source_test.html

<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.1" id="ch1.1">1. 【实事求是】 (實事求是) shí shì qiú shì</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">实 means ‘actual,’ 事 means ‘situation,’ 求 means ‘seek,’ and 是 means ‘original way.’ The meaning of this idiom is ‘to handle matters according to their actual situation.’ This idiom is conventionally translated as ‘seek truth from facts.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 我们应该坚持<b>实事求是</b>的原则， 把理论和实践结合起来。</p>
<p class="justify1">Wŏmen yīnggāi jiānchí shíshì-qiúshì de yuánzé, bă lĭlùn hé shíjiàn jiéhé qĭlai.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘We should insist on the principle of seeking truth from facts, and integrate theory and practice.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 大家要<b>实事求是</b>地评价毛泽东的历史地位， 不能因为有了文化大革命就全 盘否定他以前的贡献。</p>
<p class="justify1">Dàjiā yào shíshi-qiúshì de píngjià Máo Zédōng de lìshĭ dìwèi, bù néng yīnwèi yŏule Wénhuà Dà Gémìng jiù quán pán fŏudìng tā yĭqián de gòngxiàn.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘Everyone should evaluate Mao Zedong’s position in history by seeking truth from facts; one can’t totally repudiate his earlier contributions because of the Cultural Revolution.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as attributive and predicate; can also serve as adverbial.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Note:</em> Because 实事求是 is part of the contents of Mao Zedong thought, these four characters can be seen on the buildings of many Chinese organizations. The photograph below was taken at the entrance to Renmin University in Beijing. The four characters in the photograph are 实事求是， with 實 being the traditional form of the simplified character 实.</p>
<p class="center">courtesy of Du Jian</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonym:</em> [弄虚作叚] (nòng xū zuò jiâ 弄虛作假叚) ‘use trickery or deception to create a false appearance.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.2" id="ch1.2">2. 【艰苦奋斗】 (艱苦奮鬥) jiān kŭ fèn dòu</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">艰苦 means ‘difficult’ and 奋斗 means ‘struggle.’ The meaning of the whole idiom is ‘difficult struggle, arduous struggle.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 即使在今天， 我们也不应该丢掉<b>艰苦奋斗</b>的精神。</p>
<p class="justify1">Jíshĭ zài jīntiān, wŏmen yě bù yīnggāi diūdiào jiānkŭ-fèndòu de jīngshen.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘Even today, we should not lose our spirit of hardworking struggle.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 经济困难时期， 全国人民都<b>艰苦奋斗</b>， 最后终于渡过难关。</p>
<p class="justify1">Jīngjì kùnnán shíqī, quánguó rénmín dōu jiānkŭ-fèndòu, zuìhòu zhōngyú dùguò nánguān.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘In difficult economic times, all the people of the country struggled arduously; in the end, they finally got through the difficult period.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as attributive or predicate. As attributive, usually followed by nouns such as 精神 (jīngshen) ‘spirit,’ 作风 (zuòfeng 作風) ‘way of working,’ and 传统 (chuántŏng 傳統) ‘tradition.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Note:</em> Complimentary in meaning.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [克勤克俭] (kè qín kè jiăn 克勤克儉) ‘hardworking and thrifty,’ [奋发图强] (fèn fā tú qiáng 奮發圖強) ‘work hard for the strength and prosperity of the country.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [花天酒地] (huā tiān jiŭ dì 花天酒地) ‘flowers in the sky and wine on the ground – lead a frivolous life,’ [铺张浪费] (pū zhāng làng fèi 鋪張浪費) ‘extravagant and wasteful,’ [骄奢淫逸] (jiāo shē yín yì 驕奢淫逸) ‘indulge oneself in a proud and extravagant lifestyle.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.3" id="ch1.3">3. 【千方百计】 (千方百計) qiān fāng băi jì</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">The literal meaning is ‘by every possible means,’ with a freer translation being ‘by hook or by crook.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 由于农民的收入跟城市居民的收入差距比较大， 所以政府<b>千方百计</b>地增加 农民的收入。</p>
<p class="justify1">Yóuyú nóngmín de shōurù gēn chéngshì jūmín de shōurù chājù bĭjiào dà, suŏyĭ zhèngfù qiānfāng-băijì de zēngjiā nóngmín de shōurù.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘Due to the relatively large gap between the salaries of rural residents and those in the city, the government increased rural residents’ salaries by every possible means.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 这家工厂<b>千方百计</b>地降低产品的成本。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zhè jiā gōngchăng qiānfāng-băijì de jiàngdī chănpĭn de chéngběn.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘This factory decreased the production costs of its products by every possible means.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as adverbial modifier.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [想方设法] (xiăng fāng shè fá 想方設法) ‘try every possible means,’ 绞尽脑汁 (jiăo jìn năo zhī 絞盡腦汁) ‘rack one’s brains,’ [费尽心机] (fèi jìn xīn jī 費盡心機) ‘think of every possible means.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [无计可施] (wú jì kě shī 無計可施) ‘have no plan to carry out – at one’s wit’s end,’ [束手无策] (shù shŏu wú cè 束手無策) ‘tied hands without plan – at a complete loss about what to do.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.4" id="ch1.4">4. 【全心全意】 (全心全意) quán xīn quán yì</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">The literal meaning is ‘complete heart complete intention,’ with a freer translation being ‘with all one’s heart and all one’s soul, wholeheartedly.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 公务员应该<b>全心全意</b>地为人民服务。</p>
<p class="justify1">Gōngwùyuán yīnggāi quánxīn-quányì de wèi rénmín fúwù.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘Civil servants should serve the people with all their heart and all their soul.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 她一边哭一边说， “我这样<b>全心全意</b>地对你， 你为什么对我有二心？”</p>
<p class="justify1">Tā yì biān kū yì biān shuō, “Wŏ zhèyàng quánxīn-quányì de duì nĭ, nĭ wèishénme duì wŏ yŏu èrxīn?”</p>
<p class="justify1">‘She cried as she said, “I treat you like this with all my heart and all my soul; why are you disloyal to me?” ’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as adverbial, often followed by 为人民服务 (wèi rénmín fúwù 為人民服務) ‘to serve (for) the people.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Note:</em> Somewhat complimentary in meaning.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonym:</em> [一心一意] (yì xīn yí yì 一心一意) ‘with one heart and one mind, wholeheartedly.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [三心二意] (sān xīn èr yì 三心二意) ‘of two minds, half-hearted,’ [朝三暮四] (zhāo sān mù sì 朝三暮四) ‘fickle and inconstant.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.5" id="ch1.5">5. 【无论如何】 (無論如何) wú lùn rú hé</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">无论 means ‘no matter’ and 如何 means ‘how?’ The meaning of the whole idiom is ‘no matter how, no matter what, in any event, in any case.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 你们<b>无论如何</b>都要在三天内把这件事情做完。</p>
<p class="justify1">Nĭmen wúlùn-rúhé dōu yào zài sān tiān nèi bă zhè jiàn shìqing zuòwán.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘No matter what, you should complete this matter within three days.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 我看她非常面熟， 但是<b>无论如何</b>都想不起她的名字来。</p>
<p class="justify1">Wŏ kàn tā fēicháng miànshú, dànshì wúlùn-rúhé dōu xiăngbuqĭ tā de míngzi lái.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘When I look at her, she’s very familiar, but no matter what I can’t think of her name.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions as adverbial.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonym:</em> [在所不惜] (zài suŏ bù xī 在所不惜) ‘will not grudge, will spare no effort, will not hesitate to.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.6" id="ch1.6">6. 【前所未有】 (前所未有) qián suŏ wèi yŏu</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">未 means ‘did not, not yet.’ The meaning of the whole idiom is ‘never happened before in the past, unprecedented.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 她遇到了<b>前所未有</b>的挑战。</p>
<p class="justify1">Tā yùdàole qiánsuŏwèiyŏu de tiăozhàn.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘She encountered unprecedented challenges.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 这次行动规模之大、 速度之快， 在历史上是<b>前所未有</b>的。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zhè cì xíngdòng guīmó zhī dà, sùdù zhī kuài, zài lìshĭ shàng shì qiánsuŏwèiyŏu de.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘The scale and speed of the operation this time were unprecedented in history.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as attributive; can also serve as predicate.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [史无前例] (shĭ wú qián lì 史無前例) ‘in history there is no precedent, unprecedented,’ [前无古人] (qián wú gŭ rén 前無古人) ‘no ancients who can compare – peerless, unprecedented.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonym:</em> [司空见惯] (sī kōng jiàn guàn 司空見慣) ‘get used to seeing something and no longer find it strange.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.7" id="ch1.7">7. 【坚定不移】 (堅定不移) jiān dìng bù yí</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">坚定 means ‘firm, steadfast’ and 移 means ‘move, change.’ A literal translation of the whole idiom is ‘firm and unchanging.’ Freer translations include ‘firm and unswerving, steadfast and unchanging, resolute.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 在一场政治危机中， 他<b>坚定不移</b>地站在总统一边。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zài yì cháng zhèngzhì wēijī zhōng, tā jiāndìng-bùyì de zhàn zài zŏngtŏng yì biān.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘In a political crisis, he steadfastly stood on the side of the president.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 中国将<b>坚定不移</b>地推进改革开放。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zhōngguó jiāng jiāndìng-bùyí de tuījìn găigé kāifàng.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘China will steadfastly advance the policy of reform and opening up.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as adverbial.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Note:</em> Complimentary in meaning.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [始终不渝] (shĭ zhōng bù yú 始終不渝) ‘from beginning to end not changing – steady, steadfast,’ [矢志不渝] (shĭ zhì bù yú 矢志不渝) ‘arrow(-like) determination not to change – determined not to change.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [举棋不定] (jŭ qí bú dìng 舉棋不定) ‘hold a chess piece without deciding – indecisive,’ [见异思迁] (jiàn yì sī qiān 見異思遷) ‘see something different and want to change – fickle, capricious.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.8" id="ch1.8">8. 【引人注目】 (引人注目) yĭn rén zhù mù</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">引 means ‘attract’ and 注目 means ‘fix one’s eyes on, gaze at.’ A literal translation would be ‘attract other people’s attention.’ Freer translations include ‘draw attention, noticeable, conspicuous.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 在一场<b>引人注目</b>的比赛中， 他的运气及发挥都很好， 因此轻松战胜对手。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zài yì chăng yĭnrén-zhùmù de bĭsài zhōng, tā de yùnqì jí fāhuī dōu hěnhăo, yīncĭ qīngsōng zhànshèng duìshŏu.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘In an attention-grabbing competition, his luck and his performance were both very good, therefore he defeated his opponents without effort.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 台湾电子行业的迅速发展格外<b>引人注目</b>。</p>
<p class="justify1">Táiwān diànzĭ hángydè xùnsù fāzhăn géwài yĭnrén-zhùmù.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘The rapid development of Taiwan’s electronics industry especially attracts people’s attention.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as predicate and attributive.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [隐姓埋名] (yĭn xìng mái míng 隱姓埋名) ‘conceal one’s identity,’ [无人问津] (wú ré wèn jīn 無人問津) ‘no one asks about the ford – no one shows any interest.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.9" id="ch1.9">9. 【因地制宜】 (因地制宜) yīn dì zhì yí</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">因 here means ‘according to,’ 地 means ‘locality,’ 制 means ‘formulate,’ and 宜 means ‘appropriate measures.’ A literal translation of the whole idiom is ‘according to the locality formulate appropriate measures,’ with a freer translation being ‘adapt to local conditions.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 那座城市有几座历史名胜古迹， 因此该城市<b>因地制宜</b>地大力发展旅游业。</p>
<p class="justify1">Nà zuò chéngshì yŏu jĭ zuò lìshĭ míngshèng-gŭjì, yīncĭ gāi chéngshì yīndì-zhìyì de dàlì fāzhăn lǚyóuyè.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘That city has several famous historical sites; therefore, the aforementioned city is vigorously developing tourism, adopting appropriate measures according to concrete local conditions.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 国家在推行一些地方政策的时候要<b>因地制宜</b>， 不能搞一刀切。</p>
<p class="justify1">Guójiā zài tuīxíng yìxiē dìfāng zhèngcè de shíhou yào yīndì-zhìyí, bù néng găo yì dāo qiē.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘When the country implements local policies, it should enact appropriate policies based on local conditions; it must not adopt a cookie-cutter approach.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as predicate and adverbial.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [对症下药] (duì zhèng xià yào 對癥下藥) ‘suit the medicine to the illness,’ [因势利导] (yīn shì lì dăo 因勢利導) ‘guided by the circumstances.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonym:</em> [一成不变] (yì chéng bú biàn 一成不變) ‘fixed and unalterable.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.10" id="ch1.10">10. 【自相矛盾】 (自相矛盾) zì xiāng máo dùn</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">自 means ‘self,’ 相 means ‘mutually,’ 矛 means ‘spear,’ and 盾 means ‘shield.’ The connotation is ‘self-contradictory.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 那个政治家显然在撒谎， 上个月说的话跟这个月说的话<b>自相矛盾</b>。</p>
<p class="justify1">Nàge zhèngzhìjiā xiănrán zài sāhuăng, shàng ge yuè shuōde huà gēn zhège yuè shuō de huà zìxiāng-máodùn.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘That politician is obviously lying; what he said last month and what he said this month are self-contradictory.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 他的文章的逻辑不太清楚， 有<b>自相矛盾</b>的地方。</p>
<p class="justify1">Tā de wénzhāng de luóji bú tài qīngchu, yŏu zìxiāng-máodùn de dìfang.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘The logic of his essay is not very clear; there are places that are self-contradictory.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as predicate or attributive.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Allusion:</em> There was a man who was selling a spear and a shield at the same time. He boasted about his shield, saying, “My shield is the strongest in the world! There is nothing that can penetrate it.” He also said, “My spear is the sharpest in the world! There is nothing it can’t penetrate.” Consequently someone asked him, “If you use your spear to stab your shield, what will happen?” The man could not answer. (from <em>Han Feizi</em>)</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [自圆其说] (zì yuán qí shūo 自圓其説) ‘make one’s argument consistent and not self-contradictory’’ [无懈可击] (wú xiè kě jī 無懈可擊) ‘with no chink in one’s armour, leave no room for criticism.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.11" id="ch1.11">11. 【成千上万】 (成千上萬) chéng qiān shàng wàn</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">成 here means ‘becoming’ and 上 mean ‘surpassing.’ The meaning of the whole idiom is ‘tens of thousands of.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 为了找到一个好位置来看他们喜爱的歌星， <b>成千上万</b>的歌迷一下子挤进了体育场。</p>
<p class="justify1">Wèile zhăodào yí ge hăo wèizhì lái kàn tāmen xĭ’ài de gēxīng, chéngqiān-shàngwàn de gēmí yìxiàzi jĭ jìnle tĭyùchăng.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘In order to find a good spot to see their beloved singing star, tens of thousands of fans all at once pushed their way into the stadium.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 这部新的法律影响到<b>成千上万</b>人的利益， 所以引起了大家热烈的讨论。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zhè bù xīn de fálù yĭngxiăng dào chéngqiān-shàngwàn rén de lìyì, suŏyĭ yĭnqĭle dàjiā rèliè de tăolùn.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘This new law affected the interests of tens of thousands of people, so it touched off passionate discussions by everyone.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as attributive and predicate.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonym:</em> [不计其数] (bú jì qí shù 不計其數) ‘not calculate its number – too numerous to count.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonym:</em> [寥寥无几] (liáo liáo wú jĭ 寥寥無幾) ‘very few.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.12" id="ch1.12">12. 【卓有成效】 (卓有成效) zhuó yŏu chéng xiào</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">卓 means ‘outstanding, excellent’ and 成效 means ‘effect, result.’ A literal translation of the whole idiom is ‘outstanding and having effect,’ with freer translations including ‘with outstanding results, highly effective.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 近年来， 双方在文化领域内进行了<b>卓有成效</b>的合作。</p>
<p class="justify1">Jìn nián lái, shuāngfāng zài wénhuà lĭngyù nèi jìnxíngle zhuóyŏuchéngxiào de hézuò.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘In recent years, both sides have carried out extremely effective cooperation in cultural spheres.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 政府的新经济政策<b>卓有成效</b>， 受到人民的高度赞扬。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zhèngfŭ de xīn jīngjì zhèngcè zhuóyŏuchéngxiào, shòudào rénmín de gāodù zànyáng.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘The government’s new economic policy is highly effective; it has received a high degree of approval from the people.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as attributive. Often preceded by the verbs 进行 (jinxing 進行) ‘carry out’ and 开展 (kāizhăn 開展) ‘develop’; often followed by the noun 合作 (hézuò) ‘cooperation.’ Can also serve as predicate and adverbial.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Note:</em> Complimentary in meaning.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonym:</em> [行之有效] (xíng zhī yŏu xiào 行之有效) ‘implement with efficiency, efficient.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [无济于事] (wú jì yú shì 無濟方令事) ‘not help matters, of no avail, to no effect,’ [劳而无功] (láo ér wú gōng 勞而無功) ‘endeavor but have no success – work with no gain.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.13" id="ch1.13">13. 【当务之急】 (當務之急) dāng wù zhī jí</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">当 means ‘should,’ 务 means ‘pursue,’ and 急 means ‘an urgent matter.’ The literal meaning is ‘an urgent matter that should be pursued.’ The whole idiom means ‘a matter of great urgency.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 如何保持经济持续发展， 是我们的<b>当务之急</b>。</p>
<p class="justify1">Rúhé băochí jīngjì chíxù fāzhăn, shì wŏmen de dāngwù-zhījí.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘How to maintain continued economic development is a matter of great urgency for us.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 二十世纪五六十年代， 迅速推广普通话是语言文字工作者的<b>当务之急</b>。</p>
<p class="justify1">Èrshí shìjì wŭ-liùshí niándài, xùnsù tuīguăng pŭtōnghuà shì yŭyán wénzì gōngzuòzhě de dāngwù-zhījí.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘In the 1950s and 60s, the rapid spread of Putonghua was a matter of great urgency for language and writing specialists.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Nominal element, functions mainly as object and subject.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [燃眉之急] (rán méi zhī jí 燃眉之急) ‘the urgency of fire singeing the eyebrows – a matter of great urgency,’ [迫在眉睫] (pò zài méi jié 迫在眉睫) ‘pressing on the eyebrows and eyelashes – very urgent,’ [刻不容缓] (kè bù róng huăn [刻不容缓) ‘allow no delay, extremely urgent.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [一拖再拖] (yì tuō zài tuō —拖再拖) ‘drag on or delay without end,’ [遥遥无期] (yáo yáo wú qī 遙遙無期) ‘not in the foreseeable future.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.14" id="ch1.14">14. 【独立自主】 (獨立自主) dú lì zì zhŭ</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">独立 means ‘independent’ and 自主 means ‘be one’s own master.’ The whole idiom can be translated as ‘independent and being one’s own master’ or ‘independent and possessing the right of self-determination.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 中国一贯奉行<b>独立自主</b>的和平外交政策。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zhōngguó yíguàn fèngxíng dúlì-zìzhŭ de hépíng wàijiāo zhèngcè.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘China has all along pursued an independent and peaceful diplomatic policy.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 那位亿万富翁的儿子不想借助他父亲的影响， 而愿意<b>独立自主</b>地开创他自 己的事业。</p>
<p class="justify1">Nà wèi yìwànfùwēng de érzĭ bù xiăng jièzhù tā fùqīn de yĭngxiăng, ér yuànyì dúlì-zìzhŭ de kāichuàng tā zìjĭ de shìyè.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘That billionaire’s son does not want to make use of his father’s influence, but wants to independently establish his own career.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as object or adverbial.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Note:</em> Complimentary in meaning.独立自主 is a foreign policy of China; therefore, this idiom often appears in diplomatic contexts.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [自力更生] (zì lì gēng shēng 自力更生) ‘one’s own strength changes one’s life – rely on one’s own efforts,’ [自食其力] (zì shí qí lì 自食其力) ‘oneself eat one’s own strength – support oneself by one’s own labor.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [仰人鼻息] (yăng rén bí xī 仰人鼻息) ‘rely on other people’s noses for breath – slavishly dependent,’ [寄人篱下] (jì rén lí xià 寄人籬下) ‘live as a dependent or parasite in another’s home – rely or depend on others.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.15" id="ch1.15">15. 【脱颍而出】 (脱穎而出) tuō yĭng ér chū</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">脱 means ‘break free from, escape from’ and 颖 means ‘an awn of wheat’ (i.e., the bristle-like fiber in the wheat). This refers to the fibers that often stick through a sack of wheat. By metaphor, this has come to mean ‘talent being fully exposed, talent revealing itself.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 尽管很多人批评高考， 但是高考的确能使很多优秀的人才<b>脱颍而出</b>。</p>
<p class="justify1">Jĭnguăn hěn duō rén pīpíng gāokăo, dànshì gāokăo díquè néng shĭ hěn duō yōuxiù de réncái tuōyĭng-érchū.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘Even though many people criticize the Chinese college entrance examination, it really can make many outstanding people of talent be revealed.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 第一次世界大战以后， 梵高的作品<b>脱颍而出</b>， 受到人们的重视。</p>
<p class="justify1">Dìyī cì shìjiè dàzhàn yĭhòu, Fàn Gāo de zuòpĭn tuōyĭng-érchū, shòudào rénmen de zhòngshì.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘After World War I, Van Gogh’s works became fully revealed, and were greatly valued by people.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions as predicate.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Note:</em> Complimentary in meaning.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonym:</em> [崭露头角] (zhăn lù tóu jiăo 嶄露頭角) ‘distinguish oneself.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonym:</em> [韬光养晦] (tāo guāng yăng hui 韜光養晦) ‘conceal one’s abilities and bide one’s time.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.16" id="ch1.16">16. 【无可奈何】 (無可奈何) wú kě nài hé</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">The literal meaning is ‘helpless; have no alternative; there’s no way out.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 他<b>无可奈何</b>地说：“对不起， 这件事我帮不了你。”</p>
<p class="justify1">Tā wúkěnàihé de shuō: “Duìbuqĭ, zhè jiàn shì wŏ bāng bùliăo nĭ.”</p>
<p class="justify1">‘Having no alternative, he said: “I’m sorry, I can’t help you with this.”’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 辛普森案判决以后， 虽然不少人都感到不满， 但是<b>无可奈何</b>。</p>
<p class="justify1">Xīnpŭsēn àn pànjué yĭhòu, suīán bù shăo rén dōu găndào bùmiăn, dànshì wúkěnàihé.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘After the verdict of the Simpson case, although a good number of people felt unsatisfied, there was nothing they could do about it.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as predicate or adverbial modifier.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [爱莫能助] (ài mò néng zhù 愛莫能助) ‘want to help but not be in a position to do so,’ [无计可施] (wú jì kě shī 無計可施) ‘at one’s wit’s end.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonym:</em> [花样百出] (huā yàng băi chū 花樣百出) ‘one pattern or scheme after another.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.17" id="ch1.17">17. 【莫名其妙】 (莫名其妙) mò míng qí miào</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">The literal meaning is ‘no one can explain it; unable to make head or tail of something; be baffled.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 他一会儿说这样做， 一会儿说那样做， 大家都感到<b>莫名其妙</b>。</p>
<p class="justify1">Tā yíhuìr shuō zhèyàng zuò, yíhuìr shuō nàyàng zuò, dàjiā dōu găndào mòmíng-qímiào.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘One moment he said to do it this way. The next moment he said to do it that way. Everyone felt baffled.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 我的手机<b>莫名其妙</b>地不见了。</p>
<p class="justify1">Wŏ de shŏujī mòmíng-qímiào de bú jiàn le.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘My cell phone inexplicably disappeared.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as predicate, complement, or adverbial modifier; can also serve as attribute. Common combinations include 让人〜 (ràng rén 〜 讓人〜), 感到〜 (găndào〜), and 〜的话/病 (〜de huà/bìng的話 / 病).</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Note:</em> There is an alternative form 莫明其妙 (mò míng qí miào).</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonym:</em> [匪夷所思] (fěi yí suŏ sī 匪夷所思) ‘who would have thought it, unthinkable.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonym:</em> [洞若观火] (dòng ruò guān huŏ 洞若觀火)’see something as clearly as a blazing fire.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.18" id="ch1.18">18. 【自力更生】 (自力更生) zì lì gēng shēng</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">自力 means ‘rely on one’s own efforts’ and 更生 means ‘revive, rejuvenate.’ The meaning of the whole idiom is ‘one’s own strength changes one’s life – rely on one’s own efforts.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 二十世纪六十年代， 中国在失去苏联援助的情况下， <b>自力更生</b>， 艰苦奋斗， 在尖端科技方面并没有落后太多。</p>
<p class="justify1">Èrshí shìjì liùshí Zhōngguó zài shīqù Sūlián yuánzhù de qíngkuàng xià, zìlì-gēngshēng, jiānkù-fèndòu, zài jiānduān kējì fāngmiàn bìng méiyŏu luòhòu tài duō.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘In the 1960s, China – in the situation of having lost the Soviet Union’s assistance – relied on its own efforts in its development and struggled arduously, not falling behind too much in the advanced sciences.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 灾区人民<b>自力更生</b>， 很快完成了家园的重建工作。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zāiqū rénmín zìlì-gēngshēng, hěn kuài wánchéngle jiāyuán de chóngjiàn gōngzuò.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘The people of the disaster area relied on their own efforts; they quickly finished the work of reconstructing their homeland.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions mainly as predicate and adverbial.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Note:</em> Complimentary in meaning. Used mainly in slogans, often together with other idioms such as 艰苦奋斗 (jiān kě fèn dòu 艱苦奮鬥) ‘arduous struggle,’ 艰苦创业 (jiān kě chuàng yè 奠艮苦創業) ‘experience great difficulty in starting an undertaking,’ or 奋发图强 (fèn fā tú qiáng 奮發圖強) ‘work hard for the strength and prosperity of the country.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [自强不息] (zì qiáng bù xī 自強不息)’strive constantly for self-improvement,’ [自食其力] (zì shí qí lì 自食其力) ‘oneself eat one’s own strength – support oneself by one’s own labor.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [仰人鼻息] (yăng rén bí xī 仰人鼻息) ‘rely on other people’s noses for breath – slavishly dependent,’ [寄人篱下] (jì rén lí xià 寄人籬下) ‘live as a dependent or parasite in another’s home – rely or depend on others.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.19" id="ch1.19">19. 【一如既往】 (一如既往) yì rú jì wăng</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">既往 means ‘formerly, in the past.’ The meaning of the whole idiom is ‘exactly the same as in the past, as before.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 中国将<b>一如既往</b>地加强同非洲国家的友好关系。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zhōngguó jiāng yìrújìwăng de jiāqiáng tóng Fēizhōu guójiā de yŏuhăo guānxi.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘China will, exactly as in the past, strengthen friendly relations with African nations.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 今天， 那位老教授<b>一如既往</b>地提前十分钟来到了教室。</p>
<p class="justify1">Jīntiān, nà wèi lăo jiàoshòu yìrújìwăng de tíqián shí fēn zhōng láidàole jiàoshì.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘Today that old professor, exactly as in the past, came to the classroom ten minutes ahead of time.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> Functions as adverbial, often preceded by 将 (jiāng 將) ‘will.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Near Synonyms:</em> [一成不变] (yì chéng bú biàn 一成不變) ‘fixed and unalterable,’ [始终如一] (shĭ zhōng rú yī 始終如一) ‘beginning and end like one – consistent, constant.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonyms:</em> [一反常态] (yì fán cháng tài 一反常態) ‘depart from one’s normal behavior,’ [朝三暮四] (zhāo sān mù sì 朝三暮四) ‘fickle and inconstant.’</p>
<h2 class="color"><a href="006_9781136882579_list.html#con_ch1.20" id="ch1.20">20. 【扑朔迷离】 (撲朔迷離) pū shuò mí lí</a></h2>
<p class="para justify">扑朔 means ‘move all over the place’ and 迷离 means ‘dim, blurred.’ The original meaning of this idiom had to do with the difficulty of distinguishing between male and female rabbits (see note below). The extended meaning is ‘things are intricate and complicated and difficult to distinguish clearly.’ A freer translation is ‘confusing, hard to distinguish, all mixed up.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 1:</em> 中国古典长篇小说的线索往往比较多， 因此故事情节<b>扑朔迷离</b>。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zhōngguó gŭdiăn chángpiān xiăoshuō de xiànsuŏ wăngwăng bĭjiào duō, yīncĭ gùshi qíngjié pūshuò-mílí.</p>
<p class="justify1">‘There are often rather many threads in Classical Chinese novels; because of this, the plot of the story is confusing.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Example 2:</em> 这次多方谈判， 由于每一方都尽力维护自己的利益， 所以谈判的前景<b>扑朔迷离</b>。</p>
<p class="justify1">Zhè cì duōfang tánpàn yóuyú měi yì fāng dōu jìnlì wéihù zìjĭ de lìyì, suŏyĭ tánpàn de qiánjĭng pūshuò-mílí</p>
<p class="justify1">‘In the current multiparty negotiations, because each side is trying its best to protect its own interests, the prospects for the negotiations are murky.’</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Usage:</em> About half the time functions as predicate, often occurring at the end of a sentence. Can also serve as attributive.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Allusion:</em> A Northern Dynasties folk song, <em>Mulan Ci</em>, sang the praises of the young woman Mulan, who joined the military on behalf of her father. Mulan had been in the military for twelve years and involved in many military exploits when she was finally recognized by her comrades as being a woman. Her explanation then was this: “The male rabbit’s foot moves all over, the female rabbit’s eyes are dim. When both rabbits are running on the ground, how can one distinguish whether they are male or female?” The meaning of this is that when rabbits are grabbed by their ears so they can’t move, the male rabbit’s feet will keep moving wildly, while the female rabbit’s eyes will half close, which makes it easy to distinguish males from females. But when two rabbits – one male, one female -are moving next to each other, how can one easily distinguish male from female? The story of Mulan spread far and wide in China; in 1998 in the U.S., the Disney film studios produced the animated film <em>Mulan</em>, which was based on this story.</p>
<p class="justify1"><em>Antonym:</em> [一清二楚] (yī qīng èr chŭ 一清二楚) ‘completely clear.’</p>