一反常态
yī fǎn cháng tài
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1 complete change from the normal state (idiom); quite uncharacteristic
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2 entirely outside the norm
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3 out of character
三纲五常
sān gāng wǔ cháng
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1 three principles and five virtues (idiom)
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2 the three rules (ruler guides subject, father guides son and husband guides wife) and five constant virtues of Confucianism (benevolence 仁, righteousness 義|义, propriety 禮|礼, wisdom 智 and fidelity 信)
人不可貌相,海水不可斗量
rén bù kě mào xiàng , hǎi shuǐ bù kě dǒu liáng
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1 you can't judge a person by appearance, just as you can't measure the sea with a pint pot (idiom)
人之常情
rén zhī cháng qíng
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1 human nature (idiom)
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2 a behavior that is only natural
兵家常事
bīng jiā cháng shì
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1 commonplace in military operations (idiom)
功德无量
gōng dé wú liàng
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1 no end of virtuous achievements (idiom); boundless beneficence
千里马常有,而伯乐不常有
qiān lǐ mǎ cháng yǒu , ér Bó Lè bù cháng yǒu
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1 lit. there are many swift horses, but very few who can spot them (idiom)
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2 fig. many have talent, but few can recognize talent when they see it
宽宏大量
kuān hóng dà liàng
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1 magnanimous (idiom); generous
斤斤较量
jīn jīn jiào liàng
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1 to bicker at length over a trivial matter (idiom)
有商有量
yǒu shāng yǒu liàng
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1 to talk things through (idiom)
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2 to have an exchange of views
法轮常转
Fǎ lún cháng zhuàn
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1 the Wheel turns constantly (idiom); Buddhist teaching will overcome everything
现量相违
xiàn liàng xiāng wéi
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1 to not fit one's perception of sth (idiom)
看菜吃饭,量体裁衣
kān cài chī fàn , liáng tǐ cái yī
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1 eat depending on the dish, cut cloth according to the body (idiom); to fit the appetite to the dishes and the dress to the figure
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2 to act according to actual circumstances
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3 to live within one's means
知足常乐
zhī zú cháng lè
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1 satisfied with what one has (idiom)
祸福无常
huò fú wú cháng
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1 disaster and happiness do not follow rules (idiom); future blessings and misfortunes are unpredictable
老生常谈
lǎo shēng cháng tán
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1 an old observation (idiom)
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2 a truism
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3 banal comments
自不量力
zì bù liàng lì
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1 to overestimate one's capabilities (idiom)
蹈常袭故
dǎo cháng xí gù
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1 follow the same old path (idiom); stuck in a rut
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2 always the same routine
进退有常
jìn tuì yǒu cháng
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1 to advance or retreat, each has its rules (idiom from Zhuangzi); many translations are possible
量入为出
liàng rù wéi chū
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1 to assess one's income and spend accordingly (idiom); to live within one's means
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2 You can only spend what you earn.