Chinese proverbs (谚语)

好话说三遍，聋子也心烦 hǎohuà shuō sān biàn. lóngzi yě xīnfán

say good words three times and even a deaf man gets annoyed

Even pleasant advice becomes irritating if repeated too often. Said to someone who nags.
好货不便宜，便宜没好货 hǎo huò bù piányi, piányi méi hǎo huò

good goods aren't cheap; cheap things aren't good goods

Quality costs money, and cheap goods are likely poor. Similar to "You get what you pay for."
好记性不如烂笔头儿 hǎo jì xing bùrú làn bǐtóur

a good memory is not as good as a worn-out pen tip

Writing things down is more reliable than trusting memory, however good. Said to encourage taking notes.
好借好还，再借不难 hǎo jiè hǎo huán, zài jiè bù nán

borrow well and return well, borrowing again isn't hard

If you return what you borrow promptly, you can borrow again easily. Said to stress trustworthiness in lending.
好酒不怕巷子深 hǎo jiǔ bù pà xiàngzi shēn

good wine doesn't fear a deep alley

Good products will attract customers even in a remote spot. Nowadays often used (sometimes ironically) in debates about whether quality alone is enough without advertising.
好酒说不酸，酸酒说不甜 hǎo jiǔ shuō bù suān, suān jiǔ shuō bù tián

good wine can't be talked into sourness, sour wine can't be talked into sweetness

The truth about quality can't be changed by talk: what is good stays good and what is bad stays bad.
好了疮疤别忘了疼 hǎole chuāngbā bié wàngle téng

once the sore has healed, don't forget the pain

Warns people to remember past hardship once things improve, so as not to repeat mistakes.
好马不吃回头草，好汉不买后悔药 hǎo mǎ bù chī huítóu cǎo, hǎohàn bù mǎi hòuhuǐyào

a good horse doesn't eat the grass behind it; a true man doesn't buy regret medicine

A person of resolve doesn't go back on a decision or retrace steps, and doesn't dwell on regrets. Approving, though sometimes used to justify stubbornness.
好马不停蹄，好牛不停犁 hǎo mǎ bù tíng tí, hǎo niú bù tíng lí

a good horse doesn't stop its hooves, a good ox doesn't stop the plough

Diligent people keep working and striving without pause. Approving; used to encourage effort.
好马不用鞭催 hǎo mǎ bùyòng biān cuī

a good horse needs no whip to urge it

Capable, self-motivated people don't need to be pushed. It is a variant of 快马不用鞭催，响鼓不用重捶.
好猫不做声 hǎo māo bù zuòshēng

a good cat makes no sound

People with their own firm views don't talk much; the capable ones are quiet.
好男不吃婚时饭，好女不穿嫁时衣 hǎo nán bù chī hūn shí fàn, hǎo nǚ bù chuān jià shí yī

a good man doesn't eat the food from his wedding time; a good woman doesn't wear the clothes from her marriage time

Self-reliant young people don't live off the wealth their parents gave them at marriage. Approving of independence.
好墙维持好邻居 hǎo qiáng wéichí hǎo línjū

a good wall keeps up good neighbours

Neighbours get along best when they keep a certain distance. Similar to "Good fences make good neighbours."
好人不常恼，恼了不得了 hǎorén bù cháng nǎo, nǎole bùdéliǎo

a good person doesn't often get angry; once angry, it's terrible

A good-tempered person seldom loses their temper, but when they do, it is fearsome. A warning not to push gentle people too far.
好人多难，好事多磨 hǎorén duō nàn, hǎoshìduōmó

good people have many hardships, good things take much grinding

Good people often suffer and good outcomes come only after setbacks. Used to console or to explain delays.
好人总有好报 hǎorén zǒng yǒu hǎo bào

a good person always has a good reward

Kind people will eventually be rewarded. Used to comfort or encourage; reflects a belief in karmic justice.
好事不出门，恶事传千里 hǎo shì bù chūmén, èshì chuán qiān lǐ

good deeds don't go out the door; bad deeds travel a thousand li

Good news stays local while bad news spreads far and fast. Said with regret about gossip and reputation.
好事不在忙 hǎoshì bù zài máng

good things aren't in hurrying

Don't rush a worthwhile task, or you will make mistakes. Similar to "Haste makes waste."
好事宜早不宜迟 hǎoshì yí zǎo bù yí chí

good things are better early than late

Act quickly on beneficial matters, or the best chance may pass. Similar to "Strike while the iron is hot."
好手不敌双拳，双拳不如四手 hǎoshǒu bù dí shuāng quán, shuāng quán bùrú sì shǒu

a good hand can't beat two fists; two fists are no match for four hands

A few people, however skilled, can't withstand a larger number. Numbers win.
好书不厌千遍读 hǎo shū bù yàn qiān biàn dú

a good book is never tiresome to read a thousand times

Good books reward rereading, bringing new benefit each time. Said to encourage careful, repeated reading.
好死不如赖活 hǎosǐ bùrú lài huó

a good death is not as good as a poor life

Even a hard life is better than death. Mostly said to talk someone out of suicide or despair. Similar to "Where there's life, there's hope."
好天也得防阴雨 hǎotiān yě děi fáng yīnyǔ

even in fine weather you must guard against overcast rain

Even when things are going well, be prepared for trouble. Similar to "Save for a rainy day."
好头不如好尾 hǎo tóu bùrú hǎo wěi

a good head isn't as good as a good tail

A good ending matters more than a good beginning. Said to urge finishing well.
好鞋不踏臭狗屎 hǎo xié bù tà chòugǒushǐ

good shoes don't step in stinking dog dung

Decent people avoid contact with bad people. Said with disdain, usually to explain why one refuses to deal with a nasty person.

May offend: vulgar language
好心自有好报 hǎoxīn zì yǒu hǎo bào

a good heart naturally has a good reward

Sincere good deeds will be rewarded in time. Used to comfort or encourage kindness.
好兄弟勤算账 hǎo xiōngdì qín suànzhàng

good brothers settle accounts often

Even close friends or partners should keep money matters clear to preserve the relationship. Similar to "Short reckonings make long friends."
好言不听，祸必临身 hǎo yán bù tīng, huò bì lín shēn

if good advice isn't heeded, disaster will surely fall on you

A warning that ignoring sound advice will sooner or later bring trouble.
好雁总是领头飞，好马总是先出列 hǎo yàn zǒng shì lǐngtóu fēi, hǎo mǎ zǒng shì xiān chūliè

a good wild goose always flies at the head; a good horse always steps out of the ranks first

Capable people take the lead and guide others forward. Approving, often about leaders or role models.
好账不如无 hǎo zhàng bùrú wú

a good debt is not as good as none

Even a debt on easy terms is a burden; it's better to owe nothing.
号令如山倒 hàolìng rú shān dǎo

orders are like a mountain falling

Military orders must be obeyed absolutely and at once.
好吃屎的闻见屁也香 hào chīshǐ de wénjiàn pì yě xiāng

one who likes eating excrement finds even a fart fragrant

Bad people are drawn to bad things. A coarse, scornful saying.

May offend: vulgar language
喝水不忘挖井人 hē shuǐ bù wàng wā jǐng rén

when drinking water, don't forget the person who dug the well

Remember those who made your comfort possible and be grateful. Often used in political and moral education.
喝水要喝常流水 hē shuǐ yào hē chángliúshuǐ

when drinking, drink flowing water

A secure life requires a steady income, not one-off windfalls.
合家欢，老人安 héjiā huān, lǎorén ān

the whole family happy, the old folks at peace

When the family is harmonious and cheerful, the elders are content and well.
和蠢人争论，不如去捡大粪 hé chǔnrén zhēnglùn, bùrú qù jiǎn dàfèn

rather than arguing with a fool, you'd do better to go and collect dung

Says arguing with someone who won't listen to reason is a waste of breath. Blunt and scornful of the other person.

May offend: vulgar language
和气不蚀本 héqi bù shíběn

being friendly doesn't lose you capital

Being courteous and good-natured costs you nothing and usually pays off, especially in business. Approving advice.
和尚多了没水吃 héshang duō le méi shuǐ chī

with too many monks, there's no water to drink

When there are too many people, each expects another to do the work and nothing gets done. Critical; like 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.
河里鱼多水不清，山里石多路不平 hé li yú duō shuǐ bù qīng, shān li shí duō lù bù píng

many fish in a river and the water is not clear; many stones in the hills and the path is not level

More people means more affairs and more problems. Said as a matter-of-fact observation.
河水甜，海水咸 héshuǐ tián, hǎishuǐ xián

river water is sweet, sea water is salty

Things that look alike may differ in substance, so judge by their nature and not their appearance.
河狭水紧，人急计生 hé xiá shuǐ jǐn, rén jí jì shēng

where the river narrows the current is fast; when a person is desperate, a plan appears

Under pressure people come up with clever solutions. Approving. Close to 'necessity is the mother of invention'.
河有河道，山有山路 hé yǒu hédào, shān yǒu shānlù

rivers have their courses, mountains have their paths

Everything has its own rules, and each person has their own way of getting by. Often said to mean 'to each his own way'.
河有九曲八弯，人有三回六转 hé yǒu jiǔ qū bā wān, rén yǒu sān huí liù zhuǎn

a river has nine bends and eight turns; a person has three reversals and six changes

People change their minds and their thinking often, so don't expect them to stay consistent.
河有两岸，事有两面 hé yǒu liǎng'àn, shì yǒu liǎngmiàn

a river has two banks, a matter has two sides

Every issue has two sides, so look at both. Close to 'there are two sides to every story'.
荷花出水才见高低 héhuā chū shuǐ cái jiàn gāodī

only when lotuses rise out of the water can you see which is taller

Wait for the outcome before judging. Close to 'don't count your chickens before they hatch'.
荷花开在污泥中 héhuā kāi zài wūní zhōng

the lotus blooms in the muddy mire

A person of high character can keep their integrity in a bad environment. Approving.
黑墨落在白纸上，钉子砸在木头里 hēimò luò zài báizhǐ shàng, dīngzi zá zài mùtou lǐ

black ink on white paper, a nail hammered into wood

What is done is done and cannot be changed. Close to 'what's done is done'.
黑炭洗不白，金子染不黑 hēi tàn xǐ bù bái, jīnzi rǎn bù hēi

black charcoal can't be washed white; gold can't be dyed black

The basic nature of a thing doesn't change. Close to 'a leopard can't change its spots'.
恨小非君子，无毒不丈夫 hènxiǎo fēi jūnzǐ, wú dú bù zhàngfū

he who bears no grudge is no gentleman; he who isn't ruthless is no real man

Says a real man must hate his enemies and be hard on them. Ruthless, and often quoted cynically.
红花虽好，也要绿叶扶持 hónghuā suī hǎo, yě yào lǜyè fúchí

red flowers are fine, but they still need green leaves to support them

Even the most capable person needs others' help. Approving advice on teamwork.
红松里不会有坏心木 hóngsōng li bù huì yǒu huài xīn mù

red pine has no rotten heartwood

A person of fine character has no bad intentions. Approving.
红颜自古多薄命 hóngyán zìgǔ duō bómìng

since ancient times beautiful women have often had unhappy fates

Said with regret that beautiful women often meet misfortune. A literary, sentimental saying.
哄死人不偿命 hǒngsǐ rén bù chángmìng

cheating someone to death costs no life

Said of the old days, meaning that lying to people was not punished. Cynical and critical.
狐狸尾巴藏不住 húli wěiba cáng bù zhù

a fox's tail can't be hidden

However well a bad person disguises themselves, the truth will show through. Close to 'the cat is out of the bag' or 'show one's true colours'.
狐狸再狡猾也斗不过好猎手 húli zài jiǎohuá yě dòu bù guò hǎo lièshǒu

however cunning a fox is, it can't beat a good hunter

Evil does not overcome good; a wicked person will in time be subdued by someone more capable and just.
虎不离山，龙不离海 hǔ bù lí shān, lóng bù lí hǎi

the tiger doesn't leave the mountain, the dragon doesn't leave the sea

Out of its proper setting, a person cannot make use of their talents.
虎毒不食子 hǔ dú bù shí zǐ

even a fierce tiger does not eat its cubs

Even the cruelest person loves their own children or kin. Often said in shock at a parent who harms their child.
虎瘦雄心在 hǔ shòu xióngxīn zài

the tiger is thin but its bold heart remains

Someone in a weak position keeps the ambition they had in their prime. Approving.
虎心隔毛皮，人心隔肚皮 hǔxīn gé máopí, rénxīn gé dùpí

a tiger's heart is behind fur, a person's heart is behind the belly

You can't know what another person is really thinking. A warning to be wary of others.
虎在软地上易失足，人在甜言里会摔跤 hǔ zài ruǎndì shang yì shīzú, rén zài tiányán lǐ huì shuāijiāo

a tiger slips on soft ground, a person stumbles amid sweet words

Warns that flattery breeds pride and leads to downfall, just as a tiger loses its strength on soft ground.
花开必落，月圆必缺 huā kāi bì luò, yuè yuán bì quē

flowers that bloom must fall, a full moon must wane

Everything that flourishes will decline; a statement of the natural cycle.
花开两样红，人和人不同 huā kāi liǎngyàng hóng, rén hé rén bù tóng

flowers bloom in different reds, and people differ from one another

Even good people have different characters, just as red flowers differ in shade.
花开引蝶，树大招风 huā kāi yǐn dié, shùdàzhāofēng

blossoms draw butterflies, a big tree catches the wind

Standing out attracts jealousy and trouble. Close to 'tall poppies get cut down'.
花无百日红，人无千日好 huā wú bǎirì hóng, rén wú qiān rì hǎo

no flower stays red a hundred days, no person stays well a thousand days

Good times don't last forever; no one is always in luck.
花有重开日，人无再少年 huā yǒu chóng kāi rì, rén wú zài shàonián

flowers can bloom again, but people never become young again

Youth does not return, so treasure your young years.
画虎画皮难画骨,知人知面不知心 huà hǔ huà pí nán huà gǔ, zhī rén zhī miàn bù zhī xīn

drawing a tiger, you draw the skin but hardly the bones; knowing a person, you know the face but not the heart

It is hard to know someone's true thoughts from outward appearance. Close to 'don't judge a book by its cover'.
话不传六耳 huà bù chuán liù ěr

words are not passed to six ears

Six ears means three people. When saying something secret, nobody else should be present; a secret known to a third person is no longer safe. Similar to 'two's company, three's a crowd' for secrets.
话不可说尽,事不可做绝 huà bùkě shuō jìn, shì bùkě zuò jué

don't say all that can be said, don't do all that can be done

Always leave some room for manoeuvre in what you say and do, so you can retreat or reconcile later. Advisory, approving of moderation.
话不在多,人不在说 huà bù zài duō, rén bù zài shuō

talk isn't a matter of how much; a person isn't judged by what they say

What matters is hitting the point, not talking a lot; and a person's worth lies in what they do, not in how well they talk. Close to "actions speak louder than words".
话到嘴边留三分,事要三思而后行 huà dào zuǐbiān liú sān fēn, shì yào sānsī érhòu xíng

when words reach the lips, hold back three tenths; think three times before acting

Be careful and measured: don't say everything you think, and don't act rashly. Advisory. Close to 'look before you leap'.
话激话,没好话 huà jī huà, méi hǎohuà

words provoking words, no good words

When two sides trade sarcastic, provoking remarks, tempers rise and the talk gets uglier and uglier. Said as a warning about quarrels escalating.
话经三张嘴,长虫也长腿 huà jīng sān zhāng zuǐ, chángchong yě zhǎng tuǐ

a story passing through three mouths, even a snake grows legs

A story changes and becomes absurd as it is passed from person to person. Said to warn against hearsay. Similar to the idea of a story growing in the telling.
话说三遍淡如水 huà shuō sān biàn dàn rú shuǐ

words said three times are bland as water

Repeating the same thing again and again makes it tedious to listeners. Said as a gentle criticism of nagging or repetition.
欢娱嫌夜短,寂寞恨更长 huān yú xián yè duǎn, jìmò hèn gēng cháng

in joy one finds the night too short, in loneliness one hates the watches for being long

Time seems to fly when you are happy and drag when you are lonely or sad. Literary; like 'time flies when you're having fun'.
还债容易还情难 huánzhài róngyì huánqíng nán

repaying a debt is easy, repaying a favour is hard

Money debts can be settled, but kindness and personal obligation are hard to repay; so friendship is worth more than money. Approving.
慌不择路,饥不择食 huāngbù zélù, jībùzéshí

in panic one doesn't choose the road, when hungry one doesn't choose the food

When in a panic or in urgent need, people can't afford to be choosy and take whatever is at hand. Often an excuse or explanation for hasty choices.
皇帝女儿不愁嫁 huángdì nǚ'ér bù chóu jià

an emperor's daughter need not worry about marrying

Goods in great demand never lack buyers; by extension, talented people or sought-after things are always in demand.
皇天不负苦心人 huángtiān bùfù kǔxīn rén

heaven does not fail those who take pains

People who work hard and persevere will in the end succeed. Encouraging. Like 'hard work pays off'.
黄河尚有澄清日,岂可人无得运时 huánghé shàng yǒuchéngqīng rì, qǐkě rén wú dé yùn shí

Even the Yellow River has a day when it runs clear; how could a person have no time of good luck?

Encourages someone down on their luck: everyone's turn for good fortune will come. Similar to 'every dog has its day'.
黄金被土埋,不失其光辉 huángjīn bèi tǔ mái, bù shī qí guānghuī

Gold buried in earth does not lose its luster

Talented people, even if overlooked for a time, will eventually show their ability. Encouraging.
黄金有假,戏法无真 huángjīn yǒu jiǎ, xìfǎ wú zhēn

Gold can be fake; conjuring tricks are never real

Warns that counterfeits are common in the world, so you must learn to tell real from fake.
黄金有价人无价 huángjīn yǒujià rén wújià

Gold has a price; a person is priceless

A human being is worth more than any amount of gold. Used to stress the value of life or people.
黄金有价,信誉无价 huángjīn yǒujià, xìnyù wújià

Gold has a price; reputation is priceless

Trustworthiness and good reputation matter more than money. Often used in business and ethics talk.
黄泉路上无老少 huángquán lù shang wú lǎoshào

On the road to the Yellow Springs there are no old or young

Death comes to people of any age, so the young can die before the old. Said with a sigh at an untimely death, or as a reminder to cherish life.
黄山归来不看山 huángshān guīlái bù kàn shān

Having come back from Huangshan, you look at no other mountain

Huangshan is so beautiful that other mountains seem dull after it. Praise of Huangshan's scenery; a variant of the saying about the Five Great Mountains.
谎言腿短,当场摔断 huǎngyán tuǐ duǎn, dāngchǎng shuāiduàn

Lies have short legs and break on the spot

Lies have flaws and are quickly exposed. Said as a warning against lying.
悔前容易悔后难 huǐ qián róngyì huǐ hòu nán

Regretting before is easy; regretting after is hard

If you realise your error before acting there is time to fix it; after the fact it is too late. Advises thinking ahead.
会家不忙,忙家不会 huìjiā bù máng, mángjiā bù huì

The one who knows is not in a rush; the one in a rush doesn't know

An expert stays calm; people who flap about usually lack skill.
会嫁嫁对头,不会嫁嫁门楼 huì jià jià duìtóu, bù huì jià jià ménlóu

One who knows how to marry picks the right match; one who doesn't picks the grand gate

A woman should choose a husband who suits her, not a wealthy or powerful family.

May offend: sexist or sexual
会看的看门道,不会看的看热闹 huì kàn de kàn méndao, bù huì kàn de kàn rènao

Those who know how to watch see the technique; those who don't watch the spectacle

Experts see the essentials, while novices see only surface excitement. Compare 'the expert sees what the layman misses'.
会说的不如会听的 huì shuō de bùrú huì tīng de

A good talker is no match for a good listener

However cleverly someone speaks, a perceptive listener can see through to what they really mean.
会推磨就会推碾子 huì tuī mò jiù huì tuī niǎnzi

If you can push a millstone, you can push a roller

If you can do one task, similar ones are easy to learn.
慧眼识英雄 huìyǎn shí yīngxióng

A sharp eye recognises a hero

A perceptive person spots talent. Used in praise of a good judge of people.
活到老,学到老,还有三分没学好 huó dào lǎo, xué dào lǎo, hái yǒu sān fēn méi xué hǎo

Live till old, learn till old, and still three tenths not learned well

There is no end to learning; even a lifetime of study leaves things unmastered. Encouraging.
活人不会给尿憋死 huórén bù huì gěi niào biēsǐ

A living person won't be killed by holding in urine

People in a tight spot always find a way out. Colloquial, a little coarse.

May offend: vulgar language
火烧眉毛,且顾眼前 huǒ shāo méimao, qiě gù yǎnqián

fire burns the eyebrows, first look to what's before your eyes

In an emergency, deal with the most urgent problem first and leave the rest for later.
火车不是推的,泰山不是堆的 huǒchē bù shì tuī de, tàishān bù shì duī de

A train isn't pushed along; Mount Tai wasn't piled up

Achievements come from real work, not from boasting.
火车跑得快,全靠车头带 huǒchē pǎo de kuài, quán kào chētóu dài

A train runs fast thanks entirely to the locomotive pulling it

For work to go well, leadership is the key.
火大无湿柴 huǒ dà wú shī chái

when the fire is big, there is no wet firewood

With enough force behind it, even wet wood burns; with enough people and strength, any difficulty can be overcome. Encouraging.
火候不到不揭锅 huǒhou bù dào bù jiēguō

if the heat isn't right, don't lift the lid

Don't act before the time is ripe; wait until conditions are ready. Similar to 'Don't count your chickens' in spirit, more like 'all in good time'.

Every kind of Chinese saying