Chengyu — B 331 idioms

• 把持不定 bǎ chí bù dìng ㄅㄚˇ ㄔˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ baa2 ci4 bat1 ding6 indecisive (idiom)
• 拔地而起 bá dì ér qǐ ㄅㄚˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄑㄧˇ bat6 dei6 ji4 hei2 (idiom) (of a building etc) to rise out of the ground
• 巴高望上 bā gāo wàng shàng ㄅㄚ ㄍㄠ ㄨㄤˋ ㄕㄤˋ baa1 gou1 mong6 soeng6 to wish for higher status (idiom); to curry favor in the hope of promotion
• 跋胡疐尾 bá hú zhì wěi ㄅㄚˊ ㄏㄨˊ ㄓˋ ㄨㄟˇ (idiom, from Book of Songs) unable to advance or retreat
• 百般巴结 百般巴結 bǎi bān bā jié ㄅㄞˇ ㄅㄢ ㄅㄚ ㄐㄧㄝˊ baak3 bun1 baa1 git3 to flatter someone in a hundred different ways; assiduous fawning (idiom)
• 百般刁难 百般刁難 bǎi bān diāo nàn ㄅㄞˇ ㄅㄢ ㄉㄧㄠ ㄋㄢˋ baak3 bun1 diu1 naan4 (idiom) to put up innumerable obstacles; to create all kinds of difficulties
• 百弊丛生 百弊叢生 bǎi bì cóng shēng ㄅㄞˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄥ baak3 bai6 cung4 sang1 All the ill effects appear. (idiom)
• 百步穿杨 百步穿楊 bǎi bù chuān yáng ㄅㄞˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄧㄤˊ baak3 bou6 cyun1 joeng4 to shoot with great precision (idiom)
• 百川归海 百川歸海 bǎi chuān guī hǎi ㄅㄞˇ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄏㄞˇ baak3 cyun1 gwai1 hoi2 all things tend in one direction (idiom)
• 百端待举 百端待舉 bǎi duān dài jǔ ㄅㄞˇ ㄉㄨㄢ ㄉㄞˋ ㄐㄩˇ baak3 dyun1 doi6 geoi2 a thousand things remain to be done (idiom); numerous tasks remain to be undertaken
• 百读不厌 百讀不厭 bǎi dú bù yàn ㄅㄞˇ ㄉㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ baak3 duk6 bat1 jim3 to be worth reading a hundred times (idiom)
• 百发百中 百發百中 bǎi fā bǎi zhòng ㄅㄞˇ ㄈㄚ ㄅㄞˇ ㄓㄨㄥˋ baak3 faat3 baak3 zung3 lit. one hundred shots, one hundred hits (idiom); fig. to shoot with unfailing accuracy; to hit the mark every time
• 白费唇舌 白費唇舌 bái fèi chún shé ㄅㄞˊ ㄈㄟˋ ㄔㄨㄣˊ ㄕㄜˊ baak6 fai3 seon4 sit3 to whistle down the wind; to waste one's breath (idiom)
• 百废待举 百廢待舉 bǎi fèi dài jǔ ㄅㄞˇ ㄈㄟˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄐㄩˇ baak3 fai3 doi6 geoi2 many things waiting to be done (idiom); a thousand things to do
• 百废待兴 百廢待興 bǎi fèi dài xīng ㄅㄞˇ ㄈㄟˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄥ baak3 fai3 doi6 hing1 many things waiting to be done (idiom); a thousand things to do
• 百废俱兴 百廢俱興 bǎi fèi jù xīng ㄅㄞˇ ㄈㄟˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄒㄧㄥ baak3 fai3 keoi1 hing1 all neglected tasks are being undertaken (idiom); work is now underway
• 摆花架子 擺花架子 bǎi huā jià zi ㄅㄞˇ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ˙ㄗ baai2 faa1 gaa2 zi2 lit. to arrange a shelf of flowers; superficial display (idiom)
• 百花齐放 百花齊放 bǎi huā qí fàng ㄅㄞˇ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄤˋ baak3 faa1 cai4 fong3 a hundred flowers bloom (idiom); let the arts have free expression
• 百卉千葩 bǎi huì qiān pā ㄅㄞˇ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄆㄚ baak3 wai2 cin1 paa1 myriad plants and flowers (idiom); rich and colorful
• 百家争鸣 百家爭鳴 bǎi jiā zhēng míng ㄅㄞˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄓㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ baak3 gaa1 zang1 ming4 a hundred schools of thought contend (idiom); refers to the classical philosophic schools of the Warring States period 475-221 BC
• 白驹过隙 白駒過隙 bái jū guò xì ㄅㄞˊ ㄐㄩ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄒㄧˋ baak6 keoi1 gwo3 kwik1 a white steed flits past a crack (idiom); How time flies!
• 百口莫辩 百口莫辯 bǎi kǒu mò biàn ㄅㄞˇ ㄎㄡˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ baak3 hau2 mok6 bin6 (idiom) (of sb unfairly accused) to have all one's protestations fall on deaf ears; to be unable to convince sb of one's innocence
• 败柳残花 敗柳殘花 bài liǔ cán huā ㄅㄞˋ ㄌㄧㄡˇ ㄘㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄚ baai6 lau5 caan4 faa1 broken flower, withered willow (idiom); fig. fallen woman
• 白旄黄钺 白旄黃鉞 bái máo huáng yuè ㄅㄞˊ ㄇㄠˊ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄩㄝˋ baak6 mou4 wong4 jyut6 white banner and yellow battle-ax (idiom); refers to military expedition
• 白眉赤眼 bái méi chì yǎn ㄅㄞˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄔˋ ㄧㄢˇ baak6 mei4 cek3 ngaan5 for no reason (idiom)
• 白面书生 白面書生 bái miàn shū shēng ㄅㄞˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄨ ㄕㄥ baak6 min6 syu1 sang1 lit. pale-faced scholar (idiom); young and inexperienced person without practical experience; still wet behind the ears
• 百年树人 百年樹人 bǎi nián shù rén ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ baak3 nin4 syu6 jan4 (idiom) it takes many years to raise children to be upstanding citizens
• 百年之后 百年之後 bǎi nián zhī hòu ㄅㄞˇ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄓ ㄏㄡˋ baak3 nin4 zi1 hau6 (idiom) (euphemism) after (sb's) death
• 百事无成 百事無成 bǎi shì wú chéng ㄅㄞˇ ㄕˋ ㄨˊ ㄔㄥˊ baak3 si6 mou4 sing4 to have accomplished nothing (idiom)
• 白手起家 bái shǒu qǐ jiā ㄅㄞˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄐㄧㄚ baak6 sau2 hei2 gaa1 (idiom) to build up from nothing; to start from scratch
• 白首齐眉 白首齊眉 bái shǒu qí méi ㄅㄞˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄟˊ baak6 sau2 cai4 mei4 (of a couple) to grow old together in mutual respect (idiom)
• 百思不解 bǎi sī bù jiě ㄅㄞˇ ㄙ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ baak3 si1 bat1 gaai2 to remain puzzled after pondering over sth a hundred times (idiom); to remain perplexed despite much thought
• 白头偕老 白頭偕老 bái tóu xié lǎo ㄅㄞˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄠˇ baak6 tau4 gaai1 lou5 (idiom) (of a married couple) to live together until old age; to remain lifelong companions
• 百无禁忌 百無禁忌 bǎi wú jìn jì ㄅㄞˇ ㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄐㄧˋ baak3 mou4 gam3 gei6 all taboos are off (idiom); anything goes; nothing is taboo
• 百无聊赖 百無聊賴 bǎi wú liáo lài ㄅㄞˇ ㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄌㄞˋ baak3 mou4 liu4 laai6 (idiom) bored to death; bored stiff; overcome with boredom
• 白苋紫茄 白莧紫茄 bái xiàn zǐ qié ㄅㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄗˇ ㄑㄧㄝˊ baak6 jin6 zi2 ke2 white amaranth, purple eggplant (idiom); common foodstuff, unpretentious lifestyle
• 白衣苍狗 白衣蒼狗 bái yī cāng gǒu ㄅㄞˊ ㄧ ㄘㄤ ㄍㄡˇ baak6 ji1 cong1 gau2 lit. (cloud shapes) changing from a white shirt to a gray dog (idiom); fig. the unpredictable changeability of the world
• 白云苍狗 白雲蒼狗 bái yún cāng gǒu ㄅㄞˊ ㄩㄣˊ ㄘㄤ ㄍㄡˇ baak6 wan4 cong1 gau2 lit. a white cloud transforms into what looks like a gray dog (idiom); fig. the unpredictable changeability of the world
• 百战不殆 百戰不殆 bǎi zhàn bù dài ㄅㄞˇ ㄓㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄞˋ baak3 zin3 bat1 toi5 to come unscathed through a hundred battles (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孙子兵法); to win every fight
• 百折不挠 百折不撓 bǎi zhé bù náo ㄅㄞˇ ㄓㄜˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄠˊ baak3 zit3 bat1 naau4 to keep on fighting in spite of all setbacks (idiom); to be undaunted by repeated setbacks; to be indomitable
• 拔茅连茹 拔茅連茹 bá máo lián rú ㄅㄚˊ ㄇㄠˊ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄖㄨˊ bat6 maau4 lin4 jyu4 lit. pull up a plant and the roots follow (idiom); fig. also involving others; inextricably tangled together; Invite one and he'll tell all his friends.
• 拔苗助长 拔苗助長 bá miáo zhù zhǎng ㄅㄚˊ ㄇㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄤˇ bat6 miu4 zo6 zoeng2 to spoil things through excessive enthusiasm (idiom)
• 搬唇递舌 搬唇遞舌 bān chún dì shé ㄅㄢ ㄔㄨㄣˊ ㄉㄧˋ ㄕㄜˊ bun1 seon4 dai6 sit3 to pass on stories (idiom); to sow dissension; to blab; to tell tales
• 棒打鸳鸯 棒打鴛鴦 bàng dǎ yuān yāng ㄅㄤˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄩㄢ ㄧㄤ paang5 daa1 jyun1 joeng1 (idiom) to cruelly separate lovers (esp. by family or societal pressure); to forcibly break up a couple against their will
• 绑赴市曹 綁赴市曹 bǎng fù shì cáo ㄅㄤˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄘㄠˊ bong2 fu6 si5 cou4 to bind up and take to the market (idiom); to take a prisoner to the town center for execution
• 扳龙附凤 扳龍附鳳 bān lóng fù fèng ㄅㄢ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄈㄥˋ paan1 lung4 fu6 fung6 hitching a ride to the sky on the dragon and phoenix (idiom); fig. currying favor with the rich and powerful in the hope of advancement
• 半路出家 bàn lù chū jiā ㄅㄢˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄔㄨ ㄐㄧㄚ bun3 lou6 ceot1 gaa1 lit. to enter monastic life at a mature age (idiom); fig. to change one's career; to take up a new line of work or specialization; to enter a profession from a different background
• 班门弄斧 班門弄斧 Bān mén nòng fǔ ㄅㄢ ㄇㄣˊ ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄈㄨˇ baan1 mun4 lung6 fu2 to display one's slight skill before an expert (idiom)
• 搬弄是非 bān nòng shì fēi ㄅㄢ ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ bun1 lung6 si6 fei1 to incite a quarrel (idiom); to sow discord between people; to tell tales; to make mischief
• 半通不通 bàn tōng bù tōng ㄅㄢˋ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥ bun3 tung1 bat1 tung1 to not fully understand (idiom)
• 半途而废 半途而廢 bàn tú ér fèi ㄅㄢˋ ㄊㄨˊ ㄦˊ ㄈㄟˋ bun3 tou4 ji4 fai3 to give up halfway (idiom); leave sth unfinished
• 半推半就 bàn tuī bàn jiù ㄅㄢˋ ㄊㄨㄟ ㄅㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ bun3 teoi1 bun3 zau6 half willing and half unwilling (idiom); to yield after making a show of resistance
• 半信半疑 bàn xìn bàn yí ㄅㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄢˋ ㄧˊ bun3 seon3 bun3 ji4 (idiom) half believing, half doubting; not quite convinced; skeptical
• 半真半假 bàn zhēn bàn jiǎ ㄅㄢˋ ㄓㄣ ㄅㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ bun3 zan1 bun3 gaa2 (idiom) half true and half false
• 搬砖砸脚 搬磚砸腳 bān zhuān zá jiǎo ㄅㄢ ㄓㄨㄢ ㄗㄚˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ bun1 zyun1 zaap3 goek3 to hurt oneself by one's own doing; to boomerang; to shoot oneself in the foot (idiom)
• 包办代替 包辦代替 bāo bàn dài tì ㄅㄠ ㄅㄢˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄊㄧˋ baau1 baan6 doi6 tai3 to do everything oneself (idiom); not to allow others in on the act
• 报本反始 報本反始 bào běn fǎn shǐ ㄅㄠˋ ㄅㄣˇ ㄈㄢˇ ㄕˇ bou3 bun2 faan2 ci2 ensure that you pay debts of gratitude (idiom)
• 包藏祸心 包藏禍心 bāo cáng huò xīn ㄅㄠ ㄘㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄒㄧㄣ baau1 cong4 wo6 sam1 (idiom) to harbor evil intentions; to conceal malice
• 抱残守缺 抱殘守缺 bào cán shǒu quē ㄅㄠˋ ㄘㄢˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄑㄩㄝ pou5 caan4 sau2 kyut3 to cherish the outmoded and preserve the outworn (idiom); conservative; stickler for tradition
• 饱餐战饭 飽餐戰飯 bǎo cān zhàn fàn ㄅㄠˇ ㄘㄢ ㄓㄢˋ ㄈㄢˋ baau2 caan1 zin3 faan6 to fill one's belly before the battle (idiom)
• 报仇雪耻 報仇雪恥 bào chóu xuě chǐ ㄅㄠˋ ㄔㄡˊ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄔˇ bou3 sau4 syut3 ci2 to take revenge and erase humiliation (idiom)
• 报仇雪恨 報仇雪恨 bào chóu xuě hèn ㄅㄠˋ ㄔㄡˊ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄏㄣˋ bou3 sau4 syut3 han6 to take revenge and wipe out a grudge (idiom)
• 宝刀不老 寶刀不老 bǎo dāo bù lǎo ㄅㄠˇ ㄉㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄠˇ bou2 dou1 bat1 lou5 lit. a good sword always remains sharp (idiom); fig. (of one's skills etc) to be as good as ever; the old man still has it
• 宝刀未老 寶刀未老 bǎo dāo wèi lǎo ㄅㄠˇ ㄉㄠ ㄨㄟˋ ㄌㄠˇ bou2 dou1 mei6 lou5 treasure knife does not age (idiom); old but still vigorous
• 包打天下 bāo dǎ tiān xià ㄅㄠ ㄉㄚˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ baau1 daa2 tin1 haa6 to run everything (idiom); to monopolize the whole business; not allow anyone else to have a look in
• 抱恨黄泉 抱恨黃泉 bào hèn huáng quán ㄅㄠˋ ㄏㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ pou5 han6 wong4 cyun4 (idiom) to harbor regrets into the afterlife
• 抱恨终天 抱恨終天 bào hèn zhōng tiān ㄅㄠˋ ㄏㄣˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄊㄧㄢ pou5 han6 zung1 tin1 (idiom) to harbor regrets for a lifetime
• 暴虎冯河 暴虎馮河 bào hǔ píng hé ㄅㄠˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄏㄜˊ bou6 fu2 fung4 ho4 lit. fight tigers with one's bare hands and wade across raging rivers (idiom); fig. to display foolhardy courage
• 保驾护航 保駕護航 bǎo jià hù háng ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄨˋ ㄏㄤˊ bou2 gaa3 wu6 hong4 (idiom) to safeguard (sth); to protect (sth)
• 保家卫国 保家衛國 bǎo jiā wèi guó ㄅㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ bou2 gaa1 wai6 gwok3 guard home, defend the country (idiom); national defense
• 包揽词讼 包攬詞訟 bāo lǎn cí sòng ㄅㄠ ㄌㄢˇ ㄘˊ ㄙㄨㄥˋ baau1 laam5 ci4 zung6 to canvas for lawsuits (idiom); to practice chicanery
• 暴戾恣睢 bào lì zì suī ㄅㄠˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄗˋ ㄙㄨㄟ (idiom) cruel; ruthless; tyrannical
• 宝马香车 寶馬香車 bǎo mǎ xiāng chē ㄅㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔㄜ bou2 maa5 hoeng1 ce1 precious horses and magnificent carriage (idiom); rich family with extravagant lifestyle; ostentatious display of luxury
• 暴虐无道 暴虐無道 bào nüè wú dào ㄅㄠˋ ㄋㄩㄝˋ ㄨˊ ㄉㄠˋ bou6 joek6 mou4 dou6 (idiom) tyrannical; oppressive; lawless
• 暴跳如雷 bào tiào rú léi ㄅㄠˋ ㄊㄧㄠˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄌㄟˊ bou6 tiu3 jyu4 leoi4 (idiom) to stamp with fury; to fly into a rage
• 抱头鼠窜 抱頭鼠竄 bào tóu shǔ cuàn ㄅㄠˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄘㄨㄢˋ pou5 tau4 syu2 cyun3 to cover one's head and sneak away like a rat (idiom); to flee ignominiously
• 抱薪救火 bào xīn jiù huǒ ㄅㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ pou5 san1 gau3 fo2 lit. to carry firewood to put out a fire (idiom); fig. to make a problem worse by inappropriate action
• 报应不爽 報應不爽 bào yìng bù shuǎng ㄅㄠˋ ㄧㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄨㄤˇ bou3 jing3 bat1 song2 divine retribution is unfailing (idiom); one is inevitably punished for one's misdeeds
• 巴前算后 巴前算後 bā qián suàn hòu ㄅㄚ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄏㄡˋ baa1 cin4 syun3 hau6 thinking and pondering (idiom); to turn sth over in one's mind; to consider repeatedly
• 巴三览四 巴三覽四 bā sān lǎn sì ㄅㄚ ㄙㄢ ㄌㄢˇ ㄙˋ baa1 saam1 laam5 sei3 to talk about this and that (idiom); to ramble incoherently
• 跋山涉水 bá shān shè shuǐ ㄅㄚˊ ㄕㄢ ㄕㄜˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ bat6 saan1 sip3 seoi2 to travel over land and water (idiom)
• 巴山蜀水 Bā shān Shǔ shuǐ ㄅㄚ ㄕㄢ ㄕㄨˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ baa1 saan1 suk6 seoi2 mountains and rivers of Sichuan (idiom)
• 巴山夜雨 Bā shān yè yǔ ㄅㄚ ㄕㄢ ㄧㄝˋ ㄩˇ baa1 saan1 je6 jyu5 rain on Mt Ba (idiom); lonely in a strange land; Evening Rain, 1980 movie about the Cultural Revolution
• 巴山越岭 巴山越嶺 bā shān yuè lǐng ㄅㄚ ㄕㄢ ㄩㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄥˇ baa1 saan1 jyut6 ling5 to climb hills and pass over mountains (idiom); to cross mountain after mountain; good at climbing mountains
• 巴头探脑 巴頭探腦 bā tóu tàn nǎo ㄅㄚ ㄊㄡˊ ㄊㄢˋ ㄋㄠˇ baa1 tau4 taam3 nou5 to poke one's head in and pry (idiom); to spy; nosy
• 卑鄙龌龊 卑鄙齷齪 bēi bǐ wò chuò ㄅㄟ ㄅㄧˇ ㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄨㄛˋ bei1 pei2 ak1 cuk1 sordid and contemptible (idiom); vile and repulsive (esp. character or action)
• 卑鄙无耻 卑鄙無恥 bēi bǐ wú chǐ ㄅㄟ ㄅㄧˇ ㄨˊ ㄔˇ bei1 pei2 mou4 ci2 (idiom) shameless; despicable; devoid of integrity
• 悲不自胜 悲不自勝 bēi bù zì shèng ㄅㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄕㄥˋ bei1 bat1 zi6 sing3 unable to control one's grief (idiom); overwrought; overcome with sorrow; heartbroken
• 备尝辛苦 備嘗辛苦 bèi cháng xīn kǔ ㄅㄟˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄎㄨˇ bei6 soeng4 san1 fu2 (idiom) to have suffered all kinds of hardships
• 背城借一 bèi chéng jiè yī ㄅㄟˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄝˋ ㄧ bui3 sing4 ze3 jat1 to make a last-ditch stand before the city wall (idiom); to fight to the last ditch; to put up a desperate struggle
• 背道而驰 背道而馳 bèi dào ér chí ㄅㄟˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄦˊ ㄔˊ bui3 dou6 ji4 ci4 to run in the opposite direction (idiom); to run counter to
• 悲歌当哭 悲歌當哭 bēi gē dàng kū ㄅㄟ ㄍㄜ ㄉㄤˋ ㄎㄨ bei1 go1 dong3 huk1 to sing instead of weep (idiom)
• 卑躬屈膝 bēi gōng qū xī ㄅㄟ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄑㄩ ㄒㄧ bei1 gung1 wat1 sat1 to bow and bend the knee (idiom); fawning; bending and scraping to curry favor
• 杯弓蛇影 bēi gōng shé yǐng ㄅㄟ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄕㄜˊ ㄧㄥˇ bui1 gung1 se4 jing2 lit. to see a bow reflected in a cup as a snake (idiom); fig. unnecessary suspicions; overly fearful
• 背井离乡 背井離鄉 bèi jǐng lí xiāng ㄅㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄌㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄤ bui3 zeng2 lei4 hoeng1 to leave one's native place, esp. against one's will (idiom)
• 杯酒解怨 bēi jiǔ jiě yuàn ㄅㄟ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄝˇ ㄩㄢˋ bui1 zau2 gaai2 jyun3 a wine cup dissolves complaints (idiom); a few drinks can ease social interaction
• 杯酒言欢 杯酒言歡 bēi jiǔ yán huān ㄅㄟ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄢ bui1 zau2 jin4 fun1 a few drinks and a nice conversation (idiom)
• 卑陋龌龊 卑陋齷齪 bēi lòu wò chuò ㄅㄟ ㄌㄡˋ ㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄨㄛˋ bei1 lau6 ak1 cuk1 sordid and contemptible (idiom); vile and repulsive (esp. character or action)
• 杯盘狼藉 杯盤狼藉 bēi pán láng jí ㄅㄟ ㄆㄢˊ ㄌㄤˊ ㄐㄧˊ bui1 pun4 long4 zik6 cups and dishes in complete disorder (idiom); after a riotous drinking party
• 悲声载道 悲聲載道 bēi shēng zài dào ㄅㄟ ㄕㄥ ㄗㄞˋ ㄉㄠˋ bei1 sing1 zoi3 dou6 lamentations fill the roads (idiom); severe suffering all around
• 杯水车薪 杯水車薪 bēi shuǐ chē xīn ㄅㄟ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄔㄜ ㄒㄧㄣ bui1 seoi2 ce1 san1 lit. a cup of water on a burning cart of firewood (idiom); fig. an utterly inadequate measure
• 背水一战 背水一戰 bèi shuǐ yī zhàn ㄅㄟˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄧ ㄓㄢˋ bui3 seoi2 jat1 zin3 lit. fight with one's back to the river (idiom); fig. to fight to win or die
• 北叟失马 北叟失馬 běi sǒu shī mǎ ㄅㄟˇ ㄙㄡˇ ㄕ ㄇㄚˇ bak1 sau2 sat1 maa5 lit. the old man lost his horse, but it all turned out for the best (idiom); fig. a blessing in disguise; it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good
• 悲痛欲绝 悲痛欲絕 bēi tòng yù jué ㄅㄟ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄩˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ (idiom) to be overcome with grief
• 背信弃义 背信棄義 bèi xìn qì yì ㄅㄟˋ ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄧˋ bui3 seon3 hei3 ji6 breaking faith and abandoning right (idiom); to betray; treachery; perfidy
• 卑以自牧 bēi yǐ zì mù ㄅㄟ ㄧˇ ㄗˋ ㄇㄨˋ bei1 ji5 zi6 muk6 (idiom) to conduct oneself humbly; modest
• 本来面目 本來面目 běn lái miàn mù ㄅㄣˇ ㄌㄞˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄨˋ bun2 loi4 min6 muk6 (idiom) true colors; true features; original appearance
• 本末倒置 běn mò dào zhì ㄅㄣˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄓˋ bun2 mut6 dou2 zi3 lit. to invert root and branch (idiom); fig. confusing cause and effect; to stress the incidental over the fundamental; to put the cart before the horse
• 笨鸟先飞 笨鳥先飛 bèn niǎo xiān fēi ㄅㄣˋ ㄋㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄈㄟ ban6 niu5 sin1 fei1 lit. the clumsy bird flies early (idiom); fig. to work hard to compensate for one's limited abilities
• 笨头笨脑 笨頭笨腦 bèn tóu bèn nǎo ㄅㄣˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄅㄣˋ ㄋㄠˇ ban6 tau4 ban6 nou5 (idiom) stupid; muddle-headed
• 本性难移 本性難移 běn xìng nán yí ㄅㄣˇ ㄒㄧㄥˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄧˊ bun2 sing3 naan4 ji4 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)
• 奔走相告 bēn zǒu xiāng gào ㄅㄣ ㄗㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄍㄠˋ ban1 zau2 soeng1 gou3 to spread the news (idiom)
• 变本加厉 變本加厲 biàn běn jiā lì ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄣˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄌㄧˋ bin3 bun2 gaa1 lai6 lit. change to more severe (idiom); to become more intense (esp. of shortcoming); to aggravate; to intensify
• 鞭长莫及 鞭長莫及 biān cháng mò jí ㄅㄧㄢ ㄔㄤˊ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ bin1 coeng4 mok6 kap6 lit. the whip cannot reach (idiom); beyond one's influence; too far to be able to help
• 遍地开花 遍地開花 biàn dì kāi huā ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄎㄞ ㄏㄨㄚ pin3 dei6 hoi1 faa1 (idiom) to blossom everywhere; to spring up all over the place; to flourish on a large scale
• 变化无常 變化無常 biàn huà wú cháng ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄨˊ ㄔㄤˊ bin3 faa3 mou4 soeng4 (idiom) changeable; fickle
• 变色易容 變色易容 biàn sè yì róng ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄙㄜˋ ㄧˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ bin3 sik1 jik6 jung4 to change color and alter one's expression (idiom); to go white with fear; out of one's wits
• 变生肘腋 變生肘腋 biàn shēng zhǒu yè ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄥ ㄓㄡˇ ㄧㄝˋ bin3 sang1 zau2 jik6 lit. calamity in one's armpit (idiom); a major coup happening on one's doorstep; trouble or danger in one's own backyard
• 遍体鳞伤 遍體鱗傷 biàn tǐ lín shāng ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄊㄧˇ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄕㄤ pin3 tai2 leon4 soeng1 (idiom) covered all over with cuts and bruises; beaten black and blue
• 彪炳千古 biāo bǐng qiān gǔ ㄅㄧㄠ ㄅㄧㄥˇ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄍㄨˇ biu1 bing2 cin1 gu2 to shine through the ages (idiom)
• 表里不一 表裡不一 biǎo lǐ bù yī ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ biu2 leoi5 bat1 jat1 outside appearance and inner reality differ (idiom); not what it seems; saying one thing but meaning sth different
• 表里如一 表裡如一 biǎo lǐ rú yī ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧ biu2 leoi5 jyu4 jat1 external appearance and inner thoughts coincide (idiom); to say what one means; to think and act as one
• 彪形大汉 彪形大漢 biāo xíng dà hàn ㄅㄧㄠ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄢˋ biu1 jing4 daai6 hon3 (idiom) burly chap; husky fellow
• 标新竞异 標新競異 biāo xīn jìng yì ㄅㄧㄠ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄧˋ biu1 san1 ging6 ji6 to start on sth new and different (idiom); to display originality
• 标新领异 標新領異 biāo xīn lǐng yì ㄅㄧㄠ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧㄥˇ ㄧˋ biu1 san1 ling5 ji6 to bring in the new (idiom); new directions, different creation
• 标新立异 標新立異 biāo xīn lì yì ㄅㄧㄠ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˋ ㄧˋ biu1 san1 laap6 ji6 to make a show of being original or unconventional (idiom)
• 标新取异 標新取異 biāo xīn qǔ yì ㄅㄧㄠ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄑㄩˇ ㄧˋ biu1 san1 ceoi2 ji6 to start on sth new and different (idiom); to display originality
• 碧草如茵 bì cǎo rú yīn ㄅㄧˋ ㄘㄠˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧㄣ bik1 cou2 jyu4 jan1 green grass like cushion (idiom); green meadow so inviting to sleep on
• 彼倡此和 bǐ chàng cǐ hé ㄅㄧˇ ㄔㄤˋ ㄘˇ ㄏㄜˊ bei2 coeng3 ci2 wo4 to chorus sb else's lead (idiom); to chime in in agreement
• 彼唱此和 bǐ chàng cǐ hé ㄅㄧˇ ㄔㄤˋ ㄘˇ ㄏㄜˊ bei2 coeng3 ci2 wo4 to chorus sb else's lead (idiom); to chime in in agreement
• 彼此彼此 bǐ cǐ bǐ cǐ ㄅㄧˇ ㄘˇ ㄅㄧˇ ㄘˇ bei2 ci2 bei2 ci2 (idiom) you and me both; that makes two of us
• 别出心裁 別出心裁 bié chū xīn cái ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄘㄞˊ bit6 ceot1 sam1 coi4 to hit on sth new (idiom); to display originality; to adopt an original approach
• 别开生面 別開生面 bié kāi shēng miàn ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄎㄞ ㄕㄥ ㄇㄧㄢˋ bit6 hoi1 sang1 min6 to start sth new or original (idiom); to break a new path; to break fresh ground
• 别树一旗 別樹一旗 bié shù yī qí ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄧ ㄑㄧˊ bit6 syu6 jat1 kei4 lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (idiom); fig. to act as a loner; to stand out; to develop one's own school; to have attitude of one's own
• 别树一帜 別樹一幟 bié shù yī zhì ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄧ ㄓˋ bit6 syu6 jat1 ci3 lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (idiom); fig. to act as a loner; to stand out; to develop one's own school; to have attitude of one's own
• 别无二致 別無二致 bié wú èr zhì ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄨˊ ㄦˋ ㄓˋ bit6 mou4 ji6 zi3 (idiom) without the slightest difference
• 别有用心 別有用心 bié yǒu yòng xīn ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄩㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄣ bit6 jau5 jung6 sam1 to have an ulterior motive (idiom)
• 碧海青天 bì hǎi qīng tiān ㄅㄧˋ ㄏㄞˇ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄊㄧㄢ bik1 hoi2 cing1 tin1 green sea, blue sky (idiom); sea and sky merge in one shade; loneliness of faithful widow
• 必经之路 必經之路 bì jīng zhī lù ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓ ㄌㄨˋ bit1 ging1 zi1 lou6 (idiom) the road one must follow; the only way
• 避坑落井 bì kēng luò jǐng ㄅㄧˋ ㄎㄥ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ bei6 haang1 lok6 zeng2 to dodge a pit only to fall into a well (idiom); out of the frying pan into the fire
• 鼻孔朝天 bí kǒng cháo tiān ㄅㄧˊ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄔㄠˊ ㄊㄧㄢ bei6 hung2 ziu1 tin1 lit. to have one's nose in the air (idiom); fig. arrogant; haughty
• 闭口不谈 閉口不談 bì kǒu bù tán ㄅㄧˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄢˊ bai3 hau2 bat1 taam4 to refuse to say anything about (idiom); to remain tight-lipped; to avoid mentioning
• 闭口不言 閉口不言 bì kǒu bù yán ㄅㄧˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˊ bai3 hau2 bat1 jin4 to keep silent (idiom)
• 壁垒一新 壁壘一新 bì lěi yī xīn ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄟˇ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ bik1 leoi5 jat1 san1 to have one's defenses in good order (idiom)
• 逼良为娼 逼良為娼 bī liáng wéi chāng ㄅㄧ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄤ bik1 loeng4 wai4 coeng1 to force an honest girl into prostitution (idiom); to debauch
• 壁立千仞 bì lì qiān rèn ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄖㄣˋ (idiom) (of a cliff, mountain etc) steep; lofty; imposing
• 筚路蓝缕 篳路藍縷 bì lù lán lǚ ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄢˊ ㄌㄩˇ the hardships of beginning an undertaking (idiom)
• 筚门闺窦 篳門閨竇 bì mén guī dòu ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄡˋ bat1 mun4 gwai1 dau6 wicker door, hole window (idiom); fig. wretched hovel; living in poverty
• 荜门圭窦 蓽門圭竇 bì mén guī dòu ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄉㄡˋ bat1 mun4 gwai1 dau6 wicker door, hole window (idiom); fig. wretched hovel; living in poverty
• 闭门觅句 閉門覓句 bì mén mì jù ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄇㄧˋ ㄐㄩˋ bai3 mun4 mik6 geoi3 lit. lock the door and search for the right word (idiom); fig. the serious hard work of writing
• 闭门塞窦 閉門塞竇 bì mén sè dòu ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄉㄡˋ bai3 mun4 sak1 dau6 to close doors and block openings (idiom); mounting a strict defense
• 闭门造车 閉門造車 bì mén zào chē ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄗㄠˋ ㄔㄜ bai3 mun4 zou6 ce1 lit. to shut oneself away and build a cart (idiom); fig. to work on a project in isolation, without caring for outside realities
• 兵不血刃 bīng bù xuè rèn ㄅㄧㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄝˋ ㄖㄣˋ bing1 bat1 hyut3 jan6 lit. no blood on the men's swords (idiom); fig. an effortless victory
• 病从口入 病從口入 bìng cóng kǒu rù ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄎㄡˇ ㄖㄨˋ beng6 cung4 hau2 jap6 Illness enters by the mouth (idiom). Mind what you eat!; fig. A loose tongue may cause a lot of trouble.
• 兵戈扰攘 兵戈擾攘 bīng gē rǎo rǎng ㄅㄧㄥ ㄍㄜ ㄖㄠˇ ㄖㄤˇ bing1 gwo1 jiu5 joeng5 arms and confusion (idiom); turmoil of war
• 秉公办理 秉公辦理 bǐng gōng bàn lǐ ㄅㄧㄥˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄅㄢˋ ㄌㄧˇ bing2 gung1 baan6 lei5 conducting business impartially (idiom); to act justly
• 兵贵神速 兵貴神速 bīng guì shén sù ㄅㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄣˊ ㄙㄨˋ bing1 gwai3 san4 cuk1 lit. speed is a crucial asset in war (idiom); fig. swift and resolute (in doing sth)
• 病国殃民 病國殃民 bìng guó yāng mín ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄧㄤ ㄇㄧㄣˊ beng6 gwok3 joeng1 man4 to damage the country and cause suffering to the people (idiom)
• 兵荒马乱 兵荒馬亂 bīng huāng mǎ luàn ㄅㄧㄥ ㄏㄨㄤ ㄇㄚˇ ㄌㄨㄢˋ bing1 fong1 maa5 lyun6 (idiom) war-torn; ravaged by war; in a state of utter chaos
• 冰壶秋月 冰壺秋月 bīng hú qiū yuè ㄅㄧㄥ ㄏㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄩㄝˋ bing1 wu2 cau1 jyut6 jade ice jug and autumn moon (idiom, from poem by Song writer Su Dongpo 苏东坡); fig. spotless white and pure; flawless person
• 兵家常事 bīng jiā cháng shì ㄅㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄔㄤˊ ㄕˋ bing1 gaa1 soeng4 si6 commonplace in military operations (idiom)
• 并肩作战 並肩作戰 bìng jiān zuò zhàn ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄢˋ bing6 gin1 zok3 zin3 (idiom) to fight side by side; (by extension) to join forces
• 并驾齐驱 並駕齊驅 bìng jià qí qū ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄑㄩ bing6 gaa3 cai4 keoi1 (idiom) to run neck and neck; to keep pace with; to keep abreast of; on par with one another
• 兵精粮足 兵精糧足 bīng jīng liáng zú ㄅㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄗㄨˊ bing1 zing1 loeng4 zuk1 elite soldiers, ample provisions (idiom); well-prepared forces; preparations for war are in an advanced state
• 冰肌玉骨 bīng jī yù gǔ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄐㄧ ㄩˋ ㄍㄨˇ bing1 gei1 juk6 gwat1 (idiom) (of a woman) having fair, flawless skin and a graceful, refined beauty
• 兵临城下 兵臨城下 bīng lín chéng xià ㄅㄧㄥ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ bing1 lam4 sing4 haa6 soldiers at the city walls (idiom); fig. at a critical juncture
• 病民蛊国 病民蠱國 bìng mín gǔ guó ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄍㄨˇ ㄍㄨㄛˊ beng6 man4 gu2 gwok3 to damage the people and harm the country (idiom)
• 病民害国 病民害國 bìng mín hài guó ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄏㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ beng6 man4 hoi6 gwok3 to damage the people and harm the country (idiom)
• 兵强马壮 兵強馬壯 bīng qiáng mǎ zhuàng ㄅㄧㄥ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄓㄨㄤˋ bing1 koeng4 maa5 zong3 lit. strong soldiers and sturdy horses (idiom); fig. a well-trained and powerful army
• 冰清玉洁 冰清玉潔 bīng qīng yù jié ㄅㄧㄥ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ bing1 cing1 juk6 git3 clear as ice and clean as jade (idiom); spotless; irreproachable; incorruptible
• 兵戎相见 兵戎相見 bīng róng xiāng jiàn ㄅㄧㄥ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄢˋ bing1 jung4 soeng1 gin3 to meet on the battlefield (idiom)
• 病入膏肓 bìng rù gāo huāng ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄖㄨˋ ㄍㄠ ㄏㄨㄤ beng6 jap6 gou1 fong1 lit. the disease has attacked the vitals (idiom); fig. beyond cure; the situation is hopeless
• 冰释前嫌 冰釋前嫌 bīng shì qián xián ㄅㄧㄥ ㄕˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄢˊ bing1 sik1 cin4 jim4 (idiom) to forget previous differences; to bury the hatchet
• 冰雪聪明 冰雪聰明 bīng xuě cōng ming ㄅㄧㄥ ㄒㄩㄝˇ ㄘㄨㄥ ˙ㄇㄧㄥ bing1 syut3 cung1 ming4 (idiom) exceptionally intelligent
• 宾客盈门 賓客盈門 bīn kè yíng mén ㄅㄧㄣ ㄎㄜˋ ㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄣˊ ban1 haak3 jing4 mun4 guests filled the hall (idiom); a house full of distinguished visitors
• 宾朋满座 賓朋滿座 bīn péng mǎn zuò ㄅㄧㄣ ㄆㄥˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ban1 pang4 mun5 zo6 guests filled all the seats (idiom); a house full of distinguished visitors
• 宾朋盈门 賓朋盈門 bīn péng yíng mén ㄅㄧㄣ ㄆㄥˊ ㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄣˊ ban1 pang4 jing4 mun4 guests filled the hall (idiom); a house full of distinguished visitors
• 宾主尽欢 賓主盡歡 bīn zhǔ jìn huān ㄅㄧㄣ ㄓㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄏㄨㄢ ban1 zyu2 zeon6 fun1 both the guests and the hosts thoroughly enjoy themselves (idiom)
• 鼻青眼肿 鼻青眼腫 bí qīng yǎn zhǒng ㄅㄧˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄧㄢˇ ㄓㄨㄥˇ bei6 ceng1 ngaan5 zung2 a black eye (idiom); serious injury to the face; fig. a setback; a defeat
• 避实就虚 避實就虛 bì shí jiù xū ㄅㄧˋ ㄕˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄒㄩ bei6 sat6 zau6 heoi1 (idiom) stay clear of the enemy's main force and strike at his weak points
• 避世绝俗 避世絕俗 bì shì jué sú ㄅㄧˋ ㄕˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄙㄨˊ bei6 sai3 zyut6 zuk6 (idiom) to withdraw from society and live in seclusion
• 敝屣尊荣 敝屣尊榮 bì xǐ zūn róng ㄅㄧˋ ㄒㄧˇ ㄗㄨㄣ ㄖㄨㄥˊ bai6 saai2 zyun1 wing4 to care nothing for worldly fame and glory (idiom)
• 俾夜作昼 俾夜作晝 bǐ yè zuò zhòu ㄅㄧˇ ㄧㄝˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄡˋ bei2 je6 zok3 zau3 lit. to make night as day (idiom); fig. to burn the midnight oil; work especially hard
• 比翼齐飞 比翼齊飛 bǐ yì qí fēi ㄅㄧˇ ㄧˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄟ bei2 jik6 cai4 fei1 to fly wing to wing (idiom); two hearts beating as one; (of a couple) inseparable
• 比翼双飞 比翼雙飛 bǐ yì shuāng fēi ㄅㄧˇ ㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄈㄟ bei2 jik6 soeng1 fei1 lit. a pair of birds flying close together (idiom); fig. two hearts beating as one; name of a sweet and sour chicken wing dish
• 闭月羞花 閉月羞花 bì yuè xiū huā ㄅㄧˋ ㄩㄝˋ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄏㄨㄚ bai3 jyut6 sau1 faa1 lit. hiding the moon, shaming the flowers (idiom); fig. female beauty exceeding even that of the natural world
• 敝帚千金 bì zhǒu qiān jīn ㄅㄧˋ ㄓㄡˇ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄣ bai6 zau2 cin1 gam1 lit. my worn-out broom, a thousand in gold (idiom); fig. sentimental value; I wouldn't be parted with it for anything.
• 敝帚自珍 bì zhǒu zì zhēn ㄅㄧˋ ㄓㄡˇ ㄗˋ ㄓㄣ bai6 zau2 zi6 zan1 to value the broom as one's own (idiom); to attach value to sth because it is one's own; a sentimental attachment
• 俾昼作夜 俾晝作夜 bǐ zhòu zuò yè ㄅㄧˇ ㄓㄡˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄝˋ bei2 zau3 zok3 je6 to make day as night (idiom, from Book of Songs); fig. to prolong one's pleasure regardless of the hour
• 笔走龙蛇 筆走龍蛇 bǐ zǒu lóng shé ㄅㄧˇ ㄗㄡˇ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄜˊ bat1 zau2 lung4 se4 lit. the brush flows with the fluidity of a dragon or snake (idiom); fig. (of brushwork, esp for calligraphy) lively; vigorous
• 博大精深 bó dà jīng shēn ㄅㄛˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄣ bok3 daai6 zing1 sam1 (idiom) wide-ranging and profound
• 博而不精 bó ér bù jīng ㄅㄛˊ ㄦˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ bok3 ji4 bat1 zing1 extensive but not refined (idiom); to know something about everything; jack-of-all-trades, master of none
• 波光粼粼 bō guāng lín lín ㄅㄛ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄧㄣˊ bo1 gwong1 leon4 leon4 (idiom) (of water) shimmering with ripples; glistening
• 勃然大怒 bó rán dà nù ㄅㄛˊ ㄖㄢˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄋㄨˋ but6 jin4 daai6 nou6 (idiom) to fly into a rage; to see red
• 博识多通 博識多通 bó shí duō tōng ㄅㄛˊ ㄕˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄊㄨㄥ bok3 sik1 do1 tung1 knowledgeable and perspicacious (idiom)
• 博士买驴 博士買驢 bó shì mǎi lǘ ㄅㄛˊ ㄕˋ ㄇㄞˇ ㄌㄩˊ bok3 si6 maai5 lou4 (idiom) to act like the scholar who wrote at length about buying a donkey without even mentioning the word "donkey"; to write at length without ever getting to the point
• 博识洽闻 博識洽聞 bó shí qià wén ㄅㄛˊ ㄕˊ ㄑㄧㄚˋ ㄨㄣˊ bok3 sik1 hap6 man4 knowledgeable; erudite (idiom)
• 博文约礼 博文約禮 bó wén yuē lǐ ㄅㄛˊ ㄨㄣˊ ㄩㄝ ㄌㄧˇ bok3 man4 joek3 lai5 vigorously pursuing knowledge, while scrupulously abiding by the rules of decorum (idiom)
• 博物洽闻 博物洽聞 bó wù qià wén ㄅㄛˊ ㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄚˋ ㄨㄣˊ bok3 mat6 hap6 man4 to have a wide knowledge of many subjects (idiom)
• 渤澥桑田 bó xiè sāng tián ㄅㄛˊ ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄙㄤ ㄊㄧㄢˊ but6 haai5 song1 tin4 lit. blue seas where once was mulberry fields (idiom, from 史记, Record of the Grand Historian); time brings great changes; life's vicissitudes
• 博学多才 博學多才 bó xué duō cái ㄅㄛˊ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘㄞˊ bok3 hok6 do1 coi4 (idiom) erudite and multitalented; versatile and able
• 拨云见日 撥雲見日 bō yún jiàn rì ㄅㄛ ㄩㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄖˋ but6 wan4 gin3 jat6 lit. to dispel the clouds and see the sun (idiom); fig. to restore justice
• 伯仲叔季 bó zhòng shū jì ㄅㄛˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄨ ㄐㄧˋ baak3 zung6 suk1 gwai3 (idiom) eldest, second, third and youngest of brothers; order of seniority among brothers
• 不安其室 bù ān qí shì ㄅㄨˋ ㄢ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˋ bat1 on1 kei4 sat1 (idiom) (of a married woman) to be unfaithful; to have extramarital affairs
• 不败之地 不敗之地 bù bài zhī dì ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄞˋ ㄓ ㄉㄧˋ bat1 baai6 zi1 dei6 (idiom) invincible position
• 不卑不亢 bù bēi bù kàng ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄟ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄤˋ bat1 bei1 bat1 kong3 neither servile nor overbearing (idiom); neither obsequious nor supercilious
• 不辨菽麦 不辨菽麥 bù biàn shū mài ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄨ ㄇㄞˋ bat1 bin6 suk6 mak6 lit. cannot tell beans from wheat (idiom); fig. ignorant of practical matters
• 不避斧钺 不避斧鉞 bù bì fǔ yuè ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄈㄨˇ ㄩㄝˋ bat1 bei6 fu2 jyut6 not trying to avoid the battle-ax (idiom); not afraid of dying in combat; not afraid of being executed
• 布帛菽粟 bù bó shū sù ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄛˊ ㄕㄨ ㄙㄨˋ bou3 baak6 suk6 suk1 lit. cloth, silk, beans and grain (idiom); fig. food and clothing; daily necessities
• 不成体统 不成體統 bù chéng tǐ tǒng ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄊㄧˇ ㄊㄨㄥˇ bat1 sing4 tai2 tung2 not according with decorum (idiom); scandalous; bad form; unacceptable behavior
• 不啻天渊 不啻天淵 bù chì tiān yuān ㄅㄨˋ ㄔˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄩㄢ bat1 ci3 tin1 jyun1 no less than from heaven to the abyss (idiom); differing widely; worlds apart; the gap couldn't be bigger
• 不瞅不睬 bù chǒu bù cǎi ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄡˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄞˇ bat1 cau1 bat1 coi2 (idiom) to ignore completely; to pay no attention to
• 不动声色 不動聲色 bù dòng shēng sè ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄥ ㄙㄜˋ bat1 dung6 sing1 sik1 not a word or movement (idiom); remaining calm and collected; not batting an eyelid
• 步斗踏罡 bù dǒu tà gāng ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄡˇ ㄊㄚˋ ㄍㄤ bou6 dau2 daap6 gong1 to worship the astral deities (idiom, refers to Daoist astrology)
• 不悱不发 不悱不發 bù fěi bù fā ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄚ a student should not be guided until he has made an effort to express his thoughts (idiom)
• 不分彼此 bù fēn bǐ cǐ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ ㄅㄧˇ ㄘˇ bat1 fan1 bei2 ci2 to make no distinction between what's one's own and what's another's (idiom); to share everything; to be on very intimate terms
• 不分伯仲 bù fēn bó zhòng ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ ㄅㄛˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ bat1 fan1 baak3 zung6 lit. unable to distinguish eldest brother from second brother (idiom); they are all equally excellent; nothing to choose between them
• 不愤不启 不憤不啟 bù fèn bù qǐ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˇ bat1 fan5 bat1 kai2 a student shall not be enlightened until he has tried hard by himself (idiom)
• 捕风捉影 捕風捉影 bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng ㄅㄨˇ ㄈㄥ ㄓㄨㄛ ㄧㄥˇ bou6 fung1 zuk3 jing2 lit. chasing the wind and clutching at shadows (idiom); fig. groundless accusations; to act on hearsay evidence
• 不分胜负 不分勝負 bù fēn shèng fù ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ ㄕㄥˋ ㄈㄨˋ bat1 fan1 sing3 fu6 unable to determine victory or defeat (idiom); evenly matched; to come out even; to tie; to draw
• 不分皂白 bù fēn zào bái ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄣ ㄗㄠˋ ㄅㄞˊ bat1 fan1 zou6 baak6 not distinguishing black or white (idiom); not to distinguish between right and wrong
• 不孚众望 不孚眾望 bù fú zhòng wàng ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄤˋ bat1 fu1 zung3 mong6 not living up to expectations (idiom); failing to inspire confidence among people; unpopular
• 不负众望 不負眾望 bù fù zhòng wàng ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄤˋ bat1 fu6 zung3 mong6 to live up to expectations (idiom)
• 不敢苟同 bù gǎn gǒu tóng ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢˇ ㄍㄡˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ bat1 gam2 gau2 tung4 to beg to differ (idiom)
• 步罡踏斗 bù gāng tà dǒu ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄤ ㄊㄚˋ ㄉㄡˇ bou6 gong1 daap6 dau2 to worship the astral deities (idiom, refers to Daoist astrology)
• 不甘后人 不甘後人 bù gān hòu rén ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄏㄡˋ ㄖㄣˊ bat1 gam1 hau6 jan4 (idiom) not want to be outdone; not content to lag behind
• 不甘人后 不甘人後 bù gān rén hòu ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄡˋ bat1 gam1 jan4 hau6 (idiom) not want to be outdone; not content to lag behind
• 不甘示弱 bù gān shì ruò ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢ ㄕˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ bat1 gam1 si6 joek6 (idiom) not to be outdone
• 不敢自专 不敢自專 bù gǎn zì zhuān ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄢˇ ㄗˋ ㄓㄨㄢ bat1 gam2 zi6 zyun1 not daring to act for oneself (idiom)
• 不共戴天 bù gòng dài tiān ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄊㄧㄢ bat1 gung6 daai3 tin1 (idiom) (of enemies) cannot live under the same sky; absolutely irreconcilable
• 不管不顾 不管不顧 bù guǎn bù gù ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨˋ bat1 gun2 bat1 gu3 (idiom) to pay scant regard to (sth); (idiom) unheeding; reckless
• 不过尔尔 不過爾爾 bù guò ěr ěr ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄦˇ ㄦˇ bat1 gwo3 ji5 ji5 not more than so-so (idiom); mediocre; nothing out of the ordinary
• 不过如此 不過如此 bù guò rú cǐ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄘˇ bat1 gwo3 jyu4 ci2 (idiom) nothing more than this; that's all; no big deal; not very impressive
• 不顾前后 不顧前後 bù gù qián hòu ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄡˋ bat1 gu3 cin4 hau6 regardless of what's before or after (idiom); rushing blindly into sth
• 不顾一切 不顧一切 bù gù yī qiè ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨˋ ㄧ ㄑㄧㄝˋ bat1 gu3 jat1 cai3 (idiom) to disregard all negative considerations; to cast aside all concerns
• 不寒而栗 不寒而慄 bù hán ér lì ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄌㄧˋ bat1 hon4 ji4 leot6 lit. not cold, yet shivering (idiom); fig. to tremble with fear; to be terrified
• 不怀好意 不懷好意 bù huái hǎo yì ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄞˊ ㄏㄠˇ ㄧˋ bat1 waai4 hou2 ji3 (idiom) to harbor evil designs; to harbor malicious intentions
• 不慌不忙 bù huāng bù máng ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄤ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄤˊ bat1 fong1 bat1 mong4 (idiom) calm; unhurried; composed
• 不遑多让 不遑多讓 bù huáng duō ràng ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄖㄤˋ bat1 wong4 do1 joeng6 lit. to have no time for civilities (idiom); fig. not to be outdone; not to yield to one's opponents
• 不见不散 不見不散 bù jiàn bù sàn ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄙㄢˋ bat1 gin3 bat1 saan3 lit. Even if we don't see each other, don't give up and leave (idiom); fig. Be sure to wait!; See you there!
• 不见经传 不見經傳 bù jiàn jīng zhuàn ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓㄨㄢˋ bat1 gin3 ging1 zyun6 not found in the classics (idiom); unknown; unfounded; not authoritative
• 不见天日 不見天日 bù jiàn tiān rì ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄖˋ bat1 gin3 tin1 jat6 all black, no daylight (idiom); a world without justice
• 不假思索 bù jiǎ sī suǒ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ ㄙ ㄙㄨㄛˇ bat1 gaa2 si1 sok3 (idiom) to act without taking time to think; to react instantly; to fire from the hip
• 不疾不徐 bù jí bù xú ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩˊ bat1 zat6 bat1 ceoi4 neither too fast nor too slow (idiom)
• 不紧不慢 不緊不慢 bù jǐn bù màn ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄢˋ bat1 gan2 bat1 maan6 (idiom) to take one's time; unhurried; leisurely
• 不近人情 bù jìn rén qíng ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ bat1 gan6 jan4 cing4 (idiom) not amenable to reason; unreasonable
• 不计其数 不計其數 bù jì qí shù ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕㄨˋ bat1 gai3 kei4 sou3 lit. their number cannot be counted (idiom); fig. countless; innumerable
• 不急之务 不急之務 bù jí zhī wù ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄓ ㄨˋ bat1 gap1 zi1 mou6 (idiom) a matter of no great urgency
• 不拘小节 不拘小節 bù jū xiǎo jié ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ bat1 keoi1 siu2 zit3 to not bother about trifles (idiom)
• 不堪一击 不堪一擊 bù kān yī jī ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ㄧ ㄐㄧ bat1 ham1 jat1 gik1 (idiom) unable to withstand a single blow; to collapse at the first blow
• 不可避免 bù kě bì miǎn ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄇㄧㄢˇ bat1 ho2 bei6 min5 (idiom) inevitable; unavoidable
• 不可端倪 bù kě duān ní ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄨㄢ ㄋㄧˊ bat1 ho2 dyun1 ngai4 impossible to get even an outline (idiom); unfathomable; not a clue
• 不可告人 bù kě gào rén ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄍㄠˋ ㄖㄣˊ bat1 ho2 gou3 jan4 (idiom) to be kept secret; not to be divulged
• 不可抗拒 bù kě kàng jù ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄎㄤˋ ㄐㄩˋ bat1 ho2 kong3 keoi5 act of God; force majeure (law); irresistible (idiom)
• 不可理喻 bù kě lǐ yù ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄩˋ bat1 ho2 lei5 jyu6 (idiom) impervious to reason; unreasonable
• 不可枚举 不可枚舉 bù kě méi jǔ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄇㄟˊ ㄐㄩˇ bat1 ho2 mui4 geoi2 innumerable (idiom)
• 不可胜言 不可勝言 bù kě shèng yán ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄥˋ ㄧㄢˊ bat1 ho2 sing3 jin4 inexpressible (idiom); beyond description
• 不可收拾 bù kě shōu shi ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄡ ˙ㄕ bat1 ho2 sau1 sap6 (idiom) irremediable; unmanageable; out of hand; hopeless
• 不可思议 不可思議 bù kě sī yì ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄙ ㄧˋ bat1 ho2 si1 ji5 (idiom) inconceivable; unimaginable; unfathomable
• 不可言喻 bù kě yán yù ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄩˋ bat1 ho2 jin4 jyu6 inexpressible (idiom)
• 不可一世 bù kě yī shì ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄧ ㄕˋ bat1 ho2 jat1 sai3 (idiom) to consider oneself unexcelled in the world; to be insufferably arrogant
• 不愧不怍 bù kuì bù zuò ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ bat1 kwai3 bat1 zok6 no shame, no subterfuge (idiom); just and honorable; upright and above board
• 不愧下学 不愧下學 bù kuì xià xué ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄨㄟˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ bat1 kwai3 haa6 hok6 not ashamed to learn from subordinates (idiom)
• 不劳而获 不勞而獲 bù láo ér huò ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄠˊ ㄦˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ bat1 lou4 ji4 wok6 (idiom) to reap without sowing; to get sth without working for it; to sponge off others
• 不理不睬 bù lǐ bù cǎi ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄞˇ bat1 lei5 bat1 coi2 to completely ignore (idiom); to pay no attention to; not to be in the least concerned about
• 不离不弃 不離不棄 bù lí bù qì ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˋ bat1 lei4 bat1 hei3 to stand by (sb) (idiom); steadfast loyalty
• 不吝珠玉 bù lìn zhū yù ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄣˋ ㄓㄨ ㄩˋ bat1 leon6 zyu1 juk6 (idiom) (courteous) please give me your frank opinion; your criticism will be most valuable
• 步履蹒跚 步履蹣跚 bù lǚ pán shān ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄩˇ ㄆㄢˊ ㄕㄢ bou6 lei5 pun4 saan1 (idiom) to walk unsteadily; to hobble along
• 步履维艰 步履維艱 bù lǚ wéi jiān ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄩˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄢ bou6 lei5 wai4 gaan1 to have difficulty walking (idiom); to walk with difficulty
• 不毛之地 bù máo zhī dì ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄠˊ ㄓ ㄉㄧˋ bat1 mou4 zi1 dei6 (idiom) barren land; desert
• 不眠不休 bù mián bù xiū ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ bat1 min4 bat1 jau1 without stopping to sleep or have a rest (idiom)
• 不明不白 bù míng bù bái ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄞˊ bat1 ming4 bat1 baak6 (idiom) obscure; dubious; shady
• 不明事理 bù míng shì lǐ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄕˋ ㄌㄧˇ bat1 ming4 si6 lei5 not understanding things (idiom); devoid of sense
• 不念旧恶 不念舊惡 bù niàn jiù è ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄜˋ bat1 nim6 gau6 ok3 do not recall old grievances (idiom, from Analects); forgive and forget
• 不怒而威 bù nù ér wēi ㄅㄨˋ ㄋㄨˋ ㄦˊ ㄨㄟ bat1 nou6 ji4 wai1 (idiom) to have an aura of authority; to have a commanding presence
• 不偏不倚 bù piān bù yǐ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ bat1 pin1 bat1 ji2 (idiom) even-handed; impartial; unbiased
• 补偏救弊 補偏救弊 bǔ piān jiù bì ㄅㄨˇ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄧˋ bou2 pin1 gau3 bai6 to remedy defects and correct errors (idiom); to rectify past mistakes
• 不情之请 不情之請 bù qíng zhī qǐng ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄓ ㄑㄧㄥˇ bat1 cing4 zi1 cing2 (idiom) (humble expression) my presumptuous request
• 不求甚解 bù qiú shèn jiě ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄕㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ bat1 kau4 sam6 gaai2 lit. not requiring a detailed understanding (idiom); only looking for an overview; not bothered with the details; superficial; content with shallow understanding
• 不让须眉 不讓鬚眉 bù ràng xū méi ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄤˋ ㄒㄩ ㄇㄟˊ bat1 joeng6 sou1 mei4 (idiom) to compare favorably with men in terms of ability, bravery etc; to be a match for men; lit. not conceding to men (beard and eyebrows)
• 不容小觑 不容小覷 bù róng xiǎo qù ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄑㄩˋ bat1 jung4 siu2 ceoi3 (idiom) not to be underestimated; not to be taken lightly
• 不三不四 bù sān bù sì ㄅㄨˋ ㄙㄢ ㄅㄨˋ ㄙˋ bat1 saam1 bat1 sei3 (idiom) dubious; shady; neither one thing nor the other; neither fish nor fowl; nondescript
• 不声不响 不聲不響 bù shēng bù xiǎng ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ bat1 sing1 bat1 hoeng2 (idiom) wordless; silent; taciturn; without speaking
• 不胜其苦 不勝其苦 bù shèng qí kǔ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄎㄨˇ bat1 sing1 kei4 fu2 unable to bear the pain (idiom)
• 不识大体 不識大體 bù shí dà tǐ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄊㄧˇ bat1 sik1 daai6 tai2 to fail to see the larger issue (idiom); to fail to grasp the big picture
• 不识高低 不識高低 bù shí gāo dī ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄍㄠ ㄉㄧ bat1 sik1 gou1 dai1 can't recognize tall or short (idiom); doesn't know what's what
• 不识好歹 不識好歹 bù shí hǎo dǎi ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄏㄠˇ ㄉㄞˇ bat1 sik1 hou2 daai2 unable to tell good from bad (idiom); undiscriminating
• 不识时变 不識時變 bù shí shí biàn ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄕˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ bat1 sik1 si4 bin3 to show no understanding of the times (idiom); cannot adapt to current circumstances; not amenable to reason
• 不识时务 不識時務 bù shí shí wù ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄕˊ ㄨˋ bat1 sik1 si4 mou6 to show no understanding of the times (idiom); cannot adapt to current circumstances; not amenable to reason
• 不识泰山 不識泰山 bù shí Tài Shān ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄊㄞˋ ㄕㄢ bat1 sik1 taai3 saan1 can't recognize Mt Taishan (idiom); fig. not to recognize a famous person
• 不速之客 bù sù zhī kè ㄅㄨˋ ㄙㄨˋ ㄓ ㄎㄜˋ bat1 cuk1 zi1 haak3 (idiom) uninvited or unexpected guest
• 补天浴日 補天浴日 bǔ tiān yù rì ㄅㄨˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄩˋ ㄖˋ bou2 tin1 juk6 jat6 lit. Nüwa mends the Heavens and Xihe bathes the Sun (idiom); fig. (of an achievement, deed, undertaking etc) grand; magnificent; unparalleled
• 不痛不痒 不痛不癢 bù tòng bù yǎng ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄤˇ bat1 tung3 bat1 joeng5 lit. doesn't hurt, doesn't tickle (idiom); sth is wrong, but not quite sure what; fig. not getting to any matter of substance; scratching the surface; superficial; perfunctory
• 不同凡响 不同凡響 bù tóng fán xiǎng ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄤˇ bat1 tung4 faan4 hoeng2 lit. not a common chord (idiom); outstanding; brilliant; out of the common run
• 不偷不抢 不偷不搶 bù tōu bù qiǎng ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄡ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄤˇ bat1 tau1 bat1 coeng2 to be law-abiding (idiom)
• 不吐不快 bù tǔ bù kuài ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄨㄞˋ bat1 tou3 bat1 faai3 to have to pour out what's on one's mind (idiom)
• 不畏强暴 不畏強暴 bù wèi qiáng bào ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄅㄠˋ bat1 wai3 koeng4 bou6 not to submit to force (idiom); to defy threats and violence
• 不畏强权 不畏強權 bù wèi qiáng quán ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄑㄧㄤˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ bat1 wai3 koeng4 kyun4 not to submit to force (idiom); to defy threats and violence
• 不闻不问 不聞不問 bù wén bù wèn ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˋ bat1 man6 bat1 man6 not to hear, not to question (idiom); to show no interest in sth; uncritical; not in the least concerned
• 不祥之兆 bù xiáng zhī zhào ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤˊ ㄓ ㄓㄠˋ bat1 coeng4 zi1 siu6 (idiom) bad omen
• 不屑一顾 不屑一顧 bù xiè yī gù ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄧ ㄍㄨˋ bat1 sit3 jat1 gu3 to disdain as beneath contempt (idiom)
• 不修边幅 不修邊幅 bù xiū biān fú ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄅㄧㄢ ㄈㄨˊ bat1 sau1 bin1 fuk1 not care about one's appearance (idiom); slovenly in dress and manner
• 不虚此行 不虛此行 bù xū cǐ xíng ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩ ㄘˇ ㄒㄧㄥˊ bat1 heoi1 ci2 hang4 (idiom) it's been a worthwhile trip
• 不学无术 不學無術 bù xué wú shù ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄨˊ ㄕㄨˋ bat1 hok6 mou4 seot6 without learning or skills (idiom); ignorant and incompetent
• 不恤人言 bù xù rén yán ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧㄢˊ bat1 seot1 jan4 jin4 not to worry about the gossip (idiom); to do the right thing regardless of what others say
• 不言不语 不言不語 bù yán bù yǔ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˇ bat1 jin4 bat1 jyu5 to not say a word (idiom); to keep silent
• 不言而喻 bù yán ér yù ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄩˋ bat1 jin4 ji4 jyu6 (idiom) it goes without saying; it is self-evident
• 不厌其烦 不厭其煩 bù yàn qí fán ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄈㄢˊ bat1 jim3 kei4 faan4 not to mind taking all the trouble (idiom); to take great pains; to be very patient
• 不言自明 bù yán zì míng ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄗˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ bat1 jin4 zi6 ming4 self-evident; needing no explanation (idiom)
• 不依不饶 不依不饒 bù yī bù ráo ㄅㄨˋ ㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄠˊ bat1 ji1 bat1 jiu4 not to overlook, nor spare (idiom); unwilling to forgive; to treat severely without listening to excuses
• 不以为然 不以為然 bù yǐ wéi rán ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄢˊ bat1 ji5 wai6 jin4 not to accept as correct (idiom); to object; to disapprove; to take exception to
• 不遗余力 不遺餘力 bù yí yú lì ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˊ ㄩˊ ㄌㄧˋ bat1 wai4 jyu4 lik6 to spare no pains or effort (idiom); to do one's utmost
• 不由自主 bù yóu zì zhǔ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄗˋ ㄓㄨˇ bat1 jau4 zi6 zyu2 (idiom) can't help but; involuntarily
• 不约而同 不約而同 bù yuē ér tóng ㄅㄨˋ ㄩㄝ ㄦˊ ㄊㄨㄥˊ bat1 joek3 ji4 tung4 (idiom) (of two or more people) to take the same action without prior consultation; (usu. used adverbially) all (or both) of them, independently; as if by prior agreement
• 不知不觉 不知不覺 bù zhī bù jué ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ bat1 zi1 bat1 gok3 (idiom) unconsciously; unwittingly
• 不忮不求 bù zhì bù qiú ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄡˊ (idiom) to be free of jealousy or greed; to live a simple life, free from worldly desires
• 不知丁董 bù zhī Dīng Dǒng ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄉㄧㄥ ㄉㄨㄥˇ bat1 zi1 ding1 dung2 forgetting the fate of Ding and Dong (idiom); unheeding the lessons of the past
• 不知好歹 bù zhī hǎo dǎi ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄏㄠˇ ㄉㄞˇ bat1 zi1 hou2 daai2 unable to differentiate good from bad (idiom); not to know what's good for one; unable to recognize others' good intentions
• 不知进退 不知進退 bù zhī jìn tuì ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄊㄨㄟˋ bat1 zi1 zeon3 teoi3 not knowing when to come or leave (idiom); with no sense of propriety
• 不知轻重 不知輕重 bù zhī qīng zhòng ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄓㄨㄥˋ bat1 zi1 hing1 cung5 lit. not knowing what's important (idiom); no appreciation of the gravity of things; naive; doesn't know who's who; no sense of priorities
• 不知死活 bù zhī sǐ huó ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙˇ ㄏㄨㄛˊ bat1 zi1 sei2 wut6 to act recklessly (idiom)
• 不知所措 bù zhī suǒ cuò ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄘㄨㄛˋ bat1 zi1 so2 cou3 not knowing what to do (idiom); at one's wits' end; embarrassed and at a complete loss
• 不知所以 bù zhī suǒ yǐ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄧˇ bat1 zi1 so2 ji5 (idiom) to not know the reason; (idiom) to not know what to do
• 不知所终 不知所終 bù zhī suǒ zhōng ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄓㄨㄥ bat1 zi1 so2 zung1 (idiom) to vanish without a trace; to go missing
• 不值一驳 不值一駁 bù zhí yī bó ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˊ ㄧ ㄅㄛˊ bat1 zik6 jat1 bok3 (idiom) (of an argument) not even worthy of a rebuttal
• 不值一文 bù zhí yī wén ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˊ ㄧ ㄨㄣˊ bat1 zik6 jat1 man4 worthless (idiom); no use whatsoever
• 不自量力 bù zì liàng lì ㄅㄨˋ ㄗˋ ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ bat1 zi6 loeng6 lik6 (idiom) to overestimate one's capabilities
• 不足挂齿 不足掛齒 bù zú guà chǐ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄍㄨㄚˋ ㄔˇ bat1 zuk1 gwaa3 ci2 not worth mentioning (idiom)
• 不醉不归 不醉不歸 bù zuì bù guī ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄟ bat1 zeoi3 bat1 gwai1 lit. to not go home until drunk (idiom); fig. let's make a night of it!
• 不足为怪 不足為怪 bù zú wéi guài ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄍㄨㄞˋ bat1 zuk1 wai4 gwaai3 not at all surprising (idiom)
• 不足为奇 不足為奇 bù zú wéi qí ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧˊ bat1 zuk1 wai4 kei4 not at all surprising (idiom)