不以规矩,不能成方圆
bù yǐ guī ju , bù néng chéng fāng yuán
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1 without rules, nothing can be done (idiom, from Mencius); one must follow some rules
功德圆满
gōng dé yuán mǎn
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1 virtuous achievements come to their successful conclusion (idiom)
外圆内方
wài yuán nèi fāng
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1 lit. outside-flexible, inside-firm (idiom)
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2 fig. velvet glove
战死沙场
zhàn sǐ shā chǎng
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1 to die in battle (idiom)
救场如救火
jiù chǎng rú jiù huǒ
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1 the show must go on (idiom)
方枘圆凿
fāng ruì yuán záo
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1 to put a square peg in a round hole
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2 incompatible (idiom)
没有规矩,不成方圆
méi yǒu guī ju , bù chéng fāng yuán
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1 without rules, nothing can be done (idiom); one must follow some rules
没有规矩,何以成方圆
méi yǒu guī ju , hé yǐ chéng fāng yuán
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1 without rules, how can anything be done (idiom); one must follow some rules
洋场恶少
yáng chǎng è shào
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1 city infested with foreign adventurers (esp. of Shanghai in pre-Liberation China) (idiom)
破镜重圆
pò jìng chóng yuán
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1 a shattered mirror put back together (idiom)
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2 (of marriage) to pick up the pieces and start anew
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3 for a separated couple to reconcile and reunite
竹篮打水,一场空
zhú lán dǎ shuǐ , yī cháng kōng
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1 using a wicker basket to draw water (idiom); wasted effort
粉墨登场
fěn mò dēng chǎng
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1 to make up and go on stage (idiom); to embark on a career (esp. in politics or crime)
花好月圆
huā hǎo yuè yuán
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1 lit. lovely flowers, round moon (idiom); fig. everything is wonderful
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2 perfect happiness
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3 conjugal bliss
逢场作戏
féng chǎng zuò xì
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1 lit. find a stage, put on a comedy (idiom); to join in the fun
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2 to play along according to local conditions