Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

叫花子烤火，各往各的怀里扒 jiàohuāzi kǎohuǒ，gè wǎng gè de huái li bā

beggars warming at a fire: each rakes it toward his own chest

Everyone looks out only for themselves. Critical.

May offend: mocks a group of people
叫花子做皇帝，快活一天算一天 jiàohuāzi zuò huángdì，kuàihuo yī tiān suàn yī tiān

a beggar made emperor: enjoy each day as it comes

Said of someone who lives for the moment with no long-term plan.

May offend: mocks a group of people
教师爷不打把势，谁也摸不清谁的底 jiàoshīyé bù dǎ bǎshi，shéi yě mō bù qīng shéi de dǐ

when the martial arts master doesn't do a demonstration, no one can tell what the others are really capable of

Said when people don't know each other's real abilities or true situation. Neutral.
街上散发的广告，白给 jiē shang sànfā de guǎnggào，báigěi

flyers handed out on the street: given away free

Giving something to someone for nothing, with no payment or return. Humorous.
桀犬吠尧，各为其主 jiéquǎnfèiyáo，gèwèiqízhǔ

Jie's dog barks at Yao: each serves its own master

Everyone works for their own master or side, whether or not the master is in the right. Often used of loyalty without moral judgment.
金弹子打鸟儿，因小失大 jīndànzi dǎ niǎor，yīnxiǎoshīdà

shooting birds with golden pellets: losing the big for the small

Paying a high price for a small gain, a bad bargain. Critical.
金刚扫地，劳神 jīngāng sǎodì，láoshén

a guardian warrior sweeping the floor: wearing out the spirit

Describes something that takes a lot of mental effort and worry.
金刚钻儿穿透钢板，过硬 jīngāngzuànr chuāntòu gāngbǎn，guòyìng

a diamond drill piercing a steel plate: hard enough to get through

Said of skill or quality that stands up to strict tests. Approving.
进了港湾的船，遇不到风浪了 jìnle gǎngwān de chuán，yù bù dào fēnglàng le

a ship that has entered the harbour: it won't meet wind and waves any more

Said of someone who has reached a safe, settled position and will no longer face hardship or danger. Neutral, sometimes slightly envious.
进站的火车头，又窝火又泄汽 jìn zhàn de huǒchētóu，yòu wōhuǒ yòu xiè qì (qì)

a locomotive pulling into the station: it banks its fire and lets off steam (anger)

Describes someone who has to swallow their anger and, as a result, loses their confidence and drive. Sympathetic or humorous.
井底雕花，深刻 jǐngdǐ diāohuā，shēnkè

carving flowers at the bottom of a well: deeply carved

Said of an insight or analysis that gets to the heart of a matter. Usually approving.
井底蛤蟆，没见过大天 jǐngdǐ háma，méi jiànguo dà tiān

a frog at the bottom of a well: it has never seen the big sky

Describes someone ignorant and narrow-minded who has seen little of the world. Mocking, similar to 'a big fish in a small pond' only in part.
井底蛤蟆，没有什么天日 jǐngdǐ háma，méiyǒu shénme tiānrì

a frog at the bottom of a well: it has no sky or sun to speak of

A variant of the frog-in-the-well saying: a person with a very narrow outlook who has seen little of the world.
井里放糖精，甜头儿大家尝 jǐng li fàng tángjīng，tiántóur dàjiā cháng

saccharin put in a well: everyone gets a taste of the sweetness

Said when the benefits are shared among everyone. Light and humorous.
井里头的蛤蟆，就会嚼舌头 jǐng lǐtou de háma，jiù huì jiáoshétou

a frog in a well: all it can do is chew its tongue

Said of someone who talks nonsense without taking responsibility, or who gossips and stirs up trouble. Critical and mocking.
井里栽花，根子深 jǐng li zāi huā，gēnzi shēn

planting flowers in a well: the roots go deep

Said of a person with a strong background or powerful connections. Can be admiring or wary.
景德镇的大窑，净瓷 jǐngdézhèn de dà yáo，jìng cí(cír)

the big kilns of Jingdezhen: all porcelain (words)

Said of a person who talks eloquently with a rich vocabulary. Humorous and approving.
镜子里的东西，看得见，拿不出 jìngzi lǐ de dōngxi，kàn de jiàn，ná bù chū

things in a mirror: you can see them but cannot take them out

Said of something wanted that is in sight but out of reach. Wry or resigned.
镜子里的钱，看得见，取不出 jìngzi lǐ de qián，kàn de jiàn qǔ bù chū

money in a mirror: you can see it but cannot take it out

A variant of the mirror saying: something desired is visible but cannot be had.
九九八十二，算错账了 jiǔjiǔ bāshí'èr，suàncuòzhàng le

nine nines are eighty-two: the sum was wrong

Said of a miscalculation, and figuratively of a plan or scheme that was ill-judged. Mocking.
九两棉线织匹布，稀奇 jiǔ liǎng miánxiàn zhī pǐ bù，xīqí

weaving a bolt of cloth from nine ounces of cotton thread: how rare

Said of something extremely rare or hard to believe. Humorous or sceptical.
九毛加一毛，十毛 jiǔ máo jiā yī máo，shí(shí) máo(máo)

nine mao plus one mao: ten mao (fashionable)

Said of someone whose clothes or style are very fashionable. Light and humorous.
九曲桥上扛毛竹，转弯抹角 jiǔqūqiáo shang káng máozhú，zhuǎnwānmòjiǎo

carrying a moso bamboo across a zigzag bridge: turning corners

Said of someone who speaks or acts in a roundabout way instead of getting to the point. Mildly critical.
九溪十八涧的水，冲来的 jiǔ xī shíbā jiàn de shuǐ，chōng lái de

the water of nine streams and eighteen gullies: it was washed together

Said of a group of people who have come together from all over the place.
酒糟鼻子不喝酒，枉担其名 jiǔzāo bízi bù hē jiǔ，wǎng dān qí míng

a man with a red, rum-blossom nose who doesn't drink: bearing the name for nothing

Said of someone who gets blamed or has a bad reputation they don't deserve. Sympathetic.
救火踢倒了油罐，火上加油 jiùhuǒ tīdǎole yóuguàn，huǒshàngjiāyóu

putting out a fire, kicking over the oil jar: adding oil to the fire

Makes someone angrier or a situation worse, usually through a clumsy intervention. Similar to "add fuel to the fire".
锔锅的戴眼镜，找碴儿 jūguō de dài yǎnjìng，zhǎochár

a pot mender wearing glasses: looking for cracks

Mocks someone who deliberately picks faults or looks for a quarrel.
锔锅的丢了眼镜，找不着碴儿 jūguō de diūle yǎnjing，zhǎo bù zháo chár

a pot mender who lost his glasses: can't find the crack

Said when no fault can be found in something or someone.
举重比赛，斤斤计较 jǔzhòng bǐsài，jīnjīnjìjiào

a weightlifting contest: haggling over every jin

Mocks someone who is petty and haggles over trivial gains.
开封府的包公，铁面无私 kāifēngfǔ de bāogōng，tiěmiànwúsī

Lord Bao of Kaifeng Prefecture: an iron face with no selfishness

Describes an official or judge who is strictly fair and shows no favour to friends or relatives. Approving.
开水里捞肥皂，全凭手快 kāishuǐ li lāo féizào，quán píng shǒu kuài

fishing soap out of boiling water: it all depends on quick hands

Success depends on speed. Said of a task needing fast action.
开水泼老鼠，不死也要脱层皮 kāishuǐ pō lǎoshǔ，bù sǐ yě yào tuō céng pí

pouring boiling water on a rat: if it doesn't die it will still lose a layer of skin

Even if someone bad escapes with their life, they will suffer heavy losses. Mocking and gloating.
砍柴人下山，两头儿担薪 kǎncháirén xià shān，liǎngtóur dān xīn(xīn)

a woodcutter coming down the mountain: carries firewood (worry) at both ends

Said of someone who worries about two things at once and is anxious on both sides.
看“三国”掉眼泪，替古人担忧 kàn “sānguó” diào yǎnlèi，tì gǔrén dānyōu

watching the Three Kingdoms and shedding tears: worrying for people of long ago

Mocks someone for needless sentiment or worry over things that have nothing to do with them. Mildly teasing or critical.
糠了的萝卜，不怎么辣了 kāngle de luóbo，bù zěnme là le

a radish gone pithy: not very pungent any more

The longer form of 糠萝卜，不辣: a bad person who has been checked has lost much of his bite.
糠萝卜，不辣 kāng luóbo，bù là

a pithy radish: not pungent

Said of a bad person who, once restrained, is no longer as fierce as before. A stored radish dries out and loses its sharpness.
扛着竹竿进城，不晓得如何转弯 kángzhe zhúgān jìnchéng，bù xiǎode rúhé zhuǎnwān

carrying a bamboo pole into town: not knowing how to turn the corner

Said of someone who does not know how to adapt when in difficulty. Mildly mocking.
烤煳了的饼子,放在哪儿都是一个味儿 kǎohúle de bǐngzi, fàng zài nǎr dōu shì yī gè wèir

a burnt flatbread: wherever you put it, it tastes the same

Said of a person of poor quality who is useless in any post, however moved around. Critical.
烤煳了的饼子,放在碗里盆里都是一个味儿 kǎohúle de bǐngzi, fàng zài wǎn li pén li dōu shì yī gè wèir

a burnt flatbread: in a bowl or a basin it tastes the same

A longer variant of the saying above: a poor-quality person is no use wherever placed.
咳嗽没好又添气喘,一宗未了又一宗 késou méi hǎo yòu tiān qìchuǎn, yī zōng wèi liǎo yòu yī zōng

the cough isn't cured and now there's wheezing too: one matter not finished and another follows

Troubles come one after another, with a new one arriving before the last is settled. Close to "it never rains but it pours".
可着头做帽子,一点儿富余也没有 kězhe tóu zuò màozi, yīdiǎnr fùyú yě méiyǒu

making a hat to fit the head exactly: no room to spare at all

Said when there is no surplus or margin whatsoever, as with money or resources.
嗑瓜子儿嗑出个臭虫来,什么仁儿都有 kè guāzǐr kèchū ge chòuchóng lái, shénme rénr(rénr) dōu yǒu

cracking melon seeds and finding a bedbug: every kind of kernel (person) there is

Said to remark that people come in all sorts, including odd or bad ones. Wry and humorous.
嗑瓜子儿嗑出个臭虫来,装仁儿 kè guāzǐr kèchū ge chòuchóng lái, zhuāng rénr(rénr)

cracking melon seeds and finding a bedbug: pretending to be a kernel (person)

Mocks a bad person who poses as a good one. Critical and sarcastic.
嗑瓜子儿嗑出个虾米来,碰到好仁儿了 kè guāzǐr kèchū ge xiāmi lái, pèngdào hǎo rénr(rénr) le

cracking melon seeds and finding a dried shrimp: met a good kernel (person)

Said when one unexpectedly finds a good person among many. Light and approving.
空肚罗汉,没有心肝 kōngdù luóhàn, méiyǒu xīngān

a hollow-bellied arhat statue: has no heart and liver

Scolds someone as heartless and without conscience. Harsh and condemning.
空棺材出丧,木中无人 kōng guāncai chūsāng, mù(mù)zhōng wú rén

an empty coffin carried out for burial: no one in the wood (eyes)

Mocks an arrogant person who looks down on everyone and pays no heed to others.
空中的雁,水底的鱼,想抓抓不着 kōngzhōng de yàn, shuǐdǐ de yú, xiǎng zhuā zhuā bù zháo

geese in the sky, fish at the bottom of the water: you want to catch them but can't

Describes a person or thing you long for but cannot get. Wistful.
孔夫子搬家,净是书 kǒngfūzǐ bānjiā, jìng shì shū(shū)

Confucius moving house: nothing but books (losses)

Said humorously of someone who keeps losing, in games or contests, and never wins.
孔夫子打哈欠,满嘴文气 kǒngfūzǐ dǎ hāqian, mǎn zuǐ wénqì

Confucius yawning: a mouthful of literary air

Describes someone who always talks in a stiff, bookish way. Gently mocking.
孔夫子挂腰刀,能文能武 kǒngfūzǐ guà yāodāo, néngwénnéngwǔ

Confucius wearing a sword at his waist: good at both letters and arms

Said of someone who is skilled in both intellectual and physical or martial matters. Approving.
孔夫子门前读《论语》,自称内行 kǒngfūzǐ mén qián dú 《 lúnyǔ 》, zìchēng nèiháng

reading the Analects at Confucius's door and calling oneself an expert

Mocks someone who shows off in front of a real expert and overrates their own skill. Like 'teaching your grandmother to suck eggs'.
孔夫子拿笤帚,斯文扫地 kǒngfūzǐ ná tiáozhou, sīwénsǎodì

Confucius picking up a broom: refinement sweeps the floor

Said when culture or scholars are disgraced, or when an educated person behaves shamefully. Critical or ironic.
口袋倒西瓜,不藏不掖 kǒudai dào xīguā, bùcángbùyē

pouring watermelons out of a sack: nothing hidden or tucked away

Said of someone who tells everything frankly and holds nothing back. Approving or neutral.
口袋里抓兔子,跑不掉 kǒudai lǐ zhuā tùzi, pǎo bù diào

catching a rabbit inside a sack: it can't run away

Said when you are sure to succeed or catch someone. Confident.
口袋里装西瓜,直进直出 kǒudai lǐ zhuāng xīguā, zhíjìnzhíchū

putting watermelons in a sack: straight in, straight out

Describes someone who speaks bluntly and straightforwardly.
口袋里装锥子,锋芒毕露 kǒudai lǐ zhuāng zhuīzi, fēngmángbìlù

an awl in a sack: the sharp point sticks out in full

Describes a person who shows off their talents or aggressiveness. Often mildly critical.
口含黄柏皮,有苦自己知 kǒu hán huángbòpí, yǒu kǔ zìjǐ zhī

holding phellodendron bark in the mouth: only you know the bitterness

Said when one suffers hardship that others can't see or share. Close to 'only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches'.
扣在筛子下边的麻雀,干扑棱没办法 kòu zài shāizi xiàbiān de máquè, gān pūleng méi bànfǎ

a sparrow trapped under a sieve: flaps in vain, nothing to be done

Describes someone in another's control who worries but can't escape. Sympathetic or mocking.
苦瓜泡进黄连汤,苦得没法说 kǔguā pàojìn huánglián tāng, kǔ de méifǎ shuō

a bitter melon soaked in coptis soup: too bitter to describe

Describes extreme hardship or misery.
裤裆里插扁担,自担自 kùdāng li chā biǎndan, zì dān zì

sticking a carrying pole in your crotch: carrying yourself

One must bear one's own responsibility and solve one's own problems.

May offend: vulgar language
快刀切豆腐,两不沾 kuàidāo qiē dòufu, liǎngbù zhān

a sharp knife cutting tofu: neither side sticks

Neither side gains from the other, or neither is involved with the other. Neutral.
快刀切豆腐,两面光 kuàidāo qiē dòufu, liǎng miàn guāng

a sharp knife cutting tofu: both faces smooth

Describes a slick person who pleases everyone and offends no one. Mildly critical.
快刀斩乱麻,干净利落 kuàidāo zhǎn luànmá, gānjìng lìluo

a sharp knife cutting tangled hemp: clean and neat

Acting decisively and settling a problem fast and thoroughly. Approving.
筷子搭桥,难过 kuàizi dā qiáo, nánguò

Using chopsticks to build a bridge: hard to cross

Said when someone feels sad or miserable.
筷子顶豆腐,竖不起来 kuàizi dǐng dòufu, shù(shù)bù qǐlái

Propping up tofu with chopsticks: can't stand it up

Describes a person or cause that cannot establish itself or gain standing.
筷子夹骨头,三条光棍儿 kuàizi jiā gǔtou, sān tiáo guānggùnr

Chopsticks gripping a bone: three bare sticks

Jokingly describes three bachelors together.
筷子挑凉粉,光棍儿对滑头 kuàizi tiǎo liángfěn, guānggùnr duì huátóu

Picking up jelly noodles with chopsticks: a bare stick against a slippery one

A variant of 'slippery against slippery'. Said when both sides in a dealing are crafty and slippery.
筷子挑凉粉,滑对滑 kuàizi tiǎo liángfěn, huá duì huá

Picking up jelly noodles with chopsticks: slick against slick

Said when both parties in a dealing are cunning and evasive. Mildly mocking.
拉不出屎赖茅房,净找客观原因 lā bù chū shǐ lài máofáng, jìng zhǎo kèguān yuányīn

can't manage to relieve oneself and blames the latrine: only looks for external causes

Mocks someone who has a problem of their own but blames outside circumstances. Like 'a bad workman blames his tools'.

May offend: vulgar language
拉了弦的手榴弹,给谁谁不要 lāle xián de shǒuliúdàn, gěi shéi shéi bù yào

A grenade with its pin pulled: no one wants it, whoever it's offered to

Describes something dangerous that nobody dares take on. Like 'a hot potato'.
拉了秧的黄瓜,蔫头耷脑 lāle yāng de huánggua, niāntóudānǎo

A cucumber whose vine has been pulled up: wilted and drooping

Describes someone listless, dispirited and drooping. Mildly mocking.
拉琴的丢唱本,没谱儿 lāqín de diū chàngběn, méipǔr

A fiddler who has lost the song book: no score

Describes someone who acts with no plan or certainty. Said humorously.
拉着胡子过河,牵须过渡 lāzhe húzi guò hé, qiān(qiān)xū(xū)guòdù(dù)

Pulling a beard to cross the river: leading the whisker across the ford

Describes excessive modesty. Humorous and mildly mocking.
腊八生的,老冻 làbā shēng de, lǎo dòng(dòng)

Born on Laba: always freezing

Mocks someone who cannot sit still and keeps fidgeting.
腊月初三打春雷,没有的事 làyuè chūsān dǎ chūnléi, méiyǒu de shì

Spring thunder on the third day of the twelfth month: it doesn't happen

Says something is impossible or never happened.
腊月里的萝卜,冻心 làyuè lǐ de luóbo, dòng(dòng)xīn

A radish in the twelfth month: frozen at the heart

Describes someone whose mind or feelings have been stirred and who now has new ideas.
腊月里卖镰刀,知冬不知夏 làyuè li mài liándāo, zhī dōng bù zhī xià

Selling sickles in the twelfth month: knows winter, not summer

Describes someone who thinks only of the present and not of the future. Critical.
腊月生的,冻手冻脚 làyuè shēng de, dòng(dòng) shǒu dòng(dòng) jiǎo

born in the twelfth month: frozen hands and frozen feet

Used of someone who fidgets, breaks rules with their hands, or touches women inappropriately.

May offend: sexist or sexual
腊月天卖凉粉,不是时候 làyuè tiān mài liángfěn, bù shì shíhou

Selling jelly noodles in midwinter: not the right time

Says someone's words or actions are badly timed.
赖泥下窑,烧不成个东西 làiní xià yáo, shāo bùchéng ge dōngxi

Putting bad clay in the kiln: it won't fire into anything

A scolding for someone worthless who will come to nothing.
癞蛤蟆吃苍蝇,刚够供嘴 làihama chī cāngying, gāng gòu gōng zuǐ

A toad eating flies: just enough to feed its mouth

Income that only just covers food, with nothing left over.
癞蛤蟆吃色子,一肚子点子 làihama chī shǎizi, yī dùzi diǎnzi

A toad swallowing dice: a belly full of dots

Mocks someone who is full of bad ideas and schemes.
癞蛤蟆吹唢呐,有什么好听 làihama chuī suǒnà, yǒu shénme hǎo tīng

A toad blowing the suona: what is there to listen to?

Said of empty bragging that nobody wants to hear. Mocking.
癞蛤蟆打哈欠,好大的口气 làihama dǎ hāqian, hǎo dà de kǒuqì

A toad yawning: what a big breath

Mocks someone who talks big.
癞蛤蟆戴礼帽,充大嘴说客 làihama dài lǐmào, chōng dà zuǐ shuìkè

A toad wearing a top hat: posing as a big-mouthed persuader

Mocks a clumsy speaker who poses as a smooth talker.
癞蛤蟆垫床脚,高不到哪里去 làihama diàn chuángjiǎo, gāo bù dào nǎli qù

A toad propping up a bed leg: it won't raise it very high

Mocks someone whose ability is not impressive.
癞蛤蟆掉进茅坑里,越蹦跳越臭 làihama diàojìn máokēng li, yuè bèngtiào yuè chòu

a toad fallen into a latrine: the more it hops, the more it stinks

The more a person struggles or makes a fuss, the more disliked they become. Contemptuous.

May offend: vulgar language
癞蛤蟆躲端午,躲得了初一,躲不了十五 làihámaduǒ duānwǔ, duǒ de liǎo chūyī, duǒ bù liǎo shíwǔ

A toad dodging the Dragon Boat Festival: it can dodge the first, but not the fifteenth

You can't escape a disaster that is coming. Like 'you can run but you can't hide'.
癞蛤蟆嚼青蛙,不认自己人 làihama jiáo qīngwā, bù rèn zìjǐ rén

A toad chewing a frog: doesn't recognise its own kind

Describes someone who harms people without caring whether they are their own.
癞蛤蟆嗑瓜子儿,眼饱腹中饥 làihama kè guāzǐr, yǎn bǎo fù zhōng jī

A toad cracking melon seeds: eyes full, belly hungry

You can only look and not benefit, so it solves nothing.
癞蛤蟆跳到脚背上,咬不咬吓一跳 làihámatiào dào jiǎobèi shang, yǎo bù yǎo xià yī tiào

A toad hops onto your foot: whether or not it bites, it gives you a fright

Said of someone or something that may not be able to do real harm but can still scare or upset you. Used of a nuisance or petty menace.
癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉,痴心妄想 làihámaxiǎng chī tiān'éròu, chīxīnwàngxiǎng

A toad wants to eat swan meat: foolish, deluded wishful thinking

Mocks a person who longs for something far beyond their reach, most often a plain person pursuing a much more desirable partner. Scornful. Close to "pie in the sky".
癞蛤蟆想飞,不是上天的料 làihámaxiǎng fēi, bù shì shàng tiān de liào

A toad wants to fly: it isn't the stuff for reaching the sky

Mocks someone who aims to become a great figure but lacks the qualities to do it. Scornful and dismissive.
癞皮狗耍威风,仗势 làipígǒu shuǎ wēifēng, zhàngshì

A mangy dog throwing its weight around: relying on someone's power

Condemns a base person who bullies others while relying on a powerful backer. Abusive.
蓝采和的花篮,要什么有什么 láncǎihé de huālán, yào shénme yǒu shénme

Lan Caihe's flower basket: whatever you want, it has

Describes a place or collection with everything you could want, or an abundance of supplies. Approving.
篮子里装土地爷,提神 lánzi lǐ zhuāng tǔdìyé, tíshén

carrying the Earth God in a basket: lifting the spirit

Said of something that wakes you up or lifts your spirits, such as tea, a joke or good news. Humorous.
懒驴上磨,不赶不上道 lǎnlǘ shàng mò, bù gǎn bù shàng dào

A lazy donkey at the millstone: if you don't drive it, it won't get on the track

Says a lazy person won't get down to proper work unless someone keeps pushing. Critical.
懒婆娘的裹脚布,又臭又长 lǎnpóniáng de guǒjiǎobù, yòu chòu yòu cháng

a lazy woman's foot-binding cloth: both smelly and long

Mocks a speech or piece of writing that is long, empty and tiresome. Scornful.

May offend: sexist or sexual
烂萝卜,没有头儿 làn luóbo, méiyǒu tóur

A rotten radish: it has no head

Said of a group that has no leader.
烂透的老南瓜,捧不起来 làntòu de lǎo nánguā, pěng bù qǐlái

A thoroughly rotten old pumpkin: can't be picked up

Describes a person or organisation so poor in quality that it can't be built up or helped. Critical.

Every kind of Chinese saying