Usage of the character 来

to come
(used as a substitute for a more specific verb)
hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來／回来 (huilái))
ever since (as in 自古以來／自古以来 (zigùyilǎi))
for the past (amount of time)
(prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世／来世 (láishi))
(between two verbs) in order to
(after a round number) approximately
(used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來／谈得来 (tándélái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來／吃不来 (chibulāi))

lái M

来M

[來M]

(coll.) (of women) to get one's period

shànglái

上来

[上來]

to come up
to approach
(verb complement indicating success)

rìlái

日来

[日來]

in the past few days
lately

wǎnglái

往来

[往來]

dealings
contacts
to go back and forth

gǎnlái

赶来

[趕來]

to rush over

Huìlái

惠来

[惠來]

Huilai county in Jieyang 揭陽／揭阳, Guangdong

luànlái

乱来

[亂來]

to act recklessly
to mess around

hòulái

后来

[後來]

afterwards; later
newly arrived

qǐlai

起来

[起來]

to stand up; to get up
also pr. (qilǎi)

chulai

出来

[出來]

(after a verb, indicates coming out, completion of an action, or ability to discern or detect)

shāolái

捎来

[捎來]

to bring sth to sb (news etc)

láifǎng

来访

[來訪]

to pay a visit

ěrlái

迩来

[邇來]

recently
until now
up to the present
lately
also written 爾來／尔来

guòlái

过来

[過來]

to come over
to manage
to handle
to be able to take care of

láijiǎng

来讲

[來講]

as to
considering
for

láizhe

来着

[來著]

auxiliary showing sth happened in the past

Mǎlái

马来

[馬來]

Malaya
Malaysia

kànlai

看来

[看來]

apparently
it seems that

láikè

来客

[來客]

guest

láishì

来势

[來勢]

momentum of sth approaching

sùlái

素来

[素來]

consistently; always (in the past and now)

yuánlái

原来

[原來]

original; former
originally; formerly; at first
so, actually, as it turns out

dàolái

到来

[到來]

to arrive
arrival; advent

láihuí

来回

[來回]

to make a round trip
return journey
back and forth
to and fro
repeatedly

qilai

起来

[起來]

(after a verb) indicating the beginning and continuation of an action or a state
indicating an upward movement (e.g. after 站 (zhàn))
indicating completion
(after a perception verb, e.g. 看 (kàn)) expressing preliminary judgment
also pr. (qilǎi)

zǎolái

早来

[早來]

to arrive early

láiyóu

来由

[來由]

reason; cause

láiwén

来文

[來文]

received document
sent document

láixìn

来信

[來信]

incoming letter
to send us a letter

lìlái

历来

[歷來]

always
throughout (a period of time)
(of) all-time

húlái

胡来

[胡來]

to act arbitrarily regardless of the rules
to mess with sth
to make a hash of things
to cause trouble

yìnglái

硬来

[硬來]

to use force

láiyuán

来源

[來源]

source (of information etc)
origin

láidào

来到

[來到]

to arrive; to come

láihuǒ

来火

[來火]

to get angry

láijìn

来劲

[來勁]

(dialect) to be full of zeal
high-spirited
exhilarating
to stir sb up

láiyì

来意

[來意]

one's purpose in coming

běnlái

本来

[本來]

original
originally
at first
it goes without saying
of course

jìnlái

进来

[進來]

to come in

láilín

来临

[來臨]

to approach; to come closer

tīnglái

听来

[聽來]

to sound (old, foreign, exciting, right etc)
to ring (true)
to sound as if (i.e. to give the listener an impression)
to hear from somewhere

yínglái

迎来

[迎來]

to welcome (a visitor or newcomer)
(fig.) to usher in

láilì

来历

[來歷]

history
antecedents
origin

shēnglái

生来

[生來]

from birth
by one's nature

xiàlai

下来

[下來]

to come down
(completed action marker)
(after verb of motion, indicates motion down and towards us, also fig.)
(indicates continuation from the past towards us)
to be harvested (of crops)
to be over (of a period of time)
to go among the masses (said of leaders)

yǐlái

以来

[以來]

since (a previous event)

chónglái

重来

[重來]

to start over
to do sth all over again

chuánlái

传来

[傳來]

(of a sound) to come through
to be heard
(of news) to arrive

jiānglái

将来

[將來]

in the future
future
the future
CL:個／个 (gè)

yóulái

由来

[由來]

origin

ěrlái

尔来

[爾來]

(literary) recently; lately; hitherto

láishì

来示

[來示]

(polite) your letter

láihóng

来鸿

[來鴻]

incoming letter (literary)

láixiang

来项

[來項]

income

láitóu

来头

[來頭]

cause
reason
interest
influence

láishēng

来生

[來生]

next life

zhāolái

招来

[招來]

to attract
to incur

Láibīn

来宾

[來賓]

Laibin prefecture-level city in Guangxi

xiǎnglái

想来

[想來]

it may be assumed that

Láifèng

来凤

[來鳳]

Laifeng County in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 恩施土家族苗族自治州 ( Enshī Tǔjiāzú Miáozú Zìzhìzhōu), Hubei

lái Tái

来台

[來臺]

to visit Taiwan (esp. from PRC)

Alái

阿来

[阿來]

Alai (1959-), ethnic Tibetan Chinese writer, awarded Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2000 for his novel 塵埃落定／尘埃落定 ( Chén'āiluòdìng) "Red Poppies"

zìlái

自来

[自來]

from the beginning
always
to come of one's own accord

láihán

来函

[來函]

incoming letter
letter from afar
same as 來信／来信 (láixìn)

jìnlái

近来

[近來]

recently
lately

gǔlái

古来

[古來]

since ancient times; it has ever been the case that

xǐnglái

醒来

[醒來]

to waken

xiànglái

向来

[向來]

always (previously)

láicháo

来潮

[來潮]

(of water) to rise
rising tide
(of women) to get one's period

láinián

来年

[來年]

next year
the coming year

láifàn

来犯

[來犯]

to invade one's territory

guīlái

归来

[歸來]

to return
to come back

yònglái

用来

[用來]

to be used for

dàilái

带来

[帶來]

to bring
(fig.) to bring about; to produce

láizì

来自

[來自]

to come from (a place)
From: (in email header)

yīlái

一来

[一來]

firstly, ...

yuánlái

元来

[元來]

variant of 原來／原来 (yuánlái)

Tàilái

泰来

[泰來]

Tailai county in Qiqihar 齊齊哈爾／齐齐哈尔 ( Qíqíhā'ěr), Heilongjiang

lái Huá

来华

[來華]

to come to China

láiwǎng

来往

[來往]

to come and go
to have dealings with
to be in relation with

wàilái

外来

[外來]

external
foreign
outside

niánlái

年来

[年來]

this past year
over the last years

Huáilái

怀来

[懷來]

Huailai county in Zhangjiakou 張家口／张家口 ( Zhāngjiākǒu), Hebei

láirì

来日

[來日]

future days
(literary) the next day
(old) past days

láizhāo

来朝

[來朝]

(literary) tomorrow (morning)

láishén

来神

[來神]

to become spirited

rúlái

如来

[如來]

tathagata (Buddha's name for himself, having many layers of meaning - Sanskrit: thus gone, having been Brahman, gone to the absolute etc)

shǎolái

少来

[少來]

refrain (from doing sth)
(coll.) Come on!
Give me a break!
Save it!

chūlái

出来

[出來]

to come out
to appear
to arise

qiánlái

前来

[前來]

to come (formal)
before
previously

nálái

拿来

[拿來]

to bring
to fetch
to get

guòlai

过来

[過來]

see 過來／过来 (guòlái)

èrlái

二来

[二來]

secondly, ...

láishì

来世

[來世]

afterlife
next life

wèilái

未来

[未來]

future
tomorrow
CL:個／个 (gè)
approaching
coming
pending

Wūlái

乌来

[烏來]

Wulai township in New Taipei City 新北市 ( Xīnběishì), Taiwan

lái Gǎng

来港

[來港]

to come to Hong Kong

láibīn

来宾

[來賓]

guest
visitor

cónglái

从来

[從來]

always
at all times
never (if used in negative sentence)

wànglái

旺来

[旺來]

(Tw) pineapple (from Taiwanese 王梨, Tai-lo pr. (ông-lâi))

láidiàn

来电

[來電]

incoming telephone call (or telegram)
to phone in; to send in a telegram
to have an instant attraction to sb
(of electricity, after an outage) to come back

bǐlái

比来

[比來]

lately
recently

tèlái

特来

[特來]

to come with a specific purpose in mind

Lái'ān

来安

[來安]

Lai'an, a county in Chuzhou 滁州 ( Chuzhóu), Anhui

láixí

来袭

[來襲]

to invade
(of a storm etc) to strike
to hit

láilù

来路

[來路]

incoming road
origin
past history

Láiyì

来义

[來義]

Laiyi township in Pingtung County 屏東縣／屏东县 ( Píngdōng Xiàn), Taiwan

huílai

回来

[回來]

to return; to come back

láide

来得

[來得]

to emerge (from a comparison)
to come out as
to be competent or equal to

Bó Xīlái

薄熙来

[薄熙來]

Bo Xilai (1949-), PRC politician, appointed to the Politburo in 2007, sentenced in 2013 to life imprisonment for corruption and misconduct

bèngchūlai

蹦出来

[蹦出來]

to crop up
to pop up
to emerge abruptly

dǎláihuí

打来回

[打來回]

to make a round trip
a return journey

duōniánlái

多年来

[多年來]

for the past many years

láidejí

来得及

[來得及]

to have enough time; can do it in time; can still make it

wàiláiwá

外来娃

[外來娃]

children born to parents from rural areas who have migrated to urban areas

Tàiláixiàn

泰来县

[泰來縣]

Tailai county in Qiqihar 齊齊哈爾／齐齐哈尔 ( Qíqíhā'ěr), Heilongjiang

jìnniánlái

近年来

[近年來]

for the past few years

Línláifēng

林来疯

[林來瘋]

Linsanity
craze over Jeremy Lin 林書豪／林书豪 ( Lín Shūháo)

láibují

来不及

[來不及]

there's not enough time (to do sth)
it's too late (to do sth)

Láifèng Xiàn

来凤县

[來鳳縣]

Laifeng County in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture 恩施土家族苗族自治州 ( Enshī Tǔjiāzú Miáozú Zìzhìzhōu), Hubei

tándelái

谈得来

[談得來]

to be able to talk to
to get along with
to be congenial

hébùlái

合不来

[合不來]

unable to get along together
incompatible

tíngxiàlái

停下来

[停下來]

to stop

màochūlái

冒出来

[冒出來]

to emerge; to pop up; to spring forth; to appear from nowhere

Mǎláiyà

马来亚

[馬來亞]

Malaya

zàiláimǐ

在来米

[在來米]

long-grained non-glutinous rice (Tw)

cóngláibù

从来不

[從來不]

never

hédelái

合得来

[合得來]

to get along well
compatible
also written 和得來／和得来 (hédelái)

mànmànlái

慢慢来

[慢慢來]

take your time
take it easy

wèiláixué

未来学

[未來學]

future studies

yòuláile

又来了

[又來了]

Here we go again.

Bōláigǔ

波来古

[波來古]

Pleiku, Vietnam

láihuǒr

来火儿

[來火兒]

to get angry

guòláirén

过来人

[過來人]

an experienced person
sb who has "been around (the block)"
sb who has personally experienced it

tīngqilai

听起来

[聽起來]

to sound like

jǐtiānlái

几天来

[幾天來]

for the past few days

zǒuláihuí

走来回

[走來回]

to make a round trip
a return journey

xiānkèlái

仙客来

[仙客來]

cyclamen (loanword)

Wèiláipài

未来派

[未來派]

Futurism (artistic and social movement of the 20th century)

Láiyìxiāng

来义乡

[來義鄉]

Laii township in Pingtung County 屏東縣／屏东县 ( Píngdōng Xiàn), Taiwan

dēngchūlái

登出来

[登出來]

to publish
to appear (in print)

láifùqiāng

来复枪

[來復槍]

rifle (loanword)
also written 來福槍／来福枪

dàotóulái

到头来

[到頭來]

in the end
finally
as a result

zìláijuǎn

自来卷

[自來捲]

natural curls; natural wave

pīnqilai

拼起来

[拼起來]

to put together

lǎoláishào

老来少

[老來少]

old but young at heart

wàiláicí

外来词

[外來詞]

loanword

Mǎláiwén

马来文

[馬來文]

Malaysian language

láifúqiāng

来福枪

[來福槍]

rifle (loanword)
also written 來復槍／来复枪

wàiláirén

外来人

[外來人]

foreigner

huànláihuàn

换来换

[換來換]

to repeatedly exchange

xiàbùlái

下不来

[下不來]

awkward
embarrassed
cannot be accomplished

Huáiláixiàn

怀来县

[懷來縣]

Huailai county in Zhangjiakou 張家口／张家口 ( Zhāngjiākǒu), Hebei

Mǎláiyǔ

马来语

[馬來語]

Malaysian language

láisūtáng

来苏糖

[來蘇糖]

lyxose (type of sugar)

huábulái

划不来

[划不來]

not worth it

huádelái

划得来

[划得來]

worth it
it pays to

láibudé

来不得

[來不得]

cannot allow (to be present)
cannot admit

déláisù

得来速

[得來速]

drive-thru (loanword)

kànqǐlai

看起来

[看起來]

seemingly; apparently; looks as if; appears to be; gives the impression that; seems on the face of it to be

mǎoqǐlai

铆起来

[鉚起來]

to get enthusiastic
to put in all one's energy

láiyìngde

来硬的

[來硬的]

to get tough
to use force

hǎoqǐlai

好起来

[好起來]

to get better
to improve
to get well

suànqǐlái

算起来

[算起來]

to calculate
to estimate
in total
all told
(fig.) if you think about it

jǐniánlái

几年来

[幾年來]

for the past several years

yīlùlái

一路来

[一路來]

all the way
all along
since the start

chībulái

吃不来

[吃不來]

to be unaccustomed to certain food; to not be keen on certain food

láifúxiàn

来福线

[來福線]

rifling (helical grooves inside the barrel of a gun)

Mǎláirén

马来人

[馬來人]

Malay person or people

méiláiyóu

没来由

[沒來由]

without any reason
for no reason

wèiláishì

未来式

[未來式]

future tense

Wūláixiāng

乌来乡

[烏來鄉]

Wulai township in New Taipei City 新北市 ( Xīnběishì), Taiwan

Lái'ān Xiàn

来安县

[來安縣]

Lai'an, a county in Chuzhou 滁州 ( Chuzhóu), Anhui

Láibīnshì

来宾市

[來賓市]

Laibin prefecture-level city in Guangxi

Bùláiméi

不来梅

[不來梅]

Bremen (city)

shǔláibǎo

数来宝

[數來寶]

folk theater consisting of recitation accompanied by clapper board rhythm

wàiláihuò

外来货

[外來貨]

imported product

bóláipǐn

舶来品

[舶來品]

(old) imported goods
foreign goods

Xīlái'ān

西来庵

[西來庵]

Xilai Temple (Tainan, Taiwan)

zìláishuǐ

自来水

[自來水]

running water; tap water

xiǎngqilai

想起来

[想起來]

to remember
to recall

zhànqǐlai

站起来

[站起來]

to stand up

láifǎngzhě

来访者

[來訪者]

visitor
(psychological counseling) client

mǎláihéng

马来鸻

[馬來鴴]

(bird species of China) Malaysian plover (Anarhynchus peronii)

Huìláixiàn

惠来县

[惠來縣]

Huilai county in Jieyang 揭陽／揭阳, Guangdong

fānguòlái

翻过来

[翻過來]

to overturn
to turn upside down

Zhōu Enlái

周恩来

[周恩來]

Zhou Enlai (1898-1976), Chinese communist leader, prime minister 1949-1976

cóngláiméi

从来没

[從來沒]

have never
has never

jiēxiàlái

接下来

[接下來]

to accept
to take
next
following

Xǐláidēng

喜来登

[喜來登]

Sheraton (hotel chain)

rénláifēng

人来疯

[人來瘋]

to get hyped up in front of an audience
(of children) to play up in front of guests

lǎoláiqiào

老来俏

[老來俏]

old person who dresses up as teenager
mutton dressed as lamb

wàiláiyǔ

外来语

[外來語]

loanword

Xībólái

希伯来

[希伯來]

Hebrew

yùláiyù

愈来愈

[愈來愈]

more and more

fǎnguolái

反过来

[反過來]

conversely
in reverse order
in an opposite direction

láifùxiàn

来复线

[來復線]

rifling (spiral lines on inside of gun barrel imparting spin to the bullet)

yèláixiāng

夜来香

[夜來香]

tuberose (Agave amica)
night-blooming jessamine (Cestrum nocturnum) (aka 夜香木 (yèxiàngmu))

zhuànhuílai

赚回来

[賺回來]

to earn back (money one invested, wasted etc)

Bǎolìlái

宝丽来

[寶麗來]

Polaroid

hédelái

和得来

[和得來]

to get along well
compatible
also written 合得來／合得来 (hédelái)

huǐláixìng

毁来性

[毀來性]

destructive
crushing (defeat)

yuèláiyuè

越来越

[越來越]

more and more

láiyuányú

来源于

[來源於]

to originate in

yǒushēngyǐlái

有生以来

[有生以來]

since birth
for one's whole life

láilìbùmíng

来历不明

[來歷不明]

(idiom) of unknown origin; of dubious background

yǔshēngjùlái

与生俱来

[與生俱來]

inherent
innate

Yàoshīrúlái

药师如来

[藥師如來]

Medicine Buddha (Sanskrit: Bhaisajyaguru)

chángjiǔyǐlái

长久以来

[長久以來]

for a long time now; long since

fǎnguòláishuō

反过来说

[反過來說]

on the other hand

bùqǐngzìlái

不请自来

[不請自來]

to turn up without being invited
unsolicited

Wèiláizhǔyì

未来主义

[未來主義]

Futurism (artistic and social movement of the 20th century)

wàiláichéngyǔ

外来成语

[外來成語]

loan idiom

fēiláifēiqù

飞来飞去

[飛來飛去]

to fly about
to fly hither and thither
to flit
to swarm
to spiral

wǎngláizhànghù

往来帐户

[往來帳戶]

current account (in bank)

yīzhíyǐlái

一直以来

[一直以來]

in the past always
for a long time now
until now

yīwǒláikàn

依我来看

[依我來看]

as I see it
in my opinion

shíláiyùnzhuǎn

时来运转

[時來運轉]

the time comes, fortune turns (idiom); to have a lucky break
things change for the better

yījiàoxǐnglái

一觉醒来

[一覺醒來]

to wake up from a sleep

zǒngdeláishuō

总的来说

[總的來說]

generally speaking
to sum up
in summary
in short

yīlái'èrqù

一来二去

[一來二去]

gradually
little by little
in the course of time

láizōngqùjì

来踪去迹

[來蹤去跡]

the traces of a person's movements
(fig.) sb's history
(fig.) the ins and out of a matter

cóngláiméiyǒu

从来没有

[從來沒有]

there has never been; has never had
(before a verb) has never

yángéláijiǎng

严格来讲

[嚴格來講]

strictly speaking

láihóngqùyàn

来鸿去燕

[來鴻去燕]

lit. the goose comes, the swallow goes (idiom); fig. always on the move

yǒubèi'érlái

有备而来

[有備而來]

to come prepared

juǎntǔchónglái

卷土重来

[卷土重來]

lit. to return in a swirl of dust (idiom)
fig. to regroup and come back even stronger
to make a comeback

chángqīyǐlái

长期以来

[長期以來]

for a long time

jǐláijǐqù

挤来挤去

[擠來擠去]

to mill about
to jostle

fēngyǔyùlái

风雨欲来

[風雨欲來]

lit. storm clouds approach
troubles lie ahead (idiom)

jiànwǎngzhīlái

鉴往知来

[鑒往知來]

to observe the past to foresee the future (idiom, taken loosely from Book of Songs); studying ancient wisdom gives insight into what is to come

Mǎlái Bàndǎo

马来半岛

[馬來半島]

Malay Peninsula

huàshuōhuílai

话说回来

[話說回來]

(but) then again; (but) on the other hand

qīngcháoláifàn

倾巢来犯

[傾巢來犯]

to turn out in force ready to attack (idiom)

láizhěbùjù

来者不拒

[來者不拒]

to refuse nobody (idiom)
all comers welcome

kōngxuéláifēng

空穴来风

[空穴來風]

lit. wind from an empty cave (idiom)
fig. unfounded (story)
baseless (claim)

náláizhǔyì

拿来主义

[拿來主義]

the attitude of mechanically borrowing (ideas etc)

hūzhījílái

呼之即来

[呼之即來]

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

xúnláifànchóu

寻来范畴

[尋來範疇]

(math.) derived category

shǒudàoqínlái

手到擒来

[手到擒來]

stretch a hand and grab it (idiom); very easy

yībānshuōlái

一般说来

[一般說來]

generally speaking
in general

fàngmǎguòlái

放马过来

[放馬過來]

bring it on!
give me all you got!

dúláidúwǎng

独来独往

[獨來獨往]

coming and going alone (idiom); a lone operator
keeping to oneself
unsociable
maverick

lǐshàngwǎnglái

礼尚往来

[禮尚往來]

lit. proper behavior is based on reciprocity (idiom)
fig. to return politeness for politeness

láidiàndálíng

来电答铃

[來電答鈴]

(Tw) ringback tone (heard by the originator of a telephone call)

fēiláihènghuò

飞来横祸

[飛來橫禍]

sudden and unexpected disaster (idiom)

zhíláizhíwǎng

直来直往

[直來直往]

blunt
outspoken

shānshānláichí

姗姗来迟

[姍姍來遲]

to be late
to arrive slowly
to be slow in the coming

yíngláisòngwǎng

迎来送往

[迎來送往]

lit. to meet those arriving, to send of those departing (idiom); busy entertaining guests
all time taken over with social niceties

diāndǎoguòlái

颠倒过来

[顛倒過來]

to invert

jíjiāngláilín

即将来临

[即將來臨]

imminent

tūrúqílái

突如其来

[突如其來]

to arise abruptly
to arrive suddenly
happening suddenly

láihuíláiqù

来回来去

[來回來去]

repeatedly
back and forth again and again

yuánláirúcǐ

原来如此

[原來如此]

so that's how it is; I see

yībānláijiǎng

一般来讲

[一般來講]

generally speaking

chángláichángwǎng

常来常往

[常來常往]

to visit frequently
to have frequent dealings (with)
to see each other often

tōngsúláijiǎng

通俗来讲

[通俗來講]

to put it in simple terms, ...

Dàrìrúlái

大日如来

[大日如來]

Vairocana, Buddha of supreme enlightenment

wàiláiwùzhǒng

外来物种

[外來物種]

an introduced species

duìwǒláishuō

对我来说

[對我來說]

as far as I'm concerned

Xībóláiyǔ

希伯来语

[希伯來語]

Hebrew language

tiānwàiláikè

天外来客

[天外來客]

visitors from outer space

yībānláishuō

一般来说

[一般來說]

generally speaking

zàiwǒkànlái

在我看来

[在我看來]

in my opinion

huíguòtóulái

回过头来

[回過頭來]

to turn one's head; to turn around
(fig.) to return (to a previous point); to come back (to what one was saying before)
(fig.) to look back (in time); to reflect on the past

wèiláiyèjì

未来业绩

[未來業績]

future yield (of investment)

zìgǔyǐlái

自古以来

[自古以來]

since ancient times

yuǎndào'érlái

远道而来

[遠道而來]

to come from far away

shǒudàoniānlái

手到拈来

[手到拈來]

lit. to stretch a hand and grab it (idiom)
fig. easy to do

pǐjítàilái

否极泰来

[否極泰來]

extreme sorrow turns to joy (idiom)

jiēzhǒng'érlái

接踵而来

[接踵而來]

to come one after the other

xiāoxiláiyuán

消息来源

[消息來源]

web feed
news feed
syndicated feed

yángéláishuō

严格来说

[嚴格來說]

strictly speaking

xīnxuèláicháo

心血来潮

[心血來潮]

to be prompted by a sudden impulse
carried away by a whim
to have a brainstorm

láiqùwúzōng

来去无踪

[來去無蹤]

come without a shadow, leave without a footprint (idiom); to come and leave without a trace

zìláishuǐbǐ

自来水笔

[自來水筆]

fountain pen

sǐqùhuólái

死去活来

[死去活來]

to hover between life and death (idiom)
to suffer terribly
within an inch of one's life

nìláishùnshòu

逆来顺受

[逆來順受]

to resign oneself to adversity (idiom); to grin and bear it
to submit meekly to insults, maltreatment, humiliation etc

zhèyàngyīlái

这样一来

[這樣一來]

thus
if this happens then

xīnláizhàdào

新来乍到

[新來乍到]

newly arrived (idiom)

Mǎláixīyà

马来西亚

[馬來西亞]

Malaysia

yǒushǐyǐlái

有史以来

[有史以來]

since the beginning of history

wàiláitóuzī

外来投资

[外來投資]

foreign investment

chūláizhàdào

初来乍到

[初來乍到]

to be a newcomer
just off the boat

hòuláijūshàng

后来居上

[後來居上]

lit. late-comer lives above (idiom); the up-and-coming youngster outstrips the older generation
the pupil surpasses the master

fēnzhìtàlái

纷至沓来

[紛至沓來]

to come thick and fast (idiom)

shuōláihuàcháng

说来话长

[說來話長]

start explaining and it's a long story (idiom); complicated and not easy to express succinctly

jìwǎngkāilái

继往开来

[繼往開來]

to follow the past and herald the future (idiom); part of a historical transition
forming a bridge between earlier and later stages

sòngwǎngyínglái

送往迎来

[送往迎來]

see 迎來送往／迎来送往 (yíngláisòngwǎng)

zhíláizhíqù

直来直去

[直來直去]

going directly (without detour)
(fig.) direct
straightforward (in one's manner or speech)

xiánláiwúshì

闲来无事

[閒來無事]

at leisure
idle
to have nothing to do

fānláifùqù

翻来覆去

[翻來覆去]

to toss and turn (sleeplessly)
again and again

yóucǐkànlái

由此看来

[由此看來]

thereby
judging from this

láilùbùmíng

来路不明

[來路不明]

unidentified origin
no-one knows where it comes from
of dubious background

shǔbùguòlái

数不过来

[數不過來]

can't manage to count
too many to count

mángbùguòlái

忙不过来

[忙不過來]

to have more work than one can deal with
to have one's hands full

pǎoláipǎoqù

跑来跑去

[跑來跑去]

to scamper
to run around

diānláidǎoqù

颠来倒去

[顛來倒去]

to harp on
over and over
merely ring changes on a few terms

yíngmiàn'érlái

迎面而来

[迎面而來]

directly
head-on (collision)
in one's face (of wind)

yuǎnfāngláihóng

远方来鸿

[遠方來鴻]

letter from afar (literary)

gǔwǎngjīnlái

古往今来

[古往今來]

since ancient times
since times immemorial

Bùláiméigǎng

不来梅港

[不來梅港]

Bremerhaven, German port

láilóngqùmài

来龙去脉

[來龍去脈]

lit. the rise and fall of the terrain (idiom)
fig. the whole sequence of events; causes and effects

jǔlìláishuō

举例来说

[舉例來說]

for example

ràoláiràoqù

绕来绕去

[繞來繞去]

meandering and circuitous (idiom); to go around in circles and never get anywhere

zìláishuǐguǎn

自来水管

[自來水管]

water mains
service pipe
tap-water pipe

hūláihèqù

呼来喝去

[呼來喝去]

to call to come and shout to go (idiom); to yell orders
always bossing people around

zhuànláizhuànqù

转来转去

[轉來轉去]

to rove around
to run around in circles
to walk back and forth

Xībóláirén

希伯来人

[希伯來人]

Hebrew person
Israelite
Jew

biéláiwúyàng

别来无恙

[別來無恙]

(literary) I trust you have been well since we last met

xiānláihòudào

先来后到

[先來後到]

in order of arrival; first come, first served

Jiālái Hǎixiá

加来海峡

[加來海峽]

Strait of Calais in the English channel
Strait of Dover
Pas-de-Calais, département of France

shíbùzàilái

时不再来

[時不再來]

Time that has passed will never come back. (idiom)

méiláiyǎnqù

眉来眼去

[眉來眼去]

(idiom) to make eyes; to exchange flirting glances with sb

qíláiyǒuzì

其来有自

[其來有自]

there is a reason for it
(of sth) not incidental

láidiànxiǎnshì

来电显示

[來電顯示]

caller ID

pūmiàn'érlái

扑面而来

[撲面而來]

lit. sth hits one in the face
directly in one's face
sth assaults the senses
blatant (advertising)
eye-catching
(a smell) assaults the nostrils

xīláirǎngwǎng

熙来攘往

[熙來攘往]

a place buzzing with activity (idiom)

xiàbùláitái

下不来台

[下不來臺]

to be put on the spot
to find oneself in an awkward situation

Xībóláishū

希伯来书

[希伯來書]

Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews

láirìfāngcháng

来日方长

[來日方長]

the future is long (idiom); there will be ample time for that later
We'll cross that bridge when we get there

mùmíng'érlái

慕名而来

[慕名而來]

to come to a place on account of its reputation (idiom); attracted to visit a famous location

tuīláituīqù

推来推去

[推來推去]

(idiom) to rudely push and pull others
(idiom) to evade responsibility and push it to others

dàxiàndàolái

大限到来

[大限到來]

to die
one's allocated lifespan is accomplished

kǔjìngānlái

苦尽甘来

[苦盡甘來]

bitterness finishes, sweetness begins (idiom); the hard times are over, the good times just beginning

cóngshízhāolái

从实招来

[從實招來]

to own up to the facts

běnláimiànmù

本来面目

[本來面目]

(idiom) true colors; true features; original appearance

Mǎláixīyàrén

马来西亚人

[馬來西亞人]

Malaysian person or people

chuǎnbuguòqìlái

喘不过气来

[喘不過氣來]

to be unable to breathe

Emítuórúlái

阿弥陀如来

[阿彌陀如來]

Amitabha, Buddha of infinite light

Nán Kǎluóláinà

南卡罗来纳

[南卡羅來納]

South Carolina, US state

shuōbùchūhuàlái

说不出话来

[說不出話來]

speechless

lìláizuìdīdiǎn

历来最低点

[歷來最低點]

all time low (point)

Běi Kǎluóláinà

北卡罗来纳

[北卡羅來納]

North Carolina, US state

Fēichūge Wèilái

飞出个未来

[飛出個未來]

Futurama (US TV animated series, 1999-)

huàyòushuōhuílai

话又说回来

[話又說回來]

(but) then again; (but) on the other hand

Mǎláixīyàyǔ

马来西亚语

[馬來西亞語]

Malaysian (language)

zìdǒngshìyǐlái

自懂事以来

[自懂事以來]

for as long as one can remember

àidesǐqùhuólái

爱得死去活来

[愛得死去活來]

to be madly in love

Běi Kǎluóláinàzhōu

北卡罗来纳州

[北卡羅來納州]

North Carolina, US state

Nán Kǎluóláinàzhōu

南卡罗来纳州

[南卡羅來納州]

South Carolina, US state

kūdesǐqùhuólái

哭得死去活来

[哭得死去活來]

to cry one's heart out

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.

zhēnjīnbùpàhuǒláishāo

真金不怕火来烧

[真金不怕火來燒]

see 真金不怕火煉／真金不怕火炼 (zhēnjīnbùpàhuǒliàn)

xuèzhàiyàoyòngxuèláicháng

血债要用血来偿

[血債要用血來償]

A debt of blood must be paid in blood.
Blood calls for blood.

tàiyángcóngxībiānchūlái

太阳从西边出来

[太陽從西邊出來]

lit. the sun rises in the west (idiom)
fig. hell freezes over
pigs can fly

láiwúyǐng,qùwúzōng

来无影，去无踪

[來無影，去無蹤]

lit. come without a shadow, leave without a footprint (idiom); to come and go without a trace

lái'érbùwǎngfēilǐyě

来而不往非礼也

[來而不往非禮也]

not to reciprocate is against etiquette (classical)
to respond in kind

xuèzhàiyàoyòngxuèláihuán

血债要用血来还

[血債要用血來還]

A debt of blood must be paid in blood.
Blood calls for blood.

shàoniánfūqīlǎoláibàn

少年夫妻老来伴

[少年夫妻老來伴]

husband and wife in youth, companions in old age

láideróngyì,qùdekuài

来得容易，去得快

[來得容易，去得快]

Easy come, easy go. (idiom)

kòngxuéláifēngwèibìwúyīn

空穴来风未必无因

[空穴來風未必無因]

wind does not come from an empty cave without reason
there's no smoke without fire (idiom)

láidezǎobùrúláideqiǎo

来得早不如来得巧

[來得早不如來得巧]

arriving early can't beat coming at the right time
perfect timing

lābùchūshǐláiyuànmáofáng

拉不出屎来怨茅房

[拉不出屎來怨茅房]

lit. to blame the toilet because one is having difficulty completing a bowel movement (idiom)
fig. to blame others for problems caused by one's own shortcomings

shénmefēngbǎnǐchuīláide

什么风把你吹来的

[什麼風把你吹來的]

What brings you here? (idiom)

jīnqiánbùnéngmǎiláixìngfú

金钱不能买来幸福

[金錢不能買來幸福]

money can't buy happiness

yuǎnláidehéshanghuìniànjīng

远来的和尚会念经

[遠來的和尚會念經]

the monk coming from afar is good at reading scriptures (idiom)
foreign talent is valued higher than local talent

chūláihùnchízǎoyàohuánde

出来混迟早要还的

[出來混遲早要還的]

if you live a life of crime, sooner or later you'll pay for it

qiánwúgǔrén,hòuwúláizhě

前无古人，后无来者

[前無古人，後無來者]

there has never been and never will be another person like this (idiom)
never done before and unlikely to be matched in the future
peerless

bīngláijiàngdí,shuǐláitǔyàn

兵来将敌，水来土堰

[兵來將敵，水來土堰]

counter soldiers with arms, water with an earth weir (idiom); different situations call for different action
to adopt measures appropriate to the actual situation

jiùdebùqù,xīndebùlái

旧的不去，新的不来

[舊的不去，新的不來]

lit. If the old doesn't go, the new will not come.
You can't make progress by clinging to old notions.

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

jībùkěshī,shībùzàilái

机不可失，失不再来

[機不可失，失不再來]

opportunity knocks but once (idiom)

láizhěbùshàn,shànzhěbùlái

来者不善，善者不来

[來者不善，善者不來]

He who comes is surely ill-intentioned, no-one well-meaning will come (idiom).
Be careful not to trust foreigners.
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts!

liǎngguóxiāngzhēng,bùzhǎnláishǐ

两国相争，不斩来使

[兩國相爭，不斬來使]

when two kingdoms are at war, they don't execute envoys (idiom)

jībùkěshī,shíbùzàilái

机不可失，时不再来

[機不可失，時不再來]

Opportunity knocks but once. (idiom)

bīngláijiàngdǎng,shuǐláitǔyǎn

兵来将挡，水来土掩

[兵來將擋，水來土掩]

counter soldiers with arms, water with an earth weir (idiom); different situations call for different action
to adopt measures appropriate to the actual situation

mǎwěichuāndòufu,tíbuqǐlai

马尾穿豆腐，提不起来

[馬尾穿豆腐，提不起來]

lit. like tofu strung on horsetail, you can't lift it
fig. let's not talk of this (pun on 提 (tí))

quánshìjièwúchǎnzhěliánhéqǐlai

全世界无产者联合起来

[全世界無產者聯合起來]

Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt euch!
Workers of the world, unite!

Abùláití· Abùdūrèxītí

阿不来提·阿不都热西提

[阿不來提·阿不都熱西提]

Abdulahat Abdurixit (1942-), PRC engineer and politician, chairman of Xinjiang autonomous region 1994-2003, in 2003 vice-chair of 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

shìluózishìmǎ,lāchūlailiùliu

是骡子是马，拉出来遛遛

[是騾子是馬，拉出來遛遛]