Difference between revisions of "Language/Multiple-languages/Culture/Idioms-in-Han-script"

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{{Han-script}}
{{Han-script}}
Hi, polyglots.
In Han script, there is a type of idiomatic expression called “set phrases” [成語], which are mostly four-character long. In this lesson, you will find idioms from various languages in set phrases. This is a way to learn about idioms around the world, as well as to learn Han script less tediously.
Just like assigning codes to entities, e.g. ISO 639 language codes, here a Han name is assigned to the same expression in different languages.
In progress
== Main ==
=== Be in poor conditions ===
* <big><big>既見良辰</big></big>: have already + seen + good + days
** bessere Tage gesehen haben [deu]
** betere tijden gekend hebben [nld]
** ha sett bedre dager [nob]
** ha sett sina bättre dagar [swe]
** have seen better days [eng]
* <big><big>江河日下</big></big>: rivers + day by day + go down
** ''jiānghé rì xià'' 江河日下 江河日下 [cmn]
=== Different paths lead to the same goal ===
* <big><big>畢路通羅</big></big>: all + roads + lead to + Rome
** all roads lead to Rome [eng]
** all Weeër féieren op Roum [ltz]
** alla vägar bär till Rom [swe]
** alle veier fører til Rom [nob]
** alle veje fører til Rom [dan]
** alle Wege führen nach Rom [deu]
** alle wegen leiden naar Rome [nld]
** allir vegir liggja til Rómar [isl]
** ''bardık joldor Rimge alıp barat'' бардык жолдор Римге алып барат [kir]
** banyak jalan menuju Roma [ind]
** ''bolor čanaparhnerə tanum en Hṙom'' բոլոր ճանապարհները տանում են Հռոմ [hye]
** bütün yollar Romaya aparır [aze]
** ĉiuj vojoj kondukas al Romo [epo]
** đường nào cũng về La Mã [vie]
** ''hame-ye râh-hâ be rom mi-farjâmand'' همه‌یِ راه‌ها به رُم میفرجامند [pes]
** kaikki tiet vievät Roomaan [fin]
** kõik teed viivad Rooma [ekk]
** ''kól had'rakhím movilót l'Róma'' כל הדרכים מובילות לרומא [heb]
** ''kullu ṭ-ṭuruqi tuʔaddī ʔilā romā'' كل الطرق تؤدي إلى روما [arb]
** ''óloi oi drómoi odigoún sti Rómi'' όλοι οι δρόμοι οδηγούν στη Ρώμη [ell]
** lahat ng daan ay magdadala sa'yo sa Roma [tgl]
** ''lam:tuing:ha rau:ma.mrui.hcikui u:tanyne-kra.tai'' လမ်းတိုင်းဟာ ရောမမြို့ဆီကို ဦးတည်နေကြတယ် [mya]
** minden út Rómába vezet [hun]
** ''modeun gireun Romaro tonghanda'' 모든 길은 로마로 통한다 [kor]
** omne via duce a Roma [ina]
** omnēs viae Rōmam dūcunt [lat]
** ''q̇vela gza romši midis'' ყველა გზა რომში მიდის [kat]
** ''sárvāḥ pánthāḥ romāyām prá náyanti'' सर्वाः पन्थाः रोमायाम् प्र नयन्ति [san]
** ''šicki drahi vodza do Rimu'' шицки драги водза до Риму [rsk]
** ''śobo rasta rōmer dike jaẏ'' সব রাস্তা রোমের দিকে যায় [ben]
** ''subete no michi wa Rōma ni tsūzu'' 全ての道はローマに通ず [jpn]
** svi putevi vode u Rȋm сви путеви воде у Ри̑м [hbs]
** ''tiáotiáo dàlù tōng Luómǎ'' 條條大路通羅馬 条条大路通罗马 [cmn]
** ''tiu<sup>4</sup> tiu<sup>4</sup> daai<sup>6</sup> lou<sup>6</sup> tung<sup>1</sup> lo<sup>4</sup> maa<sup>5</sup>'' 條條大路通羅馬 条条大路通罗马 [yue]
** toate drumurile duc la Roma [ron]
** todos los caminos llevan a Roma [spa]
** todos os caminhos levam a Roma [por]
** tots els camins duen a Roma [cat]
** tous les chemins mènent à Rome [fra]
** tut las vias mainan a Roma [roh]
** tutte le strade portano a Roma [ita]
** tüm yollar Roma'ya çıkar [tur]
** ''usjé daróhi vjadúcʹ u Rym'' усе дарогі вядуць у Рым [bel]
** visi ceļi ved uz Romu [lvs]
** visi keliai veda į Romą [lit]
** vse poti vodijo v Rim [slv]
** všechny cesty vedou do Říma [ces]
** všetky cesty vedú do Ríma [slk]
** ''vse dorógi vedút v Rim'' все дороги ведут в Рим [rus]
** ''vsi doróhy vedútʹ do Rymu'' всі доро́ги веду́ть до Риму [ukr]
** wszystkie drogi prowadzą do Rzymu [pol]
** y mae bob ffordd yn arwain i Rufain [cym]
=== Extremely infrequent ===
* <big><big>聖年一遇</big></big>: jubilee + once + meet
** alle Jubeljahre [deu]
* <big><big>百年一遇</big></big>: hundred + years + once + meet
** ''bǎnián yī yù'' 百年一遇 百年一遇 [cmn]
** ''raz v sto lét'' раз в сто лет [rus]
* <big><big>主教一逝</big></big>: bishop + once + dies
** cada muerte de obispo [spa]
* <big><big>匈年一遇</big></big>: Hungarian + year + once + meet
** jednou za uherský rok [ces]
** raz za uhorský rok [slk]
* <big><big>卌年一遇</big></big>: forty + years + once + meet
** kırk yılda bir [tur]
* <big><big>自從洪鐘</big></big>: from + big + bell
** od wielkiego dzwonu [pol]
* <big><big>藍月一現</big></big>: blue + moon + once + shows up
** once in a blue moon [eng]
* <big><big>魯年一遇</big></big>: Ruthenian + year + once + meet
** raz na ruski rok [pol]
* <big><big>月中卅六</big></big>: in a month + thirty-sixth day
** tous les trente-six du mois [fra]
* <big><big>一季一時</big></big>: a + season + one + hour
** uair san ràith [gla]
* <big><big>教宗一逝</big></big>: Pope + once + dies
** una volta ogni morte di papa [ita]
* <big><big>杳如黃鶴</big></big>: rare + as + yellow + crane
** ''yǎo rú huáng hè'' 杳如黃鶴 杳如黄鹤 [cmn]
=== Fail or succeed ===
* <big><big>或負或折</big></big>: either + bear + or + break
** bära eller brista [swe]
* <big><big>背水一戰</big></big>: back-facing-water (formation) + a + battle
** ''bèi shuǐ yī zhàn'' 背水一戰 背水一战 [cmn]
* <big><big>或下或上</big></big>: either + up + or + down
** erop of eronder [nld]
* <big><big>或行或毙</big></big>: either + walk + or + die
** marche ou crève [fra]
* <big><big>或紳或淵</big></big>: either + lord + or + abyss
** ''pan ili propál'' пан или пропал [rus]
* <big><big>或沒或泅</big></big>: either + sink + or + swim
** sink or swim [eng]
* <big><big>焦炭陶土</big></big>: charcoal + potter's clay
** syteen tai saveen [fin]
* <big><big>板車廂車</big></big>: cart + wagon
** wóz albo przewóz [pol]
=== Fail to take an opportunity ===
* <big><big>錯過擺渡</big></big>: miss + ferry boat
** de boot missen [nld]
** miss the boat [eng]
* <big><big>錯過馬車</big></big>: miss + coach
** manquer le coche [fra]
* <big><big>錯過列車</big></big>: miss + train
** myöhästyä junasta [fin]
** perder el tren [spa]
** perdere il treno [ita]
** pierde trenul [ron]
* <big><big>失之交臂</big></big>: miss + it + arm touching arm
** ''shī zhī jiāobì'' 失之交臂 失之交臂 [cmn]
=== Have an employment and provide basic needs for one's the family ===
* <big><big>捎臘返歸</big></big>: bring + cured meat + return home
** bring home the bacon [eng]
* <big><big>掙面包</big></big>: earn + breads
** gagner son pain [fra]
* <big><big>運家毛象</big></big>: transport + home + mammoth
** przynosić mamuta do domu [pol]
* <big><big>養家活口</big></big>: support + family + make a living for + members
** ''yǎng jiā huó kǒu'' 養家活口 养家活口 [cmn]
* <big><big>維繫褲</big></big>: maintain + pants
** zijn eigen broek ophouden [nld]
=== Idea or goal that is unlikely to be realised ===
* <big><big>空中城堡</big></big>: in the air + castle
** aerkastelo [epo]
** castells en l'aire [cat]
** castelo no ar [por]
** castillos en el aire [spa]
** kështjella në erë [als]
** kule u zraku куле у зраку [hbs]
** légvár [hun]
** loftkastali  [isl]
** luchtkasteel [nld]
** luftkastel [dan]
** luftslott [nor,swe]
** lugkasteel [afr]
** ''vozdúšnyj zámok'' воздушный замок [rus]
** vzdušné zámky [ces]
** castelos no ar [glg]
* <big><big>風造城堡</big></big>: wind + made + castle
** castelo de vento [spa]
* <big><big>紙牌城堡</big></big>: playing card + castle
** castillos de naipes [spa]
* <big><big>西國城堡</big></big>: in Spain + castle
** châteaux en Espagne [fra]
* <big><big>空中樓閣</big></big>: in the air + tower
** ''kōngzhōng lóugé'' 空中樓閣 空中楼阁 [cmn]
** ''migdál poréaḥ baAvír'' מגדל פורח באויר [heb]
* <big><big>雲靄城堡</big></big>: cloud + castle
** pilvilinna [fin]
* <big><big>夢中城堡</big></big>: in dream + castle
** Traumschloss [deu]
* <big><big>風造屋舍</big></big>: wind + made + cottage
** tuulentupa [fin]
=== Join a trend ===
* <big><big>躍上行車</big></big>: jump + onto + running + wagon
** auf den fahrenden Zug aufspringen [deu]
** kaste seg på lasset [nob]
** prendre le train en marche [fra]
* <big><big>入浪</big></big>: enter + waves
** entrar na onda [por]
* <big><big>躍上列車</big></big>: jump + onto + train
** hoppa på tåget [swe]
* <big><big>躍上花車</big></big>: jump + onto + decorated + wagon
** jump on the bandwagon [eng]
** salire sul carro del vincitore [ita]
* <big><big>躍上荷車</big></big>: jump + onto + cart
** subirse al carro [spa]
* <big><big>隨波逐流</big></big>: follow + waves + chase + flows
** ''suí bō zhú liú''  隨波逐流 随波逐流 [cmn]
=== Person in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable surroundings ===
* <big><big>如魚出水</big></big>: like + fish + out of + water
** como peixe fora d'água [por]
** como pez fuera del agua [spa]
** fiŝo ekster akvo [epo]
** ħuta barra mill-ilma [mlt]
** like a fish out of water [eng]
** peix fora d'aigua [cat]
** pesce fuor d'acqua [ita]
** poisson hors de l’eau [fra]
* <big><big>如魚在地</big></big>: like + fish + on + ground
** kuin kala kuivalla maalla [fin]
** soos 'n vis op droë grond [afr]
** wie ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen [deu]
* <big><big>上陸河童</big></big>: been on shore + kappa
** ''oka ni agatta kappa'' 陸に上がった河童 [jpn]
* <big><big>如坐針氈</big></big>: like + sitting on + needle + mat
** ''rú zuò zhēnzhān'' 如坐針氈 如坐针毡 [cmn]
* <big><big>如鹿進村</big></big>: like + deer + entering + village
** seperti rusa masuk kampung [zsm]
=== Person with very limited outlook ===
* <big><big>井底之蛙</big></big>: well + bottom + (attribute particle) + frog
** ếch ngồi đáy giếng [vie]
** ''jǐngdǐ zhī wā'' 井底之蛙 井底之蛙 [zho]
** ''seitei no kawazu'' 井底の蛙 [jpn]
** ''umul an gaeguri'' 우물 안 개구리 [kor]
* <big><big>椰殼之蛙</big></big>: coconut + shell + (attribute particle) + frog
** ''gòp-nai-gà-laa'' กบในกะลา [thi]
** katak di bawah tempurung [zsm]
=== Rain heavily ===
* <big><big>雨若出杯</big></big>: rain + like + out of + cup
** bardaktan boşalırcasına yağmak [tur]
* <big><big>雨下紉綫</big></big>: rain + threads
** Bindfäden regnen [deu]
* <big><big>雨下杖嫗</big></big>: rain + sticks + old ladies
** bwrw hen wragedd â ffyn [cym]
* <big><big>雨下釜鼎</big></big>: rain + cauldrons
** chover a caldeiros [glg]
* <big><big>雨出瓶罐</big></big>: rain + out of + vessel
** chover a cântaros [por]
** llover a cántaros [spa]
* <big><big>雨下槍矛</big></big>: rain + spears
** chover a chuzos [glg]
* <big><big>土砂降</big></big>: dirt + sands + drop
** ''doshaburi'' 土砂降り [jpn]
* <big><big>雨入川流</big></big>: rain + into + rivers
** in Strömen regnen [deu]
* <big><big>雨若出桶</big></big>: rain + like + out of + basket
** lać jak z cebra [pol]
** ''lítʹ kak iz vedrá'' лить как из ведра [rus]
** ''llje jak z vidra'' ллє як з відра [ukr]
** sataa kuin saavista kaataen [fin]
** ''valí kato iz vedró'' вали като из ведро [bul]
** wie aus Eimern schütten [deu]
** zuhog, mintha dézsából öntenék [hun]
* <big><big>落狗屎</big></big>: drop + dog + poop
** ''lok<sup>6</sup> gau<sup>2</sup> si<sup>2</sup>'' 落狗屎 落狗屎 [yue]
* <big><big>注若出壺</big></big>: pour + like + out of + can
** lít jako z konve [ces]
* <big><big>雨下洋海</big></big>: rain + sea
** llover a mares [spa]
* <big><big>天穹下落</big></big>: sky + fall down
** o céu vir abaixo [por]
* <big><big>雨出水桶</big></big>: rain + like + out of + basket
** pleuvoir à verse [fra]
** ploua cu găleata [ron]
* <big><big>雨下耙妖</big></big>: rain + harrow + bizarre being
** sataa äkäisiä ämmiä äkeet selässä [fin]
* <big><big>暴雨如注</big></big>: huge + rain + like + pouring
** ''bàoyǔ rú zhù'' 暴雨如注 暴雨如注 [cmn]
** sataa kaatamalla [fin]
** regenen dat het giet [nld]
* <big><big>傾盆大雨</big></big>: turned + basin + huge + rain
** piovere a catinelle [ita]
** ''qīng pén dàyǔ'' 傾盆大雨 倾盆大雨 [cmn]
** sataa kuin saavista kaataen [fin]
* <big><big>雨下管柄</big></big>: rain + pipe handles
** pijpenstelen regenen [nld]
* <big><big>雨若神饋</big></big>: rain + as if + God + sends
** piovere come Dio la manda [ita]
* <big><big>雨可立飲</big></big>: rain + can be + standing + drunk
** pleuvoir à boire debout [fra]
* <big><big>雨若濺牛</big></big>: rain + like + pissing + cattle
** pleuvoir comme vache qui pisse [fra]
* <big><big>雨下繩索</big></big>: rain + ropes
** pleuvoir des cordes [fra]
* <big><big>雨下斧槍</big></big>: rain + halberds
** pleuvoir des hallebardes [fra]
* <big><big>雨入舟樽</big></big>: rain + into + boats + barrels
** ploure a bots i barrals [cat]
* <big><big>雨下貓狗</big></big>: rain + cats + dogs
** rain cats and dogs [eng]
* <big><big>雨下瘋婆</big></big>: rain + mad + women
** regne sinte kjerringer [nob]
* <big><big>注下椅脚</big></big>: pour + chair + legs
** ''ríchnei kareklopódara'' ρίχνει καρεκλοπόδαρα [ell]
* <big><big>雨下火硫</big></big>: rain + fire + sulfur
** rigna eldi og brennisteini [isl]
* <big><big>立如地柱</big></big>: stand + like + ground + rods
** stå som spön i backen [swe]
* <big><big>捉末登天</big></big>: grasp + tips + climb up to + sky
** tut ucundan, göyə çıx [aze]
* <big><big>雨出皮囊</big></big>: rain + out of + skin + bag
** ''vréchei me to touloúmi'' βρέχει με το τουλούμι [ell]
=== Reveal a secret ===
* <big><big>舌齿相擊</big></big>: tongue + teeth + towards each other + hit
** dar com a língua nos dentes [por]
* <big><big>放貓出囊</big></big>: let + cat + out of + bag
** die kat uit die sak laat [afr]
** die Katze aus dem Sack lassen [deu]
** d'Kaz aus dem Sak loossen [ltz]
** let the cat out of the bag [eng]
** slippe katta ut av sekken [nob]
** slippe katten ud af sækken [dan]
** wypuścić kota z worka [pol]
* <big><big>潑洒小豆</big></big>: spill + little + beans
** spill the beans [eng]
* <big><big>販出引綫</big></big>: sell + out + fuse
** vendre la mèche [fra]
* <big><big>走動己舌</big></big>: go + own + tongue
** irse da lingua [glg]
** irse de la lengua [spa]
* <big><big>走漏風聲</big></big>: leak + wind + sounds
** ''zǒulòu fēnshēng'' 走漏風聲 走漏风声 [cmn]


Hi, polyglots.
=== Reveal how one really is ===
* <big><big>顯露白牙</big></big>: show + white + teeth
** kimutatja a foga fehérjét [hun]
* <big><big>顯露真面</big></big>: show + true + face
** montrer son vrai visage [fra]
** mostrare il proprio vero volto [ita]
** sein wahres Gesicht zeigen [deu]
* <big><big>顯露真髮</big></big>: show + true + hairs
** näyttää todellinen karvansa [fin]
* <big><big>顯露真色</big></big>: show + true + colours
** show one's true colours [eng]
* <big><big>顯露真紋</big></big>: show + true + stripes
** show one's true stripes [eng]
** tunjuk belang [zsm]
* <big><big>原形畢露</big></big>: original + form + all + exposed
** ''yuánxíng bì lù'' 原形畢露 原形毕露 [cmn]
 
=== Small addition that makes a change to something where the same changing factor is already accumulated ===
* <big><big>終末一滴</big></big>: the last + one + drop
** ''apóšnjaja króplja'' апошняя кропля [bel]
** l'ultima goccia [ita]
** ''ostánnja kráplja'' остання крапля [ukr]
** poslední kapka [ces]
** ''poslédnjaja káplja'' последняя капля [rus]
** ''uḳanasḳneli c̣veti'' უკანასკნელი წვეთი [kat]
** última gota [por]
** viimeinen pisara [fin]
* <big><big>溢桶之滴</big></big>: overflow + barrel + (attribute particle) + drop
** der Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen bringt [deu]
* <big><big>溢瓶之滴</big></big>: overflow + vase + (attribute particle) + drop
** la gota que fa vessar el got [cat]
** la goutte d’eau qui fait déborder le vase [fra]
* <big><big>終末一稈</big></big>: the last + one + straw
** the last straw [eng]
* <big><big>溢杯之滴</big></big>: overflow + cup + (attribute particle) + drop
** ''i stagóna pou xecheílise to potíri'' η σταγόνα που ξεχείλισε το ποτήρι [ell]
* <big><big>積羽沉舟</big></big>: accumulating + feathers + sinks + boat
** ''jī yǔ chén zhōu'' 積羽沉舟 积羽沉舟 [cmn]
* <big><big>滿杯之滴</big></big>: fulfill + cup + (attribute particle) + drop
** la gota que colma el vaso [spa]
* <big><big>終末一鉚</big></big>: the last + one + rivet
** viimeinen niitti [fin]
 
=== Something particularly simple ===
* <big><big>朝飯前</big></big>: breakfast + before
** ''asameshimae'' 朝飯前 [jpn]
* <big><big>兒戲一樁</big></big>: child's play + a + case
** barnlek [swe]
** brincadeira de criança [por]
** dziecinada [pol]
** gioco da bambini [ita]
** jeu d’enfant [fra]
** joacă de copil [ron]
** juego de niños [spa]
** kinderspel [nld]
** Kinderspiel [deu]
** lastenleikki [fin]
* <big><big>吹氣成瓶</big></big>: blow + air + make + bottles
** bufar i fer ampolles [cat]
* <big><big>黄油圓麭</big></big>: butter + round + pastry
** bułka z masłem [pol]
* <big><big>小兒耍貨</big></big>: child + toy
** çocuk oyuncağı [tur]
** gyerekjáték [hun]
* <big><big>如飲杯水</big></big>: like + drinking + cup of + water
** come bere un bicchier d'acqua [ita]
* <big><big>無事之事</big></big>: nothing + (attributive marker) + matter
** cosa da niente [ita]
* <big><big>作縫作歌</big></big>: do + sew + do + sing
** coser y cantar [spa]
* <big><big>山鶉在囊</big></big>: partridge + on + bag
** çantada keklik [tur]
* <big><big>花置耳上</big></big>: flower + put on + ear + upper side
** floare la ureche [ron]
* <big><big>一分口笛</big></big>: one + cent + whistle
** fluitje van een cent [nld]
* <big><big>貓咳一聲</big></big>: cat + cough + a + sound
** mačji kašalj мачји кашаљ [hbs]
* <big><big>木瓜附糖</big></big>: papaya + add + sugar
** mamão com açúcar [por]
* <big><big>蜜抹奶嘴</big></big>: honey + smeared on + pacifier
** mel na chupeta [por]
* <big><big>菓子一切</big></big>: cake + a + cut
** piece of cake [eng]
* <big><big>易於蒸蕪</big></big>: easier + than + steamed + turnip
** ''próšče párenoj répy'' проще пареной репы [rus]
* <big><big>偃食打糕</big></big>: lie down + eat + tteok
** ''nuwoseo tteok meokgi'' 누워서 떡 먹기 [kor]
* <big><big>作戲作舞</big></big>: do + game + do + dance
** ''xaġ u par'' խաղ ու պար [hye]
* <big><big>小菜一碟</big></big>: small + dish + a + plate
** ''xiǎocài yī dié'' 小菜一碟 小菜一碟 [cmn]


In Han script, there is a type of idiomatic expression called “set phrases” [成語], which are mostly four-character long. In this lesson, you will find idioms from various languages in set phrases. This is a way to learn about idioms around the world, as well as to learn Han script less tediously.
=== Talk and disregarded by the listeners ===
* <big><big>對牛彈琴</big></big>: towards + cattle + play + qín (string instrument)
** ''dae'utan'geum'' 대우탄금 對牛彈琴 [kor]
** đàn gảy tai trâu [vie]
** ''duì niú tánqín'' 對牛彈琴 对牛弹琴 [cmn]
** ''sǐi-sɔɔ-hâi-kwaai-fang'' สีซอให้ควายฟัง [thi]
** ''ushi ni tai shite koto o danzu'' 牛に対して琴を弾ず [jpn]
* <big><big>對墙言語</big></big>: towards + wall + talk
** falar com as paredes [por]
** gegen eine Wand reden [deu]
** mówić jak do ściany [pol]
** parler à un mur [fra]
** puhua seinille [fin]
** tale for døve ører [nor]
** talk to a brick wall [eng]
** tegen een muur praten [nld]
** vorbi cu pereții [ron]
* <big><big>馬耳念佛</big></big>: horse + ear + chant Buddhist prayers
** ''ma no mimi ni nenbutsu'' 馬の耳に念仏 [jpn]
** ''so gwie gyeong ilgi'' 소 귀에 경 읽기 [kor]
* <big><big>聾耳說教</big></big>: deaf + ear + preach
** preach to deaf ears [eng]
* <big><big>豌豆擲墙</big></big>: pea + throw towards + wall
** rzucać grochem o ścianę [pol]


Just like assigning codes to entities, e.g. ISO 3166 country and region codes, this assigns the same expression in different languages a name in Han script.
=== Work tediously into midnight ===
* <big><big>夜半點燈</big></big>: at midnight + lit + lantern
** ''ʔašʕal fānūs al-layl'' أشعل فانوس الليل [arb]
* <big><big>夜半燃油</big></big>: at midnight + burn + oil
** burn the midnight oil [eng]
* <big><big>焚膏繼晷</big></big>: burn + grease + continue + sunlight shadow
** ''fén gāo jì guǐ'' 焚膏繼晷 焚膏继晷 [cmn]
* <big><big>燒己睫毛</big></big>: burn + own + eyelashes
** quemarse las pestañas [spa]


In progress
=== Worry about unfortunate events that are already happened ===
== Main ==
* <big><big>哭啼覆乳</big></big>: cry over + spilt + milk
{| class="wikitable"
** chorar sobre o leite derramado [por]
!idiom
** cry over spilt milk [eng]
!idiom in set phrase
** græde over spildt mælk [dan]
|-
** gråta över spilld mjölk [swe]
|
** itkeä maahan kaatunutta maitoa [fin]
#
** llorar sobre la leche derramada [spa]
#* all roads lead to Rome [eng]
** piangere sul latte versato [ita]
#* all Weeër féieren op Roum [ltz]
** płakać nad rozlanym mlekiem [pol]
#* alla vägar bär till Rom [swe]
** plakat nad rozlitým mlékem [ces]
#* alle veier fører til Rom [nob]
** pleurer sur le lait renversé [fra]
#* alle veje fører til Rom [dan]
* <big><big>覆水難收</big></big>: spilt + water + hard to + collect
#* alle Wege führen nach Rom [deu]
** ''fùshuǐ nán shōu'' 覆水難收 覆水难收 [cmn]
#* alle wegen leiden naar Rome [nld]
* <big><big>數年死子</big></big>: count + age + dead + son
#* allir vegir liggja til Rómar [isl]
** ''shinda ko no toshi o kazoeru'' 死んだ子の年を数える [jpn]
#* ''bardık joldor Rimge alıp barat'' бардык жолдор Римге алып барат [kir]
#* banyak jalan menuju Roma [ind]
#* ''bolor čanaparhnerə tanum en Hṙom'' բոլոր ճանապարհները տանում են Հռոմ [hye]
#* bütün yollar Romaya aparır [aze]
#* ĉiuj vojoj kondukas al Romo [epo]
#* đường nào cũng về La Mã [vie]
#* ''hame-ye râh-hâ be rom mi-farjâmand'' همه‌یِ راه‌ها به رُم میفرجامند [pes]
#* kaikki tiet vievät Roomaan [fin]
#* kõik teed viivad Rooma [ekk]
#* ''kól had'rakhím movilót l'Róma'' כל הדרכים מובילות לרומא [heb]
#* ''kullu ṭ-ṭuruqi tuʔaddī ʔilā romā'' كل الطرق تؤدي إلى روما [arb]
#* ''óloi oi drómoi odigoún sti Rómi'' όλοι οι δρόμοι οδηγούν στη Ρώμη [ell]
#* lahat ng daan ay magdadala sa'yo sa Roma [tgl]
#* ''lam:tuing:ha rau:ma.mrui.hcikui u:tanyne-kra.tai'' လမ်းတိုင်းဟာ ရောမမြို့ဆီကို ဦးတည်နေကြတယ် [mya]
#* minden út Rómába vezet [hun]
#* ''modeun gireun Romaro tonghanda'' 모든 길은 로마로 통한다 [kor]
#* omne via duce a Roma [ina]
#* omnēs viae Rōmam dūcunt [lat]
#* ''q̇vela gza romši midis'' ყველა გზა რომში მიდის [kat]
#* ''sárvāḥ pánthāḥ romāyām prá náyanti'' सर्वाः पन्थाः रोमायाम् प्र नयन्ति [san]
#* ''šicki drahi vodza do Rimu'' шицки драги водза до Риму [rsk]
#* ''śobo rasta rōmer dike jaẏ'' সব রাস্তা রোমের দিকে যায় [ben]
#* ''subete no michi wa Rōma ni tsūzu'' 全ての道はローマに通ず [jpn]
#* svi putevi vode u Rȋm сви путеви воде у Ри̑м [hbs]
#* ''tiáotiáo dàlù tōng Luómǎ'' 條條大路通羅馬 条条大路通罗马 [cmn]
#* ''tiu<sup>4</sup> tiu<sup>4</sup> daai<sup>6</sup> lou<sup>6</sup> tung<sup>1</sup> lo<sup>4</sup> maa<sup>5</sup>'' 條條大路通羅馬 条条大路通罗马 [yue]
#* toate drumurile duc la Roma [ron]
#* todos los caminos llevan a Roma [spa]
#* todos os caminhos levam a Roma [por]
#* tots els camins duen a Roma [cat]
#* tous les chemins mènent à Rome [fra]
#* tut las vias mainan a Roma [roh]
#* tutte le strade portano a Roma [ita]
#* tüm yollar Roma'ya çıkar [tur]
#* ''usjé daróhi vjadúcʹ u Rym'' усе дарогі вядуць у Рым [bel]
#* visi ceļi ved uz Romu [lvs]
#* visi keliai veda į Romą [lit]
#* vse poti vodijo v Rim [slv]
#* všechny cesty vedou do Říma [ces]
#* všetky cesty vedú do Ríma [slk]
#* ''vse dorógi vedút v Rim'' все дороги ведут в Рим [rus]
#* ''vsi doróhy vedútʹ do Rymu'' всі доро́ги веду́ть до Риму [ukr]
#* wszystkie drogi prowadzą do Rzymu [pol]
#* y mae bob ffordd yn arwain i Rufain [cym]
|
# 路皆通羅 : roads + all + lead to + Rome
|-
|
#
#* bessere Tage gesehen haben [deu]
#* betere tijden gekend hebben [nld]
#* ha sett bedre dager [nob]
#* ha sett sina bättre dagar [swe]
#* have seen better days [eng]
#
#* ''jiānghé rì xià'' 江河日下 江河日下 [cmn]
|
# 既見良辰 : have already + seen + good + days
# 江河日下 : rivers + day by day + go down
|-
|
#
#* ếch ngồi đáy giếng [vie]
#* ''jǐngdǐ zhī wā'' 井底之蛙 井底之蛙 [zho]
#* ''seitei no kawazu'' 井底の蛙 [jpn]
#* ''umul an gaeguri'' 우물 안 개구리 [kor]
#
#* katak di bawah tempurung [msa]
#* ''gòp-nai-gà-laa'' กบในกะลา [thi]
|
# 井底之蛙: well + bottom + possessive particle + frog
# 椰殼之蛙: coconut + shell + possessive particle + frog
|-
|
#
#* chorar sobre o leite derramado [por]
#* cry over spilt milk [eng]
#* græde over spildt mælk [dan]
#* gråta över spilld mjölk [swe]
#* itkeä maahan kaatunutta maitoa [fin]
#* llorar sobre la leche derramada [spa]
#* piangere sul latte versato [ita]
#* płakać nad rozlanym mlekiem [pol]
#* plakat nad rozlitým mlékem [ces]
#* pleurer sur le lait renversé [fra]
#
#* ''fùshuǐ nán shōu'' 覆水難收 覆水难收 [cmn]
#
#* ''shinda ko no toshi o kazoeru'' 死んだ子の年を数える [jpn]
|
# 啼彼覆乳 : cry over + that + spilt + milk
# 覆水難收 : spilt + water + hard to + collect
# 數年死子 : count + age + dead + son
|-
|
#
#* auf den fahrenden Zug aufspringen [deu]
#* hoppa på tåget [swe]
#* kaste seg på lasset [nob]
#* prendre le train en marche [fra]
#
#* entrar na onda [por]
#*''suí bō zhú liú'' 隨波逐流 随波逐流 [cmn]
#
#* jump on the bandwagon [eng]
#* salire sul carro del vincitore [ita]
#* subirse al carro [spa]
|
# 躍上行車 : jump + onto + running + wagon
# 隨波逐流 : follow + waves + chase + flows
# 躍上花車 : jump + onto + decorated + wagon
|-
|
#
#* ''ʔašʕal fānūs al-layl'' أشعل فانوس الليل [arb]
#
#* burn the midnight oil [eng]
#
#* ''fén gāo jì guǐ'' 焚膏繼晷 焚膏继晷 [cmn]
#
#* quemarse las pestañas [spa]
|
# 夜半點燈 : at midnight + lit + lantern
# 夜半燃油 : at midnight + burn + oil
# 焚膏繼晷 : burn + grease + continue + sunlight shadow
# 燒己睫毛 : burn + own + eyelashes
|-
|
#
#* de boot missen [nld]
#* miss the boat [eng]
#
#* manquer le coche [fra]
#
#* myöhästyä junasta [fin]
#* perder el tren [spa]
#* perdere il treno [ita]
#* pierde trenul [ron]
#
#* ''shī zhī jiāobì'' 失之交臂 失之交臂 [cmn]
|
# 錯過擺渡 : miss + ferry boat
# 錯過馬車 : miss + coach
# 錯過列車 : miss + train
# 失之交臂 : miss + it + arm touching arm
|-
|
#
#* ''dae'utan'geum'' 대우탄금 對牛彈琴 [kor]
#* đàn gảy tai trâu [vie]
#* ''duì niú tánqín'' 對牛彈琴 对牛弹琴 [cmn]
#* ''sǐi-sɔɔ-hâi-kwaai-fang'' สีซอให้ควายฟัง [thi]
#* ''ushi ni tai shite koto o danzu'' 牛に対して琴を弾ず [jpn]
#
#* falar com as paredes [por]
#* gegen eine Wand reden [deu]
#* mówić jak do ściany [pol]
#* parler à un mur [fra]
#* puhua seinille [fin]
#* tale for døve ører [nor]
#* talk to a brick wall [eng]
#* tegen een muur praten [nld]
#* vorbi cu pereții [ron]
#
#* ''ma no mimi ni nenbutsu'' 馬の耳に念仏 [jpn]
#* ''so gwie gyeong ilgi'' 소 귀에 경 읽기 [kor]
#
#* preach to deaf ears [eng]
#
#* rzucać grochem o ścianę [pol]
|
# 對牛彈琴: towards + cattle + play + qín (string instrument)
# 對墙言語: towards + wall + talk
# 馬耳念佛: horse + ear + chant Buddhist prayers
# 聾耳說教: deaf + ear + preach
# 豌豆擲墙: pea + throw towards + wall
|-
|
#
#* bring home the bacon [eng]
#
#* gagner son pain [fra]
#
#* przynosić mamuta do domu [pol]
#
#* ''yǎng jiā huó kǒu'' 養家活口 养家活口 [cmn]
#
#* zijn eigen broek ophouden [nld]
|
# 捎臘返歸 : bring + cured meat + return home
# 掙得其麭 : earn + his/her + pastry
# 運家毛象 : transport + home + mammoth
# 養家活口 : support + family + make a living for + members
# 維繫其褲 : maintain + his/her + pants
|-
|
#
#* como peixe fora d'água [por]
#* como pez fuera del agua [spa]
#* fiŝo ekster akvo [epo]
#* ħuta barra mill-ilma [mlt]
#* like a fish out of water [eng]
#* peix fora d'aigua [cat]
#* pesce fuor d'acqua [ita]
#* poisson hors de l’eau [fra]
#
#* kuin kala kuivalla maalla [fin]
#* soos 'n vis op droë grond [afr]
#* wie ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen [deu]
#
#* ''oka ni agatta kappa'' 陸に上がった河童 [jpn]
#
#* ''rú zuò zhēnzhān'' 如坐針氈 如坐针毡 [cmn]
#
#* seperti rusa masuk kampung [msa]
|
# 如魚出水 : like + fish + out of + water
# 如魚在地 : like + fish + on + ground
# 上陸河童 : been on shore + kappa
# 如坐針氈 : like + sitting on + needle + mat
# 如鹿進村 : like + deer + entering + village
|-
|
#
#* kimutatja a foga fehérjét [hun]
#
#* montrer son vrai visage [fra]
#* mostrare il proprio vero volto [ita]
#* sein wahres Gesicht zeigen [deu]
#
#* näyttää todellinen karvansa [fin]
#
#* show one's true colours [eng]
#
#* show one's true stripes [eng]
#* tunjuk belang [msa]
#
#* ''yuánxíng bì lù'' 原形畢露 原形毕露 [cmn]
|
# 顯露白牙 : show + white + teeth
# 顯露真面 : show + true + face
# 顯露真髮 : show + true + hairs
# 顯露真色 : show + true + colours
# 顯露真紋 : show + true + stripes
# 原形畢露 : original + form + all + exposed
|-
|
#
#* dar com a língua nos dentes [por]
#
#* die kat uit die sak laat [afr]
#* die Katze aus dem Sack lassen [deu]
#* d'Kaz aus dem Sak loossen [ltz]
#* let the cat out of the bag [eng]
#* slippe katta ut av sekken [nob]
#* slippe katten ud af sækken [dan]
#* wypuścić kota z worka [pol]
#
#* spill the beans [eng]
#
#* vendre la mèche [fra]
#
#* irse da lingua [glg]
#* irse de la lengua [spa]
#
#* ''zǒulòu fēnshēng'' 走漏風聲 走漏风声 [cmn]
|
# 舌齿相擊 : tongue + teeth + towards each other + hit
# 放貓出囊 : let + cat + out of + bag
# 潑洒小豆 : spill + little + beans
# 販出引綫 : sell + out + fuse
# 走動己舌 : go + own + tongue
# 走漏風聲 : leak + wind + sounds
|-
|
#
#* bära eller brista [swe]
#
#* ''bèi shuǐ yī zhàn'' 背水一戰 背水一战 [cmn]
#
#* erop of eronder [nld]
#
#* marche ou crève [fra]
#
#* ''pan ili propál'' пан или пропал [rus]
#
#* sink or swim [eng]
#
#* syteen tai saveen [fin]
#
#* wóz albo przewóz [pol]
|
# 或負或喪 : either + bear + or + be destroyed
# 背水一戰 : back-facing-water (formation) + a + battle
# 或下或上 : either + up + or + down
# 或行或毙 : either + walk + or + die
# 或紳或淵 : either + lord + or + abyss
# 或沒或泅 : either + sink + or + swim
# 焦炭陶土 : charcoal + potter's clay
# 板車廂車 : cart + wagon
|-
|
#
#* [bel] апошняя кропля
#* [ces] poslední kapka
#* [fin] viimeinen pisara
#* [kat] უკანასკნელი წვეთი
#* [ita] l'ultima goccia
#* [por] última gota
#* [rus] последняя капля
#* [ukr] остання крапля
#
#* [cat] la gota que fa vessar el got
#* [fra] la goutte d’eau qui fait déborder le vase
#
#* [deu] der Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen bringt
#
#* [eng] the last straw
#
#* [ell] η σταγόνα που ξεχείλισε το ποτήρι
#
#* [fin] viimeinen niitti
#
#* [spa] la gota que colma el vaso
#
#* [zho] 積羽沉舟 积羽沉舟
|
# 終末一滴 : the last + one + drop
# 溢瓶之滴 : overflow + vase + (attribute particle) + drop
# 溢桶之滴 : overflow + barrel + (attribute particle) + drop
# 終末一稈 : the last + one + straw
# 溢杯之滴 : overflow + cup + (attribute particle) + drop
# 終末一鉚 : the last + one + rivet
# 滿杯之滴 : fulfill + cup + (attribute particle) + drop
# 積羽沉舟 : accumulating + feathers + sinks + boat
|-
|
#
#* [ces] jednou za uherský rok
#* [slk] raz za uhorský rok
#
#* [deu] alle Jubeljahre
#
#* [eng] once in a blue moon
#
#* [gla] uair san ràith
#
#* [fra] tous les trente-six du mois
#
#* [ita] una volta ogni morte di papa
#
#* [pol] raz na ruski rok
#
#* [pol] od wielkiego dzwonu
#
#* [rus] раз в сто лет
#* [zho] 百年一遇 百年一遇
#
#* [spa] cada muerte de obispo
#
#* [tur] kırk yılda bir
#
#* [zho] 杳如黃鶴 杳如黄鹤
|
# 匈年一遇 : Hungarian + year + once + meet
# 聖年一遇 : jubilee + once + meet
# 藍月一現 : blue + moon + once + shows up
# 一季一時 : a + season + one + hour
# 月中卅六 : in a month + thirty-sixth day
# 教宗一逝 : Pope + once + dies
# 魯年一遇 : Ruthenian + year + once + meet
# 自從洪鐘 : from + big + bell
# 百年一遇 : hundred + years + once + meet
# 主教一逝 : bishop + once + dies
# 卌年一遇 : forty + years + once + meet
# 杳如黃鶴 : rare + as + yellow + crane
|-
|
#
#* [cat] bufar i fer ampolles
#
#* [cym] bwrw hen wragedd â ffyn
#
#* [deu] Kinderspiel
#* [fin] lastenleikki
#* [fra] jeu d’enfant
#* [ita] gioco da bambini
#* [nld] kinderspel
#* [pol] dziecinada
#* [por] brincadeira de criança
#* [ron] joacă de copil
#* [spa] juego de niños
#* [swe] barnlek
#
#* [eng] piece of cake
#
#* [hbs] мачји кашаљ / mačji kašalj
#
#* [hun] gyerekjáték
#* [tur] çocuk oyuncağı
#
#* [hye] խաղ ու պար
#
#* [ita] come bere un bicchier d'acqua
#
#* [ita] cosa da niente
#
#* [jpn] 朝飯前
#
#* [kor] 누워서 떡 먹기
#
#* [nld] fluitje van een cent
#
#* [pol] bułka z masłem
#
#* [por] mamão com açúcar
#
#* [por] mel na chupeta
#
#* [ron] floare la ureche
#
#* [rus] проще пареной репы
#
#* [spa] coser y cantar
#
#* [tur] çantada keklik
#
#* [zho] 小菜一碟 小菜一碟
|
# 吹氣成瓶 : blow + air + make + bottles
# 雨下杖嫗 : rain + sticks + old ladies
# 兒戲一樁 : child's play + a + case
# 菓子一切 : cake + a + cut
# 貓咳一聲 : cat + cough + a + sound
# 小兒耍貨 : child + toy
# 作戲作舞 : do + game + do + dance
# 如飲杯水 : like + drinking + cup of + water
# 無事之事 : nothing + (attributive marker) + matter
# 朝飯前 : breakfast + before
# 偃食打糕 : lie down + eat + tteok
# 一分口笛 : one + cent + whistle
# 黄油圓麭 : butter + round + pastry
# 木瓜附糖 : papaya + add + sugar
# 蜜抹奶嘴 : honey + smeared on + pacifier
# 花置耳上 : flower + put on + ear + upper side
# 易於蒸蕪 : easier + than + steamed + turnip
# 作縫作歌 : do + sew + do + sing
# 山鶉在囊 : partridge + on + bag
# 小菜一碟 : small + dish + a + plate
|-
|
#
#* [aze] tut ucundan, göyə çıx
#
#* [bul] вали като из ведро
#* [deu] wie aus Eimern schütten
#* [fin] sataa kuin saavista kaataen
#* [fra] pleuvoir à verse
#* [hun] zuhog, mintha dézsából öntenék
#* [pol] lać jak z cebra
#* [ron] ploua cu găleata
#* [rus] лить как из ведра
#* [ukr] ллє як з відра
#
#* [cat] ploure a bots i barrals
#
#* [ces] lít jako z konve
#
#* [deu] Bindfäden regnen
#
#* [deu] in Strömen regnen
#
#* [ell] βρέχει με το τουλούμι
#
#* [ell] ρίχνει καρεκλοπόδαρα
#
#* [eng] rain cats and dogs
#
#* [fin] sataa äkäisiä ämmiä äkeet selässä
#
#* [fin] sataa kaatamalla
#* [nld] regenen dat het giet
#* [zho] 暴雨如注 暴雨如注
#
#* [fin] sataa kuin saavista kaataen
#* [ita] piovere a catinelle
#* [zho] 傾盆大雨 倾盆大雨
#
#* [fra] pleuvoir à boire debout
#
#* [fra] pleuvoir comme vache qui pisse
#
#* [fra] pleuvoir des cordes
#
#* [fra] pleuvoir des hallebardes
#
#* [glg] chover a caldeiros
#
#* [glg] chover a chuzos
#
#* [isl] rigna eldi og brennisteini
#
#* [ita] piovere come Dio la manda
#
#* [jpn] 土砂降り
#
#* [nld] pijpenstelen regenen
#
#* [nob] regne sinte kjerringer
#
#* [por] chover a cântaros
#* [spa] llover a cántaros
#
#* [por] o céu vir abaixo
#
#* [spa] llover a mares
#
#* [swe] stå som spön i backen
#
#* [tur] bardaktan boşalırcasına yağmak
|
# 捉末登天 : grasp + tips + climb up to + sky
# 雨若出桶 : rain + like + out of + basket
# 雨入舟樽 : rain + into + boats + barrels
# 注若出壺 : pour + like + out of + can
# 雨下紉綫 : rain + threads
# 雨入川流 : rain + into + rivers
# 雨出皮囊 : rain + out of + skin + bag
# 注下椅脚 : pour + chair + legs
# 雨下貓狗 : rain + cats + dogs
# 雨下耙妖 : rain + harrow + bizarre being
# 暴雨如注 : huge + rain + like + pouring
# 傾盆大雨 : turned + basin + huge + rain
# 雨可立飲 : rain + can be + standing + drunk
# 雨若濺牛 : rain + like + pissing + cattle
# 雨下繩索 : rain + ropes
# 雨下斧槍 : rain + halberds
# 雨下釜鼎 : rain + cauldrons
# 雨下槍矛 : rain + spears
# 雨下火硫 : rain + fire + sulfur
# 雨若神饋 : rain + as if + God + sends
# 土砂降 : dirt + sands + drop
# 雨下管柄 : rain + pipe handles
# 雨下瘋婆 : rain + mad + women
# 雨若出壺 : rain + like + out of + can
# 天穹下落 : sky + fall down
# 雨下滄海 : rain + vast sea
# 立如地柱 : stand + like + ground + rods
# 雨若出杯 : rain + like + out of + cup
|}


== Explanation ==
== Explanation ==
The structure of a four-character set phrase are
The structures of a set phrase are
* parataxis
* parataxis
* modifier-head
* modifier-head
Line 585: Line 476:
* verb-pivotal-verb
* verb-pivotal-verb
* overlap
* overlap
 
* {{Han-script}}
{{Han-script}}

Latest revision as of 13:12, 4 May 2026

introduction variants parts restructure
Hanisation texts idioms place names

Hi, polyglots. In Han script, there is a type of idiomatic expression called “set phrases” [成語], which are mostly four-character long. In this lesson, you will find idioms from various languages in set phrases. This is a way to learn about idioms around the world, as well as to learn Han script less tediously. Just like assigning codes to entities, e.g. ISO 639 language codes, here a Han name is assigned to the same expression in different languages. In progress

Main[edit | edit source]

Be in poor conditions[edit | edit source]

  • 既見良辰: have already + seen + good + days
    • bessere Tage gesehen haben [deu]
    • betere tijden gekend hebben [nld]
    • ha sett bedre dager [nob]
    • ha sett sina bättre dagar [swe]
    • have seen better days [eng]
  • 江河日下: rivers + day by day + go down
    • jiānghé rì xià 江河日下 江河日下 [cmn]

Different paths lead to the same goal[edit | edit source]

  • 畢路通羅: all + roads + lead to + Rome
    • all roads lead to Rome [eng]
    • all Weeër féieren op Roum [ltz]
    • alla vägar bär till Rom [swe]
    • alle veier fører til Rom [nob]
    • alle veje fører til Rom [dan]
    • alle Wege führen nach Rom [deu]
    • alle wegen leiden naar Rome [nld]
    • allir vegir liggja til Rómar [isl]
    • bardık joldor Rimge alıp barat бардык жолдор Римге алып барат [kir]
    • banyak jalan menuju Roma [ind]
    • bolor čanaparhnerə tanum en Hṙom բոլոր ճանապարհները տանում են Հռոմ [hye]
    • bütün yollar Romaya aparır [aze]
    • ĉiuj vojoj kondukas al Romo [epo]
    • đường nào cũng về La Mã [vie]
    • hame-ye râh-hâ be rom mi-farjâmand همه‌یِ راه‌ها به رُم میفرجامند [pes]
    • kaikki tiet vievät Roomaan [fin]
    • kõik teed viivad Rooma [ekk]
    • kól had'rakhím movilót l'Róma כל הדרכים מובילות לרומא [heb]
    • kullu ṭ-ṭuruqi tuʔaddī ʔilā romā كل الطرق تؤدي إلى روما [arb]
    • óloi oi drómoi odigoún sti Rómi όλοι οι δρόμοι οδηγούν στη Ρώμη [ell]
    • lahat ng daan ay magdadala sa'yo sa Roma [tgl]
    • lam:tuing:ha rau:ma.mrui.hcikui u:tanyne-kra.tai လမ်းတိုင်းဟာ ရောမမြို့ဆီကို ဦးတည်နေကြတယ် [mya]
    • minden út Rómába vezet [hun]
    • modeun gireun Romaro tonghanda 모든 길은 로마로 통한다 [kor]
    • omne via duce a Roma [ina]
    • omnēs viae Rōmam dūcunt [lat]
    • q̇vela gza romši midis ყველა გზა რომში მიდის [kat]
    • sárvāḥ pánthāḥ romāyām prá náyanti सर्वाः पन्थाः रोमायाम् प्र नयन्ति [san]
    • šicki drahi vodza do Rimu шицки драги водза до Риму [rsk]
    • śobo rasta rōmer dike jaẏ সব রাস্তা রোমের দিকে যায় [ben]
    • subete no michi wa Rōma ni tsūzu 全ての道はローマに通ず [jpn]
    • svi putevi vode u Rȋm сви путеви воде у Ри̑м [hbs]
    • tiáotiáo dàlù tōng Luómǎ 條條大路通羅馬 条条大路通罗马 [cmn]
    • tiu4 tiu4 daai6 lou6 tung1 lo4 maa5 條條大路通羅馬 条条大路通罗马 [yue]
    • toate drumurile duc la Roma [ron]
    • todos los caminos llevan a Roma [spa]
    • todos os caminhos levam a Roma [por]
    • tots els camins duen a Roma [cat]
    • tous les chemins mènent à Rome [fra]
    • tut las vias mainan a Roma [roh]
    • tutte le strade portano a Roma [ita]
    • tüm yollar Roma'ya çıkar [tur]
    • usjé daróhi vjadúcʹ u Rym усе дарогі вядуць у Рым [bel]
    • visi ceļi ved uz Romu [lvs]
    • visi keliai veda į Romą [lit]
    • vse poti vodijo v Rim [slv]
    • všechny cesty vedou do Říma [ces]
    • všetky cesty vedú do Ríma [slk]
    • vse dorógi vedút v Rim все дороги ведут в Рим [rus]
    • vsi doróhy vedútʹ do Rymu всі доро́ги веду́ть до Риму [ukr]
    • wszystkie drogi prowadzą do Rzymu [pol]
    • y mae bob ffordd yn arwain i Rufain [cym]

Extremely infrequent[edit | edit source]

  • 聖年一遇: jubilee + once + meet
    • alle Jubeljahre [deu]
  • 百年一遇: hundred + years + once + meet
    • bǎnián yī yù 百年一遇 百年一遇 [cmn]
    • raz v sto lét раз в сто лет [rus]
  • 主教一逝: bishop + once + dies
    • cada muerte de obispo [spa]
  • 匈年一遇: Hungarian + year + once + meet
    • jednou za uherský rok [ces]
    • raz za uhorský rok [slk]
  • 卌年一遇: forty + years + once + meet
    • kırk yılda bir [tur]
  • 自從洪鐘: from + big + bell
    • od wielkiego dzwonu [pol]
  • 藍月一現: blue + moon + once + shows up
    • once in a blue moon [eng]
  • 魯年一遇: Ruthenian + year + once + meet
    • raz na ruski rok [pol]
  • 月中卅六: in a month + thirty-sixth day
    • tous les trente-six du mois [fra]
  • 一季一時: a + season + one + hour
    • uair san ràith [gla]
  • 教宗一逝: Pope + once + dies
    • una volta ogni morte di papa [ita]
  • 杳如黃鶴: rare + as + yellow + crane
    • yǎo rú huáng hè 杳如黃鶴 杳如黄鹤 [cmn]

Fail or succeed[edit | edit source]

  • 或負或折: either + bear + or + break
    • bära eller brista [swe]
  • 背水一戰: back-facing-water (formation) + a + battle
    • bèi shuǐ yī zhàn 背水一戰 背水一战 [cmn]
  • 或下或上: either + up + or + down
    • erop of eronder [nld]
  • 或行或毙: either + walk + or + die
    • marche ou crève [fra]
  • 或紳或淵: either + lord + or + abyss
    • pan ili propál пан или пропал [rus]
  • 或沒或泅: either + sink + or + swim
    • sink or swim [eng]
  • 焦炭陶土: charcoal + potter's clay
    • syteen tai saveen [fin]
  • 板車廂車: cart + wagon
    • wóz albo przewóz [pol]

Fail to take an opportunity[edit | edit source]

  • 錯過擺渡: miss + ferry boat
    • de boot missen [nld]
    • miss the boat [eng]
  • 錯過馬車: miss + coach
    • manquer le coche [fra]
  • 錯過列車: miss + train
    • myöhästyä junasta [fin]
    • perder el tren [spa]
    • perdere il treno [ita]
    • pierde trenul [ron]
  • 失之交臂: miss + it + arm touching arm
    • shī zhī jiāobì 失之交臂 失之交臂 [cmn]

Have an employment and provide basic needs for one's the family[edit | edit source]

  • 捎臘返歸: bring + cured meat + return home
    • bring home the bacon [eng]
  • 掙面包: earn + breads
    • gagner son pain [fra]
  • 運家毛象: transport + home + mammoth
    • przynosić mamuta do domu [pol]
  • 養家活口: support + family + make a living for + members
    • yǎng jiā huó kǒu 養家活口 养家活口 [cmn]
  • 維繫褲: maintain + pants
    • zijn eigen broek ophouden [nld]

Idea or goal that is unlikely to be realised[edit | edit source]

  • 空中城堡: in the air + castle
    • aerkastelo [epo]
    • castells en l'aire [cat]
    • castelo no ar [por]
    • castillos en el aire [spa]
    • kështjella në erë [als]
    • kule u zraku куле у зраку [hbs]
    • légvár [hun]
    • loftkastali [isl]
    • luchtkasteel [nld]
    • luftkastel [dan]
    • luftslott [nor,swe]
    • lugkasteel [afr]
    • vozdúšnyj zámok воздушный замок [rus]
    • vzdušné zámky [ces]
    • castelos no ar [glg]
  • 風造城堡: wind + made + castle
    • castelo de vento [spa]
  • 紙牌城堡: playing card + castle
    • castillos de naipes [spa]
  • 西國城堡: in Spain + castle
    • châteaux en Espagne [fra]
  • 空中樓閣: in the air + tower
    • kōngzhōng lóugé 空中樓閣 空中楼阁 [cmn]
    • migdál poréaḥ baAvír מגדל פורח באויר [heb]
  • 雲靄城堡: cloud + castle
    • pilvilinna [fin]
  • 夢中城堡: in dream + castle
    • Traumschloss [deu]
  • 風造屋舍: wind + made + cottage
    • tuulentupa [fin]

Join a trend[edit | edit source]

  • 躍上行車: jump + onto + running + wagon
    • auf den fahrenden Zug aufspringen [deu]
    • kaste seg på lasset [nob]
    • prendre le train en marche [fra]
  • 入浪: enter + waves
    • entrar na onda [por]
  • 躍上列車: jump + onto + train
    • hoppa på tåget [swe]
  • 躍上花車: jump + onto + decorated + wagon
    • jump on the bandwagon [eng]
    • salire sul carro del vincitore [ita]
  • 躍上荷車: jump + onto + cart
    • subirse al carro [spa]
  • 隨波逐流: follow + waves + chase + flows
    • suí bō zhú liú 隨波逐流 随波逐流 [cmn]

Person in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable surroundings[edit | edit source]

  • 如魚出水: like + fish + out of + water
    • como peixe fora d'água [por]
    • como pez fuera del agua [spa]
    • fiŝo ekster akvo [epo]
    • ħuta barra mill-ilma [mlt]
    • like a fish out of water [eng]
    • peix fora d'aigua [cat]
    • pesce fuor d'acqua [ita]
    • poisson hors de l’eau [fra]
  • 如魚在地: like + fish + on + ground
    • kuin kala kuivalla maalla [fin]
    • soos 'n vis op droë grond [afr]
    • wie ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen [deu]
  • 上陸河童: been on shore + kappa
    • oka ni agatta kappa 陸に上がった河童 [jpn]
  • 如坐針氈: like + sitting on + needle + mat
    • rú zuò zhēnzhān 如坐針氈 如坐针毡 [cmn]
  • 如鹿進村: like + deer + entering + village
    • seperti rusa masuk kampung [zsm]

Person with very limited outlook[edit | edit source]

  • 井底之蛙: well + bottom + (attribute particle) + frog
    • ếch ngồi đáy giếng [vie]
    • jǐngdǐ zhī wā 井底之蛙 井底之蛙 [zho]
    • seitei no kawazu 井底の蛙 [jpn]
    • umul an gaeguri 우물 안 개구리 [kor]
  • 椰殼之蛙: coconut + shell + (attribute particle) + frog
    • gòp-nai-gà-laa กบในกะลา [thi]
    • katak di bawah tempurung [zsm]

Rain heavily[edit | edit source]

  • 雨若出杯: rain + like + out of + cup
    • bardaktan boşalırcasına yağmak [tur]
  • 雨下紉綫: rain + threads
    • Bindfäden regnen [deu]
  • 雨下杖嫗: rain + sticks + old ladies
    • bwrw hen wragedd â ffyn [cym]
  • 雨下釜鼎: rain + cauldrons
    • chover a caldeiros [glg]
  • 雨出瓶罐: rain + out of + vessel
    • chover a cântaros [por]
    • llover a cántaros [spa]
  • 雨下槍矛: rain + spears
    • chover a chuzos [glg]
  • 土砂降: dirt + sands + drop
    • doshaburi 土砂降り [jpn]
  • 雨入川流: rain + into + rivers
    • in Strömen regnen [deu]
  • 雨若出桶: rain + like + out of + basket
    • lać jak z cebra [pol]
    • lítʹ kak iz vedrá лить как из ведра [rus]
    • llje jak z vidra ллє як з відра [ukr]
    • sataa kuin saavista kaataen [fin]
    • valí kato iz vedró вали като из ведро [bul]
    • wie aus Eimern schütten [deu]
    • zuhog, mintha dézsából öntenék [hun]
  • 落狗屎: drop + dog + poop
    • lok6 gau2 si2 落狗屎 落狗屎 [yue]
  • 注若出壺: pour + like + out of + can
    • lít jako z konve [ces]
  • 雨下洋海: rain + sea
    • llover a mares [spa]
  • 天穹下落: sky + fall down
    • o céu vir abaixo [por]
  • 雨出水桶: rain + like + out of + basket
    • pleuvoir à verse [fra]
    • ploua cu găleata [ron]
  • 雨下耙妖: rain + harrow + bizarre being
    • sataa äkäisiä ämmiä äkeet selässä [fin]
  • 暴雨如注: huge + rain + like + pouring
    • bàoyǔ rú zhù 暴雨如注 暴雨如注 [cmn]
    • sataa kaatamalla [fin]
    • regenen dat het giet [nld]
  • 傾盆大雨: turned + basin + huge + rain
    • piovere a catinelle [ita]
    • qīng pén dàyǔ 傾盆大雨 倾盆大雨 [cmn]
    • sataa kuin saavista kaataen [fin]
  • 雨下管柄: rain + pipe handles
    • pijpenstelen regenen [nld]
  • 雨若神饋: rain + as if + God + sends
    • piovere come Dio la manda [ita]
  • 雨可立飲: rain + can be + standing + drunk
    • pleuvoir à boire debout [fra]
  • 雨若濺牛: rain + like + pissing + cattle
    • pleuvoir comme vache qui pisse [fra]
  • 雨下繩索: rain + ropes
    • pleuvoir des cordes [fra]
  • 雨下斧槍: rain + halberds
    • pleuvoir des hallebardes [fra]
  • 雨入舟樽: rain + into + boats + barrels
    • ploure a bots i barrals [cat]
  • 雨下貓狗: rain + cats + dogs
    • rain cats and dogs [eng]
  • 雨下瘋婆: rain + mad + women
    • regne sinte kjerringer [nob]
  • 注下椅脚: pour + chair + legs
    • ríchnei kareklopódara ρίχνει καρεκλοπόδαρα [ell]
  • 雨下火硫: rain + fire + sulfur
    • rigna eldi og brennisteini [isl]
  • 立如地柱: stand + like + ground + rods
    • stå som spön i backen [swe]
  • 捉末登天: grasp + tips + climb up to + sky
    • tut ucundan, göyə çıx [aze]
  • 雨出皮囊: rain + out of + skin + bag
    • vréchei me to touloúmi βρέχει με το τουλούμι [ell]

Reveal a secret[edit | edit source]

  • 舌齿相擊: tongue + teeth + towards each other + hit
    • dar com a língua nos dentes [por]
  • 放貓出囊: let + cat + out of + bag
    • die kat uit die sak laat [afr]
    • die Katze aus dem Sack lassen [deu]
    • d'Kaz aus dem Sak loossen [ltz]
    • let the cat out of the bag [eng]
    • slippe katta ut av sekken [nob]
    • slippe katten ud af sækken [dan]
    • wypuścić kota z worka [pol]
  • 潑洒小豆: spill + little + beans
    • spill the beans [eng]
  • 販出引綫: sell + out + fuse
    • vendre la mèche [fra]
  • 走動己舌: go + own + tongue
    • irse da lingua [glg]
    • irse de la lengua [spa]
  • 走漏風聲: leak + wind + sounds
    • zǒulòu fēnshēng 走漏風聲 走漏风声 [cmn]

Reveal how one really is[edit | edit source]

  • 顯露白牙: show + white + teeth
    • kimutatja a foga fehérjét [hun]
  • 顯露真面: show + true + face
    • montrer son vrai visage [fra]
    • mostrare il proprio vero volto [ita]
    • sein wahres Gesicht zeigen [deu]
  • 顯露真髮: show + true + hairs
    • näyttää todellinen karvansa [fin]
  • 顯露真色: show + true + colours
    • show one's true colours [eng]
  • 顯露真紋: show + true + stripes
    • show one's true stripes [eng]
    • tunjuk belang [zsm]
  • 原形畢露: original + form + all + exposed
    • yuánxíng bì lù 原形畢露 原形毕露 [cmn]

Small addition that makes a change to something where the same changing factor is already accumulated[edit | edit source]

  • 終末一滴: the last + one + drop
    • apóšnjaja króplja апошняя кропля [bel]
    • l'ultima goccia [ita]
    • ostánnja kráplja остання крапля [ukr]
    • poslední kapka [ces]
    • poslédnjaja káplja последняя капля [rus]
    • uḳanasḳneli c̣veti უკანასკნელი წვეთი [kat]
    • última gota [por]
    • viimeinen pisara [fin]
  • 溢桶之滴: overflow + barrel + (attribute particle) + drop
    • der Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen bringt [deu]
  • 溢瓶之滴: overflow + vase + (attribute particle) + drop
    • la gota que fa vessar el got [cat]
    • la goutte d’eau qui fait déborder le vase [fra]
  • 終末一稈: the last + one + straw
    • the last straw [eng]
  • 溢杯之滴: overflow + cup + (attribute particle) + drop
    • i stagóna pou xecheílise to potíri η σταγόνα που ξεχείλισε το ποτήρι [ell]
  • 積羽沉舟: accumulating + feathers + sinks + boat
    • jī yǔ chén zhōu 積羽沉舟 积羽沉舟 [cmn]
  • 滿杯之滴: fulfill + cup + (attribute particle) + drop
    • la gota que colma el vaso [spa]
  • 終末一鉚: the last + one + rivet
    • viimeinen niitti [fin]

Something particularly simple[edit | edit source]

  • 朝飯前: breakfast + before
    • asameshimae 朝飯前 [jpn]
  • 兒戲一樁: child's play + a + case
    • barnlek [swe]
    • brincadeira de criança [por]
    • dziecinada [pol]
    • gioco da bambini [ita]
    • jeu d’enfant [fra]
    • joacă de copil [ron]
    • juego de niños [spa]
    • kinderspel [nld]
    • Kinderspiel [deu]
    • lastenleikki [fin]
  • 吹氣成瓶: blow + air + make + bottles
    • bufar i fer ampolles [cat]
  • 黄油圓麭: butter + round + pastry
    • bułka z masłem [pol]
  • 小兒耍貨: child + toy
    • çocuk oyuncağı [tur]
    • gyerekjáték [hun]
  • 如飲杯水: like + drinking + cup of + water
    • come bere un bicchier d'acqua [ita]
  • 無事之事: nothing + (attributive marker) + matter
    • cosa da niente [ita]
  • 作縫作歌: do + sew + do + sing
    • coser y cantar [spa]
  • 山鶉在囊: partridge + on + bag
    • çantada keklik [tur]
  • 花置耳上: flower + put on + ear + upper side
    • floare la ureche [ron]
  • 一分口笛: one + cent + whistle
    • fluitje van een cent [nld]
  • 貓咳一聲: cat + cough + a + sound
    • mačji kašalj мачји кашаљ [hbs]
  • 木瓜附糖: papaya + add + sugar
    • mamão com açúcar [por]
  • 蜜抹奶嘴: honey + smeared on + pacifier
    • mel na chupeta [por]
  • 菓子一切: cake + a + cut
    • piece of cake [eng]
  • 易於蒸蕪: easier + than + steamed + turnip
    • próšče párenoj répy проще пареной репы [rus]
  • 偃食打糕: lie down + eat + tteok
    • nuwoseo tteok meokgi 누워서 떡 먹기 [kor]
  • 作戲作舞: do + game + do + dance
    • xaġ u par խաղ ու պար [hye]
  • 小菜一碟: small + dish + a + plate
    • xiǎocài yī dié 小菜一碟 小菜一碟 [cmn]

Talk and disregarded by the listeners[edit | edit source]

  • 對牛彈琴: towards + cattle + play + qín (string instrument)
    • dae'utan'geum 대우탄금 對牛彈琴 [kor]
    • đàn gảy tai trâu [vie]
    • duì niú tánqín 對牛彈琴 对牛弹琴 [cmn]
    • sǐi-sɔɔ-hâi-kwaai-fang สีซอให้ควายฟัง [thi]
    • ushi ni tai shite koto o danzu 牛に対して琴を弾ず [jpn]
  • 對墙言語: towards + wall + talk
    • falar com as paredes [por]
    • gegen eine Wand reden [deu]
    • mówić jak do ściany [pol]
    • parler à un mur [fra]
    • puhua seinille [fin]
    • tale for døve ører [nor]
    • talk to a brick wall [eng]
    • tegen een muur praten [nld]
    • vorbi cu pereții [ron]
  • 馬耳念佛: horse + ear + chant Buddhist prayers
    • ma no mimi ni nenbutsu 馬の耳に念仏 [jpn]
    • so gwie gyeong ilgi 소 귀에 경 읽기 [kor]
  • 聾耳說教: deaf + ear + preach
    • preach to deaf ears [eng]
  • 豌豆擲墙: pea + throw towards + wall
    • rzucać grochem o ścianę [pol]

Work tediously into midnight[edit | edit source]

  • 夜半點燈: at midnight + lit + lantern
    • ʔašʕal fānūs al-layl أشعل فانوس الليل [arb]
  • 夜半燃油: at midnight + burn + oil
    • burn the midnight oil [eng]
  • 焚膏繼晷: burn + grease + continue + sunlight shadow
    • fén gāo jì guǐ 焚膏繼晷 焚膏继晷 [cmn]
  • 燒己睫毛: burn + own + eyelashes
    • quemarse las pestañas [spa]

Worry about unfortunate events that are already happened[edit | edit source]

  • 哭啼覆乳: cry over + spilt + milk
    • chorar sobre o leite derramado [por]
    • cry over spilt milk [eng]
    • græde over spildt mælk [dan]
    • gråta över spilld mjölk [swe]
    • itkeä maahan kaatunutta maitoa [fin]
    • llorar sobre la leche derramada [spa]
    • piangere sul latte versato [ita]
    • płakać nad rozlanym mlekiem [pol]
    • plakat nad rozlitým mlékem [ces]
    • pleurer sur le lait renversé [fra]
  • 覆水難收: spilt + water + hard to + collect
    • fùshuǐ nán shōu 覆水難收 覆水难收 [cmn]
  • 數年死子: count + age + dead + son
    • shinda ko no toshi o kazoeru 死んだ子の年を数える [jpn]

Explanation[edit | edit source]

The structures of a set phrase are

  • parataxis
  • modifier-head
  • subject-predicate
  • verb-object
  • verb-complement
  • adjective-complement
  • serial verbs
  • verb-pivotal-verb
  • overlap
introduction variants parts restructure
Hanisation texts idioms place names
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