明知故問

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓ ㄍㄨˋ ㄨㄣˋ

минчжигувэнь

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ kuː³³ mɐn²²/

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ wən⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ kuː³³ mɐn²²/

to ask intentionally a question one already knows the answer to


提筆忘字

ㄊㄧˊ ㄅㄧˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄗˋ

/tʰi³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː²²/

/tʰi³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹/

/tʰɐi̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː²²/

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


並駕齊驅

ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄑㄩ

/piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/pɪŋ²² kaː³³ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵/

/piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²³⁻³³ kʰu⁴⁴/

/piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sue²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰu⁴⁴/

/piŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/pɪŋ²² kaː³³ t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ kʰɵy̯⁵⁵/

/piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se²³⁻³³ kʰu⁴⁴/

/piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sue²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰu⁴⁴/

Tā céng jìnlì hé tā de díshǒu bìngjiàqíqū de.

他曾盡力和他的敵手並駕齊驅的。

他曾尽力和他的敌手并驾齐驱的。

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

Nà liǎng pǐ mǎ bìngjiàqíqū, tóngshí pǎo dào zhōngdiǎn.

那兩匹馬並駕齊驅，同時跑到終點。

那两匹马并驾齐驱，同时跑到终点。

Picture language and oral language probably developed side by side.

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

繪圖文字和口頭語言很可能是並駕齊驅發展起來的。

绘图文字和口头语言很可能是并驾齐驱发展起来的。

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


夜長夢多

ㄧㄝˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄇㄥˋ ㄉㄨㄛ

/jɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/jɛː²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ mʊŋ²² tɔː⁵⁵/

/jɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/jɛː²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ mʊŋ²² tɔː⁵⁵/

if a situation drags on, something unfavourable may happen


欣喜雀躍

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧˇ ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄩㄝˋ

синьси цюэюэ

/ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/


郢書燕說

ㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨ ㄧㄢ ㄕㄨㄛ

ㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨ ㄧㄢ ㄩㄝˋ

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ¹³ syː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³/

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ¹³ syː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ syːt̚³/

Literally, “Ying writes a letter and Yan reads it” (or “Yan delights in it”).
This idiom came from an anecdote told by Han Fei (韓非)

Therefore, the ancient wise kings left us with much easily-misunderstood classics, and posterior generations delight in their distorted interpretations.… A man from Ying was writing a letter to the Chancellor of Yan. As he was writing at night and the lighting was poor, he ordered to “hold up the candle”, but he wrote down what he uttered by mistake. The words "to hold up the candle" was meaningless in the letter's context. When the Chancellor of Yan received the letter, he was much delighted, for he interpreted “to hold up the candle” as “to honour light”, and hence “to promote the wise”. The Chancellor recounted this to the King, who was also much delighted, and his State became well-governed because of those measures. Well-governed as it was, it had never been the letter's intended effect.

Gù xiānwáng yǒu Yǐngshū ér hòushì duō Yānyuè.... Yǐng rén yǒu wèi Yān xiàngguó shū zhě. Yè shū, huǒ bù míng, yīn wèi chí zhú zhě yuē: “Jǔ zhú.” Yún ér guò shū “jǔzhú”. “Jǔzhú” fēi shū yì yě. Yān xiàng shòu shū ér yuè zhī, yuē: “Jǔzhú zhě, shàng míng yě. Shàng míng yě zhě, jǔ xián ér rèn zhī.” Yān xiàng bái Wáng, Wáng dà yuè, guó yǐ zhì. Zhì zé zhì yǐ, fēi shū yì yě.

故先王有郢書而後世多燕說。…郢人有遺燕相國書者。夜書，火不明，因謂持燭者曰：「舉燭。」云而過書「舉燭」。「舉燭」非書意也。燕相受書而說之，曰：「舉燭者，尚明也。尚明也者，舉賢而任之。」燕相白王，王大說，國以治。治則治矣，非書意也。

故先王有郢书而后世多燕说。…郢人有遗燕相国书者。夜书，火不明，因谓持烛者曰：「举烛。」云而过书「举烛」。「举烛」非书意也。燕相受书而说之，曰：「举烛者，尚明也。尚明也者，举贤而任之。」燕相白王，王大说，国以治。治则治矣，非书意也。

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


頭昏眼花

ㄊㄡˊ ㄏㄨㄣ ㄧㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄚ

тоухуньяньхуа

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ xu̯ən⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ xu̯ən⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

你有點頭昏眼花了。

你有点头昏眼花了。

Wǒmen bèi měngliè de fēng chuī dé tóuhūnyǎnhuā.

我們被猛烈的風吹得頭昏眼花。

我们被猛烈的风吹得头昏眼花。

to feel dizzy and have one's eyes dimmed; to be dazed


知錯能改

ㄓ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄋㄥˊ ㄍㄞˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³ nɐŋ²¹ kɔːi̯³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³ nɐŋ²¹ kɔːi̯³⁵/

to know one has made a mistake and is able to rectify it; to take responsibility for one's behaviour


聚精會神

ㄐㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄣˊ

цзюйцзинхуэйшэнь

/t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂən³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯²² t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²² sɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂən³⁵/

/t͡sɵy̯²² t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ wuːi̯²² sɐn²¹/

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


改朝換代

ㄍㄞˇ ㄔㄠˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄉㄞˋ

гайчаохуаньдай

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ wuːn²² tɔːi̯²²/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ wuːn²² tɔːi̯²²/


原形畢露

ㄩㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ jɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²²/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/jyːn²¹ jɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²²/


風華正茂

ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄓㄥˋ ㄇㄠˋ

фэнхуачжэнмао

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ waː²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ mɐu̯²²/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ waː²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ mɐu̯²²/


爭權奪利

ㄓㄥ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˋ

чжэнцюаньдоли

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯²²/

to scramble for power and wealth; to struggle for power


心滿意足

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄇㄢˇ ㄧˋ ㄗㄨˊ

синьманьицзу

/ɕin⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ muːn¹³ jiː³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim³³ muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/ɕin⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ muːn¹³ jiː³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim³³ muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ i¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ i²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡siɔk̚³²/


非同小可

ㄈㄟ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄎㄜˇ

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

/fei̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵/

/hui⁴⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³/

/hui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹/

/hui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³/

/fei̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵/

/hui⁴⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³/

/hui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹/

/hui⁴⁴⁻³³ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ sio⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³/


痛改前非

ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄞˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄟ

тунгайцяньфэй

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³³ kɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³³ kɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

turn over a new leaf
turn over a new leaf

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


桀驁不馴

桀骜不驯
桀驁不遜
桀敖不馴

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄣˋ

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄣˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕyn³⁵/

/kiːt̚² ŋou̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɵn²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕyn³⁵/

/kiːt̚² ŋou̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɵn²¹/

wild; intractable; stubborn; obstinate and unruly


朝三暮四

CJKV/code

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

ㄓㄠ ㄙㄢ ㄇㄨˋ ㄙˋ

чжаосаньмусы

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

From a parable seen in both Zhuangzi (see quote below) and Liezi.

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

Jū gōng fù xù, yuē: “Zhāo sān ér mù sì.” Zhòng jū jiē nù. Yuē: “Rán zé zhāo sì ér mù sān.” Zhòng jū jiē yuè.

狙公賦芧，曰：「朝三而暮四。」衆狙皆怒。曰：「然則朝四而暮三。」衆狙皆悅。

狙公赋芧，曰：「朝三而暮四。」众狙皆怒。曰：「然则朝四而暮三。」众狙皆悦。

three in the morning, and four in the evening

(original meaning, obsolete) to deceive using tricks; to take in someone

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


息息相關

ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄢ

ㄒㄧˊ ㄒㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄢ

сисисянгуань

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵/

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

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

/sek̚²⁻⁴ sek̚²⁻⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²³ kuaŋ³³/

/ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/ɕi³⁵ ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵/

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

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

/sek̚²⁻⁴ sek̚²⁻⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²³ kuaŋ³³/

to be closely linked; to be closely bound up


一意孤行

ㄧ ㄧˋ ㄍㄨ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ku⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiː³³ kuː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ³³ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ i²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i¹¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹⁻⁴¹ kɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ku⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiː³³ kuː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ i⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kɔ³³ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ i²¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hiɪŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i¹¹⁻⁵³ kɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ i²¹⁻⁴¹ kɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hiɪŋ²³/

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


思來想去

ㄙ ㄌㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄑㄩˋ

/sz̩⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵ hɵy̯³³/

/sz̩⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵ hɵy̯³³/

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


走來走去

ㄗㄡˇ ㄌㄞˊ ㄗㄡˇ ㄑㄩˋ

цзоулайцзоуцюй

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ hɵy̯³³/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ hɵy̯³³/


你懂得

ㄋㄧˇ ㄉㄨㄥˇ ˙ㄉㄜ

/ni²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʊŋ²¹⁴ d̥ə⁴/

/ni²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʊŋ²¹⁴ d̥ə⁴/


有話好說

ㄧㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄏㄠˇ ㄕㄨㄛ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/


貪官污吏

ㄊㄢ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄨ ㄌㄧˋ

таньгуаньули

/tʰän⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ u⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ wuː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

/tʰam²⁴⁻¹¹ kon²⁴⁻¹¹ vu²⁴⁻¹¹ li⁵⁵/

/tʰam⁴⁴⁻²² kuã⁴⁴⁻²² u²¹⁻⁵³ li²²/

/tʰam³³ kuã³³ u⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ li⁴¹/

/tʰam⁴⁴⁻²² kuã⁴⁴⁻²² u²¹⁻⁵³ li²²/

/tʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ kuã⁴⁴⁻³³ u¹¹⁻⁵³ li³³/

/tʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ kuã⁴⁴⁻³³ u²¹⁻⁴¹ li³³/

/tʰän⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ u⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ kuːn⁵⁵ wuː⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

/tʰam²⁴⁻¹¹ kon²⁴⁻¹¹ vu²⁴⁻¹¹ li⁵⁵/

/tʰam⁴⁴⁻²² kuã⁴⁴⁻²² u²¹⁻⁵³ li²²/

/tʰam³³ kuã³³ u⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ li⁴¹/

/tʰam⁴⁴⁻²² kuã⁴⁴⁻²² u²¹⁻⁵³ li²²/

/tʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ kuã⁴⁴⁻³³ u¹¹⁻⁵³ li³³/

/tʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ kuã⁴⁴⁻³³ u²¹⁻⁴¹ li³³/


一笑置之

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³ t͡siː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³ t͡siː³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

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


左擁右抱

ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄩㄥ ㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄠˋ

ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄩㄥˇ ㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄠˋ

/t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jʊŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jʊŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

hugging girls on one's left and right; to have numerous concubines


辛苦你了

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄎㄨˇ ㄋㄧˇ ˙ㄌㄜ

синьку ни лэ

/ɕin⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ni²¹⁴ lə⁴/

/ɕin⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ni²¹⁴ lə⁴/

An acknowledgement that you experienced hardship. An expression of sympathy.


動手動腳

ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

дуншоудунцзяо

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

/tʊŋ²² sɐu̯³⁵ tʊŋ²² kœːk̚³/

/tʰuŋ²⁴ su³¹ tʰuŋ²⁴ ki̯ok̚²/

/tʰʊŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ su³¹ tʰʊŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kiɔk̚¹/

/taŋ²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

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

/taŋ²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/doŋ²² sɤ⁵⁵ doŋ³³ t͡ɕiaʔ²¹/

/tʊŋ²² sɐu̯³⁵ tʊŋ²² kœːk̚³/

/tʰuŋ²⁴ su³¹ tʰuŋ²⁴ ki̯ok̚²/

/tʰʊŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ su³¹ tʰʊŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kiɔk̚¹/

/taŋ²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

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

/taŋ²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ²²⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻¹¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/taŋ³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ taŋ³³⁻²¹ kʰa⁴⁴/

/doŋ²² sɤ⁵⁵ doŋ³³ t͡ɕiaʔ²¹/


倒打一耙

ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄧ ㄆㄚˊ

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰä³⁵/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰä³⁵/

Refers to the fighting style of Zhu Bajie (豬八戒) in Journey to the West (西遊記).

He hit back with an unfair demand for compensation.

他倒打一耙，要求赔偿。

to put the blame on one's victim, to make unfounded countercharges, to recriminate, to counter-attack


事與願違

ㄕˋ ㄩˇ ㄩㄢˋ ㄨㄟˊ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² jyː¹³ jyːn²² wɐi̯²¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/siː²² jyː¹³ jyːn²² wɐi̯²¹/

to get the opposite of what one intended


別有洞天

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄊㄧㄢ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

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


師父領進門，修行靠個人

ㄕ ㄈㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄥˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄇㄣˊ

ㄒㄧㄡ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄎㄠˋ ㄍㄜˋ ㄖㄣˊ

шифу лин цзинь мэнь

сюсин као гэжэнь

/ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ mən³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ kʰɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

A master can only lead a person to the temple gate; the individual must practice himself to become a monk


海底摸針

ㄏㄞˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄇㄛ ㄓㄣ

хайдимочжэнь

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hoi̯³¹ tai̯³¹ mi̯a²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨm²⁴/

/hai³³⁻³⁵ tɛ³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ muo⁵⁵ t͡sɛiŋ⁵⁵/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ mɔ̃⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵/

/hoi̯³¹ tai̯³¹ mi̯a²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨm²⁴/

/hai³³⁻³⁵ tɛ³³⁽⁻²¹⁾ muo⁵⁵ t͡sɛiŋ⁵⁵/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹ bɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siam⁴⁴/

/hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³ mɔ̃⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siam⁴⁴/

1977, 楊小萍, 相思海

Hái-tóe-bong-chiam siuⁿ-si hái, bong chiam gōng-tōa-tai.

海底摸針相思海，摸針戇大呆。

1977, 楊小萍, 相思海

海底摸针相思海，摸针戆大呆。

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

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

Khó-sioh lîn-hái bâng-bâng, beh chhē ē-ha̍h ê lâng, o͘h ~, chhin-chhiūⁿ hái-té-bong-chiam, gún chá-tiō bô ǹg-bāng.

可惜人海茫茫，要找會合的人，喔～，親像海底摸針，阮早就無央望。

可惜人海茫茫，要找会合的人，喔～，亲像海底摸针，阮早就无央望。

a needle in a haystack
a needle in a haystack


不修邊幅

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˊ

/pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ piːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ piːn⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵/

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


喪家之犬

ㄙㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄓ ㄑㄩㄢˇ

санцзячжицюань

/sɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɔːŋ³³ kaː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hyːn³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ kaː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hyːn³⁵/

喪家之狗 喪家之狗#Chinese

丧家之狗 丧家之狗#Chinese


大公無私

ㄉㄚˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄙ

/tä⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² kʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/taːi̯²² kʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵/


以身作則

ㄧˇ ㄕㄣ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄜˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

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

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

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

/ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ t͡sek̚²/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵/

/jiː¹³ sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

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

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

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

/ĩ⁵²⁻³⁵ siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ t͡sek̚²/


一塌糊塗

一塌糊涂
一蹋糊塗
一榻糊塗
一塌胡塗

ㄧ ㄊㄚ ㄏㄨˊ ㄊㄨˊ

ㄧ ㄊㄚˋ ㄏㄨˊ ˙ㄉㄨ

ㄧ ㄊㄚ ㄏㄨˊ ˙ㄊㄨ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰä⁵⁵ xu³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/i⁵⁵ tʰä⁵⁵ xu³⁵ tʰu³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʰä⁵¹ xu³⁵ d̥u³/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰaːp̚³ wuː²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰap̚⁴⁻² hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵/

/iɪʔ³³ tʰaʔ⁵⁵ ɦu³³ du²¹/

/iɪʔ³³ tʰa⁵⁵ ɦu³³ du²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰä⁵⁵ xu³⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/i⁵⁵ tʰä⁵⁵ xu³⁵ tʰu³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʰä⁵¹ xu³⁵ d̥u³/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰaːp̚³ wuː²¹ tʰou̯²¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰap̚⁴⁻² hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tʰu⁵⁵/

/iɪʔ³³ tʰaʔ⁵⁵ ɦu³³ du²¹/

/iɪʔ³³ tʰa⁵⁵ ɦu³³ du²¹/

屋子亂得一塌糊塗。

屋子乱得一塌糊涂。

我的財政情況一塌糊塗。

我的财政情况一塌糊涂。

in a complete mess; in an awful condition; a kettle of fish

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

伊唱歌好聽得一塌糊塗。

伊唱歌好听得一塌糊涂。


鸚鵡學舌

ㄧㄥ ㄨˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄕㄜˊ

/iŋ⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ hɔːk̚² siːt̚²/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ hɔːk̚² siːt̚³/

/iŋ⁵⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ hɔːk̚² siːt̚²/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ hɔːk̚² siːt̚³/

to repeat the words of others like a parrot; to parrot


賞心悅目

enjoying to the heart and appealing to the eye

ㄕㄤˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄩㄝˋ ㄇㄨˋ

/ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/sœːŋ³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jyːt̚² mʊk̚²/

/ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹/

/sœːŋ³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jyːt̚² mʊk̚²/


目中無人

ㄇㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ

мучжунъужэнь

mučžunʺužɛnʹ

/mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/mʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/mʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ zin²³/

to be prideful; to be haughty; to be arrogant


殺人不眨眼

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄚˇ ㄧㄢˇ

shārén bù zhǎyǎn [Phonetic:shārénbùzháyǎn]

шажэнь бу чжаянь

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ ŋaːn¹³/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ ŋaːn¹³/


殺人越貨

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄩㄝˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyːt̚² fɔː³³/

/sat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² uat̚⁴⁻³² he²¹/

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ jyːt̚² fɔː³³/

/sat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² uat̚⁴⁻³² he²¹/

to kill somebody for their property; to murder for money


文房四寶

ㄨㄣˊ ㄈㄤˊ ㄙˋ ㄅㄠˇ

вэньфансыбао

/wən³⁵ fɑŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ fɔːŋ²¹ sei̯³³ pou̯³⁵/

/bun²⁴⁻¹¹ pɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ su¹¹⁻⁵³ po⁵³/

/bun²⁴⁻²² pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² su²¹⁻⁵³ po⁵³/

/bun²³⁻³³ pɔŋ²³⁻³³ su²¹⁻⁴¹ pɤ⁴¹/

/bun²⁴⁻¹¹ paŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ su¹¹⁻⁵³ po⁵³/

/bun²³⁻³³ paŋ²³⁻³³ su²¹⁻⁴¹ pɤ⁴¹/

/wən³⁵ fɑŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵¹ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ fɔːŋ²¹ sei̯³³ pou̯³⁵/

/bun²⁴⁻¹¹ pɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ su¹¹⁻⁵³ po⁵³/

/bun²⁴⁻²² pɔŋ²⁴⁻²² su²¹⁻⁵³ po⁵³/

/bun²³⁻³³ pɔŋ²³⁻³³ su²¹⁻⁴¹ pɤ⁴¹/

/bun²⁴⁻¹¹ paŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ su¹¹⁻⁵³ po⁵³/

/bun²³⁻³³ paŋ²³⁻³³ su²¹⁻⁴¹ pɤ⁴¹/

Four Treasures of the Study (i.e. brush, ink, paper and inkstone, as used in Chinese and other East Asian painting and calligraphic traditions)


殺雞嚇猴

ㄕㄚ ㄐㄧ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄡˊ

/ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵/

/saːt̚³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ haːk̚³ hɐu̯²¹/

/ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵/

/saːt̚³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ haːk̚³ hɐu̯²¹/

to punish an individual as an example to others


永世不得翻身

ㄩㄥˇ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄈㄢ ㄕㄣ

юнши будэ фаньшэнь

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ fän⁵⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/wɪŋ¹³ sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ faːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/wɪŋ¹³ sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ faːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

to have no chance to get up or rise again; perdition


言行一致

ㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄧ ㄓˋ

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

to be good as one's words; to match one's words with deeds


毛遂自薦

ㄇㄠˊ ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄗˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

маосуйцзыцзянь

/mɑʊ̯³⁵ su̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɵy̯²² t͡siː²² t͡siːn³³/

/mou̯²¹ sɵy̯²² t͡siː²² t͡siːn³³/

to recommend oneself; to put oneself up for a task; to nominate oneself; to volunteer; to offer one's services


虛心使人進步，驕傲使人落後

head

虛心使人進步，驕傲使人落後

虚心使人进步，骄傲使人落后

ㄒㄩ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄕˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ

ㄐㄧㄠ ㄠˋ ㄕˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄡˋ

сюйсинь шижэнь цзиньбу

цзяоао шижэнь лохоу

/ɕy⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

Modesty leads to progress, conceit makes one lag behind (quote by Mao Zedong)


鷹擊長空

ㄧㄥ ㄐㄧ ㄔㄤˊ ㄎㄨㄥ

ㄧㄥ ㄐㄧˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄎㄨㄥ

ин цзи чанкун

/iŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/iŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/iŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/iŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

the eagle soars in the sky; an ambitious person advancing with the dream in mind


值得一提

ㄓˊ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧ ㄊㄧˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² tɐk̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² tɐk̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/


陰盛陽衰

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (陰盛陽衰):
* → Vietnamese: âm thịnh dương suy (陰盛陽衰)

ㄧㄣ ㄕㄥˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄕㄨㄞ

иньшэнъяншуай

/in⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐm⁵⁵ sɪŋ²² jœːŋ²¹ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/in⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐm⁵⁵ sɪŋ²² jœːŋ²¹ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

flourishing of yin and decline of yang; stronger women and feebler men; femininity overpowering masculinity; more women than men


發人深省

ㄈㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄥˇ

ㄈㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄥˇ

фажэньшэньсин

/fä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːt̚³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ sɪŋ³⁵/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ⁵³/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴¹/

/fä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵ ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːt̚³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ sɪŋ³⁵/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻²² siɪŋ⁵³/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sʰim⁴⁴⁻³³ siɪŋ⁴¹/

to set people thinking; to call for deep thought


驚慌失措

ㄐㄧㄥ ㄏㄨㄤ ㄕ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

цзинхуаншицо

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/kɪŋ⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ sɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³/

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


火上加油

ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧㄡˊ

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kaː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²⁴/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻²² iu²⁴/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kaː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²⁴/

/he⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻²² iu²⁴/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

/hue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ ka⁴⁴⁻³³ iu²³/

add fuel to the fire
add fuel to the fire

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


火上澆油

火上浇油
火上添油
火上加油

ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄧㄡˊ

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² hiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² hiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

/fɔː³⁵ sœːŋ²² kiːu̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹/

Ruò chī cǐ yào, wùyòng réncān, yóurú huǒshàngjiāoyóu, bùchū qī tiān, bìyào mìng jìn wúcháng.

若吃此藥，誤用人參，猶如火上澆油，不出七天，必要命盡無常。

若吃此药，误用人参，犹如火上浇油，不出七天，必要命尽无常。

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


橫七豎八

ㄏㄥˊ ㄑㄧ ㄕㄨˋ ㄅㄚ

/xɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂu⁵¹ pä⁵⁵/

/waːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ syː²² paːt̚³/

/xɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʂu⁵¹ pä⁵⁵/

/waːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ syː²² paːt̚³/


悲歡離合

ㄅㄟ ㄏㄨㄢ ㄌㄧˊ ㄏㄜˊ

бэйхуаньлихэ

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ li³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻²¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵⁵ li³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li³³⁻²¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²⁴⁻¹¹ hap̚⁴/

/pi⁴⁴⁻³³ huan⁴⁴⁻³³ li²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

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


亂七八糟

ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄚ ㄗㄠ

ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄚ ㄗㄠ

луаньцибацзао

/lu̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lyːn²² t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ paːt̚³ t͡sou̯⁵⁵/

/lɔn⁵³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰit̚¹ pat̚¹ t͡sau⁴⁴/

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

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

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

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

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lu̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/lyːn²² t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ paːt̚³ t͡sou̯⁵⁵/

/lɔn⁵³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰit̚¹ pat̚¹ t͡sau⁴⁴/

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

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

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

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

/lõ²¹⁻¹¹ t͡ɕʰi²⁴ pa̠²⁴ t͡sɒu̯³³/

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

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

這就是鬼島亂七八糟的鬼島

这就是鬼岛乱七八糟的鬼岛


飽餐一頓

ㄅㄠˇ ㄘㄢ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄣˋ

баоцаньидунь

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/

/pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰän⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu̯ən⁵¹/


似曾相識

ㄙˋ ㄘㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄕˊ

ㄙˋ ㄘㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄕˋ

/sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

[I] feel helpless about the flowers falling downwards / and seem to recognize the swallows coming back.

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

Wúkěnàihé huā luòqù, sìcéngxiàngshí yàn guīlái.

無可奈何花落去，似曾相識燕歸來。

无可奈何花落去，似曾相识燕归来。


志得意滿

ㄓˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ ㄇㄢˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹ män²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


猶豫不決

ㄧㄡˊ ㄩˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

/joʊ̯³⁵ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jyː²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/iu²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ i³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/joʊ̯³⁵ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ jyː²² pɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³/

/iu²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

/iu²⁴⁻¹¹ i³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²/

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


拈花惹草

ㄋㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄖㄜˇ ㄘㄠˇ

ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄖㄜˇ ㄘㄠˇ

няньхуажэцао

/ni̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʐɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ni̯ɛn³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʐɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/niːm⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ jɛː¹³ t͡sʰou̯³⁵/

/niːm⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵ jɛː¹³ t͡sʰou̯³⁵/


自作自受

ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗˋ ㄕㄡˋ

цзыцзоцзышоу

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

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² sɐu̯²²/

/t͡siː²² t͡sɔːk̚³ t͡siː²² sɐu̯²²/

You'll get what you deserve for what you've done.

你也有今天都是你自作自受。

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

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


不待蓍龜

ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄕ ㄍㄨㄟ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

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


不龜手藥

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄕㄡˇ ㄧㄠˋ

буцзюньшоуяо

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jœːk̚²/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ jœːk̚²/

medicine that prevents frostbite on the hand


指鹿為馬

ㄓˇ ㄌㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄚˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː³⁵ lʊk̚² wɐi̯²¹ maː¹³/

/t͡siː³⁵ lʊk̚²⁻³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ maː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː³⁵ lʊk̚² wɐi̯²¹ maː¹³/

/t͡siː³⁵ lʊk̚²⁻³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ maː¹³/

First attested in c. 197 BCE in a story in Xinyu:
:
This story was also mentioned in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji). In Shiji, the ministers pointed to the animal as deer in order to please the eunuch Zhao Gao, and Zhao was said to have later retaliated on those who referred to it as a deer.

During emperor Qin Er Shi’s reign, eunuch Zhao Gao rode a deer on an outing with the emperor.
The emperor said: “Gao, why are you riding a deer?”
Gao said: “(It is) a horse.”
The emperor said: “Gao, you are wrong. You are calling a deer a horse.”
Gao said: “Your Majesty, you are dismissing my words. Please ask the ministers for their opinions.”
(When asked,) half of the ministers said it was a deer, and half said it was a horse.
At this moment, the Qin emperor could not be confident with his eyes, and believed the evil minister’s words.

Lu Jia, Xinyu (A New Discourse), c. 197 BCE

Qín Èrshì zhī shí, Zhào Gāo jià lù ér cóng xíng.
Wáng yuē: “Chéngxiàng héwéi jià lù?”
Gāo yuē: “Mǎ yě.”
Wáng yuē: “Chéngxiàng wù yě, yǐ lù wéi mǎ.”
Gāo yuē: “Bìxià yǐ chén yán bùrán, yuàn wèn qúnchén.”
Chén bàn yán lù, bàn yán mǎ.
Dāng cǐ zhī shí, Qín wáng bùnéng zìxìn qí mù, ér cóng xié chén zhī shuō.

秦二世之時，趙高駕鹿而從行。
王曰：「丞相何為駕鹿？」
高曰：「馬也。」
王曰：「丞相誤也，以鹿為馬。」
高曰：「陛下以臣言不然，願問群臣。」
臣半言鹿，半言馬。
當此之時，秦王不能自信其目，而從邪臣之說。

秦二世之时，赵高驾鹿而从行。
王曰：「丞相何为驾鹿？」
高曰：「马也。」
王曰：「丞相误也，以鹿为马。」
高曰：「陛下以臣言不然，愿问群臣。」
臣半言鹿，半言马。
当此之时，秦王不能自信其目，而从邪臣之说。

(figurative, derogatory) to be a false witness; to deliberately misinterpret and invert right and wrong

Qin Er Shi
Records of the Grand Historian
Zhao Gao
zh:新語 (中國古籍)


袖手旁觀

ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄆㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄢ

сюшоупангуань

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔːŋ²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/

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

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

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

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

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

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

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑŋ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯²² sɐu̯³⁵ pʰɔːŋ²¹ kuːn⁵⁵/

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

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

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

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

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

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


大腹便便

ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄢˊ ㄆㄧㄢˊ

дафупяньпянь

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/taːi̯²² fʊk̚⁵ pʰiːn²¹ pʰiːn²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/taːi̯²² fʊk̚⁵ pʰiːn²¹ pʰiːn²¹/

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


喪心病狂

ㄙㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄎㄨㄤˊ

сансиньбинкуан

/sɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ piŋ⁵¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ pɛːŋ²² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/

/sɔːŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ pɪŋ²² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/

/sɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ piŋ⁵¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/sɔːŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ pɛːŋ²² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/

/sɔːŋ³³ sɐm⁵⁵ pɪŋ²² kʷʰɔːŋ²¹/


好好學習，天天向上

→ English: good good study, day day up (humorous literal translation)

ㄏㄠˇ ㄏㄠˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄒㄧˊ

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄕㄤˋ

ㄏㄠˇ ㄏㄠ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄒㄧˊ

hou² hou² hok⁶ zaap⁶, tin¹ tin¹ hoeng³ soeng⁶

ho² ho² hag⁸ sib⁸, tiêng¹ tiêng¹ hiang³ siang⁶

хаохао сюэси

тяньтянь сяншан

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

ㄏㄠˇ ㄏㄠㄦ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄒㄧˊ

хаохаорсюэси

тяньтяньсяншан

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xaʊ̯ɻʷ⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ɕi³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

hóu hóu hohk jaahp, tīn tīn heung seuhng

hou² hou² hok⁹ dzaap⁹, tin¹ tin¹ hoeng³ soeng⁶

hou² hou² hog⁶ zab⁶, tin¹ tin¹ hêng³ sêng⁶

/hou̯³⁵ hou̯³⁵ hɔːk̚² t͡saːp̚² tʰiːn⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ hœːŋ³³ sœːŋ²²/

hó hó ha̍k si̍p, thieng thieng hiàng siăng

/ho⁵²⁻³⁵ ho⁵²⁻³⁵ hak̚⁴⁻² sip̚⁴ tʰieŋ³³⁻²³ tʰieŋ³³⁻²³ hiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ siaŋ³⁵/

study hard and you will improve day by day


萬事如意

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

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/ᵐban³² ɬu³² ᵑɡui²² ji³³/

/van⁵⁵ sɨ⁵⁵ i¹¹ i⁵⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ su³³ zu²³⁻³³ i²¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ su²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ su³³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² su⁴¹ lu²⁴⁻²² i⁴¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ sɯ²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/bueŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/buaŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/ᵐban³² ɬu³² ᵑɡui²² ji³³/

/van⁵⁵ sɨ⁵⁵ i¹¹ i⁵⁵/

/ban³³⁻²¹ su³³ zu²³⁻³³ i²¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ su²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/ban³³⁻¹¹ su³³ lu²⁴⁻¹¹ i¹¹/

/ban⁴¹⁻²² su⁴¹ lu²⁴⁻²² i⁴¹/

/ban²²⁻²¹ sɯ²² lu²⁴⁻²¹ i²¹/

/bueŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/buaŋ¹¹ sɯ¹¹ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

祝你身體健康，萬事如意。

祝你身体健康，万事如意。

may all your hopes be fulfilled; all the best


不可避免

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄧㄢˇ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ pei̯²² miːn¹³/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ pei̯²² miːn¹³/


無知是福

/u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ siː²² fʊk̚⁵/

/u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ siː²² fʊk̚⁵/


當務之急

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ u⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ kɐp̚⁵/

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ u⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ kɐp̚⁵/

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


唔識個醜字點寫

doesn't know how to write the character for 'shameful'

/m̩²¹ sɪk̚⁵ kɔː³³ t͡sʰɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː²² tiːm³⁵ sɛː³⁵/

nei⁵ gau³ ging² sik¹ m⁴ sik¹ go³ cau² zi⁶ dim² se² gaa³?

你究竟識唔識個醜字點寫㗎？

你究竟识唔识个丑字点写㗎？

(Cantonese) doesn't have any sense of shame


各行各業

ㄍㄜˋ ㄏㄤˊ ㄍㄜˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/kɤ⁵¹ xɑŋ³⁵ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ hɔːŋ²¹ kɔːk̚³ jiːp̚²/

/kɤ⁵¹ xɑŋ³⁵ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ hɔːŋ²¹ kɔːk̚³ jiːp̚²/

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


唔識個死字點寫

doesn't know how to write the character for 'death'

/m̩²¹ sɪk̚⁵ kɔː³³ sei̯³⁵ t͡siː²² tiːm³⁵ sɛː³⁵/

(Cantonese) doesn't know the meaning of fear


青梅竹馬

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄇㄟˊ ㄓㄨˊ ㄇㄚˇ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ maː¹³/

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

/t͡sʰiɪŋ³³ muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴/

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

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

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

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ bue⁵⁵ tek̚²⁻⁴ be⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ me³³ t͡soʔ³³ ma²¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵ maː¹³/

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

/t͡sʰiɪŋ³³ muĩ²⁴⁻²² tiɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴/

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

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

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

/t͡sʰẽ³³⁻²³ bue⁵⁵ tek̚²⁻⁴ be⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ me³³ t͡soʔ³³ ma²¹/

From a poem by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai:
:
The same poem was also the source of the idiom 兩小無猜／两小无猜 (liǎngxiǎowúcāi), which has a very similar meaning.

zh-l

兩小無猜／两小无猜 (liǎngxiǎowúcāi)

My forehead covered by my hair cut straight,
I played with flowers pluck'd before the gate.
On hobby horse you came upon the scene,
Around the well we played with plums still green.
We lived, close neighbors on Riverside Lane,
Carefree and innocent, we children twain.
At fourteen years when I became your bride,
I'd often turn my bashful face aside. […]

Li Bai (701–762), Ballad of a Trader's Wife (長干里), translated by Xu Yuanchong

Qiè fà chū fù é, zhé huā mén qián jù. Láng qí zhúmǎ lái, rào chuáng nòng qīng méi. Tóngjū cháng gān lǐ, liǎng xiǎo wú xián cāi. Shísì wéi jūn fù, xiū yán wèicháng kāi.

妾髮初覆額，折花門前劇。郎騎竹馬來，繞床弄青梅。同居長干里，兩小無嫌猜。十四為君婦，羞顏未嘗開。

妾发初覆额，折花门前剧。郎骑竹马来，绕床弄青梅。同居长干里，两小无嫌猜。十四为君妇，羞颜未尝开。

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


版權所有

ㄅㄢˇ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄧㄡˇ

баньцюань сою

/pän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/paːn³⁵ kʰyːn²¹ sɔː³⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/paːn³⁵ kʰyːn²¹ sɔː³⁵ jɐu̯¹³/


唔識個羞字點寫

/m̩²¹ sɪk̚⁵ kɔː³³ sɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡siː²² tiːm³⁵ sɛː³⁵/

nei⁵ gau³ ging² sik¹ m⁴ sik¹ go³ sau¹ zi⁶ dim² se² gaa³?

你究竟識唔識個羞字點寫㗎？

你究竟识唔识个羞字点写㗎？


半夜三更

ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄥ

ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄙㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ

ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄙㄢ ㄍㄥ

баньесаньгэн

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄙㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ

баньесаньцзин

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/pan²¹³ iɛ²¹³ san⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ jɛː²² saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ jɛː²²⁻³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/pan⁵⁵ i̯a⁵⁵ sam²⁴⁻¹¹ kaŋ²⁴/

/pø³³ ɦia⁵⁵ se³³ kã²¹/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

/pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/pan²¹³ iɛ²¹³ san⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ jɛː²² saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/puːn³³ jɛː²²⁻³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵/

/pan⁵⁵ i̯a⁵⁵ sam²⁴⁻¹¹ kaŋ²⁴/

/pø³³ ɦia⁵⁵ se³³ kã²¹/

late at night; depths of night; midnight hours


隻字不提

ㄓ ㄗˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄧˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/t͡sɛːk̚³ t͡siː²² pɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tʰi³⁵/

/t͡sɛːk̚³ t͡siː²² pɐt̚⁵ tʰɐi̯²¹/


大雅之堂

ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄚˇ ㄓ ㄊㄤˊ

/tä⁵¹ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² ŋaː¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/tä⁵¹ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/taːi̯²² ŋaː¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

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


不登大雅之堂

ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄥ ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄚˇ ㄓ ㄊㄤˊ

бу дэн даячжитан

/pu⁵¹ tɤŋ⁵⁵ tä⁵¹ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵ taːi̯²² ŋaː¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

to be unrefined or unpresentable; to be too vulgar for polite company; to not appeal to refined tastes


笑貧不笑娼

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄆㄧㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄔㄤ

xiào pín bù xiào chāng [Phonetic:xiào pín bú xiào chāng]

сяо пинь бу сяо чан

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ pʰin³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/siːu̯³³ pʰɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵/

while people may ridicule the poor, they do not ridicule prostitutes


安全第一

ㄢ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄧ

аньцюань дии

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹ tɐi̯²² jɐt̚⁵/

/ɔn⁴⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰiɛn¹¹ tʰi⁵³⁻⁵⁵ it̚¹/

/an⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡suan²³⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ it̚³²/

/an⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ te³³⁻¹¹ it̚³²/

/ũã³³⁻²³ t͡sʰueŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tõĩ³⁵⁻¹¹ ik̚²/

/ũã³³⁻²³ t͡sʰuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ toi³⁵⁻¹¹ ek̚²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹ tɐi̯²² jɐt̚⁵/

/ɔn⁴⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰiɛn¹¹ tʰi⁵³⁻⁵⁵ it̚¹/

/an⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡suan²³⁻³³ te³³⁻²¹ it̚³²/

/an⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ te³³⁻¹¹ it̚³²/

/ũã³³⁻²³ t͡sʰueŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ tõĩ³⁵⁻¹¹ ik̚²/

/ũã³³⁻²³ t͡sʰuaŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ toi³⁵⁻¹¹ ek̚²/

Wasei kango (和製漢語), orthographically borrowed from Japanese 安(あん)全(ぜん)第(だい)一(いち) (anzen daīchi); itself a calque of English safety first; attested since at least 1930.


古靈精怪

古灵精怪
蠱靈精怪
鬼靈精怪

ㄍㄨˇ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄞˋ

гулинцзингуай

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/kuː³⁵ lɪŋ²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːi̯³³/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/kuː³⁵ lɪŋ²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːi̯³³/


濫殺無辜

ㄌㄢˋ ㄕㄚ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨ

/län⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵⁵/

/län⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ u³⁵ ku⁵⁵/

killing of the innocent; to indiscriminately slaughter the innocent


深更半夜

ㄕㄣ ㄍㄥ ㄅㄢˋ ㄧㄝˋ

шэньгэнбанье

/ʂən⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵ puːn³³ jɛː²²/

/sən⁵⁵ kã³³ pø³³ ɦia²¹/

/ʂən⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵ puːn³³ jɛː²²/

/sən⁵⁵ kã³³ pø³³ ɦia²¹/


可不

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴ b̥u⁴/

/hɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴ b̥u⁴/

/hɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵/

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 可, 不.


你是誰

/ni²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂeɪ̯³⁵/

/ni²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵/

/ni²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂeɪ̯³⁵/

/ni²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵/


破涕為笑

ㄆㄛˋ ㄊㄧˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pʰɔː³³ tʰɐi̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ siːu̯³³/

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pʰɔː³³ tʰɐi̯³³ wɐi̯²¹ siːu̯³³/

to turn from weeping to smiling, usually depicting a change in one's emotional state from being sad to being happy


天粟馬角

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄙㄨˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

тяньсумацзяо

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ su⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

See 天雨粟，馬生角／天雨粟，马生角 (tiān yù sù, mǎ shēng jiǎo).

Grains ormillet falling from the sky, and horses growing horns


明察暗訪

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄢˋ ㄈㄤˇ

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ˀän⁵¹ fɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ ɐm³³ fɔːŋ³⁵/

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ˀän⁵¹ fɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ ɐm³³ fɔːŋ³⁵/

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


明察秋毫

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄏㄠˊ

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hou̯²¹/

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ hou̯²¹/

Mencius replied, "Suppose a man were to make this statement to your Majesty: 'My strength is sufficient to lift three thousand catties, but it is not sufficient to lift one feather; my eyesight is sharp enough to examine the point of an autumn hair, but I do not see a wagon-load of faggots;' would your Majesty allow what he said?"

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

Yuē: “Yǒu fù yú wáng zhě yuē: ‘Wú lì zúyǐ jǔ bǎi jūn’, ér bù zúyǐ jǔ yī yǔ; ‘míng zúyǐ chá qiūháo zhī mò’, ér bùjiàn yú xīn, zé wáng xǔ zhī hū?”

曰：「有復於王者曰：『吾力足以舉百鈞』，而不足以舉一羽；『明足以察秋毫之末』，而不見輿薪，則王許之乎？」

曰：「有复于王者曰：『吾力足以举百钧』，而不足以举一羽；『明足以察秋毫之末』，而不见舆薪，则王许之乎？」


位極人臣

ㄨㄟˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄔㄣˊ

вэйцзижэньчэнь

vɛjczižɛnʹčɛnʹ

/weɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

to have reached the highest official positions


物極必反

ㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄈㄢˇ

/u⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ pi⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐt̚² kɪk̚² piːt̚⁵ faːn³⁵/

/u⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ pi⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐt̚² kɪk̚² piːt̚⁵ faːn³⁵/

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

Bùyào zǒngshì pīpíng xuéshēng, fǒuzé, wùjíbìfǎn.

不要總是批評學生，否則，物極必反。

不要总是批评学生，否则，物极必反。

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


登峰造極

ㄉㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄗㄠˋ ㄐㄧˊ

дэнфэнцзаоцзи

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³ kɪk̚²/

/ten²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰo⁵⁵ kʰit̚⁵/

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯³³ kɪk̚²/

/ten²⁴⁻¹¹ fuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰo⁵⁵ kʰit̚⁵/

His painting of people attained a level never known before.

Tā de rénwùhuà zài dāngshí kěwèi dēngfēngzàojí.

他的人物畫在當時可謂登峰造極。

他的人物画在当时可谓登峰造极。

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


能者多勞

ㄋㄥˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄌㄠˊ

/nɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/nɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵/


生快

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

生日快樂 生日快樂#Chinese

生日快乐 生日快乐#Chinese

(colloquial, slang) Short for 生日快樂／生日快乐 (shēngrì kuàilè).


忽冷忽熱

ㄏㄨ ㄌㄥˇ ㄏㄨ ㄖㄜˋ

/xu⁵⁵ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹/

/fɐt̚⁵ laːŋ¹³ fɐt̚⁵ jiːt̚²/

/xu⁵⁵ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu⁵⁵ ʐɤ⁵¹/

/fɐt̚⁵ laːŋ¹³ fɐt̚⁵ jiːt̚²/

The weather is quite variable; please wear a bit more just to be safe!

Tiānqì hūlěnghūrè, duō chuān diǎn bǎoxiǎn!

天氣忽冷忽熱，多穿點保險！

天气忽冷忽热，多穿点保险！

to be sometimes hot and sometimes cold; to have drastic swings in temperature

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


閃爍其詞

ㄕㄢˇ ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄘˊ

/ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/siːm³⁵ sœːk̚³ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/siːm³⁵ sœːk̚³ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

beat around the bush
beat around the bush

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


睬你都傻

/t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ nei̯¹³ tou̯⁵⁵ sɔː²¹/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ nei̯¹³ tou̯⁵⁵ sɔː²¹/

(Cantonese) I'd be an idiot if I cared about what you said; I don't care


大名鼎鼎

ㄉㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄉㄧㄥˇ

/tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ tɪŋ³⁵/

/tä⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ tɪŋ³⁵/


成了

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lə³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lə³/

(colloquial) that's enough; that'll do; to be done; to be ready


乳臭未乾

ㄖㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄢ

/ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ kän⁵⁵/

/jyː¹³ t͡sʰɐu̯³³ mei̯²² kɔːn⁵⁵/

/ʐu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ kän⁵⁵/

/jyː¹³ t͡sʰɐu̯³³ mei̯²² kɔːn⁵⁵/

乳臭未乾的大學生

乳臭未干的大学生

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


發揚光大

ㄈㄚ ㄧㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄉㄚˋ

/fä⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/faːt̚³ jœːŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ taːi̯²²/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tai²²/

/huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³ tai⁴¹/

/huat̚³²⁻⁵ iɔŋ¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tai²²/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tai³³/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tai³³/

/fä⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/faːt̚³ jœːŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ taːi̯²²/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tai²²/

/huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² kɔŋ³³ tai⁴¹/

/huat̚³²⁻⁵ iɔŋ¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tai²²/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tai³³/

/huat̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tai³³/


你話呢

néi⁵ wa⁶ né¹

/nei̯¹³ waː²² nɛː⁵⁵/

/nei̯¹³ waː²² nɛː⁵⁵/

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 你 (nǐ), 話／话, 呢: what do you think? (what is your opinion?)

what do you think?, no shit, duh (sarcastic response to a question with an obvious answer)


說三道四

ㄕㄨㄛ ㄙㄢ ㄉㄠˋ ㄙˋ

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

(derogatory) to gossip; to make irresponsible remarks


化為烏有

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄨ ㄧㄡˇ

/xu̯ä⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ u⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faː³³ wɐi̯²¹ wuː⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ u⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faː³³ wɐi̯²¹ wuː⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³/


豈有此理

ㄑㄧˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄘˇ ㄌㄧˇ

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

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

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

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹/

/kʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²/

/kʰa⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²⁻²¹/

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ lei̯¹³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

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

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³/

/kʰi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹/

/kʰi⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²/

/kʰa⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ li⁵²⁻²¹/

嚇，豈有此理！

吓，岂有此理！


多少錢

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄕㄠˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

Excuse me boss, how much does watermelon cost per catty?

Lǎobǎn, qǐngwèn xīguā duōshàoqián yī jīn?

老闆，請問西瓜多少錢一斤？

老板，请问西瓜多少钱一斤？

how much does it cost
how much does it cost

how much money?, how much is it?, how much does it cost?


惡有惡報

ㄜˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄜˋ ㄅㄠˋ

/ˀɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ ɔːk̚³ pou̯³³/

/ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ po²¹/

/ɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ po⁴¹/

/ɔk̚³²⁻⁵ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔk̚³²⁻⁵ po²¹/

/ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ po¹¹/

/ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ pɤ²¹/

/ˀɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ɔːk̚³ jɐu̯¹³ ɔːk̚³ pou̯³³/

/ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ po²¹/

/ɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ po⁴¹/

/ɔk̚³²⁻⁵ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔk̚³²⁻⁵ po²¹/

/ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ po¹¹/

/ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɔk̚³²⁻⁴ pɤ²¹/

what goes around comes around
what goes around comes around

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

evil has its retribution; what goes around comes around; sow the wind, reap the whirlwind


由得佢

/jɐu̯²¹⁻³⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kʰɵy̯¹³/

/jɐu̯²¹⁻³⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kʰɵy̯¹³/


唔經唔覺

/m̩²¹ kɪŋ⁵⁵ m̩²¹ kɔːk̚³/

/m̩²¹ kɪŋ⁵⁵ m̩²¹ kɔːk̚³/


龐然大物

ㄆㄤˊ ㄖㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄨˋ

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² mɐt̚²/

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ jiːn²¹ taːi̯²² mɐt̚²/


好耐唔見

/hou̯³⁵ nɔːi̯²² m̩²¹ kiːn³³/

/hou̯³⁵ nɔːi̯²² m̩²¹ kiːn³³/


於事無補

ㄩˊ ㄕˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄨˇ

/y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː⁵⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ pou̯³⁵/

/y³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ u³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː⁵⁵ siː²² mou̯²¹ pou̯³⁵/


井井有條

ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄧㄠˊ

цзинцзинъютяо

/t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯²¹/

/t͡sẽ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sẽ⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ tiau⁵⁵/

/t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯²¹/

/t͡sẽ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sẽ⁵²⁻³⁵ u³⁵⁻¹¹ tiau⁵⁵/

neat and tidy; in perfect order; systematic


冇所謂

/mou̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²²/

/mou̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ wɐi̯²²/


生兒育女

ㄕㄥ ㄦˊ ㄩˋ ㄋㄩˇ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ jʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³ iɔk̚⁴⁻³² li⁴¹/

/sẽ⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³ iɔk̚⁴⁻³² li⁴¹/

/sĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³ iɔk̚⁴⁻³² li⁴¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ jʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³ iɔk̚⁴⁻³² li⁴¹/

/sẽ⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³ iɔk̚⁴⁻³² li⁴¹/

/sĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³ iɔk̚⁴⁻³² li⁴¹/


山盟海誓

ㄕㄢ ㄇㄥˊ ㄏㄞˇ ㄕˋ

шаньмэнхайши

/ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹/

/sũã³³⁻²³ meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵²⁻³⁵ si¹¹/

/ʂän⁵⁵ mɤŋ³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɐŋ²¹ hɔːi̯³⁵ sɐi̯²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹/

/sũã³³⁻²³ meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hai⁵²⁻³⁵ si¹¹/


無法度

/bo²⁴⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ²²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ tɔ⁴¹/

/bo¹³⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁵ tɔ²²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ huat̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ³³/

/bo²⁴⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ²²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² huat̚⁵⁻²⁴ tɔ⁴¹/

/bo¹³⁻²² huat̚³²⁻⁵ tɔ²²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ huat̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ³³/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ³³/


否極泰來

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (否極泰來):
* → Vietnamese: bĩ cực thái lai (否極泰來)

ㄆㄧˇ ㄐㄧˊ ㄊㄞˋ ㄌㄞˊ

/pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/pʰei̯³⁵ kɪk̚² tʰaːi̯³³ lɔːi̯²¹/

/pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/pʰei̯³⁵ kɪk̚² tʰaːi̯³³ lɔːi̯²¹/


海闊天空

ㄏㄞˇ ㄎㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄎㄨㄥ

хайкотянькун

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ fuːt̚³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯³⁵ fuːt̚³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

the sea and the sky is expansive and boundless; as boundless as the sea and sky

(of imagination or a conversation) without restriction or limit; discursive


掛羊頭賣狗肉

desc

→ Vietnamese: treo đầu dê bán thịt chó (calque)

→ Japanese: 羊頭を掲げて狗肉を売る (calque)

ㄍㄨㄚˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄇㄞˋ ㄍㄡˇ ㄖㄡˋ

гуа янтоу май гоужоу

/ku̯ä⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ maɪ̯⁵¹ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹/

/kʷaː³³ jœːŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ maːi̯²² kɐu̯³⁵ jʊk̚²/

Appeared in some Song dynasty books like 五燈會元 and 續傳燈錄, originally as 懸羊頭賣狗肉／悬羊头卖狗肉 (xuán yángtóu mài gǒuròu), for example:
:
Which in turn was a variant of 懸牛首賣馬肉／悬牛首卖马肉 in Yanzi chunqiu

zh-l

懸羊頭賣狗肉／悬羊头卖狗肉 (xuán yángtóu mài gǒuròu)

懸牛首賣馬肉／悬牛首卖马肉

Èrshí nián lái zuò qūlù chuáng, xuán yángtóu mài gǒuròu, zhī tā yǒu shèn píng jù.

二十年來坐曲彔床，懸羊頭賣狗肉，知它有甚憑據。

二十年来坐曲彔床，悬羊头卖狗肉，知它有甚凭据。

Annals of Master Yan, c. 3ʳᵈ century BCE

Jūn shǐ fú zhī yú nèi, ér jìn zhī yú wài, yóu xuán niú shǒu yú mén, ér mài mǎròu yú nèi yě.

君使服之於內，而禁之於外，猶懸牛首於門，而賣馬肉於內也。

君使服之于内，而禁之于外，犹悬牛首于门，而卖马肉于内也。

tosell dog meat while hanging a goat's head outside the shop as an advertisement

cry wine and sell vinegar
cry wine and sell vinegar

(figurative) to cry wine and sell vinegar; to do a bait and switch; to use a good cause as a cover for doing something bad


大家閨秀

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄒㄧㄡˋ

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kaː⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² kaː⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ sɐu̯³³/


遲啲見

/t͡sʰiː²¹ tiː⁵⁵ kiːn³³/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ tiː⁵⁵ kiːn³³/


憤憤不平

ㄈㄣˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

фэньфэньбупин

/fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/fɐn¹³ fɐn¹³ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/hun²¹⁻⁵³ hun²¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/hun²¹⁻⁵³ hun²¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁵ piɪŋ¹³/

/hun¹¹⁻⁵³ hun¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/hun²¹⁻⁴¹ hun²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²³/

/fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/fɐn¹³ fɐn¹³ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/hun²¹⁻⁵³ hun²¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hun⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/hun²¹⁻⁵³ hun²¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁵ piɪŋ¹³/

/hun¹¹⁻⁵³ hun¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/hun²¹⁻⁴¹ hun²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²³/


離鄉不離腔

ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ ㄑㄧㄤ

лисянбулицян

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

[even when] leaving [the] hometown, [one] does not forget [one's] language


富甲天下

ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

фуцзя тянься

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/fuː³³ kaːp̚³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/fuː³³ kaːp̚³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/


忠心耿耿

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄍㄥˇ ㄍㄥˇ

чжунсиньгэнгэн

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ kɐŋ³⁵ kɐŋ³⁵/


一視同仁

ㄧ ㄕˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² d͡zin¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ lin²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː²² tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ¹³⁻²² d͡zin¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻²¹ tɔŋ²³⁻³³ zin²³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si³³⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ lin²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ si⁴¹⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ si²²⁻²¹ tɔŋ²⁴⁻²² lin²⁴/

他對學生們一視同仁。

他对学生们一视同仁。

keoi⁵ deoi³ di¹ hok⁶ saang¹ jat¹ si⁶ tung⁴ jan⁴.

佢對啲學生一視同仁。

佢对啲学生一视同仁。

伊對遐的學生一視同仁。

伊对遐的学生一视同仁。


一無所知

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ti⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ti³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ bu¹³⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ti⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ti⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ bu²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ti⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ti⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ti³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ bu¹³⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ti⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ti⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ bu²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ti⁴⁴/

他對這事一無所知。

他对这事一无所知。

keoi⁵ deoi³ ni¹ gin⁶ si⁶ jat¹ mou⁴ so² zi¹.

佢對呢件事一無所知。

佢对呢件事一无所知。

伊對這項代誌一無所知。

伊对这项代志一无所知。


衫短褲闊人矮鼻直

/sã⁴⁴ te⁴¹ kʰɔ²¹ kʰuaʔ³² laŋ²³ e⁴¹ pʰĩ³³ tit̚⁴/

A phrase comprising words pronounced with different tones in Min Nan.

(Southern Min) A phrase used to memorise tones in Min Nan. the clothes [are] short, the pants [are] broad, the person [is] short, the nose [is] straight.


東黨棟督同黨洞獨

dofng dorng doxng dog doong dorng dong dok

/tɔŋ⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁵³ tɔŋ¹¹ tɔk̚³² tɔŋ²⁴ tɔŋ⁵³ tɔŋ³³ tɔk̚⁴/

/tɔŋ⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴¹ tɔŋ²¹ tɔk̚³² tɔŋ²³ tɔŋ⁴¹ tɔŋ³³ tɔk̚⁴/

Similar syllables pronounced with different tones in Min Nan.

(Southern Min) A meaningless phrase used to memorise tones in Min Nan.


君滾棍骨裙滾郡滑

/kun⁴⁴ kun⁴¹ kun²¹ kut̚³² kun²³ kun⁴¹ kun³³ kut̚⁴/

/kun⁴⁴ kun⁵³ kun¹¹ kut̚³² kun²⁴ kun⁵³ kun³³ kut̚⁴/


媽麻馬罵

ㄇㄚ ㄇㄚˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄇㄚˋ

/mä⁵⁵ mä³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mä⁵¹/

/mä⁵⁵ mä³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mä⁵¹/

The same syllable pronounced with the first tone to the fourth tone respectively in Mandarin.

(Mandarin) A meaningless phrase used to memorise the four tones in Mandarin


格格不入

ㄍㄜˊ ㄍㄜˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˋ

/kɤ³⁵ kɤ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/kaːk̚³ kaːk̚³ pɐt̚⁵ jɐp̚²/

/keʔ²⁻⁴ keʔ²⁻⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ d͡zip̚⁴/

/kɤ³⁵ kɤ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/kaːk̚³ kaːk̚³ pɐt̚⁵ jɐp̚²/

/keʔ²⁻⁴ keʔ²⁻⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ d͡zip̚⁴/


美中不足

ㄇㄟˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ

мэйчжунбуцзу

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/mei̯¹³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/mei̯¹³ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

to be almost perfect; to be a fly in the ointment; to be a blemish in an otherwise perfect thing


對我來說

ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄌㄞˊ ㄕㄨㄛ

дуй во лай шо

/tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/tɵy̯³³ ŋɔː¹³ lɔːi̯²¹ syːt̚³/

/tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/tɵy̯³³ ŋɔː¹³ lɔːi̯²¹ syːt̚³/

as far as I'm concerned
as far as I'm concerned

in my opinion; as far as I'm concerned; to my mind; the way I see it


依我看

/i⁵⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰän⁵¹/

/jiː⁵⁵ ŋɔː¹³ hɔːn³³/

/i⁵⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰän⁵¹/

/jiː⁵⁵ ŋɔː¹³ hɔːn³³/


在我看來

ㄗㄞˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄎㄢˋ ㄌㄞˊ

цзай во каньлай

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰän⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɔːi̯²² ŋɔː¹³ hɔːn³³ lɔːi̯²¹/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰän⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɔːi̯²² ŋɔː¹³ hɔːn³³ lɔːi̯²¹/


恁老母

/lin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lau²²⁻²¹ bu⁵³/

/lin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lau⁴¹⁻²² bu⁵⁵⁴/

/lin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lau²²⁻²¹ bu⁵³/

/lin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lau³³⁻¹¹ bu⁵³/

/lin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lau³³⁻²¹ bu⁴¹/

/lin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lau²²⁻²¹ bu⁵³/

/lin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lau⁴¹⁻²² bu⁵⁵⁴/

/lin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lau²²⁻²¹ bu⁵³/

/lin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lau³³⁻¹¹ bu⁵³/

/lin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lau³³⁻²¹ bu⁴¹/

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 恁, 老母.

姦恁老母 姦恁老母#Chinese

奸恁老母 奸恁老母#Chinese

(vulgar, slang, Southern Min) Abbreviated from 姦恁老母／奸恁老母, which literally means "fuck your (old) mother", but is usually translated as "fuck you".


你老母

/nei̯¹³ lou̯¹³ mou̯¹³⁻³⁵/

/nei̯¹³ lou̯¹³ mou̯¹³⁻³⁵/

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 你 (nǐ), 老母.

屌你老母 屌你老母#Chinese

(Cantonese, vulgar, slang) Short for 屌你老母 (“fuck your mom; fuck you”).

1994, Wong Jing, Hail the Judge, spoken by Pao Lung Sing (Stephen Chow):

“You shouldn't say that, your Excellency! He is appointed by the emp-” “Emperor my ass!” “You can't say that on the cour-” “Court my ass!” “Aren't you saying ‘my ass’ too much, your Excellency?” “Too much my ass of my ass!”

“daai⁶ jan⁴ nei⁵ gam² gong² zau⁶ m⁴ ngaam¹ laa³, keoi⁵ waa⁶ saai³ dou¹ hai⁶ ciu⁴ ting⁴ jam¹......” “jam¹ nei⁵ lou⁵ mou⁵⁻²!” “nei⁵ m⁴ ho² ji⁵ hai² gung¹ tong⁴ zi¹ soeng⁶......” “gung¹ nei⁵ lou⁵ mou⁵⁻²!” “daai⁶ jan⁴, m⁴ sai² jung⁶ dou³ lou⁵ mou⁵⁻² gam³ zeon⁶ aa³ maa³?” “zeon⁶ nei⁵ lou⁵ mou⁵ go³ lou⁵ mou⁵⁻²!”

「大人你噉講就唔啱喇，佢話晒都係朝廷欽……」「欽你老母！」「你唔可以喺公堂之上……」「公你老母！」「大人，唔使用到老母咁盡呀嘛？」「盡你老母個老母！」

「大人你噉讲就唔啱喇，佢话晒都系朝廷钦……」「钦你老母！」「你唔可以喺公堂之上……」「公你老母！」「大人，唔使用到老母咁尽呀嘛？」「尽你老母个老母！」

記你老母！

记你老母！

暫你老母！

暂你老母！

(Cantonese, vulgar, slang) (Negates the meaning of the sentence) your ass; your granny


同讎敵愾

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄔㄡˊ ㄉㄧˊ ㄎㄞˋ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ti³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹ tɪk̚² kʰɔːi̯³³/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ti³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯²¹ tɪk̚² kʰɔːi̯³³/


離鄉無離腔

/li³³⁻²¹ hiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ li³³⁻²¹ kʰiũ⁴⁴/

/li³³⁻¹¹ hiũ⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ li³³⁻¹¹ kʰiũ⁴⁴/

(Southern Min) [even when] leaving [the] hometown, [one] does not forget [one's] language


慘不忍睹

ㄘㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˇ ㄉㄨˇ

цаньбужэньду

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

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ tou̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ lim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ zim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ tou̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ lim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ zim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔ⁴¹/

Chēhuò xiànchǎng, xuèròuhéngfēi, lìngrén cǎnbùrěndǔ.

車禍現場，血肉橫飛，令人慘不忍睹。

车祸现场，血肉横飞，令人惨不忍睹。

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


尊王攘夷

CJKV/code

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

ㄗㄨㄣ ㄨㄤˊ ㄖㄤˇ ㄧˊ

ㄗㄨㄣ ㄨㄤˊ ㄖㄤˊ ㄧˊ

цзуньванжанъи

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵/

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵ i³⁵/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ jiː²¹/

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵/

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ ʐɑŋ³⁵ i³⁵/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ jiː²¹/

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

to revere the king and expel the barbarians


生人唔生膽

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ m̩²¹ saːŋ⁵⁵ taːm³⁵/

/saŋ³³ ᵑɡin²² m̩²² saŋ³³ am⁵⁵/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ m̩²¹ saːŋ⁵⁵ taːm³⁵/

/saŋ³³ ᵑɡin²² m̩²² saŋ³³ am⁵⁵/


多多指教

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓˇ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

додо чжицзяо

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tɔː⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵ kaːu̯³³/

/to²⁴⁻¹¹ to²⁴ t͡sɨ³¹ kau̯⁵⁵/

/to⁴⁴⁻²² to⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kau²¹/

/to³³ to³³ t͡si⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kau⁴¹/

/to⁴⁴⁻²² to⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kau²¹/

/to⁴⁴⁻³³ to⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kau¹¹/

/tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kau²¹/

/to³³⁻²³ to³³⁻²³ t͡si⁵²⁻³⁵ kʰa²¹³/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tɔː⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵ kaːu̯³³/

/to²⁴⁻¹¹ to²⁴ t͡sɨ³¹ kau̯⁵⁵/

/to⁴⁴⁻²² to⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kau²¹/

/to³³ to³³ t͡si⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kau⁴¹/

/to⁴⁴⁻²² to⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kau²¹/

/to⁴⁴⁻³³ to⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kau¹¹/

/tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kau²¹/

/to³³⁻²³ to³³⁻²³ t͡si⁵²⁻³⁵ kʰa²¹³/

請多多指教。

请多多指教。

I look forward to receiving guidance from the knowledgeable people present here.

Gèwèi zàizuò de gāorén kě děi duōduō zhǐjiào a.

各位在座的高人可得多多指教啊。

(humble) please give me advice; please guide me; nice to meet you


開口埋口

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ maːi̯²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ maːi̯²¹ hɐu̯³⁵/

開口埋口都講錢

开口埋口都讲钱

開口埋口批評人

开口埋口批评人

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


死記硬背

ㄙˇ ㄐㄧˋ ㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄟˋ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ iŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ kei̯³³ ŋaːŋ²² puːi̯²²/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ iŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/sei̯³⁵ kei̯³³ ŋaːŋ²² puːi̯²²/

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


請等一下

ㄑㄧㄥˇ ㄉㄥˇ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

qǐng děng yīxià [Phonetic:qíngděngyíxià]

/t͡ɕʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/


等到頸都長埋

to wait so long that even one's neck has elongated

/tɐŋ³⁵ tou̯³³ kɛːŋ³⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ maːi̯²¹/

(Cantonese, idiomatic) to wait for a very long time


所以呢

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴ nə⁴/

/su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴ nə⁴/


唔係呀嗎

/m̩²¹ hɐi̯²² aː²² maː³³⁻¹³/

/m̩²¹ hɐi̯²² aː²² maː³³⁻¹³/

(Cantonese) No way!; You've got to be kidding me!


轟轟烈烈

ㄏㄨㄥ ㄏㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄝˋ

/xʊŋ⁵⁵ xʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/kʷɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐŋ⁵⁵ liːt̚² liːt̚²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɛt̚⁴⁻³² liɛt̚⁴/

/hɔŋ³³ hɔŋ³³ liɛt̚²⁴⁻² liɛt̚²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɛt̚¹²¹⁻²¹ liɛt̚¹²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛt̚⁴⁻³² liɛt̚⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛt̚⁴⁻³² liɛt̚⁴/

/xʊŋ⁵⁵ xʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/kʷɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐŋ⁵⁵ liːt̚² liːt̚²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɛt̚⁴⁻³² liɛt̚⁴/

/hɔŋ³³ hɔŋ³³ liɛt̚²⁴⁻² liɛt̚²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛt̚⁴⁻³² liɛt̚⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛt̚⁴⁻³² liɛt̚⁴/


忙忙匆匆

ㄇㄤˊ ㄇㄤˊ ㄘㄨㄥ ㄘㄨㄥ

манманцунцун

/mɑŋ³⁵ mɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mɑŋ³⁵ mɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mɔːŋ²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/


一勞永逸

ㄧ ㄌㄠˊ ㄩㄥˇ ㄧˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ wɪŋ¹³ jɐt̚²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ lo¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚¹²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔ²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iak̚²⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ wɪŋ¹³ jɐt̚²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ iɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻¹¹ iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ lo¹³⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚¹²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ lo²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ iɪk̚⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔ²⁴⁻²² iɪŋ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ iak̚²⁴/

Zhège jiějué fāng'àn bùshì yīláoyǒngyì de.

這個解決方案不是一勞永逸的。

这个解决方案不是一劳永逸的。


南無阿彌陀佛

ja-r

^な%む% ^あ%み%だ%ぶつ

desc

나무아미타불(南無阿彌陀佛)

CJKV/code

^な%む% ^あ%み%だ%ぶつ

Sino-Xenic (南無阿彌陀佛):
* → Japanese: 南(な)無(む)阿(あ)弥(み)陀(だ)仏(ぶつ) (Namu Amidabutsu)
* → Korean: 나무아미타불(南無阿彌陀佛) (namuamitabul)
* → Vietnamese: Nam mô A Di Đà Phật (南無阿彌陀佛)

CJKV

^な%む% ^あ%み%だ%ぶつ

Nāmó Ēmítuófó

Námó Ēmítuófó

ㄋㄚ ㄇㄛˊ ㄜ ㄇㄧˊ ㄊㄨㄛˊ ㄈㄛˊ

ㄋㄚˊ ㄇㄛˊ ㄜ ㄇㄧˊ ㄊㄨㄛˊ ㄈㄛˊ

Nāmó Ēmítuófó

Намо Эмитофо

/nä⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵⁵ mi³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

Námó Ēmítuófó

/nä³⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵⁵ mi³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

/naːm²¹ mɔː²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ mei̯²¹ tʰɔː²¹ fɐt̚²/

/naːm²¹ mɔː²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ nei̯²¹⁻⁵⁵ tʰɔː²¹ fɐt̚²/

/naː⁵⁵ mɔː²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ mei̯²¹ tʰɔː²¹ fɐt̚²/

/naː⁵⁵ mɔː²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ nei̯²¹⁻⁵⁵ tʰɔː²¹ fɐt̚²/

/na¹¹ mo¹¹ o²⁴⁻¹¹ ni²⁴ tʰo¹¹ fut̚⁵/

/nˡaŋ⁵³ mo⁵³ o⁵⁵ mi⁵³ ^((tʰ-))lo⁵³ ⁽ʰ⁻⁾uʔ⁵/

/lam²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² o⁴⁴⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to²⁴⁻²² hut̚⁴/

/lam²⁴⁻²² bu²⁴⁻²² o³³ bi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ to²⁴⁻²² hut̚²⁴/

/lam¹³⁻²² bu¹³⁻²² o⁴⁴⁻²² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to¹³⁻²² hut̚¹²¹/

/lam²⁴⁻¹¹ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ o⁴⁴⁻³³ bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to²⁴⁻¹¹ hut̚⁴/

/lam²³⁻³³ bu²³⁻³³ ɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɤ²³⁻³³ hut̚⁴/

/nä⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵⁵ mi³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

/nä³⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵⁵ mi³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ³⁵ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

/naːm²¹ mɔː²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ mei̯²¹ tʰɔː²¹ fɐt̚²/

/naː⁵⁵ mɔː²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ mei̯²¹ tʰɔː²¹ fɐt̚²/

/na¹¹ mo¹¹ o²⁴⁻¹¹ ni²⁴ tʰo¹¹ fut̚⁵/

Borrowed from Sanskrit नमोऽमिताभाय (namoʼmitābhāya).

(Buddhism) Namo Amitābhāya, a common phrase of salutation used by Buddhists


阿姨洗鐵路

āyí xǐ tiělù

ㄚ ㄧˊ ㄒㄧˇ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄌㄨˋ

/ˀä⁵⁵ i³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu⁵¹/

/aː³³ jiː²¹⁻⁵⁵ sɐi̯³⁵ tʰiːt̚³ lou̯²²/

/ˀä⁵⁵ i³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu⁵¹/

/aː³³ jiː²¹⁻⁵⁵ sɐi̯³⁵ tʰiːt̚³ lou̯²²/

Humorous phono-semantic matching from Japanese 愛(あい)してる (ai shiteru, “I love you”).


等到頸都長

to wait so long that one's neck has elongated

/tɐŋ³⁵ tou̯³³ kɛːŋ³⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/tɐŋ³⁵ tou̯³³ kɛːŋ³⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/


走火入魔

fire running wild and being possessed by a demon

ㄗㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄨˋ ㄇㄛˊ

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵ jɐp̚² mɔː⁵⁵/

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu⁵¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵/

/t͡sɐu̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵ jɐp̚² mɔː⁵⁵/

(Taoism, qigong, etc.) to experience serious negative physiological and psychological changes resulting from the “improper” practice of qigong or other self-cultivation techniques; to develop meditation psychosis

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


楚楚動人

ㄔㄨˇ ㄔㄨˇ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ tʊŋ²² jɐn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʊŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ tʊŋ²² jɐn²¹/

(chiefly of a young woman) delicate and enchanting


衣冠楚楚

ㄧ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄔㄨˇ ㄔㄨˇ

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

/jiː⁵⁵ kuːn³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵/

/jiː⁵⁵ kuːn³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 150 (《詩經·曹風·蜉蝣》)

lang

(《詩經·曹風·蜉蝣》)

(《詩經·曹風·蜉蝣》)

The wings of the ephemera, Are robes, bright and splendid.
My heart is grieved; Would they but come and abide with me!

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

Fúyóu zhī yǔ, yīshāng chǔchǔ.
Xīn zhī yōu yǐ, yú wǒ guī chǔ.

蜉蝣之羽，衣裳楚楚。
心之憂矣，於我歸處。

蜉蝣之羽，衣裳楚楚。
心之忧矣，于我归处。

immaculately dressed; well-groomed; dapper


敬啟者

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧˇ ㄓㄜˇ

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɪŋ³³ kʰɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɛː³⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɪŋ³³ kʰɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɛː³⁵/

to whom this may concern
to whom this may concern


杞人憂天

CJKV/code

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

ㄑㄧˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧㄡ ㄊㄧㄢ

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kei̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ iu⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kei̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ jɐu̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ iu⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴/

From a story in Liezi, early first millennium, "Heaven's Gifts", adapted from the translation by A. C. Graham

There was a man of Qi country who was so worried that heaven and earth might fall down, and his body would have nowhere to lodge, that he forgot to eat and sleep. There was another man who was worried that he should be so worried about it, and therefore went to enlighten him, saying, "Heaven is nothing but the accumulated air; there is no place where there is not air. You walk and stand all day inside heaven, stretching and bending, breathing in and breathing out; why should you worry about it falling down?"
The man said, "If heaven really is accumulated air, shouldn't the sun and moon and stars fall down?"
The man who sought to enlighten him said, "The sun and moon and stars are air which shines inside the accumulated air. Even if they did fall down, they couldn't hit or harm anyone."
The man said, "What about the earth giving way?"
The man who sought to enlighten him said, "The earth is nothing but accumulated soil, filling the void in all four directions; there is no place where there is not soil. You walk and stand all day on the earth, stamping about with abrupt spurts and halts; why should you worry about it giving way?"
The man was satisfied and greatly cheered; and so was the man who enlightened him.

Qǐ guó yǒu rén, yōu tiāndì bēngzhuì, shēn wáng suǒ jì, fèi qǐnshí zhě. Yòu yǒu yōu bǐ zhī suǒ yōu zhě, yīn wǎng xiǎo zhī, yuē: “Tiān, jīqì ěr, wáng chù wáng qì. Ruò qūshēn hūxī, zhōngrì zài tiān zhōng xíngzhǐ, nàihé yōu bēngzhuì hū?”
Qí rén yuē: “Tiān guǒ jīqì, rìyuè xīngsù bùdāng zhuì xié?”
Xiǎo zhī zhě yuē: “Rìyuè xīngsù, yì jīqì zhōng zhī yǒu guāngyào zhě, zhǐ shǐ zhuì, yì bùnéng yǒu suǒ zhōngshāng.”
Qí rén yuē: “Nài dì huài hé?”
Xiǎo zhě yuē: “Dì jīkuài ěr, chōngsài sì xū, wáng chù wáng kuài. Ruò chú bù cīdǎo, zhōngrì zài dìshàng xíngzhǐ, nàihé yōu qí huài?”
Qí rén shèrán dàxǐ, xiǎo zhī zhě yì shèrán dàxǐ.

杞國有人，憂天地崩墜，身亡所寄，廢寢食者。又有憂彼之所憂者，因往曉之，曰：「天，積氣耳，亡處亡氣。若屈伸呼吸，終日在天中行止，奈何憂崩墜乎？」
其人曰：「天果積氣，日月星宿不當墜邪？」
曉之者曰：「日月星宿，亦積氣中之有光耀者，只使墜，亦不能有所中傷。」
其人曰：「奈地壞何？」
曉者曰：「地積塊耳，充塞四虛，亡處亡塊。若躇步跐蹈，終日在地上行止，奈何憂其壞？」
其人舍然大喜，曉之者亦舍然大喜。

杞国有人，忧天地崩坠，身亡所寄，废寝食者。又有忧彼之所忧者，因往晓之，曰：「天，积气耳，亡处亡气。若屈伸呼吸，终日在天中行止，奈何忧崩坠乎？」
其人曰：「天果积气，日月星宿不当坠邪？」
晓之者曰：「日月星宿，亦积气中之有光耀者，只使坠，亦不能有所中伤。」
其人曰：「奈地坏何？」
晓者曰：「地积块耳，充塞四虚，亡处亡块。若躇步跐蹈，终日在地上行止，奈何忧其坏？」
其人舍然大喜，晓之者亦舍然大喜。

the man of Qi fear that the sky might fall


命途多舛

ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄊㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄔㄨㄢˇ

минтудочуань

/miŋ⁵¹ tʰu³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²² tʰou̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵/

/miŋ⁵¹ tʰu³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²² tʰou̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵/

嗟乎！時運不齊，命途多舛。

嗟乎！时运不齐，命途多舛。


堅定不移

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ i³⁵/

/kiːn⁵⁵ tɪŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ i³⁵/

/kiːn⁵⁵ tɪŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹/


前所未有

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄟˋ ㄧㄡˇ

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

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ sɔː³⁵ mei̯²² jɐu̯¹³/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ sɔː³⁵ mei̯²² jɐu̯¹³/

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

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

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

這就是整個兒地推翻世界和中國的黑暗面，把它們轉變過來成為前所未有的光明世界。

这就是整个儿地推翻世界和中国的黑暗面，把它们转变过来成为前所未有的光明世界。


披髮左衽

ㄆㄧ ㄈㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄣˋ

ㄆㄧ ㄈㄚˇ ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄣˋ

/pʰi⁵⁵ fä⁵¹ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/pʰi⁵⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sɔː³⁵ jɐm²²/

/pʰi⁵⁵ fä⁵¹ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/pʰi⁵⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ faːt̚³ t͡sɔː³⁵ jɐm²²/

Guan Zhong acted as prime minister to the duke Huan, made him leader of all the princes, and united and rectified the whole kingdom. Down to the present day, the people enjoy the gifts which he conferred. But for Guan Zhong, we should now be wearing our hair unbound, and the lappets of our coats buttoning on the left side. …

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

Zǐyuē: “Guǎn Zhòng xiàng Huán Gōng, bà zhūhóu, yī kuāng tiānxià, mín dào yú jīn shòu qí cì; wēi Guǎn Zhòng, wú qí bèifà zuǒrèn yǐ!......

子曰：「管仲相桓公，霸諸侯，一匡天下，民到于今受其賜；微管仲，吾其被髮左衽矣！……

子曰：「管仲相桓公，霸诸侯，一匡天下，民到于今受其赐；微管仲，吾其被发左衽矣！……


樂在其中

ㄌㄜˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄓㄨㄥ

лэцзайцичжун

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

The Master said, "With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow; I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness, are to me as a floating cloud."

Zǐyuē: “Fàn shūshí yǐn shuǐ, qū gōng ér zhěn zhī, lè yì zài qízhōng yǐ. Bùyì ér fù qiě guì, yú wǒ rú fúyún.”

子曰：「飯疏食飲水，曲肱而枕之，樂亦在其中矣。不義而富且貴，於我如浮雲。」

子曰：「饭疏食饮水，曲肱而枕之，乐亦在其中矣。不义而富且贵，于我如浮云。」

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


摸稜兩可

ㄇㄛ ㄌㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄎㄜˇ

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

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

模稜兩可 模稜兩可#Chinese

模棱两可 模棱两可#Chinese

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


獲益匪淺

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄧˋ ㄈㄟˇ ㄑㄧㄢˇ

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

/wɔːk̚² jɪk̚⁵ fei̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn³⁵/

/wɔːk̚² jɪk̚⁵ fei̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn³⁵/


竭盡全力

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ

цзецзиньцюаньли

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹/

/kʰiːt̚³ t͡sɵn²² t͡sʰyːn²¹ lɪk̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹/

/kʰiːt̚³ t͡sɵn²² t͡sʰyːn²¹ lɪk̚²/

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


不遺餘力

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˊ ㄩˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/pu⁵¹ i³⁵ y³⁵ li⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jyː²¹ lɪk̚²/

/pu⁵¹ i³⁵ y³⁵ li⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jyː²¹ lɪk̚²/

Xiàocháng duì qīnghán tóngxué de zhàogù bùyíyúlì, lìngrén gǎndòng.

校長對清寒同學的照顧不遺餘力，令人感動。

校长对清寒同学的照顾不遗余力，令人感动。

Zhanguo Ce, circa 5ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ centuries BCE

Qín zhī gōng wǒ yě, bùyíyúlì yǐ, bì yǐ juàn ér guī yě.

秦之攻我也，不遺餘力矣，必以倦而歸也。

秦之攻我也，不遗余力矣，必以倦而归也。

Wěiyuán héshì, diàotíng wéi lài kǒngfāng; shēnshì zé yán, kòngsù bùyíyúlì.

委員和事，調停惟賴孔方；紳士責言，控訴不遺餘力。

委员和事，调停惟赖孔方；绅士责言，控诉不遗余力。


全力以赴

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄧˇ ㄈㄨˋ

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ lɪk̚² jiː¹³ fuː²²/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ li⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ lɪk̚² jiː¹³ fuː²²/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hu¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hu²¹/


迫不及待

ㄆㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄉㄞˋ

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² tɔːi̯²²/

/pek̚²⁻⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ kip̚⁴⁻² tʰai³⁵/

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚² tɔːi̯²²/

/pek̚²⁻⁴ puk̚²⁻⁴ kip̚⁴⁻² tʰai³⁵/

impatient; in a hurry; itching to get on with it


厚顏無恥

ㄏㄡˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄨˊ ㄔˇ

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn²¹ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn²¹ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

1994, China Central Television, “收姜維” (40:00 from the start), in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, episode 69, spoken by Zhuge Liang (Tang Guoqiang):

How dare you backless dog is still barking in front of our army! I have never met such a shameless person like you!

Yī tiáo duàn jǐ zhī quǎn, hái gǎn zài wǒ jūn zhèn qián yínyín kuáng fèi! Wǒ cóngwèi jiàn guò yǒu rúcǐ hòuyánwúchǐ zhī rén!

一條斷脊之犬，還敢在我軍陣前狺狺狂吠！我從未見過有如此厚顏無恥之人！

一条断脊之犬，还敢在我军阵前狺狺狂吠！我从未见过有如此厚颜无耻之人！


落地生根

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄕㄥ ㄍㄣ

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² tei̯²² saːŋ⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² tei̯²² saːŋ⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

to settle permanently (after moving to a new city/country)


打道回府

ㄉㄚˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄈㄨˇ

/tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taː³⁵ tou̯²² wuːi̯²¹ fuː³⁵/

/tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taː³⁵ tou̯²² wuːi̯²¹ fuː³⁵/

Men, make way for returning to my mansion!

來人啊，打道回府！

来人啊，打道回府！

(archaic) to return home in a ceremonial procession (usually used in the imperative).


趁熱打鐵

ㄔㄣˋ ㄖㄜˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄊㄧㄝˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐɤ⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ jiːt̚² taː³⁵ tʰiːt̚³/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ jiːt̚² taː³⁵ tʰiːt̚³/

strike while the iron is hot
strike while the iron is hot


你講嘢呀

/nei̯¹³ kɔːŋ³⁵ jɛː¹³ aː²¹/

/nei̯¹³ kɔːŋ³⁵ jɛː¹³ aː²¹/

你講嘢呀你。

你讲嘢呀你。

(Cantonese) Are you kidding me?; Nonsense!; Bullshit!


同心同德

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄉㄜˊ

тунсиньтундэ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ tɐk̚⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ tɐk̚⁵/


舉世聞名

ㄐㄩˇ ㄕˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

цзюйшивэньмин

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ sɐi̯³³ mɐn²² mɪŋ²¹/

/ku⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁵³ bun²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁴¹ bun²³⁻³³ biɪŋ²³/

/t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kɵy̯³⁵ sɐi̯³³ mɐn²² mɪŋ²¹/

/ku⁵³⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁵³ bun²⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴/

/ki⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ se²¹⁻⁴¹ bun²³⁻³³ biɪŋ²³/


可想而知

ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄦˊ ㄓ

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ sœːŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ sœːŋ³⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zi²³⁻³³ ti⁴⁴/


云云

/wɐn²¹ wɐn²¹/

/un²⁴⁻²² un²⁴/

/in¹³⁻²² in¹³/

/wɐn²¹ wɐn²¹/

/un²⁴⁻²² un²⁴/

/in¹³⁻²² in¹³/

(literary, formal) and so on and so forth (used at the end of a quotation, implying that some words of the same purport are left out)


理直氣壯

ㄌㄧˇ ㄓˊ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

личжицичжуан

/li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/lei̯¹³ t͡sɪk̚² hei̯³³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/lei̯¹³ t͡sɪk̚² hei̯³³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

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


開天闢地

ㄎㄞ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄆㄧˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵ tei̯²²/

/kʰyɛ⁵⁴ tʰiŋ⁵⁴ pi⁵⁵ ti⁵⁵/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵ tei̯²²/

/kʰyɛ⁵⁴ tʰiŋ⁵⁴ pi⁵⁵ ti⁵⁵/


敬而遠之

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

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄦˊ ㄩㄢˇ ㄓ

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄦˊ ㄩㄢˋ ㄓ

цзинъэрюаньчжи

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ jyːn¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ jyːn²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ jyːn¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kɪŋ³³ jiː²¹ jyːn²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

The Master said, "To give one's self earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom."

Zǐ yuē: “Wù mín zhī yì, jìng guǐshén ér yuàn zhī, kěwèi zhì yǐ.”

子曰：「務民之義，敬鬼神而遠之，可謂知矣。」

子曰：「务民之义，敬鬼神而远之，可谓知矣。」

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

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

我國經典，未經整理，讀起來特別難，一般人往往望而生畏，結果是敬而遠之。

我国经典，未经整理，读起来特别难，一般人往往望而生畏，结果是敬而远之。

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


互利互惠

ㄏㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄏㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

/xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wuː²² lei̯²² wuː²² wɐi̯²²/

/xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/wuː²² lei̯²² wuː²² wɐi̯²²/


天壤之別

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄖㄤˇ ㄓ ㄅㄧㄝˊ

тяньжанчжибе

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ piːt̚²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ piːt̚²/

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


名副其實

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/miŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚⁴/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚²⁴/

/miã¹³⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki¹³⁻²² sit̚¹²¹/

/miã²⁴⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/miã²³⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sik̚⁴/

/miŋ³⁵ fu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ fuː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚⁴/

/miã²⁴⁻²² hu⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ki²⁴⁻²² sit̚²⁴/

/miã¹³⁻²² hu²¹⁻⁵³ ki¹³⁻²² sit̚¹²¹/

/miã²⁴⁻¹¹ hu¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/miã²³⁻³³ hu²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/mĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ hu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sik̚⁴/

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


理所當然

ㄌㄧˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄤ ㄖㄢˊ

/li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/lei̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛn²⁴/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴/

/li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³/

/li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/lei̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ liɛn²⁴/

/li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² liɛn²⁴/

/li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ ziɛn²³/

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


品學兼優

ㄆㄧㄣˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄧㄡ

пиньсюэцзянью

/pʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐn³⁵ hɔːk̚² kiːm⁵⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ hak̚²⁴⁻² kiam³³ iu³³/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐn³⁵ hɔːk̚² kiːm⁵⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ hak̚²⁴⁻² kiam³³ iu³³/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚¹²¹⁻²¹ kiam⁴⁴⁻²² iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

/pʰin⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hak̚⁴⁻³² kiam⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴/

a good student who excels both ethically and academically

一個品學兼優的好學生

一个品学兼优的好学生

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


似笑非笑

ㄙˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄈㄟ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ siːu̯³³ fei̯⁵⁵ siːu̯³³/

/sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː¹³ siːu̯³³ fei̯⁵⁵ siːu̯³³/


不管怎樣

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄗㄣˇ ㄧㄤˋ

бугуаньцзэньян

/pu⁵¹ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sən²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kuːn³⁵ t͡sɐm³⁵ jœːŋ²²/

/pu⁵¹ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sən²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kuːn³⁵ t͡sɐm³⁵ jœːŋ²²/

in any case; at any rate; whatever happens; no matter what


萍水相逢

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄈㄥˊ

пиншуйсянфэн

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ²¹/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ²¹/


笑到轆地

/siːu̯³³ tou̯³³ lʊk̚⁵ tei̯²²⁻³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ tou̯³³ lʊk̚⁵ tei̯²²⁻³⁵/

1979, “Y.M.C.A. 好知己”, 黃霑 James Wong Jim (lyrics), Jacques Morali (music), performed by 林子祥 George Lam:

syut³ waa⁶ mou⁵ mat¹ gei⁶, siu³ zau⁶ siu³ dou³ luk¹ dei⁶⁻², coeng³ zeoi⁶ faai³ lok⁶, hou² fun¹ hei²

説話冇乜忌 笑就笑到碌地 暢聚快樂 好歡喜

说话冇乜忌 笑就笑到碌地 畅聚快乐 好欢喜

2018 August 24, 慶功上演搞笑版《奪命証人》 嘉玲借舞台劇釋放：演員係藝術家, in 《文匯報》, page A30

jau⁴ paai⁴ lin⁶ zi³ mui⁵ jat⁶ soeng⁵ mou⁵ toi⁴, si⁴ gaan³ coeng⁴ daat⁶ gei² go³ jyut⁶, zung¹ jyu¹ bat¹ jung⁶ hoi¹ gung¹, daan⁶ jat¹ zung³ jin² jyun⁴ koek³ ji¹ ji¹ bat¹ se², jyu¹ hing³ gung¹ jin³ soeng⁶ hei³ jan⁵ daai⁶ faat³, ging² jin⁴ waan⁴⁻² gaau² siu³ baan² “dyut⁶ ming⁶ zing³ jan⁴”, lyun⁶ “baau³ tou⁵” gong² gaau² siu³ deoi³ baak⁶, ling⁶ daai⁶ gaa¹ siu³ dou³ luk¹ dei⁶⁻², sap⁶ fan¹ hoi¹ sam¹.

由排練至每日上舞台，時間長達幾個月，終於不用開工，但一眾演員卻依依不捨，於慶功宴上戲癮大發，竟然玩搞笑版《奪命証人》，亂「爆肚」講搞笑對白，令大家笑到碌地，十分開心。

由排练至每日上舞台，时间长达几个月，终于不用开工，但一众演员却依依不舍，于庆功宴上戏瘾大发，竟然玩搞笑版《夺命証人》，乱「爆肚」讲搞笑对白，令大家笑到碌地，十分开心。

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

(Cantonese, Huicheng dialect) to roll on the floor laughing; to roll in the aisles; to laugh one's head off


蒙在鼓裡

ㄇㄥˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄌㄧˇ

/mɤŋ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mʊŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² kuː³⁵ lɵy̯¹³/

/mɤŋ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mʊŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² kuː³⁵ lɵy̯¹³/

kept in the dark
keep someone in the dark


幾位

/t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/kei̯³⁵ wɐi̯²²⁻³⁵/

/kui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²²/

/kui⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ui⁴¹/

/kui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²²/

/kui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui³³/

/kui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ui³³/

/t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/kei̯³⁵ wɐi̯²²⁻³⁵/

/kui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²²/

/kui⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ ui⁴¹/

/kui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui²²/

/kui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ui³³/

/kui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ui³³/

ladies and gentlemen
ladies and gentlemen


諸行無常

ㄓㄨ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄔㄤˊ

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ sœːŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡syː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ sœːŋ²¹/

From 大般涅槃經 (Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta):
A phrase consisting of 諸／诸 (zhū, “all, every”) + 行 (“deed, accomplishment”) + 無常／无常 (wúcháng, “impermanent”), in turn a translation (directly or via Pali) of Sanskrit सर्व संस्कारा अनित्याः (sarva saṃskārā anityāḥ, literally “all deeds are impermanent”).

der

सर्व संस्कारा अनित्याः

Everything is impermanent. This is the law of birth and death.

諸行無常，是生滅法。

诸行无常，是生灭法。

(Buddhism) worldly things are impermanent


呆頭呆腦

ㄉㄞ ㄊㄡˊ ㄉㄞ ㄋㄠˇ

дайтоудайнао

/taɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ taɪ̯⁵⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ taɪ̯⁵⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


聰明伶俐

ㄘㄨㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ liŋ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ lɪŋ²¹ lei̯²²/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ liŋ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ lɪŋ²¹ lei̯²²/


公正廉明

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄓㄥˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

гунчжэнляньмин

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ miŋ³⁵/


鐵面無私

ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄙ

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ miːn²² mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ miːn²² mou̯²¹ siː⁵⁵/


官樣文章

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄧㄤˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄓㄤ

гуаньянвэньчжан

/ku̯än⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵¹ wən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

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

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

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


皇親國戚

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄑㄧ

хуанциньгоци

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɪk̚⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/wɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɪk̚⁵/

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

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

本宮乃是當朝駙馬皇親國戚，你開封府根本無權審我。

本宫乃是当朝驸马皇亲国戚，你开封府根本无权审我。

member of royalty or royal household; royal person

(figurative) person having powerful connections


神志不清

ㄕㄣˊ ㄓˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄥ

шэньчжи буцин

/ʂən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐn²¹ t͡siː³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ʂən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐn²¹ t͡siː³³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵/

Mum sometimes gets in a confused state and can't remember who I am.

Māma yǒushí shénzhì bùqīng, dōu jìbude wǒ shì shéi.

媽媽有時神志不清，都記不得我是誰。

妈妈有时神志不清，都记不得我是谁。

to be mentally disturbed; to be delirious


多此一舉

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘˇ ㄧ ㄐㄩˇ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯³⁵/

/tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ kɵy̯³⁵/


獅虎豹鱉猴狗象鹿

/sai⁴⁴ hɔ⁵³ pa¹¹ piʔ³² kau²⁴ kau⁵³ t͡sʰiũ³³ lɔk̚⁴/

/sai⁴⁴ hɔ⁴¹ pa²¹ piʔ³² kau²³ kau⁴¹ t͡sʰiũ³³ lɔk̚⁴/

獅虎豹龞猴狗象鹿
狮虎豹鳖猴狗象鹿

(Southern Min) A list of eight animals used to memorise tones in Min Nan.


合作無間

ㄏㄜˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

хэцзо’уцзянь

/xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hɐp̚² t͡sɔːk̚³ mou̯²¹ kaːn³³/

/xɤ³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hɐp̚² t͡sɔːk̚³ mou̯²¹ kaːn³³/

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


流離失所

ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄕ ㄙㄨㄛˇ

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ li³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²¹ lei̯²¹ sɐt̚⁵ sɔː³⁵/

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ li³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɐu̯²¹ lei̯²¹ sɐt̚⁵ sɔː³⁵/

to become destitute and homeless; to be displaced


引狼入室

ㄧㄣˇ ㄌㄤˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄕˋ

ㄧㄣˇ ㄌㄤˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄕˇ

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn¹³ lɔːŋ²¹ jɐp̚² sɐt̚⁵/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ lɑŋ³⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn¹³ lɔːŋ²¹ jɐp̚² sɐt̚⁵/

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？

to bring trouble to oneself by inviting an enemy


信口開河

信口开河
信口開合
信口開闔
信口開喝

ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄎㄞ ㄏㄜˊ

синькоукайхэ

/ɕin⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/sɵn³³ hɐu̯³⁵ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ hɔː²¹/

/ɕin⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/sɵn³³ hɐu̯³⁵ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ hɔː²¹/

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


乜都假

咩都假
乜嘢都假
乜嘢都係假
乜嘢都係假嘅

/mɐt̚⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ kaː³⁵/

/mɐt̚⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ kaː³⁵/

Find six buckets and fill them with more water; nothing else matters

wan² ding⁶ seoi² tung² bun³ daa¹, zong¹ do¹ di¹ seoi², mat¹ dou¹ gaa²

搵定水桶半打，裝多啲水，乜都假

揾定水桶半打，装多啲水，乜都假

(Cantonese) everything else is trivial; everything else is a trifling matter


咸家富貴

(May your) entire family (be) successful

/hɐm²² kaː⁵⁵ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

/hɐm²² kaː⁵⁵ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

(Cantonese, sarcastic, offensive) Synonym of 咸家鏟


萬事勝意

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄧˋ

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² sɪŋ³³ jiː³³/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/maːn²² siː²² sɪŋ³³ jiː³³/

(chiefly Cantonese) may everything be better than you wish; all the best


馬到功成

ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄔㄥˊ

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/maː¹³ tou̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹/

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/maː¹³ tou̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹/

(chiefly Cantonese) to instantly succeed


馬到成功

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (馬到成功):
* → Vietnamese: mã đáo thành công (馬到成功)

[As soon as] the horse arrives [to the battlefield], there is success.

ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/maː¹³ tou̯³³ sɪŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/maː¹³ tou̯³³ sɪŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/


化干戈為玉帛

to turn weapons of war into gifts of jade and silk

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄍㄢ ㄍㄜ ㄨㄟˊ ㄩˋ ㄅㄛˊ

хуа ганьгэ вэй юйбо

/xu̯ä⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ y⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/faː³³ kɔːn⁵⁵ kʷɔː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jʊk̚² paːk̚²/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ y⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

to turn hostility into friendship; to bury the hatchet


算你好彩

/syːn³³ nei̯¹³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

/syːn³³ nei̯¹³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

(Cantonese) "you got lucky this time" (used when a stronger opponent lets a weaker opponent go)


不要擔心

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ

буяо даньсинь

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiːu̯³³ taːm⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ tän⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiːu̯³³ taːm⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/


牛頭馬面

desc

→ Vietnamese: đầu trâu mặt ngựa (calque)

ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ maː¹³ miːn²²/

/ŋi̯u¹¹ tʰeu̯¹¹ ma²⁴⁻¹¹ mi̯en⁵⁵/

/ɡu²³⁻³³ tʰau²³ be⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/ɡu²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin²²/

/ɡu²⁴⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴ be⁴²⁻²⁴ bin²²/

/ɡu²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/n̠ʲiɤ²² dɤ⁵⁵ mo³³ mi²¹/

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ maː¹³ miːn²²/

/ŋi̯u¹¹ tʰeu̯¹¹ ma²⁴⁻¹¹ mi̯en⁵⁵/

/ɡu²³⁻³³ tʰau²³ be⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/ɡu²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin²²/

/ɡu²⁴⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴ be⁴²⁻²⁴ bin²²/

/ɡu²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bin³³/

/n̠ʲiɤ²² dɤ⁵⁵ mo³³ mi²¹/

(Hakka) unacceptable; scandalous; outrageous


未雨綢繆

CJKV/code

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

ㄨㄟˋ ㄩˇ ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄡˊ

/weɪ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ moʊ̯³⁵/

/mei̯²² jyː¹³ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɐu̯²¹/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ moʊ̯³⁵/

/mei̯²² jyː¹³ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɐu̯²¹/

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

lang

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

(《詩經·豳風·鴟鴞》)

Before the sky was dark with rain,
I gathered the roots of the mulberry tree,
And bound round and round my window and door.

Dài tiān zhī wèi yīnyǔ, chè bǐ sāngdù, chóumóu yǒuhù.

迨天之未陰雨，徹彼桑土，綢繆牖戶。

迨天之未阴雨，彻彼桑土，绸缪牖户。

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

未雨綢繆才能臨危不亂。

未雨绸缪才能临危不乱。

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

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

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

宜未雨而綢繆，毋臨渴而掘井。

宜未雨而绸缪，毋临渴而掘井。

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


改行自新

ㄍㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

ㄍㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

гайсинцзысинь

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ hɐŋ²² t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/kɔːi̯³⁵ hɐŋ²² t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/


恰如其分

ㄑㄧㄚˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄣˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ä⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fən⁵¹/

/hɐp̚⁵ jyː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ fɐn²²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ä⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fən⁵¹/

/hɐp̚⁵ jyː²¹ kʰei̯²¹ fɐn²²/

It is normal, in accordance with the merits of the case, to mete out appropriate and well grounded criticism to comrades who have erred, and even to conduct necessary struggle against them; this is to help them correct mistakes.

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

Ànzhào qíngkuàng, duìyú fàn cuòwù de tóngzhì cǎiqǔ qiàrúqífèn de héhū shíjì de pīpíng, shènzhì bìyào de dòuzhēng, zhè shì zhèngcháng de, shì wèile bāngzhù tāmen gǎizhèng cuòwù.

按照情況，對於犯錯誤的同志採取恰如其分的合乎實際的批評，甚至必要的鬥爭，這是正常的，是為了幫助他們改正錯誤。

按照情况，对于犯错误的同志采取恰如其分的合乎实际的批评，甚至必要的斗争，这是正常的，是为了帮助他们改正错误。

apt; appropriate (of a comment, action, etc.)


體貼入微

ㄊㄧˇ ㄊㄧㄝ ㄖㄨˋ ㄨㄟ

ㄊㄧˇ ㄊㄧㄝ ㄖㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ tʰiːp̚³ jɐp̚² mei̯²¹/

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵/

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ tʰiːp̚³ jɐp̚² mei̯²¹/

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

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

難忘您對我那種體貼入微 時時刻刻腦海中都緊記

难忘您对我那种体贴入微 时时刻刻脑海中都紧记

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


熱淚盈眶

ㄖㄜˋ ㄌㄟˋ ㄧㄥˊ ㄎㄨㄤˋ

ㄖㄜˋ ㄌㄟˋ ㄧㄥˊ ㄎㄨㄤ

/ʐɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ leɪ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ʐɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ leɪ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jiːt̚² lɵy̯²² jɪŋ²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/jiːt̚² lɵy̯²² jɪŋ²¹ kʷʰaːŋ⁵⁵/

/ʐɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ leɪ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ʐɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ leɪ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jiːt̚² lɵy̯²² jɪŋ²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/jiːt̚² lɵy̯²² jɪŋ²¹ kʷʰaːŋ⁵⁵/


一路走好

ㄧ ㄌㄨˋ ㄗㄡˇ ㄏㄠˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ lu⁵¹ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ hou̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ hou̯³⁵/


跳樑小丑

ㄊㄧㄠˋ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄔㄡˇ

тяолянсяочоу

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

/tʰiːu̯³³ lœːŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯³⁵/

/tʰiːu̯³³ lœːŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯³⁵/

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


有冇搞錯

/jɐu̯¹³ mou̯¹³ kaːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³/

/jɐu̯¹³ mou̯¹³ kaːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³/

(Cantonese) Are you serious?; Are you kidding me?; What's wrong with you?


一如既往

ㄧ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄨㄤˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

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

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

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


麻木不仁

ㄇㄚˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ

/mä³⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/maː²¹ mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ jɐn²¹/

/mä³⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/maː²¹ mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ jɐn²¹/

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


吹拉彈唱

ㄔㄨㄟ ㄌㄚ ㄊㄢˊ ㄔㄤˋ

чуйлатаньчан

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ lä⁵⁵ tʰän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ laːi̯⁵⁵ tʰaːn²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ lä⁵⁵ tʰän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ laːi̯⁵⁵ tʰaːn²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ³³/

singing and various modes of (wind, bow, string) instrument playing


蠢蠢欲動

ㄔㄨㄣˇ ㄔㄨㄣˇ ㄩˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

чуньчуньюйдун

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

/t͡sʰɵn³⁵ t͡sʰɵn³⁵ jʊk̚² tʊŋ²²/

/t͡sʰɵn³⁵ t͡sʰɵn³⁵ jʊk̚² tʊŋ²²/

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


豐富多彩

ㄈㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘㄞˇ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ fuː³³ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ fuː³³ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/


大家好

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² kaː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

/tʰaɪ⁵³ ka⁴⁴⁻³⁵ hau³¹/

/tai²²⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ho⁵³/

/tai²²⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ho⁴²/

/tai²¹ kɛ³³⁻²¹ ho⁴⁴⁵/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ ke³³⁻²³ ho⁵²/

/tai̯²¹⁻¹¹ ka̠³³ xɒu̯⁴¹/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² kaː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

/tʰaɪ⁵³ ka⁴⁴⁻³⁵ hau³¹/

/tai²²⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ho⁵³/

/tai²²⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ho⁴²/

/tai²¹ kɛ³³⁻²¹ ho⁴⁴⁵/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ ke³³⁻²³ ho⁵²/

/tai̯²¹⁻¹¹ ka̠³³ xɒu̯⁴¹/


凹凹凸凸

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵/

/nɐp̚⁵ nɐp̚⁵ tɐt̚² tɐt̚²/

/ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ˀɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵ tʰu⁵⁵/

/nɐp̚⁵ nɐp̚⁵ tɐt̚² tɐt̚²/


老少咸宜

ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄧˊ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ siːu̯³³ haːm²¹ jiː²¹/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ siːu̯³³ haːm²¹ jiː²¹/


聖誕節快樂

ㄕㄥˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄌㄜˋ

Шэнданьцзе куайлэ

/ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɤ⁵¹/

/sɪŋ³³ taːn³³ t͡siːt̚³ faːi̯³³ lɔːk̚²/

/sɨn⁵⁵ tʰan⁵⁵ t͡si̯et̚² kʰu̯ai̯⁵⁵ lok̚⁵/

/siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ tan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡se(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ kʰuai²¹⁻⁴¹ lɔk̚⁴/

/sən³³ te⁵⁵ t͡ɕiɪʔ²¹ kʰua³³ loʔ⁴⁴/

/sɪŋ³³ taːn³³ t͡siːt̚³ faːi̯³³ lɔːk̚²/

/sən³³ te⁵⁵ t͡ɕiɪʔ²¹ kʰua³³ loʔ⁴⁴/


慘絕人寰

ㄘㄢˇ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ

цаньцзюэжэньхуань

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ t͡syːt̚² jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/

/t͡sʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːm³⁵ t͡syːt̚² jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/

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


下里巴人

ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄚ ㄖㄣˊ

/ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

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

vulgar or low-quality literature, music or art

(figurative) popular literature, music or art

(humble) one's own artwork or composition


眉飛色舞

ㄇㄟˊ ㄈㄟ ㄙㄜˋ ㄨˇ

/meɪ̯³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/meɪ̯³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹ u²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

with dancing eyebrows and a radiant face; beaming with joy; exultant


山珍海錯

ㄕㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄏㄞˇ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

шаньчжэньхайцо

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³/

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³/

exotic delicacies; (by extension) abundant food


山珍海味

ㄕㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨㄟˋ

шаньчжэньхайвэй

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/

/san²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨn²⁴ hoi̯³¹ mi⁵⁵/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

/ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ mei̯²²⁻³⁵/

/san²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sɨn²⁴ hoi̯³¹ mi⁵⁵/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ tin⁴⁴ hai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bi³³/

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

Gún a-kong chhit-cha̍p-lī, múi-kang lóng sī san-tin-hái-bī

阮阿公七十二 每工攏是山珍海味

阮阿公七十二 每工拢是山珍海味


南腔北調

ㄋㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄅㄟˇ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

наньцянбэйдяо

/nän³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

ㄋㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄅㄟˇ ㄉㄧㄠˋㄦ

наньцянбэйдяор

/nän³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti̯aʊ̯ɻʷ⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ pɐk̚⁵ tiːu̯²²/

/nän³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ peɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ pɐk̚⁵ tiːu̯²²/

southern accents and northern dialects; a mixture of various accents


牆頭草

grass on top of a wall (which sways with every gust of wind)

ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄘㄠˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄊㄡˊㄦ ㄘㄠˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰɤʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰou̯³⁵/

/ʑiã²² dɤ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰɤʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰou̯³⁵/

/ʑiã²² dɤ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔ²¹/

fence sitter; a person who is on the fence


心甘情願

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄍㄢ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄢˋ

синьганьцинъюань

/ɕin⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

/ɕin⁴² kɵn⁴² t͡ɕʰin²⁴ n̠ʲyɵn¹¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² kam⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/sim³³ kam³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² kam⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan³³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³/

/ɕin⁵⁵ kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

/ɕin⁴² kɵn⁴² t͡ɕʰin²⁴ n̠ʲyɵn¹¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² kam⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/sim³³ kam³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

/sim⁴⁴⁻²² kam⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan³³/

/sim⁴⁴⁻³³ kam⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³/

to be more than willing to do something; to be perfectly happy to do something


意外事故

ㄧˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄕˋ ㄍㄨˋ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/

/jiː³³ ŋɔːi̯²² siː²² kuː³³/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/

/jiː³³ ŋɔːi̯²² siː²² kuː³³/


同病相憐

CJKV/code

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

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

тунбинсянлянь

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ pɛːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ liːn²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pẽ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pĩ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ piŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ pɛːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ liːn²¹/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ piɪŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ piɪŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²³⁻³³ pẽ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²³/

/tɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ pĩ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ lin²⁴/

misery loves company
misery loves company

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


搖頭晃腦

ㄧㄠˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄏㄨㄤˋ ㄋㄠˇ

яотоухуаннао

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ fɔːŋ³⁵ nou̯¹³/

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ fɔːŋ³⁵ nou̯¹³/

to wag one's head; to look pleased with oneself; assume an air of self-approbation/self-conceit


搖頭擺腦

ㄧㄠˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄠˇ

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ paːi̯³⁵ nou̯¹³/

/io²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² pai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ nãu⁵³/

/io²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² pai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ nãu⁵⁵⁴/

/io¹³⁻²² tʰau¹³⁻²² pai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ nãu⁵³/

/io²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ pai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ nãu⁵³/

/iɤ²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ pai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ nãu⁴¹/

/jiːu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ paːi̯³⁵ nou̯¹³/

/io²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² pai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ nãu⁵³/

/io²⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴⁻²² pai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ nãu⁵⁵⁴/

/io¹³⁻²² tʰau¹³⁻²² pai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ nãu⁵³/

/io²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ pai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ nãu⁵³/

/iɤ²³⁻³³ tʰau²³⁻³³ pai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ nãu⁴¹/

搖頭晃腦 搖頭晃腦#Chinese

摇头晃脑 摇头晃脑#Chinese


原汁原味

ㄩㄢˊ ㄓ ㄩㄢˊ ㄨㄟˋ

юаньчжиюаньвэй

/ɥɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

ㄩㄢˊ ㄓㄦ ㄩㄢˊ ㄨㄟˋㄦ

юаньчжирюаньвэйр

/ɥɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩ɻ⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ wəɻ⁵¹/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/ɥɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩ɻ⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ wəɻ⁵¹/


黑口黑面

/hɐk̚⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ hɐk̚⁵ miːn²²/

/haːk̚⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ haːk̚⁵ miːn²²/

/hɐk̚⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ hɐk̚⁵ miːn²²/

/haːk̚⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ haːk̚⁵ miːn²²/

(Cantonese) to scowl; to look displeased; with a scowl


死……爛……

死講爛講

死讲烂讲

(Cantonese) persistently; insistently; doggedly


同……一個餅印

同……一个饼印
同……成個餅印
同……成個餅印噉

/tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kɔː³³ pɛːŋ³⁵ jɐn³³/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ kɔː³³ pɛːŋ³⁵ jɐn³³/

nei⁵ tung⁴ nei⁵ daai⁶ lou² jat¹ go³ beng² jan³.

你同你大佬一個餅印。

你同你大佬一个饼印。

(Cantonese, referring to people) to look identical to; to closely resemble


死纏爛打

ㄙˇ ㄔㄢˊ ㄌㄢˋ ㄉㄚˇ

сычаньланьда

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ län⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sei̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ laːn²² taː³⁵/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ län⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sei̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ laːn²² taː³⁵/

to persistently pursue one's love (despite multiple rejections); undeterred chasing; obsession


雅俗共賞

ㄧㄚˇ ㄙㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄤˇ

/jä²¹⁴⁻²¹ su³⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋaː¹³ t͡sʊk̚² kʊŋ²² sœːŋ³⁵/

/jä²¹⁴⁻²¹ su³⁵ kʊŋ⁵¹ ʂɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋaː¹³ t͡sʊk̚² kʊŋ²² sœːŋ³⁵/

to suit both scholars and laypeople; to appeal to all


生死離別

ㄕㄥ ㄙˇ ㄌㄧˊ ㄅㄧㄝˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li³⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ lei̯²¹ piːt̚²/

/sẽ³³⁻²³ li⁵⁵⁻¹¹ si⁵²⁻³⁵ piek̚⁴/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li³⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ lei̯²¹ piːt̚²/

/sẽ³³⁻²³ li⁵⁵⁻¹¹ si⁵²⁻³⁵ piek̚⁴/

a moment of death and passing; when life departs


七除八扣

ㄑㄧ ㄔㄨˊ ㄅㄚ ㄎㄡˋ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ pä⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ paːt̚³ kʰɐu̯³³/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ tu²³⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau²¹/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ tu²⁴⁻¹¹ pat̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau¹¹/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ tu²⁴⁻¹¹ pue(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kʰau¹¹/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ tu²³⁻³³ pue(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ kʰau²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ pä⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ paːt̚³ kʰɐu̯³³/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ tu²³⁻³³ pat̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau²¹/

/t͡sʰit̚³²⁻⁴ tu²⁴⁻¹¹ pat̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau¹¹/

(of prices, wages, etc.) to continuously reduce until little is left


有情有義

ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄧˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː²²/

/i̯u²⁴ t͡sʰin¹¹ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/u³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ jiː²²/

/i̯u²⁴ t͡sʰin¹¹ i̯u²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋi⁵⁵/

/u³³⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ ɡi³³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ ɡi³³/

/u³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰeŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ ŋi³⁵/

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

ū-chêng-ū-gī cha̍p-it-ko; bô-chêng-bô-gī chiú-kan-á-só

有情有義十一哥；無情無義酒矸仔嫂

有情有义十一哥；无情无义酒矸仔嫂

having affection and faith; affectionate and just/righteous


花有重開日，人無再少年

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄧㄡˇ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄎㄞ ㄖˋ

ㄖㄣˊ ㄨˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄕㄠˋ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

faa¹ jau⁵ cung⁴ hoi¹ jat⁶, jan⁴ mou⁴ zoi³ siu³ nin⁴

хуа ю чун кай жи

жэнь у цзай шаонянь

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ u³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

fā yáuh chùhng hōi yaht, yàhn mòuh joi siu nìhn

faa¹ jau⁵ tsung⁴ hoi¹ jat⁹, jan⁴ mou⁴ dzoi³ siu³ nin⁴

fa¹ yeo⁵ cung⁴ hoi¹ yed⁶, yen⁴ mou⁴ zoi³ xiu³ nin⁴

/faː⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚² jɐn²¹ mou̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯³³ siːu̯³³ niːn²¹/

Typically attributed to Guan Hanqing (playwright and poet in the Yuan Dynasty).

A flower may blossom again, but a person cannot get young again.


花裡胡哨

花里胡哨
花裏胡哨
花哩胡哨
花藜胡哨
花麗狐哨
花狸狐哨

ㄏㄨㄚ ˙ㄌㄧ ㄏㄨˊ ㄕㄠˋ

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ li² xu³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ li² xu³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/


願者上鉤

ㄩㄢˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄍㄡ

юань чжэ шангоу

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵/

ㄩㄢˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄍㄡㄦ

юаньчжэшангоур

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ kɤʊ̯ɻʷ⁵⁵/

/jyːn²² t͡sɛː³⁵ sœːŋ¹³ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵/

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵/

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ kɤʊ̯ɻʷ⁵⁵/

/jyːn²² t͡sɛː³⁵ sœːŋ¹³ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵/

姜太公釣魚——願者上鉤 姜太公釣魚——願者上鉤#Chinese

姜太公钓鱼——愿者上钩 姜太公钓鱼——愿者上钩#Chinese

One who/which wishes to take the bait is captured. See 姜太公釣魚——願者上鉤／姜太公钓鱼——愿者上钩 (Jiāngtàigōng diàoyú, yuàn zhě shànggōu).


千載一遇

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄗㄞˇ ㄧ ㄩˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/


雲消霧散

ㄩㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄨˋ ㄙㄢˋ

юньсяо’усань

/yn³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ sän⁵¹/

/wɐn²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ mou̯²² saːn³³/

/yn³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ sän⁵¹/

/wɐn²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ mou̯²² saːn³³/

clouds and mist disperse; clouds dispersed and the fog lifted; troubles have disappeared


添福添壽

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄕㄡˋ

тяньфутяньшоу

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːm⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ tʰiːm⁵⁵ sɐu̯²²/

/tʰiam⁴⁴⁻²² hɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiam⁴⁴⁻²² siu²²/

/tʰiam⁴⁴⁻²² hɔk̚³²⁻⁵ tʰiam⁴⁴⁻²² siu²²/

/tʰiam⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiam⁴⁴⁻³³ siu³³/

/tʰiam⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiam⁴⁴⁻³³ siu³³/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fu³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːm⁵⁵ fʊk̚⁵ tʰiːm⁵⁵ sɐu̯²²/

/tʰiam⁴⁴⁻²² hɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiam⁴⁴⁻²² siu²²/

/tʰiam⁴⁴⁻²² hɔk̚³²⁻⁵ tʰiam⁴⁴⁻²² siu²²/

/tʰiam⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiam⁴⁴⁻³³ siu³³/

/tʰiam⁴⁴⁻³³ hɔk̚³²⁻⁴ tʰiam⁴⁴⁻³³ siu³³/

increase one's luck and lengthen one's life


士農工商

ㄕˋ ㄋㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄕㄤ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ nʊŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/siː²² nʊŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/sɨ⁵⁵ nuŋ¹¹ kuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ soŋ²⁴/

/su³³⁻²¹ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻¹¹ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻¹¹ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻²¹ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ kaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ nʊŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/siː²² nʊŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/sɨ⁵⁵ nuŋ¹¹ kuŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ soŋ²⁴/

/su³³⁻²¹ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻¹¹ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻¹¹ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ kaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/su³³⁻²¹ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ kaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ⁴⁴/

Wu Cheng'en, Journey to the West, 16ᵗʰ century CE

Zhǐ jiàn jiēfāng shàng, shìnónggōngshāng, wénrén mòkè, yúfū súzǐ, qí háihái dōu dào: “Kàn pāoxiùqiú qù yě!”

只見街坊上，士農工商，文人墨客，愚夫俗子，齊咳咳都道：「看拋繡球去也！」

只见街坊上，士农工商，文人墨客，愚夫俗子，齐咳咳都道：「看抛绣球去也！」

There lives a very kind crowd, their faces all smiling. They each do their own duty, whether being a scholar, farmer, artisan or merchant. That is my homeland.

Tòa chi̍t tīn lâng chin-chiàⁿ siān-liông, bīn-siōng lóng tòa-tio̍h chhiò-iông, an-hūn-siú-kí, sū-lông-kang-siong, he chiū-sī góa ê kò͘-hiong.

住一陣人真正善良，面上攏帶著笑容，安份守己，士農工商，彼就是我的故鄉。

住一阵人真正善良，面上拢带着笑容，安份守己，士农工商，彼就是我的故乡。

Scholar, farmer, artisan or merchant, everyone is a hero.

2013, 許富凱, 人在做天在看

Sū-lông-kong-siong, jîn-jîn sī eng-hiông.

士農工商，人人是英雄。

2013, 許富凱, 人在做天在看

士农工商，人人是英雄。

the four occupations of ancient China: scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants


見信如面

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

цзяньсиньжумянь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ sɵn³³ jyː²¹ miːn²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕin⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ sɵn³³ jyː²¹ miːn²²/

Seeing your letter is like seeing you in person; when reading your letter, I feel as if we are talking face to face. (used in the beginning of a letter)


見字如面

ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄗˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

цзяньцзыжумянь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ t͡siː²² jyː²¹ miːn²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kiːn³³ t͡siː²² jyː²¹ miːn²²/

Seeing the handwriting in your letter is like seeing you in person; When reading your letter, I feel as if we are talking face to face. (used in the beginning of a letter)


閂門大吉

/saːn⁵⁵ muːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/

/saːn⁵⁵ muːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/

(Cantonese, humorous) to close down a business; to stop operations


關門大吉

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄇㄣˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ

ㄍㄨㄢ ㄇㄣˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ

гуаньмэньдацзи

/ku̯än⁵⁵ mən³⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/kuan⁵⁵ mən²¹ ta²¹³ t͡ɕi²¹/

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ muːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/

/ku̯än⁵⁵ mən³⁵ tä⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/kuan⁵⁵ mən²¹ ta²¹³ t͡ɕi²¹/

/kʷaːn⁵⁵ muːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵/

Just months after the enactment of Australia's Spam Act of 2003, several of the country's larger spam outfits appear to have closed up shop.

2005, Brian McWilliams (translated by 陳建勳), 垃圾郵件諸王紀 (Spam Kings), page 228

Àozhōu “2003 Nián Lājī Yóujiàn Fǎ” shíshī hòu shù yuè, xiǎnrán yǐ ràng gāi guó hǎo jǐ jiā dàxíng lājī yóujiàn tuánduì guānméndàjí.

澳洲「2003年垃圾郵件法」實施後數月，顯然已讓該國好幾家大型垃圾郵件團隊關門大吉。

澳洲「2003年垃圾邮件法」实施后数月，显然已让该国好几家大型垃圾邮件团队关门大吉。

Workers could not be found for the sales of fried rice and annual repairs for the nuclear power plant due to the "one fixed day off and one flexible rest day policy", causing a large increase in expenses. The bustling shop even had to close down because of this.

2017 April 3, 中時快評：一例一休 百業皆休, in 中國時報 (China Times)

Mài chǎofàn hé hédiànchǎng suìxiū, dōu yīnwèi yīlìyīxiū ér zhǎo bùdào yuángōng, bìng dǎozhì chéngběn dàzēng, rénqì qiángqiánggǔn de míngdiàn shènzhì yīncǐ guānméndàjí.

賣炒飯和核電廠歲修，都因為一例一休而找不到員工，並導致成本大增，人氣強強滾的名店甚至因此關門大吉。

卖炒饭和核电厂岁修，都因为一例一休而找不到员工，并导致成本大增，人气强强滚的名店甚至因此关门大吉。

(ironic or humorous) to close down a business; to stop operations; to close for good


螃蟹心態

ㄆㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄊㄞˋ

пансе синьтай

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ haːi̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ tʰaːi̯³³/

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ haːi̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ tʰaːi̯³³/


螃蟹心理

ㄆㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˇ

пансе синьли

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ haːi̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰɔːŋ²¹ haːi̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/