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Powiedzenia 俗语

1.八竿子打不着bā gān zi dǎ bù zhe “Very distant, or unconcerned”

比喻二者之间关系很远或本无关系。 This common saying expresses very weak and distant connection both between people and things.

例子:
A: 你一定要考试考得很好,找小王吧,他可能帮助你
B: 小王跟我八竿子打不着,他帮助我凭什么?

Example:
A: You’ll pass the exam, just find Xiao Wang, he’ll help you
B: Why should I find him? Why should he help me? We don’t have any connection

2.八九不离十bā jiǔ bù lí shí “Being not far out; pretty close to reality”

比喻估计得或猜测得按近实际情况。
Expresses the practical or real way of thinking/expressing

例子:
A: 你为什么那么喜欢这位记者?
B: 我常常读他的文章,因为每次的估计和想法都八九不离十

Example:
A: Why do you like the articles of this journalist so much?
B: I often read his articles, because his ideas and thinking are real.

3.八仙过海,各显神通 bā xian guò hǎi ,gè xiǎn shén tōng

“Everybody shows or applies his special talents and skills to win”

比喻对某事各人有各人的办法,或各人有各人的本领
Expresses the will to demonstrate all the skills, abilities and treats of character in some kind of activities,

例子:
A: 比赛的时候气氛非常紧张,为什么呢?
B: 每个人都想取得第一名位,他们八仙过海,各显神通。

Example:
A: Why is the match atmosphere so strained?
B: It is strained because every participant wants to win so they are showing their skills and abilities, doing their best

4.八字还没一撇 bā zì hái méi yī piē

“There is no a slightest sign of anything happening yet”

事情根本还没有开做呢,更别说完成
Expresses something, that hasn’t done or hasn’t happened yet (need more time to finish)

例子:
A: 把一座楼的图准备好了吗?
B: 对不起,昨天没有时间,八字还没一撇

Example:
A: Is the building draft ready?
B: I’m sorry, but yesterday I didn’t have enough time for it, it’s not finished yet

5.百闻不如一见 bǎi wén bù rú yī jiàn

“It’s better to see once than to hear for a thousand times”

听得再多不如见一次,表示亲眼看到的远比听人家说的更为确切可靠。
It’s better to see or to feel something yourself with your own eyes to understand it.

例子:
A:听说长城是个伟大的名胜古迹,但我还没去过。
B:我以为百闻不如一见, 明天我们一起去

Example:
A: They say that the Great Wall is an outstanding landmark, but I’ve never been there
B: It’s better to see once than hear for a thousand times, tomorrow we’ll visit it.

6. 冰冻三尺,非一日之寒 Bīng dòng sān chǐ,fēi yī rì zhī hán

“Three feet of ice does not form in a single day” ; “Rome wasn’t built in a day”
比喻一种情况的形成,是经过长时间的积累、酝酿的。

This idiom means: one needs to do his best, to work hard, to spend many years to achieve his goal, to succeed, to become good in something.

例子:
A:他的汉语为什么那么好?我也要说和他似的。
B:他学了七年的汉语了,他每天勤奋地学习,花自己的空闲读 书,也重视细节,你想想, 冰冻三尺,非一日之寒。

Example:
A: Why is his Chinese so good? I want to achieve the same level.
B: He’s been learning it for seven years, he every day learns a lot, spends his free time on learning, concentrates on details, think now : Rome wasn’t built in a day.

7.不分青红皂白 Bù fēn qīng hóng zào bái

“Not distinguishing red-blue or black-white”; “Not to distinguish between right and wrong”

不分是非, 不加辨别地
The idiom expresses words or actions made under the emotional stress or a feeling, often one doesn’t realize or doesn’t know the real situation and blames wrong people or makes wrong conclusions.

例子:
A:她为什么责怪你呢?这不是你的错误。
B:她过分脾气,不分青红皂白

Example:
A: Why is she blaming you? It’s not your fault.
B: She’s extremely angry now, doesn’t know who is right and who is wrong

8. 不知天高地厚Bù zhī tiān gāo dì hòu

“An exaggerated opinion of one’s own abilities”;“be arrogant and impolite”

物的复杂性。 亦形容冒失、 幼稚或狂妄自大
Expresses a person or his arrogant attitude to people, his impolite behavior and exaggerated self-opinion and self-esteem

例子:
A: 你们认识这位姑娘吗?
B: 认识,但是我们跟她不说话,因为她很伪善,骄傲,也没有礼貌的人,她真的不知天高地厚。

Example:
A: Do you know this girl?
B: Yes, we do, but we don’t talk to her, because she is foxy, arrogant and impolite, she’s got an exaggerated self-opinion.

9.吃不了兜着走 Chī bùliǎo dōuzhe zǒu

“If you can’t eat it all, you’ll have to take it home”

不可拿进园去, 若叫人知道了, 我就吃不了兜着走
The idiom means: in case one couldn’t solve the problem, he shouldn’t blame others because it’s his own fault and he should take responsibility for it

例子:
A: 这篇文章我翻译了半天,翻译得不对,老师一定要批评我,怎么办呢?
B: 我料到这样的结果,这篇文章格外难,不符合你的水平,吃不了兜着走。

Example:
A: I’ve been translating this article half a day, my translation is wrong, teacher will criticize me, don’t know what to do….
B: I knew it would happen, this article is very difficult, your level is not appropriate for it, it’s your fault, solve it out yourself.

10.打开窗户说亮语Dǎkāi chuānghù shuō liàng yǔ

“Say sincerely, don’t hide the truth”
说实话,不要遮掩真实的事实。

The idiom expresses the request to say the truth without hiding the real facts
例子:
A:你为什么是一个人来的?李丽在哪儿?
B:她不舒服
A:唉!我今天跟她说话了,她很好!你打开窗户说亮语
B:她批评了我一番,我们吵架了。

Example:
A: Why have you come alone? Where is Lili?
B: She doesn’t feel well.
A: A! I talked to her today, she’s ok. Say truth, don’t lie to me!
B: She criticized me, so we argued.

11.当一天和尚撞一天钟Dāng yītiān héshàng zhuàng yītiān zhōng

“Do as little as possible, take a passive attitude towards one’s work”
比喻做事情敷衍消极, 混一天算一天, 没有积极主动的精神。 „当”也说”做”

The idiom expresses the passive and idle attitude to one’s life, one is not interested in future, it’s important to live today, to waste one’s time without making plans for future.

例子:
A:我认识个男人,他不喜欢学习,不要找好的工作,不要稳定的前程和工资。他生活的态度过分被动。
B:为什么呢?他现在怎么干活呢?
A:他放弃了学习,始终在麦当劳工作,当服务员。。。真当一天和尚撞一天钟。

Example:
A: I know a guy, he doesn’t like learning, he doesn’t want to look for a decent job, he doesn’t want to have a stable salary and career, his attitude to life is really passive.
B: Why is it so? How does he make a living?
A: He gave up his studies, and has been working for Macdonald’s since ever as a waiter….he doesn’t have any future plans, and living just today without thinking about tomorrow.

12.鸡蛋里挑骨头 Jīdàn li tiāo gú tóu

“To look for bones in an egg”

鸡蛋内并无骨头,鸡蛋里挑骨头比喻故意挑剔。

Expresses that one deliberately tries to find some drawbacks or disadvantages in someone, because of a personal dislike.

例子:
A:你的汉语水平比较高!你为什么没选“古代中国文化”门课呢?
B:王老师说我的水平太差,他不喜欢我因为我常说实话,所以她不允许我选这门课。
A:阿!我知道了!别听她,她总鸡蛋里挑骨头。

Example:
A: Your level of Chinese is quite high! Why didn’t you choose “Ancient Chinese culture” lesson?
B: Teacher Wang said that my Chinese was really poor, she doesn’t like me because I always say the truth, so she didn’t permit me to take this lesson.
A: A! I got it! Don’t listen to her, she always looks for bones in an egg.

13.不到黄河不死心Bù dào huánghé bùsǐ xīn

“Refuse to give up until all hope is gone”

比喻在得到自己目的的过程中,不要伤心,不要灰心,不要放弃自己的渴望

The idiom says not to give up until one reaches his goal, despite obstacles he needs to keep on trying till the end.

例子:
A:我真的不知道怎么办。。。我担心,医生说我的疾病是严重的。
B:放心吧!他给你配合治疗,你快要好了。不到黄河不死心。

Example:
A: I don’t know what to do. I’m really worrying, doctor said I had a serious sickness.
B: Don’t worry! He arranged a special treatment for you, you’ll be better soon. Don’t give up until all hope is gone.

14.车到山前必有路Chē dào shān qián bì yǒu lù

“When we get to the mountain, there’ll be a way through”

比喻虽有难处,但到一定时候,问题总会解决

This common saying expresses that the solving of the problem will be found gradually, no need to hurry or to worry, it will be solved out itself.

例子:
A:毕业以后应该找工作,你告诉我有什么办法呢?
B:别着急,你还是一年级的学生!还没毕业了,车到山前必有路

Example:
A: I need to look for a job after graduation, will you tell me different ways how to do it?
B: Don’t be in a hurry, you’re a freshman, haven’t graduated yet, when you get to the mountain, there will be a way through.

15.吃软不吃硬Chī ruǎn bù chī yìng

“To eat soft food, but to refuse hard food”

比喻好说可以解决问题, 强迫就不能接受

The common saying expresses that it’s better to solve the problems without forcing, aggressing, pushing someone, it’s better to find soft way of solving.

例子:
A:我们班的同学们常常请李老师的帮助,听说他很踏实和善良的人
B:没错,他非常耐心的人,吃软不吃硬

Example:
A: The students of our class often ask teacher Li for help, they say he is very sensible and kind
B: Right. He is very patient, eats soft food, but not hard one.

16.打肿脸充胖子Dǎ zhǒng liǎn chōng pàngzi

“To swell one’s face up by slapping it to look imposing”

比喻宁可付出代价而硬充作了不起.

The idiom means that someone exaggerates own abilities, opportunities deliberately to impress someone; one pretends that he knows a lot, he is very experienced, well-read and well educated, but actually he’s very stupid.

例子:
A: 你看,他的汽车很气派,衣服都时髦的,在豪华饭店每天吃饭,看上去他很富裕的男人。
B: 哈哈!这只是他的外表,其实他的朋友给他借了很多钱,他的收入一般的。

Example:
A: Look! His car’s expensive, clothes are fashionable, every day he eats at the luxurious restaurants, he seems to make much money.
B: Haha! It’s just his appearance, actually he borrowed money from his friends, his monthly income is not so high.

17.家丑不可外扬Jiāchǒu bùkě wàiyáng

“Family shames must not be spread abroad”; “Don’t wash your dirty linen in public”

家庭内部不体面的事情不应向外人传扬。

Meaning : No need to tell everyone about one’s personal troubles or family problems; it’s better to hide personal problems than tell everybody.

例子:
A:最近他工作得不顺利,老板对他办的事不满意,你知道为什么呢?
B:我猜猜,他跟妻子吵架了,可能快要离婚了,但他家丑不可外扬

Example:
A: For the last time he works not very good, boss is not satisfied with his job, do you know why? What’s happened?
B: I can guess, he argued with his wife, probably soon he’ll divorce her, but he never washes his dirty linen in public.

18.赶鸭子上架Gǎn yāzi shàngjià

“Push somebody to do something way beyond their ability”; “Drive a duck onto a perch”

比喻强迫去做能力达不到的事情.

The idiom means to force someone to do something, which is beyond his abilities and against his will; to demand impossible from somebody.

例子:
A: 哦!为什么你进行这个简报呢?安娜在哪儿?
B: 她接着很重要电话,我不知道要说什么,也很担心,赶鸭子上架了

Example:
A: O! Why are you going to hold this presentation? Where is Anna?
B: She is discussing very important question by phone, I don’t know what I should say, and I’m really nervous, it’s beyond my ability.

19. 胳膊拧不过大腿Gēbo nǐng bù guo dàtuǐ

“An arm will never compete with a strong leg”

比喻势力小或级别低的战胜不了势力大或级别高的。也说胳膊扭不过大腿。

Expresses that an inexperienced shouldn’t compete with stronger and more experienced person.

例子:A:老板纠正我的报告书时,批评了我一番,我过分生气了。我要辞职!不要跟他工作!我投诉他!
B:你放心吧。他是个有智慧的人,他的经历很大,胳膊拧不过大腿

Example:
A: Boss checked my report, criticized it, I’m very angry now, I don’t want to work with him! I’ll complain on him!
B: Stop worrying! You boss is wise man, he has a great experience, don’t even try to compete or argue with him.

20.姜是老的辣Jiāng shì lǎolà

“The older the wiser”

比喻年长者经验丰富,见识广而办事历练.

The idiom describes someone who is old and wise, who can give one a good piece of advice because he is experienced and intelligent, often about old people.

例子:
A:我的疾病越来越坏了,医生也不知道怎么治。。。
B:你去找强先生,他以前有跟你一样的病,他帮助你,他姜是老的辣

Example:
A: My sickness is becoming worse and worse, doctor doesn’t know how to treat it….
B: Visit and ask Mister Qiang, before he had the same sickness as yours, he’ll help you, he is wise and experienced enough for it.

21.笨鸟先飞Bènniǎoxiānfēi

“Clumsy birds have to start flying early”; “The slow need to start early”

比喻能力差的人,做事时唯恐落后,往往比别人先动手。今多用作谦词

Expresses one’s working hard to compensate for his limited abilities; first one needs to learn and after it get some knowledge and experience.

例子:
A:我想开张自己的商店,顾客一定喜欢在那儿买电子产品
B:你的计划不错,但是你从来没做生意,你没有专业的知识,问别的商人,请他们教你,笨鸟先飞

Example:
A: I want to open my own shop, customers will like buying electric devices there.
B: Your plans are not bad, but you’ve never made any business, you don’t have special business knowledge, ask other businessmen, ask them to teach you, clumsy birds have to start flying early .

22.太阳从西边出来Tàiyáng cóng xībian chūlái

“The Sun rises in the West”

比喻 太阳从西边出来是违反自然规律的,所以太阳从西边出来场用来形容一些通常不会发生的事情居然发生了。

Describes something incredible or unbelievable happened, different from normal or usual.

例子:
A: 那看来太阳真的从西边出来了,今天没堵车?
B: 我也很奇怪,但是今天那一段路还真没堵,很顺利地就过来了。

Example:
A: The sun will rise in the West, no traffic jams today?
B: I was surprised too, today no traffic jams on the roads, so I easily could go.

23. 随大流儿Suí dà liú er

“Go with the flow”; “Go with the stream”; “Go with the tide”

跟着多数人说话或行事.

Expresses the common, ordinary behavior, one behaves like the vast majority, like everybody, without having own opinion or point of view.

例子:
A:你的专业是经济学和金融,这是个普遍的专业,为什么你选了?
B:我没犹豫,我随大溜儿,跟朋友一起学习。

Example:
A: Your major is economics and finance, it’s a very popular major, why did you choose it?
B: I didn’t hesitate much, I just went with the flow, I study together with my friends.

24.走后门儿Zǒuhòumén er

“To gain influence by pull or unofficial channels”; “To enter by the back door”

比喻不是通过正当途径,而是通过内部关系达到某种目的。

The common saying means that something can be done or gained due to good connections, familiar people or money.

例子:
A:他那么笨!为什么他赢这场比赛呢?
B:他爸爸跟评判委员会建立了很强的关系,他以走后门儿的方式得了第一名位。

Example:
A: He is so stupid! Why did he win this contest?
B: His father has good connections with the jury members, so due to this connections he took the 1st place.

25.破罐子破摔Pò guànzi pò shuāi

“Smash a pot to pieces just because it’s cracked-write oneself off as hopeless and act recklessly”

比喻已经弄坏了的事就干脆不顾, 近似”以滥为滥.

This idiom means that one gave up because he couldn’t overcome some difficulties and obstacles, admitted himself unlucky or hopeless.

例子:
A:我五年在美国留学了,毕业了,现在回国了,但是没有公司要我,我很伤心了,我真的要破罐子破摔, 我的教育没有用
B:别慌张!你的教育特别好!你会英语,会经济,会会计,什么都会!等一下,你一定找到好的工作。

Example:
A: I had been learning in USA for 5 years, graduated, came back to my country, but employers don’t need me, I’m really sad, I’m ready to give up, my education is useless here.
B: Don’t panic! Your education is quite good! You can speak English, you’re good at economics, good at accounting! Just wait a little, you’ll find a good job.

26.穿小鞋Chuānxiǎoxié

“To make somebody wear tight shoes”; “To make difficulties for someone”

比喻暗中打击或刁难别人。

This common saying means that one deliberately makes troubles for someone, by oppressing, deceiving and hurting him.

例子:
A: 你们不说话,怎么了?
B: 他骗了我,我相信了他,但是昨天他偷了我的钱包,给我穿了小鞋。

Example:
A: You both don’t talk, what’s up?
B: He deceived me, I trusted him, but yesterday he stole my purse, making difficulties for me.

27.侃大山Kǎndàshān

“To chatter idly”; “To gossip about nothing”

比喻长时间没完没了地说一些琐碎、 不恰当或无效的话。

This common saying describes talking without purpose, talking because one is bored, or no topic to talk about.

例子:
A:他最近结婚了,她去国外了
B:她生了两个孩子
C:我妹妹上了大学
D:好的,你们聊天吧,我没时间跟你们侃大山。 

Example:
A: Recently he has married, she went abroad…
B: She gave birth to two children
C: My younger sister entered the university
D: Ok. Keep on talking, I don’t have much time to chatter …

28. 有两下子Yǒuliǎngxiàzi

“To have real skill”; “To be really good at something”

比喻有点本领,有真实本领或技能。

This idiom means that one has really good skills in something, is really good at doing his job.

例子:
A:阿!你的冰箱修好了?怎么了?谁修好了那么快?
B:我哥哥昨天维修了,他没有什么维修的工具,真有两下子。

Example:
A: A! Is your fridge repaired? How is it possible? Who repaired it so fast?
B: My elder brother yesterday repaired without any tools, he has real skills in repairing devices

29.拍马屁Pāi mǎ pì

“To lick somebody’s boots”; “To flatter”

比喻谄媚、阿谀、奉承

The idiom means that one praises another on purpose, flatters to get better job, more money, to gain good attitude, etc…

例子:
A:你认识这位男人?他对你太有礼貌!
B:当然认识,我是他的老板!他过奖我,我痛恨他拍马屁的恭维。

Example:
A: Do you know this guy? He is over polite with you.
B: Of course I know him! I’m his boss, he over praises me, I hate his flattering compliments.

30.露一手Lòuyīshǒu

“To show off one’s abilities”

比喻显示自己的能力或手艺

The common saying expresses showing off one’s abilities, one’s skills; to do one’s best

例子:
A:上一次他输了运动比赛,他真没满足我的期待。。。他很刻苦的运动员
B:我知道,上星期他天天勤奋地准备,这次运动会他准备露一手, 我相信他

Example:
A: He lost last competition, really didn’t justify my expectations, though he’s a hard-working sportsman
B: I know, last week he every day trained a lot, this time contest he’ll do his best, I believe in him.

31.爆冷门儿Bào lěngmén er

“To pull off a coup”

比喻在竞赛中出乎意料的获得优胜。

The idiom means unexpected turn of events, unexpected victory or success of someone considered to be weak or loser.
例子:A:你知道谁获得了牛津大学的奖学金?
B:王利吧?
A:哈哈,不是王利,是小梦。
B:阿!真没想到,她是个心虚的,被动的,不爱交际的姑娘,真爆冷门儿。

Example:
A: Do you know who got the Oxford University scholarship?
B: Wang Li?
A: Ha ha! No, not Wang Li, Xiao Li got it.
B: A! I didn’t expect it, she’s so modest, passive, unsociable, she pulled off a coup.

32.杀鸡给猴看 Shā jī gěi hóu kàn

„Kill a chicken in front of a monkey”

比喻惩罚某个人是为了给别的人介绍他做坏的事, 为的是别的不做坏的

The idiom expresses deliberate punishment, making an example out of someone to frighten others.

例子:
A:昨天在商店里老板批评了一个售货员一番,大家都看了这个场合,真奇怪,为什么他批评大家前面呢?
B:他故意地责怪了职员,杀鸡给猴子看。

Example:
A: Yesterday at the shop I saw a shop-owner criticizing an assistant, everybody stood and looked at it, why did he do it in front of everyone?
B: He deliberately did it, he made an example of that guy to frighten other assistants.

33.干打雷不下雨Gān dǎléi bùxià yǔ

“Much said but nothing done”

比喻空作许诺, 不肯实施, 不肯给人以实惠

The common saying expresses that one likes talking and promising a lot, but virtually does nothing.

例子:
A:他说今天我们先去公园,然后到电影院看电影,晚上在饭店吃晚饭,但是已经七点晚上,他还没打电话!
B:他不是可靠的人,不要相信他,他总干打雷不下雨

Example:
A: He said today we first go to the park, after go to the cinema for watching a movie, in the evening we were going to have dinner at a restaurant, now it’s already seven in the evening, but he still hasn’t called me!
B: He’s unreliable guy, don’t believe him, he always promises and talks a lot, but does nothing.

34.捡了芝麻丢了西瓜Jiǎnle zhīma diūle xīguā

“To pick up the seeds but overlook the watermelons”

比喻重视细节的,轻视最主要的;集中很小和详细的问题但是忽视很大和重要的

The idiom means concentrating on details, on unimportant things, but neglecting the main idea, the most important questions or points.

例子:
A:我不能快读课文,读时我一看没学的词,就慌张,不能集中。
B:用别的方法,读课文的时候,不要认识所有的词,你的问题是捡了芝麻丢了西瓜,关注的是主要的意思。

Example:
A: I can’t read texts quickly, while reading as soon as I see unknown word I start panicking and can’t concentrate
B: Change you reading method, during reading you don’t need to recognize all the words, your problem is that you pay attention to details but neglect the main idea, you need to understand the meaning but not the details.

35.三天打鱼两天晒网Sān tiān dǎ yú liǎng tiān shài wǎng

“Work by fits and starts”

比喻做事情、 做学问没有恒心, 时断时续, 不能持之以恒。

The common saying expresses that one can work hard for one or two days, after it has rest or does nothing for a week; works for a short time, relaxes for much longer time.

例子:
A:听说你的同屋很勤奋学习,但是我常在酒吧见他的面,很奇怪对吧?
B:她不是太认真的学生,三天打鱼两天晒网 。

Example:
A: I heard that your room mate learnt really hard, but I often meet her at one of the pubs. It’s strange, isn’t it?
B: Actually she’s not so assiduous student, works by fits and starts.

36.脚踏两只船Jiǎo tà liǎng zhī chuán

“To have a foot in both camps”

比喻对事物的认识不清而拿不定主意,或为了投机取巧而跟不同的两个方面都保持关系。

The idiom means: for the purpose of doing speculation or leaving more opportunities for oneself, one keeps in touch with both sides

例子:
A:不知道怎么办。。。我爱我的男朋友,但是同时喜欢我的工作,一家外国公司请我跟它合作,快要选择了。。。
B:你现在要决定,自己的家庭或者自己的前程,你不能脚踏两只船

Example:
A: I don’t know what to do, I love my boyfriend but at the same time I like my job too, one foreign company offers to cooperate with them, I need to make a decision quickly
B: Now you need to choose, your own family or your career, don’t try to have a boot in both camps.

37.泼冷水Pō lěng shuǐ

“To pour cold water on”

比喻用言语或行动打击别人的热情

The idiom means that one deliberately dampens someone’s enthusiasm

例子:
A:明年我打算写中国改革开放的论文
B:你不会!你没有需要的知识和能力。。。
A:你应该鼓励我,不要泼冷水!

Example:
A: Next year I’m going to write thesis on topic “Chinese policy on reform and opening to outside world”
B: You can’t do it! You don’t have necessary knowledge and abilities….
A: You should have encouraged me, but not damping my enthusiasm

38.路遥知马力,日久见人心Lù yáo zhī mǎlì, rì jiǔ jiàn rénxīn

“As distance tests a horse’s strength, so time reveals a person’s heart”

比喻人心的善恶,须经时间的考验才能得知。

The common saying means that it’s possible to know someone well only through years and time, only time shows the truth nature of a person.

例子:
A:你很相信这位职员, 凡你有困难都问他的建议
B:我和他工作了二十年了,他得到了大经历,有专业的知识,路遥知马力,日久见人心。

Example:
A: You trust this employee, every time you have a problem, you always ask for his advice
B: I’ve been working with him for twenty years, he got great experience, he’s got special knowledge, as distance tests a horse’s strength, so time reveals a person’s heart.

39.卖瓜的不说瓜苦Mài guā de bù shuō guā kǔ

“Every potter praises his pot”

比喻不说自己不好,瞒住自己的缺点

The idiom expresses that one praises himself without saying the truth; hides some disadvantages and drawbacks

例子:
A:创造广告的人常常夸张有的公司的服务和商品的质量,我对一家公司商品不满意,生我的气了
B:他们不重视质量,他们做的只是卖瓜的不说瓜苦

Example:
A: People who make advertisement often exaggerate the service and goods of some companies, I’m not satisfied with quality of some of them, really made me angry.
B: They don’t care about the quality, all they do is praising their own goods, without saying a word about quality.

40.走弯路Zǒu wān lù

“To take an indirect route”

比喻在实践中由于犯错误、受挫折,或因方向不明、方法不当等原因而延误了进程。

The idiom means that one wastes his time by choosing inappropriate way or method of solving the problem out; incorrect choice or method

例子:
A:我又错了,我尽量企图了解她的问题,但是没有用了
B:你不会解决问题因为你不听智慧人的话,你过分固执!不要走弯路。

Example:
A: I’ve again made a mistake, I’m doing my best to get her problem over, but it’s useless
B: You can’t solve it out, you don’t listen to wise people, you’re too stubborn. Don’t take an indirect route.

41.走过场Zǒuguòchǎng

“To go through the motions”

比喻敷衍了事,做给别人看。

The common saying means doing something as a mere formality; being conducted in artificial or perfunctory way to get “surface” respect from others

例子:
A:我们的主楼是外面维修的,但是里面还要涂色墙壁,放新的家具。。。很奇怪
B:国防的官员快要访问这个地方,所以他们只重视楼外面的样子,走过场。

Example:
A: The front of main building has been repaired, but inside it’s still needed to paint walls and decorate it with new furniture, it’s weird
B: One military officer will visit our place soon, so they decorated only the front face of the building, just went through the motions

42.半瓶醋Bàn píng cù

“Dabbler”; “Half-educated person”

比喻一知半解的知识或技能。

The idiom describes one who is just amateur or half-educated or someone who didn’t complete his studies

例子:
A:他真生我的气,我们争论了半天,但是他没做出有力的论据
B: 放心吧,关于工程的方面他只是个业余,半瓶醋

Example:
A: He really made me angry, we argued a lot, but he didn’t introduce any considerable argument
B: Don’t worry, he’s just amateur in the field of engineering, a dabbler

43.拖后腿Tuō hòu tuǐ

“To hinder (or impede) someone”

比喻牵制,阻挠别人或事物不得前进

The idiom expresses deliberate holding someone back, making obstacles for someone

例子:
A:明年我打算出国留学,申请奖学金,得到法学硕士,但是小李劝止我。。。他是我最好的朋友,我真大吃一惊了
B:别听他,他嫉妒你,故意拖后腿

Example:
A: Next year I’m going to go abroad to study, apply for a scholarship, get Master’s Degree in Law, but Xiao Li dissuades me, he’s my best friend so I’m really surprised
B: Don’t listen to him, he is jealous, he deliberately holds you back.

44.出洋相Chū yang xiàng

“To make fool of oneself”

比喻露出令人作笑的丑相; 略带幽默的失态

The idiom means making fun of someone; deliberately sneer at someone

例子:
A:昨天的谈判很难,她翻译不了了
B:现在怎么办呢?
A:她非常惭愧,出洋相,应该辞职

Example:
A: Yesterday’s talks were very difficult, she wasn’t able to translate
B: What’s now then?
A: She’s really ashamed, made fool of herself, likely to resign.

45.一把手Yī bǎ shǒu

“A good hand”; “The first in command”

比喻在某一方面才干出众的人

This expression means that one is keen on something; good at doing something.

例子:
A:明天我要准备宴会,应该做饭,想给客人留下好的印象
B:你请王丽教你,她在做饭的方面一把手。

Example:
A: I’m going to hold a dinner party tomorrow, need to cook meal, I’d like to impress my guests.
B: Ask Wang Li to help you, she is really keen on cooking

Author:
Ksenia Bondarchuk
Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service
Institute of Foreign languages