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 張惶失措|张惶失措[zhang1 huang2 shi1 cuo4] +
• 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 鄭|郑[Zheng4] 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 正顏厲色|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[zhi1], 乎[hu1], 者[zhe3] and 也[ye3] (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" 孫子兵法|孙子兵法[Sun1 zi3 Bing1 fa3]) +
• 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 趙括|赵括[Zhao4 Kuo4] leading an army of 400,000 to total annihilation at battle of Changping 長平之戰|长平之战[Chang2 ping2 zhi1 Zhan4] 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 大般涅槃經|大般涅盘经[da4 ban1 Nie4 pan2 jing1]); 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 盧藏用|卢藏用[Lu2 Cang4 yong4], 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[Bei3 chen2] (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; also pr. [zhu1yun2-she2jian4] +
• 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 商紂王|商纣王[Shang1 Zhou4 wang2] 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 +