Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

嫩竹子做扁担，挑不了重担 nèn zhúzi zuò biǎndan, tiāo bùliǎo zhòngdàn

a young bamboo made into a carrying pole: can't carry a heavy load

Young, inexperienced people cannot yet bear heavy responsibility.
尼姑庵里借梳子，找错了门 nígū'ān li jiè shūzi, zhǎocuòle mén

borrowing a comb in a nunnery: knocked at the wrong door

You've gone to the wrong place or person for what you want. Humorous.
尼姑捡梳子，空喜欢了一场 nígū jiǎn shūzi, kōng xǐhuanle yī cháng

a nun finds a comb: happy for nothing

Describes a joy that turns out to be pointless, as the thing is of no use to you.
泥捏的老虎，唬人咬不了人 ní niē de lǎohǔ, hǔ rén yǎo bùliǎo rén

a clay tiger: can scare people but can't bite

Someone who looks frightening but has no real ability. Mocking; like 'a paper tiger'.
泥捏的神像，没安人心肠 ní niē de shénxiàng, méi ān rén xīncháng

a clay idol: has no human heart fitted

Scolds someone who pretends to be good but has bad intentions.
泥牛入海，永无消息 níniúrùhǎi, yǒng wú xiāoxi

a clay ox enters the sea: no news ever

Someone has gone away or something was sent off and never heard of again. Cf. 泥牛入海.
泥菩萨的眼珠，动不得 ní púsà de yǎnzhū, dòngbude

the eyeballs of a clay Buddha: can't be moved

Describes a person or thing so important or formidable that nobody dares touch it.
泥菩萨过河，自身难保 ní púsà guò hé, zìshēnnánbǎo

a clay Buddha crossing a river: can't even save itself

Someone in such trouble they can't help others. Common; like 'can't save himself, let alone others'.
泥菩萨洗澡，越洗越脏 ní púsà xǐzǎo, yuè xǐ yuè zāng

a clay Buddha taking a bath: the more it's washed, the dirtier

The more you try to clear a stain or deny a crime, the worse it looks.
泥鳅掉在石板上，无缝可钻 níqiū diào zài shíbǎn shang, wúfèngkězuān

a loach dropped on a stone slab: no crack to wriggle into

Someone in a tight spot with no way to escape.
泥鳅身上抹肥皂，滑上加滑 níqiū shēn shang mǒ féizào, huá shàng jiā huá

soaping a loach: slippery on top of slippery

Describes someone extremely slippery, cunning and evasive. Critical.
泥水匠的瓦刀，光涂表面 níshuǐjiàng de wǎdāo, guāng tú(tú) biǎomiàn

a plasterer's trowel: only smears (seeks) the surface

Describes someone who only cares about appearances, not real results. Critical.
年画上的耕牛，犁不得 niánhuà shang de gēngniú, lí(lí)bude

the ploughing ox in a New Year picture: can't plough (leave)

Said of a couple or things that cannot be separated, or a warning against divorce. Light and humorous.
碾道上寻驴蹄印，步步不缺 niǎndào shang xún lǘtí yìn, bùbù bù quē

looking for donkey hoofprints on a millstone track: every step has one

Finding fault with someone is very easy because flaws are everywhere. Said critically or mockingly.
撵走狐狸来了狼，一伙更比一伙凶 niǎnzǒu húli láile láng, yī huǒ gèng bǐ yī huǒ xiōng

drive off the fox and the wolf comes: each pack is fiercer than the last

Each group of bad people is worse than the one before. Said bitterly about successive oppressors. Similar to 'out of the frying pan into the fire'.
念罢了经打和尚，用人朝前不用人朝后 niàn bàle jīng dǎ héshang, yòng rén cháo qián bù yòng rén cháo hòu

after the scripture is chanted, beat the monk: when you need someone you face them, when you don't you turn your back

Someone is warm to people while they are useful, then drops or turns on them. Said in criticism of ungrateful, self-serving behaviour.
念完了经打和尚，用得着是亲，用不着是仇 niàn wánle jīng dǎ héshang, yòng de zháo shì qīn, yòng bù zháo shì chóu

after the chanting, beat the monk: if useful, kin; if not, an enemy

Someone treats people as family while useful, then as enemies once they are not. A criticism of ingratitude and opportunism.
捏着鼻子吃酸醋，不咽也得咽 niēzhe bízi chī suāncù, bù yàn yě děi yàn

pinch your nose and drink sour vinegar: you have to swallow it even if you don't want to

Forced by circumstances, you must submit to something unpleasant. Similar to 'bite the bullet'.
捏着眼皮擤鼻涕，劲儿用得不是地方 niēzhe yǎnpí xǐng bítì, jìnr yòng de bù shì dìfang

pinching the eyelid to blow the nose: effort used in the wrong place

Effort is applied where it does no good. Mildly mocking.
牛鼻子穿环，让人家牵着走 niú bízi chuān huán, ràng rénjia qiānzhe zǒu

a ring through the ox's nose: it gets led along by others

Mocks someone who is controlled by others or has no mind of their own and follows blindly. Like 'led by the nose'.
牛角尖儿对牛角尖儿，一对尖 niújiǎojiānr duì niújiǎojiānr, yī duì jiān(jiān)

ox horn tip against ox horn tip: a pair of sharp points (crafty)

Describes two people who are both cunning and deceitful. Critical or mocking. Close to 'two of a kind'.
牛口里的草，扯不出来 niúkǒu lǐ de cǎo, chě bù chūlái

grass in an ox's mouth: you can't pull it out

Said of money or goods that have been taken by someone and will never be got back.
牛郎织女哭梁祝，同命相怜 niúláng zhīnǚ kū liángzhù, tóngmìngxiānglián

the Cowherd and Weaving Girl weep for Liang and Zhu: fellow sufferers pity each other

People in the same sad situation sympathise with one another. Like 'fellow sufferers'.
牛栏里伸进马嘴来，没你开口的份儿 niúlán lǐ shēnjìn mǎzuǐ lái, méi nǐ kāikǒu de fènr

a horse's muzzle poking into the cattle pen: no place for you to open your mouth

Tells someone they have no right to speak or interfere in a matter. Rude, dismissive.
牛毛细雨，点点入地 niúmáo xìyǔ, diǎndiǎn rù dì

fine drizzle like ox hairs: every drop soaks into the ground

Describes work done carefully and thoroughly, with real results. Approving.
牛皮灯笼，肚里亮 niúpí dēnglong, dù li liàng

an oxhide lantern: bright inside

Describes a person who says nothing outwardly but understands everything inwardly. Mildly approving or knowing.
牛踢骆驼，尥不动 niú tī luòtuo, liào bù dòng

an ox kicking a camel: can't kick it over

One side's ability is too limited to hurt the other. Said of a weaker party facing a stronger one.
牛蹄子，两掰着 niútízi, liǎng bāizhe

an ox's hoof: split in two

Two sides each go their own way and cannot work together.
暖水瓶的塞子，堵汽 nuǎnshuǐpíng de sāizi, dǔ(dǔ) qì(qì)

the stopper of a thermos flask: blocks the steam (sulks)

Describes someone who acts wilfully out of resentment after being criticised or blamed.
暖水瓶装开水，外冷里热 nuǎn shuǐpíng zhuāng kāishuǐ, wài lěng lǐ rè

a thermos flask holding boiling water: cold outside, hot inside

Describes a person who seems cold on the surface but is warm-hearted. Approving.
糯米面包饺子，一捏就成 nuòmǐmiàn bāo jiǎozi，yī niē jiùchéng

wrapping dumplings with glutinous rice dough: pinch once and it's done

Something will succeed as soon as it is brokered or put together. Said of a deal or match easily arranged.
糯米做饭，黏糊 nuòmǐ zuò fàn，niánhu

cooking glutinous rice: sticky

Describes a person who is sluggish and listless, or a couple who are clingy and affectionate.
藕丝炒韭菜，青青白白 ǒusī chǎo jiǔcài，qīng(qīng)qīng(qīng)báibái

lotus-root threads stir-fried with chives: green (clear) and white

Describes someone who is pure and without blemish, with a clean record.
爬楼梯摘月亮，白费力气 páloutī zhāi yuèliang，báifèi lìqi

climbing stairs to pick the moon: wasted effort

Describes effort spent with no result.
爬上了热锅的蚂蚁，上得来下不去 páshàngle règuō de mǎyǐ，shàng de lái xià bù qù

an ant that has climbed onto a hot pot: it got up but can't get down

Describes being stuck in a predicament with no way back.
拍马屁拍到了蹄子上，被尥了一蹶子 pāimǎpì pāi dàole tízi shàng，bèi liàole yī juězi

patting the horse's rump but hitting the hoof: got kicked

Flattering the wrong person or in the wrong way, and so being hurt instead of rewarded. Mocking.

May offend: vulgar language
迫击炮打蚊子，小题大做 pǎijīpào dǎ wénzi，xiǎotídàzuò

firing a mortar at a mosquito: making a big fuss over a small matter

Said mockingly of someone who treats a minor problem as a major one. Close to 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut'.
潘金莲熬药，暗地里放毒 pānjīnlián áo yào，àndì li fàngdú

Pan Jinlian brewing medicine: secretly putting in poison

Describes someone who seems kind on the surface but secretly does harm. Critical. Pan Jinlian is the woman in Water Margin and Jin Ping Mei who poisons her husband.
盘子里生豆芽儿，扎不下根 pánzi lǐ shēng dòuyár，zhā bù xià gēn

bean sprouts grown on a plate: they can't put down roots

Describes someone or something that can't get deeply into the masses or into a subject, because there is no depth to take hold in.
螃蟹过河，七手八脚 pángxiè guò hé，qīshǒubājiǎo

a crab crossing a river: seven hands and eight feet

Describes many people busily and chaotically helping at once. Mildly humorous or critical.
螃蟹脚，弯弯儿多 pángxièjiǎo，wānwānr duō

crab legs: many bends

Mocks someone full of crooked schemes and bad ideas. Critical.
螃蟹爬进鱼篓子，进得来，出不去 pángxiè pájìn yúlǒuzi，jìn de lái，chū bù qù

a crab crawling into a fish basket: it can get in but can't get out

Describes being trapped in a difficult situation with no way back.
胖子的裤带，不打紧 pàngzi de kùdài，bù dǎ jǐn

a fat man's belt: no need to pull it tight

Means it doesn't matter, nothing to worry about. Light and humorous.
炮仗掉进河里，没响 pàozhang diàojìn hé li，méi xiǎng(xiǎng)

a firecracker falls into the river: no bang

Means there is nothing to hope for, or that someone hasn't thought of it. Humorous.
捧着猪头打转，拜不到庙门 pěngzhe zhūtóu dǎzhuàn，bài bù dào miàomén

carrying a pig's head in circles, never reaching the temple door

Describes failing to find the right person to approach, or failing to hit the key point of a problem.
披麻救火，惹焰烧身 pī má jiù huǒ，rěyànshāoshēn

putting on hemp to fight a fire, drawing the flames onto oneself

Describes bringing disaster on oneself through a foolish action.
皮裤套棉裤，必定有缘故 píkù tào miánkù，bìdìng yǒu yuángù

leather trousers over cotton trousers: there must be a reason

Means that whatever happens has a cause behind it.
皮囊里装鸩酒，外面软，里面一肚子毒液 pínáng li zhuāng zhènjiǔ，wàimiàn ruǎn，lǐmiàn yī dùzi dúyè

poisoned wine in a leather bag: soft outside, a bellyful of venom inside

Describes someone who seems gentle and kind but is cruel and malicious inside. Critical.
皮笊篱下锅，一捞一个罄尽 pí zhàoli xiàguō，yī lāo yīgè qìngjìn

a leather strainer in the pot: one scoop takes everything

Describes taking everything with nothing left, or rounding up everyone in one sweep. Because leather doesn't let water through, it scoops all out.
蚍蜉撼大树，可笑不自量 pífú hàn dà shù，kěxiào bù zìliàng

an ant trying to shake a big tree: laughable, it doesn't know its limits

Mocks someone who foolishly tries to topple something far stronger, or overrates their own ability. Similar to 'David's tilting at Goliath' in futility.
屁股底下上弹簧，蹦起来 pìgu dǐxia shàng tánhuáng，bèng qǐlái

fitting springs under one's backside: bounce up

Said of someone who jumps up. It can mean leaping with joy, or reacting quickly to a jolt or provocation. Humorous.
屁股后面安拉锁，开后门 pìgu hòumian ān lāsuǒ，kāihòumén

fitting a zipper on one's backside: open the back door

Said of getting something through connections or improper means, such as favours and pull. Mocking and humorous.

May offend: vulgar language
屁股上挂镜子，照见别人照不见自己 pìgu shàng guà jìngzi，zhàojiàn biéren zhào bù jiàn zìjǐ

hanging a mirror on one's backside: it shows others but not oneself

Said of someone who sees others' faults but is blind to their own. Critical and mocking.

May offend: vulgar language
屁股上扎针，离心远 pìgu shàng zhāzhēn，lí xīn yuǎn

sticking a needle in one's backside: far from the heart

Literally far from the heart. Said of a matter that does not affect you much, so you need not worry. Humorous.

May offend: vulgar language
破包子，露馅儿了 pò bāozi，lòuxiànr le

a broken steamed bun: the filling shows

A secret or truth someone wanted hidden has come out. Often used lightly or mockingly; close to "the cat's out of the bag."
破草帽，无边无沿儿 pò cǎomào，wú biān wú yánr(yán)

a ruined straw hat: no brim, no edge

Describes someone who talks aimlessly and rambles without any limit. Mocking.
破茶壶，没嘴儿 pò cháhú，méi zuǐr(zhǔnr)

a broken teapot: no spout

Means "not certain" or "can't say for sure." Colloquial and humorous.
破椅子，不能倚靠 pò yǐzi，bù néng yǐkào

a broken chair: can't be leaned on

Said of a person or thing that can't be relied on or counted on.
菩萨后面一个窟窿，庙透了 púsà hòumian yī gè kūlong，miào(miào) tòu le

a hole behind the Buddhist statue: the temple is through

Means "wonderful, as good as it gets." Humorous and approving.
七八月的南瓜，皮老心不老 qībāyuè de nánguā，pí lǎo xīn bù lǎo

pumpkins in the seventh and eighth months: the skin is old but the heart isn't

Someone who is old but still young at heart and keen to achieve things. Approving and affectionate.
七斤半的苦瓜，没见过这号种 qī jīn bàn de kǔguā，méi jiànguo zhè hào zhǒng

a seven-and-a-half-catty bitter melon: never seen this sort of kind

Said, as an insult, of a person so bad that you've never seen the like. Abusive.

May offend: vulgar language
七斤面粉三斤浆，糊里糊涂 qī jīn miànfěn sān jīn jiāng，húlihútu

seven catties of flour and three of paste: all muddled

Describes a muddled, confused mind or unclear understanding. Mildly mocking.
七仙女走娘家，云里来雾里去 qīxiānnǚ zǒu niángjia，yún li lái wù li qù

the Seventh Fairy visiting her parents' home: coming and going through clouds and mist

Either working high up in the air, or talking in a vague, false way with no relation to reality.
七月半的蚊子，直往肉里叮 qīyuè bàn de wénzi，zhí wǎng ròu li dīng(dīng)

mosquitoes in the middle of the seventh month: they go straight for the flesh

Staring fixedly, with eyes fixed on one spot.
七月半烧纸钱，哄鬼 qīyuè bàn shāo zhǐqián，hǒng guǐ

burning paper money on the fifteenth of the seventh month: fooling the ghosts

Said of someone's conduct that is so absurd it can fool no one. Scolding.
七月的河水，后浪推前浪 qīyuè de héshuǐ，hòulàng tuī qiánlàng

the river in the seventh month: the waves behind push the waves ahead

Either crowds surging forward, or the younger generation surpassing the older. The second sense is approving.
骑驴赶火车，越来越跟不上趟儿 qí lǘ gǎn huǒchē，yuè lái yuè gēn bù shàng tàngr

riding a donkey to chase a train: more and more unable to keep up

Someone is falling further and further behind. Mocking or critical, often about being out of step with the times.
骑驴看唱本，走着瞧 qí lǘ kàn chàngběn，zǒuzhe qiáo

riding a donkey reading a song book: we'll see as we go

Let's wait and see how things turn out. Often said as a challenge or a warning to a rival.
骑驴扛布袋，这份儿好心肠是白搭 qí lǘ káng bùdài，zhè fènr hǎo xīncháng shì báidā

riding a donkey while carrying a sack on your shoulder: this kind heart is wasted

Someone's good intentions achieve nothing. Said mockingly of a well-meant gesture that does not help.
骑马不带鞭子，猛拍马屁 qí mǎ bù dài biānzi，měng pāi mǎpì

riding a horse without a whip: slapping the horse's backside hard

Mocks someone who flatters a superior shamelessly. Like 'bootlicking'.
骑牛追快马，望尘莫及 qí niú zhuī kuài mǎ，wàngchénmòjí

riding an ox to chase a fast horse: can only watch the dust, unable to catch up

Someone is far behind and cannot hope to catch up with another.
骑在老虎背上，身不由己 qí zài lǎohǔ bèi shang，shēnbùyóujǐ

sitting on a tiger's back: not able to control oneself

Being in a dangerous or difficult position where one cannot choose what to do. Close to 'riding the tiger'.
骑在驴背上吃烧鸡，不知这把骨头扔在哪 qí zài lǘbèi shang chī shāojī，bù zhī zhè bǎ gǔtou rēng zài nǎ

eating roast chicken on a donkey's back: not knowing where to throw this handful of bones

The book only refers the reader to the pig's-feet-on-horseback entry. Said when one does not know where something will end up or how it will turn out.
骑着骆驼赶着鸡，高的高来低的低 qízhe luòtuo gǎnzhe jī，gāo de gāo lái dī de dī

riding a camel while herding chickens: the tall are tall, the low are low

Describes uneven levels of ability or standard among members of a group.
旗杆上插鸡毛，掸子不小 qígān shang chā jīmáo，dǎn(dǎn)zi bù xiǎo

sticking a chicken feather on a flagpole: the duster is not small

Someone is very bold. Often said teasingly.
旗杆上挂剪刀，高裁 qígān shang guà jiǎndāo，gāo cái(cái)

hanging scissors on a flagpole: high cutting

Someone of great talent; sometimes said sarcastically of someone who thinks themselves so.
起火上房檐，劲儿使到顶了 qǐhuo shàng fángyán，jìnr shǐdào dǐng le

a rocket going up to the eaves: the strength is used up to the top

Someone has used up all their strength.
起重机吊竹篮，不值一提 qǐzhòngjī diào zhúlán，bùzhíyītí

a crane lifting a bamboo basket: not worth a lift

A matter is trivial and not worth discussing.
汽车按喇叭，靠边儿站 qìchē àn lǎba，kàobiānrzhàn

a car honking its horn: stand to the side

Someone is removed from their post or loses power; sidelined.
砌墙的砖头，后来居上 qì qiáng de zhuāntóu，hòuláijūshàng

bricks in a wall: the later ones end up on top

Newcomers or later developments surpass the earlier ones. Approving.
掐掉翅膀的苍蝇，乱转乱碰 qiādiào chìbǎng de cāngyíng，luàn zhuàn luàn pèng

a fly with its wings pinched off: spinning and bumping randomly

Mocks someone panicking and acting aimlessly. Like 'a headless chicken'.
掐着脚趾头念佛，玩儿邪的 qiāzhe jiǎozhǐtou niànfó，wánr xié de

chanting the Buddha's name while pinching one's toes: playing wicked tricks

Condemns someone who talks piously but acts crookedly. Hypocrisy; abusive.
千层底儿做腮帮子，好厚的脸皮 qiāncéngdǐr zuò sāibāngzi，hǎo hòu de liǎnpí

making a cheek from a thousand-layer sole: what thick skin

Mocks a shameless person. Like 'thick-skinned'.
千里搭长棚，没有个不散的筵席 qiān lǐ dā chángpéng，méiyǒu ge bù sàn de yánxí

a thousand-li awning, no feast that doesn't end

All gatherings must end; people who meet must part.
千里送鹅毛，礼轻情义重 qiān lǐ sòng émáo，lǐ qīng qíngyì zhòng

sending a goose feather a thousand li: the gift is light, the feeling heavy

A small gift carries deep affection. Said when giving or receiving a modest present; 'it's the thought that counts'.
千年的松树，六月的芭蕉，粗枝大叶 qiān nián de sōngshù，liùyuè de bājiāo，cūzhīdàyè

a thousand-year pine, a banana plant in June: coarse branches, big leaves

Describes a careless, sloppy way of working. Usually said as 'hundred-year pine'.
浅水里养王八，早就看透是什么货 qiǎn shuǐ li yǎng wángba，zǎo jiù kàntòu shì shénme huò

raising turtles in shallow water: you saw long ago what kind of goods they are

Said when you've long seen through someone and know they're no good. Contemptuous; 货 can insult a person.

May offend: vulgar language
浅滩上放木排，一拖再拖 qiǎntān shang fàng mùpái，yī tuō zài tuō

floating a log raft on a shallow shoal: dragged again and again

Describes someone who delays and procrastinates over and over. Critical or mocking.
强盗遇见打家劫舍的,碰上了对手 qiángdào yùjiàn dǎjiājiéshè de, pèngshàngle duìshǒu

a robber meets a house-raider: he has run into his match

A bad person meets someone just as bad. Said with a mocking tone; like 'it takes one to know one' or 'thief meets thief'.
强盗遇着贼偷,大来小往 qiángdào yùzhe zéi tōu, dà lái xiǎo wǎng

a bandit meets a sneak thief: big comes in, small goes out

Ill-gotten wealth that comes in a large sum gets lost bit by bit. Said with a mocking or moralising tone; similar to 'easy come, easy go'.
墙里的柱子,使劲儿不显身 qiáng lǐ de zhùzi, shǐjìnr bù xiǎn shēn

a pillar inside the wall: it bears the load but doesn't show itself

Someone who works hard behind the scenes without revealing who they are. Approving or neutral.
墙上挂狗皮,不像画 qiáng shang guà gǒupí, bù xiàng huà(huà)

hanging a dog skin on the wall: it doesn't look like a picture

What someone says or does is unreasonable or makes no sense. Mocking or critical.
墙上挂棋盘,一个子儿也留不住 qiáng shang guà qípán, yī ge zǐr yě liú bù zhù

a chessboard hung on a wall: not a single piece stays

Describes someone who spends money wildly and cannot keep a single coin. Mocking.
墙上挂着的王八,上不着天,下不着地 qiáng shang guàzhe de wángba, shàng bù zháo tiān, xià bù zháo dì

a turtle hung on a wall: it touches neither the sky above nor the ground below

A person is isolated, helpless and has no support in any direction. Sympathetic or wry.

May offend: vulgar language
墙上挂竹帘,没有门儿 qiáng shang guà zhúlián, méiyǒu ménr

hanging a bamboo blind on a wall: there is no door

There is no way in and no way to do it; no hope of success. Said when a path or connection is lacking.
墙上画的烙饼,能看不能吃 qiáng shang huà de làobǐng, néng kàn bù néng chī

a flatbread painted on the wall: you can look but you can't eat

Words or deeds that look attractive but achieve nothing. Mocking; like 'pie in the sky'.
墙头儿吹喇叭,内外都响 qiángtóur chuī lǎba, nèiwài dōu xiǎng

blowing a horn on top of a wall: it sounds both inside and out

A person has a good reputation both inside and outside their circle. Approving.
墙头儿的冬瓜,两边滚 qiángtóur de dōngguā, liǎngbiān gǔn

a winter melon on top of a wall: it can roll either side

Someone wavers, or tries to please both sides. Critical.
墙头儿上的草,随风倒 qiángtóur shàng de cǎo, suífēngdǎo

grass on top of a wall: it bends with the wind

A person without firm views who sides with whoever is stronger. Critical.
墙头儿上开荒,能有几分 qiángtóur shang kāihuāng, néng yǒu jǐ fēn

clearing wasteland on top of a wall: how many fen could you get?

There is very little of it. Humorous.

Every kind of Chinese saying