聪明一世，糊涂一时 in English cong1 ming5 yi1 shi4 , hu2 tu5 yi1 shi2 Meaning

Meanings

  • even the wisest can have a momentary lapse in judgment (idiomatic expression)
  • every man has a fool in his sleeve

Simplified Characters

聪 明 一 世 ， 糊 涂 一 时

Traditional Characters

聰 明 一 世 ， 糊 塗 一 時

Pinyin

cong1 ming5 yi1 shi4 , hu2 tu5 yi1 shi2

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

聪cong1quick at hearing 明ming2Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) 一yi1one 世shi4surname Shi ， 糊hu2variant of 糊[hu2] 涂tu2to apply (paint etc) 一yi1one 时shi2old variant of 時|时[shi2]