偷工减料
tōu gōng jiǎn liào
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1 to skimp on the job and stint on materials (idiom)
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2 jerry-building
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3 sloppy work
因材施教
yīn cái shī jiào
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1 (idiom) to teach in line with the student's ability
工欲善其事,必先利其器
gōng yù shàn qí shì , bì xiān lì qí qì
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1 To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job
杀彘教子
shā zhì jiào zǐ
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1 to kill a pig as a lesson to the children (idiom); parents must teach by example
画荻教子
huà dí jiào zǐ
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1 to write on the sand with reeds while teaching one's son (idiom)
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2 mother's admirable dedication to her children's education
异曲同工
yì qǔ tóng gōng
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1 different tunes played with equal skill (idiom)
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2 different methods leading to the same result
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3 different approach but equally satisfactory outcome
相夫教子
xiàng fū jiào zǐ
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1 to assist one's husband and educate the children (idiom)
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2 the traditional roles of a good wife
磨刀不误砍柴工
mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng
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1 lit. sharpening the axe won't make the wood-splitting take longer (idiom)
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2 fig. time invested in preparations is not lost
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3 a beard well lathered is half shaved
神工鬼斧
shén gōng guǐ fǔ
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1 supernaturally fine craft (idiom); the work of the Gods
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2 uncanny workmanship
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3 superlative craftsmanship
良工心苦
liáng gōng xīn kǔ
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1 expert craft from hard practice (idiom); hard-won skill
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2 A masterpiece demands suffering.
言传身教
yán chuán shēn jiào
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1 to teach by words and example (idiom)
言教不如身教
yán jiào bù rú shēn jiào
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1 Explaining in words is not as good as teaching by example (idiom). Action speaks louder than words.
身教胜于言教
shēn jiào shèng yú yán jiào
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1 teaching by example beats explaining in words (idiom)
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2 action speaks louder than words
马工枚速
Mǎ gōng Méi sù
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1 Sima Xiangru is meticulous and Mei Gao is fast (idiom)
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2 to each his good points
鬼斧神工
guǐ fǔ shén gōng
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1 supernaturally fine craft (idiom); the work of the Gods
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2 uncanny workmanship
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3 superlative craftsmanship