Chinese proverbs (谚语)

听人劝，吃饱饭 tīng rén quàn, chī bǎo fàn

heed advice, get a full meal

If you listen humbly to others' advice, you will benefit and do well.
听说十遍，不如亲眼一见 tīng shuō shí biàn, bùrú qīnyǎn yī jiàn

hearing it ten times is not as good as seeing it once with your own eyes

No amount of hearsay is as reliable as seeing for yourself. Close to English 'seeing is believing'.
庭院里跑不开千里马，花盆里育不出千年松 tíngyuàn li pǎo bù kāi qiānlǐmǎ, huāpén li yù bù chū qiān nián sōng

a courtyard has no room for a thousand-mile horse to run, and a flowerpot cannot raise a thousand-year pine

In a mediocre, cramped environment, outstanding talent cannot develop.
同行不同运，同伞不同柄 tóngháng bù tóng yùn, tóng sǎn bù tóng bǐng

travelling together, not the same luck; the same umbrella, not the same handle

People's fortunes differ even when they set out together or share a situation.
同行是冤家 tóngháng shì yuānjia

people in the same trade are enemies

Rivals in the same line of work tend to resent each other because of competition. Said cynically; the book calls it old-fashioned.
同行无疏伴 tóngxíng wú shū bàn

no distant companions among those who travel together

People who journey together become close.
铜驴铁骡，纸糊的马 tóng lǘ tiě luó, zhǐ hú de mǎ

copper donkey, iron mule, a horse made of pasted paper

Donkeys rarely get sick and are easier to keep than mules, and mules are easier than horses. A farmers' saying about livestock.
偷鸡摸狗，自己出丑 tōujīmōgǒu, zìjǐ chūchǒu

stealing chickens and filching dogs, you disgrace yourself

Those who do shady things on the sly end up humiliated. A warning.
偷来的牛头藏不住 tōulái de niútóu cáng bù zhù

a stolen ox's head can't be hidden

Things obtained dishonestly will sooner or later come to light.
偷来的拳头打不倒师傅 tōu lái de quántou dǎ bù dǎo shīfu

a stolen fist can't knock down the master

Skills learned improperly, without a proper teacher, are limited and can't match the real thing.
偷一就有十 tōu yī jiù yǒu shí

steal one and there will be ten

Someone who steals once will likely steal again and again. Critical.
头发不剪，总要长的 tóufa bù jiǎn, zǒng yào zhǎng de

if you don't cut the hair, it will keep growing

A problem left unsolved will keep growing.
头忙脚忙，一忙百忙 tóu máng jiǎo máng, yī máng bǎi máng

head busy, feet busy; one busy, a hundred busy

When the leader gets busy, everyone else must get busy too.
头三脚难踢 tóu sān jiǎo nán tī

the first three kicks are hard to kick

The start of anything is difficult. Close to English 'the first step is the hardest'.
头雁引路群雁随 tóuyàn yǐnlù qún yàn suí

the lead goose shows the way and the flock follows

When leaders set an example, others follow. Approving; stresses leading by example.
投亲不如住店 tóuqīn bùrú zhù diàn

staying with relatives is not as good as staying at an inn

You have more freedom in a hotel than in a relative's home.
投之以桃，报之以李 tóuzhīyǐtáo, bàozhīyǐlǐ

give me a peach and I repay with a plum

Return kindness with kindness; a gift deserves a gift. Approving, from the ancient Book of Songs.
秃子爱戴帽 tūzi ài dài mào

bald men love to wear hats

People like to cover up their flaws. Mildly teasing.

May offend: mocks disability
土帮土成墙，人帮人成王 tǔ bāng tǔ chéng qiáng, rén bāng rén chéng wáng

earth helping earth makes a wall; people helping people become kings

To achieve great things you need to help one another. Approving.
土地是庄稼人的命根子 tǔdì shì zhuāngjiarén de mìnggēnzi

the land is the farmer's lifeline

Farmers cannot survive without land. A plain statement of fact.
兔死狐悲，物伤其类 tùsǐhúbēi, wùshāngqílèi

when the rabbit dies the fox grieves; creatures mourn their own kind

Sorrow at the misfortune of one's own kind. Usually used of bad people sympathising with each other, so mildly critical.
兔子不吃窝边草 tùzi bù chī wō biān cǎo

the rabbit doesn't eat the grass beside its burrow

Even bad people avoid harming their close neighbours. Also used to say you shouldn't prey on those near you.
兔子急了咬三口 tùzi jíle yǎo sān kǒu

a cornered rabbit bites three times

Even the weak will fight back when driven into a corner. Close to 'even a worm will turn'.
腿长不怕路远 tuǐ cháng bù pà lù yuǎn

with long legs one doesn't fear a long road

If you are capable, difficulties don't scare you.
退一步风平浪静，让一分海阔天空 tuì yī bù fēngpínglàngjìng, ràng yī fēn hǎikuòtiānkōng

step back and the wind and waves calm; yield a bit and sea and sky open wide

Giving way calms a dispute and widens your outlook. Advice to be tolerant.
托人如托山 tuō rén rú tuō shān

entrusting someone is like entrusting a mountain

Asking someone to do something for you is a weighty matter and must be treated seriously.
瓦罐不离井上破，将军难免阵前亡 wǎguàn bù lí jǐng shang pò, jiāngjūn nánmiǎn zhèn qián wáng

a clay pot is bound to break at the well; a general can't avoid dying at the front

Anyone in a risky trade will meet its dangers sooner or later. Close to 'he who lives by the sword dies by the sword'.
歪嘴葫芦拐把瓢，品种不好莫怪苗 wāizuǐ húlu guǎibà piáo, pǐnzhǒng bù hǎo mò guài miáo

a crooked-mouthed gourd makes a bent-handled ladle: if the strain is poor, don't blame the seedling

Poor seed gives poor crops; likewise, poor basic quality limits how something develops.
外行看热闹，内行看门道 wàiháng kàn rènao, nèiháng kàn méndao

outsiders watch the excitement, insiders watch the technique

Laymen see only the surface, while experts see the real skill and principles. Approving of expertise.
外明不知里暗 wài míng bù zhī lǐ àn

outside bright, you don't know inside dark

Outsiders see only a respectable front and don't know how bad things are inside. Said of a family, firm or group that looks fine but is troubled.
外乡酒不如家乡水 wàixiāng jiǔ bùrú jiāxiāng shuǐ

wine from another place is no match for water from home

However good other places are, none compares with one's hometown. Said with homesick affection.
外贼易打，内贼难防 wài zéi yì dǎ, nèi zéi nán fáng

outside thieves are easy to fight, inside thieves are hard to guard against

Enemies in the open are easy to deal with, but traitors or wrongdoers within your own ranks are hard to guard against. A warning to be wary of insiders.
弯尺画不出直线 wān chǐ huà bù chū zhíxiàn

a bent ruler can't draw a straight line

A person with crooked character cannot do right. Critical of dishonest people.
弯过了头要折，拉过了头要断 wān guòle tóu yào shé, lā guòle tóu yào duàn

bend it too far and it snaps; pull it too far and it breaks

Anything pushed past its limit turns into its opposite and fails. Advises moderation. Compare "the straw that broke the camel's back".
弯木要过墨，横人要过理 wān mù yào guò mò, hèngrén yào guò lǐ

bent timber must be run along the ink line; unreasonable people must be run through reason

Just as carpenters straighten crooked wood with an ink line, you should use reasoning on a bullying, unreasonable person.
弯弯扁担压不断 wānwān biǎndan yā bùduàn

a curved carrying pole can't be pressed to breaking

A person who can be both soft and firm and adapt to circumstances will never be beaten. Approving of flexibility. Compare "bend like the reed, not break like the oak".
弯着腰干活，直着腰走路 wānzhe yāo gànhuó, zhízhe yāo zǒulù

bend your back to work, walk with your back straight

Don't shrink from hard work, and carry yourself honestly, never bowing to evil. Approving, moral advice.
玩火者必自焚 wánhuǒzhě bì zìfén

those who play with fire will surely burn themselves

Anyone who does evil or takes dangerous risks will suffer the consequences. A warning. Compare "he who plays with fire gets burned".
玩懒骨头吃馋嘴 wánlǎn gǔtou chīchán zuǐ

play and the bones go lazy; eat and the mouth goes greedy

Too much play makes a person lazy, and indulging in food makes one greedy. Warns against bad habits that grow with indulgence.
玩人丧德，玩物丧志 wánrénsàngdé, wánwùsàngzhì

toying with people loses virtue; toying with things loses ambition

Manipulating others ruins your character, and being absorbed in trivial pleasures wears down your drive. A moral warning.
顽症还需猛药医 wánzhèng hái xū měng yào yī

a stubborn illness still needs strong medicine to cure

Stubborn diseases need strong drugs; by extension, deep-rooted problems or stubborn wrongdoers need harsh measures. Compare "desperate times call for desperate measures".
挽弓当挽强 wǎn gōng dāng wǎn qiáng

if you draw a bow, draw a strong one

If you compete, pick a strong opponent so you improve. Approving of aiming high.
晚开的花照样香 wǎn kāi de huā zhàoyàng xiāng

late-blooming flowers smell just as sweet

Those who start late can still do well. Encouraging; compare "better late than never".
碗里不见青，肠胃倒钩心 wǎn lǐ bù jiàn qīng, chángwèi dào gōuxīn

no green in the bowl, and the gut hooks and tugs at the heart

Without green vegetables in your diet you will feel unwell; eat a balanced diet.
万般皆下品，唯有读书高 wànbānjiēxiàpǐn, wéiyǒudúshūgāo

all trades are low-grade; only book study is lofty

The old view that scholarship is superior to every other occupation. Now often quoted critically as an outdated, elitist attitude.

May offend: mocks a group of people
万般事仗少年为 wànbān shì zhàng shàonián wéi

all kinds of things depend on the young to do

Many tasks rely on young people to get done; encourages the young to take responsibility.
万恶淫为首，百善孝为先 wàn'è yín wéi shǒu, bǎi shàn xiào wéi xiān

of ten thousand evils lewdness is first; of a hundred virtues filial piety comes first

An old moral saying ranking sexual immorality as the worst vice and respect for parents as the greatest virtue.
万里风沙源头治 wàn lǐ fēngshā yuántóu zhì

for wind and sand over ten thousand miles, treat the source

To control sandstorms, act at their source. Used for fixing any problem at its root.
万两黄金未为贵，一家安乐值钱多 wàn liǎng huángjīn wèi wéi guì, yī jiā ānlè zhí qián duō

ten thousand taels of gold isn't precious; a family's peace and joy is worth more

A happy, peaceful family is worth more than great wealth. Approving, traditional.
万事从一开始 wànshì cóng yī kāishǐ

all things begin from one

Everything has a starting point, so just begin. Encouraging.
万事和为贵 wànshì hé wéi guì

in all things, harmony is what's precious

Getting along peacefully matters most; be conciliatory and avoid conflict. Often said when urging people to settle a quarrel.
万事皆从急中错 wànshì jiē cóng jí zhōng cuò

all mistakes come from being in a hurry

Rushing and panicking leads to errors. Compare "haste makes waste".
万事开头难 wànshì kāitóu nán

in all things, the beginning is hard

The start is the hardest part of anything. Said to console or encourage. Compare "the first step is the hardest".
万言万中，不如一默 wàn yán wàn zhòng, bùrú yī mò

ten thousand words, ten thousand hits, are not as good as one silence

Even if everything you say is right, silence is better; speak carefully because the more you talk the more likely you slip. Compare "silence is golden".
万丈高楼平地起 wànzhàng gāo lóu píngdì qǐ

a skyscraper rises from level ground

Every great undertaking must start with a solid foundation. Compare "Rome wasn't built in a day".
亡羊补牢未为晚 wángyángbǔláo wèi wéi wǎn

mending the pen after losing a sheep is not yet too late

It's not too late to fix a problem once it happens, to prevent further loss. Compare "better late than never".
王子犯法，与民同罪 wángzǐ fànfǎ, yǔ mín tóng zuì

if a prince breaks the law, he is guilty like the common people

No one is above the law, however high their rank. Approving; now meaning equality before the law.
网开一面，路留一条 wǎngkāiyīmiàn, lù liú yī tiáo

open one side of the net, leave one road

Be lenient and leave someone a way out, especially if they can be reformed. Approving of mercy.
望山跑死马 wàng shān pǎosǐ mǎ

looking at the mountain, you run your horse to death

Said when something looks close but is actually much farther than it seems. Similar in spirit to 'it's further than it looks'.
危难时刻见人心，生死关头辨忠奸 wēinàn shíkè jiàn rénxīn, shēngsǐ guāntóu biàn zhōngjiān

in times of danger you see people's hearts; at the brink of life and death you tell the loyal from the treacherous

Crises reveal who is truly good and loyal and who is false. Approving; close to 'a friend in need is a friend indeed'.
危难之中，见智见情 wēinàn zhīzhōng, jiàn zhì jiàn qíng

in the midst of danger, you see wisdom and you see feeling

Danger shows a person's intelligence and true character and loyalty.
为官是一时，为人是一世 wéiguān shì yīshí, wéirén shì yīshì

being an official is for a time; being a person is for a lifetime

Holding office is temporary, but your conduct as a person lasts your whole life, so behave decently and don't abuse power. Admonishing.
为老不正，带坏子孙 wéi lǎo bù zhèng, dàihuài zǐsūn

if the old are not upright, they lead their descendants astray

If elders behave badly, the younger generations will copy them. Critical warning to older people to set a good example.
为人处世两件宝，和为贵来忍为高 wéirén chǔshì liǎng jiàn bǎo, hé wéi guì lái rěn wéi gāo

two treasures for dealing with people: harmony is most precious, patience is highest

Old advice that getting along peacefully and being forbearing are the keys to handling social life.
为人容易做人难 wéi rén róngyì zuòrén nán

being a human is easy; being a proper person is hard

Merely living is easy, but living as a truly decent, useful person is hard. Reflective.
为人一条路，惹人一堵墙 wéirén yī tiáo lù, rě rén yī dǔ qiáng

helping people makes a road; offending people makes a wall

If you are kind and helpful, people will help you in trouble; if you offend people, you will find yourself blocked. Similar to 'what goes around comes around'.
为人重晚节 wéirén zhòng wǎnjié

in life, value your late-years integrity

One should keep one's honour and principles in old age, not spoil a good record at the end.
为善最乐，作恶难逃 wéi shàn zuì lè, zuò'è nán táo

doing good brings the most joy; doing evil is hard to escape

Doing good makes you happy, while wrongdoers will not escape punishment. Moralising.
伟大出于平凡 wěidà chūyú píngfán

greatness comes out of the ordinary

Great achievements are built from countless small, ordinary efforts. Approving, encouraging.
为别人掘陷阱，掉下去的是自己 wèi biéren jué xiànjǐng, diào xiàqù de shì zìjǐ

dig a pit for others, and it is yourself who falls in

Those who plot to harm others end up harming themselves. Like 'you'll fall into your own trap' or 'curses come home to roost'.
未穷先穷不穷，未富先富不富 wèi qióng xiān qióng bù qióng, wèi fù xiān fù bù fù

plan as poor before you are poor and you won't be poor; live as rich before you are rich and you won't be rich

Budget thriftily before hardship comes and you'll avoid poverty; spend lavishly before you're wealthy and you'll never be rich.
文火煨牛筋 wénhuǒ wēi niújīn

stewing beef tendon over a gentle fire

Tough things need slow, patient handling; one should persuade an unreasonable person gradually.
文能克武，柔能克刚 wén néng kè wǔ, róu néng kè gāng

the civil can overcome the martial; the soft can overcome the hard

Cleverness can beat brute force, and gentleness can overcome toughness. Approving; compare 'the pen is mightier than the sword'.
文章不妨千次磨 wénzhāng bùfáng qiān cì mó

an essay may well be polished a thousand times

Good writing comes from repeated revision and polishing.
文字看三遍，疵点便百见 wénzì kàn sān biàn, cīdiǎn biàn bǎi xiàn

read the text three times and a hundred flaws appear

Rereading a piece of writing several times reveals its mistakes; encourages careful proofreading.
闻名不如见面 wénmíng bùrú jiànmiàn

hearing the name is not as good as meeting face to face

Reputation is no substitute for seeing someone in person; often said politely when meeting a famous person. Like 'seeing is believing'.
蚊虫遭扇打，只为嘴伤人 wénchóng zāo shàn dǎ, zhǐ wèi zuǐ shāng rén

the mosquito gets swatted by the fan only because its mouth hurts people

People who say hurtful things invite retaliation. Warns against cutting words.
问百人，通百事 wènbǎi rén, tōng bǎi shì

ask a hundred people and you will understand a hundred things

The more people you consult, the more you learn. Encourages asking for advice.
问路不施礼，多走二十里 wènlù bù shīlǐ, duō zǒu èrshí lǐ

ask the way without courtesy, and walk twenty extra li

Be polite when asking for help, or you may get poor directions and waste effort.
我为人人，人人为我 wǒ wèi rénrén, rénrén wèi wǒ

I am for everyone, everyone is for me

A motto of mutual help: if you benefit others, they will benefit you. Approving; like 'one for all, all for one'.
卧榻之旁，岂容他人鼾睡 wòtà zhī páng, qǐ róng tārén hānshuì

beside my bed, how can I allow another to snore?

I cannot tolerate a rival power within my own sphere of influence. Often used about territory or power.
乌龟不笑鳖，都在泥里歇 wūguī bù xiào biē, dōu zài ní li xiē

the tortoise doesn't laugh at the turtle; both rest in the mud

People in similar bad circumstances shouldn't mock each other. Similar to 'the pot calling the kettle black'.
乌龟有肉在肚里头 wūguī yǒu ròu zài dù lǐtou

the tortoise keeps its flesh inside

Describes a sly person who hides their true thoughts and plans.
乌鸦擦粉照样黑 wūyā cā fěn zhàoyàng hēi

a crow powdered is still black

A bad person's true nature cannot be hidden by disguises. Critical.
乌鸦彩凤不同栖 wūyā cǎifèng bù tóng qī

crows and colourful phoenixes do not roost together

Good people do not mix with bad ones.
乌有反哺之义，羊有跪乳之恩 wū yǒu fǎnbǔ zhī yì, yáng yǒu guì rǔ zhī ēn

crows have the duty of feeding back; lambs have the grace of kneeling to suckle

Even animals show gratitude to parents, so people should honour theirs.
乌云遮不住太阳 wūyún zhē bù zhù tàiyáng

dark clouds cannot hide the sun

Darkness cannot block the light; falsehood cannot permanently hide truth. Optimistic.
屋宽不如心宽 wū kuān bùrú xīnkuān

a wide house is not as good as a wide heart

A roomy home matters less than a broad, relaxed mind. Said to console someone or to advise not worrying over small things.
屋漏在上，知之在下 wū lòu zài shàng, zhī zhī zài xià

the roof leaks above, those below know it

Those at the bottom know best when those in charge go wrong, just as people under a leaking roof feel the rain first. Used of officials' mistakes that ordinary people see clearly.
无本难求利 wú běn nán qiú lì

without capital it is hard to seek profit

You can't gain anything without putting something in first. Close to "nothing ventured, nothing gained."
无病赛过活神仙 wú bìng sàiguò huó shénxiān

being free of illness beats being a living immortal

Good health is the greatest happiness, better than any luxury. Said when valuing health.
无才有志，成全半事；有才无志，白头了事；有才有志，做得大事 wú cái yǒu zhì, chéngquán bàn shì; yǒu cái wú zhì, báitóu liǎoshì; yǒu cái yǒu zhì, zuò de dàshì

no talent but ambition, half the job is done; talent but no ambition, you end with white hair and nothing; talent and ambition, you can do great things

Ambition and ability both matter. Ambition alone gets you halfway, talent without drive achieves nothing, and having both lets you accomplish great things. Used to encourage the young.
无风不起浪 wú fēng bù qǐ làng

without wind there are no waves

Things don't happen without a reason. Often said of rumours, meaning there must be some truth behind them. Close to "there's no smoke without fire."
无功受禄，寝食不安 wúgōngshòulù, qǐnshíbù'ān

receiving pay without merit, you can neither sleep nor eat in peace

If you get rewards or favours you haven't earned, your conscience troubles you. Used to decline undeserved gifts or to advise against accepting them.
无故殷勤，必有一想 wúgù yīnqín, bì yǒu yī xiǎng

unprovoked attentiveness surely means there is something wanted

When someone is unusually helpful for no obvious reason, they want something. A warning, somewhat suspicious in tone.
无官一身轻 wú guān yīshēn qīng

without office, the body is light

Without an official post you have no burdens and feel free. Said of someone who has left a job or retired and feels relieved.
无火难成炊 wú huǒ nán chéng chuī

without fire it is hard to cook a meal

Nothing can be done without the necessary conditions. Close to "you can't make bricks without straw."
无祸便是福 wú huò biàn shì fú

no disaster is itself good fortune

Being safe and free of trouble is blessing enough. Said to comfort people or to encourage contentment.
无酒不成席 wú jiǔ bù chéng xí

without wine there is no banquet

A proper feast needs alcohol. Said at dinners to urge people to drink or to explain why wine is served.
无林无木，山区不富 wú lín wú mù, shānqū bù fù

no forest, no trees, the mountain area does not get rich

Mountain regions can only prosper by planting and protecting forests. Used in forestry and rural development slogans.

Every kind of Chinese saying