Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

关公放屁，不知脸红 guāngōng fàngpì, bù zhī liǎn hóng

Guan Gong farts: doesn't know to blush

Mocks someone who has done something shameful and shows no embarrassment. The joke is that Guan Gong's face is red anyway, so a blush would not show.

May offend: vulgar language
关公卖豆腐，人硬货不硬 guāngōng mài dòufu, rén yìng huò bù yìng

Guan Gong selling tofu: the man is tough, the goods are not

Describes someone who looks or sounds tough but is weak inside. Mocking.
关公面前比大刀，自不量力 guāngōng miànqián bǐ dàdāo, zìbùliànglì

comparing big swords in front of Guan Gong: overrating one's own strength

Said of someone who tries to show off in front of a real master, without judging their own ability. Mocking. Close to "teaching your grandmother to suck eggs".
关公舞大刀，拿得起，放得下 guāngōng wǔ dàdāo, ná de qǐ, fàng de xià

Guan Gong wielding his big sword: can pick it up, can put it down

Praises someone who is highly skilled and handles things with composure; also used for someone who can take on a task and let go of it freely. Approving.
关节炎碰到阴雨天，老毛病又犯了 guānjiéyán pèngdào yīnyǔ tiān, lǎo máobìng yòu fàn le

arthritis meets rainy weather: the old trouble flares up again

Said when someone repeats an old mistake or bad habit. Mildly mocking.
关起笼子抓老鼠，没跑儿 guānqǐ lóngzi zhuā lǎoshǔ, méi pǎor

shutting the cage to catch a mouse: it can't run away

Says a plan is sure to succeed; the result is as good as certain. Approving, colloquial.
关起门来做皇上，自尊自大 guānqǐ mén lái zuò huángshang, zìzūn zìdà

shutting the door and playing emperor: self-important and arrogant

Said of someone who thinks very highly of themselves and ignores others, although only in their own little circle. Critical and mocking.
观音菩萨，年年十八 guānyīn púsà, niánnián shíbā

Guanyin Bodhisattva: eighteen every year

Said of someone who stays young, or flatteringly, someone who seems never to age. Humorous and approving.
棺材板上敲钉子，钉死了 guāncáibǎn shang qiāo dīngzi，dìng(dìng)sǐ le

hammering nails into the coffin lid: nailed shut

Says a matter is settled and cannot be changed. Neutral, a little grim humour.
棺材里伸出手来，死要钱 guāncai lǐ shēnchū shǒu lái，sǐ yào qián

a hand reaching out of the coffin: dead set on money

Mocks a person who is obsessed with money and grabs it to the very end. Critical.
罐子里的豆芽儿，休想伸腰 guànzi lǐ de dòuyár，xiūxiǎng shēnyāo

bean sprouts in a jar: don't expect to stretch your back

Describes someone trapped and humiliated, who cannot stand up for themselves. Sympathetic or grim.
光棍儿梦见娶媳妇儿，想得美 guānggùnr mèngjiàn qǔ xífur，xiǎng de měi

a bachelor dreams of taking a wife: a lovely thought

Mocks someone for a wishful fantasy that will not come true. Teasing; compare 'in your dreams'.
光脚进蒺藜窝，进退两难 guāng jiǎo jìn jílí wō，jìntuìliǎngnán

going barefoot into a patch of caltrops: hard to go forward or back

Describes a difficult position where neither advancing nor retreating works. Sympathetic. Compare "between a rock and a hard place".
光手逮刺猬，下不了手 guāng shǒu dǎi cìwei，xià bùliǎo shǒu

catching a hedgehog with bare hands: can't get a hand on it

Describes a problem so thorny that one does not know where to begin. Compare "a hard nut to crack".
滚水泡老鼠，一窝都是死 gǔnshuǐ pào lǎoshǔ，yī wō dōu shì sǐ

soaking mice in boiling water: the whole nest dies

Describes a situation where everyone involved faces ruin or death together.
锅边的小米，熬出来的 guōbiān de xiǎomǐ，áo chūlái de

millet at the edge of the pot: boiled out

Someone who has come through hardship and now has better circumstances.
锅台裂缝儿，坏灶 guōtái lièfèngr，huài zào(zhào)

a crack in the stove top: a bad stove (omen)

A bad sign; something ominous has appeared.
过河的卒子，只能进，不能退 guò hé de zúzi，zhǐnéng jìn，bù néng tuì

a pawn that has crossed the river: it can only advance, never retreat

Under pressure, one can only move forward with no way back. Like 'no turning back'.
过年吃饺子，都是一家人 guònián chī jiǎozi，dōu shì yī jiā rén

eating dumplings at New Year: all one family

Said to show that everyone present is on the same side, so there's no need to be formal.
过年娶媳妇，双喜临门 guònián qǔ xífù，shuāngxǐ lín mén

taking a bride at New Year: double happiness arrives

Two happy events together; good luck on top of good luck.
哈哈镜照人，变了形 hāhājìng zhào rén，biànle xíng

a funhouse mirror reflecting a person: the shape changes

Something looks quite different from before, or has been distorted.
蛤蟆剥皮，心不死 háma bāo pí，xīn bù sǐ

a skinned toad: its heart doesn't die

Someone or some force that still struggles on when nearly finished, refusing to give up. Usually critical.
蛤蟆打呵欠，好大的口气 háma dǎ hāqian，hǎo dà de kǒuqì

a toad yawning: what a big mouth

Said of someone who boasts or talks big. Mocking.
蛤蟆打呵欠，口开得太大 háma dǎ hāqian，kǒu kāi de tài dà

a toad yawning: the mouth opens too wide

Mocks someone for being greedy or asking too high a price.
蛤蟆登天，痴心妄想 háma dēng tiān，chīxīnwàngxiǎng

a toad climbing to heaven: foolish wishful thinking

Mocks someone who dreams of something impossible. Like 'pie in the sky'.
蛤蟆垫桌子腿，死挨 háma diàn zhuōzi tuǐ，sǐái

a toad propping up a table leg: endures to the death

Desperately bearing great pressure, or struggling to carry a burden one can't really manage.
蛤蟆鼓肚子，干生气 háma gǔ dùzi，gān shēngqì

a toad puffing out its belly: angry for nothing

Being angry to no purpose, because there's nothing one can do.
蛤蟆上脚面，往背上爬 háma shàng jiǎomiàn，wǎng bèi(bèi) shang pá

a toad on the top of the foot: climbing up the back (generation)

Mocks someone who acts like an elder and claims seniority they don't have.
蛤蟆跳到秤盘里，不知自己有几两肉 háma tiàodào chèngpán li，bù zhī zìjǐ yǒu jǐ liǎng ròu

a toad jumping onto a scale pan: doesn't know how many ounces of flesh it has

Mocks someone who overestimates themselves and has no self-awareness.
蛤蟆跳井，扑通 háma tiào jǐng，pū(bù)tōng

a toad jumps into a well: plop (not through)

Used for not understanding something, or for writing that doesn't read smoothly.
蛤蟆、蟋蟀，都是一锹土上人 háma、xīshuài，dōu shì yī qiāo tǔ shang rén

toad and cricket: both come from the same spade of earth

People who share the same hard lot.
蛤蟆、蝎子、屎壳郎，各人觉得各人强 háma、xiēzi、shǐkelàng，gè rén juéde gè rén qiáng

toad, scorpion and dung beetle: each thinks himself the best

Mocks people who each think they are better than the others.
蛤蟆坐在井底，只看见碗大的天 háma zuò zài jǐng dǐ，zhǐ kànjiàn wǎn dà de tiān

a toad sitting at the bottom of a well: it only sees a sky the size of a bowl

Describes a person with a narrow outlook and little knowledge of the world. Mildly critical; close to English 'a frog in a well'.
哈巴狗戴串铃，充大牲口 hǎbagǒu dài chuàn líng，chōng dà shēngkou

a pug wearing a string of bells: pretending to be a big draught animal

Mocks a person of low standing who tries to pass for an important figure. Scornful.
哈巴狗咬月亮，不知自己有多高 hǎbagǒu yǎo yuèliang，bù zhī zìjǐ yǒu duō gāo

a pug biting at the moon: it doesn't know how high it is

Mocks someone who overrates their own ability and reaches for something far beyond them.
孩子没娘，说来话长 háizi méi niáng，shuōlái huà cháng

a child with no mother: it's a long story to tell

Said when a matter is complicated and cannot be explained in a few words; 'it's a long story'.
海军衬衫，满是道道 hǎijūn chènshān，mǎn shì dàodao

a sailor's shirt: covered in stripes

Said of a person with plenty of ideas and tricks for getting things done. Often humorous or admiring.
海里的水，到哪里哪里咸 hǎi lǐ de shuǐ，dào nǎli nǎli xián(xián)

seawater: wherever it goes, it is salty (disliked) there

Said of someone who is disliked wherever they go. Mocking.
憨狗逮飞鸟，白费力气 hān gǒu dǎi fēiniǎo，báifèi lìqi

a silly dog chasing a flying bird: wasted effort

Mocks someone who foolishly works at something that can't succeed.
韩湘子拉着铁拐李，一个会吹，一个会捧 hánxiāngzǐ lāzhe tiěguǎilǐ，yī gè huì chuī，yī gè huì pěng

Han Xiangzi pulling Iron-Crutch Li: one can blow, one can hold up

Mocks two people who boast and flatter each other.
韩信将兵，多多益善 hánxìn jiàng bīng，duōduōyìshàn

Han Xin leading troops: the more the better

The more, the better. Said approvingly about numbers or amounts of something.
寒潮消息，冷言冷语 háncháo xiāoxi，lěngyánlěngyǔ

news of a cold wave: cold words, cold talk

Describes sarcastic, cutting remarks made to mock someone.
寒天喝冷水，滴滴凉心头 hántiān hē lěngshuǐ，dīdī liáng xīntóu

drinking cold water in winter: every drop chills the heart

Describes a run of misfortunes that leave a person discouraged and disheartened.
汉高祖斩白蛇，一刀两断 hàngāozǔ zhǎn báishé，yīdāoliǎngduàn

Emperor Gaozu of Han slays the white snake: one blow, two pieces

Said of making a clean, complete break in a relationship.
旱地里的螃蟹，横行不了几时 hàndì lǐ de pángxiè，héngxíng bùliǎo jǐshí

a crab on dry land: it can't swagger sideways for long

Said of a bully or evil force that will soon fall. Contemptuous.
旱地南瓜，越老越红 hàndì nánguā，yuè lǎo yuè hóng

a pumpkin on dry land: the older, the redder

Said of someone who becomes more impressive or more vigorous with age. Approving.
旱天的田螺，有口难开 hàntiān de tiánluó，yǒukǒunánkāi

a field snail in a drought: it has a mouth but can hardly open it

Said of a person with a painful secret who finds it hard to speak up.
航空公司开业，有机可乘 hángkōng gōngsī kāiyè，yǒujīkěchéng

an airline opens for business: there are planes to ride

Said when there is an opportunity to exploit or a loophole to slip through. Often humorous.
好汉上梁山，逼出来的 hǎohàn shàng liángshān，bī chūlái de

heroes going up to Liangshan: they were forced to

Said of an action taken only because circumstances left no choice. Used sympathetically.
耗子扛枪，窝里斗 hàozi káng qiāng, wō lǐ dòu

a rat shouldering a gun: fights inside the nest

Mocks people in the same group who fight each other pointlessly instead of facing outward.
喝了白露水的知了，叫不了几天 hēle báilù shuǐ de zhīliǎo, jiào bùliǎo jǐ tiān

a cicada that has drunk the White Dew water: can't chirp for many more days

Says that a villain or bad force that is rampant now is near its end. Scornful and hopeful.
喝了磨刀水，锈气在内 hēle módāo shuǐ, xiù(xiù)qì zài nèi

having drunk knife-sharpening water: rust is inside

Describes someone who looks rough or clumsy but is clever and capable inside. Approving, humorous.
喝凉水栽跟头，装晕 hē liángshuǐ zāi gēntou, zhuāng yūn

drinking cold water and falling over: pretending to be dizzy

Describes someone feigning ignorance or confusion. Mocking.
喝水塞牙缝儿，倒霉透顶 hē shuǐ sāi yáfèngr, dǎoméi tòudǐng

water getting stuck between the teeth: utterly unlucky

Describes extreme bad luck, when even the simplest thing goes wrong.
何仙姑回娘家，云里来雾里去 héxiāngū huí niángjia, yún li lái wù li qù

Immortal He Gu goes back to her parents' home: arriving in the clouds, leaving in the mist

Describes someone or something confusing, vague and hard to follow, as when a speaker's talk leaves listeners bewildered. The book refers to the 七仙女 version of the saying.
和尚撑伞，无发无天 héshang chēng sǎn, wú fà(fǎ) wú tiān

a monk holding up an umbrella: no hair, no sky

Describes someone who ignores law and order and does as he pleases. Critical.
和尚的住处，庙 héshang de zhùchù, miào(miào)

where a monk lives: a temple

Means 'wonderful' or 'excellent'. Light, humorous and approving.
和尚跟着月亮走，沾光 héshang gēnzhe yuèliang zǒu, zhānguāng

a monk walking along following the moon: catching the light

Describes benefiting from someone else's status or success, as in 'riding on his coattails'. Mildly humorous.
和尚梦拜堂，一场空喜欢 héshang mèng bàitáng, yī cháng kōng xǐhuān

a monk dreaming of his wedding ceremony: a joy that was all for nothing

Describes a hoped-for good thing that can never come true, so the happiness is wasted. Mildly mocking; close to 'pie in the sky'.
河边洗黄连，河苦 hébiān xǐ huánglián, hé(hé)kǔ

washing goldthread root by the river: the river is bitter

Means 'why bother?' or 'why make yourself suffer for it?', said when something isn't worth the trouble.
河底的卵石，光溜溜的 hédǐ de luǎnshí, guāngliūliū de

pebbles on the riverbed: smooth and slippery

Describes a person who is very smooth and slippery, never taking a stand or being pinned down. Slightly critical.
河滩里的沙子，数不清 hétān lǐ de shāzi, shǔ bù qīng

sand on the river bank: can't be counted

Describes something too numerous to count.
河豚投胎的，全身都是毒 hétún tóutāi de, quánshēn dōu shì dú

reborn as a pufferfish: poisonous all over

Describes a vicious, spiteful person. Strongly critical.
荷塘里着火，藕燃 hétáng li zháohuǒ, ǒu(ǒu) rán(rán)

a lotus pond catches fire: the lotus root burns

Describes something that shouldn't happen but does, or a chance occurrence.
荷叶包鳝鱼，溜跑了 héyè bāo shànyú, liūpǎo le

a lotus leaf wrapping an eel: slipped away

Describes someone who quietly slips away when nobody is looking. Humorous.
荷叶当雨伞，难遮盖 héyè dàng yǔsǎn, nán zhēgài

using a lotus leaf as an umbrella: hard to cover

Something can't be hidden or covered up, however one tries.
荷叶上的水珠，滚来滚去 héyè shàng de shuǐzhū, gǔnlái gǔnqù

water droplets on a lotus leaf: rolling this way and that

Describes a person whose opinions keep shifting. Mildly critical.
黑熊打立正，一手遮天 hēixióng dǎ lìzhèng, yīshǒuzhētiān

a black bear standing at attention: one hand covers the sky

Describes someone who uses power and tricks to hide the truth from the public. Critical.
黑夜里抡大斧，瞎砍一通 hēiyè li lún dàfǔ, xiākǎn (kǎn) yītòng

swinging a big axe in the dark: chopping blindly away

Describes aimless, rambling chatter.
横里切藕，多心眼儿 héng li qiē ǒu, duō xīnyǎnr

cutting a lotus root crosswise: many holes

Describes someone who is full of doubts and suspicion. Mildly critical.
红蓝铅笔，两头挨刀 hóng lán qiānbǐ, liǎngtóu áidāo

red-and-blue pencil: both ends get the knife

Describes someone blamed from both sides. Close to 'caught between two fires'.
猴子不钻圈儿，多敲几遍锣 hóuzi bù zuān quānr, duō qiāo jǐ biàn luó

if the monkey won't jump through the hoop, beat the gong a few more times

If a person doesn't fall for a trick, you must try more measures.
猴子吃核桃，满砸 hóuzi chī hétao, mǎn zá

a monkey eating walnuts: smashing everything

Describes a matter that has been completely ruined. Humorous.
猴子的屁股，坐不住 hóuzi de pìgu, zuò bù zhù

a monkey's backside: can't sit still

Describes a restless, fidgety person. Humorous or mildly critical.
猴子爬竹竿，一节一节来 hóuzi pá zhúgān, yī jié yī jié lái

a monkey climbing a bamboo pole: one section at a time

Describes someone who keeps asking for more, step by step. Critical; close to 'give an inch and he'll take a mile'.
猴子下井取月亮，想得美 hóuzi xià jǐng qǔ yuèliang, xiǎng de měi

a monkey going down a well to fetch the moon: what a lovely thought

Mocks someone for a nice-sounding but unrealistic idea. Sarcastic.
猴子嘴里的香蕉，难掏 hóuzi zuǐ lǐ de xiāngjiāo, nán tāo(táo)

a banana in a monkey's mouth: hard to pull out

Describes someone who can hardly escape.
后脖子抽筋，抬不起头来 hòubózi chōujīn, tái bù qǐ tóu lái

cramp in the back of the neck: can't lift your head

Describes someone who is so humbled by criticism or punishment that they can't hold their head high.
厚纸糊窗户，密不透风 hòuzhǐ hú chuānghu, mì bù tòufēng

pasting a window with thick paper: airtight, no wind gets through

Says information is kept so tightly sealed that nothing leaks out.
囫囵吞枣，不知酸甜 húlún tūnzǎo, bù zhī suān tián

swallowing a jujube whole: not knowing whether it is sour or sweet

Describes taking something in without really tasting or understanding it, so you get no real feel for it. Mildly critical, e.g. of reading or studying too hastily. Close to 'to gloss over'.
狐狸精问路，没有好道道儿 húlijīng wènlù, méiyǒu hǎo dàodàor

a fox spirit asking the way: no good paths/ideas

Says someone has bad intentions and is up to no good. Critical.
狐狸尾巴，夹不住 húli wěiba, jiā bù zhù

a fox's tail: can't be tucked away

Says a person's bad habits or wrongdoing cannot stay hidden for long. Critical.
胡同里扛木头，直来直去 hútòng li káng mùtou, zhí lái zhí qù

carrying a log through an alley: going straight in and straight out

Describes a frank, straightforward person who says and does things without beating around the bush. Usually approving or neutral.
胡同捉猪，两头堵 hútòng zhuō zhū, liǎngtóu dǔ

catching a pig in an alley: block both ends

Means leaving someone with no way to answer or escape, silencing them.
胡子上生疮，毛病 húzi shang shēng chuāng, máobìng

a sore growing on the beard: a hair problem

Says someone has a fault, bad habit or work error. Humorous.
葫芦瓢，里虚 húlupiáo, lǐ(lǐ) xū

a gourd ladle: the inside (reason) is hollow

Describes someone who has done wrong and fears being found out, feeling guilty and in the wrong.
湖底的鱼，不好打 húdǐ de yú, bù hǎo dǎ

fish at the bottom of the lake: hard to catch

Refers to an opponent hiding out of sight, who is hard to deal with.
虎落平川，插翅难逃 hǔ luò píngchuān, chāchìnántáo

a tiger fallen onto the plain: even with wings it could not escape

Someone in a desperate situation cannot escape however hard they try. Often said of a once-powerful person brought low.
虎头上捉虱子，自己找死 hǔtóu shang zhuō shīzi, zìjǐ zhǎo sǐ

catching lice on a tiger's head: asking for death

Means seeking one's own destruction by recklessly provoking something dangerous.
虎嘴上拔毛，危险 hǔzuǐ shang bá máo, wēixiǎn

plucking hair from a tiger's mouth: dangerous

Describes an extremely risky act that may cost one's life. Similar to 'beard the lion in his den'.
花被盖鸡笼子，外面好看里面空 huābèi gài jīlóngzi, wàimiàn hǎokàn lǐmiàn kōng

covering a chicken coop with a flowery quilt: pretty outside, empty inside

Describes something showy outside but empty within. Critical. Similar to 'all show and no substance'.
花绸子上绣牡丹，锦上添花 huāchóuzi shàng xiù mǔdan, jǐnshàngtiānhuā

embroidering peonies on flowered silk: adding flowers to brocade

Making something already good even better. Approving. Close to 'gild the lily', but positive.
花花轿子，人抬人 huāhuā jiàozi, rén tái rén

a flowery bridal sedan chair: people carry people

People should help and praise each other; you flatter me and I'll flatter you. Often said approvingly, sometimes ironically of mutual backscratching.
花木瓜，空好看 huāmùguā, kōng hǎokàn

a flowery papaya: good-looking for nothing

Mocks something or someone that looks fine but is useless.
花盆里栽松树，成不了材 huāpén li zāi sōngshù, chéng bùliǎo cái(cái)

planting a pine in a flowerpot: it can't grow into timber (talent)

Says someone will never become a person of real ability, perhaps for lack of room or opportunity to develop.
花生去了壳儿，红仁儿 huāshēng qùle kér, hóng rénr(rénr)

a peanut with its shell off: a red kernel (person)

Refers to a favourite who enjoys the boss's trust and favour.
画笔敲鼓,有声有色 huàbǐ qiāo gǔ, yǒushēngyǒusè

beating a drum with a paintbrush: it has sound and colour

Describes lively, vivid speech or performance.
画儿上的大虾,看着眼馋,到不了嘴里 huàr shàng de dàxiā, kànzhe yǎnchán, dào bùliǎo zuǐ lǐ

a prawn in a painting: you look and your mouth waters, but it never reaches your mouth

Something you long for is in sight but out of reach. Close to 'so near and yet so far'.
怀里揣篦子,梳心 huái li chuāi bìzi, shū(shū)xīn

carrying a fine-toothed comb in one's bosom: combs (comfortable) heart

Describes feeling relaxed and at ease in mind; content. Light, humorous.
怀里揣琵琶,弹心 huái li chuāi pípá, tán(tán)xīn

carrying a pipa in one's bosom: plucks (talks) heart

Said of people having a heart-to-heart talk. Warm, light.

Every kind of Chinese saying