Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

顺风的旗，逆水的鱼 shùnfēng de qí, nìshuǐ de yú

a flag in the downwind, a fish against the current

Each thing has its own nature and behaves in its own way. Neutral observation.
说书的嘴，唱戏的腿，有伸有缩 shuōshū de zuǐ, chàngxì de tuǐ, yǒu shēn yǒu suō

the storyteller's mouth, the opera singer's legs: they stretch and contract

Something is flexible and can be adjusted as needed. Neutral.
司马昭之心，路人皆知 sīmǎzhāo zhī xīn, lùrénjiēzhī

Sima Zhao's intentions: even passers-by know them

Someone's scheming is so obvious that everyone sees it. Mocking or critical; the first half alone is commonly used.
死人灌米汤，没救了 sǐrén guàn mǐtāng, méi jiù le

pouring rice soup into a dead person: beyond saving

The matter is settled and cannot be put right. Blunt and gloomy.
四大金刚扫地，有劳大驾 sì dà jīngāng sǎodì, yǒu láo dà jià

the four great guardian kings sweeping the floor: you've taken the trouble, great one

A polite, often joking formula for asking someone to do something for you.
四大金刚上天，悬空八只脚 sì dà jīngāng shàngtiān, xuánkōng bā zhī jiǎo

the four guardian kings go up to heaven: eight feet dangling in the air

Something is up in the air, not settled or with nothing to rely on.
四两棉花八张弓，细弹细弹 sì liǎng miánhuā bā zhāng gōng, xì tán(tán) xì tán(tán)

four ounces of cotton and eight bows: fluff it fine, fluff it fine

Let's talk it over carefully and in detail. Said lightly when proposing to discuss slowly. The book says the usual form is 二两棉花四张弓，细弹(谈).
松木杆子做椽子，宁折不弯 sōngmù gānzi zuò chuánzi, nìngshébùwān

a pine pole used as a rafter: would rather break than bend

A person of firm character who would sooner die than yield to force. Approving.
算卦先生的葫芦，一肚子鬼 suànguà xiānsheng de húlu, yī dùzi guǐ

the fortune-teller's gourd: a belly full of ghosts

Describes someone whose head is full of scheming, dishonest ideas. Critical.

May offend: mocks a group of people
隋炀帝下江南，自坐龙舟人拉纤 suíyángdì xià jiāngnán, zì zuò lóngzhōu rén lāqiàn

Emperor Yang of Sui goes south of the Yangtze: he rides the dragon boat himself while others tow it

Describes someone who enjoys the fruits of other people's hard labour. Critical.
孙猴子变土地庙，藏不住尾巴 sūnhóuzi biàn tǔdimiào, cáng bù zhù wěiba

Monkey Sun turns into an earth-god temple: he can't hide his tail

A disguise always shows a flaw. Said when someone's pretence is exposed.
孙猴子吃仙桃，正合口味 sūnhóuzi chī xiāntáo, zhèng hé kǒuwèi

Monkey Sun eats immortal peaches: just to his taste

Something suits one's needs or preferences exactly. Light and humorous.
孙猴子封了弼马温，不知道自己是多大的官儿 sūnhóuzi fēngle bìmǎwēn, bù zhīdào zìjǐ shì duō dà de guānr

Monkey Sun is made Keeper of the Horses: he doesn't know how small his post is

Mocks someone who thinks a minor position makes them important.
孙猴子回花果山，一个跟头栽到了家 sūnhóuzi huíhuāguǒshān, yī gè gēntou zāi dàole jiā

Monkey Sun goes back to Flower-Fruit Mountain: one tumble and he's home

Describes a total, miserable failure or the depth of bad luck.
孙猴子进了八卦炉，越炼越结实 sūnhóuzi jìnle bāguàlú, yuè liàn(liàn) yuè jiēshi

Monkey Sun enters the trigram furnace: the more he is refined, the sturdier he gets

Said of someone who becomes tougher and stronger through training and hardship.
孙猴子碰着如来佛，跳不出手心 sūnhóuzi pèngzhe rúláifó, tiào bù chū shǒuxīn

Monkey Sun meets the Buddha: he can't leap out of the palm of his hand

Someone cannot escape the control of a more powerful person.
孙猴子跳出水帘洞，好戏在后头 sūnhóuzi tiàochū shuǐliándòng, hǎo xì zài hòutou

Monkey Sun leaps out of the Water Curtain Cave: the good show is still to come

The best part is yet to come. Said with anticipation or as a warning.
孙猴子头上的金箍儿，戴上去容易取下来难 sūnhóuzi tóu shàng de jīngūr, dài shàngqù róngyì qǔ xiàlái nán

the golden band on Monkey Sun's head: easy to put on, hard to take off

Getting into something is easy but getting out is hard.
孙猴子压在五行山下，背上越来越重 sūnhóuzi yā zài wǔxíngshān xià, bèi shang yuè lái yuè zhòng

Monkey Sun pinned under Five Elements Mountain: the weight on his back grows heavier and heavier

Describes a burden that keeps growing.
孙猴子转生的，最会变 sūnhóuzi zhuǎnshēng de, zuì huì biàn

reborn from Monkey Sun: best at changing

Said of a person who is crafty or slippery and keeps changing their stance. Mildly critical.
孙猴子钻到铁扇公主肚子里，在里头踢蹬 sūnhóuzi zuāndào tiěshàngōngzhǔ dùzi lǐ, zài lǐtou tīdeng

Monkey Sun gets into Princess Iron Fan's belly: kicking about inside

Making trouble from inside the opponent's own ranks.
唢呐里吹出笛子调，响的不一样 suǒnà lǐ chuīchū dízi diào, xiǎng(xiǎng) de bù yīyàng

playing a flute tune on a suona: the sound isn't the same

Two sides think differently, or reality differs from what was expected.
塔尖上开天窗，眼眶子高 tǎjiān shang kāi tiānchuāng, yǎnkuàngzi gāo

a skylight at the top of a pagoda: the eye socket is high

Mocks a person with very high standards who looks down on ordinary things.
塔尖上亮相，姿态高 tǎjiān shang liàngxiàng, zītài gāo

striking a pose on top of a pagoda: a high bearing

Describes a person who takes a broad view and is generous when handling problems. Approving.
太公钓渭水，走老运 tàigōng diào wèishuǐ, zǒu lǎo yùn

Grand Duke Jiang fishes in the Wei River: his luck comes in old age

Someone enjoys good fortune late in life.
太公在此，没有你的位置 tàigōng zài cǐ, méiyǒu nǐ de wèizhi

Grand Duke Jiang is here: there is no place for you

Said to tell someone they are not qualified or senior enough to compete. Dismissive.
太公在此，诸神退位 tàigōng zài cǐ, zhū shén tuìwèi

Grand Duke Jiang is here: all the gods step down

Where a supreme authority is present, others must give way. Usually said as 'there is no place for you'.
太行山上看运河，远水不解近渴 tàihángshān shang kàn yùnhé, yuǎn shuǐ bù jiě jìn kě

looking at the Grand Canal from the Taihang Mountains: distant water doesn't quench present thirst

A slow or far-off remedy cannot meet an urgent need.
太平洋的警察，管得太宽 tàipíngyáng de jǐngchá, guǎn de tài kuān

a policeman of the Pacific Ocean: his beat is too wide

Mocks someone who meddles in things that are not their business.
太上老君叫蛇咬，法尽了 tàishànglǎojūn jiào shé yǎo, fǎ jìnle

Laozi bitten by a snake: out of magic

All ways and means are exhausted. Humorous.
太岁头上的土，没人敢动 tàisuì tóu shang de tǔ, méi rén gǎn dòng

the soil on the Grand Year god's head: no one dares touch it

Someone or something is so formidable that nobody dares touch it.
太岁头上动土，胆大包天 tàisuì tóu shang dòngtǔ, dǎn dàbāotiān

breaking ground over the Grand Year god's head: daring beyond measure

Rebukes someone for being outrageously bold and ignoring the consequences.
太阳地里喝老酒，里外都热和 tàiyáng dì li hē lǎojiǔ, lǐ wài dōu rèhuo

drinking aged wine in the sunshine: warm inside and out

Describes a family or group whose members all get on warmly.
太阳落山的猫头鹰，开眼了 tàiyáng luòshān de māotóuyīng, kāiyǎn le

an owl at sunset: its eyes are open

Someone has broadened their knowledge or seen something new. Light, humorous.
泰山顶上观日出，看不够的风光 tàishān dǐng shang guān rìchū, kàn bùgòu de fēngguāng

watching the sunrise from the top of Mount Tai: scenery you can't see enough of

Describes a view so beautiful you want to keep looking. Approving.
瘫子掉在井里，捞起来也是坐 tānzi diào zài jǐng li, lāo qǐlái yě shì zuò(zuò)

A paralysed man falls into a well: when he's fished out he's still sitting (doing)

Said when something has to be done anyway, whatever happens.

May offend: mocks disability
坛子里的豆芽，伸不起腰 tánzi lǐ de dòuyá, shēn bù qǐ yāo

Bean sprouts in a jar: they can't straighten their backs

Describes someone who is constantly bullied and has to live in grievance, unable to stand up for themselves.
檀木雕的菩萨，就是稳 tánmù diāo de púsà, jiùshì wěn

A Buddha carved from sandalwood: it's just steady

Describes a person who handles things in a steady, reliable way. Approving.
檀香木雕的菩萨，香是香，可就是不灵 tánxiāngmù diāo de púsà, xiāng shì xiāng, kě jiùshì bù líng

A Buddha carved from sandalwood: fragrant, yes, but not efficacious

Describes a person or thing that looks or sounds good but has no real substance. Critical.
唐僧上西天，取经去了 tángsēng shàng xītiān, qǔjīng qù le

Tang Sanzang goes to the Western Heaven: he's gone to fetch scriptures

Said of someone who has gone to learn from advanced people, places or organisations.
堂屋里挂草荐，不是画 tángwū li guà cǎojiàn, bù shì huà(huà)

Hanging a straw mattress in the main room: it's not a painting (words)

Said of words that are unreasonable or out of place.
螳臂当车，可笑不自量 tángbìdāngchē, kěxiào bù zìliàng

A mantis raising its arms to stop a cart: laughably overestimating itself

A variant of 螳臂当车，太不自量. Mocks someone who overrates their strength and tries to resist an overwhelming force.
螳臂当车，太不自量 tángbìdāngchē, tài bù zìliàng

A mantis raising its arms to stop a cart: far too overrating itself

Mocks someone who overestimates their strength and tries to resist a force far greater than theirs. Like "David against Goliath", but derisive.
螳螂掉到油锅里，浑身上下都酥了 tángláng diàodào yóuguō li, húnshēn shàngxià dōu sū le

A mantis falls into a pan of hot oil: it's crisp all over

Describes either someone so exhausted that their whole body is limp, or someone limp with terror.
提着影戏人儿上场，好歹别戳破这层纸 tízhe yǐngxìrénr shàngchǎng, hǎodǎi bié chuōpò zhè céng zhǐ

Carrying shadow-puppets on stage: whatever you do, don't poke through this sheet of paper

A reminder not to be too blunt or expose the truth. Also used to beg someone not to reveal one's shameful deeds.
剃头担子，一头热 tìtóu dànzi, yī tóu rè

A barber's carrying pole: one end is hot

Describes a situation, often a courtship or negotiation, where only one side is keen and the other is cold.
剃头师傅用推子，不对路数 tìtóu shīfu yòng tuīzi, bù duì lùshù

A barber using clippers: not the usual way

Said of someone going about a job in the wrong way. It comes from a time when barbers used only razors.
天桥儿的把势，光说不练 tiānqiáor de bǎshi, guāng shuō bù liàn

A Tianqiao martial-arts performer: all talk, no practice

Describes someone who only talks and never acts. Critical, like "all talk and no action".
天上的风筝，叫别人牵着飞 tiānshàng de fēngzheng, jiào biéren qiānzhe fēi

A kite in the sky: it flies as others pull it

Describes someone with no mind of their own who is directed or controlled by others.
天上的星星，没准数 tiānshàng de xīngxing, méi zhǔnshù

The stars in the sky: no exact number

Describes something so numerous that it can't be counted exactly.
田鼠走亲戚，土里来土里去 tiánshǔ zǒu qīnqi, tǔ li lái tǔ li qù

A field mouse visiting relatives: comes out of the soil and goes back into the soil

Describes someone who deals with nothing but earth and soil, such as a farmer. It is a light, humorous description.
挑水的回头，过井了 tiāoshuǐ de huítóu, guò jǐng(jìng)le

the water carrier turns around: he has walked past the well

Circumstances have changed and things are no longer as they were. Said when a situation has passed.
跳到秤盘子里，拿自己来量别人 tiàodào chèngpánzi lǐ, ná zìjǐ lái liáng biéren

Jump into the scale pan and weigh others by yourself

Mocks people who judge others by their own narrow outlook. Critical.
铁板钉钢钉，硬到家 tiěbǎn dìng gāng dīng, yìng dàojiā

Driving a steel nail into an iron plate: as hard as it gets

Describes a person who is extremely firm or uncompromising in attitude or character.
铁锤敲在钢砧上，锤锤有分量 tiěchuí qiāo zài gāngzhēn shang, chuíchuí yǒu fènliàng

An iron hammer striking a steel anvil: every blow has weight

Said of someone whose every word carries weight.
铁打的馒头，啃不动 tiě dǎ de mántou, kěn bù dòng

An iron-forged steamed bun: you can't bite into it

A difficult problem is hard to solve.
铁公鸡，一毛不拔 tiě gōngjī, yīmáobùbá

An iron rooster: not a single feather can be plucked

Describes a very stingy person who will not spend or give anything. Mocking. Close to 'tightfisted'.
铁拐李卖跌打药，总会碰上识货人 tiěguǎilǐ mài diēdǎyào, zǒng huì pèngshàng shíhuò rén

Iron-Crutch Li selling bruise medicine: he will always meet someone who knows good goods

If something is truly good, you need not fear doubt, because someone will appreciate it. Said to encourage.

May offend: mocks disability
铁轨上的火车，走得正，行得直 tiěguǐ shàngde huǒchē, zǒu de zhèng, xíng de zhí

A train on the rails: runs straight and goes true

Describes an upright person who acts honestly.
铁锅翻了底，上面是黑，底下也是黑 tiěguō fānle dǐ, shàngmian shì hēi, dǐxia yě shì hēi

An iron pot turned over: black on top, black underneath too

Said when people at every level are corrupt. Critical.
铁匠拆炉，散火了 tiějiang chāi lú, sàn huǒ(huǒ) le

The blacksmith takes down his furnace: the fire is scattered

A group has broken up.
铁匠出身，光会打 tiějiang chūshēn, guāng huì dǎ

Trained as a blacksmith, he only knows how to hit

Criticises someone who only knows how to fight and cannot find better ways.

May offend: mocks a group of people
铁匠铺的买卖，件件都是硬货 tiějiangpù de mǎimai, jiànjiàn dōu shì yìng huò

The blacksmith shop's business: every item is hard goods

Everything sold or done is of solid quality that passes any test. Approving.
铁路警察，各管一段 tiělù jǐngchá, gè guǎn yī duàn

Railway police: each in charge of one section

Everyone looks after only their own part of the job, usually with a hint of not caring about the rest. Said critically or neutrally.
铁路上的枕木，经得住压 tiělù shàng de zhěnmù, jīng de zhù yā

Railway sleepers: they can take the pressure

Describes a person who can withstand all kinds of pressure or bear heavy burdens.
铁耙子搔痒，一把硬手儿 tiě pázi sāo yǎng, yī bǎ yìngshǒur

scratching an itch with an iron rake: a tough hand

Says a person is an able, highly skilled expert.
铁刷子刷铜锅，硬碰硬 tiě shuāzi shuā tóng guō, yìng pèng yìng

An iron brush scrubbing a copper pot: hard meets hard

Two tough sides clash and neither gives way, or two equally strong experts compete evenly.
铁丝网裹脚，没有这么缠的 tiěsīwǎng guǒjiǎo, méiyǒu zhème chán(chán) de

Binding feet with barbed wire: nothing clings so tight

Describes someone who is extremely greedy for food.
铁铸的算盘子儿，拨拉不开 tiě zhù de suànpánzǐr, bōla bù kāi

Abacus beads cast of iron: they can't be moved

Someone can't be directed or deployed.
铁嘴豆腐脚，能说不能行 tiě zuǐ dòufu jiǎo, néng shuō bù néng xíng

Iron mouth and tofu legs: can talk but cannot walk

Mocks someone who talks big but does nothing. Close to 'all talk and no action'.
铜板做眼镜，认钱不认人 tóngbǎn zuò yǎnjìng, rèn qián bù rèn rén

making spectacles out of copper coins: seeing only money, not people

Mocks a snobbish person who cares only about money and not about people or relationships.
铜匠担子，挑到哪里响到哪里 tóngjiang dànzi, tiāodào nǎli xiǎngdào nǎli

a coppersmith's carrying pole: it rings wherever it is carried

Describes someone who gossips and talks away wherever they go. Mildly critical.
铜铃打鼓，另有音 tónglíng dǎ gǔ, lìng yǒu yīn

a copper bell beating a drum: another sound as well

Said of someone whose words carry a hidden meaning or other intention. Like English 'there's more to it than meets the ear'.
铜盆撞了铁扫帚，谁也不让谁 tóngpén zhuàngle tiě sàozhou, shéi yě bù ràng shéi

a copper basin bumps into an iron broom: neither yields to the other

Two stubborn people in a dispute, neither willing to back down.
偷来的锣鼓，敲不得 tōulái de luó gǔ, qiāobude

stolen gongs and drums: can't be beaten

Something done on the sly can't be made public, as it would give you away.
偷来的锣，敲不得 tōulái de luó, qiāobude

a stolen gong: can't be beaten

A variant of 偷来的锣鼓，敲不得: a secret or shady matter cannot be announced.
偷茄子带摘葫芦，两头不误 tōu qiézi dài zhāi húlu, liǎngtóu bù wù

stealing aubergines while also picking gourds: neither end is neglected

Handling two things at once without missing either. Humorous, a little cheeky.
头顶上长疮，脚底下流脓，坏透了 tóudǐng shang zhǎng chuāng, jiǎo dǐxia liú nóng, huàitòu le

sores on the top of the head, pus running from the soles of the feet: rotten through

Describes a person who is utterly rotten in character. Strongly condemning.
头发上贴膏药，毛病 tóufa shàng tiē gāoyao, máobìng

sticking a plaster on the hair: a hair problem

Said of someone with faults or bad habits in their life or attitudes. Mocking, light.
头上戴袜子，能出脚来了 tóu shang dài wàzi, néng chū jiǎo lái le

wearing a sock on the head: a foot sticks out

Mocks someone who shows off so much that it backfires and makes things worse.
秃顶上扎小辫儿，有限几根毛 tūdǐng shang zā xiǎobiànr, yǒuxiàn jǐ gēn máo

tying a little braid on a bald crown: only a few hairs

Describes something or someone with very few of something; the count is tiny. Humorous, sometimes mocking.

May offend: mocks disability
秃子跟着月亮走，借光 tūzi gēnzhe yuèliang zǒu, jièguāng

a bald man walking along with the moon: borrowing light

Means benefiting from someone else's success, status or connections. Often said lightly, sometimes with mild mockery.

May offend: mocks disability
秃子头上的虱子，明摆着 tūzi tóu shàng de shīzi, míngbǎizhe

a louse on a bald man's head: plainly laid out

Says something is perfectly obvious and cannot be hidden. Colloquial and a bit jokey.

May offend: mocks disability
土地庙里长草，荒神 tǔdìmiào li zhǎng cǎo, huāng(huāng) shén

grass growing in an earth-god temple: the deity is desolate (flustered)

Describes someone who is flustered and in a panic.
土地爷放屁，神气 tǔdìyé fàngpì, shénqì

the earth god farting: spirit-air

Mocks someone who acts arrogant and looks down on others.

May offend: vulgar language
土地爷骑兔子，各有各的坐骑 tǔdìyé qí tùzi, gè yǒu gè de zuòqí

the earth god riding a rabbit: everyone has their own mount

Everyone has their own usual way of getting around or doing things. Humorous.
土地爷挖黄连根，自找苦吃 tǔdìyé wā huánglián gēn, zì zhǎo kǔ chī

the earth god digging up goldthread roots: looking for bitterness to eat

Said critically of someone who brings trouble on themselves for no reason; 'asking for it'.
土地爷住深山，自在没香火 tǔdìyé zhù shēnshān, zìzai méi xiānghuǒ

the earth god living in deep mountains: at ease but with no incense

Describes someone who is free and unbothered but neglected, with nobody paying attention.
土豆儿搬家，滚蛋 tǔdòur bān jiā, gǔndàn

potatoes moving house: roll away ('roll, egg')

A rude way of telling someone to get lost; the potatoes just roll away.

May offend: vulgar language
兔子的尾巴，长不了 tùzi de wěiba, cháng bùliǎo

a rabbit's tail: can't be long

Mocks someone's good times, saying they won't last long.
兔子叫门，送肉的来了 tùzi jiàomén, sòng ròu de lái le

a rabbit knocking at the door: here comes the one delivering meat

Mocks someone who walks into a trap or delivers themselves to their doom.
兔子拉犁，不讲路数 tùzi lā lí, bù jiǎng lùshù

a rabbit pulling a plough: no regard for method

Mocks someone who works with no method or order and just blunders about.
兔子尥蹶子，没后劲 tùzi liào juězi, méi hòujìn

a rabbit kicking up its hind legs: no strength in reserve

Describes someone who starts strongly but lacks staying power.
兔子跑到磨道里，冒充大耳朵驴 tùzi pǎodào mòdào li, màochōng dà ěrduo lǘ

a rabbit running onto the millstone track: pretending to be a long-eared donkey

Mocks a nobody who poses as an important person.
兔子跳进开水锅，有死无活 tùzi tiàojìn kāishuǐ guō, yǒu sǐ wú huó

a rabbit jumping into a pot of boiling water: death, no life

There is only death and no way out; a hopeless situation.
兔子吞了土豆儿，吐不出来 tùzi tūnle tǔdòur, tù bù chūlái

a rabbit that has swallowed a potato: can't spit it out

Describes someone who won't or can't give back what they have taken. Critical.
推子剃头，一个师傅一个做法 tuīzi tìtóu, yī gè shīfu yī gè zuòfǎ

shaving heads with clippers: each master has his own way

Everyone has their own way of handling the same matter.
脱了裤子打老虎，既不要脸又不要命 tuōle kùzi dǎ lǎohǔ, jì bù yào liǎn yòu bù yào mìng

taking off one's trousers to fight a tiger: neither caring about face nor about life

Describes someone shameless and reckless who will do anything. Critical.

May offend: vulgar language
脱了裤子放屁，多费一道手续 tuōle kùzi fàngpì, duō fèi yī dào shǒuxù

taking off your trousers to fart: an extra step

Describes doing something needlessly roundabout or superfluous. Mocking and coarse.

May offend: vulgar language
挖井碰上自流泉，巧得很 wā jǐng pèngshàng zìliúquán, qiǎo de hěn

digging a well and hitting a flowing spring: what a coincidence

Describes a very lucky coincidence.

Every kind of Chinese saying