Chinese proverbs (谚语)

量小非君子，无度不丈夫 liàng xiǎo fēi jūnzǐ, wú dù bù zhàngfū

small capacity is no gentleman; without tolerance, no real man

A narrow-minded person with little tolerance cannot count as a virtuous or accomplished person. It is a variant of the saying with 毒.
烈火识真金，百炼才成钢 lièhuǒ shí zhēn jīn, bǎi liàn cái chéng gāng

fierce fire reveals true gold; a hundred forgings make steel

Only by passing severe tests and hard training can a person become truly capable. Encouraging.
邻居一杆秤，街坊千面镜 línjū yī gǎn chèng, jiēfang qiān miàn jìng

neighbours are a scale, the neighbourhood a thousand mirrors

Neighbours judge a family accurately and fairly and see it from every side, so those around you know the truth.
林子大了，什么鸟儿都有 línzi dà le, shénme niǎor dōu yǒu

when the forest is big, every kind of bird is there

Where there are many people there are all sorts, including odd or bad ones, so it's no surprise. Said with a shrug.
临危望救，遇难思亲 línwēiwàngjiù, yùnànsīqīn

in danger, hope for rescue; in trouble, think of family

People in peril long for help and, in disaster, think of their loved ones.
临崖立马收缰晚，船到江心补漏迟 lín yá lì mǎ shōu jiāng wǎn, chuán dào jiāngxīn bǔ lòu chí

reining in the horse at the cliff edge is late; patching the leak mid-river is slow

When danger is already upon you or a big mistake is made, remedies come too late, so prevent trouble beforehand. Compare "closing the stable door after the horse has bolted".
临渊羡鱼，不如退而结网 línyuānxiànyú, bùrú tuìérjiéwǎng

rather than admire the fish at the pool, go back and weave a net

Doing is better than wishing; take practical action instead of daydreaming about what you want.
临阵磨枪，不快也光 línzhènmóqiāng, bù kuài yě guāng

sharpening the spear on the eve of battle: if not sharp, at least shiny

Last-minute cramming still helps a bit. Said humorously, often about exam preparation. Compare "better late than never".
留得青山在，不怕没柴烧 liú dé qīngshān zài, bùpà méi chái shāo

as long as the green hills remain, no fear of lacking firewood

As long as you survive and keep your strength, you can recover later. Compare "live to fight another day".
留得住人身，留不住人心 liú dé zhù rénshēn, liú bù zhù rénxīn

you can keep a person's body, not their heart

If someone's heart isn't in it, keeping them physically is pointless; their own will decides whether they stay.
留情不举手，举手不留情 liúqíngbùjǔshǒu, jǔshǒubùliúqíng

if showing mercy, don't raise a hand; once the hand is raised, no mercy

Once you strike, show no mercy. Once a decision is made in a conflict, carry it out without softness.
留心处处皆学问 liúxīnchùchù jiē xuéwen

for the attentive, learning is everywhere

If you pay attention, you can learn something anywhere. Encourages observation.
六耳不同谋 liù ěr bù tóng móu

six ears do not plot together

A secret plan should be known to two people only; a third person listening means it will leak. See 三人误大事，六耳不通谋.
六神不定，总会得病 liùshén bù dìng, zǒng huì débìng

if the six spirits are unsettled, illness will come

A mind kept long in a troubled, depressed state will certainly fall ill. The six spirits are the Daoist gods of the six organs.
龙多不治水，鸡多不下蛋 lóng duō bù zhì shuǐ, jī duō bù xiàdàn

with many dragons nobody controls the flood; with many hens no eggs get laid

Too many people on a job means they shift responsibility and fail to coordinate, so the result is worse. Close to 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.
龙虎相斗，鱼虾遭殃 lóng hǔ xiāngdòu, yú xiā zāoyāng

when dragon and tiger fight, the fish and shrimp suffer

When powerful people fight, the small and weak get hurt. Said sympathetically. Close to 'when elephants fight, the grass suffers'.
龙眼识珠，凤眼识宝，牛眼识青草 lóng yǎn shí zhū, fèng yǎn shí bǎo, niú yǎn shí qīngcǎo

the dragon's eye knows pearls, the phoenix's eye knows treasure, the ox's eye knows green grass

Different people have different abilities to judge and value things, according to their own outlook and needs.
龙游浅水遭虾戏，虎落平原被犬欺 lóng yóu qiǎnshuǐ zāo xiā xì, hǔ luò píngyuán bèi quǎn qī

a dragon in shallow water is teased by shrimp; a tiger on the plain is bullied by dogs

Even a powerful person who falls on hard times or is out of their element can be pushed around by inferiors. Said with sympathy or warning.
聋子爱打岔，傻子爱说话 lóngzi ài dǎchà, shǎzi ài shuōhuà

the deaf love to interrupt, the foolish love to talk

Says that physical or mental traits shape character: the hard of hearing mishear and cut in, and the simple-minded speak up without understanding.
蝼蚁尚且贪生 lóuyǐ shàngqiě tānshēng

even mole crickets and ants cling to life

Even the tiniest creatures value life, so people should all the more cherish theirs. Used to persuade someone not to despair or to take their own life.
露多大脸，现多大眼 lòu duō dà liǎn, xiàn duō dà yǎn

the bigger the face you show, the bigger the shame you show

The more credit you falsely claim, the greater the disgrace when found out. A warning against faking achievements.
卢医不自医 lúyī bù zìyī

Doctor Lu does not treat himself

Even the best expert can't deal with their own problem, as judgement fails when one is personally involved. Like 'physician, heal thyself' in reverse.
鲁班虽巧，量力而行 lǔbān suī qiǎo, liànglì'érxíng

though Lu Ban is skilled, he acts within his strength

Even a master craftsman judges his own abilities before acting, so everyone should do the same.
路不会总是平的，河不会总是直的 lù bù huì zǒng shì píng de, hé bù huì zǒng shì zhí de

roads are not always flat, rivers are not always straight

Life has twists and hardships; comforts someone facing setbacks.
路上说话，草里有人 lùshang shuōhuà, cǎo li yǒu rén

talk on the road, someone is in the grass

Be careful what you say in public; someone may overhear.
路上行人口似碑 lùshang xíngrén kǒu sì bēi

the mouths of passers-by are like stone tablets

Public opinion is a lasting record, and so reputation matters.
路是人开的，树是人栽的 lù shì rén kāi de, shù shì rén zāi de

roads are opened by people, trees are planted by people

Everything depends on human effort; nothing happens unless people do it.
路通百业兴 lù tōng bǎiyè xīng

when roads are open, all trades flourish

Good transport drives economic development. Common in economic slogans.
路遥知马力，日久见人心 lùyáozhīmǎlì, rìjiǔjiànrénxīn

a long road shows a horse's strength; long time shows a person's heart

Only over time can you tell a person's true character. Approving and often said of friendship.
路要一步一步走，饭要一口一口吃 lù yào yī bù yī bù zǒu, fàn yào yī kǒu yī kǒu chī

walk the road step by step, eat the meal mouthful by mouthful

Progress must be made steadily, one stage at a time; don't be impatient.
路有千条，理只有一个 lù yǒu qiān tiáo, lǐ zhǐ yǒu yī gè

there are a thousand roads, but only one truth

Methods may vary, but there is only one correct principle.
路在口边 lù zài kǒu biān

the road is at the mouth

If you ask, you won't lose your way; being humble and asking others helps you avoid detours.
路走到尽头总会转弯的 lù zǒudào jìntóu zǒng huì zhuǎnwān de

a road that reaches its end will always turn

Things will eventually take a turn for the better; don't lose hope in hard times.
露水夫妻不长久 lùshui fūqī bù chángjiǔ

dew couples do not last

A temporary or illicit relationship will sooner or later end. Mildly disapproving.
乱麻必有头 luàn má bì yǒu tóu

a tangled mess of hemp must have an end

However complicated a matter is, there is a way in. Encouraging.
乱世出英雄 luànshì chū yīngxióng

troubled times produce heroes

Times of upheaval give rise to great figures.
萝卜快了不洗泥，萝卜慢了代剥皮 luóbo kuàile bù xǐ ní, luóbo mànle dài bāopí

When radishes sell fast they go unwashed; when they sell slowly they get peeled for you

When goods are in demand, even poor quality sells; when demand is weak, buyers are fussy about even good goods. It says supply and demand rule the market.
萝卜青菜，各有所爱 luóbo qīngcài, gè yǒu suǒ ài

Radish or greens, each has what they love

People have different tastes and interests, and these should be respected. Close to 'to each their own'.
锣不敲不响，理不辩不明 luó bù qiāo bù xiǎng, lǐ bù biàn bù míng

A gong doesn't sound unless struck; a point isn't clear unless argued

Truth becomes clear only through debate. Used to encourage open discussion.
锣鼓长了无好戏 luógǔ chángle wú hǎo xì

If the gongs and drums go on too long, there's no good play

If the preparation drags on too long, the main event will suffer. Used as a criticism of overlong build-ups.
锣鼓听声，听话听音 luógǔ tīng shēng, tīnghuà tīng yīn

For gongs and drums, listen to the sound; for talk, listen to the tone

Pay attention to what a speaker really means beyond the words. Close to 'read between the lines'.
麻雀飞过也有影子 máquè fēiguò yě yǒu yǐngzi

Even a sparrow flying past leaves a shadow

Whatever one does leaves some trace. Often said to suggest that secret deeds will come out.
麻雀拣着旺处飞 máquè jiǎnzhe wàng chù fēi

Sparrows pick the thriving places to fly to

People tend to head for places where things are prospering.
麻雀虽小，五脏俱全 máquèsuīxiǎo, wǔzàngjùquán

Though a sparrow is small, it has all five organs

Something may be small but it has everything it needs. Said approvingly of compact places or organisations.
麻绳易从细处断 máshéng yì cóng xìchù duàn

Hemp rope breaks easily at its thin spot

The weakest link is where things go wrong. Close to 'a chain is only as strong as its weakest link'.
马不知自己脸长，牛不知自己角弯 mǎ bù zhī zìjǐ liǎn cháng, niú bù zhī zìjǐ jiǎo wān

A horse doesn't know its face is long; an ox doesn't know its horns are curved

People often lack self-awareness and can't see their own faults.
马上不知马下苦，饱汉不知饿汉饥 mǎ shàng bù zhī mǎ xià kǔ, bǎohàn bù zhī èhàn jī

The one on horseback doesn't know the hardship of the one on foot; the well-fed doesn't know the hunger of the starving

The well-off cannot understand the troubles of the poor. It urges putting yourself in others' shoes.
马瘦毛长，人拙理短 mǎ shòu máo cháng, rén zhuō lǐ duǎn

A thin horse looks long-haired; a clumsy man is short on reasons

A weak horse shows its coat; a person who is slow in speech loses the argument.
马有漏蹄，牛有失脚 mǎ yǒu lòutí, niú yǒu shījiǎo

Horses have slipping hooves, oxen have missteps

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Close to 'even Homer nods'.
马有三肥三瘦，人有三起三落 mǎ yǒu sān féi sān shòu, rén yǒu sān qǐ sān luò

A horse has three fat and three lean times; a person has three rises and three falls

Life has ups and downs for everyone. Used to console someone in a setback.
马有失蹄，人有失言 mǎ yǒu shītí, rén yǒu shīyán

a horse can slip its hoof, a person can slip in speech

Everyone sometimes says the wrong thing, just as even a good horse stumbles. Used to excuse or forgive a slip of the tongue. Close to 'Even Homer nods.'
骂人的不高，挨骂的不低 màrén de bù gāo，áimà de bù dī

the one who swears is not high, the one sworn at is not low

Abusing someone does not make you better than them, and being abused does not make you worse. Used to console someone insulted.
买卖不成交情在 mǎimai bù chéng jiāoqing zài

if the deal falls through, the friendship remains

Even if a business deal doesn't work out, the relationship should not suffer. Said in a friendly way when a negotiation fails.
买卖看行情，早晚价不同 mǎimai kàn hángqíng，zǎowǎn jià bù tóng

trade follows the market; morning and evening prices differ

In business, watch market changes; more generally, adapt what you do to changing circumstances.
买主买主，衣食父母 mǎizhǔ mǎizhǔ，yīshí fùmǔ

customer, customer: clothing-and-food parents

Customers are the ones who provide a trader's livelihood, so they deserve respect. Close to 'the customer is king'.
麦盖三层被，头枕馒头睡 mài gài sān céng bèi，tóu zhěn mántou shuì

wheat covered by three layers of quilt sleeps with its head on steamed buns

A farmers' saying: heavy winter snow promises a good wheat harvest the next year.
卖饭的不怕大肚汉，卖酒的不怕海量 mài fàn de bù pà dàdùhàn，màijiǔ de bùpà hǎiliàng

a food seller doesn't fear a big eater, a wine seller doesn't fear a big drinker

Merchants welcome customers who buy a lot.
卖瓜的说瓜甜，卖醋的讲醋酸 màiguā de shuō guātián，màicù de jiǎng cùsuān

the melon seller says the melons are sweet, the vinegar seller says the vinegar is sour

People praise their own goods or themselves and are not objective. Close to 'Self-praise is no recommendation'.
卖什么吆喝什么 mài shénme yāohe shénme

shout about whatever you're selling

People promote what they do or what is theirs.
瞒天瞒地，瞒不过邻居 mán tiān mán dì，mán bùguò línjū

you can hide it from heaven and earth, but not from the neighbours

Neighbours know your affairs best, so you can't keep secrets from them.
瞒债必穷，瞒病必死 mán zhài bì qióng，mán bìng bì sǐ

hide a debt and you will surely be poor; hide an illness and you will surely die

Concealing the truth about a problem stops it being dealt with in time and leads to a bad end. A warning to be open.
满壶全不响，半壶响叮当 mǎn hú quán bù xiǎng，bànhú xiǎngdīngdāng

a full kettle makes no sound; a half-full one clatters

People of real knowledge are modest, while those with shallow knowledge boast loudly. Similar to 'empty vessels make the most noise'.
满堂儿女，当不得半席夫妻 mǎntáng érnǚ，dàngbude bàn xí fūqī

a hall full of children is not worth half a mat of husband and wife

A spouse's care and consideration is worth more than that of a houseful of children.
满招损，谦受益 mǎnzhāosǔn，qiānshòuyì

fullness invites loss; modesty receives benefit

Arrogance leads to loss, while modesty brings benefit. Said approvingly as a moral lesson, often to students.
慢工出巧匠 màngōng chū qiǎojiàng

slow work produces skilled craftsmen

Long, careful, patient practice produces true masters. Approving.
慢工出细活 màngōng chū xìhuó

slow work produces fine work

Working carefully and unhurriedly yields quality results. Said to counsel patience, or to excuse slowness. Close to 'haste makes waste'.
慢走跌不倒，小心错不了 màn zǒu diē bù dǎo，xiǎoxīn cuò bùliǎo

walk slowly and you won't fall; be careful and you won't go wrong

Don't be too hasty; caution avoids mistakes. Similar to 'better safe than sorry'.
忙和尚办不了好道场 máng héshang bàn bùliǎo hǎo dàochǎng

a flustered monk can't hold a good ritual

Someone anxious and rushed can't do a job well; haste spoils the work.
忙中多有错 máng zhōngduō yǒu cuò

in busyness there are many mistakes

When you're rushed and flustered, you easily make errors. Similar to 'haste makes waste'.
猫急上树，狗急跳墙 māojí shàng shù，gǒu jí tiàoqiáng

a cornered cat climbs a tree; a cornered dog jumps a wall

People driven into a corner will act desperately and take any risk. Like 'a cornered animal fights'.
猫养猫疼，狗养狗疼 māo yǎng māo téng，gǒu yǎng gǒu téng

a cat loves the cat it raised; a dog loves the dog it raised

Whoever raises a child is the one who loves it.
毛毛细雨湿衣裳，小事不防上大当 máomao xì yǔ shī yīshang，xiǎo shì bùfáng shàng dà dàng

drizzle soaks your clothes; ignore small things and you are badly fooled

Carelessness about small matters can lead to serious consequences.
毛羽不成，不能高飞 máo yǔ bù chéng，bù néng gāo fēi

until the feathers are grown, you can't fly high

Without enough strength yet, you can't carry out grand plans.
没吃过猪肉，也见过猪跑 méichīguo zhūròu，yě jiànguo zhū pǎo

haven't eaten pork, but have seen pigs run

Even without doing something yourself, you know something about it from seeing others do it. Often said modestly or defensively; second-hand experience counts for something.
没家鬼引不来外贼 méi jiāguǐ yǐn bù lái wàizéi

without a ghost at home, no thief from outside can be led in

Outside wrongdoers only strike when someone on the inside helps them. Said when a break-in or betrayal needed an insider.
没那金刚钻，不敢揽瓷器活儿 méinà jīngāngzuàn，bù gǎn lǎn cíqì huór

without that diamond drill, don't dare take on porcelain work

Don't take on a job unless you have the skill for it. Close to "don't bite off more than you can chew".
没碰过钉子不知道疼 méi pèngguo dīngzi bù zhīdào téng

if you've never hit a nail, you don't know it hurts

People learn only through setbacks of their own. Said of someone who won't heed advice until he fails.
没事常思有事 méishì cháng sī yǒushì

when nothing is wrong, often think of when something is

In quiet times, plan for trouble that could come. Advice to be prepared.
没土打不成墙，没苗打不下粮 méi tǔ dǎ bùchéng qiáng，méi miáo dǎ bù xià liáng

without earth you can't build a rammed wall, without seedlings you can't harvest grain

Without the basic conditions, nothing can be accomplished.
没有不还的债 méiyǒu bùhuán de zhài

there is no debt that is not repaid

Debts must be paid sooner or later. Also used as a warning that you will pay for what you owe, in either sense.
没有不透风的墙 méiyǒu bù tòufēng de qiáng

there is no wall the wind can't get through

However carefully a matter is hidden, it will come out. Used as a warning to those with secrets.
没有打算一世穷 méiyǒu dǎsuan yīshì qióng

with no planning, poor for a lifetime

If you don't budget and plan carefully, you will stay poor all your life.
没有高山，不显平地 méiyǒu gāoshān，bù xiǎn píngdì

without high mountains, flat land doesn't show

Differences only show up through comparison.
没有过不去的火焰山 méiyǒu guò bù qù de huǒyànshān

there is no Flaming Mountain that can't be crossed

No difficulty is too great to overcome. Encouraging; the image comes from the novel Journey to the West, where the pilgrims put out the fire with a magic fan.
没有舌头不碰牙的 méiyǒu shétou bù pèng yá de

there is no tongue that doesn't bump the teeth

People who are together a lot will inevitably have disagreements. Said to excuse quarrels in families or among colleagues.
没有弯弯肠子，不敢吃镰刀头 méiyǒu wānwān chángzi，bù gǎn chī liándāo tóu

without winding intestines, don't dare eat a sickle blade

Without a special skill, you don't dare take on a risky undertaking.
没有梧桐树，引不来凤凰 méiyǒu wútóngshù，yǐn bù lái fènghuáng

without a wutong tree, you can't attract the phoenix

If conditions are poor, you can't attract talented people. Close to "build it and they will come" in reverse.
没做亏心事，不怕鬼叫门 méi zuò kuīxīn shì，bù pà guǐ jiàomén

if you've done nothing to prick your conscience, you needn't fear a ghost knocking

A clear conscience has nothing to fear.
媒婆口，无梁斗 méipó kǒu，wúliángdǒu

a matchmaker's mouth is a grain measure with no crossbar

A matchmaker's talk is loose and unreliable and not to be trusted. It refers to old-style matchmakers and is mocking.

May offend: mocks a group of people
每逢佳节倍思亲 měi féng jiājié bèi sī qīn

at every festival, one misses family twice as much

On holidays, people far from home miss their family more. A well-known line from a Tang poem by Wang Wei.
美不美，故乡水；亲不亲，故乡人 měi bùměi, gùxiāng shuǐ; qīn bù qīn, gùxiāng rén

beautiful or not, the water of home; close or not, the people of home

Expresses affection for one's hometown and fellow natives, whatever the place is really like.
美景不长，良辰难再 měijǐng bù cháng, liángchén nán zài

beautiful scenes don't last, good times seldom return

Lovely moments pass quickly and are hard to get back; a reason to treasure them.
门门通，样样松 ménmén tōng, yàngyàng sōng

know every field, be slack at everything

Someone who dabbles in everything masters nothing. Close to "jack of all trades, master of none".
门门有路，路路有门 ménmén yǒulù, lùlù yǒumén

every door has a path, every path has a door

Every matter has its own rules and knack, so there is always a way in.
门内有君子，门外君子至 mén nèi yǒu jūnzǐ, mén wài jūnzǐ zhì

with a gentleman inside the door, gentlemen come from outside

A person of good character attracts friends of good character. Close to "birds of a feather flock together", in a positive sense.
门前系起高头马，不是亲来也是亲 mén qián jìqǐ gāotóu mǎ, bù shì qīn lái yě shì qīn

tie a tall horse at your gate and even non-relatives come as relatives

Once you have wealth or power, many people will claim to be your kin. Cynical.
猛虎不如群狐 měnghǔ bùrú qún hú

a fierce tiger is no match for a pack of foxes

A strong individual cannot beat a large group of weaker ones. Close to "there is strength in numbers".
猛犬不吠，吠犬不猛 měngquǎn bù fèi, fèi quǎn bù měng

a fierce dog doesn't bark, a barking dog isn't fierce

Truly dangerous people keep a low profile. Close to "barking dogs seldom bite".
猛张飞钓不到大鱼 měng zhāngfēi diào bù dào dà yú

fierce Zhang Fei can't catch big fish

Hasty, rash people can't accomplish big things. Zhang Fei is the impetuous general from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
梦从想中来 mèng cóng xiǎng zhōng lái

dreams come from thinking

What you think about by day, you dream about at night.

Every kind of Chinese saying