Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)
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挖肉补疮，好了一个损了一个 wā ròu bǔ chuāng, hǎole yī gè, sǔnle yī gè
cutting out flesh to patch a sore: one gets better, the other is hurt
Helping one party at another's expense, solving one problem by causing another. Close to 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'.
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娃娃鱼上树，横看竖看都不是人 wáwayú shàng shù, héng kàn shù kàn dōu bù shì rén
a giant salamander climbing a tree: from every angle it's not a person
Says someone has lost basic decency and doesn't act like a human being. Insulting.
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瓦上霜，见不得太阳 wǎ shang shuāng, jiànbude tàiyáng
frost on roof tiles: can't face the sun
Shameful matters cannot survive exposure.
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歪脖子榆树，定型了 wāi bózi yúshù, dìngxíng le
a crooked-necked elm: its shape is set
Someone's or something's character is fixed and can't change now.
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歪锅搭偏灶，一套配一套 wāi guō dā piān zào, yī tào pèi yī tào
a tilted pot on a lopsided stove: one set matching another
Mocks flawed people or things that are paired together; 'a perfect match'.
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歪嘴吹灯，一股斜气 wāizuǐ chuī dēng, yī gǔ xié(xié)qì
blowing out a lamp with a crooked mouth: a slanting (evil) draught
Mocks someone who uses crooked, underhand methods.
May offend: mocks disability
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歪嘴吹喇叭，弄斜装风 wāizuǐ chuī lǎba, nòng xié(xié) zhuāng fēng(fēng)
blowing a trumpet with a crooked mouth: twisting things slant (evil) and playing wind (mad)
Mocks someone who comes up with wicked ideas and plays the fool.
May offend: mocks disability
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歪嘴婆娘照镜子，当面丢丑 wāizuǐ póniáng zhào jìngzi, dāngmiàn diū chǒu
a crooked-mouthed woman looking in the mirror: embarrassed to her own face
Said of someone who is shamed in front of everyone; the usual form is 歪嘴照镜子.
May offend: mocks disability
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歪嘴照镜子，当面丢丑 wāizuǐ zhào jìngzi, dāngmiàndiūchǒu
a crooked mouth looking in the mirror: embarrassed to one's face
Said of someone who loses face right in front of others.
May offend: mocks disability
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外婆打外孙，吓唬吓唬 wàipó dǎ wàisūn, xiàhu xiàhu
a grandmother spanking her grandchild: just to scare
Making a threat that isn't meant seriously, just for show.
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外甥打灯笼，照舅 wàisheng dǎ dēnglong, zhào jiù (jiù)
a nephew carrying a lantern: shines on his uncle (as before)
Things stay just as they were.
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外甥戴孝，没舅 wàisheng dàixiào, méi jiù(jiù)
a nephew in mourning dress: no uncle (no saving)
It cannot be saved; the situation is hopeless.
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王八吃秤锤，铁了心 wángba chī chèngchuí, tiěle xīn
a turtle swallows a steelyard weight: its heart has turned to iron
Someone has firmly made up their mind and won't be moved. The word 王八 is coarse.
May offend: vulgar language
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王八看绿豆，对上眼了 wángba kàn lǜdòu, duìshang yǎn le
a turtle looks at a mung bean: eyes meet
Mocking remark when two flawed or unattractive people take a liking to each other. Insulting; the word 王八 is coarse.
May offend: vulgar language
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王八碰桥墩，不敢露头 wángba pèng qiáodūn, bù gǎn lòutóu
a turtle bumps a bridge pier: dare not show its head
Said of someone timid who dares not show their face when trouble comes. The word 王八 is coarse.
May offend: vulgar language
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王八钻灶坑，憋气带窝火 wángba zuān zàokēng, biēqì dài wōhuǒ
a turtle crawls into the stove pit: stifled and fire-bottled
Describes someone full of pent-up resentment who can't vent it. The word 王八 is coarse.
May offend: vulgar language
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王妈妈卖了磨，推不得了 wángmāma màile mò, tuībude le
Granny Wang has sold her millstone: can't push it any more
Said when a duty or request can no longer be refused or put off.
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王麻子的剪刀，真钢 wángmázi de jiǎndāo, zhēn gāng(gāng)
Pockmarked Wang's scissors: truly steel
Praise for someone truly strong and unyielding in character.
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王奶奶和玉奶奶比武，差一点儿 wángnǎinai hé yùnǎinai bǐwǔ, chà yī diǎnr
Granny Wang and Granny Yu compete in martial arts: short by a dot
Said when something falls just slightly short of another.
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王小二过年，一年不如一年 wángxiǎo'èr guònián, yī nián bùrú yī nián
Wang Xiao'er celebrates New Year: each year worse than the last
Things get steadily worse; living conditions decline year by year. Sighing or complaining.
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王小二开饭店，量人做菜 wángxiǎo'èr kāi fàndiàn, liáng rén zuò cài
Wang Xiao'er runs a restaurant: cooks according to the customer
To treat people differently according to their status. Often mildly critical.
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王小二做买卖，尽打如意算盘 wángxiǎo'èr zuò mǎimai, jìn dǎ rúyì suànpán
Wang Xiao'er goes into business: only works the abacus to his liking
Someone who plans only for the best outcome and ignores difficulties. Mocking; compare "counting one's chickens before they hatch".
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网兜捆猪崽，露出蹄爪 wǎngdōu kǔn zhūzǎi, lòuchū tízhuǎ
tying piglets in a net bag: trotters stick out
A hidden truth is revealed; what was concealed shows through.
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网兜里的麂子，吓破了胆 wǎngdōu lǐ de jǐzi, xiàpòle dǎn
a muntjac deer in a net: scared its gallbladder has burst
Terrified out of one's wits. Slightly mocking.
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望乡台上打莲花落，不知死的鬼 wàngxiāngtái shang dǎ liánhuālào, bù zhī sǐ de guǐ
singing lotus-blossom ballads on the Terrace for Viewing Home: a ghost who doesn't know he's dead
Mocks someone who doesn't realise they are in grave trouble and carries on carefree.
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望乡台上摘牡丹，至死还要贪花 wàngxiāngtái shang zhāi mǔdan, zhì sǐ hái yào tān huā
picking peonies on the Terrace for Gazing Homeward: even at death still greedy for flowers
Mocks a man who lusts after women right up to his death. Critical and sarcastic.
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围棋盘里下象棋，不对招数 wéiqí pán li xià xiàngqí, bù duì zhāoshù
playing Chinese chess on a go board: the moves don't match
Describes moves or methods that don't fit the rules or what is required, especially martial arts movements done wrongly.
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桅杆顶上开花，毫无指望 wéigān dǐng shang kāihuā, háo wú zhǐwàng
flowers blooming at the top of a mast: no hope at all
There is not the slightest hope of success; a mast is dead wood and cannot flower.
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桅杆顶上看人，把人瞧矮了 wéigān dǐng shang kàn rén, bǎ rén qiáo ǎi le
looking at people from the top of a mast: you see them as short
Mocks an arrogant person who looks down on others and underestimates them.
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卫生口罩，嘴上一套 wèishēng kǒuzhào, zuǐ shang yī tào(tàor)
a hygienic face mask: a set/cover on the mouth
Mocks someone who says one thing but thinks or does another; two-faced.
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未出窝的麻雀嘴朝外，挨着了就吃 wèi chū wō de máquè zuǐ cháo wài, āizháole jiù chī
a sparrow not yet out of the nest, beak turned outward: eats whatever touches it
Mocks someone who grabs a share of any advantage the moment it comes near.
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蚊子放屁，小气 wénzi fàngpì, xiǎo qì (qi)
a mosquito farts: small air (stingy)
Mocks a stingy person. Humorous and coarse.
May offend: vulgar language
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瓮里烧木炭，有火没处发 wèng li shāo mùtàn, yǒu huǒ méi chù fā
burning charcoal inside a jar: there is fire but nowhere for it to go out
Describes being full of anger with no way to vent it.
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瓮里捉王八，保险又保险 wèng li zhuō wángba, bǎoxiǎn yòu bǎoxiǎn
catching a turtle in a jar: safe and doubly safe
Something is completely secure and certain to succeed.
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瓮里捉王八，大小都逃不出去 wèng li zhuō wángba, dàxiǎo dōu táo bù chūqù
catching turtles in a jar: big or small, none can escape
Whoever or whatever is targeted cannot get away.
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瓮里捉王八，手到擒来 wèng li zhuō wángba, shǒudàoqínlái
catching a turtle in a jar: seize it the moment your hand reaches
Something is very easy or certain to be achieved. Like 'a piece of cake'.
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窝窝头翻个儿，显大眼儿 wōwotóu fāngèr, xiǎn (xiàn) dà yǎnr
turn a cornmeal cone over: it shows its big hole
Mocks someone who shows off and ends up embarrassing himself.
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乌龟吃大麦，糟踏粮食 wūguī chī dàmài, zāotà liángshi
a tortoise eating barley: wasting grain
Describes wasting something valuable on one who can't use it properly.
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乌龟吃了萤火虫，肚里明白 wūguī chīle yínghuǒchóng, dù li míngbai
a tortoise that has eaten a firefly: its belly is bright
Someone who says nothing outwardly but understands everything inside.
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乌龟爬门槛，就看这一翻 wūguī pá ménkǎn, jiù kàn zhè yī fān(fān)
a tortoise climbing a threshold: it all depends on this one flip
Success or failure depends on this one attempt.
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乌龟撞石板，硬碰硬 wūguī zhuàng shíbǎn, yìng pèng yìng
a tortoise bumps into a stone slab: hard against hard
Confronting an opponent head-on with equal toughness.
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乌鸦趴在猪身上，只看见猪黑，看不见自己黑 wūyā pā zài zhū shēn shang, zhǐ kànjiàn zhū hēi, kàn bù jiàn zìjǐ hēi
a crow perched on a pig: sees only that the pig is black, not that it is black itself
Mocks people who see others' faults but not their own. Like 'the pot calling the kettle black'.
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乌鸦占了凤凰枝，高攀不起 wūyā zhànle fènghuáng zhī, gāopān bù qǐ
a crow occupies the phoenix's branch: can't reach so high
A polite, self-deprecating phrase meaning one is not worthy of association with someone of higher status.
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屋漏又逢连阴雨，祸不单行 wū lòu yòu féng liányīnyǔ, huòbùdānxíng
the roof leaks and then comes continuous rain: misfortunes never come singly
Disasters come one after another. Like 'it never rains but it pours'.
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无根沙蓬，没个准地方 wúgēn shāpéng, méi ge zhǔn dìfang
a rootless sand tumbleweed: has no fixed place
Describes a person with no settled home or no definite destination, drifting from place to place.
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无花的蔷薇，只有刺儿 wú huā de qiángwēi, zhǐ yǒu cìr
a rose bush without flowers: only thorns
Describes someone whose talk is sharp and biting and who only irritates people. It is also said of a woman seen as sharp-tongued, picky and hard to work with. It is critical.
May offend: sexist or sexual
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五更天唱曲子，高兴得太早了 wǔgēngtiān chàng qǔzi, gāoxìng de tài zǎo le
singing songs in the fifth watch of the night: too happy too early
Mocks someone who celebrates before the matter is settled. Close to "don't count your chickens before they hatch."
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五更天赶路，越走越亮 wǔgēngtiān gǎnlù, yuè zǒu yuè liàng
travelling at the fifth watch: the further you go, the brighter it gets
The prospects keep getting brighter. Said approvingly of a future that is improving.
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五人合撑一把伞，小人全靠大人遮 wǔ rén hé chēng yī bǎ sǎn, xiǎorén(xiǎoren) quán kào dàrén(dàren) zhē
five people share one umbrella: the small people (small people) all depend on the big people (big people) to shelter them
Lowly people depend on powerful people for protection. Said, with a wry tone, of subordinates relying on their patrons.
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五个指头按不住十只麻雀 wǔ gè zhǐtou àn bǔ zhù shí zhī máquè
five fingers can't pin down ten sparrows
Scattered efforts achieve nothing; you must focus your strength. Said of trying to do too many things at once.
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武大郎打虎，没长下那个拳头 wǔdàláng dǎ hǔ, méi zhǎngxià nàge quántóu
Wu Dalang fighting a tiger: he hasn't grown that kind of fist
Mocks someone who lacks the ability to do the job. Wu Dalang is the weak brother of the tiger-slaying hero Wu Song in Water Margin.
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武大郎登梯子，想高人一头 wǔdàláng dēng tīzi, xiǎng gāo rén yī tóu
Wu Dalang climbing a ladder: wanting to be a head taller than others
Mocks someone who lacks the qualifications but wants to rank above others. The joke is on short Wu Dalang's wish to stand tall.
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武大郎放风筝，出手不高 wǔdàláng fàng fēngzheng, chūshǒu bù gāo
Wu Dalang flying a kite: his hands don't go up high
Describes someone whose skill looks modest when they start a task. The joke is that short Wu Dalang can't raise his hands high; "high" also means skilled.
May offend: mocks disability
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武大郎开店，个子比他高的别进来 wǔdàláng kāi diàn, gèzi bǐ tā gāo de bié jìnlái
Wu Dalang opens a shop: anyone taller than him need not come in
Criticises a narrow-minded, insecure boss who won't hire anyone abler than himself.
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武大郎卖棉花，人弱货软 wǔdàláng mài miánhuā, rén ruò huò ruǎn
Wu Dalang selling cotton: the man is weak and the goods are soft
Mocks someone who is both feeble and incompetent.
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武大郎卖烧饼，迟出早归 wǔdàláng mài shāobing, chí chū zǎo guī
Wu Dalang selling sesame cakes: goes out late and comes home early
Describes someone lazy who starts work late and quits early. In Water Margin Wu Song told his brother to do this to avoid trouble.
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武大郎攀杠子，上下够不着 wǔdàláng pān gàngzi, shàngxià gòu bù zháo
Wu Dalang grabbing a bar: can't reach up or down
Describes being stuck in a difficult position where neither option works. Short Wu Dalang can't reach the bar from the ground, and if he hangs from it his feet can't touch the ground.
May offend: mocks disability
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武大郎战李逵，差着好大一截儿 wǔdàláng zhàn lǐkuí, chāzhe hǎo dà yī jiér
Wu Dalang fighting Li Kui: a big gap between them
The two sides are so unequal that there is no comparison. Li Kui is a burly, strong Water Margin hero.
May offend: mocks disability
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捂着耳朵放炮仗，又想听响声，又怕听响声 wǔzhe ěrduo fàng pàozhang, yòu xiǎng tīng xiǎngshēng, yòu pà tīng xiǎngshēng
covering one's ears to set off firecrackers: wanting to hear the bang and fearing to hear the bang
Describes someone torn between wanting to do something and being afraid to. Gently mocking.
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捂着耳朵偷铃铛，自己骗自己 wǔzhe ěrduo tōu língdang, zìjǐ piàn zìjǐ
covering one's ears to steal a bell: fooling oneself
Describes foolish self-deception, hiding something in a way that fools nobody but oneself. From the fable of the man who tried to steal a bell. Mocking; close to "bury your head in the sand."
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雾里看指纹,认不出道道儿 wù li kàn zhǐwén, rèn bù chū dàodaor
looking at a fingerprint in the fog: can't make out the lines
Describes being unable to find the trick or the way to solve a problem.
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西北风刮蒺藜,连风带刺 xīběifēng guā jílí, lián fēng(fěng) dài cì
a northwest wind blowing caltrop burrs: wind together with thorns
Describes sarcastic, biting words that criticise or mock. The tone is critical.
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西边出太阳,没有的事 xībiān chū tàiyáng, méiyǒu de shì
the sun rises in the west: no such thing
Says that what someone claims is impossible. Dismissive, like "when pigs fly."
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西瓜掉进油桶里,又圆又滑 xīguā diàojìn yóutǒng li, yòu yuán yòu huá
a watermelon dropped into an oil drum: both round and slippery
Describes a person who is smooth and evasive, ready to flatter and avoid commitment. Critical.
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西瓜皮擦屁股,没完没了 xīguā pí cā pìgu, méiwánméi liǎo
wiping your backside with watermelon rind: no end to it
Said of a matter that drags on with no end in sight. Humorous and somewhat crude.
May offend: vulgar language
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西瓜皮洗脸,干净不了 xīguā pí xǐliǎn, gānjing bùliǎo
washing your face with watermelon rind: it can't get clean
Mocking: a person with something dubious in their record can't be innocent or made to look clean.
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西红柿拌白糖,去不了酸味儿 xīhóngshì bàn báitáng, qù bùliǎo suān wèir
tomatoes mixed with white sugar: can't get rid of the sour taste
Mocking: said of someone who can't shake off their pedantic, stuffy ways.
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西湖边搭草棚,杀风景 xīhú biān dā cǎopéng, shāfēngjǐng
building a straw shed by West Lake: it kills the scenery
Said of something that spoils a pleasant scene or mood, or of a person who dampens the fun. Mildly critical.
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膝盖上钉掌,离蹄太远 xīgài shang dìng zhǎng, lí tí(tí) tài yuǎn
nailing a horseshoe on the knee: too far from the hoof
Said when someone's remarks are far off the topic being discussed. Humorous.
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洗脸盆里扎猛子,不知深浅 xǐliǎnpén li zhā měngzi, bù zhī shēnqiǎn
diving headfirst into a washbasin: not knowing how deep or shallow
Said of someone who speaks or acts without a sense of proportion. Mocking.
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喜鹊衔梅花,喜上加喜 xǐquè xián méihuā, xǐ shàng jiā xǐ
a magpie holding a plum blossom: joy upon joy
Said when two happy events come together, for instance a wedding and a promotion. Approving and auspicious.
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喜鹊落在树上,各占一枝儿 xǐquè luò zài shù shang, gè zhàn yī zhīr
magpies settling in a tree, each taking its own branch
Each side holds to its own view or claim. It is neutral to mildly critical.
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喜鹊尾巴,老翘着 xǐquè wěiba, lǎo qiàozhe
a magpie's tail: always sticking up
Mocks a person who is always proud and looks down on others.
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戏台上的夫妻,有名无实 xìtái shàng de fūqī, yǒumíngwúshí
a married couple on the stage: husband and wife in name only
Said of a title or relationship that exists in name but not in reality.
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戏台上的鼓槌,离不开的一对儿 xìtái shàng de gǔchuí, lí bù kāi de yī duìr
the drumsticks on the opera stage: an inseparable pair
Two people who are close or whose interests are tied together and can't do without each other.
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戏台上的皇帝,威风不了几时 xìtái shàng de huángdì, wēifēng bùliǎo jǐshí
an emperor on the stage: his power won't last long
Mocking: those throwing their weight around won't enjoy it for long.
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戏台上做宰相,在位不长 xìtái shang zuò zǎixiàng, zàiwèi bù cháng
playing prime minister on the stage: not long in office
Said of someone who holds a post only briefly. Humorous or mocking.
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瞎骡子撒欢儿,乱套了 xiā luózi sāhuānr, luàntào le
a blind mule frolicking: everything's tangled in the harness
Said when order or the proper arrangement of things falls into chaos.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎猫逮住死老鼠,碰上的 xiā māo dǎizhù sǐ lǎoshǔ, pèngshàng de
a blind cat catches a dead mouse: just ran into it
Said of a success that came by pure luck. Compare 'even a blind squirrel finds a nut'.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子背着拐子走,由你指点 xiāzi bēizhe guǎizi zǒu, yóu nǐ zhǐdiǎn
a blind man carrying a lame man: it's up to you to direct
Said when you don't know the situation and ask someone to guide you.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子不叫瞎子,盲人 xiāzi bù jiào xiāzi, máng(máng) rén
a blind man isn't called a 'blind man' but a 'sightless person'
Said of someone who is busy all day long. Humorous.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子打灯笼,照亮别人 xiāzi dǎ dēnglong, zhàoliàng biéren
a blind man carrying a lantern: lighting the way for others
Said of someone who works only for others and not for themselves. Mildly approving or wry.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子逮蝈蝈儿,先听听音儿 xiāzi dǎi guōguor, xiān tīngting yīnr
a blind man catching a katydid: first listen for the sound
Don't rush in; first find out what is happening.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子点灯,白费蜡 xiāzi diǎn dēng, báifèilà
a blind man lighting a lamp: wasted wax
Said of effort or thought that is wasted. Compare 'a waste of time and effort'.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子放牛,不撒手 xiāzi fàng niú, bù sāshǒu
a blind man herding an ox: never lets go
Holding on tightly to a person or thing and not letting go.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子过河,看不清水的深浅 xiāzi guò hé, kàn bù qīng shuǐ de shēnqiǎn
a blind man crossing a river: can't see how deep the water is
Said of not knowing the real details of a matter.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子挤到三岔口,不知该走哪条路 xiāzi jǐdào sānchàkǒu, bù zhī gāi zǒu nǎ tiáo lù
a blind man pushing into a three-way junction: not knowing which road to take
Said of someone who has lost their direction and doesn't know how to go forward.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子拉二胡,练好了的本领 xiāzi lā èrhú, liànhǎole de běnlǐng
a blind man playing the erhu: a skill perfected by practice
A skill that came from hard practice. Approving.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子磨刀,快了 xiāzi mó dāo, kuài le
a blind man sharpening a knife: it's getting sharp / soon
Said when something will happen soon. Humorous, a stock reply to "when will it be done?".
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瞎子磨镰刀,快了 xiāzi mó liándāo, kuài le
a blind man sharpening a sickle: nearly sharp
A variant of 瞎子磨刀,快了: the thing will happen soon.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子扑蝗虫,有也抓不住 xiāzi pū huángchóng, yǒu yě zhuā bù zhù
a blind man grabbing at locusts: even if they're there, he can't catch them
Said of someone who doesn't know the situation and can't get anything done.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子骑马,专摸没有疤的骑 xiāzi qí mǎ, zhuān mō méiyǒu bā de qí(qī)
a blind man mounting a horse: feels for the one without scars to ride
A scolding for someone who picks on decent, harmless people.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子烧香,摸不到庙门 xiāzi shāoxiāng, mō bù dào miàomén
a blind man going to burn incense: can't find the temple gate
Said of asking for help but not knowing where to go.
May offend: mocks disability
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瞎子照镜子,不知自己是什么样子 xiāzi zhào jìngzi, bù zhī zìjǐ shì shénme yàngzi
a blind man looking in a mirror: doesn't know what he looks like
Mocks someone who can't see their own faults.
May offend: mocks disability
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下巴底下垫块砖,有口难张 xiàba dǐxia diàn kuài zhuān, yǒukǒunánzhāng
a brick under the chin: hard to open the mouth
Said when you have something to say but find it hard to bring up.
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下雪天过独木桥,提心吊胆 xiàxuě tiān guò dúmùqiáo, tíxīndiàodǎn
crossing a single-log bridge on a snowy day: heart in mouth
To be very anxious and afraid.
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下雨天不撑伞,淋到头上了 xiàyǔ tiān bù chēng sǎn, lín(lín) dào tóu shang le
not putting up an umbrella in the rain: it's pouring on your head
Said when a matter has now come round to oneself, as in 'it's my turn'.
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夏天穿棉袄,自己找罪受 xiàtiān chuān mián'ǎo, zìjǐ zhǎo zuì shòu
wearing a padded coat in summer: asking for trouble yourself
Said of someone who deliberately makes trouble or hardship for themselves. Mildly mocking.
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仙鹤打架,绕脖子 xiānhè dǎjià, rào bózi
cranes fighting: twisting necks
Describes speech or action that is roundabout and hard to follow instead of direct. Humorous.
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仙人掌开花,黄了 xiānrénzhǎng kāihuā, huáng le
a cactus blooms: it's yellow
Said when a plan falls through or something fails. Wry, casual.