招搖撞騙

ㄓㄠ ㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄆㄧㄢˋ

чжаояочжуанпянь

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ t͡sɔːŋ²² pʰiːn³³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jiːu̯²¹ t͡sɔːŋ²² pʰiːn³³/

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

Wǒ shì duì dé tiān de, cóng bùgǎn qǐ zhè yào qián de niàntou. Zhǐshì núcái zàiwài zhāoyáozhuàngpiàn, nào chū shì lái wǒ jiù chībùzhù le.

我是對得天的，從不敢起這要錢的念頭。只是奴才在外招搖撞騙，鬧出事來我就吃不住了。

我是对得天的，从不敢起这要钱的念头。只是奴才在外招摇撞骗，闹出事来我就吃不住了。

Nǐ ruò jiè cǐ zhāoyáozhuàngpiàn, kě yào zhì nǐ yú sǐdì!

你若借此招搖撞騙，可要置你於死地！

你若借此招摇撞骗，可要置你于死地！

Whoever impersonates a people's policeman to go about and deceive people shall be given a heavier punishment in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

1997, 《中华人民共和国刑法》 [Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China]

Màochōng rénmín jǐngchá zhāoyáozhuàngpiàn de, yīzhào qián kuǎn de guīdìng cóngzhòng chùfá.

冒充人民警察招搖撞騙的，依照前款的規定從重處罰。

冒充人民警察招摇撞骗的，依照前款的规定从重处罚。

to pass oneself off as someone prominent and swindle people


心口不一

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄎㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ

/ɕin⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/

/ɕin⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚⁵/


機不可失

ㄐㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕ

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kei̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/ki⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sit̚³²/

/ki⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sit̚³²/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kei̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ hɔː³⁵ sɐt̚⁵/

/ki⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰo⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sit̚³²/

/ki⁴⁴⁻³³ put̚³²⁻⁴ kʰɤ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sit̚³²/


十問九唔應

to be asked ten times and not responding for nine times

/sɐp̚² mɐn²² kɐu̯³⁵ m̩²¹ jɪŋ³³/

/sɐp̚² mɐn²² kɐu̯³⁵ m̩²¹ jɪŋ³³/

(Cantonese) to be not responsive; to not respond even when being asked questions many times


說不清，道不明

ㄉㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ miŋ³⁵/


大水沖了龍王廟

the waters flooded the Dragon King temple

ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄔㄨㄥ ˙ㄌㄜ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄨㄤˊ ㄇㄧㄠˋ

daai⁶ seoi² cung¹ liu⁵ lung⁴ wong⁴ miu⁶⁻²

дашуй чун лэ лунванмяо

/tä⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ⁵⁵ lə² lʊŋ³⁵ wɑŋ³⁵ mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

daai⁶ soey² tsung¹ liu⁵ lung⁴ wong⁴ miu⁶⁻²

/taːi̯²² sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sʰʊŋ⁵⁵ liːu̯¹³ lʊŋ²¹ wɔːŋ²¹ miːu̯²²⁻³⁵/

to have misunderstandings among people of the same group


故技重施

ㄍㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄕ

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/


規腹火

/kui⁴⁴⁻³³ pak̚³²⁻⁴ he⁵³/

/kui⁴⁴⁻³³ pak̚³²⁻⁴ hue⁴¹/

/kui⁴⁴⁻³³ pak̚³²⁻⁴ he⁵³/

/kui⁴⁴⁻³³ pak̚³²⁻⁴ hue⁴¹/

(Taiwanese Hokkien) to be furious; to be enraged


規𡳞脬火

/kui⁴⁴⁻³³ lan³³⁻¹¹ pʰa⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁵³/

/kui⁴⁴⁻³³ lan³³⁻²¹ pʰa⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴¹/

/kui⁴⁴⁻³³ lan³³⁻¹¹ pʰa⁴⁴⁻³³ he⁵³/

/kui⁴⁴⁻³³ lan³³⁻²¹ pʰa⁴⁴⁻³³ hue⁴¹/

(Taiwanese Hokkien, vulgar) to be enraged; to be furious


藥石罔效

ㄧㄠˋ ㄕˊ ㄨㄤˇ ㄒㄧㄠˋ

/jɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² sɛːk̚² mɔːŋ¹³ haːu̯²²/

/jɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jœːk̚² sɛːk̚² mɔːŋ¹³ haːu̯²²/


玩真嘅

/waːn²¹⁻³⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ kɛː³³/

/waːn²¹⁻³⁵ t͡sɐn⁵⁵ kɛː³³/


玩真的

вань чжэнь дэ

vanʹ čžɛnʹ dɛ

/wän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ d̥ə²/

/wän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂən⁵⁵ d̥ə²/


較勝一籌

ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄧ ㄔㄡˊ

цзяошэнъичоу

/t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kaːu̯³³ sɪŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹/

/kaːu̯³³ sɪŋ³³ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯²¹/


頑固不化

ㄨㄢˊ ㄍㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ

/wän³⁵ ku⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/

/wän³⁵ ku⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹/


油鹽不進

ㄧㄡˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

/joʊ̯³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/joʊ̯³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/


春秋鼎盛

desc

→ Japanese: 春秋鼎に盛んなり (shunjū masa ni sakan nari) (calque)

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄕㄥˋ

чуньцюдиншэн

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ tiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ tɪŋ³⁵ sɪŋ²²/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ tɪŋ³⁵ sɪŋ²²/


非親非故

ㄈㄟ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄈㄟ ㄍㄨˋ

фэйциньфэйгу

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ku⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kuː³³/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ ku⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kuː³³/

(of two people) to be neither relatives nor friends


情非得已

ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄟ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˇ

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jiː¹³/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ fei̯⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jiː¹³/

From Flowers in the Mirror [circa 19th century].

Shìcái duǒbì zhuō xià, zìzhī shī yí lù chǒu, shí xì qíngfēidéyǐ, zhūwèi jiějiě mò yào fāxiào.

適才躲避桌下，自知失儀露醜，實系情非得已，諸位姐姐莫要發笑。

适才躲避桌下，自知失仪露丑，实系情非得已，诸位姐姐莫要发笑。

to have circumstances beyond one's control


先入之見

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄖㄨˋ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

сяньжучжицзянь

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siːn⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ kiːn³³/

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/siːn⁵⁵ jɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ kiːn³³/


日月升恆

ㄖˋ ㄩㄝˋ ㄕㄥ ㄏㄥˊ

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² jyːt̚² sɪŋ⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

/ʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɥɛ⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ xɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² jyːt̚² sɪŋ⁵⁵ hɐŋ²¹/

日升月恆 日升月恆#Chinese


日升月恆

ㄖˋ ㄕㄥ ㄩㄝˋ ㄏㄥˊ

/ʐ̩⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² sɪŋ⁵⁵ jyːt̚² hɐŋ²¹/

/ʐ̩⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ɥɛ⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵/

/jɐt̚² sɪŋ⁵⁵ jyːt̚² hɐŋ²¹/

Like the moon advancing to the full,
Like the sun ascending the heavens.

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

如月之恆、如日之升。

如月之恒、如日之升。

(figuratively) in the ascendant; ever increasing


春秋筆法

ㄔㄨㄣ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄅㄧˇ ㄈㄚˇ

/ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ pi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ fä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

/t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯⁵⁵ pɐt̚⁵ faːt̚³/

春秋 (chūnqiū) refers to Confucius' Spring and Autumn Annals, in which Confucius seldom made direct comments when evaluating historical events, but rather relied on different writing styles and vocabularies to convey his opinion.

Zhè piān wénzhāng bìng méiyǒu chūnqiūbǐfǎ, zhǐshì jìlù shìshí éryǐ.

這篇文章並沒有春秋筆法，只是記錄事實而已。

这篇文章并没有春秋笔法，只是记录事实而已。

to make value-laden evaluations through writing styles and vocabularies


十月芥菜——起心

/sɐp̚² jyːt̚² kaːi̯³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³³ hei̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

Chinese mustard is almost ready to be harvested in the winter, thus one that is grown til October has just grown out a core, thus started to have a core (mind).

(Cantonese, euphemistic) to describe a teenage girl who hopes to have a love relationship with a man


案據

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

/ˀän⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕy⁵¹/

(literary, officialese) Used when quoting subordinates: according to


步步高

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ kɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

the lives of the people improve step by step

人民生活步步高

步步高升 步步高升#Chinese


世事難料

ㄕˋ ㄕˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄠˋ

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ nän³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ siː²² naːn²¹ liːu̯²²/

/ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ nän³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐi̯³³ siː²² naːn²¹ liːu̯²²/

worldly affairs are difficult to predict


不計前嫌

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ

буцзицяньсянь

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐi̯³³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jiːm²¹/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐi̯³³ t͡sʰiːn²¹ jiːm²¹/


竹報平安

ㄓㄨˊ ㄅㄠˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄢ

чжубаопинъань

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ pou̯³³ pʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂu³⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ pou̯³³ pʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵/

letter sent home to report that all is well


東拼西湊

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄆㄧㄣ ㄒㄧ ㄘㄡˋ

дунпиньсицоу

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰin⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡sʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ³³ sɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯³³/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰin⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡sʰoʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ pʰɪŋ³³ sɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰɐu̯³³/

to assemble bits and pieces; to gather from all over the place


吉祥如意

ㄐㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˋ

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ jyː²¹ jiː³³/

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʐu³⁵ i⁵¹/

/kɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹ jyː²¹ jiː³³/

to be lucky and have everything go as one wishes


十月芥菜——起嗮心

October Chinese mustard ― start a mind completely

/sɐp̚² jyːt̚² kaːi̯³³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³³ hei̯³⁵ saːi̯³³ sɐm⁵⁵/

十月芥菜——起心 十月芥菜——起心#Chinese

(Cantonese, euphemistic) Alternative form of 十月芥菜——起心


南無觀世音菩薩

ㄋㄚ ㄇㄛˊ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄕˋ ㄧㄣ ㄆㄨˊ ㄙㄚˋ

ㄋㄚˊ ㄇㄛˊ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄕˋ ㄧㄣ ㄆㄨˊ ㄙㄚˋ

Намо Гуаньшиинь Пуса

/nä⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ in⁵⁵ pʰu³⁵ sä⁵¹/

/nä³⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ in⁵⁵ pʰu³⁵ sä⁵¹/

/naːm²¹ mɔː²¹ kuːn⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ jɐm⁵⁵ pʰou̯²¹ saːt̚³/

(Buddhism) Namo Avalokiteshvaraya, a common Buddhist chant

南無阿彌陀佛

Nāmó Ēmítuófó

南无阿弥陀佛

Nāmó Ēmítuófó


南無本師釋迦牟尼佛

ㄋㄚ ㄇㄛˊ ㄅㄣˇ ㄕ ㄕˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄇㄡˊ ㄋㄧˊ ㄈㄛˊ

ㄋㄚˊ ㄇㄛˊ ㄅㄣˇ ㄕ ㄕˋ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄇㄡˊ ㄋㄧˊ ㄈㄛˊ

na¹-mo² pên³ shih¹ shih⁴-chia¹-mou²-ni² fo²

намо бэнь ши шицзямоуни фо

/nä⁵⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ ni³⁵ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

na²-mo² pên³ shih¹ shih⁴-chia¹-mou²-ni² fo²

/nä³⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ ni³⁵ fu̯ɔ³⁵/

(Buddhism) Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya, a common Buddhist chant

南無阿彌陀佛

Nāmó Ēmítuófó

南无阿弥陀佛

Nāmó Ēmítuófó


賣兒鬻女

ㄇㄞˋ ㄦˊ ㄩˋ ㄋㄩˇ

/maɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːi̯²² jiː²¹ jʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

/maɪ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ y⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːi̯²² jiː²¹ jʊk̚² nɵy̯¹³/

to be forced to sell one's children because one is destitute


拜……所賜

ㄅㄞˋ ... ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄘˋ

ㄅㄞˋ ... ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄙˋ

бай ... соцы

/paɪ̯⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

бай ... сосы

/paɪ̯⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵¹/

/paːi̯³³ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰiː³³/

/paɪ̯⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰz̩⁵¹/

/paɪ̯⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ sz̩⁵¹/

/paːi̯³³ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʰiː³³/


身強體壯

ㄕㄣ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄊㄧˇ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

шэньцянтичжуан

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

(of a person) strong and sturdy; robust and strong


身強力壯

ㄕㄣ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

шэньцянличжуан

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹ lɪk̚² t͡sɔːŋ³³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ li⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/sɐn⁵⁵ kʰœːŋ²¹ lɪk̚² t͡sɔːŋ³³/


孔武有力

ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄨˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧˋ

/kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/hʊŋ³⁵ mou̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ lɪk̚²/

/kʰʊŋ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li⁵¹/

/hʊŋ³⁵ mou̯¹³ jɐu̯¹³ lɪk̚²/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 80 (《詩經·鄭風·羔裘》)

lang

(《詩經·鄭風·羔裘》)

(《詩經·鄭風·羔裘》)

His lambs's fur, with its cuffs of leopard-skin. Looks grandly martial and strong.
That officer, In the country will ever hold to the right.

Gāo qiú bào shì, kǒng wǔ yǒu lì.
Bǐ qí zhī zǐ, bāng zhī sī zhí.

羔裘豹飾，孔武有力。
彼其之子，邦之司直。

羔裘豹饰，孔武有力。
彼其之子，邦之司直。

to have great physical strength and courage


博採眾長

ㄅㄛˊ ㄘㄞˇ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄔㄤˊ

боцайчжунчан

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/


薄物細故

ㄅㄛˊ ㄨˋ ㄒㄧˋ ㄍㄨˋ

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/

/pu̯ɔ³⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku⁵¹/


跛鱉千里

ㄅㄛˇ ㄅㄧㄝ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˇ

/pu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pi̯ɛ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


梧桐半死

ㄨˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄢˋ ㄙˇ

/u³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ pän⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/u³⁵ tʰʊŋ³⁵ pän⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to have lost a spouse; to be a widow or widower


風裡來雨裡去

ㄈㄥ ㄌㄧˇ ㄌㄞˊ ㄩˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄑㄩˋ

фэнлилайюйлицюй

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ laɪ̯³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹/

风里来雨里去
風裡來，雨裡去

(figurative, Mainland China) with great hardship in life and work


獨步天下

ㄉㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

/tu³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² pou̯²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/

/tu³⁵ pu⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² pou̯²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²²/


東一榔頭西一棒子

东一榔头西一棒子
東一榔頭，西一棒子

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄧ ㄌㄤˊ ˙ㄊㄡ ㄒㄧ ㄧ ㄅㄤˋ ㄗˇ

dung¹ jat¹ long⁴ tau⁴ sai¹ jat¹ paang⁵ zi²

dōng yī lángtou xī yī bàngzǐ [Phonetic:dōng yì lángtou xī yí bàngzǐ]

дун и лантоу си и банцзы

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ lɑŋ³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³ ɕi⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ pɑŋ⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

dung¹ jat⁷ long⁴ tau⁴ sai¹ jat⁷ paang⁵ dzi²

dung¹ yed¹ long⁴ teo⁴ sei¹ yed¹ pang⁵ ji²

/tʊŋ⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ lɔːŋ²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ sɐi̯⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ pʰaːŋ¹³ t͡siː³⁵/

[Phonetic: dōng yì lángtou xī yí bàngzǐ]

(figurative) doing things without clear organisation or objective


獨尊儒術

ㄉㄨˊ ㄗㄨㄣ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄨˋ

/tu³⁵ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² t͡syːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ sɵt̚²/

/tu³⁵ t͡su̯ən⁵⁵ ʐu³⁵ ʂu⁵¹/

/tʊk̚² t͡syːn⁵⁵ jyː²¹ sɵt̚²/


東一榔頭，西一棒子

ㄉㄨㄥ ㄧ ㄌㄤˊ ˙ㄊㄡ

dung¹ jat¹ long⁴ tau⁴, sai¹ jat¹ paang⁵ zi²

дун и лантоу

dung¹ jat⁷ long⁴ tau⁴, sai¹ jat⁷ paang⁵ dzi²

dung¹ yed¹ long⁴ teo⁴, sei¹ yed¹ pang⁵ ji²

東一榔頭西一棒子 東一榔頭西一棒子#Chinese

东一榔头西一棒子 东一榔头西一棒子#Chinese

Alternative form of 東一榔頭西一棒子／东一榔头西一棒子 (dōng yī lángtou xī yī bàngzǐ)


無以

/u³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/u³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

The Master said, "Without recognizing the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man. Without an acquaintance with the rules of Propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established. Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men."

The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE

Zǐyuē: “Bùzhī mìng, wúyǐ wéi jūnzǐ yě. Bùzhī lǐ, wúyǐ lì yě. Bùzhī yán, wúyǐ zhī rén yě.”

子曰：「不知命，無以為君子也。不知禮，無以立也。不知言，無以知人也。」

子曰：「不知命，无以为君子也。不知礼，无以立也。不知言，无以知人也。」


哪到哪

/nä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ nä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/nä²¹⁴⁻²¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹ nä²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

This is only the beginning. The climax has yet to come.


信馬由韁

ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄤ

/ɕin⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/ɕin⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

信馬由韁地遊蕩

信马由缰地游荡

to give a horse free rein; having free rein


五彩賓紛

ㄨˇ ㄘㄞˇ ㄅㄧㄣ ㄈㄣ

уцайбиньфэнь

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

/u²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pin⁵⁵ fən⁵⁵/

/ŋ̍¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³⁵ pɐn⁵⁵ fɐn⁵⁵/

五彩繽紛 五彩繽紛#Chinese

五彩缤纷 五彩缤纷#Chinese

(uncommon) Alternative form of 五彩繽紛／五彩缤纷 (wǔcǎibīnfēn)


裹足不前

ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

/ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/kʷɔː³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡siɔk̚⁵⁻²⁴ put̚⁵⁻²⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛn¹³/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²³/

/ku̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/kʷɔː³⁵ t͡sʊk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːn²¹/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁵ put̚³²⁻⁵ t͡siɛn¹³/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²⁴/

/kɔ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡siɔk̚³²⁻⁴ put̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɛn²³/


海晏河清

ㄏㄞˇ ㄧㄢˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄑㄧㄥ

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

to have peace and tranquility throughout the country or the world


明媒正娶

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄓㄥˋ ㄑㄩˇ

минмэйчжэнцюй

/miŋ³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ muːi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/

/miŋ³⁵ meɪ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mɪŋ²¹ muːi̯²¹ t͡sɪŋ³³ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/


一時苟安

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀän⁵⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀän⁵⁵/


一筆帶過

ㄧ ㄅㄧˇ ㄉㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pi²¹⁴⁻²¹ taɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/


坐收漁利

ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄡ ㄩˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² sɐu̯⁵⁵ jyː²¹ lei̯²²/

/t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ y³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sɔː²² sɐu̯⁵⁵ jyː²¹ lei̯²²/

to reap the benefits of two other parties fighting


揮灑自如

ㄏㄨㄟ ㄙㄚˇ ㄗˋ ㄖㄨˊ

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ sä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ saː³⁵ t͡siː²² jyː²¹/

/xu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ sä²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sz̩⁵¹ ʐu³⁵/

/fɐi̯⁵⁵ saː³⁵ t͡siː²² jyː²¹/

to write or paint without constraint; to be skilful in writing, calligraphy, or painting


十之八九

ㄕˊ ㄓ ㄅㄚ ㄐㄧㄡˇ

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ paːt̚³ kɐu̯³⁵/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pä⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/sɐp̚² t͡siː⁵⁵ paːt̚³ kɐu̯³⁵/


歡聚一堂

ㄏㄨㄢ ㄐㄩˋ ㄧ ㄊㄤˊ

хуаньцзюйитан

/xu̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fuːn⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐt̚⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/xu̯än⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fuːn⁵⁵ t͡sɵy̯²² jɐt̚⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/


群賢畢至

ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄓˋ

цюньсяньбичжи

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/


沉痾難起

ㄔㄣˊ ㄎㄜ ㄋㄢˊ ㄑㄧˇ

чэнькэнаньци

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ kʰɤ⁵⁵ nän³⁵ t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


豔壓群芳

ㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄚ ㄑㄩㄣˊ ㄈㄤ

/jɛn⁵¹ jä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jɛn⁵¹ jä⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰyn³⁵ fɑŋ⁵⁵/

(of a woman) to be more beautiful than others


有內味了

ㄧㄡˇ ㄋㄟˋ ㄨㄟˋ ˙ㄌㄜ

ю нэй вэй лэ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ neɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ lə¹/

ㄧㄡˇ ㄋㄟˋ ㄨㄟˋㄦ ˙ㄌㄜ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ neɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ wəɻ⁵¹ lə¹/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ neɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹ lə¹/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ neɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ wəɻ⁵¹ lə¹/

內／内 (nèi) is dialectal alternative form of 那 (nèi).

(Internet slang) having "that" kind of feeling (air)


齊心合力

ㄑㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄏㄜˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hɐp̚² lɪk̚²/

/t͡sʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sim³³⁻²³ hap̚⁴⁻² lak̚⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ xɤ³⁵ li⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐi̯²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ hɐp̚² lɪk̚²/

/t͡sʰi⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sim³³⁻²³ hap̚⁴⁻² lak̚⁴/


夜不閉戶

ㄧㄝˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄏㄨˋ

/jɛ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/jɛː²² pɐt̚⁵ pɐi̯³³ wuː²²/

/jɛ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu⁵¹/

/jɛː²² pɐt̚⁵ pɐi̯³³ wuː²²/

doors are left open at night (because of good public order)


靴子落地

ㄒㄩㄝ ˙ㄗ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄧˋ

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵⁵ d͡z̥z̩² lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/ɕy̯ɛ⁵⁵ d͡z̥z̩² lu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

From 等另一隻靴子落地, a calque of English wait for the other shoe to drop.

calque

Something that is anticipated but not fully certain happens.


遠渡重洋

ㄩㄢˇ ㄉㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄧㄤˊ

юаньдучунъян

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ tou̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/

/ɥɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ jɑŋ³⁵/

/jyːn¹³ tou̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ jœːŋ²¹/


念茲在茲

ㄋㄧㄢˋ ㄗ ㄗㄞˋ ㄗ

няньцзыцзайцзы

/ni̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵/

/ni̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ t͡sz̩⁵⁵/

/niːm²² t͡siː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² t͡siː⁵⁵/


齋戒沐浴

ㄓㄞ ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄩˋ

/ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/t͡saːi̯⁵⁵ kaːi̯³³ mʊk̚² jʊk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂaɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹⁻⁵³ y⁵¹/

/t͡saːi̯⁵⁵ kaːi̯³³ mʊk̚² jʊk̚²/

to fast (by abstaining from meat, wine, etc.) and bathe oneself and change into clean clothes before a ritual or ceremony


一屍兩命

ㄧ ㄕ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄇㄧㄥˋ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ mɛːŋ²²/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ miŋ⁵¹/

/jɐt̚⁵ siː⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ mɛːŋ²²/

a pregnant woman and her fetus die together


豪言壯語

ㄏㄠˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄩˇ

хаояньчжуанъюй

/xɑʊ̯³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hou̯²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ³³ jyː¹³/

/xɑʊ̯³⁵ jɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hou̯²¹ jiːn²¹ t͡sɔːŋ³³ jyː¹³/

brave and proud words; bold and grandiose words


薪盡火傳

ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄔㄨㄢˊ

синьцзиньхочуань

/ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² fɔː³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

/ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/

/sɐn⁵⁵ t͡sɵn²² fɔː³⁵ t͡sʰyːn²¹/

knowledge or a skill is passed on from generation to generation (from teacher to student)


異彩紛呈

ㄧˋ ㄘㄞˇ ㄈㄣ ㄔㄥˊ

/i⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/

/i⁵¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ fən⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵/


自立門戶

ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄏㄨˋ

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ mən³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² laːp̚² muːn²¹ wuː²²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ li⁵¹ mən³⁵ xu⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² laːp̚² muːn²¹ wuː²²/

to establish one's own group, school of thought, business, etc.; to strike out on one's own


皮之不存，毛將焉附

ㄆㄧˊ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄨㄣˊ

ㄇㄠˊ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˋ

pʻi² chih¹ pu⁴ tsʻun², mao² chiang¹ yen¹ fu⁴

пи чжи бу цунь

мао цзян янь фу

/pʰi³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡sʰu̯ən³⁵ mɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

"the skin is gone; where will the fur go?"; referring to the loss of crucial foundations


生死搏鬥

ㄕㄥ ㄙˇ ㄅㄛˊ ㄉㄡˋ

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ pɔːk̚³ tɐu̯³³/

/ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu̯ɔ³⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹/

/sɐŋ⁵⁵ sei̯³⁵ pɔːk̚³ tɐu̯³³/


鑄下大錯

ㄓㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂu⁵¹⁻⁵³ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

鑄成大錯 鑄成大錯#Chinese

铸成大错 铸成大错#Chinese

Alternative form of 鑄成大錯／铸成大错 (zhùchéngdàcuò)


仨瓜倆棗

ㄙㄚ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄌㄧㄚˇ ㄗㄠˇ

/sä⁵⁵ ku̯ä⁵⁵ li̯ä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


無往不復

ㄨˊ ㄨㄤˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨˋ

/u³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fu⁵¹/

/u³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ fu⁵¹/

nothing departs that does not return; cyclical


大可不必

ㄉㄚˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/tä⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ piːt̚⁵/

/tä⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² hɔː³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ piːt̚⁵/


補苴罅漏

ㄅㄨˇ ㄐㄩ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄌㄡˋ

/pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ loʊ̯⁵¹/

/pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ loʊ̯⁵¹/


補偏救弊

ㄅㄨˇ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄧˋ

/pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/pou̯³⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ pɐi̯²²/

/pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/pou̯³⁵ pʰiːn⁵⁵ kɐu̯³³ pɐi̯²²/


狗去豬來

ㄍㄡˇ ㄑㄩˋ ㄓㄨ ㄌㄞˊ

гоуцюйчжулай

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ laɪ̯³⁵/

(Taiwan, derogatory) the transition of Japanese colonial rule to Kuomintang rule in 1945


不亢不卑

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄤˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄟ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʰɔːŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ peɪ̯⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʰɔːŋ³³ pɐt̚⁵ pei̯⁵⁵/


邊邊

你撐邊邊？

你撑边边？

(Cantonese, used in questions) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 邊／边 (biān), 邊／边 (biān). which side


戳㑚娘個屄

/t͡sʰoʔ³³ na³³ n̠ʲiã²² ɡəʔ³³ pi⁵³/

/t͡sʰoʔ³³ na³³ n̠ʲiã²² ɡəʔ³³ pi⁵³/

(vulgar, slang, Shanghainese) fuck your mother, fuck you


赤子之心

чицзычжисинь

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪk̚³ t͡siː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɪk̚³ t͡siː³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵/

A gentleman is that who do not lose the purity as an infant.

大人者，不失其赤子之心者也。


明珠暗投

ja-r

めいしゅ を やみ に とうず

→ Japanese: 明珠(めいしゅ)を闇(やみ)に投(とう)ず (meishu o yami ni tōzu) (calque)

ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄨ ㄢˋ ㄊㄡˊ

минчжу’аньтоу

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵ ɐm³³ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡su³³⁻²³ am²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tau⁵⁵/

/miŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ ˀän⁵¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/mɪŋ²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵ ɐm³³ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/meŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ t͡su³³⁻²³ am²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tau⁵⁵/


前塵往事

ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄨㄤˇ ㄕˋ

цяньчэньванши

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰɐn²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ siː²²/

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ t͡sʰɐn²¹ wɔːŋ¹³ siː²²/


不尷不尬

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄚˋ

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ kä⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ kän⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ kä⁵¹/


荷蘭銀行支票

/hɔː²¹ laːn⁵⁵ ŋɐn²¹ hɔːŋ²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ pʰiːu̯³³/

Calque of English Holland bank cheque, a disguised romanisation of Cantonese 好 (hou2, “very”) + 撚 (lan2, “fucking”) + 笨柒 (ban6 cat6, “stupid”)

(Hong Kong Cantonese, humorous, euphemistic) very stupid


童子軍跳彈床——是鳩但

/tʰʊŋ²¹ t͡siː³⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ tʰiːu̯³³ taːn²² t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ siː²² kɐu̯⁵⁵ taːn²²/

Homophonous pun between scout彈／scout弹 (si6 gau1 daan6, “scout bounces”) and 是鳩但／是鸠但 (si6 gau1 daan6, “fucking whatever”), the expletive-infixed form of 是但 (si6 daan6, “whatever”).

(Hong Kong Cantonese, dated, vulgar) fucking whatever; fucking casually; don't fucking care


不見經傳

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓㄨㄢˋ

буцзяньцзинчжуань

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡syːn²²/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kiːn³³ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡syːn²²/


不哼不哈

ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄚ

/pu⁵¹ xɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ xä⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ xɤŋ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ xä⁵⁵/


不過意

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ jiː³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kʷɔː³³ jiː³³/


不教而誅

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄦˊ ㄓㄨ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

to deal out punishments without a period of instruction; to punish without prior warning


不管不顧

ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨˋ

/pu⁵¹ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kuːn³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kuː³³/

/pu⁵¹ ku̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ku⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ kuːn³⁵ pɐt̚⁵ kuː³³/


不經之談

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓ ㄊㄢˊ

буцзинчжитань

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰaːm²¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tʰän³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ tʰaːm²¹/


不解之緣

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ ㄓ ㄩㄢˊ

буцзечжиюань

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kaːi̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ kaːi̯³⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/


不即不離

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕi³⁵ pu⁵¹ li³⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɪk̚⁵ pɐt̚⁵ lei̯²¹/


斷垣殘壁

ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄩㄢˊ ㄘㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ

дуаньюаньцаньби

/tu̯än⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ pi⁵¹/

/tu̯än⁵¹ ɥɛn³⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ pi⁵¹/

dilapidated and collapsed walls; ruins of a building


斷壁殘垣

ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄘㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ

дуаньбицаньюань

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/tyːn²² pɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ wuːn²¹/

/tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ t͡sʰän³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵/

/tyːn²² pɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰaːn²¹ wuːn²¹/


不咎既往

ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄨㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi⁵¹ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³³ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

/pɐt̚⁵ kɐu̯³³ kei̯³³ wɔːŋ¹³/

let bygones be bygones
let bygones be bygones


方太教煮餸——整定

/fɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰaːi̯³³⁻³⁵ kaːu̯³³ t͡syː³⁵ sʊŋ³³ t͡sɪŋ³⁵ tɪŋ²²/

Lisa Fong is a television personality who hosts cooking shows, in which she often moves on to the next step with an identical dish that is prepared in advance, due to time constraints. Hence her method of teaching cookery is described as 整定 (zing² ding⁶, “pre-made, prepared in advance”), which has another sense of “predestined; preordained”.

Mrs. Fong teaches cooking dishes - it's made in advance

(Hong Kong Cantonese) predestined; preordained


寧為雞頭，不做鳳尾

寧爲鷄頭，不做鳳尾
宁为鸡头，不做凤尾

ㄋㄧㄥˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧ ㄊㄡˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄥˋ ㄨㄟˇ

нин вэй цзитоу

бу цзо фэнвэй

/niŋ⁵¹ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fɤŋ⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to prefer to stand out from a mediocre crowd than to be a nobody among an exceptional crowd


北角夜總會——麗池

/pɐk̚⁵ kɔːk̚³ jɛː²² t͡sʊŋ³⁵ wuːi̯²²⁻³⁵ lɐi̯²² t͡sʰiː²¹/

Pun on 麗池 (lai6 ci4, “The Ritz Night Club”) and 例遲 (lai6 ci4, “habitually late”). The former is a nightclub near North Point, and also name of a general area 麗池 (lai6 ci4, “Lai Chi”) named after the nightclub, in present-day Quarry Bay.

Nightclub in North Point:The Ritz Night Club

(Hong Kong Cantonese) habitually late; always late; frequently late


不可向邇

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄦˇ

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


歸心似箭

ㄍㄨㄟ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄙˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

гуйсиньсыцзянь

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː¹³ t͡siːn³³/

/kui³³⁻²³ sim³³⁻²³ sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ²¹³/

/ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ t͡sʰiː¹³ t͡siːn³³/

/kui³³⁻²³ sim³³⁻²³ sɯ³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sĩ²¹³/

to have one's heart set on returning home; to have an urge to return home


魚米之鄉

ㄩˊ ㄇㄧˇ ㄓ ㄒㄧㄤ

/y³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ mɐi̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

/y³⁵ mi²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵/

/jyː²¹ mɐi̯¹³ t͡siː⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵/

land where rice and fish are abundantly produced


不期而然

ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧ ㄦˊ ㄖㄢˊ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄦˊ ㄖㄢˊ

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐän³⁵/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ ʐän³⁵/

to happen unexpectedly; to turn out contrary to one's expectations


不期而會

ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

to meet unexpectedly or by chance; to have a chance encounter


老弱婦孺

ㄌㄠˇ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ jœːk̚² fuː¹³ jyː²¹/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ fu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵/

/lou̯¹³ jœːk̚² fuː¹³ jyː²¹/

the elderly, the infirm, women, and children


徒有虛名

ㄊㄨˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄩ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/tʰu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ hɵy̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

/tʰu³⁵ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/tʰou̯²¹ jɐu̯¹³ hɵy̯⁵⁵ mɪŋ²¹/

to have a reputation for something one actually lacks; having a fake reputation


歷久彌新

ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ

/li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² kɐu̯³⁵ nei̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

/li⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mi³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵/

/lɪk̚² kɐu̯³⁵ nei̯²¹ sɐn⁵⁵/

to last long and become even more vigorous as time passes


不堪其擾

ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄑㄧˊ ㄖㄠˇ

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹ kʰän⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵ ʐɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to be unable to bear a repeated disturbance


不疼不癢

ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄤˇ

/pu⁵¹ tʰɤŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹ tʰɤŋ³⁵ pu⁵¹ jɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

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

不痛不癢

not getting into the substance of the matter

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


不是玩兒的

ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄨㄢˊㄦ ˙ㄉㄜ

буши ваньр дэ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wɑɻ³⁵ d̥ə³/

/pɐt̚⁵ siː²² wuːn²² jiː²¹ tɪk̚⁵/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹ wɑɻ³⁵ d̥ə³/

/pɐt̚⁵ siː²² wuːn²² jiː²¹ tɪk̚⁵/


壯士斷腕

ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄕˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄨㄢˋ

чжуаншидуаньвань

/ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ wän⁵¹/

to decisively take drastic but necessary measures at a critical moment


直搗黃龍

ㄓˊ ㄉㄠˇ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ

чжидаохуанлун

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² tou̯³⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩³⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɪk̚² tou̯³⁵ wɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹/

Yue Fei became very delighted and said to his subordinates, "We will attack to Huanglong Prefecture (an important city of the Jurchen Empire) directly, and then let's drink our fill there!"

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

Fēi dàxǐ, yǔ qí xià yuē: “Zhídǐ Huánglóngfǔ, yǔ zhūjūn tòngyǐn ěr!”

飛大喜，語其下曰：「直抵黃龍府，與諸君痛飲爾！」

飞大喜，语其下曰：「直抵黄龙府，与诸君痛饮尔！」

to attack the enemy's headquarters or lair directly


不瘟不火

ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/pu⁵¹ wən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pu⁵¹ wən⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

(of a performance) neither dull nor overpowering; just right


勸善懲惡

ㄑㄩㄢˋ ㄕㄢˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄜˋ

ㄑㄩㄢˋ ㄕㄢˋ ㄔㄥˇ ㄜˋ

цюаньшаньчэнъэ

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/hyːn³³ siːn²² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːk̚³/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤ⁵¹/

/hyːn³³ siːn²² t͡sʰɪŋ²¹ ɔːk̚³/

zh-l

懲惡勸善／惩恶劝善 (chéng'èquànshàn)

to encourage the good and punish the wicked


冒大不韙

ㄇㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˇ

/mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²² taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯¹³/

/mɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/mou̯²² taːi̯²² pɐt̚⁵ wɐi̯¹³/

to act in defiance of universal condemnation


犯天下之大不韙

ㄈㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄓ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˇ

фань тянься чжи дабувэй

/fän⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


除笨有精

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ pɐn²² jɐu̯¹³ t͡sɛːŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ pɐn²² jɐu̯¹³ t͡sɛːŋ⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) to enjoy long-term benefits by disregarding short-term benefits


跌落地揦返拃沙

to grab a handful of sand after falling onto the ground

/tiːt̚³ lɔːk̚² tei̯²² laː³⁵ faːn⁵⁵ t͡saː²² saː⁵⁵/

/tiːt̚³ lɔːk̚² tei̯²²⁻³⁵ laː³⁵ faːn⁵⁵ t͡saː²² saː⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) to refuse to admit fault or error by suggesting that the action has a different purpose


霧裡看花

ㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄎㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚ

/u⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰän⁵¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/u⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰän⁵¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

to be unable to see the truth of the situation clearly


I go to school by bus

/aːi̯²² kou̯⁵⁵ tʰuː²² skuː⁵⁵ paːi̯²² pɐs⁵⁵/

Internet slang originated from mid-2012, adopted from an example sentence from an English textbook in Hong Kong in the 90s.

a dummy response to questions when an English answer is expected

學咗幾廿年英文仲yes no what / I go to school by bus

2018, “港女收港男皮”, performed by 農夫 [nóngfū]:

You've learned English for many years but you're still "yes", "no", "what", "I go to school by bus".

a phrase used to signify the speaker's poor understanding or lack of proficiency of English

a dummy text to be used as a placeholder for English text, such as in typesetting


母以子貴

ㄇㄨˇ ㄧˇ ㄗˇ ㄍㄨㄟˋ

/mu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/mu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

a mother becomes more respected because of her son


甜言美語

ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄩˇ

тяньяньмэйюй

/tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːm²¹ jiːn²¹ mei̯¹³ jyː¹³/

/tʰi̯ɛn³⁵ jɛn³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰiːm²¹ jiːn²¹ mei̯¹³ jyː¹³/

sweet words and honeyed phrases; cajolery


不知所終

ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄓㄨㄥ

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɔː³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

to not know what has become of someone; to not know someone's whereabouts; to not know what happened to someone


將功補過

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ kʷɔː³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ɔ⁵¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³⁵ kʷɔː³³/

to make amends for one's faults by good deeds


/jiː²² lɪŋ²¹ sei̯³³ lʊk̚²/

/jiː²² lɪŋ²¹ sei̯³³ lʊk̚²/

(Hong Kong Cantonese, figurative) very long time period; eternity


親力親為

ㄑㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄨㄟˊ

циньлициньвэй

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ li⁵¹ t͡ɕʰin⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ lɪk̚² t͡sʰɐn⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹/


做又三十六，唔做又三十六

head

做又三十六，唔做又三十六

zou⁶ jau⁶ saam¹ sap⁶ luk⁶, m⁴ zou⁶ jau⁶ saam¹ sap⁶ luk⁶

jouh yauh sāam sahp luhk, m̀h jouh yauh sāam sahp luhk

dzou⁶ jau⁶ saam¹ sap⁹ luk⁹, m⁴ dzou⁶ jau⁶ saam¹ sap⁹ luk⁹

zou⁶ yeo⁶ sam¹ seb⁶ lug⁶, m⁴ zou⁶ yeo⁶ sam¹ seb⁶ lug⁶

/t͡sou̯²² jɐu̯²² saːm⁵⁵ sɐp̚² lʊk̚² m̩²¹ t͡sou̯²² jɐu̯²² saːm⁵⁵ sɐp̚² lʊk̚²/

Under the communist social system before Chinese economic reform, most of the workers in state-owned organizations received a monthly salary of approximately 36 yuans no matter how much effort they paid.

doing [one's job, one] gets [a salary of] thirty-six, not doing [one's job, the salary is] also thirty-six

(Cantonese) the payoffs or outcomes are always the same, whether one is doing the job properly or not (suggests that one should not put effort into doing their work)


高位厚祿

ㄍㄠ ㄨㄟˋ ㄏㄡˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/kɑʊ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

high position and handsome salary; high posts with salaries to match


食住花生等睇戲

/sɪk̚² t͡syː²² faː⁵⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ tɐŋ³⁵ tʰɐi̯³⁵ hei̯³³/

According to The Encyclopedia of Virtual Communities in Hong Kong, the idiom comes from Mr. Peanut's slogan, initially intented to promote peanuts as a side dish when watching movies. The slang later used in HKGolden and spread to the other forums. Compared to get the popcorn.

to eat peanuts and wait for watching the show

(Hong Kong, Internet slang) to watch a conflict and treat it as an entertainment


好下晡

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ e³³⁻²² pɔ³³/

/ho⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ e³³⁻²² pɔ³³/

/hɔ⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ e³³⁻²² pɔ³³/

/ho⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ e³³⁻²² pɔ³³/

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


潑油救火

ㄆㄛ ㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/pʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

From the Romance of the Three Kingdoms [circa 14th century AD].

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

Jīn shǐ tā wèi xiānfēng, shì pōyóujiùhuǒ yě.

今使他為先鋒，是潑油救火也。

今使他为先锋，是泼油救火也。

pour fuel on the fire
pour fuel on the fire


口甜舌滑

/hɐu̯³⁵ tʰiːm²¹ siːt̚² waːt̚²/

/hɐu̯³⁵ tʰiːm²¹ siːt̚³ waːt̚²/

/hɐu̯³⁵ tʰiːm²¹ siːt̚² waːt̚²/

/hɐu̯³⁵ tʰiːm²¹ siːt̚³ waːt̚²/

(Cantonese, of a person) speaking sweetly; full of sweet-talk


傷害中華民族的感情

ㄕㄤ ㄏㄞˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄗㄨˊ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄍㄢˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

soeng¹ hoi⁶ zung¹ waa⁴ man⁴ zuk⁶ dik¹ gam² cing⁴

shang¹-hai⁴ Chung¹-hua² min²-tsu² tê⁵ kan³-chʻing²

шанхай Чжунхуа миньцзу дэ ганьцин

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ min³⁵ t͡su³⁵ d̥ə³ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

sēung hoih jūng wàh màhn juhk dīk gám chìhng

soeng¹ hoi⁶ dzung¹ waa⁴ man⁴ dzuk⁹ dik⁷ gam² tsing⁴

sêng¹ hoi⁶ zung¹ wa⁴ men⁴ zug⁶ dig¹ gem² qing⁴

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ waː²¹ mɐn²¹ t͡sʊk̚² tɪk̚⁵ kɐm³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

(Mainland China, officialese) to "hurt the feelings of the Chinese nation" (a phrase for registering national displeasure)


傷害14億人民感情

伤害14亿人民感情
傷害十四億人民感情

ㄕㄤ ㄏㄞˋ ㄕˊ ㄙˋ ㄧˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄍㄢˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ

soeng¹ hoi⁶ sap⁶ sei³ jik¹ jan⁴ man⁴ gam² cing⁴

shang¹-hai⁴ shih²-ssŭ⁴ i⁴ jên²-min² kan³-chʻing²

шанхай шисы и жэньминь ганьцин

/ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ sz̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ min³⁵ kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵/

sēung hoih sahp sei yīk yàhn màhn gám chìhng

soeng¹ hoi⁶ sap⁹ sei³ jik⁷ jan⁴ man⁴ gam² tsing⁴

sêng¹ hoi⁶ seb⁶ séi³ yig¹ yen⁴ men⁴ gem² qing⁴

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯²² sɐp̚² sei̯³³ jɪk̚⁵ jɐn²¹ mɐn²¹ kɐm³⁵ t͡sʰɪŋ²¹/

(Mainland China, officialese) to "hurt the feelings of 1.4 billion people" (a phrase for registering national displeasure)


公報私仇

ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄠˋ ㄙ ㄔㄡˊ

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³³ siː⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pɑʊ̯⁵¹ sz̩⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kʊŋ⁵⁵ pou̯³³ siː⁵⁵ sɐu̯²¹/

to use one's official position to avenge a personal grudge


入實驗室撳緊急掣

jap⁹ sat⁹ jim⁶ sat⁷ gam⁶ gan² gap⁷ dzai³

/jɐp̚² sɐt̚² jiːm²² sɐt̚⁵ kɐm²² kɐn³⁵ kɐp̚⁵ t͡sɐi̯³³/

to enter the laboratory and press the emergency stop button


琴瑟合鳴

ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰin³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

琴瑟和鳴 琴瑟和鳴#Chinese

琴瑟和鸣 琴瑟和鸣#Chinese

Alternative form of 琴瑟和鳴／琴瑟和鸣 (qínsèhémíng)


王車易位

ㄨㄤˊ ㄐㄩ ㄧˋ ㄨㄟˋ

ㄨㄤˊ ㄔㄜ ㄧˋ ㄨㄟˋ

ван цзюй ивэй

/wɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɔːŋ²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ jɪk̚² wɐi̯²²⁻³⁵/

/wɑŋ³⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤ⁵⁵ i⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/wɔːŋ²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ jɪk̚² wɐi̯²²⁻³⁵/


分文不取

ㄈㄣ ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩˇ

фэньвэньбуцюй

/fən⁵⁵ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐn⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/

/fən⁵⁵ wən³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fɐn⁵⁵ mɐn²¹ pɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯³⁵/


害人害己

ㄏㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄞˋ ㄐㄧˇ

хайжэньхайцзи

/xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ hɔːi̯²² kei̯³⁵/

/xaɪ̯⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ xaɪ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɔːi̯²² jɐn²¹ hɔːi̯²² kei̯³⁵/


丟雷樓某

ㄉㄧㄡ ㄌㄟˊ ㄌㄡˊ ㄇㄡˇ

/ti̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ leɪ̯³⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ moʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ti̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ leɪ̯³⁵ loʊ̯³⁵ moʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

Jocular approximation of Cantonese 屌你老母 (diu² nei⁵ lou⁵ mou⁵⁻², “fuck your mother; fuck you”).


濟濟一堂

ㄐㄧˇ ㄐㄧˇ ㄧ ㄊㄤˊ

/t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

/t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

/t͡sɐi̯³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ tʰɔːŋ²¹/

many people gather together in the same place


摙春袋

/liːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²²/

/liːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²²⁻³⁵/

/liːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²²/

/liːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵn⁵⁵ tɔːi̯²²⁻³⁵/

Literally "to have one's scrotum gripped or pressed by someone else". Compare English soft underbelly.

(Cantonese) to have one's weak spot in someone else's hands


一日最衰

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚² t͡sɵy̯³³ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ jɐt̚² t͡sɵy̯³³ sɵy̯⁵⁵/

I don't have anything to eat! It's all your fault

jat¹ jat⁶ zeoi³ seoi¹ dou¹ hai⁶ nei⁵, gaau² dou³ ngo⁵ mou⁵ faan⁶ sik⁶!

一日最衰都係你，搞到我冇飯食！

一日最衰都系你，搞到我冇饭食！

It's all because of Occupy Central! Blame them!

jat¹ jat⁶ zeoi³ seoi¹ dou¹ hai⁶ zim³ zung¹!

一日最衰都係佔中！

一日最衰都系占中！

to blame someone; to attribute responsibility to someone


老蓮咁遠

/lou̯¹³ liːn²¹⁻³⁵ kɐm³³ jyːn¹³/

/lou̯¹³ liːn²¹⁻³⁵ kɐm³³ jyːn¹³/


爺青回

ㄧㄝˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄏㄨㄟˊ

/jɛ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵/

/jɛ³⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ xu̯eɪ̯³⁵/

爺的青春回來了。

爷的青春回来了。

Used to express one's excitedness when having seen something that had been popular in former times and carries one's memory of former times reappears, reoccurs or gets popular again.


扲荷包

/ŋɐm²¹ hɔː²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵/

/ŋɐm²¹ hɔː²¹ paːu̯⁵⁵/


阿媽都唔認得

even one's mother could not recognize [them]

/aː³³ maː⁵⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ m̩²¹ jɪŋ²² tɐk̚⁵/

/aː³³ maː⁵⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ m̩²¹ jɪŋ²² tɐk̚⁵/

After I bought [the flat] and decorated it, [its price] rose for some time. Then the Asian financial crisis came, and [the price] plummeted awfully.

ngo⁵ maai⁵ liu⁵ zong¹ sau¹ zi¹ hau⁶, sing¹ liu⁵ jat¹ zan⁶, zip³ zoek⁶ aa³ zau¹ gam¹ jung⁴ fung¹ bou⁶ loi⁴ dou³, dit³ dou³ aa³ maa¹ dou¹ m⁴ jing⁶ dak¹.

我買了裝修之後，升了一陣，接着亞洲金融風暴來到，跌到阿媽都唔認得。

我买了装修之后，升了一阵，接着亚洲金融风暴来到，跌到阿妈都唔认得。

When I got back home, I told mom that I was kicked out from school. This infuriated her and she immediately beat me up very awfully.

2016, Gill Mohindepaul Singh, 香港製造 [Made in Hong Kong], page 30

ngo⁵ faan¹ dou³ uk¹ kei² tung⁴ aa³ maa¹ gong² ji⁵ ging¹ gon² zo² ceot¹ haau³, gik¹ dou³ aa³ maa¹ zik¹ hak¹ daa² zo² ngo⁵ jat¹ caan¹, zan¹ hai⁶ daa² dou³ aa³ maa¹ dou¹ m⁴ jing⁶ dak¹.

我返到屋企同阿媽講已經趕咗出校，激到阿媽即刻打咗我一餐，真係打到阿媽都唔認得。

我返到屋企同阿妈讲已经赶咗出校，激到阿妈即刻打咗我一餐，真系打到阿妈都唔认得。

The policemen and firefighters have not much to do, [while] the paramedics (over)work awfully.

2021, 梁寶龍, 政府內部的吶喊──香港公務員工運口述史, page 186

aa³ soe⁴, siu¹ fong⁴ jyun⁴ mou⁵ mat¹ je⁵ zou⁶, gau³ wu⁶ jyun⁴ zou⁶ dou³ aa³ maa¹ dou¹ m⁴ jing⁶ dak¹.

阿SIR、消防員無乜嘢做，救護員做到阿媽都唔認得。

阿SIR、消防员无乜嘢做，救护员做到阿妈都唔认得。

(Cantonese, figuratively, humorous, with 到) awfully; extremely; terribly


深居簡出

ㄕㄣ ㄐㄩ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄔㄨ

шэньцзюйцзяньчу

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ kaːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

/ʂən⁵⁵ t͡ɕy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kɵy̯⁵⁵ kaːn³⁵ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵/

to live a secluded life and rarely come out of one's home


揦手唔成勢

/laː³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ m̩²¹ sɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³/

/laː³⁵ sɐu̯³⁵ m̩²¹ sɪŋ²¹ sɐi̯³³/

(Cantonese) unable to cope with or deal with a task or problem, especially due to lack of preparation


倒瀉籮蟹

(be like) crabs spilled out of the basket

/tou̯³⁵ sɛː³⁵ lɔː²¹ haːi̯¹³/

/tou̯³⁵ sɛː³⁵ lɔː²¹ haːi̯¹³/


海底石斑——好瘀

/hɔːi̯³⁵ tɐi̯³⁵ sɛːk̚² paːn⁵⁵ hou̯³⁵ jyː³⁵/

Pun on homophone pair 好瘀 (hou2 jyu2, “very embarrassing”) and 好魚／好鱼 (hou2 jyu4-2, “good fish”).

grouper from the bottom of the sea—very embarrassing


阿媽係女人

/aː³³ maː⁵⁵ hɐi̯²² nɵy̯¹³ jɐn²¹⁻³⁵/

/aː³³ maː⁵⁵ hɐi̯²² nɵy̯¹³ jɐn²¹⁻³⁵/

And water is wet!
(literally, “Who doesn't know that your mom is a woman?”)

gwai² m⁴ zi¹ nei⁵ aa³ maa¹ hai⁶ neoi⁵ jan⁴⁻²!

鬼唔知你阿媽係女人！

鬼唔知你阿妈系女人！

(Cantonese, sarcastic) water is wet; something obvious


一家便宜兩家著

一家便宜两家着
一家便宜兩家着

/jɐt̚⁵ kaː⁵⁵ pʰiːn²¹ jiː²¹ lœːŋ¹³ kaː⁵⁵ t͡sœːk̚²/


過目不忘

ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄤˋ

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔː³³ mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/

/ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ mu⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ wɑŋ⁵¹/

/kʷɔː³³ mʊk̚² pɐt̚⁵ mɔːŋ²¹/


後會無期

ㄏㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧ

ㄏㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² wuːi̯²² mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵/

/xoʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ u³⁵ t͡ɕʰi³⁵/

/hɐu̯²² wuːi̯²² mou̯²¹ kʰei̯²¹/

to not know when paths will cross once more


軟硬兼施

ㄖㄨㄢˇ ㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄕ

жуаньин цзяньши

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jyːn¹³ ŋaːŋ²² kiːm⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/jyːn¹³ ŋaːŋ²² kiːm⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/


笑而不答

ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄚˊ

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tä³⁵/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pu⁵¹ tä³⁵/

Wèn yú héyì qī Bìshān, xiào'érbùdá xīn zì xián.

問余何意棲碧山，笑而不答心自閒。

问余何意栖碧山，笑而不答心自闲。

to only smile but not answer the question


天涯地角

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄧㄚˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

тянья дицзяо

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ jä³⁵ ti⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ jä³⁵ ti⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

From 《武皇帝作相時與嶺南酋豪書》 "Writing about When Emperor Wu was still a Minister and the Lingnan Chieftains" by 徐陵 (Xu Ling)

lang

《武皇帝作相時與嶺南酋豪書》

《武皇帝作相時與嶺南酋豪書》

Tiānyá miǎomiǎo, dìjiǎo yōuyōu, yánmiàn wúyóu, dàn yǐ qíng qǐ.

天涯藐藐，地角悠悠，言面無由，但以情企。

天涯藐藐，地角悠悠，言面无由，但以情企。


餐風宿露

ㄘㄢ ㄈㄥ ㄙㄨˋ ㄌㄨˋ

/t͡sʰän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ su⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

/t͡sʰän⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ su⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu⁵¹/

to endure the hardship of living and travelling out in the wild


殘杯冷炙

ㄘㄢˊ ㄅㄟ ㄌㄥˇ ㄓˋ

цаньбэйлэнчжи

/t͡sʰän³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰän³⁵ peɪ̯⁵⁵ lɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹/


斷編殘簡

ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄘㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄢˇ

дуаньбяньцаньцзянь

/tu̯än⁵¹ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sʰän³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


殘編斷簡

ㄘㄢˊ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄢˇ

цаньбяньдуаньцзянь

/t͡sʰän³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tu̯än⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


晏歇會

/e³³ ɕiɪʔ⁵⁵ ɦue²¹/

/e³³ ɕiɪʔ⁵⁵ ɦue²¹/


一陣見

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐn²² kiːn³³/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sɐn²² kiːn³³/


殘垣斷壁

ㄘㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄧˋ

цаньюаньдуаньби

/t͡sʰän³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ wuːn²¹ tyːn²² pɪk̚⁵/

/t͡sʰän³⁵ ɥɛn³⁵ tu̯än⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ wuːn²¹ tyːn²² pɪk̚⁵/


殘渣餘孽

ㄘㄢˊ ㄓㄚ ㄩˊ ㄋㄧㄝˋ

/t͡sʰän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä⁵⁵ y³⁵ ni̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ t͡saː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiːp̚²/

/t͡sʰän³⁵ ʈ͡ʂä⁵⁵ y³⁵ ni̯ɛ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaːn²¹ t͡saː⁵⁵ jyː²¹ jiːp̚²/


沁人心脾

ㄑㄧㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄆㄧˊ

циньжэньсиньпи

/t͡ɕʰin⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pʰi³⁵/

/sɐm³³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰei̯²¹/

/t͡ɕʰin⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ pʰi³⁵/

/sɐm³³ jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ pʰei̯²¹/


嘴硬心軟

ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄖㄨㄢˇ

цзуйинсиньжуань

/t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ⁵¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯³⁵ ŋaːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn¹³/

/t͡sɵy̯³⁵ ŋaːŋ²² sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn¹³/

to have a foul mouth hiding a soft heart


轉危為安

ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄨㄟ ㄨㄟˊ ㄢ

чжуаньвэйвэйань

/ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ˀän⁵⁵/

to transform peril into safety; to avert a danger (especially if political or medical)


敲骨吸髓

ㄑㄧㄠ ㄍㄨˇ ㄒㄧ ㄙㄨㄟˇ

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ku²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵ su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/haːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚⁵ sɵy̯¹³/

/haːu̯⁵⁵ kʷɐt̚⁵ kʰɐp̚⁵ sɵy̯¹³/


相得益彰

ㄒㄧㄤ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ ㄓㄤ

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jɪk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ tɤ³⁵ i⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵/

/sœːŋ⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ jɪk̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻²² tiɪk̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/siɔŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

/siaŋ⁴⁴⁻³³ tit̚³²⁻⁴ iɪk̚³²⁻⁴ t͡siɔŋ⁴⁴/

Based on a passage in Records of the Grand Historian [circa 2nd century AD].

Yí, shū qí suī xián, dé fūzǐ ér míng yì zhāng.

夷、叔齊雖賢，得夫子而名益彰。

夷、叔齐虽贤，得夫子而名益彰。

to help and complement each other so both can hone their talents better


食鹽多過食米

/sɪk̚² jiːm²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ kʷɔː³³ sɪk̚² mɐi̯¹³/

我食鹽多過你食米！

我食盐多过你食米！

(Cantonese) to be experienced (especially in one's life, commonly used when a senior is criticizing a junior)


客廳吊草蓆——唔是畫

/kʰeʔ²⁻⁴ tʰĩã³³⁻²³ tiou²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sʰau⁵²⁻³⁵ t͡sʰioʔ⁴ m³⁵⁻¹¹ si³⁵⁻¹¹ ue¹¹/

唔是畫 (m⁶ si⁶ uê⁷, “not a painting”) is a pun on the homophone 唔是話 (m⁶ si⁶ uê⁷, “not words”).

(Teochew) for something to be amiss with one's words


狗頭軍師

ㄍㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄕ

гоутоуцзюньши

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ kʷɐn⁵⁵ siː⁵⁵/

an incompetent person who likes to give suggestions to others


含著骨頭露著肉

ㄏㄢˊ ˙ㄓㄜ ㄍㄨˇ ˙ㄊㄡ ㄌㄡˋ ˙ㄓㄜ ㄖㄡˋ

ㄏㄢˊ ˙ㄓㄜ ㄍㄨˊ ˙ㄊㄡ ㄌㄡˋ ˙ㄓㄜ ㄖㄡˋ

ханьчжэ гутоу лоучжэ жоу

/xän³⁵ ɖ͡ʐ̥ə³ ku²¹⁴ tʰoʊ̯⁴ loʊ̯⁵¹ ɖ͡ʐ̥ə¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹/

/xän³⁵ ɖ͡ʐ̥ə³ ku³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³ loʊ̯⁵¹ ɖ͡ʐ̥ə¹ ʐoʊ̯⁵¹/

to mutter and mumble; to speak hesitantly without fully explaining oneself


粉墨登場

ㄈㄣˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄉㄥ ㄔㄤˇ

ㄈㄣˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄉㄥ ㄔㄤˊ

фэньмодэнчан

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ tɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ tɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐn³⁵ mɐk̚² tɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/fən²¹⁴⁻²¹ mu̯ɔ⁵¹ tɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵/

/fɐn³⁵ mɐk̚² tɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/


透堂白日

/tʰau²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tɯŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peʔ⁴⁻² d͡zik̚⁴/

/tʰau²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tɯŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peʔ⁴⁻² d͡zek̚⁴/

/tʰau²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tɯŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peʔ⁴⁻² d͡zik̚⁴/

/tʰau²¹³⁻⁵⁵ tɯŋ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ peʔ⁴⁻² d͡zek̚⁴/


扭虧為盈

ㄋㄧㄡˇ ㄎㄨㄟ ㄨㄟˊ ㄧㄥˊ

/ni̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/nɐu̯³⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

/ni̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/nɐu̯³⁵ kʷʰɐi̯⁵⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɪŋ²¹/

to turn loss into gain; to be back in the black


禍福相依

ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄧ

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ fu³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ i⁵⁵/

/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ fu³⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹ i⁵⁵/

fortune and misfortune are interdependent (bad things can lead to good results; good things can lead to bad results)


痴男怨女

ㄔ ㄋㄢˊ ㄩㄢˋ ㄋㄩˇ

чинаньюаньнюй

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ nän³⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


怨女曠夫

ㄩㄢˋ ㄋㄩˇ ㄎㄨㄤˋ ㄈㄨ

юаньнюй куанфу

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ fu⁵⁵/

/ɥɛn⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ fu⁵⁵/

a grieving woman and a desolate man (a woman without a husband and a man without a wife)


曠夫怨女

ㄎㄨㄤˋ ㄈㄨ ㄩㄢˋ ㄋㄩˇ

куанфу юаньнюй

/kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kʰu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ fu⁵⁵ ɥɛn⁵¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

怨女曠夫 怨女曠夫#Chinese

怨女旷夫 怨女旷夫#Chinese

Alternative form of 怨女曠夫／怨女旷夫 (yuànnǚ kuàngfū)


說的是呢

ㄕㄨㄛ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄕˋ ˙ㄋㄜ

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ d̥ə² ʂʐ̩⁵¹ nə¹/

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ d̥ə² ʂʐ̩⁵¹ nə¹/

Phono-semantic matching of Japanese そうですね.


自掘墳墓

ㄗˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄈㄣˊ ㄇㄨˋ

цзыцзюэфэньму

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ fən³⁵ mu⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² kʷɐt̚² fɐn²¹ mou̯²²/

/t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ fən³⁵ mu⁵¹/

/t͡siː²² kʷɐt̚² fɐn²¹ mou̯²²/

to court self-destruction; to dig one's own grave

2015 May 29, Oriental Daily News (Malaysia), 男子被逼“自掘坟墓” 随后遭IS斩首 (Man was Forced to Dig His Own Tomb, Then Executed by ISIS):

Disgusting video was leaked from the militant organization ISIS from yesterday, where they forced a man to dig his own tomb, then beheaded him in front of his own tomb.

Wǔzhuāng zǔzhī “yīsīlánguó” zài zuórì yòu yǒu zuìxīn èxīn yǐngxiàng liúchū, zhècì tāmen bī yī míng nánzǐ zìjuéfénmù, suíhòu jiāng gāi míng nánzǐ zài zì wā de fénmù qián zhǎnshǒu.

武裝組織“伊斯蘭國”在昨日又有最新噁心影像流出，這次他們逼一名男子自掘墳墓，隨後將該名男子在自挖的墳墓前斬首。

武装组织“伊斯兰国”在昨日又有最新𫫇心影像流出，这次他们逼一名男子自掘坟墓，随后将该名男子在自挖的坟墓前斩首。

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 自, 掘 (jué), 坟墓 (fénmù).


陳芝麻爛穀子

ㄔㄣˊ ㄓ ˙ㄇㄚ ㄌㄢˋ ㄍㄨˇ ˙ㄗ

чэнь чжима лань гуцзы

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mä² län⁵¹ ku²¹⁴ d͡z̥z̩⁴/


陳穀子爛芝麻

ㄔㄣˊ ㄍㄨˇ ˙ㄗ ㄌㄢˋ ㄓ ˙ㄇㄚ

чэнь гуцзы лань чжима

/ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ ku²¹⁴ d͡z̥z̩⁴ län⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ mä²/

/t͡sʰɐn²¹ kʊk̚⁵ t͡siː³⁵ laːn²² t͡siː⁵⁵ maː²¹/

陳芝麻爛穀子 陳芝麻爛穀子#Chinese

陈芝麻烂谷子 陈芝麻烂谷子#Chinese

Synonym of 陳芝麻爛穀子／陈芝麻烂谷子 (chén zhīma làn gǔzi, “dated and inconsequential affairs”)


幾斤幾兩

ㄐㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄤˇ

цзицзиньцзилян

/t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

one's weight; (figuratively) the extent of one's abilities or status


風清氣正

ㄈㄥ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓㄥˋ

фэнцинцичжэн

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/hoŋ³³⁻²³ t͡sʰeŋ³³⁻²³ kʰi²¹³⁻⁵⁵ t͡sĩã²¹³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/


望而卻步

ㄨㄤˋ ㄦˊ ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄅㄨˋ

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² jiː²¹ kʰœːk̚³ pou̯²²/

/wɑŋ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹/

/mɔːŋ²² jiː²¹ kʰœːk̚³ pou̯²²/


磨穿鐵硯

ㄇㄛˊ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄧㄢˋ

мочуаньтеянь

/mu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹/

/mɔː²¹ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ tʰiːt̚³ jiːn²²/

/mu̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹/

/mɔː²¹ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ tʰiːt̚³ jiːn²²/

(figuratively) to show extreme diligence in one's studies


虎口奪食

ㄏㄨˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄕˊ

/xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu̯ɔ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

to be extremely brave; to take an enormous risk


遮天蔽日

ㄓㄜ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄅㄧˋ ㄖˋ

/ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pɐi̯³³ jɐt̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂɤ⁵⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ pi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɛː⁵⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ pɐi̯³³ jɐt̚²/


喜憂參半

ㄒㄧˇ ㄧㄡ ㄘㄢ ㄅㄢˋ

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰän⁵⁵ pän⁵¹/

/ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ joʊ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰän⁵⁵ pän⁵¹/

to have a mixture of happy and sad feelings


德不配位

ㄉㄜˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄟˋ ㄨㄟˋ

/tɤ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pʰeɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹/

/tɤ³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ pʰeɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ weɪ̯⁵¹/

to have talents that are a poor fit for one's job


藏龍臥虎

ㄘㄤˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨˇ

/t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ wɔ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ ŋɔː²² fuː³⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ wɔ⁵¹ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ²¹ lʊŋ²¹ ŋɔː²² fuː³⁵/

to have many hidden talented individuals


就事論事

ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄕˋ ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄕˋ

/t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯ən⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sɐu̯²² siː²² lɵn²² siː²²/

/t͡siu³⁵⁻¹¹ sɯ¹¹ luŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sɯ¹¹/

/t͡sɐu̯²² siː²² lɵn²² siː²²/

/t͡siu³⁵⁻¹¹ sɯ¹¹ luŋ³⁵⁻¹¹ sɯ¹¹/

to consider the matter in isolation; to judge the case as it stands (and not a specific individual)


馬照跑，舞照跳

/mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹ pʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/maː¹³ t͡siːu̯³³ pʰaːu̯³⁵ mou̯¹³ t͡siːu̯³³ tʰiːu̯³³/

From comments made by Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s on the handover of Hong Kong

Horses will continue to run (referring to horse racing and gambling), stocks will continue to be speculated upon, and dancing (at nightclubs) will continue to go on.

馬照跑，股照炒，舞照跳

马照跑，股照炒，舞照跳

running of horses and dancing [of people] will go on

How much danger is Taiwan in? Our countrymen can't simply dismiss this issue and live a normal life, with horse racing and dancing proceeding as usual.

2022 September 15, 中國對台威脅全面升級 台灣人別無感 United Daily News

Táiwān yǒu duō wēixiǎn? Bùshì guórén shēnghuó zhàocháng, mǎzhàopǎowǔzhàotiào, jiù néng shìhuái de.

台灣有多危險？不是國人生活照常、馬照跑舞照跳，就能釋懷的。

台湾有多危险？不是国人生活照常、马照跑舞照跳，就能释怀的。

one country, two systems
one country, two systems

the maintenance of one country, two systems; more broadly, the continuation of the status quo


死而復生

ㄙˇ ㄦˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕㄥ

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ fu⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ jiː²¹ fʊk̚² sɐŋ⁵⁵/

to become alive after death; to resurrect


牛頭不對馬嘴

ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄇㄚˇ ㄗㄨㄟˇ

нютоубудуймацзуй

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹ mä²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡su̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ tʰɐu̯²¹ pɐt̚⁵ tɵy̯³³ maː¹³ t͡sɵy̯³⁵/

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


犬馬之勞

ㄑㄩㄢˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄓ ㄌㄠˊ

цюаньмачжилао

/t͡ɕʰy̯ɛn²¹⁴⁻³⁵ mä²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯³⁵/

Xuándé yuē: “Gōng jì fèngzhào tǎozéi, Bèi gǎn bù xiào quǎnmǎzhīláo?”

玄德曰：「公既奉詔討賊，備敢不效犬馬之勞？」

玄德曰：「公既奉诏讨贼，备敢不效犬马之劳？」

humble and faithful service to one's master (e.g. the emperor)


一擺半擺

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² pai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ puã²¹⁻⁴¹ pai⁴¹/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² pai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pai⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² pai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ puã¹¹⁻⁵³ pai⁵³/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² mai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mai⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² pai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ puã²¹⁻⁴¹ pai⁴¹/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² pai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ pai⁵⁵⁴/

/t͡sit̚⁴⁻³² pai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ puã¹¹⁻⁵³ pai⁵³/

/t͡sit̚²⁴⁻² mai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ puã⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ mai⁵⁵⁴/


孤燕不成夏

ㄍㄨ ㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

гуяньбучэнся

/ku⁵⁵ jɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/ku⁵⁵ jɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

Calque of English one swallow does not a summer make.

cal

one swallow does not a summer make#English


獨燕不成夏

ㄉㄨˊ ㄧㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ

дуяньбучэнся

/tu³⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/

/tu³⁵ jɛn⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹/


先工作後玩樂

ㄒㄧㄢ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄡˋ ㄨㄢˊ ㄌㄜˋ

сянь гунцзо хоу ваньлэ

/ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ kʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ xoʊ̯⁵¹ wän³⁵ lɤ⁵¹/

business before pleasure
business before pleasure#English


反轉豬肚就係屎

turning a pig's stomach inside out, it is all poop

/faːn³⁵ t͡syːn³³ t͡syː⁵⁵ tʰou̯¹³ t͡sɐu̯²² hɐi̯²² siː³⁵/

(Cantonese, idiomatic, of a friend) to reveal one's disloyalty without notice


黃湯辣水

ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄊㄤ ㄌㄚˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

хуантанлашуй

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ lä⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːt̚² sɵy̯³⁵/

/xu̯ɑŋ³⁵ tʰɑŋ⁵⁵ lä⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/wɔːŋ²¹ tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ laːt̚² sɵy̯³⁵/


清光滑辣

ㄑㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄌㄚˋ

цингуанхуала

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ waːt̚² laːt̚²/

/t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵ ku̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ lä⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɪŋ⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ waːt̚² laːt̚²/


圖謀不軌

ㄊㄨˊ ㄇㄡˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄟˇ

/tʰu³⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰu³⁵ moʊ̯³⁵ pu⁵¹ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


油腔滑調

ㄧㄡˊ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄏㄨㄚˊ ㄉㄧㄠˋ

/joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ waːt̚² tiːu̯²²/

/joʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ä³⁵ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/jɐu̯²¹ hɔːŋ⁵⁵ waːt̚² tiːu̯²²/

for one's words to be unserious and insincere


曾經滄海

ㄘㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ

цэнцзинцанхай

/t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ kɪŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵/

been there, done that
been there, done that


曾幾何時

ㄘㄥˊ ㄐㄧˇ ㄏㄜˊ ㄕˊ

/t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ kei̯³⁵ hɔː²¹ siː²¹/

/t͡sʰɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕi²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤ³⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/t͡sʰɐŋ²¹ kei̯³⁵ hɔː²¹ siː²¹/


返鄉下

/faːn⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵ haː²²⁻³⁵/

/faːn⁵⁵ hœːŋ⁵⁵ haː²²⁻³⁵/

(Hong Kong Cantonese, humorous) to travel abroad to popular holiday destinations (usually Japan)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 返 (fǎn), 鄉下／乡下.


貪小便宜

ㄊㄢ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄆㄧㄢˊ ˙ㄧ

ㄊㄢ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄆㄧㄢˊ ㄧˊ

таньсяопяньи

/tʰän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³/

/tʰän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ pʰiːn²¹ jiː²¹⁻³⁵/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ pʰiːn²¹ jiː²¹/

/tʰän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³/

/tʰän⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi̯ɛn³⁵ i³⁵/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ pʰiːn²¹ jiː²¹⁻³⁵/

/tʰaːm⁵⁵ siːu̯³⁵ pʰiːn²¹ jiː²¹/


面有菜色

ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄘㄞˋ ㄙㄜˋ

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/miːn²² jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³³ sɪk̚⁵/

/mi̯ɛn⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰaɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ sɤ⁵¹/

/miːn²² jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰɔːi̯³³ sɪk̚⁵/

to have a sallow complexion and look famished


風雨如晦

ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ

фэнъюйжухуэй

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ jyː²¹ fuːi̯³³/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐu³⁵ xu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ jyː¹³ jyː²¹ fuːi̯³³/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 90 (《詩經·鄭風·風雨》)

lang

(《詩經·鄭風·風雨》)

(《詩經·鄭風·風雨》)

Through the wind and rain all looks dark, And the cock crows without ceasing.
But I have seen my husband, And how should I not rejoice?

Fēngyǔ rú huì, jīmíng bùyǐ.
Jì jiàn jūnzǐ, yún hú bù xǐ.

風雨如晦，雞鳴不已。
既見君子，云胡不喜。

风雨如晦，鸡鸣不已。
既见君子，云胡不喜。


無聲無說

/bo²⁴⁻²² siã³³ bo²⁴⁻²² səʔ⁵/

/bo²⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² seʔ³²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ seʔ³²/

/bo¹³⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² sueʔ³²/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ sueʔ³²/

/bo²⁴⁻²² siã³³ bo²⁴⁻²² səʔ⁵/

/bo²⁴⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² bo²⁴⁻²² seʔ³²/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ seʔ³²/

/bo¹³⁻²² siã⁴⁴⁻²² bo¹³⁻²² sueʔ³²/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ siã⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³⁻³³ sueʔ³²/

(Hokkien) quiet; silent; not making a sound


放屁辣臊

ㄈㄤˋ ㄆㄧˋ ㄌㄚˋ ㄙㄠ

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lä⁵¹ sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ pʰei̯³³ laːt̚² sou̯⁵⁵/

/fɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ pʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ lä⁵¹ sɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fɔːŋ³³ pʰei̯³³ laːt̚² sou̯⁵⁵/


蹄疾步穩

ㄊㄧˊ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˇ

/tʰi³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ pu⁵¹ wən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/tʰi³⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ pu⁵¹ wən²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


薑桂老辣

ㄐㄧㄤ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄌㄠˇ ㄌㄚˋ

цзянгуйлаола

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lä⁵¹/

/kœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ lou̯¹³ laːt̚²/

/t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯⁵¹ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ lä⁵¹/

/kœːŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³³ lou̯¹³ laːt̚²/


穩中求進

ㄨㄣˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ

вэньчжунцюцзинь

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/wɐn³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sɵn³³/

/wən²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹/

/wɐn³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ kʰɐu̯²¹ t͡sɵn³³/

to seek further progress on the basis of stability


敢為人先

ㄍㄢˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄢ

ганьвэйжэньсянь

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɐm³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ siːn⁵⁵/

/kän²¹⁴⁻²¹ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐən³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kɐm³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐn²¹ siːn⁵⁵/

to have the courage to do what others have not done; to have the courage to take the lead


只爭朝夕

ㄓˇ ㄓㄥ ㄓㄠ ㄒㄧˋ

чжичжэнчжаоси

čžičžɛnčžaosi

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ t͡sɪk̚²/


飛禽走獸

ㄈㄟ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄗㄡˇ ㄕㄡˋ

фэйциньцзоушоу

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ kʰɐm²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂoʊ̯⁵¹/

/fei̯⁵⁵ kʰɐm²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ sɐu̯³³/


招風招雨

чжаофэнчжаоюй

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³/

/ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siːu̯⁵⁵ jyː¹³/


躊躇不前

ㄔㄡˊ ㄔㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu³⁵ pu⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵/

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


認祖歸宗

ㄖㄣˋ ㄗㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄗㄨㄥ

жэньцзугуйцзун

/ʐən⁵¹ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɪŋ²² t͡sou̯³⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/ʐən⁵¹ t͡su²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

/jɪŋ²² t͡sou̯³⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵/

(of an adopted child) to find and acknowledge one's ancestors and restore their original surname

(of someone who lives in a foreign place) to return to one's ancestral home


眾望所歸

ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄤˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄍㄨㄟ

чжунвансогуй

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ mɔːŋ²² sɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ wɑŋ⁵¹ su̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯eɪ̯⁵⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ³³ mɔːŋ²² sɔː³⁵ kʷɐi̯⁵⁵/


靜水流深

ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄣ

цзиншуйлюшэнь

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵ ʂən⁵⁵/

still waters run deep
still waters run deep


啟者

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡ɕʰi²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


藍色窗簾

ㄌㄢˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄔㄨㄤ ㄌㄧㄢˊ

ланьсэ чуанлянь

/län³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/laːm²¹ sɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ liːm²¹⁻³⁵/

/län³⁵ sɤ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ li̯ɛn³⁵/

/laːm²¹ sɪk̚⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ⁵⁵ liːm²¹⁻³⁵/

Said to originate from an exam question in which the candidates were asked to explain why the author mentioned that the window curtains are blue in colour.

(originally Internet slang) to overinterpret the author's intention; to incorrectly read the author's mind


呃蝦條

/ŋaːk̚⁵ haː⁵⁵ tʰiːu̯²¹⁻³⁵/

/ŋaːk̚⁵ haː⁵⁵ tʰiːu̯²¹⁻³⁵/

Pun on the near homophonous vulgar phrase 呃閪屌 (ngaak1 hai1 diu2, “to fool a girl into having sex with one”, literally “to swindle a vulva in order to fuck it”).

zh-m

(Cantonese, minced oath, euphemistic, sometimes humorous) to fool a girl into having sex with one


早日康復

ㄗㄠˇ ㄖˋ ㄎㄤ ㄈㄨˋ

цзаожи канфу

/t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐ̩⁵¹ kʰɑŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ jɐt̚² hɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚²/

/t͡sɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐ̩⁵¹ kʰɑŋ⁵⁵ fu⁵¹/

/t͡sou̯³⁵ jɐt̚² hɔːŋ⁵⁵ fʊk̚²/


好唔好

/hou̯³⁵ m̩²¹ hou̯³⁵/

/hou̯³⁵ m̩²¹ hou̯³⁵/


掇臀捧屁

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄊㄨㄣˊ ㄆㄥˇ ㄆㄧˋ

ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄊㄨㄣˊ ㄆㄥˇ ㄆㄧˋ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ən³⁵ pʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹/

/tu̯ɔ³⁵ tʰu̯ən³⁵ pʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹/

/t͡syːt̚³ tʰyːn²¹ pʰʊŋ³⁵ pʰei̯³³/

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ tʰu̯ən³⁵ pʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹/

/tu̯ɔ³⁵ tʰu̯ən³⁵ pʰɤŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹/

/t͡syːt̚³ tʰyːn²¹ pʰʊŋ³⁵ pʰei̯³³/


摸老虎屁股

ㄇㄛ ㄌㄠˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄆㄧˋ ˙ㄍㄨ

мо лаоху пигу

/mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹ g̊u¹/

/mɔː³⁵ lou̯¹³ fuː³⁵ pʰei̯³³ kuː³⁵/

/mu̯ɔ⁵⁵ lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰi⁵¹ g̊u¹/

/mɔː³⁵ lou̯¹³ fuː³⁵ pʰei̯³³ kuː³⁵/

(Mainland China, figurative, colloquial) to offend an influential person


賴地硬

/laːi̯²² tei̯²² ŋaːŋ²²/

/laːi̯²² tei̯²² ŋaːŋ²²/

Short for 屙屎唔出賴地硬／屙屎唔出赖地硬. The original phrase is considered slightly vulgar.

zh-etym-short

Short for 屙屎唔出賴地硬／屙屎唔出赖地硬

a bad workman always blames his tools
a bad workman always blames his tools

(Cantonese) to always look for excuses upon failure rather than reflecting on oneself; a bad workman always blames his tools


𣍐曉駛船嫌溪彎

袂曉駛船嫌溪彎
𫧃晓驶船嫌溪弯

blame the river for being too crooked when one is unable to sail a boat

/bue²²⁻²¹ hiau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sun²⁴ hiam²⁴⁻²² kʰue⁴⁴ uan⁴⁴/

/bue²² hiau⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ sai⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡sun²⁴ hiam²⁴⁻²² kʰue³³ uan³³/

/be³³⁻²¹ hiau⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sai⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sun²³ hiam²³⁻³³ kʰe⁴⁴ uan⁴⁴/

/be²²⁻²¹ hiau⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sai⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sun¹³ hiam¹³⁻²² kʰe⁴⁴ uan⁴⁴/

(Hokkien, figurative) to always blame others upon failure rather than reflecting on oneself; a bad workman always blames his tools


屙屎唔出賴地硬

痾屎唔出賴地硬
屙屎唔出赖地硬

blame the floor for being too hard when one is unable to poop

/ɔː⁵⁵ siː³⁵ m̩²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ laːi̯²² tei̯²² ŋaːŋ²²/


插翅難逃

even with wings it would be difficult to escape

ㄔㄚ ㄔˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄊㄠˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ nän³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵¹ nän³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯³⁵/


說一套做一套

ㄕㄨㄛ ㄧ ㄊㄠˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧ ㄊㄠˋ

shuō yī tào zuò yī tào [Phonetic:shuō yí tào zuò yí tào]

шо и тао цзо и тао

/ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/


一家唔知一家事

/jɐt̚⁵ kaː⁵⁵ m̩²¹ t͡siː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ kaː⁵⁵ siː²²/

(Cantonese) Outsiders have no idea what happens within a family


插槓子

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵⁵ kɑŋ⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹/

(figurative, chiefly derogatory) to interfere; to interrupt; to cut in; to have a hand in at a wrong time


毋知死活

/m̩⁴¹⁻²² t͡sai³³ si⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ uaʔ²⁴/

/m̩³³⁻¹¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ uaʔ⁴/

/m̩³³⁻²¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ uaʔ⁴/

/m̩⁴¹⁻²² t͡sai³³ si⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ uaʔ²⁴/

/m̩³³⁻¹¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁵³⁻⁴⁴ uaʔ⁴/

/m̩³³⁻²¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ uaʔ⁴/

(Hokkien) to act recklessly; to do something regardless of danger


活久見

ㄏㄨㄛˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ

хо цзю цзянь

/xu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/xu̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹/

Huó dé jiǔ shénme shì dōu néng jiàn dào.

活得久什麼事都能見到。

活得久什么事都能见到。

Used to express one's being amazed when having seen something that is so unusual that is never thought will happen but has happened.

(neologism, Internet slang) You can see anything if you live long.


毋知死

/m̩³³⁻²¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴¹/

/m̩⁴¹⁻²² t͡sai³³ si⁵⁵⁴/

/m̩²²⁻²¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻²² si⁵³/

/m̩³³⁻¹¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁵³/

/m̩³³⁻²¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁴¹/

/m̩⁴¹⁻²² t͡sai³³ si⁵⁵⁴/

/m̩²²⁻²¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻²² si⁵³/

/m̩³³⁻¹¹ t͡sai⁴⁴⁻³³ si⁵³/


察察而明

ㄔㄚˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄦˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ˀɤɻ³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

to think one is discerning and shrewd for focusing on minutiae, but neglecting the bigger picture


察察為明

ㄔㄚˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sʰaːt̚³ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ miŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰaːt̚³ t͡sʰaːt̚³ wɐi̯²¹ mɪŋ²¹/


虎背熊腰

to have the back of a tiger and the waist of a bear

ㄏㄨˇ ㄅㄟˋ ㄒㄩㄥˊ ㄧㄠ

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ puːi̯³³ hʊŋ²¹ jiːu̯⁵⁵/

/xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ peɪ̯⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ puːi̯³³ hʊŋ²¹ jiːu̯⁵⁵/


妙趣橫生

ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄑㄩˋ ㄏㄥˊ ㄕㄥ

мяоцюйхэншэн

/mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³³ waːŋ²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/miau³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hũẽ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sẽ³³/

/mi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ xɤŋ³⁵ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵/

/miːu̯²² t͡sʰɵy̯³³ waːŋ²¹ sɐŋ⁵⁵/

/miau³⁵⁻¹¹ t͡sʰu²¹³⁻⁵⁵ hũẽ⁵⁵⁻¹¹ sẽ³³/


奼紫嫣紅

ㄔㄚˋ ㄗˇ ㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄥˊ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰaː³³ t͡siː³⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵⁵ xʊŋ³⁵/

/t͡sʰaː³³ t͡siː³⁵ jiːn⁵⁵ hʊŋ²¹/


茶餘酒後

ㄔㄚˊ ㄩˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄏㄡˋ

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ y³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaː²¹ jyː²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ hɐu̯²²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰä³⁵ y³⁵ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰaː²¹ jyː²¹ t͡sɐu̯³⁵ hɐu̯²²/


拆東牆，補西牆

to tear down the east wall to repair the west wall

/ʈ͡ʂʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵ pu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɑŋ³⁵/

rob Peter to pay Paul
rob Peter to pay Paul


饞涎欲滴

ㄔㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄩˋ ㄉㄧ

чаньсяньюйди

/ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y⁵¹ ti⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰaːm²¹ jiːn²¹ jʊk̚² tɪk̚²/

/ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵ y⁵¹ ti⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰaːm²¹ jiːn²¹ jʊk̚² tɪk̚²/


無像鬼

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiũ³³⁻²² kui⁵⁵⁴/

/bo²⁴⁻²² t͡sʰiũ³³⁻²² kui⁵⁵⁴/

(Philippine Hokkien) to behave shamelessly or mischievously


賞花杏仁露

/sœːŋ³⁵ faː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²² jɐn²¹ lou̯²²/

/sœːŋ³⁵ faː⁵⁵ hɐŋ²² jɐn²¹ lou̯²²/

Corruption of 上返行人路 (soeng5 faan1 hang4 jan4 lou6, “get back onto the sidewalk”).

zh-m

(Hong Kong Cantonese, neologism) A phrase used for satirising the Hong Kong Police Force.


Initialism of English what + Cantonese 7 (cat1), a euphemism for Chinese 柒 (cat6, “penis”) + English u (“you”) + Cantonese 四 (sei3, “four”), near-homophone with English say and written as a number.

(Hong Kong Cantonese, Internet slang) what on earth are you saying?


纏綿悱惻

ㄔㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄟˇ ㄘㄜˋ

чаньмяньфэйцэ

/ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ mi̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ miːn²¹ fei̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰän³⁵ mi̯ɛn³⁵ feɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰɤ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ miːn²¹ fei̯³⁵ t͡sʰɐk̚⁵/


誤打誤撞

ㄨˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ

/u⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍²² taː³⁵ ŋ̍²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/

/u⁵¹ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/ŋ̍²² taː³⁵ ŋ̍²² t͡sɔːŋ²²/


形隻影單

ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄓ ㄧㄥˇ ㄉㄢ

синчжииндань

/ɕiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵/

/ɕiŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ iŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵/

形單影隻 形單影隻#Chinese

形单影只 形单影只#Chinese


除褲放屁

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ fuː³³ fɔːŋ³³ pʰei̯³³/

/t͡sʰɵy̯²¹ fuː³³ fɔːŋ³³ pʰei̯³³/


神憎鬼厭

ㄕㄣˊ ㄗㄥ ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄧㄢˋ

шэньцзэнгуйянь

/ʂən³⁵ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³⁵ jiːm³³/

/ʂən³⁵ t͡sɤŋ⁵⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ jɛn⁵¹/

/sɐn²¹ t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ kʷɐi̯³⁵ jiːm³³/

to be extremely detestable; to be extremely irritating

神檯貓屎——神憎鬼厭／神台猫屎——神憎鬼厌

san4 toi4 maau1 si2, san4 zang1 gwai2 jim3


輸打贏要

beat (the opponent) when one loses, but only accept (the results) when one wins

ㄕㄨ ㄉㄚˇ ㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄠˋ

/ʂu⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/syː⁵⁵ taː³⁵ jɛːŋ²¹ jiːu̯³³/

/ʂu⁵⁵ tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ iŋ³⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/syː⁵⁵ taː³⁵ jɛːŋ²¹ jiːu̯³³/

(chiefly Cantonese) to refuse to accept the outcome after losing


屎窟撞棍

/siː³⁵ fɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʷɐn³³/

/siː³⁵ fɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːŋ²² kʷɐn³³/


伊講

/ɦi³³ kɑ̃³⁴/

/ɦi³³ kɑ̃³⁴/

Likely a semantic development from quotative usages of the literal sense (Han & Shi, 2014).
Compare also general Northern Wu 叫啥 or 話咾／话咾.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see 伊, 講／讲.

伊講伊戇伊講。

伊讲伊戆伊讲。

There are going to be exams soon, apparently.

要考試了嗄伊講。

要考试了嗄伊讲。

2014, Weifeng Han and Dingxu Shi, The Evolution of ɦi23kã34 (‘he says’) in Shanghainese

伊伊講，講勿好。

伊伊讲，讲勿好。

To express unexpectedness, disbelief or shock in reaction to a statement.


氣壯如牛

ㄑㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄋㄧㄡˊ

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂu̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵/


講就兇狠，做就碌撚

gong² zau⁶ hung¹ han², zou⁶ zau⁶ luk¹ lan²

gong² dzau⁶ hung¹ han², dzou⁶ dzau⁶ luk⁷ lan²

gong² zeo⁶ hung¹ hen², zou⁶ zeo⁶ lug¹ len²

/kɔːŋ³⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² hʊŋ⁵⁵ hɐn³⁵ t͡sou̯²² t͡sɐu̯²² lʊk̚⁵ lɐn³⁵/

all bark and no bite
all bark and no bite

(Cantonese, vulgar) all bark and no bite; powerful on one's words, a fool on one's actions

講就天下無敵，做就有心無力／讲就天下无敌，做就有心无力

gong2 zau6 tin1 haa6 mou4 dik6, zou6 zau6 jau5 sam1 mou4 lik6


有心無力

ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨˊ ㄌㄧˋ

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ u³⁵ li⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

/joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ u³⁵ li⁵¹/

/jɐu̯¹³ sɐm⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ lɪk̚²/

to have the will but not the power or strength to do something


一漿十餅

ㄧ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄕˊ ㄅㄧㄥˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ piŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐp̚² pɛːŋ³⁵/

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ piŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ sɐp̚² pɛːŋ³⁵/


成本大套

ㄔㄥˊ ㄅㄣˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄊㄠˋ

чэнбэньдатао

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ pən²¹⁴⁻²¹ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ tʰɑʊ̯⁵¹/

(of content) rich, complete and systematic

(Beijing Mandarin, of a person) talkative; long-winded


笑騎騎，放毒蛇

to laugh mirthfully while releasing a venomous snake

/siːu̯³³ kʰɛː²¹ kʰɛː²¹ fɔːŋ³³ tʊk̚² sɛː²¹/

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

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


妹仔大過主人婆

the maidservant is greater than the mistress

/muːi̯²²⁻⁵⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵ taːi̯²² kʷɔː³³ t͡syː³⁵ jɐn²¹ pʰɔː²¹/

tail wagging the dog
tail wagging the dog

(Cantonese) tail wagging the dog; the minor part is dominating the major part


止暴制亂

ㄓˇ ㄅㄠˋ ㄓˋ ㄌㄨㄢˋ

чжибаочжилуань

/ʈ͡ʂʐ̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ pɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ lu̯än⁵¹/

/t͡siː³⁵ pou̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³ lyːn²²/

/t͡siː³⁵ pou̯²² t͡sɐi̯³³ lyːn²²/

(Hong Kong, politics, officialese) to end violence and control unrest


多做多錯，少做少錯，不做不錯

head

多做多錯，少做少錯，不做不錯

多做多错，少做少错，不做不错

ㄉㄨㄛ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

ㄕㄠˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄠˇ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ

/tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡sʰu̯ɔ⁵¹/

if you do more you make more mistakes; if you do less you make less mistakes; if you do nothing you make no mistakes


食屎屙飯

/sɪk̚² siː³⁵ ɔː⁵⁵ faːn²²/

/sɪk̚² siː³⁵ ɔː⁵⁵ faːn²²/

In contrast with the norm of 食飯屙屎 (“to eat rice and excrete faeces”).

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

(Cantonese, colloquial, vulgar) to not follow norms; putting the cart before the horse


牛嚼牡丹

ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄇㄨˇ ㄉㄢ

нюцзюэмудань

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡siːu̯²² maːu̯¹³ taːn⁵⁵/

/ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕy̯ɛ³⁵ mu²¹⁴⁻²¹ tän⁵⁵/

/ŋɐu̯²¹ t͡siːu̯²² maːu̯¹³ taːn⁵⁵/

not knowing the value of food, hence wasting it


按勞取酬

ㄢˋ ㄌㄠˊ ㄑㄩˇ ㄔㄡˊ

аньлаоцюйчоу

/ˀän⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/ˀän⁵¹ lɑʊ̯³⁵ t͡ɕʰy²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯³⁵/

distribution (of benefits, pay etc.) according to one's job performance


早浪好

/t͡sɔ³³ lɑ̃⁵⁵ hɔ²¹/

/t͡sæ⁴⁴ lɑ̃³³ hæ⁵¹/

/t͡sɔ³³ lɑ̃⁵⁵ hɔ²¹/

/t͡sæ⁴⁴ lɑ̃³³ hæ⁵¹/


飲頭啖湯

/jɐm³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ taːm²² tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐm³⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹ taːm²² tʰɔːŋ⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) to be the first in doing something; to gain the first profits


昊天罔極

ㄏㄠˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄨㄤˇ ㄐㄧˊ

хаотяньванцзи

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hou̯²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ kɪk̚²/

/xɑʊ̯⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ wɑŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕi³⁵/

/hou̯²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ mɔːŋ¹³ kɪk̚²/

O my father, who begat me! O my mother, who nourished me! Ye indulged me, ye fed me, ye held me up, ye supported me, ye looked after me, ye never left me, out and in ye bore me in your arms. If I would return your kindness, it is like great Heaven, illimitable.

Fù xī shēng wǒ, mǔ xī jū wǒ, fǔ wǒ xù wǒ, zhǎng wǒ yù wǒ, gù wǒ fù wǒ, chū rù fù wǒ. Yù bào zhī dé, hàotiānwǎngjí.

父兮生我，母兮鞠我，拊我畜我，長我育我，顧我復我，出入腹我。欲報之德，昊天罔極。

父兮生我，母兮鞠我，拊我畜我，长我育我，顾我复我，出入腹我。欲报之德，昊天罔极。

the immeasurable kindness of parents and elders, as boundless as the sky


動人心弦

ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄢˊ

дунжэньсиньсянь

/tʊŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʊŋ²² jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

/tʊŋ⁵¹ ʐən³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɛn³⁵/

/tʊŋ²² jɐn²¹ sɐm⁵⁵ jyːn²¹/

to be deeply moving; to tug at one's heartstrings


量出為入

ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄔㄨ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄨˋ

/li̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/lœːŋ²² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐp̚²/

/li̯ɑŋ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ʐu⁵¹/

/lœːŋ²² t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ wɐi̯²¹ jɐp̚²/

A wise ruler, therefore, measures the expenditures according to his revenues. Although he may encounter disasters, the lower level can still avoid poverty. When the manners weaken, on the other hand, it will be upside down: He measures the revenues according to his expenditures, and has no sympathy for those who have nothing. (Wiktionary translation)

1084 CE, Sima Guang, Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government

Shìyǐ shèngwáng lì chéng, liàngrùwèichū, suī yù zāinán, xià wú kùnqióng. Lǐ huà jì shuāi, zé nǎi fǎnshì, liàngchūwèirù, bù xù suǒ wú.

是以聖王立程，量入為出，雖遇災難，下無困窮。理化既衰，則乃反是，量出為入，不恤所無。

是以圣王立程，量入为出，虽遇灾难，下无困穷。理化既衰，则乃反是，量出为入，不恤所无。

政府施政為民服務，一般應該先決定政務優先順序，再據以籌措適量財源，以資因應，此乃政府財政「量出為入」的原則，實不宜以政府有錢或沒錢來決定應否執行政務。 [MSC, trad.]
政府施政为民服务，一般应该先决定政务优先顺序，再据以筹措适量财源，以资因应，此乃政府财政「量出为入」的原则，实不宜以政府有钱或没钱来决定应否执行政务。 [MSC, simp.]
Zhèngfǔ shīzhèng wèi mín fúwù, yībān yìnggāi xiān juédìng zhèngwù yōuxiān shùnxù, zài jù yǐ chóucuò shìliàng cáiyuán, yǐ zī yīnyìng, cǐ nǎi zhèngfǔ cáizhèng “liàngchūwèirù” de yuánzé, shí bùyí yǐ zhèngfǔ yǒuqián huò méiqián lái juédìng yìngfǒu zhíxíng zhèngwù. [Pinyin]

2020, 李述德 (Lee Sush-der), 《國政芻言》政府財政應量出為入, 台灣醒報 (Awakening News Networks)

Generally, when it comes to serving the people, the government should decide the priority of government affairs first, then raise the appropriate revenue to get by. This is the principle of measuring revenues within the expenditure. The government should not decide affairs by the revenue of the treasury.

量出為入，強調應收才收、收支匹配，意味著支出決定於職能的實現，預算收入為支出提供保証，但不能據此片面地認為支出決定收入，為好大喜功、脫離實際找借口。 [MSC, trad.]
量出为入，强调应收才收、收支匹配，意味著支出决定于职能的实现，预算收入为支出提供保証，但不能据此片面地认为支出决定收入，为好大喜功、脱离实际找借口。 [MSC, simp.]
Liàngchūwèirù, qiángdiào yìng shōu cái shōu, shōuzhī pǐpèi, yìwèi zhù zhīchū juédìng yú zhínéng de shíxiàn, yùsuàn shōurù wèi zhīchū tígōng bǎozhèng, dàn bùnéng jù cǐ piànmiàn dì rènwèi zhīchū juédìng shōurù, wèi hǎodàxǐgōng, tuōlí shíjì zhǎo jièkǒu. [Pinyin]

2013, 譚介輝, 淺談量入為出與量出為入, 人民日報理論版 (People's Daily: theory page)

To measure government's revenues according to its expenditures emphasise collecting taxes only when necessary and balancing the budget. The principle implies that the expenditure should be based on a function's implementation, and the revenue guarantees the expenditure. The principle cannot be unilaterally interpreted as the expenditure decides the revenue, making excuses of craving greatness or being out of touch.

to measure one's revenues according to one's expenditures


噓寒問暖

ㄒㄩ ㄏㄢˊ ㄨㄣˋ ㄋㄨㄢˇ

сюйханьвэньнуань

/ɕy⁵⁵ xän³⁵ wən⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ hɔːn²¹ mɐn²² nyːn¹³/

/ɕy⁵⁵ xän³⁵ wən⁵¹ nu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hɵy̯⁵⁵ hɔːn²¹ mɐn²² nyːn¹³/

to show concern for someone by asking about their lives


水浸眼眉

/sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɐm³³ ŋaːn¹³ mei̯²¹/

/sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɐm³³ ŋaːn¹³ mei̯²¹/


苦心經營

ㄎㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄧㄥˊ

кусиньцзинъин

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹/

/kʰu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵⁵ iŋ³⁵/

/fuː³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ kɪŋ⁵⁵ jɪŋ²¹/


你出豉油我出雞

you contribute soy sauce, I contribute a chicken

/nei̯¹³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ siː²² jɐu̯²¹ ŋɔː¹³ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ kɐi̯⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) Describes a situation where two parties have disproportionate contributions.


尋新求變

ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ

сюньсиньцюбянь

/ɕyn³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ɕyn³⁵ ɕin⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯oʊ̯³⁵ pi̯ɛn⁵¹/


街知巷聞

known in the streets and heard in the alleys

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɔːŋ²² mɐn²¹/

/kaːi̯⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ hɔːŋ²² mɐn²¹/

(Cantonese) very well-known; ubiquitously known


趨吉避凶

ㄑㄩ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄩㄥ

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ kɐt̚⁵ pei̯²² hʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡ɕʰy⁵⁵ t͡ɕi³⁵ pi⁵¹ ɕi̯ʊŋ⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ kɐt̚⁵ pei̯²² hʊŋ⁵⁵/

to seek good fortune and avoid disasters


不在少數

ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄕㄠˇ ㄕㄨˋ

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² siːu̯³⁵ sou̯³³/

/pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹/

/pɐt̚⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² siːu̯³⁵ sou̯³³/


飯吃過了𠲎

⁶ve ⁷chiq-ku-leq-va; ⁶ve ⁷chiq-ku-leq-vaq

ve^去 chih^入 ku leh va; ve^去 chih^入 ku leh vah

/ve²³ t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ ku⁵⁵ ləʔ³³ va²¹/

/ve²³ t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ ku⁵⁵ ləʔ³³ vaʔ²¹/

/ve²³ t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ ku⁵⁵ ləʔ³³ va²¹/

/ve²³ t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ ku⁵⁵ ləʔ³³ vaʔ²¹/

How are you? Fine, thanks.
(Literally: Have you eaten yet? I've eaten, thanks.)

⁶ve ⁷chiq-ku-leq-va ⁷chiq-ku-leq ⁶zhia-ya

飯吃過了𠲎？吃過了，謝謝。

饭吃过了𠲎？吃过了，谢谢。


冇人冇物

/mou̯¹³ jɐn²¹ mou̯¹³ mɐt̚²/

/mou̯¹³ jɐn²¹ mou̯¹³ mɐt̚²/

(Cantonese) to have no kin, no friends, and no belongings


又食又拎

/jɐu̯²² sɪk̚² jɐu̯²² lɪŋ⁵⁵/

/jɐu̯²² sɪk̚² jɐu̯²² lɪŋ⁵⁵/

(Cantonese) to be greedy (especially in food or gifts)


個腦生喺屎窟度

to have one's brain develop at where one's buttocks are

/kɔː³³ nou̯¹³ saːŋ⁵⁵ hɐi̯³⁵ siː³⁵ fɐt̚⁵ tou̯²²/

(Cantonese, slightly offensive) stupid; idiotic


七擒七縱

ㄑㄧ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄑㄧ ㄗㄨㄥˋ

цициньцицзун

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ kʰɐm²¹ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ d͡ʑin⁴⁴ t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ t͡soŋ⁴⁴/

/t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰin³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ kʰɐm²¹ t͡sʰɐt̚⁵ t͡sʊŋ³³/

/t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ d͡ʑin⁴⁴ t͡ɕʰiɪʔ³³ t͡soŋ⁴⁴/

to use strategies optimally; to be strategic


坐住個腦

/t͡sʰɔː¹³ t͡syː²² kɔː³³ nou̯¹³/

/t͡sʰɔː¹³ t͡syː²² kɔː³³ nou̯¹³/


飛象過河

ㄈㄟ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄜˊ

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ²² kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹/

/feɪ̯⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹ xɤ³⁵/

/fei̯⁵⁵ t͡sœːŋ²² kʷɔː³³ hɔː²¹/

(xiangqi) to move one's elephant across the river (a move that is against the rules of xiangqi)

(Cantonese) to get food from the far side of a dish


鮑魚之肆

баоюй чжи сы

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹/

/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ sz̩⁵¹/

(figurative) filthy place; smelly and nasty environment; gathering place of bad people


謙謙君子

ㄑㄧㄢ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄗˇ

цяньцяньцзюньцзы

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡ɕyn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/hiːm⁵⁵ hiːm⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

/hiːm⁵⁵ hiːm⁵⁵ kʷɐn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵/

The first SIX, divided, shows us the superior man who adds humility to humility. (Even) the great stream may be crossed with this, and there will be good fortune.

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

Chū liù: qiānqiān jūnzǐ, yòng shè dà chuān, jí.

初六：謙謙君子，用涉大川，吉。

初六：谦谦君子，用涉大川，吉。

List of hexagrams of the I Ching#Hexagram 15


醉生夢死

ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄥ ㄇㄥˋ ㄙˇ

цзуйшэнмэнсы

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

/t͡su̯eɪ̯⁵¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ mɤŋ⁵¹ sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/t͡sɵy̯³³ sɐŋ⁵⁵ mʊŋ²² sei̯³⁵/

to lead a befuddled life as if one is drunk or dreaming


三番四次

/saːm⁵⁵ faːn⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sʰiː³³/

/saːm⁵⁵ faːn⁵⁵ sei̯³³ t͡sʰiː³³/

(Cantonese, Nanning Pinghua) again and again; over and over again


我好鍾意你

/ŋɔː¹³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ nei̯¹³/

/ŋɔː¹³ hou̯³⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ jiː³³ nei̯¹³/

(Cantonese) I love you, I like you very much


我愛儂

/ŋu³³ e⁴⁴ noŋ²³/

/ŋu³³ e⁴⁴ noŋ²³/


我聽無

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻²² bo¹³/

/ɡua⁴²⁻²⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻²² bo²⁴/

/ɡua⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tʰiã³³ bo²⁴/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻²² bo²⁴/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻²² bo¹³/

/ɡua⁴²⁻²⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻²² bo²⁴/

/ɡua⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tʰiã³³ bo²⁴/

/ɡua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻³³ bɤ²³/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻³³ bo²⁴/

/ɡua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰiã⁴⁴⁻²² bo²⁴/


白鴿眼

/paːk̚² kaːp̚³ ŋaːn¹³/

/paːk̚² kaːp̚³ ŋaːn¹³/

(Cantonese) to look down on the lower class as inferior; to be arrogant


合皮扭耳

/hɐp̚² pʰei̯²¹ nɐu̯³⁵ jiː¹³/

/hɐp̚² pʰei̯²¹ nɐu̯³⁵ jiː¹³/


百屌成才

to be scolded for one hundred times and becomes a talented person

/paːk̚³ tiːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

/paːk̚³ tiːu̯³⁵ sɪŋ²¹ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹/

(Cantonese, vulgar, neologism, of a person) to improve after repeated criticism


呃鬼食豆腐

/ŋaːk̚⁵ kʷɐi̯³⁵ sɪk̚² tɐu̯²² fuː²²/

/ŋaːk̚⁵ kʷɐi̯³⁵ sɪk̚² tɐu̯²² fuː²²/

豆腐 (dau⁶ fu⁶) is possibly altered from 道符 (dou⁶ fu⁴, “talisman papers”).

(Cantonese) to lure someone into a trap, to trick someone

That guy never returns anything he borrows, but now he's saying that he never took that. Pull the other one!

ne¹ tiu⁴ jau⁵ lo² zo² jan⁴ dei⁶ ge³ je⁵ jau⁶ m⁴ waan⁴, ji⁴ gaa¹ keoi⁵ jau⁶ waa⁶ mou⁵ lo² wo⁴, aak¹ gwai² sik⁶ dau⁶ fu⁶ me¹!

呢條友攞咗人哋嘅嘢又唔還，而家佢又話冇攞喎，呃鬼食豆腐咩！

呢条友𫽋咗人哋嘅嘢又唔还，而家佢又话冇𫽋㖞，呃鬼食豆腐咩！

pull the other one, it's got bells on
pull the other one, it's got bells on

(Cantonese) pull the other one, it's got bells on (used to show disbelief in something)


肚皮打鼓

/tʰou̯¹³ pʰei̯²¹ taː³⁵ kuː³⁵/

/tʰou̯¹³ pʰei̯²¹ taː³⁵ kuː³⁵/


一肚子火

ㄧ ㄉㄨˋ ㄗˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ tu⁵¹ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


滿肚子火

ㄇㄢˇ ㄉㄨˋ ˙ㄗ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/män²¹⁴⁻²¹ tu⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


梅花間竹

/muːi̯²¹ faː⁵⁵ kaːn³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/muːi̯²¹ faː⁵⁵ kaːn³³ t͡sʊk̚⁵/


蓬首垢面

ㄆㄥˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄍㄡˋ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

пэншоугоумянь

/pʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯³³ miːn²²/

/pʰɤŋ³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ koʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/pʰʊŋ²¹ sɐu̯³⁵ kɐu̯³³ miːn²²/

蓬頭垢面 蓬頭垢面#Chinese

蓬头垢面 蓬头垢面#Chinese

Synonym of 蓬頭垢面／蓬头垢面 (péngtóugòumiàn, “messy hair and dirty face”)


良辰美景

ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄐㄧㄥˇ

лянчэньмэйцзин

/li̯ɑŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/lœːŋ²¹ sɐn²¹ mei̯¹³ kɪŋ³⁵/

/lœːŋ²¹ sɐn²¹ mei̯¹³ kɪŋ³⁵/


搬石砸腳

ㄅㄢ ㄕˊ ㄗㄚˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ

баньшицзацзяо

/pän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡sä³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/pän⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡sä³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

shoot oneself in the foot
shoot oneself in the foot

(neologism) to shoot oneself in the foot


深耕細作

ㄕㄣ ㄍㄥ ㄒㄧˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ

шэньгэнсицзо

/ʂən⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːk̚³/

/ʂən⁵⁵ kɤŋ⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹/

/sɐm⁵⁵ kaːŋ⁵⁵ sɐi̯³³ t͡sɔːk̚³/

(figuratively) to develop deeply and thoroughly


一枝竹篙打一船人

一枝竹篙壓倒一船人
一行竹篙壓倒一船人

id^ˋ gi^ˊ zug^ˋ go^ˊ da^ˋ id^ˋ son^ˇ ngin^ˇ

/it̚² ki²⁴ t͡suk̚² ko²⁴ ta³¹ it̚² son¹¹ ŋin¹¹/

/(j)it̚² ki²⁴ t͡suk̚² ko²⁴ ta³¹ (j)it̚² son¹¹ ŋin¹¹/

tar everyone with the same brush
tar with the same brush

(Hakka) to tar everyone with the same brush


使咪

/sɐi̯³⁵ mɐi̯³⁵/

/sɐi̯³⁵ mɐi̯³⁵/


山草藥——噏得就噏

/saːn⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯³⁵ jœːk̚² ɐp̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² ɐp̚⁵/

噏 (ap¹) is a homophonic pun of 罨 (ap¹, “to apply medical ointment”).

山草药——噏得就噏
生草藥——噏得就噏

herbal medicine - just apply it (on skin) if you want to


照板煮碗

tocook a bowl of dish according to template

/t͡siːu̯³³ paːn³⁵ t͡syː³⁵ wuːn³⁵/

/t͡siːu̯³³ paːn³⁵ t͡syː³⁵ wuːn³⁵/

(Cantonese, figurative) to follow existing models without attempt at originality; to copy something mechanically without thinking


𠊎愛你

/ŋai̯¹¹ oi̯⁵⁵ n¹¹/

/ŋai̯¹¹ oi̯⁵⁵ ŋi¹¹/

/ŋai̯¹¹ oi̯⁵⁵ n¹¹/

/ŋai̯¹¹ oi̯⁵⁵ ŋi¹¹/


佛都有火

/fɐt̚² tou̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ fɔː³⁵/

/fɐt̚² tou̯⁵⁵ jɐu̯¹³ fɔː³⁵/

The Buddha is believed to be very kind. If there is something that can make him angry, it is extremely outrageous.

(Cantonese) Used to denote that someone or something is extremely outrageous.


長歌當哭

ㄔㄤˊ ㄍㄜ ㄉㄤˋ ㄎㄨ

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ tɑŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ³⁵ kɤ⁵⁵ tɑŋ⁵¹ kʰu⁵⁵/

to sing to vent one’s grief or indignation


係人都

/hɐi̯²² jɐn²¹ tou̯⁵⁵/

/hɐi̯²² jɐn²¹ tou̯⁵⁵/

It's so simple, everyone knows how to do it!

gam³ gaan² daan¹, hai⁶ jan⁴ dou¹ zi¹ dim² zou⁶ laa¹!

咁簡單，係人都知點做啦！

咁简单，系人都知点做啦！

Everyone will drool when they see what they like to eat.

hai⁶ jan⁴ gin³ dou³⁻² zung¹ ji³ sik⁶ ge³ je⁵ dou¹ wui⁵ lau⁴ hau² seoi².

係人見到中意食嘅嘢都會流口水。

系人见到中意食嘅嘢都会流口水。


憎人富貴厭人貧

/t͡sɐŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ fuː³³ kʷɐi̯³³ jiːm³³ jɐn²¹ pʰɐn²¹/

(Cantonese) to hate the rich and despise the poor


緣慳一面

ㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄧ ㄇㄧㄢˋ

юаньцяньимянь

/ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

/ɥɛn³⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻³⁵ mi̯ɛn⁵¹/

to not have the chance or luck to meet somebody because of destiny


雞飛狗跳

ㄐㄧ ㄈㄟ ㄍㄡˇ ㄊㄧㄠˋ

цзифэйгоутяо

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯³³/

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ tʰiːu̯³³/


雞飛狗走

ㄐㄧ ㄈㄟ ㄍㄡˇ ㄗㄡˇ

цзифэйгоуцзоу

/t͡ɕi⁵⁵ feɪ̯⁵⁵ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡soʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

/kɐi̯⁵⁵ fei̯⁵⁵ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sɐu̯³⁵/

雞飛狗跳 雞飛狗跳#Chinese

鸡飞狗跳 鸡飞狗跳#Chinese

(chiefly Cantonese) Synonym of 雞飛狗跳／鸡飞狗跳 (jīfēigǒutiào, “complete turmoil; total chaos”)


水滾茶靚

/sɵy̯³⁵ kʷɐn³⁵ t͡sʰaː²¹ lɛːŋ³³/

/sɵy̯³⁵ kʷɐn³⁵ t͡sʰaː²¹ lɛːŋ³³/

(Cantonese) boiling water makes good tea


鐵樹開花

ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄕㄨˋ ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄚ

те шукай хуа

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ syː²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

/tʰi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂu⁵¹ kʰaɪ̯⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵⁵/

/tʰiːt̚³ syː²² hɔːi̯⁵⁵ faː⁵⁵/

From the fact that king sago palm rarely blossoms, which is especially true if the plant was cultivated outside of tropical areas.


廟細燈籠大

/miːu̯²²⁻³⁵ sɐi̯³³ tɐŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ taːi̯²²/

/miːu̯²²⁻³⁵ sɐi̯³³ tɐŋ⁵⁵ lʊŋ²¹ taːi̯²²/

(Cantonese, slang, figuratively, of females) to be petite but with large breasts


扭轉乾坤

ㄋㄧㄡˇ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄎㄨㄣ

нючжуаньцянькунь

/ni̯oʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn³⁵ kʰu̯ən⁵⁵/

/nɐu̯³⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ kʰiːn²¹ kʷʰɐn⁵⁵/

/liu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡suan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² kʰun⁴⁴/

/liu⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ t͡suan⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ kʰiɛn²⁴⁻²² kʰun³³/

/liu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡suan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɛn¹³⁻²² kʰun⁴⁴/

/liu⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡suan⁵³⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɛn²⁴⁻¹¹ kʰun⁴⁴/

/liu⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡suan⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ kʰiɛn²³⁻³³ kʰun⁴⁴/

/nɐu̯³⁵ t͡syːn³⁵ kʰiːn²¹ kʷʰɐn⁵⁵/

to bring about radical change in a situation


時來運轉

ㄕˊ ㄌㄞˊ ㄩㄣˋ ㄓㄨㄢˇ

шилайюньчжуань

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ yn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ʂʐ̩³⁵ laɪ̯³⁵ yn⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


鴻運當頭

ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄩㄣˋ ㄉㄤ ㄊㄡˊ

хунъюньдантоу

/xʊŋ³⁵ yn⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ wɐn²² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² un²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² un⁴¹⁻²² tŋ̍³³ tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² un²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ un³³⁻¹¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ un³³⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³/

/xʊŋ³⁵ yn⁵¹ tɑŋ⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/hʊŋ²¹ wɐn²² tɔːŋ⁵⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² un²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻²² un⁴¹⁻²² tŋ̍³³ tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ¹³⁻²² un²²⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻²² tʰau¹³/

/hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ un³³⁻¹¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²⁴/

/hɔŋ²³⁻³³ un³³⁻²¹ tŋ̍⁴⁴⁻³³ tʰau²³/

to experience a huge stroke of good luck


虎虎生風

ㄏㄨˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄥ

/xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ fuː³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

/xu²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

/fuː³⁵ fuː³⁵ sɐŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/


冚家祥

/hɐm²² kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

/hɐm²² kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰœːŋ²¹/

(Cantonese, offensive) Synonym of 冚家鏟／冚家铲


冚家拎

/hɐm²² kaː⁵⁵ lɪŋ⁵⁵/

/hɐm²² kaː⁵⁵ lɪŋ⁵⁵/

你條冚家拎吖！

你条冚家拎吖！


殺人放火金腰帶

those who commit violentcrimes get golden belts

ㄕㄚ ㄖㄣˊ ㄈㄤˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄧㄠ ㄉㄞˋ

шажэнь фанхо цзиньяодай

/ʂä⁵⁵ ʐən³⁵ fɑŋ⁵¹ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕin⁵⁵ jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ taɪ̯⁵¹/

/saːt̚³ jɐn²¹ fɔːŋ³³ fɔː³⁵ kɐm⁵⁵ jiːu̯⁵⁵ taːi̯³³⁻³⁵/

(chiefly Cantonese) describes a situation lacking divine retribution


有冇韭菜

/jɐu̯¹³ mou̯¹³ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³³/

/jɐu̯¹³ mou̯¹³ kɐu̯³⁵ t͡sʰɔːi̯³³/

“nei⁵ dei⁶ jau⁵ mou⁵ gau² coi³ aa³? zou⁶ je⁵ maan⁶ tan¹ tan¹! ngo⁵ hai² daai⁶ zaap⁶ tyun⁴ maai⁶ min⁶ baau¹ ge³, ngo⁵ gung¹ si¹ ceot¹ loeng⁴ hou² faai³, nei⁵ dei⁶ m⁴ hou² aak¹ ngo⁵, cat¹ jat⁶ dou¹ ceot¹ m⁴ dou³⁻² ge³ waa⁶⁻² ngo⁵ jat¹ ding⁶ heoi³ lou⁴ gung¹ cyu³ gou³ nei⁵ dei⁶!”

「你哋有冇韭菜呀？做嘢慢吞吞！我喺大集團賣麵包嘅，我公司出糧好快，你哋唔好呃我，七日都出唔到嘅話我一定去勞工處告你哋！」

「你哋有冇韭菜呀？做嘢慢吞吞！我喺大集团卖面包嘅，我公司出粮好快，你哋唔好呃我，七日都出唔到嘅话我一定去劳工处告你哋！」

有冇搞錯 有冇搞錯#Chinese

有冇搞错 有冇搞错#Chinese

(Cantonese, humorous) Alternative form of 有冇搞錯／有冇搞错 (“Are you serious?; Are you kidding me?; What's wrong with you?”)


豈有此佢

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ kʰɵy̯¹³/

/hei̯³⁵ jɐu̯¹³ t͡sʰiː³⁵ kʰɵy̯¹³/

Based on a reanalysis of 豈有此理／岂有此理 (hei² jau⁵ ci² lei⁵) as *豈有此你／岂有此你 (hei² jau⁵ ci² nei⁵), with the second-person pronoun 你 (nei⁵) switched to the third-person 佢 (keoi⁵).

zh-l

豈有此理／岂有此理 (hei² jau⁵ ci² lei⁵)

(Cantonese, proscribed, possibly humorous) outrageous; how dare he/she?


神龍失勢

ㄕㄣˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄕ ㄕˋ

шэньлун шиши

/ʂən³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/ʂən³⁵ lʊŋ³⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

a fall from grace, in which a once-powerful figure is rendered impotent after losing the dominance they had relied on


痌瘝在抱

ㄊㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄠˋ

тунгуаньцзайбао

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² pʰou̯¹³/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ ku̯än⁵⁵ t͡saɪ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/tʰʊŋ⁵⁵ kʷaːn⁵⁵ t͡sɔːi̯²² pʰou̯¹³/

to be concerned for the populace's sufferings


雲淡風輕

ㄩㄣˊ ㄉㄢˋ ㄈㄥ ㄑㄧㄥ

юньданьфэнцин

/yn³⁵ tän⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/

/yn³⁵ tän⁵¹ fɤŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰiŋ⁵⁵/


哭爹喊娘

to cry for one's father and scream for one's mother

ㄎㄨ ㄉㄧㄝ ㄏㄢˇ ㄋㄧㄤˊ

/kʰu⁵⁵ ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ xän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɑŋ³⁵/

/kʰu⁵⁵ ti̯ɛ⁵⁵ xän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ni̯ɑŋ³⁵/


狗尾續貂

ㄍㄡˇ ㄨㄟˇ ㄒㄩˋ ㄉㄧㄠ

гоувэйсюйдяо

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵¹ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ mei̯¹³ t͡sʊk̚² tiːu̯⁵⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ weɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy⁵¹ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ mei̯¹³ t͡sʊk̚² tiːu̯⁵⁵/


狗血噴頭

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄆㄣ ㄊㄡˊ

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄆㄣ ㄊㄡˊ

ㄍㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄝˇ ㄆㄣ ㄊㄡˊ

гоусюэпэньтоу

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

гоусепэньтоу

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ hyːt̚³ pʰɐn³³ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/ˈkiɛu²¹³⁻¹³ ɕyɵt̚⁵ pʰɨn⁴² tʰɛu²⁴/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pʰun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔ²⁴/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕy̯ɛ⁵¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕy̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ²¹⁴⁻²¹ pʰən⁵⁵ tʰoʊ̯³⁵/

/kɐu̯³⁵ hyːt̚³ pʰɐn³³ tʰɐu̯²¹/

/ˈkiɛu²¹³⁻¹³ ɕyɵt̚⁵ pʰɨn⁴² tʰɛu²⁴/

/kɔ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ hiɛt̚³²⁻⁴ pʰun²¹⁻⁵³ tʰɔ²⁴/

bite someone's head off
bite someone's head off

(figurative) to bite someone's head off; to scold fiercely; to curse; to berate


小心地滑

ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄉㄧˋ ㄏㄨㄚˊ

сяосинь ди хуа

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ xu̯ä³⁵/

/siːu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ tei̯²² waːt̚²/

/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵ ti⁵¹ xu̯ä³⁵/

/siːu̯³⁵ sɐm⁵⁵ tei̯²² waːt̚²/

caution - slippery when wet
caution - slippery when wet


如假包換

ㄖㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄅㄠ ㄏㄨㄢˋ

жуцзябаохуань

/ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ kaː³⁵ paːu̯⁵⁵ wuːn²²/

/ʐu³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pɑʊ̯⁵⁵ xu̯än⁵¹/

/jyː²¹ kaː³⁵ paːu̯⁵⁵ wuːn²²/


阿要難為情

/aʔ³³ iɔ⁴⁴ ne²² ɦue⁵⁵ ʑin²¹/

/aʔ³³ iɔ⁴⁴ ne²² ɦue⁵⁵ ʑin²¹/

阿 from English aren't, 要 from English you.


低枝倒掛

ㄉㄧ ㄓ ㄉㄠˇ ㄍㄨㄚˋ

/ti⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵¹/

/ti⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ tɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ku̯ä⁵¹/


上善若水

ㄕㄤˋ ㄕㄢˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

шаншаньжошуй

/ʂɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʐu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

From the Tao Te Ching [circa 4th century BC].

Shàngshànruòshuǐ, shuǐ shàn lì wànwù ér bùzhēng.

上善若水，水善利萬物而不爭。

上善若水，水善利万物而不争。


唔係人噉品

/m̩²¹ hɐi̯²² jɐn²¹ kɐm³⁵ pɐn³⁵/

/m̩²¹ hɐi̯²² jɐn²¹ kɐm³⁵ pɐn³⁵/

(Cantonese) to be inhuman; to be unreasonable or cruel; to behave in an abnormal way


慢條斯理

ㄇㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄙ ㄌㄧˇ

/män⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

ㄇㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄠˊ ㄙ ㄌㄧˇㄦ

маньтяосылир

/män⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ liə̯ɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²² tʰiːu̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/

/män⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ li²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/män⁵¹ tʰi̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ sz̩⁵⁵ liə̯ɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/maːn²² tʰiːu̯²¹ siː⁵⁵ lei̯¹³/


周章狼狽

ㄓㄡ ㄓㄤ ㄌㄤˊ ㄅㄟˋ

чжоучжанланбэй

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ lɑŋ³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/

/ʈ͡ʂoʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɑŋ⁵⁵ lɑŋ³⁵ peɪ̯⁵¹/


登登登凳

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵ tɐŋ³³/

/tɐŋ⁵⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵ tɐŋ³³/

Onomatopoeic, from the first four notes of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.

燈燈燈凳
登登登櫈
燈燈燈櫈

(Cantonese) Used to signify the appearance of a person or an object.


好天斬埋落雨柴

hew firewood on days with good weather for use on rainy [days]

/hou̯³⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡saːm³⁵ maːi̯²¹ lɔːk̚² jyː¹³ t͡sʰaːi̯²¹/


滄海遺珠

ㄘㄤ ㄏㄞˇ ㄧˊ ㄓㄨ

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɑŋ⁵⁵ xaɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i³⁵ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵/

/t͡sʰɔːŋ⁵⁵ hɔːi̯³⁵ wɐi̯²¹ t͡syː⁵⁵/

From the comment of Yan Liben about Di Renjie quoted in New Book of Tang

Confucius said that by observing the mistakes made by a person, it can be known that whether he is kind or not. [Based on what I have observed,] I think that you're like a pearl left in the ocean.

Zhòngní chēng guān guò zhī rén, jūn kěwèi cānghǎiyízhū yǐ.

仲尼稱觀過知仁，君可謂滄海遺珠矣。

仲尼称观过知仁，君可谓沧海遗珠矣。

a person with talent or something valuable, but is neglected by the society


分餅仔

/fɐn⁵⁵ pɛːŋ³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵/

/fɐn⁵⁵ pɛːŋ³⁵ t͡sɐi̯³⁵/

(Cantonese) to have a piece of the pie; to have a piece of the action


無講無呾

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ tã¹¹/

/bo¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo¹³⁻²² tã²¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɤ²³⁻³³ tã²¹/

/bo²⁴⁻¹¹ kɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ tã¹¹/

/bo¹³⁻²² kɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ bo¹³⁻²² tã²¹/

/bɤ²³⁻³³ kɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ bɤ²³⁻³³ tã²¹/

(Hokkien) without saying a word (before doing something)


阿芙樂爾

ㄚ ㄈㄨˊ ㄌㄜˋ ㄦˇ

/ˀä⁵⁵ fu³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ˀä⁵⁵ fu³⁵ lɤ⁵¹ ˀɤɻ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/


吃軟不吃硬

ㄔ ㄖㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔ ㄧㄥˋ

чижуаньбучиин

/ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ iŋ⁵¹/

/hɛːk̚³ jyːn¹³ pɐt̚⁵ hɛːk̚³ ŋaːŋ²²/

/hɛːk̚³ jyːn¹³ pɐt̚⁵ hɛːk̚³ ŋaːŋ²²/

to be amenable to friendly persuasion but not to compulsion


士多啤梨蘋果橙

/siː²² tɔː⁵⁵ pɛː⁵⁵ lei̯²¹⁻³⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹ kʷɔː³⁵ t͡sʰaːŋ²¹⁻³⁵/

屌你老母 屌你老母#Chinese

(Cantonese, euphemistic) Synonym of 屌你老母冚家鏟／屌你老母冚家铲

Synonym of 屌你老母冚家鏟／屌你老母冚家铲


大中至正

ㄉㄚˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓˋ ㄓㄥˋ

дачжунчжичжэн

dačžunčžičžɛn

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/

/tä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵¹/

/taːi̯²² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡siː³³ t͡sɪŋ³³/


死過翻生

/sei̯³⁵ kʷɔː³³ faːn⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵/

/sei̯³⁵ kʷɔː³³ faːn⁵⁵ saːŋ⁵⁵/

near-death experience
near-death experience

(Cantonese) to have a near-death experience


水靜河飛

/sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɪŋ²² hɔː²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

/sɵy̯³⁵ t͡sɪŋ²² hɔː²¹ fei̯⁵⁵/

zh-m

水盡鵝飛／水尽鹅飞 (shuǐjìn'éfēi)

(Cantonese) desolate; without human activity


橫死掂死

/waːŋ²¹ sei̯³⁵ tiːm²² sei̯³⁵/

/waːŋ²¹ sei̯³⁵ tiːm²² sei̯³⁵/

between a rock and a hard place
between a rock and a hard place

(Cantonese) between a rock and a hard place


捉到鹿唔識脫角

to catch a deer and not knowing how to shed its horn

/t͡sʊk̚⁵ tou̯³³⁻³⁵ lʊk̚²⁻³⁵ m̩²¹ sɪk̚⁵ tʰyːt̚³ kɔːk̚³/

(Cantonese) to be unable to make the most of something


話頭醒尾

to be told of the beginning and knowing the end

/waː²² tʰɐu̯²¹ sɪŋ³⁵ mei̯¹³/

/waː²² tʰɐu̯²¹ sɪŋ³⁵ mei̯¹³/

(Cantonese) able to take a hint; clever; intelligent


跨服聊天

ㄎㄨㄚˋ ㄈㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄊㄧㄢ

куафуляотянь

/kʰu̯ä⁵¹ fu³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

/kʰu̯ä⁵¹ fu³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵/

Originally referring to two players chatting from different servers during a session of online gaming.

get one's wires crossed
get one's wires crossed

(chiefly Mainland China, Internet slang, humorous) to get one's wires crossed; to misunderstand one another


草草了事

ㄘㄠˇ ㄘㄠˇ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄕˋ

/t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ t͡sʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ li̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩⁵¹/

/t͡sʰou̯³⁵ t͡sʰou̯³⁵ liːu̯¹³ siː²²/

/t͡sʰou̯³⁵ t͡sʰou̯³⁵ liːu̯¹³ siː²²/


家成業就

ㄐㄧㄚ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ jiːp̚³ t͡sɐu̯³³/

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ jɛ⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹/

/kaː⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ jiːp̚³ t͡sɐu̯³³/

to be married, having started a family, and achieved success in one's career


迎新棄舊

/ŋiã²³⁻³³ sin⁴⁴ kʰi²¹⁻⁴¹ ku³³/

/ŋiã²⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴ kʰi²¹⁻⁵³ ku²²/

/ŋiã²⁴⁻¹¹ sin⁴⁴ kʰi¹¹⁻⁵³ ku³³/

/ŋiã²³⁻³³ sin⁴⁴ kʰi²¹⁻⁴¹ ku³³/

/ŋiã²⁴⁻²² sin⁴⁴ kʰi²¹⁻⁵³ ku²²/

/ŋiã²⁴⁻¹¹ sin⁴⁴ kʰi¹¹⁻⁵³ ku³³/

2011, “山伯英台”, 詹雅雯 (lyrics), 詹雅雯 (music)performed by 詹雅雯:

a-má kóng khó-liân ài-chêng bô chū-iû, khah iâⁿ chū-iû loân-ài ngiâ-sin-khì-kū

阿嬤講可憐愛情無自由 卡贏自由戀愛迎新棄舊

阿嬷讲可怜爱情无自由 卡赢自由恋爱迎新弃旧

(Hokkien) to love the new and loathe the old; to be fickle in affection

GT - General Taiwanese (no specific region identified)


西瓜倚大爿

A larger slice of watermelon is more favoured

/se⁴⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴ ua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tua²²⁻²¹ piɪŋ²⁴/

/se³³ kue³³ ua⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tua⁴¹⁻²² puĩ²⁴/

/se⁴⁴⁻²² kua⁴⁴ ua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tua²²⁻²¹ piɪŋ¹³/

/si⁴⁴⁻³³ kue⁴⁴ ua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tua³³⁻²¹ piɪŋ²³/

/si⁴⁴⁻³³ kue⁴⁴ ua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tua³³⁻¹¹ piɪŋ²⁴/

/se⁴⁴⁻²² kue⁴⁴ ua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tua²²⁻²¹ piɪŋ²⁴/

/se³³ kue³³ ua⁵⁵⁴⁻²⁴ tua⁴¹⁻²² puĩ²⁴/

/se⁴⁴⁻²² kua⁴⁴ ua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tua²²⁻²¹ piɪŋ¹³/

/si⁴⁴⁻³³ kue⁴⁴ ua⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tua³³⁻²¹ piɪŋ²³/

/si⁴⁴⁻³³ kue⁴⁴ ua⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tua³³⁻¹¹ piɪŋ²⁴/

(Hokkien) to ingratiate oneself with powerful or influential people; to agree with the majority


砍掉重練

ㄎㄢˇ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄢˋ

каньдяочунлянь

/kʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ li̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hɐm³⁵ tiːu̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ liːn²²/

/kʰän²¹⁴⁻²¹ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰʊŋ³⁵ li̯ɛn⁵¹/

/hɐm³⁵ tiːu̯²² t͡sʰʊŋ²¹ liːn²²/

Originally gaming slang, referring to the situation in roleplaying games (RPGs) when a character is grinded poorly, resulting in bad performance .

to kill (a character) and then grind it again

(chiefly Taiwan, slang, figurative) to start again from scratch, to go back to square one


家嘈屋閉

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯²¹ ʊk̚⁵ pɐi̯³³/

/kaː⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯²¹ ʊk̚⁵ pɐi̯³³/

(Cantonese) to be quarrelsome within a household


歐風美雨

/ˀoʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/ˀoʊ̯⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

influences of western culture and civilization


蛇蠍美人

ㄕㄜˊ ㄒㄧㄝ ㄇㄟˇ ㄖㄣˊ

шэсе мэйжэнь

šɛse mɛjžɛnʹ

/ʂɤ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

/ʂɤ³⁵ ɕi̯ɛ⁵⁵ meɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵/

femme fatale; a beautiful but dangerous woman


輸人唔輸陣

/syː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ m̩²¹ syː⁵⁵ t͡sɐn²²/

/syː⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ m̩²¹ syː⁵⁵ t͡sɐn²²/

(Cantonese) to be inferior in numbers (of people) but not in formation


TNND

ㄊㄚ ㄋㄞˇ ˙ㄋㄞ ˙ㄉㄜ

та найнай дэ

/tʰä⁵⁵ naɪ̯²¹⁴ naɪ̯⁴ d̥ə¹/

/tʰä⁵⁵ naɪ̯²¹⁴ naɪ̯⁴ d̥ə¹/

It is not currently determined if phrases like "your grandma", "bring it on, I can handle ya!" are profane or obscene.

2019 September 2, 【Yahoo論壇】TNND是髒話？是粗口？, The News Lens, reader-sent letter

“tā nǎinai de”, “fàngmǎguòlái, lín-pē tán lí!” Shì fǒu shì zānghuà, cūkǒu, zànqiě bù biǎo.

「TNND」、「放馬過來，恁爸等你！」是否是髒話、粗口，暫且不表。

「TNND」、「放马过来，恁爸等你！」是否是脏话、粗口，暂且不表。

他奶奶的 他奶奶的#Chinese

(vulgar) Initialism of 他奶奶的 (tā nǎinai de).


風風火火

ㄈㄥ ㄈㄥ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ fɔː³⁵/

/fɤŋ⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ xu̯ɔ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ fɔː³⁵ fɔː³⁵/


阮囊羞澀

ㄖㄨㄢˇ ㄋㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄙㄜˋ

жуаньнансюсэ

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/jyːn¹³ nɔːŋ²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵ saːp̚³/

/ʐu̯än²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɑŋ³⁵ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ sɤ⁵¹/

/jyːn¹³ nɔːŋ²¹ sɐu̯⁵⁵ saːp̚³/


國進民退

ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄨㄟˋ

гоцзиньминьтуй

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ min³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/ku̯ɔ³⁵ t͡ɕin⁵¹ min³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

(officialese) state enterprises advance, while the private sector retreats


一言驚醒洛克人

/jɐt̚⁵ jiːn²¹ kɪŋ⁵⁵ sɪŋ³⁵ lɔːk̚² hɐk̚⁵ jɐn²¹/

一言驚醒夢中人 一言驚醒夢中人#Chinese

一言惊醒梦中人 一言惊醒梦中人#Chinese

(Hong Kong Cantonese, neologism, humorous) Synonym of 一言驚醒夢中人／一言惊醒梦中人.

Synonym of 一言驚醒夢中人／一言惊醒梦中人.


前世撈亂骨頭

to have mixed up bones [of the two people] in their previous incarnation

/t͡sʰiːn²¹ sɐi̯³³ lou̯⁵⁵ lyːn²² kʷɐt̚⁵ tʰɐu̯²¹/


張中和

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ wɔː²¹/

/t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ wɔː²¹/

Hobson-Jobson of Mandarin 尊重我 (zūnzhòng wǒ), as a fictional name.

(Hong Kong Cantonese, Internet slang, neologism) respect me


貨不對辦

货不对办
貨不對版
貨不對板

/fɔː³³ pɐt̚⁵ tɵy̯³³ paːn²²⁻³⁵/

/fɔː³³ pɐt̚⁵ tɵy̯³³ paːn²²⁻³⁵/

(Cantonese) the goods do not match their descriptions


因加得減

/jɐn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kaːm³⁵/

/jɐn⁵⁵ kaː⁵⁵ tɐk̚⁵ kaːm³⁵/

penny wise and pound foolish
penny wise and pound foolish

(chiefly Hong Kong) to be penny wise and pound foolish


一天都光嗮

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːi̯³³/

/jɐt̚⁵ tʰiːn⁵⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ kʷɔːŋ⁵⁵ saːi̯³³/

(Cantonese) everything has been resolved


廁所點燈——找屎

/t͡sʰiː³³ sɔː³⁵ tiːm³⁵ tɐŋ⁵⁵ t͡saːu̯³⁵ siː³⁵/

Pun on homophonous 找屎 (zaau² si²) and 找死 (zaau² si²).

to light a lamp in a toilet: to look for faeces


一次生，兩次熟

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiː³³ saːŋ⁵⁵ lœːŋ¹³ t͡sʰiː³³ sʊk̚²/

(Cantonese) first time strangers, second time friends; to soon get to know each other

first time awkward, second time skillful, third time is the finale

jat¹ ci³ saang¹, loeng⁵ ci³ suk⁶, saam¹ ci³ daai⁶ git³ guk⁶

一次生，兩次熟，三次大結局

一次生，两次熟，三次大结局

(Cantonese) first time awkward, second time skillful; difficult at first, easy later on


撼天動地

ㄏㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄧˋ

ханьтяньдунди

/xän⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/hɐm²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² tei̯²²/

/xän⁵¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ tʊŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti⁵¹/

/hɐm²² tʰiːn⁵⁵ tʊŋ²² tei̯²²/


留返拜山先講

/lɐu̯²¹ faːn⁵⁵ paːi̯³³ saːn⁵⁵ siːn⁵⁵ kɔːŋ³⁵/

Two theories:
* Implying that one should say when one dies.
* When visiting ancestor's grave, it is believed that people are allowed to talk anything without any taboos according to customs.

I have no time to listen to you now. Please shut the hell up.

ngo⁵ ji⁴ gaa¹ m⁴ dak¹ haan⁴ teng¹ nei⁵ gong² je⁵, jau⁵ je⁵ lau⁴ faan¹ baai³ saan¹ sin¹ gong² laa¹!

我而家唔得閒聽你講嘢，有嘢留返拜山先講啦！

我而家唔得闲听你讲嘢，有嘢留返拜山先讲啦！

(Cantonese, slang) Said when one thinks that what someone saying is annoying.


等個孫燒畀我

等个孙烧畀我
等個孫燒俾我
等個孫燒比我

to let my grandson burn it [as sacrificial offerings] for me

/tɐŋ³⁵ kɔː³³ syːn⁵⁵ siːu̯⁵⁵ pei̯³⁵ ŋɔː¹³/

It's been almost a year and yet there hasn't been a new comic release. I reckon the release will happen when Hell freezes over.

seng⁴ nin⁴ dou¹ mei⁶ ceot¹ san¹ jat¹ bun² maan⁶ waa⁶⁻², tai² paa³ dou¹ hai⁶ jiu³ dang² go³ syun¹ siu¹ bei² ngo⁵ laa³.

成年都未出新一本漫畫，睇怕都係要等個孫燒畀我喇。

成年都未出新一本漫画，睇怕都系要等个孙烧畀我喇。

(Cantonese, slang, humorous) Used to describe something (usually comics) that is taking a long time between releases. Implies that something is not likely to happen within one's lifetime.


批個頭落嚟畀你當凳坐

批個頭落嚟畀你當櫈坐
批个头落嚟畀你当凳坐
批個頭落嚟俾你當凳坐

(I'll) chop my head off and let you sit on it as a chair

pai¹ go³ tau⁴ lok⁶ lei⁴ bei² nei⁵ dong³ dang³ co⁵

pai¹ go³ tau⁴⁻² lok⁶ lei⁴ bei² nei⁵ dong³ dang³ co⁵

pai¹ go³ tau⁴⁻² lok⁶ lai⁴ bei² nei⁵ dong³ dang³ co⁵

pāi go tàuh lohk lèih béi néih dong dang chóh

pāi go tàuh lohk làih béi néih dong dang chóh

pāi go táu lohk lèih béi néih dong dang chóh

pāi go táu lohk làih béi néih dong dang chóh

pai¹ go³ tau⁴ lok⁹ lei⁴ bei² nei⁵ dong³ dang³ tso⁵

pai¹ go³ tau⁴⁻² lok⁹ lei⁴ bei² nei⁵ dong³ dang³ tso⁵

pai¹ go³ tau⁴⁻² lok⁹ lai⁴ bei² nei⁵ dong³ dang³ tso⁵

pei¹ go³ teo⁴ log⁶ léi⁴ béi² néi⁵ dong³ deng³ co⁵

pei¹ go³ teo⁴⁻² log⁶ léi⁴ béi² néi⁵ dong³ deng³ co⁵

pei¹ go³ teo⁴⁻² log⁶ lei⁴ béi² néi⁵ dong³ deng³ co⁵

/pʰɐi̯⁵⁵ kɔː³³ tʰɐu̯²¹ lɔːk̚² lei̯²¹ pei̯³⁵ nei̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³ tɐŋ³³ t͡sʰɔː¹³/

/pʰɐi̯⁵⁵ kɔː³³ tʰɐu̯²¹ lɔːk̚² lɐi̯²¹ pei̯³⁵ nei̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³ tɐŋ³³ t͡sʰɔː¹³/

/pʰɐi̯⁵⁵ kɔː³³ tʰɐu̯²¹⁻³⁵ lɔːk̚² lei̯²¹ pei̯³⁵ nei̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³ tɐŋ³³ t͡sʰɔː¹³/

/pʰɐi̯⁵⁵ kɔː³³ tʰɐu̯²¹⁻³⁵ lɔːk̚² lɐi̯²¹ pei̯³⁵ nei̯¹³ tɔːŋ³³ tɐŋ³³ t͡sʰɔː¹³/

/ pai¹ go³ tau⁴ lok⁶ lai⁴ bei² nei⁵ dong³ dang³ co⁵ /

/ pai¹ go³ tau⁴ lok⁹ lai⁴ bei² nei⁵ dong³ dang³ tso⁵ /

/ pei¹ go³ teo⁴ log⁶ lei⁴ béi² néi⁵ dong³ deng³ co⁵ /

If the Chinese team can make it to the World Cup finals this time, I'll eat my hat!

jyu⁴ gwo² zung¹ gwok³ deoi⁶⁻² gam¹ ci³ jap⁶ dou³⁻² sai³ gaai³ bui¹ kyut³ coi³ zau¹, ngo⁵ pai¹ go³ tau⁴ lok⁶ lai⁴ bei² nei⁵ dong³ dang³ co⁵!

如果中國隊今次入到世界盃決賽週，我批個頭落嚟畀你當凳坐！

如果中国队今次入到世界杯决赛周，我批个头落嚟畀你当凳坐！


六不答對

ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄚˊ ㄉㄨㄟˋ

/li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tä³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

/li̯oʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ tä³⁵ tu̯eɪ̯⁵¹/

This lad's words are nonsense. I don't know what he is talking about.

Zhè xiǎohuǒ shuōhuà liùbùdáduì, bù xiǎodé shuō de shènmenzi.

這小伙說話六不答對，不曉得說的甚們子。

这小伙说话六不答对，不晓得说的甚们子。

(Yangzhou Mandarin) the answer is irrelevant to the question; a square peg cannot fit into a round hole


唔係我杯茶

/m̩²¹ hɐi̯²² ŋɔː¹³ puːi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː²¹/

/m̩²¹ hɐi̯²² ŋɔː¹³ puːi̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰaː²¹/


鬼拍後尾枕

/kʷɐi̯³⁵ pʰaːk̚³ hɐu̯²² mei̯¹³ t͡sɐm³⁵/

/kʷɐi̯³⁵ pʰaːk̚³ hɐu̯²² mei̯¹³ t͡sɐm³⁵/


打瀉茶

/taː³⁵ sɛː³⁵ t͡sʰaː²¹/

/taː³⁵ sɛː³⁵ t͡sʰaː²¹/

(Cantonese, dated) the fiancé dies; a woman loses her betrothed


周身刀，冇張利

knives on the whole body, but none of them are sharp

/t͡sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɐn⁵⁵ tou̯⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ t͡sœːŋ⁵⁵ lei̯²²/

jack of all trades, master of none
jack of all trades, master of none

(Cantonese) jack of all trades, master of none


雲泥之別

ㄩㄣˊ ㄋㄧˊ ㄓ ㄅㄧㄝˊ

/yn³⁵ ni³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

/yn³⁵ ni³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ pi̯ɛ³⁵/

starkly different, one being considerably better or higher in status than the other


電視汁撈飯

/tiːn²² siː²² t͡sɐp̚⁵ lou̯⁵⁵ faːn²²/

/tiːn²² siː²² t͡sɐp̚⁵ lou̯⁵⁵ faːn²²/

(chiefly Hong Kong Cantonese) to watch TV while eating


滾水淥腳

/kʷɐn³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ lʊk̚² kœːk̚³/

/kʷɐn³⁵ sɵy̯³⁵ lʊk̚² kœːk̚³/


玉體橫陳

ㄩˋ ㄊㄧˇ ㄏㄥˊ ㄔㄣˊ

/y⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/y⁵¹ tʰi²¹⁴⁻²¹ xɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/


炒蝦拆蟹

/t͡sʰaːu̯³⁵ haː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚³ haːi̯¹³/

/t͡sʰaːu̯³⁵ haː⁵⁵ t͡sʰaːk̚³ haːi̯¹³/

Crabs and shrimps are two of the symbols used in censorship of swear words.

(Cantonese, colloquial, euphemistic) to use offensive or vulgar words; to swear; to talk dirty


天落紅雨，馬生角

/tʰĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ lɤ(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ aŋ²³⁻³³ hɔ³³ be⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ sẽ⁴⁴⁻³³ kak̚³²/

/tʰĩ⁴⁴⁻²² lo(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ aŋ²⁴⁻²² hɔ²² be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sĩ⁴⁴⁻²² kak̚³²/

/tʰĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ lo(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ aŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ hɔ³³ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ sĩ⁴⁴⁻³³ kak̚³²/


打不還手，罵不還口

ㄉㄚˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄕㄡˇ

ㄇㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄎㄡˇ

да бу хуаньшоу

ма бу хуанькоу

/tä²¹⁴⁻²¹ pu⁵¹ xu̯än³⁵ ʂoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ mä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ xu̯än³⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

to be a complete pacifist and not retaliate at all


溢於言表

ㄧˋ ㄩˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ

/i⁵¹ y³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚² jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ piːu̯³⁵/

/i⁵¹ y³⁵ jɛn³⁵ pi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/jɐt̚² jyː⁵⁵ jiːn²¹ piːu̯³⁵/

喜悅之情溢於言表

喜悦之情溢于言表


中氣十足

ㄓㄨㄥ ㄑㄧˋ ㄕˊ ㄗㄨˊ

чжунци шицзу

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³³ sɐp̚² t͡sʊk̚⁵/

/ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵ t͡su³⁵/

/t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ hei̯³³ sɐp̚² t͡sʊk̚⁵/


站著說話不腰疼

ㄓㄢˋ ˙ㄓㄜ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄠ ㄊㄥˊ

чжаньчжэ шохуа бу яотэн

/ʈ͡ʂän⁵¹ ɖ͡ʐ̥ə¹ ʂu̯ɔ⁵⁵ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ jɑʊ̯⁵⁵ tʰɤŋ³⁵/

站着說話不腰疼
站着説話不腰疼
站着说话不腰疼

[someone's] back does not hurt if speaking while standing

being inconsiderate of other's feelings; being unable to put oneself in the place of another, especially when someone is making cynical comments about a person's situation


老羞成怒

ㄌㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄔㄥˊ ㄋㄨˋ

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ nu⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ nou̯²²/

/lɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ³⁵ nu⁵¹/

/lou̯¹³ sɐu̯⁵⁵ sɪŋ²¹ nou̯²²/


ㄨㄟ ㄨㄛˇ ㄨˇ ㄕˊ

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

/weɪ̯⁵⁵ wɔ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ u²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʂʐ̩³⁵/

(Internet slang) send me 50 yuan over WeChat


和尚划船——無法度

/hue²³⁻³³ siũ³³⁻²¹ kɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sun²³ bɤ²³⁻³³ huat̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ³³/

/hue²⁴⁻¹¹ siũ³³⁻¹¹ ko¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sun²⁴ bo²⁴⁻¹¹ huat̚³²⁻⁴ tɔ³³/

A monk is bald, i.e. he has no hair (無髮／无发 (bô hoat)). Therefore, the second part of the phrase is 無髮渡／无发渡. 髮／发 (hoat) has the same pronunciation as 法 (hoat) and 渡 (tō͘, “sailing across the sea or river”) has the same pronunciation as 度 (tō͘)

zh-l

A Buddhist monk rows a boat - a man with no hair sailing across (to no avail)


稍安勿躁

шаоань уцзао

/ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ʂɑʊ̯⁵⁵ ˀän⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

少安勿躁 少安勿躁#Chinese


少安勿躁

ㄕㄠˇ ㄢ ㄨˋ ㄗㄠˋ

шаоань уцзао

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀän⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

/ʂɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀän⁵⁵ u⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɑʊ̯⁵¹/

Please calm down a bit, don't be so irritated.


擺明車馬

/paːi̯³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ maː¹³/

/paːi̯³⁵ mɪŋ²¹ kɵy̯⁵⁵ maː¹³/

(Cantonese) to show clearly one's intent and actions; to act overtly


bu你阿嬤

/puː²¹ niː¹³ aː³³ mɔː⁵⁵/

/puː²¹ niː³⁵ aː³³ mɔː⁵⁵/

/puː²¹ niː¹³ aː³³ mɔː⁵⁵/

/puː²¹ niː³⁵ aː³³ mɔː⁵⁵/

bor

Teochew 甫領母／甫领母

bu你阿嬷
pu你阿嬤
bu你阿麼
pu你阿麼
婆你阿嬤

1996, 食神 [The God of Cookery], spoken by 史提芬周 [Stephen Chow] (周星馳 [Stephen Chow]):

Fuck you! Do you know any basic manners?

pu⁴ ni⁵ aa³ mo¹! nei⁵ hiu² m⁴ hiu² kwai¹ geoi² ge³ ze¹?

pu你阿嬤！你曉唔曉規矩嘅啫？

pu你阿嬷！你晓唔晓规矩嘅啫？

(Cantonese, vulgar, humorous) fuck your mother; fuck you


失匙夾萬

/sɐt̚⁵ siː²¹ kaːp̚³ maːn²²/

/sɐt̚⁵ siː²¹ kaːp̚³ maːn²²/

(Cantonese) person from a rich family who does not have access to his or her family's wealth


澳門風扇——麻鳩煩

/ou̯³³ muːn²¹⁻³⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵ siːn³³ maː²¹ kɐu̯⁵⁵ faːn²¹/

Near homophonous pun between the English translation of 澳門風扇／澳门风扇 (ou3 mun4-2 fung1 sin3, “Macau fan”) and 麻鳩煩／麻鸠烦 (maa4 gau1 faan4, “fucking annoying”), the expletive-infixed form of 麻煩／麻烦 (maa4 faan4, “annoying”).

(Hong Kong Cantonese, dated, vulgar) fucking annoying


冇花冇假

/mou̯¹³ faː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ kaː³⁵/

/mou̯¹³ faː⁵⁵ mou̯¹³ kaː³⁵/


路見不平

ㄌㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ

луцзяньбупин

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/lou̯²² kiːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/lɔ³³⁻¹¹ kiɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/lɔ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²³/

/lu⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹⁻⁵³ pu⁵¹ pʰiŋ³⁵/

/lou̯²² kiːn³³ pɐt̚⁵ pʰɪŋ²¹/

/lɔ³³⁻¹¹ kiɛn¹¹⁻⁵³ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²⁴/

/lɔ³³⁻²¹ kiɛn²¹⁻⁴¹ put̚³²⁻⁴ piɪŋ²³/

to stand up for the truth and fight for justice