zhang (unit of measurement) | eight | according to; in accordance with; to shine according to; in accordance with; to shine; to illuminate; to reflect; photograph |
far; distant; remote | not; no | according to; in accordance with; to shine according to; in accordance with; to shine; to illuminate; to reflect; photograph |
near; close (to); approximately | ||||
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trad. (丈八燈臺——照遠不照近/丈八燈台——照遠不照近) | 丈 | 八 | 燈臺/燈台 | —— | 照 | 遠 | 不 | 照 | 近 | |
simp. (丈八灯台——照远不照近) | 丈 | 八 | 灯台 | —— | 照 | 远 | 不 | 照 | 近 | |
alternative forms | 丈八燈臺——照得見人家,照不見自家/丈八灯台——照得见人家,照不见自家 丈八燈臺——照見人家,照不見自己/丈八灯台——照见人家,照不见自己 | |||||||||
Literally: “1.8 zhang lampstand ― lighting up the far side but not the near side”. |
丈八燈臺——照遠不照近