Idioms and proverbs Chinese vocabulary: Advanced (HSK 7-9), part 2

半夜的小区里鸦雀无声。

Bànyè de xiǎoqū lǐ yāquèwúshēng.

The neighborhood is completely silent in the middle of the night.

宣布后，全场鸦雀无声。

Xuānbù hòu, quánchǎng yāquèwúshēng.

After the announcement, the whole hall fell silent.

超市里的零食五花八门。

Chāoshì lǐ de língshí wǔhuābāmén.

The snacks in the supermarket come in all kinds.

同学们提出的问题五花八门。

Tóngxuémen tíchū de wèntí wǔhuābāmén.

The questions the students raised were myriad.

他接二连三地打喷嚏。

Tā jiē'èrliánsān de dǎpēntì.

He sneezed again and again.

坏消息接二连三地传来。

Huài xiāoxi jiē'èrliánsān de chuánlái.

Bad news kept coming one after another.

他为什么仍然犹豫不决？

Tā wèishénme réngrán yóuyùbùjué?

Why did he remain hesitant?

犹豫不决让她错过了机会。

Yóuyùbùjué ràng tā cuòguòle jīhuì.

Her hesitancy made her miss the opportunity.

士别三日，刮目相看

shìbiésānrì, guāmùxiāngkàn

when a scholar has been parted three days, look at him with scraped eyes

我对你刮目相看了。

Wǒ duì nǐ guāmùxiāngkàn le.

I'm seeing you in a new light.

孩子们争先恐后地举手。

Háizimen zhēngxiānkǒnghòu de jǔshǒu.

The children all scrambled to be the first to raise their hands.

别争先恐后，一个一个来！

Bié zhēngxiānkǒnghòu, yí gè yí gè lái!

Don't push to get ahead, come one at a time!

她出国多年，真是见多识广啊！

Tā chūguó duōnián, zhēnshi jiànduōshíguǎng a!

She's been abroad for years, and she's really seen a lot of the world!

我爷爷年轻时到处跑，见多识广。

Wǒ yéye niánqīng shí dàochù pǎo, jiànduōshíguǎng.

My grandfather travelled everywhere when he was young, so he's very worldly and knowledgeable.

那幅画的名字很耐人寻味。

Nà fú huà de míngzi hěn nàirénxúnwèi.

The title of that painting is very thought-provoking.

这幅画看起来简单，却耐人寻味。

Zhè fú huà kànqǐlai jiǎndān, què nàirénxúnwèi.

This painting looks simple, but it gives you a lot to think about.

云的形状千变万化。

Yún de xíngzhuàng qiānbiànwànhuà.

The shapes of clouds are ever changing.

海上的天气千变万化。

Hǎishàng de tiānqì qiānbiànwànhuà.

The weather at sea is constantly changing.

那是个千钧一发的时刻。

Nà shì gè qiānjūnyífà de shíkè.

That was a critical moment.

比赛进入千钧一发的最后一分钟。

Bǐsài jìnrù qiānjūnyífà de zuìhòu yìfēnzhōng.

The match entered its critical final minute.

默默无闻的人也值得尊敬。

Mòmòwúwén de rén yě zhíde zūnjìng.

Unknown people deserve respect too.

他默默无闻地教了一辈子书。

Tā mòmòwúwén de jiāole yíbèizi shū.

He taught for his whole life without anyone knowing his name.

我们应有尽有。

Wǒmen yīngyǒujìnyǒu.

We have what we need.

新房子里家具和电器应有尽有。

Xīn fángzi lǐ jiājù hé diànqì yīngyǒujìnyǒu.

The new house has all the furniture and appliances one needs.

真相很快就会水落石出了。

Zhēnxiàng hěn kuài jiù huì shuǐluò-shíchū le.

It won't be long before we know the truth.

等真相水落石出，大家就明白了。

Děng zhēnxiàng shuǐluò-shíchū, dàjiā jiù míngbai le.

Once the truth comes out, everyone will understand.

考试时不能弄虚作假。

Kǎoshì shí bùnéng nòngxūzuòjiǎ.

You must not cheat during exams.

报告里弄虚作假，被发现了。

Bàogào lǐ nòngxūzuòjiǎ, bèi fāxiànle.

They faked things in the report and were found out.

他读遍了古今中外的名著。

Tā dú biànle gǔjīnzhōngwài de míngzhù.

He has read the famous works of every age and country.

古今中外，人都爱听故事。

Gǔjīnzhōngwài, rén dōu ài tīng gùshi.

At all times and in all places, people love to hear stories.

那间老房子的围墙摇摇欲坠。

Nà jiān lǎo fángzi de wéiqiáng yáoyáoyùzhuì.

The wall around that old house is tottering.

那间老房子摇摇欲坠，别进去！

Nà jiān lǎo fángzi yáoyáoyùzhuì, bié jìnqù!

That old house is about to collapse, so don't go in!

你觉得中医博大精深吗？

Nǐ juéde zhōngyī bódàjīngshēn ma?

Do you think traditional Chinese medicine is wide-ranging and profound?

中国的饮食文化博大精深。

Zhōngguó de yǐnshí wénhuà bódàjīngshēn.

Chinese food culture is wide-ranging and profound.

当前的重中之重是什么？

Dāngqián de zhòngzhōngzhīzhòng shì shénme?

What is the highest priority right now?

安全是我们工作的重中之重。

Ānquán shì wǒmen gōngzuò de zhòngzhōngzhīzhòng.

Safety is the top priority in our work.

这本小说的故事很引人入胜。

Zhè běn xiǎoshuō de gùshi hěn yǐnrénrùshèng.

The story of this novel is fascinating.

那位老师讲的历史课引人入胜。

Nà wèi lǎoshī jiǎng de lìshǐ kè yǐnrénrùshèng.

The history lessons that teacher gives are fascinating.

我仍然记忆犹新。

Wǒ réngrán jìyìyóuxīn.

It is still fresh in my memory.

那场大雪让我记忆犹新。

Nà chǎng dàxuě ràng wǒ jìyìyóuxīn.

That heavy snowfall is still fresh in my memory.

大家对这个消息都半信半疑。

Dàjiā duì zhège xiāoxi dōu bànxìnbànyí.

Everyone is skeptical about this news.

她半信半疑地打开了那个盒子。

Tā bànxìnbànyí de dǎkāile nàge hézi.

Half believing, half doubting, she opened the box.

他们异口同声，都说不去。

Tāmen yìkǒutóngshēng, dōu shuō bú qù.

They all said in unison that they weren't going.

孩子们异口同声说生日快乐！

Háizimen yìkǒutóngshēng shuō shēngrìkuàilè!

The children said happy birthday in unison!

你的礼物真是锦上添花！

Nǐ de lǐwù zhēnshi jǐnshàngtiānhuā!

Your gift is the perfect finishing touch!

锦上添花易，雪中送炭难

jǐnshàngtiānhuā yì, xuězhōngsòngtàn nán

adding flowers to brocade is easy, sending charcoal in the snow is hard

全家人齐心协力搬了新家。

Quánjiā rén qíxīnxiélì bānle xīn jiā.

The whole family pulled together to move into the new home.

同事们齐心协力完成了任务。

Tóngshìmen qíxīnxiélì wánchéngle rènwu.

My colleagues worked as one to finish the task.

他常问天气、路线诸如此类。

Tā cháng wèn tiānqì, lùxiàn zhūrúcǐlèi.

He often asks about the weather, routes, etc.

他总是迟到、忘带书，诸如此类。

Tā zǒngshì chídào, wàng dài shū, zhūrúcǐlèi.

He's always late, forgets his books, etc.

大丈夫见义勇为

dàzhàngfu jiànyìyǒngwéi

a true man bravely does what is right when he sees it

他跳进河里救人，真是见义勇为！

Tā tiàojìn hé lǐ jiù rén, zhēnshi jiànyìyǒngwéi!

He jumped into the river to save someone, which was truly brave and selfless!

帮邻居做点力所能及的事。

Bāng línjū zuò diǎn lìsuǒnéngjí de shì.

Help the neighbors with whatever you're able to do.

只要力所能及，我都愿意帮你。

Zhǐyào lìsuǒnéngjí, wǒ dōu yuànyì bāng nǐ.

As long as it's within my ability, I'm happy to help you.

你听过这句俗话吗？

Nǐ tīngguo zhè jù súhuà ma?

Have you heard this saying before?

这句俗话你听过吗？

Zhè jù súhuà nǐ tīngguo ma?

Have you heard this common saying?

上课不能交头接耳。

Shàngkè bùnéng jiāotóujiē'ěr.

You must not talk to each other in class.

观众们在台下交头接耳。

Guānzhòngmen zài táixià jiāotóujiē'ěr.

The audience members were whispering to one another below the stage.

公园里的花千姿百态，非常好看。

Gōngyuán lǐ de huā qiānzībǎitài, fēicháng hǎokàn.

The flowers in the park come in all shapes and forms, and they're beautiful.

公园里的菊花千姿百态，真好看。

Gōngyuán lǐ de júhuā qiānzībǎitài, zhēn hǎokàn.

The chrysanthemums in the park come in all shapes and forms, and they are beautiful.

要孩子读书，先以身作则。

Yào háizi dúshū, xiān yǐshēnzuòzé.

If you want your child to read, set an example first.

队长以身作则，大家都很服气。

Duìzhǎng yǐshēnzuòzé, dàjiā dōu hěn fúqì.

The captain leads by example, so everyone respects him.

水管破了，修理刻不容缓。

Shuǐguǎn pòle, xiūlǐ kèbùrónghuǎn.

The water pipe has burst, and it can't wait to be fixed.

病人危险，抢救刻不容缓。

Bìngrén wēixiǎn, qiǎngjiù kèbùrónghuǎn.

The patient is in danger, and rescue efforts demand immediate action.

别异想天开了，这不可能！

Bié yìxiǎngtiānkāi le, zhè bù kěnéng!

Stop dreaming up wild ideas, this is impossible!

想一夜变成富翁，真是异想天开。

Xiǎng yí yè biànchéng fùwēng, zhēnshi yìxiǎngtiānkāi.

Wanting to become rich overnight is pure wishful fantasy.

登月是人类开天辟地的大事。

Dēngyuè shì rénlèi kāitiānpìdì de dàshì.

Landing on the moon was an unprecedented event for humankind.

这项发明是开天辟地的大事。

Zhè xiàng fāmíng shì kāitiānpìdì de dàshì.

This invention is a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind event.

这家饭馆的鱼数一数二。

Zhè jiā fànguǎn de yú shǔyìshǔ'èr.

The fish at this restaurant is among the very best.

他的成绩在班里数一数二。

Tā de chéngjì zài bān lǐ shǔyìshǔ'èr.

His grades are among the top in the class.

学外语必须持之以恒。

Xué wàiyǔ bìxū chízhīyǐhéng.

Learning a foreign language takes perseverance.

想减肥就要持之以恒。

Xiǎng jiǎnféi jiùyào chízhīyǐhéng.

If you want to lose weight, you have to persevere.

先找出原因，才能对症下药。

Xiān zhǎochū yuányīn, cái néng duìzhèngxiàyào.

You have to find the cause first before you can take the right steps.

想解决问题，就得对症下药。

Xiǎng jiějué wèntí, jiù de duìzhèngxiàyào.

If you want to solve the problem, you have to find the right remedy.

他带着队伍勇往直前。

Tā dàizhe duìwǔ yǒngwǎngzhíqián.

He led the team forward without fear.

别怕失败，勇往直前吧！

Bié pà shībài, yǒngwǎngzhíqián ba!

Don't be afraid of failure, just press on bravely!

不要让她对你指手画脚。

Búyào ràng tā duì nǐ zhǐshǒuhuàjiǎo.

Don't let yourself be bossed around by her.

他指手画脚地给我们讲了半天。

Tā zhǐshǒuhuàjiǎo de gěi wǒmen jiǎngle bàntiān.

He waved his hands around explaining it to us for ages.

别狼吞虎咽，慢慢吃！

Bié lángtūnhǔyàn, mànmàn chī!

Don't wolf your food down, eat slowly!

他狼吞虎咽，吃撑了肚子。

Tā lángtūnhǔyàn, chī chēngle dǔzi.

He gorged himself until his stomach was stuffed.

他锲而不舍地学游泳。

Tā qiè'érbùshě dì xué yóuyǒng.

He kept at his swimming lessons without giving up.

锲而不舍，你就能学好中文。

Qiè'érbùshě, nǐ jiù néng xuéhǎo Zhōngwén.

If you persevere, you will be able to learn Chinese well.

市场竞争就是优胜劣汰。

Shìchǎngjìngzhēng jiùshì yōushèngliètài.

Market competition is survival of the fittest.

自然界中优胜劣汰很常见。

Zìránjiè zhōng yōushèngliètài hěn chángjiàn.

Survival of the fittest is very common in nature.

他冷静处理，终于化险为夷。

Tā lěngjìng chǔlǐ, zhōngyú huàxiǎnwéiyí.

He stayed calm and finally turned the danger into safety.

船遇到大风，最后化险为夷。

Chuán yùdào dàfēng, zuìhòu huàxiǎnwéiyí.

The boat hit strong winds but in the end came through safely.

火车站里每天都有悲欢离合。

Huǒchēzhàn lǐ měitiān dōu yǒu bēihuānlíhé.

Every day at the train station there are partings and reunions.

这部电影讲了一家人的悲欢离合。

Zhè bù diànyǐng jiǎngle yìjiārén de bēihuānlíhé.

This film tells of one family's joys and sorrows.

他挨家挨户兜售保险。

Tā āijiā'āihù dōushòu bǎoxiǎn.

He peddles insurance from door to door.

志愿者挨家挨户发传单。

Zhìyuànzhě āijiā'āihù fā chuándān.

The volunteers went from house to house handing out leaflets.

你的座右铭是什么？

Nǐ de zuòyòumíng shì shénme?

What is your motto?

爷爷把自己的座右铭写在了墙上。

Yéye bǎ zìjǐ de zuòyòumíng xiě zài le qiáng shàng.

Grandpa wrote his motto on the wall.

你别笑我孤陋寡闻。

Nǐ bié xiào wǒ gūlòuguǎwén.

Don't laugh at me for being so ignorant.

不出门的人容易孤陋寡闻。

Bù chūmén de rén róngyì gūlòuguǎwén.

People who never go out easily become ill-informed and narrow-minded.

好老师现在真是凤毛麟角。

Hǎo lǎoshī xiànzài zhēnshi fèngmáolínjiǎo.

Good teachers are truly few and far between these days.

懂这门手艺的人凤毛麟角。

Dǒng zhè mén shǒuyì de rén fèngmáolínjiǎo.

People who know this craft are few and far between.

那位老教授上课总是出口成章。

Nà wèi lǎo jiàoshòu shàngkè zǒngshì chūkǒuchéngzhāng.

That old professor is always articulate when he teaches.

她讲话出口成章，大家都很佩服。

Tā jiǎnghuà chūkǒuchéngzhāng, dàjiā dōu hěn pèifú.

She speaks so eloquently that everyone admires her.

保护环境，我们任重道远。

Bǎohù huánjìng, wǒmen rènzhòngdàoyuǎn.

Protecting the environment is a heavy responsibility and a long road for us.

新老师知道自己任重道远。

Xīn lǎoshī zhīdào zìjǐ rènzhòngdàoyuǎn.

The new teacher knows she has heavy responsibilities and a long road ahead.