| 朝秦暮楚 |
zhāo Qín mù Chǔ |
serve Qin in the morning Chu in the evening (idiom); quick to switch sides |
| 朝 |
Cháo |
abbr. for 朝鲜 Korea |
| 朝 |
cháo |
imperial or royal court / government / dynasty / reign of a sovereign or emperor / court or assembly held by a sovereign or emperor / to make a pilgrimage to / facing / towards |
| 朝 |
zhāo |
morning |
| 秦 |
Qín |
surname Qin / Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) of the first emperor 秦始皇 / short name for 陕西 |
| 暮 |
mù |
evening / sunset |
| 楚 |
Chǔ |
surname Chu / abbr. for Hubei 湖北省 and Hunan 湖南省 provinces together / Chinese kingdom during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (722–221 BC) |
| 楚 |
chǔ |
distinct / clear / orderly / pain / suffering / deciduous bush used in Chinese medicine (genus Vitex) / punishment cane (old) |