Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

灯草蘸油，一点就亮 dēngcǎo zhàn yóu, yī diǎn jiù liàng

lamp rush dipped in oil: one touch and it lights

Describes a quick-witted person who understands as soon as someone gives a hint. Approving.
灯蛾扑火，自焚身亡 dēng'é pū huǒ, zìfénshēnwáng

a moth flies at the flame: burns itself to death

A variant of 灯蛾扑火，自取灭亡: bringing ruin on oneself.
灯蛾扑火，自取灭亡 dēng'é pū huǒ, zìqǔmièwáng

a moth flies at the flame: it brings about its own destruction

Describes someone who brings disaster on themselves by their own actions. Critical, like 'a moth to the flame'.
灯盏不加油，枉费芯 dēngzhǎn bù jiā yóu, wǎngfèi xīn(xīn)

a lamp dish with no oil added: the wick is wasted

Mocks someone who wastes effort for no result.
灯盏没油，火烧芯 dēngzhǎn méi yóu, huǒ shāo xīn(xīn)

a lamp dish with no oil: the fire burns the wick

Describes someone extremely anxious.
登鼻子上脸，欺人太甚 dēng bízi shàng liǎn, qīrén—tàishèn

climb up the nose onto the face: bullying others too far

Bullying someone beyond endurance. Critical.
登梯子上树，攀高枝儿 dēng tīzi shàng shù, pān gāozhīr

climbing a ladder up a tree: reaching for a high branch

Currying favour with someone of higher status or power. Usually mocking.
瞪着眼睛打呼噜，装睡 dèng zhe yǎnjing dǎ hūlu, zhuāng shuì

snoring with eyes wide open: pretending to sleep

Describes someone who is faking sleep, or more broadly pretending not to notice. Mildly mocking.
羝羊触藩篱，进退两难 dīyáng chù fānlí, jìntuìliǎngnán

a ram butting a hedge: can neither advance nor retreat

Stuck in a dilemma with no good way forward or back. The book notes the usual version has a sow pushing into a fence.
点心铺里买棺材，上错门 diǎnxinpù li mǎi guāncai, shàng cuò mén

buying a coffin in a pastry shop: going to the wrong door

Going to the wrong place or person for something. Mocking.
电灯泡点烟，不燃 diàndēngpào diǎn yān, bù rán(rán)

lighting a cigarette on a light bulb: it won't burn

Means 'not so'; used to deny or disagree with a statement.
电炉子接火，后来热 diànlúzi jiēhuǒ, hòulái rè

connecting an electric stove to the power: it heats up later

Someone who becomes warm and friendly only gradually. Mildly humorous.
电线杆子绑鸡毛，好大的掸子 diànxiàngānzi bǎng jīmáo, hǎo dà de dǎn(dǎn)zi

tying chicken feathers to a telephone pole: what a big duster

Said mockingly of someone who is very bold or reckless.
电线杆子当筷子，大材小用 diànxiàngānzi dàng kuàizi, dàcáixiǎoyòng

using a telegraph pole as chopsticks: big timber put to small use

A person of great ability wasted on a trivial job. Compare 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut'.
电线杆子上挂灯笼，有明的光棍儿 diànxiàngānzi shang guà dēnglong, yǒu míng(míng) de guānggùnr

hanging a lantern on a utility pole: a famous bare pole

A well-known bachelor. Joking, sometimes teasing.
电线杆子上晒衣服，架子不小 diànxiàngānzi shang shài yīfu, jiàzi bù xiǎo

drying clothes on a utility pole: quite a frame

Mocks someone who acts very self-important and gives themselves airs.
雕花的扁担，中看不中用 diāohuā de biǎndan, zhōngkàn bù zhōngyòng

a carved carrying pole: nice to look at, no use

Looks impressive but is useless; said of a person with an attractive exterior and no real ability. Close to 'all show and no go'.
雕花匠不给神像叩头，知道老底 diāohuājiàng bù gěi shénxiàng kòutóu, zhīdào lǎodǐ

the carver doesn't kowtow to the idol: he knows what it is made of

Someone who knows the real facts behind a matter and is not taken in by appearances.
吊死鬼扮新娘，人不像人，鬼不像鬼 diàosǐguǐ bàn xīnniáng, rén bù xiàng rén, guǐ bù xiàng guǐ

a hanged ghost dressing as a bride: neither human nor ghost

Mocks someone dressed up in a ridiculous, unnatural way.
吊在丝上的蜘蛛，悬空 diào zài sī shàng de zhīzhū, xuánkōng

a spider hanging on its thread: suspended in the air

Feeling uneasy and anxious, with a worry on one's mind.
掉到井里打扑腾，死不死活不活 diàodào jǐng li dǎ pūteng, sǐ bù sǐ huó bù huó

fallen into a well and splashing about: neither dead nor alive

In an extremely hard situation and struggling on the edge of death; also in a miserable half-alive state.
爹走了娘嫁人，各人管各人 diē zǒule niáng jià rén, gè rén guǎn gè rén

father has gone and mother has remarried: each looks after themselves

Everyone fends for themselves and goes their own way.
碟子里跳水，不知深浅 diézi lǐ tiàoshuǐ, bù zhī shēnqiǎn

diving in a saucer: not knowing how deep it is

Mocks someone who acts rashly out of ignorance, not knowing the limits or the danger.
碟子里扎猛子，不知深浅 diézi lǐ zhā měngzi, bù zhī shēnqiǎn

diving headfirst in a saucer: not knowing how deep it is

A variant of the saucer diving saying: ridicules someone who acts rashly and ignorantly.
钉子钉黄连，硬往苦里钻 dīngzi dìng huánglián, yìng wǎng kǔ li zuān

a nail driven into goldthread root: forcing its way into the bitter

Scolds someone who refuses an easy life and insists on hardship.
疔疮长在喉头上，有痛不能说 dīngchuāng zhǎng zài hóutóu shang, yǒu tòng bù néng shuō

a boil growing on the throat: it hurts but you can't speak

Sorrow that one cannot put into words.
顶着石臼唱戏，费力不讨好 dǐngzhe shíjiù chàngxì, fèilì bù tǎohǎo

singing opera with a stone mortar on your head: hard work and no thanks

Doing a great deal of work for no reward or credit. Close to 'a thankless task'.
丢了西瓜捡了芝麻，顾了小头儿丢了大头儿 diūle xīguā jiǎnle zhīma, gùle xiǎotóur diūle dàtóur

dropped the watermelon and picked up a sesame seed; took care of the small end and lost the big end

Losing something big for a small gain. Close to 'penny wise, pound foolish'.
丢了邮包，失信了 diūle yóubāo, shī xìn le

lost the mail parcel: lost the letter/trust

Someone who has broken a promise and lost credibility.
东郭先生救狼，善恶不辨 dōngguō xiānsheng jiù láng, shàn'è bù biàn

Mr. Dongguo rescues a wolf: can't tell good from evil

Describes someone who foolishly shows kindness to a vicious person and cannot tell good people from bad. Critical; close to 'to nurse a viper in one's bosom'.
东吴招亲，弄假成真 dōngwú zhāoqīn, nòngjiǎchéngzhēn

a marriage-suit in Eastern Wu: the pretence turns real

Describes a scheme or pretence that ends up really happening, against the planner's intention. Said when a clever plan backfires.
冬瓜皮当帽子，霉上了顶 dōngguāpí dàng màozi, méi shàngle dǐng

wearing a winter-melon rind as a hat: mouldy to the top

Describes extremely bad luck, as unlucky as can be.
冬天的大葱，叶黄根枯心不死 dōngtiān de dàcōng, yè huáng gēn kū xīn bù sǐ

a winter spring onion: leaves yellow and roots dry, but the heart isn't dead

Describes a declining force that looks nearly finished but has not given up and still hopes to revive. Critical.
冬至已过，来日方长 dōngzhì yǐ guò, láirìfāngcháng

the winter solstice has passed, the coming days grow long

Don't be in a hurry, there is plenty of time ahead; or, there is still much to look forward to. Used to calm impatience or encourage.
洞庭湖的麻雀，见过大风浪 dòngtínghú de máquè, jiànguo dà fēnglàng

a sparrow of Lake Dongting: has seen great wind and waves

Describes someone who has been through many hardships and seen the wider world. Approving.
洞庭湖上踩钢丝，凶多吉少 dòngtínghú shang cǎi gāngsī, xiōngduōjíshǎo

walking a tightrope over Lake Dongting: more ill than good

The outlook is bad; danger is likely and good fortune unlikely.
斗败的公鸡，神气不起来 dòubài de gōngjī, shénqì bù qǐlái

a defeated fighting cock: can't look proud

Someone who has been beaten or humiliated loses their swagger and looks dispirited. Mocking.
豆饼干部，上挤下压 dòubǐng gànbù, shàngjǐxiàyā

a bean-cake cadre: squeezed from above, pressed from below

Describes a low-level official caught under pressure from both superiors and subordinates.
豆腐掉进灰堆里，吹也吹不得，打也打不得 dòufu diàojìn huīduī li, chuī yě chuībude, dǎ yě dǎbude

tofu fallen into the ash heap: can't blow it clean, can't beat it clean

Describes a person or matter that is hard to handle, because neither gentle nor harsh methods work.
豆腐掉进灰窝里，吹掸不得 dòufu diàojìn huīwō li, chuīdǎnbude

tofu fallen into the ash pit: can't be blown or dusted

A variant of the tofu-in-ashes saying: a person or matter that is hard to deal with, neither softly nor harshly.
豆腐坊里的石磨，道道儿多 dòufufáng lǐ de shímò, dàodàor duō

the stone mill in a tofu workshop: many grooves

Describes someone with many ideas and tricks up their sleeve.
豆腐渣包饺子，用错了馅儿 dòufuzhā bāo jiǎozi, yòng cuòle xiànr

dumplings stuffed with bean curd dregs: wrong filling used

Describes putting an unsuitable person into a job.
豆腐渣上船，不是货 dòufuzhā shàng chuán, bù shì huò

bean curd dregs loaded on a boat: not cargo

Describes something or someone of poor quality, not up to standard. Contemptuous.
豆腐渣贴门联，粘不到一起 dòufuzhā tiē ménlián, zhān bù dào yīqǐ

pasting door couplets with bean curd dregs: they won't stick together

Describes two sides who can't cooperate or get along.
毒蛇爬竹竿，又绞又滑 dúshé pá zhúgān, yòu jiǎo(jiǎo) yòu huá(huá)

a venomous snake climbing a bamboo pole: it twists and it's slippery

Describes a person who is very cunning and crafty. Critical.
堵着耳朵偷铃铛，自己欺骗自己 dǔzhe ěrduo tōu língdang，zìjǐ qīpiàn zìjǐ

stopping one's ears to steal a bell: deceiving oneself

Describes foolishly deceiving oneself, believing others can't notice what one is doing. Mocking; like 'bury one's head in the sand'.
肚皮里安电灯，心里亮堂堂 dùpí li ān diàndēng，xīn li liàngtángtáng

fitting an electric light in the belly: the heart is bright and clear

A variant of 'a lamp lit in the belly'. It says you understand a person or matter very clearly. Neutral to approving.
肚皮里点灯，心里亮 dùpí li diǎndēng，xīn li liàng

lighting a lamp in the belly: the heart is bright

Said of someone who knows exactly what is going on, even if they say nothing. Neutral to approving.
肚脐眼儿说话，腰言 dùqíyǎnr shuōhuà，yāo(yāo) yán

talking with the navel: waist words (demonic words)

Refers to deceptive, heretical talk that leads people astray. Critical.
肚子里撑船，内航 dùzi li chēngchuán，nèi háng(háng)

punting a boat inside the belly: an inside navigator (an insider expert)

Says someone is experienced and knowledgeable about a certain kind of work. Approving.
端着金碗讨饭，装穷叫苦 duānzhe jīnwǎn tǎofàn，zhuāng qióng jiào kǔ

begging for food while holding a golden bowl: pretending to be poor and crying hardship

Mocks people who fail to use the resources they have and instead plead poverty and rely on handouts.
短板搭桥，难到岸 duǎn bǎn dā qiáo，nán dào àn

building a bridge with short planks: hard to reach the bank

Said when resources are lacking or the method is wrong, so the goal cannot be reached.
断了腿的蛤蟆，跳不了多远 duànle tuǐ de háma，tiào bùliǎo duō yuǎn

a toad with a broken leg: can't jump far

Says a wrongdoer will soon be punished and his days of doing evil are numbered. Contemptuous.
断了线的风筝，上不着天，下不着地 duànle xiàn de fēngzheng，shàng bù zháo tiān，xià bù zháo dì

a kite with its string cut: can't reach the sky above or the ground below

A matter left hanging with nothing settled. Also said of someone adrift with nothing to rely on.
断了线的喇叭，没了音 duànle xiàn de lǎba，méile yīn

a loudspeaker with its wire cut: no more sound

Means all news has stopped coming; there is no word from someone.
对着风扇动嘴，讲得好凉快 duìzhe fēngshàn dòngzuǐ，jiǎng de hǎo liángkuai

moving your mouth in front of a fan: talking so coolly

Mocks people who make irresponsible, carping remarks from the sidelines.
对着镜子作揖，自己恭维自己 duìzhe jìngzi zuòyī，zìjǐ gōngwei zìjǐ

bowing to a mirror: paying compliments to oneself

Mocks someone who praises and boasts about themselves.
对着砚台梳妆，没影子 duìzhe yàntai shūzhuāng，méi yǐngzi

doing one's make-up facing an inkstone: no reflection

Says something or someone does not exist at all; there is no trace of it.
对着月亮攀谈，说空话 duìzhe yuèliang pāntán，shuō kōnghuà

chatting to the moon: speaking to the air

Describes empty talk with no substance, or promises that will never be kept. Critical.
囤子上插旗杆，尖上拔尖 dùnzi shang chā qígān，jiān shang bájiān

sticking a flagpole in a grain bin: the tip on top of a tip

Means good on top of good; someone or something that is even more outstanding. Approving.
躲灾的遇上避难的，都是一样命 duǒ zāi de yùshàng bìnàn de，dōu shì yīyàng mìng

one dodging disaster meets one fleeing trouble: both have the same fate

Two people share the same bad luck. Said with resignation, like 'we're in the same boat'.
峨眉山上的猴子，要多精有多精 éméishān shàng de hóuzi，yào duō jīng yǒu duō jīng

the monkeys on Mount Emei: as clever as can be

Describes a person who is extremely sharp and shrewd. Can be admiring or wary.
鹅吃草，鸭吃谷，各人自享各人福 é chī cǎo，yā chī gǔ，gè rén zì xiǎng gè rén fú

the goose eats grass, the duck eats grain, each enjoys his own blessing

Each person enjoys their own lot without interfering with others. Easygoing, live-and-let-live.
鹅卵石垫床腿，不稳 éluǎnshí diàn chuángtuǐ，bù wěn

propping up bed legs with pebbles: not steady

Describes a weak, shaky foundation, whether of a plan, a relationship or a position. Neutral to critical.
鹅卵石砌墙角，不稳当 éluǎnshí qì qiángjiǎo，bù wěndang

building a wall corner with pebbles: not stable

A variant of the pebbles-under-the-bed-legs saying. It describes something built on an unreliable base.
额角上放鞭炮，响得不低 éjiǎo shang fàng biānpào，xiǎng(xiǎng) de bù dī

setting off firecrackers on the temple: the bang (thought) is not low

Mocks someone whose ideas or hopes are lofty but unlikely to come true. Teasing or sarcastic.
额头连下巴，没脸 étóu lián xiàba，méiliǎn

forehead joined to the chin: no face

Says someone has lost face or is too ashamed to show themselves. Humorous or mocking.
恶棍打官司，拿着不是当理说 ègùn dǎ guānsi，názhe bùshi dàng lǐ shuō

a thug going to court: takes his faults and argues them as reasons

Describes someone who confuses right and wrong and passes off absurd arguments as sound ones. Critical.
饿瘪肚皮的臭虫，死叮 èbiě dùpí de chòuchóng，sǐ dīng

a bedbug with a shrunken empty belly: bites to death

Describes someone who presses hard and won't let go when questioning or pursuing another person. Mocking.
饿狗啃骨头，恨不得嚼出油来 ègǒu kěn gǔtou，hènbude jiáochū yóu lái

a starving dog gnawing a bone: wishes it could chew grease out of it

Describes someone greedily squeezing every bit of money or profit out of others. Critical.
饿汉子嗑瓜子儿，过不了瘾 èhànzi kè guāzǐr，guò bùliǎo yǐn

a hungry man cracking sunflower seeds: can't get his fill

Something is far too little to satisfy a need or craving.
饿猫叼鱼，嘴紧 èmāo diāo yú，zuǐ jǐn

a hungry cat carrying a fish: mouth tight

Describes someone who is careful about what they say and gives nothing away. Usually approving or neutral.
饿眼见瓜皮，就当一景儿 èyǎn jiàn guāpí，jiù dàng yījǐngr

hungry eyes see a melon rind: take it for a sight

When desperate, people treat worthless or bad things as treasures. Slightly mocking.
饿着肚皮说笑话，穷开心 èzhe dùpí shuō xiàohua，qióng kāixīn

telling jokes on an empty stomach: poor-and-happy

Mocks someone who makes merry in the midst of hardship, in a way that seems out of place.
鳄鱼流眼泪，可怜不得 èyú liú yǎnlèi，kěliánbude

a crocodile shedding tears: can't be pitied

Don't feel sorry for a wicked person who pretends to be pitiable. Same sense as 'crocodile tears'.
鳄鱼上岸，来者不善 èyú shàng àn，láizhěbùshàn

a crocodile coming ashore: the one who comes means no good

Someone arriving with bad intentions who is dangerous. Said as a warning.
耳朵塞棉花，装聋子 ěrduo sāi miánhua，zhuāng lóngzi

stuffing cotton in one's ears: pretending to be deaf

Describes someone who deliberately acts as if they know nothing or hear nothing. Mocking.
二齿钩子挠痒，是把硬手 èr chǐ gōuzi náoyǎng，shì bǎ yìngshǒu

scratching an itch with a two-pronged hook: a hard hand

Praises someone as highly capable and skilled. Approving, often playful.
二大妈的针线篮儿，杂七杂八 èrdàmā de zhēnxiànlánr，záqīzábā

Second Aunt's sewing basket: all sorts of odds and ends

Describes a jumble of mixed, messy small things with no order.
二分钱开当铺，周转不开 èr fēn qián kāi dàngpù，zhōuzhuǎn bù kāi

opening a pawnshop with two fen: can't turn over the money

Said when money is very tight and you can't manage your cash flow. Humorous, sympathetic.
二分钱买块糖，小甜头儿 èr fēn qián mǎi kuài táng，xiǎo tiántour

buying a piece of candy with two fen: a little sweetness

Describes a small favour or perk given to win someone over. Mildly critical of petty bribes. Close to 'a small sweetener'.
二郎神的笛子，神吹 èrlángshén de dízi，shén chuī

Erlang Shen's flute: divinely blown

Mocks someone who boasts wildly or talks big. Teasing and critical.
二郎神缝皮袄，神缭 èrlángshén féng pí'ǎo，shénliáo(liáo)

Erlang Shen sewing a fur coat: divine slanting stitches (chat)

Describes aimless, endless idle chatting. Humorous.
二愣子打铁，猛劲儿死砸 èrlèngzi dǎtiě，měngjìnr sǐ zá

a rash fellow forging iron: just pounding with brute force

Describes someone who works by sheer force, without skill or cleverness. Mildly mocking.
二两棉花四张弓，细弹 èr liǎng miánhua sì zhāng gōng，xìtán(tán)

two liang of cotton and four bows: fine fluffing (talking)

Describes talking something over in careful detail. Humorous.
二十四斤重的榔头敲钢板，当当响 èrshísì jīn zhòng de lángtou qiāo gāngbǎn，dāngdāng xiǎng

a 24-jin hammer striking a steel plate: clanging loud

Says a person's reputation is resounding. Approving.
二十一天不出壳，坏蛋 èrshíyī tiān bù chū ké，huàidàn

not hatching after twenty-one days: a bad egg

An insult for a rotten person. Harsh, abusive. Like 'a bad egg'.
二一添作五，一半 èryī tiānzuò wǔ，yībàn

two-one, add to make five: half

Said when something is split equally between two people.
二月的韭菜，头一茬 èryuè de jiǔcài，tóu yī chá

chives in the second month: the first cutting

Says something is happening for the first time.
发了酵的面团,气鼓鼓的 fāle jiào de miàntuán, qìgǔgǔ de

fermented dough: puffed up with gas

Describes someone extremely angry and puffed up with rage. Humorous.
发了霉的炒黄豆,不香了 fāle méi de chǎo huángdòu, bù xiāng le

mouldy roasted soybeans: no longer fragrant

Says someone is unpopular because of poor relationships with others.
法场上的麻雀,胆子吓大了 fǎchǎng shàng de máquè, dǎnzi xià dà le

a sparrow at the execution ground: its courage grew from being frightened

Says someone who has faced danger many times grows bold. Humorous.
幡杆上挂灯笼,照远不照近 fāngān shang guà dēnglong, zhào yuǎn bù zhào jìn

a lantern hung on a banner pole: lights far, not near

Describes someone who looks after distant people but neglects those close. Critical.
反贴门神,不对脸 fǎn tiē ménshén, bù duì liǎn

door gods pasted on backwards: they don't face each other

Two people don't get along or can't agree or work together. Said humorously of people who are at odds.
贩古董的,识货 fàn gǔdǒng de, shíhuò

an antique dealer: knows the goods

Someone who has a good eye for telling real from fake, good from bad. Approving.
房檐上的冰凌柱,根子在上边 fángyán shàng de bīnglíngzhù, gēnzi zài shàngbiān

icicles on the eaves: the root is up above

The source of a problem lies with those at the top. Said when blame belongs to higher-ups.
房檐上的泥娃娃,没路可走 fángyán shàng de níwáwa, méi lù kě zǒu

a clay doll on the eaves: no road to walk

Trapped in a difficult situation with no way out.
房檐上玩儿把戏,不要命 fángyán shang wánr bǎxì, bù yào mìng

doing acrobatics on the eaves: not wanting one's life

Taking a huge, life-threatening risk. Said of reckless behaviour.
房檐上种菜,无园 fángyán shang zhòng cài, wú yuán(yuán)

planting vegetables on the eaves: no garden

Said when two people have no fated affinity, or no chance of a relationship.
放出去的风筝,越飞越远 fàng chūqù de fēngzheng, yuè fēi yuè yuǎn

a kite let go: flies farther and farther

Things are developing and getting better and better. Approving.

Every kind of Chinese saying