Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

张飞穿针，大眼儿瞪小眼儿 zhāngfēi chuān zhēn, dà yǎnr dèng xiǎo yǎnr

Zhang Fei threading a needle: big eye stares at small eye

Describes people staring at one another in surprise or blankly, at a loss. Humorous.
张飞翻脸，吹胡子瞪眼 zhāngfēi fānliǎn, chuīhúzi dèngyǎn

Zhang Fei turns angry: blows his beard and glares

Describes a person who loses his temper easily or is furious.
张飞卖秤砣，人强货也硬 zhāngfēi mài chèngtuó, rén qiáng huò yě yìng

Zhang Fei selling steelyard weights: the man is strong and the goods are solid

Describes someone highly capable and so confident, whose case is also strong. Approving.
张飞绣花儿，粗中有细 zhāngfēi xiùhuār, cūzhōngyǒuxì

Zhang Fei doing embroidery: delicacy within roughness

Even a rough person can be careful at times. Mildly approving.
张飞战马超，不分胜负 zhāngfēi zhàn mǎchāo, bù fēn shèngfù

Zhang Fei fights Ma Chao: neither wins

Two sides are evenly matched.
张飞掌鹅毛扇，充诸葛亮 zhāngfēi zhǎng émáoshàn, chōng zhūgěliàng

Zhang Fei holding a goose-feather fan: posing as Zhuge Liang

Mocks a poorly educated person pretending to be learned or wise.
张果老倒骑驴，不见畜生的面 zhāngguǒlǎo dào qí lǘ, bù jiàn chùsheng de miàn

Zhang Guolao riding a donkey backwards: never sees the beast's face

Means having no dealings with bad people.

May offend: vulgar language
张果老骑驴，倒着走 zhāngguǒlǎo qí lǘ, dàozhe zǒu

Zhang Guolao rides a donkey: going backwards

Describes acting against common sense or against the trend. Critical.
张天师被鬼降住，无法可施 zhāngtiānshī bèi guǐ xiángzhù, wú fǎ kě shī

Heavenly Master Zhang is subdued by a ghost: no method to use

Describes being at wits' end, with every approach exhausted.
掌心上长毛，老手 zhǎngxīn shang zhǎng máo, lǎoshǒu

hair growing on the palm: an old hand

Describes a very experienced person. Humorous.
丈八的灯塔，照远不照近 zhàngbā de dēngtǎ, zhào yuǎn bù zhào jìn

a sixteen-foot lighthouse: lights the far, not the near

A variant of the lamp-stand saying: those on high see others' faults but not their own.
丈八的灯台，照见人家，照不见自己 zhàngbā de dēngtái, zhàojiàn rénjia, zhào bù jiàn zìjǐ

a sixteen-foot lamp stand: lights others but not itself

People who see others' faults easily often cannot see their own. Critical. Close to "The pot calls the kettle black."
丈二的和尚，摸不着头脑 zhàng'èr de héshang, mō bù zháo tóunǎo

a twelve-foot monk: can't touch his own head

Being baffled, unable to make sense of a situation. Humorous.
丈二的门槛儿，难进 zhàng'èr de ménkǎnr, nán jìn

a twelve-foot threshold: hard to get in

Describes someone of high status and power whom ordinary people find hard to reach.
丈母娘看女婿，越看越中意 zhàngmuniáng kàn nǚxu, yuè kàn yuè zhòngyì

a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law: the more she looks, the more she likes

When you feel fond of someone or something, you find more to like. Humorous.
照相馆里挂相片，好样儿的 zhàoxiàngguǎn li guà xiàngpiàn, hǎoyàngr de

hanging photos in a photo studio: good-looking ones

Said of an outstanding person. The photos displayed in a studio are the best ones. Approving, humorous.
针尖儿对麦芒，针锋相对 zhēnjiānr duì màimáng, zhēnfēngxiāngduì

needle point against wheat awn: point against point

Two sides are sharply opposed in views or demands, and neither gives way.
针眼里观景，一孔之见 zhēnyǎn li guān jǐng, yīkǒngzhījiàn

looking at the view through a needle's eye: a view through one hole

Describes a narrow, one-sided opinion. Critical.
珍珠没眼仁儿，瞎宝贝 zhēnzhū méi yǎnrénr, xiā bǎobèi

a pearl with no pupil: a blind treasure

Said of someone who is blindly trusted or doted on without good reason. Mocking.

May offend: mocks disability
砧板上的蚂蚁，刀下找吃的 zhēnbǎn shàng de mǎyǐ, dāo xià zhǎo chī de

an ant on a chopping board: looking for food under the knife

Describes risking one's life to get some gain.
砧板上的一块肥肉，横砍竖剁都由人 zhēnbǎn shàng de yī kuài féiròu, héng kǎn shù duò dōu yóu rén

a piece of fat meat on the chopping board: cut across or chop lengthwise, it's up to the person

Describes someone who has lost all control and is at the mercy of others. Like 'at someone's mercy'.
正月十五的龙灯，由人耍 zhēngyuè shíwǔ de lóngdēng, yóu rén shuǎ

the dragon lantern on the 15th of the first month: it's played with as people please

Describes a person with no dignity or control, who is toyed with or pushed around by others.
正月十五看花灯，走着瞧 zhēngyuè shíwǔ kàn huādēng, zǒuzhe qiáo

looking at lanterns on the 15th of the first month: watch as you walk

We'll see how things go and decide what to do then. Often said as a mild threat or a wait-and-see attitude.
正月十五贴门神，晚了半月 zhēngyuè shíwǔ tiē ménshén, wǎnle bàn yuè

putting up door gods on the 15th of the first month: half a month late

Said of someone who is slow and misses the right time.
正中午看太阳，难瞧 zhèng zhōngwǔ kàn tàiyáng, nán qiáo

looking at the sun at high noon: hard to look at

Describes a person or thing that looks ugly.
郑板桥嫁女，分文不取 zhèngbǎnqiáo jià nǚ, fēnwén bù qǔ

Zheng Banqiao marries off his daughter: not a penny taken

Describes a generous person who takes no payment or fee at all.
芝麻地里的老鼠，吃香 zhīma dì lǐ de lǎoshǔ, chīxiāng

a mouse in a sesame field: eats what smells good

Describes someone popular and in demand.
芝麻掉到针鼻儿里，赶巧 zhīma diàodào zhēnbír lǐ, gǎnqiǎo

a sesame seed falls into the eye of a needle: just in time

Said when something happens by lucky coincidence.
芝麻掉到针尖儿上，难得 zhīma diàodào zhēnjiānr shang, nándé

a sesame seed lands on a needle point: hard to come by

Describes something precious that is hard to get or achieve.
芝麻开花儿，节节高 zhīma kāihuār, jiéjié gāo

sesame in bloom: higher joint by joint

Life gets better and better. A common auspicious saying.
纸糊的窗户，一戳就破 zhǐ hú de chuānghu, yī chuō jiù pò

a paper-pasted window: poke it and it breaks

Describes someone or something that puts on a show of strength but cannot withstand the slightest challenge, or whose pretence is seen through at once. Mocking.
纸糊的大炮，一辈子也打不响 zhǐ hú de dàpào, yībèizi yě dǎ bù xiǎng

a paper-made cannon: it won't go off in a whole lifetime

Said of a person of poor calibre who will never make a name for himself. Contemptuous.
纸糊的灯笼，心里亮 zhǐ hú de dēnglong, xīn li liàng

a paper lantern: bright inside

Describes a person who understands things clearly in their own mind, though they may not say so. Approving.
纸糊的房子，不容人 zhǐ hú de fángzi, bù róng rén

a house pasted from paper: it can't hold people

Describes a narrow-minded person who cannot tolerate others. Critical.
纸上画的饼，看得吃不得 zhǐ shang huà de bǐng, kàn de chī bude

a cake drawn on paper: you can look at it but not eat it

Something that looks good but has no practical value. Close to 'all show and no substance' or 'pie in the sky'.
纸团里的火，包不住 zhǐtuán lǐ de huǒ, bāo bù zhù

fire in a paper ball: it can't be wrapped up

A wrongdoing cannot be hidden and will sooner or later come to light. Warning tone.
钟馗开店，鬼都不敢上门 zhōngkuí kāi diàn, guǐ dōu bù gǎn shàngmén

Zhong Kui opens a shop: not even ghosts dare come to the door

Said of a shop or office whose staff are so unfriendly or fierce that people dare not approach. Mocking.
钟楼上的麻雀，耐惊耐怕 zhōnglóu shang de máquè, nài jīng nài pà

a sparrow in the bell tower: used to being startled and frightened

Describes a person who has been through so much that no danger frightens them. Approving or wry.
周文王请姜太公，要找就找明白人 zhōuwénwáng qǐng jiāngtàigōng, yào zhǎo jiù zhǎo míngbai rén

King Wen of Zhou invites Jiang Taigong: if you're going to look, look for a person who understands

When you need someone for a big job, choose a capable person with good judgement. Approving advice.
周瑜打黄盖，一个愿打，一个愿挨 zhōuyú dǎ huánggài, yī gè yuàn dǎ, yī gè yuàn ái

Zhou Yu beats Huang Gai: one is willing to beat, one is willing to be beaten

Both parties are happy with an arrangement, so no one else has any business objecting. Humorous.
猪八戒败阵，倒打一耙 zhūbājiè bàizhèn, dàodǎyīpá

Pigsy loses the battle: strikes back with his rake

Describes someone who, faced with failure, turns on the other side and blames them instead. Critical; like 'turning the tables with false accusations'.
猪八戒吃人参果，全不知滋味儿 zhūbājiè chī rénshēnguǒ, quán bù zhī zīwèir

Pigsy eats a ginseng fruit: has no idea of the taste at all

Said of someone who fails to appreciate something precious. Close to 'pearls before swine'.
猪八戒的脊梁，悟能之背 zhūbājiè de jǐliang, wù(wú)néng zhī bèi(bèi)

Pigsy's back: the back of Wuneng

Describes a person with no ability; a worthless sort. Mocking.
猪八戒摔耙子，倒打一耙 zhūbājiè shuāi pázi, dàodǎyīpá

Pigsy throws down his rake: strikes back with the rake

Accusing the other side in return when you are the one at fault. See 猪八戒败阵，倒打一耙. Critical.
猪八戒摔耙子，不侍猴儿 zhūbājiè shuāi pázi, bù shì hóur(hou)

Pigsy throws down his rake: won't wait on the monkey

Says someone has thrown up the job and will no longer serve or run errands for another. Humorous.
猪八戒照镜子，当面给个难看 zhūbājiè zhào jìngzi, dāngmiàn gěi ge nánkàn

Pigsy looks in a mirror: ugly to his face

Describes someone who gives another a sour look or openly embarrasses them. Mocking.
猪八戒照镜子，里外不是人 zhūbājiè zhào jìngzi, lǐwài bù shì rén

Pigsy looks in a mirror: not human either inside or out

Describes being blamed or abused from all sides, with no one's approval. Rueful; like 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'.
猪八戒坐在冷宫里，愁得没对儿 zhūbājiè zuò zài lěnggōng li, chóu(chǒu) de méi duìr

Pigsy sits in the cold palace: so worried there's no match

Said of someone extremely ugly, with nobody uglier. Mocking.

May offend: mocks disability
猪往前拱，鸡往后刨，各有各的道道儿 zhū wǎng qián gǒng, jī wǎng hòu páo, gè yǒu gè de dàodàor

pigs root forward, chickens scratch backward: each has its own way

Everyone has their own methods, knack or ideas. Neutral, mildly humorous.
猪血烩豆腐，黑白分明 zhūxiě huì dòufu, hēibáifēnmíng

pig's blood stewed with tofu: black and white clearly distinct

Right and wrong, good and evil, are clearly separated. Approving.
竹竿打月亮，挨不上边儿 zhúgān dǎ yuèliang, āi bù shàng biānr

hitting the moon with a bamboo pole: can't get near its edge

Two things have no connection at all; something is wide of the mark.
竹篮打水，一场空 zhúlán dǎ shuǐ, yī cháng kōng

drawing water with a bamboo basket: all for nothing

Effort that ends in nothing; all hopes dashed. Similar to 'a wasted effort' or 'carrying water in a sieve'.
竹篮挑水，两头空 zhúlán tiāo shuǐ, liǎngtóu kōng

carrying water in bamboo baskets on a pole: both ends empty

Gaining nothing on either side; coming away empty-handed.
竹笼里藏火炭，早晚要烧起来 zhúlóng li cáng huǒtàn, zǎowǎn yào shāo qǐlái

hiding burning coal in a bamboo cage: it will catch fire sooner or later

A hidden danger will sooner or later cause trouble. Warning.
竹筛子打水，漏洞百出 zhúshāizi dǎ shuǐ, lòudòngbǎichū

drawing water in a bamboo sieve: leaks everywhere

Describes talk or work full of holes and inconsistencies. Critical.
竹笋出土，节节高升 zhúsǔn chū tǔ, jiéjié gāo shēng

bamboo shoots come out of the ground: rising joint by joint

Says a person's rank or position rises step by step. Auspicious and approving, often a good wish.
竹筒倒豆子，全骨碌出来 zhútǒng dào dòuzi, quán gūlu chūlái

pouring beans from a bamboo tube: they all roll out

To say everything frankly, holding nothing back. Similar to 'spill the beans' but not necessarily indiscreet.
拄着拐棍打灯笼，明火执杖 zhǔzhe guǎigùn dǎ dēnglong, mínghuǒzhízhàng (zhàng)

leaning on a crutch while carrying a lantern: bright fire, holding a staff

Doing wrong openly and brazenly with no fear of being seen. Critical.
煮熟的鸭子，飞不了 zhǔshú de yāzi, fēi bùliǎo

a cooked duck: it can't fly away

Someone or something is sure not to escape; the thing is as good as secured. Often said of a prize or deal. Similar to 'in the bag'.
煮熟的猪爪子，总是往里弯 zhǔshú de zhūzhuǎzi, zǒng shì wǎng lǐ wān

a cooked pig's trotter always curls inward

People always favour their own side. Wry and mildly critical, like 'blood is thicker than water' in the partisan sense.
抓住渔船当鞋穿，大手大脚 zhuāzhù yúchuán dàng xié chuān, dàshǒudàjiǎo

grabbing a fishing boat and wearing it as a shoe: big hands and big feet

Describes someone who spends money or uses things extravagantly and without restraint. Mildly critical.
庄稼地里耍大刀，吓唬割草的 zhuāngjia dì li shuǎ dà dāo, xiàhu gē cǎo de

brandishing a big sword in the crop field: scaring the grass cutters

Mocks someone who makes a bluff and threatens, but only frightens naive people with little experience. Mocking.
桌子底下打拳，出手就不高 zhuōzi dǐxia dǎquán, chūshǒu jiù bù gāo

boxing under the table: the hand-out is not high

Said of someone whose starting point or standard is low from the beginning.
桌子底下放风筝，想高也高不了 zhuōzi dǐxia fàng fēngzheng, xiǎng gāo yě gāo bùliǎo

flying a kite under the table: it can't get high even if it wants to

Said when conditions limit what someone can achieve, so they can't reach a high level.
啄木鸟打洞，全凭嘴硬 zhuómùniǎo dǎ dòng, quán píng zuǐ yìng

woodpecker drilling a hole: it all relies on a hard beak

See 啄木鸟找食，全凭嘴硬: success comes down to talking tough or talking well. Often mocking.
啄木鸟发疟疾，嘴硬身子虚 zhuómùniǎo fā nüèji, zuǐ yìng shēnzi xū

woodpecker with malaria: hard beak, weak body

Said of someone who talks tough but has a weak case or no real strength behind the words. Mocking.
啄木鸟翻跟头，耍花哨屁股 zhuómùniǎo fān gēntou, shuǎ huāshao pìgu

woodpecker turning a somersault: showing off its fancy rear

Mocks someone who cares only about looking impressive and not about practical results.

May offend: vulgar language
啄木鸟死在树窟窿里，吃亏在那张嘴上 zhuómùniǎo sǐ zài shù kūlong li, chīkuī zài nà zhāng zuǐ shang

woodpecker dies in a tree hole: it came to grief through its beak

Someone who gets into trouble because they talk too much or carelessly.
啄木鸟找食，全凭嘴硬 zhuómùniǎo zhǎo shí, quán píng zuǐ yìng

woodpecker looking for food: it all depends on a hard beak

Said of someone who gets by purely by being a good talker.
啄木鸟啄树，劲儿全使在嘴上 zhuómùniǎo zhuó shù, jìnr quán shǐ zài zuǐ shang

woodpecker pecking a tree: all the effort goes into the beak

Mocks people who spend all their energy on big talk and do no real work.
自己的耳朵，看不见 zìjǐ de ěrduo, kàn bù jiàn

your own ears: you can't see them

Something right next to you can go unnoticed. Said of failing to see what is under one's nose.
走路被元宝绊了跤，想不到的好事 zǒulù bèi yuánbǎo bànle jiāo, xiǎng bù dào de hǎoshì

tripping over a gold ingot while walking: an unexpected piece of good luck

An unexpected windfall or stroke of good fortune. Like 'a bolt from the blue' in the good sense.
卒子过河，不能后退 zúzi guò hé, bù néng hòutuì

a pawn that has crossed the river: it cannot retreat

Once committed, you can only go forward and there is no turning back. Like 'no turning back'.
钻进风箱里的老鼠，受不完的气 zuānjìn fēngxiāng lǐ de lǎoshǔ, shòu bù wán de qì

a rat that has crawled into a bellows: endless air to take

Describes being bullied or pushed around endlessly.
嘴唇上抹白糖，说着甜 zuǐchún shang mǒ báitáng, shuōzhe tián

white sugar smeared on the lips: it sounds sweet when spoken

Describes someone who speaks in pleasing, flattering words. It can be admiring, but often hints that the words are not sincere.
嘴上抹石灰，白吃 zuǐ shang mǒ shíhuī, bái chī

lime smeared on the mouth: eats white

Describes eating or drinking without paying. Humorous or mocking, used of freeloaders.
嘴上抹石灰，白说 zuǐ shang mǒ shíhuī, bái shuō

lime smeared on the mouth: speaks in vain (white)

Describes words that have no effect, so that saying them is the same as not saying them. Said with resignation or irritation.
嘴上贴封条，开不了口 zuǐ shang tiē fēngtiáo, kāi bùliǎo kǒu

a seal strip stuck on the mouth: can't open it to speak

Describes someone who cannot or must not speak, as if the mouth were sealed. The usual form is 嘴上贴膏药，有口难开, 'a plaster on the mouth, hard to speak'.
嘴上贴膏药，有口难开 zuǐ shang tiē gāoyao, yǒukǒunánkāi

a medicinal plaster stuck on the mouth: hard to open the mouth

Describes being unable to speak, or having nothing to say, often out of awkwardness or because one is in the wrong. Close to 'tongue-tied'.
坐车不买票，白搭 zuò chē bù mǎi piào, báidā

riding the vehicle without buying a ticket: a free ride (in vain)

Describes effort that is wasted or has no effect. Humorous.
坐火箭上月球，远走高飞 zuò huǒjiàn shàng yuèqiú, yuǎnzǒugāofēi

riding a rocket to the moon: go far and fly high

Describes someone who leaves for a far-off place, often to escape. Humorous.
坐在飞机上唱歌，尽唱高调 zuò zài fēijī shang chànggē, jìn chàng gāodiào

singing on an airplane: all high-pitched tunes

Mocks someone who makes lofty, empty statements that have nothing to do with reality. Critical.
坐在飞机上打电话，空谈 zuò zài fēijī shang dǎ diànhuà, kōngtán

making a phone call on an airplane: empty talk (talk in the air)

Describes people who only talk and never act. Critical.
坐在飞机上放鞭炮，响得高 zuò zài fēijī shang fàng biānpào, xiǎng(xiǎng) de gāo

setting off firecrackers on an airplane: the bang (the thought) is high

Praises someone whose ideas are clever and out of the ordinary. Humorous and approving.

Every kind of Chinese saying