宁做鸡头,不做凤尾
nìng zuò jī tóu , bù zuò fèng wěi
-
1 lit. would rather be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail (idiom)
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2 fig. to prefer to be a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond
宁左勿右
nìng zuǒ wù yòu
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1 (of one's political views) to prefer left rather than right (idiom during the Cultural Revolution)
宁拆十座庙,不毁一桩婚
níng chāi shí zuò miào , bù huì yī zhuāng hūn
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1 rather destroy ten temples than a single marriage (idiom)
宁死不屈
nìng sǐ bù qū
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1 rather die than submit (idiom)
宁为玉碎,不为瓦全
nìng wéi yù suì , bù wéi wǎ quán
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1 Better broken jade than intact tile.
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2 Death is preferable to dishonor. (idiom)
宁缺毋滥
nìng quē wú làn
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1 better to have nothing (than substandard choice) (idiom); would prefer to go without than accept shoddy option
宁静致远
níng jìng zhì yuǎn
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1 tranquility yields transcendence (idiom); quiet life of profound study
-
2 cf Still waters run deep.
宽大为怀
kuān dà wéi huái
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1 magnanimous (idiom)
-
2 generous
息事宁人
xī shì níng rén
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1 to keep the peace; to patch up a quarrel (idiom)
怀才不遇
huái cái bù yù
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1 to have talent but no opportunity (idiom)
-
2 to be an unrecognized talent
怀璧其罪
huái bì qí zuì
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1 lit. treasuring a jade ring becomes a crime (idiom); to get into trouble on account of a cherished item
-
2 fig. A person's talent will arouse the envy of others.
耿耿于怀
gěng gěng yú huái
-
1 to take troubles to heart (idiom); brooding
胸怀坦荡
xiōng huái tǎn dàng
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1 open and candid (idiom); not hiding anything
-
2 ingenuous
-
3 openhearted
-
4 unselfish
-
5 magnanimous
-
6 broad-minded
虚怀若谷
xū huái ruò gǔ
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1 receptive as an echoing canyon (idiom); modest and open-minded
襟怀坦白
jīn huái tǎn bái
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1 open and candid (idiom); not hiding anything
-
2 ingenuous
-
3 openhearted
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4 unselfish
-
5 magnanimous
-
6 broad-minded
关怀备至
guān huái bèi zhì
-
1 the utmost care (idiom); to look after sb in every possible way
鸡犬不宁
jī quǎn bù níng
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1 lit. not even the chickens and dogs are left undisturbed (idiom)
-
2 fig. great commotion
-
3 pandemonium
饮流怀源
yǐn liú huái yuán
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1 lit. when you drink water, think of its source (idiom); gratitude for blessings and their well-spring
-
2 Don't forget where your happiness come from.
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3 Be grateful for all your blessings!