Chinese proverbs (谚语)

水不流要臭，刀不磨要锈 shuǐ bù liú yào chòu, dāo bù mó yào xiù

water that doesn't flow turns foul, a knife that isn't sharpened rusts

People must stay active to stay vigorous. Close to "use it or lose it".
水不平要流，人不平要说 shuǐ bù píng yào liú, rén bù píng yào shuō

uneven water must flow, an uneven deal must be spoken of

People speak up when they meet injustice, as water flows when its level is uneven.
水从源流树从根 shuǐ cóng yuán liú shù cóng gēn

water flows from its source, trees grow from their roots

Everything has its origin.
水大漫不过鸭子去 shuǐ dà màn bù guò yāzi qù

however high the water, it won't rise over the duck

However great the difficulty, it can be overcome. Encouraging.
水沟不通四处流 shuǐgōu bù tōng sìchù liú

if the ditch is blocked, water flows everywhere

Without proper channels for communication, opinions spread everywhere uncontrolled.
水来土掩，兵到将迎 shuǐláitǔyǎn, bīngdàojiàngyíng

when water comes, block it with earth; when soldiers arrive, meet them with generals

Deal with each problem as it comes, with whatever response suits it. Neutral, often used to say there is no need to worry in advance.
水流千里，终归大海 shuǐ liú qiān lǐ, zhōng guī dà hǎi

a river flows a thousand miles and still ends up in the sea

However far a person travels, they will eventually return to their homeland. Warm and sentimental.
水流湿，火就燥 shuǐ liú shī, huǒ jiù zào

water flows toward the damp, fire draws near the dry

People with similar tastes and aims naturally come together. Close to 'birds of a feather flock together'.
水浅鱼不住 shuǐ qiǎn yú bù zhù

if the water is shallow, fish won't stay

Where conditions are poor, talented people will not stay. Said of organisations that cannot keep good staff.
水清石自见 shuǐ qīng shí zì xiàn

when the water is clear, the stones show themselves

Once the facts are cleared up, the truth comes out by itself. Often said to reassure the innocent.
水清无大鱼 shuǐ qīng wú dà yú

where the water is clear there are no big fish

A leader who is too exacting and probes every detail loses people's loyalty and gets the opposite of what they want. Often used to advise tolerance of small faults.
睡多了梦长 shuì duōle mèng cháng

sleep too long and the dream drags on

If a matter is delayed, unexpected problems are likely to appear. Used to urge acting quickly. Similar to "delays are dangerous".
顺风行舟易翻船 shùnfēng xíng zhōu yì fānchuán

sailing with the wind makes it easy to capsize

When things go smoothly, people grow careless and fail. A warning against complacency.
说不出的，才是真苦；挠不着的，才是真痒 shuō bù chū de, cái shì zhēn kǔ;náo bù zháo de, cái shì zhēn yǎng

what can't be said is the real bitterness; what can't be scratched is the real itch

The pain buried in one's heart that cannot be spoken torments the most. Sympathetic.
说出的话，泼出的水 shuōchū de huà, pōchū de shuǐ

words spoken are like water spilled

What you've said can't be taken back, so mean what you say. Close to "what's said is said" or "you can't unring the bell".
说话想着说，吃饭尝着吃 shuōhuà xiǎngzhe shuō, chī fàn chángzhe chī

think while you speak, taste while you eat

Think before speaking and be careful and responsible about what you say.
说谎难瞒同乡人 shuōhuǎng nán mán tóngxiāng rén

lies are hard to hide from people of your home village

Fellow townspeople know your background well, so you can't lie to them.
说千道万，不如一干 shuō qiān dào wàn, bùrú yī gàn

say a thousand things, say ten thousand, it's better to do it once

No amount of talk beats actually doing. Approving of action. Close to "actions speak louder than words".
私心重，祸无穷 sīxīn zhòng, huò wúqióng

heavy selfishness, endless disaster

Selfish motives are the root of trouble. A moral warning.
死店活人开 sǐ diàn huórén kāi

a dead shop is run by living people

The shop is fixed, but those who run it can be flexible. Means you can find ways within fixed conditions.
死了死了，人死就了 sǐ liǎo sǐ liǎo, rén sǐ jiù liǎo

dead, dead: when a person dies, all is ended

Death ends everything, including all affairs and grudges. Fatalistic.
死棋腹中有仙招 sǐqí fù zhōng yǒu xiānzhāo

a dead chess position hides a magical move in its belly

Even in a desperate situation a clever move may turn things around. Encouraging.
死水怕勺舀 sǐshuǐ pà sháo yǎo

still water fears the ladle

A fortune with no new income will run out if it keeps being spent. A warning on spending.
死猪不怕开水烫 sǐ zhū bù pà kāishuǐ tàng

a dead pig doesn't fear boiling water

Someone hopeless and shameless who won't change whatever you do to them. Critical, a little humorous.
四海之内皆兄弟 sìhǎi zhīnèi jiē xiōngdì

within the four seas all are brothers

All people everywhere should treat each other like brothers. Warm and approving.
四两能拨千斤重 sì liǎng néng bō qiān jīn zhòng

four ounces can move a thousand catties

The weak can beat the strong given the right method or conditions. Approving.
送佛送到西天 sòng fó sòngdào xītiān

if you see the Buddha off, see him all the way to the Western Paradise

If you help someone, do it thoroughly and see it through to the end. Approving. Close to 'see it through'.
送君千里，终须一别 sòng jūn qiān lǐ, zhōng xū yī bié

I see you off for a thousand li, but in the end we must part

However far you accompany a traveller, you must part eventually. Often said to tell the person seeing you off that they can stop and turn back.
俗眼不识神仙 sú yǎn bù shí shénxiān

common eyes do not recognise an immortal

Ordinary people cannot spot a person of great ability. Mostly said modestly, when you failed to recognise someone eminent.
算计不到一世穷 suànjì bù dào yīshì qióng

if you don't calculate, you are poor all your life

Unless you budget carefully, you will stay poor for life. Advice to be thrifty and plan spending.
尿泡虽大无斤两，秤砣虽小压千斤 suīpāo suī dà wú jīnliǎng, chèngtuó suī xiǎo yā qiān jīn

though the bladder is big it has no weight; though the steelyard weight is small it outweighs a thousand jin

Something big but empty is worth less than something small but substantial. Substance beats size.
岁寒知松柏 suì hán zhī sōngbǎi

in the cold of the year one knows the pine and cypress

Hardship reveals who is strong and steadfast, as pines stay green in winter. Approving.
岁月不饶人 suìyuè bù ráo rén

the years spare no one

Time makes everyone age. Said with a sigh about growing old or losing vigour.
孙猴子跳不出如来佛的手心 sūnhóuzi tiào bù chū rúláifó de shǒuxīn

Monkey Sun can't jump out of the Buddha's palm

However skilled someone is, they cannot escape the law or a greater power. Warning tone.
孙猴子再会变，也瞒不过二郎神 sūnhóuzi zài huì biàn, yěmánbùguò èrlángshén

however well Monkey Sun transforms, he can't fool Erlang Shen

No matter how complicated the trick, an expert sees through it.
他敬我一尺，我敬他一丈 tā jìng wǒ yī chǐ, wǒ jìng tā yī zhàng

he honours me a foot, I honour him ten feet

If someone treats you with respect, repay it with even more. Approving. Like 'return kindness with greater kindness'.
他乡虽好，终非久留之地 tāxiāng suī hǎo, zhōng fēi jiǔ liú zhī dì

though a foreign land is fine, it is not a place to stay long

However pleasant it is away from home, one should eventually return. Used about homesickness.
台上一分钟，台下十年功 tái shàng yī fēn zhōng, tái xià shí nián gōng

one minute on stage, ten years of work off stage

A brilliant performance comes from years of hard practice. Approving. Applies to any skill.
抬得高，跌得重 tái de gāo, diē de zhòng

lifted high, fall hard

The more someone is praised and built up, the harder their failure will be. Like 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall'.
太平年月寿星多 tàipíng niányue shòuxing duō

in peaceful years there are many long-lived elders

In times of peace more people live to old age.
泰山高还有天，沧海深还有底 tàishān gāo hái yǒu tiān, cānghǎi shēn hái yǒu dǐ

high as Mount Tai, there is still sky above; deep as the ocean, there is still a bottom

There is always something better or someone stronger. A reminder to stay humble.
贪吃的鱼儿易上钩 tān chī de yú'ér yì shànggōu

the greedy fish is easily hooked

Greedy people who go after bargains are easily cheated. Warning tone.
贪多嚼不烂 tān duō jiáo bù làn

grab too much and you can't chew it up

If you take on too much, you can't digest it. Said as a warning against trying to learn or do too much at once at the expense of quality.
贪根不拔，苦树常在 tān gēn bù bá, kǔ shù cháng zài

if the root of greed isn't pulled up, the bitter tree will always stand

Greed is the root of suffering and keeps bringing trouble until it is removed. Used as moral advice.
贪心不足蛇吞象 tānxīn bùzú shé tūn xiàng

insatiable greed: a snake swallowing an elephant

A greedy person is never satisfied and wants far more than they can handle. Critical. Close to "bite off more than you can chew" or "greed knows no bounds".
坛口好扎，人口难封 tánkǒu hǎo zā, rénkǒu nán fēng

a jar's mouth is easy to tie, people's mouths are hard to seal

You can't stop people from talking. Used about gossip or secrets getting out.
炭多火红，人多势勇 tàn duō huǒhóng, rén duō shì yǒng

with plenty of charcoal the fire glows red, with many people the force is bold

When many people are united, they form a powerful force. Approving.
堂堂正正做人，实实在在干事 tángtángzhèngzhèng zuòrén, shíshízàizài gànshì

be a person upright and open, do things solid and real

Advice to behave honestly and decently and to work in a down-to-earth way. Approving.
塘里无鱼虾也贵 táng li wú yú xiā yě guì

when the pond has no fish, even shrimp are dear

When there is nothing of high quality, even inferior things become valuable. Close to "beggars can't be choosers".
塘怕渗漏，人怕引诱 táng pà shènlòu, rén pà yǐnyòu

a pond fears seepage, a person fears temptation

Just as a leaking pond runs dry, a person who is tempted can go astray. A warning about temptation.
螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后 tángláng bǔchán, huángquè zàihòu

the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware the oriole is behind it

People chase immediate gain without noticing the danger behind them. Warns that a predator may itself be a target.
逃生不避路，到处便为家 táoshēng bù bì lù, dàochù biàn wéi jiā

fleeing for your life you don't choose the road, wherever you land is home

When running for your life you can't be picky; you go wherever you can.
桃李不言，下自成蹊 táolǐbùyán, xiàzìchéngxī

peach and plum trees say nothing, yet a path forms beneath them

A person of real virtue and talent needn't boast, because people will come to respect them. Approving.
桃三杏四梨五年，枣子当年便还钱 táo sān xìng sì lí wǔ nián, zǎozi dàngnián biàn huán qián

peach three, apricot four, pear five years; the jujube pays back the same year

A farming saying on how long fruit trees take to bear fruit: peach 3 years, apricot 4, pear 5, while a grafted jujube fruits in the first year.
桃养人，杏伤人，李子树下埋死人 táo yǎng rén, xìng shāng rén, lǐzi shù xià mái sǐrén

peaches nourish, apricots harm, under the plum tree they bury the dead

A folk health saying: peaches are good for you, too many apricots harm you, and too many plums are worse.
讨便宜处失便宜 tǎo piányi chù shī piányi

where you seek a bargain you lose the bargain

Those who try to gain petty advantages end up losing. Usually written 得便宜处失便宜.
天变一时，人变一刻 tiān biàn yīshí, rén biàn yīkè

the sky changes in an hour, people change in a moment

People's thoughts, feelings and attitudes change even faster than the weather, and are hard to predict.
天不会总阴，水不会总浑 tiān bù huì zǒng yīn, shuǐ bù huì zǒng hún

the sky isn't always overcast, the water isn't always muddy

No one stays in hard times forever. Encouraging, like "every cloud has a silver lining".
天不生无用之人，地不长无用之草 tiān bù shēng wú yòng zhī rén, dì bù zhǎng wú yòng zhī cǎo

heaven bears no useless person, earth grows no useless grass

Everyone and everything has some use. Encouraging.
天才在于学习，知识在于积累 tiāncái zàiyú xuéxí, zhīshi zàiyú jīlěi

genius lies in study, knowledge lies in accumulation

One becomes clever only by continuous learning, and knowledge grows only by building up over time.
天地为大，亲师为尊 tiāndì wéi dà, qīnshī wéi zūn

heaven and earth are greatest, parents and teachers are most honoured

An old saying that parents and teachers deserve the highest respect after heaven and earth.
天地之大，无奇不有 tiāndì zhī dà, wú qí bù yǒu

the world is vast, there's nothing strange that doesn't exist

The world is so big that every kind of odd person or event can be found. Said in surprise at something strange.
天高任鸟飞，海阔凭鱼跃 tiān gāo rèn niǎo fēi, hǎi kuò píng yú yuè

the sky is high, let the birds fly; the sea is wide, let the fish leap

There is wide room for people to use whatever talents they have. Encouraging, said of freedom and opportunity.
天荒饿不死手艺人 tiān huāng è bù sǐ shǒuyì rén

even a famine year can't starve a craftsman

A person with a skill won't go hungry even in hard times.
天黄有风，人黄有病 tiān huáng yǒu fēng, rén huáng yǒu bìng

when the sky turns yellow there's wind, when a person turns yellow there's illness

A yellow sky signals wind, and yellowish skin suggests illness. A folk observation.
天机不可泄露 tiānjī bùkě xièlòu

heaven's secret must not be leaked

Originally, heaven's plans must not be revealed to mortals; now, a secret must not be disclosed. Often said half-jokingly to avoid answering.
天冷不冻出力人 tiān lěng bù dòng chūlì rén

however cold the weather, it doesn't freeze those who work hard

Someone working hard with their body doesn't feel the cold.
天冷水寒，饥寒相连 tiān lěng shuǐ hán, jīhán xiānglián

cold weather and cold water, hunger and cold go together

An old saying that when it turns cold, poor people feel hungrier as well as colder.
天晴总有天阴时 tiān qíng zǒng yǒu tiān yīn shí

clear skies are always followed by overcast times

Everyone has bad times now and then. Said to console or warn.
天上鸟儿飞，地下影儿过 tiānshàng niǎor fēi, dìxia yǐngr guò

a bird flies in the sky, its shadow passes on the ground

Whatever you do leaves a trace. The book refers to "麻雀飞过也有影子".
天上无云不下雨，地上无人事不成 tiānshàng wú yún bù xiàyǔ, dìshàng wú rén shì bù chéng

no clouds in the sky, no rain; no people on the ground, nothing gets done

Nothing gets done without people, just as no clouds means no rain. Also, events always have a cause.
天上下雨地下滑，自己跌倒自己爬 tiānshàng xiàyǔ dìxia huá, zìjǐ diēdǎo zìjǐ pá

when it rains the ground is slippery; if you fall, get up by yourself

When you make a mistake, you must correct it yourself.
天上下雨地下流，两口子打架不记仇 tiānshàng xiàyǔ dìxia liú, liǎngkǒuzi dǎjià bù jìchóu

rain falls from the sky and runs along the ground; a married couple's fights leave no grudge

Couples quarrel, but they don't hold grudges and soon make up.
天生人，地养人 tiān shēng rén, dì yǎng rén

Heaven gives birth to people, earth feeds them

People can always find some way to survive. Said to reassure someone worried about making a living.
天塌了有地接着 tiān tā le yǒu dì jiēzhe

If the sky falls, the earth will catch it

However big a problem is, it can be solved. Said to calm someone or to show a carefree attitude.
天塌压大家 tiān tā yā dàjiā

If the sky falls, it crushes everyone

When a great disaster strikes, everyone has to bear it. Often said to comfort someone: you are not alone in this.
天塌有高个儿，水淹有矮子 tiān tā yǒu gāogèr, shuǐ yān yǒu ǎizi

If the sky falls, the tall ones are there; if water floods, the short ones are there

When trouble comes, others will take the blame or bear it. It is said by someone who doesn't want to worry, and it is carefree or evasive in tone.

May offend: mocks disability
天外有天，山外有山 tiānwàiyǒutiān, shānwàiyǒushān

Beyond the sky there is another sky, beyond the mountain another mountain

There is always someone better than you. Said as a warning against pride, or to say that skill has no limit. Close to 'there's always a bigger fish'.
天网恢恢，疏而不漏 tiānwǎnghuīhuī, shū'érbùlòu

Heaven's net is vast; its mesh is wide but nothing slips through

Wrongdoers cannot escape justice in the end. Said with approval when a criminal is caught. Close to 'the long arm of the law'.
天无二日，人无二理 tiān wú èr rì, rén wú èr lǐ

The sky has no two suns, people have no two truths

There is only one standard of right and wrong in the world. Said to insist that reason is the same for everyone.
天无绝人之路 tiān wú jué rén zhī lù

Heaven does not cut off a person's road

A way out will turn up even in a desperate situation. Said to encourage someone not to lose heart. Close to 'where one door closes, another opens'.
天无一月雨，人无一世穷 tiān wú yī yuè yǔ, rén wú yīshì qióng

The sky has no month of rain, a person has no lifetime of poverty

Hard times don't last forever. Poor people will work to change their lot. Said as encouragement.
天下乌鸦一般黑 tiānxià wūyā yībān hēi

Crows everywhere under heaven are equally black

Bad people are the same everywhere. Said critically, often of corrupt officials or exploiters.
天下无难事，只怕有心人 tiānxià wú nán shì, zhǐ pà yǒuxīnrén

Nothing under heaven is hard, one only fears the determined person

With resolve and perseverance, nothing is impossible. Said to encourage. Close to 'where there's a will, there's a way'.
天下兴亡，匹夫有责 tiānxiàxīngwáng, pǐfūyǒuzé

The rise and fall of the realm: even the common man has a duty

Everyone, however ordinary, is responsible for the fate of the country. Used in patriotic appeals.
天要下雨，娘要嫁人 tiānyàoxiàyǔ, niángyàojiàrén

When the sky wants to rain and a widowed mother wants to remarry

Some things are bound to happen and nobody can stop them. Said with resignation.

May offend: sexist or sexual
天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福 tiānyǒubùcèfēngyún, rényǒudànxīhuòfú

The sky has unpredictable winds and clouds, people have misfortune or fortune overnight

Disaster can strike anyone suddenly and without warning. Said after an accident or as a reason to be prepared.
天有时刻阴晴，人有三回六转 tiān yǒu shí kè yīnqíng, rén yǒu sān huí liù zhuǎn

the sky is cloudy or clear from moment to moment; a person turns three times and twists six ways

People's thoughts and feelings keep changing, like the weather. Said to excuse or explain someone's changeable mood.
添一个蛤蟆四两力 tiān yī gè háma sì liǎng lì

Add one toad, gain four taels of strength

Every extra person adds some strength. Often said modestly when offering help: 'I'll lend a hand, for what it's worth'.
甜从苦中来，福从祸中生 tián cóng kǔ zhōng lái, fú cóng huò zhōng shēng

Sweetness comes out of bitterness, fortune is born out of misfortune

Hardship leads to happiness, and bad turns into good. Said to encourage someone going through a hard time.
甜馒头冷吃也甜，知心人恼了也好 tián mántou lěng chī yě tián, zhīxīn rén nǎole yě hǎo

A sweet steamed bun is sweet even eaten cold; a close friend is still good even when angry

Between true friends, a quarrel does not harm the feeling between them. Said to comfort or to reconcile.
甜言美语三冬暖，恶语伤人六月寒 tiányán měiyǔ sāndōng nuǎn, èyǔshāngrén liùyuè hán

Sweet words warm the three winter months, cruel words chill the sixth month

Kind words comfort people and harsh words hurt them even in summer. Said to urge people to speak politely. Close to 'words can hurt'.
调皮的骡子能拉套 tiáopí de luózi néng lātào

A naughty mule can pull in the traces

Mischievous young people, if handled well, can often do a great deal. Said to defend or encourage a troublesome youngster.
跳蚤顶不起被窝儿 tiàozao dǐng bù qǐ bèiwōr

A flea cannot hold up the quilt

A weak, incapable person cannot accomplish anything big. Contemptuous.
铁打的营盘流水的兵 tiě dǎ de yíngpán liúshuǐ de bīng

The camp is forged of iron, the soldiers flow like water

The institution stays while its people keep changing. Used of any organisation with a steady turnover.
铁打房梁磨绣针 tiě dǎ fángliáng mó xiùzhēn

Grind an iron roof beam into an embroidery needle

With enough effort, even a very hard task can be done. Said as encouragement. Close to 'perseverance wins'.
铁生锈则坏，人生妒则败 tiě shēng xiù zé huài, rén shēng dù zé bài

Iron that rusts goes bad, a person who grows jealous fails

Envy of the able leads you to harm others and finally ruins yourself. A warning.
听传言，失江山 tīng chuányán, shī jiāngshān

listen to rumours, lose the empire

Believing rumours that aren't true can lead to serious losses. A warning to check facts first.
听话听音，锣鼓听声 tīnghuàtīngyīn, luógǔtīngshēng

when listening to words, listen for the tone; when listening to gongs and drums, listen for the sound

Pay attention to what a person really means, not just the words, as you listen to the rhythm of music. Similar to English 'read between the lines'.
听君一席话，胜读十年书 tīng jūn yīxíhuà, shèng dú shí nián shū

hearing one talk from you beats ten years of reading

A compliment said to someone whose conversation taught you a great deal. Approving, often a bit playful.

Every kind of Chinese saying