Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

才出壳的小鸡儿，嫩得很 cái chū ké de xiǎojīr, nèn de hěn

A chick just out of the shell: very tender

Describes a person with little experience who is not yet polished or seasoned. Mildly mocking.
才学理发就碰上大胡子，难剃 cái xué lǐfà jiù pèngshàng dàhúzi, nán tì(tí)

Just learning to cut hair and meeting a man with a big beard: hard to shave (hard question)

Said when a beginner hits a hard problem right at the start.
财神庙的土地，爱财 cáishénmiào de tǔdì, ài cái

The earth god in the God of Wealth temple: loves money

Mocks someone who has picked up a love of money from those around them.
财神爷甩袖子，镚子儿全无 cáishényé shuǎi xiùzi, bèngzir quán wú

The God of Wealth shakes his sleeves: not a single coin left

Describes being completely penniless. Humorous.
裁缝比手艺，针本事 cáifeng bǐ shǒuyì, zhēn(zhēn) běnshì

Tailors comparing skills: the needle (real) ability

Praises someone who has real skill and true ability.
裁缝打架，剪子、尺子一起上 cáifeng dǎjià, jiǎnzi、chǐzi yīqǐ shàng

Tailors fighting: scissors and rulers all come out together

Describes two things being done at the same time. Humorous.
裁缝的尺子，量人不量己 cáifeng de chǐzi, liáng rén bù liáng jǐ

A tailor's ruler: measures others, not itself

Criticises people who judge others but never examine themselves.
裁缝店里的老板，左也衣，右也衣 cáifengdiàn lǐ de lǎobǎn, zuǒ yě yī(yī), yòu yě yī(yī)

The owner of a tailor shop: clothes (go along) on the left, clothes (go along) on the right

Describes someone who goes along with everything and agrees to anything.
裁缝丢了剪刀，只有尺了 cáifeng diūle jiǎndāo, zhǐyǒu chǐ(chī) le

The tailor lost his scissors: only the ruler (eat) is left

Said when food has been prepared for you and, out of politeness, you can't refuse to eat it.
裁缝做嫁衣，替别人欢喜 cáifeng zuò jiàyī, tì biéren huānxǐ

A tailor making a wedding dress: happy for someone else

Describes working to make someone else's gain while you get only empty joy yourself.
踩着鼻子上脸，欺人太甚 cǎizhe bízi shàng liǎn, qīréntàishèn

Stepping on the nose and climbing onto the face: bullying too far

Describes someone who takes advantage of leniency and bullies others excessively. Critical.
踩着麻绳当蛇，小题大作 cǎizhe máshéng dàng shé, xiǎotídàzuò

Stepping on a hemp rope and taking it for a snake: making a big fuss over a small matter

Treating a trivial matter as a major one. Mildly critical.
踩着梯子吃星星，隔天远 cǎizhe tīzi chī xīngxing, gé tiān yuǎn

Climbing a ladder to eat the stars: still a sky away

Describes a wish so unrealistic it can never come true.
踩着银桥上金桥，越走光景越好 cǎizhe yínqiáo shàng jīnqiáo, yuè zǒu guāngjǐng yuè hǎo

Stepping off a silver bridge onto a golden bridge: the further you go, the better things get

Describes bright prospects and a life that keeps getting better. Approving.
菜碟舀水，一眼看到底 càidié yǎo shuǐ, yī yǎn kàndàodǐ

Scooping water with a vegetable saucer: you see the bottom at a glance

Describes something so plain that you grasp it all at a glance.
菜篮子里的泥鳅，你溜我也溜 càilánzi lǐ de níqiū, nǐ liū wǒ yě liū

Loaches in a vegetable basket: you slip away, I slip away too

Describes people sneaking away one after another.
残灯碰上羊角风，一吹就灭 cándēng pèngshàng yángjiǎofēng, yī chuī jiù miè

A dying lamp meets a whirlwind: one gust and it's out

Describes something so fragile that it cannot withstand any setback or blow.
蚕豆开花，黑了心 cándòu kāihuā, hēile xīn

Broad beans in flower: the heart has turned black

Describes a person whose heart has turned bad and ruthless. Critical.
仓颉造字，马虎不得 cāngjié zào zì, mǎhu bude

Cang Jie inventing characters: can't be careless

Says that work must not be done sloppily or carelessly.
仓老鼠向乌鸦借粮，守着的没有，飞着的倒有 cāng lǎoshǔ xiàng wūyā jiè liáng, shǒuzhe de méiyǒu, fēizhe de dào yǒu

The granary rat borrows grain from the crow: the one sitting on it has none, the one flying around has some

Describes the rich borrowing from the hard-up, which is the wrong way round.
苍蝇掉在糨糊桶里，糊头糊脑 cāngying diào zài jiànghutǒng li, hútóuhúnǎo

A fly falls into a bucket of paste: head and brain all pasted

Mocks someone who is muddled and doesn't understand things.
苍蝇飞到驴胯上，抱住了粗腿 cāngying fēi dào lǘkuà shang, bàozhùle cūtuǐ

A fly lands on a donkey's haunch: it's clinging to a thick leg

Describes someone who has curried favour with a powerful person. Mocking.
苍蝇飞进牛眼里，找泪吃 cāngying fēijìn niúyǎn li, zhǎo lèi(lèi) chī

A fly flies into an ox's eye: looking for tears (weariness) to eat

Describes someone who brings hardship on themselves.
苍蝇尥蹶子，小踢蹬 cāngying liào juězi, xiǎo tīdeng

A fly kicking like a mule: a little kicking about

Describes someone playing petty tricks or small schemes. Dismissive.
苍蝇落在鸡蛋上，见缝下蛆 cāngying luò zài jīdàn shang, jiàn fèng xià qū

A fly lands on an egg: lays maggots wherever there's a crack

Mocks bad people who do wrong whenever they find an opening.
苍蝇嘴巴狗鼻子，真灵 cāngying zuǐba gǒu bízi, zhēn líng

A fly's mouth and a dog's nose: really sharp

Mocks people who sniff out bad things quickly and are well informed about them.
曹操遇马超，弃袍割须 cáocāo yù mǎchāo, qì páo gē xū

Cao Cao meets Ma Chao: throws off his robe and cuts his beard

Describes a humiliating defeat and a sorry flight. It comes from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
草船借箭，满载而归 cǎochuán jiè jiàn, mǎnzài'érguī

Borrowing arrows with straw boats: returning fully loaded

Describes a very large haul or gain. It comes from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
草尖儿上的露水，留不住 cǎojiānr shàng de lùshui, liú bù zhù

Dew on a blade of grass: can't be kept

Said of a person who cannot be persuaded to stay.
草帽子当锣打，响不起来 cǎomàozi dàng luó dǎ, xiǎng(xiǎng) bù qǐlái

Beating a straw hat like a gong: can't make it ring (can't think of it)

Said when you have forgotten something and can't recall it.
草上的露水，留不久 cǎo shàng de lùshui, liú bù jiǔ

Dew on the grass: doesn't last long

A variant of 草尖儿上的露水，留不住: someone who can't be kept.
侧身睡觉，偏了心 cèshēn shuìjiào, piānle xīn

sleeping on one's side: the heart leans to one side

Describes someone who takes one side unfairly and shows favouritism when handling a matter. It is mildly critical.
茶馆不要的伙计，哪壶不开提哪壶 cháguǎn bù yào de huǒji, nǎ hú bù kāi tí nǎ hú

a worker the teahouse wouldn't keep: he picks up the very kettle that isn't boiling

Describes someone who brings up exactly the subject another person least wants mentioned. It is critical or exasperated.
茶馆里招手，壶来 cháguǎn li zhāoshǒu, hú(hú) lái

waving in a teahouse: kettle (recklessly) comes

Describes acting without rules or order, or messing about. It is critical or teasing.
茶壶打了把儿，只剩下嘴了 cháhú dǎle bàr, zhǐ shèngxià zuǐ le

the teapot has lost its handle: only the spout is left

Mocks someone who is all talk and good for nothing else.
茶壶里煮饺子，有货倒不出 cháhú li zhǔ jiǎozi, yǒu huò dào(dào) bù chū

boiling dumplings in a teapot: you have the goods but can't pour them out

Describes a person who is knowledgeable but too tongue-tied to express it. It is sympathetic or teasing.
柴油机抽水，吞吞吐吐 cháiyóujī chōushuǐ, tūntūntǔtǔ

a diesel engine pumping water: swallowing and spitting

Describes someone who hesitates and won't say things straight out, but beats about the bush. It is mildly mocking.
馋大嫂种瓜，拣着吃 chán dàsǎo zhòng guā, jiǎnzhe chī

a greedy sister-in-law grows melons: she picks which to eat

Describes choosing only what one needs or likes. It is light and humorous.
馋嘴进药店，自讨苦吃 chánzuǐ jìn yàodiàn, zìtǎokǔchī

a glutton walks into a pharmacy: asking for bitterness

Describes someone who brings suffering on themselves. It is mocking.
长虫吃扁担，直杠子一条 chángchong chī biǎndan, zhí gàngzi yī tiáo

a snake swallows a carrying pole: one straight rod

Describes a person who is blunt and straightforward. It is humorous.
长虫吃蛤蟆，慢慢来 chángchong chī háma, mànmàn lái

a snake eating a toad: take it slowly

Don't rush for quick results. Go step by step.
长虫打架，绕脖子 chángchong dǎjià, rào bózi

snakes fighting: they wind around necks

Describes someone who talks in a roundabout way, not getting to the point. It is mildly critical.
长虫钻竹筒，转不了弯 chángchong zuān zhútǒng, zhuàn bùliǎo wān

a snake crawling into a bamboo tube: can't turn a bend

Describes a person who can't change their way of thinking. It is mildly mocking.
长颈鹿脖子、仙鹤腿，各有所长 chángjǐnglù bózi、xiānhè tuǐ, gèyǒusuǒcháng

a giraffe's neck, a crane's legs: each has its own length

Everyone has their own strengths. Approving.
长颈鹿的脑袋，高人一头 chángjǐnglù de nǎodai, gāorényītóu

a giraffe's head: a head taller than others

Describes someone whose ability or standing is a class above others. It is approving or teasing.
唱戏的喝彩，自己给自己捧场 chàngxì de hècǎi, zìjǐ gěi zìjǐ pěngchǎng

An opera performer shouting bravo: cheering himself on

Said, mockingly, of someone who admires or praises himself or his own work.
唱戏的胡子，假的 chàngxì de húzi, jiǎ de

An opera actor's beard: fake

Said of words or things that are untrue or not genuine. Mildly mocking.
唱戏的跑圈儿，走过场 chàngxì de pǎo quānr, zǒuguòchǎng

An opera actor running a circle: just walking across the stage

Said of doing something only for show, going through the motions without real effort. Critical.
炒菜的勺子，尝尽了酸甜苦辣 chǎocài de sháozi, chángjìnle suāntiánkǔlà

A stir-fry ladle: has tasted every sour, sweet, bitter and hot flavour

Said of someone who has experienced all the joys and sorrows of life.
炒熟的虾米，红仁儿 chǎoshóu de xiāmi, hóng rénr(rénr)

Stir-fried dried shrimp: a red kernel (a red person)

Said of a person who is favoured, valued or popular; a 'favourite'.
车道沟里的泥鳅，掀不起大浪 chēdàogōu lǐ de níqiū, xiān bù qǐ dà làng

A loach in a cart-rut ditch: can't stir up big waves

Said of someone who is too limited to accomplish anything big. Dismissive.
车胎拔了气门芯，瘪了 chētāi báile qìménxīn, biěle

A tyre with its valve core pulled out: flat

Describes something suddenly sunk in, or a person who has been caught at a weak point and loses confidence. Humorous.
车轴卷住了乱麻，理不出个头绪 chēzhóu juǎnzhùle luàn má, lǐ bù chū ge tóuxù

A cart axle wound with tangled hemp: can't find the end of the thread

Describes a confused mind or a complicated matter that is hard to sort out.
扯开头的线团儿，牵连很远 chěkāi tóu de xiàntuánr, qiānlián hěn yuǎn

A ball of thread with its end pulled: connected far away

Said of a matter that involves many people or things.
陈世美犯法，包办 chénshìměi fànfǎ, bāobàn

Chen Shimei breaks the law: Bao handles it

Said of handling everything yourself, or deciding arbitrarily without consulting others. Humorous.
撑着阳伞戴凉帽，多此一举 chēngzhe yángsǎn dài liángmào, duōcǐyījǔ

Holding up a parasol while wearing a straw hat: an unnecessary extra move

Doing something needless and redundant. It is mildly mocking.
城隍庙的鼓槌，一对儿 chénghuángmiào de gǔchuí, yīduìr

The drumsticks in the City God temple: a pair

Two people or things that go together as a pair, and neither can be left out. It can be used humorously of two companions.
城隍庙里的匾额，有求必应 chénghuángmiào lǐ de biǎn'é, yǒuqiúbìyìng

The plaque in the City God temple: every request is answered

Any request will be granted. It is said of someone who always agrees to help.
城隍庙里的算盘，不由人扒拉 chénghuángmiào lǐ de suànpán, bù yóu rén bāla

The abacus in the City God temple: not for people to flick

Someone has firm views of their own and won't be pushed around by others.
城隍庙里卖假药，哄鬼 chénghuángmiào li mài jiǎyào, hǒng guǐ

Selling fake medicine in the City God temple: fooling ghosts

Scolds someone for trying to deceive people with lies or tricks that won't fool anyone sharp. It is critical.
城隍爷掉井里，捞不起您的大驾 chénghuángyé diào jǐng li, lāo(láo) bù qǐ nín de dàjià

The City God falls into a well: we can't fish (trouble) your honoured self

A polite or jokingly humble way to say you wouldn't dare trouble someone to help.
城门口的砖头，踢出来的 chéngménkǒu de zhuāntóu, tī chūlái de

Bricks at the city gate: kicked into shape

Someone who has been toughened up by hard experience.
城墙上挂门帘，没门儿 chéngqiáng shang guà ménlián, méiménr

Hanging a door curtain on a city wall: no door

There's no way it will happen. It is a blunt refusal, often said informally.
城墙上跑马，难掉头 chéngqiáng shang pǎomǎ, nán diàotóu

Riding a horse along the top of a city wall: hard to turn around

Someone in a tight spot can't easily turn back or change course.
城头上的麻雀，耐惊耐怕 chéngtóu shàng de máquè, nài jīng nài pà

A sparrow on the city wall: used to being startled

Someone who has seen a lot of the world and can stay calm in frightening situations.
程咬金上阵，三板斧 chéngyǎojīn shàngzhèn, sān bǎnfǔ

Cheng Yaojin goes into battle: three swings of the axe

Someone who starts out strongly but soon runs out of steam. It is said of a person who has only a few tricks. Cheng Yaojin was a legendary general in popular tales.
秤砣掉在棉花里，没有回音 chèngtuó diào zài miánhuā lǐ, méiyǒu huíyīn

A steelyard weight falls into cotton: no echo

There is no reply or reaction to something said or sent.
秤砣砸核桃，看它能硬到几时 chèngtuó zá hétao, kàn tā(tā) néng yìng dào jǐ shí

Smashing a walnut with a steelyard weight: let's see how long it (he) can stay hard

Said when you expect someone to give up soon and stop resisting. It sounds triumphant or threatening.
吃冰块儿拉冰块儿，没化 chī bīngkuàir lā bīngkuàir, méi huà(huà)

eat ice and pass ice: nothing melted (nothing to say)

Someone says nothing, or has nothing to say.
吃刺扎嗓子，自找 chī cì zhā sǎngzi, zìzhǎo

Eating a fish bone and it sticks in your throat: asking for it

You brought the trouble on yourself. It is said unsympathetically.
吃甘蔗上山，步步高，节节甜 chī gānzhe shàngshān, bùbù gāo, jiéjié tián

Eating sugar cane while climbing a hill: each step higher, each joint sweeter

Life gets better and happier day by day. It is said as a happy wish.
吃糨糊长大的，迷了心窍 chī jiànghu zhǎngdà de, míle xīnqiào

raised on paste: the mind is muddled

Mocks someone for being confused and unable to tell right from wrong.
吃捞面不打卤，白条儿 chī lāomiàn bù dǎlǔ, báitiáor

Eating noodles without gravy: plain strips

An informal receipt or voucher that is not valid for reimbursement.
吃了扁担，横了肠子 chīle biǎndan, héngle chángzi

Swallowed a carrying pole: the gut has gone crosswise

Someone has resolved to go ahead regardless of the consequences.
吃了秤砣，铁了心 chīle chèngtuó, tiělexīn

swallowed a steelyard weight: heart turned to iron

Someone is absolutely determined and won't be moved.
吃了柳条拉笊篱，肚子里编的 chīle liǔtiáo lā zhàoli, dùzi lǐ biān de

ate willow twigs and passed a strainer: woven inside the belly

A story that has simply been made up.
吃了木炭，黑了心 chīle mùtàn, hēile xīn

Ate charcoal: the heart turned black

Someone has become wicked or lost their conscience. It is critical.
吃了青梅，又是新鲜又是酸 chīle qīngméi, yòu shì xīnxiān yòu shì suān

Ate a green plum: both fresh and sour

Someone has mixed feelings: it is novel but also bittersweet.
吃了三天斋饭就想上西天，功底还浅 chīle sān tiān zhāifàn jiù xiǎng shàng xītiān, gōngdǐ hái qiǎn

Eating vegetarian food for three days and already wanting to reach paradise: the foundation is still shallow

Someone's basic skills are not yet good enough for what they aim at. It is mildly mocking.
吃了算盘珠，心里有数 chīle suànpánzhū, xīn li yǒushù

Swallowed abacus beads: there are numbers inside

Someone knows exactly where things stand and is confident.
吃了哑巴药，开不了口 chīle yǎbayào, kāi bùliǎo kǒu

Took mute medicine: unable to open the mouth

Criticises someone for staying silent when they should speak.

May offend: mocks disability
吃了萤火虫，肚子里明 chīle yínghuǒchóng, dùzi lǐ míng

Ate a firefly: bright inside the belly

Someone understands what is going on, even if they don't say so.
吃烧饼掉芝麻，免不了 chī shāobing diào zhīma, miǎn bùliǎo

Eating a sesame flatbread, sesame seeds fall: unavoidable

Something is bound to happen and can't be avoided.
吃剩饭，想点子，净出馊主意 chī shèngfàn, xiǎng diǎnzi, jìng chū sōuzhǔyi

Eat leftovers, think up ideas, and come up with only rotten ones

Describes someone whose suggestions are bad or unethical. It is critical.
吃剩饭长大的，尽出馊主意 chī shèngfàn zhǎngdà de, jìn chū sōuzhǔyi

raised on leftovers: only rotten ideas come out

Says someone always comes up with bad or unethical ideas. It is insulting.
吃石头，拉硬屎，死顽固 chī shítou, lā yìng shǐ, sǐ wángù

Eats stones and passes hard stool: stubborn to death

Describes someone who is totally obstinate and unwilling to change. It is an insulting comparison.

May offend: vulgar language
吃咸鱼蘸酱油，多此一举 chī xiányú zhàn jiàngyóu, duōcǐyījǔ

Dipping salted fish in soy sauce: an unnecessary extra step

Mocks someone for doing something needless.
吃竹笋剥皮，一层层来 chī zhúsǔn bāo pí, yī céngcéng lái

eating bamboo shoots, you peel the skin: layer by layer

Said of doing a job step by step, in order. Neutral, often advice to be patient and methodical.
池塘边洗藕，洗一节吃一节 chítáng biān xǐ ǒu, xǐ yī jié chī yī jié

washing lotus root by the pond: wash one section, eat one section

Taking things one step at a time and dealing with problems as they come, without a long-term plan. Compare "cross that bridge when we come to it".
池塘里的癞蛤蟆，叫起来没完 chítáng lǐ de làihámá, jiào qǐlái méiwán

toads in the pond: once they start croaking, there's no end

Describes people who make loud, endless noise. Mocking.
虫蛀了的扁担,受不了两头压 chóng zhùle de biǎndan, shòu bùliǎo liǎngtóu yā

a worm-eaten carrying pole: can't take pressure at both ends

A person's endurance is limited, and pressure from two sides can lead to breakdown or danger.
崇祯殡天,盼谁谁不来,叫谁谁不到 chóngzhēn bìntiān, pàn shéi shéi bù lái, jiào shéi shéi bù dào

when Emperor Chongzhen died: those he longed for didn't come, those he called didn't arrive

Describes someone utterly isolated and helpless in a desperate situation, with no one to turn to.
丑媳妇见公婆,迟早有一天 chǒu xífù jiàn gōngpó, chízǎo yǒu yī tiān

the ugly daughter-in-law meets her in-laws: sooner or later the day comes

Something unavoidable will happen eventually, however much one dreads it.
臭虫钻到花生壳里,充好仁儿 chòuchong zuāndào huāshēngké li, chōng hǎo rénr(rénr)

a bedbug crawls into a peanut shell: posing as a good kernel

Mocks a bad person who passes himself off as a decent one. Critical; like 'a wolf in sheep's clothing'.
臭豆腐,闻着臭,吃着香 chòudòufu, wénzhe chòu, chīzhe xiāng

stinky tofu: smells bad, tastes good

Describes a person or thing with an unpleasant reputation or appearance that is actually good or useful once you know it. Mildly approving; like 'his bark is worse than his bite' in spirit.
出洞的老鼠,东张西望 chū dòng de lǎoshǔ, dōngzhāngxīwàng

a mouse out of its hole: looking east and west

Describes someone looking around warily to size up the situation, or glancing about aimlessly. Slightly mocking.
出了炮膛的穿甲弹,专门钻硬疙瘩 chūle pàotáng de chuānjiǎdàn, zhuānmén zuān yìng gēda

an armour-piercing shell out of the gun barrel: it drills specifically into hard lumps

Describes someone who bravely takes on the toughest problems. Approving.
出笼的小鸟儿,放得出收不回 chūlóng de xiǎo niǎor, fàng de chū shōu bù huí

a little bird out of its cage: can be let out but not taken back

Words once spoken or deeds once done can't be undone. Like 'you can't unring the bell'.
出窑的砖,定了形的 chū yáo de zhuān, dìngle xíng(xíng)de

bricks out of the kiln: their shape is set

A matter has been settled and can't be changed.
厨房里的猫,记吃不记打 chúfáng lǐ de māo, jì chī bù jì dǎ

a cat in the kitchen: remembers eating, not being beaten

Describes someone who never learns from punishment and repeats the same faults. Critical or teasing.

Every kind of Chinese saying