Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

刘备摔阿斗，笼络人心 liúbèi shuāi ādǒu, lǒngluò rénxīn

Liu Bei throws down A-dou: winning people's hearts

To use a calculated gesture to win people over so that they work hard for you. Critical of the manipulation.
刘姥姥进了大观园，什么都新鲜 liúlǎolao jìnle dàguānyuán, shénme dōu xīnxiān

Granny Liu enters the Grand View Garden: everything is new

Someone seeing a new world for the first time finds everything fresh and wonderful. Humorous, a bit teasing about a country bumpkin's wonder.
柳树开花，没结果 liǔshù kāi huā, méi jiēguǒ

a willow flowers: bears no fruit

Said of something that comes to no good outcome.
六个指头搔痒，多来了一道 liù ge zhǐtou sāo yǎng, duō lái le yī dào

scratching an itch with six fingers: one extra scratch mark

Doing something unnecessary; adding what isn't needed.

May offend: mocks disability
六月的面杏儿，一捏两瓣儿 liùyuè de miànxìngr, yī niē liǎng bànr

a June ripe apricot: one pinch and it splits in two

Describes something that is very easy to get done.
六月的天，孩子的脸，说变就变 liùyuè de tiān, háizi de liǎn, shuō biàn jiù biàn

June weather, a child's face: changes the moment you say so

Things or people that change very quickly, especially moods or weather. Often said of fickle weather.
六月里戴毡帽，不看气候 liùyuè li dài zhānmào, bù kàn qìhòu

wearing a felt hat in June: not watching the climate

Describes someone who misreads the situation and fails to adapt to the times.
六月里的梨，有点儿酸 liùyuè lǐ de lí, yǒudiǎnr suān

a June pear: a bit sour

Literally sour; figuratively one feels sad, aching and tired, jealous, or a bit pedantic, depending on context.
六月里下雪，稀罕 liùyuè li xiàxuě, xīhan

snow in June: a rarity

Something very rare and unusual.
六月里蒸年糕，动手太早 liùyuè li zhēng niángāo, dòngshǒu tài zǎo

steaming New Year cake in June: starting too early

Starting a task long before the time is right.
碌碡砸碾盘，石打石 liùzhou zá niǎnpán, shí(shí) dǎ shí(shí)

a stone roller smashes the millstone base: stone hits stone

Describes something that is solid and genuine, with nothing false.
碌碡砸在碾盘上，硬碰硬 liùzhou zá zài niǎnpán shang, yìng pèng yìng

a stone roller smashes onto the millstone base: hard meets hard

To meet a tough stance with an equally tough one. Compare "fight fire with fire".
龙王爷出阵，翻江倒海 lóngwángyé chūzhèn, fānjiāngdǎohǎi

the Dragon King goes to battle: overturning rivers and seas

Describes enormous power or overwhelming momentum.
龙王爷过江，风大雨大 lóngwángyé guò jiāng, fēng dà yǔ dà

the Dragon King crosses the river: big wind, big rain

Big disputes or disturbances are coming.
聋子的耳朵，摆设 lóngzi de ěrduo, bǎishè

a deaf person's ears: just for show

Describes a person or thing that is there only for appearance and serves no real purpose. Mocking or dismissive.

May offend: mocks disability
聋子放炮仗，散了 lóngzi fàng pàozhang, sǎn(sàn)le

a deaf person lets off a firecracker: it falls apart

Said when a group breaks up or a plan falls through; the whole thing just disbands.

May offend: mocks disability
聋子拉二胡，胡扯 lóngzi lā èrhú, húchě

a deaf person plays the erhu: pulling wildly

Rebukes someone for talking nonsense with no basis. Critical.
聋子擂鼓，各敲各的 lóngzi léi gǔ, gè qiāo gè de

a deaf person beats the drum: everyone beats their own

Everyone goes their own way without coordinating. Mildly critical.
笼子里的斑鸠，不知春秋 lóngzi lǐ de bānjiū, bù zhī chūnqiū

a turtledove in a cage: doesn't know spring from autumn

Describes someone shut away or ignorant of what is going on outside, or with no sense of time or season.
笼子里的鸟，有翅难逃 lóngzi lǐ de niǎo, yǒuchìnántáo

a bird in a cage: has wings but can't escape

Someone trapped in a bad situation cannot use their abilities to get out.
卢沟桥上的石狮子，数不清 lúgōuqiáo shàng de shí shīzi, shǔ bù qīng

the stone lions on Lugou Bridge: can't be counted

Describes something too numerous to count.
芦苇秆子当房梁，不是那个料 lúwěi gǎnzi dàng fángliáng, bù shì nàge liào

using a reed stalk as a roof beam: not the right material

Someone is not suited to a role or task. Said critically or dismissively.
卤水点豆腐，一物降一物 lǔshuǐ diǎn dòufu, yī wù xiáng yī wù

brine used to set tofu: one thing subdues another

Everything has something that controls it; no one or nothing is unbeatable.
卤水煮鸭子，身子烂了嘴还硬 lǔshuǐ zhǔ yāzi, shēnzi làn le zuǐ hái yìng

ducks cooked in brine: the body is soft but the beak is still hard

Said mockingly of someone who is clearly beaten but refuses to admit it and keeps talking tough.
鲁班门前抡斧子，不知天高地厚 lǔbān mén qián lún fǔzi, bù zhī tiān gāo dì hòu

swinging an axe at Lu Ban's door: not knowing how high the sky or thick the earth

Mocks someone arrogant who shows off before an expert. Like 'teaching one's grandmother to suck eggs'.
鲁班招女婿，有眼不识泰山 lǔbān zhāo nǚxu, yǒu yǎn bù shí tàishān

Lu Ban seeks a son-in-law: has eyes but didn't recognise Tai

Failing to recognise an important or highly skilled person. Often said as a polite apology.
鲁肃服孔明，五体投地 lǔsù fú kǒngmíng, wǔtǐtóudì

Lu Su admires Kongming: prostrate with all five limbs on the ground

Expresses extreme admiration for someone.
鲁肃上了孔明的船，错了 lǔsù shàngle kǒngmíng de chuán, cuò le

Lu Su boards Kongming's boat: a mistake

Said of someone who has made a mistake; Lu Su served Sun Quan, so boarding Kongming's (Liu Bei's) boat was wrong.
路边打草鞋，有的说长，有的说短 lù biān dǎ cǎoxié, yǒude shuō cháng, yǒude shuō duǎn

making straw sandals by the road: some say long, some say short

Everyone has a different opinion; there is endless chatter and no agreement.
驴肚子下驴，一个心肠 lǘ dùzi xià lǘ, yī gè xīncháng

a donkey gives birth to a donkey: the same heart and guts

Two people or a group share the same attitude or intentions, usually bad. Mocking.
驴粪蛋，里面坏外面光 lǘfèndàn, lǐmiàn huài wàimiàn guāng

a donkey dropping: rotten inside, shiny outside

Of someone with bad intentions who puts on a pleasant, friendly front. Critical.

May offend: vulgar language
吕洞宾买药，难住老的难不住小的 lǚdòngbīn mǎi yào, nánzhù lǎo de nán bù zhù xiǎo de

Lü Dongbin buys medicine: it stumps the old man but not the young girl

The young may surpass their elders.
绿头苍蝇怀孕，一肚子蛆 lǜ tóu cāngying huáiyùn, yī dùzi qū

a green-headed fly is pregnant: a belly full of maggots

Either someone full of bad schemes, or someone full of grievances. Coarse and critical.

May offend: vulgar language
罗锅儿上山，前紧 luóguōr shàng shān, qián(qián) jǐn

A hunchback climbing a mountain: the front is tight

Said when someone is short of money. Humorous.

May offend: mocks disability
罗汉请观音，客少主人多 luóhàn qǐng guānyīn, kè shǎo zhǔrén duō

Arhats invite Guanyin: few guests, many hosts

Said when the hosts or insiders outnumber the guests or outsiders.
萝卜青菜酱在一起，青白难辨 luóbo qīngcài jiàng zài yīqǐ, qīng(qīng) bái nán biàn

Radish and green vegetables pickled in sauce together: hard to tell green from white

Said when it is hard to tell whether someone is innocent or guilty.
萝卜上扎刀，不是出血的筒子 luóbo shàng zhā dāo, bù shì chū xiě de tǒngzi

A knife stuck in a radish: not one to bleed

Mocks a miser who never willingly parts with money.
骆驼进鸡窝，没门 luòtuo jìn jīwō, méimén( ménr)

A camel entering a chicken coop: no door

Means there is no way to get something done, or that it is impossible. Said as a flat refusal: 'no way'.
骆驼下骡子，怪种 luòtuo xià luózi, guàizhǒng

A camel giving birth to a mule: a strange breed

Insults someone as strange and rotten, a freak and a bad lot.
落地的山梨，熟透了 luòdì de shānlí, shútòu le

A mountain pear fallen to the ground: fully ripe

Said of something that has fully matured or reached its final state, or of a person who has lived out a full natural life.
落地的知了，哑了 luòdì de zhīliǎo, yǎ le

A cicada fallen to the ground: gone silent

Said of a person who used to talk a lot but has now fallen silent. Humorous.
落在鹰爪里的小鸡，嘴再硬也活不了 luò zài yīngzhuǎ lǐ de xiǎojī, zuǐ zài yìng yě huó bùliǎo

A chick caught in an eagle's claws: however hard its beak, it can't live

Someone who has fallen into the hands of a stronger enemy will not escape, however defiant they are.
麻袋草袋，一袋不如一袋 mádài cǎodài, yī dài(dài) bùrú yī dài(dài)

Hemp sack and straw sack: each sack is worse than the last

Each generation is worse than the one before. Critical.
麻袋里的菱角，喜欢冒尖儿 mádài lǐ de língjiao, xǐhuan màojiānr

Water chestnuts in a hemp sack: they like to poke out their tips

Mocks someone who likes to show off and stand out.
麻袋里装麦秸，草包 mádài li zhuāng màijiē, cǎobāo

Wheat straw in a hemp sack: a straw bag

Mocks someone who looks impressive but has no real ability.
麻袋片儿做龙袍，不是那块料 mádàipiànr zuò lóngpáo, bù shì nà kuài liào

Making a dragon robe from sacking: not the right material

Said of someone not suited to a post or task. Critical.
麻袋片儿做西装，不是这块料 mádàipiànr zuò xīzhuāng, bù shì zhè kuài liào

Making a suit from sacking: not the right material

A variant of the dragon-robe saying: someone is not cut out for the job.
麻袋上绣花，底子太差 mádài shang xiùhuā, dǐzi tài chà

Embroidering flowers on sacking: the base is too poor

Said when the foundation is weak, so efforts to improve things don't get far.
麻秆儿打狼，两头害怕 mágǎnr dǎ láng, liǎngtóu hàipà

Hitting a wolf with a hemp stalk: both sides are afraid

Both sides in a conflict are hesitant, each fearing the other.
麻秆儿当梁，不是材料 mágǎnr dàng liáng, bù shì cáiliào

Using a hemp stalk as a roof beam: not the right material

Mocks putting someone small in a big job they can't handle.
麻秆儿顶门，经不住推敲 mágǎnr dǐng mén, jīng bù zhù tuīqiāo

Propping a door with a hemp stalk: can't stand pushing and knocking

Said of an idea, plan or argument that does not hold up to close scrutiny.
麻雀包饺子，净是嘴 máquè bāo jiǎozi, jìng shì zuǐ

Dumplings stuffed with sparrow: all beak

Mocks a group in which many talk and few do any real work.
麻雀肚里找胡豆，没那回事 máquè dù li zhǎo húdòu, méi nà huí shì

Looking for broad beans in a sparrow's belly: no such thing

Said to deny that something happened or could happen: 'no such thing'.
麻雀嫁女，唧唧喳喳 máquè jià nǚ, jījizhāzhā

A sparrow marries off her daughter: chirp chirp chatter

Describes a noisy, chattering din, often of people talking at once.
麻雀上房柁，冠不大，架子不小 máquè shàng fángtuó, guān(guān) bù dà, jiàzi bù xiǎo

A sparrow on the roof beam: the crest is small, the frame is big

Mocks a person of low rank who puts on grand airs.
麻绳洒水，越来越紧 máshéng sǎ shuǐ, yuè lái yuè jǐn

Sprinkling water on hemp rope: tighter and tighter

Said of a situation that grows steadily more urgent or tense. A variant of 麻绳沾水.
麻绳沾水，越来越紧 máshéng zhān shuǐ, yuè lái yuè jǐn

Wetting hemp rope: tighter and tighter

Said of a situation that grows steadily more urgent or tense, such as a deadline or tight money.
马背上吃猪蹄，不知这把骨头扔到哪里 mǎbèi shang chī zhūtí, bù zhī zhè bǎ gǔtou rēngdào nǎlǐ

Eating pig's trotters on horseback: who knows where these bones will be thrown

Said of a wanderer far from home who does not know where he will be buried.
马槽里伸出来个驴头，多一张嘴 mǎcáo li shēn chūlái ge lǘtóu, duō yī zhāng zuǐ

A donkey's head sticks out of the horse trough: one more mouth

Scolds someone for butting in with unwanted remarks.
马路上的电线杆子，靠边儿站 mǎlù shàng de diànxiàngānzi, kàobiānrzhàn

A telegraph pole by the road: stand to one side

Said of someone removed from an important post and sidelined.
马奶奶见了冯奶奶，差两点 mǎ nǎinai jiànle féng nǎinai, chà liǎng diǎn

Granny Ma meets Granny Feng: short by two dots

Said when there is still a small gap between two things, or one falls a bit short.
马勺吊起来当锣打，穷得丁零当啷响 mǎsháo diào qǐlái dàng luó dǎ, qióng de dīnglingdānglāng xiǎng

A ladle hung up and beaten as a gong: so poor it clangs

Describes being extremely poor, with nothing to one's name.
马勺碰锅沿儿，免不了 mǎsháo pèng guōyánr, miǎnbùliǎo

A ladle knocks the edge of the pot: unavoidable

Small quarrels among those who live or work together are unavoidable. Like 'pots and pans clash in any kitchen'.
马勺上的苍蝇，混饭吃 mǎsháo shàng de cāngying, hùn fàn chī

A fly on the ladle: scraping a meal

Describes a person who lives off others and muddles through life without much effort. Disparaging.
马蹄刀瓢里切菜，滴水不漏 mǎtídāo piáo li qiē cài, dīshuǐbùlòu

Cutting vegetables with a horseshoe knife in a gourd ladle: not a drop leaks

Either someone so stingy they won't part with anything, or someone whose words and actions are watertight.
马蹄上钉铁，蹄外有蹄 mǎtí shang dìng tiě, tí(tí) wài yǒu tí(tí)

Nailing iron on a horse's hoof: a hoof beyond the hoof

Says there is a hidden meaning behind what someone said.
马尾儿穿豆腐，提不起来 mǎyǐr chuān dòufu, tí bù qǐlái

Threading tofu on a horsehair: can't be lifted

Said of someone who cannot be built up or promoted, however much help they get. Disparaging.
马尾儿穿豆腐，提也没法提 mǎyǐr chuān dòufu, tí yě méifǎ tí

Threading tofu on a horsehair: can't even be lifted, can't even be mentioned

Said of a person whose conduct is so bad it is not worth mentioning.
马尾儿搓绳子，合不了股 mǎyǐr cuō shéngzi, hé bùliǎo gǔ

Twisting rope from horsehair: the strands won't join

Said of people who disagree and can't join forces.
码头上的吊车，能上能下 mǎtou shàng de diàochē, néngshàngnéngxià

a crane on the dock: can go up and can go down

Describes someone who can accept a senior post or an ordinary one with equal ease and without complaint. Approving.
蚂蟥缠住了鹭鸶的脚，想甩也甩不掉 mǎhuáng chánzhùle lùsī de jiǎo, xiǎng shuǎi yě shuǎi bù diào

a leech clings to the egret's leg: it wants to shake it off but cannot

Being stuck with something or someone you cannot get rid of. Said of a persistent nuisance or entanglement.
蚂蚁吃高粱，顺秆儿爬 mǎyǐ chī gāoliang, shùn gǎnr( gǎnr) pá

an ant eating sorghum climbs along the stalk

Describes a person with no views of their own who just goes along with whatever others say. Mildly mocking.
蚂蚁戴眼镜，自己觉着脸面不小 mǎyǐ dài yǎnjìng, zìjǐ juézhe liǎnmiàn bù xiǎo

an ant wearing glasses thinks its face is not small

Mocks someone who thinks they have a lot of standing or prestige when they do not.
蚂蚁挡路，垫不翻车 mǎyǐ dǎng lù，diàn bù fān chē

ants blocking the road can't tip over a cart

Someone with feeble strength cannot achieve anything significant or stop a big thing.
蚂蚁过河，抱团儿 mǎyǐ guò hé，bàotuánr

ants crossing a river: hug into a ball

Pulling together in unity to get through hard times. Approving.
蚂蚁进磨盘，条条是道 mǎyǐ jìn mòpán，tiáotiáo shì dào

an ant on a millstone: every groove is a path

There are many ways forward, or many workable methods and ideas for solving a problem.
蚂蚁尿到书本上，湿不了几个字 mǎyǐ niàodào shūběn shang，shī( shí) bùliǎo jǐ gè zì

an ant pees on a book: it can't wet many characters

Describes someone with little education who knows few characters. Mocking.
蚂蚁爬上了牛角尖，自以为上了高山 mǎyǐ páshàng le niújiǎojiān，zì yǐwéi shàngle gāoshān

an ant climbs to the tip of an ox horn and thinks it has climbed a high mountain

Mocks a person with little experience of the world who thinks they have achieved something great.
蚂蚱打喷嚏，满嘴的庄稼气 màzha dǎ pēntì，mǎn zuǐ de zhuāngjia qì

a grasshopper sneezes: its mouth is full of the smell of crops

Mocks someone whose speech is full of rustic, countrified expressions.
蚂蚱戴眼镜，没有那么大的脸 màzha dài yǎnjìng，méiyǒu nàme dà de liǎn

a grasshopper wearing glasses: it hasn't got such a big face

Said when one has low status or little influence, so cannot expect to be given any favour or deference.
蚂蚱尥蹶子，小踢蹬 màzha liào juězi，xiǎo tīdeng

a grasshopper kicks up its hind legs: a little kicking

A small-time fuss that achieves nothing. The usual form has a fly instead of a grasshopper. Dismissive.
蚂蚱吞老虎，贪心不足 màzha tūn lǎohǔ，tānxīn bù zú

a grasshopper swallowing a tiger: greed that is never satisfied

Describes someone whose greed is far beyond their means. Critical. Close to 'bite off more than one can chew'.
蚂蚱拽了一条腿，照样蹦跳 màzha zhuàile yī tiáo tuǐ，zhàoyàng bèngtiào

a grasshopper with one leg pulled off still hops as before

A bad person who has suffered only a minor setback and carries on as before.
买干鱼放生，不知死活 mǎi gānyú fàngshēng，bù zhī sǐhuó

buy dried fish to set free: not knowing dead or alive

Mocks someone who acts recklessly with no thought of danger or consequences.
买了琵琶没上弦，不能弹 mǎile pípá méi shàngxián，bù néng tán(tán)

bought a pipa but didn't string it: can't play it

Means there is nothing that can be said, or one cannot discuss the matter.
买上四两棉花，纺一纺 mǎishàng sì liǎng miánhua，fǎng(fǎng) yī fǎng(fǎng)

buy four taels of cotton and spin it a bit

Means to ask around or look into something.
麦秆儿吹火，小气 màigǎnr chuīhuǒ，xiǎo qì(qì)

blowing on a fire through a wheat straw: small air

Describes a stingy person who is not generous.
麦子不割砍高粱，专找硬茬儿 màizi bù gē kǎn gāoliang，zhuān zhǎo yìngchár

leaving the wheat uncut to chop sorghum: looking only for hard stubble

Deliberately picking a tough opponent or the hardest job to tackle.
卖布不带尺子，瞎扯 mài bù bù dài chǐzi，xiāchě

selling cloth without a ruler: tearing blindly

Talking aimlessly or nonsensically. Mildly dismissive.
卖豆芽的磕打筐子，亮了底了 mài dòuyá de kēdǎ kuāngzi，liàngle dǐ le

the bean sprout seller bangs out the basket: the bottom shows

The truth or inside story has come out; something has been exposed.
卖豆芽的没带秤，乱抓 mài dòuyá de méi dài chèng，luàn zhuā

a bean sprout seller without scales: grabs at random

Working in a haphazard, aimless way without plan or goal.
卖红薯的丢了干粮，硬啃 mài hóngshǔ de diūle gānliáng，yìng kěn

the sweet-potato seller loses his food: has to gnaw away

With no other option, you have to push through a difficulty by sheer effort.
卖鸡蛋的摔跟头，没剩下一个好的 mài jīdàn de shuāi gēntou，méi shèngxià yī gè hǎo de

the egg seller takes a tumble: not one is left intact

Nothing or no one good is left; said of a whole lot that is bad or ruined.
卖了麦子买笼屉，不蒸别的蒸口汽 màile màizi mǎi lóngtì，bù zhēng(zhēng) bié de zhēng(zhēng) kǒu qì(qì)

sold the wheat to buy a steamer: not steaming anything else, just steaming a puff of steam

Being determined not to be outdone, to compete and show you have spirit.
卖了生姜买蒜吃，换个口味 màile shēngjiāng mǎi suàn chī，huàn ge kǒuwèi

sold the ginger to buy garlic: a change of taste

Switching tastes; by extension, changing one's habits or preferences for a change.
卖了衣裳买酒喝，顾嘴不顾身 màile yīshang mǎi jiǔ hē，gù zuǐ bù gù shēn

sold clothes to buy liquor: minds the mouth, not the body

Mocks a heavy drinker who cares about nothing else.
卖米的不带升，居心不量 mài mǐ de bù dài shēng，jūxīn bù liáng(liáng)

a rice seller without a measure: his intentions aren't measured

Says someone has bad intentions.
卖盆的出身，一说就一套一套的 mài pén de chūshēn，yī shuō jiù yī tào yī tào de

from a basin seller's background: once he starts, it comes in sets

Describes someone who talks fluently and endlessly, with one line after another. Half-admiring, half-teasing.
卖肉的切豆腐，不在话下 mài ròu de qiē dòufu，bù zài huà xià

a butcher cutting tofu: not worth mentioning

Something so easy it is not worth discussing; or something taken for granted.
卖烧饼的不带干粮，吃货 mài shāobing de bù dài gānliáng，chīhuò

a sesame-bun seller without his own food: eats the goods

An insult for someone who only eats and can do nothing useful.

May offend: vulgar language

Every kind of Chinese saying