生老病死

ja-r

しょう%ろう%びょう%し

CJKV/code

しょう%ろう%びょう%し

Sino-Xenic (生老病死):
* → Japanese: 生(しょう)老(ろう)病(びょう)死(し) (shōrōbyōshi)
* → Korean: 생로병사(生老病死) (saengnobyeongsa)
* → Vietnamese: sinh lão bệnh tử (生老病死)

CJKV

しょう%ろう%びょう%し

ㄕㄥ ㄌㄠˇ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄙˇ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ pɛːŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ pɛːŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

From the four sights of human existence encountered by the young Buddha, which motivated his desire to end human suffering.

(originally Buddhism) to be born, to get old, to become ill and to die; fate of humankind; mortality


你死我活

ㄋㄧˇ ㄙˇ ㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄨㄛˊ

/ni²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/nei̯¹³ sei̯³⁵ ŋɔː¹³ wuːt̚²/

/ni²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/nei̯¹³ sei̯³⁵ ŋɔː¹³ wuːt̚²/

拼個你死我活／拼个你死我活

irreconcilable adversaries; two parties cannot coexist


人生如夢

ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄥ ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄥˋ

жэньшэнжумэн

žɛnʹšɛnžumɛn

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ mʊŋ²²/

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ mʊŋ²²/


漁夫之利

/y³⁵ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

/y³⁵ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

漁人之利 漁人之利#Chinese

渔人之利 渔人之利#Chinese

Synonym of 漁人之利／渔人之利 (yúrénzhīlì, “the benefits reaped by a third party when two sides quarrel”)


並行不悖

ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄟˋ

/piŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ puːi̯²²/

/piŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ puːi̯²²/


燙手山芋

ㄊㄤˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕㄢ ㄩˋ

таншоу шаньюй

/tʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ³³ sɐu̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ suã³³ ɔ⁴¹/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ³³ sɐu̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ suã³³ ɔ⁴¹/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

hot potato (awkward or delicate problem)


板上釘釘

ㄅㄢˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄥ

баньшандиндин

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiŋ⁵⁵/

ㄅㄢˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄥㄦ

баньшандиндинр

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiɤ̯̃ɻ⁵⁵/

/paːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² tɛːŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵/

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiɤ̯̃ɻ⁵⁵/

/paːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² tɛːŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵/


梟首示眾

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

сяошоу шичжун

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡sʊŋ³³/

to behead somebody and display the head in public; to cut of a person's head and hang it up as a warning to all


妄自尊大

ㄨㄤˋ ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄣ ㄉㄚˋ

ванцзыцзуньда

/wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² t͡syːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²²/

/wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² t͡syːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²²/

我們的許多同志，喜歡對黨外人員妄自尊大，看人家不起，藐視人家，而不願尊重人家，不願了解人家的長處。 [MSC, trad.]
我们的许多同志，喜欢对党外人员妄自尊大，看人家不起，藐视人家，而不愿尊重人家，不愿了解人家的长处。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1942, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《整頓黨的作風》 (Rectify the Party's Style of Work), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Many of our comrades tend to be overbearing in their relations with non-Party people, look down upon them, despise or refuse to respect them or appreciate their strong points.

Wǒmen de xǔduō tóngzhì, xǐhuan duì dǎngwài rényuán wàngzìzūndà, kàn rénjia bùqǐ, miǎoshì rénjia, ér bù yuàn zūnzhòng rénjia, bù yuàn liǎojiě rénjia de chángchù. [Pinyin]

to be arrogant; to be self-important; to suffer from megalomania


鋪天蓋地

ㄆㄨ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄍㄞˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/pʰu⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/pʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɔːi̯³³ tei̯²²/

/pʰu⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/pʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɔːi̯³³ tei̯²²/

to flood in; earth-shattering; to be omnipresent; everywhere


來龍去脈

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄩˋ ㄇㄞˋ

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄩˋ ㄇㄛˋ

лайлунцюймай

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ maɪ̯⁵¹/

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lʊŋ²¹ hɵy̯³³ mɐk̚²/

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ maɪ̯⁵¹/

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lʊŋ²¹ hɵy̯³³ mɐk̚²/

In fengshui terminology, 龍脈／龙脉 (lóngmài) refers to a stretch of rolling hills, the start and end points of which are termed 來龍／来龙 and 去脈／去脉, respectively.

zh-l

龍脈／龙脉 (lóngmài)

(figurative) origin and development; the entire process; sequence of events; ins and outs


虎視眈眈

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (虎視眈眈):
* → Japanese: 虎視眈眈(こしたんたん) (koshitantan)
* → Korean: 호시탐탐(虎視眈眈) (hositamtam)
* → Vietnamese: hổ thị đam đam (虎視眈眈)

ㄏㄨˇ ㄕˋ ㄉㄢ ㄉㄢ

хушиданьдань

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ tän⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ siː²² taːm⁵⁵ taːm⁵⁵/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tam³³ tam³³/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hõũ⁵²⁻³⁵ si³⁵⁻¹¹ tam³³⁻²³ tam³³/

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ tän⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ siː²² taːm⁵⁵ taːm⁵⁵/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tam³³ tam³³/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hõũ⁵²⁻³⁵ si³⁵⁻¹¹ tam³³⁻²³ tam³³/

From I Ching, Hexagram 27 (《易经·頤卦》):
:
六四：顛頤，吉，虎視眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]六四：颠颐，吉，虎视眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Liùsì: diān yí, jí, hǔshì dāndān, qí yù zhúzhú, wú jiù. [Pinyin]
The fourth SIX, divided, shows one looking downwards for (the power to) nourish. There will be good fortune. Looking with a tiger's downward unwavering glare, and with his desire that impels him to spring after spring, he will fall into no error.

zh-x

六四：顛 頤，吉，虎視.眈眈，其 欲 逐-逐，无 咎。

to glare like a tiger watching its prey; to glare at with fierceness; to keep a vigilant eye on; to eye covetously

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 27


僧多粥少

ㄙㄥ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓㄡ ㄕㄠˇ

сэндочжоушао

/sɤŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

/t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ siau⁴¹/

/t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ to⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ siau⁵³/

/sɤŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

not enough to go around; having demands exceeding supply


靡靡之音

ㄇㄧˇ ㄇㄧˇ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/mei̯¹³ mei̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/mei̯¹³ mei̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

From Han Feizi, Chapter 10 (《韓非子·十過》):
:
未終，師曠撫止之，曰：「此亡國之聲，不可遂也。」平公曰：「此道奚出？」師曠曰：「此師延之所作，與紂為靡靡之樂也，及武王伐紂，師延東走，至於濮水而自投，故聞此聲者必於濮水之上。先聞此聲者其國必削，不可遂。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]未终，师旷抚止之，曰：「此亡国之声，不可遂也。」平公曰：「此道奚出？」师旷曰：「此师延之所作，与纣为靡靡之乐也，及武王伐纣，师延东走，至于濮水而自投，故闻此声者必于濮水之上。先闻此声者其国必削，不可遂。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Feizi, circa 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on W. K. Liao's version
Wèi zhōng, shī Kuàng fǔ zhǐ zhī, yuē: “Cǐ wángguó zhī shēng, bùkě suì yě.” Píng gōng yuē: “Cǐ dào xī chū?” Shī Kuàng yuē: “Cǐ shī Yán zhī suǒ zuò, yǔ Zhòu wéi mǐmǐ zhī yuè yě, jí Wǔ wáng fá Zhòu, shī Yán dōng zǒu, zhì yú Pú shuǐ ér zì tóu, gù wén cǐ shēng zhě bì yú Pú shuǐ zhī shàng. Xiān wén cǐ shēng zhě qí guó bì xuē, bùkě suì.” [Pinyin]
Before the performance was finished, Musician Kuang (師曠) held down his hands and stopped the music, saying, "This is a state-ruining piece of music, which should not be performed to its end." "Where does this music come from? Do you know?" asked Duke Ping. "This was composed by Musician Yen," replied Musician Kuang, "and presented to King Zhou. It was a piece of frivolous music. When King Wu attacked Zhou, Musician Yen ran eastward as far as the Pu Water, where he drowned himself. Therefore, this music has been heard only by the Pu Water. At any rate, whoever hears this music performed, is bound to see his native soil dismembered. Its performance, therefore, should not be completed."

未 終，師 @^曠 撫 止 之，曰：「此 亡國 之 聲，不可 遂 也。」^平 公 曰：「此 道 奚 出？」@^師.^曠 曰：「此 師 @^延 之 所 作，與 ^@紂 為{wéi} @靡靡 @之 樂 也，及 ^@武 王 伐 ^@紂，師 @^延 東 走，至 於 @^濮 水 而 自 投，故 聞 此 聲 者 必 於 @^濮 水 之 上。先 聞 此 聲 者 其 國 必 削，不可 遂。」

decadent or obscene music; cheap, low-class tunes; popular music

Duke Ping of Jin
Han Feizi
King Wu of Zhou
King Zhou of Shang
zh:師曠


碌碌無為

ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

seemingly always on the run, but actually achieving nothing; to lead a busy, but vain and humdrum life; plodding hard but accomplishing little of significance


債務累累

ㄓㄞˋ ㄨˋ ㄌㄟˇ ㄌㄟˇ

/ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡saːi̯³³ mou̯²² lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/

/t͡saːi̯³³ mou̯²² lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/


大智若愚

ㄉㄚˋ ㄓˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siː³³ jœːk̚² jyː²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siː³³ jœːk̚² jyː²¹/

having great intelligence but appearing foolish; a man of great wisdom appearing slow-witted


混淆是非

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

ㄏㄨㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

хуньсяо шифэй

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

хуньяо шифэй

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/


吃苦耐勞

ㄔ ㄎㄨˇ ㄋㄞˋ ㄌㄠˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ naɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ naɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/


千辛萬苦

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄎㄨˇ

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄎㄨˇ

цяньсиньваньку

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ uan²¹³ kʰu⁵³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ɕin⁴² uan¹¹ kʰu²¹³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰu³¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ sin³³ ban⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ sin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ ɕin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ uan²¹³ kʰu⁵³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ɕin⁴² uan¹¹ kʰu²¹³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰu³¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ sin³³ ban⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ sin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ ɕin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

不容易深切了解我國人民曾經怎樣經歷千辛萬苦的鬥爭才擺脫了帝國主義和國民黨反動派的壓迫 [MSC, trad.]
不容易深切了解我国人民曾经怎样经历千辛万苦的斗争才摆脱了帝国主义和国民党反动派的压迫 [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

it is not easy for them thoroughly to comprehend the hardships our people went through in the struggle to free themselves from the oppression of the imperialists and Kuomintang reactionaries

bù róngyì shēnqiè liǎojiě wǒguó rénmín céngjīng zěnyàng jīnglì qiānxīnwànkǔ de dòuzhēng cái bǎituō le dìguó zhǔyì hé Guómíndǎng fǎndòngpài de yāpò [Pinyin]

trials and tribulations
trials and tribulations

suffering untold hardships; trials and tribulations


身外之物

/ʂən⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐt̚²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐt̚²/

錢乃身外之物。／钱乃身外之物。

mere worldly possessions; things external to one's life


之乎者也

ㄓ ㄏㄨ ㄓㄜˇ ㄧㄝˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fuː²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ jaː¹³/

/t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ hu¹¹ t͡sia⁵²⁻³⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ hu³³ t͡se³³ ɦie²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fuː²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ jaː¹³/

/t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ hu¹¹ t͡sia⁵²⁻³⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ hu³³ t͡se³³ ɦie²¹/

The four common particles in Classical Chinese.

他對人說話，總是滿口之乎者也，教人半懂不懂的。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
他对人说话，总是满口之乎者也，教人半懂不懂的。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: 魯迅 Lu Xun, 《孔乙己》 Kung I-chi, 1919; translation by Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang.

He used so many archaisms in his speech, it was impossible to understand half he said.

Tā duìrén shuōhuà, zǒngshì mǎnkǒu zhīhūzhěyě, jiào rén bàn dǒng bùdǒng de. [Pinyin]

(metonymically) unintelligible speech or article filled with archaisms; pedantic expressions; grandiloquent speech; semi-incomprehensible talk


我行我素

ㄨㄛˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄛˇ ㄙㄨˋ

/wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/ŋɔː¹³ hɐŋ²¹ ŋɔː¹³ sou̯³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ¹¹/

uá kiâⁿ uá sù

/ua⁵² kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ua⁵²⁻³⁵ su²¹³/

/wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/ŋɔː¹³ hɐŋ²¹ ŋɔː¹³ sou̯³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ¹¹/

/ua⁵² kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ua⁵²⁻³⁵ su²¹³/

to persist in one's old ways; to continue in one's own way no matter what others say


屢教不改

ㄌㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄞˇ

люйцзяобугай

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɵy̯¹³ kaːu̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵/

/lɵy̯¹³ kaːu̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵/

佢屢教不改㗎，明明識禮貌都唔守。 [Cantonese, trad.]
佢屡教不改㗎，明明识礼貌都唔守。 [Cantonese, simp.]

He does wrong after being taught many times; he knows politeness rules, but he doesn't follow them anyway.

keoi⁵ leoi⁵ gaau³ bat¹ goi² gaa³, ming⁴ ming⁴ sik¹ lai⁵ maau⁶ dou¹ m⁴ sau². [Jyutping]

犯錯誤的人，除了極少數堅持錯誤、屢教不改的以外，大多數是可以改正的。 [MSC, trad.]
犯错误的人，除了极少数坚持错误、屡教不改的以外，大多数是可以改正的。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1956, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《論十大關係》 (On the Ten Major Relationships), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Except for a few who cling to their mistakes and fail to mend their ways after repeated admonition, the majority of those who have erred can correct their mistakes.

Fàn cuòwù de rén, chúle jíshǎoshù jiānchí cuòwù, lǚjiàobùgǎi de yǐwài, dàduōshù shì kěyǐ gǎizhèng de. [Pinyin]

to have been taught many times, but still do wrong anyway; to be incorrigible


春意闌珊

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄧˋ ㄌㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

чуньиланьшань

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ i⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ i⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

簾外雨潺潺，春意闌珊。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
帘外雨潺潺，春意阑珊。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: c. 978, Li Yu, 《浪淘沙令·簾外雨潺潺》, translated by Xu Yuanchong

The curtain cannot keep out the patter of rain; Springtime is on the wane.

Lián wài yǔ chánchán, chūnyìlánshān. [Pinyin]


四方八面

ㄙˋ ㄈㄤ ㄅㄚ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

/sz̩⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ miːn²²/

/si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huoŋ⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ pɛiʔ²⁴⁻⁵⁵ miɛŋ²⁴²/

/sz̩⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ miːn²²/

四面八方 四面八方#Chinese

Synonym of 四面八方 (sìmiànbāfāng, “in all directions; all around; far and near”)


吃喝拉撒睡

ㄔ ㄏㄜ ㄌㄚ ㄙㄚ ㄕㄨㄟˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵ lä⁵⁵ sä⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵ lä⁵⁵ sä⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/


世外桃源

ㄕˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄊㄠˊ ㄩㄢˊ

шивайтаоюань

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ ŋɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ jyːn²¹/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡua³³⁻²¹ tʰɤ²³⁻³³ ɡuan²³/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ tʰo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan²⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ ŋɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ jyːn²¹/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡua³³⁻²¹ tʰɤ²³⁻³³ ɡuan²³/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ tʰo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan²⁴/

Based on The Peach Blossom Spring (《桃花源記》) by Tao Yuanming (陶淵明).

沒有派對的日子，帕安島十分寧靜，像與世隔絕般的世外桃源，吸引了一批以靈修、瑜珈過活的年輕人移居此地，開班授徒。就連泰皇都被這世外桃源吸引 [MSC, trad.]
没有派对的日子，帕安岛十分宁静，像与世隔绝般的世外桃源，吸引了一批以灵修、瑜珈过活的年轻人移居此地，开班授徒。就连泰皇都被这世外桃源吸引 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2009, 談齊好, 《至smart遊14：蘇梅》, page 258

On days when there are no parties, Koh Phangan is extremely serene, just like a utopia, separate from the world. It has attracted a group of young people who live engaging in spirituality and yoga to move here, set up classes and teach students. Even the Thai emperor has been attracted by this utopia

Méiyǒu pàiduì de rìzǐ, Pà'ān Dǎo shífēn níngjìng, xiàng yǔshìgéjué bān de shìwàitáoyuán, xīyǐn le yī pī yǐ língxiū, yújiā guòhuó de niánqīngrén yíjū cǐdì, kāibān shòutú. Jiù lián tàihuáng dōu bèi zhè shìwàitáoyuán xīyǐn [Pinyin]

The Peach Blossom Land; Shangri-La; Arcadia; lotus land; utopia; unexpectedly fantastic place off the beaten path, usually an unspoiled wilderness of great beauty; land of idyllic beauty; fictitious land of peace; heaven of peace and happiness; retreat away from the turmoil of the world; place for taking refuge


樑上君子

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ

ляншанцзюньцзы

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sœːŋ²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sœːŋ²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

From a story in the Book of the Later Han.


窈窕淑女

ㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄨ ㄋㄩˇ

ㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄨˊ ㄋㄩˇ

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/miːu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/jiːu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/iau⁵²⁻³⁵ tʰiau⁵²⁻³⁵ sok̚²⁻⁴ nɯŋ⁵²⁻²¹/

/miːu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/jiːu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/iau⁵²⁻³⁵ tʰiau⁵²⁻³⁵ sok̚²⁻⁴ nɯŋ⁵²⁻²¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 1 (《詩經·周南·關雎》):
:
窈窕淑女，君子好逑。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yǎotiǎo shūnǚ, jūnzǐ hǎoqiú. [Pinyin]
The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady:
For our prince a good mate she.

lang

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

zh-x

窈窕.淑女，君子 好逑。

因為在前邊領路的那位窈窕淑女明明很從容地就走過去了 [MSC, trad.]
因为在前边领路的那位窈窕淑女明明很从容地就走过去了 [MSC, simp.]

Because obviously that virtuous and beautiful girl who led the way ahead had walked past very calmly

Yīnwèi zài qiánbiān lǐnglù de nàwèi yǎotiǎoshūnǚ míngmíng hěn cóngróng de jiù zǒu guoqu le [Pinyin]


自吹自擂

ㄗˋ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄗˋ ㄌㄟˊ

цзычуйцзылэй

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ leɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː²² lɵy̯²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ leɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː²² lɵy̯²¹/

to toot one's own horn; to boast about oneself


事後諸葛亮

ㄕˋ ㄏㄡˋ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄜˇ ㄌㄧㄤˋ

ㄕˋ ㄏㄡˋ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄜˊ ㄌㄧㄤˋ

шихоу Чжугэ Лян

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/siː²² hɐu̯²² t͡syː⁵⁵ kɔːt̚³ lœːŋ²²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/siː²² hɐu̯²² t͡syː⁵⁵ kɔːt̚³ lœːŋ²²/

twenty-twenty hindsight
twenty-twenty hindsight

expert in hindsight; twenty-twenty hindsight; to have pseudo-intellectual opinion after the fact but not before


胡攪蠻纏

ㄏㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄇㄢˊ ㄔㄢˊ

хуцзяоманьчань

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ män³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵/

/wuː²¹ kaːu̯³⁵ maːn²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ män³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵/

/wuː²¹ kaːu̯³⁵ maːn²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

to pester somebody endlessly; to be unreasonable; to plague somebody with unreasonable demands; to argue tediously and vexatiously


全神貫注

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨˋ

цюаньшэньгуаньчжу

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

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

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

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

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

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

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

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

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

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

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


身陷囹圄

ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄩˇ

шэньсяньлинъюй

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɐm²² lɪŋ²¹ jyː¹³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɐm²² lɪŋ²¹ jyː¹³/


傾家蕩產

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ

цинцзяданчань

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰyn⁵⁵ t͡ɕia⁵⁵ taŋ²¹³ t͡sʰan⁵³/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɔːŋ²² t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

/kʰen⁵⁵ ka³³ ɔŋ³² t͡sʰan⁵⁵/

/kʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ taŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sũã⁵²/

/t͡ɕʰyn⁵⁵ t͡ɕia⁵⁵ taŋ²¹³ t͡sʰan⁵³/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɔːŋ²² t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

/kʰen⁵⁵ ka³³ ɔŋ³² t͡sʰan⁵⁵/

/kʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ taŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sũã⁵²/

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


言歸於好

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄩˊ ㄏㄠˇ

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

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

凡 我 同盟 之 人，既 盟 之後，@言 @歸 @于 @好。

to bury the hatchet; to become reconciled


過河拆橋

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄔㄞ ㄑㄧㄠˊ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

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


鮮為人知

ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ

сяньвэйжэньчжи

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/siːn³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/siːn³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

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


不揣冒昧

ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄞˇ ㄇㄠˋ ㄇㄟˋ

бучуаймаомэй

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ mou̯²² mɐi̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ mou̯²² mɐi̯²²/

to venture to; presume; to take the liberty of


淚流滿面

ㄌㄟˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

лэйлюманьмянь

/leɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² lɐu̯²¹ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

/leɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² lɐu̯²¹ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

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


津津樂道

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄌㄜˋ ㄉㄠˋ

цзиньцзиньлэдао

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

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


美其名曰

ㄇㄟˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄝ

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵/

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵/


婦孺皆知

ㄈㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓ

/fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fuː¹³ jyː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fuː¹³ jyː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/


喧賓奪主

the voice of the guest overwhelms that of the host

ㄒㄩㄢ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄓㄨˇ

сюаньбиньдочжу

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² t͡syː³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² t͡syː³⁵/

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

From: 《经济日报》, 2022年09月12日, “轻装”月饼味更香

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

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

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


實話實說

ㄕˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄕˊ ㄕㄨㄛ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² waː²² sɐt̚² syːt̚³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² waː²² sɐt̚² syːt̚³/

call a spade a spade
call a spade a spade

to speak the truth; to call a spade a spade


有頭無尾

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˇ

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

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

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

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

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


嶄露頭角

ㄓㄢˇ ㄌㄨˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

чжаньлутоуцзяо

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

/t͡saːm³⁵ lou̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ kɔːk̚³/

/t͡saːm³⁵ lou̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ kɔːk̚³/

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


四海為家

ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄚ

/sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

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

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

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

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


派上用場

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˇ

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˊ

пайшанъюнчан

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

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/


任人唯親

ㄖㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧㄣ

жэньжэньвэйцинь

žɛnʹžɛnʹvɛjcinʹ

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

to appoint people by favouritism; nepotism


如意算盤

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄢˊ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ˙ㄆㄢ

жуисуаньпань

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

don't count your chickens before they're hatched

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


玩世不恭

ㄨㄢˊ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

/wän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

to despise worldly conventions; to be cynical; frivolous


趁火打劫

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

ㄔㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

ㄔㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇㄦ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

чэньхордацзе

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔɻ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

to take advantage of chaos for one's own profit


五臟俱全

ㄨˇ ㄗㄤˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

уцзанцзюйцюань

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

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

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

(please add an English translation of this quotation)

麻雀雖小，五臟俱全 麻雀雖小，五臟俱全#Chinese

麻雀虽小，五脏俱全 麻雀虽小，五脏俱全#Chinese

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


陳腔濫調

ㄔㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄌㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

чэньцянланьдяо

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːm¹³ tiːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːm¹³ tiːu̯²²/

(usually of writing) hackneyed; unoriginal; stereotyped


無與倫比

ㄨˊ ㄩˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄧˇ

/u³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/u³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

她的美麗確是無與倫比。 [MSC, trad.]
她的美丽确是无与伦比。 [MSC, simp.]

beyond compare; incomparable; unrivaled; unequalled; in a class of its own


好學不倦

ㄏㄠˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄢˋ

хаосюэбуцзюань

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/


破財消災

ㄆㄛˋ ㄘㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄗㄞ

поцайсяоцзай

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

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


囂張跋扈

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄓㄤ ㄅㄚˊ ㄏㄨˋ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

arrogant and despotic; domineering and aggressive


形影不離

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄥˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/


生意興隆

CJKV/code

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

ㄕㄥ ˙ㄧ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

ㄕㄥ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i² ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i² ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

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


一年半載

ㄧ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄗㄞˇ

иняньбаньцзай

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

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

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

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/

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

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

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

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/


靈機一動

ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

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


上房揭瓦

ㄕㄤˋ ㄈㄤˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄨㄚˇ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to scale the roof to rip the tiles; to cause havoc in the house


風土人情

ㄈㄥ ㄊㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

фэнтужэньцин

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/


淨身出戶

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋ

цзиншэньчуху

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋㄦ

цзиншэньчухур

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

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


笑掉大牙

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄚˊ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ jä³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ tiːu̯²² taːi̯²² ŋaː²¹/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ jä³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ tiːu̯²² taːi̯²² ŋaː²¹/

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

to laugh one's head off; ridiculous and embarrassing


特立獨行

ㄊㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

independent in mind and action; unconventional and strong-minded


一問一答

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²² jɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mɯŋ¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tap̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²² jɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mɯŋ¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tap̚²/

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

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

to ask and answer interchangeably or successively


中流砥柱

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄧˇ ㄓㄨˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄧˇ ㄓㄨˋㄦ

чжунлюдичжур

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

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

(figurative) mainstay; cornerstone; chief support


人云亦云

ㄖㄣˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄧˋ ㄩㄣˊ

/ʐən³⁵ yn³⁵ i⁵¹ yn³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ jɪk̚² wɐn²¹/

/ʐən³⁵ yn³⁵ i⁵¹ yn³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ jɪk̚² wɐn²¹/

to say what others say; to follow the herd


一貧如洗

ㄧ ㄆㄧㄣˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄒㄧˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰin³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰɐn²¹ jyː²¹ sɐi̯³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰin³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰɐn²¹ jyː²¹ sɐi̯³⁵/

poor as a church mouse
poor as a church mouse


如意郎君

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄌㄤˊ ㄐㄩㄣ

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ lɔːŋ²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ lɔːŋ²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

ideal husband; Mr. Right; Prince Charming


身體力行

ㄕㄣ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

practice what one preaches
practice what one preaches

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


青春年少

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄠˋ

цинчуньняньшао

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ siːu̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ siːu̯³³/


風塵碌碌

ㄈㄥ ㄔㄣˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/

to be busy with worldly affairs; toiling over ordinary chores


春風化雨

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ

чуньфэнхуаюй

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


白手起家

ㄅㄞˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄚ

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

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


烏合之眾

⇒ Japanese: 烏合の衆 (ugō no shū)

ㄨ ㄏㄜˊ ㄓ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

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

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

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

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/


永無止境

ㄩㄥˇ ㄨˊ ㄓˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

without an end; endless; never-ending; boundless


安於現狀

ㄢ ㄩˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

аньюйсяньчжуан

/ˀän⁵⁵ y³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ y³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

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


強詞奪理

ㄑㄧㄤˇ ㄘˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˇ

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

/kʰœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯¹³/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯¹³/

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


嫁禍於人

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

to shift the blame on others; to pass the buck


安家落戶

ㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˋ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

ㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˋㄦ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² wuː²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² wuː²²/

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


可望而不可即

ㄎㄜˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧˊ

кэ ван эр букэ цзи

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

/hɔː³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

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


自知之明

цзычжичжимин

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

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

zh-x

知 人 者 智，自 知 者 明。

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


自相殘殺

ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄘㄢˊ ㄕㄚ

цзысянцаньша

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ saːt̚³/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ saːt̚³/

to slaughter each other; to massacre one another


莊周夢蝶

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄓㄡ ㄇㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄝˊ

чжуанчжоумэнде

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² tiːp̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² tiːp̚²/

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

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

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


血氣方剛

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

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

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

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


皮包骨頭

ㄆㄧˊ ㄅㄠ ㄍㄨˇ ˙ㄊㄡ

ㄆㄧˊ ㄅㄠ ㄍㄨˊ ˙ㄊㄡ

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³/

/pʰei̯²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³/

/pʰei̯²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/


群言堂

ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄊㄤˊ

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

democratic decision making; decision making by consensus


脣齒相依

ㄔㄨㄣˊ ㄔˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄧ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵/

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


有目無珠

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

有眼無珠 有眼無珠#Chinese

有眼无珠 有眼无珠#Chinese


相依為命

相依为命
相須為命
相倚為命
相與為命

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄧ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã¹¹/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã¹¹/

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


有眼無珠

有眼无珠
有目無珠
有眼無瞳
肉眼無珠
眼內無珠
盲眼無珠

ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

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


千真萬確

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ

цяньчжэньваньцюэ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ t͡sən⁵⁵ uan²¹³ t͡ɕʰyo²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² kʰɔːk̚³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ t͡sən⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰɔk̚¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ ʈ͡ʂən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡sən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ t͡sən⁵⁵ uan²¹³ t͡ɕʰyo²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² kʰɔːk̚³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ t͡sən⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰɔk̚¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ ʈ͡ʂən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡sən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

absolutely true; one can swear it is true


面無表情

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² mou̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² mou̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

stolid; showing little expression on the face


直截了當

直截了当
直接了當
直捷了當

ㄓˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄤˋ

чжицзеляодан

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡siːt̚² liːu̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡siːt̚² liːu̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³/


不擇手段

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

буцзэшоудуань

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

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

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

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

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

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

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

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

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

只要目的正當，可以不擇手段／只要目的正当，可以不择手段

zhǐyào mùdì zhèngdàng, kěyǐ bùzéshǒuduàn


言過其實

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

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

物 固 有 形，形 固 有 名。此 言 不得 過實，實 不得 延 名。

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


悶悶不樂

ㄇㄣˋ ㄇㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄜˋ

мэньмэньбулэ

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/


大顯身手

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇ

дасяньшэньшоу

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

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇㄦ

дасяньшэньшоур

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

/taːi̯²² hiːn³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

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

/taːi̯²² hiːn³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

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

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

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

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


沉默寡言

ㄔㄣˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄧㄢˊ

чэньмогуаянь

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ mɐk̚² kʷaː³⁵ jiːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ mɐk̚² kʷaː³⁵ jiːn²¹/


積少成多

ㄐㄧ ㄕㄠˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄉㄨㄛ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

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


去蕪存菁

to get rid of the weeds and keep the flowers

ㄑㄩˋ ㄨˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄥ

цюйуцуньцзин

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

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


壓力山大

ㄧㄚ ㄌㄧˋ ㄕㄢ ㄉㄚˋ

/jä⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/jä⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

Similar-sounding rendition of 亞歷山大／亚历山大 (Yàlìshāndà, “Alexander; Alexandra”).

zh-l

(neologism, humorous) to be under great pressure


不予理睬

ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄘㄞˇ

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

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ lei̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ lei̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

to ignore; to dismiss; to pay no attention to


付之一笑

ㄈㄨˋ ㄓ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³/

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³/

to laugh something off; to dismiss with a laugh


毋庸置疑

/u³⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

/u³⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

no need to question; without any doubt; undoubtedly


一頭霧水

ㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

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

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

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

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

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

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

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

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

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

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

to be completely muddle-headed; to be baffled


腰酸背痛

ㄧㄠ ㄙㄨㄢ ㄅㄟˋ ㄊㄨㄥˋ

яосуаньбэйтун

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯än⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯⁵⁵ syːn⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ tʰʊŋ³³/

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯än⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯⁵⁵ syːn⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ tʰʊŋ³³/

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


語無倫次

ㄩˇ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄘˋ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

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


千古罪人

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄍㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄖㄣˊ

цяньгуцзуйжэнь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kuː³⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kuː³⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐn²¹/


條分縷析

ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄈㄣ ㄌㄩˇ ㄒㄧ

тяофэньлюйси

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/

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


化雨春風

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄈㄥ

хуаюйчуньфэн

/xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/faː³³ jyː¹³ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/faː³³ jyː¹³ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

benefits of education; positive influence of a teacher


東風化雨

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/


百年大計

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˋ

байняньдацзи

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐi̯³³/

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


百年不遇

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˋ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jyː²²/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jyː²²/

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


裝瘋賣傻

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄈㄥ ㄇㄞˋ ㄕㄚˇ

чжуанфэнмайша

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ maɪ̯⁵¹ ʂä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ maːi̯²² sɔː²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ maɪ̯⁵¹ ʂä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ maːi̯²² sɔː²¹/


大勢已去

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕˋ ㄧˇ ㄑㄩˋ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐi̯³³ jiː¹³ hɵy̯³³/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐi̯³³ jiː¹³ hɵy̯³³/

that ship has sailed
that ship has sailed

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


雕蟲小技

ㄉㄧㄠ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧˋ

дяочунсяоцзи

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

ㄉㄧㄠ ㄔㄨㄥˊㄦ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧˋ

дяочунрсяоцзи

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊ̃ɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ kei̯²²/

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ kei̯²²/

insignificant talent; minor accomplishment


口耳相傳

ㄎㄡˇ ㄦˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

коуэрсянчуань

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ jiː¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/hɐu̯³⁵ jiː¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to be passed down orally (from generation to generation)


辭舊迎新

ㄘˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/t͡sʰz̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯²² jɪŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰz̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯²² jɪŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

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


拖泥帶水

ㄊㄨㄛ ㄋㄧˊ ㄉㄞˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ni³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɔː⁵⁵ nɐi̯²¹ taːi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵/

/tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ni³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɔː⁵⁵ nɐi̯²¹ taːi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵/

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


無一幸免

ㄨˊ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄢˇ

/u³⁵ i⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ hɐŋ²² miːn¹³/

/u³⁵ i⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ hɐŋ²² miːn¹³/

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


光陰荏苒

ㄍㄨㄤ ㄧㄣ ㄖㄣˇ ㄖㄢˇ

гуанъиньжэньжань

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ in⁵⁵ ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵ jɐm¹³ jiːm¹³/

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ in⁵⁵ ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵ jɐm¹³ jiːm¹³/


時不我待

ㄕˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄞˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/siː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ tɔːi̯²²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/siː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ tɔːi̯²²/

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

time waits for no one
time waits for no one


視而不見

ㄕˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siː²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siː²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³/

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

zh-x

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

to turn a blind eye; to deliberately overlook or ignore


悔過自新

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

хуэйгоцзысинь

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ kʷɔː³³ t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ kʷɔː³³ t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/

turn over a new leaf
turn over a new leaf


錦囊妙計

desc

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

ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄋㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄧˋ

цзиньнанмяоцзи

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kɐm³⁵ nɔːŋ²¹ miːu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ¹³⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/ɡim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ biau³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kɐm³⁵ nɔːŋ²¹ miːu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ¹³⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/ɡim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ biau³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/

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

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


自告奮勇

ㄗˋ ㄍㄠˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄩㄥˇ

цзыгаофэньюн

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

/t͡siː²² kou̯³³ fɐn¹³ jʊŋ¹³/

/t͡siː²² kou̯³³ fɐn¹³ jʊŋ¹³/

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


一筆勾銷

ㄧ ㄅㄧˇ ㄍㄡ ㄒㄧㄠ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ kau³³ siau³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ kau³³ siau³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

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


以貌取人

ㄧˇ ㄇㄠˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄖㄣˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ maːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jɐn²¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ maːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jɐn²¹/

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

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


突發奇想

ㄊㄨ ㄈㄚ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

ㄊㄨˊ ㄈㄚ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/tʰu⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰu³⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐt̚² faːt̚³ kʰei̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

/tʰu⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰu³⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐt̚² faːt̚³ kʰei̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

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


開誠布公

ㄎㄞ ㄔㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ pou̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ pou̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

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

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


一廂情願

ㄧ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄢˋ

исянцинъюань

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

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

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

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

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

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

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

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

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

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

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

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

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


不依不撓

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄠˊ

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ nɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ naːu̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ nɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ naːu̯²¹/

不依不饒 不依不饒#Chinese

不依不饶 不依不饶#Chinese

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


紅光滿面

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

хунгуанманьмянь

/xʊŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

/xʊŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

(of complexion) glowing with health; ruddy and radiant


前後不一

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄡˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/


人間蒸發

ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄓㄥ ㄈㄚ

жэньцзяньчжэнфа

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ faːt̚³/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ faːt̚³/

inexplicably out of sight; to vanish into thin air


節哀順變

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄞ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

цзеайшуньбянь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɵn²² piːn³³/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻¹¹ piɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ai³³⁻²³ suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɵn²² piːn³³/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻¹¹ piɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ai³³⁻²³ suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³/

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

zh-x

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

請節哀順變！／请节哀顺变！

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


翻山越嶺

ㄈㄢ ㄕㄢ ㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄥˇ

фаньшаньюэлин

/fän⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɪŋ¹³/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɛːŋ¹³/

/fän⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɪŋ¹³/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɛːŋ¹³/

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


垂涎三尺

ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄢ ㄔˇ

чуйсяньсаньчи

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵy̯²¹ jiːn²¹ saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/

/sɵy̯²¹ jiːn²¹ saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/

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


河水不犯井水

river water not interfering with the wellwater

ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

héshuǐ bùfàn jǐngshuǐ [Phonetic:héshuǐbúfànjíngshuǐ]

хэшуй буфань цзиншуй

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

/hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːn²² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

井水不犯河水 井水不犯河水#Chinese

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


井水不犯河水

河水不犯井水
河水勿犯井水

ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

jǐngshuǐ bùfàn héshuǐ [Phonetic:jíngshuǐbúfànhéshuǐ]

цзиншуй буфань хэшуй

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

/t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːn²² hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵/

minding their own business
mind one's own business

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


亡命之徒

ㄨㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄓ ㄊㄨˊ

/wɑŋ³⁵ miŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ mɪŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/wɑŋ³⁵ miŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ mɪŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹/


早生貴子

ㄗㄠˇ ㄕㄥ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄗˇ

цзаошэнгуйцзы

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

/t͡sou̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

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


放誕不羈

ㄈㄤˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧ

фанданьбуцзи

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/


披星戴月

ㄆㄧ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄉㄞˋ ㄩㄝˋ

/pʰi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ taːi̯³³ jyːt̚²/

/pʰi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ taːi̯³³ jyːt̚²/

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


低三下四

ㄉㄧ ㄙㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄙˋ

/ti⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ haː²² sei̯³³/

/ti⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ haː²² sei̯³³/


跌打損傷

ㄉㄧㄝ ㄉㄚˇ ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄕㄤ

ㄉㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄚˇ ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄕㄤ

/ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛ³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tiːt̚³ taː³⁵ syːn³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛ³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tiːt̚³ taː³⁵ syːn³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

traditional Chinese medicine
traditional Chinese medicine

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


一念之差

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵/

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


烏煙瘴氣

ㄨ ㄧㄢ ㄓㄤˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/u⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ hei̯³³/

/u⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ hei̯³³/

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


滾瓜爛熟

ripe as a melon that rolls from its vine

ㄍㄨㄣˇ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄢˋ ㄕㄨˊ

ㄍㄨㄣˇ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄢˋ ㄕㄡˊ

гуньгуаланьшу

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

гуньгуаланьшоу

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɐn³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ laːn²² sʊk̚²/

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɐn³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ laːn²² sʊk̚²/

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


憤世嫉俗

ㄈㄣˋ ㄕˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄙㄨˊ

/fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ su³⁵/

/fɐn¹³ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɐt̚² t͡sʊk̚²/

/fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ su³⁵/

/fɐn¹³ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɐt̚² t͡sʊk̚²/

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

From: Blackboard Jungle, 1955 (OpenSubtitles)

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

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

From: Bayside Shakedown 2, 2003 (OpenSubtitles)

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


曠日持久

ㄎㄨㄤˋ ㄖˋ ㄔˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ

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

/kʷʰɔːŋ³³ jɐt̚² t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵/

/kʷʰɔːŋ³³ jɐt̚² t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵/

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

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

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

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


啞口無言

ㄧㄚˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/jä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/jä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

to be speechless in response to being interrogated or refuted


千變萬化

CJKV/code

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

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

цяньбяньваньхуа

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ piːn³³ maːn²² faː³³/

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

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ piɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ban⁴¹⁻²² hua⁴¹/

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

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

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

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ piːn³³ maːn²² faː³³/

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

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ piɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ban⁴¹⁻²² hua⁴¹/

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

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

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

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

an innumerable amount of changes; countless changes


基情四射

ㄐㄧ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄙˋ ㄕㄜˋ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤ⁵¹/

Based on 激情四射; see 基情 (jīqíng) for more.

(neologism, humorous) to radiate gay affection in all directions; gayish; overly brotherly love emanating from the scene


久而久之

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄦˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄓ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

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


拾金不昧

ㄕˊ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄟˋ

шицзиньбумэй

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² kɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ muːi̯²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻² kim³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ mue³⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² kɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ muːi̯²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻² kim³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ mue³⁵/

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


不可理喻

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄩˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ lei̯¹³ jyː²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ lei̯¹³ jyː²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²²/

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

簡直不可理喻。／简直不可理喻。

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


一派胡言

ㄧ ㄆㄞˋ ㄏㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːi̯³³ wuː²¹ jiːn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ¹³⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːi̯³³ wuː²¹ jiːn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ¹³⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

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

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

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

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


一表人才

ㄧ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄘㄞˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ piːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ piau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ piːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ piau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

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


一掃而空

ㄧ ㄙㄠˇ ㄦˊ ㄎㄨㄥ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sou̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sau²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sou̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sau²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/


不堪設想

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄕㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³ sœːŋ³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ⁵⁵⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹/

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³ sœːŋ³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ⁵⁵⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹/

後果不堪設想。／后果不堪设想。

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

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

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

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

too dreadful to contemplate; too horrible to imagine


再接再厲

再接再厉
再接再勵
再接再礪

ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄗㄞˋ ㄌㄧˋ

цзайцзецзайли

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ lɐi̯²²/

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

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

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

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

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

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

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ lɐi̯²²/

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


不可或缺

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄩㄝ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ waːk̚² kʰyːt̚³/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ waːk̚² kʰyːt̚³/


刀山火海

ㄉㄠ ㄕㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄞˇ

даошаньхохай

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

/tou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

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

/tou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

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


天災人禍

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄗㄞ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

тяньцзайжэньхо

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ wɔː²²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ wɔː²²/

natural disasters and man-made calamities; catastrophes


大錯特錯

ㄉㄚˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄜˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

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

/taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³ tɐk̚² t͡sʰɔː³³/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³ tɐk̚² t͡sʰɔː³³/

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


趕盡殺絕

ㄍㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄕㄚ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

ганьцзиньшацзюэ

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/kɔːn³⁵ t͡sɵn²² saːt̚³ t͡syːt̚²/

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/kɔːn³⁵ t͡sɵn²² saːt̚³ t͡syːt̚²/

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


成行成市

ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄤˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄕˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɔːŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹ siː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɔːŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹ siː¹³/

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


愁眉苦臉

ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄎㄨˇ ㄌㄧㄢˇ

чоумэйкулянь

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

/sɐu̯²¹ mei̯²¹ fuː³⁵ liːm¹³/

/sɐu̯²¹ mei̯²¹ fuː³⁵ liːm¹³/

with knitted brows and a doleful look; looking distressed


無所事事

ㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄕˋ ㄕˋ

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ siː²² siː²²/

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ siː²² siː²²/

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

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

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


撒手人寰

ㄙㄚ ㄕㄡˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ

сашоужэньхуань

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/


細思恐極

ㄒㄧˋ ㄙ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄐㄧˊ

/ɕi⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/ɕi⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

Shortened from the following phrase:
:
仔細想想，覺得恐怖至極。 [MSC, trad.]
仔细想想，觉得恐怖至极。 [MSC, simp.]
Zǐxì xiángxiǎng, juéde kǒngbù zhìjí. [Pinyin]
Thinking about it carefully, I find it extremely terrifying.
replacing 想 with 思 which is used more in written language, to make it resemble a genuine Chinese chengyu (idiom).
Made popular by a compilation of Internet neologisms posted on Sina Weibo on June 16, 2013.

zh-x

仔細 想{xiáng}想，覺得 恐怖 至極。

(Mainland China, neologism, Internet slang) The more one thinks about it, the more petrified one becomes.


猴年馬月

ㄏㄡˊ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄩㄝˋ

/xoʊ̯³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

ㄏㄡˊㄦ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄩㄝˋ

хоурняньмаюэ

/xɤʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/xoʊ̯³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/xɤʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

From 驢年馬月／驴年马月 (lǘniánmǎyuè, “year of the donkey (in the Zodiac); God knows when”).
Alternatively, from dialectal 何年嘛月 (“what year, what month?”).

zh-l

等到猴年馬月／等到猴年马月

an unknown and long time; donkey's years; God knows when


喜大普奔

ㄒㄧˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄆㄨˇ ㄅㄣ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pən⁵⁵/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pən⁵⁵/

Acrostic-style contraction of four synonymous idioms (see below), producing a four-character word that resembles a genuine Chinese chengyu (idiom).
:
喜聞樂見、大快人心、普天同慶、奔走相告 [MSC, trad.]
喜闻乐见、大快人心、普天同庆、奔走相告 [MSC, simp.]
xǐwénlèjiàn, dàkuàirénxīn, pǔtiāntóngqìng, bēnzǒuxiānggào [Pinyin]
Delighted to see and hear;
To the great satisfaction of people;
The whole world joins in the jubilation;
And people rush about spreading the news.

zh-x

喜聞樂{lè}見、大快人心、普天同慶、奔走相{xiāng}告

(Mainland China, neologism, Internet slang, sometimes sarcastic) Used to announce uplifting news or express congratulations.


來歷不明

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/laɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/lai²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³/

/lai²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴/

/laɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/lai²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³/

/lai²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴/


不勞而獲

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄠˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/pu⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hiɪk̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hiɪk̚⁴/

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

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

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

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


一馬當先

ㄧ ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄤ ㄒㄧㄢ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ³³ siɛn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ³³ siɛn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

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


不足為奇

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ki²³/

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ki²³/

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

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

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

to be commonplace and not at all surprising


乏人問津

ㄈㄚˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

фажэньвэньцзинь

/fä³⁵ ʐən³⁵ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/fɐt̚² jɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/huat̚⁴⁻³² zin²³⁻³³ bun³³⁻²¹ t͡sin⁴⁴/

/fä³⁵ ʐən³⁵ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/fɐt̚² jɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/huat̚⁴⁻³² zin²³⁻³³ bun³³⁻²¹ t͡sin⁴⁴/

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


不一而足

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄦˊ ㄗㄨˊ

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔk̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔk̚³²/

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

許 夷狄 者 不.一而足 也。

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


不謀而合

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄡˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄜˊ

/pu⁵¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ hɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ hɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

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


一籌莫展

ㄧ ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄓㄢˇ

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

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɔːk̚² t͡siːn³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² tiɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ tiu¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mok̚⁴⁻² tiaŋ⁵²/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɔːk̚² t͡siːn³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² tiɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ tiu¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mok̚⁴⁻² tiaŋ⁵²/

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


五彩繽紛

五彩缤纷
五彩賓紛
五采繽紛

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄈㄣ

уцайбиньфэнь

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

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

/ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pʰin³³ hun³³/

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

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

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

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

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

/ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pʰin³³ hun³³/

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

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

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

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


不眠不休

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ

/pu⁵¹ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ miːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bin¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/pu⁵¹ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ miːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bin¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

to toil without taking a break to rest or sleep


不可多得

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄉㄜˊ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ to³³ tit̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ to³³ tit̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

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


比手畫腳

ㄅㄧˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

ㄅㄧˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

бишоухуацзяо

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

/pei̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ waːk̚² kœːk̚³/

/pei̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ waːk̚² kœːk̚³/

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


心知肚明

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓ ㄉㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

синьчжидумин

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/


矯枉過正

ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄨㄤˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄥˋ

цзяовангочжэн

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

/kiːu̯³⁵ wɔːŋ³⁵ kʷɔː³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/kiːu̯³⁵ wɔːŋ³⁵ kʷɔː³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

to overcorrect; to hypercorrect; to overcompensate


奄奄一息

ㄧㄢˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄧ ㄒㄧ

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/jɛn⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/jiːm⁵⁵ jiːm⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/am⁴⁴⁻³³ am⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/jɛn⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/jiːm⁵⁵ jiːm⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/am⁴⁴⁻³³ am⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

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


空前絕後

ㄎㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄡˋ

кунцяньцзюэхоу

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯²²/

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯²²/

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


騎驢找馬

to ride on a donkey and look for a horse

ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄩˊ ㄓㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ly³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ly³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(figurative, colloquial) to settle for what one has for the moment (e.g. job, girlfriend, etc.) while actively looking for something better


過目難忘

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄨㄤˋ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ nän³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔː³³ mʊk̚² naːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ nän³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔː³³ mʊk̚² naːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

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


橫空出世

ㄏㄥˊ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄔㄨ ㄕˋ

/xɤŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/xɤŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/waːŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

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


味同嚼蠟

ㄨㄟˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄠˊ ㄌㄚˋ

ㄨㄟˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄌㄚˋ

вэйтунцзяола

/weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ lä⁵¹/

вэйтунцзюэла

/weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/mei̯²² tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sœːk̚³ laːp̚²/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/mei̯²² tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sœːk̚³ laːp̚²/

tastes as if one is chewing wax; insipid; tasteless


塵埃落定

ㄔㄣˊ ㄞ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tɪŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tɪŋ²²/

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


一無所獲

ㄧ ㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ wɔːk̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ wɔːk̚²/


鬱鬱寡歡

ㄩˋ ㄩˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄏㄨㄢ

юйюйгуахуань

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ kʷaː³⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ kʷaː³⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/


重蹈覆轍

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄉㄠˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄜˊ

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄔㄜˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tou̯²² fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tʰiek̚²/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tʰiak̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tou̯²² fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tʰiek̚²/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tʰiak̚²/

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

今 不 慮 前事 之 失，復 循 覆車 之 軌。

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

to go on the tracks of an overturned cart again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

to repeat the same mistake; to recommit the same error


煥然一新

ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

хуаньжаньисинь

/xu̯än⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/huan²¹⁻⁴¹ ziɛn²³⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/huan¹¹⁻⁵³ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

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

/xu̯än⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² jiːn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/huan²¹⁻⁴¹ ziɛn²³⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/huan¹¹⁻⁵³ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/


刀下留人

ㄉㄠ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/tou̯⁵⁵ haː²² lɐu̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/tou̯⁵⁵ haː²² lɐu̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

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


悒鬱寡歡

ㄧˋ ㄩˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄏㄨㄢ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ kʷaː³⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ kʷaː³⁵ fuːn⁵⁵/


其樂無窮

ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄩㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ lɔːk̚² mou̯²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯²¹ lɔːk̚² mou̯²¹ kʰʊŋ²¹/

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


畢其功於一役

ㄅㄧˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄩˊ ㄧ ㄧˋ

bì qí gōng yú yī yì [Phonetic:bì qí gōng yú yí yì]

би ци гун юй и и

/pi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ y³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/

/pi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ y³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/


壽終正寢

ㄕㄡˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄣˇ

шоучжунчжэнцинь

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɐm³⁵/

/sɐu̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɐm³⁵/

被難

to be killed in a disaster, political incident


不求甚解

ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ sɐm²² kaːi̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ sɐm²² kaːi̯³⁵/

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

好{hào} 讀書，不求甚解，每 有 會意，便 欣然 忘 食。

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


一言不發

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/


飲鴆止渴

ㄧㄣˇ ㄓㄣˋ ㄓˇ ㄎㄜˇ

иньчжэньчжикэ

inʹčžɛnʹčžikɛ

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

/jɐm³⁵ t͡sɐm²² t͡siː³⁵ hɔːt̚³/

/jɐm³⁵ t͡sɐm²² t͡siː³⁵ hɔːt̚³/

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

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

todrink poisonous liquor to quench thirst

to do something harmful in order to seek any relief


洛陽紙貴

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄓˇ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/lɔːk̚² jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lok̚⁴⁻² iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sua⁵²⁻³⁵ kui²¹³/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/lɔːk̚² jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lok̚⁴⁻² iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sua⁵²⁻³⁵ kui²¹³/

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

於是 豪貴 之 家 競相{xiāng} 傳寫 ，^洛陽 為 之 紙 貴。

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


為虎作倀

ㄨㄟˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄤ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄤ

/weɪ̯⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/ui²²⁻²¹ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɔŋ⁴⁴/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²² fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯²¹ fuː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹/

/ui²²⁻²¹ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiɔŋ⁴⁴/

to assist a devil; to help a villain do evil


魯魚亥豕

ㄌㄨˇ ㄩˊ ㄏㄞˋ ㄕˇ

/lu²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lu²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

Confusing the character 魯 with 魚, and 亥 with 豕.
書字，人知之，猶尚寫之多誤。故諺曰，「書三寫，魚成魯，虛成虎，」此之謂也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]书字，人知之，犹尚写之多误。故谚曰，「书三写，鱼成鲁，虚成虎，」此之谓也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Ge Hong, c. 4th century, Baopuzi (《抱朴子》)
Shū zì, rén zhī zhī, yóu shàng xiě zhī duō wù. Gù yàn yuē, “shū sān xiě, yú chéng lǔ, xū chéng hǔ,” cǐ zhī wèi yě. [Pinyin]
Written characters, they are widely known to people, yet errors abound in written texts. Referring to this, an idiom goes: "After many rounds of copying, a fish (魚) gets foolhardy (魯), but the empty (虛) one becomes a tiger (虎)."
嘗返衛，見讀史志者云：「晉師伐秦，三豕渡河。」子夏曰：「非也，己亥耳。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]尝返卫，见读史志者云：「晋师伐秦，三豕渡河。」子夏曰：「非也，己亥耳。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The School Sayings of Confucius, c. 206 BCE– 220 CE
Cháng fǎn Wèi, jiàn dú shǐ zhì zhě yún: “Jìn shī fá Qín, sān shǐ dù Hé.” Zǐ Xià yuē: “Fēi yě, Jǐ Hài ěr.” [Pinyin]
Zi Xia, back in Wey, met someone reading historical annals aloud as such: "The armies of Jin attacked Qin; three pigs crossed the Yellow River." On hearing this, he said: "That's wrong. The text should read 'on the day of Ji-Hai' ."

書 字，人 知 之，猶 尚 寫 之 多 誤。故 諺 曰，「書 三 寫，魚 成 魯，虛 成 虎，」此 之 謂 也。

嘗 返 ^衛，見 讀 史 志 者 云：「^晉 師 伐 ^秦，三 豕 渡 ^河。」^@子.^@夏 曰：「非 也，^己.^亥 耳。」

typographical errors caused by similar-looking characters


蛛絲馬跡

ㄓㄨ ㄙ ㄇㄚˇ ㄐㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ maː¹³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/tu⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziaʔ³²/

/tu³³⁻²³ si³³⁻²³ be⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡siaʔ²/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ maː¹³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/tu⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziaʔ³²/

/tu³³⁻²³ si³³⁻²³ be⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡siaʔ²/


饑饉薦臻

ㄐㄧ ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄣ

цзицзиньцзяньчжэнь

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

天降喪亂，饑饉薦臻。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]
天降丧乱，饥馑荐臻。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

That Heaven [thus] sends down death and disorder?Famine comes again and again.

Tiān jiàng sāngluàn, jījǐn jiànzhēn. [Pinyin]


談笑風生

ㄊㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄥ

таньсяофэншэн

/tʰän³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰaːm²¹ siːu̯³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰän³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰaːm²¹ siːu̯³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

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


惺惺惜惺惺

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄥ

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄥ

синсинсисинсин

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

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


出謀劃策

ㄔㄨ ㄇㄡˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄘㄜˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

(sometimes derogatory) to put forward plans and ideas; to give advice


畢恭畢敬

ㄅㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/pi⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/pi⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

reverent and respectful; extremely deferential


孤苦伶仃

ㄍㄨ ㄎㄨˇ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄧㄥ

/ku⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ liŋ³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ lɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ku⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ liŋ³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ lɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ⁵⁵/


鬼哭狼嚎

ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄎㄨ ㄌㄤˊ ㄏㄠˊ

/ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu⁵⁵ lɑŋ³⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu⁵⁵ lɑŋ³⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

to wail like ghosts and howl like wolves


負隅頑抗

ㄈㄨˋ ㄩˊ ㄨㄢˊ ㄎㄤˋ

/fu⁵¹ y³⁵ wän³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹/

/fuː²² jyː²¹ waːn²¹ kʰɔːŋ³³/

/fu⁵¹ y³⁵ wän³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹/

/fuː²² jyː²¹ waːn²¹ kʰɔːŋ³³/

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

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

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


渾水摸魚

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹⁻³⁵/

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹⁻³⁵/

fish in troubled waters
fish in troubled waters

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


混水摸魚

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛ ㄩˊ

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹/

/xu̯ən³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ y³⁵/

/wɐn²² sɵy̯³⁵ mɔː³⁵ jyː²¹/

渾水摸魚 渾水摸魚#Chinese

浑水摸鱼 浑水摸鱼#Chinese

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


摩拳擦掌

ㄇㄛˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄘㄚ ㄓㄤˇ

моцюаньцачжан

/mu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ t͡sʰä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɔː⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

/mɔː⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sœːŋ³⁵/

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


驕奢淫逸

ㄐㄧㄠ ㄕㄜ ㄧㄣˊ ㄧˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵⁵ in³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛː⁵⁵ jɐm²¹ jɐt̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵⁵ in³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛː⁵⁵ jɐm²¹ jɐt̚²/

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

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


無動於衷

ㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄩˊ ㄓㄨㄥ

/u³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ tʊŋ²² jyː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ tʊŋ²² jyː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

aloof; indifferent; unmoved; unconcerned


秀外慧中

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄨㄥ

сювайхуэйчжун

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² wɐi̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/siu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ɡua¹¹ hui³⁵⁻¹¹ toŋ³³/

/sɐu̯⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² wɐi̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/siu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ɡua¹¹ hui³⁵⁻¹¹ toŋ³³/

(usually of a girl) good-looking and intelligent


五采繽紛

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄈㄣ

уцайбиньфэнь

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

五彩繽紛 五彩繽紛#Chinese

五彩缤纷 五彩缤纷#Chinese

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


一錘定音

ㄧ ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄧㄣ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹ in⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ tɪŋ²² jɐm⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tiŋ⁵¹ in⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ tɪŋ²² jɐm⁵⁵/


直接了當

ㄓˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄤˋ

чжицзеляодан

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

直截了當 直截了當#Chinese

直截了当 直截了当#Chinese

Alternative form of 直截了當／直截了当 (zhíjiéliǎodàng)


原原本本

ㄩㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄅㄣˇ ㄅㄣˇ

юаньюаньбэньбэнь

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


義無反顧

ㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄈㄢˇ ㄍㄨˋ

/i⁵¹ u³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/jiː²² mou̯²¹ faːn³⁵ kuː³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo¹³⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ¹¹/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ huan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/i⁵¹ u³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/jiː²² mou̯²¹ faːn³⁵ kuː³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² huan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ bo¹³⁻²² huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ huan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kɔ¹¹/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ huan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kɔ²¹/

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


死心塌地

ㄙˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄊㄚ ㄉㄧˋ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tʰä⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ tʰaːp̚³ tei̯²²/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tʰä⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ tʰaːp̚³ tei̯²²/

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

Tā sǐxīntādì de gēnzhe nàge nánrén. [Pinyin]

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


葉公好龍

ㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄏㄠˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

ㄕㄜˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄏㄠˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/jɛ⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤ⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/siːp̚³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯³³ lʊŋ²¹/

/jiːp̚² kʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯³³ lʊŋ²¹/

/jɛ⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤ⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/siːp̚³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯³³ lʊŋ²¹/

/jiːp̚² kʊŋ⁵⁵ hou̯³³ lʊŋ²¹/

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

zh-x

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

to pretend to like something which one actually dislikes or fears


身懷六甲

ㄕㄣ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ

ㄕㄣ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ

шэньхуайлюцзя

/ʂən⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

шэньхуайлуцзя

/ʂən⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ lʊk̚² kaːp̚³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ lʊk̚² kaːp̚³/


返老還童

ㄈㄢˇ ㄌㄠˇ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

фаньлаохуаньтун

/fän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ lou̯¹³ waːn²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/fän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/faːn³⁵ lou̯¹³ waːn²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹/

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


兩鬢斑白

ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄅㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄢ ㄅㄞˊ

лянбиньбаньбай

/li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

/li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

to have grey hair at the temples; to be old-aged or have overworked oneself


流連忘返

ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄨㄤˋ ㄈㄢˇ

люляньванфань

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²¹ liːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ faːn³⁵/

/liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ liaŋ⁵⁵ buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huaŋ⁵²/

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²¹ liːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ faːn³⁵/

/liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ liaŋ⁵⁵ buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huaŋ⁵²/

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


束之高閣

ㄕㄨˋ ㄓ ㄍㄠ ㄍㄜˊ

/ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ kɔːk̚³/

/ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ kɔːk̚³/

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

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

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

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

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


義憤填膺

ㄧˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄥ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ iŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² fɐn¹³ tʰiːn²¹ jɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ hun¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰiɛn²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ iŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː²² fɐn¹³ tʰiːn²¹ jɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ³³/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ hun¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ hun²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰiɛn²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴⁴/


一語成讖

ㄧ ㄩˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄔㄣˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːm³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːm³³/

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