久假不歸

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄟ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ kaː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ kaː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

Originally, “to borrow the name of renyi (benevolence and righteousness) without actually practicing them”. From Jin Xin I of Mencius

Mencius said, 'Benevolence and righteousness were natural to Yao and Shun. Tang and Wu made them their own. The five chiefs of the princes feigned them. Having borrowed them long and not returned them, how could it be known they did not own them?'

Mèngzǐ yuē: “Yáo Shùn, xìng zhī yě; Tāng Wǔ, shēn zhī yě; wǔ bà, jiǎ zhī yě. Jiǔ jiǎ ér bù guī, wū zhī qí fēi yǒu yě.”

孟子曰：「堯舜，性之也；湯武，身之也；五霸，假之也。久假而不歸，惡知其非有也。」

孟子曰：「尧舜，性之也；汤武，身之也；五霸，假之也。久假而不归，恶知其非有也。」

to borrow something and not return it for a long time


佔著茅坑不拉屎

ㄓㄢˋ ˙ㄓㄜ ㄇㄠˊ ㄎㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄚ ㄕˇ

чжань чжэ маокэн бу ла ши

/ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ɖ͡ʐ̥ə¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ lä⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄓㄢˋ ˙ㄓㄜ ㄇㄠˊ ㄎㄥㄦ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄚ ㄕˇ

чжаньчжэмаокэнрбулаши

/ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ɖ͡ʐ̥ə¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰɤ̃ɻ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ lä⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


忽必烈

/xu⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

/xu⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛ⁵¹/

From Mongolian ᠬᠤᠪᠢᠯᠠᠢ (qubilai) (Cyrillic script Хубилай).
; “aching in buttocks or anus”

大媽坐中安全帶扣 激動喊變「忽必烈」︰我要投訴

A middle-aged woman accidentally sat on the buckle, screaming painfully, "I will complain"

譬如淂記最近便推出玩味十足的「忽必烈四人餐」，以「辣到舌尖」和「屁股開花」為主打，包含麻辣、香辣、辛辣和酸辣的菜式，愛辣之人一定要試試啦！

The Duckee restaurant has recently lauched a new set called the "Kublai Khan" set for 4'" and the dishes will make you feel hot to the tongue tip and even your anus (when defaecating). This set includes different kinds of hot and spicy dishes and would be a must-taste for spicy food lovers.

(Cantonese, humorous) aching in buttocks or anus


天生一對

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄕㄥ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄟˋ

тяньшэнъидуй

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tɵy̯³³/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tɵy̯³³/

a couple who were made for each other; a perfectly matching pair


期期艾艾

ㄑㄧˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄞˋ ㄞˋ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʰei̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹ ŋaːi̯²² ŋaːi̯²²/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʰei̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹ ŋaːi̯²² ŋaːi̯²²/

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

Chāng wèi rén kǒuchī, yòu shèngnù, yuē: ‘Chén kǒu bù néng yán, rán chén qīqī zhī qí bùkě.’

昌為人口吃，又盛怒，曰：‘臣口不能言，然臣期期知其不可。’

昌为人口吃，又盛怒，曰：‘臣口不能言，然臣期期知其不可。’

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

鄧艾口吃，語稱艾艾。

邓艾口吃，语称艾艾。


難兄難弟

ㄋㄢˊ ㄒㄩㄥ ㄋㄢˊ ㄉㄧˋ

наньсюннаньди

/nän³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ naːn²¹ tɐi̯²²/

/nän³⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/naːn²¹ hɪŋ⁵⁵ naːn²¹ tɐi̯²²/

List of people of the Three Kingdoms (C)

Based on a tale in A New Account of the Tales of the World

The talented son of Yuanfang (Chen Ji), Changwen (Chen Qun), argued with the son of Jifang (Chen Chen), Xiaoxian (Chen Zhong), about the merits and virtues of their fathers. Unable to settle their argument, they consulted Taiqiu (Chen Shi, mayor of Taiqiu County). Taiqiu said, "Jifang is too outstanding for Yuanfang to be his elder brother, and Yuanfang is too outstanding for Jifang to be his younger brother."

Chén Yuánfāng zǐ Chángwén yǒu yīngcái, yǔ Jìfāng zǐ Xiàoxiān, gè lùn qí fù gōngdé, zhēng zhī bùnéng jué, zī yú Tàiqiū. Tàiqiū yuē: “Yuánfāng nán wéi xiōng, Jìfāng nán wéi dì.”

陳元方子長文有英才，與季方子孝先，各論其父功德，爭之不能決，咨於太丘。太丘曰：「元方難為兄，季方難為弟。」

陈元方子长文有英才，与季方子孝先，各论其父功德，争之不能决，咨于太丘。太丘曰：「元方难为兄，季方难为弟。」

hard to tell who is better; to be as good; equally-matched two

(ironic) of the same ilk; to be both bad


難兄難弟

ㄋㄢˋ ㄒㄩㄥ ㄋㄢˋ ㄉㄧˋ

наньсюннаньди

/nän⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ nän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/naːn²² hɪŋ⁵⁵ naːn²² tɐi̯²²/

/nän⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ nän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/naːn²² hɪŋ⁵⁵ naːn²² tɐi̯²²/


陰差陽錯

ㄧㄣ ㄔㄚ ㄧㄤˊ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/in⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔː³³/

/in⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/jɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔː³³/

Constructed from 陰陽／阴阳 (yīnyáng) and 差錯／差错 (chācuò).

an accident, mistake or event arising from many different unforeseen causes; a strange combination of circumstances; accidentally; serendipitously


壁立千仞

ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄖㄣˋ

билицяньжэнь

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐən⁵¹/

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐən⁵¹/


在劫難逃

ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄊㄠˊ

цзайцзенаньтао

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ nän³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ nän³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

(originally Buddhism) there is no escaping fate; inexorably doomed


沐猴而冠

ㄇㄨˋ ㄏㄡˊ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨㄢˋ

мухоуэргуань

/mu⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹/

/mʊk̚² hɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ kuːn³³/

/mu⁵¹ xoʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹/

/mʊk̚² hɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ kuːn³³/


無可非議

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄈㄟ ㄧˋ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ jiː¹³/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ jiː¹³/


無可厚非

ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄏㄡˋ ㄈㄟ

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ hɐu̯¹³ fei̯⁵⁵/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kau³⁵⁻¹¹ hui³³/

/u³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/mou̯²¹ hɔː³⁵ hɐu̯¹³ fei̯⁵⁵/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ kʰo⁵²⁻³⁵ kau³⁵⁻¹¹ hui³³/

not altogether inexcusable; hard to blame; reasonable; understandable


泣不成聲

ㄑㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄕㄥ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐp̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵/

to choke with sobs; to cry so much that one cannot utter a word


膽小如鼠

ㄉㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄨˇ

/tän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːm³⁵ siːu̯³⁵ jyː²¹ syː³⁵/

/taːm³⁵ siːu̯³⁵ jyː²¹ syː³⁵/

to be timid as a mouse; to be very timid


人艱不拆

ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄞ

жэньцзяньбучай

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

From a line in the lyrics of Lying (《說謊》), a 2009 song by Yoga Lin, condensed to resemble a four-character chengyu (idiom)

Don't say that I'm lying;
Life has been so hard already;
Some things,
Are better not exposed.

bié shuō wǒ shuōhuǎng, rénshēng yǐjīng rúcǐ de jiānnán, yǒuxiē shìqíng, jiù bùyào chāichuān

別說我說謊 人生已經如此地艱難 有些事情 就不要拆穿

别说我说谎 人生已经如此地艰难 有些事情 就不要拆穿

(neologism, slang, humorous) Life is hard already; some things need not be revealed.


置若罔聞

ㄓˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄨㄤˇ ㄨㄣˊ

чжижованвэнь

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵/

/t͡siː³³ jœːk̚² mɔːŋ¹³ mɐn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵/

/t͡siː³³ jœːk̚² mɔːŋ¹³ mɐn²¹/


忠言逆耳

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧㄢˊ ㄋㄧˋ ㄦˇ

чжунъяньниэр

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ni⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ jɪk̚²¹ jiː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ ni⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ jɪk̚²¹ jiː¹³/

Qiě zhōngyánnì'ěr lì yú xíng, dúyào kǔkǒu lì yú bìng, yuàn Pèigōng tīng Fán Kuài yán!

且忠言逆耳利於行，毒藥苦口利於病，願沛公聽樊噲言！

且忠言逆耳利于行，毒药苦口利于病，愿沛公听樊哙言！

sincere advice may be unpleasant to the ear (but it is beneficial)


深思熟慮

ㄕㄣ ㄙ ㄕㄨˊ ㄌㄩˋ

ㄕㄣ ㄙ ㄕㄡˊ ㄌㄩˋ

/ʂən⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʂu³⁵ ly⁵¹/

шэньсышоулюй

/ʂən⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ sʊk̚² lɵy̯²²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʂu³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/ʂən⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯³⁵ ly⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ sʊk̚² lɵy̯²²/

jīngguò yī fān shēnsīshúlǜ hòu zuòchū de juédìng

經過一番深思熟慮後做出的決定

经过一番深思熟虑后做出的决定

deliberation; deep and careful consideration


無中生有

ㄨˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄕㄥ ㄧㄡˇ

/u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ taŋ³³⁻²³ sẽ³³⁻²³ u³⁵/

/u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/bo⁵⁵⁻¹¹ taŋ³³⁻²³ sẽ³³⁻²³ u³⁵/

All things under heaven sprang from It as existing (and named); that existence sprang from It as non-existent (and not named).

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

Tiānxià wànwù shēng yú yǒu, yǒu shēng yú wú.

天下萬物生於有，有生於無。

天下万物生于有，有生于无。

(Taoism) all existence sprang from nonexistence

to fabricate; to make up unfounded rumor; to trump up


聞名世界

ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄕˋ ㄐㄧㄝˋ

вэньминшицзе

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³ kaːi̯³³/

/wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³ kaːi̯³³/

known the world over; world-famous; renowned


兵戎相見

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

бинжунсянцзянь

/piŋ⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kiːn³³/

/piŋ⁵⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ jʊŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ kiːn³³/


首當其衝

ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄤ ㄑㄧˊ ㄔㄨㄥ

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯³⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

Formed based on a line in the Book of Han:
First attested in the Draft History of Qing

鄭當其衝，不能修德。

郑当其冲，不能修德。

1929, Zhao Erxun (lead editor), Draft History of Qing

Ōu jiàn dōng lái, Yuèdōng shǒudāngqíchōng.

歐艦東來，粵東首當其衝。

欧舰东来，粤东首当其冲。

Most susceptible, and the first to be affected, are the intellectuals and the young students.

1940, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《新民主主義論》 (On New Democracy), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Tèbié shì wénhuàrén hé qīngnián xuéshēng, gǎnjué ruìmǐn, shǒudāngqíchōng.

特別是文化人和青年學生，感覺銳敏，首當其衝。

特别是文化人和青年学生，感觉锐敏，首当其冲。

to be the first to suffer (attack or disaster)

(neologism, proscribed) taking the lead; first

(neologism, proscribed) more important, crucial or prominent


生死存亡

ㄕㄥ ㄙˇ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄨㄤˊ

шэнсыцуньван

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹ mɔːŋ²¹/

to concern the survival of the human race

關係到人類的生死存亡

关系到人类的生死存亡

生死存亡的關頭

生死存亡的关头

matter of life and death
matter of life and death

matter of life and death; critical moment


痴人說夢

ㄔ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄇㄥˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ syːt̚³ mʊŋ²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ syːt̚³ mʊŋ²²/


不分軒輊

ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ ㄒㄩㄢ ㄓˋ

буфэньсюаньчжи

/pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ hiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː³³/

/pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ hiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː³³/


皮裡陽秋

ㄆㄧˊ ㄌㄧˇ ㄧㄤˊ ㄑㄧㄡ

/pʰi³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰi³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/


青燈黃卷

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄉㄥ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄐㄩㄢˋ

циндэнхуанцзюань

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ tɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ tɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/


舊雨新知

ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄩˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓ

цзююйсиньчжи

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/


斤斤計較

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

цзиньцзиньцзицзяо

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɐn⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kɐi̯³³ kaːu̯³³/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɐn⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ kɐi̯³³ kaːu̯³³/

to fuss over minor matters; to split hairs


魂飛魄散

ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄈㄟ ㄆㄛˋ ㄙㄢˋ

хуньфэйпосань

/xu̯ən³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sän⁵¹/

/wɐn²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ pʰaːk̚³ saːn³³/

/xu̯ən³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sän⁵¹/

/wɐn²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ pʰaːk̚³ saːn³³/

to be frightened stiff, spooked out of one's mind, terror-stricken


仰之彌高

ㄧㄤˇ ㄓ ㄇㄧˊ ㄍㄠ

/jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mi³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mi³⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

Yan Yuan, in admiration of the Master's doctrines, sighed and said, "I looked up to them, and they seemed to become more high; I tried to penetrate them, and they seemed to become more firm; I looked at them before me, and suddenly they seemed to be behind.…

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

Yán Yuān kuìrán tàn yuē “yǎng zhī mí gāo, zuān zhī mí jiān, zhān zhī zài qián, hū yān zài hòu!......

顏淵喟然歎曰「仰之彌高，鑽之彌堅，瞻之在前，忽焉在後！……

颜渊喟然叹曰「仰之弥高，钻之弥坚，瞻之在前，忽焉在后！……

the more looked up at, the higher it seems


心懷叵測

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄆㄛˇ ㄘㄜˋ

синьхуайпоцэ

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ pʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

/ɕin⁵⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ waːi̯²¹ pʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

to harbour unfathomable motives; to have sinister intentions


文不加點

ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄧㄢˇ

вэньбуцзядянь

/wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tiːm³⁵/

/wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tiːm³⁵/

to write a flawless essay in one go; to be quick-witted and skilled at writing compositions


滿城風雨

ㄇㄢˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ

маньчэнфэнъюй

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/muːn¹³ sɪŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siã²⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² u⁵³/

/muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siã²⁴⁻²² hɔŋ³³ u⁵⁵⁴/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siã¹³⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² u⁵³/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siã²⁴⁻¹¹ hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ u⁵³/

/muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siã²³⁻³³ hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ u⁴¹/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/muːn¹³ sɪŋ²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siã²⁴⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² u⁵³/

/muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siã²⁴⁻²² hɔŋ³³ u⁵⁵⁴/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siã¹³⁻²² hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² u⁵³/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siã²⁴⁻¹¹ hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ u⁵³/

/muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siã²³⁻³³ hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ u⁴¹/


桑間濮上

ㄙㄤ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄆㄨˊ ㄕㄤˋ

санцзяньпушан

/sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰu³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kaːn⁵⁵ pʊk̚² sœːŋ²²/

/sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰu³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kaːn⁵⁵ pʊk̚² sœːŋ²²/


甚囂塵上

ㄕㄣˋ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄔㄣˊ ㄕㄤˋ

шэньсяочэньшан

/ʂən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɐm²² hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ sœːŋ²²/

/ʂən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɐm²² hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ sœːŋ²²/

Of late, however, the dust and din of compromise and anti-communism have once again filled the air, and once again the people are thrown into bewilderment.

Dànshì jìnlái de tuǒxié kōngqì, fǎngòng shēnglàng, hū yòu shènxiāochénshàng, yòu bǎ quánguó rénmín dǎrù mènhúlu lǐ le.

但是近來的妥協空氣，反共聲浪，忽又甚囂塵上，又把全國人民打入悶葫蘆裡了。

但是近来的妥协空气，反共声浪，忽又甚嚣尘上，又把全国人民打入闷葫芦里了。


食言而肥

ㄕˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄈㄟˊ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ feɪ̯³⁵/

/sɪk̚² jiːn²¹ jiː²¹ fei̯²¹/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hui²⁴/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ pui²³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ feɪ̯³⁵/

/sɪk̚² jiːn²¹ jiː²¹ fei̯²¹/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hui²⁴/

/sit̚⁴⁻³² ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ pui²³/


五福臨門

ㄨˇ ㄈㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄇㄣˊ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ lin³⁵ mən³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ fʊk̚⁵ lɐm²¹ muːn²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu³⁵ lin³⁵ mən³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ fʊk̚⁵ lɐm²¹ muːn²¹/

may the five blessings descend upon this home (namely: longevity, wealth, health, virtue and a natural death)


城門失火，殃及池魚

afire in the city gates is also a calamity for the fish in the moat

ㄔㄥˊ ㄇㄣˊ ㄕ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

ㄧㄤ ㄐㄧˊ ㄔˊ ㄩˊ

sing⁴ mun⁴ sat¹ fo², joeng¹ kap⁶ ci⁴ jyu⁴

чэнмэнь шихо

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ y³⁵/

sing⁴ mun⁴ sat⁷ fo², joeng¹ kap⁹ tsi⁴ jy⁴

/sɪŋ²¹ muːn²¹ sɐt̚⁵ fɔː³⁵ jœːŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐp̚² t͡sʰiː²¹ jyː²¹/

(figurative) to suffer as a bystander; to get caught in the crossfire


大快朵頤

ㄉㄚˋ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄉㄨㄛˇ ㄧˊ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ tu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵/

/taːi̯²² faːi̯³³ tɔː³⁵ jiː²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ tu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵/

/taːi̯²² faːi̯³³ tɔː³⁵ jiː²¹/


充耳不聞

to stuff one's ears and pretend not to hear

ㄔㄨㄥ ㄦˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˊ

чунъэрбувэнь

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/

/t͡sʰoŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ buŋ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː¹³ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/

/t͡sʰoŋ³³⁻²³ d͡zɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ puk̚²⁻⁴ buŋ³⁵/


如坐針氈

ㄖㄨˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄣ ㄓㄢ

жуцзочжэньчжань

žuczočžɛnʹčžanʹ

/ʐu³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siːn⁵⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ t͡sɔː²² t͡sɐm⁵⁵ t͡siːn⁵⁵/


後來居上

ㄏㄡˋ ㄌㄞˊ ㄐㄩ ㄕㄤˋ

хоулайцзюйшан

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/hɐu̯²² lɔːi̯²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ¹³/

/hɔ²²⁻²¹ lai²⁴⁻²² ku⁴⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²/

/hɔ³³⁻²¹ lai²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ³³/

/au³³⁻²¹ lai²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ siaŋ³³/

/au³³⁻¹¹ lai²⁴⁻¹¹ ku⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ³³/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹ laɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/hɐu̯²² lɔːi̯²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ sœːŋ¹³/

/hɔ²²⁻²¹ lai²⁴⁻²² ku⁴⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²/

/hɔ³³⁻²¹ lai²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ³³/

/au³³⁻²¹ lai²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ siaŋ³³/

/au³³⁻¹¹ lai²⁴⁻¹¹ ku⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ³³/

From a sarcastic comment by Ji An (汲黯) to the Emperor Wu of Han

The way Your Majesty manages your ministers is like nothing but keeping firewood in a pile: it is the late-comers that get the top position.

Bìxià yòng qúnchén rú jīxīn ěr, hòu lái zhě jū shàng.

陛下用群臣如積薪耳，後來者居上。

陛下用群臣如积薪耳，后来者居上。

the up-and-coming youngster outstrips the older generation; the pupil surpasses the master


名列前茅

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄠˊ

минлецяньмао

/miŋ³⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ liːt̚² t͡sʰiːn²¹ maːu̯²¹/

/miŋ³⁵ li̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ liːt̚² t͡sʰiːn²¹ maːu̯²¹/


懷璧其罪

ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄗㄨㄟˋ

хуайбицицзуй

/xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/waːi̯²¹ pɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɵy̯²²/

/xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/waːi̯²¹ pɪk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sɵy̯²²/

The 3rd brother of the duke of Yu had a valuable piece of jade, which the duke asked of him. He refused it, but afterwards repented, saying, "There is the proverb in Zhou, 'A man may have no crime; — that he keeps his bi is his crime.' This jade is of no use to me; — shall I buy my hurt with it?" He then presented it to the duke.

Commentary of Zuo, c. 4ᵗʰ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Chū, Yú Shū yǒu yù, Yú Gōng qiú zhān. Fú xiàn. Jì ér huǐ zhī. Yuē: “Zhōu yàn yǒu zhī: ‘Pǐfū wú zuì, huái bì qí zuì.’ Wú yān yòng cǐ, qí yǐ gǔ hài yě?” Nǎi xiàn.

初，虞叔有玉，虞公求旃。弗獻。既而悔之。曰：「周諺有之：『匹夫無罪，懷璧其罪。』吾焉用此，其以賈害也？」乃獻。

初，虞叔有玉，虞公求旃。弗献。既而悔之。曰：「周谚有之：『匹夫无罪，怀璧其罪。』吾焉用此，其以贾害也？」乃献。

to get into trouble on account of a cherished item, fig. A person's talent will arouse the envy of others.


人盡可夫

ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄈㄨ

жэньцзинькэфу

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɵn²² hɔː³⁵ fuː⁵⁵/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ fu⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ t͡sɵn²² hɔː³⁵ fuː⁵⁵/

(often derogatory, of a woman) having loose morals; being promiscuous


墓木已拱

ㄇㄨˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄍㄨㄥˇ

/mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²² mʊk̚² jiː¹³ kʊŋ³⁵/

/mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²² mʊk̚² jiː¹³ kʊŋ³⁵/

Originally from a curse uttered by the Duke Mu of Qin to Jianshu

What do you know! Had you, old thing, died at an average age, trees by your grave would have grown larger trunks than what could be embraced with both arms!

Ěr hé zhī! Zhōngshòu, ěr mù zhī mù gǒng yǐ!

爾何知！中壽，爾墓之木拱矣！

尔何知！中寿，尔墓之木拱矣！


穩操勝券

ㄨㄣˇ ㄘㄠ ㄕㄥˋ ㄑㄩㄢˋ

вэньцаошэнцюань

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/wɐn³⁵ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ³³ kyːn³³/

/wɐn³⁵ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ³³ hyːn³³/

/wɐn³⁵ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ³³ kyːn³³/

/wɐn³⁵ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ³³ hyːn³³/

grasp it and victory is assured, to have success within one's grasp


平易近人

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ

пинъицзиньжэнь

/pʰiŋ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ jiː²² kɐn²² jɐn²¹/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ jiː²² kɐn²² jɐn²¹/

amiable and approachable; easy-going, modest and unassuming

(of writing) plain and simple; easy to understand


壽比南山

ㄕㄡˋ ㄅㄧˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

шоубинаньшань

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯²² pei̯³⁵ naːm²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/siu³³⁻¹¹ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻²¹ pi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lam²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/

/siu¹¹ pi⁵²⁻³⁵ nam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sũã³³/

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯²² pei̯³⁵ naːm²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/siu³³⁻¹¹ pi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lam²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/siu³³⁻²¹ pi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lam²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/

/siu¹¹ pi⁵²⁻³⁵ nam⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sũã³³/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 166 (《詩經·小雅·天保》)

lang

(《詩經·小雅·天保》)

(《詩經·小雅·天保》)

Like the age of the southern hills, Never waning, never falling,
Like the luxuriance of the fir and the cypress; May such be thy succeeding line!

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

Rú nánshān zhī shòu, bù qiān bù bēng.
Rú sōngbǎi zhī mào, wú bù ěr huò chéng.

如南山之壽，不騫不崩。
如松柏之茂，無不爾或承。

如南山之寿，不骞不崩。
如松柏之茂，无不尔或承。

[One's] life is as long-lasting as theZhongnan Mountains


背井離鄉

ㄅㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ

бэйцзинлисян

/peɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/puːi̯³³ t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pue²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² hiɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pue²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²²⁻²¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴/

/peɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/puːi̯³³ t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ lei̯²¹ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pue²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² hiɔŋ⁴⁴/

/pue²²⁻²¹ t͡siɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²²⁻²¹ hiɔŋ⁴⁴/

to leave one's native place and move elsewhere


玉樹臨風

ㄩˋ ㄕㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄈㄥ

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂu⁵¹ lin³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊk̚² syː²² lɐm²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂu⁵¹ lin³⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/jʊk̚² syː²² lɐm²¹ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

From the poem "飲中八仙歌" written by Du Fu (杜甫) during the Tang dynasty

Zōngzhī xiāosǎ měishàonián, jǔ shāng báiyǎn wàng qīngtiān, jiǎo rú yùshù lín fēng qián.

宗之瀟灑美少年，舉觴白眼望青天，皎如玉樹臨風前。

宗之潇洒美少年，举觞白眼望青天，皎如玉树临风前。

(of a male) to be extraordinarily talented and good-looking


司空見慣

ㄙ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ

сыкунцзяньгуань

/sz̩⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kiːn³³ kʷaːn³³/

/si³³⁻²³ kʰoŋ³³⁻²³ kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kuaŋ²¹³/

/sz̩⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹/

/siː⁵⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kiːn³³ kʷaːn³³/

/si³³⁻²³ kʰoŋ³³⁻²³ kiaŋ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kuaŋ²¹³/

唐·孟棨《本事詩•情感》

Liú Shàngshū Yǔxī bà Hézhōu...... Lǐ Sīkōng bà zhèn zài jīng, mù Liú míng, cháng yāo zhì dì zhōng, hòu shè yǐnzhuàn. Jiǔ hān, mìng miàojì gē yǐ sòng zhī. Liú yú xí shàng fù shī yuē: ‘...... Chūnfēng yī qū “Dù Wéiniáng”. Sīkōng jiàn guàn hún xiánshì, duàn jìn Jiāngnán cìshǐ cháng.’

劉尚書禹錫罷和州……李司空罷鎮在京，慕劉名，嘗邀至第中，厚設飲饌。酒酣，命妙妓歌以送之。劉於席上賦詩曰：‘……春風一曲《杜韋娘》。司空見慣渾閑事，斷盡江南刺史腸。’

唐·孟棨《本事詩•情感》

刘尚书禹锡罢和州……李司空罢镇在京，慕刘名，尝邀至第中，厚设饮馔。酒酣，命妙妓歌以送之。刘于席上赋诗曰：‘……春风一曲《杜韦娘》。司空见惯浑闲事，断尽江南刺史肠。’


尾大不掉

ㄨㄟˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

/weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mei̯¹³ taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ tiːu̯²²/

/bue⁵²⁻³⁵ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tiau¹¹/

/weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/mei̯¹³ taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ tiːu̯²²/

/bue⁵²⁻³⁵ tai³⁵⁻¹¹ puk̚²⁻⁴ tiau¹¹/

末大必折，尾大不掉，君所知也。

a subordinate becomes too powerful for their superior to control


鐘鳴鼎食

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄕˊ

чжунминдинши

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ sɪk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ tɪŋ³⁵ sɪk̚²/

閭閻撲地，鐘鳴鼎食之家。

闾阎扑地，钟鸣鼎食之家。


遇人不淑

ㄩˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄨ

ㄩˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄨˊ

/y⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵/

/y⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

/jyː²² jɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sʊk̚²/

/y⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵/

/y⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

/jyː²² jɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sʊk̚²/

to be in a relationship with or marry a bad person


不欺暗室

ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧ ㄢˋ ㄕˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧ ㄢˋ ㄕˇ

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


牝雞司晨

ㄆㄧㄣˋ ㄐㄧ ㄙ ㄔㄣˊ

пиньцзисычэнь

/pʰin⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/pʰɐn¹³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ sɐn²¹/

/pʰin⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/pʰɐn¹³ kɐi̯⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ sɐn²¹/

Based on an ancient saying quoted in the Book of Documents:
*

The ancients have said, "The hen does not announce the morning. The crowing of a hen in the morning (indicates) the subversion of the family." Now Shou, the king of Shang, follows only the words of his wife.

The Book of Documents, circa 7ᵗʰ – 4ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Gǔrén yǒu yán yuē: ‘Pìnjī wú chén. Pìnjī zhī chén, wéi jiā zhī suǒ.’ Jīn Shāngwáng Shòu, wéi fùyán shì yòng.

古人有言曰：『牝雞無晨。牝雞之晨，惟家之索。』今商王受，惟婦言是用。

古人有言曰：『牝鸡无晨。牝鸡之晨，惟家之索。』今商王受，惟妇言是用。

(figurative, derogatory) a woman usurps authority, women meddle in politics, the female wears the trousers.

Book of Documents
Da Ji
King Zhou of Shang


兔死狐悲

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (兔死狐悲):
* → Korean: 토사호비(兎死狐悲) (tosahobi)

ja-r

兎死すれば狐これを悲しむ

うさぎ しすれば きつね これ を かなしむ

→ Japanese: 兎死(うさぎし)すれば狐(きつね)これを悲(かな)しむ (usagi shisureba kitsune kore o kanashimu) (calque)

ㄊㄨˋ ㄙˇ ㄏㄨˊ ㄅㄟ

/tʰu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰou̯³³ sei̯³⁵ wuː²¹ pei̯⁵⁵/

/tʰu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰou̯³³ sei̯³⁵ wuː²¹ pei̯⁵⁵/

(figurative) to have sympathy with a like-minded person in distress


順手牽羊

ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄧㄤˊ

шуньшоуцяньян

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/sɵn²² sɐu̯³⁵ hiːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹/

/sun³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻³³ iũ²⁴/

/sun²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻²² iũ²⁴/

/sun³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻³³ iũ²³/

/ʂu̯ən⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/sɵn²² sɐu̯³⁵ hiːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ²¹/

/sun³³⁻¹¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻³³ iũ²⁴/

/sun²²⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻²² iũ²⁴/

/sun³³⁻²¹ t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻³³ iũ²³/

(figurative) to steal something under the cover of an emergency; to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain


咄咄怪事

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄍㄨㄞˋ ㄕˋ

ㄉㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄞˋ ㄕˋ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːt̚³ t͡sʰyːt̚³ kʷaːi̯³³ siː²²/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːt̚³ t͡sʰyːt̚³ kʷaːi̯³³ siː²²/

strange business; absurdity; extraordinary thing; paradoxical matter


集腋成裘

collect underarm fur (of a fox) to make a fur coat

ㄐㄧˊ ㄧㄝˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄡˊ

ㄐㄧˊ ㄧˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄡˊ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ jɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡saːp̚² jɪk̚² sɪŋ²¹ kʰɐu̯²¹/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ jɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡saːp̚² jɪk̚² sɪŋ²¹ kʰɐu̯²¹/

many a mickle makes a muckle
many a mickle makes a muckle

many small contributions add up to something big; many a mickle makes a muckle


蒲柳之姿

ㄆㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄡˇ ㄓ ㄗ

/pʰu³⁵ li̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/pʰu³⁵ li̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/


野心勃勃

ㄧㄝˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄅㄛˊ ㄅㄛˊ

/jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/jɛː¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ puːt̚² puːt̚²/

/jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/jɛː¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ puːt̚² puːt̚²/


不翼而飛

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄈㄟ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɪk̚² jiː²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ ek̚⁴⁻² d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pue³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɪk̚² jiː²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/puk̚²⁻⁴ ek̚⁴⁻² d͡zɯ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pue³³/

Sound flies without wings; feelings are firm without roots.

Wú yì ér fēi zhě, shēng yě; wú gēn ér gù zhě, qíng yě.

無翼而飛者，聲也；無根而固者，情也。

无翼而飞者，声也；无根而固者，情也。

to be wingless and yet flying or airborne

spread like wildfire
spread like wildfire

(of news) to spread quickly; to spread like wildfire; to spread fast as if on wings

(of an object) to disappear suddenly; to disappear without a trace; to vanish into thin air


一言以蔽之

desc

→ Japanese: 一言以って之を蔽う (ichigen motte kore o ōu) (calque)

ㄧ ㄧㄢˊ ㄧˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄓ

yīyán yǐ bì zhī [Phonetic:yìyán yǐ bì zhī]

иянь и би чжи

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ jiː¹³ pɐi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ jiː¹³ pɐi̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵/

The Master said, "In the Book of Poetry are three hundred pieces, but the design of them all may be embraced in one sentence — 'Having no depraved thoughts.'"

Zǐyuē: “Shī sānbǎi, yīyán yǐ bì zhī, yuē ‘sīwúxié’.”

子曰：「詩三百，一言以蔽之，曰『思無邪』。」

子曰：「诗三百，一言以蔽之，曰『思无邪』。」


女士優先

ㄋㄩˇ ㄕˋ ㄧㄡ ㄒㄧㄢ

/ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/nɵy̯¹³ siː²² jɐu̯⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/nɵy̯¹³ siː²² jɐu̯⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/


爭分奪秒

ㄓㄥ ㄈㄣ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄇㄧㄠˇ

чжэнфэньдомяо

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² miːu̯¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² miːu̯¹³/

to seize every minute; to race against time


分秒必爭

ㄈㄣ ㄇㄧㄠˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄓㄥ

фэньмяобичжэн

/fən⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ miːu̯¹³ piːt̚⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² biau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/huŋ³³⁻²³ miau⁵²⁻³⁵ pik̚²⁻⁴ t͡sẽ³³/

/fən⁵⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ miːu̯¹³ piːt̚⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² biau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴/

/huŋ³³⁻²³ miau⁵²⁻³⁵ pik̚²⁻⁴ t͡sẽ³³/

to grasp every minute; to make full use of one's time


恬不知恥

ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄔˇ

/tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːm²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːm²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵/


不虛此行

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩ ㄘ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/pu⁵¹ ɕy⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/pu⁵¹ ɕy⁵⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

(figurative) it has been worthwhile; the journey has not been made in vain; the journey has been well worthwhile


名門望族

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄣˊ ㄨㄤˋ ㄗㄨˊ

минмэньванцзу

/miŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ muːn²¹ mɔːŋ²² t͡sʊk̚²/

/miŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ t͡su³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ muːn²¹ mɔːŋ²² t͡sʊk̚²/


圍魏救趙

to besiege theState of Wei to rescue the State of Zhao

ㄨㄟˊ ㄨㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄓㄠˋ

вэйвэйцзючжао

/weɪ̯³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/wɐi̯²¹ ŋɐi̯²² kɐu̯³³ t͡siːu̯²²/

/wɐi̯²¹ ŋɐi̯²² kɐu̯³³ t͡siːu̯²²/

(figurative) to relieve a besieged ally by attacking the home base of the besiegers


暗渡陳倉

ㄢˋ ㄉㄨˋ ㄔㄣˊ ㄘㄤ

аньдучэньцан

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɐm³³ tou̯²² t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/am²¹⁻⁵³ tɔ²²⁻²¹ tin²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/am¹¹⁻⁵³ tɔ³³⁻¹¹ tin²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/am²¹⁻⁴¹ tɔ³³⁻²¹ tin²³⁻³³ t͡sʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɐm³³ tou̯²² t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/am²¹⁻⁵³ tɔ²²⁻²¹ tin²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/am¹¹⁻⁵³ tɔ³³⁻¹¹ tin²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/am²¹⁻⁴¹ tɔ³³⁻²¹ tin²³⁻³³ t͡sʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

明修棧道，暗渡陳倉 明修棧道，暗渡陳倉#Chinese

明修栈道，暗渡陈仓 明修栈道，暗渡陈仓#Chinese

Short for 明修棧道，暗渡陳倉／明修栈道，暗渡陈仓 (míngxiūzhàndào, àndùchéncāng, “to do one thing under cover of another”).


偷樑換柱

to steal a rafter and replace it with a column

ㄊㄡ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨˋ

тоулянхуаньчжу

/tʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹ wuːn²² t͡sʰyː¹³/

/tʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯⁵⁵ lœːŋ²¹ wuːn²² t͡sʰyː¹³/

to replace the original with a fake; to perpetrate a fraud


明修棧道，暗渡陳倉

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄓㄢˋ ㄉㄠˋ

ㄢˋ ㄉㄨˋ ㄔㄣˊ ㄘㄤ

ming⁴ sau¹ zaan⁶ dou⁶, am³ dou⁶ can⁴ cong¹

минсючжаньдао

аньдучэньцан

/miŋ³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵/

mìhng sāu jaahn douh, am douh chàhn chōng

ming⁴ sau¹ dzaan⁶ dou⁶, am³ dou⁶ tsan⁴ tsong¹

ming⁴ seo¹ zan⁶ dou⁶, em³ dou⁶ cen⁴ cong¹

/mɪŋ²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡saːn²² tou̯²² ɐm³³ tou̯²² t͡sʰɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵/

Referring to a stratagem used by Liu Bang in 206 BC against Xiang Yu of Chu.

明修栈道，暗渡陈仓
明修棧道，暗度陳倉

repair the plank road openly while secretly crossing [the Wei River] at Chencang

to feign one thing while doing something else; to divert someone's attention towards something while secretly doing something else to achieve one's goal


指桑罵槐

to point at the mulberry tree and curse the pagoda tree

ㄓˇ ㄙㄤ ㄇㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄞˊ

чжисанмахуай

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɑŋ⁵⁵ mä⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ maː²² waːi̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ sɑŋ⁵⁵ mä⁵¹ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siː³⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ maː²² waːi̯²¹/

to scold someone indirectly; to make oblique accusations


笑裡藏刀

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄘㄤˊ ㄉㄠ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/siːu̯³³ lɵy̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ tou̯⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/siːu̯³³ lɵy̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ tou̯⁵⁵/

Li Yifu appeared to be mild and humble. When he was talking to others, he was always smiling. However, he was actually full of treachery and machinations. When he rose to power, he demanded people to follow him. He would set up anyone who violated his ideas. Therefore, people at that time said that he had knives in his smile, and he was also referred to as "Cat Li", referring to his insincere smiles.

Yìfǔ màozhuàng wēngōng, yǔ rén yǔ bì xīyí wēixiào, ér biǎnjì yīnzéi. Jì chù quányào, yù rén fù jǐ, wēi wǔ yì zhě, zhé jiā qīngxiàn. Gù shírén yán yìfǔ xiào zhōng yǒu dāo, yòu yǐ qí róu ér hài wù, yì wèi zhī “Lǐ māo”.

義府貌狀溫恭，與人語必嬉怡微笑，而褊忌陰賊。既處權要，欲人附己，微忤意者，輒加傾陷。故時人言義府笑中有刀，又以其柔而害物，亦謂之「李貓」。

义府貌状温恭，与人语必嬉怡微笑，而褊忌阴贼。既处权要，欲人附己，微忤意者，辄加倾陷。故时人言义府笑中有刀，又以其柔而害物，亦谓之「李猫」。

wolf in sheep's clothing
wolf in sheep's clothing

to act in a friendly manner with hypocritical intentions; to be a wolf in sheep's clothing


以逸待勞

ㄧˇ ㄧˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄌㄠˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/jiː¹³ jɐt̚² tɔːi̯²² lou̯²¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/jiː¹³ jɐt̚² tɔːi̯²² lou̯²¹/

to wait at one's ease for the exhausted enemy; to nurture one's strength and bide one's time


蕭規曹隨

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄘㄠˊ ㄙㄨㄟˊ

сяогуйцаосуй

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯³⁵ su̯eɪ̯³⁵/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯²¹ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯³⁵ su̯eɪ̯³⁵/

/siːu̯⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯²¹ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹/

Xiao and Cao refer to Xiao He and Cao Shen, who are government officials of early Western Han dynasty. When Cao succeeded Xiao's position of grand chancellor, he adhered to Xiao's policies without amendments. First attested in Wen Xuan during Liang dynasty.

to strictly adhere to the policies of the predecessor, to follow precedent

Ministry of Education Mandarin Chinese Dictionary


借屍還魂

ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄕ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄣˊ

цзешихуаньхунь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯än³⁵ xu̯ən³⁵/

/t͡sɛː³³ siː⁵⁵ waːn²¹ wɐn²¹/

/t͡sio(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ si⁴⁴⁻²² huan²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴/

/t͡sio(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ si⁴⁴⁻²² huan¹³⁻²² hun¹³/

/t͡sio(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ huan²⁴⁻¹¹ hun²⁴/

/t͡siɤ(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ si⁴⁴⁻³³ huan²³⁻³³ hun²³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯än³⁵ xu̯ən³⁵/

/t͡sɛː³³ siː⁵⁵ waːn²¹ wɐn²¹/

/t͡sio(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ si⁴⁴⁻²² huan²⁴⁻²² hun²⁴/

/t͡sio(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ si⁴⁴⁻²² huan¹³⁻²² hun¹³/

/t͡sio(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ si⁴⁴⁻³³ huan²⁴⁻¹¹ hun²⁴/

/t͡siɤ(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ si⁴⁴⁻³³ huan²³⁻³³ hun²³/

(figurative) a discarded or discredited idea returns in another guise


老驥伏櫪

ㄌㄠˇ ㄐㄧˋ ㄈㄨˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹ fu³⁵ li⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ kʰei̯³³ fʊk̚² lɪk̚⁵/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹ fu³⁵ li⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ kʰei̯³³ fʊk̚² lɪk̚⁵/

The old steed over the manger still has the mind to do a thousand-li journey;
The heroic old man still cherishes lofty ambitions.

三國·魏·曹操《步出夏門行》

Lǎojì fúlì, zhì zài qiānlǐ; lièshì mùnián, zhuàngxīn bùyǐ.

老驥伏櫪，志在千里；烈士暮年，壯心不已。

三國·魏·曹操《步出夏門行》

老骥伏枥，志在千里；烈士暮年，壮心不已。

an old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop 1000 miles

(figurative) an aged person with great aspirations


罄竹難書

ㄑㄧㄥˋ ㄓㄨˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄕㄨ

цинчжунаньшу

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ nän³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/hɪŋ³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ naːn²¹ syː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ nän³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵/

/hɪŋ³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵ naːn²¹ syː⁵⁵/

From Lüshi Chunqiu:
:
Another source is from Zu Junyan's letter of declaration of war against Emperor Yang of Sui on behalf of Li Mi, which was also quoted in the Old Book of Tang

These weird phenomena were due to political corruption. There were so many of them that it would not be enough to record all even if the bamboos in Jing (also known as Chu) and Yue states were used up.

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

Cǐ jiē luàn guó zhī suǒ shēng yě, bùnéng shēng shǔ, jìn Jīng, Yuè zhī zhú, yóu bùnéng shū.

此皆亂國之所生也，不能勝數，盡荊、越之竹，猶不能書。

此皆乱国之所生也，不能胜数，尽荆、越之竹，犹不能书。

Even using up the bamboos in Zhongnan Mountains would not be enough to write (Emperor Yang's) crimes; even using up the water in the East Sea would not be enough to wash away his crimes.

Qìng Nánshān zhī zhú, shū zuì wúqióng; jué Dōnghǎi zhī bō, liú è nán jìn.

罄南山之竹，書罪無窮；決東海之波，流惡難盡。

罄南山之竹，书罪无穷；决东海之波，流恶难尽。

so many that one cannot record all of them onbamboo slips even when they have been exhausted

Chu (state)
East China Sea
Emperor Yang of Sui
Li Mi (Sui Dynasty)
Lüshi Chunqiu
Old Book of Tang
Yue (state)
Zhongnan Mountains


道聽塗說

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (道聽塗說):
* → Japanese: 道(どう)聴(ちょう)塗(と)説(せつ) (dōchōtosetsu)
* → Korean: 도청도설(道聽塗說) (docheongdoseol)

ㄉㄠˋ ㄊㄧㄥ ㄊㄨˊ ㄕㄨㄛ

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/tou̯²² tʰɪŋ³³ tʰou̯²¹ syːt̚³/

/tou̯²² tʰɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹ syːt̚³/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰiŋ⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/tou̯²² tʰɪŋ³³ tʰou̯²¹ syːt̚³/

/tou̯²² tʰɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹ syːt̚³/

The Master said, "To tell, as we go along, what we have heard on the way, is to cast away our virtue."

Zǐyuē: “Dào tīng ér tú shuō, dé zhī qì yě.”

子曰：「道聽而塗說，德之棄也。」

子曰：「道听而涂说，德之弃也。」

道听涂说
道聽涂說
道聽途說
道聽途説/道听途说

to tell, as one go along, what they have heard on the way

The most ridiculous person in the world is the “know all” who picks up a smattering of hearsay knowledge and proclaims themselves “the world's Number One authority”; this merely shows that they have not taken a proper measure of themselves.

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

Shìshàng zuì kěxiào de shì nàxiē “zhīshi lǐshǒu”, yǒu le dàotīngtúshuō de yīzhībànjiě, biàn zìfēng wéi “tiānxiàdìyī”, shì zújiàn qí bùzìliàng éryǐ.

世上最可笑的是那些「知識裡手」，有了道聽塗說的一知半解，便自封為「天下第一」，適足見其不自量而已。

世上最可笑的是那些「知识里手」，有了道听涂说的一知半解，便自封为「天下第一」，适足见其不自量而已。


名門淑女

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄣˊ ㄕㄨ ㄋㄩˇ

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄣˊ ㄕㄨˊ ㄋㄩˇ

минмэньшунюй

/miŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/miŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ ʂu³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ muːn²¹ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/miŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/miŋ³⁵ mən³⁵ ʂu³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ muːn²¹ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/


投筆從戎

to lay down the pen and take up the sword

ㄊㄡˊ ㄅㄧˇ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ jʊŋ²¹/

/tʰeu̯¹¹ pit̚² t͡sʰi̯uŋ¹¹ i̯uŋ¹¹/

/tau²³⁻³³ pit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ ziɔŋ²³/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ jʊŋ²¹/

/tʰeu̯¹¹ pit̚² t͡sʰi̯uŋ¹¹ i̯uŋ¹¹/

/tau²³⁻³³ pit̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ²³⁻³³ ziɔŋ²³/


鞠躬盡瘁

ㄐㄩ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄘㄨㄟˋ

ㄐㄩˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄘㄨㄟˋ

цзюйгунцзиньцуй

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕy³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʊk̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² sɵy̯²²/

/t͡ɕy⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕy³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/kʊk̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² sɵy̯²²/

to bend oneself to a task and exert oneself to the utmost; to spare no effort in the performance of one's duty


五十步笑百步

desc

오십보 소백보(五十步笑百步)

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (五十步笑百步):
* → Korean: 오십보 소백보(五十步笑百步) (osipbo sobaekbo)

ja-r

ご%じっ%ぽ ひゃっ%ぽ

ご%じゅっ%ぽ ひゃっ%ぽ

⇒ Japanese: 五(ご)十(じっ)歩(ぽ)百(ひゃっ)歩(ぽ) (gojippo hyappo), 五(ご)十(じゅっ)歩(ぽ)百(ひゃっ)歩(ぽ) (gojuppo hyappo)

desc

오십보 백보(五十步百步)

⇒ Korean: 오십보 백보(五十步百步) (osipbo baekbo)

ㄨˇ ㄕˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄞˇ ㄅㄨˋ

уши бу сяо бай бу

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹/

/ŋ̍¹³ sɐp̚² pou̯²² siːu̯³³ paːk̚³ pou̯²²/

/ɡɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡sap̚⁴⁻³² pɔ²² t͡sʰio²¹⁻⁵³ pa(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ pɔ²²/

Mencius replied, "Your majesty is fond of war - let me take an illustration from war. The soldiers move forward to the sound of the drums; and after their weapons have been crossed, on one side they throw away their coats of mail, trail their arms behind them, and run. Some run a hundred paces and stop; some run fifty paces and stop. What would you think if those who run fifty paces were to laugh at those who run a hundred paces?"
The king said, "They should not do so. Though they did not run a hundred paces, yet they also ran away."

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

Mèngzǐ duì yuē: “Wáng hàozhàn, qǐng yǐ zhàn yù. Tiánrán gǔ zhī, bīngrèn jì jiē, qì jiǎ yè bīng ér zǒu. Huò bǎi bù ér hòu zhǐ, huò wǔshí bù ér hòu zhǐ. Yǐ wǔshí bù xiào bǎi bù, zé hérú?”
Yuē: “Bùkě, zhí bù bǎi bù ěr, shì yì zǒu yě.”

孟子對曰：「王好戰，請以戰喻。填然鼓之，兵刃既接，棄甲曳兵而走。或百步而後止，或五十步而後止。以五十步笑百步，則何如？」
曰：「不可，直不百步耳，是亦走也。」

孟子对曰：「王好战，请以战喻。填然鼓之，兵刃既接，弃甲曳兵而走。或百步而后止，或五十步而后止。以五十步笑百步，则何如？」
曰：「不可，直不百步耳，是亦走也。」

[the one who has retreated] 50 steps laughs at [the one who has retreated] 100 steps

pot calling the kettle black
pot calling the kettle black


樹上開花

ㄕㄨˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄚ

/ʂu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/syː²² sœːŋ²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

/ʂu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/syː²² sœːŋ²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

to deck the tree with false blossoms; to make something of no value appear valuable


李代桃僵

the plum tree withers in place of the peach tree

ㄌㄧˇ ㄉㄞˋ ㄊㄠˊ ㄐㄧㄤ

лидайтаоцзян

/li²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/lei̯¹³ tɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ kœːŋ⁵⁵/

/li²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/lei̯¹³ tɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ kœːŋ⁵⁵/

to carry the can for someone; to take punishment in place of someone


擒賊擒王

ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄗㄟˊ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄨㄤˊ

циньцзэйциньван

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kʰɐm²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚² kʰɐm²¹ wɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/kʰɐm²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚² kʰɐm²¹ wɔːŋ²¹/

See 射人先射馬，擒賊先擒王／射人先射马，擒贼先擒王 (shè rén xiān shè mǎ, qín zéi xiān qín wáng)

If you want to round up a gang, you must get its chief first; To defeat the enemy, first capture their chief; to defeat the enemy by capturing their chief first


隔岸觀火

to watch the fires burning across the river

ㄍㄜˊ ㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

гэаньгуаньхо

/kɤ³⁵ ˀän⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːk̚³ ŋɔːn²² kuːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/kɤ³⁵ ˀän⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaːk̚³ ŋɔːn²² kuːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/

(figurative) to delay entering the fray until all others have been exhausted by fighting amongst themselves


調虎離山

to move the tiger away from the mountain

ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄌㄧˊ ㄕㄢ

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ li³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯²² fuː³⁵ lei̯²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/tiau²²⁻²¹ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li³³⁻²¹ san⁴⁴/

/tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li³³⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/

/tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ li³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/tiːu̯²² fuː³⁵ lei̯²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/tiau²²⁻²¹ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴/

/tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li³³⁻²¹ san⁴⁴/

/tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li³³⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

/tiau²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴/

/tiau¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴/

to lure an opponent out; to get rid of an opponent or a problem to achieve one's goal


釜底抽薪

to take the firewood out from the bottom of the cauldron

ㄈㄨˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄔㄡ ㄒㄧㄣ

/fu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ti⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiu⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴/

/hu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tʰiu⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiu⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴/

/fu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ti⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiu⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴/

/hu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ te⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tʰiu⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴/

/hu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tue⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiu⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴/


反客為主

ㄈㄢˇ ㄎㄜˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓㄨˇ

фанькэвэйчжу

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰɤ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn³⁵ haːk̚³ wɐi̯²¹ t͡syː³⁵/

/fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰɤ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn³⁵ haːk̚³ wɐi̯²¹ t͡syː³⁵/

This Xiahou Yuan is easily provoked to anger, and being angry he is bold without discretion. Your way now is to work up the enthusiasm of your soldiers, then break camp and advance. Do this in a series of marches, and you will excite him up to the point of giving battle, when you can capture him. They call this the 'Ruse of the Interchange of Host and Guest'.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

Yuān wéirén qīngzào, shì yǒng shào móu. Kě jīquàn shìzú, bázhài qiánjìn, bùwéiwèiyíng, yòu Yuān lái zhàn ér qín zhī, cǐ nǎi “fǎnkèwéizhǔ” zhī fǎ.

淵為人輕躁，恃勇少謀。可激勸士卒，拔寨前進，步步為營，誘淵來戰而擒之，此乃「反客為主」之法。

渊为人轻躁，恃勇少谋。可激劝士卒，拔寨前进，步步为营，诱渊来战而擒之，此乃「反客为主」之法。

to make the guest and host exchange roles

to turn the tables; to turn from passive to active behaviour


瞞天過海

to cross the sea without the sky knowing

ㄇㄢˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄞˇ

маньтяньгохай

/män³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/muːn²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/buan²⁴⁻²² tʰiɛn⁴⁴ ko²¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/muã²⁴⁻²² tʰĩ⁴⁴ ke²¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/muã²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰĩ⁴⁴ ke¹¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/muã²³⁻³³ tʰĩ⁴⁴ kue²¹⁻⁴¹ hai⁴¹/

/muã²⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴ kue²¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/män³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/muːn²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/buan²⁴⁻²² tʰiɛn⁴⁴ ko²¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/muã²⁴⁻²² tʰĩ⁴⁴ ke²¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/muã²⁴⁻¹¹ tʰĩ⁴⁴ ke¹¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

/muã²³⁻³³ tʰĩ⁴⁴ kue²¹⁻⁴¹ hai⁴¹/

/muã²⁴⁻³³ tʰiɛn⁴⁴ kue²¹⁻⁵³ hai⁵³/

你無法瞞天過海。

你无法瞒天过海。

If he didn't order this investigation, she could have flown under the radar for years.

yàoshì tā méiyǒu xiàlìng zuò zhège diàochá tā běn kěyǐ mántiānguòhǎi hǎoduō nián

要是他沒有下令做這個調查她本可以瞞天過海好多年

要是他没有下令做这个调查她本可以瞒天过海好多年


借刀殺人

ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄉㄠ ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ

цзедаошажэнь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sɛː³³ tou̯⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jɐn²¹/

/t͡sio(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ to⁴⁴⁻²² sat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴/

/t͡siɤ(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ sat̚³²⁻⁴ zin²³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sɛː³³ tou̯⁵⁵ saːt̚³ jɐn²¹/

/t͡sio(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ to⁴⁴⁻²² sat̚³²⁻⁴ lin²⁴/

/t͡siɤ(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ sat̚³²⁻⁴ zin²³/

to get someone else to do one's dirty work; to attack someone using the strength of another


訓練有素

ㄒㄩㄣˋ ㄌㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄙㄨˋ

/ɕyn⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛn⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/fɐn³³ liːn²² jɐu̯¹³ sou̯³³/

/ɕyn⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɛn⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/fɐn³³ liːn²² jɐu̯¹³ sou̯³³/


懸而未決

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄨㄟˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

сюаньэрвэйцзюэ

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ jiː²¹ mei̯²² kʰyːt̚³/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ jiː²¹ mei̯²² kʰyːt̚³/

pending decision; yet to be settled or resolved


繩之以法

ㄕㄥˊ ㄓ ㄧˇ ㄈㄚˇ

/ʂɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jiː¹³ faːt̚³/

/t͡sin²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huat̚³²/

/t͡sin²⁴⁻²² t͡si³³ i⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ huat̚⁵/

/t͡sin¹³⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huat̚³²/

/t͡sin²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huat̚³²/

/t͡sin²³⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ huat̚³²/

/ʂɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jiː¹³ faːt̚³/

/t͡sin²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huat̚³²/

/t͡sin²⁴⁻²² t͡si³³ i⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ huat̚⁵/

/t͡sin¹³⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huat̚³²/

/t͡sin²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ i⁵³⁻⁴⁴ huat̚³²/

/t͡sin²³⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ i⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ huat̚³²/

to punish according to law; to bring to justice


天下無敵

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (天下無敵):
* → Korean: 천하무적(天下無敵) (cheonhamujeok)
* → Vietnamese: thiên hạ vô địch (天下無敵)

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄨˊ ㄉㄧˊ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ u³⁵ ti³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² mou̯²¹ tɪk̚²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ u³⁵ ti³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² mou̯²¹ tɪk̚²/

樹不要皮必死無疑，人不要臉天下無敵／树不要皮必死无疑，人不要脸天下无敌

shù bùyào pí bì sǐ wúyí, rén bùyào liǎn tiānxiàwúdí


紅顏禍水

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

хунъяньхошуй

/xʊŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hʊŋ²¹ ŋaːn²¹ wɔː²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/xʊŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hʊŋ²¹ ŋaːn²¹ wɔː²² sɵy̯³⁵/

charming beauty who makes men fall and leads to disasters (such as a loss of wealth or reputation, or a toppled nation); dangerous woman; femme fatale (Classifier: 灘／滩)


好人好事

ㄏㄠˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄠˇ ㄕˋ

хаожэньхаоши

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ hou̯³⁵ siː²²/

/ho⁵²⁻³⁵ naŋ⁵⁵ ho⁵²⁻³⁵ sɯ¹¹/

/xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ hou̯³⁵ siː²²/

/ho⁵²⁻³⁵ naŋ⁵⁵ ho⁵²⁻³⁵ sɯ¹¹/

表揚好人好事

表扬好人好事


遊手好閒

游手好闲
游手好閒
遊手好閑
游手好閑

ㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄢˊ

/joʊ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ hou̯³³ haːn²¹/

/iu²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hɔ̃²¹⁻⁵³ han²⁴/

/joʊ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ hou̯³³ haːn²¹/

/iu²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hɔ̃²¹⁻⁵³ han²⁴/


勃然大怒

ㄅㄛˊ ㄖㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄋㄨˋ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ nu⁵¹/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʐän³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ nu⁵¹/


簡明扼要

ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄜˋ ㄧㄠˋ

цзяньмин эяо

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

(of speech or writing) brief, clear, and to the point; concise; succinct


隨心所欲

ㄙㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄩˋ

/su̯eɪ̯³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ jʊk̚²/

/su̯eɪ̯³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ jʊk̚²/


日新月異

ㄖˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄩㄝˋ ㄧˋ

/ʐ̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² sɐn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² jiː²²/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² sɐn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² jiː²²/

科學技術的發展日新月異

科学技术的发展日新月异

日新月異的世界

日新月异的世界

advancing rapidly (especially in an innovative way); everchanging


杳無音信

ㄧㄠˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄣˋ

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ in⁵⁵ ɕin⁵¹/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³/

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ in⁵⁵ ɕin⁵¹/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³/


從心所欲

ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄩˋ

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ jʊk̚²/

/t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ jʊk̚²/

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

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

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

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

to follow what one's heart desires; to do as one likes; to act at one's pleasure


整裝待發

ㄓㄥˇ ㄓㄨㄤ ㄉㄞˋ ㄈㄚ

чжэнчжуандайфа

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³⁵ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²² faːt̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ fä⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪŋ³⁵ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²² faːt̚³/

to be fully equipped and ready to set off


生死攸關

ㄕㄥ ㄙˇ ㄧㄡ ㄍㄨㄢ

шэнсы югуань

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ jɐu̯²¹ kʷaːn⁵⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ jɐu̯²¹ kʷaːn⁵⁵/

生死攸關的問題

生死攸关的问题

生死攸關的時刻

生死攸关的时刻

生死攸關的鬥爭

生死攸关的斗争

The establishment of a clean and honest administration is a matter of life and death for both the party and the country.

Liánzhèng jiànshè shì guānxì dào dǎng hé guójiā shēngsǐyōuguān de dàshì.

廉政建設是關係到黨和國家生死攸關的大事。

廉政建设是关系到党和国家生死攸关的大事。


好大喜功

ㄏㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧˇ ㄍㄨㄥ

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hou̯³³ taːi̯²² hei̯³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hou̯³³ taːi̯²² hei̯³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

to crave greatness and success; to rejoice in grandiose deeds


傻傻分不清楚

ㄕㄚˇ ㄕㄚˇ ㄈㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄨˇ

шаша фэньбуцинчу

/ʂä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂä²¹⁴⁻²¹ fən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

From the first line of the lyrics of 《野蠻遊戲》 (J-game), a 2005 song by Jolin Tsai

Tiger (lǎohǔ) or mouse (lǎoshǔ), I can't tell them apart.

老虎，老鼠，傻傻分不清楚

(neologism, slang) cannot tell (two things) apart; cannot tell one thing from another; (I'm) too silly to distinguish (the two)


安居樂業

ㄢ ㄐㄩ ㄌㄜˋ ㄧㄝˋ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² jiːp̚²/

/on²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ lok̚⁵ ŋi̯ap̚⁵/

/an⁴⁴⁻²² ku⁴⁴⁻²² lɔk̚⁴⁻³² ɡiap̚⁴/

/aŋ³³⁻²³ kɯ³³⁻²³ lak̚⁴⁻² ŋiap̚⁴/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɛ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² jiːp̚²/

/on²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ lok̚⁵ ŋi̯ap̚⁵/

/an⁴⁴⁻²² ku⁴⁴⁻²² lɔk̚⁴⁻³² ɡiap̚⁴/

/aŋ³³⁻²³ kɯ³³⁻²³ lak̚⁴⁻² ŋiap̚⁴/


識文斷字

ㄕˊ ㄨㄣˊ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄗˋ

ㄕˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄗˋ

шивэньдуаньцзы

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ wən³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wən³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹/

/sɪk̚⁵ mɐn²¹ tyːn³³ t͡siː²²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ wən³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wən³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹/

/sɪk̚⁵ mɐn²¹ tyːn³³ t͡siː²²/


棒打鴛鴦

ㄅㄤˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄩㄢ ㄧㄤ

банда юаньян

/pɑŋ⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰaːŋ¹³ taː³⁵ jyːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ⁵⁵/

/pɑŋ⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛn⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵⁵/

/pʰaːŋ¹³ taː³⁵ jyːn⁵⁵ jœːŋ⁵⁵/


枕戈待旦

to keep one's spear by the pillow and await the dawn

ㄓㄣˇ ㄍㄜ ㄉㄞˋ ㄉㄢˋ

ㄓㄣˋ ㄍㄜ ㄉㄞˋ ㄉㄢˋ

чжэньгэдайдань

/ʈ͡ʂən²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ kɤ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹/

/t͡sɐm³³ kʷɔː⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²² taːn³³/

/ʈ͡ʂən²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹ kɤ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹/

/t͡sɐm³³ kʷɔː⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²² taːn³³/


不刊之論

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄓ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

буканьчжилунь

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lɵn²²/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔːn³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lɵn²²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lɵn²²/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔːn³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lɵn²²/

indisputable statement; unalterable truth; irrefutable argument


亦步亦趨

ㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˋ ㄑㄩ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/jɪk̚² pou̯²² jɪk̚² t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵/

/jɪk̚² pou̯²² jɪk̚² t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵/

Yan Yuan asked Zhongni, saying, 'Master, when you pace quietly along, I also pace along; when you go more quickly, I also do the same; when you gallop, I also gallop; but when you race along and spurn the dust, then I can only stand and look, and keep behind you.'

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

Yán Yuān wèn yú Zhòngní yuē: “Fūzǐ bù yìbù, fūzǐ qū yìqū, fūzǐ chí yìchí, fūzǐ bēnyì juéchén, ér Huí chēng ruò hū hòu yǐ.”

顏淵問於仲尼曰：「夫子步亦步，夫子趨亦趨，夫子馳亦馳，夫子奔逸絕塵，而回瞠若乎後矣。」

颜渊问于仲尼曰：「夫子步亦步，夫子趋亦趋，夫子驰亦驰，夫子奔逸绝尘，而回瞠若乎后矣。」

to imitate slavishly; to do what everyone else is doing


防民之口，甚於防川

ㄈㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄓ ㄎㄡˇ

ㄕㄣˋ ㄩˊ ㄈㄤˊ ㄔㄨㄢ

fong⁴ man⁴ zi¹ hau², sam⁶ jyu¹ fong⁴ cyun¹

фанминьчжикоу

шэньюйфанчуань

/fɑŋ³⁵ min³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵¹ y³⁵ fɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵/

fong⁴ man⁴ dzi¹ hau², sam⁶ jy¹ fong⁴ tsyn¹

fong⁴ men⁴ ji¹ heo², sem⁶ yu¹ fong⁴ qun¹

/fɔːŋ²¹ mɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ sɐm²² jyː⁵⁵ fɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵/

Silencing people is more sinister than blocking rivers. If the river is blocked, it will eventually burst, and many people will be injured, the same goes for the suppressed people.

Fángmínzhīkǒu, shènyúfángchuān. Chuān yōng ér kuì, shāng rén bì duō, mín yì rú zhī.

防民之口，甚於防川。川壅而潰，傷人必多，民亦如之。

防民之口，甚于防川。川壅而溃，伤人必多，民亦如之。

It is more sinister and ominous to stop civilians from speaking than to block the river flows.


一木難支

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mu⁵¹ nän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mʊk̚² naːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mu⁵¹ nän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mʊk̚² naːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

"one post cannot hold a falling structure"; just one person cannot save something doomed to fail


相親相愛

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (相親相愛):
* → Vietnamese: tương thân tương ái (相親相愛)

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄞˋ

сянциньсянъай

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ ɔːi̯³³/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ ɔːi̯³³/

In my family, we love each other and look after each other.

Zài wǒ jiā, wǒmen xiāngqīnxiāng'ài, xiānghù zhàogù.

在我家，我們相親相愛，相互照顧。

在我家，我们相亲相爱，相互照顾。


投桃報李

ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄠˊ ㄅㄠˋ ㄌㄧˇ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰou̯²¹ pou̯³³ lei̯¹³/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰou̯²¹ pou̯³³ lei̯¹³/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 256 (《詩經·大雅·抑》)

When one throws to me a peach, I return to him a plum.

投我以桃，報之以李。

投我以桃，报之以李。

to return a favor; to exchange gifts; you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.


兩小無猜

ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄨˊ ㄘㄞ

/li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯⁵⁵/

/lœːŋ¹³ siːu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰaːi̯⁵⁵/

/liã²² ɕiɔ⁵⁵ ɦu³³ t͡sʰø²¹/

/lœːŋ¹³ siːu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰaːi̯⁵⁵/

/liã²² ɕiɔ⁵⁵ ɦu³³ t͡sʰø²¹/

zh-l

青梅竹馬／青梅竹马 (qīngméizhúmǎ)

(of boy and girl) becoming innocent playmates


水落石出

ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄕˊ ㄔㄨ

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ lɔːk̚² sɛːk̚² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ lɔːk̚² sɛːk̚² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

弄個水落石出

弄个水落石出


輕而易舉

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄦˊ ㄧˋ ㄐㄩˇ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ jɪk̚² kɵy̯³⁵/

/kʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² i²²⁻²¹ ku⁵³/

/kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ ki⁴¹/

/kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ ku⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ i⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɪŋ⁵⁵ jiː²¹ jɪk̚² kɵy̯³⁵/

/kʰiɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² i²²⁻²¹ ku⁵³/

/kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ ki⁴¹/

/kʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ i³³⁻²¹ ku⁴¹/

(of doing something) easy; without much effort


物美價廉

ㄨˋ ㄇㄟˇ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

/u⁵¹ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/mɐt̚² mei̯¹³ kaː³³ liːm²¹/

/but̚⁴⁻³² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ke¹¹⁻⁵³ liam²⁴/

/but̚⁴⁻³² bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ke²¹⁻⁴¹ liam²³/

/u⁵¹ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/mɐt̚² mei̯¹³ kaː³³ liːm²¹/

/but̚⁴⁻³² bi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ke¹¹⁻⁵³ liam²⁴/

/but̚⁴⁻³² bi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ke²¹⁻⁴¹ liam²³/


長此以往

ㄔㄤˊ ㄘˇ ㄧˇ ㄨㄤˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ jiː¹³ wɔːŋ¹³/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ jiː¹³ wɔːŋ¹³/

if things (usually an unfavorable situation) continue this way


投懷送抱

ㄊㄡˊ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄙㄨㄥˋ ㄅㄠˋ

тоухуайсунбао

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ sʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ waːi̯²¹ sʊŋ³³ pʰou̯¹³/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ xu̯aɪ̯³⁵ sʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ waːi̯²¹ sʊŋ³³ pʰou̯¹³/

to throw oneself into someone's else's arms; (of a girl) to unreservedly express one's fondness (of a man); to throw oneself on


價廉物美

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄨˋ ㄇㄟˇ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ u⁵¹ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaː³³ liːm²¹ mɐt̚² mei̯¹³/

/ka²¹⁻⁵³ liam²⁴⁻²² but̚⁴⁻³² bi⁵³/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ u⁵¹ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kaː³³ liːm²¹ mɐt̚² mei̯¹³/

/ka²¹⁻⁵³ liam²⁴⁻²² but̚⁴⁻³² bi⁵³/

(literary, of goods or service) inexpensive and of high quality


義不容辭

ㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄘˊ

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/jiː²² pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² su²⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² su²⁴/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ iɔŋ¹³⁻²² su¹³/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ su²⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²³⁻³³ su²³/

/i⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/jiː²² pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² su²⁴/

/ɡi⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻²² su²⁴/

/ɡi²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ iɔŋ¹³⁻²² su¹³/

/ɡi³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ su²⁴/

/ɡi³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ iɔŋ²³⁻³³ su²³/

義不容辭的責任

义不容辞的责任


恨之入骨

ㄏㄣˋ ㄓ ㄖㄨˋ ㄍㄨˇ

/xən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐn²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐp̚² kʷɐt̚⁵/

/xən⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɐn²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐp̚² kʷɐt̚⁵/


有生之年

ㄧㄡˇ ㄕㄥ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² nĩ²⁴/

/iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siɪŋ³³ t͡si³³ nĩ²⁴/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² nĩ¹³/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ nĩ²⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ nĩ²³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² nĩ²⁴/

/iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siɪŋ³³ t͡si³³ nĩ²⁴/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² nĩ¹³/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ nĩ²⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ nĩ²³/

If I could meet him once in the rest of my life, I should die without any regret.

Yǒushēngzhīnián nénggòu hé tā jiàn yīcì miàn, wǒ sǐ yě wúhàn le.

有生之年能夠和他見一次面，我死也無憾了。

有生之年能够和他见一次面，我死也无憾了。

to witness in one's lifetime; to live long enough to see

在有生之年見證

在有生之年见证

2001 November 16, “流年 [liúnián, Elapsing Years]”, in Lin Xi (lyrics), 陳曉娟 (music), 王菲 [Faye Wong], performed by Faye Wong:

Once in our lives / We met each other by chance / Finally it couldn't be prevented

Yǒushēngzhīnián, Xiálùxiāngféng, Zhōng bùnéng xìngmiǎn

有生之年 狹路相逢 終不能幸免

有生之年 狭路相逢 终不能幸免

one's remaining years; the rest of one's life


一發不可收拾

ㄧ ㄈㄚ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄡ ˙ㄕ

ифабукэшоуши

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fä⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²/

/jɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐp̚²/

/jɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐp̚²/


古今中外

ㄍㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨㄞˋ

гуцзиньчжунвай

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/kuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²²/

/ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹/

/kuː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²²/

thinkers of all times and in all countries

古今中外的思想家

ancient and modern, Chinese and abroad; all times and all places


通情達理

ㄊㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄚˊ ㄌㄧˇ

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ tä³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ taːt̚² lei̯¹³/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ tä³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ taːt̚² lei̯¹³/

acting with or showing good sense; sensible; fair and reasonable


日復一日

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² fɐu̯²² jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚²/

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚² fɐu̯²² jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚²/


名存實亡

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄕˊ ㄨㄤˊ

минцуньшиван

/miŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐt̚² mɔːŋ²¹/

/miŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐt̚² mɔːŋ²¹/

to remain existing in name but no longer in reality; now nominal


滿頭大汗

ㄇㄢˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄢˋ

маньтоудахань

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹/

/muːn¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² hɔːn²²/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰau²⁴⁻²² tua²²⁻²¹ kuã²²/

/muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tʰau²⁴⁻²² tua⁴¹⁻²² kuã⁴¹/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰau¹³⁻²² tua²²⁻²¹ kuã²²/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ tua³³⁻¹¹ kuã³³/

/muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tʰau²³⁻³³ tua³³⁻²¹ kuã³³/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xän⁵¹/

/muːn¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ taːi̯²² hɔːn²²/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰau²⁴⁻²² tua²²⁻²¹ kuã²²/

/muã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tʰau²⁴⁻²² tua⁴¹⁻²² kuã⁴¹/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰau¹³⁻²² tua²²⁻²¹ kuã²²/

/muã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ tua³³⁻¹¹ kuã³³/

/muã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tʰau²³⁻³³ tua³³⁻²¹ kuã³³/

(of one's head) wet with sweat; covered in sweat; sweating profusely


至關重要

ㄓˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄧㄠˋ

чжигуаньчжунъяо

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² jiːu̯³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² jiːu̯³³/


盤山過嶺

/puã²⁴⁻¹¹ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ke¹¹⁻⁵³ niã⁵³/

/puã²⁴⁻²² suã⁴⁴⁻²² ke²¹⁻⁵³ niã⁵³/

/puã²³⁻³³ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ kue²¹⁻⁴¹ niã⁴¹/

/puã²⁴⁻¹¹ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ ke¹¹⁻⁵³ niã⁵³/

/puã²⁴⁻²² suã⁴⁴⁻²² ke²¹⁻⁵³ niã⁵³/

/puã²³⁻³³ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ kue²¹⁻⁴¹ niã⁴¹/

(Southern Min) to pass over mountains and ridges; to trek over mountains; to make a long and difficult journey


巧言令色

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (巧言令色):
* → Japanese: 巧言令色(こうげんれいしょく) (kōgenreishoku)
* → Korean: 교언영색(巧言令色) (gyoeonyeongsaek)

ㄑㄧㄠˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ liŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/haːu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ lɪŋ²² sɪk̚⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ liŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/haːu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ lɪŋ²² sɪk̚⁵/

Attested in the Book of Documents (《尚書·皐陶謨》):
:
Also attested in the Analects, Book 1 (《論語·學而》)

When he can be (thus) wise and kind, what occasion will he have for anxiety about a Huan-dou? what to be removing a lord of Miao? what to fear any one of fair words, insinuating appearance, and great artfulness?

The Book of Documents, circa 4ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Néng zhé ér huì, hé yōu hū Huān Dōu? Hé qiān hū Yǒumiáo? Hé wèi hū qiǎoyán lìngsè kǒngrén?

能哲而惠，何憂乎驩兜？何遷乎有苗？何畏乎巧言令色孔壬？

能哲而惠，何忧乎欢兜？何迁乎有苗？何畏乎巧言令色孔壬？

The Master said, "Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue."

子曰：「巧言令色，鮮矣仁！」

子曰：「巧言令色，鲜矣仁！」

with flourishing words and friendly countenance; with insincere courtesy


不經不覺

/pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːk̚³/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːk̚³/


終南捷徑

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄋㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

Чжуннань цзецзин

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ naːm²¹ t͡siːt̚² kɪŋ³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ naːm²¹ t͡siːt̚² kɪŋ³³/


中飽私囊

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄅㄠˇ ㄙ ㄋㄤˊ

чжунбаосынан

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵ nɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ paːu̯³⁵ siː⁵⁵ nɔːŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵ nɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ paːu̯³⁵ siː⁵⁵ nɔːŋ²¹/


真相大白

ㄓㄣ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄞˊ

чжэньсян дабай

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ paɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɐn⁵⁵ sœːŋ³³ taːi̯²² paːk̚²/

/t͡sin⁴⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ tai²²⁻²¹ peʔ⁴/

/t͡sin³³ siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tai⁴¹⁻²² peʔ²⁴/

/t͡sin⁴⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ tai²²⁻²¹ peʔ¹²¹/

/t͡sin⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ tai³³⁻¹¹ peʔ⁴/

/t͡sin⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ tai³³⁻²¹ peʔ⁴/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ paɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sɐn⁵⁵ sœːŋ³³ taːi̯²² paːk̚²/

/t͡sin⁴⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ tai²²⁻²¹ peʔ⁴/

/t͡sin³³ siɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ tai⁴¹⁻²² peʔ²⁴/

/t͡sin⁴⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²¹⁻⁵³ tai²²⁻²¹ peʔ¹²¹/

/t͡sin⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ tai³³⁻¹¹ peʔ⁴/

/t͡sin⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ tai³³⁻²¹ peʔ⁴/

for the truth to be completely revealed; for all the facts to be clear


面目全非

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄈㄟ

мяньмуцюаньфэй

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/miːn²² mʊk̚² t͡sʰyːn²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/bin²²⁻²¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² t͡suan²⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/bin⁴¹⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² t͡suan²⁴⁻²² hui³³/

/bin²²⁻²¹ bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡suan¹³⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/bin³³⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ hui⁴⁴/

/bin³³⁻²¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² t͡suan²³⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/miːn²² mʊk̚² t͡sʰyːn²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/bin²²⁻²¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² t͡suan²⁴⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/bin⁴¹⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² t͡suan²⁴⁻²² hui³³/

/bin²²⁻²¹ bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡suan¹³⁻²² hui⁴⁴/

/bin³³⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ hui⁴⁴/

/bin³³⁻²¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² t͡suan²³⁻³³ hui⁴⁴/

(usually derogatory) to have a radically different appearance (due to changes); to change beyond recognition


煮熟的鴨子飛了

ㄓㄨˇ ㄕㄨˊ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄧㄚ ˙ㄗ ㄈㄟ ˙ㄌㄜ

ㄓㄨˇ ㄕㄡˊ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄧㄚ ˙ㄗ ㄈㄟ ˙ㄌㄜ

чжу шу дэ яцзы фэй лэ

/ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu³⁵ d̥ə³ jä⁵⁵ d͡z̥z̩² feɪ̯⁵⁵ lə²/

чжу шоу дэ яцзы фэй лэ

/ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵ d̥ə³ jä⁵⁵ d͡z̥z̩² feɪ̯⁵⁵ lə²/


毋忘在莒

ㄨˊ ㄨㄤˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄩˇ

уванцзайцзюй

/u³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² kɵy̯³⁵/

/u³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² kɵy̯³⁵/


毋忘在莒

ㄨˊ ㄨㄤˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄩˇ

уванцзайцзюй

/u³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² kɵy̯³⁵/

/u³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ mɔːŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² kɵy̯³⁵/


含笑九泉

ㄏㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

ханьсяоцзюцюань

/xän³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/hɐm²¹ siːu̯³³ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/hɐm²¹ siːu̯³³ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to smile in one's grave; to have no regrets in life; to die with satisfaction


闊佬懶理

(Cantonese) to be indifferent; to not give a damn


池魚之殃

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ jyː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jœːŋ⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jɑŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ jyː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jœːŋ⁵⁵/

(figurative) conflict which one is drawn into


鎩羽而歸

ㄕㄚ ㄩˇ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨㄟ

/ʂä⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/saːt̚³ jyː¹³ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/ʂä⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/saːt̚³ jyː¹³ jiː²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

to return in low spirits following a defeat or failure to achieve one's ambitions


畫公仔畫出腸

to draw a cartoon with intestines drawn out

waak⁹ gung¹ dzai² waak⁹ tsoet⁷ tsoeng⁴⁻²

/waːk̚² kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ waːk̚² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹⁻³⁵/

(Cantonese) to explain something explicitly; to give too much information; to give too many details


僵持不下

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄔˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

Both sides stuck to their opinion and remained deadlocked.

雙方各持己見，僵持不下。

双方各持己见，僵持不下。

to be in a deadlock with both sides unyielding


老神在在

ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄣˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄗㄞˋ

лаошэньцзайцзай

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ sɐn²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡sɔːi̯²²/

/lau²²⁻²¹ sin²⁴⁻²² t͡sai²²⁻²¹ t͡sai²²/

/lau⁴¹⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² t͡sai⁴¹⁻²² t͡sai⁴¹/

/lau²²⁻²¹ sin¹³⁻²² t͡sai²²⁻²¹ t͡sai²²/

/lau³³⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ t͡sai³³/

/lau³³⁻²¹ sin²³⁻³³ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ t͡sai³³/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ sɐn²¹ t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡sɔːi̯²²/

/lau²²⁻²¹ sin²⁴⁻²² t͡sai²²⁻²¹ t͡sai²²/

/lau⁴¹⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² t͡sai⁴¹⁻²² t͡sai⁴¹/

/lau²²⁻²¹ sin¹³⁻²² t͡sai²²⁻²¹ t͡sai²²/

/lau³³⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ t͡sai³³/

/lau³³⁻²¹ sin²³⁻³³ t͡sai³³⁻²¹ t͡sai³³/


擇日不如撞日

ㄗㄜˊ ㄖˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄖˋ

цзэжи бужу чжуан жи

/t͡sɤ³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡saːk̚² jɐt̚²⁻³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ t͡sɔːŋ²² jɐt̚²⁻³⁵/

“to pick a date is not as good as to encounter a date”; it's better to do it now; there's no time like the present


顆粒無收

ㄎㄜ ㄌㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄕㄡ

/kʰɤ⁵⁵ li⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ lɐp̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵/

/kʰɤ⁵⁵ li⁵¹ u³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ lɐp̚⁵ mou̯²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵/


省吃儉用

ㄕㄥˇ ㄔ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄩㄥˋ

шэнчицзяньюн

/ʂɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ jʊŋ⁵¹/

/saːŋ³⁵ hɛːk̚³ kiːm²² jʊŋ²²/

/siɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sia(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ kʰiam²²⁻²¹ iɔŋ²²/

/siɪŋ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sia(ʔ)²⁴⁻² kʰiam⁴¹⁻²² iɔŋ⁴¹/

/siɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sia(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ kʰiam²²⁻²¹ iɔŋ²²/

/siɪŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sia(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ kʰiam³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³/

/siɪŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sia(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ kʰiam³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³/

/saːŋ³⁵ hɛːk̚³ kiːm²² jʊŋ²²/

to save money on food and daily expenses; to be thrifty


打虎拍蠅

desc

đả hổ đập ruồi

→ Vietnamese: đả hổ diệt ruồi, đả hổ đập ruồi (calque) (calque)

ㄉㄚˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄆㄞ ㄧㄥˊ

/tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵/

(neologism, politics, officialese) to crack down on both “tigers” and “flies” ― corrupt government officials at both higher and lower levels


指日可待

ㄓˇ ㄖˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄞˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐ̩⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ jɐt̚² hɔː³⁵ tɔːi̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐ̩⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ jɐt̚² hɔː³⁵ tɔːi̯²²/

to be expected soon; to be not a long way off


九曲十八彎

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄩ ㄕˊ ㄅㄚ ㄨㄢ

цзю цюй шиба вань

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ pä⁵⁵ wän⁵⁵/


不懂裝懂

ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄥˇ ㄓㄨㄤ ㄉㄨㄥˇ

будунчжуандун

/pu⁵¹ tʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ³⁵ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ tʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ³⁵ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ³⁵/

Don't pretend to be an expert who know something well when you don't.

Bùyào bùdǒngzhuāngdǒng, zhuāngzuò zìjǐ hěn zàiháng de yàngzǐ.

不要不懂裝懂，裝作自己很在行的樣子。

不要不懂装懂，装作自己很在行的样子。

to pretend to understand when one doesn't


毀於一旦

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄩˊ ㄧ ㄉㄢˋ

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tän⁵¹/

/wɐi̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ taːn²²/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tän⁵¹/

/wɐi̯³⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ taːn²²/

the result of many years' labor was destroyed all at once

多年來的心血毀於一旦

多年来的心血毁于一旦


十有八九

ㄕˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄚ ㄐㄧㄡˇ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐp̚² jɐu̯¹³ paːt̚³ kɐu̯³⁵/

/sɐp̚² jɐu̯¹³ paːt̚³ kɐu̯³⁵/


水盡鵝飛

ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄜˊ ㄈㄟ

шуйцзиньэфэй

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ˀɤ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ˀɤ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/


口無遮攔

ㄎㄡˇ ㄨˊ ㄓㄜ ㄌㄢˊ

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ län³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sɛː⁵⁵ laːn²¹/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ län³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡sɛː⁵⁵ laːn²¹/

shoot one's mouth off
shoot one's mouth off

to have no misgivings or control when one speaks; to shoot one's mouth off


求同存異

ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄧˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ jiː²²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kʰɐu̯²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ jiː²²/

to seek common ground while leaving aside differences; to agree to disagree


略勝一籌

ㄌㄩㄝˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄧ ㄔㄡˊ

/ly̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/lœːk̚² sɪŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹/

/liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴/

/liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴/

/liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³/

/liak̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³/

/liak̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴/

/ly̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/lœːk̚² sɪŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹/

/liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴/

/liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴/

/liɔk̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³/

/liak̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ²¹⁻⁴¹ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³/

/liak̚⁴⁻³² siɪŋ¹¹⁻⁵³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴/

to be a notch above; to be (slightly) superior


鹿死誰手

ㄌㄨˋ ㄙˇ ㄕㄟˊ ㄕㄡˇ

ㄌㄨˋ ㄙˇ ㄕㄨㄟˊ ㄕㄡˇ

/lu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂeɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊk̚² sei̯³⁵ sɵy̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚²⁻³⁵ sei̯³⁵ sɵy̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/lu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂeɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊk̚² sei̯³⁵ sɵy̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚²⁻³⁵ sei̯³⁵ sɵy̯²¹ sɐu̯³⁵/

who will win the prize; who will gain supremacy; who will emerge as the victor


鳳毛麟角

ㄈㄥˋ ㄇㄠˊ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

фэнмао линьцзяо

/fɤŋ⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ lin³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ²² mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ kɔːk̚³/

/fɤŋ⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ lin³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ²² mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ kɔːk̚³/

rarity of rarities; rare treasures or talents; things that are few and far between


南柯一夢

ㄋㄢˊ ㄎㄜ ㄧ ㄇㄥˋ

/nän³⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ mʊŋ²²/

/nän³⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ mʊŋ²²/

From the short story The Governor of Nanke.

And just then he woke up and found it was all a dream, but his mouth was still full of curses.

Shàshí jué lái, nǎi nánkēyīmèng, kǒuzhōng yóu mà Cāo zéi bùzhǐ.

霎時覺來，乃南柯一夢，口中猶罵操賊不止。

霎时觉来，乃南柯一梦，口中犹骂操贼不止。

delusion of grandeur
delusion of grandeur


獐頭鼠目

with the head of a buck and the eyes of a rat

ㄓㄤ ㄊㄡˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄇㄨˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ syː³⁵ mʊk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ syː³⁵ mʊk̚²/

repulsively ugly and sly-looking; ugly and shifty; having a mean physiognomy; obnoxious in appearance and cunning-looking


麗日光天

ㄌㄧˋ ㄖˋ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄊㄧㄢ

лижи гуантянь

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/


水火不容

ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ fɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

(of two people, groups or things) to be utterly opposed and incompatible


在所難免

ㄗㄞˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄢˇ

цзайсонаньмянь

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nän³⁵ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːi̯²² sɔː³⁵ naːn²¹ miːn¹³/

/t͡sai²²⁻²¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lan²²⁻²¹ biɛn⁵³/

/t͡sai⁴¹⁻²² sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lan⁴¹⁻²² biɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sai²²⁻²¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lan²²⁻²¹ biɛn⁵³/

/t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lan³³⁻¹¹ biɛn⁵³/

/t͡sai³³⁻²¹ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lan³³⁻²¹ biɛn⁴¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯²² sɔː³⁵ naːn²¹ miːn¹³/

/t͡sai²²⁻²¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lan²²⁻²¹ biɛn⁵³/

/t͡sai⁴¹⁻²² sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lan⁴¹⁻²² biɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sai²²⁻²¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lan²²⁻²¹ biɛn⁵³/

/t͡sai³³⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lan³³⁻¹¹ biɛn⁵³/

/t͡sai³³⁻²¹ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lan³³⁻²¹ biɛn⁴¹/

It is inevitable that everyone will make mistakes.

Rénrén dōu huì fàncuò, zhè shì zàisuǒnánmiǎn de.

人人都會犯錯，這是在所難免的。

人人都会犯错，这是在所难免的。


夢寐以求

ㄇㄥˋ ㄇㄟˋ ㄧˇ ㄑㄧㄡˊ

/mɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/mʊŋ²² mei̯²² jiː¹³ kʰɐu̯²¹/

/mɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/mʊŋ²² mei̯²² jiː¹³ kʰɐu̯²¹/

夢寐以求的工作

梦寐以求的工作

to desire strongly; to crave; to long for


麟角鳳毛

ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄈㄥˋ ㄇㄠˊ

линьцзяо фэнмао

/lin³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/lɵn²¹ kɐk̚³ fʊŋ²² mou̯²¹/

/lin³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵/

/lɵn²¹ kɐk̚³ fʊŋ²² mou̯²¹/


各持己見

ㄍㄜˋ ㄔˊ ㄐㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

гэчицзицзянь

/kɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sʰiː²¹ kei̯³⁵ kiːn³³/

/kɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sʰiː²¹ kei̯³⁵ kiːn³³/

雙方各持己見，僵持不下。

双方各持己见，僵持不下。

Experts and scholars have disagreeing views on this issue.

Zài zhège wèntí shàng, zhuānjiā xuézhě men gèchíjǐjiàn.

在這個問題上，專家學者們各持己見。

在这个问题上，专家学者们各持己见。


憂心忡忡

ㄧㄡ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄔㄨㄥ

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

Occurred a few times in the Classic of Poetry, for example, in poem 14 (《詩經·召南·草蟲》)

lang

(《詩經·召南·草蟲》)

(《詩經·召南·草蟲》)

Yao-yao went the grass-insects, And the hoppers sprang about.
While I do not see my lord, My sorrowful heart is agitated.

Yāoyāo cǎochóng, yuèyuè fùzhōng.
Wèi jiàn jūnzǐ, yōuxīn chōngchōng.

喓喓草蟲，趯趯阜螽。
未見君子，憂心忡忡。

喓喓草虫，趯趯阜螽。
未见君子，忧心忡忡。


至高無上

ㄓˋ ㄍㄠ ㄨˊ ㄕㄤˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ kou̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ sœːŋ²²/

/t͡sz̩³³ kɔ⁴⁴ ɦu²² zɑ̃⁴⁴/

/t͡sz̩⁵² kæ³³ vu²³ zɑ̃¹¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ u³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡siː³³ kou̯⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ sœːŋ²²/

/t͡sz̩³³ kɔ⁴⁴ ɦu²² zɑ̃⁴⁴/

/t͡sz̩⁵² kæ³³ vu²³ zɑ̃¹¹/

至高無上的美

至高无上的美

至高無上的權力

至高无上的权力


聚沙成塔

sand grains accumulate to make a tower a tower

ㄐㄩˋ ㄕㄚ ㄔㄥˊ ㄊㄚˇ

/t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tʰä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯²² saː⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tʰaːp̚³/

/t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tʰä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯²² saː⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tʰaːp̚³/

by gathering small amounts one gets a huge quantity, many a mickle makes a muckle


與世長辭

ㄩˇ ㄕˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄘˊ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/jyː¹³ sɐi̯³³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/jyː¹³ sɐi̯³³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹/


麥秀黍油

ㄇㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄨˇ ㄧㄡˊ

/maɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯³⁵/

/maɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯³⁵/

the wheat and corn grow but the fatherland is no more


略跡原情

ㄌㄩㄝˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

ㄌㄩㄝˋ ㄐㄧ ㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

люэцзиюаньцин

/ly̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/ly̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/lœːk̚² t͡sɪk̚⁵ jyːn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/ly̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/ly̯ɛ⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/lœːk̚² t͡sɪk̚⁵ jyːn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/


看情況

ㄎㄢˋ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄎㄨㄤˋ

кань цинкуан

/kʰän⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/hɔːn³³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ fɔːŋ³³/

/kʰän⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/hɔːn³³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ fɔːŋ³³/


杏加橙

/hɐŋ²² kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːŋ³⁵/

/hɐŋ²² kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːŋ³⁵/

(Cantonese, minced oath) Alternative form of 咸家鏟


公筷母匙

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄇㄨˇ ㄔˊ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ faːi̯³³ mou̯¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ faːi̯³³ mou̯¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹/


四肢發達，頭腦簡單

The four limbs are developed, but the brain less so.

ㄊㄡˊ ㄋㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄉㄢ

sei³ zi¹ faat³ daat⁶, tau⁴ nou⁵ gaan² daan¹

тоунао цзяньдань

/sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ tä³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵/

sei³ dzi¹ faat⁸ daat⁹, tau⁴ nou⁵ gaan² daan¹

/sei̯³³ t͡siː⁵⁵ faːt̚³ taːt̚² tʰɐu̯²¹ nou̯¹³ kaːn³⁵ taːn⁵⁵/

Used to ridicule someone who is athletic or physically strong but wanting in intelligence.


成千成萬

ㄔㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄔㄥˊ ㄨㄢˋ

чынчянчынван

ㄔㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄔㄥˊ ㄨㄢˋ

чэнцяньчэнвань

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ wän⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰəŋ²⁴ t͡ɕʰiæ̃²⁴ ʈ͡ʂʰəŋ²⁴ væ̃⁴⁴/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ maːn²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ wän⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰəŋ²⁴ t͡ɕʰiæ̃²⁴ ʈ͡ʂʰəŋ²⁴ væ̃⁴⁴/

/sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ maːn²²/

by the thousands and tens of thousands; untold numbers; innumerable; thousands upon thousands


炙手可熱

ㄓˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄖㄜˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sɛːk̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵ jiːt̚²/

/t͡siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɛt̚⁴/

/t͡sia²¹⁻⁵³ siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɛt̚⁴/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sɛːk̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ hɔː³⁵ jiːt̚²/

/t͡siɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɛt̚⁴/

/t͡sia²¹⁻⁵³ siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɛt̚⁴/

Du Fu
Stephen Owen (sinologist)
Tang dynasty
Yang Guifei
Yang Guozhong

Heat that can burn the hands, power beyond all measure―
Take care not to come close before the Minister's angry glare!

 Tang dynasty, Du Fu, Fair Ladies: A Ballad (《麗人行》), translation by Stephen Owen, The Poetry of Du Fu
Note: This is a satire of the minister Yang Guozhong on the occasion of a visit, when he was accompanied by his favourite Lady Yang (Yang Guifei), and her two sisters.

Zhìshǒukěrè shì juélún, shèn mò jìnqián chéngxiàng chēn.

炙手可熱勢絕倫，慎莫近前丞相嗔。

炙手可热势绝伦，慎莫近前丞相嗔。

arrogance of the powerful; a mighty figure no-one dares approach

selling like hotcakes
selling like hotcakes

(neologism) popular; hot; selling like hotcakes


不置可否

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄈㄡˇ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ foʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³ hɔː³⁵ fɐu̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³ hɔː³⁵ fɐu̯³⁵/

to not express an opinion; to decline to comment; to be noncommittal


生蝦噉跳

/saːŋ⁵⁵ haː⁵⁵ kɐm³⁵ tʰiːu̯³³/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ haː⁵⁵ kɐm³⁵ tʰiːu̯³³/

激到生虾噉跳 [Cantonese, simp.]
gik¹ dou³ saang¹ haa¹ gam² tiu³ [Jyutping]

(Cantonese) to jump around hyperactively


以毒攻毒

ㄧˇ ㄉㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄉㄨˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tu³⁵/

/jiː¹³ tʊk̚² kʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊk̚²/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ tu³⁵/

/jiː¹³ tʊk̚² kʊŋ⁵⁵ tʊk̚²/

fight fire with fire
fight fire with fire


布衣蔬食

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pou̯³³ jiː⁵⁵ sɔː⁵⁵ sɪk̚²/

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pou̯³³ jiː⁵⁵ sɔː⁵⁵ sɪk̚²/


步調一致

ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄧ ㄓˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pou̯²² tiːu̯²² jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pou̯²² tiːu̯²² jɐt̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

to march in step; to keep in step; to act in unison


步人後塵

ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄡˋ ㄔㄣˊ

бужэньхоучэнь

/pu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/pou̯²² jɐn²¹ hɐu̯²² t͡sʰɐn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/pou̯²² jɐn²¹ hɐu̯²² t͡sʰɐn²¹/


不足為憑

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ pʰɐŋ²¹/

to afford little or no evidence; to have flimsy evidence; cannot be taken as evidence


步步為營

ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄧㄥˊ

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/pou̯²² pou̯²² wɐi̯²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/pou̯²² pou̯²² wɐi̯²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

to advance gradually and dig in at every step; to consolidate at every step; to act cautiously


不值一駁

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˊ ㄧ ㄅㄛˊ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ pɔːk̚³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ pɔːk̚³/


不著邊際

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄐㄧˋ

бучжобяньцзи

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːk̚² piːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːk̚² piːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³/

neither here nor there
neither here nor there

not to the point; wide of the mark; irrelevant; neither here nor there


布帛菽粟

ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄛˊ ㄕㄨ ㄙㄨˋ

/pu⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ su⁵¹/

/pou̯³³ paːk̚² sʊk̚² sʊk̚⁵/

/pu⁵¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂu⁵⁵ su⁵¹/

/pou̯³³ paːk̚² sʊk̚² sʊk̚⁵/


不著痕跡

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄏㄣˊ ㄐㄧˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄏㄣˊ ㄐㄧ

бучжохэньцзи

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ xən³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ xən³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːk̚² hɐn²¹ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ xən³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵ xən³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːk̚² hɐn²¹ t͡sɪk̚⁵/


不值一文

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˊ ㄧ ㄨㄣˊ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚² jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/

not worth a penny; utterly worthless; no use whatsoever


不祧之祖

ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄧㄠ ㄓ ㄗㄨˇ

/pu⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sou̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʰiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sou̯³⁵/


不足掛齒

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄚˋ ㄔˇ

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ ku̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ kʷaː³³ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ ku̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ kʷaː³³ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

(sometimes humble) not worth mentioning; nothing to speak of


不知進退

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄊㄨㄟˋ

бучжицзиньтуй

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³³ tʰɵy̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɵn³³ tʰɵy̯³³/

to have no sense of propriety; to not know where to stop


不知凡幾

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄈㄢˊ ㄐㄧˇ

бучжифаньцзи

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fän³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ faːn²¹ kei̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fän³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ faːn²¹ kei̯³⁵/


不足輕重

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

буцзуцинчжун

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ¹³/

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ¹³/


不知好歹

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄏㄠˇ ㄉㄞˇ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ taɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵ taːi̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ taɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵ taːi̯³⁵/

cannot tell good from bad; to mistake good for bad; to be unable to see others' good intentions


踏破鐵鞋

ㄊㄚˋ ㄆㄛˋ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄒㄧㄝˊ

/tʰä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/taːp̚² pʰɔː³³ tʰiːt̚³ haːi̯²¹/

/tʰä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/taːp̚² pʰɔː³³ tʰiːt̚³ haːi̯²¹/


不知死活

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙˇ ㄏㄨㄛˊ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ wuːt̚²/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ wuːt̚²/

to act recklessly; to do something regardless of danger


踏破鐵鞋無覓處

ㄊㄚˋ ㄆㄛˋ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄨˊ ㄇㄧˋ ㄔㄨˋ

тапо тесе у мичу

/tʰä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ u³⁵ mi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵¹/

/taːp̚² pʰɔː³³ tʰiːt̚³ haːi̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mɪk̚² t͡sʰyː³³/

踏破鐵鞋無覓處，得來全不費工夫

踏破鐵鞋無覓處，得來全不費工夫

One can wear out iron shoes searching for something with no success.

(xiehouyu) One will search high and low only to find it when one least expects to.


不知分寸

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄈㄣ ㄘㄨㄣˋ

бучжифэньцунь

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn³³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn³³/

to lack tact; to have no sense of propriety


停滯不前

ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄓˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

тинчжибуцянь

/tʰiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/tʰiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

The extreme poverty and backwardness of the peasants resulting from ruthless landlord exploitation and oppression is the basic reason why Chinese society remained at the same stage of socio-economic development for several thousand years.

1939, 毛澤東 (Mao Zedong), 《中國革命和中國共產黨》 (The Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party), 《毛澤東選集》. English translation based on the Foreign Languages Press edition

Dìzhǔ jiējí zhèyàng cánkù de bōxuē hé yāpò suǒ zàochéng de nóngmín de jíduān de qióngkǔ hé luòhòu, jiù shì Zhōngguó shèhuì jǐ qiān nián zài jīngjì shàng hé shèhuì shēnghuó shàng tíngzhìbùqián de jīběn yuányīn.

地主階級這樣殘酷的剝削和壓迫所造成的農民的極端的窮苦和落後，就是中國社會幾千年在經濟上和社會生活上停滯不前的基本原因。

地主阶级这样残酷的剥削和压迫所造成的农民的极端的穷苦和落后，就是中国社会几千年在经济上和社会生活上停滞不前的基本原因。

to cease developing and be unable to progress; stagnant


不知人間有羞恥事

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄔˇ ㄕˋ

pu⁴-chih¹ jên²-chien¹ yu³ hsiu¹-chʻih³ shih⁴

бучжи жэньцзянь ю сючи ши

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ kaːn⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ sɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵ siː²²/


不戰不和

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄜˊ

бучжань бухэ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ wɔː²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ wɔː²¹/


不贊一詞

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄢˋ ㄧ ㄘˊ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːn³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːn³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

to not say a word; to keep quiet; to make no comment


不虞之譽

/pu⁵¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː²²/

/pu⁵¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː²²/


不祥之兆

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤˊ ㄓ ㄓㄠˋ

бусянчжичжао

/pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ siːu̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ siːu̯²²/


不肖子孫

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄗˇ ㄙㄨㄣ

бусяо цзысунь

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯³³ t͡siː³⁵ syːn⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯³³ t͡siː³⁵ syːn⁵⁵/


不知所以

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄧˇ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ jiː¹³/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ jiː¹³/

to now know why it is so; to not know the reason


不知天高地厚

to not know the height of the heavens nor the depths of the earth

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄍㄠ ㄉㄧˋ ㄏㄡˋ

бучжи тяньгаодихоу

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ tei̯²² hɐu̯¹³/

Cao Xueqin, Dream of the Red Chamber, mid-18ᵗʰ century CE

Zài bù shuō le. Nà yuánshì wǒ xiǎoshí bùzhītiāngāodìhòu, xìnkǒu húshuō, rújīn zài bùgǎn shuō le.

再不說了。那原是我小時不知天高地厚，信口胡說，如今再不敢說了。

再不说了。那原是我小时不知天高地厚，信口胡说，如今再不敢说了。

Rújīn nián guò zhī fēi, xiǎngqǐ yòunián zhèxiē bùzhītiāngāodìhòu de huà, zhēn jiào kuì huǐ.

如今年過知非，想起幼年這些不知天高地厚的話，真覺愧悔。

如今年过知非，想起幼年这些不知天高地厚的话，真觉愧悔。

to have an exaggerated opinion of one's abilities; to think one knows everything; to be ignorant


天高地厚

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄍㄠ ㄉㄧˋ ㄏㄡˋ

тяньгаодихоу

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ tei̯²² hɐu̯¹³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ kau³³ ti¹¹ kau³⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ tei̯²² hɐu̯¹³/

/tʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ kau³³ ti¹¹ kau³⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 192 (《詩經·小雅·正月》)

(《詩經·小雅·正月》)

(《詩經·小雅·正月》)

We say of the heavens that they are high,
But I dare not but stoop under them.
We say of the earth that it is thick,
But I dare not but walk daintily on it.

Wèi tiān gài gāo, bùgǎn bù jú.
Wèi dì gài hòu, bùgǎn bù jí.

謂天蓋高，不敢不局。
謂地蓋厚，不敢不蹐。

谓天盖高，不敢不局。
谓地盖厚，不敢不蹐。

as high as the heavens and as deep as the earth

天高地厚，跼而蹐之。

Wang Shifu, The Story of the Western Wing, 13ᵗʰ – 14ᵗʰ centuries CE

Zhè tiāngāodìhòu qíng, zhídào hǎikūshílàn shí, cǐshí zuòniàn héshí zhǐ?

這天高地厚情，直到海枯石爛時，此時作念何時止？

这天高地厚情，直到海枯石烂时，此时作念何时止？

Méng lǎoyé wèn dào zhè yījù huà, zhēn nǎi tiāngāodìhòu zhī ēn.

蒙老爺問到這一句話，真乃天高地厚之恩。

蒙老爷问到这一句话，真乃天高地厚之恩。

(figurative) profound; deep (of kindness)

《二十年目睹之怪現狀》第二二回

Wǒ sòng gěi nǐ zhège kànkàn, kàn le zhè zhǒng shū, dédiǎn shíyòng, nà jiù bùzhìyú yào xué nà yīzhǒng bùzhī tiāngāodìhòu de míngshì le.

我送給你這個看看，看了這種書，得點實用，那就不至於要學那一種不知天高地厚的名士了。

《二十年目睹之怪現狀》第二二回

我送给你这个看看，看了这种书，得点实用，那就不至于要学那一种不知天高地厚的名士了。


不足為訓

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄩㄣˋ

буцзувэйсюнь

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ fɐn³³/

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ fɐn³³/

not fit to serve as a model; not to be taken as an example; not an example to be followed; unauthoritative


不易之論

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˋ ㄓ ㄌㄨㄣˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɪk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ lɵn²²/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɪk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ lɵn²²/

perfectly sound proposition; undeniable truth; irrefutable argument


不乏先例

ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚˊ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˋ

/pu⁵¹ fä³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚² siːn⁵⁵ lɐi̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ fä³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚² siːn⁵⁵ lɐi̯²²/


不值識者一笑

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˊ ㄕˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˊ ㄕˋ ㄓㄜˇ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

bùzhí shízhě yīxiào [Phonetic:bùzhí shízhě yíxiào]

бучжи шичжэ исяо

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

bùzhí shìzhě yīxiào [Phonetic:bùzhí shìzhě yíxiào]

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚² sɪk̚⁵ t͡sɛː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³/

to be beneath the contempt of the discerning


不分彼此

to make no distinction between one's own and somebody else's

ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ ㄅㄧˇ ㄘˇ

/pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː³⁵/

to share everything; to be on very intimate terms


不乏其人

ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/pu⁵¹ fä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚² kʰei̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ fä³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐt̚² kʰei̯²¹ jɐn²¹/

such people are not rare; there is no lack of such people


不分畛域

to not discriminate on geographical grounds

ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ ㄓㄣˇ ㄩˋ

буфэньчжэньюй

/pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn³⁵ wɪk̚²/

/pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn³⁵ wɪk̚²/


不法之徒

ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚˇ ㄓ ㄊㄨˊ

/pu⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰu³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰou̯²¹/


不費吹灰之力

ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄟˋ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄓ ㄌㄧˋ

bù fèi chuīhuīzhīlì [Phonetic:bú fèi chuīhuīzhīlì]

бу фэй чуйхуэйчжили

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐi̯³³ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ fuːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ lɪk̚²/

as easy as falling off a log; effortless; easy


不甘示弱

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄕˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ siː²² jœːk̚²/

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ siː²² jœːk̚²/

to be unwilling to be outdone; not to be outdone


不服水土

ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄊㄨˇ

/pu⁵¹ fu³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ fʊk̚² sɵy̯³⁵ tʰou̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ fu³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ fʊk̚² sɵy̯³⁵ tʰou̯³⁵/

to not be accustomed to the local climate; to be not acclimatized (of an outsider)


不攻自破

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗˋ ㄆㄛˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² pʰɔː³³/

/pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː²² pʰɔː³³/

to collapse of itself (of a rumor, etc.); to be discredited


不苟言笑

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄡˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/pu⁵¹ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ siːu̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ siːu̯³³/

reserved; reticent; taciturn; sober; sedate


不敢問津

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢˇ ㄨㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

буганьвэньцзинь

/pu⁵¹ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm³⁵ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm³⁵ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

to not dare to inquire (e.g. about the price of expensive goods)


不甘落後

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄡˋ

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² hɐu̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² hɐu̯²²/

to be not content to lag behind; to be unwilling to be left behind


不分青紅皂白

不分青紅皁白
不分青红皂白

ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄗㄠˋ ㄅㄞˊ

буфэнь цинхунцзаобай

/pu⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹ paɪ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹ t͡sou̯²² paːk̚²/

to make no distinction between right and wrong; to be indiscriminate


不得已而為之

ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˇ ㄦˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓ

bùdéyǐ ěr wéi zhī [Phonetic:bùdéyíěrwéizhī]

будэи эр вэй чжи

/pu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jiː¹³ jiː²¹ wɐi̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

to do something against one's will; to have no choice but to do something


不遠千里

ㄅㄨˋ ㄩㄢˇ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˇ

буюаньцяньли

/pu⁵¹ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyːn¹³ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/

/pu⁵¹ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyːn¹³ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/

Mencius went to see king Hui of Liang. The king said, "Venerable sir, since you have not counted it far to come here, a distance of a thousand li, may I presume that you are provided with counsels to profit my kingdom?"

Mèngzǐ jiàn Liáng Huì wáng. Wáng yuē: “Sǒu bù yuǎn qiānlǐ ér lái, yì jiāng yǒu yǐ lì wú guó hū?”

孟子見梁惠王。王曰：「叟不遠千里而來，亦將有以利吾國乎？」

孟子见梁惠王。王曰：「叟不远千里而来，亦将有以利吾国乎？」

to make light of travelling a thousand li

to make light of travelling from afar; to go to the trouble of travelling a long distance


不甘寂寞

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄐㄧˋ ㄇㄛˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄐㄧˊ ㄇㄛˋ

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² mɔːk̚²/

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚² mɔːk̚²/

to hate to be neglected or overlooked; to be anxious to participate


晴天霹靂

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄆㄧ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵ lɪk̚⁵/

/t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² tʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² pʰiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ liɪk̚⁴/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pʰɪk̚⁵ lɪk̚⁵/

bolt from the blue; sudden and unexpected bad news


不敢越雷池一步

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢˇ ㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄟˊ ㄔˊ ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ

bùgǎn yuè Léichí yībù [Phonetic:bùgǎn yuè Léichí yíbù]

бугань юэ Лэйчи ибу

/pu⁵¹ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹ leɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pu⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm³⁵ jyːt̚² lɵy̯²¹ t͡sʰiː²¹ jɐt̚⁵ pou̯²²/

to dare not go one step beyond the limit; to stay strictly within bounds


不甘後人

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄏㄡˋ ㄖㄣˊ

буганьхоужэнь

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² jɐn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² jɐn²¹/

to not be content to lag behind; to hate being outdone; to be not content to fall behind or not exceed


認屎認屁

/jɪŋ²² siː³⁵ jɪŋ²² pʰei̯³³/

/jɪŋ²² siː³⁵ jɪŋ²² pʰei̯³³/

(Cantonese, derogatory) to be excessively boastful


不乾不淨

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

буганьбуцзин

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɛːŋ²²/

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɔːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɛːŋ²²/


死牛一便頸

dead ox (turned to) one side of the neck

/sei̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ piːn²² kɛːŋ³⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ piːn²² kɛːŋ³⁵/

(Cantonese) stubborn as a mule; bull-headed; stiff-necked


新春佳節

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

синьчуньцзяцзе

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

the joyous occasion of the Spring Festival


不寒而慄

ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/pu⁵¹ xän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔːn²¹ jiː²¹ lɵt̚²/

/pu⁵¹ xän³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔːn²¹ jiː²¹ lɵt̚²/

to tremble with fear; to shudder; to shiver all over despite not being cold


不過爾爾

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄦˇ ㄦˇ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ jiː¹³ jiː¹³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ jiː¹³ jiː¹³/


不違農時

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄋㄨㄥˊ ㄕˊ

/pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ nʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ nʊŋ²¹ siː²¹/

/pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ nʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ nʊŋ²¹ siː²¹/

to not miss the farming season; to do farm work in the right season


不為已甚

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄧˇ ㄕㄣˋ

/pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jiː¹³ sɐm²²/

/pu⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jiː¹³ sɐm²²/

to not go too far; to refrain from going to extremes; to never go beyond reasonable limits


遵紀守法

ㄗㄨㄣ ㄐㄧˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄈㄚˇ

цзуньцзишоуфа

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ faːt̚³/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ kei̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ faːt̚³/


不衫不履

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄩˇ

/pu⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ saːm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯¹³/

/pu⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ saːm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯¹³/

to be dressed negligently; to be not properly dressed


不容置辯

ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄓˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

бужунчжибянь

/pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ piːn²²/

/pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ piːn²²/


不容置喙

ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄓˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

бужунчжихуэй

/pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ fuːi̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ fuːi̯³³/

to not allow others to interfere; to brook no intervention


不忍坐視

ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ

/pu⁵¹ ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ t͡sʰɔː¹³ siː²²/

/pu⁵¹ ʐən²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐn³⁵ t͡sʰɔː¹³ siː²²/


不時之需

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ siː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕy⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ siː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɵy̯⁵⁵/


不失時機

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵ siː²¹ kei̯⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐt̚⁵ siː²¹ kei̯⁵⁵/

to not let the opportunity slip; to seize the opportune moment; to lose no time


不無小補

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄅㄨˇ

/pu⁵¹ u³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ siːu̯³⁵ pou̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ u³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ siːu̯³⁵ pou̯³⁵/

to not be without some advantage; to be of some help


盲婚啞嫁

ㄇㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄣ ㄧㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄚˋ

/mɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ən⁵⁵ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/maːŋ²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ aː³⁵ kaː³³/

/mɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ən⁵⁵ jä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/maːŋ²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ aː³⁵ kaː³³/

arranged marriage
arranged marriage#English


不聲不響

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hœːŋ³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hœːŋ³⁵/

quiet; silent; without speaking; taciturn


不聞不問

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˋ

бувэньбувэнь

/pu⁵¹ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²²/

/pu⁵¹ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ mɐn²²/

to not bother to ask or to listen; to show no interest in; to be indifferent to


不宣而戰

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄢ ㄦˊ ㄓㄢˋ

бусюаньэрчжань

/pu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ syːn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siːn³³/

/pu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ syːn⁵⁵ jiː²¹ t͡siːn³³/

to open hostilities without declaring war; to start an undeclared war


不死不活

ㄅㄨˋ ㄙˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄛˊ

/pu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sei̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ wuːt̚²/

/pu⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sei̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ wuːt̚²/


不厭其煩

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄢˊ

буянь ци фань

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fän³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³ kʰei̯²¹ faːn²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fän³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³ kʰei̯²¹ faːn²¹/

to not mind taking the trouble; to take great pains; to be very patient


胡言漢語

ㄏㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄢˋ ㄩˇ

/xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵ xän⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵ xän⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

Zhè èr lǎohàn, gè rén hǎo yǔ sānshí bàng. Hégù? Yī gè shuōchángshuōduǎn, yī gè húyánhànyǔ.

這二老漢，各人好與三十棒。何故？一箇說長說短，一箇胡言漢語。

这二老汉，各人好与三十棒。何故？一个说长说短，一个胡言汉语。

to talk nonsense; to rave; babbling nonsense


不同凡響

ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

бутунфаньсян

/pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fän³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ faːn²¹ hœːŋ³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ fän³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ faːn²¹ hœːŋ³⁵/

outstanding; out of the ordinary; out of the common run (usually of literary and artistic works)


不厭其詳

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˊ

bùyàn qí xiáng [Phonetic:búyàn qí xiáng]

буянь ци сян

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiːm³³ kʰei̯²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

to go into details; to dwell at length upon


以人廢言

ㄧˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄈㄟˋ ㄧㄢˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɛn³⁵/

/jiː¹³ jɐn²¹ fɐi̯³³ jiːn²¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɛn³⁵/

/jiː¹³ jɐn²¹ fɐi̯³³ jiːn²¹/

The Master said, "The superior man does not promote a man simply on account of his words, nor does he put aside good words because of the man."

Zǐyuē: “Jūnzǐ bù yǐ yán jǔ rén, bù yǐ rén fèi yán.”

子曰：「君子不以言舉人，不以人廢言。」

子曰：「君子不以言举人，不以人废言。」

to reject an opinion because the speaker is not good or not to one's liking


不幸之幸

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²²/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐŋ²² t͡siː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²²/

good fortune in the midst of bad; a stroke of good luck in a stretch of bad; redeeming feature in a piece of misfortune


不以人廢言

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄈㄟˋ ㄧㄢˊ

бу ижэньфэйянь

/pu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː¹³ jɐn²¹ fɐi̯³³ jiːn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ jɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː¹³ jɐn²¹ fɐi̯³³ jiːn²¹/

to not reject an opinion because of the person expressing it


不勝枚舉

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄇㄟˊ ㄐㄩˇ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄇㄟˊ ㄐㄩˇ

бушэнмэйцзюй

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ kɵy̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ muːi̯²¹ kɵy̯³⁵/

too numerous to mention individually (or one by one)


不容分說

ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄣ ㄕㄨㄛ

/pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ syːt̚³/

/pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ syːt̚³/

to allow no expectation; without listening to somebody's protests; despite objections


不識抬舉

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄊㄞˊ ˙ㄐㄩ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄊㄞˊ ˙ㄐㄩ

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ d͡ʑ̥y³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ d͡ʑ̥y³/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ tʰɔːi̯²¹ kɵy̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ d͡ʑ̥y³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ d͡ʑ̥y³/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ tʰɔːi̯²¹ kɵy̯³⁵/

to fail to appreciate somebody's kindness; to be unable to appreciate favors; to not recognize a favor


不識時務

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄕˋ ㄨˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄕˋ ㄨˋ

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ siː²¹ mou̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ siː²¹ mou̯²²/

to show no understanding of the times; to not be able to adapt to current circumstances


不幸中的大幸

ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

bùxìng zhōng de dàxìng [Phonetic:búxìng zhōng de dàxìng]

бусин чжун дэ дасин

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ d̥ə² tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐŋ²² t͡sʊŋ³³ tɪk̚⁵ taːi̯²² hɐŋ²²/


不識大體

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄊㄧˇ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄊㄧˇ

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tä⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ taːi̯²² tʰɐi̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ tä⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵ taːi̯²² tʰɐi̯³⁵/

to fail to see the larger issues; to ignore the general issues


不容置疑

ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄓˋ ㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

to allow or admit no doubt; to not open to doubt; to be beyond doubt; to be absolutely certain


不屈不撓

ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄠˊ

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ nɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ naːu̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ nɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ naːu̯²¹/

Thanks to the Chinese people's unrelenting and heroic struggle during the last hundred years, imperialism has not been able to subjugate China, nor will it ever be able to do so.

Zhōngguó rénmín, bǎinián yǐlái, bùqūbùnáo, zàijiēzàilì de yīngyǒng dòuzhēng, shǐdé dìguó zhǔyì zhìjīn bùnéng mièwáng Zhōngguó, yě yǒngyuǎn bùnéng mièwáng Zhōngguó.

中國人民，百年以來，不屈不撓、再接再厲的英勇鬥爭，使得帝國主義至今不能滅亡中國，也永遠不能滅亡中國。

中国人民，百年以来，不屈不挠、再接再厉的英勇斗争，使得帝国主义至今不能灭亡中国，也永远不能灭亡中国。


不勝其煩

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄢˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄢˊ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fän³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fän³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ faːn²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fän³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ fän³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰei̯²¹ faːn²¹/


不寧唯是

ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄧㄥˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄕˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ niŋ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ nɪŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ siː²²/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ niŋ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ nɪŋ²¹ wɐi̯²¹ siː²²/


不平則鳴

ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄗㄜˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐk̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ t͡sɤ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ t͡sɐk̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

injustice provokes outcry; where there is injustice, there will be protest


不能贊一辭

ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄥˊ ㄗㄢˋ ㄧ ㄘˊ

бунэнцзаньицы

/pu⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ t͡sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ nɐŋ²¹ t͡saːn³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/pu⁵¹ nɤŋ³⁵ t͡sän⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ nɐŋ²¹ t͡saːn³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

to be unable to say a word (in criticism of an impeccable piece of writing)


不名一文

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄧ ㄨㄣˊ

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ wən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²¹/


不偏不倚

ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ

/pu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː³⁵/


不稂不莠

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄡˇ

/pu⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³/

/pu⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³/


不郎不秀

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡˋ

/pu⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɔːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ sɐu̯³³/


不可捉摸

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄓㄨㄛ ㄇㄛ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ mɔː³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ mɔː³⁵/

difficult to ascertain; unpredictable; elusive


不可逾越

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄩˊ ㄩㄝˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ jyː²¹ jyːt̚²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ y³⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ jyː²¹ jyːt̚²/


不露聲色

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄙㄜˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²² sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

to maintain one's composure; to stay calm and collected; to not turn a hair; to not bat an eyelid; to not show or betray one's feelings or intentions


不念舊惡

ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄜˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ niːm²² kɐu̯²² ɔːk̚³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ niːm²² kɐu̯²² ɔːk̚³/

The Master said, "Boyi and Shuqi did not keep the former wickednesses of men in mind, and hence the resentments directed towards them were few."

Zǐyuē: “Bóyí, Shūqí bù niàn jiù'è, yuàn shì yòng xī.”

子曰：「伯夷、叔齊不念舊惡，怨是用希。」

子曰：「伯夷、叔齐不念旧恶，怨是用希。」

let bygones be bygones
let bygones be bygones

to not bear a grudge; to forgive and forget; to let bygones be bygones


不吝指教

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄣˋ ㄓˇ ㄐㄧㄠˋ

булиньчжицзяо

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɵn²² t͡siː³⁵ kaːu̯³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɵn²² t͡siː³⁵ kaːu̯³³/

to not be stinting with comments or criticism


不可終日

unable to carry on even for a single day

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄖˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

people were so anxious that they felt they couldn't live for a single day

人心惶惶，不可終日

人心惶惶，不可终日

(figurative) very frightened; very anxious


不名一錢

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄧ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/


不落窠臼

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄎㄜ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ kʰɤ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚² fɔː⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯¹³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ kʰɤ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚² fɔː⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯¹³/

to have an original style; to be unconventional; to be original


不可一世

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄧ ㄕˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³³/

to consider oneself the best in the world; to have an overweening or insufferable arrogance


不毛之地

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄠˊ ㄓ ㄉㄧˋ

/pu⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ tei̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ mɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ mou̯²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ tei̯²²/


不可偏廢

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄈㄟˋ

букэ пяньфэй

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ fɐi̯³³/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ fɐi̯³³/

to not do one thing at the expense of another


不落俗套

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄙㄨˊ ㄊㄠˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ su³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚² t͡sʊk̚² tʰou̯³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ su³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚² t͡sʊk̚² tʰou̯³³/

to conform to no conventional pattern; to depart from convention; to be unconventional or offbeat


不可望其項背

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄅㄟˋ

букэ ванцисянбэй

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ mɔːŋ²² kʰei̯²¹ hɔːŋ²² puːi̯³³/

not in the same class; cannot or not be fit to hold a candle to somebody; incomparable


不枝不蔓

neitherbranching out nor spreading about

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄢˋ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ män⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ maːn²²/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ män⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ maːn²²/

不蔓不枝 不蔓不枝#Chinese

Synonym of 不蔓不枝 (bùmànbùzhī, “succinct and to the point; written in a pithy and smooth style; concise (of an article, speech, etc.)”)


不可同日而語

musn't speak of two things on the same day

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄖˋ ㄦˊ ㄩˇ

букэ тунжиэрюй

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐt̚² jiː²¹ jyː¹³/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐt̚² jiː²¹ jyː¹³/

incomparable; too different to compare; cannot be mentioned in the same breath; there is no comparison between them


不甚了了

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄣˋ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄧㄠˇ

бушэньляоляо

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂən⁵¹ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐm²² liːu̯¹³ liːu̯¹³/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɐm²² liːu̯¹³ liːu̯¹³/

to not know much about something; to be unclear about something


望其項背

can see the neck and back of somebody ahead

ㄨㄤˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄅㄟˋ

/wɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² kʰei̯²¹ hɔːŋ²² puːi̯³³/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² kʰei̯²¹ hɔːŋ²² puːi̯³³/

to get within a little distance of somebody; to be a match for somebody; to stand comparison with somebody


同日而語

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄖˋ ㄦˊ ㄩˇ

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐt̚² jiː²¹ jyː¹³/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ jɐt̚² jiː²¹ jyː¹³/


不可企及

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄐㄧˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ kʰei̯¹³ kʰɐp̚²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ kʰei̯¹³ kʰɐp̚²/