ěr
thus
so
like that
you
thou
nín
you (courteous, as opposed to informal 你[ni3])
nǐ
you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您[nin2])
yóu
to follow
from
it is for...to
reason
cause
because of
due to
to
to leave it (to sb)
by (introduces passive verb)
yǒu
to have
there is
there are
to exist
to be
yòu
(once) again
also
both... and...
and yet
(used for emphasis) anyway
péng you
friend
CL:個|个[ge4],位[wei4]
tái
(classical) you (in letters)
variant of 臺|台[tai2]
ne
particle indicating that a previously asked question is to be applied to the preceding word ("What about ...?", "And ...?")
particle for inquiring about location ("Where is ...?")
particle signaling a pause, to emphasize the preceding words and allow the listener time to take them on board ("ok?", "are you with me?")
(at the end of a declarative sentence) particle indicating continuation of a state or action
particle indicating strong affirmation
à
interjection or grunt of agreement
uhm
Ah, OK
expression of recognition
Oh, it's you!
xiè xie
to thank
thanks
thank you
yòu
right (-hand)
the Right (politics)
west (old)
zuì hǎo
best
(you) had better (do what we suggest)
gè wèi
everybody
all (guests, colleagues etc)
all of you
yóu
oil
fat
grease
petroleum
to apply tung oil, paint or varnish
oily
greasy
glib
cunning
yóu
to swim
variant of 遊|游[you2]
yóu
to walk
to tour
to roam
to travel
zú xià
you (used to a superior or between persons of the same generation)
below the foot
zhì xiè
expression of gratitude
to give thanks
a thank-you note
acknowledgement
yòu
(of divinity) to bless
to protect
shū róng
special glory
distinction
rare honor
one's laurels
it's a privilege (to meet you)
chéng rán
indeed
true! (I agree with you)
qiān piān yī lǜ
thousand articles, same rule (idiom); stereotyped and repetitive
once you've seen one, you've seen them all
yòu
park
to limit
be limited to
duì bu qǐ
unworthy
to let down
I'm sorry
excuse me
pardon me
if you please
sorry? (please repeat)
yòu
to forgive
to help
profound
qǔ cháng bǔ duǎn
lit. use others' strengths to make up for one's weak points (idiom from Mencius)
to use this in place of that
what you lose on the swings, you win on the roundabouts
fáng bù shèng fáng
you can't guard against it (idiom)
impossible to defend effectively
not much one can do about it
It can't be prevented.
fèi xīn
to take a lot of trouble (over sb or sth)
may I trouble you (to do sth)
nán wei
to bother
to press sb, usu. to do sth
it's a tough job
sorry to bother you (polite, used to thank sb for a favor)
yōu
distant, far
adverbial prefix
guò dé qù
lit. can pass through (an opening)
fig. can get by (in life)
tolerably well
not too bad
How are you getting by?
How's life?
dào shi
contrary to what one might expect
actually
contrariwise
why don't you
suǒ xìng
you might as well (do it)
simply
just
gān cuì
straightforward
clear-cut
blunt (e.g. statement)
you might as well
simply
mǒ
Japanese kokuji pr. maro
I
you
yóu
outstanding
particularly, especially
a fault
to express discontentment against
Jiē dà huān xǐ
As You Like It, comedy by Shakespeare
zhí shì
to perform one's job
attendant
job
duties
(respectful appellation for the addressee) you
your Excellency
(Church) deacon
gān bēi
to drink a toast
Cheers! (proposing a toast)
Here's to you!
Bottoms up!
lit. dry cup
hǎo shuō
you're too kind (humble)
with pleasure! (indicating agreement)
easy to handle
yōu
Oh! (exclamation of dismay etc)
see 呦呦[you1 you1]
yōu
to worry
to concern oneself with
worried
anxiety
sorrow
(lit.) to observe mourning
zài jiàn
goodbye
see you again later
Lù Yóu
Lu You (1125-1210), widely regarded as the greatest of the Southern Song poets
yòu
pomelo (Citrus maxima or C. grandis)
shaddock
oriental grapefruit
yóu
as if
(just) like
just as
still
yet
dī fáng
to guard against
to be vigilant
watch you don't (slip)
also pr. [ti2 fang2]
fèi huà
nonsense
rubbish
superfluous words
You don't say!
No kidding! (gently sarcastic)
suí dì
according to the location
everywhere
any place
from any location
from wherever you like
nǐ sǐ wǒ huó
lit. you die, I live (idiom); irreconcilable adversaries
two parties cannot coexist
gàn shén me
what are you doing?
what's he up to?
zhuàn you
to roll
to wander around
to appear repeatedly
yóu
uranium (chemistry)
Taiwan pr. [you4]
nǐ
you (female)
variant of 你[ni3]
hū you
to rock
to sway
to flicker (e.g. of lights reflected on water)
to flutter (e.g. of a flag)
to trick sb into doing sth
to dupe
to con
yǒu
10th earthly branch: 5-7 p.m., 8th solar month (8th September-7th October), year of the Rooster
ancient Chinese compass point: 270° (west)
yōu
remote
hidden away
secluded
serene
peaceful
to imprison
in superstition indicates the underworld
ancient district spanning Liaonang and Hebei provinces
nǐ
archaic variant of 你[ni3]
you
yōu
long or drawn out
remote in time or space
leisurely
to swing
pensive
worried
nóng
you (Wu dialect)
I, me (classical)
shì kě ér zhǐ
to stop before going too far (idiom); to stop while one can
don't overdo it
stop while you're ahead
zán men
we or us (including both the speaker and the person(s) spoken to)
(dialect) I or me
(dialect) (in a coaxing or familiar way) you
also pr. [za2 men5]
Gě Yōu
Ge You (1957-), Chinese actor
hòu huì yǒu qī
I'm sure we'll meet again some day. (idiom)
Hope to see you again.
gàn má
what are you doing?
whatever for?
why on earth?
xì shuǐ cháng liú
lit. thin streams flow forever
fig. economy will get you a long way
to work steadily at something little by little
bù kè qi
you're welcome
don't mention it
impolite
rude
blunt
lǐng jiào
much obliged
thank you
to ask advice
(ironically or humorously) to experience
to taste
nà gè rén
lit. that person
fig. the person you have been looking for
Mr Right
the girl of one's dreams
xíng bu tōng
won't work
will get (you) nowhere
liáo liáo wú jǐ
just a very few (idiom); tiny number
not many at all
You count them on your fingers.
guò dé
How are you getting by?
How's life?
contraction of 過得去|过得去, can get by
tolerably well
not too bad
zhāo cái
lit. inviting wealth
We wish you success and riches (cf idiom 招財進寶|招财进宝[zhao1 cai2 jin4 bao3])
guǒ bù qí rán
just as expected
told you so
jǐ suì
some years
How many years?
How old are you? (familiar, or to child, equivalent to 多大 for older person)
qiè mò
you must not
Please don't...
be sure not to
on no account (do it)
gōng xǐ fā cái
May you have a prosperous New Year! (New Year's greeting)
suǒ jiàn jí suǒ dé
What you see is what you get (WYSIWYG)
hé lè ér bù wéi
What can you have against it? (idiom)
We should do this.
Go for it!
hǎo péng you
good friend
(slang) a visit from Aunt Flo (menstrual period)
yī fēn qián yī fēn huò
nothing for nothing
you get what you pay for
jiāo péng you
to make friends
(dialect) to start an affair with sb
qián rén
predecessor
forebears
the person facing you
nǐ děng
you all (archaic)
see also 你們|你们[ni3 men5]
lǎo péng you
old friend
(slang) period
menstruation
bù jiàn bù sàn
(lit.) Even if we don't see each other, don't give up and leave (idiom)
Be sure to wait!
See you there!
zì zhǎo
to suffer as a consequence of one's own actions
you asked for it
to bring it on oneself (sth unpleasant)
tóng rì ér yǔ
lit. to speak of two things on the same day (idiom); to mention things on equal terms (often with negatives: you can't mention X at the same time as Y)
zhù hǎo
wish you all the best! (when signing off on a correspondence)
xīn xiǎng shì chéng
to have one's wishes come true
wish you the best!
Chī Yóu
Chi You, legendary creator of metalworking and weapons
comet
nǐ hǎo ma
How are you?
Are you well?
yǐn shuǐ sī yuán
lit. when you drink water, think of its source (idiom); gratitude for blessings and their well-spring
Don't forget where your happiness come from.
Be grateful for all your blessings!
hǎo hǎo xué xí , tiān tiān xiàng shàng
study hard and every day you will improve (idiom)
yóu
scallops along lower edge of flag
kě gē kě qì
lit. you can sing or you can cry (idiom); fig. deeply moving
happy and sad
inspiring and tragic
shī yǒu
friend from whom you can seek advice
xué wú zhǐ jìng
no end to learning (idiom); There's always something new to study.
You live and learn.
qīng chè jiàn dǐ
water so clear you can see the bottom
xiāng jiàn hèn wǎn
to regret not having met earlier (idiom); It is nice to meet you finally.
It feels like we have known each other all along.
ěr yú wǒ zhà
lit. you hoodwink me and I cheat you (idiom); fig. mutual deception
each tries to outwit the other
dog eats dog and devil take the hindmost
shú néng shēng qiǎo
with familiarity you learn the trick (idiom); practice makes perfect
zhāo cái jìn bǎo
ushering in wealth and prosperity (idiom and traditional greeting, esp. at New Year); We wish you wealth and success!
pū jiē
drop dead!
go to hell!
fuck you! (Cantonese)
liè wèi
ladies and gentlemen
all of you present
sǐ guǐ
devil
You devil! (as joke or insult)
the departed
rù xiāng suí sú
When you enter a village, follow the local customs (idiom); do as the natives do
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
nǎ li nǎ li
there is nothing to pardon
you flatter me
chù shēng
livestock, or specifically the six farm animals cow, horse, sheep, cock, dog, pig 牛馬羊雞狗豬|牛马羊鸡狗猪
an insult, You animal!
qí hǔ nán xià
if you ride a tiger, it's hard to get off (idiom); fig. impossible to stop halfway
bù yòng kè qi
You're welcome (that is, please don't thank me)
There is no need to stand on ceremonies.
jiào xué xiāng zhǎng
when you teach someone, both teacher and student will benefit
yú yǔ xióng zhǎng
lit. the fish and the bear's paw, you can't have both at the same time (idiom, from Mencius); fig. you must choose one or the other
you can't always get everything you want
you can't have your cake and eat it
Nǐ
You
Thou (of deity)
variant of 你[ni3]
Yōu xiàn
You county in Zhuzhou 株洲, Hunan
yán xíng yī zhì
word and actions coincide (idiom); to live up to one's word
to match words with deeds
Practice what you preach.
bù dǒng zhuāng dǒng
to pretend to understand when you don't
bù gǎn dāng
lit. I dare not (accept the honor); fig. I don't deserve your praise
you flatter me
bìng cóng kǒu rù
Illness enters by the mouth (idiom). Mind what you eat!
fig. A loose tongue may cause a lot of trouble.
rén bù kě mào xiàng
you can't judge a person by appearance (idiom)
you can't judge a book by its cover
often in combination 人不可貌相,海水不可斗量[ren2 bu4 ke3 mao4 xiang4 , hai3 shui3 bu4 ke3 dou3 liang2]
yǒu láo
(polite) thank you for your trouble (used when asking a favor or after having received one)
yù sù zé bù dá
lit. to want sth in haste, but cannot get there (idiom, from Analects); more haste, less speed
don't try to run before you can walk
fèi shén
to spend effort
to take trouble
May I trouble you to...? (as part of polite request)
Please would you mind...?
jǐ suǒ bù yù , wù shī yú rén
What you don't want done to you, don't do to others. (idiom, from the Confucian analects)
Do as you would be done by.
Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.
sān rén xíng , bì yǒu wǒ shī
lit. If three walk together, one should be my teacher (idiom, from Confucian analects). You have sth to learn from everyone.
also translated as: If three of us walk together, at least one of the other two is good enough to be my teacher.
dī shuǐ chuān shí
dripping water penetrates the stone (idiom); constant perseverance yields success
You can achieve your aim if you try hard without giving up.
Persistent effort overcomes any difficulty.
bù yòng xiè
You're welcome
Don't mention it
háng háng chū zhuàng yuán
lit. in every trade, a master appears (idiom); fig. You can produce outstanding achievements in any task, provided you put it enough love and diligence
nì shuǐ xíng zhōu
lit. a boat going against the current (idiom); fig. you must work harder
mén kě luó què
you can net sparrows at the door (idiom); completely deserted
zhī jǐ zhī bǐ , bǎi zhàn bù dài
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated (idiom, from Sunzi's Art of War 孫子兵法|孙子兵法[Sūn zǐ Bīng fǎ]).
dà jià
imperial chariot
(fig.) emperor
(polite) you
duì jiǔ dāng gē
lit. sing to accompany wine (idiom); fig. life is short, make merry while you can
zūn mìng
to follow your orders
to do as you bid
jiǔ yǎng
honorific: I've long looked forward to meeting you.
It's an honor to meet you at last.
xiē cài
Stop it! (Beijing and Internet slang)
Game over!
You're dead!
shòu bǐ Nán shān
Live as long as Mt Nan! (idiom, conventional greeting)
We wish you a Happy Birthday and many more of them.
yǒu
to enlighten
lattice window
ài mò néng zhù
unable to help however much one would like to (idiom); Although we sympathize, there is no way to help you.
My hands are tied.
lìng xíng jìn zhǐ
lit. if he orders you go, he forbids you stop (idiom); fig. to demand exact compliance with instructions
to ensure strictly obedience
dào bèi rú liú
to know by heart (so well that you can recite it backwards)
jì lái zhī , zé ān zhī
Since they have come, we should make them comfortable (idiom). Since we're here, take it easy.
Since this is so, we should accept it.
Now we have come, let's stay and take the rough with the smooth.
If you can't do anything to prevent it, you might as well sit back and enjoy it.
shù yù jìng ér fēng bù zhǐ
lit. the trees long for peace but the wind will never cease (idiom)
fig. the world changes, whether you want it or not
jìn mò zhě hēi
proximity to pitch makes you black (idiom, from Ouyang Xiu 歐陽修|欧阳修); different environments provide different influence.
Nurture determines a person's character.
shuō shí chí , nà shí kuài
(idiom) no sooner said than done
before you know it
tóng xǐ
Thank you for your congratulations!
The same to you! (returning a compliment)
sān sī ér xíng
think three times then go (idiom); don't act before you've thought it through carefully
chī yī qiàn , cháng yī zhì
Fall into the moat and you'll be wiser next time (idiom). One only learns from one's mistakes.
běn xìng nán yí
It is hard to change one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are.
Can the leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)
hé qì shēng cái
(idiom) amiability makes you rich
tiān wǎng huī huī
lit. heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it (idiom, from Laozi 73)
fig. the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape
you can't run from the long arm of the law
yè jīng yú qín
mastery of study lies in diligence (idiom). You can only master a subject by assiduous study.
Excellence in work is only possible with diligence.
Practice makes perfect.
jī bù zé shí
when hungry, you can't pick what you eat (idiom); beggars can't be choosers
When matters are urgent, don't spend time choosing alternatives.
jī bù zé shí
when hungry, you can't pick what you eat (idiom); beggars can't be choosers
When matters are urgent, don't spend time choosing alternatives.
liàng rù wéi chū
to assess one's income and spend accordingly (idiom); to live within one's means
You can only spend what you earn.
jīng chéng suǒ zhì
with a will, you can achieve anything (idiom); cf 精誠所至,金石為開|精诚所至,金石为开[jing1 cheng2 suo3 zhi4 , jin1 shi2 wei4 kai1]
shuǐ dī shí chuān
dripping water penetrates the stone (idiom); constant perseverance yields success
You can achieve your aim if you try hard without giving up.
Persistent effort overcomes any difficulty.
cháng xiù shàn wǔ
long sleeves help one dance beautifully (idiom); money and power will help you in any occupation
jí shí xíng lè
to enjoy the present (idiom); to live happily with no thought for the future
make merry while you can
carpe diem
qǐng duō duō guān zhào
pleased to meet you
enchanté
yǒu dé yǒu shī
you win some, you lose some (idiom)
gains and losses
trade-off
qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī
The cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice (idiom); You won't get anywhere without equipment.
liáo liáo kě shǔ
just a very few (idiom); tiny number
just a handful
not many at all
You count them on your fingers.
tiān wú jué rén zhī lù
Heaven never bars one's way (idiom); don't despair and you will find a way through.
Never give up hope.
Never say die.
nǐ zhēng wǒ duó
lit. you fight, I snatch (idiom); to compete fiercely offering no quarter
fierce rivalry
tug-of-war
jìn zhū zhě chì , jìn mò zhě hēi
proximity to cinnabar makes you red, to pitch makes you black (idiom, from Ouyang Xiu 歐陽修|欧阳修); different environments provide different influence.
Nurture determines a person's character.
shòu rén yǐ yú bù rú shòu rén yǐ yú
give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime
knowledge is the best charity
wàn shòu wú jiāng
may you enjoy boundless longevity (idiom)
long may you live
hū yǐn hū xiàn
intermittent
now you see it, now you don't
ěr biān fēng
lit. wind past your ear
fig. sth you don't pay much attention to
in one ear and out the other
yī shǒu jiāo qián , yī shǒu jiāo huò
lit. one hand exchanges the cash, the other the goods (common saying); to pay for what you want in cash
fig. simple and direct transaction
yǒu qián néng shǐ guǐ tuī mó
lit. money will make the Devil turn millstones (idiom); with money, you can do anything you like.
shuǐ zhì qīng zé wú yú
Water that is too clear has few fish, and one who is too critical has few friends (idiom); You cannot expect everyone to be squeaky clean.
Don't be too picky!
chū rù píng ān
lit. peace when you come or go
peace wherever you go
píng shēn
(old) to stand up (after kowtowing)
You may rise.
báo jiǔ
dilute wine
insipid wine
I'm sorry the wine I offer you is so poor. (humble)
jiǔ ròu péng you
lit. a friend when wining and dining (idiom); fair-weather friend
hú nǚ
fox lady
in folk stories, a beautiful girl who will seduce you then reveal herself as a ghost
dōu shén me nián dài le
What decade are you living in?
That's so out-of-date!
suì suì píng ān
May you have peace year after year (New Year's greeting)
jīng chéng suǒ zhì , jīn shí wèi kāi
lit. sincerity splits open metal and metal (idiom); if you put your heart to it, you can break up metal and rocks
With a will, you can achieve anything.
yuàn dǔ fú shū
lit. if you agree to bet you must accept to lose
fig. you bet, you pay
zhòng guā dé guā , zhòng dòu dé dòu
lit. Sow melon and you get melon, sow beans and you get beans (idiom); fig. As you sow, so shall you reap.
One must live with the consequences of one's actions.
You've made your bed, now must lie on it.
qǔ qí jīng huá , qù qí zāo pò
take the cream, discard the dross (political and educational slogan)
keep what is good, discard the rest
You need to be selective when studying.
In modernizing the country, don't accept uncritically all foreign ideas.
shuō pú tao suān
sour grapes (set expr. based on Aesop)
lit. to say grapes are sour when you can't eat them
yì xià rú hé
how about it?
what do you think?
zūn jià
lit. your honored carriage
your highness
honored Sir (also sarcastic)
you
qǐng biàn
Please do as you wish!
You are welcome to do whatever you like!
Please make yourself at home.
rén zài jiāng hú , shēn bù yóu jǐ
you can't always do as you like
one has to compromise in this world (idiom)
shào zhuàng bù nǔ lì , lǎo dà tú shāng bēi
if you are lazy in your prime, you'll be sorry in your old age
jiù de bù qù , xīn de bù lái
lit. If the old doesn't go, the new will not come.
You can't make progress by clinging to old notions.
xīn jìng zì rán liáng
a calm heart keeps you cool (idiom)
ěr páng fēng
lit. wind past your ear
fig. sth you don't pay much attention to
in one ear and out the other
rù jìng suí sú
When you enter a country, follow the local customs (idiom); do as the natives do
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
bù dào cháng chéng fēi hǎo hàn
lit. until you reach the Great Wall, you're not a proper person; fig. to get over difficulties before reaching the goal
xiǎng dé měi
in your dreams!
as if!
You wish!
I wish that were so
cóng xīn suǒ yù
whatever you like
to do as one pleases
bù rù hǔ xué , yān dé hǔ zǐ
How do you catch the tiger cub without entering the tiger's lair? (idiom); Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
jiāng shān yì gǎi , běn xìng nán yí
The rivers and mountains may change, but not one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are.
Can the leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)
chā chì nán fēi
lit. even given wings, you couldn't fly (idiom); fig. impossible to escape
rén bù wèi jǐ , tiān zhū dì miè
Look out for yourself, or heaven and earth will combine to destroy you.
Every man for himself, and the Devil take the hindmost.
jià jī suí jī
If you marry a chicken, follow the chicken (idiom); A woman should follow whatever her husband orders.
We must learn to accept the people around us.
qián shì bù wàng , hòu shì zhī shī
don't forget past events, they can guide you in future (idiom); benefit from past experience
zhí de pǐn wèi
worth tasting
you should try it
qīng ráo
to forgive easily
to let off lightly (often with negative: you won't get away with it)
yú yǔ xióng zhǎng bù kě jiān dé
lit. the fish and the bear's paw, you can't have both at the same time (idiom, from Mencius); fig. you must choose one or the other
you can't always get everything you want
you can't have your cake and eat it
yīn lòu jiù jiǎn
crude but simple methods (idiom); use whatever methods you can
to do things simply and thriftily
It's not pretty but it works.
xié tiān zǐ yǐ lìng zhū hóu
(expr.) hold the feudal overlord and you control his vassals
gāng jǔ mù zhāng
if you lift the headrope the meshes spread open (idiom)
take care of the big things and the little things will take care of themselves
(of a piece of writing) well-structured and ordered
jiǔ yǎng dà míng
I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time (idiom)
Huáng tiān bù fù kǔ xīn rén
Heaven will not disappoint the person who tries (idiom). If you try hard, you're bound to succeed eventually.
yù jiā zhī zuì , hé huàn wú cí
If you want to condemn sb, don't worry about the pretext (idiom, from Zuozhuan 左傳|左传); one can always trump up a charge against sb
Give a dog a bad name, then hang him.
shī zhī dōng yú , shōu zhī sāng yú
to lose at sunrise but gain at sunset (idiom); to compensate later for one's earlier loss
what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts
chéng ràng
you let me win (said politely after winning a game)
jīn rì shì jīn rì bì
never put off until tomorrow what you can do today (idiom)
cùn jīn nán mǎi cùn guāng yīn
An ounce of gold can't buy you an interval of time (idiom); Money can't buy you time.
Time is precious.
chī bù dào pú tao shuō pú tao suān
sour grapes (set expr. based on Aesop)
lit. to say grapes are sour when you can't eat them
yǒu zhì jìng chéng
persevere and you will succeed (idiom); where there's a will, there's a way
zhè hái liǎo dé
How dare you!
This is an outrage!
Absolutely disgraceful!
yù rén fāng biàn , zì jǐ fāng biàn
Help others, and others may help you (idiom).
néng zhě duō láo
abler people do more work (idiom); It is because you are so capable that we (or they) leave everything to you.
ěr tīng wéi xū , yǎn jiàn wéi shí
Take what you hear to be false, only believe it when you see it (俗语 common saying). Don't believe what people tell you until you see if for yourself.
It ain't necessarily so.
dí wǒ máo dùn
contradictions between ourselves and the enemy
Either you are for us or against us.
yī huí shēng , èr huí shú
lit. at first raw, later ripe (idiom); unfamiliar at first but you get used to it
strangers at first meeting, but soon friends
awkward at first but becoming skillful later
an acquired taste
jià jī suí jī , jià gǒu suí gǒu
lit if you marry a chicken follow the chicken, if you marry a dog follow the dog (idiom)
hǔ fù wú quǎn zǐ
lit. father a lion, son cannot be a dog (honorific); With a distinguished father such as you, the son is sure to do well.
like father, like son
chéng mén shī huǒ , yāng jí chí yú
a fire in the city gates is also a calamity for the fish in the moat (idiom); the bystander will also suffer
fig. you can't escape responsibility for your actions
ask not for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee
yī cùn guāng yīn yī cùn jīn , cùn jīn nán mǎi cùn guāng yīn
An interval of time is worth an ounce of gold, money can't buy you time (common saying); Time is precious and must be treasured.
jīn qián wàn néng
money is omnipotent (idiom)
with money, you can do anything
money talks
bù jīng yī shì
You can't gain knowledge without practical experience (idiom); wisdom only comes with experience
rě huǒ shāo shēn
stir up the fire and you get burnt (idiom); to get one's fingers burnt
fig. to suffer on account of one's own meddling
tiān jī bù kě xiè lù
lit. mysteries of heaven must not be revealed (idiom); must not be revealed
I am not at liberty to inform you.
qiáng zhōng zì yǒu qiáng zhōng shǒu
However strong you are, there is always someone stronger
There is always sth more to learn (applied to art or learning).
Never be satisfied to rest on you laurels.
There is no room for complacency.
zǎo zhī jīn rì hè bì dāng chū
if I (you, she, he...) had known it would come to this, I (you, she, he...) would not have acted thus (idiom)
to regret vainly one's past behaviour
ruò yào rén bù zhī , chú fēi jǐ mò wéi
If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it (idiom). fig. If you do something bad, people will inevitably hear about it.
bù jīng yī shì , bù zhǎng yī zhì
You can't gain knowledge without practical experience (common saying); wisdom only comes with experience
tài gōng diào yú , yuàn zhě shàng gōu
Jiang Ziya is fishing, if you want take the hook (idiom, refers to early sage 薑子牙|姜子牙 fishing with no bait and the hook above the water); to put one's head in the noose
cháng mìng fù guì
We wish you long life and riches! (idiom, conventional greeting)
zhǐ yào gōng fu shēn , tiě chǔ mó chéng zhēn
If you work at it hard enough, you can grind an iron bar into a needle.
cf idiom 磨杵成針|磨杵成针, to grind an iron bar down to a fine needle (idiom); fig. to persevere in a difficult task
to study diligently
Jiāng tài gōng diào yú , yuàn zhě shàng gōu
Jiang Ziya is fishing, if you want it, take the hook (idiom, refers to early sage 薑子牙|姜子牙 fishing with no bait and the hook above the water); to put one's head in the noose
yǐ suǒ bù yù , wù shī yú rén
Do not do to others what you do not wish others to do to you (Confucius)
xū xīn shǐ rén jìn bù , jiāo ào shǐ rén luò hòu
Modesty leads to progress, arrogance makes you drop behind (favorite slogan of Mao Zedong)
kuì bù gǎn dāng
lit. I'm ashamed and dare not (accept the honor); fig. I do not deserve your praise.
You flatter me too much.
kōng gǔ zú yīn
sound of footsteps in an empty valley (idiom); a rare occurrence
That's sth you don't often hear!
bù qīng ráo
not to forgive easily
not to let off
(You, He) won't get away with it!
shàng xiǎng
I beg you to partake of this sacrifice (used at the end of an elegiac address)
wán shì dà jí
everything is finished (idiom); And there you are!
zhī bǐ zhī jǐ , bǎi zhàn bù dài
Knowing the enemy and yourself will get you unscathed through a hundred battles (idiom, from Sunzi's Art of War).
rén bù kě mào xiàng , hǎi shuǐ bù kě dǒu liàng
You can't judge a person by appearance, just as you can't measure the sea with a pint pot. (idiom)
miù zhǒng
error
fallacy
misconception
scoundrel
You swine!
xīn kǒu rú yī
lit. heart and mouth as one (idiom); to say what you think
honest and straightforward
jiǔ mù
lit. I've admired you for a long time (honorific).
I've been looking forward to meeting you.
It's an honor to meet you at last.
yùn shén
to concentrate
to think what you're doing
zán
a dual pronoun, I, you and me, we two
yǒu
the vitreous glaze on china, porcelain etc
míng rén bù zuò àn shì
The honest person does nothing underhand (idiom).
fig. Do what you want to do openly and without dissimulation.
yōu
doe
female deer
mother deer
mother animal
yǎ jiào
(hon.) your distinguished thoughts
Thank you (for your esteemed contribution to our discussion).
mǐ bù yǒu chū , xiǎn kè yǒu zhōng
almost everything has a start, but not many things have an end (idiom); don't start sth you can't handle
zhuàn you
variant of 轉悠|转悠[zhuàn you]
pǎo dé liǎo hé shàng , pǎo bù liǎo miào
the monk can run away, but the temple won't run with him (idiom)
you can run this time, but you'll have to come back
I'll get you sooner or later
quàn shàn chéng è
to encourage virtue and punish evil (idiom); fig. poetic justice
you get what's coming to you
shī fu lǐng jìn mén , xiū xíng zài gè rén
the master leads you to the door, the rest is up to you
you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink
zūn yì
(honorific) your respected opinion
What do you think, your majesty?
yǎng hǔ yí huàn
Rear a tiger and court disaster. (idiom); fig. if you're too lenient with sb, he will damage you later
to cherish a snake in one's bosom
xiǎo dòng bù bǔ dà dòng chī kǔ
A small hole not plugged will make you suffer a big hole (idiom); a stitch in time saves nine
yǎn jiàn wéi shí , ěr tīng wéi xū
to believe what one sees, not what one hears (俗语 common saying). Don't believe what people tell you until you see if for yourself.
It ain't necessarily so.
fá kē
(cf Book of Songs) How to fashion an ax handle? You need an ax
fig. to follow a principle
fig. to act as matchmaker
tiān jī bù kě xiè lòu
lit. mysteries of heaven must not be revealed (idiom); must not be revealed
I am not at liberty to inform you.
chéng bài lì dùn
succeed or fail, sharp or blunt (idiom); advantages and disadvantages
success and failure
You win some, you lose some.
wěn biàn
reliable
at one's convenience
as you wish
dào zhī suǒ cún , shī zhī suǒ cún
If sb has grasped the truth before you, take him as your teacher (Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈|韩愈).
We should learn from one who knows the way.
jìng xī
(honorific) revered news
the most valuable information (in your recent letter, book etc)
Thank you for your letter.
shā rén bù guò tóu diǎn dì
It's all exaggeration, you don't need to take it seriously
a fuss about nothing
nothing to write home about
rèn biàn
as you see fit
to do as one likes
wú xīn chā liǔ liǔ chéng yīn
lit. idly poke a stick in the mud and it grows into a tree to shade you
(fig.) unintentional actions may bring unexpected success
also written 無心插柳柳成蔭|无心插柳柳成荫
chī zhǎng
to not be wiser despite being older
to be older than (you) by (humble)
jiàn fǎng
your visit (honorific)
you honor me with your visit
dī shuǐ shí chuān
dripping water penetrates the stone (idiom); constant perseverance yields success
You can achieve your aim if you try hard without giving up.
Persistent effort overcomes any difficulty.
qiān lǜ yī shī
reflect a thousand times and you can still make a mistake (idiom); to err is human
pǎo le hé shàng , pǎo bù liǎo miào
the monk can run away, but the temple won't run with him (idiom)
you can run this time, but you'll have to come back
I'll get you sooner or later
guò le zhè cūn méi zhè diàn
past this village, you won't find this shop (idiom)
this is your last chance
shì chéng qí hǔ
if you ride a tiger, it's hard to get off (idiom); fig. impossible to stop halfway
shí jīng
It is a great honor to meet you.
rù jìng wèn sú
When you enter a country, enquire about the local customs (idiom); do as the natives do
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
qiè gōu zhě zhū , qiè guó zhě hóu
steal a hook and they hang you, steal the whole country and they make you a prince (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子)
nǐ zǒu nǐ de Yáng Guān dào , wǒ guò wǒ de dú mù qiáo
you hit the high road, I'll cross the log bridge
you take the easy way, I'll follow the hard path
yǒu rén xiǎng nǐ
Bless you! (after a sneeze)
liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng , bì yǒu yī shāng
if two tigers fight, one must get injured (idiom); if you start a war, someone is bound to get hurt
jìn dào ruò tuì
entering the Way, you seem to coil back (Laozi 老子, the Book of Dao 道德经, Chap. 14)
progress in the Dao can seem illusory
chéng méng guān zhào
to be indebted to sb for care
thank you for looking after me
yǒu rén zài xiǎng nǐ
Bless you! (after a sneeze)
miù jiǎng
to overpraise
You praise me too much!
shī yíng
failure to meet
(humble language) I'm sorry not to have come to meet you personally
piān láo
undue trouble
Thank you for having gone out of your way to help me.
hū niú hū mǎ
to call sth a cow or a horse (idiom); it doesn't matter what you call it
Insult me if you want, I don't care what you call me.
tǎo rǎo
I beg to disturb you
I trespass on your hospitality
Thank you for your hospitality!
bù yǐ cí hài zhì
don't let rhetoric spoil the message (idiom); don't get carried away with flowery speech to the detriment of what you want to say
bào běn fǎn shǐ
ensure that you pay debts of gratitude (idiom)
qiáo zhe bàn
to do as one sees fit
It's up to you.
Let's wait and see and then decide what to do.
yuǎn láo
you have made a long and exhausting journey (套语 polite talk)
you will make a long trip (when asking a favor that involves going to a far away place)
bié tài kè qi
lit. no excessive politeness
Don't mention it!
You're welcome!
Please don't stand on ceremony.
jīng chéng suǒ jiā , jīn shí wèi kāi
lit. sincerity splits open metal and metal (idiom); if you put your heart to it, you can break up metal and rocks
With a will, you can achieve anything.
qián bù shì wàn néng de méi qián shì wàn wàn bù néng de
Money isn't everything but without money you have nothing. (idiom)
hū niú zuò mǎ
to call sth a cow or a horse (idiom); it doesn't matter what you call it
Insult me if you want, I don't care what you call me.
yǒu yì zāi huā huā bù fā , wú xīn chā liǔ liǔ chéng yīn
lit. you plant a garden and the flowers do not bloom, you poke a stick in the mud and it grows into a tree
fig. things do not always turn out as one would expect
well-laid plans may fail, and success may come where you least expect it
fēi zhuó
the poor food I offer you (humble); my inadequate hospitality
jīn qián fēi wàn néng
money is not omnipotent
money isn't everything
money can't buy you love
yǎo rén gǒu r bù lù chǐ
lit. the dog that bites does not show its fangs (idiom)
fig. You can't tell the really dangerous enemy from his external appearance.
mǔ dan suī hǎo , zhōng xū lǜ yè fú chí
Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others.
yī cì shēng , liǎng cì shú
unfamiliar at first but you get used to it
strangers are first meeting, but soon friends
an acquired taste
xié tiān zǐ yǐ lìng tiān xià
(expr.) hold the feudal overlord and you control the whole country
mǔ dan suī hǎo , quán zhàng lǜ yè fú chí
Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others.
yǎng hǔ shāng shēn
Rear a tiger and court disaster. (idiom); fig. if you're too lenient with sb, he will damage you later
to cherish a snake in one's bosom
rèn jiǎo
to know your right shoe from your left (colloquial)
to know which of two you want
cāo fǔ fá kē
(cf Book of Songs) How to fashion an ax handle? You need an ax
fig. to follow a principle
fig. to act as matchmaker
qiè guó zhě hóu , qiè gōu zhě zhū
steal the whole country and they make you a prince, steal a hook and they hang you (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子)
yán xíng ruò yī
word and actions coincide (idiom); to live up to one's word
to match words with deeds
Practice what you preach.
ā wù r
thing
(you) useless thing
mǎ wěi chuān dòu fu , tí bu qǐ lai
lit. like tofu strung on horsetail, you can't lift it
fig. let's not talk of this (pun on 提[tí])
niàn niàn yǒu cí
variant of 念念有詞|念念有词[niàn niàn yǒu cí]
pǎo le hé shàng , pǎo bù liǎo sì
the monk can run away, but the temple won't run with him (idiom)
you can run this time, but you'll have to come back
I'll get you sooner or later
mǔ dan suī hǎo , quán píng lǜ yè fú chí
Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others.
qiān mǎ dào hé yì , qiáng mǎ yǐn shuǐ nán
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. (idiom)
dàng tiān shì dàng tiān bì
never put off until tomorrow what you can do today (idiom)
yǐn liú huái yuán
lit. when you drink water, think of its source (idiom); gratitude for blessings and their well-spring
Don't forget where your happiness come from.
Be grateful for all your blessings!
yǎng wū xīng tàn
to stare at the ceiling in despair
to find no way out
nothing you can do about it
at the end of one's wits
huàn nàn zhī jiāo cái shì zhēn zhèng de péng you
a friend in need is a friend indeed (English proverb)
cf idiom 患難之交|患难之交, a friend in need
tiān yào luò yǔ , niáng yào jià rén
the rain will fall, the womenfolk will marry (idiom)
fig. the natural order of things
something you can't go against
jiǔ mù shèng míng
I've admired your reputation for a long time (idiom); I've been looking forward to meeting you.
It's an honor to meet you at last.
jìn dào ruò quán
entering the Way, you seem to coil back (Laozi 老子, the Book of Dao 道德经, Chap. 14)
progress in the Dao can seem illusory
mǔ dan suī hǎo , quán zhàng lǜ yè fú
Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others.
shí jīng hèn wǎn
It is a great honor to meet you and I regret it is not sooner
bù wèn jiù tīng bù dào jiǎ huà
Don't ask and you won't be told any lies. (idiom)
zǎo dòng shǒu , zǎo shōu huò
The sooner you set to work, the sooner you'll reap the rewards. (idiom)
mén tíng lěng luò , mén kān luó què
The courtyard is deserted, you can net sparrows at the door (idiom); completely deserted
ài lǎo hǔ nǐ
I love you (jocular transliteration from English)
bù yǐ cí hài zhì
don't let rhetoric spoil the message (idiom); don't get carried away with flowery speech to the detriment of what you want to say
xiǎo dòng bù dǔ , dà dòng chī kǔ
A small hole not plugged will make you suffer a big hole (俗语 common saying). A stitch in time saves nine.
xiǎo dòng bù dǔ , dà dòng shòu kǔ
A small hole not plugged will make you suffer a big hole (俗语 common saying). A stitch in time saves nine.
xiǎo dòng bù dǔ , dà dòng nán bǔ
If you don't plug the small hole, the big hole will be hard to repair (俗语 common saying). A stitch in time saves nine.
shuō shì yī huí shì , ér zuò yòu shì lìng wài yī huí shì
see 說是一回事,做又是另外一回事|说是一回事,做又是另外一回事[shūo shì yī húi shì , zùo yòu shì lìng wài yī húi shì]
zhǐ huī yǒu fāng , rén rén lè cóng
Command right and you will be obeyed cheerfully. (idiom)
tiào jìn huáng hé shuō bù qīng
lit. even jumping into the Yellow River can't get you clean; fig. to become inexorably mixed up
mired in controversy
in deep trouble
dào suǒ cún zhě , nǎi shī suǒ cún zhě
If sb has grasped the truth before you, take him as your teacher (Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈|韩愈).
We should learn from one who knows the way.
zhàng èr hé shang , mō bu zháo tóu nǎo
lit. like a three-meter high monk, you can't rub his head (idiom)
fig. at a total loss
ná nǐ méi bàn fǎ
don't know what to do with you
can't really say no to you
suàn nǐ hěn
you got me!
you win!
you are something!
bié lái wú yàng
(literary) I trust you have been well since we last met
suàn nǎ gēn cōng
who do (you) think (you) are?
who does (he, she etc) think (he, she) is?
qǔ qí jīng huá , qù qí zāo pò
take the cream, discard the dross (political and educational slogan)
keep what is good, discard the rest
You need to be selective when studying.
In modernizing the country, don't accept uncritically all foreign ideas.
suàn lǎo jǐ
(coll.) (I, you etc) have what status
who am I (you etc)
jìn zhū zhě chì , jìn mò zhě hēi
proximity to cinnabar makes you red, to pitch makes you black (idiom, from Ouyang Xiu 歐陽修|欧阳修); different environments provide different influence.
Nurture determines a person's character.
qián kě tōng shén
with money, you can do anything (idiom)
money talks
bàn píng shuǐ xiǎng dīng dāng
lit. if you tap a half-empty bottle it makes a sound (idiom)
fig. empty vessels make the most noise
one who has a little knowledge likes to show off, but one who is truly knowledgeable is modest
chéng mén shī huǒ , yāng jí chí yú
a fire in the city gates is also a calamity for the fish in the moat (idiom); the bystander will also suffer
fig. you can't escape responsibility for your actions
ask not for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee
zhēn yǒu nǐ de
You're really quite something!
You're just amazing!
zhòng guā dé guā , zhòng dòu dé dòu
lit. Sow melon and you get melon, sow beans and you get beans (idiom); fig. As you sow, so shall you reap.
One must live with the consequences of one's actions.
You've made your bed, now must lie on it.
yǒu hé guì gàn
What (noble errand) brings you here?
May I help you?
What can I do for you?
zhǐ huī yǒu fāng , rén rén lè cóng
Command right and you will be obeyed cheerfully. (idiom)
yǒu jiè yǒu huán , zài jiè bù nán
return what you borrowed on time, you may borrow again next time (idiom)
sān rén xíng , bì yǒu wǒ shī
lit. if three walk together, one can be my teacher (idiom, from the Analects of Confucius)
you have sth to learn from everyone
Jiāng tài gōng diào yú , yuàn zhě shàng gōu
Jiang Ziya is fishing, if you want it, take the hook (idiom, refers to early sage 薑子牙|姜子牙 fishing with no bait and the hook above the water); to put one's head in the noose
yǒu zé gǎi zhī , wú zé jiā miǎn
correct any mistakes you made, but maintain your good record if you did not make them (idiom)
tiào jìn Huáng Hé xǐ bù qīng
lit. even jumping into the Yellow River can't get you clean
fig. to become inexorably mixed up
mired in controversy
in deep trouble
yǒu shī yuǎn yíng
(polite) excuse me for not going out to meet you
lǎo yé zi
my (you etc) old father
polite appellation for an elderly male
gǎo máo
(dialect) what are you doing?
what the hell?
yǎn jiàn wéi shí , ěr tīng wéi xū
to believe what one sees, not what one hears (idiom). Don't believe what people tell you until you see if for yourself.
It ain't necessarily so.
yǒu mù yǒu
(slang) come on, you can't deny it!
don't you think so?!
(melodramatic form of 有沒有|有没有)
yī fēn gēng yún , yī fēn shōu huò
you get what you put in
you reap what you sow
mǎ wěi chuān dòu fu , tí bu qǐ lai
lit. like tofu strung on horsetail, you can't lift it
fig. let's not talk of this (pun on 提[ti2])
fàng mǎ guò lái
bring it on!
give me all you got!
xián qī
(old) perfect wife
you, my beloved wife
yī kǒu chī bù chéng pàng zi
lit. you cannot get fat with only one mouthful (proverb)
fig. learn to walk before you run
bù jīng yī shì , bù zhǎng yī zhì
You can't gain knowledge without practical experience (idiom); wisdom only comes with experience
huàng you
to swing
to sway
to wobble
to hang around
to hover around
bù jiàn tù zi bù sā yīng
you don't release the hawk until you've seen the hare (idiom)
one doesn't act without some incentive
gòu péng you
(coll.) to be a true friend
yǒu qián néng shǐ guǐ tuī mò
lit. money will make the Devil turn millstones (idiom)
fig. with money, you can do anything you like
péng you qī bù kě qī
you should not covet your friend's wife (idiom)
Bāo sì
Baosi, concubine of King You of Zhou 周幽王[Zhou1 You1 wang2] and one of the famous Chinese beauties
nì shuǐ xíng zhōu , bù jìn zé tuì
like rowing a boat upstream, if you stop moving forward you fall back (idiom)
rén bù wèi jǐ , tiān zhū dì miè
Look out for yourself, or heaven and earth will combine to destroy you.
Every man for himself, and the Devil take the hindmost.
hún shēn xiè shù
to give it your all
to go at it with all you've got
to throw your whole weight behind it
also pr. [hun2 shen1 jie3 shu4]
jiǎ yī péi shí
lit. if one is fake, I shall compensate you for ten of them
fig. (of goods) 100% genuine
shòu zhī yǐ yú bù rú shòu zhī yǐ yú
give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime (idiom)
yī shǒu jiāo qián , yī shǒu jiāo huò
lit. one hand exchanges the cash, the other the goods (idiom)
fig. to pay for what you want in cash
simple and direct transaction
bǎi nián hǎo hé
may you live a long and happy life together (wedding greeting)
hé chū cǐ yán
where do these words stem from?
why do you (he, etc) say such a thing?
jǐ suǒ bù yù , wù shī yú rén
What you don't want done to you, don't do to others. (idiom, from the Confucian analects)
Do as you would be done by.
Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.
rén zài jiāng hú , shēn bù yóu jǐ
you can't always do as you like
one has to compromise in this world (idiom)
qián shì bù wàng , hòu shì zhī shī
don't forget past events, they can guide you in future (idiom); benefit from past experience
nián nián yǒu yú
lit. (may you) have abundance year after year
(an auspicious saying for the Lunar New Year)
jià jī suí jī , jià gǒu suí gǒu
if you marry a chicken follow the chicken, if you marry a dog follow the dog (idiom)
gǒu fù guì , wù xiāng wàng
don't forget your friends when you become rich
nǎ lǐ nǎ lǐ
you're too kind
you flatter me
mǔ dan suī hǎo , quán zhàng lǜ yè fú
Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (idiom). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others.
ěr tīng wéi xū , yǎn jiàn wéi shí
Take what you hear to be false, only believe it when you see it (idiom). Don't believe what people tell you until you see if for yourself.
It ain't necessarily so.
jì lái zhī , zé ān zhī
Since they have come, we should make them comfortable (idiom). Since we're here, take it easy.
Since this is so, we should accept it.
Now we have come, let's stay and take the rough with the smooth.
If you can't do anything to prevent it, you might as well sit back and enjoy it.
fēi nǐ mò shǔ
it's yours exclusively (idiom)
you are the one
only you deserve it
only you can do it
tiān wǎng huī huī , shū ér bù shī
lit. heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it (idiom, from Laozi 73)
fig. the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape
you can't run from the long arm of the law
tiān wǎng huī huī , shū ér bù lòu
lit. heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it (idiom, from Laozi 73)
fig. the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape
you can't run from the long arm of the law
yī cì shēng , liǎng cì shú
unfamiliar at first but you get used to it
strangers are first meeting, but soon friends
an acquired taste
zhī jǐ zhī bǐ , bǎi zhàn bù dài
know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孫子兵法|孙子兵法[Sun1 zi3 Bing1 fa3])
zhī bǐ zhī jǐ , bǎi zhàn bù dài
knowing the enemy and yourself will get you unscathed through a hundred battles (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War")
nǐ wǒ
you and I
everyone
all of us (in society)
we (people in general)
tiān yào luò yǔ , niáng yào jià rén
the rain will fall, the womenfolk will marry (idiom)
fig. the natural order of things
something you can't go against
qiè guó zhě hóu , qiè gōu zhě zhū
steal the whole country and they make you a prince, steal a hook and they hang you (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子)
Fēi sǐ bù kě
Facebook (Internet slang, pun reading "you must die")
nǐ kàn zhe bàn ba
You figure it out for yourself.
Do as you please.
qiè gōu zhě zhū , qiè guó zhě hóu
steal a hook and they hang you, steal the whole country and they make you a prince (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子)
hǎo hǎo xué xí , tiān tiān xiàng shàng
study hard and every day you will improve (idiom)
qiú rén bù rú qiú jǐ
if you want sth done well, do it yourself (idiom)
hǎo xì hái zài hòu tou
the best part of the show is yet to come
(with ironic tone) the worst is yet to come
you ain't seen nothin' yet
mǐ bù yǒu chū , xiǎn kè yǒu zhōng
almost everything has a start, but not many things have an end (idiom); don't start sth you can't handle
yǔ rén fāng biàn , zì jǐ fāng biàn
Help others, and others may help you (idiom).
xiǎo dòng bù dǔ , dà dòng shòu kǔ
A small hole not plugged will make you suffer a big hole (idiom); A stitch in time saves nine.
hǎo jù hǎo sàn
to part without hard feelings (idiom)
to cut the knot as smoothly as you tied it
xiǎo dòng bù dǔ , dà dòng chī kǔ
A small hole not plugged will make you suffer a big hole (idiom); A stitch in time saves nine.
xiǎo dòng bù dǔ , dà dòng nán bǔ
If you don't plug the small hole, the big hole will be hard to repair (idiom); A stitch in time saves nine.
tài gōng diào yú , yuàn zhě shàng gōu
Jiang Ziya is fishing, if you want take the hook (idiom, refers to early sage 薑子牙|姜子牙 fishing with no bait and the hook above the water); to put one's head in the noose
shén me fēng bǎ nǐ chuī lái de
What brings you here? (idiom)
zǎo dòng shǒu , zǎo shōu huò
The sooner you set to work, the sooner you'll reap the rewards. (idiom)
zǎo zhī jīn rì hé bì dāng chū
if I (you, she, he...) had known it would come to this, I (you, she, he...) would not have acted thus (idiom)
to regret vainly one's past behavior
pū jiē
drop dead!
go to hell!
fuck you! (Cantonese)
jiāng shān yì gǎi , běn xìng nán yí
it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's character (idiom)
you can't change who you are
Can the leopard change his spots?
jīng chéng suǒ jiā , jīn shí wèi kāi
lit. sincerity splits open metal and metal (idiom); if you put your heart to it, you can break up metal and rocks
With a will, you can achieve anything.
jīng chéng suǒ zhì , jīn shí wèi kāi
lit. sincerity splits open metal and metal (idiom); if you put your heart to it, you can break up metal and rocks
With a will, you can achieve anything.
xíng wàn lǐ lù , dú wàn juàn shū
Knowledge comes from books and from experience of the world. (idiom)
Learn as much as you can and do all you can.
yù jiā zhī zuì , hé huàn wú cí
If you want to condemn sb, don't worry about the pretext (idiom, from Zuozhuan 左傳|左传); one can always trump up a charge against sb
Give a dog a bad name, then hang him.
xiū xiū liǎn
(jocularly) shame on you!
jiù de bù qù , xīn de bù lái
lit. If the old doesn't go, the new will not come.
You can't make progress by clinging to old notions.
Zhōu Yōu wáng
King You of Zhou (795-771 BC), last king of Western Zhou 西周[Xi1 Zhou1]
hú nǚ
fox lady
in folk stories, a beautiful girl who will seduce you then reveal herself as a ghost
liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng , bì yǒu yī shāng
if two tigers fight, one must get injured (idiom); if you start a war, someone is bound to get hurt
shuō shí chí , nà shí kuài
(idiom) no sooner said than done
before you know it
chī yī qiàn , zhǎng yī zhì
Fall into the moat and you'll be wiser next time (idiom); One only learns from one's mistakes.
chī bu liǎo dōu zhe zǒu
lit. if you can't eat it all, you'll have to take it home (idiom)
fig. you'll have to take the consequences
chī bù dào pú tao shuō pú tao suān
sour grapes (set expr. based on Aesop)
lit. to say grapes are sour when you can't eat them
shī zhī dōng yú , shōu zhī sāng yú
to lose at sunrise but gain at sunset (idiom)
to compensate later for one's earlier loss
what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts
chī dào bǎo
all-you-can-eat (buffet) (Tw)
huò bǐ sān jiā bù chī kuī
shop around first and you won't get ripped off (idiom)
yuè miáo yuè hēi
lit. the more you touch things up, the darker they get
fig. to only make matters worse
bù gān bù jìng , chī le méi bìng
a little dirt never killed anybody (proverb)
a couple of germs won't do you any harm
zhuàn you
variant of 轉悠|转悠[zhuan4 you5]
mén tíng lěng luò , mén kān luó què
The courtyard is deserted, you can net sparrows at the door (idiom); completely deserted
bù rù hǔ xué , yān dé hǔ zǐ
How do you catch the tiger cub without entering the tiger's lair? (idiom); Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
shòu bǐ Nán Shān
Live as long as the Zhongnan Mountains! (idiom)
Long may you live!
guì gàn
(polite) your business
what brings you?
chī lǐ pá wài
to work against the interests of sb one derives support from
to double-cross one's employer
to bite the hand that feeds you
guì fāng
(in business etc) your side
you
bù dào Cháng chéng fēi hǎo hàn
lit. until you reach the Great Wall, you're not a proper person; fig. to get over difficulties before reaching the goal
dào zhī suǒ cún , shī zhī suǒ cún
If sb has grasped the truth before you, take him as your teacher (Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈|韩愈).
We should learn from one who knows the way.
qiān lǜ yī shī
reflect a thousand times and you can still make a mistake (idiom); to err is human
méi zhǎng yǎn jing
(coll.) are you blind or something?
look where you're going
gěi nǐ diǎn yán sè kàn kan
(I'll) teach you a lesson
put you in your place
pǎo le hé shàng , pǎo bù liǎo sì
the monk can run away, but the temple won't run with him (idiom)
you can run this time, but you'll have to come back
I'll get you sooner or later
pǎo le hé shàng , pǎo bù liǎo miào
the monk can run away, but the temple won't run with him (idiom)
you can run this time, but you'll have to come back
I'll get you sooner or later
dào suǒ cún zhě , nǎi shī suǒ cún zhě
If sb has grasped the truth before you, take him as your teacher (Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈|韩愈).
We should learn from one who knows the way.
qiān piān yī lǜ
thousand articles, same rule (idiom); stereotyped and repetitive
once you've seen one, you've seen them all
pǎo dé liǎo hé shàng , pǎo bù liǎo miào
the monk can run away, but the temple won't run with him (idiom)
you can run this time, but you'll have to come back
I'll get you sooner or later
Yōu Mèng
You Meng, famous court jester during the reign of King Zhuang of Chu 楚莊王|楚庄王[Chu3 Zhuang1 wang2], known for his intelligence and sharp tongue
kāi gōng méi yǒu huí tóu jiàn
lit. once you've shot the arrow, there's no getting it back (idiom)
fig. once you started sth, there's no turning back
to have to finish what one started
to be determined to reach one's goals in spite of setbacks
zhǐ sǔn diǎn
stop-loss point, a point at which you make a small loss to limit your losses