变卦 (biànguà) go back on one's word; change one's mind suddenly Usage:
Category: Chinese Words&Phrases
Chinese phrase translation: 热身 (rè shēn) to Warm Up
热身 (rè shēn) to Warm Up Usage: “热身”是指正式比赛前进行训练、比赛，使适应正式比赛并达到最佳竞技状态。“热身(rè shēn)” means to do some exercise or have matches before the formal or final games, so to enable the athletes to reach their perfect physical conditions.
Chinese phrase translation: 的哥 (dīgē) male taxi driver
的哥 (dīgē) male taxi driver Usage: “的哥”是对男性出租车司机的亲切俗称。起先，粤语将出租车叫做“的士”，后来，进入普通话里变成了“的”（注：“的”不单独使用）。所以，开出租车的男司机，就被人们亲切地称呼为“的哥”了。相应地，出租车女司机，叫做“的姐”。 "的哥(dīgē)" is a colloquial way to indicate mail taxi drivers. A taxi is called "的士(díshì)" in Cantonese. Later, it is shortened as "的(dī)" to represent taxi in mandarin (Remember "的dī" should not be used singly). People usually call the male taxi drivers "的哥(dīgē)" amicably. Correspondingly, the female taxi drivers would be "的姐(díjiě)".
Chinese phrase translation: 步行街 (bùxíngjiē) pedestrian street
步行街 (bùxíngjiē) pedestrian street Usage: “步行街”指在城市繁华地段设置的专门供行人步行的商业区域。如北京的王府井、香港的铜锣湾等。"步行街(bùxíngjiē)" means pedestrian street, especially in the commercial or shopping districts downtown, such as the Wangfujing Avenue of Beijing, the Causeway Bay of Hong Kong.
Chinese phrase translation: 落汤鸡 (luòtāngjī) like a drenched chicken
落汤鸡 (luòtāngjī) like a drenched chicken Sentences: “落汤鸡”用来形容一个人被淋湿的样子，就像落水的鸡一样，浑身上下都湿透了。"落汤鸡(luòtāngjī)" is used to describe how someone looks like when is soaked wet.
Chinese phrase translation: 菜鸟 (càiniǎo) green hand
菜鸟 (càiniǎo) green hand; newbie Usage: “菜鸟”的字面意思是用来做菜的鸟。但它现在的流行意义来自方言，是一个网络词语，指使用电脑不熟练的人。现在泛指在某一领域应用水平和能力比较低的人。The literal meaning of “菜鸟(càiniǎo)” was the birds for eating. It is a metaphor for a green hand in Chinese dialect and now is commonly used as a network term, referring to a computer illiterate or a man who is not proficient in certain areas.
Chinese phrase translation: 做鬼脸 (zuò guǐliǎn) make faces
做鬼脸 (zuò guǐliǎn) make faces Usage: “做鬼脸”的意思是做出奇怪的表情，来讨好别人或者让人难堪（尴尬）。常用结构是“对/朝某人或某物做鬼脸”。"做鬼脸(zuò guǐliǎn)" means making faces to entertain or embarrass others. The often used structure is "对/朝(duì/cháo) somebody/something 做鬼脸 (zuò guǐliǎn)".
Chinese phrase translation: 撑腰 (chēngyāo) support
撑腰 (chēngyāo) support; back up Usage: “撑腰”的意思是撑住人的腰部使其直立，比喻给予有力的支持。口语中常用的结构有：有某人/某群体、组织撑腰；给/为某人撑腰等。The literal meaning of "撑腰(chēngyāo)" is to make somebody stand straight by supporting his waist. It is a metaphor for supporting somebody or backing somebody up. The common structures in oral Chinese are: “有 someone/organization/group 撑腰 (chēngyāo)；给/为 somebody 撑腰 (chēngyāo)”, etc.
Chinese phrase translation: 打水漂儿 (dǎ shuǐpiāor) stone skipping
打水漂儿 (dǎ shuǐpiāor)stone skipping; do sth. in vain Usage: “打水漂儿”是一种游戏的名字，后来也用来指人们做某事所花费的钱或时间等都没有起作用，最后没有得到想要的东西，而且所花费的钱和时间也回不来了。"打水漂儿(dǎ shuǐpiāor)" is the name for a game. Later, it also indicates the effort made is not functioning, and the results expected are not achieved at last. Besides, the money or the time is spent in vain.
Chinese phrase translation: 下场 (xià chǎng/xiàchǎng) go off the stage
下场 (xià chǎng/xiàchǎng) go off the stage; the end Usage: “下场”有两个意思：一是指从舞台、比赛场、考场等退场。另一个意思是指人的结局，常常指不好的结局。“下场” has two meanings: one means to leave from the stage, playground or examination room etc; the other refers to the bad end or fate of somebody.
French 
English 
German 
Malay 
Thai 
Vietnamese 
Myanmar