Chinese proverbs (谚语)

称一称知轻重，量一量知短长 chēng yī chēng zhī qīngzhòng, liáng yī liáng zhī duǎncháng

Weigh it and you know heavy from light; measure it and you know short from long

You only learn the real situation by testing it yourself. Similar to 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating'.
撑死胆大的，饿死胆小的 chēng sǐ dǎn dà de, èsǐ dǎn xiǎo de

The bold eat till they burst; the timid starve

Traditionally said of risky or shady ventures: the daring tend to profit and the timid miss out. It is cynical and sometimes used to justify taking risks.
成大事者不拘小节 chéngdàshìzhě bùjūxiǎojié

Those who accomplish great things don't fuss over small details

People who achieve big goals don't get hung up on trivial matters. It is often said to excuse carelessness about small things.
成大事者，不惜小费 chéngdàshìzhě, bùxī xiǎo fèi

Those who accomplish great things don't begrudge small expenses

Someone doing something big doesn't mind small costs along the way.
成功无难事，只怕心不专 chénggōng wú nánshì, zhǐ pà xīn bù zhuān

Success has no hard tasks; the only fear is a mind not focused

With full concentration any difficulty can be overcome. It is encouraging and used to urge students to focus.
成家犹如针挑土，败家好似水推沙 chéngjiā yóurú zhēn tiāo tǔ, bàijiā hǎosì shuǐ tuī shā

Building a family fortune is like lifting soil with a needle; ruining it is like water washing away sand

Building up a household's wealth is slow and hard, but squandering it is quick and easy. Compare 'easy come, easy go' for the ruin half.
成家子，粪如宝；败家子，钱如草 chéngjiāzi, fèn rú bǎo;bàijiāzi, qián rú cǎo

The son who builds a home treasures manure; the son who ruins it treats money like grass

Thrifty people value even humble things, while spendthrifts waste money. It praises frugality and criticises extravagance.
成立之难如登天，覆败之易如燎毛 chénglì zhī nán rú dēngtiān, fùbài zhī yì rú liǎo máo

Establishing is as hard as climbing to heaven; collapse is as easy as singeing hair

Building up a business or household is very hard, while destroying it is very easy.
成人不自在，自在不成人 chéng rén bù zìzai, zìzai bù chéng rén

Those who become somebody aren't at ease; those at ease don't become somebody

To become accomplished you must give up comfort. It is a warning against seeking an easy life.
成人容易做人难 chéng rén róng yì zuòrén nán

Growing up is easy; being a decent person is hard

Becoming an adult happens naturally, but behaving with integrity and social responsibility is hard.
成事在天，谋事在人 chéngshì zài tiān, móushì zài rén

Success depends on heaven; planning depends on people

You must do your best planning and effort, but the outcome is partly down to fate. Similar to 'man proposes, God disposes'.
成熟的瓜要落蒂，长高的树要分丫 chéngshú de guā yào luò dì, zhǎnggāo de shù yào fēn yā

A ripe melon falls from its stem; a tall tree splits into branches

Grown children must leave their parents to start their own families and lives.
成则为王，败则为寇 chéngzé wéiwáng, bàizéwéikòu

Succeed and you are king; fail and you are a bandit

The winner is called a hero and the loser a villain; success decides how history judges you. It is a cynical observation, and a version of 'history is written by the victors'.
诚可惊神，孝能感天 chéng kě jīng shén, xiào néng gǎn tiān

Sincerity can startle the gods; filial piety can move heaven

Great sincerity and devotion to parents can touch people's hearts and change their attitude.
诚无垢，思无辱 chéng wú gòu, sī wú rǔ

Sincerity has no stain; careful thought brings no disgrace

Deal honestly with people and think things through, and you will avoid mistakes and shame.
诚心能叫石头落泪，实意能叫枯木发芽 chéngxīn néng jiào shítou luòlèi, shíyì néng jiào kūmù fāyá

A sincere heart can make stones weep; genuine intent can make dead wood sprout

Real sincerity can bring about seemingly impossible results. Similar to 'where there's a will there's a way'.
诚招天下客，誉从信中来 chéng zhāo tiānxià kè, yù cóng xìn zhōng lái

Sincerity draws customers from everywhere; reputation comes from trustworthiness

Honesty attracts business, and a good name is built on keeping your word. It is a business maxim.
城吃镇，镇吃乡，乡人吃到老荒庄 chéng chī zhèn, zhèn chī xiāng, xiāng rén chīdào lǎo huāng zhuāng

the city feeds off the town, the town off the countryside, and country folk end up feeding off the barren village

In a small-farm society each level lives off the one below it, and the villagers at the bottom have the hardest lives. It describes a social order rather than mocking anyone.
秤不离砣，公不离婆 chèng bù lí tuó, gōng bù lí pó

The steelyard isn't parted from its weight, nor the husband from his wife

A husband and wife, like a scale and its weight, go together. It is an affectionate remark about close couples.
秤锤虽小压千斤 chèngchuí suī xiǎo yā qiānjīn

Though the weight is small, it balances a thousand jin

A small or weak person can play a big part if put to good use. Similar to 'small things can have a big impact'.
吃不穷，穿不穷，打算不到就受穷 chī bù qióng, chuān bù qióng, dǎsuan bù dào jiù shòuqióng

eating won't make you poor, wearing won't make you poor; without planning you'll end up poor

Advises careful budgeting: it's poor planning, not ordinary spending, that brings poverty. Said as sensible, mildly admonishing advice.
吃菜要吃心儿，听话要听音儿 chī cài yào chī xīnr, tīng huà yào tīng yīnr

when eating greens, eat the heart; when listening, listen for the tone

Listen for the real meaning behind what people say, not just the words. Approving advice about reading implications.
吃得苦中苦，方为人上人 chī de kǔ zhōng kǔ, fāng wéi rén shàng rén

only by eating the bitterest of bitter can you become a person above others

Only those who endure great hardship rise above the rest. Encouraging, though it can sound elitist. Close to "No pain, no gain."
吃得筵席打得柴 chī de yánxí dǎ de chái

can eat at a banquet and can chop firewood

Describes someone who adapts to both comfortable and rough circumstances. Approving.
吃多无滋味，话多不值钱 chī duō wú zīwèi, huà duō bù zhíqián

eat too much and food has no taste; talk too much and words are worth nothing

Too much talking makes words dull and worthless, as overeating dulls taste. Advises saying less.
吃饭不忘种谷人，饮水不忘掘井人 chīfàn bù wàng zhòng gǔ rén, yǐnshuǐ bù wàng jué jǐng rén

when eating, don't forget who grew the grain; when drinking, don't forget who dug the well

Remember and be grateful to those who made your good life possible. Approving, moralising. Close to "Don't bite the hand that feeds you" in spirit.
吃饭不在乎一口，打人不在乎一扭 chīfàn bùzàihu yī kǒu, dǎ rén bùzàihu yī niǔ

in eating, one mouthful doesn't matter; in fighting, one twist doesn't matter

Don't fuss over trivial matters or small slights. Said to calm someone down.
吃饭穿衣量家当 chīfàn chuān yī liàng jiādang

for food and clothing, measure your family property

Live within your means; do things according to your ability. Prudent advice.
吃饭防噎，走路防跌 chīfàn fáng yē, zǒulù fáng diē

guard against choking when eating, against falling when walking

Be careful in everything you do to avoid mishaps. Cautionary advice.
吃酒不吃菜，必定醉得快 chī jiǔ bù chī cài, bìdìng zuì de kuài

drink wine without eating food and you'll surely get drunk fast

A literal health tip: drinking on an empty stomach makes you drunk quickly.
吃苦菜，莫吃根；交朋友，莫忘恩 chī kǔcài, mò chī gēn;jiāo péngyou, mò wàng ēn

when eating bitter greens, don't eat the root; when making friends, don't forget kindness

Don't be ungrateful to friends who helped you. Moral advice about loyalty.
吃亏长见识 chīkuī zhǎng jiànshi

suffering a loss grows your knowledge

You learn from being taken advantage of or making mistakes. Often a consolation. Like "Live and learn."
吃了不疼糟踏疼 chīle bù téng zāota téng

food eaten doesn't hurt, food wasted does

Eating food is no loss, but wasting it pains you. Said to discourage waste.
吃了河豚，百样无味 chīle hétún, bǎi yàng wúwèi

once you've eaten pufferfish, everything else tastes of nothing

After a truly wonderful experience, ordinary things seem dull. Neutral to humorous.
吃了人家的嘴软，拿了人家的手短 chīle rénjia de zuǐruǎn, nále rénjia de shǒuduǎn

having eaten others' food your mouth is soft; having taken others' things your hand is short

If you accept favours or gifts, you find it hard to refuse or criticise the giver. Cautionary, somewhat cynical. Similar to "Beggars can't be choosers" in part; closer to being beholden.
吃明不吃暗 chī míng bù chī àn

take a loss in the open, not in the dark

One would rather suffer an openly acknowledged loss than be cheated secretly. Said by someone who wants things handled straightforwardly.
吃哪行饭，说哪行话 chī nǎ háng fàn, shuō nǎ háng huà

whatever trade's rice you eat, speak that trade's talk

People talk about their own line of work; professionals use their trade's jargon. Neutral observation.
吃拳须记打拳时 chī quán xū jì dǎquán shí

when you take a punch, remember when you threw punches

If you are hit, remember you hit others before; you get what you gave. Moralising, warns of retribution.
吃人的狮子不露齿 chī rén de shīzi bù lòu chǐ

a man-eating lion doesn't bare its teeth

The truly dangerous don't show their threat openly. Warns to beware of quiet, hidden menace. Compare "Still waters run deep."
吃人家的饭，看人家的脸；端人家的碗，受人家的管 chī rénjia de fàn, kàn rénjia de liǎn;duān rénjia de wǎn, shòu rénjia de guǎn

eat others' rice, watch their faces; hold others' bowls, be under their control

If you depend on someone for a living, you must bow to their wishes. Resigned or critical.
吃烧饼还要赔唾沫 chī shāobing hái yào péi tuòmo

even eating a sesame flatbread costs you some spit

Any benefit costs something; you pay a small price for what you get. Humorous. Compare "There's no free lunch."
吃水不忘打井人 chīshuǐ bù wàng dǎ jǐng rén

when drinking water, don't forget the well-digger

Be grateful to those who made your wellbeing possible. Short form of 吃饭不忘种谷人，饮水不忘掘井人.
吃药不如自调理 chī yào bùrú zì tiáolǐ

taking medicine is not as good as looking after yourself

Caring for yourself matters more than drugs, which have side effects. Health advice.
吃一番苦，学一回乖 chī yī fān kǔ, xué yī huí guāi

suffer one hardship, learn one lesson in wisdom

Hardship teaches you to be more careful and shrewd. Similar to "Once bitten, twice shy."
吃一分亏无量福，失便宜处是便宜 chī yī fēn kuī wúliàng fú, shī piányi chù shì piányi

taking a small loss brings boundless blessings; where you lose an advantage is where you gain one

Yielding a little in dealings with others pays off later. Advises humility and give-and-take.
吃一行怨一行 chī yī háng, yuàn yī háng

eat in one trade, resent that trade

People tire of and complain about whatever job they have done for a long time. Mildly critical or wry.
吃一堑，长一智 chīyīqiàn, zhǎngyīzhì

fall into one trench, grow one measure of wisdom

Each setback teaches something. Encouraging, said after failure. Like "Learn from your mistakes."
吃在脸上，穿在身上 chī zài liǎn shang, chuān zài shēn shang

what you eat shows on your face, what you wear is on your body

A person's living standard can be seen from their looks and clothes. Neutral observation.
痴汉不让人，让人不是痴汉 chīhàn bù ràng rén, ràng rén bù shì chīhàn

a fool does not yield to others; one who yields is no fool

Giving way when appropriate is the mark of a wise person. Advice to be accommodating.
痴心女子负心汉 chīxīn nǚzǐ fù xīn hàn

devoted woman, faithless man

Describes the old pattern in which women love deeply and men betray them. Said with sympathy or bitterness.
池里的鱼虾不知道大海大，笼里的鸡鸭不知道天空宽 chí lǐ de yú xiā bù zhīdào dàhǎi dà, lóng lǐ de jī yā bùzhīdào tiānkōng kuān

fish and shrimp in a pond don't know how big the sea is; chickens and ducks in a coop don't know how wide the sky is

People who live in a narrow setting have narrow horizons and little knowledge. Compare "a frog in a well".
迟饭是好饭 chí fàn shì hǎo fàn

late rice is good rice

When a meal comes late, hunger makes it taste especially good. Said to console or joke.
赤金难买赤子心 chìjīn nán mǎi chìzǐ xīn

even pure gold can hardly buy a child's pure heart

A sincere, pure heart is more precious than gold. Approving.
虫蛀木断,水滴石穿 chóngzhùmùduàn, shuǐdīshíchuān

worms eat through wood until it breaks; dripping water wears through stone

Steady persistence brings remarkable results. Approving. Compare "constant dripping wears away the stone".
宠你捧你是害你,打你骂你是爱你 chǒng nǐ pěng nǐ shì hài nǐ, dǎ nǐ mà nǐ shì ài nǐ

spoiling and flattering you harms you; hitting and scolding you shows love

Excessive indulgence and flattery ruin a person, while strict discipline is a form of care. Said by parents or teachers; the physical-punishment view is dated.
仇可解不可结 chóu kě jiě bùkě jié

a grudge can be untied, not tied tighter

Try to settle enmity rather than deepen it. Advice to reconcile.
愁人苦夜长 chóu rén kǔ yè cháng

the worried find the night painfully long

Someone troubled cannot sleep, so the night seems endless.
愁人莫向愁人说,说起愁来愁死人 chóu rén mò xiàng chóurén shuō, shuō qǐ chóu lái chóusǐ rén

don't tell a worried person your worries; talking of sorrow worries them to death

Two worried people can't solve each other's problems and only add to the gloom.
愁一愁,白了头;笑一笑,十年少 chóu yī chóu, báile tóu;xiào yī xiào, shí nián shào

worry once and your hair turns white; laugh once and you're ten years younger

Worry ages you and laughter keeps you young; said to cheer someone up.
丑妇家中宝 chǒufù jiā zhōng bǎo

the plain wife is a treasure at home

A plain wife is thought to be steadier and cause less trouble. Dated, judging women by looks.

May offend: sexist or sexual
丑话说在前面 chǒuhuà shuō zài qiánmian

say the ugly words first

State the unpleasant points or possible problems up front to avoid misunderstanding later.
丑媳妇怕见公婆 chǒu xífù pà jiàn gōngpó

the ugly daughter-in-law fears meeting her in-laws

Someone with a flaw or an awkward matter is reluctant to show up in public.
丑媳妇总要见公婆 chǒu xífù zǒng yào jiàn gōngpó

an ugly daughter-in-law still has to meet her husband's parents

Something embarrassing or flawed can't be hidden forever; sooner or later you must face the people concerned. Often said wryly when showing unfinished work or a fault.
臭棋肚里有仙招 chòuqí dù li yǒu xiān zhāo

in a bad chess player's belly there are immortal moves

Even a weak player can occasionally come up with a brilliant move; don't underestimate unskilled people. Mildly humorous.
臭鱼烂虾,健康冤家 chòu yú làn xiā, jiànkāng yuānjia

smelly fish and rotten shrimp are health's enemies

Warns that eating spoiled food makes you ill.
出处不如聚处 chūchù bùrú jù chù

the place of origin is not as good as the place of gathering

Goods are often more varied, plentiful and cheaper at a trading hub than where they are produced.
出的门多,受的罪多 chū de mén duō, shòu de zuì duō

the more doors you go out of, the more hardship you suffer

Travelling brings more inconvenience and hardship than staying at home. An old saying.
出笼的鸟儿收不回 chū lóng de niǎor shōu bù huí

a bird out of its cage can't be taken back

Something that has been said or decided can hardly be changed.
出门看日头,上路看风头,打铁看火头 chūmén kàn rìtou, shàng lù kàn fēngtou, dǎtiě kàn huǒtóu

going out, watch the sun; setting off, watch the wind; forging iron, watch the fire

Size up the situation before acting; don't act blindly.
出门看天色,进门看脸色 chū mén kàn tiānsè, jìnmén kàn liǎnsè

going out, watch the sky; coming in, watch people's faces

Read the mood and situation to decide how to act. Slightly wry about having to read others' moods.
出门看天气,买卖看行情 chū mén kàn tiānqì, mǎimai kàn hángqíng

going out, check the weather; trading, check market prices

Watch how circumstances change before acting.
出门靠朋友 chūmén kào péngyou

away from home, rely on friends

When travelling you depend on friends for help; part of 'at home rely on parents, away rely on friends'.
出门嘴是路 chūmén zuǐ shì lù

away from home, the mouth is the road

When travelling, ask people for directions. Like 'he who has a tongue can find his way to Rome'.
出头椽子先烂 chūtóu chuánzi xiān làn

the rafter end that sticks out rots first

Those who stand out or take the lead are the first to be attacked or harmed. Like 'the tallest poppy gets cut down'.
出外一里,不如家里 chūwài yī lǐ, bùrú jiā lǐ

one li away from home is still not as good as home

Even a short distance away is less convenient than being at home.
出外做客,不要露白 chūwài zuò kè, bù yào lòubái

when away as a guest, don't show the silver

When travelling, don't flaunt your money in front of others. Practical advice.
初生牛犊不怕虎 chū shēng niúdú bù pà hǔ

a newborn calf isn't afraid of tigers

Young people with little experience are fearless. Often admiring, sometimes hinting at recklessness.
处家人情,非钱不行 chǔ jiā rénqíng, fēi qián bùxíng

for family life and social courtesies, nothing works without money

Running a household and keeping up social obligations both cost money.
楚虽三户,亡秦必楚 chǔ suī sān hù, wáng qín bì chǔ

though Chu has only three households, it will be Chu that destroys Qin

Even the weak and oppressed, if they keep fighting for justice, can finally defeat a powerful oppressor. Stirring and approving.
处处留心皆学问 chùchù liúxīn jiē xuéwen

everywhere, if you pay attention, it is all learning

If you stay observant, you can learn something anywhere. Encouraging.
穿衣戴帽,各有所好 chuān yī dài mào, gèyǒusuǒhào

in wearing clothes and hats, each has his own taste

People have different preferences; to each his own.
穿针还得引线人 chuānzhēn hái děi yǐnxiàn rén

to thread a needle you still need someone to lead the thread

Getting something done often needs a go-between or introducer.
传儿千金,不如薄技在身 chuán ér qiānjīn bùrú bójì zài shēn

hand your son a thousand in gold, better he has a small skill on him

Giving children a skill is better than leaving them a lot of money. Approving advice. Close to 'give a man a fish...' (teach him to fish).
传闻不如亲见 chuánwén bùrú qīn jiàn

hearsay is not as good as seeing for oneself

What you see with your own eyes is more reliable than what you hear. Close to 'seeing is believing'.
传言过话,自讨挨骂 chuányán guòhuà, zì tǎo áimà

pass on words and carry messages, and you ask for a scolding

Carrying messages between two sides easily stirs up trouble and gets the messenger blamed. Warns against gossip-bearing.
船到江心补漏迟 chuán dào jiāngxīn bǔ lòu chí

when the boat is mid-river, it's too late to patch the leak

It is too late to fix a problem once it has become serious; prepare in advance. Close to 'lock the stable door after the horse has bolted'.
船的力量在帆上,人的力量在心上 chuán de lìliàng zài fān shang, rén de lìliàng zài xīn shang

a boat's strength is in its sail, a person's strength is in the heart

A person's strength comes from firm determination, as a boat's drive comes from its sail. Encouraging.
船多不碍港,车多不碍路 chuán duō bù ài gǎng, chē duō bù ài lù

many boats don't block the harbour, many carts don't block the road

However many people or resources there are, good organisation keeps them from getting in each other's way. Used to stress sensible planning.
船靠板凑,人靠人捧 chuán kào bǎn còu, rén kào rén pěng

a boat depends on planks fitted together, a person depends on others to lift them

People need help and support from others to succeed. Close to 'no man is an island'.
船里不走针,瓮里不走鳖 chuán li bù zǒu zhēn, wèng li bù zǒu biē

a needle can't get away in a boat, a turtle can't get away in a jar

Someone trapped in a closed situation cannot escape. Used of a person cornered with no way out.
船随流水鞍随马 chuán suí liú shuǐ ān suí mǎ

the boat goes with the current, the saddle goes with the horse

One must go along with the times and circumstances. Neutral, practical.
船通水,人通理 chuán tōng shuǐ, rén tōng lǐ

a boat needs water to pass, a person needs reason

A boat moves only on water, and a person gets on in the world by being reasonable and sensible. Approving advice.
船头不遇,转舵相逢 chuántóu bù yù, zhuǎn duò xiāngféng

if boats don't meet bow to bow, they meet when the rudder turns

If people don't meet here, they will meet somewhere else. Used for a reunion or an unavoidable confrontation. Close to 'we'll meet again'.
船头坐得稳,不怕浪来颠 chuán tóu zuò de wěn, bù pà làng lái diān

sit steady at the bow and you needn't fear the waves

If you act rightly and stand firm, you need not fear anyone stirring up trouble. Reassuring.
船小好掉头 chuán xiǎo hǎo diàotóu

a small boat is easy to turn around

A small business or organisation is easier to redirect than a large one.
船小容易翻 chuán xiǎo róngyì fān

a small boat capsizes easily

Small enterprises or things cannot take a shock. A warning about fragility.
船行弯处须转舵,人逢绝境要回头 chuán xíngwānchù xū zhuǎnduò, rén féng juéjìng yào huítóu

a boat must turn its rudder at a bend, a person at a dead end must turn back

Don't be stubborn; be flexible and change course when you meet an impasse.
窗破了当糊,人恶了当除 chuāng pòle dāng hú, rén èle dāng chú

mend a broken window by pasting it, remove a wicked person

Corrupt or harmful elements should be cleared out promptly. Stern, critical.
床头打架,床尾讲和 chuángtóu dǎjià, chuángwěi jiǎnghé

fight at the head of the bed, make peace at the foot

Married couples' quarrels are minor and soon patched up. Light, affectionate.
床头千贯,不如日进分文 chuáng tóu qiān guàn, bùrú rì jìn fēnwén

a thousand strings of coins by the bed is worse than a little coming in every day

A steady income is better than idle savings. Practical advice.

Every kind of Chinese saying