Difference between revisions of "Language/Multiple-languages/Culture/Idioms-in-Han-script"
< Language | Multiple-languages | Culture
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Tag: Manual revert |
|||
| (42 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Han-script}} | {{Han-script}} | ||
Hi, polyglots. | 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. | 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 | |||
* <big><big> | |||
** all roads lead to Rome [eng] | ** all roads lead to Rome [eng] | ||
** all Weeër féieren op Roum [ltz] | ** all Weeër féieren op Roum [ltz] | ||
| Line 63: | Line 71: | ||
** y mae bob ffordd yn arwain i Rufain [cym] | ** y mae bob ffordd yn arwain i Rufain [cym] | ||
=== Extremely infrequent === | |||
* <big><big>聖年一遇</big></big>: jubilee + once + meet | * <big><big>聖年一遇</big></big>: jubilee + once + meet | ||
** alle Jubeljahre [deu] | ** alle Jubeljahre [deu] | ||
* <big><big>百年一遇</big></big>: hundred + years + once + meet | * <big><big>百年一遇</big></big>: hundred + years + once + meet | ||
** ''bǎnián yī yù'' 百年一遇 百年一遇 [cmn] | ** ''bǎnián yī yù'' 百年一遇 百年一遇 [cmn] | ||
** ''raz v sto lét'' раз в сто лет [rus] | ** ''raz v sto lét'' раз в сто лет [rus] | ||
* <big><big>主教一逝</big></big>: bishop + once + dies | * <big><big>主教一逝</big></big>: bishop + once + dies | ||
** cada muerte de obispo [spa] | ** cada muerte de obispo [spa] | ||
* <big><big>匈年一遇</big></big>: Hungarian + year + once + meet | * <big><big>匈年一遇</big></big>: Hungarian + year + once + meet | ||
** jednou za uherský rok [ces] | ** jednou za uherský rok [ces] | ||
** raz za uhorský rok [slk] | ** raz za uhorský rok [slk] | ||
* <big><big>卌年一遇</big></big>: forty + years + once + meet | * <big><big>卌年一遇</big></big>: forty + years + once + meet | ||
** kırk yılda bir [tur] | ** kırk yılda bir [tur] | ||
* <big><big>自從洪鐘</big></big>: from + big + bell | * <big><big>自從洪鐘</big></big>: from + big + bell | ||
** od wielkiego dzwonu [pol] | ** od wielkiego dzwonu [pol] | ||
* <big><big>藍月一現</big></big>: blue + moon + once + shows up | * <big><big>藍月一現</big></big>: blue + moon + once + shows up | ||
** once in a blue moon [eng] | ** once in a blue moon [eng] | ||
* <big><big>魯年一遇</big></big>: Ruthenian + year + once + meet | * <big><big>魯年一遇</big></big>: Ruthenian + year + once + meet | ||
** raz na ruski rok [pol] | ** raz na ruski rok [pol] | ||
* <big><big>月中卅六</big></big>: in a month + thirty-sixth day | * <big><big>月中卅六</big></big>: in a month + thirty-sixth day | ||
** tous les trente-six du mois [fra] | ** tous les trente-six du mois [fra] | ||
* <big><big>一季一時</big></big>: a + season + one + hour | * <big><big>一季一時</big></big>: a + season + one + hour | ||
** uair san ràith [gla] | ** uair san ràith [gla] | ||
* <big><big>教宗一逝</big></big>: Pope + once + dies | * <big><big>教宗一逝</big></big>: Pope + once + dies | ||
** una volta ogni morte di papa [ita] | ** una volta ogni morte di papa [ita] | ||
* <big><big>杳如黃鶴</big></big>: rare + as + yellow + crane | * <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] | ** ''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 | |||
* <big><big> | |||
** bära eller brista [swe] | ** bära eller brista [swe] | ||
* <big><big>背水一戰</big></big>: back-facing-water (formation) + a + battle | * <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] | ** ''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 | * <big><big>或下或上</big></big>: either + up + or + down | ||
** erop of eronder [nld] | ** erop of eronder [nld] | ||
* <big><big>或行或毙</big></big>: either + walk + or + die | * <big><big>或行或毙</big></big>: either + walk + or + die | ||
** marche ou crève [fra] | ** marche ou crève [fra] | ||
* <big><big>或紳或淵</big></big>: either + lord + or + abyss | * <big><big>或紳或淵</big></big>: either + lord + or + abyss | ||
** ''pan ili propál'' пан или пропал [rus] | ** ''pan ili propál'' пан или пропал [rus] | ||
* <big><big>或沒或泅</big></big>: either + sink + or + swim | * <big><big>或沒或泅</big></big>: either + sink + or + swim | ||
** sink or swim [eng] | ** sink or swim [eng] | ||
* <big><big>焦炭陶土</big></big>: charcoal + potter's clay | * <big><big>焦炭陶土</big></big>: charcoal + potter's clay | ||
** syteen tai saveen [fin] | ** syteen tai saveen [fin] | ||
* <big><big>板車廂車</big></big>: cart + wagon | * <big><big>板車廂車</big></big>: cart + wagon | ||
** wóz albo przewóz [pol] | ** 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 | * <big><big>雨若出杯</big></big>: rain + like + out of + cup | ||
** bardaktan boşalırcasına yağmak [tur] | ** bardaktan boşalırcasına yağmak [tur] | ||
* <big><big>雨下紉綫</big></big>: rain + threads | * <big><big>雨下紉綫</big></big>: rain + threads | ||
** Bindfäden regnen [deu] | ** Bindfäden regnen [deu] | ||
* <big><big>雨下杖嫗</big></big>: rain + sticks + old ladies | * <big><big>雨下杖嫗</big></big>: rain + sticks + old ladies | ||
** bwrw hen wragedd â ffyn [cym] | ** bwrw hen wragedd â ffyn [cym] | ||
* <big><big>雨下釜鼎</big></big>: rain + cauldrons | * <big><big>雨下釜鼎</big></big>: rain + cauldrons | ||
** chover a caldeiros [glg] | ** chover a caldeiros [glg] | ||
* <big><big>雨出瓶罐</big></big>: rain + out of + vessel | |||
* <big><big> | |||
** chover a cântaros [por] | ** chover a cântaros [por] | ||
** llover a cántaros [spa] | ** llover a cántaros [spa] | ||
* <big><big>雨下槍矛</big></big>: rain + spears | * <big><big>雨下槍矛</big></big>: rain + spears | ||
** chover a chuzos [glg] | ** chover a chuzos [glg] | ||
* <big><big>土砂降</big></big>: dirt + sands + drop | * <big><big>土砂降</big></big>: dirt + sands + drop | ||
** ''doshaburi'' 土砂降り [jpn] | ** ''doshaburi'' 土砂降り [jpn] | ||
* <big><big>雨入川流</big></big>: rain + into + rivers | * <big><big>雨入川流</big></big>: rain + into + rivers | ||
** in Strömen regnen [deu] | ** in Strömen regnen [deu] | ||
* <big><big>雨若出桶</big></big>: rain + like + out of + basket | * <big><big>雨若出桶</big></big>: rain + like + out of + basket | ||
** lać jak z cebra [pol] | ** lać jak z cebra [pol] | ||
** ''lítʹ kak iz vedrá'' лить как из ведра [rus] | ** ''lítʹ kak iz vedrá'' лить как из ведра [rus] | ||
** ''llje jak z vidra'' ллє як з відра [ukr] | ** ''llje jak z vidra'' ллє як з відра [ukr] | ||
** sataa kuin saavista kaataen [fin] | ** sataa kuin saavista kaataen [fin] | ||
** ''valí kato iz vedró'' вали като из ведро [bul] | ** ''valí kato iz vedró'' вали като из ведро [bul] | ||
** wie aus Eimern schütten [deu] | ** wie aus Eimern schütten [deu] | ||
** zuhog, mintha dézsából öntenék [hun] | ** 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 | * <big><big>注若出壺</big></big>: pour + like + out of + can | ||
** lít jako z konve [ces] | ** lít jako z konve [ces] | ||
* <big><big>雨下洋海</big></big>: rain + sea | |||
* <big><big> | |||
** llover a mares [spa] | ** llover a mares [spa] | ||
* <big><big>天穹下落</big></big>: sky + fall down | * <big><big>天穹下落</big></big>: sky + fall down | ||
** o céu vir abaixo [por] | ** 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 | * <big><big>雨下耙妖</big></big>: rain + harrow + bizarre being | ||
** sataa äkäisiä ämmiä äkeet selässä [fin] | ** sataa äkäisiä ämmiä äkeet selässä [fin] | ||
* <big><big>暴雨如注</big></big>: huge + rain + like + pouring | * <big><big>暴雨如注</big></big>: huge + rain + like + pouring | ||
** ''bàoyǔ rú zhù'' 暴雨如注 暴雨如注 [cmn] | ** ''bàoyǔ rú zhù'' 暴雨如注 暴雨如注 [cmn] | ||
** sataa kaatamalla [fin] | ** sataa kaatamalla [fin] | ||
** regenen dat het giet [nld] | ** regenen dat het giet [nld] | ||
* <big><big>傾盆大雨</big></big>: turned + basin + huge + rain | * <big><big>傾盆大雨</big></big>: turned + basin + huge + rain | ||
** piovere a catinelle [ita] | ** piovere a catinelle [ita] | ||
** ''qīng pén dàyǔ'' 傾盆大雨 倾盆大雨 [cmn] | ** ''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 | * <big><big>雨下管柄</big></big>: rain + pipe handles | ||
** pijpenstelen regenen [nld] | ** pijpenstelen regenen [nld] | ||
* <big><big>雨若神饋</big></big>: rain + as if + God + sends | * <big><big>雨若神饋</big></big>: rain + as if + God + sends | ||
** piovere come Dio la manda [ita] | ** piovere come Dio la manda [ita] | ||
* <big><big>雨可立飲</big></big>: rain + can be + standing + drunk | * <big><big>雨可立飲</big></big>: rain + can be + standing + drunk | ||
** pleuvoir à boire debout [fra] | ** pleuvoir à boire debout [fra] | ||
* <big><big>雨若濺牛</big></big>: rain + like + pissing + cattle | * <big><big>雨若濺牛</big></big>: rain + like + pissing + cattle | ||
** pleuvoir comme vache qui pisse [fra] | ** pleuvoir comme vache qui pisse [fra] | ||
* <big><big>雨下繩索</big></big>: rain + ropes | * <big><big>雨下繩索</big></big>: rain + ropes | ||
** pleuvoir des cordes [fra] | ** pleuvoir des cordes [fra] | ||
* <big><big>雨下斧槍</big></big>: rain + halberds | * <big><big>雨下斧槍</big></big>: rain + halberds | ||
** pleuvoir des hallebardes [fra] | ** pleuvoir des hallebardes [fra] | ||
* <big><big>雨入舟樽</big></big>: rain + into + boats + barrels | * <big><big>雨入舟樽</big></big>: rain + into + boats + barrels | ||
** ploure a bots i barrals [cat] | ** ploure a bots i barrals [cat] | ||
* <big><big>雨下貓狗</big></big>: rain + cats + dogs | * <big><big>雨下貓狗</big></big>: rain + cats + dogs | ||
** rain cats and dogs [eng] | ** rain cats and dogs [eng] | ||
* <big><big>雨下瘋婆</big></big>: rain + mad + women | * <big><big>雨下瘋婆</big></big>: rain + mad + women | ||
** regne sinte kjerringer [nob] | ** regne sinte kjerringer [nob] | ||
* <big><big>注下椅脚</big></big>: pour + chair + legs | * <big><big>注下椅脚</big></big>: pour + chair + legs | ||
** ''ríchnei kareklopódara'' ρίχνει καρεκλοπόδαρα [ell] | ** ''ríchnei kareklopódara'' ρίχνει καρεκλοπόδαρα [ell] | ||
* <big><big>雨下火硫</big></big>: rain + fire + sulfur | * <big><big>雨下火硫</big></big>: rain + fire + sulfur | ||
** rigna eldi og brennisteini [isl] | ** rigna eldi og brennisteini [isl] | ||
* <big><big>立如地柱</big></big>: stand + like + ground + rods | * <big><big>立如地柱</big></big>: stand + like + ground + rods | ||
** stå som spön i backen [swe] | ** stå som spön i backen [swe] | ||
* <big><big>捉末登天</big></big>: grasp + tips + climb up to + sky | * <big><big>捉末登天</big></big>: grasp + tips + climb up to + sky | ||
** tut ucundan, göyə çıx [aze] | ** tut ucundan, göyə çıx [aze] | ||
* <big><big>雨出皮囊</big></big>: rain + out of + skin + bag | * <big><big>雨出皮囊</big></big>: rain + out of + skin + bag | ||
** ''vréchei me to touloúmi'' βρέχει με το τουλούμι [ell] | ** ''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 | * <big><big>舌齿相擊</big></big>: tongue + teeth + towards each other + hit | ||
** dar com a língua nos dentes [por] | ** dar com a língua nos dentes [por] | ||
* <big><big>放貓出囊</big></big>: let + cat + out of + bag | * <big><big>放貓出囊</big></big>: let + cat + out of + bag | ||
** die kat uit die sak laat [afr] | ** die kat uit die sak laat [afr] | ||
| Line 483: | Line 310: | ||
** slippe katten ud af sækken [dan] | ** slippe katten ud af sækken [dan] | ||
** wypuścić kota z worka [pol] | ** wypuścić kota z worka [pol] | ||
* <big><big>潑洒小豆</big></big>: spill + little + beans | * <big><big>潑洒小豆</big></big>: spill + little + beans | ||
** spill the beans [eng] | ** spill the beans [eng] | ||
* <big><big>販出引綫</big></big>: sell + out + fuse | * <big><big>販出引綫</big></big>: sell + out + fuse | ||
** vendre la mèche [fra] | ** vendre la mèche [fra] | ||
* <big><big>走動己舌</big></big>: go + own + tongue | * <big><big>走動己舌</big></big>: go + own + tongue | ||
** irse da lingua [glg] | ** irse da lingua [glg] | ||
** irse de la lengua [spa] | ** irse de la lengua [spa] | ||
* <big><big>走漏風聲</big></big>: leak + wind + sounds | * <big><big>走漏風聲</big></big>: leak + wind + sounds | ||
** ''zǒulòu fēnshēng'' 走漏風聲 走漏风声 [cmn] | ** ''zǒulòu fēnshēng'' 走漏風聲 走漏风声 [cmn] | ||
=== Reveal how one really is === | |||
* <big><big>顯露白牙</big></big>: show + white + teeth | * <big><big>顯露白牙</big></big>: show + white + teeth | ||
** kimutatja a foga fehérjét [hun] | ** kimutatja a foga fehérjét [hun] | ||
* <big><big>顯露真面</big></big>: show + true + face | * <big><big>顯露真面</big></big>: show + true + face | ||
** montrer son vrai visage [fra] | ** montrer son vrai visage [fra] | ||
** mostrare il proprio vero volto [ita] | ** mostrare il proprio vero volto [ita] | ||
** sein wahres Gesicht zeigen [deu] | ** sein wahres Gesicht zeigen [deu] | ||
* <big><big>顯露真髮</big></big>: show + true + hairs | * <big><big>顯露真髮</big></big>: show + true + hairs | ||
** näyttää todellinen karvansa [fin] | ** näyttää todellinen karvansa [fin] | ||
* <big><big>顯露真色</big></big>: show + true + colours | * <big><big>顯露真色</big></big>: show + true + colours | ||
** show one's true colours [eng] | ** show one's true colours [eng] | ||
* <big><big>顯露真紋</big></big>: show + true + stripes | * <big><big>顯露真紋</big></big>: show + true + stripes | ||
** show one's true stripes [eng] | ** show one's true stripes [eng] | ||
** tunjuk belang [ | ** tunjuk belang [zsm] | ||
* <big><big>原形畢露</big></big>: original + form + all + exposed | * <big><big>原形畢露</big></big>: original + form + all + exposed | ||
** ''yuánxíng bì lù'' 原形畢露 原形毕露 [cmn] | ** ''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] | |||
=== 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] | |||
=== 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] | |||
=== Worry about unfortunate events that are already happened === | |||
* <big><big>哭啼覆乳</big></big>: 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] | |||
* <big><big>覆水難收</big></big>: spilt + water + hard to + collect | |||
** ''fùshuǐ nán shōu'' 覆水難收 覆水难收 [cmn] | |||
* <big><big>數年死子</big></big>: count + age + dead + son | |||
** ''shinda ko no toshi o kazoeru'' 死んだ子の年を数える [jpn] | |||
== Explanation == | |||
The structures of a set phrase are | The structures of a set phrase are | ||
* parataxis | * parataxis | ||
| Line 561: | 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 |