宰相肚裡能撐船

Chinese

Chancellor of State
 
in one's gut; in one's heart; in one's mind
in one's gut; in one's heart; in one's mind; in one's conscience
 
ability; can; may
ability; can; may; capable; energy; able
to pole a boat
trad. (宰相肚裡能撐船/宰相肚裏能撐船) 宰相 肚裡/肚裏 撐船
simp. (宰相肚里能撑船) 宰相 肚里 撑船
Literally: “the chancellor's belly allows people to pole a boat inside”.

Etymology

From Wang Anshi's concubine's reply where she was begging for Wang's pardon when he discovered her affair.

Pronunciation

  • Mandarin
    (Pinyin): zǎixiàng dùlǐ néng chēngchuán
    (Zhuyin): ㄗㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄉㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄋㄥˊ ㄔㄥ ㄔㄨㄢˊ
  • Cantonese (Jyutping): zoi2 soeng3 tou5 lui5 nang4 caang1 syun4

  • Mandarin
    • (Standard Chinese)+
      • Hanyu Pinyin: zǎixiàng dùlǐ néng chēngchuán
      • Zhuyin: ㄗㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ ㄉㄨˋ ㄌㄧˇ ㄋㄥˊ ㄔㄥ ㄔㄨㄢˊ
      • Tongyong Pinyin: zǎisiàng dùlǐ néng chengchuán
      • Wade–Giles: tsai3-hsiang4 tu4-li3 nêng2 chʻêng1-chʻuan2
      • Yale: dzǎi-syàng dù-lǐ néng chēng-chwán
      • Gwoyeu Romatzyh: tzaeshianq duhlii neng chengchwan
      • Palladius: цзайсян дули нэн чэнчуань (czajsjan duli nɛn čɛnčuanʹ)
      • Sinological IPA (key): /t͡saɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ tu⁵¹ li²¹⁴⁻²¹ nɤŋ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰɤŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu̯än³⁵/
  • Cantonese

Idiom

宰相肚裡能撐船

  1. broad-minded; big-hearted; will not be bothered by small matters

Synonyms

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