慘無人道

ㄘㄢˇ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄠˋ

цаньужэньдао

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹ tou̯²²/

/t͡sʰaŋ³³⁻²¹ ^((Ø-))ŋu⁵³⁽⁻²¹⁾ iŋ⁵³⁻²¹ ⁽ᵗ⁻⁾nɔ²⁴²/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³⁻³³ tɤ³³/

/t͡sʰam⁵²⁻³⁵ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵/

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹ tou̯²²/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³⁻³³ tɤ³³/

/t͡sʰam⁵²⁻³⁵ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ naŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tau³⁵/

cambhonangdao dui nangai dangbao dai dousua

1939 April 11, 南洋商報 [Nanyang Siang Pau], page 22:


才識過人

ㄘㄞˊ ㄕˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄘㄞˊ ㄕˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ jɐn²¹/

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ jɐn²¹/

to be gifted with talent and insight far beyond the average person


出其不意，攻其無備

ㄔㄨ ㄑㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˋ

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄑㄧˊ ㄨˊ ㄅㄟˋ

chʻu¹ chʻi² pu⁴ i⁴, kung¹ chʻi² wu² pei⁴

гун ци у бэй

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ u³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

攻其無備，出其不意 攻其無備，出其不意#Chinese

攻其无备，出其不意 攻其无备，出其不意#Chinese

Synonym of 攻其無備，出其不意／攻其无备，出其不意 (gōng qí wú bèi, chū qí bù yì, “to catch somebody unprepared; to take somebody by surprise”)


藏垢納污

ㄘㄤˊ ㄍㄡˋ ㄋㄚˋ ㄨ

/t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ koʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ nä⁵¹ u⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ kɐu̯³³ naːp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ koʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ nä⁵¹ u⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ kɐu̯³³ naːp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

藏污納垢 藏污納垢#Chinese

藏污纳垢 藏污纳垢#Chinese

Synonym of 藏污納垢／藏污纳垢 (cángwūnàgòu, “to shelter evil people and countenance evil practices”)


錦衣玉食

ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄧ ㄩˋ ㄕˊ

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kɐm³⁵ jiː⁵⁵ jʊk̚² sɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵ y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kɐm³⁵ jiː⁵⁵ jʊk̚² sɪk̚²/

(figurative) a life of luxury; extravagance


聰明才智

ㄘㄨㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄓˋ

цунминцайчжи

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡siː³³/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡siː³³/


貓哭老鼠——假慈悲

ㄇㄠ ㄎㄨ ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄨˇ

мао ку лаошу

/mɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kʰu⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/maːu̯⁵⁵ hʊk̚⁵ lou̯¹³ syː³⁵ kaː³⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ pei̯⁵⁵/


殺身之禍

ㄕㄚ ㄕㄣ ㄓ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ wɔː²²/

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːt̚³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ wɔː²²/

Although the civil vassals and military vassals felt indignant, they knew King You wouldn't change his mind. If someone advise the king, he would only be killed and this would be no good for the matter. The vassals all said nothing.

Ming dynasty, Feng Menglong, Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms

Liǎngbān wénwǔ, xīnhuái bùpíng, zhī yōuwáng zhǔyì yǐ jué, tú qǔ shāshēn zhī huò, wúyì yú shì, jìnjiē jiānkǒu.

兩班文武，心懷不平，知幽王主意已決，徒取殺身之禍，無益於事，盡皆緘口。

两班文武，心怀不平，知幽王主意已决，徒取杀身之祸，无益于事，尽皆缄口。

Qing dynasty, Liu E, The Travels of Lao Can

Ruò yù cǐděng rén, jìng'éryuǎnzhī, yǐmiǎn shāshēnzhīhuò.

若遇此等人，敬而遠之，以免殺身之禍。

若遇此等人，敬而远之，以免杀身之祸。

Qing dynasty, Li Ruzhen, Flowers in the Mirror

Nàzhī qīngjǔwàngdòng, quèyǒu shāshēnzhīhuò!

那知輕舉妄動，卻有殺身之禍！

那知轻举妄动，却有杀身之祸！


白雪皚皚

ㄅㄞˊ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄞˊ ㄞˊ

/paɪ̯³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀaɪ̯³⁵ ˀaɪ̯³⁵/

/paːk̚² syːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²¹ ŋɔːi̯²¹/

/paɪ̯³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀaɪ̯³⁵ ˀaɪ̯³⁵/

/paːk̚² syːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²¹ ŋɔːi̯²¹/

snow gleaming white; snowy; snow-capped; snow-covered


攻其無備

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄑㄧˊ ㄨˊ ㄅㄟˋ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ u³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ u³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/


鷸蚌相爭，漁翁得利

desc

→ Vietnamese: trai cò đánh nhau, ngư ông đắc lợi (calque)

ㄩˋ ㄅㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄓㄥ

ㄩˊ ㄨㄥ ㄉㄜˊ ㄌㄧˋ

wat⁶ pong⁵ soeng¹ zang¹, jyu⁴ jung¹ dak¹ lei⁶

юйбансянчжэн

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ y³⁵ wəŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ li⁵¹/

waht póhng sēung jāng, yùh yūng dāk leih

wat⁹ pong⁵ soeng¹ dzang¹, jy⁴ jung¹ dak⁷ lei⁶

wed⁶ pong⁵ sêng¹ zeng¹, yu⁴ yung¹ deg¹ léi⁶

/wɐt̚² pʰɔːŋ¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ lei̯²²/

鷸蚌相爭，漁人得利 鷸蚌相爭，漁人得利#Chinese

鹬蚌相争，渔人得利 鹬蚌相争，渔人得利#Chinese

Alternative form of 鷸蚌相爭，漁人得利／鹬蚌相争，渔人得利 (yùbàng xiāngzhēng, yúrén délì)


翻來覆去

ㄈㄢ ㄌㄞˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄑㄩˋ

фаньлайфуцюй

/fän⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/fän⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/


跳跤頓地

跳跤顿地
跳腳頓地
跳骹頓地

/tio²⁴⁻²² kʰa⁴⁴⁻²² tŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ tue²²/

/tio²⁴⁻²² kʰa⁴⁴⁻²² tŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ tue²²/

(Xiamen Hokkien) to be infuriated; to be enraged; to be furious; to be hopping mad


跳跤頓蹄

跳跤顿蹄
跳腳頓蹄
跳骹頓蹄

/tio²⁴⁻²² kʰa³³ tŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tue²⁴/

/tio²⁴⁻²² kʰa³³ tŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tue²⁴/

(Quanzhou Hokkien) to be infuriated; to be enraged; to be furious; to be hopping mad


跳跤𢕕蹄

/tio¹³⁻²² kʰa⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sam²¹⁻⁵³ te¹³/

/tio¹³⁻²² kʰa⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sam²¹⁻⁵³ te¹³/

(Zhangzhou Hokkien) to be infuriated; to be enraged; to be furious; to be hopping mad


跳天頓地

/tio²⁴⁻²² tʰĩ⁴⁴⁻²² tŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ tue²²/

/tio¹³⁻²² tʰĩ⁴⁴⁻²² tuĩ²¹⁻⁵³ te²²/

/tio²⁴⁻²² tʰĩ⁴⁴⁻²² tŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ tue²²/

/tio¹³⁻²² tʰĩ⁴⁴⁻²² tuĩ²¹⁻⁵³ te²²/

(Xiamen and Zhangzhou Hokkien) to be infuriated; to be enraged; to be furious; to be hopping mad


貨真價實

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄣ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄕˊ

хочжэньцзяши

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/fɔː³³ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ kaː³³ sɐt̚²/

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/fɔː³³ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ kaː³³ sɐt̚²/

high quality at a decent price; genuine goods at fair prices


委曲求全

ㄨㄟˇ ㄑㄩ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

вэйцюйцюцюань

/weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/wɐi̯³⁵ kʰʊk̚⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/wɐi̯³⁵ kʰʊk̚⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

stoop to compromise; accept a compromise; compromise out of consideration for the general interest


功敗垂成

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄞˋ ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄥˊ

гунбайчуйчэн

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ paːi̯²² sɵy̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ paɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ paːi̯²² sɵy̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/


鶴立雞群

鹤立鸡群
鶴立雞羣
鶴立鷄群

ㄏㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧ ㄑㄩㄣˊ

/xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/hɔːk̚² lɐp̚² kɐi̯⁵⁵ kʷʰɐn²¹/

/hɔːk̚² laːp̚² kɐi̯⁵⁵ kʷʰɐn²¹/

/xɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵/

/hɔːk̚² lɐp̚² kɐi̯⁵⁵ kʷʰɐn²¹/

/hɔːk̚² laːp̚² kɐi̯⁵⁵ kʷʰɐn²¹/

(figurative) an outstanding person in a group of common people


讀半邊

/tu³⁵ pän⁵¹ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/tu³⁵ pän⁵¹ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

Chinese character
Chinese character#English

A method people use to pronounce a Chinese character when they do not know its exact pronunciation: one of the (often two) components of the character is taken as a phonetic and that pronunciation is used, sometimes erroneously.


人盡皆知

ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓ

жэньцзиньцзечжи

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɵn²² kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɵn²² kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/


豐功偉業

ㄈㄥ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄨㄟˇ ㄧㄝˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯¹³ jiːp̚²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯¹³ jiːp̚²/


功成名就

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄔㄥˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

гунчэнминцзю

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯²²/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ mɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯²²/

功成名遂 功成名遂#Chinese

Synonym of 功成名遂 (gōngchéngmíngsuì, “merits accomplished and fame obtained”)


任重道遠

ㄖㄣˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄩㄢˇ

жэньчжундаоюань

/ʐən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐm²² t͡sʊŋ²² tou̯²² jyːn¹³/

/jɐm²² t͡sʊŋ²² tou̯²² jyːn¹³/

The philosopher Zeng said, "The officer may not be without breadth of mind and vigorous endurance. His burden is heavy and his course is long. Perfect virtue is the burden which he considers it is his to sustain - is it not heavy? Only with death does his course stop - is it not long?"

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

Zēngzǐ yuē: “Shì bùkěyǐ bù hóng yì, rèn zhòng ér dào yuǎn. Rén yǐwéi jǐ rèn, bù yì zhòng hū? Sǐ érhòu yǐ, bù yì yuǎn hū?”

曾子曰：「士不可以不弘毅，任重而道遠。仁以為己任，不亦重乎？死而後已，不亦遠乎？」

曾子曰：「士不可以不弘毅，任重而道远。仁以为己任，不亦重乎？死而后已，不亦远乎？」

to shoulder a heavy responsibility for a long time


功成名遂

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (功成名遂):
* → Vietnamese: công thành danh toại (功成名遂)

desc

→ Japanese: 功成り名遂ぐ (kō nari na togu), 功成り名遂げる (kō nari na togeru) (calque)

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄔㄥˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄙㄨㄟˋ

гунчэнминсуй

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ miŋ³⁵ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ mɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯²²/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ miŋ³⁵ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ mɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯²²/

Reputation does not spring up out of nothing, and praise does not grow by itself. Reputation follows upon accomplishment. Reputation and praise cannot be had by empty pretense, but are the result of his “turning inward to improve himself.”

Míng bù túshēng ér yù bù zìcháng, gōngchéngmíngsuì, míngyù bùkě xūjiǎ, fǎn zhī shēn zhě yě.

名不徒生而譽不自長，功成名遂，名譽不可虛假，反之身者也。

名不徒生而誉不自长，功成名遂，名誉不可虚假，反之身者也。

When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw oneself into obscurity is the way of Heaven.

Tao Te Ching, 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Gōngchéng, míngsuì, shēntuì, tiān zhī dào.

功成、名遂、身退，天之道。


恆河沙數

ㄏㄥˊ ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄚ ㄕㄨˋ

/xɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ hɔː²¹ saː⁵⁵ sou̯³³/

/xɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ hɔː²¹ saː⁵⁵ sou̯³³/

an extremely large number of; as numerous as there are grains of sand in the Ganges


妄自菲薄

ㄨㄤˋ ㄗˋ ㄈㄟˇ ㄅㄛˊ

/wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ feɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² fei̯³⁵ pɔːk̚²/

/wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ feɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² fei̯³⁵ pɔːk̚²/

227, 諸葛亮 (Zhūgě Liàng) (Zhuge Liang), 出師表

Chéng yí kāizhāng shèngtīng, yǐ guāng xiāndì yídé, huīhóng zhìshì zhī qì, bùyí wàngzìfěibó, yǐnyùshīyì, yǐ sè zhōngjiàn zhī lù yě.

誠宜開張聖聽，以光先帝遺德，恢弘志士之氣，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失義，以塞忠諫之路也。

诚宜开张圣听，以光先帝遗德，恢弘志士之气，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失义，以塞忠谏之路也。

to excessively see oneself as inferior; to look down upon oneself excessively


義正詞嚴

ㄧˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄘˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jiː²² t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰiː²¹ jiːm²¹/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jiː²² t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰiː²¹ jiːm²¹/


寥若晨星

ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄥ

ляожочэньсин

/li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/liːu̯²¹ jœːk̚² sɐn²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/liːu̯²¹ jœːk̚² sɐn²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵/


春光明媚

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄟˋ

чуньгуанминмэй

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ mei̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ mei̯²²/

the scenery of spring is bright and beautiful


博學多聞

ㄅㄛˊ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄨㄣˊ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ wən³⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ hɔːk̚² tɔː⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ wən³⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ hɔːk̚² tɔː⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/

learned; possessing broad and extensive knowledge and experience


作繭自縛

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄨˊ

цзоцзяньцзыфу

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/t͡sɔːk̚³ kaːn³⁵ t͡siː²² pɔːk̚³/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/t͡sɔːk̚³ kaːn³⁵ t͡siː²² pɔːk̚³/

to act in a way that traps oneself or puts oneself in a difficult situation


風吹草動

ㄈㄥ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄘㄠˇ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

фэнчуйцаодун

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ tʊŋ²²/


計日而待

ㄐㄧˋ ㄖˋ ㄦˊ ㄉㄞˋ

/t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐi̯³³ jɐt̚² jiː²¹ tɔːi̯²²/

/t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐi̯³³ jɐt̚² jiː²¹ tɔːi̯²²/

From Chu Shi Biao by 諸葛亮 (Zhūgě Liàng) (Zhuge Liang)

I hope that Your Majesty will be close to them and will place your faith in them. In this way, the revival of the Han dynasty will happen very soon.

227, 諸葛亮 (Zhūgě Liàng) (Zhuge Liang), 《出師表》

Yuàn bìxià qīn zhī, xìn zhī, zé hànshì zhī lóng, kě jìrì'érdài yě.

願陛下親之、信之，則漢室之隆，可計日而待也。

愿陛下亲之、信之，则汉室之隆，可计日而待也。


高朋滿座

ㄍㄠ ㄆㄥˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

гаопэнманьцзо

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pʰɤŋ³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ pʰɐŋ²¹ muːn¹³ t͡sɔː²²/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pʰɤŋ³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ pʰɐŋ²¹ muːn¹³ t͡sɔː²²/

Today is the holiday that occurs every ten days. Friends are gathering like clouds. Noble guests arrive from remote places, and fill up all the seats.

Shíxún xiū xiá, shèng yǒu rú yún, qiānlǐ féng yíng, gāopéngmǎnzuò.

十旬休暇，勝友如雲，千里逢迎，高朋滿座。

十旬休暇，胜友如云，千里逢迎，高朋满座。

to have a large number of friends and guests


寥寥可數

ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄨˇ

/li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/liːu̯²¹ liːu̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ sou̯³⁵/

/liːu̯²¹ liːu̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ sou̯³⁵/


春和景明

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄏㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

чуньхэцзинмин

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ wɔː²¹ kɪŋ³⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ wɔː²¹ kɪŋ³⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

From Yueyang Lou Ji by 范仲淹 (Fan Zhongyan)

The spring scenery is warm and the sunshine is brilliant; the waves do not rise.

至若春和景明，波瀾不驚。

至若春和景明，波澜不惊。

the spring scenery is warm and the sunshine is brilliant


博學多才

ㄅㄛˊ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘㄞˊ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ hɔːk̚² tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² to⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sai²⁴/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² to⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²⁴/

/pʰak̚²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻² to³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/pɔːk̚³ hɔːk̚² tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² to⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sai²⁴/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

/pʰɔk̚³²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² to⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sai²⁴/

/pʰak̚²⁻⁴ hak̚⁴⁻² to³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/


數不勝數

ㄕㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄕㄨˇ

ㄕㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄕㄨˇ

/ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sou̯³⁵/

/ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ sou̯³⁵/


排除萬難

ㄆㄞˊ ㄔㄨˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄋㄢˊ

пайчуваньнань

/pʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ wän⁵¹ nän³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯²¹ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ maːn²² naːn²¹/

/pʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ wän⁵¹ nän³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯²¹ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ maːn²² naːn²¹/


排山倒海

ㄆㄞˊ ㄕㄢ ㄉㄠˇ ㄏㄞˇ

пайшаньдаохай

/pʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰaːi̯²¹ saːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/pai²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴ to⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hai⁵³/

/pai²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ to¹¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/pai²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ tɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ hai⁴¹/

/pʰaːi̯²¹ saːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/pai²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴ to⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hai⁵³/

/pai²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴ to¹¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/pai²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴ tɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ hai⁴¹/

overwhelming; with great power and influence


大排長龍

ㄉㄚˋ ㄆㄞˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/tä⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² pʰaːi̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

/tä⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² pʰaːi̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/


擢髮難數

ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄈㄚˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄕㄨˇ

ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄕㄨˇ

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ fä⁵¹ nän³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːk̚² faːt̚³ naːn²¹ sou̯³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ fä⁵¹ nän³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːk̚² faːt̚³ naːn²¹ sou̯³⁵/

Xu Jia said: “I have committed so many sins that it even if you pull away all my hair for counting them would not be enough.”

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

(Xū Jiǎ) yuē: “Zhuó gǔ zhī fà yǐ xù gǔ zhī zuì, shàng wèi zú.”

（須賈）曰：「擢賈之髮以續賈之罪，尚未足。」

（须贾）曰：「擢贾之发以续贾之罪，尚未足。」

so many that one cannot finish counting even with all strands of hair pulled out


躝屍趷路

𨅬尸趷路
躝屍趌路
躝屍䞘路

/laːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ kɐt̚² lou̯²²/

/laːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ kɐt̚² lou̯²²/

(Cantonese, vulgar, dismissal) to go away; to get lost; to go to hell


自強不息

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (自強不息):
* → Korean: 자강불식(自強不息) (jagangbulsik)

ㄗˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧ

ㄗˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧˊ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/t͡sɯ⁴¹⁻²² kiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siak̚⁵/

/t͡su³³⁻¹¹ kiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/t͡su³³⁻²¹ kiɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ kiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ kiaŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪk̚³²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡siː²² kʰœːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/t͡sɯ⁴¹⁻²² kiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siak̚⁵/

/t͡su³³⁻¹¹ kiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/t͡su³³⁻²¹ kiɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ kiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪk̚³²/

/t͡su²²⁻²¹ kiaŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪk̚³²/

Heaven, in its motion, (gives the idea of) strength. The superior man, in accordance with this, nerves himself to ceaseless activity.

I Ching, 11ᵗʰ – 8ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

天行健，君子以自強不息。

天行健，君子以自强不息。

to strive to better oneself constantly and never slacken

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 1


斬腳趾避沙蟲

to sever one's toes to avoid [having them being bitten by] sandworms

/t͡saːm³⁵ kœːk̚³ t͡siː³⁵ pei̯²² saː⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹⁻³⁵/

/t͡saːm³⁵ kœːk̚³ t͡siː³⁵ pei̯²² saː⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹/

(Cantonese) to inappropriately solve a problem by eliminating something essential


力排眾議

ㄌㄧˋ ㄆㄞˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄧˋ

/li⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/lɪk̚² pʰaːi̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ³³ jiː¹³/

/li⁵¹ pʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/lɪk̚² pʰaːi̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ³³ jiː¹³/

to try hard to refute and eliminate opposing opinions to maintain one's stance


多如牛毛

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄖㄨˊ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄇㄠˊ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/tɔː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ ŋɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/tɔː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ ŋɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹/

extremely numerous; as numerous as the strands of hair on a cow


離題萬丈

to stray from the subject by ten thousand zhang

ㄌㄧˊ ㄊㄧ ㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄤˋ

литиваньчжан

/li³⁵ tʰi⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/lei̯²¹ tʰɐi̯²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/

/li³⁵ tʰi⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/lei̯²¹ tʰɐi̯²¹ maːn²² t͡sœːŋ²²/


鐵石心腸

iron and stone-made heart and intestines

ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄕˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄔㄤˊ

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ sɛːk̚² sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ sɛːk̚² sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/


營營役役

ㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄥˊ ㄧˋ ㄧˋ

/iŋ³⁵ iŋ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ²¹ jɪk̚² jɪk̚²/

/iŋ³⁵ iŋ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ²¹ jɪk̚² jɪk̚²/

to be continuously busy pursuing fame and fortune


曲終人散

ㄑㄩˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄖㄣˊ ㄙㄢˋ

цюйчжунжэньсань

/t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ sɐn³³/

/t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ sɐn³³/

a bustling scene becomes deserted and cheerless


從容就義

ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧˋ

ㄘㄨㄥ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧˋ

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/sʊŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯²² jiː²²/

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/sʊŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯²² jiː²²/

to die for a just cause calmly and fearlessly


苦盡甘來

ㄎㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄍㄢ ㄌㄞˊ

куцзиньганьлай

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ t͡sɵn²² kɐm⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ lai²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ kam⁴⁴⁻²² lai²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin³³⁻²¹ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ lai²³/

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ t͡sɵn²² kɐm⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin³³⁻¹¹ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ lai²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin²²⁻²¹ kam⁴⁴⁻²² lai²⁴/

/kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sin³³⁻²¹ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ lai²³/

the difficult time has passed and the pleasant or joyful time comes


火樹銀花

ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄕㄨˋ ㄧㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄚ

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹ in³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ syː²² ŋɐn²¹ faː⁵⁵/

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹ in³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ syː²² ŋɐn²¹ faː⁵⁵/

magnificently illuminated with brilliant lights or fireworks


責無旁貸

ㄗㄜˊ ㄨˊ ㄆㄤˊ ㄉㄞˋ

/t͡sɤ³⁵ u³⁵ pʰɑŋ³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡saːk̚³ mou̯²¹ pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰaːi̯³³/

/t͡seʔ²⁻⁴ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai²¹³/

/t͡sɤ³⁵ u³⁵ pʰɑŋ³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡saːk̚³ mou̯²¹ pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰaːi̯³³/

/t͡seʔ²⁻⁴ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tai²¹³/

There's no need to be so polite with me. This is my responsibility.

Nǐ jiù bié gēn wǒ kèqi le, zhè shì wǒ zéwúpángdài.

你就別跟我客氣了，這事我責無旁貸。

你就别跟我客气了，这事我责无旁贷。


穩如泰山

ㄨㄣˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄊㄞˋ ㄕㄢ

вэньжутайшань

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵/

/wɐn³⁵ jyː²¹ tʰɐi̯³³ saːn⁵⁵/

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵/

/wɐn³⁵ jyː²¹ tʰɐi̯³³ saːn⁵⁵/


掠長補短

/lia(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² pɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ te⁵³/

/lia(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tŋ̍²³⁻³³ pɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹/

/lia(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ pɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ te⁵³/

/lia(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ tŋ̍¹³⁻²² pɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ te⁵³/

/lia(ʔ)²⁴⁻² tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² pɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tə⁵⁵⁴/

/lia(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² pɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ te⁵³/

/lia(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tŋ̍²³⁻³³ pɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹/

/lia(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ pɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ te⁵³/

/lia(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ tŋ̍¹³⁻²² pɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ te⁵³/

/lia(ʔ)²⁴⁻² tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² pɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tə⁵⁵⁴/

(Hokkien) to learn from others' merits to offset one's weaknesses


取長補短

ㄑㄩˇ ㄔㄤˊ ㄅㄨˇ ㄉㄨㄢˇ

цюйчанбудуань

/t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ pou̯³⁵ tyːn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ pou̯³⁵ tyːn³⁵/

Now, Teng, taking its length with its breadth, will amount, I suppose, to fifty li. It is small, but still sufficient to make a good State.

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

Jīn téng, jué cháng bǔ duǎn, jiāng wǔshí lǐ yě, yóu kěyǐ wèi shàn guó.

今滕，絕長補短，將五十里也，猶可以為善國。

今滕，绝长补短，将五十里也，犹可以为善国。

Cadres, new and old, should respect each other, learn from each other and overcome their own shortcomings by learning from each other's strong points, so as to unite as one in the common cause and guard against sectarian tendencies.

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

Xīnlǎo gànbù yīnggāi shì bǐcǐ zūnzhòng, hùxiāng xuéxí, qǔchángbǔduǎn, yǐbiàn tuánjié yīzhì, jìnxíng gòngtóng de shìyè, ér fángzhǐ zōngpài zhǔyì de qīngxiàng.

新老幹部應該是彼此尊重，互相學習，取長補短，以便團結一致，進行共同的事業，而防止宗派主義的傾向。

新老干部应该是彼此尊重，互相学习，取长补短，以便团结一致，进行共同的事业，而防止宗派主义的倾向。


欺世盜名

ㄑㄧ ㄕˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/hei̯⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ tou̯²² mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/hei̯⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ tou̯²² mɪŋ²¹/


筋疲力盡

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄆㄧˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

цзиньпилицзинь

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pʰi³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/kɐn⁵⁵ pʰei̯²¹ lɪk̚² t͡sɵn²²/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pʰi³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/kɐn⁵⁵ pʰei̯²¹ lɪk̚² t͡sɵn²²/


戰無不勝

to fight without not winning a single war

ㄓㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ

/ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ u³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siːn³³ mou̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ³³/

/ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ u³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siːn³³ mou̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ³³/

to win every battle; to be ever-victorious


捨生取義

ㄕㄜˇ ㄕㄥ ㄑㄩˇ ㄧˋ

/ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/sɛː³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jiː²²/

/sia⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡi²²/

/sia⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡi³³/

/sia⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡi³³/

/ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/sɛː³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jiː²²/

/sia⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡi²²/

/sia⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡi³³/

/sia⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡi³³/

So, I like life, and I also like righteousness. If I cannot keep the two together, I will let life go, and choose righteousness.

Shēng, yì wǒ suǒ yù yě; yì, yì wǒ suǒ yù yě, èrzhě bùkě dé jiān, shě shēng ér qǔ yì zhě yě.

生，亦我所欲也；義，亦我所欲也，二者不可得兼，舍生而取義者也。

生，亦我所欲也；义，亦我所欲也，二者不可得兼，舍生而取义者也。

to die to achieve virtue; to die for a just cause

魚與熊掌不可兼得

Another idiom derived from the same paragraph in Mencius.


薄利多銷

ㄅㄛˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄒㄧㄠ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚² lei̯²² tɔː⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɔːk̚² lei̯²² tɔː⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

In supplying the peasants with manufactured goods we follow a policy of larger sales at a small profit and of stabilizing or appropriately reducing their prices.

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

Wǒmen zài xiàng nóngmín gōngyìng gōngyèpǐn fāngmiàn, cǎiqǔ bólìduōxiāo, wěndìng wùjià huò shìdàng jiàngjià de zhèngcè.

我們在向農民供應工業品方面，採取薄利多銷、穩定物價或適當降價的政策。

我们在向农民供应工业品方面，采取薄利多销、稳定物价或适当降价的政策。

to sell at low prices to obtain small profits but quick returns


滿目瘡痍

ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄤ ㄧˊ

маньмучуанъи

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵/

/muːn¹³ mʊk̚² t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵/

/muːn¹³ mʊk̚² t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹/

devastation everywhere after a catastrophe


瘡痍滿目

ㄔㄨㄤ ㄧˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄨˋ

чуанъиманьму

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ muːn¹³ mʊk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ muːn¹³ mʊk̚²/

滿目瘡痍 滿目瘡痍#Chinese

满目疮痍 满目疮痍#Chinese

Synonym of 滿目瘡痍／满目疮痍 (mǎnmùchuāngyí, “devastation everywhere after a catastrophe”)


大開眼界

ㄉㄚˋ ㄎㄞ ㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄝˋ

/tä⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ ŋaːn¹³ kaːi̯³³/

/tä⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ ŋaːn¹³ kaːi̯³³/

I have come into contact with so many new things here — it's been really eye-opening.

Wǒ zài zhèlǐ jiēchù le zhème duō de xīnxiān shìwù, wǒ zhēnshì dàkāiyǎnjiè.

我在這裡接觸了這麼多的新鮮事物，我真是大開眼界。

我在这里接触了这么多的新鲜事物，我真是大开眼界。

eye-opening; able to broaden one's horizon


聞名遐邇

ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˊ ㄦˇ

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ haː²¹ jiː¹³/

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ haː²¹ jiː¹³/

to enjoy widespread renown; to be well-known far and near


價值連城

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄓˊ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄔㄥˊ

цзячжиляньчэн

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/kaː³³ t͡sɪk̚² liːn²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/kaː³³ t͡sɪk̚² liːn²¹ sɪŋ²¹/


照本宣科

ㄓㄠˋ ㄅㄣˇ ㄒㄩㄢ ㄎㄜ

чжаобэньсюанькэ

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵/

/t͡siːu̯³³ puːn³⁵ syːn⁵⁵ fɔː⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵/

/t͡siːu̯³³ puːn³⁵ syːn⁵⁵ fɔː⁵⁵/

to repeat exactly what is written in the script or book


自毀長城

ㄗˋ ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄔㄤˊ ㄔㄥˊ

цзыхуэйчанчэн

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² wɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/t͡siː²² wɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

to weaken oneself; to destroy one's own advantages or accomplishments


樂極生悲

ㄌㄜˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄟ

/lɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² kɪk̚² sɐŋ⁵⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/

/lɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiɪk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pi⁴⁴/

/lɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² kɪk̚² sɐŋ⁵⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/

/lɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiɪk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ pi⁴⁴/

a joyful situation turns sorrowful at its climax


另起爐灶

ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧˇ ㄌㄨˊ ㄗㄠˋ

/liŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu³⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²² hei̯³⁵ lou̯²¹ t͡sou̯³³/

/liŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu³⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²² hei̯³⁵ lou̯²¹ t͡sou̯³³/

1933, Lu Xun, “查舊帳”, in 准風月談, 魯迅全集出版社, published 1947, page 52:

Zhǎnfàn bǎng fù fǎchǎng de shíhòu, dàjiào dào, “guò le èrshí nián, yòu shì yī tiáo hǎohàn!” Wèile lìngqǐlúzào, cóng xīn zuòrén, fēi jīngguò èrshí nián bùkě, zhēnshì máfán dehěn.

斬犯綁赴法場的時候，大叫道，「過了二十年，又是一條好漢！」為了另起爐竈，從新做人，非經過二十年不可，真是麻煩得很。

斩犯绑赴法场的时候，大叫道，「过了二十年，又是一条好汉！」为了另起炉灶，从新做人，非经过二十年不可，真是麻烦得很。

(figurative) to establish another separate entity or business


無往而不利

ㄨˊ ㄨㄢˇ ㄍㄜˊㄦ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ

уваньгэрбули

/u³⁵ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²²/

/u³⁵ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²²/

無往不利 無往不利#Chinese

无往不利 无往不利#Chinese

Synonym of 無往不利／无往不利 (wúwǎngbùlì, “to be successful in every endeavour”)


前車可鑒

the overturned cart ahead can serve as a lesson

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔㄜ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

цяньчэкэцзянь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

цяньцзюйкэцзянь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ hɔː³⁵ kaːm³³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ hɔː³⁵ kaːm³³/

previous experience of failure can serve as a lesson for oneself or others


前車之鑒

the warning taken from the overturned cart ahead

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔㄜ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

цяньчэчжицзянь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

цяньцзюйчжицзянь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːm³³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːm³³/

previous experience of failure that serves as a lesson for oneself or others


聱牙佶屈

ㄠˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄐㄧˊ ㄑㄩ

/ˀɑʊ̯³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/ˀɑʊ̯³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

佶屈聱牙 佶屈聱牙#Chinese

Synonym of 佶屈聱牙 (jíqū'áoyá, “(of a text) difficult to read and understand”)


偷呃拐騙

/tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ aːk̚⁵ kʷaːi̯³⁵ pʰiːn³³/

/tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ aːk̚⁵ kʷaːi̯³⁵ pʰiːn³³/

(Cantonese) to steal, swindle, and kidnap; to commit all kinds of crimes


豐功偉績

ㄈㄥ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄨㄟˇ ㄐㄧˋ

ㄈㄥ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄨㄟˇ ㄐㄧ

фэнгунвэйцзи

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯¹³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯¹³ t͡sɪk̚⁵/


岌岌可危

ㄐㄧˊ ㄐㄧˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄨㄟ

ㄐㄧˊ ㄐㄧˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄨㄟˊ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kʰɐp̚⁵ kʰɐp̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/kʰɐp̚⁵ kʰɐp̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹/

extremely dangerous; extremely precarious


健步如飛

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄈㄟ

цзяньбужуфэй

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/


堅如磐石

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄖㄨˊ ㄆㄢˊ ㄕˊ

цзяньжупаньши

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ pʰän³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kiːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ sɛːk̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ pʰän³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/kiːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ sɛːk̚²/


堅不可摧

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄘㄨㄟ

цзяньбукэцуй

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/kiːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/kiːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵/

extremely firm; indestructible; impregnable


食古不化

ㄕˊ ㄍㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/sɪk̚² kuː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faː³³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/sɪk̚² kuː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faː³³/

to rigidly adhere to old methods or styles without being flexible


自慚形穢

ㄗˋ ㄘㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

цзыцаньсинхуэй

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² t͡sʰaːm²¹ jɪŋ²¹ wɐi̯³³/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² t͡sʰaːm²¹ jɪŋ²¹ wɐi̯³³/


蜂目豺聲

ㄈㄥ ㄇㄨˋ ㄔㄞˊ ㄕㄥ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ mʊk̚² t͡sʰaːi̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ mʊk̚² t͡sʰaːi̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

蜂目而豺聲，忍人也。

蜂目而豺声，忍人也。

with the eyes of a bee and the voice of a dhole

having a fierce appearance and a frightening voice; ferocious


危如累卵

ㄨㄟ ㄖㄨˊ ㄌㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄢˇ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄌㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄢˇ

вэйжулэйлуань

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/weɪ̯³⁵ ʐu³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ jyː²¹ lɵy̯¹³ lɵn³⁵/

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/weɪ̯³⁵ ʐu³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ jyː²¹ lɵy̯¹³ lɵn³⁵/

Thus, Cao was a small state pressed between Jin and Chu. Its ruler was in constant danger as piled eggs are, but he accorded the Prince of Qin such a discourteous reception. This was the reason why his posterity was wiped out.

Han Feizi, circa 2ⁿᵈ century BCE, translated based on W. K. Liao's version

Gù Cáo xiǎoguó yě. Ér pò yú Jìn, Chǔ zhī jiān. Qí jūn zhī wēi yóu lěi luǎn yě. Ér yǐ wúlǐ lì zhī. Cǐ suǒyǐ juéshì yě.

故曹小國也。而迫於晉、楚之間。其君之危猶累卵也。而以無禮蒞之。此所以絕世也。

故曹小国也。而迫于晋、楚之间。其君之危犹累卵也。而以无礼莅之。此所以绝世也。

as precarious as a vertical pile of eggs

Cao (state)
Chu (state)
Han Feizi
Jin (Chinese state)


窮山惡水

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄕㄢ ㄜˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ saːn⁵⁵ ɔːk̚³ sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ saːn⁵⁵ ɔːk̚³ sɵy̯³⁵/

very poor and adverse natural environment


鐵心石腸

ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄕˊ ㄔㄤˊ

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ sɐm⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ sɐm⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

鐵石心腸 鐵石心腸#Chinese

铁石心肠 铁石心肠#Chinese

(literary) Synonym of 鐵石心腸／铁石心肠 (tiěshíxīncháng, “stone-hearted; unmoved”)


豺狼當道

ㄔㄞˊ ㄌㄤˊ ㄉㄤ ㄉㄠˋ

чайландандао

/ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵ lɑŋ³⁵ tɑŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵ lɑŋ³⁵ tɑŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

dholes and wolves hold the road; wicked people in power; a tyrant rules the land


多姿多彩

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄗ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘㄞˇ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɔː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

/tɔː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

varied and colorful; splendid; diversity (of forms and colors); elegant and graceful posture


熟視無睹

ㄕㄨˊ ㄕˋ ㄨˊ ㄉㄨˇ

ㄕㄡˊ ㄕˋ ㄨˊ ㄉㄨˇ

/ʂu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂoʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sʊk̚² siː²² mou̯²¹ tou̯³⁵/

/ʂu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂoʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ tu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sʊk̚² siː²² mou̯²¹ tou̯³⁵/

to turn a blind eye to; to pay no attention to a familiar sight


投畀豺虎

ㄊㄡˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄔㄞˊ ㄏㄨˇ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

I would take those slanderers,
And throw them to dholes and tigers.

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

取彼譖人，投畀豺虎。

取彼谮人，投畀豺虎。

to be deeply resentful against evildoers (especially slanderers)


老當益壯

ㄌㄠˇ ㄉㄤ ㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

лаоданъичжуан

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɪk̚⁵ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/lo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sɔŋ²¹/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɪk̚⁵ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/lo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sɔŋ²¹/

From a quote of Ma Yuan in the Book of the Later Han by 范曄 (Fan Ye)

When a real man shows resolve, he becomes stronger when in distress, and more ambitious when he ages.

The Book of the Later Han, circa 5ᵗʰ century CE

Zhàngfū wèi zhì, qióng dāng yì jiān, lǎodāngyìzhuàng.

丈夫為志，窮當益堅，老當益壯。

丈夫为志，穷当益坚，老当益壮。

Though being old, we should be more ambitious; how can we change our ambitions when our hair is greying?

Lǎodāngyìzhuàng, níng yí báishǒu zhī xīn?

老當益壯，寧移白首之心？

老当益壮，宁移白首之心？

to have one's ambition or resolve growing stronger even though he or she is old

Book of the Later Han
Fan Ye (historian)


眾口鑠金

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

чжункоушоцзинь

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ hɐu̯³⁵ sœːk̚³ kɐm⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ hɐu̯³⁵ sœːk̚³ kɐm⁵⁵/

the clamorous words or opinions of the mass may obscure the facts or turn lies into truth


聲淚俱下

ㄕㄥ ㄌㄟˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

шэнлэйцзюйся

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ lɵy̯²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ haː²²/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ lɵy̯²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ haː²²/

to cry and speak at the same time in a deeply sorrowful manner


無遠弗屆

ㄨˊ ㄩㄢˇ ㄈㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄝˋ

/u³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jyːn¹³ fɐt̚⁵ kaːi̯³³/

/u³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jyːn¹³ fɐt̚⁵ kaːi̯³³/

It is virtue that moves Heaven; there is no distance to which it does not reach. Pride brings loss, and humility receives increase - this is the way of Heaven.

The Book of Documents, circa 4ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ century BCE

Wéi dé dòng tiān, wú yuǎn fú jiè, mǎn zhāosǔn，qiān shòuyì, shí nǎi tiāndào.

惟德動天，無遠弗屆，滿招損，謙受益，時乃天道。

惟德动天，无远弗届，满招损，谦受益，时乃天道。

to be able to reach everywhere, regardless of distances


十惡不赦

ㄕˊ ㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄜˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² ɔːk̚³ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² ɔːk̚³ pɐt̚⁵ sɛː³³/

(historical) ten kinds of crimes that could not be pardoned

to be evil to the extreme and beyond redemption; so evil that one cannot be forgiven or pardoned


積非成是

ㄐㄧ ㄈㄟ ㄔㄥˊ ㄕˋ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ siː²²/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ siː²²/

mistakes have become so habitual that they are instead regarded as right


雞鳴狗盜

Sino-Xenic (雞鳴狗盜):
* → Japanese: 鶏(けい)鳴(めい)狗(く)盗(とう) (keimei-kutō)

ㄐㄧ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄍㄡˇ ㄉㄠˋ

цзимингоудао

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ tou̯²²/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ tou̯²²/

From the story of Lord Mengchang (孟嘗君) escaping from King Zhao of Qin (秦昭王) with the help of his two retainers, one crowing like a chicken and the other disguising as a dog to sneak into the Qin palace to steal a white fur coat for the king's concubine

At this time, Lord Mengchang once had an expensive and unique white fox-fur coat, and as he entered Qin, he offered it to king Zhao, who wanted no other fur. Mengchang was worried and asked his followers, but none could come up with a solution. The lowest-ranked of them, who could steal like a dog, says that he could get the fur coat back. That night, the thief disguised as a dog, entered the Qin royal treasury, stole the fur coat, and offered it to the king's favourite lady, who was able to persuade King Zhao to release Mengchang. Once he was released, Mengchang departed immediately, changed his identity, and faked his credentials in order to exit the frontier pass. At midnight, they reached the Hangu Pass. King Zhao of Qin regretted releasing Mengchang and attempted to find him, but he had escaped already. Thus, the King ordered his men to chase him on fast postal horses. Mengchang reached the Hangu Pass. By law, travellers were not allowed to exit the pass until morning when cocks cry. Mengchang was afraid that the soldiers would get him. One of his followers could imitate the cry like a cock. When he starts to cry, the cocks nearby all started to cry one after another. Then, Mengchang presented his fake credentials and exited the Hangu Pass.

Cǐshí Mèngchángjūn yǒu yī húbái qiú, zhí qiānjīn, tiānxià wúshuāng, rù Qín xiàn zhī Zhāowáng, gèng wú tā qiú. Mèngchángjūn huàn zhī, biàn wèn kè, mò néng duì. Zuì xiàzuò yǒu néng wéi gǒudào zhě, yuē “chén néng dé húbái qiú”. Nǎi yè wéi gǒu, yǐ rù Qín gōng zāng zhōng, qǔ suǒxiàn húbái qiú zhì, yǐ xiàn Qínwáng xìng jī. Xìngjī wèi yán Zhāowáng, Zhāowáng shì Mèngchángjūn. Mèngchángjūn dé chū, jí chí qù, gēng fēngzhuàn, biàn míngxìng yǐ chūguān. Yèbàn zhì Hángǔguān. Qín Zhāowáng hòuhuǐ chū Mèngchángjūn, qiú zhī yǐ qù, jí shǐrén chí zhuàn zhú zhī. Mèngchángjūn zhì guān, guān fǎ, jīmíng ér chū kè, Mèngchángjūn kǒng zhuī zhì. Kè zhī jū xiàzuò zhě yǒu néng wéi jī míng, ér jī qí míng, suì fā zhuàn chū.

此時孟嘗君有一狐白裘，直千金，天下無雙，入秦獻之昭王，更無他裘。孟嘗君患之，遍問客，莫能對。最下坐有能為狗盜者，曰「臣能得狐白裘」。乃夜為狗，以入秦宮臧中，取所獻狐白裘至，以獻秦王幸姬。幸姬為言昭王，昭王釋孟嘗君。孟嘗君得出，即馳去，更封傳，變名姓以出關。夜半至函谷關。秦昭王後悔出孟嘗君，求之已去，即使人馳傳逐之。孟嘗君至關，關法，雞鳴而出客，孟嘗君恐追至。客之居下坐者有能為雞鳴，而雞齊鳴，遂發傳出。

此时孟尝君有一狐白裘，直千金，天下无双，入秦献之昭王，更无他裘。孟尝君患之，遍问客，莫能对。最下坐有能为狗盗者，曰「臣能得狐白裘」。乃夜为狗，以入秦宫臧中，取所献狐白裘至，以献秦王幸姬。幸姬为言昭王，昭王释孟尝君。孟尝君得出，即驰去，更封传，变名姓以出关。夜半至函谷关。秦昭王后悔出孟尝君，求之已去，即使人驰传逐之。孟尝君至关，关法，鸡鸣而出客，孟尝君恐追至。客之居下坐者有能为鸡鸣，而鸡齐鸣，遂发传出。

to crow like a chicken and steal like a dog


鳶肩豺目

ㄩㄢ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄔㄞˊ ㄇㄨˋ

юаньцзянь чайму

/ɥɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵ mu⁵¹/

/ɥɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵ mu⁵¹/

with shoulders like a kite and eyes like a dhole; someone who appears sinister and threatening


歡頭喜面

/huã⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin²²/

/huã³³ tʰau²⁴⁻²² hi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bin⁴¹/

/huã⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau¹³⁻²² hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin²²/

/huã⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/huã⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ hi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/huã⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin²²/

/huã³³ tʰau²⁴⁻²² hi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bin⁴¹/

/huã⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau¹³⁻²² hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin²²/

/huã⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/huã⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ hi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

(Hokkien) overjoyed with a radiant face; beaming with joy


天南地北

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄋㄢˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄅㄟˇ

тяньнаньдибэй

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ti⁵¹ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ti⁵¹ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


洪水猛獸

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄥˇ ㄕㄡˋ

хуншуймэншоу

/xʊŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ mɐŋ¹³ sɐu̯³³/

/xʊŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ mɐŋ¹³ sɐu̯³³/

enormous disasters; something that causes enormous damage


狂蜂浪蝶

ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄈㄥ ㄌㄤˋ ㄉㄧㄝˊ

куанфэнланде

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²² tiːp̚²/

/kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²² tiːp̚²/


得而復失

ㄉㄜˊ ㄦˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕ

/tɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tɐk̚⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² sɐt̚⁵/

/tɤ³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/tɐk̚⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² sɐt̚⁵/

to lose something after one had gained possession of it


巨大無比

ㄐㄩˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄧˇ

/t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ u³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɵy̯²² taːi̯²² mou̯²¹ pei̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ u³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɵy̯²² taːi̯²² mou̯²¹ pei̯³⁵/


失而復得

ㄕ ㄦˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/sɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² tɐk̚⁵/

/sik̚²⁻⁴ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tik̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/sɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² tɐk̚⁵/

/sik̚²⁻⁴ d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hok̚⁴⁻² tik̚²/

to regain something after it has been lost


以卵擊石

ㄧˇ ㄌㄨㄢˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiː¹³ lɵn³⁵ kɪk̚⁵ sɛːk̚²/

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiː¹³ lɵn³⁵ kɪk̚⁵ sɛːk̚²/

to overestimate one's capabilities or to attack a stronger opponent as the weaker side which is sure to end in failure


以卵投石

desc

→ Vietnamese: lấy trứng chọi đá (calque)

ㄧˇ ㄌㄨㄢˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄕˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiː¹³ lɵn³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ sɛːk̚²/

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiː¹³ lɵn³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ sɛːk̚²/

Mozi said: “My principle is sufficient. To abandon my principle and exercise thought is like abandoning the crop and trying to pick up grains. To refute my principle with one's own principle is like throwing an egg against a boulder. The eggs in the world would be exhausted without doing any harm to the boulder.”

Mozi, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on Y. P. Mei's version

Zǐ Mòzǐ yuē: “Wú yán zú yòng yǐ, shě yán gé sī zhě, shì yóu shě huò ér shí sù yě. Yǐ qí yán fēi wú yán zhě, shì yóu yǐluǎntóushí yě, jìn tiānxià zhī luǎn, qí shí yóu shì yě, bùkě huǐ yě.”

子墨子曰：「吾言足用矣，舍言革思者，是猶舍穫而拾粟也。以其言非吾言者，是猶以卵投石也，盡天下之卵，其石猶是也，不可毀也。」

子墨子曰：「吾言足用矣，舍言革思者，是犹舍获而拾粟也。以其言非吾言者，是犹以卵投石也，尽天下之卵，其石犹是也，不可毁也。」

以卵擊石 以卵擊石#Chinese

以卵击石 以卵击石#Chinese

Synonym of 以卵擊石／以卵击石 (yǐluǎnjíshí, “to overestimate one's capabilities or to attack a stronger opponent as the weaker side which is sure to end in failure”)


只見樹木，不見森林

to see only the trees but not the forest

ㄓˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄨˋ ㄇㄨˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄙㄣ ㄌㄧㄣˊ

чжицзяньшуму

буцзяньсэньлинь

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ sən⁵⁵ lin³⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ kiːn³³ syː²² mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ sɐm⁵⁵ lɐm²¹/

cannot see the forest for the trees
cannot see the forest for the trees

cannot see the forest for the trees; to only pay attention to minor details but ignore the bigger picture


罪大惡極

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄜˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯²² taːi̯²² ɔːk̚³ kɪk̚²/

/t͡sue²² tai⁴¹⁻²² ɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ kiak̚²⁴/

/t͡sue³³⁻²¹ tai³³⁻²¹ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪk̚⁴/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ tai²²⁻²¹ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪk̚⁴/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ tai²²⁻²¹ ɔk̚³²⁻⁵ kiɪk̚¹²¹/

/t͡sue³³⁻¹¹ tai³³⁻¹¹ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪk̚⁴/

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯²² taːi̯²² ɔːk̚³ kɪk̚²/

/t͡sue²² tai⁴¹⁻²² ɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ kiak̚²⁴/

/t͡sue³³⁻²¹ tai³³⁻²¹ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪk̚⁴/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ tai²²⁻²¹ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪk̚⁴/

/t͡sue²²⁻²¹ tai²²⁻²¹ ɔk̚³²⁻⁵ kiɪk̚¹²¹/

/t͡sue³³⁻¹¹ tai³³⁻¹¹ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kiɪk̚⁴/

to have committed a grave sin and be evil to the extreme


氣象萬千

ㄑㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

цисянваньцянь

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sœːŋ²² maːn²² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/hei̯³³ t͡sœːŋ²² maːn²² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

It is brilliant in the early morning and gloomy at nightfall, or vice versa; the scenery is ever-changing.

朝暉夕陰，氣象萬千。

朝晖夕阴，气象万千。


不以物喜，不以己悲

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄨˋ ㄒㄧˇ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄐㄧˇ ㄅㄟ

/pu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː¹³ mɐt̚² hei̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː¹³ kei̯³⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/

I have looked into the attitude of the ancient sages, and it was different from those of the two aforementioned groups of people, why? (The ancient sages) were not thrilled or depressed because of external objects and their experiences.

Yú cháng qiú gǔ rénrén zhī xīn, huò yì èrzhě zhī wèi, hé zāi? Bù yǐ wù xǐ, bù yǐ jǐ bēi.

予嘗求古仁人之心，或異二者之為，何哉？不以物喜，不以己悲。

予尝求古仁人之心，或异二者之为，何哉？不以物喜，不以己悲。

to not be thrilled or depressed because of external objects and one's experiences

to not be emotionally affected by external objects and one's experiences


見樹不見林

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ

цзяньшубуцзяньлинь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ lin³⁵/

/kiːn³³ syː²² pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ lɐm²¹/

/kiːn³³ syː²² pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ lɐm²¹/

只見樹木，不見森林 只見樹木，不見森林#Chinese

只见树木，不见森林 只见树木，不见森林#Chinese

Synonym of 只見樹木，不見森林／只见树木，不见森林 (zhǐjiànshùmù, bùjiànsēnlín, “cannot see the forest for the trees”)


選擇性失明

ㄒㄩㄢˇ ㄗㄜˊ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄕ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

сюаньцзэсин шимин

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɪŋ³³ sɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɪŋ³³ sɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

to deliberately ignore things unfavorable to one's views


如日方中

ㄖㄨˊ ㄖˋ ㄈㄤ ㄓㄨㄥ

/ʐu³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jɐt̚² fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jɐt̚² fɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

如日中天 如日中天#Chinese

Synonym of 如日中天 (rúrìzhōngtiān, “at the height of prosperity or power; at its zenith”)


車水馬龍

ㄔㄜ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ maː¹³ lʊŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lʊŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ maː¹³ lʊŋ²¹/

the bustling scene of traffic or people flowing through endlessly


索然寡味

ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄨㄟˋ

сожаньгуавэй

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɔːk̚³ jiːn²¹ kʷaː³⁵ mei̯²²/

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɔːk̚³ jiːn²¹ kʷaː³⁵ mei̯²²/

索然無味 索然無味#Chinese

索然无味 索然无味#Chinese

Synonym of 索然無味／索然无味 (suǒránwúwèi, “bored; unenthused”)


屢見不鮮

ㄌㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄢ

люйцзяньбусянь

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/lɵy̯¹³ kiːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/lu⁵²⁻³⁵ kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰĩ³³/

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/lɵy̯¹³ kiːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/lu⁵²⁻³⁵ kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰĩ³³/


無關痛癢

ㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄧㄤˇ

угуаньтунъян

/u³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ kʷaːn⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ jœːŋ¹³/

/u³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ kʷaːn⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ jœːŋ¹³/


判然不同

ㄆㄢˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

паньжаньбутун

/pʰän⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/pʰuːn³³ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/pʰän⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/pʰuːn³³ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/

to be completely different; to be markedly different


回心轉意

ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄧˋ

хуэйсиньчжуаньи

/xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/wuːi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ jiː³³/

/xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/wuːi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ jiː³³/


迥然不同

ㄐㄩㄥˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

цзюнжаньбутун

/t͡ɕi̯ʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/kʷɪŋ³⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/kʷɪŋ³⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹/


索然無味

ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˋ

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ u³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɔːk̚³ jiːn²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯²²/

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ u³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɔːk̚³ jiːn²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯²²/


扶搖直上

ㄈㄨˊ ㄧㄠˊ ㄓˊ ㄕㄤˋ

/fu³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/fuː²¹ jiːu̯²¹ t͡sɪk̚² sœːŋ¹³/

/fu³⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/fuː²¹ jiːu̯²¹ t͡sɪk̚² sœːŋ¹³/

When the peng is removing to the Southern Ocean it flaps (its wings) on the water for 3000 li. Then it ascends on a whirlwind 90,000 li.

Péng zhī xǐ yú nán míng yě, shuǐ jī sān qiān lǐ, tuán fúyáo ér shàng zhě jiǔ wàn lǐ.

鵬之徙於南冥也，水擊三千里，摶扶搖而上者九萬里。

鹏之徙于南冥也，水击三千里，抟扶摇而上者九万里。

rise through the ranks
rise through the ranks


絡繹不絕

络绎不绝
駱驛不絕
絡驛不絕

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/lɔːk̚³ jɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/lɔːk̚² jɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/lok̚⁴⁻² ek̚⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡soʔ⁴/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/lɔːk̚³ jɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/lɔːk̚² jɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/lok̚⁴⁻² ek̚⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡soʔ⁴/

(usually of traffic or people) to flow past endlessly


民不聊生

the people lost their livelihoods and have no way to make a living

ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄕㄥ

миньбуляошэн

/min³⁵ pu⁵¹ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ liːu̯²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/min³⁵ pu⁵¹ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ liːu̯²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

the people are living difficult and harrowing lives; the masses live in dire destitution


兄終弟及

ㄒㄩㄥ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄉㄧˋ ㄐㄧˊ

сюнчжундицзи

/ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐi̯²² kʰɐp̚²/

/ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tɐi̯²² kʰɐp̚²/

agnatic seniority (the younger brother of a titled person succeeds instead of the sons of the titled person)


父死子繼

ㄈㄨˋ ㄙˇ ㄗˇ ㄐㄧˋ

/fu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/fuː²² sei̯³⁵ t͡siː³⁵ kɐi̯³³/

/fu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/fuː²² sei̯³⁵ t͡siː³⁵ kɐi̯³³/

a system of succession where the son succeeds his father when his father dies


高山景行

ㄍㄠ ㄕㄢ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

ㄍㄠ ㄕㄢ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

гаошаньцзинсин

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ hɐŋ²²/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/kou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ hɐŋ²²/

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。


生機勃勃

ㄕㄥ ㄐㄧ ㄅㄛˊ ㄅㄛˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ puːt̚² puːt̚²/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵ puːt̚² puːt̚²/


舉世無雙

ㄐㄩˇ ㄕˋ ㄨˊ ㄕㄨㄤ

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ sɐi̯³³ mou̯²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ sɐi̯³³ mou̯²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵/


混為一談

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄧ ㄊㄢˊ

хуньвэйитань

/xu̯ən⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

/wɐn²² wɐi̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tʰaːm²¹/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

/wɐn²² wɐi̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ tʰaːm²¹/

to equate; to muddle; to confuse one thing for another


千絲萬縷

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄙ ㄨㄢˋ ㄌㄩˇ

цяньсываньлюй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ maːn²² lɐu̯¹³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ li⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ maːn²² lɐu̯¹³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ li⁴¹/


來者不拒

ㄌㄞˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩˋ

лайчжэбуцзюй

/laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɵy̯¹³/

/laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɵy̯¹³/

But you, Master, having arranged to give lessons, do not go back to inquire into the past, and you do not reject those who come to you. If they come with the mind to learn, you receive them without any more ado.

Fūzǐ zhī shè kē yě, wǎngzhě bù zhuī, láizhě bù jù. Gǒu yǐ shì xīn zhì, sī shòu zhī ér yǐ yǐ.

夫子之設科也，往者不追，來者不拒。苟以是心至，斯受之而已矣。

夫子之设科也，往者不追，来者不拒。苟以是心至，斯受之而已矣。

to refuse nobody; to accept all requests


東拉西扯

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄌㄚ ㄒㄧ ㄔㄜˇ

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ lä⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ laːi̯⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛː³⁵/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ lä⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ laːi̯⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛː³⁵/

to ramble incoherently; to talk about this and that


面不改色

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄞˇ ㄙㄜˋ

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹/

/miːn²² pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹/

/miːn²² pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

one's facial expression remains unchanged; to remain calm; without batting an eyelid


細嚼慢嚥

ㄒㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠˊ ㄇㄢˋ ㄧㄢˋ

сицзяоманьянь

/ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ män⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛn⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡sœːk̚³ maːn²² jiːn³³/

/ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ män⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛn⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡sœːk̚³ maːn²² jiːn³³/


處變不驚

ㄔㄨˇ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ

чубяньбуцзин

/ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰyː³⁵ piːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰyː³⁵ piːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/


舉重若輕

ㄐㄩˇ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧㄥ

цзюйчжунжоцин

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

to lift something heavy as if lifting something light

(figuratively) to handle a difficult task or situation with ease


拐彎抹角

ㄍㄨㄞˇ ㄨㄢ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

гуайваньмоцзяо

/ku̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄍㄨㄞˇ ㄨㄢㄦ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇㄦ

гуайваньрмоцзяор

/ku̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑɻ⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷaːi̯³⁵ waːn⁵⁵ muːt̚² kɔːk̚³/

/kʷaːi̯³⁵ waːn⁵⁵ muːt̚³ kɔːk̚³/

/kʷaːi̯³⁵ waːn⁵⁵ muːt̚² kɔːk̚³/

/kʷaːi̯³⁵ waːn⁵⁵ muːt̚³ kɔːk̚³/

to twist and turn; to turn a corner here and there

beat around the bush
beat around the bush

(figurative) to speak in a roundabout way; to beat around the bush; to equivocate


兩手空空

ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄎㄨㄥ

ляншоукункун

/li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/lœːŋ¹³ sɐu̯³⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/lœːŋ¹³ sɐu̯³⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

to be emptyhanded; to be left with nothing; not receiving anything


狗咬狗骨

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋaːu̯¹³ kɐu̯³⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋaːu̯¹³ kɐu̯³⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵/


不驕不躁

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄠˋ

буцзяобуцзао

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kiːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kiːu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

neither conceited nor rash; free from arrogance and rashness


洗耳恭聽

towash one's ears and listen with great respect

ㄒㄧˇ ㄦˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄊㄧㄥ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐi̯³⁵ jiː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰɪŋ³³/

/sɐi̯³⁵ jiː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐi̯³⁵ jiː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰɪŋ³³/

/sɐi̯³⁵ jiː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

to listen with respectful attention; to be all ears


夙夜在公

ㄙㄨˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sʊk̚⁵ jɛː²² t͡sɔːi̯²² kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sʊk̚⁵ jɛː²² t͡sɔːi̯²² kʊŋ⁵⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 13 (《詩經·召南·采蘩》)

(《詩經·召南·采蘩》)

(《詩經·召南·采蘩》)

With head-dress reverently rising aloft, Early, while yet it is night, she is in the prince's temple;
In her dead-dress, slowly retiring, She returns to her own apartments.

Bèi zhī tóngtóng, sùyè zài gōng.
Bèi zhī qíqí, bó yán hái guī.

被之僮僮、夙夜在公。
被之祁祁、薄言還歸。

被之僮僮、夙夜在公。
被之祁祁、薄言还归。

The General Secretary emphasized that we must at all times be of kindred spirit with the masses, share the joys and sorrows of the masses, rally together with and fight with the masses, carry out business day and night, work diligently, and work hard to pass the test of history and of the masses.

15 November 2012, quoting Xi Jinping (習近平), 人民对美好生活的向往就是我们的奋斗目标（辉煌历程） (Archived), Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China

Zǒngshūjì qiángdiào, wǒmen yīdìng yào shǐzhōng yǔ rénmín xīnxīnxiāngyìn, yǔ rénmín tónggāngòngkǔ, yǔ rénmín tuánjié fèndòu, sùyèzàigōng, qínmiǎn gōngzuò, nǔlì xiàng lìshǐ, xiàng rénmín jiāochū yī fèn hégé de dájuàn.

總書記強調，我們一定要始終與人民心心相印、與人民同甘共苦、與人民團結奮鬥，夙夜在公，勤勉工作，努力向歷史、向人民交出一份合格的答卷。

总书记强调，我们一定要始终与人民心心相印、与人民同甘共苦、与人民团结奋斗，夙夜在公，勤勉工作，努力向历史、向人民交出一份合格的答卷。

attentively carry out official business at all times


家道中落

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄠˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄨㄛˋ

цзядао чжунло

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ tou̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ tou̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

the family fortunes has declined; the family fortunes are at a low ebb


輸少當贏

/syː⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ tɔːŋ³³ jɛːŋ²¹/

/syː⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ tɔːŋ³³ jɛːŋ²¹/

(Cantonese) to regard losing less as winning


各自為戰

ㄍㄜˋ ㄗˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓㄢˋ

гэцзывэйчжань

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡siːn³³/

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² wɐi̯²¹ t͡siːn³³/

each person fights his or her own battle


義薄雲天

ㄧˋ ㄅㄛˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄊㄧㄢ

/i⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ yn³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jiː²² pɔːk̚² wɐn²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/jiː²² pɪk̚⁵ wɐn²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ yn³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jiː²² pɔːk̚² wɐn²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/jiː²² pɪk̚⁵ wɐn²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵/


恥與為伍

ㄔˇ ㄩˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄨˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ jyː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ ŋ̍¹³/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ jyː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ ŋ̍¹³/

to regard the association with a particular person or group as disgrace


羞與為伍

ㄒㄧㄡ ㄩˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄨˇ

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ ŋ̍¹³/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ ŋ̍¹³/

恥與為伍 恥與為伍#Chinese

耻与为伍 耻与为伍#Chinese

Synonym of 恥與為伍／耻与为伍 (chǐyǔwéiwǔ, “to regard the association with a particular person or group as disgrace”)


冇料扮四條

/mou̯¹³ liːu̯²²⁻³⁵ paːn²² sei̯³³ tʰiːu̯²¹⁻³⁵/

(Cantonese, slang) to pretend to be capable when one is actually incapable


日薄西山

ㄖˋ ㄅㄛˊ ㄒㄧ ㄕㄢ

/ʐ̩⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² pɔːk̚² sɐi̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² pɪk̚⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² pɔːk̚² sɐi̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² pɪk̚⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵/

Dàn yǐ Liú rìbóxīshān, qìxī yǎnyǎn, rénmìng wēiqiǎn, cháobùlǜxī.

但以劉日薄西山，氣息奄奄，人命危淺，朝不慮夕。

但以刘日薄西山，气息奄奄，人命危浅，朝不虑夕。

(of something) to be declining and near its end


觸景傷情

ㄔㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄤ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

чуцзиншанцин

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ kɪŋ³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/


害人不淺

ㄏㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˇ

хайжэньбуцянь

/xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn³⁵/

/xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn³⁵/


值回票價

ㄓˊ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄆㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄧㄚˋ

чжихуэйпяоцзя

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² wuːi̯²¹ pʰiːu̯³³ kaː³³/

/t͡sɪk̚² wuːi̯²¹ pʰiːu̯³³ kaː³³/


沒戲唱

/meɪ̯³⁵ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹/

/meɪ̯³⁵ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹/


不煙不酒

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ

/pu⁵¹ jɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ jɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵/


衣衫襤褸

ㄧ ㄕㄢ ㄌㄢˊ ㄌㄩˇ

ишаньланьлюй

/i⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ län³⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ laːm²¹ lɵy̯¹³/

/jiː⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ laːm²¹ lɐu̯¹³/

/i⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ län³⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ laːm²¹ lɵy̯¹³/

/jiː⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ laːm²¹ lɐu̯¹³/


無疾而終

ㄨˊ ㄐㄧˊ ㄦˊ ㄓㄨㄥ

/u³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sɐt̚² jiː²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sɐt̚² jiː²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/


首尾兩端

ㄕㄡˇ ㄨㄟˇ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄨㄢ

шоувэйляндуань

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mei̯¹³ lœːŋ¹³ tyːn⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mei̯¹³ lœːŋ¹³ tyːn⁵⁵/

首鼠兩端 首鼠兩端#Chinese

首鼠两端 首鼠两端#Chinese

Synonym of 首鼠兩端／首鼠两端 (shǒushǔliǎngduān, “to be hesitant or indecisive”)


首鼠兩端

ㄕㄡˇ ㄕㄨˇ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄨㄢ

шоушуляндуань

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ syː³⁵ lœːŋ¹³ tyːn⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ syː³⁵ lœːŋ¹³ tyːn⁵⁵/


首施兩端

ㄕㄡˇ ㄕ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄉㄨㄢ

шоушиляндуань

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ siː⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ tyːn⁵⁵/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ siː⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ tyːn⁵⁵/

首鼠兩端 首鼠兩端#Chinese

首鼠两端 首鼠两端#Chinese


語焉不詳

ㄩˇ ㄧㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤˊ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jyː¹³ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/jyː¹³ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

Coined by Han Yu in a critical article given below

Then followed the heterodox schools of Hsün and Yang, wherein much that was essential was passed over, while the criterion was vaguely formulated.

c. early 9th century, Han Yu (韓愈),《原道》, translated into English as True Faith of a Confucianist by Herbert Allen Giles, 1922.

Xún yǔ Yáng yě, zé yān ér bù jīng, yǔ yān ér bù xiáng.

荀與揚也，擇焉而不精，語焉而不詳。

荀与扬也，择焉而不精，语焉而不详。

to speak or mention in an undetailed manner

Han Yu
Herbert Allen Giles
Xunzi
Yang_Xiong_(author)


生不逢時

ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄥˊ ㄕˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fʊŋ²¹ siː²¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fʊŋ²¹ siː²¹/


節外生枝

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄨㄞˋ ㄕㄥ ㄓ

цзевайшэнчжи

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡siːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡue²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ɡua¹¹ sẽ³³⁻²³ ki³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡siːt̚³ ŋɔːi̯²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡue²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua²²⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² ki⁴⁴/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ɡua³³⁻²¹ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ki⁴⁴/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ɡua¹¹ sẽ³³⁻²³ ki³³/

new issues or troubles crop up from an already-existing problem


真憑實據

ㄓㄣ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄕˊ ㄐㄩˋ

чжэньпиншицзюй

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/t͡sɐn⁵⁵ pʰɐŋ²¹ sɐt̚² kɵy̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/t͡sɐn⁵⁵ pʰɐŋ²¹ sɐt̚² kɵy̯³³/


生不逢辰

ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄥˊ ㄔㄣˊ

шэнбуфэнчэнь

šɛnbufɛnčɛnʹ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fʊŋ²¹ sɐn²¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fʊŋ²¹ sɐn²¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 257 (《詩經·大雅·桑柔》)

(《詩經·大雅·桑柔》)

(《詩經·大雅·桑柔》)

The grief of my heart is extreme, And I dwell on [the condition of] our territory.
I was born at an unhappy time, to meet with the severe anger of Heaven.

Yōu xīn yīnyīn, niàn wǒ tǔyǔ.
Wǒ shēng bù chén, féng tiān dàn nù.

憂心慇慇、念我土宇。
我生不辰，逢天僤怒。

忧心殷殷、念我土宇。
我生不辰，逢天𫢸怒。


自圓其說

ㄗˋ ㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕㄨㄛ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² jyːn²¹ kʰei̯²¹ syːt̚³/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² jyːn²¹ kʰei̯²¹ syːt̚³/

to justify in order to make one's own statement consistent and flawless


危言聳聽

ㄨㄟ ㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄨㄥˇ ㄊㄧㄥ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄨㄥˇ ㄊㄧㄥ

вэйяньсунтин

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ sʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ jɛn³⁵ sʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ jiːn²¹ sʊŋ³⁵ tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ jiːn²¹ sʊŋ³⁵ tʰɪŋ³³/

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ sʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ jɛn³⁵ sʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ jiːn²¹ sʊŋ³⁵ tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ŋɐi̯²¹ jiːn²¹ sʊŋ³⁵ tʰɪŋ³³/

to make exaggerated and frightening statements to scare people


怒髮衝冠

ㄋㄨˋ ㄈㄚˋ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄢ

ㄋㄨˋ ㄈㄚˇ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄢ

нуфачунгуань

/nu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/nu⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/nou̯²² faːt̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵/

/nu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/nu⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/nou̯²² faːt̚³ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵/

Lin Xiangru, holding the jade, then stepped back and leant against the pillar, and was so furious that his hair raised his hat.

Xiàngrú yīn chí bì què lì, yǐ zhù, nù fà shàng chōng guàn.

相如因持璧卻立，倚柱，怒髮上衝冠。

相如因持璧却立，倚柱，怒发上冲冠。

I am furious that my hair raises my hat. Then I leaned on the railing, and saw that the drizzly rain is stopping.

Nùfàchōngguàn, píng lán chù, xiāoxiāo yǔ xiē.

怒髮衝冠，憑欄處、瀟瀟雨歇。

怒发冲冠，凭栏处、潇潇雨歇。


衣衫不整

ㄧ ㄕㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄥˇ

/i⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪŋ³⁵/

/i⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪŋ³⁵/


步履蹣跚

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄩˇ ㄆㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

булюйпаньшань

/pu⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

walking unsteadily; staggering; limping; hobbling


狗血淋頭

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ

гоусюэлиньтоу

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

гоуселиньтоу

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ hyːt̚³ lɐm²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/kau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huiʔ³² lam²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴/

/kau⁵²⁻³⁵ hueʔ² lim⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰau⁵⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ hyːt̚³ lɐm²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/kau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huiʔ³² lam²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴/

/kau⁵²⁻³⁵ hueʔ² lim⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰau⁵⁵/

bite someone's head off
bite someone's head off

(figurative) to bite someone's head off; to scold fiercely; to curse; to berate


財迷心竅

ㄘㄞˊ ㄇㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄑㄧㄠˋ

цаймисиньцяо

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ mɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːu̯³³/

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ mɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːu̯³³/

mad about money; greedy to such an extent that one's rationality is obstructed


時運不濟

ㄕˊ ㄩㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ yn⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/siː²¹ wɐn²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ yn⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/siː²¹ wɐn²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³/

to experience misfortunes in life; to have bad luck


循規蹈矩

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄠˇ ㄐㄩˇ

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄠˋ ㄐㄩˇ

сюньгуйдаоцзюй

/ɕyn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕyn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tou̯²² kɵy̯³⁵/

/sun²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ³³⁻²¹ ku⁴¹/

/sun²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ to³³⁻¹¹ ku⁵³/

/sun²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² to²²⁻²¹ ku⁵³/

/suŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui³³⁻²³ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ kɯ⁵²/

/ɕyn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ tou̯²² kɵy̯³⁵/

/sun²³⁻³³ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ³³⁻²¹ ku⁴¹/

/sun²⁴⁻¹¹ kui⁴⁴⁻³³ to³³⁻¹¹ ku⁵³/

/sun²⁴⁻²² kui⁴⁴⁻²² to²²⁻²¹ ku⁵³/

/suŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kui³³⁻²³ tau³⁵⁻¹¹ kɯ⁵²/

to keep on the straight and narrow; to obey rules and laws


行將就木

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄇㄨˋ

синцзянцзюму

/ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² mʊk̚²/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² mʊk̚²/

Before Chong'er (later Duke Wen of Jin) left for Qi, he said to Jikui (his wife) "Please wait me for 25 years. If I don't come back, you can marry another man." Jikui replied, "I'm now 25 years old now. If it's like that (after 25 years), I'll be entering the coffin very soon when I marry another man. Please let me wait for you."

Jiāng shì Qí, wèi Jìwěi yuē: “Dài wǒ èrshíwǔ nián, bù lái ér hòujià.” Duì yuē: “Wǒ èrshíwǔ nián yǐ, yòu rúshì ér jià, zé jiùmù yān. Qǐng dài zǐ.”

將適齊，謂季隗曰：「待我二十五年，不來而後嫁。」對曰：「我二十五年矣，又如是而嫁，則就木焉。請待子。」

将适齐，谓季隗曰：「待我二十五年，不来而后嫁。」对曰：「我二十五年矣，又如是而嫁，则就木焉。请待子。」


橫蠻無理

ㄏㄥˋ ㄇㄢˊ ㄨˊ ㄌㄧˇ

/xɤŋ⁵¹ män³⁵ u³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːŋ²¹ maːn²¹ mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/

/waːŋ²² maːn²¹ mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/

/xɤŋ⁵¹ män³⁵ u³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/waːŋ²¹ maːn²¹ mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/

/waːŋ²² maːn²¹ mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/


蠻橫無理

ㄇㄢˊ ㄏㄥˋ ㄨˊ ㄌㄧˇ

/män³⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹ u³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²¹ waːŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/

/maːn²¹ waːŋ²² mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/

/män³⁵ xɤŋ⁵¹ u³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²¹ waːŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/

/maːn²¹ waːŋ²² mou̯²¹ lei̯¹³/


巋然不動

ㄎㄨㄟ ㄖㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

куйжаньбудун

/kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/


平安無事

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄢ ㄨˊ ㄕˋ

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ siː²²/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ an⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻²² an⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² su²²/

/piɪŋ²³⁻³³ an⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ su³³/

/piɪŋ²³⁻³³ an⁴⁴ bɤ²³⁻³³ su³³/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ an⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ siː²²/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ an⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻²² an⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² su²²/

/piɪŋ²³⁻³³ an⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ su³³/

/piɪŋ²³⁻³³ an⁴⁴ bɤ²³⁻³³ su³³/

/piɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ an⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ su³³/


榮辱與共

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄩˇ ㄍㄨㄥˋ

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ²¹ jʊk̚² jyː¹³ kʊŋ²²/

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ²¹ jʊk̚² jyː¹³ kʊŋ²²/

highly intertwined; to share honor and disgrace together


甘苦與共

ㄍㄢ ㄎㄨˇ ㄩˇ ㄍㄨㄥˋ

/kän⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹/

/kɐm⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ jyː¹³ kʊŋ²²/

/kän⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹/

/kɐm⁵⁵ fuː³⁵ jyː¹³ kʊŋ²²/

to share the joys and sorrows (usually emphasising the “sorrow” part)


風雨同舟

ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄡ

фэнъюйтунчжоу

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵/

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


置身事外

ㄓˋ ㄕㄣ ㄕˋ ㄨㄞˋ

чжишэньшивай

čžišɛnʹšivaj

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ sɐn⁵⁵ siː²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ sɐn⁵⁵ siː²² ŋɔːi̯²²/

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


爾虞我詐

ㄦˇ ㄩˊ ㄨㄛˇ ㄓㄚˋ

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ jyː²¹ ŋɔː¹³ t͡saː³³/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ jyː²¹ ŋɔː¹³ t͡saː³³/

The covenant said, “We shall not defraud you, and you shall not deceive us.

盟曰：「我無爾詐，爾無我虞。」

盟曰：「我无尔诈，尔无我虞。」


陸續有來

ㄌㄨˋ ㄒㄩˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄞˊ

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lɔːi̯²¹/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lei̯²¹/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lɐi̯²¹/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lɔːi̯²¹/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lei̯²¹/

/lʊk̚² t͡sʊk̚² jɐu̯¹³ lɐi̯²¹/

will come one after another in the future


秋後算賬

ㄑㄧㄡ ㄏㄡˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄤˋ

цюхоусуаньчжан

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² syːn³³ t͡sœːŋ³³/

/t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² syːn³³ t͡sœːŋ³³/

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

settling accounts after the autumn harvest

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


篤信好古

ㄉㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄏㄠˋ ㄍㄨˇ

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

/tʊk̚⁵ sɵn³³ hou̯³³ kuː³⁵/

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

/tʊk̚⁵ sɵn³³ hou̯³³ kuː³⁵/

to devotedly and diligently study ancient texts


孰是孰非

ㄕㄨˊ ㄕˋ ㄕㄨˊ ㄈㄟ

/ʂu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sʊk̚² siː²² sʊk̚² fei̯⁵⁵/

/ʂu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sʊk̚² siː²² sʊk̚² fei̯⁵⁵/

誰是誰非 誰是誰非#Chinese

谁是谁非 谁是谁非#Chinese

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


誰是誰非

ㄕㄨㄟˊ ㄕˋ ㄕㄨㄟˊ ㄈㄟ

/ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯²¹ siː²² sɵy̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯²¹ siː²² sɵy̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/


生於斯，長於斯

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ y³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ y³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

to have been born and raised here; born and bred here


劫富濟貧

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄆㄧㄣˊ

цзефуцзипинь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pʰin³⁵/

/kiːp̚³ fuː³³ t͡sɐi̯³³ pʰɐn²¹/

/kiap̚²⁻⁴ pu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ pʰin³⁵/

/kiːp̚³ fuː³³ t͡sɐi̯³³ pʰɐn²¹/

/kiap̚²⁻⁴ pu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰeŋ⁵⁵/


人才濟濟

ㄖㄣˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄐㄧˇ ㄐㄧˇ

жэньцайцзицзи

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

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵/


臥虎藏龍

ㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄘㄤˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/wɔ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ŋɔː²² fuː³⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

/wɔ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ŋɔː²² fuː³⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

to have many hidden talented individuals


富可敵國

ㄈㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄛˊ

/fu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti³⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/fuː³³ hɔː³⁵ tɪk̚² kʷɔːk̚³/

/fu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti³⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵/

/fuː³³ hɔː³⁵ tɪk̚² kʷɔːk̚³/


銅牆鐵壁

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄅㄧˋ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰiːt̚³ pɪk̚⁵/

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

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

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

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰiːt̚³ pɪk̚⁵/

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

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

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

impregnable and indestructible wall or barrier

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

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

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

同志們，真正的銅牆鐵壁是什麼？是群眾，是千百萬真心實意地擁護革命的群眾。

同志们，真正的铜墙铁壁是什么？是群众，是千百万真心实意地拥护革命的群众。

(figuratively) something very firm and indestructible


荒誕不經

ㄏㄨㄤ ㄉㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ

хуанданьбуцзин

/xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

ridiculous; absurd; illogical; nonsensical


並肩作戰

ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄢˋ

бинцзяньцзочжань

/piŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² kiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siːn³³/

/piŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² kiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siːn³³/

to work and strive together towards a common goal


不可救藥

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧㄠˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹⁻⁵³ ioʔ⁴/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹⁻⁵³ ioʔ⁴/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 254 (《詩經·大雅·板》)

But the troubles will multiply like flames, till they are beyond help or remedy.

多將熇熇，不可救藥。

多将熇熇，不可救药。

2023, “小林不動產”, 梁嘉茵 [Serrini] (lyrics), 林家謙 [Terence Lam] (music)performed by 林家謙 [Terence Lam]:

nei⁵ ngo⁵ bat¹ ho² gau³ joek⁶, jyut⁶ tong² tong², ji⁵ hau⁶ jyut⁶ gou¹ caan², gam² ge³ joeng⁶⁻²

你我不可救藥 越躺躺 以後越高產 咁嘅樣

你我不可救药 越躺躺 以后越高产 咁嘅样

(figurative) hopeless; beyond help; incorrigible


恃老賣老

/t͡sʰiː¹³ lou̯¹³ maːi̯²² lou̯¹³/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ lou̯¹³ maːi̯²² lou̯¹³/

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


涅而不緇

ㄋㄧㄝˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗ

/ni̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/niːp̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ni̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/niːp̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

But is it not said, that, if a thing be really hard, it may be ground without being made thin? Is it not said, that, if a thing be really white, it may be steeped in a dark fluid without being made black?

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

Bù yuē jiān hū, mó ér bù lín; bù yuē bái hū, niè ér bù zī.

不曰堅乎，磨而不磷；不曰白乎，涅而不緇。

不曰坚乎，磨而不磷；不曰白乎，涅而不缁。

to be unaffected by adverse surroundings as one is virtuous


倚老賣老

ㄧˇ ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄞˋ ㄌㄠˇ

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

/jiː³⁵ lou̯¹³ maːi̯²² lou̯¹³/

/jiː³⁵ lou̯¹³ maːi̯²² lou̯¹³/

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


揮金如土

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄖㄨˊ ㄊㄨˇ

хуэйцзиньжуту

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tʰou̯³⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ jyː²¹ tʰou̯³⁵/

spend money like water
spend money like water

to spend money like water; to spend money extravagantly


揮霍無度

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄉㄨˋ

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ tu⁵¹/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ fɔːk̚³ mou̯²¹ tou̯²²/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ tu⁵¹/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ fɔːk̚³ mou̯²¹ tou̯²²/

to spend money (and squander) freely and extravagantly


作壁上觀

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄍㄨㄢ

цзобишангуань

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːk̚³ pɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ²² kuːn⁵⁵/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔːk̚³ pɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ²² kuːn⁵⁵/

Sima Qian, fl. 1st century BCE.
* 《史記·項羽本紀》 (Records of the Grand Historian, Book VII, the Annals of Xiang Yu):
*

At that time, the armies of Chu were the foremost among the warlords. The warlords who descended upon Julu to assist the battle built dozens of fortified camps, and none of them dared to engage (lit. "to unleash their troops"). By the time the Chu forces were attacking the Qin, all those generals were observing the situation from their ramparts.

Dāng shì shí, Chǔ bīng guàn zhūhóu. Zhūhóu jūn jiù Jùlù xià zhě shí yú bì, mò gǎn zòng bīng. Jí Chǔ jī Qín, zhū jiàng jiē cóng bì shàng guān.

當是時，楚兵冠諸侯。諸侯軍救鉅鹿下者十餘壁，莫敢縱兵。及楚擊秦，諸將皆從壁上觀。

当是时，楚兵冠诸侯。诸侯军救钜鹿下者十余壁，莫敢纵兵。及楚击秦，诸将皆从壁上观。

to stand back; to observe only and not take sides


克勤克儉

ㄎㄜˋ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄎㄜˋ ㄐㄧㄢˇ

кэцинькэцзянь

/kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʰɐn²¹ hɐk̚⁵ kiːm²²/

/haːk̚⁵ kʰɐn²¹ haːk̚⁵ kiːm²²/

/kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʰɐn²¹ hɐk̚⁵ kiːm²²/

/haːk̚⁵ kʰɐn²¹ haːk̚⁵ kiːm²²/


碩大無朋

ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄨˊ ㄆㄥˊ

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ u³⁵ pʰɤŋ³⁵/

/sɛːk̚² taːi̯²² mou̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ u³⁵ pʰɤŋ³⁵/

/sɛːk̚² taːi̯²² mou̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 117 (《詩經·唐風·椒聊》)

(《詩經·唐風·椒聊》)

(《詩經·唐風·椒聊》)

The clusters of the pepper plant, Large and luxuriant, would fill a pint.
That hero there is large and peerless.

Jiāoliáo zhī shí, fán yǎn yíng shēng.
Bǐ qí zhī zǐ, shuòdà wúpéng.

椒聊之實，蕃衍盈升。
彼其之子，碩大無朋。

椒聊之实，蕃衍盈升。
彼其之子，硕大无朋。


除暴安良

ㄔㄨˊ ㄅㄠˋ ㄢ ㄌㄧㄤˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ pou̯²² ɔːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ pou̯²² ɔːn⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹/

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


大風大湧

/tua¹¹ huaŋ³³⁻²³ tua¹¹ eŋ⁵²/

/tua¹¹ huaŋ³³⁻²³ tua¹¹ eŋ⁵²/


震撼人心

ㄓㄣˋ ㄏㄢˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

чжэньханьжэньсинь

čžɛnʹxanʹžɛnʹsinʹ

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ hɐm²² jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ hɐm²² jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/


適得其所

ㄕˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɔː³⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪk̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɔː³⁵/


敵眾我寡

ㄉㄧˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄍㄨㄚˇ

/ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɪk̚² t͡sʊŋ³³ ŋɔː¹³ kʷaː³⁵/

/ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɪk̚² t͡sʊŋ³³ ŋɔː¹³ kʷaː³⁵/


大發慈悲

ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄚ ㄘˊ ㄅㄟ

/tä⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² faːt̚³ t͡sʰiː²¹ pei̯⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² faːt̚³ t͡sʰiː²¹ pei̯⁵⁵/


人多勢眾

ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄕˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

жэньдошичжун

žɛnʹdošičžun

/ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sʊŋ³³/

a great number of people with strong force or power


腹背受敵

ㄈㄨˋ ㄅㄟˋ ㄕㄡˋ ㄉㄧˊ

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ti³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ puːi̯³³ sɐu̯²² tɪk̚²/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ti³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ puːi̯³³ sɐu̯²² tɪk̚²/


身先士卒

ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄕˋ ㄗㄨˊ

шэньсяньшицзу

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ siː²² t͡sɵt̚⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ siː²² t͡sɵt̚⁵/

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


丟卒保車

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

ㄉㄧㄡ ㄗㄨˊ ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄩ

дюцзубаоцзюй

/ti̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɵt̚⁵ pou̯³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

/ti̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡su³⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɵt̚⁵ pou̯³⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵/

to sacrifice something of lesser importance to preserve something crucial


連續不斷

ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄩˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

ляньсюйбудуань

/li̯ɛn³⁵ ɕy⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/liːn²¹ t͡sʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ tyːn²²/

/li̯ɛn³⁵ ɕy⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/liːn²¹ t͡sʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ tyːn²²/


良莠不齊

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/lœːŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

/liaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iu⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰi⁵⁵/

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/lœːŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹/

/liaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iu⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ t͡sʰi⁵⁵/


自身難保

ㄗˋ ㄕㄣ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄠˇ

цзышэньнаньбао

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ nän³⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵ naːn²¹ pou̯³⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ nän³⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵ naːn²¹ pou̯³⁵/

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


熊熊烈火

ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ²¹ liːt̚² fɔː³⁵/

/ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hʊŋ²¹ hʊŋ²¹ liːt̚² fɔː³⁵/


群龍無首

ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄕㄡˇ

цюньлунъушоу

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ u³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ lʊŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ u³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ lʊŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

From I Ching, Hexagram 1 (《易经·乾卦》):
:
This term has been reinterpreted by taking 首 (shǒu) as "leader".

(The lines of this hexagram are all strong and undivided, as appears from) the use of the number NINE. If the host of dragons (thus) appearing were to divest themselves of their heads, there would be good fortune.

用九：見群龍无首，吉。

用九：见群龙无首，吉。


忍辱負重

ㄖㄣˇ ㄖㄨˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

ㄖㄣˇ ㄖㄨˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

жэньжуфучжун

žɛnʹžufučžun

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn³⁵ jʊk̚² fuː²² t͡sʊŋ²²/

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn³⁵ jʊk̚² fuː²² t͡sʊŋ²²/

to endure or tolerate humiliation to accomplish an important task


微乎其微

ㄨㄟ ㄏㄨ ㄑㄧˊ ㄨㄟ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨ ㄑㄧˊ ㄨㄟˊ

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/mei̯²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ mei̯²¹/

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/weɪ̯³⁵ xu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/mei̯²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ mei̯²¹/


接連不斷

ㄐㄧㄝ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

цзеляньбудуань

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/


喙尖薄利

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

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


喙尖舌利

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

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

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


絕聖棄智

ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄕㄥˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓˋ

цзюэшэнцичжи

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold.

絕聖棄智，民利百倍

绝圣弃智，民利百倍


張口結舌

ㄓㄤ ㄎㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄕㄜˊ

чжанкоуцзешэ

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ kiːt̚³ siːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ kiːt̚³ siːt̚³/


能言善辯

ㄋㄥˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

нэнъяньшаньбянь

/nɤŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/nɐŋ²¹ jiːn²¹ siːn²² piːn²²/

/nɤŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/nɐŋ²¹ jiːn²¹ siːn²² piːn²²/


冇料到

/mou̯¹³ liːu̯²²⁻³⁵ tou̯³³/

/mou̯¹³ liːu̯²²⁻³⁵ tou̯³³/

(Cantonese) incompetent; lacking skills or abilities

(Cantonese) to produce little to no results


錙銖必較

ㄗ ㄓㄨ ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

цзычжубицзяо

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ kaːu̯³³/

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ kaːu̯³³/

to split hairs; to fuss over minor amounts or things


公諸於世

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄓㄨ ㄩˊ ㄕˋ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

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


不辭勞苦

ㄅㄨˋ ㄘˊ ㄌㄠˊ ㄎㄨˇ

/pu⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ lou̯²¹ fuː³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹ lou̯²¹ fuː³⁵/

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


各適其適

ㄍㄜˋ ㄕˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˋ

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ sɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵/

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ sɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɪk̚⁵/

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


而立之年

ㄦˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

/ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː²¹ laːp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/jiː²¹ lɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː²¹ laːp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/jiː²¹ lɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

The Master said, "At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth. At seventy, I could follow what my heart desired, without transgressing what was right.

Zǐyuē: “Wú shí yòu wǔ ér zhì yú xué, sānshí ér lì, sìshí ér bùhuò, wǔshí ér zhī tiānmìng, liùshí ér ěr shùn, qīshí ér cóng xīn suǒ yù, bù yújǔ.”

子曰：「吾十有五而志于學，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳順，七十而從心所欲，不踰矩。」

子曰：「吾十有五而志于学，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳顺，七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。」


不惑之年

ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ waːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ waːk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/


風平浪靜

ㄈㄥ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

фэнпинланцзин

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ lɔːŋ²² t͡sɪŋ²²/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ pʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ laŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sẽ³⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ lɔːŋ²² t͡sɪŋ²²/

/huaŋ³³⁻²³ pʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ laŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sẽ³⁵/


興風作浪

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄤˋ

синфэнцзолан

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ lɔːŋ²²/

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ lɔːŋ²²/

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

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

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

社會主義國家內部的反動派同帝國主義者互相勾結，利用人民內部的矛盾，挑撥離間，興風作浪，企圖實現他們的陰謀。

社会主义国家内部的反动派同帝国主义者互相勾结，利用人民内部的矛盾，挑拨离间，兴风作浪，企图实现他们的阴谋。


知難而退

ㄓ ㄋㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄊㄨㄟˋ

чжинаньэртуй

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ naːn²¹ jiː²¹ tʰɵy̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ naːn²¹ jiː²¹ tʰɵy̯³³/

to retreat or shrink back in face of difficulties


行不由徑

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ kɪŋ³³/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²¹ kɪŋ³³/

Ziyou being governor of Wucheng, the Master said to him, "Have you got good men there?" He answered, "There is Tantai Mieming, who never in walking takes a short cut, and excepting on public business never comes to my office."

Zǐyóu wèi Wǔchéng zǎi. Zǐyuē: “Rǔ dé rén yān ěr hū?” Yuē: “Yǒu Tántái Mièmíng zhě, xíng bù yóu jìng. Fēi gōngshì, wèicháng zhìyú Yǎn zhī shì yě.”

子游為武城宰。子曰：「女得人焉爾乎？」曰：「有澹臺滅明者，行不由徑。非公事，未嘗至於偃之室也。」

子游为武城宰。子曰：「女得人焉尔乎？」曰：「有澹台灭明者，行不由径。非公事，未尝至于偃之室也。」

Tantai Mieming
Wucheng County
Yan Yan (philosopher)


順風順水

desc

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

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄈㄥ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

шуньфэншуньшуй

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵn²² fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɵn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

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

/zən²² foŋ⁵⁵ zən³³ sz̩²¹/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵn²² fʊŋ⁵⁵ sɵn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/zən²² foŋ⁵⁵ zən³³ sz̩²¹/

smooth; without obstacles or difficulties


耳順之年

ㄦˇ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

эршуньчжинянь

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɵn²² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɵn²² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/


趨炎附勢

ㄑㄩ ㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕˋ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ jiːm²¹ fuː²² sɐi̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ jiːm²¹ fuː²² sɐi̯³³/

to ingratiate oneself with powerful or influential people


知非之年

чжифэйчжинянь

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/


攀龍附鳳

ㄆㄢ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄈㄥˋ

паньлунфуфэн

/pʰän⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/pʰaːn⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ fuː²² fʊŋ²²/

/pʰän⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/pʰaːn⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ fuː²² fʊŋ²²/

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


國破家亡

ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄆㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄨㄤˊ

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ pʰɔː³³ kaː⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷɔːk̚³ pʰɔː³³ kaː⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

the country perishes or is devastated and families are divided


坐以待斃

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧˇ ㄉㄞˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² jiː¹³ tɔːi̯²² pɐi̯²²/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² jiː¹³ tɔːi̯²² pɐi̯²²/

to do nothing in face of peril or impending disasters


含沙射影

ㄏㄢˊ ㄕㄚ ㄕㄜˋ ㄧㄥˇ

/xän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐm²¹ saː⁵⁵ sɛː²² jɪŋ³⁵/

/xän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐm²¹ saː⁵⁵ sɛː²² jɪŋ³⁵/

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

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


迎難而上

ㄧㄥˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄕㄤˋ

/iŋ³⁵ nän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ naːn²¹ jiː²¹ sœːŋ¹³/

/iŋ³⁵ nän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ naːn²¹ jiː²¹ sœːŋ¹³/


家破人亡

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄆㄛˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄤˊ

цзяпожэньван

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ pʰɔː³³ jɐn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ pʰɔː³³ jɐn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

family members have died and are dispersed


苟延殘喘

ㄍㄡˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄘㄢˊ ㄔㄨㄢˇ

гоуяньцаньчуань

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

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰyːn³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰyːn³⁵/

to linger; to drag on one's feeble existence


費盡心機

ㄈㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧ

фэйцзиньсиньцзи

/feɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ t͡sɵn²² sɐm⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

/feɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ t͡sɵn²² sɐm⁵⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

rack one's brains; beat one's brains out


天下為公

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄍㄨㄥ

тяньсявэйгун

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² wɐi̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ ui²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn³³ ha⁴¹⁻²² ui²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ ui¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ha³³⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ha³³⁻²¹ ui²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² wɐi̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ ui²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn³³ ha⁴¹⁻²² ui²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ ui¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ha³³⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ha³³⁻²¹ ui²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


習以為常

ㄒㄧˊ ㄧˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄤˊ

/ɕi³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡saːp̚² jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ sœːŋ²¹/

/ɕi³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡saːp̚² jiː¹³ wɐi̯²¹ sœːŋ²¹/


不勝負荷

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄏㄜˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄏㄜˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² hɔː²²/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² hɔː²²/

unable to bear (weight, burden or responsibility)


萬貫家財

ㄨㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄘㄞˊ

ваньгуаньцзяцай

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/maːn²² kuːn³³ kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/maːn²² kuːn³³ kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

家財萬貫 家財萬貫#Chinese

家财万贯 家财万贯#Chinese

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


舉步維艱

ㄐㄩˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄢ

цзюйбувэйцзянь

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ pou̯²² wɐi̯²¹ kaːn⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ pou̯²² wɐi̯²¹ kaːn⁵⁵/

difficult to move forward; difficult to make progress


彌天大罪

ㄇㄧˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄟˋ

митяньдацзуй

/mi³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/nei̯²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² t͡sɵy̯²²/

/mi³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/nei̯²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²² t͡sɵy̯²²/


家財萬貫

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄘㄞˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ

цзяцайваньгуань

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ maːn²² kuːn³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ maːn²² kuːn³³/

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


寄人籬下

ㄐㄧˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ li³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kei̯³³ jɐn²¹ lei̯²¹ haː²²/

/t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ li³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kei̯³³ jɐn²¹ lei̯²¹ haː²²/

to depend on others, thus not being self-reliant


金玉滿堂

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄩˋ ㄇㄢˇ ㄊㄤˊ

цзиньюйманьтан

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ y⁵¹ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ jʊk̚² muːn¹³ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ y⁵¹ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ jʊk̚² muːn¹³ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe. When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself.

Tao Te Ching, 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Jīnyùmǎntáng, mò zhī néng shǒu; fùguì ér jiāo, zì yí qí jiù.

金玉滿堂，莫之能守；富貴而驕，自遺其咎。

金玉满堂，莫之能守；富贵而骄，自遗其咎。

to have a house filled with gold and jade

Liu Yiqing (editor), A New Account of the Tales of the World, 5ᵗʰ century CE

Wáng chángshǐ wèi Lín gōng: ‘Zhēn cháng kěwèi jīnyùmǎntáng.’

王長史謂林公：『真長可謂金玉滿堂。』

王长史谓林公：『真长可谓金玉满堂。』


以手加額

ㄧˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄜˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ˀɤ³⁵/

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ˀɤ³⁵/

clapping one's hands on one's forehead in an expression of thankfulness or dissatisfaction; similar to facepalm


推陳出新

ㄊㄨㄟ ㄔㄣˊ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧㄣ

туйчэньчусинь

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

to get rid of the old and bring forth the new


不戰而勝

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄢˋ ㄦˊ ㄕㄥˋ

бучжаньэршэн

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ jiː²¹ sɪŋ³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ jiː²¹ sɪŋ³³/


志在必得

ㄓˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/t͡siː³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/t͡siː³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵/


兵不厭詐

There can never be too much deception in war.

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄚˋ

/piŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³ t͡saː³³/

/piŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂä⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³ t͡saː³³/

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


旁門左道

ㄆㄤˊ ㄇㄣˊ ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄠˋ

панмэньцзодао

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ muːn²¹ t͡sɔː³⁵ tou̯²²/

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ muːn²¹ t͡sɔː³⁵ tou̯²²/

(figurative) trickery; deviousness; underhandedness


故步自封

ㄍㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄈㄥ

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ku¹¹ pou¹¹ t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ hoŋ³³/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³³ pou̯²² t͡siː²² fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ku¹¹ pou¹¹ t͡sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ hoŋ³³/

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


埋頭苦幹

ㄇㄞˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄎㄨˇ ㄍㄢˋ

майтоукугань

/maɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kän⁵¹/

/maːi̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ fuː³⁵ kɔːn³³/

/mãi²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kan²¹/

/mãi²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kan⁴¹/

/mãi¹³⁻²² tʰau¹³⁻²² kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kan²¹/

/mãi²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kan¹¹/

/mãi²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kan²¹/

/maɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kän⁵¹/

/maːi̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ fuː³⁵ kɔːn³³/

/mãi²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kan²¹/

/mãi²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kan⁴¹/

/mãi¹³⁻²² tʰau¹³⁻²² kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kan²¹/

/mãi²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kan¹¹/

/mãi²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kan²¹/


前仆後繼

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄆㄨ ㄏㄡˋ ㄐㄧˋ

цяньпухоуцзи

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pʰu⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ fuː²² hɐu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pʰu⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ fuː²² hɐu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

Yībāsì líng nián yǐhòu, fēngjiàn de zhōngguó zhújiàn biànchéng bànzhímíndì, bànfēngjiàn de guójiā. Zhōngguó rénmín wèi guójiā dúlì, mínzú jiěfàng hé mínzhǔ zìyóu jìnxíng le qiánpúhòujì de yīngyǒng fèndòu.

一八四〇年以後，封建的中國逐漸變成半殖民地、半封建的國家。中國人民為國家獨立、民族解放和民主自由進行了前仆後繼的英勇奮鬥。

一八四〇年以后，封建的中国逐渐变成半殖民地、半封建的国家。中国人民为国家独立、民族解放和民主自由进行了前仆后继的英勇奋斗。

(of a group of people) to bravely advance without fear of sacrificing


走投無路

ㄗㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨˋ

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ lu⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ lou̯²²/

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ lu⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ lou̯²²/

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


十拿九穩

ㄕˊ ㄋㄚˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄨㄣˇ

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

/sɐp̚² naː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ wɐn³⁵/

/sip̚⁴⁻³² nã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ un⁵³/

/sɐp̚² naː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ wɐn³⁵/

/sip̚⁴⁻³² nã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ un⁵³/


窮途末路

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄊㄨˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ muːt̚² lou̯²²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ tʰu³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ tʰou̯²¹ muːt̚² lou̯²²/

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


死於非命

ㄙˇ ㄩˊ ㄈㄟ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²²/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²²/

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


方興未艾

ㄈㄤ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄨㄟˋ ㄞˋ

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ mei̯²² ŋaːi̯²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bi²²⁻²¹ ŋãi²²/

/hɔŋ³³ hiɪŋ³³ bi⁴¹⁻²² ŋãi⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bi²²⁻²¹ ŋãi²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bi³³⁻¹¹ ŋãi³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bi³³⁻²¹ ŋãi³³/

/fɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ mei̯²² ŋaːi̯²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bi²²⁻²¹ ŋãi²²/

/hɔŋ³³ hiɪŋ³³ bi⁴¹⁻²² ŋãi⁴¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bi²²⁻²¹ ŋãi²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bi³³⁻¹¹ ŋãi³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bi³³⁻²¹ ŋãi³³/


沉冤昭雪

ㄔㄣˊ ㄩㄢ ㄓㄠ ㄒㄩㄝˇ

чэньюаньчжаосюэ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ jyːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ syːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ɥɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ jyːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ syːt̚³/


墨守成規

ㄇㄛˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

墨守 is from Zhan Guo Ce:
The term 墨翟之守 (“Mo Zi's defense”) is from the book Mozi, which was the defense method proposed by him in a war simulation against Lu Ban's ladder specially designed for the state of Chu to be used in its invasion of Song. Mo Zi's defense method proved the ladder to be useless and this made him succeed in discouraging the king of Chu from starting a war. The meaning of 墨守 has changed from commendatory to derogatory over time.

Now you are able to lead the exhausted people in Liaocheng to fight against all Qi forces for a whole year. (This shows that) your defense is as strong as Mo Zi's.

今公又以弊聊之民，距全齊之兵，期年不解，是墨翟之守

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

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


因循守舊

ㄧㄣ ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

иньсюньшоуцзю

/in⁵⁵ ɕyn³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯²²/

/in⁵⁵ ɕyn³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯²²/

to adhere to old rules or traditions without changing or innovating


謔而不虐

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄩㄝˋ

ㄋㄩㄝˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄩㄝˋ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ny̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ny̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ny̯ɛ⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jœːk̚²/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ny̯ɛ⁵¹/

/ny̯ɛ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ny̯ɛ⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jœːk̚²/

to joke or tease without embarrassing or hurting others


無功不受祿

ㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄡˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/u³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯²² lʊk̚²/

/u³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯²² lʊk̚²/

to refuse to accept an undeserved reward


蹈常襲故

ㄉㄠˇ ㄔㄤˊ ㄒㄧˊ ㄍㄨˋ

ㄉㄠˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄒㄧˊ ㄍㄨˋ

/tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tou̯²² sœːŋ²¹ t͡saːp̚² kuː³³/

/tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/tou̯²² sœːŋ²¹ t͡saːp̚² kuː³³/

to follow old rules or traditions and not be flexible


學海無涯勤是岸

ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄕˋ ㄢˋ

сюэхайуяциньшиань

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀän⁵¹/

/hɔːk̚² hɔːi̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ kʰɐn²¹ siː²² ŋɔːn²²/

knowledge is infinite like a boundless ocean; only through diligence in studies can one make accomplishments


學海無涯，唯勤是岸

ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄚˊ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄕˋ ㄢˋ

hok⁶ hoi¹ mou⁴ ngaai⁴, wai⁴ kan⁴ si⁶ ngon⁶

вэйциньшиань

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jä³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀän⁵¹/

hohk hōi mòuh ngàaih, wàih kàhn sih ngohn

hok⁹ hoi¹ mou⁴ ngaai⁴, wai⁴ kan⁴ si⁶ ngon⁶

hog⁶ hoi¹ mou⁴ ngai⁴, wei⁴ ken⁴ xi⁶ ngon⁶

/hɔːk̚² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹ kʰɐn²¹ siː²² ŋɔːn²²/

學海無涯勤是岸 學海無涯勤是岸#Chinese

学海无涯勤是岸 学海无涯勤是岸#Chinese

Synonym of 學海無涯勤是岸／学海无涯勤是岸 (xuéhǎiwúyáqínshì'àn, “knowledge is infinite like a boundless ocean; only through diligence in studies can one make accomplishments”)


偷天換日

ㄊㄡ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄖˋ

тоутяньхуаньжи

/tʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ wuːn²² jɐt̚²/

/tʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ wuːn²² jɐt̚²/

to stealthily change the contents or substitute one thing with another


正襟危坐

to straighten out the clothes and sit straight

ㄓㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄨㄟ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

ㄓㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄨㄟˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

чжэнцзиньвэйцзо

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ kʰɐm⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹ t͡sɔː²²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ kʰɐm⁵⁵ ŋɐi̯²¹ t͡sɔː²²/


無師自通

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ t͡siː²² tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ t͡siː²² tʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

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


細水長流

ㄒㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ

/ɕi⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lɐu̯²¹/

/ɕi⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ lɐu̯²¹/

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

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

sai³ soeng⁶ mut⁶ jan⁴ nang⁴ zo² dong² sai³ seoi² oi³ coeng⁴ lau⁴

世上沒人能阻擋細水愛長流

世上没人能阻挡细水爱长流

to work steadily at something little by little


蹈襲故常

ㄉㄠˇ ㄒㄧˊ ㄍㄨˋ ㄔㄤˊ

ㄉㄠˋ ㄒㄧˊ ㄍㄨˋ ㄔㄤˊ

/tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tou̯²² t͡saːp̚² kuː³³ sœːŋ²¹/

/tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tou̯²² t͡saːp̚² kuː³³ sœːŋ²¹/

蹈常襲故 蹈常襲故#Chinese

蹈常袭故 蹈常袭故#Chinese

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


學海無涯

ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄚˊ

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jä³⁵/

/hɔːk̚² hɔːi̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹/

/ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jä³⁵/

/hɔːk̚² hɔːi̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹/

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


齊心協力

ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːp̚³ lɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːp̚³ lɪk̚²/

to unite and make concerted efforts to accomplish something


聞名天下

ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

вэньминтянься

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/


聞名於世

ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄩˊ ㄕˋ

вэньминъюйши

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ jyː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ jyː⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³/


風雨飄搖

ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄧㄠˊ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ pʰiːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

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

lang

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

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

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

予羽譙譙，予尾翛翛。予室翹翹，風雨所漂搖。予維音嘵嘵。

予羽谯谯，予尾翛翛。予室翘翘，风雨所漂摇。予维音哓哓。

(of a situation) turbulent; precarious; tottering


盡力而為

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄨㄟˊ

цзиньлиэрвэй

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɵn²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɵn²² lɪk̚² jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹/


難能可貴

ㄋㄢˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

наньнэнкэгуй

/nän³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ nɐŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kui⁴¹/

/lan¹³⁻²² liɪŋ¹³⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui¹¹/

/lan²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/nän³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ nɐŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻²² liɪŋ²⁴⁻²² kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kui⁴¹/

/lan¹³⁻²² liɪŋ¹³⁻²² kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

/lan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kui¹¹/

/lan²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kui²¹/

precious and praiseworthy as such an achievement is difficult to make


遠近馳名

ㄩㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄔˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

юаньцзиньчимин

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ kɐn²² t͡sʰiː²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ kɐn²² t͡sʰiː²¹ mɪŋ²¹/


戮力同心

ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² lɪk̚² tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lʊk̚² lɪk̚² tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

to join forces and make concerted efforts to accomplish something


明朝會

/mən²² t͡sɔ³³ ue³⁴/

/mən²² t͡sɔ³³ ue³⁴/


明仔載見面

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

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

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

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


又要威，又要戴頭盔

jau⁶ jiu³ wai¹, jau⁶ jiu³ daai³ tau⁴ kwai¹

yeo⁶ yiu³ wei¹, yeo⁶ yiu³ dai³ teo⁴ kuei¹

/jɐu̯²² jiːu̯³³ wɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² jiːu̯³³ taːi̯³³ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

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

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

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


積穀防饑

ㄐㄧ ㄍㄨˇ ㄈㄤˊ ㄐㄧ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ kʊk̚⁵ fɔːŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ kʊk̚⁵ fɔːŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵/


湔雪前恥

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔˇ

цзяньсюэцяньчи

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

/t͡siːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/t͡siːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/


勢單力薄

ㄕˋ ㄉㄢ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄛˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ li⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ taːn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² pɔːk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ li⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ taːn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² pɔːk̚²/

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


網開一面

ㄨㄤˇ ㄎㄞ ㄧ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

/wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ miːn²²/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin²²/

/baŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰui³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² bin⁴¹/

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

/baŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

/baŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

/wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ miːn²²/

/baŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin²²/

/baŋ⁴¹⁻²² kʰui³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² bin⁴¹/

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

/baŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

/baŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰui⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² bin³³/

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

zh-l

to be lenient and magnanimous with wrongdoers


勢在必行

ㄕˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/se²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːi̯²² piːt̚⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

/se²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²²⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/si²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ pit̚³²⁻⁴ hiɪŋ²³/

to be imperative or necessary under such circumstances


意興闌珊

ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

исинланьшань

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ hɪŋ³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hiɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ lan²⁴⁻²² san³³/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan¹³⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i¹¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/i²¹⁻⁴¹ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ lan²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/jiː³³ hɪŋ³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hiɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ lan²⁴⁻²² san³³/

/i²¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lan¹³⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/i¹¹⁻⁵³ hiɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ lan²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/i²¹⁻⁴¹ hiɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ lan²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/


滂沱大雨

ㄆㄤ ㄊㄨㄛˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄩˇ

/pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹ taːi̯²² jyː¹³/

/pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ tä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔː²¹ taːi̯²² jyː¹³/

to rain very heavily; to rain cats and dogs


選賢與能

ㄒㄩㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄩˇ ㄋㄥˊ

ㄒㄩㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄩˇ ㄋㄥˊ

сюаньсяньюйнэн

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

сюаньсяньцзюйнэн

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ jyː¹³ nɐŋ²¹/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ jyː¹³ nɐŋ²¹/

/syːn³⁵ jiːn²¹ kɵy̯³⁵ nɐŋ²¹/

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

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


披荊斬棘

ㄆㄧ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓㄢˇ ㄐㄧˊ

пицзинчжаньцзи

/pʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

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

/pʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ kɪk̚⁵/

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

to overcome different difficulties and obstacles