"(fig.) one's specialty" Chinese-English Dictionary

Chinese	Pinyin	Translation	Actions
拿手好戏拿手好戲	ná shǒu hǎo xì	the role an actor plays best (idiom) / (fig.) one's specialty / one's forte	syn

Chinese	Pinyin	Translation	Actions
伴手礼伴手禮	bàn shǒu lǐ	gift given when visiting sb (esp. a local specialty brought back from one's travels, or a special product of one's own country taken overseas) (Tw)
欧咪呀给歐咪呀給	ōu mī yā gěi	(Tw) gift given when visiting sb (esp. a local specialty brought back from one's travels, or a special product of one's own country taken overseas) (loanword from Japanese "omiyage")
百胜难虑敌，三折乃良医百勝難慮敵，三折乃良醫	bǎi shèng nán lǜ dí , sān zhé nǎi liáng yī	(a line from a poem by the Tang poet Liu Yuxi 劉禹錫\|刘禹锡[Liu2 Yu3 xi1]) one gains very little insight into one's enemy from a hundred victories, but he who breaks his arm three times will be a good doctor / (fig.) one learns more from one's failures than from one's successes
反串	fǎn chuàn	(Chinese opera) to play a role outside of one's specialty / (modern) to play a transvestite role / to masquerade as an opponent
抱头抱頭	bào tóu	to put one's hands behind one's head, fingers interlaced / to hold one's head in one's hands (in dismay, fright etc) / to cover one's head with one's hands (for protection)
望子成龙望子成龍	wàng zǐ chéng lóng	lit. to hope one's son becomes a dragon (idiom) / fig. to long for one' s child to succeed in life / to have great hopes for one's offspring / to give one's child the best education as a career investment	syn
戴盆望天	dài pén wàng tiān	lit. viewing the sky with a basin on one's head / it is hard to get a clear view of the sky while carrying a platter on one's head / fig. it is hard to get on in one's career while encumbered by family obligations / one can't perform a major task while bothered by other duties	syn
深藏若虚深藏若虛	shēn cáng ruò xū	to hide one's treasure away so that no-one knows about it (idiom) / fig. modest about one's talents / to hide one's light under a bushel	syn
剃头挑子一头热剃頭挑子一頭熱	tì tóu tiāo zi yī tóu rè	lit. only one end of the barber's pole is hot (idiom) / fig. one-sided enthusiasm / one party is interested, but the other, not so much / (Note: In former days, street barbers carried their equipment on a pole, with tools and a stool at one end and a brazier at the other.)
屁股决定脑袋屁股決定腦袋	pì gu jué dìng nǎo dai	lit. the butt governs the head (idiom) / fig. where one stands depends on where one sits / one's views are shaped by one's circumstances
端起碗吃肉，放下筷子骂娘端起碗吃肉，放下筷子罵娘	duān qǐ wǎn chī ròu , fàng xià kuài zi mà niáng	lit. to eat meat from one's bowl, then put down one's chopsticks and scold one's mother (idiom) / fig. to complain despite being privileged / to be ungrateful for what one has been given
背着抱着一般重	bēi zhe bào zhe yī bān zhòng	lit. whether one carries it on one's back or in one's arms, it's equally heavy (idiom) / fig. one can't avoid the burden
专业專業	zhuān yè	specialty / specialized field / main field of study (at university) / major / CL:門\|门[men2],個\|个[ge4] / professional	syn
专卖店專賣店	zhuān mài diàn	specialty store
专长專長	zhuān cháng	specialty / special knowledge or ability	syn
特产特產	tè chǎn	special local product / (regional) specialty
攻读攻讀	gōng dú	to major (in a field) / to study a specialty to obtain a higher degree	syn
强项強項	qiáng xiàng	key strength / strong suit / specialty	syn
绝活絕活	jué huó	specialty / unique skill	syn
土特产土特產	tǔ tè chǎn	local specialty	syn
名菜	míng cài	famous dishes / specialty dishes
刀削面刀削麵	dāo xiāo miàn	knife-shaved noodles (pared or shaved into strips), a Shanxi specialty	syn
拿手菜	ná shǒu cài	specialty (dish)
国菜國菜	guó cài	national food specialty
海陆煲海陸煲	hǎi lù bāo	sea and land hotpot (Jiangsu specialty)
军事职业专业軍事職業專業	jūn shì zhí yè zhuān yè	Military occupation specialty (MOS, US military term)
特产作物特產作物		specialty crop
专用焊机專用焊機		specialty welding machine
特定规则特定規則		rule of specialty
羊肉泡馍羊肉泡饃	yáng ròu pào mó	mutton and bread soup (a specialty of Shaanxi cuisine)
生煎	shēng jiān	shengjian, a pan-fried bun filled with meat and juices, a Shanghai specialty
泡馍泡饃	pào mó	meat and bread soup (a specialty of Shaanxi cuisine)
大肠包小肠大腸包小腸	dà cháng bāo xiǎo cháng	small sausage in large sausage (pork sausage stuffed inside a glutinous rice sausage, a Taiwanese street food specialty)
竖起豎起	shù qǐ	to erect (a tent etc) / to prick up (one's ears) / to raise (one's eyebrows) / to stick up (one's thumb) / to turn up (one's collar) / (of a bird) to puff up (one's feathers)	syn
本分	běn fèn	(to play) one's part / one's role / one's duty / (to stay within) one's bounds / dutiful / keeping to one's role	syn
改口	gǎi kǒu	to change one's tune / to modify one's previous remark / to change the way one addresses sb (as when one marries and starts to call one's husband's parents 爸爸[ba4 ba5] and 媽媽\|妈妈[ma1 ma5])	syn
虚岁虛歲	xū suì	one's age, according to the traditional Chinese method of reckoning (i.e. the number of Chinese calendar years in which one has lived) – In this system, a person's age at birth is one, and increases by one at the beginning of the first solar term 立春[Li4 chun1] each year, rather than on one's birthday. / contrasted with 實歲\|实岁[shi2 sui4]
反裘负刍反裘負芻	fǎn qiú fù chú	lit. to wear one's coat inside out and carry firewood on one's back (idiom) / fig. to live a life of poverty and hard work / fig. to act stupidly
回过头来回過頭來	huí guò tóu lái	to turn one's head / to turn around / (fig.) to return (to a previous point) / to come back (to what one was saying before) / (fig.) to look back (in time) / to reflect on the past
卷铺盖捲鋪蓋	juǎn pū gai	to roll up one's bedding / to pack one's things / (fig.) to quit / (fig.) to get fired / to get the sack	syn
独树一帜獨樹一幟	dú shù yī zhì	lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (idiom) / fig. to act as a loner / to stand out / to develop one's own school / to have attitude of one's own	syn
驾轻就熟駕輕就熟	jià qīng jiù shú	lit. an easy drive on a familiar path (idiom) / fig. experience makes progress easy / a task that is so familiar one can do it with one's hand tied behind one's back	syn
瞑目	míng mù	to close one's eyes / (fig.) to be contented at the time of one's death (Dying without closing one's eyes would signify having unresolved grievances.)	syn
自食其力	zì shí qí lì	lit. to eat off one's own strength (idiom) / fig. to stand on one's own feet / to earn one's own living	syn
自食其果	zì shí qí guǒ	to eat one's own fruit (idiom) / fig. suffering the consequences of one's own action / to reap what one has sown	syn
不到黄河心不死不到黃河心不死	bù dào huáng hé xīn bù sǐ	lit. not to stop until one reaches the Yellow River (idiom) / fig. to persevere until one reaches one's goal / to keep going while some hope is left	syn
摩拳擦掌	mó quán cā zhǎng	fig. to rub one's fists and wipe one's palms (idiom) / to roll up one's sleeves for battle / eager to get into action or start on a task	syn
别树一帜別樹一幟	bié shù yī zhì	lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (idiom) / fig. to act as a loner / to stand out / to develop one's own school / to have attitude of one's own	syn
别树一旗別樹一旗	bié shù yī qí	lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (idiom) / fig. to act as a loner / to stand out / to develop one's own school / to have attitude of one's own
铭心刻骨銘心刻骨	míng xīn kè gǔ	lit. etched into one's heart and bones (idiom) / fig. etched in one's memory / remembered with gratitude as long as one lives	syn
见猎心喜見獵心喜	jiàn liè xīn xǐ	lit. seeing others go hunting, one is excited by memories of the thrill of the hunt (idiom) / fig. seeing others do what one loves to do, one is inspired to try it again	syn
头发胡子一把抓頭髮鬍子一把抓	tóu fa hú zi yī bǎ zhuā	lit. hair and beard all in one stroke / fig. to handle different things by the same method / one method to solve all problems / one size fits all
自食恶果自食惡果	zì shí è guǒ	lit. to eat one's own bitter fruit (idiom) / fig. to suffer the consequences of one's own actions / to stew in one's own juice
打狗还得看主人打狗還得看主人	dǎ gǒu hái děi kàn zhǔ rén	lit. when one beats a dog, one must answer to its master (idiom) / fig. before punishing sb, one should consider how that would affect others associated with him
一条路走到黑一條路走到黑	yī tiáo lù zǒu dào hēi	lit. to follow one road until dark (idiom) / fig. to stick to one's ways / to cling to one's course
虱子多了不痒，债多了不愁虱子多了不癢，債多了不愁	shī zi duō le bù yǎng , zhài duō le bù chóu	lit. when covered with lice, one doesn't feel the itching anymore, and when up to one's ears in debt, one ceases to worry about it (saying) / fig. to be past worrying (about sth)
功高盖主功高蓋主	gōng gāo gài zhǔ	lit. one's accomplishments overshadow the authority of the sovereign (idiom) / fig. to be so influential that one rivals one's leader
百尺竿头，更进一步百尺竿頭，更進一步	bǎi chǐ gān tóu , gèng jìn yī bù	lit. after climbing a hundred feet up a pole, one should go even further (idiom) / fig. even if one has achieved a measure of success, one should strive to do even better	syn
只有	zhǐ yǒu	only have ... / there is only ... / (used in combination with 才[cai2]) it is only if one ... (that one can ...) (Example: 只有通過治療才能痊愈\|只有通过治疗才能痊愈[zhi3 you3 tong1 guo4 zhi4 liao2 cai2 neng2 quan2 yu4] "the only way to cure it is with therapy") / it is only ... (who ...) (Example: 只有男性才有此需要[zhi3 you3 nan2 xing4 cai2 you3 ci3 xu1 yao4] "only men would have such a requirement") / (used to indicate that one has no alternative) one can only (do a certain thing) (Example: 只有屈服[zhi3 you3 qu1 fu2] "the only thing you can do is give in")	syn
归属歸屬	guī shǔ	to belong to / to be affiliated to / to fall under the jurisdiction of / a place where one feels that one belongs / one's final destination (where one need look no further)	syn
上头上頭	shàng tóu	(of alcohol, love etc) to go to one’s head / (of an idea, a song etc) to get into one's head / to capture one's attention / (old) (of a girl on her wedding day) to start wearing one's hair in a bun (rather than a plait)	syn
量力而行	liàng lì ér xíng	to assess one's capabilities and act accordingly (idiom) / to act within one's competence / One does what one can.
孝悌忠信	xiào tì zhōng xìn	Confucian moral injunctions of fidelity / piety to one's parents, respect to one's older brother, loyalty to one's monarch, faith to one's male friends
量力而为量力而為	liàng lì ér wéi	to weigh one's abilities and act accordingly / to act according to one's means / to cut one's coat according to one's cloth
一个个一個個	yī gè gè	a number of / each and every one / one by one / one after another
一一映射	yī yī yìng shè	bijective map (i.e. map between sets in math. that is one-to-one and onto) / one-to-one correspondence
四德	sì dé	four Confucian injunctions 孝悌忠信 (for men), namely: piety 孝 to one's parents, respect 悌 to one's older brother, loyalty 忠 to one's monarch, faith 信 to one's male friends / the four Confucian virtues for women of morality 德[de2], physical charm 容, propriety in speech 言 and efficiency in needlework 功
道高一尺，魔高一丈	dào gāo yī chǐ , mó gāo yī zhàng	(idiom) as one climbs higher on the path of righteousness, one faces ever greater challenges from evil / no sooner does one overcome one obstacle than another arises
鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已鞠躬盡瘁，死而後已	jū gōng jìn cuì , sǐ ér hòu yǐ	to bend to a task and spare no effort unto one's dying day (idiom) / striving to the utmost one's whole life / with every breath in one's body, unto one's dying day
一村一品	yī cūn yī pǐn	One Village One Product / One Village One Product Movement
一对一一對一	yī duì yī	one-to-one / one-on-one	syn
开花開花	kāi huā	to bloom / to blossom / to flower / (fig.) to burst / to split open / (fig.) to burst with joy / (fig.) to spring up everywhere / to flourish	syn
热腾腾熱騰騰	rè téng téng	steaming hot / (fig.) bustling / hectic / (fig.) excited / stirred up / (fig.) created only a short time before / freshly minted / hot off the press / (coll.) also pr. [re4 teng1 teng1]	syn
鬼扯脚鬼扯腳	guǐ chě jiǎo	lit. ghost pulls your leg / involuntary tug of muscles / fig. very unlucky / fig. argumentative / fig. can't help doing it
外溢	wài yì	(of liquid) to spill out / to overflow / (of gas) to leak out / (fig.) to spill over / to spread (to new areas) / (fig.) (of wealth etc) to drain / to flow outward (esp. overseas) / (fig.) (of talent) to show / to be revealed
目光	mù guāng	gaze / (fig.) attention / expression in one's eyes / look / (lit. and fig.) sight / vision	syn
脱胎脫胎	tuō tāi	to be born / (fig.) to develop out of sth else (of ideas, stories, political systems etc) / (fig.) to shed one's body (to be reborn) / bodiless (e.g. lacquerware)
万箭穿心萬箭穿心	wàn jiàn chuān xīn	lit. to have one's heart pierced by thousands of arrows (idiom) / fig. overcome with sorrow / fig. to lambaste / to rip sb to shreds	syn
身后身後	shēn hòu	the time after one's death / a place behind sb / (fig.) one's social background	syn
充电充電	chōng diàn	to recharge (a battery) / (fig.) to recharge one's batteries (through leisure) / to update one's skills and knowledge
问候問候	wèn hòu	to give one's respects / to send a greeting / (fig.) (coll.) to make offensive reference to (somebody dear to the person to whom one is speaking)	syn
一网打尽一網打盡	yī wǎng dǎ jìn	lit. to catch everything in the one net (idiom) / fig. to scoop up the whole lot / to capture them all in one go	syn
反手	fǎn shǒu	to turn a hand over / to put one's hand behind one's back / fig. easily done
透支	tòu zhī	(banking) to overdraw / to take out an overdraft / an overdraft / to overspend (i.e. expenditure in excess of revenue) / (old) to draw one's wage in advance / (fig.) to exhaust (one's enthusiasm, energy etc) / to damage a natural resource through overuse	syn
亲口親口	qīn kǒu	one's own mouth / fig. in one's own words / to say sth personally
一斑	yī bān	lit. one spot (on the leopard) / fig. one small item in a big scheme
迎娶	yíng qǔ	(of a groom) to fetch one's bride from her parents' home to escort her to the wedding ceremony / (fig.) to take as one's wife / to marry (a woman)	syn
攻坚攻堅	gōng jiān	to assault a fortified position / (fig.) to concentrate one's efforts on a particularly difficult part of one's mission
脱胎换骨脫胎換骨	tuō tāi huàn gǔ	to shed one's mortal body and exchange one's bones (idiom) / born again Daoist / to turn over a new leaf / fig. to change wholly / to create from other material (story, artwork etc)	syn
褪去	tuì qù	to take off (one's clothes) / (fig.) to shed (one's former image etc) / (of a fad or the after-effects of a disaster etc) to subside / also pr. [tun4 qu4]
手舞足蹈	shǒu wǔ zú dǎo	lit. to move one's hands and feet about (idiom) / fig. to dance about / to express one's feelings in body language / to gesture animatedly / (TCM) involuntary movements of the limbs	syn
谱写譜寫	pǔ xiě	to compose (a piece of music) / (fig.) to create, by one's actions, a narrative (generally one that can be recounted with pride)	syn
一朝一夕	yī zhāo yī xī	lit. one morning and one evening (idiom) / fig. in a short period of time / overnight	syn
一枝独秀一枝獨秀	yī zhī dú xiù	lit. only one branch of the tree is thriving (idiom) / fig. to be in a league of one's own / outstanding	syn
翻云覆雨翻雲覆雨	fān yún fù yǔ	to produce clouds with one turn of the hand and rain with another (idiom) / fig. to shift one's ground / tricky and inconstant / to make love
破釜沉舟	pò fǔ chén zhōu	lit. to break the cauldrons and sink the boats (idiom) / fig. to cut off one's means of retreat / to burn one's boats	syn
押宝押寶	yā bǎo	to play yabao (a gambling game) / (fig.) to gamble on / to take one's chance / to try one's luck
顾此失彼顧此失彼	gù cǐ shī bǐ	lit. to attend to one thing and lose sight of another (idiom) / fig. to be unable to manage two or more things at once / cannot pay attention to one thing without neglecting the other
怒发冲冠怒髮衝冠	nù fà chōng guān	lit. hair stands up in anger and tips off one's hat (idiom) / fig. seething in anger / raise one's hackles	syn

The four tones

"(fig.) one's specialty" Chinese-English Dictionary

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