| 成語 | English |
|---|
| āibīngbìshèng 哀兵必勝 | an army burning with righteous indignation is bound to win |
| àibùshìshǒu 愛不釋手 | love something so much that one is loath to part with it |
| àicáirúmìng 愛財如命 | very stingy |
| āiérbùshāng 哀而不傷 | deeply felt but not sentimental; mournful, but not distressing |
| āihóngbiànyě 哀鴻遍野 | a land swarming with famished refugees |
| āiménzhúhù 挨門逐戶 | go from door to door |
| àimònéngzhù 愛莫能助 | beyond one's ability to render assistance although one would like to |
| āishēngtànqì 唉聲嘆氣 | moan and groan |
| àishǒuàijiǎo 礙手礙脚 | be a hindrance |
| àiwūjíwū 愛屋及烏 | love me, love my dog |
| àizēngfēnmíng 愛憎分明 | be clear about what to love and what to hate |
| ànbīngbúdòng 按兵不動 | not to make a move (until opportunity occurs) |
| ānbùdàngchē 安步當車 | stroll leisurely instead of taking a car and enjoy it as much |
| ànbùjiùbān 按部就班 | proceed in order |
| ānbúwàngwéi 安不忘危 | in peace remember the possibilities of danger |
| àndùchéncāng 暗渡陳倉 | do a thing in secret |
| ānfènshǒujǐ 安分守己 | keep one's duty and self-restraint |
| ángshǒukuòbù 昂首闊步 | stride proudly ahead |
| ānjiāluòhù 安家落戶 | settle down |
| ànjiànshāngrén 暗箭傷人 | injure someone by underhand means |
| ānjūlèyè 安居樂業 | live a prosperous and contented life |
| ānmíngàoshì 安民告示 | a notice to reassure the public |
| ànránshīsè 黯然失色 | pale by comparison |
| ānránwúyàng 安然無恙 | safe and sound |
| ānrúpánshí 安如磐石 | absolute tranquility |
| ānrútàishān 安如泰山 | as solid as a rock |
| ānshēnlìmìng 安身立命 | settle down and get on with one's pursuit |
| ànsòngqiūbō 暗送秋波 | stealithily give someone the glad eye |
| āntǔchóngqiān 安土重遷 | be attached to one's native land and unwilling to leave it |
| àntúsuǒjì 按圖索驥 | try to locate something by following a clue |
| ànwútiānrì 暗無天日 | complete darkness |
| ānyíngzāzhài 安營紮寨 | pitch a camp |
| ānyúxiànzhuàng 安於現狀 | be content with things as they are |
| ānzhīruòsù 安之若素 | bear (hardship) with equanimity |
| ànzhōngmōsuǒ 暗中摸索 | grope in the dark |
| áoáodàibǔ 嗷嗷待哺 | cry piteously for food |
| báibìwēixiá 白璧微瑕 | a slight blemish (in character) |
| báibìwúxiá 白璧無瑕 | impeccable moral integrity |
| bǎibùchuānyáng 百步穿楊 | shoot with great precision (pin-point accuracy) |
| bǎichǐgāntóu gèngjìnyíbù 百尺竿頭更進一步 | take one more step forward |
| bǎichuānguīhǎi 百川歸海 | all things tend in one direction |
| bǎiduāndàijǔ 百端待舉 | numerous tasks remain to be undertaken |
| bǎidúbúyàn 百讀不厭 | be worth reading a hundred times |
| bǎifābǎizhòng 百發百中 | shoot with unfailing accuracy |
| bǎifèijùxīng 百廢俱興 | full-scale reconstruction is under way |
| bǎigǎnjiāojí 百感交集 | all sorts of feelings well up in one's heart |
| bàiguānyěshǐ 稗官野史 | books containing anecdotes |
| bǎihuāqífàng bǎijiāzhēngmíng 百花齊放百家爭鳴 | let a hundred flowers blossom and a hundred schools of thought contend |
| báijūguòxì 白駒過隙 | time passes swiftly |
| bàijūnzhījiàng 敗軍之將 | a defeated general |
| bǎikǒngqiānchuāng 百孔千瘡 | be riddled with gaping wounds |
| bǎikǒumòbiàn 百口莫辯 | a hundred mouths cannot explain it away |
| bǎiliànchénggāng 百鍊成鋼 | be toughened and hardened into steel |
| bǎilǐtiāoyī 百裏挑一 | one in a hundred |
| báimiànshūshēng 白面書生 | inexperienced in life |
| bǎiniándàjì 百年大計 | a project of vital and lasting importance |
| báirìjiànguǐ 白日見鬼 | of a strange, absurd, impossible thing |
| báishǒuqǐjiā 白手起家 | rise in life by one's own efforts |
| bǎisībùjiě 百思不解 | remain perplexed despite much thought |
| báitóuxiélǎo 白頭偕老 | remain a devoted couple to the end of their lives |
| bǎiwén bùrúyíjiàn 百聞不如一見 | seeing is believing |
| bǎiwújìnjì 百無禁忌 | no restrictions of any kind here, in the way of taboo or things to be avoided |
| bǎiwúliáolài 百無聊賴 | utterly bored |
| bǎiwúyīshī 百無一失 | cannot possibly go wrong |
| bǎiyībǎishùn 百依百順 | docile and obedient |
| bǎizhànbǎishèng 百戰百勝 | ever-victorious |
| bǎizhébùnáo 百折不撓 | make unbending efforts |
| bǎizúzhīchóng sǐérbùjiāng 百足之蟲死而不僵 | a centipede dies but never falls down |
| bāmiànlínglóng 八面玲瓏 | be a good mixer |
| bāmiànwēifēng 八面威風 | with an awe-inspiring reputation |
| bǎnbǎnliùshísì 版版六十四 | rigid |
| bànbìjiāngshān 半壁江山 | half of the country |
| bānbólùlí 斑駁陸離 | motley-colored |
| bàngrénménhù 傍人門戶 | be dependent on someone for living |
| bànjīnbāliǎng 半斤八兩 | not much to choose between the two |
| bànlùchūjiā 半路出家 | without solid foundation or training |
| bānménnòngfǔ 班門弄斧 | display one's slight skill before an expert (show off one's proficiency with the axe before Lu Ban the master carpenter) |
| bānnòngshìfēi 搬弄是非 | make mischief |
| bānqǐshítou dǎzìjǐdejiǎo 搬起石頭打自己的脚 | all is ready except what is crucial (everything is ready, and all that we need is an east wind) |
| bàntúérfèi 半途而廢 👍 | leave something unfinished |
| bàntuībànjiù 半推半就 | yield while pretending to reject |
| bànxìnbànyí 半信半疑 | not quite convinced |
| bāocánghuòxīn 包藏禍心 | harbor evil intentions |
| bàocánshǒuquē 抱殘守缺 | retain what is old and worn out |
| bàochóuxuěhèn 報仇雪恨 | revenge a national humiliation |
| bàofēngzhòuyǔ 暴風驟雨 | hurricane |
| bǎohànbùzhīèhànjī 飽漢不知餓漢飢 | a new broom sweeps clean |
| bàohènzhōngtiān 抱恨終天 | regret for all one's life |
| bàohǔpínghé 暴虎憑河 | be brave but not resourceful (attack a tiger without weapons and cross a river without a boat) |
| bǎojīngfēngshuāng 飽經風霜 | having experienced the hardships of life |
| bàolìzìsuī 暴戾恣睢 | violent tempered |
| bāoluówànxiàng 包羅萬象 | all inclusive |
| bàolùwúyí 暴露無遺 | be thoroughly exposed |
| bǎoshízhōngrì wúsuǒyòngxīn 飽食終日無所用心 | loaf about all day long and do nothing |
| bàosǐliúpí 豹死留皮 | as a man leaves his reputation (the leopard dies but leaves his skin) |
| bàotiǎntiānwù 暴殄天物 | waste natural products (wasteful use of things from heaven) |
| bàotiàorúléi 暴跳如雷 | be in a frenzy of rage |
| bàotóushǔcuàn 抱頭鼠竄 | run wildly like cornered rats |
| bàoxīnjiùhuǒ 抱薪救火 | adopt a wrong method to save a situation and end up by making it worse |
| bǎoyǐlǎoquán 飽以老拳 | hit one full in the face |
| báshānshèshuǐ 跋山涉水 | travel across mountains and rivers |
| bāxiānguòhǎi gèxiǎnshéntōng 八仙過海各顯神通 | try to outshine each other |
| bēibǐwòchuò 卑鄙齷齪 | sordid |
| bèichéngjièyī 背城借一 | fight to the last ditch |
| bèidàoérchí 背道而馳 | run in opposite direction |
| bēifèntiányīng 悲憤填膺 | feel sad and angry |
| bēigōngqūxī 卑躬屈膝 | act servilely |
| bēigōngshéyǐng 杯弓蛇影 | self-created suspicion |
| bēihuānlíhé 悲歡離合 | joys and sorrows of meeting and parting |
| bēipánlángjí 杯盤狼籍 | wine cups and dishes lying about in disorder after a feast |
| bèirùbèichū 悖入悖出 | gains, which come in a wrong way, will leave in a wrong way |
| bēishuǐchēxīn 杯水車薪 | a useless attempt (try to extinguish the fire of a cartload of firewood with a cup of water) |
| bèishuǐyízhàn 背水一戰 | fight to win or die, last stand |
| bēitiānmǐnrén 悲天憫人 | pity for all mankind |
| bēixǐjiāojí 悲喜交集 | mingled feelings |
| bèixìnqìyì 背信棄義 | break one's word |
| běnláimiànmù 本來面目 | true colors, true features |
| běnmòdàozhì 本末倒置 | put the incidental before the fundamental |
| bènniǎoxiānfēi 笨鳥先飛 | the slow need to start early (clumsy birds have to start flying early) |
| běnxìngnányí 本性難移 | it's difficult to alter one's character |
| bēnzǒuxiānggào 奔走相告 | run around spreading the news |
| biànběnjiālì 變本加厲 | go even further |
| biānchángmòjí 鞭長莫及 | beyond the reach of one's power or authority |
| biǎndanméizhā liǎngtóudǎtā 扁擔沒扎兩頭打塌 | try to grab both but end up getting neither |
| biàndìkāihuā 遍地開花 | blossom everywhere |
| biànhuànmòcè 變幻莫測 | unpredictable |
| biànhuàwúcháng 變化無常 | capricious |
| biānpìrùlǐ 鞭辟入里 | incisive |
| biàntǐlínshāng 遍體鱗傷 | whole body covered with wounds |
| biǎolǐrúyī 表裏如一 | true to one's word |
| biāoxīnlìyì 標新立異 | do something unconventional or unorthodox |
| bǐbìjiēshì 比比皆是 | can be seen everywhere |
| biéchūxīncái 別出心裁 | have an unconventional way |
| biéjiǔqíngshū 別久情疏 | long absent, soon forgotten |
| biéjùyìgé 別具一格 | having a unique style |
| biékāishēngmiàn 別開生面 | do a thing in an unusual way |
| biéshùyízhì 別樹一幟 | act independently |
| biéwúchángwù 別無長物 | posseessing nothing but |
| biéyǒutiāndì 別有天地 | a different world |
| biéyǒuyòngxīn 別有用心 | have another motive |
| bìgōngbìjìng 必恭必敬 | politely and respectfully |
| bìguānsuǒguó 閉關鎖國 | lock one's doors against the world |
| bìguānzìshǒu 閉關自守 | close the country to trade |
| bǐjiānjìzhǒng 比肩繼踵 | follow in the footsteps of another |
| bìkēngluòjǐng 避坑落井 | escape one difficulty only to fall into another |
| bìlěisēnyán 壁壘森嚴 | closely guarded |
| bìlùlánlǚ 篳路藍縷 | the pioneering spirit |
| bìméngēng 閉門羹 | receive cold shoulder treatment |
| bìménsīguò 閉門思過 | ponder over one's mistakes in solitude |
| bìménzàochē 閉門造車 | work at some project without reference to the actual needs |
| bǐmòguānsī 筆墨官司 | a battle of words |
| bìmùsètīng 閉目塞聽 | be out of touch with reality (shut one's eyes and close one's ears) |
| bīnbīnyǒulǐ 彬彬有禮 | in a civil manner |
| bīngbúxuèrèn 兵不血刃 | achieve victory without fighting |
| bīngbúyànzhà 兵不厭詐 | nothing is too deceitful in war |
| bìngcóngkǒurù 病從口入 | diseases enter by the mouth |
| bīngdòngsānchǐ fēi yírìzhīhán 冰凍三尺非一日之寒 | the trouble has been brewing for quite some time |
| bìngdǔluàntóuyī 病篤亂投醫 | try anything when in a desperate situation (turn to any doctor one can find when critically ill) |
| bīngguìshénsù 兵貴神速 | speed is precious in war |
| bīnghuāngmǎluàn 兵荒馬亂 | turmoil and chaos of war |
| bìngjiàqíqū 並駕齊驅 | share equally |
| bīngliánhuòjié 兵連禍結 | continuous wars and turmoil |
| bīnglínchéngxià 兵臨城下 | the attacking army has reached the city gates |
| bīngqiángmǎzhuàng 兵强馬壯 | well-trained and powerful army (strong soldiers and sturdy horses) |
| bīngróngxiāngjiàn 兵戎相見 | open hostilities |
| bìngrùgāománg 病入膏盲 | hopeless case |
| bīngtànbùxiāngróng 冰炭不相容 | as incompatible as ice and hot coals |
| bīngtiānxuědì 冰天雪地 | a world of ice and snow |
| bīngxiāowájiě 冰消瓦解 | vanish from the scene |
| bìngxíngbúbèi 並行不悖 | not be mutually exclusive |
| bīnzhìrúguī 賓至如歸 | make every guest feel at home (guests come as if they have returned home) |
| bìqígōngyúyíyì 畢其功於一役 | accomplish the whole task at one stroke |
| bìqíruìqì jīqíduòguī 避其銳氣擊其惰歸 | avoid the enemy when he is fresh and strike him when he is tired and withdraws |
| bìsǎozìzhēn 敝掃自珍 | cherish something of little value simply because it is one's own (value one's own old broom) |
| bìsèyǎnjīng zhuōmáquè 閉塞眼睛捉麻雀 | act blindly (try to catch sparrows with one's eyes blindfolded) |
| bǐshàngbùzú bǐxiàyǒuyú 比上不足比下有餘 | fall short of the best but be better than the worst |
| bīshàngliángshān 逼上粱山 | be compelled to do something against one's will |
| bìshíjiùxū 避實就虛 | strike where the enemy is weakest |
| bǐyìshí cǐyìshí 彼一時此一時 | universally applicable |
| bìyóuzhīlù 必由之路 | the only way |
| bìzhòngjiùqīng 避重就輕 | evade serious matters and take up trifles |
| bóérbùjīng 博而不精 | have wide but shallow knowledge |
| bógǔtōngjīn 博古通今 | erudite and informed |
| bōlánzhuàngkuò 波瀾壯濶 | sweep ahead magnificently |
| bōluànfǎnzhèng 撥亂反正 | bring order out of chaos |
| bówénqiángjì 博聞强記 | wide learning and powerful memory |
| bóxuéduōcái 博學多才 | learned and versatile |
| bōyúnjiàntiān 撥雲見天 | restore justice (dispel the clouds and see the sun) |
| bózhòngzhījiān 伯仲之間 | almost on par |
| búbàizhīdì 不敗之地 | invincible position |
| bùbáizhīyuān 不白之冤 | unrighted wrong |
| búbiànshūmài 不辨菽麥 | have no knowledge of practical matters |
| bùbùwéiyíng 步步為營 | take precautions at every step |
| bùchéngtǐtǒng 不成體統 | behave very badly |
| bùchǐxiàwèn 不恥下問 | not feel ashamed to ask and learn from one's subordinates |
| bùdǎbùchéngxiāngshì 不打不成相識 | no discord, no concord |
| bùdánóngshí 不達農時 | not miss the farming season |
| búdàohuánghéxīnbùsǐ 不到黃河心不死 | until all is over ambition never dies |
| bùdǎzìzhāo 不打自招 | make a confession without duress |
| bùdēngdàyǎzhītáng 不登大雅之堂 | indecent |
| bùdérénxīn 不得人心 | be unpopular |
| bùdéyàolǐng 不得要領 | fail to grasp the main points |
| bùdiàoyízhì 步調一致 | keep pace with |
| búdòngshēngsè 不動聲色 | maintain one's composure |
| búèrfǎmén 不二法門 | the one and only way |
| bùfáqírén 不乏其人 | no lack of such people |
| búfèichuīhuīzhīlì 不費吹灰之力 | with minimum effort |
| bùfēnbǐcǐ 不分彼此 | make no distinction between one's own and another's |
| bǔfēngzhuōyǐng 捕風捉影 | speak or act on hearsay evidence |
| bùfēnzàobái 不分皂白 | make no distinction between black and white / right and wrong |
| bùgānhòurén 不甘後人 | unwilling to lag behind |
| bùgānshìruò 不甘示弱 | unwilling to show one's weakness |
| bùgǎnyuèléichíyíbù 不敢越雷池一步 | dare not exceed the utmost limits one can go |
| búgòngdàitiān 不共戴天 | refuse to live in the same world |
| bùgōngzìpò 不攻自破 | cannot stand any refutation |
| bùguǎnsānqī'èrshíyī 不管三七二十一 | regardless of the consequences |
| búguòěrěr 不過爾爾 | just so-so |
| bùhán'érlì 不寒而栗 | shiver all over though not cold |
| bùhéshíyí 不合時宜 | inopportune |
| bùhuānérsàn 不歡而散 | end in discord |
| bújiànguāncáibùliúlèi 不見棺材不流淚 | refuse to be convinced until one is faced with grim reality |
| bújiànjīngzhuàn 不見經傳 | unkown |
| bùjiāobúzào 不驕不躁 | free from arrogance and rashness |
| bùjiǎsīsuǒ 不假思索 | without hestitation |
| bùjíbùlí 不卽不離 | be neither too familiar nor too distant |
| bújìngérzǒu 不脛而走 | spread far and wide |
| bùjīngyíshì bùzhǎngyízhì 不經一事不長一智 | you can't gain knowledge without practice |
| bùjīngzhītán 不經之談 | absurd statement |
| bújìnrénqíng 不近人情 | unreasonable |
| bújìqíshù 不計其數 | countless |
| bújìyánxiào 不茍言笑 | discreet in speech and manner |
| bùjízhīwù 不急之務 | business requiring no immediate attention |
| bùjuérúlǚ 不絕如縷 | linger on faintly |
| bùjūxiǎojié 不拘小節 | not bother about small matters |
| bùjūyìgé 不拘一格 | follow no set form or pattern |
| búkàngbùbēi 不亢不卑 | neither haughty nor humble |
| bùkānhuíshǒu 不堪回首 | too sad to reflect on the past |
| bùkānshèxiǎng 不堪設想 | dare not imagine |
| bùkānyījī 不堪一擊 | cannot withstand a single blow |
| bùkānzàojiù 不堪造就 | not worth training |
| bùkěduōdé 不可多得 | rare |
| bùkějiùyào 不可救藥 | hopeless |
| bùkěkāijiāo 不可開交 | unable to get away |
| bùkělǐyù 不可理喻 | incapable of being brought to reason |
| bùkěmómiè 不可磨滅 | will endure for centuries |
| bùkěpiānfèi 不可偏廢 | without neglecting either |
| bùkěqìjí 不可企及 | far beyond one's reach |
| bùkěshèngshǔ 不可勝數 | countless |
| bùkěshōushí 不可收拾 👍 | unmanageable |
| bùkěsīyì 不可思議 👍 | unthinkable |
| bùkětóngrìéryǔ 不可同日而語 | not to be compared with |
| 250 |
| bùkěyánzhuàng 不可言狀 | beyond expression |
| bùkěyíshì 不可一世 | haughty airs |
| bùkěyúyuè 不可逾越 | cannot exceed the limit |
| bùkězhōngrì 不可終日 | be in a desperate situation |
| bùlángbùyǒu 不稂不莠 | good-for-nothing |
| bùláo'érhuò 不勞而獲 | obtain without any labor |
| bùliǎoliǎozhī 不了了之 👍 | settle a thing by leaving it unsettled |
| búlìnzhǐjiāo 不吝指教 | not spare your comments |
| bùlúnbúlèi 不倫不類 👍 | neither rhyme nor reason |
| búluòkējiù 不落窠臼 | not follow the old precedent |
| búloùshēngsè 不露聲色 | not show one's feelings, intentions, etc |
| bùlǚwéijiān 步履維艱 | walk with difficulty |
| bùmáozhīdì 不毛之地 | a bare and barren land |
| bùmíngbùbái 不明不白 | inexplicable |
| bùmíngyìwén 不名一文 | penniless |
| bùmóuérhé 不謀而合 | happen to coincide with |
| bùnéngzìbá 不能自拔 👍 | cannot get oneself away from |
| búniànjiùè 不念舊惡 | let bygones be bygones |
| búnìngwéishì 不寧唯是 | not just so |
| bùpiānbùyǐ 不偏不倚 | impartiality and justice |
| bǔpiānjiùbì 補偏救弊 | rectify deviation and error |
| bùpíngzémíng 不平則鳴 | where there is injustice, there will be an outcry |
| bùpòbúlì 不破不立 | destruction, no construction |
| bùqīéryù 不期而遇 👍 | come across |
| bùqíngzhīqǐng 不情之請 | my presumptuous request |
| bùqīrán'érrán 不期然而然 | happen unexpectedly |
| bùqiúshènjiě 不求甚解 | not seek to understand things thoroughly |
| bùqūbùnáo 不屈不撓 | persevere with |
| bùrénhòuchén 步人後塵 | follow in someon's footsteps |
| bùróngzhìhuì 不容置喙 | not allow others to butt in |
| bùróngzhìyí 不容置疑 | beyond doubt |
| búrùhǔxuéyāndéhǔzi 不入虎穴焉得虎子 | nothing venture, nothing have |
| bùsāibùliúbùzhǐbùxíng 不塞不流不止不行 | there is no flowing without damming, and no motion without rest |
| bùsānbúsì 不三不四 | man of dubious character |
| bùshānbùlǚ 不衫不履 | sloppily dressed (without shirt or shoes) |
| búshàngbúxià 不上不下 👍 | suspended in mid air |
| bùshēngbùxiǎng 不聲不響 👍 | noiselessly |
| bùshèngméijǔ 不勝枚舉 | too numerous to mention |
| bùshēngqífán 不勝其煩 | unable to bear |
| bùshídàtǐ 不識大體 | fail to see the larger issues |
| bùshíshíwù 不識時務 | ignorant of the present state of affairs |
| bùshítáijǔ 不識抬舉 | not know how to appreciate favors |
| bùshízhīxū 不時之需 | things which may come in handy |
| búsùzhīkè 不速之客 | an unexpected |
| bútòngbùyǎng 不痛不癢 | superficial(ly) |
| bùtóngfánxiǎng 不同凡響 | out of the ordinary |
| bùwéijǐshén 不為己甚 | not be too hard on someone |
| bùwénbúwèn 不聞不問 | neither care to hear nor to inquire |
| búwùkōngmíng 不務空名 | not seek empty fame |
| bùwúxiǎobǔ 不無小補 | not be without some advantage |
| búwùzhèngyè 不務正業 | not engage in honest work |
| bùxiāngshàngxià 不相上下 | without much difference |
| búxiàozǐsūn 不肖子孫 | unworthy descendants |
| búxièyígù 不屑一顧 | not worth taking a look at |
| bùxǐngrénshì 不省人事 | in a dead faint |
| bùxiūbiānfú 不修邊幅 | not care about one's appearance |
| bùxuéwúshù 不學無術 | not study and know nothing |
| bùyánéryù 不言而喻 👍 | it goes without saying that... |
| búyànqífán 不厭其煩 | be very patient |
| búyànqíxiáng 不厭其詳 | not feel annoyed to tell in full detail |
| búyìérfēi 不翼而飛 👍 | vanish all of a sudden |
| bùyīérzú 不一而足 | similar cases are numerous |
| búyìlèhū 不亦樂乎 | awfully (busy, etc) |
| bùyǐwéirán 不以為然 👍 | not think it is so |
| bùyíyúlì 不遺餘力 | do one's utmost |
| búyìzhīcái 不義之財 | money obtained by dubious means |
| búyìzhīlùn 不易之論 | unalterable truth |
| bùyóufēnshuō 不由分說 | without giving one the chance to explain |
| bùyóuzìzhǔ 不由自主 | beyond one's own control |
| bùyuē'értóng 不約而同 | happen to coincide |
| búzàihuàxià 不在話下 | to say nothing of |
| bùzéshǒuduàn 不擇手段 | use all kinds of methods |
| bùzháobiānjì 不著邊際 | far off the mark |
| bùzhébùkòu 不折不扣 | without any reservation |
| bùzhīfánjǐ 不知凡幾 | can't tell how many there are |
| bùzhīhǎodǎi 不知好歹 👍 | not to know good from bad |
| bùzhījìntuì 不知進退 | have no sense of propriety |
| búzhìkěfǒu 不置可否 | not express an opinion |
| bùzhīrénjiānyǒuxiūchǐshì 不知人間有羞恥事 | the height of impudence |
| bùzhīsuǒcuò 不知所措 | out of one's wits |
| bùzhīsuǒyǐ 不知所以 | unable to account for |
| bùzhīsuǒyún 不知所云 | not know what is said, or driving at |
| bùzhītiāngāodìhòu 不知天高地厚 | have an exaggerated opinion of one's abilities |
| búzhìzhīzhèng 不治之症 👍 | fatal disease |
| bùzúguàchǐ 不足掛齒 | not worth mentioning |
| bùzúwéipíng 不足為憑 | not to be taken as evidence |
| bùzúwéiqí 不足為奇 | nothing surprising |
| bùzúwéixún 不足為馴 | cannot be taken as an example to follow |
| cáigāobādǒu 才高八斗 | a man of great erudition |
| cáiqìhéngyì 才氣橫溢 | have superb talen |
| cáishūxuéqiǎn 才疏學淺 | have little talent and less learning |
| cǎixīnzhīyōu 采薪之憂 | illness |
| cáizǐjiārén 才子佳人 | gifted scholars and beautiful ladies |
| cánbēilěngzhì 殘杯冷炙 | remains of a meal |
| cánbīngbàijiàng 殘兵敗將 | remnants of a routed army |
| cǎnbùrěndǔ 慘不忍睹 | too horrible to look at |
| cǎnbùrěnwén 慘不忍聞 | too horrified to learn |
| cǎndànjīngyíng 慘淡經營 | build up a business by years of effort and persistence |
| cānghǎihéngliú 滄海橫流 | the changes and disorders of the times |
| cānghǎisāngtián 滄海桑田 | time brings great changes to the world (seas change into mulberry fields and mulberry fields into seas) |
| cānghǎiyísù 滄海一粟 | man paltry, compared with heaven and earth (like a grain afloat on the vast ocean) |
| cánglóngwòhǔ 藏龍臥虎 | talented men still remain in concealment (hidden dragons and crouching tigers) |
| cángtóulùwěi 藏頭露尾 | speak evasively |
| cángwūnàwū 藏污納污 | assemble the worst elements of society |
| cǎnjuérénhuán 慘絕人寰 | most inhuman |
| cánquēbùquán 殘缺不全 | fragmentary |
| cánshānshèngshuǐ 殘山剩水 | the remaining remnants of national territory |
| cánshíjīngyú 蠶食鯨魚 | encroach upon |
| cǎnwúréndào 慘無人道 | inhuman |
| cánzhāyúniè 殘渣餘孽 | dregs and remnant evil elements |
| cǎocǎoliǎoshì 草草了事 | finish without due care |
| cǎojiānrénmìng 草菅人命 | treat human life as no more than grass |
| cǎomùjiēbīng 草木皆兵 | a state of extreme nervousness (every bush and tree looks like an enemy soldier) |
| cāozhīguòjí 操之過急 | too hasty |
| cèmùérshì 側目而視 | take a sidelong glance at |
| cēncībùqí 參差不齊 | uneven |
| céngchūbùqióng 層出不窮 | emerge in an endless stream |
| céngjǐhéshí 曾幾何時 | it was not long before... |
| chāchìnánfēi 插翅難飛 | who will gain supremacy |
| chádúshēnglíng 茶毒生靈 | cruelly injure/slaughter people |
| cháilángchéngxìng 豺狼成性 | rapacious and ruthless |
| cháilángdāngdào 豺狼當道 | said of evil men usurping authority |
| chākēdǎhún 插科打渾 | even sticking on wings will not help one escape |
| chángbèibùxiè 常備不懈 | always be on the alert |
| chángcǐyǐwǎng 長此以往 | if things continue this way |
| chàngduìtáixì 唱對台戲 | set up a rival stage in opposition to |
| chàngdújiǎoxì 唱獨角戲 | go it alone |
| chángniánlěiyuè 長年累月 | year in year out |
| chángpiāndàlùn 長篇大論 | a lengthy speech/article |
| chángqūzhírù 長驅直入 | drive straight into |
| chàngsuǒyùyán 暢所欲言 | speak one's mind freely |
| chángxūduǎntàn 長噓短嘆 | moan and groan |
| chǎnshàngqīxià 諂上欺下 | fawn on those above and bully those below |
| chánxiányùdī 饞涎欲滴 | mouth drooling with greed |
| chāochénbású 超塵拔俗 | a well-cultivated mind (above this mortal life and overtopping the man's world) |
| chāofányuèshèng 超凡越聖 | of abstruse and profound attainment (above the average and overtake the sages) |
| chāoqúnjuélún 超群絕倫 | preeminent |
| chāoránwùwài 超然物外 | be above worldly considerations |
| chāqiángrényì 差强人意 | barely satisfactory |
| chárúhuáng 查如黃鶴 | nowhere to be found |
| cháwúshíjù 查無實據 | investigation reveals no evidence, unsubstantiated |
| cháwúyīnxìn 查無音信 | no news of someone for a long time |
| cháyánguānsè 察言觀色 | examine a man's words and observe his countenance |
| cháyúfànhòu 茶餘飯後 | at one's leisure (over a cup of tea or after dinner) |
| chàzhīháolímiùyǐqiānlǐ 差之毫厘謬以千里 | the slightest divergence leads far astray |
| chēdàoshānqiánbìyǒulù 車到山前必有路 | things will eventually sort themselves out (the cart will find its way around the hill when it gets there) |
| chénchénxiāngyīn 陳陳相因 | follow a set routine |
| chéncílàndiào 陳詞濫調 | a hackneyed and stereotyped phrase |
| chéngbàilìdùn 成敗利鈍 | will meet with success or end in failure |
| chéngfēngpòlàng 乘風破浪 | ride on the wind |
| chēnggūdàoguǎ 稱孤道寡 | act like an absolute ruler (style onself king) |
| chénghuángchéngkǒng 誠惶誠恐 | with reverence and awe |
| chēnghūqíhòu 瞠乎其後 | fall far behind |
| chéngjiālìyè 成家立業 | get marreid and start one's career |
| chénglóngpèitào 成籠配套 | link up the parts to form a whole |
| chéngménshīhuǒyāngjíchíyú 城門失火殃及池魚 | innocent people being involved in trouble (when the city catches fire, the disaster extends even to the fish in the moat) |
| chéngmíngchéngjiā 成名成家 | establish one's reputation as an authority |
| chēngmùjiéshé 瞠目結舌 | stunned and speechless |
| chéngqiánbìhòu 懲前避後 | take a lesson from the past and avoid future mistakes |
| chéngqiānchéngwàn 成千成萬 | thousands upon thousands |
| chéngrénqǔyì 成仁取義 | die to preserve one's virtue intact |
| chéngrénzhīměi 成人之美 | assist others in a good object |
| chéngrénzhīwēi 乘人之危 | take advantage of other's calamity |
| chéngshàngqǐxià 承上啟下 | form a connecting link between the preceding and the following (in writing) |
| chéngshìbùzú bàishìyǒuyú 成事不足敗事有餘 | not good enough to accomplish anything, but more than enough to spoil things |
| chénguīlòuxí 陳規陋習 | out-dated conventions and bad customs |
| chēngwángchēngbà 稱王稱霸 | act like an overlord |
| chéngxiānqǐhòu 承先啟後 | inherit the past and usher in the future |
| chéngxiàzhīméng 城下之盟 | accept one's terms for surrender |
| chéngxīnchéngyì 誠心誠意 | with all one's heart |
| chéngxìngérlái bàixìngérguī 乘興而來敗興而歸 | set out cheerfully and return disappointed |
| chěngxìngwàngwéi 逞性妄為 | act recklessly |
| chēngxiōngdàodì 稱兄道弟 | be on intimate terms (call each other brothers) |
| chéngxūérrù 乘虛而入 | act when someone is off guard |
| chéngyījǐngbǎi 懲一儆百 | punish one as warning to a hundred |
| chènhuǒdǎjié 趁火打劫 | fish in troubled waters (take the advantage of a conflagration to loot) |
| chénmòguǎyán 沉默寡言 | a man of few words |
| chènrèdǎtiě 趁熱打鐵 | seize time by the forelock |
| chènxīnrúyì 稱心如意 | to one's heart's content |
| chényuānmòbái 沉冤莫白 | wrongs that cannot be redressed |
| chēshuǐmǎlóng 車水馬龍 | heavy traffic on the street |
| chēzàidǒuliáng 車載斗量 | plentiful |
| chìbóshàngzhèn 赤膊上陣 | throw away all disguise |
| chíchúbùqián 踟躕不前 | hesitate to move forward |
| chìdǎnzhōngxīn 赤膽忠心 | extreme loyalty |
| chìdìqiānlǐ 赤地千里 | a scene of utter desolation (a thousand li of barren land) |
| chǐduǎncùncháng 尺短寸長 | everything has its merits and demerits |
| chīhēwánlè 吃喝玩樂 | idle away one's time in pleasure-seeking |
| chīkǔnàiláo 吃苦耐勞 | hard-working and able to endure hardship |
| chīlǐpáwài 吃裏扒外 | live off one person while secretly helping another |
| chīmèiwǎngliǎng 魑魅魍魎 | demons and devils |
| chípíngzhīlùn 持平之論 | a fair argument |
| chīrénshuōmèng 痴人說夢 | talk fantastic nonsense |
| chīruǎnbùchīyìng 吃軟不吃硬 | yield to the weak but not to the strong |
| chìshǒukōngquán 赤手空拳 | bare-handed |
| chīxīnwàngxiǎng 痴心妄想 | wishful thinking |
| chíyíbùjué 遲疑不決 | hesitate to make a decision |
| chīyīqiànzhǎngyīzhì 吃一塹長一智 | the going is toughest towards the end of a journey |
| chìzhàfēngyún 叱咤風雲 | all-powerful |
| chīzhīyǐbí 嗤之以鼻 | despise |
| chízhīyǐhéng 持之以恒 | persevere |
| chízhīyǒugù 持之有故 | have sufficient grounds for one's views |
| chìzǐzhīxīn 赤子之心 | utter innocence (the pure heart of a new-born babe) |
| chōng'ěrbùwén 充耳不聞 | turn a deaf ear to |
| chóngdǎofùzhé 重蹈覆轍 | follow the same old disastrous road |
| chōngfēngxiànzhèn 衝鋒陷陣 | charge and shatter enemy positions |
| chóngjiàntiānrì 重見天日 | be delivered from oppression or persecution |
| chǒngrǔbùjīng 寵辱不驚 | unmoved either by favor or disgrace |
| chóngwēnjiùmèng 重溫舊夢 | relive an old experience |
| chóngzhěngqígǔ 重整旗鼓 | rally one's forces after a defeat |
| chòubùkědāng 臭不可當 | give off an unbearable stink |
| chóuchúbùqián 躊躇不前 | hesitate to move forward |
| chóuchúmǎnzhì 躊躇滿志 | enormously proud of one's success |
| chóuhuǒjīxīn 籌火積薪 | great danger remained in concealment |
| chóuméibùzhǎn 愁眉不展 | sullen |
| chóuméikǔliǎn 愁眉苦臉 | an agonized look |
| chòumíngyuǎnyáng 臭名遠揚 | notororious |
| chòumíngzhāozhù 臭名昭著 | notorious (foul) reputation |
| chòuqìxūntiān 臭氣薰天 | skies full of stink |
| chóurénguǎngzuò 稠人廣座 | a dense crowd |
| chóuróngmǎnmiàn 愁容滿面 | look extremely worried |
| chǒutàibǎichū 丑態百出 | cut a contemptible figure |
| chòuwèixiāngtóu 臭味相投 | people of the same taste like each other |
| chōuxīnzhǐfèi 抽薪止沸 | take drastic measures to stop something (take out the firewood to stop the pot boiling) |
| chuāngjùtòngshēn 創巨痛深 | in deep distress (severely wounded and in great pain) |
| chuāngmíngjījìng 窗明幾淨 | clean and bright |
| chuāngyímǎnmù 瘡痍滿目 | see evidence of people's distress everywhere |
| chuānliúbùxī 川流不息 | continually going on |
| chuàntōngyīqì 串通一氣 | act in collaboration |
| chuānzáofùhuì 穿鑿附會 | act as a go-between |
| chuānzhēnyǐnxiàn 穿針引線 | with relish |
| chúbàoānliáng 除暴安良 | get rid of bullies and bring peace to good people |
| chūchūmáolú 初出茅蘆 | young and inexperienced |
| chūěrfǎněr 出爾反爾 | promise and then deny in succession |
| chúèwùjǐn 除惡務盡 | all evils must be thoroughly done away with |
| chūguāilòuchǒu 出乖露丑 | expoose one's weak points |
| chuīmáoqiúcī 吹毛求疵 | fault-finding |
| chuíshǒuérdé 垂手而得 | acquire a thing easily |
| chuísǐzhēngzhá 垂死掙扎 | flounder desperately before dying |
| chuítóusàngqì 垂頭喪氣 | be in low spirits |
| chuíxiánsānchǐ 垂涎三尺 | drool with envy |
| chuíxiányùdī 垂涎欲滴 | keep a covetous eye on |
| chùjǐngshēngqíng 觸景生情 | recall old memories at familiar sights |
| chújiùbùxīn 除舊布新 | do away with the old and set up the new |
| chūkǒuchéngzhāng 出口成章 | talk with adroit phrases |
| chūlèibácuì 出類拔萃 | stand out from one's fellows |
| chùlèipángtōng 觸類旁通 | grasp a typical example and you will grasp the whole category |
| chūlùfēngmáng 初露鋒芒 | display one's talent for the first time |
| chūmóuhuàcè 出謀划策 | offer advice and suggestions |
| chūmòwúcháng 出沒無常 | come and go unpredictably |
| 500 |
| chùmùjīngxīn 觸目驚心 | appalling |
| chúnchǐxiāngyī 唇齒相依 | be closely related and mutually dependent |
| chǔnchǔnyùdòng 蠢蠢欲動 | be ready for action |
| chūnfēnghuàyǔ 春風化雨 | salutary influence of education |
| chūnlánqiūjú 春蘭秋菊 | each in its season |
| chúnqiāngshéjiàn 唇槍舌劍 | engage in a battle of words |
| chúnwángchǐhán 唇亡齒寒 | if one falls, the other is in danger |
| chúnyībǎijié 鶉衣百結 | in rags |
| chuòchuòyǒuyú 綽綽有餘 | more than enough |
| chúqiángfúruò 除强扶弱 | get rid of the strong and help the weak |
| chūqíbùyì 出其不意 | all of a sudden |
| chūqízhìshèng 出奇制勝 | defeat one's oponent by a surprise move |
| chūréntóudì 出人頭地 | stand out among others |
| chūrényìbiǎo 出人意表 | beyond all expectations |
| chūshēngniúdúbùpàhǔ 初生牛犢不怕虎 | young people are fearless (newborn calves aren't afraid of tigers) |
| chūshēngrùsǐ 出生入死 | brave countless dangers |
| chūshénrùhuà 出神入化 | extremely miraculous |
| chūtóulòumiàn 出頭露面 | appear publicly |
| chǔxīnjīlǜ 處心積慮 | brood over a matter for a long time |
| chūyánbùxùn 出言不遜 | speak abruptly, talk harshly |
| chǔzhītàirán 處之泰然 | remain unruffled |
| cíbùdáyì 詞不達意 | the language fail to express the idea |
| cìcìbùxiū 刺刺不休 | talk incessantly |
| cǐdìwúyínsānbǎiliǎng 此地無銀三百兩 | a fall into the pit, a gain in your wit |
| cǐqǐbǐfú 此起彼伏 | as one falls, another rises |
| cóngchángjìyì 從長計議 | take more time to consider it |
| cōngmíngcáizhì 聰明才智 | intelligence and wisdom |
| cōngmíngfǎnbèicōngmíngwù 聰明反被聰明誤 | cleverness may overreach itself |
| cōngmíngyīshìhútúyīshí 聰明一世糊塗一時 | clever all one's life but stupid this once |
| cóngróngbùpò 從容不迫 | with ease |
| cóngróngjiùyì 從容就義 | meet one's fate calmly |
| cóngshànrúliú 從善如流 | readily accept good advice |
| cūchádànfàn 粗茶淡飯 | a simple meal |
| cuīkūlāxiǔ 摧枯拉朽 | like breaking down a decayed stump |
| cún'érbùlùn 存而不論 | leave the question open |
| cùnbùbùlí 寸步不離 | keep close to |
| cùnbùnánxíng 寸步難行 | it is difficult to move a step |
| cùncǎobùliú 寸草不留 | complete devastation of land |
| cùnjīnnánmǎicùnguāngyīn 寸金難買寸光陰 | time is more previous than gold |
| cùntǔbìzhēng 寸土必爭 | fight for every inch of land |
| cúnwángjuéxù 存亡絕續 | at a most critical moment |
| cuòshǒubùjí 措手不及 | catch someone on the wrong foot |
| cuōtuósuìyuè 蹉跎歲月 | let time slip by without accomplishing anything |
| cuòzhìyùrú 措置裕如 | manage one's work easily and leisurely |
| cuòzōngfùzá 錯綜複雜 | perplexing |
| cūxīndàyì 粗心大意 | careless and heedless |
| cùxītánxīn 促膝談心 | have intimate chat together |
| cūzhīdàyè 粗枝大葉 | crude and careless |
| cūzhìlànzào 粗製濫造 | crudely made |
| dà'érwúdàng 大而無當 | unwieldy |
| dǎbàobùpíng 打抱不平 | defend someone against an injustice |
| dàcáixiǎoyòng 大材小用 | employ a steam-engine to crack a nut |
| dǎcǎojīngshé 打草驚蛇 | act rashly and alert the enemy |
| dàchǎodànào 大吵大鬧 | make a scene |
| dǎchéngyīpiàn 打成一片 | merge with |
| dàchīdàhè 大吃大喝 | eat and drink extravagantly |
| dàchǒutiàoliáng 大丑跳梁 | a contemptible wretch making trouble |
| dàchuīdàléi 大吹大擂 | brag about |
| dàchùluòmò 大處落墨 | concentrate on the key points |
| dàchùzhuóyǎn, xiǎochùzhuóshǒu 大處着眼，小處着手 | keep the general goal in sight and take the daily tasks in hand |
| dàcídàbēi 大慈大悲 | infinitely merciful |
| dǎcuòsuànpán 打錯算盤 | make a wrong decision |
| dàdǎchūshǒu 大打出手 | strike violently |
| dàdāokuòfǔ 大刀闊斧 | deal with a matter summarily without regard to details |
| dǎdéhuǒrè 打得火熱 | be on terms of intimacy |
| dàdídāngqián 大敵當前 | confronted by the sworn enemies |
| dàēnxiǎohuì 大恩小惠 | petty favors |
| dàfāléitíng 大發雷霆 | break into a furious rage |
| dàfàngjuécí 大放厥詞 | talk a lot of nonsense |
| dàfēngdàlàng 大風大浪 | violent storms and waves |
| dàfùpiánbiàn 大腹便便 | potbellied |
| dàgōnggàochéng 大功告成 | an accomplished task or project |
| dàgōngwúsī 大公無私 | unselfish |
| dàhǎilāozhēn 大海撈針 | fish for a needle in the ocean |
| dàhǎndàjiào 大喊大叫 | make a big clamor about |
| dàhànwàngyúnní 大旱望雲霓 | look forward to relief from distress |
| dàhuòbùjiě 大惑不解 | be extremely puzzled |
| dàijiàérgū 待價而沽 | wait for the right price to sell |
| dàirénjiēwù 待人接物 | the way one gets along with people |
| dāiruòmùjī 呆若木雞 | dumbstruck |
| dàizuìlìgōng 戴罪立功 | atone for one's crimes by doing good deeds |
| dǎjiājiéshè 打家劫舍 | plunder |
| dàjīngshīsè 大驚失色 | turn pale with fright |
| dàjīngxiǎoguài 大驚小怪 | a storm in a teacup |
| dǎkāichuāngzishuōliànghuà 打開窗子說亮話 | frankly speaking |
| dàkuàirénxīn 大快人心 | cheer the people greatly |
| dǎluòshuǐgǒu 打落水狗 | completely crush a defeated enemy |
| dàmíngdǐngdǐng 大名鼎鼎 | well-known |
| dàmiùbùrán 大謬不然 | entirely wrong |
| dàmúdàyàng 大模大樣 | in an ostentatious manner |
| dǎndàbāotiān 膽大包天 | audacious in the exreme |
| dāndāozhírù 單刀直入 | make simple and direct attack on the subject |
| dǎndàwàngwéi 膽大妄為 | reckless |
| dǎndàxīnxì 膽大心細 | show courage and prudence |
| dāngchǎngchūcǎi 當場出彩 | make a spectacle of oneself |
| dàngěrbiānfēng 當耳邊風 | take advice like passing wind |
| dāngjiāzuòzhǔ 當家作主 | be the master in one's own house |
| dāngjīlìduàn 當機立斷 | make a prompt decision |
| dāngjúzháomí pángguānzhěqīng 當局者迷旁觀者清 | honesty prevails throughout society (no one picks up and pockets anything found on the road, and doors need not be locked at night) |
| dǎngláizhīwù 黨來之物 | things that come unexpectedly |
| dāngrénbùràng 當仁不讓 | take it as one's obligation to manage something for the just cause |
| dǎngtóngfáyì 黨同伐異 | unite with those of the same ideas and punish those who do not |
| dāngtóubànghè 當頭棒喝 | a severe warning (a blow and a shout) |
| dāngwùzhījí 當務之急 | urgent matter |
| dāngzhīwúkuì 當之無愧 | be worthy of the title or honor |
| dànìbùdào 大逆不道 | impudent insubordination |
| dānjīngshòupà 擔驚受怕 | feel alarmed |
| dànjìnliángjué 彈盡糧絕 | run out of ammunition and food supplies |
| dànránchǔzhī 淡然處之 | treat with indifference |
| dānsìhújiāng 簞食壺漿 | welcome an army with food and drink |
| dànwánzhīdì 彈丸之地 | a little country |
| dǎnxiǎorúshǔ 膽小如鼠 | as cowardly as a mouse |
| dǎnzhànxīnjīng 膽顫心驚 | tremble with fear |
| dàobèirúliú 倒背如流 | know something thoroughly by heart (can even recite something backwards fluently) |
| dàobùshíyíyèbùbìhù 道不拾遺夜不閉戶 | lift a rock only to have one's toes squashed |
| dǎochángxígù 蹈常襲故 | follow mere routine |
| dàodǎyībà 倒打一耙 | put the blame on one's victim |
| dāoguāngjiànyǐng 刀光劍影 | the scene of a fierce fight |
| dàoguǒwéiyīn 倒果為因 | put cause for effect |
| dàomàoànrán 道貌岸然 | pose as a person of high morals |
| dāoshānhuǒhǎi 刀山火海 | an extremely dangerous place |
| dàoshénmeshān chàngshénmegē 到什麼山唱什麼歌 | do in Rome as the Romans do |
| dàotīngtúshuō 道聽塗說 | rumor |
| dàoxíngnìshī 倒行逆施 | attempt to go against the tide of history |
| dǎpòshāguōwèndàodǐ 打破砂鍋問到底 | insist on getting to the bottom of the matter |
| dàqìpángbó 大氣磅礴 | majestic |
| dàqìwǎnchéng 大器晚成 | great minds mature slowly |
| dàquánpángluò 大權旁落 | power has fallen into the hands of others |
| dǎrùlěnggōng 打入冷宮 | consign to the back shelf |
| dàshāfēngjǐng 大殺風景 | throw a wet blanket over |
| dàshēngjíhū 大聲疾呼 | cry out for |
| dàshìdàfēi 大是大非 | right and wrong on issues of major importance |
| dàshìsuǒqū 大勢所趨 | the trend of the times |
| dàshīsuǒwàng 大失所望 | to one's great disappointment |
| dàshìyǐqù 大勢已去 | the game is as good as lost |
| dàshǒudàjiǎo 大手大腳 | extravagant |
| dàshūtèshū 大書特書 | write volumes about |
| dàtíngguǎngzhòng 大庭廣眾 | in front of a big crowd |
| dàtóngxiǎoyì 大同小異 | mostly alike except for a slight differences |
| dǎtuìtánggǔ 打退堂鼓 | draw in one's horns |
| dàxiāngjìngtíng 大相徑庭 | be widely divergent |
| dàxiǎnshēnshǒu 大顯身手 | distinguish oneself |
| dàxiǎnshéntōng 大顯神通 | give full play to one's remarkable skills |
| dàxǐguòwàng 大喜過望 | be delighted with unexpectedly good results |
| dàxīngtǔmù 大興土木 | go in for large-scale construction |
| dàyánbùcán 大言不慚 | turn geese into swans |
| dàyáodàbǎi 大搖大擺 | swaggering |
| dàyìlǐnrán 大義凜然 | inspiring awe by upholding justice |
| dàyìmièqīn 大義滅親 | place righteousness above family loyalty |
| dàyǒukěwéi 大有可為 | have bright prospects |
| dàyǒurénzài 大有人在 | there are plenty of such people |
| dàyǒuzuòwéi 大有作為 | be able to develop one's ability to the full |
| dàyǔrúzhù 大雨如注 | the heavy rain pours down in torrents |
| dàzhāngqígǔ 大張旗鼓 | in a big way |
| dàzhìruòyú 大智若愚 | still waters run deep |
| dǎzhǒngliǎn chōngpàngzi 打腫臉充胖子 | an impudent attempt to represent the defeat as a victory |
| débùchángshī 得不償失 | the game is not worth the candle |
| décáijiānbèi 德才兼備 | combine ability with moral integrity |
| décùnjìnchǐ 得寸進尺 | the more one gets, the more one wants |
| dédàoduōzhù shīdàoguǎzhù 得道多助失道寡助 | a just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds meager support |
| dégāowàngzhòng 德高望重 | be of noble character and high prestige |
| déguòqiěguò 得過且過 | let things drift |
| délǒngwàngshǔ 得隴望蜀 | much will have more |
| děngérxiàzhī 等而下之 | lower down |
| dēngfēngzàojí 登峰造極 | have a very high scholastic or technical skill |
| dēnghóngjiǔlǜ 燈紅酒綠 | red lanters and green wine-scene of debauchery |
| dēnghuǒhuīhuáng 燈火輝煌 | ablaze with lights |
| děngliàngqíguān 等量齊觀 | draw a parallel between |
| dēngtángrùshì 登堂入室 | reach a higher level in one's studies or become more proficient in one's profession (pass through the hall into the inner chamber) |
| děngxiánshìzhī 等閒視之 | regard it idly as of no importance |
| déshèngguīlái 得勝歸來 | return in triumph |
| détiāndúhòu 得天獨厚 | be richly endowed by nature |
| déxīnyìngshǒu 得心應手 | handy |
| déyìwàngxíng 得意忘形 | lose all bearings in the moment of pride and satisfaction |
| déyúwàngquán 得魚忘筌 | forget the things or conditions which bring one success |
| diānbǔbùpò 顚補不破 | incontrovertible |
| diāndǎohēibái 顚倒黑白 | confuse truth and falsehood |
| diǎnjīnchéngtiě 點金成鐵 | turn gold into iron (depreciatory phrase when correcting or revising compositions for another) |
| diānpèiliúlí 顚沛流離 | homeless and miserable (drift from place to place) |
| diānsāndǎosì 顚三倒四 | disorderly |
| diǎnshíchéngjīn 點石成金 | turn a crude essay into a literary gem (touch a stone and turn it into gold) |
| diàobīngqiǎnjiàng 調兵遣將 | transfer troops |
| diāochóngxiǎojì 雕蟲小技 | insignificant skill |
| diāogēnghuǒzhòng 刁耕火種 | slash-and-burn cultivation |
| diàohǔlíshān 調虎離山 | lure the enemy away from his base (lure the tiger out of the mountains) |
| diàoyǐqīngxīn 掉以輕心 | heedless |
| diāozuāngǔguài 刁鑽古怪 | wily and eccentric |
| dìdàwùbó 地大物博 | vast territory and rich resources |
| diéchuángjiàwū 疊床架屋 | needless duplication (pile one bed upon another or build one house on top of another) |
| diédiébùxiū 喋喋不休 | talk endlessly |
| dìguǎngrénxī 地廣人稀 | a sparsely populated area |
| dìlìrénhé 地利人和 | have topographical advantages and enjoy popular support |
| dǐnglǐmóbài 頂禮膜拜 | pay homage to |
| dǐngtiānlìdì 頂天立地 | of indomitable spirit |
| dǐngzúzhīshì 鼎足之勢 | a situation dominated by three powerful rivals |
| dīsānxiàsì 低三下四 | humble |
| dīshēngxiàqì 低聲下氣 | soft-spoken and submissive |
| dīshuǐchéngbīng 滴水成冰 | no sooner the water drops down than freezes up |
| dīshuǐchuānshí 滴水穿石 | constant dropping wears away a stone |
| diūkuīqìjiǎ 丟盔棄甲 | run away helterskelter |
| diūzúbǎojū 丟卒保車 | sacrifice minor things to save major ones |
| dōngbēnxīpǎo 東奔西跑 | rush about |
| dòngcháyīqiè 洞察一切 | have a keen insight into matters |
| dōnglāxīchě 東拉西扯 | talk at random |
| dōnglínxīzhǎo 東鱗西爪 | bits and pieces |
| dōngpīnxīcòu 東拼西湊 | knock together |
| dòngruòguānhuǒ 洞若觀火 | clear like looking at fire |
| dōngshānzàiqǐ 東山再起 | stage a comeback |
| dōngshīxiàopín 東施效顰 | blindly copying others and making oneself look foolish |
| dōngzhāngxīwàng 東張西望 | gaze around |
| dòngzhédéjiù 動輒得咎 | be blamed for every move |
| dòngzhúqíjiān 洞燭其奸 | know one's villainy fully |
| dòuzhìángyáng 鬥志昂揚 | high in spirits and strong in morale |
| duǎnbīngxiāngjiē 短兵相接 | engage in hand-to-hand fight, close combat |
| duànjiǎncánbiān 斷簡殘編 | incomplete parts of ancient scripts |
| duānníkěchá 端倪可察 | have found a clue to something |
| duànxiànfēngzhēng 斷線風箏 | a person or thing gone beyond recall (a kite with a broken string) |
| duǎnxiǎojīnghàn 短小精悍 | terse and forceful |
| duànzhāngqǔyì 斷章取義 | a garbled quotation |
| dúbàyīfāng 獨霸一方 | lord it over a district |
| dúbùyīshí 獨步一時 | be unequalled in one's generation |
| dúchūxīncái 獨出心裁 | create new styles or fashions |
| dúdāngyīmiàn 獨當一面 | able to understake the sole responsibility for one matter |
| dúduànzhuānxíng 獨斷專行 | make arbitrary decisions and take peremptory actions |
| dúfūmínzéi 獨夫民賊 | autocrat and traitor to the people |
| duìniútánqín 對牛彈琴 | attempt to explain deep truths to a dull person |
| duìyìngrúliú 對應如流 | reply readily and fluently |
| duìzhèngxiàyào 對症下藥 | suit the remedy to the case |
| dújùjiàngxīn 獨具匠心 | show ingenuity |
| dújùzhīyǎn 獨具隻眼 | have exceptional insight |
| dúlǎndàquán 獨攬大權 | arrogate all powers to oneself |
| dúlìzìzhǔ 獨立自主 | act independently and with the initiative in one's own hands |
| dúmùbùchénglín 獨木不成林 | cannot be done single-handedly |
| dúmùnánzhī 獨木難支 | one person alone cannot save the situation |
| dùnkāimáosè 頓開茅塞 | suddenly see the light |
| duōcáiduōyì 多才多藝 | gifted in many ways |
| duōchóushàngǎn 多愁善感 | sentimental |
| duōcǐyījǔ 多此一舉 | make an unnecessary move |
| duōduōbīrén 咄咄逼人 | with an overbearing attitude |
| duōduōguàishì 咄咄怪事 | monstrous absurdity |
| duōduōyìshàn 多多益善 | the more the better |
| duōshìzhīqiū 多事之秋 | troubled times |
| duōxíngbùyì bìzìbì 多行不義必自斃 | if one keeps on doing unrighteous deeds, he is bound to come to ruin |
| dùrìrúnián 度日如年 | one day seems to be as long as one year |
| dúshànqíshēn 獨善其身 | pay attention to one's own moral uplift without thought of others |
| dúshùyīzhì 獨樹一幟 | create a separate school |
| dǔwùsīrén 睹物思人 | the thing reminds one of its owner (seeing the thing one thinks of the person) |
| dúyīwúèr 獨一無二 | unique |
| dúzhànáotóu 獨占鰲頭 | come out first |
| èguànmǎnyíng 惡貫滿盈 | one's record is replete with crimes |
| 750 |
| énbùwéijǐtiānzhūdìmiè 人不為己天誅地滅 | everyone for himself and let the devil take the hindmost |
| ēnjiāngchóubào 恩將仇報 | return evil for good |
| ěrcōngmùmíng 耳聰目明 | have a thorough grasp of the situation |
| ěrmùyīxīn 耳目一新 | find everything fresh and new |
| ěrrúmùrǎn 耳濡目染 | influence of surroundings |
| ěrshízhītán 耳食之談 | hear readily without comprehending what is heard |
| ěrshúnéngxiáng 耳熟能詳 | be very familiar with something from hearing many times |
| ěrtímiànmìng 耳提面命 | earnestness in imparting instruction |
| ěrwénbùrúmùjiàn 耳聞不如目見 | seeing for oneself is better than hearing from others |
| ěrwénmùdǔ 耳聞目睹 | what one hears and sees personally |
| ěryúwǒzhà 爾虞我詐 | mutually deceive (you cheat and I deceive) |
| ēyúféngyíng 阿諛逢迎 | flatter and please |
| èyǔzhòngshāng 惡語中傷 | use bad language to insult people |
| fábùdāngzuì 罰不當罪 | the punishment exceeded the crime |
| fāfèntúqiáng 發憤圖强 | work hard and aim high |
| fāfènwàngshí 發憤忘食 | be so immersed in work as to forget one's meals |
| fāhàoshīlìng 發號施令 | issue orders left and right |
| fànfànzhījiāo 泛泛之交 | a nodding acquaintance |
| fǎnfùwúcháng 反復無常 | capricious(ly) |
| fángbùshèngfáng 防不勝防 | impossible to defend effectively |
| fàngchángxiàn diàodàyú 放長線釣大魚 | adopt a long-term plan to secure something big (throw a long line to catch a big fish) |
| fàngdàngbùjī 放蕩不羇 | be easy in one's morals |
| fǎngēyījī 反戈一擊 | turn back to hit those who've misled you |
| fánghuànwèirán 防患未然 | prevent trouble before it happens |
| fànghǔguīshān 放虎歸山 | cause calamity for the future (let a tiger back to the mountain) |
| fǎngōngdàosuàn 反攻倒算 | launch a vindictive counterattack |
| fǎngōngzìwèn 反躬自問 | examine one's conscience |
| fǎngōngzìxǐng 反躬自省 | examine oneself by self-reflection |
| fàngrènzìliú 放任自流 | permissive |
| fángwēidùjiàn 防微杜漸 | destroy evils before they become apparent |
| fàngxiàtúdāo lìdìchéngfó 放下屠刀立地成佛 | a butcher becomes a Buddha the moment he drops his cleaver |
| fāngxīngwèi'ài 方興未艾 | just start to grow |
| fángyìrúchéng 防意如城 | guard the thoughts of the heart as you would defend a city |
| fàngzhīsìhǎi érjiēzhǔn 放之四海而皆準 | one should return as good as one receives |
| fānjiāngdǎohǎi 翻江倒海 | overwhelming (overturn the river and pour out the sea) |
| fǎnkèwéizhǔ 反客為主 | turn from a guest into a host |
| fānláifùqù 翻來覆去 | repeatedly |
| fànláizhāngkǒu yīláishēnshǒu 飯來張口衣來伸手 | lead an easy life, with everything provided |
| fànlànchéngzāi 泛濫成災 | deluge |
| fǎnlǎohuántóng 返老還童 | recover one's youthful vigor |
| fǎnqídàoérxíngzhī 反其道而行之 | act in opposition to |
| fǎnqiúzhūjǐ 反求諸己 | on the contrary one turns and seeks for the cause in himself |
| fānránhuǐwù 翻然悔悟 | see the error of one's ways and repent |
| fánróngchāngshèng 繁榮昌盛 | prosperous |
| fānshānyuèlǐng 翻山越嶺 | cross over mountain after mountain |
| fánshìyùzélì,bùyùzéfèi 凡事豫則立，不預則廢 | preparedness ensures success and unpreparedness spells failure |
| fāntiānfùdì 翻天覆地 | a great and thorough change (heaven and earth turning upside down) |
| fánwénrùjié 繁文縟節 | ritualistic formalities |
| fānxiāngdǎoguì 翻箱倒櫃 | turn over things in thorough search |
| fānyúnfùyǔ 翻雲覆雨 | shifty |
| fārénshēnxǐng 發人深醒 | prompt one to deep thought |
| fāyángguāngdà 發揚光大 | bring to greater height of development |
| fēiétóuhuǒ 飛蛾投火 | bring destruction upon oneself |
| fēihuángténgdá 飛黃騰達 | climb up the social ladder rapidly |
| fèilìbùtǎohǎo 費力不討好 | do a hard but thankless job |
| fēilǘfēimǎ 非驢非馬 | neither fish nor fowl |
| fēiqīnfēigù 非親非故 | neither relatives nor acquaintances |
| fèiqǐnwàngshí 廢寢忘食 | the mind completely applied to study or work (lose sleep and forget to eat) |
| fēishāzǒushí 飛砂走石 | a terrible storm |
| fēitóngxiǎokě 非同小可 | no small or trivial matter |
| fèixíngfèishēng 吠形吠聲 | blindly chime in with others |
| fēixúnzhāngzhāi 尋章摘句 | cull phrases but no meaning |
| fēiyángbáhù 飛揚跋扈 | arrogant and domineering |
| fěiyísuǒsī 匪夷所思 | unthinkable |
| fēizhēnzǒuxiàn 飛針走綫 | do needlework very skilfully |
| fēnbēnglíxī 分崩離析 | crumbling |
| fènbùgùshēn 奮不顧身 | regardless of one's personal danger |
| fènfātúqiáng 奮發圖强 | work hard for the prosperity of the country |
| fēngcānlùsù 風餐露宿 | endure the hardships of an arduous journey or fieldwork |
| féngchǎngzuòxì 逢場作戲 | join in the fun on occasion |
| fēngchénpǔpǔ 風塵樸樸 | endure the hardships of a long journey |
| fēngchídiànchè 風馳電掣 | at lightning speed |
| fēngchuīcǎodòng 風吹草動 | a sign of disturbance or trouble |
| fēngfùduōcǎi 豐富多彩 | rich and colorful |
| fènggōngshǒufǎ 奉公守法 | respect justice and abide by the laws |
| fēnggōngwěijī 豐功偉績 | great achievements |
| fēngguānxǔyuàn 封官許願 | offering high posts and personal fame |
| fēnghuǒliántiān 鋒火連天 | continuous wars |
| fēngjuǎncányún 風捲殘雲 | everything is cleared up |
| fēngliúrénwù 風流人物 | truly great men of their times |
| fēngliúyúnsàn 風流雲散 | separated and scattered (old companions), romantic |
| fēngmángbìlù 鋒芒畢露 | make a showy display of one's abilities |
| fēngmángbīrén 鋒芒逼人 | display one's talent in an aggressive manner |
| fēngmángsuǒxiàng 鋒芒所向 | target of attack |
| fēngmǎniúbùxiāngjí 風馬牛不相及 | be totally unrelated |
| fèngmáolínjiǎo 鳳毛鱗角 | rarity of rarities |
| fēngmíyīshí 風靡一時 | all the rage at the time |
| fèngpéidàodǐ 奉陪到底 | keep the enemy company and fight to finish |
| fēngpínglàngjìng 風平浪靜 | calm and tranquil |
| fēngqǐyúnyǒng 風起雲湧 | spread like a storm, turbulent |
| fèngruòshénmíng 奉若神明 | worship someone or something |
| fēngshēnghèlì 風聲鶴唳 | in a state of fear and turmoil, jittery |
| fēngtiáoyǔshùn 風調雨順 | a year of bumper harvests, good weather |
| fēngtǔrénqíng 風土人情 | local conditions and customs |
| fèngxínggùshì 奉行故事 | follow old customs |
| féngxiōnghuàjí 逢凶化吉 | turn ill luck into good |
| fēngyánfēngyǔ 風言風語 | groundless talk, gossip |
| fēngyīzúshí 豐衣足食 | well provided |
| fēngyǔjiāojiā 風雨交加 | a stormy rain |
| fēngyúnbiànhuà 風雲變化 | rapid changes in the situation |
| fēngyúnrénwù 風雲人物 | men of the day/hour |
| fēngyúntúbiàn 風雲突變 | a sudden change in the situation |
| fēngyǔpiāoyáo 風雨飄搖 | unstable, precarious |
| fēngyǔtóngzhōu 風雨同舟 | stand together through thick and thin |
| fēngyǔwúzǔ 風雨無阻 | regardless of the weather, rain or shine |
| fēngzhúcánnián 風燭殘年 | old and ailing like a candle guttering in the wind |
| fēnlùyángbiāo 分路揚鑣 | part company, each going his own way |
| fēnménbiélèi 分門別類 | classify |
| fēnmiǎobìzhēng 分秒必爭 | seize every minute and second |
| fěnmòdēngchǎng 粉墨登場 | embark upon a political venture |
| fènqǐzhízhuī 奮起直追 | encourage oneself and hurriedly catch up with |
| fěnshēnsuìgǔ 粉身碎骨 | die the most cruel death |
| fènshìjísú 憤世嫉俗 | cynical |
| fěnshìtàipíng 粉飾太平 | present false appearance of peace and prosperity |
| fēntíngkànglǐ 分庭抗禮 | act independently and defiantly |
| fēnzhìyǎolái 紛至杳來 | come in a continuous stream |
| fùbèishòudí 腹背受敵 | be attacked from all sides |
| fùcháowúwánluǎn 覆巢無完卵 | in a great disaster no one can escape unscathed (when the next is overturned no egg stays unbroken) |
| fǔdǐchōuxīn 釜底抽薪 | take drastic measures to deal with a situation |
| fǔdǐyóuyú 釜底游魚 | one's doom is sealed |
| fǔfèizhīyán 腑肺之言 | confidential conversation |
| fúguānglüèyǐng 浮光掠影 | hasty and casual |
| fùguìbùnéngyín 富貴不能淫 | neither riches nor honors can corrupt one |
| fùguóqiángbīng 富國强兵 | enrich the nation and increase its military power |
| fùjīngqǐngzuì 負荊請罪 | make a humble apology |
| fǔjīnzhuīxī 撫今追昔 | recall the past and compare it with the present |
| fúlǎoxiéyòu 扶老携幼 | help the aged and the young |
| fùlìtánghuáng 富麗堂皇 | magnificent |
| fǔshíjíshì 俯拾卽是 | be extremely common |
| fǔshǒutiēěr 俯首帖耳 | all obedience and servility to |
| fǔshǒutīngmìng 俯首聽命 | obey orders with all due submission |
| fùshuǐnánshōu 覆水難收 | no help for what is already done (spilt water cannot be gathered) |
| fùtāngdǎohuǒ 赴湯蹈火 | risk one's own life, go through fire and water |
| fúwēijìkùn 扶危濟困 | help those in distress |
| fúwúshuāngzhì 福無雙至 | blessings never come in pairs |
| fúxiǎngliánpiān 浮想聯翩 | a lot of fancies cross one's mind |
| fúxiùérqù 拂袖而去 | go off in a huff (leave with a flick of one's sleeve) |
| fǔyǎngyóurén 俯仰由人 | be at someone's beck and call |
| fǔyǎngzhījiān 俯仰之間 | in an instant |
| fūyǎnliǎoshì 敷衍了事 | negligently finish up a matter |
| fūyǎnsèzé 敷衍塞責 | perform one's duty in a perfunctory manner |
| fúyáozhíshàng 扶搖直上 | of rapid success in one's career (mount on the wings of the typhoon) |
| fúyúnzhāolù 浮云朝露 | not lasting (passing clouds and morning dew) |
| fùyúwánkàng 負隅頑抗 | put up a desperate struggle |
| fùzhīdōngliú 付之東流 | all one's efforts wasted |
| fùzhīyījù 付之一炬 | commit to the flames |
| fùzhīyīxiào 付之一笑 | carry off with a laugh |
| fùzhòngzhìyuǎn 負重致遠 | be able to shoulder important tasks |
| fùzhuìxuányóu 附贅懸疣 | something redundant and not needed |
| gǎicháohuàndài 改朝換代 | dynastic changes |
| gàiguānlùndìng 蓋棺論定 | final judgment can be passed on a person only when the lid is laid on his coffin |
| gǎiguòzìxīn 改過自新 | reform and begin one's life anew |
| gàimònéngwài 概莫能外 | without exception |
| gǎitiānhuàndì 改天換地 | remake nature |
| gǎitóuhuànmiàn 改頭換面 | change the appearance |
| gǎixiángēngzhāng 改弦更張 | change one's plan or policy (tune the strings) |
| gǎixiányìzhé 改弦易轍 | alter the plan (tune the string, get out of a rut) |
| gǎixiéguīzhèng 改邪歸正 | give up evil ways and return to the right |
| gānbàixiàfēng 甘拜下風 | candidly admit defeat |
| gāndǎnxiāngzhào 肝胆相照 | loyal-hearted |
| gǎnēndàidé 感恩戴德 | be deeplty grateful for |
| gāngbìzìyòng 剛愎自用 | obstinate and self-willed |
| gāngjǔmùzhāng 綱舉目張 | a lucid exposition of outline, a sharp definition of categories |
| gāngzhèngbùē 剛正不阿 | upright and never stooping to flattery |
| gǎnjìnshājué 趕盡殺絕 | drive away and exterminate everyone |
| gǎnjītìlíng 感激涕零 | shed grateful tears |
| gānnǎotúdì 肝腦塗地 | be extremely loyal to |
| gǎnnùérbùgǎnyán 敢怒而不敢言 | suppress one's rage |
| gǎnqíngyòngshì 感情用事 | act impetuously |
| gǎnrénfèifǔ 感人肺腑 | move people deeply |
| gǎntóngshēnshòu 感同身受 | feel indebted as if it were received in person |
| gānzhīrúyí 甘之如飴 | gladly endure hardships |
| gāobùchéngdībùjiù 高不成低不就 | be unfit for a higher post but unwilling to take a lower one |
| gāobùkěpān 高不可攀 | too high reach |
| gāogāozàishàng 高高在上 | be far removed from the masses and reality |
| gāogēměngjìng 高歌猛逕 | advance triumphantly |
| gāoliángzǐdì 膏粱子弟 | children from well-fed families |
| gāoshìkuòbù 高視闊步 | strut about |
| gāotánkuòlùn 高談闊論 | talk ina lofty strain |
| gāowūjiànzhēn 高屋建甄 | be strategically situated |
| gāozhānyuǎnzhǔ 高瞻遠矚 | stand high and see far |
| gāozhěnwúyōu 高枕無憂 | relax one's vigilance |
| géànguānhuǒ 隔岸觀火 | look on at someone's trouble with indifference |
| gèbènqiánchéng 各奔前程 | each pursues his own course |
| gèchíjǐjiàn 各持己見 | each cleaves to his own opinion |
| gèdéqísuǒ 各得其所 | each is in his proper place |
| géérbùshí 革而不實 | showy and not substantial |
| gégébùrù 格格不入 | cannot get along with one another |
| gègejípò 各個擊破 | destroy one by one |
| gēgōngsòngdé 歌功頌德 | eulogize someone virtues and achievements |
| gěngduǎnjíshēn 綆短汲深 | it's beyond one whose ability is limited (if the rope is short, it can't reach the deep water) |
| gèngshàngyīcénglóu 更上一層樓 | attain a yet higher goal |
| gēngshēnrénjìng 更深人靜 | all is quiet at the dead of night |
| gèngǔwèiyǒu 亙古未有 | unprecedented |
| gēnshēndìgù 根深蒂固 | have a firm foundation |
| géqiángyǒuěr 隔牆有耳 | beware of eavesdroppers |
| gèrénzì sǎo ménqiánxuě mòguǎntārén wǎshàngshuāng 各人自掃門前雪莫管他人瓦上霜 | mind one's own business |
| géshāwùlùn 格殺勿論 | to slay a man who is resisting (authority) will not be accounted murder |
| gèshūjǐjiàn 各抒己見 | each airs his own views |
| gēwǔshēngpíng 歌舞升平 | put on a false show of peace and prosperity (sing and dance to extol the good times) |
| géxīndǐngxīn 革新鼎新 | drop old habits and reform |
| gèxíngqíshì 各行其是 | each does what he thinks is right |
| géxuēsāoyǎng 隔靴搔癢 | attempt an ineffective solution (scratch an itch from outside the boot) |
| gèyǒuqiānqiū 各有千秋 | each has his own merits |
| gèzhíyīcí 各執一詞 | each sticks to his own version or argument |
| gèzìwéizhèng 各自為政 | each does things in his own way |
| gōng'érwàngsī 公而忘私 | so devoted to public service as to forget one's own interests |
| gōngbàichuíchéng 功敗垂成 | fail in a great undertaking on the verge of success |
| gōngbàosīchóu 公報私仇 | avenge a personal wrong in the name of public interests |
| gōngbùyìngqiú 供不應求 | demand exceeds supply |
| gōngchénglüède 攻城略地 | take cities by force and seize land by assault |
| gōngdàozìránchéng 功到自然成 | constant effort yields sure success |
| gōngdéwúliàng 功德無量 | a great service to mankind |
| gōngkuīyīkuì 功虧一簣 | fall short of success at the last stage |
| gōnglìxīdí 工力悉敵 | the workmanship of each vies with the other |
| gōngqíwúbèi 攻其無備 | strike where or when the enemy is unprepared |
| gōngshìgōngbàn 公事公辦 | not let personal considerations interfere with one's execution of public duty |
| gōngshǒutóngméng 攻守同盟 | military aliance |
| gōngshuōgōngyǒulǐ póshuōpóyǒulǐ 公說公有理婆說婆有理 | both parties claim to be in the right |
| gōngwúbùkè zhànwúbùshèng 攻無不克戰無不勝 | all-conquering and invincible |
| gōngzhūtónghào 公諸同好 | share enjoyment with those of the same taste |
| gǒujítiàoqiáng 狗急跳牆 | will take desperate measures if pushed to the wall |
| gǒuqiětōuān 苟且偷安 | seek momentary ease |
| gǒuwěixùdiāo 狗尾續貂 | write a deplorable sequel to a masterpiece |
| gōuxīndòujiǎo 鈎心鬥角 | scheme against each other |
| gǒuxuèpēntóu 狗血噴頭 | let loose a stream of abuse |
| gǒuyáncánchuǎn 苟延殘喘 | drag out one's feeble existence |
| gǒuyǎnkànréndī 狗眼看人低 | be damned snobbish |
| gǒuzhàngrénshì 狗仗人勢 | bully others on the evil force |
| gǒuzuǐlǐ tǔbuchū xiàngyá 狗嘴裡吐不出象牙 | a filthy mouth can't utter decent language |
| guǎbùdízhòng 寡不敵眾 | the few cannot withstand the many |
| guàidànbùjīng 怪誕不經 | weird and uncanny |
| guàilǐguàiqì 怪裏怪氣 | queer |
| guàimúguàiyàng 怪模怪樣 | queer-looking |
| guàishēngguàiqì 怪聲怪氣 | speak in a strange voice or affected manner |
| guǎiwānmòjiǎo 拐彎抹角 | beat about the bush |
| guǎjiànshǎowén 寡見少聞 | have only limited knowledge |
| guǎliánxiǎnchǐ 寡廉鮮恥 | shameless |
| guāmùxiāngdài 刮目相待 | regard someone special |
| guānbīmínfǎn 官逼民反 | the ruler's persecution drives the people to rebel |
| guāngcǎiduómù 光彩奪目 | dazzlingly radiant |
| guāngfùjiùwù 光復舊物 | recover lost territory |
| guāngguàilùlí 光怪陸離 | fantastic and varicolored |
| guǎngkāiyánlù 廣開言路 | encourage the free airing of views |
| guāngmángwànzhàng 光芒萬丈 | gloriously radiant |
| guāngmínglěiluò 光明磊落 | frank and forthright |
| guāngmíngzhèngdà 光明正大 | frank and righteous |
| guāngtiānhuàrì 光天化日 | expose to the light of the day |
| guānguǎgūdú 鰥寡孤獨 | those who have no kith and kin and cannot support themselves (widowers, widows, orphans and childless) |
| guānguānxiānghù 官官相護 | bureaucrats shield each other |
| 1000 |
| guāngyīnsìjiàn 光陰似箭 | how time flies |
| guāngzōngyàozǔ 光宗耀祖 | make one's ancestors illustrious |
| guānhuáibèizhì 關懷備至 | show someone every consideration |
| guǎnjiànsuǒjí 管見所及 | one's limited understanding |
| guǎnkuīlícè 管窺蠡測 | take a narrow view of things |
| guānlǐdàitáo 李代桃僵 | substitute one thing for another |
| guānmiǎntánghuáng 冠冕堂皇 | dignified in form but insincere in substance, high-sounding |
| guānyàngwénzhāng 官樣文章 | red tape |
| guǎnzhōngkuībàokějiànyībān 管中窺豹可見一斑 | conjure the whole thing through seeing a part of it |
| guāshúdìluò 瓜熟蒂落 | things will be easily settled when conditions are ripe |
| guātiánlǐxià 瓜田李下 | be found in a suspicious position |
| guàyángtóumàigǒuròu 掛羊頭賣狗肉 | many hands make light work |
| guàyīlòuwàn 掛一漏萬 | record one item while leaving out ten thousand |
| gǔbànjīnyòng (yángbànzhōngyòng) 古辦今用(洋辦中用) | make the past serve the present (and foreign serve China) |
| gùbùzìfēng 故步自封 | stand still and refuse to make progress |
| gùcǐshībǐ 顧此失彼 | unable to attend to everything at once |
| gūfāngzìshǎng 孤芳自賞 | indulge in self-admiration |
| gǔhuòrénxīn 蠱惑人心 | beguile people out of the right way |
| guīgēnjiédì 歸根結蒂 | in the final analysis |
| guǐguǐsuìsuì 鬼鬼祟祟 | stealthy |
| guǐhuòjìliǎng 鬼或伎倆 | evil tactics |
| guǐjìduōduān 詭計多端 | full of schemes and tricks |
| guījǔzhǔnshéng 規矩準繩 | exact (compass, square, level and plumb-line) |
| guǐkūlángháo 鬼哭狼嚎 | terrifying cries |
| guǐshǐshénchāi 鬼使神差 | unexpected happenings (doings of ghosts and gods) |
| guīxíngjǔbù 規行矩步 | behave correctly and cautiously |
| guīxīnsìjiàn 歸心似箭 | anxious to return |
| gūjiāguǎrén 孤家寡人 | a man without followers |
| gùjìchóngyǎn 故伎重演 | play the same old tricks |
| gǔjīnzhōngwài 古今中外 | at all times and in all countries |
| gūjūnfènzhàn 孤軍奮戰 | fight in isolation |
| gūkǔlíngdīng 孤苦伶仃 | alone and helpless |
| gūlìwúyuán 孤立無援 | isolated and cut off from help |
| gǔlǐzàihóu 骨鯉在喉 | have an opinion on cannot suppress (feel as if one has a fishbone in the throat and cannot rest until one has spit it out) |
| gūlòuguǎwén 孤陋寡聞 | poorly read and ignorant |
| gùlǜchóngzhòng 顧慮重重 | be full of worries |
| gūmíngdiàoyù 沽名釣譽 | fish for fame and reputation |
| gùmíngsīlǜ 顧名思慮 | think what a title or name should imply |
| gǔnguālànshú 滾瓜爛熟 | fluently (recite) |
| gùnòngxuánxū 故弄玄虛 | make things look unnecessarily mysterious |
| guòhéchāiqiáo 過河拆橋 | drop one's benefactor as soon as his help is not required |
| guójìmínshēng 國計民生 | national welfare and people's livelihood |
| guòmùchéngsòng 過目成誦 | have a photographic memory |
| guòshènqící 過甚其詞 | give an exaggerated account |
| guòtúménérdàjué 過屠門而大嚼 | feed oneself on illusions (pass the butcher's and start munching) |
| guòwéiyǐshèn 過為已甚 | carry things too far |
| guòyǎnyúnyān 過眼雲煙 | as transient as a fleeting cloud |
| guòyóubùjí 過猶不及 | going too far is as bad as not going far enough |
| guǒzúbùqián 裹足不前 | hesitate to proceed |
| gùpànzìxióng 顧盼自雄 | look about complacently |
| gùqiánbùgùhòu 顧前不顧後 | act rashly |
| gùquándàjú 顧全大局 | take the situation as a whole into consideration |
| gǔròuxiānglián 骨肉相連 | blood relationship |
| gùruòjīntāng 固若金湯 | be secure against assault |
| gǔsègǔxiāng 古色古香 | having antique flavor |
| gǔshòurúchái 骨瘦如柴 | thin like a stick |
| gùtàifùméng 故態復萌 | slip back into one's old ways |
| gǔwǎngjīnlái 古往今來 | from ancient times until now |
| gūwàngtīngzhī 姑妄聽之 | see no hard in hearing what someone has to say |
| gūwàngyánzhī 姑妄言之 | tell someone for what it's worth |
| gūxíngjǐjiàn 孤行己見 | follow one's own bigoted course |
| gūxíyǎngjiān 姑息養奸 | ever-indulgence nourishes evil |
| gùyǐngzìlián 顧影自憐 | look back at one's own shadow and pity oneself |
| gūzhǎngnánmíng 孤掌難鳴 | it's difficult to achieve anything without support |
| gùzhíjǐjiàn 固執己見 | stubbornly adhere to one's own opinions |
| gūzhùyīzhì 孤注一擲 | put all one's eggs in one basket |
| gǔzúgànjìng 鼓足幹勁 | go all out |
| hǎidàohǎiyín 海盜海淫 | stir up the base passions |
| hǎidǐlāoyuè 海底撈月 | strive for the impossible or illusory (try to fish out the moon from the bottom of the sea) |
| hǎidǐlāozhēn 海底撈針 | impossible task (fish up a needle from the bottom of the sea) |
| hǎikuòtiānkōng 海闊天空 | unrestrained and far-ranging |
| hǎikūshílàn 海枯石爛 | an oath of unchanging fidelity (when the seas dry up and the rocks decay) |
| hàiqúnzhīmǎ 害群之馬 | a black sheep |
| hàiréntīngwén 駭人聽聞 | be astounded at (news) |
| hǎishìshānméng 海誓山盟 | pledge of eternal love |
| hǎishìshènlóu 海市蜃樓 | strange and unreal appearance |
| hǎiwàiqítán 海外奇談 | a strange story from beyond the seas |
| hándānxuébù 邯鄲學步 | lose one's own individuality in imitating others |
| hánghángchūzhuàngyuán 行行出狀元 | every profession produces its own leading authority |
| hángòurěnrǔ 含垢忍辱 | endure contempt and insults |
| hàngxièyīqì 沆瀣一氣 | act in collusion with |
| hánhúqící 含糊其辭 | talk ambiguously |
| hánláishǔwǎng 寒來暑往 | with the passage |
| hànliújiābèi 汗流夾背 | streaming with sweat (from exertion) |
| hànmǎgōngláo 汗馬功勞 | achievements in war |
| hànniúchōngdòng 汗牛充棟 | an immense number of books |
| hànránbùgù 悍然不顧 | rudely brush aside |
| hánshāshèyǐng 含沙射影 | with insidious language |
| hánxīnrúkǔ 含辛茹苦 | endure all kinds of hardships |
| hánxuèpēnrén 含血噴人 | make scurrilous attacks on someone |
| hǎnyuānjiàoqū 喊冤叫屈 | complain loudly about an alleged injustice |
| háobùzàihū 毫不在乎 | do not care a dime |
| hàochīlǎnzuò 好吃懶做 | be fond of eating and averse to work |
| hàodàxǐgōng 好大喜功 | like to do grandiose things to impress people |
| hàogāowùyuǎn 好高騖遠 | aim too high |
| hǎohàn bùchīyǎnqiánkuī 好漢不吃眼前虧 | clever fellow will extricate himself from a disadvantageous position wherever possible |
| hàohàodàngdàng 浩浩蕩蕩 | with mighty power |
| hǎohǎoxiānshēng 好好先生 | a yesman |
| hǎojǐngbùcháng 好景不常 | good times don't last long |
| háolíbùshuǎng 毫厘不爽 | without the slightest error |
| háoqíngzhuàngzhì 豪情壯志 | lofty sentiments and aspirations |
| hàorúyānhǎi 浩如烟海 | tremendous amount of |
| hǎoshìduōmó 好事多磨 | the road to happiness is strewn with setbacks |
| háotáodàkū 嚎啕大哭 | cry loudly |
| hàowéirénshī 好為人師 | like to lecture people |
| háowúèrzhì 毫無二致 | exactly the same |
| háoyánzhuàngyǔ 豪言壯語 | heroic sayings |
| hàoyìwùláo 好逸惡勞 | love ease and hate work |
| hèfàtóngyán 鶴髮童顏 | white hair and ruddy complexion |
| héfēngxìyǔ 和風細雨 | in a gentle and mild manner (like a gentle breeze and a mild rain) |
| hèhèyǒumíng 赫赫有名 | well-renowned |
| hèhújiǎhǔwēi 狐假虎威 | pretending to power |
| hēibáifēnmíng 黑白分明 | in sharp contrast |
| hēiyúnyāchéng chéngyùcuī 黑雲壓城城欲摧 | submit to someone's pressure after first turning down his request (refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit) |
| hélèbùwéi 何樂不為 | gladly, I don't see any reason why not |
| hèlìjīqún 鶴立雞群 | excel beyond others as a crane among chickens |
| hémùxiāngchǔ 和睦相處 | live in harmony |
| héngchōngzhízhuàng 橫衝直撞 | rampage |
| hénghéshāshù 恒河沙數 | innumerable |
| héngqīshùbā 橫七豎八 | in disorder |
| héngsǎoqiānjūn 橫掃千軍 | sweep the enemy away |
| héngshēngzhījié 橫生枝節 | deliberately complicate an issue |
| héngxíngbàdào 橫行霸道 | tyrannize |
| héngxíngwújì 橫行無忌 | do evil outrageously |
| héngzhēngbàoliǎn 橫征暴斂 | extort illegal taxes and levies |
| hèntiěbùchénggāng 恨鐵不成鋼 | set a high demand on someone in the hope that he will improve |
| hènzhīrùgǔ 恨之入骨 | harbor bitter hatred toward someone |
| hépántuōchū 和盤托出 | emerge in its totality |
| héqīnghǎiyàn 河清海晏 | a peaceful era |
| héqīngnánqí 河清難俟 | the time would be too long (it's hard to wait until the river is clear) |
| héqíxiāngsìnǎiěr 何其相似乃爾 | what a striking similarity |
| héqùhécóng 何去何從 | what should one do |
| héyányuèsè 和顏悅色 | with a kind and pleasant countenance |
| hézhézhīfù 涸轍之鲋 | a person in a desperate situation (a fish trapped in a dry rut) |
| hézhōnggòngjì 和衷共濟 | pull together for common cause |
| hézúguàchǐ 何足掛齒 | not worth bothering about |
| hóngguāngmǎnmiàn 紅光滿面 | one's face glowing with health |
| hōnghōnglièliè 轟轟烈烈 | magnificent and victorious |
| hóngshuǐměngshòu 洪水猛獸 | great scourges |
| hōngtángdàxiào 哄堂大笑 | the whole company bursting into laughter |
| hōngyúntuōyuè 烘雲托月 | art of using contrasting effect |
| hòucǐbóbǐ 厚此薄彼 | discriminate against some and favor others |
| hòufāzhìrén 後發制人 | gain mastery by striking only after the enemy has struck |
| hòugùzhīyōu 後顧之憂 | fear of disturbance in the rear |
| hòuhuànwúqióng 後患無窮 | source of endless trouble |
| hòujìwúrén 後繼無人 | no qualified successor |
| hòujìyǒurén 後繼有人 | there is no lack of successors to carry on the cause |
| hòuláijūshàng 後來居上 | those that came last occupy the highest post |
| hòulàngtuīqiánlàng 後浪推前浪 | things develop ceaselessly with the new superseding the old |
| hòuqǐzhīxiù 後起之秀 | a promising young person |
| hòushēngkěwèi 後生可畏 | the younger generation will surpass the older |
| hòuyánwúchǐ 厚顏無恥 | have no sense of shame, brazen |
| huàbǐngchōngjī 畫餅充飢 | feed on illusions (draw cakes to allay hunger) |
| huàbùtóujībànjùduō 話不投機半句多 | much said but little done |
| huàdìwéiláo 畫地為牢 | restrict someone's activities to a designated area or sphere (draw a circle on the ground for a prison) |
| huāhǎoyuèyuán 花好月圓 | blooming flowers and full moon-perfect conjugal bliss |
| huāhuāgōngzǐ 花花公子 | a dandy |
| huāhuāshìjiè 花花世界 | this mortal world |
| huàhǔhuàpí nánhuàgǔ zhīrénzhīmiàn bùzhīxīn 畫虎畫皮難畫骨知人知面不知心 | drawing a tiger, you show its skin but not its bones; knowing a man, you know his face but not his heart |
| huàhǔlèigǒu 畫虎類狗 | make a poor imitation (try to draw a tiger and end up with a dog) |
| huàlóngdiǎnjīng 畫龍點睛 | put the finishing touches on something |
| huǎnbīngzhījì 緩兵之計 | stalling tactics |
| huǎnbùjìjí 緩不濟急 | leisurely action will not help in desperate crises |
| huàndéhuànshī 患得患失 | worry about personal gains and losses |
| huāngdànbùjīng 荒誕不經 | absurd and unreasonable |
| huāngdànwújī 荒誕無稽 | absurd and unbelievable |
| huánghuángbùkězhōngrì 惶惶不可終日 | unending anxiety |
| huángkǒngbùān 惶恐不安 | panic-stricken |
| huángliángyīmèng 黃粱一夢 | a vanished dream |
| huāngmiùjuélún 荒謬絕倫 | utterly absurd |
| huǎngrándàwù 恍然大悟 | suddenly realize |
| huǎngrúgéshì 恍如隔世 | as if being cut off from the outside world for ages |
| huāngshíbàoyuè 荒時暴月 | in hard time |
| huāngwúrényān 荒無人烟 | desolate and uninhabited |
| huāngyínwúchǐ 荒淫無恥 | be dissolute in conduct |
| huǎnjíqīngzhòng 緩急輕重 | in order of importance and urgency |
| huànnànyǔgòng 患難與共 | share a common fate |
| huànnànzhījiāo 患難之交 | friends in need |
| huànránbīngshì 渙然冰釋 | melt away |
| huànrányīxīn 渙然一新 | having a bright new look |
| huānshēngléidòng 歡聲雷動 | a thundering applause |
| huàntāngbùhuànyào 換湯不換藥 | old wine in new bottles |
| huāntiānxǐdì 歡天喜地 | extravagant joy and rejoicing |
| huānxīngǔwǔ 歡欣鼓舞 | be filled with exultation |
| huàshétiānzú 畫蛇添足 | do what is superfluous like adding feet to a painted snake |
| huātiānjiǔdì 花天酒地 | lead a merry life |
| huátóuhuánǎo 滑頭滑腦 | crafty |
| huātuánjǐncù 花團錦簇 | confusion and merry bustle |
| huàwéihuījìn 化為灰燼 | become ashes |
| huàwéiwūyǒu 化為烏有 | vanish into thin air |
| huàxiǎnwéiyí 化險為夷 | turn danger into safety |
| huāyánqiǎoyǔ 花言巧語 | luring or seductive speech |
| huāzhāoyuèxì 花朝月夕 | beautiful days and nights with moon and flowers |
| huàzhěngwéilíng 化整為零 | break up the whole into parts |
| huāzhīzhāozhǎn 花枝招展 | be gorgeously dressed |
| huázhòngqǔchǒng 譁眾取寵 | try to please the public with clapt rap |
| hǔbèixióngyāo 虎背熊腰 | stalwart men (backs like tigers and loins like bears) |
| hùèbùquān 怙惡不悛 | stick to one's arbitrary habits |
| hūfēnghuànyǔ 呼風喚雨 | control the forces of nature (summon wind and rain) |
| huǐbùdāngchū 悔不當初 | regret having done something in that way |
| huíguāngfǎnzhào 回光返照 | a sudden spurt of activity prior to collapse |
| huǐguòzìxīn 悔過自新 | repent and start with a clean slate |
| huìjíjìyī 諱疾忌醫 | hide one's sickness for fear of treatment |
| huìlùgōngxíng 賄賂公行 | give and take bribes openly |
| huìmòrúshēn 諱莫如深 | carefully conceal or avoid mentioning (scandal) |
| huìrénbùjuàn 誨人不倦 | teach with tireless efforts |
| huìshēnghuìsè 繪聲繪色 | vivid description |
| huítiānfáshù 回天乏術 | be incapable of saving a desperate situation |
| huítiānzhīlì 回天之力 | tremendous power to overcome difficulties |
| huítóushì'àn 回頭是岸 | repent and be saved |
| huíwèiwúqióng 回味無窮 | lead a person to endless aftertastes |
| huīxīnsàngqì 灰心喪氣 | be utterly disheartened |
| huíxīnzhuǎnyì 回心轉意 | change one's mind or views |
| huǐyúyídàn 毀於一旦 | be destroyed in a moment |
| huǐzhīwújí 悔之無及 | too late to repent |
| hǔkǒuyúshēng 虎口餘生 | survive a disaster |
| húlíwěibā 狐狸尾巴 | cloven hoof |
| húlúntūnzǎo 囫圇吞棗 | read without understanding (swallow a date whole) |
| húnbùfùtǐ 魂不附體 | as if the soul had left the body |
| húnfēipòsàn 魂飛魄散 | frightened out of one's senses |
| húnhúnèè 渾渾噩噩 | ignorant |
| hūnhūnyùshuì 昏昏欲睡 | drowsy |
| húnrányītǐ 渾然一體 | an integral whole |
| húnshēnshìdǎn 渾身是膽 | be the very embodiment of valor |
| hùnshìmówáng 混世魔王 | devil incarnate |
| húnshuǐmōyú 渾水摸魚 | fish in troubled waters |
| hūntiānhēidì 昏天黑地 | darkness through and through |
| hūntóuhūnnǎo 昏頭昏腦 | muddle-headed |
| hùnwéiyītán 混為一談 | lump together |
| hùnxiáoshìtīng 混淆視聽 | mislead the public |
| huòbùdānxíng 禍不單行 | misfortunes never come along |
| huòdádàdù 豁達大度 | open-minded and magnanimous |
| huódàolǎoxuédàolǎo 活到老學到老 | won't last long, live and learn |
| huòguóyāngmín 禍國殃民 | wreck the country and ruin the people |
| huólónghuóxiàn 活龍活現 | vividly |
| huòránguàntōng 豁然貫通 | suddenly see the whole thing in a clear light |
| huòránkāilǎng 豁然開朗 | be suddenly enlightened |
| huǒshàngjiāyóu 火上加油 | inflame one's anger |
| huǒshāohuǒliǎo 火燒火燎 | restless with anxiety |
| huǒshāoméimáo 火燒眉毛 | a matter of the utmost urgency |
| huǒshùyínhuā 火樹銀花 | a display of fireworks and a sea of lanters |
| huòzhēnjiàshí 貨眞價實 | genuine goods at a fair price |
| huǒzhōngqǔlì 火中取栗 | pull chestnuts out of the fire |
| húqúngǒudǎng 狐群狗黨 | a gang of scoundrels |
| hǔshìdāndān 虎視眈眈 | glare like a tiger eyeing its prey |
| húshuōbādào 胡說八道 | talke nonsense |
| húsīluànxiǎng 胡思亂想 | fantasies |
| hǔtóushéwěi 虎頭蛇尾 | a brave beginning but a weak ending |
| hǔwěichūnbīng 虎尾春冰 | very precarious conditions (treading on the tail of a tiger or walking on the ice in springtime) |
| hùxiànwéichuān 戶限為穿 | an endless flow of visitors |
| 1250 |
| húyánluànyǔ 胡言亂語 | talk folly, nonsense |
| hūzhījíláihuīzhījíqù 呼之卽來揮之卽去 | make someone do his bidding |
| hūzhīyùchū 呼之欲出 | very vividly protrayed (seem ready to come out at one's call) |
| húzuòfēiwéi 胡作非為 | act wildly in defiance of the law |
| jiāchángbiànfàn 家常便飯 | common occurrence |
| jiāchǒubùkěwàiyáng 家醜不可外揚 | don't wash your dirty linen in public |
| jiǎgōngjìsī 假公濟私 | seek one's own profit in public affairs |
| jiàhuòyúrén 嫁禍於人 | shift evil on another maliciously |
| jiājǐrénzú 家給人足 | all live in plenty |
| jiàliánwùměi 價廉物美 | low prices and fine quality |
| jiànbánǔzhāng 劍拔弩張 | becoming dangerously explosive |
| jiānbìqīngyě 堅壁清野 | stregthen the defenses and clear the fields |
| jiānbùkěcuī 堅不可摧 | indestructible |
| jiānchíbùxiè 堅持不懈 | persistent |
| jiānchíbùyú 堅持不渝 | persist in |
| jiāndìngbùyí 堅定不移 | steadfast |
| jiànduōshìguǎng 見多識廣 | well-read and wide experience |
| jiànfèngchāzhēn 見縫插針 | make use of every bit of time or space (stick in a pin wherever there's room) |
| jiànfēngzhuǎnduò 見風轉舵 | see how the wind blows |
| jiāngcuòjiùcuò 將錯就錯 | take the wrong and make the best of it |
| jiànggéyǐqiú 降格以求 | set one's aim lower than usual, not insisting on the best in what you look for |
| jiānggōngbǔguò 將功補過 | make up for one's mistakes by winning merit |
| jiānggōngshúzuì 將功贖罪 | redeem sins by good deeds |
| jiānghérìxià 江河日下 | going from bad to worse |
| jiāngjìjiùjì 將計就計 | counterplot |
| jiāngpànruòyúnní 判若雲泥 | as far removed as heaven is from earth |
| jiāngshānyìgǎi běnxìngnányí 江山易改本性難移 | rivers and mountains may be changed but it is hard to alter a man's nature |
| jiànguàibùguài 見怪不怪 | face the fearful with no fears |
| jiāngùbùbá 堅固不拔 | firm and indestructible |
| jiāngxīnbǔlòu 江心補漏 | too late |
| jiāngxìnjiāngyí 將信將疑 | half believing, half doubting |
| jiāngyángdàdào 江洋大盜 | an infamous robber or pirate |
| jiānjiǎlìbīng 堅甲利兵 | strong armor and sharp weapons |
| jiànjīérzuò 見機而作 | act according to circumstances |
| jiānkǔfèndòu 艱苦奮鬥 | brave hard and bitter struggles |
| jiānkǔpǔsù 艱苦樸素 | hard-working and plain-living |
| jiānkǔzhuójué 艱苦卓絕 | extreme hardships and difficulties |
| jiànlièxīnxǐ 見獵心喜 | thrill to see one's favorite sport and itch to have a go |
| jiànlìwàngyì 見利忘義 | forget all moral principles at the sight of profits |
| jiǎnmíng'èyào 簡明扼要 | concise and to the point |
| jiānmógǔjī 肩摩轂擊 | crowded with people and vehicles (shoulder to shoulder and hub to hub) |
| jiānnánjiéjué 艱難竭蹶 | difficulties and hardships |
| jiānnánqūzhé 艱難曲折 | arduous and tortuous |
| jiānnánxiǎnzǔ 艱難險阻 | difficulties and obstacles |
| jiānrènbùbá 堅韌不拔 | firm and indomitable |
| jiànrénjiànzhì 見仁見智 | different people, different views |
| jiānróngbìngbāo 兼容並包 | all-inclusive |
| jiānrúpánshí 堅如磐石 | steadfast |
| jiānshōubìngxù 兼收並蓄 | all-embracing |
| jiānshǒuzìdào 監守自盜 | custodian turned thief |
| jiānsuānkèbó 尖酸刻薄 | (speak) with biting sarcasm |
| jiànsuǒwèijiàn wénsuǒwèiwén 見所未見聞所未聞 | never seen or heard of before |
| jiāntīngzémíng piānxìnzéàn 兼聽則明偏信則暗 | listen to both sides and you will be enlightened; heed only one side and you will be benighted |
| jiànwǎngzhīlái 鑒往知來 | see visions of things from experiences |
| jiànwēizhīzhù 見微知著 | from one small clue on can see what's coming |
| jiànwùbùjiànrén 見物不見人 | see things but not people |
| jiānxìnbùyí 堅信不疑 | with confidence |
| jiànyìsīqiān 見異思遷 | change one's mind the moment one sees something new |
| jiànyìyǒngwéi 見義勇為 | never hesitate to do what is right |
| jiànzàixiánshàng 箭在弦上 | poised to strike (the arrow is on the bow) |
| jiānzhēnbùqū 堅貞不屈 | remain faithful and unyielding |
| jiāobīngbìbài 驕兵必敗 | pride will have a fall |
| jiǎojǐnnǎozhī 絞盡腦汁 | rack one's brains |
| jiāokǒuchēngyù 交口稱譽 | praise by one and all |
| jiàokǔbùxuǎn 叫苦不選 | constantly complain |
| jiàokǔliántiān 叫苦連天 | ventilate one's endless grievances |
| jiāolóngdéshuǐ 蛟龍得水 | rise in rebellion |
| jiàonáoshēngmù 教猱升木 | teach a monkey to climb a tree |
| jiǎoróuzàozuò 矯揉造作 | affected |
| jiāoshēngguànyǎng 嬌生慣養 | be spoiled |
| jiāoshēyínyì 驕奢淫逸 | pride, luxury, profligacy and idleness |
| jiǎotàshídì 脚踏實地 | do solid work, down to earth |
| jiāotóujiē'ěr 交頭接耳 | whisper to each other |
| jiāotóulàné 焦頭爛額 | utterly exhausted from overwork or anxiety |
| jiǎotùsānkū 狡兎三窟 | elude discovery, bury oneself in secret hideouts |
| jiǎowǎngguòzhèng 矯枉過正 | overcorrect |
| jiǎoxìngqǔshèng 僥倖取勝 | win easy victory through good luck |
| jiàoxuéxiāngzhǎng 教學相長 | both teachers and students make progress by learning from each other |
| jiāpòrénwáng 家破人亡 | with one's family broken up, some gone away, some dead |
| jiàqīngjiùshú 駕輕就熟 | do a familiar job with ease |
| jiǎrénjiǎyì 假仁假義 | pretended benevolence and righteousness |
| jiātúsìbì 家徒四壁 | be utterly destitute (have nothing but the bare walls in one's house) |
| jiāyányìxíng 嘉言懿行 | good words and admirable conduct |
| jiāyùhùxiǎo 家喻戶曉 | everybody knows about it |
| jiàzhíliánchéng 價值連城 | priceless |
| jībùkěshī shíbúzàilái 機不可失時不再來 | don't let slip an opportunity; it may never come again |
| jībùxiāngnéng 積不相能 | have always been at variance |
| jībùzéshí 飢不擇食 | all food is delicious to the starving |
| jīchánglùlù 飢腸轆轆 | rumblings of an empty stomach |
| jiéàobúxùn 桀驁不馴 | obstinate and unruly |
| jiébàopínchuán 捷報頻傳 | triumphant news keeps pouring in |
| jiéchángbǔduǎn 截長補短 | cut off from the long to supply the deficiency of the short |
| jiēdàhuānxǐ 皆大歡喜 | to the satisfaction of all |
| jiédǎngyíngsī 結黨營私 | cabal |
| jièdāoshārén 借刀殺人 | kill by another's hand |
| jiēèrliánsān 接二連三 | one after another |
| jiéfùjìpín 劫富濟貧 | rob the rich and help the poor |
| jiēgānérqǐ 揭竿而起 | street corners and alleys |
| jiègǔfěngjīn 借古諷今 | use the past to disparage the present |
| jièhuāxiànfó 借花獻佛 | make presents provided by someone else |
| jiēhuǐwújí 嗟悔無及 | it's too late to sigh or regret |
| jiějiǎguītián 解甲歸田 | retire from service (take off one's armor and go home) |
| jièjiāojièzào 戒驕戒躁 | guard against arrogance and impetuosity |
| jiéjiéshènglì 節節勝利 | win many victories in succession |
| jiéjìnquánlì 竭盡全力 👍 | do one's utmost |
| jiēláizhīshí 嗟來之食 | food handed out in contempt |
| jiělíngxìlíng 解鈴繫鈴 | it's better for the doer to undo what he has done |
| jiěnángxiāngzhù 解囊相助 | help someone generously with money |
| jiéquǎnfèiyáo 桀犬吠堯 | utterly unscrupulous in it's zeal to please its master |
| jiéránbùtóng 截然不同 | completely different |
| jiérányīshēn 孑然一身 | solitary; all by oneself |
| jíèrúchóu 疾惡如仇 | hate evil like an enemy |
| jiéshēnzìhào 潔身自好 | preserve one's purity |
| jièshīhuánhún 借屍還魂 | corpses to resurrect the evil souls |
| jiētánxiàngwěi 街談巷尾 | street gossip |
| jiētánxiàngyì 街談巷議 | jesting |
| jiètífāhuī 借題發揮 | make use of the subject under discussion to put over one's own ideas |
| jiéwàishēngzhī 節外生枝 | bring up unnecessary ramifications |
| jiéyīsuōshí 節衣縮食 | live frugally |
| jiézééryú 竭澤而漁 | ruin the source of supply (drain the pond to catch all the fish) |
| jiézhǐshìlǚ 截趾適履 | cut the toes to fit the shoes |
| jiēzhǒngérlái 接踵而來 | come one after another |
| jiézúxiāndēng 捷足先登 | the early bird catches the worm |
| jīfēidàndǎ 雞飛蛋打 | all is lost (the hen has flown away and the eggs in the coop are broken) |
| jífēn'gérshì 及鋒而試 | try while the point is sharp |
| jífēngbàoyǔ 急風暴雨 | violent storms |
| jífēngzhījìngcǎo 疾風知勁草 | in time of disorder, the loyal and the disloyal are revealed (the strong wind reveals the strength of the grass) |
| jígōnghàoyì 急公好義 | public-spirited |
| jígōngjìnlì 急功近利 | eager for quick success and instant benefit |
| jíguāngpiànyǔ 吉光片羽 | a fragment of a highly treasured relic |
| jīgǔfángjī 積榖防飢 | accumulate grain against famine |
| jīhánjiāopò 飢寒交迫 | live in hunger and cold |
| jīhuǐxiāogǔ 積毀銷骨 | when everybody speaks against a person, it makes him tired of life (much reviling and slander wears the bone) |
| jíjíkěwéi 岌岌可危 | be in great danger |
| jíjǐngshēngqíng 卽景生情 | the scene touches a chord in one's heart |
| jíláibàofójiǎo 急來抱佛脚 | seek help at the last moment |
| jìláizhīzéānzhī 既來之則安之 | full of fears |
| jīláochéngjí 積勞成疾 | fall sick from overwork |
| jīlínggǒusuì 雞零狗碎 | fragmentary |
| jíliúyǒngtuì 急流勇退 | make a quick retreat before crisis |
| jīmáosuànpí 雞毛蒜皮 | trivialities |
| jīmínggǒudào 雞鳴狗盜 | small tricks (ability to crow like a cock and snatch like a dog) |
| jīnbìhuīhuáng 金碧輝煌 | splendid |
| jīnchántuōké 金蟬脫殼 | escape unnoticed |
| jīnchéngtāngchí 金城湯池 | a strong, well-guarded city |
| jìncùntuìchǐ 進寸退尺 | the loss outweighs the gain (advance an inch and lose a foot) |
| jīnfēixībǐ 今非昔比 | times have changed (there is no comparison between the present and the past) |
| jīngbīngjiǎnzhèng 精兵簡政 | picked troops and simplified administration |
| jīngdǎxìsuàn 精打細算 | count every cent and make every cent count |
| jīngdiāoxìkè 精雕細刻 | work at something with great care |
| jǐngdǐzhīwā 井底之蛙 | a person of narrow view |
| jìngéryuǎnzhī 敬而遠之 | keep one at a distance |
| jīngētiěmǎ 金戈鐵馬 | a symbol of war in ancient China (shining spears and armored horses) |
| jīnggōngtiánhǎi 精工填海 | a symbol of dogged determination (the mythical bird trying to fill up the ocean with twigs and pebbles) |
| jīnggōngzhīniǎo 驚弓之鳥 | string (birds startles by the mere twang of a bow) |
| jīnghuāngshīcuò 驚慌失措 | be struck with panic |
| jìnghuāshuǐyuè 鏡花水月 | an illusion (flowers in a mirror and the moon in water) |
| jīnghúnwèidìng 驚魂未定 | not yet recovered from a fright |
| jīngjīngyèyè 兢兢業業 | be studious of (one's business) |
| jǐngjǐngyǒutiáo 井井有條 | be arranged in perfect order |
| jìngjiǔbùchīchīfájiǔ 敬酒不吃吃罰酒 | defeats or victories are ordinary things to a general |
| jīngjízàitú 荊棘載途 | a path beset with difficulties |
| jīngkǒngwànzhuàng 驚恐萬狀 | in a great panic |
| jīngmíngqiánggàn 精明强干 | intelligent and capable |
| jīngniánlěiyuè 經年累月 | year in year out |
| jīngpílìjié 精疲力竭 | be extremely tired out |
| jìngqíngzhísuì 徑情直遂 | as smoothly as one would wish |
| jīngshéndǒusǒu 精神抖擻 | full of energy |
| jīngshénhuànfā 精神煥發 | vigorous |
| jǐngshuǐbùfànhéshuǐ 井水不犯河水 | each minds his own business (the well water does not interfere with the river water) |
| jīngtāohàilàng 驚濤駭浪 | a situation or life full of perils |
| jīngtiāndòngdì 驚天動地 | astounding |
| jīngwèibùfēn 涇渭不分 | make no such distinction between good and evil (can't distinguish the rivers Jing and Wei) |
| jīngxīndòngpò 驚心動魄 | struck with fright or horror |
| jīngxīnpáozhì 精心炮制 | be carefully dished up |
| jīngyìqiújīng 精益求精 | constantly improve something |
| jīnhuáitǎnbái 襟懷坦白 | unselfish and magnanimous |
| jīniánlěiyuè 積年累月 | for months and years |
| jīnjīnjìjiào 斤斤計較 | calculating and unwilling to make the smallest sacrifice |
| jīnjīnlèdào 津津樂道 | take delight in talking about |
| jīnjīnyǒuwèi 津津有味 | cause and effect |
| jīnkēyùlǜ 金科玉律 | laws and regulations |
| jīnkǒuyùshí 金口玉石 | precious words |
| jìnlìérwéi 盡力而為 | do one's best |
| jǐnluómìgǔ 緊鑼密鼓 | intense publicity campaign in preparation for some undertaking (wildly beating gongs and drums) |
| jǐnnángmiàojì 錦囊妙計 | wise counsel |
| jīnōuwúquē 金甌無缺 | unimpaired territorial integrity |
| jìnrénjiēzhī 盡人皆知 | be widely known |
| jìnruòhánchán 噤若寒蟬 | silent as the cicada in winter |
| jìnrúrényì 盡如人意 | to one's heart content |
| jǐnshàngtiānhuā 錦上添花 | make perfection still more perfect (add flowers to the brocade) |
| jìnshànjìnměi 盡善盡美 | perfect |
| jīnshíwéikāi 金石為開 | the utmost sincerity can influence even metal and stone |
| jīnshìzuófēi 今是昨非 | from what is right today, one sees the blunders made in the past |
| jìnshuǐlóutáixiāndéyuè 近水樓台先得月 | times have changed (that was one situation, and this is another) |
| jìntuìliǎngnán 進退兩難 | in a dilemma neither able to advance nor retreat (difficult to advance or to retreat), catch 21 |
| jìntuìshījù 進退失據 | equally difficult to go on or retreat |
| jìntuìwéigǔ 進退維谷 | in a dilemma (advance and retreat, both difficult) |
| jǐnxiǎoshènwēi 謹小慎微 | timid and overcautious |
| jìnxīnjiélì 盡心竭力 | with all mind and energy |
| jǐnxiùhéshān 錦繡河山 | beautiful landscape (like a brocade) |
| jǐnxiùqiánchéng 錦繡前程 | glorious future |
| jǐnyánshènxíng 謹言慎行 | be discreet in word and deed |
| jīnyùliángyán 金玉良言 | a golden saying |
| jīnyùqíwàibàixùqízhōng 金玉其外敗絮其中 | shining on the outside but rotten on the inside |
| jìnzhūzhěchìjìnmòzhěhēi 近朱者赤近墨者黑 | moral pitch, and you will be defiled |
| jīnzìzhāopái 金字招牌 | gold-lettered signboard |
| jiǒngjiǒngyǒushén 炯炯有神 | bright piercing eyes |
| jiǒngránbùtóng 迥然不同 | utterly unlike |
| jíqǐzhízhuī 急起直追 | rouse oneself to catch up |
| jīquǎnbùjīng 雞犬不驚 | peace and tranquility |
| jīquǎnbùníng 雞犬不寧 | general turmoil (even the fowls and dogs are not left in peace) |
| jíqūlóngyá 佶屈聾牙 | difficult to pronounce or comprehend |
| jìrénlíxià 寄人籬下 | live under another's roof |
| jìrìchénggōng 計日程功 | estimate exactly how much time is needed to complete a project |
| jírúxīnghuǒ 急如星火 | most urgent |
| jīshǎochéngduō 積少成多 | many a pickle makes a mickle |
| jíshǒucùé 疾首蹙額 | abhorrence (with aching head and knitted brows) |
| jísīguǎngyì 集思廣益 | good at listening to all useful opinions |
| jǐsuǒbùyù,wùshīyúrén 己所不欲，勿施於人 | do unto others as you would have them do unto you |
| jītóngyājiǎng 雞同鴨講 | incomprehensible (like chickens talking to ducks) |
| jiùchóusùyuàn 舊仇宿怨 | old grudges inveterate hatred |
| jiùdiàochóngdàn 舊調重彈 | harp the same old tunes |
| jiùdìchóngyóu 舊地重遊 | revisit a once familiar place |
| jiùdìqǔcái 就地取材 | draw on local resources |
| jiùhènxīnchóu 舊恨新仇 | new hatred piled on old |
| jiǔnángfàndài 酒囊飯袋 | a term of abuse for a gluttonous man who is also useless and ignorant (wine sack and rice bag) |
| jiǔniúèrhǔzhīlì 九牛二虎之力 | a tremendous amount of labor |
| jiǔniúyīmáo 九牛一毛 | a drop in the bucket |
| jiùpíngzhuāngxīnjiǔ 舊瓶裝新酒 | new wine in old bottles |
| jiǔròupéngyǒu 酒肉朋友 | good weather friends |
| jiùshìlùnshì 就事論事 | consider something as it stands |
| jiùsǐfúshāng 救死扶傷 | heal the wounded and rescue the dying |
| jiǔsǐyīshēng 九死一生 | a narrow escape from death |
| jiùwángtúcún 救亡圖存 | save one's country from great danger |
| jiǔxiāoyúnwài 九霄雲外 | cast to the winds |
| jiùyǒuyīngdé 咎有應得 | one deserves blame |
| jiùyóuzìqǔ 咎由自取 | one brings the trouble on oneself |
| jìwǎngbùjiù 既往不咎 | let bygones by bygones |
| jìwǎngkāilái 繼往開來 | carry on past traditions and open up a way for those who follow |
| jíyánlìsè 疾言厲色 | harsh words and stern looks |
| jíyèchéngqiú 集腋成裘 | many drops of water make an ocean |
| jíyǐ qírénzhīdào huánzhì qírénzhīshēn 卽以其人之道還治其人之身 | deal with a man as he deals with you |
| jìyìyóuxīn 記憶猶新 | remain fresh in one's memory |
| jīyǔchénzhōu 積羽沉舟 | the awesome power of sheer numbers (a heavy enough load of feathers can sink a boat) |
| jīzhòngnánfǎn 積重難返 | old habits are difficult to get rid of |
| jízhōngshēngzhì 急中生智 | show resourcefulness in an emergency |
| jízhuǎnzhíxià 急轉直下 | take a sudden turn and develop rapidly (said of events) |
| jīzhūlěicùn 積銖累寸 | accumulate little by little |
| jīzhuóyángqīng 激濁揚清 | eliminate vice and exalt virtue |
| 1500 |
| jízúxiāndé 疾足先得 | the hasty foot gets there first |
| jū'ānsīwēi 居安思危 | mindful of possible danger in time of peace |
| juāndīguīgōng 涓滴歸公 | turn in every cent of public money |
| juǎntǔchónglái 捲土重來 | stage a comeback |
| jǔbùshèngjǔ 舉不勝舉 | too numerous to mention |
| júcùbù'ān 局促不安 | uneasy |
| jǔcuòshīdàng 舉措失當 | make false moves |
| juéchùféngshēng 絕處逢生 | be unexpectedly rescued from a desperate circumstance |
| juékǒubùdào 絕口不道 | refuse to say anything about |
| juéwújǐnyǒu 絕無僅有 | unique |
| juéyīcíxióng 決一雌雄 | fight to see who is the stronger |
| jùfèijìnxīnjī 費盡心機 | expend much care and thought |
| jūgāolínxià 居高臨下 | overlook from a vantage point |
| jūgōngjìncuì sǐérhòuyǐ 鞠躬盡瘁死而後已 | give oneself entirely to public service |
| jūgōngzìào 居功自傲 | style oneself her |
| jǔguótiānxià 舉國天下 | people all over the country |
| jùjiànshìfēi 拒諫飾非 | the rejection of criticisms and the whitewashing of one's mistakes |
| jùlǐlìzhēng 據理力爭 | try to convince one's opponent with an argument |
| jǔmùwúqīn 舉目無親 | sheer stranger in a place (not a relative or a friend to be seen) |
| jǔqíbùdìng 舉棋不定 | be unable to make up one's mind |
| jùrényúqiānlǐzhīwài 拒人於千里之外 | you never know how hard a task is until you have done it yourself |
| jùshāchéngtǎ 聚沙成塔 | many a little makes a mickle (many grains of sand piled up will make a pagoda) |
| jǔshìwénmíng 舉世聞名 | of world renown |
| jǔshìwúdí 舉世無敵 | matchless in the world |
| jǔshìwúshuāng 舉世無雙 | matchless |
| jǔshìzhǔmù 舉世矚目 | attract worldwide attention |
| jùsòngfēnyún 聚訟紛紜 | opinions are widely divided |
| jùtǐérwēi 具體而微 | in miniature |
| jùwéijǐyǒu 據為己有 | pirate something as one's own |
| jūxīnpǒcè 居心叵測 | evil-minded |
| jǔyīfǎnsān 舉一反三 | from a part one may divine the whole |
| jǔzúqīngzhòng 舉足輕重 | play a decisive role |
| kāichéngbùgōng 開誠布公 | speak frankly and sincerely |
| kāihuājiēguǒ 開花結果 | yield positive results (blossom and bear fruit) |
| kāijuànyǒuyì 開卷有益 | reading is always profitable |
| kāiménjiànshān 開門見山 | come straight to the point |
| kāiményīdào 開門揖盜 | let in disaster by inviting evildoers (open the door for the robbers) |
| kāishānzǔshī 開山祖師 | a founder |
| kāitáiluógǔ 開台鑼鼓 | a flourish of gongs and drums introducing a theatrical performance |
| kāitiānpīde 開天劈地 | from the creation of the universe |
| kǎixuánguīlái 凱旋歸來 | return in triumph |
| kāiyuánjiéliú 開源節流 | earn more income and cut down expenses |
| kāizōngmíngyì 開宗明義 | make clear the purpose and main theme from the very beginning |
| kàncàichīfàn liàngtǐcáiyī 看菜吃飯量體裁衣 | adapt oneself to circumstances (fit the appetite to the dishes and the dress the figure) |
| kāngkǎijīáng 慷慨激昂 | in a moving, vehement and excited tone |
| kāngkǎijiěnáng 慷慨解囊 | help someone generously with money |
| kāngkǎijiùyì 慷慨就義 | go to one's death like a hero |
| kāngzhuāngdàdào 康莊大道 | main road |
| kǎnkǎnértán 侃侃而談 | speak calmly and confidently |
| kàoshānchīshān kàoshuǐchīshuǐ 靠山吃山靠水吃水 | make use of local resources (those living on the mountain live off the mountain, those living near the water live off the water |
| kèbùrónghuǎn 刻不容緩 | be of great urgency |
| kěchéngzhījī 可乘之機 | an opportunity that can be exploited to someone's advantage |
| kèdízhìshèng 克敵制勝 | conquer the enemy |
| kěgēkěqì 可歌可泣 | heroic and moving |
| kègǔmíngxīn 刻骨銘心 | engraved on the heart |
| kèjǐfènggōng 克己奉公 | wholehearted devotion to public duty |
| kējuānzáshuì 苛捐雜稅 | exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous levies |
| kèqínkèjiǎn 克勤克儉 | industrious and frugal |
| kèshǒubùyú 恪守不渝 | strictly abide by |
| kěwàngérbùkějí 可望而不可及 | heroic and moving |
| kèyìqiúgōng 刻意求工 | try to do one's very best to achieve perfection |
| kěyīyībù 依依不捨 | reluctant to part from |
| kěyùérbùkěqiú 可遇而不可求 | may come by something with luck, but not by searching for it |
| kèzhōuqiújiàn 刻舟求劍 | take measures without regard to changes in circumstances |
| kōngdòngwúwù 空洞無物 | utter lack of content |
| kōngkōngrúyě 空空如也 | absolutely empty |
| kōngkǒushuōbáihuà 空口說白話 | make empty promises |
| kōngqiánjuéhòu 空前絕後 | unprecedented and unrepeatable |
| kōngqiánwèiyǒu 空前未有 | unprecedented |
| kōngtóuzhīpiào 空頭支票 | a bad cheque |
| kōngxuéláifēng 空穴來風 | unfounded rumor |
| kōngzhōnglóugé 空中樓閣 | a groundless plan |
| kǒuhuìérshíbùzhì 口惠而實不至 | pay lip service |
| kǒukǒushēngshēng 口口聲聲 | keep on saying |
| kǒumìfùjiàn 口蜜腹劍 | a mouth that praises and a hand that kills |
| kòurénxīnxián 扣人心弦 | tug at one's heartstrings |
| kǒuruòxuánhé 口若懸河 | talk glibly |
| kǒushìxīnfēi 口是心非 | say one thing and mean another |
| kǒushuōwúpíng 口說無憑 | verbal statements are no guarantee |
| kǒuzhūbǐfá 口誅筆伐 | condemn both in speech and in writing |
| kuādàqící 誇大其詞 | exaggerate |
| kuàidāozhǎnluànmá 快刀斬亂麻 | make a lightning decision (cut a tangled skein of jute with a sharp knife) |
| kuàimǎjiābiān 快馬加鞭 | work at top speed (whip the galloping horse on) |
| kuàizhìrénkǒu 膾炙人口 | please all tastes (win universal often and widely quoted) |
| kuākuāqítán 誇誇其談 | bragging |
| kuāndàwéihuái 寬大為懷 | liberal-minded |
| kuāndǎzhǎiyòng 寬打窄用 | budge liberally and spend sparingly |
| kuángfēngbàoyǔ 狂風暴雨 | tempest |
| kuàngrìchíjiǔ 曠日持久 | last for a long time |
| kuángwàngzìdà 狂妄自大 | arrogant and conceited |
| kuānhóngdàliàng 寬宏大量 | broadminded and generous |
| kǔdàchóushēn 苦大仇深 | suffer bitterly and nurse deep hatred |
| kǔhǎiwúbiān huítóushìàn 苦海無邊回頭是岸 | escape from the human world of woes and find salvation |
| kuìbùchéngjūn 潰不成軍 | be completely defeated |
| kuīcèfāngxiàng yǐqiúyīchěng 窺測方向以求一逞 | spy out the land in order to accomplish one's schemes |
| kǔjìngānlái 苦盡甘來 | after the bitter comes the sweet |
| kǔkǒupóxīn 苦口婆心 | be faithful and kind in remonstrance |
| kūmùféngchūn 枯木逢春 | get a new lease on life |
| kùnhuòbùjiě 困惑不解 | feel puzzled |
| kùnshòuyóudòu 困獸猶鬥 | one fights to the death in desperation (even a trapped beast struggles) |
| kǔxīngūyì 苦心孤詣 | drive oneself mercilessly to attain one's goal |
| kǔxīnjīngyíng 苦心經營 | contrive painstakingly |
| lādàqízuòhǔpí 拉大旗作虎皮 | use the great banner as a tiger skin (cover oneself and intimidate people) |
| láiérbùwǎngfēilǐyě 來而不往非禮也 | keep a good distance from |
| làihāmá xiǎngchī tiānéròu 癩哈蟆想吃天鵝肉 | aspiring after something one is not worthy of (a toad lusting after a swan's flesh) |
| láilóngqùmài 來龍去脈 | cause and effect |
| láirìfāngcháng 來日方長 | there will be ample time |
| láizhěbùjù 來者不拒 | keep door open |
| láizhěbùshàn shànzhěbùlái 來者不善善者不來 | he who has come is surely strong or he'd never have come along |
| láizōngqùjì 來踪去迹 | traces of something |
| lángbèibùkān 狼狽不堪 | in an embarrassing situation |
| lángbèiwéijiān 狼狽為奸 | collude in doing evil |
| lángbēnzhūtū 狼奔豬突 | infest and harass about like bandits (run like wolves and rush like boars) |
| lángtūnhǔyàn 狼吞虎咽 | wolf down |
| lángxīngǒufèi 狼心狗肺 | completely without conscience |
| lángzǐyěxīn 狼子野心 | greedy, cruel and full of wild ambitions (designs of wolves and wolfish nature) |
| lànyúchōngshù 濫竽充數 | just to fill up a vacancy |
| láobùkěpò 牢不可破 | indestructible |
| lǎochéngchízhòng 老成持重 | well-experienced and prudent |
| lǎodāngyìzhuàng 老當益壯 | old but vigorous |
| láoérwúgōng 勞而無功 | toil with no gain |
| lǎojiānjùhuá 老奸巨猾 | an old hand at trickery and decption |
| lǎojìfúlì zhìzàiqiānlǐ 老驥伏櫪志在千里 | old people may still cherish high aspirations |
| láokǔgōnggāo 勞苦功高 | have worked hard and performed a valuable service |
| lǎomǎshítú 老馬識途 | experienced people |
| láomínshāngcái 勞民傷財 | tire the people and drain the treasury |
| lǎomóushēnsuàn 老謀深算 | experienced and astute |
| lǎoqìhéngqiū 老氣橫秋 | showing self-importance of the aged |
| lǎoshēngchángtán 老生常談 | ordinary or usual |
| lǎoshǔguòjiē rénrénhǎndǎ 老鼠過街人人喊打 | hated by everyone (when a rat runs across the street, everybody cries "Kill it") |
| lǎotàilóngzhōng 老態龍鍾 | senile |
| lǎoxiūchéngnù 老羞成怒 | fly into a rage out of shame |
| láoyìjiéhé 勞逸結合 | proper arrangement of work and rest |
| lèbùkězhī 樂不可支 | overwhelmed with joy |
| lèbùsīshǔ 樂不思蜀 | indulge in pleasure and forget home and duty |
| léilìfēngxíng 雷勵風行 | like swiftness (carrying out policies with thunderlike violence and wind) |
| léishēngdà yǔdiǎnxiǎo 雷聲大雨點小 | the well-fed don't know how the starving suffer |
| léitíngwànjūn 雷霆萬鈞 | as powerful as a thunderbolt |
| lèjíshēngbēi 樂極生悲 | extreme joy begets sorrow (giving rise to sadness) |
| lěngcháorèfěng 冷嘲熱諷 | sarcasm |
| lěngruòbīngshuāng 冷若冰霜 | frosty in manner |
| lěngyánlěngyǔ 冷言冷語 | ironical remarks |
| lěngyǎnpáng 冷眼旁觀 | look on with a critical eye |
| lèshànhàoshī 樂善好施 | be prodigal of benfactions |
| liàngcáilùyòng 量材錄用 | assign jobs to people according to their talents |
| liángchénměijǐng 良辰美景 | beautiful scene on a bright day |
| liànglìérxíng 量力而行 | act according to one's ability |
| liǎngmiànsāndāo 兩面三刀 | play a double game |
| liǎngmiàntǎohǎo 兩面討好 | try to keep the favor of both sides in a dispute |
| liǎngquánqíměi 兩全其美 | keep the good points of both |
| liàngrùwéichū 量入為出 | keep expenditures within the limit of income |
| liǎngsànjùshāng 兩散俱傷 | neither side gains |
| liángshàngjūnzǐ 樑上君子 | thief |
| liángshīyìyǒu 良師益友 | good teachers and helpful friends |
| liǎngxiāngqíngyuàn 兩相情願 | mutual consent |
| liǎngxiǎowúcāi 兩小無猜 | be innocent playmates (boy and girl) |
| liǎngxiùqīngfēng 兩袖清風 | have clean hands (an official) |
| liángyàokǔkǒu 良藥苦口 | good advice, like medicine, is hard to take |
| liángyàokǔkǒu lìyúbìng zhōngyán nìěr lìyúxíng 良藥苦口利於病忠言逆耳利於行 | just as bitter medicine cures sickness, so unpalatable advice benefits conduct |
| liángyǒubùqí 良莠不齊 | the good and the bad are intermingled |
| liànliànbùshě 戀戀不捨 | unwilling to give up |
| liánpiānérzhì 聯翩而至 | arrive in close succession |
| liánpiānlěidú 連篇累牘 | one article after another |
| liáoliáowújǐ 寥寥無幾 | very few |
| liáoruòchénxīng 寥若晨星 | as sparse as the morning stars |
| liàorúzhǐzhǎng 瞭如指掌 | have something at one's finger-tips |
| liáoshèngyúwú 聊勝於無 | it's better than nothing |
| liàoshìrúshén 料事如神 | predict like a prophet |
| liáoyǐzìwèi 聊以自慰 | just to console oneself |
| liáoyǐzúsuì 聊以卒歲 | just to tide over the year |
| liáoyuánlièhuǒ 燎原烈火 | a blazing prairie fire |
| lìbīngmòmǎ 厲兵秣馬 | get ready for battle (sharpen the weapons and feed the horses) |
| lìbùcóngxīn 力不從心 | be unable to do as well as one should |
| lìbùshèngrèn 力不勝任 | beyond one's capacity |
| lièhuǒjiànzhēnjīn 烈火見眞金 | genuine gold fears no fire |
| lìgānjiànyǐng 立竿見影 | get instant results |
| lìgōngshúzuì 立功贖罪 | perform meritorious services to atone for one's crimes |
| lìhàiyōuguān 利害攸關 | closely bound up with |
| líjīngpàndào 離經叛道 | wayward and rebellious |
| lìjīngtúzhì 勵精圖治 | rouse oneself for vigorous efforts to make the country strong and prosperous |
| lìlìngzhìhūn 利令智昏 | be blinded by the lust for gain |
| lìlìzàimù 歷歷在目 | past memories clearly recalled to one's mind |
| línbiézèngyán 臨別贈言 | parting advice |
| líncìzhìbǐ 鱗次櫛比 | row upon row of |
| língdānshèngyào 靈丹聖藥 | miraculous cure |
| língqiāosuìdǎ 零敲碎打 | do something bit by bit, off and on |
| lìngqǐlúzào 另起爐灶 | start all over again |
| lìngrénbǎibù 令人擺布 | be at the mercy of others |
| lìngrénfàzhǐ 令人髮指 | make one's blood boil |
| lìngrénshénwǎng 令人神往 | cause one to crave for |
| lìngrénzuò'ǒu 令人作嘔 | make one sick |
| lìngxíngjìnzhǐ 令行禁止 | strict enforcement of order and prohibitions |
| língyálìchǐ 伶牙俐齒 | fluent of speech |
| lìngyǎnxiāngkàn 另眼相看 | pay special regard to |
| línjīyìngbiàn 臨機應變 | adapt to circumstances |
| línkějuéjǐng 臨渴掘井 | not make timely preparations (not dig a well until one is thirsty) |
| línlángmǎnmù 琳琅滿目 | lounge idly |
| línlíjìnzhì 淋漓盡致 | most incisively and vividly |
| línshēnlǚbó 臨深履薄 | cautious (as if on the brink of the abyss, as if treading on thin ice) |
| línwéibùjù 臨危不懼 | remain calm in the face of a crisis |
| línyuānxiànyú bùrú guīérjiéwǎng 臨淵羨魚不如歸而結網 | one should take practical steps to achieve one's aims (it's better to go back and make a net than to stand by the pond and long for fish) |
| línzhènmóqiāng 臨陣磨槍 | start to prepare only at the last moment (sharpen one's spear only before going into battle) |
| línzhèntuōtáo 臨陣脫逃 | flee on the eve of a battle |
| lìpáizhòngyì 力排眾議 | prevail over all dissenting views |
| lǐqūcíqióng 理屈詞窮 | fall silent when having nothing left to justify oneself |
| líqúnsuǒjū 離群索居 | live in solitude |
| lǐshàngwǎnglái 禮尚往來 | deal with a man as he deals with you |
| lìshēnchǔshì 立身處世 | ways of conduncting oneself in society |
| lìsuǒbùjí 力所不及 | beyond one's reach |
| lǐsuǒdāngrán 理所當然 👍 | as it ought to be |
| lìsuǒnéngjí 力所能及 | within one's power |
| lítíwànlǐ 離題萬里 | far from the mark |
| liúdé qīngshānzài bùchóu méicháishāo 留得青山在不愁没柴燒 | while there is life there is hope (as long as the green mountains are there on need not worry about firewood) |
| liúfāngbǎishì 流芳百世 | hand down a good reputation to a hundredc future generations |
| liúliánwàngfǎn 流連忘返 | indulge in pleasures and forget to go back home |
| liúlíshīsuǒ 流離失所 | be forced to leave one's home and wander about |
| liúlízhuǎnxǐ 流離轉徙 | migratory life of a refugee |
| liùqīnbùrèn 六親不認 | refuse to have anything to do with all one's relatives |
| liùshénwúzhǔ 六神無主 | in a state of utter stupefaction |
| liúshuǐbùfǔhùshūbùdù 流水不腐戶樞不蠧 | practice keeps one fit |
| liúyánfēiyǔ 流言蜚語 | rumors and gossip |
| liúyǒuyúdì 留有餘地 | leave some ground |
| liūzhīdàjí 溜之大吉 | sneak away |
| lìwǎnkuánglán 力挽狂瀾 👍 | save a dangerous situation with one's utmost efforts |
| líxiāngbèijǐng 離鄉背景 | leave one's native district |
| líxīnlídé 離心離德 | dissension and discord |
| lǐyìngwàihé 裏應外合 | attack the enemy from within in coordination with operations from without |
| lìyúbùbàizhīdì 立於不敗之地 | remain invincible |
| lìyùxūnxīn 利慾薰心 | be lured by the desire of profits |
| lìzhēngshàngyóu 力爭上游 | advance by vigorous effort |
| lǐzhíqìzhuàng 理直氣壯 | be in the right and self-confident |
| lìzhuīzhīdì 立錐之地 | a tiny bit of land |
| lìzúzhīdì 立足之地 | standing-room |
| lóngfēifèngwǔ 龍飛鳳舞 | lively and vigorous flourishes in calligraphy (like dragons flying and phoenixes dancing) |
| lóngpánhǔjù 龍盤虎踞 | a forbidding strategic point (like a coiling dragon and crouching tiger) |
| lóngtánhǔxué 龍潭虎穴 | dangerous places (dragon's pond and tiger's cave) |
| lóngténghǔyuè 龍騰虎躍 | do something with vigor and enthusiasm (dragons rising and tigers leaping) |
| lóngzhēnghǔdòu 龍爭虎鬥 | matched opponents (fierce struggle between two evenly) |
| lòuchūmǎjiǎo 露出馬脚 | the plot is out (the horse's hoof shows) |
| lòudòngbǎichū 漏洞百出 | full of loopholes |
| luànqībāzāo 亂七八糟 👍 | in great disorder |
| lǘchún bùduìmǎzuǐ 驢唇不對馬嘴 | irrelevant |
| lǚcìsānfān 屢次三番 | over and over again |
| lüèjiànyībān 略見一斑 | see a sample of |
| lüèshèngyīchóu 略勝一籌 | slightly better |
| lúhuǒchúnqīng 爐火純青 | high degree of one's technical proficiency and perfection of one's learning (the pure blue flame) |
| lǚjiànbùxiān 屢見不鮮 | nothing new |
| lǚjiàobùgǎi 屢教不改 | refuse to correct one's errors despite repeated education |
| lǚjìnlǚtuì 旅進旅退 | have no definite views of one's one (always follow the steps of others, forward or backward) |
| lùlínhǎohàn 綠林好漢 | gentleman of the pad |
| 1750 |
| lùlìtóngxīn 戮力同心 | make concerted efforts |
| lùlùwúnéng 碌碌無能 | incompetent |
| lǔmǎngmièliè 魯莽滅裂 | rash and careless |
| lǘmínggǒufèi 驢鳴狗吠 | poor style of writing (like asses braying and dogs barking) |
| lùngōngxíngshí 論功行實 | award people according to their contributions |
| luòhuāliúshuǐ 落花流水 | utterly routed (like the fallen flowers carried away by flowing water) |
| luòhuāngérzǒu 落荒而走 | take to flight |
| luòhuāyǒuyì liúshuǐwúqíng 落花有意流水無情 | unrequited love (shedding petals, the waterside flower pines for love, while the heartless brook babbles on) |
| luòjǐngxiàshí 落井下石 | strike a person when he is down (throw rocks after one has fallen into a well) |
| luòluòdàfāng 落落大方 | natural and graceful |
| luòluòguǎhé 落落寡合 | aloof |
| luóquèjuéshǔ 羅雀掘鼠 | contrive ways and means to live when in straights (net birds and dig out rats) |
| luòtàbùjī 落拓不羈 | unconventional and uninhibited |
| luòyìbùjué 絡繹不絕 | coming and going in an endless stream |
| lúshānzhēnmiàn 廬山眞面 | the truth about a person or matter (what Lushan Mountain really looks like) |
| lǚshìbùshuǎng 屢試不爽 | stand repeated tests |
| lùsǐbùzéyīn 鹿死不擇音 | a man hard pressed cannot be particular about whom to follow |
| lùsǐshuíshǒu 鹿死誰手 | a hero gets an opportunity for showing his prowess (the flood-dragon gets to water) |
| lǚxiǎnrúyí 履險如夷 | handle a crisis without difficulty (cross a dangerous pass as easily as walking on level ground) |
| lùyáo zhīmǎlì shìjiǔ jiànrénxīn 路遙知馬力事久見人心 | as a long road tests a horse's strength, so a long task proves a person's heart |
| mábìdàyì 麻痺大意 | lack of vigilance |
| mǎbùtíngtí 馬不停蹄 | hurried without a stop |
| mǎdàochénggōng 馬到成功 | win a success immediately |
| mǎgéguǒshī 馬革裹屍 | die on the battle field (be wrapped in a horse's hide after death) |
| màijiànmǎiniú 賣劍買牛 | reformation of brigands (sellings one's swords to purchase oxen for farming) |
| mǎikōngmàikōng 買空賣空 | speculate on the rise and fall of prices |
| màishēntóukào 賣身投靠 | barter away one's honor for someone's patronage |
| máitóukǔgàn 埋頭苦幹 | engage oneself in unostentatious hard work |
| mǎmǎhǔhǔ 馬馬虎虎 | carelessly |
| mámùbùrén 麻木不仁 | indifferent and apathetic |
| mànbùjīngxīn 漫不經心 | with indifference |
| mǎnbùzàihū 滿不在乎 | not care in the least |
| mǎnchéngfēngyǔ 滿城風雨 | spread news all over the city |
| mǎnfùjīnglún 滿腹經綸 | profoundly learned and talented |
| mǎnfùláosāo 滿腹牢騷 | full of grievances |
| mángcìzàibèi 芒刺在背 | feel nervous and uneasy |
| mánglǐtōuxián 忙裡偷閒 | snatch a little leisure from a busy life |
| mángrénmōxiàng 盲人摸象 | one-sided view (the blind feel the elephant and each has his own opinion) |
| mángrénxiāmǎ 盲人瞎馬 | rushing headlong to an immediate danger (a blind person riding a blind horse) |
| mǎngǔmǎnkēng 滿谷滿坑 | in large numbers |
| mángwútóuxù 茫無頭緒 | be confused like a tangle of flax |
| mánhèngwúlǐ 蠻橫無理 | rude and unreasonable |
| mǎnmiànchūnfēng 滿面春風 | a face shining with pleasure |
| mǎnqiāngrèchén 滿腔熱忱 | filled with ardor and sincerity |
| mànshānbiànyě 漫山遍野 | all over the mountains and plains |
| mántiānguòhǎi 瞞天過海 | practice decption (cross the sea under camouflage) |
| màntiáosīlǐ 慢條斯理 | unhurriedly |
| mǎnyuánchūnsè 滿園春色 | a picture of prosperity (the whole garden is filled with the beauties of spring) |
| mǎnzàiérguī 滿載而歸 | return fully loaded |
| mǎnzhāosǔnqiānshòuyì 滿招損謙受益 | one loses by pride and gains by modesty |
| máogǔsǒngrán 毛骨悚然 | horror-stricken |
| màohéshénlí 貌合神離 | seemingly in harmony but actually at variance |
| māokūlǎoshǔ 貓哭老鼠 | shed crocodile tears (the cat weeping over the dead mouse) |
| màomíngdǐngtì 冒名頂替 | take another's place by assuming his name, imposter |
| máoshǒumáojiǎo 毛手毛腳 | imprudent |
| máosuìzìjiàn 毛遂自薦 | self-recommendation for a post or task |
| máquèsuīxiǎo gāndǎnjùquán 麻雀雖小肝膽俱全 | small but complete |
| mǎyǐkěngǔtóu 螞蟻啃骨頭 | concentration of small machines on a big job (ants gnawing at a bone) |
| měibùshèngshōu 美不勝收 | so many beautiful things that one simply can't take them all in |
| méifēisèwǔ 眉飛色舞 | look of exultation |
| měiféngjiājié bèisīqīn 每逢佳節倍思親 | on festive occasions more than ever we think of our dear ones far away |
| méikāiyǎnxiào 眉開眼笑 | be all smiles |
| měikuàngyùxià 每況愈下 | get worse every time |
| méiláiyǎnqù 眉來眼去 | flirt with each other |
| méimaohúzi yībǎzhuāmào 眉毛胡子一把抓 | risk facing universal condemnation |
| méiqīngmùxiù 眉清目秀 | have delicate features |
| méitóuyīzhòu jìshàngxīnlái 眉頭一皺計上心來 | knit the brows and a strategem comes to mind |
| měizhōngbùzú 美中不足 | some slight imperfection |
| méndānghùduì 門當戶對 | be well-matched in social and economic status |
| mènghuànpàoyǐng 夢幻泡影 | a sheer illusion |
| ménghùnguòguān 蒙混過關 | slip by |
| méngmèiwúzhī 蒙昧無知 | childish ignorance |
| mèngmèiyǐqiú 夢寐以求 | long for something day and night |
| méngtóuzhuànxiàng 蒙頭轉向 | be utterly confused |
| méngzàigǔlǐ 蒙在鼓裏 | be kept in the dark (be kept inside a drum) |
| ménhùzhījiàn 門戶之見 | parochial prejudice |
| ménkěluóquè 門可羅雀 | birds may be snarred at the door of a deserted house |
| méntíngruòshì 門庭若市 | a much visited house (the courtyard is as crowded as a marketplace) |
| ménxīnzìwèn 捫心自問 | examine one's own conscience and ask oneself |
| miànbùgǎisè 面不改色 | remain calm |
| miànhóngěrchì 面紅耳赤 | suffused with blushes |
| miànhuángjīshòu 面黃肌瘦 | sallow and emaciated |
| miánlǐcángzhēn 綿裏藏針 | a soft appearance but dangerous heart (a needle in wool) |
| miànmiànjùdào 面面俱到 | attend to each and every aspect of a matter |
| miànmiànxiàngqù 面面相覷 | look at each other in astonishment |
| miànmùkězēngyǔyánwúwèi 面目可憎語言無味 | repulsive in appearance and flavorless in expression |
| miànmùquánfēi 面目全非 | be changed or distorted beyond recognition |
| miànmùyīxīn 面目一新 | take on an entirely new look |
| miànrútǔsè 面如土色 | look pale |
| miànshòujīyí 面授機宜 | give confidential briefing |
| miǎnwéiqínán 勉為其難 | manage to do a difficult job beyond one's reach |
| miànwúrénsè 面無人色 | look ghastly pale |
| miàobùkěyán 妙不可言 | too wonderful for words |
| miàoqùhéngshēng 妙趣橫生 | full of wit and humor |
| miàoshǒuhuíchūn 妙手回春 | effect a miraculous cure and bring the dying back to life (of a doctor) |
| miècǐzhāoshí 滅此朝食 | be anxious to finish off the enemy immediately (will not have breakfast until the enemy is wiped out) |
| mièdǐngzhīzāi 滅頂之災 | be drowned |
| mièjuérénxìng 滅絕人性 | inhuman |
| mìérbùxuān 秘而不宣 | keep something secret |
| mímízhīyīn 靡靡之音 | decadent music |
| mínbùliáoshēng 民不聊生 | the masses live in dire poverty |
| mínbùwèisǐ nàihé yǐsǐjùzhī 民不畏死奈何以死具之 | the people fear no death, why threaten them with it? |
| míngbiànshìfēi 明辨是非 | make a clear distinction between right and wrong |
| míngbùfùshí 名不副實 | the reality doesn't correspond to its name |
| míngbùxūchuán 名不虛傳 | have a well-deserved reputation |
| míngcháànfǎng 明察暗訪 | investigate openly and secretly |
| míngcháqiūháo 明察秋毫 | be able to penetrate deeply into all things |
| míngcháqiūháozhīwèi érbùjiànyúxīn 明察秋毫之未而不見輿薪 | see the minute details but miss the major issue (be sharp-sighted enough to perceive the tip of an animal's autumn hair but unable to see a cartload of firewood) |
| míngchuíqīngshǐ 名垂青史 | be crowned with eternal glory |
| míngcúnshíwáng 名存實亡 | cease to exist except in name |
| mǐngdīngdàzuì 酩酊大醉 | be dead drunk |
| míngfùqíshí 名副其實 | the name matches the reality |
| mínggǎnzhōngshēn 銘感終身 | remain deeply grateful for the rest of one's life |
| mínggǔérgōngzhī 鳴鼓而攻之 | sound the call for attack |
| mínghuǒzhízhàng 明火執仗 | conduct evil activities openly |
| míngjiānglìsuǒ 名繮利鎖 | the bondage of reputation and wealth |
| míngjìbùwàng 銘記不忘 | bear in mind |
| míngláiànwǎng 明來暗往 | have overt and covert contacts with someone |
| mínglièqiánmáo 名列前茅 | be among the best of the candidates |
| mínglìshuāngshōu 名利雙收 | gain both reputation and wealth |
| míngluókāidào 鳴鑼開道 | pave the way for |
| míngluòsūnshān 名落孫山 | fail in a civil examination |
| míngmóuhàochǐ 明眸皓齒 | bright eyes and white teeth |
| míngmùzhāngdǎn 明目張膽 | in a bare-faced way |
| míngqiāngànjiàn 明槍暗箭 | both open and covert attacks |
| míngqiāngyìduǒ ànjiànnánfáng 明槍易躱暗箭難防 | it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow shot from hiding |
| míngrìhuánghuā 明日黃花 | things that are stale and no longer of interest |
| míngruòguānhuǒ 明若觀火 | as clear as looking at a fire |
| míngsīkǔxiǎng 冥思苦想 | think long and hard |
| míngwánbùlíng 冥頑不靈 | stupid |
| míngxiàodàyàn 明效大驗 | outstanding effect |
| míngxiūzhàndào àndùchéncāng 明修棧道暗渡陳倉 | do one thing under cover of another |
| míngyuānjiàoqū 鳴冤叫屈 | complain and call for redress |
| mìngzàidànxì 命在旦夕 | be dying |
| míngzàoyīshí 名噪一時 | gain considerable fame among one's contemporaries |
| míngzhébǎoshēn 明哲保身 | wise for personal survival |
| míngzhēng'àndòu 明爭暗鬥 | both open strife and veiled struggle |
| míngzhèngyánshùn 名正言順 | be perfectly justifiable |
| míngzhīgùfàn 明知故犯 | violate knowingly |
| míngzhīgùwèn 明知故問 | one asks, but already knows |
| mìngzhòngzhùdìng 命中注定 | predestined |
| míngzhūàntóu 明珠暗投 | a valuable thing gained by a person who doesn't know it at all |
| míngzhūtánquè 明珠彈雀 | the loss outweighs the gain (shoot birds with pearls) |
| mínqióngcáijìn 民窮財盡 | the people suffer deprivation and the country has depleted its resources |
| mínshēngdiāobì 民生凋敝 | the people live in destitution |
| mínyuànfèiténg 民怨沸騰 | the people are boiling with resentment |
| mínzhīmíngāo 民脂民膏 | the people's life-blodd |
| mírényǎnmù 迷人眼目 | foolish people |
| mítiāndàhuǎng 彌天大謊 | an outrageous lie |
| mítiāndàzuì 彌天大罪 | heinous crimes |
| mítúzhīfǎn 迷途知返 | realize one's errors and mend one's ways |
| miùzhǒngliúchuán 謬種流傳 | the dissemination of error |
| mìyúnbùyǔ 密雲不雨 | a trouble is brewing (dense clouds but no rain) |
| mǐzhūxīnguì 米珠薪桂 | exorbitantly high cost of living |
| mòbùguānxīn 漠不關心 | indifferent and apathetic |
| mòcègāoshēn 莫測高深 | enigmatic |
| mòchǐbùwàng 沒齒不忘 | will never forget to the end of one's days |
| móchǔchéngzhēn 磨杵成針 | perseverance will prevail (an iron pestle can be ground down to a needle) |
| mòcǐwéishén 莫此為甚 | one can expect nothing beyond this |
| mójiānjiēzhǒng 摩肩接踵 | jostle each other in a crowd |
| móléngliǎngkě 模稜兩可 | ambiguous |
| mólìyǐxū 摩厲以須 | grind weapons sharp in preparation |
| mòmíngqímiào 莫名其妙 👍 | without reason |
| mòmòwúwén 默默無聞 | without attracting public attention |
| mònìzhījiāo 莫逆之交 | one's intimate friend |
| móquáncāzhǎng 摩拳擦掌 | be eager for a fight (rub one's fists and wipe one's palms) |
| mòránzhìzhī 漠然置之 | remain indifferent towards something |
| mòshǒuchéngguī 墨守成規 | methodism |
| mòzhīwèiqián 墨汁未乾 | the ink was hardly dry before |
| mòzhōngyīshì 莫衷一是 | unable to agree or decide which is right |
| mùběnshuǐyuán 木本水源 | foundation or cause of things (the root of the wood and the source of water) |
| mùbùjiànjié 目不見睫 | lack of self-knowledge (the eye cannot see its lashes) |
| mùbùjiāojié 目不交睫 | not sleep a wink |
| mùbùshídīng 目不識丁 | uncultured |
| mùbùxiáshí 目不暇拾 | too many things for the eye to see |
| mùbùzhuǎnjīng 目不轉睛 | focus one's eyes on |
| mùdèngkǒudāi 目瞪口呆 | be stunned speechless |
| mùguāngrúdòu 目光如豆 | of narrow vision |
| mùguāngrújù 目光如炬 | blazing with anger |
| mùgǔchénzhōng 暮鼓晨鐘 | timely exhortations to virtue and purity (evening drum and morning bell in a monastery) |
| mùkōngyīqiè 目空一切 | expression of pride and haughtiness |
| mùqìchénchén 暮氣沉沉 | apathetic |
| mùyǐchéngzhōu 木已成舟 | too late to change (the wood is already made into a boat) |
| mùzhōngwúrén 目中無人 | despising others |
| nàirénxúnwèi 耐人尋味 | stand careful pondering over |
| nándàonǚchāng 男盜女娼 | behave like thieves and whores |
| nángkōngrúxǐ 囊空如洗 | penniless |
| nánhūwéijì 難乎為繼 | difficult to follow up |
| nánjiěnánfēn 難解難分 | be locked together in struggle |
| nánkēyīmèng 南柯一夢 | fond dream |
| nánnánzìyǔ 喃喃自語 | mutter to oneself |
| nánnéngkěguì 難能可貴 | difficult of attainment, hence worthy of esteem |
| nánqiāngběidiào 南腔北調 | speak with a mixed accent |
| nánshěnánfēn 難捨難分 | loath to part from each other |
| nànxiōngnàndì 難兄難弟 | fellow sufferers |
| nányánzhīyǐn 難言之隱 | embarrassing to mention |
| nányuánběizhé 南轅北轍 | act in a way that defeats one's purpose |
| nánzhēngběizhàn 南征北戰 | fighting south and north on many fronts |
| nǎomǎnchángféi 腦滿腸肥 | the idle rich (heavy-jowled and potbellied) |
| náshǒuhàoxì 拿手好戲 | one's specialty |
| néngqūnéngshēn 能屈能伸 | adapt to circumstances |
| néngshàngnéngxià 能上能下 | be ready to accept a higher or a lower post |
| néngshuōhuìdào 能說會道 | be a good talker |
| néngwénnéngwǔ 能文能武 | capable of handling both military and civilian affairs |
| néngzhěduōláo 能者多勞 | able people should do more work |
| néngzhěwéishī 能者為師 | let those who know teach |
| niánfùlìqiáng 年富力强 | all that one could wish for |
| niángāodéshào 年高德劭 | in the prime of life |
| niànniànbùwàng 念念不忘 | bear in mind constantly |
| niánqīnglìqiáng 年輕力强 | of venerable age and eminent virtue |
| niānqīngpàzhòng 拈輕怕重 | pick easy jobs and shirk hard ones |
| niánshēnrìjiǔ 年深日久 | young and vigorous |
| niǎojìngōngcáng 鳥盡弓藏 | cast one aside when he has served his purpose (cast aside the bow once the birds are gone) |
| niǎoyǔhuāxiāng 鳥語花香 | characterizing a fine spring day (birds sing and flowers give forth their fragrance) |
| niēshǒuniējiǎo 揑手揑脚 | walk on tiptoe |
| nìláishùnshòu 逆來順受 | grin and bear it |
| nìngquēwúlàn 寧缺毋濫 | would rather go without something than be contented with anything less satisfactory |
| nìngsǐbùqū 寧死不屈 | rather die than submit / surrender |
| níngwèijīkǒu wúwéiniúhòu 寧為雞口無為牛後 | would rather be a leader anywhere than a follower |
| níngwéiyùsuì bùwéiwǎquán 寧為玉碎不為瓦全 | rather die for a noble cause than continue to live a shameful life |
| níniúrùhǎi 泥牛入海 | gone forever |
| nípúsàguòhé zìshēnnánbǎo 泥菩薩過河自身難保 | hardly able to save oneself let alone anyone else |
| níshājùxià 泥沙俱下 | there is mingling of good and bad (mud and sand are carried away) |
| nìshuǐxíngzhōu 逆水行舟 | row against the flood |
| nǐsǐwǒhuó 你死我活 | a matter of life or death |
| nísùmùdiāo 泥塑木雕 | as wooden as a dummy (like an idol moulded in clay or carved in wood) |
| niúguǐshéshén 牛鬼蛇神 | forces of evil (monsters and ghosts) |
| niútóubúduìmǎzuǐ 牛頭不對馬嘴 👍 | incongruous |
| nìyǐngcángxíng 匿影藏形 | hide from public notice |
| nǐzhuīwǒgǎn 你追我趕 | try to overtake each other in friendly emulation |
| nòngjiǎchéngzhēn 弄假成眞 | fulfill what was promised in joke |
| nòngqiǎochéngzhuó 弄巧成拙 | in trying to be smart one makes himself look foolish |
| nòngxūzuòjiǎ 弄虛作假 | employ trickery |
| nùbùkěè 怒不可遏 | lose control of one's temper |
| nùfàchōngguān 怒髮衝冠 | be in a towering rage |
| nùhuǒzhōngshāo 怒火中燒 | be filled with fury |
| nùmùxiāngshì 怒目相視 | stare angrily |
| nùqìchōngtiān 怒氣衝天 | give way to unbridled fury |
| nùxíngyúsè 怒形於色 | look angry |
| núyánbìxī 奴顏婢膝 | be obsequious to |
| núyánmèigǔ 奴顏媚骨 | sycophany or obseqiousness |
| ǒuduànsīlián 藕斷絲連 | not completely cut off |
| ǒuxīnlìxuè 嘔心瀝血 | strain one's heart and mind |
| ǒuyīwéizhī 偶一為之 | do something by chance (once in a while or by accident) |
| pāiànjiàojué 拍案叫絕 | thump the table and shout "bravo" |
| pāibǎnchéngjiāo 拍板成交 | clinch a deal |
| páichìyìjǐ 排斥異己 | discriminate against those who hold different views |
| páichúwànnán 排除萬難 | surmount every difficulty or obstacle |
| páinànjiěfēn 排難解紛 | settle disputes |
| pāishǒuchēngkuài 拍手稱快 | clap and cheer |
| 2000 |
| pángēncuòjié 盤根錯節 | complicated and difficult to deal with (with twisted roots and gnarled branches) |
| pángqiāocèjī 旁敲側擊 | make oblique references and sly injurious remarks |
| pángrándàwù 龐然大物 | a huge monster |
| pángruòwúrén 旁若無人 | overweening |
| pángzhǐbóyǐn 旁徵博引 | quote copiously from many sources |
| pānlóngfùfèng 攀龍附鳳 | put oneself under the patronage of a bigwig |
| pāotóulòumiàn 拋頭露面 | expose oneself in public (woman) |
| páoxiāorúléi 咆哮如雷 | roar with rage |
| pāozhuānyǐnyù 拋磚引玉 | offer a few commonplace remarks by way of introduction so that others may come up with valuable opinions (cast a brick to attract jade) |
| péilefūrényòuzhébīng 賠了夫人又折兵 | throw the helve after the hatcher |
| pēnbóyùchū 噴薄欲出 | gush forth |
| péngbǐwéijiān 朋比為奸 | associate to plot treason |
| péngchéngwànlǐ 鵬程萬里 | a roc can reach a destination of a myriad miles away at one jump |
| pěngfùdàxiào 捧腹大笑 | belly laugh |
| péngtóugòumiàn 蓬頭垢面 | unkempt |
| piànjiǎbùcún 片甲不存 | army is completely wiped out (not a single armored warrior remains) |
| piāntīngpiānxìn 偏聽偏信 | be biased |
| piànwǎwúcún 片瓦無存 | be razed to the ground (not a single tile remains) |
| piànyánzhīzì 片言隻字 | fragments of writing |
| piányíxíngshì 便宜行事 | act as one sees fit |
| pífúhànshù 蚍蜉撼樹 | ridiculously over-rating one's own strength |
| pǐfūyǒuzé 匹夫有責 | reckless courage |
| pīgānlìdǎn 披肝瀝膽 | be open and sincere |
| pīhèhuáiyù 被褐懷玉 | not show off one's talent |
| pījiānzhíruì 披堅執銳 | be fully armed and ready for combat |
| pījīngzhǎnjí 披荊斬棘 | blaze one's way forward through all the difficulties (cut a way through brambles and thorns) |
| pǐjítàilái 否極泰來 | out of the depth of misfortune comes bliss |
| píkāiròuzhàn 皮開肉綻 | bruised from flogging |
| pínbìngjiāopò 貧病交迫 | suffering from both poverty and sickness |
| píngbáiwúgù 平白無故 | for no reason |
| píngbùqīngyún 平步靑雲 | have a meteoric rise |
| píngdànwúqí 平淡無奇 | nothing remarkable |
| píngdìfēngbō 平地風波 | unforeseen trouble |
| píngdìlóutái 平地樓台 | start from scratch (high buildings rise from the ground) |
| píngdìyīshēngléi 平地一聲雷 | a big change (a sudden clap of thunder) |
| píngfēnqiūsè 平分秋色 | have equal shares |
| píngpūzhíxù 平舖直敍 | tell in a simple, straightforward way |
| píngqǐpíngzuò 平起平坐 | be on equal footing |
| píngshuǐxiāngféng 萍水相逢 | casual, temporary meeting |
| píngtóupǐnzú 評頭品足 | be overcritical |
| píngxīnjìngqì 平心靜氣 | calmly |
| píngyìjìnrén 平易近人 | amiable and easy to approach |
| pínwúlì zhuīzhīdì 貧無立錐之地 | utterly destitute |
| pínzuǐbóshé 貧嘴薄舌 | garrulous and sharp-tongued |
| pīshājiǎnjīn 披沙揀金 | get esentials from a large mass of materials (sort out the fine gold from the sand) |
| pītóugàiliǎn 劈頭蓋臉 | scold to someone's face |
| píxiàoròubùxiào 皮笑肉不笑 | skin-deep smile |
| pīxīngdàiyuè 披星戴月 | work or travel night and day (under the canopy of the moon and the stars) |
| píyúbēnmìng 疲於奔命 | tired and exhausted from rushing about on missions |
| pízhībùcún máojiāngyānfù 皮之不存毛將焉附 | a thing cannot exist without its basis |
| pòbùdéyǐ 迫不得已 | be driven/compelled to |
| pòbùjídài 迫不及待 | too impatient to wait |
| pòchúmíxìn 破除迷信 | do away with all fetishes and superstitions |
| pòfǔchénzhōu 破釜沉舟 | cut off all means of retreat |
| pōfùmàjiē 潑婦罵街 | like a shrew shouting abuse in the street |
| pòjìngchóngyuán 破鏡重圓 | reunion of a couple after an enforced separation or rupture |
| pòjiùlìxīn 破舊立新 | destroy the old and establish the new |
| pòkǒudàmà 破口大罵 | shout abuse |
| pópomāmā 婆婆媽媽 | womanishly fussy |
| pòtìwéixiào 破涕為笑 | change tears into laughter |
| pōufùcángzhū 剖腹藏珠 | die for the sake of gain |
| pòzàiméijié 迫在眉睫 | extremely urgent |
| pòzhànbǎichū 破綻百出 | be full of holes or flaws |
| pūshuòmílí 撲朔迷離 | complicated and confusing |
| pūtiāngàidì 鋪天蓋地 | blot out the sky and cover up the earth |
| pǔtiāntóngqìng 普天同慶 | the whole world or nation joins in the jubilation |
| púyùzéjīn 璞玉澤金 | unadorned beauty (uncut jade and unrefined gold) |
| pūzhānglàngfèi 鋪張浪費 | extravagant |
| qiàdàohǎochù 恰到好處 | just right |
| qiānbiànwànhuà 千變萬化 | ever-changing |
| qiānchángguàdù 牽腸掛肚 | be deeply concerned |
| qiǎnchángzhézhǐ 淺嚐輒止 | stop after getting a little knowledge of a subject or about something |
| qiānchāwànbié 千差萬別 | differ in thousands of ways |
| qiánchēzhīfù hòuchēzhījiàn 前車之覆後車之鑑 | one should take warning from another's mistake |
| qiánchēzhījiàn 前車之鑑 | lessons drawn from others' failures |
| qiānchuíbǎiliàn 千錘百鍊 | well-experienced |
| qiānfāngbǎijì 千方百計 | in every possible way |
| qiánfùhòujì 前赴後繼 | advance wave upon wave |
| qiānfūsuǒzhǐ 千夫所指 | bew universally condemned |
| qiángcíduólǐ 强詞奪理 | be very much embarrassed |
| qiángdǎozhòngréntuī 牆倒眾人推 | everybody hits a man who is down (when a wall is about to collapse, everybody gives it a push) |
| qiángjiàngshǒuxiàwúruòbīng 强將手下無弱兵 | however strong you are, there's always someone stronger than you |
| qiángjiānmínyì 强奸民意 | defile public opinion |
| qiānglíndànyǔ 槍林彈雨 | a rain of bullets |
| qiángnǔzhīmò 强弩之末 | the farthest reach of a shot from a strong bow |
| qiángōngjìnqì 前功盡棄 | all one's previous efforts are wasted |
| qiángrénsuǒnán 强人所難 | try to make one do something which he can't |
| qiāngǔqítán 千古奇談 | a forever strange tale |
| qiángzhōng zìyǒu qiángzhōngshǒu 强中自有强中手 | when the conversation gets disagreeable, to say one word more is a waste of breath |
| qiánhūhòuyōng 前呼後擁 | with many attendants crowding around |
| qiánjìnglìluo 乾淨利落 | neatly |
| qiánjùhòugōng 前倨後恭 | change from arrogance to humility |
| qiānjūnwànmǎ 千軍萬馬 | a powerful army |
| qiānjūnzhòngfù 千鈞重負 | a vital responsibility |
| qiánkětōngshén 錢可通神 | money makes the mare go (money can move the gods) |
| qiānlǐsòngémáo, lǐqīngqíngyìzhòng 千里送鵝毛，禮輕情義重 | the present is trifling but the feeling is profound |
| qiānlǐtiáotiáo 千里迢迢 | over a great distance |
| qiānlǐzhīdī, kuìyúyǐxué 千里之堤，潰于蟻穴 | slight negligence may lead to a great disaster |
| qiānlǐzhīxíng, shǐyúzúxià 千里之行，始于足下 | a thousand-li journey starts with the first step |
| qiánlǘjìqióng 黔驢技窮 | at one's wits' end |
| qiānlǜyīdé 千慮一得 | even a fool occasionally hits on a good idea |
| qiánménjùhǔ hòuménjìnláng 前門拒虎後門進狼 | fend off one danger only to fall prey to another |
| qiānnánwànxiǎn 千難萬險 | numerous dangers and hazards |
| qiánpàláng hòupàhǔ 前怕狼後怕虎 | a villain doesn't harm his nextdoor neighbors |
| qiānpiānyīlǜ 千篇一律 | following the same pattern |
| qiánpūhòujì 前仆後繼 | no sooner has one fallen than others step into the breach |
| qiánqiánhòuhòu 前前後後 | the entire process |
| qiānqiānjūnzǐ 謙謙君子 | a hypocritically modest person |
| qiānqíbǎiguài 千奇百怪 | many unusual things |
| qiānqiūwàndài 千秋萬代 | throughout the ages |
| qiánrénzāishù hòurénchéngliáng 前人栽樹後人乘涼 | profiting by the labor of one's forefathers |
| qiānshānwànshuǐ 千山萬水 | a long and arduous journey |
| qiánshìbùwàng hòushìzhīshī 前事不忘後事之師 | learn from the past experiences |
| qiánsīhòusī 前思後思 | think over again and again |
| qiānsīwànlǚ 千絲萬縷 | have everything complicated to do with each other |
| qiánsuǒwèiwén 前所未聞 | never heard of before |
| qiánsuǒwèiyǒu 前所未有 | unprecedented |
| qìàntóumíng 棄暗投明 | a superb collection of beautiful things |
| qiāntóuwànxù 千頭萬緒 | complicated and difficult to unravel |
| qiántúwúliàng 前途無量 | have boundless prospects |
| qiánwúgǔrén 前無古人 | unprecedented |
| qiānxīnwànkǔ 千辛萬苦 | untold hardships |
| qiānxūjǐnshèn 謙虛謹慎 | modest and prudent |
| qiānyánwànyǔ 千言萬語 | numerous words |
| qiānyīfǎ érdòngquánshēn 牽一髮而動全身 | a slight move in one part may affect the situation as a whole |
| qiányímòhuà 潛移默化 | be unconsciously influenced |
| qiányīnhòuguǒ 前因後果 | give strained interpretations and draw farfetched analogies |
| qiānzǎinánféng 千載難逢 | the chance of a lifetime |
| qiānzǎiyīshí 千載一時 | an extremely rare chance |
| qiānzhēnwànquè 千真萬確 | absolutely true |
| qiǎoduótiāngōng 巧奪天工 | surpass natural creation |
| qiǎofùnánwéi wúmǐzhīchuī 巧婦難為無米之炊 | you can't make something out of nothing |
| qiāogǔxīsuǐ 敲骨吸髓 | cruel, blood sucking exploitation (break the bones and suck the marrow) |
| qiǎolìmíngmù 巧立名目 | concoct various pretexts |
| qiǎoqǔháoduó 巧取豪奪 | secure by force or by trick |
| qiǎoshérúhuáng 巧舌如簧 | have a smooth (glib) tongue |
| qiǎoyánlìngsè 巧言令色 | fine words and an insinuating countenance |
| qiāozhàlèsuǒ 敲詐勒索 | blackmail and impose exactions on |
| qiáozhuānggǎibàn 喬裝改扮 | disguise oneself |
| qiàrúqífèn 恰如其分 | to a proper extent |
| qìbùchéngshēng 泣不成聲 | choke with sobs |
| qīchángbāduǎn 七長八短 | of uneven size |
| qǐchéngzhuǎnhé 起承轉合 | the four steps in the composition of an essay (introduction, elucidation of the theme, transition to another viewpoint and summing up) |
| qíchǐdàrǔ 奇耻大辱 | deep disgrace |
| qīdiānbādǎo 七顚八倒 | in great confusion |
| qièchǐtònghèn 切齒痛恨 | grind one's teeth in hatred |
| qiēcuōzhuómó 切磋琢磨 | learn from each other by exchanging views |
| qièérbùshě 鍥而不捨 | work with perseverance (keep on carving unflaggingly) |
| qièfūzhītòng 切膚之痛 | deep grief |
| qièqièsīyì 竊竊私議 | confidential discussion |
| qièqièsīyǔ 竊竊私語 | whisper |
| qíféngduìshǒu 棋逢對手 | even-matched |
| qīfēngkǔyǔ 淒風苦雨 | wretched circumstances |
| qìguànchánghóng 氣貫長虹 | full of noble aspiration and daring |
| qígǔxiāngdāng 旗鼓相當 | equal in match or contest of strength |
| qīhēiyītuán 漆黑一團 | becompletey in the dark |
| qíhǔnánxià 騎虎難下 | have no way to back down (he who rides a tiger finds it difficult to dismount) |
| qíhuòkějū 奇貨可居 | waiting to sell something valuable at a high price |
| qìjiǎyèbīng 棄甲曳兵 | leave the reactionary side and cross over to the side of progress |
| qìjíbàihuài 氣急敗壞 | utterly discomfited |
| qìjiùtúxīn 棄舊圖新 | reject the old for the new |
| qíkāidéshèng 旗開得勝 | succeed on the first try |
| qílèwúqióng 其樂無窮 | it is a great joy to |
| qīlíngbāluò 七零八落 | scattered here and there |
| qīlízǐsàn 妻離子散 | breaking up or scattering of one's family |
| qímàobùyáng 其貌不揚 | his appearance is by no means imposing |
| qímǎzhǎomǎ 騎馬找馬 | hold on to one job while seeking a better one (sitting on one) |
| qīnchāidàchén 欽差大臣 | an imperial commissioner |
| qíngbùzìjīn 情不自禁 | unable to restrain the emotions |
| qīngcháochūfàn 傾巢出犯 | turn out in full force (enemy and bandits) |
| qīngchéngqīngguó 傾城傾國 | exceedingly beautiful |
| qīngchūyúlán érshèngyúlán 青出於藍而勝於藍 | the pupil learns from and outdoes his teacher |
| qīngéryìjǔ 輕而易舉 | an easy job |
| qìngfùbùsǐ lǔnánwèiyǐ 慶父不死魯難未已 | there will always be trouble until he who stirs it up is removed (until Qing Fu is done away with, the crisis in the state of Lu will not be over) |
| qīnggēmànwǔ 輕歌曼舞 | sing merrily and dance gracefully |
| qīngguījièlǜ 清規戒律 | restrictions and fetters |
| qīnghuángbùàn 靑黃不按 | in temporary financial difficulty |
| qīngjiādàngchǎn 傾家蕩產 | bring the family to ruin |
| qíngjízhìshēng 情急智生 | have quick wits in emergency |
| qǐngjūnrùwèng 請君入甕 | try what you have devised against others (kindly step into the vat) |
| qīngjǔwàngdòng 輕舉妄動 | take reckless actions |
| qīngmiànliáoyá 靑面獠牙 | terrifying in appearance (with a green face and ferocious fangs) |
| qīngmiáodànxiě 輕描淡寫 | touch on the matter lightly |
| qīngnuòguǎxìn 輕諾寡信 | make promises easily but seldom keep them |
| qīngpéndàyǔ 傾盆大雨 | torrential rain |
| qīngshǒuqīngjiǎo 輕手輕脚 | gingerly |
| qíngsuíshìqiān 情隨事遷 | people's feelings change with the circumstances |
| qíngtiānpīlì 晴天霹靂 | thunderbolt |
| qīngtíngdiǎnshuǐ 蜻蜓點水 | touch on something without going into it deeply (like a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water) |
| qíngtóngshǒuzú 情同手足 | close like brothers |
| qíngtóuyìhé 情投意合 | mutual affection and agreement |
| qīngxiāngdǎoguì 傾箱倒櫃 | turn out all one's boxes and suitcases |
| qīngyèménxīn 清夜捫心 | examine one's own conscience in the stillness of the night |
| qíngyǒukěyuán 情有可原 | excusable |
| qīngyúhóngmáo 輕於鴻毛 | a death which is of no significance at all (lighter than a goose feather) |
| qīngyúnzhíshàng 靑雲直上 | rapid advancement in one's career |
| qīngzhòngdàozhì 輕重倒置 | reverse the order of importance |
| qīngzhuāngshàngjiàng 輕裝上降 | go into battle with a light pack |
| qìngzhúnánshū 罄竹難書 | too numerous to record (man's sins) |
| qīnmìwújiàn 親密無間 | in close coordination |
| qìnrénxīnpí 沁人心脾 | mentally refreshing |
| qīntòngchóukuài 親痛仇快 | sadden one's friends and gladden one's enemies |
| qínzéixiānqínwáng 擒賊先擒王 | pay heed to what is important (to catch bandits, first catch the ringleader) |
| qióngbīngdúwǔ 窮兵黷武 | exhaust all resources to build up military power |
| qióngjíwúliáo 窮極無聊 | extreme boredom |
| qiónglóuyùyǔ 瓊樓玉宇 | a magnificent building (a richly decorated jade palace) |
| qióngniánlěiyuè 窮年累月 | year after year |
| qióngshānèshuǐ 窮山惡水 | barren mountains and unruly rivers |
| qióngshējíyù 窮奢極欲 | indulge in luxury and etravagance |
| qióngtúmòlù 窮途末路 | driven into an impasse |
| qióngxiāngpìrǎng 窮鄉僻壤 | an obscure region |
| qióngxiōngjíè 窮兇極惡 | devilish |
| qióngyuánjìngwěi 窮源竟委 | try to find out the chain of cause and effect |
| qióngzésībiàn 窮則思變 | poverty gives rise to a desire for change |
| qīpīnbācòu 七拼八湊 | a patchwork without pattern or order |
| qīqīàiài 期期艾艾 | stammer |
| qīqiàoshēngyān 七竅生煙 | foam with rage |
| qīréntàishèn 欺人太甚 | bully others too much |
| qǐrényōutiān 杞人憂天 | unnecessary anxiety |
| qīrénzhītán 欺人之談 | deceitful words |
| qīruǎnpàyìng 欺軟怕硬 | bully the weak and fear the strong |
| qìrúfèntǔ 棄如糞土 | cast away like dirt |
| qīshàngbāxià 七上八下 | in a mental flurry of indecision |
| qīshìdàomíng 欺世盜名 | angle for undeserved fame |
| qìshìpángbó 氣勢磅礴 | of a great momentum |
| qíshìxiōngxiōng 其勢洶洶 | look threatening |
| qìshìxiōngxiōng 氣勢洶洶 | an aggressive posture |
| qīshǒubājiǎo 七手八腳 | all flurry and confusion |
| qǐsǐhuíshēng 起死回生 | bring back to life (said of a doctor) |
| qítánguàilùn 奇談怪論 | fantastic stories and theories |
| qítóubìngjìn 齊頭並進 | do two or more things at once |
| qìtūnshānhé 氣吞山河 | imbued with a spirit that can conquer mountains and rivers |
| qiúdàtóngcúnxiǎoyì 求大同存小異 | seek common ground on major issues while reserving differences on minor points |
| qiūfēngguòěr 秋風過耳 | thinking something of no importance, regard with indifference |
| qiūfēngsǎoluòyè 秋風掃落葉 | wipe out the corrupt and evil in an easy way |
| qiūháowúfàn 秋毫無犯 | do not cause the slightest damage to the people |
| qiūhòusuànzhàng 秋後算帳 | wait until after a political movement is over to settle accounts with the leadership of the masses |
| qiúquánzébèi 求全責備 | demand perfection |
| qiúshǒugòumiàn 囚首垢面 | with unkempt hair and dirty face |
| qiútóngcúnyì 求同存異 | seek common ground while reserving differences |
| qiúzhībùdé 求之不得 | said of smoking opium |
| qíwèiwúqióng 其味無窮 | a lasting pleasant taste |
| qìwèixiāngtóu 氣味相投 | people of the same tastes |
| qíwéngòngshǎng 奇文共賞 | a remarkable work should be shared and its subtleties discussed |
| qìxiàngwànqiān 氣象萬千 | majestic |
| qíxíngguàizhuàng 奇形怪狀 | strange sight |
| qíxīnxiélì 齊心協力 | make concerted efforts |
| qìxíyǎnyǎn 氣息奄奄 | at the end of one's resources |
| qìyànxiāozhāng 氣焰囂張 | be swollen with arrogance |
| qǐyǒucǐlǐ 豈有此理 | how unreasonable! |
| 2250 |
| qízhēnyìbǎo 奇珍異寶 | very rare and valuable objects |
| qìzhīrúbìlǚ 棄之如敝履 | cast aside like an old shoe |
| qìzhuàngshānhé 氣壯山河 | sublime and heroic |
| qízhuāngyìfú 奇裝異服 | exotic costume |
| qīzuǐbāshé 七嘴八舌 | all talking at once |
| qǔ'érdàizhī 取而代之 | replace someone |
| quándǎjiǎotī 拳打脚踢 | beat up |
| quánhéngqīngzhòng 權衡輕重 | weigh up the matter carefully |
| quánjūnfùmò 全軍覆沒 | be completely wiped out (an army) |
| quánlìyǐfù 全力以赴 | devote every effort to |
| quǎnmǎzhīláo 犬馬之勞 | serve like a dog or a horse |
| quánshénguànzhù 全神貫注 | concentrate the whole energy upon |
| quánxīnquányì 全心全意 | whole-heartedly |
| quǎnyájiāocuò 犬牙交錯 | of jigsaw pattern |
| quányízhījì 權宜之計 | a measure of expediency |
| qǔchángbǔduǎn 取長補短 | mutually make up one's deficiencies |
| qūdǎchéngzhāo 屈打成招 | obtain confession under torture |
| quècháojiūzhàn 鵲巢鳩占 | one person seizes another's place, land (the turtledove occupies the magpie's nest) |
| quèzhībùgōng 却之不恭 | it would be impolite to decline |
| quèzuòbùyí 確鑿不移 | definite and sure |
| qǔgāohèguǎ 曲高和寡 | caviare to the general |
| qùjīngqǔjīng 去精取精 | discard the dross and select the essential |
| qūjìnqímiào 曲盡其妙 | express the subtlety tactfully and finely |
| qúncèqúnlì 群策群力 | united strength and wisdom |
| qúnlóngwúshǒu 群龍無首 | a host of dragons without a head |
| qúnmóluànwǔ 群魔亂舞 | a host of demons dancing in riotous revelry |
| qúnqǐérgōngzhī 群起而攻之 | rally together to attack |
| qúnwēiqúndǎn 群威群膽 | mass heroism and daring |
| qūtūxǐxīn 曲突徙薪 | take precautions against possible damage |
| qùwěicúnzhēn 去偽存眞 | winnow truth from falsehood |
| qūyánfùshì 趨炎附勢 | be follower of the rich and powerful |
| qūyìféngyíng 曲意逢迎 | go out of one's way to curry favor |
| qǔzhībùjìn yòngzhībùjié 取之不盡用之不竭 | abundant |
| qūzhǐkěshǔ 屈指可數 | very few (can be counted on one's fingers) |
| qūzhīruòwù 趨之若鶩 | scramble for something |
| ránméizhījí 燃眉之急 | a matter of extreme urgency (as pressing as a fire singeing one's eyebrows) |
| ráoyǒufēngqù 饒有風趣 | full of wit and humor |
| rèhuǒcháotiān 熱火朝天 | flaming |
| rěhuǒshāoshēn 惹火燒身 | ask for trouble |
| rénérwúxìn bùzhīqíkěr 人而無信不知其可 | if a man does not keep his word, what is he good for? |
| rénbùkěmàoxiàng 人不可貌相 | don't judge anyone just by appearances |
| rénbùzhīguǐbùjué 人不知鬼不覺 | fame portends trouble for men just as fattening does for pigs |
| réncáibèichū 人才輩出 | people of talent coming forth in large numbers |
| réncáijǐjì 人才濟濟 | a galaxy of talen |
| réndìngshèngtiān 人定勝天 | human determination will overcome destiny |
| réndìshēngshū 人地生疏 | be unfamiliar with the place and the people |
| rénduōzuǐzá 人多嘴雜 | too many cooks spoil the soup |
| rénfúyúshì 人浮於事 | too much staff with little to do |
| rénhuānmǎjiào 人歡馬叫 | people bustling and horses neighing |
| rénjiāndìyù 人間地獄 | a hell on earth |
| rénjiédìlíng 人傑地靈 | a place propitious for giving birth to great men |
| rénjìnqícái 人盡其才 | bring everyone's talents into full play |
| rěnjùnbùjīn 忍俊不禁 | cannot swallow a laugh |
| rénkùnmǎfá 人困馬乏 | tired and exhausted |
| rènláorènyuàn 任勞任怨 | work hard without complaint |
| rénmiànshòuxīn 人面獸心 | a beast in human shape |
| rénmìngwēiqiǎn 人命危淺 | one's days are numbered |
| rénpàchūmíng zhūpàféi 人怕出名豬怕肥 | do in complete secrecy |
| rènpíngfēnglàngqǐ wěnzuòdiàoyúchuán 任憑風浪起穩坐釣魚船 | while the rich wine and dine, the poor die of cold by the roadside |
| rénqíngshìgù 人情世故 | worldly wisdom |
| rěnqìtūnshēng 忍氣吞聲 | restrain one's anger and keep silence |
| rénqìwǒqǔ 人棄我取 | I will take whatever others don't want |
| rènqízìliú 任其自流 | let things run their course |
| rènrénwéiqīn 任人唯親 | appoint people by favoritism |
| rènrénwéixián 任人唯賢 | appoint people according to their moral character and ability |
| rěnrǔfùzhòng 忍辱負重 | swallow humiliation and bear a heavy load |
| rénshānrénhǎi 人山人海 | huge crowds of people |
| rénshēngdǐngfèi 人聲鼎沸 | noise and shouts in great commotion |
| rénshòuniánfēng 人壽年豐 | times of peace and prosperity |
| réntóngcǐxīn xīntóngcǐlǐ 人同此心心同此理 | everybody feels the same about this |
| rénwéidāozǔ wǒwèiyúròu 人為刀俎我為魚肉 | at one's mercy |
| rénwéiyánqīng 人微言輕 | the words of the low carry little weight |
| rěnwúkěrěn 忍無可忍 | come to the end of one's patience |
| rénwúliánchǐ bǎishìkěwéi 人無廉恥百事可為 | if a man is dead to shame, he can do all sorts of evils |
| rénwúyuǎnlǜ bìyǒujìnyōu 人無遠慮必有近憂 | if a man is not far-sighted he is bound to encounter difficulties in the near future |
| rénxīnsuǒxiàng 人心所向 | accord with the people's will |
| rénxīnxiàngbèi 人心向背 | the people are for or against |
| rénxīnxiàngbèi 人心向背 | the people are for or against |
| rényǎngmǎfān 人仰馬翻 | an utter defeat (men and horses are overturned) |
| rényánkěwèi 人言可畏 | gossip is a fearful thing |
| rényījǐbǎi 人一己百 | if others succeed by making one ounce of effort, I will make a hundred times as much effort |
| rényúnyìyún 人云亦云 | echo the views of others |
| rènzéizuòfù 認賊作父 | regard the enemy as kith and kin |
| rénzhějiànrén zhìzhějiànzhì 仁者見仁智者見智 | different people have different views (the benevolent see benevolence and the wise see wisdom) |
| rénzhīchángqíng 人之常情 | the way of the world |
| rénzhìyìjìn 仁至義盡 | do everything called for by humanity and duty |
| rènzhòngdàoyuǎn 任重道遠 | shoulder heavy responsibility |
| rèqìténgténg 熱氣騰騰 | steaming hot |
| rěshìshēngfēi 惹是生非 | provide a dispute |
| rìbùxiájǐ 日不暇給 | fully occupied from morning to night |
| rìjiùyuèjiāng 日就月將 | gradual progress (days and months advancing) |
| rìjīyuèlěi 日積月累 | accumulate day by day and month by month |
| rìlǐwànjī 日理萬機 | be occupied with a myriad of state affairs |
| rìluòxīshān 日落西山 | decline like the setting sun |
| rìmùtúqióng 日暮途窮 | in one's decline |
| rìshàngsāngān 日上三竿 | the sun is tree poles high |
| rìshēngyuèhéng 日升月恒 | daily increasing in prosperity |
| rìxīnyuèyì 日新月異 | change rapidly |
| rìyuèjīngtiān jiānghéxíngdì 日月經天江河行地 | eternally unchangeable (as the sun and moon in the heavens, and the rivers flow across the land) |
| rìyuèrúsuō 日月如梭 | time flies (the sun and the moon move back and forth like a shuttle) |
| rǒngcízhuìjù 冗詞贅句 | redundant words |
| róngguānghuànfā 容光煥發 | energetic-looking, radiant |
| rónghuáfùguì 榮華富貴 | high position and great wealth |
| rónghuìguàntōng 融會貫通 | be well versed in |
| róngmǎkǒngzǒng 戎馬倥傯 | 忙碌而急促的樣子: 入軍旅，從此戎馬倥傯，也顧不得自己年過四十仍是孓然一身，真是把青春都奉獻給國家了。 |
| ruǎnyìngjiānshī 軟硬兼施 | act tough and talk soft |
| rùbǎoshān bùnéngkōngshǒu érhuí 入寶山不能空手而回 | one must not return from treasure mountain empty handed |
| rùbùfūchū 入不敷出 | live beyond one's means |
| rúchūyīzhé 如出一轍 | follow the same pattern |
| rúcǐéryǐ 如此而已 | that's what it all adds up to |
| rúduòwǔlǐwùzhōng 如墮五里霧中 | utterly mystified |
| rúduòyānhǎi 如墮烟海 | completely at a loss |
| rúfǎpàozhì 如法泡製 | follow a set pattern |
| rúgěngzàihóu 如鯁在喉 | give vent to one's pent-up feelings |
| rùguówènsú 入國問俗 | learn about customs and habits of the country one goes to |
| rúhuǒrútú 如火如荼 | growing vigorously |
| rúhuòzhìbǎo 如獲至寶 | as if one had found a treasure |
| rúhǔtiānyì 如虎添翼 | with might redoubled |
| ruìbùkědāng 銳不可當 | be an irresistible force |
| ruìxuězhàofēngnián 瑞雪兆豐年 | a fall of seasonable snow gives promise of a fruitful year |
| rújiànzàixián 如箭在弦 | poised to strike |
| rújiāosìqī 如膠似漆 | be deeply attached to each other |
| rùjìngsuísú 入境隨俗 | do in Rome as the Romans do |
| rùjìngwènjìn 入境問禁 | ask about taboos and bans upon arrival in a foreign country |
| rújīsìkě 如飢似渴 | eagerly |
| rúlángmùyáng 如狼牧羊 | rule the people oppressively |
| rúlángsìhǔ 如狼似虎 | as ferocious as wolves and tigers |
| rúléiguàn'ěr 如雷貫耳 | have resounded in one's ears (like thunder) |
| rúlíndàdí 如臨大敵 | as if facing a formidable enemy |
| rúlǚbóbīng 如履薄冰 | as if walking on thin ice |
| rúmáoyǐnxuè 茹毛飲血 | live the life of a primitive man |
| rúmèngchūxǐng 如夢初醒 | come to realize (truth, error) |
| rùmùsānfēn 入木三分 | penetrating, profound |
| rúniǎoshòusàn 如鳥獸散 | be utterly rooted |
| rúniúfùzhòng 如牛負重 | like an ox carrying a heavy load |
| ruòbùjīnfēng 弱不禁風 | fragile |
| ruòbùshèngyī 弱不勝衣 | too weak to bear the weight of the clothing |
| ruòjíruòlí 若卽若離 | maintain a lukewarm relationship |
| ruòmíngruòàn 若明若暗 | have a blurred picture of |
| ruòròuqiángshí 弱肉强食 | the weak at the mercy of the strong |
| ruòwúqíshì 若無其事 | as if nothing had occurred |
| ruòyàorén bùzhī chúfēijǐmòwèi 若要人不知除非己莫為 | the only way to keep people from knowing something is not to do it |
| ruòyǐnruòxiàn 若隱若現 | appear indistinctly |
| ruòyǒusuǒshī 若有所失 | look distracted |
| ruòyǒusuǒsī 若有所思 | as if deep in thought |
| rùqíngrùlǐ 入情入理 | perfectly logical and reasonable |
| rúrùwúrénzhījìng 如入無人之境 | breaking all resistence |
| rúsàngkǎobǐ 如喪考妣 | look utterly wretched |
| rúshìzhòngfù 如釋重負 | as if relieved of a heavy burden |
| rúshǔjiāzhēn 如數家珍 | very familiar with one's subject |
| rútánwòxuě 如潭沃雪 | easily done |
| rǔxiùwèiqián 乳臭未乾 | be young and inexperienced |
| rúyǐfùshān 如蟻附膻 | a swarm of people running after unwholesome things or leaning on influential people for support |
| rúyǐngsuíxíng 如影隨形 | very closely associated with each other |
| rúyìsuànpán 如意算盤 | wishful thinking |
| rúyuànyǐcháng 如願以償 | have one's wish fulfilled |
| rúyúdéshuǐ 如魚得水 | happy in each other's company or in one's natural element |
| rúzuòzhēnzhān 如坐針氈 | feel extremely uneasy |
| sàiwēng shīmǎān zhīfēifú 塞翁失馬安知非福 | a loss may turn out to be a gain (the old man lost his mare on the frontier didn't know it was a blessing in disguise) |
| sǎnbīngyóuyǒng 散兵游勇 | stragglers and disbanded soldiers |
| sānchángliǎngduǎn 三長兩短 | unexpected misfortune |
| sāncùnbùlànzhīshé 三寸不爛之舌 | have a silver tongue |
| sānfānwǔcì 三番五次 | again and again |
| sāngèchòupíjiàng, héchéngyīgèzhūgéliàng 三個臭皮匠，合成一個諸葛亮 | two heads are better than one |
| sànghúnluòpò 喪魂落魄 | be driven to distraction |
| sàngjiāzhīgǒu 喪家之狗 | stray dogs |
| sàngjìntiānliáng 喪盡天良 | conscienceless |
| sàngquánrǔguó 喪權辱國 | national betrayal |
| sāngùmáolú 三顧茅廬 | repeated and whole-hearted invitation |
| sàngxīnbìngkuáng 喪心病狂 | frenzied |
| sānjùhuàbùlíběnháng 三句話不離本行 | talk about one's own trade from the outset of a conversation |
| sānlìngwǔshēn 三令五申 | repeated orders and instructions |
| sānrénxíng bìyǒuwǒshī 三人行必有我師 | if three of us are walking together, there will certainly be a teacher for me |
| sānsānliǎngliǎng 三三兩兩 | in small crowds |
| sānshēngyǒuxìng 三生有幸 | consider oneself most fortunate (to make someone's acquaintance) |
| sānshíliùjì, zǒuwéishàngcè 三十六計，走為上策 | the best thing to do now is to quit |
| sānsīérxíng 三思而行 | look before you leap |
| sāntiāndǎyú, liǎngtiānshàiwǎng 三天打魚，兩天晒網 | lack of perseverance |
| sāntóuliùbì 三頭六臂 | superhuman |
| sānwèiyītǐ 三位一體 | three in one |
| sānwǔchéngqún 三五成群 | in threes or fours |
| sānxīn'èryì 三心二意 | a changeable mind |
| sānyánliǎngyǔ 三言兩語 | in a few words |
| sānzúdǐnglì 三足鼎立 | divided into three opposing parts |
| sǎodìyǐjǐn 掃地以盡 | make a clean sweep |
| sāotóunòngzī 搔頭弄姿 | be coquettish |
| sèlìnèirěn 色厲內荏 | firm in the countenance, but weak inside |
| sēnluówànxiàng 森羅萬象 | myriads of things |
| shàfèikǔxīn 煞費苦心 | be at great pains |
| shāhuímǎqiāng 殺回馬槍 | make a backward thrust at one's pursuer |
| shājīqǔluǎn 殺雞取卵 | kill the hen to get all its eggs |
| shājīxiàhóu 殺雞嚇猴 | punish someone as a warning to others (kill the chicken to frighten the monkey) |
| shājīyānyòngniúdāo 殺雞焉用牛刀 | what's the need for using a large knife to kill fowl? |
| shànbàgānxiū 善罷甘休 | let it go at that |
| shānfánjiùjiǎn 删繁就簡 | simplify something by cutting out the superfluous |
| shānfēngdiǎnhuǒ 煽風點火 | inflame and agitate people |
| shāngāoshuǐcháng 山高水長 | one's nobility or reputation lasts forever |
| shàngbùzháotiān, xiàbùzháode 上不着天，下不着地 | be suspended in mid-air |
| shàngchǎnxiàjiāo 上諂下驕 | flatter those in high positions and despise those of lower ranks |
| shǎngfáfēnmíng 賞罰分明 | be strict and fair in meting out rewards and punishments |
| shāngfēngbàisú 傷風敗俗 | corrupt public morals |
| shàngliángbùzhèng xiàliángwāi 上樑不正下樑歪 | fish begins to stink at the head |
| shāngtiānhàilǐ 傷天害理 | extremely savage, cruel and brutal (do things offensive to God and reason) |
| shàngtiānwúlù, rùdìwúmén 上天無路，入地無門 | no way of escape |
| shàngwúpiànwǎ, xiàwúchāzhēnzhīdì 上無片瓦，下無插針之地 | as poor as a church mouse |
| shàngxiàqíshǒu 上下其手 | practice fraud |
| shàngxíngxiàxiào 上行下效 | the inferiors imitate the superiors |
| shǎngxīnyuèmù 賞心悅目 | find the scenery pleasing both the eye and the mind |
| shànlízhíshǒu 擅離職守 | leave one's post without permission |
| shānnánhǎiběi 山南海北 | all over the land |
| shànqiāngpǐmǎ 善槍匹馬 | all by oneself |
| shānqīngshuǐxiù 山清水秀 | green hills and clear waters |
| shānqióngshuǐjìn 山窮水盡 | be at one's wit's end |
| shānshānláichí 姍姍來遲 | be late |
| shànshǐshànzhōng 善始善終 | have a good beginning and a good ending |
| shǎnshuòqící 閃爍其辭 | speak evasively |
| shànyǒushànbào èyǒuèbào 善有善報惡有惡報 | good has its reward and evel has its recompense |
| shānyǔ yùlái fēngmǎnlóu 山雨欲來風滿樓 | the gale is raging and the storm is about to burst |
| shānzhēnhǎiwèi 山珍海味 | dainties of all kinds |
| shànzìwéimóu 善自為謀 | good at taking care of oneself |
| shǎoānwúzào 少安毋躁 | please calm down a little and don't get excited |
| shàobùgēngshì 少不更事 | inexperienced (young and little) |
| shǎojiànduōguài 少見多怪 | things seldom seen are regarded as strange |
| shàoniánlǎochéng 少年老成 | a young person lacking in vigor and drive |
| shàozhuàngbùnǔlì lǎodàtúshāngbēi 少壯不努力老大徒傷悲 | if one doesn't exert oneself in youth, one will regret it in old age |
| shāozòngjíshì 稍縱卽逝 | transient |
| shāqìténgténg 殺氣騰騰 | have plenty of fight in one |
| shārénbùjiànxiě 殺人不見血 | kill without spilling blood |
| shārénbùzhǎyǎn 殺人不眨眼 | slaughter people without blinking an eye |
| shārénmièkǒu 殺人滅口 | kill all so that there won't be any eye-witness left |
| shārénrúmá 殺人如麻 | kill people like flies |
| shārényuèhuò 殺人越貨 | kill a person and seize his goods |
| shāshēnchéngrén 殺身成仁 | die for a just cause |
| shǎtóushǎnǎo 傻頭傻腦 | foolish-looking |
| shāyījǐngbǎi 殺一儆百 | execute one as a warning to a hundred |
| shěběnzhúmò 舍本逐末 | attend to trifles to the neglect of essentials |
| shébìchúnjiāo 舌敝唇焦 | wear oneself out in pleading, expostulating, etc. |
| shědéyīshēnhuà gǎnbǎhuángdì lāxiàmǎ 捨得一身劃敢把皇帝拉下馬 | he who is not afraid of death by a thousand cuts dares to unhorse the emperor |
| shějǐjiùrén 捨己救人 | sacrifice one's life to save others |
| shějìnqiúyuǎn 捨近求遠 | sacrifice the near for the distant |
| shějǐwéirén 捨己為人 | self-sacrifice |
| shějūbǎoshuài 捨車保帥 | make minor sacrifices to safeguard major interests |
| shēnbàimíngliè 身敗名裂 | lose all standing and reputation |
| shēnbùkěcè 深不可測 | have no bottom |
| shēnbùyóujǐ 身不由己 | constrained by circumstances |
| shénbùzhīguǐbùjué 神不知鬼不覺 | without anybody knowing it |
| shéncǎiyìyì 神采奕奕 | brim with energy and vitality |
| shēncángruòxū 深藏若虛 | be modest about one's talent or learning |
| shēnchóudàhèn 深仇大恨 | great enmity and deep hostility |
| shénchūguǐmò 神出鬼沒 | appear and disappear mysteriously |
| 2500 |
| shèngbài nǎibīngjiāzhīcháng 勝敗乃兵家之常 | not dizzy with success, nor discouraged by failure |
| shēngbānyìngtào 生搬硬套 | copy mechanically in disregard of specific conditions |
| shèngbùjiāobàibùněi 勝不驕敗不餒 | carry high-sounding but misleading names |
| shěngchījiǎnyòng 省吃儉用 | live frugally |
| shēngdònghuópō 生動活潑 | vivid and vigorous |
| shēngdōngjīxī 聲東擊西 | make a feint |
| shēngēngbànyè 深更半夜 | the midnight hours |
| shēnghuāmiàobǐ 生花妙筆 | a gifted pen |
| shèngjīnghuìshén 聖精會神 | concentrate one's attention and energy |
| shèngjíyīshí 盛極一時 | prevail for a time |
| shēnglāhuóchě 生拉活扯 | drag someone out to do something by force as well as by persuasion |
| shēnglèijùxià 聲淚俱下 | in a tearful voice |
| shēnglíngtútàn 生靈塗炭 | people in great affliction |
| shēnglísǐbié 生離死別 | part forever |
| shēnglónghuóhǔ 生龍活虎 | full of vim and vigor |
| shēngmínglángjí 聲名狼藉 | disreputable |
| shèngmíngzhīxià qíshínáncè 盛名之下其實難測 | it is hard to live up to a great reputation |
| shēngmǐ zhǔchéng shúfàn 生米煮成熟飯 | what's done can't be undone |
| shéngōngguǐfǔ 神工鬼斧 | supernatural or uncanny workmanship |
| shēngōugāolěi 深溝高壘 | strong defense (deep trenches and high ramparts) |
| shēngqìbóbó 生氣勃勃 | dynamic and vigorous |
| shèngqìlíngrén 盛氣凌人 | arrogant |
| shèngqíngnánquè 盛情難却 | difficult to refuse such kindness |
| shèngrènyúkuài 勝任愉快 | very competent at one's job |
| shēngsèjùlì 聲色俱厲 | severe in voice and countenance |
| shēngshāyǔduó 生殺予奪 | hold power over someone's life and property |
| shēngshìhàodà 聲勢浩大 | mammoth |
| shèngshuāiróngrǔ 盛衰榮辱 | prosperity and decline, glory and humiliation |
| shēngsǐcúnwáng 生死存亡 | question of survival or not |
| shēngsīlìjié 聲嘶力竭 | shout oneself hoarse |
| shēngsǐyōuguān 生死悠關 | a matter of vital importance |
| shēngtūnhuóbō 生吞活剝 | gulp down uncritically |
| shēngwēidàzhèn 聲威大震 | gain great fame and high prestige |
| shēngyúyōuhuàn sǐyúānlè 生於憂患死於安樂 | life springs from sorrow and calamity, death comes from ease and pleasure |
| shénhúndiāndào 神魂顚倒 | one'smind is confused by |
| shénhūqíshén 神乎其神 | fantastic |
| shēnjiàbǎibèi 身價百倍 | have a big rise in social status |
| shēnjiào shèngyú yánjiào 身教勝於言教 | practice is better than precept |
| shénjīmiàosuàn 神機妙算 | wonderful foresight |
| shēnjūjiǎnchū 深居簡出 | live with few social contacts |
| shēnlìqíjìng 身歷其境 | personally go through situation |
| shénmiàomòcè 神妙莫測 | so subtle as to be difficult to guess what comes next |
| shēnmíngdàyì 深明大義 | know clearly the right thing to do and the principles to follow |
| shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ 深謀遠慮 | farseeing and thoughtful |
| shēnqiánglìzhuàng 身强力壯 | sturdy |
| shēnqínghòuyì 深情厚誼 | profound sentiments of friendship |
| shénqìshízú 神氣十足 | very arrogant |
| shēnrùqiǎnchū 深入淺出 | explain the profound in simple terms |
| shēnrùrénxīn 深入人心 | strike a deep chord in the hearts of the people |
| shénsèzìruò 神色自若 | show composure and presence of mind |
| shēnshānlǎolín 深山老林 | remote, thickly forested mountains |
| shěnshíduóshì 審時度勢 | judge the hour and size up the situation |
| shénsīhuǎnghū 神思恍惚 | in confused state of mind |
| shēnsīshúlǜ 深思熟慮 | deep and careful consideration |
| shēntǐlìxíng 身體力行 | earnestly practice what one advocates |
| shéntōngguǎngdà 神通廣大 | be infinitely powerful |
| shēnwàizhīwù 身外之物 | external things |
| shēnwénzhōunà 深文周納 | convict someone by deliberately misinterpreting the law |
| shēnwùtòngjué 深惡痛絕 | hate deeply |
| shēnxiānshìzú 身先士卒 | lead one's men in charge |
| shènxiāochénshàng 甚囂塵上 | cause a temporary clamor |
| shēnzàifúzhōng bùzhīfú 身在福中不知福 | not appreciate the happy life one enjoys |
| shèshēnchǔde 設身處地 | put oneself in someone else's position |
| shěshēngqǔyì 捨生取義 | sacrifice oneself for justice |
| shěshēngwàngsǐ 捨生忘死 | risk one's life |
| shěyíránzìdé 怡然自得 | happy and satisfied |
| shí'èbùshè 十惡不赦 | guilty of unpardonable evil |
| shībàizhě chénggōngzhīmǔ 失敗者成功之母 | failure is the mother of success |
| shìbàngōngbèi 事半功倍 | get twice the result with half the effort |
| shìbèigōngbàn 事倍功半 | get half the results with double the effort |
| shìbìgōngqīn 事必躬親 | see to everything oneself |
| shìbùbàxiū 誓不罷休 | swear not to stop or rest |
| shìbùguānjǐ gāogāoguàqǐ 事不關己高高掛起 | let things drift if they do not affect one personally |
| shíbùkěshī 時不可失 | must not lose the opportunity |
| shìbùliǎnglì 勢不兩立 | completely incompatible |
| shíbùwǒdài 時不我待 | time and tide wait for no man |
| shíbùwǒyǔ 時不我與 | time is running out |
| shìbùyíchí 事不宜遲 | one must lose no time in doing it |
| shìcáiàowù 恃才傲物 | be conceited and contemptuous |
| shíchéndàhǎi 石沉大海 | it disappears forever (having produced no reaction) |
| shìchéngqíhǔ 勢成騎虎 | unable to get down and dangerous to go on (in the position of riding a tiger) |
| shīchūwúmíng 師出無名 | dispatch troops without a just a cause |
| shìchūyǒuyīn 事出有因 | there is good reason for it |
| shìdéqífǎn 適得其反 | be just the opposite of what one wishes |
| shíérbùhuà 食而不化 | read without understanding |
| shìérbùjiàn 視而不見 | look but see not |
| shìérbùjiàn tīngérbùwén 視而不見聽而不聞 | look at but not pay attention to, listen to but hear nothing |
| shì fēijīngguò buzhīnán 事非經過不知難 | enjoy the benefits of a favorable position |
| shìfēiqūzhí 是非曲直 | truth and falsehood |
| shìfēi zìyǒugōnglùn 是非自有公論 | the public is the best judge |
| shìféngqíhuì 適逢其會 | happen to be present at the right moment |
| shíguāimìngjiǎn 時乖命蹇 | have bad luck in life |
| shígǔbùhuà 食古不化 | be slave to the ancients |
| shìgǔfēijīn 是古非今 | denounce the present and praise antiquity |
| shìguòjìngqiān 事過境遷 | the matter is past and the situation has changed |
| shīhéngbiànyě 尸橫遍野 | a field littered with corpses |
| shìhòuzhūgéliàng 事後諸葛亮 | claim wisdom after the event |
| shīhúnluòpò 失魂落魄 | be driven to distraction |
| shíjīnbùmèi 拾金不昧 | return the money found |
| shìjūnlìdí 勢均力敵 | equal scale |
| shìkěérzhǐ 適可而止 | know when or where to stop |
| shìkěrěnshúbùkěrěn 是可忍孰不可忍 | how can this be tolerated? |
| shǐkǒudǐlài 矢口抵賴 | flatly deny |
| shímùsuǒshì shíshǒusuǒzhǐ 十目所視十手所指 | all eyes see it and all fingers point to it |
| shìmùyǐdài 拭目以待 | on the alert |
| shínájiǔwěn 十拿九穩 | 90 percent sure |
| shíniánhánchuāng 十年寒窗 | persevere in one's long-term studies |
| shíniánshùmù bǎiniánshùrén 十年樹木百年樹人 | it takes ten years to grow trees but a hundred years to bring up a generation of good men |
| shípòtiānjīng 石破天驚 | a great concussion or shock |
| shìqiánglíngruò 恃强凌弱 | use one's strength to bully the weak |
| shìqímòjí 噬臍莫及 | it's too late to repent |
| shíquánshíměi 十全十美 | be flawless and perfect |
| shírényáhuì 拾人牙慧 | steal others' ideas |
| shíròuqǐnpí 食肉寢皮 | swear revenge (want to eat his flesh and sleep on his hide) |
| shìrúbìxǐ 視如敝屣 | regard as worn-out shoes |
| shìrúkòuchóu 視如寇仇 | regard someone as one's enemy |
| shìruòwúdǔ 視若無睹 | take no notice of what's been seen |
| shìrúpòzhú 勢如破竹 | easily overcome all obstacles (like splitting bamboo) |
| shìshāchéngxìng 嗜殺成性 | bloodsucking |
| shìshàngwúnánshì zhǐpàyǒuxīnrén 世上無難事只怕有心人 | nothing is impossible to a willing heart |
| shìshìbùdāng 勢勢不當 | be irresistible |
| shìshìdàidài 世世代代 | nothing is impossible to a willing heart |
| shíshìjiǔkōng 十室九空 | nine out of ten houses are stripped bare |
| shìshíqiúshì 事實求是 | be practical and realistic |
| shìshíshèngyúxióngbiàn 事實勝於雄辯 | facts speak louder than words |
| shíshíwùzhěwéijùnjié 識時務者為俊傑 | those who suit their actions to the times are wise |
| shíshìzàoyīngxióng 時勢造英雄 | have bad luck in life |
| shìsǐbùèr 誓死不二 | swear to be loyal forever |
| shìsǐrúguī 視死如歸 | take death calmly (like going home) |
| shìtàiyánliáng 世態炎涼 | inconstancy of human relationships |
| shìtóngérxì 視同兒戲 | trifle with |
| shìtónglùrén 視同路人 | regard as a stranger |
| shìtúlǎomǎ 識途老馬 | a person of rich experience (an old horse which knows the way) |
| shìwàitáoyuán 世外桃源 | a fictitious land of peace, away from the turmoil of the world |
| shíwànhuǒjí 十萬火急 | extremely urgent |
| shīwèisùcān 尸位素餐 | get pay without doing any work |
| shìwéiwèitú 視為畏途 | regard as dangerous |
| shìwéizhījǐ 視為知己 | regard as a good friend |
| shǐwúqiánlì 史無前例 | unprecedented in history |
| shīxīnzìyòng 師心自用 | self-opinionated |
| shíyán'érféi 食言而肥 | break a promise |
| shìyànxūntiān 勢焰勳天 | one's position and power dominate the world like flame darkening the sky |
| shíyísúyì 時移俗易 | customs change with passage of time |
| shìyǔyuànwéi 事與願違 | events do not happen as one wishes |
| shìzàibìxíng 勢在必行 | be imperative |
| shìzàirénwéi 事在人為 | it all depends on human effort |
| shǐzhìbùyí 矢志不移 | swear will never change |
| shīzhīdōngyú shōuzhīsāngyú 失之東隅收之桑榆 | what one loses on the swings one gets back on the roundabouts |
| shīzhījiāobì 失之交臂 | fail to meet by a narrow chance, miss a good chance |
| shīzhíwéizhuàng 師直為壯 | an army fighting for a just cause has high morale |
| shǐzhōngbùxiè 始終不懈 | forever strive without cease |
| shǐzhōngbùyú 始終不渝 | consistent |
| shǐzhōngrúyī 始終如一 | the same from beginning to end |
| shòubǐnánshān 壽比南山 | may you live as long as the southern mountain |
| shǒubùshìjuàn 手不釋卷 | be a diligent reader |
| shòuchǒngruòjīng 受寵若驚 | be overwhelmed by an unexpected favor |
| shǒudāngqíchōng 首當其衝 | be the first to be affected |
| shǒudàobìngchú 手到病除 | sickness retires at his touch (a doctor's great skill) |
| shōuhuíchéngmìng 收回成命 | countermand an order |
| shǒujíyǎnkuài 手急眼快 | dexterous |
| shǒukǒurúpíng 守口如瓶 | keep one's tongue between one's teeth |
| shòukǔshòunàn 受苦受難 | live in misery |
| shǒumángjiǎoluàn 手忙脚亂 | busy and bustling without order or method |
| shǒuqūyīzhǐ 首屈一指 | top the world (in a certain respect) |
| shǒushǔliǎngduān 首鼠兩端 | be in two minds |
| shǒuwěixiāngyìng 首尾相應 | beginning and end correspond with each other |
| shǒuwúcùntiě 手無寸鐵 | unarmed |
| shǒuwúfùjīzhīlì 手無縛雞之力 | too feeble (lack the strength to truss up a chicken) |
| shǒuwǔzúdǎo 手舞足蹈 | dance with joy |
| shòuzhōngzhèngqǐn 壽終正寢 | pass away peacefully |
| shǒuzhūdàitù 守株待兎 | wait for gains without pains |
| shǒuzúwúcuò 手足無措 | all in a fluster |
| shuàiyóujiùzhāng 率由舊章 | act in accordance with established rules |
| shuāngguǎnqíxià 雙管齊下 | do both things simultaneously |
| shuǎngránruòshī 爽然若失 | be at a loss |
| shùbēilìzhuàn 樹碑立傳 | sing in praise and eulogy of |
| shūbùjiànqīn 疏不間親 | blood is thicker than water |
| shùdǎohúsūnsàn 樹倒猢猻散 | members run away when a family or institution falls (monkeys disperse when a tree falls) |
| shùdàzhāofēng 樹大招風 | a person in a high position is liable to be attacked (a tall tree catches the wind) |
| shǔdiǎnwàngzǔ 數典忘祖 | forget one's own origins |
| shùgāoqiānzhàngluòyèguīgēn 樹高千丈落葉歸根 | a person residing away from home eventually returns to his native soil (a tree may grow a thousand chang high, but its leaves fall back to the roots) |
| shuǐdàoqúchéng 水到渠成 | when conditions are ripe, success will come (where water flows, a channel is formed) |
| shuǐdīshíchuān 水滴石穿 | constant effort brings success (dripping water wears through a rock) |
| shuǐhuǒbùxiāngróng 水火不相容 | exclude each other like fire and water |
| shuǐhuǒwúqíng 水火無情 | floods and fires have no mercy for anybody |
| shuǐluòshíchū 水落石出 | the whole thing comes to light (when the water subsides the rocks emerge) |
| shuǐrǔjiāoróng 水乳交融 | in complete harmony (well blended milk and water) |
| shuǐshēnhuǒrè 水深火熱 | bitterest sufferings of the people (plunged into deep water and tormented by the heat of fires) |
| shuǐxièbùtōng 水洩不通 | be crowded (not even a trickle of water could trickle through) |
| shuǐzhǎngchuángāo 水漲船高 | particular things improve with the improvement of the general situation (when the river rises the boat goes up) |
| shuǐzhìqīngzéwúyú 水至清則無魚 | things don't exist in absolute purity (when the water is too clear there are no fish) |
| shuǐzhōnglāoyuè 水中撈月 | make impractical or vain efforts (catch the moon in the water) |
| shǔmùcùnguāng 鼠目寸光 | short-sighted as mice |
| shúnéngshēngqiǎo 熟能生巧 | proficiency comes from familiarity |
| shùnlǐchéngzhāng 順理成章 | speak or write logically |
| shùnshǒuqiānyáng 順手牽羊 | walk away with something |
| shùnshuǐrénqíng 順水人情 | a favor done at little cost to oneself |
| shùnshuǐtuīzhōu 順水推舟 | do something without extra effort |
| shùnténgmōguā 順藤摸瓜 | track down something by following clues (follow the vine to get the melon) |
| shǔntòngshìzhì 吮痛舐痔 | play the lickboot |
| shùnxīwànbiàn 瞬息萬變 | change quickly |
| shùnzhīzhěchāngnìzhīzhěwáng 順之者昌逆之者亡 | those who submit will prosper, those who resist shall perish |
| shuōcáocāocáocāodào 說曹操曹操到 | talk of the devil and he will appear |
| shuōchángdàoduǎn 說長道短 | gossip |
| shuōdàozuòdào 說到做到 | do what one says |
| shuòdàwúpéng 碩大無朋 | gigantic |
| shuòguǒjǐncún 碩果僅存 | rare survival |
| shuōláihuàzhǎng 說來話長 | it's a long story |
| shuōyībùèr 說一不二 | never make a promise one cannot keep |
| shǔqiègǒudào 鼠竊狗盜 | play petty tricks on the sly (filch like rats and snatch like dogs) |
| shǔquǎnfèirì 蜀犬吠日 | an ignorant person makes a fuss about something which he alone finds strange |
| shūshēnzhěnniàn 殊深軫念 | express deep solicitude for |
| shúshìwúdǔ 熟視無睹 | be indifferent to |
| shùshǒudàibì 束手待斃 | wait helplessly for death |
| shùshǒushùjiǎo 束手束脚 | undue caution |
| shùshǒuwúcè 束手無策 | without resource (be like having one's hands tied) |
| shūtútóngguī 殊途同歸 | different roads lead to the same goal |
| shǔyīshǔèr 數一數二 | ranking very high |
| shùyùjìngérfēngbùzhǐ 樹欲靜而風不止 | the tree desires stillness but the wind will not cease |
| shùzhīgāogé 束之高閣 | lay aside and neglect |
| shūzhuāngdǎbàn 梳妝打扮 | be dressed up |
| sǐbùmíngmù 死不瞑目 | die with a grievance or everlasting regret |
| sīchóujiāngù 絲籌兼顧 | overall consideration |
| sǐdéqísuǒ 死得其所 | die a worthy death |
| sìfēnwǔliè 四分五裂 | be badly split and disintegrated |
| sìhǎiwéijiā 四海為家 | make one's home wherever one is |
| sìhǎizhīnèijiēxiōngdì 四海之內皆兄弟 | all the people of the world are brothers |
| sǐhuīfùrán 死灰復燃 | the buried past comes alive again (defeated enemies rise again) |
| sǐjìyìngbèi 死記硬背 | mechanical memorizing |
| sīkōngjiànguàn 司空見慣 | accustomed to seeing such things, they are not regarded as strange |
| sǐlǐtáoshēng 死裏逃生 | barely escape with one's life |
| sǐmǎdānghuómǎyī 死馬當活馬醫 | not give up for lost |
| sīmǎzhāozhīxīn lùrénjiēzhī 司馬昭之心路人皆知 | the villain's design is obvious |
| sìmiànbāfāng 四面八方 | all directions |
| sìmiànchǔgē 四面楚歌 | be besieged on all sides |
| sǐpílàiliǎn 死皮賴臉 | brazen-faced and unreasonable |
| sìpíngbāwěn 四平八穩 | very steady |
| sǐqìchénchén 死氣沉沉 | politically apathetic; listless |
| sǐqùhuólái 死去活來 | come round after fainting |
| sìshìérfēi 似是而非 | apparently right but actually wrong |
| sīsīrùkòu 絲絲入扣 | intricately woven together |
| sìtǐbùqínwǔgǔbùfēn 四體不勤五穀不分 | neither do physical work nor distinguish rice from wheat |
| sìtōngbādá 四通八達 | extend in all directions |
| sīwénsǎodì 斯文掃地 | bring disgrace on the intellectuals |
| sǐwúduìzhèng 死無對證 | the dead cannot bear witness |
| sìwújìdàn 肆無忌憚 | act outrageously |
| sīxiāngshòushòu 私相授受 | privately give and privately accept |
| sǐxīntādì 死心塌地 | of an unchangeable disposition |
| sīxīnzániàn 私心雜念 | selfish ideas and personal considerations |
| sǐyǒuyúgū 死有餘辜 | one's crime deserves more than death |
| 2750 |
| sǐyúfēimìng 死於非命 | die an unnatural death |
| sònggǔfēijīn 頌古非今 | eulogize the past at the expense of the present |
| sòngjiùyíngxīn 送舊迎新 | see off the old and welcome the new |
| sǒngréntīngwén 聳人聽聞 | deliberately exaggerate so to create a sensation |
| sǒngrùyúnxiāo 聳入雲霄 | tower into the clouds |
| sòngwǎngyínglái 送往迎來 | see off those who depart and welcome those who arrive |
| sōusuǒkūcháng 搜索枯腸 | rack one's brains (for fresh ideas or expressions) |
| súbùkěnài 俗不可耐 | unbearably common |
| suíbōzhúliú 隨波逐流 | follow the crowd |
| suífēngzhuǎnduò 隨風轉舵 | take one's cue from changing conditions |
| suíjīyìngbiàn 隨機應變 | adjust to changing circumstances |
| suíshēngfùhè 隨聲附和 | follow the majority blindly |
| suíxīnsuǒyù 隨心所欲 | arbitrarily |
| suíyùérān 隨遇而安 | be able to adapt oneself to different circumstances |
| sùmèipíngshēng 素昧平生 | have never met before |
| sǔnrénlìjǐ 損人利己 | injure others for the sake of one's own advantage |
| suǒránguǎwèi 索然寡味 | flat and insipid |
| suōshǒusuōjiǎo 縮手縮脚 | become irresolute and passive |
| suōtóusuōnǎo 縮頭縮腦 | shrink from responsibility |
| suǒxiàngpīmí 所向披靡 | wherever they went, the hostile army dispersed |
| suǒxiàngwúdí 所向無敵 | all-conquering |
| sùránqǐjìng 肅然起敬 | be filled with deep veneration |
| sùxīngyèmèi 夙興夜寐 | hard at work night and day |
| sùzhànsùjué 速戰速決 | fight a quick battle to force a quick decision |
| tàiēdàochí 泰阿倒持 | surrender one's power to another at one's own peril |
| tàigōngdiàoyú yuànzhěshànggōu 太公釣魚願者上鈎 | willim victim letting himself be caught |
| tàiránchǔzhī 泰然處之 | take it easy |
| tàiránzìruò 泰然自若 | be self-possessed, poised |
| tàishānběidǒu 泰山北斗 | said in praise of worthy men |
| tàishānhóngmáo 泰山鴻毛 | comparison of extremes in weight (a great mountain and a goose feather) |
| tàishānyādǐng 泰山壓頂 | bear down on one with the weight of Mount Taishan |
| tàishānyāluǎn 泰山壓卵 | when the extremely powerful crushing the extremely weak, the result is certain |
| tāndéwúyàn 貪得無厭 | rapacious |
| tángbìdāngchē 螳臂當車 | overrate oneself and try to hold back an overwhelmingly superior force |
| tánglángbǔchán huángquèzàihòu 螳螂捕蟬黃雀在後 | warning against covetousness (the mantis seizes the cicada, not knowing that the oriole is just behind) |
| tángtángzhèngzhèng 堂堂正正 | open and aboveboard |
| tángtángzhīchén 堂堂之陳 | an imposing array of troops |
| tánguānxiāngqìng 彈冠相慶 | preparing to start one's official life |
| tángyīpàodàn 糖衣炮彈 | sugarcoated bullet |
| tánhéróngyì 談何容易 | by no means easy |
| tánhuāyīxiàn 曇花一現 | rare and brief appearance |
| tānhuìwúyì 貪賄無艺 | know no bounds in graft and bribery |
| tánhǔsèbiàn 談虎色變 | turn pale at the mention of the tiger |
| tànlídézhū 探驪得珠 | one's composition expounded the very essence of the theme |
| tànnángqǔwù 探囊取物 | an easy thing to do |
| tānshēngpàsǐ 貪生怕死 👍 | be mortally afraid of death |
| tǎntèbùān 忐忑不安 👍 | be in a fidget |
| tāntiānzhīgōng 貪天之功 | credit other people's achievements to oneself |
| tànwéiguānzhǐ 嘆為觀止 | acclaim as the acme of perfection |
| tānwūfǔhuà 貪污腐化 | corruption and degeneration |
| tánxiàofēngshēng 談笑風聲 | talk cheerfully and humorously |
| tānxiǎoshīdà 貪小失大 | penny wise and pound foolish |
| tánxiàozìruò 談笑自若 | go on talking and laughing as if nothing had happened |
| tányánwēizhòng 談言微中 | use an expression which hits the mark |
| tānzāngwǎngfǎ 貪賍枉法 | take bribes and bend the law |
| tànzésuǒyǐn 探賾索隱 | delve into secret facts or principles |
| tāoguāngyǎnghuì 韜光養晦 | hide one's capacities and bide one's time |
| tǎohǎomàiguāi 討好賣乖 | curry favor with |
| tǎojiàhuánjià 討價還價 | haggle over the price |
| táolǐmǎntiānxià 桃李滿天下 | have students everywhere/all over the world (said of a teacher) |
| tāotāobùjué 滔滔不絕 | speak unceasingly |
| táozhīyāoyāo 逃之夭夭 | escaped and is nowhere to be found |
| tāshāngōngcuò 他山攻錯 | advice from others may help one overcome one's shortcomings |
| tèlìdúxíng 特立獨行 | act independently |
| téngjiāoqǐfèng 騰蛟起鳳 | great talents like mounting dragon and soaring phoenix |
| tiānbēngdìliè 天崩地裂 | natural disasters like giant earthquakes and landslides |
| tiānbùpàdìbùpà 天不怕地不怕 | hearts which have a common beat are linked |
| tiánbùzhīchǐ 恬不知恥 | shameless |
| tiānchángdìjiǔ 天長地久 | everlasting and unchanging |
| tiānchángrìjiǔ 天長日久 | after a considerable period of time |
| tiāngāodìhòu 天高地厚 | immensity of the universe (how high the sky and deep the earth) |
| tiāngèyīfāng 天各一方 | live far apart from each other |
| tiāngōngdìdào 天公地道 | absolutely fair |
| tiānhuāluànzhuì 天花亂墜 | give an extravagantly colorful description |
| tiānhūndì'àn 天昏地暗 | in a state of chaos and darkness |
| tiānjīngdìyì 天經地義 | unalterable principle -- right and proper |
| tiānluódìwǎng 天羅地網 | an invisible net preventing all escape |
| tiānmǎxíngkōng 天馬行空 | a powerful place or area |
| tiānnùrényuàn 天怒人怨 | wide-spread indignation and discontent |
| tiānrǎngzhībié 天壤之別 | as far apart as heaven and earth |
| tiānwǎnghuīhuī shūérbùlòu 天網恢恢疏而不漏 | God's justice is inescapable |
| tiānwújuérénzhīlù 天無絕人之路 | there is always a way out |
| tiānxiàtàipíng 天下太平 | all is quiet in the world |
| tiānxiàwúdí 天下無敵 | all-conquering |
| tiānxiàwúshuāng 天下無雙 | unequalled in all the world |
| tiānxiàwūyāyībānhēi 天下烏鴉一般黑 | fear nothing at all |
| tiānxiàzhīdàbùhuì 冒天下之大不諱 | since you have come, take your ease |
| tiānyáhǎijiǎo 天涯海角 | the ends of the earth |
| tiányánmìyǔ 甜言蜜語 | sweet words and honeyed phrases |
| tiānyīwúfèng 天衣無縫 | natural and perfect |
| tiānyǒubùcèfēngyún 天有不測風雲 | the unexpected may happen any time |
| tiānyóujiācù 添油加醋 | add color and emphasis to (a narration) |
| tiānzāirénhuò 天災人禍 | natural and man-made calamities |
| tiānzàodìshè 天造地設 | heavenly |
| tiānzhēnlànmàn 天真爛漫 | naive |
| tiānzhījiāozǐ 天之驕子 | an unusually lucky person |
| tiānzhījiāyè 添枝加葉 | embellish a story |
| tiānzhuānjiāwǎ 添磚加瓦 | do one's little bit |
| tiānzhūdìmiè 天誅地滅 | stand condemned by god |
| tiānzìdìyīhào 天字第一號 | the world's number one |
| tiǎobōlíjiàn 挑撥離間 | provocation and estrangement |
| tiāoféijiǎnshòu 挑肥揀瘦 | choose whichever is to one's personal advantage |
| tiáofēnlǚxī 條分縷析 | make a careful and detailed analysis |
| tiàoliángxiǎochǒu 跳樑小丑 | the clown |
| tiáozuǐxuéshé 調嘴學舌 | tell tales |
| tiěànrúshān 鐵案如山 | borne out by ironclad evidence |
| tiěmiànwúsī 鐵面無私 | a man of integrity and justice |
| tiěshíxīncháng 鐵石心腸 | unmoved by feeling (have a heart of iron or stone) |
| tiěshùkāihuā 鐵樹開花 | something seldom seen or hardly possible (the iron tree in blossom) |
| tiězhèngrúshān 鐵證如山 | irrefutable, conclusive evidence |
| tígāngqièlǐng 提綱挈領 | give the main outline (facts, principles) |
| tíhúguàndǐng 醍醐灌頂 | increase one's wisdom (pour the rich liquor on a man's head) |
| tíjīháohán 啼飢號寒 | captious |
| tǐmiànsǎodì 體面掃地 | completely lose face |
| tǐngérzǒuxiǎn 挺而走險 | take a risk |
| tīngqíyánérguānqíxíng 聽其言而觀其行 | judge people by their deeds not just by their words |
| tīngqízìrán 聽其自然 | let it be as it likes |
| tǐngshēnérchū 挺身而出 | step forward bravely |
| tíngtíngyùlì 亭亭玉立 | slim and graceful (woman) |
| tíngzhìbùqián 停滯不前 | remain stagnant |
| tīngzhīrènzhī 聽之任之 | let one have one's own way |
| tǐtiērùwēi 體貼入微 | be extremely considerate or thoughtful |
| tǐwúwánfū 體無完膚 | have cuts and bruises all over the body |
| tíxiàojiēfēi 啼笑皆非 | cry from hunder and cold |
| tíxīndiàodǎn 提心吊膽 | filled with anxiety or fear |
| tóngbìngxiānglián 同病相憐 | similarly afflicted people pity each other |
| tóngchóudíkài 同仇敵愾 | treat one as a common enemy |
| tóngchuángyìmèng 同床異夢 | engage in the same business but each has hiw own calculations |
| tòngdìngsītòng 痛定思痛 | draw a lesson from a bitter experience |
| tōngdūdàyì 通都大邑 | metropolis |
| tōngfēngbàoxìn 通風報信 | divulge secret information |
| tònggǎiqiánfēi 痛改前非 | thoroughly rectify one's errors |
| tónggāngòngkǔ 同甘共苦 | share joys and sorrows |
| tóngguīyújìn 同歸於盡 | end in common ruin |
| tóngjīntiěgǔ 銅筋鐵骨 | a strong man (a brass and iron constitution) |
| tòngkūliútì 痛哭流涕 | cry bitterly |
| tōnglìhézuò 通力合作 | give full cooperation to |
| tóngliúhéwū 同流合污 | associate oneself with an evil person |
| tóngqiángtiěbì 銅牆鐵壁 | impregnable fortress (wall of iron and brass) |
| tōngqíngdálǐ 通情達理 | understanding and reasonable |
| tōngquándábiàn 通權達變 | act as occasion requires |
| tóngshānzhuózhuó 童山濯濯 | a bare hill / mountain |
| tóngshēngxiāngyìng tóngqìxiāngqiú 同聲相應同氣相求 | people of an inclination fall into the same group |
| tóngshìcāogē 同室操戈 | fight against one's own men |
| tōngxiāodádàn 通宵達旦 | all night long |
| tòngxīnjíshǒu 痛心疾首 | with bitter hatred |
| tòngxīnqièchǐ 痛心切齒 | make one burn with anger |
| tóngxīntóngdé 同心同德 | with one heart and one mind |
| tóngxīnxiélì 同心協力 | work in full cooperation and with unity of purpose |
| tòngyǎngxiāngguān 痛癢相關 | share a common lot |
| tóngyìxiāngqiú 同異相求 | aid and abet each other in wrong doings |
| tóngzhōugòngjì 同舟共濟 | pull together to tide over difficulties |
| tóubiānduànliú 投鞭斷流 | speaking of one's numerous forces |
| tóubǐcóngróng 投筆從戎 | give up literature for a military career |
| tōugōngjiǎnliào 偷工減料 | cheat in work and cut down material |
| tòuhuāzhěntou 綉花枕頭 | an outwardly attractive but worthless person (a pillow with an embroidered case) |
| tóujiǎozhēngróng 頭角崢嶸 | outstanding talent |
| tōujībùchéngshíbǎmǐ 偷雞不成蝕把米 | go for wool and come back shorn |
| tóujīdǎobǎ 投機倒把 | engage in speculation and profiteering |
| tōujīmōgǒu 偷雞摸狗 | pilfer |
| tóujīqǔqiǎo 投機取巧 | seize every chance to gain advantage by trickery |
| tōuliánghuànzhù 偷粱換柱 | perpetratre a fraud |
| tóumiànrénwù 頭面人物 | prominent figure |
| tóupòxiěliú 頭破血流 | break one's neck |
| tóuqísuǒhào 投其所好 | agree to whatever another is pleased with |
| tóushǔjìqì 投鼠忌器 | hold back from taking action against an evildoer for feari of involving good people (spare the rat to save the dishes) |
| tóutáobàolǐ 投桃報李 | return present for present (get a peach and send a plum) |
| tōutiānhuànrì 偷天換日 | perpetrate a gigantic fraud |
| tóutòngyītóu jiǎotòngyījiǎo 頭痛醫頭脚痛醫脚 | treat symptoms but not the disease (treat the head when the head aches, treat the foot when the foot hurts) |
| tōutōumōmō 偷偷摸摸 | furtively |
| tóutóushìdào 頭頭是道 | clear and logical |
| tóuzhòngjiǎoqīng 頭重脚輕 | top-heavy |
| tǔbēngwǎjiě 土崩瓦解 | crumble and perish |
| tūfēiměngjìn 突飛猛進 | advance swiftly and vigorously |
| tǔgùnàxīn 吐故納新 | metabolism (exhaling the old and inhaling the new) |
| tǔháolièshēn 土豪劣紳 | local tyrants and evil gentry |
| tuīběnsùyuán 推本溯源 | trace the origin |
| tuìbìsānshè 退避三舍 | keep a good distance from |
| tuībōzhùlán 推波助瀾 | add fuel to the fire |
| tuīchénchūxīn 推陳出新 | the new emerging out of the old |
| tuìhuàbiànzhí 蛻化變質 | degenerate |
| tuījǐjírén 推己及人 | do unto others what you would do unto yourself |
| tuījīnsòngbào 推襟送抱 | treat someone with sincerity |
| tuīsānzǔsì 推三阻四 | decline with all sorts of excuses |
| tuīxiánràngnéng 推賢讓能 | select the worthy and give place to the able |
| tuīxīnzhìfù 推心置腹 | loyal friendship |
| túláowúgōng 徒勞無功 | vain efforts |
| túméndàjué 屠門大嚼 | one who ardently desires the unattainable seeks to solace himself (stand before a butcher's and masticate vigorously) |
| túnjījūqí 囤積居奇 | corner the market |
| tūntūntǔtǔ 吞吞吐吐 | as the years go by |
| tūnyúntǔwù 吞雲吐霧 | hesitate in speaking |
| tuōjiāngzhīmǎ 脫繮之馬 | uncontrollable |
| tuōkǒuérchū 脫口而出 | say something unwittingly |
| tuōnídàishuǐ 拖泥帶水 | diffuse, irrelevant talk, not clear-cut |
| tuòshǒukědé 唾手可得 | extremely easy to obtain |
| tuōtāihuàngǔ 脫胎換骨 | make a thorough change |
| tuōyǐngérchū 脫穎而出 | talent showing itself |
| túqióngbǐxiàn 圖窮匕見 | the real intention is revealed in the end (when the map was unrolled to the end, a dagger was revealed) |
| túránxíjí 突然襲擊 | surprise attack |
| tūrúqílái 突如其來 | arrive unexpectedly |
| tǔshēngtǔzhǎng 土生土長 👍 | locally born and bred |
| tùsǐgǒupēng 兎死狗烹 | slay the lackeys when they have outlived their usefulness |
| tùsǐhúbēi 兎死狐悲 | like mourns over the death of like |
| tǔyángjiéhé 土洋結合 | combine traditional and modern methods |
| túzhīmǒfěn 塗脂抹粉 | apply power and paint |
| tùzibùchī wōbiāncǎo 兎子不吃窩邊草 | one is never too old to learn |
| tùzǐwěibā zhǎngbùliǎo 兎子尾巴長不了 | no scope to exercise one's abilities |
| wǎfǔléimíng 瓦釜雷鳴 | said of bombastic politicians in power while good men are out |
| wāifēngxiéqì 歪風邪氣 | evil winds and noxious influence |
| wàiqiángzhōngqián 外强中乾 | strong in appearance but weak in reality |
| wākōngxīnsī 挖空心思 | rack one's brains for |
| wànbānjiēxiàpǐn wéiyǒudúshūgāo 萬般皆下品唯有讀書高 | all occupations are base, only book-learning is exalted |
| wànbiàn bùlíqízhōng 萬變不離其中 | no matter how many changes he has made, he has not departed from his line |
| wánbìguīzhào 完璧歸趙 | return a thing whole to its owner |
| wàng'ēnfùyì 忘恩負義 | ingratitude |
| wàngchénmòjí 望塵莫及 | hopelessly behind |
| wàngérquèbù 望而卻步 | shrink back at the sight of (danger, difficulty) |
| wàngérshēngwèi 望而生畏 | be terrified by the sight of |
| wǎngfǎntúláo 往返徒勞 | run back and forth in vain |
| wǎngfèixīnjī 枉費心機 | have had all one's pains for nothing |
| wàngfēngértáo 望風而逃 | flee at the mere sight of the oncoming force |
| wàngfēngpīmí 望風披靡 | flee at sight (of an army) |
| wànghūsuǒyǐ 忘乎所以 | forget oneself in a moment of excitement |
| wǎngkāiyīmiàn 網開一面 | give the wrongdoer a way out (leave one side of the net open) |
| wàngméizhǐkě 望梅止渴 | imagined satisfaction |
| wángmìngzhītú 亡命之徒 | refugees from justice |
| wǎngránruòshī 惘然若失 | disconcertedly feel lost |
| wàngǔchángcún 萬古長存 | be everlasting |
| wàngǔchángqīng 萬古長青 | remain fresh forever |
| wàngǔliúfāng 萬古流芳 | will be remembered throughout the ages |
| wàngǔqiānqiū 萬古千秋 | throughout the ages |
| wàngwénshēngyì 望文生義 | interpret without real understanding |
| wángyángbǔláo 亡羊補牢 | mend the fold after a sheep is lost |
| wángyángbǔláo, yóuwèiwèiwǎn 亡羊補牢，猶未為晚 | it is not too late to mend the fold even after some of the sheep have been lost |
| wángyángdéniú 亡羊得牛 | the gain is greater than the loss |
| wàngyángxīngtàn 望洋興嘆 | bemoan one's inadequacy in the face of a great task |
| wàngyǎnyùchuān 望眼欲穿 | of a long-expectant attitude |
| wàngzìfěibáo 妄自菲薄 | unduly humble oneself |
| wàngzìzūndà 妄自尊大 | be arrogant and overweening |
| wánhuǒzìfén 玩火自焚 | play with fire and perish by it |
| wànjiādēnghuǒ 萬家燈火 | a myriad of twinkling lights |
| wànjiébùfù 萬劫不復 | doomed eternally |
| wánkùzǐdì 紈袴子弟 | profligate son of the rich |
| wànlàijùjì 萬籟俱寂 | complete silence of the night (all sounds of nature stopped) |
| wànlǐbēnténg 萬里奔騰 | going full steam ahead (ten thousand horses galloping ahead) |
| wànlǐchángzhēng 萬里長征 | a long march of ten thousand li |
| wànmǎqíyīn 萬馬齊喑 | ten thousand horses standing mute |
| wánměiwúquē 完美無缺 | be flawless and perfect |
| wànmùkuíkuí 萬目睽睽 | all eyes are fixed on |
| wànrénkōngxiàng 萬人空巷 | welcome someone or celebrate some event (the whole town turns out) |
| 3000 |
| wānròubǔchuāng 剜肉補瘡 | resort to a remedy worse than the ailment |
| wánshìbùgōng 玩世不恭 | be cynical |
| wànshìdàjí 萬事大吉 | everything is just fine |
| wánshídiǎntóu 頑石點頭 | be so persuasive as to make the insensitive stones nod in agreement |
| wànshìhēngtōng 萬事亨通 | everything goes well |
| wànshìjùbèi zhǐqiàndōngfēng 萬事俱備只欠東風 | those closely involved cannot see as clearly as those outside |
| wànshòuwújiāng 萬壽無疆 | wish a long life |
| wànshuǐqiānshān 萬水千山 | the trails of a long journey (ten thousand crags and torrents) |
| wànsǐyīshēng 萬死一生 | only one chance in ten thousand of preserving the life |
| wánwùsàngzhì 玩物喪志 | riding a hobby saps one's will to make progress |
| wànwúyīshī 萬無一失 | perfectly safe |
| wànxiànggēngxīn 萬象更新 | everything is fresh again |
| wànyìnglíngdān 萬應靈丹 | cure-all |
| wànzhòngyīxīn 萬眾一心 | all united in one purpose |
| wànzǐqiānhóng 萬紫千紅 | a blaze of color |
| wèibǔxiānzhī 未卜先知 | foretell |
| wēibùzúdào 微不足道 | paltry |
| wéichéngdǎyuán 圍城打援 | besiege the enemy in order to strike at his reinforcements |
| wèicóngqūquè 為從驅雀 | drive one's friends to the side of the enemy |
| wěidàbùdiào 尾大不掉 | subordinate growing too powerful |
| wéifǎluànjì 違法亂紀 | violate the law and discipline |
| wéifēizuòdǎi 為非作歹 | commit crimes |
| wēifēnglǐnlǐn 威風凜凜 | majestic-looking |
| wéifùbùrén 為富不仁 | be one of the heartless rich |
| wèihǔfùyì 為虎傅翼 | assist an evil doer |
| wēihūqíwēi 微乎其微 | very little |
| wèihǔzuòchāng 為虎作倀 | assist the evil doer |
| wéijīsìfú 危機四伏 | beset with crises |
| wèikěhòufēi 未可厚非 | give no cause for much criticism |
| wèilǎoxiānshuāi 未老先衰 | old before one's age |
| wéilìshìtú 唯利是圖 | try to turn everything to one's own advantage |
| wéimiàowéixiào 維妙維肖 | be the very image of |
| wěimíbùzhèn 萎靡不振 | dejection and laxity |
| wéimìngshìtīng 唯命是聽 | be absolutely obedient |
| wèimínqǐngmìng 為民請命 | plead for the people |
| wèinéngmiǎnsú 未能免俗 | cannot but follow conventional practice |
| wēipòlìwěi 威迫利諉 | coercion and coaxing (a big stick and a carrot) |
| wéiqíbùyuǎn 為期不遠 | the day is not far off |
| wěiqūqiúquán 委曲求全 | make concessions to achieve one's purpose |
| wèiránchéngfēng 蔚然成風 | this practice has grown into a general trend |
| wéirányìlì 巍然屹立 | stand as firm as a rock |
| wéirénzuòjià 為人作嫁 | doing work for others with no benefit to oneself |
| wēirúlěiluǎn 危如累卵 | hazardous as eggs piled up |
| wèishǒuwèiwěi 畏首畏尾 | excessive fear |
| wèisuōbùqián 畏縮不前 | hesitate to press forward |
| wéisuǒyùwéi 為所欲為 | do whatever one likes |
| wèitóngjiáolà 味同嚼蠟 | tasteless like chewing a candle |
| wèiwéidàguān 蔚為大觀 | afford a magnificent view |
| wěiwěidòngtīng 娓娓動聽 | speak with absorbing interest |
| wěiwěiértán 娓娓而談 | talk volubly |
| wéiwèijiùzhào 圍魏救趙 | relieving the state of Zhao by besieging the state of Wei |
| wěiwěinuònuò 唯唯諾諾 | be obsequious |
| wéiwǒdúzūn 唯我獨尊 | extremely conceited |
| wēiwǔbùqū 威武不屈 | firm and unyielding |
| wēixìnsǎodì 威信掃地 | completely discredited |
| wēiyándàyì 微言大義 | sublime words with deep meaning |
| wēiyánsǒngtīng 危言聳聽 | say frightening things just to raise an alarm |
| wèiyuānqūyú 為淵驅魚 | drive one's friends to the side of the enemy |
| wèiyǔchóumóu 未雨綢繆 | take precautions |
| wēizàidànxì 危在旦夕 | in imminent danger |
| wénbùduìtí 文不對題 | irrelevant to the subject |
| wénbùjiādiǎn 文不加點 | write well, fast and without need of revision |
| wěncāozuǒjuàn 穩操左劵 | have full assurance of success |
| wènchángwènduǎn 問長問短 | take the trouble to make detailed inquiries |
| wéncóngzìshùn 文從字順 | readable and fluent |
| wèndàoyúmáng 問道於盲 | seek advice from one who can offer none (ask the way from a blind man) |
| wénfángsìbǎo 文房四寶 | stationery requisites, (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper--four treasures) |
| wénfēngérqǐ 聞風而起 | take action as sono as one hears |
| wénfēngsàngdǎn 聞風喪膽 | lose courage when one hears |
| wēngùérzhīxīn 溫故而知新 | gain new insights through restudying old material |
| wénguòshìfēi 文過飾非 | cover up one's errors with excuses |
| wénguòzéxǐ 聞過則喜 | be glad to have one's errors pointed out |
| wèngzhōngzhībiē 甕中之鱉 | trapped |
| wèngzhōngzhuōbiē 甕中捉鱉 | a sure catch (catch a turtle in the jar) |
| wènhánwènnuǎn 問寒問暖 | be solicitous for someone's welfare |
| wěnjǐngzhījiāo 刎頸之交 | friends sworn to death |
| wénmíng bùrújiànmiàn 聞名不如見面 | knowing a person by repute is not as good as seeing him in the flesh |
| wēnqíngmòmài 溫情脈脈 | too softhearted |
| wénrénxiāngqīng 文人相輕 | scholars tend to scorn each other |
| wénrúqírén 文如其人 | the writing mirrors the writer |
| wénsuǒwèiwén 聞所未聞 | heart that one has never heard before |
| wéntiánwǔxī 文恬武嬉 | civil officials are indolent and military officers frivolous; a corrupt regime |
| wēnwéněryǎ 溫文爾雅 | gentle and cultivated |
| wénwǔshuāngquán 文武雙全 | a man endowed with civil and military virtues |
| wènxīnwúkuì 問心無愧 | have a clear conscience |
| wènxīnyǒukuì 問心有愧 | have a guilty conscience |
| wényīzhīshí 聞一知十 | intelligent (hear one thing and know ten others) |
| wěnzhāwěndǎ 穩扎穩打 | go about things steadily and surely |
| wénzhìbīnbīn 文質彬彬 | be elegant and gentle |
| wòlǐtáojīn 沃裏淘金 | extract the essential from a large mass of material |
| wòshǒuyánhuān 握手言歡 | shake hands and make up |
| wòxīnchángdǎn 臥薪嘗膽 | endure hardships to accomplish some ambition |
| wǒxíngwǒsù 我行我素 | persist in one's old way no matter what others say |
| wòyěqiānlǐ 沃野千里 | a vast expanse of fertile land |
| wúbìngshēnyín 無病呻吟 | make a fuss about nothing |
| wǔcǎibīnfēn 五彩繽紛 | blazing with color |
| wúchǐzhīyóu 無恥之尤 | the height of shamelessness |
| wúchūqíyòu 無出其右 | nothing superior to it |
| wúdìfàngshǐ 無的放矢 | random shooting |
| wúdíyútiānxià 無敵於天下 | peerless |
| wúdìzìróng 無地自容 | not a leg to stand on (no place for one) |
| wúdòngyúzhōng 無動於衷 | untouched |
| wúdúyǒuǒu 無獨有偶 | not come singly but in pairs |
| wúèbùzuò 無惡不作 | one's evil doings know no limits |
| wǔfāngzáchǔ 五方雜處 | city where people from all regions congregate (a mecca) |
| wúfǎwútiān 無法無天 | become absolutely lawless |
| wúfēngbùqǐlàng 無風不起浪 | there are no waves without wind |
| wúfēngqǐlàng 無風起浪 | make trouble out of nothing |
| wùfǔchóngshēng 物腐蟲生 | worms infest decayed matter |
| wúgēnwúdì 無根無蒂 | without foundation or support |
| wúgōngshòulù 無功受祿 | get a reward without deserving it |
| wúguāndàjú 無關大局 | of not great imnportance |
| wǔguāngshísè 五光十色 | bright with many colors |
| wúguānhóngzhǐ 無關宏旨 | a matter of no consequence |
| wúguāntòngyǎng 無關痛癢 | irrelevant |
| wǔgǔfēngdēng 五穀豐登 | a bumper grain harvest |
| wūhézhīzhòng 烏合之眾 | a disorderly band; a mob |
| wǔhuābāmén 五花八門 | miscellaneous |
| wùhuànxīngyí 物換星移 | change of the seasons (things change and the stars move) |
| wǔhúsìhǎi 五湖四海 | from all corners of the country |
| wújiānbùcuī 無堅不摧 | capable of destroying any stronghold |
| wújiàzhībǎo 無價之寶 | priceless treasure |
| wùjíbìfǎn 物極必反 | things always reverse themselves after reaching an extreme |
| wújìkěshī 無計可施 | utterly without resources |
| wújīngdǎcǎi 無精打采 | listless |
| wùjìnqíyòng 物盡其用 | make the best use of everything |
| wújìyúshì 無濟於事 | to no effect |
| wújīzhītán 無稽之談 | a latrine rumor |
| wújūwúshù 無拘無束 | free and easy |
| wúkěbǐnǐ 無可比擬 | matchless |
| wúkěfēiyì 無可非議 | blameless |
| wúkěhòufēi 無可厚非 | give no cause for much criticism |
| wúkěhuìyán 無可諱言 | there is no hiding the fact |
| wúkěnàihé 無可奈何 | lacking the necessary materials one cannot accomplish one's intentions (cook a meal without rice) |
| wúkěwúbùkě 無可無不可 | uncertain |
| wúkězhēngbiàn 無可爭辯 | against one's will |
| wúkězhìyí 無可置疑 | incontrovertible |
| wúkǒngbùrù 無孔不入 | without doubt (beyond a doubt) |
| wúlǐqǔnào 無理取鬧 | enter into every opening |
| wúlùnrúhé 無論如何 | make trouble out of nothing |
| wúmíngxiǎozú 無名小卒 | a nobody |
| wúmíngyīngxióng 無名英雄 | an unknown hero |
| wúmǐzhīchuī 無米之炊 | come what may |
| wúnéngwéilì 無能為力 | incapable of action |
| wūníyóushui 污泥油水 | filthy mire |
| wūqībāzāo 烏七八糟 | in a horrible mess |
| wúqióngwújìn 無窮無盡 | inexhaustible |
| wùrénzǐdì 誤人子弟 | lead young people astray |
| wǔrìjīngzhào 五日京兆 | an official who doesn't expect to remain long in office |
| wùrùqítú 誤入歧途 | go astray |
| wúshāngdàyǎ 無傷大雅 | not affect the whole |
| wúshēngwúxiù 無聲無臭 | unkown to fame and without notoriety (neither sound nor smell) |
| wúshì bùdēngsānbǎodiàn 無事不登三寶殿 | the city might crumble under the mass of dark clouds |
| wǔshíbù xiàobǎibù 五十步笑百步 | the pot calls the kettle black (one who retreats fifty paces mocks one who retreats a hundred) |
| wúshìshēngfēi 無事生非 | create problems where none exists |
| wúsuǒbùbāo 無所不包 | all-encompassing |
| wúsuǒbùnéng 無所不能 | almighty |
| wúsuǒbùwéi 無所不為 | do all manner of evil |
| wúsuǒbùyòngqíjí 無所不用其極 | resort to extreme measures |
| wúsuǒbùzài 無所不在 | omnipresent |
| wúsuǒbùzhì 無所不至 | omniscient |
| wúsuǒbùzhī 無所不知 | in every possible way |
| wúsuǒcuòshǒuzú 無所措手足 | be at a loss as to what to do |
| wúsuǒgùjì 無所顧忌 | unscrupulously |
| wúsuǒshìcóng 無所適從 | be at a loss as to what to do |
| wúsuǒshìshì 無所事事 | be occupied with nothing |
| wúsuǒwèijù 無所畏懼 | fearless |
| wúsuǒyòngxīn 無所用心 | not give serious thought to anything |
| wúsuǒzuòwéi 無所作為 | attempt nothing and accomplish nothing |
| wǔtǐtóudì 五體投地 | complete prostration |
| wúwǎngbùlì 無往不利 | go smoothly everywhere |
| wúwǎngbùshèng 無往不勝 | ever-victorious |
| wúwàngzhīzāi 無妄之災 | unexpected misfortune |
| wúwēibùzhì 無微不至 | it reaches everywhere (attention, influence) |
| wǔwénnòngmò 舞文弄墨 | pervert the law by playing with legal phraseology |
| wúxièkějī 無懈可擊 | find no flaw for attack |
| wúxìkěchéng 無隙可乘 | leave no room for |
| wǔyánliùsè 五顏六色 | colorful |
| wūyānzhàngqì 烏烟瘴氣 | a foul atmosphere |
| wúyǐfùjiā 無以復加 | in the extreme |
| wùyǐlèijù 物以類聚 | birds of a feather flock together |
| wúyǐngwúzōng 無影無踪 | vanish into thin air |
| wúyīwúkào 無依無靠 | have no one to depend on |
| wúyōnghuìyán 無庸諱言 | be frank |
| wúyōngzhuìshù 無庸贅述 | it's unnecessary to go into details |
| wúyōuwúlǜ 無憂無慮 | free from care |
| wúyuánwúgù 無緣無故 | for no reason at all |
| wúyuánzhīshuǐ wúběnzhīmù 無源之水無本之木 | water without a source and a tree without roots |
| wúyǔlúnbǐ 無與倫比 | beyond comparison |
| wúzúguàchǐ 無足掛齒 | not worth mentioning |
| wúzúqīngzhòng 無足輕重 | of little importance or consequence |
| xǐ'ěrgōngtīng 洗耳恭聽 | listen with respectful attention |
| xiābīngxièjiàng 蝦兵蟹將 | ineffective troops (shrimp soldiers and crab generals) |
| xiàbǐqiānyán, lítíwànlǐ 下筆千言，離題萬里 | write quickly but stray from the theme |
| xiàbùwéilì 下不為例 | not to be repeated |
| xiábùyǎnyú 瑕不掩瑜 | the defects cannot obscure the virtues (one flaw can't obscure the spledour of the jade) |
| xiáěrwénmíng 遐邇聞名 | enjoy widespread fame |
| xiàlǐbārén 下里巴人 | popular literature or art |
| xiálùxiāngféng 狹路相逢 | where they could not avoid each other (they meet in a narrow path) |
| xiàmǎkànhuā 下馬看花 | dismount to view the flowers |
| xiāndǔwéikuài 先睹為快 | consider it a pleasure to be among the first to read something |
| xiǎnéryìjiàn 顯而易見 | obvious |
| xiānfāzhìrén 先發制人 | gain the initiative by striking first |
| xiǎng'èxíngyún 響遏行雲 | singing so sonorous it stops those passing by |
| xiāngānwúshì 相安無事 | live together peacefully |
| xiàngbèixiāngwàng 項背相望 | one after another in close succession |
| xiàngbìxūzào 向壁虛造 | create groundless rumors |
| xiǎngchèyúnxiāo 響徹雲霄 | echoing to the skies |
| xiàngchǐfénshēn 象齒焚身 | warning against hoarding wealth (an elephant is killed because of its ivory) |
| xiāngdéyìzhāng 相得益彰 | benefit by association together |
| xiǎngfāngshèfǎ 想方設法 | try every means |
| xiāngfǎnxiāngchéng 相反相成 | both opposite and complementary to each other |
| xiāngfǔxiāngchéng 相輔相成 | complement each other |
| xiāngjìngrúbīn 相敬如賓 | treat each other with respect |
| xiàngjīxíngshì 相機行事 | act as the occasion demands |
| xiánglóngfúhǔ 降龍伏虎 | overcome powerful adversaries (subdue the dragon and tame the tiger) |
| xiāngqùwújǐ 相去無幾 | not much difference between the two |
| xiǎngrùfēifēi 想入非非 | indulge in fantasy |
| xiàngshàyǒujièshì 像煞有介事 | make a great show of being in earnest |
| xiāngshēngxiàngkè 相生相尅 | mutual promotion and restraint between the five elements |
| xiāngtíbìnglùn 相提並論 | regard in same category |
| xiāngxíngjiànchù 相形見絀 | be inferior by comparison |
| xiāngyánchéngxí 相沿成習 | become a custom through long usage |
| xiāngyìngchéngqù 相映成趣 | form a delightful contrast |
| xiāngyīwéimìng 相依為命 | depend on each other for survival, symbiosis |
| xiàngyúérqì 向隅而泣 | weep in a corner and bewail one's sad fate |
| xiàngzàiwǔjiàn yìzàipèigōng 項在舞劍意在沛公 | act with a hidden motive (Shang Zhuang performed the sword dance as a cover for his attempt on Liu Bang's life) |
| xiāngzhīyǒusù 相知有素 | have known each other long |
| xiānjiànzhīmíng 先見之明 | able to predict or anticipate |
| xiànjìxiàncè 獻計獻策 | make suggestions |
| xiānlǐhòubīng 先禮後兵 | try peaceful means before resorting to force |
| xiánqíngyìzhì 閒情逸致 | mood for relaxation |
| xiānrùwéizhǔ 先入為主 | preconceived ideas keep a strong hold |
| xiānrùzhījiàn 先入之見 | a preconceived idea or notion |
| xiānshēngduórén 先聲奪人 | overawe others by displaying one's strength |
| xiànshēnlíngyǔ 陷身囹圄 | be put in prison |
| xiànshēnshuōfǎ 現身說法 | take oneself as an example |
| xiāntiānbùzú 先天不足 | be congenitally deficient |
| xiāntiānxiàzhīyōu éryōu hòutiānxiàzhīlè érlè 先天下之憂而憂後天下之樂而樂 | the first to show concern and the last to enjoy himself |
| xiánwàizhīyīn 弦外之音 | overtones |
| xiānwùzhījí 先務之急 | a matter of great urgency |
| xiānxiàshǒuwéiqiáng 先下手為强 | whoever strikes the first blow has the advantage |
| xiānzhǎnhòuzòu 先斬後奏 | act first and report afterwards |
| xiānzhīxiānjué 先知先覺 | person of foresight and vision |
| xiǎobùrěnzéluàndàmóu 小不忍則亂大謀 | lack of forbearance in small matters upsets great plans |
| xiāofùcónggōng 枵腹從公 | attend to official duties on an empty stomach |
| xiāoguīcáosuí 蕭規曹隨 | follow established rules (Han Dynasty prime minister Cao followed his predecessor Xiao) |
| xiǎojiābìyù 小家碧玉 | a pretty girl from a humble home |
| xiàolǐcángdāo 笑裏藏刀 | with murderous intent behind one's smiles (hide a dagger in a smile) |
| xiàomìngjiāngchǎng 效命疆場 | ready to lay down one's life on the battlefield |
| 3250 |
| xiǎoqiǎolínglóng 小巧玲瓏 | small and exquisite |
| xiàoróngkějū 笑容可掬 | with a charming smile |
| xiàoróngmǎnmiàn 笑容滿面 | be all smiles |
| xiāoshēngnìjì 銷聲匿迹 | disappear from the scene |
| xiǎoshìfēngmáng 小試鋒芒 | display only a small part of one's talent |
| xiāoshǒushìzhòng 梟首示眾 | cut off a person's head and hang it up as a warning to all |
| xiǎoshǒuxiǎojiǎo 小手小腳 | niggling |
| xiǎotídàzuò 小題大作 | make a mountain out of a molehill |
| xiǎowūjiàndàwū 小巫見大巫 | the moon is not seen where the sun shines |
| xiǎoxīnyìyì 小心翼翼 | with great care |
| xiāoyáozìzài 逍遙自在 | free and unrestrained |
| xiǎoyúchīdàyú 小魚吃大魚 | the great fish eat up the small |
| xiàozhúyánkāi 笑逐顏開 | beam with joy |
| xiàozǐxiánsūn 孝子賢孫 | filial offspring |
| xiáyúhùjiàn 瑕瑜互見 | there are both good and bad qualities |
| xiāzidiǎndēngbáifèilà 瞎子點燈白費蠟 | absolutely useless (like lighting a lamp for a blind man) |
| xiāzijiànqiányǎnjīngkāi 瞎子見錢眼睛開 | on seeing money, even a blind man would have his eyes wide open |
| xiāzimōyú 瞎子摸魚 | act blindly (a blind man groping for fish) |
| xíbùxiánuǎn 席不暇暖 | said of a busy man (not sit long enough to warm the mat) |
| xǐchūwàngwài 喜出望外 | joy beyond all expectations |
| xǐcóngtiānjiàng 喜從天降 | a sudden unexpected happy event (happiness comes from Heaven) |
| xièhòuxiāngyù 邂逅相遇 | meet by chance |
| xiéjiānchǎnxiào 脅肩諂笑 | cringe and smile obsequiously |
| xièmòshālǘ 卸磨殺驢 | kill the donkey as soon as it is taken from the millstone |
| xiémówāidào 邪魔歪道 | dishonest practices or methods |
| xiěròuhéngfēi 血肉橫飛 | describing a carnage |
| xiěròuxiānglián 血肉相聯 | have close ties with |
| xífēichéngshì 習非成是 | through usage the erroneous becomes the correct |
| xīlihútú 稀里糊塗 | not knowing what one is about |
| xīmòrújīn 惜墨如金 | one who would not write too readily (as careful of his ink as if it were gold) |
| xīn'ānlǐdé 心安理得 | have an easy conscience |
| xìnbùxiányóu 信步閒游 | walk aimlessly |
| xīnbùzàiyān 心不在焉 | absent-minded |
| xīncháopéngpài 心潮澎湃 | be full of excitement |
| xīnchéndàixiè 新陳代謝 | metabolism |
| xīnchóujiùhèn 新仇舊恨 | all the old and recent grudge |
| xīncíshǒuruǎn 心慈手軟 | softhearted |
| xīndǎnjùliè 心膽俱裂 | be frightened out of one's wits (life) |
| xìnéryǒuzhèng 信而有證 | borne out by evidence |
| xīnfányìluàn 心煩意亂 | be terribly upset |
| xīnfúkǒufú 心服口服 | fully convinced |
| xīnfùzhīhuàn 心腹之患 | danger of betrayal or revolt from those closest |
| xīngānqíngyuàn 心甘情願 | be most willing to |
| xíngbǎilǐzhěbànjiǔshí 行百里者半九十 | a guilty person gives himself away by conspicuously protesting his innocence |
| xíngchéngyúsāi 行成于思 | a deed is accomplished through taking thought |
| xíngdānyǐngzhī 形單影隻 | extremely lonely (a solitary form, a single shadow) |
| xīngfēngzuòlàng 興風作浪 | stir up trouble |
| xìnggāocǎiliè 興高采烈 | jubilant |
| xíngjiāngjiùmù 行將就木 | be fast approaching death |
| xíngjìkěyí 形跡可疑 | a suspicious character (not to be trusted) |
| xīnglìchúbì 興利除弊 | promote what is beneficial and abolish what is harmful |
| xīngluóqíbù 星羅棋布 | spread all over the place |
| xìngmìngjiāoguān 性命交關 | of vital importance |
| xíngruòwúshì 行若無事 | behave as if nothing had happened |
| xíngshìbīrén 形勢逼人 | the compelling force of circumstances |
| xīngshīdòngzhòng 興師動眾 | drag in many people (move troops about and stir up the people) |
| xīngshīwènzuì 興師問罪 | send a punitive expedition against |
| xíngshīzǒuròu 行屍走肉 | one who vegetates |
| xíngtónggǒupì 行同狗屁 | awful behavior |
| xīnguānshàngrènsānbǎhuǒ 新官上任三把火 | a capable commander leads an army of good soldiers |
| xìngwèisuǒrán 興味索然 | dull and uninteresting |
| xíngxíngsèsè 形形色色 | all brands of |
| xīngxīngxīxīngxīng 惺惺惜惺惺 | the wise appreciate one another |
| xīngxīngzhīhuǒkěyǐliáoyuán 星星之火可以燎源 | a single spark can start a prairie fire |
| xīngxīngzuòtài 惺惺作態 | the wise appreciate one another |
| xīngyāozuòguài 興妖作怪 | raise the devil |
| xīngyídǒuzhuǎn 星移斗轉 | the passage of time |
| xíngyǐngxiāngdiào 形影相吊 | alone |
| xíngyuǎnzìěr 行遠自邇 | from the near to the distant |
| xíngyúnliúshuǐ 行雲流水 | natural and smooth |
| xìngzāilèhuò 幸災樂禍 | pleased at the calamity of others |
| xìngzhìbóbó 興致勃勃 | cheerfully |
| xíngzhīyǒuxiào 行之有效 | effective (in practice) |
| xīnhěnshǒulà 心狠手辣 | wicked and merciless |
| xīnhuáibùmǎn 心懷不滿 | feel discontented with |
| xīnhuáiguǐtāi 心懷鬼胎 | scheme to do evil |
| xīnhuāngyìluàn 心慌意亂 | mentally confused |
| xīnhuānùfàng 心花怒放 | mad with joy |
| xīnhuīyìlěng 心灰意冷 | very much discouraged |
| xīnjīngdǎnzhàn 心驚膽戰 | tremble with fear |
| xīnjīngròutiào 心驚肉跳 | a feeling of great fear or nervousness |
| xīnjírúfén 心急如焚 | impatient with great anxiety |
| xìnkǒucíhuáng 信口雌黃 | sheer nonsense |
| xìnkǒukāihé 信口開河 | talk irresponsibly or recklessly |
| xīnkǒurúyī 心口如一 | what one says is indeed what one thinks |
| xīnkuàngshényí 心曠神怡 | completely relaxed and happy |
| xīnkuāntǐpán 心寬體胖 | a liberal mind and a well-nourished body |
| xīnláorìzhuō 心勞日拙 | get nothing for all one's pains |
| xīnlìjiāocuì 心力交瘁 | be mentally and physically exhausted |
| xīnlǐngshénhuì 心領神會 | appreciate |
| xīnlíngshǒukuài 心靈手快 | clever in mind and quick of action |
| xīnlíngshǒuqiǎo 心靈手巧 | clever and deft |
| xīnluànrúmá 心亂如麻 | be terribly upset |
| xīnmǎnyìzú 心滿意足 | fully satisfied |
| xìnmǎyóujiāng 信馬由繮 | let things take their natural course |
| xīnmíngyǎnliàng 心明眼亮 | be sharp-eyed and clear-headed |
| xīnpíngqìhé 心平氣和 | be in a calm mood |
| xīnqíngshūchàng 心情舒暢 | be in a good mood |
| xīnrúdāogē 心如刀割 | feel as if a knife were piercing one's heart |
| xìnshǎngbìfá 信賞必罰 | awards and punishments rigorously carried out |
| xīnshénbùdìng 心神不定 | the mind wonders |
| xìnshìdàndàn 信誓旦旦 | vow solemnly |
| xìnshǒuniānlái 信手拈來 | pick up something at random |
| xǐnùwúcháng 喜怒無常 | subject to changing moods |
| xīnwúèryòng 心無二用 | one cannot keep one's mind on two things at the same time |
| xīnxiāngdǎozhù 馨香禱祝 | sincerely wish |
| xīnxīnkǔkǔ 辛辛苦苦 | work laboriously |
| xīnxīnxiàngróng 欣欣向榮 | growing prosperity |
| xīnxīnxiāngyìn 心心相印 | mutually attached to each other |
| xīnxǐruòkuáng 欣喜若狂 | be mad with joy |
| xīnxùbùníng 心緒不寧 | in a disturbed state of mind |
| xīnxuèláicháo 心血來潮 | a sudden inspiration |
| xīnyǒulíngxīyīdiǎntōng 心有靈犀一點通 | unable to do what one wants very much to do |
| xīnyǒuyúérlìbùzú 心有餘而力不足 | evil people are bad all over the world |
| xīnyǒuyújì 心有餘悸 | one's heart still fluttering with fear |
| xīnyuányìmǎ 心猿意馬 | very difficult to bring under control |
| xīnyuèchéngfú 心悅誠服 | be completely convinced |
| xīnzhàobùxuān 心照不宣 | have a tacit understanding |
| xīnzhíkǒukuài 心直口快 | saying what one thinks without much deliberation |
| xīnzhōngyǒushù 心中有數 | know one's own mind |
| xióngcáidàlüè 雄才大略 | rare gifts and bold strategy |
| xiōngdìjiànyúqiáng 兄弟鑒於牆 | internal dispute |
| xiōngdìxīqiáng 兄弟鬩牆 | internal dispute |
| xiōngdìzàoyúqiáng wàiyùqíwǔ 兄弟灶於牆外御其侮 | internal disunity dissolves at the threat of external invasion |
| xiōngduōjíshǎo 凶多吉少 | be fraught with grim possibilities |
| xiōnghuáitǎnbái 胸懷坦白 | frank |
| xiōngshén'èshà 凶神惡煞 | devils |
| xiōngwúchéngfǔ 胸無城府 | quite open-minded |
| xiōngwúdiǎnmò 胸無點墨 | completely illiterate |
| xiōngwúsùwù 胸無宿物 | utterly simple and unreserved |
| xiōngxiàngbìlù 凶相畢露 | reveal the atrocious features |
| xióngxīnzhuàngzhì 雄心壯志 | lofty ambitions |
| xióngxiónglièhuǒ 熊熊烈火 | raging flames |
| xiōngyǒngpéngpài 洶湧澎湃 | rise in a surging tide |
| xiōngyǒuchéngzhú 胸有成竹 | have an idea in the mind before giving expression to it |
| xiōngzhōngwúshù 胸中無數 | have no figures in one's head |
| xiōngzhōngyǒushù 胸中有數 | know the true state of affairs |
| xīpíxiàoliǎn 嬉皮笑臉 | grinning cheekily |
| xǐqìyángyáng 喜氣洋洋 | jubilant |
| xīshìníngrén 息事寧人 | make concessions to avoid trouble |
| xìshuǐchángliú 細水長流 | go about something little by little without letup |
| xiùérbùshí 秀而不實 | put forth flower but bear no fruit |
| xiūjiùlìfèi 修舊利廢 | repair and utilize old or discarded things |
| xiǔmùbùkědiāo 朽木不可雕 | intractable person |
| xiǔmùfèntǔ 朽木糞土 | rotten wood and dirt |
| xiūqīxiāngguān 休戚相關 | mutually concerned in case of a good or bad turn |
| xiūqīyǔgòng 休戚與共 | share joys and sorrows together |
| xiūréndādá 羞人答答 | very shy |
| xiùshǒupángguān 袖手旁觀 | remain indifferent spectator |
| xiūyǎngshēngxī 休養生息 | recuperate and multiply (said of a nation) |
| xiūyǔwéiwǔ 羞與為伍 | ashamed to be in the same rank with someone |
| xìwéimòjié 細微末節 | minor details/problems |
| xǐwénlèjiàn 喜聞樂見 | love to see and hear |
| xǐxiàoyánkāi 喜笑顏開 | beam with joy |
| xīxīhāhā 嘻嘻哈哈 | laughing and joking |
| xīxilālā 稀稀拉拉 | sparse |
| xǐxīngémiàn 洗心革面 | make a thorough reformation |
| xǐxíngyúsè 喜形於色 | be visibly pleased |
| xǐxīnyànjiù 喜新厭舊 | be fickle in affection (love the new and loathe the old) |
| xīxīrǎngrǎng 熙熙攘攘 | hustle and bustle about |
| xīxīxiāngguān 息息相關 | be linked with each other closely |
| xíyānbùchá 習焉不察 | too accustomed to something to call it in question |
| xíyǐwéicháng 習以為常 | be used to |
| xíyǔxìngchéng 習與性成 | habit becomes one's second nature |
| xìzhēnmìlǚ 細針密縷 | work in a meticulous way |
| xīzhǐshīzhǎng 惜指失掌 | lose much in being careful of little (care for the fingers and lose the hand) |
| xuānbīngduózhǔ 喧兵奪主 | the secondary supersedes the primary |
| xuǎnchuāngzhījí 癬瘡之疾 | some slight ailment (only a skin complaint) |
| xuánérwèijué 懸而未決 | not yet decided |
| xuǎnhèyìshí 烜赫一時 | shining impressive for a time |
| xuánliángzìjìn 懸梁自盡 | commit suicide by hanging oneself from a beam |
| xuànlìduōcǎi 絢麗多彩 | gorgeous |
| xuánqiánzhuànkūn 旋乾轉坤 | have great power and authority (more heaven and earth) |
| xuānrándàbō 軒然大波 | a great disturbance |
| xuányálèmǎ 懸崖勒馬 | stop before it's too late |
| xuányáqiàobì 懸崖峭壁 | a cliff |
| xuè'ànrúshān 血案如山 | with a list of bloddy crimes |
| xuèérbùnüè 謔而不虐 | tease without embarrassing |
| xuéérbùyàn 學而不厭 | have an insatiable desire to learn |
| xuèhǎishēnchóu 血海深仇 | intense and deep-seated hatred |
| xuéjūyěchǔ 穴居野處 | dwell in caves in the wilds |
| xuèkǒupēnrén 血口噴人 | malicious words to injure someone |
| xuèliúchénghé 血流成河 | a large-scale slaughter |
| xuèliúrúzhù 血流如注 | bleed profusely |
| xuèqìfānggāng 血氣方剛 | full of saop |
| xuěshàngjiāshuāng 雪上加霜 | one disaster after another (adding frost to snow) |
| xuéwúzhǐjìng 學無止境 | there is no end to learning |
| xuéyǐzhìyòng 學以致用 | learn in order for application |
| xuězhōngsòngtàn 雪中送炭 | provide timely help (send charcoal in snowy weather) |
| xuèzúshìlǚ 削足適履 | trim the toes to fit the shoes |
| xūhánwènnuǎn 噓寒問暖 | be solicitous about someone's health |
| xūhuáiruògǔ 虛懷若谷 | be very modest |
| xùjiǔzīshì 酗酒滋事 | get drunk and create a disturbance |
| xūjǐyǐtīng 虛己以聽 | listen with an open mind |
| xúngēnjiūdǐ 尋根究底 | inquire deeply into |
| xúnguīdǎojǔ 循規蹈矩 | obey the rules and regulations |
| xúnhuānzuòlè 尋歡作樂 | seek pleaseure and make merry |
| xùnléibùjíyǎněr 迅雷不及掩耳 | lightning flash before precautions can be taken |
| xùnliànyǒusù 訓練有素 | well-trained |
| xúnmíngzéshí 循名責實 | expect the reality to correspond to the name |
| xúnshìshēng 尋事生非 | make trouble |
| xúnsǐmìhuó 尋死覓活 | try to commit suicide in order to give a scare or to intimidate |
| xúnxùjiànjìn 循序漸進 | proceed in an orderly way and step by step |
| xúnxúnshànyòu 循循善誘 | lead men skilfully on by orderly method |
| xūqíngjiǎyì 虛情假意 | hypocritical show of friendship |
| xùrìdōngshēng 旭日東昇 | the sun rising in the east |
| xūwèiyǐdài 虛位以待 | leave a seat vacant for someone |
| xūwúpiāomiǎo 虛無縹緲 | illusory |
| xǔxǔrúshēng 栩栩如生 | like real life |
| xūyìnggùshì 虛應故事 | a mere formality |
| xūyǒuqíbiǎo 虛有其表 | good in appearance only |
| xūyǔwēishé 虛與委蛇 | hypocrisy |
| xūzhāngshēngshì 虛張聲勢 | bluffing |
| yǎkǒuwúyán 啞口無言 | have nothing to say for oneself |
| yàmiáozhùzhǎng 揠苗助長 | spoil things by excessive enthusiasm (try to help the shoots grow by pulling them up) |
| yànānhèdú 宴安鶴毒 | seeking pleasure is like drinking poisoned wine |
| yǎnbíérguò 掩鼻而過 | object to something as being dirty |
| yánbìxìnxíngbìguǒ 言必信行必果 | promises must be kept and action must be resolute |
| yánbìyǒuzhòng 言必有中 | whenever one speaks, one speaks to the point |
| yánbōtǎoyuán 沿波討源 | make a thorough investigation of a thing (follow the stream and seek the source) |
| yánbùjíyì 言不及義 | talk nonsense all the time |
| yánbùyóuzhōng 言不由衷 | not to say what's on one's mind |
| yàncháomùshàng 燕巢幕上 | precarious (a swallow's nest in a tent) |
| yánchuánshēnjiào 言傳身教 | teach by personal example as well as verbal instruction |
| yánchūfǎsuí 言出法隨 | enforce the regulations to the letter |
| yǎněrdàolíng 掩耳盜鈴 | deceive oneself |
| yánérwúxìn 言而無信 | fail to keep faith |
| yánéryǒuxìn 言而有信 | be as good as one's word |
| yǎngāoshǒudī 眼高手低 | high in aim but low-rate in execution |
| yángchángérqù 揚長而去 | stride away with the head in the air |
| yángchángxiǎodào 羊腸小道 | meandering footpath |
| yángchūnbáixuě 陽春白雪 | something selected and among the best (Spring Snow melody of the elite in the State of Chu) |
| yángfèngyīnwéi 陽奉陰違 | comply in public but oppose in private |
| yǎnghǔyíhuàn 養虎遺患 | appeasement brings disaster (to rear a tiger is to court calamity) |
| yǎngjīngxùruì 養精蓄銳 | conserve strength and store up energy |
| yángméitǔqì 揚眉吐氣 | feel proud and elated |
| yǎngrénbíxī 仰人鼻息 | dependent on the pleasure of others |
| yángtāngzhǐfèi 揚湯止沸 | a temporary redress (stir the soup to stop boiling) |
| yǎngtòngyíhuàn 養痛遺患 | warm a snake in one's bosom |
| yánguīyúhǎo 言歸於好 | make friends again |
| yánguīzhèngzhuàn 言歸正傳 | return to the subject |
| yánguòqíshí 言過其實 | exaggerate |
| yángwéizhōngyòng 洋為中用 | make foreign things serve China |
| yángyángdàguān 洋洋大觀 | an impressive, imposing array |
| yángyángdéyì 洋洋得意 | with evident pride |
| yángzhìhǔpí 羊質虎皮 | outwardly strong, inwardly weak |
| yǎngzūnchǔyōu 養尊處優 | live a comfortable life |
| yǎnhuāliáoluàn 眼花繚亂 | be dazzled |
| yánjiàngyǐdài 嚴降以待 | embattle |
| yánjiǎnyìgāi 言簡意賅 | what one says is precise and to the point |
| 3500 |
| yánjǐngqǐzhǒng 延頸企踵 | be on the tip of expectation (crane the neck and stand on tiptoe) |
| yánjìnzhǐyuǎn 言近旨遠 | some simple words carry a profound meaning |
| yānméiwúwén 煙没無聞 | be buired in oblivion |
| yánméntuōbō 沿門托缽 | beg from house to house with a bowl in hand |
| yǎnmíngshǒukuài 眼明手快 | nimble |
| yǎnmùbǔquè 掩目捕雀 | self-decption |
| yánniányìshòu 延年益壽 | prolong one's life |
| yànquèchùtáng 燕雀處堂 | oblivious of imminent danger (swallows and sparrows nesting in the hall, unmindful of the spreading blaze) |
| yānrányíxiào 嫣然一笑 | the captivating smile of a woman |
| yǎnréněrmù 掩人耳目 | deceive the public |
| yánrénrénshū 言人人殊 | each person offers a different version |
| yántīngjìcóng 言聽計從 | always follow someone's advice |
| yánwàizhīyì 言外之意 | an implied meaning |
| yánwéixīnshēng 言為心聲 | one's words reflect one's thinking |
| yǎnwǔxiūwén 偃武修文 | leave military pursuits and promote culture |
| yānxiāoyúnsàn 烟消雲散 | completely vanish |
| yánxíngbùyī 言行不一 | one's actions are not in keeping with one's promises |
| yánxíngjùnfǎ 嚴刑峻法 | severe law |
| yánxíngyízhì 言行一致 | act up to what one says |
| yǎnyānyīxī 奄奄一息 | on the point of dying |
| yányìbùdài 嚴懿不貸 | punish severely without mercy |
| yányóuzàiěr 言猶在耳 | the words are still ringing in one's ears |
| yányúlǜjǐ 嚴於律己 | be strict with oneself |
| yánzhěwúzuì wénzhěshìjiè 言者無罪聞者是戒 | it's not the one who speaks is culpable; it's up to the one who listens to exercise due caution |
| yánzhīchénglǐ 言之成理 | speak in a rational and convincing way |
| yánzhīwúwù 言之無物 | make an inane remark |
| yánzhīzuòzáo 言之鑿鑿 | said with definite evidence |
| yáochúngǔshé 搖唇鼓舌 | wag one's tongue (flap one's lips and beat one's tongue) |
| yāomóguǐguài 妖魔鬼怪 | demons and ghosts |
| yáoqínàhǎn 搖旗吶喊 | voice support for |
| yáoshēnyībiàn 搖身一變 | suddenly changed |
| yàoshízhīyán 藥石之言 | exhortations |
| yáotóubǎiwěi 搖頭擺尾 | assume an air of complacency (shake the head and wag the tail) |
| yáowěiqǐlián 搖尾乞憐 | wag the tail and flatter |
| yǎowénjiáozì 咬文嚼字 | pay excessive attention to wording |
| yàowǔyángwēi 耀武揚威 | show one's prowess |
| yáoxiānghūyìng 遙相呼應 | echo each other at a distance |
| yàoyánbùfán 要言不煩 | terse |
| yāoyánhuòzhòng 妖言惑眾 | spread fallacies to deceive people |
| yáoyáowúqí 遙遙無期 | not within the foreseeable future |
| yáoyáoyùzhuì 搖搖欲墜 | tottering |
| yǎoyáqièchǐ 咬牙切齒 | gnash the teeth in anger |
| yāquèwúshēng 鴉雀無聲 | in perfect silence |
| yǎránshīxiào 啞然失笑 | can't help laughing |
| yǎsúgòngshǎng 雅俗共賞 | give pleaseure both to the refined and the vulgar |
| yázìbìbào 睚眦必報 | seek revenge from the smallest grievance |
| yèchángmèngduō 夜長夢多 | a long delay means many hitches |
| yègōnghàolóng 葉公好龍 | professed love of what one really fears (Lord Ye's love of dragons) |
| yèjīngyúqín 業精於勤 | efficiency comes from diligence |
| yèlángzìdà 夜郎自大 | parochial arrogance (ludicrous conceit of the king of Yelang) |
| yèluòguīgēn 葉落歸根 | person residing elsewhere finally returns to his ancestral home (falling leaves settle on their roots) |
| yěxīnbóbó 野心勃勃 | driven by wild ambition |
| yèyǐjìrì 夜以繼日 | round the clock |
| yǐéchuáné 以訛傳訛 | circulate erroneous reports |
| yíbàitúdì 一敗塗地 | utter failure / defeat |
| yībānjiànshì 一般見識 | lower oneself to the same level as |
| yìbǎnsānyǎn 一板三眼 | very careful of rules |
| yǐbàoyìbào 以暴易暴 | replace one tyranny by another |
| yībēihuángtǔ 一杯黃土 | a grave |
| yìběnwànlì 一本萬利 | make big profits with small capital |
| yìběnzhèngjīng 一本正經 | put on a solemn look |
| yìbǐgōuxiāo 一筆勾銷 | write off at one stroke |
| yìbíkǒngchūqì 一鼻孔出氣 | be in tune with |
| yìbǐmǒshā 一筆抹殺 | wipe out with one stroke of the pen |
| yībìzhīlì 一臂之力 | a helping hand |
| yībōwèipíng yībōyòuqǐ 一波未平一波又起 | suffer a string of reverses |
| yībùbìtǐ 衣不蔽體 | be dressed in rags |
| yíbùdēngtiān 一步登天 | have a meteoric rise |
| yìbùróngcí 義不容辭 | act from a strong sense of duty |
| yìbùyìqū 亦步亦趨 | follow in one's steps |
| yíbùzuò, èrbùxiū 一不做，二不休 | either don't do it, or see it through to the end |
| yíchàngbǎihè 一唱百和 | one sings, all follow |
| yíchàngyīhè 一唱一和 | sing in duet |
| yìchénbùrǎn 一塵不染 | not to be stained |
| yìchéngbùbiàn 一成不變 | fixed and unchangeable |
| yìchóumòzhǎn 一籌莫展 | be at one's wits' end |
| yíchòuwànnián 遺臭萬年 | leave a bad name forever |
| yíchùjífā 一觸即發 | touch and go |
| yíchùjíkuì 一觸即潰 | collapse at the first encounter |
| yícùérjiù 一蹴而就 | succeed overnight |
| yícùndānxīn 一寸丹心 | a loyal heart |
| yícùnguāngyīn yícùnjīn 一寸光陰一寸金 | time is money |
| yīdáliǎng 依達兩可 | be undecided |
| yīdāoliǎngduàn 一刀兩斷 | be severed into two at one blow |
| yǐdébàoyuàn 以德報怨 | return good for evil |
| yìdézhīgōng 一得之功 | just an occasional, minor success |
| yìdézhīyú 一得之愚 | my humble opinion |
| yìduānxiéshuō 異端邪說 | a heterodox opinion |
| yǐdúgōngdú 以毒攻毒 | counteract one toxin with another |
| yǐěrdàimù 以耳代目 | take hearsay as true |
| yìérzài,zàiérsān 一而再，再而三 | again and again |
| yìfǎnchángtài 一反常態 | act out of character |
| yīfānfēngshùn 一帆風順 | smooth sailing |
| yìfǎqiānjūn 一髮千鈞 | hang upon a thread |
| yífēngyìsú 移風易俗 | transformation of customs and habits |
| yìfèntiányīng 義憤填膺 | anger for justice filled one's breast |
| yígàiérlùn 一概而論 | treat different matters as the same |
| yìgǎigùzhé 一改故轍 | rid oneself of an old habit |
| yǐgōngwéishǒu 以攻為守 | attack in order to defend |
| yǐguǎdízhòng 以寡敵眾 | pit the few against the many |
| yīguānchǔchǔ 衣冠楚楚 | immaculately dressed |
| yǐguānhòuxiào 以觀後效 | lighten a punishment and see how the offender behaves |
| yīguānqínshòu 衣冠禽獸 | a beast in human form |
| yǐguānzhàngshì 倚官仗勢 | rely on one's power and position |
| yìguósāngōng 一國三公 | a state with three rulers, triumvirate |
| yìgǔzuòqì 一鼓作氣 | press on to the finish without letup |
| yíhàiwúqióng 貽害無窮 | cause endless trouble to future |
| yīhōng'érsàn 一哄而散 | disperse after making a noise |
| yíhuājiēmù 移花接木 | graft one twig on another |
| yīhūbǎinuò 一呼百諾 | when one gives a call, a hundred respond |
| yīhūbǎiyìng 一呼百應 | hundreds respond to a single call |
| yīhuīérjiù 一揮而就 | be done with one stroke of the pen |
| yìhūxúncháng 異乎尋常 | abnormal |
| yījiàfànnáng 衣架飯囊 | a good-for-nothing person |
| yíjiànrúgù 一見如故 | feel like old friends at the first meeting |
| yíjiànshuāngdiāo 一箭雙雕 | kill two birds with one stone |
| yíjiànzhōngqíng 一見鍾情 👍 | fall in love at first sight |
| yǐjǐduórén 以己度人 | measure others' corn by one's own bushel |
| yǐjǐngxiàoyóu 以儆效尤 | to warn others against following a bad example |
| yījǐnhuánxiāng 衣錦還鄉 | return home after making good |
| yíjìzhīcháng 一技之長 | professional skill |
| yìjǔchéngmíng 一舉成名 | become famous overnight |
| yìjuébùzhèn 一蹶不振 | collapse after one setback |
| yìjuécíxióng 一決雌雄 | showdown with |
| yìjǔliǎngdé 一舉兩得 | achieve two things with one stroke |
| yìjūntúqǐ 異軍突起 | a new force suddenly coming to the fore |
| yíkèqiānjīn 一刻千金 | every moment is precious |
| yìkǒngzhījiàn 一孔之見 | a narrow view |
| yìkǒutóngshēng 異口同聲 | unanimously |
| yìkǔsītián 憶苦思甜 | contrast past misery with present happiness |
| yìlǎnwúyí 一覽無遺 | take in everything at a glance |
| yǐlǎomàilǎo 倚老賣老 | presume on old age to despise others |
| yìláoyǒngyì 一勞永逸 | done once and for all |
| yìliǎobǎiliǎo 一了百了 | death ends all one's troubles |
| yǐlícèhǎi 以蠡測海 | have a shallow understanding of a person or subject (measure the sea with an oyster shell) |
| yǐlìfúrén 以力服人 | try to convince people by force |
| yǐlǐfúrén 以理服人 | convince people by sound argument |
| yìlínbànzhǎo 一鱗半爪 | odd bits |
| yǐlínwéihè 以鄰為壑 | use the neighbor's field as an outlet for one's overflow |
| yǐluǎntóushí 以卵投石 | grossly overestimate one's own strength |
| yíluòqiānzhàng 一落千丈 | a sharp decline |
| yílùpíng'ān 一路平安 👍 | a safe journey |
| yìmǎdāngxiān 一馬當先 | be in the fore-front |
| yīmàixiāngchéng 一脈相承 | come down in one continuous line |
| yìmáobùbá 一毛不拔 👍 | very sparing in spending money |
| yǐmàoqǔrén 以貌取人 👍 | judge by outward looks |
| yímiànzhīcí 一面之詞 | one-sided statement |
| yímiànzhījiāo 一面之交 | have met only once |
| yìmíngjīngrén 一鳴驚人 | amaze the world with a single brilliant feat |
| yímìngwūhū 一命嗚呼 | kick the bucket |
| yímùliǎorán 一目了然 👍 | understand fully at a glance |
| yímùshíháng 一目十行 | take in ten lines at one glance |
| yìmóyíyàng 一模一樣 👍 | be exactly the same as |
| yǐnérbùfā 引而不發 | just indicate the motions (draw the bow without shooting) |
| yīncáishījiào 因材施教 | teach a person according to what he is good for |
| yínchīmǎoliáng 寅吃卯糧 | live beyond one's means |
| yīncuòyángchā 陰錯陽差 | a strange combination of circumstances |
| yīndìzhìyí 因地制宜 | do the right thing on the right place |
| yǐnèyángshàn 隱惡揚善 | cover up someone's faults and publicize his merits |
| yínfēngnòngyuè 吟風弄月 | sing the moon and the wind |
| yìngfùzìrú 應付自如 | handle a situation with ease |
| yīnggēyànwǔ 鶯歌燕舞 | a scene of prosperity |
| yìngjiēbùxiá 應接不暇 | too busy to attend to |
| yīngqímíngyǐqiúqíyǒushēng 嬰其鳴矣求其友聲 | unmoved either by favor or disgrace |
| yíngrèn'érjiě 迎刃而解 | solve problems or difficulties with the greatest ease |
| yíngsīwǔbì 營私舞弊 | jobbery |
| yíngtóugǎnshàng 迎頭趕上 | try hard to catch up |
| yíngtóutòngjī 迎頭痛擊 | give someone a bad knock on the head |
| yíngtóuxiǎolì 蠅頭小利 | very small profit |
| yīngwǔxuéshé 鸚鵡學舌 | repeat the words of others like a parrot |
| yīngxióngsuǒjiànlüètóng 英雄所見略同 | great minds think alike |
| yīngxióng wúyòngwǔ zhīdì 英雄無用武之地 | try to attend to big and small matters all at once |
| yíngyínggǒugǒu 蠅營狗苟 | shamelessly seek personal gain |
| yīngyǒujìnyǒu 應有盡有 | there is everything that should be there |
| yìngyùnérshēng 應運而生 | emerge as the times |
| yīngzīsàshuǎng 英姿颯爽 | valiant and heroic in bearing |
| yǐnhánggāogē 引吭高歌 | sing with outstretched neck |
| yǐnhènérzhōng 飲恨而終 | die with a grievance in one's heart |
| yǐnhuìqūzhé 隱晦曲折 | insidious and devious |
| yīnhúnbúsàn 陰魂不散 | the soul refuses to leave |
| yǐnhuǒshāoshēn 引火燒身 | a self-destructive course of action (guide a fire to burn one's own body) |
| yīniànzhīchā 一念之差 | a momentary slip |
| yīnjiànbùyuǎn 殷鑒不遠 | past examples serving as a warning to later generations are not far to seek |
| yǐnjīngjùdiǎn 引經據典 | quote the classics |
| yǐnlángrùshì 引狼入室 | open the door to a dangerous foe (invite a wolf into the house) |
| yīnlòujiùjiǎn 因陋就簡 | make do with whatever is available |
| yīnmóuguǐjì 陰謀詭計 | schemes and intrigues |
| yǐnqìtūnshēng 飲泣吞聲 | put one's pride in one's pocket |
| yīnrénchéngshì 因人成事 | rely on others for success in work |
| yǐnrénrùshèng 引人入勝 | interesting and absorbing |
| yīnrénshèshì 因人設事 | create a job to accommodate a person |
| yǐnrénzhùmù 引人注目 | attract one's attention |
| yīnshìlìdǎo 因勢利導 | adroitly channel action according to circumstances |
| yīnshízhìyí 因時制宜 | do the right thing at the right time |
| yǐnshuǐsīyuán 飲水思源 | never forget where one's happiness comes from (when you drink water, think of its source) |
| yínuòqiānjīn 一諾千金 | a solemn promise |
| yǐnwéijiànjiè 引為鑒戒 | learn a lesson |
| yīnxiǎoshīdà 因小失大 | suffer a big loss for a little gain |
| yǐnxìngmáimíng 隱姓埋名 | conceal one's name and surname |
| yīnxúnshǒujiù 因循守舊 | stick to old ways |
| yīnxúnzuòwù 因循坐誤 | sit back and allow the situation to deteriorate |
| yīnyángguàiqì 陰陽怪氣 | mystifying |
| yínyànglièqiāngtóu 銀樣獵鎗頭 | an impressive looking but useless person (a pewter spearhead that shines like silver) |
| yīnyēfèishí 因噎廢食 | refrain from doing something necessary for fear of a slight risk |
| yǐnyuēqící 隱約其辭 | use ambiguous language |
| yǐnzhènzhǐkě 飲鴆止渴 | seek temporary relief regardless of the consequences (drink poison to quench one's thirst) |
| yīpāijíhé 一拍即合 | chime in easily |
| yìpánsǎnshā 一盤散沙 | in a state of disunity |
| yìpínrúxǐ 一貧如洗 | in utter destitution |
| yípùshíhán 一暴十寒 | work by fits and starts |
| yìqiánèrjìng 一乾二淨 | neat and clean |
| yìqiánbùzhí 一錢不值 | utterly worthless |
| yíqiàobùtōng 一竅不通 | be utterly ignorant of |
| yìqìfēngfā 意氣風發 | high in spirits |
| yíqìhēchéng 一氣呵成 | done at one go |
| yīqīngèrchǔ 一清二楚 👍 | completely clear |
| yìqióngèrbái 一窮二白 | poor and blank |
| yīqiūzhīhé 一丘之貉 | birds of a feather |
| yìqìxiāngtóu 意氣相投 | be congenial with each other |
| yìqìyòngshì 意氣用事 | act on impulse |
| yìqǔtónggōng 異曲同工 | different in approach but equally satisfactory in result |
| yīrángùwǒ 依然故我 | one's circumstances haven't changed much |
| yìránjuérán 毅然決然 | resolutely |
| yīránrúgù 依然如故 | remain as before |
| yīrénchuánxū wànrénchuánshí 一人傳虛萬人傳實 | one man tells an idle story and it becomes fact in the mouhts of ten thousand |
| yīréndédào jīquǎnshēngtiān 一人得道雞犬升天 | when a man gets to the top, all his friends and relations get there with him |
| yīrénnánrúqiānrényì 一人難如千人意 | one man can hardly meet the wishes of everybody |
| yírìqiānlǐ 一日千里 | rapid advance |
| yírìsānqiū 一日三秋 | a day separation seems as long as three years |
| yìrúfǎnzhǎng 易如反掌 | very easy to do |
| yìrújìwǎng 一如既往 | as always |
| yìsǎoérkōng 一掃而空 | swept clean at one attempt |
| yíshāndǎohǎi 移山倒海 | transform nature |
| yīshēnshìdǎn 一身是膽 | know no fear |
| yǐshēnxùnzhí 以身殉職 | die a martyr at one's post |
| yíshényíguǐ 疑神疑鬼 | be terribly suspicious |
| yǐshēnzuòzé 以身作則 | make oneself an example |
| yíshìtóngrén 一視同仁 | treat all alike without discrimination |
| yíshìwúchéng 一事無成 | nothing accomplished |
| yīshīzú chéngqiāngǔhèn 一失足成千古恨 | a wrong step taken results in eternal regret |
| yìshǒubāobàn 一手包辦 | take everything on oneself |
| yǐshǒujiāé 以手加額 | place hand over one's forehead, in greeting |
| yǐshòuqíjiān 以售其奸 | in order to achieve one's treacherous purpose |
| yìshǒuzhētiān 一手遮天 | hoodwink the public |
| yīsībúguà 一絲不掛 👍 | be stark-naked |
| yīsībùjì 一絲不茍 | scrupulous about every detail |
| yīsīyìháo 一絲一毫 | a tiny bit |
| yītāhútú 一塌糊塗 | in a complete mess |
| yītākuòzi 一塌括子 | the sum total |
| yìtánsǐshuǐ 一潭死水 | a stagnated, dull atmosphere |
| 3750 |
| yìtuánhéqì 一團和氣 | harmony all around |
| yítuánmòshì 疑團莫釋 | doubts and suspicions cannot be cleared up |
| yǐtuìwéijìn 以退為進 | retreat in order to advance |
| yíwàngérzhī 一望而知 | manifest at a glance |
| yìwǎngdǎjìn 一網打盡 | capture all in one net |
| yìwǎngqíngshēn 一往情深 | be head over heels in love with |
| yíwàngwújì 一望無際 | beyond the reach of a glance |
| yìwǎngwúqíng 一往無情 | press forward with indomitable will |
| yìwénbùzhí 一文不值 | not worth a cent |
| yíwènsānbùzhī 一問三不知 | not know a thing |
| yìwúfǎngù 義無反顧 | proceed without hesitation |
| yìwúkěqǔ 一無可取 | good-for-nothing |
| yìwúshìchù 一無是處 | nothing is right |
| yìwúsuǒcháng 一無所長 | Jack of all trades |
| yìwúsuǒyǒu 一無所有 | as bare as the palm of one's hand |
| yìwúsuǒzhī 一無所知 | know nothing about |
| yíwùxiángyíwù 一物降一物 | everything has its vanquisher |
| yìwǔyìshí 一五一十 | systematically and in full detail |
| yíwùzàiwù 一誤再誤 | make things worse by repeated delays |
| yīxiāngqíngyuàn 一廂情願 | one's own wishful thinking |
| yìxiǎngtiānkāi 異想天開 | have strange, fantastic ideas |
| yíxiàodàfāng 貽笑大方 | be laughed at by experts |
| yǐxiǎorénzhīxīn dùjūnzǐzhīfù 以小人之心度君子之腹 | measure the mind of an upright man by the yardstick of a knave |
| yíxiàozhìzhī 一笑置之 | dismiss with a laugh |
| yíxiè bùrúyíxiè 一蟹不如一蟹 | get worse and worse |
| yíxièqiānlǐ 一瀉千里 | flow down vigorously |
| yìxíngyúsè 義形於色 | one's face showed no compromise with evil |
| yíxīnshēngànguǐ 疑心生暗鬼 | suspicions create imaginary fears (a suspicious heart will see ghosts) |
| yīxīnyìdé 一心一德 | of one heart and one mind |
| yīxīnyíyì 一心一意 | give one's whole mind to |
| yīxīshàngcún 一息尚存 | so long as one still has a breath left |
| yǐxuèháixuè 以血還血 | demand blood for blood |
| yìyángdùncuò 抑揚頓挫 | modulation in tone |
| yīyànghuàhúlu 依樣畫葫蘆 | do the routine thing without thinking |
| yǐyǎnhuányǎn yǐyáhuányá 以眼還眼以牙還牙 | eye for eye, tooth for tooth |
| yìyánjìchū sìmǎnánzhuī 一言既出駟馬難追 | what is said cannot be unsaid |
| yìyánnánjìn 一言難盡 | mere words cannot fully express |
| yìyánwéidìng 一言為定 👍 | a bargain is a bargain |
| yìyányǐbìzhī 一言以蔽之 | in a word |
| yíyèzhàngmù bújiàntàishān 一葉障目不見泰山 | have one's view of the important overshadowed by the trivial |
| yíyèzhīqiū 一葉知秋 | a small sign can indicate a great trend |
| yǐyìdàiláo 以逸待勞 | wait at one's ease for the fatigued enemy or opponent |
| yīyīdàishuǐ 一衣帶水 | a narrow strip of water |
| yǐyīdāngshí 以一當十 | pit one against ten |
| yīyìgūháng 一意孤行 | persist in wilfully and arbitrarily |
| yǐyījǐngbǎi 以一警百 | punish one as a warning to others |
| yǐyuànbàodé 以怨報德 | return evil for good |
| yìyǔdàopò 一語道破 | lay bare the truth with one penetrating remark |
| yìyǔpòdì 一語破的 | hit the target with one remark |
| yìzàiyánwài 意在言外 | the meaning is implied |
| yìzéyǐxǐ yìzéyǐyōu 一則以喜一則以憂 | feel both joy and fear |
| yīzhāngyìchí 一張一弛 | alternate tension with relaxation |
| yīzhāobèishéyǎo shíniánpàjǐngshéng 一朝被蛇咬十年怕井繩 | once bitten, twice shy |
| yīzhaobúshèn mǎnpánjiēshū 一着不慎滿盤皆輸 | a trip in one point would have spoiled all |
| yīzhāoyīxì 一朝一夕 | a short duration of time |
| yìzhèngcíyán 義正辭嚴 | speak with the force of justice |
| yīzhěnhuángliáng 一枕黃梁 | a brief dream of grandeur |
| yīzhēnjiànxiě 一針見血 | hit the bird in the eye |
| yīzhībànjiě 一知半解 | half knowledge |
| yìzhǐkōngwén 一紙空文 | a mere scrap of paper |
| yízhìqiānjīn 一擲千金 | spend money extravagantly |
| yízhǐqìshǐ 頤指氣使 | order people about by gesture |
| yízìqiānjīn 一字千金 | one character is worth much gold |
| yǐzǐzhīmáo gōngzǐzhīdùn 以子之矛攻子之盾 | refute someone with his own argument |
| yòngbīngrúshén 用兵如神 | direct military operations with miraculous skill |
| yǒngchuíbùxiǔ 永垂不朽 | immortal |
| yǒngguànsānjūn 勇冠三軍 | distinguish oneself by peerless valor in battle |
| yōngrénzìrǎo 庸人自擾 | worry about troubles of one's own imagining |
| yǒngwǎngzhíqián 勇往直前 | dauntless march forward |
| yǒngwǔguòrén 勇武過人 | be surpassingly valorous, bravery |
| yōngyányōngxíng 庸言庸行 | commonplace words and deeds |
| yǒngzhìbùwàng 永志不忘 | will always bear in mind |
| yōngzhōngjiǎojiǎo 庸中佼佼 | a giant among dwarfs |
| yǒuànyǒujī 有案有稽 | be on record |
| yǒubǎnyǒuyǎn 有板有眼 | orderly |
| yǒubèiwúhuàn 有備無患 | preparedness averts peril |
| yǒudìfàngshǐ 有的放矢 | have a definite object in view |
| yòudíshēnrù 誘敵深入 | lure the enemy troops in deep |
| yǒufútóngxiǎng yǒuhuòtóngdāng 有福同享有禍同當 | share joys and sorrows |
| yǒuguòzhīérwúbùjí 有過之而無不及 | with even greater |
| yōuhuànyúshēng 憂患餘生 | the remainder of one's life after a disaster |
| yǒujiàowúlèi 有教無類 | in teaching make no class distinctions |
| yǒujiāwúyǐ 有加無已 | increase endlessly |
| yǒujīkěchéng 有機可乘 | have a chance of |
| yǒukǒujiēbēi 有口皆碑 | be universally acclaimed |
| yǒukǒunánfēn 有口難分 | find it hard to vindicate oneself |
| yǒukǒunányán 有口難言 | too embarrassing to say |
| yǒukǒuwúxīn 有口無心 | be sharp-tongued but not malicious |
| yǒumíngwúshí 有名無實 | in name but not in reality |
| yǒumùgòngdǔ 有目共睹 | be obvious to all |
| yǒumùgòngshǎng 有目共賞 | have a universal appeal |
| yǒunǎibiànshìniáng 有奶便是娘 | submit oneself to anyone who feeds one |
| yóuqiānghuádiào 油腔滑調 | persuasive but not reliable |
| yǒuqífùbìyǒuqízi 有其父必有其子 | like father, like son |
| yǒuqiúbìyìng 有求必應 | grant whatever asked |
| yǒuqìwúlì 有氣無力 | listless(ly) |
| yóurènyǒuyú 游刃有餘 | do a job with skill and ease (handle a butcher's cleaver skilfully) |
| yōuróuguǎduàn 優柔寡斷 | irresolutely |
| yōushènglièbài 優勝劣敗 | survival of the fittest (the superior win and the inferior lose) |
| yǒushēngyǒusè 有聲有色 | vivid and dramatic |
| yǒushìwúkǒng 有恃無恐 | feel reassured and emboldened |
| yǒushǐwúzhōng 有始無終 | start something but fail to carry it through |
| yǒushǐyǒuzhōng 有始有終 | finish what has been started |
| yǒushízhīshì 有識之士 | a man of insight |
| yóushǒuhàoxián 游手好閒 | throw away one's armor and trail the weapons behind |
| yǒutiáobùwěn 有條不紊 | systematic |
| yǒutiáoyǒulǐ 有條有理 | well organized and clearly arranged |
| yóutóuhuánǎo 油頭滑腦 | an oily sharper |
| yǒutóuwúwěi 有頭無尾 | imperfect |
| yǒutóuwúwěi 有頭無尾 | a thing given up before it is finished |
| yǒuwénbìlù 有聞必錄 | jot down all one has heard of |
| yōuxīnchōngchōng 憂心忡忡 | heavyhearted |
| yōuxīnrúfén 憂心如焚 | extremely worried |
| yǒuxuèyǒuròu 有血有肉 | vivid and substantial |
| yǒuyǎnbùshítàishān 有眼不識泰山 | fail to recognize someone's eminence |
| yǒuyǎnwúzhū 有眼無珠 | lack of discernment |
| yǒuyánzàixiān 有言在先 | forewarn |
| yòuyàomǎerpǎodéhǎo yòuyàomǎerbuchīcǎo 又要馬兒跑得好又要馬兒不吃草 | you can't eat your cake and have it |
| yǒuyílì bìyǒuyībì 有一利必有一弊 | if there is an advantage, there will surely be something to the contrary |
| yǒuyǒngwúmóu 有勇無謀 | have valor but lack strategy |
| yóuyùbùjué 猶豫不決 | hesitate |
| yōuzāiyóuzāi 優哉游哉 | leisurely and carefree |
| yǒuzégǎizhīwúzéjiāmiǎn 有則改之無則加勉 | correct mistakes if you have made any and avoid them if you have not |
| yǒuzhāoyírì 有朝一日 | some day |
| yǒuzhìjìngchéng 有志竟成 | where there is a will there is a way |
| yǒuzhìzhīshì 有志之士 | a person with lofty ideals |
| yóuzuǐhuáshé 油嘴滑舌 | smooth-tongued |
| yuánfēngbùdòng 原封不動 | maintain unchanged in its original state |
| yuānjiālùzhǎi 冤家路窄 | one can't avoid one's enemy |
| yuǎnjiànzhuóshí 遠見卓識 | foresight and sagacity |
| yuǎnjiāojìngōng 遠交近攻 | attacking a neighbor, but keeping friends with distant nations |
| yuánmùqiúyú 緣木求魚 | a useless search (climb up a tree to catch fish) |
| yuànshēngzàidào 怨聲載道 | complaints are heard everywhere |
| yuǎnshuǐbùjiějìnkě 遠水不解近渴 | the aid is too slow to be of any help (distant water cannot quench thirst) |
| yuǎnshuǐbùjiùjìnhuǒ 遠水不救近火 | water far away is not much use in putting out a fire |
| yuàntiānyóurén 怨天尤人 | blame fate and others |
| yuánxíngbìlù 原形畢露 | reveal one's real nature |
| yuányuánběnběn 原原本本 | give chapter and verse for |
| yuányuánbùjué 源源不絕 | a constant torrent of |
| yuányuánérlái 源源而來 | come continuously |
| yuányuǎnliúcháng 源遠流長 | long standing and well established (a distant source and a long stream) |
| yuánzáofāngbǐng 圓鑿方柄 | at variance with each other (like a square tenon for a round mortice) |
| yuǎnzǒugāofēi 遠走高飛 | slip away to distant place |
| yùbàbùnéng 欲罷不能 | cannot help carrying on |
| yùbàngxiāngzhēng yúwēngdélì 鷸蚌相爭漁翁得利 | if two parties fight, a third party will benefit |
| yùbùzuóbùchéngqì 玉不琢不成器 | as man needs training and discipline (jade requires chiselling) |
| yuēdìngsúchéng 約定俗成 | accepted through common practice |
| yuēfǎsānzhāng 約法三章 | make a few simple rules to be observed by all concerned |
| yuèxiàlǎorén 月下老人 | the god who unites persons in marriage |
| yuèyuèyùshì 躍躍欲試 | be eager to have a try |
| yuèzǔdàipáo 越俎代庖 | take another's job into one's own hands |
| yùgàimízhāng 欲蓋彌彰 | the more one tries to hide, the more one is exposed |
| yúgōngyíshān 愚公移山 | the Foolish Old Man moving the mountain |
| yǔguòtiānqíng 雨過天晴 | the sun shines again after the rain |
| yùhènántián 欲壑難填 | the covetous are never satisfied |
| yǔhòuchūnsǔn 雨後春筍 | spring up like mushrooms |
| yǔhǔmóupí 與虎謀皮 | a doom petition (ask a tiger for its hide) |
| yúlónghùnrǎn 魚龍混染 | good and bad people mixed up |
| yǔmáofēngmǎn 羽毛豐滿 | become full-fledged |
| yǔmáowèifēng 羽毛未豐 | young and immature (inexperienced) |
| yúmèiwúzhī 愚昧無知 | stupid and ignorant |
| yúmǐzhīxiāng 魚米之鄉 | a land of plenty |
| yúmùhùnzhū 魚目混珠 | pass off the sham as the genuine |
| yùnchóuwéiwò 運籌帷幄 | map out strategy |
| yūntóuzhuànxiàng 暈頭轉向 | lose one's head or bearings |
| yúnxiāowùsàn 雲消霧散 | vanish into thin air (the clouds melt and mists disperse) |
| yùnyòngzìrú 運用自如 | handle very skilfully |
| yùqíngùzòng 欲擒故縱 | let the enemy off in order to catch him |
| yùqǔgūyú 欲取姑與 | give in order to take |
| yǔrénwéishàn 與人為善 | do good for people |
| yǔrìjùzēng 與日俱增 | be steadily on the increase |
| yǔshìchángcí 與世長辭 | pass away |
| yùshíjùfén 玉石俱焚 | indiscriminate destruction of good and bad alike |
| yùshìshēngfēng 遇事生風 | sow discord whenever possible |
| yǔshìwúzhēng 與世無爭 | stand aloof from worldly success |
| yùsùzébùdá 欲速則不達 | more hast, less speed |
| yǔwúlúncì 語無倫次 | speak incoherently |
| yùxuèfènzhàn 浴血奮戰 | battle courageously |
| yǔyānbùxiáng 語焉不詳 | not speak in detail |
| yúyīnràoliáng 餘音繞樑 | the music lingered in the air |
| yúyǒngkěgǔ 餘勇可賈 | still having plenty of fight left in one |
| yúyóufǔzhōng 魚游釜中 | in imminent peril |
| yùyùguǎhuān 鬱鬱寡歡 | feel depressed |
| yúzhěqiānlǜ bìyǒuyīdé 愚者千慮必有一得 | even a fool occasionally hits on a good idea |
| yǔzhòngbùtóng 與眾不同 | different from the others |
| yǔzhòngxīncháng 語重心長 | sincere words and earnest wishes |
| zàigēzàiwǔ 載歌載舞 | festively singing and dancing |
| zàijiénàntáo 在劫難逃 | there is no escape from fate |
| zàijiēzàilì 再接再勵 | make persistent/determined efforts |
| zàisānzàisì 再三再四 | repeatedly |
| zàishuāisānjié 再衰三竭 | be weakened and demoralized |
| zàisuǒbùcí 在所不辭 | will not refuse under any circumstances |
| zàisuǒbùxī 在所不惜 | will not grudge |
| zàisuǒnánmiǎn 在所難免 | inevitable |
| záluànwúzhāng 雜亂無章 | without pattern or order |
| zànbùjuékǒu 贊不絕口 | be full of praise |
| zàoyáofǎwài 造遙法外 | go scot-free |
| zàoyáohuòzhòng 造謠惑眾 | spread rumors to confuse people |
| zàoyáoshēngshì 造謠生事 | cause trouble by spreading rumors |
| zàoyáozhòngshāng 造謠中傷 | spread rumors to injure other's reputation |
| zéhànrúyǔ 擇汗如雨 | drip with sweat |
| zéihǎnzhuōzéi 賊喊捉賊 | thief crying for the thief |
| zéiqùguānmén 賊去關門 | lock the door after the thief has gone |
| zéitóuzéinǎo 賊頭賊腦 | stealthy |
| zéjīnrútǔ 擇金如土 | spend money like water |
| zéshànércóng 擇善而從 | choose and follow what is good |
| zéwúpángdài 責無旁貸 | an inescapable duty |
| zéyǒufányán 嘖有煩言 | there are a lot of complaints |
| zéyǒuyōuguī 責有攸歸 | responsibility rests where it belongs |
| zhàitáigāozhù 債台高築 | be heavily in debt |
| zhǎncǎochúgēn 斬草除根 | destroy evil, leaving no chance of its revival |
| zhǎndīngjiétiě 斬釘截鐵 | show firm determination |
| zhāngdēngjiécǎi 張燈結彩 | decorate with lanterns and colored streamers |
| zhāngguānlǐdài 張冠李戴 | substitute for another |
| zhānghuángshīcuò 張皇失措 | lose one's head |
| zhāngkǒujiéshé 張口結舌 | tongue-tied |
| zhāngmíngjiàozhù 彰明較著 | very clearly shown |
| zhāngsānlǐsì 張三李四 | either one or the other |
| zhǎngshàngmíngzhū 掌上明珠 | a dearly beloved daughter |
| zhàngshìqīrén 仗勢欺人 | take advantage of someone else's power to bully people |
| zhāngtóushǔmù 獐頭鼠目 | repulsively ugly and sly-looking (with the head of a buck and the eyes of a rat) |
| zhāngyáwǔzhǎo 張牙舞爪 | rampant |
| zhàngyìshūcái 仗義疏財 | be generous in aiding needy people |
| zhàngyìzhíyán 仗義執言 | speak out to uphold justice |
| zhānqiángùhòu 瞻前顧後 | be overcautious and indecisive (look ahead and behind) |
| zhàntiāndòude 戰天鬥地 | combat nature |
| zhànwúbùshèng gōngwúbùkè 戰無不勝攻無不克 | all-conquering |
| zhànzhànjīngjīng 戰戰兢兢 | fearful of making mistakes |
| zhānzhānzìxǐ 沾沾自喜 | be very pleased with oneself |
| zhàoběnxuānkē 照本宣科 | repeat what the book says |
| zhāobīngmǎimǎ 招兵買馬 | prepare for war |
| zhāobùbǎoxì 朝不保夕 | be in a precarious state |
| zhāobùmóuxì 朝不謀夕 | live in constant fear for one's livelihood |
| zhāofāxìzhì 朝發夕至 | a short journey or good communications (start at dawn and arrive at dusk) |
| zhāojiàbùzhù 招架不住 | unable to withstand |
| zhāolìngxìgǎi 朝令夕改 | inconsistent in policy (issue an order in the morning and rescind it in the evening) |
| zhàomāohuàhǔ 照猫畫虎 | imitate |
| zhāoqínmùchǔ 朝秦暮楚 | change one's loyalty constantly |
| zhāoqìpéngbó 朝氣蓬勃 | teem with life and vitality |
| zhāoránruòjiē 昭然若揭 | clearly exposed |
| zhāosānmùsì 朝三暮四 | capricious |
| zhāoxiángnàpàn 招降納叛 | recruit deserters and traitors |
| zhāoyáoguòshì 招搖過市 | swagger about |
| zhāoyáozhuàngpiàn 招搖撞騙 | swindle by false pretenses |
| zhéchōngzūnzǔ 折冲尊俎 | win by diplomacy |
| zhéluànqímí 轍亂旗靡 | utterly routed (chariots in disorder and banners drooping) |
| zhēncáishíxué 眞才實學 | genuine talent |
| zhèněryùlóng 震耳欲聾 | a deafening noise |
| zhēnfēngxiāngduì 針鋒相對 | stand in sharp opposition to |
| 4000 |
| zhèngběnqīngyuán 正本清源 | deal with the root and the source |
| zhēngchánglùnduǎn 爭長論短 | squabble |
| zhěngēdàidàn 枕戈待旦 | await eagerly the order for battle |
| zhēngfēnduómiǎo 爭分奪秒 | seize every minute and every second |
| zhèngjīnwēizuò 正襟危坐 | be all seriousness |
| zhēngquánduólì 爭權奪利 | fight for power and wealth |
| zhèngrénjūnzǐ 正人君子 | a man of honor |
| zhēngróngsuìyuè 崢嶸歲月 | eventful years |
| zhèngǔshuòjīn 震古鑠金 | earthshaking (surpassing the ancients and amazing the contemporaries) |
| zhēngxiānkǒnghòu 爭先恐後 | strive to be the first and fear to lag behind |
| zhèngyánlìsè 正言厲色 | with a severe and harsh countenance |
| zhēngzhēngrìshàng 蒸蒸日上 | greater and greater prosperity |
| zhèngzhòngqíshì 鄭重其事 | take something seriously |
| zhèngzhòngxiàhuái 正中下懷 | be just what one hopes for |
| zhènhànrénxīn 震撼人心 | be greatly shocked |
| zhēnjīnbùpàhuǒ 眞金不怕火 | a genuine article can stand any test |
| zhēnpíngshíjù 眞憑實據 | with factual evidence |
| zhènsǒngfākuì 振聳發聵 | enlighten the benighted |
| zhēnwěimòbiàn 眞偽莫辨 | can't distinguish the genuine from the false |
| zhēnxiàngdàbái 眞相大白 | everything is clear now |
| zhēnxīnshíyì 眞心實意 | with all one's heart |
| zhènzhènyǒucí 振振有詞 | say plausibly |
| zhēnzhīzhuójiàn 眞知灼見 | penetrating judgment |
| zhìbìngjiùrén 治病救人 | cure the sickness to save the patient |
| zhībǐzhījǐ bǎizhànbùdài 知彼知己百戰不殆 | know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat |
| zhǐbùshèngqū 指不勝屈 | too numerous to be counted on fingers |
| zhǐchǐtiānyá 咫尺天涯 | physically very near but separated as if by a long distance |
| zhǐcǐyījiābiéwúfēndiàn 只此一家別無分店 | have a monopoly |
| zhìdàcáishū 志大才疏 | have great ambition but little talent |
| zhīfǎfànfǎ 知法犯法 | knowingly violate the law |
| zhìfēngmùyǔ 櫛風沐雨 | travel or work despite wind and rain (hit by wind and washed by rain) |
| zhǐgāoqìyáng 趾高氣揚 | be bloated with pride |
| zhìgāowúshàng 至高無上 | most lofty |
| zhìguóānmín 治國安民 | run the country well and give the people peace and security |
| zhīhūzhěyě 之乎者也 | |
| zhǐjiànshùmù bùjiànsēnlín 只見樹木不見森林 | see the trees but not the forest |
| zhíjiéliǎodāng 直截了當 | flat and plain |
| zhǐkěhuìyì bùkěyánchuán 只可會意不可言傳 | can be subtly appreciated, but not put into words |
| zhìlǐmíngyán 至理名言 | famous dictum |
| zhīlípòsuì 支離破碎 | fragmented |
| zhǐlùwéimǎ 指鹿為馬 | willful misrepresentation |
| zhímíbùwù 執迷不悟 | persist in one's wrong course |
| zhīnánértuì 知難而退 | advance despite difficulties |
| zhīqíyībùzhīqíèr 知其一不知其二 | have only a one-sided view |
| zhīrénshànrèn 知人善任 | use a man according to his ability |
| zhǐrìkědài 指日可待 | can be expected soon |
| zhìruòwǎngwén 置若罔聞 | act as if one had not heard |
| zhǐsāngmàhuái 指桑罵槐 | scold a person indirectly |
| zhǐshàngtánbīng 紙上談兵 | engage in idle theorizing |
| zhìshēnshìwài 置身事外 | stay aloof from the affair |
| zhìshìrénrén 志士仁人 | kind and upright man |
| zhǐshǒuhuàjiǎo 指手劃脚 | pointing and gesticulating |
| zhìshǒukěrè 炙手可熱 | the supreme arrogance of a person with great power |
| zhíshūjǐjiàn 直抒己見 | state one's view frankly |
| zhìsǐbùbiàn 至死不變 | constant till death |
| zhìsǐbùwù 至死不悟 | never repent even unto death |
| zhìsīyìfén 治絲益棼 | do something which only makes matters worse |
| zhìtóngdàohé 志同道合 | cherish the same ideals and follow the same path |
| zhīwúbùyánwúyánbùjìn 知無不言無言不盡 | speak unreservedly |
| zhīwúqící 支吾其辭 | evasive, talk in a roundabout way |
| zhǐxǔzhōuguān fànghuǒ bùxǔbǎixìng diǎndēng 只許州官放火不許百姓點燈 | the magistrates were allowed to burn down houses, while the common people were forbidden even to light lamps |
| zhíyánbùhuì 直言不諱 | call a spade a spade |
| zhíyángǔhuò 直言賈禍 | straight talks invite disaster |
| zhīyánpiànyǔ 隻言片語 | a few isolated words and phrases |
| zhǐyàogōngfūshēn tiěchǔmóchéngzhēn 只要功夫深鐵杵磨成針 | perseverence spells success |
| zhíyíwènnàn 質疑問難 | raise doubts and difficult questions for discussion |
| zhìyǒngshuāngquán 智勇雙全 | combine wisdom and valor |
| zhǐzhēngzhāoxì 只爭朝夕 | seize every minute |
| zhìzhěqiānlǜbì yǒuyīshī 智者千慮必有一失 | even the wise are not always free from error |
| zhìzhībùlǐ 置之不理 | disregard |
| zhìzhīdùwài 置之度外 | disregard entirely |
| zhìzhīnǎohòu 置之腦後 | disregard it (put it at the back of the brain) |
| zhìzhīsǐdì érhòukuài 置之死地而後快 | will not be satisfied until one has been destroyed |
| zhīzìbùtí 隻字不提 | say nothing about |
| zhǐzuìjīnmí 紙醉金迷 | living an exravagant life |
| zhǒngguādéguā zhǒngdòudédòu 種瓜得瓜種豆得豆 | reap what one has sown |
| zhòngguǎxuánshū 眾寡懸殊 | not equally matched |
| zhǒngjuézhǒujiàn 踵決肘見 | very poor (down at the heels and out at elbow) |
| zhòngkǒunántiáo 眾口難調 | it is difficult to please everyone |
| zhòngkǒushuòjīn 眾口鑠金 | public clamour can confound right and wrong |
| zhōngliúdǐzhù 中流砥柱 | unmovable under great stresses |
| zhòngmùkuíkuí 眾目睽睽 | the eyes of the masses are fixed on something |
| zhòngmùzhāozhāng 眾目昭彰 | everyone sees it clearly |
| zhōngnánjiéjìng 終南捷徑 | shortcut to success |
| zhòngnùnánfàn 眾怒難犯 | it is dangerous to incur the anger of the masses |
| zhòngpànqīnlí 眾叛親離 | be utterly isolated |
| zhòngqíngyìjǔ 眾擎易舉 | many hands make light work |
| zhòngrénshí cháihuǒyàngāo 眾人拾柴火焰高 | would not go to someone's place except on business, for help, etc |
| zhōngshēndàshì 終身大事 | marriage |
| zhòngshǐzhīdì 眾矢之的 | the target of public criticism |
| zhòngshuōfēnyún mòzhōngyīshì 眾說紛紜莫衷一是 | there are so many contradictory views that it is difficult to decide which is right |
| zhòngsuǒzhōuzhī 眾所周知 | as everyone knows |
| zhōngtiānzhīhèn 終天之恨 | eternal remorse |
| zhòngwàngsuǒguī 眾望所歸 | enjoy popular confidence |
| zhōngxīngěnggěng 忠心耿耿 | loyal and devoted |
| zhōngyánnìěr 忠言逆耳 | faithful admonitions are unpleasant to hear |
| zhōngyōngzhīdào 中庸之道 | the doctrine of the mean |
| zhōngzhēnbùyú 忠貞不渝 | unswerving in one's loyalty |
| zhòngzhìchéngchéng 眾志成城 | unity of will is an impregnable stronghold |
| zhōuérfùshǐ 周而復始 | go round and round |
| zhōushǎosēngduō 粥少僧多 | not enough to go around (the gruel is meager and the monks are many) |
| zhuā'ěrnáosāi 抓耳撓腮 | scratch one's head |
| zhuǎnbàiwéishèng 轉敗為勝 | turn a defeat into a victory |
| zhuāngfēngmàishǎ 裝瘋賣傻 | pretend ignorance |
| zhuānghuángménmiàn 裝湟門面 | maintain an outward show |
| zhuānglóngzuòyǎ 裝聾作啞 | pretend not to show |
| zhuāngmúzuòyàng 裝模作樣 | make a pretense of |
| zhuāngqiāngzuòshì 裝腔作勢 | be affected or pretentious |
| zhuàngzhìlíngyún 壯志凌雲 | with soaring determination (or aspirations) |
| zhuānhèngbáhù 專橫跋扈 | imperious and despotic |
| zhuǎnhuòwéifú 轉禍為福 | turn calamity into blessing |
| zhuǎnwānmòjiǎo 轉彎抹角 | in a round about way |
| zhuǎnwēiwéiān 轉危為安 | carry over the crisis |
| zhuānxīnzhìzhì 專心致志 | devote oneself to something whole-heartedly and exclusively |
| zhùchéngdàcuò 鑄成大錯 | make a gross error |
| zhūchúyìjǐ 誅鋤異己 | eradicate persons not of one's own party |
| zhǔdòuránqí 煮豆燃萁 | fratricidal strife |
| zhǔhèfénqín 煮鶴焚琴 | inappreciative of art or beauty (rich person who cooked the crane for meat and burned a stringed instrument for fuel) |
| zhuīběnqióngyuán 追本窮源 | trace to its source |
| zhuībēnzhúběi 追奔逐北 | pursue a routed army |
| zhuīgēnjiūdǐ 追根究底 | inquire deeply into |
| zhuìzhuìbùān 惴惴不安 | ill at ease |
| zhūliánbìhé 珠聯璧合 | excellent composition (collection of pearls and valuables) |
| zhūménjiǔròuchòu lùyǒudòngsǐgǔ 朱門酒肉臭路有凍死骨 | hold one's ground despite pressure or opposition |
| zhūnzhūngàojiè 諄諄告誡 | admonish repeatedly |
| zhuó'ěrbùqún 卓爾不群 | preeminent |
| zhuófànánshǔ 擢髮難數 | be innumerable like the hair on the head |
| zhuōjīnjiànzhǒu 捉襟見肘 | be in straitened circumstances |
| zhuólúlǎoshǒu 斫爐老手 | an old hand (expert wheelwright) |
| zhuóqíngchǔlǐ 酌情處理 | settle a matter as one sees fit |
| zhuóshǒuchéngchūn 著手成春 | bring back life to patients (a touch of the hand brings back spring) |
| zhuóyǒuchéngxiào 卓有成效 | highly effective |
| zhuózhuàngchéngzhǎng 茁壯成長 | grow up healthy and strong |
| zhūqiúwúyǐ 誅求無已 | make incessant, exorbitant demands |
| zhùrénwéilè 助人為樂 | take pleasure in helping others |
| zhūrúcǐlèi 諸如此類 | and so on and so forth |
| zhùshìdàomóu 筑室道謀 | have no idea or plan of one's own and accomplish nothing (ask every passerby how to build one's house) |
| zhūsīmǎjì 蛛絲馬跡 | clues |
| zhūyuányùrùn 珠圓玉潤 | excellent singing or polished writing (round as pearls and smooth as jade) |
| zhūzhīcùnlěi 銖織寸累 | accumulate little by little |
| zhùzhòuwéinüè 助紂為虐 | help a tyrant to do evil |
| zhúzìzhújù 逐字逐句 | literally |
| zìbàozìqì 自暴自棄 | self-degradation |
| zìbùliànglì 自不量力 | overestimate one's strength |
| zìcánxínghuì 自慚形穢 | ashamed of one's own appearance |
| zìchéngyījiā 自成一家 | develop one's own style of |
| zìchuīzìléi 自吹自擂 | brag and boast |
| zìdéqílì 自得其利 | take delight in doing something as pleasurable occupation |
| zìgàofènyǒng 自告奮勇 | offer to take the responsibility upon oneself |
| zìgāozìdà 自高自大 | arrogant |
| zìgùbùxiá 自顧不暇 | unable even to fend for oneself (much less look after others) |
| zìjǐzìzú 自給自足 | self-contained and self-sufficient |
| zījūbùqián 趑趄不前 | hesitate to advance |
| zìjuéfénmù 自掘墳墓 | bring ruin upon oneself |
| zìjuézìyuàn 自覺自願 | of one's own free will |
| zìlìgēngshēng 自力更生 | self-dependence |
| zìlǐhángjiān 字裏行間 | between the lines |
| zìmàizìkuā 自賣自誇 | indulge in self-glorification |
| zìmìngbùfán 自命不凡 | think of oneself as a superior being |
| zìqiángbùxī 自强不息 | constantly strive to become stronger |
| zìqīqīrén 自欺欺人 | self-deception |
| zìqǔmièwáng 自取滅亡 | bring oneself to ruin |
| zìqǔqíjiù 自取其咎 | bring blame on oneself |
| zìrán'érrán 自然而然 | naturally |
| zìrènhuìqì 自認晦氣 | admit defeat in good grace |
| zìshēngzìmiè 自生自滅 | run its course (emerge and perish of itself) |
| zìshíqíguǒ 自食其果 | face the consequences of one's action |
| zìshíqílì 自食其力 | self-supporting |
| zìshíqíyán 自食其言 | break one's own promise |
| zìshǐzhìzhōng 自始至終 | from start to finish |
| zìsīzìlì 自私自利 | selfish |
| zìtǎokǔchī 自討苦吃 | do something whcih will only cause trouble to oneself |
| zìtóuluówǎng 自投羅網 | fall into a trap set for oneself by another |
| zìwǒchuīxū 自我吹噓 | boast oneself |
| zìwǒjiěcháo 自我解嘲 | console oneself with soothing remarks |
| zìwǒtáozuì 自我陶醉 | indulge in self-delusion as an escape from reality |
| zìwǒzuògù 自我作故 | be the first to do something |
| zìwūdéyì 自嗚得意 | show self-satisfaction |
| zìwūqīnggāo 自嗚清高 | imagine oneself to be superior to others |
| zìxiāngcánshā 自相殘殺 | mutual annihilation |
| zìxiāngjīngrǎo 自相驚擾 | alarm one's own group |
| zìxiāngmáodùn 自相矛盾 | contradict oneself |
| zìxìnbùyí 自信不疑 | have self-confidence |
| zìxíngqíshì 自行其是 | go one's own way |
| zīxíngwújì 姿行無忌 | act wilfully and unscrupulously |
| zìxúnfánnǎo 自尋煩惱 | bring trouble on oneself |
| zìxúnsǐlù 自尋死路 | bring about one's own destruction |
| zìyánzìyǔ 自言自語 | murmur to oneself |
| zīyìwàngwéi 姿意妄為 | behave unscrupulously |
| zìyǐwéidéchěng 自以為得逞 | fancy oneself clever |
| zìyǐwéishì 自以為是 | have a firm belief in one's own opinions |
| zìyóufàngrèn 自由放任 | allowing unrestrained freedom |
| zìyóufànlàn 自由泛濫 | open wide the floodgates to freedom |
| zìyóuzìzài 自由自在 | free and unrestrained |
| zìyuánqíshuō 自圓其說 | self-justification |
| zìyuànzìyì 自怨自艾 | be contrite and reform oneself |
| zìzhēnjùzhuó 字斟句酌 | choose one's words with great care |
| zìzhīzhīmíng 自知之明 | self-knowledge |
| zīzhūbìjiào 錙銖必較 | counting cents and pennies |
| zīzībùjuàn 孜孜不倦 | assiduous(ly) |
| zìzuòcōngmíng 自作聰明 | think oneself clever |
| zìzuòzhǔzhāng 自作主張 | act on one's own |
| zìzuòzìshòu 自作自受 | suffer the consequences of one's own action |
| zǒngéryánzhī 總而言之 | in a word |
| zònghéngchíchěng 縱橫馳騁 | move about freely and quickly |
| zònghéngdiàohé 縱橫掉闔 | maneuver among various political groupings |
| zǒngjiǎozhījiāo 總角之交 | childhood friend |
| zǒumǎkànhuā 走馬看花 | gain a superficial understanding through cursory observation |
| zǒutóuwúlù 走頭無路 | poor and utterly helpless (with no one to turn to) |
| zuānniújiǎojiān 鑽牛角尖 | take unnecessary pains to study an insignificant or insoluble problem |
| zuìbùróngzhū 罪不容誅 | be guilty of crimes for which even death is insufficient punishment |
| zuìdàèjí 罪大惡極 | criminal and wicked in the extreme |
| zuìètāotiān 罪惡滔天 | be guilty of monstrous crimes |
| zuìèzhāozhāng 罪惡昭彰 | flagrant offenses |
| zuìgāiwànsǐ 罪該萬死 | be guilty of a crime for which even death cannot atone |
| zuìkuíhuòshǒu 罪魁禍首 | chief criminal |
| zuìnièshēnzhòng 罪孽深重 | sinful |
| zuìshēngmèngsǐ 醉生夢死 | lead a befuddled life |
| zuìwēngzhīyì bùzàijiǔ 醉翁之意不在酒 | have ulterior motives (the drinker's heart is not in the cup) |
| zuìyǒuyīngdé 罪有應得 | deserve the punishment |
| zuìzénàntáo 罪責難逃 | can't escape the responsibility for the offense |
| zūnshīzhòngdào 尊師重道 | honor the teacher and respect his teachings |
| zuòbìshàngguān 作壁上觀 | be an onlooker |
| zuòchīshānkōng 坐吃山空 | sit idle and eat, and in time your whole fortune will be used up |
| zuǒdàopángmén 左道旁門 | heretical doctrines (or sect) |
| zuòdìfēnzāng 坐地分贓 | as a receiver of stolen goods (share plunder) |
| zuòèduōduān 作惡多端 | commit all sorts of wickedness |
| zuòfǎzìbì 作法自斃 | get into troubles through schemes established by oneself |
| zuòguānchéngbài 坐觀成敗 | sit and watch the results of |
| zuǒgùyòupàn 左顧右盼 | look around |
| zuòjiānfànkē 作奸犯科 | violate the law and commit crimes |
| zuòjiǎnzìfù 作繭自縛 | tie oneself up with duties |
| zuòjǐngguāntiān 坐井觀天 | have a very narrow view (see the sky from the bottom of a well) |
| zuòkùnchóuchéng 坐困愁城 | be walled in by one's own worries |
| zuòlìbù'ān 坐立不安 | feel uneasy whether sitting or standing |
| zuòshānguānhǔdòu 坐山觀虎鬥 | watch in safety while others fight, then reap the spoils when both sides are exhausted (sit on top of the mountain to watch the tigers fight) |
| zuòshìbùjiù 坐視不救 | sit back and watch without going to the rescue |
| zuòshīliángjī 坐失良機 | let a golden opportunity slip by |
| zuòshōuyúlì 坐收漁利 | profit from others' conflict |
| zuòwēizuòfú 作威作福 | act like a tyrant |
| zuòwòbùníng 坐臥不寧 | feel restless |
| zuòwúxūxí 座無虛席 | a full house |
| zuòxiǎngqíchéng 坐享其成 | sit idle and enjoy the fruits of others' work |
| zuòyǐdàibì 坐以待斃 | await one's doom |
| zuòyǐdàidàn 坐以待旦 | sit and wait for the dawn |
| zuòyītiānhéshàng qiāoyītiānzhōng 做一天和尚敲一天鐘 | follow a routine |
| zuǒyòuféngyuán 左右逢源 | win advantage from both sides |
| zuǒyòukāigōng 左右開弓 | shoot first to one side, then to the other |
| zuǒyòuwéinán 左右為難 | caught in a dilemma |
| zuòzéixīnxū 作賊心虛 | a thief has a guilty conscience |
| 4250 |
| zuǒzhīyòuchù 左支右絀 | be unable to cope with a situation |
| zúzhìduōmóu 足智多謀 | wise and full of stratagems |