为听止
歎為聽止
嘆爲聽止
歎爲聽止

to gasp in amazement (upon hearing a piece of music); to acclaim as the peak of perfection


大音希聲

ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄣ ㄒㄧ ㄕㄥ

/tä⁵¹ in⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² jɐm⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ in⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² jɐm⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

From Tao Te Ching:
:
大方無隅；大器晚成；大音希聲；大象無形。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]大方无隅；大器晚成；大音希声；大象无形。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Tao Te Ching, 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Dà fāng wú yú; dà qì wǎn chéng; dà yīn xī shēng; dà xiàng wú xíng. [Pinyin]
Its largest square doth yet no corner show;
A vessel great, it is the slowest made;
Loud is its sound, but never word it said;
A semblance great, the shadow of a shade.

zh-x

大 方 無 隅；大.器.晚.成；大.音.希.聲；大 象 無 形。

The greatest music has the faintest notes.


不遑多讓

ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄖㄤˋ

/pu⁵¹ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²²/

/pu⁵¹ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²²/


數見不鮮

ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄢ

шоцзяньбусянь

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/


各司其職

ㄍㄜˋ ㄙ ㄑㄧˊ ㄓˊ

/kɤ⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ siː⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/kɤ⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ siː⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

each person attends to his or her own duties


濮上之音

ㄆㄨˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

/pʰu³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/pʰu³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

zh-l

桑間濮上／桑间濮上 (sāngjiānpúshàng)

靡靡之音 靡靡之音#Chinese


糜糜之音

ㄇㄧˊ ㄇㄧˊ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

/mi³⁵ mi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/mi³⁵ mi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

靡靡之音 靡靡之音#Chinese


桑間之音

санцзяньчжиинь

/sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

/sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

桑間濮上／桑间濮上 (sāngjiānpúshàng)

靡靡之音 靡靡之音#Chinese


變徵之音

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄓˇ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

бяньчжичжиинь

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/piːn³³ t͡siː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/piːn³³ t͡siː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

(music) a sound that is high in tone yet solemn and somber


鄭衛之音

ㄓㄥˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

чжэнвэйчжиинь

čžɛnvɛjčžiinʹ

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

In the Warring States Period, the states of Zheng and Wey (both located in modern-day Henan province) were infamous for producing decadent music. This was illustrated in the Book of Rites:
鄭衛之音，亂世之音也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]郑卫之音，乱世之音也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE
Zhèngwèizhīyīn, luànshì zhī yīn yě. [Pinyin]
The music of Zheng and Wey were chaotic music.

zh-x

鄭衛之音 ， 亂世 之 音 也 。

靡靡之音 靡靡之音#Chinese

Synonym of 靡靡之音 (mǐmǐzhīyīn, “decadent music”)


亡國之音

ㄨㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

ванго чжи инь

/wɑŋ³⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ kʷɔːk̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

/wɑŋ³⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ kʷɔːk̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

From the Book of Rites, Book 19 (《禮記·樂記》):
:
是故治世之音安以樂，其政和。亂世之音怨以怒，其政乖。亡國之音哀以思，其民困。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]是故治世之音安以乐，其政和。乱世之音怨以怒，其政乖。亡国之音哀以思，其民困。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Shìgù zhìshì zhī yīn ān yǐ lè, qí zhèng hé. Luànshì zhī yīn yuàn yǐ nù, qí zhèng guāi. Wángguó zhī yīn āi yǐ sī, qí mín kùn. [Pinyin]
Hence, the airs of an age of good order indicate composure and enjoyment. The airs of an age of disorder indicate dissatisfaction and anger, and its government is perversely bad. The airs of a state going to ruin are expressive of sorrow and (troubled) thought.

是故 治世 之 音 安 以 樂{lè}，其 政 和。亂世 之 音 怨 以 怒，其 政 乖。亡國.之.音 哀 以 思，其 民 困。


靡靡之樂

ㄇㄧˇ ㄇㄧˇ ㄓ ㄩㄝˋ

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

靡靡之音 靡靡之音#Chinese


一年四季

ㄧ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄙˋ ㄐㄧˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ sei̯³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

/i²⁴ n̠ʲə̃¹³ sz̩⁴⁵ t͡ɕi⁴⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ sei̯³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

/i²⁴ n̠ʲə̃¹³ sz̩⁴⁵ t͡ɕi⁴⁵/


反目成仇

ㄈㄢˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄔㄡˊ

фаньмучэнчоу

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ mʊk̚² sɪŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹/

/huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² siu²⁴/

/huan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bɔk̚²⁴⁻² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² siu²⁴/

/huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ siɪŋ¹³⁻²² siu¹³/

/huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siu²⁴/

/huan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²³⁻³³ siu²³/

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ mʊk̚² sɪŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹/

/huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² siu²⁴/

/huan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bɔk̚²⁴⁻² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² siu²⁴/

/huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ siɪŋ¹³⁻²² siu¹³/

/huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siu²⁴/

/huan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²³⁻³³ siu²³/


半工半讀

ㄅㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄢˋ ㄉㄨˊ

баньгунбаньду

/pän⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pän⁵¹ tu³⁵/

/puːn³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ puːn³³ tʊk̚²/

/pän⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pän⁵¹ tu³⁵/

/puːn³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ puːn³³ tʊk̚²/


口齒不清

ㄎㄡˇ ㄔˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄥ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

to have slurred speech; to be unable to speak clearly


教學相長

ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄓㄤˇ

цзяосюэсянчжан

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːu̯³³ hɔːk̚² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/kaːu̯³³ hɔːk̚² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

From the Book of Rites, Book 18 (《禮記·學記》):
:
故學然後知不足，教然後知困。知不足，然後能自反也；知困，然後能自強也，故曰：教學相長也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]故学然后知不足，教然后知困。知不足，然后能自反也；知困，然后能自强也，故曰：教学相长也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Gù xué ránhòu zhī bùzú, jiào ránhòu zhī kùn. Zhī bùzú, ránhòu néng zìfǎn yě; zhī kùn, ránhòu néng zìqiáng yě, gù yuē: jiào xué xiàng cháng yě. [Pinyin]
Therefore when he learns, one knows his own deficiencies; when he teaches, he knows the difficulties of learning. After he knows his deficiencies, one is able to turn round and examine himself; after he knows the difficulties, he is able to stimulate himself to effort. Hence it is said, "Teaching and learning help each other."

故 學 然後 知 不足，教 然後 知 困。知 不足，然後 能 自-反 也；知 困，然後 能 自強 也，故 曰：教.學.相.長 也。

both the teacher and the student can learn from each other and grow together


琴瑟和鳴

ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kʰɐm²¹ sɐt̚⁵ wɔː²² mɪŋ²¹/

/kʰɐm²¹ sɐt̚⁵ wɔː²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kʰɐm²¹ sɐt̚⁵ wɔː²² mɪŋ²¹/

/kʰɐm²¹ sɐt̚⁵ wɔː²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

(of a married couple) in perfect harmony


死乞白賴

死乞白赖
死氣白賴
死乞百賴
死氣白咧
死乞百咧

ㄙˇ ˙ㄑㄧ ㄅㄞˊ ㄌㄞˋ

/sz̩²¹⁴ t͡ɕʰi⁴ paɪ̯³⁵ laɪ̯⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ hɐt̚⁵ paːk̚² laːi̯²²/

/sz̩²¹⁴ t͡ɕʰi⁴ paɪ̯³⁵ laɪ̯⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ hɐt̚⁵ paːk̚² laːi̯²²/

(colloquial) to continuously pester someone; pesteringly; annoyingly


祥雲瑞彩

ㄒㄧㄤˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄖㄨㄟˋ ㄘㄞˇ

сянъюньжуйцай

/ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵ yn³⁵ ʐu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

colorful clouds signifying an auspicious sign


斷袖餘桃

ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄩˊ ㄊㄠˊ

дуаньсююйтао

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ y³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/tyːn²² t͡sɐu̯²² jyː²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ y³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/tyːn²² t͡sɐu̯²² jyː²¹ tʰou̯²¹/


確有其人

ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kʰɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kʰɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

to be a real person; to be a person that actually existed or exists


斷袖之癖

ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄓ ㄆㄧˇ

ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄓ ㄆㄧˋ

дуаньсючжипи

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹/

/tyːn²² t͡sɐu̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵/

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹/

/tyːn²² t͡sɐu̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵/

zh-l

斷袖／断袖 (duànxiù)


三頭六臂

ㄙㄢ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/sän⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ lʊk̚² pei̯³³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi²¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɤ²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi²¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰio²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi²¹/

/sän⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ lʊk̚² pei̯³³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi²¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɤ²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi²¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰio²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² pi²¹/

Originally describing the appearance of the mythological figure Nezha.


確有其事

ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˋ

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʰɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ siː²²/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʰɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ siː²²/

to be a real thing; to be something that actually happened


高高在上

ㄍㄠ ㄍㄠ ㄗㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ

гаогаоцзайшан

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² sœːŋ²²/

/ko⁴⁴⁻²² ko⁴⁴ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ siɔŋ²²/

/ko³³ ko³³ t͡sai⁴¹⁻²² siɔŋ⁴¹/

/ko⁴⁴⁻²² ko⁴⁴ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ siɔŋ²²/

/ko⁴⁴⁻³³ ko⁴⁴ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³/

/kɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ kɤ⁴⁴ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ³³/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² sœːŋ²²/

/ko⁴⁴⁻²² ko⁴⁴ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ siɔŋ²²/

/ko³³ ko³³ t͡sai⁴¹⁻²² siɔŋ⁴¹/

/ko⁴⁴⁻²² ko⁴⁴ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ siɔŋ²²/

/ko⁴⁴⁻³³ ko⁴⁴ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³/

/kɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ kɤ⁴⁴ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ³³/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 288 (《詩經·周頌·敬之》):
:
敬之敬之，天維顯思，命不易哉。
無曰高高在上，陟降厥士，日監在茲。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]敬之敬之，天维显思，命不易哉。
无曰高高在上，陟降厥士，日监在兹。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Jìng zhī jìng zhī, tiān wéi xiǎn sī, mìng bù yì zāi.
Wú yuē gāo gāo zài shàng, zhì jiàng jué shì, rì jiān zài zī. [Pinyin]
Let me be reverent, let me be reverent, [in attending to my duties];
[The way of] Heaven is evident,
And its appointment is not easily [preserved].
Let me not say that It is high aloft above me.
It ascends and descends about our doings;
It daily inspects us wherever we are.

lang

(《詩經·周頌·敬之》)

(《詩經·周頌·敬之》)

zh-x

敬 之 敬 之，天 維 顯 思，命 不 易 哉。
無 曰 高.高.在.上，陟 降 厥 士，日 監 在 茲。

Let me be reverent, let me be reverent, 􂀿in attending to my duties􂁀;
􂀿The way of􂁀 Heaven is evident,
And its appointment is not easily 􂀿preserved􂁀.
Let me not say that It is high aloft above me.
It ascends and descends about our doings;
It daily inspects us wherever we are.

(originally) high aloft; (now commonly) setting oneself high above the masses; not in touch with the common people or reality; aloof and remote


腳底抹油

脚底抹油
腳底抹油——溜了

ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄇㄛˇ ㄧㄡˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯³⁵/

/kœːk̚³ tɐi̯³⁵ muːt̚³ jɐu̯²¹/

/kœːk̚³ tɐi̯³⁵ muːt̚² jɐu̯²¹/

/kœːk̚³ tɐi̯³⁵ muːt̚³ jɐu̯²¹/

/kœːk̚³ tɐi̯³⁵ muːt̚² jɐu̯²¹/

to cut and run; to quickly remove oneself from an undesirable situation


以史為鑒

ㄧˇ ㄕˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ siː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaːm³³/

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ siː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaːm³³/

to take history as a mirror; to draw lessons from history; to look to the past for guidance; to learn from history


涎皮賴臉

ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄆㄧˊ ㄌㄞˋ ㄌㄧㄢˇ

сяньпилайлянь

/ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ pʰi³⁵ laɪ̯⁵¹ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ pʰei̯²¹ laːi̯²² liːm¹³/

/ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ pʰi³⁵ laɪ̯⁵¹ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ pʰei̯²¹ laːi̯²² liːm¹³/


投鼠忌器

to hesitate to pelt a rat for fear of smashing the dishes beside it; spare the rat to save the dishes

ㄊㄡˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄐㄧˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ syː³⁵ kei̯²² hei̯³³/

/tau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ ki³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi²¹³/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ syː³⁵ kei̯²² hei̯³³/

/tau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ ki³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi²¹³/

to be doubtful about acting against an evil


海誓山盟

ㄏㄞˇ ㄕˋ ㄕㄢ ㄇㄥˊ

хайшишаньмэн

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²² saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹ san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴/

/hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹ san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²² saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹ san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴/

/hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹ san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³/

山盟海誓 山盟海誓#Chinese

Alternative form of 山盟海誓 (shānménghǎishì)


門可羅雀

ㄇㄣˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄑㄩㄝˋ

/mən³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/muːn²¹ hɔː³⁵ lɔː²¹ t͡sœːk̚³/

/mŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lo²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiɔk̚³²/

/mŋ̍²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ t͡sʰiɔk̚³²/

/mən³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/muːn²¹ hɔː³⁵ lɔː²¹ t͡sœːk̚³/

/mŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lo²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiɔk̚³²/

/mŋ̍²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ t͡sʰiɔk̚³²/

From a story in the Records of the Grand Historian:
:
始翟公為廷尉，賓客闐門；及廢，門外可設雀羅。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]始翟公为廷尉，宾客阗门；及废，门外可设雀罗。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Shǐ Zhái Gōng wéi tíngwèi, bīnkè tián mén; jí fèi, ménwài kě shè què luó. [Pinyin]
When Zhai Gong was a court official, guests filled his door, but when he was dismissed, a net could be used to catch sparrows outside his gate.

始 ^翟 ^公 為{wéi} 廷尉，賓客 闐 門；及 廢，門外 可 設 雀 羅。

can use a net to catch sparrows at the gate


秋高氣爽

ㄑㄧㄡ ㄍㄠ ㄑㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄤˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ hei̯³³ sɔːŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ hei̯³³ sɔːŋ³⁵/

the autumn sky is clear and the air is crisp


一葉障目

ㄧ ㄧㄝˋ ㄓㄤˋ ㄇㄨˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːp̚² t͡sœːŋ³³ mʊk̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːp̚² t͡sœːŋ³³ mʊk̚²/

blinded by only looking at one thing and not considering others; confused by partial or superficial things


因勢利導

ㄧㄣ ㄕˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄠˇ

/in⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ lei̯²² tou̯²²/

/in⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ lei̯²² tou̯²²/

to capitalize on the trend; to make the best of new opportunities


雞犬升天

ㄐㄧ ㄑㄩㄢˇ ㄕㄥ ㄊㄧㄢ

цзицюаньшэнтянь

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ hyːn³⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ hyːn³⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

When a man gets to the top, all his friends and relations get there with him. / to ride on somebody else's success


再作馮婦

ㄗㄞˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ

цзайцзофэнфу

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ fɤŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡sɔːk̚³ fʊŋ²¹ fuː¹³/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ fɤŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡sɔːk̚³ fʊŋ²¹ fuː¹³/

to get back to the business that was once left


虎口餘生

ㄏㄨˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄩˊ ㄕㄥ

/xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ jyː²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ jyː²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

to survive a disaster; to have a narrow escape


山雞舞鏡

ㄕㄢ ㄐㄧ ㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

шаньцзиуцзин

/ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ kɐi̯⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ kɛːŋ³³/

/ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ kɐi̯⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ kɛːŋ³³/


出奇制勝

ㄔㄨ ㄑㄧˊ ㄓˋ ㄕㄥˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ sɪŋ³³/

/t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ ki²³⁻³³ t͡se²¹⁻⁴¹ siɪŋ²¹/

/t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡se¹¹⁻⁵³ siɪŋ¹¹/

/t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ seŋ²¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ sɪŋ³³/

/t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ ki²³⁻³³ t͡se²¹⁻⁴¹ siɪŋ²¹/

/t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡se¹¹⁻⁵³ siɪŋ¹¹/

/t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ seŋ²¹³/


狼狽為奸

ㄌㄤˊ ㄅㄟˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄢ

ланбэйвэйцзянь

/lɑŋ³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/lɔːŋ²¹ puːi̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ kaːn⁵⁵/

/lɑŋ³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/lɔːŋ²¹ puːi̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ kaːn⁵⁵/

(figurative) to act in collusion with each other; to work hand in glove with somebody (to nefarious ends)


合浦珠還

ㄏㄜˊ ㄆㄨˇ ㄓㄨ ㄏㄨㄢˊ

хэпучжухуань

/xɤ³⁵ pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/hɐp̚² pʰou̯³⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ waːn²¹/

/hɐp̚² pʰou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵ waːn²¹/

/xɤ³⁵ pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/hɐp̚² pʰou̯³⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ waːn²¹/

/hɐp̚² pʰou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵ waːn²¹/

(figurative, of a person) to return after leaving; (of something) to be regained after being lost


繞樑三日

ㄖㄠˋ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄙㄢ ㄖˋ

жаолянсаньжи

/ʐɑʊ̯⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/jiːu̯³⁵ lœːŋ²¹ saːm⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

/ʐɑʊ̯⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/jiːu̯³⁵ lœːŋ²¹ saːm⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

(especially of one's voice or of music) sonorous and resounding


煮豆燃萁

ㄓㄨˇ ㄉㄡˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄑㄧˊ

чжудоужаньци

/ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ toʊ̯⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/t͡syː³⁵ tɐu̯²² jiːn²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ toʊ̯⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/t͡syː³⁵ tɐu̯²² jiːn²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

From The Quatrain of Seven Steps, a poem attributed to Cao Zhi, a prince of Cao Wei, in response to threat of execution by his elder brother, Emperor Wen of Wei.
煮豆持作羹，漉菽以為汁。萁在釜下然，豆在釜中泣。本自同根生，相煎何太急。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]煮豆持作羹，漉菽以为汁。萁在釜下然，豆在釜中泣。本自同根生，相煎何太急。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Liu Yiqing (editor), A New Account of the Tales of the World, 5ᵗʰ century CE
Zhǔ dòu chí zuò gēng, lù shū yǐ wèi zhī. Qí zài fǔ xià rán, dòu zài fǔ zhōng qì. Běn zì tóng gēn shēng, xiàng jiān hé tài jí. [Pinyin]
Beans are boiled to make broth, pulses are filtered to extract juice. Bean-stalks beneath the pot burn; bean-seeds inside the pot sob: "We are born of one same root. Why incinerate each other too ardently?

煮 豆 持 作 羹，漉 菽 以 為 汁。萁 在 釜 下 然，豆 在 釜 中 泣。本 自 同 根 生，相 煎 何 太 急。

to have a fratricidal strife; to have a fight between one's own men

Cao Wei
Cao Zhi
The Quatrain of Seven Steps


狼子野心

ㄌㄤˊ ㄗˇ ㄧㄝˇ ㄒㄧㄣ

/lɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː³⁵ jɛː¹³ sɐm⁵⁵/

/lɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː³⁵ jɛː¹³ sɐm⁵⁵/


盲人瞎馬

ㄇㄤˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄚ ㄇㄚˇ

/mɑŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːŋ²¹ jɐn²¹ hɐt̚² maː¹³/

/mɑŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːŋ²¹ jɐn²¹ hɐt̚² maː¹³/


如痴如醉

ㄖㄨˊ ㄔ ㄖㄨˊ ㄗㄨㄟˋ

/ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ t͡sɵy̯³³/

/ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ t͡sɵy̯³³/

in ecstasies over; intoxicated by something; enchanted; carried away; spellbound; fascinated


終身大事

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄕㄣ ㄉㄚˋ ㄕˋ

чжуншэньдаши

čžunšɛnʹdaši

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² siː²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² siː²²/

big event in one's life (usually referring to marriage)


成雙成對

ㄔㄥˊ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄔㄥˊ ㄉㄨㄟˋ

чэншуанчэндуй

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɵy̯³³/

/sɨn¹¹ suŋ²⁴ sɨn¹¹ tu̯i⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɵy̯³³/

/sɨn¹¹ suŋ²⁴ sɨn¹¹ tu̯i⁵⁵/


心裡有鬼

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄍㄨㄟˇ

/ɕin⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ kʷɐi̯³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ kʷɐi̯³⁵/

to harbour intentions that can't bear daylight


心如止水

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄖㄨˊ ㄓˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

синьжучжишуй

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

one's mind is as calm as still water; to remain unmoved by circumstances; at peace with oneself


心中有鬼

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧㄡˇ ㄍㄨㄟˇ

синьчжунъюгуй

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ kʷɐi̯³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ kʷɐi̯³⁵/

心裡有鬼 心裡有鬼#Chinese

心里有鬼 心里有鬼#Chinese


大包小包

ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄠ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄅㄠ

/tä⁵¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄠㄦ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄅㄠㄦ

дабаорсяобаор

/tä⁵¹ paʊ̯ɻʷ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ paʊ̯ɻʷ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ paʊ̯ɻʷ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ paʊ̯ɻʷ⁵⁵/

with bags, packages or suitcases of all sizes


刨根問底

ㄆㄠˊ ㄍㄣ ㄨㄣˋ ㄉㄧˇ

паогэньвэньди

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ kən⁵⁵ wən⁵¹ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰaːu̯²¹ kɐn⁵⁵ mɐn²² tɐi̯³⁵/

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ kən⁵⁵ wən⁵¹ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰaːu̯²¹ kɐn⁵⁵ mɐn²² tɐi̯³⁵/

get to the bottom of
get to the bottom of


心裡有數

ㄒㄧㄣ ˙ㄌㄧ ㄧㄡˇ ㄕㄨˋ

/ɕin⁵⁵ li² joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹/

ㄒㄧㄣ ˙ㄌㄧ ㄧㄡˇ ㄕㄨˋㄦ

/ɕin⁵⁵ li² joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ sou̯³³/

/ɕin⁵⁵ li² joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹/

/ɕin⁵⁵ li² joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ sou̯³³/

to know very well in one's heart (e.g. what to do next, whether it is likely to succeed, etc.); to know the score


身臨其境

ㄕㄣ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

шэньлиньцицзин

/ʂən⁵⁵ lin³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ lɐm²¹ kʰei̯²¹ kɪŋ³⁵/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² lim²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴⁻²² kiɪŋ⁵³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ lin³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ lɐm²¹ kʰei̯²¹ kɪŋ³⁵/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² lim²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴⁻²² kiɪŋ⁵³/

to be personally on the scene; to be in a place or situation in person


口說無憑

ㄎㄡˇ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄨˊ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ u³⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ syːt̚³ mou̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ u³⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ syːt̚³ mou̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹/


三從四德

ㄙㄢ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄙˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/sän⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sei̯³³ tɐk̚⁵/

/sän⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sei̯³³ tɐk̚⁵/

the Three Obediences and Four Virtues (traditional Chinese social and familial code of conduct on womanhood)


藍天白雲

ㄌㄢˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄅㄞˊ ㄩㄣˊ

ланьтяньбайюнь

/län³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ yn³⁵/

/laːm²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ paːk̚² wɐn²¹/

/län³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ yn³⁵/

/laːm²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ paːk̚² wɐn²¹/


絕色天香

ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄤ

цзюэсэтяньсян

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡syːt̚² sɪk̚⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡syːt̚² sɪk̚⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

woman of incomparable beauty; unrivalled beauty


絕色佳人

ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄖㄣˊ

цзюэсэцзяжэнь

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡syːt̚² sɪk̚⁵ kaːi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡syːt̚² sɪk̚⁵ kaːi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/


青春年華

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ

цинчуньняньхуа

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ waː²¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ waː²¹/


前度劉郎

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄉㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄌㄤˊ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ tu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ lɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ tou̯²² lɐu̯²¹ lɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ tu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ lɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ tou̯²² lɐu̯²¹ lɔːŋ²¹/

From a poem by Liu Yuxi, written when he returned to the capital after 14 years in exile and revisited a peach garden.
:
百畝庭中半是苔，桃花淨盡菜花開。
種桃道士歸何處，前度劉郎今又來。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]百亩庭中半是苔，桃花净尽菜花开。
种桃道士归何处，前度刘郎今又来。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Liu Yuxi, 《再游玄都觀》, 828 CE
Bǎi mǔ tíng zhōng bàn shì tái, táohuā jìng jìn càihuā kāi.
Zhòng táo dàoshì guī héchù, qián dù Liú láng jīn yòu lái. [Pinyin]
The courtyard of a hundred mu is half-covered with moss, the peach blossoms are gone and only mallow flowers remain.
 The priests who planted the peach trees are nowhere to be found, yet that Mr. Liu last time around is now here again!

百 畝 庭 中 半 是 苔，桃花 淨 盡 菜花 開。
種{zhòng} 桃 道士 歸 何處，@前 @度 @^劉 @郎 今 又 來。

Liu Yuxi, 《再游玄都觀》, 828 <small class="ce-date">CE</small>

someone who returns to a place they have once abandoned


因噎廢食

to not eat because of [fear or experience of] choking

ㄧㄣ ㄧㄝ ㄈㄟˋ ㄕˊ

/in⁵⁵ jɛ⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ jiːt̚³ fɐi̯³³ sɪk̚²/

/in⁵⁵ jɛ⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ jiːt̚³ fɐi̯³³ sɪk̚²/

不能因為死刑可能造成誤判而廢除死刑，這是因噎廢食 [MSC, trad.]
不能因为死刑可能造成误判而废除死刑，这是因噎废食 [MSC, simp.]

The death penalty should not be abolished because of possible miscarriages, this is like not eating for fear of choking

bù néng yīnwèi sǐxíng kěnéng zào chéng wùpàn ér fèichú sǐxíng, zhè shì yīnyēfèishí [Pinyin]

to avoid something essential because of a slight risk of making a mistake


雙宿雙飛

ㄕㄨㄤ ㄙㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄈㄟ

шуансушуанфэй

/ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ su⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ sʊk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ su⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ sʊk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

live in each other's pockets
live in each other's pockets

(of a pair of lovers) to be intimate and inseparable; to live in each other's pockets


捉姦在床

ㄓㄨㄛ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄗㄞˋ ㄔㄨㄤˊ

чжоцзяньцзайчуан

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹/

to catch adulterers in the act; to catch (one's partner) in bed with someone else


高樓大廈

ㄍㄠ ㄌㄡˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄚˋ

ㄍㄠ ㄌㄡˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂä⁵¹/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² haː²²/

/kau³³⁻²³ lau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ he¹¹/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂä⁵¹/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² haː²²/

/kau³³⁻²³ lau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ he¹¹/

high-rise building (Classifier: 座 m c; 棟／栋 m c; 幢 m; 躉／趸 c)


有價無市

ㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄨˊ ㄕˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

having a price but no sales, i.e. listed with a fictitious or prohibitively high price but having no sales


推己及人

ㄊㄨㄟ ㄐㄧˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄖㄣˊ

туйцзицзижэнь

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵ kʰɐp̚² jɐn²¹/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵ kʰɐp̚² jɐn²¹/

to put oneself in the place of another; to do unto others as you would have them do unto you


頭破血流

head broken open and blood flowing (bleeding)

ㄊㄡˊ ㄆㄛˋ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

ㄊㄡˊ ㄆㄛˋ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

ㄊㄡˊ ㄆㄛˋ ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ pʰɔː³³ hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹/

/tʰau²³⁻³³ pʰua²¹⁻⁴¹ hue(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ lau²³/

/tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ pʰua¹¹⁻⁵³ hui(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ lau²⁴/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ pʰɔː³³ hyːt̚³ lɐu̯²¹/

/tʰau²³⁻³³ pʰua²¹⁻⁴¹ hue(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ lau²³/

/tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ pʰua¹¹⁻⁵³ hui(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ lau²⁴/

打得頭破血流／打得头破血流


一飽眼福

ㄧ ㄅㄠˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄈㄨˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ paːu̯³⁵ ŋaːn¹³ fʊk̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ paːu̯³⁵ ŋaːn¹³ fʊk̚⁵/


嘔心瀝血

ㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄩㄝˋ

ㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄩㄝˇ

ㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄝˇ

/ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɐu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ lɪk̚⁵ hyːt̚³/

/ɐu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ lɪk̚² hyːt̚³/

/ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɐu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ lɪk̚⁵ hyːt̚³/

/ɐu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ lɪk̚² hyːt̚³/

blood, sweat and tears
blood, sweat and tears

determination and hard work; put your blood, sweat and tears into it


苟且偷生

ㄍㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄝˇ ㄊㄡ ㄕㄥ

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɛː³⁵ tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɛː³⁵ tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/


岸谷之變

ㄢˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄓ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

аньгучжибянь

/ˀän⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

From Shijing:
高岸為谷、深谷為陵。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]高岸为谷、深谷为陵。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Gāo'àn wéi gǔ, shēngǔ wéi líng. [Pinyin]
High banks become valleys;
Deep valleys become hills.

高岸 為{wéi} 谷、深谷 為{wéi} 陵。


斷鶴續鳧

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (斷鶴續鳧):
* → Japanese: 断鶴続鳧(だんかくぞくふ) (dankakuzokufu)

ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄜˋ ㄒㄩˋ ㄈㄨˊ

дуаньхэсюйфу

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/tyːn²² hɔːk̚² t͡sʊk̚² fuː²¹/

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/tyːn²² hɔːk̚² t͡sʊk̚² fuː²¹/

From the book Zhuangzi:
長者不為有餘，短者不為不足，是故鳧脛雖短，續之則憂，鶴脛雖長，斷之則悲。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]长者不为有余，短者不为不足，是故凫胫虽短，续之则忧，鹤胫虽长，断之则悲。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE
Cháng zhě bù wéi yǒuyú, duǎn zhě bù wéi bùzú, shìgù fú jìng suī duǎn, xù zhī zé yōu, hè jìng suī cháng, duàn zhī zé bēi. [Pinyin]
What is long should not be considered too long, nor what is short too short. A duck's legs, for instance, are short, but if we try to lengthen them, it occasions pain; and a crane's legs are long, but if we try to cut off a portion of them, it produces grief.

zh-x

長 者 不 為{wéi} 有餘，短 者 不 為{wéi} 不足，是故 鳧 脛 雖 短，續 之 則 憂，鶴 脛 雖 長，斷 之 則 悲。

to shorten the legs of a crane and lengthen those of a wild duck


比肩繼踵

ㄅㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄐㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄥˇ

ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄐㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄥˇ

бицзяньцзичжун

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pei̯³⁵ kiːn⁵⁵ kɐi̯³³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵/

/pi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pei̯³⁵ kiːn⁵⁵ kɐi̯³³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵/

比肩接踵 比肩接踵#Chinese


比肩接踵

ㄅㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓㄨㄥˇ

ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓㄨㄥˇ

бицзяньцзечжун

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pei̯³⁵ kiːn⁵⁵ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵/

/pei̯³⁵ kiːn⁵⁵ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵/


誓死不二

ㄕˋ ㄙˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄦˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

to faithfully or single-mindedly pledge one's life (to) or protect with one's life


賭身立誓

ㄉㄨˇ ㄕㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄕˋ

/tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

to bet one's life; to pledge one's life (to)


嗟來之食

ㄐㄧㄝ ㄌㄞˊ ㄓ ㄕˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɪk̚²/

From the Book of Rites, Book 4 (《禮記·檀弓下》):
:
齊大饑，黔敖為食於路，以待餓者而食之。有餓者蒙袂輯屨，貿貿然來。黔敖左奉食，右執飲，曰：「嗟！來食。」揚其目而視之，曰：「予唯不食嗟來之食，以至於斯也。」從而謝焉；終不食而死。曾子聞之曰：「微歟！其嗟也可去，其謝也可食。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]齐大饥，黔敖为食于路，以待饿者而食之。有饿者蒙袂辑屦，贸贸然来。黔敖左奉食，右执饮，曰：「嗟！来食。」扬其目而视之，曰：「予唯不食嗟来之食，以至于斯也。」从而谢焉；终不食而死。曾子闻之曰：「微欤！其嗟也可去，其谢也可食。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Qí dàjī, Qián Áo wéi shí yú lù, yǐ dài èzhě ér shí zhī. Yǒu èzhě méng mèi jí jù, màomàorán lái. Qián Áo zuǒ fèng shí, yòu zhí yǐn, yuē: “Jiē! Lái shí.” Yáng qí mù ér shì zhī, yuē: “Yǔ wéi bù shí jiē lái zhī shí, yǐzhìyú sī yě.” Cóng ér xiè yān; zhōng bù shí ér sǐ. Zēngzǐ wén zhī yuē: “Wēi yú! Qí jiē yě kě qù, qí xiè yě kě shí.” [Pinyin]
During a great dearth in Qi, Qian Ao had food prepared on the road to wait for the starving people, and supplied them food. (One day), there came a famished fellow, and it looked like he could hardly see, his face covered with his sleeves, and his feet dragging together. Qian Ao, with some food in his left hand and with some drinks in right hand, said to him, "Alas! Come and eat!" The fellow stared at him and said, "It was because I did not eat 'alas come here's' food, that I am now in this state." Qian Ao immediately apologised for his words, but the man after all did not take the food and died. Zengzi heard about it and said, "Are you kidding me? If Qian Ao expressed his pity, the fellow should just get away. But since he had apologised, the fellow should have eaten the food."

齊 大-饑，@^黔 @^敖 為{wéi} 食 於 路，以 待 餓-者 而 食 之。有 餓-者 蒙 袂 輯 屨，貿-貿-然 來。@^黔 @^敖 左 奉 食，右 執 飲，曰：「嗟！來 食。」揚 其 目 而 視 之，曰：「予 唯 不 食 嗟.來.之.食，以至於 斯 也。」從 而 謝 焉；終 不 食 而 死。@曾{Zēng}子 聞 之 曰：「微 歟！其 嗟 也 可 去，其 謝 也 可 食。」

food handed out in contempt; contemptuous handout


不識之無

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u³⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mou̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u³⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mou̯²¹/


誓死不屈

ㄕˋ ㄙˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/


扞格不通

ㄏㄢˋ ㄍㄜˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥ

/xän⁵¹ kɤ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/xän⁵¹ kɤ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/


一見如故

ㄧ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄍㄨˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ jyː²¹ kuː³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ jyː²¹ kuː³³/

to be familiar at first sight; to hit it off


一口咬定

ㄧ ㄎㄡˇ ㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tiŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ ŋaːu̯¹³ tɪŋ²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tiŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ ŋaːu̯¹³ tɪŋ²²/

to assert resolutely and stick to one's statement


一男半女

ㄧ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄋㄩˇ

инаньбаньнюй

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ nän³⁵ pän⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ naːm²¹ puːn³³ nɵy̯¹³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ nän³⁵ pän⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ naːm²¹ puːn³³ nɵy̯¹³/

a child; a son or daughter (emphasizing the small number of children)


一切從簡

ㄧ ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄢˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯³³ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ kaːn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯³³ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ kaːn³⁵/


一索得男

ㄧ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄜˊ ㄋㄢˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɤ³⁵ nän³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɔːk̚³ tɐk̚⁵ naːm²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɤ³⁵ nän³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɔːk̚³ tɐk̚⁵ naːm²¹/

to give birth to a boy as one's first baby


一走了之

ㄧ ㄗㄡˇ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄓ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ liːu̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ liːu̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

to quit; to walk away from a situation irresponsibly


一無所長

ㄧ ㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄔㄤˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

to not have any special skills or qualifications


苦口婆心

ㄎㄨˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄆㄛˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔː²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔː²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/


心領神會

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

синьлиншэньхуэй

/ɕin⁵⁵ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɪŋ¹³ sɐn²¹ wuːi̯²²/

/ɕin⁵⁵ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɪŋ¹³ sɐn²¹ wuːi̯²²/

understand without need for a full explanation


一步登天

ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄥ ㄊㄧㄢ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pu⁵¹ tɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pou̯²² tɐŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pu⁵¹ tɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pou̯²² tɐŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

to advance to a high position easily; to achieve instant success


一般見識

ㄧ ㄅㄢ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄕˊ

ㄧ ㄅㄢ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄕˋ

ㄧ ㄅㄢ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ˙ㄕ

ибаньцзяньши

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/i⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂʐ̩¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn⁵⁵ kiːn³³ sɪk̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/i⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂʐ̩¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn⁵⁵ kiːn³³ sɪk̚⁵/

(usually with negative connotation) to be at the same level of understanding; to lower oneself to someone's level