三令五申

ㄙㄢ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄨˇ ㄕㄣ

саньлинъушэнь

/sän⁵⁵ liŋ⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵/

/saːm⁵⁵ lɪŋ²² ŋ̍¹³ sɐn⁵⁵/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²²⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/sam³³ liɪŋ⁴¹⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ sin³³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²²⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪŋ³³⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/sã³³⁻²³ leŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋou³⁵⁻¹¹ siŋ³³/

/sän⁵⁵ liŋ⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵/

/saːm⁵⁵ lɪŋ²² ŋ̍¹³ sɐn⁵⁵/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²²⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/sam³³ liɪŋ⁴¹⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ sin³³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²²⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ liɪŋ³³⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/sã³³⁻²³ leŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋou³⁵⁻¹¹ siŋ³³/

No matter how much you warn and admonish them, there are many employees who just aren't willing to do as they are told.

Jǐnguǎn nǐ sānlìngwǔshēn, yǒu xǔduō yuángōng jiùshì bù kěn zhàobàn.

儘管你三令五申，有許多員工就是不肯照辦。

尽管你三令五申，有许多员工就是不肯照办。

to repeatedly order, instruct, admonish or warn


入鄉隨俗

when entering a village, follow the customs

ㄖㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄙㄨㄟˊ ㄙㄨˊ

/ʐu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ su̯eɪ̯³⁵ su³⁵/

/jɐp̚² hœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚²/

/lip̚⁴⁻³² hiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ sui²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔk̚⁴/

/lip̚⁴⁻³² hiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² sui²⁴⁻²² siɔk̚⁴/

/zip̚⁴⁻³² hiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ sui²³⁻³³ siɔk̚⁴/

/d͡zip̚⁴⁻² hĩẽ³³⁻²³ sui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sok̚⁴/

/ʐu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ su̯eɪ̯³⁵ su³⁵/

/jɐp̚² hœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚²/

/lip̚⁴⁻³² hiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ sui²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔk̚⁴/

/lip̚⁴⁻³² hiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² sui²⁴⁻²² siɔk̚⁴/

/zip̚⁴⁻³² hiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ sui²³⁻³³ siɔk̚⁴/

/d͡zip̚⁴⁻² hĩẽ³³⁻²³ sui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sok̚⁴/

when in Rome, do as the Romans do
when in Rome, do as the Romans do


捷足先登

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄗㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄉㄥ

цзецзусяньдэн

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡su³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siːt̚³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siap̚⁴⁻³² t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ siɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡siap̚⁴⁻³² t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ siɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚⁴⁻³² t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ siɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡siap̚⁴⁻² t͡sok̚² sãĩ³³⁻²³ teŋ³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡su³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siːt̚³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siap̚⁴⁻² t͡sok̚² sãĩ³³⁻²³ teŋ³³/

From earlier 疾足先得, which is derived from the following paragraph in Shiji

After Qin lost its deer, everyone was chasing for it. Then those who had outstanding talents and could act quickly (literally, “ran fast”) could obtain it first.

The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE

Qín shī qí lù, tiānxià gòng zhú zhī, yúshì gāo cái jí zú zhě xiān dé yān.

秦失其鹿，天下共逐之，於是高材疾足者先得焉。

秦失其鹿，天下共逐之，于是高材疾足者先得焉。

the quick of foot will be the first to ascend

early bird gets the worm
early bird gets the worm

to take the first step; to act early on; to beat to the punch; the early bird gets the worm


天長地久

ja-r

てん%ちょう ち%きゅう

CJKV/code

てん%ちょう ち%きゅう

Sino-Xenic (天長地久):
* → Japanese: 天(てん)長地(ちょうち)久(きゅう) (tenchō chikyū)
* → Korean: 천장지구(天長地久) (cheonjangjigu)
* → Vietnamese: thiên trường địa cửu (天長地久)

CJKV

てん%ちょう ち%きゅう

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄔㄤˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ

тяньчандицзю

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ti⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tei̯²² kɐu̯³⁵/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² te²²⁻²¹ kiu⁵³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ kiu⁴¹/

/tʰiɛn³³ tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² te⁴¹⁻²² kiu⁵⁵⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ te³³⁻¹¹ kiu⁵³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²³⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ kiu⁴¹/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ te³³⁻¹¹ kiu⁵³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰiaŋ⁵⁵ ti¹¹ ku⁵²/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tei̯²² kɐu̯³⁵/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² te²²⁻²¹ kiu⁵³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ kiu⁴¹/

/tʰiɛn³³ tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² te⁴¹⁻²² kiu⁵⁵⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ te³³⁻¹¹ kiu⁵³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²³⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ kiu⁴¹/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ tŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ te³³⁻¹¹ kiu⁵³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰiaŋ⁵⁵ ti¹¹ ku⁵²/

Heaven is long-enduring and earth continues long. The reason why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is because they do not live of, or for, themselves. This is how they are able to continue and endure.

Tiānchángdìjiǔ. Tiāndì suǒyǐ néng cháng qiě jiǔ zhě, yǐ qí bù zìshēng, gù néng chángshēng.

天長地久。天地所以能長且久者，以其不自生，故能長生。

天长地久。天地所以能长且久者，以其不自生，故能长生。

天长地久
靝⿰萬丈埊⿰多年

As long as the universe lasts, and until time stops for good, the regret of our parting will continue without end.

806: 白居易 (Bai Juyi), 長恨歌 ("Song of Everlasting Regret")

Tiānchángdìjiǔ yǒu shí jìn, cǐ hèn miánmián wú jué qī.

天長地久有時盡，此恨綿綿無絕期。

天长地久有时尽，此恨绵绵无绝期。

enduring as the universe; everlasting and unchanging


不堪回首

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄕㄡˇ

буканьхуэйшоу

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ kʰam³³⁻²³ hue⁵⁵⁻¹¹ siu⁵²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ kʰam³³⁻²³ hue⁵⁵⁻¹¹ siu⁵²/

cannot bear to look back on; to find it unbearable to recall


井底之蛙

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (井底之蛙):
* → Korean: 정저지와(井底之蛙) (jeongjeojiwa)

ja-r

井の中の蛙 大%海を知らず

い の なか の かわず たい%かい を しらず

い の なか の かわず

→ Japanese: (calque) 井(い)の中(なか)の蛙(かわず)大(たい)海(かい)を知(し)らず (i no naka no kawazu taikai o shirazu), 井(い)の中(なか)の蛙(かわず) (i no naka no kawazu), 井(せい)底(てい)の蛙(かわず) (seitei no kawazu) (calque)

q

→ Korean: 우물 안 개구리 (umul an gaeguri) (calque; more common than the Sino-Korean form)

→ Vietnamese: ếch ngồi đáy giếng (calque)

ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄓ ㄨㄚ

/t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ wä⁵⁵/

/t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ waː⁵⁵/

/t͡siɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ te⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² ua⁴⁴/

/t͡sẽ⁵²⁻³⁵ tõĩ⁵² t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ ua³³/

/t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ wä⁵⁵/

/t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ waː⁵⁵/

/t͡siɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ te⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² ua⁴⁴/

/t͡sẽ⁵²⁻³⁵ tõĩ⁵² t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ ua³³/

From Zhuangzi:
:
Note: 鼃 is an ancient character for frog. In modern times, it has often been replaced with 蛙 (wā).

A frog in a well cannot be talked with about an ocean - it is confined to its own narrow place.

Jǐng wā bù kěyǐ yù yú hǎi zhě, jū yú xū yě.

井鼃不可以語於海者，拘於虛也。

井鼃不可以语于海者，拘于虚也。

a frog at the bottom of a well (who can only see a small part of the sky through the opening)

You're (like) a frog at the bottom of a well (who can only see part of the sky), how would you know about anything that is profound!

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

汝乃井底之蛙，安知玄奧乎！

汝乃井底之蛙，安知玄奥乎！

[You] can tell that I am a frog at the bottom of a well; all day, all [I] talk about is that these several people are so unique.

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

Kě zhī wǒ jǐngdǐzhīwā, chéngrìjia zhǐ shuō xiànzài de zhè jǐ ge rén shì yǒuyīwú'èr de.

可知我井底之蛙，成日家只說現在的這幾個人是有一無二的。

可知我井底之蛙，成日家只说现在的这几个人是有一无二的。

a “frog in a well”, a person of very limited outlook and experience


無論如何

ㄨˊ ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄜˊ

/u³⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ lɵn²² jyː²¹ hɔː²¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ lun³³⁻²¹ zu²³⁻³³ hɤ²³/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ho⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ lɵn²² jyː²¹ hɔː²¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ lun³³⁻²¹ zu²³⁻³³ hɤ²³/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ho⁵⁵/

in any case; at any rate; whatever happens; no matter what


心急如焚

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄈㄣˊ

синьцзижуфэнь

/ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐu³⁵ fən³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kɐp̚⁵ jyː²¹ fɐn²¹/

/sim³³⁻²³ kip̚²⁻⁴ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ uŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐu³⁵ fən³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kɐp̚⁵ jyː²¹ fɐn²¹/

/sim³³⁻²³ kip̚²⁻⁴ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ uŋ⁵⁵/

very anxious; very nervous; very impatient


冰肌玉骨

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄐㄧ ㄩˋ ㄍㄨˇ

ㄋㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄩˋ ㄍㄨˇ

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/niŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ jʊk̚² kʷɐt̚⁵/

/pĩã³³⁻²³ ki³³⁻²³ ɡek̚⁴⁻² kuk̚²/

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/niŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ jʊk̚² kʷɐt̚⁵/

/pĩã³³⁻²³ ki³³⁻²³ ɡek̚⁴⁻² kuk̚²/


耳熟能詳

so familiar to the ears, that it can be (told) in detail

ㄦˇ ㄕㄨˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤˊ

ㄦˇ ㄕㄡˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤˊ

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sʊk̚² nɐŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/hi³³⁻¹¹ siɪk̚⁴⁻³² liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ²⁴/

/d͡zɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ sek̚⁴⁻² leŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ siaŋ⁵⁵/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sʊk̚² nɐŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/hi³³⁻¹¹ siɪk̚⁴⁻³² liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ²⁴/

/d͡zɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ sek̚⁴⁻² leŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ siaŋ⁵⁵/

Below, let us take a look at how some well-worn Chinese phrases are expressed in English

2004, 苏萍 (Su Ping), 耳熟能详的中文用英语怎么说, 上海小学 (Shanghai Primary School)

yǐxià jiù ràng wǒmen lái kàn yīxiē ěrshúnéngxiáng de zhōngwén zài yīngyǔ zhōng shì rúhé biǎodá de

以下就讓我們來看一些耳熟能詳的中文在英語中是如何表達的

以下就让我们来看一些耳熟能详的中文在英语中是如何表达的

heard a million times, to the point where one can recite it in one's sleep; well-worn (phrase)


別開生面

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄎㄞ ㄕㄥ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

бекайшэнмянь

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/piːt̚² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ miːn²²/

/piɛt̚⁴⁻³² kʰai⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ biɛn³³/

/piak̚⁴⁻² kʰai³³⁻²³ sẽ³³⁻²³ mĩ¹¹/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/piːt̚² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ miːn²²/

/piɛt̚⁴⁻³² kʰai⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ biɛn³³/

/piak̚⁴⁻² kʰai³³⁻²³ sẽ³³⁻²³ mĩ¹¹/

to forge a new path; to stand out from the rest


秀色可餐

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄙㄜˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄘㄢ

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³³ sɪk̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵/

/siu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ sek̚²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaŋ³³/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³³ sɪk̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵/

/siu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ sek̚²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaŋ³³/

From a line in the poem 《日出東南隅行》 by Lu Ji (陸機)

Her skin, soft and tender, and her beauty, deliciously desirable.

鮮膚一何潤，秀色若可餐。

鲜肤一何润，秀色若可餐。

a beautiful countenance that can be eaten

(of a woman) extremely attractive; breathtakingly beautiful


半斤八兩

ㄅㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄅㄚ ㄌㄧㄤˇ

баньцзиньбалян

/pän⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/puːn³³ kɐn⁵⁵ paːt̚³ lœːŋ¹³⁻³⁵/

/puã²¹⁻⁵³ kun⁴⁴⁻²² pue(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ niũ⁵³/

/puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kun³³ pue(ʔ)⁵ niũ⁵⁵⁴/

/puã¹¹⁻⁵³ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ pue(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ niũ⁵³/

/puã²¹⁻⁴¹ kin⁴⁴⁻³³ pe(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ niũ⁴¹/

/puã²¹⁻⁵³ kin⁴⁴⁻²² pe(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ niɔ̃⁵³/

/puã²¹⁻⁵³ kin⁴⁴⁻³³ pe(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ niɔ̃⁵³/

/pũã²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kɯŋ³³⁻²³ poiʔ²⁻⁴ nie⁵²/

/pũã²¹³⁻⁵⁵ keŋ³³⁻²³ poiʔ²⁻⁴ nio⁵²⁻²¹/

/pän⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/puːn³³ kɐn⁵⁵ paːt̚³ lœːŋ¹³⁻³⁵/

/puã²¹⁻⁵³ kun⁴⁴⁻²² pue(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ niũ⁵³/

/puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kun³³ pue(ʔ)⁵ niũ⁵⁵⁴/

/puã¹¹⁻⁵³ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ pue(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ niũ⁵³/

/puã²¹⁻⁴¹ kin⁴⁴⁻³³ pe(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ niũ⁴¹/

/puã²¹⁻⁵³ kin⁴⁴⁻²² pe(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ niɔ̃⁵³/

/puã²¹⁻⁵³ kin⁴⁴⁻³³ pe(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ niɔ̃⁵³/

/pũã²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kɯŋ³³⁻²³ poiʔ²⁻⁴ nie⁵²/

/pũã²¹³⁻⁵⁵ keŋ³³⁻²³ poiʔ²⁻⁴ nio⁵²⁻²¹/

From the historical Chinese measurement system, wherein one 斤 (jīn) was equal to 16 兩／两 (liǎng).

six of one, half a dozen of the other
six of one, half a dozen of the other

(chiefly derogatory) six of one, half a dozen of the other; not much to choose between the two


粗茶淡飯

ㄘㄨ ㄔㄚˊ ㄉㄢˋ ㄈㄢˋ

цучаданьфань

/t͡sʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ fän⁵¹/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː²¹ taːm²² faːn²²/

/t͡sʰu²⁴ t͡sʰa¹¹ tʰam²⁴⁻¹¹ fan⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰou³³⁻²³ te⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tã³⁵⁻¹¹ puŋ¹¹/

/t͡sʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ fän⁵¹/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː²¹ taːm²² faːn²²/

/t͡sʰu²⁴ t͡sʰa¹¹ tʰam²⁴⁻¹¹ fan⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰou³³⁻²³ te⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tã³⁵⁻¹¹ puŋ¹¹/

to lead a simple life; to live without fancy food or drink


落荒而逃

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨㄤ ㄦˊ ㄊㄠˊ

лохуанъэртао

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/lɔːk̚² fɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

/loʔ⁴⁻² huaŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ to⁵⁵/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/lɔːk̚² fɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

/loʔ⁴⁻² huaŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ to⁵⁵/


觸目驚心

ㄔㄨˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄣ

чумуцзинсинь

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ mʊk̚² kɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰok̚²⁻⁴ mak̚⁴⁻² kĩã³³⁻²³ sim³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ mʊk̚² kɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰok̚²⁻⁴ mak̚⁴⁻² kĩã³³⁻²³ sim³³/

frightening; bloodcurdling; shocking; ghastly


莫名其妙

to be impossible to describe what the profundity is

ㄇㄛˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄧㄠˋ

ㄇㄛˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄧㄠˋ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mɔːk̚² mɪŋ²¹ kʰei̯²¹ miːu̯²²/

/bɔk̚²⁴⁻² biɪŋ²⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²³ ki²³⁻³³ biau³³/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²⁴ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² biau²²/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²⁴ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ miãu³³/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²³ ki²³⁻³³ miãu³³/

/mok̚⁴⁻² meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ miou³⁵/

/moʔ¹¹ min³³ d͡ʑi²² miɔ⁴⁴/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mɔːk̚² mɪŋ²¹ kʰei̯²¹ miːu̯²²/

/bɔk̚²⁴⁻² biɪŋ²⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²³ ki²³⁻³³ biau³³/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²⁴ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² biau²²/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²⁴ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ miãu³³/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² biɪŋ²³ ki²³⁻³³ miãu³³/

/mok̚⁴⁻² meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ miou³⁵/

/moʔ¹¹ min³³ d͡ʑi²² miɔ⁴⁴/


潛移默化

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄧˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

ㄑㄧㄢˇ ㄧˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːm²¹ jiː²¹ mɐk̚² faː³³/

/t͡siam²⁴⁻¹¹ i²⁴⁻¹¹ biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua¹¹/

/t͡siam²⁴⁻²² i²⁴⁻²² biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua²¹/

/t͡siam²³⁻³³ i²³⁻³³ biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiam²⁴⁻¹¹ i²⁴⁻¹¹ biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua¹¹/

/t͡sʰiam²³⁻³³ i²³⁻³³ biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mik̚⁴⁻² hue²¹³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːm²¹ jiː²¹ mɐk̚² faː³³/

/t͡siam²⁴⁻¹¹ i²⁴⁻¹¹ biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua¹¹/

/t͡siam²⁴⁻²² i²⁴⁻²² biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua²¹/

/t͡siam²³⁻³³ i²³⁻³³ biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiam²⁴⁻¹¹ i²⁴⁻¹¹ biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua¹¹/

/t͡sʰiam²³⁻³³ i²³⁻³³ biɪk̚⁴⁻³² hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mik̚⁴⁻² hue²¹³/

to influence secretly, subtly; to change due to unnoticeable influence


見利忘義

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (見利忘義):
* → Japanese: 見利忘義(けんりぼうぎ) (kenribōgi)
* → Korean: 견리망의(見利忘義) (gyeollimang'ui)

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄨㄤˋ ㄧˋ

цзяньливанъи

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ lei̯²² mɔːŋ²¹ jiː²²/

/kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ li³⁵⁻¹¹ buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ lei̯²² mɔːŋ²¹ jiː²²/

/kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ li³⁵⁻¹¹ buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

At the prospect of profits, some conscienceless capitalists forget all moral principles and itch to have a go.

1940, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《新民主主義論》 (On New Democracy), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Zhèyàngyīlái, yīxiē sàngjìntiānliáng de zīběnjiā, jiù jiànlìwàngyì, yuèyuèyùshì.

這樣一來，一些喪盡天良的資本家，就見利忘義，躍躍欲試。

这样一来，一些丧尽天良的资本家，就见利忘义，跃跃欲试。

to forget one's principles whenever tempted by the prospect of personal gain


層出不窮

ㄘㄥˊ ㄔㄨ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄥˊ

/t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹/

/t͡san²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪŋ²⁴/

/t͡san²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰut̚⁵⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kiɪŋ²⁴/

/t͡san¹³⁻²² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁵ put̚³²⁻⁵ kiɪŋ¹³/

/t͡san²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪŋ²⁴/

/t͡san²³⁻³³ t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪŋ²³/

/t͡saŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ kʰioŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹/

/t͡saŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ kʰioŋ⁵⁵/

to emerge in an endless stream; to come thick and fast


川流不息

ㄔㄨㄢ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧ

ㄔㄨㄢ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/t͡sʰuan⁴⁴⁻³³ liu²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/t͡sʰuan⁴⁴⁻³³ liu²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/t͡sʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ sek̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/t͡sʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ sek̚²/

2002, Xu Wei (lyrics and music), “時光 [shíguāng, Time]”, in 時光·漫步 [Time, Stroll], performed by Xu Wei:

Perhaps just at this instant / Your smile was as bright as an afterglow / During the endless stream-like time

Yěxǔ jiù zài zhè yīshùnjiān, Nǐ de xiàoróng yīrán rú wǎnxiá bān, Zài chuānliúbùxī de shíguāng zhōng, Shéncǎifēiyáng

也許就在這一瞬間 你的笑容依然如晚霞般 在川流不息的時光中 神采飛揚

也许就在这一瞬间 你的笑容依然如晚霞般 在川流不息的时光中 神采飞扬

(usually of traffic) flowing past in an endless stream


一心一意

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ sim³³ it̚⁵⁻²⁴ i⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ sim⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁵ i²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ i¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sim³³⁻²³ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² i²¹³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ sim³³ it̚⁵⁻²⁴ i⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ sim⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁵ i²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ i¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sim³³⁻²³ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² i²¹³/

heart and soul; wholeheartedly; with great devotion


萬家燈火

ㄨㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄥ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

ваньцзядэнхо

/wän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²² kaː⁵⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴¹/

/buaŋ¹¹ ke³³⁻²³ teŋ³³⁻²³ hue⁵²/

/wän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²² kaː⁵⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴¹/

/buaŋ¹¹ ke³³⁻²³ teŋ³³⁻²³ hue⁵²/


明目張膽

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄓㄤ ㄉㄢˇ

минмучжандань

/miŋ³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ mʊk̚² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ taːm³⁵/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁵³/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁵³/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴¹/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² tiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ tã⁵³/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ bak̚⁴⁻³² tiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ tã⁴¹/

/meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mak̚⁴⁻² t͡siaŋ³³⁻²³ tã⁵²/

/miŋ³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ mʊk̚² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ taːm³⁵/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁵³/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁵³/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴¹/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² tiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ tã⁵³/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ bak̚⁴⁻³² tiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ tã⁴¹/

/meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mak̚⁴⁻² t͡siaŋ³³⁻²³ tã⁵²/


不義之財

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˋ ㄓ ㄘㄞˊ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ ŋi³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ ŋi³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/


自由自在

ㄗˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄗˋ ㄗㄞˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² jɐu̯²¹ t͡siː²² t͡sɔːi̯²²/

/t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ i̯u¹¹ t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ t͡sʰai̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ (j)i̯u¹¹ t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ t͡sʰai̯⁵⁵/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ iu¹³⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ t͡sai²²/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ iu²⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ t͡sai²²/

/t͡su³³⁻²¹ iu²³⁻³³ t͡su³³⁻²¹ t͡sai³³/

/t͡su³³⁻¹¹ iu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su³³⁻¹¹ t͡sai³³/

/t͡sɯ⁴¹⁻²² iu²⁴⁻²² t͡sɯ⁴¹⁻²² t͡sai⁴¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ iu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sai³⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² jɐu̯²¹ t͡siː²² t͡sɔːi̯²²/

/t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ i̯u¹¹ t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ t͡sʰai̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ (j)i̯u¹¹ t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ t͡sʰai̯⁵⁵/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ iu¹³⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ t͡sai²²/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ iu²⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ t͡sai²²/

/t͡su³³⁻²¹ iu²³⁻³³ t͡su³³⁻²¹ t͡sai³³/

/t͡su³³⁻¹¹ iu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su³³⁻¹¹ t͡sai³³/

/t͡sɯ⁴¹⁻²² iu²⁴⁻²² t͡sɯ⁴¹⁻²² t͡sai⁴¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ iu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sai³⁵/


一見鍾情

ㄧ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

ицзяньчжунцин

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² kieŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡seŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡seŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

故事讲述了灰姑娘在森林拾火柴时与王子邂逅，王子对她一见钟情。 [MSC, simp.]
Gùshì jiǎngshù le huīgūniáng zài sēnlín shí huǒchái shí yǔ wángzǐ xièhòu, wángzǐ duì tā yījiànzhōngqíng. [Pinyin]

http://sh.sina.com.cn/citylink/en/kx/2010-08-09/162059758.html 故事講述了灰姑娘在森林拾火柴時與王子邂逅，王子對她一見鍾情。 [MSC, trad.]

The story depicts Cinderella's accidental encounter with the prince when she was picking matches in the forest. The prince fell in love with her at first sight.

你相信一见钟情吗？彼此对视1秒钟，来自对方的电流就会迅速穿越肉体直达心灵。 [MSC, simp.]
Nǐ xiàngxìn yījiànzhōngqíng ma? Bǐcǐ duìshì 1 miǎozhōng, láizì duìfāng de diànliú jiù huì xùnsù chuānyuè ròutǐ zhídá xīnlíng. [Pinyin]

http://fashion.enorth.com.cn/system/2010/08/11/004926030.shtml 你相信一見鍾情嗎？彼此對視1秒鐘，來自對方的電流就會迅速穿越肉體直達心靈。 [MSC, trad.]

Do you believe in love at first sight? Looking at each other for one second, and the electric signal from him/her will rapidly pass through your body to reach your soul.

to fall in love at first sight; love at first sight


栩栩如生

ㄒㄩˇ ㄒㄩˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄥ

/ɕy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³⁵ hɵy̯³⁵ jyː²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²⁴⁻²² siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/hu⁵²⁻³⁵ hu⁵²⁻³⁵ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sẽ³³/

/ɕy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³⁵ hɵy̯³⁵ jyː²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²⁴⁻²² siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/hu⁵²⁻³⁵ hu⁵²⁻³⁵ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sẽ³³/

to appear lifelike and vivid; vividly; realistically


風餐露宿

to dine on the wind and sleep among the dew

ㄈㄥ ㄘㄢ ㄌㄨˋ ㄙㄨˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän⁵⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵ lou̯²² sʊk̚⁵/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²³ lou¹¹ suaʔ²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän⁵⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵ lou̯²² sʊk̚⁵/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²³ lou¹¹ suaʔ²/

to endure the hardship of living and travelling out in the wild


出生入死

ㄔㄨ ㄕㄥ ㄖㄨˋ ㄙˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² sei̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² sei̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ sẽ³³⁻²³ d͡zip̚⁴⁻² si⁵²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² sei̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² sei̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ sẽ³³⁻²³ d͡zip̚⁴⁻² si⁵²/

From Tao Te Ching.
This phrase 出生入死 has various interpretations, including "coming forth into life and entering death" or "exiting life and entering death" (see 出生 (chūshēng)).
The meaning "to risk one's own life" is attested earliest in 秋興賦 Evocative Rhapsody on Autumn by 潘岳 (Pan Yue)

I've heard of the wisemen's blissful manners, equalling Heaven and Earth with one finger / index / indication. They knew safety yet disregarded danger; so, coming forth into life / exiting life, they entered death.

潘岳 Pan Yue, 《秋興賦》 Evocative Rhapsody on Autumn, 3th century CE

Wén zhìrén zhī xiūfēng xī, qí tiāndì yú yī zhǐ. Bǐ zhī ān ér wàng wēi xī, gù chūshēng ér rùsǐ.

聞至人之休風兮，齊天地於一指。彼知安而忘危兮，故出生而入死。

闻至人之休风兮，齐天地于一指。彼知安而忘危兮，故出生而入死。

risking one's life; without regard to one's own life


乘虛而入

ㄔㄥˊ ㄒㄩ ㄦˊ ㄖㄨˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɵy̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹ jɐp̚²/

/seŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hɯ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zip̚⁴/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɵy̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹ jɐp̚²/

/seŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hɯ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zip̚⁴/

to enter or invade by exploiting of one's opponent's unpreparedness or weakness; to break through a weak point or advance when one's opponent is off guard


膽戰心驚

ㄉㄢˇ ㄓㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄥ

даньчжаньсиньцзин

/tän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/taːm³⁵ t͡siːn³³ sɐm⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/tã⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡siaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ sim³³⁻²³ kĩã³³/

/tän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/taːm³⁵ t͡siːn³³ sɐm⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/tã⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡siaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ sim³³⁻²³ kĩã³³/

to tremble with fear; to be terror-stricken


對牛彈琴

Sino-Xenic (對牛彈琴):
* → Korean: 대우탄금(對牛彈琴) (dae'utan'geum)
* → Vietnamese: đối ngưu đàn cầm (對牛彈琴)

ja-r

牛 に 対 して 琴 を 弾ず

うし に たい して こと を だんず

→ Japanese: 牛(うし)に対(たい)して琴(こと)を弾(だん)ず (ushi ni tai shite koto o danzu) (calque)

→ Vietnamese: đàn gảy tai trâu (calque)

desc

สีซอให้ควายฟัง

→ Thai: สีซอให้ควายฟัง (sǐi-sɔɔ-hâi-kwaai-fang) (calque)

ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄊㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄣˊ

дуйнютаньцинь

/tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰän³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵/

/tɵy̯³³ ŋɐu̯²¹ tʰaːn²¹ kʰɐm²¹/

/tu̯i⁵⁵ ŋi̯u¹¹ tʰan¹¹ kʰim¹¹/

/tui²¹⁻⁵³ ɡu²⁴⁻²² tuã²⁴⁻²² kʰim²⁴/

/tui⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ɡu²⁴⁻²² tuã²⁴⁻²² kʰim²⁴/

/tui²¹⁻⁵³ ɡu¹³⁻²² tuã¹³⁻²² kʰim¹³/

/tui¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡu²⁴⁻¹¹ tuã²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰim²⁴/

/tui²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡu²³⁻³³ tuã²³⁻³³ kʰim²³/

/tui²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ɡu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tũã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰim⁵⁵/

/tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰän³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵/

/tɵy̯³³ ŋɐu̯²¹ tʰaːn²¹ kʰɐm²¹/

/tu̯i⁵⁵ ŋi̯u¹¹ tʰan¹¹ kʰim¹¹/

/tui²¹⁻⁵³ ɡu²⁴⁻²² tuã²⁴⁻²² kʰim²⁴/

/tui⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ɡu²⁴⁻²² tuã²⁴⁻²² kʰim²⁴/

/tui²¹⁻⁵³ ɡu¹³⁻²² tuã¹³⁻²² kʰim¹³/

/tui¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡu²⁴⁻¹¹ tuã²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰim²⁴/

/tui²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡu²³⁻³³ tuã²³⁻³³ kʰim²³/

/tui²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ɡu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tũã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰim⁵⁵/

First attested in c. 3rd century CE in the story of the Warring States-era musician Gongming Yi (公明儀) playing the zither to a cow, recorded in Mouzi Lihuolun. Mouzi used this example to illustrate the correct way to explain Buddhism to people with Confucian backgrounds.

etydate

3rd century <small class='ce-date'>CE</small>

Gongming Yi played the song Qing Jue to a cow. It continued eating grass as if nothing had happened. [The problem] was not that the cow did not listen, it was [the music] not suitable for the cow's ears instead. He then made noises of mosquitoes, flies, and lone calves, and the cow started wagging its tail, turned its ears, and listened while strolling.

Gōngmíng Yí wèi niú dàn “Qīngjiǎo” zhī cāo, fú shí rúgù. Fēi niú bù wén, bù hé qí ěr yǐ. Zhuǎn wèi wén méng zhī shēng, gū dú zhī míng, jí diào wěi, fèn ěr, diéxiè ér tīng.

公明儀為牛彈《清角》之操，伏食如故。非牛不聞，不合其耳矣。轉為蚊虻之聲、孤犢之鳴，即掉尾、奮耳，蹀躞而聽。

公明仪为牛弹《清角》之操，伏食如故。非牛不闻，不合其耳矣。转为蚊虻之声、孤犊之鸣，即掉尾、奋耳，蹀躞而听。

talk to a brick wall
talk to a brick wall

to talk about something that one's listener can not understand or turns a deaf ear to; to talk to a brick wall

Mouzi Lihuolun
Sengyou
Warring States
zh:弘明集


眾所周知

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄓㄡ ㄓ

чжунсочжоучжи

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ sɔː³⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻²² ti⁴⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡siu³³ ti³³/

/t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻²² ti⁴⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/

/t͡seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ so⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡siu³³⁻²³ t͡sai³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ sɔː³⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻²² ti⁴⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡siu³³ ti³³/

/t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻²² ti⁴⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/

as everyone knows; as is known to all; it is well-known that; it is common knowledge that


徹頭徹尾

ㄔㄜˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄔㄜˋ ㄨㄟˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːt̚³ tʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰiːt̚³ mei̯¹³/

/tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tʰau²⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ bue⁵³/

/tʰiak̚²⁻⁴ tʰau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰiak̚²⁻⁴ bue⁵²⁻²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːt̚³ tʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰiːt̚³ mei̯¹³/

/tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tʰau²⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ bue⁵³/

2016: 林鄭月娥 (Carrie Lam), 旺角事件屬暴亂 莫以藉口作掩飾

nei¹ jat¹ gin⁶ si⁶ ne¹, hai⁶ jat¹ go³ cit³ tau⁴ cit³ mei⁵ ge³ bou⁶ lyun⁶ ge³ si⁶ gin⁶⁻².

呢一件事呢，係一個徹頭徹尾嘅暴亂嘅事件。

呢一件事呢，系一个彻头彻尾嘅暴乱嘅事件。


眾志成城

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄓˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄔㄥˊ

чжунчжичэнчэн

čžunčžičɛnčɛn

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ t͡siː³³ sɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/t͡seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ seŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sĩã⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ t͡siː³³ sɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/t͡seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ seŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sĩã⁵⁵/

The hearts of the masses can forge a stronghold; the mouths of the masses can melt gold.

Zhòng xīn chéng chéng, zhòng kǒu shuò jīn.

眾心成城，眾口鑠金。

众心成城，众口铄金。

The wise exhaust their wisdom; the brave consume their bravery; the wealthy lose their wealth; [when] the entire country shares a common goal, the will of the masses forge a stronghold.

1915: 李大釗 (Li Dazhao), 《警告全國父老書》 (A Letter of Warning to All the Elders of the Country)

Zhì zhě jié qí zhì, yǒng zhě fèn qí yǒng, fù zhě shū qí cái, jǔguó yīzhì, zhòngzhì chéngchéng.

智者竭其智，勇者奮其勇，富者輸其財，舉國一致，眾志成城。

智者竭其智，勇者奋其勇，富者输其财，举国一致，众志成城。


孤注一擲

/ku⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/ku⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kuː⁵⁵ t͡syː³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚²/

/kou³³⁻²³ t͡su²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tã³⁵/

/ku⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/ku⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kuː⁵⁵ t͡syː³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚²/

/kou³³⁻²³ t͡su²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tã³⁵/

put all one's eggs in one basket
put all one's eggs in one basket

to go all out; to bet the farm on one thing in order to succeed; to put all one's eggs in one basket


肆無忌憚

ㄙˋ ㄨˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄉㄢˋ

/sz̩⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹/

/sɯ²¹³ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ki³⁵⁻¹¹ taŋ³⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹/

/sɯ²¹³ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ki³⁵⁻¹¹ taŋ³⁵/


無處不在

ㄨˊ ㄔㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄞˋ

/u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyː³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²²/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ to³⁵/

/u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyː³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²²/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ to³⁵/

ubiquitous; omnipresent; to be everywhere


甜言蜜語

ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄧˋ ㄩˇ

/tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ mi⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːm²¹ jiːn²¹ mɐt̚² jyː¹³/

/tiam²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡu⁵³/

/tĩ⁴⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡu⁵³/

/tĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²⁴ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡu⁵³/

/tĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡi⁴¹/

/tiɛn²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡu⁵³/

/tiɛn²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡi⁴¹/

/tiam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ bik̚⁴⁻² ɡɯ⁵²/

/tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ mi⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːm²¹ jiːn²¹ mɐt̚² jyː¹³/

/tiam²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡu⁵³/

/tĩ⁴⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡu⁵³/

/tĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²⁴ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡu⁵³/

/tĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡi⁴¹/

/tiɛn²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡu⁵³/

/tiɛn²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³ bit̚⁴⁻³² ɡi⁴¹/

/tiam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ bik̚⁴⁻² ɡɯ⁵²/

sweet words and honeyed phrases; cajolery


禍不單行

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄢ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/wɔː²² pɐt̚⁵ taːn⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/hua³⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tũã³³⁻²³ kĩã⁵⁵/

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/wɔː²² pɐt̚⁵ taːn⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/hua³⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tũã³³⁻²³ kĩã⁵⁵/

misfortunes never come singly
misfortunes never come singly

it never rains but it pours
it never rains but it pours

misfortunes never come singly; it never rains but it pours


重男輕女

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (重男輕女):
* → Korean: 중남경녀(重男輕女) (jungnamgyeongnyeo)
* → Vietnamese: trọng nam khinh nữ (重男輕女)

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄋㄩˇ

чжуннаньциннюй

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ nän³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ²² naːm²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ nɵy̯¹³/

/tiɔŋ²² lam²⁴⁻²² kʰin³³ lɯ⁵⁵⁴/

/tiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ lam²⁴⁻²² kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² lu⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ lam¹³⁻²² kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² li⁵³/

/tiɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lu⁵³/

/tiɔŋ³³⁻²¹ lam²³⁻³³ kʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lu⁴¹/

/toŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ nam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰiŋ³³⁻²³ nɯŋ⁵²/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ nän³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ²² naːm²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ nɵy̯¹³/

/tiɔŋ²² lam²⁴⁻²² kʰin³³ lɯ⁵⁵⁴/

/tiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ lam²⁴⁻²² kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² lu⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²²⁻²¹ lam¹³⁻²² kʰin⁴⁴⁻²² li⁵³/

/tiɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lu⁵³/

/tiɔŋ³³⁻²¹ lam²³⁻³³ kʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lu⁴¹/

/toŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ nam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰiŋ³³⁻²³ nɯŋ⁵²/

valuing men and belittling women; favouring boys over girls


出爾反爾

ㄔㄨ ㄦˇ ㄈㄢˇ ㄦˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jiː¹³ faːn³⁵ jiː¹³/

/t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ d͡zɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ hueŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ d͡zɯ⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jiː¹³ faːn³⁵ jiː¹³/

From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王下》). Originally means "you get treated in the same way that you treat others". Now "to contradict oneself".

The philosopher Zeng said, "Beware, beware. What proceeds from you, will return to you again." Now at length the people have paid back the conduct of their officers to them.

Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Céngzǐ yuē: ‘Jiè zhī jiè zhī! Chū hū ěr zhě, fǎn hū ěr zhě yě.’ Fú mín jīn ér hòu dé fǎn zhī yě.

曾子曰：『戒之戒之！出乎爾者，反乎爾者也。』夫民今而後得反之也。

曾子曰：『戒之戒之！出乎尔者，反乎尔者也。』夫民今而后得反之也。


白頭偕老

ㄅㄞˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄠˇ

/paɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² tʰɐu̯²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ lou̯¹³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰɔ²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻²² lo⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰiɤ²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰio²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tʰiɤ²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tʰio²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ lo⁵³/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tʰau²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ lɤ⁴¹/

/peʔ⁴⁻² tʰau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ lau⁵²/

/paɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² tʰɐu̯²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ lou̯¹³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰɔ²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻²² lo⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰiɤ²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰio²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tʰiɤ²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tʰio²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ lo⁵³/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tʰau²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ lɤ⁴¹/

/peʔ⁴⁻² tʰau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ lau⁵²/

(said of a couple) to live together until the white hairs of old age; to live to a ripe old age in conjugal bliss until death do us part; to remain happily married to a ripe old age


一生一世

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ se²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ se¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ se²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sẽ³³⁻²³ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² si²¹³/

/iɪʔ³³ sã⁵⁵ iɪʔ³³ sz̩²¹/

/iɪʔ⁴⁴ sã²³ iɪʔ⁵⁵ sz̩ʷ⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ se²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ se¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ se²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sẽ³³⁻²³ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² si²¹³/

/iɪʔ³³ sã⁵⁵ iɪʔ³³ sz̩²¹/

/iɪʔ⁴⁴ sã²³ iɪʔ⁵⁵ sz̩ʷ⁵¹/

Working folks like us slaving for money our entire lives

1977 March 26, Theme Song, The Private Eyes (半斤八兩), sung by Sam Hui (許冠傑) at the 1st Hong Kong Gold Disc Award Presentation (第一屆香港金唱片頒獎典禮)

ngo⁵ dei⁶ ne¹ baan¹ daa² gung¹ zai², jat¹ sang¹ jat¹ sai³ wai⁴ cin⁴ bai⁶ zou⁶ nou⁴ dai⁶

我哋呢班打工仔 一生一世為錢幣做奴隸

我哋呢班打工仔 一生一世为钱币做奴隶


難以置信

ㄋㄢˊ ㄧˇ ㄓˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ

наньичжисинь

/nän³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ jiː¹³ t͡siː³³ sɵn³³/

/laŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ ti²¹³⁻⁵⁵ siŋ²¹³/

/nän³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ jiː¹³ t͡siː³³ sɵn³³/

/laŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ ti²¹³⁻⁵⁵ siŋ²¹³/


自立自強

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄗˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɐp̚² t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹/

/t͡siː²² laːp̚² t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ lip̚⁴⁻² t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰiaŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɐp̚² t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹/

/t͡siː²² laːp̚² t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ lip̚⁴⁻² t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰiaŋ⁵⁵/


博大精深

ㄅㄛˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄣ

бодацзиншэнь

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ taːi̯²² t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/pʰak̚²⁻⁴ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡seŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰim³³/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ taːi̯²² t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/pʰak̚²⁻⁴ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡seŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰim³³/

蘊含博大精深的學問

蕴含博大精深的学问

(of concepts) wide-ranging and profound; deep


堅持不懈

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄔˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄝˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/kiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ haːi̯²²/

/kiaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ hai³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/kiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ haːi̯²²/

/kiaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ hai³⁵/

to persevere; to keep going until the end


長途跋涉

ㄔㄤˊ ㄊㄨˊ ㄅㄚˊ ㄕㄜˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ pä³⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ pɐt̚² siːp̚³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tɔ²⁴⁻²² puat̚⁴⁻³² siap̚⁴/

/tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² tɔ²⁴⁻²² puat̚⁴⁻³² siap̚⁴/

/t͡sʰiaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puak̚⁴⁻² siap̚⁴/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ pä³⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ pɐt̚² siːp̚³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tɔ²⁴⁻²² puat̚⁴⁻³² siap̚⁴/

/tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² tɔ²⁴⁻²² puat̚⁴⁻³² siap̚⁴/

/t͡sʰiaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puak̚⁴⁻² siap̚⁴/


喜出望外

ㄒㄧˇ ㄔㄨ ㄨㄤˋ ㄨㄞˋ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

/hi⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ mo¹¹ ɡua¹¹/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

/hi⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ mo¹¹ ɡua¹¹/

to be pleasantly surprised by unexpected good news


息息相關

ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄢ

ㄒㄧˊ ㄒㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄢ

сисисянгуань

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ kuan⁴⁴/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ kuan⁴⁴/

/sek̚²⁻⁴ sek̚²⁻⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²³ kuaŋ³³/

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ kuan⁴⁴/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ kuan⁴⁴/

/sek̚²⁻⁴ sek̚²⁻⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²³ kuaŋ³³/

to be closely linked; to be closely bound up


以身作則

ㄧˇ ㄕㄣ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄜˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

/i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ t͡sek̚²/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

/i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²/

/ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ t͡sek̚²/


亂七八糟

ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄚ ㄗㄠ

ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄚ ㄗㄠ

луаньцибацзао

/lu̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lyːn²² t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ paːt̚³ t͡sou̯⁵⁵/

/lɔn⁵³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰit̚¹ pat̚¹ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ pat̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ pa⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ pa⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰik̚²⁻⁴ poiʔ²⁻⁴ t͡sau³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lu̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lyːn²² t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ paːt̚³ t͡sou̯⁵⁵/

/lɔn⁵³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰit̚¹ pat̚¹ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ pa⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luan³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ pa⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sau⁴⁴/

/luaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰik̚²⁻⁴ poiʔ²⁻⁴ t͡sau³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

This is the Ghost Island (nickname for Taiwan), an out-of-order Ghost Island

2019, 黃明志 ft. 大支 (Namewee ft. Dwagie), 《鬼島》 ("Ghost Island")

這就是鬼島亂七八糟的鬼島

这就是鬼岛乱七八糟的鬼岛


袖手旁觀

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄆㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄢ

сюшоупангуань

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔːŋ²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/

/siu²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kuan⁴⁴/

/siu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kuan³³/

/siu²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ¹³⁻²² kuan⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²³⁻³³ kuan⁴⁴/

/siu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰiu⁵²⁻³⁵ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kuaŋ³³/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔːŋ²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/

/siu²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kuan⁴⁴/

/siu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kuan³³/

/siu²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ¹³⁻²² kuan⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pɔŋ²³⁻³³ kuan⁴⁴/

to put one's hands into one's sleeves and look on; to observe and do nothing; to stand by; to become a passive observer


萬事如意

Sino-Xenic (萬事如意):
* → Vietnamese: vạn sự như ý (萬事如意)

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/ᵐban³² ɬu³² ᵑɡui²² ji³³/

/van⁵⁵ sɨ⁵⁵ i¹¹ i⁵⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ su³³ zu²³⁻³³ i²¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ su²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ su³³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² su⁴¹ lu²⁴⁻²² i⁴¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ sɯ²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/bueŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/buaŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/ᵐban³² ɬu³² ᵑɡui²² ji³³/

/van⁵⁵ sɨ⁵⁵ i¹¹ i⁵⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ su³³ zu²³⁻³³ i²¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ su²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ su³³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² su⁴¹ lu²⁴⁻²² i⁴¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ sɯ²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/bueŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/buaŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

祝你身體健康，萬事如意。

祝你身体健康，万事如意。

may all your hopes be fulfilled; all the best


青梅竹馬

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄇㄟˊ ㄓㄨˊ ㄇㄚˇ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ maː¹³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ³³ muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² muĩ¹³⁻²² tiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ muĩ²⁴⁻¹¹ tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ muĩ²³⁻³³ tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹/

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ bue⁵⁵ tek̚²⁻⁴ be⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ me³³ t͡soʔ³³ ma²¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ maː¹³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ³³ muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² muĩ¹³⁻²² tiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ muĩ²⁴⁻¹¹ tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ muĩ²³⁻³³ tiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹/

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ bue⁵⁵ tek̚²⁻⁴ be⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ me³³ t͡soʔ³³ ma²¹/

From a poem by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai:
:
The same poem was also the source of the idiom 兩小無猜／两小无猜 (liǎngxiǎowúcāi), which has a very similar meaning.

zh-l

兩小無猜／两小无猜 (liǎngxiǎowúcāi)

My forehead covered by my hair cut straight,
I played with flowers pluck'd before the gate.
On hobby horse you came upon the scene,
Around the well we played with plums still green.
We lived, close neighbors on Riverside Lane,
Carefree and innocent, we children twain.
At fourteen years when I became your bride,
I'd often turn my bashful face aside. […]

Li Bai (701–762), Ballad of a Trader's Wife (長干里), translated by Xu Yuanchong

Qiè fà chū fù é, zhé huā mén qián jù. Láng qí zhúmǎ lái, rào chuáng nòng qīng méi. Tóngjū cháng gān lǐ, liǎng xiǎo wú xián cāi. Shísì wéi jūn fù, xiū yán wèicháng kāi.

妾髮初覆額，折花門前劇。郎騎竹馬來，繞床弄青梅。同居長干里，兩小無嫌猜。十四為君婦，羞顏未嘗開。

妾发初覆额，折花门前剧。郎骑竹马来，绕床弄青梅。同居长干里，两小无嫌猜。十四为君妇，羞颜未尝开。

a girl and a boy playing innocently together; a man and a woman who had an innocent affection for each other in childhood; childhood sweethearts


豈有此理

ㄑㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄘˇ ㄌㄧˇ

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ li⁵⁵⁴/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹/

/kʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²/

/kʰa⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²⁻²¹/

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ li⁵⁵⁴/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹/

/kʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²/

/kʰa⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²⁻²¹/

嚇，豈有此理！

吓，岂有此理！


山盟海誓

ㄕㄢ ㄇㄥˊ ㄏㄞˇ ㄕˋ

шаньмэнхайши

/ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹/

/sũã³³⁻²³ meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵²⁻³⁵ si¹¹/

/ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹/

/sũã³³⁻²³ meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵²⁻³⁵ si¹¹/


名副其實

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/miŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚⁴/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚²⁴/

/miã¹³⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki¹³⁻²² sit̚¹²¹/

/miã²⁴⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/miã²³⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sik̚⁴/

/miŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚⁴/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚²⁴/

/miã¹³⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki¹³⁻²² sit̚¹²¹/

/miã²⁴⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/miã²³⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sik̚⁴/

to be not just in name, but also in reality; to be worthy of the name; to live up to reputation


一如既往

ㄧ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄨㄤˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ki²¹³⁻⁵⁵ uaŋ⁵²⁻²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ki²¹³⁻⁵⁵ uaŋ⁵²⁻²¹/


有情有義

ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄧˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː²²/

/i̯u²⁴ t͡sʰin¹¹ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/u³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː²²/

/i̯u²⁴ t͡sʰin¹¹ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/u³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

The bachelor is full of affection; the bar's hostess is full of coldness

ū-chêng-ū-gī cha̍p-it-ko; bô-chêng-bô-gī chiú-kan-á-só

有情有義十一哥；無情無義酒矸仔嫂

有情有义十一哥；无情无义酒矸仔嫂

having affection and faith; affectionate and just/righteous


焚書坑儒

ㄈㄣˊ ㄕㄨ ㄎㄥ ㄖㄨˊ

/fən³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐn²¹ syː⁵⁵ haːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹/

/uŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ kʰẽ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵/

/fən³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐn²¹ syː⁵⁵ haːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹/

/uŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ kʰẽ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵/

"burning of books and burying of scholars" (anti-intellectual event during Qin dynasty)


因地制宜

ㄧㄣ ㄉㄧˋ ㄓˋ ㄧˊ

/in⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ tei̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

/iŋ³³⁻²³ ti¹¹ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵⁵/

/in⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ tei̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

/iŋ³³⁻²³ ti¹¹ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵⁵/

to formulate strategies according to local conditions


天經地義

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄉㄧˋ ㄧˋ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² jiː²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tue³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ keŋ³³ ti¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² jiː²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tue³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ keŋ³³ ti¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

From an aphorism posthumously attributed to Zichan (子產) by You Ji (aka. Zitaishu, 子大叔) as recorded in the Zuozhuan.

Propriety, it is the unchanging ways of heaven, the just ways of earth, and the rightful path of every human being.

Fú lǐ, tiān zhī jīng yě, dì zhī yì yě, mín zhī xìng yě.

夫禮，天之經也，地之義也，民之行也。

夫礼，天之经也，地之义也，民之行也。

It is a matter of course to pay debts when one owes money.

欠債還錢，天經地義

欠债还钱，天经地义

conforming to the traditional Chinese notion of the rules of heaven and the principles of Earth; that which is taken as a matter of course; proper practice or convention; time-honoured principle


古色古香

ㄍㄨˇ ㄙㄜˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄤ

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kuː³⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kou⁵²⁻³⁵ sek̚²⁻⁴ kou⁵²⁻³⁵ hiaŋ³³/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kuː³⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kou⁵²⁻³⁵ sek̚²⁻⁴ kou⁵²⁻³⁵ hiaŋ³³/


相提並論

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄊㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

сянтибинлунь

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ pɪŋ²² lɵn²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²²⁻²¹ lun²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lun²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ pɪŋ²² lɵn²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²²⁻²¹ lun²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lun²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵/

This, too, may be called a "policy of benevolence" if you like, but it is imposed by us on the members of the enemy classes and cannot be mentioned in the same breath with the work of self-education which we carry on within the ranks of the revolutionary people.

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

Zhè yě kěyǐ shuō shì “shī rénzhèng” ba, dàn zhè shì wǒmen duìyú yuánlái shì díduì jiējí de rénmen suǒ qiángpò de shīxíng de, hé wǒmen duìyú gémìng rénmín nèibù de zìwǒ jiàoyù gōngzuò, bù néng xiāngtíbìnglùn.

這也可以說是「施仁政」吧，但這是我們對於原來是敵對階級的人們所強迫地施行的，和我們對於革命人民內部的自我教育工作，不能相提並論。

这也可以说是「施仁政」吧，但这是我们对于原来是敌对阶级的人们所强迫地施行的，和我们对于革命人民内部的自我教育工作，不能相提并论。

to discuss two very different things at the same time; to mention different things on equal terms


源源不斷

ㄩㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

юаньюаньбудуань

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tuaŋ³⁵/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tuaŋ³⁵/


無可救藥

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧㄠˋ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kiu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ioʔ⁴/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kiu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ioʔ⁴/

utterly hopeless; unable to be saved (helped); beyond the point of help


錯綜複雜

ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄨㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄗㄚˊ

ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄨㄥˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄗㄚˊ

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ³³ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰak̚²⁻⁴ t͡soŋ³³⁻²³ hok̚⁴⁻² t͡sap̚⁴/

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ³³ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰak̚²⁻⁴ t͡soŋ³³⁻²³ hok̚⁴⁻² t͡sap̚⁴/


防不勝防

ㄈㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄈㄤˊ

ㄈㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄤˊ

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ²³/

/huaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huaŋ⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ²³/

/huaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huaŋ⁵⁵/

the utmost care could not prevent it from happening; to be impossible to defend effectively


一事無成

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/it̚² sɨ⁵⁵ vu¹¹ sɨn¹¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sɯ¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ seŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/it̚² sɨ⁵⁵ vu¹¹ sɨn¹¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sɯ¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ seŋ⁵⁵/

to be unable to achieve anything; to be a total failure


沸沸揚揚

ㄈㄟˋ ㄈㄟˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ

/feɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ fɐi̯³³ jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/huk̚²⁻⁴ huk̚²⁻⁴ iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵⁵/

/feɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ fɐi̯³³ jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/huk̚²⁻⁴ huk̚²⁻⁴ iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵⁵/


氣勢磅礴

气势磅礴
氣勢磅薄
氣勢旁礴
氣勢旁薄
氣勢磅礡

ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˋ ㄆㄤˊ ㄅㄛˊ

ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˋ ㄆㄤ ㄅㄛˊ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/hei̯³³ sɐi̯³³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ pɔːk̚²/

/kʰi²¹³⁻⁵⁵ si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ poʔ⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/hei̯³³ sɐi̯³³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ pɔːk̚²/

/kʰi²¹³⁻⁵⁵ si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ poʔ⁴/

of great momentum; grand and magnificent


哀鴻遍野

ㄞ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄝˇ

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ pʰiːn³³ jɛː¹³/

/ai³³⁻²³ hoŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ pʰiːn³³ jɛː¹³/

/ai³³⁻²³ hoŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

a land of wailing and despair; land swarming with disaster victims; disaster victims moaning everywhere


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/

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.

I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Liùsì: diān yí, jí, hǔshì dāndān, qí yù zhúzhú, wú jiù.

六四：顛頤，吉，虎視眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。

六四：颠颐，吉，虎视眈眈，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


刣雞教猴

刣鸡教猴
刣鷄教猴
刣雞敎猴
刣鷄敎猴

/tʰai⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kie⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻¹¹ kue⁴⁴⁻³³ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue³³ ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai¹³⁻²² ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau¹³/

/tʰai²³⁻³³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ kau²³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵⁵/

/tʰai⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kie⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻¹¹ kue⁴⁴⁻³³ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue³³ ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai¹³⁻²² ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau¹³/

/tʰai²³⁻³³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ kau²³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵⁵/

(Min) to make a public demonstration of punishing a wrongdoer in order to deter innocents who might mimic the example of the wrongdoer


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.

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

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

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

他對人說話，總是滿口之乎者也，教人半懂不懂的。

他对人说话，总是满口之乎者也，教人半懂不懂的。

(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


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》)

lang

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady:
For our prince a good mate she.

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

窈窕淑女，君子好逑。

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

1983, 蕭乾, 《海外行蹤》

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

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

1983, 蕭乾, 《海外行蹤》

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


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


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/

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

一問一答式的對話

一问一答式的对话

to ask and answer interchangeably or successively


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


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》)

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.

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.

喪禮，哀戚之至也。節哀，順變也；君子念始之者也。

丧礼，哀戚之至也。节哀，顺变也；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


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


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


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


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/

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

The Book of the Later Han, circa 5ᵗʰ century CE

Jīn bù lǜ qiánshì zhī shī, fù xún fùchē zhī guǐ.

今不慮前事之失，復循覆車之軌。

今不虑前事之失，复循覆车之轨。

to go on the tracks of an overturned cart again

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.

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

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

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。

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。

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.

2010, 趙銳, 《母親手記：我與孩子的故事》, page 181

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.

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。

2010, 趙銳, 《母親手記：我與孩子的故事》, page 181

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。

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/


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.

After that the noblemen were eagerly making copies of the work, causing paper to become expensive in Luoyang.

648 CE, Fang Xuanling (lead editor), Book of Jin

Yúshì háoguì zhī jiā jìngxiāng chuánxiě, Luòyáng wèi zhī zhǐ guì.

於是豪貴之家競相傳寫，洛陽為之紙貴。

于是豪贵之家竞相传写，洛阳为之纸贵。

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


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/


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


無魂無影

/bo²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² iã⁵³/

/bo²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² iã⁵⁵⁴/

/bo¹³⁻²² hun¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² iã⁵³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ hun²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ iã⁵³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ hun²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ iã⁴¹/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ĩã⁵²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² iã⁵³/

/bo²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² iã⁵⁵⁴/

/bo¹³⁻²² hun¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² iã⁵³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ hun²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ iã⁵³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ hun²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ iã⁴¹/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ĩã⁵²/

(Hakka, Southern Min) to disappear without a trace


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


想入非非

ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄖㄨˋ ㄈㄟ ㄈㄟ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ³⁵ jɐp̚² fei̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/sĩõ³⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zip̚⁴⁻² hui³³⁻²³ hui³³/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ³⁵ jɐp̚² fei̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/sĩõ³⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zip̚⁴⁻² hui³³⁻²³ hui³³/

to indulge in fantastical thoughts; to daydream


滄海桑田

ja-r

滄海桑田(そうかいそうでん) (sōkaisōden)

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (滄海桑田):
* → Japanese: 滄海桑田(そうかいそうでん) (sōkaisōden)
* → Korean: 창해상전(滄海桑田) (changhaesangjeon)
* → Vietnamese: thương hải tang điền (滄海桑田)

→ Vietnamese: bể dâu (calque)

ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ ㄙㄤ ㄊㄧㄢˊ

цанхайсантянь

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn²¹/

/t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²³ hai⁵² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰaŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn²¹/

/t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²³ hai⁵² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰaŋ⁵⁵/

Originally 東海桑田／东海桑田 (literally “East China sea becoming mulberry fields”). From Shenxian Zhuan (神仙傳·麻姑)

zh-l

Magu said: "Since we met last time, I have seen the East China Sea turned into mulberry fields thrice. When I visited Penglai Island just now, I saw that the water was shallower than half of it was when we met. Is it going to turn into land again?"

Mágū zì shuō yún: “Jiēdài yǐlái, yǐ jiàn Dōnghǎi sān wèi sāngtián. Xiàng dào Pénglái, shuǐ yòu qiǎn yú wǎngzhě huì shí lüè bàn yě. Qǐ jiāng fùhái wèi líng lù hū.”

麻姑自說云：「接待以來，已見東海三為桑田。向到蓬萊，水又淺于往者會時略半也。豈將復還為陵陸乎。」

麻姑自说云：「接待以来，已见东海三为桑田。向到蓬莱，水又浅于往者会时略半也。岂将复还为陵陆乎。」

the vast sea (turned into) mulberry fields

time brings drastic changes to the world; the vicissitudes of life


大吉大利

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄧˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²² lei̯²²/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kit̚¹ tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ li⁵³/

/tai²²⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai²²⁻²¹ li²²/

/tai³³⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻²¹ li³³/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻¹¹ li³³/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ kik̚²⁻⁴ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ li³⁵/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²² lei̯²²/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kit̚¹ tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ li⁵³/

/tai²²⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai²²⁻²¹ li²²/

/tai³³⁻²¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻²¹ li³³/

/tai³³⁻¹¹ kiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ tai³³⁻¹¹ li³³/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ kik̚²⁻⁴ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ li³⁵/


自欺欺人

ㄗˋ ㄑㄧ ㄑㄧ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡siː²² hei̯⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi³³⁻²³ kʰi³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡siː²² hei̯⁵⁵ hei̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi³³⁻²³ kʰi³³⁻²³ naŋ⁵⁵/

to deceive oneself as well as others; to fool oneself alongside others


大街小巷

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ hɔːŋ²²/

/tua³³⁻¹¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua³³⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ sio⁵²⁻³⁵ haŋ¹¹/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ hɔːŋ²²/

/tua³³⁻¹¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua³³⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ haŋ³³/

/tua¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ sio⁵²⁻³⁵ haŋ¹¹/

high streets and back lanes; throughout the city


融會貫通

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄊㄨㄥ

жунхуэйгуаньтун

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹ wuːi̯²² kuːn³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hue³⁵⁻¹¹ kuaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tʰoŋ³³/

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹ wuːi̯²² kuːn³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hue³⁵⁻¹¹ kuaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tʰoŋ³³/

to gain a thorough understanding of something by integrating knowledge from different areas


皆大歡喜

ㄐㄧㄝ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄢ ㄒㄧˇ

цзедахуаньси

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ xu̯än⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² fuːn⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/kai³³⁻²³ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ hueŋ³³⁻²³ hi⁵²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ xu̯än⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ taːi̯²² fuːn⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/kai³³⁻²³ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ hueŋ³³⁻²³ hi⁵²/

to everyone's delight and satisfaction; everyone is happy


望梅止渴

ㄨㄤˋ ㄇㄟˊ ㄓˇ ㄎㄜˇ

/wɑŋ⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɔːŋ²² muːi̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ hɔːt̚³/

/mo¹¹ bue⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡si⁵²⁻³⁵ kuaʔ²/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɔːŋ²² muːi̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ hɔːt̚³/

/mo¹¹ bue⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡si⁵²⁻³⁵ kuaʔ²/

From the tale of the warlord Cao Cao deceiving his severely dehydrated troops with the promise of a forest of plums not far ahead.

Emperor Wu of Wei (Cao Cao) was leading his army., but failed to find a path with water source, and his army was thirty. He then ordered, “There is a big plum forest ahead with many fruits. They are very sweet and sour and you can relieve your thirst there.” When the army heard what he said, they drooled and then they seized the opportunity to reach the water source ahead

Liu Yiqing (editor), A New Account of the Tales of the World, 5ᵗʰ century CE

Wèi Wǔ xíng yì, shī jí dào, jūn jiē kě, nǎi lìng yuē: “Qián yǒu dà méilín, ráo zǐ, gān suān, kěyǐ jiěkě.” Shìzú wén zhī, kǒu jiē chūshuǐ, chéng cǐ dé jí qián yuán.

魏武行役，失汲道，軍皆渴，乃令曰：「前有大梅林，饒子，甘酸，可以解渴。」士卒聞之，口皆出水，乘此得及前源。

魏武行役，失汲道，军皆渴，乃令曰：「前有大梅林，饶子，甘酸，可以解渴。」士卒闻之，口皆出水，乘此得及前源。

to quench one's thirst by thinking of plums


名落孫山

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄙㄨㄣ ㄕㄢ

минлосуньшань

/miŋ³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ lɔːk̚² syːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ loʔ⁴⁻² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ sũã³³/

/miŋ³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ lɔːk̚² syːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ loʔ⁴⁻² sɯŋ³³⁻²³ sũã³³/

Sun Shan, a talented and humorous scholar from the Wu region, went to a different prefecture for the imperial examination. A fellow villager sent his son to go with Sun for the exam. When exam results were announced, the son of the fellow villager failed to make it in the list of successful candidates, while Sun Shan was the last name on the list. When they returned, the villager asked Sun how his son had performed, and Sun replied with a poem:
　My humble name appeared at the bottom of the list of successful candidates,
　While your dear son ranked behind me.

Song dynasty, poet Fan Gongcheng (范公偁), 《過庭錄》

Wú rén Sūn Shān, huájī cáizǐ yě. Fù jǔ tā jùn, xiāngrén tuō yǐ zǐ xié wǎng. Xiāngrén zǐ shīyì, Shān zhuì bǎngmò. Xiān guī, xiāngrén wèn qí zǐ déshī, Shān yuē: “Jièmíng jìnchù shì Sūn Shān, xiánláng gèng zài Sūn Shān wài.”

吳人孫山，滑稽才子也。赴舉他郡，鄉人托以子偕往。鄉人子失意，山綴榜末。先歸，鄉人問其子得失，山曰：「解名盡處是孫山，賢郎更在孫山外。」

吴人孙山，滑稽才子也。赴举他郡，乡人托以子偕往。乡人子失意，山缀榜末。先归，乡人问其子得失，山曰：「解名尽处是孙山，贤郎更在孙山外。」

to fall behind Sun Shan (who ranked last on the admitted candidates)

(figurative) to fail an exam; to fall behind (in a competition)


恍然大悟

ㄏㄨㄤˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄨˋ

/xu̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ³⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² ŋ̍²²/

/hɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃²²/

/hɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃³³/

/huaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋo³⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ³⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² ŋ̍²²/

/hɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃²²/

/hɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ ŋɔ̃³³/

/huaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋo³⁵/


依依不捨

/i⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/

/i³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ sia²¹³/

/i⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/

/i³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ sia²¹³/

What makes me linger is more than your tenderness

讓我依依不捨的不止你的溫柔

让我依依不舍的不止你的温柔

to be reluctant to part; to feel broken-hearted at having to leave; to linger


忘恩負義

ㄨㄤˋ ㄣ ㄈㄨˋ ㄧˋ

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀən⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²¹ jɐn⁵⁵ fuː²² jiː²²/

/mɔŋ¹¹ ɛn⁴⁴⁻³⁵ fu⁵³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵³/

/buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ɯŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ eŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀən⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²¹ jɐn⁵⁵ fuː²² jiː²²/

/mɔŋ¹¹ ɛn⁴⁴⁻³⁵ fu⁵³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵³/

/buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ɯŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/buaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ eŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

bite the hand that feeds one
bite the hand that feeds one

to be devoid of gratefulness; to forget someone’s kindness and turn one’s back on him; to bite the hand that feeds one


舉一反三

ㄐㄩˇ ㄧ ㄈㄢˇ ㄙㄢ

цзюйифаньсань

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ faːn³⁵ saːm⁵⁵/

/kɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² huaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ sã³³/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ faːn³⁵ saːm⁵⁵/

/kɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² huaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ sã³³/

The Master said, "I do not open up the truth to one who is not eager to get knowledge, nor help out any one who is not anxious to explain himself. When I have presented one corner of a subject to any one, and he cannot from it learn the other three, I do not repeat my lesson."

The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Zǐyuē: “Bù fèn bù qǐ, bù fěi bù fā, jǔ yī yú bù yǐ sān yú fǎn, zé bù fù yě.”

子曰：「不憤不啟，不悱不發，舉一隅不以三隅反，則不復也。」

子曰：「不愤不启，不悱不发，举一隅不以三隅反，则不复也。」

to learn by analogy; to infer other cases based on one instance


重見天日

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄖˋ

чунцзяньтяньжи

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ kiːn³³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

/teŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kieŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tʰieŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zik̚⁴/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ kiːn³³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

delivered from oppression; to regain freedom


不合時宜

ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄕˊ ㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐp̚² siː²¹ jiː²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²⁴⁻²² ɡi²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hap̚²⁴⁻² si²⁴⁻²² ɡi²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ si¹³⁻²² ɡi¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²³⁻³³ ɡi²³/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ haʔ⁴⁻² si⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ i³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐp̚² siː²¹ jiː²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²⁴⁻²² ɡi²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hap̚²⁴⁻² si²⁴⁻²² ɡi²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ si¹³⁻²² ɡi¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² si²³⁻³³ ɡi²³/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ haʔ⁴⁻² si⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

untimely; premature; inopportune; ill-timed; out of fashion; behind the times


出類拔萃

ㄔㄨ ㄌㄟˋ ㄅㄚˊ ㄘㄨㄟˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹ pä³⁵ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ lɵy̯²² pɐt̚² sɵy̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹ pä³⁵ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ lɵy̯²² pɐt̚² sɵy̯²²/

There is the Qi-lin among quadrupeds, the Feng-huang among birds, the Tai mountain among mounds and ant-hills, and rivers and seas among rain-pools. Though different in degree, they are the same in kind. So the sages among mankind are also the same in kind. But they stand out from their fellows, and rise above the level, and from the birth of mankind till now, there never has been one so complete as Confucius.

Qílín zhī yú zǒushòu, fènghuáng zhī yú fēiniǎo, tàishān zhī yú qiūdié, héhǎi zhī yú xíngliáo, lèi yě. Shèngrén zhī yú mín, yì lèi yě. Chū yú qí lèi, bá hū qí cuì, zì shēng mín yǐ lái, wèiyǒu shèng yú Kǒngzǐ yě.

麒麟之於走獸，鳳凰之於飛鳥，太山之於丘垤，河海之於行潦，類也。聖人之於民，亦類也。出於其類，拔乎其萃，自生民以來，未有盛於孔子也。

麒麟之于走兽，凤凰之于飞鸟，太山之于丘垤，河海之于行潦，类也。圣人之于民，亦类也。出于其类，拔乎其萃，自生民以来，未有盛于孔子也。

to excel the common; surpassing; preeminent; outstanding


九牛一毛

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄧ ㄇㄠˊ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄧ ㄇㄠˊㄦ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ maʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹/

/kau⁵²⁻³⁵ ɡu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mo⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiɤ³³ n̠ʲiɤ⁵⁵ iɪʔ³³ mɔ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹/

/kau⁵²⁻³⁵ ɡu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mo⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiɤ³³ n̠ʲiɤ⁵⁵ iɪʔ³³ mɔ²¹/

If I fell before the law and was executed, it would make no more difference to most people than one hair off nine oxen, for I was a mere ant to them.

Sima Qian, Letter to Ren An. 1st century BCE. Translated by Burton Watson.

Jiǎlìng pú fúfǎ shòuzhū, ruò jiǔniú wáng yīmáo, yǔ lóuyǐ héyǐ yì?

假令僕伏法受誅，若九牛亡一毛，與螻蟻何以異？

假令仆伏法受诛，若九牛亡一毛，与蝼蚁何以异？


源遠流長

ㄩㄢˊ ㄩㄢˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄤˊ

юаньюаньлючан

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ jyːn¹³ lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiaŋ⁵⁵/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ jyːn¹³ lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiaŋ⁵⁵/

having a long and rich history; to extend to the dim and distant past


無可厚非

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄏㄡˋ ㄈㄟ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ hɐu̯¹³ fei̯⁵⁵/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kau³⁵⁻¹¹ hui³³/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ hɐu̯¹³ fei̯⁵⁵/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kau³⁵⁻¹¹ hui³³/

not altogether inexcusable; hard to blame; reasonable; understandable


充耳不聞

to stuff one's ears and pretend not to hear

ㄔㄨㄥ ㄦˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˊ

чунъэрбувэнь

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/

/t͡sʰoŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ buŋ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/

/t͡sʰoŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ buŋ³⁵/


壽比南山

ㄕㄡˋ ㄅㄧˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

шоубинаньшань

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯²² pei̯³⁵ naːm²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/siu³³⁻¹¹ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻²¹ pi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lam²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/

/siu¹¹ pi⁵²⁻³⁵ nam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sũã³³/

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯²² pei̯³⁵ naːm²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/siu³³⁻¹¹ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻²¹ pi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lam²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/

/siu¹¹ pi⁵²⁻³⁵ nam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sũã³³/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 166 (《詩經·小雅·天保》)

lang

(《詩經·小雅·天保》)

(《詩經·小雅·天保》)

Like the age of the southern hills, Never waning, never falling,
Like the luxuriance of the fir and the cypress; May such be thy succeeding line!

Rú nánshān zhī shòu, bù qiān bù bēng.
Rú sōngbǎi zhī mào, wú bù ěr huò chéng.

如南山之壽，不騫不崩。
如松柏之茂，無不爾或承。

如南山之寿，不骞不崩。
如松柏之茂，无不尔或承。

[One's] life is as long-lasting as theZhongnan Mountains


司空見慣

ㄙ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ

сыкунцзяньгуань

/sz̩⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kiːn³³ kʷaːn³³/

/si³³⁻²³ kʰoŋ³³⁻²³ kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kuaŋ²¹³/

/sz̩⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kiːn³³ kʷaːn³³/

/si³³⁻²³ kʰoŋ³³⁻²³ kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kuaŋ²¹³/

唐·孟棨《本事詩•情感》

Liú Shàngshū Yǔxī bà Hézhōu...... Lǐ Sīkōng bà zhèn zài jīng, mù Liú míng, cháng yāo zhì dì zhōng, hòu shè yǐnzhuàn. Jiǔ hān, mìng miàojì gē yǐ sòng zhī. Liú yú xí shàng fù shī yuē: ‘...... Chūnfēng yī qū “Dù Wéiniáng”. Sīkōng jiàn guàn hún xiánshì, duàn jìn Jiāngnán cìshǐ cháng.’

劉尚書禹錫罷和州……李司空罷鎮在京，慕劉名，嘗邀至第中，厚設飲饌。酒酣，命妙妓歌以送之。劉於席上賦詩曰：‘……春風一曲《杜韋娘》。司空見慣渾閑事，斷盡江南刺史腸。’

唐·孟棨《本事詩•情感》

刘尚书禹锡罢和州……李司空罢镇在京，慕刘名，尝邀至第中，厚设饮馔。酒酣，命妙妓歌以送之。刘于席上赋诗曰：‘……春风一曲《杜韦娘》。司空见惯浑闲事，断尽江南刺史肠。’


尾大不掉

ㄨㄟˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

/weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mei̯¹³ taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ tiːu̯²²/

/bue⁵²⁻³⁵ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tiau¹¹/

/weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mei̯¹³ taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ tiːu̯²²/

/bue⁵²⁻³⁵ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tiau¹¹/

末大必折，尾大不掉，君所知也。

a subordinate becomes too powerful for their superior to control


分秒必爭

ㄈㄣ ㄇㄧㄠˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄓㄥ

фэньмяобичжэн

/fən⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ miːu̯¹³ piːt̚⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² biau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/huŋ³³⁻²³ miau⁵²⁻³⁵ pik̚²⁻⁴ t͡sẽ³³/

/fən⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ miːu̯¹³ piːt̚⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² biau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/huŋ³³⁻²³ miau⁵²⁻³⁵ pik̚²⁻⁴ t͡sẽ³³/

to grasp every minute; to make full use of one's time


好人好事

ㄏㄠˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄠˇ ㄕˋ

хаожэньхаоши

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ hou̯³⁵ siː²²/

/ho⁵²⁻³⁵ naŋ⁵⁵ ho⁵²⁻³⁵ sɯ¹¹/

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ hou̯³⁵ siː²²/

/ho⁵²⁻³⁵ naŋ⁵⁵ ho⁵²⁻³⁵ sɯ¹¹/

表揚好人好事

表扬好人好事


安居樂業

ㄢ ㄐㄩ ㄌㄜˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² jiːp̚²/

/on²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ lok̚⁵ ŋi̯ap̚⁵/

/an⁴⁴⁻²² ku⁴⁴⁻²² lɔk̚⁴⁻³² ɡiap̚⁴/

/aŋ³³⁻²³ kɯ³³⁻²³ lak̚⁴⁻² ŋiap̚⁴/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² jiːp̚²/

/on²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ lok̚⁵ ŋi̯ap̚⁵/

/an⁴⁴⁻²² ku⁴⁴⁻²² lɔk̚⁴⁻³² ɡiap̚⁴/

/aŋ³³⁻²³ kɯ³³⁻²³ lak̚⁴⁻² ŋiap̚⁴/


匪夷所思

ㄈㄟˇ ㄧˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄙ

/feɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

/fei̯³⁵ jiː²¹ sɔː³⁵ siː⁵⁵/

húiⁿ î só sṳ

/hũĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻¹¹ so⁵²⁻³⁵ sɯ³³/

/feɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

/fei̯³⁵ jiː²¹ sɔː³⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/hũĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻¹¹ so⁵²⁻³⁵ sɯ³³/

The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject scattering the (different) parties (in the state); which leads to great good fortune. From the dispersion (he collects again good men standing out, a crowd) like a mound, which is what ordinary men would not have thought of.

Liù sì: huàn qí qún, yuán jí. Huàn yǒu qiū, fěi yí suǒ sī.

六四：渙其群，元吉。渙有丘，匪夷所思。

六四：涣其群，元吉。涣有丘，匪夷所思。

not what an ordinary person can imagine; unimaginable; unusual; fantastic

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 59


腳踏實地

ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄚˋ ㄕˊ ㄉㄧˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/kœːk̚³ taːp̚² sɐt̚² tei̯²²/

/kʰa⁴⁴ ta(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴⁻³² te³³/

/kʰa⁴⁴ ta(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ sit̚⁴⁻³² te³³/

/kʰa³³⁻²³ taʔ⁴⁻² sik̚⁴⁻² ti¹¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/kœːk̚³ taːp̚² sɐt̚² tei̯²²/

/kʰa⁴⁴ ta(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴⁻³² te³³/

/kʰa⁴⁴ ta(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ sit̚⁴⁻³² te³³/

/kʰa³³⁻²³ taʔ⁴⁻² sik̚⁴⁻² ti¹¹/

to have one's feet on the ground; to be realistic and steady


漂洋過海

ㄆㄧㄠ ㄧㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄞˇ

/pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹ kʷɔː³³ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/pʰeu̯²⁴ i̯oŋ¹¹ ko⁵⁵ hoi̯³¹/

/pʰieu⁵⁵ yoŋ⁵³⁽⁻²¹⁾ ⁽ᵏ⁻⁾ŋuo²¹³⁻⁵³ ⁽ʰ⁻⁾ai³³/

/pʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ iũ²³⁻³³ kue²¹⁻⁴¹ hai⁴¹/

/pʰiou³³⁻²³ ĩẽ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kue²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hai⁵²⁻²¹/

/pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹ kʷɔː³³ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/pʰeu̯²⁴ i̯oŋ¹¹ ko⁵⁵ hoi̯³¹/

/pʰiau⁴⁴⁻³³ iũ²³⁻³³ kue²¹⁻⁴¹ hai⁴¹/

/pʰiou³³⁻²³ ĩẽ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kue²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hai⁵²⁻²¹/

to sail across the sea to a foreign land; to travel across the sea; to go abroad


五湖四海

ㄨˇ ㄏㄨˊ ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ

ㄨˇ ㄏㄨˊ ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu³⁵ sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋ̍¹³ wuː²¹ sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/ŋ̍³¹ fu¹¹ si⁵⁵ hoi̯³¹/

/ŋu³³⁻²¹ hu⁵³⁽⁻²¹⁾ sy²¹³⁻⁵³ hai³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔ²⁴ su¹¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɔ²³ su²¹⁻⁴¹ hai⁴¹/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔ²⁴ su²¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/ŋou⁵²⁻³⁵ hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hai⁵²⁻²¹/

/u⁴¹ ɸu¹³ sz̩⁴⁵ xai̯⁴¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu³⁵ sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋ̍¹³ wuː²¹ sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/ŋ̍³¹ fu¹¹ si⁵⁵ hoi̯³¹/

/ŋu³³⁻²¹ hu⁵³⁽⁻²¹⁾ sy²¹³⁻⁵³ hai³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔ²⁴ su¹¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɔ²³ su²¹⁻⁴¹ hai⁴¹/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔ²⁴ su²¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/ŋou⁵²⁻³⁵ hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hai⁵²⁻²¹/

/u⁴¹ ɸu¹³ sz̩⁴⁵ xai̯⁴¹/

all regions; all corners of the country or world; all places


水洩不通

ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥ

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ siːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sui⁵²⁻³⁵ siap̚⁴⁻² puk̚²⁻⁴ tʰoŋ³³/

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ siːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sui⁵²⁻³⁵ siap̚⁴⁻² puk̚²⁻⁴ tʰoŋ³³/

densely packed; extremely crowded; impenetrable


無大無細

/mo⁵³⁻²¹ ⁽ᵗ⁻⁾luai²⁴²⁽⁻²¹⁾ mo⁵³⁻²¹ sɑ²¹³/

/bo²⁴⁻²¹ tua²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²¹ sue²¹/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ tua³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ sue¹¹/

/bo²⁴⁻²² tua²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²² sue²¹/

/bo²⁴⁻²² tua⁴¹⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² sue⁴¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ tua³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ se²¹/

/bo¹³⁻²² tua²²⁻²¹ bo¹³⁻²² se²¹/

/bɤ²⁴⁻³³ tua³³⁻¹¹ bɤ²⁴⁻³³ se²¹/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tua¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ soi²¹³/

/bo²⁴⁻²¹ tua²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²¹ sue²¹/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ tua³³⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ sue¹¹/

/bo²⁴⁻²² tua²²⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²² sue²¹/

/bo²⁴⁻²² tua⁴¹⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² sue⁴¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ tua³³⁻²¹ bɤ²³⁻³³ se²¹/

/bo¹³⁻²² tua²²⁻²¹ bo¹³⁻²² se²¹/

/bɤ²⁴⁻³³ tua³³⁻¹¹ bɤ²⁴⁻³³ se²¹/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tua¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ soi²¹³/

(Hakka, Eastern Min, Southern Min) to have no sense of who is senior and who is junior; to show no respect to elders


供認不諱

ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄖㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

гунжэньбухуэй

/kʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯¹³/

/keŋ³³⁻²³ d͡ziŋ¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ hui²¹³/

/kʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯¹³/

/keŋ³³⁻²³ d͡ziŋ¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ hui²¹³/

to confess everything; to make a full confession; to plead guilty


天造地設

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄗㄠˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄕㄜˋ

тяньцзаодишэ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sou̯²² tei̯²² t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡so³³⁻¹¹ te³³⁻¹¹ siɛt̚³²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɤ³³⁻²¹ te³³⁻²¹ siɛt̚³²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sou̯²² tei̯²² t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡so³³⁻¹¹ te³³⁻¹¹ siɛt̚³²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɤ³³⁻²¹ te³³⁻²¹ siɛt̚³²/


三更半暝

/sã³³ kĩ³³ puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mĩ²⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kĩ⁴⁴⁻²² puã²¹⁻⁴² mi²⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kĩ⁴⁴⁻²² puã²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ²⁴/

/sã³³ kĩ³³ puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mi²⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ kĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ puã¹¹⁻⁵³ mĩ²⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kɛ̃⁴⁴⁻²² puã²¹⁻⁵³ mɛ̃¹³/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ kẽ⁴⁴⁻³³ puã²¹⁻⁴¹ mẽ²³/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kẽ⁴⁴⁻²² puã²¹⁻⁴² me²⁴/

/sã³³⁻²³ kẽ³³⁻²³ pũã²¹³⁻⁵⁵ mẽ⁵⁵/

/sã³³ kĩ³³ puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mĩ²⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kĩ⁴⁴⁻²² puã²¹⁻⁴² mi²⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kĩ⁴⁴⁻²² puã²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ²⁴/

/sã³³ kĩ³³ puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mi²⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ kĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ puã¹¹⁻⁵³ mĩ²⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kɛ̃⁴⁴⁻²² puã²¹⁻⁵³ mɛ̃¹³/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ kẽ⁴⁴⁻³³ puã²¹⁻⁴¹ mẽ²³/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kẽ⁴⁴⁻²² puã²¹⁻⁴² me²⁴/

/sã³³⁻²³ kẽ³³⁻²³ pũã²¹³⁻⁵⁵ mẽ⁵⁵/

(Southern Min) in the middle of the night; late at night


光宗耀祖

ㄍㄨㄤ ㄗㄨㄥ ㄧㄠˋ ㄗㄨˇ

гуанцзунъяоцзу

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jiːu̯²² t͡sou̯³⁵/

/kuaŋ³³⁻²³ t͡soŋ³³⁻²³ iau³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sou⁵²/

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jiːu̯²² t͡sou̯³⁵/

/kuaŋ³³⁻²³ t͡soŋ³³⁻²³ iau³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sou⁵²/

to bring honour to one's ancestors and clan


念念不忘

ㄋㄧㄢˋ ㄋㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄤˋ

няньняньбуван

/ni̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/niːm²² niːm²² pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

/niam³⁵⁻¹¹ niam³⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ buaŋ⁵⁵/

/ni̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/niːm²² niːm²² pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

/niam³⁵⁻¹¹ niam³⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ buaŋ⁵⁵/

to keep in mind constantly; to never forget


居安思危

цзюйаньсывэй

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹/

/kɯ³³⁻²³ ũã³³⁻²³ sɯ³³⁻²³ ŋũĩ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹/

/kɯ³³⁻²³ ũã³³⁻²³ sɯ³³⁻²³ ŋũĩ⁵⁵/

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


不可磨滅

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄇㄛˊ ㄇㄧㄝˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mɔː²¹ miːt̚²/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ bua⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mik̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mɔː²¹ miːt̚²/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ bua⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mik̚⁴/

不可磨滅的印象

不可磨灭的印象

不可磨滅的貢獻

不可磨灭的贡献


咬牙切齒

ㄧㄠˇ ㄧㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄔˇ

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

/ŋaːu̯¹³ ŋaː²¹ t͡sʰiːt̚³ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

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

/ŋaːu̯¹³ ŋaː²¹ t͡sʰiːt̚³ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

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


大跌眼鏡

ㄉㄚˋ ㄉㄧㄝ ㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄉㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/tä⁵¹ ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/tä⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² tiːt̚³ ŋaːn¹³ kɛːŋ³³⁻³⁵/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ tiak̚²⁻⁴ ŋaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ keŋ²¹³/

/tä⁵¹ ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/tä⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² tiːt̚³ ŋaːn¹³ kɛːŋ³³⁻³⁵/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ tiak̚²⁻⁴ ŋaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ keŋ²¹³/

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

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


含辛茹苦

ㄏㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄖㄨˊ ㄎㄨˇ

ханьсиньжуку

/xän³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐm²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ fuː³⁵/

/ham⁵⁵⁻¹¹ siŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰou⁵²/

/xän³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐm²¹ sɐn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ fuː³⁵/

/ham⁵⁵⁻¹¹ siŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰou⁵²/

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


順水推舟

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄊㄨㄟ ㄓㄡ

шуньшуйтуйчжоу

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² sɵy̯³⁵ tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/

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

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

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

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

/sɵn²² sɵy̯³⁵ tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/

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

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

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


投鼠忌器

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

ㄊㄡˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄐㄧˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ syː³⁵ kei̯²² hei̯³³/

/tau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ ki³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi²¹³/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ syː³⁵ kei̯²² hei̯³³/

/tau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ ki³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰi²¹³/

to be doubtful about acting against an evil


出奇制勝

ㄔㄨ ㄑㄧˊ ㄓˋ ㄕㄥˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ sɪŋ³³/

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

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

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

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ sɪŋ³³/

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

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

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


高樓大廈

ㄍㄠ ㄌㄡˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄚˋ

ㄍㄠ ㄌㄡˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂä⁵¹/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² haː²²/

/kau³³⁻²³ lau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ he¹¹/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂä⁵¹/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² haː²²/

/kau³³⁻²³ lau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ he¹¹/

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


應有盡有

ㄧㄥ ㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄧㄡˇ

/iŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sɵn²² jɐu̯¹³/

/in⁵⁵ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰin⁵⁵ i̯u²⁴/

/iɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ iu⁵³/

/iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² iu⁵⁵⁴/

/iɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ iu⁵³/

/iɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ iu⁵³/

/iɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin³³⁻²¹ iu⁴¹/

/eŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡siŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵/

/iŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sɵn²² jɐu̯¹³/

/in⁵⁵ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰin⁵⁵ i̯u²⁴/

/iɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ iu⁵³/

/iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² iu⁵⁵⁴/

/iɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ iu⁵³/

/iɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ iu⁵³/

/iɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin³³⁻²¹ iu⁴¹/

/eŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡siŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵/

to have everything one needs; to be comprehensive; to be complete


出人頭地

ㄔㄨ ㄖㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄉㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jɐn²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tei̯²²/

/t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² tʰɔ²⁴⁻²² te²²/

/t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ti¹¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jɐn²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tei̯²²/

/t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² tʰɔ²⁴⁻²² te²²/

/t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ti¹¹/

to be outstanding; to stand out among others


叫苦不迭

ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄎㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄝˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/kiːu̯³³ fuː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tiːt̚²/

/kio²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰou⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ tiak̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/kiːu̯³³ fuː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tiːt̚²/

/kio²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰou⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ tiak̚²/

If by chance you get into intimate conversation with them, they invariably pour out their endless grievances.

1925, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《中國社會各階級的分析》 (Analysis of the Classes in Chinese Society), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Ǒu yǔ cǐbèi qīngtán, biàn jiàn jiàokǔbùdié.

偶與此輩傾談，便見叫苦不迭。

偶与此辈倾谈，便见叫苦不迭。

to complain of one's suffering endlessly


千里迢迢

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˇ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄊㄧㄠˊ

цяньлитяотяо

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³ tʰiːu̯²¹ tʰiːu̯²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³ siːu̯²¹ siːu̯²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² li⁵³ tiau²⁴⁻²² tiau²⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ li⁵³ tʰiau²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰiau²⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ li⁴¹ tʰiau²³⁻³³ tʰiau²³/

/t͡sʰõĩ³³⁻²³ li⁵² tʰiou³³⁻²³ tʰiou³³/

/t͡sʰãĩ³³⁻²³ li⁵² tʰiau³³⁻²³ tʰiau³³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³ tʰiːu̯²¹ tʰiːu̯²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³ siːu̯²¹ siːu̯²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² li⁵³ tiau²⁴⁻²² tiau²⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ li⁵³ tʰiau²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰiau²⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ li⁴¹ tʰiau²³⁻³³ tʰiau²³/

/t͡sʰõĩ³³⁻²³ li⁵² tʰiou³³⁻²³ tʰiou³³/

/t͡sʰãĩ³³⁻²³ li⁵² tʰiau³³⁻²³ tʰiau³³/


風輕雲淡

ㄈㄥ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄩㄣˊ ㄉㄢˋ

фэнцинъюньдань

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵ tän⁵¹/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ kʰeŋ³³⁻²³ huŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tã³⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ yn³⁵ tän⁵¹/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ kʰeŋ³³⁻²³ huŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tã³⁵/


心有餘悸

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄧㄡˇ ㄩˊ ㄐㄧˋ

/ɕin⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ jyː²¹ kʷɐi̯³³/

/sim³³⁻²³ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui²¹³/

/ɕin⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ jyː²¹ kʷɐi̯³³/

/sim³³⁻²³ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui²¹³/

I'm still in shock of it after all these years.

Jīngguò zhème duō nián, wǒ duì cǐ shì réngrán xīnyǒuyújì.

經過這麼多年，我對此事仍然心有餘悸。

经过这么多年，我对此事仍然心有余悸。


珠聯璧合

ㄓㄨ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄏㄜˊ

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ lyːn²¹ pɪk̚⁵ hɐp̚²/

/t͡su³³⁻²³ liaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ piaʔ²⁻⁴ haʔ⁴/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ lyːn²¹ pɪk̚⁵ hɐp̚²/

/t͡su³³⁻²³ liaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ piaʔ²⁻⁴ haʔ⁴/


移風易俗

ㄧˊ ㄈㄥ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨˊ

/i³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ su³⁵/

/jiː²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jɪk̚² t͡sʊk̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hoŋ³³⁻²³ ek̚⁴⁻² sok̚⁴/

/i³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ su³⁵/

/jiː²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jɪk̚² t͡sʊk̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hoŋ³³⁻²³ ek̚⁴⁻² sok̚⁴/

to change prevailing habits and customs; to transform social traditions


不成器

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ²¹ hei̯³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰi²¹/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰi⁴¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ¹³⁻²² kʰi²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰi¹¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²³⁻³³ kʰi²¹/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ³³⁻²³ kʰi²¹³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ²¹ hei̯³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰi²¹/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰi⁴¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ¹³⁻²² kʰi²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰi¹¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²³⁻³³ kʰi²¹/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ³³⁻²³ kʰi²¹³/

Children who fail to learn from good examples will not grow up to be useful people.

孩子不學好不成器。

孩子不学好不成器。

(figurative) to not grow up to be a talented or useful person


相輔相成

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄈㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔㄥˊ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²⁴/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²⁴/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²⁴/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²³/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵ siaŋ³³⁻²³ seŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²⁴/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²⁴/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²⁴/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ²³/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ hu³⁵ siaŋ³³⁻²³ seŋ⁵⁵/

This and the method of persuasion and education complement each other in resolving contradictions among the people.

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

Zhè tóng yòng shuōfú jiàoyù de fāngfǎ qù jiějué rénmín nèibù de máodùn, shì xiāngfǔxiāngchéng de liǎng gè fāngmiàn.

這同用說服教育的方法去解決人民內部的矛盾，是相輔相成的兩個方面。

这同用说服教育的方法去解决人民内部的矛盾，是相辅相成的两个方面。

to be mutually supporting; to complement each other


龍馬精神

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄣˊ

лунмацзиншэнь

/lʊŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ maː¹³ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹/

/leŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ be⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡seŋ³³⁻²³ siŋ⁵⁵/

/lʊŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ maː¹³ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹/

/leŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ be⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡seŋ³³⁻²³ siŋ⁵⁵/

strong as an ox; remaining vigorous even as one ages


星羅棋布

scattered about like stars in the sky or chess pieces on a board

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ pu⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ lɔː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ pou̯³³/

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ lo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ki⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pu²¹³/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ pu⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ lɔː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ pou̯³³/

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ lo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ki⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pu²¹³/

to be spread all over the place; to be dotted with


振奮人心

ㄓㄣˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

чжэньфэньжэньсинь

čžɛnʹfɛnʹžɛnʹsinʹ

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡siŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ huŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sim³³/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡siŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ huŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sim³³/

to boost popular morale; to fill people with enthusiasm


無所不能

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (無所不能):
* → Korean: 무소불능(無所不能) (musobulleung)

[one] does not have anything that [one] cannot do

ㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄥˊ

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ liɪŋ²⁴/

/bu²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ liɪŋ²³/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ so⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ leŋ⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ liɪŋ²⁴/

/bu²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ liɪŋ²³/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ so⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ leŋ⁵⁵/


知彼知己

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵/

/t͡sai³³⁻²³ pi⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sai³³⁻²³ ki⁵²/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵/

/t͡sai³³⁻²³ pi⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sai³³⁻²³ ki⁵²/


百戰百勝

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (百戰百勝):
* → Japanese: 百戦百勝(ひゃくせんひゃくしょう) (hyakusenhyakushō)
* → Korean: 백전백승(百戰百勝) (baekjeonbaekseung)
* → Vietnamese: bách chiến bách thắng (百戰百勝)

ㄅㄞˇ ㄓㄢˋ ㄅㄞˇ ㄕㄥˋ

байчжаньбайшэн

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ t͡siːn³³ paːk̚³ sɪŋ³³/

/piɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ piɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ¹¹/

/piɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ piɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹/

/peʔ²⁻⁴ t͡siaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ peʔ²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ t͡siːn³³ paːk̚³ sɪŋ³³/

/peʔ²⁻⁴ t͡siaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ peʔ²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³/

From The Art of War:
:
Alternatively, from Guanzi

Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

Shìgù bǎizhànbǎishèng, fēi shàn zhī shàn zhě yě; bù zhàn ér qū rén zhī bīng, shàn zhī shàn zhě yě.

是故百戰百勝，非善之善者也；不戰而屈人之兵，善之善者也。

是故百战百胜，非善之善者也；不战而屈人之兵，善之善者也。

The reason for this is that the many should be used to attack the few, the well organized to attack the disorganized, the well equipped to attack the poorly equipped, the able to attack the incompetent, well-instructed troops and trained knights to attack impressed hordes and untrained conscripts. As a result, in ten battles there will be ten victories; in a hundred battles, a hundred victories.

Shìgù yǐ zhòng jī guǎ, yǐ zhì jī luàn, yǐ fù jī pín, yǐ néng jī bùnéng, yǐ jiàozú liànshì jī qūzhòng báitú, gù shí zhàn shí shèng, bǎizhànbǎishèng.

是故以眾擊寡，以治擊亂，以富擊貧，以能擊不能，以教卒練士擊敺眾白徒，故十戰十勝，百戰百勝。

是故以众击寡，以治击乱，以富击贫，以能击不能，以教卒练士击驱众白徒，故十战十胜，百战百胜。

to fight a hundred battles and win a hundred victories

to win every battle; to be ever-victorious


嘩眾取寵

譁眾取寵
嘩衆取寵
譁衆取寵
哗众取宠

ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄔㄨㄥˇ

хуачжунцюйчун

/xu̯ä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵/

/hua³³⁻²³ t͡seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰu⁵²⁻³⁵ tʰoŋ⁵²⁻²¹/

/waː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵/

to try to please the crowd with claptrap


慘無人道

ㄘㄢˇ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄠˋ

цаньужэньдао

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹ tou̯²²/

/t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²¹ ^((Ø-))ŋu⁵³⁽⁻²¹⁾ iŋ⁵³⁻²¹ ⁽ᵗ⁻⁾nɔ²⁴²/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³⁻³³ tɤ³³/

/t͡sʰam⁵²⁻³⁵ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵/

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹ tou̯²²/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³⁻³³ tɤ³³/

/t͡sʰam⁵²⁻³⁵ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵/

cambhonangdao dui nangai dangbao dai dousua

1939 April 11, 南洋商報 [Nanyang Siang Pau], page 22:


博學多才

ㄅㄛˊ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘㄞˊ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ hɔːk̚² tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² to⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sai²⁴/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² to⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²⁴/

/pʰak̚²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻² to³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ hɔːk̚² tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² to⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sai²⁴/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² to⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²⁴/

/pʰak̚²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻² to³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/


責無旁貸

ㄗㄜˊ ㄨˊ ㄆㄤˊ ㄉㄞˋ

/t͡sɤ³⁵ u³⁵ pʰɑŋ³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡saːk̚³ mou̯²¹ pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰaːi̯³³/

/t͡seʔ²⁻⁴ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai²¹³/

/t͡sɤ³⁵ u³⁵ pʰɑŋ³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡saːk̚³ mou̯²¹ pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰaːi̯³³/

/t͡seʔ²⁻⁴ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai²¹³/

There's no need to be so polite with me. This is my responsibility.

Nǐ jiù bié gēn wǒ kèqi le, zhè shì wǒ zéwúpángdài.

你就別跟我客氣了，這事我責無旁貸。

你就别跟我客气了，这事我责无旁贷。


失而復得

ㄕ ㄦˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/sɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² tɐk̚⁵/

/sik̚²⁻⁴ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tik̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/sɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² tɐk̚⁵/

/sik̚²⁻⁴ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tik̚²/

to regain something after it has been lost


屢見不鮮

ㄌㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄢ

люйцзяньбусянь

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/lɵy̯¹³ kiːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/lu⁵²⁻³⁵ kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰĩ³³/

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/lɵy̯¹³ kiːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/lu⁵²⁻³⁵ kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰĩ³³/


絡繹不絕

络绎不绝
駱驛不絕
絡驛不絕

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/lɔːk̚³ jɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/lɔːk̚² jɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/lok̚⁴⁻² ek̚⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡soʔ⁴/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/lɔːk̚³ jɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/lɔːk̚² jɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/lok̚⁴⁻² ek̚⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡soʔ⁴/

(usually of traffic or people) to flow past endlessly


節外生枝

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄨㄞˋ ㄕㄥ ㄓ

цзевайшэнчжи

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡siːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡue²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ɡua¹¹ sẽ³³⁻²³ ki³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡siːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡue²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ɡua¹¹ sẽ³³⁻²³ ki³³/

new issues or troubles crop up from an already-existing problem


狗血淋頭

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ

гоусюэлиньтоу

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

гоуселиньтоу

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ hyːt̚³ lɐm²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/kau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huiʔ³² lam²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴/

/kau⁵²⁻³⁵ hueʔ² lim⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰau⁵⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ hyːt̚³ lɐm²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/kau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huiʔ³² lam²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴/

/kau⁵²⁻³⁵ hueʔ² lim⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰau⁵⁵/

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

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


循規蹈矩

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄠˇ ㄐㄩˇ

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄠˋ ㄐㄩˇ

сюньгуйдаоцзюй

/ɕyn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕyn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tou̯²² kɵy̯³⁵/

/sun²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ³³⁻²¹ ku⁴¹/

/sun²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ to³³⁻¹¹ ku⁵³/

/sun²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² to²²⁻²¹ ku⁵³/

/suŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui³³⁻²³ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ kɯ⁵²/

/ɕyn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tou̯²² kɵy̯³⁵/

/sun²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ³³⁻²¹ ku⁴¹/

/sun²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ to³³⁻¹¹ ku⁵³/

/sun²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² to²²⁻²¹ ku⁵³/

/suŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui³³⁻²³ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ kɯ⁵²/

to keep on the straight and narrow; to obey rules and laws


劫富濟貧

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄆㄧㄣˊ

цзефуцзипинь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pʰin³⁵/

/kiːp̚³ fuː³³ t͡sɐi̯³³ pʰɐn²¹/

/kiap̚²⁻⁴ pu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pʰin³⁵/

/kiːp̚³ fuː³³ t͡sɐi̯³³ pʰɐn²¹/

/kiap̚²⁻⁴ pu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/


大風大湧

/tua¹¹ huaŋ³³⁻²³ tua¹¹ eŋ⁵²/

/tua¹¹ huaŋ³³⁻²³ tua¹¹ eŋ⁵²/


良莠不齊

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/lœːŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

/liaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iu⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰi⁵⁵/

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/lœːŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

/liaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iu⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰi⁵⁵/


故步自封

ㄍㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄈㄥ

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ku¹¹ pou¹¹ t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ hoŋ³³/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ku¹¹ pou¹¹ t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ hoŋ³³/

to be stuck in the old ways, without the desire to improve oneself


待人接物

ㄉㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄨˋ

/taɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/tɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ t͡siːp̚³ mɐt̚²/

/tʰai²²⁻²¹ lin²⁴ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ but̚⁴/

/tʰai³³⁻²¹ zin²³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ but̚⁴/

/tʰai³⁵⁻¹¹ naŋ⁵⁵ t͡siap̚²⁻⁴ mueʔ⁴/

/taɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/tɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ t͡siːp̚³ mɐt̚²/

/tʰai²²⁻²¹ lin²⁴ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ but̚⁴/

/tʰai³³⁻²¹ zin²³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ but̚⁴/

/tʰai³⁵⁻¹¹ naŋ⁵⁵ t͡siap̚²⁻⁴ mueʔ⁴/

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.

在陳老師的春風化雨下，我學會了如何待人接物。

在陈老师的春风化雨下，我学会了如何待人接物。

getting along with others; dealing with people


如願以償

ㄖㄨˊ ㄩㄢˋ ㄧˇ ㄔㄤˊ

/ʐu³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyː²¹ jyːn²² jiː¹³ sœːŋ²¹/

/lu²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²⁻²¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²⁴/

/zu²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²³/

/d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ sĩõ⁵⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jyː²¹ jyːn²² jiː¹³ sœːŋ²¹/

/lu²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²⁻²¹ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²⁴/

/zu²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³⁻²¹ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²³/

/d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ sĩõ⁵⁵/


挺身而出

ㄊㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄣ ㄦˊ ㄔㄨ

/tʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/tʰɪŋ¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/tʰeŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰuk̚²/

/tʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/tʰɪŋ¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/tʰeŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰuk̚²/

to step forward bravely in an unjust or perilous situation


罪魁禍首

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄎㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄡˇ

цзуйкуйхошоу

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯²² fuːi̯⁵⁵ wɔː²² sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻²² ho²²⁻²¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue⁴¹⁻²² kʰue³³ ho⁴¹⁻²² siu⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻²² ho²²⁻²¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue³³⁻¹¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ ho³³⁻¹¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue³³⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ³³⁻²¹ siu⁴¹/

/t͡sue³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰue³³⁻²³ hua³⁵⁻¹¹ siu⁵²/

/t͡sɵy̯²² fuːi̯⁵⁵ wɔː²² sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻²² ho²²⁻²¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue⁴¹⁻²² kʰue³³ ho⁴¹⁻²² siu⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻²² ho²²⁻²¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue³³⁻¹¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ ho³³⁻¹¹ siu⁵³/

/t͡sue³³⁻²¹ kʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ³³⁻²¹ siu⁴¹/

/t͡sue³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰue³³⁻²³ hua³⁵⁻¹¹ siu⁵²/

(literal, figurative) ringleader; main culprit; principal offender


拳打腳踢

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧ

цюаньдацзяоти

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi⁵⁵/

/kʰyːn²¹ taː³⁵ kœːk̚³ tʰɛːk̚³/

/kʰuŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ta⁵²⁻³⁵ kʰa³³⁻²³ tʰak̚²/

/kʰyːn²¹ taː³⁵ kœːk̚³ tʰɛːk̚³/

/kʰuŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ta⁵²⁻³⁵ kʰa³³⁻²³ tʰak̚²/


順藤摸瓜

to get to the melon by tracking the vines

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄊㄥˊ ㄇㄛ ㄍㄨㄚ

шуньтэнмогуа

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ tʰɤŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² tʰɐŋ²¹ mɔː³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵/

/suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ tiŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ moŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kue³³/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ tʰɤŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² tʰɐŋ²¹ mɔː³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵/

/suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ tiŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ moŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kue³³/

get to the bottom of
get to the bottom of

to follow the clues to get to the bottom of a matter or to thoroughly inquire into a matter


生機盎然

ㄕㄥ ㄐㄧ ㄤˋ ㄖㄢˊ

шэнцзианжань

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ˀɑŋ⁵¹ ʐän³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ ɔːŋ³³ jiːn²¹/

/sẽ³³⁻²³ ki³³⁻²³ oŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ˀɑŋ⁵¹ ʐän³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ ɔːŋ³³ jiːn²¹/

/sẽ³³⁻²³ ki³³⁻²³ oŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ d͡ziaŋ⁵⁵/


凡夫俗子

ㄈㄢˊ ㄈㄨ ㄙㄨˊ ㄗˇ

/fän³⁵ fu⁵⁵ su³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² t͡siː³⁵/

/huam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu³³⁻²³ sok̚⁴⁻² t͡sɯ⁵²/

/fän³⁵ fu⁵⁵ su³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚² t͡siː³⁵/

/huam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu³³⁻²³ sok̚⁴⁻² t͡sɯ⁵²/


歌舞昇平

ㄍㄜ ㄨˇ ㄕㄥ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

/kɤ⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kɔː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/ko³³⁻²³ bu⁵²⁻³⁵ seŋ³³⁻²³ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/

/kɤ⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kɔː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/ko³³⁻²³ bu⁵²⁻³⁵ seŋ³³⁻²³ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/


未卜先知

to already know without having performed divination

ㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄓ

вэйбусяньчжи

/weɪ̯⁵¹ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mei̯²² pʊk̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/bue¹¹ pok̚²⁻⁴ sãĩ³³⁻²³ t͡sai³³/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mei̯²² pʊk̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/bue¹¹ pok̚²⁻⁴ sãĩ³³⁻²³ t͡sai³³/

to predict accurately; to foretell accurately


和顏悅色

ㄏㄜˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/xɤ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/wɔː²¹ ŋaːn²¹ jyːt̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/hua⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zuak̚⁴⁻² sek̚²/

/xɤ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/wɔː²¹ ŋaːn²¹ jyːt̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/hua⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ d͡zuak̚⁴⁻² sek̚²/


躊躇滿志

ㄔㄡˊ ㄔㄨˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄓˋ

чоучуманьчжи

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰyː²¹ muːn¹³ t͡siː³³/

/tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mũã⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡si²¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰyː²¹ muːn¹³ t͡siː³³/

/tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mũã⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡si²¹³/

Then standing up with the knife in my hand, I look all round, and in a leisurely manner, with an air of satisfaction, wipe it clean, and put it in its sheath.

Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Tí dāo ér lì, wèizhī sìgù, wèizhī chóuchú mǎnzhì, shàn dāo ér cáng zhī.

提刀而立，為之四顧，為之躊躇滿志，善刀而藏之。

提刀而立，为之四顾，为之踌躇满志，善刀而藏之。


風聲鶴唳

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (風聲鶴唳):
* → Japanese: 風声鶴唳(ふうせいかくれい) (fūsei kakurei)
* → Korean: 풍성학려(風聲鶴唳) (pungseonghangnyeo)

ㄈㄥ ㄕㄥ ㄏㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ hɔːk̚² lɵy̯²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² ho(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ lui²²/

/hɔŋ³³ siã³³ ho(ʔ)²⁴⁻² lui⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² ho(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ lui²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ ho(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ lui³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ lui³³/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ sĩã³³⁻²³ hoʔ⁴⁻² li³⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ hɔːk̚² lɵy̯²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² ho(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ lui²²/

/hɔŋ³³ siã³³ ho(ʔ)²⁴⁻² lui⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² ho(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ lui²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ ho(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ lui³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ lui³³/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ sĩã³³⁻²³ hoʔ⁴⁻² li³⁵/

The rest of the troop dropped their armors and escaped overnight. Hearing the sound of the wind and the cry of cranes, they thought the monarch's army had come.

Yú zhòng qì jiǎ xiāo dùn, wén fēngshēnghèlì, jiē yǐwèi wángshī yǐ zhì.

餘眾棄甲宵遁，聞風聲鶴唳，皆以為王師已至。

余众弃甲宵遁，闻风声鹤唳，皆以为王师已至。

to panic and feel apprehensive for even the slightest sound