心如刀割

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄖㄨˊ ㄉㄠ ㄍㄜ

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tou̯⁵⁵ kɔːt̚³/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tou̯⁵⁵ kɔːt̚³/

我心如刀割 ― wǒ xīnrúdāogē ― I am heartbroken

怎麼看你笑著 我卻心如刀割 [MSC, trad.]
怎么看你笑着 我却心如刀割 [MSC, simp.]

From: 2019, 周興哲 (Eric Chou), 《怎麼了》 (What's Wrong)

How come when I see you smiling, I am heartbroken?

zěnme kàn nǐ xiào zhe, wǒ què xīnrúdāogē [Pinyin]


白頭偕老

ㄅㄞˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄠˇ

/paɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² tʰɐu̯²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ lou̯¹³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰɔ²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻²² lo⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰiɤ²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰio²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tʰiɤ²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tʰio²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ lo⁵³/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tʰau²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ lɤ⁴¹/

/peʔ⁴⁻² tʰau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ lau⁵²/

/paɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² tʰɐu̯²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ lou̯¹³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰɔ²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻²² lo⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰiɤ²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰio²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tʰiɤ²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tʰio²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁵³/

/piɪk̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ nɔ̃⁴¹/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ lo⁵³/

/pe(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tʰau²³ kai⁴⁴⁻³³ lɤ⁴¹/

/peʔ⁴⁻² tʰau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ lau⁵²/

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


不由自主

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄗˋ ㄓㄨˇ

/pu⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡siː²² t͡syː³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡siː²² t͡syː³⁵/

to not be able to restrain oneself; to feel an irresistible urge (to do something); can't help but; involuntarily; spontaneously


花容月貌

countenance of flowers, appearance of the moon

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄇㄠˋ

хуажунъюэмао

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹ jyːt̚² maːu̯²²/

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹ jyːt̚² maːu̯²²/

(of a woman) beautiful, attractive, gorgeous


好吃懶做

ㄏㄠˋ ㄔ ㄌㄢˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

хаочиланьцзо

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ län²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɛːk̚³ laːn¹³ t͡sou̯²²/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ län²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɛːk̚³ laːn¹³ t͡sou̯²²/

to be fond of eating and averse to work; to be piggish


守株待兔

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (守株待兔):
* → Japanese: 株(くいぜ)を守(まも)る (kuize o mamoru)
* → Korean: 수주대토(守株待兎) (sujudaeto)
* → Vietnamese: thủ chu đãi thố (守株待兔)

ㄕㄡˇ ㄓㄨ ㄉㄞˋ ㄊㄨˋ

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰu⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²² tʰou̯³³/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su⁴⁴⁻²² tʰai²²⁻²¹ tʰɔ²¹/

/siu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡su³³ tʰai⁴¹⁻²² tʰɔ⁴¹/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su⁴⁴⁻²² tʰai²²⁻²¹ tʰɔ²¹/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰai³³⁻¹¹ tʰɔ¹¹/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡su⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰai³³⁻²¹ tʰɔ²¹/

/siu⁵²⁻³⁵ tu³³⁻²³ tʰai³⁵⁻¹¹ tʰou²¹³/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰu⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²² tʰou̯³³/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su⁴⁴⁻²² tʰai²²⁻²¹ tʰɔ²¹/

/siu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡su³³ tʰai⁴¹⁻²² tʰɔ⁴¹/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su⁴⁴⁻²² tʰai²²⁻²¹ tʰɔ²¹/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰai³³⁻¹¹ tʰɔ¹¹/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡su⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰai³³⁻²¹ tʰɔ²¹/

/siu⁵²⁻³⁵ tu³³⁻²³ tʰai³⁵⁻¹¹ tʰou²¹³/

Based on a story in Han Feizi:
:
宋人有耕田者，田中有株，兔走觸株，折頸而死。因釋其耒而守株，冀復得兔，兔不可復得，而身為宋國笑。今欲以先王之政，治當世之民，皆守株之類也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]宋人有耕田者，田中有株，兔走触株，折颈而死。因释其耒而守株，冀复得兔，兔不可复得，而身为宋国笑。今欲以先王之政，治当世之民，皆守株之类也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Feizi, circa 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translation from Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2012) by Burton Watson
Sòng rén yǒu gēngtián zhě, tián zhōng yǒu zhū, tù zǒu chù zhū, zhé jǐng ér sǐ. Yīn shì qí lěi ér shǒu zhū, jì fù dé tù, tù bùkě fù dé, ér shēn wéi Sòng guó xiào. Jīn yù yǐ xiānwáng zhī zhèng, zhì dāngshì zhī mín, jiē shǒu zhū zhī lèi yě. [Pinyin]
There was a farmer of Song who tilled the land, and in his field was a stump. One day a rabbit, racing across the field, bumped into the stump, broke its neck, and died. Thereupon the farmer laid aside his plow and took up watching the stump, hoping that he will get another rabbit in the same way. But he got no rabbits, and instead becoming the laughing stock of Song. Those who think they can take the ways of the ancient kings and use them to govern the people today all belong in the category of stump-watchers!

zh-x

宋 人 有 耕田 者，田 中 有 株，兔 走 觸 株，折 頸 而 死。因 釋 其 耒 而 守 株，冀 復 得 兔，兔 不可 復 得，而 身 為{wéi} ^宋 國 笑。今 欲 以 先王 之 政，治 當世 之 民，皆 守 株 之 類 也。

Han Feizi, circa 2ⁿᵈ century <small class='ce-date'>BCE</small>, translation from Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2012) by Burton Watson

towatch a tree stump waiting for a rabbit

金融監管不能守株待兔。 [MSC, trad.]
金融监管不能守株待兔。 [MSC, simp.]

The government should not just wait for problems to come up when handling financial regulation.

Jīnróng jiānguǎn bùnéng shǒuzhūdàitù. [Pinyin]


不省人事

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (不省人事):
* → Vietnamese: bất tỉnh nhân sự (不省人事)

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄥˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕˋ

/pu⁵¹ ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ³⁵ jɐn²¹ siː²²/

/pu⁵¹ ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ³⁵ jɐn²¹ siː²²/

to lose consciousness; to be unconscious


因人而異

ㄧㄣ ㄖㄣˊ ㄦˊ ㄧˋ

/in⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː²¹ jiː²²/

/in⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː²¹ jiː²²/

to differ from person to person; to vary with each individual


以偏概全

ㄧˇ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄍㄞˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

ипяньгайцюань

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː¹³ pʰiːn⁵⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː¹³ pʰiːn⁵⁵ kʰɔːi̯³³ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to take a part for the whole; to generalise


一生一世

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ se²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ se¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ se²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sẽ³³⁻²³ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² si²¹³/

/iɪʔ³³ sã⁵⁵ iɪʔ³³ sz̩²¹/

/iɪʔ⁴⁴ sã²³ iɪʔ⁵⁵ sz̩ʷ⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ se²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ se¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² it̚³²⁻⁴ se²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sẽ³³⁻²³ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² si²¹³/

/iɪʔ³³ sã⁵⁵ iɪʔ³³ sz̩²¹/

/iɪʔ⁴⁴ sã²³ iɪʔ⁵⁵ sz̩ʷ⁵¹/

我哋呢班打工仔 一生一世為錢幣做奴隸 [Cantonese, trad.]
我哋呢班打工仔 一生一世为钱币做奴隶 [Cantonese, simp.]

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

Working folks like us slaving for money our entire lives

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


露齒而笑

ㄌㄨˋ ㄔˇ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

ㄌㄡˋ ㄔˇ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/loʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lou̯²² t͡sʰiː³⁵ jiː²¹ siːu̯³³/

/lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/loʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lou̯²² t͡sʰiː³⁵ jiː²¹ siːu̯³³/


久仰大名

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jœːŋ¹³ taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jœːŋ¹³ taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹/

(polite, honorific) I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time


難以置信

ㄋㄢˊ ㄧˇ ㄓˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ

наньичжисинь

/nän³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ jiː¹³ t͡siː³³ sɵn³³/

/laŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ ti²¹³⁻⁵⁵ siŋ²¹³/

/nän³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ jiː¹³ t͡siː³³ sɵn³³/

/laŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ ti²¹³⁻⁵⁵ siŋ²¹³/


四面八方

ㄙˋ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄚ ㄈㄤ

/sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ pä⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ miːn²² paːt̚³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/si⁴⁵ mi̯ẽ²¹⁻¹¹ pa̠²⁴ ɸan³³/

/ɕi⁴⁵ mi̯ẽ²¹⁻¹¹ pa̠²⁴ ɸan³³/

/sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ pä⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ miːn²² paːt̚³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/si⁴⁵ mi̯ẽ²¹⁻¹¹ pa̠²⁴ ɸan³³/

/ɕi⁴⁵ mi̯ẽ²¹⁻¹¹ pa̠²⁴ ɸan³³/

in all directions; all around; far and wide


千方百計

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄈㄤ ㄅㄞˇ ㄐㄧˋ

цяньфанбайцзи

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːk̚³ kɐi̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːk̚³ kɐi̯³³/

by every possible means; by hook or by crook


自立自強

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄗˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɐp̚² t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹/

/t͡siː²² laːp̚² t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ lip̚⁴⁻² t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰiaŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɐp̚² t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹/

/t͡siː²² laːp̚² t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹/

/t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ lip̚⁴⁻² t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰiaŋ⁵⁵/


難以啟齒

ㄋㄢˊ ㄧˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄔˇ

/nän³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/naːn²¹ jiː¹³ kʰɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/naːn²¹ jiː¹³ kʰɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

to be too embarrassed to mention something; to find it difficult to speak about something


滔滔不絕

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (滔滔不絕):
* → Korean: 도도불절(滔滔不絶) (dodobuljeol)
* → Vietnamese: thao thao bất tuyệt (滔滔不絕)

ㄊㄠ ㄊㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

таотаобуцзюэ

/tʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰou̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/tʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰou̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

nineteen to the dozen
nineteen to the dozen

(of talking) endless; talking nineteen to the dozen


人山人海

Sino-Xenic (人山人海):
* → Korean: 인산인해(人山人海) (insaninhae)

ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄢ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄞˇ

жэньшаньжэньхай

žɛnʹšanʹžɛnʹxaj

/ʐən³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn²¹ saːn⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/ŋin¹¹ san⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ŋin¹¹ hoɪ³¹/

/lin²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴⁻²² lin²⁴⁻²² hai⁵³/

/zin²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ zin²³⁻³³ hai⁴¹/

/ʐən³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn²¹ saːn⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/ŋin¹¹ san⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ŋin¹¹ hoɪ³¹/

/lin²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴⁻²² lin²⁴⁻²² hai⁵³/

/zin²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ zin²³⁻³³ hai⁴¹/

A chengyu expressing the idea of "a mountain (山 (shān)) of people (人 (rén)), a sea (海 (hǎi)) of people (人 (rén))".


逐字逐句

ㄓㄨˊ ㄗˋ ㄓㄨˊ ㄐㄩˋ

чжуцзычжуцзюй

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/t͡sʊk̚² t͡siː²² t͡sʊk̚² kɵy̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/t͡sʊk̚² t͡siː²² t͡sʊk̚² kɵy̯³³/

word by word and phrase by phrase, in a literal manner


言歸正傳

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄓㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄢˋ

яньгуйчжэнчжуань

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡syːn²²⁻³⁵/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡syːn²²⁻³⁵/

to return to the main topic; to go back to business, to finish a digression and get back to the main subject (cf. "retournons à nos moutons")


傾盆大雨

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄆㄣˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄩˇ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ pʰən³⁵ tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ pʰuːn²¹ taːi̯²² jyː¹³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ pʰən³⁵ tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ pʰuːn²¹ taːi̯²² jyː¹³/


開門見山

ㄎㄞ ㄇㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄢ

каймэньцзяньшань

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ mən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ muːn²¹ kiːn³³ saːn⁵⁵/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ mən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ muːn²¹ kiːn³³ saːn⁵⁵/


驚天動地

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄧˋ

цзинтяньдунди

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² tei̯²²/

/kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴ tɔŋ³³⁻²¹ te³³/

/kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰiɛn⁴⁴ tɔŋ²²⁻²¹ te²²/

/kiã⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰĩ⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻²¹ te³³/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² tei̯²²/

/kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴ tɔŋ³³⁻²¹ te³³/

/kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰiɛn⁴⁴ tɔŋ²²⁻²¹ te²²/

/kiã⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰĩ⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻²¹ te³³/

(of sound or influence) world-shaking; earth-shattering


不離不棄

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/pu⁵¹ li³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ li³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/

你若不離不棄，我必生死相依。 [MSC, trad.]
你若不离不弃，我必生死相依。 [MSC, simp.]

If you do not leave me, I will be by your side until the life ends.

Nǐ ruò bùlíbùqì, wǒ bì shēngsǐxiàngyī. [Pinyin]


朝朝暮暮

ㄓㄠ ㄓㄠ ㄇㄨˋ ㄇㄨˋ

чжаочжаомуму

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ mou̯²² mou̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ mou̯²² mou̯²²/

妾在巫山之陽，高丘之阻，旦為朝雲，暮為行雨。朝朝暮暮，陽臺之下。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
妾在巫山之阳，高丘之阻，旦为朝云，暮为行雨。朝朝暮暮，阳台之下。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: c. 3rd century BCE, Song Yu (宋玉), At the Tower of Gaotang (《高唐賦》)

I am by the sun-kissed slopes of Mount Wu, and the steep footpath through the rugged land.I am the luminous clouds at sunrise, and the strolling shower of eventide.Day after day, night by another night, I am here by this Tower of the Sun.

Qiè zài Wūshān zhīyáng, gāoqiū zhīzǔ, dànwéi zhāoyún, mùwéi xíngyǔ. Zhāozhāo mùmù, yángtái zhīxià. [Pinyin]

兩情若是久長時，又豈在朝朝暮暮。 [Ci, trad.]
两情若是久长时，又岂在朝朝暮暮。 [Ci, simp.]

From: c. 11th century, Qin Guan, 《鵲橋仙·七夕》

If love between both sides lasts sempiternally, then would (staying together) every day and night be the point?

Liǎngqíng ruòshì jiǔcháng shí, yòu qǐzài zhāozhāomùmù. [Pinyin]

from dawn to dusk; all the time; day after day


隔牆有耳

ㄍㄜˊ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄦˇ

/kɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː¹³/

/kaːk̚³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː¹³/


泛泛而談

ㄈㄢˋ ㄈㄢˋ ㄦˊ ㄊㄢˊ

фаньфаньэртань

/fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ fän⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/faːn³³ faːn³³ jiː²¹ tʰaːm²¹/

/fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ fän⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/faːn³³ faːn³³ jiː²¹ tʰaːm²¹/

他只是泛泛而談，沒有細說。 [MSC, trad.]
他只是泛泛而谈，没有细说。 [MSC, simp.]

He only spoke in generalities; he didn't go into detail.

Tā zhǐ shì fànfàn'értán, méiyǒu xìshuō. [Pinyin]


博大精深

ㄅㄛˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄣ

бодацзиншэнь

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ taːi̯²² t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

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

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ taːi̯²² t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

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

蘊含博大精深的學問 [MSC, trad.]
蕴含博大精深的学问 [MSC, simp.]

(of concepts) wide-ranging and profound; deep


狐假虎威

→ Vietnamese: cáo mượn oai hùm (calque)

ㄏㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄨㄟ

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wuː²¹ kaː³⁵ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵/

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wuː²¹ kaː³⁵ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵/

From Zhan Guo Ce, 5th – 3rd centuries BCE.
虎求百獸而食之，得狐。狐曰：『子無敢食我也。天帝使我長百獸，今子食我，是逆天帝命也。子以我為不信，吾為子先行，子隨我後，觀百獸之見我而敢不走乎？』虎以為然，故遂與之行。獸見之皆走。虎不知獸畏己而走也，以為畏狐也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]虎求百兽而食之，得狐。狐曰：『子无敢食我也。天帝使我长百兽，今子食我，是逆天帝命也。子以我为不信，吾为子先行，子随我后，观百兽之见我而敢不走乎？』虎以为然，故遂与之行。兽见之皆走。虎不知兽畏己而走也，以为畏狐也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhanguo Ce, circa 5ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ centuries BCE
Hǔ qiú bǎishòu ér shí zhī, dé hú. Hú yuē: ‘Zǐ wú gǎn shí wǒ yě. Tiāndì shǐ wǒ cháng bǎishòu, jīn zǐ shí wǒ, shì nì tiāndì mìng yě. Zǐ yǐ wǒ wèi bùxìn, wú wèi zǐ xiānxíng, zǐ suí wǒ hòu, guān bǎishòu zhī jiàn wǒ ér gǎn bù zǒu hū?’ Hǔ yǐwèi rán, gù suì yǔ zhī xíng. Shòu jiàn zhī jiē zǒu. Hǔ bù zhī shòu wèi jǐ ér zǒu yě, yǐwèi wèi hú yě. [Pinyin]
The tiger, which hunts and eats all the animals, caught a fox. The fox said, "Don't you dare eat me. Heaven made me master of all the animals. If you eat me now, you will go against Heaven's will. If you don't believe me, I'll go in front of you and you can follow me. Observe whether the animals can see me and dare to not run away!" The tiger believed that this was true, so he followed behind the fox. Whoever saw the tiger ran away. The tiger did not know that the animals were running away because they were afraid of him, and he thought that they were afraid of the fox.

zh-x

虎 求 百獸 而 食 之，得 狐。狐 曰：『子 無 敢 食 我 也。天帝 使 我 長 百獸，今 子 食 我，是 逆 天帝 命 也。子 以 我 為 不信，吾 為 子 先行，子 隨 我 後，觀 百獸 之 見 我 而 敢 不 走 乎？』虎 以為 然，故 遂 與 之 行。獸 見 之 皆 走。虎 不 知 獸 畏 己 而 走 也，以為 畏 狐 也。

(figurative, derogatory) to use powerful connections to intimidate people


堅持不懈

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄔˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄝˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/kiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ haːi̯²²/

/kiaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ hai³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/kiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ haːi̯²²/

/kiaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ hai³⁵/

to persevere; to keep going until the end


長途跋涉

ㄔㄤˊ ㄊㄨˊ ㄅㄚˊ ㄕㄜˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ pä³⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ pɐt̚² siːp̚³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tɔ²⁴⁻²² puat̚⁴⁻³² siap̚⁴/

/tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² tɔ²⁴⁻²² puat̚⁴⁻³² siap̚⁴/

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

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ pä³⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ pɐt̚² siːp̚³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² tɔ²⁴⁻²² puat̚⁴⁻³² siap̚⁴/

/tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² tɔ²⁴⁻²² puat̚⁴⁻³² siap̚⁴/

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


置之不理

ㄓˋ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯¹³/

to ignore; to brush aside; to pay no heed to


挹彼注茲

ㄧˋ ㄅㄧˇ ㄓㄨˋ ㄗ

/i⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

to draw from one to make good the deficits of another


門庭若市

ㄇㄣˊ ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ

/mən³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/muːn²¹ tʰɪŋ²¹ jœːk̚² siː¹³/

/mən³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/muːn²¹ tʰɪŋ²¹ jœːk̚² siː¹³/

令初下，群臣進諫，門庭若市。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]令初下，群臣进谏，门庭若市。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhanguo Ce, circa 5ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ centuries BCE
Lìng chū xià, qúnchén jìnjiàn, méntíng ruò shì. [Pinyin]
Upon giving the order, a mass of ministers came to admonish; the front yard was as crowded as a market.

令 初 下，群臣 進諫，門庭.若.市。

front yard as busy as a marketplace; a place with many visitors


胎死腹中

ㄊㄞ ㄙˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ

/tʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰɔːi̯⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰɔːi̯⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

fetus dies in the belly; stillbirth; stillborn

(figurative) plans or projects failed or were cancelled before being tried


發號施令

ㄈㄚ ㄏㄠˋ ㄕ ㄌㄧㄥˋ

/fä⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ liŋ⁵¹/

/faːt̚³ hou̯²² siː⁵⁵ lɪŋ²²/

/fä⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ liŋ⁵¹/

/faːt̚³ hou̯²² siː⁵⁵ lɪŋ²²/


問寒問暖

ㄨㄣˋ ㄏㄢˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄋㄨㄢˇ

вэньханьвэньнуань

/wən⁵¹ xän³⁵ wən⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²² hɔːn²¹ mɐn²² nyːn¹³/

/wən⁵¹ xän³⁵ wən⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²² hɔːn²¹ mɐn²² nyːn¹³/

to show concern for someone's welfare; to enquire about someone's well-being


喜出望外

ㄒㄧˇ ㄔㄨ ㄨㄤˋ ㄨㄞˋ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

/hi⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ mo¹¹ ɡua¹¹/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

/hi⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ mo¹¹ ɡua¹¹/

to be pleasantly surprised by unexpected good news


不知不覺

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːk̚³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ti⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ kak̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ti⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kak̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kak̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːk̚³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ti⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ kak̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ti⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kak̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kak̚³²/

2002, Xu Wei (lyrics and music), “時光 [shíguāng, Time]”, in 時光·漫步 [Time, Stroll], performed by Xu Wei:
在不知不覺的一瞬間 又想起你 [MSC, trad.]
在不知不觉的一瞬间 又想起你 [MSC, simp.]

In an instant / I remembered you unconsciously

Zài bùzhībùjué de yīshùnjiān, Yòu xiǎngqǐ nǐ [Pinyin]


無所不為

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (無所不為):
* → Korean: 무소불위(無所不爲) (musoburwi)

ㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/bu²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/bu²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/bu²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/bu²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

to stop at nothing; to do all manner of evil


七嘴八舌

ㄑㄧ ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄚ ㄕㄜˊ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ paːt̚³ siːt̚²/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰui²¹⁻⁴¹ pue(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ t͡siʔ⁴/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sʰui¹¹⁻⁵³ pue(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ t͡siʔ⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ paːt̚³ siːt̚²/

a discussion with everybody talking at once


喬遷之喜

ㄑㄧㄠˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓ ㄒㄧˇ

цяоцяньчжиси

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰiːu̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/kʰiːu̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

happy occasion of moving into a new house; house warming (celebration)


招財進寶

招财进宝
*⿱𡩧⿺進⿰貝招

ㄓㄠ ㄘㄞˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄠˇ

чжаоцайцзиньбао

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɵn³³ pou̯³⁵/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɵn³³ pou̯³⁵/

Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year#English

to usher in wealth and prosperity (traditional greeting, especially during Chinese New Year)


並駕齊驅

ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄑㄩ

/piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/pɪŋ²² kaː³³ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵/

/piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²³⁻³³ kʰu⁴⁴/

/piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sue²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰu⁴⁴/

/piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/pɪŋ²² kaː³³ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵/

/piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²³⁻³³ kʰu⁴⁴/

/piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sue²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰu⁴⁴/

他曾盡力和他的敵手並駕齊驅的。 [MSC, trad.]
他曾尽力和他的敌手并驾齐驱的。 [MSC, simp.]

Tā céng jìnlì hé tā de díshǒu bìngjiàqíqū de. [Pinyin]

那兩匹馬並駕齊驅，同時跑到終點。 [MSC, trad.]
那两匹马并驾齐驱，同时跑到终点。 [MSC, simp.]

The two horses were neck and neck at the finish file.

Nà liǎng pǐ mǎ bìngjiàqíqū, tóngshí pǎo dào zhōngdiǎn. [Pinyin]

繪圖文字和口頭語言很可能是並駕齊驅發展起來的。 [MSC, trad.]
绘图文字和口头语言很可能是并驾齐驱发展起来的。 [MSC, simp.]

Picture language and oral language probably developed side by side.

Huìtú wénzì hé kǒutóu yǔyán hěn kěnéng shì bìngjiàqíqū fāzhǎn qǐlái de. [Pinyin]

(figurative) to keep pace with; to keep abreast of; to advance at an equal pace with; to run neck and neck; to be on a par with


郢書燕說

ㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨ ㄧㄢ ㄕㄨㄛ

ㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨ ㄧㄢ ㄩㄝˋ

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ¹³ syː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³/

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ¹³ syː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³/

Literally, “Ying writes a letter and Yan reads it” (or “Yan delights in it”).
This idiom came from an anecdote told by Han Fei (韓非):
故先王有郢書而後世多燕說。…郢人有遺燕相國書者。夜書，火不明，因謂持燭者曰：「舉燭。」云而過書「舉燭」。「舉燭」非書意也。燕相受書而說之，曰：「舉燭者，尚明也。尚明也者，舉賢而任之。」燕相白王，王大說，國以治。治則治矣，非書意也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]故先王有郢书而后世多燕说。…郢人有遗燕相国书者。夜书，火不明，因谓持烛者曰：「举烛。」云而过书「举烛」。「举烛」非书意也。燕相受书而说之，曰：「举烛者，尚明也。尚明也者，举贤而任之。」燕相白王，王大说，国以治。治则治矣，非书意也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Feizi, circa 2ⁿᵈ century BCE
Gù xiānwáng yǒu Yǐngshū ér hòushì duō Yānyuè.... Yǐng rén yǒu wèi Yān xiàngguó shū zhě. Yè shū, huǒ bù míng, yīn wèi chí zhú zhě yuē: “Jǔ zhú.” Yún ér guò shū “jǔzhú”. “Jǔzhú” fēi shū yì yě. Yān xiàng shòu shū ér yuè zhī, yuē: “Jǔzhú zhě, shàng míng yě. Shàng míng yě zhě, jǔ xián ér rèn zhī.” Yān xiàng bái Wáng, Wáng dà yuè, guó yǐ zhì. Zhì zé zhì yǐ, fēi shū yì yě. [Pinyin]
Therefore, the ancient wise kings left us with much easily-misunderstood classics, and posterior generations delight in their distorted interpretations.… A man from Ying was writing a letter to the Chancellor of Yan. As he was writing at night and the lighting was poor, he ordered to “hold up the candle”, but he wrote down what he uttered by mistake. The words "to hold up the candle" was meaningless in the letter's context. When the Chancellor of Yan received the letter, he was much delighted, for he interpreted “to hold up the candle” as “to honour light”, and hence “to promote the wise”. The Chancellor recounted this to the King, who was also much delighted, and his State became well-governed because of those measures. Well-governed as it was, it had never been the letter's intended effect.

zh-x

故 先王 有 @^郢@書 而 後世 多 @^燕{Yān}@說{yuè}。…^郢 人 有 遺{wèi} ^燕{Yān} 相國 書 者。夜 書，火 不 明，因 謂 持 燭 者 曰：「舉 燭。」云 而 過 書 「@舉燭」。「@^舉燭」非 書 意 也。燕{yān} 相{xiàng} 受 書 而 說{yuè} 之，曰：「@舉燭 者，尚 明 也。尚 明 也 者，舉 賢 而 任 之。」^燕{Yān} 相{xiàng} 白 ^王，^王 大 說{yuè}，國 以 治。治 則 治 矣，非 書 意 也。

to misinterpret the original meaning; to distort the meaning in order to fit one's ideas; to pile up errors


聚精會神

ㄐㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄣˊ

цзюйцзинхуэйшэнь

/t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂən³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯²² t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²² sɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂən³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯²² t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²² sɐn²¹/

to maintain one's concentration; to stay focused; to be attentive or absorbed


原形畢露

ㄩㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ jɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²²/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ jɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²²/


改朝換代

ㄍㄞˇ ㄔㄠˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄉㄞˋ

гайчаохуаньдай

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ wuːn²² tɔːi̯²²/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ wuːn²² tɔːi̯²²/


非同小可

ㄈㄟ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄎㄜˇ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fei̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵/

/hui⁴⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³/

/hui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹/

/hui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³/

/fei̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵/

/hui⁴⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³/

/hui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹/

/hui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³/


心滿意足

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄇㄢˇ ㄧˋ ㄗㄨˊ

синьманьицзу

/ɕin⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ muːn¹³ jiː³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim³³ muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/ɕin⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ muːn¹³ jiː³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim³³ muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡siɔk̚³²/


桀驁不馴

桀骜不驯
桀驁不遜
桀敖不馴

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄣˋ

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄣˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕyn³⁵/

/kiːt̚² ŋou̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɵn²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕyn³⁵/

/kiːt̚² ŋou̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɵn²¹/

wild; intractable; stubborn; obstinate and unruly


痛改前非

ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄞˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄟ

тунгайцяньфэй

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³³ kɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³³ kɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

turn over a new leaf
turn over a new leaf

to sincerely mend one's ways; to thoroughly rectify one's errors; to turn over a new leaf


息息相關

ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄢ

ㄒㄧˊ ㄒㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄢ

сисисянгуань

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵/

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

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

/sek̚²⁻⁴ sek̚²⁻⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²³ kuaŋ³³/

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵/

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

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

/sek̚²⁻⁴ sek̚²⁻⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²³ kuaŋ³³/

to be closely linked; to be closely bound up


爭權奪利

ㄓㄥ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˋ

чжэнцюаньдоли

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/

to scramble for power and wealth; to struggle for power


朝三暮四

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (朝三暮四):
* → Japanese: 朝(ちょう)三(さん)暮(ぼ)四(し) (chōsanboshi)
* → Korean: 조삼모사(朝三暮四) (josammosa)

ㄓㄠ ㄙㄢ ㄇㄨˋ ㄙˋ

чжаосаньмусы

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

From a parable seen in both Zhuangzi (see quote below) and Liezi.
:
狙公賦芧，曰：「朝三而暮四。」衆狙皆怒。曰：「然則朝四而暮三。」衆狙皆悅。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]狙公赋芧，曰：「朝三而暮四。」众狙皆怒。曰：「然则朝四而暮三。」众狙皆悦。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE
Jū gōng fù xù, yuē: “Zhāo sān ér mù sì.” Zhòng jū jiē nù. Yuē: “Rán zé zhāo sì ér mù sān.” Zhòng jū jiē yuè. [Pinyin]
There was a man who kept monkeys as pets. While feeding chestnuts to the monkeys, he said, "[I will feed you] three [chestnuts] in the morning, and four in the evening." The monkeys all went angry. The man later said, "How about four in the morning, and three in the evening?" The monkeys all became happy.

zh-x

狙 公 賦 芧{xù}，曰：「朝{zhāo} 三 而 暮 四。」衆 狙 皆 怒。曰：「然 則 朝{zhāo} 四 而 暮 三。」衆 狙 皆 悅。

There was a man who kept monkeys as pets. While feeding chestnuts to the monkeys, he said, "􂀿I will feed you􂁀 three 􂀿chestnuts􂁀 in the morning, and four in the evening." The monkeys all went angry. The man later said, "How about four in the morning, and three in the evening?" The monkeys all became happy.

three in the morning, and four in the evening

(now more commonly, derogatory) to change one's mind frequently; to blow hot and cold; to be fickle or capricious


一意孤行

ㄧ ㄧˋ ㄍㄨ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ku⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiː³³ kuː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ³³ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ i²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i¹¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹⁻⁴¹ kɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ku⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiː³³ kuː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ³³ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ i²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i¹¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹⁻⁴¹ kɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ²³/

to insist on doing things one's own way; to cling obstinately to one's course; to persist in wilful and arbitrary actions


思來想去

ㄙ ㄌㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄑㄩˋ

/sz̩⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵ hɵy̯³³/

/sz̩⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵ hɵy̯³³/

to think about over and over; to wonder or ponder about something


一笑置之

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³ t͡siː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³ t͡siː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

to laugh off; to dismiss with laughter; to make light of


動手動腳

ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

дуншоудунцзяо

/tʊŋ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ²² sɐu̯³⁵ tʊŋ²² kœːk̚³/

/tʰuŋ²⁴ su³¹ tʰuŋ²⁴ ki̯ok̚²/

/tʰʊŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ su³¹ tʰʊŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kiɔk̚¹/

/taŋ²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ taŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰa³³/

/taŋ²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/doŋ²² sɤ⁵⁵ doŋ³³ t͡ɕiaʔ²¹/

/tʊŋ²² sɐu̯³⁵ tʊŋ²² kœːk̚³/

/tʰuŋ²⁴ su³¹ tʰuŋ²⁴ ki̯ok̚²/

/tʰʊŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ su³¹ tʰʊŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kiɔk̚¹/

/taŋ²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ⁴¹⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ taŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰa³³/

/taŋ²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/doŋ²² sɤ⁵⁵ doŋ³³ t͡ɕiaʔ²¹/


事與願違

ㄕˋ ㄩˇ ㄩㄢˋ ㄨㄟˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² jyː¹³ jyːn²² wɐi̯²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² jyː¹³ jyːn²² wɐi̯²¹/

to get the opposite of what one intended


別有洞天

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄊㄧㄢ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

being of or showing another level of scenery; (of a place) to be amazingly beautiful and unique


海底摸針

ㄏㄞˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄇㄛ ㄓㄣ

хайдимочжэнь

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hoi̯³¹ tai̯³¹ mi̯a²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨm²⁴/

/hai³³⁻³⁵ tɛ³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ muo⁵⁵ t͡sɛiŋ⁵⁵/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ mɔ̃⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hoi̯³¹ tai̯³¹ mi̯a²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨm²⁴/

/hai³³⁻³⁵ tɛ³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ muo⁵⁵ t͡sɛiŋ⁵⁵/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ mɔ̃⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

海底摸針相思海，摸針戇大呆。 [Taiwanese Hokkien, trad.]
海底摸针相思海，摸针戆大呆。 [Taiwanese Hokkien, simp.]

Hái-tóe-bong-chiam siuⁿ-si hái, bong chiam gōng-tōa-tai. [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]

可惜人海茫茫，要找會合的人，喔～，親像海底摸針，阮早就無央望。 [Hokkien, trad.]
可惜人海茫茫，要找会合的人，喔～，亲像海底摸针，阮早就无央望。 [Hokkien, simp.]
Khó-sioh lîn-hái bâng-bâng, beh chhē ē-ha̍h ê lâng, o͘h ~, chhin-chhiūⁿ hái-té-bong-chiam, gún chá-tiō bô ǹg-bāng. [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]

From: 2013, 江蕙 (Jody Chiang) feat. 陳嘉樺 (Ella Chen), 歹逗陣

Unfortunately, there is a vast sea of people, whoa. To look for someone who can get along with me is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I've got no hope early on.

a needle in a haystack
a needle in a haystack


不修邊幅

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˊ

/pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ piːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ piːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

to not care about one's appearance; to be slovenly in dress and manner; to be unkempt


喪家之犬

ㄙㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄓ ㄑㄩㄢˇ

санцзячжицюань

/sɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɔːŋ³³ kaː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hyːn³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ kaː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hyːn³⁵/

喪家之狗 喪家之狗#Chinese

丧家之狗 丧家之狗#Chinese


以身作則

ㄧˇ ㄕㄣ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄜˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

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

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

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

/ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ t͡sek̚²/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

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

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

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

/ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ t͡sek̚²/


一塌糊塗

一塌糊涂
一蹋糊塗
一榻糊塗
一塌胡塗

ㄧ ㄊㄚ ㄏㄨˊ ㄊㄨˊ

ㄧ ㄊㄚˋ ㄏㄨˊ ˙ㄉㄨ

ㄧ ㄊㄚ ㄏㄨˊ ˙ㄊㄨ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰä⁵⁵ xu³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/i⁵⁵ tʰä⁵⁵ xu³⁵ tʰu³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʰä⁵¹ xu³⁵ d̥u³/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰaːp̚³ wuː²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰap̚⁴⁻² hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵/

/iɪʔ³³ tʰaʔ⁵⁵ ɦu³³ du²¹/

/iɪʔ³³ tʰa⁵⁵ ɦu³³ du²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰä⁵⁵ xu³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/i⁵⁵ tʰä⁵⁵ xu³⁵ tʰu³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʰä⁵¹ xu³⁵ d̥u³/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰaːp̚³ wuː²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰap̚⁴⁻² hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵/

/iɪʔ³³ tʰaʔ⁵⁵ ɦu³³ du²¹/

/iɪʔ³³ tʰa⁵⁵ ɦu³³ du²¹/

伊唱歌好聽得一塌糊塗。 [Shanghainese, trad.]
伊唱歌好听得一塌糊涂。 [Shanghainese, simp.]

⁶yi ⁵tshaon-ku ⁵hau-thin-teq ⁷iq-thaq-wu-du [Wugniu]


目中無人

ㄇㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ

мучжунъужэнь

mučžunʺužɛnʹ

/mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/mʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/mʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³/

to be prideful; to be haughty; to be arrogant


殺雞嚇猴

ㄕㄚ ㄐㄧ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄡˊ

/ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵/

/saːt̚³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ haːk̚³ hɐu̯²¹/

/ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵/

/saːt̚³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ haːk̚³ hɐu̯²¹/

to punish an individual as an example to others


殺人越貨

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyːt̚² fɔː³³/

/sat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² uat̚⁴⁻³² he²¹/

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyːt̚² fɔː³³/

/sat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² uat̚⁴⁻³² he²¹/

to kill somebody for their property; to murder for money


驚慌失措

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄏㄨㄤ ㄕ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

цзинхуаншицо

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

to lose one's head over fear; to panic; to be thrown into a panic; to be frightened out of one's wits; to be in a state of panic


火上澆油

ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄧㄡˊ

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² hiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² hiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

add fuel to the fire
add fuel to the fire

to add fuel to the fire (to worsen a conflict)


火上加油

ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄡˊ

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kaː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²⁴/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻²² iu²⁴/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kaː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²⁴/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻²² iu²⁴/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/


亂七八糟

ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄚ ㄗㄠ

ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄚ ㄗㄠ

луаньцибацзао

/lu̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lyːn²² t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ paːt̚³ t͡sou̯⁵⁵/

/lɔn⁵³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰit̚¹ pat̚¹ t͡sau⁴⁴/

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

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

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

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

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lu̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lyːn²² t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ paːt̚³ t͡sou̯⁵⁵/

/lɔn⁵³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰit̚¹ pat̚¹ t͡sau⁴⁴/

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

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

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

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

這就是鬼島亂七八糟的鬼島 [Taiwanese Mandarin, trad.]
这就是鬼岛乱七八糟的鬼岛 [Taiwanese Mandarin, simp.]

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

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

zhè jiùshì guǐdǎo luànqībāzāo de guǐdǎo [Pinyin]


悲歡離合

ㄅㄟ ㄏㄨㄢ ㄌㄧˊ ㄏㄜˊ

бэйхуаньлихэ

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ li³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻²¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ li³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻²¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

sorrow, joy, separation and reunion; vicissitudes of life; sorrows and joys


似曾相識

ㄙˋ ㄘㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄕˊ

ㄙˋ ㄘㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄕˋ

/sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

無可奈何花落去，似曾相識燕歸來。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
无可奈何花落去，似曾相识燕归来。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
[I] feel helpless about the flowers falling downwards / and seem to recognize the swallows coming back.

From: 11ᵗʰ century, Yan Shu, “Sand of Silk-Washing Stream – A New Piece of Ci and a Cup of Wine”

Wúkěnàihé huā luòqù, sìcéngxiàngshí yàn guīlái. [Pinyin]


志得意滿

ㄓˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ ㄇㄢˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


猶豫不決

ㄧㄡˊ ㄩˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

/joʊ̯³⁵ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jyː²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/iu²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ i³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/joʊ̯³⁵ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jyː²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/iu²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ i³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

to be hesitant or indecisive; to waver; to shilly-shally


自作自受

ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗˋ ㄕㄡˋ

цзыцзоцзышоу

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² sɐu̯²²/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² sɐu̯²²/

你也有今天都是你自作自受。 [MSC, trad. and simp.]
Nǐ yěyǒujīntiān dōu shì nǐ zìzuòzìshòu. [Pinyin]
You'll get what you deserve for what you've done.

you've made your bed, now lie in it
you've made your bed, now lie in it

as one sows, so shall one reap; to reap what one sows; you've made your bed, now lie in it


不龜手藥

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄕㄡˇ ㄧㄠˋ

буцзюньшоуяо

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jœːk̚²/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jœːk̚²/

medicine that prevents frostbite on the hand


不待蓍龜

ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄕ ㄍㄨㄟ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

to have no need of divination to decide; an analogy for something that is very obvious and clear


大腹便便

ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄢˊ ㄆㄧㄢˊ

дафупяньпянь

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/taːi̯²² fʊk̚⁵ pʰiːn²¹ pʰiːn²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/taːi̯²² fʊk̚⁵ pʰiːn²¹ pʰiːn²¹/

to be potbellied; to be paunchy; to be big-bellied


袖手旁觀

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄆㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄢ

сюшоупангуань

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔːŋ²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/

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

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

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

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

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

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

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔːŋ²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/

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

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

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

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

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

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


喪心病狂

ㄙㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄎㄨㄤˊ

сансиньбинкуан

/sɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ piŋ⁵¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ pɛːŋ²² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/

/sɔːŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ pɪŋ²² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/

/sɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ piŋ⁵¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ pɛːŋ²² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/

/sɔːŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ pɪŋ²² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/


萬事如意

CJKV/code

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

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/ᵐban³² ɬu³² ᵑɡui²² ji³³/

/van⁵⁵ sɨ⁵⁵ i¹¹ i⁵⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ su³³ zu²³⁻³³ i²¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ su²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ su³³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² su⁴¹ lu²⁴⁻²² i⁴¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ sɯ²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/bueŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/buaŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/ᵐban³² ɬu³² ᵑɡui²² ji³³/

/van⁵⁵ sɨ⁵⁵ i¹¹ i⁵⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ su³³ zu²³⁻³³ i²¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ su²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ su³³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² su⁴¹ lu²⁴⁻²² i⁴¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ sɯ²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/bueŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/buaŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

祝你身體健康，萬事如意。 [MSC, trad.]
祝你身体健康，万事如意。 [MSC, simp.]

Zhù nǐ shēntǐ jiànkāng, wànshì rúyì. [Pinyin]

may all your hopes be fulfilled; all the best


當務之急

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ u⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ kɐp̚⁵/

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ u⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ kɐp̚⁵/

pressing matter of the moment; task of top priority; matter of great urgency


各行各業

ㄍㄜˋ ㄏㄤˊ ㄍㄜˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/kɤ⁵¹ xɑŋ³⁵ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ hɔːŋ²¹ kɔːk̚³ jiːp̚²/

/kɤ⁵¹ xɑŋ³⁵ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ hɔːŋ²¹ kɔːk̚³ jiːp̚²/

all walks of life, with special reference to occupation; every trade; all professions; all classes of society


青梅竹馬

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄇㄟˊ ㄓㄨˊ ㄇㄚˇ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ maː¹³/

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

/t͡sʰiɪŋ³³ muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴/

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

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

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

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ bue⁵⁵ tek̚²⁻⁴ be⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ me³³ t͡soʔ³³ ma²¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ maː¹³/

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

/t͡sʰiɪŋ³³ muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴/

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

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

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

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ bue⁵⁵ tek̚²⁻⁴ be⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ me³³ t͡soʔ³³ ma²¹/

From a poem by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai:
:
妾髮初覆額，折花門前劇。郎騎竹馬來，繞床弄青梅。同居長干里，兩小無嫌猜。十四為君婦，羞顏未嘗開。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]妾发初覆额，折花门前剧。郎骑竹马来，绕床弄青梅。同居长干里，两小无嫌猜。十四为君妇，羞颜未尝开。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Li Bai (701–762), Ballad of a Trader's Wife (長干里), translated by Xu Yuanchong
Qiè fà chū fù é, zhé huā mén qián jù. Láng qí zhúmǎ lái, rào chuáng nòng qīng méi. Tóngjū cháng gān lǐ, liǎng xiǎo wú xián cāi. Shísì wéi jūn fù, xiū yán wèicháng kāi. [Pinyin]
My forehead covered by my hair cut straight,
I played with flowers pluck'd before the gate.
On hobby horse you came upon the scene,
Around the well we played with plums still green.
We lived, close neighbors on Riverside Lane,
Carefree and innocent, we children twain.
At fourteen years when I became your bride,
I'd often turn my bashful face aside. […]
The same poem was also the source of the idiom 兩小無猜／两小无猜 (liǎngxiǎowúcāi), which has a very similar meaning.

zh-x

妾 髮 初 覆 額，折 花 門 前 劇。郎 騎 竹馬 來，繞 床 弄 青 梅。同居 長 干 里，兩 小 無 嫌 猜。十四 為{wéi} 君 婦，羞 顏 未嘗 開。

zh-l

兩小無猜／两小无猜 (liǎngxiǎowúcāi)

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


半夜三更

ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄥ

ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄙㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ

ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄥ

баньесаньгэн

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄙㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ

баньесаньцзин

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/pan²¹³ iɛ²¹³ san⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ jɛː²² saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ jɛː²²⁻³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/pan⁵⁵ i̯a⁵⁵ sam²⁴⁻¹¹ kaŋ²⁴/

/pø³³ ɦia⁵⁵ se³³ kã²¹/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/pan²¹³ iɛ²¹³ san⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ jɛː²² saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ jɛː²²⁻³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/pan⁵⁵ i̯a⁵⁵ sam²⁴⁻¹¹ kaŋ²⁴/

/pø³³ ɦia⁵⁵ se³³ kã²¹/

late at night; depths of night; midnight hours


隻字不提

ㄓ ㄗˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄧˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/t͡sɛːk̚³ t͡siː²² pɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/t͡sɛːk̚³ t͡siː²² pɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/


隻言片語

ㄓ ㄧㄢˊ ㄆㄧㄢˋ ㄩˇ

чжияньпяньюй

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɛːk̚³ jiːn²¹ pʰiːn³³ jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɛːk̚³ jiːn²¹ pʰiːn³³ jyː¹³/

a word or two; a few isolated words and phrases


大雅之堂

ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄚˇ ㄓ ㄊㄤˊ

/tä⁵¹ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² ŋaː¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/tä⁵¹ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² ŋaː¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

(figurative) formal and high-end occasion; refined taste


深更半夜

ㄕㄣ ㄍㄥ ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ

шэньгэнбанье

/ʂən⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵ puːn³³ jɛː²²/

/sən⁵⁵ kã³³ pø³³ ɦia²¹/

/ʂən⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵ puːn³³ jɛː²²/

/sən⁵⁵ kã³³ pø³³ ɦia²¹/


明察暗訪

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄢˋ ㄈㄤˇ

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ˀän⁵¹ fɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ ɐm³³ fɔːŋ³⁵/

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ˀän⁵¹ fɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ ɐm³³ fɔːŋ³⁵/

to observe publicly and investigate privately; to conduct a thorough investigation


明察秋毫

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄏㄠˊ

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hou̯²¹/

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hou̯²¹/

From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王上》):
:
曰：「有復於王者曰：『吾力足以舉百鈞』，而不足以舉一羽；『明足以察秋毫之末』，而不見輿薪，則王許之乎？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]曰：「有复于王者曰：『吾力足以举百钧』，而不足以举一羽；『明足以察秋毫之末』，而不见舆薪，则王许之乎？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yuē: “Yǒu fù yú wáng zhě yuē: ‘Wú lì zúyǐ jǔ bǎi jūn’, ér bù zúyǐ jǔ yī yǔ; ‘míng zúyǐ chá qiūháo zhī mò’, ér bùjiàn yú xīn, zé wáng xǔ zhī hū?” [Pinyin]
Mencius replied, "Suppose a man were to make this statement to your Majesty: 'My strength is sufficient to lift three thousand catties, but it is not sufficient to lift one feather; my eyesight is sharp enough to examine the point of an autumn hair, but I do not see a wagon-load of faggots;' would your Majesty allow what he said?"

zh-x

曰：「有 復 於 王 者 曰：『吾 力 足以 舉 百 鈞』，而 不 足以 舉 一 羽；『明 足以 察 @秋毫 之 末』，而 不見 輿 薪，則 王 許 之 乎？」


物極必反

ㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄈㄢˇ

/u⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ pi⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐt̚² kɪk̚² piːt̚⁵ faːn³⁵/

/u⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ pi⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐt̚² kɪk̚² piːt̚⁵ faːn³⁵/

不要總是批評學生，否則，物極必反。 [MSC, trad.]
不要总是批评学生，否则，物极必反。 [MSC, simp.]

Don't criticize the students or it may backfire on you.

Bùyào zǒngshì pīpíng xuéshēng, fǒuzé, wùjíbìfǎn. [Pinyin]

A thing turns into its opposite if pushed too far; Once a certain limit is reached, a change in the opposite direction is inevitable.


登峰造極

ㄉㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄗㄠˋ ㄐㄧˊ

дэнфэнцзаоцзи

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³ kɪk̚²/

/ten²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰo⁵⁵ kʰit̚⁵/

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³ kɪk̚²/

/ten²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰo⁵⁵ kʰit̚⁵/

他的人物畫在當時可謂登峰造極。 [MSC, trad.]
他的人物画在当时可谓登峰造极。 [MSC, simp.]

His painting of people attained a level never known before.

Tā de rénwùhuà zài dāngshí kěwèi dēngfēngzàojí. [Pinyin]

Reaching the pinnacle (in technical skills or scholastic achievements); to reach the peak of perfection; to come to a climax


忽冷忽熱

ㄏㄨ ㄌㄥˇ ㄏㄨ ㄖㄜˋ

/xu⁵⁵ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹/

/fɐt̚⁵ laːŋ¹³ fɐt̚⁵ jiːt̚²/

/xu⁵⁵ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹/

/fɐt̚⁵ laːŋ¹³ fɐt̚⁵ jiːt̚²/

to be sometimes warm and friendly but other times cold and indifferent; to blow hot and cold


閃爍其詞

ㄕㄢˇ ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄘˊ

/ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/siːm³⁵ sœːk̚³ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/siːm³⁵ sœːk̚³ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

beat around the bush
beat around the bush

to speak evasively; to hedge; to beat around the bush


大名鼎鼎

ㄉㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄉㄧㄥˇ

/tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ tɪŋ³⁵/

/tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ tɪŋ³⁵/


乳臭未乾

ㄖㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄢ

/ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ kän⁵⁵/

/jyː¹³ t͡sʰɐu̯³³ mei̯²² kɔːn⁵⁵/

/ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ kän⁵⁵/

/jyː¹³ t͡sʰɐu̯³³ mei̯²² kɔːn⁵⁵/

乳臭未乾的大學生 [MSC, trad.]
乳臭未干的大学生 [MSC, simp.]

(figurative, derogatory) still very young; wet behind the ears; callow


說三道四

ㄕㄨㄛ ㄙㄢ ㄉㄠˋ ㄙˋ

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

(derogatory) to gossip; to make irresponsible remarks


豈有此理

ㄑㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄘˇ ㄌㄧˇ

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

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

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

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹/

/kʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²/

/kʰa⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²⁻²¹/

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

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

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹/

/kʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²/

/kʰa⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²⁻²¹/

嚇，豈有此理！ [MSC, trad.]
吓，岂有此理！ [MSC, simp.]


於事無補

ㄩˊ ㄕˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄨˇ

/y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː⁵⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ pou̯³⁵/

/y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː⁵⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ pou̯³⁵/


山盟海誓

ㄕㄢ ㄇㄥˊ ㄏㄞˇ ㄕˋ

шаньмэнхайши

/ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹/

/sũã³³⁻²³ meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵²⁻³⁵ si¹¹/

/ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹/

/sũã³³⁻²³ meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵²⁻³⁵ si¹¹/


海闊天空

ㄏㄞˇ ㄎㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄎㄨㄥ

хайкотянькун

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ fuːt̚³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ fuːt̚³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/


富甲天下

ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

фуцзя тянься

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/fuː³³ kaːp̚³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/fuː³³ kaːp̚³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/


一視同仁

ㄧ ㄕˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² d͡zin¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ lin²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² d͡zin¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ lin²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

他對學生們一視同仁。 [MSC, trad.]
他对学生们一视同仁。 [MSC, simp.]

Tā duì xuéshēngmen yīshìtóngrén. [Pinyin]

佢對啲學生一視同仁。 [Guangzhou Cantonese, trad.]
佢对啲学生一视同仁。 [Guangzhou Cantonese, simp.]

keoi⁵ deoi³ di¹ hok⁶ saang¹ jat¹ si⁶ tung⁴ jan⁴. [Jyutping]

伊對遐的學生一視同仁。 [Hokkien, trad.]
伊对遐的学生一视同仁。 [Hokkien, simp.]

I tuì hiah-ê ha̍k-seng it-sī-tông-jîn. [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]


同讎敵愾

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄔㄡˊ ㄉㄧˊ ㄎㄞˋ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ti³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹ tɪk̚² kʰɔːi̯³³/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ti³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹ tɪk̚² kʰɔːi̯³³/


慘不忍睹

ㄘㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˇ ㄉㄨˇ

цаньбужэньду

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ tou̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ lim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ zim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ tou̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ lim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ zim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁴¹/

(of people or situations) to be too horrible to look at


尊王攘夷

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (尊王攘夷):
* → Japanese: 尊(そん)王(のう)攘(じょう)夷(い) (sonnōjōi)
* → Korean: 존왕 양이(尊王攘夷) (jonwang yang'i)

ㄗㄨㄣ ㄨㄤˊ ㄖㄤˇ ㄧˊ

ㄗㄨㄣ ㄨㄤˊ ㄖㄤˊ ㄧˊ

цзуньванжанъи

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵/

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵ i³⁵/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ jiː²¹/

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵/

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵ i³⁵/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ jiː²¹/

This phrase first appears in Chinese literature beginning in the Warring States period, some time between 475 BC and 221 BC.

to revere the king and expel the barbarians


死記硬背

ㄙˇ ㄐㄧˋ ㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄟˋ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ iŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ kei̯³³ ŋaːŋ²² puːi̯²²/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ iŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ kei̯³³ ŋaːŋ²² puːi̯²²/

to memorise without understanding; to learn by rote; to cram


忙忙匆匆

ㄇㄤˊ ㄇㄤˊ ㄘㄨㄥ ㄘㄨㄥ

манманцунцун

/mɑŋ³⁵ mɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mɑŋ³⁵ mɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/


一勞永逸

ㄧ ㄌㄠˊ ㄩㄥˇ ㄧˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ wɪŋ¹³ jɐt̚²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ lo¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚¹²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔ²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iak̚²⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ wɪŋ¹³ jɐt̚²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ lo¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚¹²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔ²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iak̚²⁴/

這個解決方案不是一勞永逸的。 [MSC, trad.]
这个解决方案不是一劳永逸的。 [MSC, simp.]

Zhège jiějué fāng'àn bùshì yīláoyǒngyì de. [Pinyin]


走火入魔

fire running wild and being possessed by a demon

ㄗㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄨˋ ㄇㄛˊ

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵ jɐp̚² mɔː⁵⁵/

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵ jɐp̚² mɔː⁵⁵/

(figurative) to be obsessed with something as if one is possessed by demons; to be taken over by (something)


衣冠楚楚

ㄧ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄔㄨˇ ㄔㄨˇ

/i⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː⁵⁵ kuːn³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵/

/jiː⁵⁵ kuːn³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 150 (《詩經·曹風·蜉蝣》):
:
蜉蝣之羽，衣裳楚楚。
心之憂矣，於我歸處。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]蜉蝣之羽，衣裳楚楚。
心之忧矣，于我归处。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Fúyóu zhī yǔ, yīshāng chǔchǔ.
Xīn zhī yōu yǐ, yú wǒ guī chǔ. [Pinyin]
The wings of the ephemera, Are robes, bright and splendid.
My heart is grieved; Would they but come and abide with me!

lang

(《詩經·曹風·蜉蝣》)

(《詩經·曹風·蜉蝣》)

zh-x

蜉蝣 之 羽，衣裳{shāng} @楚楚。
心 之 憂 矣，於 我 歸 處{chǔ}。

immaculately dressed; well-groomed; dapper


杞人憂天

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (杞人憂天):
* → Korean: 기인우천(杞人憂天) (giinucheon)

ㄑㄧˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧㄡ ㄊㄧㄢ

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kei̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ iu⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kei̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ iu⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/

From a story in Liezi, early first millennium, "Heaven's Gifts", adapted from the translation by A. C. Graham:
杞國有人，憂天地崩墜，身亡所寄，廢寢食者。又有憂彼之所憂者，因往曉之，曰：「天，積氣耳，亡處亡氣。若屈伸呼吸，終日在天中行止，奈何憂崩墜乎？」
其人曰：「天果積氣，日月星宿不當墜邪？」
曉之者曰：「日月星宿，亦積氣中之有光耀者，只使墜，亦不能有所中傷。」
其人曰：「奈地壞何？」
曉者曰：「地積塊耳，充塞四虛，亡處亡塊。若躇步跐蹈，終日在地上行止，奈何憂其壞？」
其人舍然大喜，曉之者亦舍然大喜。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]杞国有人，忧天地崩坠，身亡所寄，废寝食者。又有忧彼之所忧者，因往晓之，曰：「天，积气耳，亡处亡气。若屈伸呼吸，终日在天中行止，奈何忧崩坠乎？」
其人曰：「天果积气，日月星宿不当坠邪？」
晓之者曰：「日月星宿，亦积气中之有光耀者，只使坠，亦不能有所中伤。」
其人曰：「奈地坏何？」
晓者曰：「地积块耳，充塞四虚，亡处亡块。若躇步跐蹈，终日在地上行止，奈何忧其坏？」
其人舍然大喜，晓之者亦舍然大喜。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Liezi, 1ˢᵗ – 5ᵗʰ century CE
Qǐ guó yǒu rén, yōu tiāndì bēngzhuì, shēn wáng suǒ jì, fèi qǐnshí zhě. Yòu yǒu yōu bǐ zhī suǒ yōu zhě, yīn wǎng xiǎo zhī, yuē: “Tiān, jīqì ěr, wáng chù wáng qì. Ruò qūshēn hūxī, zhōngrì zài tiān zhōng xíngzhǐ, nàihé yōu bēngzhuì hū?”
Qí rén yuē: “Tiān guǒ jīqì, rìyuè xīngsù bùdāng zhuì xié?”
Xiǎo zhī zhě yuē: “Rìyuè xīngsù, yì jīqì zhōng zhī yǒu guāngyào zhě, zhǐ shǐ zhuì, yì bùnéng yǒu suǒ zhōngshāng.”
Qí rén yuē: “Nài dì huài hé?”
Xiǎo zhě yuē: “Dì jīkuài ěr, chōngsài sì xū, wáng chù wáng kuài. Ruò chú bù cīdǎo, zhōngrì zài dìshàng xíngzhǐ, nàihé yōu qí huài?”
Qí rén shèrán dàxǐ, xiǎo zhī zhě yì shèrán dàxǐ. [Pinyin]
There was a man of Qi country who was so worried that heaven and earth might fall down, and his body would have nowhere to lodge, that he forgot to eat and sleep. There was another man who was worried that he should be so worried about it, and therefore went to enlighten him, saying, "Heaven is nothing but the accumulated air; there is no place where there is not air. You walk and stand all day inside heaven, stretching and bending, breathing in and breathing out; why should you worry about it falling down?"
The man said, "If heaven really is accumulated air, shouldn't the sun and moon and stars fall down?"
The man who sought to enlighten him said, "The sun and moon and stars are air which shines inside the accumulated air. Even if they did fall down, they couldn't hit or harm anyone."
The man said, "What about the earth giving way?"
The man who sought to enlighten him said, "The earth is nothing but accumulated soil, filling the void in all four directions; there is no place where there is not soil. You walk and stand all day on the earth, stamping about with abrupt spurts and halts; why should you worry about it giving way?"
The man was satisfied and greatly cheered; and so was the man who enlightened him.

zh-x

^杞 國 有 人，憂 天地 崩墜，身 亡 所 寄，廢 寢食 者。又 有 憂 彼 之 所 憂 者，因 往 曉 之，曰：「天，積氣 耳，亡 處 亡 氣。若 屈伸 呼吸，終日 在 天 中 行止，奈何 憂 崩墜 乎？」
其 人 曰：「天 果 積氣，日月 星宿 不當 墜 邪？」
曉 之 者 曰：「日月 星宿，亦 積氣 中 之 有 光耀 者，只 使 墜，亦 不能 有 所 中傷。」
其 人 曰：「奈 地 壞 何？」
曉 者 曰：「地 積塊 耳，充塞 四 虛，亡 處 亡 塊。若 躇 步 跐蹈，終日 在 地上 行止，奈何 憂 其 壞？」
其 人 舍然 大喜，曉 之 者 亦 舍然 大喜。

the man of Qi fear that the sky might fall


堅定不移

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ i³⁵/

/kiːn⁵⁵ tɪŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ i³⁵/

/kiːn⁵⁵ tɪŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹/


前所未有

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄟˋ ㄧㄡˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ sɔː³⁵ mei̯²² jɐu̯¹³/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ sɔː³⁵ mei̯²² jɐu̯¹³/

這就是整個兒地推翻世界和中國的黑暗面，把它們轉變過來成為前所未有的光明世界。 [MSC, trad.]
这就是整个儿地推翻世界和中国的黑暗面，把它们转变过来成为前所未有的光明世界。 [MSC, simp.]

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

That is, to completely banish darkness from the world and from China and change the world into a world of light such as never previously existed.

Zhè jiù shì zhěnggèr de tuīfān shìjiè hé Zhōngguó de hēi'ànmiàn, bǎ tāmen zhuǎnbiàn guolai chéngwéi qiánsuǒwèiyǒu de guāngmíng shìjiè. [Pinyin]


披髮左衽

ㄆㄧ ㄈㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄣˋ

ㄆㄧ ㄈㄚˇ ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄣˋ

/pʰi⁵⁵ fä⁵¹ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/pʰi⁵⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sɔː³⁵ jɐm²²/

/pʰi⁵⁵ fä⁵¹ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/pʰi⁵⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sɔː³⁵ jɐm²²/

From the Analects, Book 14 (《論語·憲問》):
:
子曰：「管仲相桓公，霸諸侯，一匡天下，民到于今受其賜；微管仲，吾其被髮左衽矣！…… [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「管仲相桓公，霸诸侯，一匡天下，民到于今受其赐；微管仲，吾其被发左衽矣！…… [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Guǎn Zhòng xiàng Huán Gōng, bà zhūhóu, yī kuāng tiānxià, mín dào yú jīn shòu qí cì; wēi Guǎn Zhòng, wú qí bèifà zuǒrèn yǐ!...... [Pinyin]
Guan Zhong acted as prime minister to the duke Huan, made him leader of all the princes, and united and rectified the whole kingdom. Down to the present day, the people enjoy the gifts which he conferred. But for Guan Zhong, we should now be wearing our hair unbound, and the lappets of our coats buttoning on the left side. …

^子曰：「@^管.^仲 相 @^桓.^公，霸 諸侯，一.匡.天下，民 到 于 今 受 其 賜；微 @^管.^仲，吾 其 @被髮.左衽 矣！……


樂在其中

ㄌㄜˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄓㄨㄥ

лэцзайцичжун

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

From the Analects, Book 7 (《論語·述而》):
:
子曰：「飯疏食飲水，曲肱而枕之，樂亦在其中矣。不義而富且貴，於我如浮雲。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「饭疏食饮水，曲肱而枕之，乐亦在其中矣。不义而富且贵，于我如浮云。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐyuē: “Fàn shūshí yǐn shuǐ, qū gōng ér zhěn zhī, lè yì zài qízhōng yǐ. Bùyì ér fù qiě guì, yú wǒ rú fúyún.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow; I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness, are to me as a floating cloud."

子曰：「飯 疏食 飲 水，曲 肱 而 枕 之，@樂{lè} 亦 @在 @其中 矣。不義 而 富 且 貴，於 我 如 浮雲。」

to take pleasure in something; to find joy in something; to revel in something


摸稜兩可

ㄇㄛ ㄌㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄎㄜˇ

/mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lɤŋ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lɤŋ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

模稜兩可 模稜兩可#Chinese

模棱两可 模棱两可#Chinese

Alternative form of 模稜兩可／模棱两可 (móléngliǎngkě, “equivocal”)


獲益匪淺

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄧˋ ㄈㄟˇ ㄑㄧㄢˇ

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ feɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɔːk̚² jɪk̚⁵ fei̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn³⁵/

/wɔːk̚² jɪk̚⁵ fei̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn³⁵/


全力以赴

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄧˇ ㄈㄨˋ

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ lɪk̚² jiː¹³ fuː²²/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ lɪk̚² jiː¹³ fuː²²/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

to do all one can; to do one's utmost; to spare no effort; to go all-out


厚顏無恥

ㄏㄡˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄨˊ ㄔˇ

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn²¹ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn²¹ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

我從未見過有如此厚顏無恥之人！ [MSC, trad.]
我从未见过有如此厚颜无耻之人！ [MSC, simp.]

From: 1994, China Central Television, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, episode 69 收姜維, 40m06s

I have never met such a shameless person like you!

Wǒ cóngwèi jiàn guò yǒu rúcǐ hòuyánwúchǐ zhī rén! [Pinyin]


落地生根

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄕㄥ ㄍㄣ

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² tei̯²² saːŋ⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² tei̯²² saːŋ⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

(botany) air plant; life plant (Bryophyllum pinnatum)


可想而知

ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄦˊ ㄓ

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ sœːŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ sœːŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/


舉世聞名

ㄐㄩˇ ㄕˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзюйшивэньмин

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ sɐi̯³³ mɐn²² mɪŋ²¹/

/ku⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁵³ bun²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁴¹ bun²³⁻³³ biɪŋ²³/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ sɐi̯³³ mɐn²² mɪŋ²¹/

/ku⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁵³ bun²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁴¹ bun²³⁻³³ biɪŋ²³/


開天闢地

ㄎㄞ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄆㄧˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵ tei̯²²/

/kʰyɛ⁵⁴ tʰiŋ⁵⁴ pi⁵⁵ ti⁵⁵/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵ tei̯²²/

/kʰyɛ⁵⁴ tʰiŋ⁵⁴ pi⁵⁵ ti⁵⁵/


敬而遠之

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (敬而遠之):
* → Korean: 경이원지(敬而遠之) (gyeong'iwonji)
* → Vietnamese: kính nhi viễn chi (敬而遠之)

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄦˊ ㄩㄢˇ ㄓ

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄦˊ ㄩㄢˋ ㄓ

цзинъэрюаньчжи

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ jyːn¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ jyːn²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ jyːn¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ jyːn²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

From the Analects, Book 6 (《論語·雍也》):
:
子曰：「務民之義，敬鬼神而遠之，可謂知矣。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]子曰：「务民之义，敬鬼神而远之，可谓知矣。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zǐ yuē: “Wù mín zhī yì, jìng guǐshén ér yuàn zhī, kěwèi zhì yǐ.” [Pinyin]
The Master said, "To give one's self earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom."

zh-x

子 曰：「務 民 之 義，@敬 鬼神 @而 @遠{yuàn} @之，可謂 知{zhì} 矣。」

我國經典，未經整理，讀起來特別難，一般人往往望而生畏，結果是敬而遠之。 [MSC, trad.]
我国经典，未经整理，读起来特别难，一般人往往望而生畏，结果是敬而远之。 [MSC, simp.]

Chinese classics are difficult to read uncollated. Ordinary people are often terrified by the sight of them, and prefer to remain at a respectful distance.

Wǒguó jīngdiǎn, wèijīng zhěnglǐ, dú qǐlái tèbié nán, yībānrén wǎngwǎng wàng'érshēngwèi, jiéguǒ shì jìng'éryuǎnzhī. [Pinyin]

to stay at a respectful distance from; to give a wide berth (to)


理直氣壯

ㄌㄧˇ ㄓˊ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

личжицичжуан

/li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/lei̯¹³ t͡sɪk̚² hei̯³³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/lei̯¹³ t͡sɪk̚² hei̯³³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

with justice on one's side and in an assertive tone


理所當然

ㄌㄧˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄤ ㄖㄢˊ

/li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/lei̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛn²⁴/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴/

/li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³/

/li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/lei̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛn²⁴/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴/

/li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³/

to be only right and proper; to be taken as a matter of course; naturally


互利互惠

ㄏㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄏㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

/xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wuː²² lei̯²² wuː²² wɐi̯²²/

/xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wuː²² lei̯²² wuː²² wɐi̯²²/


品學兼優

ㄆㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄧㄡ

пиньсюэцзянью

/pʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐn³⁵ hɔːk̚² kiːm⁵⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ hak̚²⁴⁻² kiam³³ iu³³/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐn³⁵ hɔːk̚² kiːm⁵⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ hak̚²⁴⁻² kiam³³ iu³³/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

一個品學兼優的好學生 [MSC, trad.]
一个品学兼优的好学生 [MSC, simp.]

a good student who excels both ethically and academically

yīge pǐnxuéjiānyōu de hǎo xuéshēng [Pinyin]

to excel both ethically and academically; to be an exemplar of virtue and scholarship


天壤之別

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄖㄤˇ ㄓ ㄅㄧㄝˊ

тяньжанчжибе

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ piːt̚²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ piːt̚²/

to be poles apart; to be like night and day; to be a world of difference between them


名副其實

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/miŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚⁴/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚²⁴/

/miã¹³⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki¹³⁻²² sit̚¹²¹/

/miã²⁴⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/miã²³⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sik̚⁴/

/miŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚⁴/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚²⁴/

/miã¹³⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki¹³⁻²² sit̚¹²¹/

/miã²⁴⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/miã²³⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sik̚⁴/

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


萍水相逢

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄈㄥˊ

пиншуйсянфэн

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ²¹/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ²¹/


聰明伶俐

ㄘㄨㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ liŋ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ lɪŋ²¹ lei̯²²/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ liŋ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ lɪŋ²¹ lei̯²²/


鐵面無私

ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄙ

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ miːn²² mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ miːn²² mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵/


官樣文章

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄧㄤˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄓㄤ

гуаньянвэньчжан

/ku̯än⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

red tape; excessive formality and routine required before official action can be taken

officialese; language used in some official statements, characterised by jargon and obscure, wordy phrasing

any language characterised by circumlocution and jargon, usually hard to understand


皇親國戚

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄑㄧ

хуанциньгоци

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɪk̚⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɪk̚⁵/

本宮乃是當朝駙馬皇親國戚，你開封府根本無權審我。 [MSC, trad.]
本宫乃是当朝驸马皇亲国戚，你开封府根本无权审我。 [MSC, simp.]

As a Prince Consort of this Dynasty, I am, indeed, a member of the royalty; your Kaifeng Office has no power to try me at all.

Běngōng nǎishì dāng cháo fùmǎ huángqīnguóqī, nǐ kāifēng fǔ gēnběn wúquán shěn wǒ. [Pinyin]

member of royalty or royal household; royal person


合作無間

ㄏㄜˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

хэцзо’уцзянь

/xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hɐp̚² t͡sɔːk̚³ mou̯²¹ kaːn³³/

/xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hɐp̚² t͡sɔːk̚³ mou̯²¹ kaːn³³/

to have good collaboration with someone; to cooperate in perfect harmony


流離失所

ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄕ ㄙㄨㄛˇ

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ li³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²¹ lei̯²¹ sɐt̚⁵ sɔː³⁵/

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ li³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²¹ lei̯²¹ sɐt̚⁵ sɔː³⁵/

to become destitute and homeless; to be displaced


信口開河

信口开河
信口開合
信口開闔
信口開喝

ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄎㄞ ㄏㄜˊ

синькоукайхэ

/ɕin⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/sɵn³³ hɐu̯³⁵ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ hɔː²¹/

/ɕin⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/sɵn³³ hɐu̯³⁵ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ hɔː²¹/

to speak carelessly, rapidly and voluminously like the outflow of river water when the sluice gates are opened; to talk nonsense; to talk at random


牛頭馬面

ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ maː¹³ miːn²²/

/ŋi̯u¹¹ tʰeu̯¹¹ ma²⁴⁻¹¹ mi̯en⁵⁵/

/ɡu²³⁻³³ tʰau²³ be⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/ɡu²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin²²/

/ɡu²⁴⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴ be⁴²⁻²⁴ bin²²/

/ɡu²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/n̠ʲiɤ²² dɤ⁵⁵ mo³³ mi²¹/

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ maː¹³ miːn²²/

/ŋi̯u¹¹ tʰeu̯¹¹ ma²⁴⁻¹¹ mi̯en⁵⁵/

/ɡu²³⁻³³ tʰau²³ be⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/ɡu²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin²²/

/ɡu²⁴⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴ be⁴²⁻²⁴ bin²²/

/ɡu²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/n̠ʲiɤ²² dɤ⁵⁵ mo³³ mi²¹/

(religion) Ox-Head and Horse-Face; guardians of the underworld in Chinese mythology


未雨綢繆

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (未雨綢繆):
* → Japanese: 未(み)雨(う)綢(ちゅう)繆(びゅう) (miuchūbyū)
* → Korean: 미우주무(未雨綢繆) (miujumu)

ㄨㄟˋ ㄩˇ ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄡˊ

/weɪ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ moʊ̯³⁵/

/mei̯²² jyː¹³ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɐu̯²¹/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ moʊ̯³⁵/

/mei̯²² jyː¹³ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɐu̯²¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 155 (《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》):
:
迨天之未陰雨，徹彼桑土，綢繆牖戶。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]迨天之未阴雨，彻彼桑土，绸缪牖户。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Dài tiān zhī wèi yīnyǔ, chè bǐ sāngdù, chóumóu yǒuhù. [Pinyin]
Before the sky was dark with rain,
I gathered the roots of the mulberry tree,
And bound round and round my window and door.

lang

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

zh-x

迨 天 之 @未 陰雨，徹 彼 桑土{dù}，@綢繆{móu} 牖戶。

未雨綢繆才能臨危不亂。 [MSC, trad.]
未雨绸缪才能临危不乱。 [MSC, simp.]

Only by taking precautions can you remain calm in the face of danger.

Wèiyǔchóumóu cái néng línwēibùluàn. [Pinyin]

宜未雨而綢繆，毋臨渴而掘井。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
宜未雨而绸缪，毋临渴而掘井。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

From: Zhu Yongchun, Zhu Zi's Family Maxims, 17ᵗʰ century CE

One should, when it is not yet raining, bind tightly the window. One should not wait until one is thirsty to dig a well.i.e. One should prepare before it is too late.

Yí wèi yǔ ér chóumóu, wú lín kě ér jué jǐng. [Pinyin]

(figurative) to plan ahead; to prepare before it is too late; to take precautions


改行自新

ㄍㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

ㄍㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

гайсинцзысинь

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ hɐŋ²² t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ hɐŋ²² t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/


體貼入微

ㄊㄧˇ ㄊㄧㄝ ㄖㄨˋ ㄨㄟ

ㄊㄧˇ ㄊㄧㄝ ㄖㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ tʰiːp̚³ jɐp̚² mei̯²¹/

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ tʰiːp̚³ jɐp̚² mei̯²¹/

難忘您對我那種體貼入微 時時刻刻腦海中都緊記 [Literary Cantonese, trad.]
难忘您对我那种体贴入微 时时刻刻脑海中都紧记 [Literary Cantonese, simp.]

From: 許冠傑, 難忘您

I can't forget that attention you gave me; it's still stuck fast in my mind all the time

naan⁴ mong⁴ nei⁵ deoi³ ngo⁵ naa⁵ zung² tai² tip³ jap⁶ mei⁴, si⁴ si⁴ hak¹ hak¹ nou⁵ hoi² zung¹ dou¹ gan² gei³ [Jyutping]

to be extremely considerate towards someone; to be very considerate and thoughtful; to look after with meticulous care


跳樑小丑

ㄊㄧㄠˋ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄔㄡˇ

тяолянсяочоу

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːu̯³³ lœːŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯³⁵/

/tʰiːu̯³³ lœːŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯³⁵/

a buffoon who performs antics; a contemptible rebel; a clumsy mischief-maker


一如既往

ㄧ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄨㄤˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

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

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

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


麻木不仁

ㄇㄚˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ

/mä³⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/maː²¹ mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ jɐn²¹/

/mä³⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/maː²¹ mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ jɐn²¹/

to be indifferent and apathetic; unconcerned and unsympathetic; callous to


蠢蠢欲動

ㄔㄨㄣˇ ㄔㄨㄣˇ ㄩˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

чуньчуньюйдун

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn³⁵ t͡sʰɵn³⁵ jʊk̚² tʊŋ²²/

/t͡sʰɵn³⁵ t͡sʰɵn³⁵ jʊk̚² tʊŋ²²/

ready to start wriggling; ready to make trouble; be restless and about to make trouble


老少咸宜

ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄧˊ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ siːu̯³³ haːm²¹ jiː²¹/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ siːu̯³³ haːm²¹ jiː²¹/


慘絕人寰

ㄘㄢˇ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ

цаньцзюэжэньхуань

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ t͡syːt̚² jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ t͡syːt̚² jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/

to be extremely tragic; to be of unparalleled savagery (in human history)


下里巴人

ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄚ ㄖㄣˊ

/ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

Originally the name of the rustic folk songs in the state of Chu during the Warring States period.

(humble) one's own artwork or composition


山珍海錯

ㄕㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄏㄞˇ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

шаньчжэньхайцо

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³/

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³/

exotic delicacies; (by extension) abundant food


山珍海味

ㄕㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨㄟˋ

шаньчжэньхайвэй

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/

/san²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨn²⁴ hoi̯³¹ mi⁵⁵/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/

/san²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨn²⁴ hoi̯³¹ mi⁵⁵/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

阮阿公七十二 每工攏是山珍海味 [Taiwanese Hokkien, trad.]
阮阿公七十二 每工拢是山珍海味 [Taiwanese Hokkien, simp.]

My grandpa, seventy-two years old, eats delicious delicacies everyday

Gún a-kong chhit-cha̍p-lī, múi-kang lóng sī san-tin-hái-bī [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]


同病相憐

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (同病相憐):
* → Vietnamese: đồng bệnh tương liên (同病相憐)

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

тунбинсянлянь

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ pɛːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ liːn²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pẽ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pĩ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ pɛːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ liːn²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pẽ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pĩ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

misery loves company
misery loves company

in the same boat; fellow sufferers sympathise with each other; misery loves company


有情有義

ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄧˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː²²/

/i̯u²⁴ t͡sʰin¹¹ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/u³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː²²/

/i̯u²⁴ t͡sʰin¹¹ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/u³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

有情有義十一哥；無情無義酒矸仔嫂 [Taiwanese Hokkien, trad.]
有情有义十一哥；无情无义酒矸仔嫂 [Taiwanese Hokkien, simp.]

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

ū-chêng-ū-gī cha̍p-it-ko; bô-chêng-bô-gī chiú-kan-á-só [Pe̍h-ōe-jī]

having affection and faith; affectionate and just/righteous


千載一遇

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄗㄞˇ ㄧ ㄩˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/


豬頭三牲

ㄓㄨ ㄊㄡˊ ㄙㄢ ㄕㄥ

чжутоусаньшэн

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ saːm⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ saːm⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

This idiom arose from 豬頭／猪头 (zhūtóu, “pig head”).
In Wu it is reinterpreted as a xiehouyu: 豬頭三──牲, i.e. "A 豬頭三 is an animal/a beast/an idiot".

Referring to animals (bull, sheep and pig) used in sacrifice, or sacrificial offering in general.


新仇舊恨

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄔㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄣˋ

синьчоуцзюхэнь

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹ kɐu̯²² hɐn²²/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹ kɐu̯²² hɐn²²/

"new enmity [and] old hatred": deep hatred


刻骨銘心

ja-r

ほね に きざみ、きも に めいずる

→ Japanese: 骨(ほね)に刻(きざ)み、肝(きも)に銘(めい)ずる (hone ni kizami, kimo ni meizuru) (calque)

carved on one's bones and engraved in one's heart

ㄎㄜˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/kʰɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ¹³ sɐm⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ¹³ sɐm⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/


自不量力

ㄗˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ²² lɪk̚²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ²² lɪk̚²/

to overestimate one's capabilities; to not know one's own limitations; to be overconfident


緣木求魚

ㄩㄢˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄩˊ

/ɥɛn³⁵ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ y³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ mʊk̚² kʰɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹/

/iɛn²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻²² ɡu²⁴/

/iɛn²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²³⁻³³ hi²³/

/iɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻¹¹ hu²⁴/

/ɥɛn³⁵ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ y³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ mʊk̚² kʰɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹/

/iɛn²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻²² ɡu²⁴/

/iɛn²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²³⁻³³ hi²³/

/iɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻¹¹ hu²⁴/

From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王上》):
:
曰：「殆有甚焉。緣木求魚，雖不得魚，無後災。以若所為，求若所欲，盡心力而為之，後必有災。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]曰：「殆有甚焉。缘木求鱼，虽不得鱼，无后灾。以若所为，求若所欲，尽心力而为之，后必有灾。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Yuē: “Dài yǒu shèn yān. Yuán mù qiú yú, suī bùdé yú, wú hòu zāi. Yǐ ruò suǒ wéi, qiú ruò suǒ yù, jìn xīnlì ér wéi zhī, hòu bì yǒu zāi.” [Pinyin]
"It is even worse," was the reply. "If you climb a tree to seek for fish, although you do not get the fish, you will not suffer any subsequent calamity. But doing what you do to seek for what you desire, doing it moreover with all your heart, you will assuredly afterwards meet with calamities."

zh-x

曰：「殆 有 甚 焉。緣.木.求.魚，雖 不得 魚，無 後 災。以 若 所 為{wéi}，求 若 所 欲，盡 心力 而 為{wéi} 之，後 必 有 災。」

to pursue an end by impossible or unjustifiable means


一目十行

ja-r

いち%もく%じゅう%ぎょう

CJKV/code

いち%もく%じゅう%ぎょう

Sino-Xenic (一目十行):
* → Japanese: 一(いち)目(もく)十(じゅう)行(ぎょう) (ichimokujūgyō)

CJKV

いち%もく%じゅう%ぎょう

ㄧ ㄇㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄏㄤˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mʊk̚² sɐp̚² hɔːŋ²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mʊk̚² sɐp̚² hɔːŋ²¹/

to be able to read ten lines at a glance; to read very quickly


焚書坑儒

ㄈㄣˊ ㄕㄨ ㄎㄥ ㄖㄨˊ

/fən³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐn²¹ syː⁵⁵ haːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹/

/uŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ kʰẽ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵/

/fən³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐn²¹ syː⁵⁵ haːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹/

/uŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ kʰẽ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵/

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


來之不易

ㄌㄞˊ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˋ

/laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

/laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

這個勝利來之不易啊。 [MSC, trad.]
这个胜利来之不易啊。 [MSC, simp.]

to not come easily; to be hard-won or hard-earned


滄海一粟

ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ ㄧ ㄙㄨˋ

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ su⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sʊk̚⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ su⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sʊk̚⁵/

From Su Shi's Former Ode on the Red Cliffs:
:
寄蜉蝣於天地，渺浮海之一粟。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]寄蜉蝣于天地，渺浮海之一粟。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Jì fúyóu yú tiāndì, miǎo fú hǎi zhī yī sù. [Pinyin]
We are like mayflies wandering in this terrestrial world or a grain of millet drifting on a deep ocean.
In some versions of the original text, 浮海 (fú hǎi, “floating in the ocean”) is written as 滄海／沧海 (cānghǎi, “large ocean”).

zh-q

寄 蜉蝣 於 天地 ， 渺 浮 海 之 一 粟 。


卓有成效

ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ haːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ haːu̯²²/

with outstanding results; highly effective; fruitful


先發制人

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄈㄚ ㄓˋ ㄖㄣˊ

сяньфачжижэнь

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/siːn⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sɐi̯³³ jɐn²¹/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/siːn⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sɐi̯³³ jɐn²¹/

to take the initiative to subdue the enemy; to take preemptive measures


因地制宜

ㄧㄣ ㄉㄧˋ ㄓˋ ㄧˊ

/in⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ tei̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

/iŋ³³⁻²³ ti¹¹ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵⁵/

/in⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ tei̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

/iŋ³³⁻²³ ti¹¹ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵⁵/

to formulate strategies according to local conditions


自力更生

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (自力更生):
* → Korean: 자력갱생(自力更生) (jaryeokgaengsaeng)
* → Vietnamese: tự lực cánh sinh (自力更生)

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄍㄥ ㄕㄥ

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄍㄥˋ ㄕㄥ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤŋ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² kiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤŋ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² kiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ siɪŋ⁴⁴/

to rely on one's own efforts; to become self-reliant


內柔外剛

ㄋㄟˋ ㄖㄡˊ ㄨㄞˋ ㄍㄤ

нэйжоувайган

/neɪ̯⁵¹ ʐoʊ̯³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/nɔːi̯²² jɐu̯²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/neɪ̯⁵¹ ʐoʊ̯³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/nɔːi̯²² jɐu̯²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

appearing tough on the outside but actually being weak-willed or gentle


失道寡助

ㄕ ㄉㄠˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄓㄨˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/sɐt̚⁵ tou̯²² kʷaː³⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/sɐt̚⁵ tou̯²² kʷaː³⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

From Mencius (《孟子·公孫丑下》):
:
得道者多助，失道者寡助。寡助之至，親戚畔之；多助之至，天下順之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]得道者多助，失道者寡助。寡助之至，亲戚畔之；多助之至，天下顺之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Mencius, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Dédào zhě duōzhù, shīdào zhě guǎzhù. Guǎzhù zhī zhì, qīnqī pàn zhī; duōzhù zhī zhì, tiānxià shùn zhī. [Pinyin]
He who finds the proper course has many to assist him. He who loses the proper course has few to assist him. When this - the being assisted by few - reaches its extreme point, his own relations revolt from the prince. When the being assisted by many reaches its highest point, the whole kingdom becomes obedient to the prince.

zh-x

得道 者 多助，@失道 者 @寡助。寡助 之 至，親戚 畔 之；多助 之 至，天下 順 之。

最後，第四，由於中國戰爭的進步性、正義性而產生出來的國際廣大援助，同日本的失道寡助又恰恰相反。 [MSC, trad.]
最后，第四，由于中国战争的进步性、正义性而产生出来的国际广大援助，同日本的失道寡助又恰恰相反。 [MSC, simp.]

From: 1938, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《論持久戰》 (On Protracted War), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Fourthly and lastly, there is broad international support for China stemming from the progressive and just character of her war, which is again exactly the reverse of the meagre support for Japan's unjust cause.

Zuìhòu, dìsì, yóuyú Zhōngguó zhànzhēng de jìnbùxìng, zhèngyìxìng ér chǎnshēng chūlái de guójì guǎngdà yuánzhù, tóng Rìběn de shīdàoguǎzhù yòu qiàqià xiàngfǎn. [Pinyin]

An unjust cause attracts little support.


得道多助

ㄉㄜˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓㄨˋ

/tɤ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ tou̯²² tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

/tɤ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ tou̯²² tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

@得道 者 @多助，失道 者 寡助。寡助 之 至，親戚 畔 之；多助 之 至，天下 順 之。


翻天覆地

ㄈㄢ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˋ ㄉㄧˋ

фаньтяньфуди

/fän⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/faːn⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ tei̯²²/

/fän⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/faːn⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ tei̯²²/


夜郎自大

ㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄤˊ ㄗˋ ㄉㄚˋ

/jɛ⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/jɛː²² lɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː²² taːi̯²²/

/jɛ⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/jɛː²² lɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː²² taːi̯²²/

Based on a passage in Records of the Grand Historian:
滇王與漢使者言曰：「漢與我孰大？」及夜郎侯亦然。以道不通，故各自以為一州主，不知漢廣大。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]滇王与汉使者言曰：「汉与我孰大？」及夜郎侯亦然。以道不通，故各自以为一州主，不知汉广大。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
Diānwáng yǔ Hàn shǐzhě yán yuē: “Hàn yǔ wǒ shú dà?” Jí Yèlánghóu yì rán. Yǐ dào bù tōng, gù gè zì yǐwéi yī zhōu zhǔ, bù zhī Hàn guǎngdà. [Pinyin]
The King of Dian, while talking to the Han envoys, asked: "The Han (state) and mine, which is larger?" The Yelang lord did so too. As the roads (between their principalities and China) were not open, so each, deeming himself the ruler of a principality, did not know how large and vast the Han (empire) was.

^滇-王 與 ^漢 使-者 言 曰：「^漢 與 我 孰 大？」及 ^夜郎-侯 亦 然。以 道 不 通，故 各 自 以為{wéi} 一 州 主，不 知 ^漢 廣大。

to be ignorant and arrogant; to be self-deluded

Dian Kingdom
Records of the Grand Historian
Yelang


天經地義

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄉㄧˋ ㄧˋ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² jiː²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tue³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ keŋ³³ ti¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² jiː²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tue³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ keŋ³³ ti¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

From an aphorism posthumously attributed to Zichan (子產) by You Ji (aka. Zitaishu, 子大叔) as recorded in the Zuozhuan.
夫禮，天之經也，地之義也，民之行也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]夫礼，天之经也，地之义也，民之行也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE
Fú lǐ, tiān zhī jīng yě, dì zhī yì yě, mín zhī xìng yě. [Pinyin]
Propriety, it is the unchanging ways of heaven, the just ways of earth, and the rightful path of every human being.

夫{fú} 禮，@天 之 @經 也，@地 之 @義 也，民 之 行{xìng} 也。

欠債還錢，天經地義 [MSC, trad.]
欠债还钱，天经地义 [MSC, simp.]

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

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


黯然失色

ㄢˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄕ ㄙㄜˋ

/ˀän⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/ɐm³⁵ jiːn²¹ sɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/ˀän⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/ɐm³⁵ jiːn²¹ sɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

to lose lustre in comparison; to be outshone; to be eclipsed; to be overshadowed


孤軍奮戰

ㄍㄨ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄈㄣˋ ㄓㄢˋ

гуцзюньфэньчжань

/ku⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ fɐn¹³ t͡siːn³³/

/ku⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ fɐn¹³ t͡siːn³³/

lone army putting up a brave fight; fighting alone without help; struggling hard without support


孤軍奮鬥

ㄍㄨ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄈㄣˋ ㄉㄡˋ

гуцзюньфэньдоу

/ku⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ fɐn¹³ tɐu̯³³/

/ku⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ fɐn¹³ tɐu̯³³/

孤軍奮戰 孤軍奮戰#Chinese

孤军奋战 孤军奋战#Chinese

Alternative form of 孤軍奮戰／孤军奋战 (gūjūnfènzhàn)


樂不思蜀

ㄌㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄙ ㄕㄨˇ

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ sʊk̚²/

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ sʊk̚²/

From Sanguozhi, said by Liu Shan when he was living in Cao Wei after the collapse of Shu Han:
:
他日，王問禪曰：「頗思蜀否？」禪曰：「此間樂，不思蜀。」 [Literary Chinese, trad.]他日，王问禅曰：「颇思蜀否？」禅曰：「此间乐，不思蜀。」 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
From: Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms, circa 3ʳᵈ century CE
Tārì, wáng wèn Shàn yuē: “Pō sī Shǔ fǒu?” Shàn yuē: “Cǐjiān lè, bùsī Shǔ.” [Pinyin]
Another day, the prince (Sima Zhao) asked Liu Shan, “Do you still miss Shu very much?” Liu Shan replied, “I enjoy life here and don't miss Shu at all.”

他日，王 問 @禪{Shàn} 曰：「頗 思 ^蜀 否？」@禪{Shàn} 曰：「此間 樂{lè}，不思 ^蜀。」

(derogatory) to have so much fun that one forgets one's origins, or that one has to return; to indulge in pleasure and forget home and duty; to be too happy to be homesick

Cao Wei
Liu Shan
Sanguozhi
Shu Han
Sima Zhao


顯而易見

ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄦˊ ㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

сяньэрицзянь

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hiːn³⁵ jiː²¹ jiː²² kiːn³³/

/hiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² i²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/hiɛn⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ĩ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hiːn³⁵ jiː²¹ jiː²² kiːn³³/

/hiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² i²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/hiɛn⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ĩ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/


所作所為

ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄟˊ

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/sɔː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ sɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/sɔː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ sɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹/


史無前例

ㄕˇ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹/

/siː³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ lɐi̯²²/

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹/

/siː³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ lɐi̯²²/


精衛填海

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄨㄟˋ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄞˇ

цзинвэйтяньхай

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² tʰiːn²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² tʰiːn²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵/


出人意料

ㄔㄨ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄠˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː³³ liːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː³³ liːu̯²²/

to exceed people's expectations; to be unexpected; to be surprising


舉足輕重

ㄐㄩˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

цзюйцзуцинчжун

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/kɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ¹³/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/kɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ¹³/


一葉知秋

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ jɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ jɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/


仁者見仁，智者見智

ㄖㄣˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄓˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓˋ

жэньчжэ цзянь жэнь

чжичжэ цзянь чжи

žɛnʹčžɛ czjanʹ žɛnʹ

čžičžɛ czjanʹ čži

/ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

jan⁴ dze² gin³ jan⁴, dzi³ dze² gin³ dzi³

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ kiːn³³ jɐn²¹ t͡siː³³ t͡sɛː³⁵ kiːn³³ t͡siː³³/

From I Ching:
:
仁者見之謂之仁，知者見之謂之知。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]仁者见之谓之仁，知者见之谓之知。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE
Rén zhě jiàn zhī wèi zhī rén, zhì zhě jiàn zhī wèi zhī zhì. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this usage example)

仁 者 見 之 謂 之 仁 ， 知{zhì} 者 見 之 謂 之 知{zhì} 。

The benevolent person sees benevolence, the wise person sees wisdom

there's no accounting for taste
there's no accounting for taste

different people have different views; opinions differ; there's no accounting for taste


甘井先竭

desc

→ Japanese: 甘井先ず竭く (kansei mazu tsuku) (calque)

ㄍㄢ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

ганьцзинсяньцзе

/kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

highly-skilled men are the first to be exhausted


行之有效

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄓ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ haːu̯²²/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ haːu̯²²/


古色古香

ㄍㄨˇ ㄙㄜˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄤ

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kuː³⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kou⁵²⁻³⁵ sek̚²⁻⁴ kou⁵²⁻³⁵ hiaŋ³³/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kuː³⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kou⁵²⁻³⁵ sek̚²⁻⁴ kou⁵²⁻³⁵ hiaŋ³³/


赳赳武夫

ㄐㄧㄡ ㄐㄧㄡ ㄨˇ ㄈㄨ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵/

/tɐu̯³⁵ tɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵/

/tɐu̯³⁵ tɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 7 (《詩經·周南·兔罝》):
肅肅兔罝，椓之丁丁。
赳赳武夫，公侯干城。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]肃肃兔罝，椓之丁丁。
赳赳武夫，公侯干城。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Sùsù tùjū, zhuó zhī zhēngzhēng.
Jiūjiū wǔfū, gōnghóu gānchéng. [Pinyin]
Carefully adjusted are the rabbit nets; Clang clang go the blows on the pegs.
That stalwart, martial man, Might be shield and wall to his prince.

lang

(《詩經·周南·兔罝》)

(《詩經·周南·兔罝》)

zh-x

肅-肅 兔-罝，椓 之 丁{zhēng}丁{zhēng}。
@赳赳.武夫，公-侯 干-城。

having the qualities of a strong and valiant warrior


夙興夜寐

ㄙㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄧㄝˋ ㄇㄟˋ

/su⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ jɛː²² mei̯²²/

/su⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ jɛː²² mei̯²²/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 58 (《詩經·衞風·氓》):
:
三歲為婦，靡室勞矣。
夙興夜寐，靡有朝矣。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]三岁为妇，靡室劳矣。
夙兴夜寐，靡有朝矣。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Sān suì wéi fù, mǐ shì láo yǐ.
Sù xīng yè mèi, mǐ yǒu zhāo yǐ. [Pinyin]
For three years I was your wife, And thought nothing of my toil in your house.
I rose early and went to sleep late, Not intermitting my labours for a morning.

三 歲 為{wéi} 婦，靡 室 勞 矣。
@夙.興{xīng}.夜.寐，靡 有 朝{zhāo} 矣。

[…]沒有夙興夜寐的程序員，中國互聯網產業無法實現「彎道超車」，成就一個又一個估值過億的企業；[…] [MSC, trad.]
[…]没有夙兴夜寐的程序员，中国互联网产业无法实现「弯道超车」，成就一个又一个估值过亿的企业；[…] [MSC, simp.]
[…] méiyǒu sùxìngyèmèi de chéngxùyuán, zhōngguó hùliánwǎng chǎnyè wúfǎ shíxiàn “wāndào chāochē”, chéngjiù yīge yòu yīge gūzhí guò yì de qǐyè; […] [Pinyin]
@[…] Weren’t there programmers working hard all day long, China’s Internet industries would never “overtake on the bend”, evolving into billions-valued enterprises one after one. @[…]

From: 2019 April 29, 仲青平 (Zhong Qingping), 《向所有奋斗中的劳动者致敬》, in China Youth Daily, page 1

burn the candle at both ends
burn the candle at both ends

to work hard night and day; to burn the candle at both ends


相提並論

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄊㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

сянтибинлунь

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ pɪŋ²² lɵn²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²²⁻²¹ lun²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lun²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ pɪŋ²² lɵn²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²²⁻²¹ lun²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lun²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵/

這也可以說是「施仁政」吧，但這是我們對於原來是敵對階級的人們所強迫地施行的，和我們對於革命人民內部的自我教育工作，不能相提並論。 [MSC, trad.]
这也可以说是「施仁政」吧，但这是我们对于原来是敌对阶级的人们所强迫地施行的，和我们对于革命人民内部的自我教育工作，不能相提并论。 [MSC, simp.]

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

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

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

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


江山永固

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄕㄢ ㄩㄥˇ ㄍㄨˋ

цзяншаньюнгу

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wɪŋ¹³ kuː³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wɪŋ¹³ kuː³³/

后妃大挑禮成。奴才榮祿恭賀聖母皇太后，恭賀皇上。願我大清朝皇嗣繁熾，江山永固。 [MSC, trad.]
后妃大挑礼成。奴才荣禄恭贺圣母皇太后，恭贺皇上。愿我大清朝皇嗣繁炽，江山永固。 [MSC, simp.]

The great ceremony for selecting empress consort and imperial concubines is over. I, Ronglu, humbly rejoice with Her Most Sacred Majesty the Empress Dowager and humbly rejoice with the Emperor! May my Great Qing Empire be blessed with successive rulers and endless splendor, and may my nation be stable forever!

Hòufēi dà tiǎo lǐ chéng. Núcái rónglù gōnghè shèngmǔ huángtàihòu, gōnghè huángshàng. Yuàn wǒ dàqīngcháo huángsìfánchì, jiāngshānyǒnggù. [Pinyin]

(archaic) a statement to wish one's country perpetual stability.


有目共睹

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄨˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʊŋ⁵¹ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² kʊŋ²² tou̯³⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʊŋ⁵¹ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² kʊŋ²² tou̯³⁵/


名符其實

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/miŋ³⁵ fu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miŋ³⁵ fu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

名副其實 名副其實#Chinese

名副其实 名副其实#Chinese

Alternative form of 名副其實／名副其实 (míngfùqíshí)


源源不斷

ㄩㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

юаньюаньбудуань

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tuaŋ³⁵/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tuaŋ³⁵/


膾炙人口

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (膾炙人口):
* → Vietnamese: quái chá nhân khẩu (膾炙人口)

thinly sliced, roasted meat in the people's mouths

ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄓˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄎㄡˇ

куайчжижэнькоу

/kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰuːi̯³⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ jɐn²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

/kʰuːi̯³⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ jɐn²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

universally appreciated (especially of literary works); liked by many; appealing to the masses; on everyone's lips


軒然大波

ㄒㄩㄢ ㄖㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄛ

сюаньжаньдабо

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/hiːn⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² pɔː⁵⁵/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ pʰo⁴⁴/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ pʰɤ⁴⁴/

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/hiːn⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² pɔː⁵⁵/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ pʰo⁴⁴/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ pʰɤ⁴⁴/


不約而同

ㄅㄨˋ ㄩㄝ ㄦˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

/pu⁵¹ ɥɛ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jœːk̚³ jiː²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔk̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔk̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴/

/pu⁵¹ ɥɛ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jœːk̚³ jiː²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔk̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔk̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴/

老師一走進教師，同學們就不約而同安靜下來。 [MSC, trad.]
老师一走进教师，同学们就不约而同安静下来。 [MSC, simp.]

As soon as the teacher entered the classroom, the students coincidentally all quieted down at once.

Lǎoshī yī zǒujìn jiàoshī, tóngxué men jiù bùyuē'értóng ānjìng xiàlái. [Pinyin]

to happen to coincide; to take the same view or action without previous consultation


十面埋伏

ㄕˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄞˊ ㄈㄨˊ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ maɪ̯³⁵ fu³⁵/

/sɐp̚² miːn²² maːi̯²¹ fʊk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ maɪ̯³⁵ fu³⁵/

/sɐp̚² miːn²² maːi̯²¹ fʊk̚²/


十面埋伏

ㄕˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄞˊ ㄈㄨˊ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ maɪ̯³⁵ fu³⁵/

/sɐp̚² miːn²² maːi̯²¹ fʊk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ maɪ̯³⁵ fu³⁵/

/sɐp̚² miːn²² maːi̯²¹ fʊk̚²/

historical battle of Chinese history (202 BCE)

Ambush from Ten Sides (classical piece written for the pipa)


今非昔比

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄈㄟ ㄒㄧ ㄅㄧˇ

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄈㄟ ㄒㄧˊ ㄅㄧˇ

цзиньфэйсиби

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/

the present cannot compare with the past; times have changed


寥寥數語

ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄩˇ

/li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/liːu̯²¹ liːu̯²¹ sou̯³³ jyː¹³/

/li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/liːu̯²¹ liːu̯²¹ sou̯³³ jyː¹³/

a few words; with a few mild comments; in a nutshell


知法犯法

ㄓ ㄈㄚˇ ㄈㄢˋ ㄈㄚˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ fän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ fän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

身為警察，佢竟然知法犯法，真係警隊嘅恥辱！ [Cantonese, trad.]
身为警察，佢竟然知法犯法，真系警队嘅耻辱！ [Cantonese, simp.]
san¹ wai⁴ ging² caat³, keoi⁵ ging² jin⁴ zi¹ faat³ faan⁶ faat³, zan¹ hai⁶ ging² deoi⁶⁻² ge³ ci² juk⁶! [Jyutping]

As a policeman, he dared to break the law while knowing it. What a disgrace to the police force!


本末倒置

ㄅㄣˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄓˋ

бэньмодаочжи

/pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

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


留中不發

ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚ

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

我看這道奏摺先留中不發。 [MSC, trad.]
我看这道奏折先留中不发。 [MSC, simp.]

I think this submitted petition shall first be kept for further consideration.

Wǒ kàn zhè dào zòuzhé xiān liúzhōngbùfā. [Pinyin]

(archaic) to shelve; to table; to postpone consideration


娶妻娶德

ㄑㄩˇ ㄑㄧ ㄑㄩˇ ㄉㄜˊ

/t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɤ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɤ³⁵/

marry a woman for her morality (rather than beauty)


心灰意冷

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄧˋ ㄌㄥˇ

синьхуэйилэн

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːŋ¹³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² hue⁴⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːŋ¹³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² hue⁴⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/


先斬後奏

behead first, report [to the emperor] later

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄓㄢˇ ㄏㄡˋ ㄗㄡˋ

сяньчжаньхоуцзоу

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡soʊ̯⁵¹/

/siːn⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ hɐu̯²² t͡sɐu̯³³/

/siːn⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ hɐu̯²² t͡sɐu̯³³/

皇上御賜龍虎狗三口鍘刀，本府有先斬後奏之權。如何審不得你？ [MSC, trad.]
皇上御赐龙虎狗三口铡刀，本府有先斩后奏之权。如何审不得你？ [MSC, simp.]

His Majesty granted me these three guillotines of canine, tiger, and dragon, by which I am authorised to kill first, report later. How can't I put you on trial?

Huángshàng yùcì lóng hǔ gǒu sān kǒu zhádāo, běnfǔ yǒu xiānzhǎnhòuzòu zhī quán. Rúhé shěn bùdé nǐ? [Pinyin]

to act first and report later; to act first and seek permission therefor later


各有所好

ㄍㄜˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄠˋ

/kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ hou̯³³/

/kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ hou̯³³/

different strokes for different folks
different strokes for different folks

there's no accounting for taste; to each his own; different strokes for different folks; chacun à son goût


知規犯規

ㄓ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄈㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄟ

чжигуйфаньгуй

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ fän⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ faːn²² kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ fän⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ faːn²² kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

他明知是必須這樣做，但他不願意做，他知規犯規！ [MSC, trad.]
他明知是必须这样做，但他不愿意做，他知规犯规！ [MSC, simp.]

He already knows that it's necessary to do that, but he doesn't want to do it, so he already knows the rule, but he breaks it anyway!

Tā míngzhī shì bìxū zhèyàng zuò, dàn tā bù yuànyì zuò, tā zhīguīfànguī! [Pinyin]


長話短說

ㄔㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄕㄨㄛ

чанхуадуаньшо

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ waː²² tyːn³⁵ syːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ waː²² tyːn³⁵ syːt̚³/

to make a long story short
to make a long story short


篳門閨竇

ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄡˋ

бимэньгуйдоу

/pi⁵¹ mən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ muːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ tɐu̯²²/

/pi⁵¹ mən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ muːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ tɐu̯²²/

wretched hovel; living in poverty; poverty-stricken


人情冷暖

ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄥˇ ㄋㄨㄢˇ

жэньцинлэннуань

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ laːŋ¹³ nyːn¹³/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ laːŋ¹³ nyːn¹³/

fickleness of human nature; changing of one's attitude to another according to social status


捉襟見肘

ㄓㄨㄛ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄡˇ

ㄓㄨㄛ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄡˇ

чжоцзиньцзяньчжоу

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

чжоцзиньсяньчжоу

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ kʰɐm⁵⁵ kiːn²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ kʰɐm⁵⁵ kiːn²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

Han shi waizhuan
James Robert Hightower
Yuan Xian
Zengzi
zh:韓嬰

The idiom arose from an anecdote variously attributed to Zeng Shen or Yuan Xian.
曾子居衛…正冠而纓絕，捉衿而肘見，納履而踵決。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]曾子居卫…正冠而缨绝，捉衿而肘见，纳履而踵决。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Zēngzǐ jū Wèi... Zhèngguān ér yīngjué, zhuōjīn ér zhǒuxiàn, nàlǚ ér zhǒngjué. [Pinyin]
Zeng-zi was residing in Wey.… [I]f he put his cap on straight, the strings would break; if he drew tight the overlap of his robe, his elbow would be seen; in putting on his shoes, the heels would burst them.
原憲居魯…正冠則纓絕，振襟則肘見，納履則踵決。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]原宪居鲁…正冠则缨绝，振襟则肘见，纳履则踵决。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Ying (韓嬰), traditionally attributed. c. mid. 2nd century BCE, Han Shi Waizhuan (《韓詩外傳》). Based on the translation by James Robert Hightower.
Yuán Xiàn jū Lǔ... Zhèngguān zé yīngjué, zhènjīn zé zhǒuxiàn, nàlǚ zé zhǒngjué. [Pinyin]
Yuan Xian dwelt in Lu… He straightened his cap and the string broke; he adjusted the lapel of his gown and his elbows came out; he put on his shoes and the heels burst.

zh-x

^曾{Zēng}子 居 ^衛… 正-冠{guān} 而 纓-絕，@捉-@衿 而 @肘-@見{xiàn}，納-履 而 踵-決。

Zeng-zi was residing in Wey.… 􂀿I􂁀f he put his cap on straight, the strings would break; if he drew tight the overlap of his robe, his elbow would be seen; in putting on his shoes, the heels would burst them.

^原 ^憲 居 ^魯… 正-冠{guān} 則 纓-絕，@振-@襟 則 @肘-@見{xiàn}，納-履 則 踵-決。

Han Ying (韓嬰), traditionally attributed. c. mid. 2nd century <small class='ce-date'>BCE</small>, Han Shi Waizhuan (《韓詩外傳》). Based on the translation by James Robert Hightower.

toclutch one's collar only to expose one's elbows

to have too many problems to handle at one time; to be severely lacking in resources to deal with issues on multiple fronts


無時無刻

Composed of 無 (“have not”) + 時 (“time”) + 無 (“have not”) + 刻 (“moment”).

ㄨˊ ㄕˊ ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˋ

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ siː²¹ mou̯²¹ hɐk̚⁵/

/bu²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²³⁻³³ si²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ siː²¹ mou̯²¹ hɐk̚⁵/

/bu²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²³⁻³³ si²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

自是行忘止，食忘饗，卻像掉下了一件甚麼東西，無時無刻不在心上。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
自是行忘止，食忘飨，却像掉下了一件什么东西，无时无刻不在心上。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

From: 1628 CE, Ling Mengchu, Slapping the Table in Amazement I

Zì shì xíng wàng zhǐ, shí wàng xiǎng, què xiàng diàoxià le yī jiàn shénme dōngxi, wúshíwúkè bù zài xīnshàng. [Pinyin]

他無時無刻不坐在電腦旁。 [MSC, trad.]
他无时无刻不坐在电脑旁。 [MSC, simp.]

Tā wúshíwúkè bù zuò zài diànnǎo páng. [Pinyin]


見仁見智

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓˋ

цзяньжэньцзяньчжи

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ jɐn²¹ kiːn³³ t͡siː³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ jɐn²¹ kiːn³³ t͡siː³³/

Short for 仁者見仁，智者見智／仁者见仁，智者见智 (rénzhě jiàn rén, zhìzhě jiàn zhì), from I Ching.

zh-etym-short

different people have different views; opinions differ; there's no accounting for taste