| ⇒ 一人得道，鸡犬升天 | [ yī rén dé daò jī quǎn shēng tiān ] lit. when a man achieves the Dao, his poultry and dogs rise to Heaven (idiom), fig. to ride on sb else's success, Once one man gets a government position, all his cronies get in too, Once sb has cracked the problem, every Tom, Dick and Harry can do it |
| ⇒ 一个天南，一个地北 | [ yī ge tiān nán yī ge dì beǐ ] to live miles apart (idiom) |
| ⇒ 一传十，十传百 | [ yī chuán shí shí chuán baǐ ] news pass quickly from mouth to mouth (idiom), an infectious disease spreads quickly (old meaning) |
| ⇒ 一分耕耘，一分收获 | [ yī fēn gēng yún yī fēn shoū huò ] you get what you put in, you reap what you sow |
| ⇒ 一则以喜，一则以忧 | [ yī zé yǐ xǐ yī zé yǐ yoū ] happy on the one hand, but worried on the other (idiom) |
| ⇒ 一夫当关，万夫莫开 | [ yī fū dāng guān wàn fū mò kaī ] one man can hold the pass against ten thousand enemies (idiom) |
| ⇒ 一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴 | [ yī cùn guāng yīn yī cùn jīn cùn jīn nán maǐ cùn guāng yīn ] lit. An interval of time is worth an ounce of gold, money cannot buy you time. (idiom), fig. Time is precious and must be treasured. |
| ⇒ 一手交钱，一手交货 | [ yī shoǔ qián yī shoǔ huò ] lit. one hand exchanges the cash, the other the goods (idiom), fig. to pay for what you want in cash, simple and direct transaction |
| ⇒ 一日不见，如隔三秋 | [ yī rì bù jiàn rú gé sān qiū ] one day apart seems like three years (idiom) |
| ⇒ 一日为师，终身为父 | [ yī rì weí shī zhōng shēn weí fù ] lit. teacher for one day, father for ever (idiom) |
| ⇒ 一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳 | [ yī zhaō beì shé yaǒ shí nián pà jǐng shéng ] once bitten by a snake, ten years in fear of a well rope, once bitten, twice shy (idiom) |
| ⇒ 一次生，两次熟 | [ yī cì shēng liǎng cì shú ] unfamiliar at first but you get used to it, strangers are first meeting, but soon friends, an acquired taste |
| ⇒ 一瓶子不响，半瓶子晃荡 | [ yī píng zi bù xiǎng bàn píng zi huàng dang ] lit. a full bottle makes no sound; a half-filled bottle sloshes (idiom), fig. empty vessels make the most noise |
| ⇒ 一着不慎，满盘皆输 | [ yī zhaō bù shèn mǎn pán jiē shū ] One careless move and the whole game is lost. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 一言既出，驷马难追 | [ yī yán jì chū sì mǎ nán zhuī ] lit. once said, a team of horses cannot unsay it (idiom); a promise must be kept |
| ⇒ 一部二十四史，不知从何说起 | [ yī bù èr shí sì shǐ bù zhī cóng hé shuō qǐ ] It's a long and intricate story, I hardly know where to start. |
| ⇒ 丈二和尚，摸不着头脑 | [ zhàng èr hé shang mō bu zhaó toú naǒ ] lit. like a three-meter high monk, you can't rub his head (idiom), fig. at a total loss |
| ⇒ 三人行，则必有我师 | [ sān rén xíng zé bì yoǔ wǒ shī ] If three walk together, one of them can teach me sth (Confucius) |
| ⇒ 三人行，必有我师 | [ sān rén xíng bì yoǔ wǒ shī ] lit. if three walk together, one can be my teacher (idiom, from the Analects of Confucius), you have sth to learn from everyone |
| ⇒ 三个臭皮匠，胜过一个诸葛亮 | [ sān gè choù pí jiang shèng guò yī gè zhū gě liàng ] variant of 三個臭皮匠，賽過一個諸葛亮|三个臭皮匠，赛过一个诸葛亮[san1 ge4 chou4 pi2 jiang5 , sai4 guo4 yi1 ge4 Zhu1 ge3 Liang4] |
| ⇒ 三个臭皮匠，合成一个诸葛亮 | [ sān gè choù pí jiang hé chéng yī gè zhū gě liàng ] lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (idiom); fig. collective wisdom |
| ⇒ 三个臭皮匠，赛过一个诸葛亮 | [ sān gè choù pí jiang saì guò yī gè zhū gě liàng ] lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (idiom); fig. collective wisdom, wisdom of the masses exceeds that of any individual |
| ⇒ 三个臭皮匠，赛过诸葛亮 | [ sān gè choù pí jiang saì guò zhū gě liàng ] lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (idiom); fig. collective wisdom, wisdom of the masses exceeds that of any individual |
| ⇒ 三个臭皮匠，顶个诸葛亮 | [ sān gè choù pí jiang dǐng gè zhū gě liàng ] lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (idiom); fig. collective wisdom, wisdom of the masses exceeds that of any individual |
| ⇒ 三十六计，走为上策 | [ sān shí liù jì zoǔ weí shàng cè ] of the thirty-six stratagems, the best option is to flee (idiom), the best thing to do is leave |
| ⇒ 三十六计，走为上计 | [ sān shí liù jì zoǔ weí shàng jì ] see 三十六計，走為上策|三十六计，走为上策[san1 shi2 liu4 ji4 , zou3 wei2 shang4 ce4] |
| ⇒ 三十年河东，三十年河西 | [ sān shí nián hé dōng sān shí nián hé xī ] the river flows thirty years to the East, thirty years to the West (proverb), change is the only constant |
| ⇒ 三天打鱼，两天晒网 | [ sān tiān dǎ yú liǎng tiān shaì wǎng ] lit. to fish for three days and sun-dry the nets for two days (proverb), fig. not to persevere in doing sth, to do sth by fits and starts |
| ⇒ 上一次当，学一次乖 | [ shàng yī cì dàng xué yī cì ] to take sth as a lesson for next time (idiom), once bitten, twice shy |
| ⇒ 上刀山，下油锅 | [ shàng daō shān xià yoú guō ] lit. to climb mountains of swords and enter cauldrons of boiling oil (idiom), fig. to go through trials and tribulations |
| ⇒ 上天无路，入地无门 | [ shàng tiān wú lù rù dì wú mén ] lit. there is no road to the sky, nor door into the earth (idiom), fig. to be at the end of one's rope, to be trapped in a hopeless situation |
| ⇒ 上有天堂，下有苏杭 | [ shàng yoǔ tiān táng xià yoǔ sū háng ] lit. there is heaven above, and there is 蘇杭|苏杭[Su1 Hang2] below (idiom), fig. the beauty and affluence of Suzhou and Hangzhou is comparable with heaven |
| ⇒ 上有政策，下有对策 | [ shàng yoǔ zhèng cè xià yoǔ duì cè ] The higher ups have policies while the lower downs have their own ways of getting around them. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 不干不净，吃了没病 | [ bù gān bù jìng chī le meí bìng ] a little dirt never killed anybody (proverb), a couple of germs won't do you any harm |
| ⇒ 不以规矩，不能成方圆 | [ bù yǐ guī ju bù néng chéng fāng yuán ] without rules, nothing can be done (idiom, from Mencius); one must follow some rules |
| ⇒ 不做亏心事，不怕鬼敲门 | [ bù zuò kuī xīn shì bù pà guǐ mén ] He who never wrongs others does not fear the knock in the night., Rest with a clear conscience. |
| ⇒ 不孝有三，无后为大 | [ bù yoǔ sān wú hoù weí dà ] There are three ways to be unfilial; having no sons is the worst. (citation from Mencius 孟子[Meng4 zi3]) |
| ⇒ 不怕一万，就怕万一 | [ bù pà yī wàn jiù pà wàn yī ] better to be safe than sorry (proverb), to be prepared just in case |
| ⇒ 不怕不识货，只怕货比货 | [ bù pà bù shí huò zhǐ pà huò bǐ huò ] lit. don't worry about not knowing goods, but about comparing them (proverb), fig. goods' (or person's) true value can only be determined through comparison |
| ⇒ 不怕不识货，就怕货比货 | [ bù pà bù shí huò jiù pà huò bǐ huò ] lit. don't worry about not knowing goods, but about comparing them (proverb), fig. goods' (or person's) true value can only be determined through comparison |
| ⇒ 不怕神一样的对手，就怕猪一样的队友 | [ bù pà shén yī yàng de duì shoǔ jiù pà zhū yī yàng de duì yoǔ ] a boneheaded teammate can do you more harm than the most formidable opponent (idiom) |
| ⇒ 不求有功，但求无过 | [ bù qiú yoǔ gōng dàn qiú wú guò ] lit. not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiom), fig. to take a risk-averse approach |
| ⇒ 不管白猫黑猫，捉住老鼠就是好猫 | [ bù guǎn baí maō heī maō zhuō zhù laǒ shǔ jiù shì haǒ maō ] it doesn't matter whether a cat is white or black; as long as it catches mice it's a good cat (variant of a Sichuanese saying used in a speech by Deng Xiaoping 鄧小平|邓小平[Deng4 Xiao3 ping2] in 1962, usually associated with his economic reforms starting in 1978, in which pragmatism was favored over ideological purity) |
| ⇒ 不经一事，不长一智 | [ bù jīng yī shì bù zhǎng yī zhì ] you can't gain knowledge without practical experience (idiom), wisdom only comes with experience |
| ⇒ 不听老人言，吃亏在眼前 | [ bù tīng laǒ rén yán chī kuī zaì yǎn qián ] (idiom) ignore your elders at your peril |
| ⇒ 不自由，毋宁死 | [ bù zì yoú wú nìng sǐ ] give me liberty or give me death |
| ⇒ 世上无难事，只怕有心人 | [ shì shàng wú nán shì zhǐ pà yoǔ xīn rén ] see 天下無難事，只怕有心人|天下无难事，只怕有心人[tian1 xia4 wu2 nan2 shi4 , zhi3 pa4 you3 xin1 ren2] |
| ⇒ 干打雷，不下雨 | [ gān dǎ leí bù xià yǔ ] all thunder but no rain (idiom), a lot of noise but no action |
| ⇒ 事不关己，高高挂起 | [ shì bù guān jǐ gaō gaō guà qǐ ] to feel unconcerned and let matters rest (idiom) |
| ⇒ 二虎相斗，必有一伤 | [ èr hǔ xiāng doù bì yoǔ yī shāng ] lit. when two tigers fight, one is sure to be wounded (idiom), fig. if it comes to a fight, someone will get hurt |
| ⇒ 人不为己，天诛地灭 | [ rén bù weì jǐ tiān zhū dì miè ] Look out for yourself, or heaven and earth will combine to destroy you., Every man for himself, and the Devil take the hindmost. |
| ⇒ 人之将死，其言也善 | [ rén zhī jiāng sǐ qí yán yě shàn ] words of a man on his deathbed always come from the heart (proverb) |
| ⇒ 人往高处爬，水往低处流 | [ rén wǎng gaō chù pá shuǐ wǎng dī chù liú ] see 人往高處走，水往低處流|人往高处走，水往低处流[ren2 wang3 gao1 chu4 zou3 , shui3 wang3 di1 chu4 liu2] |
| ⇒ 人往高处走，水往低处流 | [ rén wǎng gaō chù zoǔ shuǐ wǎng dī chù liú ] man seeks his way up just as water seeks its way down (idiom), one should constantly strive to make progress |
| ⇒ 人有失手，马有失蹄 | [ rén yoǔ shī shoǔ mǎ yoǔ shī tí ] lit. just as humans make mistakes, so can a horse stumble (idiom), fig. everyone makes mistakes, even the best fall down sometimes |
| ⇒ 人比人，气死人 | [ rén bǐ rén qì sǐ rén ] constantly comparing oneself to others will only make one angry (proverb) |
| ⇒ 人为刀俎，我为鱼肉 | [ rén weí daō zǔ wǒ weí yú roù ] lit. to be the meat on sb's chopping block (idiom), fig. to be at sb's mercy |
| ⇒ 人为财死，鸟为食亡 | [ rén weì caí sǐ weì shí wáng ] lit. human beings will die for riches, just as birds will for food (idiom), fig. man will do anything in his means to become rich |
| ⇒ 人无远虑，必有近忧 | [ rén wú yuǎn lǜ bì yoǔ jìn yoū ] He who gives no thought to far-flung problems soon finds suffering nearby (idiom, from Analects)., Smug concentration on the here and now will lead to future sorrow. |
| ⇒ 人生短暂，学术无涯 | [ rén shēng duǎn zàn xué shù wú yá ] Life is short, learning is limitless, Ars longa, vita brevis |
| ⇒ 人非生而知之者，孰能无惑 | [ rén feī shēng ér zhī zhī zhě shú néng wú huò ] Knowledge is not innate to man, how can we overcome doubt?, We are not born with knowledge, how does one achieve maturity? (i.e. without guidance from a teacher - Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈|韩愈[Han2 Yu4]) |
| ⇒ 仁者见仁，智者见智 | [ rén zhě jiàn rén zhì zhě jiàn zhì ] The benevolent sees benevolence, the wise sees wisdom., Different views are admissible. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 仇人相见，分外眼红 | [ choú rén xiāng jiàn fèn waì yǎn hóng ] when the enemies come face to face, their eyes blaze with hatred (idiom) |
| ⇒ 以其人之道，还治其人之身 | [ yǐ qí rén zhī daò huán zhì qí rén zhī shēn ] to use an opponent's own methods to obtain retribution (idiom, from Song dynasty neo-Confucianist Zhu Xi 朱熹[Zhu1 Xi1]); to get revenge by playing sb back at his own game, to give sb a taste of his own medicine |
| ⇒ 以直报怨，以德报德 | [ yǐ zhí baò yuàn yǐ dé baò dé ] to repay kindness with kindness, and repay enmity with justice (idiom, from Analects) |
| ⇒ 以眼还眼，以牙还牙 | [ yǐ yǎn huán yǎn yǐ yá huán yá ] an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth (idiom), fig. to use the enemy's methods against him, to give sb a taste of his own medicine |
| ⇒ 以言代法，以权压法 | [ yǐ yán daì fǎ yǐ quán yā fǎ ] to substitute one's words for the law and abuse power to crush it (idiom); completely lawless behavior, Might makes right. |
| ⇒ 任凭风浪起，稳坐钓鱼台 | [ rèn píng fēng làng qǐ wěn zuò yú taí ] lit. sitting at ease in a fishing boat despite wind and storm (idiom); to stay calm during tense situation, a cool head in a crisis |
| ⇒ 你走你的阳关道，我过我的独木桥 | [ nǐ zoǔ nǐ de yáng guān daò wǒ guò wǒ de dú mù ] lit. you hit the high road, I'll cross the log bridge (idiom), fig. you go your way, I'll go mine, you do it your way, I'll do it mine |
| ⇒ 来得容易，去得快 | [ laí de róng yì qù de ] Easy come, easy go. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 来无影，去无踪 | [ laí wú yǐng qù wú zōng ] lit. come without a shadow, leave without a footprint (idiom); to come and go without a trace |
| ⇒ 来者不善，善者不来 | [ laí zhě bù shàn shàn zhě bù laí ] He who comes is surely ill-intentioned, no-one well-meaning will come (idiom)., Be careful not to trust foreigners., Beware of Greeks bearing gifts! |
| ⇒ 兄弟阋于墙，外御其侮 | [ xiōng dì xì yú qiáng waì yù qí wǔ ] internal disunity dissolves at the threat of an invasion from outside (idiom) |
| ⇒ 先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐 | [ xiān tiān xià zhī yoū ér yoū hoù tiān xià zhī lè ér lè ] The first concern is affairs of state, enjoying the pleasure comes later. Quotation from essay On Yueyang Tower 岳陽樓記|岳阳楼记 by Song writer Fan Zhongyan 范仲淹[Fan4 Zhong4 yan1] |
| ⇒ 先天不足，后天失调 | [ xiān tiān bù zú hoù tiān shī ] to be born with a weak constitution and suffer from ill health during one's life, (fig.) to be problematic from the start, and get even worse over time |
| ⇒ 儿不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫 | [ ér bù xián mǔ choǔ goǔ bù xián jiā pín ] a son won't abandon his mother for being ugly, just as a dog won't abandon its owner for being poor (proverb) |
| ⇒ 内行看门道，外行看热闹 | [ neì háng kàn mén dao waì háng kàn rè nao ] while the connoisseur recognizes the artistry, the layman simply enjoys the show |
| ⇒ 两国相争，不斩来使 | [ liǎng guó xiāng zhēng bù zhǎn laí shǐ ] when two kingdoms are at war, they don't execute envoys (idiom) |
| ⇒ 两虎相争，必有一伤 | [ liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng bì yoǔ yī shāng ] if two tigers fight, one will get injured (idiom), if you start a war, someone is bound to get hurt |
| ⇒ 两虎相斗，必有一伤 | [ liǎng hǔ xiāng doù bì yoǔ yī shāng ] when two tigers fight, one will get injured (idiom), if it comes to a fight, someone will get hurt. |
| ⇒ 八仙过海，各显其能 | [ bā xiān guò haǐ gè xiǎn qí néng ] see 八仙過海，各顯神通|八仙过海，各显神通[Ba1 xian1 guo4 hai3 , ge4 xian3 shen2 tong1] |
| ⇒ 八仙过海，各显神通 | [ bā xiān guò haǐ gè xiǎn shén tōng ] lit. the Eight Immortals cross the sea, each showing his own special talent (idiom), fig. (of each individual in a group) to give full play to one's unique capabilities |
| ⇒ 公说公有理，婆说婆有理 | [ gōng shuō gōng yoǔ lǐ pó shuō pó yoǔ lǐ ] both sides claim they're right (idiom) |
| ⇒ 兵来将挡，水来土掩 | [ bīng laí jiàng dǎng shuǐ laí tǔ yǎn ] counter soldiers with arms, water with an earth weir (idiom); different situations call for different action, to adopt measures appropriate to the actual situation |
| ⇒ 兵来将敌，水来土堰 | [ bīng laí jiàng dí shuǐ laí tǔ yàn ] counter soldiers with arms, water with an earth weir (idiom); different situations call for different action, to adopt measures appropriate to the actual situation |
| ⇒ 兵马未动，粮草先行 | [ bīng mǎ weì dòng liáng caǒ xiān xíng ] before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first (idiom); logistics comes before military maneuvers, an army marches on its stomach |
| ⇒ 兼听则明，偏信则暗 | [ jiān tīng zé míng piān xìn zé àn ] listen to both sides and you will be enlightened; heed only one side and you will remain ignorant (idiom) |
| ⇒ 冤有头，债有主 | [ yuān yoǔ toú zhaì yoǔ zhǔ ] for every grievance someone is responsible, for every debt there is a debtor (idiom), when settling disputes one should not involve third parties |
| ⇒ 冰冻三尺，非一日之寒 | [ bīng dòng sān chǐ feī yī rì zhī hán ] three feet of ice does not form in a single day (idiom); Rome wasn't built in a day |
| ⇒ 冰炭不言，冷热自明 | [ bīng tàn bù yán lěng rè zì míng ] ice or coals, whether hot or cold goes without saying (idiom); fig. sincerity is not expressed in words |
| ⇒ 出其不意，攻其不备 | [ chū qí bù yì gōng qí bù beì ] to catch an enemy off guard with a surprise attack (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孫子兵法|孙子兵法[Sun1 zi3 Bing1 fa3]) |
| ⇒ 出满勤，干满点 | [ chū mǎn qín gàn mǎn diǎn ] to be assiduous and work full hours |
| ⇒ 刀不磨要生锈，人不学要落后 | [ daō bù mó yaò shēng xiù rén bù xué yaò luò hoù ] a blade will get rusty if it is not sharpened; a man will fall behind if he doesn't study (idiom) |
| ⇒ 到什么山上，唱什么歌 | [ daò shén me shān shàng chàng shén me gē ] lit. whatever mountain one is on, one should sing its songs (idiom), fig. when in Rome, do as the Romans do |
| ⇒ 前不巴村，后不巴店 | [ qián bù bā cūn hoù bù bā diàn ] see 前不著村，後不著店|前不着村，后不着店[qian2 bu4 zhao2 cun1 , hou4 bu4 zhao2 dian4] |
| ⇒ 前不着村，后不着店 | [ qián bù zhaó cūn hoù bù zhaó diàn ] lit. no village ahead and no inn behind (idiom), fig. to be stranded in the middle of nowhere, to be in a predicament |
| ⇒ 前不见古人，后不见来者 | [ qián bù jiàn gǔ rén hoù bù jiàn laí zhě ] unique, unprecedented (idiom) |
| ⇒ 前事不忘，后事之师 | [ qián shì bù wàng hoù shì zhī shī ] don't forget past events, they can guide you in future (idiom); benefit from past experience |
| ⇒ 前人栽树，后人乘凉 | [ qián rén zaī shù hoù rén chéng liáng ] to enjoy the benefits of the hard work of one's predecessors. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 前无古人，后无来者 | [ qián wú gǔ rén hoù wú laí zhě ] there has never been and never will be another person like this (idiom), never done before and unlikely to be matched in the future, peerless |
| ⇒ 前车之覆，后车之鉴 | [ qián chē zhī fù hoù chē zhī jiàn ] lit. the cart in front overturns, a warning to the following cart (idiom); fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor, learn from past mistake, once bitten twice shy |
| ⇒ 前门打虎，后门打狼 | [ qián mén dǎ hǔ hoù mén dǎ láng ] to beat a tiger from the front door, only to have a wolf come in at the back (idiom); fig. facing one problem after another |
| ⇒ 前门拒虎，后门进狼 | [ qián mén jù hǔ hoù mén jìn láng ] to beat a tiger from the front door, only to have a wolf come in at the back (idiom); fig. facing one problem after another |
| ⇒ 胜不骄，败不馁 | [ shèng bù baì bù neǐ ] no arrogance in victory, no despair in defeat |
| ⇒ 十年树木，百年树人 | [ shí nián shù mù baǐ nián shù rén ] It takes ten years to nurture a tree, but a hundred years to train a man (idiom). A good education program takes a long time to develop. |
| ⇒ 千军易得，一将难求 | [ qiān jūn yì dé yī jiàng nán qiú ] Easy to raise an army of one thousand, but hard to find a good general. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 千里之堤，溃于蚁穴 | [ qiān lǐ zhī dī kuì yú yǐ xué ] an ant hole may cause the collapse of a great dike (idiom), huge damage may result from a moment's negligence |
| ⇒ 千里之行，始于足下 | [ qiān lǐ zhī xíng shǐ yú zú xià ] lit. a thousand mile journey begins with the first step, fig. big accomplishments come from an accumulation of little achievements made one by one |
| ⇒ 千里搭长棚，没有不散的宴席 | [ qiān lǐ dā cháng péng meí yoǔ bù sàn de yàn xí ] even if you build a thousand-league awning for it, every banquet must come to an end (idiom) |
| ⇒ 千里送鹅毛，礼轻人意重 | [ qiān lǐ sòng é maó lǐ qīng rén yì zhòng ] goose feather sent from afar, a slight present but weighty meaning (idiom); It's not the present the counts, it's the thought behind it. |
| ⇒ 千里送鹅毛，礼轻情意重 | [ qiān lǐ sòng é maó lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng ] goose feather sent from afar, a trifling present with a weighty thought behind it (idiom); It's not the gift that counts, but the thought behind it. |
| ⇒ 千里马常有，而伯乐不常有 | [ qiān lǐ mǎ cháng yoǔ ér bó lè bù cháng yoǔ ] lit. there are many swift horses, but very few who can spot them (idiom), fig. many have talent, but few can recognize talent when they see it |
| ⇒ 卑之，毋甚高论 | [ beī zhī wú shèn gaō lùn ] my opinion, nothing very involved (idiom, humble expression); my humble point is a familiar opinion, what I say is really nothing out of the ordinary |
| ⇒ 卑之，无甚高论 | [ beī zhī wú shèn gaō lùn ] my opinion, nothing very involved (idiom, humble expression); my humble point is a familiar opinion, what I say is really nothing out of the ordinary |
| ⇒ 又要马儿好，又要马儿不吃草 | [ yoù yaò mǎ haǒ yoù yaò mǎ bù chī caǒ ] see 又要馬兒跑，又要馬兒不吃草|又要马儿跑，又要马儿不吃草[you4 yao4 ma3 r5 pao3 , you4 yao4 ma3 r5 bu4 chi1 cao3] |
| ⇒ 又要马儿跑，又要马儿不吃草 | [ yoù yaò mǎ paǒ yoù yaò mǎ bù chī caǒ ] lit. you can't expect the horse to run fast but not let it graze (idiom), fig. you can't have your cake and eat it, too |
| ⇒ 及时处理，事半功倍 | [ jí shí chǔ lǐ shì bàn gōng beì ] timely handling doubles the effect and halves the effort, the right approach saves effort and leads to better results, a stitch in time saves nine |
| ⇒ 取之不尽，用之不竭 | [ qǔ zhī bù jìn yòng zhī bù jié ] limitless supply (of), inexhaustible |
| ⇒ 取其精华，去其糟粕 | [ qǔ qí jīng huá qù qí zaō pò ] take the cream, discard the dross (political and educational slogan), keep what is good, discard the rest, You need to be selective when studying., In modernizing the country, don't accept uncritically all foreign ideas. |
| ⇒ 只可意会，不可言传 | [ zhǐ kě yì huì bù kě yán chuán ] can be understood, but not described (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuang1 zi3]); mysterious and subtle |
| ⇒ 只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针 | [ zhǐ yaò gōng fu shēn tiě chǔ mó chéng zhēn ] If you work at it hard enough, you can grind an iron bar into a needle., cf idiom 磨杵成針|磨杵成针, to grind an iron bar down to a fine needle (idiom); fig. to persevere in a difficult task, to study diligently |
| ⇒ 只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯 | [ zhǐ xǔ zhoū guān fàng huǒ bù xǔ baǐ xìng diǎn dēng ] only the official is allowed to light the fire, Gods may do what cattle may not, quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi |
| ⇒ 可以意会，不可言传 | [ kě yǐ yì huì bù kě yán chuán ] can be understood, but not described (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuang1 zi3]); mysterious and subtle |
| ⇒ 吃一堑，长一智 | [ chī yī qiàn zhǎng yī zhì ] Fall into the moat and you'll be wiser next time (idiom); One only learns from one's mistakes. |
| ⇒ 吃人家的嘴软，拿人家的手短 | [ chī rén jiā de zuǐ ruǎn ná rén jiā de shoǔ duǎn ] lit. the mouth that has been fed by others is soft, the hand that has received doesn't reach (idiom), fig. one is partial to those from whom presents have been accepted |
| ⇒ 吃得苦中苦，方为人上人 | [ chī dé kǔ zhōng kǔ fāng weí rén shàng rén ] one cannot achieve glory and wealth without having been through trials and tribulations (proverb), no pain, no gain |
| ⇒ 吃着碗里，看着锅里 | [ chī zhe wǎn lǐ kàn zhe guō lǐ ] lit. eyeing what's in the pot as one eats from one's bowl (idiom), not content with what one already has, (of men, typically) to have the wandering eye |
| ⇒ 吃着碗里，瞧着锅里 | [ chī zhe wǎn lǐ zhe guō lǐ ] see 吃著碗裡，看著鍋裡|吃着碗里，看着锅里[chi1 zhe5 wan3 li3 , kan4 zhe5 guo1 li3] |
| ⇒ 各人自扫门前雪，莫管他家瓦上霜 | [ gè rén zì saǒ mén qián xuě mò guǎn tā jiā wǎ shàng shuāng ] sweep the snow from your own door step, don't worry about the frost on your neighbor's roof (idiom) |
| ⇒ 同一个世界，同一个梦想 | [ tóng yī gè shì jiè tóng yī gè mèng xiǎng ] One world - one dream, motto of 2008 Beijing Olympic games |
| ⇒ 君子一言，驷马难追 | [ jūn zǐ yī yán sì mǎ nán zhuī ] a nobleman's word is his bond (proverb) |
| ⇒ 君子坦荡荡，小人长戚戚 | [ jūn zi tǎn dàng dàng rén cháng qī qī ] good people are at peace with themselves, (but) there is no rest for the wicked |
| ⇒ 君子报仇，十年不晚 | [ jūn zi baò choú shí nián bù wǎn ] lit. for a nobleman to take revenge, ten years is not too long (idiom), fig. revenge is a dish best served cold |
| ⇒ 吾生也有涯，而知也无涯 | [ wú shēng yě yoǔ yá ér zhī yě wú yá ] Life is short, learning is limitless, Ars longa, vita brevis |
| ⇒ 呼之即来，挥之即去 | [ hū zhī jí laí huī zhī jí qù ] to come when called (idiom); ready and compliant, always at sb's beck and call |
| ⇒ 和尚打伞，无法无天 | [ hé shang dǎ sǎn wú fǎ wú tiān ] lit. like a monk holding an umbrella — no hair, no sky (idiom) (punning on 髮|发[fa4] vs 法[fa3]), fig. defying the law and the principles of heaven, lawless |
| ⇒ 哑巴吃黄连，有苦说不出 | [ yǎ ba chī huáng lián yoǔ kǔ shuō bu chū ] to be forced to suffer in silence (idiom), unable to speak of one's bitter suffering, sometimes written 啞子吃黃連，有苦說不出|哑子吃黄连，有苦说不出 |
| ⇒ 善有善报，恶有恶报 | [ shàn yoǔ shàn baò è yoǔ è baò ] virtue has its reward, evil its retribution |
| ⇒ 善有善报，恶有恶报，若然不报时晨未到 | [ shàn yoǔ shàn baò è yoǔ è baò ruò rán bù baò shí chén weì daò ] Good has its reward and evil has its recompense. The payback is just a matter of time |
| ⇒ 善有善报，恶有恶报，若然不报时晨未到 | [ shàn yoǔ shàn baò è yoǔ è baò ruò rán bù baò shí chén weì daò ] Good has its reward and evil has its recompense. The payback is just a matter of time |
| ⇒ 单丝不成线，独木不成林 | [ dān sī bù chéng xiàn dú mù bù chéng lín ] one strand does not make a thread, one tree does not make a forest (idiom) |
| ⇒ 嘴上没毛，办事不牢 | [ zuǐ shàng meí maó bàn shì bù laó ] a youth without facial hair cannot be relied upon (proverb) |
| ⇒ 嘴上无毛，办事不牢 | [ zuǐ shàng wú maó bàn shì bù laó ] see 嘴上沒毛，辦事不牢|嘴上没毛，办事不牢[zui3 shang4 mei2 mao2 , ban4 shi4 bu4 lao2] |
| ⇒ 四体不勤，五谷不分 | [ sì tǐ bù qín wǔ gǔ bù fēn ] never move your four limbs, can't distinguish the five crops (idiom); living as a parasite |
| ⇒ 国家兴亡，匹夫有责 | [ guó jiā xīng wáng pǐ fū yoǔ zé ] The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone (idiom). Everyone bears responsibility for the prosperity of society. |
| ⇒ 在天愿做比翼鸟，在地愿做连理枝 | [ zaì tiān yuàn zuò bǐ yì zaì dì yuàn zuò lián lǐ zhī ] In the sky to be two birds flying wing to wing, on earth to be two trees with branches intertwined, wishing for conjugal bliss |
| ⇒ 在家千日好，出门一时难 | [ zaì jiā qiān rì haǒ chū mén yī shí nán ] lit. at home, one can spend a thousand days in comfort, but spending a day away from home can be challenging (idiom), fig. there's no place like home |
| ⇒ 在家靠父母，出门靠朋友 | [ zaì jiā kaò fù mǔ chū mén kaò péng you ] one depends on one's parents when at home, and on one's friends when away from home (idiom) |
| ⇒ 城门失火，殃及池鱼 | [ chéng mén shī huǒ yāng jí chí yú ] a fire in the city gates is also a calamity for the fish in the moat (idiom); the bystander will also suffer, fig. you can't escape responsibility for your actions, ask not for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee |
| ⇒ 士为知己者死，女为悦己者容 | [ shì weì zhī jǐ zhě sǐ nǚ weì yuè jǐ zhě róng ] a true gentleman will sacrifice his life for a friend who understands him, as a woman makes herself beautiful for her sweetheart |
| ⇒ 大处着眼，小处着手 | [ dà chù zhuó yǎn chù zhuó shoǔ ] think of the big picture, start with the little things (idiom) |
| ⇒ 大难不死，必有后福 | [ dà nàn bù sǐ bì yoǔ hoù fú ] one is bound for good fortune after surviving a great disaster (proverb) |
| ⇒ 天下无难事，只怕有心人 | [ tiān xià wú nán shì zhǐ pà yoǔ xīn rén ] there is nothing the determined person can't accomplish (idiom), persistence will overcome |
| ⇒ 天下兴亡，匹夫有责 | [ tiān xià xīng wáng pǐ fū yoǔ zé ] The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone (idiom). Everyone bears responsibility for the prosperity of society. |
| ⇒ 天低吴楚，眼空无物 | [ tiān dī wú chǔ yǎn kōng wú wù ] the sky hangs low over the Yangtze, empty as far as the eye can see (idiom); nothing to see to the broad horizon |
| ⇒ 天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福 | [ tiān yoǔ bù cè fēng yún rén yoǔ dàn xī huò fú ] fortune as unpredictable as the weather, every day may bring fortune or calamity (idiom); sth unexpected may happen at any moment |
| ⇒ 天网恢恢，疏而不失 | [ tiān wǎng huī huī shū ér bù shī ] lit. heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it (idiom, from Laozi 73), fig. the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape, you can't run from the long arm of the law |
| ⇒ 天网恢恢，疏而不漏 | [ tiān wǎng huī huī shū ér bù loù ] lit. heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it (idiom, from Laozi 73), fig. the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape, you can't run from the long arm of the law |
| ⇒ 太公钓鱼，愿者上钩 | [ taì gōng yú yuàn zhě shàng goū ] Jiang Ziya is fishing, if you want take the hook (idiom, refers to early sage 姜子牙 fishing with no bait and the hook above the water); to put one's head in the noose |
| ⇒ 失之东隅，收之桑榆 | [ shī zhī dōng yú shoū zhī sāng yú ] to lose at sunrise but gain at sunset (idiom), to compensate later for one's earlier loss, what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts |
| ⇒ 失之毫厘，谬以千里 | [ shī zhī haó lí miù yǐ qiān lǐ ] a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (idiom); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses |
| ⇒ 失之毫厘，差之千里 | [ shī zhī haó lí chà zhī qiān lǐ ] a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (idiom); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses |
| ⇒ 失之毫厘，差以千里 | [ shī zhī haó lí chà yǐ qiān lǐ ] a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (idiom); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses |
| ⇒ 好事不出门，恶事传千里 | [ haǒ shì bù chū mén è shì chuán qiān lǐ ] lit. good deeds do not go beyond the door, evil deeds spread a thousand miles, a good deed goes unnoticed, but scandal spreads fast (idiom) |
| ⇒ 好借好还，再借不难 | [ haǒ jiè haǒ huán zaì jiè bù nán ] see 有借有還，再借不難|有借有还，再借不难[you3 jie4 you3 huan2 , zai4 jie4 bu4 nan2] |
| ⇒ 好好学习，天天向上 | [ haǒ haǒ xué xí tiān tiān xiàng shàng ] study hard and every day you will improve (idiom) |
| ⇒ 好学近乎知，力行近乎仁，知耻近乎勇 | [ haò xué jìn hū zhī lì xíng jìn hū rén zhī chǐ jìn hū yǒng ] to love learning is akin to knowledge, to study diligently is akin to benevolence, to know shame is akin to courage (Confucius) |
| ⇒ 好学近乎知，力行近乎仁，知耻近乎勇 | [ haò xué jìn hū zhī lì xíng jìn hū rén zhī chǐ jìn hū yǒng ] to love learning is akin to knowledge, to study diligently is akin to benevolence, to know shame is akin to courage (Confucius) |
| ⇒ 如人饮水，冷暖自知 | [ rú rén yǐn shuǐ lěng nuǎn zì zhī ] the person who drinks it knows best whether the water is hot or cold (Zen proverb); self-awareness comes from within, to know best by personal experience |
| ⇒ 姜太公钓鱼，愿者上钩 | [ jiāng taì gōng yú yuàn zhě shàng goū ] Jiang Ziya is fishing, if you want it, take the hook (idiom, refers to early sage 姜子牙 fishing with no bait and the hook above the water); to put one's head in the noose |
| ⇒ 嫁鸡随鸡，嫁狗随狗 | [ jià jī suí jī jià goǔ suí goǔ ] if you marry a chicken follow the chicken, if you marry a dog follow the dog (idiom) |
| ⇒ 子不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫 | [ zǐ bù xián mǔ choǔ goǔ bù xián jiā pín ] see 兒不嫌母醜，狗不嫌家貧|儿不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫[er2 bu4 xian2 mu3 chou3 , gou3 bu4 xian2 jia1 pin2] |
| ⇒ 学如逆水行舟，不进则退 | [ xué rú nì shuǐ xíng zhoū bù jìn zé tuì ] study is like rowing upstream – if you don't keep pushing forward, you fall behind |
| ⇒ 学而不厌，诲人不倦 | [ xué ér bù yàn huì rén bù juàn ] study tirelessly, teach with endless enthusiasm (idiom, from Analects) |
| ⇒ 学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆 | [ xué ér bù sī zé wǎng sī ér bù xué zé daì ] To learn without thinking is confusing, to think without learning is dangerous (Confucius) |
| ⇒ 守株待兔，缘木求鱼 | [ shoǔ zhū daì tù yuán mù qiú yú ] to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits, and climb a tree to catch fish (idiom); without any practical course of action |
| ⇒ 害人之心不可有，防人之心不可无 | [ haì rén zhī xīn bù kě yoǔ fáng rén zhī xīn bù kě wú ] refrain from hurting others, yet guard against those trying to hurt you (proverb) |
| ⇒ 家丑不可外传，流言切莫轻信 | [ jiā choǔ bù kě waì chuán liú yán qiè mò qīng xìn ] Don't spread abroad the shame of the family, don't believe rumors lightly. (idiom), Don't wash your dirty linen in public, don't listen to others' gossip. |
| ⇒ 宁做鸡头，不做凤尾 | [ nìng zuò jī toú bù zuò fèng weǐ ] lit. would rather be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail (idiom), fig. to prefer to be a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond |
| ⇒ 宁拆十座庙，不毁一桩婚 | [ níng chaī shí zuò bù huì yī zhuāng hūn ] rather destroy ten temples than a single marriage (idiom) |
| ⇒ 宁为玉碎，不为瓦全 | [ nìng weí yù suì bù weí wǎ quán ] Better broken jade than intact tile., Death is preferable to dishonor. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 宁为鸡头，不为凤尾 | [ nìng weí jī toú bù weí fèng weǐ ] see 寧做雞頭，不做鳳尾|宁做鸡头，不做凤尾[ning4 zuo4 ji1 tou2 , bu4 zuo4 feng4 wei3] |
| ⇒ 小作怡情，大作伤身 | [ zuò yí qíng dà zuò shāng shēn ] a little bit of it does one good, but carried to excess it's harmful (idiom) |
| ⇒ 小时了了，大未必佳 | [ shí dà weì bì jiā ] being bright at an early age does not necessarily bring success upon growing up (proverb) |
| ⇒ 小洞不堵，大洞难补 | [ dòng bù dǔ dà dòng nán bǔ ] If you don't plug the small hole, the big hole will be hard to repair (idiom); A stitch in time saves nine. |
| ⇒ 小隐隐于林，大隐隐于市 | [ yǐn yǐn yú lín dà yǐn yǐn yú shì ] an ordinary hermit lives in the seclusion of the woods; the true recluse chooses the city (idiom) |
| ⇒ 小隐隐于野，大隐隐于市 | [ yǐn yǐn yú yě dà yǐn yǐn yú shì ] an ordinary hermit lives in the seclusion of the wild; the true recluse chooses the city (idiom) |
| ⇒ 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 | [ shaò zhuàng bù nǔ lì laǒ dà tú shāng beī ] if you are lazy in your prime, you'll be sorry in your old age |
| ⇒ 少女露笑脸，婚事半成全 | [ shaò nǚ lù liǎn hūn shì bàn chéng quán ] When the girl smiles, the matchmaker's job is half done. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 尺有所短，寸有所长 | [ chǐ yoǔ suǒ duǎn cùn yoǔ suǒ cháng ] lit. for some things a foot may be too short, and for the other an inch will suffice (proverb), fig. everyone has their strong and weak points, everything has its advantages and disadvantages |
| ⇒ 山中无老虎，猴子称大王 | [ shān zhōng wú laǒ hǔ hoú zi chēng daì wang ] in the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king |
| ⇒ 差之毫厘，失之千里 | [ chā zhī haó lí shī zhī qiān lǐ ] the slightest difference leads to a huge loss (idiom), a miss is as good as a mile |
| ⇒ 差之毫厘，谬以千里 | [ chā zhī haó lí miù yǐ qiān lǐ ] the slightest difference leads to a huge error (idiom), a miss is as good as a mile |
| ⇒ 己所不欲，勿施于人 | [ jǐ suǒ bù yù wù shī yú rén ] What you don't want done to you, don't do to others. (idiom, from the Confucian analects), Do as you would be done by., Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you. |
| ⇒ 师父领进门，修行在个人 | [ shī fu lǐng jìn mén xiū xíng zaì gè rén ] the master leads you to the door, the rest is up to you, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink |
| ⇒ 带着希望去旅行，比到达终点更美好 | [ daì zhe xī wàng qù lǚ xíng bǐ daò dá zhōng diǎn gèng meǐ haǒ ] It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive. |
| ⇒ 常在河边走，哪有不湿鞋 | [ cháng zaì hé biān zoǔ nǎ yoǔ bù shī xié ] a person who regularly walks by the river cannot avoid getting their shoes wet (proverb), (fig.) it comes with the territory (e.g. a person with the power to grant favors will inevitably succumb to temptation and take a bribe) |
| ⇒ 平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚 | [ píng shí bù shaō xiāng lín shí baò fó ] lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble, doing things at the last minute, to make a hasty last-minute effort (often refers to cramming for exams) |
| ⇒ 平生不做亏心事，半夜敲门心不惊 | [ píng shēng bù zuò kuī xīn shì bàn yè mén xīn bù jīng ] He who never wrongs others does not fear the knock in the night., Rest with a clear conscience. |
| ⇒ 张三，李四，王五，赵六 | [ zhāng sān lǐ sì wáng wǔ zhaò liù ] four proverbial names, Tom, Dick and Harry |
| ⇒ 张三，李四，王五，赵六 | [ zhāng sān lǐ sì wáng wǔ zhaò liù ] four proverbial names, Tom, Dick and Harry |
| ⇒ 张三，李四，王五，赵六 | [ zhāng sān lǐ sì wáng wǔ zhaò liù ] four proverbial names, Tom, Dick and Harry |
| ⇒ 张家长，李家短 | [ zhāng jiā cháng lǐ jiā duǎn ] lit. the Zhangs are better off than the Lis (idiom); to gossip about the neighbors |
| ⇒ 从善如登，从恶如崩 | [ cóng shàn rú dēng cóng è rú bēng ] doing good is like a hard climb, doing evil is like an easy fall (idiom) |
| ⇒ 德不配位，必有灾殃 | [ dé bù peì weì bì yoǔ zaī yāng ] calamity will befall those whose moral standards are not in keeping with their social status |
| ⇒ 心有余，力不足 | [ xīn yoǔ yú lì bù zú ] The will is there, but not the strength (idiom, from Confucian Analects)., I really want to do it, but don't have the resources., The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. |
| ⇒ 意存笔先，画尽意在 | [ yì cún bǐ xiān huà jìn yì zaì ] the idea is present before the first stroke of the brush, when the last stroke is placed the idea shines through |
| ⇒ 爱美之心，人皆有之 | [ aì meǐ zhī xīn rén jiē yoǔ zhī ] everyone loves beauty (idiom) |
| ⇒ 成也萧何，败也萧何 | [ chéng yě hé baì yě hé ] lit. raised up by Xiao He, cast down by Xiao He (idiom), alluding to Han Xin 韓信|韩信[Han2 Xin4] being made Grand General 大將軍|大将军[da4 jiang1 jun1], fig. a situation where one's success and failure are both due to the same factor |
| ⇒ 成事不足，败事有余 | [ chéng shì bù zú baì shì yoǔ yú ] unable to accomplish anything but liable to spoil everything (idiom), unable to do anything right, never make, but always mar |
| ⇒ 成则为王，败则为寇 | [ chéng zé weí wáng baì zé weí koù ] lit. called a king if successful, called a bandit if defeated (idiom), fig. losers are always in the wrong |
| ⇒ 成者为王，败者为寇 | [ chéng zhě weí wáng baì zhě weí koù ] see 成則為王，敗則為寇|成则为王，败则为寇[cheng2 ze2 wei2 wang2 , bai4 ze2 wei2 kou4] |
| ⇒ 战无不胜，攻无不克 | [ zhàn wú bù shèng gōng wú bù kè ] to triumph in every battle and win every fight (idiom); all-conquering, ever victorious, nothing they can't do |
| ⇒ 战无不胜，攻无不取 | [ zhàn wú bù shèng gōng wú bù qǔ ] to triumph in every battle and win every fight (idiom); all-conquering, ever victorious, nothing they can't do |
| ⇒ 打一巴掌，给个甜枣 | [ dǎ yī bā zhang geǐ gè tián zaǒ ] lit. to give sb a slap, then offer a sweet date (idiom), fig. to deal harshly with sb, then offer sth by way of consolation |
| ⇒ 打掉门牙，往肚子里咽 | [ dǎ mén yá wǎng dù zi lǐ yàn ] lit. to swallow one's knocked-out teeth after getting punched in the face (idiom), fig. to endure bullying or insults stoically |
| ⇒ 打蛇不死，后患无穷 | [ dǎ shé bù sǐ hoù huàn wú qióng ] if you beat the snake without killing it, endless evils will ensue (idiom) |
| ⇒ 指挥有方，人人乐从 | [ zhǐ huī yoǔ fāng rén rén lè cóng ] Command right and you will be obeyed cheerfully. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 舍得一身剐，敢把皇帝拉下马 | [ shě de yī shēn guǎ gǎn bǎ huáng dì lā xià mǎ ] one who does not fear the death of thousand cuts will dare to unhorse the emperor (proverb), to a fearless person, no fence is high enough |
| ⇒ 撑死胆大的，饿死胆小的 | [ chēng sǐ dǎn dà de è sǐ dǎn de ] fullness for the bold, famine for the timid (idiom) |
| ⇒ 攻无不克，战无不胜 | [ gōng wú bù kè zhàn wú bù shèng ] to triumph in every battle and win every fight (idiom); all-conquering, ever victorious, nothing they can't do |
| ⇒ 既来之，则安之 | [ jì laí zhī zé ān zhī ] Since they have come, we should make them comfortable (idiom). Since we're here, take it easy., Since this is so, we should accept it., Now we have come, let's stay and take the rough with the smooth., If you can't do anything to prevent it, you might as well sit back and enjoy it. |
| ⇒ 早动手，早收获 | [ zaǒ dòng shoǔ zaǒ shoū huò ] The sooner you set to work, the sooner you'll reap the rewards. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 明修栈道，暗渡陈仓 | [ míng xiū zhàn daò àn dù chén cāng ] lit. repair the plank road by day while secretly crossing the Wei River 渭河[Wei4 He2] at Chencang (idiom, refers to a stratagem used by Liu Bang 劉邦|刘邦[Liu2 Bang1] in 206 BC against Xiang Yu 項羽|项羽[Xiang4 Yu3] of Chu), fig. to feign one thing while doing another, to cheat under cover of a diversion |
| ⇒ 明枪好躲，暗箭难防 | [ míng qiāng haǒ duǒ àn jiàn nán fáng ] lit. easy to dodge the spear in the open, hard to avoid a stab in the dark (idiom); it is hard to guard against secret conspiracies |
| ⇒ 明枪易躲，暗箭难防 | [ míng qiāng yì duǒ àn jiàn nán fáng ] lit. easy to dodge the spear in the open, hard to avoid a stab in the dark (idiom); it is hard to guard against secret conspiracies |
| ⇒ 春生，夏长，秋收，冬藏 | [ chūn shēng xià zhǎng qiū shoū dōng cáng ] sow in spring, develop in summer, harvest in autumn, store in winter (idiom) |
| ⇒ 春生，夏长，秋收，冬藏 | [ chūn shēng xià zhǎng qiū shoū dōng cáng ] sow in spring, develop in summer, harvest in autumn, store in winter (idiom) |
| ⇒ 春生，夏长，秋收，冬藏 | [ chūn shēng xià zhǎng qiū shoū dōng cáng ] sow in spring, develop in summer, harvest in autumn, store in winter (idiom) |
| ⇒ 是骡子是马，拉出来遛遛 | [ shì luó zi shì mǎ lā chū lai liù liu ] see 是騾子是馬，牽出來遛遛|是骡子是马，牵出来遛遛[shi4 luo2 zi5 shi4 ma3 , qian1 chu1 lai5 liu4 liu5] |
| ⇒ 是骡子是马，牵出来遛遛 | [ shì luó zi shì mǎ qiān chū lai liù liu ] lit. to see whether it's a mule or a horse, take it out for a walk (idiom), fig. the proof of the pudding is in the eating, to show what one is made of |
| ⇒ 时代不同，风尚不同 | [ shí daì bù tóng fēng shàng bù tóng ] customs change with time (idiom); other times, other manners, O Tempora, O Mores! |
| ⇒ 智者千虑，必有一失 | [ zhì zhě qiān lǜ bì yoǔ yī shī ] lit. a wise person reflecting a thousand times can still make a mistake (idiom); fig. nobody is infallible |
| ⇒ 书中自有黄金屋，书中自有颜如玉 | [ shū zhōng zì yoǔ huáng jīn wū shū zhōng zì yoǔ yán rú yù ] lit. in books are sumptuous houses and graceful ladies (proverb), fig. be diligent in your studies, success and glory will follow |
| ⇒ 曾经沧海难为水，除却巫山不是云 | [ céng jīng cāng haǐ nán weí shuǐ chú què wū shān bù shì yún ] there are no rivers to one who has crossed the ocean, and no clouds to one who has passed Mount Wu (idiom), one who has seen the world doesn't stop at small things |
| ⇒ 有一说一，有二说二 | [ yoǔ yī shuō yī yoǔ èr shuō èr ] to call sth as it is (idiom) |
| ⇒ 有仇不报非君子，有冤不伸枉为人 | [ yoǔ choú bù baò feī jūn zǐ yoǔ yuān bù shēn wǎng weí rén ] one who doesn't avenge an injustice is not a gentleman, one who doesn't redress a wrong is not a man (idiom) |
| ⇒ 有借有还，再借不难 | [ yoǔ jiè yoǔ huán zaì jiè bù nán ] return what you borrowed on time, you may borrow again next time (idiom) |
| ⇒ 有其师，必有其徒 | [ yoǔ qí shī bì yoǔ qí tú ] As the teacher, so the pupil. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 有则改之，无则加勉 | [ yoǔ zé gaǐ zhī wú zé jiā miǎn ] correct any mistakes you made, but maintain your good record if you did not make them (idiom) |
| ⇒ 有意栽花花不发，无心插柳柳成阴 | [ yoǔ yì zaī huā huā bù fā wú xīn chā liǔ liǔ chéng yīn ] lit. you plant a garden and the flowers do not bloom, you poke a stick in the mud and it grows into a tree, fig. things do not always turn out as one would expect, well-laid plans may fail, and success may come where you least expect it |
| ⇒ 有福同享，有祸同当 | [ yoǔ fú tóng xiǎng yoǔ huò tóng dāng ] To enjoy blessings and endure misfortune together (idiom); for better or for worse |
| ⇒ 有福同享，有难同当 | [ yoǔ fú tóng xiǎng yoǔ nàn tóng dāng ] To enjoy blessings and endure misfortune together (idiom); for better or for worse |
| ⇒ 林子大了，什么鸟都有 | [ lín zi dà le shén me doū yoǔ ] it takes all sorts (to make a world) (idiom) |
| ⇒ 树挪死，人挪活 | [ shù nuó sǐ rén nuó huó ] lit. if moved to a new location, a tree will die, but a person will live (idiom), fig. human beings, unlike trees, thrive on change |
| ⇒ 树高千丈，落叶归根 | [ shù gaō qiān zhàng luò yè guī gēn ] see 樹高千丈，葉落歸根|树高千丈，叶落归根[shu4 gao1 qian1 zhang4 , ye4 luo4 gui1 gen1] |
| ⇒ 树高千丈，叶落归根 | [ shù gaō qiān zhàng yè luò guī gēn ] fig. a tree may grow a thousand zhang high, but its leaves return to their roots (proverb), fig. everything has its ancestral home, in old age, an expatriate returns home |
| ⇒ 机不可失，失不再来 | [ jī bù kě shī shī bù zaì laí ] opportunity knocks but once (idiom) |
| ⇒ 机不可失，时不再来 | [ jī bù kě shī shí bù zaì laí ] Opportunity knocks but once. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 机关算尽太聪明，反算了卿卿性命 | [ jī guān suàn jìn taì cōng ming fǎn suàn le qīng qīng xìng mìng ] if one is too calculating, it will be the cause of one's own undoing (famous line in "A Dream of Red Mansions" 紅樓夢|红楼梦[Hong2 lou2 Meng4]) |
| ⇒ 欲加之罪，何患无辞 | [ yù jiā zhī zuì hé huàn wú cí ] If you want to condemn sb, don't worry about the pretext (idiom, from Zuozhuan 左傳|左传); one can always trump up a charge against sb, Give a dog a bad name, then hang him. |
| ⇒ 步子太大，容易扯着蛋 | [ bù zi taì dà róng yì chě zhe dàn ] if you take too big a stride, you could easily rip your balls (catchphrase) (line spoken by actor 葛優|葛优[Ge3 You1] in the 2010 action comedy movie 讓子彈飛|让子弹飞[Rang4 Zi3 dan4 Fei1]), (fig.) take things one step at a time |
| ⇒ 水能载舟，亦能覆舟 | [ shuǐ néng zaì zhoū yì néng fù zhoū ] lit. water may keep the boat afloat but may also sink it (proverb), fig. the people can support a regime or overturn it, if sth is used properly, one can benefit from it, otherwise it can do harm, things can be double-edged |
| ⇒ 水至清则无鱼，人至察则无徒 | [ shuǐ zhì qīng zé wú yú rén zhì chá zé wú tú ] water that is too clear has no fish, and one who is too severe has no friends (idiom) |
| ⇒ 江山易改，本性难移 | [ jiāng shān yì gaǐ běn xìng nán yí ] it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's character (idiom), you can't change who you are, Can the leopard change his spots? |
| ⇒ 没有规矩，不成方圆 | [ meí yoǔ guī ju bù chéng fāng yuán ] without rules, nothing can be done (idiom); one must follow some rules |
| ⇒ 没有规矩，何以成方圆 | [ meí yoǔ guī ju hé yǐ chéng fāng yuán ] without rules, how can anything be done (idiom); one must follow some rules |
| ⇒ 法网灰灰，疏而不漏 | [ fǎ wǎng huī huī shū ér bù loù ] The net of justice is wide, but no-one escapes. |
| ⇒ 泥菩萨过江，自身难保 | [ ní pú sà guò jiāng zì shēn nán baǒ ] like a clay Bodhisattva fording a river, can't guarantee his own safety, unable to save oneself, let alone others |
| ⇒ 活到老，学到老 | [ huó daò laǒ xué daò laǒ ] One is never too old to learn. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 流水不腐，户枢不蠹 | [ liú shuǐ bù fǔ hù shū bù dù ] lit. flowing water does not rot, nor a door-hinge rust (idiom), fig. constant activity prevents decay |
| ⇒ 海内存知己，天涯若比邻 | [ haǐ neì cún zhī jǐ tiān yá ruò bǐ lín ] close friend in a distant land, far-flung realms as next door, close in spirit although far away |
| ⇒ 满招损，谦受益 | [ mǎn zhaō sǔn qiān shoù yì ] (idiom) complacency leads to loss, modesty brings profit, pride comes before a fall |
| ⇒ 为富不仁，为仁不富 | [ weí fù bù rén weí rén bù fù ] the benevolent man cannot be rich and vice versa (idiom, from Mencius). It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:24). |
| ⇒ 烽烟四起，战火纷飞 | [ fēng yān sì qǐ zhàn huǒ fēn feī ] lit. fire beacons in all four directions (idiom); the confusion of war |
| ⇒ 无一事而不学，无一时而不学，无一处而不得 | [ wú yī shì ér bù xué wú yī shí ér bù xué wú yī chù ér bù dé ] Study everything, at all times, everywhere. (Zhu Xi 朱熹[Zhu1 Xi1]) |
| ⇒ 无一事而不学，无一时而不学，无一处而不得 | [ wú yī shì ér bù xué wú yī shí ér bù xué wú yī chù ér bù dé ] Study everything, at all times, everywhere. (Zhu Xi 朱熹[Zhu1 Xi1]) |
| ⇒ 无事献殷勤，非奸即盗 | [ wú shì xiàn yīn qín feī jiān jí daò ] one who is unaccountably solicitous is hiding evil intentions (idiom) |
| ⇒ 牡丹虽好，全仗绿叶扶 | [ mǔ dan suī haǒ quán zhàng lǜ yè fú ] Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others. |
| ⇒ 牡丹虽好，全仗绿叶扶持 | [ mǔ dan suī haǒ quán zhàng lǜ yè fú chí ] Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others. |
| ⇒ 牡丹虽好，全凭绿叶扶持 | [ mǔ dan suī haǒ quán píng lǜ yè fú chí ] Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others. |
| ⇒ 牡丹虽好，终须绿叶扶持 | [ mǔ dan suī haǒ zhōng xū lǜ yè fú chí ] Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others. |
| ⇒ 物以类聚，人以群分 | [ wù yǐ leì jù rén yǐ qún fēn ] Similar things group together, similar people fit together (idiom); Birds of a feather flock together. |
| ⇒ 牵马到河易，强马饮水难 | [ qiān mǎ daò hé yì qiǎng mǎ yǐn shuǐ nán ] You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 狗咬吕洞宾，不识好人心 | [ goǔ yaǒ lǚ dòng bīn bù shí haǒ rén xīn ] a dog biting Lü Dongbin (idiom), to ill reward a person's kindness |
| ⇒ 王婆卖瓜，自卖自夸 | [ wáng pó maì guā zì maì zì kuā ] every potter praises his own pot (idiom), all one's geese are swans |
| ⇒ 瓜无滚圆，人无十全 | [ guā wú gǔn yuán rén wú shí quán ] no gourd is perfectly round, just as no man is perfect (proverb) |
| ⇒ 瓜田不纳履，李下不整冠 | [ guā tián bù nà lǚ lǐ xià bù zhěng guān ] lit. don't tie your shoelaces in a melon patch, and don't adjust your hat under a plum tree (idiom), fig. don't do anything that might arouse suspicion, innocent acts may be misconstrued |
| ⇒ 生命不息，战斗不止 | [ shēng mìng bù xī zhàn doù bù zhǐ ] while there is life, the fight continues (idiom); to fight to the last |
| ⇒ 生于忧患，死于安乐 | [ shēng yú yoū huàn sǐ yú ān lè ] to thrive in calamity and perish in soft living (idiom), life springs from sorrow and calamity, death comes from ease and pleasure |
| ⇒ 由俭入奢易，由奢入俭难 | [ yoú jiǎn rù shē yì yoú shē rù jiǎn nán ] it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance; the reverse is not so easy (idiom) |
| ⇒ 男主外，女主内 | [ nán zhǔ waì nǚ zhǔ neì ] men go out to work and women stay at home (idiom) |
| ⇒ 男人不坏，女人不爱 | [ nán rén bù nǚ rén bù aì ] women love bad guys |
| ⇒ 男怕入错行，女怕嫁错郎 | [ nán pà rù cuò háng nǚ pà jià cuò láng ] men fear getting into the wrong line of business, women fear marrying the wrong man (proverb) |
| ⇒ 留得青山在，不怕没柴烧 | [ liú de qīng shān zaì bù pà meí chaí shaō ] While the green hills last, there'll be wood to burn (idiom). Where there's life there's hope. |
| ⇒ 当局者迷，旁观者清 | [ dāng jú zhě mí páng guān zhě qīng ] an outsider can see things more clearly or objectively than those involved (idiom) |
| ⇒ 当面锣，对面鼓 | [ dāng miàn luó duì miàn gǔ ] lit. gong facing gong, drum opposite drum (idiom), fig. to come together to thrash out the issue face to face |
| ⇒ 疾风知劲草，烈火见真金 | [ jí fēng zhī jìn caǒ liè huǒ jiàn zhēn jīn ] lit. sturdy grass withstands high winds and true gold stands the test of fire (idiom), fig. strength of character is revealed in a crisis |
| ⇒ 病来如山倒，病去如抽丝 | [ bìng laí rú shān daǒ bìng qù rú choū sī ] sickness comes like a landslide, but goes slowly like spinning silk (idiom); expect to convalesce slowly |
| ⇒ 病从口入，祸从口出 | [ bìng cóng koǔ rù huò cóng koǔ chū ] Illness enters by the mouth, trouble comes out by the mouth (idiom). A loose tongue may cause a lot of trouble. |
| ⇒ 百胜难虑敌，三折乃良医 | [ baǐ shèng nán lǜ dí sān zhé naǐ liáng yī ] (a line from a poem by the Tang poet Liu Yuxi 劉禹錫|刘禹锡[Liu2 Yu3 xi1]) one gains very little insight into one's enemy from a hundred victories, but he who breaks his arm three times will be a good doctor, (fig.) one learns more from one's failures than from one's successes |
| ⇒ 百尺竿头，更尽一步 | [ baǐ chǐ gān toú gèng jìn yī bù ] lit. hundred foot pole, progress still further (idiom); fig. much accomplished, still some work to do, to continue to further successes, not to rest on one's laurels |
| ⇒ 百花齐放，百家争鸣 | [ baǐ huā qí fàng baǐ jiā zhēng míng ] a hundred flowers bloom, a hundred schools of thought contend (idiom); refers to the classical philosophic schools of the Warring States period 475-221 BC, but adopted for Mao's campaign of 1956 |
| ⇒ 看菜吃饭，量体裁衣 | [ kān caì chī fàn liáng tǐ caí yī ] eat depending on the dish, cut cloth according to the body (idiom); to fit the appetite to the dishes and the dress to the figure, to act according to actual circumstances, to live within one's means |
| ⇒ 眼不见，心不烦 | [ yǎn bù jiàn xīn bù fán ] what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over (idiom) |
| ⇒ 眼中钉，肉中刺 | [ yǎn zhōng dīng roù zhōng cì ] a thorn in one's side |
| ⇒ 眼见为实，耳听为虚 | [ yǎn jiàn weí shí ěr tīng weí xū ] to believe what one sees, not what one hears (idiom). Don't believe what people tell you until you see if for yourself., It ain't necessarily so. |
| ⇒ 眼观四处，耳听八方 | [ yǎn guān sì chù ěr tīng bā fāng ] see 眼觀四面，耳聽八方|眼观四面，耳听八方[yan3 guan1 si4 mian4 , er3 ting1 ba1 fang1] |
| ⇒ 眼观四面，耳听八方 | [ yǎn guān sì miàn ěr tīng bā fāng ] lit. the eyes observe all sides and the ears listen in all directions (idiom), fig. to be observant and alert |
| ⇒ 知己知彼，百战不殆 | [ zhī jǐ zhī bǐ baǐ zhàn bù daì ] know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孫子兵法|孙子兵法[Sun1 zi3 Bing1 fa3]) |
| ⇒ 知彼知己，百战不殆 | [ zhī bǐ zhī jǐ baǐ zhàn bù daì ] knowing the enemy and yourself will get you unscathed through a hundred battles (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War") |
| ⇒ 知无不言，言无不尽 | [ zhī wú bù yán yán wú bù jìn ] not hiding anything he knows, not stopping before he has said it through (idiom), frank, outspoken |
| ⇒ 神女有心，襄王无梦 | [ shén nǚ yoǔ xīn xiāng wáng wú mèng ] lit. the fairy is willing, but King Xiang doesn't dream (idiom), (said of a woman's unrequited love) |
| ⇒ 礼轻人意重，千里送鹅毛 | [ lǐ qīng rén yì zhòng qiān lǐ sòng é maó ] goose feather sent from afar, a slight present but weighty meaning (idiom); It's not the present the counts, it's the thought behind it. |
| ⇒ 秀才不出门，全知天下事 | [ xiù cai bù chū mén quán zhī tiān xià shì ] a learned person need not leave his home to know what's going on in the world (idiom) |
| ⇒ 秀才不出门，能知天下事 | [ xiù cai bù chū mén néng zhī tiān xià shì ] a learned person need not leave his home to know what's going on in the world (idiom) |
| ⇒ 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆 | [ zhòng guā dé guā zhòng doù dé doù ] lit. Sow melon and you get melon, sow beans and you get beans (idiom); fig. As you sow, so shall you reap., One must live with the consequences of one's actions., You've made your bed, now must lie on it. |
| ⇒ 穷在闹市无人问，富在深山有远亲 | [ qióng zaì naò shì wú rén wèn fù zaì shēn shān yoǔ yuǎn qīn ] the poor are ignored in the busiest city; the rich will find relatives in the deepest mountain |
| ⇒ 窃国者侯，窃钩者诛 | [ qiè guó zhě hoú qiè goū zhě zhū ] steal the whole country and they make you a prince, steal a hook and they hang you (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuang1 zi3]) |
| ⇒ 窃钩者诛，窃国者侯 | [ qiè goū zhě zhū qiè guó zhě hoú ] steal a hook and they hang you, steal the whole country and they make you a prince (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuang1 zi3]) |
| ⇒ 端起碗吃肉，放下筷子骂娘 | [ duān qǐ wǎn chī roù fàng xià zi mà niáng ] lit. to eat meat from one's bowl, then put down one's chopsticks and scold one's mother (idiom), fig. to complain despite being privileged, to be ungrateful for what one has been given |
| ⇒ 竹篮打水，一场空 | [ zhú lán dǎ shuǐ yī cháng kōng ] using a wicker basket to draw water (idiom); wasted effort |
| ⇒ 精诚所加，金石为开 | [ jīng chéng suǒ jiā jīn shí weì kaī ] see 精誠所至，金石為開|精诚所至，金石为开[jing1 cheng2 suo3 zhi4 , jin1 shi2 wei4 kai1] |
| ⇒ 精诚所至，金石为开 | [ jīng chéng suǒ zhì jīn shí weì kaī ] lit. metal and stone yield to power of sincerity (idiom), fig. no difficulty is insurmountable if one is sincere |
| ⇒ 罢黜百家，独尊儒术 | [ bà chù baǐ jiā dú zūn rú shù ] Dismiss the hundred schools, revere only the Confucian (idiom), sole dominant ideology |
| ⇒ 老子英雄儿好汉，老子反动儿混蛋 | [ laǒ zi yīng xióng ér haǒ hàn laǒ zi fǎn dòng ér hún dàn ] If the father is a hero, the son is a real man. If the father is a reactionary, the son is a bastard. (Cultural Revolution slogan), fig. like father, like son |
| ⇒ 老王卖瓜，自卖自夸 | [ laǒ wáng maì guā zì maì zì kuā ] every potter praises his own pot (idiom), all one's geese are swans |
| ⇒ 老骥伏枥，志在千里 | [ laǒ jì fú lì zhì zaì qiān lǐ ] lit. an old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop 1000 miles (idiom); fig. old people may still cherish high aspirations |
| ⇒ 老鼠拉龟，无从下手 | [ laǒ shǔ lā guī wú cóng xià shoǔ ] like mice trying to pull a turtle, nowhere to get a hand grip (idiom), no clue where to start |
| ⇒ 老鼠拖木锨，大头在后头 | [ laǒ shǔ tuō mù xiān dà toú zaì hoù tou ] when the mice drag a shovel, the biggest thing comes second, the tip of the iceberg, the cockroach principle |
| ⇒ 老鼠过街，人人喊打 | [ laǒ shǔ guò jiē rén rén hǎn dǎ ] lit. when a rat crosses the street, people chase it down (idiom), fig. everyone detests a lowlife |
| ⇒ 耕当问奴，织当访婢 | [ gēng dāng wèn nú zhī dāng fǎng bì ] if it's plowing ask the laborer, if it's weaving ask the maid (idiom); when managing a matter, consult the appropriate specialist |
| ⇒ 耳听为虚，眼见为实 | [ ěr tīng weí xū yǎn jiàn weí shí ] Take what you hear to be false, only believe it when you see it (idiom). Don't believe what people tell you until you see if for yourself., It ain't necessarily so. |
| ⇒ 聪明一世，懵懂一时 | [ cōng ming yī shì měng dǒng yī shí ] see 聰明一世，糊塗一時|聪明一世，糊涂一时[cong1 ming5 yi1 shi4 , hu2 tu5 yi1 shi2] |
| ⇒ 聪明一世，糊涂一时 | [ cōng ming yī shì hú tu yī shí ] even the wisest can have a momentary lapse in judgment (idiom), every man has a fool in his sleeve |
| ⇒ 听君一席话，胜读十年书 | [ tīng jūn yī xí huà shèng dú shí nián shū ] listening to the words of a wise man can be superior to studying ten years of books (proverb) |
| ⇒ 听话听声，锣鼓听音 | [ tīng huà tīng shēng luó gǔ tīng yīn ] to understand the unspoken implications (idiom) |
| ⇒ 临渊羡鱼，不如退而结网 | [ lín yuān xiàn yú bù rú tuì ér jié wǎng ] better to go home and weave a net than to stand by the pond longing for fish (idiom), one should take practical steps to achieve one's aim |
| ⇒ 台上一分钟，台下十年功 | [ taí shàng yī fēn zhōng taí xià shí nián gōng ] ten years of practice for one minute on the stage (idiom) |
| ⇒ 与人方便，自己方便 | [ yǔ rén fāng biàn zì jǐ fāng biàn ] Help others, and others may help you (idiom). |
| ⇒ 旧的不去，新的不来 | [ jiù de bù qù xīn de bù laí ] lit. If the old doesn't go, the new will not come., You can't make progress by clinging to old notions. |
| ⇒ 船到江心，补漏迟 | [ chuán daò jiāng xīn bǔ loù chí ] It's too late to plug the leak once ship is in the middle of the river. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 船到码头，车到站 | [ chuán daò mǎ toú chē daò zhàn ] The ship has docked, the carriage has reached the station., The job is over, it's time to relax. (idiom) |
| ⇒ 花有重开日，人无再少年 | [ huā yoǔ chóng kaī rì rén wú zaì shaò nián ] a flower may blossom again, but a person cannot get young again (proverb) |
| ⇒ 苟富贵，勿相忘 | [ goǔ fù guì wù xiāng wàng ] don't forget your friends when you become rich |
| ⇒ 若要人不知，除非己莫为 | [ ruò yaò rén bù zhī chú feī jǐ mò weí ] If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it (idiom). fig. If you do something bad, people will inevitably hear about it. |
| ⇒ 苦海无边，回头是岸 | [ kǔ haǐ wú biān huí toú shì àn ] The sea of bitterness has no bounds, turn your head to see the shore (idiom). Only Buddhist enlightenment can allow one to shed off the abyss of worldly suffering., Repent and ye shall be saved! |
| ⇒ 万事俱备，只欠东风 | [ wàn shì jù beì zhǐ qiàn dōng fēng ] lit. everything is ready, all we need is an east wind (idiom), fig. lacking only one tiny crucial item |
| ⇒ 万事皆备，只欠东风 | [ wàn shì jiē beì zhǐ qiàn dōng fēng ] everything is ready, all we need is an east wind (idiom), lacking only one tiny crucial item, also written 萬事俱備，只欠東風|万事俱备，只欠东风 |
| ⇒ 落花有意，流水无情 | [ luò huā yoǔ yì liú shuǐ wú qíng ] lit. the falling flowers are yearning for love, but the heartless brook ripples on (idiom), fig. one side is willing, yet the other one remains indifferent (usually of unrequited love) |
| ⇒ 萝卜白菜，各有所爱 | [ luó bo baí caì gè yoǔ suǒ aì ] one man's meat is another man's poison (idiom), to each his own |
| ⇒ 萝卜青菜，各有所爱 | [ luó bo qīng caì gè yoǔ suǒ aì ] see 蘿蔔白菜，各有所愛|萝卜白菜，各有所爱[luo2 bo5 bai2 cai4 , ge4 you3 suo3 ai4] |
| ⇒ 虚心使人进步，骄傲使人落后 | [ xū xīn shǐ rén jìn bù aò shǐ rén luò hoù ] modesty leads to progress, arrogance makes you fall behind (quote of Mao Zedong) |
| ⇒ 虱子多了不痒，债多了不愁 | [ shī zi duō le bù yǎng zhaì duō le bù choú ] lit. covered with lice, one doesn't feel the itching anymore; up to one's ears in debt, one ceases to worry about it (idiom), fig. to be past worrying (about sth) |
| ⇒ 螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后 | [ táng láng bǔ chán huáng què zaì hoù ] the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuang1 zi3]); to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger |
| ⇒ 行千里路，读万卷书 | [ xíng qiān lǐ lù dú wàn juàn shū ] see 行萬里路，讀萬卷書|行万里路，读万卷书[xing2 wan4 li3 lu4 , du2 wan4 juan4 shu1] |
| ⇒ 行万里路，读万卷书 | [ xíng wàn lǐ lù dú wàn juàn shū ] Knowledge comes from books and from experience of the world. (idiom), Learn as much as you can and do all you can. |
| ⇒ 要风得风，要雨得雨 | [ yaò fēng dé fēng yaò yǔ dé yǔ ] to get whatever one wants, to have everything going one's way |
| ⇒ 见人说人话，见鬼说鬼话 | [ jiàn rén shuō rén huà jiàn guǐ shuō guǐ huà ] (fig.) adaptable, able to deal with various kinds of people and situations, (derog.) insincere, two-faced |
| ⇒ 亲兄弟，明算帐 | [ qīn xiōng dì míng suàn zhàng ] even with your own brother, keep clear accounts (idiom) |
| ⇒ 言者无意，听者有心 | [ yán zhě wú yì tīng zhě yoǔ xīn ] to take a casual remark to heart (idiom) |
| ⇒ 言者无罪，闻者足戒 | [ yán zhě wú zuì wén zhě zú jiè ] don't blame the speaker, take note of his warning (idiom); an exhortation to speak one's mind without fear of reprisals, and with the expectation of being taken seriously |
| ⇒ 说一千，道一万 | [ shuō yī qiān daò yī wàn ] when all is said and done, at the end of the day |
| ⇒ 说是一回事，做又是另外一回事 | [ shuō shì yī huí shì zuò yoù shì lìng waì yī huí shì ] Saying is one thing, doing quite another (idiom) |
| ⇒ 说是一回事，而做又是另外一回事 | [ shuō shì yī huí shì ér zuò yoù shì lìng waì yī huí shì ] see 說是一回事，做又是另外一回事|说是一回事，做又是另外一回事[shuo1 shi4 yi1 hui2 shi4 , zuo4 you4 shi4 ling4 wai4 yi1 hui2 shi4] |
| ⇒ 说时迟，那时快 | [ shuō shí chí nà shí ] (idiom) no sooner said than done, before you know it |
| ⇒ 说曹操，曹操到 | [ shuō caó caō caó caō daò ] see 說曹操曹操就到|说曹操曹操就到[shuo1 Cao2 Cao1 Cao2 Cao1 jiu4 dao4] |
| ⇒ 谁笑到最后，谁笑得最好 | [ sheí daò zuì hoù sheí dé zuì haǒ ] He laughs best who laughs last. |
| ⇒ 谁笑在最后，谁笑得最好 | [ sheí zaì zuì hoù sheí dé zuì haǒ ] He laughs best who laughs last. |
| ⇒ 谋事在人，成事在天 | [ moú shì zaì rén chéng shì zaì tiān ] planning is with man, accomplishing with heaven (idiom); Man proposes but God disposes. |
| ⇒ 读万卷书，行万里路 | [ dú wàn juàn shū xíng wàn lǐ lù ] see 行萬里路，讀萬卷書|行万里路，读万卷书[xing2 wan4 li3 lu4 , du2 wan4 juan4 shu1] |
| ⇒ 走自己的路，让人家去说 | [ zoǔ zì jǐ de lù ràng rén jiā qù shuō ] Go your own way, let others say what they like. (popular modern cliche), Do it my way. |
| ⇒ 跑得了和尚，跑不了庙 | [ paǒ dé hé shàng paǒ bù ] the monk can run away, but the temple won't run with him (idiom), you can run this time, but you'll have to come back, I'll get you sooner or later |
| ⇒ 路见不平，拔刀相助 | [ lù jiàn bù píng bá daō xiāng zhù ] lit. to intervene when one sees an injustice (idiom), fig. to rush to the rescue, to play the white knight |
| ⇒ 路遥知马力，日久见人心 | [ lù yaó zhī mǎ lì rì jiǔ jiàn rén xīn ] just as distance determines the stamina of a horse, so does time reveal a person's true heart (proverb) |
| ⇒ 踏破铁鞋无觅处，得来全不费工夫 | [ tà pò tiě xié wú mì chù dé laí quán bù feì gōng fu ] to travel far and wide looking for sth, only to find it easily |
| ⇒ 躲得过初一，躲不过十五 | [ duǒ de guò chū yī duǒ bù guò shí wǔ ] lit. you may go undetected during the new moon, but at full moon you'll be found out (idiom), fig. you can't put it off forever, sooner or later you'll have to deal with it |
| ⇒ 躲过初一，躲不过十五 | [ duǒ guò chū yī duǒ bù guò shí wǔ ] see 躲得過初一，躲不過十五|躲得过初一，躲不过十五[duo3 de5 guo4 chu1 yi1 , duo3 bu4 guo4 shi2 wu3] |
| ⇒ 车到山前必有路，船到桥头自然直 | [ chē daò shān qián bì yoǔ lù chuán daò toú zì rán zhí ] everything will turn out all right (idiom), let's worry about it when it happens, it will be all right on the night |
| ⇒ 逆水行舟，不进则退 | [ nì shuǐ xíng zhoū bù jìn zé tuì ] like rowing a boat upstream, if you stop moving forward you fall back (idiom) |
| ⇒ 运筹帷幄之中，决胜千里之外 | [ yùn choú weí wò zhī zhōng jué shèng qiān lǐ zhī waì ] a general planning in the seclusion of his tent is able to determine the outcome of the distant battle (idiom) |
| ⇒ 过而能改，善莫大焉 | [ guò ér néng gaǐ shàn mò dà yān ] If one can change after making a mistake, there is nothing better (idiom) |
| ⇒ 道之所存，师之所存 | [ daò zhī suǒ cún shī zhī suǒ cún ] If sb has grasped the truth before you, take him as your teacher (Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈|韩愈[Han2 Yu4])., We should learn from one who knows the way. |
| ⇒ 道所存者，乃师所存者 | [ daò suǒ cún zhě naǐ shī suǒ cún zhě ] If sb has grasped the truth before you, take him as your teacher (Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈|韩愈[Han2 Yu4])., We should learn from one who knows the way. |
| ⇒ 道高益安，势高益危 | [ daò gaō yì ān shì gaō yì weī ] More moral strength increases one's safety, more power and influence increases one's danger (idiom, from Records of the Historian 史記|史记). cf Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it (William Pitt the Elder, 1770). |
| ⇒ 避其锐气，击其惰归 | [ bì qí ruì qì jī qí duò guī ] avoid the enemy when he is fresh and strike him when he is tired and withdraws (idiom) |
| ⇒ 野火烧不尽，春风吹又生 | [ yě huǒ shaō bù jìn chūn fēng chuī yoù shēng ] lit. even a prairie fire cannot destroy the grass - it grows again when the breeze blows (proverb), fig. cannot be easily eliminated, abbr. to 野火春風|野火春风[ye3 huo3 chun1 feng1] |
| ⇒ 金乌西坠，玉兔东升 | [ jīn wū xī zhuì yù tù dōng shēng ] lit. the golden bird of the sun sets in the west, the jade hare of the moon rises in the east, fig. at sunset |
| ⇒ 金玉其外，败絮其中 | [ jīn yù qí waì baì xù qí zhōng ] gilded exterior, shabby and ruined on the inside (idiom) |
| ⇒ 金玉其表，败絮其中 | [ jīn yù qí baì xù qí zhōng ] gilded exterior, shabby and ruined on the inside (idiom) |
| ⇒ 钉是钉，铆是铆 | [ dīng shì dīng maǒ shì maǒ ] lit. a nail is a nail and a rivet is a rivet (idiom), fig. meticulous, conscientious, unambiguous |
| ⇒ 钱不是万能的，没钱是万万不能的 | [ qián bù shì wàn néng de meí qián shì wàn wàn bù néng de ] money isn't everything, but without money you can do nothing (idiom) |
| ⇒ 铁打的衙门，流水的官 | [ tiě dǎ de yá men liú shuǐ de guān ] lit. the yamen is strong as iron, the officials flow like water (idiom), fig. government officials come and go |
| ⇒ 长流水，不断线 | [ cháng liú shuǐ bù duàn xiàn ] continuous and patient effort (idiom) |
| ⇒ 门庭冷落，门堪罗雀 | [ mén tíng lěng luò mén kān luó què ] The courtyard is deserted, you can net sparrows at the door (idiom); completely deserted |
| ⇒ 闰四月，吃树叶 | [ rùn sì yuè chī shù yè ] an intercalary fourth month brings food shortages |
| ⇒ 阎王好见，小鬼难当 | [ yán wáng haǒ jiàn guǐ nán dāng ] lit. standing in front of the King of Hell is easy, but smaller devils are difficult to deal with (idiom) |
| ⇒ 关关难过，关关过 | [ guān guān nán guò guān guān guò ] to meet with great difficulties but pull through |
| ⇒ 雷公打豆腐，拣软的欺 | [ leí gōng dǎ doù fu jiǎn ruǎn de qī ] the God of Thunder strikes bean curd, a bully picks the weakest person, to pick on an easy target |
| ⇒ 雷声大，雨点小 | [ leí shēng dà yǔ diǎn ] loud thunder, but only tiny drops of rain (idiom); a lot of talk, but no action, action speaks louder than words, his bite is worse than his bark |
| ⇒ 靡不有初，鲜克有终 | [ mǐ bù yoǔ chū xiǎn kè yoǔ zhōng ] almost everything has a start, but not many things have an end (idiom); don't start sth you can't handle |
| ⇒ 鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已 | [ jū gōng jìn cuì sǐ ér hoù yǐ ] to bend to a task and spare no effort unto one's dying day (idiom); striving to the utmost one's whole life, with every breath in one's body, unto one's dying day |
| ⇒ 项庄舞剑，志在沛公 | [ xiàng zhuāng wǔ jiàn zhì zaì peì gōng ] see 項莊舞劍，意在沛公|项庄舞剑，意在沛公[Xiang4 Zhuang1 wu3 jian4 , yi4 zai4 Pei4 gong1] |
| ⇒ 项庄舞剑，意在沛公 | [ xiàng zhuāng wǔ jiàn yì zaì peì gōng ] lit. Xiang Zhuang performs the sword dance, but his mind is set on Liu Bang 劉邦|刘邦[Liu2 Bang1] (idiom); refers to 206 BC plot to murder Liu Bang, aka Duke of Pei 沛公[Pei4 gong1] and the future Han emperor, during a sword dance at the Hongmen feast 鴻門宴|鸿门宴[Hong2 men2 yan4], an elaborate deception to hide malicious intent |
| ⇒ 头悬梁，锥刺股 | [ toú xuán liáng zhuī cì gǔ ] lit. with his head attached to a beam and stabbing his thigh with an awl (idiom), fig. to study assiduously and tirelessly |
| ⇒ 头痛医头，脚痛医脚 | [ toú tòng yī toú tòng yī ] to treat the symptoms rather than getting to the root of the problem (proverb), reactive (rather than proactive) |
| ⇒ 风中烛，瓦上霜 | [ fēng zhōng zhú wǎ shàng shuāng ] lit. like a candle in the wind, or frost on the roof (idiom), fig. (of sb's life) feeble, hanging on a thread |
| ⇒ 食不厌精，脍不厌细 | [ shí bù yàn jīng bù yàn xì ] lit. to eat but finely ground grain and finely chopped meat (idiom, from Analects), fig. to be fastidious about one's food |
| ⇒ 食之无味，弃之不甘 | [ shí zhī wú weì qì zhī bù gān ] see 食之無味，棄之可惜|食之无味，弃之可惜[shi2 zhi1 wu2 wei4 , qi4 zhi1 ke3 xi1] |
| ⇒ 食之无味，弃之可惜 | [ shí zhī wú weì qì zhī kě xī ] lit. to be hardly worth eating, but it would still be a pity to discard it (idiom), fig. some things have little to no value, yet one is still reluctant to part with them |
| ⇒ 饭后一支烟，赛过活神仙 | [ fàn hoù yī zhī yān saì guò huó shén xiān ] have a smoke after each meal and you will surpass the immortals (proverb) |
| ⇒ 饭后百步走，活到九十九 | [ fàn hoù baǐ bù zoǔ huó daò jiǔ shí jiǔ ] walk a hundred steps after each meal and you will live a long life (proverb) |
| ⇒ 饱暖思淫欲，饥寒起盗心 | [ baǒ nuǎn sī yín yù jī hán qǐ daò xīn ] lechery springs from warmth and nourishment, kleptomania springs from hunger and cold (idiom) |
| ⇒ 饱食终日，无所用心 | [ baǒ shí zhōng rì wú suǒ yòng xīn ] to eat three square meals a day and do no work (idiom), to be sated with food and remain idle |
| ⇒ 养兵千日，用兵一时 | [ yǎng bīng qiān rì yòng bīng yī shí ] lit. Train an army for a thousand days to use it for an hour. (idiom); fig. extensive preparation eventually pays off |
| ⇒ 养兵千日，用在一时 | [ yǎng bīng qiān rì yòng zaì yī shí ] see 養兵千日，用兵一時|养兵千日，用兵一时[yang3 bing1 qian1 ri4 , yong4 bing1 yi1 shi2] |
| ⇒ 养兵千日，用在一朝 | [ yǎng bīng qiān rì yòng zaì yī zhaō ] lit. train an army for a thousand days to use it for one morning (idiom), fig. extensive preparation eventually pays off |
| ⇒ 马尾穿豆腐，提不起来 | [ mǎ weǐ chuān doù fu tí bu qǐ lai ] lit. like tofu strung on horsetail, you can't lift it, fig. let's not talk of this (pun on 提[ti2]) |
| ⇒ 马无夜草不肥，人无外快不富 | [ mǎ wú yè caǒ bù feí rén wú waì bù fù ] a horse cannot get fat without an extra ration, a man cannot get rich without an extra income (idiom) |
| ⇒ 鱼生火，肉生痰，青菜豆腐保平安 | [ yú shēng huǒ roù shēng tán qīng caì doù fu baǒ píng ān ] fish brings heat, meat brings phlegm, vegetables and tofu keep you healthy |
| ⇒ 鱼生火，肉生痰，青菜豆腐保平安 | [ yú shēng huǒ roù shēng tán qīng caì doù fu baǒ píng ān ] fish brings heat, meat brings phlegm, vegetables and tofu keep you healthy |
| ⇒ 鸟不拉屎，鸡不生蛋 | [ bù lā shǐ jī bù shēng dàn ] lit. (a place where) birds don't defecate and hens don't lay eggs (idiom), fig. god-forsaken, remote and desolate |
| ⇒ 鸟不生蛋，狗不拉屎 | [ bù shēng dàn goǔ bù lā shǐ ] lit. (a place where) birds don't lay eggs and dogs don't defecate (idiom), fig. god-forsaken, remote and desolate |
| ⇒ 鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利 | [ yù bàng xiāng zhēng yú wēng dé lì ] lit. sandpiper and clam war together and the fisherman catches both (idiom); fig. neighbors who can't agree lose out to a third party |
| ⇒ 麻雀虽小，五脏俱全 | [ má què suī wǔ zàng jù quán ] the sparrow may be small but all its vital organs are there (idiom), small but complete in every detail |
| ⇒ 黄鼠狼给鸡拜年，没安好心 | [ huáng shǔ láng geǐ jī baì nián meí ān haǒ xīn ] see 黃鼠狼給雞拜年|黄鼠狼给鸡拜年[huang2 shu3 lang2 gei3 ji1 bai4 nian2] |
| ⇒ 龙生龙，凤生凤 | [ lóng shēng lóng fèng shēng fèng ] lit. dragon births dragon, phoenix births phoenix (idiom), fig. the apple doesn't fall far from the tree |