The Key to Passing TOCFL Band C! These Four-Character Idioms Will Change Your Perspective ②
Continuing from last time, let's check the four-character idioms that appear in the second TOCFL BAND C mock exam.
The explanations for the four-character idioms are cited from the website operated by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan.
⑪ Wú kě xiàn liàng (Limitless)
Wú kě xiàn liàng ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄤˋ wú kě xiàn liàng
When I searched for 'Wú kě xiàn liàng' on the Ministry of Education's website, 'Wèi kě xiàn liàng' came up.
Wèi kě xiàn liàng ㄨㄟˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄤˋ wèi kě xiàn liàng
When I checked with Yang-san, she said that while they have similar meanings, 'Wú kě xiàn liàng' is more commonly used.
Meaning: Describes a scope that is vast and cannot be limited. Usually used to refer to a bright future.
It means the scope is vast and cannot be limited. Generally used to mean that one's future is promising.
Japanese meaning: Promising future
⑫ Jīn jīn jì jiào (Petty/Calculating)
Jīn jīn jì jiào ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄐㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ jīn jīn jì jiào
Meaning: Being overly concerned with trivial benefits or unimportant matters. Describes being stingy or obsessed with gains and losses.
Describes being overly concerned with trivial benefits or unimportant matters. Represents being stingy or obsessed with gains and losses.
Japanese meaning: Stingy/Petty
⑬ Nán yuán běi chè (Acting in a way that defeats one's purpose)
Nán yuán běi chè ㄋㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ ㄅㄟˇ ㄔㄜˋ nán yuán běi chè
Meaning: A metaphor for actions and goals that are diametrically opposed to each other.
It means that one's actions and goals are diametrically opposed, resulting in a counterproductive outcome.
'Yuán' refers to the shafts (the poles in front of an ox cart).
'Chè' refers to the ruts (the tracks left by wheels).
Hmm, to put it into a short Japanese phrase, maybe something like 'putting the cart before the horse' or 'counterproductive'?
Anyway, I've decided on this!
Japanese meaning: Counterproductive/Putting the cart before the horse
⑭ Chuān liú bù xī (Endless flow)
Chuān liú bù xī (川流不息) ㄔㄨㄢ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧˊ
Meaning: Like a river flowing endlessly, used as a metaphor for the ceaseless passage of time.
To move forward incessantly like the flow of a river. A metaphor for the endless passage of time.
Japanese meaning: The passage of time
When I hear "Like the flow of a river," I think of Hibari Misora.
Regardless of age, I believe that those of you reading this blog will remember it the same way!
The title of this song is actually "Chuān liú bù xī" in Taiwan!
Postscript: I was so distracted by "Like the flow of a river" that I missed part of the dictionary definition. Oops.
Meaning: Later, "Chuān liú bù xī" came to describe things that are continuous or traffic that never stops.
Later, "Chuān liú bù xī" came to describe things that continue without interruption or constant coming and going.
It also means "the flow of people or cars never stops."
⑮ Jǐn shàng tiān huā (錦上添花)
Jǐn shàng tiān huā (錦上添花) ㄐㄧㄣˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ
Meaning: "Jǐn shàng tiān huā" refers to embroidering flowers onto a piece of silk with colorful patterns. It is a metaphor for adding beauty to beauty, or joy upon joy.
Meaning: "Jǐn shàng tiān huā" means to embroider flowers onto a colorful patterned silk fabric. It is a metaphor for adding beauty to something already beautiful, or adding joy to joy.
Japanese meaning: Adding flowers to brocade (gilding the lily)
⑯ Jiē zhǒng ér zhì (接踵而至)
Jiē zhǒng ér zhì (接踵而至) ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓㄨㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄓˋ
Meaning: One after another, describing a continuous sequence.
Following one after another without interruption.
Japanese meaning: One after another
⑰ Wú kě hòu fēi (無可厚非)
Wú kě hòu fēi (無可厚非) ㄨˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄏㄡˋ ㄈㄟ
Meaning: Nothing to criticize or blame. Refers to words or actions that are reasonable.
There is no room for criticism or blame. Refers to words or actions that are reasonable.
Japanese meaning: Beyond reproach
This word is also used when there are minor flaws, but they are not worth criticizing.
Would it have been better to translate the Japanese meaning as "not worth criticizing"? (Hmm...)
⑱ Kě quān kě diǎn (Remarkable)
Kě quān kě diǎn ㄎㄜˇ ㄑㄩㄢ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄧㄢˇ kě quān kě diǎn
Meaning: Circles and dots are marks used to indicate excellent or important parts of a text. "Kě quān kě diǎn" is a metaphor for an outstanding performance that is worthy of praise and recognition.
Circles and dots are marks used to indicate excellent or important parts of a text. It is a metaphor for an outstanding performance that is worthy of praise and recognition.
Japanese meaning: Remarkable
⑲ Bù yǐ wéi rán (Disapprove)
Bù yǐ wéi rán ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄖㄢˊ bù yǐ wéi rán
Meaning: To not think it is so. Indicates disagreement.
To not think it is so. Indicates disagreement.
Japanese meaning: Cannot agree
⑳ Zhǐ rì kě dài (Imminent)
Zhǐ rì kě dài ㄓˇ ㄖˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄉㄞˋ zhǐ rì kě dài
Meaning: "Zhǐ rì" means being able to point to a date, metaphorically referring to the near future. "Zhǐ rì kě dài" refers to a wish or expectation that will be realized soon.
"Zhǐ rì" means being able to point to a date, metaphorically referring to the near future. It is a metaphor for a wish or expectation that will be realized soon.
Japanese meaning: Realization is near
With this, the introduction of the four-character idioms that appeared in the second TOCFL mock exam is complete.
Next time, we will start from the third exam.