風雨飄搖

ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄧㄠˊ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 155 (《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

lang

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

My wings are all-injured;
My tail is all-broken;
My house is in a perilous condition;
It is tossed about in the wind and rain:
I can but cry out with this note of alarm.

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

Yǔ yǔ qiáoqiáo, yǔ wěi xiāoxiāo. Yú shì qiáoqiáo, fēngyǔ suǒ piàoyáo. Yǔ wéi yīn xiāoxiāo.

予羽譙譙，予尾翛翛。予室翹翹，風雨所漂搖。予維音嘵嘵。

予羽谯谯，予尾翛翛。予室翘翘，风雨所漂摇。予维音哓哓。

(of a situation) turbulent; precarious; tottering


盡力而為

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄨㄟˊ

цзиньлиэрвэй

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɵn²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɵn²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹/


難能可貴

ㄋㄢˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

наньнэнкэгуй

/nän³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ nɐŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kui⁴¹/

/lan¹³⁻²² liɪŋ¹³⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui¹¹/

/lan²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/nän³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ nɐŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kui⁴¹/

/lan¹³⁻²² liɪŋ¹³⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui¹¹/

/lan²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

precious and praiseworthy as such an achievement is difficult to make


遠近馳名

ㄩㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄔˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

юаньцзиньчимин

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ kɐn²² t͡sʰiː²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ kɐn²² t͡sʰiː²¹ mɪŋ²¹/


戮力同心

ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² lɪk̚² tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² lɪk̚² tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

to join forces and make concerted efforts to accomplish something


明朝會

/mən²² t͡sɔ³³ ue³⁴/

/mən²² t͡sɔ³³ ue³⁴/


明仔載見面

/bin²³⁻³³ a⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁴¹ kĩ²¹⁻⁴¹ bin³³/

/bin²⁴⁻³³ a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai¹¹⁻⁵³ kĩ¹¹⁻⁵³ bin³³/

/bin¹³⁻²² a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ kĩ²¹⁻⁵³ bin²²/

/bin²⁴⁻²² a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ kĩ²¹⁻⁵³ bin²²/


又要威，又要戴頭盔

jau⁶ jiu³ wai¹, jau⁶ jiu³ daai³ tau⁴ kwai¹

yeo⁶ yiu³ wei¹, yeo⁶ yiu³ dai³ teo⁴ kuei¹

/jɐu̯²² jiːu̯³³ wɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² jiːu̯³³ taːi̯³³ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

Originated from a post on HKGolden circa 2009, popularized through Jackie Chan's TV commercial with Kaspersky, in which he was wearing a helmet.

want to look awesome but also want to wear a helmet at the same time

(Hong Kong Cantonese, slang) to wish to grab attention or be awe-inspiring, yet not be willing to take risks or get oneself into trouble; talking hawk, acting chicken


積穀防饑

ㄐㄧ ㄍㄨˇ ㄈㄤˊ ㄐㄧ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ kʊk̚⁵ fɔːŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ kʊk̚⁵ fɔːŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵/


湔雪前恥

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔˇ

цзяньсюэцяньчи

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/t͡siːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/


勢單力薄

ㄕˋ ㄉㄢ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄛˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ li⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ taːn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² pɔːk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ li⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ taːn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² pɔːk̚²/

(of a force or a group) to be small in size and of weak strength


網開一面

ㄨㄤˇ ㄎㄞ ㄧ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

/wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ miːn²²/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin²²/

/baŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰui³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² bin⁴¹/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ bin²²/

/baŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

/baŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

/wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ miːn²²/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin²²/

/baŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰui³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² bin⁴¹/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ bin²²/

/baŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

/baŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

Originally as 網開三面 (“to leave open three sides of the net”)

zh-l

to be lenient and magnanimous with wrongdoers


勢在必行

ㄕˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/se²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/se²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

to be imperative or necessary under such circumstances


意興闌珊

ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

исинланьшань

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ hɪŋ³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hiɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ lan²⁴⁻²² san³³/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan¹³⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i¹¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/i²¹⁻⁴¹ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ lan²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ hɪŋ³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hiɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ lan²⁴⁻²² san³³/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan¹³⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i¹¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/i²¹⁻⁴¹ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ lan²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/


滂沱大雨

ㄆㄤ ㄊㄨㄛˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄩˇ

/pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹ taːi̯²² jyː¹³/

/pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹ taːi̯²² jyː¹³/

to rain very heavily; to rain cats and dogs


選賢與能

ㄒㄩㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄩˇ ㄋㄥˊ

ㄒㄩㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩˇ ㄋㄥˊ

сюаньсяньюйнэн

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

сюаньсяньцзюйнэн

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ jyː¹³ nɐŋ²¹/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ jyː¹³ nɐŋ²¹/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

From the Book of Rites, Book 9 (《禮記·禮運》):
:
與／与 (yǔ) is a tongjia character of 舉／举 (jǔ).

When the Grand course was pursued, a public and common spirit ruled all under the sky; they chose men of talents, virtue, and ability; their words were sincere, and what they cultivated was harmony. Thus men did not love their parents only, nor treat as children only their own sons. A competent provision was secured for the aged till their death, employment for the able-bodied, and the means of growing up to the young. They showed kindness and compassion to widows, orphans, childless men, and those who were disabled by disease, so that they were all sufficiently maintained.

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

Dàdào zhī xíng yě, tiānxià wéi gōng. Xuǎn xián yǔ néng, jiǎng xìn xiū mù, gù rén bù dú qīn qí qīn, bù dú zǐ qí zǐ, shǐ lǎo yǒu suǒ zhōng, zhuàng yǒu suǒ yòng, yòu yǒu suǒ zhǎng, jīn guǎ gū dú fèi jí zhě, jiē yǒu suǒ yǎng.

大道之行也，天下為公。選賢與能，講信修睦，故人不獨親其親，不獨子其子，使老有所終，壯有所用，幼有所長，矜寡孤獨廢疾者，皆有所養。

大道之行也，天下为公。选贤与能，讲信修睦，故人不独亲其亲，不独子其子，使老有所终，壮有所用，幼有所长，矜寡孤独废疾者，皆有所养。

to choose and appoint people of talents, virtue, and ability


披荊斬棘

ㄆㄧ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓㄢˇ ㄐㄧˊ

пицзинчжаньцзи

/pʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻²² kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻²² kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

to overcome different difficulties and obstacles


大雨滂沱

ㄉㄚˋ ㄩˇ ㄆㄤ ㄊㄨㄛˊ

/tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² jyː¹³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹/

/tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² jyː¹³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹/

滂沱大雨 滂沱大雨#Chinese

Synonym of 滂沱大雨 (pāngtuódàyǔ, “to rain very heavily; to rain cats and dogs”)


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


反躬自省

ㄈㄢˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄥˇ

фаньгунцзысин

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sɪŋ³⁵/

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sɪŋ³⁵/


玉石俱焚

ㄩˋ ㄕˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄈㄣˊ

юйшицзюйфэнь

/y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/jʊk̚² sɛːk̚² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ fɐn²¹/

/y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/jʊk̚² sɛːk̚² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ fɐn²¹/

From the chapter 胤征 of the Forged Old Text of Shangshu

When the fire blazes over the ridge of Kun, gems and stones are burned together; but if a minister of Heaven exceed in doing his duty, the consequences will be fiercer than blazing fire.

Forged Old Text of the Book of Documents, circa 3ʳᵈ – 4ᵗʰ century CE

Huǒyán kūngāng, yù shí jù fén. Tiānlì yìdé, liè yú měnghuǒ.

火炎崑岡，玉石俱焚。天吏逸德，烈于猛火。

火炎昆冈，玉石俱焚。天吏逸德，烈于猛火。

the good and the bad (or evil) perish together


披頭散髮

ㄆㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄙㄢˋ ㄈㄚˋ

ㄆㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄙㄢˋ ㄈㄚˇ

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ fä⁵¹/

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ saːn³³ faːt̚³/

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ fä⁵¹/

/pʰi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ saːn³³ faːt̚³/

with disheveled hair; with hair in disarray


自作聰明

ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄘㄨㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзыцзоцунмин

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

Many comrades do not see the importance of, or are not good at, summing up the experience of mass struggles, but fancying themselves clever, are fond of voicing their subjectivist ideas, and so their ideas become empty and impractical.

1943, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《關於領導方法的若干問題》 (Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership), 毛澤東選集 (Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung). English translation based on the Foreign Language Press edition.

Xǔduō tóngzhì, bù zhùzhòng hé bù shànyú zǒngjié qúnzhòng dòuzhēng de jīngyàn, ér huānxǐ zhǔguānzhǔyì de zìzuòcōngmíng de fābiǎo xǔduō yìjiàn, yīn'ér shǐ zìjǐ de yìjiàn biànchéng bùqièshíjì de kōnglùn.

許多同志，不注重和不善於總結群眾鬥爭的經驗，而歡喜主觀主義地自作聰明地發表許多意見，因而使自己的意見變成不切實際的空論。

许多同志，不注重和不善于总结群众斗争的经验，而欢喜主观主义地自作聪明地发表许多意见，因而使自己的意见变成不切实际的空论。

to overestimate one's cleverness and act unwisely


匹夫之勇

ㄆㄧˇ ㄈㄨ ㄓ ㄩㄥˇ

/pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊŋ¹³/

/pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊŋ¹³/

"I beg your Majesty," was the reply, "not to love small valour. If a man brandishes his sword, looks fiercely, and says, 'How dare he withstand me?' - this is the valour of a common man, who can be the opponent only of a single individual. I beg your Majesty to greaten it."

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

Duì yuē: “Wáng qǐng wú hǎo xiǎo yǒng. Fú fǔjiàn jíshì yuē: ‘Bǐ wū gǎn dāng wǒ zāi!’ Cǐ pǐfū zhī yǒng, dí yīrén zhě yě. Wáng qǐng dà zhī!

對曰：「王請無好小勇。夫撫劍疾視曰：『彼惡敢當我哉！』此匹夫之勇，敵一人者也。王請大之！

对曰：「王请无好小勇。夫抚剑疾视曰：『彼恶敢当我哉！』此匹夫之勇，敌一人者也。王请大之！

Yan Liang and Wen Chou have but foolhardiness. They can be handled with one battle.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

Yán Liáng, Wén Chǒu, pǐfūzhīyǒng, yīzhàn kěqín.

顏良，文醜，匹夫之勇，一戰可擒。

颜良，文丑，匹夫之勇，一战可擒。

foolhardiness; courage without wisdom or prudence


離群索居

ㄌㄧˊ ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄐㄩ

лицюньсоцзюй

/li³⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/lei̯²¹ kʷʰɐn²¹ sɔːk̚³ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/li³⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/lei̯²¹ kʷʰɐn²¹ sɔːk̚³ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

to isolate oneself from the crowd and live life alone; to keep to oneself


揮之不去

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩˋ

хуэйчжибуцюй

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɵy̯³³/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɵy̯³³/

to linger and bother someone constantly, while being impossible to be got rid of


血氣之勇

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓ ㄩㄥˇ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓ ㄩㄥˇ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓ ㄩㄥˇ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊŋ¹³/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊŋ¹³/


獨沽一味

ㄉㄨˊ ㄍㄨ ㄧ ㄨㄟˋ

/tu³⁵ ku⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² kuː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/

/tu³⁵ ku⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² kuː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/


可造之材

ㄎㄜˇ ㄗㄠˋ ㄓ ㄘㄞˊ

кэцзаочжицай

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ t͡sou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ t͡sou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

(figurative) a promising talent deserving training; a person with great potential


隨聲附和

ㄙㄨㄟˊ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄏㄜˋ

/su̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² wɔː²²/

/su̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² wɔː²²/


點到為止

ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓˇ

дяньдаовэйчжи

/ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(martial arts) to conclude a fight with an opponent by a touch

(figurative) to make a point without going into details


無獨有偶

ㄨˊ ㄉㄨˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄡˇ

/u³⁵ tu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ tʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ ŋɐu̯¹³/

/u³⁵ tu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ tʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ ŋɐu̯¹³/

to coincidentally have a parallel; to happen to have a similar counterpart


假手於人

ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄩˊ ㄖㄣˊ

цзяшоуюйжэнь

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

to rely on or make use of others to get something done or accomplish one's own goals


逍遙法外

to remain free and unfettered outside the law

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄧㄠˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄨㄞˋ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ faːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²/

/siau³³ iau²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ ɡua⁴¹/

/siau⁴⁴⁻²² iau¹³⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁵ ɡua²²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ iau²⁴⁻¹¹ huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ iau²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ faːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²/

/siau³³ iau²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ ɡua⁴¹/

/siau⁴⁴⁻²² iau¹³⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁵ ɡua²²/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ iau²⁴⁻¹¹ huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³/

/siau⁴⁴⁻³³ iau²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³/

(of fugitives) to be at large; to be on the loose


驕兵必敗

ㄐㄧㄠ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄅㄧˋ ㄅㄞˋ

цзяобинбибай

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/kiːu̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ paːi̯²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ paɪ̯⁵¹/

/kiːu̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ paːi̯²²/

the conceited army which underestimates its opponent is bound to lose


弦外之音

ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄨㄞˋ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

сяньвайчжиинь

/ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/jiːn²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/jiːn²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

unsaid meaning of one's words; unspoken implication


才德兼備

ㄘㄞˊ ㄉㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄅㄟˋ

цайдэцзяньбэй

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵ kiːm⁵⁵ pei̯²²/

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵ kiːm⁵⁵ pei̯²²/

to be capable and virtuous at the same time


大煞風景

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄚ ㄈㄥ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

/tä⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² saːt̚³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/tä⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² saːt̚³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

From Li Shangyin's personal notes about such behaviours

(Behaviours that) spoil beautiful sceneries: Shouting at a place with flowers, crying when looking at flowers, laying a carpet on moss, chopping willow trees, hanging pants under flowers, leaving behind when going on travel in spring, tying horse onto stalagmite, lighting torches under the moon, saying vulgar things on a party with female entertainers, planting vegetables in a fruit garden, constructing buildings before mountains, raising chicken and ducks in a flower frame, military general walking, washing feet in clear springs, burning guqins and cooking cranes, drinking only tea (but not wine) when having flower viewing.

Shàfēngjǐng: huājiān hē dào, kàn huā lèi xià, tái shàng pū xí, zhuó què chuí yáng, huā xià shài kūn, yóu chūn zhòng zǎi, shísǔn jì mǎ, yuè xià bǎ huǒ, jì yán shuō sú shì, guǒyuán zhǒng cài, bèi shān qǐlóu, huājià xià yǎng jī yā, bùxíng jiāngjūn, qīngquán zhuó zú, fénqínzhǔhè, duì huā chuò chá.

煞風景：花間喝道、看花淚下、苔上鋪席、斫卻垂楊、花下曬裩、遊春重載、石筍繫馬、月下把火、妓筵說俗事、果園種菜、背山起樓、花架下養雞鴨、步行將軍、清泉濯足、焚琴煮鶴、對花啜茶。

煞风景：花间喝道、看花泪下、苔上铺席、斫却垂杨、花下晒裩、游春重载、石笋系马、月下把火、妓筵说俗事、果园种菜、背山起楼、花架下养鸡鸭、步行将军、清泉濯足、焚琴煮鹤、对花啜茶。

to spoil or damage the beautiful scenery or a good occasion


將錯就錯

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sɐu̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sɐu̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³/

to continue doing a thing that has been done incorrectly while adapting to the error made


直斥其非

ㄓˊ ㄔˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄟ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡sʰɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

to directly rebuke someone for his or her mistakes; to scold someone to his or her face for his or her mistakes


天下無雙

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (天下無雙):
* → Japanese: 天(てん)下(か)無(む)双(そう) (tenkamusō)
* → Korean: 천하무쌍(天下無雙) (cheonhamussang)

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄨˊ ㄕㄨㄤ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² mou̯²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² mou̯²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/


窮兵黷武

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄉㄨˊ ㄨˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ tu³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ pɪŋ⁵⁵ tʊk̚² mou̯¹³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ tu³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ pɪŋ⁵⁵ tʊk̚² mou̯¹³/

to start wars and use military might rashly and excessively


輕舉妄動

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄩˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

цинцзюйвандун

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ tʊŋ²²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ tʊŋ²²/


馬首是瞻

ㄇㄚˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕˋ ㄓㄢ

машоушичжань

/mä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵⁵/

/maː¹³ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡siːm⁵⁵/

/mä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän⁵⁵/

/maː¹³ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡siːm⁵⁵/

From Zuo Zhuan, Duke Xiang, Year 14 (《左傳·襄公十四年》)

lang

(《左傳·襄公十四年》)

(《左傳·襄公十四年》)

Xun Yan (荀偃) ordered, "At cockcrow, yoke your chariots, fill up the wells and level your furnaces. Look only at my horses' heads, [and follow me]!"

Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Xún Yǎn lìng yuē: “Jīmíng ér jià, sè jǐng yí zào, wéi yú mǎshǒu shì zhān!”

荀偃令曰：「雞鳴而駕，塞井夷灶，唯余馬首是瞻！」

荀偃令曰：「鸡鸣而驾，塞井夷灶，唯余马首是瞻！」

to regard someone as the leader and follow his or her orders


敬業樂群

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄜˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄧㄠˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ

цзинъелэцюнь

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

цзинъеяоцюнь

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiːp̚² ŋaːu̯²² kʷʰɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiːp̚² ŋaːu̯²² kʷʰɐn²¹/

From the Book of Rites, Book 18 (《禮記·學記》)

Every year some entered the college, and every second year there was a comparative examination. In the first year it was seen whether they could read the texts intelligently, and what was the meaning of each; in the third year, whether they were reverently attentive to their work, and what companionship was most pleasant to them; in the fifth year, how they extended their studies and sought the company of their teachers; in the seventh year, how they could discuss the subjects of their studies and select their friends. They were now said to have made some small attainments. In the ninth year, when they knew the different classes of subjects and had gained a general intelligence, were firmly established and would not fall back, they were said to have made grand attainments.

Bǐ nián rùxué, zhōng nián kǎo jiào. Yī nián shì líjīng biànzhì, sān nián shì jìngyè yuèqún, wǔ nián shì bóxí qīnshī, qī nián shì lùnxué qǔyǒu, wèizhī xiǎochéng; jiǔ nián zhīlèi tōngdá, qiáng lì ér bù fǎn, wèizhī dàchéng.

比年入學，中年考校。一年視離經辨志，三年視敬業樂群，五年視博習親師，七年視論學取友，謂之小成；九年知類通達，強立而不反，謂之大成。

比年入学，中年考校。一年视离经辨志，三年视敬业乐群，五年视博习亲师，七年视论学取友，谓之小成；九年知类通达，强立而不反，谓之大成。

to be committed to one's work or studies and enjoy socializing with friends to learn from one another


數典忘祖

ㄕㄨˇ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄗㄨˇ

шудяньванцзу

/ʂu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sou̯³⁵ tiːn³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sou̯³⁵/

/sou̯³⁵ tiːn³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sou̯³⁵/

to be ignorant of the history of one's own country or ancestors


據為己有

ㄐㄩˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ

/t͡ɕy⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɵy̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ kei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/ku¹¹⁻⁵³ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³/

/ku²¹⁻⁵³ ui²⁴⁻²² ki⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³/

/ki²¹⁻⁴¹ ui²³⁻³³ ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹/

/kɵy̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ kei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/ku¹¹⁻⁵³ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³/

/ku²¹⁻⁵³ ui²⁴⁻²² ki⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³/

/ki²¹⁻⁴¹ ui²³⁻³³ ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹/

to appropriate something that belongs to others


子孫滿堂

ㄗˇ ㄙㄨㄣ ㄇㄢˇ ㄊㄤˊ

цзысуньманьтан

/t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯ən⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ syːn⁵⁵ muːn¹³ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯ən⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ syːn⁵⁵ muːn¹³ tʰɔːŋ²¹/


推波助瀾

ㄊㄨㄟ ㄅㄛ ㄓㄨˋ ㄌㄢˊ

туйбочжулань

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ län³⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²² laːn²¹/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ län³⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²² laːn²¹/

add fuel to the fire
add fuel to the fire

to aggravate an already undesirable situation; to add fuel to the fire


煽風點火

ㄕㄢ ㄈㄥ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

шаньфэндяньхо

/ʂän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tiːm³⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/ʂän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tiːm³⁵ fɔː³⁵/


長驅直入

ㄔㄤˊ ㄑㄩ ㄓˊ ㄖㄨˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐp̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐp̚²/

to rapidly push straight into a place with irresistible force


息事寧人

ㄒㄧ ㄕˋ ㄋㄧㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄒㄧˊ ㄕˋ ㄋㄧㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/ɕi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ niŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ niŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ siː²² nɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ su³³⁻²¹ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ su²²⁻²¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/ɕi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ niŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ niŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ siː²² nɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ su³³⁻²¹ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ su²²⁻²¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

to end a dispute or conflict and calm the people down


窮凶極惡

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄒㄩㄥ ㄐㄧˊ ㄜˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪk̚² ɔːk̚³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪk̚² ɔːk̚³/


耿耿於懷

ㄍㄥˇ ㄍㄥˇ ㄩˊ ㄏㄨㄞˊ

гэнгэнъюйхуай

/kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹/

/kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹/

to brood on; to not forget about a matter and always be troubled or vexed by it


波瀾壯闊

ㄅㄛ ㄌㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄎㄨㄛˋ

боланьчжуанко

/pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ län³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɔː⁵⁵ laːn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ³³ fuːt̚³/

/pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ län³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɔː⁵⁵ laːn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ³³ fuːt̚³/


此起彼伏

ㄘˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄅㄧˇ ㄈㄨˊ

/t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ hei̯³⁵ pei̯³⁵ fʊk̚²/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ hei̯³⁵ pei̯³⁵ fʊk̚²/

此起彼落 此起彼落#Chinese

Synonym of 此起彼落 (cǐqǐbǐluò, “(of sounds) rising and falling; continuous; unceasing”)


得償所願

ㄉㄜˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄩㄢˋ

/tɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹ sɔː³⁵ jyːn²²/

/tɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹ sɔː³⁵ jyːn²²/


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/


灰飛煙滅

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄈㄟ ㄧㄢ ㄇㄧㄝˋ

хуэйфэйяньме

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/


殺人如麻

to massacre people like mowing down hemp

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄚˊ

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʐu³⁵ mä³⁵/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyː²¹ maː²¹/

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʐu³⁵ mä³⁵/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyː²¹ maː²¹/

Fleeing at morn before the savage tigers,
Fleeing at eve before the huge serpents,
Men are killed and cut up like hemp,
While the beasts whet their fangs and lick the blood.

c. early 8th century, Li Bai (李白), 《蜀道難》. Translated into the English as The Steep Road to Shuh by Shigeyoshi Obata (小畑薫良), 1922.

Zhāo bì měnghǔ, xī bì chángshé. Móyá shǔnxuè, shārén rúmá.

朝避猛虎，夕避長蛇。磨牙吮血，殺人如麻。

朝避猛虎，夕避长蛇。磨牙吮血，杀人如麻。

to have killed countless people; to have committed countless murders


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


遙遙無期

ㄧㄠˊ ㄧㄠˊ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧ

ㄧㄠˊ ㄧㄠˊ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/jiːu̯²¹ jiːu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/iau²⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/iau²⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/iau¹³⁻²² iau¹³⁻²² bu¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/iau²⁴⁻¹¹ iau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/iau²³⁻³³ iau²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ ki²³/

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/jiːu̯²¹ jiːu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/iau²⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/iau²⁴⁻²² iau²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/iau¹³⁻²² iau¹³⁻²² bu¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/iau²⁴⁻¹¹ iau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/iau²³⁻³³ iau²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ ki²³/

李逸达 (2018 February 10) “南苏丹和平进程艰难推进”, in People's Daily (in Chinese), page 11

Nánsūdān yuē 400 wàn rén liúlíshīsuǒ, quánguó dàbàn rénmín shíbùguǒfù, ér chōngtū gèfāng shù cì qiānshǔ de tínghuǒ xiéyì duōshù lúnwéi fèizhǐ, hépíng yáoyáowúqī.

南蘇丹約400萬人流離失所，全國大半人民食不果腹，而衝突各方數次簽署的停火協議多數淪為廢紙，和平遙遙無期。

南苏丹约400万人流离失所，全国大半人民食不果腹，而冲突各方数次签署的停火协议多数沦为废纸，和平遥遥无期。

far away in time and not within the foreseeable future


堂而皇之

ㄊㄤˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄓ

танъэрхуанчжи

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/


強人所難

ㄑㄧㄤˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄋㄢˊ

цянжэньсонань

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ jɐn²¹ sɔː³⁵ naːn²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ jɐn²¹ sɔː³⁵ naːn²¹/

to force someone to do something he or she not wish to do or is unable to do


搬字過紙

/puːn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² kʷɔː³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/puːn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² kʷɔː³³ t͡siː³⁵/

(Cantonese) to directly copy from a source its exact content


諱莫如深

ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄇㄛˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄣ

хуэйможушэнь

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯¹³ mɔːk̚² jyː²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯¹³ mɔːk̚² jyː²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

to closely guard a secret and not utter a single word about it; to not breathe a word


ex opere operato

(theology) From the work worked; referring to sacraments deriving their power from Christ's work rather than the role of humans, and thus not requiring faith to be effective.


a biztonság kedvéért

a (“the”) + biztonság (“safety”) + kedvéért (“for …’s sake”), literally “for safety’s sake”

affix

on the safe side
on the safe side#English


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/


視死如歸

ㄕˋ ㄙˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/siː²² sei̯³⁵ jyː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/si²⁴²⁻⁵³ ⁽ˢ⁻⁾ly³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ y⁵³⁻⁵⁵ ⁽ᵏ⁻⁾ui⁵⁵/

/*ɡljilʔ|ɡljils|ɢljils hljiʔ nja|njas klul/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/siː²² sei̯³⁵ jyː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

Therefore a junzi, being at one with righteousness, embraces death in the face of calamity, and regards death as homecoming. To live a life of humiliation is worse than suffering death with honour.

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

Shìgù jūnzǐ yǐ yì sǐ nàn, shìsǐrúguī; shēng ér rǔ bùrú sǐ ér róng.

是故君子以義死難，視死如歸；生而辱不如死而榮。

是故君子以义死难，视死如归；生而辱不如死而荣。

to be courageous and not fear death; to not fear sacrificing oneself for a greater cause


堂堂正正

ㄊㄤˊ ㄊㄤˊ ㄓㄥˋ ㄓㄥˋ

тантанчжэнчжэн

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɪŋ²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siɪŋ⁴¹/

/tɔŋ¹³⁻²² tɔŋ¹³⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɪŋ²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɪŋ¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

just and dignified; upright and frank; aboveboard


how's come

How's come you don't visit no more?

"How's come we don't hear more about it back where we come from ?”

1934, The New York Lumber Trade Journal, volumes 96-99, page 15:

So, some of the brothers who are way out there said to me, “How's come you come back and go to work for $3.90 from where you were?"

c'''. 1975, Proceedings of the Convention, volumes 37, 1963-1979, Amalgamated Transit Union:

“How's come they did that, Stacey, huh?” he asked, dusting himself off. “How's come they didn't even stop for us?”

2004, Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, book 2, page 13:


как сыр в масле

head

как сы́р в ма́сле

как сы́р в ма́сле • (kak sýr v másle)

как сы́р в ма́сле (canonical)
kak sýr v másle (romanization)


虛張聲勢

сюйчжаншэнши

/ɕy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/ɕy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

to bluff; to show false bravado; to make an empty show of strength


氣喘吁吁

ㄑㄧˋ ㄔㄨㄢˇ ㄒㄩ ㄒㄩ

цичуаньсюйсюй

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵/

to pant or gasp heavily; to be out of breath


氣喘如牛

ㄑㄧˋ ㄔㄨㄢˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄋㄧㄡˊ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ jyː²¹ ŋɐu̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ jyː²¹ ŋɐu̯²¹/


there goes the neighborhood

(colloquial) Something undesirable has been introduced into one's community.


朝不保夕

ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄠˇ ㄒㄧ

ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄠˇ ㄒㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pou̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pou̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

to be in a critical and desperate situation; to be on the verge of death (or collapse, defeat, etc.)


腫麼辦

ㄓㄨㄥˇ ˙ㄇㄜ ㄅㄢˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴ mə⁴ pän⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴ mə⁴ pän⁵¹/

(neologism, slang) Alternative form of 怎麼辦／怎么办 (zěnmebàn, “what to do?”)


朝不慮夕

ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄩˋ ㄒㄧ

ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄩˋ ㄒㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lɵy̯²² t͡sɪk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ly⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lɵy̯²² t͡sɪk̚²/

朝不保夕 朝不保夕#Chinese

Synonym of 朝不保夕 (zhāobùbǎoxī, “to be in a critical and desperate situation; to be on the verge of death (or collapse, defeat, etc.)”)


官逼民反

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄅㄧ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄈㄢˇ

гуаньбиминьфань

/ku̯än⁵⁵ pi⁵⁵ min³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kuːn⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ mɐn²¹ faːn³⁵/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ pi⁵⁵ min³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kuːn⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ mɐn²¹ faːn³⁵/

the oppression by the government forces the mass to revolt


讚不絕口

ㄗㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄎㄡˇ

цзаньбуцзюэкоу

/t͡sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡saːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡san²¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡suat̚⁴⁻³² kʰau⁵³/

/t͡san⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡suat̚²⁴⁻² kʰau⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡san²¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡suat̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kʰau⁵³/

/t͡san¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡suat̚⁴⁻³² kʰau⁵³/

/t͡san²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡suat̚⁴⁻³² kʰau⁴¹/

/t͡saːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/

to ceaselessly praise; to be full of praise


承蒙你

/sɨn¹¹ muŋ¹¹ n¹¹/

/sɨn¹¹ muŋ¹¹ ŋ̍¹¹/

/sɨn¹¹ muŋ¹¹ n¹¹/

/sɨn¹¹ muŋ¹¹ ŋ̍¹¹/

† - when someone does you a favour; § - when someone gives you a gift


周而復始

ㄓㄡ ㄦˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕˇ

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² t͡sʰiː³⁵/


buena proa

(nautical) smooth sailing; happy sailing


崎嶇不平

ㄑㄧˊ ㄑㄩ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/


寸草不生

ㄘㄨㄣˋ ㄘㄠˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ

цуньцаобушэн

/t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰyːn³³ t͡sʰou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰyːn³³ t͡sʰou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

(of land) completely barren; completely devoid of vegetation


滅頂之災

ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄓ ㄗㄞ

мединчжицзай

/mi̯ɛ⁵¹ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/miːt̚² tɪŋ³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/mi̯ɛ⁵¹ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/miːt̚² tɪŋ³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/


古道熱腸

ㄍㄨˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄖㄜˋ ㄔㄤˊ

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kuː³⁵ tou̯²² jiːt̚² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kuː³⁵ tou̯²² jiːt̚² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/


hru

(Internet slang, text messaging) Alternative letter-case form of HRU.


欲蓋彌彰

ㄩˋ ㄍㄞˋ ㄇㄧˊ ㄓㄤ

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ kaɪ̯⁵¹ mi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊk̚² kʰɔːi̯³³ nei̯²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚²⁴⁻² kai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mĩ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡siɔŋ³³/

/iɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kai²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai¹¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai²¹⁻⁴¹ mĩ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ kaɪ̯⁵¹ mi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊk̚² kʰɔːi̯³³ nei̯²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚²⁴⁻² kai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mĩ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡siɔŋ³³/

/iɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kai²¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai¹¹⁻⁵³ mĩ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/iɔk̚⁴⁻³² kai²¹⁻⁴¹ mĩ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

In winter, Heihong of Zou state defected to the Lu state together with his Lan county (near present-day Tengzhou). Although he was lowly, his name was recorded (in the historical records) becuase lands are important (for a country). The Gentleman (i.e. the author) said, “As for fame, one cannot be incautious like this. If one has this kind of fame, this would not be as good as without fame. [For a person] defected with his land, the name of the land must be recorded, so as the name of the defector. He will eventually be regarded as immoral and this will be never be blot out. Therefore, when a gentleman acts, he thinks of etiquettes and righteousness, and he never betrays (his conscience) for benefits or regrets for doing unrighteous things. Some people seek for fame but failed. Some people wanted to conceal but their names were eventually spread. This was to punish those immoral ones.”

Dōng, Zhū Hēigōng yǐ Làn lái bēn, jiàn ér shū míng, zhòngdì gù yě. Jūnzǐ yuē: “Míng zhī bùkě bùshèn yě rúshì fū. Yǒu suǒ yǒumíng, ér bùrú qí yǐ. Yǐ dì pàn, suī jiàn bì shū dì, yǐ míng qí rén, zhōng wèi bùyì, fú kě miè yǐ. Shìgù jūnzǐ dòng zé sī lǐ, xíng zé sī yì, bù wèi lì huí, bù wèi yì jiù. Huò qiú míng ér bùdé, huò yù gài ér míng zhāng, chéng bùyì yě.”

冬，邾黑肱以濫來奔，賤而書名，重地故也。君子曰：「名之不可不慎也如是夫。有所有名，而不如其已。以地叛，雖賤必書地，以名其人，終為不義，弗可滅已。是故君子動則思禮，行則思義，不為利回，不為義疚。或求名而不得，或欲蓋而名章，懲不義也。」

冬，邾黑肱以滥来奔，贱而书名，重地故也。君子曰：「名之不可不慎也如是夫。有所有名，而不如其已。以地叛，虽贱必书地，以名其人，终为不义，弗可灭已。是故君子动则思礼，行则思义，不为利回，不为义疚。或求名而不得，或欲盖而名章，惩不义也。」

Dàjiā yuánběn zhǐshì huáiyí tā éryǐ, dàn tā mángyú biànjiě de yàngzǐ fǎn'ér shì yùgàimízhāng, bùdǎzìzhāo.

大家原本只是懷疑他而已，但他忙於辯解的樣子反而是欲蓋彌彰，不打自招。

大家原本只是怀疑他而已，但他忙于辩解的样子反而是欲盖弥彰，不打自招。

Yǔqí yùgàimízhāng, dào bùrú zìjǐ xiān rèn le.

與其欲蓋彌彰，倒不如自己先認了。

与其欲盖弥彰，倒不如自己先认了。

to attempt to cover up the truth but the truth becomes more apparent or further exposed

Lu (state)
Tengzhou
Zou (state)
Zuo Qiuming


凹凸不平

ㄠ ㄊㄨ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

ㄠ ㄊㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/nɐp̚⁵ tɐt̚² pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/nɐp̚⁵ tɐt̚² pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/


拉鉤上吊，一百年不許變

拉钩上吊，一百年不许变
拉鈎上吊，一百年不許變
拉勾上吊，一百年不許變

ㄌㄚ ㄍㄡ ㄕㄤˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

ㄧ ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩˇ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

yībǎi nián bùxǔ biàn [Phonetic:lāgōu shàngdiào

лагоу шандяо

ибай нянь бусюй бянь

/lä⁵⁵ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

A phrase uttered when making a pinky promise.


欺善怕惡

ㄑㄧ ㄕㄢˋ ㄆㄚˋ ㄜˋ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/hei̯⁵⁵ siːn²² pʰaː³³ ɔːk̚³/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/hei̯⁵⁵ siːn²² pʰaː³³ ɔːk̚³/

to bully the good and the weak but fear the savage and evil people


虛有其表

ㄒㄩ ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ

/ɕy⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵/


引經據典

ㄧㄣˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄩˋ ㄉㄧㄢˇ

иньцзинцзюйдянь

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³³ tiːn³⁵/

/jɐn¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³³ tiːn³⁵/


自顧不暇

ㄗˋ ㄍㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ä³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kuː³³ pɐt̚⁵ haː²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ä³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kuː³³ pɐt̚⁵ haː²¹/

to have too much on one's plate; to have trouble even in dealing with one's own affairs, let alone taking care of others'


不二價

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː²² kaː³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ d͡zi²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ d͡zi⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ d͡zi²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ d͡zi³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ zi³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː²² kaː³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ d͡zi²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ d͡zi⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ d͡zi²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ d͡zi³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ zi³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/


鍥而不捨

ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄜˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰiːt̚³ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰiːt̚³ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³⁵/

If you start carving and give up, you will not be able to break even rotten wood, but if you start carving and do not give up, then you can engrave even metal and stone.

Qiè ér shě zhī, xiǔmù bù zhé; qiè'érbùshě, jīnshí kě lòu.

鍥而舍之，朽木不折；鍥而不舍，金石可鏤。

锲而舍之，朽木不折；锲而不舍，金石可镂。

to persevere; to continue doing something in a determined way and not give up


名過其實

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/miŋ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miŋ³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

to have an exaggerated reputation; to fall short of one's reputation


茹毛飲血

ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄠˊ ㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄩㄝˋ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄠˊ ㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄩㄝˇ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄠˊ ㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄝˇ

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ mou̯²¹ jɐm³⁵ hyːt̚³/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʐu³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ in²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ mou̯²¹ jɐm³⁵ hyːt̚³/

From the Book of Rites, Book 9 (《禮記·禮運》)

Formerly the ancient kings had no houses. In winter they lived in caves which they had excavated, and in summer in nests which they had framed. They knew not yet the transforming power of fire, but ate the fruits of plants and trees, and the flesh of birds and beasts, drinking their blood, and swallowing (also) the hair and feathers.

Xī zhě xiānwáng, wèi yǒu gōngshì, dōng zé jū yíng kū, xià zé jū zēng cháo. Wèi yǒu huǒ huà, shí cǎomù zhī shí, niǎoshòu zhī ròu, yǐn qí xuè, rú qí máo.

昔者先王，未有宮室，冬則居營窟，夏則居橧巢。未有火化，食草木之實、鳥獸之肉，飲其血，茹其毛。

昔者先王，未有宫室，冬则居营窟，夏则居橧巢。未有火化，食草木之实、鸟兽之肉，饮其血，茹其毛。

to consume raw animal meat with its hair and blood unremoved; to live a primitive life


危機四伏

ㄨㄟ ㄐㄧ ㄙˋ ㄈㄨˊ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧ ㄙˋ ㄈㄨˊ

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ sei̯³³ fʊk̚²/

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ sei̯³³ fʊk̚²/

dangers or hazards lurking everywhere; to be full of peril


歸根究柢

ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ ㄐㄧㄡ ㄉㄧˇ

ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄉㄧˇ

гуйгэньцзюди

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ tɐi̯³⁵/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ tɐi̯³⁵/


bo proveito

From bo proveito lle faga ("take good profit of it").


何德何能

ㄏㄜˊ ㄉㄜˊ ㄏㄜˊ ㄋㄥˊ

/xɤ³⁵ tɤ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ tɐk̚⁵ hɔː²¹ nɐŋ²¹/

/xɤ³⁵ tɤ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ tɐk̚⁵ hɔː²¹ nɐŋ²¹/

(usually humble) what virtues and abilities (do I have to deserve something good like this?); what good have I done?


stars align

(idiomatic) Events or circumstances combine fortuitously.


指名道姓

ㄓˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

чжиминдаосин

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tou̯²² sɪŋ³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tou̯²² sɪŋ³³/


知人之明

ㄓ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

чжижэньчжимин

čžižɛnʹčžimin

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

the ability to identify talented individuals; the ability to appreciate a person's character and capability


一雪前恥

ㄧ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/


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


蠻不講理

ㄇㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄤˇ ㄌㄧˇ

маньбуцзянли

/män³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːŋ³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/män³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːŋ³⁵ lei̯¹³/


撒手塵寰

ㄙㄚ ㄕㄡˇ ㄔㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ

сашоучэньхуань

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ waːn²¹/

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ waːn²¹/


爭名奪利

ㄓㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/


弱爆了

ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄠˋ ˙ㄌㄜ

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ lə¹/

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ lə¹/

(neologism, slang) it sucks; so weak; subpar


弱爆

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² paːu̯³³/

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² paːu̯³³/

(neologism, slang) Synonym of 弱爆了 (ruò bào le)


人滿為患

ㄖㄣˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

жэньманьвэйхуань

/ʐən³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ muːn¹³ wɐi̯²¹ waːn²²/

/zin²³⁻³³ muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ui²³⁻³³ huan³³/

/ʐən³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ muːn¹³ wɐi̯²¹ waːn²²/

/zin²³⁻³³ muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ui²³⁻³³ huan³³/

During peak seasons for tourism, every site is packed with people.

Dào le lǚyóu wàngjì, gè dà jǐngdiǎn dōu rénmǎnwèihuàn.

到了旅遊旺季，各大景點都人滿為患。

到了旅游旺季，各大景点都人满为患。

to cause problems due to being overcrowded; to cause problems due to being packed with people


le plus clair de

le plus clair de son temps


鋃鐺入獄

ㄌㄤˊ ㄉㄤ ㄖㄨˋ ㄩˋ

/lɑŋ³⁵ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/lɔːŋ²¹ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² jʊk̚²/

/lɑŋ³⁵ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/lɔːŋ²¹ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² jʊk̚²/


前因後果

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄣ ㄏㄡˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ

цяньиньхоуго

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ in⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ jɐn⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ in⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ jɐn⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵/

the entire sequence of events (including its cause and outcome)


可見一斑

ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄧ ㄅㄢ

кэцзяньибань

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ kiːn³³ jɐt̚⁵ paːn⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ kiːn³³ jɐt̚⁵ paːn⁵⁵/

to be able to deduce the whole picture of a matter from one small detail


I declare

“Well, I do declare now, if you haven't got a work-shop,” said Farmer S., “and all your tools seem to be in such excellent order, and you have a turning lathe, and a grind-stone, on friction rollers, and a set of planes and saws, […]

1855, The New England Farmer, volume 7, page 490:


當機立斷

ㄉㄤ ㄐㄧ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

данцзилидуань

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ lɐp̚² tyːn²²/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ laːp̚² tyːn²²/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan²¹/

/tɔŋ³³ ki³³ lip̚²⁴⁻² tuan⁴¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tuan²¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan¹¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan²¹/

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ lɐp̚² tyːn²²/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ laːp̚² tyːn²²/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan²¹/

/tɔŋ³³ ki³³ lip̚²⁴⁻² tuan⁴¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tuan²¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan¹¹/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² tuan²¹/

to be decisive and make a decision promptly at a critical moment


what though

What though we can no longer perform signs and wonders by his influence; by faith we can yet remove mountains of sin and ignorance, and cast them into depths where they shall be seen no more.

1837, The Church of England magazine, page 300:

(archaic) But what does it matter; notwithstanding.


death on

She's death on the fashion, Mercy is. Why, that last gown of hers, cut out a piece of calico a neighbor brought from the East—you'd ought to see it.

1901, Evelyn Raymond, The Sun Maid: A Story of Fort Dearborn:

She's a Canadian half-breed, and she has a sweet tooth and a bitter tongue. The only joys that lighten her dusty pilgrimage through this vale of tears are eating candy and giving cheek to her superior officer. She's death on candy, […]

1913, Robert Blatchford, Tommy Atkins of the Ramchunders, page 106:

(colloquial) Very keen on or good at (something).


徒有其名

ㄊㄨˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/tʰu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

/tʰu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

to be known for a quality one actually lacks


結黨營私

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄤˇ ㄧㄥˊ ㄙ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/kiːt̚³ tɔːŋ³⁵ jɪŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/kiːt̚³ tɔːŋ³⁵ jɪŋ²¹ siː⁵⁵/


fr-phrase

c’est l’hôpital qui se fout de la charité

c'est l'hôpital qui se fout de la charité

/s‿ɛ l‿o.pi.tal ki s(ə) fu d(ə) la ʃa.ʁi.te/

c'est l'hôpital qui se moque de la charité#French

(informal) Alternative form of c’est l’hôpital qui se moque de la charité


c’est l’hôpital qui se moque de l’infirmerie

c'est l'hôpital qui se moque de l'infirmerie

/s‿ɛ l‿o.pi.tal ki s(ə) mɔk də l‿ɛ̃.fiʁ.mə.ʁi/


tout ça ne nous rendra pas le Congo

Literally, “all this won't give us back the Congo”. A reference to the fact that the Democratic Republic of the Congo was previously a Belgian colony (the Belgian Congo).

lit

(Belgium, informal) it's all very well, but it doesn't do us any good, it makes no difference


c'est le monde à l'envers

Literally, “that's the world turned upside down”.

Quoi? Toi aussi tu veux finir maintenant? // C’est le monde à l’envers!

2013, Stromae (lyrics and music), “Tous les mêmes”:

What? You also want to break up now? // You've got it all wrong!

(informal) the world's turned upside down

it's crazy; it's illogical; it's backward; it doesn't make any sense

tail wagging the dog
tail wagging the dog

the world's turned upside down
it's the tail wagging the dog

pot calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black

the world's turned upside down
that's the pot calling the kettle black

c'est l'hôpital qui se moque de la charité


彰明較著

ㄓㄤ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄓㄨˋ

чжанминцзяочжу

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ kaːu̯³³ t͡syː³³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ kaːu̯³³ t͡syː³³/


罪孽深重

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄋㄧㄝˋ ㄕㄣ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

цзуйне шэньчжун

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɵy̯²² jiːp̚² sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²²/

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɵy̯²² jiːp̚² sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²²/


c'est la moindre des choses

that's the least one can do, it's nothing at all


御役御免

御役御免 (canonical)
o-yaku-gomen (romanization)

[o̞ja̠kɯ̟ɡo̞mẽ̞ɴ]

Compound of 御 (o-, honorific prefix) + 役 (yaku, “duty; role”) + 御免 (gomen, “excusing someone of or from something”).

役儀取上

役儀取上 やくぎとりあげ

大臣を不始末で御役御免になる。

Daijin o fushimatsu de oyakugomen ni naru.

The minister is retired for mismanagement.

Retire, dismiss or relieve someone, usually senior, of duty or employment.

思い出のベッドですが、この度ようやく御役御免。

Omoide no beddo desu ga, konotabi yōyaku oyakugomen.

Although the bed is full of memories, this is the time to finally retire it.

Dispose something old and no longer useful.

邪魔な奴を御役御免になりました。

Jamana yatsu o oyakugomen ni narimashita.

The troublesome guy has been got rid of.


c'est la poêle qui se moque du chaudron

c’est la poêle qui se moque du chaudron (canonical)

that's the pot calling the kettle black
that's the pot calling the kettle black


c'est le métier qui rentre

practice makes perfect
practice makes perfect

(informal) practice makes perfect, you'll get better, you learn from your mistakes

c’est en forgeant qu’on devient forgeron


百思不得其解

ㄅㄞˇ ㄙ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄝˇ

байсыбудэцицзе

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚³ siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ kaːi̯³⁵/

百思不解 百思不解#Chinese

Synonym of 百思不解 (bǎisībùjiě, “incomprehensible; perplexed still despite much thought”)


清熱解毒

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄖㄜˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ ㄉㄨˊ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jiːt̚² kaːi̯³⁵ tʊk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jiːt̚² kaːi̯³⁵ tʊk̚²/

traditional Chinese medicine
traditional Chinese medicine

(traditional Chinese medicine) to clear heat and detoxify


獨此一家，別無分店

ㄉㄨˊ ㄘˇ ㄧ ㄐㄧㄚ

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄨˊ ㄈㄣ ㄉㄧㄢˋ

бе у фэньдянь

/tu³⁵ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ u³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵¹/

只此一家，別無分店 只此一家，別無分店#Chinese

只此一家，别无分店 只此一家，别无分店#Chinese

Synonym of 只此一家，別無分店／只此一家，别无分店 (zhǐ cǐ yī jiā, bié wú fēndiàn)


大汗淋漓

ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ

даханьлиньли

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːn²² lɐm²¹ lei̯²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹ lin³⁵ li³⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːn²² lɐm²¹ lei̯²¹/


只此一家，別無分店

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄨˊ ㄈㄣ ㄉㄧㄢˋ

чжи цы и цзя

бе у фэньдянь

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ u³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵¹/

the one and only store, no branch offices (you can buy something only here)

Revolutionary statespeople, the political specialists who know the science or art of revolutionary politics, are simply the leaders of millions upon millions of statespeople – the masses. Their task is to collect the opinions of these mass statespeople, sift and refine them, and return them to the masses, who then take them and put them into practice. They are therefore not the kind of aristocratic “statespeople” who work behind closed doors and fancy they have a monopoly of wisdom.

1942, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《在延安文藝座談會上的講話》 (Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Gémìng de zhèngzhìjiāmen, dǒngde gémìng de zhèngzhì kēxué huò zhèngzhì yìshù de zhèngzhì zhuānménjiāmen, tāmen zhǐshì qiānqiānwànwàn de qúnzhòng zhèngzhìjiā de lǐngxiù, tāmen de rènwù zàiyú bǎ qúnzhòng zhèngzhìjiā de yìjiàn jízhōng qilai, jiāyǐ tíliàn, zài shǐ zhī huí dào qúnzhòng zhōng qù, wéi qúnzhòng suǒ jiēshòu, suǒ shíjiàn, ér bùshì bìménzàochē, zìzuòcōngmíng, zhǐ cǐ yī jiā, bié wú fēndiàn de nà zhǒng guìzúshì de suǒwèi “zhèngzhìjiā”, — zhè shì wúchǎn jiējí zhèngzhìjiā tóng fǔxiǔ le de zīchǎn jiējí zhèngzhìjiā de yuánzé qūbié.

革命的政治家們，懂得革命的政治科學或政治藝術的政治專門家們，他們只是千千萬萬的群眾政治家的領袖，他們的任務在於把群眾政治家的意見集中起來，加以提煉，再使之回到群眾中去，為群眾所接受，所實踐，而不是閉門造車，自作聰明，只此一家，別無分店的那種貴族式的所謂「政治家」，——這是無產階級政治家同腐朽了的資產階級政治家的原則區別。

革命的政治家们，懂得革命的政治科学或政治艺术的政治专门家们，他们只是千千万万的群众政治家的领袖，他们的任务在于把群众政治家的意见集中起来，加以提炼，再使之回到群众中去，为群众所接受，所实践，而不是闭门造车，自作聪明，只此一家，别无分店的那种贵族式的所谓「政治家」，——这是无产阶级政治家同腐朽了的资产阶级政治家的原则区别。

(figuratively) unique; unparalleled; unmatched


喪盡天良

ㄙㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄌㄧㄤˊ

санцзиньтяньлян

/sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ t͡sɵn²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

/sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ t͡sɵn²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

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 be utterly devoid of conscience; to be extremely vicious and evil


狂風駭浪

ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄞˋ ㄌㄤˋ

куанфэнхайлан

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ haːi̯¹³ lɔːŋ²²/

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ haːi̯¹³ lɔːŋ²²/


sən hansısa bir dərman qəbul edirsən

sən hansısa dərman qəbul edirsən (canonical)

[sæn hɑnˈsɯsɑ bir dærˈmɑn ɡæːˈbul eˈdirsæn]

are you taking any medications
are you taking any medications

are you taking any medications? (informal).


花甲之年

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

хуацзячжинянь

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/faː⁵⁵ kaːp̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/faː⁵⁵ kaːp̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/


冥頑不靈

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ

минваньбулин

/miŋ³⁵ wän³⁵ pu⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/mɪŋ¹³ waːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lɪŋ²¹/

/miŋ³⁵ wän³⁵ pu⁵¹ liŋ³⁵/

/mɪŋ¹³ waːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lɪŋ²¹/

obstinate and ignorant; stubborn and benighted


賊喊捉賊

ㄗㄟˊ ㄏㄢˇ ㄓㄨㄛ ㄗㄟˊ

цзэйханьчжоцзэй

/t͡seɪ̯³⁵ xän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːk̚² haːm³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚²/

/t͡seɪ̯³⁵ xän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːk̚² haːm³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚²/

to accuse others of wrongdoing as the wrongdoer to escape guilt and responsibility by diverting attention


sən hansısa bir dərman atırsan

are you taking any medications? (formal).


狂風驟雨

ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄈㄥ ㄓㄡˋ ㄩˇ

ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄈㄥ ㄗㄡˋ ㄩˇ

куанфэнчжоуюй

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

куанфэнцзоуюй

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡soʊ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːu̯²² jyː¹³/

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡soʊ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːu̯²² jyː¹³/


防微杜漸

ㄈㄤˊ ㄨㄟ ㄉㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

ㄈㄤˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄉㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

фанвэйдуцзянь

/fɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ²¹ mei̯²¹ tou̯²² t͡siːm²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bi²⁴⁻²² tɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siam²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bi²⁴⁻²² tɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡siam⁴¹/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² bi¹³⁻²² tɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siam²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bi²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡siam³³/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ bi²³⁻³³ tɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡siam³³/

/fɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ tu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ²¹ mei̯²¹ tou̯²² t͡siːm²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bi²⁴⁻²² tɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siam²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² bi²⁴⁻²² tɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡siam⁴¹/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² bi¹³⁻²² tɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siam²²/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bi²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡siam³³/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ bi²³⁻³³ tɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡siam³³/

to nip in the bud; to put an end to a bad thing or mistake when it germinates


離心離德

ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˊ ㄉㄜˊ

/li³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li³⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/lei̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵/

/li³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li³⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/lei̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵/

Shou has hundreds of thousands and millions of ordinary men, divided in heart and, divided in practice; I have of ministers, able to govern, ten men, one in heart and one in practice.

The Book of Documents, circa 4ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Shòu yǒu yìzhào yírén, líxīnlídé. Yǔ yǒu luànchén shí rén, tóngxīntóngdé.

受有億兆夷人，離心離德。予有亂臣十人，同心同德。

受有亿兆夷人，离心离德。予有乱臣十人，同心同德。

According to the political criterion, everything is good that is helpful to unity and resistance to Japan, that encourages the masses to be of one heart and one mind, that opposes retrogression and promotes progress; on the other hand, everything is bad that is detrimental to unity and resistance to Japan, foments dissension and discord among the masses and opposes progress and drags people back.

Ànzhào zhèngzhì biāozhǔn lái shuō, yīqiè lìyú kàngrì hé tuánjié de, gǔlì qúnzhòng tóngxīntóngdé de, fǎnduì dàotuì, cùchéng jìnbù de dōngxi, biàn dōu shì hǎo de; ér yīqiè bù lìyú kàngrì hé tuánjié de, gǔdòng qúnzhòng líxīnlídé de, fǎnduì jìnbù, lāzhe rénmen dàotuì de dōngxi, biàn dōu shì huài de.

按照政治標準來說，一切利於抗日和團結的，鼓勵群眾同心同德的，反對倒退、促成進步的東西，便都是好的；而一切不利於抗日和團結的，鼓動群眾離心離德的，反對進步、拉著人們倒退的東西，便都是壞的。

按照政治标准来说，一切利于抗日和团结的，鼓励群众同心同德的，反对倒退、促成进步的东西，便都是好的；而一切不利于抗日和团结的，鼓动群众离心离德的，反对进步、拉着人们倒退的东西，便都是坏的。


滿腔熱情

ㄇㄢˇ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄖㄜˋ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

маньцянжэцин

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/muːn¹³ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːt̚² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/muːn¹³ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːt̚² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

To criticize the people's shortcomings is necessary, as we have already said, but in doing so we must truly take the stand of the people and speak out of whole-hearted eagerness to protect and educate them.

Duìyú rénmín de quēdiǎn shì xūyào pīpíng de, wǒmen zài qiánmiàn yǐjīng shuōguò le, dàn bìxū shì zhēnzhèng zhàn zài rénmín de lìchǎng shàng, yòng bǎohù rénmín, jiàoyù rénmín de mǎnqiāngrèqíng lái shuōhuà.

對於人民的缺點是需要批評的，我們在前面已經說過了，但必須是真正站在人民的立場上，用保護人民、教育人民的滿腔熱情來說話。

对于人民的缺点是需要批评的，我们在前面已经说过了，但必须是真正站在人民的立场上，用保护人民、教育人民的满腔热情来说话。


אני טבעונית

head

אֲנִי טִבְעוֹנִית

אֲנִי טִבְעוֹנִית • (aní tiv'onít) (masculine אני טבעוני)

אֲנִי טִבְעוֹנִית (canonical)
aní tiv'onít (romanization)
אני טבעוני (masculine)


אני טבעוני

אֲנִי טִבְעוֹנִי

אֲנִי טִבְעוֹנִי • (aní tiv'oní) (feminine אני טבעונית)

אֲנִי טִבְעוֹנִי (canonical)
aní tiv'oní (romanization)
אני טבעונית (feminine)


隱晦曲折

ㄧㄣˇ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄑㄩ ㄓㄜˊ

иньхуэйцюйчжэ

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

Here we can shout at the top of our voices and have no need for veiled and roundabout expressions, which are hard for the people to understand.

Wǒmen kěyǐ dàshēngjíhū, ér bùyào yǐnhuìqūzhé, shǐ rénmín dàzhòng bùyì kàndǒng.

我們可以大聲疾呼，而不要隱晦曲折，使人民大眾不易看懂。

我们可以大声疾呼，而不要隐晦曲折，使人民大众不易看懂。


和而不同

ㄏㄜˊ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

/xɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/wɔː²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/xɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/wɔː²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/

The Master said, "The superior man is affable, but not adulatory; the mean man is adulatory, but not affable."

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

Zǐyuē: “Jūnzǐ hé ér bù tóng, xiǎorén tóng ér bù hé.”

子曰：「君子和而不同，小人同而不和。」

harmonious even when there exists different opinions; unity in diversity


qusmağım gəlir

LL-Q9292 (aze)-Azerbaijani audiorecordings-qusmağım gəlir.wav


haran ağrayır

/hɑrɑˈn ɑɣrɯˈjɯr/

LL-Q9292 (aze)-Azerbaijani audiorecordings-haran ağrayır.wav


mən gedib qusmalıyam

LL-Q9292 (aze)-Azerbaijani audiorecordings-mən gedib qusmalıyam.wav


haranız ağrayır

/hɑrɑˈnɯz ɑɣrɯˈjɯr/

LL-Q9292 (aze)-Azerbaijani audiorecordings-haranız ağrayır.wav


桃李滿門

ㄊㄠˊ ㄌㄧˇ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄣˊ

таолиманьмэнь

/tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mən³⁵/

/tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mən³⁵/

(of a teacher) to have taught a great number of pupils (usually over a long period of time)


喜極而泣

ㄒㄧˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄦˊ ㄑㄧˋ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ kɪk̚² jiː²¹ jɐp̚⁵/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ kɪk̚² jiː²¹ jɐp̚⁵/

to cry tears of joy as one becomes overjoyed


他喵的

/tʰä⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ d̥ə²/

/tʰä⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ d̥ə²/

2012 July 16, 乌虚子, 《衰神日记》, in 《故事世界》 [Story of World], →ISSN, issue 479, page 74

[…], yǒu sǐdǎng yǒu xīn'ài de gūniáng, sǐdǎng tǐng wǒ, gūniáng ài wǒ, zhè shìjiè, zhēn tāmiāode tài ràng rén chōngjǐng le!

[…]，有死黨有心愛的姑娘，死黨挺我，姑娘愛我，這世界，真他喵的太讓人憧憬了！

[…]，有死党有心爱的姑娘，死党挺我，姑娘爱我，这世界，真他喵的太让人憧憬了！

(Mainland China, slang, minced oath) Alternative form of 他媽的／他妈的 (tāmāde)


同流合污

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄏㄜˊ ㄨ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ xɤ³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ lɐu̯²¹ hɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² liu²⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² u⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ liu²⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² u¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ liu²³ hap̚⁴⁻³² u²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ liu²⁴ kap̚⁴⁻³² u¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ liu²³ kap̚⁴⁻³² u²¹/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ xɤ³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ lɐu̯²¹ hɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² liu²⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² u⁴⁴/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ liu²⁴ hap̚⁴⁻³² u¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ liu²³ hap̚⁴⁻³² u²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ liu²⁴ kap̚⁴⁻³² u¹¹/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ liu²³ kap̚⁴⁻³² u²¹/

They agree with the current customs. They consent with an impure age.

同乎流俗，合乎污世。

to commit evil deeds together with the contemptible and evil people


يعطيك العافية

يَعْطيك العافْية

يَعْطيك العافْية • (yə3ṭik ɪl-3afyə) m

يَعْطيك العافْية (canonical)
yə3ṭik ɪl-3afyə (romanization)
يعطيني العافية (first-person singular)

Ellipsis of الله يعطيك العافية. يعطي (yə3ṭi, “give”) + ـك (k, “you”) + الـ (ɪl-, “the”) + عافية (3afyə, “wellness”) Literally "May [God] give you wellness."

ellipsis

الله يعطيك العافية

Ellipsis of الله يعطيك العافية


يعطيك العافية

head

يِعْطيك العَافْية

يِعْطيك العَافْية • (yiʕṭīk al-ʕāfya)

يِعْطيك العَافْية (canonical)
yiʕṭīk al-ʕāfya (romanization)

Ellipsis of الله يعطيك العافية. يعطي (yiʕṭi, “give”) + ـك (k, “you”) + الـ (al-, “the”) + عافية (ʕāfya, “wellness”) Literally "May [God] give you wellness."

ellipsis

الله يعطيك العافية

Ellipsis of الله يعطيك العافية


無可否認

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄈㄡˇ ㄖㄣˋ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ foʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ fɐu̯³⁵ jɪŋ²²/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ foʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ fɐu̯³⁵ jɪŋ²²/


無可避免

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄧㄢˇ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ pei̯²² miːn¹³/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ pei̯²² miːn¹³/


手民之誤

ㄕㄡˇ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄓ ㄨˋ

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ min³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ ŋ̍²²/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ min³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ ŋ̍²²/


二者必居其一

ㄦˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄩ ㄑㄧˊ ㄧ

эрчжэ би цзюй ци и

/ˀɤɻ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/jiː²² t͡sɛː³⁵ piːt̚⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

If you are a bourgeois writer or artist, you will eulogize not the proletariat but the bourgeoisie, and if you are a proletarian writer or artist, you will eulogize not the bourgeoisie but the proletariat and working people: it must be one or the other.

Nǐ shì zīchǎn jiējí wényìjiā, nǐ jiù bù gēsòng wúchǎn jiējí ér gēsòng zīchǎn jiējí; nǐ shì wúchǎn jiējí wényìjiā, nǐ jiù bù gēsòng zīchǎn jiējí ér gēsòng wúchǎn jiējí hé láodòng rénmín: èrzhě bì jū qí yī.

你是資產階級文藝家，你就不歌頌無產階級而歌頌資產階級；你是無產階級文藝家，你就不歌頌資產階級而歌頌無產階級和勞動人民：二者必居其一。

你是资产阶级文艺家，你就不歌颂无产阶级而歌颂资产阶级；你是无产阶级文艺家，你就不歌颂资产阶级而歌颂无产阶级和劳动人民：二者必居其一。


三不二時

/sam²⁴ put̚² ŋi⁵⁵ sɨ¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ zi³³⁻²¹ si²³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ d͡zi³³⁻¹¹ si²⁴/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ d͡zi²⁴⁻²² si²⁴/

/sam²⁴ put̚² ŋi⁵⁵ sɨ¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ zi³³⁻²¹ si²³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ d͡zi³³⁻¹¹ si²⁴/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ d͡zi²⁴⁻²² si²⁴/

(Hakka, possibly dated in Hokkien) sometimes; from time to time; occasionally; now and then


痛定思痛

ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄙ ㄊㄨㄥˋ

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ³³ tɪŋ²² siː⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³/

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ³³ tɪŋ²² siː⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³/

to recall one's painful experience after the sorrow has passed, often to learn a lesson from the bitter experience


歌功頌德

ㄍㄜ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄙㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/kɤ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sʊŋ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/kɔː⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² tɐk̚⁵/

/kɤ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sʊŋ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/kɔː⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² tɐk̚⁵/

From 《史記·周本紀》 (Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Zhou)

The people all sang his praises and eulogized his virtues.

民皆歌樂之，頌其德。

民皆歌乐之，颂其德。

(now derogatory) to sing somebody's praises; to heap praises and eulogies

List of Records of the Grand Historian chapters#Annals


all quiet on the Western Front

From the English translation of the title of Erich Maria Remarque's war novel Im Westen nichts Neues.

(colloquial) Nothing much is happening; the situation is stable, or stagnant.

All Quiet on the Western Front
Erich Maria Remarque


奴顏婢膝

ㄋㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧ

/nu³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/nou̯²¹ ŋaːn²¹ pʰei̯¹³ sɐt̚⁵/

/nu³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/nou̯²¹ ŋaːn²¹ pʰei̯¹³ sɐt̚⁵/


wenn man vom Teufel spricht, kommt er

[vɛn man fɔm ˈtɔɪ̯fl̩ ʃpʁɪçt ˈkɔmt eːɐ̯]

speak of the devil and he shall appear
speak of the devil and he shall appear

(idiomatic) speak of the devil and he shall appear

wenn man vom Teufel spricht, dann kommt er


三頭兩日

ㄙㄢ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄖˋ

саньтоулянжи

/sän⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/sam²⁴ tʰeu̯¹¹ li̯oŋ³¹ ŋit̚²/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³⁵ tʰeu¹¹ liɔŋ³¹ ŋit̚¹/

/sän⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/sam²⁴ tʰeu̯¹¹ li̯oŋ³¹ ŋit̚²/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³⁵ tʰeu¹¹ liɔŋ³¹ ŋit̚¹/

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


屈打成招

ㄑㄩ ㄉㄚˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄓㄠ

цюйдачэнчжао

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚⁵ taː³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰyəʔ²⁻⁴⁵ ta⁵³ t͡sʰə̃ŋ¹¹ t͡sau¹¹/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐt̚⁵ taː³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰyəʔ²⁻⁴⁵ ta⁵³ t͡sʰə̃ŋ¹¹ t͡sau¹¹/

to confess to false charges under torture


jetzt schlägts dreizehn

jetzt schlägt's dreizehn
jetzt schlägt's dreizehn#German

Alternative form of jetzt schlägt's dreizehn


固步自封

ㄍㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄈㄥ

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/


痛心疾首

ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧˊ ㄕㄡˇ

тунсиньцзишоу

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɐt̚² sɐu̯³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɐt̚² sɐu̯³⁵/

to be deeply sorrowful and intensely grieve for or abhor something


良薬口に苦し

ja-phrase

りょうやく くち に にがし

良(りょう)薬(やく)口(くち)に苦(にが)し • (ryōyaku kuchi ni nigashi)

良薬口に苦し (canonical)
ryōyaku kuchi ni nigashi (romanization)

Calque of Literary Chinese 良藥苦口 (liángyàokǔkǒu). From Kongzi Jiayu (『孔子家語』 Kōshi Kego).

calque

good advice may be uncomfortable to hear


三心兩意

ㄙㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄧˋ

саньсиньлянъи

/sän⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ jiː³³/

/sam²⁴⁻¹¹ sim²⁴ li̯oŋ³¹ i⁵⁵/

/sam⁴⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³⁵ liɔŋ³¹ i⁵³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i²¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍³³⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍³³⁻²¹ i²¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍²²⁻²¹ i²¹/

/sã³³ sim³³ nŋ̍³³⁻²² i⁴¹/

/san³³ ɕin³³ li̯æn⁴¹ i⁴⁵/

/sän⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ jiː³³/

/sam²⁴⁻¹¹ sim²⁴ li̯oŋ³¹ i⁵⁵/

/sam⁴⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³⁵ liɔŋ³¹ i⁵³/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i¹¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹/

/sam⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ liɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i²¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍³³⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍³³⁻²¹ i²¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴ nŋ̍²²⁻²¹ i²¹/

/sã³³ sim³³ nŋ̍³³⁻²² i⁴¹/

/san³³ ɕin³³ li̯æn⁴¹ i⁴⁵/

shilly-shally; half-hearted; vacillating; without consistency or constancy; likely to change minds easily


關……叉事

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ siː²²/

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ siː²²/

What's the effing business with you, whether I'm pro-Beijing or not?

2013, RTHK, LegCo Review (spoken by Chan Ching Sum)

ngo⁵ hai⁶ mai⁶ gin³ zai³ paai³ gwaan¹ nei⁵ caa¹ si⁶!

我係咪建制派關你叉事！

我系咪建制派关你叉事！

none of someone's business
none of someone's business

(Cantonese, colloquial, euphemistic) to be none of someone's business


it's five o'clock somewhere

Related to the convention of not consuming alcohol prior to the end of working hours (generally 5 PM).

(idiomatic) Used as an excuse for drinking alcoholic beverages outside of customary hours.


eher geht ein Kamel durch ein Nadelöhr

(idiomatic) easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, ...


道德高地

ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄍㄠ ㄉㄧˋ

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

道德制高點 道德制高點#Chinese

道德制高点 道德制高点#Chinese

Synonym of 道德制高點／道德制高点 (dàodé zhìgāodiǎn, “moral high ground”)


道德制高點

ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄓˋ ㄍㄠ ㄉㄧㄢˇ

даодэ чжигаодянь

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


挨門挨戶

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ mən³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ mən³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

挨家挨戶 挨家挨戶#Chinese

挨家挨户 挨家挨户#Chinese

Synonym of 挨家挨戶／挨家挨户 (āijiā'āihù, “(to go) from door to door”)


挨家挨戶

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/aːi̯⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ aːi̯⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/aːi̯⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ aːi̯⁵⁵ wuː²²/

(to go) from door to door; from family to family; from house to house


愛……不……

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

愛理不理

爱理不理

(used before the same verb) … or not; for all I care


安身立命

ㄢ ㄕㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

аньшэньлимин

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ lɐp̚² mɪŋ²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ lɐp̚² mɪŋ²²/

to settle down and get on with one's pursuit


愛憎分明

ㄞˋ ㄗㄥ ㄈㄣ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

айцзэнфэньмин

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

to be clear about what to love and what to hate


鬥志昂揚

ㄉㄡˋ ㄓˋ ㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ

/toʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/tɐu̯³³ t͡siː³³ ŋɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/toʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/tɐu̯³³ t͡siː³³ ŋɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

to have high morale; to be full of fight; to be militant


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/


安步當車

ㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄜ

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

аньбуданцзюй

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ pou̯²² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ pou̯²² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

to walk over leisurely instead of riding on a carriage; to walk rather than ride


礙手礙腳

ㄞˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

айшоу’айцзяо

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋɔːi̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² kœːk̚³/

/ŋai¹¹ sɨu²¹³⁻²⁴ ŋai¹¹ t͡ɕiɔʔ⁵/

/ɡai²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ɡai⁴¹⁻²² kʰa³³/

/ɡai²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai³³⁻¹¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡai³³⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ŋɔːi̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² kœːk̚³/

/ŋai¹¹ sɨu²¹³⁻²⁴ ŋai¹¹ t͡ɕiɔʔ⁵/

/ɡai²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ɡai⁴¹⁻²² kʰa³³/

/ɡai²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡai³³⁻¹¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/ɡai³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡai³³⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/


安如泰山

ㄢ ㄖㄨˊ ㄊㄞˋ ㄕㄢ

аньжутайшань

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tʰaːi̯³³ saːn⁵⁵/

/an⁴⁴⁻²² lu²⁴⁻²² tʰai²¹⁻⁵³ san⁴⁴/

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tʰaːi̯³³ saːn⁵⁵/

/an⁴⁴⁻²² lu²⁴⁻²² tʰai²¹⁻⁵³ san⁴⁴/

as solid as Mount Tai; as solid as a rock


矮子裡拔將軍

ㄞˇ ˙ㄗ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄚˊ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄐㄩㄣ

ㄞˇ ˙ㄗ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄚˊ ㄐㄧㄤ ˙ㄐㄩㄣ

айцзы ли ба цзянцзюнь

/ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴ d͡z̥z̩⁴ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴ d͡z̥z̩⁴ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ d͡ʑ̥yn²/

/ɐi̯³⁵ t͡siː³⁵ lɵy̯¹³ pɐt̚² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

(figuratively) to choose the best one among people which are not good


安營紮寨

ㄢ ㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄚ ㄓㄞˋ

ㄢ ㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄚˊ ㄓㄞˋ

аньинчжачжай

/ˀän⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹ t͡saːt̚³ t͡saːi̯²²/

/on²⁴ i̯aŋ¹¹ t͡sat̚² t͡sʰai̯⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹ t͡saːt̚³ t͡saːi̯²²/

/on²⁴ i̯aŋ¹¹ t͡sat̚² t͡sʰai̯⁵⁵/


安不忘危

ㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄤˋ ㄨㄟ

ㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄤˋ ㄨㄟˊ

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

to be mindful of possible danger in time of peace


ni olvido, ni perdón

* From yo perdono, pero no olvido (I forgive but not forget)

never forget, nor forgive
never forget, nor forgive


婦人之仁

ㄈㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ ㄖㄣˊ

фужэньчжижэнь

fužɛnʹčžižɛnʹ

/fu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fuː¹³ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/fu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fuː¹³ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/


人各有志

ㄖㄣˊ ㄍㄜˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄓˋ

жэнь гэ ючжи

žɛnʹ gɛ jučži

/ʐən³⁵ kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ t͡siː²¹/

/ʐən³⁵ kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ t͡siː²¹/

every person has his or her own aspiration


hevoset karkaa

* literally: "the horses are running away"

(euphemistic) your fly is open, your flies are undone; you are flying low


傲岸不群

ㄠˋ ㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/


殺人滅口

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄎㄡˇ

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ miːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ miːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/


傲氣十足

ㄠˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˊ ㄗㄨˊ

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡su³⁵/


煩躁不安

ㄈㄢˊ ㄗㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄢ

фаньцзаобу’ань

/fän³⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵/

/fän³⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵/

to be jittery; to be fidgety; to be fretful


空前未有

ㄎㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄨㄟˋ ㄧㄡˇ

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

To come to the revolutionary bases means to enter an epoch unprecedented in the thousands of years of Chinese history, an epoch in which the masses of the people wield state power.

Dàole gémìng gēnjùdì, jiù shì dào le Zhōngguó lìshǐ jǐqiān nián lái kōngqiánwèiyǒu de rénmín dàzhòng dāngquán de shídài.

到了革命根據地，就是到了中國歷史幾千年來空前未有的人民大眾當權的時代。

到了革命根据地，就是到了中国历史几千年来空前未有的人民大众当权的时代。


more money than brains

The Diver ſhall walk at the bottom of the Thames; the Saltpeter-Maker ſhall Build Tom T---ds Pond into Houſes; the Engineers Build Models and Windmills to draw Water, till Funds are rais’d to carry it on, by Men who have more Money than Brains, and then good night Patent and Invention; the Projector has done his buſineſs, and is gone.

1693 (date written), D. F. [pseudonym; Daniel Defoe], “Of Projectors”, in An Essay upon Projects, London: […] R. R. for Tho[mas] Cockerill, […], published 1697, →OCLC, pages 34–35:

But I suppose that a prig with more money than brains was much the same sixty or seventy years ago as he is now.

1873–1884 (date written), Samuel Butler, chapter IV, in R[ichard] A[lexander] Streatfeild, editor, The Way of All Flesh, London: Grant Richards, published 1903, →OCLC, page 16:

Wealthy, but lacking the wisdom to spend that wealth wisely.


徒子徒孫

ㄊㄨˊ ㄗˇ ㄊㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄣ

/tʰu³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu³⁵ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ tʰou̯²¹ syːn⁵⁵/

/tʰu³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu³⁵ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ tʰou̯²¹ syːn⁵⁵/

(figurative, derogatory) hangers-on and their spawn


eq `num`

(proofreading) Abbreviation of equalize spacing.


席地而坐

ㄒㄧˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

/ɕi³⁵ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sɔː²²/

/ɕi³⁵ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sɔː²²/


ก็ดี

th-phrase

ก็ดี • (gɔ̂ɔ-dii)

/kɔː˥˩.diː˧/

From ก็ (gɔ̂, “[so]], thus, then, etc.”, a particle used to indicate a consequence, or just for starting or emphasising an expression) + ดี (dii, “good; well”).

com

1946 May 9, “รัฐธรรมนูญแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทย พุทธศักราช ๒๔๘๙”, in ห้องสมุดกฎหมาย (pdf), Bangkok, published n.d., archived from the original on 2020-12-24, page 12:
มาตรา ๗๒ ในเหตุฉุกเฉินที่มีความจำเป็นรีบด่วนในอันจะรักษาความปลอดภัยสาธารณะหรือป้องปัดภัยพิบัติสาธารณะและจะเรียกประชุมรัฐสภาให้ทันท่วงทีมิได้ก็ดี หรือเมื่อกรณีเช่นว่านั้นเกิดขึ้นในระหว่างสภาผู้แทนถูกยุบก็ดี พระมหากษัตริย์จะทรงตราพระราชกำหนดให้ใช้บังคับดั่งเช่นพระราชบัญญัติก็ได้
mâat-dtraa · jèt-sìp sɔ̌ɔng · nai hèet chùk-chə̌ən tîi mii kwaam-jam-bpen rîip-dùuan nai-an-jà rák-sǎa kwaam-bplɔ̀ɔt-pai sǎa-taa-rá-ná rʉ̌ʉ bpɔ̂ng-bpàt pai-pí-bàt sǎa-taa-rá-ná lɛ́ jà rîiak bprà-chum rát-tà-sà-paa hâi tan-tûuang-tii mí dâai gɔ̂ɔ-dii · rʉ̌ʉ mʉ̂ʉa gà-rá-nii chên wâa nán gə̀ət kʉ̂n nai rá-wàang sà-paa-pûu-tɛɛn tùuk yúp gɔ̂ɔ-dii · prá má-hǎa gà-sàt jà song dtraa prá-râat-chá-gam-nòt hâi chái-bang-káp dàng-chên prá-râat-chá-ban-yàt gɔ̂ɔ-dâai
Section 72 In case of emergency where there arises an urgent need to maintain public safety or to avert public disaster and it is unable to promptly convene the National Assembly, or when the said case takes place whilst the House of Representatives is dissolved, the Monarch may enact an emergency decree to be applied as an act.

1935 June 5, “ประมวลกฎหมายวิธีพิจารณาความอาญา”, in ห้องสมุดกฎหมาย, Bangkok: สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา, published 2019-03-21, archived from the original on 2020-10-04:
มาตรา ๑๘๕ ถ้าศาลเห็นว่า จำเลยมิได้กระทำผิดก็ดี การกระทำของจำเลยไม่เป็นความผิดก็ดี คดีขาดอายุความแล้วก็ดี มีเหตุตามกฎหมายที่จำเลยไม่ควรต้องรับโทษก็ดี ให้ศาลยกฟ้องโจทก์ปล่อยจำเลยไป
mâat-dtraa · nʉ̀ng-rɔ́ɔi bpɛ̀ɛt-sìp hâa · tâa sǎan hěn wâa · jam-ləəi mí dâai grà-tam pìt gɔ̂ɔ-dii · gaan-grà-tam kɔ̌ɔng jam-ləəi mâi bpen kwaam-pìt gɔ̂ɔ-dii · ká-dii kàat aa-yú-kwaam lɛ́ɛo gɔ̂ɔ-dii · mii hèet dtaam gòt-mǎai tîi jam-ləəi mâi kuuan dtɔ̂ng ráp tôot gɔ̂ɔ-dii · hâi sǎan yók fɔ́ɔng jòot bplɔ̀i jam-ləəi bpai
Section 185 If the court finds that the accused did not commit the offence, the act of the accused does not constitute an offence, the case has already been barred by limitation, [or] there is a legal cause by which the accused ought and needs not to undergo the punishment, the court shall dismiss the charge of the prosecutor and set the accused at liberty.

1925 November 11, “ประมวลกฎหมายแพ่งและพาณิชย์”, in ห้องสมุดกฎหมาย, Bangkok: สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา, published 2017-04-07, archived from the original on 2020-07-05:
มาตรา ๘๒๕ ถ้าตัวแทนเข้าทำสัญญากับบุคคลภายนอกโดยเห็นแก่อามิสสินจ้างเป็นทรัพย์สินอย่างใด ๆ หรือประโยชน์อย่างอื่นอันบุคคลภายนอกได้ให้เป็นลาภส่วนตัวก็ดี หรือให้คำมั่นว่าจะให้ก็ดี ท่านว่า ตัวการหาต้องผูกพันในสัญญาซึ่งตัวแทนของตนได้ทำนั้นไม่ เว้นแต่ตัวการจะได้ยินยอมด้วย
mâat-dtraa · bpɛ̀ɛt-rɔ́ɔi yîi-sìp hâa · tâa dtuua-tɛɛn kâo tam sǎn-yaa gàp bùk-kon-paai-nɔ̂ɔk dooi hěn-gɛ̀ɛ aa-mít-sǐn-jâang bpen sáp-sǐn yàang dai dai rʉ̌ʉ bprà-yòot yàang ʉ̀ʉn an bùk-kon-paai-nɔ̂ɔk dâai hâi bpen lâap sùuan-dtuua gɔ̂ɔ-dii · rʉ̌ʉ hâi kam-mân wâa jà hâi gɔ̂ɔ-dii · tâan wâa · dtuua-gaan hǎa dtɔ̂ng pùuk-pan nai sǎn-yaa sʉ̂ng dtuua-tɛɛn kɔ̌ɔng dton dâai tam nán mâi · wén-dtɛ̀ɛ dtuua-gaan jà dâai yin-yɔɔm dûai
Section 825 If an agent enters into a contract with a third person in consideration of the compensation, [whether it be] property of any kind or other benefit, which the third person has given or has made a promise to give [to the agent] as [his] personal enrichment, LORD says the principal needs not to be bound by the contract so made by his agent, save where the principal has given [his] consent thereto.

1910 April 15, “กฎหมายลักษณะอาญา ร.ศ. ๑๒๗”, in ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, volume 25 (pdf), Bangkok: สำนักเลขาธิการคณะรัฐมนตรี, published 1910-06-01, หมวดที่ ๒ ความผิดฐานประทุษฐร้ายแก่ร่างกาย, page 263:
มาตรา ๒๕๖ ผู้ใดกระทำประทุษฐร้ายแก่ร่างกายจนมีผลถึงสาหัสแก่ผู้ถูกกระทำร้าย คือว่า...(๖) ถึงรูปหน้าเสียโฉมติดตัวก็ดี...ประทุษฐร้ายแก่ร่างกายอย่างสาหัส มันต้องรวางโทษจำคุกตั้งแต่สองปีขึ้นไปจนถึงเจ็ดปี
mâat-dtraa · sɔ̌ɔng-rɔ́ɔi hâa-sìp hòk · pûu dai grà-tam bprà-tút-sà-ráai gɛ̀ɛ râang-gaai jon mii pǒn tʉ̌ng sǎa-hàt gɛ̀ɛ pûu tùuk grà-tam ráai · kʉʉ wâa ... (hòk) · tʉ̌ng rûup nâa sǐia-chǒom dtìt-dtuua gɔ̂ɔ-dii ... bprà-tút-sà-ráai gɛ̀ɛ râang-gaai yàang sǎa-hàt · man dtɔ̂ng rá-waang-tôot jam-kúk dtâng-dtɛ̀ɛ sɔ̌ɔng bpii kʉ̂n bpai jon tʉ̌ng jèt bpii
Section 256 Anyone who commits a bodily assault to the degree that casts a serious impact upon the person assaulted, that is to say,... (6) to the extent that the facial appearance is disfigured permanently;... [is said] to commit a serious bodily assault. He shall be liable to imprisonment from two years up to seven years.

(Can we date this quote?), Siriphong Pakaratsakun, พุทธวจน ๙. ปฐมธรรม: หมวดเปิดธรรมที่ถูกปิด, ปทุมธานี: วัดนาป่าพง, page 130:
บางคนในกรณีนี้...ไปสู่สภาก็ดี ไปสู่บริษัทก็ดี ไปสู่ท่ามกลางหมู่ญาติก็ดี ไปสู่ท่ามกลางศาลาประชาคมก็ดีไปสู่ท่ามกลางราชสกุลก็ดี...
baang kon nai gà-rá-nii níi ... bpai sùu sà-paa gɔ̂ɔ-dii · bpai sùu bɔɔ-rí-sàt gɔ̂ɔ-dii · bpai sùu tâam-glaang mùu yâat gɔ̂ɔ-dii · bpai sùu tâam-glaang sǎa-laa-bprà-chaa-kom gɔ̂ɔ-dii bpai sùu tâam-glaang râat-chá-sà-gun gɔ̂ɔ-dii ...
Some people, in this event...went unto a meeting, went unto a gathering, went unto the mid of [their] relatives, went unto the mid of the common hall, [or] went unto the mid of the regal household,...

(somewhat archaic) used to separate items in a list or indicate a division in a sentence, like a comma or semicolon in English.

1935 June 20, “ประมวลกฎหมายวิธีพิจารณาความแพ่ง”, in ห้องสมุดกฎหมาย, Bangkok: สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา, published 2017-07-18, retrieved 2019-07-10:
มาตรา ๙๔ เมื่อใดมีกฎหมายบังคับให้ต้องมีพยานเอกสารมาแสดง ห้ามมิให้ศาลยอมรับฟังพยานบุคคลในกรณีอย่างใดอย่างหนึ่งดังต่อไปนี้ แม้ถึงว่า คู่ความอีกฝ่ายหนึ่งจะได้ยินยอมก็ดี (ก) ขอสืบพยานบุคคลแทนพยานเอกสาร เมื่อไม่สามารถนำเอกสารมาแสดง
mâat-dtraa · gâao-sìp sìi · mʉ̂ʉa dai mii gòt-mǎai bang-káp hâi dtɔ̂ng mii pá-yaan-èek-gà-sǎan maa sà-dɛɛng · hâam-mí-hâi sǎan yɔɔm ráp-fang pá-yaan-bùk-kon nai gà-rá-nii yàang-dai-yàang-nʉ̀ng dang-dtɔ̀ɔ-bpai-níi · mɛ́ɛ-tʉ̌ng wâa · kûu-kwaam ìik fàai nʉ̀ng jà dâai yin-yɔɔm gɔ̂ɔ-dii · (gɔɔ) · kɔ̌ɔ sʉ̀ʉp pá-yaan-bùk-kon tɛɛn pá-yaan-èek-gà-sǎan · mʉ̂ʉa mâi sǎa-mâat nam èek-gà-sǎan maa sà-dɛɛng
Section 94 Where there is a law requiring the production of documentary evidence, prohibited shall be the court from permitting the admission of oral evidence in any of the following cases, even though the other party has consented thereto: (a) the taking of oral evidence in lieu of documentary evidence is requested when the document cannot be brought in and produced;

Circa 15th century, “โคลงยวนพ่าย”, in ราชบัณฑิตยสถาน (2001) พจนานุกรมศัพท์วรรณคดีไทย สมัยอยุธยา โคลงยวนพ่าย (in Thai), Bangkok: ราชบัณฑิตยสถาน, →ISBN, page 138:
ครั้นคิดครั้นรีบเร้ง วางไป นบนอบภูธรทูล บ่อย้าน ความผิดแผกไผรชรงง โชรมโจทย ก็ดี ขอจงพระชี้ต้าน ไตร่ตรา
krán kít krán rîip-réng · waang bpai · nóp-nɔ̂ɔp puu-tɔɔn tuun · bɔ̀ɔ yáan · kwaam-pìt pɛ̀ɛk pǎi chang · choom jòot · gɔ̂ɔ-dii · kɔ̌ɔ jong prá chíi-dtâan · dtrài-dtraa
Upon thinking so, he then with dispatch went forth to pay homage to the Bearer of the Earth and, without fear, asked about the offences, of which some people that hated him might have jointly accused him, saying: "May it please Your Majesty to explain [to me the charges they laid against me] and consider [my reply thereto]."

(somewhat archaic) placed at the end of an expression to emphasise the following senses: whatever, whichever, whoever, however, etc; regardless (of), irrespective (of), despite, notwithstanding; though, even, even if, if.


一飲而盡

ㄧˋ ㄧㄣˇ ㄦˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

/i⁵¹ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐm³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sɵn²²/

/i⁵¹ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐm³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sɵn²²/


بكل تأكيد

head

بِكُلِّ تَأْكِيدٍ

بِكُلِّ تَأْكِيدٍ • (bikulli taʔkīdin)

بِكُلِّ تَأْكِيدٍ (canonical)
bikulli taʔkīdin (romanization)

From بِ (bi) + كُلّ (kull) + تَأْكِيد (taʔkīd).


懸壺濟世

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄏㄨˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄕˋ

сюаньхуцзиши

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ xu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ wuː²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ xu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ wuː²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/


大喝一聲

/tä⁵¹ xɤ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ xɤ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵/

In the circumstances it is our duty to jolt these “comrades” and tell them sharply, “That won't work! The proletariat cannot accommodate itself to you; to yield to you would actually be to yield to the big landlord class and the big bourgeoisie and to run the risk of undermining our Party and our country.”

Zài zhè zhǒng qíngxíng xià, wǒmen de gōngzuò, jiù shì yào xiàng tāmen dàhēyīshēng, shuō: “Tóngzhì” men, nǐmen nà yī tào shì bùxíng de, wúchǎn jiējí shì bù néng qiānjiù nǐmen de, yī le nǐmen, shíjìshàng jiù shì yī le dàdìzhǔ dà zīchǎn jiējí, jiù yǒu wángdǎng wángguó de wēixiǎn.

在這種情形下，我們的工作，就是要向他們大喝一聲，說：「同志」們，你們那一套是不行的，無產階級是不能遷就你們的，依了你們，實際上就是依了大地主大資產階級，就有亡黨亡國的危險。

在这种情形下，我们的工作，就是要向他们大喝一声，说：「同志」们，你们那一套是不行的，无产阶级是不能迁就你们的，依了你们，实际上就是依了大地主大资产阶级，就有亡党亡国的危险。

to jolt someone and talk to them sharply


無心之失

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

無心之過 無心之過#Chinese

无心之过 无心之过#Chinese

Synonym of 無心之過／无心之过 (wúxīnzhīguò, “unintentional mistake; careless mistake”)


無心之過

ㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/


和盤托出

to put everything out including the tray

ㄏㄜˊ ㄆㄢˊ ㄊㄨㄛ ㄔㄨ

/xɤ³⁵ pʰän³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/wɔː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ tʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/xɤ³⁵ pʰän³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/wɔː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ tʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

(figurative) to come clean; to reveal all


貪生怕死

ㄊㄢ ㄕㄥ ㄆㄚˋ ㄙˇ

/tʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰä⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ pʰaː³³ sei̯³⁵/

/tʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰä⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ pʰaː³³ sei̯³⁵/

(derogatory) to cravenly cling to life and fear death; to be cowardly and afraid of death


易地而處

ㄧˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄔㄨˋ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/jɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sʰyː¹³/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/jɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sʰyː¹³/

put oneself in someone's shoes
put oneself in someone's shoes


拱手讓人

ㄍㄨㄥˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄖㄤˋ ㄖㄣˊ

гуншоужанжэнь

/kʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐɑŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/kʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐɑŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

to surrender something to someone submissively


睚眥必報

ㄧㄚˊ ㄗˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄅㄠˋ

/jä³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡saːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ pou̯³³/

/jä³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡saːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ pou̯³³/

(literary) vindictive; vengeful; unforgiving even with petty grievances


平白無故

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄞˊ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨˋ

/pʰiŋ³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ paːk̚² mou̯²¹ kuː³³/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ paːk̚² mou̯²¹ kuː³³/


耳目一新

ㄦˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/jiː¹³ mʊk̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/nĩ²²⁻²¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ⁴¹⁻²² bak̚²⁴⁻² it̚⁵⁻²⁴ sin³³/

/nĩ²²⁻²¹ bak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ it̚³²⁻⁵ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ³³⁻¹¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ³³⁻²¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/jiː¹³ mʊk̚² jɐt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/nĩ²²⁻²¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ⁴¹⁻²² bak̚²⁴⁻² it̚⁵⁻²⁴ sin³³/

/nĩ²²⁻²¹ bak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ it̚³²⁻⁵ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ³³⁻¹¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

/nĩ³³⁻²¹ bak̚⁴⁻³² it̚³²⁻⁴ sin⁴⁴/

breath of fresh air; to find everything fresh and new


吹牛不打草稿

ㄔㄨㄟ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄘㄠˇ ㄍㄠˇ

chuīniú bù dǎ cǎogǎo [Phonetic:chuīniúbùdácáogǎo]

чуйню бу да цаогао

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


四通八達

ㄙˋ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄅㄚ ㄉㄚˊ

/sz̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ tä³⁵/

/sei̯³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ taːt̚²/

/su²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/su⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰɔŋ³³ pat̚⁵⁻²⁴ tat̚²⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² pat̚³²⁻⁵ tat̚¹²¹/

/su¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/sz̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ tä³⁵/

/sei̯³³ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ taːt̚²/

/su²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/su⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tʰɔŋ³³ pat̚⁵⁻²⁴ tat̚²⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² pat̚³²⁻⁵ tat̚¹²¹/

/su¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

/su²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ tat̚⁴/

to extend in all directions; to open out on all sides; to be accessible from all sides


無聲無息

ㄨˊ ㄕㄥ ㄨˊ ㄒㄧˊ

/u³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵/

/u³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵/


事必躬親

ㄕˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄣ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/siː²² piːt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/siː²² piːt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

to take care of every single task personally


遊山玩水

ㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄢ ㄨㄢˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

юшаньваньшуй

/joʊ̯³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ wän³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯²¹ saːn⁵⁵ wuːn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ ɡuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sui⁵³/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ ɡuan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sui⁴¹/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sui⁵³/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sui⁴¹/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ uan²³⁻³³ sui⁴¹/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ uan²⁴⁻¹¹ sui⁵³/

/joʊ̯³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ wän³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯²¹ saːn⁵⁵ wuːn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ ɡuan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sui⁵³/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ ɡuan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sui⁴¹/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sui⁵³/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sui⁴¹/

/iu²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ uan²³⁻³³ sui⁴¹/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ uan²⁴⁻¹¹ sui⁵³/

to tour the scenic spots; to travel through nature


違法亂紀

ㄨㄟˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄐㄧˋ

вэйфалуаньцзи

/weɪ̯³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ faːt̚³ lyːn²² kei̯³⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ faːt̚³ lyːn²² kei̯³⁵/


喏喏連聲

ㄋㄨㄛˋ ㄋㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄥ

/nu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nu̯ɔ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/nu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nu̯ɔ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

to mumble assent; to shout out "Aye! Aye!"


諾諾連聲

ㄋㄨㄛˋ ㄋㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄥ

/nu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nu̯ɔ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/nu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nu̯ɔ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/


遮風擋雨

ㄓㄜ ㄈㄥ ㄉㄤˇ ㄩˇ

чжэфэнданъюй

/ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tɔːŋ³⁵ jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tɔːŋ³⁵ jyː¹³/


萬中無一

ㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄧ

/wän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/maːn²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

/wän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/maːn²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

(figuratively) one in a million; extremely rare


目無法紀

ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄐㄧˋ

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

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


熙來攘往

ㄒㄧ ㄌㄞˊ ㄖㄤˇ ㄨㄤˇ

ㄒㄧ ㄌㄞˊ ㄖㄤˊ ㄨㄤˇ

/ɕi⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hei̯⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ jœːŋ²¹ wɔːŋ¹³/

/ɕi⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hei̯⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ jœːŋ²¹ wɔːŋ¹³/


上から目線

上から目線 (canonical)
ue kara mesen (romanization)


背負って立つ

背負って立つ (canonical)
shotte tatsu (romanization)


屍骨未寒

ㄕ ㄍㄨˇ ㄨㄟˋ ㄏㄢˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹ xän³⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mei̯²² hɔːn²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹ xän³⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mei̯²² hɔːn²¹/

2020, Wang Shih-chien (王世堅), Era Money 獨！北韓金正恩.金與正開戰？！中國疫情再炸？！北京進入防控戰時狀態？！美國防部長承諾守護民主台灣？！陳其邁將宣布參加高雄市長補選？！國民黨推吳怡玎應戰？！【年代向錢看】20200616, 45:10

Dìsān diǎn jiùshì zhē diào Guómíndǎng de shīchūwúmíng. Guómíndǎng nǐ xiànzài bǔxuǎn nǐ yào zěnmebàn? Nǐ shuō nǐ yào jiēxù Hán Guóyú de dà qí? Bāng Hán Guóyú bào yī jiàn zhī chóu, shì zhèyàng ma? Nà, Hán Guóyú shì 93 wàn piào, gāopiào bèi bàmiǎn de. Nǐ shuō bù, wǒ Guómíndǎng lìngqǐlúzào, Níngguān, Hán Guóyú shí tiān qián cái gāng bèi bàmiǎn diào, shīgǔwèihán, nǐ jiù lìngqǐlúzào. Nǐ yě tài jué le ba.

第三點就是遮掉國民黨的師出無名。國民黨你現在補選你要怎麼辦？你說你要接續韓國瑜的大旗？幫韓國瑜報一箭之仇，是這樣嗎？那，韓國瑜是93萬票，高票被罷免的。你說不，我國民黨另起爐灶，凝觀，韓國瑜十天前才剛被罷免掉，屍骨未寒，你就另起爐灶。你也太絕了吧。

第三点就是遮掉国民党的师出无名。国民党你现在补选你要怎么办？你说你要接续韩国瑜的大旗？帮韩国瑜报一箭之仇，是这样吗？那，韩国瑜是93万票，高票被罢免的。你说不，我国民党另起炉灶，凝观，韩国瑜十天前才刚被罢免掉，尸骨未寒，你就另起炉灶。你也太绝了吧。


金眼科，銀外科

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰɤ⁵⁵ in³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ kʰɤ⁵⁵/

(medicine) Describes the relatively relaxed lifestyle of ophthalmology and surgical doctors while having a good source of income.


たまったもんじゃない

ja-phrase

たまった もん じゃ ない

たまらない たまらない#Japanese


茅塞頓開

ㄇㄠˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄉㄨㄣˋ ㄎㄞ

маосэдунькай

/mɑʊ̯³⁵ sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ən⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/maːu̯²¹ sɐk̚⁵ tɵn²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/mɑʊ̯³⁵ sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ən⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/maːu̯²¹ sɐk̚⁵ tɵn²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵/

to be enlightened all of a sudden; to come to the realization all of a sudden


たまったものではない

たまった もの で は ない

2019, “殺人予告 届いていた”会社社長 アニメ会社で放火, in NHKニュース https://web.archive.org/web/20190718113725/http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190718/k10011997571000.html
「火災が起きた現場は、会社の核となる場所だった。大げさな言い方かもしれないが日本のアニメ業界を背負って立つ人たちが１人でも傷つき命を落としていくなんてたまったものではない。」
“Kasai ga okita genba wa, kaisha no kaku to naru basho datta. Ōgesa na iikata ka mo shirenai ga Nihon no anime-gyōkai o shotte tatsu hitotachi ga hitori de mo kizutsuki inochi o otoshite iku nante tamatta mono de wa nai.”
"The place where the conflagration happened was the core of our company. Perhaps it is pompous to say this, but it is unbearable that even one member of the people who held Japan's animation industry on their shoulders should be hurt and lose their life."

たまらない たまらない#Japanese


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/


言葉にできない

言葉にできない (canonical)
kotoba ni dekinai (romanization)


言葉にならない

言葉にならない (canonical)
kotoba ni naranai (romanization)


離鄉背井

ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄅㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

лисянбэйцзин

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/li²⁴⁻²² hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ⁵³/

/li³³⁻²¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻²¹ t͡sẽ⁴¹/

/li³³⁻¹¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ⁵³/

/li²⁴⁻¹¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ⁵³/

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/li²⁴⁻²² hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ⁵³/

/li³³⁻²¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻²¹ t͡sẽ⁴¹/

/li³³⁻¹¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ⁵³/

/li²⁴⁻¹¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴ pue³³⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ⁵³/

2007, “感恩的花蕊”, 詹雅雯 (lyrics), 劉清池 (music)performed by 詹雅雯:

sim ê bí-bāng ~ ~ si̍t-hiān, ài tùi tó-ūi khì, lī-hiong-pōe-chíⁿ kám-sī

心的美夢～～實現 愛對叨位去 離鄉背井敢是

心的美梦～～实现 爱对叨位去 离乡背井敢是

to leave one's hometown and move elsewhere


離鄉別井

ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/


百無一失

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/paːk̚³ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

no danger of anything going wrong; no risk at all


百依百順

ㄅㄞˇ ㄧ ㄅㄞˇ ㄕㄨㄣˋ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ jiː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ sɵn²²/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ jiː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ sɵn²²/


任人擺佈

ㄖㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄅㄞˇ ㄅㄨˋ

жэньжэньбайбу

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹/

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹/

to allow oneself to be ordered about; to be at the mercy of others


百足之蟲，至死不僵

ㄅㄞˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄓ ㄔㄨㄥˊ

ㄓˋ ㄙˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄤ

байцзучжичун

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

百足之蟲，死而不僵 百足之蟲，死而不僵#Chinese

百足之虫，死而不僵 百足之虫，死而不僵#Chinese

Synonym of 百足之蟲，死而不僵／百足之虫，死而不僵 (bǎizúzhīchóng, sǐ'érbùjiāng, “old institutions die hard”)


cómo no

Literally, “how [could the subject] not", i.e. "how can I refuse?”.

m-g

how 􂀿could the subject􂁀 not", i.e. "how can I refuse?

lit

(in response to a question) sure thing; sure; of course; you bet


百足之蟲，死而不僵

a centipede does not topple over even when dead

ㄅㄞˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄓ ㄔㄨㄥˊ

ㄙˇ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄤ

baak³ zuk¹ zi¹ cung⁴, sei² ji⁴ bat¹ goeng¹

байцзучжичун

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

baak⁸ dzuk⁷ dzi¹ tsung⁴, sei² ji⁴ bat⁷ goeng¹

bag³ zug¹ ji¹ cung⁴, séi² yi⁴ bed¹ gêng¹

/paːk̚³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sei̯³⁵ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kœːŋ⁵⁵/


半饑半飽

ㄅㄢˋ ㄐㄧ ㄅㄢˋ ㄅㄠˇ

баньцзибаньбао

/pän⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pän⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pän⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pän⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


半……不……

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

半死不活

半新不舊

半新不旧

半……半…… 半……半……#Chinese

Synonym of 半……半…… (bàn bàn, “half …, half …”)


半……半……

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹/

半文半白

半饑半飽

半饥半饱

半推半就

半信半疑

Used before two words or morphemes with opposite meanings: half …, half …


半文半白

ㄅㄢˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄅㄞˊ

баньвэньбаньбай

/pän⁵¹ wən³⁵ pän⁵¹ paɪ̯³⁵/

/pän⁵¹ wən³⁵ pän⁵¹ paɪ̯³⁵/

Now, of the articles written by many comrades, some are long-winded and devoid of substance, but these are relatively few; the chief defects are an overuse of classical Chinese and too strong a flavour of the semi-literary, semi-vernacular style.

1955, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《農業合作化的一場辯論和當前的階級鬥爭》 (The Debate on the Co-operative Transformation of Agriculture and the Current Class Struggle), 《毛澤東選集·第五卷》 (Selected Works of Mao Zedong: Volume V) (1977). English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Xiànzài xǔduō tóngzhì de wénzhāng, kōnghuàliánpiān de yě yǒu, dàn bǐjiào shǎo; zhǔyào de quēdiǎn jiùshì gǔwén duō, bànwénbànbái de wèidào hěn dà.

現在許多同志的文章，空話連篇的也有，但比較少；主要的缺點就是古文多，半文半白的味道很大。

现在许多同志的文章，空话连篇的也有，但比较少；主要的缺点就是古文多，半文半白的味道很大。


三揖三讓

саньисаньжан

/sän⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ⁵¹/

/sän⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ⁵¹/

a series of formal greetings between a guest and host (in ancient China)


百足之蟲，至斷不蹶

ㄅㄞˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄓ ㄔㄨㄥˊ

ㄓˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

байцзучжичун

чжидуаньбуцзюэ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

百足之蟲，死而不僵 百足之蟲，死而不僵#Chinese

百足之虫，死而不僵 百足之虫，死而不僵#Chinese


擺事實，講道理

ㄐㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄌㄧˇ

ㄅㄞˇ ㄕˋ ㄕˊ , ㄐㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄌㄧˇ

ㄅㄞˇ ㄕˋ ㄕˊ , ㄐㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄠˋ ˙ㄌㄧ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ li¹/

/paːi̯³⁵ siː²² sɐt̚² kɔːŋ³⁵ tou̯²² lei̯¹³/

to present the facts and reason things out


勝るとも劣らない

ja-phrase

まさる と も おとらない

勝(まさ)るとも劣(おと)らない • (masaru to mo otoranai)

勝るとも劣らない (canonical)
masaru to mo otoranai (romanization)


u najmanju ruku

head

у најмању руку

u nȃjmanju rúku (Cyrillic spelling у најмању руку)

u nȃjmanju rúku (canonical)
у најмању руку (Cyrillic)

Mogao me u najmanju ruku nazvati prije nego što je otišao.

He could have at least called me before he left.

at least, at the very least, in the least


百足之蟲，斷而不蹶

ㄅㄞˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄓ ㄔㄨㄥˊ

ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

байцзучжичун

дуаньэрбуцзюэ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

百足之蟲，死而不僵 百足之蟲，死而不僵#Chinese

百足之虫，死而不僵 百足之虫，死而不僵#Chinese


強弩之末

ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄋㄨˇ ㄓ ㄇㄛˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ nu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kʰœːŋ²¹ nou̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ muːt̚²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ nu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kʰœːŋ²¹ nou̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ muːt̚²/

Qiě chén wén zhī, chōngfēng zhī shuāi, bùnéng qǐ máoyǔ; qiángnǔzhīmò, lì bùnéng rù lǔgǎo.

且臣聞之，衝風之衰，不能起毛羽；彊弩之末，力不能入魯縞。

且臣闻之，冲风之衰，不能起毛羽；强弩之末，力不能入鲁缟。

(figurative) exhausted strength; spent force; strong force that has been exhausted


道在屎溺

ㄉㄠˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄕˇ ㄋㄧㄠˋ

даоцзайшиняо

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/


ห้ามสูบบุหรี่

th-phrase

ห้ามสูบบุหรี่

ห้ามสูบบุหรี่ • (hâam sùup-bù-rìi)


眾星拱月

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄥˇ ㄩㄝˋ

чжунсингунъюэ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ³⁵ jyːt̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ³⁵ jyːt̚²/

(figurative) to crowd around or revolve around somebody


OSLT

(Internet slang) Initialism of or something like that.


poner el carro delante del burro

Literally, “put the cart in front of the ass/donkey”.

lit

poner el carro delante de los bueyes#Spanish

Alternative form of poner el carro delante de los bueyes


poñer o carro diante dos bois

Literally, “put the cart in front of the oxen”.

put the cart before the horse
put the cart before the horse

(idiomatic) put the cart before the horse


端屎端尿

ㄉㄨㄢ ㄕˇ ㄉㄨㄢ ㄋㄧㄠˋ

дуаньшидуаньняо

/tu̯än⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵⁵ ni̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tyːn⁵⁵ siː³⁵ tyːn⁵⁵ niːu̯²²/

/tu̯än⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵⁵ ni̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tyːn⁵⁵ siː³⁵ tyːn⁵⁵ niːu̯²²/

to attend to someone's bowel and urinary needs


詩詞歌賦

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ kɔː⁵⁵ fuː³³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ kɔː⁵⁵ fuː³³/

the various types of traditional Chinese poetry, such as shi, ci, qu and fu


低人一等

ㄉㄧ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧ ㄉㄥˇ

/ti⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tɐŋ³⁵/

/ti⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tɐŋ³⁵/

to be inferior to others (in social status, etc.)


絆手絆腳

ㄅㄢˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄅㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

баньшоубаньцзяо

/pän⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/puːn²² sɐu̯³⁵ puːn²² kœːk̚³/

/puːn²² sɐu̯³⁵ puːn²² kœːk̚³/

礙手礙腳 礙手礙腳#Chinese

碍手碍脚 碍手碍脚#Chinese

Synonym of 礙手礙腳／碍手碍脚 (àishǒu'àijiǎo, “to be in the way; to be a hindrance”)


弱弱地問

ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄨㄣˋ

жожо дэ вэнь

žožo dɛ vɛnʹ

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ d̥ə¹ wən⁵¹/

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ d̥ə¹ wən⁵¹/

Please excuse me for asking the following which is super-stupid: […]

弱弱地問一句……

弱弱地问一句……

(Internet slang, neologism, slang) to ask (something) in a low voice out of timidity


捭闔縱橫

ㄅㄞˇ ㄏㄜˊ ㄗㄨㄥˋ ㄏㄥˊ

ㄅㄞˇ ㄏㄜˊ ㄗㄨㄥ ㄏㄥˊ

байхэцзунхэн

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ xɤŋ³⁵/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ xɤŋ³⁵/

縱橫捭闔 縱橫捭闔#Chinese

纵横捭阖 纵横捭阖#Chinese

Synonym of 縱橫捭闔／纵横捭阖 (zònghéngbǎihé, “to manoeuvre amongst various political groupings”)


裝模作樣

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄇㄨˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄤˋ

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄇㄛˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄤˋ

чжуанмуцзоян

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mu³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑŋ⁵¹/

чжуанмоцзоян

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mu³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²²/

to behave in an affected way; to put on an act


卑躬屈膝

ㄅㄟ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄑㄩ ㄒㄧ

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

to bow and scrape; to cringe; to act servilely or obsequiously


保家衛國

ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/pou̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² kʷɔːk̚³/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/pou̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² kʷɔːk̚³/

to protect one's homes and defend one's country


抱殘守闕

ㄅㄠˋ ㄘㄢˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄩㄝ

баоцаньшоуцюэ

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

抱殘守缺 抱殘守缺#Chinese

抱残守缺 抱残守缺#Chinese

Synonym of 抱殘守缺／抱残守缺 (bàocánshǒuquē, “to be conservative; to stick to ancient ways or things”)


誇大其詞

ㄎㄨㄚ ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄘˊ

/kʰu̯ä⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/kʷʰaː⁵⁵ taːi̯²² kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/kʰu̯ä⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/kʷʰaː⁵⁵ taːi̯²² kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/


懷冤抱屈

ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄩㄢ ㄅㄠˋ ㄑㄩ

хуайюаньбаоцюй

/xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/


嘉言善行

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

цзяяньшаньсин

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ siːn²² hɐŋ²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ siːn²² hɐŋ²²/


抱恨終天

ㄅㄠˋ ㄏㄣˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄊㄧㄢ

баохэньчжунтянь

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

to regret something to the end of one's days


抱殘守缺

to cherish the outmoded and preserve the outworn

ㄅㄠˋ ㄘㄢˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄩㄝ

баоцаньшоуцюэ

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/pʰou̯¹³ t͡sʰaːn²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/pʰou̯¹³ t͡sʰaːn²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

to be conservative and not receptive to new things; to be a stickler for ancient ways and things

to be faithful to ancient ways and things


嘉言懿行

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄢˊ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄢˊ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ jiː³³ hɐŋ²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ jiː³³ hɐŋ²²/


竹苞松茂

ㄓㄨˊ ㄅㄠ ㄙㄨㄥ ㄇㄠˋ

чжубаосунмао

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ sʊŋ⁵⁵ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ sʊŋ⁵⁵ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 189 (《詩經·小雅·斯干》)

lang

(《詩經·小雅·斯干》)

(《詩經·小雅·斯干》)

[Has the palace arisen], firm as the roots of a clump of bamboos,
[With its roof] like the luxuriant head of a pine tree.

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

如竹苞矣、如松茂矣。

Symbolizes prosperity of family, used to celebrate someone moving to a new residence or on the person's birthday.


抱頭痛哭

ㄅㄠˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄨ

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/

/pʰou̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ³³ hʊk̚⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/

/pʰou̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ³³ hʊk̚⁵/

to weep in each other's arms; to cry on each other's shoulders


悲天憫人

ㄅㄟ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄇㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄣˊ

бэйтяньминьжэнь

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ min²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɐn¹³ jɐn²¹/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ min²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɐn¹³ jɐn²¹/

to bemoan the state of the universe and pity the fate of humankind


暴戾恣睢

ㄅㄠˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄗˋ ㄙㄨㄟ

ㄅㄠˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄘ ㄙㄨㄟ

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ su̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩⁵⁵ su̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ su̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩⁵⁵ su̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/


推崇備至

ㄊㄨㄟ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄟˋ ㄓˋ

туйчунбэйчжи

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ sʊŋ²¹ pei̯²² t͡siː³³/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ sʊŋ²¹ pei̯²² t͡siː³³/

to highly recommend; to have the greatest esteem (for)


背城一戰

ㄅㄟˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧ ㄓㄢˋ

бэйчэнъичжань

bɛjčɛnʺičžanʹ

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

背城借一 背城借一#Chinese

Synonym of 背城借一 (bèichéng-jièyī, “to fight to the last ditch, to put up a desperate struggle”)


備而不用

ㄅㄟˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄩㄥˋ

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/pei̯²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²²/

/pi³³⁻²¹ zi²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ³³/

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/pei̯²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²²/

/pi³³⁻²¹ zi²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ³³/

to have something ready just in case; to keep something for possible future use


關懷備至

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄅㄟˋ ㄓˋ

гуаньхуайбэйчжи

/ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ pei̯²² t͡siː³³/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ pei̯²² t͡siː³³/

to show the utmost solicitude; to show somebody every consideration


背城借一

to make a last-ditch stand before the city wall

ㄅㄟˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄧ

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/puːi̯³³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɛː³³ jɐt̚⁵/

/peɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/puːi̯³³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɛː³³ jɐt̚⁵/

to fight to the last ditch; to put up a desperate struggle