302 Themes

001 People, gender 人, 性别 (rén, xìngbié)


you, you-all
same generation
horse
crosswalk
key moment, juncture
muddleheaded
surname
seventh evening of the seventh month (lunar calendar) (when the herd boy and the weaving girl are supposed to meet)
at that time
When on Earth!
get angry
fly into a rage
get really angry
defend against injustice
in high spirits
sigh with emotion
make a fuss about nothing
turn pale with fright
uneasy, apprehensive
be utterly upset
undecided, halfhearted
look forward to
count on
smirk, make a fake smile
with dancing eyebrows and radiant face-enraptured, exultant
exhausted
free
be up to mischief
go sightseeing
worthwhile, be a good deal
the loss outweighs the gain
down and out, in dire straits, downtrodden
make a fool of oneself, cut a ridiculous figure
family reunion
Once on person reaches enlightenment, his pets also go to heaven (one person’s success benefits those around them).

raise
cut the weeds and dig up the roots
mean, refer to
metaphor, analogy
declare as
what is called
classify, include
foil, set off, serve as a contrast
echo, work in concert with
hard, stiff
advantages outweigh disadvantages
next, secondly
necessary, essential
not attract attention, not noticeable
harden one’s heart
every step leaves its print-work steadily and make solid progress
careless, thoughtless
have high standards but little ability
hold a bowl of water level – be impartial
not normal human nature
turn against a friend, to fall out with sb and become hostile
dangerous
decline
flock, swarm
have nothing to rely upon
single-handed, all by oneself, alone
generally speaking
be just about to
how couldn’t, wouldn’t it
by the time, when
when
otherwise
[used correlatively with才] only if, only when
to this end, for this reason (or purpose), in this connection
accordingly, so, then, thereupon, hence, as a result

17 你们 [-們] nǐ men (you-suffix) you, you-all: ~什么时候回家? When will you go back home? || ~的公司your company || 我相信~. I believe in you. '
5 平辈 [-輩] píngbèi (same-generation) same generation: 在中国, 跟 长辈说话得很小心, 而跟~说话就可以很随便. In China, when talking to '
13 马 [馬] mǎ (horse) horse: 一匹~ a horse || 赛 (sài) ~ horse race || 骑~ horseback riding || 马到成功 be victorious when the battle horses arrive, win quickly '
21 斑马线 [-馬綫] bānmǎxiàn (zebra-line) crosswalk: 过马路要走~. Walk in the zebra crossing area when you cross the street. '
83 关头 [關頭] guāntóu (key-suffix) key moment, juncture: 在紧要~ at a critical moment || 生死~ juncture when one’s life is at stake, critical juncture '
15 傻气 [-氣] shǎqì (stupid, muddleheaded-looking) muddleheaded: 冒~ speak or act foolishly || 穿上这件大衣, 他显得有点~. When putting on the overcoat, he looked a little bit stupid. '
47 姓 [-] xìng (surname) surname: ~李One’s surname is Li || 中国 人~在前, 名在后 When Chinese people speak their name, they put the surname first and the given name last. '
17 七夕 [-] qīxī (seventh-evening) seventh evening of the seventh month (lunar calendar) (when the herd boy and the weaving girl are supposed to meet): ~就是中国的情人节. The seventh evening of the seventh month (lunar calendar) is Chinese Valentine’s Day. '
33 那会儿 [-會兒] nàhuìr (that-moment) at that time: 我~才十岁. I was ten years old at that time. || 我~不明白. I don’t understand at that time. || 他 读大学~ that time when he is in college '
37 猴年马月 [--馬-] hóuniánmǎyuè (monkey-year-horse-month) When on Earth!: 不知道~才能住上自己的房子. I don’t know when on Earth I’ll be able to live in my own house. || 不知要等到~. I don’t know how long I’ll be waiting. '
8 发怒 [發-] fānù (lose-angry) get angry: ~的时候 when angry || 容易~ easily get angry '
10 勃然大怒 [-] bórándànù (agitated-suffix-greatly-angry) fly into a rage: 这个女高中生凌晨三点才回家, 他爸爸 ~. When this high school girl came home at three in the morning, her father was enraged. || 看到这个结果, 总经理~, 把水杯摔在了地上. Seeing this result, the general manager flew into a rage and threw the water cup onto the ground. '
12 火冒三丈 [-] huǒmàosānzhàng (anger-rise-three-zhang) get really angry: Note: zhang is a unit of measurement, roughly 3.3 meters. 有人批评他, 他就会~. He becomes infuriated if anyone criticizes him! || 小王看到自己的新车被撞, 立 刻~. When little Wang saw the damage to his new car, he went right up in the air. '
18 打抱不平 [-] dǎbàobùpíng (fight-defend against-injustice) defend against injustice: 他遇到不公平的事总爱~. He likes to fight for justice when he encounters inequality. '
22 兴致勃勃 [興---] xìngzhìbóbó (spirit-vigorous-reduplication) in high spirits: ~地说 speak in high spirits || 很多人~地学书法, 但是遇到困难 后就不学了. A lot of people start to learn calligraphy in high spirits and give up when the going gets tough. '
25 感慨 [-] gǎnkǎi (touch-indignant) sigh with emotion: ~万千 filled with many emotions || 说起自己的过去, 他觉得有很多~. When he spoke of his past, he sighed with emotion. '
8 大惊小怪 [-驚--] dàjīngxiǎoguài (big-surprised-small-weird) make a fuss about nothing: 别~ don’t get so excited over nothing || 一说到敏感 (mǐngǎn) 话题, 他就~. When it comes to sensitive subjects, she makes a fuss. || 加州地区小地震不断, 人们早就不 ~了. Small earthquakes are so common in the California area that people never make a fuss about it. '
9 大惊失色 [-驚--] dàjīngshīsè (greatly-shocked-lose-expression) turn pale with fright: 房东在收房租的时候看到房客死了, 她~. The landlord saw the tenant die when she was collecting the rent, and she quickly turned pale. || 听到纽约双子塔被恐怖分子袭击的消息, 这位总统~. The president was greatly shocked by the news of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York. '
16 忐忑不安 [-] tǎntèbù’ān (timorous-not-easy) uneasy, apprehensive: 心情 ~ feel apprehensive || 老板让我去他办公室, 我~. I was in a funk when my employer called me into his office. 323 '
20 心乱如麻 [-亂--] xīnluànrúmá (heart-chaos-like-hemp) be utterly upset: 听到这个坏消息后, 他~, 不知该怎么办. When he heard the bad news, he was a mess and didn’t know what to do. '
12 三心二意 [-] sānxīn’èryì (three-heart-two-mind) undecided, halfhearted: 他做练习的时候~的. He is half-hearted when he practices. '
15 盼望 [-] pànwàng (expect-hope) look forward to: 小时候我非常 ~过新 年. When I was little, I looked forward to the New Year. || 父母~孩子能有 出息. Parents look forward to their children’s bright future. '
18 指望 [-] zhǐwàng (count- hope) count on: 不要~别人的帮助 cannot count on other people’s help || 中国父母常常~儿女养老. Chinese parents often count on their children looking after them when they grow old. '
7 假笑 [-] jiǎxiào (fake-smile) smirk, make a fake smile: 很多人拍照 的时候喜欢~, 让自己看起来好看一些. When taking pictures, many people like to make a fake smile, so they look good. '
1 眉飞色舞 [-飛--] méifēi sèwǔ (eyebrow-fly-cheek-dance) with dancing eyebrows and radiant face-enraptured, exultant: 说得~ talk with dancing eyebrows and radiant faces || 说起美国音乐, 他就~. His face lights up whenever he speaks of American music. '
6 疲惫 [-憊] píbèi (tired-exhausted) exhausted: 脸色~ looks tired || ~的 身体tired body || ~地笑笑sarcastic smile when one is tired '
37 有空儿 [--兒] yǒukòngr (have-free time) free: 晚上~ be free tonight || ~来 玩儿. Please drop in when you have time. || ~看电影have time to watch movie '
3 胡闹 [-鬧] húnào (recklessly-play) be up to mischief: 我小时候喜欢和 很多孩子~、惹事. ~ I liked to be up to mischief and make trouble with other kids when I was young. '
5 观光 [觀-] guānguāng (see-scenery) go sightseeing: 旅游~ go sightseeing when traveling || 回国~ return from sightseeing || 去日本~ go sightseeing in Japan || ~客tourist '
5 合算 [-] hésuàn (match-calculation) worthwhile, be a good deal: 这 笔生意做得不~. This business deal was not worthwhile. || 机票打折的时候, 坐飞机~. It pays to take a plane when the air ticket is on sale. '
22 得不偿失 [--償-] débùchángshī (gain-not-compensate-loss) the loss outweighs the gain: 发展经济的同时一定要保护环境, 否则会~. When developing the economy, we must protect the environment, otherwise it will outweigh the benefits. '
21 落魄 [-] luòpò (down-spirit) down and out, in dire straits, downtrodden: 当我~的时候, 是她鼓舞了我. Her friendship supported me when I was in distress. || ~江湖come down in the world '
34 闹笑话 [鬧-話] nàoxiàohuà (make-laughing-stock) make a fool of oneself, cut a ridiculous figure: 说外语发音不准, 有时候会~ Inaccurate pronunciation when you speak a foreign language can sometimes have comical effects. '
29 团圆 [團圓] tuányuán (unite-complete) family reunion: 春节是中国人 全家~的日子. Chinese New Year is a date when all family members reunite. '
24 一人得道, 鸡犬升天 [----, 雞---] yīréndédào, jīquǎnshēngtiān (one-person-getThe Way, chicken-dog-ascend-heaven) Once on person reaches enlightenment, his pets also go to heaven (one person’s success benefits those around them).: 他当了大官以后, 整个家族的人都得到了好处, 真是~. When he '
488 became a high-ranking officer, the whole family benefited. It’s just like the saying that ‘when a man attains the Tao, even his pets ascend to heaven.’ '
1 翘 [翹] qiào (long feather, raise) raise: ~着二郎腿 (èrláng tuǐ) raise one’s two legs || 不能有成绩就~尾巴. Don’t get cocky when you’ve achieved something. '
4 斩草除根 [斬---] zhǎncǎo chúgēn (cut-grass-root out-root) cut the weeds and dig up the roots: 对待黑社会, 必须~. When dealing with the underworld (black market), one must cut the weeds and dig up the roots. '
7 指 [-] zhǐ (finger, point at, refer to) mean, refer to: 他说有些人很坏, 不知道是~谁. I don’t know to whom he was referring when he said some people were very bad. '
27 比喻 [-] bǐyù (compare-analogize) metaphor, analogy: 中国人用松树 ~革命者. The steadfast revolutionaries are often likened to pine trees. || 把国 际市场~为大海 use the sea as a metaphor when talking about international markets '
31 称为 [稱爲] (call-as) declare as: 他被~乡下人. He is called a countryman. || 质量好才能~好的产品. Only when the quality is good can one call it a good product. ||她被~ “美女教授.” She is known as the ‘beauty professor.’ '
37 所谓 [-謂] (so-called) what is called: 这种~的大减价不过是个骗局! This so-called bargain is just a con! || ~朋友, 就是紧要关头肯支持你的人. A friend is someone who will stand by you when it comes to the pinch. '
15 归入 [歸-] guīrù (include-into) classify, include: 云南是什么时候正式 ~中国的? When did Yunnan Province come under Chinese rule officially? || 这些书应该~戏剧类. All these books should be grouped under theater. '
23 陪衬 [-襯] péichèn (accompany-contrast) foil, set off, serve as a contrast: 绿叶还得红花~. Red flowers stand out only when they are set off by green leaves. '
37 呼应 [-應] hūyìng (call-echo) echo, work in concert with: 互相~ echo each other || 写文章的时候上下文要~. When writing an article, the context should be coherent. '
6 硬 [-] yìng (hard) hard, stiff: 石头~ the stone is hard || 说话很~ express oneself in strong terms || ~的不行来软的. When hard tactics failed, soft methods were used. '
3 利大于弊 [--於-] lìdàyúbì (advantage-more-than-disadvantage) advantages outweigh disadvantages: 网络~吗? Do advantages outweigh disadvantages when it comes to the Internet? '
24 其次 [-] qícì (its-second) next, secondly: 这家店主要卖书, ~卖笔 和各种文具. This store mainly sells books, and then sells pens and stationery. || 谈恋爱时性格是最主要的, ~才是相貌 (xiàngmào). When you’re in a relationship with him or her, his or her personality is the most important, and the appearance is secondary. '
1 必要 [-] bìyào (certainly-necessary) necessary, essential: ~的一课 a necessary lesson || 空气、水和食物都是绝对 (juéduì) ~的东西. Air, water and food are absolutely indispensable. || ~的时候我会帮你. I will help when you need it. '
19 不起眼 [-] bùqǐyǎn (not-catch-eye) not attract attention, not noticeable: 别看这人 ~, 人家可是一肚子学问. This guy seems to be insignificant. He is actually very knowledgeable. || 比尔·盖茨上大学的时候还很~. Bill Gates was still very common when he was at college. '
29 狠心 [-] hěnxīn (vicious-heart) harden one’s heart: ~的父母 harden one’s heart to one’s parents || 对自己的孩子很~ have a heart heart to one’s children || ~作了决定 have a closed heart when making decisions '
23 一步一个脚印 [-] yībù yīgè jiǎoyìn (one-step-one-MW-foot print) every step leaves its print-work steadily and make solid progress: 做事 不能太着急, 得~地去做. Don’t be in a hurry when you do something, work steadily and make it solid. '
31 粗心 [-] cūxīn (careless-heart) careless, thoughtless: ~的医生careless doctors || 他太~, 出门常常忘带钥匙 (yàoshi). He is so careless that he often forgets his keys when he goes out. '
17 眼高手低 [-] yǎngāo shǒudī (eye-high-hand-low) have high standards but little ability: 他没什么真本事, ~. He has high aspirations but low abilities. || 年轻人找工作往往~. When young people look for work, they often have high expectations for job positions but little ability. '
7 一碗水端平 [-] yīwǎn shuǐ duānpíng (a-bowl-water-hold-level) hold a bowl of water level – be impartial: 处理争执 (zhēngzhí) 应该~. When settling a dispute, one must be fair to both sides. '
24 不近人情 [-] bùjìn rénqíng (not-close-human-reason) not normal human nature: 这家公司规定员工不能因为孩子生病而请假, 真是~!The company rules that employees can not ask for a leave when their children are sick, so it’s inhumane! || ~的管理 inhumane management '
31 翻脸不认人 [-臉-認-] fānliǎn bù rèn rén (turn-face-not-admit-people) turn against a friend, to fall out with sb and become hostile: 有利可图的 时候, 他立刻~. He turned his face away when he was profitable. '
18 险 [險] xiǎn (dangerous) dangerous: ~情 a dangerous case || ~路 a dangerous road || 刚才很~, 两辆车差点撞上. It was very dangerous just now when two cars almost collided. 753 '
18 衰退 [-] shuāituì (decline-down) decline: 经济~ economic recession || 人老了以后, 听力、视力和智力都会~. Hearing, vision and intelligence all decline when people are older. || 严重~ severe recession '
10 蜂拥而至 [-擁--] fēngyōng’érzhì (bee-crowd-marker of modifier-arrive) flock, swarm: ~的人群people in flocks || 顾客~ customers flock in || 金融 (jīnróng) 市场开放以后, 国际投资者 (tóuzīzhě) ~. When financial markets opened up, international investors flocked to it. '
30 无依无靠 [無-無-] wúyī wúkào (no-rely-no-support) have nothing to rely upon: ~的孤儿a helpless orphan || 他刚到美国的时候, ~, 所以觉得 压力 (yālì) 很大. When he first came to the United States, he had nothing to rely on, so he felt stressed. '
32 单枪匹马 [單槍-馬] dānqiāng pǐmǎ (single-spear-single-horse) single-handed, all by oneself, alone: 他偷渡 (tōudù) 到美国时只剩下二十美 元了, 后来~打天下, 现在拥有几百家餐饮连锁店 (liánsuǒdiàn). When he came to America, he had only $20 left. Later he worked very hard on his own business. Now he has a chain of several hundred restaurants. || ~往前冲play a lone hand '
1 一般来说 [--來說] yī bān lái shuō (generally-to-speak) generally speaking: ~年龄越小记忆力越好. Generally speaking, when one’s age is younger, one’s memory is better. || ~一天不能吃两次比萨饼. Generally speaking, one should not eat pizza twice in the same day. '
29 正要 [-] zhèngyào (just-will) be just about to: 你打电话的时候我~出 去. When you called, I was just about to leave. || ~开口 to be just about to open one’s mouth || ~回答 to be just about to answer '
13 岂不 [豈-] qǐbù (how-not) how couldn’t, wouldn’t it: 两个人做~麻 烦 (máfan)? When two people are involved, how couldn’t it be troublesome? || 这样~更好? Would this way be better? '
9 等到 [-] děngdào (wait-to) by the time, when: ~九点以后, 你就可以 唱歌了. By nine o’clock, you can sing. || ~你生日那天才能打开. You can’t open it until your birthday. '
10 当 [當] dāng (when) when: ~他上小学的时候就对物理 (wùlǐ) 非 常感兴趣. He was very interested in physics when he was in primary school. || ~你长大后才能明白这些道理. You cannot understand those truths until you grow up. 815 '
10 要不然 [-] yàoburán (if-not-this) otherwise: 等打折的时候再买 苹果手机吧, ~太贵了. Buy an iPhone when it’s on sale, otherwise it’s too expensive. || 我起得太晚了, ~也不会上课迟到. I got up too late, but I won’t be late for class. || 我们明天去游泳吧, ~就去钓鱼. Let’s go swimming tomorrow, or we’ll go fishing. '
3 除非 [-] chúfēi (except-otherwise) [used correlatively with才] only if, only when: 这件事谁都处理不了, ~请她来. Nobody can handle this thing unless he is invited. || 我的工资根本不够花, ~再打一份工. My salary is not enough, unless I have another job. '
8 为此 [爲-] wèicǐ (for-this) to this end, for this reason (or purpose), in this connection: 老王的孩子考上了北京大学, ~他感到骄傲. The old Wang’s child was admitted to Peking University, and he was proud of it. || 这个孩子的 娃娃坏了, ~她哭了很久. This girl had a long cry when her doll broke. '
1 于是 [於-] yúshì (from-that) accordingly, so, then, thereupon, hence, as a result: 他觉得创业 (chuàngyè) 比上大学更重要, ~从哈佛大学辍学 (chuòxué) 了. He felt that starting a business was more important than going to college, so he dropped out of Harvard University. || 他喜欢喝拿铁 (nátiě, latte), 得了糖尿病 (tángniàobìng) 以后不能喝拿铁了, ~只好喝黑咖啡. He liked to drink lattes, but he couldn’t drink lattes anymore when he got diabetes, so he had to drink black coffee.'