不打不成器
bù dǎ bù chéng qì
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1 spare the rod and spoil the child (idiom)
大器晚成
dà qì wǎn chéng
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1 lit. it takes a long time to make a big pot (idiom); fig. a great talent matures slowly
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2 in the fullness of time a major figure will develop into a pillar of the state
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3 Rome wasn't built in a day
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
愚公移山
yú gōng yí shān
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1 the old man moves mountains (idiom); fig. where there's a will, there's a way
投鼠忌器
tóu shǔ jì qì
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1 lit. to refrain from shooting at the rat for fear of breaking the vases (idiom)
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2 to not act against an evil so as to prevent harm to innocents
本性难移
běn xìng nán yí
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1 It is hard to change one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are.
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2 Can the leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)
欲善其事,必先利其器
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
款语移时
kuǎn yǔ yí shí
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1 to talk slowly and in depth (idiom)
江山易改,本性难移
jiāng shān yì gǎi , běn xìng nán yí
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1 it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's character (idiom)
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2 you can't change who you are
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3 Can the leopard change his spots?
游移不定
yóu yí bù dìng
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1 to oscillate without pause (idiom)
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2 to fluctuate
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3 (of thoughts) to wander
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4 to waver
琼浆玉液
qióng jiāng yù yè
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1 bejeweled nectar (idiom); ambrosia of the immortals
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2 superb liquor
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3 top quality wine
确凿不移
què záo bù yí
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1 established and irrefutable (idiom)
移情别恋
yí qíng bié liàn
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1 change of affection, shift of love (idiom); to change one's feelings to another love
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2 to fall in love with sb else
移花接木
yí huā jiē mù
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1 lit. to graft flowers onto a tree
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2 to surreptitiously substitute one thing for another (idiom)
薰莸不同器
xūn yóu bù tóng qì
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1 lit. fragrant herbs and foul herbs do not go into the same vessel (idiom)
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2 bad people and good people do not mix
藏器待时
cáng qì dài shí
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1 to conceal one's abilities and wait (idiom); to lie low and await the opportune moment