只怕荣华富贵没到手
“(I'm afraid I'll be silenced)”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
“(I've known too many secrets of his.)”
只怕荣华富贵没到手
“(I'm afraid I'll be silenced)”
“(before I get to enjoy all the wealth and glory.)”
“I won't survive long enough to enjoy the payout; they are going to kill me.”
A deeply rooted historical trope in Chinese political history where pawns who know too many dark secrets are executed once their utility ends.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
I'm only worried that / I fear that
Serves to introduce the speaker's predominant fear or worst-case scenario.
glory, splendor, wealth and rank
A classic four-character idiom describing the pinnacle of material success and high social status.
in hand / acquired
A colloquial verbal phrase meaning to actually secure or obtain something desired.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“coveting wealth and glory,”
“I didn't want to give up the wealth and comfort before me.”
“I will obtain wealth and status.”
“and never thought fame and wealth mattered much.”
“whether we're poor or rich,”
“I can let you enjoy rank and riches.”