mandarin phrases with 「水」 shui3
水 shui3 water
一清如水 yi1 qing1 ru2 shui3 lit. as clear as water, fig. honest and incorruptible
水泄不通「水洩不通」shui3 xie4 bu4 tong1 lit. not one drop can trickle through, fig. impenetrable (crowd, traffic)
水到渠成 shui3 dao4 qu2 cheng2 lit. where water flows a canal is formed, fig. when the conditions are right success will follow naturally
一头雾水「一頭霧水」yi1 tou2 wu4 shui3 to be confused
如鱼得水「如魚得水」ru2 yu2 de2 shui3 lit. like a fish back in water, fig. glad to be back in one’s proper surroundings
水清无鱼「水清無魚」shui3 qing1 wu2 yu2 lit. water that is too clean holds no fish, fig one who is too severe has no friends [full phrase: 水至清则无鱼人至察则无徒]
拖人下水 tuo1 ren2 xia4 shui3 lit. to pull somebody into the water, fig. to involve somebody in messy business, to get somebody in trouble
水滴石穿 shui3 di1 shi2 chuan1 lit. dripping water penetrates the stone, fig. constant perseverance yields success
爬山涉水 pa2 shan1 she4 shui3 lit. to climb mountains and wade rivers, fig. to make a long and difficult journey
水涨船高「水漲船高」shui3 zhang3 chuan2 gao1 lit. the tide rises, the boat floats, fig. to develop according to the situation
水落石出 shui3 luo4 shi2 chu1 lit. as the water recedes rocks appear, fig. the truth comes to light
青山绿水「青山綠水」qing1 shan1 lü4 shui3 lit. green hills and clear waters, pleasant country scene
