靡靡之音

ㄇㄧˇ ㄇㄧˇ ㄓ ㄧㄣ

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/mei̯¹³ mei̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

/mi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ in⁵⁵/

/mei̯¹³ mei̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵/

Before the performance was finished, Musician Kuang (師曠) held down his hands and stopped the music, saying, "This is a state-ruining piece of music, which should not be performed to its end." "Where does this music come from? Do you know?" asked Duke Ping. "This was composed by Musician Yen," replied Musician Kuang, "and presented to King Zhou. It was a piece of frivolous music. When King Wu attacked Zhou, Musician Yen ran eastward as far as the Pu Water, where he drowned himself. Therefore, this music has been heard only by the Pu Water. At any rate, whoever hears this music performed, is bound to see his native soil dismembered. Its performance, therefore, should not be completed."

未終，師曠撫止之，曰：「此亡國之聲，不可遂也。」平公曰：「此道奚出？」師曠曰：「此師延之所作，與紂為靡靡之樂

decadent or obscene music; cheap, low-class tunes; popular music

Duke Ping of Jin
Han Feizi
King Wu of Zhou
King Zhou of Shang
zh:師曠


僧多粥少

ㄙㄥ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓㄡ ㄕㄠˇ

сэндочжоушао

/sɤŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

/t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ siau⁴¹/

/t͡siɪŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ to⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ siau⁵³/

/sɤŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵/

not enough to go around; having demands exceeding supply


落手落腳

/lɔːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ lɔːk̚² kœːk̚³/

/lɔːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ lɔːk̚² kœːk̚³/

get one's hands dirty
get one's hands dirty

(Cantonese) to get one's hands dirty; to involve oneself in doing work


碌碌無為

ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹ u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵ mou̯²¹ wɐi̯²¹/

seemingly always on the run, but actually achieving nothing; to lead a busy, but vain and humdrum life; plodding hard but accomplishing little of significance


債務累累

ㄓㄞˋ ㄨˋ ㄌㄟˇ ㄌㄟˇ

/ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ leɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡saːi̯³³ mou̯²² lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/

/t͡saːi̯³³ mou̯²² lɵy̯²¹ lɵy̯²¹/


大智若愚

ㄉㄚˋ ㄓˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siː³³ jœːk̚² jyː²¹/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵/

/taːi̯²² t͡siː³³ jœːk̚² jyː²¹/

having great intelligence but appearing foolish; a man of great wisdom appearing slow-witted


混淆是非

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

ㄏㄨㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄠˊ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ

хуньсяо шифэй

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

хуньяо шифэй

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən⁵¹ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/xu̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wɐn²² ŋaːu̯²¹ siː²² fei̯⁵⁵/


天方夜譚

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄈㄤ ㄧㄝˋ ㄊㄢˊ

тяньфанъетань

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɛː²² tʰaːm²¹/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵ jɛ⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɛː²² tʰaːm²¹/

(figurative) cock-and-bull story; fantasy story; absurd idea; nonsense


吃苦耐勞

ㄔ ㄎㄨˇ ㄋㄞˋ ㄌㄠˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ naɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ naɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵/


千辛萬苦

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄎㄨˇ

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄎㄨˇ

цяньсиньваньку

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ uan²¹³ kʰu⁵³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ɕin⁴² uan¹¹ kʰu²¹³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰu³¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ sin³³ ban⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ sin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ ɕin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ wän⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ uan²¹³ kʰu⁵³/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁴² ɕin⁴² uan¹¹ kʰu²¹³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ sin⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰu³¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ sin³³ ban⁴¹⁻²² kʰɔ⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴⁻²² ban²²⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻¹¹ kʰɔ⁵³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ sin⁴⁴⁻³³ ban³³⁻²¹ kʰɔ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ sin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ ɕin³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰu⁴¹/

it is not easy for them thoroughly to comprehend the hardships our people went through in the struggle to free themselves from the oppression of the imperialists and Kuomintang reactionaries

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

bù róngyì shēnqiè liǎojiě wǒguó rénmín céngjīng zěnyàng jīnglì qiānxīnwànkǔ de dòuzhēng cái bǎituō le dìguó zhǔyì hé Guómíndǎng fǎndòngpài de yāpò

不容易深切了解我國人民曾經怎樣經歷千辛萬苦的鬥爭才擺脫了帝國主義和國民黨反動派的壓迫

不容易深切了解我国人民曾经怎样经历千辛万苦的斗争才摆脱了帝国主义和国民党反动派的压迫

trials and tribulations
trials and tribulations

suffering untold hardships; trials and tribulations


刣雞教猴

刣鸡教猴
刣鷄教猴
刣雞敎猴
刣鷄敎猴

/tʰai⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kie⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻¹¹ kue⁴⁴⁻³³ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue³³ ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai¹³⁻²² ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau¹³/

/tʰai²³⁻³³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ kau²³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵⁵/

/tʰai⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kie⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻¹¹ kue⁴⁴⁻³³ ka¹¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue³³ ka⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ kau²⁴/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau²⁴/

/tʰai¹³⁻²² ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁵³ kau¹³/

/tʰai²³⁻³³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ ka²¹⁻⁴¹ kau²³/

/tʰai²⁴⁻²¹ ke⁴⁴⁻²² ka²¹⁻⁴² kau²⁴/

/tʰai⁵⁵⁻¹¹ koi³³⁻²³ ka²¹³⁻⁵⁵ kau⁵⁵/

(Min) to make a public demonstration of punishing a wrongdoer in order to deter innocents who might mimic the example of the wrongdoer


泛濫成災

ㄈㄢˋ ㄌㄢˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄗㄞ

фаньланьчэнцзай

/fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ län⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/faːn³³ laːm²² sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ län⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/faːn³³ laːm²² sɪŋ²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

There is such a flood of statistical forms that they become a scourge.

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

表報之多，鬧得泛濫成災。

表报之多，闹得泛滥成灾。

to run rampant; to run wild; to run amok


身外之物

/ʂən⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐt̚²/

/ʂən⁵⁵ waɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ u⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ ŋɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ mɐt̚²/

錢乃身外之物。

钱乃身外之物。

mere worldly possessions; things external to one's life


之乎者也

ㄓ ㄏㄨ ㄓㄜˇ ㄧㄝˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fuː²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ jaː¹³/

/t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ hu¹¹ t͡sia⁵²⁻³⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ hu³³ t͡se³³ ɦie²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ fuː²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ jaː¹³/

/t͡sɯ³³⁻²³ hu¹¹ t͡sia⁵²⁻³⁵ ia⁵²⁻²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵⁵ hu³³ t͡se³³ ɦie²¹/

The four common particles in Classical Chinese.

He used so many archaisms in his speech, it was impossible to understand half he said.

魯迅 Lu Xun, 《孔乙己》 Kung I-chi, 1919; translation by Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang.

Tā duìrén shuōhuà, zǒngshì mǎnkǒu zhīhūzhěyě, jiào rén bàn dǒng bùdǒng de.

他對人說話，總是滿口之乎者也，教人半懂不懂的。

他对人说话，总是满口之乎者也，教人半懂不懂的。

(metonymically) unintelligible speech or article filled with archaisms; pedantic expressions; grandiloquent speech; semi-incomprehensible talk


春意闌珊

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄧˋ ㄌㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

чуньиланьшань

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ i⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ i⁵¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ jiː³³ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

The curtain cannot keep out the patter of rain; Springtime is on the wane.

c. 978, Li Yu, 《浪淘沙令·簾外雨潺潺》, translated by Xu Yuanchong

簾外雨潺潺，春意闌珊。

帘外雨潺潺，春意阑珊。


屢教不改

ㄌㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄞˇ

люйцзяобугай

/ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɵy̯¹³ kaːu̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵/

/lɵy̯¹³ kaːu̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵/

He does wrong after being taught many times; he knows politeness rules, but he doesn't follow them anyway.

keoi⁵ leoi⁵ gaau³ bat¹ goi² gaa³, ming⁴ ming⁴ sik¹ lai⁵ maau⁶ dou¹ m⁴ sau².

佢屢教不改㗎，明明識禮貌都唔守。

佢屡教不改㗎，明明识礼貌都唔守。

Except for a few who cling to their mistakes and fail to mend their ways after repeated admonition, the majority of those who have erred can correct their mistakes.

Fàn cuòwù de rén, chúle jíshǎoshù jiānchí cuòwù, lǚjiàobùgǎi de yǐwài, dàduōshù shì kěyǐ gǎizhèng de.

犯錯誤的人，除了極少數堅持錯誤、屢教不改的以外，大多數是可以改正的。

犯错误的人，除了极少数坚持错误、屡教不改的以外，大多数是可以改正的。

to have been taught many times, but still do wrong anyway; to be incorrigible


我行我素

ㄨㄛˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄛˇ ㄙㄨˋ

/wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/ŋɔː¹³ hɐŋ²¹ ŋɔː¹³ sou̯³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ¹¹/

uá kiâⁿ uá sù

/ua⁵² kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ua⁵²⁻³⁵ su²¹³/

/wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ su⁵¹/

/ŋɔː¹³ hɐŋ²¹ ŋɔː¹³ sou̯³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²³⁻³³ ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sɔ²¹/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sɔ¹¹/

/ua⁵² kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ ua⁵²⁻³⁵ su²¹³/

to persist in one's old ways; to continue in one's own way no matter what others say


早睡早起

ㄗㄠˇ ㄕㄨㄟˋ ㄗㄠˇ ㄑㄧˇ

цзаошуй цзаоци

/t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ sɵy̯²² t͡sou̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ sɵy̯²² t͡sou̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵/


悠哉悠哉

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯²¹ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 1 (《詩經·周南·關雎》)

lang

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

He sought her and found her not, and waking and sleeping he thought about her.
Long he thought; oh! long and anxiously; on his side, on his back, he turned, and back again.

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

Qiú zhī bù dé, wùmèi sīfú.
Yōuzāi yōuzāi, zhǎnzhuǎn fǎncè.

求之不得，寤寐思服。
悠哉悠哉，輾轉反側。

求之不得，寤寐思服。
悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧。

leisurely and carefree; free and unconstrained


四方八面

ㄙˋ ㄈㄤ ㄅㄚ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

/sz̩⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ miːn²²/

/si²¹³⁻⁵⁵ huoŋ⁵⁵⁽⁻²¹⁾ pɛiʔ²⁴⁻⁵⁵ miɛŋ²⁴²/

/sz̩⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/sei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ paːt̚³ miːn²²/

四面八方 四面八方#Chinese

Synonym of 四面八方 (sìmiànbāfāng, “in all directions; all around; far and near”)


道德綁架

ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄅㄤˇ ㄐㄧㄚˋ

даодэ банцзя

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/tou̯²² tɐk̚⁵ pɔːŋ³⁵ kaː³³/

/tau³⁵⁻¹¹ tek̚²⁻⁴ paŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ ke²¹³/

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/tou̯²² tɐk̚⁵ pɔːŋ³⁵ kaː³³/

/tau³⁵⁻¹¹ tek̚²⁻⁴ paŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ ke²¹³/

to hijack morality to condemn someone; to occupy the moral high ground to dictate what others should do


一國兩制

ㄧ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄓˋ

yī guó liǎng zhì [Phonetic:yì guó liǎng zhì]

и го лян чжи

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ lœːŋ¹³ t͡sɐi̯³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡se¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ liɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡se²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʷɔːk̚³ lœːŋ¹³ t͡sɐi̯³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ liɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡se¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kɔk̚³²⁻⁴ liɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡se²¹/

Coined by Chinese politician and paramount leader from 1978 to 1989 Deng Xiaoping in 1982 as part of the People's Republic of China proposal to reunify Taiwan.

coinage

one country, two systems
one country, two systems

"one country, two systems" (the principle that Hong Kong and Macau can maintain their capitalist political and economic systems distinct from Chinese mainland socialism)


到此為止

ㄉㄠˋ ㄘˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄓˇ

/tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tou̯³³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵/

/tou̯³³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵/

他畫行線畫到此為止。

他画行线画到此为止。


世外桃源

ㄕˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄊㄠˊ ㄩㄢˊ

шивайтаоюань

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ ŋɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ jyːn²¹/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡua³³⁻²¹ tʰɤ²³⁻³³ ɡuan²³/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ tʰo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan²⁴/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ waɪ̯⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/sɐi̯³³ ŋɔːi̯²² tʰou̯²¹ jyːn²¹/

/se²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡua³³⁻²¹ tʰɤ²³⁻³³ ɡuan²³/

/se¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡua³³⁻¹¹ tʰo²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan²⁴/

Based on The Peach Blossom Spring (《桃花源記》) by Tao Yuanming (陶淵明).

On days when there are no parties, Koh Phangan is extremely serene, just like a utopia, separate from the world. It has attracted a group of young people who live engaging in spirituality and yoga to move here, set up classes and teach students. Even the Thai emperor has been attracted by this utopia

Méiyǒu pàiduì de rìzǐ, Pà'ān Dǎo shífēn níngjìng, xiàng yǔshìgéjué bān de shìwàitáoyuán, xīyǐn le yī pī yǐ língxiū, yújiā guòhuó de niánqīngrén yíjū cǐdì, kāibān shòutú. Jiù lián tàihuáng dōu bèi zhè shìwàitáoyuán xīyǐn

沒有派對的日子，帕安島十分寧靜，像與世隔絕般的世外桃源，吸引了一批以靈修、瑜珈過活的年輕人移居此地，開班授徒。就連泰皇都被這世外桃源吸引

没有派对的日子，帕安岛十分宁静，像与世隔绝般的世外桃源，吸引了一批以灵修、瑜珈过活的年轻人移居此地，开班授徒。就连泰皇都被这世外桃源吸引

The Peach Blossom Land; Shangri-La; Arcadia; lotus land; utopia; unexpectedly fantastic place off the beaten path, usually an unspoiled wilderness of great beauty; land of idyllic beauty; fictitious land of peace; heaven of peace and happiness; retreat away from the turmoil of the world; place for taking refuge


樑上君子

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ

ляншанцзюньцзы

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sœːŋ²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sœːŋ²² kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²²⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻²² t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁵³/

/liɔŋ²³⁻³³ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ kun⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡su⁴¹/

From a story in the Book of the Later Han.


窈窕淑女

ㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄨ ㄋㄩˇ

ㄧㄠˇ ㄊㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄨˊ ㄋㄩˇ

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/miːu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/jiːu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/iau⁵²⁻³⁵ tʰiau⁵²⁻³⁵ sok̚²⁻⁴ nɯŋ⁵²⁻²¹/

/miːu̯¹³ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/jiːu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯¹³ sʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/iau⁵²⁻³⁵ tʰiau⁵²⁻³⁵ sok̚²⁻⁴ nɯŋ⁵²⁻²¹/

lang

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

(《詩經·周南·關雎》)

The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady:
For our prince a good mate she.

窈窕淑女，君子好逑。

Because obviously that virtuous and beautiful girl who led the way ahead had walked past very calmly

1983, 蕭乾, 《海外行蹤》

Yīnwèi zài qiánbiān lǐnglù de nàwèi yǎotiǎoshūnǚ míngmíng hěn cóngróng de jiù zǒu guoqu le

因為在前邊領路的那位窈窕淑女明明很從容地就走過去了

1983, 蕭乾, 《海外行蹤》

因为在前边领路的那位窈窕淑女明明很从容地就走过去了


開心又一日，唔開心又一日

head

開心又一日，唔開心又一日

开心又一日，唔开心又一日

hoi¹ sam¹ jau⁶ jat¹ jat⁶, m⁴ hoi¹ sam¹ jau⁶ jat¹ jat⁶

hōi sām yauh yāt yaht, m̀h hōi sām yauh yāt yaht

hoi¹ sam¹ jau⁶ jat⁷ jat⁹, m⁴ hoi¹ sam¹ jau⁶ jat⁷ jat⁹

hoi¹ sem¹ yeo⁶ yed¹ yed⁶, m⁴ hoi¹ sem¹ yeo⁶ yed¹ yed⁶

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚² m̩²¹ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚²/

(Cantonese) it's unavoidable when someone is happy, and it's unavoidable when someone is sad too.


八字還沒一撇兒

ㄅㄚ ㄗˋ ㄏㄞˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄧ ㄆㄧㄝˇㄦ

bā zì hái méi yī piěr [Phonetic:bā zì hái méi yì piěr]

ба цзы хай мэй и пер

/pä⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

八字還沒一撇 八字還沒一撇#Chinese

八字还没一撇 八字还没一撇#Chinese

(Mandarin) Erhua form of 八字還沒一撇／八字还没一撇 (bāzì hái méi yī piě, “things have not even begun to take shape”).


八字還沒一撇

ㄅㄚ ㄗˋ ㄏㄞˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄧ ㄆㄧㄝˇ

bāzì hái méi yī piě [Phonetic:bāzì hái méi yì piě]

бацзы хай мэй и пе

/pä⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄅㄚ ㄗˋ ㄏㄞˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄧ ㄆㄧㄝˇㄦ

бацзыхаймэйипер

/paːt̚³ t͡siː²² waːn²¹ muːt̚² jɐt̚⁵ pʰiːt̚³/

there is not even the firststroke of the character 八 (considered one of the simplest characters)

nothing tangible in sight; things have not even begun to take shape; there's not the slightest sign of success yet


弄瓦之喜

ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄚˇ ㄓ ㄒㄧˇ

/nʊŋ⁵¹ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²² ŋaː¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/nʊŋ⁵¹ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²² ŋaː¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

(honorific) the bliss of giving birth to a baby girl


自吹自擂

ㄗˋ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄗˋ ㄌㄟˊ

цзычуйцзылэй

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ leɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː²² lɵy̯²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ leɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡siː²² lɵy̯²¹/

to toot one's own horn; to boast about oneself


三板斧

/sän⁵⁵ pän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sän⁵⁵ pän²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

In reference to Cheng Yaojin, who is often depicted in folklore as a somewhat inept and bumbling warrior.

someone with a limited repertoire of skills


弄璋之喜

ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄓㄤ ㄓ ㄒㄧˇ

нунчжанчжиси

/nʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

/nʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lʊŋ²² t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵/

(honorific) the bliss of giving birth to a baby boy


班師回朝

ㄅㄢ ㄕ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄠˊ

баньшихуэйчао

/pän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/paːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹/

/pän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/paːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ wuːi̯²¹ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹/

return of the troops to the capital (after victory or a change in plan)


一路領先

ㄧ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄥˇ ㄒㄧㄢ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ lu⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ lu⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

to lead all the way; to take the lead throughout the process


形形色色

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ²¹ sɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ sɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ²¹ sɪk̚⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

of all hues; all kinds of; assorted and varied


事後諸葛亮

ㄕˋ ㄏㄡˋ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄜˇ ㄌㄧㄤˋ

ㄕˋ ㄏㄡˋ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄜˊ ㄌㄧㄤˋ

шихоу Чжугэ Лян

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/siː²² hɐu̯²² t͡syː⁵⁵ kɔːt̚³ lœːŋ²²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/siː²² hɐu̯²² t͡syː⁵⁵ kɔːt̚³ lœːŋ²²/

twenty-twenty hindsight
twenty-twenty hindsight

expert in hindsight; twenty-twenty hindsight; to have pseudo-intellectual opinion after the fact but not before


水土不服

ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄊㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨˊ

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fʊk̚²/

/ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ fu³⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ fʊk̚²/

to be unaccustomed to a new place; to not be acclimatised


五花八門

ㄨˇ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄅㄚ ㄇㄣˊ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ mən³⁵/

ㄨˇ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄅㄚ ㄇㄣˊㄦ

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ məɻ³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ faː⁵⁵ paːt̚³ muːn²¹/

/ŋou⁵²⁻³⁵ hue³³⁻²³ poiʔ²⁻⁴ muŋ⁵⁵/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ mən³⁵/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ məɻ³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ faː⁵⁵ paːt̚³ muːn²¹/

/ŋou⁵²⁻³⁵ hue³³⁻²³ poiʔ²⁻⁴ muŋ⁵⁵/

of a wide variety; various; all kinds of


胡攪蠻纏

ㄏㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄇㄢˊ ㄔㄢˊ

хуцзяоманьчань

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ män³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵/

/wuː²¹ kaːu̯³⁵ maːn²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ män³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵/

/wuː²¹ kaːu̯³⁵ maːn²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

to pester somebody endlessly; to be unreasonable; to plague somebody with unreasonable demands; to argue tediously and vexatiously


全神貫注

ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨˋ

цюаньшэньгуаньчжу

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² kuan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡su⁴¹/

/t͡suan¹³⁻²² sin¹³⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡su¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ sin²³⁻³³ kuan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡su²¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵ ʂən³⁵ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰyːn²¹ sɐn²¹ kuːn³³ t͡syː³³/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻²² sin²⁴⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan¹³⁻²² sin¹³⁻²² kuan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡su²¹/

/t͡suan²⁴⁻¹¹ sin²⁴⁻¹¹ kuan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡su¹¹/

/t͡suan²³⁻³³ sin²³⁻³³ kuan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡su²¹/


身陷囹圄

ㄕㄣ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄩˇ

шэньсяньлинъюй

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɐm²² lɪŋ²¹ jyː¹³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn⁵⁵ hɐm²² lɪŋ²¹ jyː¹³/


此致敬禮

ㄘˇ ㄓˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄧˇ

цычжи цзинли

/t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


鮮為人知

ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓ

сяньвэйжэньчжи

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/siːn³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/siːn³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

to be rarely known to anyone; to be secret to all but a few


傾家蕩產

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄉㄤˋ ㄔㄢˇ

цинцзяданчань

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ tɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰyn⁵⁵ t͡ɕia⁵⁵ taŋ²¹³ t͡sʰan⁵³/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɔːŋ²² t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

/kʰen⁵⁵ ka³³ ɔŋ³² t͡sʰan⁵⁵/

/kʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ taŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sũã⁵²/

/t͡ɕʰyn⁵⁵ t͡ɕia⁵⁵ taŋ²¹³ t͡sʰan⁵³/

/kʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɔːŋ²² t͡sʰaːn³⁵/

/kʰen⁵⁵ ka³³ ɔŋ³² t͡sʰan⁵⁵/

/kʰuaŋ³³⁻²³ ke³³⁻²³ taŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sũã⁵²/

to exhaust all of a family's financial resources; to break the bank; to bring a family to ruin


過河拆橋

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄔㄞ ㄑㄧㄠˊ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹ t͡sʰaːk̚³ kʰiːu̯²¹/

/ke²¹⁻⁵³ ho²⁴ tʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ kio²⁴/

to burn one's bridges; to abandon one's benefactor upon achieving one's goal


言歸於好

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄩˊ ㄏㄠˇ

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵/

Originally part of an oath which was sworn, for instance, on the Convention of Kuiqiu (葵丘之會 [651 BCE]) as recorded in the Zuozhuan:
:
The same oath was also quoted in the Mencius.

We all who have united in this convention shall hereafter be reconciled in goodness.

Fán wǒ tóngméng zhī rén, jì méng zhīhòu, yán guī yú hǎo.

凡我同盟之人，既盟之後，言歸于好。

凡我同盟之人，既盟之后，言归于好。

to bury the hatchet; to become reconciled


由頭到尾

ㄧㄡˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄨㄟˇ

/joʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tou̯³³ mei̯¹³/

/joʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ tou̯³³ mei̯¹³/

from top to bottom; from the beginning to the end


不揣冒昧

ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄞˇ ㄇㄠˋ ㄇㄟˋ

бучуаймаомэй

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ mou̯²² mɐi̯²²/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯aɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ mou̯²² mɐi̯²²/

to venture to; presume; to take the liberty of


淚流滿面

ㄌㄟˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

лэйлюманьмянь

/leɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² lɐu̯²¹ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

/leɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/lɵy̯²² lɐu̯²¹ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

to have tears streaming down one's face; to be extremely sad or moved


內牛滿面

ㄋㄟˋ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

нэйнюманьмянь

/neɪ̯⁵¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/neɪ̯⁵¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

The idiom 淚流滿面／泪流满面 (lèiliúmǎnmiàn, “tears flowing all over one's face”) as spoken by someone speaking a Chinese dialect with n-l initial merger.

zh-l

I have been confused by western age and nominal age [in East Asian culture, where newborns start at the age of one year] since I was young. Just then a friend said: “Western age is when you exit mom's body, and nominal age is when you exit dad's body.” With tears streaming down my face, I suddenly understood everything.

Xiǎoshíhòu yīzhí gǎo bùdǒng zhōusuì hé xūsuì. Gāngcái péngyou shuō: “Zhōusuì shì cóng māma shēntǐ lǐ chūlái de shíjiān, xūsuì shì cóng bàba shēntǐ lǐ chūlái de shíjiān..” Wǒ dùnshí nèiniúmǎnmiàn de dǒng le..

小時候一直搞不懂週歲和虛歲。剛才朋友說：「週歲是從媽媽身體裡出來的時間，虛歲是從爸爸身體裡出來的時間。。」我頓時內牛滿面地懂了。。

小时候一直搞不懂周岁和虚岁。刚才朋友说：「周岁是从妈妈身体里出来的时间，虚岁是从爸爸身体里出来的时间。。」我顿时内牛满面地懂了。。

(neologism, slang, humorous) to be so moved or excited that there are tears streaming down one's face


津津樂道

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄌㄜˋ ㄉㄠˋ

цзиньцзиньлэдао

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ lɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sɵn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² tou̯²²/

to take delight in talking about; to discuss enthusiastically; to love to talk about


美其名曰

ㄇㄟˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄝ

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵/

/meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɥɛ⁵⁵/


喧賓奪主

the voice of the guest overwhelms that of the host

ㄒㄩㄢ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄓㄨˇ

сюаньбиньдочжу

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² t͡syː³⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵ pin⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hyːn⁵⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ tyːt̚² t͡syː³⁵/

Merchants seize upon this consumer mindset, taking great care over the packaging, even allowing it to overshadow the main event, causing mooncakes to have changed their taste and human sentiment to have grown cold.

《经济日报》, 2022年09月12日, “轻装”月饼味更香

Shāngjiā zhuāzhù zhè yī xiāofèi xīnlǐ, zài bāozhuāng shàng xià-gōngfū, shènzhì bùxī xuānbīnduózhǔ, ràng yuèbǐng biànlewèi, rénqíng zǒuleyàng

商家抓住這一消費心理，在包裝上下功夫，甚至不惜喧賓奪主，讓月餅變了味、人情走了樣

《经济日报》, 2022年09月12日, “轻装”月饼味更香

商家抓住这一消费心理，在包装上下功夫，甚至不惜喧宾夺主，让月饼变了味、人情走了样

a minor issue takes precedence over a major one; a minor player upstages the main attraction


實話實說

ㄕˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄕˊ ㄕㄨㄛ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² waː²² sɐt̚² syːt̚³/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/sɐt̚² waː²² sɐt̚² syːt̚³/

call a spade a spade
call a spade a spade

to speak the truth; to call a spade a spade


有頭無尾

ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˇ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²¹ mei̯¹³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ be⁴¹/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³/

/u²²⁻²¹ tʰau²⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² be⁵³/

to have a beginning but not an end; to fail to carry things through; to leave something unfinished; to have begun but not well-ended; to not have spoken or done something to the point


婦孺皆知

ㄈㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓ

/fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fuː¹³ jyː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/fuː¹³ jyː²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/


富不過三代

ㄈㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄙㄢ ㄉㄞˋ

fù bùguò sān dài [Phonetic:fù búguò sān dài]

фу буго сань дай

/fu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/fuː³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ saːm⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²²/

/fu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/fuː³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ saːm⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²²/

clogs to clogs in three generations
clogs to clogs in three generations

clogs to clogs in three generations; wealth does not last beyond three generations


嶄露頭角

ㄓㄢˇ ㄌㄨˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

чжаньлутоуцзяо

/ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡saːm³⁵ lou̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ kɔːk̚³/

/t͡saːm³⁵ lou̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ kɔːk̚³/

(of talent) to come to the fore; to stand out as conspicuously brilliant


四海為家

ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄚ

/sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

/sz̩⁵¹ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/sei̯³³ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

2004 December 9, Xu Wei (lyrics and music), “曾經的你 [You in the Past]”, in 每一刻都是嶄新的 [Every Moment Is Completely New], performed by Xu Wei:

Your young heart was always somewhat unrestrained / Now you live a wandering life

Niánshào de xīn zǒng yǒuxiē qīngkuáng / Rújīn nǐ sìhǎiwéijiā

年少的心總有些輕狂/如今你四海為家

年少的心总有些轻狂/如今你四海为家

to make one's home wherever one is; to consider the entire country, or world, to be one's own; to live a wandering life


派上用場

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˇ

ㄆㄞˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄩㄥˋ ㄔㄤˊ

пайшанъюнчан

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/

/pʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ jʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pʰaːi̯³³ sœːŋ¹³ jʊŋ²² t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siɔŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ siaŋ³³⁻¹¹ iɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ tiũ²⁴/

/pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ siaŋ³³⁻²¹ iɔŋ³³⁻²¹ tiũ²³/

/pʰa³³ zɑ̃⁴⁴ ɦioŋ²² zã⁴⁴/


任人唯親

ㄖㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧㄣ

жэньжэньвэйцинь

žɛnʹžɛnʹvɛjcinʹ

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵/

to appoint people by favouritism; nepotism


重症需下猛藥

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄒㄩ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄇㄥˇ ㄧㄠˋ

чжунчжэн сюй ся мэнъяо

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ɕy⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ mɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

desperate times call for desperate measures


狗咬狗

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋaːu̯¹³ kɐu̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐu̯³⁵ ŋaːu̯¹³ kɐu̯³⁵/

(figurative) dog eat dog; ruthlessly acquisitive or competitive

狗咬狗，一嘴毛

(figurative) a bad person fights with another bad person


大吉利市

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ lɐi̯²² siː²²/

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ lei̯²² siː²²/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kit̚¹ li⁵³⁻⁵⁵ sz̩⁵³/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ kek̚²⁻⁴ li¹¹ t͡sʰi³⁵/

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ lɐi̯²² siː²²/

/taːi̯²² kɐt̚⁵ lei̯²² siː²²/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kit̚¹ li⁵³⁻⁵⁵ sz̩⁵³/

/tai³⁵⁻¹¹ kek̚²⁻⁴ li¹¹ t͡sʰi³⁵/

(Cantonese, Teochew) very lucky and prosperous


請勿打擾

ㄑㄧㄥˇ ㄨˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄖㄠˇ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ³⁵ mɐt̚² taː³⁵ jiːu̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ³⁵ mɐt̚² taː³⁵ jiːu̯¹³/

/t͡sʰɛːŋ³⁵ mɐt̚² taː³⁵ jiːu̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɛːŋ³⁵ mɐt̚² taː³⁵ jiːu̯¹³/

/t͡sʰɪŋ³⁵ mɐt̚² taː³⁵ jiːu̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ³⁵ mɐt̚² taː³⁵ jiːu̯¹³/

/t͡sʰɛːŋ³⁵ mɐt̚² taː³⁵ jiːu̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɛːŋ³⁵ mɐt̚² taː³⁵ jiːu̯¹³/


如意算盤

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄢˊ

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ˙ㄆㄢ

жуисуаньпань

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän³⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ su̯än⁵¹ pʰän¹/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ syːn³³ pʰuːn²¹/

/zu²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

/zi²³⁻³³ i²¹⁻⁴¹ sŋ̍²¹⁻⁴¹ puã²³/

don't count your chickens before they're hatched

one's wishful thinking; counting the chickens before they are hatched


死性不改

ㄙˇ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄞˇ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sei̯³⁵ sɪŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sei̯³⁵ sɪŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ kɔːi̯³⁵/

to be too stubborn to change a bad habit


玩世不恭

ㄨㄢˊ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

/wän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/wuːn²² sɐi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

to despise worldly conventions; to be cynical; frivolous


趁火打劫

torob during a fire; to take advantage of a fire and plunder

ㄔㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

ㄔㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇㄦ ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

чэньхордацзе

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔɻ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn³³ fɔː³⁵ taː³⁵ kiːp̚³/

to take advantage of chaos for one's own profit


五臟俱全

ㄨˇ ㄗㄤˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

уцзанцзюйцюань

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

2018, “競技用骰子 Brabus Smart Fortwo 賽車化？”, in 改裝車訊 [Option Parts], number 229, page 44:

Cǐwài, chēchuāng yě huànchéngle yākèlì cáiliào, gāi yǒu de jǐnjí duàndiàn kāiguān hé mièhuǒqì dōu néng zài wǔzàngjùquán de xiǎo chǎngchē kànjiàn, fēicháng shìhé zuòwéi xīnshǒu de chūsài yòngchē.

此外，車窗也換成了壓克力材料，該有的緊急斷電開關和滅火器都能在五臟俱全的小廠車看見，非常適合作為新手的初賽用車。

此外，车窗也换成了压克力材料，该有的紧急断电开关和灭火器都能在五脏俱全的小厂车看见，非常适合作为新手的初赛用车。

麻雀雖小，五臟俱全 麻雀雖小，五臟俱全#Chinese

麻雀虽小，五脏俱全 麻雀虽小，五脏俱全#Chinese

Short for 麻雀雖小，五臟俱全／麻雀虽小，五脏俱全 (máquè suī xiǎo, wǔzàng jùquán).


陳腔濫調

ㄔㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄌㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

чэньцянланьдяо

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːm¹³ tiːu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ län⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːm¹³ tiːu̯²²/

(usually of writing) hackneyed; unoriginal; stereotyped


受寵若驚

ㄕㄡˋ ㄔㄨㄥˇ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥ

шоучунжоцзин

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ jœːk̚² kɪŋ⁵⁵/

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/sɐu̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ jœːk̚² kɪŋ⁵⁵/

flattered; overwhelmed by favour from a superior


無與倫比

ㄨˊ ㄩˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄧˇ

/u³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/u³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ lu̯ən³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

她的美麗確是無與倫比。

她的美丽确是无与伦比。

beyond compare; incomparable; unrivaled; unequalled; in a class of its own


好學不倦

ㄏㄠˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄢˋ

хаосюэбуцзюань

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hou̯³³ hɔːk̚² pɐt̚⁵ kyːn²²/


分一杯羹

/fən⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ peɪ̯⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ puːi̯⁵⁵ kɐŋ⁵⁵/

/fən⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ peɪ̯⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ puːi̯⁵⁵ kɐŋ⁵⁵/

to have a share in something; to have a piece of the pie


破財消災

ㄆㄛˋ ㄘㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄗㄞ

поцайсяоцзай

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵/

to buy peace with one's money; to trade money for safety (often said to comfort someone who has suffered unexpected financial losses)


囂張跋扈

ㄒㄧㄠ ㄓㄤ ㄅㄚˊ ㄏㄨˋ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ pä³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/hiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ pɐt̚² wuː²²/

arrogant and despotic; domineering and aggressive


形影不離

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄥˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/jɪŋ²¹ jɪŋ³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/


生意興隆

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (生意興隆):
* → Vietnamese: sinh ý hung long (生意興隆)

ㄕㄥ ˙ㄧ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

ㄕㄥ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i² ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i² ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ i⁵¹ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/saːŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ hɪŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹/

thriving and prosperous business or trade (often as a greeting)


一年半載

ㄧ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄗㄞˇ

иняньбаньцзай

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sai⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pän⁵¹ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːn²¹ puːn³³ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻²² puan⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡sai⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ liɛn¹³⁻²² puan²¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ puan¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sai¹¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ liɛn²³⁻³³ puan²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sai²¹/


靈機一動

ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄥˋ

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹/

/lɪŋ²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʊŋ²²/

/liɪŋ²³⁻³³ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

/liɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ it̚³²⁻⁴ tɔŋ³³/

to be struck by a brainwave; to hit upon a clever idea


上房揭瓦

ㄕㄤˋ ㄈㄤˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄨㄚˇ

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹ fɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ wä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to scale the roof to rip the tiles; to cause havoc in the house


捩橫折曲

/lɐi̯²²⁻³⁵ waːŋ²¹ t͡siːt̚³ kʰʊk̚⁵/

/lɐi̯²²⁻³⁵ waːŋ²¹ t͡siːt̚³ kʰʊk̚⁵/

In particular, Baggio Leung talked a lot of nonsense again on the radio show this morning, claiming with twisted reasoning that it is “very dangerous” for the pro-establishment camp to prevent them from being sworn in by quorum-busting

2016, 健良, 繼續巧言令色 「青年新政」沒資格從政

kei⁴ zung¹, loeng⁴ zung⁶ hang⁴ gam¹ zou² zoi⁶ din⁶ toi⁴ zit³ muk⁶ soeng⁶ jau⁶ zoi³ daai⁶ fong³ kyut³ ci⁴, lai⁶⁻² waang⁴ zit³ kuk¹ cing¹ gin³ zai³ paai³ ji⁵ lau⁴ wui⁶⁻² fong¹ sik¹ zo² ngoi⁶ taa¹ mun⁴ syun¹ sai⁶ “hou² ngai⁴ him²”

其中，梁頌恆今早在電台節目上又再大放厥詞，捩橫折曲稱建制派以流會方式阻礙他們宣誓「好危險」

2016, 健良, 繼續巧言令色 「青年新政」沒資格從政

其中，梁颂恒今早在电台节目上又再大放厥词，捩横折曲称建制派以流会方式阻碍他们宣誓「好危险」

(Cantonese) to bend the truth; to argue with twisted reasoning


風土人情

ㄈㄥ ㄊㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

фэнтужэньцин

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰou̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tʰɔ⁵³ lin²⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰɔ⁴¹ zin²³⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³/


沆瀣

/xɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/hɔːŋ²² haːi̯²²/

/*ɡaːŋʔ ɡɯːds|ɡrɯːds/

/xɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/hɔːŋ²² haːi̯²²/

/*ɡaːŋʔ ɡɯːds|ɡrɯːds/


淨身出戶

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋ

цзиншэньчуху

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋㄦ

цзиншэньчухур

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ²² sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wuː²²/

(usually of a man) to leave without taking any property after divorce; to leave a marriage with nothing (no possessions or properties)


笑掉大牙

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄚˊ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ jä³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ tiːu̯²² taːi̯²² ŋaː²¹/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ jä³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ tiːu̯²² taːi̯²² ŋaː²¹/

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

to laugh one's head off; ridiculous and embarrassing


活到老，學到老

ㄏㄨㄛˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄌㄠˇ

ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄌㄠˇ

/xu̯ɔ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wuːt̚² tou̯³³ lou̯¹³ hɔːk̚² tou̯³³ lou̯¹³/

/ua(ʔ)⁴³⁻²¹ kau²¹⁻⁴² lau²² o(ʔ)⁴³⁻²¹ kau²¹⁻⁴² lau²²/

live and learn; it is never too late to learn


中流砥柱

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄧˇ ㄓㄨˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄉㄧˇ ㄓㄨˋㄦ

чжунлюдичжур

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂuɻʷ⁵¹/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ lɐu̯²¹ tɐi̯³⁵ t͡sʰyː¹³/

From the so-called Mount Dizhu (砥柱山), which is situated midstream of the Yellow River, splitting its flow.

(figurative) mainstay; cornerstone; chief support


萬分感謝

ㄨㄢˋ ㄈㄣ ㄍㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄝˋ

ваньфэнь ганьсе

/wän⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/maːn²² fɐn⁵⁵ kɐm³⁵ t͡sɛː²²/

/wän⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/maːn²² fɐn⁵⁵ kɐm³⁵ t͡sɛː²²/


特立獨行

ㄊㄜˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ tu³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/tɐk̚² lɐp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tɐk̚² laːp̚² tʊk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² lip̚⁴⁻³² tɔk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

independent in mind and action; unconventional and strong-minded


一問一答

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²² jɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mɯŋ¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tap̚²/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɐn²² jɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² mɯŋ¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tap̚²/

a conversation in which one side asks questions and the other side answers

一問一答式的對話

一问一答式的对话

to ask and answer interchangeably or successively


禁止吸煙

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄓˇ ㄒㄧ ㄧㄢ

цзиньчжи сиянь

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵/

/kɐm³³ t͡siː³⁵ kʰɐp̚⁵ jiːn⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵/

/kɐm³³ t͡siː³⁵ kʰɐp̚⁵ jiːn⁵⁵/

no smoking (phrase used in notices indicating that the smoking of cigarettes, etc., is not permitted in the surrounding area)


人云亦云

ㄖㄣˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄧˋ ㄩㄣˊ

/ʐən³⁵ yn³⁵ i⁵¹ yn³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ jɪk̚² wɐn²¹/

/ʐən³⁵ yn³⁵ i⁵¹ yn³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ jɪk̚² wɐn²¹/

to say what others say; to follow the herd


唵嘛呢叭咪吽

ㄢˇ ㄇㄚ ㄋㄧ ㄅㄟ ㄇㄟ ㄏㄨㄥ

ㄛㄫ ㄇㄚ ㄋㄧ ㄅㄟ ㄇㄟ ㄏㄨㄥ

ань мани бэймэй хун

/ˀän²¹⁴⁻²¹ mä⁵⁵ ni⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵ meɪ̯⁵⁵ xʊŋ⁵⁵/

ун мани бэймэй хун

/ˀʊŋ⁵⁵ mä⁵⁵ ni⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵ meɪ̯⁵⁵ xʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ˀʊŋ⁵⁵ mä⁵⁵ ni⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵ meɪ̯⁵⁵ xʊŋ⁵⁵/

Borrowed from Sanskrit ॐ मणिपद्मे हूं (oṃ maṇipadme hūṃ).

bor

ॐ मणिपद्मे हूं


一貧如洗

ㄧ ㄆㄧㄣˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄒㄧˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰin³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰɐn²¹ jyː²¹ sɐi̯³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pʰin³⁵ ʐu³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰɐn²¹ jyː²¹ sɐi̯³⁵/

poor as a church mouse
poor as a church mouse


不痛不癢

ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ¹³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ jœːŋ¹³/

not getting to the substance of the matter; perfunctory; superficial

不疼不癢

not getting into the substance of the matter

hesitant and equivocal in attitude (when dealing with a matter)


如意郎君

ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ ㄌㄤˊ ㄐㄩㄣ

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ lɔːŋ²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

/ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ jiː³³ lɔːŋ²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵/

ideal husband; Mr. Right; Prince Charming


身體力行

ㄕㄣ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/ʂən⁵⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹ ɕiŋ³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ lɪk̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

/sin⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰe⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²³/

/sin⁴⁴⁻²² tʰe⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² hiɪŋ²⁴/

practice what one preaches
practice what one preaches

to practice what one preaches; to set an example by personally taking part


證畢

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵/

quod erat demonstrandum
quod erat demonstrandum

(mathematics) quod erat demonstrandum (QED)


青春年少

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄠˋ

цинчуньняньшао

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ siːu̯³³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ siːu̯³³/


慾火焚身

ㄩˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄈㄣˊ ㄕㄣ

юйхофэньшэнь

/y⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ fən³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/jʊk̚² fɔː³⁵ fɐn²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

/y⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ fən³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/jʊk̚² fɔː³⁵ fɐn²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

(colloquial) burning with desire; sexually excited


春風化雨

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ

чуньфэнхуаюй

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

Under the positive influence of Teacher Chen, I've learnt to how to get along with others.

Zài Chén lǎoshī de chūnfēnghuàyǔ xià, wǒ xuéhuì le rúhé dàirénjiēwù.

在陳老師的春風化雨下，我學會了如何待人接物。

在陈老师的春风化雨下，我学会了如何待人接物。

The positive influence warmed my heart completely, the blessings of a lifetime are given without words.

1989, Beyond, 真的愛你 (Really Love You), in Beyond IV

ceon¹ fung¹ faa³ jyu⁵ nyun⁵ tau³ ngo⁵ dik¹ sam¹, jat¹ sang¹ gyun³ gu³ mou⁴ jin⁴ dei⁶ sung³ zang⁶.

春風化雨暖透我的心，一生眷顧無言地送贈。

春风化雨暖透我的心，一生眷顾无言地送赠。

(figurative) benefits of education; positive influence of a teacher


新年發財

[May you] be rich [this] new year; [may you] gain wealth [this] new year

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄚ ㄘㄞˊ

синьнянь фацай

/ɕin⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ faːt̚³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ niːn²¹ faːt̚³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/


新正如意

desc

ซินเจียยู่อี่

→ Thai: ซินเจียยู่อี่

→ Thai: ซินเจียยู่อี่

[May] your wishes come true [on commencement of] the new first lunar month

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓㄥ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ

синьчжэн жуи

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sĩã³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

/ɕin⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/siŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sĩã³³⁻²³ d͡zu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ i²¹³/

As the new year of the Fire Rooster arrives, the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Teochew Association sincerely wishes everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

Jiè cǐ dīngyǒu nián xīnchūn lìlín zhījì, Xuělóng Cháozhōu Huìguǎn quántǐ tóngrén jǐn cǐ gōngzhù gèjiè chūnjié kuàilè, xīnzhēng rúyì!

藉此丁酉年新春蒞臨之際，雪隆潮州會館全體同仁謹此恭祝各界春節快樂，新正如意！

藉此丁酉年新春莅临之际，雪隆潮州会馆全体同仁谨此恭祝各界春节快乐，新正如意！

Congratulations! Happy Chinese New Year!

恭喜賀喜新正如意

恭喜贺喜新正如意

(regional, chiefly Teochew) Happy Chinese New Year


風塵碌碌

ㄈㄥ ㄔㄣˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn²¹ lʊk̚⁵ lʊk̚⁵/

to be busy with worldly affairs; toiling over ordinary chores


斬到一頸血

to be chopped, leaving a neck full of blood

/t͡saːm³⁵ tou̯³³ jɐt̚⁵ kɛːŋ³⁵ hyːt̚³/

/t͡saːm³⁵ tou̯³³ jɐt̚⁵ kɛːŋ³⁵ hyːt̚³/

The usual case is that the big shareholder still has to pretend to be charming after getting ripped off, telling people all over that he still has billions of dollars to bring back up.

2016, 羅尚沛 (Eugene Law), 越爆越亢奮, 港股策略王, issue 84, page 61

tung¹ soeng⁴ cing⁴ fong³ hai⁶ go³ daai⁶ gu² dung¹ ji⁵ ging¹ zaam² dou³ jat¹ geng² hyut³ dou¹ jiu³ baan⁶ saai³ siu¹ saa², zau¹ wai⁴ tung⁴ jan⁴ gong² zung⁶ jau⁵ gei² sap⁶ go³ jik¹ wui⁵ tok³ faan¹ soeng⁵ heoi³.

通常情況係個大股東已經斬到一頸血都要扮晒瀟灑，周圍同人講重有幾十個億會托返上去。

通常情况系个大股东已经斩到一颈血都要扮晒潇洒，周围同人讲重有几十个亿会托返上去。


白手起家

ㄅㄞˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄚ

/paɪ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ hei̯³⁵ kaː⁵⁵/

to go from rags to riches; to start an enterprise from scratch; to build up from nothing; to start from scratch


烏合之眾

⇒ Japanese: 烏合の衆 (ugō no shū)

ㄨ ㄏㄜˊ ㄓ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/u⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ hɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ³³ hap̚²⁴⁻² t͡si³³ t͡siɔŋ⁴¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻²² hap̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɔŋ²¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ¹¹/

/ɔ⁴⁴⁻³³ hap̚⁴⁻³² t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɔŋ²¹/


安於現狀

ㄢ ㄩˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

аньюйсяньчжуан

/ˀän⁵⁵ y³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ y³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

to be content with the status quo (and unwilling to progress); to take things as they are


永無止境

ㄩㄥˇ ㄨˊ ㄓˇ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kɪŋ³⁵/

without an end; endless; never-ending; boundless


強詞奪理

ㄑㄧㄤˇ ㄘˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ tu̯ɔ³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯¹³/

/kʰœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰiː²¹ tyːt̚² lei̯¹³/

to use lame arguments and perverted logic; shoving false arguments down people's throats; sophistry


愣頭愣腦

ㄌㄥˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄥˋ ㄋㄠˇ

лэнтоулэннао

/lɤŋ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lɤŋ⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄌㄥˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄥˋ ㄋㄠˇㄦ

лэнтоулэннаор

/lɤŋ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lɤŋ⁵¹ naʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɪŋ²² tʰɐu̯²¹ lɪŋ²² nou̯¹³/

/lɤŋ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lɤŋ⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɤŋ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lɤŋ⁵¹ naʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lɪŋ²² tʰɐu̯²¹ lɪŋ²² nou̯¹³/


一日到黑

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚² tou̯³³ hɐk̚⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚² tou̯³³ haːk̚⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚² tou̯³³ hɐk̚⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚² tou̯³³ haːk̚⁵/


嫁禍於人

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ ㄖㄣˊ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ y³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/kaː³³ wɔː²² jyː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹/

to shift the blame on others; to pass the buck


自知之明

цзычжичжимин

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡siː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent.

知人者智，自知者明。

人貴有自知之明。

人贵有自知之明。


貴人多忘事

ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄨㄤˋ ㄕˋ

гуйжэнь до ван ши

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄨㄤˋ ㄕˋㄦ

гуйжэньдованшир

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩ɻ⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯³³ jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ siː²²/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩ɻ⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯³³ jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ siː²²/

(originally honorific, now usually sarcastic) important people tend to have short memories; someone having a forgetful mind


安家落戶

ㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˋ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

ㄢ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˋㄦ

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² wuː²²/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xuɻʷ⁵¹/

/ɔːn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² wuː²²/

to set up home in a new place; to settle in a new place


可望而不可即

ㄎㄜˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧˊ

кэ ван эр букэ цзи

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hɔː³⁵ mɔːŋ²¹ jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵/

in sight but unattainable; within sight but beyond reach; inaccessible


自相殘殺

ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄘㄢˊ ㄕㄚ

цзысянцаньша

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ saːt̚³/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵/

/t͡siː²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ saːt̚³/

to slaughter each other; to massacre one another


皮包骨頭

ㄆㄧˊ ㄅㄠ ㄍㄨˇ ˙ㄊㄡ

ㄆㄧˊ ㄅㄠ ㄍㄨˊ ˙ㄊㄡ

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³/

/pʰei̯²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴/

/pʰi³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³/

/pʰei̯²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/


莊周夢蝶

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄓㄡ ㄇㄥˋ ㄉㄧㄝˊ

чжуанчжоумэнде

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² tiːp̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ ti̯ɛ³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² tiːp̚²/

Once, Zhuang Zhou dreamed he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering about, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know that he was Zhuang Zhou. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Zhuang Zhou. But he didn't know if he was Zhuang Zhou who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming that he was Zhuang Zhou. Between Zhuang Zhou and the butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the "Transformation of Things".

Xī zhě Zhuāng Zhōu mèng wéi húdié, xǔxǔ rán húdié yě, zìyù shì zhì yǔ. Bùzhī Zhōu yě. Érán jué, zé qúqú rán Zhōu yě. Bùzhī Zhōu zhī mèng wéi húdié yǔ, húdié zhī mèng wéi Zhōu yǔ. Zhōu yǔ húdié, zé bì yǒu fēn yǐ. Cǐ zhī wèi wùhuà.

昔者莊周夢為胡蝶，栩栩然胡蝶也，自喻適志與。不知周也。俄然覺，則蘧蘧然周也。不知周之夢為胡蝶與，胡蝶之夢為周與。周與胡蝶，則必有分矣。此之謂物化。

昔者庄周梦为胡蝶，栩栩然胡蝶也，自喻适志与。不知周也。俄然觉，则蘧蘧然周也。不知周之梦为胡蝶与，胡蝶之梦为周与。周与胡蝶，则必有分矣。此之谓物化。

(figurative, philosophy) one is never certain whether what one sees is reality or illusion; changeable nature of human life


血氣方剛

ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄈㄤ ㄍㄤ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ fɑŋ⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵⁵/

/hyːt̚³ hei̯³³ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ kɔːŋ⁵⁵/

Confucius said, "There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth, when the physical powers are not yet settled, he guards against lust. When he is strong and the physical powers are full of vigor, he guards against quarrelsomeness. When he is old, and the animal powers are decayed, he guards against covetousness."

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

Kǒng Zǐ yuē: “Jūnzǐ yǒu sān jiè: shào zhī shí, xuèqì wèi dìng, jiè zhī zài sè; jí qí zhuàng yě, xuèqì fāng gāng, jiè zhī zài dòu; jí qí lǎo yě, xuèqì jì shuāi, jiè zhī zài dé.”

孔子曰：「君子有三戒：少之時，血氣未定，戒之在色；及其壯也，血氣方剛，戒之在鬭；及其老也，血氣既衰，戒之在得。」

孔子曰：「君子有三戒：少之时，血气未定，戒之在色；及其壮也，血气方刚，戒之在斗；及其老也，血气既衰，戒之在得。」

(usually of youth) hot-blooded; full of vigour; buoyant and impetuous


群言堂

ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄊㄤˊ

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kʷʰɐn²¹ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

democratic decision making; decision making by consensus


一言堂

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ɡiɛn¹³⁻²² tɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻²² tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ ɡiɛn¹³⁻²² tɔŋ¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ tɔŋ²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ tɔŋ²³/

authoritarian decision making (in which one person decides the matter arbitrarily)


有目無珠

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu⁵¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ mʊk̚² mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

有眼無珠 有眼無珠#Chinese

有眼无珠 有眼无珠#Chinese


有眼無珠

有眼无珠
有目無珠
有眼無瞳
肉眼無珠
眼內無珠
盲眼無珠

ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ ŋaːn¹³ mou̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ t͡su⁴⁴/

(figurative) lacking the ability to see or discern; to have a narrow vision; ignorant


相依為命

相依为命
相須為命
相倚為命
相與為命

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄧ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã¹¹/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²²/

/siaŋ³³⁻²³ i³³⁻²³ ui⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã¹¹/

to depend on each other for survival; to rely on one another for life


脣齒相依

ㄔㄨㄣˊ ㄔˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄧ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵/

/sɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jiː⁵⁵/

(figurative) to be closely related and mutually dependent (like the lips and teeth)


千真萬確

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄓㄣ ㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ

цяньчжэньваньцюэ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ t͡sən⁵⁵ uan²¹³ t͡ɕʰyo²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² kʰɔːk̚³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ t͡sən⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰɔk̚¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ ʈ͡ʂən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡sən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰiɛn⁵⁵ t͡sən⁵⁵ uan²¹³ t͡ɕʰyo²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ maːn²² kʰɔːk̚³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴ t͡sən⁴⁴⁻³⁵ ʋan⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kʰɔk̚¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ ʈ͡ʂən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ t͡sən³³ u̯an⁴⁵ kʰo²⁴/

absolutely true; one can swear it is true


面無表情

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² mou̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ u³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

/miːn²² mou̯²¹ piːu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

stolid; showing little expression on the face


直截了當

直截了当
直接了當
直捷了當

ㄓˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄤˋ

чжицзеляодан

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡siːt̚² liːu̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sɪk̚² t͡siːt̚² liːu̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³/


不擇手段

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄢˋ

буцзэшоудуань

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã²²/

/pu⁵¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡saːk̚² sɐu̯³⁵ tyːn²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tuã³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ tiɪk̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰiu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tuã²²/

(derogatory) to take any measures to do something; to stop at nothing; by hook or by crook; unscrupulously

只要目的正當，可以不擇手段／只要目的正当，可以不择手段

zhǐyào mùdì zhèngdàng, kěyǐ bùzéshǒuduàn


悶悶不樂

ㄇㄣˋ ㄇㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄜˋ

мэньмэньбулэ

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/mən⁵¹⁻⁵³ mən⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/muːn²² muːn²² pɐt̚⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun⁴¹⁻²² bun⁴¹⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ lɔk̚²⁴/

/bun²²⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁵ lɔk̚¹²¹/

/bun³³⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/

/bun³³⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ lɔk̚⁴/


大顯身手

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇ

дасяньшэньшоу

/tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇㄦ

дасяньшэньшоур

/tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂɤʊ̯ɻʷ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² hiːn³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

/tä⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂən⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/taːi̯²² hiːn³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

This is a good opportunity for you to show off your skills.

Zhè kěshì nǐ dàxiǎnshēnshǒu de hǎo jīhuì ya.

這可是你大顯身手的好機會呀。

这可是你大显身手的好机会呀。

to display all of one's capabilities; to strut one's stuff; to show off one's skills


言過其實

ㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

/jɛn³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/jiːn²¹ kʷɔː³³ kʰei̯²¹ sɐt̚²/

/ɡiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ ki²⁴⁻¹¹ sit̚⁴/

/ɡiɛn²³⁻³³ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ki²³⁻³³ sit̚⁴/

Things have inherent forms; forms have inherent names. Words should not stretch the truth, and truth should not be used to go after immoderate fame.

Wù gù yǒu xíng, xíng gù yǒu míng. Cǐ yán bùdé guòshí, shí bùdé yán míng.

物固有形，形固有名。此言不得過實，實不得延名。

物固有形，形固有名。此言不得过实，实不得延名。

to overstate the facts; to stretch the truth; to exaggerate


沉默寡言

ㄔㄣˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄧㄢˊ

чэньмогуаянь

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ mɐk̚² kʷaː³⁵ jiːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐm²¹ mɐk̚² kʷaː³⁵ jiːn²¹/


不予理睬

ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄘㄞˇ

/pu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ lei̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ lei̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵/

to ignore; to dismiss; to pay no attention to


積少成多

ㄐㄧ ㄕㄠˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄉㄨㄛ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚⁵ siːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ tɔː⁵⁵/

to accumulate little by little; many small things add to something great


去蕪存菁

to get rid of the weeds and keep the flowers

ㄑㄩˋ ㄨˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄥ

цюйуцуньцзин

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵/

/hɵy̯³³ mou̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵/

separate the wheat from the chaff
separate the wheat from the chaff


壓力山大

ㄧㄚ ㄌㄧˋ ㄕㄢ ㄉㄚˋ

/jä⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

/jä⁵⁵ li⁵¹ ʂän⁵⁵ tä⁵¹/

Similar-sounding rendition of 亞歷山大／亚历山大 (Yàlìshāndà, “Alexander; Alexandra”).

zh-l

(neologism, humorous) to be under great pressure


付之一笑

ㄈㄨˋ ㄓ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³/

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siːu̯³³/

to laugh something off; to dismiss with a laugh


毋庸置疑

/u³⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

/u³⁵ jʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/mou̯²¹ jʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³³ jiː²¹/

no need to question; without any doubt; undoubtedly


相濡以沫

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˇ ㄇㄛˋ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː¹³ muːt̚²/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː¹³ muːt̚²/

From Zhuangzi [ca. 3rd – 2nd centuries BCE]

defdate

ca. 3rd – 2nd centuries <small class='ce-date'>BCE</small>

When the springs are dried up, the fishes collect together on the land. Than that they should moisten one another there by the damp about them, and keep one another wet by their slime, it would be better for them to forget one another in the rivers and lakes.

Quán hé, yú xiāngyǔ chǔ yú lù, xiāng xǔ yǐ shī, xiāng rú yǐ mò, bùrú xiāngwàng yú jiānghú.

泉涸，魚相與處於陸，相呴以溼，相濡以沫，不如相忘於江湖。

泉涸，鱼相与处于陆，相呴以湿，相濡以沫，不如相忘于江湖。

(figurative) to help each other pull through a crisis; mutual help when both are in humble situations

(figurative, of a loving couple) to accompany each other through times of prosperity and hardships till the end of time


一頭霧水

ㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tʰau¹³⁻²² bu²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³⁻³³ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡sui⁴¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ u⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ mou̯²² sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu²²⁻²¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² tʰau²⁴⁻²² bu⁴¹⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ bu³³⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³⁻³³ bu³³⁻²¹ t͡sui⁴¹/

to be completely muddle-headed; to be baffled


腰酸背痛

ㄧㄠ ㄙㄨㄢ ㄅㄟˋ ㄊㄨㄥˋ

яосуаньбэйтун

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯än⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯⁵⁵ syːn⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ tʰʊŋ³³/

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ su̯än⁵⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯⁵⁵ syːn⁵⁵ puːi̯³³ tʰʊŋ³³/

(medicine) to have a pain in the back, especially the lower back


家常便飯

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄔㄤˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄈㄢˋ

цзячанбяньфань

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ fän⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ sœːŋ²¹ piːn²² faːn²²/

/ka⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ²³⁻³³ piɛn³³⁻²¹ pŋ̍³³/

/ka³³ siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² piɛn⁴¹⁻²² pŋ̍⁴¹/

/ka⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ piɛn³³⁻¹¹ pŋ̍³³/

/ka⁴⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² piɛn²²⁻²¹ pŋ̍²²/

/kɛ⁴⁴⁻²² siaŋ¹³⁻²² piɛn²²⁻²¹ puĩ²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ fän⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ sœːŋ²¹ piːn²² faːn²²/

/ka⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ²³⁻³³ piɛn³³⁻²¹ pŋ̍³³/

/ka³³ siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² piɛn⁴¹⁻²² pŋ̍⁴¹/

/ka⁴⁴⁻³³ siɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ piɛn³³⁻¹¹ pŋ̍³³/

/ka⁴⁴⁻²² siɔŋ²⁴⁻²² piɛn²²⁻²¹ pŋ̍²²/

/kɛ⁴⁴⁻²² siaŋ¹³⁻²² piɛn²²⁻²¹ puĩ²²/

typical meal at home; simple home-style meal

(figurative) common occurrence; usual practice; routine


語無倫次

ㄩˇ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄘˋ

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

/y²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ lu̯ən³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/jyː¹³ mou̯²¹ lɵn²¹ t͡sʰiː³³/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ lun²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu¹¹/

/ɡu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² lun²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰu²¹/

to speak incoherently; to ramble in one's statement; confused and incomprehensible speech


一肚子壞水

ㄧ ㄉㄨˋ ˙ㄗ ㄏㄨㄞˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

yīdùzi huàishuǐ [Phonetic:yídùzi huàishuǐ]

идуцзы хуайшуй

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ xu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄧ ㄉㄨˋ ˙ㄗ ㄏㄨㄞˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇㄦ

идуцзыхуайшуйр

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ xu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯əɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(derogatory, of a person) to be full of tricks; to be full of evil intentions


食飽未

English: jiak ba buay

/sɪk̚² paːu̯³⁵ mei̯²²/

/t͡siaʔ⁴⁻² pa⁵²⁻³⁵ bue¹¹/

/sɪk̚² paːu̯³⁵ mei̯²²/

/t͡siaʔ⁴⁻² pa⁵²⁻³⁵ bue¹¹/


千古罪人

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄍㄨˇ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄖㄣˊ

цяньгуцзуйжэнь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kuː³⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐn²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kuː³⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐn²¹/


東風化雨

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ faː³³ jyː¹³/


百年不遇

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˋ

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jyː²²/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ y⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jyː²²/

(figurative) once-in-a-hundred-years (event); not seen in a hundred years


百年大計

ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˋ

байняньдацзи

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/paːk̚³ niːn²¹ taːi̯²² kɐi̯³³/

(figurative) matter of paramount importance; vital long-term project


化雨春風

ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄩˇ ㄔㄨㄣ ㄈㄥ

хуаюйчуньфэн

/xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/faː³³ jyː¹³ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/xu̯ä⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/faː³³ jyː¹³ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

benefits of education; positive influence of a teacher


條分縷析

ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄈㄣ ㄌㄩˇ ㄒㄧ

тяофэньлюйси

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ fən⁵⁵ ly²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ fɐn⁵⁵ lɵy̯¹³ sɪk̚⁵/

to make a careful and detailed analysis; to analyze thoroughly point by point


一般嚟講

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ kɔːŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn⁵⁵ lɐi̯²¹ kɔːŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn⁵⁵ lei̯²¹ kɔːŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn⁵⁵ lɐi̯²¹ kɔːŋ³⁵/

(Cantonese) generally speaking; normally; generally


裝瘋賣傻

ㄓㄨㄤ ㄈㄥ ㄇㄞˋ ㄕㄚˇ

чжуанфэнмайша

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ maɪ̯⁵¹ ʂä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ maːi̯²² sɔː²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ maɪ̯⁵¹ ʂä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ maːi̯²² sɔː²¹/


一般來說

ㄧ ㄅㄢ ㄌㄞˊ ㄕㄨㄛ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ syːt̚³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ puːn⁵⁵ lɔːi̯²¹ syːt̚³/


大勢已去

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕˋ ㄧˇ ㄑㄩˋ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐi̯³³ jiː¹³ hɵy̯³³/

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² sɐi̯³³ jiː¹³ hɵy̯³³/

that ship has sailed
that ship has sailed

the game is as good as lost; that ship has sailed


未完待續

ㄨㄟˋ ㄨㄢˊ ㄉㄞˋ ㄒㄩˋ

вэйваньдайсюй

/weɪ̯⁵¹ wän³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹/

/mei̯²² jyːn²¹ tɔːi̯²² t͡sʊk̚²/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ wän³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕy⁵¹/

/mei̯²² jyːn²¹ tɔːi̯²² t͡sʊk̚²/


口耳相傳

ㄎㄡˇ ㄦˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

коуэрсянчуань

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ jiː¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/hɐu̯³⁵ jiː¹³ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to be passed down orally (from generation to generation)


無一幸免

ㄨˊ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄢˇ

/u³⁵ i⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ hɐŋ²² miːn¹³/

/u³⁵ i⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵¹ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ hɐŋ²² miːn¹³/

nobody was spared from the disaster; no one was fortunate enough to avoid


雕蟲小技

ㄉㄧㄠ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧˋ

дяочунсяоцзи

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

ㄉㄧㄠ ㄔㄨㄥˊㄦ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧˋ

дяочунрсяоцзи

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊ̃ɻ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ kei̯²²/

/ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/tiːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ siːu̯³⁵ kei̯²²/

insignificant talent; minor accomplishment


辭舊迎新

ㄘˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/t͡sʰz̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯²² jɪŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰz̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ iŋ³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯²² jɪŋ²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

to ring out the old and ring in the new; to bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new


暗送秋波

ㄢˋ ㄙㄨㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄅㄛ

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ sʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

ㄢˋ ㄙㄨㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄅㄛㄦ

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ sʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔɻ⁵⁵/

/ɐm³³ sʊŋ³³ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ pɔː⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ sʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ sʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pu̯ɔɻ⁵⁵/

/ɐm³³ sʊŋ³³ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ pɔː⁵⁵/

give someone the eye
give someone the eye

(of a woman) to give someone the eye; to cast coquettish glances at someone

(derogatory) to curry favour with someone secretly


……餐懵

/t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵ mʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːn⁵⁵ mʊŋ³⁵/

打餐懵

笑餐懵

搵餐懵

揾餐懵

真係俾你嚇餐懵！

真系俾你吓餐懵！

(Cantonese, after a verb) Describes something that has happened for a long time or multiple times, to the point of stupidity or senselessness


拖泥帶水

ㄊㄨㄛ ㄋㄧˊ ㄉㄞˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

/tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ni³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɔː⁵⁵ nɐi̯²¹ taːi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵/

/tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ni³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰɔː⁵⁵ nɐi̯²¹ taːi̯³³ sɵy̯³⁵/

(derogatory) to do something in a long-drawn or slovenly manner; to be indecisive or beat about the bush


時不我待

ㄕˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄞˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/siː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ tɔːi̯²²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ pu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/siː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɔː¹³ tɔːi̯²²/

The word order features the inversion of verb (待) and object (我) in negative sentences in Classical Chinese.

time waits for no one
time waits for no one


光陰荏苒

ㄍㄨㄤ ㄧㄣ ㄖㄣˇ ㄖㄢˇ

гуанъиньжэньжань

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ in⁵⁵ ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵ jɐm¹³ jiːm¹³/

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ in⁵⁵ ʐən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʐän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ jɐm⁵⁵ jɐm¹³ jiːm¹³/


按部就班

ㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄢ

аньбуцзюбань

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ pän⁵⁵/

/ɔːn³³ pou̯²² t͡sɐu̯²² paːn⁵⁵/

/an²¹⁻⁵³ pɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siu²²⁻²¹ pan⁴⁴/

/an⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡siu⁴¹⁻²² pan³³/

/an²¹⁻⁵³ pɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siu²²⁻²¹ pan⁴⁴/

/an¹¹⁻⁵³ pɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡siu³³⁻¹¹ pan⁴⁴/

/an²¹⁻⁴¹ pɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡siu³³⁻²¹ pan⁴⁴/

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ pän⁵⁵/

/ɔːn³³ pou̯²² t͡sɐu̯²² paːn⁵⁵/

/an²¹⁻⁵³ pɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siu²²⁻²¹ pan⁴⁴/

/an⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡siu⁴¹⁻²² pan³³/

/an²¹⁻⁵³ pɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siu²²⁻²¹ pan⁴⁴/

/an¹¹⁻⁵³ pɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡siu³³⁻¹¹ pan⁴⁴/

/an²¹⁻⁴¹ pɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡siu³³⁻²¹ pan⁴⁴/

to do something in an orderly manner; to follow the prescribed order

(figurative) to keep to the conventional ways


要風度不要溫度

要风度不要温度
要風度不要温度

ㄧㄠˋ ㄈㄥ ㄉㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄠˋ ㄨㄣ ㄉㄨˋ

yào fēngdù bùyào wēndù [Phonetic:yào fēngdù búyào wēndù]

яо фэнду буяо вэньду

/jɑʊ̯⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ tu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ wən⁵⁵ tu⁵¹/

/jiːu̯³³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ tou̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jiːu̯³³ wɐn⁵⁵ tou̯²²/

(one who would rather) be fashionable than comfortable; (one who) wears little on a cold day to look attractive


視而不見

ㄕˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siː²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siː²² jiː²¹ pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³/

From the Great Learning (《大學》) in the Book of Rites

When the mind is not present, we look without seeing; we hear without understanding; and we eat and do not know the taste of what we eat. This is what is meant by saying that the cultivation of the person depends on the rectifying of the mind.

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

Xīn bùzài yān, shì ér bù jiàn, tīng ér bù wén, shí ér bùzhī qí wèi. Cǐ wèi xiūshēn zài zhèng qí xīn.

心不在焉，視而不見，聽而不聞，食而不知其味。此謂修身在正其心。

心不在焉，视而不见，听而不闻，食而不知其味。此谓修身在正其心。

to turn a blind eye; to deliberately overlook or ignore


悔過自新

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

хуэйгоцзысинь

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ kʷɔː³³ t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ kʷɔː³³ t͡siː²² sɐn⁵⁵/

turn over a new leaf
turn over a new leaf


錦囊妙計

desc

→ Korean: 비단 주머니 (bidan jumeoni) (calque)

ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄋㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄐㄧˋ

цзиньнанмяоцзи

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kɐm³⁵ nɔːŋ²¹ miːu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ¹³⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/ɡim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ biau³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/t͡ɕin²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹/

/kɐm³⁵ nɔːŋ²¹ miːu̯²² kɐi̯³³/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻²² biau⁴¹⁻²² ke⁴¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ¹³⁻²² biau²²⁻²¹ ke²¹/

/ɡim⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ biau³³⁻¹¹ ke¹¹/

/ɡim⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ lɔŋ²³⁻³³ biau³³⁻²¹ ke²¹/

From an episode in the fourteenth-century novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in which the strategist Zhuge Liang gives the general Zhao Yun—who is escorting the protagonist Liu Bei to the neighboring realm of Wu, ruled by Sun Quan―three brocade pouches containing cunning instructions on how to thwart Sun Quan's schemes to keep Liu Bei hostage.

Liu Bei
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Sun Quan
Wu
Zhao Yun
Zhuge Liang


自告奮勇

ㄗˋ ㄍㄠˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄩㄥˇ

цзыгаофэньюн

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fən⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siː²² kou̯³³ fɐn¹³ jʊŋ¹³/

/t͡siː²² kou̯³³ fɐn¹³ jʊŋ¹³/

to offer to do something voluntarily and enthusiastically; to volunteer for


開誠布公

ㄎㄞ ㄔㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ pou̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ pou̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵/

wear one's heart on one's sleeve
wear one's heart on one's sleeve

to wear one's heart on one's sleeve; to be frank and sincere


當頭棒喝

ㄉㄤ ㄊㄡˊ ㄅㄤˋ ㄏㄜˋ

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ pʰaːŋ¹³ hɔːt̚³/

/tɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xɤ⁵¹/

/tɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ pʰaːŋ¹³ hɔːt̚³/

(Buddhism, of a novice monk) to receive a blow with a stick or a yell by his master to bring about instant realization or awakening

(figurative) stern warning; wake-up call


金盆洗手

to wash one's hands in a gold(-coloured) basin

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄆㄣˊ ㄒㄧˇ ㄕㄡˇ

цзиньпэньсишоу

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pʰən³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ pʰuːn²¹ sɐi̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pʰən³⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐm⁵⁵ pʰuːn²¹ sɐi̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

(figurative) to abandon one's life as an outlaw (after having made a fortune)

(by extension) to abandon one's decade-long career; to give up on something one does as a routine


一筆勾銷

ㄧ ㄅㄧˇ ㄍㄡ ㄒㄧㄠ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ kau³³ siau³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ ŋɐu̯⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pit̚⁵⁻²⁴ kau³³ siau³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pit̚³²⁻⁵ kau⁴⁴⁻²² siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pit̚³²⁻⁴ kau⁴⁴⁻³³ siau⁴⁴/

to write off at one stroke; to cancel once and for all


一廂情願

ㄧ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄢˋ

исянцинъюань

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ jyːn²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻²² ɡuan⁴¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɪŋ¹³⁻²² ɡuan²²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡuan³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɪŋ²³⁻³³ ɡuan³³/

one's own wishful thinking; unilateral willingness; unrequited love


做牛做馬

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄚˇ

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sou̯²² ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡sou̯²² maː¹³/

/t͡so²¹⁻⁵³ ɡu²⁴⁻²² t͡so²¹⁻⁵³ be⁵³/

/t͡so⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ɡu²⁴⁻²² t͡so⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ be⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡so²¹⁻⁵³ ɡu¹³⁻²² t͡so²¹⁻⁵³ be⁵³/

/t͡so¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so¹¹⁻⁵³ be⁵³/

/t͡sɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡu²³⁻³³ t͡sɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ be⁴¹/

/t͡sou̯²² ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡sou̯²² maː¹³/

/t͡so²¹⁻⁵³ ɡu²⁴⁻²² t͡so²¹⁻⁵³ be⁵³/

/t͡so⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ɡu²⁴⁻²² t͡so⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ be⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡so²¹⁻⁵³ ɡu¹³⁻²² t͡so²¹⁻⁵³ be⁵³/

/t͡so¹¹⁻⁵³ ɡu²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡so¹¹⁻⁵³ be⁵³/

/t͡sɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ ɡu²³⁻³³ t͡sɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ be⁴¹/

to work one's butt off; to work extremely hard

to lower one's dignity to do everything and anything for someone


以貌取人

ㄧˇ ㄇㄠˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄖㄣˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ maːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jɐn²¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ mɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ maːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ jɐn²¹/

judge a book by its cover
you can't judge a book by its cover

to judge a book by its cover; to judge people by their appearance


應該的

/iŋ⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵⁵ d̥ə²/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ kɔːi̯⁵⁵ tɪk̚⁵/

/iŋ⁵⁵ kaɪ̯⁵⁵ d̥ə²/

/jɪŋ⁵⁵ kɔːi̯⁵⁵ tɪk̚⁵/

GT - General Taiwanese (no specific region identified)


突發奇想

ㄊㄨ ㄈㄚ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

ㄊㄨˊ ㄈㄚ ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/tʰu⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰu³⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐt̚² faːt̚³ kʰei̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

/tʰu⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰu³⁵ fä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐt̚² faːt̚³ kʰei̯²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

to suddenly come up with an ingenious idea; to suddenly be inspired to do something


不依不撓

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄠˊ

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ nɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ naːu̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ nɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ naːu̯²¹/

不依不饒 不依不饒#Chinese

不依不饶 不依不饶#Chinese

Alternative form of 不依不饒／不依不饶 (bùyībùráo, “unforgiving; unwilling to pardon”)


不依不饒

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄠˊ

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʐɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʐɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jiː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiːu̯²¹/

to not stop pestering (in order to achieve one's goal)


前後不一

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄡˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ hɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/


紅光滿面

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

хунгуанманьмянь

/xʊŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

/xʊŋ³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ män²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ muːn¹³ miːn²²/

(of complexion) glowing with health; ruddy and radiant


人間蒸發

ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄓㄥ ㄈㄚ

жэньцзяньчжэнфа

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ faːt̚³/

/ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fä⁵⁵/

/jɐn²¹ kaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ faːt̚³/

inexplicably out of sight; to vanish into thin air


節哀順變

ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄞ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

цзеайшуньбянь

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɵn²² piːn³³/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻¹¹ piɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ai³³⁻²³ suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵⁵ ʂu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːt̚³ ɔːi̯⁵⁵ sɵn²² piːn³³/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻¹¹ piɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ ai⁴⁴ sun³³⁻²¹ piɛn²¹/

/t͡sak̚²⁻⁴ ai³³⁻²³ suŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ piaŋ²¹³/

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

The rites of mourning are the extreme expression of grief and sadness. In modulating grief, one accords with changes; this is how the gentleman keeps mindful of those to whom we owe our being.

Sānglǐ, āiqī zhī zhì yě. Jié'āi, shùnbiàn yě; jūnzǐ niàn shǐ zhī zhě yě.

喪禮，哀戚之至也。節哀，順變也；君子念始之者也。

丧礼，哀戚之至也。节哀，顺变也；君子念始之者也。

請節哀順變！

请节哀顺变！

to restrain one's grief and accept fate (used to console family of a deceased person); my condolences


翻山越嶺

ㄈㄢ ㄕㄢ ㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄥˇ

фаньшаньюэлин

/fän⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɪŋ¹³/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɛːŋ¹³/

/fän⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ liŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɪŋ¹³/

/faːn⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ jyːt̚² lɛːŋ¹³/

to pass over mountains and ridges; to trek over mountains; to make a long and difficult journey


垂涎三尺

ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄢ ㄔˇ

чуйсяньсаньчи

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵy̯²¹ jiːn²¹ saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/

/sɵy̯²¹ jiːn²¹ saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɛːk̚³/

to drool (over); to yearn for (certain food or an item); to covet


幾點了

ㄐㄧˇ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ˙ㄌㄜ

/t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴ lə⁴/

/t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴ lə⁴/


河水不犯井水

river water not interfering with the wellwater

ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

héshuǐ bùfàn jǐngshuǐ [Phonetic:héshuǐbúfànjíngshuǐ]

хэшуй буфань цзиншуй

/xɤ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fän⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːn²² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

井水不犯河水 井水不犯河水#Chinese

Alternative form of 井水不犯河水 (jǐngshuǐ bùfàn héshuǐ, “two things keeping to themselves”)


井水不犯河水

河水不犯井水
河水勿犯井水

ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

jǐngshuǐ bùfàn héshuǐ [Phonetic:jíngshuǐbúfànhéshuǐ]

цзиншуй буфань хэшуй

/t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fän⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɛːŋ³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːn²² hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵/

minding their own business
mind one's own business

“wellwater not interfering with the river water”—two things keeping to themselves; everyone minding their own business


您貴姓

ㄋㄧㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

/nin³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/nin³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

(formal, polite) What's your (honorable) surname?


掂過轆蔗

掂过辘蔗
掂過碌蔗
𠶧過轆蔗

/tiːm²² kʷɔː³³ lʊk̚⁵ t͡sɛː³³/

/tiːm²² kʷɔː³³ lʊk̚⁵ t͡sɛː³³/

finer than frog hair
finer than frog hair

(Cantonese) finer than frog hair; everything is going well


易過借火

/jiː²² kʷɔː³³ t͡sɛː³³ fɔː³⁵/

/jiː²² kʷɔː³³ t͡sɛː³³ fɔː³⁵/


早生貴子

ㄗㄠˇ ㄕㄥ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄗˇ

цзаошэнгуйцзы

/t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ t͡siː³⁵/

to give birth to a son soon; wish you early birth of a healthy baby (propitiatory compliment to the newly-weds)


切克鬧

ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄎㄜˋ ㄋㄠˋ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ nɑʊ̯⁵¹/

Borrowed from English check it out, in English rap and hip hop songs.

Yo! Yo! Check it out! A set of jianbing guozi [Chinese-style crêpe with youtiao filling inside], please! (humorous)

2021, Love Live! Superstar!!, Episode 10 (spoken by Tang Keke)

Yào! Yào! Qièkènào! Jiānbǐng guǒzi lái yī tào!

要！要！切克鬧！煎餅果子來一套！

要！要！切克闹！煎饼果子来一套！

(neologism, slang, humorous) check it out


落拓不羈

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧ

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² tʰɔːk̚³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/lɔːk̚² tʰɔːk̚³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/


放蕩不羈

ㄈㄤˋ ㄉㄤˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧ

фандан буцзи

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ tɔːŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ tɔːŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

unconventional and unrestrained; wanton and unrestrained; dissolute


放誕不羈

ㄈㄤˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧ

фанданьбуцзи

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ taːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/


豪放不羈

ㄏㄠˊ ㄈㄤˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧ

/xɑʊ̯³⁵ fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/hou̯²¹ fɔːŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

/xɑʊ̯³⁵ fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/hou̯²¹ fɔːŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/


放浪不羈

ㄈㄤˋ ㄌㄤˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧ

фанлан буцзи

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ lɔːŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ lɔːŋ²² pɐt̚⁵ kei̯⁵⁵/


披星戴月

ㄆㄧ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄉㄞˋ ㄩㄝˋ

/pʰi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ taːi̯³³ jyːt̚²/

/pʰi⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ taːi̯³³ jyːt̚²/

(figurative) to get up by starlight and not stop working until the moon rises; to work or travel through night and day


低三下四

ㄉㄧ ㄙㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄙˋ

/ti⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ haː²² sei̯³³/

/ti⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ sz̩⁵¹/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ haː²² sei̯³³/


太阿倒持

ㄊㄞˋ ㄜ ㄉㄠˋ ㄔˊ

/tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵/

/tʰaːi̯³³ ɔː⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

/tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵/

/tʰaːi̯³³ ɔː⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵ t͡sʰiː²¹/

to surrender one's power to another at one's own peril


傷筋動骨

ㄕㄤ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄨˇ

шанцзиньдунгу

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² kʷɐt̚⁵/

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² kʷɐt̚⁵/

traditional Chinese medicine
traditional Chinese medicine

(traditional Chinese medicine) to have a sprain or fracture

(figurative) to suffer from serious injury; to have major mishap or changes


跌打損傷

ㄉㄧㄝ ㄉㄚˇ ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄕㄤ

ㄉㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄚˇ ㄙㄨㄣˇ ㄕㄤ

/ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛ³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tiːt̚³ taː³⁵ syːn³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ti̯ɛ³⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tiːt̚³ taː³⁵ syːn³⁵ sœːŋ⁵⁵/

(traditional Chinese medicine) fractures or other injuries from falls, blows, contusions, sprains and so on; all musculoskeletal injuries


鬼佬月餅——悶極

/kʷɐi̯³⁵ lou̯³⁵ jyːt̚² pɛːŋ³⁵ muːn²² kɪk̚²/

A xiehouyu, from the fact that Cantonese 悶極 (mun6 gik6) sounds like English mooncake.

鬼佬月饼——闷极
番鬼佬月餅——悶極


一念之差

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ni̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː⁵⁵/

the difference caused by a single thought; momentary slip; ill-considered action


烏煙瘴氣

ㄨ ㄧㄢ ㄓㄤˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/u⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ hei̯³³/

/u⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/wuː⁵⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ hei̯³³/

(of an atmosphere) filled with black smoke and toxic gas; turgid atmosphere; pandemonium


光復舊物

ㄍㄨㄤ ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄨˋ

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚² kɐu̯²² mɐt̚²/

/ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚² kɐu̯²² mɐt̚²/

to recover what has been lost (to an invader)


滾瓜爛熟

ripe as a melon that rolls from its vine

ㄍㄨㄣˇ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄢˋ ㄕㄨˊ

ㄍㄨㄣˇ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄢˋ ㄕㄡˊ

гуньгуаланьшу

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

гуньгуаланьшоу

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɐn³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ laːn²² sʊk̚²/

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂu³⁵/

/ku̯ən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵⁵ län⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʷɐn³⁵ kʷaː⁵⁵ laːn²² sʊk̚²/

(to know something) by heart; (recite, etc.) fluently


憤世嫉俗

ㄈㄣˋ ㄕˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄙㄨˊ

/fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ su³⁵/

/fɐn¹³ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɐt̚² t͡sʊk̚²/

/fən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ su³⁵/

/fɐn¹³ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɐt̚² t͡sʊk̚²/

bié tīng tā de huà, tā shì ge fènshìjísú de jiāhuo

別聽他的話，他是個憤世嫉俗的家伙

别听他的话，他是个愤世嫉俗的家伙

Bayside Shakedown 2, 2003 (OpenSubtitles)

háishì fènshìjísú de yàngzǐ, nǐ yīdiǎn méi biàn

還是憤世嫉俗的樣子，你一點沒變

还是愤世嫉俗的样子，你一点没变


啞口無言

ㄧㄚˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/jä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/jä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/aː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ mou̯²¹ jiːn²¹/

/a⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bu²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/a⁴⁴⁻³³ kʰɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bu²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

to be speechless in response to being interrogated or refuted


曠日持久

ㄎㄨㄤˋ ㄖˋ ㄔˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ

/kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʷʰɔːŋ³³ jɐt̚² t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵/

/kʷʰɔːŋ³³ jɐt̚² t͡sʰiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵/

There was a man fond of hunting who was not able to catch game for a long time.

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

Yǒu hào liè zhě, kuàngrìchíjiǔ ér bùdé shòu.

有好獵者，曠日持久而不得獸。

有好猎者，旷日持久而不得兽。


千變萬化

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (千變萬化):
* → Japanese: 千変万化(せんぺんばんか) (senpenbanka)
* → Korean: 천변만화(千變萬化) (cheonbyeonmanhwa)
* → Vietnamese: thiên biến vạn hoá (千變萬化)

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

цяньбяньваньхуа

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ piːn³³ maːn²² faː³³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ piɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ban⁴¹⁻²² hua⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ ban³³⁻¹¹ hua¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ ban³³⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ piːn³³ maːn²² faː³³/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn³³ piɛn⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ ban⁴¹⁻²² hua⁴¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻²² piɛn²¹⁻⁵³ ban²²⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ ban³³⁻¹¹ hua¹¹/

/t͡sʰiɛn⁴⁴⁻³³ piɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ ban³³⁻²¹ hua²¹/

/t͡sʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ẽ³³ pi̯ẽ⁴⁵ u̯an⁴⁵ ɸa̠⁴⁵/

an innumerable amount of changes; countless changes


基情四射

ㄐㄧ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄙˋ ㄕㄜˋ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤ⁵¹/

Based on 激情四射; see 基情 (jīqíng) for more.

(neologism, humorous) to radiate gay affection in all directions; gayish; overly brotherly love emanating from the scene


久而久之

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄦˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄓ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ jiː²¹ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵/

in the course of time; over a long period of time


人頭湧湧

/jɐn²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ jʊŋ³⁵ jʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐn²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ jʊŋ³⁵ jʊŋ³⁵/

(Cantonese) to have large crowds of people


得個……字

/tɐk̚⁵ kɔː³³ t͡siː²²/

/tɐk̚⁵ kɔː³³ t͡siː²²/

得個食字

得个食字

only allowed to see [and not touch]; only for looks

得個睇字

得个睇字

得個講字

得个讲字

(Cantonese) only
merely…; nothing else but


拾金不昧

ㄕˊ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄟˋ

шицзиньбумэй

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² kɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ muːi̯²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻² kim³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ mue³⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ meɪ̯⁵¹/

/sɐp̚² kɐm⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ muːi̯²²/

/sip̚⁴⁻² kim³³⁻²³ puk̚²⁻⁴ mue³⁵/

to not pocket the money or other valuables one picks up; to return lost property to its owner


一蹶不振

ㄧ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄣˋ

ицзюэбучжэнь

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sin⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ kuat̚⁵⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sin⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ kuat̚³²⁻⁵ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sin⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sin⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sin⁴¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ kʰyːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sin⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ kuat̚⁵⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sin⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ kuat̚³²⁻⁵ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sin⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sin⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ kuat̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sin⁴¹/

(figurative) the subject flipped over after wobbling


再接再厲

再接再厉
再接再勵
再接再礪

ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄗㄞˋ ㄌㄧˋ

цзайцзецзайли

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ lɐi̯²²/

/t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ le²²/

/t͡sai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ t͡siap̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡sai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ le⁴¹/

/t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁵ t͡sai²¹⁻⁵³ le²²/

/t͡sai¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai¹¹⁻⁵³ le³³/

/t͡sai²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡siap̚³²⁻⁴ t͡sai²¹⁻⁴¹ le³³/

/t͡sai²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡siap̚²⁻⁴ t͡sai²¹³⁻⁵⁵ li³⁵/

/t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔːi̯³³ t͡siːp̚³ t͡sɔːi̯³³ lɐi̯²²/

to make persistent efforts; to redouble one's efforts; to keep up one's good work


一表人才

ㄧ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄘㄞˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ piːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ piau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ piːu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ piau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zin²³⁻³³ t͡sai²³/

(usually used to describe a man) to be a person of striking appearance; to be fine-looking and talented


一波三折

one stroke, three changes in direction of the brush

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɔː⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰo⁴⁴⁻²² sam⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɛt̚³²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰo³³ sam³³ t͡siɛt̚⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰo⁴⁴⁻²² sam⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɛt̚³²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰo⁴⁴⁻³³ sam⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɛt̚³²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ sam⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɛt̚³²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pu̯ɔ⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pɔː⁵⁵ saːm⁵⁵ t͡siːt̚³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰo⁴⁴⁻²² sam⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɛt̚³²/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰo³³ sam³³ t͡siɛt̚⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰo⁴⁴⁻²² sam⁴⁴⁻²² t͡siɛt̚³²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰo⁴⁴⁻³³ sam⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɛt̚³²/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ sam⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡siɛt̚³²/

(originally) calligraphic flourish with many twists

(figurative) to be full of ups and downs; to have many twists and turns


不明不白

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄞˊ

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ paɪ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ paːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ peʔ⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ peʔ²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ biɪŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ peʔ¹²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ peʔ⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ peʔ⁴/

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ paɪ̯³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ paːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ peʔ⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ peʔ²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ biɪŋ¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ peʔ¹²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ peʔ⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ peʔ⁴/

without a clear reason; for no reason; unjustly


不折不扣

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄜˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄡˋ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐu̯³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau²¹/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰau⁴¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰau²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau¹¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau²¹/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siːt̚³ pɐt̚⁵ kʰɐu̯³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau²¹/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰau⁴¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰau²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau¹¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰau²¹/

unreservedly; fully; thoroughly; out and out; through and through


不堪設想

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄕㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³ sœːŋ³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ⁵⁵⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹/

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːt̚³ sœːŋ³⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰam³³ siɛt̚⁵⁻²⁴ siɔŋ⁵⁵⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰam⁴⁴⁻²² siɛt̚³²⁻⁵ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁵³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰam⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛt̚³²⁻⁴ siɔŋ⁴¹/

後果不堪設想。

后果不堪设想。

To be overthrown is painful and is unbearable to contemplate for those overthrown, for example, for the Kuomintang reactionaries whom we are now overthrowing and for Japanese imperialism which we together with other peoples overthrew some time ago.

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

Lìrú yǎnqián Guómíndǎng fǎndòngpài bèi wǒmen suǒ tuīfān, guòqù Rìběn dìguó zhǔyì bèi wǒmen hé gèguó rénmín suǒ tuīfān, duìyú bèituīfānzhě lái shuō, zhè shì tòngkǔ de, bùkānshèxiǎng de.

例如眼前國民黨反動派被我們所推翻，過去日本帝國主義被我們和各國人民所推翻，對於被推翻者來說，這是痛苦的，不堪設想的。

例如眼前国民党反动派被我们所推翻，过去日本帝国主义被我们和各国人民所推翻，对于被推翻者来说，这是痛苦的，不堪设想的。

too dreadful to contemplate; too horrible to imagine


一派胡言

ㄧ ㄆㄞˋ ㄏㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːi̯³³ wuː²¹ jiːn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ¹³⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰaɪ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːi̯³³ wuː²¹ jiːn²¹/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ pʰai⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ hɔ²⁴⁻²² ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ pʰai²¹⁻⁵³ hɔ¹³⁻²² ɡiɛn¹³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔ²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡiɛn²⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ pʰai²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔ²³⁻³³ ɡiɛn²³/

I've heard that someone is defaming Chongqing, and the targets include me and my family. Someone even says that my son is driving a red Ferrari when studying abroad. That's complete nonsense! I feel very angry! That's complete nonsense!

9 Mar 2012, Bo Xilai's response to reporters' questions on Chongqing Municipal People's Congresshttps://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese_news/2012/03/120309_china_boxilai_smear

Wǒ tīngshuō yǒurén zhèng gěi Chóngqìng “pōzāngshuǐ”, bāokuò gěi wǒ běnrén, gěi jiātíng pōzāngshuǐ, shènzhì shuō wǒ érzǐ zài wàimiàn xuéxí kāi “hóngsè Fǎlālì”. Yīpàihúyán! Wǒ gǎnjiào fēicháng qìfèn, yīpàihúyán!

我聽說有人正給重慶「潑髒水」，包括給我本人、給家庭潑髒水，甚至說我兒子在外面學習開「紅色法拉利」。一派胡言！我感覺非常氣憤，一派胡言！

我听说有人正给重庆「泼脏水」，包括给我本人、给家庭泼脏水，甚至说我儿子在外面学习开「红色法拉利」。一派胡言！我感觉非常气愤，一派胡言！


一掃而空

ㄧ ㄙㄠˇ ㄦˊ ㄎㄨㄥ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sou̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sau²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ sou̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ sau²¹⁻⁴¹ zi²³⁻³³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴/


不可理喻

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄩˋ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ lei̯¹³ jyː²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ lei̯¹³ jyː²²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ li⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ zu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ li⁵³⁻⁴⁴ lu²²/

做一件不可理喻的事

簡直不可理喻。

简直不可理喻。

to defy reason; to be unreasonable because of stupidity or stubbornness


天助我也

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄓㄨˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄧㄝˇ

тянь чжу во е

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²² ŋɔː¹³ jaː¹³/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²² ŋɔː¹³ jaː¹³/

The heavens are helping me! How lucky am I! (said when one receives unexpected help, or when the situation changes to become favourable to the speaker)


不可或缺

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄩㄝ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ waːk̚² kʰyːt̚³/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ waːk̚² kʰyːt̚³/


天災人禍

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄗㄞ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

тяньцзайжэньхо

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ wɔː²²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ wɔː²²/

natural disasters and man-made calamities; catastrophes


刀山火海

ㄉㄠ ㄕㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄞˇ

даошаньхохай

/tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/tɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tou̯⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

mountains of daggers and seas of flames; (figurative) extreme danger


成行成市

ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄤˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄕˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɔːŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹ siː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɔːŋ²¹ sɪŋ²¹ siː¹³/

(of many stalls and shops) to gather to become a brisk market; to be flourishing; to be booming


大錯特錯

ㄉㄚˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄜˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³ tɐk̚² t͡sʰɔː³³/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʰɔː³³ tɐk̚² t͡sʰɔː³³/

to be as wrong as wrong can be; to be utterly wrong; to be grievously mistaken


趕盡殺絕

ㄍㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄕㄚ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

ганьцзиньшацзюэ

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/kɔːn³⁵ t͡sɵn²² saːt̚³ t͡syːt̚²/

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ʂä⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/kɔːn³⁵ t͡sɵn²² saːt̚³ t͡syːt̚²/

to drive away and kill all; to kill to the last one; to exterminate


愁眉苦臉

ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄎㄨˇ ㄌㄧㄢˇ

чоумэйкулянь

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯²¹ mei̯²¹ fuː³⁵ liːm¹³/

/sɐu̯²¹ mei̯²¹ fuː³⁵ liːm¹³/

with knitted brows and a doleful look; looking distressed


無所事事

ㄨˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄕˋ ㄕˋ

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ siː²² siː²²/

/u³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/mou̯²¹ sɔː³⁵ siː²² siː²²/

The kid has nothing to do but hang around the street corners.

Zhè háizi wúsuǒshìshì, zhǐshì zài jiētóu xiándàng.

這孩子無所事事，只是在街頭閒盪。

这孩子无所事事，只是在街头闲荡。


勞燕分飛

ㄌㄠˊ ㄧㄢˋ ㄈㄣ ㄈㄟ

лаояньфэньфэй

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/lɑʊ̯³⁵ jɛn⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

the shrike (伯勞／伯劳) and the swallow (燕) part and fly in different directions


換位思考

ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄙ ㄎㄠˇ

хуаньвэй сыкао

/xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ kʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

You should learn to put yourself in other people's shoes.

你要學會換位思考。

你要学会换位思考。

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


批碗摔箸

/pʰue⁴⁴⁻²² uã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siak̚³²⁻⁴ ti²²/

/pʰe⁴⁴⁻²² uã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siak̚³²⁻⁵ ti²²/

/pʰue⁴⁴⁻²² uã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siak̚³²⁻⁴ ti²²/

/pʰe⁴⁴⁻²² uã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siak̚³²⁻⁵ ti²²/

(Southern Min) to lose one's temper to the point that one has a violent and frenzied behavior


撒手人寰

ㄙㄚ ㄕㄡˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ

сашоужэньхуань

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/

/sä⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ xu̯än³⁵/

/saːt̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ waːn²¹/


不明覺厲

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ li⁵¹/

From the following phrase:
:
Shortened to make it resemble a genuine Chinese chengyu (idiom).
Made popular by a compilation of Internet neologisms posted on Sina Weibo on June 16, 2013.

Although I don't understand what you are saying, I think it sounds very awesome.

Suīrán bù míngbai nǐ zài shuō shénme, dànshì tīng qǐlái gǎnjué hěn lìhài de yàngzǐ.

雖然不明白你在說什麼，但是聽起來感覺很厲害的樣子。

虽然不明白你在说什么，但是听起来感觉很厉害的样子。

(Mainland China, neologism, Internet slang) Although I don't know what you are saying or doing, I think you are (or it is) amazing.


細思恐極

ㄒㄧˋ ㄙ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄐㄧˊ

/ɕi⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/ɕi⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

Shortened from the following phrase:
:
replacing 想 with 思 which is used more in written language, to make it resemble a genuine Chinese chengyu (idiom).
Made popular by a compilation of Internet neologisms posted on Sina Weibo on June 16, 2013.

Thinking about it carefully, I find it extremely terrifying.

仔細想想，覺得恐怖至極。

仔细想想，觉得恐怖至极。

(Mainland China, neologism, Internet slang) The more one thinks about it, the more petrified one becomes.


喜大普奔

ㄒㄧˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄆㄨˇ ㄅㄣ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pən⁵⁵/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹ pʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pən⁵⁵/

From Baidu Huaxueba. Acrostic-style contraction of four synonymous idioms (see below), producing a four-character word that resembles a genuine Chinese chengyu (idiom).

Delighted to see and hear;
To the great satisfaction of people;
The whole world joins in the jubilation;
And people rush about spreading the news.

xǐwénlèjiàn, dàkuàirénxīn, pǔtiāntóngqìng, bēnzǒuxiānggào

喜聞樂見、大快人心、普天同慶、奔走相告

喜闻乐见、大快人心、普天同庆、奔走相告

(Mainland China, neologism, Internet slang, sometimes sarcastic) Used to announce uplifting news or express congratulations.


然並卵

ㄖㄢˊ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄨㄢˇ

жань бин луань

/ʐän³⁵ piŋ⁵¹ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʐän³⁵ piŋ⁵¹ lu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

A pseudo-chengyu condensed from:
:
Originated from the Jiangxi-born streamer Mr. Quin. 卵 (lon³) here is a profanity in Gan dialect meaning "dick" or "fucking" (as an intensifier), compare Cantonese 撚 (lan²) or Min Nan 𡳞 (lān).

然而並沒有什麼卵用

然而并没有什么卵用

(neologism, slang) however it's of no use


猴年馬月

ㄏㄡˊ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄩㄝˋ

/xoʊ̯³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

ㄏㄡˊㄦ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄩㄝˋ

хоурняньмаюэ

/xɤʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/xoʊ̯³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/xɤʊ̯ɻʷ³⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

From 驢年馬月／驴年马月 (lǘniánmǎyuè, “year of the donkey (in the Zodiac); God knows when”).
Alternatively, from dialectal 何年嘛月 (“what year, what month?”).

zh-l

等到猴年馬月

等到猴年马月

an unknown and long time; donkey's years; God knows when


城會玩

ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄨㄢˊ

чэн хуэй вань

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ wän³⁵/

ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄨㄢˊㄦ

чэнхуэйваньр

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ wɑɻ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ wän³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ wɑɻ³⁵/

You city dwellers really know how to have fun.

你們城裡人真會玩。

你们城里人真会玩。

out of the ordinary
out of the ordinary#English

(Mainland China, neologism, slang, originally sarcastic) Used to respond to someone who did something that is out of the ordinary, hard to understand, or new and strange.


有邊讀邊

ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄉㄨˊ ㄅㄧㄢ

ю бянь ду бянь

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄧㄢㄦ ㄉㄨˊ ㄅㄧㄢㄦ

юбяньрдубяньр

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɑɻ⁵⁵ tu³⁵ pi̯ɑɻ⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ piːn⁵⁵ tʊk̚² piːn⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ piɛn⁴⁴ tʰɔk̚⁴⁻³² piɛn⁴⁴/

/iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ piɛn³³ tʰɔk̚²⁴⁻² piɛn³³/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ piɛn⁴⁴ tʰɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ piɛn⁴⁴/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ piɛn⁴⁴ tʰɔk̚⁴⁻³² piɛn⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ piɛn⁴⁴ tʰɔk̚⁴⁻³² piɛn⁴⁴/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɑɻ⁵⁵ tu³⁵ pi̯ɑɻ⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯¹³ piːn⁵⁵ tʊk̚² piːn⁵⁵/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ piɛn⁴⁴ tʰɔk̚⁴⁻³² piɛn⁴⁴/

/iu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ piɛn³³ tʰɔk̚²⁴⁻² piɛn³³/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ piɛn⁴⁴ tʰɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ piɛn⁴⁴/

/iu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ piɛn⁴⁴ tʰɔk̚⁴⁻³² piɛn⁴⁴/

/iu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ piɛn⁴⁴ tʰɔk̚⁴⁻³² piɛn⁴⁴/

Chinese character
Chinese character#English

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


來歷不明

ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/laɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/lai²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³/

/lai²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴/

/laɪ̯³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/

/lɔːi̯²¹ lɪk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/lai²³⁻³³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²³/

/lai²⁴⁻¹¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² put̚³²⁻⁴ biɪŋ²⁴/


一馬當先

ㄧ ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄤ ㄒㄧㄢ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ³³ siɛn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ maː¹³ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ mã⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tɔŋ³³ siɛn³³/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ mã⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ siɛn⁴⁴/

to gallop at the head; to take the lead; to be in the foremost rank


不謀而合

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄡˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄜˊ

/pu⁵¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ hɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ moʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐu̯²¹ jiː²¹ hɐp̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hap̚⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bɔ²⁴⁻²² li²⁴⁻²² hap̚⁴/

to happen to hold the same views; to agree without previous collaboration


不眠不休

ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ

/pu⁵¹ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ miːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bin¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/pu⁵¹ mi̯ɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ miːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯⁵⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ bin²⁴⁻²² put̚⁵⁻²⁴ hiu³³/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ bin¹³⁻²² put̚³²⁻⁵ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²⁴⁻¹¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ bin²³⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ hiu⁴⁴/

to toil without taking a break to rest or sleep


朗朗上口

ㄌㄤˇ ㄌㄤˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄎㄡˇ

ланланшанкоу

/lɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(of poetry or phrases) flowing off the tongue with ease


一籌莫展

ㄧ ㄔㄡˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄓㄢˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɔːk̚² t͡siːn³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² tiɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ tiu¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mok̚⁴⁻² tiaŋ⁵²/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹ mɔːk̚² t͡siːn³⁵/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚⁵⁻²⁴ tiu²⁴⁻²² bɔk̚²⁴⁻² tiɛn⁵⁵⁴/

/it̚³²⁻⁵ tiu¹³⁻²² bɔk̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²⁴⁻¹¹ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁵³/

/it̚³²⁻⁴ tiu²³⁻³³ bɔk̚⁴⁻³² tiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡sek̚⁴⁻² tʰiu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ mok̚⁴⁻² tiaŋ⁵²/

to be unable to find a solution; to be at wits' end


不可多得

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄉㄜˊ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ to³³ tit̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ kʰo⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ to³³ tit̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻²² tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ to⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tɤ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²/

to be hard to come by; to be rare to have


乏人問津

ㄈㄚˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

фажэньвэньцзинь

/fä³⁵ ʐən³⁵ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/fɐt̚² jɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/huat̚⁴⁻³² zin²³⁻³³ bun³³⁻²¹ t͡sin⁴⁴/

/fä³⁵ ʐən³⁵ wən⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/fɐt̚² jɐn²¹ mɐn²² t͡sɵn⁵⁵/

/huat̚⁴⁻³² zin²³⁻³³ bun³³⁻²¹ t͡sin⁴⁴/

to have few people making enquiries about the matter; to be unable to attract people's attention


不勞而獲

ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄠˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/pu⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hiɪk̚⁴/

/pu⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ lou̯²¹ jiː²¹ wɔːk̚²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ lɤ²³⁻³³ zi²³⁻³³ hiɪk̚⁴/

Who doesn't want to be a rich kid born with a silver spoon? Who doesn't want to get something for nothing?

Shéi bù yuànyì yī chūshēng jiù shì hán zhe jīnyàoshi de fùjiā háizi, shéi bù yuànyì bùláo'érhuò?

誰不願意一出生就是含著金鑰匙的富家孩子，誰不願意不勞而獲？

谁不愿意一出生就是含著金钥匙的富家孩子，谁不愿意不劳而获？

to reap without sowing; to live off the toil of other people


不足為奇

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ki²³/

/pu⁵¹ t͡su³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ ui²⁴⁻²² ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ ui¹³⁻²² ki¹³/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²⁴⁻¹¹ ki²⁴/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ ui²³⁻³³ ki²³/

He has history. That he defected is not at all surprising.

Tā de pànbiàn shì yǒu láilì de, bùzúwéiqí.

他的叛變是有來歷的，不足為奇。

他的叛变是有来历的，不足为奇。

to be commonplace and not at all surprising


不一而足

ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄦˊ ㄗㄨˊ

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔk̚³²/

/pu⁵¹ i⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵ jiː²¹ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ zi²³⁻³³ t͡siɔk̚³²/

/put̚³²⁻⁴ it̚³²⁻⁴ li²⁴⁻²² t͡siɔk̚³²/

The original and literal meaning in the Gongyang was "to not make full (the approval) all at once", i.e., to be conditional and graduated in dispensing approval. It was also written as "不壹而足" in the Gongyang, and typically used in the phrase
:
As chengyu, the phrase has been re-analysed semantically in common usage and shifted in meaning.

To approve of a barbarian, one does not do so to the full degree all at once.

Commentary of Gongyang, c. 206 BCE– 9 CE

許夷狄者不一而足也。

许夷狄者不一而足也。

cannot be described only by one example; by no means an isolated case; to be numerous; innumerable


五彩繽紛

五彩缤纷
五彩賓紛
五采繽紛

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄈㄣ

уцайбиньфэнь

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pʰin³³ hun³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sʰai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ pʰin³³ hun³³/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻²² hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

/ŋɔ̃⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ pʰin⁴⁴⁻³³ hun⁴⁴/

all the colours in profusion; full of bright colours; multicoloured; garish display


十劃都未有一撇

十划都未有一撇
十畫都未有一撇

There still hasn't been even one left-falling stroke in ten strokes

/sɐp̚² waːk̚² tou̯⁵⁵ mei̯²² jɐu̯¹³ jɐt̚⁵ pʰiːt̚³/

/sip̚³² vak̚³²⁻²¹ tu⁵⁵ ᵐbei³² jiu³³ jit̚⁵⁵ pʰet̚³²⁻²¹/

(Cantonese) nothing tangible in sight; things have not even begun to take shape


他媽

/tʰä⁵⁵ mä⁵⁵/

/tʰä⁵⁵ mä⁵⁵/


特麼

(Internet slang, euphemistic) Alternative form of 他媽／他妈 (tāmā)


比手畫腳

ㄅㄧˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

ㄅㄧˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

бишоухуацзяо

/pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ä⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pei̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ waːk̚² kœːk̚³/

/pei̯³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ waːk̚² kœːk̚³/

to use movement of either the hands or of some other body limb in order to supplement that which can not be expressed in words; to use sign language; to communicate by using hand gestures


冷手執個熱煎堆

to pick up a hot sesame ball with a cold hand

/laːŋ¹³ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɐp̚⁵ kɔː³³ jiːt̚² t͡siːn⁵⁵ tɵy̯⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) to gain an unexpected advantage


咁大隻蛤乸隨街跳

such a large frog jumping around in the streets

gam³ daai⁶ zek³ gaap³ naa² ceoi⁴ gaai¹ tiu³

gam³ daai⁶ dzek⁸ gap⁸ naa² tsoey⁴ gaai¹ tiu³

gam³ daai⁶ dzek⁸ gaap⁸ naa² tsoey⁴ gaai¹ tiu³

/kɐm³³ taːi̯²² t͡sɛːk̚³ kɐp̚³ naː³⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ tʰiːu̯³³/

/kɐm³³ taːi̯²² t͡sɛːk̚³ kaːp̚³ naː³⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ kaːi̯⁵⁵ tʰiːu̯³³/

bin¹ jau⁵ gam³ daai⁶ zek³ gap³ naa² ceoi⁴ gaai¹ tiu³ gaa³?

邊有咁大隻蛤乸隨街跳㗎？

边有咁大只蛤乸随街跳㗎？

(Cantonese) something too good to be true


眼闊肚窄

The eyes are wide, but the belly is narrow

/ŋaːn¹³ fuːt̚³ tʰou̯¹³ t͡saːk̚³/

/ŋaːn¹³ fuːt̚³ tʰou̯¹³ t͡saːk̚³/

have eyes bigger than one's stomach
have eyes bigger than one's stomach

bite off more than one can chew
bite off more than one can chew

(Cantonese) to have eyes bigger than one's stomach; to bite off more than one can chew