Chinese two-part sayings (歇后语)

烂网打鱼,一无所获 làn wǎng dǎ yú, yīwúsuǒhuò

Fishing with a broken net: catching nothing at all

Says that without the necessary conditions you will get no result.
榔头敲钢板,叮当响 lángtou qiāo gāngbǎn, dīngdāng xiǎng

A hammer striking a steel plate: ringing clangs

Describes a very loud, clear sound; also figuratively something excellent or top-quality.
牢门口的匾,“后悔迟” láo ménkǒu de biǎn, “hòuhuǐ chí”

The plaque over the prison gate: "Regret comes too late"

Said when someone regrets a mistake or a lost chance when it is already too late.
老电线杆子,挂的线越来越多 lǎo diànxiàn gānzi, guà de xiàn(xián)yuè lái yuè duō

An old telephone pole: more and more wires (titles) hung on it

Said humorously or mockingly of a person who holds more and more posts and titles.
老肥猪上屠宰场,挨刀的货 lǎo féizhū shàng túzǎichǎng, ái dāo de huò

an old fat pig at the slaughterhouse: something fated for the knife

Describes someone who is at others' mercy; it is also used as a curse.

May offend: vulgar language
老粪坑底子上挖出来的琉璃瓦,几百年前的老古董 lǎo fènkēng dǐzi shàng wā chūlái de liúliwǎ, jǐbǎi nián qián de lǎo gǔdǒng

Glazed tiles dug up from the bottom of an old cesspit: antiques from several hundred years ago

Mocks something that is outdated and old-fashioned.
老公鸡披蓑衣,嘴尖毛长 lǎogōngjī pī suōyī, zuǐ jiān máo cháng

An old rooster in a straw raincoat: sharp beak, long feathers

Scolds a person whose speech is sharp and cutting and who is thick-skinned and shameless.
老狗啃骨头,咬住不放 lǎogǒu kěn gǔtou, yǎozhù bù fàng

An old dog gnawing a bone: bites and won't let go

Describes holding on tightly to something and not letting go; can be admiring or critical depending on context.
老和尚打鼓,一个点一个点地敲 lǎohéshang dǎ gǔ, yī gè diǎn yī gè diǎn de qiāo

An old monk beating a drum: striking one beat at a time

Describes doing things steadily, step by step, without hurry.
老和尚的木鱼,不敲不响 lǎohéshang de mùyú, bù qiāo bù xiǎng

An old monk's wooden fish: it doesn't sound unless struck

Says a person won't behave without a sharp reminder, or that a point must be hammered home before it is understood.
老和尚的木鱼,天生挨揍的货 lǎohéshang de mùyú, tiānshēng áizòu de huò

an old monk's wooden fish: born to be hit

Abuses someone as a person who is always being beaten or scolded.

May offend: vulgar language
老和尚念经,过一天算一天 lǎo héshang niànjīng, guò yī tiān suàn yī tiān

An old monk chanting sutras: just getting through one day at a time

Describes a person who goes through the days half-heartedly with no plans. Critical.
老和尚念经,总是那一套 lǎohéshang niànjīng, zǒng shì nà yī tào

An old monk chanting sutras: always the same routine

Describes repeating the same old things with nothing new. Mildly critical.
老猴儿偷玉米,专找嫩的 lǎohóur tōu yùmǐ, zhuān zhǎo nèn de

An old monkey stealing corn: picks only the tender ears

Describes people who prey on young, inexperienced victims, or someone who tackles the easy, weak points of a problem first.
老虎脖子挂数珠,变了法子来吃人 lǎohǔ bózi guà shùzhū, biàn le fǎzi lái chī rén

A tiger with prayer beads round its neck: finding a new way to eat people

Describes a villain who poses as a good person to harm others. Condemning.
老虎吃豆腐,口素心不善 lǎohǔ chī dòufu, kǒu sù xīn bù shàn

A tiger eating tofu: vegetarian mouth, unkind heart

Describes someone with sweet words but a wicked heart. Critical.
老虎吃蝗虫,不够塞牙缝儿 lǎohǔ chī huángchóng, bù gòu sāi yáfèngr

A tiger eating locusts: not enough to fill the gaps in its teeth

Says there is far too little of something to be of any use.
老虎吃天,摸不到边 lǎohǔ chī tiān, mō bù dào biān

A tiger trying to eat the sky: can't find an edge

Describes a task so huge that you have no idea where to begin.
老虎吃天,无处下口 lǎohǔ chī tiān, wú chù xiàkǒu

a tiger tries to eat the sky: nowhere to bite

Describes a huge, daunting task where you don't know where to begin. Neutral, a bit rueful.
老虎戴数珠,假充善人 lǎohǔ dài shùzhū, jiǎchōng shànrén

a tiger wearing prayer beads: pretending to be a good person

Describes a wicked person who poses as kind or pious. Critical. Close to 'a wolf in sheep's clothing'.
老虎的屁股,摸不得 lǎohǔ de pìgu, mōbude

a tiger's backside: can't be touched

Says a person is fierce and unreasonable, so you must not provoke or criticise them. Often said of a powerful or touchy person.
老虎饿了逮老鼠,饥不择食 lǎohǔ è le dǎi lǎoshǔ, jībùzéshí

a hungry tiger catches mice: too hungry to be choosy

When in urgent need, people take whatever is available and can't be picky. Neutral or mildly humorous.
老虎金钱豹,各走各的道 lǎohǔ jīnqiánbào, gè zǒu gè de dào

tiger and leopard: each goes its own way

Each person follows their own path and doesn't interfere with the others. Said when people part ways or keep out of each other's business.
老虎拉磨,不听那一套 lǎohǔ lāmò, bù tīng nà yī tào

a tiger pulling a millstone: won't listen to that set

Someone refuses to accept another person's arguments or methods. Used of a stubborn person who won't be talked round.
老虎拉碾子,乱套 lǎohǔ lā niǎnzi, luàntào

a tiger pulling a stone roller: tangled harness

Things are thrown into disorder and the usual order is lost. Said of a chaotic situation.
老虎离了山林,抖不起威风 lǎohǔ lí le shānlín, dǒu bù qǐ wēifēng

a tiger that has left the mountain forest: can't show off its might

A fierce person or force that loses its base can no longer throw its weight around. Similar to 'a fish out of water', but with a sense of satisfaction at the downfall.
老虎爬树,没学这一招 lǎohǔ pá shù, méi xué zhè yī zhāo

a tiger climbing a tree: never learned that trick

Someone lacks a particular skill. The folk tale says the cat kept the tree-climbing trick back from the tiger it taught. Used lightly about a skill someone hasn't mastered.
老虎屁股上抓痒痒,大事不成,还惹祸害 lǎohǔ pìgu shàng zhuā yǎngyang, dà shì bù chéng, hái rě huòhai

scratching an itch on a tiger's backside: nothing great is achieved and trouble is stirred up

Indulging or flattering certain fierce people gets you nowhere and brings trouble. A warning against fawning on the powerful.
老虎头上的虱子,惹不起 lǎohǔ tóu shàng de shīzi, rě bù qǐ

a louse on a tiger's head: can't be provoked

Someone or something is too dangerous or powerful to touch or offend.
老君爷叫蛇咬,法尽了 lǎojūnyé jiào shé yǎo, fǎ jìn le

Laozi bitten by a snake: all his methods are used up

Every possible remedy or method has been tried and nothing is left to do. Humorous.
老妈妈撵兔子,越撵越没影儿 lǎo māma niǎn tùzi, yuè niǎn yuè méi yǐngr

an old woman chasing a rabbit: the more she chases, the more it disappears

Something gets less and less likely to succeed as it goes on, or the gap between two things keeps widening.
老猫房上睡,一辈传一辈 lǎomāo fáng shang shuì, yī bèi chuán yī bèi

an old cat sleeps on the roof: passed down generation to generation

A habit or skill is handed down through the generations.
老猫睡在火炉旁,不是伸腰就是打哈欠 lǎomāo shuì zài huǒlú páng, bù shì shēn yāo jiùshì dǎ hāqian

an old cat sleeping by the stove: either stretching or yawning

Describes a very lazy person who does nothing. Mocking.
老母鸡撵兔子,假充鹰 lǎomǔjī niǎn tùzi, jiǎchōng yīng

a hen chasing a rabbit: pretending to be a hawk

A person with no real ability poses as a capable one. Mocking.
老母猪吃碗碴儿,肚里有瓷儿 lǎomǔzhū chī wǎnchár, dù li yǒu cír(cír)

an old sow eats broken bowl shards: there's china (words) in her belly

Says someone is eloquent and has plenty to say. Mostly humorous or approving.
老母猪顶牛角,豁出老脸 lǎomǔzhū dǐng niújiǎo, huōchū lǎo liǎn

an old sow butting a cow's horns: risks her old face

Someone throws away all sense of shame or dignity, ready to risk losing face. Used about someone going all out to get something.
老母猪翻跟头,全凭嘴支着 lǎomǔzhū fān gēntou, quán píng zuǐ zhīzhe

an old sow doing a somersault: relies entirely on her snout to prop her up

Mocks someone who can't do real work and gets by only on talk.
老母猪啃砖头,嘴硬 lǎomǔzhū kěn zhuāntóu, zuǐ yìng

an old sow gnawing bricks: hard mouth

Says someone knows they're in the wrong yet still argues stubbornly and won't admit it. Critical or teasing.
老母猪钻篱笆,进退两难 lǎomǔzhū zuān líba, jìntuìliǎngnán

an old sow pushing into a hedge: can neither go forward nor back

Someone is stuck in a difficult spot where both advancing and retreating are hard. Similar to 'between a rock and a hard place'.
老牛拉破车,慢慢吞吞 lǎoniú lā pòchē, mànmantūntūn

an old ox pulling a broken cart: slow and sluggish

Describes very slow progress or someone moving extremely slowly. Mildly mocking.
老太婆当兵,充数 lǎotàipó dāng bīng, chōngshù

an old woman joins the army: just making up the numbers

Unsuitable people or things are used merely to fill a quota.
老太婆坐飞机,抖起来了 lǎotàipó zuò fēijī, dǒu qǐlái le

an old woman on an airplane: shaking

Mocks someone who becomes smug and swaggering after getting money or status.
老寿星吃砒霜,活得不耐烦了 lǎoshòuxing chī pīshuāng, huó de bù nàifán le

the god of longevity eats arsenic: tired of living

Scolds someone who is courting death by taking foolish risks. Angry or scornful.
老鼠带夹子,起了打猫的心 lǎoshǔ dài jiāzi, qǐle dǎ māo de xīn

a mouse wearing a trap: it intends to hit the cat

A bad person plots to harm a good person. Critical.
老鼠到猫背上拉屎,活找死 lǎoshǔ dào māo bèi shang lāshǐ, huó zhǎosǐ

a mouse defecating on a cat's back: looking for death

Someone is courting disaster by provoking someone far more powerful. Scornful.

May offend: vulgar language
老鼠掉到面缸里,糊了口 lǎoshǔ diàodào miàngāng li, hūle kǒu

a mouse falls into the flour jar: its mouth is clogged

After getting some benefit, someone goes quiet and stops speaking up. Mocking.
老鼠跌进铁桶里,无缝儿可钻 lǎoshǔ diējìn tiětǒng li, wú fèngr kě zuān

a mouse falls into an iron bucket: no crack to slip through

Strong precautions leave bad people no opening to exploit.
老鼠掉到书箱里,咬文嚼字 lǎoshǔ diàodào shūxiāng li, yǎowénjiáozì

a mouse falls into a book chest: gnawing and chewing the words

Mocks someone who fusses over exact wording or shows off their learning.
老鼠给猫捋胡子,拼命溜须 lǎoshǔ gěi māo lǚ húzi, pīnmìng liūxū

a mouse stroking a cat's whiskers: flattering with all its might

Describes someone fawning desperately to curry favour. Contemptuous.
老鼠滚到油缸里,半边高兴半边愁 lǎoshǔ gǔndào yóugāng li, bànbiān gāoxìng bànbiān chóu

a mouse rolls into an oil jar: half happy, half worried

Someone has mixed feelings, glad of the gain but anxious about being trapped.
老鼠过街,人人喊打 lǎoshǔ guòjiē, rénrénhǎndǎ

a mouse crossing the street: everyone shouts to beat it

A wrongdoer is hated by all, and everyone rises against them. Commonly said of villains and bad practices.
老鼠啃皮球,嗑气 lǎoshǔ kěn píqiú, kè(kè)qì(qi)

a mouse gnawing a rubber ball: cracking and air (polite)

Used of polite words or gestures, or telling someone not to stand on ceremony.
老鼠啃书本,字字句句往肚子里吃 lǎoshǔ kěn shūběn, zìzìjùjù wǎng dùzi li chī

a mouse gnawing a book: every word goes into its stomach

Every word has been taken to heart and remembered. Approving.
老鼠拉木锨,大头在后边 lǎoshǔ lā mùxiān, dàtóur zài hòubian

a mouse dragging a wooden shovel: the big end is at the back

The bigger or more important matter is still to come.
老鼠爬秤钩,自己称自己 lǎoshǔ pá chènggōu, zìjǐ chēng zìjǐ

a mouse climbs onto a scale hook: weighs itself

Mocks someone for praising themselves, or for people in a clique praising each other.
老鼠骑在牛背上,大的没有小的能 lǎoshǔ qí zài niúbèi shang, dà de méiyǒu xiǎo de néng

a mouse riding on an ox's back: the big one isn't as capable as the small

The larger party is overpowered by the smaller one.
老鼠上房,不是发大水,就是下大雨 lǎoshǔ shàng fáng, bù shì fā dà shuǐ, jiù shì xià dà yǔ

mice climbing onto the roof: either a flood or heavy rain

A sign that something big is about to happen.
老鼠睡猫窝,送来一口肉 lǎoshǔ shuì māowō, sònglái yī kǒu ròu

a mouse sleeps in the cat's bed: delivers a mouthful of meat

A windfall comes with no effort. Said when something falls into one's lap.
老鼠偷秤锤,盗铁 lǎoshǔ tōu chèngchuí, dào(dào)tiě(tiē)

a mouse steals a scale weight: steals iron (pays out money instead)

The party who should be receiving money ends up paying out instead.
老鼠偷米汤,难糊口 lǎoshǔ tōu mǐtāng, nán hū(hú)kǒu

a mouse steals rice water: hard to fill its mouth

Life is hard and people barely get by.
老鼠拖秤砣,自堵门路 lǎoshǔ tuō chèngtuó, zì dǔ ménlù

a mouse drags a scale weight: blocks its own way in

Someone shuts off their own way out or their own prospects. Critical.
老鼠尾巴熬汤,油水不大 lǎoshǔ wěiba áo tāng, yóushuǐ bù dà

boiling a mouse's tail for soup: not much grease

There is little profit to be had.
老鼠尾巴,发不粗长不大 lǎoshǔ wěiba, fā bù cū zhǎng bù dà

a mouse's tail: can't grow thick or big

Says someone has limited ability and won't achieve much. Dismissive.
老鼠尾巴上绑鸡毛,不是什么正经鸟儿 lǎoshǔ wěiba shàng bǎng jīmáo, bù shì shénme zhèngjing niǎor

tying chicken feathers to a mouse's tail: still no decent bird

However someone dresses up, they are still not a decent person. Insulting.
老鼠尾巴上害疖子,出脓也不多 lǎoshǔ wěiba shàng hài jiēzi, chū nóng yě bù duō

a boil on a mouse's tail: not much pus either

Says someone is so poor or stingy that little can be squeezed from them.
老鼠眼睛,一寸光 lǎoshǔ yǎnjing, yī cùn guāng

a mouse's eyes: one inch of light

Mocks short-sighted people who see only immediate gain. Close to 'can't see beyond the end of one's nose'.
老鼠钻进风箱里,两头受气 lǎoshǔ zuānjìn fēngxiāng li, liǎngtóu shòuqì

a mouse crawls into a bellows: gets air from both ends

Someone is blamed or pushed around from both sides. Close to 'caught between two fires'.
老鼠钻牛角,此路不通 lǎoshǔ zuān niújiǎo, cǐ lù bù tōng

a mouse crawls into an ox horn: this road is blocked

Says a route or approach is a dead end.
老鼠钻瓶子,好进难出 lǎoshǔ zuān píngzi, hǎo jìn nán chū

a mouse crawls into a bottle: easy to get in, hard to get out

Joining is easy but leaving is hard. Said of organisations or bad habits.
老太太吃糖,越扯越长 lǎotàitai chī táng, yuè chě yuè cháng

an old lady eating taffy: the more she pulls, the longer it gets

Describes idle chatter that wanders on and grows longer. Humorous.
老太太进罗汉庙,尊尊都要磕头作揖 lǎotàitai jìn luóhànmiào, zūn zūn dōu yào kētóu zuòyī

an old lady in an arhat temple: must kowtow and bow to every statue

You must show respect to everyone and offend no one.
老太太啃核桃,吃不开 lǎotàitai kěn hétao, chībùkāi

an old lady biting a walnut: can't crack it open

Something doesn't work or isn't welcome; it won't get anywhere.
老太太纳鞋底,千针万针 lǎotàitai nà xiédǐ, qiān zhēn(zhēn)wàn zhēn(zhēn)

an old lady sewing a shoe sole: a thousand stitches, ten thousand stitches

Something is absolutely true, with no error at all.
老太爷咽气,一时也不等 lǎotàiyé yànqì, yīshí yě bù děng

the old master is dying: not a moment to wait

The situation is critical and there is no time to spare.
老王卖瓜,自卖自夸 lǎowáng mài guā, zìmàizìkuā

old Wang sells melons: sells them and praises them himself

Someone brags about their own things or achievements. Mildly mocking, often used self-deprecatingly.
老爷庙的旗杆,独一根 lǎoyémiào de qígān, dú yī gēn

the flagpole of the Lord's temple: only one

Said of an only son, or of something unique.
老鹰吃小鸡,连毛毛爪爪都不留 lǎoyīng chī xiǎojī, lián máomao zhuǎzhua dōu bù liú

an eagle eats a chick: leaves not even the feathers and claws

A bad person strips others of their money completely, leaving nothing.
老鹰抓蓑衣,脱不了爪子 lǎoyīng zhuā suōyī, tuō bùliǎo zhuǎzi

an eagle grabs a straw raincoat: can't free its claws

Someone is tangled in a dispute or trouble and can't get away.
雷公打豆腐，从软处下手 léigōng dǎ dòufu, cóng ruǎn chù xiàshǒu

the Thunder God striking tofu: starting from the soft spot

Bullying the weak and picking the easiest target to attack. Critical or mocking.
擂槌铲锅巴，死硬 léichuí chǎn guōbā, sǐyìng

scraping rice crust with a pestle: rock hard

Describes a person with an extremely stubborn, unyielding attitude. Critical or mocking.
冷水浇头，凉了半截 lěngshuǐ jiāo tóu, liángle bànjié

cold water poured on the head: half of one is chilled

Describes sudden loss of enthusiasm after a setback. Like "a dash of cold water."
冷水泡茶，没味儿 lěngshuǐ pào chá, méi wèir

brewing tea in cold water: no flavour

Describes something dull, uninteresting or pointless.
理发师的徒弟，从头学起 lǐfàshī de túdì, cóng tóu(tóur)xué qǐ

the barber's apprentice: learns starting from the head

Said of someone who has to start learning from the very beginning, from the most basic level.
立秋的石榴，净是点子 lìqiū de shíliu, jìng shì diǎnzi

a pomegranate at the start of autumn: nothing but spots

Said of a person who is full of ideas and tricks to solve problems. Usually admiring or humorous.
梁山上的军师，吴用 liángshān shàng de jūnshī, wú(wú)yòng(yòng)

the strategist on Liangshan: Wu Yong / useless

Said of someone or something that is useless. It is a mocking, humorous quip.
两把钥匙挂在脖子下，开心又开心 liǎng bǎ yàoshi guà zài bózi xià, kāixīn yòu kāixīn

two keys hanging under the neck: open heart and open heart

Describes someone who is extremely happy. Light and humorous.
两个槌子敲一面锣，响在一处 liǎng ge chuízi qiāo yī miàn luó, xiǎng(xiǎng)zài yī chù

two mallets striking one gong: sounding in one place / thinking in one place

Said when two or more people happen to think the same thing. Close to 'great minds think alike'.
两个肩膀扛着一张嘴，净等吃 liǎng ge jiānbǎng kángzhe yī zhāng zuǐ, jìng děng chī

two shoulders carrying one mouth: just waiting to eat

Describes someone who does nothing and waits for ready-made food. Mocking and critical.
两个琵琶一个调，弹到一起去了 liǎng gè pípá yī gè diào, tán(tán)dào yīqǐ qù le

two pipas in one key: they play / talk together

Said of two people who chat easily and find they agree. Warm and approving.
两个“山”字摞一块儿，出 liǎng gè “shān”zì luò yīkuàir, chū

two 'mountain' characters stacked together: out

Said when asking or ordering someone to leave. Mocking or brusque.
两个哑巴睡一头儿，没说的 liǎng gè yǎba shuì yī tóur, méi shuō de

two mutes sleeping head to head: nothing to say

Used to praise something as so good that there is nothing to criticise.
两个指头夹香烟，稳当 liǎng gè zhǐtou jiā xiāngyān, wěndang

two fingers holding a cigarette: steady

Describes someone who works reliably and safely. Approving.
两股道上跑的火车，走的不是一条路 liǎng gǔ dào shang pǎo de huǒchē, zǒu de bù shì yī tiáo lù

trains running on two tracks: not travelling the same road

Two people act differently or have opposite aims.
两泡狗尿，一样的味儿 liǎng pāo gǒuniào, yīyàng de wèir

two puddles of dog urine: the same smell

Mocks two people as equally bad. Derisive and coarse.

May offend: vulgar language
两手托刺猬，扔出去舍不得，捧在手里扎得痛 liǎng shǒu tuō cìwei, rēng chūqù shěbude, pěng zài shǒu li zhā de tòng

holding a hedgehog in both hands: can't bear to throw it out, but it pricks when held

A dilemma where keeping or giving up something both have drawbacks and the choice is hard to make.
两手攥空拳，一无所有 liǎng shǒu zuàn kōngquán, yīwúsuǒyǒu

both hands clenching empty fists: owning nothing

Describes someone who is utterly poor, with nothing to their name.
林冲棒打洪教头，专找破绽下手 línchōng bàng dǎ hóngjiàotóu, zhuān zhǎo pòzhàn xiàshǒu

Lin Chong beats Instructor Hong with a staff: he strikes right at the flaws

In a contest, to seize on the opponent's weak points and attack them. From Water Margin, where Lin Chong beat Hong when his footwork faltered.
临死打哈欠，白张嘴 línsǐ dǎ hāqian, bái zhāngzuǐ

yawning at the point of death: just opening the mouth for nothing

Words spoken in vain that have no effect.
羚羊挂角，无处可寻 língyáng guà jiǎo, wú chù kě xún

the antelope hangs by its horns: nowhere to be found

Someone or something has vanished without a trace. Originally a Chan Buddhist phrase, from the legend that antelopes sleep hanging from trees to escape hounds.
刘备借荆州，只借不还 liúbèi jiè jīngzhōu, zhǐ jiè bù huán

Liu Bei borrows Jingzhou: borrows but never returns

To take something on loan or pretext and refuse to give it back. Humorous or critical.

Every kind of Chinese saying