一榮俱榮，一損俱損

ㄧ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

ㄧ ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄐㄩˋ ㄙㄨㄣˇ

jat¹ wing⁴ keoi¹ wing⁴, jat¹ syun² keoi¹ syun²

исуньцзюйсунь

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵¹ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

yāt wìhng kēui wìhng, yāt syún kēui syún

jat⁷ wing⁴ koey¹ wing⁴, jat⁷ syn² koey¹ syn²

yed¹ wing⁴ kêu¹ wing⁴, yed¹ xun² kêu¹ xun²

/jɐt̚⁵ wɪŋ²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ wɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ syːn³⁵ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ syːn³⁵/

一損俱損，一榮俱榮 一損俱損，一榮俱榮#Chinese

一损俱损，一荣俱荣 一损俱损，一荣俱荣#Chinese

Synonym of 一損俱損，一榮俱榮／一损俱损，一荣俱荣 (yīsǔnjùsǔn, yīróngjùróng)


見好就收

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄏㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄡ

цзянь хао цзю шоу

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kiːn³³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯⁵⁵/

/kiːn³³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯⁵⁵/


眉目傳情

ㄇㄟˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

мэйму чуаньцин

/meɪ̯³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/mei̯²¹ mʊk̚² t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/meɪ̯³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/mei̯²¹ mʊk̚² t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

to flash amorous glances; to make eyes at somebody


芒刺在背

ㄇㄤˊ ㄘˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄟˋ

манцыцзайбэй

/mɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² puːi̯³³/

/mɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² puːi̯³³/

From the Book of Han [circa 2nd century AD].

Xuāndì shǐ lì, yèjiàn gāo miào, dàjiāngjūn guāng cóng cān chéng, shàng nèi yán dàn zhī, ruò yǒu mángcìzàibèi.

宣帝始立，謁見高廟，大將軍光從驂乘，上内嚴憚之，若有芒刺在背。

宣帝始立，谒见高庙，大将军光从骖乘，上内严惮之，若有芒刺在背。

to be jittery; to be on pins and needles


勞逸結合

ㄌㄠˊ ㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄏㄜˊ

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ i⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/lou̯²¹ jɐt̚² kiːt̚³ hɐp̚²/

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ i⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/lou̯²¹ jɐt̚² kiːt̚³ hɐp̚²/

to strike a balance between work and rest; work-life balance


蠻針瞎灸

carelessly injecting; blindly cauterizing

ㄇㄢˊ ㄓㄣ ㄒㄧㄚ ㄐㄧㄡˇ

маньчжэньсяцзю

/män³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to do things with disregard for the customs or rules


外強中乾

ㄨㄞˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄍㄢ

вайцянчжунгань

/waɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵/

/ŋɔːi̯²² kʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵/

/waɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵/

/ŋɔːi̯²² kʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵/

to appear strong on the outside but in reality be weak on the inside


色厲內荏

ㄙㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄋㄟˋ ㄖㄣˇ

/sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ neɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ lɐi̯²² nɔːi̯²² jɐm¹³/

/sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ neɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ lɐi̯²² nɔːi̯²² jɐm¹³/

The Master said, "He who puts on an appearance of stern firmness, while inwardly he is weak, is like one of the small, mean people - yea, is he not like the thief who breaks through, or climbs over, a wall?"

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

Zǐyuē: “Sè lì ér nèi rěn, pì zhū xiǎorén, qí yóu chuān yú zhī dào yě yú?”

子曰：「色厲而內荏，譬諸小人，其猶穿窬之盜也與？」

子曰：「色厉而内荏，譬诸小人，其犹穿窬之盗也与？」

to appear tough on the outside but be weak and timid on the inside


逼良為娼

ㄅㄧ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄤ

/pi⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pɪk̚⁵ lœːŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pi⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pɪk̚⁵ lœːŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/


必由之路

ㄅㄧˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄓ ㄌㄨˋ

/pi⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lu⁵¹/

/piːt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ lou̯²²/

/pi⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lu⁵¹/

/piːt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ lou̯²²/

the path that must be taken; the only way


男女有別

ㄋㄢˊ ㄋㄩˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄧㄝˊ

/nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ piːt̚²/

/nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ piːt̚²/

there are differences between men and women; men and women are inherently different


半路殺出個程咬金

ㄅㄢˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄕㄚ ㄔㄨ ˙ㄍㄜ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄣ

bun³ lou⁶ saat³ ceot¹ go³ cing⁴ ngaau⁵ gam¹

pan⁴-lu⁴ sha¹ chʻu¹ ko⁵ Chʻêng² Yao³-chin¹

баньлу ша чу гэ Чэн Яоцзинь

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ g̊ə² ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

bun louh saat chēut go chìhng ngáauh gām

bun³ lou⁶ saat⁸ tsoet⁷ go³ tsing⁴ ngaau⁵ gam¹

bun³ lou⁶ sad³ cêd¹ go³ qing⁴ ngao⁵ gem¹

/puːn³³ lou̯²² saːt̚³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kɔː³³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ ŋaːu̯¹³ kɐm⁵⁵/

thrown a spanner in the works
throw a spanner in the works

someone or something unexpected appears and disrupts the matter; to be thrown a spanner in the works


公平合理

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄏㄜˊ ㄌㄧˇ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ hɐp̚² lei̯¹³/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ hɐp̚² lei̯¹³/


起五更早

/kʰi³³⁻⁵⁵ ŋu²⁴²⁽⁻²¹⁾ ⁽ᵏ⁻⁾aŋ⁵⁵⁻⁵³ ^((t͡s-))ʒa³³/

(Eastern Min) to get up very early; to wake up very early


爛泥扶唔上壁

/laːn²² nɐi̯²¹ fuː²¹ m̩²¹ sœːŋ¹³ pɛːk̚³/

(Cantonese) to be so incompetent that others' help is of no use; to be useless and incapable and cannot be nurtured; to be hopelessly inept


獨來獨往

ㄉㄨˊ ㄌㄞˊ ㄉㄨˊ ㄨㄤˇ

/tu³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ tu³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊk̚² lɔːi̯²¹ tʊk̚² wɔːŋ¹³/

/tu³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ tu³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊk̚² lɔːi̯²¹ tʊk̚² wɔːŋ¹³/

to be a loner; to be alone and avoid the company of others


一朝得志，語無倫次

jat⁷ dziu¹ dak⁷ dzi³, jy⁵ mou⁴ loen⁴ tsi³

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ t͡siː³³ jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

(Cantonese) to become proud and talk nonsense once one has achieved one's ambitions or succeeded


步態蹣跚

ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄞˋ ㄆㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

бутай паньшань

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ pʰän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/pou̯²² tʰaːi̯³³ pʰuːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ pʰän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/pou̯²² tʰaːi̯³³ pʰuːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

步履蹣跚 步履蹣跚#Chinese

步履蹒跚 步履蹒跚#Chinese


得意忘形

ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ ㄨㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚⁵ jiː³³ mɔːŋ²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

/tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚⁵ jiː³³ mɔːŋ²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

to be so excited that one gets carried away


一拍兩散

ㄧ ㄆㄞ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄙㄢˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːk̚³ lœːŋ¹³ saːn³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːk̚³ lœːŋ¹³ saːn³³/

(originally Cantonese) to part ways; to break up


情投意合

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄧˋ ㄏㄜˊ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ i⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ jiː³³ hɐp̚²/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² tau²⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ hap̚⁴/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ i⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ jiː³³ hɐp̚²/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² tau²⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ hap̚⁴/

to have affection for and be compatible with each other (often of a romantic couple)


張牙舞爪

ㄓㄤ ㄧㄚˊ ㄨˇ ㄓㄠˇ

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ jä³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ ŋaː²¹ mou̯¹³ t͡saːu̯³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ jä³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ ŋaː²¹ mou̯¹³ t͡saːu̯³⁵/

(of a person, figurative) to act savagely and threateningly


胞與

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

民胞物與 民胞物與#Chinese

民胞物与 民胞物与#Chinese


羊入虎口

ㄧㄤˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄎㄡˇ

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jœːŋ²¹ jɐp̚² fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/

/jɑŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jœːŋ²¹ jɐp̚² fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/

to enter a dangerous situation where one will certainly suffer


民胞物與

ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄅㄠ ㄨˋ ㄩˇ

/min³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ mɐt̚² jyː¹³/

/min³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ mɐt̚² jyː¹³/

all people are brothers and sisters and all things are the same kind


生殺與奪

ㄕㄥ ㄕㄚ ㄩˇ ㄉㄨㄛˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jyː¹³ tyːt̚²/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jyː¹³ tyːt̚²/

生殺予奪 生殺予奪#Chinese

生杀予夺 生杀予夺#Chinese

Alternative form of 生殺予奪／生杀予夺 (shēngshāyǔduó, “(to hold power over the) life, death, reward and punishment (of others)”)


卓爾不群

ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄦˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ jiː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ kʷʰɐn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ jiː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ kʷʰɐn²¹/

to excel the common; outstanding; preeminent


千奇百怪

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄑㄧˊ ㄅㄞˇ ㄍㄨㄞˋ

цяньцибайгуай

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ paːk̚³ kʷaːi̯³³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ paːk̚³ kʷaːi̯³³/

To have no factions within a party is very odd.

黨內無派，千奇百怪

党内无派，千奇百怪


蚊都瞓

/mɐn²¹⁻⁵⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ fɐn³³/

/mɐn²¹⁻⁵⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ fɐn³³/

Mosquitoes are a kind of nocturnal insect which made people in the past have a misconception that they do not need sleep. If an animal that does not need sleep falls asleep (due to boredom), that means it is too late.


峰迴路轉

ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄢˇ

фэнхуэйлучжуань

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ lou̯²² t͡syːn³⁵/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hue²⁴⁻²² lɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ³³ hue²⁴⁻²² lɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡suan⁵⁵⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hue¹³⁻²² lɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue²⁴⁻¹¹ lɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue²³⁻³³ lɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡suan⁴¹/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ lou̯²² t͡syːn³⁵/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hue²⁴⁻²² lɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ³³ hue²⁴⁻²² lɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡suan⁵⁵⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hue¹³⁻²² lɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue²⁴⁻¹¹ lɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡suan⁵³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hue²³⁻³³ lɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡suan⁴¹/


身體健康

ㄕㄣ ㄊㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄎㄤ

шэньти цзянькан

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ kʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ kiːn²² hɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁴² kiɛn²²⁻²¹ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sin³³ tʰe⁵⁵⁴ kiɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kʰɔŋ³³/

/siŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ kieŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰaŋ³³/

/siŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ kiaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰaŋ³³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ kʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ kiːn²² hɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁴² kiɛn²²⁻²¹ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sin³³ tʰe⁵⁵⁴ kiɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kʰɔŋ³³/

/siŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ kieŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰaŋ³³/

/siŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ kiaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰaŋ³³/

祝你身體健康！

祝你身体健康！


外防輸入，內防反彈

ㄨㄞˋ ㄈㄤˊ ㄕㄨ ㄖㄨˋ

ㄋㄟˋ ㄈㄤˊ ㄈㄢˇ ㄊㄢˊ

вай фан шужу

нэй фан фаньтань

/waɪ̯⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ neɪ̯⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰän³⁵/

(neologism) to prevent both the importation and domestic growth of (COVID-19) cases


隨鄉兒入鄉兒

ㄙㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄤㄦ ㄖㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤㄦ

суйсянржусянр

/su̯eɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑ̃ɻ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑ̃ɻ⁵⁵/

/su̯eɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑ̃ɻ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑ̃ɻ⁵⁵/

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

(Beijing Mandarin) when in Rome, do as the Romans do


沒咒兒念

ㄇㄟˊ ㄓㄡˋㄦ ㄋㄧㄢˋ

мэйчжоурнянь

/meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤʊ̯ɻʷ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛn⁵¹/

/meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤʊ̯ɻʷ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni̯ɛn⁵¹/

(dialectal Mandarin) there is nothing to be done; one can't do anything about it


從善如流

ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːn²² jyː²¹ lɐu̯²¹/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɛn²²⁻²¹ lu²⁴⁻²² liu²⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɛn³³⁻²¹ zu²³⁻³³ liu²³/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɛn³³⁻²¹ zi²³⁻³³ liu²³/

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːn²² jyː²¹ lɐu̯²¹/

/t͡siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɛn²²⁻²¹ lu²⁴⁻²² liu²⁴/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɛn³³⁻²¹ zu²³⁻³³ liu²³/

/t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɛn³³⁻²¹ zi²³⁻³³ liu²³/

to be happy and quick to accept good advice


毀屍滅跡

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄕ ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄧˋ

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄕ ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄧ

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯³⁵ siː⁵⁵ miːt̚² t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mi̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/wɐi̯³⁵ siː⁵⁵ miːt̚² t͡sɪk̚⁵/

(literally) to destroy the corpse after a killing to destroy the evidence of one's crime

(by extension) to destroy the evidence of one's crime


忠孝兩全

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

чжунсяолянцюань

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ haːu̯³³ lœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ haːu̯³³ lœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to be loyal to one's country and show filial piety to one's parents at the same time


物盡其用

ㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄩㄥˋ

/u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/mɐt̚² t͡sɵn²² kʰei̯²¹ jʊŋ²²/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin²²⁻²¹ ki²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ²²/

/but̚²⁴⁻² t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² ki²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ⁴¹/

/but̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ ki¹³⁻²² iɔŋ²²/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin³³⁻²¹ ki²³⁻³³ iɔŋ³³/

/u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/mɐt̚² t͡sɵn²² kʰei̯²¹ jʊŋ²²/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin²²⁻²¹ ki²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ²²/

/but̚²⁴⁻² t͡sin⁴¹⁻²² ki²⁴⁻²² iɔŋ⁴¹/

/but̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ ki¹³⁻²² iɔŋ²²/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³/

/but̚⁴⁻³² t͡sin³³⁻²¹ ki²³⁻³³ iɔŋ³³/

to fully utilize something; to use something to the full


日頭打西出來

ㄖˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄉㄚˇ ㄒㄧ ㄔㄨ ㄌㄞˊ

житоу да си чулай

/ʐ̩⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

(by extension, of an event) surprising or astonishing


白刀子進去，紅刀子出來

white knife goes in, red knife comes out

ㄅㄞˊ ㄉㄠ ˙ㄗ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄑㄩˋ

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄉㄠ ˙ㄗ ㄔㄨ ㄌㄞˊ

бай даоцзы цзиньцюй

хун даоцзы чулай

/paɪ̯³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ d͡z̥z̩² t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ xʊŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ d͡z̥z̩² ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/


捏出水兒來的

ㄋㄧㄝ ㄔㄨ ㄕㄨㄟˇㄦ ㄌㄞˊ ˙ㄉㄜ

нечу шуйр лай дэ

/ni̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂu̯əɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵ d̥ə³/


富甲一方

ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄧ ㄈㄤ

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³³ kaːp̚³ jɐt̚⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³³ kaːp̚³ jɐt̚⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵/


肚裡說不出來的苦

ㄉㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨ ㄌㄞˊ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄎㄨˇ

дули шобучу лай дэ ку

/tu⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ d̥ə³ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


愈演愈烈

ㄩˋ ㄧㄢˇ ㄩˋ ㄌㄧㄝˋ

/y⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/jyː²² jiːn³⁵ jyː²² liːt̚²/

/y⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/jyː²² jiːn³⁵ jyː²² liːt̚²/

to become more and more intense and serious


越演越烈

ㄩㄝˋ ㄧㄢˇ ㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄝˋ

/ɥɛ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ɥɛ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

愈演愈烈 愈演愈烈#Chinese

Synonym of 愈演愈烈 (yùyǎnyùliè, “to become more and more intense and serious”)


牛高馬大

ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄍㄠ ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄚˋ

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ kou̯⁵⁵ maː¹³ taːi̯²²/

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ kou̯⁵⁵ maː¹³ taːi̯²²/


名譽掃地

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄩˋ ㄙㄠˇ ㄉㄧˋ

/miŋ³⁵ y⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ jyː²² sou̯³³ tei̯²²/

/miŋ³⁵ y⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ jyː²² sou̯³³ tei̯²²/

to fall into disrepute; to have one's reputation completely ruined


各取所需

ㄍㄜˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄒㄩ

/kɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ sɔː³⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/kɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ sɔː³⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/


步步高升

ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄠ ㄕㄥ

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/pou̯²² pou̯²² kou̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/pou̯²² pou̯²² kou̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

to advance step by step (especially in a career)


動跤動手

/toŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰa³³⁻²³ toŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵²/

/toŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ kʰa³³⁻²³ toŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵²/


萬謝

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

千恩萬謝 千恩萬謝#Chinese

千恩万谢 千恩万谢#Chinese

Short for 千恩萬謝／千恩万谢 (qiān'ēnwànxiè, “a thousand thanks; many thanks”).


十五個吊桶打水

ㄕˊ ㄨˇ ㄍㄜˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄊㄨㄥˇ ㄉㄚˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

shíwǔ gè diàotǒng dǎshuǐ [Phonetic:shíwǔgèdiàotóngdáshuǐ]

шиу гэ дяотун дашуй

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

十五個吊桶打水——七上八下 十五個吊桶打水——七上八下#Chinese

十五个吊桶打水——七上八下 十五个吊桶打水——七上八下#Chinese

Synonym of 十五個吊桶打水——七上八下／十五个吊桶打水——七上八下 (shíwǔ gè diàotǒng dǎshuǐ, qīshàngbāxià)


明文規定

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

минвэньгуйдин

/miŋ³⁵ wən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ mɐn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bun²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bun²⁴⁻²² kui³³ tiɪŋ⁴¹/

/biɪŋ¹³⁻²² bun¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bun²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ³³/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ bun²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ³³/

/miŋ³⁵ wən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ mɐn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bun²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bun²⁴⁻²² kui³³ tiɪŋ⁴¹/

/biɪŋ¹³⁻²² bun¹³⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ²²/

/biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bun²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ³³/

/biɪŋ²³⁻³³ bun²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ³³/

to be defined clearly in writing; to be written out in black and white


連綿不斷

ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

ляньмяньбудуань

/li̯ɛn³⁵ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/li̯ɛn³⁵ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/


神機妙算

ㄕㄣˊ ㄐㄧ ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ

шэньцзимяосуань

/ʂən³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ miːu̯²² syːn³³/

/sin²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴ miãu³³⁻¹¹ suan¹¹/

/sin²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴ miãu³³⁻²¹ suan²¹/

/ʂən³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ miːu̯²² syːn³³/

/sin²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴ miãu³³⁻¹¹ suan¹¹/

/sin²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴ miãu³³⁻²¹ suan²¹/

brilliant intelligence; brilliant foresight

諸葛亮借東風——神機妙算／诸葛亮借东风——神机妙算

Zhūgě Liàng jiè dōngfēng, shénjīmiàosuàn


有備而來

ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄟˋ ㄦˊ ㄌㄞˊ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ pei̯²² jiː²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ pei̯²² jiː²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/


以和為貴

→ Japanese: 和を以て貴しと為す (calque)

ㄧˇ ㄏㄜˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ wɔː²¹ wɐi̯²¹ kʷɐi̯³³/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ wɔː²¹ wɐi̯²¹ kʷɐi̯³³/

In the community of martial arts, harmony must be prized and maintained. Martial ethics must be emphasized. Internal strifles are not allowed.

2020, 马保国 (Ma Baoguo), 《健身房的年轻后生不讲武德偷袭马老师，把马保国老师的眼睛给蹭了一下》

Wǔlín yào yǐhéwéiguì, yào jiǎng wǔdé, bùyào gǎo wōlǐdòu.

武林要以和為貴，要講武德，不要搞窩裡鬥。

武林要以和为贵，要讲武德，不要搞窝里斗。


山搖地動

ㄕㄢ ㄧㄠˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

шаньяо дидун

/ʂän⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ tei̯²² tʊŋ²²/

/ʂän⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ tei̯²² tʊŋ²²/


水乳交融

ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄖㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

шуйжуцзяожун

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ jyː¹³ kaːu̯⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

/sɵy̯³⁵ jyː¹³ kaːu̯⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

to get along well; to be very compatible; to be congruous


地動山搖

ㄉㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄢ ㄧㄠˊ

дидун шаньяо

/ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/tei̯²² tʊŋ²² saːn⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

/ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/tei̯²² tʊŋ²² saːn⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/


男左女右

ㄋㄢˊ ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄋㄩˇ ㄧㄡˋ

/nän³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ t͡sɔː³⁵ nɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯²²/

/nän³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ t͡sɔː³⁵ nɵy̯¹³ jɐu̯²²/

the left refers to males and the right to females; the left is for males, the right is for females; males and females are different (traditional saying)


快去快返

/faːi̯³³ hɵy̯³³ faːi̯³³ faːn⁵⁵/

/faːi̯³³ hɵy̯³³ faːi̯³³ faːn⁵⁵/


劣跡斑斑

ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄅㄢ ㄅㄢ

ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄧ ㄅㄢ ㄅㄢ

лецзибаньбань

/li̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵/

/li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵/

/li̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵/

/li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵/


快去快回

ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄑㄩˋ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄏㄨㄟˊ

куайцюйкуайхуэй

/kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵/


好自為之

ㄏㄠˋ ㄗˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓ

хаоцзывэйчжи

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hou̯³³ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hou̯³³ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

Initially from Huainanzi – see quote below.

If the monarch does not appoint the capable but rather likes to handle the matters by himself, his intelligence will be increasingly exhausted and he will bear the consequences himself.

Jūn rén zhě bù rèn néng ér hào zì wéi zhī, zé zhì rì kùn ér zì fù qí zé yě.

君人者不任能而好自為之，則智日困而自負其責也。

君人者不任能而好自为之，则智日困而自负其责也。

(original meaning, literary, archaic) to like to do everything him/herself in one's own way


好自為之

ㄏㄠˇ ㄗˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓ

хаоцзывэйчжи

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hou̯³⁵ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hou̯³⁵ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

(early modern, now rare) to do one's best; to endeavour to do something

(more common meaning nowadays, as a threat or admonition, derogatory) [You] better behave yourself, otherwise [you] will be in trouble! / You better watch out for yourself! You have been warned!


疑神疑魍

/ɡi¹³⁻²² sin¹³⁻²² ɡi¹³⁻²² baŋ⁵³/

/ɡi¹³⁻²² sin¹³⁻²² ɡi¹³⁻²² baŋ⁵³/

(Zhangzhou Hokkien) to be extremely suspicious; to be afraid of one's own shadow


三朝元老

ㄙㄢ ㄔㄠˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄌㄠˇ

саньчаоюаньлао

/sän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ jyːn²¹ lou̯¹³/

/sän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ jyːn²¹ lou̯¹³/

(historical) important government official that has served under three dynasties or monarchs

(figurative) experienced person in an organization or company


食咖喱飯

/sɪk̚² kaː³³ lei̯⁵⁵ faːn²²/

/sɪk̚² kaː³³ lei̯⁵⁵ faːn²²/

(Malaysian Cantonese and Singapore Cantonese, slang) to be imprisoned


歐母畫荻

ㄡ ㄇㄨˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄉㄧˊ

/ˀoʊ̯⁵⁵ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵/

/ˀoʊ̯⁵⁵ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵/

修母畫荻 修母畫荻#Chinese

修母画荻 修母画荻#Chinese


畫荻教子

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄉㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄗˇ

хуади цзяо цзы

/xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːk̚² tɪk̚² kaːu̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːk̚² tɪk̚² kaːu̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

修母畫荻 修母畫荻#Chinese

修母画荻 修母画荻#Chinese


修母畫荻

ㄒㄧㄡ ㄇㄨˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄉㄧˊ

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹ ti³⁵/

Ouyang Xiu (歐陽脩) was an 11th-century Chinese scholar. His father died when he was young, and since his family was poor, his mother Zheng, who was literate, taught him by writing in the dirt with a reed stalk.

a mother's admirable dedication to the education of her children


姜太公封神——漏咗自己

Grand Duke Jiang investiture of the gods – omitting himself

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄊㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄣˊ

ㄌㄡˋ ˙ㄗㄨㄛ ㄗˋ ㄐㄧˇ

Цзянтайгун фэншэнь

лоу цзо цзыцзи

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵ loʊ̯⁵¹ d͡z̥u̯ɔ¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰaːi̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹ lɐu̯²² t͡sɔː³⁵ t͡siː²² kei̯³⁵/

姜太公封神——漏了自己 姜太公封神——漏了自己#Chinese

Alternative form of 姜太公封神——漏了自己 (Jiāngtàigōng fēngshén, lòu liǎo zìjǐ)


姜太公封神——漏了自己

Grand Duke Jiang deifies – leaving himself out

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄊㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄣˊ

ㄌㄡˋ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄗˋ ㄐㄧˇ

Цзянтайгун фэншэнь

лоу ляо цзыцзи

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵ loʊ̯⁵¹ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰaːi̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹ lɐu̯²² liːu̯¹³ t͡siː²² kei̯³⁵/


比手畫刀

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ua²²⁻²¹ to⁴⁴/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ua²²⁻²¹ to⁴⁴/

(Zhangzhou Hokkien) to gesticulate; to make gestures


三跤弄跳

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kʰa⁴⁴⁻²² laŋ²²⁻²¹ tio¹³/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² kʰa⁴⁴⁻²² laŋ²²⁻²¹ tio¹³/

(Zhangzhou Hokkien) to dance and gesticulate for joy


比手畫跤

比手畫骹
比手畫腳
比手画跤

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/pi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ue(ʔ)²⁴⁻² kʰa³³/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ua²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/pi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ue(ʔ)²⁴⁻² kʰa³³/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ua²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

(Hokkien) to gesticulate; to make gestures


比手弄跤

/pi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ laŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰa³³/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ laŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/pi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ laŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰa³³/

/pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ laŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

(Quanzhou and Xiamen Hokkien) to gesticulate; to make gestures

(Quanzhou and Xiamen Hokkien) to dance and gesticulate for joy


乘龍快婿

ㄔㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄒㄩˋ

чэнлун куайсюй

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ faːi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ faːi̯³³ sɐi̯³³/

Based on the legend of Xiao Shi (萧史) and Nongyu (弄玉), the son-in-law and daughter of Duke Mu of Qin (秦穆公, r. 659 BC-621 BC, during China's Spring and Autumn Period. According to the legend, after the couple had retired to the seclusion of the middle peak of Mount Hua, one day Nongyu took her jade sheng (mouth organ) and mounted a colorful phoenix, and Xiao Shi took his jade xiao (vertical flute) and stepped onto a golden dragon. For a time, the dragon and the phoenix flew into the air. People at that time referred to Xiao Shi as "dragon-riding son-in-law," and this expression has evolved into a modern-day Chinese chengyu with the implied meaning of "ideal son-in-law."


熟口熟面

/sʊk̚² hɐu̯³⁵ sʊk̚² miːn²²/

/sʊk̚² hɐu̯³⁵ sʊk̚² miːn²²/


天花龍鳳

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ fʊŋ²²/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ fʊŋ²²/

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


打鐵先得本身硬

ㄉㄚˇ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄉㄟˇ ㄅㄣˇ ㄕㄣ ㄧㄥˋ

dǎtiě xiān děi běnshēn yìng [Phonetic:dátiěxiāndéiběnshēnyìng]

дате сянь дэй бэньшэнь ин

/tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ teɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ iŋ⁵¹/

打鐵還需自身硬 打鐵還需自身硬#Chinese

打铁还需自身硬 打铁还需自身硬#Chinese

Synonym of 打鐵還需自身硬／打铁还需自身硬 (dǎtiě hái xū zìshēn yìng)


打鐵還需自身硬

ㄉㄚˇ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄏㄞˊ ㄒㄩ ㄗˋ ㄕㄣ ㄧㄥˋ

dǎtiě hái xū zìshēn yìng [Phonetic:dátiěháixūzìshēnyìng]

дате хай сюй цзышэнь ин

/tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xaɪ̯³⁵ ɕy⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ iŋ⁵¹/

it takes a good blacksmith to forge good tools; to do a job well, one must be highly competent


無婆無卵

(Taiwanese Hakka) to have no wife or children; to be a bachelor


物傷其類

ㄨˋ ㄕㄤ ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄟˋ

/u⁵¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɐt̚² sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ lɵy̯²²/

/u⁵¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɐt̚² sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ lɵy̯²²/

to grieve the misfortune of one's fellow beings


兔死狐悲，物傷其類

ㄊㄨˋ ㄙˇ ㄏㄨˊ ㄅㄟ

ㄨˋ ㄕㄤ ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄟˋ

tou³ sei² wu⁴ bei¹, mat⁶ soeng¹ kei⁴ leoi⁶

/tʰu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵ u⁵¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

tou³ sei² wu⁴ bei¹, mat⁹ soeng¹ kei⁴ loey⁶

tou³ séi² wu⁴ béi¹, med⁶ sêng¹ kéi⁴ lêu⁶

/tʰou̯³³ sei̯³⁵ wuː²¹ pei̯⁵⁵ mɐt̚² sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ lɵy̯²²/


一錢太守

ㄧ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄊㄞˋ ㄕㄡˇ

yī qián tàishǒu [Phonetic:yì qián tàishǒu]

и цянь тайшоу

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

From Liu Chong, a governor of the Han Dynasty.


自行其是

ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² hɐŋ²¹ kʰei̯²¹ siː²²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² hɐŋ²¹ kʰei̯²¹ siː²²/

(chiefly derogatory) to do what one thinks is right without considering the opinions of others; to do one's own thing


夜半三更

ㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄢˋ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄥ

ㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄢˋ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄥ

ебаньсаньгэн

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

/iɛ²¹³ pan²¹³ san⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/jɛː²² puːn³³ saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

/iɛ²¹³ pan²¹³ san⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/jɛː²² puːn³³ saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

2009, 陳寶華 [Ella Chan], 黃予嬌, 26:34 from the start, in 絕代商驕 [You're Hired], episode 17 (television production), spoken by 麥提爽 [Mak Tai Song] (黃子華 [Dayo Wong]), via TVB:

je⁶ bun³ saam¹ gaang¹, mou⁴ dyun¹ dyun¹ zau² lai⁴ laam² ngo⁵ jat¹ je⁵, nei⁵ dou¹ hai⁶ geng¹ ngo⁵ m⁴ hoi¹ sam¹ ze¹.

夜半三更，無端端走嚟攬我一嘢，你都係驚我唔開心啫。

夜半三更，无端端走嚟揽我一嘢，你都系惊我唔开心啫。

in the middle of the night; late at night


耗子尾汁

ㄏㄠˋ ˙ㄗ ㄨㄟˇ ㄓ

хаоцзывэйчжи

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

From the speech of the self-proclaimed tai chi master Ma Baoguo (马保国) after losing to two young men in a duel, which became a meme on Bilibili, created due to his accent.

2020 November 18, 厉苒苒 (Li Ranran), 《武术推广也要“耗子尾汁”》, in Xinmin Evening News, page 7

武術推廣也要「耗子尾汁」

武术推广也要「耗子尾汁」

2020 November 29, 《“闪电五连鞭”“不讲武德”“耗子尾汁”爆红网络 马保国出圈一场扭曲的网络狂欢》, in 《南国都市报》, page 15

Zhè shǎndiàn wǔliánbiān, bù jiǎng wǔdé a! Wǒ quàn nǐ hàoziwěizhī!

這閃電五連鞭，不講武德啊！我勸你耗子尾汁！

这闪电五连鞭，不讲武德啊！我劝你耗子尾汁！

2020 November 30, 张云飞 (Zhang Yunfei), 黄剑 (Huang Jian), 《好酒贪杯 耗子尾汁》, in 《南方法治报》, page 07

好酒貪杯 耗子尾汁

好酒贪杯 耗子尾汁

2020 December 1, 魏敏 (Wei Min), 《未成年人打赏主播乱象有望得到根治》, in 《证券时报》, page A15

Zhè yī diǎn zúyǐ ràng xīn cún jiǎoxìng, huò yǒu bùliáng qǐtú de zhǔbō xiù dào “hàoziwěizhī” de wèidào.

這一點足以讓心存僥幸、或有不良企圖的主播嗅到「耗子尾汁」的味道。

这一点足以让心存侥幸、或有不良企图的主播嗅到「耗子尾汁」的味道。

2023 April 14, 蒋光祥, 马保国们带货更要在意“武德”, in 《证劵时报》, page A7

Zài bèi píngtái chéngjiè hé chǔfá zhīqián, yīxiē zhǔbō kěyǐ shuō wèile yǐnliú shénme dōu néng zuò de chūlái, tōngguò yǐndǎo shěnměi biànwéi dīsú shěnchǒu de fāngshì lái móulì, zhè qíshí shì wǎngluò dàjì. Cóng zhège jiǎodù qù kàn, Mǎ Bǎoguó hái suàn “hàozǐwěizhī” de yī lèi.

在被平台懲戒和處罰之前，一些主播可以說為了引流什麼都能做得出來，通過引導審美變為低俗審醜的方式來牟利，這其實是網絡大忌。從這個角度去看，馬保國還算「耗子尾汁」的一類。

在被平台惩戒和处罚之前，一些主播可以说为了引流什么都能做得出来，通过引导审美变为低俗审丑的方式来牟利，这其实是网络大忌。从这个角度去看，马保国还算「耗子尾汁」的一类。

好自為之 好自為之#Chinese

好自为之 好自为之#Chinese

(Internet slang) Alternative form of 好自為之／好自为之


地圖開疆

ㄉㄧˋ ㄊㄨˊ ㄎㄞ ㄐㄧㄤ

диту кайцзян

/ti⁵¹ tʰu³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tei̯²² tʰou̯²¹ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ kœːŋ⁵⁵/

/ti⁵¹ tʰu³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tei̯²² tʰou̯²¹ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ kœːŋ⁵⁵/

(slang, humorous or sarcastic) to pretend that one country's territory is enlarged by marking territories controlled by others as part of its own on an official map


犁庭掃穴

ㄌㄧˊ ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄙㄠˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ

ㄌㄧˊ ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄙㄠˇ ㄒㄩㄝˋ

/li³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/li³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/lɐi̯²¹ tʰɪŋ²¹ sou̯³³ jyːt̚²/

/li³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/li³⁵ tʰiŋ³⁵ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/lɐi̯²¹ tʰɪŋ²¹ sou̯³³ jyːt̚²/


安安全全

ㄢ ㄢ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

аньаньцюаньцюань

/ˀän⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/ˀän⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

2016 March 26, 雨狸 (lyrics), DELA (music), 《四重罪孽》

wǒ xiànzài ān'ānquánquán bùhuì shì huǎngyán

我現在安安全全 不會是謊言

我现在安安全全 不会是谎言


專橫跋扈

ㄓㄨㄢ ㄏㄥˋ ㄅㄚˊ ㄏㄨˋ

чжуаньхэнбаху

/ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ waːŋ²¹ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ waːŋ²¹ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

imperious and arbitrary; domineering and unreasonable


自求多福

ㄗˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄈㄨˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kʰɐu̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kʰɐu̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 235 (《詩經·大雅·文王》)

lang

(《詩經·大雅·文王》)

(《詩經·大雅·文王》)

Ever think of your ancestor, Cultivating your virtue,
Always striving to accord with the will [of Heaven]. So shall you be seeking for much happiness.

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

Wú niàn ěr zǔ, yù xiū jué dé.
Yǒng yán pèi mìng, zì qiú duō fú.

無念爾祖，聿脩厥德。
永言配命，自求多福。

无念尔祖，聿脩厥德。
永言配命，自求多福。

to seek well-being or welfare using one's own abilities


談天說地

ㄊㄢˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄉㄧˋ

таньтяньшоди

/tʰän³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/tʰaːm²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ tei̯²²/

/tʰän³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/tʰaːm²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ tei̯²²/


地廣人稀

ㄉㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄤˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧ

дигуанжэньси

/ti⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tei̯²² kʷɔːŋ³⁵ jɐn²¹ hei̯⁵⁵/

/ti⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tei̯²² kʷɔːŋ³⁵ jɐn²¹ hei̯⁵⁵/


知書識禮

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ syː⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ lɐi̯¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ syː⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ lɐi̯¹³/


殫精竭慮

ㄉㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄩˋ

даньцзинцзелюй

/tän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/taːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰiːt̚³ lɵy̯²²/

/tän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/taːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰiːt̚³ lɵy̯²²/

to exhaust one's energy and rack one's brain


開疆拓土

ㄎㄞ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄊㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄨˇ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ kœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɔːk̚³ tʰou̯³⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ kœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɔːk̚³ tʰou̯³⁵/


棋逢敵手

ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄥˊ ㄉㄧˊ ㄕㄡˇ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fɤŋ³⁵ ti³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰei̯²¹ fʊŋ²¹ tɪk̚² sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fɤŋ³⁵ ti³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰei̯²¹ fʊŋ²¹ tɪk̚² sɐu̯³⁵/


不可名狀

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

букэминчжуан

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sɔːŋ²²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sɔːŋ²²/


傷痕累累

ㄕㄤ ㄏㄣˊ ㄌㄟˇ ㄌㄟˇ

шанхэньлэйлэй

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ xən³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐn²¹ lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²⁴ lui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lui⁵³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³ lui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lui⁴¹/

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ xən³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐn²¹ lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²⁴ lui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lui⁵³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hun²³ lui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lui⁴¹/

(literal, figurative) riddled with scars and/or bruises


千家萬戶

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨˋ

цяньцзяваньху

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ maːn²² wuː²²/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ka⁴² uan¹¹ fu¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ ka⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ fu⁵³/

/t͡sʰõĩ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ buaŋ¹¹ hou³⁵/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡ɕi̯a̠³³ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸu⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡ɕi̯a̠³³ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸu⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ maːn²² wuː²²/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ka⁴² uan¹¹ fu¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ ka⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ fu⁵³/

/t͡sʰõĩ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ buaŋ¹¹ hou³⁵/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡ɕi̯a̠³³ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸu⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡ɕi̯a̠³³ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸu⁴⁵/


等而下之

ㄉㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄓ

/tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tɐŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ haː²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tɐŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ haː²² t͡siː⁵⁵/


拔刀相向

ㄅㄚˊ ㄉㄠ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

/pä³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚² tou̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hœːŋ³³/

/pä³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚² tou̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ hœːŋ³³/

to use force (to fight, start a war, etc.)


牽著鼻子走

ㄑㄧㄢ ˙ㄓㄜ ㄅㄧˊ ㄗˇ ㄗㄡˇ

qiān zhe bízǐ zǒu [Phonetic:qiānzhebízízǒu]

цянь чжэ бицзы цзоу

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɖ͡ʐ̥ə² pi³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːk̚² pei̯²² t͡siː³⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

(usually used in the passive with 被 (bèi)) to lead by the nose


深不可測

ㄕㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄘㄜˋ

/ʂən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/


大不如前

ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/tai³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ zu²³⁻³³ t͡siɛn²³/

/tai³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɛn²³/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/tai³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ zu²³⁻³³ t͡siɛn²³/

/tai³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɛn²³/

He is in his seventies. He does not have as much energy as before.

Tā yǐjīng qīshí duō suì le, tǐlì dàbùrúqián.

他已經七十多歲了，體力大不如前。

他已经七十多岁了，体力大不如前。


始料不及

ㄕˇ ㄌㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ liːu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚²/

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ liːu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚²/

(of an event that occurred) to be unexpected; to be unanticipated


相持不下

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ haː²²/

/sio⁴⁴⁻²² ti²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ ha²²/

/sio³³ ti²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ha⁴¹/

/sio⁴⁴⁻²² ti¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ ha²²/

/sio⁴⁴⁻³³ ti²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ ha³³/

/siɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ ti²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ ha³³/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ haː²²/

/sio⁴⁴⁻²² ti²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ ha²²/

/sio³³ ti²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ha⁴¹/

/sio⁴⁴⁻²² ti¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ ha²²/

/sio⁴⁴⁻³³ ti²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ ha³³/

/siɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ ti²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ ha³³/

to be locked in a stalemate; neither side is winning or yielding in a standoff


悔之莫及

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄓ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ

хуэйчжимоцзи

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɔːk̚² kʰɐp̚²/


細微末節

ㄒㄧˋ ㄨㄟ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

ㄒㄧˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ɕi⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/ɕi⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ mei̯²¹ muːt̚² t͡siːt̚³/

/ɕi⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/ɕi⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ mei̯²¹ muːt̚² t͡siːt̚³/

trivial detail; tiny and insignificant detail


少言寡語

ㄕㄠˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄩˇ

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


異軍突起

ㄧˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄊㄨ ㄑㄧˇ

ㄧˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄊㄨˊ ㄑㄧˇ

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ tɐt̚² hei̯³⁵/

/i²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁵³/

/i⁴¹⁻²² kun³³ tut̚²⁴⁻² kʰi⁵⁵⁴/

/i²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² tut̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kʰi⁵³/

/i³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁵³/

/i³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁴¹/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ tɐt̚² hei̯³⁵/

/i²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁵³/

/i⁴¹⁻²² kun³³ tut̚²⁴⁻² kʰi⁵⁵⁴/

/i²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² tut̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kʰi⁵³/

/i³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁵³/

/i³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ tut̚⁴⁻³² kʰi⁴¹/


後果前因

ㄏㄡˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄣ

хоугоцяньинь

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jɐn⁵⁵/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jɐn⁵⁵/

前因後果 前因後果#Chinese

前因后果 前因后果#Chinese


乖覺可喜

ㄍㄨㄞ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧˇ

гуайцзюэкэси

/ku̯aɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷaːi̯⁵⁵ kɔːk̚³ hɔː³⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/kʷaːi̯⁵⁵ kɔːk̚³ hɔː³⁵ hei̯³⁵/


粉裝玉琢

ㄈㄣˇ ㄓㄨㄤ ㄩˋ ㄓㄨㄛˊ

фэньчжуанъюйчжо

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵/

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵/


先花後果

to blossom flowers first and bear fruits afterwards

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄏㄡˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ

сяньхуахоуго

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/siːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kʷɔː³⁵/

[She bore three daughters and one son.] The son was named Chengzu, the eldest daughter Yuying, the second daughter Taoying, and the third daughter Yueying. Yuying was the eldest of the four and Chengzu the son was the second.

Feng Menglong, Stories to Awaken the World, 1627 CE

Shēngxià sān nǚ yī nán: érzǐ míng yuē Chéngzǔ, chángnǚ míng Yùyīng, cìnǚ míng Táoyīng, sānnǚ míng Yuèyīng. Yuánlái shì xiānhuāhòuguǒ de, dǎoshì Yùyīng jū cháng, cì jí Chéngzǔ.

生下三女一男：兒子名曰承祖，長女名玉英，次女名桃英，三女名月英。元來是先花後果的，倒是玉英居長，次即承祖。

生下三女一男：儿子名曰承祖，长女名玉英，次女名桃英，三女名月英。元来是先花后果的，倒是玉英居长，次即承祖。

(obsolete) to give birth to a girl first and then a boy


冰炭不同爐

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄊㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄌㄨˊ

бин тань бутун лу

/piŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ lu³⁵/

/piŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ lu³⁵/

冰炭不同器 冰炭不同器#Chinese


冰炭不同罏

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄊㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄌㄨˊ

бинтаньбутунлу

/piŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ lu³⁵/

/piŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ lu³⁵/

冰炭不同器 冰炭不同器#Chinese


冰炭不同器

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄊㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄧˋ

бин тань бутун ци

/piŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/piŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/


先甘後苦

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄍㄢ ㄏㄡˋ ㄎㄨˇ

сяньганьхоуку

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to indulge in short-term gratification, but end up suffering in the long run


迥乎不同

ㄐㄩㄥˇ ㄏㄨ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

迥然不同 迥然不同#Chinese


先苦後甘

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄎㄨˇ ㄏㄡˋ ㄍㄢ

сянькухоугань

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹ kän⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹ kän⁵⁵/

to suffer short-term pain for long-term gain


不進則退

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄗㄜˊ ㄊㄨㄟˋ

буцзиньцзэтуй

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɵn³³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ tʰɵy̯³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɵn³³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ tʰɵy̯³³/


功德圓滿

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄉㄜˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄇㄢˇ

гундэюаньмань

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jyːn²¹ muːn¹³/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jyːn²¹ muːn¹³/

to conclude successfully; to end satisfactorily


潮州粿條福建麵，海南咖啡廣府炒

head

潮州粿條福建麵，海南咖啡廣府炒

潮州粿条福建面，海南咖啡广府炒

ㄔㄠˊ ㄓㄡ ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄈㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

ㄏㄞˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄎㄚ ㄈㄟ ㄍㄨㄤˇ ㄈㄨˇ ㄔㄠˇ

Hǎinán kāfēi Guǎngfǔ chǎo [Phonetic:cháozhōuguǒtiáofújiànmiàn

Chʻao²-chou¹ kuo³-tʻiao² Fu²-chien⁴ mien⁴

Чаочжоу готяо Фуцзянь мянь

Хайнань кафэй Гуанфу чао

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ fu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ kʰä⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tio²⁴⁻²¹ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻²² kə⁴²⁻²⁴ tiau⁴⁴⁻²² hɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kiɛn²¹⁻⁴² mi²² hai⁴²⁻²⁴ lam²⁴⁻²¹ ko⁴⁴⁻²² pi⁴⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴²⁻²⁴ hu⁴²⁻²⁴ t͡sʰa⁴²/

/tio²⁴⁻²¹ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻²² kue⁴²⁻²⁴ tiau⁴⁴⁻²² hɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kiɛn²¹⁻⁴² mi²² hai⁴²⁻²⁴ lam²⁴⁻²¹ ko⁴⁴⁻²² pi⁴⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴²⁻²⁴ hu⁴²⁻²⁴ t͡sʰa⁴²/

/tio²⁴⁻²¹ t͡siu⁴⁴⁻²² ke⁴²⁻²⁴ tiau⁴⁴⁻²² hɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kiɛn²¹⁻⁴² mi²² hai⁴²⁻²⁴ lam²⁴⁻²¹ ko⁴⁴⁻²² pi⁴⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴²⁻²⁴ hu⁴²⁻²⁴ t͡sʰa⁴²/

(Singapore, Malaysia) Literally, “Chaozhou [has] rice noodles, Fujian [has] noodles; Hainan [has] coffee, Guangdong [has] stir-fry”


見賢思齊

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄙ ㄑㄧˊ

цзяньсяньсыци

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/kiːn³³ jiːn²¹ siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/kiːn³³ jiːn²¹ siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

The Master said, "When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves."

Zǐyuē: “Jiàn xián sī qí yān, jiàn bù xián ér nèi zìxǐng yě.”

子曰：「見賢思齊焉，見不賢而內自省也。」

子曰：「见贤思齐焉，见不贤而内自省也。」

to see a virtuous person and think of following their example


老魚跳波

ㄌㄠˇ ㄩˊ ㄊㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄛ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

(figurative, of music) exquisite; pleasant


乘火打劫

ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

to take advantage of another person's misfortune for personal gain


久負盛名

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ fuː²² sɪŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ fuː²² sɪŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

to have a good reputation for a long time


操之過急

ㄘㄠ ㄓ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ kɐp̚⁵/

/t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ kɐp̚⁵/


正中下懷

ㄓㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄞˊ

чжэнчжунсяхуай

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʊŋ³³ haː²² waːi̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʊŋ³³ haː²² waːi̯²¹/


舟車勞頓

ㄓㄡ ㄔㄜ ㄌㄠˊ ㄉㄨㄣˋ

чжоучэлаодунь

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ lou̯²¹ tɵn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ lou̯²¹ tɵn²²/

to become exhausted from travelling (in a vehicle, on a boat, train, airplane, etc.); to be fatigued by a long journey


怒目而視

ㄋㄨˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄦˊ ㄕˋ

/nu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/nou̯²² mʊk̚² jiː²¹ siː²²/

/nu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/nou̯²² mʊk̚² jiː²¹ siː²²/


莫之與京

ㄇㄛˋ ㄓ ㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄥ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/mɔːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/mɔːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

The posterity of this scion of the Gui [surname of the House of Chen] will be nourished among the Jiang [surname of the House of Qi]. In five generations they will be prosperous, and the highest ministers in Qi; in eight, there will be none to compare with them for greatness.

Yǒuguī zhīhòu, jiāng yù yú Jiāng, wǔshìqíchāng, bìng yú zhèngqīng, bā shì zhīhòu, mòzhīyǔjīng.

有媯之後，將育于姜，五世其昌，並于正卿，八世之後，莫之與京。

有妫之后，将育于姜，五世其昌，并于正卿，八世之后，莫之与京。


利令智昏

ㄌㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄓˋ ㄏㄨㄣ

лилинчжихунь

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ liŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ xu̯ən⁵⁵/

/lei̯²² lɪŋ²² t͡siː³³ fɐn⁵⁵/

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ liŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ xu̯ən⁵⁵/

/lei̯²² lɪŋ²² t͡siː³³ fɐn⁵⁵/

to be blinded by the lust for gains; to lose one's head because of greed


緩不濟急

ㄏㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄐㄧˊ

хуаньбуцзицзи

/xu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/wuːn²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³ kɐp̚⁵/

/uan²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se²¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kip̚⁵/

/uan²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡se²¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se¹¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se²¹⁻⁴¹ kip̚³²/

/xu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/wuːn²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³ kɐp̚⁵/

/uan²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se²¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kip̚⁵/

/uan²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡se²¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se¹¹⁻⁵³ kip̚³²/

/uan³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡se²¹⁻⁴¹ kip̚³²/

(of an action or plan) to be too slow and unable to address an urgent situation


積不相能

ㄐㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄋㄥˊ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

(literary) to not get along for a long time


因利乘便

ㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

иньличэнбянь

/in⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ lei̯²² sɪŋ²¹ piːn²²/

/in⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ lei̯²² sɪŋ²¹ piːn²²/

to make use of an advantageous situation


一較高下

ㄧ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄍㄠ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kaːu̯³³ kou̯⁵⁵ haː²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kaːu̯³³ kou̯⁵⁵ haː²²/

to compete against one another and determine who is superior


一決高下

ㄧ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄍㄠ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ kou̯⁵⁵ haː²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ kou̯⁵⁵ haː²²/


一決勝負

ㄧ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄕㄥˋ ㄈㄨˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ sɪŋ³³ fuː²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ sɪŋ³³ fuː²²/

to have a showdown to determine the victor


千姿百態

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄗ ㄅㄞˇ ㄊㄞˋ

цяньцзыбайтай

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ tʰaːi̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ paːk̚³ tʰaːi̯³³/


大清亡了

ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄨㄤˊ ˙ㄌㄜ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ lə³/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ lə³/

From the television series The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow, in which when Emperor Yongzheng traveled to the present and found out that the Qing dynasty has died, he said this phrase.

Did you just know it's 2021 now? Queen Anne's dead, dude!

Nǐ cái zhīdào xiànzài 2021 nián le? Xiōngdì, Dàqīng wáng le.

你才知道現在2021年了？兄弟，大清亡了。

你才知道现在2021年了？兄弟，大清亡了。

(Internet slang) To show that the person being spoken to already knew something that the speaker had mentioned.; Queen Anne's dead


足不出戶

ㄗㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋ

/t͡su³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

/t͡su³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

to not leave the house; to be confined to the house (but still able to ...)


一決雌雄

→ Japanese: 雌(し)雄(ゆう)を決(けっ)する (shiyū o kessuru) (calque)

ㄧ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄘˊ ㄒㄩㄥˊ

ㄧ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄘ ㄒㄩㄥˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/


飛來橫禍

ㄈㄟ ㄌㄞˊ ㄏㄥˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ waːŋ²¹ wɔː²²/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ waːŋ²¹ wɔː²²/

unexpected disaster that suddenly befalls


待時而動

ㄉㄞˋ ㄕˊ ㄦˊ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

/taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/tɔːi̯²² siː²¹ jiː²¹ tʊŋ²²/

/taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/tɔːi̯²² siː²¹ jiː²¹ tʊŋ²²/


臭味相投

ㄔㄡˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄊㄡˊ

чоувэйсянтоу

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐu̯³³ mei̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐu̯³³ mei̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

(derogatory, of bad people) to share common bad interests and tastes and get along


臭味相投

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄊㄡˊ

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

to share common interests and aspirations and get along


有理有據

ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄩˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ lei̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ kɵy̯³³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ lei̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ kɵy̯³³/

to have solid grounds; well-grounded; well-founded


波瀾萬丈

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (波瀾萬丈):
* → Japanese: 波(は)瀾(らん)万(ばん)丈(じょ) (haranbanjo)
* → Korean: 파란만장(波瀾萬丈) (paranmanjang)

ㄅㄛ ㄌㄢˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄤˋ

боланьваньчжан

/pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ län³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɔː⁵⁵ laːn²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

/pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ län³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɔː⁵⁵ laːn²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

Alas! What are you even talking about! The mortal world is tiring, with tens of thousands of sorrows harassing your heart. Everyone competes for their fame and wealth just like a flying moth hurtling into the candlelight. Their sorrows win which bleaches their hair; their spirits lose which weakens their bodies. Within their tiny, agitated hearts, they envy and hate each other, making them fiercer than beasts.

Xū, shì hé yán zāi! Rénshì láokǔ, wàn chóu chán xīn, jìn rú dēng é, zhēng pū mínglì, chóu shèng ér fà bái, shén bài ér xíng léi, fāngcùn zhī jiān, bōlánwànzhàng, xiāng dù xiāng zéi, měng yú háo shòu.

吁，是何言哉！人世勞苦，萬愁纏心，盡如燈蛾，爭撲名利，愁勝而髮白，神敗而形羸，方寸之間，波瀾萬丈，相妒相賊，猛於豪獸。

吁，是何言哉！人世劳苦，万愁缠心，尽如灯蛾，争扑名利，愁胜而发白，神败而形羸，方寸之间，波澜万丈，相妒相贼，猛于豪兽。


針尖對麥芒

ㄓㄣ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄇㄞˋ ㄇㄤˊ

чжэньцзянь дуй майман

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ maɪ̯⁵¹ mɑŋ³⁵/

(of two equally strong sides) sharply opposed to each other, neither making any concessions


好食懶飛

(of a bird) to be fond of eating and too lazy to fly

(Cantonese) to be fond of eating and averse to work; to be piggish


鑽木取火

ㄗㄨㄢ ㄇㄨˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

цзуаньмуцюйхо

/t͡su̯än⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ mʊk̚² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ mʊk̚² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵/


毛頭毛腦

ㄇㄠˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄇㄠˊ ㄋㄠˇ

маотоумаонао

/mɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


獨夫民賊

ㄉㄨˊ ㄈㄨ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄗㄟˊ

дуфуминьцзэй

/tʊk̚² fuː⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚²/

/tʊk̚² fuː⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚²/

tyrant who has no support and brings disaster to the country and the people


惡風暴雨

/ɣaʔ²⁻⁵⁴ fə̃ŋ¹¹ pau⁴⁵ y⁵³/

/ɣaʔ²⁻⁵⁴ fə̃ŋ¹¹ pau⁴⁵ y⁵³/


好景不常

ㄏㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄤˊ

хаоцзинбучан

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/hou̯³³ kɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹/

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/hou̯³³ kɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ²¹/


目無餘子

ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄩˊ ㄗˇ

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ y³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵/

/mu⁵¹ u³⁵ y³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵/


圪出打蛋

/kəʔ⁵⁴ t͡sʰuəʔ² ta⁵³ tæ̃⁴⁵/

/kəʔ⁵⁴ t͡sʰuəʔ² ta⁵³ tæ̃⁴⁵/


好食懶做

/hau̯⁵⁵ sɨt̚⁵ nan²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so⁵⁵/

/hau̯⁵⁵ sɨt̚⁵ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so⁵⁵/

/hau⁵³ sət̚⁵ lan⁴⁴⁻³⁵ t͡so⁵³/

/hau̯⁵⁵ sɨt̚⁵ nan²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so⁵⁵/

/hau̯⁵⁵ sɨt̚⁵ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so⁵⁵/

/hau⁵³ sət̚⁵ lan⁴⁴⁻³⁵ t͡so⁵³/

Just like with investing in Japanese properties, once I realized that rent collection is completely reliant on that agency in Hong Kong, I became very anxious. Maybe after making a fortune, they will love ease and be lazy, maybe they will just close down the business, or maybe they will just run off. What can I do?

2017, 郭釗, 《HEA富學：一天只做2小時的創富方程式》, page 180

zing³ jyu⁴ tau⁴ zi¹ jat⁶ bun² lau⁴⁻², jat¹ soeng² dou³ sau¹ zou¹ si⁶ ji⁴ jyun⁴ cyun⁴ ji¹ laai⁶ naa⁵ gaan¹ hoeng¹ gong² zung⁶ gaai³, ngo⁵ zau⁶ gik⁶ bat¹ on¹ sam¹, taa¹ ho² nang⁴ faat³ zo² daat⁶ hou³ sik⁶ laan⁵ zou⁶, jaa⁵ ho² nang⁴ zap¹ lap¹ bat¹ zou⁶, waak⁶ ze² gaap³ daai³ si¹ tou⁴, zam² mo¹ baan⁶?

正如投資日本樓，一想到收租事宜完全依賴那間香港仲介，我就極不安心，它可能發咗達好食懶做，也可能執笠不做，或者夾帶私逃，怎麼辦？

正如投资日本楼，一想到收租事宜完全依赖那间香港仲介，我就极不安心，它可能发咗达好食懒做，也可能执笠不做，或者夹带私逃，怎么办？

(Cantonese, Hakka) to be fond of eating and averse to work; to be piggish


逐鹿中原

ㄓㄨˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄩㄢˊ

чжулучжунъюань

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚² lʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚² lʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

to fight for the throne and control over China


開口閉口

ㄎㄞ ㄎㄡˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄎㄡˇ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

Don't talk about breaking up all the time.

不要開口閉口說分手。

不要开口闭口说分手。

I live together with my elder father. He always says nasty things, radical remarks, vicious comments and endless complaints about the past.

2020 Oct 11, 長輩難相處，老人家說話偏激、愛發牢騷 子女該怎麼辦？

Wǒ hé gāolíng de fùqīn tóng zhù, tā kāikǒubìkǒu dōu shì xiē nántīng de huà, yánlùn piānjī, pīpàn èdú, duì guòqù yǒngyuǎn bàoyuàn bùxiū.

我和高齡的父親同住，他開口閉口都是些難聽的話，言論偏激、批判惡毒，對過去永遠抱怨不休。

2020 Oct 11, 長輩難相處，老人家說話偏激、愛發牢騷 子女該怎麼辦？

我和高龄的父亲同住，他开口闭口都是些难听的话，言论偏激、批判恶毒，对过去永远抱怨不休。

every time they open their mouth (speak) they always talk about or say…


馬屁拍在馬腿上

ㄇㄚˇ ㄆㄧˋ ㄆㄞ ㄗㄞˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄊㄨㄟˇ ㄕㄤˋ

mǎpì pāi zài mǎtuǐ shàng [Phonetic:mǎpìpāizàimátuǐshàng]

мапи пай цзай матуй шан

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

to suck up in the wrong way; to flatter someone in a way that offends that person and embarrasses oneself


迎頭痛擊

ㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄧ

ㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ³³ kɪk̚⁵/

/ɡiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ kiɪk̚³²/

/ɡiɪŋ²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ tʰɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ kiɪk̚³²/

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/iŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ³³ kɪk̚⁵/

/ɡiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ kiɪk̚³²/

/ɡiɪŋ²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ tʰɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ kiɪk̚³²/

to give a serious attack head-on or directly


輕拿輕放

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄋㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄈㄤˋ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ nä³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ nä³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵¹/

易碎物品請輕拿輕放。

易碎物品请轻拿轻放。


尋人尋物

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄨˋ

сюньжэньсюньу

/ɕyn³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕyn³⁵ u⁵¹/

/ɕyn³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕyn³⁵ u⁵¹/

廣播尋人尋物

广播寻人寻物


萬世代久

/ban⁴¹⁻²² si⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tai⁴¹⁻²² ku⁵⁵⁴/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² si⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tai⁴¹⁻²² ku⁵⁵⁴/


合作愉快

ㄏㄜˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ ㄎㄨㄞˋ

хэцзо юйкуай

/xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

to have pleasant cooperation, as in "I look forward to working with you."


習非成是

ㄒㄧˊ ㄈㄟ ㄔㄥˊ ㄕˋ

/ɕi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡saːp̚² fei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ siː²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻³² hui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² si²²/

/ɕi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡saːp̚² fei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ siː²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻³² hui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² si²²/

to be accustomed to mistakes that they instead are regarded as right


口腹之欲

ㄎㄡˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓ ㄩˋ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/hɐu̯³⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊk̚²/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/hɐu̯³⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jʊk̚²/

desire for food; desire to eat and drink


爛泥扶不上牆

ㄌㄢˋ ㄋㄧˊ ㄈㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ

lànní fú bù shàng qiáng [Phonetic:lànní fú bú shàng qiáng]

ланьни фу бу шан цян

/län⁵¹ ni³⁵ fu³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/laːn²² nɐi̯²¹ fuː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

to be so incompetent that others' help is of no use; to be hopelessly inept


成敗利鈍

ㄔㄥˊ ㄅㄞˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄣˋ

чэнбайлидунь

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ paːi̯²² lei̯²² tɵn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ paːi̯²² lei̯²² tɵn²²/

success or failure; smoothness or setback


拂袖而去

ㄈㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄦˊ ㄑㄩˋ

/fu³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/fɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² jiː²¹ hɵy̯³³/

/fu³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/fɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² jiː²¹ hɵy̯³³/


大廈將傾

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥ

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² haː²² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² haː²² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

to be about to collapse; to be about to crumble


妙手回春

ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄨㄣ

мяошоухуэйчунь

/mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ wuːi̯²¹ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ wuːi̯²¹ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵/

(of a doctor) to have superb medical skills and bring the dying back to life


盛者必衰

ㄕㄥˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄞ

шэнчжэбишуай

šɛnčžɛbišuaj

/ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ²² t͡sɛː³⁵ piːt̚⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɪŋ²² t͡sɛː³⁵ piːt̚⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

Everything prosperous will eventually decline. Everything full will eventually become empty.

盛者必衰，實者必虛。

盛者必衰，实者必虚。

(Buddhism) Everything prosperous will eventually decline.


城下之盟

ㄔㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄓ ㄇㄥˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ haː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵/

/sɪŋ²¹ haː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹/

treaty or oath forced to make with the enemy when the it is right outside of the walls of the city


風言風語

ㄈㄥ ㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ

фэнъянь фэнъюй

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³/


雞髀打人牙骹軟

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ taː³⁵ jɐn²¹ ŋaː²¹ kaːu̯³³ jyːn¹³/

(Cantonese) Offer someone a small gift and they will gladly accept your request to help you.


揀精擇白

/kan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siã⁴⁴ to(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ pɛʔ¹²¹/

/kan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siã⁴⁴ to(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ pɛʔ¹²¹/

(Zhangzhou Hokkien) to pick the best for oneself; to choose whatever is to one's advantage


挑肥揀瘦

ㄊㄧㄠ ㄈㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄡˋ

тяофэйцзяньшоу

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ fei̯²¹ kaːn³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ feɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ fei̯²¹ kaːn³⁵ sɐu̯³³/


涼傘雖破，骨格原在

/niũ²³⁻³³ suã²¹ sui⁴⁴⁻³³ pʰua²¹ kut̚³²⁻⁴ keʔ³² ɡuan²³⁻³³ t͡sai³³/

/niũ²⁴⁻¹¹ suã¹¹ sui⁴⁴⁻³³ pʰua¹¹ kut̚³²⁻⁴ keʔ³² ɡuan²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai³³/

/niũ²⁴⁻²² suã²¹ sui⁴⁴⁻²² pʰua²¹ kut̚³²⁻⁴ keʔ³² ɡuan²⁴⁻²² t͡sai²²/

/niũ²⁴⁻²² suã⁴¹ sui³³ pʰua⁴¹ kut̚⁵⁻²⁴ keʔ⁵ ɡuan²⁴⁻²² t͡sai²²/

/niɔ̃¹³⁻²² suã²¹ sui⁴⁴⁻²² pʰua²¹ kut̚³²⁻⁵ kɛʔ³² ɡuan¹³⁻²² t͡sai²²/

/niɔ̃²⁴⁻³³ suã²¹ sui⁴⁴⁻³³ pʰua²¹ kut̚³²⁻⁴ keʔ³² ɡuan²⁴⁻³³ t͡sai³³/

(Hokkien) Although a person is down-and-out, he/she still sticks to his/her nature and/or is not affected greatly.


胳膊肘朝外拐

ㄍㄜ ˙ㄅㄛ ㄓㄡˇ ㄔㄠˊ ㄨㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄞˇ

гэбочжоу чао вай гуай

/kɤ⁵⁵ b̥u̯ɔ² ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄍㄜ ˙ㄅㄛ ㄓㄡˇㄦ ㄔㄠˊ ㄨㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄞˇ

гэбочжоурчаовайгуай

/kɤ⁵⁵ b̥u̯ɔ² ʈ͡ʂɤʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːk̚³ pɔːk̚³ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² kʷaːi̯³⁵/

to side with outsiders rather than one's own


枝繁葉茂

ㄓ ㄈㄢˊ ㄧㄝˋ ㄇㄠˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fän³⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fän³⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

(chiefly of a family or collective) to thrive; to prosper


漏洞百出

ㄌㄡˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄅㄞˇ ㄔㄨ

/loʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/lɐu̯²² tʊŋ²² paːk̚³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/loʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʊŋ⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/lɐu̯²² tʊŋ²² paːk̚³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/


五大三粗

ㄨˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄙㄢ ㄘㄨ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ t͡sʰu⁵⁵/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ t͡sʰu⁵⁵/

broad-armed, burly and powerful; big and tall


指揮若定

ㄓˇ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

чжихуэйжодин

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ fɐi̯⁵⁵ jœːk̚² tɪŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ fɐi̯⁵⁵ jœːk̚² tɪŋ²²/

to command and issue orders in a calm and poised manner


再造之恩

цзайцзаочжиэнь

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ˀən⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡sou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ˀən⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡sou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn⁵⁵/


金戈鐵馬

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄍㄜ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄇㄚˇ

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ kʷɔː⁵⁵ tʰiːt̚³ maː¹³/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ kʷɔː⁵⁵ tʰiːt̚³ maː¹³/


戒備森嚴

ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄟˋ ㄙㄣ ㄧㄢˊ

цзебэйсэньянь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹ sən⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/kaːi̯³³ pei̯²² sɐm⁵⁵ jiːm²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹ sən⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/kaːi̯³³ pei̯²² sɐm⁵⁵ jiːm²¹/


黨指揮槍

ㄉㄤˇ ㄓˇ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄑㄧㄤ

dǎng zhǐhuī qiāng [Phonetic:dángzhǐhuīqiāng]

дан чжихуэй цян

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tɔːŋ³⁵ t͡siː³⁵ fɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

/tɔːŋ³⁵ t͡siː³⁵ fɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

Regardless of the risks and challenges we face, and whether it is peacetime or wartime, we must unwaveringly uphold the principle of the Party commands the gun.

2019 December 12, 深入学习贯彻党的十九届四中全会精神 钟新：把党对人民军队的绝对领导贯彻到军队建设各领域全过程, People's Daily

Wúlùn yùdào shénme fēngxiǎn tiǎozhàn, wúlùn píngshí háishì zhànshí, dōu bìxū háobù dòngyáo dì jiānchí dǎngzhǐhuīqiāng de yuánzé.

無論遇到什麼風險挑戰，無論平時還是戰時，都必須毫不動搖地堅持黨指揮槍的原則。

无论遇到什么风险挑战，无论平时还是战时，都必须毫不动摇地坚持党指挥枪的原则。

Communist Party of China
Communist Party of China

"the Party commands the gun"; the Communist Party of China has control over and commands the Chinese military


同室操戈

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄕˋ ㄘㄠ ㄍㄜ

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄕˇ ㄘㄠ ㄍㄜ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ kʷɔː⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ kʷɔː⁵⁵/

to fight each other who is in the same group; to have internal conflict or strife


以攻為守

ㄧˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄨㄟˊ ㄕㄡˇ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

to actively attack as a means of defense


衣錦榮歸

ㄧ ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

ㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

ицзиньжунгуй

/i⁵⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ kɐm³⁵ wɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/jiː⁵⁵ kɐm³⁵ wɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/i³³⁻²³ kim⁵²⁻³⁵ ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui³³/

/i⁵⁵ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ kɐm³⁵ wɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/jiː⁵⁵ kɐm³⁵ wɪŋ²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/i³³⁻²³ kim⁵²⁻³⁵ ioŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui³³/

衣錦還鄉 衣錦還鄉#Chinese

衣锦还乡 衣锦还乡#Chinese

Synonym of 衣錦還鄉／衣锦还乡 (“to return home a success; to return home in glory”)


深仇大恨

ㄕㄣ ㄔㄡˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄣˋ

шэньчоудахэнь

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² hɐn²²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² hɐn²²/


大做文章

ㄉㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄓㄤ

дацзовэньчжан

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡sou̯²² mɐn²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡sou̯²² mɐn²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

make a big thing out of
make a big thing out of

to make a big thing out of a certain matter to escalate the situation and achieve one's own goals


塘底石——水乾先見

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ tɐi̯³⁵ sɛːk̚² sɵy̯³⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ kiːn³³/

(Cantonese) somebody whose true character only shows when they are broke


久聞大名

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄨㄣˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзювэньдамин

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹/

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


何樂不為

ㄏㄜˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ

/xɤ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/ho²⁴⁻²² lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/ho²⁴⁻²² lɔk̚²⁴⁻² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴/

/ho¹³⁻²² lɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³/

/ho²⁴⁻¹¹ lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/hɤ²³⁻³³ lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³/

/xɤ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/ho²⁴⁻²² lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/ho²⁴⁻²² lɔk̚²⁴⁻² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴/

/ho¹³⁻²² lɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³/

/ho²⁴⁻¹¹ lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴/

/hɤ²³⁻³³ lɔk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³/

(rhetorical) why not do it?; what is there against it?


老婆跋落溪——淒涼

/lau³⁵⁻¹¹ pʰua⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puaʔ⁴⁻² loʔ⁴⁻² kʰoi³³ t͡sʰi³³⁻²³ liaŋ⁵⁵/

A pun on 淒涼／凄凉, which is homophonous to 妻涼/妻凉 (“the wife is cold”).

the wife falls into the river—the wife is cold


桃李滿天下

ㄊㄠˊ ㄌㄧˇ ㄇㄢˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

táolǐ mǎn tiānxià [Phonetic:táolímǎntiānxià]

таоли мань тянься

/tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/tʰou̯²¹ lei̯¹³ muːn¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/

/tʰou̯²¹ lei̯¹³ muːn¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/

(of a teacher) to have taught a great number of students over a long period


生生不息

ㄕㄥ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧ

ㄕㄥ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/


孺子可教

ㄖㄨˊ ㄗˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

/ʐu³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ kaːu̯³³/

/ʐu³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ kaːu̯³³/

From the story of Zhang Liang meeting his master (translation was adapted from Xinhua News Agency)

One day, Zhang Liang took a stroll on a bridge in Xiapi and met an old man in clothes made with coarse fibre there. The man walked toward Zhang and chucked his shoe down the bridge on purpose, after which he yelled at Zhang, "Hey boy, go down and fetch me my shoe!" Zhang was astonished. At first he wanted to beat the old man, but considering that the man was old, he then controlled his temper, and went down the bridge to take the shoe for him. The old man then told Zhang, “Put on the shoe for me!” Zhang kneeled and put the shoe on the old man's feet considering that he had already took the shoe for him. The man did not show any sign of gratitude and walked away laughing. Zhang felt surprised and looked at the old man. The old man came back after walking a distance and praised Zhang: "This child can be taught! Meet me here again at dawn five days later."

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

Liáng cháng xián cóngróng bù yóu xiàpī yí shàng, yǒu yī lǎofù, yì hè, zhì Liáng suǒ, zhí duò qí lǚ yí xià, gù wèi Liáng yuē: “Rúzǐ, xià qǔ lǚ!” Liáng èrán, yù ōu zhī. Wèi qí lǎo, qiángrěn, xià qǔ lǚ. Fù yuē: “Lǚ wǒ!” Liáng yè wèi qǔ lǚ, yīn cháng guì lǚ zhī. Fù yǐ zú shòu, xiào ér qù. Liáng shū dàjīng, suí mù zhī. Fù qù lǐ suǒ, fù hái, yuē: “Rúzǐkějiào yǐ. Hòu wǔ rì píngmíng, yǔ wǒ huì cǐ.”

良嘗閒從容步游下邳圯上，有一老父，衣褐，至良所，直墮其履圯下，顧謂良曰：「孺子，下取履！」良鄂然，欲毆之。為其老，彊忍，下取履。父曰：「履我！」良業為取履，因長跪履之。父以足受，笑而去。良殊大驚，隨目之。父去里所，復還，曰：「孺子可教矣。後五日平明，與我會此。」

良尝闲从容步游下邳圯上，有一老父，衣褐，至良所，直堕其履圯下，顾谓良曰：「孺子，下取履！」良鄂然，欲殴之。为其老，强忍，下取履。父曰：「履我！」良业为取履，因长跪履之。父以足受，笑而去。良殊大惊，随目之。父去里所，复还，曰：「孺子可教矣。后五日平明，与我会此。」


炙鳳烹龍

ㄓˋ ㄈㄥˋ ㄆㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

чжифэнпэнлун

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

烹龍炮鳳 烹龍炮鳳#Chinese

烹龙炮凤 烹龙炮凤#Chinese


炰鳳烹龍

ㄆㄠˊ ㄈㄥˋ ㄆㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

паофэнпэнлун

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

烹龍炮鳳 烹龍炮鳳#Chinese

烹龙炮凤 烹龙炮凤#Chinese


烹龍庖鳳

ㄆㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄆㄠˊ ㄈㄥˋ

пэнлунпаофэн

/pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/

烹龍炮鳳 烹龍炮鳳#Chinese

烹龙炮凤 烹龙炮凤#Chinese


炮鳳烹龍

ㄆㄠˊ ㄈㄥˋ ㄆㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

паофэнпэнлун

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

烹龍炮鳳 烹龍炮鳳#Chinese

烹龙炮凤 烹龙炮凤#Chinese


烹龍煮鳳

ㄆㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄨˇ ㄈㄥˋ

пэнлунчжуфэн

/pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵¹/

烹龍炮鳳 烹龍炮鳳#Chinese

烹龙炮凤 烹龙炮凤#Chinese


炮龍烹鳳

ㄆㄠˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄆㄥ ㄈㄥˋ

паолунпэнфэн

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/

烹龍炮鳳 烹龍炮鳳#Chinese

烹龙炮凤 烹龙炮凤#Chinese


大器小用

ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄩㄥˋ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³³ siːu̯³⁵ jʊŋ²²/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³³ siːu̯³⁵ jʊŋ²²/

大材小用 大材小用#Chinese


炮鳳煮龍

ㄆㄠˊ ㄈㄥˋ ㄓㄨˇ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

паофэнчжулун

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

烹龍炮鳳 烹龍炮鳳#Chinese

烹龙炮凤 烹龙炮凤#Chinese


牛鼎烹雞

ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄆㄥ ㄐㄧ

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

use a sledgehammer to crack a nut
use a sledgehammer to crack a nut


烹龍炮鳳

ㄆㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄆㄠˊ ㄈㄥˋ

пэнлунпаофэн

/pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/pʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/


老公撥扇——淒涼

/lou̯¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰuːt̚³ siːn³³ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

/lo³¹ kuŋ²⁴ pʰat̚² san⁵⁵ t͡sʰi²⁴ li̯oŋ¹¹/

/lau³¹ kʊŋ⁴⁴⁻³⁵ pʰat̚¹ san⁵³ t͡sʰi⁴⁴⁻³⁵ liɔŋ¹¹/


入口即化

ㄖㄨˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

/ʐu⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐp̚² hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faː³³/

/ʐu⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/jɐp̚² hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faː³³/


精盡人亡

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄤˊ

цзинцзиньжэньван

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² jɐn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² jɐn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

When a male's semen is exhausted, he dies


各自為政

ㄍㄜˋ ㄗˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓㄥˋ

гэцзывэйчжэн

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³/

each acts on their own according to their own preferences or desires without any overall coordination


長命百歲

ㄔㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄞˇ ㄙㄨㄟˋ

чонминбыйсуй

ㄔㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄞˇ ㄙㄨㄟˋ

чанминбайсуй

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ miŋ⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ²⁴ miŋ⁴⁴ pei²⁴ suei⁴⁴/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ mɪŋ²² paːk̚³ sɵy̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ miŋ⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ²⁴ miŋ⁴⁴ pei²⁴ suei⁴⁴/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ mɪŋ²² paːk̚³ sɵy̯³³/

live to be a hundred!; live a long life! (expressing good wishes, usually to a child or birthday greetings to older people)


後知後覺

ㄏㄡˋ ㄓ ㄏㄡˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

хоучжихоуцзюэ

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kɔːk̚³/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kɔːk̚³/

to only become aware of something after it has happened


一隻二隻

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ jiː²² t͡sɛːk̚³/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ jiː²² t͡sɛːk̚³/

(Cantonese, derogatory) every one of you guys (or those guys)


一個二個

/jɐt̚⁵ kɔː³³ jiː²² kɔː³³/

/jɐt̚⁵ kɔː³³ jiː²² kɔː³³/

(Cantonese, often derogatory) every one of you guys (or those guys); you guys


做到隻積噉

/t͡sou̯²² tou̯³³ t͡sɛːk̚³ t͡sɪk̚⁵ kɐm³⁵/

Popularized through the theme song of the movie The Private Eyes (半斤八兩) by Sam Hui.

做到只积噉
做到隻積咁
做到隻積
做到隻積咁嘅樣


借古喻今

ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

цзегуюйцзинь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sɛː³³ kuː³⁵ jyː²² kɐm⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sɛː³³ kuː³⁵ jyː²² kɐm⁵⁵/

to allude to present events or figures by referencing historical events or figures


目空一切

ㄇㄨˋ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄧ ㄑㄧㄝˋ

/mu⁵¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/mʊk̚² hʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯³³/

/mu⁵¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/mʊk̚² hʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯³³/

to be very arrogant; to be very conceited


yygq

ㄧㄣ ㄧㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄞˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/in⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/in⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

2020 September, 霍文博 (Huo Wenbo), 《“热门·电竞”微博语篇研究》 [Research on “Hot · E-sports” Micro-blog Text] (PhD), Changchun: Jilin University, page 80

yòu dào le wǒ zuì xǐhuān de yygq huánjié, Gòngzǐ Gē zhòngquánchūjī le

又到了我最喜歡的yygq環節，貢子哥重拳出擊了

又到了我最喜欢的yygq环节，贡子哥重拳出击了

陰陽怪氣 陰陽怪氣#Chinese

阴阳怪气 阴阳怪气#Chinese

(Internet slang) Initialism of 陰陽怪氣／阴阳怪气 (yīnyángguàiqì).


出口成髒

ㄔㄨ ㄎㄡˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄗㄤ

чукоу чэнцзан

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡sɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡sɑŋ⁵⁵/

Pun on 出口成章 (chūkǒuchéngzhāng), by replacing 章 (zhāng, “chapter”) with 髒／脏 (zāng, “foul”).


欺軟怕硬

ㄑㄧ ㄖㄨㄢˇ ㄆㄚˋ ㄧㄥˋ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰä⁵¹⁻⁵³ iŋ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰä⁵¹⁻⁵³ iŋ⁵¹/


敬酒唔飲飲罰酒

to drink a penalty toast after refusing to drink when toasted

/kɪŋ³³ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ m̩²¹ jɐm³⁵ jɐm³⁵ fɐt̚² t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

(Cantonese) to be forced to do something after initially turning down a request to do that thing


有樣學樣

ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄤˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄧㄤˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ jœːŋ²²⁻³⁵ hɔːk̚² jœːŋ²²⁻³⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ jœːŋ²²⁻³⁵ hɔːk̚² jœːŋ²²⁻³⁵/

to imitate or copy and actions of another


滿身瘡痍

ㄇㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨㄤ ㄧˊ

маньшэньчуанъи

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵/


群而不黨

ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄤˇ

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tɔːŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tɔːŋ³⁵/

The Master said, "The superior man is dignified, but does not wrangle. He is sociable, but not a partisan."

Zǐyuē: “Jūnzǐ jīn ér bù zhēng, qún ér bù dǎng.”

子曰：「君子矜而不爭，群而不黨。」

子曰：「君子矜而不争，群而不党。」

to get along well with others but not form a clique with others


日曬雨淋

ㄖˋ ㄕㄞˋ ㄩˇ ㄌㄧㄣˋ

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂaɪ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² saːi̯³³ jyː¹³ lɐm²¹/

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂaɪ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² saːi̯³³ jyː¹³ lɐm²¹/

to be exposed to the sun and rain; to be exposed to the elements


改惡從善

ㄍㄞˇ ㄜˋ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄢˋ

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ ɔːk̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːn²²/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ ɔːk̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːn²²/

turn over a new leaf
turn over a new leaf

to stop doing evil and be a good person; to turn over a new leaf


風吹雨打

ㄈㄥ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄩˇ ㄉㄚˇ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³ taː³⁵/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ u⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tã⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰe⁴⁴⁻³³ u⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tã⁵³/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰue³³⁻²³ hou³⁵⁻¹¹ ta⁵²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³ taː³⁵/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰue⁴⁴⁻³³ u⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tã⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰe⁴⁴⁻³³ u⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tã⁵³/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰue³³⁻²³ hou³⁵⁻¹¹ ta⁵²/

What surprised me the most was that these houses were buffeted by the wind and rain for several years, and yet some were completely fine after it.

2019 Oct 8, 增进对中华文化的认同感和自豪感（侨界传真）, People's Daily

“zuì ràng wǒ jīngtàn de shì zhèxiē fángzǐ jīnglì le zhème duōnián de fēngchuīyǔdǎ, yǒuxiē hái néng wánzhěng bǎocún xiàlái.”

「最讓我驚嘆的是這些房子經歷了這麼多年的風吹雨打，有些還能完整保存下來。」

「最让我惊叹的是这些房子经历了这么多年的风吹雨打，有些还能完整保存下来。」

…, normal artworks can't be damaged by the wind and rain and thus can't be shown outdoors, …

2020 Jun 4, 戶外琺瑯展取代畢典 興大畢業生歡喜合影, China Times

......, yībān yìshùpǐn yīn bùnéng shòu fēngchuīyǔdǎ, wúfǎ zài hùwài zhǎnchū,......

……，一般藝術品因不能受風吹雨打，無法在戶外展出，……

……，一般艺术品因不能受风吹雨打，无法在户外展出，……

So after good timber is stored for ten to twenty years and battered by the wind and rain, carbonizing it could yield better results instead.

2021 Jan 17, 蘋中人：職人製琴也治琴 李十三, Apple Daily (Taiwan)

suǒyǐ hǎo de mùtóu jīngguò yī, èrshí nián cúnfàng, jiāshàng fēngchuīyǔdǎ, fǎndào néng ràng mùtóu tànhuà xiàoguǒ gèng jiā,......

所以好的木頭經過一、二十年存放，加上風吹雨打，反倒能讓木頭碳化效果更佳，……

所以好的木头经过一、二十年存放，加上风吹雨打，反倒能让木头碳化效果更佳，……

to be blown by the wind and battered by the rain

(figuratively) to experience setbacks or hardships


名從主人

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ

минцунчжужэнь

/miŋ³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ t͡syː³⁵ jɐn²¹/

/miŋ³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ t͡syː³⁵ jɐn²¹/

In ancient China, there was a principle called "the name follows its owner." Some ancient rhyme dictionaries even had multiple pronunciations for characters specifically for the local readings of certain place names. For example, in the 'Guangyun' dictionary, the character '房' in '阿房宫' (Epang Palace) had a unique pronunciation corresponding to the 'tang' rhyme in the 'bing' category, which is different from the general pronunciation of the character.

2018 May 22, 汉语拼音60年｜乌鲁木齐、拉萨、呼和浩特的地名拼音, The Paper

Zhōngguó gǔdài jiù yǒu suǒwèi “míngcóngzhǔrén” de yuánzé. Yīxiē gǔdài yùnshū shàng de duōyīnzì shènzhì shì zhuānmén wèi mǒuxiē dìmíng de dāngdì dúyīn suǒ shè. Rú Ēfánggōng de fáng zài Guǎngyùn zhōng jiù dān yǒu yīge bìng mǔ táng yùn de yīděng dúyīn (tóng “páng”), hé zhège zì yībān qíngkuàng xià de dúyīn bùyīyàng.

中國古代就有所謂「名從主人」的原則。一些古代韻書上的多音字甚至是專門為某些地名的當地讀音所設。如阿房宮的房在廣韻中就單有一個並母唐韻的一等讀音（同「旁」），和這個字一般情況下的讀音不一樣。

中国古代就有所谓「名从主人」的原则。一些古代韵书上的多音字甚至是专门为某些地名的当地读音所设。如阿房宫的房在广韵中就单有一个并母唐韵的一等读音（同「旁」），和这个字一般情况下的读音不一样。

In accordance with the principle of "the name follows its owner", our country (China) agreed to the request of South Korea, and changed the name Hànchéng to Shǒu'ěr.

2020 Nov 12, 汉城名称变为首尔，韩国为什么只要求中国更改？

Ànzhào míngcóngzhǔrén de yuánzé, wǒguó yě tóngyì le Hánguó de qǐngqiú, jiāng Hànchéng gǎiwéi le Shǒu'ěr.

按照名從主人的原則，我國也同意了韓國的請求，將漢城改為了首爾。

2020 Nov 12, 汉城名称变为首尔，韩国为什么只要求中国更改？

按照名从主人的原则，我国也同意了韩国的请求，将汉城改为了首尔。

to refer to something by the name its owner refers to it by


有頭有面

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ miːn²²/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ miːn²²⁻³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ miːn²²/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ miːn²²⁻³⁵/

(Cantonese) having fame and prestige; famous; respected


求科普

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(neologism, slang) Can someone explain this to me? Can someone break this down for me?


牙牙學語

ㄧㄚˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄩˇ

/jä³⁵ jä³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋaː²¹ ŋaː²¹ hɔːk̚² jyː¹³/

/jä³⁵ jä³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋaː²¹ ŋaː²¹ hɔːk̚² jyː¹³/

(of a baby) to babble out one's first words


飲飲食食

/jɐm³⁵ jɐm³⁵ sɪk̚² sɪk̚²/

/jɐm³⁵ jɐm³⁵ sɪk̚² sɪk̚²/

(Cantonese) to eat and drink (generally speaking); to wine and dine


金石良言

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄕˊ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄢˊ

цзиньшилянъянь

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² lœːŋ²¹ jiːn²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² lœːŋ²¹ jiːn²¹/


金石絲竹

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄕˊ ㄙ ㄓㄨˊ

цзиньшисычжу

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

(figuratively) all kinds of musical instruments


吃吃喝喝

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵ xɤ⁵⁵/

to eat and drink (especially for social purposes); to wine and dine


盜亦有道

ㄉㄠˋ ㄧˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄉㄠˋ

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tou̯²² jɪk̚² jɐu̯¹³ tou̯²²/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tou̯²² jɪk̚² jɐu̯¹³ tou̯²²/

One of Robber Zhi’s followers once asked Zhi, "Does the thief, too, have a Way?" Zhi replied, "How could he get anywhere if he didn't have a Way? Making shrewd guesses as to how much booty is stashed away in the room is sageliness; being the first one in is bravery; being the last one out is righteousness; knowing whether or not the job can be pulled off is wisdom; dividing up the loot fairly is benevolence. No one in the world ever succeeded in becoming a great thief if he didn't have all five!"

Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translation from The Complete Works Of Chuang Tzu (2013), by Burton Watson

Gù Zhí zhī tú wèn yú Zhí yuē: “Dào yì yǒu dào hū?” Zhí yuē: “Hé shì ér wú yǒu dào yé? Fú wàng yì shì zhōng zhī cáng, shèng yě; rù xiān, yǒng yě; chū hòu, yì yě; zhī kěfǒu, zhì yě; fēn jūn, rén yě. Wǔ zhě bú bèi ér néng chéng dàdào zhě, tiānxià wèi zhī yǒu yě.”

故跖之徒問於跖曰：「盜亦有道乎？」跖曰：「何適而无有道邪？夫妄意室中之藏，聖也；入先，勇也；出後，義也；知可否，知也；分均，仁也。五者不備而能成大盜者，天下未之有也。」

故跖之徒问于跖曰：「盗亦有道乎？」跖曰：「何适而无有道邪？夫妄意室中之藏，圣也；入先，勇也；出后，义也；知可否，知也；分均，仁也。五者不备而能成大盗者，天下未之有也。」

even robbers and thieves have moral principles


點……法

點醜樣法呀？

点丑样法呀？


不證自明

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄗˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

бучжэнцзымин

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/


沒有之一

/meɪ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/meɪ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

Shànghǎi shì wǒ zuì xǐhuān de chéngshì, méiyǒuzhīyī.

上海是我最喜欢的城市，沒有之一。

上海是我最喜欢的城市，没有之一。

(colloquial, modifying superlatives) single; sole


鎮館之寶

ㄓㄣˋ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄓ ㄅㄠˇ

чжэньгуаньчжибао

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


龍子龍孫

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄗˇ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄙㄨㄣ

лунцзы лунсунь

/lʊŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ lʊŋ³⁵ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/lʊŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ lʊŋ³⁵ su̯ən⁵⁵/


汗馬功勞

ㄏㄢˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄌㄠˊ

ханьмагунлао

/xän⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/hɔːn²² maː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ lou̯²¹/

/xän⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/hɔːn²² maː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ lou̯²¹/

(figuratively) achievement or contribution as a result of hard work


一舉手一投足

desc

일거수일투족(一擧手一投足)

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (一舉手一投足):
* → Korean: 일거수일투족(一擧手一投足) (ilgeosu'iltujok)

ㄧ ㄐㄩˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄗㄨˊ

yī jǔshǒu yī tóuzú [Phonetic:yìjúshǒuyìtóuzú]

и цзюйшоу и тоуцзу

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/


巨細無遺

ㄐㄩˋ ㄒㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄧˊ

/t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹ u³⁵ i³⁵/

/t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹ u³⁵ i³⁵/

to include both large and small matters; to omit neither large or small matters


巨細靡遺

ㄐㄩˋ ㄒㄧˋ ㄇㄧˇ ㄧˊ

/t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵/

/kɵy̯²² sɐi̯³³ mei̯¹³ wɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵/

/kɵy̯²² sɐi̯³³ mei̯¹³ wɐi̯²¹/

to include and not omit both large and small matters; to omit neither large or small matters


花紅柳綠

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄩˋ

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ly⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ lɐu̯¹³ lʊk̚²/

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ly⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ lɐu̯¹³ lʊk̚²/


福如東海

ㄈㄨˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄏㄞˇ

/fu³⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊk̚⁵ jyː²¹ tʊŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/fu³⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊk̚⁵ jyː²¹ tʊŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

May your happiness and good fortune be boundless like the East Sea.


福如東海，壽比南山

ㄈㄨˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄏㄞˇ

ㄕㄡˋ ㄅㄧˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

fuk¹ jyu⁴ dung¹ hoi², sau⁶ bei² naam⁴ saan¹

шоубинаньшань

/fu³⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

fuk⁷ jy⁴ dung¹ hoi², sau⁶ bei² naam⁴ saan¹

fug¹ yu⁴ dung¹ hoi², seo⁶ béi² nam⁴ san¹

/fʊk̚⁵ jyː²¹ tʊŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐu̯²² pei̯³⁵ naːm²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

May your happiness and good fortune be boundless like the East Sea, and may you live as long as the South Mountain!


添磚加瓦

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄓㄨㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄨㄚˇ

тяньчжуаньцзява

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːm⁵⁵ t͡syːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ ŋaː¹³/

/tʰiːm⁵⁵ t͡syːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ ŋaː¹³/

to contribute meagerly to a cause; to do one's bit


通俗來說

ㄊㄨㄥ ㄙㄨˊ ㄌㄞˊ ㄕㄨㄛ

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ su³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ su³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/


白馬非馬

ㄅㄞˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄈㄟ ㄇㄚˇ

байма фэй ма

/paɪ̯³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² maː¹³ fei̯⁵⁵ maː¹³/

/paɪ̯³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːk̚² maː¹³ fei̯⁵⁵ maː¹³/

(Chinese philosophy) A white horse is not a horse (a paradox and a sophistry)


追本溯源

ㄓㄨㄟ ㄅㄣˇ ㄙㄨˋ ㄩㄢˊ

чжуйбэньсуюань

/ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ puːn³⁵ sou̯³³ jyːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ puːn³⁵ sou̯³³ jyːn²¹/

to trace to the source; to trace to the origin


臨危不亂

ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄨㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨㄢˋ

ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨㄢˋ

линьвэйбулуань

/lin³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯än⁵¹/

/lin³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯än⁵¹/

/lɐm²¹ ŋɐi̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lyːn²²/

/lin³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯än⁵¹/

/lin³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯än⁵¹/

/lɐm²¹ ŋɐi̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lyːn²²/

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

未雨綢繆才能臨危不亂。

未雨绸缪才能临危不乱。

to remain calm when faced with a dangerous situation


食龍肉都冇味

食龙肉都冇味
食龍肉都無味

/sɪk̚² lʊŋ²¹ jʊk̚² tou̯⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ mei̯²²/

(Cantonese) to not be in the mood (for something); to have no appetite (for something)


法力無邊

ㄈㄚˇ ㄌㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄧㄢ

/fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

to have boundless and enormous power (usually supernatural power)


恩威並施

/ˀən⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ²² siː⁵⁵/

/ˀən⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ²² siː⁵⁵/

to use carrots and sticks; to use grace and might simultaneously


十里不同音

ㄕˊ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄣ

шили бу тунъинь

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/sɐp̚² lei̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐm⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/sɐp̚² lei̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐm⁵⁵/

(of dialects) to have different pronunciations (or a different dialect) every ten lis


分而治之

фэньэрчжичжи

fɛnʹerčžičži

/fən⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/fən⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

to divide and rule; to divide and conquer


血肉模糊

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄖㄡˋ ㄇㄛˊ ㄏㄨˊ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄖㄡˋ ㄇㄛˊ ㄏㄨˊ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄖㄡˋ ㄇㄛˊ ㄏㄨˊ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ xu³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ xu³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ xu³⁵/

/hyːt̚³ jʊk̚² mou̯²¹ wuː²¹/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ xu³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ xu³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ xu³⁵/

/hyːt̚³ jʊk̚² mou̯²¹ wuː²¹/

to be badly mangled or mutilated beyond recognition


拋頭顱灑熱血

抛头颅洒热血
拋頭顱，灑熱血

ㄆㄠ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄨˊ ㄙㄚˇ ㄖㄜˋ ㄒㄩㄝˋ

ㄆㄠ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄨˊ ㄙㄚˇ ㄖㄜˋ ㄒㄩㄝˇ

ㄆㄠ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄨˊ ㄙㄚˇ ㄖㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄝˇ

паотоулусажэсюэ

/pʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lu³⁵ sä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/pʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lu³⁵ sä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐɤ⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

паотоулусажэсе

/pʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lu³⁵ sä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰaːu̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ lou̯²¹ saː³⁵ jiːt̚² hyːt̚³/

to shed one's blood and lay down one's life (for a just cause)


方寸不亂

ㄈㄤ ㄘㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨㄢˋ

фанцуньбулуань

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯än⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ lyːn²²/

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯än⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ lyːn²²/


意氣之爭

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ hei̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ hei̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/


舌戰群儒

ㄕㄜˊ ㄓㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄖㄨˊ

шэчжаньцюньжу

šɛčžanʹcjunʹžu

/ʂɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/ʂɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ ʐu³⁵/

From the title of the 43rd chapter of Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Zhuge Liang Debated with Groups of Confucian Scholars, Lu Zijing Tried Hard to Refute Opposing Opinions

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

Zhūgě Liàng shézhànqúnrú, Lǔ Zǐjìng lìpáizhòngyì

諸葛亮舌戰群儒 魯子敬力排眾議

诸葛亮舌战群儒 鲁子敬力排众议

to have an intense debate with many people at the same time (and defeat them)

Lu Su
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Zhuge Liang


有殺錯冇放過

/jɐu̯¹³ saːt̚³ t͡sʰɔː³³ mou̯¹³ fɔːŋ³³ kʷɔː³³/

(Cantonese) to rather kill the innocent than let go of anyone guilty or an intended target


殘兵敗將

ㄘㄢˊ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄅㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄤˋ

цаньбинбайцзян

/t͡sʰän³⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ pɪŋ⁵⁵ paːi̯²² t͡sœːŋ³³/

/t͡sʰän³⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ pɪŋ⁵⁵ paːi̯²² t͡sœːŋ³³/


再生父母

ㄗㄞˋ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄇㄨˇ

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² mou̯¹³/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² mou̯¹³/

Also, I plan to give a banner to the hospital staff. It was them who took me back from death's door; to me, they are my saviors.

2020 Feb 06, 离开武汉重症患者的自述：阎王没收我 要好好活下去, China News Service

Lìngwài, wǒ hái jìhuà gěi yīhù rényuán sòng yī miàn dà dà de jǐnqí. Shì tāmen bǎ wǒ cóng guǐménguān lǐ lā huílái, duì wǒ lái jiǎng, tāmen jiù shì wǒ de zàishēngfùmǔ.

另外，我還計劃給醫護人員送一面大大的錦旗。是他們把我從鬼門關裡拉回來，對我來講，他們就是我的再生父母。

另外，我还计划给医护人员送一面大大的锦旗。是他们把我从鬼门关里拉回来，对我来讲，他们就是我的再生父母。

person that has extended great grace to someone else, particularly a person that has saved their life


鳳凰在笯

ㄈㄥˋ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄋㄨˊ

фэнхуан цзай ну

/fɤŋ⁵¹ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ nu³⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵¹ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ nu³⁵/

a talented person who cannot show his or her ambitions


投閒置散

ㄊㄡˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄓˋ ㄙㄢˇ

тоусяньчжисань

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ haːn²¹ t͡siː³³ saːn³⁵/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ haːn²¹ t͡siː³³ saːn³⁵/


罪該萬死

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄞ ㄨㄢˋ ㄙˇ

цзуйгайваньсы

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ kaɪ̯⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯²² kɔːi̯⁵⁵ maːn²² sei̯³⁵/

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ kaɪ̯⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯²² kɔːi̯⁵⁵ maːn²² sei̯³⁵/


養家糊口

ㄧㄤˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄏㄨˊ ㄎㄡˇ

/jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ xu³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jœːŋ¹³ kaː⁵⁵ wuː²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

/jœːŋ¹³ kaː⁵⁵ wuː²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

to support one's family (often with the meaning of to barely manage to do so with one's meagre income)


以退為進

ㄧˇ ㄊㄨㄟˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

итуйвэйцзинь

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ tʰɵy̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ t͡sɵn³³/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ tʰɵy̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ t͡sɵn³³/


無以為繼

ㄨˊ ㄧˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧˋ

/u³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ kɐi̯³³/

/u³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ kɐi̯³³/

生活無以為繼

生活无以为继

黄宗昊, 林冈 (2015) “产业政策与金融: 台湾地区发展经验”, in 世界经济研究, number 9, →ISSN, page 109

Suízhe Měiguó màoyì bǎohùzhǔyì de xīngqǐ, Táiwān dìqū zhìchéngpǐn shūchū Měiguó shòudào chōngjī, liándài yě yǐngxiǎng dào shàngyóu yuánliào gōngyìng de shíhuàyè. Tóngshí dǎo nèi de huánjìng bǎohù yìshí zhújiàn xīngqǐ, gāo wūrǎn de shíhuàyè cháng chéngwéi shèhuì yùndòng de kàngzhēng duìxiàng. Zhèxiē nèiwài qíngshì de biànqiān dōu shǐdé 20 shìjì 70 niándài bèi dāngjú dàlì fúchí de shíhuàyè wúyǐwéijì.

隨著美國貿易保護主義的興起，台灣地區製成品輸出美國受到衝擊，連帶也影響到上游原料供應的石化業。同時島內的環境保護意識逐漸興起，高污染的石化業常成為社會運動的抗爭對象。這些內外情勢的變遷都使得20世紀70年代被當局大力扶持的石化業無以為繼。

随着美国贸易保护主义的兴起，台湾地区制成品输出美国受到冲击，连带也影响到上游原料供应的石化业。同时岛内的环境保护意识逐渐兴起，高污染的石化业常成为社会运动的抗争对象。这些内外情势的变迁都使得20世纪70年代被当局大力扶持的石化业无以为继。

to have no way to continue; to not be able to be sustained


屌那媽

/tiːu̯³⁵ naː³³ maː⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯³⁵ naː¹³ maː⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯³⁵ naː³³ maː⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯³⁵ naː¹³ maː⁵⁵/

The second syllable is the contraction of 你阿 (nei5 aa3).

Fuck it! Bring it on! (translated as "Fuck his mom! Hit the hard!" in Yuan Chonghuan Memorial Park in Dongguan)

掉哪媽！頂硬上！

掉哪妈！顶硬上！


甫母

/pʰu⁵²⁻³⁵ bo⁵²⁻²¹/

/pʰu⁵²⁻³⁵ bo⁵²⁻²¹/

(Teochew, vulgar, offensive) fuck your mother; fuck you


養家活口

ㄧㄤˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄏㄨㄛˊ ㄎㄡˇ

/jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jœːŋ¹³ kaː⁵⁵ wuːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/

/jœːŋ¹³ kaː⁵⁵ wuːt̚² hɐu̯³⁵/

to support one's family financially; to provide for one's family


盡如人意

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧˋ

цзиньжужэньи

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵¹/


承前啟後

ㄔㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄑㄧˇ ㄏㄡˋ

чэнцяньцихоу

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ kʰɐi̯³⁵ hɐu̯²²/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ kʰɐi̯³⁵ hɐu̯²²/

to inherit the teachings of previous generations in order to inspire future actions


鮑鮑換包包

ㄅㄠˋ ㄅㄠˋ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄠ ㄅㄠ

ㄅㄠ ㄅㄠ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄠ ㄅㄠ

баобао хуань баобао

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯än⁵¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

(neologism, slang, chiefly Taiwan, of a woman) to exchange sex for an expensive handbag or other luxury gifts (as a form of enjo kōsai)


少見多怪

ㄕㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄍㄨㄞˋ

шаоцзяньдогуай

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ kiːn³³ tɔː⁵⁵ kʷaːi̯³³/

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ kiːn³³ tɔː⁵⁵ kʷaːi̯³³/

to be easily surprised because of ignorance


分工合作

ㄈㄣ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄏㄜˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

фэньгунхэцзо

/fən⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/fɐn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡sɔːk̚³/

/fən⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/fɐn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡sɔːk̚³/

proper division of labor and co-ordination


不知去向

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄑㄩˋ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɵy̯³³ hœːŋ³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ti⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰi²¹⁻⁴¹ hiɔŋ²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ti⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰu¹¹⁻⁵³ hiɔŋ¹¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɵy̯³³ hœːŋ³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ti⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰi²¹⁻⁴¹ hiɔŋ²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ ti⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰu¹¹⁻⁵³ hiɔŋ¹¹/

to not know where someone or something went


求神拜佛

ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄅㄞˋ ㄈㄛˊ

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂən³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

/kʰɐu̯²¹ sɐn²¹ paːi̯³³ fɐt̚²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂən³⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

/kʰɐu̯²¹ sɐn²¹ paːi̯³³ fɐt̚²/

1934, Lu Xun, 《中國人失掉自信力了嗎》

Cóng gōngkāi de wénzì shàng kàn qǐlái: liǎng nián yǐqián, wǒmen zǒng zìkuā zhe “dìdàwùbó”, shì shìshí; bùjiǔ jiù bùzài zìkuā le, zhǐ xīwàng zhù Guólián, yěshì shìshí; xiànzài shì jì bù kuā zìjǐ, yě bùxìn Guólián, gǎiwèi yīwèi qiúshénbàifó, huáigǔshāngjīn le — què yěshì shìshí.

從公開的文字上看起來：兩年以前，我們總自誇著「地大物博」，是事實；不久就不再自誇了，只希望著國聯，也是事實；現在是既不誇自己，也不信國聯，改為一味求神拜佛，懷古傷今了——卻也是事實。

1934, Lu Xun, 《中國人失掉自信力了嗎》

从公开的文字上看起来：两年以前，我们总自夸着「地大物博」，是事实；不久就不再自夸了，只希望著国联，也是事实；现在是既不夸自己，也不信国联，改为一味求神拜佛，怀古伤今了——却也是事实。

2021 January 15, 张楠茜, 《拯救可橙： 被父母强送矫治的跨性别者》, in 《鳳凰週刊》 [Phoenix Weekly], →ISSN, issue 747, page 42

Kěchéng zuòwéi jiānxìngrén, nánxìng de shēngyù nénglì cúnzài zhàng'ài, jiācháng nányǐ jiēshòu, māmā shènzhì zài jiālǐ qiúshénbàifó zuò fǎshì.

可橙作為間性人，男性的生育能力存在障礙，家長難以接受，媽媽甚至在家裡求神拜佛做法事。

可橙作为间性人，男性的生育能力存在障碍，家长难以接受，妈妈甚至在家里求神拜佛做法事。

to pray to gods and Buddha for help or blessings


不敢恭維

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄨㄟˊ

буганьгунвэй

/pu⁵¹ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

to be not good; to not deserve a compliment


連根拔起

ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄣ ㄅㄚˊ ㄑㄧˇ

ляньгэньбаци

/li̯ɛn³⁵ kən⁵⁵ pä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/liːn²¹ kɐn⁵⁵ pɐt̚² hei̯³⁵/

/li̯ɛn³⁵ kən⁵⁵ pä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/liːn²¹ kɐn⁵⁵ pɐt̚² hei̯³⁵/


九五之尊

the honor of nine-five [to which only the emperor is entitled]

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄨˇ ㄓ ㄗㄨㄣ

цзюучжицзунь

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋ̍¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡syːn⁵⁵/

/kiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sun⁴⁴/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sun⁴⁴/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋ̍¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡syːn⁵⁵/

/kiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sun⁴⁴/

/kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sun⁴⁴/


國仇家恨

ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄔㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄏㄣˋ

гочоуцзяхэнь

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ xən⁵¹/

/kʷɔːk̚³ sɐu̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵ hɐn²²/

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ xən⁵¹/

/kʷɔːk̚³ sɐu̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵ hɐn²²/

hatred of a country for invading one's own country and destroying one's own home or family


米已成炊

the grain has already been cooked into rice

ㄇㄧˇ ㄧˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄔㄨㄟ

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐi̯¹³ jiː¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵/

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐi̯¹³ jiː¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵/


公諸於眾

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄓㄨ ㄩˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

гунчжуюйчжун

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

公之於眾 公之於眾#Chinese

公之于众 公之于众#Chinese

Misconstruction of 公之於眾／公之于众 (gōngzhīyúzhòng, “to reveal to the public”)


鑽山打洞

/t͡sõ³³ san³³ ta̠⁴¹ tʊŋ²¹⁻¹¹/

/t͡sõ³³ san³³ ta̠⁴¹ tən²¹⁻¹¹/

/t͡sõ³³ san³³ ta̠⁴¹ tʊŋ²¹⁻¹¹/

/t͡sõ³³ san³³ ta̠⁴¹ tən²¹⁻¹¹/

(Xiang) to curry favor or find opportunity anywhere to achieve a goal


臠起臠起

/lõ³³ t͡ɕʰi³ lõ³³ t͡ɕʰi³/

/lõ³³ t͡ɕʰi³ lõ³³ t͡ɕʰi³/

(Xiang) to be in low spirits; to be lethargic-looking; out of sorts


師出有名

ㄕ ㄔㄨ ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

to do something for a good and proper reason


何什搞

/o¹³ ʂʐ̩³ kɒu̯⁴¹/

/o¹³ sz̩³ kɒu̯⁴¹/

/o¹³ ʂʐ̩³ kɒu̯⁴¹/

/o¹³ sz̩³ kɒu̯⁴¹/

(Xiang, interrogative) What to do?; What should be done?


呵嘶呵嘶

/o⁴⁵ sz̩³³ o⁴⁵ sz̩³³/

/o⁴⁵ sz̩³³ o⁴⁵ sz̩³³/

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


語驚四座

ㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄙˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sɔː²²/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sɔː²²/

one's words or speech astonishes every attendee


感人肺腑

ㄍㄢˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄈㄟˋ ㄈㄨˇ

ганьжэньфэйфу

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm³⁵ jɐn²¹ fɐi̯³³ fuː³⁵/

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm³⁵ jɐn²¹ fɐi̯³³ fuː³⁵/


傷敵一千，自損八百

伤敌一千，自损八百
傷敵一千自損八百

To injure one thousand enemy soldiers while one loses eight hundred soldiers

ㄕㄤ ㄉㄧˊ ㄧ ㄑㄧㄢ

ㄗˋ ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄅㄚ ㄅㄞˇ

soeng¹ dik⁶ jat¹ cin¹, zi⁶ syun² baat³ baak³

шан ди ицянь

цзы сунь бабай

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ ti³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

soeng¹ dik⁹ jat⁷ tsin¹, dzi⁶ syn² baat⁸ baak⁸

sêng¹ dig⁶ yed¹ qin¹, ji⁶ xun² bad³ bag³

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² syːn³⁵ paːt̚³ paːk̚³/

to inflict damage on the enemy while one's own side suffers a smaller but comparable level of damage


無欲無求

ㄨˊ ㄩˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄡˊ

/u³⁵ y⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊk̚² mou̯²¹ kʰɐu̯²¹/

/u³⁵ y⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊk̚² mou̯²¹ kʰɐu̯²¹/


殺敵一千，自損八百

杀敌一千，自损八百
殺敵一千自損八百

To kill one thousand enemy soldiers while one loses eight hundred soldiers

ㄕㄚ ㄉㄧˊ ㄧ ㄑㄧㄢ

ㄗˋ ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄅㄚ ㄅㄞˇ

saat³ dik⁶ jat¹ cin¹, zi⁶ syun² baat³ baak³

цзы сунь бабай

/ʂä⁵⁵ ti³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

saat⁸ dik⁹ jat⁷ tsin¹, dzi⁶ syn² baat⁸ baak⁸

/saːt̚³ tɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː²² syːn³⁵ paːt̚³ paːk̚³/

傷敵一千，自損八百 傷敵一千，自損八百#Chinese

伤敌一千，自损八百 伤敌一千，自损八百#Chinese

Synonym of 傷敵一千，自損八百／伤敌一千，自损八百 (shāng dí yīqiān, zì sǔn bābǎi, “to inflict damage on the enemy while one's own side suffers a smaller but comparable level of damage”)


功高震主

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄍㄠ ㄓㄣˋ ㄓㄨˇ

гунгаочжэньчжу

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐn³³ t͡syː³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐn³³ t͡syː³⁵/

one's merits and contributions are so great that one's monarch or leader feels uneasy and insecure


粗聲粗氣

ㄘㄨ ㄕㄥ ㄘㄨ ㄑㄧˋ

/t͡sʰu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ hei̯³³/

/t͡sʰu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ hei̯³³/


曲突徙薪

ㄑㄩ ㄊㄨ ㄒㄧˇ ㄒㄧㄣ

ㄑㄩ ㄊㄨˊ ㄒㄧˇ ㄒㄧㄣ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ tɐt̚² saːi̯³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ tɐt̚² saːi̯³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

From a story in Biography of Huo Guang and Jin Midi（霍光金日磾傳）, Book of Han

I heard that there was once a guest visiting a homeowner, and he observed that his stove was equipped with a straight chimney, and there was firewood piled up next to it. The guest told the owner, "Replace your chimney with a crooked one and move the firewood far away from it. Otherwise, there will be fire risk." But the owner ignored him. Soon his house was really on fire, and his neighbours went to put out fire together. Fortunately, they were able to put it out. The homeowner then slaughtered cows and prepared wine to thank his neighbours. Those who were burnt were arranged to sit at the front, and the others sat according to their contributions. However, he did not invite the person that told him to modify the chimney. Someone then said to him, "If you had listened to what your guest said, you would have eliminated fire without beef and wine. Now you are inviting people according to their contributions, then how can you forget the mercy of the person that told you to replace the chimney with a crooked one and move firewood away, but let those people got burnt seriously be the important guests?" The homeowner realized that and invited him.

Chén wén kè yǒu guò zhǔrén zhě, jiàn qí zào zhí tū, bàng yǒu jī xīn. Kè wèi zhǔrén, gēng wéi qū tū, yuǎn xǐ qí xīn, bù zhě qiě yǒu huǒhuàn. Zhǔrén mòrán bù yìng. É'ér jiā guǒ shīhuǒ, línlǐ gòng jiù zhī, xìng ér dé xī. Yúshì shā niú zhì jiǔ, xiè qí línrén, zhuó làn zhě zài yú shàng háng, yú gè yǐ gōng cì zuò, ér bù lù yán qū tū zhě. Rén wèi zhǔrén yuē: “Xiàngshǐ tīng kè zhī yán, bù fèi niú jiǔ, zhōng wáng huǒhuàn. Jīn lùn gōng ér qǐng bīn, qūtūxǐxīn wáng ēnzé, jiāotóulàn'é wèi shàngkè yē?” Zhǔrén nǎi wù ér qǐng zhī.

臣聞客有過主人者，見其灶直突，傍有積薪。客謂主人，更為曲突，遠徙其薪，不者且有火患。主人嘿然不應。俄而家果失火，鄰里共救之，幸而得息。於是殺牛置酒，謝其鄰人，灼爛者在於上行，餘各以功次坐，而不錄言曲突者。人謂主人曰：「鄉使聽客之言，不費牛酒，終亡火患。今論功而請賓，曲突徙薪亡恩澤，焦頭爛額為上客耶？」主人乃寤而請之。

臣闻客有过主人者，见其灶直突，傍有积薪。客谓主人，更为曲突，远徙其薪，不者且有火患。主人嘿然不应。俄而家果失火，邻里共救之，幸而得息。于是杀牛置酒，谢其邻人，灼烂者在于上行，余各以功次坐，而不录言曲突者。人谓主人曰：「乡使听客之言，不费牛酒，终亡火患。今论功而请宾，曲突徙薪亡恩泽，焦头烂额为上客耶？」主人乃寤而请之。

to bend the chimney and move the firewood away from it

to take preventive measures; to take precautions (to prevent trouble from happening)


積勞成疾

ㄐㄧ ㄌㄠˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄐㄧˊ

цзилаочэнцзи

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ lou̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐt̚²/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ lou̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐt̚²/

to fall ill because one is overworked and exhausted for a long period of time; to fall ill from prolonged overwork


說的比唱的好聽

ㄕㄨㄛ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄅㄧˇ ㄔㄤˋ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄏㄠˇ ㄊㄧㄥ

шо дэ би чан дэ хаотин

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ d̥ə² pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ d̥ə¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

說的比唱的還好聽 說的比唱的還好聽#Chinese

说的比唱的还好听 说的比唱的还好听#Chinese

Alternative form of 說的比唱的還好聽／说的比唱的还好听 (shuō de bǐ chàng de hái hǎotīng, “what someone said is pleasant to hear but empty and deceitful”)


說的比唱的還好聽

说的比唱的还好听
說的比唱的好聽

what someonesaid is even more pleasant to hear than a song

ㄕㄨㄛ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄅㄧˇ ㄔㄤˋ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄏㄞˊ ㄏㄠˇ ㄊㄧㄥ

shuo¹ tê⁵ pi³ chʻang⁴ tê⁵ hai² hao³-tʻing¹

шо дэ би чан дэ хай хаотин

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ d̥ə² pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹ d̥ə¹ xaɪ̯³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

what someone said is pleasant to hear but empty and deceitful


出雙入對

ㄔㄨ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄖㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄟˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² tɵy̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jɐp̚² tɵy̯³³/

to frequently do things together (especially said of a couple suspected to be in love)


若即若離

ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jœːk̚² t͡sɪk̚⁵ jœːk̚² lei̯²¹/

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jœːk̚² t͡sɪk̚⁵ jœːk̚² lei̯²¹/

to be neither friendly nor aloof; to maintain a lukewarm relationship


先下手為強

先下手为强
先下手爲強
先下手爲强

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧㄤˊ

сянь сяшоу вэй цян

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/siːn⁵⁵ haː²² sɐu̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰœːŋ²¹/

/si̯en²⁴⁻¹¹ ha⁵⁵ su³¹ vi¹¹ kʰi̯oŋ¹¹/

/siːn⁵⁵ haː²² sɐu̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰœːŋ²¹/

/si̯en²⁴⁻¹¹ ha⁵⁵ su³¹ vi¹¹ kʰi̯oŋ¹¹/


綠樹成蔭

ㄌㄩˋ ㄕㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧㄣ

люйшучэнъинь

/ly⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² syː²² sɪŋ²¹ jɐm⁵⁵/

/ly⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ in⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² syː²² sɪŋ²¹ jɐm⁵⁵/

to have many green leafy trees that form a pleasant shade


顛三倒四

ㄉㄧㄢ ㄙㄢ ㄉㄠˇ ㄙˋ

дяньсаньдаосы

/ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵¹/

/ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵¹/

(of words or behaviour) disorderly; chaotic; topsy-turvy; confused


溫文爾雅

ㄨㄣ ㄨㄣˊ ㄦˇ ㄧㄚˇ

/wən⁵⁵ wən³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐn⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ jiː¹³ ŋaː¹³/

/wən⁵⁵ wən³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐn⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ jiː¹³ ŋaː¹³/

gentle and polite; elegant and dignified


粗製濫造

ㄘㄨ ㄓˋ ㄌㄢˋ ㄗㄠˋ

цучжиланьцзао

/t͡sʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³ laːm²² t͡sou̯²²/

/t͡sʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³ laːm²² t͡sou̯²²/

to manufacture in a rough and slipshod way; to churn out shoddy products or pieces of work; to produce products in large quantity without regard for quality


表面文章

ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄓㄤ

бяомяньвэньчжан

/pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/piːu̯³⁵ miːn²² mɐn²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/piːu̯³⁵ miːn²² mɐn²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

focus solely on form or appearance without emphasis on content or effectiveness; ostentatiousness


街頭巷尾

ㄐㄧㄝ ㄊㄡˊ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄨㄟˇ

цзетоусянвэй

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ hɔːŋ²² mei̯¹³/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ hɔːŋ²²⁻³⁵ mei̯¹³/

/koi³³⁻²³ tʰau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ haŋ¹¹ bue⁵²/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ hɔːŋ²² mei̯¹³/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ hɔːŋ²²⁻³⁵ mei̯¹³/

/koi³³⁻²³ tʰau⁵⁵⁻¹¹ haŋ¹¹ bue⁵²/


徇私舞弊

ㄒㄩㄣˋ ㄙ ㄨˇ ㄅㄧˋ

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄙ ㄨˇ ㄅㄧˋ

/ɕyn⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹/

/ɕyn³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹/

/sɵn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ pɐi̯²²/

/ɕyn⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹/

/ɕyn³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹/

/sɵn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ pɐi̯²²/

to engage in malpractices for selfish ends; to be involved in corruption


精神抖擻

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄣˊ ㄉㄡˇ ㄙㄡˇ

цзиншэньдоусоу

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵ toʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹ tɐu̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹ tɐu̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

in high spirits; fresh with energy; vigorous and energetic; glowing with health and vigor


見獵心喜

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧˇ

цзяньлесиньси

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to see others doing what one used to love doing and therefore be eager to try doing it again


視死如生

ㄕˋ ㄙˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄥ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/


藏富於民

ㄘㄤˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄩˊ ㄇㄧㄣˊ

/t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ y³⁵ min³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ fuː³³ jyː⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

/t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ y³⁵ min³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ fuː³³ jyː⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

to store wealth in the people; to leave wealth with the people


高山仰止

ㄍㄠ ㄕㄢ ㄧㄤˇ ㄓˇ

гаошаньянчжи

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ¹³ t͡siː³⁵/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ¹³ t͡siː³⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 218 (《詩經·小雅·車舝》)

lang

(《詩經·小雅·車舝》)

(《詩經·小雅·車舝》)

The high hill is looked up to; The great road is easy to be travelled on.

高山仰止，景行行止。

to admire and venerate (someone great and noble)


壯志未酬

ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄓˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄔㄡˊ

чжуанчживэйчоу

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ³³ t͡siː³³ mei̯²² t͡sʰɐu̯²¹/

/t͡sɔːŋ³³ t͡siː³³ mei̯²² t͡sʰɐu̯²¹/

to have great ambitions that have not been realized


將心比己

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄧˇ ㄐㄧˇ

цзянсиньбицзи

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ kei̯³⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ kei̯³⁵/

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


仰仔辦

/ŋiɔŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ ŋe³¹ pʰan⁵³/

/ŋiɔŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ ŋe³¹ pʰan⁵³/

(Hakka, interrogative) What to do?; What should be done?


養蛇食雞

/i̯oŋ²⁴ sa¹¹ sɨt̚⁵ ki̯e²⁴/

/iɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³⁵ sa¹¹ sət̚⁵ ke⁴⁴/

/i̯oŋ²⁴ sa¹¹ sɨt̚⁵ ki̯e²⁴/

/iɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³⁵ sa¹¹ sət̚⁵ ke⁴⁴/

(Hakka) to bring trouble to oneself by inviting an enemy


特事特辦

ㄊㄜˋ ㄕˋ ㄊㄜˋ ㄅㄢˋ

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹/

/tɐk̚² siː²² tɐk̚² paːn²²/

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pän⁵¹/

/tɐk̚² siː²² tɐk̚² paːn²²/

to handle special matters with special methods or arrangements


福善禍淫

ㄈㄨˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄣˊ

/fu³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ in³⁵/

/hok̚²⁻⁴ sieŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ hua³⁵⁻¹¹ im⁵⁵/

/fu³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ in³⁵/

/hok̚²⁻⁴ sieŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ hua³⁵⁻¹¹ im⁵⁵/

Goodness is rewarded and wickedness is punished.


因禍得福

ㄧㄣ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄈㄨˊ

/in⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ fu³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ wɔː²² tɐk̚⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

/in⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ³³⁻²¹ tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ hɔk̚³²/

/in⁴⁴⁻³³ ho³³⁻¹¹ tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ hɔk̚³²/

/iŋ³³⁻²³ hua³⁵⁻¹¹ tik̚²⁻⁴ hok̚²/

/in⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ fu³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ wɔː²² tɐk̚⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

/in⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ³³⁻²¹ tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ hɔk̚³²/

/in⁴⁴⁻³³ ho³³⁻¹¹ tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ hɔk̚³²/

/iŋ³³⁻²³ hua³⁵⁻¹¹ tik̚²⁻⁴ hok̚²/


寸步不讓

ㄘㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄤˋ

/t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʐɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn³³ pou̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ²²/

/t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʐɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn³³ pou̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ²²/

to not make to slightest concession; to not yield even slightly


寸土不讓

ㄘㄨㄣˋ ㄊㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄤˋ

/t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʐɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn³³ tʰou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ²²/

/t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʐɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn³³ tʰou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ²²/

to not give up a single inch of one's territory


yyds

ㄩㄥˇ ㄩㄢˇ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄕㄣˊ

юнъюаньдэ шэнь

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴ d̥ə⁴ ʂən³⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴ d̥ə⁴ ʂən³⁵/

Pinyin initial of 永遠的神 (literally “always (being) the best”).

zh-l

(Internet slang) greatest of all time; GOAT (Used to express appreciation.)


yyds

ㄩㄥˇ ㄩㄢˇ ㄉㄢ ㄕㄣ

юнъюань даньшэнь

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

Pinyin initial of 永遠單身 (literally “always (being) single”).


年中無休

ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄡ

няньчжунъусю

/ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/niːn²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/niːn²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐu̯⁵⁵/


老態龍鍾

ㄌㄠˇ ㄊㄞˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄨㄥ

лаотайлунчжун

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/lou̯¹³ tʰaːi̯³³ lʊŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/lou̯¹³ tʰaːi̯³³ lʊŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/


盆滿缽滿

ㄆㄣˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄅㄛ ㄇㄢˇ

пэньманьбомань

/pʰən³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰən³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(originally Cantonese) to have made a lot of money


化民成俗

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄙㄨˊ

хуаминьчэнсу

/xu̯ä⁵¹ min³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ su³⁵/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ min³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ su³⁵/

to transform the people and refine their way of life


入土為安

ㄖㄨˋ ㄊㄨˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄢ

/ʐu⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚² tʰou̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵/

/ʐu⁵¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚² tʰou̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵/

(of a deceased person) to be buried so that they can rest in peace


一隻雞、一隻鴨

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ aːp̚³/

/t͡sit̚⁴³⁻²¹ t͡sia(ʔ)³²⁻⁴² kue⁴⁴ t͡sit̚⁴³⁻²¹ t͡sia(ʔ)³²⁻⁴² aʔ³²/

When a Hokkien person and a Cantonese person talk to each other, it's like a chicken talking to a duck.

Fújiànrén hé guǎngdōngrén jiǎnghuà jiù xiàng shì yī zhī jī, yī zhī yā.

福建人和廣東人講話就像是一隻雞、一隻鴨。

福建人和广东人讲话就像是一只鸡、一只鸭。

mutually unintelligible
mutually unintelligible

(Singapore, originally Hainanese) to speak mutually unintelligible languages


畏之如虎

ㄨㄟˋ ㄓ ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄨˇ

/weɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to be extremely scared of someone or something


中道而廢

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄉㄠˋ ㄦˊ ㄈㄟˋ

чжундаоэрфэй

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹/

change horses in midstream
change horses in midstream

to give up halfway through a task; to not finish what one has started; to change horses in midstream


中途而廢

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄊㄨˊ ㄦˊ ㄈㄟˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹/


年高德劭

ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄠ ㄉㄜˊ ㄕㄠˋ

няньгаодэшао

/ni̯ɛn³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/niːn²¹ kou̯⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ siːu̯²²/

/ni̯ɛn³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/niːn²¹ kou̯⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ siːu̯²²/

to be advanced in age and eminent in virtue


出言有章

ㄔㄨ ㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄓㄤ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

words flow from the mouth as from the pen of a master


各盡其職

ㄍㄜˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄓˊ

гэцзиньцичжи

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

each person attends to his or her own duties


接人待物

ㄐㄧㄝ ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄞˋ ㄨˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/t͡siːp̚³ jɐn²¹ tɔːi̯²² mɐt̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/t͡siːp̚³ jɐn²¹ tɔːi̯²² mɐt̚²/

getting along with others; dealing with people


政令不出中南海

ㄓㄥˋ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄋㄢˊ ㄏㄞˇ

чжэнлин бу чу Чжуннаньхай

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ liŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

dzing³ ling⁶ bat⁷ tsoet⁷ dzung¹ naam⁴ hoi²

/t͡sɪŋ³³ lɪŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ naːm²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵/

People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China

policies and decrees ordered by the central government of the People's Republic of China are not executed by local governments


十八年後又是一條好漢

ㄕˊ ㄅㄚ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄡˋ ㄧㄡˋ ㄕˋ ㄧ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄏㄠˇ ㄏㄢˋ

shíbā nián hòu yòu shì yī tiáo hǎohàn [Phonetic:shíbā nián hòu yòu shì yì tiáo hǎohàn]

shih²-pa¹ nien² hou⁴ yu⁴ shih⁴ i¹ tʻiao² hao³-han⁴

shŕ-bā nyán hòu yòu shr̀ yī tyáu hǎu-hàn

шиба нянь хоу ю ши и тяо хаохань

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pä⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ joʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xän⁵¹/

[Phonetic: shíbā nián hòu yòu shì yì tiáo hǎohàn]

From the belief that one will reincarnate after one's death, and become a man again 18 years later.

Eighteen years later one will become a hero again.

An expression said when one is about to die or get killed to convey their fearlessness or lack of fear towards death.


聽見風就是雨

ㄊㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄈㄥ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄕˋ ㄩˇ

тинцзяньфэнцзюшиюй

/tʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

Originally from Jin Ping Mei:
:
From Guanchangxianxingji

You are a thief, and you are agreeing uncritically with whatever people say.

Nǐ zhè zéiqiúgēnzǐ, dé bù ge fēng ér jiù yǔ ér.

你這贼囚根子，得不個風兒就雨兒。

你这贼囚根子，得不个风儿就雨儿。

Tāmen zuò dōu lǎoyé de, tīngjiànfēngjiùshìyǔ, huángshàng yuán xǔ tā fēngwénzòushì, shuō cuò le yòu méiyǒu bùshì de.

他們做都老爺的，聽見風就是雨，皇上原許他風聞奏事，說錯了又沒有不是的。

他们做都老爷的，听见风就是雨，皇上原许他风闻奏事，说错了又没有不是的。

to agree uncritically with whatever people say

to parrot other people's words, to chime in with others


大石砸死蟹

大石責死蟹
大石磧死蟹
大石笮死蟹

/taːi̯²² sɛːk̚² t͡saːk̚³ sei̯³⁵ haːi̯¹³/

(Cantonese) to coerce and overpower by force or authority


啞巴吃黃連

ㄧㄚˇ ˙ㄅㄚ ㄔ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

яба чи хуанлянь

/jä²¹⁴ b̥ä⁴ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ paː⁵⁵ hɛːk̚³ wɔːŋ²¹ liːn²¹/

/jä²¹⁴ b̥ä⁴ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ paː⁵⁵ hɛːk̚³ wɔːŋ²¹ liːn²¹/

啞巴吃黃連——有苦說不出 啞巴吃黃連——有苦說不出#Chinese

哑巴吃黄连——有苦说不出 哑巴吃黄连——有苦说不出#Chinese

Synonym of 啞巴吃黃連——有苦說不出／哑巴吃黄连——有苦说不出 (yǎba chī huánglián, yǒu kǔ shuōbùchū)


少不經事

ㄕㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕˋ

/ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/