也不 yě bù neither / nor 不依不饶 不依不饒 bù yī bù ráo not to overlook, nor spare (idiom) / unwilling to forgive / to treat severely without listening to excuses 若即若离 若即若離 ruò jí ruò lí lit. seeming neither close nor distant (idiom) / fig. to keep one's distance / (of a relationship) lukewarm / vague syn 不着边际 不著邊際 bù zhuó biān jì not to the point / wide of the mark / neither here nor there / irrelevant syn 不卑不亢 bù bēi bù kàng neither servile nor overbearing (idiom) / neither obsequious nor supercilious syn 不三不四 bù sān bù sì (idiom) dubious / shady / neither one thing nor the other / neither fish nor fowl / nondescript syn 无可无不可 無可無不可 wú kě wú bù kě neither for nor against sth / indifferent syn 不亢不卑 bù kàng bù bēi neither haughty nor humble / neither overbearing nor servile / neither supercilious nor obsequious syn 不即不离 不即不離 bù jí bù lí to be neither too familiar nor too distant / to keep sb at arm's length syn 非驴非马 非驢非馬 fēi lǘ fēi mǎ neither fish nor fowl / resembling nothing on earth syn 非亲非故 非親非故 fēi qīn fēi gù lit. neither a relative nor a friend (idiom) / fig. unrelated to one another in any way syn 不疾不徐 bù jí bù xú neither too fast nor too slow (idiom) 前无古人后无来者 前無古人後無來者 qián wú gǔ rén hòu wú lái zhě to surpass all others of its kind before and since / to have neither predecessors nor successors 楼兰 樓蘭 lóu lán Loulan, aka Kroraina, ancient oasis town on the Silk Road near Lop Nor 羅布泊|罗布泊[Luo2 bu4 po1] 童叟无欺 童叟無欺 tóng sǒu wú qī cheating neither old nor young (idiom) / treating youngsters and old folk equally scrupulously / Our house offers sincere treatment to all and fair trade to old and young alike. syn 不战不和 不戰不和 bù zhàn bù hé neither war nor peace 罗布泊 羅布泊 luó bù bó Lop Nor, salt lake and nuclear testing site in Xinjiang 不杀不辱 不殺不辱 bù shā bù rǔ to neither kill nor humiliate (idiom) 流水不腐，户枢不蠹 流水不腐，戶樞不蠹 liú shuǐ bù fǔ , hù shū bù dù lit. flowing water does not rot, nor a door-hinge rust (idiom) / fig. constant activity prevents decay 老少无欺 老少無欺 lǎo shào wú qī cheating neither old nor young / treating youngsters and old folk equally scrupulously / Our house offers sincere treatment to all and fair trade to old and young alike. syn 鞍点 鞍點 ān diǎn saddle point (math.), a critical point of a function of several variables that is neither a maximum nor a minimum 上天无路，入地无门 上天無路，入地無門 shàng tiān wú lù , rù dì wú mén lit. there is no road to the sky, nor door into the earth (idiom) / fig. to be at the end of one's rope / to be trapped in a hopeless situation 单身汪 單身汪 dān shēn wāng (Internet slang) person who is neither married nor in a relationship (used self-deprecatingly) 单身狗 單身狗 dān shēn gǒu (Internet slang) person who is neither married nor in a relationship (used self-deprecatingly) 罗布泊 羅布泊 luó bù pō Lop Nor, former salt lake in Xinjiang, now a salt-encrusted lake bed 比上不足，比下有余 比上不足，比下有餘 bǐ shàng - bù zú , bǐ xià - yǒu yú neither the best nor the worst / not too bad / better than some 白首空归 白首空歸 bái shǒu kōng guī (idiom) To return empty-handed with white hair. Describes an old person who has gained neither knowledge nor achievement. 不恶而严 bù è ér yán (idiom) To be neither harsh nor aggressive, yet naturally command respect and awe. 不法古不修今 bù fǎ gǔ bù xiū jīn (idiom) One should neither imitate antiquity blindly nor remain constrained by the present situation. 不丰不杀 bù fēng bù shā (idiom) Neither lavish nor stingy / neither more nor less than appropriate. It describes something kept in exact proportion. 不古不今 bù gǔ bù jīn (idiom) Describes something abnormal that belongs neither to ancient nor modern standards. It can also refer to a makeshift compromise. 不骄不躁 不驕不躁 bù jiāo bù zào (idiom) Neither arrogant nor impatient. It describes a calm, modest, and composed attitude. syn 不今不古 bù jīn bù gǔ (idiom) Describes something abnormal that fits neither ancient nor modern standards. It can also refer to a compromise lacking a distinct character. 不郎不秀 bù láng bù xiù (idiom) Originally, neither high-ranking nor low-ranking. Later, it describes a mediocre person with no prospects. syn 不蔓不枝 bù màn bù zhī (idiom) Neither spreading nor branching. Figuratively, it describes speech or writing that is concise, clear, and free of digressions. 不衫不履 bù shān bù lǚ (idiom) To wear neither a long gown nor shoes / to appear careless and unkempt. 不生不灭 不生不滅 bù shēng bù miè (idiom) In Buddhist thought, it refers to what neither arises nor perishes and undergoes no change. 不死不活 bù sǐ bù huó (idiom) To describe a lifeless state or an awkward situation that is neither truly alive nor fully finished. 不吐不茹 bù tǔ bù rú (idiom) Describes a principled and impartial person who neither mistreats the weak nor fears the powerful. 不文不武 bù wén bù wǔ (idiom) To be capable neither in literary matters nor in martial affairs. It describes an incompetent person. 不徐不疾 bù xú bù jí (idiom) At a pace that is neither too slow nor too fast, with ease and naturalness. 不夷不惠 bù yí bù huì (idiom) To follow neither Boyi's uncompromising stance nor Liuxia Hui's accommodating one / to take a moderate and balanced position. 不置褒贬 bù zhì bāo biǎn (idiom) To offer neither praise nor criticism, without making an explicit judgment. 淡而不厌 淡而不厭 dàn ér bù yàn (idiom) To show neither particular enthusiasm nor outright dislike / to act indifferently. 匪石匪席 fěi shí fěi xí (idiom) Neither a stone nor a mat: a stone can be moved and a mat rolled up, but the heart cannot change. The expression describes firm resolve and unwavering devotion. 匪夷匪惠 fěi jí fěi huì (idiom) Describes someone who possesses neither the virtue of Bo Yi nor that of Liu Xia Hui. 稂不稂莠不莠 láng bù láng yǒu bù yǒu (idiom) Being neither one weed nor the other, the expression describes someone who amounts to nothing and has no prospects. 庆吊不行 qìng diào bù xíng (idiom) To offer neither congratulations nor condolences. Originally referring to having no social dealings with others, it later came to describe distant relations. 无关大体 無關大體 wú guān dà tǐ (idiom) To have received neither criticism nor praise. It describes something ordinary and unremarkable. 无毁无誉 wú huǐ wú yù (idiom) Neither criticized nor praised. It describes something quite ordinary, attracting no strong judgment. 无咎无誉 無咎無譽 wú jiù wú yù (idiom) To have committed neither a fault nor an achievement. It describes an ordinary or merely adequate performance. 无拳无勇 無拳無勇 wú quán wú yǒng (idiom) To have neither physical strength nor courage. 无声无臭 無聲無臭 wú shēng wú xiù (idiom) To have neither sound nor smell. Figuratively, to remain unknown and unnoticed. syn 无怨无德 wú yuàn wú dé (idiom) To have neither resentment nor gratitude between people. It describes a relationship free of grievances or obligations. 一片冰心 yī piàn bīng xīn (idiom) Describes a person with a pure heart and a detached disposition, seeking neither fame nor material gain. 一物不成，两物见在 一物不成，兩物見在 yī wù bù chéng，liǎng wù xiàn zài (idiom) If a transaction does not go through, neither the goods nor the money is lost / each party keeps what belongs to it. 万有不齐 wàn yǒu bù qí (idiom) It indicates that things in the world are neither uniform nor identical, but each has its own particular features. 上不属天，下不着地 shàng bù shǔ tiān，xià bù zháo dì (idiom) To touch neither heaven above nor earth below. It describes talk that has no bearing on the matter or a situation with no firm basis or outcome. 不丰不俭 bù fēng bù jiǎn (idiom) Describes something that is neither lavish nor stingy, but appropriately adequate. 不为福先，不为祸始 bù wéi fú xiān，bù wéi huò shǐ (idiom) To be neither the first to bring blessings to the people nor the first to initiate harm. 不仁不义 不仁不義 bù rén bù yì (idiom) To show neither benevolence nor a sense of justice. It describes a base, cruel, and unprincipled character or conduct. syn 不僧不俗 bù sēng bù sú (idiom) To be neither properly religious nor secular / to be incongruous, uncategorizable, or in poor taste. 不抗不卑 bù kàng bù bēi (idiom) To maintain an appropriate bearing toward others, being neither obsequious nor arrogant. 不明不暗 bù míng bù àn (idiom) Describes facts whose truth has been distorted and remains unclear. It can also refer to something that is neither public nor secret. 不痒不痛 bù yǎng bù tòng (idiom) Neither painful nor irritating. Figuratively, it describes a remark that misses the point or a solution that fails to address the core of a problem. 不瘟不火 bù wēn bù huǒ (idiom) Describes a play that is neither dull and tedious nor rushed or overly tense. By extension, it can describe a rather unremarkable manner or attitude. 不皦不昧 bù jiǎo bù mèi (idiom) Neither clear nor dark. Describes something vague, hazy, and difficult to grasp. 不矜不盈 bù jīn bù yíng (idiom) To be neither restrained nor excessive / to maintain a measured attitude and a proper sense of proportion. 不荤不素 不葷不素 bù hūn bù sù (idiom) To occupy an in-between position, being neither clearly one thing nor the other. 不蔓不支 bù màn bù zhī (idiom) To neither spread nor branch out. By extension, it describes speech or writing that is concise, fluent, and free of digressions. 不避强御 bù bì qiáng yù (idiom) To fear neither the powerful nor influential people. It describes someone upright and resolute. 不避水火 bù bì shuǐ huǒ (idiom) To fear neither danger nor hardship. It describes someone brave and willing to face perilous situations. 不问不闻 不問不聞 bù wèn bù wén (idiom) To neither listen to what others say nor take the initiative to ask about it. Describes an indifferent or cold attitude toward matters concerning others. 不雌不雄 bù cí bù xióng (idiom) To adopt an ambiguous attitude, neither clearly positive nor clearly negative. 人不人，鬼不鬼 rén bù rén，guǐ bù guǐ (idiom) To look neither properly human nor like a proper ghost. It describes a person with a strange and unpleasant appearance. 任怨任劳 任怨任勞 rèn yuàn rèn láo (idiom) To fear neither blame nor hardship. The expression describes a willingness to shoulder responsibility and endure difficulties. 何以家为 hé yī jiā wéi (idiom) “What need is there for a family?” This rhetorical question expresses having neither the time nor the inclination to attend to one’s personal family life. 入火赴汤 入火赴湯 rù huǒ fù tāng (idiom) To avoid neither hardships nor dangers, whatever the difficulties may be. 刚亦不吐，柔亦不茹 剛亦不吐，柔亦不茹 gāng yì bù tǔ，róu yì bù rú (idiom) Not to fear the strong and not to bully the weak. It describes an attitude that neither yields to the powerful nor mistreats the vulnerable. 前不巴村，后不着店 qián bù bā cūn，hòu bù zháo diàn (idiom) Describes someone who has traveled far into the countryside and can find neither a village nor an inn to rest or spend the night. 功不成，名不就 gōng bù chéng，míng bù jiù (idiom) The undertaking has failed, and neither success nor gain has been achieved. It describes someone whose efforts have produced no result or benefit. 半低不高 bàn dī bù gāo (idiom) Of medium size or height / neither tall nor short. 半新不旧 半新不舊 bàn xīn bù jiù (idiom) Half new and half old. It describes something that is neither new nor truly worn out. 半新半旧 半新半舊 bàn xīn bàn jiù (idiom) Neither new nor old / in an intermediate condition. 半死辣活 bàn sǐ là huó (idiom) Describes someone who can neither die nor live normally and continues to suffer. 半间半界 半間半界 bàn gān bàn gà (idiom) 1. Incomplete or superficial. 2. Unclear. 3. Neither one thing nor the other. 4. Mediocre. 卖空买空 賣空買空 mài kōng mǎi kōng (idiom) A practice in which neither goods nor actual payments change hands and only the price difference is settled at maturity. 可丁可卯 kě dīng kě mǎo (idiom) Exactly right, neither more nor less, and at the appropriate degree. 君子爱人以德 jūn zǐ ài rén yǐ dé (idiom) To care for or protect others according to moral standards. It refers to impartial concern that neither excuses faults nor indulges weakness. 吞言咽理 tūn yán yān lǐ (idiom) To dare neither to speak out nor to argue one’s case. It describes remaining silent out of fear or pressure. 听其自流 tīng qí zì liú (idiom) To impose neither control nor guidance, allowing things to develop freely. 喜怒不形于色 xǐ nù bù xìng yú sè (idiom) To show neither happiness nor anger on one’s face. It describes someone composed, self-controlled, and not outwardly emotional. 喜愠不形于色 xǐ yùn bù xìng yú sè (idiom) Shows neither happiness nor anger on the face. Describes someone composed, self-controlled, and not given to displaying emotions. 国家闲暇 guó jiā xián xiá (idiom) The state is enjoying peace and stability, with neither internal unrest nor external threats. 外举不隐仇，内举不隐子 wài jǔ bù yǐn chóu，nèi jǔ bù yǐn zǐ (idiom) When recommending talent, one should exclude neither one's enemies nor one's own children. It describes impartial and fair conduct. 外内无患 外內無患 wài nèi wú huàn (idiom) To face neither external threats nor internal troubles. 天无二日，土无二王 天無二日，土無二王 tiān wú èr rì，tǔ wú èr wáng (idiom) There cannot be two suns in the sky, nor two kings ruling the same country at the same time. The expression asserts the unity of supreme authority. 女子无才便是福 nǚ zǐ wú cái biàn shì fú (idiom) According to an old moral norm, women supposedly needed neither education nor talent and only had to obey their husbands. 好心得不到好报 好心得不到好報 hǎo xīn dé bù dào hǎo bào (idiom) To have good intentions but receive neither a good return nor gratitude in response. 威武不能屈，贫贱不能移 威武不能屈，貧賤不能移 wēi wǔ bù néng qū，pín jiàn bù néng yí (idiom) Neither force or authority can make a person submit, nor poverty or low status make them abandon their convictions. 