太岁 (tài suì) — Jupiter (the planet, in traditional Chinese astronomy); the God of the Year (a deity in Chinese folk religion whose shifting position forbids construction in that direction); (figurative) a local tyrant or powerful person one should not provoke
Definition
In Chinese folk belief, 太岁 is the God of the Year whose direction changes yearly; building or digging in that direction is taboo. Figuratively, calling someone "太岁" means a local bully no one dares to provoke.
noun
Jupiter (the planet, in traditional Chinese astronomy)the God of the Year (a deity in Chinese folk religion whose shifting position forbids construction in that direction)(figurative) a local tyrant or powerful person one should not provoke
Examples
- 太岁。Gǔ rén rèn wéi tài suì zài tiān kōng zhōng de wèi zhì huì yǐng xiǎng rén jiān yùn shì.Ancient people believed that the position of Jupiter in the sky could affect fortunes on earth.
- 太岁，。Jīn nián tài suì zài nán fāng, lǎo yí bèi dōu shuō bú yào zài nà lǐ dòng tǔ.This year the God of the Year is in the south; the elders all say not to break ground there.
- 太岁，。Nà ge rén shì dāng dì chū le míng de tài suì, méi rén gǎn rě tā.That guy is a notorious local bully — nobody dares to offend him.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.