Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)
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烧火棍捅灶火坑，又得碰，又离不开 shāohuǒgùn tǒng zàohuo kēng, yòu děi pèng, yòu lí bù kāi
a fire poker prodding the stove hole: it has to bump it, and can't leave it
Describes two parties who often clash but cannot do without each other.
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烧了庙的土地爷，无家可归 shāole miào de tǔdiyé, wújiākěguī
an earth god whose temple has burned down: has no home to return to
Said of someone who has lost their home or family and has nowhere to turn. Sympathetic or wry.
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烧香遇到鬼，背时了 shāoxiāng yùdào guǐ, bèishí le
burning incense and meeting a ghost: out of luck
Said when something unlucky happens unexpectedly; bad luck, as in 'my luck's out'.
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舌头碰牙齿，免不了 shétóu pèng yáchǐ, miǎn bùliǎo
tongue bumping teeth: unavoidable
People who work or live closely together will inevitably have some friction.
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舌头上磨剃刀，好险 shétóu shàng mó tìdāo, hǎo xiǎn
sharpening a razor on your tongue: how dangerous
Said of a very dangerous situation.
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舌头上抹蜜，说甜话 shétou shàng mǒ mì, shuō tián huà
smearing honey on the tongue: speaking sweet words
Said of someone who says pleasing, flattering things; can be mildly mocking.
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舌头舔鼻子，够不着 shétou tiǎn bízi, gòu bù zháo
a tongue licking the nose: can't reach
Said when there is still a large gap and the goal is out of reach.
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舌头咽进肚子里，大张嘴没个说的 shétou yànjìn dùzi lǐ, dà zhāngzuǐ méi ge shuō de
the tongue swallowed into the belly: mouth wide open with nothing to say
Said of someone left speechless because they have no argument left.
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蛇头上的苍蝇，自来的衣食 shétóu shàng de cāngying, zìlái de yī shí
a fly on a snake's head: food and clothing that came by itself
Mocks someone who walks right into the hands of others who can exploit them.
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蛇钻到竹筒里，只能走这条道儿 shé zuāndào zhútǒng li, zhǐnéng zǒu zhè tiáo dàor
a snake crawling into a bamboo tube: it can only go this way
Said when circumstances leave you only one option.
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蛇钻空竹竿，曲心还在 shé zuān kōng zhúgān, qūxīn hái zài
a snake in a hollow bamboo pole: its crooked heart is still there
Said of a bad person who is forced to behave but whose bad nature has not changed. Critical.
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蛇钻窟窿，顾前难顾后 shé zuān kūlong, gù qián nán gù hòu
a snake going into a hole: hard to look after the back while minding the front
Said of a tight spot where you can't deal with everything at once.
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舍下灶王拜山神，弃近求远 shěxià zàowáng bài shānshén, qìjìnqiúyuǎn
leave the Kitchen God to worship the Mountain God: give up what is near to seek what is far
Said of someone who neglects what is close at hand and goes far away for something.
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伸嘴舔月亮，不知道自己的舌头长短 shēn zuǐ tiǎn yuèliang, bù zhīdào zìjǐ de shétou chángduǎn
sticking out one's mouth to lick the moon: not knowing how long one's tongue is
Mocks someone who tries to flatter another but cannot pull it off, and who overestimates their own ability.
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神龛底下搭床铺，伴神享受 shénkān dǐxia dā chuángpù, bàn shén xiǎngshòu
setting up a bed beneath the shrine: sharing in the god's enjoyment
Gaining benefits by relying on someone with power or authority.
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生成的豆芽儿，长不成树 shēngchéng de dòuyár, zhǎng bùchéng shù
born a bean sprout, it can't grow into a tree
A person of poor basic quality is unlikely to achieve much. Disparaging.
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生成的眉毛，长成的痣，变不了 shēngchéng de méimao, zhǎngchéng de zhì, biàn bùliǎo
eyebrows you're born with and moles that have grown: can't be changed
Something or someone already fixed in form cannot be changed.
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生了虫的拐棍儿，不能拄 shēngle chóng de guǎigùnr, bù néng zhǔ
a worm-eaten walking stick: can't be leaned on
Said of a person who is unreliable or useless.
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生气踢石头，伤的是自己的脚 shēngqì tī shítou, shāngde shì zìjǐ de jiǎo
kicking a stone in anger: it's your own foot that gets hurt
Taking out your failure on others ends up hurting yourself. Like 'cutting off your nose to spite your face'.
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圣人喝卤水，明白人办糊涂事 shèngrén hē lǔshuǐ, míngbai rén bàn hútu shì
a sage drinking bittern: a wise person doing a foolish thing
A clever person who does something stupid. Mocking or rueful.
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圣人庙，供养贤人 shèngrén miào, gōngyǎng xián(xián) rén
a sage's temple: supports worthy (idle) people
Mocks the practice of supporting idle people who do no work.
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失火躲在床底下，熬过一时算一时 shīhuǒ duǒ zài chuáng dǐxia, áoguò yīshí suàn yīshí
hiding under the bed when the house is on fire: getting through one moment at a time
Facing trouble by passively muddling through one moment after another. Critical.
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失去金箍棒的孙悟空，有本事使不出 shīqù jīngūbàng de sūnwùkōng, yǒu běnshi shǐ bù chū
Sun Wukong without his golden cudgel: has skill but can't use it
Having lost the means or advantage needed to win, one can't use one's abilities. The cudgel is from Journey to the West.
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狮子尾巴摇铃铛，热闹在后头 shīzi wěiba yáo língdang, rènao zài hòutou
the lion's tail shakes a bell: the excitement is still to come
The best or biggest part is still to come; something major is about to happen. Said lightly, sometimes as a warning.
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湿手捏石灰，甩不脱 shīshǒu niē shíhuī, shuǎi bù tuō
a wet hand grabbing quicklime: can't shake it off
Once you get tangled up in a troublesome matter, you can't get free of it. Said ruefully about trouble that sticks.
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十八岁的姑娘当媒人，人不说你，你还说人 shíbā suì de gūniang dāng méiren, rén bù shuō nǐ, nǐ hái shuō rén
an eighteen-year-old girl acting as matchmaker: nobody has matched you, yet you match others
Said of someone who makes a mistake and, before anyone has criticised them, blames others instead. Mocking.
May offend: sexist or sexual
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十冬腊月吃冰棍儿，透心儿凉 shídōnglàyuè chī bīnggùnr, tòuxīnrliáng
eating an ice lolly in the depths of winter: cold right through the heart
Utterly discouraged or disappointed. Said of someone whose hopes have been dashed.
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十冬腊月生的，冻手冻脚 shídōnglàyuè shēng de, dòng(dòng) shǒu dòng(dòng) jiǎo
born in the coldest depths of winter: freezing hands, freezing feet
Said of someone who 'makes moves with hands and feet', either hitting people or groping and harassing women. Critical and coarse.
May offend: sexist or sexual
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十二岁的孩子进敬老院，享福享得太早了 shí’èr suì de háizi jìn jìnglǎoyuàn, xiǎngfú xiǎng de tài zǎo le
a twelve-year-old moving into a retirement home: enjoying comfort far too early
Said critically of someone who settles into an easy life when they should still be working hard.
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十里高山望平原，往远处看 shí lǐ gāoshān wàng píngyuán, wǎng yuǎnchù kàn
looking at the plain from a ten-li mountain: looking into the distance
Don't focus only on what's in front of you; look further ahead. Advice to take the long view.
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十年的野猪，老虎的食 shí nián de yězhū, lǎohǔ de shí
a ten-year-old wild boar: the tiger's food
Something that has fully matured ends up taken by the stronger party. Used of a prize that finally falls to a powerful player.
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十五个吊桶打水，七上八下 shíwǔ gè diàotǒng dǎshuǐ, qīshàngbāxià
fifteen buckets drawing water: seven going up, eight going down
Uneasy, anxious and unsettled in mind. Used of nervous waiting.
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十五块布头儿做衣服，七拼八凑 shíwǔ kuài bùtóur zuò yīfu, qīpīnbācòu
making clothes from fifteen scraps of cloth: seven pieced, eight patched together
Cobbled together from scattered bits in a makeshift way. Mildly disparaging.
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十月的桑叶，没人采 shíyuè de sāngyè, méi rén cǎi(cǎi)
mulberry leaves in the tenth month: nobody picks them
Nobody pays any attention to you; you are ignored.
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石灰布袋儿，到处留迹 shíhuī bùdàir, dàochù liú jì
a lime sack: leaves marks everywhere
Wherever such a person goes they leave traces, usually bad ones. Said critically.
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石灰浆写文章，尽是白字儿 shíhuījiāng xiě wénzhāng, jìn shì báizìr
writing an essay in lime wash: all white characters
Describes writing or reading full of wrong characters. Mocking of careless or illiterate writing.
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石将军对上了铁将军，不见输赢 shí jiāngjūn duìshàngle tiě jiāngjūn, bù jiàn shūyíng
General Stone meets General Iron: no sign of winner or loser
Two evenly matched sides are locked in a contest with no clear winner. Compare 'a match made in stalemate'.
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石匠打铁，不会看火色 shíjiang dǎtiě, bù huì kàn huǒsè
a stonemason forging iron: can't read the colour of the fire
Someone who can't judge the moment and so can't adapt to circumstances. Mildly mocking.
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石蜡做的瓜果梨桃，中看不中吃 shílà zuò de guā guǒ lí táo, zhōngkàn bù zhōngchī
melons, fruit, pears and peaches made of paraffin wax: good to look at, not good to eat
Looks good but is useless in practice. Said critically of showy things or people with no substance.
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石狮子灌米汤，滴水不进 shíshīzi guàn mǐtāng, dī shuǐ bù jìn
pouring rice soup into a stone lion: not a drop goes in
Someone who won't listen to a word of advice. Critical.
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石头蛋腌咸菜，一盐难进 shítoudàn yān xiáncài, yī yán(yán) nán jìn(jìn)
pickling vegetables in a stone egg: one salt, hard to get in
A matter is so complicated it can't be explained in a few words.
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石头碰石头，一碰就发火 shítou pèng shítou, yī pèng jiù fāhuǒ
stone hits stone: sparks fly at once
A person with a hot temper who flares up at the slightest provocation.
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屎壳郎搬家，走一路，臭一路 shǐkelàng bānjiā, zǒu yī lù, chòu yī lù
a dung beetle moving house: stinks all along the way
Said of someone with bad character who is disliked wherever they go. Contemptuous.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎插鸡毛，你算个什么鸟 shǐkelàng chā jīmáo, nǐ suàn ge shénme niǎo
a dung beetle stuck with chicken feathers: what kind of bird do you think you are?
A rhetorical put-down for someone who overrates themselves and does not know how others see them. Mocking and rude.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎打喷嚏，满嘴喷粪 shǐkelàng dǎ pēntì, mǎn zuǐ pēn fèn
a dung beetle sneezing: a mouth full of spraying dung
Scolds someone for talking nonsense or filthy language. Very rude.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎戴花，臭美 shǐkelàng dài huā, chòuměi
a dung beetle wearing a flower: stinking beauty
Mocks someone who is vain and shows off, only to get a poor reaction. Teasing or scornful.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎掉进药柜里，冒充大力丸 shǐkelàng diàojìn yàoguì li, màochōng dàlìwán
a dung beetle falls into a medicine cabinet: passes itself off as a strength pill
Mocks a nobody posing as somebody, or someone with no skill pretending to have great ability.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎飞到车道沟里，充硬骨头 shǐkelàng fēidào chēdàogōu li, chōng yìnggǔtou
a dung beetle flies into a cart-rut: pretends to be a tough bone
Mocks someone who pretends to be a hard, brave man when they are not.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎飞到烟袋锅儿上，要拱火儿 shǐkelàng fēidào yāndàiguōr shang, yào gǒnghuǒr
a dung beetle lands on a pipe bowl: wants to stir the fire
Scolds someone for deliberately provoking others into anger.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎滚粪蛋儿，臭味相投 shǐkelàng gǔn fèndànr, chòuwèixiāngtóu
a dung beetle rolling a dung ball: the stink suits each other
Mocks bad people who share the same tastes and get along well. Like 'birds of a feather'.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎驾云，美上天了 shǐkelàng jiàyún, měi shàng tiān le
a dung beetle riding the clouds: so pleased it is up in the sky
Mocks someone so happy that they lose all sense of proportion.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎趴在鞭鞘上，只知道腾云驾雾，不知道死在眼前 shǐkelàng pā zài biānshāo shang, zhǐ zhīdào téngyúnjiàwù, bù zhīdào sǐ zài yǎnqián
a dung beetle clinging to a whip lash: knows only of soaring through the clouds, not that death is before its eyes
Mocks someone who is pleased with themselves and unaware of imminent danger.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎爬秤盘子，不知道自己有多大分量 shǐkelàng pá chèngpánzi, bù zhīdào zìjǐ yǒu duō dà fènliàng
a dung beetle climbing on a scale pan: doesn't know how much weight it has
Mocks someone who exaggerates the importance of their words and deeds and thinks too much of themselves.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎爬到扫帚上，专一找杈儿 shǐkelàng pádào sàozhou shàng, zhuānyī zhǎo chàr(chár)
a dung beetle climbs on a broom: looks only for forks (for faults)
Mocks someone who deliberately picks faults.
May offend: vulgar language
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屎壳郎钻入夜壶里，不说受罪，还说游江湖 shǐkelàng zuānrù yèhú li, bù shuō shòuzuì, hái shuō yóu jiānghú
a dung beetle crawls into a chamber pot: doesn't call it suffering, calls it roaming the world
Describes someone clearly in a bad situation who is still complacent about it. Mocking.
May offend: vulgar language
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手电筒，专照别人，不照自己 shǒudiàntǒng，zhuān zhào biéren，bù zhào zìjǐ
a flashlight: shines only on others, not on itself
Describes someone who picks on others' faults but never examines their own. Critical.
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手心的皱纹，清清楚楚 shǒuxīn de zhòuwén，qīngqīngchǔchǔ
the lines in the palm of one's hand: perfectly clear
Describes knowing a person or matter thoroughly. Close to 'know it like the back of one's hand'.
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寿星老儿吃砒霜，活得不耐烦了 shòuxīnglǎor chī pīshuāng，huó de bù nàifán le
the old God of Longevity eats arsenic: tired of living
Said of someone who is taking foolish, dangerous risks, as if they want to die. Scolding or mocking.
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受潮的炸药，不响 shòucháo de zhàyào，bù xiǎng(xiǎng)
damp explosive: doesn't go bang
Means someone no longer has any thought or intention of doing something. Humorous.
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瘦驴拉硬屎，硬撑架子 shòulǘ lā yìng shǐ，yìng chēng jiàzi
a thin donkey passing hard dung: forcing up a show
Mocks someone who strains to keep up appearances when they lack the means. Contemptuous.
May offend: vulgar language
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熟透了的藕，眼儿多 shútòule de ǒu，yǎnr duō
a fully ripe lotus root: many holes
Describes someone who is overly calculating or suspicious, with too many worries and thoughts. Mildly mocking.
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黍子做黄酒，后劲大 shǔzi zuò huángjiǔ，hòujìn dà
yellow wine made from millet: the aftereffect is strong
Describes a person who grows stronger and more effective as time goes on. Approving.
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属百灵的，叫得好听 shǔ bǎilíng de，jiào de hǎotīng
born in the year of the lark: sings beautifully
Mocks someone who talks well but does nothing practical. Critical.
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属爆竹的，点火就着 shǔ bàozhú de，diǎnhuǒ jiù zháo
born a firecracker: goes off as soon as it's lit
Describes a hot-tempered person who flares up at the slightest problem or provocation.
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属车轮的，推一推，转一转 shǔ chēlún de，tuī yī tuī，zhuàn yī zhuàn
born a wheel: push it once and it turns once
Describes someone passive who works only when pushed. Critical.
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属刺猬的，捧不得也打不得 shǔ cìwei de，pěngbude yě dǎbude
born a hedgehog: can't be held up and can't be hit
Describes a person who is hard to deal with, as neither flattery nor force works.
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属豆腐渣的，不往一起粘 shǔ dòufuzhā de，bù wǎng yīqǐ zhān
born tofu dregs: won't stick together
Describes people who cannot unite or pull together. Critical.
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属公鸡的，光打鸣儿不下蛋 shǔ gōngjī de，guāng dǎmíngr bù xiàdàn
born a rooster: only crows and never lays eggs
Mocks someone who talks loudly but produces no real results. Compare: all talk and no action.
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属狗的，翻脸不认人 shǔ gǒu de，fānliǎn bù rèn rén
born a dog: turns on you and doesn't recognise you
Describes someone who suddenly turns hostile and ignores personal ties. Critical.
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属狗的，记吃不记打 shǔ gǒu de，jì chī bù jì dǎ
born a dog: remembers the feeding, not the beating
Scolds someone who never learns from past lessons and is led by greed. Critical.
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属狗熊的，胎里笨 shǔ gǒuxióng de，tāi li bèn
born a bear: clumsy from the womb
Says a person is naturally clumsy or dull. Mocking.
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属核桃仁的，不敲不出来 shǔ hétaorén de，bù qiāo bù chūlái
born a walnut kernel: won't come out unless cracked
Describes someone who acts only when pressure is applied.
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属猴皮筋儿的，能伸能缩 shǔ hóupíjīnr de，néng shēn néng suō
born a rubber band: can stretch and shrink
Describes someone adaptable who changes with the wind, often an opportunist. Can be mildly critical.
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属猴子的，有人敲锣就上杆子 shǔ hóuzi de，yǒu rén qiāo luó jiù shàng gānzi
born a monkey: climbs the pole whenever someone bangs a gong
Describes a person with no opinion of their own who acts as others direct. Mocking.
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属黄花鱼的，溜边儿 shǔ huánghuāyú de，liūbiānr
born a yellow croaker: slips along the edge
Describes someone who stays on the sidelines and avoids getting involved.
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属鸡的，现刨现吃 shǔ jī de，xiàn páo xiàn chī
born a chicken: eats what it scratches up right then
Describes living hand to mouth, earning each day only enough to get by.
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属鸡毛的，越吹越觉得自己高 shǔ jīmáo de，yuè chuī yuè juéde zìjǐ gāo
born a chicken feather: the more it's blown, the higher it feels
Mocks someone who gets conceited the more they boast or are flattered.
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属姜太公的，能掐会算 shǔ jiāngtàigōng de，néngqiāhuìsuàn
born Jiang Taigong: can count on his fingers and calculate
Describes someone who seems to know everything and foresee the future. Often humorous.
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属犁铧的，老往一面翻土 shǔ líhuá de，lǎo wǎng yīmiàn fān tǔ
born a ploughshare: always turns the soil to one side
Describes someone who always argues one side or favours one party. Critical.
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属卖糖人儿的，吹得凶 shǔ mài tángrénr de，chuī de xiōng
born a sugar-figure seller: blows hard
Mocks someone who boasts and exaggerates wildly.
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属泥鳅的，滑得很 shǔ níqiū de，huá de hěn
born a loach: very slippery
Describes a person who is slick, evasive and cunning. Critical.
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属螃蟹的，横行惯了 shǔ pángxiè de，héngxíng guàn le
born a crab: used to walking sideways
Criticises someone who is habitually overbearing and unreasonable.
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属瓶子的，有口无心 shǔ píngzi de，yǒukǒuwúxīn
born a bottle: has a mouth but no heart
Describes someone who speaks without thinking but means no harm. Often said to excuse a blunt person.
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属水萝卜的，皮红心白 shǔ shuǐluóbo de，pí hóng xīn bái
born a radish: red skin, white heart
Describes someone who is warm on the outside but cold inside. Critical.
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属铁罐子的，禁得住摔打 shǔ tiěguànzi de，jīn de zhù shuāida
born an iron pot: can take being thrown about
Describes someone physically tough or strong-willed enough to endure hardship. Approving.
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属蟋蟀的，好斗 shǔ xīshuài de，hào dòu
born a cricket: loves to fight
Mocks someone who is always quarrelling with others.
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属喜鹊的，专拣高枝儿飞 shǔ xǐque de，zhuān jiǎn gāozhīr fēi
born a magpie: only flies to the high branches
Mocks someone who is set on climbing to a higher position or social rank.
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属鸭子的，就两片嘴硬 shǔ yāzi de，jiù liǎng piàn zuǐ yìng
born a duck: only the two halves of the beak are hard
Mocks someone who has no skill except talking well.
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属鸭子的，两片嘴爱怎么扁就怎么扁 shǔ yāzi de，liǎng piàn zuǐ ài zěnme biǎn(biān) jiù zěnme biǎn(biān)
born a duck: the two halves of the beak flatten (make up) however they like
Mocks someone who speaks carelessly and makes things up.
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树大阴凉小，照映不到 shù dà yīnliáng xiǎo，zhàoyìng(ying) bu dào
a big tree, a small patch of shade: its shade can't cover everything
Someone is unable to look after everything or everyone properly.
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刷子掉了毛，有板有眼 shuāzi diàole máo，yǒu bǎn yǒu yǎn
a brush that has lost its bristles: has boards and holes
Describes speech or action that is orderly and follows proper rules. Approving.
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霜打了的杨树叶，蔫了 shuāng dǎle de yángshù yè, niān le
poplar leaves hit by frost: wilted
Describes someone who has become dispirited after a blow or setback.
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水底下推船，卖力看不见 shuǐ dǐxia tuī chuán, màilì kàn bù jiàn
pushing a boat underwater: the effort can't be seen
Describes working hard without anyone noticing or knowing.
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水牛掉在井里，有力使不出 shuǐniú diào zài jǐng lǐ, yǒu lì shǐ bù chū
a water buffalo fallen into a well: has strength but can't use it
Describes someone held back by constraints and unable to use their abilities. Close to "hands tied".
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水田里的鳝鱼，没见过大江大河 shuǐtián lǐ de shànyú, méi jiànguò dà jiāng dà hé
an eel in a paddy field: has never seen a great river
Describes someone who hasn't seen much of the world. Mildly mocking.
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水仙不开花，装蒜 shuǐxiān bù kāihuā, zhuāngsuàn
a narcissus that doesn't bloom: pretending to be garlic
Said of someone pretending not to know or understand. Mocking.
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水淹洞穴的蚂蚁，有出没进 shuǐ yān dòngxué de mǎyǐ, yǒu chū méi jìn
ants in a flooded nest: some go out, none go in
Describes someone with only outgoing money and no income.
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水银泻地，无孔不入 shuǐyín xiè dì, wúkǒngbùrù
mercury spilled on the floor: gets into every hole
Mocks someone who seizes every opening or opportunity, especially unscrupulously. Critical.
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水中捞月，一场空忙 shuǐ zhōng lāo yuè, yī cháng kōng máng
fishing for the moon in water: all that work for nothing
Describes futile effort with nothing to show for it. Close to "a wild goose chase".
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水中明月，看得见，捞不着 shuǐ zhōng míngyuè, kàn de jiàn, lāo bù zháo
the bright moon in the water: you can see it but can't scoop it up
Describes something or someone longed for that is in sight but out of reach.