205 Chinese Sayings and Proverbs that Chinese Really Use

Every language has its unique charm, and Chinese is no exception, rich with centuries-old sayings that continue to shape daily conversations and cultural wisdom.

Think about it: what better way to connect with Chinese speakers and their culture than by using expressions they know and love?

Learning these famous Chinese sayings not only helps you sound more natural but also provides a window into the values, history, and humor of Chinese society.

In this article, you’ll discover 205 popular Chinese sayings that people really use. Whether about life, family, success, or friendship, these expressions capture timeless insights—and are perfect for impressing friends, deepening your language skills, or simply appreciating the beauty of Chinese thought.

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1. 哀莫大于心死 (Āi mò dà yú xīn sǐ / “No sorrow is greater than a dead heart”)

— Nothing is more sorrowful than losing all hope and becoming numb.

It means: The greatest tragedy is not physical suffering but a complete loss of emotional vitality and resilience, where one becomes apathetic and unfeeling.

2. 鞍不离马背,甲不离将身 (Ān bù lí mǎ bèi, jiǎ bù lí jiàng shēn / “The saddle stays on the horse, the armor stays on the general”)

— The saddle is never off the horse, and the armor is never off the soldier.

It means: Always remain vigilant and prepared for action or challenges, even during seemingly peaceful times.

3. 八九不离十 (Bā jiǔ bù lí shí / “Eight or nine is not far from ten”)

— Close enough to be accurate.

It means: Something is very close to the truth or actual situation, even if not perfectly precise.

4. 八仙过海,各显其能 (Bāxiān guò hǎi, gè xiǎn qí néng / “The Eight Immortals cross the sea, each showing their abilities”)

— Each person uses their unique skills to overcome challenges.

It means: Everyone has their own way of doing things or solving problems, showcasing individual talents.

5. 八字没见一撇 (Bāzì méi jiàn yī piě / “The character ‘eight’ hasn’t even begun”)

— The first stroke hasn’t even been made.

It means: Something is far from being started or figured out, with no progress made so far.

6. 白刀子进,红刀子出 (Bái dāozi jìn, hóng dāozi chū / “A white knife goes in, a red knife comes out”)

— Bloodshed is inevitable.

It means: A situation is violent and deadly, often referring to extreme conflicts where blood will be spilled.

7. 百花齐放,百家争鸣 (Bǎihuā qí fàng, bǎijiā zhēngmíng / “A hundred flowers bloom, a hundred schools contend”)

— Let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred voices be heard.

It means: Encouraging diversity and freedom in artistic and intellectual expression.

8. 百思不得其解 (Bǎisī bùdé qí jiě / “Thinking a hundred times, still no understanding”)

— No matter how much one thinks, they cannot figure it out.

It means: Something is utterly perplexing and cannot be understood despite repeated efforts.

If you’re learning Chinese or simply curious about deeper meanings, explore our 56 Chinese Proverbs about Life.

9. 百闻不如一见 (Bǎi wén bù rú yī jiàn / “Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once”)

— Seeing it once is better than hearing about it a hundred times.

It means: Personal experience is more valuable and reliable than secondhand information.

10. 败事有余,成事不足 (Bài shì yǒu yú, chéng shì bù zú / “More harm than good in completing tasks”)

— Fails more than succeeds.

It means: Someone tends to mess things up rather than accomplishing anything worthwhile.

11. 百万买宅,千万买邻 (Bǎiwàn mǎi zhái, qiānwàn mǎi lín / “Spend a million on a house, but ten million on neighbors”)

— A good neighbor is priceless.

It means: Having good neighbors is more valuable than a luxurious house, emphasizing the importance of community and relationships.

12. 饱汉不知饿汉饥 (Bǎo hàn bù zhī è hàn jī / “The well-fed don’t understand the hunger of the starving”)

— Those who are full cannot understand the struggles of the hungry.

It means: People in a comfortable position often fail to empathize with those in hardship.

13. 饱暖思淫欲 (Bǎo nuǎn sī yínyù / “With a full stomach and warm clothes comes lustful thoughts”)

— Comfort leads to indulgence.

It means: When basic needs are met, people may start to desire or indulge in more unnecessary pursuits.

14. 比上不足,比下有余 (Bǐ shàng bù zú, bǐ xià yǒu yú / “Not as good as those above, but better than those below”)

— Falling short of the top but exceeding the bottom.

It means: A person is in a middling position, often used as self-consolation or a way to urge contentment.

15. 彼一时,此一时 (Bǐ yī shí, cǐ yī shí / “That was then, this is now”)

— Times have changed.

It means: Circumstances are different now, and the same actions or principles may not apply.

16. 冰冻三尺,非一日之寒 (Bīng dòng sān chǐ, fēi yī rì zhī hán / “Three feet of ice does not form in a single day”)

— Deep ice forms over time.

It means: A situation or problem takes time to develop and cannot be resolved quickly.

17. 兵败如山倒 (Bīng bài rú shān dǎo / “A defeated army collapses like a mountain falling”)

— Defeat is total and chaotic.

It means: When failure occurs, it often leads to complete collapse, with no chance of recovery.

18. 兵来将挡,水来土掩 (Bīng lái jiàng dǎng, shuǐ lái tǔ yǎn / “When the soldiers come, the general counters; when water comes, use earth to block it”)

— Meet challenges with appropriate strategies.

It means: Tackle problems with specific solutions as they arise.

19. 病急乱投医 (Bìng jí luàn tóu yī / “In dire sickness, one seeks any doctor”)

— In desperation, one tries anything.

It means: When in a critical situation, people often resort to hasty or reckless measures.

20. 不打不相识 (Bù dǎ bù xiāng shí / “No friendship without a fight”)

— You don’t truly know someone until you’ve crossed swords with them.

It means: Conflict or confrontation can lead to deeper understanding and even friendship.

21.不到黄河心不死 (Bù dào Huánghé xīn bù sǐ / “The heart doesn’t give up until reaching the Yellow River”)

— Relentless until the very end.

It means: One doesn’t give up until all options are exhausted, or failure becomes undeniable.

22.不得已而为之 (Bùdéyǐ ér wéi zhī / “Done out of necessity”)

— Forced by circumstances.

It means: Taking action because there’s no other choice, even if it’s undesirable.

23.不费吹灰之力 (Bù fèi chuīhuī zhī lì / “Without using a puff of breath”)

— Effortless.

It means: Something is so easy that it requires almost no effort to accomplish.

24.不分青红皂白 (Bù fēn qīng hóng zào bái / “Not distinguishing between blue, red, black, or white”)

— Without discerning right from wrong.

It means: Acting or judging without considering the facts or understanding the situation.

25.不敢越雷池一步 (Bù gǎn yuè léichí yībù / “Not daring to step over the thunder pond”)

— Staying within boundaries.

It means: Being cautious not to exceed limits or cross established rules.

26.不管三七二十一 (Bù guǎn sān qī èrshíyī / “Regardless of three times seven equals twenty-one”)

— Acting recklessly.

It means: Acting without considering the consequences, reasons, or right and wrong.

27.不见棺材不落泪 (Bù jiàn guāncái bù luò lèi / “No tears until seeing the coffin”)

— Refusing to face reality until it’s too late.

It means: Someone won’t accept the truth or give up until they experience complete failure.

28.不经一事,不长一智 (Bù jīng yī shì, bù zhǎng yī zhì / “No experience, no wisdom”)

— Experience breeds wisdom.

It means: You can’t gain knowledge or insight without going through experiences or challenges.

29.不入虎穴,焉得虎子 (Bù rù hǔxué, yān dé hǔ zǐ / “No tiger cub without entering the tiger’s den”)

— No risk, no reward.

It means: Success often requires courage and venturing into dangerous or challenging situations.

30.不识庐山真面目 (Bù shí Lúshān zhēn miànmù / “Unable to recognize Mount Lu’s true face”)

— Failing to see the big picture.

It means: Being too involved in a situation to understand its true nature or essence.

31. 不以规矩,不成方圆 (Bù yǐ guī jǔ, bù chéng fāng yuán / “Without rules, no square or circle can be made”)

— No rules, no order.

It means: Success or structure in any endeavor requires adherence to established principles or guidelines.

32. 不知天高地厚 (Bù zhī tiān gāo dì hòu / “Unaware of how high the sky is or how deep the earth goes”)

— Ignorant and overconfident.

It means: Someone is arrogant and lacks self-awareness, not understanding their limitations or the world’s complexities.

33. 防患于未然 (Fáng huàn yú wèi rán / “Prevent troubles before they occur”)

— Nip it in the bud.

It means: Taking proactive measures to stop potential problems before they arise.

34. 长他人志气,灭自己威风 (Zhǎng tārén zhìqì, miè zìjǐ wēifēng / “Boost others’ morale while diminishing your own spirit”)

— Undermining yourself.

It means: Praising others excessively while undermining your own abilities or confidence.

35. 成败在此一举 (Chéng bài zài cǐ yī jǔ / “Victory or defeat depends on this move”)

— All or nothing.

It means: A critical moment or decision will determine success or failure.

36. 成事不足,败事有余 (Chéng shì bù zú, bài shì yǒu yú / “Unable to accomplish but more than capable of ruining things”)

— A master of destruction, not creation.

It means: Describes someone who not only fails to help but often makes things worse.

37. 成则为王,败则为寇 (Chéng zé wéi wáng, bài zé wéi kòu / “Success makes you a king, failure makes you a bandit”)

— History is written by the victors.

It means: In a contest for power, the winners are glorified, while the losers are vilified, regardless of morality.

38. 城门失火,殃及池鱼 (Chéngmén shīhuǒ, yāng jí chí yú / “When the city gate catches fire, the moat’s fish suffer”)

— Collateral damage.

It means: Innocent bystanders often suffer when disaster strikes in their vicinity.

39. 乘兴而来,败兴而归 (Chéng xìng ér lái, bài xìng ér guī / “Come with excitement, leave in disappointment”)

— High hopes dashed.

It means: Starting something with enthusiasm but leaving disheartened due to unmet expectations.

40. 吃不了兜着走 (Chī bù liǎo dōuzhe zǒu / “Can’t eat it all, then carry it with you”)

— Bear the consequences.

It means: When someone gets into trouble beyond their capacity, they must bear the responsibility or face the consequences.

41. 吃力不讨好 (Chīlì bù tǎohǎo / “Putting in effort without earning praise”)

— Exhausting yet thankless.

It means: Putting in great effort but receiving no recognition or reward, often because the task is difficult or the approach is flawed.

42. 吃软不吃硬 (Chīruǎn bù chīyìng / “Yield to gentleness, not toughness”)

— Prefers kindness over force.

It means: A person with a strong character who resists forceful tactics but responds positively to kind and gentle treatment.

43. 吃一堑,长一智 (Chī yī qiàn, zhǎng yī zhì / “Suffer a setback, gain wisdom”)

— Learn from mistakes.

It means: Every failure or hardship brings valuable experience and knowledge for the future.

44. 出其不意,攻其不备 (Chū qí bù yì, gōng qí bù bèi / “Strike where they least expect it”)

— Surprise attack.

It means: Achieving success by taking action unexpectedly or catching others unprepared.

45. 出淤泥而不染 (Chū yūní ér bù rǎn / “Emerge from the mud unstained”)

— Pure amidst corruption.

It means: Staying virtuous and untarnished despite being in a corrupt or unfavorable environment.

46. 初生牛犊不怕虎 (Chūshēng niúdú bù pà hǔ / “Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers”)

— Fearless youth.

It means: Young people often act boldly without fear due to their inexperience or lack of concern for potential risks.

47. 此地无银三百两 (Cǐdì wú yín sānbǎi liǎng / “There’s no 300 taels of silver here”)

— A clumsy cover-up.

It means: Trying to hide something but unintentionally revealing the truth through one’s actions.

48. 此一时彼一时 (Cǐ yī shí bǐ yī shí / “This moment is not like that moment”)

— Times change.

It means: Circumstances or contexts have changed, so comparisons or assumptions based on the past are invalid.

49. 聪明反被聪明误 (Cōngmíng fǎn bèi cōngmíng wù / “Wisdom backfires on the wise”)

— Too clever for one’s own good.

It means: Overconfidence in one’s cleverness can lead to trouble or failure.

50. 以其人之道,还治其人之身 (Yǐ qí rén zhī dào, huán zhì qí rén zhī shēn / “Use someone’s own methods against them”)

— Fight fire with fire.

It means: Using another person’s tactics or methods to counteract or defeat them.

51. 一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴 (Yī cùn guāngyīn yī cùn jīn, cùn jīn nán mǎi cùn guāngyīn / “An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, but gold cannot buy an inch of time.”)

— Time is more valuable than gold, and once it’s gone, it cannot be regained.

It means: This emphasizes the preciousness of time, stressing that it is a resource we should never take for granted because it cannot be bought back once lost.

52. 以小人之心,度君子之腹 (Yǐ xiǎorén zhī xīn, duó jūnzǐ zhī fù / “Judging noble people with a villain’s mind”)

— Relentless curiosity.

It means: Pursuing answers or the truth with unyielding determination.

53. 打蛇打七寸 (Dǎ shé dǎ qīcùn / “Strike a snake at its seven-inch point”)

— Target the weak spot.

It means: To succeed, one must focus on the most critical or vulnerable point.

54. 打肿脸充胖子 (Dǎzhǒng liǎn chōng pàngzi / “Slap one’s face to look plump”)

— Pretending to be better off.

It means: Going to great lengths or enduring hardship just to maintain appearances or impress others.

55. 大水冲了龙王庙 (Dàshuǐ chōng le Lóngwáng miào / “The flood washed away the Dragon King’s temple”)

— Fighting among one’s own.

It means: A conflict arises between people who should be allies due to a misunderstanding or lack of recognition.

56. 当局者迷,旁观者清 (Dāngjúzhě mí, pángguānzhě qīng / “The player is confused, the observer is clear”)

— Easier to see clearly from the outside.

It means: Those directly involved in a situation often fail to see it objectively, while outsiders can view it with clarity.

57. 道不同,不相为谋 (Dào bù tóng, bù xiāng wéi móu / “Different paths, no shared plans”)

— No common ground.

It means: People with differing values or goals cannot work together harmoniously.

58. 道高一尺,魔高一丈 (Dào gāo yī chǐ, mó gāo yī zhàng / “The Tao rises a foot, but the demon rises ten”)

— Greater success brings greater challenges.

It means: As one progresses or achieves more, new and bigger obstacles often emerge.

59. 得饶人处且饶人 (Dé ráo rén chù qiě ráo rén / “Where forgiveness is possible, forgive”)

— Be lenient when you can.

It means: One should not act ruthlessly or push others to their limits; leave room for mercy.

60. 多行不义必自毙 (Duō xíng bù yì bì zì bì / “Do too much evil, and you’ll bring your own ruin”)

— Evil deeds lead to downfall.

It means: Persisting in wrongdoing ultimately leads to self-destruction.

61. 多一事不如少一事 (Duō yī shì bù rú shǎo yī shì / “Better fewer things than more”)

— Avoid unnecessary trouble.

It means: It’s better to stay out of others’ affairs or avoid complicating matters.

62. 恶事行千里 (È shì xíng qiān lǐ / “Bad deeds travel a thousand miles”)

— Bad news spreads fast.

It means: Negative actions or rumors spread quickly, much faster than good deeds.

63. 恶作剧 (È zuò jù / “Mischief”)

— Prank or trick.

It means: A mischievous act or behavior intended to cause embarrassment or discomfort.

64. 耳边风 (Ěr biān fēng / “Wind by the ear”)

— In one ear and out the other.

It means: Words that are heard but ignored or taken lightly.

65. 耳闻是虚,眼观为实 (Ěr wén shì xū, yǎn guān wéi shí / “Hearing is uncertain, seeing is believing”)

— Trust what you see.

It means: What you hear may not be reliable, but seeing something firsthand provides proof.

66. 放长线钓大鱼 (Fàng cháng xiàn diào dà yú / “Cast a long line to catch a big fish”)

— Think long-term.

It means: Taking a long-term approach may not yield immediate results but will lead to greater rewards in the future.

67. 放下屠刀,立地成佛 (Fàngxià túdāo, lìdì chéngfó / “Lay down the knife and become a Buddha”)

— Redemption is always possible.

It means: Even those who have done great wrongs can change their ways and start anew by recognizing their mistakes.

68. 风马牛不相及 (Fēng mǎ niú bù xiāng jí / “Horses and cattle don’t mix”)

— Completely unrelated.

It means: Two things are entirely unrelated or irrelevant to each other.

69. 赶鸭子上架 (Gǎn yāzi shàng jià / “Forcing ducks onto a perch”)

— Forcing the impossible.

It means: Pushing someone to do something they are not capable of or ready for.

70. 隔行如隔山 (Gé háng rú gé shān / “Different trades are like separate mountains”)

— Every field is a world of its own.

It means: Professions or skills are so specialized that those outside the field find them difficult to understand.

71. 更上一层楼 (Gèng shàng yī céng lóu / “Climb to the next level”)

— Aim higher.

It means: To achieve greater success, you must strive to improve further.

72. 狗咬吕洞宾 (Gǒu yǎo Lǚ Dòngbīn / “A dog bites Lü Dongbin”)

— Failing to recognize kindness.

It means: Used to criticize someone for not appreciating good intentions or mistreating a kind person.

73. 狗嘴里吐不出象牙 (Gǒu zuǐ lǐ tǔ bù chū xiàng yá / “No ivory comes from a dog’s mouth”)

— Don’t expect decency from the indecent.

It means: A person with poor character is unlikely to say or do anything virtuous.

74. 顾前不顾后 (Gù qián bù gù hòu / “Care for the front but ignore the back”)

— Acting without thorough consideration.

It means: To focus on one aspect of a situation while neglecting others, often resulting in poor decisions.

75. 好汉不吃眼前亏 (Hǎo hàn bù chī yǎn qián kuī / “A wise man avoids immediate losses”)

— Pick your battles.

It means: Sensible people avoid unnecessary conflict and accept temporary setbacks to avoid greater harm.

76. 好事不出门,恶事行千里 (Hǎo shì bù chū mén, è shì xíng qiān lǐ / “Good deeds stay inside; bad news travels a thousand miles”)

— Bad news spreads faster than good.

It means: Good deeds often go unnoticed, while bad news or actions are widely and quickly spread.

77. 好心做了驴肝肺 (Hǎo xīn zuò le lǘ gān fèi / “Good intentions turned into donkey liver”)

— Misinterpreting good intentions.

It means: When someone’s kind actions or intentions are misunderstood as harmful or malicious.

78. 恨铁不成钢 (Hèn tiě bù chéng gāng / “Hating iron for not becoming steel”)

— Frustrated by unmet potential.

It means: Feeling disappointed and eager for someone to improve when they fail to meet expectations.

79. 呼之即来,挥之即去 (Hū zhī jí lái, huī zhī jí qù / “Call, and they come; wave, and they go”)

— Total obedience.

It means: Describes someone who is entirely at the beck and call of another, often used to highlight exploitation or servitude.

80. 换汤不换药 (Huàn tāng bù huàn yào / “Change the broth, not the medicine”)

— Superficial changes.

It means: Changing the appearance or form of something without altering its substance or essence.

81. 皇天不负有心人 (Huáng tiān bù fù yǒu xīn rén / “Heaven doesn’t let down the determined”)

— Perseverance pays off.

It means: Those who work hard and remain persistent will eventually achieve success.

82. 行行出状元 (Háng háng chū zhuàng yuán / “Every trade has its champion”)

— Excellence exists in every field.

It means: Any profession can lead to success if one is passionate and dedicated.

83. 机不可失,失不再来 (Jī bù kě shī, shī bù zài lái / “Opportunities must not be missed; they won’t come again”)

— Seize the moment.

It means: Opportunities are rare and fleeting; you must act quickly to take advantage of them.

84. 鸡蛋里找骨头 (Jī dàn lǐ zhǎo gǔ tóu / “Looking for bones in an egg”)

— Nitpicking.

It means: Deliberately finding fault where none exists.

85. 己所不欲,勿施于人 (Jǐ suǒ bù yù, wù shī yú rén / “Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to yourself”)

— The golden rule.

It means: Treat others the way you would want to be treated; don’t impose on others what you would dislike.

86. 既来之,则安之 (Jì lái zhī, zé ān zhī / “Since they have come, let them settle”)

— Adapt to the circumstances.

It means: Since the situation is already set, accept it and make the best of it.

87. 既有今日,何必当初 (Jì yǒu jīnrì, hébì dāngchū / “If you regret today, why do it before?”)

— Regret is hindsight.

It means: If you knew you’d regret it, you shouldn’t have done it in the first place.

88. 家丑不可外扬 (Jiā chǒu bù kě wài yáng / “Family scandals should not be spread outside”)

— Keep family matters private.

It means: Embarrassing family issues should not be made public.

89. 假惺惺 (Jiǎ xīng xīng / “Feigning sincerity”)

— Pretending to care.

It means: Acting with false sincerity or hypocritical kindness.

90. 嫁鸡随鸡,嫁狗随狗 (Jià jī suí jī, jià gǒu suí gǒu / “Marry a chicken, follow a chicken; marry a dog, follow a dog”)

— Follow your spouse regardless.

It means: Traditionally, women were expected to accept and follow their husbands no matter their character or situation.

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91. 江山易改,禀性难移 (Jiāng shān yì gǎi, bǐng xìng nán yí / “Mountains can change, but nature is hard to alter”)

— Old habits die hard.

It means: A person’s nature or habits are extremely difficult to change, even more so than external circumstances.

92. 脚踏两只船 (Jiǎo tà liǎng zhī chuán / “Standing with one foot on two boats”)

— Playing both sides.

It means: Being indecisive or trying to maintain connections with opposing sides for personal gain.

93. 解铃还需系铃人 (Jiě líng hái xū xì líng rén / “Untying the bell requires the one who tied it”)

— Solve problems at their source.

It means: The person who caused a problem is best suited to resolve it.

94. 今朝有酒今朝醉 (Jīn zhāo yǒu jiǔ jīn zhāo zuì / “Drink today if there is wine today”)

— Live for the moment.

It means: Enjoy the present without worrying about the future.

95. 金玉其外,败絮其中 (Jīn yù qí wài, bài xù qí zhōng / “Golden on the outside, rotten cotton within”)

— All that glitters is not gold.

It means: Something may appear beautiful on the surface but is flawed or worthless inside.

96. 近水楼台先得月 (Jìn shuǐ lóu tái xiān dé yuè / “The pavilion near the water gets the moon first”)

— Proximity has its advantages.

It means: Being close to someone or something gives you an early or unfair advantage.

97. 近朱者赤,近墨者黑 (Jìn zhū zhě chì, jìn mò zhě hēi / “Near vermilion, one turns red; near ink, one turns black”)

— You are shaped by your surroundings.

It means: The people and environment you surround yourself with greatly influence your character and behavior.

98. 经一事,长一智 (Jīng yī shì, zhǎng yī zhì / “Experience a thing, gain wisdom”)

— Learn from experience.

It means: Every experience, especially mistakes, teaches valuable lessons.

99. 井水不犯河水 (Jǐng shuǐ bù fàn hé shuǐ / “Well water doesn’t interfere with river water”)

— Keep to your own affairs.

It means: People or parties should respect boundaries and not meddle in each other’s matters.

100. 九牛二虎之力 (Jiǔ niú èr hǔ zhī lì / “The strength of nine bulls and two tigers”)

— Herculean effort.

It means: Describes using a tremendous amount of effort to accomplish something difficult.

101. 久旱逢甘雨 (Jiǔ hàn féng gān yǔ / “Long drought meets sweet rain”)

— A long-awaited relief arrives.

It means: The joy of receiving something desperately needed after a long wait.

102. 救人一命,胜造七级浮屠 (Jiù rén yī mìng, shèng zào qī jí fú tú / “Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda”)

— Saving lives is priceless.

It means: Helping others, especially in life-threatening situations, is a virtuous and incomparable act.

103. 鞠躬尽瘁,死而后已 (Jū gōng jìn cuì, sǐ ér hòu yǐ / “Bend over with utmost effort until death”)

— Devote oneself tirelessly.

It means: To dedicate oneself wholeheartedly to a cause until the very end.

104. 拒人于千里之外 (Jù rén yú qiān lǐ zhī wài / “Keep others a thousand miles away”)

— Shut someone out completely.

It means: To refuse someone coldly, showing no willingness to engage or compromise.

105. 君子一言,快马一鞭 (Jūn zǐ yī yán, kuài mǎ yī biān / “A gentleman’s word is like a whip to a fast horse”)

— A promise is as good as action.

It means: A person of integrity keeps their word without hesitation or delay.

To speak like a native, master these 200 Must-Know Idioms used in casual conversations.

106. 快刀斩乱麻 (Kuài dāo zhǎn luàn má / “A sharp knife cuts through tangled hemp”)

— Cut through complications decisively.

It means: To solve a complicated problem quickly and effectively with decisive action.

107. 柳暗花明又一村 (Liǔ àn huā míng yòu yī cūn / “Dark willows and bright flowers reveal another village”)

— A new hope emerges.

It means: After facing difficulties, a promising new opportunity or path suddenly appears.

108. 可望而不可及 (Kě wàng ér bù kě jí / “Visible but out of reach”)

— Beyond reach.

It means: Something desirable yet unattainable.

109. 空城计 (Kōng chéng jì / “Empty city stratagem”)

— Bluffing to cover weakness.

It means: A clever tactic of feigning confidence or strength to deceive an opponent when actually vulnerable.

110. 空口说白话 (Kōng kǒu shuō bái huà / “Empty words and no action”)

— All talk, no action.

It means: Speaking without backing it up with evidence or deeds.

111. 苦海无边,回头是岸 (Kǔ hǎi wú biān, huí tóu shì àn / “The sea of suffering has no bounds; turning back leads to the shore”)

— Redemption is always possible.

It means: No matter how far one strays, there is always a chance for repentance and a better path.

112. 癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉 (Lài há ma xiǎng chī tiān’é ròu / “A toad wanting to eat swan meat”)

— Aiming beyond one’s reach.

It means: Someone who desires something far beyond their abilities or worth.

113. 老鼠过街,人人喊打 (Lǎo shǔ guò jiē, rén rén hǎn dǎ / “A rat crossing the street, everyone shouts to hit it”)

— Universally despised.

It means: Something harmful or detestable that everyone is eager to eliminate.

114. 老死不相往来 (Lǎo sǐ bù xiāng wǎng lái / “Live and die without contacting each other”)

— Complete estrangement.

It means: To have no interaction or relationship with someone for a lifetime.

115. 雷声大,雨点小 (Léi shēng dà, yǔ diǎn xiǎo / “Loud thunder, small raindrops”)

— All talk, no impact.

It means: Making a lot of noise or promises but delivering little to no results.

116. 礼轻情意重 (Lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng / “The gift is light, but the affection is deep”)

— Small gift, great sentiment.

It means: A humble present can carry deep emotions and goodwill.

117. 鲤鱼跳龙门 (Lǐ yú tiào lóng mén / “A carp jumps over the dragon gate”)

— Rising against the odds.

It means: Achieving great success or advancing in life, often through hard work and determination.

Traditional sayings frequently reference well-known Chinese symbols and their meanings.

118. 烈士暮年,壮心不已 (Liè shì mù nián, zhuàng xīn bù yǐ / “A hero in old age retains undiminished ambition”)

— Old but unyielding in spirit.

It means: Even in later years, a person with great aspirations does not lose their drive or determination.

119. 临时抱佛脚 (Lín shí bào fó jiǎo / “Hug Buddha’s feet at the last moment”)

— Scrambling at the last minute.

It means: To prepare hastily and ineffectively when trouble arises due to prior negligence.

120. 流言止于智者 (Liú yán zhǐ yú zhì zhě / “Rumors stop at the wise”)

— Wisdom ends gossip.

It means: Baseless rumors fail to spread when they reach intelligent and discerning individuals.

121. 留得青山在,不愁没柴烧 (Liú dé qīng shān zài, bù chóu méi chái shāo / “As long as the green hills remain, one needn’t worry about firewood”)

— Preserve the foundation, and the future will follow.

It means: As long as the fundamentals are intact, setbacks are temporary, and recovery is possible.

122. 露马脚 (Lù mǎ jiǎo / “Reveal the horse’s hoof”)

— The truth slips out.

It means: To accidentally expose a hidden fact or intention.

123. 庐山真面目 (Lú shān zhēn miàn mù / “The true face of Mount Lushan”)

— Seeing the true picture.

It means: Understanding the reality or truth behind something, often after closer examination.

124. 路见不平,拔刀相助 (Lù jiàn bù píng, bá dāo xiāng zhù / “Draw a sword to help when witnessing injustice on the road”)

— Stand up for what’s right.

It means: To act heroically and assist those being wronged or oppressed.

125. 路遥知马力,日久见人心 (Lù yáo zhī mǎ lì, rì jiǔ jiàn rén xīn / “Distance tests a horse’s strength; time reveals a person’s character”)

— Time tells all.

It means: The true nature of someone or something is revealed over time or under prolonged testing.

126. 驴唇不对马嘴 (Lǘ chún bù duì mǎ zuǐ / “Donkey lips don’t match horse mouths”)

— A mismatch.

It means: An answer or comment that is irrelevant or illogical.

127. 落花有意,流水无情 (Luò huā yǒu yì, liú shuǐ wú qíng / “Falling flowers are willing, but flowing water is heartless”)

— Unrequited affection.

It means: One side has feelings, but the other is indifferent, often in the context of love.

128. 麻雀虽小,五脏俱全 (Má què suī xiǎo, wǔ zàng jù quán / “The sparrow is small, but it has all five organs”)

— Small yet complete.

It means: Something small in size but fully functional and well-equipped.

129. 马后炮 (Mǎ hòu pào / “Cannon behind the horse”)

— Too late to act.

It means: A delayed response or action that comes too late to be effective.

130. 眉毛胡子一把抓 (Méi máo hú zi yī bǎ zhuā / “Grab eyebrows and beard all at once”)

— Lacking priorities.

It means: Handling matters without distinguishing importance, leading to chaos or inefficiency.

131. 民以食为天 (Mín yǐ shí wéi tiān / “People consider food as heaven”)

— Food is life.

It means: Food is essential for survival and is the most basic human need.

132. 名不正,言不顺 (Míng bù zhèng, yán bù shùn / “If the name is improper, the words don’t flow”)

— Without legitimacy, nothing follows.

It means: If authority or position isn’t rightful, actions and commands will not be respected.

133. 名师出高徒 (Míng shī chū gāo tú / “Great teachers produce excellent students”)

— Great mentors, great results.

It means: Skilled teachers play a crucial role in nurturing talent and expertise.

134. 明枪易躲,暗箭难防 (Míng qiāng yì duǒ, àn jiàn nán fáng / “An open spear is easy to dodge; a hidden arrow is hard to guard against”)

— Open attacks are less dangerous than secret ones.

It means: It’s easier to defend against overt threats than covert schemes or betrayals.

135. 明人不做暗事 (Míng rén bù zuò àn shì / “Honest people don’t do sneaky things”)

— Integrity is transparent.

It means: People with integrity act openly and do not resort to underhanded methods.

136. 明修栈道,暗渡陈仓 (Míng xiū zhàn dào, àn dù chén cāng / “Openly repairing the plank road, secretly crossing the river at Chencang”)

— Distract with a ruse while executing a hidden plan.

It means: Creating a false appearance to mislead others while secretly carrying out a different intention.

137. 摸不着头脑 (Mō bù zháo tóu nǎo / “Can’t make sense of it”)

— Totally confused.

It means: Unable to understand what’s going on.

138. 磨刀不误砍柴工 (Mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng / “Sharpening the axe doesn’t delay chopping firewood”)

— Preparation improves efficiency.

It means: Taking time to prepare thoroughly ensures better results.

If you want a quick dose of inspiration, this roundup of Proverbs for Life Success is a must-read.

139. 魔高一尺,道高一丈 (Mó gāo yī chǐ, dào gāo yī zhàng / “The demon rises a foot, but the righteous rises a yard higher”)

— Good always triumphs over evil.

It means: No matter how powerful evil becomes, justice will always prevail.

140. 谋事在人,成事在天 (Móu shì zài rén, chéng shì zài tiān / “Planning is man’s effort; success depends on heaven”)

— Man proposes, heaven disposes.

It means: Efforts can be made, but the outcome ultimately depends on fate or circumstances.

141. 同生死,共存亡 (Tóng shēng sǐ, gòng cún wáng / “Share life and death, coexist in survival or destruction”)

— United through thick and thin.

It means: Standing together through challenges, no matter the cost.

142. 难于上青天 (Nán yú shàng qīng tiān / “Harder than reaching the heavens”)

— Nearly impossible.

It means: Describing something extraordinarily difficult to achieve.

143. 泥菩萨过江 (Ní pú sà guò jiāng / “A clay Buddha crossing the river”)

— Struggling to save oneself, let alone others.

It means: Someone who is in trouble themselves and incapable of helping others.

144. 宁为玉碎,不为瓦全 (Nìng wéi yù suì, bù wéi wǎ quán / “Better to be shattered jade than intact tile”)

— Prefer dignity over survival.

It means: It’s better to die with honor than to live in disgrace.

145. 牛头不对马嘴 (Niú tóu bù duì mǎ zuǐ / “A cow’s head doesn’t match a horse’s mouth”)

— Incongruent and irrelevant.

It means: When a response is unrelated or doesn’t align with the question or situation.

146. 女大不中留 (Nǚ dà bù zhòng liú / “A grown daughter cannot be kept at home”)

— Daughters must marry when grown.

It means: It is customary for daughters to leave home and start their own family when they reach adulthood.

147. 赔了夫人又折兵 (Péi le fū rén yòu zhé bīng / “Lose the wife and the troops”)

— A double loss.

It means: Suffering twofold losses when attempting to gain an advantage.

148. 平时不烧香,急来抱佛脚 (Píng shí bù shāo xiāng, jí lái bào fó jiǎo / “Never burn incense in regular times, but embrace Buddha’s feet in urgency”)

— Act only when in trouble.

It means: Neglecting preparation or relationships until a crisis arises and then rushing for help.

149. 破鼓乱人捶 (Pò gǔ luàn rén chuí / “A broken drum invites everyone’s beating”)

— Kicking someone when they’re down.

It means: A vulnerable person is more likely to be bullied or mistreated.

150. 清官难断家务事 (Qīng guān nán duàn jiā wù shì / “An honest official cannot settle family disputes”)

— Domestic issues are hard to judge.

It means: Even impartial outsiders find it difficult to resolve family matters, as they are often complex and subjective.

151. 弃之如敝屣 (Qì zhī rú bì xǐ / “Discard it like an old shoe”)

— Tossed away without regret.

It means: To discard something as worthless or insignificant.

152. 千里姻缘一线牵 (Qiān lǐ yīn yuán yī xiàn qiān / “A thousand-mile destiny tied by a single thread”)

— Marriage is predestined.

It means: Marriage is believed to be fatefully arranged, often symbolized by a red thread tied by a matchmaker.

153. 千里之堤,溃于蚁穴 (Qiān lǐ zhī dī, kuì yú yǐ xué / “A thousand-mile dike collapses from an ant’s hole”)

— Small neglects lead to big disasters.

It means: A minor issue left unresolved can escalate into a major problem.

154. 千里之行,始于足下 (Qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià / “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”)

— Start small to achieve greatness.

It means: Success comes from taking the first step and gradually building on it.

155. 牵一发而动全身 (Qiān yī fà ér dòng quán shēn / “Pull one hair and the whole body moves”)

— A small action affects the whole system.

It means: A minor change can have widespread consequences.

156. 前不见古人,后不见来者 (Qián bù jiàn gǔ rén, hòu bù jiàn lái zhě / “No one like the ancients ahead, nor the successors behind”)

— Unmatched through history.

It means: Describing someone or something as unparalleled in both past and future; sometimes used sarcastically.

157. 前怕狼,后怕虎 (Qián pà láng, hòu pà hǔ / “Fear the wolf ahead and the tiger behind”)

— Overly cautious and fearful.

It means: Hesitating and overthinking due to excessive worries or fears.

158. 前人栽树,后人乘凉 (Qián rén zāi shù, hòu rén chéng liáng / “The previous generation plants trees, the next generation enjoys the shade”)

— Enjoying the fruits of others’ labor.

It means: Benefiting from the hard work and sacrifices of those who came before.

159. 前言不搭后语 (Qián yán bù dā hòu yǔ / “The previous statement doesn’t match the following one”)

— Incoherent speech.

It means: Speaking in a way that lacks logical connection, often due to confusion.

160. 墙倒众人推 (Qiáng dǎo zhòng rén tuī / “When the wall collapses, everyone pushes”)

— Piling on the fallen.

It means: People tend to exploit or attack someone already in a vulnerable position.

161. 桥归桥,路归路 (Qiáo guī qiáo, lù guī lù / “The bridge is the bridge, the road is the road”)

— Keep things separate.

It means: Clearly distinguish between unrelated matters.

162. 巧妇难为无米之炊 (Qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī / “A clever housewife can’t cook without rice”)

— No tools, no work.

It means: Even the most capable person cannot achieve results without the necessary resources.

163. 擒贼先擒王 (Qín zéi xiān qín wáng / “Catch the leader to capture the gang”)

— Strike at the heart.

It means: Target the key player or critical issue to solve the problem.

164. 青出于蓝而胜于蓝 (Qīng chū yú lán ér shèng yú lán / “Indigo is extracted from blue, yet surpasses blue”)

— The student surpasses the master.

It means: Successors or creations often outshine their origins.

165. 茕茕孑立,形影相吊 (Qióng qióng jié lì, xíng yǐng xiāng diào / “Standing alone, with only one’s shadow for company”)

— Utterly lonely.

It means: Describing someone in deep solitude with no support or companionship.

166. 求大同,存小异 (Qiú dà tóng, cún xiǎo yì / “Seek common ground while respecting minor differences”)

— Emphasize unity over discord.

It means: Focusing on shared values while allowing differences to coexist.

167. 求人不如求己 (Qiú rén bù rú qiú jǐ / “Relying on oneself is better than asking others”)

— Self-reliance is best.

It means: It’s more effective to depend on one’s own efforts than on others’ help.

168. 取之不尽,用之不竭 (Qǔ zhī bù jìn, yòng zhī bù jié / “Inexhaustible and endless”)

— Limitless supply.

It means: Something so abundant that it seems impossible to deplete.

169. 群起而攻之 (Qún qǐ ér gōng zhī / “Rising together to attack it”)

— United opposition.

It means: A collective effort to confront or criticize a target.

170. 热锅上的蚂蚁 (Rè guō shàng de mǎ yǐ / “An ant on a hot pan”)

— Agitated and restless.

It means: Feeling extremely anxious and unable to remain calm.

171. 人不犯我,我不犯人 (Rén bù fàn wǒ, wǒ bù fàn rén / “If others do not offend me, I will not offend them.”)

— If others do not provoke me, I will not provoke them.

It means: People should not initiate conflict unnecessarily but will respond if challenged.

172. 人不可貌相 (Rén bù kě mào xiàng / “You cannot judge a person by their appearance.”)

— Do not judge a book by its cover.

It means: A person’s outward appearance does not reflect their true character.

173. 人不知,鬼不觉 (Rén bù zhī, guǐ bù jué / “No one knows, not even ghosts are aware.”)

— Done in total secrecy.

It means: Something is accomplished so secretly that no one notices.

174. 人而无信,不知其可 (Rén ér wú xìn, bù zhī qí kě / “A person without credibility cannot function.”)

— Without trustworthiness, one cannot succeed.

It means: Trust and integrity are essential qualities for any individual.

175. 人非圣贤,孰能无过 (Rén fēi shèng xián, shú néng wú guò / “People are not saints; who can be faultless?”)

— To err is human.

It means: Mistakes are natural, and everyone makes them.

176. 人逢喜事精神爽 (Rén féng xǐ shì jīng shén shuǎng / “When a person encounters joy, their spirit brightens.”)

— A happy occasion lifts one’s spirits.

It means: Good news or events bring great energy and enthusiasm.

177. 人生何处不相逢 (Rén shēng hé chù bù xiāng féng / “Where in life won’t people meet again?”)

— The world is small, and we’re bound to cross paths again.

It means: People who part ways will often meet again unexpectedly.

178. 人为财死,鸟为食亡 (Rén wèi cái sǐ, niǎo wèi shí wáng / “Humans die for wealth; birds die for food.”)

— People risk their lives for wealth, just as birds do for survival.

It means: Greed often drives people to reckless actions.

179. 人为刀俎,我为鱼肉 (Rén wèi dāo zǔ, wǒ wèi yú ròu / “They are the knife and chopping block; I am the fish and meat.”)

— I am at their mercy.

It means: Being in a position of complete vulnerability under someone’s control.

180. 人无远虑,必有近忧 (Rén wú yuǎn lǜ, bì yǒu jìn yōu / “Without long-term planning, immediate concerns arise.”)

— Failure to plan ahead leads to trouble.

It means: Foresight is necessary to prevent future problems.

181. 人心不足蛇吞象 (Rén xīn bù zú shé tūn xiàng / “The human heart is as greedy as a snake trying to swallow an elephant.”)

— Greed knows no bounds.

It means: Excessive greed is unreasonable and harmful.

182. 人之将死,其言也善 (Rén zhī jiāng sǐ, qí yán yě shàn / “When a person is dying, their words are kind.”)

— A dying person speaks sincerely.

It means: People tend to express their true feelings before passing away.

183. 仁者见仁,智者见智 (Rén zhě jiàn rén, zhì zhě jiàn zhì / “The kind see kindness; the wise see wisdom.”)

— Different perspectives arise based on personal beliefs.

It means: People interpret the same thing differently based on their viewpoints.

184. 日计不足,岁计有余 (Rì jì bù zú, suì jì yǒu yú / “A little daily effort adds up to plenty in a year.”)

— Small efforts accumulate over time.

It means: Consistent effort yields significant results.

185. 如人饮水,冷暖自知 (Rú rén yǐn shuǐ, lěng nuǎn zì zhī / “Drinking water, one knows its warmth or coldness.”)

— Only you can know your experience.

It means: Personal experiences can only truly be understood by the individual who goes through them.

186. 乳犊不怕虎 (Rǔ dú bù pà hǔ / “A young calf is not afraid of a tiger.”)

— The inexperienced are often fearless.

It means: Youth and inexperience often lead to boldness.

187. 三个臭皮匠,赛过诸葛亮 (Sān gè chòu pí jiàng, sài guò Zhū Gě Liàng / “Three cobblers surpass Zhuge Liang.”)

— Collective wisdom exceeds individual genius.

It means: Collaboration often outshines individual brilliance.

188. 三人行,必有我师 (Sān rén xíng, bì yǒu wǒ shī / “Among three people, there must be one who can teach me.”)

— Everyone has something to teach you.

It means: Be open to learning from others, regardless of who they are.

189. 三日打鱼,两日晒网 (Sān rì dǎ yú, liǎng rì shài wǎng / “Three days fishing, two days drying nets.”)

— Lack of consistency leads to failure.

It means: Irregular effort makes it difficult to achieve success.

190. 三思而后行 (Sān sī ér hòu xíng / “Think thrice before acting.”)

— Act after careful consideration.

It means: Decisions should be made after thorough thought to avoid mistakes.

191. 杀鸡焉用牛刀 (Shā jī yān yòng niú dāo / “Why use an ox-cleaver to slaughter a chicken?”)

— Using excessive force for a small task.

It means: There’s no need to use great effort for trivial matters.

192. 山锐则不高 (Shān ruì zé bù gāo / “A sharp peak is never tall.”)

— Overexposure leads to insignificance.

It means: Someone who shows off too much will fail to achieve greatness.

193. 山上无老虎,猴子称大王 (Shān shàng wú lǎo hǔ, hóu zi chēng dà wáng / “When there’s no tiger on the mountain, the monkey becomes king.”)

— The mediocre lead in the absence of the competent.

It means: When capable people are absent, less qualified ones take charge.

194. 上梁不正下梁歪 (Shàng liáng bù zhèng, xià liáng wāi / “If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked.”)

— Leadership sets the tone for others.

It means: When those in power behave poorly, their subordinates follow suit.

195. 上天无路,入地无门 (Shàng tiān wú lù, rù dì wú mén / “No way to the heavens, no door to the earth.”)

— Trapped in a desperate situation.

It means: Describes someone in a hopeless or dire position with no way out.

196. 少壮不努力,老大徒伤悲 (Shào zhuàng bù nǔ lì, lǎo dà tú shāng bēi / “If you don’t work hard in youth, you’ll regret it in old age.”)

— Lost youth brings sorrow.

It means: Not striving when young leads to regret in later life.

197. 生米煮成熟饭 (Shēng mǐ zhǔ chéng shú fàn / “The raw rice has been cooked into a meal.”)

— What’s done is done.

It means: A situation that is irreversible.

198. 胜败乃兵家常事 (Shèng bài nǎi bīng jiā cháng shì / “Victory and defeat are common in war.”)

— Success and failure are part of life.

It means: One should not dwell too much on winning or losing.

199. 胜不骄,败不馁 (Shèng bù jiāo, bài bù nǎi / “In victory, don’t be arrogant; in defeat, don’t lose heart.”)

— Stay humble and resilient.

It means: Be gracious in victory and steadfast in defeat.

200. 失败为成功之母 (Shī bài wéi chéng gōng zhī mǔ / “Failure is the mother of success.”)

— Learn from failure to succeed.

It means: Success often comes from lessons learned through failure.

201. 失之毫厘,谬以千里 (Shī zhī háo lí, miù yǐ qiān lǐ / “A tiny mistake leads to great error.”)

— Small errors lead to big consequences.

It means: Even minor deviations can result in major problems.

202. 十年树木,百年树人 (Shí nián shù mù, bǎi nián shù rén / “It takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred to nurture a person.”)

— Cultivating talent requires patience.

It means: Developing people is a long-term investment and not easily achieved.

203. 识时务者为俊杰(Shí shí wù zhě wéi jùn jié / “A wise person recognizes the times.”)

— Adaptability is a virtue.

It means: Those who understand and adapt to trends are truly capable.

204. 士别三日,当刮目相待 (Shì bié sān rì, dāng guā mù xiāng dài / “After three days apart, look at a scholar with fresh eyes.”)

— Acknowledge growth and progress.

It means: Don’t underestimate someone after they’ve had a chance to improve.

205. 世上无难事,只怕有心人 (Shì shàng wú nán shì, zhǐ pà yǒu xīn rén / “Nothing is impossible in the world for those with determination.”)

— Resolve conquers all.

It means: Any difficulty can be overcome with strong will and effort.

Final Thoughts: Chinese Sayings and Proverbs

Learning these famous Chinese sayings about life, success, and relationships is a wonderful way to delve into the rich history and culture of China. Many of these expressions have been cherished for generations, reflecting timeless wisdom and values. By mastering a few of these proverbs, you’ll not only enhance your language skills but also impress native speakers with your understanding of Chinese traditions.

China Travel Planning Guide&FAQ