Taiwanese-English dictionaries full-text search

ab bextiaau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

unable to command or exercise control over a group of people because of a lack of prestige or personal ability; (Lit. not enough pressure to hold down a compressed object which is resilient)

壓不住

Asexng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Mencius (Lit. second to the Sage); Mengtse; Meng-Tzu

亞聖; 孟子

axm'e sveliuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

having no alternative; to have to; powerless. (Lit. to produce a tumor under the neck)

無可奈何; 頷下生瘤

bafng'ar texng gukag [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

doesn't feel it; only slightly affected; remains unperturbed (Lit. a mosquito to stings a bull's horn)

蚊仔螫牛角; 不在乎

bagcidniq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

twinkling of an eye; a moment; just a little while (Lit. blink of an eye)

一眨眼

baglai [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

(lit.); eyes; eyesight

目內; 眼簾

baithiøo khofkaxn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

work with full effort while ignoring other people's criticisms (Lit. bury one's head in a book)

埋頭苦幹

baxnbut cy leeng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

man (Lit. Wisest of all creatures)

萬物之靈

baxnguu kau sayjiø [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

put off work; slow to get started (Lit. A sluggish ox leaves a lot of manure and urine.)

慢牛厚屎尿; 懶牛屎尿多

baxnheng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

luckily; very lucky (Lit. myriad felicities)

萬幸; 幸運; 僥倖

baxnlie phengtheeng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

an expression used to congratulate someone or give him your best wishes; (Lit. very promising; future unlimited)

萬里鵬程

baxnsafn phiern'iar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

found everywhere (Lit. so numerous it covers the mountains and the plains)

漫山遍野

bayteg zhud høfsurn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Accomplishments of child can be greater than his parents. (Lit. bad bamboo tree produces good bamboo shoots.)

壞竹出好筍

bogbogsiuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

struggle of person in difficulty; vagrant; unemployed (Lit. struggle in the water while drowning)

沐沐游; 在水中掙扎; 無固定職業

bok ie seeng ciw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

the deed is done (Lit. The wood is already made into a boat.)

木已成舟

bøfzuo liensym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Lit.- mother and son's heart always join together; i.e. love between mother and child

母子連心

bøkud [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

no backbone (Lit. without bones)

無骨

bøkutkhix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

spineless; chicken-livered (Lit. no bones energy)

無骨氣

bøo guu sae bea^† [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

use the means at hand; make an adjustment (Lit. If there is no ox; then use a horse.)

無牛駛馬; 事出無奈

bøo hoatto [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

no help for it; lawless (Lit. no plan)

無法度; 沒辦法

Bøo su putjip sampøftien [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

I need to see you; I have a favor to ask of you. (Lit. - Don't enter the emperor's office unless you have official business.)

無事不登三寶殿

bøo thaunao [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

stupid (Lit. no brains)

沒頭腦; 愚笨

bøthaau bøboea [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

incomplete; incomprehensible; nonsensical; no beginning or end (Lit. no head no tail)

無頭無尾

buhofng pud khylong [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

There must be a cause or reason for something (Lit. If there is no wind there are no waves.)

無風不起浪

bunkef khybuo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

diligent and full of enthusiasm (Lit. When the rooster crows in the morning he raises to dance.)

聞雞起舞

but kek zeg hoarn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

As soon as a thing reaches one extremity; it reverses its course. (Lit. The pendulum swings both ways.)

物極則反; 物極必反

bute-zuxioong [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

extremely embarrassed or ashamed (Lit. no place to hide)

無地自容

Chi niawchie, ka porte. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to have someone you helped turn on you (Lit. Feed a rat and it bits a hole in the sack.)

飼老鼠咬布袋; 吃裡扒外

chiahguu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

red cattle; scalper; someone who cheats a person like by selling difficult to get tickets at a high price (Lit. brown or yellow cow)

赤牛; 黃牛

chiakulaxng'axng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

make a mess of a room; (Lit. to overturn every box and basket - to make a thorough search)

翻東翻西

chiang'ar twtiøh khong'ar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

fortuitously; by a happy chance; by coincidence meeting someone unexpectedly (Lit. cripple meets a cripple)

湊巧

chienhofng pekkex [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

by hook or by crook; by all means at one's command (Lit. a thousand schemes)

千方百計

chienkwn it'hoad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

imminent peril (Lit. thirty thousand catties hanging by single hair)

千鈞一髮

chienkym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

daughter; courteous expression referring to another's daughter (Lit. a thousand pieces of gold)

千金

chiensviu baxnsviu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

run many plans through my head over and over again without determining what to do (Lit. million thoughts, think over and over again)

千想萬想

chienthuii peklien^† [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

hammer into shape; form iron utensil; develop human character by persistent knocking into shape; undergo severe training and hammering; write with the utmost care (Lit. with countless changes and corrections)

千錘百鍊

chitzøx peq mxtiøh [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

make a mess of things (Lit. Do seven things; eight are wrong.)

七做八不對; 屢做屢錯

chiuo bøo zhurnthiq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

totally unarmed (Lit. Hand does have and an inch of iron.)

手無寸鐵

chiwciog zeeng chym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

love between brothers is deep; (Lit. Blood is thicker than water.)

手足情深

chiwphang lafng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

one who is not thrifty (Lit. the spaces between the fingers are wide)

手指縫寬; 手縫鬆; 流財

ciamcieen korhiø [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

very cautious (Lit. look forward and backward)

瞻前顧後

cidbea koax liafng'voaf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

a woman with two husbands (Lit. a horse with two saddles)

一女配兩夫; 一馬掛兩鞍

cidciarng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

one palm (Lit. slap the face with the hand)

一掌

cidee cvii phaq jixsix kad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

cheapskate; tight fisted; has to untie4 knots before he will spend a dollar. (Lit. One dollar is tied up by twenty-four knots.)

一個錢打二四結; 吝嗇鬼

Cidnii voa jixsie'ee thaukef [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

be fickle; undependable; be unable to stick at one job (Lit. Within one year to change 24 bosses.)

一年換二四個頭家

cie lok uii mar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to confound right and wrong (Lit. call a stag a horse)

指鹿為馬

ciefnzhao tikyn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

exterminate completely; eradicate branch and root (Lit. cut the grass and remove the root.)

剪草除根

Ciesexng siensw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Confucius (Lit. greatest sage and teacher)

至聖先師

ciexn buu hihoad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

excellent marksmanship (Lit. No arrow is wasted.)

箭無虛發

ciexnthaang^† [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

said in scolding a child (Lit. troublesome insect)

頑皮; 淘氣鬼

cinkym putphvax høea [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

men of abilities fear nothing; Truth is ultimately louder than lies or slanders. True loyalty can stand the test of adversity. (Lit. Pure gold is not afraid of being heated.)

真金不怕火

ciøfkheq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

quite a few; very abundant; very numerous sometimes said somewhat ironically (Lit. few deficient)

多的是; 少缺

ciøfkhoeq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

quite a few; very abundant; very numerous sometimes said somewhat ironically (Lit. few deficient)

多的是; 少缺

ciøh tiim toaxhae [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

completely without information or response; no news at all; without a trace (Lit. rocks falling into the sea)

石沉大海

ciøhhoef hiernput [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

get things from another person to entertain one's own guest (Lit. borrow flowers to offer to Buddha)

借花獻佛

ciøqbøar-sym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

man in the middle; coordinator; mediator; a person who suffers complaints from both disputants (Lit. pivot bar or center of the upper and lower mill stones)

石磨仔心; 中人; 斡旋者

ciøqkøo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

lit. snake cage; stones rapped in a metal web on the bank of a river to keep the soil from washing away

蛇籠

Ciuo hoong tikie chienpoef siao [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

You feel like drinking more with a bosom friend. (Lit. When drinking with a bosom friend, a thousand cups will still be too little.)

酒逢知己千杯少

ciwloong pngxte [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

man who can do nothing but drink and eat; a good for nothing (Lit. wine sack and rice bag)

酒囊飯袋; 笨蛋

ciwtii jiogliim [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

debauchery on a magnificent scale; unprecedented luxury or wealth (Lit. ponds of wine; woods of meat)

酒池肉林

cixnhux tongliuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

all in vain (Lit. all gone with the eastward stream)

盡付東流

cvii bøo nngxee poah-be taan [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Both parties share equally the blame for a quarrel. (Lit. A single copper coin cannot produce a jingling sound.)

一個銅板拍不響; 錢無兩個跋未陳

cviuxsiab ciu bexliab [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

too old at forty; over the hump (Lit. at forty; lose sexual vigor)

上四十就未捏; 人到四十精力就差

cykef maxkao [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to scold indirectly or in circumlocutions (Lit. point at the chicken and scold the dog)

指雞罵狗; 指桑罵槐

cymthauhieen [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

pillow talk of a female companion; slanders or flatteries (Lit. Chinese fiddle played by one's pillow companion)

枕邊細語; 枕頭弦

cytafng kofngsay [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

irrelevant; mislead with talk; talk nonsense; try to avoid the main theme by talking about something else (Lit. point to east and talk west)

指東話西

e cioong thiefn kaxng^† [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

an unexpected disaster (Lit. A calamity descended from the sky.)

禍從天降

engsviaf-iernguo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

the pleasant effect of a woman's voice (Lit. like an oriole singing and a swallow talking)

鶯聲燕語

gafntiongchix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

the most hated person (Lit. thorn (nail) in the eye)

眼中刺

gaxmkao siaosviu tikvoakud [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

hope against hope; a prize beyond one's reach; unattainable goal (Lit. A stupid dog thinks about pig liver bones.)

癩蛤蟆想吃天鵝肉; 憨狗哨想豬肝骨

gaxmthaau gaxmbin [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

idiotic; absurd; stupid (Lit. bonehead and stupid look)

呆頭呆腦; 憨頭憨面

giaqhviw tøex paix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

not whole heartedly do or believe in something (Lit. grab the incense and follow the line)

拿香隨拜

Giaqthaau svachiøq u sinbeeng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

The gods are always near you. (Lit. Raise your head three feet and there is a spirit.)

舉頭三尺有神明

gisym sefng armkuie [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

suspicion creates imaginary fears (Lit. suspicious heart imagines ghosts)

疑心生暗鬼

gong-kaq bøe pecviu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

stupid (Lit. has an itch but doesn't know how to itch it)

笨得要死; 憨甲未扒癢

goxzafngthaau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

the most important part; the why and wherefore of a thing (Lit. where the plant connects to the root)

植物接近根部處

gøxsyn siongtvar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

endure hardships to accomplish some ambition; determination for revenge (Lit. an allusion to the King of Yueh (越王勾踐) who slept on firewood for a mattress and had a gall bladder hung over his bed to remind him of the bitterness (gall) of his defeat so

臥薪嘗膽

Guthaau bøo tuix befzhuix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

not to the point; unconnected; incongruous (Lit. The head of an ox does not match the mouth of a horse.)

牛頭不對馬嘴; 文不對題

gutøf siøfchix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

waste of energy (Lit. use a large butcher knife to cut a little thing)

牛刀小試

Guu bøo hiafmzhao bøe puii [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

If a person doesn't encounter difficulties in his life he won't be a success. (Lit. If a cow doesn't eat course grass it won't get fat.)

牛不吃險草不肥。

guu khankhix kaux Pakkviaf iao si guu^† [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

unchangeable; remains the same; character is difficult to improve (Lit. If you lead a cow to Beijing; it is still a cow.)

牛牽到北京還是牛; 永遠改不掉壞習慣

gvofsefng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

sacrificial offerings (Lit. five kinds of domestic animals)

五牲

gvoxsyn siongtvar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

goad oneself ahead by depriving oneself all daily comfort and subjecting oneself to life's bitterness; nurse vengeance (Lit. lie on faggots and taste gall)

臥薪嘗膽

hib`laang [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to oppress workers; a weak country or people; Lit. to cut off someone's breath

壓迫人; 翕人

Hoaq zuie e kientaxng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

having unlimited wealth or power (lit He shouts at the water and it freezes.)

喝水會堅凍; 有權有勢的人

Hoea siøf khaf suilaang poea [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

have to take care of or protect yourself (Lit. When people's feet get burnt; everyone has to rub out their own fire.)

自己顧自己; 火燒腳隨人拂

hoea siøf koliaau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

no hope; hopeless (Lit. the net house is burnt down; it's hopeless.)

火燒罟寮; 形容無望了

hoefkongsym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

very angry and anxious (Lit. like fire burning the heart)

火攻心

horhe'ar^† [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

no opportunity for something to continue; to overthrow (Lit. shrimp caught in a net)

把水抽乾而捉蝦; 把事情弄糟了; 撈蝦仔

hortiau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

refuse; decline to accept; to reject (request); to refuse to do (Lit. throw out water)

拒絕他人; 把水倒掉

Høfthvy tiøqaix zeg hoxlainiuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

take preventive measures (Lit. During good weather put aside some food to eat in rainy weather.)

好天得要積雨來糧; 未雨綢繆; 平常多積蓄以補不需

hukhaf-safngchiuo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to serve; attend to comforts of parents; receive guests very graciously (Lit. support by the hand by the foot)

奉侍; 誇大的招待; 扶腳扶手

hunzoaa [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

heavy cigarette smoker; smokes opium (Lit. tobacco snake)

癮君子; 煙蛇

iofnghor siongsyn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

keep a bad subordinate who will one day bring ruin to his protector (Lit. raise a tiger which will injure its feeder later on)

養虎傷身

Ioong iuo kuixjuo cy wn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

filial piety (Lit. The lamb has the grace to kneel to suck.)

羊有跪乳之恩

iøciorng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

lottery; cast lots; draw a winner (Lit. to shake out the prize number)

搖獎

iøthaau-pvoaxboea [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

act obsequiously (Lit. to bobble the head and wag the tail like a dog hoping to please the master)

搖頭拂尾

it'iap-tichiw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

any sign foretelling things to come; harbinger of the future (Lit. A single falling leaf tells of the oncoming autumn.)

一葉知秋

itbuu-sofiong [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

useless (Lit. doesn't have a single use)

一無所用

itbuu-sofiuo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

count for nothing; no better than (Lit. doesn't have one thing)

一無所有

itbuu-sofkhoad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

complete within itself (Lit. doesn't lack one thing)

一無所缺

itchiog-zek'hoad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

imminent; touch-and-go (Lit. One slight touch; and off it goes.)

一觸即發

itchiuo-jiathvy [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

hoodwink the public (Lit. to cover the entire sky with one hand)

一手遮天

itcvix-siangtiaw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

win the affection of two beauties at the same time (Lit. two birds; one arrow)

一箭雙鵰

itgo-jixkngrchid [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

When you are dealing with money you have to be very clear and detailed. (Lit. one is one; five is five etc.)

一清二楚

itjit-samchiw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

longing for loved ones or close friends far away (Lit. A single day seems as long as three years.)

一日三秋

itteg-itsid [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

gain one thing and lose another (Lit. win one; lose one)

一得一失

ittiaw-itsek [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

a short time (Lit. one morning and one evening)

一朝一夕

iwgarn-buzw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to have eyes but not see; lack discerning power; unable to discriminate (Lit. have eyes; no eyeballs)

有眼無珠

ixn laang khaq-zharm khiaxm laang [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

You have to keep your word. (Lit. To promise someone something is more serious than for someone to owe you a debt.)

答應他人比欠他人更嚴重

jirm`ji simthaau cidky tøf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Do not provoke a person's patience too far. (Lit. The character jim忍 has a knife over the heart.)

忍字心頭一枝刀

jiutø [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Japanese Judo (Lit. the principle of overcoming hardness with softness)

柔道

jixthaau-jixbøea [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

nothing for me in a contract; none of my business (Lit. from the first character to the last)

字頭字尾

juloong-suxhor [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

eat) priggishly; (treat or loot people) heartlessly and cruelly; menacing or threatening (appearance) (Lit. like tigers and wolves)

如狼似虎

kaau ka kaau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

two men fighting over the same woman (Lit. monkey bites monkey)

奸夫互毆; 猴咬猴

kamhoeq-buxthvy [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

make false accusations against others (Lit. spit blood at Heaven)

含血噴天; 含血噴人

kamhoeq-phuqthvy [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

make false accusations against others (Lit. spit blood at Heaven)

含血噴天; 含血噴人

kamkoef-khoftix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Nothing is perfect. Good advice is never pleasant it hear. (Lit. sweet melon with a bitter stem; good medicine is bitter ─ a flaw in a precious stone; a fly in the ointment.)

甘瓜苦蒂; 良藥苦口

kang'oo cidtiafmkoad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

It's easy; if you know how. (Lit. If you don't know how; the work is like a lake. If you know how; it's like a drop.)

江湖一點訣

kao pui høefchiaf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

worthless (Lit. Dog barks at train.)

狗吠火車; 無濟於事

kaoiuo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

church member (Lit. a religious friend)

教友

kaukhaf-kauchiuo^† [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

very agile; can do things very fast (Lit. monkey feet and money hands)

手腳敏捷; 猴腳猴手

kawsviaf khitciaqaau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

terrible singing (Lit. a dog's voice and a beggar's throat)

狗聲乞食喉; 唱歌音色難聽

kefsie-kaf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

won't have anything to do with anyone (Lit. pretend to be dead)

假死家; 裝死

kelafm [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

chicken crate (Lit. fowl basket)

雞籠

kelafng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

chicken crate (Lit. fowl basket)

雞籠

kethuie [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

chicken leg; Lit. chicken-thigh ─ drumstick

雞腿

khaikoafn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

switch; a switch (Lit. open-shut)

開關

khanghoad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

excellent marksmanship (Lit. No arrow is wasted.)

箭無虛發; 空發

khef`nih bøo kharmkoax [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Good for nothing. Useless lout! (Lit. The river has no cover ─ so it's easy for you to go throw yourself in.)

溪裡無蓋蓋 (比喻人沒用可跳河死)

khitciah [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

beggar; Lit. beg-for-food; beggar

乞食; 乞丐

khitciaqtiau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to sing a bad sounding song (Lit. the sound or song of a beggar)

乞食調

khoaemar-kapiefn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

use the whip on a fast horse ─ proceed as quickly as possible (lit)

快馬加鞭

khoaetøf zarm loaxnmoaa [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

straighten up a complicated or messy situation by taking drastic steps with dispatch; cut the Gordian Knot (Lit. chop a bunch of tangled hemp with a sharp knife)

快刀斬亂麻

khofhae-bupiefn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

boundless sea of hardship ─ boundless hardship (lit.)

苦海無邊

khuy iaxchiaf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

burn the midnight oil; work late into the night; to study at night (Lit. ride the night train or bus)

開夜車

khvoaru-ciaqbøo kantvaf giexn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

dreaming impossible dreams (Lit. You see it; but can't have; you just yearn for it.)

看得到吃不著乾瞪眼; 看有吃無只有癮

kimgiin-svaf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Some times a person is short of money. (Lit. Money has three inconvenient times; when you haven't received it yet; when you don't have any; and when you have spent it all.)

金錢三不便; 手頭緊

kimkhaf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

rare visitor; precious foot (in greeting); (Lit. golden feet)

金腳 (高貴的腳) 用在客氣話

kiongtiofng-cy-niao [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Lit. a bird before the hunter's bow; I.e.; extremely fearful

弓中之鳥

kiøx-mxkvar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

give in under coercion; agree won't do it again (Lit. Call out; I'll not do it again; when beaten); asks for mercy; begs for mercy

再也不敢啦; 叫不敢; 討饒

kiuokexng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

the very truth; the very wource; the very end; after all; in the end; finally; at last; after all; in the end; the whys and the wherefores; who (Lit. study the bottom)

究竟

kixnbiø-khisiin [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

familiarity breeds contempt (Lit. One being near the temple is apt to insult the gods.)

近廟欺神

kongliim [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

(usually used in an invitation) Please grace our place with your presence; arrival of a visitor (Lit. brightness approaching ─ polite expression)

光臨

korkhiafm [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

modest; humble (Lit. over modest)

謙遜; 故謙; 過謙

køoarn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

high; lofty (Lit. high and distant)

高遠

Køsanzok [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Taiwanese aboriginal; aborigines (Lit. high mountain tribe ─ aborigines themselves do not like this term)

高山族

kuisym su cvix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

have a yearning for one's home (Lit. When the mind is bent on returning; it is like a flying arrow)

歸心似箭

kunkii [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

military banners; colors; or flags; the colors (Lit. military flag)

軍旗

Kuxkaux [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Roman Catholic religion (Lit. old religion)

舊教

kvasiuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

a prisoner; a convict; person who is always hungry or doesn't have any manners (Lit. a person locked in jail)

監囚; 罵人好吃; 囚犯 (比喻餓鬼)

lafngtiongciao [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

restricted and confined; without much freedom (Lit. bird in a cage)

籠中鳥

lefngsiux [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

a leader; chief; the leading figure; Lit collar and cuffs ─ a leader

領袖

liogsuie [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

beautiful charming natural scene (Lit. blue mountains and green water)

青山綠水

lørkhabarng^† [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

tall person (Lit. long legged mosquito)

長腳蚊; 高個子

m-kvaftngf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

(lit.) I dare not accept the honor; I don't deserve it (your praise)

不敢當

mng ciaqpar`bøe [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to trap a person into admitting guilt; ask a person if guilty or not (Lit. ask if finished eating yet)

興師問罪的套詞

mxzay chvie [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

soundly asleep (Lit. do not know to wake up)

不醒; 睡沉了

mxzay zhvea [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

soundly asleep (Lit. do not know to wake up)

不醒; 睡沉了

Niaw khaux niawchie kea uxsym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

pretend to be sad (Lit. The cat cries over the death of a rat.)

貓哭耗子假慈悲。

niusiong-kunzuo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

burglars (Lit. gentlemen up on the beams)

樑上君子

noaxthoo koo-bøe cviuxpiaq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

It's difficult to tell him anything. (Lit. It's difficult to make mud stick to a wall.)

爛土糊不上壁 (喻不長進者助之亦無效)

o'hap-cy-cioxng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

undisciplined mob (Lit. people assembled like crows)

烏合之眾

Oafnzuie laan kiux kixnhoea [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Aid; if not immediate; is useless. (Lit. It is difficult to put out the fire in one's neighborhood with distant water.)

遠水難救近火。

oanviucirm^† [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

pair of pillows given to a young couple as symbol of love (Lit. mandarin duck pillows)

鴛鴦枕

oarnsvef bøo oarnsie [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

after a person is dead; forget about past differences (Lit. You can dispute or fight about something with a living person but not with a dead person.)

怨生不怨死

oe khahzøe niaumngg [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

overly fond of talking or complaining (Lit. His words are more numerous than a cat's hair.)

話比貓毛還多; 喋喋不休。

ojiin [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

iris; rainbow; (lit.); eyes; eyesight; iris (of the eye)

黑眼珠; 黑瞳

oloksym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

wicked; evil (Lit. black heart)

心黑; 壞心腸

Oong`køf-Liuo`køf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

contemptuous way of speaking of bad companions (Lit. fat man and skinny man)

王哥柳哥

pahchiøq kanthaau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

the highest achievement (Lit. top of a hundred-foot pole)

百尺竿頭

pahhoex liawau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

after death (Lit. after a hundred years of age)

百歲之後; 身後

pahhoex nilau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to an advanced age (Lit. to a hundred years of age)

百歲年老; 臨終

parngkviar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

abandon (forsake) one's children (Lit. hen won't care for chicks anymore)

父母親不要孩子; 母雞不再帶小雞 (因為小雞長大了)

pefngpeh [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

fish dies (Lit. a fish goes belly up)

翻肚; 翻白

pefngto [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

fish dies (Lit. a fish goes belly up)

翻肚; 翻白

peqpeh-pox nie-kaq of [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

bear false witness against the innocent (Lit. dye a snow white cloth into a black one)

硬將白布染成黑; 無中生有; 加罪於人

phahtng chiwkud tientøx iorng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

turn a misfortune into a blessing; to profit from a misfortune; After a storm; comes a calm. (Lit. After a broken arm has been cured; it is stronger than before.)

因禍得福

phaq kao khvoax zwlaang [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

forgive someone for the sake of a related person (Lit. Consider its master before beating a dog.)

打狗看主人

phauzngf-yngiok [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

offer banal remarks to spark abler talk by others (Lit. to throw a brick and to get a gem in return)

拋磚引玉

phoarkviax tiong'vii [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

reunion and reconciliation (said of a divorced or separated couple; Lit. broken mirror is round again)

破鏡重圓

phoee teq cviu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

need to be disciplined (Lit. skin is itching)

皮在癢 (形容欠人打)

pid hoarn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

As soon as a thing reaches one extremity; it reverses its course. (Lit. The pendulum swings both ways.)

物極則反; 物極必反

poexhu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

carry on the back (Lit) ─ betray; be disloyal or ungrateful to

背負

pokgee [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

sprouting; tooth convex; sprout (lit; fig)

冒芽; 暴牙; 萌芽

purnthoo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

dung and earth; something of little value; things of not much value (Lit. manure or dirt)

糞土

put'iaxsviaa [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

big city with gay night life; no night quarters (Lit. city with lights turned on all night)

不夜城

puttong sampør [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

a very fortunate person (Lit. hands don't need to move)

不必勞動的富家人

pvoarbag'ar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

make believe you don't notice something (Lit. one eye open and one closed)

睜一眼閉一眼

Sae kirn khortoax phaq-sykad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Something always happens when you are in a hurry; haste makes waste (Lit. rushed to the toilet; but the drawstring fastening the pants was knotted)

欲速則不達。

Saikofng khaq gaau hoesviu? [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Is the student greater than the teacher? (Lit. Could the Taoist monk be smarter than the Buddhist priest?)

道士怎能強於和尚?

saipeeng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

west-side; west (Lit. west side)

西旁; 西方; 西邊

samkaux-kiwliuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Lit. the three religions (Confucianism; Buddhism and Taoism) and the nine schools (Confucianist; Taoist; Astrologist; Legalist; Nominalist; Mohist; Diplomatist; Miscellanist and Agriculturist) ─ people of all walks of life

三教九流

saobong [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

to visit a grave; Lit. to sweep the tomb ─ pay respects to one's ancestor at his grave

掃墓

sarmsw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

consider carefully; reflect carefully upon; Lit. think over three times ─ think again and again

三思

Satbøfnie sioxngkoaxn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

get at the truth step by step; often by round about way (Lit. To get a melon you have to haul in the vine.)

撒母耳上卷

sengtofng keksef [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Lit. make noise in the east while striking in the west ─ feigning tactics

聲東擊西

Serngzuo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Lit. the Holy Son ─ the Son of God; Second Person of the Holy Trinity

聖子

sex juu phørteg [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

Lit. their strength is like splitting bamboo ─ to advance with irresistible force; to push onward with overwhelming momentum (said of a victorious army)

勢如破竹

siekhahii [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]] 

edible frogs (Lit. water chicken)

青蛙

🗣 armpaang 🗣 (u: axm'paang) 暗房 [wt][mo] àm-pâng [#]

1. () (CE) dimly lit room; darkroom || 暗房
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 au-gøeqjit 🗣 (u: au goeh geh'jit lit au-gøeh'jit) 後月日 [wt][mo] āu gue̍h-ji̍t/āu ge̍h-li̍t [#]

1. (Tw) || 下個月。

🗣le: (u: Cid tiaau cvii lie au goeh'jit aix e'kix'tid heeng`goar.) 🗣 (這條錢你後月日愛會記得還我。) (這筆錢你下個月要記得還我。)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 cid'gøeqjit/cit gøeqjit 🗣 (u: cit goeh geh'jit lit cit gøeh'jit) 一月日 [wt][mo] tsi̍t gue̍h-ji̍t/tsi̍t ge̍h-li̍t [#]

1. (Tw) || 一個月。

🗣le: (u: Lie cit goeh'jit thaxn goa'ze cvii?) 🗣 (你一月日趁偌濟錢？) (你一個月賺多少錢？)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 cviaa gøeqjit 🗣 (u: cviaa goeh geh'jit lit cviaa gøeh'jit) 成月日 [wt][mo] tsiânn gue̍h-ji̍t/tsiânn ge̍h-li̍t [#]

1. (Tw) || 個把月、一個月左右。

🗣le: (u: Y sid'zofng cviaa goeh'jit`aq.) 🗣 (伊失蹤成月日矣。) (他已經失蹤一個月左右了。)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 Goxjit-zøeq 🗣 (u: Go'jit lit'zeq zoeq Go'jit-zøeq) 五日節 [wt][mo] Gōo-ji̍t-tseh/Gōo-li̍t-tsueh [#]

1. (N) || 端午節。農曆五月初五。與春節、中秋節並列為民間三大傳統節日。有吃粽子和龍舟競渡等風俗，也會插蒲艾、喝雄黃酒、掛鍾馗像來除瘟辟邪。
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 gøeqgoaxjit 🗣 (u: goeh geh'goa'jit lit gøeh'goa'jit) 月外日 [wt][mo] gue̍h-guā-ji̍t/ge̍h-guā-li̍t [#]

1. (Exp) || 一個多月。

🗣le: (u: Y aix køq goeh'goa'jit ciaq e tngr`laai.) 🗣 (伊愛閣月外日才會轉來。) (他還要一個多月才會回來。)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 gøeqjit 🗣 (u: goeh geh'jit lit gøeh'jit) 月日 [wt][mo] gue̍h-ji̍t/ge̍h-li̍t [#]

1. (Mw) || 一個月的時間。

🗣le: (u: Goar han lie cit goeh'jit ie'lai, ka khiaxm ee cvii heeng'liao.) 🗣 (我限你一月日以內，共欠的錢還了。) (我給你一個月的時間，把欠的錢還完。)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 im'viar/imviar 🗣 (u: ym'viar) 陰影 [wt][mo] im-iánn [#]

1. () (CE) (lit. and fig.) shadow || 陰影
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 kanpoef 🗣 (u: kafn'poef) 乾杯 [wt][mo] kan-pue [#]

1. () (CE) to drink a toast; Cheers! (proposing a toast); Here's to you!; Bottoms up!; lit. dry cup || 乾杯
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 khailorng 🗣 (u: khay'lorng) 開朗 [wt][mo] khai-lóng [#]

1. () (CE) spacious and well-lit; open and clear; (of character) optimistic; cheerful; carefree || 開朗
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 khuimngg 🗣 (u: khuy'mngg) 開門 [wt][mo] khui-mn̂g [#]

1. () (CE) to open a door (lit. and fig.); to open for business || 開門
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 køeajit 🗣 (u: koex kex'jit lit køex'jit) 過日 [wt][mo] kuè-ji̍t/kè-li̍t [#]

1. (V) || 過活、度日、打發時間。

🗣le: (u: Cid'mar kerng'khix bøo hør, khaq phvae koex'jit.) 🗣 (這馬景氣無好，較歹過日。) (現在的景氣不好，日子不怎麼好過。)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 lienchiuo 🗣 (u: lieen'chiuo) 聯手 [wt][mo] liân-tshiú [#]

1. () (CE) lit. to join hands; to act together || 聯手
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 lit 🗣 (u: lit) 暱 [wt][mo] li̍t [#]

tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 of 🗣 (u: of) 烏 [wt][mo] oo [#]

1. (N) black (color) || 顏色名。指黑色。

🗣le: (u: Aang suie, of toa'pan.) 🗣 (紅媠，烏大範。) (紅色美麗，黑色大方。形容紅黑二色給人的不同感受。)

2. (Adj) unclean; not straightforward and upright || 引申作不乾淨的、不光明磊落的。

🗣le: (u: of'sym'kvoaf) 🗣 (烏心肝) (歹毒的心腸)

3. (Adj) (sky) dim; gloomy; dark; poorly lit || 形容天色昏暗或光線不足。

🗣le: (u: of'thvy'axm'te) 🗣 (烏天暗地) (天色昏暗無光)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 pvoax gøeqjit 🗣 (u: pvoax goeh geh'jit lit pvoax gøeh'jit) 半月日 [wt][mo] puànn gue̍h-ji̍t/puànn ge̍h-li̍t [#]

1. (Tw) || 半個月。

🗣le: (u: Goar koad'teng beq zherng pvoax goeh'jit ee kar laai'khix chid'thøo.) 🗣 (我決定欲請半月日的假來去𨑨迌。) (我決定請半個月的假期去玩。)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 søeflea 🗣 (u: sea soea'lea søea'lea) 洗禮 [wt][mo] sé-lé/sué-lé [#]

1. () (CE) baptism (lit. or fig.) || 洗禮
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 sulitpaq 🗣 (u: sw'lid'paq) su-lit-pah [wt][mo] su-lit-pah [#]

1. () slipper (rubber slippers). from Japanese スリッパ (surippa) || 拖鞋。源自日語スリッパ(surippa)。
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 svesii-jidgøeh/svisii-jidgøeh 🗣 (u: svef svy'sii'jit lit'goeh geh svef/svy'sii-jit'gøeh) 生時日月 [wt][mo] senn-sî-ji̍t-gue̍h/sinn-sî-li̍t-ge̍h [#]

1. (N) || 生辰八字。出生時候的年、月、日、時；時常被拿來斷定一個人的命運。

🗣le: (u: Khaq'zar ee laang jin'uii vef'ar beq hø'miaa aix kyn'kix svef'sii'jit'goeh, ciaq hø u hør miaa.) 🗣 (較早的人認為嬰仔欲號名愛根據生時日月，才號有好名。) (人家說剛出生的嬰兒要取名字必須根據生辰八字，才能取到好名字。)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 terng-gøeqjit 🗣 (u: terng goeh geh'jit lit terng-gøeh'jit) 頂月日 [wt][mo] tíng gue̍h-ji̍t/tíng ge̍h-li̍t [#]

1. (Tw) || 上個月。

🗣le: (u: Yn af'kofng terng goeh'jit tuo'ciaq koex'syn`khix.) 🗣 (𪜶阿公頂月日拄才過身去。) (他爺爺上個月才剛過世。)
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 texji-zhwn 🗣 (u: te'ji-zhwn) 第二春 [wt][mo] tē-jī-tshun/tē-lī-tshun [#]

1. () (CE) (lit.) second spring; (fig.) falling in love for the second time; a new lease of life; rebirth || 第二春
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 tuisox 🗣 (u: tuy'sox) 追溯 [wt][mo] tui-sòo [#]

1. () (CE) lit. to go upstream; to trace sth back to; to date from || 追溯
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 zekkngf 🗣 (u: zeg'kngf) 燭光 [wt][mo] tsik-kng [#]

1. () (CE) candle light; candle-lit (vigil etc); candela, unit of luminous intensity (cd) || 燭光
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 zhunhuy 🗣 (u: zhwn'huy) 春暉 [wt][mo] tshun-hui [#]

1. () (CE) lit. spring sunshine; fig. parental (often maternal) love || 春暉
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 zøehjit 🗣 (u: zeq zoeq'jit lit zøeq'jit) 節日 [wt][mo] tseh-ji̍t/tsueh-li̍t [#]

1. (N) || 值得慶祝或紀念的日子。如國慶日、中秋節等。
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

🗣 zøx-svejit/zøex-svijit 🗣 (u: zøx zoex'svef svy'jit lit zøx/zøex-svef/svy'jit) 做生日 [wt][mo] tsò-senn-ji̍t/tsuè-sinn-li̍t [#]

1. (V) || 慶生、過生日。舉行生日的慶祝活動。
tonggi: ; s'tuix:

Asexng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Af'sexng [[...]] 

Mencius (Lit. second to the Sage)

亞聖

aq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: aq [[...]] 

duck, drake

鴨子

• Chitgøeh-pvoax ah'ar mxzay sie. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Chid'goeh'pvoax'aq'ar m'zay sie.; Chid'gøeh-pvoax aq'ar m'zay sie.; (Chid'goeh'pvoax aq'ar m zay sie'oah.) [[...]] 
  unaware of impending calamity (Refers to a duck in the middle of the seventh month, when ducks are usually offered to the spirits of the dead, yet do not know enough to fear death. — Similar to a turkey just before Thanksgiving), used to scold someone who is without fear in spite of impending calamity (Lit. On fifteenth of the seventh lunar month, the duck does not know it is soon be slaughtered to be eaten during the feast.)
  危在旦夕,還不知。

• ah'afzhuix borng løf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: aq'ar'zhuix borng løf [[...]] 
  make an attempt or ask a favor with very small hope of success but may just as well make the attempt (like a duck's bill dabbling about in the air while eating)
  姑妄要求

• ah'ar thviaf luii [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: aq'ar thviaf luii [[...]] 
  hear what someone says but cannot understand (like a duck hearing thunder not knowing what all the noise is about)
  鴨子聽打雷,聽不懂

• ahbør-tøee [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: aq'bør'tee; aq'bør/buo-tøee [[...]] 
  flat footed clumsily gaited person (Lit. sole of a duck's foot), a man whose foot is very broad and flat at the instep instead of having the usual concave)
  平板腳

vaixcviu-vaixløh [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: vai'cviu'vai'løh; vai/iang'cviu-vai/iang'løh [[...]] 

take care of, tend (Lit. carry up and down)

背上背下

axm'e sviliuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: am'e svef'liuu; am'e svy'liuu [[...]] 

having no alternative, to have to, powerless. (Lit. to produce a tumor under the neck)

無可奈何

ab bøextiaau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ab be'tiaau; ab bøe'tiaau [[...]] 

unable to command or exercise control over a group of people because of a lack of prestige or personal ability, (Lit. not enough pressure to hold down a compressed object which is resilient)

壓不住

auxlo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: au'lo [[...]] 

back road, bribe

後路,後門

• Cit'hang taixcix na bøo kviaa auxlo pan bøe seeng. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Cid hang tai'cix na bøo kviaa au'lo pan be seeng.; Cid'hang tai'cix na bøo kviaa au'lo pan bøe seeng. [[...]] 
  There is no way of getting this done unless we offer a bribe. (Lit. walk the back road)
  這件事若不走後門辦不成。

baxnbut cy leeng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ban'but cy leeng [[...]] 

man (Lit. Wisest of all creatures)

萬物之靈

baxn'guu kau sayjiø [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ban'guu kau sae'jiø [[...]] 

put off work, slow to get started (Lit. A sluggish ox leaves a lot of manure and urine.)

懶牛屎尿多

baxnheng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ban'heng [[...]] 

very lucky (Lit. myriad felicities)

萬幸

• Twtiøh chia'hø bøo sie, sidzai cyn baxnheng. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Tuo'tiøh chiaf'hø bøo sie, sit'zai cyn ban'heng. [[...]] 
  If have a auto accident and don't get killed, it is very lucky.
  遇到車禍沒死,實在很萬幸。

Bayteg zhud høfsurn. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Bae'teg zhud hør'surn. [[...]] 

Accomplishments of child can be greater than his parents. (Lit. bad bamboo tree produces good bamboo shoots.)

壞竹出好筍。

baithiøo khofkaxn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: baai'thiøo khor'kaxn [[...]] 

work with full effort while ignoring other people's criticisms (Lit. bury one's head in a book)

埋頭苦幹

bagcidniq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bak'cit'niq; (cit'bak'niq) [[...]] 

twinkling of an eye, a moment, just a little while (Lit. blink of an eye)

一眨眼

baxnlie phengtheeng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ban'lie pheeng'theeng [[...]] 

an expression used to congratulate someone or give him your best wishes, (Lit. very promising, future unlimited)

萬里鵬程

baxnsafn phiern'iar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ban'safn phiexn'iar [[...]] 

found everywhere (Lit. so numerous it covers the mountains and the plains)

漫山遍野

bafng'ar texng gukag [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: barng'ar texng guu'kag [[...]] 

doesn't feel it, only slightly affected, remains unperturbed (Lit. a mosquito to stings a bull's horn)

蚊子螫牛角,不在乎

• Bafng'ar texng laxnphaf, phvae phaq. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Barng'ar texng lan'phaf, phvae phaq. [[...]] 
  be in dilemma, be driven to the wall (Lit. When a mosquito stings you in the scrotum, you have to be very careful how you go about swatting it.)
  蚊子螫陰囊,難打,棘手。

bøexcin [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: be'cin; bøe'cin [[...]] 

in-exhaustible, interminable

不盡

• Hagbun efngkiuo giefnkiux bøexcin. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Hak'bun erng'kiuo giern'kiux be'cin.; Hak'bun erng'kiuo giern'kiux bøe'cin. [[...]] 
  no end of things to be learned (Lit. Education goes on forever, studying never stops.)
  學無止境

• korng-bøexcin [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: korng-be'cin; korng-bøe'cin; (korng-be'liao) [[...]] 
  impossible to said it all
  說不盡,說不完

bøexhiao [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: be'hiao; bøe'hiao [[...]] 

do not know how to (affirmative form is øexhiao)

不會

• Bøexhiao sayzuun hiaam khøef oafn. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Be'hiao sae'zuun hiaam khef oafn.; Bøe'hiao sae'zuun hiaam khøef oafn. [[...]] 
  The person who can't navigate a boat says the river is too winding.
  不會開船嫌溪彎,不怪自己能力差,反而怨天尤人。

• Bøexhiao siuu, khanthoaf laxnphaf toa kiuu. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Be'hiao siuu, khafn'thoaf lan'phaf toa khiuu.; Bøe'hiao siuu, khafn'thoaf lan'phaf toa kiuu. [[...]] 
  blame the hammer when you don't drive the nail straight, blame others or other things for personal skills being insufficient (Lit. Don't know how to swim because scrotum is too big.)
  不怪自己能力差,反而怨天尤人。

• Cid kux ee iesux goar bøexhiao. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Cid kux ee ix'sux goar be'hiao.; Cid kux ee ix'sux goar bøe'hiao. [[...]] 
  I don't know the meaning of this sentence, don't know how to explain it.
  這句的意思我不懂。

• Goar bøexhiao saychiaf. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Goar be'hiao sae'chiaf.; Goar bøe'hiao sae'chiaf. [[...]] 
  I don't know how to drive a car.
  我不會開車。

• Goar bøexhiao korng Enggie. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Goar be'hiao korng Efng'gie.; Goar bøe'hiao korng Efng'gie. [[...]] 
  I cannot (don't know how to) speak English.
  我不會講英語。

• Goar bøexhiao eng ti ciah. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Goar be'hiao eng ti ciah.; Goar bøe'hiao eng ti ciah. [[...]] 
  I cannot (don't know how to) eat with chopsticks.
  我不會用筷子吃飯。

befnghor [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: berng'hor [[...]] 

fierce tiger

猛虎

• Befnghor bøe tuix-tid kaukuun. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Berng'hor be tuix'tid kaau'kuun.; Berng'hor bøe tuix-tid kaau'kuun. [[...]] 
  A tiger cannot beat a crowd of monkeys.
  猛虎難抵猴群。

• befnghor thiafm sit [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: berng'hor thiafm sit [[...]] 
  an evil man becoming still more hurtful (Lit. a fierce tiger sews on wings)
  猛虎添翼

bøfzuo liensym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bør'zuo'lieen'sym; bør/buo'zuo lieen'sym [[...]] 

Lit.- mother and son's heart always join together, i.e. love between mother and child

母子連心

Bøo eeng bøo kafng, køq teq zøx søeakøea. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Bøo eeng bøo kafng, køq teq zøx sex'koea.; Bøo eeng bøo kafng, køq teq zøx søex'køea. [[...]] 

You don't use your time well. (Lit. No time and no work but still you make rice cakes.)

無閒工夫卻又在做小的粿。

bøo guu sae bea [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bøo guu sae bea [[...]] 

use the means at hand, make an adjustment (Lit. If there is no ox, then use a horse.)

無牛用馬耕,事出無奈

• Zwciah`ee na bøextaxng laai, bøo guu sae bea, goar laai zuo. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Cie'ciah'ee na be'taxng laai, bøo guu sae bea, goar laai cie.; Zuo'ciah`ee na bøe'taxng laai, bøo guu sae bea, goar laai zuo. [[...]] 
  If the cook cannot come, then I'll cook.
  廚子如不能來,沒辦法,我來煮。

• In'ui lauxsw bøo laai, bøo guu sae bea, kiøx kor'mngg`ee laai kax Taioaan-oe. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Yn'ui lau'sw bøo laai, bøo guu sae bea, kiøx kox'mngg`ee laai kax Taai'oaan'oe.; Yn'ui lau'sw bøo laai, bøo guu sae bea, kiøx kox'mngg`ee laai kax Taai'oaan-oe. [[...]] 
  Since the teacher didn't come, call the gate keeper to teach Taiwanese.
  因為老師沒來,沒辦法,叫看門的來教台語。

bøo hii, hee ma hør. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bøo hii, hee ma hør. [[...]] 

adopt a makeshift course (Lit. If there are no fish, shrimp will do.)

無魚,蝦也好,將就!將就。

bøiuu bøsiefn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bøo'iuu bøo'siefn [[...]] 

quiet, simple, unexciting and placid life, mild flavored food

清淡,不油膩

• ciah kaq bøiuu bøsiefn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ciah kaq bøo'iuu bøo'siefn [[...]] 
  life is difficult (Lit. eat till food has no taste)
  形容生活很窮苦

bøkud [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bøo'kud [[...]] 

no backbone (Lit. without bones)

無骨

bøkutkhix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bøo'kud'khix [[...]] 

spineless, chicken-livered (Lit. no bones energy)

無骨氣

Bømo'køef, kea toaxkeq. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Bøo'mof'kef, kea toa'keq.; Bøo'mof'køef, kea toa'keq. [[...]] 

putting on "the dog", acting big (Lit. a featherless chicken pretending to look big)

沒錢硬充闊,窮措大。

Bøo su pud jip sampøftien [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Bøo su pud jip safm'pør'tien [[...]] 

I need to see you, I have a favor to ask of you. (Lit. - Don't enter the emperor's office unless you have official business.)

無事不登三寶殿

bøthaau bøbøea [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bøo'thaau bøo'boea; bøo'thaau bøo'bøea [[...]] 

incomplete, incomprehensible, nonsensical, no beginning or end (Lit. no head no tail)

無頭無尾

bøo thaunao [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bøo thaau'nao [[...]] 

stupid (Lit. no brains)

沒有頭腦,愚笨

boahpiaq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: boaq'piaq [[...]] 

plaster a wall

抹壁

• boahpiaq siangbin kngf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: boaq'piaq siafng'bin kngf [[...]] 
  flatter both sides, two faced, as an arbitrator make both sides happy (Lit. polish or brush slick both sides of the wall)
  圓滑

bogbog'siuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bok'bok'siuu [[...]] 

struggle of person in difficulty, vagrant, unemployed (Lit. struggle in the water while drowning)

亂游,在水中掙扎,無固定職業,找不到工作

bok ie seeng ciw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bok ie seeng ciw [[...]] 

the deed is done (Lit. The wood is already made into a boat.)

木已成舟

• Bok ie seeng ciw, tvaf tiøh ho yn nng ee kiet'hwn. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Bok ie seeng ciw, tvaf tiøh ho yn nng ee kied'hwn. [[...]] 
  It's already determined that they will be married.
  既然木已成舟,就該讓他們兩個結婚。

bofng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bofng; bofng/bof; (mof, bof) [[...]] 

touch, feel, feel about, feel for with fingers

摸

• armbongbofng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: axm'bofng'bofng [[...]] 
  very dark
  黑漆漆的

• bofng khvoax u siøf `bøo? [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bofng khvoax u siøf `bøo?; bofng/bof khvoax u siøf `bøo? [[...]] 
  touch it to see if it's hot
  摸摸看是不是熱的 ?有沒有發燒 ?

• gaau bofng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: gaau bofng; gaau bofng/bof [[...]] 
  lagging, always procrastinating
  做事慢吞吞

• haytøea-bongciafm [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: hae'tea bofng'ciafm; hae'tøea-bofng/bof'ciafm [[...]] 
  impossible to find out, like trying to find a needle in a hay stack (Lit. looking for a needle in the ocean)
  海底撈針

bu'hoad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: buu'hoad; (bøo hoad'to) [[...]] 

no help for it, lawless (Lit. no plan)

無法,沒辦法

bu'hofng pud khylong [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: buu'hofng pud khie'long [[...]] 

There must be a cause or reason for something (Lit. If there is no wind there are no waves.)

無風不起浪

buu ioxngbuo cy tøe [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: buu iong'buo cy te; buu iong'buo cy tøe [[...]] 

wasted talent, big fish in a little pond, "Full many a flower is made to blush unseen and waste its sweetness on the desert air." (Lit. no room to use one's martial arts)

無用武之地

bu'tøe-zuxioong [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: buu'te'zu'ioong; buu'tøe-zu'ioong [[...]] 

extremely embarrassed or ashamed (Lit. no place to hide)

無地自容

bunkøef khybuo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: buun'kef khie'buo; buun'køef khie'buo [[...]] 

diligent and full of enthusiasm (Lit. When the rooster crows in the morning he raises to dance.)

聞雞起舞

but kek zeg hoarn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: but kek zeg hoarn; (but kek pid hoarn) [[...]] 

As soon as a thing reaches one extremity, it reverses its course. (Lit. The pendulum swings both ways.)

物極則反,物極必反

za'bofgynnar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zaf'bor'girn'nar [[...]] 

girl

女孩子

• za'bofgynnar zabpeq piexn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zaf'bor'girn'nar zap'peq piexn [[...]] 
  A girl's appearance is constantly changing over the years. (Lit. A girl changes eighteen times.)
  女大十八變

zaai khør thongsiin [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zaai khør thofng'siin [[...]] 

Money is all powerful. (Lit. With money you can talk with the gods.)

財可通神

za'bofkviar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zaf'bor'kviar [[...]] 

daughter

女兒

• Za'bofkviar kax lauxbør tngfzaai. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Zaf'bor'kviar kax lau'bør tngr'zaai.; Zaf'bor'kviar kax lau'bør/buo tngr'zaai. [[...]] 
  No substitute for experience (Lit. Can a daughter teach her mother how to cut the umbilical cord?)
  女兒教母親接生,班門弄斧

zay [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zay [[...]] 

plant, care for plants, transplant, set plant out, young plants for transplanting (also said of some animals)

栽,苗

• zay bøe oah [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zay be oah; zay bøe oah [[...]] 
  It will not live if you plant it.
  栽不活

• zhaebiaau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaix'biaau; (zhaix'zay) [[...]] 
  young plants of vegetables
  菜苗

• ciarzay [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ciax'zay [[...]] 
  young sugar cane plants
  蔗苗

• hizay [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: hii'zay [[...]] 
  fry of fish
  魚苗

• hoezay [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: hoef'zay [[...]] 
  young flower plants from a nursery
  花苗

• soafzay [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: soar'zay; (pvoaa'zay) [[...]] 
  transplant
  移植

• Cit jit soafzay, svajit khiaxngg. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Cit jit soar'zay, svaf'jit khia'ngg. [[...]] 
  It takes time to get settled into a new situation. (Lit. One day you transplant a young plant, it will wither for three days.)
  一日移植,三日葉黃。新環境不易適應。

zaixsvef [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zai'svef [[...]] 

be among the living, be living, be in the world, not dead

在世

• Zaixsvef ciah cit liap tau, khahhør syau haux ti'thaau. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Zai'svef ciah cit liap tau, khaq'hør sie'au haux ty'thaau.; Zai'svef/svy ciah cit liap tau, khaq'hør sie'au haux ty'thaau. [[...]] 
  It's better to take care of parents while they are alive rather than make a show of being filial at their funeral. (Lit. Better to give parents one bean when living rather than to offer them a pig's head after they die.)
  在生吃一粒豆,勝過死後孝豬頭。父母在世時好好孝敬,比在身後才大事祭拜有意義。

• Zaixsvef m haux na'aau, syau ciaq haux kvoazha'thaau. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Zai'svef m haux naa'aau, sie'au ciaq haux kvoaf'zhaa'thaau.; Zai'svef/svy m haux naa'aau, sie'au ciaq haux kvoaf'zhaa'thaau. [[...]] 
  to pay respect to parents after they die after not taking care of them while they were living, unfilial
  父母在生不養,死後才想孝敬。

zaesefng ee huxbiør [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zaix'sefng ee hu'biør [[...]] 

an expression of gratitude for assistance in great difficulties (Lit. You are like my reborn parents.)

再生的父母

zafmzhao tikyn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zarm'zhao tii'kyn [[...]] 

take care of a situation so that it is settled once and for all (Lit. Pull grass out by the roots.)

斬草除根

zafmtng zengsy [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zarm'tng zeeng'sy [[...]] 

put an end to a love affair or relationship (Lit. cut off the threads of love)

斬斷情絲

zanhoaf paixliuo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zaan'hoaf pai'liuo [[...]] 

prostitutes (Lit. faded flowers and withered willows)

殘花敗柳

zabhwn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zap'hwn [[...]] 

full, enough, sufficient, very, complete, exceedingly, ten parts

十分

• zabhwn hør [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zap'hwn hør [[...]] 
  one hundred percent, excellent
  十分好

• zabhwn khiao [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zap'hwn khiao [[...]] 
  very clever (Lit. ten parts clever)
  十分聰明

zawbea khvoarhoef [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zao'bea khvoax'hoef [[...]] 

to give a hurried glance (Lit. look at the flowers while passing on horseback)

走馬看花

• Khix Bykog chitthøo nng lefpaix niaxnia, chinchviu teq zawbea khvoarhoef. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Khix Bie'kog chid'thøo nng lea'paix nia'nia, chyn'chviu teq zao'bea khvoax'hoef. [[...]] 
  You only get only a hurried glance at things if you go to the US for only two weeks.
  去美國只玩兩個禮拜,像走馬看花似的。

zøexguu tah-bøo puxn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ze guu tah bøo puxn; zøe'guu tah-bøo puxn [[...]] 

If there are too many workers nothing gets done. (Lit. Many bulls don't make any dung to step in.)

人多反而成事難

Zøe kviar gøxsie pe, zøe simpu gøxsie ta'kef. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Ze kviar gø'sie pe, ze sym'pu gø'sie taf'kef.; Zøe kviar gø'sie pe, zøe sym'pu gø'sie taf'kef. [[...]] 

too many workers, nothing gets done (Lit. When there are many children the father starves to death, when there are many daughters in law the mother in law starves to death.)

兒子多餓死父親,媳婦多餓死婆婆。

zeksiao sengtøf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zeg'siao seeng'tøf [[...]] 

Saving little by little will ensure abundance. (Lit. Many a pickle (little) makes a mickle (much).

積少成多

zhaa [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaa [[...]] 

firewood, brushwood, wooden

柴

• zhaa, bie, iuu, iaam [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaa, bie, iuu, iaam [[...]] 
  necessities of life (Lit. firewood, rice, oil and salt)
  柴米油鹽

zhar sie laang [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhar sie laang [[...]] 

make someone angry, annoy, bother, disturb, also used as a light swear word with the meaning, "You are driving me nuts." (Lit. You are so disturbing it's killing me.)

吵死人

zha'thaau [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaa'thaau [[...]] 

curse or scolding meaning a stupid ignorant person, also a curse against an idol calling it a useless block of wood because it doesn't answer requests (Lit. a block of wood, or stump, or trunk of wood)

木頭

zhahsit laan pøef [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaq'sit laan poef; zhaq'sit laan pøef [[...]] 

completely surrounded (Lit. Even if you were given wings, you couldn't fly away.)

插翅難飛

zhayhoat [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhae'hoat [[...]] 

bandits break into a house at night and commit rape (Lit. pluck flowers)

採伐

zhayhoef [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhae'hoef [[...]] 

bandits break into a house at night and commit rape (Lit. pluck flowers)

採花

zharngchiw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaxng'chiw [[...]] 

get rude, bumptious (Lit. moustache bristling with rage)

高傲自大,展威風

zhawky [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhao'ky [[...]] 

stalk of grass, a straw

草枝

• zhawky kvee tør laang [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhao'ky kvee tør laang [[...]] 
  great disasters come from small causes (Lit. A man can be fallen with a straw.)
  一枝小草也能使人失足倒地。不要小看事情

zhawmeq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhao'meq [[...]] 

locusts, grasshoppers

蝗蟲,蚱蜢

• zhawmeq lang køekafng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhao'meq lang kef'kafng; zhao'meq lang køef'kafng [[...]] 
  looking for trouble, a weakling fooling around with a tough guy (Lit. a grasshopper bothering a rooster)
  蚱蜢弄雞公,自尋死路。

zhaophuix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaux'phuix; (phuix) [[...]] 

intestinal gas

臭屁,屁

• paxng zhaophuix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: paxng zhaux'phuix; (paxng'phuix) [[...]] 
  break wind, pass gas
  放屁

• Lie teq paxng zhaophuix. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Lie teq paxng zhaux'phuix. [[...]] 
  Sez you! You're full of hot air. (vulgar expression, Lit. You're just breaking wind.)
  你在放屁(吹牛)。

zhaotaf por bøo sek [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaux'taf por bøo sek [[...]] 

add insult to injury (Lit. substitute uncooked food for burnt food offered to someone to eat)

截長補短

zhaothaau-køe'ar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaux'thaau kef'ar; zhaux'thaau-køef'ar [[...]] 

be scolded often (Lit. stinky head chicken)

常常被罵

• Y laang tøf bøo loa bae, mxkuo tviaxtvia teq zøx zhaothaau ke'ar. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Y laang tøf bøo loa bae, m'kuo tvia'tvia teq zøx zhaux'thaau kef'ar. [[...]] 
  He is not all that bad but people always like to scold him.
  他人也不壞,不過常常被罵。

zhef li zuo saxn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhef li zuo saxn [[...]] 

family break up (Lit. wife leaving and children dispersing)

妻離子散

zhvebie cycviaa png a [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhvef'bie cie'cviaa png a; zhvef/chvy'bie cie'cviaa png`aq [[...]] 

fait accompli, What is done cannot be undone (Lit. The rice has been cooked.)

生米煮成飯

Chvikoong-kao ciah-bøo sae. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Zhvef'koong'kao ciah bøo sae.; Chvy'koong-kao ciah-bøo sae. [[...]] 

things done in a hurry cannot be done well, fail in goal by being hasty (Lit. If a dog eats too fast there is nothing to turn to excrement.)

欲速則不達。

chvimii`ee mxkviaf zhexng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhvef'mee`ee m'kviaf zhexng; chvy'mii`ee m'kviaf zhexng [[...]] 

Ignorance is bliss. What you don't know won't hurt you. (Lit. A blind person doesn't fear a gun.)

瞎子不怕槍,初生之犢不畏虎。

Zhveme'køef toktiøh thaang. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Zhvef'mee'kef tog'tiøh thaang.; Zhvef/Chvy'mee'køef tog'tiøh thaang. [[...]] 

lucky guess or shot, win by a fluke, (Lit. A blind chicken pecked a worm.)

瞎眼雞啄到蟲,瞎撞瞎著。

zhefng zhud ii laam [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhefng zhud ii laam; (zhefng zhud ii naa) [[...]] 

to surpass one's master or teacher in learning (Lit. Green comes from blue, but it excels blue.)

青出於藍

zhenghofng benggoat [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhefng'hofng beeng'goat [[...]] 

aloof (Lit. a soothing wind and the bright moon are my sole companions.)

清風明月

zhefngkaux [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zherng'kaux [[...]] 

a polite term used before asking a question (Lit. I beg you to instruct me.)

請教

• Goar bøeq zhefngkaux lie. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Goar boeq zherng'kaux lie.; Goar bøeq zherng'kaux lie. [[...]] 
  May I ask you about…
  我要請教你。

• Zhefngkaux lie cide, hoefchiathaau ti tøh'ui? [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Zherng'kaux lie cit'e, hoea'chiaf'thaau ti tøq'ui? [[...]] 
  Excuse me, where is the railway station?
  請教你,火車站在哪兒 ?

• Na u m zaiviar ee taixcix, goar bøeq laai zhefngkaux lie. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Na u m zay'viar ee tai'cix, goar boeq laai zherng'kaux lie.; Na u m zay'viar ee tai'cix, goar bøeq laai zherng'kaux lie. [[...]] 
  If there is anything which I don't know, I'll come and ask you about it.
  如有不明瞭的事, 我要來請教你。

zherngkw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhexng'kw [[...]] 

seek or be in the limelight, presumptuous, smug, tacky, vain, focus on one's appearance, meddlesome, officious

出風頭,愛臭美

• Sviw zherngkw, u cit jit lie e khix limtiøh kvy. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Sviw zhexng'kw, u cit jit lie e khix lym'tiøh kvy. [[...]] 
  You are too meddlesome, one day someone will teach you a thing or two (Lit. you will drink lye).
  好管閒事,有一天你會得到教訓。

zhengsafn legsuie [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhefng'safn lek'suie; (zhefng'safn liok'suie) [[...]] 

beautiful charming natural scene (Lit. blue mountains and green water)

青山綠水

zhengthienpegjit [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhefng'thiefn'pek'jit [[...]] 

fine day, broad daylight (Lit. blue sky and white sun)

青天白日

zhengthiefn-pegjit-kii [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhefng'thiefn'pek'jit'kii; zhefng'thiefn-pek'jit-kii [[...]] 

Chinese National flag (Lit. flag of blue sky and bright sun)

青天白日旗

zhengthiefn pheklek [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhefng'thiefn pheg'lek [[...]] 

sudden and unexpected (Lit. a bolt from the blue)

青天霹靂

• Cid ee siausid chinchviu zhengthiefn ee pheklek. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Cid ee siaw'sid chyn'chviu zhefng'thiefn ee pheg'lek. [[...]] 
  This news came like a bolt from the blue.
  這個消息猶如青天霹靂。

chi kviar bølun png, chi pexbør ciaux sngrtngx. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chi kviar bøo'lun png, chi pe'bør ciaux sngx'tngx.; chi kviar bøo'lun png, chi pe'bør/buo ciaux sngx'tngx. [[...]] 

an expression used to accuse someone of being unfilial (Lit. Children are fed without discussing the amount of rice, when parents are fed the meals need to be counted.)

養兒不計一切,養父母卻斤斤計較。

chi niawchie ka porte [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chi niao'chie ka pox'te [[...]] 

to have someone you helped turn on you (Lit. Feed a rat and it bites a hole in the sack.)

吃裡扒外

chia'kulaxng'axng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiaf'kw'lang'axng [[...]] 

make a mess of a room, (Lit. to overturn every box and basket - to make a thorough search)

翻東翻西

• M khix goaxbin chitthøo, kannaf toax laixbin teq chia'kulaxng'axng. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: M khix goa'bin chid'thøo, kafn'naf toax lai'bin teq chiaf'kw'lang'axng. [[...]] 
  Why don't you go outside and play, inside you only make a mess of the room.
  不去外面玩,只再裡面翻東翻西。

chviax laang khaux, bøo bagsae. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chviax laang khaux, bøo bak'sae. [[...]] 

If you want something done well, you have to do it yourself. (Lit. Hire people to cry, but they have no tears.)

雇人哭無眼淚,求人不如靠己。

chiahguu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiaq'guu [[...]] 

scalper, someone who cheats a person like by selling difficult to get tickets at a high price (Lit. brown or yellow cow)

黃牛

chienhofng pekkex [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiefn'hofng peg'kex [[...]] 

by hook or by crook, by all means at one's command (Lit. a thousand schemes)

千方百計

chienkym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiefn'kym [[...]] 

courteous expression referring to another's daughter (Lit. a thousand pieces of gold)

千金

chienkwn it'hoad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiefn'kwn id'hoad [[...]] 

imminent peril (Lit. thirty thousand catties hanging by single hair)

千鈞一髮

chiensyn baxnkhor [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiefn'syn ban'khor [[...]] 

suffer or undergo all conceivable hardship to accomplish something

千辛萬苦

• Chiensyn baxnkhor uixtiøh kviar kaq bor, zongsay zongtafng uixtiøh thad zhuiekhafng. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Chiefn'syn ban'khor ui'tiøh kviar kaq bor, zoong'say zoong'tafng ui'tiøh thad zhuix'khafng. [[...]] 
  be in a rut, Life is difficult with no hope of advancement. (Lit. Ten thousand difficulties for the sake of wife and children. Run around all over from east to west just to keep food in the mouth.)
  千辛萬苦為著妻與子,奔東奔西為著渡日子。

• Chiensyn baxnkhor, lorng si uixtiøh cid ee paktor. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Chiefn'syn ban'khor, lorng si ui'tiøh cid ee pag'tor. [[...]] 
  be in a rut, Life is difficult with no hope of advancement. (Lit. Ten thousand hardships, all for the sake of this belly.)
  千辛萬苦,都是為了這個肚子。

chiensviu baxnsviu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiefn'sviu'ban'sviu; chiefn'sviu ban'sviu [[...]] 

run many plans thorough my head over and over again without determining what to do (Lit. million thoughts, think over and over again

千想萬想

chienthuii peklien [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiefn'thuii peg'lien [[...]] 

hammer into shape, form iron utensil, develop human character by persistent knocking into shape, undergo severe training and hammering, write with the utmost care (Lit. with countless changes and corrections)

千錘百鍊

chiang'ar twtiøh khong'ar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiang'ar tuo'tiøh khong'ar [[...]] 

fortuitously, by a happy chance, by coincidence meeting someone unexpectedly (Lit. cripple meets a cripple)

湊巧

chyn kutjiok [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chyn'kud'jiok; chyn kud'jiok [[...]] 

relationship between parents and children (Lit. one's own flesh and blood)

親骨肉

Chid ax, khaq hexng koex peq ax. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Chid ax, khaq hexng koex peq ax. [[...]] 

one person likes something far more than any other (Lit. Number seven likes it more than number eight.)

自己比別人更喜愛。

chitzøx pøeq mxtiøh [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chid'zøx peq m'tiøh; chid'zøx/zøex pøeq m'tiøh [[...]] 

make a mess of things (Lit. Do seven things, eight are wrong.)

七做八錯,屢做屢錯

Chitgøeh-pvoax [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Chid'goeh-pvoax; Chid'gøeh-pvoax; (Tiofng'goaan) [[...]] 

fifteenth of the seventh lunar month, special day for worship of ancestral tablets

七月十五,中元

• chitgøeh-pvoax ah'ar mxzaisie [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chid'goeh-pvoax aq'ar m'zay'sie; chid'gøeh-pvoax aq'ar m'zay'sie [[...]] 
  said of a person acting foolishly or wickedly in spite of impending calamity (Lit. On fifteenth of the seventh lunar month, the duck does not know it is soon be slaughtered to be eaten during the feast.)
  七月半的鴨子不知死,死到臨頭不知憂。

chitkhorng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chid'khorng [[...]] 

the seven apertures in the human head, eyes, ears, nose and mouth

七竅,七孔

• chitkhorng zhud huiq (lau'hoeq) [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chid'khorng zhud huiq (laau'hoeq); chid'khorng zhud huiq (laau'hoeq/huiq) [[...]] 
  bleed from seven apertures
  七孔流血

• chitkhorng zhut'iefn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chid'khorng zhud'iefn [[...]] 
  in a state of great fury, extremely angry (Lit. smoke belches out from the seven apertures on a person's head)
  七竅冒煙

chiuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiuu [[...]] 

pull toward us with a rope, haul in using alternate hands (hand over hand)

拉曳,追溯

• baxnban chiuu zhutlaai. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ban'ban chiuu zhud'laai. [[...]] 
  draw out a something like a secret gradually
  慢慢的盤問出來。

• bafnkoef chiutiin [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: barn'koef chiuu'tiin [[...]] 
  get at the truth step by step, often by round about way (Lit. To get a melon you have to haul in the vine.)
  抽籐摘瓜,抽絲剝繭

chiuo bøo zhurnthiq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiuo bøo zhuxn'thiq [[...]] 

totally unarmed (Lit. Hand does have and an inch of iron.)

手無寸鐵

chiwciog zeeng chym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiuo'ciog zeeng chym [[...]] 

love between brothers is deep, (Lit. Blood is thicker than water.)

手足情深

chiwphang lafng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiuo'phang lafng [[...]] 

one who is not thrifty (Lit. the spaces between the fingers are wide)

手指縫寬(流財)

zhozhaix pøqciuo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhof'zhaix pøh'ciuo [[...]] 

ordinary food and weak wine

粗菜淡酒

• Eng zhozhaix pøqciuo chviar lie, cyn sitlea. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Eng zhof'zhaix pøh'ciuo chviar lie, cyn sid'lea. [[...]] 
  polite words expressed by the host making an excuse for the food not being good enough for the guest (Lit. Please excuse me for giving you bad vegetables to eat and thin wine to drink.)
  用粗菜淡酒請你,真失禮。

zhozhof [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhof'zhof [[...]] 

ordinary, common, roughly, coarsely

粗,粗俗

• Cid hang mih zhozhof af, chviar lie siukhylaai. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Cid hang mih zhof'zhof af, chviar lie siw'khie'laai. [[...]] 
  a polite thing to say when presenting a gift (Lit. This is something very ordinary , please accept it.)
  這東西很粗陋,請你收起來。

zhosiab [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhof'siab [[...]] 

hard to do (Lit. coarse and rough)

艱辛

• Cid hang khangkhoex cyn zhosiab. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Cid hang khafng'khoex cyn zhof'siab. [[...]] 
  This job is very tough.
  這項工作很艱辛。

• Zøx cit niar svaf thaxn svaf zap khof, cyn zhosiab. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Zøx cit niar svaf thaxn svaf zap khof, cyn zhof'siab.; Zøx/Zøex cit niar svaf thaxn svaf zap khof, cyn zhof'siab. [[...]] 
  Making this piece of clothes for thirty dollars was a very tough job.
  做一件衣服賺三十塊,很艱辛。

zhosym [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhof'sym [[...]] 

rash and careless (Lit. cruel or rough heart)

粗心

• zhosym taixix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhof'sym tai'ix [[...]] 
  rash and careless, thoughtless
  粗心大意

zhoaxjiø voa siarmsae [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhoa'jiø voa siaxm'sae [[...]] 

The devil you know is better than the one you don't know. (Lit. the former employee used to wet the bed, this one dirties his pants.)

越換越糟

zhøef [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhoef; zhøef; (zhef) [[...]] 

blow like the wind

吹

• Kin'afjit si symmiq hofng ka lie zhøef laai ee? [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Kyn'ar'jit si sirm'miq hofng ka lie zhoef laai ee?; Kyn'ar'jit si sirm'miq hofng ka lie zhøef laai ee? [[...]] 
  a very unexpected visit from a friend (Lit. What wind blew you here today?)
  今天是什麼風吹你來的 ?

zhøexkhafng zhøexphang [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhoe'khafng zhoe'phang; zhøe'khafng zhøe'phang [[...]] 

look for an opportunity to extort money or to slander or injure others, look for trouble (Lit. Look for opportunity and place.)

找機會,找麻煩

zhongbeeng zuxgo [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhofng'beeng zu'go [[...]] 

too smart (Lit. ruined by one's own cleverness.)

聰明自誤

zhuokoax [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhux'koax [[...]] 

the roof (Lit. house cover)

屋頂

zhuotheh [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhux'theh [[...]] 

residence, house, house and yard, houses in general

住宅,屋園

• zhanhngg zhuotheh [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhaan'hngg zhux'theh [[...]] 
  property (Lit. fields and house)
  田園屋宅

zhuix khoaq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhuix khoaq; (zhuix'taf) [[...]] 

thirst

口渴

• aau taf zhuix khoaq [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: aau taf zhuix khoaq [[...]] 
  very thirsty (Lit. throat dry, mouth thirsty)
  喉乾嘴渴

zhuimoo kiuzhuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhuy'moo kiuu'zhuu [[...]] 

try to find out trifling faults (Lit. blow apart the hair to find out the defect of a fur)

吹毛求疵

cykøef maxkao [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cie'kef ma'kao; cie'køef ma'kao [[...]] 

to scold indirectly or in circumlocutions (Lit. point at the chicken and scold the dog)

指雞罵狗,指桑罵槐

cie lok uii mar [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cie lok uii mar [[...]] 

to confound right and wrong (Lit. call a stag a horse)

指鹿為馬

ciesexng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cix'sexng [[...]] 

Confucius, the great sage (Lit. most holy)

至聖

Ciesexng siensw [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Cix'sexng siefn'sw [[...]] 

Confucius (Lit. greatest sage and teacher)

至聖先師

cytafng kofngsay [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cie'tafng korng'say [[...]] 

irrelevant, mislead with talk, talk nonsense, try to avoid the main theme by talking about something else (Lit. point to east and talk west)

指東話西

cvii [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cvii [[...]] 

money, cash

錢

• uxcvilaang [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: u'cvii'laang [[...]] 
  wealthy man
  有錢人

• U cvii sae kuie ia e ebø. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: U cvii sae kuie ia e ef'bø. [[...]] 
  Money talks. (Lit. If you have money, you can make a devil turn the mill for you.)
  有錢能使鬼推磨。

• cvii siekhaf, laang nng khaf [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cvii six'khaf, laang nng khaf [[...]] 
  Don't run after it, you can't catch it. (Lit. Money has four legs to your two.)
  錢四腳,人只有兩腳,賺錢不易。

cvii bøo nng ee poah bøe taan [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cvii bøo nng ee poah be taan; cvii bøo nng ee poah bøe taan [[...]] 

Both parties share equally the blame for a quarrel. (Lit. A single copper coin cannot produce a jingling sound.)

一個銅板拍不響。

cvigiin/cviguun [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cvii'giin [[...]] 

money

錢

• Cvigiin samputpien. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Cvii'giin safm'pud'pien. [[...]] 
  Some times a person is short of money. (Lit. Money has three inconvenient times, when you haven't received it yet, when you don't have any, and when you have spent it all.)
  錢有時比較緊。

Ciah bøo svajit zhaix, ciu sviuxbøeq cviu sethiefn. [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Ciah bøo svaf'jit zhaix, ciu sviu'boeq cviu sef'thiefn.; Ciah bøo svaf'jit zhaix, ciu sviu'bøeq cviu sef'thiefn. [[...]] 

Rome was not built in a day. (Lit. Having been a vegetarian for only three days, already expects to attain nirvana.)

吃不到三天素,就想上西天。

ciaqpuii, zawsarn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ciah'puii, zao'sarn [[...]] 

What one gains cannot cover the losses. not worth the effort (Lit. intend to eat to get fat, but in running to the eating place, run yourself thin)

得不償失

ciamcieen korhiø [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ciafm'cieen kox'hiø [[...]] 

very cautious (Lit. look forward and backward)

瞻前顧後

ciexn buu hi'hoad [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ciexn buu hy'hoad; (ciexn buu khafng'hoad) [[...]] 

excellent marksmanship (Lit. No arrow is wasted.)

箭無虛發,空發

ciefnzhao tikyn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ciern'zhao tii'kyn [[...]] 

exterminate completely, eradicate branch and root (Lit. cut the grass and remove the root.)

剪草除根

ciexnthaang [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cien'thaang [[...]] 

said in scolding a child (Lit. troublesome insect)

頑皮,淘氣鬼

• Lie cid ee ciexnthaang [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Lie cid ee cien'thaang [[...]] 
  You naughty brat!
  你這個頑皮鬼!

• Lie nar ciaq ciexnthaang? [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: Lie nar ciaq cien'thaang? [[...]] 
  How come you are so naughty?
  你怎麼這麼頑皮 ?

cymthau'hieen [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cirm'thaau'hieen [[...]] 

pillow talk of a female companion, slanders or flatteries (Lit. Chinese fiddle played by one's pillow companion)

枕邊細語

cixnhux tongliuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: cin'hux tofng'liuu [[...]] 

all in vain (Lit. all gone with the eastward stream)

盡付東流

''ilidiam'' [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ''y/ii'lit'iam'' [[...]] 

iridium (Ir)

kvasiuu [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: kvaf/kvaa'siuu [[...]] 

person who is always hungry or doesn't have any manners (Lit. a person locked in jail)

囚犯

benggaa 萌芽 [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: beeng'gaa [[...]] 

(CE) to sprout (lit. or fig.); to bud; to germinate; germ; seed; bud

萌芽

hiorngguu 向隅 [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: hioxng'guu [[...]] 

(CE) lit. to face the corner (idiom); fig. to miss out on sth

向隅

phangpag 捧腹 [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: phaang'pag [[...]] 

(ce) uproarious; hilarious; to split one's sides laughing; lit. to hold one's belly with both hands

捧腹

sengthiefn 升天 [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: sefng/seeng'thiefn [[...]] 

(ce) lit. to ascend to heaven; to die

升天

siaciog 蛇足 [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: siaa'ciog [[...]] 

(ce) lit. legs on a snake; sth superfluous

蛇足

befphid [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: bea'phid [[...]][i#] [p.10]

N/Lit chiah : horse

馬匹

ciaqzhox [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: ciah'zhox [[...]][i#] [p.28]

VO : be jealous (lit "drink vinegar")

吃醋

u: chiaq'kuie [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]][i#] [p.54]

N : a communist, a "Red" (lit, "Red devil")

赤魔

chiørbixnhor [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: chiøx'bin'hor [[...]][i#] [p.56]

N : cunning charmer, deceiver, two-faced person (lit "smiling tiger")

笑面虎

zhortharng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: zhox'tharng [[...]][i#] [p.60]

N ê : jealous woman (lit "vinegar keg")

醋罈(子)

gafnkaix [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: garn'kaix [[...]][i#] [p.68]

N : field of vision (lit or metaph), outlook

視界

gafntiongtefng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: garn'tiofng'tefng [[...]][i#] [p.68]

N ê : person who is "a pain the neck" (lit, a nail in the eye)

眼中釘

u: hoaq'zuie e kiefn'taxng [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]][i#] [p.91]

Sph : having unlimited wealth or power, (lit "he shouts at the water and it freezes")

有權勢

hongtiefn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: hofng'tiefn [[...]][i#] [p.98]

SV : insane, mad (lit & fig)

瘋癲

ynzhoa [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: irn'zhoa [[...]][i#] [p.110]

V : guide, lead (lit. or metaph)

引導

kefngchyn [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: kerng'chyn [[...]][i#] [p.130]

VO : choose a marriage-partner (lit., choose "in-laws")

選親

siongpii [wt] [HTB] [wiki] u: siofng'pii [[...]][i#] [p.236]

VO : disagree with the stomach (lit, pancreas), give one indigestion

傷胃

u: lit lit8 [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]][i#] [p.B0999] [#39892]

上帆e5索 。 <∼ a2索 ； 一條 ∼ 。 >

u: lit'lit 落落 [wt] [HTB] [wiki] [[...]][i#] [p.B0999] [#39893]

( 1 ) 栗子等相khok e5聲 。 ( 2 ) 嘔吐e5款式 。 <( 1 )∼∼ 叫 ； ∼∼ 哮 。 ( 2 )∼∼ 吐 。 >

• dictionary: Lim08 (69522 rows)
• columns: idx, ns, u, M, hj, en, zh, p, fn
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