Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

墙头儿上跑马,有去路无回路 qiángtóur shang pǎomǎ, yǒu qù lù wú huí lù

racing a horse along a wall top: a way forward but no way back

Once done, a matter cannot be reversed. Said of an irreversible step; like 'no turning back'.
墙头儿上栽葱,扎不下根 qiángtóur shang zāi cōng, zhā bù xià gēn

planting scallions on a wall top: they can't put down roots

A person cannot get properly rooted among the people or in a field of work. Critical or regretful.
墙头儿上种白菜,难浇 qiángtóur shang zhòng báicài, nán jiāo(jiāo)

growing cabbage on a wall top: hard to water

Someone is hard to get along with or befriend. Said of a difficult person.
敲锣卖糖,各干一行 qiāo luó mài táng, gè gàn yī háng

one beats a gong, one sells candy: each does his own trade

Each person minds their own business and does their own job without interfering. Neutral.
劁猪割耳朵,两头受罪 qiāozhū gē ěrduo, liǎngtóu shòuzuì

castrating a pig and cutting its ear: suffering at both ends

Someone is under pressure or hurt from two sides at once. Sympathetic or wry.
荞麦地里种萝卜,搭配得当 qiáomài dì li zhòng luóbo, dāpèi dédàng

planting radishes in a buckwheat field: a well-matched combination

Things or people are well paired. Approving.
荞麦地里抓乌龟,稳拿 qiáomài dì li zhuā wūguī, wěnná

catching a turtle in a buckwheat field: a sure grab

Success is practically certain. Confident.
荞麦面包饺子,一个比一个硬 qiáomàimiàn bāo jiǎozi, yī gè bǐ yī gè yìng

wrapping dumplings with buckwheat dough: each one harder than the last

Each person is tougher to deal with than the one before. Wry.
切菜刀剃头,太悬乎 qiēcàidāo tìtóu, tài xuánhu

shaving a head with a kitchen cleaver: far too risky

A matter is very dangerous. Said as a warning.
切糕换粽子,都是一样货 qiēgāo huàn zòngzi, dōu shì yīyàng huò

swapping sliced sticky cake for rice dumplings: they're the same stuff

The replacement is just the same sort of bad person as the old one. Mocking and insulting.
青蛙跳井,扑通 qīng wā tiào jǐng, pūtōng(bù dǒng)

a frog jumps into a well: plop (don't understand)

Said humorously of someone who doesn't understand something.
氢气球上天,不翼而飞 qīngqìqiú shàngtiān, bùyìérfēi

a hydrogen balloon goes up to the sky: flies without wings

Something or someone has vanished mysteriously. Usually humorous, often about lost objects.
清水锅里煮铜钱,一眼看到底 qīngshuǐ guō li zhǔ tóngqián, yī yǎn kàn dàodǐ

boiling copper coins in a pot of clear water: you see the bottom at a glance

The matter is easy to see through and the facts are plain.
清水河里捞鱼虾,看得一清二楚 qīngshuǐ hé li lāo yú xiā, kàn de yīqīngèrchǔ

catching fish and shrimp in a clear river: seen perfectly clearly

Everything is seen very clearly.
清水淘白米,你知我见 qīngshuǐ táo báimǐ, nǐ zhī wǒ jiàn

rinsing white rice in clear water: you know, I see

Both sides understand perfectly well what is going on, even if it is unspoken.
清水下杂面,你吃我看见 qīngshuǐ xià zámiàn, nǐ chī wǒ kànjiàn

putting mixed-grain noodles in clear water: you eat and I see

I see everything you do. Said as a warning or tease that one has been noticed.
蜻蜓咬尾巴,自己吃自己 qīngtíng yǎo wěiba, zìjǐ chī zìjǐ

a dragonfly biting its tail: eating itself

Harming oneself, or using up one's own resources.
蜻蜓撞着蜘蛛网,有翅难飞 qīngtíng zhuàngzhe zhīzhūwǎng, yǒuchìnánfēi

a dragonfly hits a spider's web: has wings but can hardly fly

Trapped and unable to use one's abilities.
晴天打雨伞,多此一举 qíngtiān dǎ yǔsǎn, duōcǐyījǔ

holding an umbrella on a sunny day: an extra move

Doing something unnecessary. Mildly critical or teasing.
晴天带伞,有备无患 qíngtiān dài sǎn, yǒubèiwúhuàn

taking an umbrella on a sunny day: being prepared means no trouble

Prepare beforehand and you avoid trouble. Approving. Compare 'better safe than sorry'.
秋后的高粱,从头到根红透了 qiūhòu de gāoliang, cóng tóu dào gēn hóngtòu le

sorghum after autumn: red through, from head to root

Someone is very popular and highly regarded.
秋后的蚂蚱,想跳也跳不了几天 qiūhòu de màzha, xiǎng tiào yě tiào bùliǎo jǐ tiān

a grasshopper after autumn: even if it wants to hop it can't hop many more days

A bad person or force is near its end and can't struggle on for long. Contemptuous. Compare 'his days are numbered'.
秋后的石榴,一肚子红点子 qiūhòu de shíliu, yī dùzi hóng diǎnzi

a pomegranate after autumn: a belly full of red seeds

Someone full of good ideas and solutions. Approving.
秋后的树叶,黄了 qiūhòu de shùyè, huáng le

leaves after autumn: gone yellow

A matter has failed or a plan fell through.
秋后的蚊子,嗡嗡不了几天 qiūhòu de wénzi, wēngwēng bùliǎo jǐ tiān

a mosquito after autumn: can't buzz for many more days

A bad person or force is near its end and can't rage much longer. Contemptuous.
娶媳妇儿打幡儿,瞎凑热闹 qǔ xífur dǎfānr, xiā còu rènao

carrying the funeral banner at a wedding: joining in the fun blindly

Criticises someone who barges into things that don't concern them and just makes a mess. Mocking.
娶媳妇儿遇见出殡的,有的哭有的笑 qǔ xífur yùjiàn chūbìn de, yǒude kū yǒude xiào

a wedding procession meeting a funeral procession: some weep, some laugh

Describes a situation where some people are sad and others happy at the same moment.
拳头捣蒜,辣手 quántou dǎo suàn, làshǒu

pounding garlic with a fist: hot hand

Describes a problem that is thorny and hard to handle.
劝世文贴在背上,给人看的 quànshìwén tiē zài bèi shang, gěi rén kàn de

an exhortation text stuck on your back: it's for others to read

Something done purely for show, to impress onlookers. Mildly mocking.
缺门牙的念文章,含糊其辞 quē ményá de niàn wénzhāng, hánhuqící

someone missing front teeth reading an essay: the words are mumbled

Describes someone who speaks evasively or unclearly, hesitating and not saying things plainly.
瘸腿驴跟马跑,哪能赶得上 quétuǐ lǘ gēn mǎ pǎo, nǎnéng gǎn de shàng

a lame donkey racing a horse: how could it catch up

Someone far weaker can't possibly keep up with a much stronger rival. Mildly mocking.
染布师傅，拿不出手 rǎnbù shīfu，ná bù chū shǒu

a cloth dyer: can't show his hands

Describes something with a flaw that one is embarrassed to show to others.
染坊里吹笛子，有声有色 rǎnfáng lǐ chuī dízi，yǒushēngyǒusè

playing a flute in a dye works: with sound and colour

Describes a lively, vivid speech or performance. Approving.
染坊里的捶布石，经过大家伙的 rǎnfáng lǐ de chuíbùshí，jīngguò dà jiāhuo de

the beating stone in a dye works: it has been through the big tools

Describes a person who has been through great hardships and been battered by them.
染缸里落白布，再也洗不清 rǎngāng li luò bái bù，zài yě xǐ bù qīng

white cloth dropped into a dye vat: can never be washed clean

A stain on one's reputation can never be removed, or a wrong can never be cleared.
热鏊子上的蚂蚁，走投无路 rè àozi shàng de mǎyǐ，zǒutóuwúlù

an ant on a hot griddle: nowhere to run

Describes someone in a desperate situation with no way out.
热锅上的蚂蚁，团团转 règuō shàng de mǎyǐ，tuántuánzhuàn

an ant on a hot wok: running round and round

Describes someone anxious and frantic, running around without finding a solution.
热锅上的油渣，熬不住 règuō shàng de yóuzhā，áo bù zhù

cracklings in a hot pan: can't stand the cooking

Describes someone who can't bear pain or hardship any longer.
热闹处卖母猪，净干些败兴事儿 rènao chù mài mǔzhū，jìng gàn xiē bàixìng shìr

selling a sow in a busy place: nothing but spoilsport business

Describes an unlucky person who keeps doing things that spoil the mood or bring bad luck.
热天切西瓜，一刀见红白 rètiān qiē xīguā，yī dāo jiàn hóngbái

cutting a watermelon in summer: one cut shows red and white

The result becomes clear at once.
热油锅煎豆腐，不翻不行 rè yóuguō jiān dòufu，bù fān bùxíng

frying tofu in a hot oil pan: it has to be turned

The old ways must be overturned; there is no alternative.
热不过火口，亲不过两口儿 rè bùguò huǒkǒu，qīn bùguò liǎngkǒur

nothing is hotter than the stove opening, nothing closer than a married couple

Says that husband and wife are the closest of all relationships.
日本的轮船,满丸 rìběn de lúnchuán, mǎn wán(wán)

a Japanese steamship: full 'maru' (finished)

Said when something is completely over or has failed. Humorous and a little dated.
日落西山,红不了多久 rì luò xīshān, hóng bùliǎo duō jiǔ

the sun sets behind the western hills: it can't stay red for long

Mocks people who are enjoying success or power that will soon end. Critical and gloating.
肉案上的买卖,斤斤计较 ròu'àn shàng de mǎimai, jīnjīnjìjiào

business at the butcher's block: counting every jin

Describes someone who haggles over every tiny detail or gain. Critical or mocking.
肉包子打狗,有去无回 ròu bāozi dǎ gǒu, yǒuqùwúhuí

throw a meat bun at a dog: it goes and never comes back

Money or goods given to a greedy person will never be recovered. Said with resignation about a lost loan or bribe.
软盖儿的王八,没甲 ruǎngàir de wángba, méi jiǎ(jiǎ)

a soft-shelled turtle: no armour (no fake)

Says something is genuine, with nothing false in it. Humorous.
软米粥拌粉面,稠上加稠 ruǎn mǐzhōu bàn fěnmiàn, chóu(chóu) shàng jiā chóu(chóu)

sticky rice porridge mixed with starch: thick on top of thick

Describes being deeply worried, with trouble piling on trouble. Humorous.
仨鼻子眼儿,多出一口气 sā bíziyǎnr, duō chū yī kǒu qì

three nostrils: an extra breath

Mocks a busybody who meddles in matters that are none of their business. Critical and humorous.
三百钱买了个瘟猪崽,死活不开口 sānbǎi qián mǎile ge wēn zhūzǎi, sǐhuó bù kāikǒu

three hundred coins buy a plague-struck piglet: dead or alive, it won't open its mouth

Said of someone who refuses to speak, whatever you do. Humorous and a little exasperated.
三尺长的梯子,搭不上檐儿 sān chǐ cháng de tīzi, dā(dá) bù shàng yánr(yán)

a three-foot ladder: can't be propped up to the eaves

Said when someone has no answer and cannot reply. Humorous.
三伏天的辣椒,嘴尖皮厚 sānfú tiān de làjiāo, zuǐjiānpíhòu

a chili in the hottest dog days: pointed tip, thick skin

Describes someone with a sharp, cutting tongue who is also thick-skinned and shameless. Critical and mocking.
三伏天的雨,说来就来 sānfú tiān de yǔ, shuōláijiùlái

rain in the dog days: comes the moment it's mentioned

Said of something that happens suddenly and catches people off guard, or of a person whose moods change in an instant.
三斧头劈不开的脸,好厚 sān fǔtóu pī bù kāi de liǎn, hǎo hòu

a face that three axe blows can't split: so thick

Mocks someone as utterly shameless and thick-skinned. Close to 'brazen-faced'.
三个铜板放两处,一是一,二是二 sān gè tóngbǎn fàng liǎng chù, yī shì yī, èr shì èr

three copper coins in two places: one is one, two is two

Things are exactly what they are, with no fudging. It is also said of someone who is strict and careful and lets nothing slide.
三个指头捡田螺,稳拿 sān gè zhǐtou jiǎn tiánluó, wěn ná

picking up a river snail with three fingers: a steady grip

Said of something one is sure to win or achieve. Confident and approving.
三根搅屎棍撑桌子,一副臭架子 sān gēn jiǎoshǐgùn chēng zhuōzi, yī fù chòu jiàzi

three dung-stirring sticks holding up a table: a stinking frame

Mocks someone who puts on airs and acts self-important. Coarse and contemptuous.

May offend: vulgar language
三间屋子两头住,谁也瞒不了谁 sān jiān wūzi liǎngtóu zhù, shéi yě mán bùliǎo shéi

three rooms with people living at the two ends: neither can hide anything from the other

Said when two people know each other so well that neither can fool the other.
三亩棉花三亩稻,晴也好雨也好 sān mǔ miánhuā sān mǔ dào, qíng yě hǎo yǔ yě hǎo

three mu of cotton and three of rice: sun is fine, rain is fine

Said by someone who doesn't mind how things turn out, since either outcome suits them. Easygoing.
三年不漱口,一张臭嘴 sān nián bù shùkǒu, yī zhāng chòu zuǐ

three years without rinsing the mouth: a stinking mouth

Scolds someone for speaking rudely or nastily. Harsh and insulting.

May offend: vulgar language
三钱银子买个老驴,自夸骑得 sān qián yínzi mǎi ge lǎo lǘ, zìkuā qí de

buy an old donkey for three qian of silver and boast that it's good to ride

Mocks someone who blindly brags about themselves or their possessions. Close to 'blowing one's own trumpet'.
三十晚上的案板,不得空儿 sānshí wǎnshang de ànbǎn, bù dé kòngr

the chopping board on New Year's Eve: never empty

Said when someone is too busy to spare a moment. Humorous.
三十晚上买猪肉,买的找不到卖的 sānshí wǎnshang mǎi zhūròu, mǎi de zhǎo bù dào mài de

buying pork on New Year's Eve night: the buyer can't find a seller

Said when you leave preparation until the last minute and it's too late. Warns against putting things off.
三十晚上盼月亮,没有指望 sānshí wǎnshang pàn yuèliang, méiyǒu zhǐwang

waiting for the moon on the last night of the lunar month: no hope

Said when what one hopes for cannot happen. Rueful.
三十晚上晒衣裳,今年不干明年干 sānshí wǎnshang shài yīshang, jīnnián bù gān(gàn) míngnián gān(gàn)

drying clothes on New Year's Eve: if not dry this year, dry next year

Said of a task that has to be done sooner or later. Hence 'we'll do it anyway, whenever'.
三十晚上走路,没影儿 sānshí wǎnshang zǒulù, méiyǐngr

walking on the last night of the lunar month: no shadow

Said of something with no trace, no basis or no hope. For example, a rumour with nothing behind it.
三岁小孩儿贴对联,不分上下 sān suì xiǎoháir tiē duìlián, bù fēn shàngxià

a three-year-old pasting up couplets: can't tell top from bottom

Said when two things or people are so equal that you can't rank them.
三条腿的板凳,一碰就倒 sān tiáo tuǐ de bǎndèng, yī pèng jiù dǎo

a three-legged stool: topples at a touch

Describes someone very weak or something very unstable. Mildly mocking.
三仙传道,一人一套 sān xiān chuándào, yī rén yī tào

three immortals teach the Way: each has his own version

Said when several people each say something different and you don't know whom to follow.
三弦当琵琶,少根弦 sānxián dàng pípá, shǎo gēn xián

using a three-string lute as a pipa: one string short

Says a person is a bit slow or not all there. Teasing and rude.

May offend: mocks disability
三月里的白菜,早就有心儿了 sānyuè lǐ de báicài, zǎo jiù yǒu xīnr(xīn) le

cabbage in the third month: it already has a heart

Said of someone who has long had something in mind, especially someone who has long had feelings for another person. Playful.
三月里的桃花,红不了多久 sānyuè lǐ de táohuā, hóng bùliǎo duōjiǔ

peach blossoms in the third month: won't stay red long

Mocks someone enjoying good fortune that won't last.
三月里扇扇子,满面春风 sānyuè li shān shànzi, mǎnmiànchūnfēng

fanning oneself in the third month: face full of spring breeze

Describes someone who is happy and beaming.
三张纸画了个驴头,好大的脸面 sān zhāng zhǐ huàle ge lǘtóu, hǎo dà de liǎnmiàn

a donkey's head drawn on three sheets of paper: what a big face

Mocks someone who pretends to have great influence or standing.
桑木扁担,宁折不弯 sāngmù biǎndan, nìngshébùwān

a mulberry-wood carrying pole: would rather snap than bend

Describes a person of firm principle who would rather die than yield. Approving.
扫帚戴帽,顶个数儿 sàozhou dài mào, dǐng ge shùr

a broom wearing a hat: it counts as one

Said when someone or something is brought in just to make up the number, though it is not really up to the job. Mildly mocking.
杀鸡取蛋,不顾老本儿 shājīqǔdàn, bùgù lǎoběnr

kill the hen to get the eggs, ignoring the original capital

Sacrificing the basis of something for a short-term gain. Critical; close to 'killing the goose that lays the golden eggs'.
杀鸡用牛刀,小题大做 shā jī yòng niúdāo, xiǎotídàzuò

using an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken: making a big issue of a small matter

Making a fuss over something trivial or using far too much force on a small task. Mildly critical; like 'use a sledgehammer to crack a nut'.
沙锅捣蒜,一锤子买卖 shāguō dǎosuàn, yī chuízi mǎimai

pounding garlic in a clay pot: a one-hammer deal

Doing something in one go, regardless of consequences, since it can only be done once. Said of reckless all-in action or one-off deals.
沙滩上盖楼房,不牢靠 shātān shang gài lóufáng, bù láokao

building a house on a sandy beach: not firm

Something is unsteady, unreliable and without foundations. Like 'built on sand'.
沙滩上行船，进不得退不得 shātān shang xíngchuán, jìnbude tuìbude

sailing a boat on a sandbank: can't go forward or back

Being stuck in a predicament with no way forward or back.
傻子过年，看街坊 shǎzi guò nián, kàn jiēfang

a fool at New Year watches the neighbours

Someone with no ideas of his own just copies what others do. Mocking.

May offend: mocks disability
筛子盖锅，汽都跑了 shāizi gài guō, qì(qì) dōu pǎo le

covering a pot with a sieve: all the steam escapes

Said when someone's anger has all gone away. Humorous.
筛子做门，难遮众人眼睛 shāizi zuò mén, nán zhē zhòngrén yǎnjing

a sieve for a door can't hide from people's eyes

The masses see clearly and cannot be deceived; you can't cover things up from everyone.
山顶上吹喇叭，站得高，响得远 shāndǐng shang chuī lǎba, zhàn de gāo, xiǎng(xiǎng) de yuǎn

blowing a trumpet on a mountaintop: standing high, the sound (thinking) carries far

Describes a person with far-sighted vision and broad outlook. Approving.
山核桃，差着一格子 shānhétao, chàzhe yī gézi

a hickory nut: one compartment short

A family relationship that is one step removed, so rather distant. A regional, colloquial use.
山狸猫坐门墩儿，假充镇山虎 shānlímāo zuò méndūnr, jiǎchōng zhènshānhǔ

a wildcat sitting on a gate-block, posing as the mountain-guarding tiger

A nobody pretending to be an important figure. Mocking.
山坡上烤火，就地取柴 shānpō shang kǎohuǒ, jiù dì qǔ chái(cái)

warming oneself by a fire on a hillside: taking firewood (material) on the spot

Use what is at hand locally, whether materials or talent.
山水画，没人 shānshuǐhuà, méi rén

a landscape painting: no people

Said of a place or team short of people or manpower. Humorous.
杉木尾，不成材 shānmù wěi, bù chéngcái (cái)

the tip of a fir tree: can't become timber (can't become talent)

Said of a person with no ability who will never amount to anything. Mocking.
上城头学喇叭，本领不高吹得高 shàng chéngtóu xué lǎba, běnlǐng bù gāo chuī de gāo

going up on the city wall to learn the bugle: skill isn't high but the blowing is high

Mocks someone with little ability who brags loudly.
上轿穿耳朵眼儿，临时忙 shàng jiào chuān ěrduoyǎnr, línshí máng

piercing ears only when getting into the bridal sedan chair: a last-minute rush

Said of someone who only gets busy at the last moment, when it is too late to prepare properly. Close to 'shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted'; more precisely, leaving things to the last minute.
上了膛的子弹，一触即发 shàngle táng de zǐdàn, yīchùjífā

a bullet already loaded in the chamber: it fires at a touch

A situation so tense that the slightest provocation will set off serious trouble.
上了套的猴子，由不得它 shàngle tào de hóuzi, yóubude tā(tā)

a monkey that has been put in a harness: it's not up to it (him)

Someone who is under restraint cannot decide for himself. Said of a person with no freedom to act.
上楼梯吃甘蔗，步步登高，节节甜 shàng lóutī chī gānzhe, bùbù dēnggāo, jiéjié tián

eating sugar cane while going up the stairs: each step higher, each joint sweeter

Life or status keeps improving and each day is better than the last. Approving, often a good wish.
上娘家的道儿，熟路 shàng niángjia de dàor, shúlù

the road to her mother's home: a familiar way

Said of someone who knows a task or place very well.
上山砍柴，过河脱鞋，到哪儿说哪儿 shàngshān kǎn chái, guò hé tuō xié, dào nǎr shuō nǎr

go up the hill to cut firewood, take off your shoes to cross a river, talk about whatever place you come to

Deal with each problem as it comes up. Similar to 'cross that bridge when you come to it'.
上天绣花，想得倒美 shàngtiān xiùhuā, xiǎng de dào měi

embroidering flowers in the sky: a lovely thought

Mocks a daydream that sounds wonderful but could never happen. Sarcastic.
绱鞋不使锥子，针好 shàng xié bù shǐ zhuīzi, zhēn(zhēn) hǎo

sewing a shoe without using an awl: the needle is good

Said to mean 'really good'. The shoe-sewing scene is just a vehicle for the pun.
烧火棍拨火，一头捅 shāohuǒgùn bō huǒ, yī tóu tǒng

a fire poker stirring the fire: it pokes with one end only

Describes one-sided thinking that looks at one aspect and ignores the other. Mildly critical.

Every kind of Chinese saying