Chinese proverbs (谚语)

二人同心，其利断金 èr rén tóngxīn，qí lì duàn jīn

when two people are of one heart, their sharpness cuts through metal

United people are strong enough to overcome anything. Approving.
二月二，龙抬头 èryuè èr，lóng táitóu

the second of the second month: the dragon lifts its head

Marks the Chinese festival on the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month, when the weather warms and spring returns.
罚不择骨肉,赏不避仇敌 fá bù zé gǔròu, shǎng bù bì chóudí

punish without picking out kin, reward without avoiding enemies

Rewards and punishments should be fair, whether the person is a relative or an enemy. Approving.
法不责众 fǎbùzézhòng

the law doesn't punish the multitude

When many people break a rule, it is hard to punish them all. Often an excuse for wrongdoing. Like 'there's safety in numbers'.
法正天心顺,官清民自安 fǎ zhèng tiān xīn shùn, guān qīng mín zì ān

when the law is just, heaven is content; when officials are clean, people are at peace

Fair law enforcement and honest officials bring social order. Approving.
法字没多重,万人抬不动 fǎ zì méi duō zhòng, wàn rén tái bù dòng

the character 'law' isn't heavy, yet ten thousand people can't lift it

The law is sacred and cannot be shaken.
凡人不开口,神仙难动手 fánrén bù kāikǒu, shénxiān nán dòngshǒu

if a mortal doesn't open his mouth, even an immortal can't act

If someone says nothing, no one can do anything about him. Also a hint that you must ask for help.
凡人不可貌相,海水不可斗量 fánrén bùkě mào xiàng, hǎishuǐ bùkě dǒu liáng

you can't judge people by looks, nor measure the sea with a dipper

Don't judge a person by appearance. Like 'don't judge a book by its cover'.
凡事不可造次,凡人不可轻视 fánshì bùkě zàocì, fánrén bùkě qīngshì

don't be rash in anything, don't look down on anyone

Advises being careful in action and respectful to others.
凡事开头难 fánshì kāitóu nán

everything is hard at the start

Starting is the hardest part of any task. Like 'the first step is the hardest'.
凡事要从小处着手 fánshì yào cóng xiǎochù zhuóshǒu

in everything, start from the small things

Do work solidly, beginning with small matters.
凡事要好,须问三老 fánshì yào hǎo, xū wèn sān lǎo

to do things well, ask the three elders

To get things right, consult experienced older people.
凡事有个先来后到 fánshì yǒu ge xiānláihòudào

in everything there's who came first and who came later

Things should be done in order of arrival. Used to tell someone not to jump the queue.
凡事只因忙里错 fánshì zhǐ yīn máng lǐ cuò

mistakes in everything come only from being in a rush

People make errors when hurried. Like 'haste makes waste'.
凡药三分毒 fán yào sān fēn dú

every medicine is three parts poison

All medicines have some harmful side effects, so don't take them unless you really need to. Said as health advice.
烦恼不寻人,人自寻烦恼 fánnǎo bù xún rén, rén zì xún fánnǎo

worries don't seek out people; people seek out worries themselves

Most of our troubles are of our own making. Said to console or gently chide someone who worries too much.
反弹琵琶也动人 fǎn tán pípá yě dòngrén

playing the pipa backwards can still move people

Looking at or handling a problem from the opposite or an unusual angle can still give good results. Approving; close to 'there's more than one way to skin a cat'.
饭不可吃光,事不可做绝 fàn bùkě chīguāng, shì bùkě zuòjué

don't eat all the food; don't do things to the extreme

Always leave some leeway in what you do. Advice to avoid going too far, especially in dealing with others.
饭得一口一口地吃,路得一步一步地走 fàn děi yī kǒu yī kǒu de chī, lù děi yī bù yī bù de zǒu

food must be eaten one mouthful at a time, the road walked one step at a time

Do things step by step and don't rush for quick results. Close to 'Rome wasn't built in a day'.
饭越捎越少,话越捎越多 fàn yuè shāo yuè shǎo, huà yuè shāo yuè duō

the more food is carried along, the less there is; the more words are passed on, the more there are

Messages get exaggerated and distorted as they are passed along. Warns against gossip and hearsay.
方木头不滚,圆木头不稳 fāng mùtou bù gǔn, yuán mùtou bù wěn

square logs don't roll, round logs aren't stable

Everyone has strengths and matching weaknesses. Said to encourage tolerance of people's faults.
放虎容易擒虎难 fàng hǔ róngyì qín hǔ nán

releasing a tiger is easy, catching a tiger is hard

It is easy to let a bad person go but hard to catch them again. Warns against leniency toward wrongdoers.
肥水不流外人田 féishuǐ bù liú wàirén tián

rich water doesn't flow into outsiders' fields

Keep wealth, benefits or talent within the family or group. Often said when favouring one's own people.
肥田不如瘦水 féitián bùrú shòu shuǐ

fertile fields are not as good as lean water

For crops, water matters more than fertiliser.
分辨人的好坏看言行,分辨马的优劣听声音 fēnbiàn rén de hǎohuài kàn yánxíng, fēnbiàn mǎ de yōuliè tīng shēngyīn

to tell a person's good from bad, look at words and deeds; to tell a horse's quality, listen to its voice

Judge people by what they say and do, just as you judge a horse by its call. It is advice about assessing character, said in an approving, practical tone.
分银子都会有人骂 fēn yínzi dōu huì yǒu rén mà

even when handing out silver, someone will complain

However good a thing is, somebody will be dissatisfied with it. Said as a wry comment when you can't please everyone. Close to "You can't please everyone."
粉刷的乌鸦白不久 fěnshuā de wūyā bái bù jiǔ

a whitewashed crow won't stay white long

Disguise cannot last forever and the real nature will show. A critical warning about fakery.
粪大水勤,还得靠技术革新 fèn dà shuǐ qín, hái děi kào jìshù géxīn

plenty of manure and frequent watering, you still must rely on technical innovation

A farming saying: for high, stable yields, good fertiliser and watering are not enough and better technology is needed too.
丰年要当歉年过,有粮常想无粮时 fēngnián yào dàng qiànnián guò, yǒu liáng cháng xiǎng wú liáng shí

in a bumper year live as in a lean year; when you have grain, think of when you have none

Be thrifty even in good times. It is advice, approving of frugality. Close to "Save for a rainy day."
丰年珠玉,歉年谷粟 fēngnián zhū yù, qiànnián gǔ sù

in a good year, pearls and jade; in a lean year, grain

Jewels are prized when harvests are good, but in famine grain is worth more. It shows that value depends on need.
风不来,树不动;船不摇,水不浑 fēng bù lái, shù bù dòng;chuán bù yáo, shuǐ bù hún

if the wind doesn't come, the tree doesn't move; if the boat doesn't rock, the water doesn't get muddy

Things happen for a reason. Often said to suggest that rumours or troubles have some cause. Close to "There's no smoke without fire."
风潮过了世界在 fēngcháo guò le shìjiè zài

after the storm passes, the world is still there

After a great upheaval, calm returns. It advises people to read the situation and keep their footing.
风流自古多魔障 fēngliú zìgǔ duō mózhàng

since ancient times the gifted have met many obstacles

Talented people usually go through many setbacks and trials. Said with sympathy or as consolation.
风无常顺,兵无常胜 fēng wú cháng shùn, bīng wú cháng shèng

wind doesn't always blow fair, armies don't always win

Things never go smoothly forever, and setbacks come. Said to console or warn. Close to "Every dog has its day."
风云多变,人心难测 fēngyún duōbiàn, rénxīn nán cè

winds and clouds change often, human hearts are hard to fathom

People's hearts are as changeable and unpredictable as the weather. Said with caution or sighing.
风灾一条线,水灾一大片 fēngzāi yītiáo xiàn, shuǐzāi yīdà piàn

wind damage is a line, flood damage is a wide area

A weather saying: wind damage falls in a narrow strip, but floods swamp a broad region.
封山不育林,等于白费神 fēng shān bù yùlín, děngyú bái fèishén

closing the hills without raising forest is just wasted effort

Banning logging alone is not enough, and you must also plant trees. A forestry saying.
逢人便呼不亏本,舌头上面打个滚 féng rén biàn hū bù kuīběn, shétou shàngmian dǎ ge gǔn

greeting everyone costs no capital, just a roll of the tongue

Greeting people politely and warmly costs you nothing, so do it. Approving advice on manners.
逢人不说人间事,便是人间无事人 féng rén bù shuō rénjiān shì, biàn shì rénjiān wú shì rén

if you don't talk of others' affairs to everyone you meet, you're a person free of trouble

Old advice: don't gossip about others' affairs and you avoid trouble.
逢人减岁,遇货加钱 féngrén jiǎnsuì, yù huòjiā qián

take years off people you meet, add money to goods you meet

Old advice for pleasing people: guess people younger than they are and rate their goods higher. A bit flattering.
逢人只说三分话,未可全抛一片心 féng rén zhǐ shuō sān fēn huà, wèikě quán pāo yī piàn xīn

to others say only three-tenths, don't throw out your whole heart

Be guarded with people you don't know well and don't reveal everything. Cautious advice.
逢着好处便安身 féngzhe hǎo chù biàn ānshēn

where you find a good place, settle

When away from home, don't be too picky and stay where it is suitable.
凤凰不入乌鸦巢 fènghuáng bù rù wūyā cháo

a phoenix does not enter a crow's nest

Good people keep away from disreputable company. Approving of the good and a bit snobbish.
凤凰靠羽毛，姑娘靠衣裳 fènghuáng kào yǔmáo, gūniang kào yīshang

a phoenix depends on its feathers, a girl on her clothes

A young woman looks her best with good clothes. Close to "Fine feathers make fine birds."
凤凰鸦鹊不同群 fènghuáng yā què bù tóngqún

phoenixes, crows and magpies don't flock together

Outstanding people don't mix with mediocre ones, and good people don't mix with bad. It carries an elitist tone.
凤有凤巢，鸡有鸡窝 fèng yǒu fèng cháo, jī yǒu jī wō

the phoenix has its nest, the chicken has its coop

People of different standing have their own circles to gather in. It is mildly class-conscious.
佛门虽大，难度无缘之人 fómén suī dà, nán dù wúyuán zhī rén

though the Buddhist gate is wide, it is hard to save those without affinity

Those who lack the right affinity can hardly reach enlightenment. Figuratively, those of poor calibre will hardly succeed.
佛是金装，人是衣装 fó shì jīn zhuāng, rén shì yī zhuāng

a Buddha depends on gold, a person on clothes

Good clothes improve a person's appearance. Close to "Clothes make the man."
佛在心头坐，酒肉穿肠过 fó zài xīntóu zuò, jiǔròu chuān cháng guò

the Buddha sits in the heart, wine and meat pass through the gut

What counts is sincere faith, not whether you eat meat and drink. Often used to excuse oneself humorously.
夫妇是树，儿女是花 fūfù shì shù, érnǚ shì huā

husband and wife are the tree, children are the flowers

Children bring a couple closer and make family life richer. Warm and approving.
夫妻安，合家欢 fūqī ān, héjiā huān

when husband and wife are at peace, the whole family is happy

A harmonious couple means a happy household.
夫妻本是同林鸟，大难来时各自飞 fūqī běn shì tóng lín niǎo, dà nàn lái shí gèzì fēi

husband and wife are birds in the same wood; when great disaster comes, each flies off alone

Even married couples may part when disaster strikes. Cynical and wry. It was said in the old days.
夫妻吵架好比舌头碰牙 fūqī chǎojià hǎobǐ shétou pèng yá

a couple's quarrel is like the tongue knocking the teeth

Spouses inevitably quarrel but cannot do without each other. Kindly, forgiving tone.
夫妻恩爱苦也甜 fūqī ēn'ài kǔ yě tián

if a couple love each other, even hardship is sweet

With a loving spouse, even a hard life feels sweet. Approving.
夫妻没有隔夜的仇 fūqī méi yǒu géyè de chóu

a couple holds no grudge overnight

Married couples' quarrels are quickly forgotten. Often said to reassure. Close to "Don't let the sun go down on your anger."
夫妻是福齐 fūqī shì fú qí

husband and wife are fortune equal

A couple should share good fortune equally.
扶贫要扶本 fúpín yào fú běn

to help the poor, you must help at the root

Poverty relief should deal with the root causes, not just hand out temporary aid. Close to 'teach a man to fish'.
服理不服人 fúlǐ bù fú rén

submit to reason, not to persons

One yields to a sound argument, not to someone's rank or status. Approving of principled people.
服药求神仙，多为药所误 fúyào qiú shénxiān, duō wéi yào suǒ wù

take drugs to seek immortality, and most are ruined by the drugs

Those who swallow so-called elixirs to become immortals usually poison themselves. Warns that chasing impossible goals by unwise means brings harm.
浮萍尚有相逢日，人岂全无见面时 fúpíng shàng yǒu xiāngféng rì, rén qǐ quán wú jiànmiàn shí

even duckweed has a day of meeting again; how could people never meet again

Said when parting, to comfort: friends or family separated will surely meet again.
福从此起，祸也从此起 fú cóngcǐ qǐ, huò yě cóngcǐ qǐ

fortune starts from here, and misfortune also starts from here

Good and bad luck often spring from the same source and can turn into each other. Cautionary.
福过灾生，乐极悲至 fú guòzāi shēng, lèjíbēizhì

when fortune goes too far, disaster is born; when joy reaches its peak, sorrow arrives

Anything taken to an extreme turns into its opposite; excessive luck or joy invites misfortune. Similar to 'what goes up must come down'.
福生有基，祸生有胎 fú shēng yǒu jī, huò shēngyǒu tāi

fortune has a foundation, misfortune has a womb

Both good and bad outcomes have roots in earlier causes; nothing comes from nowhere.
福无双至，祸不单行 fúwúshuāng zhì, huòbùdānxíng

blessings do not come in pairs, misfortunes do not come singly

Good luck seldom comes twice at once, while bad luck tends to arrive in a string. Said sighing after a run of setbacks. Close to 'it never rains but it pours'.
斧快不怕木柴硬 fǔ kuài bù pà mùchái yìng

if the axe is sharp, hard wood is nothing to fear

With the right means, even difficult problems can be solved. Encouraging.
斧子不到处，恶木易成林 fǔzi bù dào chù, èmù yì chénglín

where the axe doesn't reach, bad trees easily form a forest

If bad practices aren't firmly dealt with, they spread. Said in criticism of lax management.
父不慈则子不孝 fù bù cí zé zǐ bù xiào

if the father is not kind, the son will not be filial

Children's respect for parents depends on parents' care for them. Often used to say parents must set a good example.
父不记子过 fù bù jì zǐ guò

a father doesn't hold his son's faults against him

Parents forgive their children's mistakes. Used to reassure or to say a parent's love is forgiving.
父道尊，母道亲 fù dào zūn, mǔ dào qīn

the father's way is dignity, the mother's way is closeness

Traditionally a father keeps authority over his children, while a mother is loving and approachable. Reflects old family roles.
父子不和家不旺，邻里不和是非多 fùzǐ bùhé jiā bù wàng, línlǐ bùhé shìfēi duō

if father and son are at odds the family won't prosper; if neighbours are at odds there'll be much quarrelling

Urges harmony at home and with neighbours, since discord brings trouble.
妇女能顶半边天 fùnǚ néng dǐng bànbiāntiān

women can hold up half the sky

Women contribute as much as men and many things can't be done without them. Approving, a well-known slogan of gender equality.
富不学奢而奢，贫不学俭而俭 fù bù xué shē ér shē, pín bù xué jiǎn ér jiǎn

the rich needn't learn extravagance to be extravagant; the poor needn't learn thrift to be thrifty

People's habits are shaped by their means: wealth breeds lavishness and poverty teaches frugality.
富贵本无根，尽从勤里得 fùguì běn wú gēn, jìn cóng qín lǐ dé

wealth and rank have no roots; all come from diligence

Prosperity isn't inherited by fate but earned by hard work. Encouraging.
富贵草头霜 fùguì cǎotóu shuāng

wealth and rank are frost on the grass tips

Riches and status vanish quickly, like frost in the morning sun. A warning against pride in wealth.
富贵怕见开花 fùguì pà jiàn kāihuā

the wealthy fear seeing the flowers bloom

Old saying that wealthy families dread the signs of decline, since a bloom means wilting is near.
富贵在天，生死由命 fùguì zài tiān, shēngsǐ yóu mìng

wealth is up to Heaven, life and death are up to fate

The fatalistic view that riches, life and death are predestined and can't be changed. Classed as superstition by the book.
富家必有旧物 fùjiā bì yǒu jiùwù

a rich house must have old things

Old wealthy families are bound to own treasures handed down from ancestors.
富家一席酒，穷汉半年粮 fùjiā yī xíjiǔ, qiónghàn bàn nián liáng

one banquet of a rich family is half a year's grain for a poor man

Points to the huge gap between rich and poor in the old society and the extravagance of the wealthy. It criticises inequality and does not mock the poor.
富人妻，墙上皮，掉了一层再和泥；穷人妻，心肝肺，一时一刻不能离 fùrén qī, qiáng shang pí, diàole yī céng zài huóní; qióngrén qī, xīn gān fèi, yīshí yīkè bù néng lí

a rich man's wife is the skin on the wall: when a layer falls off, mix more mud; a poor man's wife is heart, liver and lungs: not apart for a moment

Says that in the old days rich men with many wives felt little for them, while poor couples were deeply attached. It is a class contrast about marriage and is dated.
富无三代享 fù wú sān dài xiǎng

wealth doesn't last three generations

Riches rarely stay in a family beyond three generations. Similar to 'clogs to clogs in three generations'.
覆水不可收 fùshuǐ bùkě shōu

spilled water cannot be gathered back

What's been said or done can't be undone. Close to 'there's no use crying over spilt milk'.
该急不急，易失战机；该缓不缓，难以精算 gāi jí bù jí, yì shī zhànjī; gāi huǎn bù huǎn, nányǐ jīng suàn

if you don't hurry when you should, you easily lose the chance; if you don't slow down when you should, you can't calculate carefully

Judge what is urgent and what can wait: seize opportunities but plan carefully.
干地打不成高墙，没钱盖不起瓦房 gān dì dǎ bù chéng gāo qiáng, méi qián gài bù qǐ wǎfáng

dry earth can't be rammed into a high wall; without money you can't build a tile house

You can't get things done without the necessary conditions. Close to 'you can't make bricks without straw'.
干屎抹不到人身上 gān shǐ mǒ bù dào rén shēn shang

dry dung can't be smeared on a person

False accusations won't stick and the truth will come out in the end.

May offend: vulgar language
甘言夺志，糖食坏齿 gānyán duózhì, tángshí huàichǐ

sweet words rob you of resolve, sweet food ruins teeth

Flattery saps ambition, as too much sugar rots teeth. A warning against honeyed words.
甘蔗老来甜，辣椒老来红 gān zhe lǎo lái tián, làjiāo lǎo lái hóng

sugarcane gets sweeter with age, chilli gets redder with age

Older people grow more mature and capable through experience. Approving.
赶集早进城，赶席早入棚 gǎnjí zǎo jìn chéng, gǎnxí zǎo rùpéng

going to the market, enter town early; going to a banquet, get into the tent early

Do things promptly and don't leave them late; arriving early is better than arriving late. Advisory tone. Close to 'the early bird catches the worm'.
敢开高价口，必有识货人 gǎn kāi gāojià kǒu, bì yǒu shíhuò rén

if one dares to name a high price, there must be someone who knows the goods

Good goods will find a buyer who recognises their worth even at a high price. Said to justify a high price or to encourage confidence in quality.
钢刀虽快，不斩无罪之人 gāng dāo suī kuài, bù zhǎn wú zuì zhī rén

though a steel blade is sharp, it does not cut down the innocent

However strict the law is, it does not punish those who have done no wrong. Reassuring.
钢针难得两头尖，甘蔗没有两头甜 gāngzhēn nán dé liǎngtóu jiān, gānzhe méiyǒu liǎngtóu tián

a steel needle is hardly sharp at both ends; sugar cane is not sweet at both ends

You can't have everything; it is rare for a matter to be perfect on all sides. Similar to 'you can't have your cake and eat it'.
高门出高徒 gāomén chū gāotú

a high school produces high pupils

Students of a top master or institution are bound to be outstanding. Approving.
高山出俊鸟 gāoshān chū jùn niǎo

high mountains produce handsome birds

Remote areas often produce people of fine talent or looks. Approving.
胳膊扭不过大腿 gēbo niǔ bù guò dàtuǐ

an arm can't win a twist against a thigh

The weak cannot beat the strong. Resigned tone. Like 'you can't fight city hall'.
胳膊总是要往里弯 gēbo zǒng shì yào wǎng lǐ wān

the arm always bends inward

People naturally side with their own. Matter-of-fact; 'blood is thicker than water'.
隔辈如隔山 gébèi rú géshān

generations apart is like mountains apart

People of different generations find it hard to understand each other.
隔行如隔山 géháng rú géshān

a different trade is like a mountain between

Each trade has its own expertise, and outsiders don't understand it. Neutral.
隔年的衣裳隔夜饭 gé nián de yīshang géyè fàn

last year's clothes, yesterday's meal

Past matters should not be brought up again.
隔墙须有耳，窗外岂无人 gé qiáng xū yǒu ěr, chuāng wài qǐ wú rén

a wall must have ears; how could there be no one outside the window

Be careful with private talk, as someone may overhear. Like 'walls have ears'.
隔山隔水不隔亲 gé shān géshuǐ bù géqīn

mountains and rivers may separate, but not kinship

Distance cannot cut family ties.
隔山跑死马 géshān pǎosǐ mǎ

a mountain away, the horse runs itself to death

A place that looks near across a mountain is really very far to travel. A variant of 望山跑死马.

Every kind of Chinese saying