Chinese proverbs (谚语)

创业百年,败家一天 chuàngyè bǎinián, bàijiā yītiān

building a business takes a hundred years, ruining a family takes one day

It takes long effort to build something and little time to ruin it. A warning against squandering.
创业难,创业难,创成事业如登山 chuàngyè nán, chuàngyè nán, chuàngchéng shìyè rú dēngshān

starting up is hard, starting up is hard, building a career is like climbing a mountain

Founding an enterprise is as arduous as climbing a mountain.
创业难,守业更难 chuàngyè nán, shǒuyè gèng nán

starting up is hard, keeping it going is harder

Holding on to and consolidating what was built is even harder than building it. Often said to heirs or successors.
春不种,秋不收 chūn bù zhòng, qiū bù shōu

if you don't sow in spring, you won't reap in autumn

Without effort you get no reward. Said to urge hard work. Close to 'you reap what you sow'.
春风不入驴耳 chūnfēng bù rù lǘ ěr

the spring breeze does not enter a donkey's ear

A foolish person won't listen to good advice. Critical, mocking the listener.
春梦虽好一场空 chūnmèng suī hǎo yī cháng kōng

though a spring dream is lovely, it is all empty in the end

A wish may be beautiful but it will not come true. Said wistfully or as a warning against daydreams.
春宵一刻值千金 chūnxiāo yīkè zhí qiānjīn

one moment of a spring night is worth a thousand gold pieces

A pleasant spring evening, especially one spent with a loved one, is precious. Romantic, sometimes joking, with a hint of intimacy.
春雨贵如油 chūnyǔ guì rú yóu

spring rain is as precious as oil

Spring rain is very valuable to crops, especially in the dry north. Said when it rains in spring.
慈心生祸患 cíxīn shēng huòhuàn

a kind heart breeds misfortune

Being too soft-hearted can bring trouble on yourself. A cautionary, somewhat cynical saying.
此处不留人,自有留人处 cǐ chù bù liú rén, zì yǒu liú rén chù

if this place won't keep you, there is somewhere that will

There are many ways forward, so no need to cling to one place or job. Said when leaving or consoling someone. Like 'when one door closes, another opens'.
此地无朱砂,红土也为贵 cǐdì wú zhūshā, hóngtǔ yě wéi guì

where there is no cinnabar, red earth is also valuable

When the ideal is unavailable, something inferior will still be prized. Said of making do or being valued for lack of rivals.
聪明偏受聪明苦,痴呆越享痴呆福 cōngmíng piān shòu cōngmíng kǔ, chīdāi yuè xiǎng chīdāi fú

the clever suffer clever's pain; the dull enjoy dull's blessings

Clever people, over-trusting their wits, make foolish mistakes and suffer, while simple people content with their lot are happy. Ironic and wry.
聪明人好惹,糊涂人难缠 cōngmíng rén hǎo rě, hútu rén nán chán

clever people are easy to deal with; muddled people are hard to handle

Reasonable people are easy to deal with; unreasonable ones tangle you up endlessly. Said in frustration.
从善如登,从恶如崩 cóng shàn rú dēng, cóng è rú bēng

following good is like climbing; following evil is like a landslide

Becoming good is hard like climbing a hill, while sliding into bad ways is quick and easy. A moral warning.
从小看大,三岁看老 cóng xiǎo kàn dà, sān suì kàn lǎo

from small see big; at three see old age

A child's behaviour shows what kind of adult they will be. Like 'the child is father of the man'.
打别人的孩子心不疼 dǎ biéren de háizi xīn bù téng

hitting other people's children doesn't hurt the heart

Said of people who waste or squander what isn't theirs without feeling any pain. Critical.
打不断的亲,骂不断的邻 dǎ bùduàn de qīn, mà bùduàn de lín

kin you can't beat apart, neighbours you can't curse apart

Relatives and neighbours may quarrel but soon make up and keep in touch. Descriptive, warm.
打柴总得先探路 dǎchái zǒngděi xiān tànlù

to cut firewood, you must first scout the path

Find out the situation before you begin a task. Advisory, like 'look before you leap'.
打出来的铁,炼出来的钢 dǎ chūlái de tiě, liàn chūlái de gāng

iron is hammered out, steel is refined

A strong-willed person is forged by hardship. Approving, encouraging.
打当面鼓,不敲背后锣 dǎ dāngmiàn gǔ, bù qiāo bèihòu luó

beat the drum to a face, don't bang the gong behind the back

Say what you have to say to someone's face, not behind their back. Approving of frankness.
打断骨头还连着筋 dǎduàn gǔtou hái liánzhe jīn

even when the bone is broken, the sinew still connects

Close relatives stay bound by blood ties however badly they fall out. Similar to 'blood is thicker than water'.
打狗看主人 dǎ gǒu kàn zhǔrén

when you hit a dog, look at its master

When punishing someone, consider the feelings of the person who stands behind them. Often used as a warning not to mistreat someone's follower.
打狗要用擒虎力 dǎ gǒu yào yòng qín hǔ lì

to beat a dog, use the strength for seizing a tiger

Use full force against bad people and don't underestimate them. Advisory.
打虎打头,杀鸡割喉 dǎ hǔ dǎ tóu, shā jī gē hóu

to strike a tiger, hit the head; to kill a chicken, cut the throat

Hit at the vital point. Advisory, about being decisive and targeting what matters.
打虎亲兄弟,上阵父子兵 dǎ hǔ qīn xiōngdì, shàngzhèn fùzǐ bīng

to fight a tiger, your own brothers; to go into battle, father and sons

In real danger only close family can be fully relied on to stand together. Approving of family loyalty.
打卦打卦,只会说话 dǎguà dǎguà, zhǐ huì shuōhuà

divination, divination: all they can do is talk

Fortune-tellers only use smooth talk to cheat people of money. Critical, sceptical.
打了盆说盆,打了罐说罐 dǎle pén shuō pén, dǎle guàn shuō guàn

if a basin is broken, talk about the basin; if a jar is broken, talk about the jar

Deal with each problem on its own terms and don't mix unrelated matters together. Advisory.
打起来没好拳,骂起来没好言 dǎ qǐlái méi hǎo quán, mà qǐlái méi hǎo yán

when fighting, no fist is kind; when cursing, no word is kind

Once a fight or row starts, both sides lose their heads and things escalate. Cautionary.
打墙也是动土 dǎ qiáng yěshì dòngtǔ

building a wall is also breaking ground

Once you've started, whether small or large, you may as well go through with it all. Said to justify going further.
打人三日忧,骂人三日羞 dǎ rén sān rì yōu, mà rén sān rì xiū

hit someone and worry for three days; curse someone and feel ashamed for three days

Whoever hits or insults others is in the wrong and will be troubled by worry and shame. Moralising advice against violence and abuse.
打人休打脸,骂人休揭短 dǎ rén xiū dǎ liǎn, mà rén xiū jiēduǎn

when hitting, don't hit the face; when scolding, don't expose weak points

Even in conflict, don't hurt someone at their most sensitive spot or humiliate them. Advises restraint.
打人一拳,防人一脚 dǎ rén yī quán, fáng rén yī jiǎo

if you punch someone, guard against their kick

When you attack someone, expect a counterattack. Cautionary.
打蛇打七寸 dǎ shé dǎ qī cùn

strike a snake at seven inches

Hit at the vital point, or grasp the key to a problem. Approving of strategy; the snake's weak spot is seven cun behind its head.
打蛇先打头,擒贼要擒王 dǎ shé xiān dǎ tóu, qín zéi yào qín wáng

to strike a snake, hit the head first; to catch bandits, catch their chief

Tackle the leader or the crux first when dealing with enemies or conflicts. Similar to 'cut off the head of the snake'.
打蛇要打死,不死反被咬 dǎ shé yào dǎsǐ, bù sǐ fǎn bèi yǎo

if you hit a snake, kill it, or it will bite you instead

Wipe out evil thoroughly or it will return to harm you. Similar to 'if you strike at a king, you must kill him'.
打是疼,骂是爱 dǎ shì téng, mà shì ài

hitting is caring, scolding is love

Strict discipline from elders, or squabbling between lovers or spouses, is said to come from affection. Often used jokingly or to excuse harshness.
打死会拳的,淹死会水的 dǎsǐ huì quán de, yānsǐ huì shuǐ de

those who know boxing get beaten to death, those who can swim get drowned

Skilled people are often undone by a moment of carelessness. Similar to 'pride comes before a fall'.
打铁先要本身硬 dǎtiě xiān yào běnshēn yìng

to forge iron, the smith himself must first be hard

To control or beat others, you must be strong and sound yourself. Approving; often used in discipline or leadership contexts.
大病用功，小病用药 dà bìng yòng gōng, xiǎo bìng yòng yào

for a serious illness use effort, for a minor one use medicine

A serious illness needs long, careful treatment, while a minor one can be cured by medicine.
大不欺小，壮不欺老 dà bù qī xiǎo, zhuàng bù qī lǎo

the big don't bully the small, the strong don't bully the old

Adults shouldn't bully children, nor the strong the old and weak. A moral maxim.
大才必有大用 dàcái bì yǒu dà yòng

great talent will surely have great use

A very able person will find an important role.
大处着眼，小处着手 dàchùzhuóyǎn, xiǎo chùzhuóshǒu

keep eyes on the big picture, start with the small details

Have a broad vision, but begin with concrete small tasks. Approving advice.
大胆天下去得，小心寸步难行 dàdǎn tiānxià qù de, xiǎoxīn cùn bùnánxíng

the bold can go anywhere under heaven, the timid can hardly move an inch

Boldness takes you everywhere, while excessive caution holds you back. Compare "fortune favours the bold".
大盗沿街走，无赃不定罪 dà dào yán jiē zǒu, wú zāng bù dìngzuì

a great robber walks the street: without loot, no conviction

Convicting anyone needs evidence, even when guilt is obvious.
大恩不言谢 dà ēn bù yán xiè

great kindness is not repaid with words of thanks

A big favour is too great for a simple thank-you, so one keeps it in mind and repays it in time. Often said between friends.
大风吹不走月亮 dàfēng chuī bù zǒu yuèliang

a great wind can't blow the moon away

No difficulty can frighten off a person of firm will.
大风吹倒梧桐树，自有旁人说短长 dàfēng chuīdǎo wútóngshù, zì yǒu pángrén shuō duǎncháng

when a gale topples the parasol tree, bystanders will have their say

When something unusual happens, people will gossip about it.
大风刮不了多时，大雨下不了多久 dàfēng guā bùliǎo duōshí, dàyǔ xià bùliǎo duōjiǔ

a gale can't blow for long, a downpour can't last long

Hard times don't last forever. Comforting; compare "every storm passes".
大风刮不了多时，亲人恼不了多日 dàfēng guā bùliǎo duōshí, qīnrén nǎo bùliǎo duōrì

a gale can't blow for long, relatives can't stay angry for many days

Quarrels between family members soon blow over.
大富由命，小富由勤 dà fù yóu mìng, xiǎo fù yóu qín

great wealth comes from fate, small wealth from diligence

Making a huge fortune takes luck, while a modest one comes from hard work.
大锅饭，小锅菜 dà guō fàn, xiǎo guō cài

big-pot rice, small-pot dishes

Each way of cooking has its own strength; by extension, each has its own proper function.
大海不禁漏卮 dà hǎi bùjīn lòu zhī

even the sea can't withstand a leaking wine cup

However rich one is, endless extravagance will drain it. A warning against waste.
大海不嫌水多，大山不嫌树多 dà hǎi bù xián shuǐ duō, dà shān bù xián shù duō

the sea never finds its water too much, the mountain never finds its trees too many

People of great ambition are never self-satisfied and always want more knowledge or achievement.
大海的浮萍也有相逢之日 dà hǎi de fúpíng yě yǒu xiāngféng zhī rì

even duckweed on the sea has a day of meeting again

People who part will have a chance to meet again. Consoling.
大河有水小河满，大河没水小河干 dà hé yǒu shuǐ xiǎo hé mǎn, dà hé méi shuǐ xiǎo hé gān

when the big river has water the small one is full, when it has none the small one dries up

The interests of the larger group decide those of smaller groups and individuals.
大火开锅，小火焖饭 dà huǒ kāiguō, xiǎo huǒ mènfàn

high heat to boil the pot, low heat to simmer the rice

Be quick when quickness is called for and slow when slowness is; good judgement of pace brings success.
大家马儿大家骑 dàjiā mǎer dàjiā qí

everyone's horse is ridden by everyone

Common property is shared by all its owners.
大家心齐，泰山能移 dàjiā xīn qí, tàishān néng yí

if everyone is of one mind, Mount Tai can be moved

United people can overcome any difficulty. Compare "united we stand".
大奸似忠，大诈似信 dà jiān sì zhōng, dà zhà sì xìn

the greatest traitor seems loyal, the greatest cheat seems trustworthy

Very treacherous people often pose as honest and faithful. A warning against appearances.
大将难免阵前亡 dàjiàng nán miǎn zhèn qián wáng

even a great general may die before the battle line

Even the most skilled person, if often in danger, may eventually come to harm.
大将压后阵 dàjiàng yā hòuzhèn

the chief general holds the rear

A senior person needn't lead the charge but steadies things from behind.
大量有大福 dàliàng yǒu dà fú

great tolerance brings great fortune

Traditionally, a broad-minded person is blessed with good fortune.
大路不平众人踩，情理不合众人抬 dàlù bù píng zhòngrén cǎi, qínglǐ bùhé zhòngrén tái

if the road is uneven everyone tramples it flat, if reason is violated everyone argues it out

When something unjust happens, anyone may step in to uphold fairness.
大路不转小路转 dàlù bù zhuàn xiǎolù zhuàn

if the main road doesn't turn, the side road does

There is always another way out. Compare "where there's a will there's a way".
大路通天，各走一边 dàlù tōng tiān, gè zǒu yī biān

the road reaches the sky, each takes one side

There's room for everyone, so each can go their own way without getting in the other's way. Often said when people part or disagree.
大难不死，必有后福 dà nàn bù sǐ, bì yǒu hòu fú

survive a great disaster and there will surely be good fortune later

Said to comfort someone who has come through a disaster or near-death experience: they will be lucky afterwards. Encouraging and well-wishing.
大能容小，天能盖地 dà néng róng xiǎo, tiān néng gài dì

the big can hold the small; the sky can cover the earth

A broad-minded person is tolerant of others. Used approvingly, to urge generosity toward lesser people.
大器多晚成 dàqì duō wǎn chéng

great vessels are mostly completed late

Talented people usually achieve success only after long training and effort. Said to encourage someone who has not yet succeeded. Close to 'Rome wasn't built in a day'.
大屈必有大伸 dà qū bì yǒu dà shēn

great wronging will surely bring great stretching out

Someone who has long been suppressed or treated unjustly will eventually flourish and achieve great things. Consoling and encouraging.
大人不记小人过 dàrén bù jì xiǎo rén guò

a great person does not remember a small person's faults

A magnanimous person does not hold petty offences against others. Often said to ask for forgiveness, or half-jokingly to praise someone's generosity.
大人不强小人志 dàrén bù qiǎng xiǎorén zhì

a great person does not force a small person's will

A cultivated person does not impose their wishes on others. Used to say people should be left to make their own choices.
大厦千间，身眠七尺；良田万亩，日食一升 dàshà qiān jiān, shēn mián qī chǐ;liángtián wàn mǔ, rìshí yī shēng

a thousand rooms in a mansion, yet the body sleeps in seven feet; ten thousand mu of good land, yet one eats a litre a day

However much property one owns, one only needs a little to live on. It advises contentment and warns against greed.
大事不糊涂，小事不纠缠 dàshì bù hútu, xiǎoshì bù jiūchán

don't be muddled in big matters, don't get tangled in small ones

Be clear about right and wrong on important issues, and don't haggle over trifles. Approving advice on how to conduct oneself.
大事瞒不了乡亲，小事昧不了邻居 dàshì mán bùliǎo xiāngqīn, xiǎoshì mèi bùliǎo línjū

big matters can't be hidden from fellow villagers, small matters can't be concealed from neighbours

People who live close by know everything about you, so you can't hide things from them. Said as a warning or observation.
大暑小暑，灌死老鼠 dàshǔ xiǎo shǔ, guànsǐ lǎoshǔ

at Great Heat and Lesser Heat, rain floods the rats to death

A weather proverb: the periods of Lesser and Greater Heat in July are the rainiest of the year.
大树底下好乘凉 dà shù dǐxia hǎo chéngliáng

it's good to enjoy the cool beneath a big tree

Having a powerful patron or backer makes things easy. Often said with a hint of cynicism about relying on connections.
大树砍不倒，小草站不牢 dà shù kǎn bù dǎo, xiǎo cǎo zhàn bù láo

a big tree can't be chopped down; a small blade of grass can't stand firm

The strong withstand attack, while the weak cannot survive a test. Used to say that real strength shows under pressure.
大水漫不过桅杆 dà shuǐ màn bù guò wéigān

floodwater cannot rise over the mast

Younger people and those of lower rank should show deference to elders and superiors, just as the flood never overtops the mast. Said as advice on respecting seniority.
大小一个礼，长短一根棍 dàxiǎo yīgè lǐ, chángduǎn yī gēn gùn

big or small, a gift is a gift; long or short, a stick is a stick

What matters in giving a present is the goodwill it expresses, not its value. Said when offering or accepting a modest gift.
大意失荆州 dàyi shī jīngzhōu

through carelessness, lose Jingzhou

Carelessness leads to a serious loss. It alludes to the general Guan Yu in the Three Kingdoms, who lost Jingzhou through complacency. Warning or rueful, like 'pride goes before a fall'.
大鱼吃小鱼，小鱼吃虾米 dàyú chī xiǎoyú, xiǎoyú chī xiāmi

big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp

The weak are preyed on by the strong. Said critically of a ruthless world. Close to 'big fish eat little fish'.
大灾之后有大疫 dà zāi zhīhòu yǒu dà yì

after a great disaster comes a great epidemic

Disease often spreads after major disasters such as floods or earthquakes. A warning to take precautions.
大丈夫见义勇为 dàzhàngfu jiànyìyǒngwéi

a true man bravely does what is right when he sees it

A person of character acts courageously for justice when they see it. Approving; 'great man' is used as a figure of moral worth.
大丈夫流血不流泪 dàzhàngfu liúxuè bù liúlèi

a true man sheds blood, not tears

A strong man would rather suffer or die than cry. Used to urge stoicism, especially to boys; it reflects a traditional view of manliness.
大丈夫能屈能伸 dàzhàngfu néngqūnéngshēn

a true man can bend and can stretch

A person of stature can endure humiliation when down and show ambition when things go well. Approving; often said to justify swallowing one's pride for a time.
大丈夫膝下有黄金 dàzhàngfu xī xià yǒu huángjīn

under a true man's knees there is gold

A man of honour does not kneel or grovel to others. He keeps his dignity and does not beg or bow.
大丈夫相时而动 dàzhàngfu xiàngshí 'érdòng

a true man watches the times and then moves

A capable person judges the situation and acts at the right moment, adapting flexibly. Approving, with a somewhat formal tone.
大丈夫一人做事一人当 dà zhàngfu yī rén zuòshì yī rén dāng

a true man takes on alone what he does alone

A person of integrity takes responsibility for their own actions and doesn't implicate others. Approving; often said when owning up.
大丈夫有泪不轻弹 dàzhàngfu yǒu lèi bù qīng tán

a true man does not flick away his tears lightly

A strong man doesn't cry easily; if he does, there is serious cause. Often said when a man is moved or hurt.
担迟不担错 dān chí bù dān cuò

bear being late, not bear a mistake

Better to take the blame for delay than for an error. Advises care and accuracy over speed.
单面锣打不响 dān miàn luó dǎ bù xiǎng

a gong with one face can't be sounded

Things that need two sides to cooperate cannot be done by one side alone. Like "it takes two to tango".
单丝不成线，独木不成林 dān sī bù chéng xiàn, dú mù bù chéng lín

a single silk strand makes no thread; a single tree makes no forest

One person's strength is small and cannot achieve great things; people must work together. Approving of teamwork.
耽误了庄稼是一季，耽误了孩子是一代 dānwule zhuāngjia shì yī jì, dānwule háizi shì yī dài

neglect the crops and you lose one season; neglect the children and you lose a generation

Stresses that education is vital and cannot be put off, since a child's lost chance cannot be made up.
耽误一夜眠，十夜补不全 dānwu yī yè mián, shí yè bǔ bù quán

lose one night's sleep and ten nights can't fully make it up

Warns that lost sleep is hard to recover, so do not stay up late carelessly.
胆量是斗出来的，志气是逼出来的 dǎnliàng shì dòu chūlái de, zhìqì shì bī chūlái de

courage is fought out; ambition is forced out

Courage and drive are built by struggling under pressure and hardship. Encouraging.
但存方寸地，留与子孙耕 dàn cún fāngcùn dì, liúyǔ zǐsūn gēng

just keep a square inch of heart, to leave for descendants to farm

Keep a good heart and noble values, which is the best legacy to leave one's descendants. Approving.
但行好事，莫问前程 dàn xíng hǎoshì, mò wèn qiánchéng

just do good deeds, don't ask about your future

Keep doing good without worrying about personal gain or success. Approving.
淡酒醉人，淡话伤人 dàn jiǔ zuì rén, dàn huà shāng rén

weak wine can make you drunk; cold remarks can wound

Even mild-seeming sarcastic remarks hurt people, just as weak drink can still intoxicate. Advises against making snide comments.
当断不断，反受其乱 dāngduànbùduàn, fǎnshòuqíluàn

fail to cut when you should cut, and you suffer the mess

If you hesitate when you should decide, trouble follows. Advice to be decisive.
当官不为民作主，不如回家卖红薯 dāng guān bù wèi mín zuòzhǔ, bùrú huíjiā mài hóngshǔ

if an official won't decide for the people, better go home and sell sweet potatoes

An official who does not serve the people should resign. Critical of bad officials.

Every kind of Chinese saying