Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

厨房里的蒸笼,经常受汽 chúfáng lǐ de zhēnglóng, jīngcháng shòu qì(qì)

the steamer in the kitchen: constantly takes steam

Describes someone who is often bullied or made to put up with abuse.
楚霸王死在乌江,没脸见江东父老 chǔbàwáng sǐ zài wūjiāng, méiliǎn jiàn jiāngdōng fùlǎo

the Overlord of Chu died at the Wu River: no face to see the elders east of the river

Said of someone who fails and is too ashamed to face people back home. Refers to Xiang Yu's suicide after defeat.
穿钉鞋拄拐棍,稳当又稳当 chuān dīngxié zhǔ guǎigùn, wěndang yòu wěndang

wearing nailed shoes and leaning on a stick: steady and steady again

Variant of 稳上加稳: extremely safe and reliable in the way one acts.
穿钉鞋拄拐棍,稳上加稳 chuān dīngxié zhǔ guǎigùn, wěnshàng jiā wěn

wearing nailed shoes and leaning on a stick: steady on top of steady

Describes someone who acts very solidly and cautiously. Approving.
穿冬衣戴夏帽,不知春秋 chuān dōngyī dài xiàmào, bù zhī chūnqiū

wearing winter clothes with a summer hat: doesn't know spring and autumn

Describes someone who fails to see how circumstances have changed. Mocking.
船老大带学员,从河说起 chuánlǎodà dài xuéyuán, cóng hé(hé) shuōqǐ

a boatman teaching a trainee: starting with the river (河)

Said when you do not know where to begin on a matter. The boatman starts with the river, and there is no obvious starting point.
船头上跑马,走投无路 chuántóu shang pǎomǎ, zǒutóuwúlù

riding a horse on the bow of a boat: nowhere to go

To be in a corner with no way out. Said of someone in a desperate fix.
串起来的螃蟹,横行不了啦 chuàn qǐlái de pángxiè, héngxíng bùliǎo la

crabs strung together: they can't walk sideways any more

The days of wrongdoers or bullies running wild are over. Mocking and satisfied in tone.
窗户里吹喇叭,鸣声在外 chuānghu lǐ chuī lǎba, míng(míng) shēng zài wài

blowing a trumpet inside a window: the sound (鸣) goes outside

Said of someone whose name and reputation have spread widely.
窗户里走人,没有门道 chuānghu lǐ zǒu rén, méiyǒu méndào

walking through a window: there is no doorway

There is no way in or no connection to get something done. Said when you lack the right channels.
窗户上画老虎,吓唬不了人 chuānghu shàng huà lǎohǔ, xiàhu bùliǎo rén

painting a tiger on a window: it can't scare anyone

Empty bluster that frightens no one. Mocking. Close to 'his bark is worse than his bite'.
窗户纸,一点就破 chuānghuzhǐ, yī diǎn jiù pò

window paper: one poke and it breaks

Some matters are revealed once the key obstacle is removed, and the truth comes out.
床底下堆宝塔,纵高也有限 chuáng dǐxia duī bǎotǎ, zòng gāo yě yǒuxiàn

building a pagoda under the bed: however tall, it's limited

Said of someone whose ability or level is limited, however good they are. Mildly mocking.
床底下使斧头,不碍上就碍下 chuáng dǐxia shǐ fǔtou, bù ài shàng jiù ài xià

swinging an axe under the bed: if it doesn't hit the top it hits the bottom

Said of a situation where relations are tangled and you offend someone above or below whichever way you act.
吹鼓手赶集,没事找市 chuīgǔshǒu gǎnjí, méishì zhǎo shì(shì)

a wedding-band trumpeter going to market: looking for a market (市) when there's nothing to do

Said of someone with nothing to do who goes looking for trouble. Mocking.
吹口哨儿过坟地,自己给自己壮胆 chuī kǒushàor guò féndì, zìjǐ gěi zìjǐ zhuàngdǎn

whistling while passing a graveyard: giving yourself courage

Putting on a brave front while afraid. Close to 'whistling in the dark'.
春天的蜜蜂,闲不住 chūntiān de mìfēng, xián bù zhù

a bee in spring: can't stay idle

Describes a person who is hardworking and cannot bear to sit idle. Approving or affectionately teasing.
瓷器店里翻跟头,少不了磕磕碰碰 cíqìdiàn li fān gēntou, shǎo bùliǎo kēkēpèngpèng

turning somersaults in a porcelain shop: bound to bump and knock into things

People living or working together will inevitably have friction and clashes. Said wryly.
瓷窑上的瓦盆,一套一套的 cíyáo shàng de wǎpén, yī tào yī tào de

clay basins at a porcelain kiln: set after set

Describes someone whose speech or work is complete, well organised and systematic. Usually approving, sometimes slightly teasing.
刺拐棒做线板,难缠 cìguǎibàng zuò xiànbǎn, nán chán

using a thorny crooked stick as a thread winder: hard to wind

Describes a crafty, awkward person who is hard to deal with. Critical.
从筛子底看人,把人看零碎了 cóng shāizi dǐ kàn rén, bǎ rén kàn língsuì le

looking at a person through the bottom of a sieve: seeing them in pieces

Judging someone by scattered trivial details rather than as a whole. Critical.
从梢儿吃甘蔗,一节比一节甜 cóng shāor chī gānzhe, yī jié bǐ yī jié tián

eating sugarcane from the tip: each section sweeter than the last

Life or work gets better and better. Approving and optimistic.
搭戏台卖豆腐,买卖不大,架子不小 dā xìtái mài dòufu, mǎimai bù dà, jiàzi bù xiǎo

building a stage to sell tofu: small business, big frame

Mocks someone of little ability who puts on great airs.
搭在弦上的箭,一触即发 dā zài xián shàng de jiàn, yīchùjífā

an arrow on the bowstring: set off at a touch

A situation about to explode into serious trouble at the slightest trigger.
打败了的鹌鹑、斗败的鸡,上不了阵 dǎbàile de ānchún、dòubài de jī, shàng bùliǎo zhèn

a beaten quail, a defeated fighting cock: can't go back into the fight

Someone who has lost their fighting spirit and dares not take up a challenge again.
打灯笼搬石头,照搬 dǎ dēnglong bān shítou, zhào bān(bàn)

carrying stones by lantern light: shining on it, moving it

To follow rules or others' methods exactly, without adapting. Often mildly critical.
打灯笼拾粪,找屎 dǎ dēnglong shí fèn, zhǎo shǐ(sǐ)

collecting dung with a lantern: looking for dung

A rude scolding of someone who recklessly courts death or disaster.

May offend: vulgar language
打灯笼走亲戚,明来明去 dǎ dēnglong zǒu qīnqi, mínglái míngqù

visiting relatives with a lantern: coming and going in the light

Doing things openly and aboveboard.
打掉门牙肚里咽,有苦说不出 dǎdiào ményá dù li yàn, yǒu kǔ shuō bù chū

a front tooth knocked out and swallowed: bitterness you can't voice

Suffering a wrong in silence, unable to complain. Said sympathetically or bitterly. Like 'grin and bear it'.
打掉了牙往肚子里咽,苦不堪言 dǎdiàole yá wǎng dùzi lǐ yàn, kǔbùkānyán

teeth knocked out and swallowed: bitterness beyond words

A variant of the usual form: suffering a loss or wrong that you must endure in silence.
打鼓不打面,旁敲侧击 dǎ gǔ bù dǎ miàn, pángqiāocèjī

beating a drum not on its face: striking from the side

Raising an issue indirectly by hints rather than head-on.
打断了的胳膊,往外拐 dǎduànle de gēbo, wǎng wài guǎi

a broken arm bends outward

Someone takes the side of outsiders against their own people. Critical.
打翻了五味瓶,苦辣酸甜咸都有 dǎfānle wǔwèipíng, kǔ là suān tián xián dōu yǒu

knocked over the five-flavour bottle: bitter, spicy, sour, sweet and salty all present

Having a complicated mix of feelings. Said of emotional moments.
打个巴掌再给个甜枣儿,堵嘴 dǎ ge bāzhang zài gěi ge tián zǎor, dǔzuǐ

slap someone then give a sweet date: to shut their mouth

Using a mix of threat and reward to silence someone. Critical. Like 'carrot and stick'.
打昏了的公鸡,不知早晚 dǎhūnle de gōngjī, bù zhī zǎowǎn

a rooster knocked dizzy: doesn't know morning from evening

Someone dazed by a blow who cannot grasp the situation around them.
打开棺材喊捉贼,冤枉死人 dǎkāi guāncai hǎn zhuō zéi, yuānwang sǐrén

opening a coffin and shouting 'thief!': wronging the dead

Accusing someone unjustly, with serious wrong done to them. Said in protest.
打锣卖糖,各干一行 dǎ luó mài táng, gè gàn yī háng

beating a gong to sell candy: each does his own line of work

Said when people work in different trades or do different jobs. Neutral, often a light remark that each person has their own business.
打破沙锅,璺到底 dǎpò shāguō, wèn(wèn) dàodǐ

a smashed clay pot: the crack (ask) goes all the way to the bottom

Describes pressing a question all the way until the truth is clear. Usually approving of persistence, sometimes a little teasing.
打死老鼠喂猫,好一个,恼一个 dǎsǐ lǎoshǔ wèi māo, hǎo yī gè, nǎo yī gè

killing a mouse to feed the cat: one is pleased, one is annoyed

Said when trying to please one person ends up offending another. Wry, descriptive.
打铁的拆炉,散火 dǎtiě de chāilú, sàn huǒ(huǒ)

the blacksmith tears down his furnace: the fire (the crew) scatters

Said when a group, team or organisation breaks up. Neutral or slightly rueful.
打铁的火炉泼上水,白搭一火 dǎtiě de huǒlú pōshàng shuǐ, báidā yī huǒ(huǒ)

water thrown on the blacksmith's furnace: a whole fire (partnership) wasted

Said when work was done in vain, or when people teamed up but achieved nothing. Mildly critical or rueful.
打铁烤煳了裤裆,没看火候 dǎtiě kǎohúle kùdāng, méi kàn huǒhou

while forging iron, scorched the seat of his trousers: didn't watch the heat

Said of someone who speaks or acts without judging the right moment and cannot adapt to circumstances. Mocking.
打鸭子上架,难哪 dǎ yāzi shàng jià, nán na

driving a duck up onto a perch: hard indeed

Said when someone is forced to do something beyond their ability. Close to English 'to be thrown in at the deep end', though more about being forced.
打足了气的皮球,一蹦老高 dǎzúle qì de píqiú, yī bèng lǎo gāo

a fully pumped-up rubber ball: it bounces very high

Describes someone who leaps up, either in great joy or, when angered, unable to hold back. Humorous.
大风里吃炒面,有口难开 dàfēng li chī chǎomiàn, yǒukǒunánkāi

eating roasted-flour noodles in a gale: have a mouth but can't open it

Unable to speak up about something, even though one has something to say. Sympathetic or wry.
大佛殿里的罗汉,一肚子泥 dàfódiàn lǐ de luóhàn, yī dùzi ní

an arhat in the great Buddha hall: a belly full of clay

Mocks someone who looks impressive but is empty-headed, with no real ability. Similar to "all show and no substance".
大姑娘吃饭,细嚼慢咽 dà gūniang chī fàn, xìjiáomànyàn

a grown girl eating: chewing finely and swallowing slowly

Either thinking something over carefully and absorbing it slowly, or being overcautious and slow to act.
大姑娘上轿,头一回 dà gūniang shàng jiào, tóu yī huí

a grown girl getting into the bridal sedan chair: the first time

Said when doing something for the very first time. Light, humorous.
大牯牛的口水,太长 dà gǔniú de kǒushuǐ, tài cháng

a big bull's drool: too long

Mocks speech or writing that is far too long-winded.
大海里撑篙,点不到底 dàhǎi li chēng gāo, diǎn bù dào dǐ

poling a boat in the open sea: the pole can't touch the bottom

Unable to get a clear idea of the real situation or details.
大海里的浮萍,漂到哪儿算哪儿 dàhǎi lǐ de fúpíng, piāo dào nǎr suàn nǎr

duckweed on the sea: wherever it drifts is where it ends up

Describes a drifting, unsettled life with no fixed place or plan.
大海里翻了豆腐船,汤里来,水里去 dàhǎi li fānle dòufu chuán, tāng li lái, shuǐ li qù

a tofu boat capsizes in the sea: came from the soup, goes back into the water

Whatever came from somewhere returns to it; easy come, easy go.
大和尚给小和尚捉虱子,一个庙里的虱 dà héshang gěi xiǎo héshang zhuō shīzi, yī gè miào lǐ de shī(shì)

a senior monk picking lice off a junior monk: lice from one temple

Says a matter is internal to one group and nobody else's business.
大河边的小鸟儿,见过些风浪 dà hé biān de xiǎo niǎor, jiànguo xiē fēnglàng

a little bird by the big river: has seen some wind and waves

Describes someone who has seen something of the world and is not easily fazed.
大河的水向东流,没法儿回头 dà hé de shuǐ xiàng dōng liú, méifǎr huítóu

the big river's water flows east: there's no turning back

What is done cannot be undone; there's no going back. Compare "water under the bridge".
大河里撒纸钱,连个回音也没有 dàhé li sǎ zhǐqián, lián ge huíyīn yě méiyǒu

scattering paper money in a big river: not even an echo

Said when a message or letter gets no reply at all.
大红缎子上绣花儿,亮光光的 dàhóng duànzi shàng xiù huār, liàngguāngguāng de

embroidering flowers on red satin: bright and shining

Describes someone who acts openly and aboveboard. Approving.
大槐树上挂电灯,四方有明 dàhuáishù shang guà diàndēng, sìfāng yǒu míng(míng)

hanging an electric light on a big locust tree: bright in all four directions

Said of someone or something famous everywhere.
大路边打草鞋,有的说长,有的说短 dàlù biān dǎ cǎoxié, yǒu de shuō cháng, yǒu de shuō duǎn

making straw sandals by the road: some say long, some say short

Everyone has a different opinion and the talk goes in all directions.
大拇指挠痒痒,随上随下 dàmǔzhǐ náo yǎngyang, suí shàng suí xià

a thumb scratching an itch: goes up and down wherever it goes

Describes someone who passively follows others' lead. Mildly mocking.
大年初一吃饺子,没外人 dànián chūyī chī jiǎozi, méi wàirén

eating dumplings on New Year's Day: no outsiders

Said when everyone present is family or close friends, so there's no need to stand on ceremony.
大年初一送财神,见面说好 dànián chūyī sòng cáishén, jiànmiàn shuō hǎo

delivering the god of wealth on New Year's Day: say nice things on meeting

Describes saying only pleasant things to people so as not to offend anyone.
大年三十看皇历，没有期了 dànián sānshí kàn huángli, méiyǒu qī le

reading the almanac on New Year's Eve: no more dates

Said when a deadline has arrived and no time is left.
大树底下聊天，净说风凉话 dàshù dǐxia liáotiān, jìng shuō fēngliánghuà

chatting under a big tree: all cool-breeze talk

Mocks people who make irresponsible, sarcastic remarks from the sidelines.
大树林里的一片叶，有你不多，没你不少 dàshùlín lǐ de yī piàn yè, yǒu nǐ bù duō, méi nǐ bù shǎo

one leaf in a big forest: with you there's no more, without you no less

Said of someone whose presence or absence makes no difference. Can be dismissive.
大水淹了龙王庙，一家人不认一家人 dàshuǐ yānle lóngwángmiào, yī jiā rén bù rèn yī jiā rén

a flood swamps the Dragon King temple: one family doesn't recognise its own

Said when people on the same side clash through misunderstanding. Compare "friendly fire".
大桅杆上拉二胡，扯高调儿 dà wéigān shang lā èrhú, chě gāodiàor

playing the erhu on the main mast: pulling a high tune

Mocks someone who makes lofty, impractical statements.
大虾掉进油锅里，闹了个大红脸 dàxiā diàojìn yóuguō li, nàole ge dà hóngliǎn

a big prawn falls into a hot wok: ends up with a big red face

Describes someone who suddenly blushes from embarrassment or anxiety. Humorous.
大象的屁股，推不动 dàxiàng de pìgu, tuī bù dòng

an elephant's backside: can't be pushed

Describes a person or unit that is sluggish and hard to get moving. Mocking.

May offend: vulgar language
大夫开棺材铺，死活都要钱 daìfu kāi guāncaipù, sǐ huó dōu yào qián

a doctor opens a coffin shop: dead or alive, he wants money

Mocks someone who makes money whatever happens. Sarcastic and critical of greed.
带刺的鲜花儿，好看却扎手 dài cì de xiānhuār, hǎokàn què zhāshǒu

a flower with thorns: pretty to look at but pricks the hand

Usually said of a beautiful girl who is hard to deal with or approach. Teasing, and objectifying toward women.

May offend: sexist or sexual
戴马桶坐大堂，脏冠 dài mǎtǒng zuò dàtáng, zāng( zāng) guān( guān)

wearing a chamber pot while sitting in court: dirty hat

Ridicules a corrupt official. Mocking and scornful.
戴数珠的老虎，假念弥陀 dài shùzhū de lǎohǔ, jiǎ niàn mítuó

a tiger wearing prayer beads: falsely chanting 'Amitabha'

Mocks a cruel person who pretends to be kind. Like 'a wolf in sheep's clothing'.
戴眼镜喝热茶，越喝越朦胧 dài yǎnjìng hē rè chá, yuè hē yuè ménglóng

wearing glasses while drinking hot tea: the more you drink, the foggier it gets

Said when a matter grows more confusing the more it is looked into or discussed. Mildly humorous.
戴着斗笠亲嘴儿，差着一帽子 dàizhe dǒulì qīnzuǐr, chāzhe yī màozi

kissing while wearing a bamboo rain hat: a whole hat's width short

Said of two sides, positions or levels that are still quite far apart. Humorous.
戴着木头眼镜，只看见一寸远 dàizhe mùtou yǎnjìng, zhǐ kànjiàn yī cùn yuǎn

wearing wooden glasses, you can only see an inch ahead

Describes a short-sighted person who lacks vision and cannot see beyond the immediate. Critical, mocking.
戴着眼镜看戏，隔一层 dàizhe yǎnjìng kànxì, gé yī céng

watching an opera through glasses: a layer in between

Said when there is an emotional or mental distance between people, so they do not truly understand or connect with each other.
胆汁拌黄连，苦上加苦 dǎnzhī bàn huánglián, kǔ shàng jiā kǔ

bile mixed with goldthread root: bitter on top of bitter

Describes a life of extreme suffering, with hardship piled on hardship.
胆汁滴在眉毛上，眼前苦 dǎnzhī dī zài méimao shàng, yǎnqián kǔ

bile dripped on the eyebrow: bitter right before the eyes

Says that a hardship or discomfort is only temporary and will pass.
当差的儿子打犯法的爹，公事公办 dāngchāi de érzi dǎ fànfǎ de diē, gōngshìgōngbàn

a runner son beating his law-breaking father: public business done by the book

Said of treating official matters impartially, without favouring relatives or friends. Approving.
当了衣服买酒喝，顾嘴不顾身 dàngle yīfu mǎi jiǔ hē, gù zuǐ bù gù shēn

pawn clothes to buy wine: care for the mouth, not the body

Said of someone who goes for short-term gratification at the cost of long-term wellbeing. Critical.
当了衣服买肉吃，顾嘴不顾身 dàngle yīfu mǎi ròu chī, gù zuǐ bù gù shēn

pawn clothes to buy meat: care for the mouth, not the body

A variant of the wine version: living for immediate pleasure and neglecting what matters in the long term.
刀尖儿上打拳，站不住脚 dāojiānr shang dǎquán, zhàn bù zhù jiǎo

boxing on a knife point: can't keep a footing

Said of someone whose position is so insecure that they cannot hold it.
刀尖儿上翻跟头，玩儿命的事 dāojiānr shang fān gēntou, wánrmìng de shì

doing somersaults on a knife point: playing with your life

Describes something extremely dangerous that risks one's life.
刀刃上过日子，忘了生死 dāorèn shang guò rìzi, wàngle shēngsǐ

living on a knife's edge: forgetting life and death

Describes living in constant danger so that one stops worrying about survival.
刀子刻碑，尽说石话 dāozi kè bēi, jìn shuō shí(shí)huà

carving a stele with a knife: all stone words

Said of someone who speaks only the truth, with nothing false.
刀子嘴豆腐心，吃软不吃硬 dāozi zuǐ dòufu xīn, chī ruǎn bù chī yìng

a knife mouth and a tofu heart: takes the soft, not the hard

Describes someone who speaks sharply but is kind at heart, and responds to gentleness rather than force. Mostly approving.
导弹打导弹，空对空 dǎodàn dǎ dǎodàn, kōng duì kōng

a missile hitting a missile: air to air

Describes talk or work that has no real content or practical effect. Mildly mocking.
倒瓤儿的冬瓜，一肚子坏水 dǎorángr de dōngguā, yī dùzi huàishuǐ

a winter melon whose flesh has rotted: a belly full of bad liquid

Describes a person full of wicked schemes and bad intentions. Strongly critical.
到站的火车，叫得响，走得慢 dào zhàn de huǒchē, jiào de xiǎng, zǒu de màn

a train arriving at the station: whistles loudly, moves slowly

Mocks someone who talks big and loudly but acts slowly or falls short in deeds. Like 'all talk and no action'.
倒吊腊鸭，一嘴油 dào diào làyā, yī zuǐ yóu

a cured duck hung upside down: its beak full of grease

Mocks a glib, slippery talker who speaks smoothly but insincerely.
道士吹螺，唬鬼 dàoshi chuī luó, hǔ guǐ

a Taoist priest blows a conch: scaring ghosts

Mocks someone who bluffs and makes a show of force to frighten the timid.
稻草人点火，惹火烧身 dàocǎo rén diǎnhuǒ, rěhuǒshāoshēn

a scarecrow lighting a fire: the flame burns its own body

Describes someone who brings trouble on themselves. Like 'playing with fire and getting burned'.
德州扒鸡，窝着脖子别着腿 dézhōu pájī, wōzhe bózi biézhe tuǐ

Dezhou braised chicken: neck tucked in, legs bent and stuck in

Describes someone severely restricted or cramped, unable to move freely.
灯草打鼓，不响 dēngcǎo dǎ gǔ, bù xiǎng

beating a drum with rush pith: no sound

Describes someone who keeps silent and says nothing.
灯草拐杖，扶不起人 dēngcǎo guǎizhàng, fú bù qǐ rén

a walking stick of lamp rush: can't support a person

Someone too weak to help others. Also used of a person who can't give any support.
灯草架屋，白费力气 dēngcǎo jià wū, báifèi lìqi

building a house with lamp rush: wasted effort

Work that is futile and achieves nothing.
灯草栏杆，靠不住 dēngcǎo lángān, kào bù zhù

a railing of lamp rush: can't be leaned on

Said of a person who is unreliable and can't be trusted.
灯草铺桥，过不去 dēngcǎo pū qiáo, guò bù qù

paving a bridge with lamp rush: can't cross

Describes being unable to get past a difficulty or crisis.
灯草烧窑，不顾成本 dēngcǎo shāo yáo, bù gù chéngběn

firing a kiln with lamp rush: ignoring the cost

Spending money lavishly with no regard for costs. Critical.

Every kind of Chinese saying