奔走呼號

ㄅㄣ ㄗㄡˇ ㄏㄨ ㄏㄠˊ

бэньцзоухухао

/pən⁵⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/pən⁵⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵/


望子成龍

ㄨㄤˋ ㄗˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

ванцзычэнлун

/wɑŋ⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²² t͡siː³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

/mo¹¹ t͡sɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ seŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ leŋ⁵⁵/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/mɔːŋ²² t͡siː³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

/mo¹¹ t͡sɯ⁵²⁻³⁵ seŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ leŋ⁵⁵/

to hope that one's child succeeds in life


赤手空拳

ㄔˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

чишоукунцюань

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɛːk̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹/

/t͡sʰiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siu⁵³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² kuan²⁴/

/t͡sʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁵³ kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻²² kun²⁴/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɛːk̚³ sɐu̯³⁵ hʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰyːn²¹/

/t͡sʰiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ siu⁵³ kʰɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² kuan²⁴/

(by extension) without any reliance; without anything to rely on


本鄉本土

ㄅㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄅㄣˇ ㄊㄨˇ

бэньсянбэньту

/pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


風調雨順

ㄈㄥ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄩˇ ㄕㄨㄣˋ

фэнтяоюйшунь

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːu̯²¹ jyː¹³ sɵn²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²³⁻³³ u⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sun³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²⁴⁻¹¹ u⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sun³³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu̯ən⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰiːu̯²¹ jyː¹³ sɵn²²/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²³⁻³³ u⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sun³³/

/hɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tiau²⁴⁻¹¹ u⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sun³³/

to have favourable weather conditions (moderate and timely wind and rain) for raising crops


非驢非馬

ㄈㄟ ㄌㄩˊ ㄈㄟ ㄇㄚˇ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ ly³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fei̯⁵⁵ lɵy̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ maː¹³/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ ly³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fei̯⁵⁵ lɵy̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ maː¹³/

neither fish nor fowl
neither fish nor fowl


鼻青臉腫

ㄅㄧˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄌㄧㄢˇ ㄓㄨㄥˇ

бицинляньчжун

/pi³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pei̯²² t͡sʰɛːŋ⁵⁵ liːm¹³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵/

/pei̯²² t͡sʰɛːŋ⁵⁵ liːm¹³ t͡sʊŋ³⁵/

to be black and blue in the face; with a bloody nose and swollen face


器大活好

ㄑㄧˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˊ ㄏㄠˇ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄑㄧˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˊㄦ ㄏㄠˇ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ xu̯ɔɻ³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹ xu̯ɔɻ³⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(neologism, low colloquial, of a man) to have a big penis and be good in bed


比翼齊飛

ㄅㄧˇ ㄧˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄟ

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pei̯³⁵ jɪk̚² t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pei̯³⁵ jɪk̚² t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

(of a married couple) to be together day and night; to help each other and move forward together


比翼雙飛

ㄅㄧˇ ㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄈㄟ

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pei̯³⁵ jɪk̚² sœːŋ⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pei̯³⁵ jɪk̚² sœːŋ⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵/


此一時，彼一時

/t͡sʰz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siː²¹ pei̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siː²¹/

that was then, this is now
that was then, this is now


筆底生花

ㄅㄧˇ ㄉㄧˇ ㄕㄥ ㄏㄨㄚ

/pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

to begin to show one’s literary brilliance


夢筆生花

ㄇㄥˋ ㄅㄧˇ ㄕㄥ ㄏㄨㄚ

/mɤŋ⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/mɤŋ⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/


筆下生花

ㄅㄧˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄕㄥ ㄏㄨㄚ

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ haː²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ haː²² sɐŋ⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/


空無一物

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ u⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mɐt̚²/

/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ u⁵¹/

/hʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jɐt̚⁵ mɐt̚²/


黃髮兒齒

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄈㄚˋ ㄦˊ ㄔˇ

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄦˊ ㄔˇ

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fä⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fä⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

With his excellent ministers and all his [other] officers.
Our region and State shall he hold,
Thus receiving many blessings,
To hoary hair, and with teeth ever renewed like a child's.

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

Yí dàfū shù shì, bāngguó shì yǒu. Jì duō shòu zhǐ, huángfà'érchǐ.

宜大夫庶士、邦國是有。既多受祉、黃髮兒齒。

宜大夫庶士、邦国是有。既多受祉、黄发儿齿。


響徹雲霄

ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄔㄜˋ ㄩㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄠ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ yn³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵¹ yn³⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

to resound through the skies; to be loud and clear


良藥苦口

desc

→ Japanese: 良薬は口に苦し (ryōyaku wa kuchi ni nigashi) (calque)

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄠˋ ㄎㄨˇ ㄎㄡˇ

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹ kʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ jœːk̚² fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/

/lœːŋ²¹ jœːk̚² fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/

The analogy is found in Hanfeizi:
:
The same analogy is also found in Shiji and Shuoyuan.

Good medicine is bitter to taste, but a wise person tries his best to drink it, for he knows that it can cure his illness. Sincere advice grates on the ears, but a wise ruler listens to it, for he knows it can bring about success.

Fú liángyào kǔ yú kǒu, ér zhìzhě quàn ér yǐn zhī, zhī qí rù ér yǐ jǐ jí yě. Zhōngyán fú yú ěr, ér míngzhǔ tīng zhī, zhī qí kěyǐ zhì gōng yě.

夫良藥苦於口，而智者勸而飲之，知其入而已己疾也。忠言拂於耳，而明主聽之，知其可以致功也。

夫良药苦于口，而智者劝而饮之，知其入而已己疾也。忠言拂于耳，而明主听之，知其可以致功也。

(figuratively) good advice may be uncomfortable to hear


早出晚歸

ㄗㄠˇ ㄔㄨ ㄨㄢˇ ㄍㄨㄟ

цзаочуваньгуй

/t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ wän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ maːn¹³ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ maːn¹³ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

to leave early in the morning and return late at night


若有所思

ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄙ

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

/jœːk̚² jɐu̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵/

/jœːk̚² jɐu̯¹³ sɔː³⁵ siː⁵⁵/

to look pensive; to look absorbed in thought


黃髮鮐背

黄发鲐背
黃髮駘背
黃髮台背

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄈㄚˋ ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˋ

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˋ

хуанфатайбэй

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fä⁵¹ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fä⁵¹ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/


肝腦塗地

ㄍㄢ ㄋㄠˇ ㄊㄨˊ ㄉㄧˋ

/kän⁵⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/kɔːn⁵⁵ nou̯¹³ tʰou̯²¹ tei̯²²/

/kän⁵⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰu³⁵ ti⁵¹/

/kɔːn⁵⁵ nou̯¹³ tʰou̯²¹ tei̯²²/

I should have been put to death. A few years ago, I got drunk and forgot my manners. Your Majesty showed restraint and did not put me to death. I would never dare not overtly repay Your Majesty's covert kindness. I would rather put my life on the line and drown the enemy in my own blood, for I am the one whose headpiece cord was yanked off on that night.

c. 77 B.C.E., 劉向 (Liu Xiang), 《說苑》 (Garden of Stories), chapter 6

Chén dāng sǐ, wǎngzhě zuì shīlǐ, wáng yǐnrěn bù jiā zhū yě; chén zhōng bùgǎn yǐ yīnbì zhī dé ér bùxiǎn bào wáng yě, cháng yuàn gānnǎotúdì, yòng jǐng xuè jiān dí jiǔ yǐ, chén nǎi yè juéyīng zhě.

臣當死，往者醉失禮，王隱忍不加誅也；臣終不敢以蔭蔽之德而不顯報王也，常願肝腦塗地，用頸血湔敵久矣，臣乃夜絕纓者。

臣当死，往者醉失礼，王隐忍不加诛也；臣终不敢以荫蔽之德而不显报王也，常愿肝脑涂地，用颈血湔敌久矣，臣乃夜绝缨者。

to offer one's life sacrificially in loyalty


不撞南牆不回頭

to not turn one's head back until one hits the south wall

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄊㄡˊ

bù zhuàng nánqiáng bù huítóu [Phonetic:bú zhuàng nánqiáng bù huítóu]

pu⁴ chuang⁴ nan²-chʻiang² pu⁴ hui²-tʻou²

бу чжуан наньцян бу хуэйтоу

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ nän³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

bat⁷ dzong⁶ naam⁴ tsoeng⁴ bat⁷ wui⁴ tau⁴

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːŋ²² naːm²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ wuːi̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹/

[Phonetic: bú zhuàng nánqiáng bù huítóu]

to be stubborn and refuse to give up or repent until one has experienced failure


筆管條直

ㄅㄧˇ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄓˊ

бигуаньтяочжи

/pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵/


平平無奇

ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/pʰiŋ³⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ pʰɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/pʰiŋ³⁵ pʰiŋ³⁵ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/pʰɪŋ²¹ pʰɪŋ²¹ mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/


筆墨官司

ㄅㄧˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ˙ㄙ

ㄅㄧˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄙ

бимо гуаньсы

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ sz̩²/

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐk̚² kuːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ sz̩²/

/pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ mɐk̚² kuːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/


頭皮發麻

ㄊㄡˊ ㄆㄧˊ ㄈㄚ ㄇㄚˊ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pʰi³⁵ fä⁵⁵ mä³⁵/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pʰi³⁵ fä⁵⁵ mä³⁵/


筆走龍蛇

ㄅㄧˇ ㄗㄡˇ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄜˊ

/pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lʊŋ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/

/pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lʊŋ³⁵ ʂɤ³⁵/


門都沒有

ㄇㄣˊ ㄉㄡ ㄇㄟˊ ㄧㄡˇ

мэнь доу мэйю

/mən³⁵ toʊ̯⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mən³⁵ toʊ̯⁵⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

她和他出去？門都沒有啦。

她和他出去？门都没有啦。


低頭不語

ㄉㄧ ㄊㄡˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˇ

/ti⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³/

/ti⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɐi̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³/

to bow one's head and keep silent; to hang one's head and make no reply; to lower one's head in silence (when one is timid or thinking)


閉門思過

ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄙ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/pi⁵¹ mən³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐi̯³³ muːn²¹ siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/

/pi⁵¹ mən³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/pɐi̯³³ muːn²¹ siː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³/

to shut oneself away and reflect on one’s mistakes


成何體統

ㄔㄥˊ ㄏㄜˊ ㄊㄧˇ ㄊㄨㄥˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɔː²¹ tʰɐi̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ xɤ³⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪŋ²¹ hɔː²¹ tʰɐi̯³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵/

What kind of degeneracy has this society become?

這個社會已經成何體統？

这个社会已经成何体统？


愛便，愛鮮，愛大粒奶

want cheap, want fresh, want big breasts

ain³ pin¹, ain³ cin¹, ain³ dua⁷ liab⁸ ni¹

/ãĩ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ pʰĩ³³ ãĩ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰĩ³³ ãĩ²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tua¹¹ liap̚⁴⁻² ni³³/

(Malaysian Teochew and Singapore Teochew, crude) to have unrealistic expectations


點睛之筆

ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓ ㄅㄧˇ

дяньцзинчжиби

/ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tiːm³⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵/

/tiːm³⁵ t͡sɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵/

the finishing touch to a painting; the crucial point that brings the subject to life


敝帚千金

ㄅㄧˋ ㄓㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄣ

бичжоуцяньцзинь

/pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/pɐi̯²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

/pi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/pɐi̯²² t͡sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐm⁵⁵/

(figurative) to cherish something of little value simply because it is one's own


長槍短炮

ㄔㄤˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄆㄠˋ

чанцяндуаньпао

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ tyːn³⁵ pʰaːu̯³³/

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ tyːn³⁵ pʰaːu̯³³/


蓋棺論定

ㄍㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ

гайгуаньлуньдин

/kaɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/kɔːi̯³³ kuːn⁵⁵ lɵn²² tɪŋ²²/

/kaɪ̯⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ lu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ tiŋ⁵¹/

/kɔːi̯³³ kuːn⁵⁵ lɵn²² tɪŋ²²/

to judge the accomplishments and faults of a person after their death


匠心獨運

ㄐㄧㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄉㄨˊ ㄩㄣˋ

цзянсиньдуюнь

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tu³⁵ yn⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵ tʊk̚² wɐn²²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tu³⁵ yn⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵ tʊk̚² wɐn²²/

(chiefly of literature or art) to show great ingenuity; to have originality


壁上觀

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

to stand back; to observe only and not take sides


講多錯多

/kɔːŋ³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³ tɔː⁵⁵/

/kɔːŋ³⁵ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː³³ tɔː⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) The more one speaks, the more mistakes there will be.


苦口苦面

/fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ fuː³⁵ miːn²²/

/fuː³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ fuː³⁵ miːn²²/


攬身攬勢

/laːm¹³⁻³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ laːm¹³⁻³⁵ sɐi̯³³/

/laːm¹³⁻³⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ laːm¹³⁻³⁵ sɐi̯³³/

許冠傑《尖沙咀Susie》

laam⁵⁻² san¹ laam⁵⁻² sai³ dou¹ hou² haan⁴

攬身攬勢都好閒

許冠傑《尖沙咀Susie》

揽身揽势都好闲


避坑落井

ㄅㄧˋ ㄎㄥ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

/pi⁵¹ kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pei̯²² haːŋ⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

/pi⁵¹ kʰɤŋ⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pei̯²² haːŋ⁵⁵ lɔːk̚² t͡sɛːŋ³⁵/

out of the frying pan, into the fire
out of the frying pan, into the fire

to dodge a pit only to fall into a well; to fend off one difficulty only to fall prey to another; out of the frying pan, into the fire


擰頭擰髻

/lɪŋ²² tʰɐu̯²¹ lɪŋ²² kɐi̯³³/

/lɪŋ²² tʰɐu̯²¹ lɪŋ²² kɐi̯³³/

nik¹ hei² zoeng¹ maai⁶ san¹ kai³ hei² sai³ gam² ling⁶ tau⁴ ling⁶ gai³

𢴚起張賣身契豈勢咁擰頭擰髻

𢴚起张卖身契岂势咁拧头拧髻

(Cantonese) to nod one's head in satisfaction


妖言惑眾

ㄧㄠ ㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ waːk̚² t͡sʊŋ³³/

/jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɛn³⁵ xu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹/

/jiːu̯³⁵ jiːn²¹ waːk̚² t͡sʊŋ³³/

Don't spread fallacies to deceive people. It is making everyone feel jittery.

Nǐ jiù bié yāoyánhuòzhòng le, nòng de rénxīnhuánghuáng.

你就別妖言惑眾了，弄得人心惶惶。

你就别妖言惑众了，弄得人心惶惶。

to delude the masses with strange and harmful teachings; to deceive people with lies and fallacies


雄辯滔滔

ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄊㄠ ㄊㄠ

сюнбяньтаотао

/ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ piːn²² tʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰou̯⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ piːn²² tʰou̯⁵⁵ tʰou̯⁵⁵/

to argue forcefully and continuously; to argue strongly and eloquently


湳淋不擦

/næ̃¹¹ lĩŋ¹¹ pəʔ²⁻⁵³ t͡sʰaʔ²/

/næ̃¹¹ lĩŋ¹¹ pəʔ²⁻⁵³ t͡sʰaʔ²/


泥淋忽擦

/ni¹¹ lĩŋ¹¹ xuəʔ²⁻⁵³ t͡sʰaʔ²/

/ni¹¹ lĩŋ¹¹ xuəʔ²⁻⁵³ t͡sʰaʔ²/


白費心思

ㄅㄞˊ ㄈㄟˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄙ

байфэйсиньсы

/paɪ̯³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² fɐi̯³³ sɐm⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/paɪ̯³⁵ feɪ̯⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵/

/paːk̚² fɐi̯³³ sɐm⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/


借題發揮

ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄊㄧˊ ㄈㄚ ㄏㄨㄟ

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ tʰi³⁵ fä⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sɛː³³ tʰɐi̯²¹ faːt̚³ fɐi̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ tʰi³⁵ fä⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sɛː³³ tʰɐi̯²¹ faːt̚³ fɐi̯⁵⁵/

to seize on an incident to express one's own ideas


髀肉復生

ㄅㄧˋ ㄖㄡˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕㄥ

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

to remain idle in comfort and ease while yearning for active service


美人照鏡

/mei̯¹³ jɐn²¹ t͡siːu̯³³ kɛːŋ³³/

/mei̯¹³ jɐn²¹ t͡siːu̯³³ kɛːŋ³³/

(Hong Kong Cantonese, idiomatic) to finish one's plate; to have eaten all one's food for a meal


黃花菜都涼了

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄘㄞˋ ㄉㄡ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ˙ㄌㄜ

хуанхуацай доу лян лэ

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯⁵¹ toʊ̯⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ³⁵ lə³/


任人宰割

ㄖㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄗㄞˇ ㄍㄜ

жэньжэньцзайгэ

žɛnʹžɛnʹczajgɛ

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ⁵⁵/

/jɐm²² jɐn²¹ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵ kɔːt̚³/

/ʐən⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ⁵⁵/

/jɐm²² jɐn²¹ t͡sɔːi̯³⁵ kɔːt̚³/

to be at the mercy of others; cannot but allow oneself to be trampled on by others


獨具一格

ㄉㄨˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄧ ㄍㄜˊ

/tu³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kɤ³⁵/

/tʊk̚² kɵy̯²² jɐt̚⁵ kaːk̚³/

/tok̚⁴⁻² ku³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² keʔ²/

/tu³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kɤ³⁵/

/tʊk̚² kɵy̯²² jɐt̚⁵ kaːk̚³/

/tok̚⁴⁻² ku³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sek̚⁴⁻² keʔ²/


明碼實價

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄕˊ ㄐㄧㄚˋ

/miŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ maː¹³ sɐt̚² kaː³³/

/miŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/mɪŋ²¹ maː¹³ sɐt̚² kaː³³/

to have a clear and fixed price on an item/commodity


不遠萬里

ㄅㄨˋ ㄩㄢˇ ㄨㄢˋ ㄌㄧˇ

буюаньваньли

/pu⁵¹ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ wän⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

She is from a foreign country, traveling thousands of miles to China.

Rénjiā yīge wàiguó háizǐ, bùyuǎn wànlǐ láidào zhōngguó.

人家一個外國孩子，不遠萬里來到中國。

人家一个外国孩子，不远万里来到中国。

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


天地不容

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ tei̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ti⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐʊŋ³⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ tei̯²² pɐt̚⁵ jʊŋ²¹/


始料未及

ㄕˇ ㄌㄧㄠˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄐㄧˊ

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ liːu̯²² mei̯²² kʰɐp̚²/

/si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liau²²⁻²¹ bi²²⁻²¹ kip̚⁴/

/si⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ liau⁴¹⁻²² bi⁴¹⁻²² kip̚²⁴/

/si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liau²²⁻²¹ bi²²⁻²¹ kip̚¹²¹/

/si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liau³³⁻¹¹ bi³³⁻¹¹ kip̚⁴/

/si⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liau³³⁻²¹ bi³³⁻²¹ kip̚⁴/

/ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/t͡sʰiː³⁵ liːu̯²² mei̯²² kʰɐp̚²/

/si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liau²²⁻²¹ bi²²⁻²¹ kip̚⁴/

/si⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ liau⁴¹⁻²² bi⁴¹⁻²² kip̚²⁴/

/si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liau²²⁻²¹ bi²²⁻²¹ kip̚¹²¹/

/si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ liau³³⁻¹¹ bi³³⁻¹¹ kip̚⁴/

/si⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ liau³³⁻²¹ bi³³⁻²¹ kip̚⁴/


鞭打快牛

ㄅㄧㄢ ㄉㄚˇ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄋㄧㄡˊ

бяньдакуайню

/pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯aɪ̯⁵¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

to put high demands on a unit or individual that is already working well


鞭辟入裡

ㄅㄧㄢ ㄆㄧˋ ㄖㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ

/pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(of an article, remarks, etc.) to be penetrating


鞭辟進裡

ㄅㄧㄢ ㄆㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄌㄧˇ

бяньпицзиньли

/pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


手下敗將

ㄕㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄅㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄤˋ

шоусябайцзян

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ paɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ haː²² paːi̯²² t͡sœːŋ³³/

/sɐu̯³⁵ haː²² paːi̯²² t͡sœːŋ³³/

one's defeated opponent; person who has been defeated by one


各說各話

ㄍㄜˋ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄍㄜˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

/kɤ⁵¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ syːt̚³ kɔːk̚³ waː²²/

/kɤ⁵¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/kɔːk̚³ syːt̚³ kɔːk̚³ waː²²/

talk past each other
talk past each other

to talk past each other; each says their own unrelated thing


無根無據

(Hakka) mere verbal statement is no guarantee


空喙哺舌

/kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰui²¹⁻⁵³ pɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siʔ⁴/

/kʰaŋ³³ t͡sʰui⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡siʔ²⁴/

/kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰui²¹⁻⁵³ pɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siʔ¹²¹/

/kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰui¹¹⁻⁵³ pɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡siʔ⁴/

/kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰui²¹⁻⁴¹ pɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡siʔ⁴/

/kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰui²¹⁻⁵³ pɔ²²⁻²¹ t͡siʔ⁴/

/kʰaŋ³³ t͡sʰui⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pɔ⁴¹⁻²² t͡siʔ²⁴/

/kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰui¹¹⁻⁵³ pɔ³³⁻¹¹ t͡siʔ⁴/

/kʰaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰui²¹⁻⁴¹ pɔ³³⁻²¹ t͡siʔ⁴/

In the end those were just your empty words, just to fulfill your desire... and then leave

1992, 愛情的騙子我問你 (Cheater of Love, I Ask You), sung by 陳小雲 (Chen Hsiao-yun), lyrics by 蔣錦鴻, composed by 俞隆華

goân-lâi lí sī khang-chhùi-po̍h-chi̍h ta̍t-kàu bo̍k-tek chò lí khì

原來你是空嘴薄舌達到目的做你去

原来你是空嘴薄舌达到目的做你去

(Southern Min) to give empty talk; to make mere verbal statements

(Southern Min) mere verbal statement is no guarantee


患難與共

ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄋㄢˋ ㄩˇ ㄍㄨㄥˋ

хуаньнаньюйгун

/xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ nän⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹/

/xu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ nän⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵¹/

to go through thick and thin together; to share hardships together


穩賺不賠

ㄨㄣˇ ㄓㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄟˊ

вэньчжуаньбупэй

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pʰeɪ̯³⁵/

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pʰeɪ̯³⁵/


搖旗吶喊

ㄧㄠˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄋㄚˋ ㄏㄢˇ

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ nä⁵¹ xän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːu̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹ naːp̚² haːm³³/

/jɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ nä⁵¹ xän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiːu̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹ naːp̚² haːm³³/


萬事俱備，只欠東風

ㄨㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄅㄟˋ

ㄓˇ ㄑㄧㄢˋ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄈㄥ

maan⁶ si⁶ keoi¹ bei⁶, zi² him³ dung¹ fung¹

ваньши цзюйбэй

чжи цянь дунфэн

/wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵¹ tʊŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

maan⁶ si⁶ koey¹ bei⁶, dzi² him³ dung¹ fung¹

man⁶ xi⁶ kêu¹ béi⁶, ji² him³ dung¹ fung¹

/maːn²² siː²² kʰɵy̯⁵⁵ pei̯²² t͡siː³⁵ hiːm³³ tʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

Kǒngmíng suǒ zhǐbǐ, píngtuì zuǒyòu, mì shū shíliù zì yuē: “Yù pò Cáo gōng, yí yòng huǒgōng; wànshì jù bèi, zhǐ qiàn dōngfēng.”

孔明索紙筆，屏退左右，密書十六字曰：「欲破曹公，宜用火攻；萬事俱備，只欠東風。」

孔明索纸笔，屏退左右，密书十六字曰：「欲破曹公，宜用火攻；万事俱备，只欠东风。」

All things are ready except for the easternly wind.

Everything is ready except for one last crucial item.


童男童女

ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄋㄩˇ

туннаньтуннюй

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ nän³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ naːm²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ nɵy̯¹³/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ naːm²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ nɵy̯¹³⁻³⁵/

/tʰʊŋ³⁵ nän³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ naːm²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ nɵy̯¹³/

/tʰʊŋ²¹ naːm²¹ tʰʊŋ²¹ nɵy̯¹³⁻³⁵/


婚喪喜慶

ㄏㄨㄣ ㄙㄤ ㄒㄧˇ ㄑㄧㄥˋ

хуньсансицин

/xu̯ən⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵¹/

/fɐn⁵⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ hɪŋ³³/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɪŋ²¹/

/hun³³ sɔŋ³³ hi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰiɪŋ⁴¹/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɪŋ²¹/

/hun⁴⁴⁻³³ sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɪŋ¹¹/

/hun⁴⁴⁻³³ sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɪŋ²¹/

/xu̯ən⁵⁵ sɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵¹/

/fɐn⁵⁵ sɔːŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ hɪŋ³³/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɪŋ²¹/

/hun³³ sɔŋ³³ hi⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰiɪŋ⁴¹/

/hun⁴⁴⁻²² sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɪŋ²¹/

/hun⁴⁴⁻³³ sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hi⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɪŋ¹¹/

/hun⁴⁴⁻³³ sɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ hi⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɪŋ²¹/

celebrations and mourning; important life events (e.g. weddings, funerals, birthdays, etc.)


金碧輝映

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄅㄧˋ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄧㄥˋ

цзиньбихуэйин

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pi⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ iŋ⁵¹/

/kɐm⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ fɐi̯⁵⁵ jɪŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pi⁵¹ xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ iŋ⁵¹/

/kɐm⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ fɐi̯⁵⁵ jɪŋ³⁵/

(of the furnishings and decorations of a building) magnificent, splendid, and resplendent


一心無二

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ u³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ u³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/


大書特書

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄨ ㄊㄜˋ ㄕㄨ

/tä⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ tʰɤ⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵/

/tä⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵ tʰɤ⁵¹ ʂu⁵⁵/

to write elaborately on; to write at length about


莫逆之交

ㄇㄛˋ ㄋㄧˋ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄠ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/mɔːk̚² jɪk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːu̯⁵⁵/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ni⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/mɔːk̚² jɪk̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ kaːu̯⁵⁵/

very close friends (with complete mutual understanding)


堅壁清野

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄅㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄧㄝˇ

цзяньбицинъе

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kiːn⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jɛː¹³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ jɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kiːn⁵⁵ pɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jɛː¹³/

to fortify defences and evacuate all civilians and supplies

scorched-earth policy
scorched-earth policy


開科取士

ㄎㄞ ㄎㄜ ㄑㄩˇ ㄕˋ

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ fɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ siː²²/

/kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hɔːi̯⁵⁵ fɔː⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵ siː²²/

imperial examinations
imperial examination

(history) to hold imperial examinations in order to select talented scholars (to become officials)


變生肘腋

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄥ ㄓㄡˇ ㄧㄝˋ

бяньшэнчжоуе

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹/

/piːn³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ jɪk̚²/

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹/

/piːn³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ jɪk̚²/


禍生肘腋

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄥ ㄓㄡˇ ㄧㄝˋ

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹/

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛ⁵¹/


定於一尊

ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄩˊ ㄧ ㄗㄨㄣ

динъюйицзунь

/tiŋ⁵¹ y³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵/

/tiŋ⁵¹ y³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵/

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

Jīn huángdì bìng yǒu tiānxià, bié hēibái ér dìng yī zūn.

今皇帝并有天下，別黑白而定一尊。

今皇帝并有天下，别黑白而定一尊。

to regard the supreme authority as the only standard


變起蕭牆

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄑㄧˇ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄑㄧㄤˊ

бяньцисяоцян

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

禍起蕭牆 禍起蕭牆#Chinese

祸起萧墙 祸起萧墙#Chinese

Synonym of 禍起蕭牆／祸起萧墙 (huòqǐxiāoqiáng, “to suffer internal strife”)


清君側

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɐk̚⁵/

Zhao Yang, from the feudal state of Jin, captured Jinyang (now Taiyuan) in order to expel Xunyin and Shijishe. Who were they? They were evil people around the ruler (of the feudal state of Jin). This expelled these evil people around the ruler.

Jìn Zhàoyāng qǔ jìnyáng zhī jiǎ, yǐ zhú Xúnyín yǔ Shìjíshè. Xúnyín yǔ Shìjíshè zhě, hé wèi zhě yě? Jūn cè zhī èrén yě. Cǐ zhú jūn cè zhī èrén.

晉趙鞅取晉陽之甲，以逐荀寅與士吉射。荀寅與士吉射者，曷為者也？君側之惡人也。此逐君側之惡人。

晋赵鞅取晋阳之甲，以逐荀寅与士吉射。荀寅与士吉射者，曷为者也？君侧之恶人也。此逐君侧之恶人。

An Lushan initiated the An Lushan Rebellion under the pretext of "clearing evil ministers around the ruling monarch", which seriously weakened the Tang Dynasty.

Ānlùshān yǐ “qīngjūncè” de míngyì fādòng ānshǐzhīluàn, lìng tángcháo yóu shèng zhuǎn shuāi.

安祿山以「清君側」的名義發動安史之亂，令唐朝由盛轉衰。

安禄山以「清君侧」的名义发动安史之乱，令唐朝由盛转衰。

to clear evil ministers around the ruling monarch


閉門謝客

ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄎㄜˋ

/pi⁵¹ mən³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/pɐi̯³³ muːn²¹ t͡sɛː²² haːk̚³/

/pi⁵¹ mən³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰɤ⁵¹/

/pɐi̯³³ muːn²¹ t͡sɛː²² haːk̚³/


好暗晡

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ am⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pɔ³³/

/ho⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ am⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pɔ³³/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ am⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pɔ³³/

/ho⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ am⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pɔ³³/

Calque of English good afternoon or calque of Spanish buenas tardes.


好暗暝

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ am⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mi²⁴/

/ho⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ am⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mi²⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ am⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mi²⁴/

/ho⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ am⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mi²⁴/

Calque of English good evening or calque of Spanish buenas noches.


好早起

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sa⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰi⁵⁵⁴/

/ho⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sa⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰi⁵⁵⁴/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sa⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰi⁵⁵⁴/

/ho⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sa⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰi⁵⁵⁴/

Calque of English good morning or calque of Spanish buenos días.


迴光返照

(the sky) brightens again (right before sunset)

ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄈㄢˇ ㄓㄠˋ

хуэйгуанфаньчжао

/xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/wuːi̯²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ faːn³⁵ t͡siːu̯³³/

/xu̯eɪ̯³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/wuːi̯²¹ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ faːn³⁵ t͡siːu̯³³/

(figurative) to experience terminal lucidity (before one's death)

(figurative) to experience a momentary spurt of activity or boom before its final demise


文武百官

ㄨㄣˊ ㄨˇ ㄅㄞˇ ㄍㄨㄢ

вэньубайгуань

/wən³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

/wən³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ paɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯än⁵⁵/

(historical) all civil and military officials; all government officials


杯中酒

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

An invitation to finish one's current drinks at the end of a meal, party, etc.


長江後浪推前浪

In the Yangtze River the waves behind push on those ahead.

ㄔㄤˊ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄏㄡˋ ㄌㄤˋ ㄊㄨㄟ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄤˋ

coeng⁴ gong¹ hau⁶ long⁶ teoi¹ cin⁴ long⁶

Chʻang²-chiang¹ hou⁴-lang⁴ tʻui¹ chʻien²-lang⁴

Чанцзян хоулан туй цяньлан

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lɑŋ⁵¹ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹/

chèuhng gōng hauh lohng tēui chìhn lohng

tsoeng⁴ gong¹ hau⁶ long⁶ toey¹ tsin⁴ long⁶

/t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ kɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɐu̯²² lɔːŋ²² tʰɵy̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ lɔːŋ²²/

new things replace old things; the younger (new) generation replaces and surpasses the older (previous) generation


冰釋前嫌

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄕˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ

биншицяньсянь

/piŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jiːm²¹/

/piŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jiːm²¹/

let bygones be bygones
let bygones be bygones

to bury the hatchet; to let bygones be bygones; to become reconciled


祖墳冒青煙

Blue smoke is rising from (someone's) family cemetery.

ㄗㄨˇ ㄈㄣˊ ㄇㄠˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄧㄢ

цзуфэнь мао цинъянь

/t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹ fən³⁵ mɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵/

Used to describe someone very lucky or successful.


毫無二致

ㄏㄠˊ ㄨˊ ㄦˋ ㄓˋ

/xɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hou̯²¹ mou̯²¹ jiː²² t͡siː³³/

/xɑʊ̯³⁵ u³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/hou̯²¹ mou̯²¹ jiː²² t͡siː³³/

without the slightest difference; completely identical


垂暮之年

ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄓ ㄋㄧㄢˊ

чуймучжинянь

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/sɵy̯²¹ mou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯eɪ̯³⁵ mu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ni̯ɛn³⁵/

/sɵy̯²¹ mou̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵ niːn²¹/

remaining years (of a person's life); old age; twilight years


拋頭露面

ㄆㄠ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

паотоулумянь

/pʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pʰaːu̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ lou̯²² miːn²²/

/pʰau⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴ lɔ³³⁻¹¹ bin³³/

/pʰau⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³ lɔ³³⁻²¹ bin³³/

/pʰau⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴ lɔ²²⁻²¹ bin²²/

/pʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pʰaːu̯⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ lou̯²² miːn²²/

/pʰau⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴ lɔ³³⁻¹¹ bin³³/

/pʰau⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³ lɔ³³⁻²¹ bin³³/

/pʰau⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴ lɔ²²⁻²¹ bin²²/

(slightly derogatory, originally of women) to show one's face in public; to put oneself about


口口相傳

ㄎㄡˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

коукоусянчуань

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

to be passed down orally; by word of mouth


疾言厲色

ㄐㄧˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ jɛn³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sɐt̚² jiːn²¹ lɐi̯²² sɪk̚⁵/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ jɛn³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sɐt̚² jiːn²¹ lɐi̯²² sɪk̚⁵/

to be angry and use harsh words with a stern look


坐立不安

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄢ

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔː²² laːp̚² pɐt̚⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ˀän⁵⁵/

/t͡sɔː²² laːp̚² pɐt̚⁵ ɔːn⁵⁵/

to fidget; to be on tenterhooks; to feel uneasy; to be restless and agitated


條條框框

ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄎㄨㄤˋ ㄎㄨㄤˋ

ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄎㄨㄤ ㄎㄨㄤ

тяотяокуанкуан

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ tʰiːu̯²¹ kʷʰaːŋ⁵⁵ kʷʰaːŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/tʰiːu̯²¹ tʰiːu̯²¹ kʷʰaːŋ⁵⁵ kʷʰaːŋ⁵⁵/


遐邇聞名

ㄒㄧㄚˊ ㄦˇ ㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/ɕi̯ä³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/haː²¹ jiː¹³ mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

/ɕi̯ä³⁵ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹ wən³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/haː²¹ jiː¹³ mɐn²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

聞名遐邇 聞名遐邇#Chinese

闻名遐迩 闻名遐迩#Chinese


等候英女皇發落

等候英女皇发落
等候女皇發落

/tɐŋ³⁵ hɐu̯²² jɪŋ⁵⁵ nɵy̯¹³ wɔːŋ²¹ faːt̚³ lɔːk̚²/

at Her Majesty's pleasure
at Her Majesty's pleasure

(Hong Kong, historical) at Her Majesty's pleasure (indefinite imprisonment)


等候女皇發落

等候女皇发落
等候英女皇發落

/tɐŋ³⁵ hɐu̯²² nɵy̯¹³ wɔːŋ²¹ faːt̚³ lɔːk̚²/


稱兄道弟

ㄔㄥ ㄒㄩㄥ ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ tou̯²² tɐi̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ hɪŋ⁵⁵ tou̯²² tɐi̯²²/

to call each other brothers; to be on intimate terms


蜀犬吠日

ㄕㄨˇ ㄑㄩㄢˇ ㄈㄟˋ ㄖˋ

шуцюаньфэйжи

/ʂu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ feɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/sʊk̚² hyːn³⁵ fɐi̯²² jɐt̚²/

/sʊk̚² hyːn³⁵ fɐi̯²² jɐt̚²/

to be surprised at something common because of one's ignorance


兩情相悅

ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄩㄝˋ

лянцинсянъюэ

/li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/lœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jyːt̚²/

/li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/lœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ jyːt̚²/

(of two people) to be in love with each other


除舊布新

ㄔㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ kɐu̯²² pou̯³³ sɐn⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ kɐu̯²² pou̯³³ sɐn⁵⁵/

to demolish the old and establish the new


破罐破摔

ㄆㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄛˋ ㄕㄨㄞ

по гуань по шуай

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ kuːn³³ pʰɔː³³ sɵt̚⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ kuːn³³ pʰɔː³³ sɵt̚⁵/

to allow things to worsen even if you know there are faults or mistakes


破罐子破摔

ㄆㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄢˋ ˙ㄗ ㄆㄛˋ ㄕㄨㄞ

по гуаньцзы по шуай

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯än⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂu̯aɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ kuːn³³ t͡siː³⁵ pʰɔː³³ sɵt̚⁵/

/pʰɔː³³ kuːn³³ t͡siː³⁵ pʰɔː³³ sɵt̚⁵/


以防萬一

ㄧˇ ㄈㄤˊ ㄨㄢˋ ㄧ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ fɔːŋ²¹ maːn²² jɐt̚⁵/

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵ wän⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/jiː¹³ fɔːŋ²¹ maːn²² jɐt̚⁵/

to protect against a contingency; just in case


洋洋自得

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (洋洋自得):
* → Vietnamese: duơng dương tự đắc (洋洋自得)

ㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄤˊ ㄗˋ ㄉㄜˊ

/jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː²² tɐk̚⁵/

/jɑŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

/jœːŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹ t͡siː²² tɐk̚⁵/

to be very pleased with oneself; to be self-satisfied


中規中矩

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄩˇ

чжунгуйчжунцзюй

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³ kɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³ kɵy̯³⁵/


中規中矩

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄐㄩˇ

чжунгуйчжунцзюй

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kɵy̯³⁵/

By mistaking the 中 (zhòng, “to hit (the mark)”) for 中 (zhōng, “middle”), as in 中等 (zhōngděng).

2003 November 19, 薛原 (Xue Yuan), 吕明响 (Lü Mingxiang), 姚明助推 火箭领跑, in 《人民日报》 [People's Daily], →ISSN, issue 20220, page 12

Yǔ tā de xīnxiù sàijì xiàngbǐ, Yáo Míng jìnlái biǎoxiàn zhōngguīzhōngjǔ.

與他的新秀賽季相比，姚明近來表現中規中矩。

与他的新秀赛季相比，姚明近来表现中规中矩。


無顏見江東父老

ㄨˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄌㄠˇ

уянь цзянь цзяндун фулао

/u³⁵ jɛn³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²¹ ŋaːn²¹ kiːn³³ kɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ fuː²² lou̯¹³/

See 無面目見江東父老／无面目见江东父老 (wú miànmù jiàn Jiāngdōng fùlǎo)

zh-l

to be ashamed of one's failures; to be ashamed to face people in one's hometown because of one's failures


臺前幕後

ㄊㄞˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄏㄡˋ

тайцяньмухоу

/tʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ mɔːk̚² hɐu̯²²/

/tʰaɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰɔːi̯²¹ t͡sʰiːn²¹ mɔːk̚² hɐu̯²²/

thank everyone involved in the show for their effort

感謝臺前幕後所有人的努力

感谢台前幕后所有人的努力

onstage and backstage; onstage and behind the scenes


農夫與蛇

ㄋㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄨ ㄩˇ ㄕㄜˊ

/nʊŋ³⁵ fu⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤ³⁵/

/nʊŋ³⁵ fu⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤ³⁵/

From the Aesop's Fable The Farmer and the Viper.

biting the hand that feeds one
bite the hand that feeds one


休養生息

ㄒㄧㄡ ㄧㄤˇ ㄕㄥ ㄒㄧ

ㄒㄧㄡ ㄧㄤˇ ㄕㄥ ㄒㄧˊ

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/jɐu̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/jɐu̯⁵⁵ jœːŋ¹³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵/

(of a person) to rest and recuperate; to convalesce; (of society) to recover (after a war or upheaval) and regain vitality


悲慟欲絕

ㄅㄟ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄩˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

бэйтунъюйцзюэ

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

悲痛欲絕 悲痛欲絕#Chinese

悲痛欲绝 悲痛欲绝#Chinese

Synonym of 悲痛欲絕／悲痛欲绝 (bēitòngyùjué, “to be grief-stricken”)


悲痛欲絕

ㄅㄟ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄩˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

бэйтунъюйцзюэ

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ jʊk̚² t͡syːt̚³/

/peɪ̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/pei̯⁵⁵ tʰʊŋ³³ jʊk̚² t͡syːt̚³/

to be grief-stricken; to be extremely grieved


英雄豪傑

ㄧㄥ ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄏㄠˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/iŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/iŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ xɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

outstanding figures; people of exceptional ability; heroes


狗急了跳牆

when a dog gets desperate, it jumps over a wall

ㄍㄡˇ ㄐㄧˊ ˙ㄌㄜ ㄊㄧㄠˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ

гоу цзи лэ тяо цян

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ lə³ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

狗急跳牆 狗急跳牆#Chinese

狗急跳墙 狗急跳墙#Chinese

Alternative form of 狗急跳牆／狗急跳墙 (gǒujítiàoqiáng)


落草為寇

ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄘㄠˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄎㄡˋ

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/lɔːk̚² t͡sʰou̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰɐu̯³³/

/lu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/lɔːk̚² t͡sʰou̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ kʰɐu̯³³/

to become a bandit in the mountains and woods


假模假樣

ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄇㄛˊ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄧㄤˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɑŋ⁵¹/

to behave in an affected way; to put on an act


便宜從事

ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄧˊ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄕˋ

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ i³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pi̯ɛn⁵¹ i³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/


秘而不宣

ㄇㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄢ

/mi⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/mi⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn⁵⁵/


勤能補拙

ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄅㄨˇ ㄓㄨㄛ

ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄅㄨˇ ㄓㄨㄛˊ

циньнэнбучжо

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵/

/kʰɐn²¹ nɐŋ²¹ pou̯³⁵ t͡syːt̚²/

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ nɤŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɔ³⁵/

/kʰɐn²¹ nɐŋ²¹ pou̯³⁵ t͡syːt̚²/


非黑即白

ㄈㄟ ㄏㄟ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄞˊ

фэйхэйцзибай

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

/fei̯⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ paːk̚²/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ paɪ̯³⁵/

/fei̯⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ paːk̚²/


標本兼治

ㄅㄧㄠ ㄅㄣˇ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄓˋ

бяобэньцзяньчжи

/pi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/pi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

traditional Chinese medicine
traditional Chinese medicine

(traditional Chinese medicine or generally) to address both the symptoms and root causes of a problem


婦道人家

ㄈㄨˋ ˙ㄉㄠ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄚ

ㄈㄨˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄚ

ㄈㄨˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄖㄣˊ ˙ㄐㄧㄚ

ㄈㄨˋ ˙ㄉㄠ ㄖㄣˊ ˙ㄐㄧㄚ

фудаожэньцзя

/fu⁵¹ d̥ɑʊ̯¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ d͡ʑ̥i̯ä³/

/fu⁵¹ d̥ɑʊ̯¹ ʐən³⁵ d͡ʑ̥i̯ä³/

/fuː¹³ tou̯²² jɐn²¹ kaː⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹ d̥ɑʊ̯¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ d͡ʑ̥i̯ä³/

/fu⁵¹ d̥ɑʊ̯¹ ʐən³⁵ d͡ʑ̥i̯ä³/

/fuː¹³ tou̯²² jɐn²¹ kaː⁵⁵/


尊師重道

ㄗㄨㄣ ㄕ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄠˋ

цзуньшичжундао

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² tou̯²²/

/t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡syːn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ²² tou̯²²/

to respect a teacher and revere his teachings


多隻香爐多隻鬼

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄌㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓ ㄍㄨㄟˇ

до чжи сянлу до чжи гуй

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ lu³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ hœːŋ⁵⁵ lou̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ kʷɐi̯³⁵/

Literally "one more censer, one more ghost (to serve)".

多只香炉多只鬼
多個香爐多隻鬼
多個香爐多個鬼

(Cantonese) one more thing (or person) means one more trouble


多個香爐多隻鬼

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄍㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄌㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓ ㄍㄨㄟˇ

до гэ сянлу до чжи гуй

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ kɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ lu³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɔː⁵⁵ kɔː³³ hœːŋ⁵⁵ lou̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɛːk̚³ kʷɐi̯³⁵/

多隻香爐多隻鬼 多隻香爐多隻鬼#Chinese

多只香炉多只鬼 多只香炉多只鬼#Chinese

(Cantonese) Alternative form of 多隻香爐多隻鬼／多只香炉多只鬼 (duō zhī xiānglú duō zhī guǐ)


天跌落來當被冚

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ tiːt̚³ lɔːk̚² lei̯²¹ tɔːŋ³³ pʰei̯¹³ kʰɐm³⁵/

天跌落嚟當被冚 天跌落嚟當被冚#Chinese

天跌落嚟当被冚 天跌落嚟当被冚#Chinese

(Cantonese) Alternative form of 天跌落嚟當被冚／天跌落嚟当被冚


多個香爐多個鬼

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄍㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄌㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄍㄜˋ ㄍㄨㄟˇ

до гэ сянлу до гэ гуй

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ kɤ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ lu³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ kɤ⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tɔː⁵⁵ kɔː³³ hœːŋ⁵⁵ lou̯²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ kɔː³³ kʷɐi̯³⁵/

多隻香爐多隻鬼 多隻香爐多隻鬼#Chinese

多只香炉多只鬼 多只香炉多只鬼#Chinese


照葫蘆畫瓢

to draw a dipper with a gourd as a model

ㄓㄠˋ ㄏㄨˊ ˙ㄌㄨ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄆㄧㄠˊ

чжао хулу хуа пяо

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ lu³ xu̯ä⁵¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡siːu̯³³ wuː²¹ lou̯²¹ waːk̚² pʰiːu̯²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ xu³⁵ lu³ xu̯ä⁵¹ pʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵/

to copy or imitate slavishly without attempt at originality


彈盡援絕

ㄉㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄩㄢˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ

даньцзиньюаньцзюэ

/tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

/tän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕin⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵/

to run out of ammunition as reinforcements are also not forthcoming

(figuratively) to be in a desperate situation


前所未見

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

цяньсовэйцзянь

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ sɔː³⁵ mei̯²² kiːn³³/

/t͡siɛn²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/t͡siɛn²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bi⁴¹⁻²² kiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡siɛn¹³⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/t͡siɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi³³⁻¹¹ kiɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛn²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bi³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ sɔː³⁵ mei̯²² kiːn³³/

/t͡siɛn²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/t͡siɛn²⁴⁻²² sɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ bi⁴¹⁻²² kiɛn⁴¹/

/t͡siɛn¹³⁻²² sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi²²⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/

/t͡siɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ sɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bi³³⁻¹¹ kiɛn¹¹/

/t͡siɛn²³⁻³³ sɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bi³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹/


以己度人

ㄧˇ ㄐㄧˇ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄖㄣˊ

ㄧˇ ㄐㄧˇ ㄉㄨㄛˋ ㄖㄣˊ

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ kei̯³⁵ tɔːk̚² jɐn²¹/

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵/

/jiː¹³ kei̯³⁵ tɔːk̚² jɐn²¹/

to measure others according to one's values; to measure other people's corn by one's own bushel


貪婪無厭

ㄊㄢ ㄌㄢˊ ㄨˊ ㄧㄢˋ

таньланьуянь

/tʰän⁵⁵ län³⁵ u³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

/tʰän⁵⁵ län³⁵ u³⁵ jɛn⁵¹/

avaricious; greedy; not able to settle for less


初生之犢

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʊk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tu³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʊk̚²/

(figurative) simple or daring young person


牛頭唔搭馬嘴

/ŋɐu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ m̩²¹ taːp̚³ maː¹³ t͡sɵy̯³⁵/

(Cantonese) the answer is totally irrelevant to the question; a square peg cannot fit into a round hole; to be beside the point


盡其所能

ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄋㄥˊ

цзиньцисонэн

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵/

to the best of one's ability
to the best of one's ability


壯志凌雲

ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄓˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄣˊ

чжуанчжилинъюнь

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ yn³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ³³ t͡siː³³ lɪŋ²¹ wɐn²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ liŋ³⁵ yn³⁵/

/t͡sɔːŋ³³ t͡siː³³ lɪŋ²¹ wɐn²¹/


離經叛道

ㄌㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄆㄢˋ ㄉㄠˋ

лицзинпаньдао

/li³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ pʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lei̯²¹ kɪŋ⁵⁵ puːn²² tou̯²²/

/li³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ pʰän⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/lei̯²¹ kɪŋ⁵⁵ puːn²² tou̯²²/

to deviate from the Confucian classics or the orthodoxy; to deviate from the mainstream thought or norms


缺斤短兩

ㄑㄩㄝ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄌㄧㄤˇ

цюэцзиньдуаньлян

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ tu̯än²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰyːt̚³ kɐn⁵⁵ tyːn³⁵ lœːŋ¹³/

/kʰyːt̚³ kɐn⁵⁵ tyːn³⁵ lœːŋ¹³/


缺斤少兩

ㄑㄩㄝ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄕㄠˇ ㄌㄧㄤˇ

цюэцзиньшаолян

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰyːt̚³ kɐn⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ lœːŋ¹³/

/kʰyːt̚³ kɐn⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ lœːŋ¹³/


插贓嫁禍

ㄔㄚ ㄗㄤ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ t͡sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːp̚³ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kaː³³ wɔː²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ t͡sɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːp̚³ t͡sɔːŋ⁵⁵ kaː³³ wɔː²²/

(Cantonese, Hong Kong) to plant or fabricate evidence


天無二日

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄨˊ ㄦˋ ㄖˋ

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ u³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jiː²² jɐt̚²/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ u³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ jiː²² jɐt̚²/

From Confucius, quoted in Mencius and the Book of Rites.
Mencius, Book 9 (《孟子·萬章上》):
:
Book of Rites, Book 7 (《禮記·曾子問》)

Confucius said, "There are not two suns in the sky, nor two sovereigns over the people."

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

Kǒngzǐ yuē: ‘Tiān wú èr rì, mín wú èr wáng.’

孔子曰：『天無二日，民無二王。』

孔子曰：『天无二日，民无二王。』

Confucius said, "In heaven there are not two suns; in a country there are not two kings; in the seasonal sacrifices, and those to Heaven and Earth, there are not two who occupy the highest place of honour. […]

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

Kǒngzǐ yuē: “Tiān wú èr rì, tǔ wú èr wáng, cháng dì jiāo shè, zūn wú èr shàng.......

孔子曰：「天無二日，土無二王，嘗禘郊社，尊無二上。……

孔子曰：「天无二日，土无二王，尝禘郊社，尊无二上。……

there cannot be two monarchs or chiefs at the same time


三妻四妾

ㄙㄢ ㄑㄧ ㄙˋ ㄑㄧㄝˋ

/sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sʰiːp̚³/

/sam²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴⁻¹¹ si⁵⁵ t͡sʰi̯ap̚²/

/sän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐi̯⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sʰiːp̚³/

/sam²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sʰi²⁴⁻¹¹ si⁵⁵ t͡sʰi̯ap̚²/


娘希匹

/ni̯ɑŋ³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ni̯ɑŋ³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ pʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

2018 September 3, China Times, 陸劇裡蔣介石滿嘴「娘希匹」 作家：被小說誤導 ("娘希匹" is Chiang Kai-shek's Catchphrase in Mainland Chinese Drama? Author: Misled by Novel):

Approximately from the 1970s, Chiang Kai-shek in Mainland Chinese movies and television dramas often hurled "niang xi pi" (fuck your mother) when swearing others. Such perception created by dramatic art is well-known in the Mainland.

Dàyuē zì shàng shìjì 70 niándài kāishǐ, zhōngguódàlù diànyǐng, diànshìjù lǐ chūxiàn de Jiǎngjièshí jiǎosè, màrén shí jīngcháng “niángxīpǐ” tuōkǒu ér chū, zhèxiē xìjù yíngzào de xíngxiàng zài dàlù shēnrù rénxīn.

大約自上世紀70年代開始，中國大陸電影、電視劇裡出現的蔣介石角色，罵人時經常「娘希匹」脫口而出，這些戲劇營造的形象在大陸深入人心。

大约自上世纪70年代开始，中国大陆电影、电视剧里出现的蒋介石角色，骂人时经常「娘希匹」脱口而出，这些戏剧营造的形象在大陆深入人心。

(vulgar, slang) fuck your mother; fuck you


翅膀硬

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹/

(figurative) to grow up, become independent, and no longer listen to one's elders


惹人憐愛

ㄖㄜˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄞˋ

жэжэньляньай

/ʐɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʐɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵ ˀaɪ̯⁵¹/


守望相助

ㄕㄡˇ ㄨㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄓㄨˋ

шоувансянчжу

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɔːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɑŋ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹/

/sɐu̯³⁵ mɔːŋ²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sɔː²²/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻¹¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

/siu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɔŋ³³⁻²¹ siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sɔ³³/

. On occasions of death, or removal from one dwelling to another, there will be no quitting the district. In the fields of a district, those who belong to the same nine squares render all friendly offices to one another in their going out and coming in, aid one another in keeping watch and ward, and sustain one another in sickness. Thus the people are brought to live in affection and harmony.

Sǐ xǐ wú chū xiāng, xiāng tián tóng jǐng, chūrù xiàngyǒu, shǒuwàng xiàngzhù, jíbìng xiàng fúchí, zé bǎixìng qīnmù.

死徙無出鄉，鄉田同井，出入相友，守望相助，疾病相扶持，則百姓親睦。

死徙无出乡，乡田同井，出入相友，守望相助，疾病相扶持，则百姓亲睦。

to keep watch and defend and help one another


囿制

/joʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³/

/joʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³/

原訟法庭可命令任何持有可變現財產的權益的人，就被告或受本條例囿制的饋贈的收受人所持有的實質權益，將原訟法庭所指示的款項交付接管人；款項交付後，原訟法庭可下令將有關財產的任何權益予以移轉、授予或取消。 [MSC, trad.]
原讼法庭可命令任何持有可变现财产的权益的人，就被告或受本条例囿制的馈赠的收受人所持有的实质权益，将原讼法庭所指示的款项交付接管人；款项交付后，原讼法庭可下令将有关财产的任何权益予以移转、授予或取消。 [MSC, simp.]
Yuánsòngfǎtíng kě mìnglìng rènhé chíyǒu kě biànxiàn cáichǎn de quányì de rén, jiù bèigào huò shòu běn tiáolì yòuzhì de kuìzèng de shōushòu rén suǒ chíyǒu de shízhì quányì, jiāng yuánsòngfǎtíng suǒ zhǐshì de kuǎnxiàng jiāofù jiēguǎn rén; kuǎnxiàng jiāofù hòu, yuánsòngfǎtíng kě xiàlìng jiāng yǒuguān cáichǎn de rènhé quányì yǔyǐ yízhuǎn, shòuyǔ huò qǔxiāo. [Pinyin]

Section 12(6), Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance (Cap. 405)

The Court of First Instance may order any person holding an interest in realisable property to make such payment to the receiver in respect of any beneficial interest held by the defendant or, as the case may be, the recipient of a gift caught by this Ordinance as the Court of First Instance may direct and the Court of First Instance may, on the payment being made, by order transfer, grant or extinguish any interest in the property.


清心寡慾

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄩˋ

цинсиньгуаюй

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ jʊk̚²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ jʊk̚²/

to cleanse one's mind of distracting thoughts and limit one's worldly desires


世道人心

ㄕˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

шидаожэньсинь

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/


囊中羞澀

ㄋㄤˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄙㄜˋ

/nɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/nɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ kiːp̚³/

/nɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/nɔːŋ²¹ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐu̯⁵⁵ kiːp̚³/


打太極拳

ㄉㄚˇ ㄊㄞˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

да тайцзицюань

/tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

(figuratively) to shirk responsibility and pass the buck


河水不洗船

ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧˇ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

хэшуй бу си чуань

/xɤ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³⁵ syːn²¹/

/hɔː²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ sɐi̯³⁵ syːn²¹/


初具規模

ㄔㄨ ㄐㄩˋ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄇㄛˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵/

to have a basic framework and content; to begin to take shape


布袋裡老鴉

ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄌㄠˇ ㄧㄚ

будай ли лаоя

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ taɪ̯⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻³⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jä⁵⁵/

/pou̯³³ tɔːi̯²² lɵy̯¹³ lou̯¹³ aː⁵⁵/

/pou̯³³ tɔːi̯²² lɵy̯¹³ lou̯¹³ aː⁵⁵/


移山倒海

ㄧˊ ㄕㄢ ㄉㄠˇ ㄏㄞˇ

/i³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː²¹ saːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/i²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴⁻³³ to⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hai⁵³/

/i²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hai⁴¹/

/i²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴⁻²² to⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hai⁵³/

/i³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jiː²¹ saːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/i²⁴⁻¹¹ san⁴⁴⁻³³ to⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hai⁵³/

/i²³⁻³³ san⁴⁴⁻³³ tɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ hai⁴¹/

/i²⁴⁻²² san⁴⁴⁻²² to⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hai⁵³/

(literally) to move mountains and drain seas

(figurative) to be extraordinarily capable


一抓一大把

ㄧ ㄓㄨㄚ ㄧ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄚˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ä⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tä⁵¹ pä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡saːu̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²² paː³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡saːu̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ taːi̯²² paː³⁵/


口出狂言

ㄎㄡˇ ㄔㄨ ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄧㄢˊ

коучукуанъянь

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ jiːn²¹/

/kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ kʰu̯ɑŋ³⁵ jɛn³⁵/

/hɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kʷʰɔːŋ²¹ jiːn²¹/


振臂一呼

ㄓㄣˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄧ ㄏㄨ

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xu⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ pei̯³³ jɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xu⁵⁵/

/t͡sɐn³³ pei̯³³ jɐt̚⁵ fuː⁵⁵/

to raise one's arm and cry out to rally people


有理冇理

/jɐu̯¹³ lei̯¹³ mou̯¹³ lei̯¹³/

/jɐu̯¹³ lei̯¹³ mou̯¹³ lei̯¹³/

(Cantonese) whether it is reasonable or not; regardless of the consequences


深山老林

ㄕㄣ ㄕㄢ ㄌㄠˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ

шэньшаньлаолинь

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵/


表裡如一

ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧ

/pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/piːu̯³⁵ lɵy̯¹³ jyː²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

/pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/piːu̯³⁵ lɵy̯¹³ jyː²¹ jɐt̚⁵/

to think and act in one and the same way


披麻戴孝

ㄆㄧ ㄇㄚˊ ㄉㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/pʰi⁵⁵ mä³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ maː²¹ taːi̯³³ haːu̯³³/

/pʰi⁵⁵ mä³⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/pʰei̯⁵⁵ maː²¹ taːi̯³³ haːu̯³³/

元．無名氏《冤家債主》第二折

Nǐ yě xiǎng zhe yījiā'ér pīmádàixiào wéi héyóu, gù lái zhè língtáng lǐ xún dòu'ōu.

你也想著一家兒披麻帶孝為何由，故來這靈堂裡尋鬥毆。

元．無名氏《冤家債主》第二折

你也想着一家儿披麻带孝为何由，故来这灵堂里寻斗殴。


四萬噉口

/sei̯³³ maːn²² kɐm³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/

/sei̯³³ maːn²² kɐm³⁵ hɐu̯³⁵/

From the resemblance of the character 四 (“four”) on a mahjong 四萬 (literally “four myriads”) tile to a broadly smiling face.

笑到四萬噉口

笑到四万噉口

(Cantonese) describes a broadly smiling face


喜上眉梢

ㄒㄧˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄇㄟˊ ㄕㄠ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ meɪ̯³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

First attested in Ernü Yingxiong Zhuan [c. 1878].


處安思危

/ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀän⁵⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

to think of danger in times of safety; to be vigilant in peacetime


招呼唔到

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ m̩²¹ tou̯³³/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ fuː⁵⁵ m̩²¹ tou̯³³/

(Cantonese) a polite expression said by the host to the guests; "Pardon my poor hospitality"


時至今日

ㄕˊ ㄓˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄖˋ

шичжицзиньжи

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/siː²¹ t͡siː³³ kɐm⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/siː²¹ t͡siː³³ kɐm⁵⁵ jɐt̚²/


財源廣進

ㄘㄞˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄤˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

цайюаньгуанцзинь

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ jyːn²¹ kʷɔːŋ³⁵ t͡sɵn³³/

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ ku̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ jyːn²¹ kʷɔːŋ³⁵ t͡sɵn³³/

Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year#English

a greeting used on Chinese New Year to wish for great fortune upon the listener in business


雙喜臨門

ㄕㄨㄤ ㄒㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄇㄣˊ

шуансилиньмэнь

/ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ mən³⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ lɐm²¹ muːn²¹/

/ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ lin³⁵ mən³⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³⁵ lɐm²¹ muːn²¹/

two happy events happen at the same time


虎躍龍騰

like a leaping tiger and a soaring dragon

ㄏㄨˇ ㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄥˊ

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵ tʰɤŋ³⁵/

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹ lʊŋ³⁵ tʰɤŋ³⁵/

龍騰虎躍 龍騰虎躍#Chinese

龙腾虎跃 龙腾虎跃#Chinese


龍騰虎躍

like a soaring dragon and a leaping tiger

ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄥˊ ㄏㄨˇ ㄩㄝˋ

/lʊŋ³⁵ tʰɤŋ³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ tʰɐŋ²¹ fuː³⁵ jœːk̚³/

/lʊŋ³⁵ tʰɤŋ³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/lʊŋ²¹ tʰɐŋ²¹ fuː³⁵ jœːk̚³/

active and vigorous; mighty and bustling


花開富貴

ㄏㄨㄚ ㄎㄞ ㄈㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

/xu̯ä⁵⁵ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/faː⁵⁵ hɔːi̯⁵⁵ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³/

a Chinese New Year greeting used to wish for wealth and prosperity upon the listener


家賊難防

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄗㄟˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄈㄤˊ

цзяцзэйнаньфан

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ nän³⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚² naːn²¹ fɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ t͡seɪ̯³⁵ nän³⁵ fɑŋ³⁵/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚² naːn²¹ fɔːŋ²¹/

it is difficult to guard against a thief within one's house; bad people from within are the most difficult to guard against


不世之材

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄓ ㄘㄞˊ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

extraordinary and rare talented individual


隱惡揚善

ㄧㄣˇ ㄜˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄕㄢˋ

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/jɐn³⁵ ɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²¹ siːn²²/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹ jɑŋ³⁵ ʂän⁵¹/

/jɐn³⁵ ɔːk̚³ jœːŋ²¹ siːn²²/

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

The Master said, "There was Shun: He indeed was greatly wise! Shun loved to question others, and to study their words, though they might be shallow. He concealed what was bad in them and displayed what was good. He took hold of their two extremes, determined the Mean, and employed it in his government of the people. It was by this that he was Shun!"

Zǐ yuē: “Shùn qí dàzhī yě yú! Shùn hàowèn ér hào chá ěryán, yǐn è ér yáng shàn, zhí qí liǎngduān, yòng qí zhōng yú mín, qí sī yǐwèi Shùn hū!”

子曰：「舜其大知也與！舜好問而好察邇言，隱惡而揚善，執其兩端，用其中於民，其斯以為舜乎！」

子曰：「舜其大知也与！舜好问而好察迩言，隐恶而扬善，执其两端，用其中于民，其斯以为舜乎！」

to conceal someone's faults and praise their merits


洞若觀火

ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

дунжогуаньхо

/tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ²² jœːk̚² kuːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯än⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʊŋ²² jœːk̚² kuːn⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵/


多一事不如少一事

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄧ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄠˇ ㄧ ㄕˋ

duō yī shì bùrú shǎo yī shì [Phonetic:duō yí shì bùrú shǎo yí shì]

до и ши бужу шао и ши

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/tɔː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siː²² pɐt̚⁵ jyː²¹ siːu̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ siː²²/

"the less trouble the better"; to let something slide and avoid trouble


今不如昔

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄒㄧ

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄒㄧˊ

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ɕi³⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ɕi³⁵/


有唐山公，無唐山媽

/u²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² suã⁴⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻²² tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² suã⁴⁴⁻²² mã⁵³/

/u⁴¹⁻²² tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² suã³³ kɔŋ³³ bo²⁴⁻²² tŋ̍²⁴⁻²² suã³³ mã⁵⁵⁴/

/u²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍¹³⁻²² suã⁴⁴⁻²² kɔŋ⁴⁴ bo¹³⁻²² tŋ̍¹³⁻²² suã⁴⁴⁻²² mã⁵³/

/u³³⁻¹¹ tŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ tŋ̍²⁴⁻¹¹ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ mã⁵³/

/u³³⁻²¹ tŋ̍²³⁻³³ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴⁴ bɤ²³⁻³³ tŋ̍²³⁻³³ suã⁴⁴⁻³³ mã⁴¹/

(Taiwanese Hokkien) Used to describe the historical intermarriage of Han immigrant men with aboriginal women.


有名有姓

ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄥˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ³³/

/u³³⁻²¹ miã²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ sẽ²¹/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹ jɐu̯¹³ sɪŋ³³/

/u³³⁻²¹ miã²³⁻³³ u³³⁻²¹ sẽ²¹/


現學現賣

ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄞˋ

сяньсюэсяньмай

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ maɪ̯⁵¹/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ maɪ̯⁵¹/


付之厥如

ㄈㄨˋ ㄓ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄖㄨˊ

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʐu³⁵/

/fu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ ʐu³⁵/


咬薑呷醋

ㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄒㄧㄚˊ ㄘㄨˋ

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä³⁵ t͡sʰu⁵¹/

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä³⁵ t͡sʰu⁵¹/


說一不二

˙ㄕㄨ ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄦˋ

/ʂu i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/syːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

/ʂu i⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ˀɤɻ⁵¹/

/syːt̚³ jɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

to mean what one says; to stand by one's word


匠心獨具

ㄐㄧㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄉㄨˊ ㄐㄩˋ

цзянсиньдуцзюй

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tu³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ tu³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

(chiefly of literature or art) to show great ingenuity; to have originality


別具隻眼

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄓ ㄧㄢˇ

бецзюйчжиянь

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/piːt̚² kɵy̯²² t͡sɛːk̚³ ŋaːn¹³/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/piːt̚² kɵy̯²² t͡sɛːk̚³ ŋaːn¹³/


別具匠心

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄣ

бецзюйцзянсинь

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/piːt̚² kɵy̯²² t͡sœːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵/

/piːt̚² kɵy̯²² t͡sœːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵/


別出心裁

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄘㄞˊ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/piːt̚² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/piɛt̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰai²⁴/

/piɛt̚²⁴⁻² t͡sʰut̚⁵⁻²⁴ sim³³ t͡sʰai²⁴/

/piɛt̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁵ sim⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sʰai¹³/

/piɛt̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰai²⁴/

/piɛt̚⁴⁻³² t͡sʰut̚³²⁻⁴ sim⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sʰai²³/

/piak̚⁴⁻² t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ sim³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/piːt̚² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/piɛt̚²⁴⁻² t͡sʰut̚⁵⁻²⁴ sim³³ t͡sʰai²⁴/

/piak̚⁴⁻² t͡sʰuk̚²⁻⁴ sim³³⁻²³ t͡sʰai⁵⁵/

to try to be different; to be out of the ordinary


養虎遺患

ㄧㄤˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄧˊ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

/jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jœːŋ¹³ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ waːn²²/

/jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jœːŋ¹³ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ waːn²²/

to not eliminate bad people or the enemy and bring future trouble to oneself


船頭驚鬼，船尾驚賊

to fear ghosts at the bow and bandits at the stern

syun⁴ tau⁴ geng¹ gwai², syun⁴ mei⁵ geng¹ caak⁶

syùhn tàuh gēng gwái, syùhn méih gēng chaahk

syn⁴ tau⁴ geng¹ gwai², syn⁴ mei⁵ geng¹ tsaak⁹

xun⁴ teo⁴ géng¹ guei², xun⁴ méi⁵ géng¹ cag⁶

/syːn²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ kɛːŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³⁵ syːn²¹ mei̯¹³ kɛːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚²/

(Cantonese) to be timid and fear many things


各得其所

ㄍㄜˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ

/kɤ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɔːk̚³ tɐk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɔː³⁵/

/kɤ⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɔːk̚³ tɐk̚⁵ kʰei̯²¹ sɔː³⁵/

everyone or everything receives a suitable arrangement; each in his proper place


引喻失義

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (引喻失義):
* → Japanese: 引喩失義(いんゆしつぎ) (in'yushitsugi)

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jyː²² sɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

/in²¹⁴⁻²¹ y⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ i⁵¹/

/jɐn¹³ jyː²² sɐt̚⁵ jiː²²/

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

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

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

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


悔不當初

ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄤ ㄔㄨ

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵/

/xu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/fuːi̯³³ pɐt̚⁵ tɔːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔː⁵⁵/


旁枝末節

ㄆㄤˊ ㄓ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/


枯瘦如柴

ㄎㄨ ㄕㄡˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄔㄞˊ

кушоу жу чай

/kʰu⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵/

/kʰu⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯³⁵/


榜上有名

ㄅㄤˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/pɔːŋ³⁵ sœːŋ²² jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/paŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sĩõ¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã⁵⁵/

/pɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ³⁵/

/pɔːŋ³⁵ sœːŋ²² jɐu̯¹³ mɪŋ²¹/

/paŋ⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sĩõ¹¹ u³⁵⁻¹¹ mĩã⁵⁵/


一次得救永遠得救

ㄧ ㄘˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄩㄥˇ ㄩㄢˇ ㄉㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

jat¹ ci³ dak¹ gau³ wing⁵ jyun⁵ dak¹ gau³

yīcì déjiù yǒngyuǎn déjiù [Phonetic:yícìdéjiùyóngyuǎndéjiù]

i¹-tzʻŭ⁴ tê²-chiu⁴ yung³-yüan³ tê²-chiu⁴

ицы дэцзю юнъюань дэцзю

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɤ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

jat⁷ tsi³ dak⁷ gau³ wing⁵ jyn⁵ dak⁷ gau³

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː³³ tɐk̚⁵ kɐu̯³³ wɪŋ¹³ jyːn¹³ tɐk̚⁵ kɐu̯³³/


庖丁解牛

ㄆㄠˊ ㄉㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄝˇ ㄋㄧㄡˊ

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/pʰaːu̯²¹ tɪŋ⁵⁵ kaːi̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹/

/pʰɑʊ̯³⁵ tiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/pʰaːu̯²¹ tɪŋ⁵⁵ kaːi̯³⁵ ŋɐu̯²¹/

His cook, Ding, cut up an ox for the ruler Wanhui. Whenever he applied his hand, leaned forward with his shoulder, planted his foot, and employed the pressure of his knee, in the audible ripping off of the skin, and slicing operation of the knife, the sounds were all in regular cadence. Movements and sounds proceeded as in the dance of the 'Mulberry Forest' and the blended notes of Jingshou. The ruler said, 'Ha, good! That your art should have become so perfect!' (Having finished his operation), the cook put down his knife, and replied, said,
'What your servant loves is the method of the Dao, something in advance of any art. When I first began to cut up an ox, I saw nothing but the (entire) carcass. After three years I ceased to see it as a whole. Now I deal with it in a spirit-like manner, and do not look at it with my eyes. The use of my senses is discarded, and my spirit acts as it wills. Observing the natural lines, (my knife) slips through the great crevices and slides through the great cavities, taking advantage of the facilities thus presented. My art avoids the membranous ligatures, and much more the great bones! 'A good cook changes his knife every year cutting; an ordinary cook changes his every month broken. Now my knife has been in use for nineteen years; it has cut up several thousand oxen, and yet its edge is as sharp as if it had newly come from the whetstone. There are the interstices of the joints, and the edge of the knife not thick; when that which is so thin enters where the interstice is, how easily it moves along! The blade has more than room enough. Nevertheless, whenever I come to a complicated joint, and see that there will be some difficulty, I proceed anxiously and with caution, not allowing my eyes to wander from the place, and moving my hand slowly. Then by a very slight movement of the knife, the part is quickly separated, and drops like earth to the ground. Then standing up with the knife in my hand, I look all round, and in a leisurely manner, self-satisfied, wipe it clean, and put it away.' The ruler Wanhui said, 'Good! I have heard the words of cook Ding, and learned from them to keep in good health.'

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

Páodīng wèi Wénhuìjūn jiě niú, shǒu zhī suǒ chù, jiān zhī suǒ yǐ, zú zhī suǒ lǚ, xī zhī suǒ jī, huārán xiǎng rán, zòu dāo huōrán, mò bù zhōng yīn. Hé yú “Sānglín” zhī wǔ, nǎi zhōng “Jīngshǒu” zhī huì. Wénhuìjūn yuē: “Xī, shàn zāi! Jì hé zhì cǐ hū?” Páodīng shì dāo duì yuē: “Chén zhī suǒ hǎo zhě dào yě, jìn hū jì yǐ. Shǐ chén zhī jiě niú zhī shí, suǒ jiàn wú fēi niú zhě. Sān nián zhīhòu, wèi cháng jiàn quán niú yě. Fāng jīn zhī shí, chén yǐ shén yù ér bù yǐ mù shì, guān zhī zhǐ ér shén yù xíng. Yī hū tiānlǐ, pī dàxì, dǎo dàkuǎn, yīn qí gùrán, zhījīng kěnqǐ zhī wèi cháng, érkuàng dà gū hū! Liáng páo suì gèng dāo, gē yě; zú páo yuè gèng dāo, zhé yě. Jīn chén zhī dāo shíjiǔ nián yǐ, suǒ jiě shù qiān niú yǐ, ér dāorèn ruò xīn fā yú xíng. Bǐ jié zhě yǒu jiān, ér dāorèn zhě wú hòu; yǐ wú hòu rù yǒu jiān, huīhuī hū qí yú yóu rèn bì yǒuyú dì yǐ, shì yǐ shíjiǔ nián ér dāorèn ruò xīn fā yú xíng. Suīrán, měi zhì yú zú, wú jiàn qí nán wèi, chùrán wèi jiè, shì wèi zhǐ, xíng wèi chí. Dòng dāo shèn wēi, huòrán yǐ jiě, rú tǔ wěi dì. Tí dāo ér lì, wèi zhī sìgù, wèi zhī chóuchúmǎnzhì, shàn dāo ér cáng zhī.” Wénhuìjūn yuē: “Shàn zāi! Wú wén Páodīng zhī yán, dé yǎngshēng yān.”

庖丁为文惠君解牛，手之所触，肩之所倚，足之所履，膝之所踦，砉然向然，奏刀騞然，莫不中音。合于《桑林》之舞，乃中《經首》之会。文惠君曰：“嘻，善哉！技蓋至此乎？”庖丁释刀对曰：“臣之所好者道也，进乎技矣。始臣之解牛之时，所见无非牛者。三年之後，未嘗見全牛也。方今之时，臣以神遇而不以目视，官知止而神欲行。依乎天理，批大郤，导大窾，因其固然，技經肯綮之未嘗，而況大軱乎！良庖歲更刀，割也；族庖月更刀，折也。今臣之刀十九年矣，所解數千牛矣，而刀刃若新发于硎。彼節者有間，而刀刃者無厚；以無厚入有間，恢恢乎其於游刃必有余地矣，是以十九年而刀刃若新發於硎。雖然，每至於族，吾見其難為，怵然為戒，視為止，行為遲。動刀甚微，謋然已解，如土委地。提刀而立，為之四顧，為之躊躇滿志，善刀而藏之。」文惠君曰：「善哉！吾聞庖丁之言，得養生焉。”

庖丁为文惠君解牛，手之所触，肩之所倚，足之所履，膝之所踦，砉然向然，奏刀𬴃然，莫不中音。合于《桑林》之舞，乃中《经首》之会。文惠君曰：“嘻，善哉！技盖至此乎？”庖丁释刀对曰：“臣之所好者道也，进乎技矣。始臣之解牛之时，所见无非牛者。三年之后，未尝见全牛也。方今之时，臣以神遇而不以目视，官知止而神欲行。依乎天理，批大郤，导大窾，因其固然，技经肯綮之未尝，而况大𮝴乎！良庖岁更刀，割也；族庖月更刀，折也。今臣之刀十九年矣，所解数千牛矣，而刀刃若新发于硎。彼节者有间，而刀刃者无厚；以无厚入有间，恢恢乎其于游刃必有余地矣，是以十九年而刀刃若新发于硎。虽然，每至于族，吾见其难为，怵然为戒，视为止，行为迟。动刀甚微，𰵼然已解，如土委地。提刀而立，为之四顾，为之踌躇满志，善刀而藏之。」文惠君曰：「善哉！吾闻庖丁之言，得养生焉。”

like a hot knife through butter
like a hot knife through butter

to be skilled at what one does; to do something with ease; like a hot knife through butter


別有天地

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄧˋ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/piːt̚² jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tei̯²²/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ti⁵¹/

/piːt̚² jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tei̯²²/

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


別無長物

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄨˊ ㄓㄤˋ ㄨˋ

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄨˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄨˋ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ u⁵¹/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ u⁵¹/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ u³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ u⁵¹/


別有風味

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄈㄥ ㄨㄟˋ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/piːt̚² jɐu̯¹³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ mei̯²²/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/piːt̚² jɐu̯¹³ fʊŋ⁵⁵ mei̯²²/


身手不凡

ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄢˊ

шэньшоубуфань

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ fän³⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ fän³⁵/

showing extraordinary skills (e.g. in martial arts, sports, etc.)


山明水秀

ㄕㄢ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄡˋ

шаньминшуйсю

/ʂän⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/san³³ biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu⁴¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² biɪŋ¹³⁻²² t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡sui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/ʂän⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/san³³ biɪŋ²⁴⁻²² t͡sui⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ siu⁴¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻²² biɪŋ¹³⁻²² t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵³⁻⁴⁴ siu¹¹/

/san⁴⁴⁻³³ biɪŋ²³⁻³³ t͡sui⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ siu²¹/

picturesque scenery; beautiful mountains and rivers


山清水秀

ㄕㄢ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄡˋ

шаньциншуйсю

/ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/ʂän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/


紅都面嗮

/hʊŋ²¹ tou̯⁵⁵ miːn²² saːi̯³³/

/hʊŋ²¹ tou̯⁵⁵ miːn²² saːi̯³³/

From an unintended speech error made by actor Moses Chan in the 2005 TV drama Love Bond, where he said 紅都面嗮 (literally “red has become face”) instead of 面都紅嗮 (literally “face has become red”).

(Hong Kong Cantonese, neologism, humorous) to blush


要有光

/jɑʊ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jɑʊ̯⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/


父慈子孝

ㄈㄨˋ ㄘˊ ㄗˇ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/fu⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡sʰiː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ haːu̯³³/

/fu⁵¹ t͡sʰz̩³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/fuː²² t͡sʰiː²¹ t͡siː³⁵ haːu̯³³/

What are 'the things which men consider right?' Kindness on the part of the father, and filial duty on that of the son; gentleness on the part of the elder brother, and obedience on that of the younger; righteousness on the part of the husband, and submission on that of the wife; kindness on the part of elders, and deference on that of juniors; with benevolence on the part of the ruler, and loyalty on that of the minister - these ten are the things which men consider to be right.

The Book of Rites, c. 4ᵗʰ – 2ⁿᵈ century BCE

Hé wèi rén yì? Fù cí, zǐ xiào, xiōng liáng, dì tì, fū yì, fù tīng, cháng huì, yòu shùn, jūn rén, chén zhōng shí zhě, wèi zhī rén yì.

何謂人義？父慈、子孝、兄良、弟弟、夫義、婦聽、長惠、幼順、君仁、臣忠十者，謂之人義。

何谓人义？父慈、子孝、兄良、弟弟、夫义、妇听、长惠、幼顺、君仁、臣忠十者，谓之人义。

but used entirely sarcastically to denote unfilial child

the father is loving towards his children and the children show filial piety towards their father

(sarcastic, neologism) the father and child are engaging in family quarrel either verbally, financially or physically.


知慳識儉

/t͡siː⁵⁵ haːn⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kiːm²²/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ haːn⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ kiːm²²/

(Cantonese) to live frugally; to be thrifty


照貓畫虎

ㄓㄠˋ ㄇㄠ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄏㄨˇ

чжаомаохуаху

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ mɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯³³ maːu̯⁵⁵ waːk̚² fuː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ mɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯³³ maːu̯⁵⁵ waːk̚² fuː³⁵/

to copy or imitate slavishly without attempt at originality


東躲西藏

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄉㄨㄛˇ ㄒㄧ ㄘㄤˊ

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ tu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵/


三好加一好

ㄙㄢ ㄏㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄧ ㄏㄠˇ

sān hǎo jiā yī hǎo [Phonetic:sān hǎo jiā yì hǎo]

сань хао цзя и хао

/sän⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² ho⁵³ ke⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² ho⁵³/

/sã³³ ho⁵⁵⁴ ke³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² ho⁵⁵⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² ho⁵³ ke⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ ho⁵³/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ ho⁵³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² ho⁵³/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ⁴¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² hɤ⁴¹/

/sã⁴⁴⁻²² ho⁵³ ke⁴⁴⁻²² t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² ho⁵³/

/sã³³ ho⁵⁵⁴ ke³³ t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² ho⁵⁵⁴/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ ho⁵³ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² ho⁵³/

/sã⁴⁴⁻³³ hɤ⁴¹ ke⁴⁴⁻³³ t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² hɤ⁴¹/

A euphemism based on tetraphobia of 四好 (sì hó, literally “4 benefits”) (since 3 + 1 = 4), a homophonic phrase in Taiwanese for 死好 (sí hó, “You deserve it”, literally “(Your) death is good”).

zh-l

(Taiwan, colloquial, derogatory, euphemistic) You deserve it.


穩如磐石

ㄨㄣˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄆㄢˊ ㄕˊ

вэньжупаньши

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ pʰän³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ pʰän³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/


冰清玉潔

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

бинцинъюйцзе

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ y⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jʊk̚² kiːt̚³/

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ y⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ jʊk̚² kiːt̚³/


民心向背

ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄅㄟˋ

миньсиньсянбэй

/min³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/min³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

人心向背 人心向背#Chinese

Synonym of 人心向背 (rénxīnxiàngbèi, “the will of the people; popular sentiment”)


人心向背

ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄅㄟˋ

жэньсиньсянбэй

/ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ peɪ̯⁵¹/

the will of the people; popular sentiment


認親認戚

/jɪŋ²² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ jɪŋ²² t͡sʰɪk̚⁵/

/jɪŋ²² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ jɪŋ²² t͡sʰɪk̚⁵/

(Cantonese, derogatory) to pretend to be intimate with or cosy up to someone whom one is not familiar with


哄堂大笑

鬨堂大笑
轟堂大笑
烘堂大笑

ㄏㄨㄥ ㄊㄤˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/xʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²² tʰɔːŋ²¹ taːi̯²² siːu̯³³/

/xʊŋ⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/hʊŋ²² tʰɔːŋ²¹ taːi̯²² siːu̯³³/

the whole room bursts into laughter simultaneously


日居月諸

ㄖˋ ㄐㄧ ㄩㄝˋ ㄓㄨ

ㄖˋ ㄐㄩ ㄩㄝˋ ㄓㄨ

жи цзи юэ чжу

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

жи цзюй юэ чжу

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² kei̯⁵⁵ jyːt̚² t͡syː⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² kɵy̯⁵⁵ jyːt̚² t͡syː⁵⁵/

/lit̚²⁴⁻² ki³³ ɡuat̚²⁴⁻² t͡sɯ³³/

/lit̚⁴⁻³² ki⁴⁴ ɡuat̚⁴⁻³² t͡su⁴⁴/

/d͡zit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ ki⁴⁴ ɡuat̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² kei̯⁵⁵ jyːt̚² t͡syː⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚² kɵy̯⁵⁵ jyːt̚² t͡syː⁵⁵/

/lit̚²⁴⁻² ki³³ ɡuat̚²⁴⁻² t͡sɯ³³/

/lit̚⁴⁻³² ki⁴⁴ ɡuat̚⁴⁻³² t͡su⁴⁴/

/d͡zit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ ki⁴⁴ ɡuat̚¹²¹⁻²¹ t͡su⁴⁴/

From Shijing, Odes Of Bei, "Sun and Moon"

O sun; O moon, which enlighten this lower earth!
Here is the man, who treats me not according to the ancient rule.
How can he get his mind settled? Would he then not regard me?

Rìjīyuèzhū, zhàolín xiàtǔ.
Nǎirú zhī rén xī, shì bù gǔchù.
Hú néng yǒu dìng, nìng bù wǒ gù.

日居月諸、照臨下土。
乃如之人兮、逝不古處。
胡能有定、寧不我顧。

日居月诸、照临下土。
乃如之人兮、逝不古处。
胡能有定、宁不我顾。

(literary) time flies quickly, time is inexorable


才調秀出

ㄘㄞˊ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄔㄨ

/t͡sʰaɪ̯³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tiːu̯²² sɐu̯³³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ tiːu̯²² sɐu̯³³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

From the Book of Jin [circa 7th century C.E.].

defdate

circa 7th century <small class='ce-date'>C.E.</small>

Wáng Jiē cáidiàoxiùchū, jiàn shǎng zhīyīn, xī qí yāo wǎng, wèi shēn jìzú, jiēfū!

王接才調秀出，見賞知音，惜其夭枉，未申驥足，嗟夫！

王接才调秀出，见赏知音，惜其夭枉，未申骥足，嗟夫！

having outstanding talent; having one's talent stand out from the crowd


蹩手蹩腳

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

бешоу бецзяо

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


步步蓮花

ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄚ

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ li̯ɛn³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/


別抱琵琶

ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄠˋ ㄆㄧˊ ㄆㄚˊ

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ pʰi³⁵ pʰä³⁵/

/pi̯ɛ³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ pʰi³⁵ pʰä³⁵/


前言不搭後語

前言不搭后语
前言不答後語
前言不對後語

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄚ ㄏㄡˋ ㄩˇ

цяньянь бу да хоуюй

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹ tä⁵⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ jiːn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ taːp̚³ hɐu̯²² jyː¹³/


兵貴神速

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄣˊ ㄙㄨˋ

бингуйшэньсу

/piŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂən³⁵ su⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ sɐn²¹ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵/

/piŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂən³⁵ su⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ sɐn²¹ t͡sʰʊk̚⁵/

(literally, figuratively) speed is essential in war


食飽買包

/t͡sia(ʔ)⁴³⁻²¹ pa⁴² bue⁴²⁻²⁴ pau⁴⁴/

/t͡sia(ʔ)⁴³⁻²¹ pa⁴² bue⁴²⁻²⁴ pau⁴⁴/

(Hokkien) to do something wasteful and superfluous


膽生毛

/taːm³⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹/

/taːm³⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹/

(Cantonese, Leizhou Min) to be audacious but reckless


克敵制勝

ㄎㄜˋ ㄉㄧˊ ㄓˋ ㄕㄥˋ

/kʰɤ⁵¹ ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/hɐk̚⁵ tɪk̚² t͡sɐi̯³³ sɪŋ³³/

/kʰɤ⁵¹ ti³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/hɐk̚⁵ tɪk̚² t͡sɐi̯³³ sɪŋ³³/


二桃殺三士

ㄦˋ ㄊㄠˊ ㄕㄚ ㄙㄢ ㄕˋ

эртао ша саньши

/ˀɤɻ⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/ˀɤɻ⁵¹ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ʂä⁵⁵ sän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

Based on a story in Yanzi chunqiu, when Yan Ying, the prime minister of the State of Qi schemed three arrogant and disobedient generals to death by awarding two peaches to the generals who accomplished the most. Conflicts arose and all of them committed suicide under remorse and shame. Compare with the mythology of apple of discord.


壽頭壽腦

ㄕㄡˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄕㄡˋ ㄋㄠˇ

шоутоушоунао

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ sɐu̯²² nou̯¹³/

/zɤ²² dɤ⁵⁵ zɤ³³ nɔ²¹/

/ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐu̯²² tʰɐu̯²¹ sɐu̯²² nou̯¹³/

/zɤ²² dɤ⁵⁵ zɤ³³ nɔ²¹/


土頭土腦

ㄊㄨˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄨˇ ㄋㄠˇ

/tʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ tʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ nɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰou̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰou̯³⁵ nou̯¹³/

/tʰou̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ tʰou̯³⁵ nou̯¹³/


福壽雙全

ㄈㄨˊ ㄕㄡˋ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

фушоушуанцюань

/fu³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ sɐu̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/fu³⁵ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹ ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ sɐu̯²² sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

to enjoy both good fortune and longevity


風高浪急

ㄈㄥ ㄍㄠ ㄌㄤˋ ㄐㄧˊ

фэнгаоланцзи

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²² kɐp̚⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ kou̯⁵⁵ lɔːŋ²² kɐp̚⁵/

風急浪高 風急浪高#Chinese

风急浪高 风急浪高#Chinese


自輕自賤

ㄗˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄗˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

цзыцинцзыцзянь

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/


風急浪高

ㄈㄥ ㄐㄧˊ ㄌㄤˋ ㄍㄠ

фэнцзилангао

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ lɑŋ⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

to have stormy waves; to have strong winds and large waves


不堪入耳

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄖㄨˋ ㄦˇ

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² jiː¹³/

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ hɐm⁵⁵ jɐp̚² jiː¹³/

intolerable to the ear (e.g. of coarse language)


大軍壓境

ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄧㄚ ㄐㄧㄥˋ

дацзюньяцзин

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ jä⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

/tä⁵¹ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ jä⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/

huge forces are bearing down on the border


俯拾皆是

ㄈㄨˇ ㄕˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄕˋ

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ sɐp̚² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siː²²/

/fu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/fuː³⁵ sɐp̚² kaːi̯⁵⁵ siː²²/


勸和促談

ㄑㄩㄢˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄘㄨˋ ㄊㄢˊ

цюаньхэцутань

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡sʰu⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡sʰu⁵¹ tʰän³⁵/

(neologism, officialese) to promote peace and talks


時勢所迫

ㄕˊ ㄕˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄆㄛˋ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

to be forced by circumstances to do something one is unwilling to do


鳩佔鵲巢

ㄐㄧㄡ ㄓㄢˋ ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄔㄠˊ

цзючжаньцюэчао

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡siːm³³ t͡sœːk̚³ t͡sʰaːu̯²¹/

/kɐu̯⁵⁵ t͡siːm³³ t͡sœːk̚³ t͡sʰaːu̯²¹/

鵲巢鳩佔 鵲巢鳩佔#Chinese

鹊巢鸠占 鹊巢鸠占#Chinese


一分一毫

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ hou̯²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ fən⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ xɑʊ̯³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ fɐn⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ hou̯²¹/


兵強馬壯

ㄅㄧㄥ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

бинцянмачжуан

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹ maː¹³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/piŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/pɪŋ⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹ maː¹³ t͡sɔːŋ³³/


徇私枉法

ㄒㄩㄣˋ ㄙ ㄨㄤˇ ㄈㄚˇ

/ɕyn⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ wɔːŋ³⁵ faːt̚³/

/ɕyn⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɵn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵ wɔːŋ³⁵ faːt̚³/


言行不一

ㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

/jɛn³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/jiːn²¹ hɐŋ²¹ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

one's actions do not match up to one's words


永誌不忘

ㄩㄥˇ ㄓˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄤˋ

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ t͡siː³³ pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

/jʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/wɪŋ¹³ t͡siː³³ pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

1938 September 1, 運公, 《國際反對轟炸不設防城市大會議決制裁日本》, in 《東方雜誌》, volume 35, issue 17, page 50

Yàozhī, Shànghǎi, Guǎngzhōu, Mǎdélǐ, Gàiníjiāgé, Lānuòlè, Bāsàilóngnà, Yàměilìyà gè chéng chéngmíng zúyǐ xiàngzhēng fǎxīsī zài Zhōng Xī liǎng guó jìngnèi suǒ zuò zhī zhòngdà zuìxíng, wúrén jīnhòu dìngbì yǒngzhìbùwàng.

要之，上海、廣州、馬德里、蓋尼加格、拉諾勒、巴塞龍納、亞美利亞各城城名足以象徵法西斯在中西兩國境內所作之重大罪行，吾人今後定必永誌不忘。

要之，上海、广州、马德里、盖尼加格、拉诺勒、巴塞龙纳、亚美利亚各城城名足以象征法西斯在中西两国境内所作之重大罪行，吾人今后定必永志不忘。

But your story will be etched in stone, it won't disappear like a puff of smoke

2018 December 26, Jolin Tsai; Ashin (lyrics), RAZOR Chiang; Jolin Tsai (music), 《玫瑰少年》 (Womxnly), performed by Jolin Tsai

永誌不忘紀念 往事不如煙

永志不忘纪念 往事不如烟


又乜又物

/jɐu̯²² mɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²² mɐt̚²/

/jɐu̯²² mɐt̚⁵ jɐu̯²² mɐt̚²/

(Cantonese) this and that; and so on, and so forth


五彩斑斕

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄢ ㄌㄢˊ

уцайбаньлань

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pän⁵⁵ län³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ paːn⁵⁵ laːn²¹/

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pän⁵⁵ län³⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ paːn⁵⁵ laːn²¹/

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


窮鼠齧貓

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄋㄧㄝˋ ㄇㄠ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ mɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ jiːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋiːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ mɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ jiːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋiːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːt̚² maːu̯⁵⁵/

窮鼠齧狸 窮鼠齧狸#Chinese

穷鼠啮狸 穷鼠啮狸#Chinese


芝麻小事

ㄓ ˙ㄇㄚ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄕˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mä² ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ maː²¹ siːu̯³⁵ siː²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mä² ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ maː²¹ siːu̯³⁵ siː²²/


窮鼠齧狸

ja-r

きゅうそ ねこ を かむ

Japanese: 窮鼠(きゅうそ)猫(ねこ)を噛(か)む (kyūso neko o kamu)

ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄋㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ li³⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ jiːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋiːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ʊŋ³⁵ ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɛ⁵¹ li³⁵/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ jiːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋiːt̚² lei̯²¹/

/kʰʊŋ²¹ syː³⁵ ŋaːt̚² lei̯²¹/

From the Discourses on Salt and Iron (鹽鐵論·詔聖／盐铁论·诏圣)

People cannot revive if they die, so a cornered rat will bite a cat; An ordinary man would go to assault the Emperor; A servant of a noble would destroy his bow. This is precisely the case of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang.

Huan Kuan, Discourses on Salt and Iron, c. 1ˢᵗ century BCE

Sǐ bù zàishēng, qióng shǔ niè lí, pǐfū bēn wànchéng, shèrén zhé gōng, Chén Shèng, Wú Guǎng shì yě.

死不再生，窮鼠嚙狸，匹夫奔萬乘，舍人折弓，陳勝、吳廣是也。

死不再生，穷鼠啮狸，匹夫奔万乘，舍人折弓，陈胜、吴广是也。

窮鼠嚙狸
窮鼠齧貍
窮鼠嚙貍
穷鼠啮狸

(figurative) a cornered rat will bite a cat, weak people will attack when cornered


吳牛喘月

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (吳牛喘月):
* → Japanese: 呉牛喘月(ごぎゅうぜんげつ) (Gogyū zengetsu)

ㄨˊ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄨㄢˇ ㄩㄝˋ

У ню чуаньюэ

/u³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍²¹ ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ jyːt̚²/

/u³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɥɛ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍²¹ ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡sʰyːn³⁵ jyːt̚²/

Literally "water buffalo from Wu (East China) pants at the moon", as if the moon were a hot sun.
From 《世說新語·言語》／《世说新语·言语》:
:
Also, this idiom is believed to be taken from a lost volume of a much earlier work 《風俗通義》／《风俗通义》 (cited by 《太平御覽》)

The minister is a like a water buffalo from Wu seeing the moon and breathing heavily.

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

臣猶吳牛，見月而喘。

臣犹吴牛，见月而喘。

A buffalo from Wu pants at the moon. It has been worked harshly under the sun, and it becomes frightened when seeing the moon, thereby pants.

Wú niú wàng yuè zé chuǎn; shǐ zhī kǔyú rì, jiàn yuè bù, chuǎn yǐ!

吳牛望月則喘；使之苦於日，見月怖，喘矣！

吴牛望月则喘；使之苦于日，见月怖，喘矣！


狐藉虎威

desc

→ Japanese: 虎の威を借る狐 (tora no i o karu kitsune) (partial calque)

ㄏㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄨㄟ

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wuː²¹ t͡sɛː³³ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵/

/xu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵/

/wuː²¹ t͡sɛː³³ fuː³⁵ wɐi̯⁵⁵/

狐假虎威 狐假虎威#Chinese


少年易老學難成

少年老いやすく学なりがたし

→ Japanese: 少年老いやすく学なりがたし (shōnen oiyasuku gaku narigatashi) (calque)

ㄕㄠˋ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄧˋ ㄌㄠˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄔㄥˊ

шаонянь и лао сюэ нань чэн

/ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ i⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ nän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/siːu̯³³ niːn²¹ jiː²² lou̯¹³ hɔːk̚² naːn²¹ sɪŋ²¹/

It's easy for a youth to become old but hard to accomplish much learning. Every second of the time should not be undervalued.

shàonián yì lǎo xué nán chéng, yīcùn guāngyīn bùkě qīng

少年易老學難成，一寸光陰不可輕

少年易老学难成，一寸光阴不可轻

if you do not study when you are young, you will grow old quickly without accomplishing much learning


一個頭兩個大

ㄧ ㄍㄜˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄍㄜˋ ㄉㄚˋ

yī gè tóu liǎng gè dà [Phonetic:yí gè tóu liǎng gè dà]

и гэ тоу лян гэ да

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ kɤ⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ kɤ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹/

Exaggerated expression of 頭大／头大 (tóudà).

zh-l

頭大／头大 (tóudà)

Nowadays, primary school homework tests logical deduction ability, and gives parents a headache as well.

Rújīn de xiǎoxué zuòyè kǎoyàn luójí tuīlǐ nénglì, jiāzhǎng men yě yīgetóuliǎnggedà.

如今的小學作業考驗邏輯推理能力，家長們也一個頭兩個大。

如今的小学作业考验逻辑推理能力，家长们也一个头两个大。


堂堂之陣

ㄊㄤˊ ㄊㄤˊ ㄓ ㄓㄣˋ

тантан чжи чжэнь

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐn²²/

/tʰɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵¹/

/tʰɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɐn²²/

A disciplined, orderly army with high morale.


走為上策

ㄗㄡˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄘㄜˋ

цзоувэйшанцэ

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

走為上計 走為上計#Chinese

走为上计 走为上计#Chinese

Synonym of 走為上計／走为上计 (zǒuwéishàngjì, “If all else fails, retreat; Fleeing is the best stratagem (of the Thirty-Six Stratagems)”)


胡編亂造

ㄏㄨˊ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄗㄠˋ

хубяньлуаньцзао

/xu³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/wuː²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ lyːn²² t͡sou̯²²/

/hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ luaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sau³⁵/

/xu³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ lu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/wuː²¹ pʰiːn⁵⁵ lyːn²² t͡sou̯²²/

/hu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ pʰiaŋ³³⁻²³ luaŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sau³⁵/

to fabricate (stories, etc.); to cook up


以眼還眼，以牙還牙

ㄧˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄧㄢˇ

ㄧˇ ㄧㄚˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄧㄚˊ

ияньхуаньянь

/i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯än³⁵ jɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ jä³⁵ xu̯än³⁵ jä³⁵/

eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth


三十而立

ㄙㄢ ㄕˊ ㄦˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/sän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ sɐp̚² jiː²¹ lɐp̚²/

/sän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/saːm⁵⁵ sɐp̚² jiː²¹ lɐp̚²/

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

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

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

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

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

to become independent at the age of thirty


一炮而紅

ㄧ ㄆㄠˋ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄥˊ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːu̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ²¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pʰɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːu̯³³ jiː²¹ hʊŋ²¹/


楚楚可憐

ㄔㄨˇ ㄔㄨˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/t͡sʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ liːn²¹/

/t͡sʰɔː³⁵ t͡sʰɔː³⁵ hɔː³⁵ liːn²¹/


焚琴煮鶴

CJKV/code

Sino-Xenic (焚琴煮鶴):
* → Japanese: 焚琴煮鶴(ふんきんしゃかく) (funkin shakaku)
* → Korean: 분금자학(焚琴煮鶴) (bun'geumjahak)

ja-r

こと を やき つる を にる

→ Japanese: 琴(こと)を焚(や)き鶴(つる)を煮(に)る (koto o yaki tsuru o niru) (calque)

ㄈㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄓㄨˇ ㄏㄜˋ

фэнь цинь чжу хэ

/fən³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ⁵¹/

/fɐn²¹ kʰɐm²¹ t͡syː³⁵ hɔːk̚²/

/fən³⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ⁵¹/

/fɐn²¹ kʰɐm²¹ t͡syː³⁵ hɔːk̚²/

From Li Shangyin's personal notes about behaviours that he considered spoiling beautiful sceneries. See also 大煞風景／大煞风景 (dàshāfēngjǐng).

zh-l

大煞風景／大煞风景 (dàshāfēngjǐng)

(Behaviours that) spoil beautiful sceneries: Shouting at a place with flowers, crying when looking at flowers, laying a carpet on moss, chopping willow trees, hanging pants under flowers, leaving behind when going on travel in spring, tying horse onto stalagmite, lighting torches under the moon, saying vulgar things on a party with female entertainers, planting vegetables in a fruit garden, constructing buildings before mountains, raising chicken and ducks in a flower frame, military general walking, washing feet in clear springs, burning guqins and cooking cranes, drinking only tea (but not wine) when having flower viewing.

Shàfēngjǐng: huājiān hē dào ﹑ kàn huā lèi xià ﹑ tái shàng pū xí ﹑ zhuó què chuí yáng ﹑ huā xià shài kūn ﹑ yóu chūn zhòng zǎi ﹑ shísǔn jì mǎ ﹑ yuè xià bǎ huǒ ﹑ jì yán shuō sú shì ﹑ guǒyuán zhǒng cài ﹑ bèi shān qǐlóu ﹑ huājià xià yǎng jī yā ﹑ bùxíng jiāngjūn ﹑ qīngquán zhuó zú ﹑ fénqínzhǔhè ﹑ duì huā chuò chá.

煞風景：花間喝道﹑看花淚下﹑苔上鋪席﹑斫卻垂楊﹑花下曬裩﹑遊春重載﹑石筍繫馬﹑月下把火﹑妓筵說俗事﹑果園種菜﹑背山起樓﹑花架下養雞鴨﹑步行將軍﹑清泉濯足﹑焚琴煮鶴﹑對花啜茶。

煞风景：花间喝道﹑看花泪下﹑苔上铺席﹑斫却垂杨﹑花下晒裩﹑游春重载﹑石笋系马﹑月下把火﹑妓筵说俗事﹑果园种菜﹑背山起楼﹑花架下养鸡鸭﹑步行将军﹑清泉濯足﹑焚琴煮鹤﹑对花啜茶。

(figuratively) vulgar, tasteless behaviors that spoil elegant or beautiful things


鬱鬱不得志

ㄩˋ ㄩˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄓˋ

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/wɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

/y⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tɤ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/wɐt̚⁵ wɐt̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ t͡siː³³/

[Li Mi] changed his name to Liu Zhiyuan, and taught the people how to make a life. He felt depressed and sobbed in grief.

Biàn xìngmíng wéi Liú Zhìyuǎn, jiàoshòu zhūshēng zìgěi, yùyùbùdézhì, āi yín qì xià.

變姓名為劉智遠，教授諸生自給，鬱鬱不得志，哀吟泣下。

变姓名为刘智远，教授诸生自给，郁郁不得志，哀吟泣下。

to feel depressed because one cannot achieve their ambition


一根繩上的螞蚱

ㄧ ㄍㄣ ㄕㄥˊ ㄕㄤˋ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄇㄚˋ ˙ㄓㄚ

yī gēn shéng shàng de màzha [Phonetic:yì gēn shéng shàng de màzha]

и гэнь шэн шан дэ мачжа

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kən⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ d̥ə¹ mä⁵¹ ɖ͡ʐ̥ä¹/

ㄧ ㄍㄣㄦ ㄕㄥˊ ㄕㄤˋ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄇㄚˋ ˙ㄓㄚ

игэньршэншандэмачжа

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ kəɻ⁵⁵ ʂɤŋ³⁵ ʂɑŋ⁵¹ d̥ə¹ mä⁵¹ ɖ͡ʐ̥ä¹/


高風亮節

ㄍㄠ ㄈㄥ ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ

гаофэнлянцзе

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/kou̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ lœːŋ²² t͡siːt̚³/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ³⁵/

/kou̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ lœːŋ²² t͡siːt̚³/

to be a person of noble character and steadfast integrity


重修舊好

ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄠˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯²² hou̯³⁵/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siu⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siu³³ ku⁴¹⁻²² ho⁵⁵⁴/

/tiɔŋ¹³⁻²² siu⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻¹¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻²¹ hɤ⁴¹/

/t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯²² hou̯³⁵/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siu⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻²² siu³³ ku⁴¹⁻²² ho⁵⁵⁴/

/tiɔŋ¹³⁻²² siu⁴⁴⁻²² ku²²⁻²¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻¹¹ ho⁵³/

/tiɔŋ²³⁻³³ siu⁴⁴⁻³³ ku³³⁻²¹ hɤ⁴¹/


黑不溜秋

ㄏㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄡ ㄑㄧㄡ

/xeɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lɐu̯²² t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/

/xeɪ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵/

/hɐk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lɐu̯²² t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵/

(colloquial, derogatory) in black colour


葉落歸根

→ Vietnamese: lá rụng về cội (calque)

ㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/jiːp̚² lɔːk̚² kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

/jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ɔ⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ kən⁵⁵/

/jiːp̚² lɔːk̚² kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ kɐn⁵⁵/

宋·釋道原《景德傳燈錄》

葉落歸根，來時無口。

宋·釋道原《景德傳燈錄》

叶落归根，来时无口。

a person who has been away from his or her hometown for a long time would eventually return


信你一成，雙目失明

If I believe ten-percent of what you say, both of my eyes will turn blind.

seon³ nei⁵ jat¹ sing⁴, soeng¹ muk⁶ sat¹ ming⁴

seun néih yāt sìhng, sēung muhk sāt mìhng

soen³ nei⁵ jat⁷ sing⁴, soeng¹ muk⁹ sat⁷ ming⁴

sên³ néi⁵ yed¹ xing⁴, sêng¹ mug⁶ sed¹ ming⁴

/sɵn³³ nei̯¹³ jɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ²¹ sœːŋ⁵⁵ mʊk̚² sɐt̚⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

(Hong Kong Cantonese, originally Internet slang) Used to express that someone is not believable


超凡脫俗

ㄔㄠ ㄈㄢˊ ㄊㄨㄛ ㄙㄨˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fän³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ su³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ faːn²¹ tʰyːt̚³ t͡sʊk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fän³⁵ tʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ su³⁵/

/t͡sʰiːu̯⁵⁵ faːn²¹ tʰyːt̚³ t͡sʊk̚²/


知人善任

ㄓ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄖㄣˋ

чжижэньшаньжэнь

čžižɛnʹšanʹžɛnʹ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐən⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ siːn²² jɐm²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐən⁵¹/

/t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ siːn²² jɐm²²/

to know one's subordinates well enough to assign them jobs commensurate with their abilities


死都唔知點死

/sei̯³⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ m̩²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ tiːm³⁵ sei̯³⁵/

(Cantonese) sure to die a reckless death


退避三舍

ㄊㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄙㄢ ㄕㄜˋ

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯³³ pei̯²² saːm⁵⁵ sɛː³³/

/tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ sän⁵⁵ ʂɤ⁵¹/

/tʰɵy̯³³ pei̯²² saːm⁵⁵ sɛː³³/

From the account of Duke Wen of Jin, who, prior to becoming the ruler of Jin, had fled from a succession crisis and had been seeking shelter in various states. After receiving him, King Cheng of Chu asked how he would pay back if he were to become the ruler of Jin. His reply was (《左傳·僖公二十三年》)

lang

(《左傳·僖公二十三年》)

(《左傳·僖公二十三年》)

If by your lordship's powerful influence I shall recover the State of Jin, should Chu and Jin go to war and meet in the plain of the Middle Land, I will withdraw from your lordship three stages [each of 30 li]. If then I do not receive your commands to cease from hostilities, with my whip and my bow in my left hand, and my quiver and my bowcase on my right, I will manaeuvre with your lordship.

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

Ruò yǐ jūn zhī líng, dé fǎn Jìn guó, Jìn Chǔ zhì bīng, yù yú zhōngyuán, qí bì jūn sān shè. Ruò bù huò mìng, qí zuǒ zhí biān mǐ, yòu shǔ gāo jiān, yǐ yǔ jūn zhōuxuán.

若以君之靈，得反晉國，晉楚治兵，遇於中原，其辟君三舍。若不獲命，其左執鞭弭，右屬櫜鞬，以與君周旋。

若以君之灵，得反晋国，晋楚治兵，遇于中原，其辟君三舍。若不获命，其左执鞭弭，右属櫜鞬，以与君周旋。

to give way to avoid a conflict in the face of superior strength (to avoid heavy losses)


死都不知道怎麼死的

ㄙˇ ㄉㄡ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄉㄠˋ ㄗㄣˇ ˙ㄇㄜ ㄙˇ ˙ㄉㄜ

ssŭ³ tou¹ pu⁴ chih¹-tao⁴ tsên³-mê⁵ ssŭ³ tê⁵

сы доу бу чжидао цзэньмэ сы дэ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ toʊ̯⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡sən²¹⁴ mə⁴ sz̩²¹⁴ d̥ə⁴/


食嘢唔做嘢，做嘢打爛嘢

[someone only] eats and does not do a thing; [when he actually] does things, [he] breaks things

sik⁶ je⁵ m⁴ zou⁶ je⁵, zou⁶ je⁵ daa² laan⁶ je⁵

sihk yéh m̀h jouh yéh, jouh yéh dá laahn yéh

sik⁹ je⁵ m⁴ dzou⁶ je⁵, dzou⁶ je⁵ daa² laan⁶ je⁵

xig⁶ yé⁵ m⁴ zou⁶ yé⁵, zou⁶ yé⁵ da² lan⁶ yé⁵

/sɪk̚² jɛː¹³ m̩²¹ t͡sou̯²² jɛː¹³ t͡sou̯²² jɛː¹³ taː³⁵ laːn²² jɛː¹³/

(Cantonese) being idle and never doing things right


不成功便成仁

ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄖㄣˊ

бу чэнгун бянь чэнжэнь

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ʐən³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ piːn²² sɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ sɪŋ²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ piːn²² sɪŋ²¹ jɐn²¹/


大蛇屙屎

/taːi̯²² sɛː²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ siː³⁵/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ sa¹¹ o⁴⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩³¹/

/taːi̯²² sɛː²¹ ɔː⁵⁵ siː³⁵/

/tʰaɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ sa¹¹ o⁴⁴⁻³⁵ sz̩³¹/

never having seen big things before (and therefore considering a normal thing remarkable due to ignorance)

未見過大蛇屙屎

未见过大蛇屙屎

(Cantonese, Hakka, figuratively) very rare things or phenomena


講三講四

/kɔːŋ³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ kɔːŋ³⁵ sei̯³³/

/kɔŋ³¹ sam⁴⁴⁻³⁵ kɔŋ³¹ si⁵³/

/kɔːŋ³⁵ saːm⁵⁵ kɔːŋ³⁵ sei̯³³/

/kɔŋ³¹ sam⁴⁴⁻³⁵ kɔŋ³¹ si⁵³/

(Cantonese, Hakka, derogatory) to gossip; to make irresponsible remarks

(Cantonese, Hakka, derogatory) to criticize, to carp


狼狼戾戾

/lɔŋ¹¹ lɔŋ¹¹ laɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ laɪ⁵³/

/lɔŋ¹¹ lɔŋ¹¹ laɪ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ laɪ⁵³/

Do not leave the whole house in a complete mess.

mog⁶ gau³ hi⁴ yid⁶ gian¹ vug⁵ du¹ long² long² lai⁴ lai⁴.

莫搞去一間屋都狼狼戾戾。

莫搞去一间屋都狼狼戾戾。


玄之又玄

ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄓ ㄧㄡˋ ㄒㄩㄢˊ

сюаньчжиюсюань

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² jyːn²¹/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² iu²²⁻²¹ hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡si³³ iu⁴¹⁻²² hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn¹³⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² iu²²⁻²¹ hiɛn¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ iu³³⁻¹¹ hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn²³⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ iu³³⁻²¹ hiɛn²³/

/ɕy̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ joʊ̯⁵¹ ɕy̯ɛn³⁵/

/jyːn²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐu̯²² jyːn²¹/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² iu²²⁻²¹ hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻²² t͡si³³ iu⁴¹⁻²² hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn¹³⁻²² t͡si⁴⁴⁻²² iu²²⁻²¹ hiɛn¹³/

/hiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ iu³³⁻¹¹ hiɛn²⁴/

/hiɛn²³⁻³³ t͡si⁴⁴⁻³³ iu³³⁻²¹ hiɛn²³/

Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful.

玄之又玄，眾妙之門。

玄之又玄，众妙之门。


覆酒甕

ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄨㄥˋ

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wəŋ⁵¹/

/fʊk̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ ʊŋ³³/

/fu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wəŋ⁵¹/

/fʊk̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ ʊŋ³³/

At first, Lu Ji came to Luoyang, and he wanted to compose an ode for it. When he heard that Zuo Si is writing one, he clapped his hands with scoffing, writing to his younger brother Lu Yun, saying: "There is a coarse man here planning to write a series of odes to the three capitals, and when it is finished, it shall be used to cover a wine jar!" But when Zuo Si finished his ode, Lu Ji appreciated it very much, believing it could not be improved anymore, so he stopped writing his own.

648 CE, Fang Xuanling (lead editor), Book of Jin

Chū, Lù Jī rù Luò, yù wèicǐ fù, wén Sī zuò zhī, fǔzhǎng ér xiào, yǔ dì Yún shū yuē: “Cǐ jiān yǒu cāngfù, yù zuò “Sāndū fù”, xū qí chéng, dāng yǐ fùjiǔwèng ěr.” Jí Sī fù chū, jī jué tàn fú, yǐwèi bùnéng jiā yě, suì chuòbǐ yān.

初，陸機入洛，欲為此賦，聞思作之，撫掌而笑，與弟雲書曰：「此間有傖父，欲作《三都賦》，須其成，當以覆酒甕耳。」及思賦出，機絕歎伏，以為不能加也，遂輟筆焉。

初，陆机入洛，欲为此赋，闻思作之，抚掌而笑，与弟云书曰：「此间有伧父，欲作《三都赋》，须其成，当以覆酒瓮耳。」及思赋出，机绝叹伏，以为不能加也，遂辍笔焉。

(literary) used to describe a worthless book or work


人生識字憂患始

desc

人生字を識るは憂患の始め

→ Japanese: 人生字を識るは憂患の始め (jinsei ji o shiru wa yūkan no hajime) (calque)

Japanese: 識字憂患 (shikiji yūkan)

Korean: 식자우환 (sikjauhwan)

ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄥ ㄕˊ ㄗˋ ㄧㄡ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄕˇ

ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄥ ㄕˋ ㄗˋ ㄧㄡ ㄏㄨㄢˋ ㄕˇ

жэньшэн шицзы юхуань ши

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʐən³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sz̩⁵¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐn²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵ sɪk̚⁵ t͡siː²² jɐu̯⁵⁵ waːn²² t͡sʰiː³⁵/

From 石蒼舒醉墨堂 by Su Shi (蘇軾):
:
Note that Su Shi is actually a famous scholar-official as well as a calligrapher. This poem was written for Shi Cangshu (石蒼舒) who shared the same interest in calligraphy with Su Shi and exceedingly appreciated Su Shi's calligraphy.

Misery of life starts at literacy. Knowing roughly the name is more than necessary. Why bother using cursive calligraphy to flaunt swiftness? I opened a book, whose incomprehensibility brings me sadness.

Rénshēng shízì yōuhuàn shǐ, xìngmíng cū jì kěyǐ xiū. Hé yòng cǎoshū kuā shénsù, kāijuǎn chǎnghuǎng lìngrén chóu.

人生識字憂患始，姓名粗記可以休。何用草書誇神速，開卷戃怳令人愁。

人生识字忧患始，姓名粗记可以休。何用草书夸神速，开卷𰑿怳令人愁。

misery of life starts at literacy; ignorance is bliss


身殘志堅

ㄕㄣ ㄘㄢˊ ㄓˋ ㄐㄧㄢ

шэньцаньчжицзянь

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/


覆醬瓿

ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄤˋ ㄅㄨˋ

ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄤˋ ㄆㄡˇ

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ pʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ pʰɐu̯³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ pɐu̯²²/

/fʊk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ pou̯²²/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

/fu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ pʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ pʰɐu̯³⁵/

/fʊk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ pɐu̯²²/

/fʊk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ³³ pou̯²²/

Back then there were busybodies coming with wine and food to study under him. Hou Ba from Julu often lived with Yang Xiong as a disciple. Yang Xiong taught him about Taixuan and Fayan (Yang Xiong's books). Liu Xin saw this and said: "You are just torturing yourself! Scholars nowadays have wealth and emoluments, yet they don't even understand I Ching, let alone Taixuan! I'm afraid they are gonna be used to cover jam pots by posterity."

Shí yǒu hǎoshìzhě zǎi jiǔyáo cóng yóuxué, ér Jùlù Hóu Bā cháng cóng Xióng jū, shòu qí “Tàixuán”, “Fǎyán” yān. Liú Xīn yì cháng guān zhī, wèi Xióng yuē: “Kōng zì kǔ! Jīn xuézhě yǒu lù lì, rán shàng bùnéng míng “Yì”, yòu rú “Xuán” hé? Wú kǒng hòurén yòng fùjiàngbù yě.”

時有好事者載酒肴從游學，而鉅鹿侯芭常從雄居，受其《太玄》、《法言》焉。劉歆亦嘗觀之，謂雄曰：「空自苦！今學者有祿利，然尚不能明《易》，又如《玄》何？吾恐後人用覆醬瓿也。」

时有好事者载酒肴从游学，而钜鹿侯芭常从雄居，受其《太玄》、《法言》焉。刘歆亦尝观之，谓雄曰：「空自苦！今学者有禄利，然尚不能明《易》，又如《玄》何？吾恐后人用覆酱瓿也。」

Rai San'yō's work (Nihon Gaishi) is of course crude in writing and full of washū (improper Japanese elements in Literary Chinese text), but insofar as the research is also sloppily done and the discussion biased. It really should be used to cover a jam pot.

Fukushiyu (復子庾, a Japanese kanbun in 西崦先生餘稿) by Hoashi Banri (帆足萬里)

Lài shēng suǒzuò, wúlùn wénzì bǐlòu, héxí cuòchū, jiāyǐ kǎozhèng shūlòu, yìlùn guāipì, zhēn kě yǐ fùjiàngbù.

賴生所作，無論文字鄙陋，和習錯出，加以考證疏漏，議論乖僻，真可以覆醬瓿。

赖生所作，无论文字鄙陋，和习错出，加以考证疏漏，议论乖僻，真可以覆酱瓿。


無聲無氣

/mou̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ hei̯³³/

/mo¹¹ saŋ⁴⁴⁻³⁵ mo¹¹ hi⁵³/

/mou̯²¹ sɪŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ hei̯³³/

/mo¹¹ saŋ⁴⁴⁻³⁵ mo¹¹ hi⁵³/


清湯寡水

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄊㄤ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

цинтангуашуй

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ kʷaː³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵/


星星點點

ㄒㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄉㄧㄢˇ

синсиндяньдянь

/ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ti̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ tiːm³⁵ tiːm³⁵/

/sɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ⁵⁵ tiːm³⁵ tiːm³⁵/


飯氣攻心

ㄈㄢˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄣ

фаньцигунсинь

/fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/faːn²² hei̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/fän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/faːn²² hei̯³³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/


杳無音訊

ㄧㄠˇ ㄨˊ ㄧㄣ ㄒㄩㄣˋ

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ in⁵⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³/

/jɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ in⁵⁵ ɕyn⁵¹/

/miːu̯¹³ mou̯²¹ jɐm⁵⁵ sɵn³³/

杳無音信 杳無音信#Chinese

杳无音信 杳无音信#Chinese


仰結煞

仰结煞
仰詰刹
仰𢯹煞
仰戛煞

/ŋiɔŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kat̚¹ sat̚¹/

/ŋiɔŋ⁵³⁻⁵⁵ kat̚¹ sat̚¹/

What should I do! I lost my mobile phone!

Ngiong⁴ gad⁵ sad⁵! Su³ gi¹ diêd⁵ pêd⁵ ê²!

仰結煞！手機跌撇了！

仰结煞！手机跌撇了！

(Hakka) What to do?; What should be done?


是咁的

/siː²² kɐm³⁵ tɪk̚⁵/

/siː²² kɐm³⁵ tɪk̚⁵/

Mixed written vernacular Chinese and Cantonese writing.

(Hong Kong Cantonese, slang, originally Internet slang) Synonym of 係噉嘅／系噉嘅 (hai6 gam2 ge2, “it is in this way”) (used as an opening of a post)


怨天怨地

ㄩㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄩㄢˋ ㄉㄧˋ

юаньтяньюаньди

/ɥɛn⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/ɥɛn⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

to blame everyone and everything; to incessantly grumble about things


浩氣長存

ㄏㄠˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ

хаоци чанцунь

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/hou̯²² hei̯³³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵/

/hou̯²² hei̯³³ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ t͡sʰyːn²¹/


無結煞

无结煞
無詰刹
無𢯹煞
無戛煞

(Hakka) there is nothing to be done; one can't do anything about it

痛到無結煞

痛到无结煞

(Hakka, after verb/adjective + particle) (to) a great extent; extremely


久病成醫

Prolonged illness makes a doctor of a patient.

ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ pɛːŋ²² sɪŋ²¹ jiː⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ piŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ i⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ pɛːŋ²² sɪŋ²¹ jiː⁵⁵/

experience is the best teacher
experience is the best teacher


黃皮樹了哥——唔熟唔食

/wɔːŋ²¹ pʰei̯²¹⁻³⁵ syː²² liːu̯¹³⁻⁵⁵ kɔː⁵⁵ m̩²¹ sʊk̚² m̩²¹ sɪk̚²/

(Cantonese) to take advantage of people one is closely acquainted with


不溫不火

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/pu⁵¹ wən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹ wən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to be in a happy medium state; neither hot nor cold


說古道今

ㄕㄨㄛ ㄍㄨˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄐㄧㄣ

шогудаоцзинь

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/syːt̚³ kuː³⁵ tou̯²² kɐm⁵⁵/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵/

/syːt̚³ kuː³⁵ tou̯²² kɐm⁵⁵/

From General Yue Fei [circa 17th–18th c.].

Nǐmen yòu wénzhòuzhòu de shuōgǔdàojīn, wǒ nà lǐ xǐngdé?

你們又文縐縐的說古道今，我那裏省得？

你们又文绉绉的说古道今，我那里省得？

everything under the sun
everything under the sun


各有所長

ㄍㄜˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄔㄤˊ

/kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/kɤ⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

each has its own strengths (e.g. each person as their own strengths)


有頭髮邊個想做瘌痢

有头发边个想做瘌痢
有頭髮邊個想做癩痢

Who wants to have scabies when one has hair?

jau⁵ tau⁴ faat³ bin¹ go³ soeng² zou⁶ laat³ lei⁶⁻¹

yáuh tàuh faat bīn go séung jouh laat lēi

jau⁵ tau⁴ faat⁸ bin¹ go³ soeng² dzou⁶ laat⁸ lei⁶⁻¹

yeo⁵ teo⁴ fad³ bin¹ go³ sêng² zou⁶ lad³ léi⁶⁻¹

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɐu̯²¹ faːt̚³ piːn⁵⁵ kɔː³³ sœːŋ³⁵ t͡sou̯²² laːt̚³ lei̯²²⁻⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) nobody wants bad things to happen to them


天荒地老

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄤ ㄉㄧˋ ㄌㄠˇ

тяньхуандилао

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² lou̯¹³/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ xu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ fɔːŋ⁵⁵ tei̯²² lou̯¹³/


火都嚟

/fɔː³⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ lɐi̯²¹/

/fɔː³⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ lei̯²¹/

/fɔː³⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ lɐi̯²¹/

/fɔː³⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ lei̯²¹/

睇到火都嚟


含飴弄孫

ㄏㄢˊ ㄧˊ ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄙㄨㄣ

ханьинунсунь

/xän³⁵ i³⁵ nʊŋ⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/hɐm²¹ jiː²¹ lʊŋ²² syːn⁵⁵/

/xän³⁵ i³⁵ nʊŋ⁵¹ su̯ən⁵⁵/

/hɐm²¹ jiː²¹ lʊŋ²² syːn⁵⁵/

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

Wú dàn dāng hányínòngsūn, bùnéng fù zhī zhèngshì.

吾但當含飴弄孫，不能復知政事。

吾但当含饴弄孙，不能复知政事。


執法犯法

ㄓˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄈㄢˋ ㄈㄚˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ fän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹ fän⁵¹ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


梨花帶雨

ㄌㄧˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄉㄞˋ ㄩˇ

/li³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/li³⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

Her jade countenance was sad, and crisscrossed with tears, like a pear blossom bathed in springtime rain.

806 CE, Bai Juyi, Song of Everlasting Regret

Yùróng jìmò lèi lángān, líhuā yī zhī chūn dài yǔ.

玉容寂寞泪闌干，梨花一枝春帶雨。

玉容寂寞泪阑干，梨花一枝春带雨。


默默無聞

ㄇㄛˋ ㄇㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄣˊ

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/mɐk̚² mɐk̚² mou̯²¹ mɐn²¹/

/mu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/mɐk̚² mɐk̚² mou̯²¹ mɐn²¹/


以次充好

ㄧˇ ㄘˋ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄏㄠˇ

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ xɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(Mainland China, law) to replace genuine products with substandard ones


行不苟合

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄡˇ ㄏㄜˊ

/ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵/

[Zhu] Jian had a silver tongue. He was first known to be honest and upright, and assertive.

Jiàn wéirén kǒubiàn, chū míng liánzhí, xíngbùgǒuhé.

建爲人口辯，初名廉直，行不苟合。

建为人口辩，初名廉直，行不苟合。


尖嘴猴腮

ㄐㄧㄢ ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄏㄡˊ ㄙㄞ

цзяньцзуйхоусай

/t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯³⁵ saɪ̯⁵⁵/


豆蔻年華

ㄉㄡˋ ㄎㄡˋ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ

доукоуняньхуа

/toʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/tɐu̯²² kʰɐu̯³³ niːn²¹ waː²¹/

/toʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ kʰoʊ̯⁵¹ ni̯ɛn³⁵ xu̯ä³⁵/

/tɐu̯²² kʰɐu̯³³ niːn²¹ waː²¹/

(figuratively) thirteen to fourteen years of age (of a girl); maidenhood


如飢似渴

ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧ ㄙˋ ㄎㄜˇ

/ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː¹³ hɔːt̚³/

/ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jyː²¹ kei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː¹³ hɔːt̚³/

as if thirsting or hungering for something; with great eagerness


甘之如飴

/kän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː²¹/

/kän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ i³⁵/

/kɐm⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiː²¹/


鹹吃蘿蔔淡操心

ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄔ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ˙ㄅㄛ ㄉㄢˋ ㄘㄠ ㄒㄧㄣ

сянь чи лобо дань цаосинь

/ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ lu̯ɔ³⁵ b̥u̯ɔ³ tän⁵¹ t͡sʰɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

poke one's nose into
poke one's nose into

to be meddlesome; to poke one's nose into others' business


鼎足而三

ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄦˊ ㄙㄢ

динцзуэрсань

/tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵⁵/

/tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ sän⁵⁵/

to have three sides (e.g. rivals) coexisting


顛鸞倒鳳

ㄉㄧㄢ ㄌㄨㄢˊ ㄉㄠˇ ㄈㄥˋ

дяньлуаньдаофэн

/ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ lu̯än³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/tiːn⁵⁵ lyːn²¹ tou̯³⁵ fʊŋ²²/

/ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ lu̯än³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɤŋ⁵¹/

/tiːn⁵⁵ lyːn²¹ tou̯³⁵ fʊŋ²²/


片言隻語

ㄆㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄓ ㄩˇ

пяньяньчжиюй

/pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰiːn³³ jiːn²¹ t͡sɛːk̚³ jyː¹³/

/pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pʰiːn³³ jiːn²¹ t͡sɛːk̚³ jyː¹³/

隻言片語 隻言片語#Chinese

只言片语 只言片语#Chinese


死諸葛走生仲達

ㄙˇ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄜˊ ㄗㄡˇ ㄕㄥ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄚˊ

сы чжугэ цзоу шэн чжунда

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ tä³⁵/

From Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions during the Three Kingdoms period. At his fifth expedition, Zhuge Liang, who served as the imperial chancellor of Shu Han, died. Shu Han's expedition force retreated without announcing Zhuge Liang's death. His opponent, Cao Wei general Sima Yi, was unaware of Zhuge Liang's death and suspected the sudden retreat as a plot, thus unable to pursue Shu Han forces.

to deter someone else using cheap, low-skill tricks by a clever person

Cao Wei
Shu Han
Sima Yi
Zhu Geliang
Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions


正人君子

ㄓㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ

чжэнжэньцзюньцзы

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ jɐn²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɪŋ³³ jɐn²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

[Cui] Yin was fond of incompetent people, but hated the upright and honest ones.

Yìn suǒ yuè zhě tàróng xià bèi, suǒ wù zhě zhèngrénjūnzǐ.

胤所悅者闒茸下輩，所惡者正人君子。

胤所悦者阘茸下辈，所恶者正人君子。

(formal, sometimes sarcastic) an upright and honest person


一語中的

ㄧ ㄩˇ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ t͡sʊŋ³³ tɪk̚⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ jyː¹³ t͡sʊŋ³³ tɪk̚⁵/


神魂顛倒

ㄕㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄣˊ ㄉㄧㄢ ㄉㄠˇ

шэньхуньдяньдао

/ʂən³⁵ xu̯ən³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ tiːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵/

/ʂən³⁵ xu̯ən³⁵ ti̯ɛn⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐn²¹ wɐn²¹ tiːn⁵⁵ tou̯³⁵/

Young ladies fell in love with him, becoming so obsessed with him that they didn't think of their own families.

Feng Menglong, Stories to Awaken the World, 1627 CE

Xiǎo niángmen duō yǒu ài tā de, fèng dé shénhúndiāndǎo, lián jiā lǐ yě bù sīxiǎng.

小娘們多有愛他的，奉得神魂顛倒，連家裡也不思想。

小娘们多有爱他的，奉得神魂颠倒，连家里也不思想。

(sometimes derogatory) possessed; obsessed


戎馬倥傯

ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄗㄨㄥˇ

жунмакунцзун

/ʐʊŋ³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʊŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


怪力亂神

ㄍㄨㄞˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄕㄣˊ

гуайлилуаньшэнь

/ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯än⁵¹ ʂən³⁵/

/kʷaːi̯³³ lɪk̚² lyːn²² sɐn²¹/

/kuai²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² luan³³⁻²¹ sin²³/

/kuai¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² luan³³⁻¹¹ sin²⁴/

/ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯än⁵¹ ʂən³⁵/

/kʷaːi̯³³ lɪk̚² lyːn²² sɐn²¹/

/kuai²¹⁻⁴¹ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² luan³³⁻²¹ sin²³/

/kuai¹¹⁻⁵³ liɪk̚⁴⁻³² luan³³⁻¹¹ sin²⁴/

The subjects on which the Master did not talk, were — extraordinary things, feats of strength, disorder, and spiritual beings.

子不語：怪、力、亂、神。

子不语：怪、力、乱、神。

(dated, literal) monstrousness, violence, rebellion and supernaturalism


乾手淨腳

/kɔːn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɛːŋ²² kœːk̚³/

/kɔːn⁵⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɛːŋ²² kœːk̚³/

(Cantonese) done well and neatly, without loose ends


乾淨俐落

ㄍㄢ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄌㄧˋ ˙ㄌㄨㄛ

ганьцзинлило

/kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ lu̯ɔ¹/

/kɔːn⁵⁵ t͡sɛːŋ²² lei̯²² lɔːk̚²/

/kän⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ lu̯ɔ¹/

/kɔːn⁵⁵ t͡sɛːŋ²² lei̯²² lɔːk̚²/


投石問路

to toss a stone to find out what's ahead

ㄊㄡˊ ㄕˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ sɛːk̚² mɐn²² lou̯²²/

/tau²⁴⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ lɔ²²/

/tau²⁴⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)²⁴⁻² bun⁴¹⁻²² lɔ⁴¹/

/tau¹³⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ lɔ²²/

/tau²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sio(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ lɔ³³/

/tau²³⁻³³ t͡siɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ lɔ³³/

/tʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wən⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/tʰɐu̯²¹ sɛːk̚² mɐn²² lou̯²²/

/tau²⁴⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ lɔ²²/

/tau²⁴⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)²⁴⁻² bun⁴¹⁻²² lɔ⁴¹/

/tau¹³⁻²² t͡sio(ʔ)¹²¹⁻²¹ bun²²⁻²¹ lɔ²²/

/tau²⁴⁻¹¹ t͡sio(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ bun³³⁻¹¹ lɔ³³/

/tau²³⁻³³ t͡siɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bun³³⁻²¹ lɔ³³/


以其昏昏，使人昭昭

ㄧˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄏㄨㄣ ㄏㄨㄣ

ㄕˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓㄠ ㄓㄠ

шижэньчжаочжао

šižɛnʹčžaočžao

/i²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ xu̯ən⁵⁵ xu̯ən⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

Mencius said,"Anciently, men of virtue and talents by means of their own enlightenment made others enlightened. Nowadays, it is tried, while they are themselves in darkness, and by means of that darkness, to make others enlightened."

Mèngzǐ yuē: “Xiánzhě yǐ qí zhāozhāo, shǐ rén zhāozhāo; jīn yǐqíhūnhūn, shǐrénzhāozhāo.”

孟子曰：「賢者以其昭昭，使人昭昭；今以其昏昏，使人昭昭。」

孟子曰：「贤者以其昭昭，使人昭昭；今以其昏昏，使人昭昭。」

(derogatory) to light the way for others despite being in darkness themselves


為反而反

ㄨㄟˋ ㄈㄢˇ ㄦˊ ㄈㄢˇ

вэйфаньэрфань

/weɪ̯⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐi̯²¹ faːn³⁵ jiː²¹ faːn³⁵/

/weɪ̯⁵¹ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fän²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɐi̯²¹ faːn³⁵ jiː²¹ faːn³⁵/

opposing for the sake of opposing; contrary


一望而知

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²² jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²² jiː²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵/


寂寂無聞

ㄐㄧˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄣˊ

ㄐㄧˊ ㄐㄧˊ ㄨˊ ㄨㄣˊ

/t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/t͡ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ u³⁵ wən³⁵/

to be obscure; to be not little-known; to be not famed


及時行樂

ㄐㄧˊ ㄕˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄜˋ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/kʰɐp̚² siː²¹ hɐŋ²¹ lɔːk̚²/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ɕiŋ³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

/kʰɐp̚² siː²¹ hɐŋ²¹ lɔːk̚²/


因時制宜

/in⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ siː²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

/in⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹ i³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ siː²¹ t͡sɐi̯³³ jiː²¹/

to use methods appropriate to the current situation


能免則免

ㄋㄥˊ ㄇㄧㄢˇ ㄗㄜˊ ㄇㄧㄢˇ

нэнмяньцзэмянь

/nɤŋ³⁵ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/nɐŋ²¹ miːn¹³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ miːn¹³/

/nɐŋ²¹ miːn¹³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ miːn¹³/


燈火闌珊

ㄉㄥ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄌㄢˊ ㄕㄢ

дэнхоланьшань

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/teŋ³³⁻²³ hue⁵²⁻³⁵ laŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ saŋ³³/

/tɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ län³⁵ ʂän⁵⁵/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ laːn²¹ saːn⁵⁵/

/teŋ³³⁻²³ hue⁵²⁻³⁵ laŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ saŋ³³/


可免則免

ㄎㄜˇ ㄇㄧㄢˇ ㄗㄜˊ ㄇㄧㄢˇ

кэмяньцзэмянь

/kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sɤ³⁵ mi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔː³⁵ miːn¹³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ miːn¹³/

/hɔː³⁵ miːn¹³ t͡sɐk̚⁵ miːn¹³/


流水行雲

ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄣˊ

люшуйсинъюнь

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ yn³⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ hɐŋ²¹ wɐn²¹/

/liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵²⁻³⁵ kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huŋ⁵⁵/

/li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕiŋ³⁵ yn³⁵/

/lɐu̯²¹ sɵy̯³⁵ hɐŋ²¹ wɐn²¹/

/liu⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sui⁵²⁻³⁵ kĩã⁵⁵⁻¹¹ huŋ⁵⁵/

(of calligraphy, writing, etc.) very smooth and natural; natural and unforced style


犯顏直諫

ㄈㄢˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄓˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

фаньяньчжицзянь

/fän⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/faːn²² ŋaːn²¹ t͡sɪk̚² kaːn³³/

/fän⁵¹ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/faːn²² ŋaːn²¹ t͡sɪk̚² kaːn³³/

In moving against the facial expression of the ruler and making utmost remonstrations, I am not as good as Dongguo Ya. May Your Highness appoint him Minister of Censorship.

Fànyán jí jiàn, chén bùrú Dōngguō Yá, qǐng lì yǐ wéi jiànchén.

犯顏極諫，臣不如東郭牙，請立以為諫臣。

犯颜极谏，臣不如东郭牙，请立以为谏臣。

constructive criticism
constructive criticism

to give constructive criticism to the emperor at the risk of offending him


咬薑啜醋

/ŋau̯²⁴⁻¹¹ ki̯oŋ²⁴ t͡sʰot̚² t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵/

/ŋau̯²⁴⁻¹¹ ki̯oŋ²⁴ t͡sʰot̚² t͡sʰɨ⁵⁵/

ngâu-kiông-chhot-chhṳ kí sṳ̍p ngièn, m̀-sṳt mài-yen

咬薑啜醋幾十年 毋識埋怨

咬姜啜醋几十年 毋识埋怨

(Hakka) to economize on one's food and clothing; to live a poor and simple life


火遮眼

/fɔː³⁵ t͡sɛː⁵⁵ ŋaːn¹³/

/fᵘɔ⁵⁵ t͡siɛ³³ ᵑɡan⁵⁵/

/fɔː³⁵ t͡sɛː⁵⁵ ŋaːn¹³/

/fᵘɔ⁵⁵ t͡siɛ³³ ᵑɡan⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) to be blinded by anger; to act out of anger


有拖冇欠

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɔː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ hiːm³³/

/jɐu̯¹³ tʰɔː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ hiːm³³/

(Cantonese) to delay but not deny (returning something owed, a promise, etc.)


睇餸食飯

eat while observing (how much) food (is left)

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ sʊŋ³³ sɪk̚² faːn²²/

/tʰɐi̯³⁵ sʊŋ³³ sɪk̚² faːn²²/

(Cantonese) to work with what one has; to act with the available resources in mind

(Cantonese) to act flexibly; to play by ear


苦思冥想

ㄎㄨˇ ㄙ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fuː³⁵ siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fuː³⁵ siː⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹ sœːŋ³⁵/