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Definition
-
(before verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs) not
我不是学生。I'm not a student.
-
no
不好No good
- graphic component (often seen in other characters)
- negative prefix
Compounds (21)
to repay; to give back; to pay back; to return (to ideas, someone...); to go back (to ideas, someone...)
ring; hoop; loop; (chain) link; classifier (for scores in archery etc); measure word; to surround; to encircle; to hem in
Related words (1183)
as many as; unable to capture (a city...); no less than; to be not less than (a certain quantity, amount etc)
unlikely; unable (to); will not (act, happen etc); not able; not having learned to do something; improbable
not (reaching); less than; fewer than; to not reach; unable (to); insufficient; to not arrive
not to stint; to be generous (with praise etc); to be prepared to (pay a fee, give of one's time etc)
unafraid; fearless; not fear; (to be) not afraid (of); not worried (by setbacks or difficulties); even if; even though
not to accept sth; to want to have sth overruled or changed; to refuse to obey or comply; to refuse to accept as final; to remain unconvinced by; not to give in to
non stop; incessantly; keep on (doing); without end; endlessly; more than; exceed; over; not limited (to); not only
to ignore; to not deal (with); to pay no attention (to); to take no notice (of); to refuse to acknowledge
not to know; to be ignorant (of); to not know; to have no idea (of); to (be) in the dark; (to be) unaware; unknowingly; (fig.) not to admit (defeat, hardships, tiredness etc)
won't do; (to be) not allowed; (to be) impossible; will not do; to be out of the question; (to be) no good; not work; not be capable; not ok; not okay
whatever; no matter what (who, how etc); regardless of; not to discuss; irrespective (of); whether... or...; without reference (to)
however; only; just; merely; nothing but; no more (than); but; anyway (to get back to a previous topic)
(to be) obstructed; (to be) blocked (up); (to be) impassable; to not know; to not understand; can't accept; (to be) unable to get through; senseless; (to make) no sense; (to be) illogical
unambiguous; unequivocal; explicit; prudent; cautious; not negligent; unafraid; unhesitating; really good; extraordinary
you're welcome; blunt; don't mention it; you are welcome; not at all; please, don't bother (used to decline an offer); no, thanks (used to decline an offer); impolite; rude
to have no choice but (to); to have no option but (to); cannot but; to have (to); can't help it; can't avoid; cannot help it; cannot avoid
terrible; horrible; desperately serious; awfully; terribly; disastrous; extremely; exceedingly
to act against one's will; to have no alternative but to; to have to; to have no choice; must
(lit.) I dare not (accept the honor); fig. I don't deserve your praise; you flatter me
discrepant; falling short (of expectations); not matching up; not conforming; (figures) disagree; unbecoming
unimportant; no importance; no matter; it doesn't matter; not serious; nothing serious; never mind; it looks all right, but
dubious; shady; neither one thing nor the other; neither fish nor fowl; nondescript
refrain from going to extremes in meting out punishment; not be too hard on subject
not a slave to the bottle; able to enjoy alcohol in moderation; able to hold one's drink
neither haughty nor humble; neither overbearing nor servile; neither supercilious nor obsequious
(lit.) isn't that a joy? (quote from Confucius); (fig.) (jocularly) extremely; awfully
(lit.) doesn't hurt the spleen or the stomach; (fig.) something that is not critical
(of one's skills, appearance etc) not to have deteriorated a bit; to be as (good, vigorous etc) as ever
not to engage in honest work; to ignore one's proper occupation; not to attend to one's proper duties
unpredictable eventuality; unpreventable; unavoidable; impossible to overcome; nothing can be done about it; act of God; force majeure
agnosticism, the philosophical doctrine that some questions about the universe are in principle unanswerable
(lit.) do not begrudge gems of wisdom (idiom, humble expr.); fig. Please give me your frank opinion.; Your criticism will be most valuable.
not censure sb for his past misdeeds; overlook sb's past mistakes; let bygones be bygones
sorry; (to feel) embarrassed; (to find it) embarrassing; to be sorry (for inconveniencing somebody)
where there is injustice, there will be an outcry; man will cry out against injustice
not up to much; very indifferent; nothing great about it; nothing good to be said about it
to pretend to understand (when you don't); to pretend to know (when [what] one does not know)
shapeless; deformed; ruined; beyond recognition; (of a person) reduced to a shadow
(lit.) not dare to pull oneself up high (humble term); I cannot presume on your attention
not the right flavor; not quite right; a bit off; fishy; queer; amiss; feel bad; be upset
to recover spontaneously (from an illness); to get better without medical treatment
hanging by a thread; very precarious; almost extinct; (of sound) linger on faintly
to disappear without trace; to vanish all of a sudden; to spread fast; to spread like wildfire
the trip has not been made in vain; the trip has been well worthwhile; it's been a worthwhile trip
not to be taken as an example; not an example to be followed; not to be taken as authoritative
make light of traveling a thousand li; go to the trouble of traveling a long distance
shrink or flinch from no difficulty or danger; make light of difficulties and dangers
reckless; at all costs; desperate; against all odds; us against the world; regardless of everything
not to reject a word because of the speaker (idiom, from Analects); to judge on the merits of the case rather than preference between advisers
the right of immunity from arrest afforded by the Taiwan ROC Constitution, for the duration of meetings, unless caught actually committing a crime, to members of the National Assembly, the Legislative Yuan, or a supervisory committee
(lit.) not fit for elegant hall (of artwork); not presentable; coarse; unrefined
not to know the immensity of heaven and earth; an exaggerated opinion of one's own abilities
(lit.) not eating the food of common mortals; (fig.) placing oneself above the common populace
do not worry about scarcity, but rather about uneven distribution (idiom, from Analects)
regardless of the consequences; recklessly relying on a hopelessly optimistic forecast
don't meddle in affairs that are not part of your position (Confucius)
isn't it?; isn't that?; how couldn't...?; how wouldn't; wouldn't it...?; wouldn't that; won't that?; doesn't it?
will you?; can you?; can or cannot? (posing a question: whether somebody, something) ; is able to or not
can't get; cannot get; unable to get; can't gain; cannot gain; unable to gain; can't obtain; cannot obtain; unable to obtain
there's not enough time (to do something); it's too late (to do something); there isn't enough time; there's no time left; there's no time
the rich man cannot be benevolent (idiom, from Mencius). It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:24).
the benevolent man cannot be rich (idiom, from Mencius). It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:24).
there can never be too much deception in war; in war nothing is too deceitful; all's fair in war
urgent; to brook no delay; to demand immediate attention; to demand immediate action
underripe; half-cooked; (fig.) not mastered (of a technique); clumsy; halting
national danger, but no support (idiom, from Analects); the future of the nation is at stake but no-one comes to the rescue
unable to conceal one's happiness, amazement, shock etc; grinning from ear to ear; mouth agape; gobsmacked
disgraceful (of behavior that is unfilial, rebellious or otherwise in grave breach of the norms of society)
to run in parallel without hindrance; not mutually exclusive; two processes can be implemented without conflict
to pull the bow without shooting (idiom from Mencius); ready and waiting for action; to go through the motions; to practice; a trial run
(lit.) I'm ashamed and dare not (accept the honor); fig. I do not deserve your praise.; You flatter me too much.
to come to the aid of sb suffering an injustice; to fight for justice; also written 抱打不平
out of tune; marital discord, cf qin and se 琴瑟, two string instruments as symbol of marital harmony
loose, but allows no escape (idiom, from Laozi 老子); the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape
to be so in pain as to not want to live; to be so grieved as to wish one were dead
to come unscathed through a hundred battles (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孙子兵法); to win every fight
to cling without letting go; to pester without end; to cling lovingly to each other
to keep one's calm in the face of the unexpected; not to wonder at strange sights
akathisia (condition of restlessness, a side-effect of neuroleptic antipsychotic drug); unable to sit still; hyperactivity; restlessness
(lit.) "Why don't they eat meat?" (said by Emperor Hui of Jin 晋惠帝 when told that his people didn't have enough rice to eat); (fig.) (of people from higher class etc) to be oblivious to other people's plight
to report only the good news, not the bad news; to hold back unpleasant news; to sweep bad news under the carpet
(lit.) to want sth in haste, but cannot get there (idiom, from Analects); more haste, less speed; don't try to run before you can walk
(lit.) to want sth in haste, but cannot get there (idiom, from Analects); more haste, less speed; also written 慾速則不達|欲速则不达
(lit.) the gong is ready, the drum not ready; (fig.) undermanned or inadequately resourced
a slogan used in reference to a project to improve greenery in some parts of Northern China
see 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量[ren2 bu4 ke3 mao4 xiang4 , hai3 shui3 bu4 ke3 dou3 liang2]
men and women should not touch hands when they give or receive things (citation, from Mencius)
(lit.) short-lived cicada does not know the seasons; fig. to see only a small piece of the big picture
(lit.) to dispatch a general is not as effective as to excite a general; (fig.) inciting people to action is more effective than dispatching orders
(lit.) distant water does not cure present thirst; fig. urgent need; a slow remedy does not address immediate needs
better to just get the pain over with, rather than prolong the agony
a person of great moral stature does not remember the offenses committed by one of low moral stature
to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit; (fig.) to hesitate to do sth until forced to do even more
not to reciprocate is against etiquette (classical); to respond in kind
catch an enemy off guard with a surprise attack (idiom, from Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孙子兵法)
unable to see the wood for the trees; (fig.) only able to see isolated details, and not the bigger picture
arriving early can't beat coming at the right time; perfect timing
to fall short of the best but be better than the worst; can pass muster
a centipede dies but never falls down; old institutions die hard
(lit.) the fish and the bear's paw, you can't have both at the same time (idiom, from Mencius); fig. you must choose one or the other; you can't always get everything you want; you can't have your cake and eat it
sour grapes (set expr. based on Aesop); (lit.) to say grapes are sour when you can't eat them
give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime; knowledge is the best charity
Proverbs (4)
(lit.) one palm alone cannot clap (proverb); (fig.) it takes two persons to start a dispute; it takes two to tango; it's difficult to achieve anything without support
(lit.) you cannot get fat with only one mouthful (proverb); (fig.) learn to walk before you run
(lit.) to occupy a latrine but not shit (proverb); (fig.) to be a dog in the manger
(lit.) don't let one's own fertile water flow into others' field; (fig.) keep the goodies within the family (proverb)
Idioms (492)
not to overlook, nor spare (idiom); unwilling to forgive; to treat severely without listening to excuses
to act without taking time to think (idiom); to react instantly; to fire from the hip
(lit.) unable to distinguish eldest brother from second brother (idiom); they are all equally excellent; nothing to choose between them
to make no distinction between what's one's own and what's another's (idiom); to share everything; to be on very intimate terms
not distinguishing black or white (idiom); not to distinguish between right and wrong
unable to determine victory or defeat (idiom); evenly matched; to come out even; to tie; to draw
not a word or movement (idiom); remaining calm and collected; not batting an eyelid
not to mind taking all the trouble (idiom); to take great pains; to be very patient
inconceivable (idiom); (idiom) it's beyond logic and above reason; beyond comprehension; difficult to understand; mysterious; unimaginable; unfathomable; marvelous; incredible; unthinkable
(lit.) not a common chord (idiom); outstanding; brilliant; out of the common run
no less than from heaven to the abyss (idiom); differing widely; worlds apart; the gap couldn't be bigger
not living up to expectations (idiom); failing to inspire confidence among people; unpopular
to be discontented with one's home; to have adulterous relations after marriage (of women) (idiom)
not to worry about the gossip (idiom); to do the right thing regardless of what others say
not according with decorum (idiom); scandalous; bad form; unacceptable behavior
(lit.) not requiring a detailed understanding (idiom); only looking for an overview; not bothered with the details; superficial; content with shallow understanding
to completely ignore (idiom); to pay no attention to; not to be in the least concerned about
(lit.) doesn't hurt, doesn't tickle (idiom); sth is wrong, but not quite sure what; (fig.) not getting to any matter of substance; scratching the surface; superficial; perfunctory
unable to differentiate good from bad (idiom); not to know what's good for one; unable to recognize others' good intentions
not knowing what to do (idiom); at one's wits' end; embarrassed and at a complete loss
(lit.) not knowing what's important (idiom); no appreciation of the gravity of things; naive; doesn't know who's who; no sense of priorities
to agree by chance (idiom); taking the same action without prior consultation; to act in concert without previous arrangement; agree undesignedly
(lit.) Even if we don't see each other, don't give up and leave (idiom); Be sure to wait!; See you there!
(idiom) to compare favorably with men in terms of ability, bravery etc; to be a match for men; (lit.) not conceding to men (beard and eyebrows)
to show no understanding of the times (idiom); cannot adapt to current circumstances; not amenable to reason
to show no understanding of the times (idiom); cannot adapt to current circumstances; not amenable to reason
(lit.) cannot tell beans from wheat (idiom); fig. ignorant of practical matters
(lit.) to have no time for civilities (idiom); (fig.) not to be outdone; not to yield to one's opponents
not trying to avoid the battle-ax (idiom); not afraid of dying in combat; not afraid of being executed
not to hear, not to question (idiom); to show no interest in sth; uncritical; not in the least concerned
don't let rhetoric spoil the message (idiom); don't get carried away with flowery speech to the detriment of what you want to say
don't let rhetoric spoil the message (idiom); don't get carried away with flowery speech to the detriment of what you want to say
(lit.) don't fight, won't make friends (idiom); an exchange of blows may lead to friendship; no discord, no concord
not distinguishing red-green or black-white (idiom); not to distinguish between right and wrong
(lit.) mustn't speak of two things on the same day (idiom); not to be mentioned in the same breath; incomparable
don't fight, won't make friends (idiom); an exchange of blows may lead to friendship
(lit.) to not show the mountain and to not reveal the water (idiom); fig. to hide the key facts
not distinguishing red-green or black-white (idiom); not to distinguish between right and wrong
destiny will make enemies meet (idiom); (often said about lovers who have a disagreement)
not to be crushed (idiom); to be determined to have one's revenge
you don't release the hawk until you've seen the hare (idiom); one doesn't act without some incentive
(lit.) not to shed a tear until one sees the coffin (idiom); (fig.) refuse to be convinced until one is faced with grim reality
don't insist on only taking one road to Rome (idiom); there's more than one way to skin a cat
people who don't belong together, don't get to live together (idiom); marriages are predestined; people marry because they share common traits
not wearing one thread (idiom); absolutely naked; without a stitch of clothing; in one's birthday suit
not one thread loose (idiom); strictly according to the rules; meticulous; not one hair out of place
(lit.) doesn't (even) enter a single aperture (of one's head); I don't understand a word (idiom); it's all Greek to me
(lit.) not even one stroke is negligent (idiom); (fig.) to write characters (calligraphy) in which every stroke is placed perfectly
one stumble, unable to rise (idiom); a setback leading to total collapse; ruined at a stroke; unable to recover after a minor hitch
ten thousand deaths will not prevent me (idiom); ready to risk life and limb to help out
to start on virtue but give up (idiom); to fail to carry things through; lack of sticking power; short attention span
to start on virtue but give up (idiom); to fail to carry things through; lack of sticking power; short attention span
to take advantage of sb in an unguarded moment (idiom); to take sb by surprise
reluctant to part (idiom); broken-hearted at having to leave; cannot bear to leave; cannot tear oneself away from
all talk and no action (idiom); to preach what one does not practice; same as 光说不做
not recognizing one's family (idiom); self-centered and not making any allowances for the needs of one's relatives
(lit.) impervious to sword or spear (idiom); (fig.) invulnerable; untouchable; thick-skinned; impervious to criticism
less capable than desirable (idiom); not as strong as one would wish; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
the two cannot exist together (idiom); irreconcilable differences; incompatible standpoints
extensive but not refined (idiom); to know something about everything; Jack of all trades and master of none.
not to mention (idiom); to say not one word; (fig.) to omit mention (of a non-person or embarrassing topic); to censor
the name does not reflect the reality (idiom); more in name than in fact; Reality does not live up to the name.; Excellent theory, but the practice does not bear it out.
the name does not correspond to reality (idiom); it doesn't live up to its reputation
(lit.) name is not in vain (idiom); a fully justified reputation; enjoys a well-deserved reputation
(lit.) not to know whether to laugh or cry (idiom); both funny and extremely embarrassing; between laughter and tears
(lit.) don't sit under overhanging eaves (idiom); fig. don't stay in danger area
to persevere unremittingly (idiom); to adhere (to something) unremittingly; to keep going until the end; to hold on consistently and persistently; unremitting
to dash on bravely with no thought of personal safety (idiom); undaunted by dangers; to defy personal danger; regardless of perils
(lit.) diligent and never slacking (idiom); continuous concentrated effort; assiduous (in study); to concentrate
(lit.) a good sword always remains sharp (idiom); (fig.) (of one's skills etc) to be as good as ever; the old man still has it
the few are no match for the many; heavily outnumbered; facing impossible odds (idiom)
large tail obstructs action (idiom); bottom heavy; (fig.) rendered ineffective by subordinates
more than one can attend to (idiom); deluged (with inquiries etc); overwhelmed (by the beauty of the scenery)
too weak to stand up to the wind (idiom); extremely delicate; fragile state of health
not worth it; not worth the loss; the gains do not make up for the losses (idiom); to lose more than to gain; not worth the candle; the game is not worth the candle; the loss outweighs the gain; gains cannot make up for losses; more kicks than halfpence; to pay (too dear) for one's whistle; to give a lark to catch a kite
heart and mouth at variance (idiom); keeping one's real intentions to oneself; saying one thing but meaning sth different
outrageous and unconventional (idiom); flying in the face of (authority, convention, public opinion etc)
unable to control one's grief (idiom); overwrought; overcome with sorrow; heartbroken
spectacle too horrible to endure (idiom); tragic sight; appalling scenes of devastation
too horrible to endure (idiom); tragic spectacle; appalling scenes of devastation
to triumph in every battle (idiom); invincible; to succeed in every undertaking
(lit.) a door hinge never becomes worm-eaten; constant activity prevents decay (idiom)
(lit.) always with a book in hand (idiom); (fig.) (of a student or scholar) diligent and hardworking
beat the snake to death or it will cause endless calamity (idiom); nip the problem in the bud
to write a flawless essay in one go (idiom); to be quick-witted and skilled at writing compositions
no stronghold one cannot overcome (idiom); to conquer every obstacle; nothing one can't do; to carry everything before one
not to hold anything back (idiom); (of close friends etc) to tell each other everything
to forget and not bear recriminations (idiom); to let bygones be bygones; There is no point in crying over spilt milk.
at dawn, not sure of lasting to evening (idiom); precarious state; imminent crisis; living from hand to mouth
at dawn, not sure of lasting to evening (idiom); precarious state; imminent crisis; living from hand to mouth
to want to stop but can't (idiom); to try to stop but cannot; (to be) unable to resist; impossible to resist; to be unable to stop oneself; to feel an urge to continue; can't help carrying on
dead but will not close the eyes (idiom); to die with a remaining grievance; also written 死不瞑目
dead but showing no signs of rigor mortis; to die hard (idiom); to die yet not be vanquished (idiom)
(lit.) not one drop can trickle through (idiom); fig. impenetrable (crowd, traffic)
(lit.) will not be forgotten even after one's teeth fall out; to remember as long as one lives; unforgettable (idiom)
deep and unmeasurable (idiom); unfathomable depths; incomprehensible; enigmatic and impossible to predict
to oscillate without pause (idiom); to fluctuate; (of thoughts) to wander; to waver
not in the least concerned (idiom); reckless; couldn't give a damn about it; unperturbed; couldn't care less; harum scarum
not one drop of water leaks (idiom); fig. thoughtful and completely rigorous; watertight
to love something too much to part with it (idiom); to fondle (admiringly); to be unable to tear oneself away from something; to love; favourite
(lit.) a blemish does not obscure jade's luster; the pros outweigh the cons (idiom)
born at the wrong time (idiom); unlucky (esp. to complain about one's fate); born under an unlucky star; ahead of his time
(lit.) casual aquaintances should not come between relatives; blood is thicker than water (idiom)
to remain puzzled after pondering over sth a hundred times (idiom); to remain perplexed despite much thought
to keep on fighting in spite of all setbacks (idiom); to be undaunted by repeated setbacks; to be indomitable
not to glance sideways (idiom); to gaze fixedly; to be fully concentrated; to preserve a correct attitude
the eye cannot take it all in (idiom); too many good things to see; great quantity and variety; a feast for the eyes
(lit.) not even peek at the garden; (fig.) to be absorbed in one's studies (idiom)
(lit.) the eye cannot see the eyelashes (idiom); fig. unable to see one's own faults; to lack self-awareness; truths too close to home
always at loggerheads (idiom); never able to agree with sb; unable to get on with sb
continuously; in an endless stream (idiom); to go to and fro in constant streams; to come one after the other
lips sealed and not saying anything (idiom); fig. to omit mention (of a non-person or embarrassing topic); to censor
lips sealed and not saying anything (idiom); fig. to omit mention (of a non-person or embarrassing topic); to censor
(lit.) slow no aid to urgent (idiom); slow measures will not address a critical situation; too slow to meet a pressing need
to muddle things together (idiom); to bother sb with annoying muddle-headed talk
everything is fine except for one small defect (idiom); the fly in the ointment
no thought for tea or rice (idiom); melancholic and suffering; to have no appetite
many fleas, but unconcerned (idiom); no point in worrying about one debt when one has so many others; Troubles never come singly.; It never rains but it pours.
(lit.) not following the straight path (idiom); fig. looking for a shortcut to get ahead in work or study
outside appearance and inner reality differ (idiom); not what it seems; saying one thing but meaning sth different
(conventional letter ending) words cannot fully express what is in my heart (idiom)
to say sth without meaning it (idiom); to speak tongue in cheek; saying one thing but meaning sth different
the two cannot exist together (idiom); irreconcilable differences; incompatible standpoints
(lit.) no one picks up lost articles in the street (idiom); fig. honesty prevails throughout society; a time of peace and stability
without the freedom to act independently (idiom); involuntary; not of one's own volition; in spite of oneself
can't advance or retreat (idiom); no room for maneuver; stalled; in a dilemma; stuck in a difficult position
impatient (idiom); in a hurry; too impatient to wait; unable to hold oneself back; to be raring (to); (to be) unable to wait; itching to get on with it
(lit.) no one picks up lost articles in the street (idiom); fig. honesty prevails throughout society; a time of peace and stability
to chip away at a task and not abandon it (idiom); to work with perserverance; to keep on carving (idiom); to chisel away (at sth); to persevere; unflagging efforts
to live forever and never grow old (idiom); immortality; to be alive for evermore
to refuse to say anything about (idiom); to remain tight-lipped; to avoid mentioning
(to escape danger etc) by a hair's breadth (idiom); in a critical state; on the brink of crisis; very close (to happening); Taiwan pr. [jian4 bu4 rong2 fa3]
you can't guard against it (idiom); impossible to defend effectively; not much one can do about it; It can't be prevented.
(lit.) the soul of a deceased has not yet dispersed (idiom); (fig.) the influence still lingers on; the spirit (of some doctrine) is still alive
not shaken by thunder (idiom); the arrangements are unalterable; to adhere rigidly to regulations; will go ahead whatever happens (of an arrangement or plan)
(lit.) one's youth will never return; to make the most of one's opportunities (idiom)
(lit.) yellow does not reach green (idiom); the yellow autumn crop does not last until the green spring crop; temporary deficit in manpower or resources; unable to make ends meet
to swallow ancient learning without digesting it (idiom); to be pedantic without having a mastery of one's subject
when hungry, you can't pick what you eat (idiom); beggars can't be choosers; When matters are urgent, don't spend time choosing alternatives.
can't reach the high or accept the low (idiom); not good enough for a high post, but too proud to take a low one
to be preoccupied (idiom); to be inattentive; to be frightened out of one's mind
(lit.) body and soul separated (idiom); fig. scared out of one's wits; beside oneself
(lit.) not even the chickens and dogs are left undisturbed (idiom); (fig.) great commotion; pandemonium
(lit.) to reply "don't know" whatever the question (idiom); (fig.) absolutely no idea of what's going on; complete ignorance
better kept under the table (idiom); not to be disclosed; too inferior to show in public
to be too petty or insignificant to mention; to not be worth mentioning (idiom)
can be discovered but not sought (idiom); one can only come across such things serendipitously
to eat without working (idiom); to take one's pay and not care about the rest
(lit.) eats soft food, but refuses hard food (idiom); amenable to coaxing but not coercion
(lit.) to draw the bow without shooting the arrow (idiom); (fig.) to bluff; to be all talk and no action; false bravado
(lit.) to hate iron for not becoming steel; to feel resentful towards sb for failing to meet expectations and impatient to see improvement (idiom)
different broth but the same old medicine (idiom); a change in name only; a change in form but not in substance
(lit.) without wind there cannot be waves (idiom); there must be a reason; no smoke without fire
a lone tree does not make a forest (idiom); one cannot accomplish much on one's own
what remains unseen is deemed to be clean; what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over (idiom)
the notion in society that it's better to get ahead in the world by abandoning one's scruples than to suffer poverty; (lit.) despising poverty but not prostitution (idiom)
(lit.) fragrant herbs and foul herbs do not go into the same vessel (idiom); bad people and good people do not mix
a tiger, though cruel, will not devour its cubs (idiom); even wild beasts look after their young
many superficial changes but no departure from the original stand (idiom); plus ça change, plus ça reste la mème chose
(lit.) to grow out of the mud unsullied (idiom); (fig.) to be principled and incorruptible
(lit.) mysteries of heaven must not be revealed (idiom); must not be revealed; I am not at liberty to inform you.
(lit.) mysteries of heaven must not be revealed (idiom); must not be revealed; I am not at liberty to inform you.
(lit.) family shames must not be spread abroad (idiom); fig. don't wash your dirty linen in public
(lit.) family shames must not be spread abroad (idiom); (fig.) don't wash your dirty linen in public
the unvarnished truth is better than a cunning ruse (idiom); honesty is the best policy
deference is no substitute for obedience (idiom); (said to accept sb's request, invitation etc)
angry, but not daring to speak out (idiom); obliged to remain silent about one's resentment; unable to voice objections
(lit.) river water does not interfere with well water (idiom); Do not interfere with one another.; Mind your own business.
(lit.) a dog can't stop himself from eating shit (idiom); (fig.) bad habits are hard to change
seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times (idiom); seeing for oneself is better than hearing from many others; seeing is believing
(lit.) a straight foot has no fear of a crooked shoe; an upright man is not afraid of gossip (idiom)
knowing sb by their reputation can't compare to meeting them in person (idiom)
(lit.) a donkey's lips do not match a horse's mouth (idiom); (fig.) beside the point; incongruous
can't reach the high or accept the low (idiom); not good enough for a high post, but too proud to take a low one
can't reach the high or accept the low (idiom); not good enough for a high post, but too proud to take a low one
(lit.) If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked (idiom); fig. subordinates imitate their superiors' vices
a man who is never content is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant (idiom)
(lit.) to try to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice used to lure it (idiom); (fig.) to try to gain an advantage only to end up worse off; to go for wool and come back shorn
(lit.) a new-born calf has no fear of the tiger (idiom); (fig.) the fearlessness of youth
to have no need to fend for oneself (idiom); to lead a pampered life
(lit.) the dog that bites does not show its fangs (idiom); (fig.) You can't tell the really dangerous enemy from his external appearance.
(lit.) mention the pot that doesn't boil (idiom); to touch a sore spot; to talk about sb's weak point
a wise man knows better than to fight when the odds are against him (idiom)
(lit.) a good horse doesn't come back to the same pasture (idiom); (fig.) one should not go back to one's past experiences (of love, job etc)
(lit.) strong dragon cannot repress a snake (idiom); fig. a local gangster who is above the law
the will is there, but not the strength (idiom); the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
(lit.) One doesn't visit a temple without a cause. (idiom); (fig.) to visit sb with an ulterior motive (esp. to ask for sth); having a hidden agenda
not to be inferior in any aspects (idiom); to surpass; to outdo; (derog.) to be even worse
(lit.) the trees long for peace but the wind will never cease (idiom); (fig.) the world changes, whether you want it or not
one may know a person for a long time without understanding his true nature (idiom)
to keep going resolutely despite knowing the task is impossible (idiom)
to regard decapitation as no more important than the wind blowing off your hat (idiom)
it's all very well to talk, but getting things done is another matter (idiom); to be an armchair expert; to blabber on
(lit.) flies do not attack an intact egg (idiom); (fig.) no smoke without a fire
to live in plenty without appreciating it (idiom); not to know when one is well off
(lit.) persons who walk different paths cannot make plans together; to go separate ways (idiom)
fragrant wine fears no dark alley (idiom); quality goods need no advertising
wine-lover's heart is not in the cup (idiom); a drinker not really interested in alcohol; having an ulterior motive; to have other things in mind; with an ax to grind; accomplishing something besides what one set out to do
it is better to avoid unnecessary trouble (idiom); the less complications the better
no ivory comes from the mouth of a dog (idiom); no good words are to be expected from a scoundrel
(lit.) the emperor is not worried, but his eunuchs are worried to death (idiom); (fig.) the observers are more anxious than the person involved
give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime (idiom)
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