Chinese Idioms Containing “不”

Unshakeable despite adversity

Literal: Bend hundred times never yield

Extremely careful and thorough

Literal: Not loose one thread

Keep integrity without compromise

Literal: Keep right no flattery

Persevere until success

Literal: Carve and not stop

Focus intently

Literal: Eyes do not turn away

Speak without meaning it

Literal: Words not from heart

Too much to take in

Literal: Eyes too busy to attend

Courage under pressure

Literal: Face danger without fear

Absolutely flawless and thorough

Literal: No water drop leaks

Maintain perfect integrity despite temptation

Literal: Sit in lap not disorderly

Strive continuously for self-improvement

Literal: Self-strengthen without ceasing

Spread widely and rapidly on its own

Literal: Without legs yet walks

Maintain perfect dignified composure

Literal: Neither humble nor proud

Ineffective and inconsequential

Literal: Neither painful nor itchy

Moderation in all things

Literal: Excess equals deficiency

Perfect execution without revision

Literal: Writing needing no corrections

Unable to hide amusement

Literal: Cannot suppress a smile

Forced to act against will

Literal: Body not self-controlled

Methodical and well-organized action

Literal: Have order not chaotic

Cherish something too much to put it down

Literal: Love not release hand

Beyond hope of redemption or reform

Literal: Cannot be saved by medicine

Beyond comprehension or explanation

Literal: Cannot be thought discussed

Evenly matched with neither superior

Literal: Not mutually up down

Disdainfully dismiss as beneath consideration

Literal: Not deign one glance

Self-evident requiring no explanation

Literal: Not speak yet understood

Arrive at same point without coordination

Literal: Not arrange yet same

Use any means regardless of ethics

Literal: Not choose methods

Continuously emerging in endless succession

Literal: Levels emerge without end

Gains not worth the cost or sacrifice

Literal: Gain not compensate loss

Demand exceeds available supply

Literal: Supply cannot meet demand

Unstoppable; irresistible momentum

Literal: Momentum that cannot be blocked

Extremely restless and anxious

Literal: Cannot sit or stand peacefully

Inseparable; always together

Literal: Body and shadow never separate

Indomitable; unyielding

Literal: Neither bend nor yield

Unexpected; unforeseen

Literal: Mind imagines not reaching

Unable to understand despite much thought

Literal: Think a hundred times still not understand

Talk endlessly; speak at great length

Literal: Surging waves never ceasing

At a loss; not knowing what to do

Literal: Not knowing where to put hands and feet

Argue endlessly without resolution

Literal: Arguing without rest

Turn a blind eye; deliberately ignore

Literal: Look but not see

Tacit understanding; unspoken agreement

Literal: Hearts illuminate without declaring

Know everything; omniscient

Literal: Nothing that is not known

Too much to cope with; overwhelmed

Literal: Responding and receiving without leisure

Reluctant to part; lingering attachment

Literal: Clinging and unwilling to part

Meticulous; attentive to every detail

Literal: No detail not attended to

Unique; distinctive

Literal: Different from the crowd

Can't wait; eager

Literal: Urgent cannot reach waiting

Continuous flow; never-ending stream

Literal: River flows without ceasing

Extremely busy; inextricably involved

Literal: Cannot open and separate

Collapse without being attacked; self-defeating

Literal: Without attack self-collapse

Insignificant; not worth mentioning

Literal: Tiny not worth mentioning

Involuntarily; can't help but

Literal: Not by one's own control

Content with superficial understanding

Literal: Not seeking thorough understanding

Feel anxious and uneasy

Literal: Heart unsettled and uneasy

Be furious beyond control

Literal: Anger that cannot be suppressed

Work tirelessly and diligently

Literal: Diligently, without fatigue

Teach with tireless patience

Literal: Teach others without weariness

Be deeply reluctant to leave

Literal: Attached and unwilling to part

Willingly travel far; make great efforts

Literal: Not consider a thousand miles far

Haste makes waste; more haste less speed

Literal: Desire speed, not reach

Win every battle; never fail in attacks

Literal: Attack nothing not conquered

Win every battle; be undefeated

Literal: Battle nothing not won

Airtight; impenetrable

Literal: So dense wind cannot penetrate

Unwavering perseverance

Literal: Persist without slackening

Relentless progress

Literal: Horse does not stop hooves

Selfless courage

Literal: Strive without regard for self

Misfortunes come together

Literal: Disasters do not travel alone

Be content avoid shame

Literal: Know contentment avoid disgrace

Moral decline

Literal: People's hearts not ancient

Humble in learning

Literal: Not ashamed to ask below

Strategic deception

Literal: Warfare does not spurn deceit

Strategic patience

Literal: Surround but do not attack

Passionate engagement

Literal: Enjoy this, not tired

Diligent in learning

Literal: Hand not release scroll

Impenetrably crowded

Literal: Water cannot leak through

Moral purity

Literal: Untouched by a single speck of dust

Extremely stingy

Literal: Not pluck a single hair

Completely ignorant

Literal: Not understand a single aperture

Free from burdens

Literal: Not a thread hanging

Overestimate abilities

Literal: Do not measure strength

Tireless dedication

Literal: Not refusing toil and hardship

Fear-induced shivering

Literal: Shiver without cold

Innumerable

Literal: Countless in number

Embrace diversity

Literal: Not restricted to one standard

Unearned gain

Literal: Reap without sowing

Incoherent or inappropriate

Literal: Neither fish nor fowl

Desolate area

Literal: Barren land

Idle and irresponsible

Literal: Neglect one's main job

Sudden disappearance

Literal: Without wings yet flying

Surprise attack

Literal: Attack the unprepared

Indecisive hesitation

Literal: Lift chess piece undecided