Usage of the character 之

(after a noun) between; among; amid
(used after certain bisyllabic words to form expressions indicating a short period of time, e.g. 彈指之間／弹指之间 (tánzhǐzhījiān))

Lèzhī

乐之

[樂之]

Ritz (cracker brand)

Gù Kǎizhī

顾恺之

[顧愷之]

Gu Kaizhi or Ku K'aichih (346-407), famous painter of Eastern Jin dynasty, one of the Four Great Painters of the Six Dynasties 六朝四大家

bǎifēnzhī

百分之

[百分之]

percent

Zǔchōngzhī

祖冲之

[祖沖之]

Zu Chongzhi (429-500), astronomer and mathematician

chēngzhīwéi

称之为

[稱之為]

to call it...
known as...

zhīsuǒyǐ

之所以

[之所以]

(after a noun N and before a predicate P) the reason why N P
Example: 我之所以討厭他／我之所以讨厌他 (wǒzhīsuǒyǐtǎoyàntā) "the reason why I dislike him (is ...)"

jiǎnyánzhī

简言之

[簡言之]

in simple terms
to put things simply
briefly

Wèizhīsù

味之素

[味之素]

Ajinomoto, Japanese food and chemical corporation

zhīzìlù

之字路

[之字路]

zigzag road
switchback

Lángzhīwàn

郎之万

[郎之萬]

Langevin (name)

yìyánzhī

易言之

[易言之]

in other words

Wáng Fūzhī

王夫之

[王夫之]

Wang Fuzhi (1619-1692), wide-ranging scholar of the Ming-Qing transition

Zhāngyìzhī

张易之

[張易之]

Zhang Yizhi (-705), Tang dynasty politician and favorite of Empress Wu Zetian 武則天／武则天 ( Wǔ Zétiān)

yóuzhīhū

犹之乎

[猶之乎]

just like (sth)

zhīzìxíng

之字形

[之字形]

Z-shaped; zigzag

Wáng Xīzhī

王羲之

[王羲之]

Wang Xizhi (303-361), famous calligrapher of Eastern Jin, known as the sage of calligraphy 書聖／书圣

huànyánzhī

换言之

[換言之]

in other words

Jízhīdǎo

吉之岛

[吉之島]

JUSCO, Japanese chain of hypermarkets

niánzhījiǔ

年之久

[年之久]

period of ... years

Jiè Zhītuī

介之推

[介之推]

Jie Zhitui (7th century BC), legendary selfless subject of Duke Wen of Jin 晉文公／晋文公 ( Jìn Wéngōng), in whose honor the Qingming festival 清明 ( Qīngmíng) (Pure brightness or tomb-sweeping festival) is said to have been initiated

dàizhīyǐ

代之以

[代之以]

(has been) replaced with
(its) place has been taken by

Yáozhīpǔ

瑶之圃

[瑤之圃]

jade garden of celestial ruler
paradise

Zhāng Zhīdòng

张之洞

[張之洞]

Zhang Zhidong (1837-1909), prominent politician in late Qing

Guān Zhīlín

关之琳

[關之琳]

Rosamund Kwan (1962-), Hong Kong actress

shízhībājiǔ

十之八九

[十之八九]

most likely
mostly (in 8 or 9 cases out of 10)
vast majority

fèifǔzhīyán

肺腑之言

[肺腑之言]

words from the bottom of one's heart

zhìzhībùlǐ

置之不理

[置之不理]

to pay no heed to (idiom)
to ignore
to brush aside

huǐzhīwújí

悔之无及

[悔之無及]

too late for regrets (idiom); It is useless to repent after the event.

zhīhūzhěyě

之乎者也

[之乎者也]

lit. 之 (zhī), 乎 (hū), 者 (zhě) and 也 (yě) (four grammatical particles of Classical Chinese) (idiom); fig. archaic expressions

xiāorǎngzhībié

霄壤之别

[霄壤之別]

huge difference

diǎnjīngzhībǐ

点睛之笔

[點睛之筆]

the brush stroke that dots in the eyes (idiom); fig. to add the vital finishing touch
the crucial point that brings the subject to life
a few words to clinch the point

tāntiānzhīgōng

贪天之功

[貪天之功]

to claim credit for other people's achievements (idiom)

jīngrénzhījǔ

惊人之举

[驚人之舉]

to astonish people (with a miraculous feat)

jǐngdǐzhīwā

井底之蛙

[井底之蛙]

the frog at the bottom of the well (idiom)
fig. a person of limited outlook and experience

qiègǔzhīchóu

切骨之仇

[切骨之仇]

bitter hatred
hatred that cuts to the bone

Yīngxǔzhī Dì

应许之地

[應許之地]

Promised Land

dǒushāozhīcái

斗筲之材

[斗筲之材]

person of limited capacity

bùqíngzhīqǐng

不情之请

[不情之請]

(humble expression) my presumptuous request

yìměizhīcí

溢美之词

[溢美之詞]

flattering words
inflated praise

lòuwǎngzhīyú

漏网之鱼

[漏網之魚]

lit. a fish that escaped the net (idiom)
fig. sb or sth that slips through the net

zhūxīnzhīlùn

诛心之论

[誅心之論]

a devastating criticism
to expose hidden motives

biànzhǐzhīshēng

变徵之声

[變徵之聲]

modified fifth note of the pentatonic scale

fēngzhōngzhīzhú

风中之烛

[風中之燭]

lit. candle in the wind (idiom)
fig. (of sb's life) feeble
hanging on a thread

yīniànzhīchā

一念之差

[一念之差]

momentary slip
false step
ill-considered action

yīn Fùzhī Míng

因父之名

[因父之名]

in the Name of the Father (in Christian worship)

fǎnzhīyìrán

反之亦然

[反之亦然]

vice versa

zhīyùzhī'ēn

知遇之恩

[知遇之恩]

lit. the kindness of recognizing sb's worth and employing him (idiom)
patronage
protection

sānfānzhīluàn

三藩之乱

[三藩之亂]

Three feudatories rebellion against Qing 1673-1681 during the reign of Kangxi

chīzhīyǐbí

嗤之以鼻

[嗤之以鼻]

to snort disdainfully
to scoff at
to turn up one's nose

sìfēnzhīyī

四分之一

[四分之一]

one-quarter

chènrénzhīwēi

趁人之危

[趁人之危]

to take advantage of sb's difficulties (idiom)

zàicǐzhīqián

在此之前

[在此之前]

before that
beforehand
previously

fùzhīxíngdòng

付之行动

[付之行動]

to put into action
to transform into acts

bùliǎoliǎozhī

不了了之

[不了了之]

to settle a matter by leaving it unsettled
to end up with nothing definite

wángmìngzhītú

亡命之徒

[亡命之徒]

runaway (idiom); desperate criminal
fugitive

jǔshǒuzhīláo

举手之劳

[舉手之勞]

lit. the exertion of lifting one's hand (idiom)
fig. a very slight effort

jiànzhīshíshī

见之实施

[見之實施]

to put into effect (idiom)

bùchěngzhītú

不逞之徒

[不逞之徒]

desperado

bùmáozhīdì

不毛之地

[不毛之地]

barren land
desert

Kǒng Mèngzhīdào

孔孟之道

[孔孟之道]

the teaching of Confucius and Mencius

jiǎn'éryánzhī

简而言之

[簡而言之]

in a nutshell
to put it briefly

chúcǐzhīwài

除此之外

[除此之外]

apart from this
in addition to this

nányánzhīyǐn

难言之隐

[難言之隱]

a hidden trouble hard to mention (idiom)
sth too embarrassing to mention
an embarrassing illness

zhìzhībùwèn

置之不问

[置之不問]

to pass by without showing interest (idiom)

fùzhīyījù

付之一炬

[付之一炬]

to put to the torch (idiom)
to commit to the flames
to burn sth down deliberately

yúshuǐzhīhuān

鱼水之欢

[魚水之歡]

the pleasure of close intimacy in a couple (idiom)
sexual intercourse

táozhīyāoyāo

逃之夭夭

[逃之夭夭]

to escape without trace (idiom); to make one's getaway (from the scene of a crime)
to show a clean pair of heels

Qǐguózhīyōu

杞国之忧

[杞國之憂]

man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (idiom); groundless fears

Yīnyuèzhīshēng

音乐之声

[音樂之聲]

The Sound of Music, Broadway musical (1959) and Academy Award-winning movie (1965)

yīxiàozhìzhī

一笑置之

[一笑置之]

to dismiss with a laugh
to make light of

dāngwùzhījí

当务之急

[當務之急]

(idiom) top priority job; matter of vital importance

bùzhèngzhīfēng

不正之风

[不正之風]

unhealthy tendency

zhìzhīdùwài

置之度外

[置之度外]

to give no thought to
to have no regard for
to disregard

wànrénzhīdí

万人之敌

[萬人之敵]

a match for ten thousand enemies

fùzhībǐngdīng

付之丙丁

[付之丙丁]

to burn down (idiom)

Hóu Jǐngzhīluàn

侯景之乱

[侯景之亂]

rebellion against Liang of the Southern Dynasties 南朝梁 in 548

tuōjiāngzhīmǎ

脱缰之马

[脫韁之馬]

lit. a horse that has thrown off the reins (idiom); runaway horse
out of control

Měiguó Zhī Yīn

美国之音

[美國之音]

Voice of America (VOA)

xiānjiànzhīmíng

先见之明

[先見之明]

foresight

màodiézhīnián

耄耋之年

[耄耋之年]

old age (in one's 80s, 90s, or more)

zhōngyōngzhīdào

中庸之道

[中庸之道]

doctrine of the mean
moderation in all things

Bǎijǔzhī Zhàn

柏举之战

[柏舉之戰]

Battle of Baiju (506 BC), in which Wu 吳／吴 ( Wú) scored a crushing victory over Chu 楚 ( Chǔ)

qiānlǐzhīwài

千里之外

[千里之外]

thousand miles distant

xiānwángzhīdào

先王之道

[先王之道]

the way of former kings

fùzhīyītàn

付之一叹

[付之一嘆]

to dismiss with a sigh (idiom); a hopeless case

bùjízhīwù

不急之务

[不急之務]

a matter of no great urgency

tiányúzhī'ān

恬愉之安

[恬愉之安]

comfortably at peace (idiom)

chuángzǐzhīshì

床笫之事

[床笫之事]

bedroom matters
sexual intercourse

jiāngzhuózhīxǐ

江酌之喜

[江酌之喜]

feast at the birth of a child

zǒngjiǎozhīhǎo

总角之好

[總角之好]

childhood friend (idiom)

chízhīyǐhéng

持之以恒

[持之以恆]

to pursue unremittingly (idiom); to persevere

bùshízhīxū

不时之需

[不時之需]

a possible period of want or need

kěqǔzhīchù

可取之处

[可取之處]

positive point
merit
redeeming quality

xīngxingzhīhuǒ

星星之火

[星星之火]

a single spark (idiom); an insignificant cause can have a massive effect

zhúmǎzhījiāo

竹马之交

[竹馬之交]

childhood friend (idiom)

tuī'érguǎngzhī

推而广之

[推而廣之]

to apply sth more broadly
by logical extension
and, by extension,

dàoxuánzhījí

倒悬之急

[倒懸之急]

lit. the crisis of being hanged upside down (idiom); fig. extremely critical situation
dire straits

zhīzhīshènwēi

知之甚微

[知之甚微]

to know very little about

fànfànzhījiāo

泛泛之交

[泛泛之交]

nodding acquaintance
slight familiarity

tánzhǐzhījiān

弹指之间

[彈指之間]

(idiom) in a flash; instantly

Sīchóuzhī Lù

丝绸之路

[絲綢之路]

the Silk Road

qiáoqiānzhīxǐ

乔迁之喜

[喬遷之喜]

congratulations on house-moving or promotion (idiom); Best wishes for your new home!

shǒuzúzhīqíng

手足之情

[手足之情]

brotherly affection

bìjīngzhīlù

必经之路

[必經之路]

(idiom) the road one must follow; the only way

Fēizhōu Zhījiǎo

非洲之角

[非洲之角]

Horn of Africa

wènzuìzhīshī

问罪之师

[問罪之師]

punitive force
a person setting out to deliver severe reproach

àizhīrúmìng

爱之如命

[愛之如命]

to love sb (or sth) as one loves life itself

yīxiànzhījiān

一线之间

[一線之間]

a hair's breadth apart
a fine line
a fine distinction

yīqìzhīxià

一气之下

[一氣之下]

in a fit of pique
in a fury

qièfūzhītòng

切肤之痛

[切膚之痛]

keenly felt pain
bitter anguish

mònìzhījiāo

莫逆之交

[莫逆之交]

intimate friendship
bosom buddies

shùzhīgāogé

束之高阁

[束之高閣]

tied up in a bundle on a high shelf
to put sth on the back burner
no longer a high priority

Qí Xīzhījiàn

祁奚之荐

[祁奚之薦]

Qi Xi's recommendation (idiom); recommending the best person for the job independent of factional loyalty

děngxiánzhībèi

等闲之辈

[等閒之輩]

(in the negative) (not) to be trifled with

Bàwángzhīdào

霸王之道

[霸王之道]

the Way of the Hegemon
despotic rule
abbr. to 霸道

suǒdàozhīchù

所到之处

[所到之處]

wherever one goes

yánzhīwúwù

言之无物

[言之無物]

(of a writing etc) to have no substance (idiom)
to carry no weight

ménhùzhījiàn

门户之见

[門戶之見]

sectarian bias
parochialism

diǎntóuzhījiāo

点头之交

[點頭之交]

nodding acquaintance

hòugùzhīyōu

后顾之忧

[後顧之憂]

fears of trouble in the rear (idiom); family worries (obstructing freedom of action)
worries about the future consequences
often in negative expressions, meaning "no worries about anything"

bìsǐzhīzhèng

必死之症

[必死之症]

terminal illness
incurable condition (also fig.)

hézhézhīfù

涸辙之鲋

[涸轍之鮒]

lit. a fish in a dried-out rut (idiom)
fig. a person in dire straits

wújiàzhībǎo

无价之宝

[無價之寶]

priceless treasure

quǎnmǎzhīláo

犬马之劳

[犬馬之勞]

lit. the service of a dog or a horse (idiom)
fig. faithful service

bìyóuzhīlù

必由之路

[必由之路]

see 必經之路／必经之路 (bìjīngzhīlù)

kuādàzhīcí

夸大之词

[誇大之詞]

hyperbole
exaggeration

jìnshēnzhījiē

进身之阶

[進身之階]

stepping-stone to greater power or higher rank

fùrénzhīrén

妇人之仁

[婦人之仁]

excessive tendency to clemency (idiom)
soft-hearted (pejorative)

fǔyǎngzhījiān

俯仰之间

[俯仰之間]

in a flash

Wán'ǒuzhījiā

玩偶之家

[玩偶之家]

Doll's House (1879), drama by Ibsen 易卜生

dāngzhīwúkuì

当之无愧

[當之無愧]

fully deserving, without any reservations (idiom); entirely worthy (of a title, honor etc)

zhōngtiānzhīhèn

终天之恨

[終天之恨]

eternal regret

yúrénzhīlì

渔人之利

[漁人之利]

the benefit reaped by a third party when two sides are locked in a dispute

xiānwángzhīyuè

先王之乐

[先王之樂]

the music of former kings

hàiqúnzhīmǎ

害群之马

[害群之馬]

lit. a horse that brings trouble to its herd (idiom)
fig. troublemaker
black sheep
rotten apple

shuāizhīyǐshǔ

衰之以属

[衰之以屬]

to treat a debility according to its nature

yīmiànzhījiāo

一面之交

[一面之交]

to have met once
casual acquaintance

qīniánzhīyǎng

七年之痒

[七年之癢]

seven-year itch

tàiránchǔzhī

泰然处之

[泰然處之]

to handle the situation calmly (idiom)
unruffled
to treat the situation lightly

duànxiùzhīpǐ

断袖之癖

[斷袖之癖]

lit. cut sleeve (idiom); fig. euphemism for homosexuality, originating from History of Western Han 漢書／汉书: emperor Han Aidi (real name Liu Xin) was in bed with his lover Dong Xian, and had to attend a court audience that morning. Not wishing to awaken Dong Xian, who was sleeping with his head resting on the emperor's long robe sleeve, Aidi used a knife to cut off the lower half of his sleeve.

tīngzhīrènzhī

听之任之

[聽之任之]

to take a laissez-faire attitude

zǒng'éryánzhī

总而言之

[總而言之]

in short
in a word
in brief

rénzhīchángqíng

人之常情

[人之常情]

human nature (idiom)
a behavior that is only natural

sàngjiāzhīgǒu

丧家之狗

[喪家之狗]

see 喪家之犬／丧家之犬 (sàngjiāzhīquǎn)

zhúmǎzhīyǒu

竹马之友

[竹馬之友]

see 竹馬之交／竹马之交 (zhúmǎzhījiāo)

liùfēnzhīyī

六分之一

[六分之一]

one sixth

yǎngshēngzhīdào

养生之道

[養生之道]

the way of maintaining good health

zhìzhīnǎohòu

置之脑后

[置之腦後]

to banish from one's thoughts
to ignore
to take no notice

míliúzhījì

弥留之际

[彌留之際]

on one's deathbed
at the point of death

huǎnbīngzhījì

缓兵之计

[緩兵之計]

delaying tactics; stalling; measures to stave off an attack; stratagem to win a respite

xuèqìzhīyǒng

血气之勇

[血氣之勇]

(idiom) the courage born of stirred emotions

qiángnǔzhīmò

强弩之末

[強弩之末]

lit. an arrow at the end of its flight (idiom)
fig. spent force

wǔfēnzhīyī

五分之一

[五分之一]

one fifth

èrfēnzhīyī

二分之一

[二分之一]

one half

láoyùzhīzāi

牢狱之灾

[牢獄之災]

imprisonment

yīkǒngzhījiàn

一孔之见

[一孔之見]

partial view; limited outlook

bùxiángzhīzhào

不祥之兆

[不祥之兆]

bad omen

quányízhījì

权宜之计

[權宜之計]

plan of convenience (idiom); stop-gap measure
makeshift stratagem
interim step

hǎozìwéizhī

好自为之

[好自為之]

to do one's best; to shape up; to fend for oneself
you're on your own

yīxiànzhīgé

一线之隔

[一線之隔]

a fine line
a fine distinction

huànnànzhījiāo

患难之交

[患難之交]

a friend in times of tribulations (idiom); a friend in need is a friend indeed

bāfēnzhīyī

八分之一

[八分之一]

one eighth

jíduānzhī'è

极端之恶

[極端之惡]

(philosophy) radical evil

shìdúzhī'ài

舐犊之爱

[舐犢之愛]

the love of a cow licking her calf (idiom)
parental love

fǎwàizhīdì

法外之地

[法外之地]

lawless area

wàn'èzhīyuán

万恶之源

[萬惡之源]

the root of all evil

jíxìngzhīzuò

即兴之作

[即興之作]

improvisation

dāngshìzhīguàn

当世之冠

[當世之冠]

the foremost person of his age
unequalled
a leading light

jīnlánzhījiāo

金兰之交

[金蘭之交]

intimate friendship (idiom)

lǐyízhībāng

礼仪之邦

[禮儀之邦]

a land of ceremony and propriety

kuàxiàzhīrǔ

胯下之辱

[胯下之辱]

lit. the humiliation of having to crawl between the legs of one's adversary (as Han Xin 韓信／韩信 ( Hán Xìn) supposedly did rather than engage in a sword fight) (idiom)
fig. utter humiliation

Qǐtiānzhīlü

杞天之虑

[杞天之慮]

man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (idiom); groundless fears

chuīhuīzhīlì

吹灰之力

[吹灰之力]

a slight effort

Guāndùzhī Zhàn

官渡之战

[官渡之戰]

Battle of Guandu of 199 that established Cao Cao's 曹操 ( Cáo Cāo) domination over north China, at Guandu (near modern 許昌／许昌 ( Xǔchāng) in north Henan)

dǒushāozhīqì

斗筲之器

[斗筲之器]

person narrow-minded and shortsighted

yuánzhùzhīshǒu

援助之手

[援助之手]

a helping hand

shōushānzhīzuò

收山之作

[收山之作]

the final work in the career of a composer, film director or architect etc

yīzìzhīshī

一字之师

[一字之師]

one who can correct a misread or misspelt character and thus be your master

huǐzhīyǐwǎn

悔之已晚

[悔之已晚]

too late to be sorry

ānzhīruòsù

安之若素

[安之若素]

bear hardship with equanimity
regard wrongdoing with equanimity

Yīngrénzhīluàn

应仁之乱

[應仁之亂]

Ōnin war 1467-1477 between factions of Ashikaga shogunate

nǐgǔzhīzuò

拟古之作

[擬古之作]

a work in a classic style
a pastiche

shùnxīzhījiān

瞬息之间

[瞬息之間]

in the wink of an eye
in a flash

yánwàizhīyì

言外之意

[言外之意]

unspoken implication (idiom)
the actual meaning of what was said

érlìzhīnián

而立之年

[而立之年]

the age of 30

shāshēnzhīhuò

杀身之祸

[殺身之禍]

(idiom) getting killed

Chángpíngzhī Zhàn

长平之战

[長平之戰]

Battle of Changping of 260 BC, at which the Qin army 秦軍／秦军 ( Qínjūn) encircled and annihilated a Zhao army of 400,000

yánxiàzhīyì

言下之意

[言下之意]

implication

xiánwàizhīyì

弦外之意

[弦外之意]

see 弦外之音 (xiánwàizhīyīn)

yīyèzhījiān

一夜之间

[一夜之間]

(lit. and fig.) overnight

fùzhīdōngliú

付之东流

[付之東流]

to commit to the waters (idiom); to lose sth irrevocably

wéixīnzhīyán

违心之言

[違心之言]

false assertion
speech against one's own convictions

Bāyuèzhī Guāng

八月之光

[八月之光]

Light in August (novel by William Faulkner 威廉·福克納／威廉·福克纳 ( Wēilián· Fúkènà))

qūzhīruòwù

趋之若鹜

[趨之若鶩]

to rush like ducks (idiom); the mob scrabbles madly for sth unobtainable
an unruly crowd on a wild goose chase

quányízhīcè

权宜之策

[權宜之策]

stratagem of convenience (idiom); stop-gap measure
makeshift plan
interim step

shìfēizhīdì

是非之地

[是非之地]

trouble spot
sketchy area

yīxízhīdì

一席之地

[一席之地]

(acknowledged) place
a role to play
niche

qǐzǐzhīlín

杞梓之林

[杞梓之林]

(idiom) a multitude of talented people

jiǔfēnzhīyī

九分之一

[九分之一]

one ninth

yàntiánzhīshí

砚田之食

[硯田之食]

to make a living by writing (idiom)

sānfēnzhīyī

三分之一

[三分之一]

one third

ǒuyīwéizhī

偶一为之

[偶一為之]

to do sth once in a while (idiom)
to do sth more as an exception than the rule

yīxiàoliǎozhī

一笑了之

[一笑了之]

to laugh away (instead of taking seriously)

wújīzhītán

无稽之谈

[無稽之談]

complete nonsense (idiom)

zhòngshǐzhīdì

众矢之的

[眾矢之的]

lit. target of a multitude of arrows (idiom); the butt of public criticism
attacked on all sides

chǔzhītàirán

处之泰然

[處之泰然]

see 泰然處之／泰然处之 (tàiránchǔzhī)

kèyìwéizhī

刻意为之

[刻意為之]

to make a conscious effort
to do something deliberately

píngyōngzhībèi

平庸之辈

[平庸之輩]

a nobody
a nonentity

Huángjīnzhī Luàn

黄巾之乱

[黃巾之亂]

the Yellow Turbans Peasant Uprising at the end of later Han (from 184)

qǔ'érdàizhī

取而代之

[取而代之]

(idiom) to replace; to supersede; to take its (or her etc) place

liànzhīwèidìng

炼之未定

[煉之未定]

to spend a long time thinking about sth while unable to reach a decision

yìliàozhīwài

意料之外

[意料之外]

(idiom) contrary to expectation; unexpected

fùzhīyītàn

付之一叹

[付之一歎]

to dismiss with a sigh (idiom); a hopeless case

shǒushànzhīqū

首善之区

[首善之區]

the finest place in the nation (often used in reference to the capital city)
also written 首善之地 (shǒushànzhīdì)

qiāngbózhīzhù

将伯之助

[將伯之助]

assistance that one gets from another

qiúzhībùdé

求之不得

[求之不得]

lit. seek but fail to get (idiom); fig. exactly what one’s been looking for

bùbáizhīyuān

不白之冤

[不白之冤]

unrighted wrong
unredressed injustice

gài'éryánzhī

概而言之

[概而言之]

same as 總而言之／总而言之 (zǒng'éryánzhī)

bùsùzhīkè

不速之客

[不速之客]

uninvited or unexpected guest

dāngzhīyǒukuì

当之有愧

[當之有愧]

to feel undeserving of the praise or the honor

zhòngzhōngzhīzhòng

重中之重

[重中之重]

of the utmost importance
of highest priority

jírénzhīnàn

急人之难

[急人之難]

anxious to help others resolve difficulties (idiom)

bùyìzhīlùn

不易之论

[不易之論]

perfectly sound proposition
unalterable truth
irrefutable argument

dīsúzhīfēng

低俗之风

[低俗之風]

vulgar style (used of items to be censored)

chípíngzhīlùn

持平之论

[持平之論]

fair argument
unbiased view

yīmiànzhīcí

一面之词

[一面之詞]

one side of the story
one-sided statement

jìngnánzhīyì

靖难之役

[靖難之役]

war of 1402 between successors of the first Ming Emperor

bùkānzhīlùn

不刊之论

[不刊之論]

indisputable statement
unalterable truth

liǎngguózhījiān

两国之间

[兩國之間]

bilateral
between two countries

suízhī'érhòu

随之而后

[隨之而後]

from that
following from that
after that

zhàdànzhīfù

炸弹之父

[炸彈之父]

Aviation Thermobaric Bomb of Increased Power (ATBIP), or Father of All Bombs, a powerful Russian bomb

chīnǎizhīlì

吃奶之力

[吃奶之力]

all one's strength

tāotièzhītú

饕餮之徒

[饕餮之徒]

glutton
gourmand
by extension, person who is greedy for power, money, sex etc

xiāngbǐzhīxià

相比之下

[相比之下]

by comparison

gūwàngyánzhī

姑妄言之

[姑妄言之]

to just talk for the sake of talking

fēifènzhīniàn

非分之念

[非分之念]

improper idea

bùzhīsuǒzhī

不知所之

[不知所之]

whereabouts unknown

pòzhúzhīshì

破竹之势

[破竹之勢]

lit. a force to smash bamboo (idiom); fig. irresistible force

Chìbìzhī Zhàn

赤壁之战

[赤壁之戰]

Battle of Redcliff of 208 at Chibi in Huangzhou district 黃州區／黄州区 ( Huángzhōuqū) of Huanggang city 黃岡／黄冈 ( Huánggāng), a decisive defeat of Cao Cao 曹操 ( Cáo Cāo) at the hands of southern kingdom of Wu
famous episode in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms 三國演義／三国演义 ( Sānguó Yǎnyì)

dàoxuánzhīwēi

倒悬之危

[倒懸之危]

lit. the crisis of being hanged upside down (idiom); fig. extremely critical situation
dire straits

jīnggōngzhīniǎo

惊弓之鸟

[驚弓之鳥]

lit. a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow (idiom)
fig. sb who frightens easily, due to past experiences

shīzhījiāobì

失之交臂

[失之交臂]

to miss narrowly
to let a great opportunity slip

shífēnzhīyī

十分之一

[十分之一]

one tenth

yǒushēngzhīnián

有生之年

[有生之年]

(idiom) during one's lifetime; while one is on this earth; in one's remaining years

yīzhīwéishèn

一之为甚

[一之為甚]

once is more than enough (idiom)

yìzhīsuǒzài

义之所在

[義之所在]

justice is to be found everywhere (idiom)

míngmíngzhīzhōng

冥冥之中

[冥冥之中]

in the unseen world of spirits
mysteriously and inexorably

Léishénzhī Chuí

雷神之锤

[雷神之錘]

Quake (video game series)

Huáng Cháozhīluàn

黄巢之乱

[黃巢之亂]

late Tang peasant uprising 875-884 led by Huang Chao

dànwánzhīdì

弹丸之地

[彈丸之地]

(idiom) tiny speck of land; small area

hànshǒuzhījiāo

颔首之交

[頷首之交]

nodding acquaintance

xuèguāngzhīzāi

血光之灾

[血光之災]

mortal danger; fatal disaster

yījìzhīcháng

一技之长

[一技之長]

proficiency in a particular field (idiom)
skill in a specialized area (idiom)

gōngzhīyúshì

公之于世

[公之於世]

(idiom) to announce to the world; to make public; to let everyone know

juān'āizhīlì

涓埃之力

[涓埃之力]

negligible force (idiom); tiny force

tiānlúnzhīlè

天伦之乐

[天倫之樂]

family love and joy
domestic bliss

bùzhìzhīzhèng

不治之症

[不治之症]

incurable disease

Zìránzhī Yǒu

自然之友

[自然之友]

Friends of Nature (Chinese environmental NGO)

děng'érxiàzhī

等而下之

[等而下之]

going from there to lower grades (idiom)

chéngrénzhīwēi

乘人之危

[乘人之危]

to take advantage of sb's precarious position

shānggōngzhīniǎo

伤弓之鸟

[傷弓之鳥]

see 驚弓之鳥／惊弓之鸟 (jīnggōngzhīniǎo)

hūzhīyùchū

呼之欲出

[呼之欲出]

lit. ready to appear at the call (idiom)
fig. on the verge of coming out into the open
(of a person's choice etc) on the point of being disclosed
(of an artistic depiction) vividly portrayed

kǒufùzhīyù

口腹之欲

[口腹之慾]

desire for good food

xuánzhīyòuxuán

玄之又玄

[玄之又玄]

mystery within a mystery
the mysteries of the Dao according to Laozi 老子 ( Lǎozǐ)

xiánwàizhīyīn

弦外之音

[弦外之音]

overtone (music)
(fig.) connotation
implied meaning

huílùzhīzāi

回禄之灾

[回祿之災]

to have one's house burned down
fire disaster

hūzhījílái

呼之即来

[呼之即來]

to come when called (idiom); ready and compliant
always at sb's beck and call

xiánwàizhīxiǎng

弦外之响

[弦外之響]

see 弦外之音 (xiánwàizhīyīn)

bǎifēnzhībǎi

百分之百

[百分之百]

a hundred percent
out and out
absolutely

yījiànzhīchóu

一箭之仇

[一箭之仇]

a wrong suffered (idiom)
old grievance
previous defeat

guózhōngzhīguó

国中之国

[國中之國]

state within a state

gōngzhīyúzhòng

公之于众

[公之於眾]

to make known to the masses (idiom); to publicize widely
to let the world know

píngyōngzhī'è

平庸之恶

[平庸之惡]

(philosophy) banal evil

yánzhīyǒuwù

言之有物

[言之有物]

(of one's words) to have substance

bùxìngzhīxìng

不幸之幸

[不幸之幸]

a fortune in misfortune
a positive in the negative

bābàizhījiāo

八拜之交

[八拜之交]

sworn brotherhood
intimate friendship

hòuchēzhījiàn

后车之鉴

[後車之鑒]

lit. warning to the following cart (idiom); don't follow the track of an overturned cart
fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor
learn from past mistake
once bitten twice shy

mòránzhìzhī

漠然置之

[漠然置之]

to set to one side and ignore (idiom); quite indifferent
cold and uncaring

xíngmíngzhīxué

刑名之学

[刑名之學]

xing-ming, a school of thought of the Warring States period associated with Shen Buhai 申不害 ( Shēn Bùhài)

chǔshìzhīdào

处世之道

[處世之道]

way of life
attitude
modus operandi

hènzhīrùgǔ

恨之入骨

[恨之入骨]

to hate sb to the bone (idiom)

duōshìzhīqiū

多事之秋

[多事之秋]

troubled times
eventful period

qíngjízhīxià

情急之下

[情急之下]

in a moment of desperation

tiānrǎngzhībié

天壤之别

[天壤之別]

lit. as different as sky and earth (idiom)
fig. night and day difference
opposite extremes
a world of difference
a far cry from

dǐngzúzhīshì

鼎足之势

[鼎足之勢]

competition between three rivals
tripartite confrontation

gǔgěngzhīchén

骨鲠之臣

[骨鯁之臣]

lit. fish bone of a minister (idiom); fig. person one can rely on for candid criticism

hòuqǐzhīxiù

后起之秀

[後起之秀]

an up-and-coming youngster; new talent; a brilliant younger generation

jùzhīménwài

拒之门外

[拒之門外]

to lock one's door and refuse to see sb

yīqiūzhīhé

一丘之貉

[一丘之貉]

jackals of the same tribe (idiom); fig. They are all just as bad as each other.

kěchéngzhījī

可乘之机

[可乘之機]

an opportunity that someone (usually a villain or adversary) can exploit

chuángzǐzhīsī

床笫之私

[床笫之私]

intimate matters

xiānwángzhīzhèng

先王之政

[先王之政]

the rule of former kings

fēnháozhīchā

分毫之差

[分毫之差]

hairsbreadth difference

nì'ěrzhīyán

逆耳之言

[逆耳之言]

speech that grates on the ear (idiom); bitter truths
home truths (that one does not want to hear)

zàitiānzhīlíng

在天之灵

[在天之靈]

soul and spirit of the deceased

yìliàozhīzhōng

意料之中

[意料之中]

to come as no surprise
as expected

lüèshízhīwú

略识之无

[略識之無]

semiliterate
only knows words of one syllable
lit. to know only 之 (zhī) and 無／无 (wú)

juànjuànzhīxīn

眷眷之心

[眷眷之心]

nostalgia
home-sickness
longing for departed beloved

rúhuángzhīshé

如簧之舌

[如簧之舌]

lit. a tongue like a reed (idiom)
fig. a glib tongue

shàngshàngzhīcè

上上之策

[上上之策]

the best policy
the best thing one can do in the circumstances

An Shǐzhī Luàn

安史之乱

[安史之亂]

An-Shi Rebellion (755-763) of 安祿山／安禄山 ( An Lùshān) and 史思明 ( Shǐ Sīmíng), a catastrophic setback for Tang dynasty

sīzhīxīntòng

思之心痛

[思之心痛]

a thought that causes heartache (idiom)

wúyòngzhīshù

无用之树

[無用之樹]

useless person (originally from Zhuangzi's "A Happy Excursion" 逍遙遊／逍遥游)

wèngzhōngzhībiē

瓮中之鳖

[甕中之鱉]

lit. like a turtle in a jar
to be trapped (idiom)

yīzhīwèishèn

一之谓甚

[一之謂甚]

see 一之為甚／一之为甚 (yīzhīwéishèn)

ránméizhījí

燃眉之急

[燃眉之急]

lit. the fire burns one's eyebrows (idiom); fig. desperate situation
extreme emergency

sàngjiāzhīquǎn

丧家之犬

[喪家之犬]

stray dog (idiom)

jiǔsèzhītú

酒色之徒

[酒色之徒]

follower of wine and women
dissolute person

yúnnízhībié

云泥之别

[雲泥之別]

(fig.) a world of difference

xíngzhīyǒuxiào

行之有效

[行之有效]

to be effective (idiom)

yǒushízhīshì

有识之士

[有識之士]

a person with knowledge and experience (idiom)

xīnfùzhīhuàn

心腹之患

[心腹之患]

lit. calamity within one's bosom (idiom); major trouble hidden within

zàizhèzhīqián

在这之前

[在這之前]

before then
up until that point

dà'érhuàzhī

大而化之

[大而化之]

careless
sloppy

shéngzhīyǐfǎ

绳之以法

[繩之以法]

to punish according to the law
to bring to justice

tiānzuòzhīhé

天作之合

[天作之合]

a match made in heaven (idiom)

tiānyuānzhībié

天渊之别

[天淵之別]

a complete contrast
totally different

yǒufùzhīfū

有妇之夫

[有婦之夫]

married man

wèijìngzhīzhì

未竟之志

[未竟之志]

unfulfilled ambition

wánbìzhīshēn

完璧之身

[完璧之身]

undefiled (girl)
virgin
(of computer system) clean
uncorrupted

chuímùzhīnián

垂暮之年

[垂暮之年]

old age

wūgǔzhīhuò

巫蛊之祸

[巫蠱之禍]

91 BC attempted coup d'etat against Emperor Wu of Han 漢武帝／汉武帝, beginning with accusations of witchcraft

mǐmǐzhīyīn

靡靡之音

[靡靡之音]

decadent music

hòujiànzhīmíng

后见之明

[後見之明]

hindsight

bózhòngzhījiān

伯仲之间

[伯仲之間]

almost on a par

lèchāngzhījìng

乐昌之镜

[樂昌之鏡]

happy wife-husband reunion

yīzǒuliǎozhī

一走了之

[一走了之]

to avoid a problem by walking away from it
to quit

bùjīngzhītán

不经之谈

[不經之談]

absurd statement
cock-and-bull story

fùzhīdùwài

付之度外

[付之度外]

to think nothing of doing sth (idiom)
to do sth without considering the risks
to leave out of consideration

yǐnyùzhīzhuān

引玉之砖

[引玉之磚]

lit. a brick thrown to prompt others to produce a jade (idiom)
fig. a modest suggestion intended to prompt others to come forward with better ideas

qiānshèngzhīguó

千乘之国

[千乘之國]

(archaic) a state with a thousand chariots (to fight a war) – a powerful state

fǔyuèzhīzhū

斧钺之诛

[斧鉞之誅]

to die by battle-ax (idiom); to be executed

Qírénzhīfú

齐人之福

[齊人之福]

lit. the happy fate of the man from Qi (who had a wife and a concubine) (idiom)
fig. (ironically) the joy of having several partners
the life of a pasha

jiāobìshīzhī

交臂失之

[交臂失之]

to miss sb by a narrow chance
to miss an opportunity

cāozhīguòjí

操之过急

[操之過急]

to act with undue haste (idiom); eager and impatient
overhasty

jǐngwāzhījiàn

井蛙之见

[井蛙之見]

the view of a frog in a well (idiom); fig. a narrow view

zàicǐzhīhòu

在此之后

[在此之後]

after this
afterwards
next

shàoniánzhījiā

少年之家

[少年之家]

children's center
children's club

huàn'éryánzhī

换而言之

[換而言之]

in other words

Qǐrénzhīyōu

杞人之忧

[杞人之憂]

man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (idiom); groundless fears

jiǔ'érjiǔzhī

久而久之

[久而久之]

over time
as time passes
in the fullness of time

qiánchēzhījiàn

前车之鉴

[前車之鑒]

to learn a lesson from the mistakes of one's predecessor (idiom)

zǒngjiǎozhījiāo

总角之交

[總角之交]

childhood friend (idiom)

tiānfǔzhīguó

天府之国

[天府之國]

land of plenty (usu. used in reference to Sichuan)

Dàdìzhī Gē

大地之歌

[大地之歌]

Das Lied von der Erde (Song of the Earth)

shǎozhīyòushǎo

少之又少

[少之又少]

very few; very little

chìzǐzhīxīn

赤子之心

[赤子之心]

pure and innocent like the heart of a newborn
sincere

bùxìngzhīshì

不幸之事

[不幸之事]

mishap

píròuzhīkǔ

皮肉之苦

[皮肉之苦]

physical pain
lit. skin and flesh suffer

bùbàizhīdì

不败之地

[不敗之地]

(idiom) invincible position

huīzhībùqù

挥之不去

[揮之不去]

impossible to get rid of

yījiāzhīzhǔ

一家之主

[一家之主]

master of the house; head of the family

dàoxuánzhīkǔ

倒悬之苦

[倒懸之苦]

lit. the pain of being hanged upside down (idiom); fig. extremely critical situation
dire straits

cèdázhīxīn

恻怛之心

[惻怛之心]

see 惻隱之心／恻隐之心 (cèyǐnzhīxīn)

yǒufūzhīfù

有夫之妇

[有夫之婦]

married woman

shìxízhīzhēng

世袭之争

[世襲之爭]

succession struggle
dispute over inheritance

quèzhībùgōng

却之不恭

[卻之不恭]

to refuse would be impolite

bùyìzhīcái

不义之财

[不義之財]

ill-gotten wealth or gains

Lí Jīzhī Luàn

骊姬之乱

[驪姬之亂]

Li Ji Rebellion in 657-651 BC, where concubine Li Ji tried to throne her son but was eventually defeated by Duke Wen of Jin 晉文公／晋文公 ( Jìn Wéngōng)

yúmǐzhīxiāng

鱼米之乡

[魚米之鄉]

(lit.) land of fish and rice
(fig.) fertile region
land of milk and honey

cángshēnzhīchù

藏身之处

[藏身之處]

hiding place
hideout

xián'érgǔzhī

弦而鼓之

[弦而鼓之]

to put strings on the zither, then play it (line from a Ming dynasty text by 劉伯溫／刘伯温 ( Liú Bówēn))
(fig.) to play music

liūzhīdàjí

溜之大吉

[溜之大吉]

to steal away
to beat it

zàicǐzhījì

在此之际

[在此之際]

meanwhile
at the same time

fēn'érzhìzhī

分而治之

[分而治之]

to divide and rule

míngzhìzhījǔ

明智之举

[明智之舉]

sensible act

shēnwàizhīwù

身外之物

[身外之物]

mere worldly possessions

gǔpénzhīqī

鼓盆之戚

[鼓盆之戚]

drumming on a bowl in grief (idiom, refers to Zhuangzi 莊子／庄子 ( Zhuāngzǐ) grieving for his lost wife)
fig. grief for a lost wife

jìng'éryuǎnzhī

敬而远之

[敬而遠之]

to show respect from a distance (idiom)
to remain at a respectful distance

cèyǐnzhīxīn

恻隐之心

[惻隱之心]

compassion

jiān'éryǒuzhī

兼而有之

[兼而有之]

to have both (at the same time)

táng'érhuángzhī

堂而皇之

[堂而皇之]

overt
to make no secret (of one's presence)
grandiose
with great scope

shìlùzhījiā

世禄之家

[世祿之家]

family with hereditary emoluments

qùqǔzhījiān

去取之间

[去取之間]

undecided between taking and leaving

zìzhīzhīmíng

自知之明

[自知之明]

knowing oneself (idiom)
self-knowledge

jūnzǐzhījiāo

君子之交

[君子之交]

friendship between gentlemen, insipid as water (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子／庄子 ( Zhuāngzǐ))

Oūzhōuzhīxīng

欧洲之星

[歐洲之星]

Eurostar (train line)

wūhézhīzhòng

乌合之众

[烏合之眾]

rabble; disorderly band

shèngzhībùwǔ

胜之不武

[勝之不武]

(fig.) to fight a one-sided battle
to have an unfair advantage in a contest

gānzhīrúyí

甘之如饴

[甘之如飴]

lit. as sweet as syrup (idiom, from Book of Songs); to endure hardship gladly
a glutton for punishment

zhàdànzhīmǔ

炸弹之母

[炸彈之母]

Massive Ordinance Air Blast (MOAB), or Mother of All Bombs, a powerful American bomb

dǒushāozhīrén

斗筲之人

[斗筲之人]

a small-minded person
a bean-counter

hàosèzhītú

好色之徒

[好色之徒]

lecher
womanizer
dirty old man

Shāmòzhī Hú

沙漠之狐

[沙漠之狐]

Desert Fox

hàoshìzhītú

好事之徒

[好事之徒]

busybody

yīrìzhīyǎ

一日之雅

[一日之雅]

lit. friends for a day (idiom)
fig. casual acquaintance

Déguózhī Shēng

德国之声

[德國之聲]

Deutsche Welle, German publicly-operated international broadcaster

dàfāngzhījiā

大方之家

[大方之家]

learned person
expert in a certain field
abbr. to 方家 (fāngjiā)

wèijiězhīmí

未解之谜

[未解之謎]

unsolved mystery

shōuzhīsāngyú

收之桑榆

[收之桑榆]

see 失之東隅，收之桑榆／失之东隅，收之桑榆 (shīzhīdōngyú,shōuzhīsāngyú)

qīfēnzhīyī

七分之一

[七分之一]

one seventh

yúguīzhīxǐ

于归之喜

[于歸之喜]

the joy of matrimony (polite phrase referring to a young woman)

zhīlánzhīshì

芝兰之室

[芝蘭之室]

lit. a room with irises and orchids (idiom); fig. in wealthy and pleasant company

yòngwǔzhīdì

用武之地

[用武之地]

ample scope for abilities
favorable position for the use of one's skills (idiom)

fùzhīyīxiào

付之一笑

[付之一笑]

(idiom) to dismiss sth with a laugh; to laugh it off

zhùyībìzhīlì

助一臂之力

[助一臂之力]

to lend a helping hand (idiom)

qìzhīrúbìxǐ

弃之如敝屣

[棄之如敝屣]

to toss away like a pair of worn-out shoes (idiom)

fēiyīrìzhīgōng

非一日之功

[非一日之功]

lit. cannot be done in one day (idiom)
fig. will take much time and effort to accomplish

jìndìzhǔzhīyì

尽地主之谊

[盡地主之誼]

to act as host
to do the honors

Sūliánzhīyǒushè

苏联之友社

[蘇聯之友社]

Soviet Union friendly society

Sà'ěrhǔzhī Zhàn

萨尔浒之战

[薩爾滸之戰]

Battle of Sarhu in 1619, in which the Manchus under Nurhaci 努爾哈赤／努尔哈赤 ( Nǔ'ěrhāchì) crushed four Ming armies

Luójié'ài'ěrzhī

罗洁爱尔之

[羅潔愛爾之]

Raziel, archangel in Judaism

Xuánwǔménzhībiàn

玄武门之变

[玄武門之變]

Xuanwu gate coup of June 626 in early Tang, in which Li Shimin 李世民 killed his brothers, seized the throne from his father as Emperor Taizong 唐太宗

Zhòngxiàyèzhīmèng

仲夏夜之梦

[仲夏夜之夢]

Midsummer night's dream, comedy by William Shakespeare 莎士比亞／莎士比亚 ( Shāshìbǐyà)

yīyányǐbìzhī

一言以蔽之

[一言以蔽之]

one word says it all (idiom, from Analects); to cut a long story short
in a nutshell

xiàoquǎnmǎzhīláo

效犬马之劳

[效犬馬之勞]

to render one's humble services
to be at sb's beck and call

Dáluósīzhī Zhàn

怛罗斯之战

[怛羅斯之戰]

Battle of Talas (751), military engagement in the valley of the Talas River 塔拉斯河 ( Tǎlāsī Hé), in which Arab forces defeated Tang armies, marking the end of Tang westward expansion

qúnqǐ'érgōngzhī

群起而攻之

[群起而攻之]

the masses rise to attack it (idiom); Everyone is against the idea.
universally abhorrent

bǎifēnzhīyībǎi

百分之一百

[百分之一百]

one hundred percent
totally (effective)

Dòuniúshìzhī Gē

斗牛士之歌

[鬥牛士之歌]

Toreador Song (Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre), famous aria from opera Carmen 卡門／卡门 by Georges Bizet

dàhànzhīwàngyúnní

大旱之望云霓

[大旱之望雲霓]

see 大旱望雲霓／大旱望云霓 (dàhànwàngyúnní)

sǐwúzàngshēnzhīdì

死无葬身之地

[死無葬身之地]

to die without a burial site
to die a pauper
a tragic end

yījūtóngqíngzhīlèi

一掬同情之泪

[一掬同情之淚]

to shed tears of sympathy (idiom)

Bǎiyóu Jiǎogēnzhīzhōu

柏油脚跟之州

[柏油腳跟之州]

Tar Heel state

sāncùnbùlànzhīshé

三寸不烂之舌

[三寸不爛之舌]

to have a silver tongue
to have the gift of the gab

bùfèichuīhuīzhīlì

不费吹灰之力

[不費吹灰之力]

as easy as blowing off dust
effortless
with ease

mǎnkǒuzhīhūzhěyě

满口之乎者也

[滿口之乎者也]

mouth full of literary phrases
to spout the classics

jìngguǐshén'éryuǎnzhī

敬鬼神而远之

[敬鬼神而遠之]

to respect Gods and demons from a distance (idiom); to remain at a respectful distance

shǒuwúfùjīzhīlì

手无缚鸡之力

[手無縛雞之力]

lit. lacking the strength even to truss a chicken (idiom)
fig. weak
unaccustomed to physical work

bùdēngdàyǎzhītáng

不登大雅之堂

[不登大雅之堂]

lit. not fit for elegant hall (of artwork)
not presentable
coarse
unrefined

tiānwújuérénzhīlù

天无绝人之路

[天無絕人之路]

Heaven never bars one's way (idiom); don't despair and you will find a way through.
Never give up hope.
Never say die.

wùwèiyánzhībùyù

勿谓言之不预

[勿謂言之不預]

(idiom) don't say you haven't been forewarned (threat used by the PRC in international diplomacy)

pínwúlìzhuīzhīdì

贫无立锥之地

[貧無立錐之地]

not even enough land to stand an awl (idiom); absolutely destitute

fǎnqídào'érxíngzhī

反其道而行之

[反其道而行之]

to do the very opposite
to act in a diametrically opposite way

huátiānxiàzhīdàjī

滑天下之大稽

[滑天下之大稽]

to be the most ridiculous thing in the world (idiom)

bùdéyǐ'érwéizhī

不得已而为之

[不得已而為之]

to have no other choice
to be the last resort

Tàipíng Tiānguózhī Luàn

太平天国之乱

[太平天國之亂]

Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864), which ultimately failed but caused massive upheaval and weakened the Qing dynasty

jiǔniú'èrhǔzhīlì

九牛二虎之力

[九牛二虎之力]

tremendous strength (idiom)

dàxīngwènzuìzhīshī

大兴问罪之师

[大興問罪之師]

to launch a punitive campaign
to condemn scathingly

sìhǎizhīnèijiēxiōngdì

四海之内皆兄弟

[四海之內皆兄弟]

all men are brothers

yīniánzhījìzàiyúchūn

一年之计在于春

[一年之計在於春]

the whole year must be planned for in the spring (idiom)
early planning is the key to success

jìláizhī,zé'ānzhī

既来之，则安之

[既來之，則安之]

Since they have come, we should make them comfortable (idiom). Since we're here, take it easy.
Since this is so, we should accept it.
Now we have come, let's stay and take the rough with the smooth.
If you can't do anything to prevent it, you might as well sit back and enjoy it.

zuìwēngzhīyìbùzàijiǔ

醉翁之意不在酒

[醉翁之意不在酒]

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

yīrìzhījìzàiyúchén

一日之计在于晨

[一日之計在於晨]

make your day's plan early in the morning (idiom)
early morning is the golden time of the day

bēizhī,wúshèngāolùn

卑之，毋甚高论

[卑之，毋甚高論]

my opinion, nothing very involved (idiom, humble expression); my humble point is a familiar opinion
what I say is really nothing out of the ordinary

xūyàoshìfāmíngzhīmǔ

需要是发明之母

[需要是發明之母]

Necessity is the mother of invention (European proverb).

zhīqíbùkě'érwéizhī

知其不可而为之

[知其不可而為之]

to keep going resolutely despite knowing the task is impossible (idiom)

tānlánshìwàn'èzhīyuán

贪婪是万恶之源

[貪婪是萬惡之源]

Greed is the root of all evil.

fàngzhīsìhǎi'érjiēzhǔn

放之四海而皆准

[放之四海而皆準]

applicable anywhere (idiom)

yīngxióngwúyòngwǔzhīdì

英雄无用武之地

[英雄無用武之地]

a hero with no chance of using his might
to have no opportunity to display one's talents

fàngzhīsìhǎi'érjiēzhǔn

放之四海而皆准

[放之四海而皆准]

appropriate to any place and any time (idiom); universally applicable
a panacea

shībàishìchénggōngzhīmǔ

失败是成功之母

[失敗是成功之母]

Failure is the mother of success.

zhùrénwéikuàilèzhīběn

助人为快乐之本

[助人為快樂之本]

pleasure from helping others

chūshēngzhīdúbùwèihǔ

初生之犊不畏虎

[初生之犢不畏虎]

lit. a new-born calf has no fear of the tiger (idiom)
fig. the fearlessness of youth

bēizhī,wúshèngāolùn

卑之，无甚高论

[卑之，無甚高論]

my opinion, nothing very involved (idiom, humble expression); my humble point is a familiar opinion
what I say is really nothing out of the ordinary

yǒuguòzhī'érwúbùjí

有过之而无不及

[有過之而無不及]

not to be inferior in any aspects (idiom)
to surpass
to outdo
(derog.) to be even worse

jūnzǐzhījiāodànrúshuǐ

君子之交淡如水

[君子之交淡如水]

a gentleman's friendship, insipid as water (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子／庄子 ( Zhuāngzǐ))

zhìzhīsǐdì'érhòushēng

置之死地而后生

[置之死地而後生]

(idiom based on Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孫子兵法／孙子兵法 ( Sunzī Bingfā)) to deploy one's troops in such a way that there is no possibility of retreat, so that they will fight for their lives and win the battle; to fight desperately when confronted with mortal danger; to find a way to emerge from a dire situation

fùcháozhīxiàwúwánluǎn

覆巢之下无完卵

[覆巢之下無完卵]

lit. when the nest is upset no egg is left intact (idiom)
fig. when one falls in disgrace the whole family is doomed

chūshēngzhīdúbùpàhǔ

初生之犊不怕虎

[初生之犢不怕虎]

see 初生之犢不畏虎／初生之犊不畏虎 (chūshēngzhīdúbùwèihǔ)

rénzhīchū,xìngběnshàn

人之初，性本善

[人之初，性本善]

man at birth is fundamentally good in nature (the first two lines of Three Character Classic 三字經／三字经 ( Sānzì Jīng))

màotiānxiàzhīdàbùwěi

冒天下之大不韪

[冒天下之大不韙]

see 冒大不韙／冒大不韪 (màodàbùwěi)

guǎng'érgàozhīguǎnggàogōngsī

广而告之广告公司

[廣而告之廣告公司]

China Mass Media International Advertising Corp

yànquè'ānzhīhónghúzhīzhì

燕雀安知鸿鹄之志

[燕雀安知鴻鵠之志]

lit. can the sparrow and swallow know the will of the great swan? (idiom)
fig. how can we small fry predict the ambitions of the great?

yànquèyānzhīhónggǔzhīzhì

燕雀焉知鸿鹄之志

[燕雀焉知鴻鵠之志]

lit. can the sparrow and swallow know the will of the great swan? (idiom); fig. how can we small fry predict the ambitions of the great?

qiǎofùnánwéiwúmǐzhīchuī

巧妇难为无米之炊

[巧婦難為無米之炊]

The cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice (idiom); You won't get anywhere without equipment.

yùguǎnlǐyúfúwùzhīzhōng

寓管理于服务之中

[寓管理於服務之中]

to make administration service-oriented

tāshānzhīshíkěyǐgōngyù

他山之石可以攻玉

[他山之石可以攻玉]

lit. the other mountain's stone can polish jade (idiom); to improve oneself by accepting criticism from outside
to borrow talent from abroad to develop the nation effectively

bǎizúzhīchóngsǐ'érbùjiāng

百足之虫死而不僵

[百足之蟲死而不僵]

a centipede dies but never falls down
old institutions die hard

qiánchēzhīfù,hòuchēzhījiàn

前车之覆，后车之鉴

[前車之覆，後車之鑒]

lit. the cart in front overturns, a warning to the following cart (idiom); fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor
learn from past mistake
once bitten twice shy

Sīmǎ Zhāozhīxīnlùrénjiēzhī

司马昭之心路人皆知

[司馬昭之心路人皆知]

lit. Sima Zhao's intentions are obvious to everyone (idiom)
fig. an open secret

jiǎzhīmìtáng,yǐzhīpīshuāng

甲之蜜糖，乙之砒霜

[甲之蜜糖，乙之砒霜]

one man's meat is another man's poison (idiom)

shīzhīháolí,chàzhīqiānlǐ

失之毫厘，差之千里

[失之毫釐，差之千里]

a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (idiom); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses

shīzhīdōngyú,shōuzhīsāngyú

失之东隅，收之桑榆

[失之東隅，收之桑榆]

to lose at sunrise but gain at sunset (idiom)
to compensate later for one's earlier loss
what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts

shízhīwúwèi,qìzhīkěxī

食之无味，弃之可惜

[食之無味，棄之可惜]

lit. to be hardly worth eating, but it would still be a pity to discard it (idiom)
fig. some things have little to no value, yet one is still reluctant to part with them

yùjiāzhīzuì,héhuànwúcí

欲加之罪，何患无辞

[欲加之罪，何患無辭]

If you want to condemn sb, don't worry about the pretext (idiom, from Zuozhuan 左傳／左传); one can always trump up a charge against sb
Give a dog a bad name, then hang him.

rénzhījiāngsǐ,qíyányěshàn

人之将死，其言也善

[人之將死，其言也善]

words of a man on his deathbed always come from the heart (proverb)

shízhīwúwèi,qìzhībùgān

食之无味，弃之不甘

[食之無味，棄之不甘]

see 食之無味，棄之可惜／食之无味，弃之可惜 (shízhīwúwèi,qìzhīkěxī)

chāzhīháolí,shīzhīqiānlǐ

差之毫厘，失之千里

[差之毫釐，失之千里]

the slightest difference leads to a huge loss (idiom)
a miss is as good as a mile

yǐzǐzhīmáo,gōngzǐzhīdùn

以子之矛，攻子之盾

[以子之矛，攻子之盾]

lit. use sb's spear to attack his shield (idiom, derived from Han Feizi 韓非子／韩非子); turning a weapon against its owner
fig. to attack an opponent using his own devices
hoist with his own petard

qiánshìbùwàng,hòushìzhīshī

前事不忘，后事之师

[前事不忘，後事之師]

don't forget past events, they can guide you in future (idiom); benefit from past experience

xīngxingzhīhuǒ,kěyǐliáoyuán

星星之火，可以燎原

[星星之火，可以燎原]

a single spark can start a huge blaze (idiom); an insignificant cause can have a massive effect

shīzhīháolí,chàyǐqiānlǐ

失之毫厘，差以千里

[失之毫釐，差以千里]

a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (idiom); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses

qiānlǐzhīdī,huǐyúyǐxué

千里之堤，毁于蚁穴

[千里之堤，毀於蟻穴]

see 千里之堤，潰於蟻穴／千里之堤，溃于蚁穴 (qiānlǐzhīdī,kuìyúyǐxué)

yòuwúyòu,yǐjírénzhīyòu

幼吾幼，以及人之幼

[幼吾幼，以及人之幼]

to care for other's children as one's own

qǔzhībùjìn,yòngzhībùjié

取之不尽，用之不竭

[取之不盡，用之不竭]

limitless supply (of)
inexhaustible

shīzhīháolí,miùyǐqiānlǐ

失之毫厘，谬以千里

[失之毫厘，謬以千里]

a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (idiom); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses

àiměizhīxīn,rénjiēyǒuzhī

爱美之心，人皆有之

[愛美之心，人皆有之]

everyone loves beauty (idiom)

Ershí Nián Mùdǔzhī Guài Xiànzhuàng

二十年目睹之怪现状

[二十年目睹之怪現狀]

The Strange State of the World Witnessed Over 20 Years, novel by late Qing novelist Wu Jianren 吳趼人／吴趼人 ( Wú Jiǎnrén)

qiānlǐzhīxíng,shǐyúzúxià

千里之行，始于足下

[千里之行，始於足下]

lit. a thousand mile journey begins with the first step
fig. big accomplishments come from an accumulation of little achievements made one by one

qiānlǐzhīdī,kuìyúyǐxué

千里之堤，溃于蚁穴

[千里之堤，潰於蟻穴]

lit. an ant hole may cause the collapse of a great dike (idiom)
fig. huge damage may result from a moment's negligence

dàozhīsuǒcún,shīzhīsuǒcún

道之所存，师之所存

[道之所存，師之所存]

If sb has grasped the truth before you, take him as your teacher (Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈／韩愈 ( Hán Yù)).
We should learn from one who knows the way.

hūzhījílái,huīzhījíqù

呼之即来，挥之即去

[呼之即來，揮之即去]

to come when called (idiom); ready and compliant
always at sb's beck and call

lǎowúlǎo,yǐjírénzhīlǎo

老吾老，以及人之老

[老吾老，以及人之老]

to honor old people as we do our own aged parents

yīzhīhàozhìbùbìngyǐwéigōng

医之好治不病以为功

[醫之好治不病以為功]

doctors like to treat those who are not sick so that they can get credit for the patient's "recovery" (idiom)

yǒuzégǎizhī,wúzéjiāmiǎn

有则改之，无则加勉

[有則改之，無則加勉]

correct any mistakes you made, but maintain your good record if you did not make them (idiom)

chāzhīháolí,miùyǐqiānlǐ

差之毫厘，谬以千里

[差之毫釐，謬以千里]

the slightest difference leads to a huge error (idiom)
a miss is as good as a mile

shòuzhīyǐyúbùrúshòuzhīyǐyú

授之以鱼不如授之以渔

[授之以魚不如授之以漁]

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)

bīngdòngsānchǐ,fēiyīrìzhīhán

冰冻三尺，非一日之寒

[冰凍三尺，非一日之寒]

three feet of ice does not form in a single day (idiom); Rome wasn't built in a day

yǐxiǎorénzhīxīn,duójūnzǐzhīfù

以小人之心，度君子之腹

[以小人之心，度君子之腹]

to gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure (idiom)

yǐqírénzhīdào,huánzhìqírénzhīshēn

以其人之道，还治其人之身

[以其人之道，還治其人之身]

to use an opponent's own methods to obtain retribution (idiom, from Song dynasty neo-Confucianist Zhu Xi 朱熹 ( Zhū Xī))
to get revenge by playing sb back at his own game; to give sb a taste of his own medicine

rénfēishēng'érzhīzhīzhě,shúnéngwúhuò

人非生而知之者，孰能无惑

[人非生而知之者，孰能無惑]

Knowledge is not innate to man, how can we overcome doubt?
We are not born with knowledge, how does one achieve maturity? (i.e. without guidance from a teacher - Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈／韩愈 ( Hán Yù))

yùnchóuwéiwòzhīzhōng,juéshèngqiānlǐzhīwài

运筹帷幄之中，决胜千里之外

[運籌帷幄之中，決勝千里之外]

a general planning in the seclusion of his tent is able to determine the outcome of the distant battle (idiom)

xiāntiānxiàzhīyōu'éryōu,hòutiānxiàzhīlè'érlè

先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐

[先天下之憂而憂，後天下之樂而樂]

to be the first to worry about affairs of state, and the last to enjoy oneself (quotation from the essay On Yueyang Tower 岳陽樓記／岳阳楼记 ( Yuèyánglóujì) by Song writer Fan Zhongyan 范仲淹 ( Fàn Zhòngyān)

hàirénzhīxīnbùkěyǒu,fángrénzhīxīnbùkěwú

害人之心不可有，防人之心不可无

[害人之心不可有，防人之心不可無]

refrain from hurting others, yet guard against those trying to hurt you (proverb)

lǎowúlǎo,yǐjírénzhīlǎo,yòuwúyòu,yǐjírénzhīyòu

老吾老，以及人之老，幼吾幼，以及人之幼

[老吾老，以及人之老，幼吾幼，以及人之幼]

to honor old people as we do our own aged parents, and care for other's children as one's own