Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

卖水的看大河，尽是钱 mài shuǐ de kàn dà hé，jìn shì qián

a water seller looking at a great river: all he sees is money

Mocks someone who values profit above all and sees money in everything.
卖艺的吞宝剑，要钱不要命 màiyì de tūn bǎojiàn，yào qián bù yào mìng

a street performer swallowing a sword: wants money, not life

Mocks someone so greedy for money that they ignore danger to life.
卖油的敲锅盖，货不怎么样，牌子不小 mài yóu de qiāo guōgài，huò bù zěnmeyàng，páizi bù xiǎo

the oil seller bangs a pot lid: the goods aren't much, but the sign is big

Mocks someone who is not very capable but gives himself great airs.
馒头里包豆渣，别人不夸自己夸 mántou lǐ bāo dòuzhā，biéren bù kuā zìjǐ kuā

bean dregs wrapped inside a steamed bun: if others don't praise it, you praise it yourself

Mocks someone with no self-awareness who boasts about their own things because nobody else will. Similar to 'blow your own trumpet'.
满肚子直肠子，不会打弯儿 mǎn dùzi zhí chángzi，bù huì dǎ wānr

a belly full of straight intestines that can't make a bend

Describes a blunt, straightforward person who says things directly and never hints or beats about the bush.
满嘴黄连，说不出的苦 mǎnzuǐ huánglián，shuō bù chū de kǔ

a mouth full of goldthread root: bitterness that can't be put into words

Describes someone in such painful circumstances that they can't express their suffering. Similar to 'bitter beyond words'.
慢火炖甲鱼，一点儿一点儿加柴 mànhuǒ dùn jiǎyú，yīdiǎnr yīdiǎnr jiā chái

stewing a turtle over a slow fire: add firewood bit by bit

Don't rush for quick results; do the work step by step and patiently. Approving.
盲人摸象，各执一端 mángrénmōxiàng，gèzhíyīduān

blind men feeling an elephant, each holding to one part

Each person insists on their own partial view and misses the whole picture. Critical; the English 'the blind men and the elephant' is the same story.
盲人骑瞎马，到处乱闯 mángrén qí xiāmǎ，dàochù luàn chuǎng

a blind man riding a blind horse: charging about everywhere

Rushing around blindly with no sense of direction. Critical.
猫扒琵琶，乱弹琴 māo bā pípá，luàntánqín

a cat clawing a pipa: playing the instrument at random

Talking nonsense or making a ridiculous mess. Dismissive or scolding.
猫扳倒甑子，给狗做了好事 māo bāndǎo zèngzi，gěi gǒu zuòle hǎoshì

the cat knocks over the rice steamer and does the dog a favour

Someone's hard-won gains are seized by another. Said ruefully.
猫吃鸡食，捞现成的 māo chī jīshí，lāo xiànchéng de

a cat eating chicken feed: grabbing what's ready-made

Mocks someone who enjoys the fruits of others' labour without effort.
猫见了鱼，想求荤 māo jiànle yú，xiǎng qiú hūn(hūn)

a cat seeing a fish wants meat (marriage)

Mocks someone who is hoping to propose marriage to someone.
猫哭老鼠，假慈悲 māo kū lǎoshǔ，jiǎ cíbēi

a cat weeping over a mouse: false compassion

Criticises someone who pretends to pity the victim they harmed. Like 'crocodile tears'.
猫拉屎，盖了 māo lāshǐ，gài le

a cat poops and covers it

Slang praise: 'it's the best, unbeatable'. Colloquial and humorous.

May offend: vulgar language
猫头鹰报喜，丑名在外 māotóuyīng bàoxǐ，chǒumíng zài wài

an owl announcing good news: its ugly name is out there

Someone has a bad reputation, so even good news from them isn't trusted.
猫卧房脊，活兽 māo wò fángjǐ，huó shòu(shòu)

a cat lying on the roof ridge: a live beast (suffering)

To suffer needlessly or endure hardship; 'living torment'.
猫咬猪尿泡，空欢喜 māo yǎo zhū suīpāo，kōng huānxǐ

a cat bites a pig's bladder: joy for nothing

Describes effort spent chasing a gain that comes to nothing; false hope.
猫钻煤球炉子，碰一鼻子灰 māo zuān méiqiú lúzi，pèng yī bízi huī

a cat sticks its head in a coal-ball stove: bumps its nose into ash

To be rebuffed or scolded; to meet with a rejection. Like 'get a cold shoulder'.
毛虫爬树梢，沾高枝儿 máochóng pá shùshāo，zhān gāozhīr

a caterpillar on a treetop: touching the high branch

Mocks someone who benefits from a connection to a high-ranking person.
毛驴备上银鞍，不配 máolǘ bèishàng yínān，bùpèi

a donkey fitted with a silver saddle: not suited

Someone doesn't deserve or isn't fit for some treatment or position.
毛驴不带笼嘴套，占了嘴的便宜也吃了嘴的亏 máolǘ bù dài lóngzuǐtào，zhànle zuǐ de piányi yě chīle zuǐ de kuī

a donkey without a muzzle: gains from its mouth and loses by its mouth

Said of someone who brags or talks carelessly and brings trouble on themselves.
毛驴穿大褂，假充大人物 máolǘ chuān dàguà，jiǎchōng dàrénwù

a donkey in a long gown: pretending to be a big shot

Mocks a low-status person posing as an important one.
毛驴钉马掌，小蹄大做 máolǘ dìng mǎzhǎng，xiǎotí( tí) dà zuò(zuò)

a donkey shod with horseshoes: small hoof (issue), big work (fuss)

Making a big fuss over a trivial matter. Like 'making a mountain out of a molehill'.
毛驴拉磨，跑不出这个圈儿 máolǘ lā mò，pǎo bù chū zhège quānr

a donkey pulling a millstone can't run out of the circle

Someone or something can't get beyond a certain limit or sphere.
茅厕里安电扇，出臭风头 máocè li ān diànshàn，chū chòu fēngtou

installing an electric fan in a latrine: raising a stinking wind

Mocks someone who loves showing off in public.

May offend: vulgar language
茅厕里摔茶壶，臭瓷儿不少 máocè li shuāi cháhú，chòu cír(cír) bù shǎo

smashing a teapot in the latrine: lots of stinking porcelain (words)

Mocks someone whose speech is full of foul, vulgar words.

May offend: vulgar language
茅房的砖头，又臭又硬 máofáng de zhuāntóu，yòu chòu yòu yìng

a brick in the latrine: both smelly and hard

Describes someone with bad character who is also stubborn and overbearing.

May offend: vulgar language
帽子破了边儿，顶好 màozi pòle biānr，dǐng hǎo

a hat whose brim is torn: top is good

Means 'the very best', said humorously.
没把儿的茶壶，抓不住 méi bàr de cháhú，zhuā bù zhù

a teapot with no handle: can't be grasped

Something can't be caught; or one can't grasp the key point.
没本钱的买卖，赚得起赔不起 méi běnqián de mǎimai，zhuàn de qǐ péi bù qǐ

a business without capital: can afford to profit, can't afford to lose

Can only succeed, never fail.
没秤锤的秤，到哪里都翘尾巴 méi chèngchuí de chèng，dào nǎli dōu qiàowěiba

a scale with no weight: its tail sticks up wherever it goes

Mocks someone who is arrogant wherever they go.
没秤锤的秤杆子，压不准斤两 méi chèngchuí de chènggǎnzi，yà bù zhǔn jīnliǎng

a steelyard without a weight: can't judge the weight

Someone who doesn't know the right limit in speech or actions.
没戴笼头的马，不好摆弄 méi dài lóngtou de mǎ，bù hǎo bǎinòng

a horse without a halter: hard to handle

Someone is hard to discipline or direct.
没戴笼头的马，野惯了 méi dài lóngtou de mǎ，yě guàn le

a horse without a halter: used to running wild

Someone used to a free life without restraint.
没骨头的软肉，想怎么切就怎么切 méi gǔtou de ruǎn ròu，xiǎng zěnme qiē jiù zěnme qiē

soft meat with no bones: cut it however you like

Describes a weak person who can be pushed around and who lets others do as they please with him. Contemptuous or pitying.
没骨头的伞，支撑不开 méi gǔtou de sǎn，zhīchēng bù kāi

an umbrella with no ribs: it can't be propped open

Describes a weak person who cannot hold up a situation or stand up under pressure. Mildly critical.
没脚蟹，寸步难行 méi jiǎo xiè，cùnbùnánxíng

a crab with no legs: can't move even one inch

Describes being stuck, where any movement is very hard, or someone in a predicament who can do nothing.
没框的算盘珠，全散了 méi kuàng de suànpánzhū，quán sǎn(sàn) le

abacus beads with no frame: all scattered

Said when a group that had gathered has broken up and everyone has gone their separate ways.
没头的苍蝇，到处乱撞 méi tóu de cāngying，dàochù luàn zhuàng

a headless fly: bumping into things everywhere

Describes someone rushing about blindly with no aim or plan. Mildly mocking; like "running around like a headless chicken".
没牙的老太婆吃豆腐，正是可口的菜 méi yá de lǎotàipó chī dòufu，zhèng shì kěkǒu de cài

a toothless old woman eating tofu: just the right dish

Said when something suits a particular need or taste exactly.
没牙的老太婆啃骨头，靠舔 méi yá de lǎotàipó kěn gǔtou，kào tiǎn

a toothless old woman gnawing a bone: relying on licking

Mocks someone who gets by on flattery and sucking up to people.
没眼先生上钟楼，瞎撞 méi yǎn xiānsheng shàng zhōnglóu，xiā zhuàng

a blind man climbs the bell tower: bumping blindly

Describes someone who has no idea what he is doing and acts rashly, causing trouble. Critical.
没有根儿的浮萍，无依无靠 méiyǒu gēnr de fúpíng，wúyīwúkào

duckweed with no roots: nothing to lean on

Describes someone who drifts from place to place with no settled life and no support. Sympathetic.
没嘴的葫芦，掏不出瓤儿来 méi zuǐ de húlu，tāo bù chū rángr lái

a gourd with no opening: you can't scoop out the pulp

Describes someone who won't speak, so no secret can be got out of him.
眉毛上搭梯子，上脸 méimao shàng dā tīzi，shàngliǎn

putting a ladder on the eyebrows: climbing up on the face

Describes someone who, once praised or indulged, gets carried away and becomes cheeky. Critical.
门槛儿上斫萝卜，一刀两断 ménkǎnr shang zhuó luóbo, yīdāoliǎngduàn

chopping a radish on the threshold: one stroke cuts it in two

Describes a firm, complete break with someone.
门神卷灶爷，画里有画 ménshén juǎn zàoyé, huà(huà) li yǒu huà(huà)

a door god rolled up with the kitchen god: pictures within pictures

Said when words carry a hidden meaning beyond what is said.
蒙在鼓里听打雷，弄不清东南西北 méng zài gǔ li tīng dǎléi, nòng bù qīng dōng nán xī běi

wrapped inside a drum, hearing thunder: can't tell north, south, east or west

Describes being disoriented or utterly baffled, with no idea what is going on.
猛虎落在陷阱里，空发威，不能动弹 měnghǔ luò zài xiànjǐng li, kōng fāwēi, bù néng dòngtan

a fierce tiger falls into a pit: its fury is for nothing, it can't move

A formidable person in a fix can no longer throw his weight around. Often gloating.
梦里娶媳妇儿，想得好，到头空 mèng lǐ qǔ xífur, xiǎng de hǎo, dàotóu kōng

marrying a bride in a dream: nice to think about, empty in the end

Mocks someone with an impractical fantasy that will come to nothing. Like "pie in the sky".
猕猴精冒充孙悟空，假的见不得真的 míhóujīng màochōng sūnwùkōng, jiǎ de jiànbude zhēn de

a macaque spirit posing as Sun Wukong: the fake can't face the real one

A fake will always be exposed when it meets the genuine article. Drawn from Journey to the West, where the six-eared macaque is unmasked. Used mockingly of impostors.
米汤洗头，糊涂到顶 mǐtāng xǐ tóu, hútu dào dǐng

washing hair with rice water: muddled to the top

Describes someone utterly muddle-headed or foolish. Mocking.
蜜糖抹在鼻尖儿上，嘴馋舔不到 mìtáng mǒ zài bíjiānr shang, zuǐ chán tiǎn bù dào

honey smeared on the tip of the nose: greedy mouth can't lick it

Mocks someone who can see a benefit right in front of them but can't get it. Like 'so near and yet so far.'
棉袄改被窝儿，两头儿苫不过 mián'ǎo gǎi bèiwōr, liǎngtóur shàn bùguò

making a padded jacket into a quilt: can't cover both ends

You can't take care of both sides at once; looking after one thing means neglecting the other. Like 'robbing Peter to pay Paul.'
棉花店里挂绷弓儿，不弹 miánhua diàn lǐ guà bēnggōngr, bù tán(tán)

hanging a cotton-fluffing bow in a cotton shop: not fluffing (not talking)

Means someone refuses to talk about it. Humorous.
棉花掉进水里，弹不成 miánhua diàojìn shuǐ li, tán(tán) bùchéng

cotton falling into water: can't be fluffed (can't be discussed)

The talks couldn't take place, or took place without resolving anything. Humorous.
棉花卷儿打锣，没音 miánhuajuǎnr dǎ luó, méi yīn

beating a gong with a roll of cotton: no sound

No news or reply has come back; or someone stays silent.
棉花里裹着针，软里硬 miánhua lǐ guǒzhe zhēn, ruǎn lǐ yìng

a needle wrapped in cotton: soft outside, hard inside

Someone who looks soft and meek but is actually tough. Neutral to approving.
棉花落在油缸里，一点儿声响都没有 miánhua luò zài yóugāng li, yīdiǎnr shēngxiǎng dōu méiyǒu

cotton falling into an oil vat: not a sound at all

Something is done in complete silence, without any noise or sign of activity.
棉桃里面找核桃，专拣硬的敲 miántáo lǐmiàn zhǎo hétao, zhuān jiǎn yìng de qiāo

looking for walnuts inside cotton bolls: picking only the hard ones to crack

Going after those who are tough or strong, such as opponents with firm attitudes or real strength.
面团儿炸成果子卖，全是虚货 miàntuánr zháchéng guǒzi mài, quán shì xūhuò

frying dough into fritters to sell: all hollow goods

It is all show with no substance or real strength. Mocking.
描金箱子白铜锁，外面好看里面空 miáojīn xiāngzi báitóng suǒ, wàimiàn hǎokàn lǐmiàn kōng

a gold-painted chest with a white-copper lock: pretty outside, empty inside

Showy but without substance; all looks and no content. Critical.
庙里的泥胎，分不清是哪路神 miào lǐ de nítāi, fēn bùqīng shì nǎ lù shén

the clay idol in a temple: can't tell which god it is

You can't tell who someone is or where they come from.
庙里长草，荒了神 miào li zhǎng cǎo, huāng(huāng) le shén

grass growing in a temple: the god is neglected (the god is flustered)

Describes being flustered and panicked.
庙里的猪头，有主儿 miào li de zhūtóu, yǒu zhǔr

the pig's head in the temple: has an owner

Already spoken for. Said of a woman who is already engaged or married, or of an object that already has an owner.
庙里撞钟，惊神 miào li zhuàng zhōng, jīng(jīng) shén(shen)

striking the bell in a temple: startling the god (spirited)

Describes someone lively and full of energy. Humorous.
庙门前的旗杆，光棍儿一条 miàomén qián de qígān, guānggùnr yī tiáo

the flagpole at the temple gate: a bare stick

A joke about an unmarried man living alone.
庙门前的一对石狮子，谁也离不开谁 miàomén qián de yī duì shíshīzi, shéi yě lí bù kāi shéi

the pair of stone lions at the temple gate: neither can leave the other

Two people are so close, or so tied by shared interests, that they can't be separated.
磨道赶驴，转圈儿撵 mòdào gǎn lǘ, zhuànquānr niǎn

chasing a donkey on the millstone track: chase it round in circles

Describes chasing something round and round in circles. Said of a pursuit that goes nowhere.
磨道上的驴，绕圈子 mòdào shàng de lǘ, rào quānzi

a donkey on the millstone track: going round in circles

Describes someone who doesn't speak plainly but talks in a roundabout way. Mildly critical, like 'beating around the bush'.
磨道上的驴，左右全由不得自己 mòdào shàng de lǘ, zuǒyòu quán yóubude zìjǐ

a donkey on the millstone track: neither left nor right is up to itself

Said of someone controlled by others with no say in what they do.
磨坊里的驴，听喝 mòfáng lǐ de lǘ, tīnghè

a donkey in the mill: listens to the shouts

Describes someone who simply does what they are told, ordered about by others. Mildly mocking.
磨盘上睡觉，想转了 mòpán shang shuìjiào, xiǎng zhuàn(zhuǎn) le

sleeping on a millstone: thinking of turning

Said when someone has changed their mind or attitude, often after resistance. Light, humorous.
磨砖砌的喉咙，又光又滑 mòzhuān qì de hóulóng, yòu guāng yòu huá

a throat built of worn bricks: both smooth and slippery

Describes food that goes down very fast, slipping down the throat.
墨水吃到肚子里，一身透黑 mòshuǐ chīdào dùzi lǐ, yī shēn tòu hēi

ink swallowed into the belly: black through the whole body

Describes a person who is thoroughly vicious and rotten. Strongly critical.
母鸡拉屎，头截儿硬，后截儿软 mǔjī lāshǐ, tóu jiér yìng, hòu jiér ruǎn

a hen's droppings: the first part is hard, the latter part is soft

Mocks someone who starts out tough but then gives in. Mocking.

May offend: vulgar language
木匠戴枷，自作自受 mùjiang dài jiā, zìzuòzìshòu

a carpenter wearing the cangue: made it himself, suffers it himself

Said of someone who suffers the consequences of their own foolish or bad actions. Close to 'you made your bed, now lie in it'.
木匠的斧子，一面砍 mùjiang de fǔzi, yī miàn kǎn

a carpenter's axe: cuts on one side

Describes one-sided judgement, or favouring one party and hearing only their side. Critical.
木匠拉大锯，有来有去 mùjiang lā dà jù, yǒuláiyǒuqù

carpenters pulling a big saw: there's coming and going

Describes people who visit and treat each other in turn, a reciprocal relationship.
木匠拉线，睁一只眼闭一只眼 mùjiang lāxiàn, zhēng yī zhī yǎn bì yī zhī yǎn

a carpenter snapping a line: one eye open, one eye shut

To pretend not to see something wrong and let it pass. Close to 'turn a blind eye'.
木偶下海，不着底 mù'ǒu xià hǎi, bù zhuó dǐ

a wooden puppet going into the sea: never touches bottom

Describes superficial, impractical work, or discussion that never reaches the heart of the matter.
木头眼镜，看不透 mùtou yǎnjìng, kàn bù tòu

wooden spectacles: can't see through

Said when you can't see someone's true character or the truth of a matter.
拿棒槌缝衣服，什么也当针 ná bàngchui féng yīfu, shénme yě dàng zhēn(zhēn)

sewing clothes with a laundry club: taking everything for a needle

Said of someone who can't tell true from false and believes everything. Mocking.
拿上坟头儿比泰山，高低大小不一般 náshàng féntóur bǐ tàishān, gāodī dàxiǎo bù yībān

comparing a grave mound with Mount Tai: height and size are not the same

Describes two things with a huge gap between them, too different to compare.
拿着草帽当锅盖，乱扣帽子 názhe cǎomào dàng guōgài, luàn kòu màozi

taking a straw hat as a pot lid: putting hats on at random

To pin labels or accusations on people without evidence. Critical.
拿着磨盘当月亮，认不清高低轻重 názhe mòpán dàng yuèliang, rèn bù qīng gāodī qīngzhòng

taking a millstone for the moon: can't tell high from low, light from heavy

Mocks someone who is rash and has no sense of proportion or limits.
拿着剃刀哄孩子，不是好玩儿的 názhe tìdāo hǒng háizi, bù shì hǎowánr de

coaxing a child with a razor: it's no game

Warns that something is risky and shouldn't be treated lightly.
拿着西瓜当头剃，乱刮乱推 názhe xīguā dàng tóu tì, luàn guā luàn tuī

shaving a watermelon as if it were a head: scraping and shoving at random

Describes doing something with no plan or order, just hacking away. Mocking.
奶妈抱孩子，人家的 nǎimā bào háizi, rénjia de

a wet nurse holding a baby: someone else's

Describes something or someone that belongs to others, not to you. Used to say 'it's not mine'.
南瓜地里种豆角儿，绕过来扯过去 nánguā dì li zhòng dòujiǎor, rào guòlái chě guòqù

planting beans in a pumpkin patch: winding over and pulling across

Describes someone who goes on and on about trivial matters, entangling others with endless talk. Mildly mocking.
南郭先生吹竽，不会装会 nánguō xiānsheng chuī yú, bù huì zhuāng huì

Mr Nanguo playing the yu pipe: pretending to know how when he can't

Describes someone who fakes skill and passes himself off among real experts. Mocking; related to the idiom 滥竽充数.
南来的燕子北去的鸟儿，早晚都要飞走 nán lái de yànzi běi qù de niǎor, zǎowǎn dōu yào fēizǒu

swallows coming from the south and birds going north: sooner or later they all fly away

Describes people who are not content with their post; they will leave sooner or later. Slightly critical.
南山上的核桃，只能砸着吃 nánshān shàng de hétao, zhǐnéng zázhe chī

walnuts from South Mountain: can only be eaten by smashing them

Only forceful measures will subdue a stubborn opponent. Used about people who won't yield to gentle means.
南天门上挂牌子，好大的一块匾 nántiānmén shang guà páizi, hǎo dà de yī kuài biǎn

hanging a sign on the South Heavenly Gate: what a big plaque

Mocks someone who puts on a show or gives himself great airs.
难得者兄弟，易得者田地 nándézhě xiōngdì, yìdézhě tiándì

hard to get are brothers, easy to get is farmland

Brotherly bonds are more valuable than property, so brothers shouldn't quarrel over wealth.
脑袋顶着地观风景，什么都是倒过来的 nǎodai dǐngzhe dì guān fēngjǐng, shénme dōu shì dào guòlái de

viewing scenery with your head on the ground: everything is upside down

Describes someone with a wrong viewpoint who gets right and wrong reversed. Critical.
脑门上贴邮票，邮不得人 nǎomén shang tiē yóupiào, yóu(yóu) bude rén

sticking a stamp on one's forehead: can't be posted (can't be up to a person)

Things are not under one's control; events don't go as one wishes.
脑门上长瘤子，额外负担 nǎomén shang zhǎng liúzi, éwài fùdān

a tumour growing on the forehead: an extra burden

Describes a burden beyond what is required or expected. It jokes about a growth on someone's forehead, so it can sound insensitive about a physical condition.

May offend: mocks disability
哪吒下凡，一身火 nézhā xiàfán, yīshēn huǒ

Nezha descends to earth: fire all over his body

Describes someone with a fiery, hot temper who is always ready to flare up.

Every kind of Chinese saying