Chinese proverbs (谚语)
-
人到无求品自高 rén dào wú qiú pǐn zì gāo
when a person wants nothing, his character is naturally high
Someone who has no selfish desires or favours to seek has natural integrity. Approving.
-
人多出圣人 rén duō chū shèngrén
where there are many people, sages emerge
In any large group there will be some very wise people, so the crowd's wisdom should be respected. Echoes 'two heads are better than one'.
-
人多力量大，柴多火焰高 rén duō lìliàng dà，chái duō huǒyàn gāo
with many people the strength is great; with much firewood the flames are high
United numbers bring great strength. Said to encourage teamwork; like 'many hands make light work'.
-
人多乱，龙多旱，鸡多不下蛋 rén duō luàn，lóng duō hàn，jī duō bù xiàdàn
many people, chaos; many dragons, drought; many hens, no eggs
Too many people without good organisation cause disorder and poor results. Critical; like 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.
-
人恶人怕天不怕，人善人欺天不欺 rén è rén pà tiān bùpà，rén shàn rén qī tiān bù qī
if you're wicked, people fear you but heaven doesn't; if you're good, people bully you but heaven doesn't
Evildoers may prevail for a time but will be punished in the end, and good people wronged will be protected. Expresses belief in just retribution.
-
人非草木，谁能无情 rénfēicǎomù，shuínéngwúqíng
people are not grass or trees; who can be without feeling
Humans have feelings, so they can't be indifferent. Used to excuse emotion or to appeal for sympathy.
-
人非圣贤，谁能无过 rénfēishèngxián，shuínéngwúguò
people are not sages; who can be without faults
Everyone makes mistakes. Said to forgive someone or to excuse one's own error.
-
人逢喜事精神爽，月到中秋分外明 rén féng xǐshì jīngshén shuǎng，yuèdào zhōngqiū fènwài míng
when people meet happy events their spirits are bright; when the moon reaches mid-autumn it is extra clear
Good news lifts one's mood, as the Mid-Autumn moon looks especially bright. Said cheerfully of someone in high spirits.
-
人各有心，心各有志 rén gè yǒu xīn，xīn gè yǒu zhì
each person has a heart, each heart has its aims
Everyone has their own thoughts and ambitions, so don't impose your own. Neutral, often used to accept differences.
-
人贵见机 rén guì jiànjī
a person values seeing the opportunity
It is important to read the situation and adapt accordingly.
-
人贵有志，学贵有恒 rén guì yǒuzhì，xué guì yǒuhéng
a person prizes ambition, study prizes perseverance
Aim high in life and keep at your studies. Common advice to students.
-
人贵有自知之明 rén guì yǒu zìzhīzhīmíng
a person values having self-knowledge
Knowing your own strengths and limits is a rare virtue. Often said as a mild criticism of someone overrating himself.
-
人过留名，雁过留声 rén guò liú míng，yàn guò liú shēng
when a person passes, he leaves a name; when a wild goose passes, it leaves its cry
One should leave a good reputation behind, as a goose leaves its call. Encourages worthy conduct.
-
人过留踪，雁过留声 rén guò liú zōng，yàn guò liú shēng
when a person passes, he leaves a trace; when a wild goose passes, it leaves its cry
A variant of 人过留名，雁过留声: one's life leaves a mark, so one should act well.
-
人合心，马合套儿 rén héxīn，mǎ hétàor
people in accord of heart, horses in accord with the harness
When people agree in mind, they pull together as a horse fits its harness. Said of teamwork and harmony.
-
人活一口气 rén huó yī kǒu qì
a person lives on one breath
One should have backbone and pride, or live to prove oneself. Said to rally someone's fighting spirit.
-
人活一张脸，树活一层皮 rén huó yī zhāng liǎn，shù huó yī céng pí
a person lives for a face, a tree lives for a layer of bark
People need a sense of shame and dignity, as trees need bark. Said when urging self-respect or admonishing shameless behaviour.
-
人间私语，天闻若雷；暗室亏心，神目如电 rénjiān sīyǔ，tiān wén ruò léi；ànshì kuīxīn，shénmù rú diàn
whispers among people are heard by heaven like thunder; a guilty deed in a dark room is seen by the gods like lightning
Heaven hears secret words and gods see secret wrongs, so do no evil even in private. An old moral warning.
-
人间五福，唯寿为先 rénjiān wǔ fú，wéi shòu wéi xiān
of the five blessings among men, long life comes first
Long, healthy life is the greatest happiness. Said when wishing health or toasting elders.
-
人见利而不见害，鱼见食而不见钩 rén jiàn lì ér bù jiàn hài，yú jiàn shí ér bù jiàn gōu
people see the gain but not the harm; fish see the food but not the hook
People are blinded by profit and miss the danger. A warning against greed.
-
人可以和虎狼搏斗，却无法和苍蝇争吵 rén kěyǐ hé hǔláng bódòu，què wúfǎ hé cāngying zhēngchǎo
a person can fight tigers and wolves but cannot quarrel with flies
You can debate a strong, reasonable opponent but not a petty, pestering person. Contemptuous of small-minded people.
-
人靠衣装，马靠鞍装 rén kào yī zhuāng，mǎ kào ān zhuāng
people rely on clothes, horses rely on saddles
Good clothes make a good impression, as a saddle does a horse. Said to stress dressing well; like 'clothes make the man'.
-
人口快如风 rén kǒu kuài rú fēng
people's mouths are fast as wind
News spread by word of mouth travels very quickly, so be careful what you say.
-
人老不算老，心老才算老 rén lǎo bù suàn lǎo，xīn lǎo cái suàn lǎo
being old in body doesn't count as old; only an old heart counts as old
True age is a matter of attitude. Encouraging, said to or by older people.
-
人老不以筋骨为能 rén lǎo bù yǐ jīngǔ wéi néng
when old, don't take sinews and bones as your ability
Older people shouldn't show off physical strength. Cautionary advice.
-
人老精，姜老辣 rén lǎo jīng，jiāng lǎo là
the older the person the sharper; the older the ginger the hotter
Age brings shrewdness, as ginger gets spicier. Approving or wary; like 'there's no fool like an old fool' in reverse.
-
人老怕松，树老怕空 rén lǎo pà sōng，shù lǎo pà kōng
old people fear slackening, old trees fear hollowness
The old should keep mentally active and not give up, as a tree rots when hollow. Encourages staying busy.
-
人老珠黄不值钱 rén lǎo zhū huáng bù zhíqián
when a person is old and the pearl yellow, it's not worth money
Says a woman who has aged and lost her looks is no longer valued. It is derogatory toward older women, reflecting an old attitude that prized them only for appearance; the tone is bitter or sad.
May offend: sexist or sexual
-
人离乡贱，物离乡贵 rén lí xiāng jiàn，wù lí xiāng guì
a person away from home is cheap, goods away from home are dear
Away from home people are looked down on, while goods from elsewhere are prized. Said with a sigh about life as an outsider.
-
人没前后眼 rén méi qiánhòuyǎn
people have no eyes in front and behind
No one can foresee the future, so mistakes are understandable. Said to excuse errors or urge caution.
-
人命关天，非同儿戏 rénmìngguāntiān，fēitóngérxì
a human life concerns heaven, and is no child's play
Cases involving lives are grave and must be handled seriously. Used as a stern warning.
-
人能名望高 rén néng míngwàng gāo
if a person is capable, his reputation is high
Talent naturally brings a good name.
-
人挪活，树挪死 rén nuó huó，shù nuó sǐ
a person moved lives, a tree moved dies
A change of place or job can help a person thrive, though it kills a tree. Encourages moving on from a stuck situation.
-
人怕出名猪怕壮 rén pà chūmíng zhū pà zhuàng
people fear fame, pigs fear getting fat
Fame brings trouble, as a fat pig gets slaughtered. Said with caution about becoming prominent.
-
人怕揭短，龙怕揭鳞 rén pà jiēduǎn，lóng pà jiē lín
people fear having their faults exposed, dragons fear having scales pulled off
People hate having their weak points mentioned. Said as advice not to expose others' flaws.
-
人怕老来病 rén pà lǎolái bìng
people fear illness in old age
Sickness in old age is most dreaded, so look after your health.
-
人怕理，马怕鞭 rén pà lǐ，mǎ pà biān
people fear reason, horses fear the whip
Sound argument is what persuades people. Said to urge reasoned persuasion.
-
人怕伤心，树怕伤根 rén pà shāngxīn，shù pà shāng gēn
people fear a wounded heart, trees fear wounded roots
Emotional hurt is the most damaging to a person, as root damage is to a tree. Said to urge kindness.
-
人怕笑，字怕吊 rén pà xiào，zì pà diào
people fear being laughed at, writing fears being hung up
Public judgment is hard to escape; people dread ridicule as calligraphy fears display for criticism.
-
人怕引诱，堤怕渗透 rén pà yǐnyòu，dī pà shèntòu
people fear temptation, dikes fear seepage
People can be corrupted gradually before they notice, as seepage breaks a dike. A warning about temptation.
-
人怕遇难，船怕上滩 rén pà yùnàn，chuán pà shàng tān
people fear meeting disaster, boats fear running onto shoals
Someone in trouble is as stuck as a grounded boat, so friends should help rather than stand by.
-
人平不语，水平不流 rén píng bù yǔ，shuǐ píng bù liú
when people are treated evenly they don't complain; when water is level it doesn't flow
Fair treatment prevents grievances. Said in discussing fairness.
-
人凭志气虎凭威 rén píng zhìqì hǔ píng wēi
people rely on ambition, tigers rely on their might
A person's success depends on high aspiration, as the tiger's rule rests on awe. Encouraging.
-
人前一句话，神前一炉香 rén qián yī jù huà，shén qián yī lú xiāng
a word before people, an incense burner before the gods
Keep your word as seriously as one honours a god. Said to stress trustworthiness.
-
人亲不如土亲 rén qīn bùrú tǔ qīn
relatives are not as close as one's native soil
People from the same place feel closer than even relatives. Said of fellow-townspeople bonds.
-
人勤地不懒 rén qín dì bù lǎn
if people are diligent, the land isn't lazy
Hard-working farmers get good harvests. Said to praise diligence; like 'you reap what you sow'.
-
人勤三分巧 rén qín sān fēn qiǎo
a diligent person has three-tenths more skill
Diligence makes a person more skilful. Encourages practice and hard work.
-
人穷志不穷 rén qióng zhì bù qióng
the person is poor but the ambition is not poor
Being poor doesn't mean losing dignity or ambition. Said approvingly to encourage the poor to keep their self-respect.
-
人穷志短，马瘦毛长 rénqióngzhìduǎn，mǎshòumáocháng
when a person is poor, ambition is short; when a horse is thin, its coat looks long
Poverty wears down a person's ambition, just as a thin horse looks shaggy and listless. Often said sympathetically, or as a warning to keep up your drive when times are hard.
-
人人头上顶块天 rénrén tóu shang dǐng kuài tiān
everyone carries a piece of sky on their head
Everyone starts from basically the same footing, so no one should be looked down on or think themselves special. Used to encourage confidence or to deflate arrogance.
-
人人心里有杆秤 rénrén xīn li yǒu gǎn chèng
everyone has a steelyard scale in their heart
Everyone has their own sense of right and wrong and can judge fairly. Often said to mean that people see through unfair behaviour.
-
人人有本难念的经 rénrén yǒu běn nán niàn de jīng
everyone has a scripture that is hard to recite
Everyone has their own troubles that are hard to deal with, even if it does not show. Close to English 'every family has its skeleton in the cupboard' or 'everyone has their own cross to bear'.
-
人若不夸口，羞耻不临头 rén ruò bù kuākǒu，xiūchǐ bù líntóu
if a person doesn't boast, shame won't come upon them
If you don't brag, you won't be laughed at when you fail to deliver. A warning against big talk.
-
人善被人欺，马善被人骑 rén shàn bèi rén qī，mǎ shàn bèi rén qí
a kind person gets bullied, a gentle horse gets ridden
People take advantage of those who are too soft or good-natured, as anyone can ride a docile horse. Said as a warning to stand up for yourself rather than be a pushover.
-
人生不读书，活着不如猪 rénshēng bù dúshū，huózhe bùrú zhū
if a person doesn't study in life, living is worse than being a pig
Someone who never studies stays ignorant, which is what separates humans from animals. A blunt saying used to urge students to study.
-
人生何处不相逢 rénshēng héchù bù xiāngféng
in life, where would we not meet again
People who part will probably meet again somewhere, so don't be too sad at a farewell, and don't burn bridges. Said in goodbyes or when unexpectedly meeting someone. Close to 'it's a small world'.
-
人生难得糊涂 rénshēng nándé hútu
in life it is hard to get to be muddled
Sometimes it is wise to overlook small matters and not be too exact. Often said to someone who is fretting over trivial things, and associated with the Qing artist Zheng Banqiao.
-
人生能有几回搏 rénshēng néng yǒu jǐ huí bó
how many times in a life can one strive all-out
Life is short and chances to give everything are few, so seize them. An encouraging, motivational slogan, often used in sport and before big challenges.
-
人生七十古来稀 rénshēng qīshí gǔlái xī
a seventy-year life has been rare since ancient times
Living to seventy used to be uncommon. Taken from a Du Fu poem, it is now used when talking about a person's seventieth birthday or old age.
-
人生如白驹过隙 rénshēng rú báijūguòxì
life is like a white colt passing a crack
Life flashes by as quickly as a horse glimpsed through a gap. Said to remind people to treasure their time.
-
人生识字忧患始 rénshēng shízì yōuhuàn shǐ
in life, worries begin when one learns to read
Once you are educated and see more of the world, you begin to worry about things. Often said wryly, or half-jokingly, about the burden of knowledge. Close to 'ignorance is bliss'.
-
人生一世，草木一秋 rénshēng yīshì，cǎo mù yī qiū
a person lives one lifetime, grass and trees have one autumn
A human life is as brief as a plant's single season of growth and decline, so make the most of your time and life. Often said with a tone of resignation or to urge living fully.
-
人生自古谁无死 rénshēng zìgǔ shuí wú sǐ
since ancient times, who in life has not died
Everyone dies eventually, so what matters is to make one's death worthwhile. From a poem by Wen Tianxiang; said to console or to express courage in the face of death.
-
人是地行仙 rén shì dìxíng xiān
people are earth-walking immortals
Originally meant that people can walk far and fast like legendary immortals. Today it is used to say that modern transport lets people cross the globe in a short time.
-
人是活的，钱是死的 rén shì huó de，qián shì sǐ de
people are alive, money is dead
People can create wealth, while money just sits there, so people matter more than money. Said to encourage someone who has lost money or to prioritise people and flexibility.
-
人是铁，饭是钢 rén shì tiě，fàn shì gāng
a person is iron, rice is steel
A person needs food to keep their strength, so never skip meals. Said to urge someone to eat, especially someone busy working.
-
人是万物之灵 rén shì wànwù zhī líng
humans are the spirit of all things
Humans are the most intelligent and noblest of creatures. A formal, somewhat bookish statement of human dignity.
-
人是无价宝 rén shì wújiàbǎo
people are priceless treasure
Human beings are the most precious thing in the world, more than any goods or wealth. Used to stress the value of people and of life.
-
人瘦尚可肥，士俗不可医 rén shòu shàng kě féi，shì sú bùkě yī
a thin person can still be fattened, but a vulgar scholar cannot be cured
Thinness is easy to fix, but a cultured person who turns vulgar can hardly be changed. Old saying that criticises vulgarity among educated people.
-
人熟礼不熟 rén shú lǐ bù shú
people are familiar, but etiquette is not familiar
Even with people you know well, you should still observe good manners. Said to remind someone not to be careless with courtesy.
-
人熟理不熟 rén shú lǐ bù shú
people are familiar, but principle is not familiar
Being close to someone does not mean the rules bend for them; principles still apply. Said when refusing favouritism towards friends.
-
人熟是一宝 rén shú shì yī bǎo
knowing people is a treasure
Knowing the right people makes things easier to get done. Said approvingly or wryly about using connections.
-
人死不能复生 rén sǐ bù néng fùshēng
a dead person cannot come back to life
The dead cannot return, so one should accept it. Mostly said to comfort the bereaved, urging them not to grieve too much, or to dissuade someone from despair.
-
人死如灯灭 rén sǐ rú dēng miè
when a person dies, it is like a lamp going out
Death ends life as a lamp going out ends its light, so life is to be cherished. Also said cynically that after death nothing matters.
-
人抬人高，水抬船高 rén tái rén gāo，shuǐ tái chuán gāo
people lifting people makes them tall; water lifting a boat makes it high
When others support and praise you, your standing rises, as a boat rises with the water. Encourages mutual support. Close to 'one hand washes the other'.
-
人听甜言易上当，马踏软地易失蹄 rén tīng tiányán yì shàngdàng，mǎ tà ruǎn dì yì shītí
people who hear sweet words are easily fooled; a horse treading soft ground easily stumbles
Flattery from someone with ulterior motives easily leads you into being cheated. A warning to be wary of sweet talk.
-
人同此心，心同此理 rén tóng cǐ xīn，xīn tóng cǐ lǐ
people share this heart, hearts share this reason
People basically feel and think alike, so what seems reasonable to one seems so to others. Used to appeal to common feeling.
-
人外有人，天外有天 rén wài yǒu rén，tiān wài yǒu tiān
beyond people there are people, beyond the sky there is sky
There is always someone better than you, so don't be conceited. Close to 'there's always a bigger fish'.
-
人往高处走，水往低处流 rén wǎng gāo chù zǒu，shuǐ wǎng dī chù liú
people go to higher places, water flows to lower places
It is natural for people to seek a better position and life, just as water flows downhill. Often said to explain why someone changes jobs or moves away.
-
人为财死，鸟为食亡 rén wèi cái sǐ，niǎo wèi shí wáng
people die for wealth, birds perish for food
Greedy people risk even their lives for money, as birds do for food. Said critically or ruefully about greed.
-
人无百年拙 rén wú bǎi nián zhuō
no one is clumsy for a hundred years
No one stays foolish all their life; with learning and experience people grow wiser. Used to encourage a slow learner.
-
人无刚骨，安身不牢 rén wú gānggǔ，ānshēn bù láo
a person without stiff bones can't settle securely
Without firmness of character, a person cannot hold their place in society. Urges having backbone and integrity.
-
人无害虎心，虎有伤人意 rén wú hài hǔ xīn，hǔ yǒu shāng rén yì
people have no wish to harm the tiger, but the tiger means to hurt people
Don't assume a bad person won't hurt you just because you mean no harm; their nature won't change easily. A warning against naive trust of evildoers.
-
人无千日好，花无百日红 rén wú qiān rì hǎo，huā wú bǎi rì hóng
people aren't good for a thousand days, flowers aren't red for a hundred days
Good fortune and good times never last forever. Said as a reminder that prosperity or good relations can fade.
-
人无完人，金无足赤 rénwú wánrén，jīnwú zúchì
no person is perfect, no gold is pure red
Nobody is flawless, just as gold is never perfectly pure, so be tolerant of faults. Said when excusing someone's mistakes.
-
人无笑脸休开店 rén wú xiàoliǎn xiū kāi diàn
a person without a smiling face should not open a shop
A business needs friendly service, and more generally one should treat people warmly and politely.
-
人无远虑，必有近忧 rénwúyuǎnlǜ，bìyǒujìnyōu
a person without far-sighted thought will surely have trouble close at hand
If you do not plan ahead, problems will soon arrive. Said to urge long-term planning. Close to 'fail to prepare, prepare to fail'.
-
人心不同，各如其面 rénxīn bùtóng，gè rú qí miàn
people's hearts differ, each like their face
Just as no two faces are identical, people's minds differ, so don't expect everyone to think alike.
-
人心都是肉长的 rénxīn dōushì ròu zhǎng de
everyone's heart is made of flesh
People have feelings and can be moved by sincerity or reason. Said when appealing to someone's sympathy, or to explain why kindness gets results.
-
人心隔肚皮 rénxīn gé dùpí
hearts are separated by bellies
You can't tell what someone really thinks, since their heart lies behind skin. Said as a caution about trusting people.
-
人心换人心 rénxīn huàn rénxīn
a heart exchanged for a heart
Treat people sincerely and you will be treated sincerely in return. Used approvingly about kindness being repaid.
-
人心难测，海水难量 rénxīn náncè，hǎishuǐ nánliáng
hearts are hard to fathom, seawater is hard to measure
People's thoughts are as unfathomable as the sea. Said as a caution about trusting others.
-
人心齐，泰山移 rénxīn qí，tàishān yí
when people's hearts are united, Mount Tai can be moved
United effort can accomplish anything, even the impossible. A common slogan; close to 'united we stand' or 'many hands make light work'.
-
人心似铁，官法如炉 rénxīn sì tiě，guānfǎ rú lú
human hearts are like iron, the law of the state is like a furnace
However stubborn a person is, the law can melt their resistance. Used to say that no one can defy the law.
-
人言未必真，听言听三分 rén yán wèibì zhēn，tīng yán tīng sān fēn
what people say is not necessarily true; of what you hear, take only three tenths
Don't believe everything people tell you; accept only a small part of it. A warning to be sceptical of hearsay.
-
人眼不藏私 rén yǎn bù cáng sī
human eyes hide no private thoughts
The eyes reveal what a person is thinking. Close to 'the eyes are the window to the soul'.
-
人眼难哄 rén yǎn nán hǒng
human eyes are hard to fool
What you do cannot be hidden from everyone's eyes, so deceit won't work for long.
-
人眼是杆秤 rén yǎn shìgǎn chèng
the human eye is a steelyard scale
Everyone judges things by their own eyes and standards. Said to mean that people form their own verdicts.
-
人要长交，账要短结 rén yào cháng jiāo，zhàng yào duǎn jié
friends should be kept long, accounts should be settled short
Keep friendships for the long term but settle debts quickly, to avoid disputes. Practical advice about money between friends.
-
人有薄技不受欺 rén yǒu bójì bù shòu qī
a person with a small skill won't be bullied
Having even a modest skill lets you live independently and not be pushed around. Encourages learning a trade.