千山萬水

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (千山萬水):
* → Japanese: 千(せん)山(ざん)万(ばん)水(すい) (senzanbansui)
* → Korean: 천산만수(千山萬水) (cheonsanmansu)

one thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄕㄢ ㄨㄢˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

цяньшаньваньшуй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ maːn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰi̯en²⁴⁻¹¹ san²⁴⁻¹¹ van⁵⁵ su̯i³¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ sui⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻¹¹ sui⁵³/

/t͡sʰãĩ³³⁻²³ sũã³³ buaŋ¹¹ t͡sui⁵²/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ maːn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰi̯en²⁴⁻¹¹ san²⁴⁻¹¹ van⁵⁵ su̯i³¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ sui⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻¹¹ sui⁵³/

/t͡sʰãĩ³³⁻²³ sũã³³ buaŋ¹¹ t͡sui⁵²/

2000, Xu Wei (lyrics and music), “方向 [fāngxiàng, Direction]”, in 那一年 [In that Year], performed by Xu Wei:
化作為你盛開的夕陽 越過遙遠的千山萬水 來到你寂寞的陽台 溫暖你疼痛的心 [MSC, trad.]
化作为你盛开的夕阳 越过遥远的千山万水 来到你寂寞的阳台 温暖你疼痛的心 [MSC, simp.]

I will become the energetic setting sun for you / And cross many rivers and mountains / In order to arrive at your silent veranda / And comfort your aching heart

Huàzuò wèi nǐ shèngkāi de xīyáng, Yuèguò yáoyuǎn de qiānshānwànshuǐ, Láidào nǐ jìmò de yángtái, Wēnnuǎn nǐ téngtòng de xīn [Pinyin]


榮華富貴

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɪŋ²¹ waː²¹ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɪŋ²¹ waː²¹ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

若不是你貪圖榮華富貴泯滅天良，又豈會落到如今這般田地？ [MSC, trad.]
若不是你贪图荣华富贵泯灭天良，又岂会落到如今这般田地？ [MSC, simp.]

If you have not craved for wealth and fame till you lost your conscience, how could you now fall into such a condition as this?

Ruò bùshì nǐ tāntú rónghuáfùguì mǐnmiè tiānliáng, yòu qǐ huì luò dào rújīn zhèbān tiándì? [Pinyin]

high social position and great financial wealth


冒名頂替

ㄇㄠˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄊㄧˋ

/mɑʊ̯⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi⁵¹/

/mou̯²² mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ tʰɐi̯³³/

/mɑʊ̯⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi⁵¹/

/mou̯²² mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ tʰɐi̯³³/

冒名頂替，入贅皇家。 [MSC, trad.]
冒名顶替，入赘皇家。 [MSC, simp.]
[Through] false pretense, [you] became a member of the royal family.

Màomíngdǐngtì, rùzhuì huángjiā. [Pinyin]


雞毛蒜皮

ㄐㄧ ㄇㄠˊ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄧˊ

цзимаосуаньпи

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ su̯än⁵¹ pʰi³⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ syːn³³ pʰei̯²¹/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ su̯än⁵¹ pʰi³⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ syːn³³ pʰei̯²¹/


無可救藥

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧㄠˋ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kiu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ioʔ⁴/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kiu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ioʔ⁴/

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


無藥可救

no medicine can save; unable to be saved by any medicine

ㄨˊ ㄧㄠˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

/u³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jœːk̚² hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ioʔ⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu¹¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ iɤʔ⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹/

/u³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jœːk̚² hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ioʔ⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu¹¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ iɤʔ⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹/

他是個無藥可救的蘿莉控。 [MSC, trad.]
他是个无药可救的萝莉控。 [MSC, simp.]

Tā shì ge wúyàokějiù de luólìkòng. [Pinyin]He is a hopeless lolicon.


黃袍加身

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄆㄠˊ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄕㄣ

хуанпаоцзяшэнь

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ pʰou̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ pʰou̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

The idiom comes from the event in 960 when military commander Zhao Kuangyin removed child emperor Guo Zongxun from the throne and proclaimed himself a new emperor after being presented an imperial dragon robe by his subordinates.
After becoming emperor, Zhao, for fear that military figures might betray him like he betraying his emperor, invited them to a wine banquet and successfully persuaded them to retire. This happened in 961 and gave rise to another idiom, 杯酒釋兵權／杯酒释兵权 (bēi jiǔ shì bīng quán).
:
諸校露刃列於庭，曰：「諸軍無主，願策太尉為天子。」未及對，有以黃衣加太祖身，眾皆羅拜，呼萬歲，即掖太祖乘馬。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]诸校露刃列于庭，曰：「诸军无主，愿策太尉为天子。」未及对，有以黄衣加太祖身，众皆罗拜，呼万岁，即掖太祖乘马。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: 1345 CE, Toqto'a (lead editor), History of Song
Zhū xiào lù rèn liè yú tíng, yuē: “Zhū jūn wúzhǔ, yuàn cè tàiwèi wèi tiānzǐ.” Wèijí duì, yǒu yǐ huáng yī jiā tàizǔ shēn, zhòng jiē luóbài, hū wànsuì, jí yē tàizǔ chéngmǎ. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

zh-m

杯酒釋兵權／杯酒释兵权 (bēi jiǔ shì bīng quán)

zh-x

諸 校 露 刃 列 於 庭，曰：「諸 軍 無主，願 策 太尉 為 天子。」未及 對，有 以 黃 衣 加 太祖 身，眾 皆 羅拜，呼 萬歲，即 掖 太祖 乘馬。

to add to oneself a yellow robe; to drape oneself with a yellow robe

2016, 陳列, “兵變知多少？”, in Lianhe Zaobao:
趙匡胤黃袍加身仰仗的是兵變，掌權後難免擔心別的將領如法炮製，一旦兵權在握也來奪位，於是策劃了“杯酒釋兵權”這齣好戲。 [MSC, trad.]
赵匡胤黄袍加身仰仗的是兵变，掌权后难免担心别的将领如法炮制，一旦兵权在握也来夺位，于是策划了“杯酒释兵权”这出好戏。 [MSC, simp.]

Zhào Kuāngyìn huángpáojiāshēn yǎngzhàng de shì bīngbiàn, zhǎngquán hòu nánmiǎn dānxīn biéde jiānglǐng rúfǎpàozhì, yīdàn bīngquán zàiwò yě lái duó wèi, yúshì cèhuà le “bēijiǔshìbīngquán” zhè chū hǎoxì. [Pinyin]

to stage a coup d'état; overthrow a government; take the throne


有聲有色

ㄧㄡˇ ㄕㄥ ㄧㄡˇ ㄙㄜˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/


小心翼翼

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄧˋ ㄧˋ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jɪk̚² jɪk̚²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jɪk̚² jɪk̚²/

Occurred a few times in the Classic of Poetry, for example, poem 236 (《詩經·大雅·大明》):
:
維此文王，小心翼翼。
昭事上帝，聿懷多福。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]维此文王，小心翼翼。
昭事上帝，聿怀多福。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Wéi cǐ Wénwáng, xiǎoxīn yìyì.
Zhāo shì Shàngdì, yù huái duō fú. [Pinyin]
This king Wen, Watchfully and reverently,
With entire intelligence served God, And so secured the great blessing.

lang

(《詩經·大雅·大明》)

(《詩經·大雅·大明》)

zh-x

維 此 ^文王，小心.翼翼。
^昭 事 ^上帝，聿 懷 多 福。

cautious; prudent; wary; with great care; cautiously


怨聲載道

ㄩㄢˋ ㄕㄥ ㄗㄞˋ ㄉㄠˋ

юаньшэнцзайдао

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jyːn³³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯³³ tou̯²²/

/i̯en⁵⁵ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai̯⁵⁵ tʰo⁵⁵/

/(j)i̯an⁵⁵ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai̯⁵⁵ tʰo⁵⁵/

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jyːn³³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯³³ tou̯²²/

/i̯en⁵⁵ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai̯⁵⁵ tʰo⁵⁵/

/(j)i̯an⁵⁵ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai̯⁵⁵ tʰo⁵⁵/

變法變得人心惶惶，怨聲載道。居然還找日本人當顧問。這不是引狼入室，請鬼來開藥方呢？ [MSC, trad.]
变法变得人心惶惶，怨声载道。居然还找日本人当顾问。这不是引狼入室，请鬼来开药方呢？ [MSC, simp.]

The administrative reform has turned public sentiment into fright that hue and cry can be heard from every corner. Yet you went to extremes to get a Japanese to serve as your adviser? Isn't this an act of leading a wolf into your chamber, inviting a ghost to write for you a medication order?

Biànfǎ biàndé rénxīn huánghuáng, yuànshēngzǎidào. Jūrán hái zhǎo rìběnrén dāng gùwèn. Zhè bùshì yǐnlángrùshì, qǐngguǐláikāiyàofāng ne? [Pinyin]

public discontent is everywhere; discontent is publicly voiced; complaints rise all around


男女老幼

ㄋㄢˊ ㄋㄩˇ ㄌㄠˇ ㄧㄡˋ

/nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³ lou̯¹³ jɐu̯³³/

/nam¹¹ ŋ̍³¹ lo³¹ i̯u⁵⁵/

/nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³ lou̯¹³ jɐu̯³³/

/nam¹¹ ŋ̍³¹ lo³¹ i̯u⁵⁵/

the male and the female, the old and the young: everybody


百鳥朝鳳

a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄠˇ ㄔㄠˊ ㄈㄥˋ

байняочаофэн

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ni̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːu̯¹³ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ fʊŋ²²/

/paːk̚³ niːu̯¹³ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ fʊŋ²²/


陳詞濫調

ㄔㄣˊ ㄘˊ ㄌㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

чэньцыланьдяо

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹ laːm²² tiːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹ laːm²² tiːu̯²²/

old words and hackneyed talk; clichés; platitudes


曲折離奇

ㄑㄩ ㄓㄜˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ li³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³ lei̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ li³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³ lei̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

(of an event, a story) convoluted and eccentric; complicated and bizarre


老生常談

ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄥ ㄔㄤˊ ㄊㄢˊ

лаошэнчантань

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ²¹ tʰaːm²¹/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ²¹ tʰaːm²¹/


溫故知新

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (溫故知新):
* → Japanese: 温(おん)故(こ)知(ち)新(しん) (onkochishin)
* → Korean: 온고지신(溫故知新) (on'gojisin)
* → Vietnamese: ôn cố tri tân (溫故知新)

ㄨㄣ ㄍㄨˋ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄣ

вэньгучжисинь

/wən⁵⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wɐn⁵⁵ kuː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/wən⁵⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wɐn⁵⁵ kuː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

From the Analects, Book 2 (《論語·爲政》):
:
子曰：「溫故而知新，可以為師矣。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「温故而知新，可以为师矣。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Wēn gù ér zhī xīn, kěyǐ wéi shī yǐ.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge, so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others."

zh-x

^子曰：「@溫 @故 而 @知 @新，可以 為{wéi} 師 矣。」

reviewing learnt knowledge helps one understand it better; reviewing the past helps one understand the present


由此可見

ㄧㄡˊ ㄘˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

/joʊ̯³⁵ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ kiːn³³/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ kiːn³³/


嘯聚山林

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄕㄢ ㄌㄧㄣˊ

сяоцзюйшаньлинь

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ lin³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ lin³⁵/

to gather in woods or mountains in response to whistles or shouts; to go to the greenwood (said of bandits)


因小失大

ja-r

いん%しょう%しつ%だい

CJKV/code

いん%しょう%しつ%だい

Sino-Xenic (因小失大):
* → Japanese: 因(いん)小(しょう)失(しつ)大(だい) (inshōshitsudai)

CJKV

いん%しょう%しつ%だい

ㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄕ ㄉㄚˋ

/in⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²²/

/in⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²²/

spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar
spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar

penny wise and pound foolish
penny wise and pound foolish

to try to save a little only to lose a lot; to spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar; to be penny wise and pound foolish


穎脫而出

ㄧㄥˇ ㄊㄨㄛ ㄦˊ ㄔㄨ

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

脫穎而出 脫穎而出#Chinese

脱颖而出 脱颖而出#Chinese

Alternative form of 脫穎而出／脱颖而出 (tuōyǐng'érchū)


順理成章

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄓㄤ

шуньличэнчжан

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² lei̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/sun²²⁻²¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun⁴¹⁻²² li⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ³³/

/sun²²⁻²¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ¹³⁻²² t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻¹¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻²¹ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² lei̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/sun²²⁻²¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun⁴¹⁻²² li⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ³³/

/sun²²⁻²¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ¹³⁻²² t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻¹¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻²¹ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

to follow as a matter of course; to be logical or rational (of an outcome)


對症下藥

ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄧㄠˋ

/tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄧㄠˋㄦ

дуйчжэнсяяор

/tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ jaʊ̯ɻʷ⁵¹/

/tɵy̯³³ t͡sɪŋ³³ haː²² jœːk̚²/

/tɵy̯³³ t͡sɪŋ³³ haː²² jœːk̚²/

to suit the medicine to the illness; to suit the remedy to the case; to prescribe the right remedy for an illness


一文不值

ㄧ ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/


微不足道

ㄨㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄉㄠˋ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄉㄠˋ

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tou̯²²/

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tou̯²²/

not worth mentioning; insignificant; negligible


笑容可掬

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄩ

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄩˊ

сяожункэцзюй

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ jʊŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʊk̚⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ jʊŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʊk̚⁵/


錯綜複雜

ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄨㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄗㄚˊ

ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄨㄥˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄗㄚˊ

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ³³ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

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

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ³³ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

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


電光石火

ㄉㄧㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄕˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

дяньгуан шихо

/ti̯ɛn⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tiːn²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² fɔː³⁵/

/ti̯ɛn⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tiːn²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² fɔː³⁵/


天香國色

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄙㄜˋ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

exceptionally beautiful (woman or peony)


盤根錯節

盘根错节
槃根錯節
蟠根錯節

ㄆㄢˊ ㄍㄣ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

паньгэньцоцзе

/pʰän³⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pʰuːn²¹ kɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡siːt̚³/

/pʰän³⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pʰuːn²¹ kɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡siːt̚³/

great tangled root system; complicated affair; complicated and difficult to deal with


防不勝防

ㄈㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄈㄤˊ

ㄈㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄤˊ

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ²³/

/huaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huaŋ⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ²³/

/huaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huaŋ⁵⁵/

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


不知所措

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

to be at a loss for what to do; to lose one's bearings


一事無成

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/it̚² sɨ⁵⁵ vu¹¹ sɨn¹¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sɯ¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ seŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/it̚² sɨ⁵⁵ vu¹¹ sɨn¹¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sɯ¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ seŋ⁵⁵/

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


大器晚成

ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄨㄢˇ ㄔㄥˊ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³³ maːn¹³ sɪŋ²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³³ maːn¹³ sɪŋ²¹/

From Tao Te Ching:
:
大方無隅，大器晚成。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]大方无隅，大器晚成。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Tao Te Ching, 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Dà fāng wú yú, dàqìwǎnchéng. [Pinyin]
Its largest square doth yet no corner show; a vessel great, it is the slowest made.

zh-x

大 方 無 隅，大器晚成。

a great talent takes time to mature; in the fullness of time, a major figure will develop into a pillar of the state


速戰速決

ㄙㄨˋ ㄓㄢˋ ㄙㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

сучжаньсуцзюэ

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ kuat̚⁵/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁵ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ sɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ kuat̚⁵/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁵ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ sɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

to take prompt action to achieve a quick victory; to adopt a blitzkrieg strategy


前後矛盾

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄡˋ ㄇㄠˊ ㄉㄨㄣˋ

цяньхоумаодунь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² maːu̯²¹ tʰɵn¹³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² maːu̯²¹ tʰɵn¹³/


沸沸揚揚

ㄈㄟˋ ㄈㄟˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ

/feɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ fɐi̯³³ jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/huk̚²⁻⁴ huk̚²⁻⁴ iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵⁵/

/feɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ fɐi̯³³ jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/huk̚²⁻⁴ huk̚²⁻⁴ iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵⁵/


突如其來

ㄊㄨ ㄖㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄞˊ

ㄊㄨˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄞˊ

/tʰu⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰu³⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/tɐt̚² jyː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

/tʰu⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰu³⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/tɐt̚² jyː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

From I Ching, Hexagram 30 (《易经·離卦》):
:
九四：突如其來如，焚如，死如，棄如。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]九四：突如其来如，焚如，死如，弃如。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Jiǔ sì: tū rú qí lái rú, fén rú, sǐ rú, qì rú. [Pinyin]
The fourth NINE, undivided, shows the manner of its subject's coming. How abrupt it is, as with fire, with death, to be rejected (by all)!

九 四：突.如.其.來 如，焚 如，死 如，棄 如。

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 30


一觸即發

ㄧ ㄔㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄈㄚ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faːt̚³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɪk̚³²⁻⁵ huat̚³²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰiɔk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ huat̚³²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sʰiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sit̚⁵⁻²⁴ huat̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faːt̚³/

could break out or flare up at any time (of a situation); on the verge of crisis; in a tense and volatile situation


老謀深算

ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄡˊ ㄕㄣ ㄙㄨㄢˋ

лаомоушэньсуань

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ su̯än⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ mɐu̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ syːn³³/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ su̯än⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ mɐu̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ syːn³³/

experienced and astute; circumspect and far-seeing; scheming and calculating


老馬識途

desc

→ Vietnamese: ngựa quen đường cũ (calque)

ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄕˊ ㄊㄨˊ

ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄕˋ ㄊㄨˊ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ maː¹³ sɪk̚⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/lo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ²⁴/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ maː¹³ sɪk̚⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/lo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ²⁴/

From a story in Han Feizi, Chapter 22 (《韓非子·說林上》):
:
管仲、隰朋從於桓公而伐孤竹，春往冬反，迷惑失道，管仲曰：「老馬之智可用也。」乃放老馬而隨之，遂得道。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]管仲、隰朋从于桓公而伐孤竹，春往冬反，迷惑失道，管仲曰：「老马之智可用也。」乃放老马而随之，遂得道。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Feizi, circa 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on W. K. Liao's version
Guǎn Zhòng, Xí Péng cóng yú Huán gōng ér fá Gūzhú, chūn wǎng dōng fǎn, míhuò shī dào, Guǎn Zhòng yuē: “Lǎo mǎ zhī zhì kě yòng yě.” Nǎi fàng lǎo mǎ ér suí zhī, suì dé dào. [Pinyin]
Guan Zhong and Xi Peng (隰朋) accompanied Duke Huan in the expedition against Guzhu. When spring was gone and winter came again, they went astray and lost the way. Thereupon Guan Zhong said: "The wisdom of old horses is trustworthy." So they let old horses go of themselves and followed them from behind, till they found the way.

zh-x

@^管.^仲、@^隰.^朋 從 於 @^桓 公 而 伐 @^孤竹，春 往 冬 反，迷惑 失 道，@^管.^仲 曰：「老 馬 之 智 可 用 也。」乃 放 老 馬 而 隨 之，遂 得 道。

an experienced worker knows what to do; an old hand knows the ropes

Duke Huan of Qi
Guan Zhong
Guzhu
Han Feizi
zh:隰朋


不治之症

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˋ ㄓ ㄓㄥˋ

бучжичжичжэн

bučžičžičžɛn

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³/


日久生情

ㄖˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄕㄥ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² kɐu̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² kɐu̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

familiarity breeds fondness; love develops with time


不倫不類

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄟˋ

/pu⁵¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɵn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lɵy̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɵn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lɵy̯²²/

neither fish nor fowl
neither fish nor fowl


手舞足蹈

ㄕㄡˇ ㄨˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄉㄠˇ

ㄕㄡˇ ㄨˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄉㄠˋ

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tou̯²²/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tou̯²²/

From the Classic of Poetry, great preface (《詩經·大序》):
:
詩者，志之所之也，在心為志，發言為詩，情動於中，而形於言，言之不足，故嗟歎之，嗟歎之不足，故永歌之，永歌之不足，不知手之舞之、足之蹈之也。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]诗者，志之所之也，在心为志，发言为诗，情动于中，而形于言，言之不足，故嗟叹之，嗟叹之不足，故永歌之，永歌之不足，不知手之舞之、足之蹈之也。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Shī zhě, zhì zhī suǒ zhī yě, zài xīn wéi zhì, fā yán wéi shī, qíng dòng yú zhōng, ér xíng yú yán, yán zhī bùzú, gù jiētàn zhī, jiētàn zhī bùzú, gù yǒng gē zhī, yǒng gē zhī bùzú, bùzhī shǒu zhī wǔ zhī, zú zhī dǎo zhī yě. [Pinyin]
Poetry is the product of earnest thought. Thought [cherished] in the mind becomes earnest; exhibited in words, it becomes poetry. The feelings move inwardly, and are embodied in words. When words are insufficient for them, recourse is had to sighs and exclamations. When sighs and exclamations are insufficient for them, recourse is had to the prolonged utterances of song. When those prolonged utterances of song are insufficient for them, unconsciously the hands begin to move and the feet to dance.

詩 者，志 之 所 之 也，在 心 為{wéi} 志，發 言 為{wéi} 詩，情 動 於 中，而 形 於 言，言 之 不足，故 嗟歎 之，嗟歎 之 不足，故 永 歌 之，永 歌 之 不足，不知 @手 之 @舞 之、@足 之 @蹈 之 也。

Poetry is the product of earnest thought. Thought 􂀿cherished􂁀 in the mind becomes earnest; exhibited in words, it becomes poetry. The feelings move inwardly, and are embodied in words. When words are insufficient for them, recourse is had to sighs and exclamations. When sighs and exclamations are insufficient for them, recourse is had to the prolonged utterances of song. When those prolonged utterances of song are insufficient for them, unconsciously the hands begin to move and the feet to dance.

traditional Chinese medicine
traditional Chinese medicine

(traditional Chinese medicine) involuntary movements of the limbs; convulsions, hemiballismus, chorea, athetosis or myoclonus


三緘其口

ㄙㄢ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄑㄧˊ ㄎㄡˇ

саньцзяньцикоу

/sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːm⁵⁵ kaːm⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

/saːm⁵⁵ kaːm⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

keeping one's mouth shut more than once; be extremely selective in one's words


貧富懸殊

ㄆㄧㄣˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄨ

пиньфусюаньшу

/pʰin³⁵ fu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/pʰɐn²¹ fuː³³ jyːn²¹ syː²¹/

/pʰin³⁵ fu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/pʰɐn²¹ fuː³³ jyːn²¹ syː²¹/

to have a wide gap between the rich and the poor


玩火自焚

ㄨㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄣˊ

ваньхоцзыфэнь

/wän³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

ㄨㄢˊㄦ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄣˊ

ваньрхоцзыфэнь

/wɑɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/waːn²¹⁻³⁵ fɔː³⁵ t͡siː²² fɐn²¹/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su²²⁻²¹ hun²⁴/

/uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡su³³⁻²¹ hun²³/

/wän³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/wɑɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/waːn²¹⁻³⁵ fɔː³⁵ t͡siː²² fɐn²¹/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su²²⁻²¹ hun²⁴/

/uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡su³³⁻²¹ hun²³/

sow the wind, reap the whirlwind
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind

he who plays with fire will get burnt; sow the wind, reap the whirlwind


一本正經

ㄧ ㄅㄣˇ ㄓㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄥ

ㄧ ㄅㄣˇ ㄓㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

ибэньчжэнцзин

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn³⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn³⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵/


氣勢磅礴

气势磅礴
氣勢磅薄
氣勢旁礴
氣勢旁薄
氣勢磅礡

ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˋ ㄆㄤˊ ㄅㄛˊ

ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˋ ㄆㄤ ㄅㄛˊ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/hei̯³³ sɐi̯³³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ pɔːk̚²/

/kʰi²¹³⁻⁵⁵ si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ poʔ⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/hei̯³³ sɐi̯³³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ pɔːk̚²/

/kʰi²¹³⁻⁵⁵ si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ poʔ⁴/

of great momentum; grand and magnificent


飾非文過

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄨㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄨㄣˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ wən³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ mɐn²² kʷɔː³³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ wən³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ mɐn²² kʷɔː³³/


文過飾非

ㄨㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

ㄨㄣˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

/wən³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐn²² kʷɔː³³ sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/wən³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐn²² kʷɔː³³ sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/


齊頭並進

ㄑㄧˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

цитоубинцзинь

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ pɪŋ²² t͡sɵn³³/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ pɪŋ²² t͡sɵn³³/

to go on or advance simultaneously; to do two or more things at once


齊東野語

ㄑㄧˊ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄧㄝˇ ㄩˇ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

From Mencius:
:
此非君子之言，齊東野人之語也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]此非君子之言，齐东野人之语也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Cǐ fēi jūnzǐ zhī yán, Qí dōng yěrén zhī yǔ yě. [Pinyin]
These are not the words of a superior man. They are the sayings of an uncultivated person of the east of Qi.

此 非 君子 之 言，^齊 東 野人 之 語 也。


愛恨情仇

ㄞˋ ㄏㄣˋ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄡˊ

айхэньцинчоу

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ hɐn²² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ hɐn²² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹/

才明白愛恨情仇 最傷最痛是後悔 [MSC, trad.]
才明白爱恨情仇 最伤最痛是后悔 [MSC, simp.]

Only then did I realize that in love and hatred, the most damaging, the most painful is regret

cái míngbái àihènqíngchóu, zuì shāng zuì tòng shì hòuhuǐ [Pinyin]


鼓舌如簧

ㄍㄨˇ ㄕㄜˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄤˊ

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤ³⁵ ʐu³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kuː³⁵ siːt̚² jyː²¹ wɔːŋ²¹/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤ³⁵ ʐu³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kuː³⁵ siːt̚² jyː²¹ wɔːŋ²¹/

to wag one's tongue (for honeyed words, malicious gossip, etc.)


黨同伐異

ㄉㄤˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄚˊ ㄧˋ

ㄉㄤˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄚ ㄧˋ

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä³⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ fɐt̚² jiː²²/

/tɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁴⁻³² i²²/

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä³⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ fɐt̚² jiː²²/

/tɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁴⁻³² i²²/

to unite with those who agree and fight those who differ


時過境遷

ㄕˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

шигоцзинцянь

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²¹ kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²¹ kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/


事在人為

ㄕˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄟˊ

шицзайжэньвэй

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² t͡sɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² t͡sɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

it all depends on human effort; human effort can achieve everything; human effort is a decisive factor


一絲不苟

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³⁵/

From the novel The Scholars, chapter 4:
:
上司訪知，見世叔一絲不苟，陞遷就在指日。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]上司访知，见世叔一丝不苟，升迁就在指日。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: Wu Jingzi, The Scholars, 1750 CE
Shàngsī fǎngzhī, jiàn shìshū yīsī bùgǒu, shēngqiān jiù zài zhǐrì. [Pinyin]
When your superior hears about this, seeing that you have been scrupulous in every detail, you will be promoted in no time.

上司 訪知，見 世叔 一絲.不苟，升遷\陞遷 就 在 指日。

to be scrupulous about every detail; to not be the least bit negligent; to not overlook any detail


事過境遷

ㄕˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

шигоцзинцянь

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²² kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/su²²⁻²¹ ko²¹⁻⁵³ kiɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²² kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/su²²⁻²¹ ko²¹⁻⁵³ kiɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴/

the issue is in the past and the situation has changed; things change with the passage of time


自生自滅

ㄗˋ ㄕㄥ ㄗˋ ㄇㄧㄝˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² miːt̚²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² miːt̚²/

to (let something) emerge and perish on its own; to let something go its own way


龍飛鳳舞

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄟ ㄈㄥˋ ㄨˇ

/lʊŋ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ²² mou̯¹³/

/lʊŋ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ²² mou̯¹³/

vivid and vigorous flourishes in calligraphy


龍躍鳳鳴

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄈㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

лунъюэфэнмин

/lʊŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːk̚² fʊŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːk̚³ fʊŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

/lʊŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːk̚² fʊŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːk̚³ fʊŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/


龍肝鳳髓

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄢ ㄈㄥˋ ㄙㄨㄟˇ

лунганьфэнсуй

/lʊŋ³⁵ kän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²¹ kɔːn⁵⁵ fʊŋ²² sɵy̯¹³/

/lʊŋ³⁵ kän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²¹ kɔːn⁵⁵ fʊŋ²² sɵy̯¹³/


龍蛇混雜

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄜˊ ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄗㄚˊ

луншэхуньцза

/lʊŋ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵ xu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ sɛː²¹ wɐn²² t͡saːp̚²/

/lʊŋ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵ xu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ sɛː²¹ wɐn²² t͡saːp̚²/

good and bad people mixed up; wise and unwise huddled together


哽哽咽咽

ㄍㄥˇ ㄍㄥˇ ㄧㄝˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ jiːt̚³ jiːt̚³/

/kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ jiːt̚³ jiːt̚³/


無話可說

ㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄨㄛ

/u³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ waː²² hɔː³⁵ syːt̚³/

/u³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ waː²² hɔː³⁵ syːt̚³/

to have nothing to say; to be wordless; can't say anything more

to have great resentment for unacceptable actions


一技之長

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kei̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ki³³ t͡si³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kei̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ki³³ t͡si³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³/


無能為力

ㄨˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/u³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ nɐŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ui²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴/

/u³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ nɐŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ui²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴/


恰到好處

ㄑㄧㄚˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄏㄠˇ ㄔㄨˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/hɐp̚⁵ tou̯³³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː³³/

/hɐp̚⁵ tou̯³³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː³³/


一哄而散

ㄧ ㄏㄨㄥˋ ㄦˊ ㄙㄢˋ

ㄧ ㄏㄨㄥ ㄦˊ ㄙㄢˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xʊŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ hʊŋ²² jiː²¹ saːn³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xʊŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ hʊŋ²² jiː²¹ saːn³³/

(of people) to disperse in a hubbub; to break up in an uproar; to abruptly part ways


爭先恐後

ㄓㄥ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄏㄡˋ

чжэнсянькунхоу

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ³⁵ hɐu̯²²/

/t͡saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si̯en²⁴ kʰi̯uŋ³¹ heu̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ³⁵ hɐu̯²²/

/t͡saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si̯en²⁴ kʰi̯uŋ³¹ heu̯⁵⁵/


提心吊膽

to carry the heart and hang the gallbladder

ㄊㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄢˇ

тисиньдяодань

/tʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ tiːu̯³³ taːm³⁵/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim³³ tiau⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tã⁵⁵⁴/

/tʰe¹³⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ tã⁴¹/

/tʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ tiːu̯³³ taːm³⁵/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim³³ tiau⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tã⁵⁵⁴/

/tʰe¹³⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ tã⁴¹/

to be on tenterhooks; to be scared or jittery; to be in constant fear


無情無義

ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/u³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ i⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ jiː²²/

/mo¹¹ t͡sʰin¹¹ mo¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo¹³⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ ɡi³³/

/bo²⁴⁻²¹ t͡seŋ²⁴⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²¹ ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi⁴¹/

/u³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ i⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ jiː²²/

/mo¹¹ t͡sʰin¹¹ mo¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo¹³⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ ɡi³³/

/bo²⁴⁻²¹ t͡seŋ²⁴⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²¹ ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi⁴¹/


急流勇退

ㄐㄧˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄩㄥˇ ㄊㄨㄟˋ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐp̚⁵ lɐu̯²¹ jʊŋ¹³ tʰɵy̯³³/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐp̚⁵ lɐu̯²¹ jʊŋ¹³ tʰɵy̯³³/

山口百惠的急流勇退 [MSC, trad. and simp.]
Shānkǒu Bǎihuì de jíliúyǒngtuì [Pinyin]
Momoe Yamaguchi's retirement at the height of her career

withdrawing (receding, drawing back) while ahead (often so as to avoid disaster, etc.)


無微不至

ㄨˊ ㄨㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˋ

ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˋ

/u³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ mei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

/u³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ mei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³/


美輪美奐

ㄇㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

ㄇㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

мэйлуньмэйхуань

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ huan⁴¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun¹³⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan¹¹/

/bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lun²³⁻³³ bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ huan⁴¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun¹³⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan¹¹/

/bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lun²³⁻³³ bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

From the Book of Rites, Book 4 (《禮記·檀弓下》):
:
晉獻文子成室，晉大夫發焉。張老曰：「美哉輪焉！美哉奐焉！拌於斯，哭於斯，聚國族於斯。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]晋献文子成室，晋大夫发焉。张老曰：「美哉轮焉！美哉奂焉！拌于斯，哭于斯，聚国族于斯。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Jìn xiàn Wénzǐ chéng shì, Jìn dàfū fā yān. Zhāng Lǎo yuē: “Měi zāi lún yān! Měi zāi huàn yān! Bàn yú sī, kū yú sī, jù guózú yú sī.” [Pinyin]
(The ruler of) Jin having congratulated Wen-zi on the completion of his residence, the Great officers of the state went to the house-warming. Zhang Lao said, "How elegant it is, and lofty! How elegant and splendid! Here will you have your songs! Here will you have your wailings! Here will you assemble the representatives of the great families of the state!"

^晉 獻 @^文子 成 室，^晉 大夫 發 焉。@^張.^老 曰：「@美 哉 @輪 焉！@美 哉 @奐 焉！拌 於 斯，哭 於 斯，聚 國族 於 斯。」

美轮美奂
美侖美奐
美奐美輪

splendid and magnificent houses; sumptuous mansion; spectacular; magnificent


人情世故

ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄕˋ ㄍㄨˋ

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³ kuː³³/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ²¹/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³ kuː³³/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ²¹/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

the ways of the world; traditional code of conduct; worldly wisdom


是非分明

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄈㄣ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

шифэйфэньмин

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/


是非顛倒

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄉㄧㄢ ㄉㄠˇ

шифэйдяньдао

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


是非不分

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

to be unable to distinguish right and wrong


上天無路，入地無門

there is no road to heaven and no door into the earth

ㄕㄤˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨˋ

ㄖㄨˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄇㄣˊ

soeng⁵ tin¹ mou⁴ lou⁶, jap⁶ dei⁶ mou⁴ mun⁴

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ u³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ u³⁵ mən³⁵/

séuhng tīn mòuh louh, yahp deih mòuh mùhn

soeng⁵ tin¹ mou⁴ lou⁶, jap⁹ dei⁶ mou⁴ mun⁴

sêng⁵ tin¹ mou⁴ lou⁶, yeb⁶ déi⁶ mou⁴ mun⁴

/sœːŋ¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ lou̯²² jɐp̚² tei̯²² mou̯²¹ muːn²¹/

no way of escape; in desperate straits; in a desperate situation; at the end of the line


上天下地

to ascend the heaven or to descend to earth

ㄕㄤˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/sœːŋ¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² tei̯²²/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/sœːŋ¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² tei̯²²/

to leave no stones unturned; to spare no efforts


是非曲直

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

right and wrong; proper and improper; truth and falsehood


是非黑白

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄏㄟ ㄅㄞˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵ paːk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵ paːk̚²/


上上大吉

ㄕㄤˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/sœːŋ²² sœːŋ²² taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/sœːŋ²² sœːŋ²² taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/

most auspicious (a phrase usually used in divination)


上氣不接下氣

ㄕㄤˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧˋ

шанци бу цзе сяци

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² hei̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːp̚³ haː²² hei̯³³/


上上下下

ㄕㄤˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² sœːŋ²² haː²² haː²²/

/soŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ soŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ha²⁴⁻¹¹ ha²⁴/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² sœːŋ²² haː²² haː²²/

/soŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ soŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ha²⁴⁻¹¹ ha²⁴/

AABB-type reduplication of 上下 (shàngxià)

zh-etym-AABB

high and low; old and young; above and below; up and down


上行下效

ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ haː²² haːu̯²²/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ hau²²/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ haː²² haːu̯²²/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ hau²²/

(originally derogatory) subordinates follow the example of their superiors


上下其手

ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕㄡˇ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sœːŋ²² haː²² kʰei̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ha²²⁻²¹ ki²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵³/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sœːŋ²² haː²² kʰei̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ha²²⁻²¹ ki²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵³/

to practice fraud; to manoeuvre for some evil end; to get up to tricks


安如磐石

ㄢ ㄖㄨˊ ㄆㄢˊ ㄕˊ

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ pʰän³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ sɛːk̚²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ pʰän³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ sɛːk̚²/


藹然可親

ㄞˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄑㄧㄣ

айжанькэцинь

/ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/


上竄下跳

ㄕㄤˋ ㄘㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄊㄧㄠˋ

шанцуаньсятяо

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² t͡sʰyːn³³ haː²² tʰiːu̯³³/

/sœːŋ²² t͡sʰyːn³³ haː²² tʰiːu̯³³/


哀鴻遍野

ㄞ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄝˇ

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ pʰiːn³³ jɛː¹³/

/ai³³⁻²³ hoŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ pʰiːn³³ jɛː¹³/

/ai³³⁻²³ hoŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

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


鞍馬勞頓

ㄢ ㄇㄚˇ ㄌㄠˊ ㄉㄨㄣˋ

аньмалаодунь

/ˀän⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ maː¹³ lou̯²¹ tɵn²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ maː¹³ lou̯²¹ tɵn²²/

to be travel-worn; to be fatigued by a long journey


難言之隱

ㄋㄢˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄓ ㄧㄣˇ

наньяньчжиинь

/nän³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/naːn²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn³⁵/

/nän³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/naːn²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn³⁵/

something too embarrassing to mention; an embarrassing illness


安土重遷

ㄢ ㄊㄨˇ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

аньтучжунцянь

/ˀän⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/on²⁴ tʰu³¹ t͡sʰuŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰi̯en²⁴/

/ˀän⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/on²⁴ tʰu³¹ t͡sʰuŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰi̯en²⁴/

安土重遷，黎民之性；骨肉相附，人情所願也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
安土重迁，黎民之性；骨肉相附，人情所愿也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: The Book of Han, circa 1ˢᵗ century CE

Āntǔzhòngqiān, límín zhī xìng; gǔròu xiàng fù, rénqíng suǒ yuàn yě. [Pinyin]

to hate to leave one's native land or where one has lived long; to love one's homeland and not wish to leave it


不可收拾

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄡ ㄕˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄡ ˙ㄕ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu³³ sip̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu³³ sip̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

irremediable; unsalvageable; unmanageable; out of hand


蜜餞砒霜

ㄇㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄆㄧ ㄕㄨㄤ

мицзяньпишуан

/mi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ pʰi⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/mɐt̚² t͡siːn³³ pʰei̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/miʔ⁵⁻²¹ t͡sieŋ²¹³⁽⁻²¹⁾ pʰie⁵⁵ ⁽ˢ⁻⁾louŋ⁵⁵/

/mi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ pʰi⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/mɐt̚² t͡siːn³³ pʰei̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

sugarcoated poison; the flattering words of a vicious person


愛屋及烏

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ u⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ ʊk̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/ai²¹⁻⁵³ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kip̚⁴⁻³² ɔ⁴⁴/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ u⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ ʊk̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/ai²¹⁻⁵³ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kip̚⁴⁻³² ɔ⁴⁴/

From Shangshu Dazhuan (《尚書大傳》):
:
愛人者，兼其屋上之烏。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]爱人者，兼其屋上之乌。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Ài rén zhě, jiān qí wū shàng zhī wū. [Pinyin]
One who loves someone also loves the crow on his roof.

zh-x

愛 人 者，兼 其 屋 上 之 烏。

love me, love my dog; love for a person extends even to the crows on his roof; involvement with somebody and everyone connected


哀兵必勝

ㄞ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄅㄧˋ ㄕㄥˋ

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ sɪŋ³³/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ sɪŋ³³/

an army burning with indignation is bound to win


涇渭分明

to be as different as the waters of the (muddy)Jing and the (limpid) Wei

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄨㄟˋ ㄈㄣ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзинвэйфэньмин

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

to be entirely different; to be completely distinct (right and wrong; good and bad)


深入淺出

ㄕㄣ ㄖㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˇ ㄔㄨ

шэньжуцяньчу

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡sʰiːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻³³ zip̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiɛn⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰut̚³²/

/t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻²² d͡zip̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡sʰiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰut̚³²/

/t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻³³ lip̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰut̚³²/

/t͡sʰim³³ lip̚²⁴⁻² t͡sʰiɛn⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰut̚⁵/

/t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻²² lip̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰut̚³²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡sʰiːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

to explain a complex matter using simple language; simple and easy to understand; explaining in simple terms despite being immensely knowledgeable


口誅筆伐

ㄎㄡˇ ㄓㄨ ㄅㄧˇ ㄈㄚˊ

ㄎㄡˇ ㄓㄨ ㄅㄧˇ ㄈㄚ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fä³⁵/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fä⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚²/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fä³⁵/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fä⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚²/

to condemn in speech and writing; to denounce by word and pen


混淆視聽

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄊㄧㄥ

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄊㄧㄥ

ㄏㄨㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄊㄧㄥ

хуньсяошитин

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² tʰɪŋ³³/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² tʰɪŋ³³/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

to mislead the public with prevarication and deliberate falsehoods; to obscure the facts


五顏六色

ㄨˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍¹³ ŋaːn²¹ lʊk̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋ̍²² ŋe⁵⁵ loʔ³³ səʔ²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍¹³ ŋaːn²¹ lʊk̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋ̍²² ŋe⁵⁵ loʔ³³ səʔ²¹/

multicoloured; colourful; variegated; of many colors


天花亂墜

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄟˋ

тяньхуалуаньчжуй

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ lyːn²² t͡sɵy̯²²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ lyːn²² t͡sɵy̯²²/

Originally referring to a Buddhist priest expounding the Buddhist sutras, so flawless and persuasive that it moved the god of heaven, leading to a deluge of heavenly flowers.

他把手中保健品的功效說得天花亂墜。 [MSC, trad.]
他把手中保健品的功效说得天花乱坠。 [MSC, simp.]

He talked the legs off an iron chair to advertise for the healthcare product in his hands.

Tā bǎ shǒu zhōng bǎojiànpǐn de gōngxiào shuō de tiānhuāluànzhuì. [Pinyin]

(derogatory) wild boast about something; extravagant embellishments; hype


上諂下驕

ㄕㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠ

шанчаньсяцзяо

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ²² t͡sʰiːm³⁵ haː²² kiːu̯⁵⁵/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ²² t͡sʰiːm³⁵ haː²² kiːu̯⁵⁵/

obsequious towards one's superiors and arrogant towards one's inferiors


上不著天，下不著地

ㄕㄤˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄠˊ ㄊㄧㄢ

ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄠˊ ㄉㄧˋ

soeng⁶ bat¹ zoek⁶ tin¹, haa⁶ bat¹ zoek⁶ dei⁶

шанбучжаотянь

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯³⁵ ti⁵¹/

seuhng bāt jeuhk tīn, hah bāt jeuhk deih

soeng⁶ bat⁷ dzoek⁹ tin¹, haa⁶ bat⁷ dzoek⁹ dei⁶

sêng⁶ bed¹ zêg⁶ tin¹, ha⁶ bed¹ zêg⁶ déi⁶

/sœːŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːk̚² tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːk̚² tei̯²²/


懸崖絕壁

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄧˋ

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄞˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄧˋ

сюаньяцзюэби

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

сюаньяйцзюэби

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡syːt̚² pɪk̚⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡syːt̚² pɪk̚⁵/

sheer precipices and overhanging rocks; perilous cliffs and precipices


懸崖峭壁

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄧˋ

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄞˊ ㄑㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

сюаньяйцяоби

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡sʰiːu̯³³ pɪk̚⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡sʰiːu̯³³ pɪk̚⁵/


懸崖勒馬

to rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄇㄚˇ

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄞˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄇㄚˇ

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ lɐk̚² maː¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² ɡai²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² mã⁵³/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ lɐk̚² maː¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² ɡai²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² mã⁵³/

to desist from doing something before it is too late; to pull back before it is too late


阿諛奉承

ㄜ ㄩˊ ㄈㄥˋ ㄔㄥˊ

/ˀɤ⁵⁵ y³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/ɔː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ fʊŋ²² sɪŋ²¹/

/ˀɤ⁵⁵ y³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/ɔː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ fʊŋ²² sɪŋ²¹/


撫棺痛哭

ㄈㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄨ

фугуаньтунку

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/


大江南北

north and south sides of the great (Yangtze) river

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄟˇ

дацзяннаньбэй

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² kɔːŋ⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² kɔːŋ⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/


撫髀興嘆

ㄈㄨˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄊㄢˋ

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹/

to sigh in disappointment (said of one living in retirement but still burning with ambition)


撫養成人

ㄈㄨˇ ㄧㄤˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/fu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ jœːŋ¹³ sɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/fu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ jœːŋ¹³ sɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/


扼喉撫背

to strangle the front and press the back

ㄜˋ ㄏㄡˊ ㄈㄨˇ ㄅㄟˋ

/ˀɤ⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/aːk̚⁵ hɐu̯²¹ fuː³⁵ puːi̯³³/

/ˀɤ⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/aːk̚⁵ hɐu̯²¹ fuː³⁵ puːi̯³³/

to hold the best strategic positions which will render the enemy helpless; to occupy all military key points


撫躬自問

ㄈㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗˋ ㄨㄣˋ

фугунцзывэнь

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

to perform self-examination; to examine one's conscience; to examine oneself


撫今追昔

ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄒㄧ

ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄒㄧˊ

фуцзиньчжуйси

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

to contemplate the present and recall the past with emotion; to recall the past and compare it with the present


東西南北

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄟˇ

дунсинаньбэй

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/

/tuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴ nam¹¹ pet̚²/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/

/tuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴ nam¹¹ pet̚²/

east, west, south and north; everywhere; all corners of the world


憶昔撫今

ㄧˋ ㄒㄧ ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ

ㄧˋ ㄒㄧˊ ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ

/i⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

to recall the past and compare it with the present; to reflect on the past in light of the present


酸甜苦辣鹹

ㄙㄨㄢ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄎㄨˇ ㄌㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˊ

суаньтянькуласянь

/su̯än⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ lä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/syːn⁵⁵ tʰiːm²¹ fuː³⁵ laːt̚² haːm²¹/

/syːn⁵⁵ tʰiːm²¹ fuː³⁵ laːt̚² haːm²¹/

酸甜苦辣 酸甜苦辣#Chinese


不務正業

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ mou̯²² t͡sɪŋ³³ jiːp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bu⁴¹⁻²² t͡siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ɡiap̚²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bu²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚¹²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡiap̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ mou̯²² t͡sɪŋ³³ jiːp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bu⁴¹⁻²² t͡siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ɡiap̚²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bu²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚¹²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡiap̚⁴/

他不務正業，天天就知道吃喝玩樂。 [MSC, trad.]
他不务正业，天天就知道吃喝玩乐。 [MSC, simp.]

He won't do an honest day's work, and instead spends his days just having fun.

Tā bùwùzhèngyè, tiāntiān jiù zhīdào chīhēwánlè. [Pinyin]

to not do an honest day's work; to not live by honest labor


失魂落魄

ㄕ ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄆㄛˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯ən³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɐt̚⁵ wɐn²¹ lɔːk̚² pʰaːk̚³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯ən³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɐt̚⁵ wɐn²¹ lɔːk̚² pʰaːk̚³/

driven to distraction
driven to distraction

driven to distraction; panic-stricken; to lose one's wits


喜怒哀樂

ㄒㄧˇ ㄋㄨˋ ㄞ ㄌㄜˋ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ nu⁵¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ nou̯²² ɔːi̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ nu⁵¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ nou̯²² ɔːi̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

From the Doctrine of the Mean (《中庸》) in the Book of Rites:
:
喜怒哀樂之未發，謂之中；發而皆中節，謂之和；中也者，天下之大本也；和也者，天下之達道也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]喜怒哀乐之未发，谓之中；发而皆中节，谓之和；中也者，天下之大本也；和也者，天下之达道也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Xǐ nù āi lè zhī wèi fā, wèi zhī zhōng; fā ér jiē zhòng jié, wèi zhī hé; zhōng yě zhě, tiānxià zhī dà běn yě; hé yě zhě, tiānxià zhī dá dào yě. [Pinyin]
While there are no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind may be said to be in the state of Equilibrium. When those feelings have been stirred, and they act in their due degree, there ensues what may be called the state of Harmony. This Equilibrium is the great root from which grow all the human actings in the world, and this Harmony is the universal path which they all should pursue.

喜.怒.哀.樂{lè} 之 未 發，謂 之 中；發 而 皆 中{zhòng} 節，謂 之 和；中 也 者，天下 之 大 本 也；和 也 者，天下 之 達 道 也。

happiness, anger, sorrow and joy; the emotions of life


形同陌路

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ mɐk̚² lou̯²²/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ mɐk̚² lou̯²²/

to treat each other as passers-by; to act as if they are strangers


生老病死

ja-r

しょう%ろう%びょう%し

CJKV/code

しょう%ろう%びょう%し

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

CJKV

しょう%ろう%びょう%し

ㄕㄥ ㄌㄠˇ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄙˇ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ pɛːŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ pɛːŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

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

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


你死我活

ㄋㄧˇ ㄙˇ ㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄨㄛˊ

/ni²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/nei̯¹³ sei̯³⁵ ŋɔː¹³ wuːt̚²/

/ni²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/nei̯¹³ sei̯³⁵ ŋɔː¹³ wuːt̚²/

拼個你死我活／拼个你死我活

irreconcilable adversaries; two parties cannot coexist


人生如夢

ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄥ ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄥˋ

жэньшэнжумэн

žɛnʹšɛnžumɛn

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ mʊŋ²²/

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ mʊŋ²²/


漁夫之利

/y³⁵ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

/y³⁵ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

漁人之利 漁人之利#Chinese

渔人之利 渔人之利#Chinese

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


並行不悖

ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄟˋ

/piŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ puːi̯²²/

/piŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ puːi̯²²/


燙手山芋

ㄊㄤˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕㄢ ㄩˋ

таншоу шаньюй

/tʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ³³ sɐu̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ suã³³ ɔ⁴¹/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ³³ sɐu̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ suã³³ ɔ⁴¹/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

hot potato (awkward or delicate problem)


板上釘釘

ㄅㄢˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄥ

баньшандиндин

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiŋ⁵⁵/

ㄅㄢˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄥㄦ

баньшандиндинр

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiɤ̯̃ɻ⁵⁵/

/paːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² tɛːŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵/

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiɤ̯̃ɻ⁵⁵/

/paːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² tɛːŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵/


居高臨下

ㄐㄩ ㄍㄠ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

цзюйгаолинься

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lin³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ lɐm²¹ haː²²/

/ku⁴⁴⁻²² ko⁴⁴⁻²² lim²⁴⁻²² ha²²/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lin³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ lɐm²¹ haː²²/

/ku⁴⁴⁻²² ko⁴⁴⁻²² lim²⁴⁻²² ha²²/

to be condescending; to be arrogant based on one's social position


梟首示眾

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

сяошоу шичжун

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡sʊŋ³³/

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


妄自尊大

ㄨㄤˋ ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄣ ㄉㄚˋ

ванцзыцзуньда

/wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² t͡syːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²²/

/wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² t͡syːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²²/

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

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

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

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

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


鋪天蓋地

ㄆㄨ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄍㄞˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/pʰu⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/pʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɔːi̯³³ tei̯²²/

/pʰu⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/pʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɔːi̯³³ tei̯²²/

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


體無完膚

ㄊㄧˇ ㄨˊ ㄨㄢˊ ㄈㄨ

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ wän³⁵ fu⁵⁵/

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jyːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵/

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ wän³⁵ fu⁵⁵/

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jyːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵/

cuts and bruises all over; severely injured


來龍去脈

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄩˋ ㄇㄞˋ

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄩˋ ㄇㄛˋ

лайлунцюймай

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ maɪ̯⁵¹/

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lʊŋ²¹ hɵy̯³³ mɐk̚²/

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ maɪ̯⁵¹/

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lʊŋ²¹ hɵy̯³³ mɐk̚²/

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

zh-l

龍脈／龙脉 (lóngmài)

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


虎視眈眈

CJKV/code

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

ㄏㄨˇ ㄕˋ ㄉㄢ ㄉㄢ

хушиданьдань

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ tän⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ siː²² taːm⁵⁵ taːm⁵⁵/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tam³³ tam³³/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hõũ⁵²⁻³⁵ si³⁵⁻¹¹ tam³³⁻²³ tam³³/

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ tän⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ siː²² taːm⁵⁵ taːm⁵⁵/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tam³³ tam³³/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hõũ⁵²⁻³⁵ si³⁵⁻¹¹ tam³³⁻²³ tam³³/

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

zh-x

六四：顛 頤，吉，虎視.眈眈，其 欲 逐-逐，无 咎。

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

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 27


僧多粥少

ㄙㄥ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓㄡ ㄕㄠˇ

сэндочжоушао

/sɤŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

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

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

/sɤŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

not enough to go around; having demands exceeding supply


靡靡之音

ㄇㄧˇ ㄇㄧˇ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/mei̯¹³ mei̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/mei̯¹³ mei̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

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

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

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

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


落手落腳

/lɔːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ lɔːk̚² kœːk̚³/

/lɔːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ lɔːk̚² kœːk̚³/

get one's hands dirty
get one's hands dirty

(Cantonese) to get one's hands dirty; to involve oneself in doing work


碌碌無為

ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

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


債務累累

ㄓㄞˋ ㄨˋ ㄌㄟˇ ㄌㄟˇ

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

/t͡saːi̯³³ mou̯²² lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/

/t͡saːi̯³³ mou̯²² lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/


大智若愚

ㄉㄚˋ ㄓˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siː³³ jœːk̚² jyː²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siː³³ jœːk̚² jyː²¹/

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


混淆是非

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

ㄏㄨㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

хуньсяо шифэй

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

хуньяо шифэй

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/


天方夜譚

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄈㄤ ㄧㄝˋ ㄊㄢˊ

тяньфанъетань

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɛː²² tʰaːm²¹/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɛː²² tʰaːm²¹/

(figurative) cock-and-bull story; fantasy story; absurd idea; nonsense


吃苦耐勞

ㄔ ㄎㄨˇ ㄋㄞˋ ㄌㄠˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ naɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ naɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/


千辛萬苦

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄎㄨˇ

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄎㄨˇ

цяньсиньваньку

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ uan²¹³ kʰu⁵³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ɕin⁴² uan¹¹ kʰu²¹³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰu³¹/

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

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ sin³³ ban⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

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

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

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

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ sin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ ɕin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ uan²¹³ kʰu⁵³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ɕin⁴² uan¹¹ kʰu²¹³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰu³¹/

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

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ sin³³ ban⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

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

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

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

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ sin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ ɕin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

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

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

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

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

trials and tribulations
trials and tribulations

suffering untold hardships; trials and tribulations


刣雞教猴

刣鸡教猴
刣鷄教猴
刣雞敎猴
刣鷄敎猴

/tʰai⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kie⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻¹¹ kue⁴⁴⁻³³ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue³³ ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai¹³⁻²² ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau¹³/

/tʰai²³⁻³³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ kau²³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵⁵/

/tʰai⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kie⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻¹¹ kue⁴⁴⁻³³ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue³³ ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai¹³⁻²² ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau¹³/

/tʰai²³⁻³³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ kau²³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵⁵/

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


泛濫成災

ㄈㄢˋ ㄌㄢˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄗㄞ

фаньланьчэнцзай

/fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ län⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/faːn³³ laːm²² sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ län⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/faːn³³ laːm²² sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

表報之多，鬧得泛濫成災。 [MSC, trad.]
表报之多，闹得泛滥成灾。 [MSC, simp.]

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

There is such a flood of statistical forms that they become a scourge.

Biǎobào zhī duō, nào de fànlànchéngzāi. [Pinyin]

to run rampant; to run wild; to run amok


身外之物

/ʂən⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐt̚²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐt̚²/

錢乃身外之物。／钱乃身外之物。

mere worldly possessions; things external to one's life


之乎者也

ㄓ ㄏㄨ ㄓㄜˇ ㄧㄝˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fuː²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ jaː¹³/

/t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ hu¹¹ t͡sia⁵²⁻³⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ hu³³ t͡se³³ ɦie²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fuː²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ jaː¹³/

/t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ hu¹¹ t͡sia⁵²⁻³⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ hu³³ t͡se³³ ɦie²¹/

The four common particles in Classical Chinese.

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

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

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

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

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


我行我素

ㄨㄛˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄛˇ ㄙㄨˋ

/wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/ŋɔː¹³ hɐŋ²¹ ŋɔː¹³ sou̯³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ¹¹/

uá kiâⁿ uá sù

/ua⁵² kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ua⁵²⁻³⁵ su²¹³/

/wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/ŋɔː¹³ hɐŋ²¹ ŋɔː¹³ sou̯³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ¹¹/

/ua⁵² kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ua⁵²⁻³⁵ su²¹³/

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


屢教不改

ㄌㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄞˇ

люйцзяобугай

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

/lɵy̯¹³ kaːu̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵/

/lɵy̯¹³ kaːu̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


春意闌珊

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄧˋ ㄌㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

чуньиланьшань

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ i⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ i⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

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

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

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

Lián wài yǔ chánchán, chūnyìlánshān. [Pinyin]


四方八面

ㄙˋ ㄈㄤ ㄅㄚ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

/sz̩⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ miːn²²/

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

/sz̩⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ miːn²²/

四面八方 四面八方#Chinese

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


悠哉悠哉

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 1 (《詩經·周南·關雎》):
:
求之不得，寤寐思服。
悠哉悠哉，輾轉反側。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]求之不得，寤寐思服。
悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Qiú zhī bù dé, wùmèi sīfú.
Yōuzāi yōuzāi, zhǎnzhuǎn fǎncè. [Pinyin]
He sought her and found her not, and waking and sleeping he thought about her.
Long he thought; oh! long and anxiously; on his side, on his back, he turned, and back again.

lang

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

zh-x

求 之 不 得，寤寐 思服。
@悠哉.悠哉，輾轉.反側。

leisurely and carefree; free and unconstrained


吃喝拉撒睡

ㄔ ㄏㄜ ㄌㄚ ㄙㄚ ㄕㄨㄟˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵ lä⁵⁵ sä⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵ lä⁵⁵ sä⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/


世外桃源

ㄕˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄊㄠˊ ㄩㄢˊ

шивайтаоюань

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ ŋɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ jyːn²¹/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡua³³⁻²¹ tʰɤ²³⁻³³ ɡuan²³/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ tʰo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan²⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ ŋɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ jyːn²¹/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡua³³⁻²¹ tʰɤ²³⁻³³ ɡuan²³/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ tʰo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan²⁴/

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

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

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

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

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

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


樑上君子

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ

ляншанцзюньцзы

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sœːŋ²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sœːŋ²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

From a story in the Book of the Later Han.


窈窕淑女

ㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄨ ㄋㄩˇ

ㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄨˊ ㄋㄩˇ

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

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

/miːu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/jiːu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

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

/miːu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/jiːu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

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

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

lang

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

zh-x

窈窕.淑女，君子 好逑。

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

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

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


自吹自擂

ㄗˋ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄗˋ ㄌㄟˊ

цзычуйцзылэй

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ leɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː²² lɵy̯²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ leɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː²² lɵy̯²¹/

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


事後諸葛亮

ㄕˋ ㄏㄡˋ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄜˇ ㄌㄧㄤˋ

ㄕˋ ㄏㄡˋ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄜˊ ㄌㄧㄤˋ

шихоу Чжугэ Лян

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/siː²² hɐu̯²² t͡syː⁵⁵ kɔːt̚³ lœːŋ²²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/siː²² hɐu̯²² t͡syː⁵⁵ kɔːt̚³ lœːŋ²²/

twenty-twenty hindsight
twenty-twenty hindsight

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


胡攪蠻纏

ㄏㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄇㄢˊ ㄔㄢˊ

хуцзяоманьчань

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ män³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵/

/wuː²¹ kaːu̯³⁵ maːn²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ män³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵/

/wuː²¹ kaːu̯³⁵ maːn²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

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


全神貫注

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨˋ

цюаньшэньгуаньчжу

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

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

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

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

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

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

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

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

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

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

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


身陷囹圄

ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄩˇ

шэньсяньлинъюй

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɐm²² lɪŋ²¹ jyː¹³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɐm²² lɪŋ²¹ jyː¹³/


傾家蕩產

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ

цинцзяданчань

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰyn⁵⁵ t͡ɕia⁵⁵ taŋ²¹³ t͡sʰan⁵³/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɔːŋ²² t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

/kʰen⁵⁵ ka³³ ɔŋ³² t͡sʰan⁵⁵/

/kʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ taŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sũã⁵²/

/t͡ɕʰyn⁵⁵ t͡ɕia⁵⁵ taŋ²¹³ t͡sʰan⁵³/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɔːŋ²² t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

/kʰen⁵⁵ ka³³ ɔŋ³² t͡sʰan⁵⁵/

/kʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ taŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sũã⁵²/

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


言歸於好

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄩˊ ㄏㄠˇ

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

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

凡 我 同盟 之 人，既 盟 之後，@言 @歸 @于 @好。

to bury the hatchet; to become reconciled


過河拆橋

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄔㄞ ㄑㄧㄠˊ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

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


鮮為人知

ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ

сяньвэйжэньчжи

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/siːn³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/siːn³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

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


不揣冒昧

ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄞˇ ㄇㄠˋ ㄇㄟˋ

бучуаймаомэй

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ mou̯²² mɐi̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ mou̯²² mɐi̯²²/

to venture to; presume; to take the liberty of


淚流滿面

ㄌㄟˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

лэйлюманьмянь

/leɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² lɐu̯²¹ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

/leɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² lɐu̯²¹ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

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


津津樂道

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄌㄜˋ ㄉㄠˋ

цзиньцзиньлэдао

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

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


美其名曰

ㄇㄟˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄝ

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵/

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵/


婦孺皆知

ㄈㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓ

/fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fuː¹³ jyː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fuː¹³ jyː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/


喧賓奪主

the voice of the guest overwhelms that of the host

ㄒㄩㄢ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄓㄨˇ

сюаньбиньдочжу

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² t͡syː³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² t͡syː³⁵/

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

From: 《经济日报》, 2022年09月12日, “轻装”月饼味更香

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

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

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


實話實說

ㄕˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄕˊ ㄕㄨㄛ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² waː²² sɐt̚² syːt̚³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² waː²² sɐt̚² syːt̚³/

call a spade a spade
call a spade a spade

to speak the truth; to call a spade a spade


有頭無尾

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˇ

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

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

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

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

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


嶄露頭角

ㄓㄢˇ ㄌㄨˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

чжаньлутоуцзяо

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

/t͡saːm³⁵ lou̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ kɔːk̚³/

/t͡saːm³⁵ lou̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ kɔːk̚³/

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


四海為家

ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄚ

/sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

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

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

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

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


派上用場

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˇ

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˊ

пайшанъюнчан

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

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/


任人唯親

ㄖㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧㄣ

жэньжэньвэйцинь

žɛnʹžɛnʹvɛjcinʹ

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

to appoint people by favouritism; nepotism


如意算盤

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄢˊ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ˙ㄆㄢ

жуисуаньпань

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

don't count your chickens before they're hatched

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


玩世不恭

ㄨㄢˊ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

/wän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

to despise worldly conventions; to be cynical; frivolous


趁火打劫

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

ㄔㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

ㄔㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇㄦ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

чэньхордацзе

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔɻ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

to take advantage of chaos for one's own profit


五臟俱全

ㄨˇ ㄗㄤˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

уцзанцзюйцюань

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

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

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

(please add an English translation of this quotation)

麻雀雖小，五臟俱全 麻雀雖小，五臟俱全#Chinese

麻雀虽小，五脏俱全 麻雀虽小，五脏俱全#Chinese

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


陳腔濫調

ㄔㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄌㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

чэньцянланьдяо

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːm¹³ tiːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːm¹³ tiːu̯²²/

(usually of writing) hackneyed; unoriginal; stereotyped


無與倫比

ㄨˊ ㄩˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄧˇ

/u³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/u³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

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

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


好學不倦

ㄏㄠˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄢˋ

хаосюэбуцзюань

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/


破財消災

ㄆㄛˋ ㄘㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄗㄞ

поцайсяоцзай

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

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


囂張跋扈

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄓㄤ ㄅㄚˊ ㄏㄨˋ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

arrogant and despotic; domineering and aggressive


形影不離

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄥˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/


生意興隆

CJKV/code

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

ㄕㄥ ˙ㄧ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

ㄕㄥ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i² ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i² ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

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


一年半載

ㄧ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄗㄞˇ

иняньбаньцзай

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

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

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

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/

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

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

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

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/


靈機一動

ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

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


上房揭瓦

ㄕㄤˋ ㄈㄤˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄨㄚˇ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

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


風土人情

ㄈㄥ ㄊㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

фэнтужэньцин

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/


淨身出戶

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋ

цзиншэньчуху

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋㄦ

цзиншэньчухур

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

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


笑掉大牙

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄚˊ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ jä³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ tiːu̯²² taːi̯²² ŋaː²¹/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ jä³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ tiːu̯²² taːi̯²² ŋaː²¹/

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

to laugh one's head off; ridiculous and embarrassing


特立獨行

ㄊㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

independent in mind and action; unconventional and strong-minded


一問一答

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²² jɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mɯŋ¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tap̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²² jɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mɯŋ¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tap̚²/

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

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

to ask and answer interchangeably or successively


中流砥柱

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄧˇ ㄓㄨˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄧˇ ㄓㄨˋㄦ

чжунлюдичжур

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

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

(figurative) mainstay; cornerstone; chief support


人云亦云

ㄖㄣˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄧˋ ㄩㄣˊ

/ʐən³⁵ yn³⁵ i⁵¹ yn³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ jɪk̚² wɐn²¹/

/ʐən³⁵ yn³⁵ i⁵¹ yn³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ jɪk̚² wɐn²¹/

to say what others say; to follow the herd


一貧如洗

ㄧ ㄆㄧㄣˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄒㄧˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰin³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰɐn²¹ jyː²¹ sɐi̯³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰin³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰɐn²¹ jyː²¹ sɐi̯³⁵/

poor as a church mouse
poor as a church mouse


不痛不癢

ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ¹³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ¹³/

not getting to the substance of the matter; perfunctory; superficial

不疼不癢

not getting into the substance of the matter


如意郎君

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄌㄤˊ ㄐㄩㄣ

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ lɔːŋ²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ lɔːŋ²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

ideal husband; Mr. Right; Prince Charming


身體力行

ㄕㄣ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

practice what one preaches
practice what one preaches

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


青春年少

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄠˋ

цинчуньняньшао

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ siːu̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ siːu̯³³/


風塵碌碌

ㄈㄥ ㄔㄣˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/

to be busy with worldly affairs; toiling over ordinary chores


春風化雨

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ

чуньфэнхуаюй

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


白手起家

ㄅㄞˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄚ

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

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


烏合之眾

⇒ Japanese: 烏合の衆 (ugō no shū)

ㄨ ㄏㄜˊ ㄓ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

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

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

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

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/


永無止境

ㄩㄥˇ ㄨˊ ㄓˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

without an end; endless; never-ending; boundless


安於現狀

ㄢ ㄩˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

аньюйсяньчжуан

/ˀän⁵⁵ y³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ y³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

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


愣頭愣腦

ㄌㄥˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄥˋ ㄋㄠˇ

лэнтоулэннао

/lɤŋ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lɤŋ⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄌㄥˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄥˋ ㄋㄠˇㄦ

лэнтоулэннаор

/lɤŋ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lɤŋ⁵¹ naʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɪŋ²² tʰɐu̯²¹ lɪŋ²² nou̯¹³/

/lɤŋ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lɤŋ⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɤŋ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lɤŋ⁵¹ naʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɪŋ²² tʰɐu̯²¹ lɪŋ²² nou̯¹³/


強詞奪理

ㄑㄧㄤˇ ㄘˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˇ

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

/kʰœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯¹³/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯¹³/

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


嫁禍於人

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

to shift the blame on others; to pass the buck


安家落戶

ㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˋ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

ㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˋㄦ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² wuː²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² wuː²²/

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


可望而不可即

ㄎㄜˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧˊ

кэ ван эр букэ цзи

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

/hɔː³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

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


自知之明

цзычжичжимин

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

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

zh-x

知 人 者 智，自 知 者 明。

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


自相殘殺

ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄘㄢˊ ㄕㄚ

цзысянцаньша

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ saːt̚³/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ saːt̚³/

to slaughter each other; to massacre one another


莊周夢蝶

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄓㄡ ㄇㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄝˊ

чжуанчжоумэнде

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² tiːp̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² tiːp̚²/

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

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

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


血氣方剛

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

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

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

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


皮包骨頭

ㄆㄧˊ ㄅㄠ ㄍㄨˇ ˙ㄊㄡ

ㄆㄧˊ ㄅㄠ ㄍㄨˊ ˙ㄊㄡ

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³/

/pʰei̯²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³/

/pʰei̯²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/


群言堂

ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄊㄤˊ

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

democratic decision making; decision making by consensus


一言堂

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ɡiɛn¹³⁻²² tɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ɡiɛn¹³⁻²² tɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³/


脣齒相依

ㄔㄨㄣˊ ㄔˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄧ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵/

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


有目無珠

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

有眼無珠 有眼無珠#Chinese

有眼无珠 有眼无珠#Chinese


相依為命

相依为命
相須為命
相倚為命
相與為命

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄧ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã¹¹/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã¹¹/

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


有眼無珠

有眼无珠
有目無珠
有眼無瞳
肉眼無珠
眼內無珠
盲眼無珠

ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

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


千真萬確

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ

цяньчжэньваньцюэ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ t͡sən⁵⁵ uan²¹³ t͡ɕʰyo²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² kʰɔːk̚³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ t͡sən⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰɔk̚¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ ʈ͡ʂən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡sən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ t͡sən⁵⁵ uan²¹³ t͡ɕʰyo²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² kʰɔːk̚³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ t͡sən⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰɔk̚¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ ʈ͡ʂən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡sən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

absolutely true; one can swear it is true


面無表情

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² mou̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² mou̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

stolid; showing little expression on the face


直截了當

直截了当
直接了當
直捷了當

ㄓˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄤˋ

чжицзеляодан

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡siːt̚² liːu̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡siːt̚² liːu̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³/


不擇手段

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

буцзэшоудуань

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

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

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

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

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

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

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

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

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

只要目的正當，可以不擇手段／只要目的正当，可以不择手段

zhǐyào mùdì zhèngdàng, kěyǐ bùzéshǒuduàn


言過其實

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

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

物 固 有 形，形 固 有 名。此 言 不得 過實，實 不得 延 名。

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


悶悶不樂

ㄇㄣˋ ㄇㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄜˋ

мэньмэньбулэ

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/


大顯身手

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇ

дасяньшэньшоу

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

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇㄦ

дасяньшэньшоур

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

/taːi̯²² hiːn³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

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

/taːi̯²² hiːn³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

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

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

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

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


沉默寡言

ㄔㄣˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄧㄢˊ

чэньмогуаянь

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ mɐk̚² kʷaː³⁵ jiːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ mɐk̚² kʷaː³⁵ jiːn²¹/


積少成多

ㄐㄧ ㄕㄠˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄉㄨㄛ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

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


去蕪存菁

to get rid of the weeds and keep the flowers

ㄑㄩˋ ㄨˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄥ

цюйуцуньцзин

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

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


壓力山大

ㄧㄚ ㄌㄧˋ ㄕㄢ ㄉㄚˋ

/jä⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/jä⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

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

zh-l

(neologism, humorous) to be under great pressure


相濡以沫

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˇ ㄇㄛˋ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː¹³ muːt̚²/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː¹³ muːt̚²/

From Zhuangzi [ca. 3rd – 2nd centuries BCE]:
:
泉涸，魚相與處於陸，相呴以溼，相濡以沫，不如相忘於江湖。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]泉涸，鱼相与处于陆，相呴以湿，相濡以沫，不如相忘于江湖。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE
Quán hé, yú xiāngyǔ chǔ yú lù, xiāng xǔ yǐ shī, xiāng rú yǐ mò, bùrú xiāngwàng yú jiānghú. [Pinyin]
When the springs are dried up, the fishes collect together on the land. Than that they should moisten one another there by the damp about them, and keep one another wet by their slime, it would be better for them to forget one another in the rivers and lakes.

defdate

ca. 3rd – 2nd centuries <small class='ce-date'>BCE</small>

zh-x

泉 涸，魚 相{xiāng}與 處{chǔ} 於 陸，相{xiāng} 呴 以 溼，相{xiāng}.濡.以.沫，不如 相{xiāng}-忘 於 江湖。

(figurative, of a loving couple) to accompany each other through times of prosperity and hardships till the end of time


不予理睬

ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄘㄞˇ

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

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ lei̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ lei̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

to ignore; to dismiss; to pay no attention to


付之一笑

ㄈㄨˋ ㄓ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³/

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³/

to laugh something off; to dismiss with a laugh


毋庸置疑

/u³⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

/u³⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

no need to question; without any doubt; undoubtedly


一頭霧水

ㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

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

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

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

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

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

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

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

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

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

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

to be completely muddle-headed; to be baffled


腰酸背痛

ㄧㄠ ㄙㄨㄢ ㄅㄟˋ ㄊㄨㄥˋ

яосуаньбэйтун

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯än⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯⁵⁵ syːn⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ tʰʊŋ³³/

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯än⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯⁵⁵ syːn⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ tʰʊŋ³³/

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


語無倫次

ㄩˇ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄘˋ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

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