Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

怀里揣着个小兔子,胸口乱跳 huái li chuāizhe ge xiǎo tùzi, xiōngkǒu luàn tiào

a little rabbit tucked in one's bosom: the chest jumps about

Describes being very excited, nervous or anxious, with a pounding heart. Like 'heart pounding like a trapped bird'.
怀里的笊篱,捞心 huái lǐ de zhàoli, lāo(láo) xīn

a strainer ladle in one's bosom: scoops (toils) the heart

Describes worrying and taking great pains over something. Light, sympathetic.
坏了根的茄子苗,不成个秧子 huàile gēn de qiézimiáo, bù chéng ge yāng(yàng)zi

an eggplant seedling with a ruined root: doesn't make a proper seedling (shape)

Scolds a young person whose behaviour is disgraceful or unacceptable. Critical.
皇上的旨,将军的令,一口说了算 huángshang de zhǐ, jiāngjūn de lìng, yī kǒu shuōle suàn

the emperor's edict, the general's order: one word and it's settled

Said of a person whose single word decides the matter and cannot be changed. Can be admiring or critical of high-handedness.
黄表纸包饺子,全露馅儿了 huángbiǎozhǐ bāo jiǎozi, quán lòuxiànr le

wrapping dumplings in yellow ritual paper: the filling all shows

A secret someone wanted hidden has been completely exposed. Humorous.
黄柏木作了磬槌子,外头体面里头苦 huángbòmù zuòle qìng chuízi, wàitou tǐmiàn lǐtou kǔ

yellow cork wood made into a chime mallet: respectable outside, bitter inside

Looks splendid and respectable on the surface but hides much unspoken hardship.
黄柏汁儿里泡过的,苦不堪言 huángbòzhīr li pàoguo de, kǔbùkānyán

soaked in cork-tree juice: bitter beyond words

Describes being in an extremely miserable situation.
黄河水,倒不完 huánghé shuǐ, dào(dào) bù wán

Yellow River water: can't finish pouring (telling)

Has so much to say that it can't all be told; pouring out one's heart.
黄河水,难清 huánghé shuǐ, nán qīng(qǐng)

Yellow River water: hard to get clear (to invite)

Said of someone who is hard to get to come or hard to invite.
黄花鱼,溜边儿 huánghuāyú, liūbiānr

yellow croaker, slipping along the edge

Usually said as 'as a yellow croaker, it slips along the edge'; describes a person who sidles along the edges, avoiding the centre of things, or keeps out of trouble. Mildly teasing.
黄连树上搭苦瓜棚,苦做一堆 huángliánshù shang dā kǔguā péng, kǔ zuò yī duī

building a bitter-melon trellis on a goldthread tree: bitterness all in one heap

Describes people who suffer hardship all gathering together.
黄连树上结瓜,一串串儿苦 huángliánshù shang jiēguā, yī chuànchuànr kǔ

melons growing on a goldthread tree: strings and strings of bitterness

Describes a whole group of people all in miserable circumstances.
黄连树下弹琴,苦中作乐 huángliánshù xià tánqín, kǔzhōngzuòlè

playing the zither under a goldthread tree: making merriment in bitterness

Forcing oneself to be cheerful in the midst of hardship. Wry, sympathetic.
黄连树下一棵小草,苦苗儿 huángliánshù xià yī kē xiǎocǎo, kǔmiáor

a little blade of grass under a goldthread tree: a bitter sprout

Said of a child born into poverty or suffering misfortune. Sympathetic.
黄毛鸭子刚下河,不知深浅 huángmáo yāzi gāng xià hé, bù zhī shēnqiǎn

a yellow-downed duckling just entering the river: doesn't know how deep or shallow

Said of a young person who speaks or acts without a sense of proportion or regard for consequences. Mildly critical.
黄鸟儿画眉,跟西施学的 huángniǎor huà méi, gēn xīshī xué de

the yellow bird that paints its brows learned from Xi Shi

Said of a skill learned from an expert or famous person. Humorous, boastful.
黄牛的尾巴,两边摆 huángniú de wěiba, liǎngbiān bǎi

an ox's tail: swings both ways

Describes someone who can't make up their mind and wavers. Mildly critical.
黄牛掉在水井里,有劲使不出来 huángniú diào zài shuǐjǐng li, yǒujìn shǐ bù chūlái

an ox fallen into a well: has strength but can't use it

Having the strength or ability but no chance to apply it. Sympathetic.
黄牛犁地,有劲慢慢使 huángniú lí dì, yǒujìn mànmàn shǐ

an ox ploughing a field: uses its strength slowly

Don't rush for quick results; stay calm and work steadily. Advisory.
黄鳝泥鳅,差不离 huángshàn níqiū, chàbùlí

eel and loach: not much different

Two people or things are very much alike, with little to choose between them. Neutral, colloquial.
黄鼠狼戴缨帽儿,自命不凡 huángshǔláng dài yīngmàor, zìmìngbùfán

a weasel wearing an official's tasselled hat: thinks itself extraordinary

Mocks a petty person who has risen to power and thinks he is better than everyone else. Scornful.
黄鼠狼躲在鸡棚上,不会不偷 huángshǔláng duǒ zài jīpéng shang, bù huì bù tōu

a weasel hiding on the chicken coop: it's bound to steal

Mocks someone who, given their nature, will surely do the bad thing they are inclined to. Critical.
黄鼠狼给鸡拜年,没安好心 huángshǔláng gěi jī bàinián, méi ān hǎoxīn

a weasel paying a New Year visit to the chickens: no good intentions

Someone showing kindness while hiding bad intentions. Critical; like 'a wolf in sheep's clothing'.
黄鼠狼看鸡,越看越稀 huángshǔláng kān jī, yuè kān yuè xī

a weasel minding the chickens: the more it watches, the fewer there are

If you put a greedy person in charge of public property, it will keep disappearing. Critical; like 'setting the fox to mind the henhouse'.
黄鼠狼骂狐狸,都不是好东西 huángshǔláng mà húlí, dōu bù shì hǎo dōngxi

a weasel cursing a fox: neither is any good

Bad people attacking each other; both are as bad as each other. Scornful; like 'the pot calling the kettle black'.

May offend: vulgar language
黄鼠狼下老鼠,一代不如一代 huángshǔláng xià lǎoshǔ, yī dài bùrú yī dài

a weasel giving birth to mice: each generation is worse than the last

Each generation is poorer than the one before. Critical, often mocking.
黄鼠狼咬住鸡喉咙,吃定了 huángshǔláng yǎozhù jī hóulóng, chī dìng le

A weasel has clamped onto the chicken's throat: it's got it eaten for sure

Said of someone determined to extract money or advantage from a particular person and certain to get it. Mildly critical, a bit mocking.
黄鹰抓住鹞子的脚,扣了环了 huángyīng zhuāzhù yàozi de jiǎo, kòule huán le

a yellow hawk grabs the sparrow hawk's foot: they've locked into a ring

Describes two people so close that they cannot be separated. Humorous and approving.
昏官断案,各打五十大板 hūnguān duàn'àn, gè dǎ wǔshí dà bǎn

A muddled magistrate judges a case: fifty strokes of the cane each

Punishing both sides equally without sorting out right and wrong. Critical.
浑水里洗澡,不可能洁净 húnshuǐ lǐ xǐzǎo, bù kěnéng jiéjìng

Bathing in muddy water: you can't come out clean

Someone living in a bad environment is likely to pick up bad habits. Compare 'lie down with dogs, get up with fleas'.
豁嘴骡子卖了个驴价钱,吃亏就吃在嘴上 huōzuǐ luózi màile ge lǘ jiàqián, chīkuī jiù chī zài zuǐ shang

A harelipped mule sold for a donkey's price: the loss is all in the mouth

Said of someone who loses out because of what they say or how they say it.

May offend: mocks disability
火绒脾气,沾火就着 huǒróng píqi, zhān huǒ jiù zháo

A tinder temper: catches the moment it touches fire

Describes a hot-tempered person who flares up at the slightest provocation.
火烧芭蕉,心不死 huǒ shāo bājiāo, xīn bù sǐ

Fire burns a banana plant: the heart doesn't die

Said of someone who fails but refuses to give up and hopes for a comeback.
火烧眉毛尖,急上加急 huǒ shāo méimaojiān, jí shang jiā jí

Fire singes the tips of the eyebrows: urgent on top of urgent

The situation is extremely pressing, or something must be done at once.
火烧乌龟,肚里痛 huǒ shāo wūguī, dù lǐ tòng

a tortoise in the fire: pain in the belly

Describes someone suffering deep inner pain or distress.
火烧竹竿儿,节节爆 huǒ shāo zhúgānr, jiéjié bào(bào)

Fire burning a bamboo pole: it bursts joint by joint

Said of someone who keeps getting richer, each gain leading to the next.
火筒没节儿,两头空 huǒtǒng méi jiér, liǎngtóu kōng

A blowpipe with no joint: empty at both ends

Describes someone who loses out on both sides and ends up with nothing.
货郎担子,两头儿货 huòláng dànzi, liǎngtóur huò(huò)

a pedlar's carrying pole: goods at both ends (disaster at both ends)

Misfortunes come one after another. Said ruefully of a run of bad luck; similar to 'it never rains but it pours'.
机关枪打皮球，给你消消气 jīguānqiāng dǎ píqiú, gěi nǐ xiāoxiāoqì

a machine gun shooting a rubber ball: let the air out of you

Said humorously to someone angry, as a way of calming them down.
机关枪装炮弹，口径不对 jīguānqiāng zhuāng pàodàn, kǒujìng bù duì

loading a machine gun with a shell: the calibre doesn't match

Views or principles don't fit together; two sides are not on the same wavelength.
鸡抱鸭，枉费心 jī bào yā, wǎngfèixīn

a hen hatching a duck egg: wasted effort

All effort is wasted because it goes against the nature of things. Variant of 鸡孵鸭子，白费劲.
鸡肠子放风筝，迟早要绷断 jīchángzi fàng fēngzheng, chízǎo yào bēngduàn

flying a kite with chicken intestine: sooner or later it snaps

Something fragile or flawed will break down before long. Mocking warning.
鸡吃砻糠鸭吃谷，各人自有各人福 jī chī lóngkāng yā chī gǔ, gè rén zì yǒu gè rén fú

chickens eat rice husks, ducks eat grain: each has their own blessing

Everyone has their own lot and good fortune; don't envy others.
鸡吃棉花，鹐絮 jī chī miánhua, qiān(qiān) xù(xū)

a chicken pecking cotton: pecks the wadding (modest, not conceited)

Describes someone modest who isn't self-satisfied. Approving.
鸡吃萤火虫，肚子里明 jī chī yínghuǒchóng, dùzi lǐ míng

a chicken eats a firefly: it's bright inside its belly

Someone understands things clearly in their own mind, though they may not say it.
鸡蛋掉在油锅里，滑透了 jīdàn diào zài yóuguō li, huá(huá) tòu le

an egg dropped in a wok of oil: completely slippery (cunning)

Scolds someone as thoroughly slick and crafty.
鸡蛋换盐，不见钱 jīdàn huàn yán, bù jiàn qián

swapping eggs for salt: no money seen

In a barter deal no cash appears; neither side gains anything visible.
鸡蛋壳儿里发面，没有发头儿 jīdàn kér li fāmiàn, méiyǒu fātour

leavening dough inside an eggshell: no room to rise

Someone limited by circumstances has no prospect of advancing.
鸡蛋壳儿上找缝儿，白费这番好心 jīdàn kér shang zhǎo fèngr, báifèi zhè fān hǎoxīn

looking for a crack on an eggshell: good intentions wasted

Mocks someone who has spent effort for nothing.
鸡蛋里挑骨头，故意找碴儿 jīdàn li tiāo gǔtou, gùyì zhǎochár

picking bones out of an egg: deliberately looking for faults

Purposely finding fault with someone. Critical.
鸡蛋碰石头，太不自量 jīdàn pèng shítou, tài bù zìliàng

an egg hitting a stone: overrating oneself

Mocks someone who overestimates their strength against a far stronger opponent.
鸡蛋碰石头，自找倒霉 jīdàn pèng shítou, zìzhǎo dǎoméi

an egg hitting a stone: asking for trouble

A weak party who challenges a strong one is courting defeat.
鸡飞蛋打，一场空 jīfēidàndǎ, yī chǎng kōng

the hen flies off and the eggs are smashed: all for nothing

Everything is lost and all hopes and efforts come to nothing.
鸡孵鸭子，白费劲 jī fū yāzi, báifèijìn

a hen hatching ducklings: wasted effort

Effort is wasted because it goes against the natural order.
鸡给黄鼠狼拜年，巴结到家反被害 jī gěi huángshǔláng bàinián, bājie dàojiā fǎn bèi hài

a chicken pays New Year's respects to the weasel: flattery ends in harm

A weak party who fawns on a powerful enemy only invites disaster.
鸡骨头熬汤，没有多大油水 jī gǔtou áo tāng, méiyǒu duō dà yóushuǐ

boiling chicken bones for soup: not much grease

There is little profit to be had.
鸡叫头遍上路，越走越明 jī jiào tóu biàn shànglù, yuè zǒu yuè míng

setting out at the first cockcrow: the further you go, the brighter

Prospects grow brighter all the time. Approving, hopeful.
鸡毛炒韭菜，乱七八糟 jīmáo chǎo jiǔcài, luànqībāzāo

stir-frying chicken feathers with chives: a complete mess

Describes a muddled mind or a disorderly state of affairs.
鸡毛堵耳朵，装聋子 jīmáo dǔ ěrduo, zhuāng lóngzi

stopping ears with chicken feathers: pretending to be deaf

Said of someone who has heard perfectly well but pretends not to know. Critical.
鸡毛敲铜钟，白费劲 jīmáo qiāo tóngzhōng, bái fèijìn

striking a bronze bell with a chicken feather: wasted effort

The method is wrong so the effort has no effect.
鸡毛做毽子，闹着玩儿 jīmáo zuò jiànzi, nàozhe wánr

making a shuttlecock from chicken feathers: just playing around

Treating a matter lightly or irresponsibly, as if it were a game.
鸡市鸭市，鸽子另一市 jīshì yāshì, gē(gè)zi(zì) lìng yī shì(shì)

chicken market, duck market, pigeons have another market (each has their own business)

Everyone has their own affairs to mind.
鸡窝里打拳，小架势 jīwō li dǎquán, xiǎo jiàshi

boxing in a chicken coop: small moves

Someone keeps a low profile with little show of strength.
鸡子儿下山，滚蛋 jīzǐr xiàshān, gǔndàn

an egg going down the mountain: rolls away

A rude way to tell someone to get lost.

May offend: vulgar language
激流里下桩子，要有准头 jīliú li xià zhuāngzi, yào yǒu zhǔntou

driving a stake in a rushing torrent, you must have accuracy

Actions and words must be precise and exact, especially in difficult conditions.
急惊风碰上慢郎中，越等越急 jíjīngfēng pèng shàng màn lángzhōng, yuè děng yuè jí

acute infantile convulsions meet a slow doctor: the longer you wait, the more anxious you get

An urgent matter held up by someone who is unhurried makes you more and more frantic. Used with exasperation.
几个胖子一块儿进门，不知谁让谁 jǐ ge pàngzi yīkuàir jìnmén, bù zhī shéi ràng shéi

several fat men go through a door together: no one knows who should give way to whom

Several tasks pile up at once and you don't know which to do first. Humorous.
夹板中的肉，两头儿压 jiābǎn zhōng de ròu, liǎngtóur yā

meat between two boards: pressed from both ends

Pressured from both sides and stuck in a dilemma. Cf. "caught between a rock and a hard place."
夹裤改单裤，没里儿 jiákù gǎi dānkù, méi lǐr(lǐ)

altering lined trousers into unlined trousers: no lining

Said of someone whose words or actions are in the wrong or have no justification. Mildly mocking.
贾家的姑娘嫁贾家，贾门贾氏 jiǎ jiā de gūniang jià jiǎ jiā, jiǎ(jiǎ) mén jiǎ(jiǎ)shì(shì)

a girl of the Jia family marries into the Jia family: Jia family, Jia wife

Describes something thoroughly fake or phony. Mocking.
尖扁担担柴，两头脱 jiān biǎndan dān chái, liǎngtóu tuō

carrying firewood on a pointed-ended pole: both ends come off

Said when everything one tries comes to nothing. Wry or sympathetic.
煎饼蒙鼓，怎么敲也不响 jiānbing méng gǔ, zěnme qiāo yě bù xiǎng

a drum covered with a pancake: however you beat it, it doesn't sound

Said of someone who refuses to speak, however you press them. Humorous.
见了火的蜡，软了 jiànle huǒ de là, ruǎn le

wax meeting fire: it goes soft

Said of someone who softens or gives in when pressure is applied. Mildly mocking.
见了骆驼不说牛，什么大说什么 jiànle luòtuo bù shuō niú, shénme dà shuō shénme

seeing a camel, don't say 'ox': say whatever is biggest

Mocks someone who always exaggerates, boasting in the biggest terms. Mocking.
见了强盗喊爸爸，认贼作父 jiànle qiángdào hǎn bàba, rènzéizuòfù

seeing a bandit, call him dad: take a thief as one's father

Said of someone who can't tell good from bad or friend from enemy, and serves the wrong side. Strongly critical.
见乌纱帽就摸，冠迷 jiàn wūshāmào jiù mō, guān(guān) mí

touch every official's black gauze hat you see: hat-mad

Mocks someone obsessed with becoming an official. Mocking.
贱陀螺，不打不转 jiàn tuóluó, bù dǎ bù zhuàn

a cheap spinning top: it doesn't spin unless whipped

Said of a person or animal that won't do anything unless beaten or pressured. Contemptuous.
箭在弦上，不能不发 jiàn zài xián shang, bù néng bù fā

the arrow is on the string: it must be shot

The situation is so pressing that action can't be put off. Like 'the die is cast'.
江河里行船，看风使舵 jiānghé li xíng chuán，kànfēngshǐduò

sailing on rivers: watch the wind and steer

Changing one's stance to suit whichever way things blow, giving up principles. Critical; like 'trim one's sails to the wind'.
江里的浪花，不是吹的 jiāng lǐ de làng huā，bù shì chuī de

waves on the river: not blown up

Something achieved only by real work, not by boasting. Often mocking of braggarts.
江里的木偶，随大溜 jiāng lǐ de mù'ǒu，suí dàliù

a wooden puppet in the river: goes with the main current

Said of someone with no opinions of their own who just follows the majority. Mildly mocking; like 'go with the flow'.
姜太公的坐骑，四不像 jiāngtàigōng de zuòqí，sìbùxiàng

Jiang Taigong's mount: the four-unlikes

Said of something or someone that is neither one thing nor another, a hybrid that fits no category. Usually mildly critical or mocking.
姜太公钓鱼，愿者上钩 jiāngtàigōng diàoyú，yuànzhěshànggōu

Jiang Taigong fishes: those who are willing take the hook

Said when someone takes up something of their own free will, often something others think is bad for them. Nobody is forcing them. Often humorous or wry.
姜太公在此，百无禁忌 jiāngtàigōng zài cǐ，bǎiwújìnjì

Jiang Taigong is here: nothing is taboo

Said when you can act freely without worrying about bad luck or restrictions, as if a powerful protector were present. Often used jokingly to wave away superstitions.
蒋干盗书，上了大当 jiǎnggàn dào shū，shàngle dà dàng

Jiang Gan steals the letter: falls for a big trick

Said of someone who tries to trick others but is tricked instead and suffers badly. Mocking.
酱缸里的萝卜，咸的 jiànggāng lǐ de luóbo，xián(xián) de

a radish in the soy-paste vat: salty

Said of someone with nothing to do, idle. Humorous, mildly mocking.
嚼过的馒头，没味道 jiáoguo de mántou，méi wèidao

a chewed-over steamed bun: no taste

Said of something that holds no interest, stale and dull.
饺子破了皮，馅儿全露了 jiǎozi pòle pí，xiànr quán lòu le

the dumpling's skin broke: the filling is all showing

Said when a secret someone wanted hidden is fully exposed. Humorous.
脚板抹猪油，溜了 jiǎobǎn mǒ zhūyóu，liū le

grease the soles with lard: slip away

Said of someone sneaking off. Humorous.
脚背上长眼睛，自看自高 jiǎobèi shang zhǎng yǎnjing，zì kàn zì gāo

eyes growing on the top of the foot: sees itself as high

Mocks an arrogant person who thinks too highly of himself.
脚踩擀面杖，站不稳 jiǎo cǎi gǎnmiànzhàng，zhàn bù wěn

stepping on a rolling pin: can't stand steady

Said of a person whose words and actions are unreliable or unsteady.
脚踩跷跷板，忽上忽下 jiǎo cǎi qiāoqiāobǎn，hūshànghūxià

feet on a seesaw: suddenly up, suddenly down

Describes an anxious, unsettled state of mind.
脚踩西瓜皮，滑到哪里算哪里 jiǎo cǎi xīguā pí，huádào nǎli suàn nǎli

stepping on a watermelon rind: wherever you slide to is where you end up

Describes drifting through life with no goal, taking things as they come. Critical.
脚踩西瓜皮，两手抓着泥，一溜二抹 jiǎo cǎi xīguā pí，liǎng shǒu zhuāzhe ní，yī liū èr mǒ

feet on a watermelon rind, hands grabbing mud: one slide, two smears

Said of someone who avoids conflict and smooths things over, or slips away from a problem.
脚后跟拴绳子，拉倒 jiǎohòugēn shuān shéngzi，lādǎo

a rope tied to the heel: pulled down

Means 'forget it, drop it'; said when something is called off.
脚后跟扎刀子，离心远着呢 jiǎohòugēn zhā dāozi，lí xīn yuǎnzhe ne

a knife stuck in the heel: far from the heart

Said when a matter has little to do with someone or isn't their concern.
脚上绑铃铛，走到哪里就响到哪里 jiǎo shang bǎng língdang，zǒudào nǎli jiù xiǎngdào nǎli

bells tied to the feet: it rings wherever you go

Said of a person who gains fame wherever they go.
脚上的泡，自己走的 jiǎo shàng de pào，zìjǐ zǒu de

blisters on your feet: you walked them yourself

Trouble you have brought on yourself. Compare 'you made your bed, now lie in it'.
脚趾缝里长草，荒了脚 jiǎozhǐ fèng li zhǎng cǎo，huāng(huāng)le jiǎo

grass growing between the toes: the foot is overgrown

Describes someone so flustered they don't know what to do.
叫花子发狂，穷疯了 jiàohuāzi fākuáng，qióngfēng le

a beggar goes mad: crazed by poverty

Said of someone so poor or desperate they lose their reason. Mocking.

May offend: mocks a group of people

Every kind of Chinese saying