陸續有來

ㄌㄨˋ ㄒㄩˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄞˊ

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lɔːi̯²¹/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lei̯²¹/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lɐi̯²¹/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lɔːi̯²¹/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lei̯²¹/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lɐi̯²¹/

will come one after another in the future


置身事外

ㄓˋ ㄕㄣ ㄕˋ ㄨㄞˋ

чжишэньшивай

čžišɛnʹšivaj

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ sɐn⁵⁵ siː²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ sɐn⁵⁵ siː²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

to stand back; to not care and be indifferent about a matter


秋後算賬

ㄑㄧㄡ ㄏㄡˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄤˋ

цюхоусуаньчжан

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² syːn³³ t͡sœːŋ³³/

/t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² syːn³³ t͡sœːŋ³³/

From the historical judicial practice where less-serious prisoners on death row would not be executed immediately after sentencing, but during autumn.

settling accounts after the autumn harvest

to wait until the time is ripe to settle accounts, to bide time for revenge


作壁上觀

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄍㄨㄢ

цзобишангуань

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːk̚³ pɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ²² kuːn⁵⁵/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːk̚³ pɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ²² kuːn⁵⁵/

Sima Qian, fl. 1st century BCE.
* 《史記·項羽本紀》 (Records of the Grand Historian, Book VII, the Annals of Xiang Yu):
*:
當是時，楚兵冠諸侯。諸侯軍救鉅鹿下者十餘壁，莫敢縱兵。及楚擊秦，諸將皆從壁上觀。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]当是时，楚兵冠诸侯。诸侯军救钜鹿下者十余壁，莫敢纵兵。及楚击秦，诸将皆从壁上观。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Dāng shì shí, Chǔ bīng guàn zhūhóu. Zhūhóu jūn jiù Jùlù xià zhě shí yú bì, mò gǎn zòng bīng. Jí Chǔ jī Qín, zhū jiàng jiē cóng bì shàng guān. [Pinyin]
At that time, the armies of Chu were the foremost among the warlords. The warlords who descended upon Julu to assist the battle built dozens of fortified camps, and none of them dared to engage (lit. "to unleash their troops"). By the time the Chu forces were attacking the Qin, all those generals were observing the situation from their ramparts.

zh-x

當 是 時，^楚 兵 冠{guàn} 諸侯。諸侯 軍 救 ^鉅􂀿钜􂁀鹿 下 者 十 餘 壁，莫 敢 縱 兵。及 ^楚 擊 ^秦，諸 將{jiàng} 皆 @從 @壁 @上 @觀。

to stand back; to observe only and not take sides


爾虞我詐

ㄦˇ ㄩˊ ㄨㄛˇ ㄓㄚˋ

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ jyː²¹ ŋɔː¹³ t͡saː³³/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ jyː²¹ ŋɔː¹³ t͡saː³³/

From Zuozhuan:
:
盟曰：「我無爾詐，爾無我虞。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]盟曰：「我无尔诈，尔无我虞。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Méng yuē: “Wǒ wú ěr zhà, ěr wú wǒ yú.” [Pinyin]
The covenant said, “We shall not defraud you, and you shall not deceive us.

盟 曰：「我 無 爾 詐，爾 無 我 虞。」


風雨同舟

ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄡ

фэнъюйтунчжоу

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/

to work together towards a common goal in a difficult situation; to go through thick and thin together


蠻橫無理

ㄇㄢˊ ㄏㄥˋ ㄨˊ ㄌㄧˇ

/män³⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹ u³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²¹ waːŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/

/maːn²¹ waːŋ²² mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/

/män³⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹ u³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²¹ waːŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/

/maːn²¹ waːŋ²² mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/


誰是誰非

ㄕㄨㄟˊ ㄕˋ ㄕㄨㄟˊ ㄈㄟ

/ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯²¹ siː²² sɵy̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯²¹ siː²² sɵy̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/


篤信好古

ㄉㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄏㄠˋ ㄍㄨˇ

/tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊk̚⁵ sɵn³³ hou̯³³ kuː³⁵/

/tu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊk̚⁵ sɵn³³ hou̯³³ kuː³⁵/

to devotedly and diligently study ancient texts


孰是孰非

ㄕㄨˊ ㄕˋ ㄕㄨˊ ㄈㄟ

/ʂu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sʊk̚² siː²² sʊk̚² fei̯⁵⁵/

/ʂu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sʊk̚² siː²² sʊk̚² fei̯⁵⁵/

誰是誰非 誰是誰非#Chinese

谁是谁非 谁是谁非#Chinese

Synonym of 誰是誰非／谁是谁非 (shuíshìshuífēi, “who is right and who is wrong”)


除暴安良

ㄔㄨˊ ㄅㄠˋ ㄢ ㄌㄧㄤˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ pou̯²² ɔːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ pou̯²² ɔːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

to eliminate the violent criminals and comfort the law-abiding mass


並肩作戰

ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄢˋ

бинцзяньцзочжань

/piŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² kiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siːn³³/

/piŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² kiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siːn³³/

to work and strive together towards a common goal


劫富濟貧

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄆㄧㄣˊ

цзефуцзипинь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pʰin³⁵/

/kiːp̚³ fuː³³ t͡sɐi̯³³ pʰɐn²¹/

/kiap̚²⁻⁴ pu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pʰin³⁵/

/kiːp̚³ fuː³³ t͡sɐi̯³³ pʰɐn²¹/

/kiap̚²⁻⁴ pu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/


人才濟濟

ㄖㄣˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄐㄧˇ ㄐㄧˇ

жэньцайцзицзи

/ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵/


臥虎藏龍

ㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄘㄤˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/wɔ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ŋɔː²² fuː³⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

/wɔ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ŋɔː²² fuː³⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

to have many hidden talented individuals


銅牆鐵壁

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄅㄧˋ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰiːt̚³ pɪk̚⁵/

/taŋ²³⁻³³ t͡sʰiũ²³ tʰi(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ piaʔ³²/

/taŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiũ²⁴ tʰi(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ piaʔ³²/

/taŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiũ²⁴ tʰi(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ piaʔ³²/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰiːt̚³ pɪk̚⁵/

/taŋ²³⁻³³ t͡sʰiũ²³ tʰi(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ piaʔ³²/

/taŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiũ²⁴ tʰi(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ piaʔ³²/

/taŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiũ²⁴ tʰi(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ piaʔ³²/

impregnable and indestructible wall or barrier

同志們，真正的銅牆鐵壁是什麼？是群眾，是千百萬真心實意地擁護革命的群眾。 [MSC, trad.]
同志们，真正的铜墙铁壁是什么？是群众，是千百万真心实意地拥护革命的群众。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1934, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《關心群眾生活，注意工作方法》 (Be Concerned with the Well-Being of the Masses, Pay Attention to Methods of Work), 《毛澤東選集》 (Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung), English translation based on the Foreign Language Press edition

Comrades! What is a true bastion of iron? It is the masses, the millions upon millions of people who genuinely and sincerely support the revolution.

Tóngzhìmen, zhēnzhèng de tóngqiángtiěbì shì shénme? Shì qúnzhòng, shì qiānbǎiwàn zhēnxīnshíyì de yōnghù gémìng de qúnzhòng. [Pinyin]

(figuratively) something very firm and indestructible


荒誕不經

ㄏㄨㄤ ㄉㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ

хуанданьбуцзин

/xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

ridiculous; absurd; illogical; nonsensical


不可救藥

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧㄠˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹⁻⁵³ ioʔ⁴/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹⁻⁵³ ioʔ⁴/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 254 (《詩經·大雅·板》):
:
多將熇熇，不可救藥。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]多将熇熇，不可救药。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Duō jiāng hèhè, bùkě jiùyào. [Pinyin]
But the troubles will multiply like flames, till they are beyond help or remedy.

多 將 熇-熇，不可.救藥。


碩大無朋

ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄨˊ ㄆㄥˊ

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ u³⁵ pʰɤŋ³⁵/

/sɛːk̚² taːi̯²² mou̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ u³⁵ pʰɤŋ³⁵/

/sɛːk̚² taːi̯²² mou̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 117 (《詩經·唐風·椒聊》):
:
椒聊之實，蕃衍盈升。
彼其之子，碩大無朋。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]椒聊之实，蕃衍盈升。
彼其之子，硕大无朋。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Jiāoliáo zhī shí, fán yǎn yíng shēng.
Bǐ qí zhī zǐ, shuòdà wúpéng. [Pinyin]
The clusters of the pepper plant, Large and luxuriant, would fill a pint.
That hero there is large and peerless.

lang

(《詩經·唐風·椒聊》)

(《詩經·唐風·椒聊》)

zh-x

椒聊 之 實，蕃 衍 盈 升。
彼 其 之 子，碩大.無朋。


富可敵國

ㄈㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

/fu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti³⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/fuː³³ hɔː³⁵ tɪk̚² kʷɔːk̚³/

/fu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti³⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/fuː³³ hɔː³⁵ tɪk̚² kʷɔːk̚³/


恃老賣老

/t͡sʰiː¹³ lou̯¹³ maːi̯²² lou̯¹³/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ lou̯¹³ maːi̯²² lou̯¹³/

(Cantonese, derogatory) to rely on one's seniority or old age to look down on others or do things


倚老賣老

ㄧˇ ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄞˋ ㄌㄠˇ

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ maɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː³⁵ lou̯¹³ maːi̯²² lou̯¹³/

/jiː³⁵ lou̯¹³ maːi̯²² lou̯¹³/

(derogatory) to rely on one's seniority or old age to look down on others or do things


揮金如土

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄖㄨˊ ㄊㄨˇ

хуэйцзиньжуту

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tʰou̯³⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tʰou̯³⁵/

spend money like water
spend money like water

to spend money like water; to spend money extravagantly


揮霍無度

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄉㄨˋ

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ tu⁵¹/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ fɔːk̚³ mou̯²¹ tou̯²²/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ tu⁵¹/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ fɔːk̚³ mou̯²¹ tou̯²²/

to spend money (and squander) freely and extravagantly


大風大湧

/tua¹¹ huaŋ³³⁻²³ tua¹¹ eŋ⁵²/

/tua¹¹ huaŋ³³⁻²³ tua¹¹ eŋ⁵²/


震撼人心

ㄓㄣˋ ㄏㄢˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

чжэньханьжэньсинь

čžɛnʹxanʹžɛnʹsinʹ

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ hɐm²² jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ hɐm²² jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/


克勤克儉

ㄎㄜˋ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄎㄜˋ ㄐㄧㄢˇ

кэцинькэцзянь

/kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʰɐn²¹ hɐk̚⁵ kiːm²²/

/haːk̚⁵ kʰɐn²¹ haːk̚⁵ kiːm²²/

/kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʰɐn²¹ hɐk̚⁵ kiːm²²/

/haːk̚⁵ kʰɐn²¹ haːk̚⁵ kiːm²²/


涅而不緇

ㄋㄧㄝˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗ

/ni̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/niːp̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ni̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/niːp̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

From the Analects, Book 17 (《論語·陽貨》):
:
不曰堅乎，磨而不磷；不曰白乎，涅而不緇。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]不曰坚乎，磨而不磷；不曰白乎，涅而不缁。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Bù yuē jiān hū, mó ér bù lín; bù yuē bái hū, niè ér bù zī. [Pinyin]
But is it not said, that, if a thing be really hard, it may be ground without being made thin? Is it not said, that, if a thing be really white, it may be steeped in a dark fluid without being made black?

不 曰 堅 乎，磨 而 不 磷；不 曰 白 乎，涅.而.不.緇。

to be unaffected by adverse surroundings as one is virtuous


敵眾我寡

ㄉㄧˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄍㄨㄚˇ

/ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɪk̚² t͡sʊŋ³³ ŋɔː¹³ kʷaː³⁵/

/ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɪk̚² t͡sʊŋ³³ ŋɔː¹³ kʷaː³⁵/


適得其所

ㄕˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɔː³⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɔː³⁵/


腹背受敵

ㄈㄨˋ ㄅㄟˋ ㄕㄡˋ ㄉㄧˊ

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ti³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ puːi̯³³ sɐu̯²² tɪk̚²/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ti³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ puːi̯³³ sɐu̯²² tɪk̚²/


大發慈悲

ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄚ ㄘˊ ㄅㄟ

/tä⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² faːt̚³ t͡sʰiː²¹ pei̯⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² faːt̚³ t͡sʰiː²¹ pei̯⁵⁵/


人多勢眾

ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄕˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

жэньдошичжун

žɛnʹdošičžun

/ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sʊŋ³³/

a great number of people with strong force or power


身先士卒

ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄕˋ ㄗㄨˊ

шэньсяньшицзу

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ siː²² t͡sɵt̚⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ siː²² t͡sɵt̚⁵/

to be situated in front of all soldiers and attack the enemy as the general


熊熊烈火

ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ²¹ liːt̚² fɔː³⁵/

/ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ²¹ liːt̚² fɔː³⁵/


自身難保

ㄗˋ ㄕㄣ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄠˇ

цзышэньнаньбао

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ nän³⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵ naːn²¹ pou̯³⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ nän³⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵ naːn²¹ pou̯³⁵/

to be in trouble oneself (implying someone is thus unable to help others)


喙尖薄利

/t͡sʰui²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siam⁴⁴⁻²² po(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ lai²²/

(Zhangzhou Hokkien) to be eloquent; to be articulate; to have the gift of the gab


良莠不齊

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/lœːŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

/liaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iu⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰi⁵⁵/

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/lœːŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

/liaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iu⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰi⁵⁵/


喙尖舌利

/t͡sʰui²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siam⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ lai²²/

/t͡sʰui⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siam³³ t͡si(ʔ)²⁴⁻² lai⁴¹/

(Quanzhou and Xiamen Hokkien) to be eloquent; to be articulate; to have the gift of the gab


群龍無首

ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄕㄡˇ

цюньлунъушоу

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ u³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ lʊŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ u³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ lʊŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

From I Ching, Hexagram 1 (《易经·乾卦》):
:
用九：見群龍无首，吉。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]用九：见群龙无首，吉。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yòng jiǔ: jiàn qún lóng wú shǒu, jí. [Pinyin]
(The lines of this hexagram are all strong and undivided, as appears from) the use of the number NINE. If the host of dragons (thus) appearing were to divest themselves of their heads, there would be good fortune.
This term has been reinterpreted by taking 首 (shǒu) as "leader".

用 九：見 @群 @龍 无 @首，吉。

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 1


能言善辯

ㄋㄥˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

нэнъяньшаньбянь

/nɤŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/nɐŋ²¹ jiːn²¹ siːn²² piːn²²/

/nɤŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/nɐŋ²¹ jiːn²¹ siːn²² piːn²²/


張口結舌

ㄓㄤ ㄎㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄕㄜˊ

чжанкоуцзешэ

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ kiːt̚³ siːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ kiːt̚³ siːt̚³/


錙銖必較

ㄗ ㄓㄨ ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

цзычжубицзяо

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ kaːu̯³³/

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ kaːu̯³³/

to split hairs; to fuss over minor amounts or things


微乎其微

ㄨㄟ ㄏㄨ ㄑㄧˊ ㄨㄟ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨ ㄑㄧˊ ㄨㄟˊ

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/mei̯²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ mei̯²¹/

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/mei̯²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ mei̯²¹/


公諸於世

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄓㄨ ㄩˊ ㄕˋ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

to make something known to the world; to make something public


忍辱負重

ㄖㄣˇ ㄖㄨˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

ㄖㄣˇ ㄖㄨˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

жэньжуфучжун

žɛnʹžufučžun

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn³⁵ jʊk̚² fuː²² t͡sʊŋ²²/

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn³⁵ jʊk̚² fuː²² t͡sʊŋ²²/

to endure or tolerate humiliation to accomplish an important task


丟卒保車

(in theXiangqi chess game) to lose a soldier in order to protect a chariot

ㄉㄧㄡ ㄗㄨˊ ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄩ

дюцзубаоцзюй

/ti̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɵt̚⁵ pou̯³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/ti̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɵt̚⁵ pou̯³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

to sacrifice something of lesser importance to preserve something crucial


不辭勞苦

ㄅㄨˋ ㄘˊ ㄌㄠˊ ㄎㄨˇ

/pu⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ lou̯²¹ fuː³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ lou̯²¹ fuː³⁵/

to spare no effort; to take pains; to take the trouble to; to go to the trouble of doing something


各適其適

ㄍㄜˋ ㄕˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˋ

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ sɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵/

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ sɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵/

(chiefly Cantonese) each person does something he or she desires or enjoys


而立之年

ㄦˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

/ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː²¹ laːp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/jiː²¹ lɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː²¹ laːp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/jiː²¹ lɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

From the Analects, Book 2 (《論語·爲政》):
:
子曰：「吾十有五而志于學，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳順，七十而從心所欲，不踰矩。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「吾十有五而志于学，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳顺，七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Wú shí yòu wǔ ér zhì yú xué, sānshí ér lì, sìshí ér bùhuò, wǔshí ér zhī tiānmìng, liùshí ér ěr shùn, qīshí ér cóng xīn suǒ yù, bù yújǔ.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth. At seventy, I could follow what my heart desired, without transgressing what was right.

^子曰：「吾 十 有{yòu} 五 而 志 于 學，三十 而 立，四十 而 不惑，五十 而 知 天命，六十 而 耳 順，七十 而 從.心.所.欲，不 踰矩。」


知非之年

чжифэйчжинянь

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/


耳順之年

ㄦˇ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

эршуньчжинянь

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɵn²² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɵn²² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

^子曰：「吾 十 有{yòu} 五 而 志 于 學，三十.而.立，四十 而 不惑，五十 而 知 天命，六十 而 耳 順，七十 而 從.心.所.欲，不 踰矩。」


知難而退

ㄓ ㄋㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄊㄨㄟˋ

чжинаньэртуй

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ naːn²¹ jiː²¹ tʰɵy̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ naːn²¹ jiː²¹ tʰɵy̯³³/

to retreat or shrink back in face of difficulties


風平浪靜

ㄈㄥ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

фэнпинланцзин

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ lɔːŋ²² t͡sɪŋ²²/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ pʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ laŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sẽ³⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ lɔːŋ²² t͡sɪŋ²²/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ pʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ laŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sẽ³⁵/


不惑之年

ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ waːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ waːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

^子曰：「吾 十 有{yòu} 五 而 志 于 學，三十.而.立，四十 而 不-惑，五十 而 知 天命，六十 而 耳 順，七十 而 從.心.所.欲，不 踰矩。」


順風順水

desc

→ Chinese Pidgin English: good wind, good water (calque)

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

шуньфэншуньшуй

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵn²² fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɵn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/suŋ²⁴²⁻⁵⁵ ⁽ʰ⁻⁾ŋuŋ⁵⁵ suŋ²⁴²⁻⁵³ ^((t͡s-))ʒui³³/

/zən²² foŋ⁵⁵ zən³³ sz̩²¹/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵn²² fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɵn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/zən²² foŋ⁵⁵ zən³³ sz̩²¹/

smooth; without obstacles or difficulties


趨炎附勢

ㄑㄩ ㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕˋ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ jiːm²¹ fuː²² sɐi̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ jiːm²¹ fuː²² sɐi̯³³/

to ingratiate oneself with powerful or influential people


攀龍附鳳

ㄆㄢ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄈㄥˋ

паньлунфуфэн

/pʰän⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/pʰaːn⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ fuː²² fʊŋ²²/

/pʰän⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/pʰaːn⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ fuː²² fʊŋ²²/

to ingratiate oneself with powerful or influential people so as to acquire benefits


國破家亡

ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄆㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄨㄤˊ

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ pʰɔː³³ kaː⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ pʰɔː³³ kaː⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

the country perishes or is devastated and families are divided


含沙射影

ㄏㄢˊ ㄕㄚ ㄕㄜˋ ㄧㄥˇ

/xän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐm²¹ saː⁵⁵ sɛː²² jɪŋ³⁵/

/xän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐm²¹ saː⁵⁵ sɛː²² jɪŋ³⁵/

From a kind of mythological creature called 蜮 (yù). People or those with their shadow got shot with sand splashed from them will get serious diseases and die.

to hold sand in the mouth and splash onto someone's shadow


不勝負荷

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄏㄜˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄏㄜˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² hɔː²²/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² hɔː²²/

unable to bear (weight, burden or responsibility)


坐以待斃

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧˇ ㄉㄞˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² jiː¹³ tɔːi̯²² pɐi̯²²/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² jiː¹³ tɔːi̯²² pɐi̯²²/

to do nothing in face of peril or impending disasters


迎難而上

ㄧㄥˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄕㄤˋ

/iŋ³⁵ nän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ naːn²¹ jiː²¹ sœːŋ¹³/

/iŋ³⁵ nän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ naːn²¹ jiː²¹ sœːŋ¹³/


行不由徑

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ kɪŋ³³/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ kɪŋ³³/

From the Analects, Book 6 (《論語·雍也》):
:
子游為武城宰。子曰：「女得人焉爾乎？」曰：「有澹臺滅明者，行不由徑。非公事，未嘗至於偃之室也。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子游为武城宰。子曰：「女得人焉尔乎？」曰：「有澹台灭明者，行不由径。非公事，未尝至于偃之室也。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyóu wèi Wǔchéng zǎi. Zǐyuē: “Rǔ dé rén yān ěr hū?” Yuē: “Yǒu Tántái Mièmíng zhě, xíng bù yóu jìng. Fēi gōngshì, wèicháng zhìyú Yǎn zhī shì yě.” [Pinyin]
Ziyou being governor of Wucheng, the Master said to him, "Have you got good men there?" He answered, "There is Tantai Mieming, who never in walking takes a short cut, and excepting on public business never comes to my office."

zh-x

@^子游 為 @^武城 宰。^子曰：「女{rǔ} 得 人 焉 爾 乎？」曰：「有 @^澹{tán}臺.^滅明 者，行.不.由.徑。非 公事，未嘗 至於 @^偃 之 室 也。」

Tantai Mieming
Wucheng County
Yan Yan (philosopher)


家破人亡

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄆㄛˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄤˊ

цзяпожэньван

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ pʰɔː³³ jɐn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ pʰɔː³³ jɐn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

family members have died and are dispersed


興風作浪

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄤˋ

синфэнцзолан

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ lɔːŋ²²/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ lɔːŋ²²/

社會主義國家內部的反動派同帝國主義者互相勾結，利用人民內部的矛盾，挑撥離間，興風作浪，企圖實現他們的陰謀。 [MSC, trad.]
社会主义国家内部的反动派同帝国主义者互相勾结，利用人民内部的矛盾，挑拨离间，兴风作浪，企图实现他们的阴谋。 [MSC, simp.]

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

It was a case of the reactionaries inside a socialist country, in league with the imperialists, attempting to achieve their conspiratorial aims by taking advantage of contradictions among the people to foment dissension and stir up disorder.

Shèhuì zhǔyì guójiā nèibù de fǎndòngpài tóng dìguó zhǔyìzhě hùxiāng gōujié, lìyòng rénmín nèibù de máodùn, tiǎobōlíjiàn, xīngfēngzuòlàng, qǐtú shíxiàn tāmen de yīnmóu. [Pinyin]


天下為公

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄍㄨㄥ

тяньсявэйгун

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² wɐi̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ ui²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn³³ ha⁴¹⁻²² ui²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ ui¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ha³³⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ha³³⁻²¹ ui²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² wɐi̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ ui²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn³³ ha⁴¹⁻²² ui²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ ui¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ha³³⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ha³³⁻²¹ ui²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

From the Book of Rites, Book 9 (《禮記·禮運》):
:
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。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]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。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 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. [Pinyin]
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.

大道 之 行 也，天下.為{wéi}.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{zhǎng}，矜 寡 孤 獨 廢 疾 者，皆 有 所 養。

the world belongs to the people; a public and common spirit rules all under the sky; the whole world as one community


苟延殘喘

ㄍㄡˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄘㄢˊ ㄔㄨㄢˇ

гоуяньцаньчуань

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰyːn³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰyːn³⁵/

to linger; to drag on one's feeble existence


習以為常

ㄒㄧˊ ㄧˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄤˊ

/ɕi³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡saːp̚² jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ sœːŋ²¹/

/ɕi³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡saːp̚² jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ sœːŋ²¹/


家財萬貫

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄘㄞˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ

цзяцайваньгуань

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ maːn²² kuːn³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ maːn²² kuːn³³/

to be from a very affluent family; to have a very rich family


舉步維艱

ㄐㄩˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄢ

цзюйбувэйцзянь

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ pou̯²² wɐi̯²¹ kaːn⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ pou̯²² wɐi̯²¹ kaːn⁵⁵/

difficult to move forward; difficult to make progress


金玉滿堂

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄩˋ ㄇㄢˇ ㄊㄤˊ

цзиньюйманьтан

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ y⁵¹ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ jʊk̚² muːn¹³ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ y⁵¹ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ jʊk̚² muːn¹³ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

From Tao Te Ching:
:
金玉滿堂，莫之能守；富貴而驕，自遺其咎。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]金玉满堂，莫之能守；富贵而骄，自遗其咎。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Tao Te Ching, 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Jīnyùmǎntáng, mò zhī néng shǒu; fùguì ér jiāo, zì yí qí jiù. [Pinyin]
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe. When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself.

金玉滿堂，莫 之 能 守；富貴 而 驕，自 遺 其 咎。

to have a house filled with gold and jade


寄人籬下

ㄐㄧˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ li³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kei̯³³ jɐn²¹ lei̯²¹ haː²²/

/t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ li³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kei̯³³ jɐn²¹ lei̯²¹ haː²²/

to depend on others, thus not being self-reliant


故步自封

ㄍㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄈㄥ

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ku¹¹ pou¹¹ t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ hoŋ³³/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ku¹¹ pou¹¹ t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ hoŋ³³/

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


推陳出新

ㄊㄨㄟ ㄔㄣˊ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧㄣ

туйчэньчусинь

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

to get rid of the old and bring forth the new


不戰而勝

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄢˋ ㄦˊ ㄕㄥˋ

бучжаньэршэн

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ jiː²¹ sɪŋ³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ jiː²¹ sɪŋ³³/


因循守舊

ㄧㄣ ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

иньсюньшоуцзю

/in⁵⁵ ɕyn³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯²²/

/in⁵⁵ ɕyn³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯²²/

to adhere to old rules or traditions without changing or innovating


兵不厭詐

There can never be too much deception in war.

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄚˋ

/piŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³ t͡saː³³/

/piŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³ t͡saː³³/

all's fair in love and war
all's fair in love and war


窮途末路

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄊㄨˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ muːt̚² lou̯²²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ muːt̚² lou̯²²/

to be very poor or desperate; to be back to the wall


死於非命

ㄙˇ ㄩˊ ㄈㄟ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²²/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²²/

to die unnaturally; to die of accidents, murder or suicide


走投無路

ㄗㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨˋ

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ lu⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ lou̯²²/

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ lu⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ lou̯²²/

to be very desperate; to have no way out; to be back to the wall


十拿九穩

ㄕˊ ㄋㄚˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄨㄣˇ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ nä³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐp̚² naː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ wɐn³⁵/

/sip̚⁴⁻³² nã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ un⁵³/

/sɐp̚² naː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ wɐn³⁵/

/sip̚⁴⁻³² nã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ un⁵³/


沉冤昭雪

ㄔㄣˊ ㄩㄢ ㄓㄠ ㄒㄩㄝˇ

чэньюаньчжаосюэ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ jyːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ syːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ jyːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ syːt̚³/


細水長流

ㄒㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/ɕi⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lɐu̯²¹/

/ɕi⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lɐu̯²¹/

世上沒人能阻擋細水愛長流 [Literary Cantonese, trad.]
世上没人能阻挡细水爱长流 [Literary Cantonese, simp.]

From: 2022, 林家謙 [Terence Lam], lyrics by 林夕 [Albert Leung], 《某種老朋友》 [Regression]

No one on earth can stop one from liking to work steadily little by little

sai³ soeng⁶ mut⁶ jan⁴ nang⁴ zo² dong² sai³ seoi² oi³ coeng⁴ lau⁴ [Jyutping]

to work steadily at something little by little


方興未艾

ㄈㄤ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄨㄟˋ ㄞˋ

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ mei̯²² ŋaːi̯²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bi²²⁻²¹ ŋãi²²/

/hɔŋ³³ hiɪŋ³³ bi⁴¹⁻²² ŋãi⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bi²²⁻²¹ ŋãi²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bi³³⁻¹¹ ŋãi³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bi³³⁻²¹ ŋãi³³/

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ mei̯²² ŋaːi̯²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bi²²⁻²¹ ŋãi²²/

/hɔŋ³³ hiɪŋ³³ bi⁴¹⁻²² ŋãi⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bi²²⁻²¹ ŋãi²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bi³³⁻¹¹ ŋãi³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bi³³⁻²¹ ŋãi³³/


無師自通

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ t͡siː²² tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ t͡siː²² tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

to be self-taught; to have learnt something without having been taught by a teacher


學海無涯

ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄚˊ

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jä³⁵/

/hɔːk̚² hɔːi̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹/

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jä³⁵/

/hɔːk̚² hɔːi̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹/

knowledge is infinite like a boundless ocean; there is no limits to what one can learn


蹈襲故常

ㄉㄠˇ ㄒㄧˊ ㄍㄨˋ ㄔㄤˊ

ㄉㄠˋ ㄒㄧˊ ㄍㄨˋ ㄔㄤˊ

/tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tou̯²² t͡saːp̚² kuː³³ sœːŋ²¹/

/tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tou̯²² t͡saːp̚² kuː³³ sœːŋ²¹/

蹈常襲故 蹈常襲故#Chinese

蹈常袭故 蹈常袭故#Chinese

Synonym of 蹈常襲故／蹈常袭故 (dǎochángxígù, “to follow old rules or traditions and not be flexible”)


蹈常襲故

ㄉㄠˇ ㄔㄤˊ ㄒㄧˊ ㄍㄨˋ

ㄉㄠˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄒㄧˊ ㄍㄨˋ

/tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tou̯²² sœːŋ²¹ t͡saːp̚² kuː³³/

/tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tou̯²² sœːŋ²¹ t͡saːp̚² kuː³³/

to follow old rules or traditions and not be flexible


彌天大罪

ㄇㄧˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄟˋ

митяньдацзуй

/mi³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/nei̯²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² t͡sɵy̯²²/

/mi³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/nei̯²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² t͡sɵy̯²²/


墨守成規

ㄇㄛˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

墨守 is from Zhan Guo Ce:
今公又以弊聊之民，距全齊之兵，期年不解，是墨翟之守也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]今公又以弊聊之民，距全齐之兵，期年不解，是墨翟之守也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhanguo Ce, circa 5ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ centuries BCE
Jīn gōng yòu yǐ bì liáo zhī mín, jù quán qí zhī bīng, qī nián bù jiě, shì mòzhái zhī shǒu yě. [Pinyin]
Now you are able to lead the exhausted people in Liaocheng to fight against all Qi forces for a whole year. (This shows that) your defense is as strong as Mo Zi's.
The term 墨翟之守 (“Mo Zi's defense”) is from the book Mozi, which was the defense method proposed by him in a war simulation against Lu Ban's ladder specially designed for the state of Chu to be used in its invasion of Song. Mo Zi's defense method proved the ladder to be useless and this made him succeed in discouraging the king of Chu from starting a war. The meaning of 墨守 has changed from commendatory to derogatory over time.

今 公 又 以 弊 聊 之 民 ， 距 全 齊 之 兵 ， 期 年 不 解 ， 是 @墨翟 之 守 也 。

to rigidly adhere to old rules or traditions without willingness to change

Chu (state)
Liaocheng
Lu Ban
Mo Zi
Mozi (book)
Qi (state)
Song (state)
Zhan Guo Ce


正襟危坐

to straighten out the clothes and sit straight

ㄓㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄨㄟ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

ㄓㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄨㄟˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

чжэнцзиньвэйцзо

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ kʰɐm⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹ t͡sɔː²²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ kʰɐm⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹ t͡sɔː²²/


萬貫家財

ㄨㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄘㄞˊ

ваньгуаньцзяцай

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/maːn²² kuːn³³ kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/maːn²² kuːn³³ kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

家財萬貫 家財萬貫#Chinese

家财万贯 家财万贯#Chinese

Synonym of 家財萬貫／家财万贯 (jiācáiwànguàn, “to be from a very affluent family; to have a very rich family”)


偷天換日

ㄊㄡ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄖˋ

тоутяньхуаньжи

/tʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ wuːn²² jɐt̚²/

/tʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ wuːn²² jɐt̚²/

to stealthily change the contents or substitute one thing with another


志在必得

ㄓˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/t͡siː³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/t͡siː³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵/


謔而不虐

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄩㄝˋ

ㄋㄩㄝˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄩㄝˋ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ny̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ny̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ny̯ɛ⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jœːk̚²/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ny̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ny̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ny̯ɛ⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jœːk̚²/

to joke or tease without embarrassing or hurting others


聞名於世

ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄩˊ ㄕˋ

вэньминъюйши

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ jyː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ jyː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/


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/


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


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


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》):
:
予羽譙譙，予尾翛翛。予室翹翹，風雨所漂搖。予維音嘵嘵。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]予羽谯谯，予尾翛翛。予室翘翘，风雨所漂摇。予维音哓哓。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 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. [Pinyin]
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.

lang

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

zh-x

予 羽 譙-譙，予 尾 翛-翛。予{yú} 室 翹{qiáo}-翹{qiáo}，@風雨 所 @漂搖。予 維 音 嘵-嘵。

(of a situation) turbulent; precarious; tottering


齊心協力

ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːp̚³ lɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːp̚³ lɪk̚²/

to unite and make concerted efforts to accomplish something


聞名天下

ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

вэньминтянься

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/


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/


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》):
:
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。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]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。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 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. [Pinyin]
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.
與／与 (yǔ) is a tongjia character of 舉／举 (jǔ).

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


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


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


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


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/


自食其果

ㄗˋ ㄕˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄛˇ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² sɪk̚² kʰei̯²¹ kʷɔː³⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² sɪk̚² kʰei̯²¹ kʷɔː³⁵/

to bear the consequences of one's own misdeeds; to reap what one sows


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:
:
火炎崑岡，玉石俱焚。天吏逸德，烈于猛火。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]火炎昆冈，玉石俱焚。天吏逸德，烈于猛火。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Forged Old Text of the Book of Documents, circa 3ʳᵈ – 4ᵗʰ century CE
Huǒyán kūngāng, yù shí jù fén. Tiānlì yìdé, liè yú měnghuǒ. [Pinyin]
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.

zh-x

火炎 崑岡，玉.石.俱.焚。天吏 逸德，烈 于 猛火。

the good and the bad (or evil) perish together


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/

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

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

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

getting along with others; dealing with people


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


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/

/pʰi³³ kiɪŋ³³ t͡sam⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kiɪk̚⁵/

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

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

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

/pʰi³³ kiɪŋ³³ t͡sam⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kiɪk̚⁵/

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

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

/pʰi⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiɪk̚³²/

to overcome different difficulties and obstacles


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/

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。 [MSC, trad.]
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。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 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.

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.

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. [Pinyin]

to overestimate one's cleverness and act unwisely


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


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


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”)


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/

From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王下》):
:
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！ [Classical Chinese, trad.]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！ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 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! [Pinyin]
"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."

對 曰：「王 請 無 好 小 勇。夫{fú} 撫劍 疾視 曰：『彼 惡{wū} 敢 當 我 哉！』此 匹夫.之.勇，敵 一人 者 也。王 請 大 之！

顏良，文醜，匹夫之勇，一戰可擒。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
颜良，文丑，匹夫之勇，一战可擒。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: Romance of the Three Kingdoms, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

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

Yán Liáng, Wén Chǒu, pǐfūzhīyǒng, yīzhàn kěqín. [Pinyin]

foolhardiness; courage without wisdom or prudence


反躬自省

ㄈㄢˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄥˇ

фаньгунцзысин

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

/faːn³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sɪŋ³³/

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

/faːn³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² sɪŋ³³/


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/


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


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


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


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


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/


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


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


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:
:
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。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]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。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Li Shangyin, Yishan's notes (義山雜纂)
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. [Pinyin]
(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.

@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 。

to spoil or damage the beautiful scenery or a good occasion


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


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/

朝避猛虎，夕避長蛇。磨牙吮血，殺人如麻。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
朝避猛虎，夕避长蛇。磨牙吮血，杀人如麻。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: 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.

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.

Zhāo bì měnghǔ, xī bì chángshé. Móyá shǔnxuè, shārén rúmá. [Pinyin]

to have killed countless people; to have committed countless murders


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/


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


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


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


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》):
:
荀偃令曰：「雞鳴而駕，塞井夷灶，唯余馬首是瞻！」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]荀偃令曰：「鸡鸣而驾，塞井夷灶，唯余马首是瞻！」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: 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!” [Pinyin]
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]!"

lang

(《左傳·襄公十四年》)

(《左傳·襄公十四年》)

zh-x

@^荀.^偃 令 曰：「雞鳴 而 駕，塞{sè} 井 夷 灶，唯 余 馬首.是.瞻！」

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􂁀!"

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


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 than belongs to others


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


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/


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》):
:
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。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]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。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
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. [Pinyin]
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.

比 年 入學，中 年 考 校{jiào}。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。

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


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


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/


窮凶極惡

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄒㄩㄥ ㄐㄧˊ ㄜˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪk̚² ɔːk̚³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kɪk̚² ɔːk̚³/


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/


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


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”)


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


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/


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


灰飛煙滅

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄈㄟ ㄧㄢ ㄇㄧㄝˋ

хуэйфэйяньме

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/


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


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/


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/

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。 [MSC, trad.]
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。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 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. [Pinyin]

far away in time and not within the foreseeable future


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


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/


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


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/

是故君子以義死難，視死如歸；生而辱不如死而榮。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
是故君子以义死难，视死如归；生而辱不如死而荣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

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

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.

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

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


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/


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.)


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/


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.)”)


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


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


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/


崎嶇不平

ㄑㄧˊ ㄑㄩ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/kʰei̯⁵⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/


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/


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/

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。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]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。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
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.” [Pinyin]
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.”

zh-q

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 。」

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.”

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/


引經據典

ㄧㄣˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄩˋ ㄉㄧㄢˇ

иньцзинцзюйдянь

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

/jɐn¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³³ tiːn³⁵/

/jɐn¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³³ tiːn³⁵/


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


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'


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/

From Xunzi:
:
鍥而舍之，朽木不折；鍥而不舍，金石可鏤。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]锲而舍之，朽木不折；锲而不舍，金石可镂。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Xunzi, c. 3ʳᵈ century BCE
Qiè ér shě zhī, xiǔmù bù zhé; qiè'érbùshě, jīnshí kě lòu. [Pinyin]
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.

zh-x

鍥 而 舍{shě} 之，朽木 不 折；鍥而不舍{shě}，金石 可 鏤。

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


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


爭名奪利

ㄓㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/


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


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》):
:
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。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]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。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
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. [Pinyin]
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.

昔 者 先王，未 有 宮室，冬 則 居 營 窟，夏 則 居 橧{zēng} 巢。未 有 火 化，食 草木 之 實、鳥獸 之 肉，@飲 其 @血，@茹 其 @毛。

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


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/


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/


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?


虛有其表

ㄒㄩ ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ

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

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵/


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


一雪前恥

ㄧ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔˇ

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

/jɐt̚⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/


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/


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/

到了旅遊旺季，各大景點都人滿為患。 [MSC, trad.]
到了旅游旺季，各大景点都人满为患。 [MSC, simp.]

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

Dào le lǚyóu wàngjì, gè dà jǐngdiǎn dōu rénmǎnwèihuàn. [Pinyin]

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


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/


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


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


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)


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/


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/


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/


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


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/


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)


和而不同

ㄏㄜˊ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

/xɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/wɔː²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/xɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/wɔː²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/

From the Analects, Book 13 (《論語·子路》):
:
子曰：「君子和而不同，小人同而不和。」 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]
From: 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.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "The superior man is affable, but not adulatory; the mean man is adulatory, but not affable."

^子曰：「君子 和.而.不.同，小人 同 而 不 和。」

harmonious even when there exists different opinions; unity in diversity


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)

(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/

這樣一來，一些喪盡天良的資本家，就見利忘義，躍躍欲試。 [MSC, trad.]
这样一来，一些丧尽天良的资本家，就见利忘义，跃跃欲试。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 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

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

Zhèyàngyīlái, yīxiē sàngjìntiānliáng de zīběnjiā, jiù jiànlìwàngyì, yuèyuèyùshì. [Pinyin]

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/


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


隱晦曲折

ㄧㄣˇ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄑㄩ ㄓㄜˊ

иньхуэйцюйчжэ

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

我們可以大聲疾呼，而不要隱晦曲折，使人民大眾不易看懂。 [MSC, trad.]
我们可以大声疾呼，而不要隐晦曲折，使人民大众不易看懂。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 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

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. [Pinyin]


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


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/

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。 [MSC, trad.]
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。 [MSC, simp.]

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. [Pinyin]


離心離德

ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˊ ㄉㄜˊ

/li³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li³⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/lei̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵/

/li³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ li³⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/lei̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ tɐk̚⁵/

受有億兆夷人，離心離德。予有亂臣十人，同心同德。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
受有亿兆夷人，离心离德。予有乱臣十人，同心同德。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

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

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.

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

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。 [MSC, trad.]
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。 [MSC, simp.]

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. [Pinyin]


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)
:
民皆歌樂之，頌其德。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]民皆歌乐之，颂其德。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Mín jiē gēyuè zhī, sòng qí dé. [Pinyin]
The people all sang his praises and eulogized his virtues.

民 皆 歌樂 之，頌 其 德。

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

List of Records of the Grand Historian chapters#Annals


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)


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


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


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


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/

From Mencius:
:
同乎流俗，合乎污世。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Tóng hū liúsú, hé hū wūshì. [Pinyin]
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


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/

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。 [MSC, trad.]
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。 [MSC, simp.]

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. [Pinyin]


三不二時

/sam²⁴ put̚² ŋi⁵⁵ sɨ¹¹/

/sam²⁴ put̚² ŋi⁵⁵ sɨ¹¹/

(Hakka) sometimes; from time to time; occasionally; now and then


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/


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


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


奴顏婢膝

ㄋㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧ

/nu³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/nou̯²¹ ŋaːn²¹ pʰei̯¹³ sɐt̚⁵/

/nu³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/nou̯²¹ ŋaːn²¹ pʰei̯¹³ sɐt̚⁵/


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


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”)


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


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


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


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


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/


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


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


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


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


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


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/


傲岸不群

ㄠˋ ㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/


傲氣十足

ㄠˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˊ ㄗㄨˊ

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡su³⁵/


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/


遍地開花

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄚ

бяньдикайхуа

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ tei̯²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/pʰiːn³³ tei̯²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

(figurative) to proliferate and become widespread; to spring up everywhere


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⁾/

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。 [MSC, trad.]
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。 [MSC, simp.]

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. [Pinyin]


大喝一聲

/tä⁵¹ xɤ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ xɤ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² hɔːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵/

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。 [MSC, trad.]
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。 [MSC, simp.]

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. [Pinyin]

to jolt someone and talk to them sharply


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/


席地而坐

ㄒㄧˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

/ɕi³⁵ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sɔː²²/

/ɕi³⁵ ti⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² tei̯²² jiː²¹ t͡sɔː²²/


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/


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/


無心之過

ㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/

/u³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/


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”)


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


平白無故

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄞˊ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨˋ

/pʰiŋ³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ paːk̚² mou̯²¹ kuː³³/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ paːk̚² mou̯²¹ kuː³³/


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


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


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


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


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


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


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/


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


諾諾連聲

ㄋㄨㄛˋ ㄋㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄥ

/nu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nu̯ɔ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/nu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nu̯ɔ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

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


喏喏連聲

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/


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/


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


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


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


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/

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。 [MSC, trad.]
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。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 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. [Pinyin]


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


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/


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/

to leave one's hometown and move elsewhere


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/

心的美夢～～實現 愛對叨位去 離鄉背井敢是 [Taiwanese Hokkien, trad.]
心的美梦～～实现 爱对叨位去 离乡背井敢是 [Taiwanese Hokkien, simp.]
sim ê bí-bāng ~ ~ si̍t-hiān, ài tùi tó-ūi khì, lī-hiong-pōe-chíⁿ kám-sī [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]

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

(please add an English translation of this quotation)


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/