Pinyin converter Dictionary Links About

pīnyīn pin1yin1 ㄓㄨㄧㄣ simplified traditional

而 而 er2

and; as well as; and so; but (not); yet (not); (indicates causal relation); (indicates change of state); (indicates contrast)

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radical	而 而
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哀而不伤 哀而不傷 ai1 er2 bu4 shang1

deeply felt but not mawkish (idiom)

百足之虫死而不僵 百足之蟲死而不僵 bai3 zu2 zhi1 chong2 si3 er2 bu4 jiang1

a centipede dies but never falls down; old institutions die hard

半途而废 半途而廢 ban4 tu2 er2 fei4

to give up halfway (idiom); leave sth unfinished

傍户而立 傍戶而立 bang4 hu4 er2 li4

to stand close to the door

背道而驰 背道而馳 bei4 dao4 er2 chi2

to run in the opposite direction (idiom); to run counter to

备而不用 備而不用 bei4 er2 bu4 yong4

have sth ready just in case; keep sth for possible future use

比较而言 比較而言 bi3 jiao4 er2 yan2

comparatively speaking

博而不精 博而不精 bo2 er2 bu4 jing1

extensive but not refined (idiom); to know something about everything; Jack of all trades and master of none.

不辞而别 不辭而別 bu4 ci2 er2 bie2

to leave without saying good-bye

不得而知 不得而知 bu4 de2 er2 zhi1

unknown; unable to find out

不得其门而入 不得其門而入 bu4 de2 qi2 men2 er2 ru4

to be unable to get in; to fail to find a proper approach to handling sth

不得已而为之 不得已而為之 bu4 de2 yi3 er2 wei2 zhi1

to have no other choice; to be the last resort

不寒而栗 不寒而慄 bu4 han2 er2 li4

shiver all over though not cold; tremble with fear; shudder

不欢而散 不歡而散 bu4 huan1 er2 san4

to part on bad terms; (of a meeting etc) to break up in discord

不患寡而患不均 不患寡而患不均 bu4 huan4 gua3 er2 huan4 bu4 jun1

do not worry about scarcity, but rather about uneven distribution (idiom, from Analects)

不胫而走 不脛而走 bu4 jing4 er2 zou3

to get round fast; to spread like wildfire

不可同日而语 不可同日而語 bu4 ke3 tong2 ri4 er2 yu3

lit. mustn't speak of two things on the same day (idiom); not to be mentioned in the same breath; incomparable

不劳而获 不勞而獲 bu4 lao2 er2 huo4

to reap without sowing (idiom)

不谋而合 不謀而合 bu4 mou2 er2 he2

to agree without prior consultation; to happen to hold the same view

不期而遇 不期而遇 bu4 qi1 er2 yu4

meet by chance; have a chance encounter

不期然而然 不期然而然 bu4 qi1 ran2 er2 ran2

happen unexpectedly; turn out contrary to one's expectations

不速而至 不速而至 bu4 su4 er2 zhi4

to arrive without invitation; unexpected guest; unwanted presence

不宣而战 不宣而戰 bu4 xuan1 er2 zhan4

open hostilities without declaring war; start an undeclared war

不言而喻 不言而喻 bu4 yan2 er2 yu4

it goes without saying; it is self-evident

不一而足 不一而足 bu4 yi1 er2 zu2

by no means an isolated case; numerous

不翼而飞 不翼而飛 bu4 yi4 er2 fei1

to disappear without trace; to vanish all of a sudden; to spread fast; to spread like wildfire

不约而同 不約而同 bu4 yue1 er2 tong2

to agree by chance (idiom); taking the same action without prior consultation

不治而愈 不治而癒 bu4 zhi4 er2 yu4

to recover spontaneously (from an illness); to get better without medical treatment

擦肩而过 擦肩而過 ca1 jian1 er2 guo4

brief encounter; to brush past sb

擦身而过 擦身而過 ca1 shen1 er2 guo4

to brush past

乘虚而入 乘虛而入 cheng2 xu1 er2 ru4

to enter by exploiting a weak spot (idiom); to take advantage of a lapse

冲口而出 衝口而出 chong1 kou3 er2 chu1

to blurt out without thinking (idiom)

重足而立 重足而立 chong2 zu2 er2 li4

rooted to the spot (idiom); too terrified to move

出淤泥而不染 出淤泥而不染 chu1 yu1 ni2 er2 bu4 ran3

lit. to grow out of the mud unsullied (idiom); fig. to be principled and incorruptible

从而 從而 cong2 er2

thus; thereby

从天而降 從天而降 cong2 tian1 er2 jiang4

lit. to drop from the sky (idiom); fig. to appear unexpectedly; to arise abruptly; out of the blue; to drop into one's lap

从一而终 從一而終 cong2 yi1 er2 zhong1

faithful unto death (i.e. Confucian ban on widow remarrying)

大而化之 大而化之 da4 er2 hua4 zhi1

careless; sloppy

大而无当 大而無當 da4 er2 wu2 dang4

grandiose but impractical (idiom); large but of no real use

待价而沽 待價而沽 dai4 jia4 er2 gu1

to sell only for a good price (idiom); to wait for a good offer

得而复失 得而復失 de2 er2 fu4 shi1

to lose what one has just obtained (idiom)

等而下之 等而下之 deng3 er2 xia4 zhi1

going from there to lower grades (idiom)

抵足而眠 抵足而眠 di3 zu2 er2 mian2

lit. to live and sleep together (idiom); fig. a close friendship

抵足而卧 抵足而臥 di3 zu2 er2 wo4

lit. to live and sleep together (idiom); fig. a close friendship

夺门而出 奪門而出 duo2 men2 er2 chu1

to rush out through a door (idiom)

俄而 俄而 e2 er2

(literary) very soon; before long

而不需 而不需 er2 bu4 xu1

without needing (to so sth)

而后 而後 er2 hou4

after that; then

而今 而今 er2 jin1

now; at the present (time)

而立之年 而立之年 er2 li4 zhi1 nian2

aged thirty (see 三十而立)

而且 而且 er2 qie3

(not only ...) but also; moreover; in addition; furthermore

而是 而是 er2 shi4

rather

而言 而言 er2 yan2

with regard to (preceding phrase)

而已 而已 er2 yi3

that's all; nothing more

法网灰灰，疏而不漏 法網灰灰，疏而不漏 fa3 wang3 hui1 hui1 - shu1 er2 bu4 lou4

The net of justice is wide, but no-one escapes.

反而 反而 fan3 er2

instead; on the contrary; contrary (to expectations)

反其道而行之 反其道而行之 fan3 qi2 dao4 er2 xing2 zhi1

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

泛泛而谈 泛泛而談 fan4 fan4 er2 tan2

to speak in general terms

放之四海而皆准 放之四海而皆准 fang4 zhi1 si4 hai3 er2 jie1 zhun3

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

放之四海而皆准 放之四海而皆準 fang4 zhi1 si4 hai3 er2 jie1 zhun3

applicable anywhere (idiom)

分而治之 分而治之 fen1 er2 zhi4 zhi1

divide and rule (strategy); divide and conquer

拂袖而去 拂袖而去 fu2 xiu4 er2 qu4

to storm off in a huff (idiom)

概而不论 概而不論 gai4 er2 bu4 lun4

fuzzy about the details

概而言之 概而言之 gai4 er2 yan2 zhi1

same as 總而言之|总而言之

敢怒而不敢言 敢怒而不敢言 gan3 nu4 er2 bu4 gan3 yan2

angry, but not daring to speak out (idiom); obliged to remain silent about one's resentment; unable to voice objections

公而忘私 公而忘私 gong1 er2 wang4 si1

for the common good and forgetting personal interests (idiom); to behave altruistically; selfless

故而 故而 gu4 er2

therefore

广而告之广告公司 廣而告之廣告公司 guang3 er2 gao4 zhi1 guang3 gao4 gong1 si1

China Mass Media International Advertising Corp

过而能改，善莫大焉 過而能改，善莫大焉 guo4 er2 neng2 gai3 - shan4 mo4 da4 yan1

If one can change after making a mistake, there is nothing better (idiom)

合而为一 合而為一 he2 er2 wei2 yi1

to merge together (idiom); to unify disparate elements into one whole

何乐而不为 何樂而不為 he2 le4 er2 bu4 wei2

What can you have against it? (idiom); We should do this.; Go for it!

和衣而卧 和衣而卧 he2 yi1 er2 wo4

to lie down to sleep with one's clothes on

涸泽而渔 涸澤而漁 he2 ze2 er2 yu2

see 竭澤而漁|竭泽而渔

忽而 忽而 hu1 er2

suddenly; now (..., now...)

呼啸而过 呼嘯而過 hu1 xiao4 er2 guo4

to whistle past; to hurtle past; to zip by

华而不实 華而不實 hua2 er2 bu4 shi2

flower but no fruit (idiom); handsome exterior but hollow inside; flashy

换而言之 換而言之 huan4 er2 yan2 zhi1

in other words

惠而不费 惠而不費 hui4 er2 bu4 fei4

a kind act that costs nothing

霍然而愈 霍然而癒 huo4 ran2 er2 yu4

to recover speedily (idiom); to get better quickly

疾驰而过 疾馳而過 ji2 chi2 er2 guo4

to sweep past; to hurtle past; to swoosh past

及锋而试 及鋒而試 ji2 feng1 er2 shi4

lit. to reach the tip and try (idiom); to have a go when at one's peak

既而 既而 ji4 er2

soon after; later; then

继而 繼而 ji4 er2

then; afterwards

戛然而止 戛然而止 jia2 ran2 er2 zhi3

with a grunting sound it stops (idiom); to come to an end spontaneously (esp. of sound)

假而 假而 jia3 er2

if

兼而有之 兼而有之 jian1 er2 you3 zhi1

to have both (at the same time)

简而言之 簡而言之 jian3 er2 yan2 zhi1

in a nutshell; to put it briefly

见难而上 見難而上 jian4 nan2 er2 shang4

to take the bull by the horns (idiom)

接踵而来 接踵而來 jie1 zhong3 er2 lai2

to come one after the other

结伴而行 結伴而行 jie2 ban4 er2 xing2

to stay together (of a group); to keep together

竭泽而渔 竭澤而漁 jie2 ze2 er2 yu2

lit. to drain the pond to get at the fish (idiom); fig. to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

仅此而已 僅此而已 jin3 ci3 er2 yi3

that's all; just this and nothing more

进而 進而 jin4 er2

and then (what follows next)

尽欢而散 盡歡而散 jin4 huan1 er2 san4

to disperse after a happy time (idiom); everyone enjoys themselves to the full then party breaks up

尽力而为 盡力而為 jin4 li4 er2 wei2

to try one's utmost; to strive

敬而远之 敬而遠之 jing4 er2 yuan3 zhi1

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

敬鬼神而远之 敬鬼神而遠之 jing4 gui3 shen2 er2 yuan3 zhi1

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

久而久之 久而久之 jiu3 er2 jiu3 zhi1

over time; as time passes; in the fullness of time

鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已 鞠躬盡瘁，死而後已 ju1 gong1 jin4 cui4 - si3 er2 hou4 yi3

to bend to a task and spare no effort unto one's dying day (idiom); striving to the utmost one's whole life; with every breath in one's body, unto one's dying day

具体而微 具體而微 ju4 ti3 er2 wei1

miniature; scaled-down; forming a microcosm

崛地而起 崛地而起 jue2 di4 er2 qi3

lit. arising suddenly above the level ground (idiom); sudden emergence of prominent new feature

决而不行 決而不行 jue2 er2 bu4 xing2

making decisions without implementing them

侃侃而谈 侃侃而談 kan3 kan3 er2 tan2

to speak frankly with assurance

可望而不可即 可望而不可即 ke3 wang4 er2 bu4 ke3 ji2

in sight but unattainable (idiom); inaccessible; also written 可望而不可及

可望而不可及 可望而不可及 ke3 wang4 er2 bu4 ke3 ji2

in sight but unattainable (idiom); inaccessible

可想而知 可想而知 ke3 xiang3 er2 zhi1

it is obvious that...; as one can well imagine...

可一而不可再 可一而不可再 ke3 yi1 er2 bu4 ke3 zai4

may be done once and once only; just this once

空手而归 空手而歸 kong1 shou3 er2 gui1

to return empty-handed; to fail to win anything

来而不往非礼也 來而不往非禮也 lai2 er2 bu4 wang3 fei1 li3 ye3

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

劳而无功 勞而無功 lao2 er2 wu2 gong1

to work hard while accomplishing little; to toil to no avail

厉目而视 厲目而視 li4 mu4 er2 shi4

to cut sb a severe look (idiom)

良禽择木而栖 良禽擇木而棲 liang2 qin2 ze2 mu4 er2 qi1

a fine bird chooses a tree to nest in (proverb); fig. a talented person chooses a patron of integrity

量力而为 量力而為 liang4 li4 er2 wei2

to weigh one's abilities and act accordingly; to act according to one's means; to cut one's coat according to one's cloth

量力而行 量力而行 liang4 li4 er2 xing2

to assess one's capabilities and act accordingly (idiom); to act within one's competence; One does what one can.

临渊羡鱼，不如退而结网 臨淵羨魚，不如退而結網 lin2 yuan1 xian4 yu2 - bu4 ru2 tui4 er2 jie2 wang3

better to go home and weave a net than to stand by the pond longing for fish (idiom); one should take practical steps to achieve one's aim

露齿而笑 露齒而笑 lu4 chi3 er2 xiao4

to grin

满载而归 滿載而歸 man3 zai4 er2 gui1

to return from a rewarding journey

秘而不宣 祕而不宣 mi4 er2 bu4 xuan1

to withhold information; to keep sth secret

密而不宣 密而不宣 mi4 er2 bu4 xuan1

confidential; secret; hush-hush

勉力而为 勉力而為 mian3 li4 er2 wei2

to try one's best to do sth (idiom)

沐猴而冠 沐猴而冠 mu4 hou2 er2 guan4

lit. a monkey wearing a hat (idiom); fig. worthless person in imposing attire

慕名而来 慕名而來 mu4 ming2 er2 lai2

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

怒目而视 怒目而視 nu4 mu4 er2 shi4

to glare at

偶而 偶而 ou3 er2

occasionally; once in a while

拍案而起 拍案而起 pai1 an4 er2 qi3

lit. to slap the table and stand up (idiom); fig. at the end of one's tether; unable to take it any more

翩然而至 翩然而至 pian1 ran2 er2 zhi4

come trippingly

瓢泼而下 瓢潑而下 piao2 po1 er2 xia4

(of rain) to fall heavily

破门而入 破門而入 po4 men2 er2 ru4

to break the door down and enter (idiom)

扑面而来 撲面而來 pu1 mian4 er2 lai2

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

千里马常有，而伯乐不常有 千里馬常有，而伯樂不常有 qian1 li3 ma3 chang2 you3 - er2 bo2 le4 bu4 chang2 you3

lit. there are many swift horses, but very few who can spot them (idiom); fig. many have talent, but few can recognize talent when they see it

牵一发而动全身 牽一髮而動全身 qian1 yi1 fa4 er2 dong4 quan2 shen1

lit. pull one hair and the whole body moves; fig. a slight change will affect everything else; the butterfly effect

翘足而待 翹足而待 qiao2 zu2 er2 dai4

to expect in a short time (idiom); also pr.

锲而不舍 鍥而不捨 qie4 er2 bu4 she3

to chip away at a task and not abandon it (idiom); to chisel away at sth; to persevere; unflagging efforts

倾巢而出 傾巢而出 qing1 chao2 er2 chu1

the whole nest came out (idiom); to turn out in full strength

青出于蓝而胜于蓝 青出於藍而勝於藍 qing1 chu1 yu2 lan2 er2 sheng4 yu2 lan2

lit. the color blue is made out of indigo but is more vivid than indigo (idiom); fig. the student surpasses the master

轻而易举 輕而易舉 qing1 er2 yi4 ju3

easy; with no difficulty

倾耳而听 傾耳而聽 qing1 er3 er2 ting1

to listen attentively

曲肱而枕 曲肱而枕 qu1 gong1 er2 zhen3

lit. to use one's bent arm as a pillow (idiom); fig. content with simple things

取而代之 取而代之 qu3 er2 dai4 zhi1

to substitute for sb; to remove and replace

全身而退 全身而退 quan2 shen1 er2 tui4

to escape unscathed; to get through in one piece

群起而攻之 群起而攻之 qun2 qi3 er2 gong1 zhi1

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

然而 然而 ran2 er2

however; yet; but

人非生而知之者，孰能无惑 人非生而知之者，孰能無惑 ren2 fei1 sheng1 er2 zhi1 zhi1 zhe3 - shu2 neng2 wu2 huo4

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)

日出而作，日入而息 日出而作，日入而息 ri4 chu1 er2 zuo4 - ri4 ru4 er2 xi1

lit. to get up at sunrise and work until sunset (proverb); fig. to lead a plain and hardworking life

如约而至 如約而至 ru2 yue1 er2 zhi4

to arrive as planned; right on schedule

三十而立 三十而立 san1 shi2 er2 li4

thirty years old and therefore independent (idiom, from Confucius)

三思而后行 三思而後行 san1 si1 er2 hou4 xing2

think again and again before acting (idiom); consider carefully in advance

三思而行 三思而行 san1 si1 er2 xing2

think three times then go (idiom); don't act before you've thought it through carefully

铩羽而归 鎩羽而歸 sha1 yu3 er2 gui1

to return in low spirits following a defeat or failure to achieve one's ambitions (idiom)

拾级而上 拾級而上 she4 ji2 er2 shang4

to walk slowly up a flight of steps (idiom)

甚而 甚而 shen4 er2

even; so much so that

失而复得 失而復得 shi1 er2 fu4 de2

to lose sth and then regain it (idiom)

时而 時而 shi2 er2

occasionally; from time to time

食言而肥 食言而肥 shi2 yan2 er2 fei2

lit. to grow fat eating one's words (idiom); fig. not to live up to one's promises

视而不见 視而不見 shi4 er2 bu4 jian4

to turn a blind eye to; to ignore

适可而止 適可而止 shi4 ke3 er2 zhi3

to stop before going too far (idiom); to stop while one can; don't overdo it; stop while you're ahead

守一而终 守一而終 shou3 yi1 er2 zhong1

to be faithful to one's mate all one's life

疏而不漏 疏而不漏 shu1 er2 bu4 lou4

loose, but allows no escape (idiom, from Laozi 老子); the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape

树欲静而风不止 樹欲靜而風不止 shu4 yu4 jing4 er2 feng1 bu4 zhi3

lit. the trees long for peace but the wind will never cease (idiom); fig. the world changes, whether you want it or not

说是一回事，而做又是另外一回事 說是一回事，而做又是另外一回事 shuo1 shi4 yi1 hui2 shi4 - er2 zuo4 you4 shi4 ling4 wai4 yi1 hui2 shi4

see 說是一回事，做又是另外一回事|说是一回事，做又是另外一回事

说说而已 說說而已 shuo1 shuo1 er2 yi3

nothing serious; just hot air

死而不僵 死而不僵 si3 er2 bu4 jiang1

dead but showing no signs of rigor mortis; to die hard (idiom); to die yet not be vanquished (idiom)

死而后已 死而後已 si3 er2 hou4 yi3

until death puts an end (idiom); one's whole life; unto one's dying day

死而无悔 死而無悔 si3 er2 wu2 hui3

to die without regret (idiom, from Analects)

似是而非 似是而非 si4 shi4 er2 fei1

apparently right but actually wrong; specious (idiom)

随遇而安 隨遇而安 sui2 yu4 er2 an1

at home wherever one is (idiom); ready to adapt; flexible; to accept circumstances with good will

随之而后 隨之而後 sui2 zhi1 er2 hou4

from that; following from that; after that

堂而皇之 堂而皇之 tang2 er2 huang2 zhi1

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

天网恢恢，疏而不漏 天網恢恢，疏而不漏 tian1 wang3 hui1 hui1 - shu1 er2 bu4 lou4

lit. heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it (idiom, from Laozi 73); fig. the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape; you can't run from the long arm of the law

天网恢恢，疏而不失 天網恢恢，疏而不失 tian1 wang3 hui1 hui1 - shu1 er2 bu4 shi1

lit. heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it (idiom, from Laozi 73); fig. the way of Heaven is fair, but the guilty will not escape; you can't run from the long arm of the law

听而不闻 聽而不聞 ting1 er2 bu4 wen2

to hear but not react (idiom); to turn a deaf ear; to ignore deliberately

听其言而观其行 聽其言而觀其行 ting1 qi2 yan2 er2 guan1 qi2 xing2

hear what he says and observe what he does (idiom, from Analects); judge a person not by his words, but by his actions

挺而走险 挺而走險 ting3 er2 zou3 xian3

variant of 鋌而走險|铤而走险

铤而走险 鋌而走險 ting3 er2 zou3 xian3

to take a risk out of desperation (idiom)

挺身而出 挺身而出 ting3 shen1 er2 chu1

to step forward bravely

同日而语 同日而語 tong2 ri4 er2 yu3

lit. to speak of two things on the same day (idiom); to mention things on equal terms (often with negatives: you can't mention X at the same time as Y)

投袂而起 投袂而起 tou2 mei4 er2 qi3

lit. to shake one's sleeves and rise (idiom); fig. to get excited and move to action

退而求其次 退而求其次 tui4 er2 qiu2 qi2 ci4

to settle for second best; the next best thing

脱口而出 脫口而出 tuo1 kou3 er2 chu1

to blurt out; to let slip (an indiscreet remark)

脱颖而出 脫穎而出 tuo1 ying3 er2 chu1

to reveal one's talent (idiom); to rise above others; to distinguish oneself

王顾左右而言他 王顧左右而言他 wang2 gu4 zuo3 you4 er2 yan2 ta1

the king looked left and right and then talked of other things; to digress from the topic of discussion (idiom)

望而却步 望而卻步 wang4 er2 que4 bu4

to shrink back; to flinch

望而生畏 望而生畏 wang4 er2 sheng1 wei4

intimidate at the first glance (idiom); awe-inspiring; terrifying; overwhelming

望而兴叹 望而興嘆 wang4 er2 xing1 tan4

to look and sigh; to feel helpless; not knowing what to do

望风而逃 望風而逃 wang4 feng1 er2 tao2

to flee at the mere sight of (idiom)

危而不持 危而不持 wei1 er2 bu4 chi2

national danger, but no support (idiom, from Analects); the future of the nation is at stake but no-one comes to the rescue

威而钢 威而鋼 wei1 er2 gang1

Viagra (male impotence drug)

未可同日而语 未可同日而語 wei4 ke3 tong2 ri4 er2 yu3

lit. mustn't speak of two things on the same day (idiom); not to be mentioned in the same breath; incomparable

温故而知新 溫故而知新 wen1 gu4 er2 zhi1 xin1

to review the old and know the new (idiom, from the Analects); to recall the past to understand the future

闻风而动 聞風而動 wen2 feng1 er2 dong4

to respond instantly; to act at once on hearing the news

无功而返 無功而返 wu2 gong1 er2 fan3

to return without any achievement (idiom); to go home with one's tail between one's legs

无疾而终 無疾而終 wu2 ji2 er2 zhong1

to die peacefully; (fig.) to result in failure (without any outside interference); to come to nothing; to fizzle out

吾生也有涯，而知也无涯 吾生也有涯，而知也無涯 wu2 sheng1 ye3 you3 ya2 - er2 zhi1 ye3 wu2 ya2

Life is short, learning is limitless; Ars longa, vita brevis

无一事而不学，无一时而不学，无一处而不得 無一事而不學，無一時而不學，無一處而不得 wu2 yi1 shi4 er2 bu4 xue2 - wu2 yi1 shi2 er2 bu4 xue2 - wu2 yi1 chu4 er2 bu4 de2

Study everything, at all times, everywhere. (Zhu Xi 朱熹)

席地而睡 席地而睡 xi2 di4 er2 shui4

to sleep on the ground (idiom)

席地而坐 席地而坐 xi2 di4 er2 zuo4

to sit on the ground or the floor (idiom)

喜极而泣 喜極而泣 xi3 ji2 er2 qi4

crying tears of joy (idiom)

下而上 下而上 xia4 er2 shang4

bottom to top (of listing)

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 xian1 tian1 xia4 zhi1 you1 er2 you1 - hou4 tian1 xia4 zhi1 le4 er2 le4

The first concern is affairs of state, enjoying the pleasure comes later. Quotation from essay On Yueyang Tower 岳陽樓記|岳阳楼记 by Song writer Fan Zhongyan 範仲淹|范仲淹

弦而鼓之 弦而鼓之 xian2 er2 gu3 zhi1

lit. to tune one's zither then play it; fig. to live by the consequences of one's actions; to make one's bed then lie on it

显而易见 顯而易見 xian3 er2 yi4 jian4

clearly and easy to see (idiom); obviously; clearly; it goes without saying

相机而动 相機而動 xiang4 ji1 er2 dong4

to wait for the opportune moment before taking action (idiom)

相机而行 相機而行 xiang4 ji1 er2 xing2

to act according to the situation (idiom)

小学而大遗 小學而大遺 xiao3 xue2 er2 da4 yi2

to concentrate on trivial points while neglecting the main problem (idiom)

心有余而力不足 心有餘而力不足 xin1 you3 yu2 er2 li4 bu4 zu2

the will is there, but not the strength (idiom); the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

形而上学 形而上學 xing2 er2 shang4 xue2

metaphysics

幸而 幸而 xing4 er2

by good fortune; luckily

悬而未决 懸而未決 xuan2 er2 wei4 jue2

pending a decision; hanging in the balance

学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆 學而不思則罔，思而不學則殆 xue2 er2 bu4 si1 ze2 wang3 - si1 er2 bu4 xue2 ze2 dai4

To learn without thinking is confusing, to think without learning is dangerous (Confucius)

学而不厌 學而不厭 xue2 er2 bu4 yan4

study tirelessly (idiom, from Analects)

学而不厌，诲人不倦 學而不厭，誨人不倦 xue2 er2 bu4 yan4 - hui4 ren2 bu4 juan4

study tirelessly, teach with endless enthusiasm (idiom, from Analects)

学而优则仕 學而優則仕 xue2 er2 you1 ze2 shi4

one who is successful in one's studies, can become an official (idiom)

谑而不虐 謔而不虐 xue4 er2 bu4 nve4

to tease; to mock sb without offending; to banter

压而不服 壓而不服 ya1 er2 bu4 fu2

coercion will never convince (idiom)

言而无信 言而無信 yan2 er2 wu2 xin4

to go back on one's word; to break one's promise; to be unfaithful; to be untrustworthy

言而有信 言而有信 yan2 er2 you3 xin4

to speak and keep one's promise (idiom); as good as one's word

掩面而泣 掩面而泣 yan3 mian4 er2 qi4

to bury one's head in one's hands and weep (idiom)

扬长而去 揚長而去 yang2 chang2 er2 qu4

to swagger off; to walk off (or drive off etc) without a second thought for those left behind

一般而言 一般而言 yi1 ban1 er2 yan2

generally speaking

一蹴而得 一蹴而得 yi1 cu4 er2 de2

to get there in one step (idiom); easily done; success at a stroke; to get results overnight

一蹴而就 一蹴而就 yi1 cu4 er2 jiu4

to get there in one step (idiom); easily done; success at a stroke; to get results overnight

一带而过 一帶而過 yi1 dai4 er2 guo4

to skate around; to skip over; to skimp

一而再，再而三 一而再，再而三 yi1 er2 zai4 - zai4 er2 san1

again and again

一概而论 一概而論 yi1 gai4 er2 lun4

to lump different matters together (idiom)

一哄而起 一哄而起 yi1 hong1 er2 qi3

(of a group of people) to rush into action

一哄而散 一哄而散 yi1 hong1 er2 san4

to disperse in confusion (idiom)

一哄而散 一鬨而散 yi1 hong4 er2 san4

see 一哄而散

一挥而就 一揮而就 yi1 hui1 er2 jiu4

to finish (a letter, a painting) at a stroke

一炮而红 一炮而紅 yi1 pao4 er2 hong2

to win instant success (idiom); to become an instant hit

一扫而光 一掃而光 yi1 sao3 er2 guang1

to clear off; to make a clean sweep of

一扫而空 一掃而空 yi1 sao3 er2 kong1

to sweep clean; to clean out

一闪而过 一閃而過 yi1 shan3 er2 guo4

to flash past; to flit by

一望而知 一望而知 yi1 wang4 er2 zhi1

to be evident at a glance (idiom)

一饮而尽 一飲而盡 yi1 yin3 er2 jin4

to drain the cup in one gulp (idiom)

一拥而入 一擁而入 yi1 yong1 er2 ru4

to swarm in (of people etc) (idiom)

一拥而上 一擁而上 yi1 yong1 er2 shang4

to swarm around; flocking (to see)

一跃而起 一躍而起 yi1 yue4 er2 qi3

to jump up suddenly; to bound up; to rise up in one bound

以失败而告终 以失敗而告終 yi3 shi1 bai4 er2 gao4 zhong1

to succeed through failure; to achieve one's final aim despite apparent setback

因而 因而 yin1 er2

therefore; as a result; thus; and as a result, ...

因人而异 因人而異 yin1 ren2 er2 yi4

varying from person to person (idiom); different for each individual

因孕而婚 因孕而婚 yin1 yun4 er2 hun1

shotgun wedding (idiom)

引而不发 引而不發 yin3 er2 bu4 fa1

to pull the bow without shooting (idiom from Mencius); ready and waiting for action; to go through the motions; to practice; a trial run

迎面而来 迎面而來 ying2 mian4 er2 lai2

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

迎刃而解 迎刃而解 ying2 ren4 er2 jie3

lit. (bamboo) splits when it meets the knife's edge (idiom); fig. easily solved

应运而生 應運而生 ying4 yun4 er2 sheng1

to emerge to meet a historic destiny (idiom); to arise at an opportune time; able to take advantage of an opportunity; to rise to the occasion

油然而生 油然而生 you2 ran2 er2 sheng1

arising involuntarily (idiom); spontaneous; to spring up unbidden (of emotion)

有百害而无一利 有百害而無一利 you3 bai3 hai4 er2 wu2 yi1 li4

having no advantage whatsoever

有百利而无一弊 有百利而無一弊 you3 bai3 li4 er2 wu2 yi1 bi4

to have many advantages and no disadvantages

有百利而无一害 有百利而無一害 you3 bai3 li4 er2 wu2 yi1 hai4

to have many advantages and no disadvantages

有备而来 有備而來 you3 bei4 er2 lai2

to come prepared

有过之而无不及 有過之而無不及 you3 guo4 zhi1 er2 wu2 bu4 ji2

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

鱼贯而出 魚貫而出 yu2 guan4 er2 chu1

to file out; to walk out in a line

鱼贯而入 魚貫而入 yu2 guan4 er2 ru4

to walk in in a line

欲速而不达 欲速而不達 yu4 su4 er2 bu4 da2

lit. to want sth in haste, but cannot get there (idiom, from Analects); more haste, less speed; also written 慾速則不達|欲速则不达

择善而从 擇善而從 ze2 shan4 er2 cong2

to choose the right course and follow it (idiom)

斩而不奏 斬而不奏 zhan3 er2 bu4 zou4

to do sth and not report the fact (idiom)

知难而退 知難而退 zhi1 nan2 er2 tui4

to sound out the difficulties and retreat to avoid defeat (idiom); fig. to back out of an awkward situation; to get out on finding out what it's really like

知其不可而为之 知其不可而為之 zhi1 qi2 bu4 ke3 er2 wei2 zhi1

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

知其然而不知其所以然 知其然而不知其所以然 zhi1 qi2 ran2 er2 bu4 zhi1 qi2 suo3 yi3 ran2

to know that it is so but not why it is so (idiom)

直道而行 直道而行 zhi2 dao4 er2 xing2

lit. to go straight (idiom, from Analects); to act with integrity

置之死地而后生 置之死地而後生 zhi4 zhi1 si3 di4 er2 hou4 sheng1

place sb on a field of death and he will fight to live (idiom based on Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孫子兵法|孙子兵法); to fight desperately when confronting mortal danger; fig. to find a way out of an impasse

终而复始 終而復始 zhong1 er2 fu4 shi3

lit. the end comes back to the start (idiom); the wheel comes full circle

周而复始 週而復始 zhou1 er2 fu4 shi3

lit. the cycle comes back to the start (idiom); to move in circles; the wheel comes full circle

转而 轉而 zhuan3 er2

to turn to (sth else); to switch to

自然而然 自然而然 zi4 ran2 er2 ran2

involuntary; automatically

自上而下 自上而下 zi4 shang4 er2 xia4

top-down

自下而上 自下而上 zi4 xia4 er2 shang4

bottom-up

总而言之 總而言之 zong3 er2 yan2 zhi1

in short; in a word; in brief

坐而论道 坐而論道 zuo4 er2 lun4 dao4

to sit and pontificate; to find answers through theory and not through practice (idiom)