Chinese idioms starting with Z

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

砸锅卖铁 zá guō mài tiě to be willing to sacrifice everything one has
杂乱无章 zá luàn wú zhāng disordered and in a mess ; all mixed up and chaotic
载歌且舞 zài gē qiě wǔ singing and dancing ; festive celebrations
载歌载舞 zài gē zài wǔ singing and dancing ; festive celebrations
再接再厉 zài jiē zài lì to continue the struggle ; to persist
载酒问字 zài jiǔ wèn zì a scholarly and inquisitive individual
再生父母 zài shēng fù mǔ like a second parent ; one's great benefactor
再衰三竭 zài shuāi sān jié weakening and close to exhaustion ; in terminal decline
在所不辞 zài suǒ bù cí not to refuse to
在所难免 zài suǒ nán miǎn to be unavoidable
载舟覆舟 zài zhōu fù zhōu to carry a boat or to overturn a boat ; fig. The people can
赞不绝口 zàn bù jué kǒu can't stop praising
赞叹不已 zàn tàn bù yǐ to be full of praise and admiration; to marvel endlessly; to
赃官污吏 zāng guān wū lì grasping officials, corrupt mandarins ; abuse and corruption
葬身鱼腹 zàng shēn yú fù lit. to be buried in the bellies of fish
葬玉埋香 zàng yù mái xiāng lit. burying jade and interring incense ; funeral for a beau
凿壁偷光 záo bì tōu guāng lit. to pierce the wall to steal a light
早出晚归 zǎo chū wǎn guī to leave early and return late
造茧自缚 zào jiǎn zì fù to spin a cocoon around oneself ; enmeshed in a trap of one'
澡身浴德 zǎo shēn yù dé to bathe the body and cleanse virtue ; to improve oneself by
择善而从 zé shàn ér cóng to choose the right course and follow it
择善固执 zé shàn gù zhí to choose what is good and hold fast to it
责有攸归 zé yǒu yōu guī responsibility must lie where it belongs
啧啧称奇 zé zé chēng qí to click one's tongue in wonder
贼喊捉贼 zéi hǎn zhuō zéi lit. a thief crying "Stop the thief!"
贼眉鼠眼 zéi méi shǔ yǎn shifty-eyed
乍暖还寒 zhà nuǎn huán hán (of early spring weather) alternating between warm and cold
债多不愁 zhài duō bù chóu (lit.) when up to one's ears in debt, one ceases to worry ab
债台高筑 zhài tái gāo zhù lit. build a high desk of debt ; heavily in debt
斩草除根 zhǎn cǎo chú gēn to cut weeds and eliminate the roots ; to destroy root and b
展翅高飞 zhǎn chì gāo fēi to spread one's wings and soar
斩钉截铁 zhǎn dīng jié tiě (lit.) to chop the nail and slice the iron
沾花惹草 zhān huā rě cǎo to fondle the flowers and trample the grass
战火纷飞 zhàn huǒ fēn fēi fire of war everywhere ; enveloped in the flames of war
崭露头角 zhǎn lù tóu jiǎo to reveal outstanding talent ; to stand out as conspicuously
瞻前顾后 zhān qián gù hòu lit. to look forward and back
沾亲带故 zhān qīn dài gù to have some sort of connection (personal or familial etc)
沾染世俗 zhān rǎn shì sú to be corrupted by the ways of the world
栈山航海 zhàn shān háng hǎi to have a long and hard journey
战死沙场 zhàn sǐ shā chǎng to die in battle
战无不胜 zhàn wú bù shèng all-conquering; invincible
张灯结彩 zhāng dēng jié cǎi to be decorated with lanterns and colored banners
章甫荐履 zhāng fǔ jiàn lǚ court crown beneath straw shoe ; everything turned upside do
张冠李戴 Zhāng guān Lǐ dài lit. to put Zhang's hat on Li's head
张皇失措 zhāng huáng shī cuò panic-stricken
张口结舌 zhāng kǒu jié shé agape and tongue-tied ; at a loss for words
张三李四 Zhāng Sān Lǐ Sì (lit.) Zhang Three and Li Four
彰善瘅恶 zhāng shàn dàn è to distinguish good and evil ; to uphold virtue and condemn
掌上明珠 zhǎng shàng míng zhū lit. a pearl in the palm
掌声雷动 zhǎng shēng léi dòng thunderous applause
仗势欺人 zhàng shì qī rén to take advantage of one's position to bully people
獐头鼠目 zhāng tóu shǔ mù lit. the head of a river deer and the eyes of a rat
张王李赵 Zhāng Wáng Lǐ Zhào any Tom, Dick or Harry; anyone
张牙舞爪 zhāng yá wǔ zhǎo to bare fangs and brandish claws ; to make threatening gestu
仗义疏财 zhàng yì shū cái to help the needy for justice ; to be loyal to one's friends
仗义执言 zhàng yì zhí yán to speak out for justice ; to take a stand on a matter of pr
招兵买马 zhāo bīng mǎi mǎ lit. to recruit soldiers and buy horses
朝不保夕 zhāo bù bǎo xī at dawn, not sure of lasting to evening ; precarious state
朝不虑夕 zhāo bù lǜ xī at dawn, not sure of lasting to evening ; precarious state
招风惹草 zhāo fēng rě cǎo to bring trouble on oneself
招蜂引蝶 zhāo fēng yǐn dié (lit.) (of a flower) to attract bees and butterflies
朝过夕改 zhāo guò xī gǎi to correct in the evening a fault of the morning
朝令夕改 zhāo lìng xī gǎi to make frequent or unpredictable changes in policy
朝露溘至 zhāo lù kè zhì the morning dew will swiftly dissipate ; fig. ephemeral and
照猫画虎 zhào māo huà hǔ lit. drawing a tiger using a cat as a model ; fig. to follow
朝气蓬勃 zhāo qì péng bó full of youthful energy ; vigorous
朝乾夕惕 zhāo qián xī tì cautious and diligent all day long
朝秦暮楚 zhāo Qín mù Chǔ serve Qin in the morning Chu in the evening ; quick to switc
朝三暮四 zhāo sān mù sì lit. say three in the morning but four in the evening ; to c
朝生暮死 zhāo shēng mù sǐ lit. born in the morning and dying at dusk
朝思暮想 zhāo sī mù xiǎng to yearn for sth day and night
朝闻夕改 zhāo wén xī gǎi lit. heard in the morning and changed by the evening
朝夕相处 zhāo xī xiāng chǔ to spend all one's time together
招贤纳士 zhāo xián nà shì invite the talented and call the valorous ; to recruit talen
招降纳叛 zhāo xiáng nà pàn to recruit surrendered enemy and deserters ; to gather toget
招摇过市 zhāo yáo guò shì to parade oneself ostentatiously about town
招摇撞骗 zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn to dupe people by passing oneself off as a well-connected in
朝饔夕飧 zhāo yōng xī sūn (lit.) breakfast in the morning and supper in the evening
折戟沉沙 zhé jǐ chén shā lit. broken halberds embedded in the sand
折节读书 zhé jié dú shū to start reading furiously, contrary to previous habit
哲人其萎 zhé rén qí wěi a wise man has passed away
遮天蔽日 zhē tiān bì rì lit. hiding the sky and covering the earth ; fig. earth-shat
遮遮掩掩 zhē zhē yǎn yǎn to be secretive; to try to cover up
振臂一呼 zhèn bì yī hū to issue a call for action; to raise one's hand and issue a
真刀真枪 zhēn dāo zhēn qiāng (lit.) real swords and spears
震耳欲聋 zhèn ěr yù lóng ear-splitting ; deafening
针锋相对 zhēn fēng xiāng duì to oppose each other with equal harshness ; tit for tat
枕戈待旦 zhěn gē dài dàn lit. to wait for dawn, one's head resting on a spear
枕戈寝甲 zhěn gē qǐn jiǎ lit. to sleep on one's armor with a spear as a pillow
震古烁今 zhèn gǔ shuò jīn (lit.) to astonish the ancients and dazzle contemporaries
枕冷衾寒 zhěn lěng qīn hán cold pillow and lonely bed ; fig. cold and solitary existenc
振聋发聩 zhèn lóng fā kuì lit. so loud that even the deaf can hear ; rousing even the
真龙天子 Zhēn lóng Tiān zǐ (honorific) True Dragon, Son of Heaven; the rightful emperor
真凭实据 zhēn píng shí jù reliable evidence ; conclusive proof
真枪实弹 zhēn qiāng shí dàn with real guns and live ammunition; (fig.) for real (involvi
真情实意 zhēn qíng shí yì sincere feelings; genuine emotions
枕石漱流 zhěn shí shù liú to live a hermit's life (in seclusion)
震天动地 zhèn tiān dòng dì to shake heaven and earth
震天价响 zhèn tiān ga xiǎng an earth-shaking noise
真伪莫辨 zhēn wěi mò biàn can't judge true or false ; unable to distinguish the genuin
真相毕露 zhēn xiàng bì lù real face fully revealed ; fig. to unmask and expose the who
真相大白 zhēn xiàng dà bái the whole truth is revealed ; everything becomes clear
真心实意 zhēn xīn shí yì genuine; sincere; wholehearted
珍馐美味 zhēn xiū měi wèi delicacy and fine taste ; a wonderful treat
珍馐美馔 zhēn xiū měi zhuàn delicacy and fine taste ; a wonderful treat
臻于完善 zhēn yú wán shàn to attain perfection
臻于郅治 zhēn yú zhì zhì to attain a state of perfect governance
振振有词 zhèn zhèn yǒu cí to speak forcefully and with justice ; to argue with the cou
争长论短 zhēng cháng lùn duǎn lit. to argue who is right and wrong
争分夺秒 zhēng fēn duó miǎo lit. fight minutes, snatch seconds ; a race against time
争斤论两 zhēng jīn lùn liǎng to haggle over every ounce
正襟危坐 zhèng jīn wēi zuò to sit upright and still
争名夺利 zhēng míng duó lì to fight for fame, grab profit ; scrambling for fame and wea
征名责实 zhēng míng zé shí to seek out the real nature based on the name ; to judge sth
整齐划一 zhěng qí huà yī to be adjusted to uniformity (usually of weights and measure
争权夺利 zhēng quán duó lì scramble for power and profit ; power struggle
郑人买履 zhèng rén mǎi lǚ (lit.) the person from Zheng 郑 (Zhèng) who wanted to buy sho
郑人争年 Zhèng rén zhēng nián Men of Zheng fighting over their respective ages
峥嵘岁月 zhēng róng suì yuè eventful years
政通人和 zhèng tōng rén hé efficient government, people at peace ; all is well with the
争先恐后 zhēng xiān kǒng hòu to compete to be first; to scramble to get ahead; to rush fo
正言厉色 zhèng yán lì sè solemn in word and countenance ; strict and unsmiling
正颜厉色 zhèng yán lì sè solemn in countenance ; strict and unsmiling
铮铮铁汉 zhēng zhēng tiě hàn a strong and determined man
正中要害 zhèng zhòng yào hài to hit the nail on the head
志不在此 zhì bù zài cǐ to have one's ambitions elsewhere
直肠直肚 zhí cháng zhí dù frank and outspoken
咫尺天涯 zhǐ chǐ tiān yá so close, yet worlds apart
知错能改 zhī cuò néng gǎi to recognize one's mistakes and be able to reform oneself
志得意满 zhì dé yì mǎn fully content with one's achievements
掷地有声 zhì dì yǒu shēng lit. if thrown on the floor, it will make a sound
指点江山 zhǐ diǎn jiāng shān to talk idly about important matters
纸短情长 zhǐ duǎn qíng cháng a piece of paper is too short to convey my feelings
知法犯法 zhī fǎ fàn fǎ to know the law and break it ; consciously going against the
执法如山 zhí fǎ rú shān to maintain the law as firm as a mountain ; to enforce the l
陟罚臧否 zhì fá zāng pǐ to evaluate the merits and demerits of; (esp. in formal, eth
芝焚蕙叹 zhī fén huì tàn lit. when one grass burns the other grass sighs ; fig. to ha
栉风沐雨 zhì fēng mù yǔ lit. to comb one's hair in the wind and wash it in the rain
指腹为婚 zhǐ fù wéi hūn to propose the future marriage of two unborn babies on condi
趾高气扬 zhǐ gāo qì yáng high and mighty ; arrogant
知过改过 zhī guò gǎi guò to acknowledge one's faults and correct them
之乎者也 zhī hū zhě yě (lit.) 之 (zhī), 乎 (hū), 者 (zhě) and 也 (yě) (four grammatical
只鸡斗酒 zhī jī dǒu jiǔ lit. a chicken and a bottle of wine ; fig. ready to make an
指鸡骂狗 zhǐ jī mà gǒu lit. to point at the chicken while scolding the dog
枝节横生 zhī jié héng shēng side issues keep arising
直截了当 zhí jié liǎo dàng direct and plainspoken ; blunt
芝兰玉树 zhī lán yù shù lit. orchids and jade trees ; fig. a child with splendid fut
芝兰之室 zhī lán zhī shì lit. a room with irises and orchids ; fig. in wealthy and pl
知冷知热 zhī lěng zhī rè to know whether others are cold or hot
支离破碎 zhī lí pò suì scattered and smashed
指鹿为马 zhǐ lù wéi mǎ making a deer out to be a horse ; deliberate misrepresentati
指鹿作马 zhǐ lù zuò mǎ to take a deer and call it a horse ; deliberate inversion of
执迷不悟 zhí mí bù wù to obstinately persist in going about things the wrong way
知难而退 zhī nán ér tuì (lit.) to sound out the difficulties and retreat to avoid de
稚气未脱 zhì qì wèi tuō still possessing the innocence of childhood
只欠东风 zhǐ qiàn dōng fēng all we need is an east wind ; lacking only one tiny crucial
知悭识俭 zhī qiān shí jiǎn to know how to be economical
直情径行 zhí qíng jìng xíng straightforward and honest in one's actions
知人善任 zhī rén shàn rèn expert at appointing people according to their abilities; to
指日可待 zhǐ rì kě dài imminent
置若罔闻 zhì ruò wǎng wén to turn a deaf ear to ; to pretend not to hear
指桑骂槐 zhǐ sāng mà huái lit. to point at the mulberry tree and curse the locust tree
纸上谈兵 zhǐ shàng tán bīng lit. military tactics on paper
置身事外 zhì shēn shì wài not to get involved; to stay out of it
志士仁人 zhì shì rén rén gentleman aspiring to benevolence ; people with lofty ideals
指手画脚 zhǐ shǒu huà jiǎo to gesticulate while talking
炙手可热 zhì shǒu kě rè lit. burn your hand, feel the heat
知书达理 zhī shū dá lǐ educated and well-balanced
治丝益棼 zhì sī yì fén lit. try to straighten out silk threads only to tangle them
志同道合 zhì tóng dào hé to be devoted to a common cause; to be like-minded
支吾其词 zhī wú qí cí to talk in a roundabout way to cover up the truth
直言不讳 zhí yán bù huì to speak bluntly
只言片语 zhī yán piàn yǔ just a word or two; a few isolated phrases
知易行难 zhī yì xíng nán easy to grasp but difficult to put into practice
挚友良朋 zhì yǒu liáng péng intimate friend and companion
知遇之恩 zhī yù zhī ēn lit. the kindness of recognizing sb's worth and employing hi
志在四方 zhì zài sì fāng to aspire to travel far and make one's mark
只争朝夕 zhǐ zhēng zhāo xī to seize every minute; to make the best use of one's time
置之不理 zhì zhī bù lǐ to pay no heed to
置之不问 zhì zhī bù wèn to pass by without showing interest
置诸高阁 zhì zhū gāo gé lit. place on a high shelf
智珠在握 zhì zhū zài wò lit. to hold the pearl of wisdom
只字不提 zhī zì bù tí to say not a single word about it
知足常乐 zhī zú cháng lè satisfied with what one has
纸醉金迷 zhǐ zuì jīn mí lit. dazzling with paper and gold ; fig. indulging in a life
终成泡影 zhōng chéng pào yǐng to come to nothing
终而复始 zhōng ér fù shǐ lit. the end comes back to the start ; the wheel comes full
忠肝义胆 zhōng gān yì dǎn loyal, righteous and courageous
众寡悬殊 zhòng guǎ xuán shū a great disparity in numerical strength
中箭落马 zhòng jiàn luò mǎ lit. to be struck by an arrow and fall from one's horse
忠君爱国 zhōng jūn ài guó to be faithful to the ruler and love one's country
众口难调 zhòng kǒu nán tiáo it's difficult to please everyone
众口铄金 zhòng kǒu shuò jīn lit. public opinion is powerful enough to melt metal
众口同声 zhòng kǒu tóng shēng (of people) to be of one voice
钟灵毓秀 zhōng líng yù xiù (of a place) endowed with a natural beauty that nurtures peo
众目睽睽 zhòng mù kuí kuí (under) the public eye; the stares of many people
众目昭彰 zhòng mù zhāo zhāng lit. the masses are sharp-eyed
终南捷径 Zhōng nán jié jìng lit. the Mount Zhongnan shortcut
重男轻女 zhòng nán qīng nǚ to value males and attach less importance to females
众怒难犯 zhòng nù nán fàn one cannot afford to incur public wrath
众叛亲离 zhòng pàn qīn lí lit. people rebelling and friends deserting
终其天年 zhōng qí tiān nián to live out one's natural lifespan
众擎易举 zhòng qíng yì jǔ many hands make light work
重色轻友 zhòng sè qīng yǒu paying more attention to a lover than friends
众矢之的 zhòng shǐ zhī dì lit. target of a multitude of arrows ; the butt of public cr
众说纷揉 zhòng shuō fēn róu lit. diverse opinions confused and divided ; opinions differ
众说纷纭 zhòng shuō fēn yún opinions differ
众所周知 zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī as everyone knows
众望所归 zhòng wàng suǒ guī to enjoy popular support
重文轻武 zhòng wén qīng wǔ to value letters and belittle arms ; to stress civil matters
中西合璧 Zhōng Xī hé bì harmonious combination of Chinese and Western elements
忠心耿耿 zhōng xīn gěng gěng loyal and devoted ; faithful and true
忠言逆耳 zhōng yán nì ěr loyal advice jars on the ears
重义轻利 zhòng yì qīng lì to value righteousness rather than material gain
重于泰山 zhòng yú Tài Shān heavier than Mt Tai ; fig. extremely serious matter
忠贞不渝 zhōng zhēn bù yú unswerving in one's loyalty ; faithful and constant
众志成城 zhòng zhì chéng chéng unity of will is an impregnable stronghold
冢中枯骨 zhǒng zhōng kū gǔ dried bones in burial mound ; dead and buried
周而复始 zhōu ér fù shǐ lit. the cycle comes back to the start ; to move in circles
周游列国 zhōu yóu liè guó to travel around many countries ; peregrinations
铸成大错 zhù chéng dà cuò to make a serious mistake
煮豆燃萁 zhǔ dòu rán qí burning beanstalks to cook the beans ; to cause internecine
珠光宝气 zhū guāng bǎo qì bedecked with glittering jewels
铸剑为犁 zhù jiàn wéi lí to beat swords into plowshares; to turn from war to peace
竹篮打水 zhú lán dǎ shuǐ using a wicker basket to draw water ; wasted effort
珠联璧合 zhū lián bì hé string of pearl and jade ; ideal combination
珠流璧转 zhū liú bì zhuǎn lit. pearl flows, jade moves on ; fig. the passage of time
逐鹿中原 zhú lù Zhōng yuán lit. hunting deer in the Central Plain
竹马之交 zhú mǎ zhī jiāo childhood friend
诛求无厌 zhū qiú wú yàn to relentlessly make excessive demands
助人为乐 zhù rén wéi lè pleasure from helping others
诸如此类 zhū rú cǐ lèi things like this ; and so on
筑室道谋 zhù shì dào móu lit. ask passers-by how to build one's house ; fig. to have
著书立说 zhù shū lì shuō to write a book advancing one's theory
珠玉在侧 zhū yù zài cè gems at the side ; flanked by genius
珠圆玉润 zhū yuán yù rùn lit. as round as pearls and as smooth as jade
朱云折槛 zhū yún zhé jiàn Zhu Yun breaks the railing (Zhu Yun was a Han Dynasty offici
助纣为虐 zhù Zhòu wéi nüè lit. helping tyrant Zhou 商纣王 (Shāng Zhòu wáng) in his oppres
著作等身 zhù zuò děng shēn (of an author) prolific
抓耳挠腮 zhuā ěr náo sāi to tweak one's ears and scratch one's cheeks (as an expressi
转败为胜 zhuàn bài wéi shèng to turn defeat into victory ; snatching victory from the jaw
转悲为喜 zhuǎn bēi wéi xǐ to turn grief into happiness
转圜余地 zhuǎn huán yú dì to have room to save a situation
专美于前 zhuān měi yú qián to monopolize the limelight
转面无情 zhuǎn miàn wú qíng to turn one's face against sb and show no mercy ; to turn ag
转瞬即逝 zhuǎn shùn jí shì fleeting; transitory
转危为安 zhuǎn wēi wéi ān to turn peril into safety ; to avert a danger (esp. politica
专心致志 zhuān xīn zhì zhì single-minded; fully focused
转眼之间 zhuǎn yǎn zhī jiān in the wink of an eye; in a flash
转战千里 zhuǎn zhàn qiān lǐ fighting everywhere over a thousand miles ; constant fightin
装点门面 zhuāng diǎn mén miàn lit. to decorate the front of one's store
装疯卖傻 zhuāng fēng mài shǎ to play the fool; to feign madness; to act dumb
装模作样 zhuāng mó zuò yàng to put on an act; to show affectation; to indulge in histrio
装穷叫苦 zhuāng qióng jiào kǔ to feign and complain bitterly of being poverty stricken
装傻充愣 zhuāng shǎ chōng lèng to feign ignorance or stupidity; to pretend to be clueless
装神弄鬼 zhuāng shén nòng guǐ (lit.) to pretend to be in contact with supernatural beings
追根问底 zhuī gēn wèn dǐ lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base ; to get to th
追悔莫及 zhuī huǐ mò jí too late for regrets ; It is useless to repent after the eve
追名逐利 zhuī míng zhú lì to seek fame and wealth
惴惴不安 zhuì zhuì bù ān to be on tenterhooks
谆谆告诫 zhūn zhūn gào jiè to repeatedly advise sb earnestly
卓尔不群 zhuó ěr bù qún standing above the common crowd ; outstanding
擢发难数 zhuó fà nán shǔ lit. as difficult to count as hair pulled from sb's head
卓乎不群 zhuó hū bù qún standing out from the common crowd ; outstanding
捉襟见肘 zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu lit. pulling on the lapels exposes the elbows
捉摸不定 zhuō mō bù dìng unpredictable; elusive; hard to pin down
着手成春 zhuó shǒu chéng chūn lit. set out and it becomes spring ; to effect a miracle cur
拙于言词 zhuō yú yán cí to be unable to express oneself clearly
自不必说 zì bù bì shuō needless to say
自惭形秽 zì cán xíng huì to feel inferior; to feel inadequate
子承父业 zǐ chéng fù yè (of a son) to carry on one's father's business or profession
子丑寅卯 zǐ chǒu yín mǎo a full and coherent account of a matter; the complete facts
自吹自擂 zì chuī zì léi to blow one's own trumpet
自奉甚俭 zì fèng shèn jiǎn to allow oneself few comforts or pleasures
自甘堕落 zì gān duò luò to abandon oneself
自高自大 zì gāo zì dà to think of oneself as terrific ; arrogant
自顾不暇 zì gù bù xiá to have one's hands full managing one's own affairs
趑趄不前 zī jū bù qián hesitant and not daring to move forward
趑趄嗫嚅 zī jū niè rú faltering steps, mumbling speech ; hesitant
自愧不如 zì kuì bù rú ashamed of being inferior
自愧弗如 zì kuì fú rú to feel ashamed at being inferior
自力更生 zì lì gēng shēng regeneration through one's own effort
字里行间 zì lǐ háng jiān between the words and the lines ; implied meaning
自乱阵脚 zì luàn zhèn jiǎo to lose one's head
自命清高 zì mìng qīng gāo to think of oneself as high and pure ; smug and self-righteo
自谋出路 zì móu chū lù to take matters into one's own hands
紫气东来 zǐ qì dōng lái auspicious omen heralding good fortune
自取灭亡 zì qǔ miè wáng to court disaster
自取其辱 zì qǔ qí rǔ to embarrass oneself
自然而然 zì rán ér rán natural; unforced
自上而下 zì shàng ér xià from top to bottom; top-down
自身难保 zì shēn nán bǎo powerless to defend oneself ; helpless
自生自灭 zì shēng zì miè to emerge and perish on its own; to run its course
自食恶果 zì shí è guǒ lit. to eat one's own bitter fruit
自食其果 zì shí qí guǒ to eat one's own fruit ; fig. suffering the consequences of
自食其力 zì shí qí lì lit. to eat off one's own strength
自视清高 zì shì qīng gāo to think highly of oneself ; giving oneself airs
自视甚高 zì shì shèn gāo to think highly of oneself ; giving oneself airs
兹事体大 zī shì tǐ dà this is no small thing
自始至终 zì shǐ zhì zhōng from start to finish
自私自利 zì sī zì lì everything for self and selfish profit ; with no regard for
自讨苦吃 zì tǎo kǔ chī to ask for trouble; to make a rod for one's own back
自我吹嘘 zì wǒ chuī xū to blow one's own horn
自下而上 zì xià ér shàng from bottom to top; from the grass roots up; bottom-up
自相残杀 zì xiāng cán shā to massacre one another ; internecine strife
自相鱼肉 zì xiāng yú ròu butchering one another as fish and flesh ; killing one anoth
子虚乌有 zǐ xū wū yǒu to have no basis in fact; to be the product of sb's imaginat
自寻烦恼 zì xún fán nǎo to bring trouble on oneself
自寻死路 zì xún sǐ lù to follow the path to one's own doom
龇牙咧嘴 zī yá liě zuǐ to make a pained or menacing facial expression; to grimace;
自言自语 zì yán zì yǔ to talk to oneself; to think aloud; to soliloquize
自以为是 zì yǐ wéi shì to believe oneself infallible
自贻伊戚 zì yí yī qī to create trouble for oneself
自艾自怜 zì yì zì lián to feel sorry for oneself
自由自在 zì yóu zì zài free and easy ; carefree
自圆其说 zì yuán qí shuō to make a story or theory consistent; to give a plausible ex
字正腔圆 zì zhèng qiāng yuán to enunciate beautifully (in speaking or singing)
自知理亏 zì zhī lǐ kuī to know that one is in the wrong
自知之明 zì zhī zhī míng self-knowledge
锱铢必较 zī zhū bì jiào to haggle over every cent
孜孜不倦 zī zī bù juàn lit. diligent and never slacking ; continuous concentrated e
子子孙孙 zǐ zǐ sūn sūn one's posterity
孜孜以求 zī zī yǐ qiú diligent and tireless
字字珠玑 zì zì zhū jī every word is a gem
字字珠玉 zì zì zhū yù every word a gem ; magnificent writing
自作聪明 zì zuò cōng míng to think oneself clever
自作主张 zì zuò zhǔ zhāng to act on one's own; to decide for oneself
自作自受 zì zuò zì shòu to reap what one has sown; to stew in one's own juice
纵横交错 zòng héng jiāo cuò criss-crossed
总角之好 zǒng jiǎo zhī hǎo childhood friend
总角之交 zǒng jiǎo zhī jiāo childhood friend
走马观花 zǒu mǎ guān huā lit. flower viewing from horseback ; a fleeting glance in pa
走马看花 zǒu mǎ kàn huā lit. flower viewing from horseback ; fig. superficial unders
走马上任 zǒu mǎ shàng rèn to take office; to assume a post
走马章台 zǒu mǎ zhāng tái to go to the brothel on horseback ; to visit prostitutes
走桃花运 zǒu táo huā yùn to have luck with the ladies
走投无路 zǒu tóu wú lù to be at an impasse
足不出户 zú bù chū hù to not leave one's home; to stay indoors
钻故纸堆 zuān gù zhǐ duī to dig into piles of outdated writings ; to study old books
钻坚仰高 zuān jiān yǎng gāo lit. looking up to it, it gets higher; boring into it, it ge
钻牛角尖 zuān niú jiǎo jiān lit. to penetrate into a bull's horn ; fig. to waste time on
罪大恶极 zuì dà è jí guilty of terrible crimes
罪恶滔天 zuì è tāo tiān to have committed heinous crimes
罪该万死 zuì gāi wàn sǐ deserving the severest punishment; death is too good for sb
嘴快心直 zuǐ kuài xīn zhí outspoken and frank
罪魁祸首 zuì kuí huò shǒu criminal ringleader; main offender; main culprit; main cause
醉生梦死 zuì shēng mèng sǐ as if drunk or entranced ; leading a befuddled existence
嘴甜心苦 zuǐ tián xīn kǔ sweet mouth, bitter heart ; insincere flattery
罪有应得 zuì yǒu yīng dé guilty and deserves to be punished ; entirely appropriate ch
遵时养晦 zūn shí yǎng huì to bide one's time, waiting for an opportunity to stage a co
左膀右臂 zuǒ bǎng yòu bì trusted assistant; key aide
坐不垂堂 zuò bù chuí táng lit. don't sit under the eaves (where tiles may fall from th
坐吃山空 zuò chī shān kōng lit. just sitting and eating, one can deplete even a mountai
左道惑众 zuǒ dào huò zhòng to delude the masses with heretical doctrines
坐而论道 zuò ér lùn dào to sit and pontificate; to find answers through theory and n
左顾右盼 zuǒ gù yòu pàn glancing to left and right ; to look all around
坐观成败 zuò guān chéng bài to sit and await success or failure ; to wait to see the out
做好做歹 zuò hǎo zuò dǎi to persuade using all possible arguments ; to act good cop a
作茧自缚 zuò jiǎn zì fù to spin a cocoon around oneself ; enmeshed in a trap of one'
坐井观天 zuò jǐng guān tiān lit. to view the sky from the bottom of a well ; ignorant an
坐立不安 zuò lì bù ān lit. agitated sitting or standing
坐立难安 zuò lì nán ān unable to sit or stand still (out of nervousness etc)
作鸟兽散 zuò niǎo shòu sàn lit. scatter like birds and beasts
左券在握 zuǒ quàn zài wò to be assured of success
坐视不理 zuò shì bù lǐ to sit and watch, but remain indifferent
坐失机宜 zuò shī jī yí to sit and waste a good opportunity ; to lose the chance
坐失良机 zuò shī liáng jī to sit and waste a good opportunity ; to lose the chance
坐收渔利 zuò shōu yú lì benefit from others' dispute
左思右想 zuǒ sī yòu xiǎng to turn over in one's mind ; to think through from different
作威作福 zuò wēi zuò fú tyrannical abuse ; riding roughshod over people
坐享其成 zuò xiǎng qí chéng to reap where one has not sown
坐以待毙 zuò yǐ dài bì to sit and wait for death ; resigned to one's fate
左拥右抱 zuǒ yōng yòu bào to have a girl on each arm
左右逢源 zuǒ yòu féng yuán lit. to strike water right and left
左右开弓 zuǒ yòu kāi gōng lit. to shoot from both sides
左右两难 zuǒ yòu liǎng nán between a rock and a hard place
左右为难 zuǒ yòu wéi nán between a rock and a hard place
做贼心虚 zuò zéi xīn xū to feel guilty as a thief ; to have sth on one's conscience
做张做势 zuò zhāng zuò shì to put on an act ; to pose
做张做智 zuò zhāng zuò zhì to put on an act ; to pose

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