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醉翁之意不在酒
zuìwēngzhīyìbùzàijiǔ
wine-lover's heart is not in the cup (idiom); a drinker not really interested in alcohol / having an ulterior motive / to have other things in mind / with an ax to grind / accomplishing something besides what one set out to do
Character Breakdown
醉
zuì
intoxicated, drunk; addicted
HSK 5
翁
wēng
old man; father, father-in-law
之
zhī
marks preceding phrase as modifier of following phrase; it, him her, them; to go to
HSK 4
意
yì
thought, idea, opinion; desire, wish; meaning, intention
HSK 2
不
bù
no, not, un-; negative prefix
HSK 1
在
zài
at, in, on; to exist; used to indicate the present progressive tense
HSK 1
酒
jiǔ
wine, spirits, liquor, alcohol
HSK 3
Additional Information
Category
Chinese
HSK Character Level
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HSK Word Level
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