人心不古

ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨˇ

жэньсиньбугу

/ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kuː³⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kuː³⁵/

the moral compass of modern man lags far behind that of the ancients; people are no longer simple and honest


螃蟹精神

ㄆㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄣˊ

пансе цзиншэнь

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ haːi̯¹³ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹/

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʂən³⁵/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ haːi̯¹³ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐn²¹/


耽天望地

/taːm⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²² tei̯²²/

/taːm⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²² tei̯²²/


執筆忘字

ㄓˊ ㄅㄧˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄗˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɐp̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɐp̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː²²/

to forget how to write Chinese characters; to suffer from character amnesia


狗嘴裡吐不出象牙

狗嘴里吐不出象牙
狗嘴裏吐不出象牙

ㄍㄡˇ ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄊㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄧㄚˊ

gau² zeoi² leoi⁵ tou³ bat¹ ceot¹ zoeng⁶ ngaa⁴

gǒu zuǐ lǐ tǔ bù chū xiàngyá [Phonetic:góuzuílǐtǔbùchūxiàngyá]

kou³ tsui³ li³ tʻu³ pu⁴ chʻu¹ hsiang⁴-ya²

гоу цзуй ли ту бу чу сянъя

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ jä³⁵/

gáu jéui léuih tou bāt chēut jeuhng ngàh

gau² dzoey² loey⁵ tou³ bat⁷ tsoet⁷ dzoeng⁶ ngaa⁴

geo² zêu² lêu⁵ tou³ bed¹ cêd¹ zêng⁶ nga⁴

/kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɵy̯³⁵ lɵy̯¹³ tʰou̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ²² ŋaː²¹/

(figurative) no fine or truthful speech is to be expected from the mouth of a bad person


明天見

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

минтянь цзянь

/miŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kiːn³³/

/miŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kiːn³³/


豬頭三牲

ㄓㄨ ㄊㄡˊ ㄙㄢ ㄕㄥ

чжутоусаньшэн

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ saːm⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ saːm⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

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

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


有去無回

ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄩˋ ㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄟˊ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵/


新仇舊恨

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄔㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄣˋ

синьчоуцзюхэнь

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹ kɐu̯²² hɐn²²/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹ kɐu̯²² hɐn²²/

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


刻骨銘心

ja-r

ほね に きざみ、きも に めいずる

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

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

ㄎㄜˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/kʰɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ¹³ sɐm⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ¹³ sɐm⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵/


拋出磚去，引回玉來

ㄆㄠ ㄔㄨ ㄓㄨㄢ ㄑㄩˋ

ㄧㄣˇ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄩˋ ㄌㄞˊ

paau¹ ceot¹ zyun¹ heoi³, jan⁵ wui⁴ juk⁶ loi⁴

паочучжуаньцюй

иньхуэйюйлай

/pʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ in²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ y⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

pāau chēut jyūn heui, yáhn wùih yuhk lòih

paau¹ tsoet⁷ dzyn¹ hoey³, jan⁵ wui⁴ juk⁹ loi⁴

pao¹ cêd¹ jun¹ hêu³, yen⁵ wui⁴ yug⁶ loi⁴

/pʰaːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ t͡syːn⁵⁵ hɵy̯³³ jɐn¹³ wuːi̯²¹ jʊk̚² lɔːi̯²¹/

拋磚引玉 拋磚引玉#Chinese

抛砖引玉 抛砖引玉#Chinese

Alternative form of 拋磚引玉／抛砖引玉 (pāozhuānyǐnyù)


十八般武藝

ㄕˊ ㄅㄚ ㄅㄢ ㄨˇ ㄧˋ

шиба бань уи

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pä⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² paːt̚³ puːn⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ ŋɐi̯²²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pä⁵⁵ pän⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² paːt̚³ puːn⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ ŋɐi̯²²/

skill in wielding the 18 kinds of weapons; skill in various types of combat


噬起棚牙

/sɐi̯²² hei̯³⁵ pʰaːŋ²¹ ŋaː²¹/

/sɐi̯²² hei̯³⁵ pʰaːŋ²¹ ŋaː²¹/

(Cantonese) to put on a false smile; skin-deep smile; smile hypocritically


各就各位

everyone goes to everyone's seat/position

ㄍㄜˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄍㄜˋ ㄨㄟˋ

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sɐu̯²² kɔːk̚³ wɐi̯²²/

/kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sɐu̯²² kɔːk̚³ wɐi̯²²/

each person performs their respective role or goes to their own place

各就各位，預備，跑！

各就各位，预备，跑！


頂你個肺

ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄋㄧˇ ˙ㄍㄜ ㄈㄟˋ

дин ни гэ фэй

/tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ni²¹⁴ g̊ə⁴ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/tɪŋ³⁵ nei̯¹³ kɔː³³ fɐi̯³³/

/tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ni²¹⁴ g̊ə⁴ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/tɪŋ³⁵ nei̯¹³ kɔː³³ fɐi̯³³/

Perhaps alteration of 屌你個閪 (diu² nei⁵ go³ hai¹, “fuck your cunt”).

zh-l

(chiefly Cantonese, vulgar) go fuck yourself; fuck you; screw you


日日如是

ㄖˋ ㄖˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕˋ

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² jɐt̚² jyː²¹ siː²²/

/ᵑɡit̚³² ᵑɡit̚³² ᵑɡui²² si³²/

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² jɐt̚² jyː²¹ siː²²/

/ᵑɡit̚³² ᵑɡit̚³² ᵑɡui²² si³²/


草蜢弄雞公

/t͡sʰau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ mẽ(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ laŋ³³⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ kaŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡sʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ mẽ(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ laŋ³³⁻¹¹ kue⁴⁴⁻³³ kaŋ⁴⁴/

(Southern Min) The grasshopper messing with the rooster; to overestimate one's capabilities; to seek one's demise


草蜢撩雞公——自尋死路

/t͡sʰo³¹ maŋ³¹ li̯au̯¹¹ ki̯e²⁴⁻¹¹ kuŋ²⁴ t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ t͡sʰim¹¹ si³¹ lu⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰo³¹ maŋ¹¹ li̯au̯¹¹ ki̯e²⁴⁻¹¹ kuŋ²⁴ t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵ t͡sʰim¹¹ si³¹ lu⁵⁵/

(Hakka) The grasshopper messing with the rooster; to overestimate one's capabilities; to seek one's demise


自不量力

ㄗˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ²² lɪk̚²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² pɐt̚⁵ lœːŋ²² lɪk̚²/

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


不自量力

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² lœːŋ²² lɪk̚²/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² lœːŋ²² lɪk̚²/

自不量力 自不量力#Chinese


攞苦嚟辛

/lɔː³⁵ fuː³⁵ lei̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

/lɔː³⁵ fuː³⁵ lɐi̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

/lɔː³⁵ fuː³⁵ lei̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

/lɔː³⁵ fuː³⁵ lɐi̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

Built on 辛苦 (san¹ fu², “laborious; hard; miserable; exhausting”).

make a rod for one's own back
make a rod for one's own back

(Cantonese) to ask for trouble; to make a rod for one's own back


緣木求魚

ㄩㄢˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄩˊ

/ɥɛn³⁵ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ y³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ mʊk̚² kʰɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹/

/iɛn²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻²² ɡu²⁴/

/iɛn²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²³⁻³³ hi²³/

/iɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻¹¹ hu²⁴/

/ɥɛn³⁵ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ y³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ mʊk̚² kʰɐu̯²¹ jyː²¹/

/iɛn²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻²² ɡu²⁴/

/iɛn²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²³⁻³³ hi²³/

/iɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² kiu²⁴⁻¹¹ hu²⁴/

"It is even worse," was the reply. "If you climb a tree to seek for fish, although you do not get the fish, you will not suffer any subsequent calamity. But doing what you do to seek for what you desire, doing it moreover with all your heart, you will assuredly afterwards meet with calamities."

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

Yuē: “Dài yǒu shèn yān. Yuán mù qiú yú, suī bùdé yú, wú hòu zāi. Yǐ ruò suǒ wéi, qiú ruò suǒ yù, jìn xīnlì ér wéi zhī, hòu bì yǒu zāi.”

曰：「殆有甚焉。緣木求魚，雖不得魚，無後災。以若所為，求若所欲，盡心力而為之，後必有災。」

曰：「殆有甚焉。缘木求鱼，虽不得鱼，无后灾。以若所为，求若所欲，尽心力而为之，后必有灾。」

to pursue an end by impossible or unjustifiable means


吳儂軟語

ㄨˊ ㄋㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄨㄢˇ ㄩˇ

/u³⁵ nʊŋ³⁵ ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋ̍²¹ nʊŋ²¹ jyːn¹³ jyː¹³/

/ɦu²² noŋ⁴⁴ n̠ʲyø²² n̠ʲy⁴⁴/

/ɦəu²² noŋ³³ ŋø⁴⁴ n̠ʲy/

/u³⁵ nʊŋ³⁵ ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋ̍²¹ nʊŋ²¹ jyːn¹³ jyː¹³/

/ɦu²² noŋ⁴⁴ n̠ʲyø²² n̠ʲy⁴⁴/

/ɦəu²² noŋ³³ ŋø⁴⁴ n̠ʲy/

The soft speech of the Wu people in the Jiangnan region, especially Suzhou.

The soft and exquisite voice of someone.


一目十行

ja-r

いち%もく%じゅう%ぎょう

CJKV/code

いち%もく%じゅう%ぎょう

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

CJKV

いち%もく%じゅう%ぎょう

ㄧ ㄇㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄏㄤˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mʊk̚² sɐp̚² hɔːŋ²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mʊk̚² sɐp̚² hɔːŋ²¹/

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


仁心仁術

ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄨˋ

жэньсиньжэньшу

žɛnʹsinʹžɛnʹšu

/ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ sɵt̚²/

/ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ sɵt̚²/

(said of a doctor) with both a benevolent mind and benevolent acts; benevolent heart and skillful execution


五臟六腑

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (五臟六腑):
* → Japanese: 五(ご)臓(ぞう)六(ろっ)腑(ぷ) (gozō roppu)
* → Korean: 오장육부(五臟六腑) (ojang'yukbu)
* → Vietnamese: ngũ tạng lục phủ (五臟六腑)

ㄨˇ ㄗㄤˋ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄈㄨˇ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² lʊk̚² fuː³⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔŋ³³⁻²¹ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² hu⁴¹/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² hu⁵³/

/ŋou³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡saŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ lak̚⁴⁻² hu⁵²/

/ŋ̍²² zɑ̃⁵⁵ loʔ³³ fu²¹/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² lʊk̚² fuː³⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔŋ³³⁻²¹ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² hu⁴¹/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² hu⁵³/

/ŋou³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡saŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ lak̚⁴⁻² hu⁵²/

/ŋ̍²² zɑ̃⁵⁵ loʔ³³ fu²¹/

The idea that the human body contains five zang organs and six fu organs is first attested in Lüshi Chunqiu.

Lü Buwei, Master Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals, 239 BCE

Fán rén sān bǎi liùshí jié, jiǔ qiào, wǔ zàng, liù fǔ.

凡人三百六十節，九竅、五藏、六府。

凡人三百六十节，九窍、五藏、六府。

The five solid organs and six hollow organs; the internal organs


批孔揚秦

ㄆㄧ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄧㄤˊ ㄑㄧㄣˊ

пи Кун ян Цинь

/pʰi⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵/

/pʰi⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵/

Anti-Confucius Campaign
w:Criticize Lin, Criticize Confucius

Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution#English

criticise Confucius and honour the Emperor Qin Shihuang (and hence the "burning of books and burying of scholars" incident) (a reference to the Anti-Confucius Campaign during the Cultural Revolution)


焚書坑儒

ㄈㄣˊ ㄕㄨ ㄎㄥ ㄖㄨˊ

/fən³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐn²¹ syː⁵⁵ haːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹/

/uŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ kʰẽ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵/

/fən³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐn²¹ syː⁵⁵ haːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹/

/uŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ kʰẽ³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵/

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


來之不易

ㄌㄞˊ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˋ

/laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

/laɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

這個勝利來之不易啊。

这个胜利来之不易啊。

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


滄海一粟

ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ ㄧ ㄙㄨˋ

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ su⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sʊk̚⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ su⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sʊk̚⁵/

From Su Shi's Former Ode on the Red Cliffs:
:
In some versions of the original text, 浮海 (fú hǎi, “floating in the ocean”) is written as 滄海／沧海 (cānghǎi, “large ocean”).

We are like mayflies wandering in this terrestrial world or a grain of millet drifting on a deep ocean.

Jì fúyóu yú tiāndì, miǎo fú hǎi zhī yī sù.

寄蜉蝣於天地，渺浮海之一粟。

寄蜉蝣于天地，渺浮海之一粟。


卓有成效

ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ haːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ haːu̯²²/

with outstanding results; highly effective; fruitful


先發制人

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄈㄚ ㄓˋ ㄖㄣˊ

сяньфачжижэнь

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/siːn⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sɐi̯³³ jɐn²¹/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/siːn⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sɐi̯³³ jɐn²¹/

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


因地制宜

ㄧㄣ ㄉㄧˋ ㄓˋ ㄧˊ

/in⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ tei̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

/iŋ³³⁻²³ ti¹¹ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵⁵/

/in⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ tei̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

/iŋ³³⁻²³ ti¹¹ t͡si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ŋi⁵⁵/

to formulate strategies according to local conditions


自力更生

CJKV/code

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

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄍㄥ ㄕㄥ

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄍㄥˋ ㄕㄥ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤŋ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵/

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

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤŋ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² lɪk̚² kɐŋ⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵/

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

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


內柔外剛

ㄋㄟˋ ㄖㄡˊ ㄨㄞˋ ㄍㄤ

нэйжоувайган

/neɪ̯⁵¹ ʐoʊ̯³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/nɔːi̯²² jɐu̯²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/neɪ̯⁵¹ ʐoʊ̯³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/nɔːi̯²² jɐu̯²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

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


得道多助

ㄉㄜˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓㄨˋ

/tɤ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ tou̯²² tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

/tɤ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/tɐk̚⁵ tou̯²² tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

He who finds the proper course has many to assist him. He who loses the proper course has few to assist him. When this - the being assisted by few - reaches its extreme point, his own relations revolt from the prince. When the being assisted by many reaches its highest point, the whole kingdom becomes obedient to the prince.

Dédào zhě duōzhù, shīdào zhě guǎzhù. Guǎzhù zhī zhì, qīnqī pàn zhī; duōzhù zhī zhì, tiānxià shùn zhī.

得道者多助，失道者寡助。寡助之至，親戚畔之；多助之至，天下順之。

得道者多助，失道者寡助。寡助之至，亲戚畔之；多助之至，天下顺之。


失道寡助

ㄕ ㄉㄠˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄓㄨˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/sɐt̚⁵ tou̯²² kʷaː³⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/sɐt̚⁵ tou̯²² kʷaː³⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

得道者多助，失道者寡助。寡助之至，親戚畔之；多助之至，天下順之。

得道者多助，失道者寡助。寡助之至，亲戚畔之；多助之至，天下顺之。

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

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

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

最後，第四，由於中國戰爭的進步性、正義性而產生出來的國際廣大援助，同日本的失道寡助又恰恰相反。

最后，第四，由于中国战争的进步性、正义性而产生出来的国际广大援助，同日本的失道寡助又恰恰相反。

An unjust cause attracts little support.


夜郎自大

ㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄤˊ ㄗˋ ㄉㄚˋ

/jɛ⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/jɛː²² lɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː²² taːi̯²²/

/jɛ⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

/jɛː²² lɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː²² taːi̯²²/

Based on a passage in Records of the Grand Historian

The King of Dian, while talking to the Han envoys, asked: "The Han (state) and mine, which is larger?" The Yelang lord did so too. As the roads (between their principalities and China) were not open, so each, deeming himself the ruler of a principality, did not know how large and vast the Han (empire) was.

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

Diānwáng yǔ Hàn shǐzhě yán yuē: “Hàn yǔ wǒ shú dà?” Jí Yèlánghóu yì rán. Yǐ dào bù tōng, gù gè zì yǐwéi yī zhōu zhǔ, bù zhī Hàn guǎngdà.

滇王與漢使者言曰：「漢與我孰大？」及夜郎侯亦然。以道不通，故各自以為一州主，不知漢廣大。

滇王与汉使者言曰：「汉与我孰大？」及夜郎侯亦然。以道不通，故各自以为一州主，不知汉广大。

to be ignorant and arrogant; to be self-deluded

Dian Kingdom
Records of the Grand Historian
Yelang


天經地義

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄉㄧˋ ㄧˋ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² jiː²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tue³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ keŋ³³ ti¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² jiː²²/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ kiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tue³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ keŋ³³ ti¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

From an aphorism posthumously attributed to Zichan (子產) by You Ji (aka. Zitaishu, 子大叔) as recorded in the Zuozhuan.

Propriety, it is the unchanging ways of heaven, the just ways of earth, and the rightful path of every human being.

Fú lǐ, tiān zhī jīng yě, dì zhī yì yě, mín zhī xìng yě.

夫禮，天之經也，地之義也，民之行也。

夫礼，天之经也，地之义也，民之行也。

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

欠債還錢，天經地義

欠债还钱，天经地义

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


翻天覆地

ㄈㄢ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˋ ㄉㄧˋ

фаньтяньфуди

/fän⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/faːn⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ tei̯²²/

/fän⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/faːn⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ tei̯²²/


孤軍奮鬥

ㄍㄨ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄈㄣˋ ㄉㄡˋ

гуцзюньфэньдоу

/ku⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ fɐn¹³ tɐu̯³³/

/ku⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ fɐn¹³ tɐu̯³³/

孤軍奮戰 孤軍奮戰#Chinese

孤军奋战 孤军奋战#Chinese

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


黯然失色

ㄢˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄕ ㄙㄜˋ

/ˀän⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/ɐm³⁵ jiːn²¹ sɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/ˀän⁵¹ ʐän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/ɐm³⁵ jiːn²¹ sɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

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


樂不思蜀

ㄌㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄙ ㄕㄨˇ

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ sʊk̚²/

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ sʊk̚²/

From Sanguozhi, said by Liu Shan when he was living in Cao Wei after the collapse of Shu Han

Another day, the prince (Sima Zhao) asked Liu Shan, “Do you still miss Shu very much?” Liu Shan replied, “I enjoy life here and don't miss Shu at all.”

Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms, circa 3ʳᵈ century CE

Tārì, wáng wèn Shàn yuē: “Pō sī Shǔ fǒu?” Shàn yuē: “Cǐjiān lè, bùsī Shǔ.”

他日，王問禪曰：「頗思蜀否？」禪曰：「此間樂，不思蜀。」

他日，王问禅曰：「颇思蜀否？」禅曰：「此间乐，不思蜀。」

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

Cao Wei
Liu Shan
Sanguozhi
Shu Han
Sima Zhao


孤軍奮戰

ㄍㄨ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄈㄣˋ ㄓㄢˋ

гуцзюньфэньчжань

/ku⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ fɐn¹³ t͡siːn³³/

/ku⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/kuː⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ fɐn¹³ t͡siːn³³/

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


顯而易見

ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄦˊ ㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

сяньэрицзянь

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hiːn³⁵ jiː²¹ jiː²² kiːn³³/

/hiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² i²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/hiɛn⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ĩ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hiːn³⁵ jiː²¹ jiː²² kiːn³³/

/hiɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² i²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/hiɛn⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ĩ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/


所作所為

ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄟˊ

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/sɔː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ sɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/sɔː³⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ sɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹/


精衛填海

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄨㄟˋ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄞˇ

цзинвэйтяньхай

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² tʰiːn²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² tʰiːn²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵/


出人意料

ㄔㄨ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄠˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː³³ liːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ jɐn²¹ jiː³³ liːu̯²²/

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


一葉知秋

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ jɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ jɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/


舉足輕重

ㄐㄩˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

цзюйцзуцинчжун

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/kɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ¹³/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/kɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ¹³/


仁者見仁，智者見智

ㄖㄣˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄓˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓˋ

жэньчжэ цзянь жэнь

чжичжэ цзянь чжи

žɛnʹčžɛ czjanʹ žɛnʹ

čžičžɛ czjanʹ čži

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

jan⁴ dze² gin³ jan⁴, dzi³ dze² gin³ dzi³

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ kiːn³³ jɐn²¹ t͡siː³³ t͡sɛː³⁵ kiːn³³ t͡siː³³/

Rén zhě jiàn zhī wèi zhī rén, zhì zhě jiàn zhī wèi zhī zhì.

仁者見之謂之仁，知者見之謂之知。

仁者见之谓之仁，知者见之谓之知。

The benevolent person sees benevolence, the wise person sees wisdom

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

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


史無前例

ㄕˇ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹/

/siː³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ lɐi̯²²/

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹/

/siː³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ lɐi̯²²/


甘井先竭

desc

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

ㄍㄢ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

ганьцзинсяньцзе

/kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

highly-skilled men are the first to be exhausted


行之有效

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄓ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ haːu̯²²/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hɐŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ haːu̯²²/


古色古香

ㄍㄨˇ ㄙㄜˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄤ

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kuː³⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kou⁵²⁻³⁵ sek̚²⁻⁴ kou⁵²⁻³⁵ hiaŋ³³/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/kuː³⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kuː³⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kou⁵²⁻³⁵ sek̚²⁻⁴ kou⁵²⁻³⁵ hiaŋ³³/


赳赳武夫

ㄐㄧㄡ ㄐㄧㄡ ㄨˇ ㄈㄨ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵/

/tɐu̯³⁵ tɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵/

/tɐu̯³⁵ tɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ fuː⁵⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 7 (《詩經·周南·兔罝》)

lang

(《詩經·周南·兔罝》)

(《詩經·周南·兔罝》)

Carefully adjusted are the rabbit nets; Clang clang go the blows on the pegs.
That stalwart, martial man, Might be shield and wall to his prince.

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

Sùsù tùjū, zhuó zhī zhēngzhēng.
Jiūjiū wǔfū, gōnghóu gānchéng.

肅肅兔罝，椓之丁丁。
赳赳武夫，公侯干城。

肃肃兔罝，椓之丁丁。
赳赳武夫，公侯干城。

having the qualities of a strong and valiant warrior


夙興夜寐

ㄙㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄧㄝˋ ㄇㄟˋ

/su⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ jɛː²² mei̯²²/

/su⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ jɛː²² mei̯²²/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 58 (《詩經·衞風·氓》)

For three years I was your wife, And thought nothing of my toil in your house.
I rose early and went to sleep late, Not intermitting my labours for a morning.

Sān suì wéi fù, mǐ shì láo yǐ.
Sù xīng yè mèi, mǐ yǒu zhāo yǐ.

三歲為婦，靡室勞矣。
夙興夜寐，靡有朝矣。

三岁为妇，靡室劳矣。
夙兴夜寐，靡有朝矣。

@[…] Weren’t there programmers working hard all day long, China’s Internet industries would never “overtake on the bend”, evolving into billions-valued enterprises one after one. @[…]

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

[…] méiyǒu sùxìngyèmèi de chéngxùyuán, zhōngguó hùliánwǎng chǎnyè wúfǎ shíxiàn “wāndào chāochē”, chéngjiù yīge yòu yīge gūzhí guò yì de qǐyè; […]

[…]沒有夙興夜寐的程序員，中國互聯網產業無法實現「彎道超車」，成就一個又一個估值過億的企業；[…]

[…]没有夙兴夜寐的程序员，中国互联网产业无法实现「弯道超车」，成就一个又一个估值过亿的企业；[…]

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

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


相提並論

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄊㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

сянтибинлунь

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ pɪŋ²² lɵn²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²²⁻²¹ lun²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lun²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ pɪŋ²² lɵn²²/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²²⁻²¹ lun²²/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ lun³³/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ lun³³/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe²⁴⁻²² piɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ lun²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ tʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ luŋ³⁵/

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

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

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

這也可以說是「施仁政」吧，但這是我們對於原來是敵對階級的人們所強迫地施行的，和我們對於革命人民內部的自我教育工作，不能相提並論。

这也可以说是「施仁政」吧，但这是我们对于原来是敌对阶级的人们所强迫地施行的，和我们对于革命人民内部的自我教育工作，不能相提并论。

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


名符其實

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/miŋ³⁵ fu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miŋ³⁵ fu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

名副其實 名副其實#Chinese

名副其实 名副其实#Chinese

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


軒然大波

ㄒㄩㄢ ㄖㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄛ

сюаньжаньдабо

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/hiːn⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² pɔː⁵⁵/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ pʰo⁴⁴/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ pʰɤ⁴⁴/

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/hiːn⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² pɔː⁵⁵/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴⁻²² tai²²⁻²¹ pʰo⁴⁴/

/hiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³⁻³³ tai³³⁻²¹ pʰɤ⁴⁴/


十面埋伏

ㄕˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄞˊ ㄈㄨˊ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ maɪ̯³⁵ fu³⁵/

/sɐp̚² miːn²² maːi̯²¹ fʊk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ maɪ̯³⁵ fu³⁵/

/sɐp̚² miːn²² maːi̯²¹ fʊk̚²/


不約而同

ㄅㄨˋ ㄩㄝ ㄦˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ

/pu⁵¹ ɥɛ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jœːk̚³ jiː²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔk̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔk̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴/

/pu⁵¹ ɥɛ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jœːk̚³ jiː²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔk̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔk̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴/

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

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

老師一走進教師，同學們就不約而同安靜下來。

老师一走进教师，同学们就不约而同安静下来。

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

(neologism, slang, humorous) to become gay or lesbian after a long period without dating


有目共睹

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄨˇ

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

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² kʊŋ²² tou̯³⁵/

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

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² kʊŋ²² tou̯³⁵/


源源不斷

ㄩㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

юаньюаньбудуань

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tuaŋ³⁵/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹/

/ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ŋuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tuaŋ³⁵/


今非昔比

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄈㄟ ㄒㄧ ㄅㄧˇ

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄈㄟ ㄒㄧˊ ㄅㄧˇ

цзиньфэйсиби

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ pei̯³⁵/

the present cannot compare with the past; times have changed


江山永固

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄕㄢ ㄩㄥˇ ㄍㄨˋ

цзяншаньюнгу

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wɪŋ¹³ kuː³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku⁵¹/

/kɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wɪŋ¹³ kuː³³/

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

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

后妃大挑禮成。奴才榮祿恭賀聖母皇太后，恭賀皇上。願我大清朝皇嗣繁熾，江山永固。

后妃大挑礼成。奴才荣禄恭贺圣母皇太后，恭贺皇上。愿我大清朝皇嗣繁炽，江山永固。

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


膾炙人口

CJKV/code

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

thinly sliced, roasted meat in the people's mouths

ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄓˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄎㄡˇ

куайчжижэнькоу

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

/kʰuːi̯³⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ jɐn²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

/kʰuːi̯³⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ jɐn²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

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


寥寥數語

ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄩˇ

/li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/liːu̯²¹ liːu̯²¹ sou̯³³ jyː¹³/

/li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/liːu̯²¹ liːu̯²¹ sou̯³³ jyː¹³/

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


知法犯法

ㄓ ㄈㄚˇ ㄈㄢˋ ㄈㄚˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ fän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ fän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

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

san¹ wai⁴ ging² caat³, keoi⁵ ging² jin⁴ zi¹ faat³ faan⁶ faat³, zan¹ hai⁶ ging² deoi⁶⁻² ge³ ci² juk⁶!

身為警察，佢竟然知法犯法，真係警隊嘅恥辱！

身为警察，佢竟然知法犯法，真系警队嘅耻辱！


光說不做

ㄍㄨㄤ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ syːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sou̯²²/

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ syːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sou̯²²/

all talk and no action
all talk and no action

all bark and no bite
all bark and no bite

all talk and no action; all bark and no bite


光說不幹

ㄍㄨㄤ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ

гуаншобугань

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ syːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːn³³/

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ syːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːn³³/


只說不做

ㄓˇ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ syːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sou̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ syːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sou̯²²/


花見花開

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄎㄞ

хуацзяньхуакай

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/faː⁵⁵ kiːn³³ faː⁵⁵ hɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/faː⁵⁵ kiːn³³ faː⁵⁵ hɔːi̯⁵⁵/

that which makes flowers blossom upon its encounter with flowers; that which is loved by all


千秋萬歲

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄨㄢˋ ㄙㄨㄟˋ

цяньцюваньсуй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ maːn²² sɵy̯³³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ maːn²² sɵy̯³³/

a thousand years and ten thousand years; a long time


本末倒置

ㄅㄣˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄓˋ

бэньмодаочжи

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

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

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


炎黃子孫

ㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄗˇ ㄙㄨㄣ

Яньхуан цзысунь

/jɛn³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/jiːm²¹ wɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː³⁵ syːn⁵⁵/

/iam²²⁻²¹ hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sun⁴⁴/

/iam⁴¹⁻²² hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ sun³³/

/iam²²⁻²¹ hɔŋ¹³⁻²² t͡su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sun⁴⁴/

/iam³³⁻¹¹ hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sun⁴⁴/

/iam³³⁻²¹ hɔŋ²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sun⁴⁴/

/jɛn³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/jiːm²¹ wɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː³⁵ syːn⁵⁵/

/iam²²⁻²¹ hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sun⁴⁴/

/iam⁴¹⁻²² hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ sun³³/

/iam²²⁻²¹ hɔŋ¹³⁻²² t͡su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sun⁴⁴/

/iam³³⁻¹¹ hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sun⁴⁴/

/iam³³⁻²¹ hɔŋ²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sun⁴⁴/

descendants of the Yan and Yellow Emperors; the Han Chinese people; the Chinese nation


留中不發

ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚ

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

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

Wǒ kàn zhè dào zòuzhé xiān liúzhōngbùfā.

我看這道奏摺先留中不發。

我看这道奏折先留中不发。

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


先斬後奏

behead first, report [to the emperor] later

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄓㄢˇ ㄏㄡˋ ㄗㄡˋ

сяньчжаньхоуцзоу

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡soʊ̯⁵¹/

/siːn⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ hɐu̯²² t͡sɐu̯³³/

/siːn⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ hɐu̯²² t͡sɐu̯³³/

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

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

皇上御賜龍虎狗三口鍘刀，本府有先斬後奏之權。如何審不得你？

皇上御赐龙虎狗三口铡刀，本府有先斩后奏之权。如何审不得你？

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


心灰意冷

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄧˋ ㄌㄥˇ

синьхуэйилэн

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːŋ¹³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² hue⁴⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐm⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːŋ¹³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² hue⁴⁴⁻²² i²¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪŋ⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁴⁴⁻³³ i¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪŋ⁵³/


各有所好

ㄍㄜˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄠˋ

/kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ hou̯³³/

/kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ hou̯³³/

different strokes for different folks
different strokes for different folks

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


知規犯規

ㄓ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄈㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄟ

чжигуйфаньгуй

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ fän⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ faːn²² kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ fän⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ faːn²² kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵/

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

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

他明知是必須這樣做，但他不願意做，他知規犯規！

他明知是必须这样做，但他不愿意做，他知规犯规！


長話短說

ㄔㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄕㄨㄛ

чанхуадуаньшо

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ waː²² tyːn³⁵ syːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ waː²² tyːn³⁵ syːt̚³/

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


篳門閨竇

ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄡˋ

бимэньгуйдоу

/pi⁵¹ mən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ muːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ tɐu̯²²/

/pi⁵¹ mən³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ muːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ tɐu̯²²/

wretched hovel; living in poverty; poverty-stricken


隔籬飯香

/kaːk̚³ lei̯²¹ faːn²² hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/kaːk̚³ lei̯²¹ faːn²² hœːŋ⁵⁵/

the grass is always greener on the other side

(Cantonese) The grass is always greener on the other side.


無時無刻

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

ㄨˊ ㄕˊ ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˋ

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ siː²¹ mou̯²¹ hɐk̚⁵/

/bu²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²³⁻³³ si²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ siː²¹ mou̯²¹ hɐk̚⁵/

/bu²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²³⁻³³ si²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

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

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

自是行忘止，食忘饗，卻像掉下了一件甚麼東西，無時無刻不在心上。

自是行忘止，食忘飨，却像掉下了一件什么东西，无时无刻不在心上。

他無時無刻不坐在電腦旁。

他无时无刻不坐在电脑旁。


無時無刻

Composed of 無 (“regardless of”) + 時 (“time”) + 無 (“regardless of”) + 刻 (“moment”) (Wang, 2010).

ㄨˊ ㄕˊ ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˋ

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ siː²¹ mou̯²¹ hɐk̚⁵/

/bu²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²³⁻³³ si²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

/u³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ u³⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ siː²¹ mou̯²¹ hɐk̚⁵/

/bu²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²³⁻³³ si²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bu²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰiɪk̚³²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² si²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² kʰiɪk̚³²/

他無時無刻都在打電動。

他无时无刻都在打电动。

keoi⁵ mou⁴ si⁴ mou⁴ hak¹ dou¹ hai⁶ hai² dou⁶ daa² gei¹.

佢無時無刻都係喺度打機。

佢无时无刻都系喺度打机。


人情冷暖

ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄥˇ ㄋㄨㄢˇ

жэньцинлэннуань

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

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ laːŋ¹³ nyːn¹³/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ laːŋ¹³ nyːn¹³/

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


捉襟見肘

ㄓㄨㄛ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄡˇ

ㄓㄨㄛ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄡˇ

чжоцзиньцзяньчжоу

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

чжоцзиньсяньчжоу

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ kʰɐm⁵⁵ kiːn²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ kʰɐm⁵⁵ kiːn²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

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

The idiom arose from an anecdote variously attributed to Zeng Shen or Yuan Xian.

mid. 2nd century <small class='ce-date'>BCE</small>

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

Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Zēngzǐ jū Wèi... Zhèngguān ér yīngjué, zhuōjīn ér zhǒuxiàn, nàlǚ ér zhǒngjué.

曾子居衛…正冠而纓絕，捉衿而肘見，納履而踵決。

曾子居卫…正冠而缨绝，捉衿而肘见，纳履而踵决。

Yuan Xian dwelt in Lu… He straightened his cap and the string broke; he adjusted the lapel of his gown and his elbows came out; he put on his shoes and the heels burst.

Han Ying (韓嬰), traditionally attributed. c. mid. 2nd century BCE, Han Shi Waizhuan (《韓詩外傳》). Based on the translation by James Robert Hightower.

Yuán Xiàn jū Lǔ... Zhèngguān zé yīngjué, zhènjīn zé zhǒuxiàn, nàlǚ zé zhǒngjué.

原憲居魯…正冠則纓絕，振襟則肘見，納履則踵決。

原宪居鲁…正冠则缨绝，振襟则肘见，纳履则踵决。

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

to be pitifully poor; to be desperately poor; to be hard up

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


見仁見智

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓˋ

цзяньжэньцзяньчжи

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ jɐn²¹ kiːn³³ t͡siː³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ jɐn²¹ kiːn³³ t͡siː³³/

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

zh-etym-short

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


千山萬水

CJKV/code

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

one thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄕㄢ ㄨㄢˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

цяньшаньваньшуй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ maːn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰi̯en²⁴⁻¹¹ san²⁴⁻¹¹ van⁵⁵ su̯i³¹/

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

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

/t͡sʰãĩ³³⁻²³ sũã³³ buaŋ¹¹ t͡sui⁵²/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ maːn²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰi̯en²⁴⁻¹¹ san²⁴⁻¹¹ van⁵⁵ su̯i³¹/

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

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

/t͡sʰãĩ³³⁻²³ sũã³³ buaŋ¹¹ t͡sui⁵²/

2000, Xu Wei (lyrics and music), “方向 [fāngxiàng, Direction]”, in 那一年 [In that Year], performed by Xu Wei:

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

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

化作為你盛開的夕陽 越過遙遠的千山萬水 來到你寂寞的陽台 溫暖你疼痛的心

化作为你盛开的夕阳 越过遥远的千山万水 来到你寂寞的阳台 温暖你疼痛的心


冒名頂替

ㄇㄠˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄊㄧˋ

/mɑʊ̯⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi⁵¹/

/mou̯²² mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ tʰɐi̯³³/

/mɑʊ̯⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi⁵¹/

/mou̯²² mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ tʰɐi̯³³/

[Through] false pretense, [you] became a member of the royal family.

冒名頂替，入贅皇家。

冒名顶替，入赘皇家。


榮華富貴

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɪŋ²¹ waː²¹ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɪŋ²¹ waː²¹ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

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

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

若不是你貪圖榮華富貴泯滅天良，又豈會落到如今這般田地？

若不是你贪图荣华富贵泯灭天良，又岂会落到如今这般田地？

high social position and great financial wealth


雞毛蒜皮

ㄐㄧ ㄇㄠˊ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄧˊ

цзимаосуаньпи

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ su̯än⁵¹ pʰi³⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ syːn³³ pʰei̯²¹/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ su̯än⁵¹ pʰi³⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ syːn³³ pʰei̯²¹/


無可救藥

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧㄠˋ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kiu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ioʔ⁴/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³ jœːk̚²/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kiu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ioʔ⁴/

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


無藥可救

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

ㄨˊ ㄧㄠˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

/u³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jœːk̚² hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ioʔ⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu¹¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ iɤʔ⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹/

/u³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ jœːk̚² hɔː³⁵ kɐu̯³³/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ioʔ⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiu¹¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ iɤʔ⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kiu²¹/

他是個無藥可救的蘿莉控。

他是个无药可救的萝莉控。


男女老幼

ㄋㄢˊ ㄋㄩˇ ㄌㄠˇ ㄧㄡˋ

/nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³ lou̯¹³ jɐu̯³³/

/nam¹¹ ŋ̍³¹ lo³¹ i̯u⁵⁵/

/nän³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ nɵy̯¹³ lou̯¹³ jɐu̯³³/

/nam¹¹ ŋ̍³¹ lo³¹ i̯u⁵⁵/

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


黃袍加身

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄆㄠˊ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄕㄣ

хуанпаоцзяшэнь

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ pʰou̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ pʰou̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

The idiom comes from the event in 960 when military commander Zhao Kuangyin removed child emperor Guo Zongxun from the throne and proclaimed himself a new emperor after being presented an imperial dragon robe by his subordinates.
After becoming emperor, Zhao, for fear that military figures might betray him like he betraying his emperor, invited them to a wine banquet and successfully persuaded them to retire. This happened in 961 and gave rise to another idiom, 杯酒釋兵權／杯酒释兵权 (bēi jiǔ shì bīng quán).

zh-m

杯酒釋兵權／杯酒释兵权 (bēi jiǔ shì bīng quán)

1345 CE, Toqto'a (lead editor), History of Song

Zhū xiào lù rèn liè yú tíng, yuē: “Zhū jūn wúzhǔ, yuàn cè tàiwèi wèi tiānzǐ.” Wèijí duì, yǒu yǐ huáng yī jiā tàizǔ shēn, zhòng jiē luóbài, hū wànsuì, jí yē tàizǔ chéngmǎ.

諸校露刃列於庭，曰：「諸軍無主，願策太尉為天子。」未及對，有以黃衣加太祖身，眾皆羅拜，呼萬歲，即掖太祖乘馬。

诸校露刃列于庭，曰：「诸军无主，愿策太尉为天子。」未及对，有以黄衣加太祖身，众皆罗拜，呼万岁，即掖太祖乘马。

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

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

趙匡胤黃袍加身仰仗的是兵變，掌權後難免擔心別的將領如法炮製，一旦兵權在握也來奪位，於是策劃了“杯酒釋兵權”這齣好戲。

赵匡胤黄袍加身仰仗的是兵变，掌权后难免担心别的将领如法炮制，一旦兵权在握也来夺位，于是策划了“杯酒释兵权”这出好戏。

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

to be crowned (as a monarch, ruler, winner, champion, etc.)


有聲有色

ㄧㄡˇ ㄕㄥ ㄧㄡˇ ㄙㄜˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɤ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɛːŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/


小心翼翼

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄧˋ ㄧˋ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jɪk̚² jɪk̚²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jɪk̚² jɪk̚²/

Occurred a few times in the Classic of Poetry, for example, poem 236 (《詩經·大雅·大明》)

lang

(《詩經·大雅·大明》)

(《詩經·大雅·大明》)

This king Wen, Watchfully and reverently,
With entire intelligence served God, And so secured the great blessing.

Wéi cǐ Wénwáng, xiǎoxīn yìyì.
Zhāo shì Shàngdì, yù huái duō fú.

維此文王，小心翼翼。
昭事上帝，聿懷多福。

维此文王，小心翼翼。
昭事上帝，聿怀多福。

cautious; prudent; wary; with great care; cautiously


怨聲載道

ㄩㄢˋ ㄕㄥ ㄗㄞˋ ㄉㄠˋ

юаньшэнцзайдао

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jyːn³³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯³³ tou̯²²/

/i̯en⁵⁵ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai̯⁵⁵ tʰo⁵⁵/

/(j)i̯an⁵⁵ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai̯⁵⁵ tʰo⁵⁵/

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jyːn³³ sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯³³ tou̯²²/

/i̯en⁵⁵ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai̯⁵⁵ tʰo⁵⁵/

/(j)i̯an⁵⁵ saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai̯⁵⁵ tʰo⁵⁵/

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

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

變法變得人心惶惶，怨聲載道。居然還找日本人當顧問。這不是引狼入室，請鬼來開藥方呢？

变法变得人心惶惶，怨声载道。居然还找日本人当顾问。这不是引狼入室，请鬼来开药方呢？

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


吃熊心豹子膽

ㄔ ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄠˋ ˙ㄗ ㄉㄢˇ

чи сюнсинь баоцзыдань

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɛːk̚³ hʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰaːu̯³³ t͡siː³⁵ taːm³⁵/


百鳥朝鳳

a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄠˇ ㄔㄠˊ ㄈㄥˋ

байняочаофэн

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ni̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːu̯¹³ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ fʊŋ²²/

/paːk̚³ niːu̯¹³ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ fʊŋ²²/


陳詞濫調

ㄔㄣˊ ㄘˊ ㄌㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

чэньцыланьдяо

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹ laːm²² tiːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹ laːm²² tiːu̯²²/

old words and hackneyed talk; clichés; platitudes


老生常談

ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄥ ㄔㄤˊ ㄊㄢˊ

лаошэнчантань

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ²¹ tʰaːm²¹/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ²¹ tʰaːm²¹/


曲折離奇

ㄑㄩ ㄓㄜˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ li³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³ lei̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ li³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³ lei̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

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


子曰

desc

→ Japanese: 子曰く (Shi iwaku, Shi notamawaku) (calque)

/t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ jœːk̚²/

/t͡sz̩⁴⁴ ɦioʔ¹²/

/t͡sz̩⁴⁴ ɦyɪʔ¹²/

/t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ jœːk̚²/

/t͡sz̩⁴⁴ ɦioʔ¹²/

/t͡sz̩⁴⁴ ɦyɪʔ¹²/


呢樣嗰樣

/niː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² kɔː³⁵ jœːŋ²²/

/nei̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² kɔː³⁵ jœːŋ²²/

/niː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² kɔː³⁵ jœːŋ²²/

/nei̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² kɔː³⁵ jœːŋ²²/


溫故知新

CJKV/code

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

ㄨㄣ ㄍㄨˋ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄣ

вэньгучжисинь

/wən⁵⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wɐn⁵⁵ kuː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/wən⁵⁵ ku⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/wɐn⁵⁵ kuː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

The Master said, "If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge, so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others."

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

Zǐyuē: “Wēn gù ér zhī xīn, kěyǐ wéi shī yǐ.”

子曰：「溫故而知新，可以為師矣。」

子曰：「温故而知新，可以为师矣。」

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


由此可見

ㄧㄡˊ ㄘˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

/joʊ̯³⁵ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ kiːn³³/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ kiːn³³/


一文不值

ㄧ ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/


穎脫而出

ㄧㄥˇ ㄊㄨㄛ ㄦˊ ㄔㄨ

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

脫穎而出 脫穎而出#Chinese

脱颖而出 脱颖而出#Chinese

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


嘯聚山林

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄕㄢ ㄌㄧㄣˊ

сяоцзюйшаньлинь

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ lin³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ lin³⁵/

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


對症下藥

ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄧㄠˋ

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

ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄧㄠˋㄦ

дуйчжэнсяяор

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

/tɵy̯³³ t͡sɪŋ³³ haː²² jœːk̚²/

/tɵy̯³³ t͡sɪŋ³³ haː²² jœːk̚²/

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


微不足道

ㄨㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄉㄠˋ

ㄨㄟˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄉㄠˋ

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tou̯²²/

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tou̯²²/

not worth mentioning; insignificant; negligible


笑容可掬

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄩ

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄩˊ

сяожункэцзюй

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ jʊŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʊk̚⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ jʊŋ²¹ hɔː³⁵ kʊk̚⁵/


錯綜複雜

ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄨㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄗㄚˊ

ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄨㄥˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄗㄚˊ

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ³³ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

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

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ³³ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

/t͡sʰɔː³³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ t͡saːp̚²/

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


因小失大

ja-r

いん%しょう%しつ%だい

CJKV/code

いん%しょう%しつ%だい

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

CJKV

いん%しょう%しつ%だい

ㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄕ ㄉㄚˋ

/in⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²²/

/in⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/jɐn⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²²/

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

penny wise and pound foolish
penny wise and pound foolish

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


順理成章

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄓㄤ

шуньличэнчжан

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² lei̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/sun²²⁻²¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

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

/sun²²⁻²¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ¹³⁻²² t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻¹¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻²¹ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sɵn²² lei̯¹³ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/sun²²⁻²¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

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

/sun²²⁻²¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ¹³⁻²² t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻¹¹ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/sun³³⁻²¹ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

to be clearly structured (of a written text)

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


電光石火

ㄉㄧㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄕˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

дяньгуан шихо

/ti̯ɛn⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tiːn²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² fɔː³⁵/

/ti̯ɛn⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tiːn²² kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² fɔː³⁵/


天香國色

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄙㄜˋ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

exceptionally beautiful (woman or peony)


身家性命

ㄕㄣ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

шэньцзя синмин

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ sɪŋ³³ mɪŋ²²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ miŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ sɪŋ³³ mɪŋ²²/

the lives and properties of the whole family; family members' lives and family possessions


不知所措

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

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


盤根錯節

盘根错节
槃根錯節
蟠根錯節

ㄆㄢˊ ㄍㄣ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

паньгэньцоцзе

/pʰän³⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pʰuːn²¹ kɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡siːt̚³/

/pʰän³⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pʰuːn²¹ kɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːk̚³ t͡siːt̚³/

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


歸根結底

归根结底
歸根結柢
歸根結蒂

ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄧˇ

гуйгэньцзеди

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kiːt̚³ tɐi̯³⁵/

/kui³³⁻²³ kɯŋ³³⁻²³ kak̚²⁻⁴ toi⁵²⁻²¹/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kiːt̚³ tɐi̯³⁵/

/kui³³⁻²³ kɯŋ³³⁻²³ kak̚²⁻⁴ toi⁵²⁻²¹/


防不勝防

ㄈㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄈㄤˊ

ㄈㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄤˊ

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ²³/

/huaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huaŋ⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/fɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ²³/

/huaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ seŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huaŋ⁵⁵/

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


屈指可數

ㄑㄩ ㄓˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄨˇ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ sou̯³⁵/

/wɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ sou̯³⁵/

can be counted with one's fingers; very few; numbered


一事無成

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/it̚² sɨ⁵⁵ vu¹¹ sɨn¹¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sɯ¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ seŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

/it̚² sɨ⁵⁵ vu¹¹ sɨn¹¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² sɯ¹¹ bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ seŋ⁵⁵/

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


大器晚成

ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄨㄢˇ ㄔㄥˊ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³³ maːn¹³ sɪŋ²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² hei̯³³ maːn¹³ sɪŋ²¹/

Its largest square doth yet no corner show; a vessel great, it is the slowest made.

大方無隅，大器晚成。

大方无隅，大器晚成。

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


速戰速決

ㄙㄨˋ ㄓㄢˋ ㄙㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

сучжаньсуцзюэ

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

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

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

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

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

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

/su⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ su⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

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

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

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

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

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

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


前後矛盾

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄡˋ ㄇㄠˊ ㄉㄨㄣˋ

цяньхоумаодунь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² maːu̯²¹ tʰɵn¹³/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² maːu̯²¹ tʰɵn¹³/


沸沸揚揚

ㄈㄟˋ ㄈㄟˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ

/feɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ fɐi̯³³ jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/huk̚²⁻⁴ huk̚²⁻⁴ iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵⁵/

/feɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐi̯³³ fɐi̯³³ jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/huk̚²⁻⁴ huk̚²⁻⁴ iaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ iaŋ⁵⁵/


突如其來

ㄊㄨ ㄖㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄞˊ

ㄊㄨˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄞˊ

/tʰu⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰu³⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/tɐt̚² jyː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

/tʰu⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰu³⁵ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/tɐt̚² jyː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ lɔːi̯²¹/

The fourth NINE, undivided, shows the manner of its subject's coming. How abrupt it is, as with fire, with death, to be rejected (by all)!

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

Jiǔ sì: tū rú qí lái rú, fén rú, sǐ rú, qì rú.

九四：突如其來如，焚如，死如，棄如。

九四：突如其来如，焚如，死如，弃如。

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 30


一觸即發

ㄧ ㄔㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄈㄚ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faːt̚³/

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

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

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

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ faːt̚³/

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


老謀深算

ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄡˊ ㄕㄣ ㄙㄨㄢˋ

лаомоушэньсуань

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ su̯än⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ mɐu̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ syːn³³/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ su̯än⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ mɐu̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ syːn³³/

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


老邁無能

ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄞˋ ㄨˊ ㄋㄥˊ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ maɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ maɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵/


老馬識途

desc

→ Vietnamese: ngựa quen đường cũ (calque)

ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄕˊ ㄊㄨˊ

ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄕˋ ㄊㄨˊ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ maː¹³ sɪk̚⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/lo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ²⁴/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ maː¹³ sɪk̚⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/lo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ²⁴/

From a story in Han Feizi, Chapter 22 (《韓非子·說林上》)

Guan Zhong and Xi Peng (隰朋) accompanied Duke Huan in the expedition against Guzhu. When spring was gone and winter came again, they went astray and lost the way. Thereupon Guan Zhong said: "The wisdom of old horses is trustworthy." So they let old horses go of themselves and followed them from behind, till they found the way.

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

Guǎn Zhòng, Xí Péng cóng yú Huán gōng ér fá Gūzhú, chūn wǎng dōng fǎn, míhuò shī dào, Guǎn Zhòng yuē: “Lǎo mǎ zhī zhì kě yòng yě.” Nǎi fàng lǎo mǎ ér suí zhī, suì dé dào.

管仲、隰朋從於桓公而伐孤竹，春往冬反，迷惑失道，管仲曰：「老馬之智可用也。」乃放老馬而隨之，遂得道。

管仲、隰朋从于桓公而伐孤竹，春往冬反，迷惑失道，管仲曰：「老马之智可用也。」乃放老马而随之，遂得道。

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

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


能說會道

ㄋㄥˊ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄉㄠˋ

нэншохуэйдао

/nɤŋ³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/nɤŋ³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

to have the gift of gab; to have a glib tongue


不治之症

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˋ ㄓ ㄓㄥˋ

бучжичжичжэн

bučžičžičžɛn

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³/


金不換

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

цзиньбухуань

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/kɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ wuːn²²/

/kim⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ huan²¹/

/kim⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ huan²¹/

/kim⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ huan¹¹/

/kim⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ huan²¹/

/kim³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ hueŋ²¹³/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/kɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ wuːn²²/

/kim⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ huan²¹/

/kim⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ huan²¹/

/kim⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ huan¹¹/

/kim⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ huan²¹/

/kim³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ hueŋ²¹³/

cannot be exchanged with gold; invaluable; precious


糖衣炮彈

ㄊㄤˊ ㄧ ㄆㄠˋ ㄉㄢˋ

танъи паодань

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ jiː⁵⁵ pʰaːu̯³³ taːn²²⁻³⁵/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ jiː⁵⁵ pʰaːu̯³³ taːn²²⁻³⁵/

“Sugar-coated bullets (of the bourgeoisie)”, an expression used by Mao Zedong to refer to the method of using a deceptive image to rope in and corrupt the enemy.


風花雪月

ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄩㄝˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ syːt̚³ jyːt̚²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ syːt̚³ jyːt̚²/

trite poetry subject; effete language without substance

romantic themes; love affair; debaucherous life


日久生情

ㄖˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄕㄥ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² kɐu̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² kɐu̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

familiarity breeds fondness; love develops with time

(wordplay, vulgar, slang) to develop fondness after sleeping with each other for a while


望眼欲穿

one's eyes are nearly worn out looking for someone

ㄨㄤˋ ㄧㄢˇ ㄩˋ ㄔㄨㄢ

ванъяньюйчуань

/wɑŋ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ²² ŋaːn¹³ jʊk̚² t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ²² ŋaːn¹³ jʊk̚² t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵/

eagerly looking forward to meeting a dear one; expect to see someone who never comes


起錨

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ maʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bau¹³/

/kʰi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bau²⁴/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bau²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi⁴⁴ mɔ²³/

/t͡ɕʰi³³ mɔ⁴⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ maʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bau¹³/

/kʰi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bau²⁴/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bau²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi⁴⁴ mɔ²³/

/t͡ɕʰi³³ mɔ⁴⁴/

“Act Now” (slogan used by the Hong Kong Government in 2010)


冇嘢到

/mou̯¹³ jɛː¹³ tou̯³³/

/mou̯¹³ jɛː¹³ tou̯³³/

冇嘢到嘅？

(Cantonese) have/produce little to no results


待字閨中

ㄉㄞˋ ㄗˋ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄓㄨㄥ

дайцзы гуйчжун

/taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

(of women) to stay in the boudoir waiting to be betrothed; not yet betrothed to a man


不倫不類

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄟˋ

/pu⁵¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɵn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lɵy̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ leɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɵn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lɵy̯²²/

neither fish nor fowl
neither fish nor fowl


食慾不振

ㄕˊ ㄩˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄣˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ y⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/sɪk̚² jʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐn³³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ y⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/sɪk̚² jʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐn³³/

(medicine) loss of appetite; anorexia; anorexic


口吐白沫

ㄎㄡˇ ㄊㄨˇ ㄅㄞˊ ㄇㄛˋ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ paɪ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

ㄎㄡˇ ㄊㄨˇ ㄅㄞˊ ㄇㄛˋㄦ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ paɪ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔɻ⁵¹/

/hɐu̯³⁵ tʰou̯³³ paːk̚² muːt̚²/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ paɪ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ paɪ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔɻ⁵¹/

/hɐu̯³⁵ tʰou̯³³ paːk̚² muːt̚²/

foaming at the mouth (as a sign of poisoning, epileptic seizures or facial nerve palsy)


冰山一角

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄕㄢ ㄧ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

биншаньицзяо

/piŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄕㄢ ㄧ ㄐㄧㄠˇㄦ

биншаньицзяор

/piŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ kɔːk̚³/

/piŋ⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ kɔːk̚³/


手舞足蹈

ㄕㄡˇ ㄨˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄉㄠˇ

ㄕㄡˇ ㄨˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄉㄠˋ

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

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tou̯²²/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ tou̯²²/

From the Classic of Poetry, great preface (《詩經·大序》)

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

Shī zhě, zhì zhī suǒ zhī yě, zài xīn wéi zhì, fā yán wéi shī, qíng dòng yú zhōng, ér xíng yú yán, yán zhī bùzú, gù jiētàn zhī, jiētàn zhī bùzú, gù yǒng gē zhī, yǒng gē zhī bùzú, bùzhī shǒu zhī wǔ zhī, zú zhī dǎo zhī yě.

詩者，志之所之也，在心為志，發言為詩，情動於中，而形於言，言之不足，故嗟歎之，嗟歎之不足，故永歌之，永歌之不足，不知手之舞之、足之蹈之也。

诗者，志之所之也，在心为志，发言为诗，情动于中，而形于言，言之不足，故嗟叹之，嗟叹之不足，故永歌之，永歌之不足，不知手之舞之、足之蹈之也。

traditional Chinese medicine
traditional Chinese medicine

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


遊戲人生

ㄧㄡˊ ㄒㄧˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄥ

/joʊ̯³⁵ ɕi⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ hei̯³³ jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯³⁵ ɕi⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ hei̯³³ jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

taking life as a game; fooling around all the time


一眼關七

one eye concerned with seven directions (front, back, left, right, top, middle, bottom)

/jɐt̚⁵ ŋaːn¹³ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ ŋaːn¹³ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵/

(Cantonese) keeping a close eye on various things; considering the many aspects of a situation


三緘其口

ㄙㄢ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄑㄧˊ ㄎㄡˇ

саньцзяньцикоу

/sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːm⁵⁵ kaːm⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

/saːm⁵⁵ kaːm⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

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


貧富懸殊

ㄆㄧㄣˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄨ

пиньфусюаньшу

/pʰin³⁵ fu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/pʰɐn²¹ fuː³³ jyːn²¹ syː²¹/

/pʰin³⁵ fu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/pʰɐn²¹ fuː³³ jyːn²¹ syː²¹/

to have a wide gap between the rich and the poor


功不可沒

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄇㄛˋ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ muːt̚²/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ but̚⁴/

/kɔŋ³³ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ but̚²⁴/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ but̚¹²¹/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ but̚⁴/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ but̚⁴/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ muːt̚²/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ but̚⁴/

/kɔŋ³³ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ but̚²⁴/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ but̚¹²¹/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ but̚⁴/

/kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ but̚⁴/


齊齊整整

ㄑㄧˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄓㄥˇ ㄓㄥˇ

цицичжэнчжэн

cicičžɛnčžɛn

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³⁵ t͡sɪŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³⁵ t͡sɪŋ³⁵/


點算

haau² si⁵ m⁴ hap⁶ gaak³ ge³ waa⁶⁻², dim² syun³ aa³?

考試唔合格嘅話，點算啊？

考试唔合格嘅话，点算啊？


玩火自焚

ㄨㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄣˊ

ваньхоцзыфэнь

/wän³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

ㄨㄢˊㄦ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄣˊ

ваньрхоцзыфэнь

/wɑɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/waːn²¹⁻³⁵ fɔː³⁵ t͡siː²² fɐn²¹/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su²²⁻²¹ hun²⁴/

/uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡su³³⁻²¹ hun²³/

/wän³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/wɑɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ fən³⁵/

/waːn²¹⁻³⁵ fɔː³⁵ t͡siː²² fɐn²¹/

/uan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡su²²⁻²¹ hun²⁴/

/uan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡su³³⁻²¹ hun²³/

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

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


氣勢磅礴

气势磅礴
氣勢磅薄
氣勢旁礴
氣勢旁薄
氣勢磅礡

ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˋ ㄆㄤˊ ㄅㄛˊ

ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˋ ㄆㄤ ㄅㄛˊ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/hei̯³³ sɐi̯³³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ pɔːk̚²/

/kʰi²¹³⁻⁵⁵ si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ poʔ⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pʰɑŋ⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/hei̯³³ sɐi̯³³ pʰɔːŋ²¹ pɔːk̚²/

/kʰi²¹³⁻⁵⁵ si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ poʔ⁴/

of great momentum; grand and magnificent


一本正經

ㄧ ㄅㄣˇ ㄓㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄥ

ㄧ ㄅㄣˇ ㄓㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

ибэньчжэнцзин

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

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

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn³⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn³⁵ t͡sɪŋ³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵/

一本正經地胡說八道

一本正经地胡说八道


支吾其詞

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u² t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ ŋ̍²¹ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u² t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ ŋ̍²¹ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

to talk in a roundabout way to cover up the truth; to speak halting or ambiguously


文過飾非

ㄨㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

ㄨㄣˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

/wən³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐn²² kʷɔː³³ sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/wən³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mɐn²² kʷɔː³³ sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/


飾非文過

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄨㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄨㄣˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ wən³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ mɐn²² kʷɔː³³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ wən³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɪk̚⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ mɐn²² kʷɔː³³/


大當白日

/tua²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻²² pɛ(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ d͡zit̚¹²¹/


憑什麼

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄣˊ ˙ㄇㄜ

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂən³⁵ mə³/

/pʰɐŋ²¹ sɐm²² mɔː⁵⁵/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂən³⁵ mə³/

/pʰɐŋ²¹ sɐm²² mɔː⁵⁵/

For what reason are Chinese residents prohibited from accessing the greater international Internet?

Zhōngguó jūmín píng shénme bèi jìnzhǐ shàng wàiwǎng?

中國居民憑什麼被禁止上外網？

中国居民凭什么被禁止上外网？

for what reason; what makes you think (you can do something); on what grounds; on what authority; who are they (to do something)


齊頭並進

ㄑㄧˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

цитоубинцзинь

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ pɪŋ²² t͡sɵn³³/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ pɪŋ²² t͡sɵn³³/

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


齊東野語

ㄑㄧˊ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄧㄝˇ ㄩˇ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

These are not the words of a superior man. They are the sayings of an uncultivated person of the east of Qi.

Cǐ fēi jūnzǐ zhī yán, Qí dōng yěrén zhī yǔ yě.

此非君子之言，齊東野人之語也。

此非君子之言，齐东野人之语也。


鼓舌如簧

ㄍㄨˇ ㄕㄜˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄤˊ

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤ³⁵ ʐu³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kuː³⁵ siːt̚² jyː²¹ wɔːŋ²¹/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤ³⁵ ʐu³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kuː³⁵ siːt̚² jyː²¹ wɔːŋ²¹/

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


碉堡

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(neologism, slang, colloquial, euphemistic) Alternative form of 屌爆 (diǎobào, “epic; freaking awesome; cool”)


黨同伐異

ㄉㄤˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄚˊ ㄧˋ

ㄉㄤˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄚ ㄧˋ

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä³⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ fɐt̚² jiː²²/

/tɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁴⁻³² i²²/

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä³⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fä⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ fɐt̚² jiː²²/

/tɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁴⁻³² i²²/

to unite with those who agree and fight those who differ


愛恨情仇

ㄞˋ ㄏㄣˋ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄡˊ

айхэньцинчоу

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ hɐn²² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xən⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ hɐn²² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹/

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

cái míngbái àihènqíngchóu, zuì shāng zuì tòng shì hòuhuǐ

才明白愛恨情仇 最傷最痛是後悔

才明白爱恨情仇 最伤最痛是后悔


事在人為

ㄕˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄟˊ

шицзайжэньвэй

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² t͡sɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² t͡sɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

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


時過境遷

ㄕˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

шигоцзинцянь

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²¹ kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²¹ kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/


七零八落

ㄑㄧ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ liŋ³⁵ pä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ lɪŋ²¹ paːt̚³ lɔːk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ liŋ³⁵ pä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ lɪŋ²¹ paːt̚³ lɔːk̚²/

scattered here and there; in disorder; in confusion


事過境遷

ㄕˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

шигоцзинцянь

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²² kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/su²²⁻²¹ ko²¹⁻⁵³ kiɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/siː²² kʷɔː³³ kɪŋ³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/su²²⁻²¹ ko²¹⁻⁵³ kiɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴/

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


自生自滅

ㄗˋ ㄕㄥ ㄗˋ ㄇㄧㄝˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² miːt̚²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² miːt̚²/

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


龍飛鳳舞

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄟ ㄈㄥˋ ㄨˇ

/lʊŋ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ²² mou̯¹³/

/lʊŋ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ²² mou̯¹³/

vivid and vigorous flourishes in calligraphy


龍肝鳳髓

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄢ ㄈㄥˋ ㄙㄨㄟˇ

лунганьфэнсуй

/lʊŋ³⁵ kän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²¹ kɔːn⁵⁵ fʊŋ²² sɵy̯¹³/

/lʊŋ³⁵ kän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²¹ kɔːn⁵⁵ fʊŋ²² sɵy̯¹³/


龍躍鳳鳴

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄈㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

лунъюэфэнмин

/lʊŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːk̚² fʊŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːk̚³ fʊŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

/lʊŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːk̚² fʊŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ jœːk̚³ fʊŋ²² mɪŋ²¹/


龍蛇混雜

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄜˊ ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄗㄚˊ

луншэхуньцза

/lʊŋ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵ xu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ sɛː²¹ wɐn²² t͡saːp̚²/

/lʊŋ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵ xu̯ən⁵¹ t͡sä³⁵/

/lʊŋ²¹ sɛː²¹ wɐn²² t͡saːp̚²/

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


哽哽咽咽

ㄍㄥˇ ㄍㄥˇ ㄧㄝˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ jiːt̚³ jiːt̚³/

/kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ jiːt̚³ jiːt̚³/


一技之長

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kei̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ki³³ t͡si³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kei̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ki³³ t͡si³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ki⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² tiɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɔŋ²³/


恰到好處

ㄑㄧㄚˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄏㄠˇ ㄔㄨˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/hɐp̚⁵ tou̯³³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː³³/

/hɐp̚⁵ tou̯³³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː³³/


爭先恐後

ㄓㄥ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄏㄡˋ

чжэнсянькунхоу

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ³⁵ hɐu̯²²/

/t͡saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si̯en²⁴ kʰi̯uŋ³¹ heu̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ³⁵ hɐu̯²²/

/t͡saŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si̯en²⁴ kʰi̯uŋ³¹ heu̯⁵⁵/


提心吊膽

to carry the heart and hang the gallbladder

ㄊㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄢˇ

тисиньдяодань

/tʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ tiːu̯³³ taːm³⁵/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim³³ tiau⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tã⁵⁵⁴/

/tʰe¹³⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ tã⁴¹/

/tʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ tän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ tiːu̯³³ taːm³⁵/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻²² sim³³ tiau⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tã⁵⁵⁴/

/tʰe¹³⁻²² sim⁴⁴⁻²² tiau²¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²⁴⁻¹¹ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ tã⁵³/

/tʰe²³⁻³³ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ tã⁴¹/

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


無情無義

ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/u³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ i⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ jiː²²/

/mo¹¹ t͡sʰin¹¹ mo¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo¹³⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ ɡi³³/

/bo²⁴⁻²¹ t͡seŋ²⁴⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²¹ ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi⁴¹/

/u³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ i⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ jiː²²/

/mo¹¹ t͡sʰin¹¹ mo¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo¹³⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ ɡi³³/

/bo²⁴⁻²¹ t͡seŋ²⁴⁻²¹ bo²⁴⁻²¹ ɡi²²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² ɡi⁴¹/


無能為力

ㄨˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/u³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ nɐŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ui²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴/

/u³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ nɐŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ui²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴/


無話可說

ㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄨㄛ

/u³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ waː²² hɔː³⁵ syːt̚³/

/u³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ waː²² hɔː³⁵ syːt̚³/

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

to have great resentment for unacceptable actions


急流勇退

ㄐㄧˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄩㄥˇ ㄊㄨㄟˋ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐp̚⁵ lɐu̯²¹ jʊŋ¹³ tʰɵy̯³³/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɐp̚⁵ lɐu̯²¹ jʊŋ¹³ tʰɵy̯³³/

Momoe Yamaguchi's retirement at the height of her career

山口百惠的急流勇退

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


一哄而散

ㄧ ㄏㄨㄥˋ ㄦˊ ㄙㄢˋ

ㄧ ㄏㄨㄥ ㄦˊ ㄙㄢˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xʊŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ hʊŋ²² jiː²¹ saːn³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ xʊŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ hʊŋ²² jiː²¹ saːn³³/

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


無微不至

ㄨˊ ㄨㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˋ

ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˋ

/u³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ mei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

/u³⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ mei̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³/


美倫美煥

ㄇㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

ㄇㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

мэйлуньмэйхуань

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵¹/

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵¹/

美輪美奐 美輪美奐#Chinese

美轮美奂 美轮美奂#Chinese

Misspelling of 美輪美奐／美轮美奂 (měilúnměihuàn).


華夷一家

ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄧˊ ㄧ ㄐㄧㄚ

/xu̯ä³⁵ i³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/waː²¹ jiː²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

/xu̯ä³⁵ i³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/waː²¹ jiː²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

(historical) the ideology that Chinese and non-Chinese ethnic groups (in China) are of one family; ethnic pluralism


一舉三得

ㄧ ㄐㄩˇ ㄙㄢ ㄉㄜˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ sän⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

一舉兩得 一舉兩得#Chinese

一举两得 一举两得#Chinese

Alternative name for 一舉兩得／一举两得 (yījǔliǎngdé).


先敬羅衣後敬人

firstrespect the silky clothes, then respect the man

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄧ ㄏㄡˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ

сянь цзин лои хоу цзин жэнь

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ lu̯ɔ³⁵ i⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/siːn⁵⁵ kɪŋ³³ lɔː²¹ jiː⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² kɪŋ³³ jɐn²¹/


喜聞樂見

ㄒㄧˇ ㄨㄣˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

сивэньлэцзянь

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ lɔːk̚² kiːn³³/

/hi⁵²⁻³⁵ buŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ lak̚⁴⁻² kiaŋ²¹³/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ mɐn²¹ lɔːk̚² kiːn³³/

/hi⁵²⁻³⁵ buŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ lak̚⁴⁻² kiaŋ²¹³/

to love to hear and see; to one's liking; well-received


美輪美奐

ㄇㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

ㄇㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

мэйлуньмэйхуань

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ huan⁴¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun¹³⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan¹¹/

/bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lun²³⁻³³ bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än⁵¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lun²⁴⁻²² bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ huan⁴¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun¹³⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

/bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huan¹¹/

/bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lun²³⁻³³ bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ huan²¹/

From the Book of Rites, Book 4 (《禮記·檀弓下》)

(The ruler of) Jin having congratulated Wen-zi on the completion of his residence, the Great officers of the state went to the house-warming. Zhang Lao said, "How elegant it is, and lofty! How elegant and splendid! Here will you have your songs! Here will you have your wailings! Here will you assemble the representatives of the great families of the state!"

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

Jìn xiàn Wénzǐ chéng shì, Jìn dàfū fā yān. Zhāng Lǎo yuē: “Měi zāi lún yān! Měi zāi huàn yān! Bàn yú sī, kū yú sī, jù guózú yú sī.”

晉獻文子成室，晉大夫發焉。張老曰：「美哉輪焉！美哉奐焉！拌於斯，哭於斯，聚國族於斯。」

晋献文子成室，晋大夫发焉。张老曰：「美哉轮焉！美哉奂焉！拌于斯，哭于斯，聚国族于斯。」

美轮美奂
美侖美奐
美奐美輪

splendid and magnificent houses; sumptuous mansion; spectacular; magnificent


人情世故

ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄕˋ ㄍㄨˋ

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³ kuː³³/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ²¹/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³ kuː³³/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ²¹/

/lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² se⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ⁴¹/

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


是非不分

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

to be unable to distinguish right and wrong


是非黑白

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄏㄟ ㄅㄞˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵ paːk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵ paːk̚²/


是非分明

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄈㄣ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

шифэйфэньмин

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/


是非顛倒

ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ㄉㄧㄢ ㄉㄠˇ

шифэйдяньдао

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


上天無路，入地無門

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

ㄕㄤˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨˋ

ㄖㄨˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄇㄣˊ

soeng⁵ tin¹ mou⁴ lou⁶, jap⁶ dei⁶ mou⁴ mun⁴

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

séuhng tīn mòuh louh, yahp deih mòuh mùhn

soeng⁵ tin¹ mou⁴ lou⁶, jap⁹ dei⁶ mou⁴ mun⁴

sêng⁵ tin¹ mou⁴ lou⁶, yeb⁶ déi⁶ mou⁴ mun⁴

/sœːŋ¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ lou̯²² jɐp̚² tei̯²² mou̯²¹ muːn²¹/

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


是非曲直

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/siː²² fei̯⁵⁵ kʰʊk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

right and wrong; proper and improper; truth and falsehood


上天下地

to ascend the heaven or to descend to earth

ㄕㄤˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/sœːŋ¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² tei̯²²/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/sœːŋ¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² tei̯²²/

to leave no stones unturned; to spare no efforts


阿茂整餅——冇嗰樣，整嗰樣

head

阿茂整餅——冇嗰樣，整嗰樣

/aː³³ mɐu̯²² t͡sɪŋ³⁵ pɛːŋ³⁵ mou̯¹³ kɔː³⁵ jœːŋ²² t͡sɪŋ³⁵ kɔː³⁵ jœːŋ²²/

A Cantonese xiehouyu, literally “(the dim sum maker) Ah Mau makes cakes — whichever kind (of cake) is running out will be made promptly.”
Nowadays usually used disapprovingly.

阿茂整饼——冇嗰样，整嗰样
亞茂整餅——冇嗰樣，整嗰樣

(Cantonese) to do something unnecessary; to ruin things by doing something superfluous; to do something that failed


上上大吉

ㄕㄤˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/sœːŋ²² sœːŋ²² taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/sœːŋ²² sœːŋ²² taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/

most auspicious (a phrase usually used in divination)


上行下效

ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ haː²² haːu̯²²/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ hau²²/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ haː²² haːu̯²²/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ha²²⁻²¹ hau²²/

(originally derogatory) subordinates follow the example of their superiors


上氣不接下氣

ㄕㄤˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧˋ

шанци бу цзе сяци

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

/sœːŋ²² hei̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːp̚³ haː²² hei̯³³/


上上下下

ㄕㄤˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² sœːŋ²² haː²² haː²²/

/soŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ soŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ha²⁴⁻¹¹ ha²⁴/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² sœːŋ²² haː²² haː²²/

/soŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ soŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ha²⁴⁻¹¹ ha²⁴/

AABB-type reduplication of 上下 (shàngxià)

zh-etym-AABB

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


上下其手

ㄕㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕㄡˇ

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

/sœːŋ²² haː²² kʰei̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ha²²⁻²¹ ki²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵³/

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

/sœːŋ²² haː²² kʰei̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ha²²⁻²¹ ki²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵³/

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

(neologism, misinterpretation of the original) to sexually harass by groping


安如磐石

ㄢ ㄖㄨˊ ㄆㄢˊ ㄕˊ

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ pʰän³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ sɛːk̚²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ pʰän³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ pʰuːn²¹ sɛːk̚²/


上竄下跳

ㄕㄤˋ ㄘㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄊㄧㄠˋ

шанцуаньсятяо

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

/sœːŋ²² t͡sʰyːn³³ haː²² tʰiːu̯³³/

/sœːŋ²² t͡sʰyːn³³ haː²² tʰiːu̯³³/


藹然可親

ㄞˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄑㄧㄣ

айжанькэцинь

/ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/

/ˀaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐän³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵/


鞍馬勞頓

ㄢ ㄇㄚˇ ㄌㄠˊ ㄉㄨㄣˋ

аньмалаодунь

/ˀän⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ maː¹³ lou̯²¹ tɵn²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ maː¹³ lou̯²¹ tɵn²²/

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


哀兵必勝

ㄞ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄅㄧˋ ㄕㄥˋ

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ sɪŋ³³/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ piŋ⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ pɪŋ⁵⁵ piːt̚⁵ sɪŋ³³/

an army burning with indignation is bound to win


愛屋及烏

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ u⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ ʊk̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/ai²¹⁻⁵³ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kip̚⁴⁻³² ɔ⁴⁴/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵¹ u⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ u⁵⁵/

/ɔːi̯³³ ʊk̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² wuː⁵⁵/

/ai²¹⁻⁵³ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ kip̚⁴⁻³² ɔ⁴⁴/

One who loves someone also loves the crow on his roof.

愛人者，兼其屋上之烏。

爱人者，兼其屋上之乌。

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


哀鴻遍野

ㄞ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄝˇ

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ pʰiːn³³ jɛː¹³/

/ai³³⁻²³ hoŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

/ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɔːi̯⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ pʰiːn³³ jɛː¹³/

/ai³³⁻²³ hoŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

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


難言之隱

ㄋㄢˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄓ ㄧㄣˇ

наньяньчжиинь

/nän³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/naːn²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn³⁵/

/nän³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/naːn²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn³⁵/

something too embarrassing to mention; an embarrassing illness


少管閒事

ㄕㄠˇ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄕˋ

шаогуаньсяньши

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

ㄕㄠˇ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄕˋㄦ

шаогуаньсяньшир

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ ʂʐ̩ɻ⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ kuːn³⁵ haːn²¹ siː²²/

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ ʂʐ̩ɻ⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ kuːn³⁵ haːn²¹ siː²²/

mind your own business
mind your own business


鬼迷心竅

ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄑㄧㄠˋ

гуймисиньцяо

/ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄑㄧㄠˋㄦ

гуймисиньцяор

/ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯³⁵ mɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːu̯³³/

/ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯aʊ̯ɻʷ⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯³⁵ mɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hiːu̯³³/

to be possessed by a spirit and lose one's thinking ability; to be (unreasonably) obsessed with something


安土重遷

ㄢ ㄊㄨˇ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄢ

аньтучжунцянь

/ˀän⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/on²⁴ tʰu³¹ t͡sʰuŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰi̯en²⁴/

/ˀän⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵/

/on²⁴ tʰu³¹ t͡sʰuŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰi̯en²⁴/

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

安土重遷，黎民之性；骨肉相附，人情所願也。

安土重迁，黎民之性；骨肉相附，人情所愿也。

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


不可收拾

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄡ ㄕˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄡ ˙ㄕ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu³³ sip̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu³³ sip̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻²² sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ sip̚³²/

irremediable; unsalvageable; unmanageable; out of hand


蜜餞砒霜

ㄇㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄆㄧ ㄕㄨㄤ

мицзяньпишуан

/mi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ pʰi⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/mɐt̚² t͡siːn³³ pʰei̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

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

/mi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ pʰi⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/mɐt̚² t͡siːn³³ pʰei̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

sugarcoated poison; the flattering words of a vicious person


涇渭分明

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

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄨㄟˋ ㄈㄣ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзинвэйфэньмин

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ wɐi̯²² fɐn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

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


深入淺出

ㄕㄣ ㄖㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˇ ㄔㄨ

шэньжуцяньчу

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡sʰiːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

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

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

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

/t͡sʰim³³ lip̚²⁴⁻² t͡sʰiɛn⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰut̚⁵/

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

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡sʰiːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

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


逐家好

/tak̚⁴⁻³² ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ho⁵³/

/tak̚⁴⁻³² ke⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ⁴¹/

/tak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kɛ⁴⁴⁻²² ho⁵³/

/tak̚⁴⁻³² ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ho⁵³/

/tak̚⁴⁻³² ke⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ⁴¹/

/tak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kɛ⁴⁴⁻²² ho⁵³/


口誅筆伐

ㄎㄡˇ ㄓㄨ ㄅㄧˇ ㄈㄚˊ

ㄎㄡˇ ㄓㄨ ㄅㄧˇ ㄈㄚ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fä³⁵/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fä⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚²/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fä³⁵/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ fä⁵⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡syː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚²/

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


混淆視聽

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄊㄧㄥ

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄊㄧㄥ

ㄏㄨㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄊㄧㄥ

хуньсяошитин

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² tʰɪŋ³³/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² tʰɪŋ³³/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² tʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

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


五顏六色

ㄨˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍¹³ ŋaːn²¹ lʊk̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋ̍²² ŋe⁵⁵ loʔ³³ səʔ²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍¹³ ŋaːn²¹ lʊk̚² sɪk̚⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²³ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan²⁴ liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪk̚³²/

/ŋ̍²² ŋe⁵⁵ loʔ³³ səʔ²¹/

multicoloured; colourful; variegated; of many colors


天花亂墜

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄟˋ

тяньхуалуаньчжуй

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ lyːn²² t͡sɵy̯²²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ lyːn²² t͡sɵy̯²²/

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

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

Tā bǎ shǒu zhōng bǎojiànpǐn de gōngxiào shuō de tiānhuāluànzhuì.

他把手中保健品的功效說得天花亂墜。

他把手中保健品的功效说得天花乱坠。

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


有意無意

ㄧㄡˇ ㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ u³⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ jiː³³ mou̯²¹ jiː³³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ u³⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ jiː³³ mou̯²¹ jiː³³/

She often asks him about his past relationships in subtle ways.

Tā zǒngshì yǒuyìwúyì wèn qǐ tā gèrén gǎnqíng jīnglì.

她總是有意無意問起他個人感情經歷。

她总是有意无意问起他个人感情经历。

intentionally or otherwise; seemingly unintentional but actually purposeful


上吐下瀉

ㄕㄤˋ ㄊㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄝˋ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² tʰou̯³³ haː²² sɛː³³/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ²² tʰou̯³³ haː²² sɛː³³/

(medicine) to suffer from both vomiting and diarrhoea


小題大做

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ taːi̯²² t͡sou̯²²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/siːu̯³⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹ taːi̯²² t͡sou̯²²/

小題大作 小題大作#Chinese

小题大作 小题大作#Chinese

make a mountain out of a molehill
make a mountain out of a molehill

blow out of proportion
blow out of proportion

Alternative form of 小題大作／小题大作 (xiǎotídàzuò, “to make a fuss over a trifling matter; to make a mountain out of a molehill; to blow out of proportion”)


上諂下驕

ㄕㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠ

шанчаньсяцзяо

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ²² t͡sʰiːm³⁵ haː²² kiːu̯⁵⁵/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ²² t͡sʰiːm³⁵ haː²² kiːu̯⁵⁵/

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


幾鈿

/t͡ɕi³³ di⁴⁴/

/t͡ɕi³³ di⁴⁴/

how much does it cost
how much does it cost

(Shanghainese) how much money?, how much is it?, how much does it cost?


上不著天，下不著地

ㄕㄤˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄠˊ ㄊㄧㄢ

ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄠˊ ㄉㄧˋ

soeng⁶ bat¹ zoek⁶ tin¹, haa⁶ bat¹ zoek⁶ dei⁶

шанбучжаотянь

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

seuhng bāt jeuhk tīn, hah bāt jeuhk deih

soeng⁶ bat⁷ dzoek⁹ tin¹, haa⁶ bat⁷ dzoek⁹ dei⁶

sêng⁶ bed¹ zêg⁶ tin¹, ha⁶ bed¹ zêg⁶ déi⁶

/sœːŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːk̚² tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːk̚² tei̯²²/


心靈雞湯

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄊㄤ

синьлин цзитан

/ɕin⁵⁵ liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄊㄤㄦ

синьлинцзитанр

/ɕin⁵⁵ liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ tʰɑ̃ɻ⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɪŋ²¹ kɐi̯⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕin⁵⁵ liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕin⁵⁵ liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ tʰɑ̃ɻ⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ lɪŋ²¹ kɐi̯⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵/

Calque of English Chicken Soup for the Soul (book series featuring inspirational stories).

cal

(derogatory) inspirational nonsense; deeply philosophical but useless content; fortune cookie comments


懸崖峭壁

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄧˋ

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄞˊ ㄑㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

сюаньяйцяоби

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡sʰiːu̯³³ pɪk̚⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡sʰiːu̯³³ pɪk̚⁵/

sheer precipices and overhanging rocks; perilous cliffs and precipices


懸崖勒馬

to rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄇㄚˇ

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄞˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄇㄚˇ

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ lɐk̚² maː¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² ɡai²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² mã⁵³/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ lɐk̚² maː¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² ɡai²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² mã⁵³/

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


懸崖絕壁

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄧˋ

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄧㄞˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄧˋ

сюаньяцзюэби

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

сюаньяйцзюэби

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡syːt̚² pɪk̚⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jä³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ jaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ ŋaːi̯²¹ t͡syːt̚² pɪk̚⁵/


阿諛奉承

ㄜ ㄩˊ ㄈㄥˋ ㄔㄥˊ

/ˀɤ⁵⁵ y³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/ɔː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ fʊŋ²² sɪŋ²¹/

/ˀɤ⁵⁵ y³⁵ fɤŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/ɔː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ fʊŋ²² sɪŋ²¹/


大江南北

north and south sides of the great (Yangtze) river

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄟˇ

дацзяннаньбэй

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² kɔːŋ⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² kɔːŋ⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/


撫棺痛哭

ㄈㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄨ

фугуаньтунку

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/


撫髀興嘆

ㄈㄨˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄊㄢˋ

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ tʰän⁵¹/

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


撫養成人

ㄈㄨˇ ㄧㄤˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/fu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ jœːŋ¹³ sɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/fu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ jœːŋ¹³ sɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/


撫今追昔

ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄒㄧ

ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄒㄧˊ

фуцзиньчжуйси

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kim⁴⁴⁻²² tui⁴⁴⁻²² siɪk̚³²/

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


憶昔撫今

ㄧˋ ㄒㄧ ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ

ㄧˋ ㄒㄧˊ ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ

/i⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ ɕi⁵⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹ ɕi³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/jɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ fuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

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


東西南北

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄟˇ

дунсинаньбэй

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/

/tuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴ nam¹¹ pet̚²/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ nän³⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯⁵⁵ naːm²¹ pɐk̚⁵/

/tuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ si²⁴ nam¹¹ pet̚²/

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


扼喉撫背

to strangle the front and press the back

ㄜˋ ㄏㄡˊ ㄈㄨˇ ㄅㄟˋ

/ˀɤ⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/aːk̚⁵ hɐu̯²¹ fuː³⁵ puːi̯³³/

/ˀɤ⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/aːk̚⁵ hɐu̯²¹ fuː³⁵ puːi̯³³/

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


撫躬自問

ㄈㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗˋ ㄨㄣˋ

фугунцзывэнь

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² mɐn²²/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

/bu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su²²⁻²¹ bun²²/

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


酸甜苦辣鹹

ㄙㄨㄢ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄎㄨˇ ㄌㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˊ

суаньтянькуласянь

/su̯än⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ lä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/syːn⁵⁵ tʰiːm²¹ fuː³⁵ laːt̚² haːm²¹/

/syːn⁵⁵ tʰiːm²¹ fuː³⁵ laːt̚² haːm²¹/

酸甜苦辣 酸甜苦辣#Chinese


喜怒哀樂

ㄒㄧˇ ㄋㄨˋ ㄞ ㄌㄜˋ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ nu⁵¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ nou̯²² ɔːi̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ nu⁵¹ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/hei̯³⁵ nou̯²² ɔːi̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

From the Doctrine of the Mean (《中庸》) in the Book of Rites

While there are no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind may be said to be in the state of Equilibrium. When those feelings have been stirred, and they act in their due degree, there ensues what may be called the state of Harmony. This Equilibrium is the great root from which grow all the human actings in the world, and this Harmony is the universal path which they all should pursue.

Xǐ nù āi lè zhī wèi fā, wèi zhī zhōng; fā ér jiē zhòng jié, wèi zhī hé; zhōng yě zhě, tiānxià zhī dà běn yě; hé yě zhě, tiānxià zhī dá dào yě.

喜怒哀樂之未發，謂之中；發而皆中節，謂之和；中也者，天下之大本也；和也者，天下之達道也。

喜怒哀乐之未发，谓之中；发而皆中节，谓之和；中也者，天下之大本也；和也者，天下之达道也。

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


不務正業

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ mou̯²² t͡sɪŋ³³ jiːp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚⁴/

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

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

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡiap̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ mou̯²² t͡sɪŋ³³ jiːp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚⁴/

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

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

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡiap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡiap̚⁴/

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

Tā bùwùzhèngyè, tiāntiān jiù zhīdào chīhēwánlè.

他不務正業，天天就知道吃喝玩樂。

他不务正业，天天就知道吃喝玩乐。

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

to disregard one's real occupation; to not attend to one's proper duties


生老病死

ja-r

しょう%ろう%びょう%し

CJKV/code

しょう%ろう%びょう%し

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

CJKV

しょう%ろう%びょう%し

ㄕㄥ ㄌㄠˇ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄙˇ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ pɛːŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ lou̯¹³ pɛːŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

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

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


你死我活

ㄋㄧˇ ㄙˇ ㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄨㄛˊ

/ni²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/nei̯¹³ sei̯³⁵ ŋɔː¹³ wuːt̚²/

/ni²¹⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/nei̯¹³ sei̯³⁵ ŋɔː¹³ wuːt̚²/

拼個你死我活

拼个你死我活

irreconcilable adversaries; two parties cannot coexist


失魂落魄

ㄕ ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄆㄛˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯ən³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɐt̚⁵ wɐn²¹ lɔːk̚² pʰaːk̚³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯ən³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɐt̚⁵ wɐn²¹ lɔːk̚² pʰaːk̚³/

driven to distraction
driven to distraction

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


形同陌路

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ mɐk̚² lou̯²²/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ mɐk̚² lou̯²²/

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


望聞問切

ㄨㄤˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄑㄧㄝˋ

ванвэньвэньце

/wɑŋ⁵¹ wən³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² mɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sʰiːt̚³/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ wən³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² mɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sʰiːt̚³/

(traditional Chinese medicine) to make observations, listen to breathing, ask about symptoms and take the pulse (the four fundamental methods for diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine)


伯仲叔季

ㄅㄛˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄨ ㄐㄧˋ

ㄅㄛˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄨˊ ㄐㄧˋ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʂu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ²² sʊk̚⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʂu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ t͡sʊŋ²² sʊk̚⁵ kʷɐi̯³³/

eldest, second, third and youngest of brothers; order of seniority among brothers

Sun Ce
Sun Jian
Sun Kuang
Sun Quan
Sun Yi


人生如夢

ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄥ ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄥˋ

жэньшэнжумэн

žɛnʹšɛnžumɛn

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ mʊŋ²²/

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ mʊŋ²²/


冇呢支歌仔唱

/mou̯¹³ niː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ³³/

/mou̯¹³ nei̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ kɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ³³/

In the old days, it was so safe, people did not need to lock their doors, but now things don't work like that anymore.

gau⁶ si⁴ hou² on¹ cyun⁴ gaa³, daai⁶ gaa¹ dou¹ m⁴ sai² so² mun⁴, daan⁶ hai⁶ ji⁴ gaa¹ mou⁵ ni¹ zi¹ go¹ zai² coeng³ lo³.

舊時好安全㗎，大家都唔使鎖門，但係而家冇呢支歌仔唱囉。

旧时好安全㗎，大家都唔使锁门，但系而家冇呢支歌仔唱啰。

Nowadays, everyone can go online, so going to the library for research isn't a thing anymore.

ji⁴ gaa¹ go³ go³ dou¹ jau⁵ dak¹ soeng⁵ mong⁵, mou⁵ heoi³ tou⁴ syu¹ gun² wan² liu⁶⁻² ni¹ zi¹ go¹ zai² coeng³ gaa³ laa³.

而家個個都有得上網，冇去圖書館搵料呢支歌仔唱㗎喇。

而家个个都有得上网，冇去图书馆揾料呢支歌仔唱㗎喇。

(Cantonese, informal) ended; used up; outdated


漁夫之利

/y³⁵ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

/y³⁵ fu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ fuː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

漁人之利 漁人之利#Chinese

渔人之利 渔人之利#Chinese

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


並行不悖

ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄟˋ

/piŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ puːi̯²²/

/piŋ⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɪŋ²² hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ puːi̯²²/


臥床不起

ㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄨㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˇ

/wɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to be completely bedridden (due to illness or infirmity); to take to one's bed (and be likely to die)


一碼歸一碼

ㄧ ㄇㄚˇ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄧ ㄇㄚˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄧ ㄇㄚˇㄦ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄧ ㄇㄚˇㄦ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mɑɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mɑɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³/

That's not a horse of the same colour; That's a different matter; One thing at a time


板上釘釘

ㄅㄢˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄥ

баньшандиндин

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiŋ⁵⁵/

ㄅㄢˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄥㄦ

баньшандиндинр

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiɤ̯̃ɻ⁵⁵/

/paːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² tɛːŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵/

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹ tiɤ̯̃ɻ⁵⁵/

/paːn³⁵ sœːŋ²² tɛːŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵/


燙手山芋

ㄊㄤˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕㄢ ㄩˋ

таншоу шаньюй

/tʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ³³ sɐu̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ suã³³ ɔ⁴¹/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰɑŋ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂän⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ³³ sɐu̯³⁵ saːn⁵⁵ wuː²²/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sʰiu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ suã³³ ɔ⁴¹/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻²² ɔ²²/

/tʰŋ̍¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

/tʰŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ɔ³³/

hot potato (awkward or delicate problem)


居高臨下

ㄐㄩ ㄍㄠ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

цзюйгаолинься

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lin³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ lɐm²¹ haː²²/

/ku⁴⁴⁻²² ko⁴⁴⁻²² lim²⁴⁻²² ha²²/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lin³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/kɵy̯⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ lɐm²¹ haː²²/

/ku⁴⁴⁻²² ko⁴⁴⁻²² lim²⁴⁻²² ha²²/

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


金玉其外，敗絮其中

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄩˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄨㄞˋ

ㄅㄞˋ ㄒㄩˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄓㄨㄥ

gam¹ juk⁶ kei⁴ ngoi⁶, baai⁶ seoi⁵ kei⁴ zung¹

цзиньюй цивай

байсюй цичжун

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ y⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

gām yuhk kèih ngoih, baaih séuih kèih jūng

gam¹ juk⁹ kei⁴ ngoi⁶, baai⁶ soey⁵ kei⁴ dzung¹

gem¹ yug⁶ kéi⁴ ngoi⁶, bai⁶ sêu⁵ kéi⁴ zung¹

/kɐm⁵⁵ jʊk̚² kʰei̯²¹ ŋɔːi̯²² paːi̯²² sɵy̯¹³ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

(figurative) gilded exterior, shabby and ruined on the inside; fly in the ointment; a sugarcoated bitter pill; fair without, foul within


梟首示眾

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

сяошоу шичжун

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ siː²² t͡sʊŋ³³/

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


妄自尊大

ㄨㄤˋ ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄣ ㄉㄚˋ

ванцзыцзуньда

/wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² t͡syːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²²/

/wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ¹³ t͡siː²² t͡syːn⁵⁵ taːi̯²²/

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

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

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

我們的許多同志，喜歡對黨外人員妄自尊大，看人家不起，藐視人家，而不願尊重人家，不願了解人家的長處。

我们的许多同志，喜欢对党外人员妄自尊大，看人家不起，藐视人家，而不愿尊重人家，不愿了解人家的长处。

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


眼中釘，肉中刺

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/ŋaːn¹³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵ jʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³³/

肉中刺，眼中釘 肉中刺，眼中釘#Chinese

肉中刺，眼中钉 肉中刺，眼中钉#Chinese

Alternative form of 肉中刺，眼中釘／肉中刺，眼中钉 (ròuzhōngcì, yǎnzhōngdīng)


眼中釘

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/ŋaːn¹³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵/

/ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tiɔŋ³³ tiɪŋ³³/

/ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ŋaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ taŋ³³⁻²³ teŋ³³/

/jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/ŋaːn¹³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵/

/ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tiɔŋ³³ tiɪŋ³³/

/ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiɪŋ⁴⁴/

/ŋaŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ taŋ³³⁻²³ teŋ³³/

肉中刺，眼中釘 肉中刺，眼中釘#Chinese

肉中刺，眼中钉 肉中刺，眼中钉#Chinese

Synonym of 肉中刺，眼中釘／肉中刺，眼中钉 (ròuzhōngcì, yǎnzhōngdīng)


鋪天蓋地

ㄆㄨ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄍㄞˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/pʰu⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/pʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɔːi̯³³ tei̯²²/

/pʰu⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/pʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kɔːi̯³³ tei̯²²/

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


鍋嫌壺黑

ㄍㄨㄛ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨˊ ㄏㄟ

/ku̯ɔ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ xu³⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ku̯ɔ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ xu³⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵/

pot calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black#English

(rare) literal translation of pot calling the kettle black


肉中刺，眼中釘

/ʐoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³³ ŋaːn¹³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ tɛːŋ⁵⁵/

thorn in one's side; eyesore; offence to the eye


體無完膚

ㄊㄧˇ ㄨˊ ㄨㄢˊ ㄈㄨ

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ wän³⁵ fu⁵⁵/

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jyːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵/

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ wän³⁵ fu⁵⁵/

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jyːn²¹ fuː⁵⁵/

cuts and bruises all over; severely injured

(figurative) completely refuted; scathingly criticised; to be picked to pieces


來龍去脈

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄩˋ ㄇㄞˋ

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄩˋ ㄇㄛˋ

лайлунцюймай

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ maɪ̯⁵¹/

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lʊŋ²¹ hɵy̯³³ mɐk̚²/

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ maɪ̯⁵¹/

/laɪ̯³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lʊŋ²¹ hɵy̯³³ mɐk̚²/

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

zh-l

龍脈／龙脉 (lóngmài)

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


虎視眈眈

CJKV/code

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

ㄏㄨˇ ㄕˋ ㄉㄢ ㄉㄢ

хушиданьдань

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ tän⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ siː²² taːm⁵⁵ taːm⁵⁵/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tam³³ tam³³/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hõũ⁵²⁻³⁵ si³⁵⁻¹¹ tam³³⁻²³ tam³³/

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ tän⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ siː²² taːm⁵⁵ taːm⁵⁵/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tam³³ tam³³/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻²² tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tam⁴⁴⁻³³ tam⁴⁴/

/hõũ⁵²⁻³⁵ si³⁵⁻¹¹ tam³³⁻²³ tam³³/

The fourth SIX, divided, shows one looking downwards for (the power to) nourish. There will be good fortune. Looking with a tiger's downward unwavering glare, and with his desire that impels him to spring after spring, he will fall into no error.

Liùsì: diān yí, jí, hǔshì dāndān, qí yù zhúzhú, wú jiù.

六四：顛頤，吉，虎視眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。

六四：颠颐，吉，虎视眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。

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

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 27


冚家鏟

/hɐm²² kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

/hɐm²² kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

你冚家鏟啦！

你冚家铲啦！

ne¹ tiu⁴ jau⁵ zing³ jat¹ ham⁶ gaa¹ caan²!

呢條友正一冚家鏟！

呢条友正一冚家铲！

(Cantonese, vulgar) bastard; jerk; despicable person (Classifier: 條／条 m)

呢鑊你仲唔冚家鏟？

呢镬你仲唔冚家铲？

(Cantonese, vulgar) to be condemned; to be in serious trouble

(Cantonese, vulgar) Used to express strong dissatisfaction or disappointment.