子丑寅卯
zǐ chǒu yín mǎo
a clear, orderly account; the ins and outs
Character by character
子zǐ
branch 1
branch 1
丑chǒu
branch 2
branch 2
寅yín
branch 3
branch 3
卯mǎo
branch 4
branch 4
Example
问了他半天，他也说不出个子丑寅卯来。
I questioned him for ages and he could not give me a straight account.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
The first four Earthly Branches, recited in order. Almost always in the frame 说不出个子丑寅卯（来） or 讲出个子丑寅卯.
Learn this in Lesson 214 · HSK 9+: 生肖与干支 (The zodiac and the sixty-year cycle)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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