原来 原來 yuán lái n., adj., adv. original / former / originally / formerly / at first / so, actually, as it turns out syn 偏偏 piān piān adv. (indicating that sth turns out just the opposite of what one would wish) unfortunately / as it happened / (indicating that sth is the opposite of what would be normal or reasonable) stubbornly / contrarily / against reason / (indicating that sb or a group is singled out) precisely / only / of all people syn 恰好 qià hǎo adv. as it turns out / by lucky coincidence / (of number, time, size etc) just right syn 轮流 輪流 lún liú v. to alternate / to take turns syn 周折 zhōu zhé n. twists and turns / vicissitude / complication / difficulty / effort / CL:番[fan1] syn 轮 輪 lún n., v., m.w. wheel / disk / ring / steamship / to take turns / to rotate / classifier for big round objects: disk, or recurring events: round, turn syn 穿插 chuān chā to insert / to take turns, alternate / to interweave / to interlace / subplot / interlude / episode / (military) to thrust deep into the enemy forces syn 敢情 gǎn qing actually / as it turns out / indeed / of course syn 波折 bō zhé n. twists and turns syn 轮换 輪換 lún huàn v. to rotate / to take turns syn 一波三折 yī bō sān zhé calligraphic flourish with many twists / fig. many twists and turns syn 轮值 輪值 lún zhí to take turns on duty syn 逢凶化吉 féng xiōng huà jí misfortune turns to blessing (idiom) / to turn an inauspicious start to good account syn 万人空巷 萬人空巷 wàn rén kōng xiàng the multitudes come out from everywhere, emptying every alleyway (to celebrate) / the whole town turns out syn 否极泰来 否極泰來 pǐ jí tài lái extreme sorrow turns to joy (idiom) syn 同乐会 同樂會 tóng lè huì social gathering at which those attending take it in turns to perform for the whole group (music, dancing or comedy etc) 轮替 輪替 lún tì to take turns / to follow a rotating schedule 倒班 dǎo bān to change shifts / to work in turns 倒换 倒換 dǎo huàn to take turns / to rotate (responsibility) syn 时来运转 時來運轉 shí lái yùn zhuǎn the time comes, fortune turns (idiom) / to have a lucky break / things change for the better syn 万念俱灰 萬念俱灰 wàn niàn jù huī every hope turns to dust (idiom) / completely disheartened syn 乐极生悲 樂極生悲 lè jí shēng bēi extreme joy turns to sorrow (idiom) / Don't celebrate too soon, things could still go wrong! syn 弄假成真 nòng jiǎ chéng zhēn pretense that turns into reality (idiom) / to play at make-believe, but accidentally make it true syn 轮次 輪次 lún cì in turn / by turns / lap / turn / round / classifier for laps, turns, rounds 椳 wēi the pivots, at the top and bottom of a Chinese door, on which the door turns 一波未平，一波又起 yī bō wèi píng , yī bō yòu qǐ before the first wave subsides, a new wave rises (idiom) / a new problem arises before the old is solved / many twists and turns to a story / one thing after another 倒替 dǎo tì to take turns (responsibility) / to replace 假戏真唱 假戲真唱 jiǎ xì zhēn chàng fiction comes true / play-acting that turns into reality 更番 gēng fān alternately / by turns 法轮常转 法輪常轉 fǎ lún cháng zhuàn the Wheel turns constantly (idiom) / Buddhist teaching will overcome everything 翻手为云覆手变雨 翻手為雲覆手變雨 fān shǒu wéi yún fù shǒu biàn yǔ lit. turning his hand palm up he gathers the clouds, turning his hand palm down he turns them to rain / very powerful and capable (idiom) 胳膊肘朝外拐 gē bo zhǒu cháo wài guǎi lit. the elbow turns outward (idiom) / fig. to side with outsiders rather than one's own people 银样鑞枪头 銀樣鑞槍頭 yín yàng là qiāng tóu lit. pseudo-silver pewter spear-head / fig. an initially impressive person who turns out to be useless 花钱找罪受 花錢找罪受 huā qián zhǎo zuì shòu to spend money on sth that turns out to be unsatisfactory or even disastrous 元来 元來 yuán lái original / former / originally / formerly / at first / so, actually, as it turns out / variant of 原來|原来[yuan2 lai2] 咸鱼翻身 鹹魚翻身 xián yú fān shēn lit. the salted fish turns over (idiom) / fig. to experience a reversal of fortune AB制 A B zhì to split the bill (where the male counterpart foots the larger portion of the sum) / (theater) a system where two actors take turns in acting the main role, with one actor replacing the other if either is unavailable 指腹为婚 指腹為婚 zhǐ fù wéi hūn to propose the future marriage of two unborn babies on condition that one turns out to be a boy, and the other, a girl (idiom) 试做 試做 shì zuò to try doing (sth) to see how well it turns out / to experiment 喜当爹 喜當爹 xǐ dāng diē (neologism c. 2012) (slang) to become a stepfather when one's partner turns out to be pregnant with a child she conceived with another lover 胳膊肘往外拐 gē bo zhǒu wǎng wài guǎi lit. the elbow turns outward (idiom) / fig. to side with outsiders rather than one's own people / see 胳膊肘朝外拐[ge1 bo5 zhou3 chao2 wai4 guai3] 车轮战 車輪戰 chē lún zhàn tactic of several persons or groups taking turns to fight one opponent / tag-team attack 斗转参横 dǒu zhuǎn shēn héng (idiom) The Big Dipper turns and the Shen stars lie horizontally. It refers to the time just before dawn. 福过灾生 fú guò zāi shēng (idiom) When happiness reaches its extreme, it eventually turns into misfortune. The expression warns that excessive success or pleasure may be followed by a reversal. 好语如珠 好語如珠 hǎo yǔ rú zhū (idiom) Describes a poem, text, or speech rich in memorable lines and felicitous turns of phrase. 聚少成多 jù shǎo chéng duō (idiom) Gradual accumulation turns a small amount into a large one. Small gains or efforts eventually produce a substantial result. 流离琐尾 liú lí suǒ wěi (idiom) Describes a situation that turns from success or stability to hardship and distress. 奇文瑰句 qí wén guī jù (idiom) Outstanding writings and exceptionally beautiful turns of phrase. 千回万转 qiān huí wàn zhuǎn (idiom) Describes many twists and turns, or prolonged thought marked by hesitation. 穷鸟入怀 窮鳥入懷 qióng niǎo rù huái (idiom) Describes a person in difficulty who seeks refuge with or turns to someone for protection. 一场欢喜忽悲辛 yī chǎng guān xǐ hū bēi xīn (idiom) A situation that begins joyfully suddenly turns into a painful event. The expression highlights the instability and unpredictability of life’s joys and sorrows. 一坐尽倾 yī zuò jìn qīng (idiom) An entire audience is captivated with admiration and turns respectfully toward the person speaking or acting. 一夕白发 yī xī bái fà (idiom) To become so anxious or worried that one’s hair turns white overnight. It describes extreme anxiety. 一替一句 yī tì yī jù (idiom) Describes two people taking turns speaking, each responding to the other. 一递一口 一遞一口 yī dì yī kǒu (idiom) To take turns speaking, with each person saying a few words and responding to the other. 一递一句 一遞一句 yī dì yī jù (idiom) Describes two people taking turns speaking and responding to one another. 乐尽哀生 lè jìn āi shēng (idiom) When joy reaches its extreme, it turns into sorrow. It expresses the idea that excessive happiness brings about sadness. 乐极则悲 樂極則悲 lè jí zé bēi (idiom) When joy reaches its extreme, it turns into sorrow. The expression reminds us that excess can bring about its opposite. 乐极哀来 樂極哀來 lè jí āi lái (idiom) When joy reaches its peak, sorrow follows. Also expressed as “extreme joy turns into grief.” 乐极生哀 樂極生哀 lè jí shēng āi (idiom) When joy reaches its extreme, it turns into sorrow. It is equivalent to saying that excessive joy brings about misfortune. 九曲十八弯 jiǔ qū shí bā wān (idiom) Extremely winding, with many twists and turns. 众少成多 zhòng shǎo chéng duō (idiom) Equivalent to “many little amounts make a lot”: steady accumulation turns a small quantity into a large one. 众心归附 zhòng xīn guī fù (idiom) Everyone turns toward and supports someone. It describes a person who enjoys great prestige among the people. 众散亲离 zhòng sàn qīn lí (idiom) The crowd turns against someone and their relatives abandon them. It describes a person who is completely isolated and without support. 倾城而出 qīng chéng ér chū (idiom) The entire population of a city turns out at once. By extension, it describes a very large number of people gathering or mobilizing. 先号后庆 xiān hào hòu qìng (idiom) Indicates that a situation is initially ominous but eventually turns out well. 先笑后号 xiān xiào hòu hào (idiom) Describes a fate that begins favorably but later turns disastrous. 养痈贻害 養癰貽害 yǎng yōng yí hài (idiom) Leaving a poisonous ulcer untreated eventually turns it into a source of harm. 养虎自毙 yǎng hǔ zì bì (idiom) Tolerating an enemy eventually turns against oneself and causes one's own downfall. Variant of “raise a tiger until it bites itself.” 北走胡，南走越 běi zǒu hú，nán zǒu yuè (idiom) Describes a talented person who, unable to find recognition or proper employment, turns to another country. 十夫揉椎 shí fū róu zhuī (idiom) Describes an exaggerated, unfounded rumor that turns something insignificant into something substantial. 十眠九坐 shí mián jiǔ zuò (idiom) To lie down and sit up by turns. Describes someone whose illness makes it difficult to remain active or stand for long. 否终则泰 否終則泰 pǐ zhōng zé tài (idiom) When obstruction reaches its extreme, the situation turns toward prosperity and ease. Periods of misfortune eventually reverse themselves. 器满则覆 qì mǎn zé fù (idiom) When something exceeds a certain limit, it eventually turns in the opposite direction. It also refers to pride and complacency leading to failure. 天从人原 tiān cóng rén yuán (idiom) Describes a situation whose development turns out exactly as hoped. It means that events unfold as desired. 失马塞翁 失馬塞翁 shī mǎ sài wēng (idiom) A person who ultimately turns a misfortune into a blessing. 好语似珠 hǎo yǔ sì zhū (idiom) Describes poetry or prose containing many striking lines and brilliant turns of phrase. 委委曲曲 wěi wěi qū qū (idiom) Describes a melody, road, or river that winds and turns repeatedly, or a person who acts meekly and compromises their dignity. 嬉笑怒骂，皆成文章 xī xiào nù mà，jiē chéng wén zhāng (idiom) Describes writing that is not restricted by subject or form and turns every spontaneous expression into fine literature. 家狗向里吠 jiā gǒu xiàng lǐ fèi (idiom) The household dog barks toward the inside of the house. It describes an ungrateful person who turns against those who have helped or sheltered them. 山回路转 shān huí lù zhuǎn (idiom) Describes winding mountain ridges and a road that twists and turns through the mountains. 左旋右抽 zuǒ xuán yòu chōu (idiom) The driver turns the team to the left while the warrior on the right draws his sword and strikes. It describes the momentum and vigor of combatants in battle. 得马折足 dé mǎ shé zú (idiom) To gain a benefit that later turns into misfortune. It describes good fortune that gives rise to trouble. 户枢不朽 戶樞不朽 hù shū bù xiǔ (idiom) Just as a door pivot that turns frequently does not decay, things that are kept in motion are less likely to deteriorate. 拔剑论功 bá jiàn lùn gōng (idiom) To argue over credit so fiercely that the dispute nearly turns into a physical fight. 指顾间事 指顧間事 zhǐ gù jiān shì (idiom) The brief moment when one points at something or turns to look back. By extension, a very short period of time. 挦章扯句 xián zhāng chě jù (idiom) To search for or extract fragments of texts and isolated turns of phrase. The expression is generally critical, suggesting superficial reading or writing. 捷径窘步 jié jìng jiǒng bù (idiom) Refers to a quick and simplified method adopted to achieve a goal, but whose result turns out to be unsatisfactory. 敌国通舟 敵國通舟 dí guó tōng zhōu (idiom) Everyone sharing the same boat becomes an enemy. The expression describes a situation in which one is deserted by one’s allies and everyone turns against one. 斗转参斜 dǒu zhuǎn shēn xié (idiom) As the Big Dipper turns and the Shen constellation slants, dawn is approaching. 时来运来 shí lái yùn lái (idiom) An initially unfavorable situation improves when an opportunity arises and luck turns. It is equivalent to “fortune has turned.” 桑田碧海 sāng tián bì hǎi (idiom) The sea turns into mulberry fields, and the mulberry fields turn into the sea. It describes great changes in the world and in human affairs. 泰来否极 泰來否極 tài lái pǐ jí (idiom) When adversity reaches its extreme, it eventually turns into favorable circumstances. Bad luck comes to an end and good fortune follows. 泰极生否 泰極生否 tài jí shēng pǐ (idiom) When a favorable situation reaches its extreme, it turns into its opposite / a good thing can thus become a bad thing. 火烬灰冷 火燼灰冷 huǒ jìn huī lěng (idiom) As time passes, a once-prosperous situation or period turns into decline. 灯火万家 dēng huǒ wàn jiā (idiom) It refers to the time when every household turns on its lights at night. It also describes the bright nighttime view of a town or city. 猜三划五 cāi sān huà wǔ (idiom) To play a finger-guessing drinking game and take turns issuing drinking challenges. 画虎不成反类狗 huà hǔ bù chéng fǎn lèi gǒu (idiom) To fail to paint a tiger and end up painting something resembling a dog. It describes an unsuccessful imitation that turns out awkward or incongruous. 画虎刻鹄 huà hǔ kè hú (idiom) To aim too high and achieve nothing. It can also describe a good deed that fails and turns into something harmful. 白沙在涅，与之俱黑 bái shān zài niè，yǔ zhī jù hēi (idiom) Even white sand turns black when mixed with black soil. The image means that a good person or thing may become corrupted by contact with a corrupt environment. 