Chinese example sentences

弟弟趁机又拿了一块蛋糕。

Dìdi chènjī yòu nále yíkuài dàngāo.

My younger brother seized the moment to take another piece of cake.

张天师被鬼降住，无法可施

Zhāngtiānshī bèi guǐ xiáng zhù, wúfǎkěshī

Heavenly Master Zhang is subdued by a ghost: no method to use

张果老倒骑驴，不见畜生的面

Zhāngguǒlǎo dào qí lǘ, bújiàn chùsheng de miàn

Zhang Guolao riding a donkey backwards: never sees the beast's face

张果老骑驴，倒着走

Zhāngguǒlǎo qí lǘ, dàozhe zǒu

Zhang Guolao rides a donkey: going backwards

张飞卖秤砣，人强货也硬

Zhāng Fēi mài chèngtuó, rén qiáng huò yě yìng

Zhang Fei selling steelyard weights: the man is strong and the goods are solid

张飞吃豆芽儿，小菜一盘

Zhāng Fēi chī dòuyár, xiǎocài yì pán

Zhang Fei eating bean sprouts: just a plate of side dish

张飞吃豆芽儿，小菜一碟儿

Zhāng Fēi chī dòuyár, xiǎocàiyìdié ér

Zhang Fei eating bean sprouts: just a small dish

张飞战马超，不分胜负

Zhāng Fēi zhàn Mǎ Chāo, bùfēnshèngfù

Zhang Fei fights Ma Chao: neither wins

张飞掌鹅毛扇，充诸葛亮

Zhāng Fēi zhǎng émáoshàn, chōng Zhūgě Liàng

Zhang Fei holding a goose-feather fan: posing as Zhuge Liang

张飞摆屠案，凶神恶杀

Zhāng Fēi bǎi tú àn, xiōngshén wù shā

Zhang Fei setting up a butcher's table: fierce god, evil killing

张飞穿针，大眼儿瞪小眼儿

Zhāng Fēi chuānzhēn, dà yǎn ér dèng xiǎoyǎn ér

Zhang Fei threading a needle: big eye stares at small eye

张飞绣花儿，粗中有细

Zhāng Fēi xiù huār, cūzhōngyǒuxì

Zhang Fei doing embroidery: delicacy within roughness

张飞翻脸，吹胡子瞪眼

Zhāng Fēi fānliǎn, chuīhúzidèngyǎn

Zhang Fei turns angry: blows his beard and glares

弥补永远不会太晚。

Míbǔ yǒngyuǎn búhuì tài wǎn.

It's never too late to make amends.

弯尺画不出直线

wān chǐ huà bù chū zhíxiàn

a bent ruler can't draw a straight line

弯弯扁担压不断

wānwān biǎndan yā búduàn

a curved carrying pole can't be pressed to breaking

弯木要过墨，横人要过理

wān mù yàoguò mò, hèng rén yàoguò lǐ

bent timber must be run along the ink line; unreasonable people must be run through reason

弯着腰干活，直着腰走路

wānzhe yāo gànhuó, zhí zhe yāo zǒulù

bend your back to work, walk with your back straight

弯过了头要折，拉过了头要断

wānguòle tóu yào shé, lāguòle tóu yào duàn

bend it too far and it snaps; pull it too far and it breaks

弱国难以与强国抗衡。

Ruò guó nányǐ yǔ qiángguó kànghéng.

A weak country can hardly stand up to a strong one.

强中更有强中手

qiángzhōnggèngyǒuqiángzhōngshǒu

among the strong there are always stronger hands

强占别人的房子是违法的。

Qiángzhàn biéren de fángzi shì wéifǎ de.

Forcibly occupying someone else's house is illegal.

强大的军队可以威慑敌人。

Qiángdà de jūnduì kěyǐ wēishè dírén.

A strong army can deter the enemy.

强宾不压主

qiángbīnbùyāzhǔ

a strong guest does not overpower the host

强拳不打笑脸

qiáng quán bù dǎ xiàoliǎn

a strong fist does not hit a smiling face

强按牛头不喝水

qiǎng àn niútóu bù hēshuǐ

forcing down an ox's head won't make it drink

强盗似乎是在上层破窗而入的。

Qiángdào sìhū shì zài shàngcéng pò chuāng ér rù de.

It seems that the burglar broke in through an upstairs window.

强盗抢走了老人所有的钱。

Qiángdào qiǎngzǒule lǎorén suǒyǒu de qián.

The robber took all of the old man's money.

强盗掠夺了村子里的粮食。

Qiángdào lüèduóle cūnzi lǐ de liángshi.

The bandits plundered the village's grain.

强盗掠夺了路过的商人。

Qiángdào lüèduóle lùguò de shāngrén.

The bandits robbed the merchants passing by.

强盗遇着贼偷,大来小往

qiángdào yùzhe zéi tōu,dà lái xiǎo wǎng

a bandit meets a sneak thief: big comes in, small goes out

强盗遇见打家劫舍的,碰上了对手

qiángdào yùjiàn dǎjiājiéshè de,pèngshàngle duìshǒu

a robber meets a house-raider: he has run into his match

强迫不成买卖

qiǎngpò bùchéng mǎimai

compulsion makes no sale

强迫症需要看医生吗？

Qiǎngpòzhèng xūyào kàn yīshēng ma?

Does OCD require seeing a doctor?

归根到底，他是为你好。

Guīgēndàodǐ, tā shì wèi nǐ hǎo.

After all, he means well for you.

当了衣服买肉吃，顾嘴不顾身

dàng le yīfu mǎi ròu chī, gùzuǐ búgù shēn

pawn clothes to buy meat: care for the mouth, not the body

当了衣服买酒喝，顾嘴不顾身

dàng le yīfu mǎi jiǔ hē, gùzuǐ búgù shēn

pawn clothes to buy wine: care for the mouth, not the body

当今世界需推进其食物生产。

Dāngjīn shìjiè xū tuījìn qí shíwù shēngchǎn.

The world today needs to advance its production of food.

当他回家时，我遇到了他。

Dāng tā huíjiā shí, wǒ yùdàole tā.

I met him while he was coming home.

当他说话的时候，发生了火灾。

Dāng tā shuōhuà de shíhou, fāshēngle huǒzāi.

Just as he was speaking, a fire broke out.

当代人的生活节奏很快。

Dāngdài rén de shēnghuó jiézòu hěn kuài.

The pace of life in the contemporary era is fast.

当代年轻人的压力越来越大。

Dāngdài niánqīngrén de yālì yuèláiyuè dà.

Young people of the present age are under more and more pressure.

当众忘词，真丢人！

Dāngzhòng wàngcí, zhēn diūrén!

Forgetting your lines in front of everyone is so embarrassing!

当众讲话需要很大的胆量。

Dāngzhòng jiǎnghuà xūyào hěn dà de dǎnliàng.

Speaking in public takes a lot of courage.

当你到达时寄封信给我。

Dāng nǐ dàodá shí jì fēng xìn gěi wǒ.

Send me a letter when you arrive.

当你到达的时候他还在这里吗？

Dāng nǐ dàodá de shíhou tā hái zài zhèlǐ ma?

Was he still here when you arrived?

当你喝汤的时候不要发出声音。

Dāng nǐ hē tāng de shíhou búyào fāchū shēngyīn.

Don't make noise while eating soup.

当你过马路的时候要当心汽车。

Dāng nǐ guò mǎlù de shíhou yào dāngxīn qìchē.

Watch out for cars when you cross the street.

当你饿的时候，任何东西都好吃。

Dāng nǐ è de shíhou, rènhé dōngxi dōu hǎochī.

When you're hungry, anything tastes good.

当初你为什么选了这个专业？

Dāngchū nǐ wèishénme xuǎn le zhège zhuānyè?

Why did you choose this major back then?

当前最重要的是好好休息。

Dāngqián zuì zhòngyào de shì hǎohǎo xiūxi.

The most important thing right now is to get some good rest.

当前的任务是准备考试。

Dāngqián de rènwu shì zhǔnbèi kǎoshì.

The present task is to prepare for the exam.

当前的重中之重是什么？

Dāngqián de zhòngzhōngzhīzhòng shì shénme?

What is the highest priority right now?

当医生是她从小的志愿。

Dāng yīshēng shì tā cóngxiǎo de zhìyuàn.

Becoming a doctor has been her aspiration since childhood.

当医生要有过硬的本领。

Dāng yīshēng yào yǒu guòyìng de běnlǐng.

To be a doctor, you need solid skills.

当堂不让父

dāngtáng búràng fù

in the court hall, don't spare even your father

当她回来的时后，我就离开。

Dāng tā huílai de shí hòu, wǒ jiù líkāi.

I'll leave when she comes back.

当官不为民作主，不如回家卖红薯

dāngguān bú wèi mín zuòzhǔ, bùrú huíjiā mài hóngshǔ

if an official won't decide for the people, better go home and sell sweet potatoes

当家三年狗也嫌

dāngjiā sān nián gǒu yě xián

run the household three years and even the dog dislikes you

当家才知柴米价，养儿方晓父母恩

dāngjiā cái zhī cháimǐ jià, yǎngr fāng xiǎo fùmǔ ēn

only running the household do you learn the price of firewood and rice; only raising a child do you know parents' kindness

当局者迷，旁观者清

dāngjúzhěmí, pángguānzhěqīng

the player is confused; the onlooker sees clearly

当差的儿子打犯法的爹，公事公办

dāngchāi de érzi dǎ fànfǎ de diē, gōngshìgōngbàn

a runner son beating his law-breaking father: public business done by the book

当年他每天骑车去上班。

Dāngnián tā měitiān qíchē qù shàngbān.

Back then, he rode a bike to work every day.

当我们离开的时候，谁来照顾狗？

Dāng wǒmen líkāi de shíhou, shéi lái zhàogu gǒu?

Who will take care of the dog while we are away?

当我到的时候，她已经走了。

Dāng wǒ dào de shíhou, tā yǐjīng zǒule.

She had already gone when I arrived.

当我到达时，天正下着雨。

Dāng wǒ dàodá shí, tiān zhèng xià zhe yǔ.

When I arrived, it was raining.

当我听到这个消息，我哭了。

Dāng wǒ tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, wǒ kūle.

When I heard the news, I cried.

当我听到这个消息时，我想哭。

Dāng wǒ tīngdào zhège xiāoxi shí, wǒ xiǎng kū.

When I heard the news, I wanted to cry.

当我回家时，我遇见了他。

Dāng wǒ huíjiā shí, wǒ yùjiànle tā.

I met him while I was coming home.

当我在那里的时候，我学习英语。

Dāng wǒ zài nàli de shíhou, wǒ xuéxí Yīngyǔ.

I studied English when I was there.

当我学习的时候不要打扰我。

Dāng wǒ xuéxí de shíhou búyào dǎrǎo wǒ.

Don't disturb me while I'm studying.

当我小的时候，我不能够吃鱼。

Dāng wǒ xiǎo de shíhou, wǒ bù nénggòu chī yú.

When I was little, I couldn't eat fish.

当我年轻的时候，我也喜欢这个。

Dāng wǒ niánqīng de shíhou, wǒ yě xǐhuan zhège.

When I was young, I also liked this one.

当我年长时，我渐渐变得有远见。

Dāng wǒ nián zhǎng shí, wǒ jiànjiàn biànde yǒu yuǎnjiàn.

I'm getting farsighted as I get older.

当我忘记约定时，他十分愤怒。

Dāng wǒ wàngjì yuēdìng shí, tā shífēn fènnù.

He was very angry with me when I forgot the appointment.

当我看到你时，我感到很开心。

Dāng wǒ kàndào nǐ shí, wǒ gǎndào hěn kāixīn.

Whenever I see you, I feel happy.

当我看到这张图片的时候总是哭。

Dāng wǒ kàndào zhè zhāng túpiàn de shíhou zǒngshì kū.

I always cry when I see this picture.

当我离开家的时候天空很明朗。

Dāng wǒ líkāi jiā de shíhou tiānkōng hěn mínglǎng.

The sky was clear when I left home.

当我阅读的时候，我最快乐。

Dāng wǒ yuèdú de shíhou, wǒ zuì kuàilè.

I am happiest when I am reading.

当断不断，反受其乱

dāngduànbúduàn, fǎn shòu qí luàn

fail to cut when you should cut, and you suffer the mess

当时你在做什么？

Dāngshí nǐ zài zuò shénme?

What were you doing then?

当时你在外面。

Dāngshí nǐ zài wàimiàn.

At the time, you were outside.

当时只有三人。

Dāngshí zhǐyǒu sān rén.

There was only three people at that time.

当时天上有星星吗？

Dāngshí tiānshàng yǒu xīngxing ma?

Were there any stars in the sky?

当时我什么都不能做。

Dāngshí wǒ shénme dōu bùnéng zuò.

There was nothing I could do at that time.

当时我没听进去这番金玉良言。

Dāngshí wǒ méi tīng jìnqù zhè fān jīnyùliángyán.

Back then I didn't take in this priceless advice.

当时我没想到这个问题。

Dāngshí wǒ méixiǎngdào zhège wèntí.

During that time I didn't expect to have a problem.

当时雾很大。

Dāngshí wù hěn dà.

It was very foggy.

当水被加热时，水汽蒸发。

Dāng shuǐ bèi jiārè shí, shuǐqì zhēngfā.

Water evaporates when it is heated.

当然，为什么不？

Dāngrán, wèishénme bù?

Sure, why not?

当然会的，不过上海话不太会讲。

Dāngrán huì de, búguò Shànghǎi huà bú tài huì jiǎng.

Sure I can, although I can't really speak Shanghainese.

当然，她接受了邀请。

Dāngrán, tā jiēshòule yāoqǐng.

She naturally accepted the invitation.

当然，她是正确的。

Dāngrán, tā shì zhèngquè de.

Certainly she is correct.

当然，她通过了测验。

Dāngrán, tā tōngguò le cèyàn.

Of course she passed the test.

当然我接受了他的支援请求。

Dāngrán wǒ jiēshòule tā de zhīyuán qǐngqiú.

Of course I accepted his offer of support.

当然，我现在就去找。

Dāngrán, wǒ xiànzài jiù qù zhǎo.

Certainly. I'll look for it right now.

当然是你提供，快去！

Dāngrán shì nǐ tígōng, kuài qù!

Of course you're the one providing, go!

当然，死在义大利会更有意思。

Dāngrán, sǐ zài Yìdàlì huì gèng yǒuyìsi.

Of course, to die in Italy is more interesting.

当由美来的时候我正在看电视。

Dāng yóu měi lái de shíhou wǒ zhèngzài kàn diànshì.

I was watching TV when Yumi came.

当着真人，不说假话

dāngzhe zhēnrén, bù shuō jiǎhuà

before a person who knows the truth, tell no lies