不以规矩,不能成方圆
bù yǐ guī ju , bù néng chéng fāng yuán
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1 without rules, nothing can be done (idiom, from Mencius); one must follow some rules
任贤使能
rèn xián shǐ néng
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1 to appoint the virtuous and use the able (idiom); appointment on the basis of ability and integrity
佳人才子
jiā rén cái zǐ
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1 beautiful lady, gifted scholar (idiom)
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2 pair of ideal lovers
倘能如此
tǎng néng rú cǐ
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1 if it is possible (idiom)
力所能及
lì suǒ néng jí
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1 as far as one's capabilities extend (idiom); to the best of one's ability
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2 within one's powers
各尽所能
gè jìn suǒ néng
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1 each does his utmost (idiom)
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2 from each according to his means
妒能害贤
dù néng hài xián
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1 jealous of the able, envious of the clever (idiom)
妒贤忌能
dù xián jì néng
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1 to envy the virtuous and talented (idiom)
德薄能鲜
dé bó néng xiǎn
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1 little virtue and meager abilities (idiom); I'm a humble person and not much use at anything (Song writer Ouyang Xiu 欧阳修)
恭贺佳节
gōng hè jiā jié
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1 season's greetings (idiom)
爱莫能助
ài mò néng zhù
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1 unable to help however much one would like to (idiom); Although we sympathize, there is no way to help you.
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2 My hands are tied.
才子佳人
cái zǐ jiā rén
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1 gifted scholar, beautiful lady (idiom)
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2 pair of ideal lovers
推贤让能
tuī xián ràng néng
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1 to cede to the virtuous and yield to the talented (idiom)
有钱能使鬼推磨
yǒu qián néng shǐ guǐ tuī mò
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1 lit. money will make the Devil turn millstones (idiom)
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2 fig. with money, you can do anything you like
未能免俗
wèi néng miǎn sú
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1 unable to break the custom (idiom)
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2 bound by conventions
欲罢不能
yù bà bù néng
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1 want to stop but can't (idiom)
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2 to be unable to stop oneself
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3 to feel an urge to continue
无能为力
wú néng wéi lì
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1 impotent (idiom)
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2 powerless
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3 helpless
熟能生巧
shú néng shēng qiǎo
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1 with familiarity you learn the trick (idiom); practice makes perfect
知错能改
zhī cuò néng gǎi
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1 to recognize one's mistakes and be able to reform oneself (idiom)
秀才不出门,能知天下事
xiù cai bù chū mén , néng zhī tiān xià shì
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1 a learned person need not leave his home to know what's going on in the world (idiom)