Chinese idioms starting with S

Four-character idioms (chengyu) from CC-CEDICT, sorted by pinyin.

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• 撒手闭眼 sā shǒu bì yǎn to have nothing further to do with a matter
• 撒手不管 sā shǒu bù guǎn to stand aside and do nothing
• 撒手人寰 sā shǒu rén huán to leave one's mortal frame
• 塞翁失马 sài wēng shī mǎ lit. the old man lost his horse, but it all turned out for t
• 散兵游勇 sǎn bīng yóu yǒng lit. straggling and disbanded soldiers ; fig. disorganized u
• 三茶六饭 sān chá liù fàn lit. to offer three kinds of tea and six different dishes
• 三番两次 sān fān liǎng cì repeatedly
• 三番五次 sān fān wǔ cì over and over again
• 三纲五常 sān gāng wǔ cháng three principles and five virtues
• 三更半夜 sān gēng bàn yè in the depth of the night; very late at night
• 三姑六婆 sān gū liù pó women with disreputable or illegal professions
• 三顾茅庐 sān gù máo lú lit. to make three visits to the thatched cottage (allusion
• 三缄其口 sān jiān qí kǒu reluctant to speak about it
• 三令五申 sān lìng wǔ shēn to order again and again
• 三妻四妾 sān qī sì qiè to have many wives and concubines; to have a harem
• 三人成虎 sān rén chéng hǔ three men talking makes a tiger ; repeated rumor becomes a f
• 三生有幸 sān shēng yǒu xìng the blessing of three lifetimes
• 三思而行 sān sī ér xíng think three times then go ; don't act before you've thought
• 三天两头 sān tiān liǎng tóu lit. twice every three days ; practically every day
• 三头六臂 sān tóu liù bì (lit.) (having) three heads and six arms
• 三五成群 sān wǔ chéng qún in groups of three or four
• 三下两下 sān xià liǎng xià quickly and effortlessly
• 三心二意 sān xīn èr yì in two minds about sth
• 散心解闷 sàn xīn jiě mèn to divert one's mind from boredom
• 三旬九食 sān xún jiǔ shí lit. to have only nine meals in thirty days
• 三言两句 sān yán liǎng jù in a few words ; expressed succinctly
• 三言两语 sān yán liǎng yǔ in a few words ; expressed succinctly
• 三足鼎立 sān zú dǐng lì to form a tripartite balance of power
• 丧魂落魄 sàng hún luò pò scared out of one's wits ; in a panic
• 丧魂失魄 sàng hún shī pò out of one's senses; shaken to the core; dazed
• 丧家之犬 sàng jiā zhī quǎn (lit.) stray dog
• 丧尽天良 sàng jìn tiān liáng devoid of conscience ; utterly heartless
• 丧权辱国 sàng quán rǔ guó to forfeit sovereignty and humiliate the country
• 丧天害理 sàng tiān hài lǐ devoid of conscience
• 丧心病狂 sàng xīn bìng kuáng deranged; demented; berserk
• 扫除天下 sǎo chú tiān xià to re-establish order throughout the empire
• 搔首弄姿 sāo shǒu nòng zī to strike a coquettish pose
• 色胆包天 sè dǎn bāo tiān outrageously bold in one's lust
• 色厉内荏 sè lì nèi rěn lit. show strength while weak inside ; appearing fierce whil
• 色令智昏 sè lìng zhì hūn to lose one's head over lust
• 僧多粥少 sēng duō zhōu shǎo lit. many monks and not much gruel
• 煞费苦心 shà fèi kǔ xīn to take a lot of trouble ; painstaking
• 杀鸡儆猴 shā jī jǐng hóu (lit.) to kill the chicken to warn the monkey
• 杀鸡取卵 shā jī qǔ luǎn lit. to kill the chicken to get the eggs
• 沙盘推演 shā pán tuī yǎn to plan a military mission on a sand table
• 杀人放火 shā rén fàng huǒ to kill and burn ; murder and arson
• 杀人灭口 shā rén miè kǒu to kill sb to prevent them from revealing sth
• 杀人如麻 shā rén rú má (lit.) to kill people like scything flax
• 杀人越货 shā rén yuè huò to kill sb for his property ; to murder for money
• 杀身成仁 shā shēn chéng rén to die a martyr; to be martyred
• 杀身之祸 shā shēn zhī huò getting killed
• 傻头傻脑 shǎ tóu shǎ nǎo stupid; muddle-headed
• 歃血为盟 shà xuè wéi méng to smear the lips with blood when taking an oath
• 杀一儆百 shā yī jǐng bǎi lit. kill one to warn a hundred ; to punish an individual as
• 煞有介事 shà yǒu jiè shì to make a show of being very much in earnest
• 铩羽而归 shā yǔ ér guī to return in low spirits following a defeat or failure to ac
• 杀彘教子 shā zhì jiào zǐ to kill a pig as a lesson to the children ; parents must tea
• 杀猪宰羊 shā zhū zǎi yáng to kill the pigs and slaughter the sheep
• 善罢甘休 shàn bà gān xiū to let the matter rest; to just let it go; to take it lying
• 善财难舍 shàn cái nán shě to cherish wealth and find it hard to give up ; refusing to
• 山长水远 shān cháng shuǐ yuǎn long and arduous journey
• 煽风点火 shān fēng diǎn huǒ to fan the flames
• 山高海深 shān gāo hǎi shēn high as the mountain and deep as the sea ; fig. infinite bou
• 山高水长 shān gāo shuǐ cháng high as the mountain and long as the river ; fig. noble and
• 山高水险 shān gāo shuǐ xiǎn lit. the mountains are high and the torrents swift
• 善解人意 shàn jiě rén yì to be good at understanding others
• 山峦重叠 shān luán chóng dié overlapping ranges of high mountains
• 山盟海誓 shān méng hǎi shì to pledge undying love ; oath of eternal love
• 山明水秀 shān míng shuǐ xiù lit. verdant hills and limpid water
• 山清水秀 shān qīng shuǐ xiù lit. verdant hills and limpid water
• 山穷水尽 shān qióng shuǐ jìn mountain and river exhausted ; at the end of the line
• 潸然泪下 shān rán lèi xià to shed silent tears
• 善始善终 shàn shǐ shàn zhōng where there's a start, there's a finish ; to finish once one
• 闪烁其词 shǎn shuò qí cí to speak evasively ; beating about the bush
• 山颓木坏 shān tuí mù huài lit. the mountains crumble and the trees lie ruined
• 善有善报 shàn yǒu shàn bào virtue has its rewards ; one good turn deserves another
• 山珍海错 shān zhēn hǎi cuò rarities from the mountain and the sea ; fig. a sumptuous sp
• 善自为谋 shàn zì wéi móu to be good at working for one's own profit
• 善自珍摄 shàn zì zhēn shè take good care of yourself!
• 山陬海澨 shān zōu hǎi shì remote and desolate area
• 上当受骗 shàng dàng shòu piàn to be duped; to get scammed
• 伤风败俗 shāng fēng bài sú offending public morals
• 伤及无辜 shāng jí wú gū to harm the innocent
• 伤筋动骨 shāng jīn dòng gǔ to suffer serious injury
• 伤筋断骨 shāng jīn duàn gǔ to suffer serious injury
• 伤天害理 shāng tiān hài lǐ to offend Heaven and reason ; bloody atrocities that cry to
• 上天入地 shàng tiān rù dì lit. to go up to heaven or down to Hades
• 上下其手 shàng xià qí shǒu to raise and lower one's hand ; to signal as conspiratorial
• 伤心惨目 shāng xīn cǎn mù too appalling to look at
• 伤心欲绝 shāng xīn yù jué to be overcome with grief
• 赏心悦目 shǎng xīn yuè mù warms the heart and delights the eye
• 上行下效 shàng xíng xià xiào subordinates follow the example of their superiors
• 少不更事 shào bù gēng shì young and inexperienced; wet behind the ears
• 少见多怪 shǎo jiàn duō guài (lit.) a person who has seen little of the world will be ast
• 舍本逐末 shě běn zhú mò to neglect the root and pursue the tip
• 舌灿莲花 shé càn lián huā eloquent
• 拾级而上 shè jí ér shàng to walk slowly up a flight of steps
• 舍己救人 shě jǐ jiù rén to abandon self for others ; to sacrifice oneself to help th
• 舍己为公 shě jǐ wèi gōng to give up one's private interests for the public good ; to
• 舍身求法 shě shēn qiú fǎ to abandon one's body in the search for Buddha's truth
• 舍生忘死 shě shēng wàng sǐ bravery with no thought of personal safety ; risking life an
• 舍正从邪 shě zhèng cóng xié to be corrupted by evil influences
• 深闭固拒 shēn bì gù jù deep, closed and refusing ; obstinate
• 深不可测 shēn bù kě cè deep and unmeasurable ; unfathomable depths
• 神不守舍 shén bù shǒu shè absentminded; dazed; distracted
• 身不由己 shēn bù yóu jǐ (of one's circumstances) beyond one's control; unable to do
• 神采飞扬 shén cǎi fēi yáng in high spirits ; glowing with health and vigor
• 神采奕奕 shén cǎi yì yì in glowing spirits ; bursting with life
• 深藏若虚 shēn cáng ruò xū to hide one's treasure away so that no-one knows about it ;
• 深仇大恨 shēn chóu dà hèn bitter hatred
• 神出鬼没 shén chū guǐ mò (lit.) to appear and disappear unpredictably like a spirit o
• 深更半夜 shēn gēng bàn yè in the dead of night
• 神乎其技 shén hū qí jì brilliant
• 身怀六甲 shēn huái liù jiǎ to be pregnant
• 神魂颠倒 shén hún diān dǎo lit. spirit and soul upside down ; infatuated and head over
• 神机妙算 shén jī miào suàn divine strategy and wonderful planning
• 身经百战 shēn jīng bǎi zhàn lit. veteran of a hundred battles
• 神劳形瘁 shén láo xíng cuì to be completely drained both emotionally and physically
• 身临其境 shēn lín qí jìng to experience it for oneself
• 深谋远虑 shēn móu yuǎn lǜ lit. deep plans and distant thoughts
• 深情厚意 shēn qíng hòu yì profound love, generous friendship
• 神清气爽 shén qīng qì shuǎng full of vitality
• 深入浅出 shēn rù qiǎn chū to explain a complicated subject matter in simple terms
• 深入人心 shēn rù rén xīn to enter deeply into people's hearts
• 深山老林 shēn shān lǎo lín backwoods; wilderness
• 莘莘学子 shēn shēn xué zǐ a great number of students
• 身首异处 shēn shǒu yì chù to be decapitated
• 身体力行 shēn tǐ lì xíng to practice what one preaches
• 神通广大 shén tōng guǎng dà to possess great magical power; to possess remarkable abilit
• 身无长物 shēn wú cháng wù to possess nothing except bare necessities; to live a frugal
• 身无分文 shēn wú fēn wén penniless; completely broke
• 深恶痛绝 shēn wù tòng jué to detest bitterly
• 身先朝露 shēn xiān zhāo lù body will go with the morning dew ; fig. ephemeral and preca
• 甚嚣尘上 shèn xiāo chén shàng clamor raises the dust ; a tremendous clamor
• 深信不疑 shēn xìn bù yí to believe firmly without any doubt
• 身心交病 shēn xīn jiāo bìng worn out in body and soul
• 身心交瘁 shēn xīn jiāo cuì worn out in body and soul
• 神憎鬼厌 shén zēng guǐ yàn despicable; loathsome
• 慎重其事 shèn zhòng qí shì to treat a matter with due consideration
• 生不逢时 shēng bù féng shí born at the wrong time ; unlucky (esp. to complain about one
• 生财有道 shēng cái yǒu dào lit. there are principles behind making money ; fig. to have
• 生炒热卖 shēng chǎo rè mài to sell while it's still hot ; fig. in a great hurry to publ
• 省吃俭用 shěng chī jiǎn yòng to live frugally
• 声东击西 shēng dōng jī xī to threaten the east and strike to the west
• 升斗小民 shēng dǒu xiǎo mín poor people; those who live from hand to mouth
• 升官发财 shēng guān fā cái to be promoted and gain wealth
• 生机勃勃 shēng jī bó bó vibrant; full of vitality
• 圣经贤传 shèng jīng xián zhuàn lit. holy scripture and biography of sage ; refers to Confuc
• 盛况空前 shèng kuàng kōng qián a magnificent and unprecedented event
• 生老病死 shēng lǎo bìng sǐ (lit.) to be born, to grow old, to get sick and to die
• 生灵涂炭 shēng líng tú tàn people are in a terrible situation
• 生龙活虎 shēng lóng huó hǔ lit. lively dragon and animated tiger
• 生米熟饭 shēng mǐ shú fàn abbr. for 生米煮成熟飯|生米煮成熟饭, lit. the raw rice is now cooked ; f
• 声名鹊起 shēng míng què qǐ to rise to fame
• 生气勃勃 shēng qì bó bó vibrant; full of vitality
• 声情并茂 shēng qíng bìng mào (of a singer etc) excellent in voice and expression
• 胜券在握 shèng quàn zài wò to be confident of victory; to be sure of success
• 生荣死哀 shēng róng sǐ āi to be respected in life and lamented in death
• 声色犬马 shēng sè quǎn mǎ (lit.) music, women, dogs and horses (traditional aristocrat
• 生杀予夺 shēng shā yǔ duó (lit.) to spare or to kill, to give or take away
• 声嘶力竭 shēng sī lì jié to shout oneself hoarse
• 生死肉骨 shēng sǐ ròu gǔ lit. the dead returning to life
• 生死有命 shēng sǐ yǒu mìng life and death are ruled by fate
• 升堂入室 shēng táng rù shì lit. to reach the main room and enter the chamber
• 生吞活剥 shēng tūn huó bō to swallow whole ; fig. to apply uncritically
• 事半功倍 shì bàn gōng bèi to achieve twice the result with half the effort
• 事倍功半 shì bèi gōng bàn to expend twice the effort for half the result
• 事不关己 shì bù guān jǐ a matter of no concern to oneself
• 食不果腹 shí bù guǒ fù lit. food not filling the stomach
• 事不过三 shì bù guò sān a thing should not be attempted more than three times; don't
• 势不可当 shì bù kě dāng impossible to resist ; an irresistible force
• 势不两立 shì bù liǎng lì the two cannot exist together ; irreconcilable differences
• 誓不两立 shì bù liǎng lì the two cannot exist together ; irreconcilable differences
• 时不我待 shí bù wǒ dài time and tide wait for no man
• 时不再来 shí bù zài lái Time that has passed will never come back.
• 食不知味 shí bù zhī wèi lit. to eat without tasting the food
• 恃才傲物 shì cái ào wù to be inordinately proud of one's ability; to be conceited a
• 石沉大海 shí chén dà hǎi lit. to throw a stone and see it sink without trace in the s
• 势成骑虎 shì chéng qí hǔ if you ride a tiger, it's hard to get off ; fig. impossible
• 师出无名 shī chū wú míng lit. to go to war without just cause
• 师出有名 shī chū yǒu míng lit. to have sufficient reason to send troops
• 世代相传 shì dài xiāng chuán passed on from generation to generation ; to hand down
• 势单力薄 shì dān lì bó lacking strength and support
• 事到临头 shì dào lín tóu when things come to a head
• 十赌九输 shí dǔ jiǔ shū lit. in gambling, nine times out of ten you lose
• 舐犊情深 shì dú qíng shēn lit. the cow licking its calf fondly
• 舐犊之爱 shì dú zhī ài the love of a cow licking her calf
• 虱多不痒 shī duō bù yǎng (lit.) when covered with lice, one doesn't feel the itching
• 十恶不赦 shí è bù shè wicked beyond redemption
• 视而不见 shì ér bù jiàn to turn a blind eye to; to ignore
• 失而复得 shī ér fù dé to lose sth and then regain it
• 是非不分 shì fēi bù fēn unable to distinguish right and wrong
• 是非分明 shì fēi fēn míng to distinguish right from wrong
• 是非莫辨 shì fēi mò biàn unable to distinguish right and wrong
• 是非曲直 shì fēi qū zhí lit. right and wrong, crooked and straight ; fig. merits and
• 适逢其会 shì féng qí huì to happen to be in the right place at the right time
• 世风日下 shì fēng rì xià public morals are degenerating with each passing day
• 食古不化 shí gǔ bù huà to swallow ancient learning without digesting it
• 时乖命蹇 shí guāi mìng jiǎn bad times, adverse fate
• 事过境迁 shì guò jìng qiān The issue is in the past, and the situation has changed .
• 时过境迁 shí guò jìng qiān things change with the passage of time
• 尸横遍野 shī héng biàn yě corpses are strewn across the field (typically after a battl
• 事后聪明 shì hòu cōng ming wise after the event ; with hindsight, one should have predi
• 失魂落魄 shī hún luò pò dazed; beside oneself
• 拾金不昧 shí jīn bù mèi to pick up money and not hide it ; to return property to its
• 嗜酒如命 shì jiǔ rú mìng to love wine as one's life ; fond of the bottle
• 势均力敌 shì jūn lì dí evenly matched
• 适可而止 shì kě ér zhǐ to refrain from going too far; to know when to stop
• 时来运转 shí lái yùn zhuǎn the time comes, fortune turns ; to have a lucky break
• 拭目以待 shì mù yǐ dài lit. to wipe one's eyes and wait ; to wait and see
• 十拿九稳 shí ná jiǔ wěn to be a cinch; in the bag
• 士农工商 shì nóng gōng shāng "the four classes" of ancient China, i.e. scholars, farmers,
• 事怕行家 shì pà háng jiā an expert always produces the best work
• 噬脐莫及 shì qí mò jí (lit.) one cannot bite one's own navel
• 恃强欺弱 shì qiáng qī ruò to use one's strength to mistreat people
• 十全十美 shí quán shí měi complete and beautiful
• 拾人涕唾 shí rén tì tuò to plagiarize
• 拾人牙慧 shí rén yá huì to pick up what others say ; to pass off other people's opin
• 时日无多 shí rì wú duō time is limited
• 食肉寝皮 shí ròu qǐn pí to eat sb's flesh and sleep on their hide ; to swear revenge
• 视如敝屣 shì rú bì xǐ (lit.) to view as worn-out shoes
• 势如破竹 shì rú pò zhú like a hot knife through butter
• 尸山血海 shī shān xuè hǎi (lit.) mountains of corpses and oceans of blood
• 实事求是 shí shì qiú shì lit. to seek truth from facts
• 实属不易 shí shǔ bù yì really not easy
• 誓死不从 shì sǐ bù cóng to vow to die rather than obey
• 视死如归 shì sǐ rú guī to view death as a return home
• 世态炎凉 shì tài yán liáng the hypocrisy of the world
• 视同儿戏 shì tóng ér xì to regard sth as a plaything ; to consider unimportant
• 视同手足 shì tóng shǒu zú to regard sb as a brother
• 识途老马 shí tú lǎo mǎ lit. an old horse knows the way home ; fig. in difficulty, t
• 食荼卧棘 shí tú wò jí to eat bitter fruit and lie on thorns ; to share the hard li
• 事危累卵 shì wēi lěi luǎn lit. the matter has become a pile of eggs ; fig. at a critic
• 尸位素餐 shī wèi sù cān to hold a sinecure
• 视为畏途 shì wéi wèi tú to view as dangerous ; afraid to do sth
• 视为知己 shì wéi zhī jǐ to consider sb as close friend ; to take into one's confiden
• 识文断字 shí wén duàn zì able to read; literate
• 事无巨细 shì wú jù xì lit. things are not separated according to their size
• 史无前例 shǐ wú qián lì unprecedented in history
• 食言而肥 shí yán ér féi lit. to grow fat eating one's words
• 拾遗补缺 shí yí bǔ quē to remedy omissions and correct errors
• 时隐时现 shí yǐn shí xiàn appearing and disappearing
• 食玉炊桂 shí yù chuī guì food is more precious than jade and firewood more expensive
• 事与愿违 shì yǔ yuàn wéi things turn out contrary to the way one wishes
• 时运不济 shí yùn bù jì fate is unfavorable ; the omens are not good
• 时运亨通 shí yùn hēng tōng our luck is in, everything is going smoothly
• 势在必得 shì zài bì dé to be determined to win
• 势在必行 shì zài bì xíng circumstances require action ; absolutely necessary
• 事在人为 shì zài rén wéi the matter depends on the individual ; it is a matter for yo
• 食指大动 shí zhǐ dà dòng to be excited to dig into the delicious food
• 时至今日 shí zhì jīn rì up to the present
• 实至名归 shí zhì míng guī fame follows merit
• 始终如一 shǐ zhōng rú yī unswerving from start to finish
• 施粥舍饭 shī zhōu shě fàn to provide alms and rice
• 始作俑者 shǐ zuò yǒng zhě (lit.) the first person to make funerary figurines
• 寿比南山 shòu bǐ Nán Shān Live as long as the Zhongnan Mountains!
• 手不释卷 shǒu bù shì juàn lit. always with a book in hand
• 收残缀轶 shōu cán zhuì yì to gather and patch up sth that is badly damaged
• 手到拈来 shǒu dào niān lái lit. to stretch a hand and grab it
• 手到擒来 shǒu dào qín lái stretch a hand and grab it ; very easy
• 瘦骨嶙峋 shòu gǔ lín xún skinny; emaciated
• 瘦骨伶仃 shòu gǔ líng dīng emaciated; scrawny
• 守口如瓶 shǒu kǒu rú píng lit. to guard one's mouth like a closed bottle ; tight-lippe
• 手忙脚乱 shǒu máng jiǎo luàn to act with confusion or in a disorderly manner; flustered
• 收旗卷伞 shōu qí juǎn sǎn (lit.) to furl up flags and umbrellas
• 首屈一指 shǒu qū yī zhǐ to count as number one ; second to none
• 授人以柄 shòu rén yǐ bǐng to hand someone the swordhilt
• 首善之区 shǒu shàn zhī qū the finest place in the nation (often used in reference to t
• 首鼠两端 shǒu shǔ liǎng duān to hesitate
• 守土有责 shǒu tǔ yǒu zé duty to defend the country
• 手无寸铁 shǒu wú cùn tiě lit. not an inch of steel ; unarmed and defenseless
• 手舞足蹈 shǒu wǔ zú dǎo lit. to move one's hands and feet about
• 手下败将 shǒu xià bài jiàng one's defeated opponent
• 手下留情 shǒu xià liú qíng lit. start off leniently ; please do not be too strict with
• 手眼通天 shǒu yǎn tōng tiān to be highly influential and well-connected; to have the abi
• 守株待兔 shǒu zhū dài tù lit. to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits
• 手足无措 shǒu zú wú cuò at a loss to know what to do ; bewildered
• 树碑立传 shù bēi lì zhuàn lit. to erect a stele and write a biography
• 疏不间亲 shū bù jiàn qīn outsiders should not come between close relatives
• 书不尽言 shū bù jìn yán I have much more to say than can be written in this letter (
• 数不胜数 shǔ bù shèng shǔ too many to count; innumerable
• 疏财仗义 shū cái zhàng yì distributing money, fighting for virtue ; fig. generous in h
• 疏财重义 shū cái zhòng yì distributing money, supporting virtue ; fig. to give generou
• 树大招风 shù dà zhāo fēng lit. a tall tree attracts the wind
• 数典忘祖 shǔ diǎn wàng zǔ to recount history but omit one's ancestors ; to forget one'
• 数黑论白 shǔ hēi lùn bái to enumerate what is black and yellow ; to criticize sb behi
• 数黑论黄 shǔ hēi lùn huáng to enumerate what is black and yellow ; to criticize sb behi
• 数黄道黑 shǔ huáng dào hēi to enumerate what is black and yellow ; to criticize sb behi
• 疏谋少略 shū móu shǎo lüè unable to plan; inept at strategy
• 熟能生巧 shú néng shēng qiǎo with familiarity you learn the trick ; practice makes perfec
• 蜀犬吠日 Shǔ quǎn fèi rì lit. Sichuan dogs bark at the sun ; fig. a simpleton will ma
• 淑人君子 shū rén jūn zi virtuous gentleman
• 熟人熟事 shú rén shú shì to be familiar with; to have regular dealings with
• 树上开花 shù shàng kāi huā to deck the tree with false blossoms
• 殊深轸念 shū shēn zhěn niàn extreme solicitude ; expressing the deepest condolences
• 熟视无睹 shú shì wú dǔ to turn a blind eye to (sth one sees regularly)
• 束手待毙 shù shǒu dài bì to wait helplessly for death
• 束手就擒 shù shǒu jiù qín (lit.) to submit to having one's hands tied and being taken
• 束手束脚 shù shǒu shù jiǎo restricted; constrained; inhibited
• 束手无策 shù shǒu wú cè lit. to have one's hands bound and be unable to do anything
• 疏水箪瓢 shū shuǐ dān piáo little water and few utensils
• 殊途同归 shū tú tóng guī different routes to the same destination ; fig. different me
• 书香门第 shū xiāng mén dì family with a literary reputation ; literary family
• 数一数二 shǔ yī shǔ èr reckoned to be best or second best; one of the very best
• 数珠念佛 shǔ zhū niàn fó to count one's prayer beads and chant Buddha's name
• 率尔操觚 shuài ěr cāo gū to compose in off-hand way ; to dash off
• 率兽食人 shuài shòu shí rén lit. to lead beasts to eat the people ; fig. tyrannical gove
• 率由旧章 shuài yóu jiù zhāng to act in accordance with the old rules
• 双管齐下 shuāng guǎn qí xià lit. to paint holding two brushes ; fig. to work on two task
• 双进双出 shuāng jìn shuāng chū to be together constantly
• 双宿双飞 shuāng sù shuāng fēi lit. to rest and fly together
• 双瞳剪水 shuāng tóng jiǎn shuǐ clear, bright eyes
• 水到渠成 shuǐ dào qú chéng lit. where water flows, a canal is formed
• 水滴石穿 shuǐ dī shí chuān dripping water penetrates the stone ; constant perseverance
• 水火无情 shuǐ huǒ wú qíng fire and flood have no mercy
• 水落归槽 shuǐ luò guī cáo spilt water returns to the trough ; fig. people remember whe
• 水落石出 shuǐ luò shí chū (lit.) as the water recedes, the rocks appear
• 水清无鱼 shuǐ qīng wú yú lit. water that is too clean holds no fish
• 水深火热 shuǐ shēn huǒ rè deep water and scorching fire
• 水天一色 shuǐ tiān yī sè water and sky merge in one color
• 水泄不通 shuǐ xiè bù tōng (lit.) not one drop can trickle through
• 睡眼惺忪 shuì yǎn xīng sōng sleepy-eyed; still half asleep
• 水涨船高 shuǐ zhǎng chuán gāo the tide rises, the boat floats ; fig. to change with the ov
• 水中捞月 shuǐ zhōng lāo yuè (lit.) to scoop the moon out of the water
• 顺风顺水 shùn fēng shùn shuǐ to go smoothly; to be smooth sailing
• 顺其自然 shùn qí zì rán to let nature take its course
• 舜日尧年 Shùn rì Yáo nián sage Emperors Shun and Yao rule every day ; all for the best
• 舜日尧天 Shùn rì Yáo tiān sage Emperors Shun and Yao rule every day ; all for the best
• 顺手牵羊 shùn shǒu qiān yáng lit. to lead away a goat while passing by
• 瞬息万变 shùn xī wàn biàn in an instant a myriad changes ; rapid substantial change
• 瞬息之间 shùn xī zhī jiān in the wink of an eye; in a flash
• 说长道短 shuō cháng dào duǎn lit. to discuss sb's merits and demerits ; to gossip
• 硕大无比 shuò dà wú bǐ very big; huge
• 硕大无朋 shuò dà wú péng very big; huge
• 说到做到 shuō dào zuò dào to be as good as one's word
• 硕果仅存 shuò guǒ jǐn cún only remaining of the great ; one of the few greats extant
• 数见不鲜 shuò jiàn bù xiān a common occurrence
• 说来话长 shuō lái huà cháng start explaining and it's a long story ; complicated and not
• 说来说去 shuō lái shuō qù when all is said and done
• 说三道四 shuō sān dào sì to make thoughtless remarks
• 说一不二 shuō yī bù èr to say one and mean just that ; to keep one's word
• 死不改悔 sǐ bù gǎi huǐ not to repent even facing death
• 死不瞑目 sǐ bù míng mù lit. not close one's eyes after dying
• 思潮起伏 sī cháo qǐ fú thoughts surging in one's mind
• 四大皆空 sì dà jiē kōng lit. the four elements are vanity
• 死到临头 sǐ dào lín tóu Death is near at hand.
• 死得其所 sǐ dé qí suǒ to die a worthy death
• 死而不僵 sǐ ér bù jiāng dead but showing no signs of rigor mortis
• 死而复生 sǐ ér fù shēng to come back to life (after death)
• 死而后已 sǐ ér hòu yǐ until death puts an end ; one's whole life
• 四分五裂 sì fēn wǔ liè fragmented; scattered; in disarray; at sixes and sevens
• 四海飘零 sì hǎi piāo líng drifting aimlessly all over the place
• 四海升平 sì hǎi shēng píng the whole world is at peace
• 四海为家 sì hǎi wéi jiā to regard the four corners of the world all as home
• 丝毫不差 sī háo bù chā accurate to perfection
• 死灰复燃 sǐ huī fù rán lit. ashes burn once more ; fig. sb lost returns to have inf
• 四脚朝天 sì jiǎo cháo tiān four legs facing the sky ; flat on one's back
• 死结难解 sǐ jié nán jiě enigmatic knot hard to untie ; thorny problem
• 司空见惯 sī kōng jiàn guàn a common occurrence
• 思来想去 sī lái xiǎng qù to mull sth over
• 死里逃生 sǐ lǐ táo shēng mortal danger, escape alive ; a narrow escape
• 四邻八舍 sì lín bā shè the whole neighborhood
• 死路一条 sǐ lù yī tiáo dead end
• 四面八方 sì miàn bā fāng all directions; all around
• 四面楚歌 sì miàn Chǔ gē lit. on all sides, the songs of Chu
• 死皮赖脸 sǐ pí lài liǎn brazen faced ; shameless
• 四平八稳 sì píng bā wěn everything steady and stable ; overcautious and unimaginary
• 思前想后 sī qián xiǎng hòu to consider past cause and future effect ; to think over the
• 死去活来 sǐ qù huó lái to hover between life and death
• 似是而非 sì shì ér fēi apparently right but actually wrong; specious
• 四世同堂 sì shì tóng táng four generations under one roof
• 似水年华 sì shuǐ nián huá fleeting years
• 四通八达 sì tōng bā dá roads open in all directions ; accessible from all sides
• 死无对证 sǐ wú duì zhèng the dead cannot testify ; dead men tell no tales
• 似笑非笑 sì xiào fēi xiào like a smile yet not a smile
• 四仰八叉 sì yǎng bā chā sprawled out on one's back
• 死有余辜 sǐ yǒu yú gū to be so evil that even death would be insufficient punishme
• 死于非命 sǐ yú fēi mìng violent death ; to die in a disaster
• 死中求生 sǐ zhōng qiú shēng to seek life in death ; to fight for one's life
• 丝竹管弦 sī zhú guǎn xián (lit.) string and wind instruments
• 耸人听闻 sǒng rén tīng wén to sensationalize ; deliberate exaggeration to scare people
• 颂声载道 sòng shēng zài dào lit. praise fills the roads ; praise everywhere
• 搜肠刮肚 sōu cháng guā dù to search one's guts and belly ; to racks one's brains for a
• 搜索枯肠 sōu suǒ kū cháng to rack one's brains (for apt wording etc)
• 素不相能 sù bù xiāng néng unable to get along
• 素不相识 sù bù xiāng shí to be total strangers
• 素昧平生 sù mèi píng shēng to have never met sb before; entirely unacquainted
• 素面朝天 sù miàn cháo tiān lit. to present oneself confidently to the emperor, without
• 肃然起敬 sù rán qǐ jìng to feel deep veneration for sb
• 簌簌发抖 sù sù fā dǒu shivering
• 俗随时变 sú suí shí biàn customs change with time ; other times, other manners
• 素未谋面 sù wèi móu miàn to have never met
• 夙兴夜寐 sù xīng yè mèi to rise early and sleep late ; to work hard
• 俗谚口碑 sú yàn kǒu bēi common sayings ; widely circulated proverbs
• 夙夜匪懈 sù yè fěi xiè to work from morning to night
• 速战速决 sù zhàn sù jué to adopt a blitzkrieg strategy; to resolve sth in the shorte
• 酸儿辣女 suān ér là nǚ if a woman likes to eat sour during pregnancy, she will have
• 酸甜苦辣 suān tián kǔ là (lit.) sour, sweet, bitter and spicy
• 虽败犹荣 suī bài yóu róng honorable even in defeat
• 随波逐流 suí bō zhú liú to drift with the waves and go with the flow ; to follow the

Data: CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.