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之
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Definitions
- 1. (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de])
- 2. him
- 3. her
- 4. it
Example Sentences
1 shown聽到這事 之 後，湯姆為 之 色變。
Sentence data courtesy of Tatoeba.org.
Words Containing 之
physical pain
lit. a horse that has thrown off the reins (idiom); runaway horse
family with hereditary emoluments
see 食之無味，棄之可惜|食之无味，弃之可惜[shí zhī wú wèi , qì zhī kě xī]
terminal illness
to rank second (in terms of some attribute: size, frequency, quality etc)
a person with knowledge and experience (idiom)
a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (idiom); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses
to do sth once in a while (idiom)
the Silk Road
busybody
to hate sb to the bone (idiom)
a hidden trouble hard to mention (idiom)
competition between three rivals
the road one must follow or take
the road one must follow or take
to apply sth more broadly
very few; very little
also written 首善之地[shǒu shàn zhī dì]
to rush like ducks (idiom); the mob scrabbles madly for sth unobtainable
delaying tactics; stalling; measures to stave off an attack; stratagem to win a respite
master of the house
a match for ten thousand enemies
Jie Zhitui (7th century BC), legendary selfless subject of Duke Wen of Jin 晉文公|晋文公[jìn wén gōng], in whose honor the Qingming festival 清明[qīng míng] (Pure brightness or tomb-sweeping festival) is said to have been initiated
lit. an arrow at the end of its flight (idiom)
friendship between gentlemen, insipid as water (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[zhuāng zǐ])
give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime (idiom)
too late to be sorry
the love of a cow licking her calf (idiom)
one seventh
to be effective (idiom)
in other words
jackals of the same tribe (idiom); fig. They are all just as bad as each other.
see 失之東隅，收之桑榆|失之东隅，收之桑榆[shī zhī dōng yú , shōu zhī sāng yú]
lit. warning to the following cart (idiom); don't follow the track of an overturned cart
lit. 之[zhī], 乎[hū], 者[zhě] and 也[yě] (four grammatical particles of Classical Chinese) (idiom); fig. archaic expressions
a thought that causes heartache (idiom)
to burn down (idiom)
Midsummer night's dream, comedy by William Shakespeare 莎士比亞|莎士比亚[shā shì bǐ yà]
(after a noun) between; among; amid
implication
lit. friends for a day (idiom)
troubled times
fears of trouble in the rear (idiom); family worries (obstructing freedom of action)
intimate matters
drumming on a bowl in grief (idiom, refers to Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[zhuāng zǐ] grieving for his lost wife)
rabble
(idiom) in a flash; instantly
state within a state
tied up in a bundle on a high shelf
(fig.) tiny speck of land; small area
intimate friendship (idiom)
absurd statement
to pay no heed to (idiom)
doctrine of the mean
to gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure (idiom)
to escape without trace (idiom); to make one's getaway (from the scene of a crime)
three feet of ice does not form in a single day (idiom); Rome wasn't built in a day
(in the negative) (not) to be trifled with
(philosophy) banal evil
lit. a new-born calf has no fear of the tiger (idiom)
the rule of former kings
to commit to the waters (idiom); to lose sth irrevocably
not to be inferior in any aspects (idiom)
and so on
trouble spot
desire for good food
words from the bottom of one's heart
the brush stroke that dots in the eyes (idiom); fig. to add the vital finishing touch
the age of 30
Qi Xi's recommendation (idiom); recommending the best person for the job independent of factional loyalty
a hero with no chance of using his might
vice versa
my opinion, nothing very involved (idiom, humble expression); my humble point is a familiar opinion
in the Name of the Father (in Christian worship)
stratagem of convenience (idiom); stop-gap measure
lit. can the sparrow and swallow know the will of the great swan? (idiom)
an up-and-coming youngster; new talent; a brilliant younger generation
lit. the fire burns one's eyebrows (idiom); fig. desperate situation
extremely
almost on a par
undecided between taking and leaving
man at birth is fundamentally good in nature (the first two lines of Three Character Classic 三字經|三字经[sān zì jīng])
all one's strength
improvisation
to have both (at the same time)
(of one's words) to have substance
outside
for this reason
the view of a frog in a well (idiom); fig. a narrow view
to show respect from a distance (idiom)
one word says it all (idiom, from Analects); to cut a long story short
(has been) replaced with
perfectly sound proposition
lit. the crisis of being hanged upside down (idiom); fig. extremely critical situation
to banish from one's thoughts
plan of convenience (idiom); stop-gap measure
to shed tears of sympathy (idiom)
compassion
top priority job
brotherly affection
inside
to handle the situation calmly (idiom)
lit. a thousand mile journey begins with the first step
overtone (music)
a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (idiom); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses
thereupon
to die by battle-ax (idiom); to be executed
apart from this
to call it...
lit. the happy fate of the man from Qi (who had a wife and a concubine) (idiom)
to make a living by writing (idiom)
imprisonment
desperado
the music of former kings
to care for other's children as one's own
nodding acquaintance
Battle of Guandu of 199 that established Cao Cao's 曹操[cáo cāo] domination over north China, at Guandu (near modern 許昌|许昌[xǔ chāng] in north Henan)
see 喪家之犬|丧家之犬[sàng jiā zhī quǎn]
to lose at sunrise but gain at sunset (idiom)
nodding acquaintance
happy wife-husband reunion
Langevin (name)
the whole year must be planned for in the spring (idiom)
Heaven never bars one's way (idiom); don't despair and you will find a way through.
bitter hatred
Promised Land
see 弦外之音[xián wài zhī yīn]
(archaic) a state with a thousand chariots (to fight a war) – a powerful state
succession struggle
lit. a room with irises and orchids (idiom); fig. in wealthy and pleasant company
assistance that one gets from another
(indicating a fraction)
just like (sth)
not even enough land to stand an awl (idiom); absolutely destitute
a devastating criticism
(philosophy) radical evil
see 竹馬之交|竹马之交[zhú mǎ zhī jiāo]
to act as host
after; behind
nostalgia
in simple terms
lit. the other mountain's stone can polish jade (idiom); to improve oneself by accepting criticism from outside
the teaching of Confucius and Mencius
hairsbreadth difference
above
to claim credit for other people's achievements (idiom)
If you want to condemn sb, don't worry about the pretext (idiom, from Zuozhuan 左傳|左传); one can always trump up a charge against sb
to divide and rule
sectarian bias
one half
to take advantage of sb's precarious position
of the utmost importance
false assertion
lit. a brick thrown to prompt others to produce a jade (idiom)
man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (idiom); groundless fears
Quake (video game series)
to do the very opposite
Rosamund Kwan (1962-), Hong Kong actress
to place sb on field of death
man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (idiom); groundless fears
one third
from that
to be the most ridiculous thing in the world (idiom)
one fifth
either
unspoken implication (idiom)
a match made in heaven (idiom)
most likely
decadent or obscene music
to pass by without showing interest (idiom)
to come as no surprise
lit. as sweet as syrup (idiom, from Book of Songs); to endure hardship gladly
keenly felt pain
incurable disease
to punish according to the law
see 大旱望雲霓|大旱望云霓[dà hàn wàng yún ní]
lit. the cart in front overturns, a warning to the following cart (idiom); fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor
to laugh away (instead of taking seriously)
see 千里之堤，潰於蟻穴|千里之堤，溃于蚁穴[qiān lǐ zhī dī , kuì yú yǐ xué]
one eighth
to have a silver tongue
ministry
Ajinomoto, Japanese food and chemical corporation
to come when called (idiom); ready and compliant
Battle of Redcliff of 208 at Chibi in Huangzhou district 黃州區|黄州区[huáng zhōu qū] of Huanggang city 黃岡|黄冈[huáng gāng], a decisive defeat of Cao Cao 曹操[cáo cāo] at the hands of southern kingdom of Wu
childhood friend (idiom)
knowing oneself (idiom)
the masses rise to attack it (idiom); Everyone is against the idea.
once is more than enough (idiom)
overt
(after a noun N and before a predicate P) the reason why N P
Desert Fox
after this
Battle of Talas (751), military engagement in the valley of the Talas River 塔拉斯河[tǎ lā sī hé], in which Arab forces defeated Tang armies, marking the end of Tang westward expansion
stepping-stone to greater power or higher rank
in a fit of pique
one who can correct a misread or misspelt character and thus be your master
(fig.) to fight a one-sided battle
Eurostar (train line)
lit. the pain of being hanged upside down (idiom); fig. extremely critical situation
hyperbole
Tar Heel state
to miss sb by a narrow chance
over time
Three feudatories rebellion against Qing 1673-1681 during the reign of Kangxi
the courage born of stirred emotions (idiom)
to come when called (idiom); ready and compliant
see 一之為甚|一之为甚[yī zhī wéi shèn]
under
lit. a horse that brings trouble to its herd (idiom)
An-Shi Rebellion (755-763) of 安祿山|安禄山[ān lù shān] and 史思明[shǐ sī míng], a catastrophic setback for Tang dynasty
lit. target of a multitude of arrows (idiom); the butt of public criticism
in a nutshell
a gentleman's friendship, insipid as water (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[zhuāng zǐ])
a wrong suffered (idiom)
justice is to be found everywhere (idiom)
partial view
lit. a force to smash bamboo (idiom); fig. irresistible force
a work in a classic style
Raziel, archangel in Judaism
Zhang Yizhi (-705), Tang dynasty politician and favorite of Empress Wu Zetian 武則天|武则天[wǔ zé tiān]
to astonish people (with a miraculous feat)
Ōnin war 1467-1477 between factions of Ashikaga shogunate
to set to one side and ignore (idiom); quite indifferent
married man
sworn brotherhood
as easy as blowing off dust
period of ... years
family love and joy
Battle of Sarhu in 1619, in which the Manchus under Nurhaci 努爾哈赤|努尔哈赤[nǔ ěr hā chì] crushed four Ming armies
forest of wolfberry and catalpa (Lycium chinense and Catalpa ovata, idiom); fig. great quantity of talent
Light in August (novel by William Faulkner 威廉·福克納|威廉·福克纳[wēi lián · fú kè nà])
in a flash
before
learned person
comfortably at peace (idiom)
intimate friendship
one tenth
to think nothing of doing sth (idiom)
one side of the story
to settle a matter by leaving it unsettled
a fine line
Necessity is the mother of invention (European proverb).
married woman
runaway (idiom); desperate criminal
one of (sth)
wine-lover's heart is not in the cup (idiom); a drinker not really interested in alcohol
congratulations on house-moving or promotion (idiom); Best wishes for your new home!
Knowledge is not innate to man, how can we overcome doubt?
lit. to be hardly worth eating, but it would still be a pity to discard it (idiom)
(acknowledged) place
see 泰然處之|泰然处之[tài rán chǔ zhī]
a fortune in misfortune
seven-year itch
lit. like a turtle in a jar
to die without a burial site
mishap
to dismiss with a laugh
to refuse would be impolite
the joy of matrimony (polite phrase referring to a young woman)
(idiom) to dismiss sth with a laugh; to laugh it off
mystery within a mystery
careless
one ninth
lit. fish bone of a minister (idiom); fig. person one can rely on for candid criticism
Voice of America (VOA)
war of 1402 between successors of the first Ming Emperor
in a word
see 初生之犢不畏虎|初生之犊不畏虎[chū shēng zhī dú bù wèi hǔ]
a fish that escaped the net (idiom)
a land of ceremony and propriety
Battle of Baiju (506 BC), in which Wu 吳|吴[wú] scored a crushing victory over Chu 楚[chǔ]
mere worldly possessions
tremendous strength (idiom)
see 弦外之音[xián wài zhī yīn]
Toreador Song (Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre), famous aria from opera Carmen 卡門|卡门 by Georges Bizet
a friend in times of tribulations (idiom); a friend in need is a friend indeed
follower of wine and women
person narrow-minded and shortsighted
lit. the service of a dog or a horse (idiom)
don't forget past events, they can guide you in future (idiom); benefit from past experience
to snort disdainfully
to steal away
Since they have come, we should make them comfortable (idiom). Since we're here, take it easy.
hindsight
the best policy
going from there to lower grades (idiom)
to put strings on the zither, then play it (line from a Ming dynasty text by 劉伯溫|刘伯温[liú bó wēn])
(idiom) don't say you haven't been forewarned (threat used by the PRC in international diplomacy)
same as 總而言之|总而言之[zǒng ér yán zhī]
lit. Sima Zhao's intentions are obvious to everyone (idiom)
to treat a debility according to its nature
Greed is the root of all evil.
Ritz (cracker brand)
eternal regret
to put into action
in short
Massive Ordinance Air Blast (MOAB), or Mother of All Bombs, a powerful American bomb
Battle of Changping of 260 BC, at which the Qin army 秦軍|秦军[qín jūn] encircled and annihilated a Zhao army of 400,000
China Mass Media International Advertising Corp
lit. when the nest is upset no egg is left intact (idiom)
Das Lied von der Erde (Song of the Earth)
a matter of no great urgency
to spend a long time thinking about sth while unable to reach a decision
to launch a punitive campaign
hiding place
lit. an ant hole may cause the collapse of a great dike (idiom)
moreover
lit. calamity within one's bosom (idiom); major trouble hidden within
bear hardship with equanimity
Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864), which ultimately failed but caused massive upheaval and weakened the Qing dynasty
to substitute for sb
to make administration service-oriented
The cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice (idiom); You won't get anywhere without equipment.
wherever one goes
lit. can the sparrow and swallow know the will of the great swan? (idiom); fig. how can we small fry predict the ambitions of the great?
pure and innocent like the heart of a newborn
see 冒大不韙|冒大不韪[mào dà bù wěi]
by comparison
lit. the crisis of being hanged upside down (idiom); fig. extremely critical situation
Horn of Africa
the root of all evil
indisputable statement
glutton
a hundred percent
my opinion, nothing very involved (idiom, humble expression); my humble point is a familiar opinion
lit. lacking the strength even to truss a chicken (idiom)
lit. a fish in a dried-out rut (idiom)
useless person (originally from Zhuangzi's \A Happy Excursion\ 逍遙遊|逍遥游)
lit. not fit for elegant hall (of artwork)
a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (idiom); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses
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[sūn zǐ bīng fǎ]); to fight desperately when confronting mortal danger
before then
limitless supply (of)
childhood friend (idiom)
Failure is the mother of success.
to tell sb; to inform
to make known to the masses (idiom); to publicize widely
to lock one's door and refuse to see sb
too late for regrets (idiom); It is useless to repent after the event.
(lit. and fig.) overnight
percent
to respect Gods and demons from a distance (idiom); to remain at a respectful distance
mouth full of literary phrases
Deutsche Welle, German publicly-operated international broadcaster
stray dog (idiom)
late Tang peasant uprising 875-884 led by Huang Chao
to toss away like a pair of worn-out shoes (idiom)
for a long time
to take a laissez-faire attitude
a general planning in the seclusion of his tent is able to determine the outcome of the distant battle (idiom)
in a moment
lit. seek but fail to get (idiom); fig. exactly what one’s been looking for
the pleasure of close intimacy in a couple (idiom)
the Way of the Hegemon
the foremost person of his age
in the wink of an eye
lit. the humiliation of having to crawl between the legs of one's adversary (as Han Xin 韓信|韩信[hán xìn] supposedly did rather than engage in a sword fight) (idiom)
way of life
Z-shaped; zigzag
refrain from hurting others, yet guard against those trying to hurt you (proverb)
foresight
to put to the torch (idiom)
in other words
undefiled (girl)
man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (idiom); groundless fears
unrighted wrong
make your day's plan early in the morning (idiom)
an opportunity that someone (usually a villain or adversary) can exploit
lit. as different as sky and earth (idiom)
Soviet Union friendly society
to know very little about
negligible force (idiom); tiny force
during
correct any mistakes you made, but maintain your good record if you did not make them (idiom)
xing-ming, a school of thought of the Warring States period associated with Shen Buhai 申不害[shēn bù hài]
If sb has grasped the truth before you, take him as your teacher (Tang dynasty essayist Han Yu 韓愈|韩愈[hán yù]).
to be beclouded
a complete contrast
Xuanwu gate coup of June 626 in early Tang, in which Li Shimin 李世民 killed his brothers, seized the throne from his father as Emperor Taizong 唐太宗
uninvited or unexpected guest
bad omen
a centipede dies but never falls down
lecher
whereabouts unknown
huge difference
one man's meat is another man's poison (idiom)
thousand miles distant
inside
lit. candle in the wind (idiom)
a small-minded person
modified fifth note of the pentatonic scale
children's center
to pursue unremittingly (idiom); to persevere
lit. use sb's spear to attack his shield (idiom, derived from Han Feizi 韓非子|韩非子); turning a weapon against its owner
to have met once
all men are brothers
The Strange State of the World Witnessed Over 20 Years, novel by late Qing novelist Wu Jianren 吳趼人|吴趼人[wú jiǎn rén]
in brief
sensible act
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 范仲淹[fàn zhòng yān]
to render one's humble services
91 BC attempted coup d'etat against Emperor Wu of Han 漢武帝|汉武帝, beginning with accusations of witchcraft
the Yellow Turbans Peasant Uprising at the end of later Han (from 184)
unhealthy tendency
semiliterate
to dismiss with a sigh (idiom); a hopeless case
the way of maintaining good health
to feel undeserving of the praise or the honor
to lend a helping hand (idiom)
doctors like to treat those who are not sick so that they can get credit for the patient's \recovery\ (idiom)
one hundred percent
the final work in the career of a composer, film director or architect etc
improper idea
to do one's best
the way of former kings
Li Ji Rebellion in 657-651 BC, where concubine Li Ji tried to throne her son but was eventually defeated by Duke Wen of Jin 晉文公|晋文公[jìn wén gōng]
lit. ready to appear at the call (idiom)
invincible position
priceless treasure
zigzag road
Gu Kaizhi or Ku K'aichih (346-407), famous painter of Eastern Jin dynasty, one of the Four Great Painters of the Six Dynasties 六朝四大家
to put into effect (idiom)
Zhang Zhidong (1837-1909), prominent politician in late Qing
see 惻隱之心|恻隐之心[cè yǐn zhī xīn]
contrary to expectation
to keep going resolutely despite knowing the task is impossible (idiom)
lit. a tongue like a reed (idiom)
a single spark (idiom); an insignificant cause can have a massive effect
unfulfilled ambition
momentary slip
The Sound of Music, Broadway musical (1959) and Academy Award-winning movie (1965)
before that
unsolved mystery
a helping hand
impossible to get rid of
Doll's House (1879), drama by Ibsen 易卜生
bedroom matters
lit. a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow (idiom)
lit. the exertion of lifting one's hand (idiom)
a single spark can start a huge blaze (idiom); an insignificant cause can have a massive effect
a slight effort
a nobody
Friends of Nature (Chinese environmental NGO)
Aviation Thermobaric Bomb of Increased Power (ATBIP), or Father of All Bombs, a powerful Russian bomb
speech that grates on the ear (idiom); bitter truths
in the unseen world of spirits
(idiom) getting killed
flattering words
to avoid a problem by walking away from it
pleasure from helping others
fair argument
on the other hand...
(idiom) to announce to the world; to make public; to let everyone know
excessive tendency to clemency (idiom)
fully deserving, without any reservations (idiom); entirely worthy (of a title, honor etc)
to act with undue haste (idiom); eager and impatient
positive point
Money is the root of all evil.
see 驚弓之鳥|惊弓之鸟[jīng gōng zhī niǎo]
lit. the kindness of recognizing sb's worth and employing him (idiom)
a hair's breadth apart
one sixth
to take advantage of sb's difficulties (idiom)
to miss narrowly
the slightest difference leads to a huge error (idiom)
human nature (idiom)
person of limited capacity
one-quarter
vulgar style (used of items to be censored)
a possible period of want or need
to give no thought to
jade garden of celestial ruler
to make a conscious effort
(of a writing etc) to have no substance (idiom)
to have no other choice
to love sb (or sth) as one loves life itself
words of a man on his deathbed always come from the heart (proverb)
proficiency in a particular field (idiom)
childhood friend (idiom)
(lit.) land of fish and rice
in other words
hardwork and thriftiness are the foundations of service (idiom)
ample scope for abilities
on one's deathbed
ill-gotten wealth or gains
to just talk for the sake of talking
in a moment of desperation
nodding acquaintance
feast at the birth of a child
appropriate to any place and any time (idiom); universally applicable
lit. cut sleeve (idiom); fig. euphemism for homosexuality, originating from History of Western Han 漢書|汉书: emperor Han Aidi (real name Liu Xin) was in bed with his lover Dong Xian, and had to attend a court audience that morning. Not wishing to awaken Dong Xian, who was sleeping with his head resting on the emperor's long robe sleeve, Aidi used a knife to cut off the lower half of his sleeve.
Wang Xizhi (303-361), famous calligrapher of Eastern Jin, known as the sage of calligraphy 書聖|书圣
soul and spirit of the deceased
bilateral
JUSCO, Japanese chain of hypermarkets
the frog at the bottom of the well (idiom)
everyone loves beauty (idiom)
Zu Chongzhi (429-500), astronomer and mathematician
anxious to help others resolve difficulties (idiom)
to learn a lesson from the mistakes of one's predecessor (idiom)
to use an opponent's own methods to obtain retribution (idiom, from Song dynasty neo-Confucianist Zhu Xi 朱熹[zhū xī])
Wang Fuzhi (1619-1692), wide-ranging scholar of the Ming-Qing transition
complete nonsense (idiom)
rebellion against Liang of the Southern Dynasties 南朝梁 in 548
the slightest difference leads to a huge loss (idiom)
meanwhile
to have one's house burned down
punitive force
barren land
lit. cannot be done in one day (idiom)