Chinese Proverbs
Explore our collection of 583+ Chinese proverbs with English translations, pinyin pronunciation, and cultural context. From ancient philosophy to folk wisdom, discover sayings that have guided Chinese culture for millennia.
What Are Chinese Proverbs?
Chinese proverbs (谚语 yànyǔ) are short, memorable sayings that encapsulate wisdom accumulated over thousands of years. Drawing from Confucian philosophy, Daoist teachings, Buddhist thought, and folk traditions, these sayings offer guidance on everything from personal conduct to business strategy.
Unlike Western proverbs which often state things directly, Chinese proverbs frequently use vivid imagery—dragons, tigers, mountains, rivers—to make their point. A proverb like "climbing a tree to catch fish" (缘木求鱼) elegantly conveys the futility of a wrong approach.
Featured Proverbs
不怕慢，就怕站
Bù pà màn, jiù pà zhàn
"Don't fear being slow; fear only standing still"
打草惊蛇
Dǎ cǎo jīng shé
"Beat the grass and startle the snake"
画蛇添足
Huà shé tiān zú
"To draw a snake and add feet to it"
不入虎穴，焉得虎子
Bù rù hǔ xué, yān dé hǔ zǐ
"If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get the tiger's cub?"
狐假虎威
Hú jiǎ hǔ wēi
"The fox exploits the tiger's ferocity"
杀鸡儆猴
Shā jī jǐng hóu
"Kill the chicken to warn the monkey"
玉不琢不成器
Yù bù zhuó bù chéng qì
"Jade cannot become a vessel without being carved"
纸包不住火
Zhǐ bāo bù zhù huǒ
"Paper cannot wrap fire"
师傅领进门，修行在个人
Shī fu lǐng jìn mén, xiū xíng zài gè rén
"The master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual"
冰冻三尺，非一日之寒
Bīng dòng sān chǐ, fēi yī rì zhī hán
"Three feet of ice is not formed in a single day's cold"
水能载舟，亦能覆舟
Shuǐ néng zài zhōu, yì néng fù zhōu
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it"
树倒猢狲散
Shù dǎo hú sūn sàn
"When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter"
Proverbs by Category
🎯 Success & Achievement
View all success proverbs →All 583 Chinese Proverbs (A–Z)
- 林子大了，什么鸟都有 — A Big Forest Has All Kinds of Birds
- 因祸得福 — A Blessing in Disguise
- 塞翁失马，焉知非福 — A Blessing in Disguise - How Can We Know It Is Not Good?
- 瞎猫碰上死耗子 — A Blind Cat Stumbling Upon a Dead Mouse
- 泥菩萨过江——自身难保 — A Clay Bodhisattva Crossing the River
- 千里姻缘一线牵 — A Distant Marriage Connected by a Thread
- 远亲不如近邻 — A Distant Relative Is Not as Good as a Nearby Neighbor
- 狗咬吕洞宾，不识好人心 — A Dog Bites Lu Dongbin, Ungrateful for a Good Heart
- 受人滴水之恩，当以涌泉相报 — A Drop of Kindness, a Spring of Gratitude
- 滴水之恩，涌泉相报 — A Drop of Water, a Spring of Gratitude
- 尺有所短，寸有所长 — A Foot Has Its Shortness, an Inch Has Its Length
- 满瓶不动半瓶摇 — A Full Bottle Stays Still, a Half Bottle Shakes
- 君子爱财，取之有道 — A Gentleman Loves Wealth, But Takes It the Right Way
- 君子一言，驷马难追 — A Gentleman's Word Cannot Be Recalled
- 好的开始是成功的一半 — A Good Beginning Is Half the Battle
- 不管白猫黑猫，抓住老鼠就是好猫 — A Good Cat Catches Mice, Whether White or Black
- 千里送鹅毛，礼轻情意重 — A Goose Feather from a Thousand Miles Away
- 秋后的蚂蚱——蹦跶不了几天 — A Grasshopper After Autumn
- 英雄无用武之地 — A Hero Without a Stage for His Talents
- 人生一世，草木一秋 — A Human Life Is One Lifetime, Grass and Trees One Autumn
- 百尺竿头，更进一步 — A Hundred-Foot Pole, One Step Further
- 千里之行，始于足下 — A Journey of a Thousand Li Begins with a Single Step
- 千里之行始于足下 — A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
- 一叶障目，不见泰山 — A Leaf Blocks the View of Mount Tai
- 狗改不了吃屎 — A Leopard Cannot Change Its Spots
- 升米恩，斗米仇 — A Liter of Rice Builds Gratitude, A Bushel Breeds Resentment
- 好死不如赖活着 — A Messy Life Is Better Than a Decent Death
- 初生牛犊不怕虎 — A Newborn Calf Fears No Tiger
- 贫贱夫妻百事哀 — A Poor Couple, a Hundred Sorrows
- 宰相肚里能撑船 — A Prime Minister Can Sail a Boat in His Belly
- 宰相肚里好撑船 — A Prime Minister's Belly Can Sail a Boat
- 一诺千金 — A Promise Worth a Thousand Gold
- 士为知己者死，女为悦己者容 — A Scholar Dies for the One Who Knows Him
- 小洞不补，大洞吃苦 — A Small Hole Unfixed, a Big Hole Brings Suffering
- 人心不足蛇吞象 — A Snake Swallows an Elephant with an Insatiable Heart
- 子不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫 — A Son Does Not Dislike His Ugly Mother; A Dog Does Not Dislike Its Poor Home
- 细水长流，遇灾不愁 — A Thin Stream Flows Long
- 千里之堤，溃于蚁穴 — A Thousand-Mile Dike Collapses from an Ant Hole
- 虎父无犬子 — A Tiger Father Has No Dog Sons
- 篱笆扎得紧，野狗钻不进 — A Tight Fence Keeps Stray Dogs Out
- 试金之石可试金，金可试人 — A Touchstone Tries Gold, Gold Tries Man
- 好汉做事好汉当 — A True Hero Owns Their Actions
- 大丈夫能屈能伸 — A True Man Knows When to Bend and When to Stand Tall
- 积善之家，必有余庆 — A Virtuous Family Will Have Abundant Blessings
- 白驹过隙 — A White Colt Flashes Past a Crevice
- 识时务者为俊杰 — A Wise Person Adapts to the Times
- 能屈能伸 — Able to Bend and Stretch
- 积善之家，必有余庆；积不善之家，必有余殃 — Accumulate Good, Excess Blessings
- 积少成多 — Accumulate Small, Become Much
- 日积月累 — Accumulated Over Time
- 相识满天下，知心能几人 — Acquaintances Everywhere, Kindred Spirits Few
- 天下乌鸦一般黑 — All Crows Under Heaven Are Equally Black
- 万事俱备，只欠东风 — All Is Ready, Only the East Wind Is Lacking
- 条条大路通罗马 — All Roads Lead to Rome
- 光说不练假把式 — All Talk, No Action
- 万事开头难 — All Things Are Difficult Before They Are Easy
- 有志不在年高，无志空活百岁 — Ambition Knows No Age
- 强中自有强中手 — Among the Strong, There Are Stronger Hands
- 师出有名 — An Army Deploys with Just Cause
- 秋后的蚂蚱，蹦跶不了几天 — An Autumn Grasshopper Cannot Jump for Long
- 心急吃不了热豆腐 — An Impatient Heart Cannot Eat Hot Tofu
- 老将出马，一个顶俩 — An Old General Takes the Field, Worth Two Men
- 牛头不对马嘴 — An Ox Head on a Horse's Mouth
- 前人栽树，后人乘凉 — Ancestors Plant Trees, Descendants Enjoy Shade
- 答非所问 — Answer Not What Was Asked
- 热锅上的蚂蚁——团团转 — Ant on a Hot Pan, Spinning Around
- 蚂蚁搬家蛇过道，大雨不久就来到 — Ants Moving House and Snakes Crossing the Road Mean Heavy Rain Is Coming
- 清明前后，种瓜点豆 — Around Qingming, Plant Melons and Beans
- 在家靠父母，出门靠朋友 — At Home, Rely on Parents; Abroad, Rely on Friends
- 攻心为上，攻城为下 — Attack the Heart Best, Attack the City Worst
- 避而不谈 — Avoid and Not Discuss
- 避嫌 — Avoiding Suspicion
- 宽以待人，严以律己 — Be Lenient with Others, Strict with Yourself
- 不怕慢，就怕站 — Be Not Afraid of Growing Slowly, Be Afraid Only of Standing Still
- 打草惊蛇 — Beat the Grass and Startle the Snake
- 敲锣卖糖，各干一行 — Beating Gongs and Selling Candy, Each Their Own Trade
- 善人难做 — Being Good Is Hard
- 有理不在声高 — Being Right Doesn't Require Loudness
- 亡羊补牢，为时未晚 — Better Late Than Never
- 宁为玉碎，不为瓦全 — Better to Be a Shattered Jade Than a Whole Tile
- 授人以鱼，不如授人以渔 — Better to Teach Fishing Than Give Fish
- 山外有山，人外有人 — Beyond Mountains, More Mountains
- 树大招风 — Big Tree Catches Wind
- 物以类聚，人以群分 — Birds of a Feather Flock Together
- 不管黑猫白猫，能捉老鼠的就是好猫 — Black Cat, White Cat, Good Cat Catches Mice
- 黑发不知勤学早，白首方悔读书迟 — Black Hair Regrets Not Studying, White Head Regrets Too Late
- 大难不死，必有后福 — Blessing Follows Survival
- 福无双至，祸不单行 — Blessings Do Not Come in Pairs, Disasters Do Not Come Alone
- 盲人摸象 — Blind Men Touch an Elephant
- 青出于蓝而胜于蓝 — Blue From Indigo Surpasses Indigo
- 身在曹营心在汉 — Body in Cao's Camp, Heart in Han
- 身正不怕影子斜 — Body Straight Fears Not Shadow Slanted
- 书山有路勤为径，学海无涯苦作舟 — Book Mountain Has a Path Through Diligence
- 生于忧患，死于安乐 — Born in Adversity, Die in Comfort
- 早餐吃好，午餐吃饱，晚餐吃少 — Breakfast Well, Lunch Full, Dinner Less
- 桥归桥，路归路 — Bridge Returns to Bridge, Road Returns to Road
- 兄弟同心，其利断金 — Brothers United Cut Through Gold
- 不可同日而语 — Cannot Be Mentioned in the Same Breath
- 有眼不识泰山 — Cannot Recognize Mount Tai
- 大意失荆州 — Carelessness Lost Jingzhou
- 欲擒故纵 — Catch by Releasing
- 擒贼先擒王 — Catch the Thief, First Catch the King
- 辅车相依 — Cheek and Jawbone, Mutually Dependent
- 半路里杀出个程咬金 — Cheng Yaojin Appears Halfway Through
- 城门失火，殃及池鱼 — City Gate Fire, Moat Fish Suffer
- 为人不做亏心事，半夜敲门心不惊 — Clear Conscience, No Fear at Midnight Knock
- 聪明在于勤奋，天才在于积累 — Cleverness From Diligence, Genius From Accumulation
- 衣带渐宽终不悔，为伊消得人憔悴 — Clothes Grow Loose Without Regret
- 衣不如新，人不如故 — Clothes New, Friends Old
- 人比人，气死人 — Comparing People Angers You to Death
- 照葫芦画瓢 — Copying the Gourd to Draw the Dipper
- 正人先正己 — Correct Yourself Before Correcting Others
- 夫妻没有隔夜仇 — Couples Hold No Overnight Grudges
- 礼尚往来 — Courtesy Demands Reciprocity
- 庄稼一枝花，全靠粪当家 — Crops Bloom Like Flowers, All Thanks to Manure
- 过五关，斩六将 — Crossing Five Passes, Slaying Six Generals
- 累卵之危 — Danger of Stacked Eggs
- 不敢越雷池一步 — Dare Not Cross the Thunder Pool One Step
- 敢作敢当 — Dare to Act, Dare to Answer
- 人死如灯灭 — Death Extinguishes Like a Lamp
- 死有重于泰山，或轻于鸿毛 — Death is Light as a Feather or Heavy as a Mountain
- 人固有一死，或重于泰山，或轻于鸿毛 — Death Weighs Like Mount Tai or Wild Goose Feathers
- 儿孙自有儿孙福，莫为儿孙做马牛 — Descendants Have Their Own Fortune
- 大家都是命，半点不由人 — Destiny Rules All
- 道不同，不相为谋 — Different Paths, No Collaboration
- 临渴掘井 — Dig a Well When Thirsty
- 勤能补拙 — Diligence Compensates for Clumsiness
- 勤奋出天才 — Diligence Produces Genius
- 人勤地生宝，人懒地生草 — Diligence Turns Earth to Treasure
- 祸从口出 — Disaster Exits Through the Mouth
- 路遥知马力，日久见人心 — Distance Tests a Horse's Strength; Time Reveals a Person's Heart
- 远来的和尚会念经 — Distant Monks Chant Better
- 亲戚远离香，邻居高打墙 — Distant Relatives Smell Sweet; Neighbors Build High Walls
- 远水解不了近渴 — Distant Water Cannot Quench Nearby Thirst
- 远水不救近火 — Distant Water Cannot Save a Nearby Fire
- 莫信直中直，须防仁不仁 — Distrust the Seemingly Straight
- 但行好事，莫问前程 — Do Good, Ask Not the Future
- 勿以恶小而为之，勿以善小而不为 — Do Not Commit Small Evils, Nor Neglect Small Virtues
- 己所不欲，勿施于人 — Do Not Do to Others What You Don't Want Done to You
- 勿以善小而不为 — Do Not Fail to Do Good Because It Is Small
- 尽人事，听天命 — Do Your Best, Leave the Rest to Heaven
- 瓜田不纳履，李下不整冠 — Don't Adjust Your Shoes in a Melon Patch, Don't Fix Your Hat Under a Plum Tree
- 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 — Don't Judge by Appearance
- 不在其位，不谋其政 — Don't Plan What Isn't Your Position
- 别看贼吃饭，要看贼挨打 — Don't Watch the Thief Eat, Watch the Thief Get Beaten
- 驴唇不对马嘴 — Donkey Lips Don't Match a Horse's Mouth
- 龙生龙，凤生凤，老鼠生儿会打洞 — Dragon Begets Dragon, Phoenix Begets Phoenix
- 竭泽而渔 — Drain the Pond to Catch Fish
- 画蛇添足 — Draw a Snake and Add Feet
- 竹篮打水——一场空 — Drawing Water with a Bamboo Basket
- 饮鸩止渴 — Drinking Poison to Quench Thirst
- 水滴石穿 — Dripping Water Hollows Stone
- 滴水穿石 — Dripping Water Wears Through Stone
- 赶鸭子上架 — Driving a Duck onto a Perch
- 放下屠刀，立地成佛 — Drop the Butcher's Knife, Become a Buddha on the Spot
- 尘归尘，土归土 — Dust to Dust
- 早起三光，晚起三慌 — Early Rise, Three Brights; Late Rise, Three Panics
- 说起来容易做起来难 — Easier Said Than Done
- 东方不亮西方亮，黑了南方有北方 — East Dark West Bright, South Dark North Exists
- 看菜吃饭，量体裁衣 — Eat According to the Dishes, Cut Clothes to the Body
- 吃得苦中苦，方为人上人 — Eat Bitterness to Rise Above Others
- 食不言，寝不语 — Eat Without Talking, Sleep Without Speaking
- 吃不穷，穿不穷，算计不到一世穷 — Eating Won't Make You Poor, Wearing Won't Make You Poor, Poor Planning Makes You Poor Forever
- 八仙过海，各显神通 — Eight Immortals Cross the Sea, Each Shows Their Powers
- 八竿子打不着 — Eight Poles Cannot Reach
- 长兄如父，老嫂比母 — Elder Brother Like Father, Elder Sister-in-Law Like Mother
- 虚怀若谷 — Empty Bosom Like a Valley
- 空城计 — Empty Fort Strategy
- 忍一时风平浪静 — Endure a Moment, Find Calm Waters
- 忍一时风平浪静，退一步海阔天空 — Endure a Moment, Retreat a Step
- 不是冤家不聚头 — Enemies and Lovers Destined to Meet
- 入国问禁，入乡问俗 — Enter a Country, Ask About Taboos
- 入芝兰之室，久而不闻其香 — Enter Orchid Room, No Longer Smell
- 入乡随俗 — Enter Village, Follow Customs
- 只羡鸳鸯不羡仙 — Envy Mandarin Ducks, Not Immortals
- 模棱两可 — Equivocal and Ambiguous
- 清官难断家务事 — Even an Honest Judge Cannot Settle Family Disputes
- 智者千虑，必有一失；愚者千虑，必有一得 — Even the Wise Stumble, Even Fools Succeed
- 黄河尚有澄清日，岂可人无得运时 — Even the Yellow River Runs Clear, How Can a Person Never Find Luck
- 家家有本难念的经 — Every Family Has a Scripture Hard to Read
- 河有两岸，事有两面 — Every River Has Two Banks, Every Matter Has Two Sides
- 三百六十行，行行出状元 — Every Trade Has Its Master
- 人各有志，不可强求 — Everyone Has Their Own Will
- 谁人背后无人说，哪个人前不说人 — Everyone Talks Behind Everyone's Back
- 业精于勤荒于嬉，行成于思毁于随 — Excellence From Diligence, Ruin From Play
- 业精于勤荒于嬉 — Excellence Through Diligence, Ruin Through Play
- 除了郎舅无好亲 — Except for a Brother-in-Law, There Is No Good Relative
- 穷则变，变则通，通则久 — Exhaustion Brings Change, Change Brings Flow, Flow Brings Longevity
- 乐极生悲 — Extreme Joy Begets Sorrow
- 见怪不怪，其怪自败 — Face the Strange Unfazed and the Strange Will Defeat Itself
- 事实胜于雄辩 — Facts Speak Louder Than Words
- 失败是成功之母 — Failure Is the Mother of Success
- 忠言逆耳利于行 — Faithful Words Grate the Ear but Benefit Action
- 吃一堑，长一智 — Fall Into a Pit, Gain Wisdom
- 落叶归根 — Fallen Leaves Return to Roots
- 人怕出名猪怕壮 — Fame Frightens, Fat Pigs Slaughter
- 家和万事兴 — Family Harmony, All Things Flourish
- 家有千口，主事一人 — Family of Thousand Mouths, One Person Decides
- 有缘千里来相会，无缘对面不相逢 — Fate Brings People Together Across a Thousand Miles; Without Fate, They Pass Unknowing
- 父慈子孝，兄友弟恭 — Father Kind, Son Filial; Elder Brother Friendly, Younger Brother Respectful
- 五十步笑百步 — Fifty Steps Laughing at a Hundred Steps
- 拳不离手，曲不离口 — Fist Never Leaves Hand, Song Never Leaves Mouth
- 闪烁其词 — Flickering Words
- 墙内开花墙外香 — Flower Blooms Inside, Fragrance Outside
- 花有重开日，人无再少年 — Flowers Bloom Again, Youth Never Returns
- 傻人有傻福 — Fools Have Fool's Fortune
- 福祸相依 — Fortune and Misfortune Are Intertwined
- 莫逆之交 — Friends Without Conflict
- 以势交者，势倾则绝；以利交者，利穷则散 — Friendship by Power, Power Gone Friendship Ends
- 小人之交甘若醴 — Friendship of Small Men is Sweet as Sweet Wine
- 由俭入奢易，由奢入俭难 — Frugality to Luxury Is Easy, Luxury to Frugality Is Hard
- 一瓶子不响，半瓶子晃荡 — Full Bottle Silent, Half Bottle Loud
- 聚沙成塔 — Gather Sand to Build a Tower
- 将在外，君命有所不受 — General Abroad Ignores Orders
- 将相本无种，男儿当自强 — Generals and Ministers Have No Hereditary Seed
- 将在谋而不在勇，兵在精而不在多 — Generals Rely on Strategy, Not Bravery
- 君子之交淡如水，小人之交甘若醴 — Gentleman's Friendship Like Water
- 授人以鱼不如授人以渔 — Give a Man a Fish, Teach Him to Fish
- 顺其自然 — Go With the Flow
- 金玉良言 — Gold and Jade, Precious Words
- 金无足赤，人无完人 — Gold Is Never Pure, Humans Are Never Perfect
- 善恶到头终有报，只争来早与来迟 — Good and Evil Eventually Repaid
- 良药苦口利于病 — Good Medicine Tastes Bitter
- 善有善报，恶有恶报 — Good Meets Good, Evil Meets Evil
- 人善被人欺，马善被人骑 — Good People Bullied, Kind Horses Ridden
- 善有善报，恶有恶报；不是不报，时辰未到 — Good Repaid Good, Evil Repaid Evil
- 酒香不怕巷子深 — Good Wine Needs No Cry in the Alley
- 结草衔环 — Grass Knots and Jade Rings
- 大水冲了龙王庙 — Great Flood Washes Away the Dragon King's Temple
- 大巧若拙 — Great Skill Appears Clumsy
- 名师出高徒 — Great Teachers Produce Great Students
- 厚德载物 — Great Virtue Carries All Things
- 大智若愚，大巧若拙 — Great Wisdom Appears Foolish
- 大智若愚 — Great Wisdom Appears Like Foolishness
- 贪多嚼不烂 — Greedy for Much, Chew Not Well
- 小葱拌豆腐——一清二白 — Green Onion Mixed with Tofu — Clear and White
- 只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针 — Grind an Iron Pestle into a Needle
- 害人之心不可有，防人之心不可无 — Guard Against Harm While Harming None
- 挂羊头，卖狗肉 — Hanging a Sheep's Head but Selling Dog Meat
- 实干兴邦，空谈误国 — Hard Work Builds Nations, Empty Talk Destroys Them
- 功夫不负有心人 — Hard Work Rewards the Determined
- 欲速则不达 — Haste Makes Waste
- 自恨枝无叶，莫怨太阳偏 — Hate Your Own Leafless Branch, Blame Not the Sun
- 闻道有先后，术业有专攻 — Hear the Way First, Master Your Field
- 天外有天 — Heaven Beyond Heaven
- 天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福 — Heaven Has Unpredictable Storms, Humans Have Sudden Misfortune
- 天无绝人之路 — Heaven Never Seals All Exits
- 天道酬勤 — Heaven Rewards Diligence
- 天机不可泄露 — Heaven's Secrets Cannot Leak
- 天时不如地利，地利不如人和 — Heaven's Time, Earth's Advantage, Human Harmony
- 与人方便，自己方便 — Help Others, Help Yourself
- 助人为乐 — Helping Others Is Happiness
- 英雄所见略同 — Heroes Share the Same View
- 韬光养晦 — Hide Your Light, Nourish the Dark
- 打蛇打七寸 — Hit the Snake at Seven Inches
- 老实人常在，狡猾人常败 — Honest People Endure, Cunning People Fail
- 风马牛不相及 — Horses, Cattle, and Wind Have Nothing in Common
- 人算不如天算 — Human Calculation Cannot Match Heaven's Calculation
- 人情似纸张张薄，世事如棋局局新 — Human Feelings Like Paper, Thin Sheet by Sheet; Worldly Affairs Like Chess, New Game by Game
- 人往高处走，水往低处流 — Humans Climb High, Water Flows Low
- 人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺 — Humans Have Joy and Sorrow, the Moon Waxes and Wanes
- 寒门出贵子，白屋出公卿 — Humble Homes Produce Noble Sons, White Houses Produce Ministers
- 虚心使人进步，骄傲使人落后 — Humility Advances, Pride Sets Back
- 一日夫妻百日恩，百日夫妻似海深 — Hundred Days of Gratitude
- 百里不同风，千里不同俗 — Hundred Li Different Wind, Thousand Li Different Customs
- 伤其十指，不如断其一指 — Hurt Ten Fingers, Better Break One
- 名不正则言不顺 — If the Name Is Not Right, Words Will Not Follow
- 此处不留爷，自有留爷处 — If This Place Won't Keep Me, Another Place Will
- 阎王要你三更死，谁敢留人到五更 — If Yanluo Wants You Dead at Three, None Dare Keep You Until Five
- 舍不得孩子套不住狼 — If You Cannot Bear to Part with Your Child, You Cannot Trap the Wolf
- 不入虎穴，焉得虎子 — If You Don't Enter the Tiger's Den, You Can't Get the Tiger's Cub
- 若要人不知，除非己莫为 — If You Want None to Know, Don't Do It Yourself
- 难得糊涂 — Ignorance Is Bliss
- 病从口入 — Illness Enters Through the Mouth
- 病从口入，祸从口出 — Illness Enters Through the Mouth, Disaster Exits Through the Mouth
- 三人行，必有我师焉 — In a Group of Three, Someone Is My Teacher
- 安不忘危，治不忘乱 — In Peace, Do Not Forget Danger; In Order, Do Not Forget Chaos
- 情人眼里出西施 — In the Eyes of a Lover, Beauty Emerges
- 弹指一挥间 — In the Snap of a Finger
- 十年树木，百年树人 — It Takes Ten Years to Grow Trees, But a Hundred Years to Rear People
- 玉不琢不成器 — Jade Cannot Be Polished Without Friction
- 责人之心责己，恕己之心恕人 — Judge Others Judge Self, Forgive Self Forgive Others
- 得道多助，失道寡助 — Just Cause Gains Much Help, Unjust Cause Little Help
- 人情好似初相识，到老终无怨恨心 — Keep the First Meeting Freshness
- 留得青山在，不怕没柴烧 — Keep the Green Mountain, Burn Wood Tomorrow
- 留得青山在，不愁没柴烧 — Keep the Green Mountain, Never Want for Firewood
- 杀鸡儆猴 — Kill the Chicken to Frighten the Monkey
- 杀鸡取卵 — Kill the Hen to Get the Eggs
- 良言一句三冬暖，恶语伤人六月寒 — Kind Words Warm Winter, Cruel Words Chill Summer
- 姑舅亲，辈辈亲 — Kinship Through Generations
- 知己知彼，百战不殆 — Know Self Know Enemy, Hundred Battles No Danger
- 知人知面不知心 — Know the Person, Know the Face, Not the Heart
- 明知山有虎，偏向虎山行 — Knowing There's a Tiger on the Mountain, Still Head Toward It
- 小不忍则乱大谋 — Lack of Patience Ruins Great Plans
- 其身不正，虽令不从 — Lead by Example
- 牵牛要牵牛鼻子 — Lead the Ox by Its Nose
- 上行下效 — Leaders Set the Example
- 靠山吃山，靠水吃水 — Lean on the Mountain, Eat from the Mountain
- 学无止境 — Learning Has No End
- 学如逆水行舟，不进则退 — Learning Is a Boat Against the Current
- 少说为妙 — Less Said, Better
- 人生如梦 — Life Is But a Dream
- 人生无常 — Life is Impermanent
- 人生苦短，及时行乐 — Life Is Short, Enjoy the Moment
- 志同道合 — Like Minds, Same Path
- 苟延残喘 — Linger On in One's Last Gasps
- 唇亡齿寒 — Lips Gone, Teeth Cold
- 兼听则明，偏信则暗 — Listen to Both Sides and You Will Be Enlightened; Trust Only One Side and You Will Be in the Dark
- 斗米恩，升米仇 — Little Help Brings Gratitude, Much Help Breeds Resentment
- 活在当下 — Live in the Present Moment
- 肝胆相照 — Liver and Gallbladder Illuminating Each Other
- 醉生梦死 — Living Drunk and Dying Dreaming
- 有话则长，无话则短 — Long When Something, Short When Nothing
- 亡羊补牢，犹未晚也 — Lost a Sheep? Mend the Pen - It's Not Too Late
- 赔了夫人又折兵 — Lost the Wife and the Soldiers
- 雷声大，雨点小 — Loud Thunder, Small Rain
- 声东击西 — Make Noise in the East, Strike in the West
- 人为财死，鸟为食亡 — Man Dies for Wealth, Bird for Food
- 集腋成裘 — Many Furs From Armpits
- 众人拾柴火焰高 — Many Hands Gather Wood, High Flames
- 娶妻娶德不娶色，交友交心不交财 — Marry Virtue Not Beauty, Befriend Hearts Not Wealth
- 瓜无滚圆，人无十全 — Melons Are Never Perfectly Round, Humans Are Never Perfect
- 失之毫厘，谬以千里 — Miss by a Hair, Wrong by a Thousand Miles
- 闹里有钱，静处安身 — Money in Noise, Peace in Quiet
- 金钱不是万能的 — Money is Not Everything
- 有钱能使鬼推磨 — Money Makes the Ghost Turn the Mill
- 钱不是万能的，没钱是万万不能的 — Money Not Omnipotent, But Essential
- 月到十五光明少，人到中年万事休 — Moon Wanes After Fifteen, Life Pauses at Midlife
- 多个朋友多条路，多个冤家多堵墙 — More Friends, More Paths
- 朝不保夕 — Morning Does Not Guarantee Evening
- 朝霞不出门，晚霞行千里 — Morning Glow Stay Home, Evening Glow Travel Thousand Miles
- 朝秦暮楚 — Morning Qin, Evening Chu
- 老鼠过街——人人喊打 — Mouse Crosses the Street — Everyone Shouts 'Beat It'
- 言多必失 — Much Speech Invites Mistakes
- 得过且过 — Muddle Along, Drift Aimlessly
- 江山易改本性难移 — Nature is Hard to Change
- 挨金似金，挨玉似玉 — Near Gold Like Gold, Near Jade Like Jade
- 近朱者赤，近墨者黑 — Near Vermilion Red, Near Ink Black
- 近水知鱼性，近山识鸟音 — Near Water Knows Fish, Near Mountain Knows Birds
- 不置可否 — Neither Confirm Nor Deny
- 活到老，学到老 — Never Too Old to Learn
- 新官上任三把火 — New Official Three Fires
- 行百里者半九十 — Ninety Is Half of a Hundred-Mile Journey
- 离了红萝卜不成席 — No Carrot, No Feast
- 人无远虑，必有近忧 — No Forethought, Near Worries
- 没有规矩，不成方圆 — No Rules, No Square or Circle
- 此地无银三百两 — No Silver Here, Three Hundred Taels
- 覆巢之下无完卵 — No Whole Eggs Survive When the Nest is Overturned
- 不为五斗米折腰 — Not Bowing for Five Pecks of Rice
- 不当家不知柴米贵 — Not Managing a Household, Not Knowing the Cost of Firewood and Rice
- 不见棺材不落泪 — Not Shedding Tears Until Seeing the Coffin
- 世上无难事，只怕有心人 — Nothing Difficult for the Determined
- 无可奉告 — Nothing to Report
- 三十六计，走为上计 — Of All Thirty-Six Strategies, Flight Is Best
- 宁可得罪君子，不可得罪小人 — Offend Gentlemen, Not Petty Men
- 只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯 — Officials May Set Fires, But Commoners Cannot Light Lamps
- 姜是老的辣 — Old Ginger is Spiciest
- 一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳 — Once Bitten by a Snake, Ten Years Fear the Rope
- 好了伤疤忘了疼 — Once the Wound Heals, You Forget the Pain
- 一口吃不成胖子 — One Bite Cannot Make a Fat Person
- 一着不慎，满盘皆输 — One Careless Move Loses the Game
- 听君一席话，胜读十年书 — One Conversation Surpasses Ten Years of Study
- 一日不见，如隔三秋 — One Day Feels Like Three Autumns
- 家有一老，如有一宝 — One Elder at Home, One Treasure
- 一个篱笆三个桩，一个好汉三个帮 — One Fence Three Posts, One Hero Three Helpers
- 一寸光阴一寸金 — One Inch of Time is One Inch of Gold
- 人生得一知己足矣，斯世当以同怀视之 — One Kindred Spirit in Life Is Enough
- 一方水土养一方人 — One Land's Water and Soil Raise One People
- 一夫当关，万夫莫开 — One Man Holds the Pass, Ten Thousand Cannot Open
- 一失足成千古恨，再回头已百年身 — One Stumble Brings Eternal Regret, Looking Back a Century Has Passed
- 学然后知不足 — Only After Learning Do You Know What You Lack
- 养儿方知父母恩 — Only After Raising a Child Do You Understand Your Parents' Grace
- 万般皆下品，惟有读书高 — Only Reading Is Noble
- 机不可失，时不再来 — Opportunity Knocks But Once
- 画虎画皮难画骨 — Paint the Tiger's Skin, Hard to Paint the Bones
- 纸包不住火 — Paper Cannot Wrap Up a Fire
- 过了这个村，没了这个店 — Pass This Village and This Shop Is Gone
- 三过家门而不入 — Passing Home Thrice Without Entering
- 桃李满天下 — Peaches and Plums Fill the World
- 捡了芝麻，丢了西瓜 — Picked the Sesame, Lost the Watermelon
- 可怜天下父母心 — Pitiful Are the Hearts of Parents Everywhere
- 谋事在人，成事在天 — Plan With Man, Accomplish With Heaven
- 计划赶不上变化 — Plans Cannot Keep Up With Changes
- 事以密成，语以泄败 — Plans Succeed Through Secrecy, Fail Through Leaks
- 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆 — Plant Melon Get Melon, Plant Bean Get Bean
- 对牛弹琴 — Playing the Lute to a Bull
- 贫贱不能移 — Poor but Not Corrupted
- 贫居闹市无人问，富在深山有远亲 — Poor in Bustling City, Ignored; Rich in Deep Mountains, Visited
- 人穷志短，马瘦毛长 — Poor Man, Short Ambition; Thin Horse, Long Hair
- 熟能生巧 — Practice Makes Perfect
- 危如累卵 — Precarious as a Stack of Eggs
- 防患于未然 — Prevent Trouble Before It Happens
- 满招损，谦受益 — Pride Brings Loss, Humility Brings Gain
- 床头吵架床尾和 — Quarrel at the Bedhead, Peace at the Bedfoot
- 萝卜白菜，各有所爱 — Radish or Cabbage, Each Has Their Love
- 读书须用意，一字值千金 — Read With Intention, Each Word Worth Thousand Gold
- 敬酒不吃吃罚酒 — Refusing the Toast, Drinking the Forfeit
- 悬崖勒马 — Rein In at the Cliff's Edge
- 未雨绸缪 — Repair Before It Rains
- 明修栈道，暗度陈仓 — Repair the Plank Road Openly, Cross the Chencang Secretly
- 以德报怨 — Repay Unkindness with Kindness
- 恩将仇报 — Repaying Kindness With Malice
- 退一步海阔天空 — Retreat a Step, Find the Vast Sky
- 温故而知新 — Review the Old, Know the New
- 对症下药，量体裁衣 — Right Medicine for the Illness, Clothes Cut to the Body
- 江山易改，禀性难移 — Rivers and Mountains Change Easily, Nature Is Hard to Move
- 路不行不到，事不为不成 — Road Not Traveled, Destination Not Reached
- 绳锯木断，水滴石穿 — Rope Saws Wood, Water Wears Stone
- 君不密则失臣，臣不密则失身 — Ruler Not Secret Loses Minister
- 谣言止于智者 — Rumors Stop at the Wise
- 不是一家人，不进一家门 — Same Family, Same Door
- 苟且偷生 — Scrape By and Stay Alive
- 法不传六耳 — Secrets Don't Pass Six Ears
- 见贤思齐焉，见不贤而内自省也 — See the Worthy and Emulate, See the Unworthy and Reflect
- 百闻不如一见 — Seeing Once Is Better Than Hearing a Hundred Times
- 知恩图报 — Seek to Repay Kindness
- 以身作则 — Set the Standard with Your Own Conduct
- 有福同享，有难同当 — Share Blessing, Share Burden
- 磨刀不误砍柴工 — Sharpen the Axe, It Won't Delay the Woodcutting
- 沉默是金 — Silence Is Golden
- 不鸣则已，一鸣惊人 — Silence Then Stunning Amazement
- 既来之，则安之 — Since You Are Here, Be at Peace
- 精诚所至，金石为开 — Sincerity Moves Metal and Stone
- 独木不成林，单丝不成线 — Single Tree No Forest
- 坐收渔利 — Sit and Harvest the Fisherman's Profit
- 坐井观天 — Sit in a Well and Watch the Sky
- 坐有坐相，站有站相 — Sit Like You Sit, Stand Like You Stand
- 静坐常思己过，闲谈莫论人非 — Sit Quiet and Reflect on Your Own Faults
- 慢工出细活 — Slow Work Produces Fine Results
- 聪明反被聪明误 — Smart People Outsmart Themselves
- 笑一笑,十年少;愁一愁,白了头 — Smile Makes You Younger, Worry Makes You Older
- 儿行千里母担忧 — Son Travels a Thousand Miles, Mother Worries
- 得饶人处且饶人 — Spare Others When You Can
- 见人说人话，见鬼说鬼话 — Speak Human to Humans, Ghost to Ghosts
- 逢人只说三分话 — Speak Thirty Percent to Strangers
- 逢人且说三分话，未可全抛一片心 — Speak Thirty Percent, Guard Your Heart
- 春雨贵如油 — Spring Rain Precious Like Oil
- 虚度光阴 — Squander Time, Empty Life
- 站如松，坐如钟，行如风，卧如弓 — Stand Like Pine, Sit Like Bell, Walk Like Wind, Sleep Like Bow
- 退一步海阔天空，忍一时风平浪静 — Step Back and the Ocean Opens, Endure and the Waters Calm
- 扬汤止沸，不如釜底抽薪 — Stirring Soup to Stop Boiling Is Not as Good as Removing Fire from the Pot's Base
- 山中有直树，世上无直人 — Straight Trees in Mountains, No Straight People in World
- 严师出高徒 — Strict Teachers Produce Great Disciples
- 严于律己，宽以待人 — Strict With Yourself, Generous With Others
- 先下手为强 — Strike First, Prevail
- 出其不意，攻其不备 — Strike Where Unexpected, Attack Where Unprepared
- 趁热打铁 — Strike While the Iron Is Hot
- 疾风知劲草，板荡识诚臣 — Strong Wind Reveals Sturdy Grass
- 日晕三更雨，月晕午时风 — Sun Halo Brings Midnight Rain, Moon Halo Brings Noon Wind
- 上善若水 — Supreme Good Like Water
- 瓜李之嫌 — Suspicion Beneath the Melon and Plum Trees
- 同甘共苦 — Sweet and Bitter Together
- 宝剑锋从磨砺出，梅花香自苦寒来 — Sword Edge from Grinding, Plum Blossom Scent from Cold
- 吃亏是福 — Taking Loss Is a Blessing
- 楚材晋用 — Talent Knows No Borders
- 站着说话不腰疼 — Talk Is Cheap When You Don't Bear the Burden
- 师傅领进门，修行在个人 — Teachers Open the Door, You Enter by Yourself
- 拆东墙，补西墙 — Tear Down the East Wall to Patch the West Wall
- 十年河东，十年河西 — Ten Years East of the River, Ten Years West of the River
- 十年磨一剑 — Ten Years to Grind a Sword
- 秦晋之好 — The Alliance of Qin and Jin
- 骄兵必败 — The Arrogant Army Will Be Defeated
- 光脚的不怕穿鞋的 — The Barefoot Fear Not the Shod
- 苦海无边，回头是岸 — The Bitter Sea Has No Bounds; Turn Back and There Is the Shore
- 船到桥头自然直 — The Boat Will Straighten at the Bridge
- 鲤鱼跳龙门 — The Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate
- 猫哭老鼠 — The Cat Cries Over the Mouse
- 笨鸟先飞 — The Clumsy Bird Flies First
- 否极泰来 — The Darkest Hour Before Dawn
- 醉翁之意不在酒 — The Drinker's Heart Is Not in the Cup
- 鸟之将死，其鸣也哀；人之将死，其言也善 — The Dying Bird Sings in Sorrow, The Dying Man Speaks in Goodness
- 昙花一现 — The Epiphyllum Blooms But Once
- 画虎画皮难画骨，知人知面不知心 — The Face Deceives, the Heart Hides
- 头三脚难踢 — The First Three Kicks Are the Hardest
- 狐假虎威 — The Fox Borrows the Tiger's Might
- 井底之蛙 — The Frog in the Well
- 夜郎自大 — The Frog Who Thought His Well Was the World
- 饱汉不知饿汉饥 — The Full Stomach Knows Not the Hunger
- 来说是非者，便是是非人 — The Gossip Bearer Is the Troublemaker
- 枪打出头鸟 — The Gun Shoots the Bird That Sticks Out
- 螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后 — The Mantis Catches the Cicada, the Oriole Waits Behind
- 一日之计在于晨，一年之计在于春 — The Morning and Spring of Planning
- 哑巴吃黄连——有苦说不出 — The Mute Eats Goldthread—Bitter But Cannot Speak
- 海纳百川，有容乃大 — The Ocean Accepts a Hundred Rivers
- 前事不忘，后事之师 — The Past Not Forgotten Is the Teacher of the Future
- 当局者迷，旁观者清 — The Player Is Confused, the Spectator Is Clear
- 浪子回头金不换 — The Returning Prodigal Is Worth More Than Gold
- 木秀于林，风必摧之 — The Tallest Tree in the Forest Bears the Brunt of the Wind
- 一问三不知 — The Three Unknowns
- 虎死留皮，人死留名 — The Tiger Leaves Its Skin, A Person Leaves Their Name
- 树欲静而风不止 — The Tree Wants to Stay Quiet, But the Wind Won't Stop Blowing
- 知行合一 — The Unity of Knowledge and Action
- 近水楼台先得月 — The Waterside Pavilion Gets the Moonlight First
- 黄鼠狼给鸡拜年——没安好心 — The Weasel Pays the Chicken a New Year's Call
- 好汉不吃眼前亏 — The Wise Man Does Not Suffer Immediate Loss
- 羊毛出在羊身上 — The Wool Grows on the Sheep
- 天有不测风云 — The World is Unpredictable
- 居安思危 — Think of Danger in Times of Peace
- 常将有日思无日，莫把无时当有时 — Think of Lack in Times of Plenty
- 三思而后行 — Think Thrice Before Acting
- 三十年河东，三十年河西 — Thirty Years East of the River, Thirty Years West
- 三个臭皮匠，顶个诸葛亮 — Three Cobblers Equal One Zhuge Liang
- 冰冻三尺，非一日之寒 — Three Feet of Ice Is Not Formed in One Day
- 朝三暮四 — Three in the Morning, Four in the Evening
- 台上三分钟，台下十年功 — Three Minutes on Stage, Ten Years Backstage
- 三句话不离本行 — Three Sentences and Never Stray From Your Trade
- 抛砖引玉 — Throw a Brick to Attract Jade
- 肉包子打狗——有去无回 — Throw a Meat Bun at a Dog — Gone Forever
- 打虎亲兄弟，上阵父子兵 — Tiger Hunting Brothers, Battle Father Son
- 光阴似箭 — Time Flies Like an Arrow
- 一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴 — Time is More Precious Than Gold
- 岁月如梭 — Time Passes Like a Shuttle
- 岁月不饶人 — Time Spares No One
- 瑞雪兆丰年 — Timely Snow Promises a Bumper Harvest
- 过而能改，善莫大焉 — To Change After Error Is the Greatest Good
- 工欲善其事，必先利其器 — To Do Good Work, First Sharpen Your Tools
- 人非圣贤，孰能无过 — To Err Is Human; Who Can Be Without Fault?
- 知错能改，善莫大焉 — To Know Your Fault and Change Is the Greatest Good
- 欲求生富贵，须下死功夫 — To Seek Riches, Invest Deadly Effort
- 以牙还牙，以眼还眼 — Tooth for Tooth, Eye for Eye
- 死马当作活马医 — Treat a Dead Horse as If It Were Alive
- 与人为善 — Treat Others with Goodness
- 患难见真情 — True Feelings in Adversity
- 真金不怕火炼 — True Gold Fears No Fire
- 真人不露相，露相不真人 — True Master Does Not Show
- 真的假不了，假的真不了 — Truth Cannot Be Faked, Fake Cannot Be True
- 画虎不成反类犬 — Trying to Draw a Tiger, Ending Up with a Dog
- 偷鸡不成蚀把米 — Trying to Steal a Chicken but Losing the Rice
- 蓬生麻中，不扶自直；白沙在涅，与之俱黑 — Tumbleweed in Hemp Stands Straight
- 改过自新 — Turn Over a New Leaf
- 化干戈为玉帛 — Turn Weapons into Jade Silk
- 忘恩负义 — Ungrateful and Betraying Kindness
- 团结就是力量 — Unity Is Strength
- 锲而不舍 — Unrelenting Perseverance
- 不到黄河心不死 — Until the Yellow River, the Heart Does Not Die
- 杀鸡焉用牛刀 — Using an Ox Cleaver to Kill a Chicken
- 含糊其辞 — Vague and Ambiguous Words
- 管中窥豹 — Viewing a Leopard Through a Tube
- 饭后百步走，活到九十九 — Walk a Hundred Steps After Eating, Live to Ninety-Nine
- 王婆卖瓜，自卖自夸 — Wang Po Sells Melons, Praises His Own Goods
- 蹉跎岁月 — Wasting Years, Squandering Time
- 水能载舟，亦能覆舟 — Water Can Float a Boat, Also Capsize It
- 水至清则无鱼 — Water Too Clear Holds No Fish
- 临渊羡鱼，不如退而结网 — Weave a Net Rather Than Envy the Fish
- 井水不犯河水 — Well Water Does Not Invade River Water
- 命里有时终须有，命里无时莫强求 — What Is Yours Will Come; What Is Not Cannot Be Forced
- 踏破铁鞋无觅处，得来全不费工夫 — What You Seek Appears When You Stop Looking
- 一文钱难倒英雄汉 — When a Penny Stops a Hero
- 饮水思源 — When Drinking Water, Remember the Source
- 一人得道，鸡犬升天 — When One Attains the Dao, Even Chickens and Dogs Ascend to Heaven
- 鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利 — When Snipe and Clam Fight, the Fisherman Wins
- 车到山前必有路 — When the Cart Reaches the Mountain, a Road Will Appear
- 猫哭老鼠假慈悲 — When the Cat Cries Over the Mouse, It Is Fake Mercy
- 山中无老虎——猴子称大王 — When the Tiger's Away, the Monkey Claims Kingship
- 树倒猢狲散 — When the Tree Falls, the Monkeys Scatter
- 上梁不正下梁歪 — When the Upper Beam Is Crooked, the Lower Beam Will Be Askew
- 三人行，必有我师 — When Three Walk Together, One Is My Teacher
- 冤冤相报何时了 — When Will the Cycle of Revenge End?
- 吃水不忘挖井人 — When You Drink Water, Remember the Well Digger
- 有志者事竟成 — Where There Is a Will, There Is a Way
- 到什么山上唱什么歌 — Which Mountain, Which Song
- 风吹云动星不动，水涨船高岸不移 — Wind Blows Stars Stay Fixed
- 酒肉朋友 — Wine and Meat Friends
- 酒逢知己饮，诗向会人吟 — Wine With a Kindred Spirit
- 酒肉朋友好找，患难之交难逢 — Wine-and-Meat Friends Are Easy to Find; Friends in Adversity Are Hard to Meet
- 冬吃萝卜夏吃姜，不用医生开药方 — Winter Radish, Summer Ginger, No Need for Doctors
- 经一事，长一智 — Wisdom Grows From Experience
- 不经一事，不长一智 — Wisdom Grows From Experience
- 愿得一心人，白头不相离 — Wish for One Who Shares My Heart, White-Headed Never Part
- 酒逢知己千杯少，话不投机半句多 — With a Kindred Spirit, a Thousand Cups Are Too Few
- 有理走遍天下，无理寸步难行 — With Reason, Travel the World; Without Reason, Every Step Is Hard
- 人无信不立 — Without Trust, One Cannot Stand
- 言而无信，不知其可 — Without Trust, Words Mean Nothing
- 言必信，行必果 — Words Must Be Trusted, Actions Must Be Decisive
- 一年之计在于春，一日之计在于晨 — Year's Plan in Spring, Day's Plan at Dawn
- 让人一步自己宽 — Yield One Step, Gain Space
- 人不可貌相 — You Cannot Judge a Person by Their Appearance
- 你走你的阳关道，我走我的独木桥 — You Walk Your Wide Road, I Walk My Log Bridge
- 少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲 — Youth Lazy, Age Regrets
- 死了张屠夫，不吃混毛猪 — Zhang the Butcher Dies, Still Won't Eat Hairy Pork
- 不听老人言，吃亏在眼前 — 不听老人言，吃亏在眼前
- 讳莫如深 — 讳莫如深 - A Secret Buried So Deep
- 顾左右而言他 — 顾左右而言他 - Changing the Subject
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chinese proverbs?
Chinese proverbs (谚语 yànyǔ) are short, traditional sayings that express wisdom, truth, or advice based on common sense or experience. Many date back thousands of years to ancient Chinese philosophy, literature, and folk traditions. They often use vivid imagery from nature and daily life to convey deeper meanings.
What is the most famous Chinese proverb?
One of the most famous Chinese proverbs is "千里之行，始于足下" (A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step), attributed to Laozi in the Tao Te Ching. Other widely known proverbs include "塞翁失马，焉知非福" (A blessing in disguise) and "守株待兔" (Waiting by a stump for a rabbit).
How many Chinese proverbs are there?
There are tens of thousands of Chinese proverbs and idioms. The most comprehensive dictionaries contain over 50,000 entries, though only a few thousand are commonly used in modern Chinese. This collection features hundreds of the most meaningful and practical proverbs with English translations.
What is the difference between Chinese proverbs and idioms?
Chinese proverbs (谚语 yànyǔ) are folk sayings passed down orally, often reflecting common wisdom. Chinese idioms (成语 chéngyǔ) are typically four-character expressions derived from classical literature and historical events. Both offer wisdom, but idioms are more formal and literary in origin.
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