Chengyu — Z 386 idioms

• 砸锅卖铁 砸鍋賣鐵 zá guō mài tiě ㄗㄚˊ ㄍㄨㄛ ㄇㄞˋ ㄊㄧㄝˇ zaap3 wo1 maai6 tit3 to be willing to sacrifice everything one has (idiom)
• 载歌且舞 載歌且舞 zài gē qiě wǔ ㄗㄞˋ ㄍㄜ ㄑㄧㄝˇ ㄨˇ zoi3 go1 ce2 mou5 singing and dancing (idiom); festive celebrations
• 载歌载舞 載歌載舞 zài gē zài wǔ ㄗㄞˋ ㄍㄜ ㄗㄞˋ ㄨˇ zoi3 go1 zoi3 mou5 singing and dancing (idiom); festive celebrations
• 再接再厉 再接再厲 zài jiē zài lì ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄗㄞˋ ㄌㄧˋ zoi3 zip3 zoi3 lai6 to continue the struggle (idiom); to persist; unremitting efforts
• 载酒问字 載酒問字 zài jiǔ wèn zì ㄗㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄨㄣˋ ㄗˋ zoi3 zau2 man6 zi6 a scholarly and inquisitive individual (idiom)
• 再生父母 zài shēng fù mǔ ㄗㄞˋ ㄕㄥ ㄈㄨˋ ㄇㄨˇ zoi3 sang1 fu6 mou5 like a second parent (idiom); one's great benefactor
• 再衰三竭 zài shuāi sān jié ㄗㄞˋ ㄕㄨㄞ ㄙㄢ ㄐㄧㄝˊ zoi3 seoi1 saam1 kit3 weakening and close to exhaustion (idiom); in terminal decline; on one's last legs
• 在所不辞 在所不辭 zài suǒ bù cí ㄗㄞˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘˊ zoi6 so2 bat1 ci4 not to refuse to (idiom); not to hesitate to
• 在所难免 在所難免 zài suǒ nán miǎn ㄗㄞˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄢˇ zoi6 so2 naan4 min5 to be unavoidable (idiom)
• 载舟覆舟 載舟覆舟 zài zhōu fù zhōu ㄗㄞˋ ㄓㄡ ㄈㄨˋ ㄓㄡ zoi3 zau1 fuk1 zau1 to carry a boat or to overturn a boat (idiom); fig. The people can support a regime or overturn it.
• 杂乱无章 雜亂無章 zá luàn wú zhāng ㄗㄚˊ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄓㄤ zaap6 lyun6 mou4 zoeng1 disordered and in a mess (idiom); all mixed up and chaotic
• 赞不绝口 讚不絕口 zàn bù jué kǒu ㄗㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄎㄡˇ zaan3 bat1 zyut6 hau2 to praise without cease (idiom); praise sb to high heaven
• 赞不绝口 贊不絕口 zàn bù jué kǒu ㄗㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄎㄡˇ zaan3 bat1 zyut6 hau2 to praise without cease (idiom); praise sb to high heaven
• 赃官污吏 贓官污吏 zāng guān wū lì ㄗㄤ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄨ ㄌㄧˋ zong1 gun1 wu1 lei6 grasping officials, corrupt mandarins (idiom); abuse and corruption
• 葬身鱼腹 葬身魚腹 zàng shēn yú fù ㄗㄤˋ ㄕㄣ ㄩˊ ㄈㄨˋ zong3 san1 jyu2 fuk1 lit. to be buried in the bellies of fish (idiom); fig. to drown
• 葬玉埋香 zàng yù mái xiāng ㄗㄤˋ ㄩˋ ㄇㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄤ zong3 juk6 maai4 hoeng1 lit. burying jade and interring incense (idiom); funeral for a beautiful person
• 赞叹不已 讚嘆不已 zàn tàn bù yǐ ㄗㄢˋ ㄊㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ (idiom) to be full of praise and admiration; to marvel endlessly; to be in awe
• 凿壁偷光 鑿壁偷光 záo bì tōu guāng ㄗㄠˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄊㄡ ㄍㄨㄤ zok6 bik1 tau1 gwong1 lit. to pierce the wall to steal a light (idiom); fig. to study diligently in the face of hardship
• 早出晚归 早出晚歸 zǎo chū wǎn guī ㄗㄠˇ ㄔㄨ ㄨㄢˇ ㄍㄨㄟ zou2 ceot1 maan5 gwai1 to leave early and return late (idiom)
• 澡垢索疵 zǎo gòu suǒ cī ㄗㄠˇ ㄍㄡˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄘ cou3 gau3 sok3 ci1 to wash the dirt to find a defect (idiom); to find fault; to nitpick
• 造茧自缚 造繭自縛 zào jiǎn zì fù ㄗㄠˋ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄨˋ zou6 gaan2 zi6 bok3 to spin a cocoon around oneself (idiom); enmeshed in a trap of one's own devising; hoist with his own petard
• 澡身浴德 zǎo shēn yù dé ㄗㄠˇ ㄕㄣ ㄩˋ ㄉㄜˊ cou3 san1 juk6 dak1 to bathe the body and cleanse virtue (idiom); to improve oneself by meditation; cleanliness is next to godliness
• 贼喊捉贼 賊喊捉賊 zéi hǎn zhuō zéi ㄗㄟˊ ㄏㄢˇ ㄓㄨㄛ ㄗㄟˊ caak6 haam3 zuk1 caak6 lit. a thief crying "Stop the thief!" (idiom); fig. to accuse sb of a theft and try to sneak away oneself; to cover up one's misdeeds by shifting the blame onto others
• 贼眉鼠眼 賊眉鼠眼 zéi méi shǔ yǎn ㄗㄟˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄧㄢˇ caak6 mei4 syu2 ngaan5 shifty-eyed; crafty-looking (idiom)
• 择善而从 擇善而從 zé shàn ér cóng ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄦˊ ㄘㄨㄥˊ zaak6 sin6 ji4 cung4 to choose the right course and follow it (idiom)
• 择善固执 擇善固執 zé shàn gù zhí ㄗㄜˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄍㄨˋ ㄓˊ zaak6 sin6 gu3 zap1 to choose what is good and hold fast to it (idiom)
• 责有攸归 責有攸歸 zé yǒu yōu guī ㄗㄜˊ ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄡ ㄍㄨㄟ zaak3 jau5 jau4 gwai1 responsibility must lie where it belongs (idiom)
• 啧啧称奇 嘖嘖稱奇 zé zé chēng qí ㄗㄜˊ ㄗㄜˊ ㄔㄥ ㄑㄧˊ zaak3 zaak3 cing1 kei4 to click one's tongue in wonder (idiom); to be astonished
• 债多不愁 債多不愁 zhài duō bù chóu ㄓㄞˋ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄡˊ zaai3 do1 bat1 sau4 lit. when up to one's ears in debt, one ceases to worry about it (idiom); fig. to be past worrying (about sth)
• 债台高筑 債臺高築 zhài tái gāo zhù ㄓㄞˋ ㄊㄞˊ ㄍㄠ ㄓㄨˋ zaai3 toi4 gou1 zuk1 lit. build a high desk of debt (idiom); heavily in debt
• 斩草除根 斬草除根 zhǎn cǎo chú gēn ㄓㄢˇ ㄘㄠˇ ㄔㄨˊ ㄍㄣ zaam2 cou2 ceoi4 gan1 to cut weeds and eliminate the roots (idiom); to destroy root and branch; to eliminate completely
• 展翅高飞 展翅高飛 zhǎn chì gāo fēi ㄓㄢˇ ㄔˋ ㄍㄠ ㄈㄟ zin2 ci3 gou1 fei1 to spread one's wings and soar (idiom); to develop one's abilities freely
• 斩钉截铁 斬釘截鐵 zhǎn dīng jié tiě ㄓㄢˇ ㄉㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄊㄧㄝˇ zaam2 deng1 zit6 tit3 lit. to chop the nail and slice the iron (idiom); fig. resolute and decisive; unhesitating; categorical
• 张灯结彩 張燈結彩 zhāng dēng jié cǎi ㄓㄤ ㄉㄥ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄘㄞˇ zoeng1 dang1 git3 coi2 to be decorated with lanterns and colored banners (idiom)
• 章甫荐履 章甫薦履 zhāng fǔ jiàn lǚ ㄓㄤ ㄈㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄩˇ zoeng1 fu2 zin3 lei5 court crown beneath straw shoe (idiom); everything turned upside down
• 张冠李戴 張冠李戴 Zhāng guān Lǐ dài ㄓㄤ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄌㄧˇ ㄉㄞˋ zoeng1 gun1 lei5 daai3 lit. to put Zhang's hat on Li's head; to attribute sth to the wrong person (idiom); to confuse one thing with another
• 张皇失措 張皇失措 zhāng huáng shī cuò ㄓㄤ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄕ ㄘㄨㄛˋ zoeng1 wong4 sat1 cou3 panic-stricken (idiom); to be in a flustered state; also written 张惶失措
• 张口结舌 張口結舌 zhāng kǒu jié shé ㄓㄤ ㄎㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄕㄜˊ zoeng1 hau2 git3 sit3 agape and tongue-tied (idiom); at a loss for words; gaping and speechless
• 张三李四 張三李四 Zhāng Sān Lǐ Sì ㄓㄤ ㄙㄢ ㄌㄧˇ ㄙˋ zoeng1 saam1 lei5 sei3 lit. Zhang Three and Li Four (idiom); (fig.) any Tom, Dick or Harry
• 彰善瘅恶 彰善癉惡 zhāng shàn dàn è ㄓㄤ ㄕㄢˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄜˋ zoeng1 sin6 daan3 ok3 to distinguish good and evil (idiom); to uphold virtue and condemn evil; to praise good and expose vice
• 掌上明珠 zhǎng shàng míng zhū ㄓㄤˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄨ zoeng2 soeng6 ming4 zyu1 lit. a pearl in the palm (idiom); fig. beloved person (esp. daughter)
• 掌声雷动 掌聲雷動 zhǎng shēng léi dòng ㄓㄤˇ ㄕㄥ ㄌㄟˊ ㄉㄨㄥˋ zoeng2 sing1 leoi4 dung6 thunderous applause (idiom)
• 仗势欺人 仗勢欺人 zhàng shì qī rén ㄓㄤˋ ㄕˋ ㄑㄧ ㄖㄣˊ zoeng6 sai3 hei1 jan4 to take advantage of one's position to bully people (idiom); to kick people around
• 獐头鼠目 獐頭鼠目 zhāng tóu shǔ mù ㄓㄤ ㄊㄡˊ ㄕㄨˇ ㄇㄨˋ lit. the head of a river deer and the eyes of a rat (idiom); fig. repulsively ugly and shifty-looking
• 张王李赵 張王李趙 Zhāng Wáng Lǐ Zhào ㄓㄤ ㄨㄤˊ ㄌㄧˇ ㄓㄠˋ zoeng1 wong4 lei5 ziu6 (idiom) any Tom, Dick or Harry; anyone
• 张牙舞爪 張牙舞爪 zhāng yá wǔ zhǎo ㄓㄤ ㄧㄚˊ ㄨˇ ㄓㄠˇ zoeng1 ngaa4 mou5 zaau2 to bare fangs and brandish claws (idiom); to make threatening gestures
• 仗义疏财 仗義疏財 zhàng yì shū cái ㄓㄤˋ ㄧˋ ㄕㄨ ㄘㄞˊ zoeng6 ji6 so1 coi4 to help the needy for justice (idiom); to be loyal to one's friends and generous to the needy
• 仗义执言 仗義執言 zhàng yì zhí yán ㄓㄤˋ ㄧˋ ㄓˊ ㄧㄢˊ zoeng6 ji6 zap1 jin4 to speak out for justice (idiom); to take a stand on a matter of principle
• 沾花惹草 zhān huā rě cǎo ㄓㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄖㄜˇ ㄘㄠˇ zim1 faa1 je5 cou2 to fondle the flowers and trample the grass (idiom); to womanize; to frequent brothels; to sow one's wild oats
• 战火纷飞 戰火紛飛 zhàn huǒ fēn fēi ㄓㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄈㄣ ㄈㄟ zin3 fo2 fan1 fei1 fire of war everywhere (idiom); enveloped in the flames of war
• 崭露头角 嶄露頭角 zhǎn lù tóu jiǎo ㄓㄢˇ ㄌㄨˋ ㄊㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ zaam2 lou6 tau4 gok3 to reveal outstanding talent (idiom); to stand out as conspicuously brilliant
• 瞻前顾后 瞻前顧後 zhān qián gù hòu ㄓㄢ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨˋ ㄏㄡˋ zim1 cin4 gu3 hau6 lit. to look forward and back (idiom); fig. to consider carefully; to weigh the pros and cons; fig. to be overcautious and indecisive
• 沾亲带故 沾親帶故 zhān qīn dài gù ㄓㄢ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄉㄞˋ ㄍㄨˋ zim1 can1 daai3 gu3 (idiom) to have some sort of connection (personal or familial etc)
• 沾染世俗 zhān rǎn shì sú ㄓㄢ ㄖㄢˇ ㄕˋ ㄙㄨˊ zim1 jim5 sai3 zuk6 to be corrupted by the ways of the world (idiom)
• 栈山航海 棧山航海 zhàn shān háng hǎi ㄓㄢˋ ㄕㄢ ㄏㄤˊ ㄏㄞˇ zaan6 saan1 hong4 hoi2 to have a long and hard journey (idiom)
• 战死沙场 戰死沙場 zhàn sǐ shā chǎng ㄓㄢˋ ㄙˇ ㄕㄚ ㄔㄤˇ zin3 sei2 saa1 coeng4 (idiom) to die in battle
• 乍暖还寒 乍暖還寒 zhà nuǎn huán hán ㄓㄚˋ ㄋㄨㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄏㄢˊ zaa3 nyun5 waan4 hon4 (idiom) (of early spring weather) alternating between warm and cold
• 战无不胜 戰無不勝 zhàn wú bù shèng ㄓㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ zin3 mou4 bat1 sing3 (idiom) all-conquering; invincible
• 招兵买马 招兵買馬 zhāo bīng mǎi mǎ ㄓㄠ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄇㄞˇ ㄇㄚˇ ziu1 bing1 maai5 maa5 lit. to recruit soldiers and buy horses (idiom); fig. to raise an army; to recruit new staff
• 朝不保夕 zhāo bù bǎo xī ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄠˇ ㄒㄧ ziu1 bat1 bou2 zik6 at dawn, not sure of lasting to evening (idiom); precarious state; imminent crisis; living from hand to mouth
• 朝不虑夕 朝不慮夕 zhāo bù lǜ xī ㄓㄠ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄩˋ ㄒㄧ ziu1 bat1 leoi6 zik6 at dawn, not sure of lasting to evening (idiom); precarious state; imminent crisis; living from hand to mouth
• 招财进宝 招財進寶 zhāo cái jìn bǎo ㄓㄠ ㄘㄞˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄠˇ ziu1 coi4 zeon3 bou2 ushering in wealth and prosperity (idiom and traditional greeting, esp. at New Year); We wish you wealth and success!
• 招风惹草 招風惹草 zhāo fēng rě cǎo ㄓㄠ ㄈㄥ ㄖㄜˇ ㄘㄠˇ ziu1 fung1 je5 cou2 (idiom) to bring trouble on oneself
• 招蜂引蝶 zhāo fēng yǐn dié ㄓㄠ ㄈㄥ ㄧㄣˇ ㄉㄧㄝˊ ziu1 fung1 jan5 dip6 lit. (of a flower) to attract bees and butterflies (idiom); fig. to flirt
• 朝过夕改 朝過夕改 zhāo guò xī gǎi ㄓㄠ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄒㄧ ㄍㄞˇ ziu1 gwo3 zik6 goi2 to correct in the evening a fault of the morning (idiom); to quickly amend one's ways
• 朝令夕改 zhāo lìng xī gǎi ㄓㄠ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧ ㄍㄞˇ ziu1 ling6 zik6 goi2 to make frequent or unpredictable changes in policy (idiom)
• 朝露溘至 zhāo lù kè zhì ㄓㄠ ㄌㄨˋ ㄎㄜˋ ㄓˋ ziu1 lou6 hap6 zi3 the morning dew will swiftly dissipate (idiom); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence
• 照猫画虎 照貓畫虎 zhào māo huà hǔ ㄓㄠˋ ㄇㄠ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄏㄨˇ ziu3 maau1 waak6 fu2 lit. drawing a tiger using a cat as a model (idiom); fig. to follow a model and get things more or less right but without capturing the spirit of the subject; uninspired imitation
• 朝乾夕惕 zhāo qián xī tì ㄓㄠ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧ ㄊㄧˋ ziu1 gon1 zik6 tik1 cautious and diligent all day long (idiom)
• 朝秦暮楚 zhāo Qín mù Chǔ ㄓㄠ ㄑㄧㄣˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄔㄨˇ ciu4 ceon4 mou6 co2 serve Qin in the morning Chu in the evening (idiom); quick to switch sides
• 朝气蓬勃 朝氣蓬勃 zhāo qì péng bó ㄓㄠ ㄑㄧˋ ㄆㄥˊ ㄅㄛˊ ziu1 hei3 fung4 but6 full of youthful energy (idiom); vigorous; energetic; a bright spark
• 朝三暮四 zhāo sān mù sì ㄓㄠ ㄙㄢ ㄇㄨˋ ㄙˋ ziu1 saam1 mou6 sei3 lit. say three in the morning but four in the evening (idiom); to change sth that is already settled upon; indecisive; to blow hot and cold
• 朝生暮死 zhāo shēng mù sǐ ㄓㄠ ㄕㄥ ㄇㄨˋ ㄙˇ ziu1 saang1 mou6 sei2 lit. born in the morning and dying at dusk (idiom); fig. ephemeral; transient
• 朝思暮想 zhāo sī mù xiǎng ㄓㄠ ㄙ ㄇㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ ziu1 si1 mou6 soeng2 to yearn for sth day and night (idiom)
• 朝闻夕改 朝聞夕改 zhāo wén xī gǎi ㄓㄠ ㄨㄣˊ ㄒㄧ ㄍㄞˇ ziu1 man4 zik6 goi2 lit. heard in the morning and changed by the evening; to correct an error very quickly (idiom)
• 招降纳叛 招降納叛 zhāo xiáng nà pàn ㄓㄠ ㄒㄧㄤˊ ㄋㄚˋ ㄆㄢˋ ziu1 hong4 naap6 bun6 to recruit surrendered enemy and deserters (idiom); to gather together a gang of villains
• 招贤纳士 招賢納士 zhāo xián nà shì ㄓㄠ ㄒㄧㄢˊ ㄋㄚˋ ㄕˋ ziu1 jin4 naap6 si6 invite the talented and call the valorous (idiom); to recruit talent
• 朝夕相处 朝夕相處 zhāo xī xiāng chǔ ㄓㄠ ㄒㄧ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔㄨˇ ziu1 zik6 soeng1 cyu2 to spend all one's time together (idiom)
• 招摇过市 招搖過市 zhāo yáo guò shì ㄓㄠ ㄧㄠˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ ziu1 jiu4 gwo3 si5 (idiom) to parade oneself ostentatiously about town
• 招摇撞骗 招搖撞騙 zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn ㄓㄠ ㄧㄠˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄆㄧㄢˋ ziu1 jiu4 zong6 pin3 (idiom) to dupe people by passing oneself off as a well-connected individual or a figure of authority
• 朝饔夕飧 zhāo yōng xī sūn ㄓㄠ ㄩㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄙㄨㄣ ziu1 jung1 zik6 syun1 lit. breakfast in the morning and supper in the evening (idiom); fig. to do nothing but eat and drink
• 折戟沉沙 zhé jǐ chén shā ㄓㄜˊ ㄐㄧˇ ㄔㄣˊ ㄕㄚ lit. broken halberds embedded in the sand (idiom); fig. reminder of a fierce battle; remnants of a disastrous defeat
• 折节读书 折節讀書 zhé jié dú shū ㄓㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄨˊ ㄕㄨ zit3 zit3 duk6 syu1 to start reading furiously, contrary to previous habit (idiom)
• 振臂一呼 zhèn bì yī hū ㄓㄣˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄧ ㄏㄨ zan3 bei3 jat1 fu1 (idiom) to issue a call for action; to raise one's hand and issue a rousing call
• 真刀真枪 真刀真槍 zhēn dāo zhēn qiāng ㄓㄣ ㄉㄠ ㄓㄣ ㄑㄧㄤ zan1 dou1 zan1 coeng1 lit. real swords and spears (idiom); fig. very much for real; genuine
• 震耳欲聋 震耳欲聾 zhèn ěr yù lóng ㄓㄣˋ ㄦˇ ㄩˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ zan3 ji5 juk6 lung4 ear-splitting (idiom); deafening
• 针锋相对 針鋒相對 zhēn fēng xiāng duì ㄓㄣ ㄈㄥ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄉㄨㄟˋ zam1 fung1 soeng1 deoi3 to oppose each other with equal harshness (idiom); tit for tat; measure for measure
• 争长论短 爭長論短 zhēng cháng lùn duǎn ㄓㄥ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄉㄨㄢˇ zang1 coeng4 leon6 dyun2 lit. to argue who is right and wrong (idiom); fig. to squabble; to argue over minor issues
• 枕戈待旦 zhěn gē dài dàn ㄓㄣˇ ㄍㄜ ㄉㄞˋ ㄉㄢˋ zam3 gwo1 doi6 daan3 lit. to wait for dawn, one's head resting on a spear (idiom); fig. fully prepared and biding one's time before the battle
• 枕戈寝甲 枕戈寢甲 zhěn gē qǐn jiǎ ㄓㄣˇ ㄍㄜ ㄑㄧㄣˇ ㄐㄧㄚˇ zam3 gwo1 cam2 gaap3 lit. to sleep on one's armor with a spear as a pillow (idiom); fig. to keep ready for battle at all times
• 争分夺秒 爭分奪秒 zhēng fēn duó miǎo ㄓㄥ ㄈㄣ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄇㄧㄠˇ zang1 fan1 dyut6 miu5 lit. fight minutes, snatch seconds (idiom); a race against time; making every second count
• 争斤论两 爭斤論兩 zhēng jīn lùn liǎng ㄓㄥ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄌㄧㄤˇ zang1 gan1 leon6 loeng5 to haggle over every ounce (idiom); to to fuss over minor points; to be particular about sth
• 正襟危坐 zhèng jīn wēi zuò ㄓㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄨㄟ ㄗㄨㄛˋ zing3 kam1 ngai4 zo6 to sit upright and still (idiom)
• 争名夺利 爭名奪利 zhēng míng duó lì ㄓㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˋ zang1 ming4 dyut6 lei6 to fight for fame, grab profit (idiom); scrambling for fame and wealth; only interested in personal gain
• 征名责实 徵名責實 zhēng míng zé shí ㄓㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄗㄜˊ ㄕˊ zing1 ming4 zaak3 sat6 to seek out the real nature based on the name (idiom); to judge sth at face value
• 整齐划一 整齊劃一 zhěng qí huà yī ㄓㄥˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄧ zing2 cai4 waak6 jat1 to be adjusted to uniformity (usually of weights and measures) (idiom)
• 争权夺利 爭權奪利 zhēng quán duó lì ㄓㄥ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄌㄧˋ zang1 kyun4 dyut6 lei6 scramble for power and profit (idiom); power struggle
• 郑人买履 鄭人買履 zhèng rén mǎi lǚ ㄓㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄇㄞˇ ㄌㄩˇ zeng6 jan4 maai5 lei5 lit. the person from Zheng 郑 who wanted to buy shoes (an allusion to an ancient story about somebody who, when buying a pair of shoes, preferred to rely on their foot measurements rather than just trying them on) (idiom); fig. disregarding the sensible approach in favor of adherence to a fixed idea
• 郑人争年 鄭人爭年 Zhèng rén zhēng nián ㄓㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄓㄥ ㄋㄧㄢˊ zeng6 jan4 zang1 nin4 Men of Zheng fighting over their respective ages (idiom); a futile quarrel
• 峥嵘岁月 崢嶸歲月 zhēng róng suì yuè ㄓㄥ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄩㄝˋ eventful years (idiom)
• 政通人和 zhèng tōng rén hé ㄓㄥˋ ㄊㄨㄥ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄜˊ zing3 tung1 jan4 wo4 efficient government, people at peace (idiom); all is well with the state and the people
• 震古烁今 震古爍今 zhèn gǔ shuò jīn ㄓㄣˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄣ zan3 gu2 soek3 gam1 lit. to astonish the ancients and dazzle contemporaries (idiom); fig. to be earthshaking
• 争先恐后 爭先恐後 zhēng xiān kǒng hòu ㄓㄥ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄏㄡˋ zang1 sin1 hung2 hau6 (idiom) to compete to be first; to scramble to get ahead; to rush forward for fear of falling behind
• 正言厉色 正言厲色 zhèng yán lì sè ㄓㄥˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄙㄜˋ zing3 jin4 lai6 sik1 solemn in word and countenance (idiom); strict and unsmiling; also written 正颜厉色
• 正颜厉色 正顏厲色 zhèng yán lì sè ㄓㄥˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄙㄜˋ zing3 ngaan4 lai6 sik1 solemn in countenance (idiom); strict and unsmiling
• 铮铮铁汉 錚錚鐵漢 zhēng zhēng tiě hàn ㄓㄥ ㄓㄥ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄏㄢˋ zaang1 zaang1 tit3 hon3 a strong and determined man (idiom)
• 正中要害 zhèng zhòng yào hài ㄓㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄧㄠˋ ㄏㄞˋ zing3 zung3 jiu3 hoi6 to hit the nail on the head (idiom)
• 枕冷衾寒 zhěn lěng qīn hán ㄓㄣˇ ㄌㄥˇ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄏㄢˊ zam2 laang5 kam1 hon4 cold pillow and lonely bed (idiom); fig. cold and solitary existence
• 振聋发聩 振聾發聵 zhèn lóng fā kuì ㄓㄣˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄚ ㄎㄨㄟˋ zan3 lung4 faat3 kui2 lit. so loud that even the deaf can hear (idiom); rousing even the apathetic
• 真凭实据 真憑實據 zhēn píng shí jù ㄓㄣ ㄆㄧㄥˊ ㄕˊ ㄐㄩˋ zan1 pang4 sat6 geoi3 reliable evidence (idiom); conclusive proof; definitive evidence
• 真枪实弹 真槍實彈 zhēn qiāng shí dàn ㄓㄣ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄕˊ ㄉㄢˋ zan1 coeng1 sat6 daan6 (idiom) with real guns and live ammunition; (fig.) for real (involving genuine action rather than rehearsal, simulation or theory); (coll.) to have actual sex; to go all the way
• 真情实意 真情實意 zhēn qíng shí yì ㄓㄣ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄕˊ ㄧˋ zan1 cing4 sat6 ji3 (idiom) sincere feelings; genuine emotions
• 枕石漱流 zhěn shí shù liú ㄓㄣˇ ㄕˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ zam3 sek6 sau3 lau4 to live a hermit's life (in seclusion); a frugal life (idiom)
• 震天动地 震天動地 zhèn tiān dòng dì ㄓㄣˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄉㄧˋ zan3 tin1 dung6 dei6 to shake heaven and earth (idiom)
• 震天价响 震天價響 zhèn tiān ga xiǎng ㄓㄣˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ˙ㄍㄚ ㄒㄧㄤˇ zan3 tin1 gaa3 hoeng2 an earth-shaking noise (idiom)
• 真伪莫辨 真偽莫辨 zhēn wěi mò biàn ㄓㄣ ㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄅㄧㄢˋ zan1 ngai6 mok6 bin6 can't judge true or false (idiom); unable to distinguish the genuine from the fake; not to know whether to believe (what one reads in the news)
• 真相毕露 真相畢露 zhēn xiàng bì lù ㄓㄣ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄌㄨˋ zan1 soeng3 bat1 lou6 real face fully revealed (idiom); fig. to unmask and expose the whole truth
• 真相大白 zhēn xiàng dà bái ㄓㄣ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄞˊ zan1 soeng3 daai6 baak6 the whole truth is revealed (idiom); everything becomes clear
• 真心实意 真心實意 zhēn xīn shí yì ㄓㄣ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄕˊ ㄧˋ zan1 sam1 sat6 ji3 (idiom) genuine; sincere; wholehearted
• 珍馐美味 珍饈美味 zhēn xiū měi wèi ㄓㄣ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄇㄟˇ ㄨㄟˋ zan1 sau1 mei5 mei6 delicacy and fine taste (idiom); a wonderful treat
• 珍馐美馔 珍饈美饌 zhēn xiū měi zhuàn ㄓㄣ ㄒㄧㄡ ㄇㄟˇ ㄓㄨㄢˋ zan1 sau1 mei5 zaan6 delicacy and fine taste (idiom); a wonderful treat
• 臻于完善 臻於完善 zhēn yú wán shàn ㄓㄣ ㄩˊ ㄨㄢˊ ㄕㄢˋ zeon1 jyu1 jyun4 sin6 to attain perfection (idiom)
• 臻于郅治 臻於郅治 zhēn yú zhì zhì ㄓㄣ ㄩˊ ㄓˋ ㄓˋ zeon1 jyu1 zat6 zi6 to attain a state of perfect governance (idiom)
• 振振有词 振振有詞 zhèn zhèn yǒu cí ㄓㄣˋ ㄓㄣˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄘˊ zan3 zan3 jau5 ci4 to speak forcefully and with justice (idiom); to argue with the courage of one's convictions
• 哲人其萎 zhé rén qí wěi ㄓㄜˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄨㄟˇ zit3 jan4 kei4 wai2 a wise man has passed away (idiom)
• 遮天蔽日 zhē tiān bì rì ㄓㄜ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄅㄧˋ ㄖˋ ze1 tin1 bai3 jat6 lit. hiding the sky and covering the earth (idiom); fig. earth-shattering; omnipresent; of universal importance
• 遮遮掩掩 zhē zhē yǎn yǎn ㄓㄜ ㄓㄜ ㄧㄢˇ ㄧㄢˇ ze1 ze1 jim2 jim2 to be secretive; to try to cover up (idiom)
• 知彼知己 zhī bǐ zhī jǐ ㄓ ㄅㄧˇ ㄓ ㄐㄧˇ zi1 bei2 zi1 gei2 to know the enemy and know oneself (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War")
• 志不在此 zhì bù zài cǐ ㄓˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄘˇ zi3 bat1 zoi6 ci2 to have one's ambitions elsewhere (idiom)
• 直肠直肚 直腸直肚 zhí cháng zhí dù ㄓˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄓˊ ㄉㄨˋ zik6 coeng4 zik6 tou5 frank and outspoken (idiom)
• 咫尺天涯 zhǐ chǐ tiān yá ㄓˇ ㄔˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄧㄚˊ zi2 cek3 tin1 ngaai4 so close, yet worlds apart (idiom)
• 知错能改 知錯能改 zhī cuò néng gǎi ㄓ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄋㄥˊ ㄍㄞˇ zi1 co3 nang4 goi2 to recognize one's mistakes and be able to reform oneself (idiom)
• 织当访婢 織當訪婢 zhī dāng fǎng bì ㄓ ㄉㄤ ㄈㄤˇ ㄅㄧˋ zik1 dong1 fong2 pei5 if it's weaving, ask the maid (idiom); when managing a matter, consult the appropriate specialist
• 直道而行 zhí dào ér xíng ㄓˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ zik6 dou6 ji4 hang4 lit. to go straight (idiom, from Analects); to act with integrity
• 志得意满 志得意滿 zhì dé yì mǎn ㄓˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ ㄇㄢˇ zi3 dak1 ji3 mun5 fully content with one's achievements (idiom); complacent
• 指点江山 指點江山 zhǐ diǎn jiāng shān ㄓˇ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄕㄢ zi2 dim2 gong1 saan1 to talk idly about important matters (idiom); to set the world to rights; to pass judgment on everything
• 掷地有声 擲地有聲 zhì dì yǒu shēng ㄓˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄕㄥ zaak6 dei6 jau5 sing1 lit. if thrown on the floor, it will make a sound (idiom); fig. (of one's words) powerful and resonating; to have substance
• 纸短情长 紙短情長 zhǐ duǎn qíng cháng ㄓˇ ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄤˊ zi2 dyun2 cing4 coeng4 (idiom) a piece of paper is too short to convey my feelings
• 知法犯法 zhī fǎ fàn fǎ ㄓ ㄈㄚˇ ㄈㄢˋ ㄈㄚˇ zi1 faat3 faan6 faat3 to know the law and break it (idiom); consciously going against the rules
• 执法如山 執法如山 zhí fǎ rú shān ㄓˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄢ zap1 faat3 jyu4 saan1 to maintain the law as firm as a mountain (idiom); to enforce the law strictly
• 陟罚臧否 陟罰臧否 zhì fá zāng pǐ ㄓˋ ㄈㄚˊ ㄗㄤ ㄆㄧˇ (idiom) to evaluate the merits and demerits of; (esp. in formal, ethical or societal contexts) to critique; to judge
• 栉风沐雨 櫛風沐雨 zhì fēng mù yǔ ㄓˋ ㄈㄥ ㄇㄨˋ ㄩˇ zit3 fung1 muk6 jyu5 lit. to comb one's hair in the wind and wash it in the rain (idiom); fig. to work in the open regardless of the weather
• 芝焚蕙叹 芝焚蕙嘆 zhī fén huì tàn ㄓ ㄈㄣˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ ㄊㄢˋ zi1 fan4 wai6 taan3 lit. when one grass burns the other grass sighs (idiom); fig. to have sympathy with a like-minded person in distress
• 指腹为婚 指腹為婚 zhǐ fù wéi hūn ㄓˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨㄣ zi2 fuk1 wai6 fan1 to propose the future marriage of two unborn babies on condition that one turns out to be a boy, and the other, a girl (idiom)
• 趾高气扬 趾高氣揚 zhǐ gāo qì yáng ㄓˇ ㄍㄠ ㄑㄧˋ ㄧㄤˊ zi2 gou1 hei3 joeng4 high and mighty (idiom); arrogant
• 知过改过 知過改過 zhī guò gǎi guò ㄓ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄞˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ zi1 gwo3 goi2 gwo3 to acknowledge one's faults and correct them (idiom)
• 之乎者也 zhī hū zhě yě ㄓ ㄏㄨ ㄓㄜˇ ㄧㄝˇ zi1 fu4 ze2 jaa5 lit. 之, 乎, 者 and 也 (four grammatical particles of Classical Chinese) (idiom); fig. archaic expressions
• 只鸡斗酒 隻雞斗酒 zhī jī dǒu jiǔ ㄓ ㄐㄧ ㄉㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄡˇ zek3 gai1 dau2 zau2 lit. a chicken and a bottle of wine (idiom); fig. ready to make an offering to the deceased, or to entertain guests
• 枝节横生 枝節橫生 zhī jié héng shēng ㄓ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄏㄥˊ ㄕㄥ zi1 zit3 waang4 sang1 side issues keep arising (idiom)
• 直截了当 直截了當 zhí jié liǎo dàng ㄓˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄉㄤˋ zik6 zit6 liu5 dong3 direct and plainspoken (idiom); blunt; straightforward
• 指鸡骂狗 指雞罵狗 zhǐ jī mà gǒu ㄓˇ ㄐㄧ ㄇㄚˋ ㄍㄡˇ zi2 gai1 maa6 gau2 lit. to point at the chicken while scolding the dog (idiom); fig. to make indirect criticisms
• 知己知彼 zhī jǐ zhī bǐ ㄓ ㄐㄧˇ ㄓ ㄅㄧˇ zi1 gei2 zi1 bei2 know yourself, know your enemy (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孙子兵法)
• 芝兰玉树 芝蘭玉樹 zhī lán yù shù ㄓ ㄌㄢˊ ㄩˋ ㄕㄨˋ zi1 laan4 juk6 syu6 lit. orchids and jade trees (idiom); fig. a child with splendid future prospects
• 芝兰之室 芝蘭之室 zhī lán zhī shì ㄓ ㄌㄢˊ ㄓ ㄕˋ zi1 laan4 zi1 sat1 lit. a room with irises and orchids (idiom); fig. in wealthy and pleasant company
• 知冷知热 知冷知熱 zhī lěng zhī rè ㄓ ㄌㄥˇ ㄓ ㄖㄜˋ zi1 laang5 zi1 jit6 to know whether others are cold or hot (idiom); to be very considerate
• 支离破碎 支離破碎 zhī lí pò suì ㄓ ㄌㄧˊ ㄆㄛˋ ㄙㄨㄟˋ zi1 lei4 po3 seoi3 scattered and smashed (idiom)
• 指鹿为马 指鹿為馬 zhǐ lù wéi mǎ ㄓˇ ㄌㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄇㄚˇ zi2 luk6 wai4 maa5 making a deer out to be a horse (idiom); deliberate misrepresentation
• 指鹿作马 指鹿作馬 zhǐ lù zuò mǎ ㄓˇ ㄌㄨˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄚˇ zi2 luk6 zok3 maa5 to take a deer and call it a horse (idiom); deliberate inversion of the truth
• 执迷不悟 執迷不悟 zhí mí bù wù ㄓˊ ㄇㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨˋ zap1 mai4 bat1 ng6 to obstinately persist in going about things the wrong way (idiom)
• 知难而退 知難而退 zhī nán ér tuì ㄓ ㄋㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄊㄨㄟˋ zi1 naan4 ji4 teoi3 lit. to sound out the difficulties and retreat to avoid defeat (idiom); fig. to back out of an awkward situation; to get out on finding out what it's really like
• 只欠东风 只欠東風 zhǐ qiàn dōng fēng ㄓˇ ㄑㄧㄢˋ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄈㄥ zi2 him3 dung1 fung1 all we need is an east wind (idiom); lacking only one tiny crucial item
• 知悭识俭 知慳識儉 zhī qiān shí jiǎn ㄓ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄕˊ ㄐㄧㄢˇ zi1 haan1 sik1 gim6 (idiom) to know how to be economical
• 直情径行 直情徑行 zhí qíng jìng xíng ㄓˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ zik6 cing4 ging3 hang4 straightforward and honest in one's actions (idiom)
• 稚气未脱 稚氣未脫 zhì qì wèi tuō ㄓˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄨㄟˋ ㄊㄨㄛ zi6 hei3 mei6 tyut3 still possessing the innocence of childhood (idiom)
• 知人善任 zhī rén shàn rèn ㄓ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄖㄣˋ zi1 jan4 sin6 jam6 (idiom) expert at appointing people according to their abilities; to put the right people in the right places
• 指日可待 zhǐ rì kě dài ㄓˇ ㄖˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄞˋ zi2 jat6 ho2 doi6 imminent; just around the corner (idiom)
• 置若罔闻 置若罔聞 zhì ruò wǎng wén ㄓˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄨㄤˇ ㄨㄣˊ zi3 joek6 mong5 man4 to turn a deaf ear to (idiom); to pretend not to hear
• 指桑骂槐 指桑罵槐 zhǐ sāng mà huái ㄓˇ ㄙㄤ ㄇㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄞˊ zi2 song1 maa6 waai4 lit. to point at the mulberry tree and curse the locust tree; fig. to scold sb indirectly; to make oblique accusations (idiom)
• 纸上谈兵 紙上談兵 zhǐ shàng tán bīng ㄓˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄊㄢˊ ㄅㄧㄥ zi2 soeng6 taam4 bing1 lit. military tactics on paper (idiom); fig. theoretical discussion that is worse than useless in practice; armchair strategist; idle theorizing; cf Zhao Kuo 赵括 leading an army of 400,000 to total annihilation at battle of Changping 长平之战 in 260 BC
• 置身事外 zhì shēn shì wài ㄓˋ ㄕㄣ ㄕˋ ㄨㄞˋ zi3 san1 si6 ngoi6 (idiom) not to get involved; to stay out of it
• 志士仁人 zhì shì rén rén ㄓˋ ㄕˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄖㄣˊ zi3 si6 jan4 jan4 gentleman aspiring to benevolence (idiom); people with lofty ideals
• 指手画脚 指手畫腳 zhǐ shǒu huà jiǎo ㄓˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ zi2 sau2 waak6 goek3 to gesticulate while talking (idiom); to explain by waving one's hands; to criticize or give orders summarily
• 炙手可热 炙手可熱 zhì shǒu kě rè ㄓˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄖㄜˋ zek3 sau2 ho2 jit6 lit. burn your hand, feel the heat (idiom); fig. arrogance of the powerful; a mighty figure no-one dares approach; hot (exciting or in favor)
• 知书达理 知書達理 zhī shū dá lǐ ㄓ ㄕㄨ ㄉㄚˊ ㄌㄧˇ zi1 syu1 daat6 lei5 educated and well-balanced (idiom)
• 治丝益棼 治絲益棼 zhì sī yì fén ㄓˋ ㄙ ㄧˋ ㄈㄣˊ lit. try to straighten out silk threads only to tangle them further (idiom); fig. to try to help but end up making things worse
• 志同道合 zhì tóng dào hé ㄓˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄏㄜˊ zi3 tung4 dou6 hap6 (idiom) to be devoted to a common cause; to be like-minded
• 支吾其词 支吾其詞 zhī wú qí cí ㄓ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄘˊ zi1 ng4 kei4 ci4 (idiom) to talk in a roundabout way to cover up the truth; evasive
• 直言不讳 直言不諱 zhí yán bù huì ㄓˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ zik6 jin4 bat1 wai5 to speak bluntly (idiom); not to mince words
• 只言片语 只言片語 zhī yán piàn yǔ ㄓ ㄧㄢˊ ㄆㄧㄢˋ ㄩˇ zi2 jin4 pin3 jyu5 (idiom) just a word or two; a few isolated phrases
• 知易行难 知易行難 zhī yì xíng nán ㄓ ㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄋㄢˊ zi1 ji6 hang4 naan4 easy to grasp but difficult to put into practice (idiom); easier said than done
• 挚友良朋 摯友良朋 zhì yǒu liáng péng ㄓˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄆㄥˊ zi3 jau5 loeng4 pang4 intimate friend and companion (idiom)
• 知遇之恩 zhī yù zhī ēn ㄓ ㄩˋ ㄓ ㄣ zi1 jyu6 zi1 jan1 lit. the kindness of recognizing sb's worth and employing him (idiom); patronage; protection
• 志在四方 zhì zài sì fāng ㄓˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄙˋ ㄈㄤ zi3 zoi6 sei3 fong1 to aspire to travel far and make one's mark (idiom)
• 只争朝夕 只爭朝夕 zhǐ zhēng zhāo xī ㄓˇ ㄓㄥ ㄓㄠ ㄒㄧ zi2 zang1 ziu1 zik6 (idiom) to seize every minute; to make the best use of one's time
• 置之不理 zhì zhī bù lǐ ㄓˋ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ zi3 zi1 bat1 lei5 to pay no heed to (idiom); to ignore; to brush aside
• 置之不问 置之不問 zhì zhī bù wèn ㄓˋ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄣˋ zi3 zi1 bat1 man6 to pass by without showing interest (idiom)
• 置诸高阁 置諸高閣 zhì zhū gāo gé ㄓˋ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄠ ㄍㄜˊ zi3 zyu1 gou1 gok3 lit. place on a high shelf; to pay no attention to (idiom)
• 智珠在握 zhì zhū zài wò ㄓˋ ㄓㄨ ㄗㄞˋ ㄨㄛˋ zi3 zyu1 zoi6 aak1 lit. to hold the pearl of wisdom (idiom); fig. to be endowed with extraordinary intelligence
• 只字不提 隻字不提 zhī zì bù tí ㄓ ㄗˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄧˊ zek3 zi6 bat1 tai4 (idiom) to say not a single word about it
• 知足常乐 知足常樂 zhī zú cháng lè ㄓ ㄗㄨˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄜˋ zi1 zuk1 soeng4 lok6 satisfied with what one has (idiom)
• 纸醉金迷 紙醉金迷 zhǐ zuì jīn mí ㄓˇ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄇㄧˊ zi2 zeoi3 gam1 mai4 lit. dazzling with paper and gold (idiom); fig. indulging in a life of luxury
• 终成泡影 終成泡影 zhōng chéng pào yǐng ㄓㄨㄥ ㄔㄥˊ ㄆㄠˋ ㄧㄥˇ zung1 sing4 paau1 jing2 (idiom) to come to nothing
• 终而复始 終而復始 zhōng ér fù shǐ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄦˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕˇ zung1 ji4 fuk6 ci2 lit. the end comes back to the start (idiom); the wheel comes full circle
• 众寡悬殊 眾寡懸殊 zhòng guǎ xuán shū ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄨ zung3 gwaa2 jyun4 syu4 (idiom) a great disparity in numerical strength
• 中箭落马 中箭落馬 zhòng jiàn luò mǎ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄚˇ zung3 zin3 lok6 maa5 lit. to be struck by an arrow and fall from one's horse; to suffer a serious setback (idiom)
• 忠君爱国 忠君愛國 zhōng jūn ài guó ㄓㄨㄥ ㄐㄩㄣ ㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ zung1 gwan1 oi3 gwok3 (idiom) to be faithful to the ruler and love one's country
• 众口难调 眾口難調 zhòng kǒu nán tiáo ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄊㄧㄠˊ zung3 hau2 naan4 diu6 it's difficult to please everyone (idiom)
• 众口铄金 眾口鑠金 zhòng kǒu shuò jīn ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄣ zung3 hau2 soek3 gam1 lit. public opinion is powerful enough to melt metal (idiom); fig. public clamor can obscure the actual truth; mass spreading of rumors can confuse right and wrong
• 众口同声 眾口同聲 zhòng kǒu tóng shēng ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄥ zung3 hau2 tung4 sing1 (of people) to be of one voice (idiom); unanimous
• 钟灵毓秀 鍾靈毓秀 zhōng líng yù xiù ㄓㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄩˋ ㄒㄧㄡˋ (of a place) endowed with a natural beauty that nurtures people of talent (idiom)
• 众盲摸象 眾盲摸象 zhòng máng mō xiàng ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄇㄤˊ ㄇㄛ ㄒㄧㄤˋ zung3 maang4 mo2 zoeng6 multitude of blind people touch an elephant (idiom, from Nirvana sutra 大般涅盘经); fig. unable to see the big picture; to mistake the part for the whole; unable to see the wood for the trees
• 众目睽睽 眾目睽睽 zhòng mù kuí kuí ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄎㄨㄟˊ ㄎㄨㄟˊ zung3 muk6 kwai4 kwai4 (idiom) (under) the public eye; the stares of many people
• 众目昭彰 眾目昭彰 zhòng mù zhāo zhāng ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄓㄠ ㄓㄤ zung3 muk6 ciu1 zoeng1 lit. the masses are sharp-eyed (idiom); fig. one is subjected to the scrutiny of the general public
• 终南捷径 終南捷徑 Zhōng nán jié jìng ㄓㄨㄥ ㄋㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ zung1 naam4 zit6 ging3 lit. the Mount Zhongnan shortcut (idiom); fig. shortcut to a high-flying career; easy route to success (an allusion to the Tang Dynasty story of 卢藏用, who lived like a hermit on Mt. Zhongnan in order to gain a reputation for wisdom, which he then used to gain a position in the Imperial Court)
• 重男轻女 重男輕女 zhòng nán qīng nǚ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄋㄩˇ cung5 naam4 hing1 neoi5 to value males and attach less importance to females (idiom)
• 众怒难犯 眾怒難犯 zhòng nù nán fàn ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄋㄨˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄈㄢˋ zung3 nou6 naan4 faan6 (idiom) one cannot afford to incur public wrath; it is dangerous to incur the anger of the masses
• 众叛亲离 眾叛親離 zhòng pàn qīn lí ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄆㄢˋ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄌㄧˊ zung3 bun6 can1 lei4 lit. people rebelling and friends deserting (idiom); fig. to find oneself utterly isolated
• 众擎易举 眾擎易舉 zhòng qíng yì jǔ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄧˋ ㄐㄩˇ zung3 king4 ji6 geoi2 many hands make light work (idiom)
• 重色轻友 重色輕友 zhòng sè qīng yǒu ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄙㄜˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄧㄡˇ zung6 sik1 hing1 jau5 paying more attention to a lover than friends (idiom); to value sex over friendship
• 众矢之的 眾矢之的 zhòng shǐ zhī dì ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄕˇ ㄓ ㄉㄧˋ zung3 ci2 zi1 dik1 lit. target of a multitude of arrows (idiom); the butt of public criticism; attacked on all sides
• 众说纷揉 眾說紛揉 zhòng shuō fēn róu ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄈㄣ ㄖㄡˊ zung3 syut3 fan1 jau4 lit. diverse opinions confused and divided (idiom); opinions differ; controversial matters
• 众说纷纭 眾說紛紜 zhòng shuō fēn yún ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄈㄣ ㄩㄣˊ zung3 syut3 fan1 wan4 opinions differ (idiom)
• 众所周知 眾所周知 zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄓㄡ ㄓ zung3 so2 zau1 zi1 (idiom) as everyone knows
• 众望所归 眾望所歸 zhòng wàng suǒ guī ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄤˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄍㄨㄟ zung3 mong6 so2 gwai1 (idiom) to enjoy popular support; to receive general approval
• 重文轻武 重文輕武 zhòng wén qīng wǔ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄨˇ zung6 man4 hing1 mou5 to value letters and belittle arms (idiom); to stress civil matters and neglect the military; to prefer the pen to the sword
• 中西合璧 Zhōng Xī hé bì ㄓㄨㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄏㄜˊ ㄅㄧˋ zung1 sai1 hap6 bik1 harmonious combination of Chinese and Western elements (idiom)
• 忠心耿耿 zhōng xīn gěng gěng ㄓㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄍㄥˇ ㄍㄥˇ zung1 sam1 gang2 gang2 loyal and devoted (idiom); faithful and true
• 众星拱辰 眾星拱辰 zhòng xīng gǒng chén ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄍㄨㄥˇ ㄔㄣˊ zung3 sing1 gung2 san4 lit. all the stars revolve around Polaris 北辰 (idiom, from Analects); fig. to view sb as core figure; to group around a revered leader
• 众星捧月 眾星捧月 zhòng xīng pěng yuè ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄆㄥˇ ㄩㄝˋ zung3 sing1 pung2 jyut6 lit. all the stars cup themselves around the moon (idiom, from Analects); fig. to view sb as core figure; to group around a revered leader; to revolve around sb
• 忠言逆耳 zhōng yán nì ěr ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧㄢˊ ㄋㄧˋ ㄦˇ zung1 jin4 jik6 ji5 loyal advice jars on the ears (idiom)
• 重义轻利 重義輕利 zhòng yì qīng lì ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄧˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄌㄧˋ zung6 ji6 hing1 lei6 to value righteousness rather than material gain (idiom)
• 重于泰山 重於泰山 zhòng yú Tài Shān ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄩˊ ㄊㄞˋ ㄕㄢ zung6 jyu1 taai3 saan1 heavier than Mt Tai (idiom); fig. extremely serious matter
• 忠贞不渝 忠貞不渝 zhōng zhēn bù yú ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄩˊ zung1 zing1 bat1 jyu4 unswerving in one's loyalty (idiom); faithful and constant
• 众志成城 眾志成城 zhòng zhì chéng chéng ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄓˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄔㄥˊ zung3 zi3 sing4 sing4 unity of will is an impregnable stronghold (idiom)
• 冢中枯骨 塚中枯骨 zhǒng zhōng kū gǔ ㄓㄨㄥˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄎㄨ ㄍㄨˇ cung2 zung1 fu1 gwat1 dried bones in burial mound (idiom); dead and buried
• 周而复始 週而復始 zhōu ér fù shǐ ㄓㄡ ㄦˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕˇ zau1 ji4 fuk6 ci2 lit. the cycle comes back to the start (idiom); to move in circles; the wheel comes full circle
• 周游列国 周遊列國 zhōu yóu liè guó ㄓㄡ ㄧㄡˊ ㄌㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ zau1 jau4 lit6 gwok3 to travel around many countries (idiom); peregrinations; refers to the travels of Confucius
• 抓耳挠腮 抓耳撓腮 zhuā ěr náo sāi ㄓㄨㄚ ㄦˇ ㄋㄠˊ ㄙㄞ zaau2 ji5 naau4 soi1 to tweak one's ears and scratch one's cheeks (as an expression of anxiety, delight, frustration etc) (idiom)
• 转败为胜 轉敗為勝 zhuàn bài wéi shèng ㄓㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄞˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄕㄥˋ zyun2 baai6 wai4 sing3 to turn defeat into victory (idiom); snatching victory from the jaws of defeat
• 转悲为喜 轉悲為喜 zhuǎn bēi wéi xǐ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄟ ㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄧˇ zyun2 bei1 wai4 hei2 to turn grief into happiness (idiom)
• 装点门面 裝點門面 zhuāng diǎn mén miàn ㄓㄨㄤ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄇㄣˊ ㄇㄧㄢˋ zong1 dim2 mun4 min6 lit. to decorate the front of one's store (idiom); fig. to embellish (one's CV, etc); to keep up appearances; to put up a front
• 装疯卖傻 裝瘋賣傻 zhuāng fēng mài shǎ ㄓㄨㄤ ㄈㄥ ㄇㄞˋ ㄕㄚˇ zong1 fung1 maai6 so4 to play the fool (idiom); to feign madness
• 装模作样 裝模作樣 zhuāng mó zuò yàng ㄓㄨㄤ ㄇㄛˊ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄤˋ zong1 mou4 zok3 joeng6 (idiom) to put on an act; to show affectation; to indulge in histrionics
• 装穷叫苦 裝窮叫苦 zhuāng qióng jiào kǔ ㄓㄨㄤ ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄠˋ ㄎㄨˇ zong1 kung4 giu3 fu2 to feign and complain bitterly of being poverty stricken (idiom)
• 装傻充愣 裝傻充愣 zhuāng shǎ chōng lèng ㄓㄨㄤ ㄕㄚˇ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄌㄥˋ zong1 so4 cung1 ling6 (idiom) to feign ignorance or stupidity; to pretend to be clueless
• 装神弄鬼 裝神弄鬼 zhuāng shén nòng guǐ ㄓㄨㄤ ㄕㄣˊ ㄋㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄨㄟˇ zong1 san4 lung6 gwai2 lit. to pretend to be in contact with supernatural beings (idiom); fig. to create a false sense of mystery; to play tricks to deceive or scare others; to engage in hocus-pocus
• 转圜余地 轉圜餘地 zhuǎn huán yú dì ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄩˊ ㄉㄧˋ zyun2 waan4 jyu4 dei6 to have room to save a situation; margin for error (idiom)
• 专美于前 專美於前 zhuān měi yú qián ㄓㄨㄢ ㄇㄟˇ ㄩˊ ㄑㄧㄢˊ zyun1 mei5 jyu1 cin4 to monopolize the limelight (idiom); to get all the glory; to rank highest
• 转面无情 轉面無情 zhuǎn miàn wú qíng ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ zyun2 min6 mou4 cing4 to turn one's face against sb and show no mercy (idiom); to turn against a friend
• 转瞬即逝 轉瞬即逝 zhuǎn shùn jí shì ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄕㄨㄣˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄕˋ zyun2 seon3 zik1 sai6 (idiom) fleeting; transitory
• 转危为安 轉危為安 zhuǎn wēi wéi ān ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄨㄟ ㄨㄟˊ ㄢ zyun2 ngai4 wai4 on1 to turn peril into safety (idiom); to avert a danger (esp. political or medical)
• 专心致志 專心致志 zhuān xīn zhì zhì ㄓㄨㄢ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓˋ ㄓˋ zyun1 sam1 zi3 zi3 (idiom) single-minded; fully focused
• 转眼之间 轉眼之間 zhuǎn yǎn zhī jiān ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄢ zyun2 ngaan5 zi1 gaan1 (idiom) in the wink of an eye; in a flash
• 转战千里 轉戰千里 zhuǎn zhàn qiān lǐ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄓㄢˋ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˇ zyun2 zin3 cin1 lei5 fighting everywhere over a thousand miles (idiom); constant fighting across the country; never-ending struggle
• 铸成大错 鑄成大錯 zhù chéng dà cuò ㄓㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ zyu3 sing4 daai6 co3 to make a serious mistake (idiom)
• 煮豆燃萁 zhǔ dòu rán qí ㄓㄨˇ ㄉㄡˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄑㄧˊ zyu2 dau6 jin4 kei4 burning beanstalks to cook the beans (idiom); to cause internecine strife
• 珠光宝气 珠光寶氣 zhū guāng bǎo qì ㄓㄨ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄅㄠˇ ㄑㄧˋ zyu1 gwong1 bou2 hei3 bedecked with glittering jewels (idiom)
• 追根问底 追根問底 zhuī gēn wèn dǐ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ ㄨㄣˋ ㄉㄧˇ zeoi1 gan1 man6 dai2 lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (idiom); to get to the bottom of sth
• 追悔莫及 zhuī huǐ mò jí ㄓㄨㄟ ㄏㄨㄟˇ ㄇㄛˋ ㄐㄧˊ zeoi1 fui3 mok6 kap6 too late for regrets (idiom); It is useless to repent after the event.
• 追名逐利 zhuī míng zhú lì ㄓㄨㄟ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄨˊ ㄌㄧˋ zeoi1 ming4 zuk6 lei6 (idiom) to seek fame and wealth
• 惴惴不安 zhuì zhuì bù ān ㄓㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄢ zeoi3 zeoi3 bat1 on1 to be on tenterhooks (idiom); to be anxious and frightened
• 铸剑为犁 鑄劍為犁 zhù jiàn wéi lí ㄓㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄧˊ zyu3 gim3 wai6 lai4 (idiom) to beat swords into plowshares; to turn from war to peace
• 竹篮打水 竹籃打水 zhú lán dǎ shuǐ ㄓㄨˊ ㄌㄢˊ ㄉㄚˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ zuk1 laam4 daa2 seoi2 using a wicker basket to draw water (idiom); wasted effort
• 珠联璧合 珠聯璧合 zhū lián bì hé ㄓㄨ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄏㄜˊ zyu1 lyun4 bik1 hap6 string of pearl and jade (idiom); ideal combination; perfect pair
• 珠流璧转 珠流璧轉 zhū liú bì zhuǎn ㄓㄨ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄢˇ zyu1 lau4 bik1 zyun2 lit. pearl flows, jade moves on (idiom); fig. the passage of time; water under the bridge
• 逐鹿中原 zhú lù Zhōng yuán ㄓㄨˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄩㄢˊ zuk6 luk6 zung1 jyun4 lit. hunting deer in the Central Plain (idiom); fig. to attempt to seize the throne
• 竹马之交 竹馬之交 zhú mǎ zhī jiāo ㄓㄨˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄠ zuk1 maa5 zi1 gaau1 childhood friend (idiom)
• 谆谆告诫 諄諄告誡 zhūn zhūn gào jiè ㄓㄨㄣ ㄓㄨㄣ ㄍㄠˋ ㄐㄧㄝˋ zeon1 zeon1 gou3 gaai3 to repeatedly advise sb earnestly (idiom); to admonish
• 卓尔不群 卓爾不群 zhuó ěr bù qún ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄦˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ coek3 ji5 bat1 kwan4 standing above the common crowd (idiom); outstanding; excellent and unrivaled
• 擢发难数 擢髮難數 zhuó fà nán shǔ ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄈㄚˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄕㄨˇ zok6 faat3 naan4 sou3 lit. as difficult to count as hair pulled from sb's head (idiom); fig. innumerable (crimes)
• 卓乎不群 zhuó hū bù qún ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄏㄨ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄣˊ coek3 fu4 bat1 kwan4 standing out from the common crowd (idiom); outstanding; preeminent
• 捉襟见肘 捉襟見肘 zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu ㄓㄨㄛ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄡˇ zuk1 kam1 gin3 zau2 lit. pulling on the lapels exposes the elbows (idiom); strapped for cash; unable to make ends meet
• 捉摸不定 zhuō mō bù dìng ㄓㄨㄛ ㄇㄛ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ zuk1 mo2 bat1 ding6 (idiom) unpredictable; elusive; hard to pin down
• 着手成春 著手成春 zhuó shǒu chéng chūn ㄓㄨㄛˊ ㄕㄡˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄔㄨㄣ zoek6 sau2 sing4 ceon1 lit. set out and it becomes spring (idiom); to effect a miracle cure (of medical operation); to bring back the dead; once it starts, everything goes well
• 拙于言词 拙於言詞 zhuō yú yán cí ㄓㄨㄛ ㄩˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄘˊ zyut3 jyu1 jin4 ci4 to be unable to express oneself clearly (idiom)
• 拙嘴笨舌 zhuō zuǐ bèn shé ㄓㄨㄛ ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄣˋ ㄕㄜˊ zyut3 zeoi2 ban6 sit3 lit. clumsy mouth and broken tongue (idiom); awkward speaker
• 诛求无厌 誅求無厭 zhū qiú wú yàn ㄓㄨ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄧㄢˋ zyu1 kau4 mou4 jim3 (idiom) to relentlessly make excessive demands
• 助人为乐 助人為樂 zhù rén wéi lè ㄓㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄌㄜˋ zo6 jan4 wai4 lok6 pleasure from helping others (idiom)
• 诸如此类 諸如此類 zhū rú cǐ lèi ㄓㄨ ㄖㄨˊ ㄘˇ ㄌㄟˋ zyu1 jyu4 ci2 leoi6 things like this (idiom); and so on; and the rest; etc
• 筑室道谋 築室道謀 zhù shì dào móu ㄓㄨˋ ㄕˋ ㄉㄠˋ ㄇㄡˊ zuk1 sat1 dou6 mau4 lit. ask passers-by how to build one's house (idiom); fig. to have no idea what to do; without a clue
• 著书立说 著書立說 zhù shū lì shuō ㄓㄨˋ ㄕㄨ ㄌㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄛ zyu3 syu1 laap6 syut3 to write a book advancing one's theory (idiom)
• 珠圆玉润 珠圓玉潤 zhū yuán yù rùn ㄓㄨ ㄩㄢˊ ㄩˋ ㄖㄨㄣˋ zyu1 jyun4 juk6 jeon6 lit. as round as pearls and as smooth as jade (idiom); fig. elegant and polished (of singing or writing)
• 朱云折槛 朱雲折檻 zhū yún zhé jiàn ㄓㄨ ㄩㄣˊ ㄓㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄢˋ (idiom) Zhu Yun breaks the railing (Zhu Yun was a Han Dynasty official who accused the emperor's tutor of corruption, and when sentenced to death, clung to the palace hall railing so fiercely while demanding justice that he broke it); (fig.) to speak the truth with unwavering courage; to admonish fearlessly
• 珠玉在侧 珠玉在側 zhū yù zài cè ㄓㄨ ㄩˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄘㄜˋ zyu1 juk6 zoi6 zak1 gems at the side (idiom); flanked by genius
• 助纣为虐 助紂為虐 zhù Zhòu wéi nüè ㄓㄨˋ ㄓㄡˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄋㄩㄝˋ lit. helping tyrant Zhou 商纣王 in his oppression (idiom); fig. to take the side of the evildoer; giving succor to the enemy
• 自不必说 自不必說 zì bù bì shuō ㄗˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄛ zi6 bat1 bit1 syut3 (idiom) needless to say; it goes without saying
• 自不量力 zì bù liàng lì ㄗˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ zi6 bat1 loeng6 lik6 to overestimate one's capabilities (idiom)
• 自惭形秽 自慚形穢 zì cán xíng huì ㄗˋ ㄘㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄟˋ zi6 caam4 jing4 wai3 (idiom) to feel inferior; to feel inadequate
• 子承父业 子承父業 zǐ chéng fù yè ㄗˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄧㄝˋ zi2 sing4 fu6 jip6 (idiom) (of a son) to carry on one's father's business or profession
• 自吹自擂 zì chuī zì léi ㄗˋ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄗˋ ㄌㄟˊ zi6 ceoi1 zi6 leoi4 to blow one's own trumpet (idiom)
• 自奉甚俭 自奉甚儉 zì fèng shèn jiǎn ㄗˋ ㄈㄥˋ ㄕㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄢˇ zi6 fung6 sam6 gim6 (idiom) to allow oneself few comforts or pleasures
• 自甘堕落 自甘墮落 zì gān duò luò ㄗˋ ㄍㄢ ㄉㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ zi6 gam1 do6 lok6 to abandon oneself (idiom); to let oneself go
• 自高自大 zì gāo zì dà ㄗˋ ㄍㄠ ㄗˋ ㄉㄚˋ zi6 gou1 zi6 daai6 to think of oneself as terrific (idiom); arrogant
• 自顾不暇 自顧不暇 zì gù bù xiá ㄗˋ ㄍㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˊ zi6 gu3 bat1 haa6 (idiom) to have one's hands full managing one's own affairs; too busy to spare time for anything extra
• 趑趄不前 zī jū bù qián ㄗ ㄐㄩ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧㄢˊ zi1 zeoi1 bat1 cin4 hesitant and not daring to move forward (idiom)
• 趑趄嗫嚅 趑趄囁嚅 zī jū niè rú ㄗ ㄐㄩ ㄋㄧㄝˋ ㄖㄨˊ zi1 zeoi1 zip3 jyu4 faltering steps, mumbling speech (idiom); hesitant; cringing; to cower
• 自愧不如 zì kuì bù rú ㄗˋ ㄎㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ zi6 kwai3 bat1 jyu4 ashamed of being inferior (idiom); to feel inferior to others
• 自愧弗如 zì kuì fú rú ㄗˋ ㄎㄨㄟˋ ㄈㄨˊ ㄖㄨˊ zi6 kwai3 fat1 jyu4 to feel ashamed at being inferior (idiom)
• 自力更生 zì lì gēng shēng ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄍㄥ ㄕㄥ zi6 lik6 gang1 sang1 regeneration through one's own effort (idiom); self-reliance
• 字里行间 字裡行間 zì lǐ háng jiān ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄏㄤˊ ㄐㄧㄢ zi6 leoi5 hong4 gaan1 between the words and the lines (idiom); implied meaning; connotations
• 自乱阵脚 自亂陣腳 zì luàn zhèn jiǎo ㄗˋ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ zi6 lyun6 zan6 goek3 (idiom) to lose one's head; to panic; to go to pieces
• 自命清高 zì mìng qīng gāo ㄗˋ ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄍㄠ zi6 ming6 cing1 gou1 to think of oneself as high and pure (idiom); smug and self-righteous; holier-than-thou
• 自谋出路 自謀出路 zì móu chū lù ㄗˋ ㄇㄡˊ ㄔㄨ ㄌㄨˋ zi6 mau4 ceot1 lou6 (idiom) to take matters into one's own hands; to go it alone; to fend for oneself; to find one's own way forward (esp. to find oneself a job)
• 紫气东来 紫氣東來 zǐ qì dōng lái ㄗˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄌㄞˊ zi2 hei3 dung1 loi4 (idiom) auspicious omen heralding good fortune
• 自取灭亡 自取滅亡 zì qǔ miè wáng ㄗˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄨㄤˊ zi6 ceoi2 mit6 mong4 to court disaster (idiom); to dig one's own grave
• 自取其辱 zì qǔ qí rǔ ㄗˋ ㄑㄩˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄖㄨˇ zi6 ceoi2 kei4 juk6 (idiom) to embarrass oneself
• 自然而然 zì rán ér rán ㄗˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄦˊ ㄖㄢˊ zi6 jin4 ji4 jin4 (idiom) natural; unforced; (idiom) naturally; as a matter of course; in the natural course of things
• 自上而下 zì shàng ér xià ㄗˋ ㄕㄤˋ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ zi6 soeng6 ji4 haa6 (idiom) from top to bottom; top-down
• 自生自灭 自生自滅 zì shēng zì miè ㄗˋ ㄕㄥ ㄗˋ ㄇㄧㄝˋ zi6 sang1 zi6 mit6 to emerge and perish on its own; to run its course (idiom)
• 自身难保 自身難保 zì shēn nán bǎo ㄗˋ ㄕㄣ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄠˇ zi6 san1 naan4 bou2 powerless to defend oneself (idiom); helpless
• 自食恶果 自食惡果 zì shí è guǒ ㄗˋ ㄕˊ ㄜˋ ㄍㄨㄛˇ zi6 sik6 ok3 gwo2 lit. to eat one's own bitter fruit (idiom); fig. to suffer the consequences of one's own actions; to stew in one's own juice
• 自食其果 zì shí qí guǒ ㄗˋ ㄕˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨㄛˇ zi6 sik6 kei4 gwo2 to eat one's own fruit (idiom); fig. suffering the consequences of one's own action; to reap what one has sown
• 自食其力 zì shí qí lì ㄗˋ ㄕˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄌㄧˋ zi6 sik6 kei4 lik6 lit. to eat off one's own strength (idiom); fig. to stand on one's own feet; to earn one's own living
• 自视清高 自視清高 zì shì qīng gāo ㄗˋ ㄕˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄍㄠ zi6 si6 cing1 gou1 to think highly of oneself (idiom); giving oneself airs; arrogant and self-important
• 自视甚高 自視甚高 zì shì shèn gāo ㄗˋ ㄕˋ ㄕㄣˋ ㄍㄠ zi6 si6 sam6 gou1 to think highly of oneself (idiom); giving oneself airs; arrogant and self-important
• 兹事体大 茲事體大 zī shì tǐ dà ㄗ ㄕˋ ㄊㄧˇ ㄉㄚˋ zi1 si6 tai2 daai6 this is no small thing (idiom); to have a serious matter at hand
• 自始至终 自始至終 zì shǐ zhì zhōng ㄗˋ ㄕˇ ㄓˋ ㄓㄨㄥ zi6 ci2 zi3 zung1 from start to finish (idiom)
• 自私自利 zì sī zì lì ㄗˋ ㄙ ㄗˋ ㄌㄧˋ zi6 si1 zi6 lei6 everything for self and selfish profit (idiom); with no regard for others; selfish; mercenary
• 自讨苦吃 自討苦吃 zì tǎo kǔ chī ㄗˋ ㄊㄠˇ ㄎㄨˇ ㄔ zi6 tou2 fu2 hek3 (idiom) to ask for trouble; to make a rod for one's own back
• 自我吹嘘 自我吹噓 zì wǒ chuī xū ㄗˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄔㄨㄟ ㄒㄩ zi6 ngo5 ceoi1 heoi1 to blow one's own horn (idiom)
• 自下而上 zì xià ér shàng ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄦˊ ㄕㄤˋ zi6 haa6 ji4 soeng6 (idiom) from bottom to top; from the grass roots up; bottom-up
• 自相残杀 自相殘殺 zì xiāng cán shā ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄘㄢˊ ㄕㄚ zi6 soeng1 caan4 saat3 to massacre one another (idiom); internecine strife
• 自相鱼肉 自相魚肉 zì xiāng yú ròu ㄗˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄩˊ ㄖㄡˋ zi6 soeng1 jyu4 juk6 butchering one another as fish and flesh (idiom); killing one another; internecine strife
• 自寻烦恼 自尋煩惱 zì xún fán nǎo ㄗˋ ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄈㄢˊ ㄋㄠˇ zi6 cam4 faan4 nou5 to bring trouble on oneself (idiom)
• 自寻死路 自尋死路 zì xún sǐ lù ㄗˋ ㄒㄩㄣˊ ㄙˇ ㄌㄨˋ zi6 cam4 sei2 lou6 to follow the path to one's own doom (idiom); to bring about one's own destruction
• 子虚乌有 子虛烏有 zǐ xū wū yǒu ㄗˇ ㄒㄩ ㄨ ㄧㄡˇ zi2 heoi1 wu1 jau5 (idiom) to have no basis in fact; to be the product of sb's imagination
• 自言自语 自言自語 zì yán zì yǔ ㄗˋ ㄧㄢˊ ㄗˋ ㄩˇ zi6 jin4 zi6 jyu5 (idiom) to talk to oneself; to think aloud; to soliloquize
• 自以为是 自以為是 zì yǐ wéi shì ㄗˋ ㄧˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄕˋ zi6 ji5 wai4 si6 to believe oneself infallible (idiom); to be opinionated
• 自贻伊戚 自貽伊戚 zì yí yī qī ㄗˋ ㄧˊ ㄧ ㄑㄧ zi6 ji4 ji1 cik1 to create trouble for oneself (idiom)
• 自艾自怜 自艾自憐 zì yì zì lián ㄗˋ ㄧˋ ㄗˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ zi6 ngaai6 zi6 lin4 (idiom) to feel sorry for oneself
• 自由自在 zì yóu zì zài ㄗˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄗˋ ㄗㄞˋ zi6 jau4 zi6 zoi6 free and easy (idiom); carefree; leisurely
• 自繇自在 zì yóu zì zai ㄗˋ ㄧㄡˊ ㄗˋ ˙ㄗㄞ zi6 jau4 zi6 zoi6 free and easy (idiom); carefree; leisurely
• 自圆其说 自圓其說 zì yuán qí shuō ㄗˋ ㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕㄨㄛ zi6 jyun4 kei4 seoi3 (idiom) to make a story or theory consistent; to give a plausible explanation; to plug the holes in one's story
• 字正腔圆 字正腔圓 zì zhèng qiāng yuán ㄗˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄩㄢˊ zi6 zing3 hong1 jyun4 to enunciate beautifully (in speaking or singing) (idiom)
• 自知理亏 自知理虧 zì zhī lǐ kuī ㄗˋ ㄓ ㄌㄧˇ ㄎㄨㄟ zi6 zi1 lei5 kwai1 to know that one is in the wrong (idiom)
• 自知之明 zì zhī zhī míng ㄗˋ ㄓ ㄓ ㄇㄧㄥˊ zi6 zi1 zi1 ming4 (idiom) self-knowledge
• 锱铢必较 錙銖必較 zī zhū bì jiào ㄗ ㄓㄨ ㄅㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ zi1 zyu1 bit1 gaau3 to haggle over every cent (idiom)
• 孜孜不倦 zī zī bù juàn ㄗ ㄗ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄢˋ zi1 zi1 bat1 gyun6 lit. diligent and never slacking (idiom); continuous concentrated effort; assiduous (in study); to concentrate
• 子子孙孙 子子孫孫 zǐ zǐ sūn sūn ㄗˇ ㄗˇ ㄙㄨㄣ ㄙㄨㄣ zi2 zi2 syun1 syun1 (idiom) one's posterity
• 孜孜以求 zī zī yǐ qiú ㄗ ㄗ ㄧˇ ㄑㄧㄡˊ zi1 zi1 ji5 kau4 diligent and tireless (idiom)
• 字字珠玑 字字珠璣 zì zì zhū jī ㄗˋ ㄗˋ ㄓㄨ ㄐㄧ (idiom) every word is a gem
• 字字珠玉 zì zì zhū yù ㄗˋ ㄗˋ ㄓㄨ ㄩˋ zi6 zi6 zyu1 juk6 every word a gem (idiom); magnificent writing
• 自作聪明 自作聰明 zì zuò cōng míng ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄘㄨㄥ ㄇㄧㄥˊ zi6 zok3 cung1 ming4 (idiom) to think oneself clever
• 自作主张 自作主張 zì zuò zhǔ zhāng ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄨˇ ㄓㄤ zi6 zok3 zyu2 zoeng1 (idiom) to act on one's own; to decide for oneself
• 自作自受 zì zuò zì shòu ㄗˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗˋ ㄕㄡˋ zi6 zok3 zi6 sau6 (idiom) to reap what one has sown; to stew in one's own juice
• 纵横交错 縱橫交錯 zòng héng jiāo cuò ㄗㄨㄥˋ ㄏㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄘㄨㄛˋ zung1 waang4 gaau1 co3 criss-crossed (idiom)
• 总角之好 總角之好 zǒng jiǎo zhī hǎo ㄗㄨㄥˇ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄓ ㄏㄠˇ zung2 gok3 zi1 hou2 (idiom) childhood friend
• 总角之交 總角之交 zǒng jiǎo zhī jiāo ㄗㄨㄥˇ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄓ ㄐㄧㄠ zung2 gok3 zi1 gaau1 (idiom) childhood friend
• 走马观花 走馬觀花 zǒu mǎ guān huā ㄗㄡˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ zau2 maa5 gun1 faa1 lit. flower viewing from horseback (idiom); a fleeting glance in passing; fig. superficial understanding from cursory observation; to make a quick judgment based on inadequate information
• 走马看花 走馬看花 zǒu mǎ kàn huā ㄗㄡˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄎㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚ zau2 maa5 hon3 faa1 lit. flower viewing from horseback (idiom); fig. superficial understanding from cursory observation; to make a quick judgment based on inadequate information
• 走马上任 走馬上任 zǒu mǎ shàng rèn ㄗㄡˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄖㄣˋ zau2 maa5 soeng5 jam6 (idiom) to take office; to assume a post
• 走马章台 走馬章臺 zǒu mǎ zhāng tái ㄗㄡˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄓㄤ ㄊㄞˊ zau2 maa5 zoeng1 toi4 to go to the brothel on horseback (idiom); to visit prostitutes
• 走桃花运 走桃花運 zǒu táo huā yùn ㄗㄡˇ ㄊㄠˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄩㄣˋ zau2 tou4 faa1 wan6 to have luck with the ladies (idiom)
• 走投无路 走投無路 zǒu tóu wú lù ㄗㄡˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄨˊ ㄌㄨˋ zau2 tau4 mou4 lou6 to be at an impasse (idiom); in a tight spot; at the end of one's rope; desperate
• 钻故纸堆 鑽故紙堆 zuān gù zhǐ duī ㄗㄨㄢ ㄍㄨˋ ㄓˇ ㄉㄨㄟ zyun1 gu3 zi2 deoi1 to dig into piles of outdated writings (idiom); to study old books and papers
• 钻坚仰高 鑽堅仰高 zuān jiān yǎng gāo ㄗㄨㄢ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄧㄤˇ ㄍㄠ zyun1 gin1 joeng5 gou1 lit. looking up to it, it gets higher; boring into it, it gets harder (idiom) (from Analects); fig. to delve deeply into one's studies; meticulous and diligent study
• 钻牛角尖 鑽牛角尖 zuān niú jiǎo jiān ㄗㄨㄢ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄢ zyun1 ngau4 gok3 zim1 lit. to penetrate into a bull's horn (idiom); fig. to waste time on an insoluble or insignificant problem; to bash one's head against a brick wall; a wild goose chase; a blind alley; to split hairs
• 足不出户 足不出戶 zú bù chū hù ㄗㄨˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨ ㄏㄨˋ zuk1 bat1 ceot1 wu6 (idiom) to not leave one's home; to stay indoors
• 罪大恶极 罪大惡極 zuì dà è jí ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄜˋ ㄐㄧˊ zeoi6 daai6 ok3 gik6 guilty of terrible crimes (idiom); reprehensible
• 罪恶滔天 罪惡滔天 zuì è tāo tiān ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄜˋ ㄊㄠ ㄊㄧㄢ zeoi6 ok3 tou1 tin1 (idiom) to have committed heinous crimes
• 嘴快心直 zuǐ kuài xīn zhí ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓˊ zeoi2 faai3 sam1 zik6 outspoken and frank (idiom)
• 罪魁祸首 罪魁禍首 zuì kuí huò shǒu ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄎㄨㄟˊ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄡˇ zeoi6 fui1 wo6 sau2 (idiom) criminal ringleader; main offender; main culprit; main cause of a disaster
• 醉生梦死 醉生夢死 zuì shēng mèng sǐ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄕㄥ ㄇㄥˋ ㄙˇ zeoi3 sang1 mung6 sei2 as if drunk or entranced (idiom); leading a befuddled existence; in a drunken stupor
• 嘴甜心苦 zuǐ tián xīn kǔ ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄎㄨˇ zeoi2 tim4 sam1 fu2 sweet mouth, bitter heart (idiom); insincere flattery
• 罪有应得 罪有應得 zuì yǒu yīng dé ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄥ ㄉㄜˊ zeoi6 jau5 jing1 dak1 guilty and deserves to be punished (idiom); entirely appropriate chastisement; the punishment fits the crime
• 遵时养晦 遵時養晦 zūn shí yǎng huì ㄗㄨㄣ ㄕˊ ㄧㄤˇ ㄏㄨㄟˋ zeon1 si4 joeng5 fui3 to bide one's time, waiting for an opportunity to stage a comeback in public life (idiom)
• 左膀右臂 zuǒ bǎng yòu bì ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄅㄤˇ ㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄧˋ zo2 bong4 jau6 bei3 (idiom) trusted assistant; key aide
• 坐不垂堂 zuò bù chuí táng ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄊㄤˊ zo6 bat1 seoi4 tong4 lit. don't sit under the eaves (where tiles may fall from the roof) (idiom); fig. keep out of danger
• 坐吃山空 zuò chī shān kōng ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄔ ㄕㄢ ㄎㄨㄥ co5 hek3 saan1 hung1 lit. just sitting and eating, one can deplete even a mountain of wealth (idiom); fig. to spend one's money without generating any income
• 左道惑众 左道惑眾 zuǒ dào huò zhòng ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ zo2 dou6 waak6 zung3 to delude the masses with heretical doctrines (idiom)
• 坐而论道 坐而論道 zuò ér lùn dào ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄦˊ ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄉㄠˋ zo6 ji4 leon6 dou6 to sit and pontificate; to find answers through theory and not through practice (idiom)
• 坐观成败 坐觀成敗 zuò guān chéng bài ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄔㄥˊ ㄅㄞˋ zo6 gun1 sing4 baai6 to sit and await success or failure (idiom); to wait to see the outcome of a fight before taking sides; to sit on the fence
• 左顾右盼 左顧右盼 zuǒ gù yòu pàn ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄍㄨˋ ㄧㄡˋ ㄆㄢˋ zo2 gu3 jau6 paan3 glancing to left and right (idiom); to look all around
• 做好做歹 zuò hǎo zuò dǎi ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄠˇ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄞˇ zou6 hou2 zou6 daai2 to persuade using all possible arguments (idiom); to act good cop and bad cop in turn
• 作茧自缚 作繭自縛 zuò jiǎn zì fù ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄢˇ ㄗˋ ㄈㄨˋ zok3 gaan2 zi6 bok3 to spin a cocoon around oneself (idiom); enmeshed in a trap of one's own devising; hoist by his own petard
• 坐井观天 坐井觀天 zuò jǐng guān tiān ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄊㄧㄢ co5 zeng2 gun1 tin1 lit. to view the sky from the bottom of a well (idiom); ignorant and narrow-minded
• 坐立不安 zuò lì bù ān ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄢ co5 laap6 bat1 on1 lit. agitated sitting or standing (idiom); restless; fidgety
• 坐立难安 坐立難安 zuò lì nán ān ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄋㄢˊ ㄢ zo6 laap6 naan4 on1 unable to sit or stand still (out of nervousness etc) (idiom)
• 作鸟兽散 作鳥獸散 zuò niǎo shòu sàn ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄋㄧㄠˇ ㄕㄡˋ ㄙㄢˋ zok3 niu5 sau3 saan2 lit. scatter like birds and beasts (idiom); fig. to head off in various directions; to flee helter-skelter
• 左券在握 zuǒ quàn zài wò ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄑㄩㄢˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄨㄛˋ zo2 hyun3 zoi6 aak1 to be assured of success (idiom)
• 坐视不理 坐視不理 zuò shì bù lǐ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ zo6 si6 bat1 lei5 to sit and watch, but remain indifferent (idiom)
• 坐失机宜 坐失機宜 zuò shī jī yí ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕ ㄐㄧ ㄧˊ zo6 sat1 gei1 ji4 to sit and waste a good opportunity (idiom); to lose the chance
• 坐失良机 坐失良機 zuò shī liáng jī ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄐㄧ co5 sat1 loeng4 gei1 to sit and waste a good opportunity (idiom); to lose the chance
• 坐收渔利 坐收漁利 zuò shōu yú lì ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄡ ㄩˊ ㄌㄧˋ zo6 sau1 jyu4 lei6 benefit from others' dispute (idiom)
• 左思右想 zuǒ sī yòu xiǎng ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄙ ㄧㄡˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ zo2 si1 jau6 soeng2 to turn over in one's mind (idiom); to think through from different angles; to ponder
• 作威作福 zuò wēi zuò fú ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄨㄟ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄈㄨˊ zok3 wai1 zok3 fuk1 tyrannical abuse (idiom); riding roughshod over people
• 坐享其成 zuò xiǎng qí chéng ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄒㄧㄤˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄔㄥˊ co5 hoeng2 kei4 sing4 to reap where one has not sown (idiom)
• 坐以待毙 坐以待斃 zuò yǐ dài bì ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄧˇ ㄉㄞˋ ㄅㄧˋ zo6 ji5 doi6 bai6 to sit and wait for death (idiom); resigned to one's fate
• 左拥右抱 左擁右抱 zuǒ yōng yòu bào ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄩㄥ ㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄠˋ zo2 jung2 jau6 pou5 (idiom) to have a girl on each arm
• 左右逢源 zuǒ yòu féng yuán ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄧㄡˋ ㄈㄥˊ ㄩㄢˊ zo2 jau6 fung4 jyun4 lit. to strike water right and left (idiom); fig. to turn everything into gold; to have everything going one's way; to benefit from both sides
• 左右开弓 左右開弓 zuǒ yòu kāi gōng ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄧㄡˋ ㄎㄞ ㄍㄨㄥ zo2 jau6 hoi1 gung1 lit. to shoot from both sides (idiom); fig. to display ambidexterity; to slap with one hand and then the other, in quick succession; to use both feet equally (football)
• 左右两难 左右兩難 zuǒ yòu liǎng nán ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄧㄡˋ ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄋㄢˊ zo2 jau6 loeng5 naan4 (idiom) between a rock and a hard place; in a dilemma
• 左右为难 左右為難 zuǒ yòu wéi nán ㄗㄨㄛˇ ㄧㄡˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄋㄢˊ zo2 jau6 wai6 naan4 (idiom) between a rock and a hard place; in a dilemma
• 做贼心虚 做賊心虛 zuò zéi xīn xū ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄗㄟˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄒㄩ zou6 caak6 sam1 heoi1 to feel guilty as a thief (idiom); to have sth on one's conscience
• 做张做势 做張做勢 zuò zhāng zuò shì ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄤ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ zou6 zoeng1 zou6 sai3 to put on an act (idiom); to pose; to show theatrical affectation; to indulge in histrionics
• 做张做智 做張做智 zuò zhāng zuò zhì ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄤ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓˋ zou6 zoeng1 zou6 zi3 to put on an act (idiom); to pose; to show theatrical affectation; to indulge in histrionics