70+ Chinese Proverbs in Chinese: Famous Sayings & Quotes [with Meaning and Translation]

Want to enrich your Chinese learning life? Chinese proverbs are an integral part of Chinese culture. They are usually short and clever and contain rich cultural insights such as life advice and philosophy. If you are learning Mandarin Chinese, proverbs can be a fun way to learn new vocabulary.

In this article, we’ll delve into famous Chinese proverbs, motivational quotes, and interesting idioms to help you appreciate the depth and beauty of Chinese culture. We’ll cover everything from ancient Chinese proverbs to Chinese proverbs about life to funny Chinese proverbs, so you can get a more comprehensive understanding of the proverbs!

What are Chinese Proverbs in Chinese?

Chinese proverbs, known as “谚语” (yàn yǔ) in Mandarin Chinese, are short and wise sayings passed down from generation to generation in Chinese culture. These proverbs often contain profound wisdom, moral philosophy, or practical advice expressed in a few concise words. Proverbs are deeply rooted in China’s rich history and reflect the values, beliefs, and life philosophies that have shaped Chinese society for thousands of years.

Historical background of Chinese proverbs

Chinese proverbs have a long history, and many of them are derived from classical texts, historical events, or folklore. For example, ancient proverbs such as “千里之行，始于足下” (qiān lǐ zhī xíng shǐ yú zú xià) — “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”, can trace their origins to the writings of the Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu. Other proverbs, such as “不入虎穴，焉得虎子” (bù rù hǔ xué yān dé hǔ zǐ) — “You can’t catch a cub without entering the tiger’s den”, are derived from historical anecdotes or moral lessons taught through storytelling.

These proverbs have traditionally been used not only for education, but also to guide individuals in their personal lives, relationships, and decision-making processes. Their timeless relevance ensures their continued existence, making them a valuable tool for understanding Chinese culture.

Chinese Proverbs about Life in Chinese

If you’re eager to learn more Chinese, look no further than the many fascinating proverbs that have been passed down from generation to generation. These ancient Chinese proverbs can bring your learning to life.

We’ve collected some insightful Chinese living proverbs so that you can better understand how these ideas still influence modern China, and maybe even gain some new wisdom in the process.

1.塞翁失马，焉知非福。 (sài wēng shī mǎ, yān zhī fēi fú)

“When the old man from the frontier lost his horse, how could he have known it would be a blessing in disguise?“

This common Chinese proverb highlights the unpredictable nature of life and encourages us to remain optimistic in the face of adversity, because sometimes what you think is misfortune may bring unexpected blessings.

2.水滴石穿 (shuǐ dī shí chuān)

“Dripping water can penetrate the stone.”

This proverb talks about the power of persistence and patience. Even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome with persistence and determination.

3.鱼与熊掌，不可兼得。 (yú yǔ xióng zhǎng, bù kě jiān dé)

“One cannot have both the fish and the bear’s paw.”

This oft-quoted Chinese proverb reminds us that life doesn’t always go our way. We often can’t have everything we want, and we often have to make choices and prioritize what’s most important.

4.天下无难事，只怕有心人。 (tiān xià wú nán shì, zhǐ pà yǒu xīn rén)

“There is nothing difficult in the world as long as you set your mind to it.”

This famous Chinese proverb inspires people to build confidence and resilience, believing that as long as we are determined and committed, we can overcome any challenge and achieve our goals.

5.事实胜于雄辩。 (Shìshí shèng yú xióngbiàn)

“Facts beat eloquence.”

From Lu Xun’s “Hot Wind” (《热风题记》), it’s like, “Actions speak louder than words.”

6.兵不厌诈 (Bīng bù yàn zhà)

“Soldiers don’t hate deceit.”

From the book “Han Feizi” (《韩非子》) by Han Feizi, an ancient Chinese political philosopher, meaning: All is fair in war.

7.身体力行 (Shēn tǐ lì xíng)

“A body acts according to physical strength.”

This means that your actions should be consistent with your words.

8.木已成舟，生米煮成熟饭。 (Mù yǐ chéng zhōu, Shēngmǐ zhǔ chéng shúfàn)

“The timber’s already a boat; the rice is cooked.”

It means: that what’s done cannot be undone.

9.一石二鸟 (yī shí èr niǎo)

“Kill two birds with one stone.”

There is a similar expression in English: kill two birds with one stone, which literally means “kill two birds with one stone”, which is similar to the Chinese version “一石二鸟”. This proverb is a metaphor for doing one thing to achieve two goals.

10.听君一席话，胜读十年书 (tīng jūn yī xí huà , shèng dú shí nián shū)

“Listening to the words of a wise person is superior to ten years of studying.”

This sentence means to describe the profound knowledge of the other person in the conversation, and the profound insights you gain from them are more than what you have gained in ten years of reading. Just based on what you gain in this day, you get more than you would have gotten in ten years of hard study.

Funny Chinese Proverbs in Chinese

Chinese is a language that is steeped in centuries of cultural wisdom and storytelling tradition. Naturally, there are a ton of funny proverbs in Mandarin Chinese designed to make you laugh.

These proverbs are a great way to take a break from language learning, as they effectively structure sentences or phrases to give words both literal and figurative meaning.

Here are some funny Chinese proverbs to make your Chinese learning experience even more memorable!

1.狗咬吕洞宾，不识好人心。 (gǒu yǎo lǚ dòng bīn , bù shí hǎo rén xīn)

“The goodness of a person is of no consequence to the ungrateful.”

Lu Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals in legend, once fed buns to a dog, but was bitten by the dog instead. It is a metaphor for not knowing what is good and what is bad.

2.瞎猫碰上死耗子 (xiā māo pèng shàng sǐ hào zǐ)

“Every dog has its day.” “Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.”

When describing a person’s success just because of good luck, we would use words like “a blind cat meets a dead mouse” and “a blind cat meets a dead mouse”. But in English, if we directly use “a blind cat and a dead mouse”, you may be confused.

This idiom means that someone is lucky. It is difficult for a blind cat to catch a mouse, and it is pure luck to encounter a dead mouse. It is a metaphor for coincidence or accident.

3.骑驴找马 (Qí lǘ zhǎo mǎ)

Literal Translation: “Riding a Donkey While Looking for a Horse.”

It means that before you find your target, you should make do with what you have and use whatever works. Once you find your target, you can replace the existing one. This idiom is extended to mean holding a choice in your hand and waiting for the next better choice.

4.井水不犯河水 (jǐng shuǐ bù fàn hé shuǐ)

“The water in the well does not intrude into the water in the river.”

“The water in the well does not intrude into the water in the river” is a common folk saying used to describe the principle of keeping each other’s business and not interfering with each other. In other words, mind your own business. This Chinese saying is easy to understand literally. The well water, which is groundwater, and the river water, which is surface water, do not intersect with each other, so they naturally do not interfere with each other.

5.早起的鸟儿有虫吃 (zǎo qǐ de niǎo ér yǒu chóng chī)

“Early bird catches the worm.”

It is a metaphor that only those who do things actively or early can gain benefits.

6.狗嘴里吐不出象牙 (gǒu zuǐ lǐ tǔ bù chū xiàng yá)

“A filthy mouth cannot utter decent language.” “An enemy’s mouth seldom speaks well.”

This sentence comes from the first act of “Selected Yuan Operas: Meeting the Emperor” (《元曲选 遇上皇》). This proverb means that bad people or people of poor character will not say good things or do good things. It is often used to describe a person whose words and deeds are always negative, without any positive or constructive expressions.

7.指鹿为马 (zhǐ lù wéi mǎ)

“Point to a deer, and call it a horse.”

This Chinese saying comes from a story in ancient China. The original meaning is to point to a deer and call it a horse. It is used to describe behavior or speech that deliberately distorts the facts and confuses people. In modern Mandarin Chinese, this proverb is often used to criticize or satirize words and deeds that ignore the facts.

Chinese Proverbs about Love

Love is an indispensable theme in proverbs, and China is no exception. Here are some Chinese proverbs about love and romance.

These ancient proverbs usually promote love or commitment to love.

1.情人眼里出西施 (qíng rén yǎn lǐ chū xī shī)

“Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.”

The literal translation of this proverb is: In the eyes of a lover, Xi Shi appears (Xi Shi is one of the four great beauties in ancient China). This proverb reminds us that attraction is subjective and varies from person to person. When someone loves you, they think you are perfect.

2.愿得一人心，白首不相离。(Yuàndé yīrénxīn, báishǒu bùxiānglí)

“Long for a heart, never be apart.”

This proverb, like the third proverb below, expresses a lifelong commitment to love.

3.执子之手，与子偕老。 (Zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xiélǎo)

“Hold hands with you, grow old with you.”

It has the same meaning as the second proverb.

4.一见钟情 (yī jiàn zhōng qíng)

“Love at first sight.”

Sometimes, a single glance can change everything.

5.有情人终成眷属 (yǒu qíng rén zhōng chéng juàn shǔ)

“Lovers will eventually become a family.”

This romantic proverb expresses the belief that true love will eventually overcome difficulties and lead to a lasting union.

6.爱屋及乌 (ài wū jí wū)

“To love the house and also the crow.”

This thought-provoking Chinese proverb emphasizes loving a person unconditionally, including their family and surroundings. It reminds us that true love is not limited to the individual, but includes everything related to them.

7.情比金坚 (qíng bǐ jīn jiān)

“Love is stronger than gold.”

Love is more valuable than material wealth.

8.爱情是盲目的 (ài qíng shì máng mù de)

“Love is blind.”

Love can make us overlook flaws and imperfections.

9.相濡以沫 (xiāng rú yǐ mò)

“To moisten each other with spittle.”

A Chinese proverb that describes two people in love who can maintain their deep affection and support each other even in difficult times. This saying talks about the importance of supporting each other and sharing what we have, no matter how hard life together gets.

Chinese Proverbs about Success

Do you find yourself needing a little extra motivation, whether at work or in school? Or need some words of wisdom to remind yourself why learning Chinese is worth it? If so, then this section is just what you need. Let’s take a look at some of the most inspiring and insightful Chinese proverbs about success.

Through these words, we can understand how this concept has been ingrained in Chinese culture since ancient China times. This understanding is extremely important as we continue our journey to master this language.

1.胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú)

“To have bamboo in one’s chest.”

As the old Chinese saying goes, plan first, then act. This quote emphasizes the importance of preparation and foresight in achieving success and reaching your goals.

2.良好的开端是成功的一半。(Liáng hǎo de kāi duān shì chéng gōng de yī bàn)

“A good beginning is half done.”

This is a famous warning and an unchanging truth.

A good start is the beginning of the prospect of success. The road to success is long, but having a firm heart at the beginning will inevitably give people endless fighting spirit!

3.失败乃成功之母。(Shī bài nǎi chéng gōng zhī mǔ)

“Failure is the mother of success.”

We can always learn from failures to eventually succeed.

4.有志者，事竟成。 (Yǒu zhì zhě, shì jìng chéng)

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

This proverb is a powerful reminder that with determination and unwavering focus, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.

5.立足当下，着眼未来 (lì zú dāng xià, zhuó yǎn wèi lái)

“Stand firmly in the present and focus on the future.”

This ancient Chinese wisdom tells us that it is important to focus on the present and the future. Only in this way can we lay a solid foundation for lasting success.

6.宁为玉碎，不为瓦全 (nìng wéi yù suì, bù wéi wǎ quán)

“Better to be a broken piece of jade than an intact piece of pottery.”

This proverb emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity and principles even in the face of failure or adversity, as this is more valuable than compromising to succeed.

7.井底之蛙 (jǐng dǐ zhī wā)

“A frog in a well.”

This Chinese proverb tells us that a narrow vision or a small mind will hinder success. This saying reminds us to keep an open mind and constantly expand our horizons to achieve greater success.

8. 绳锯木断，水滴石穿 (Shéng jù mù duàn, shuǐ dī shí chuān)

“Constant dripping wears away a stone.”

This proverb means that willpower can make the impossible possible.

9.冰冻三尺，非一日之寒。 (Bīng dòng sān chǐ, fēi yī rì zhī hán)

“It takes more than one cold day for the river to freeze three feet deep.”

This proverb has the same meaning as the previous one. It means that excellence comes from the accumulation of unremitting efforts day after day.

10.哀兵必胜 (āi bīng bì shèng)

“An aggrieved army is sure to win.”

It means an army burning with righteous indignation is bound to win.

Chinese Proverbs about Family

If you are learning the Chinese language, don’t just memorize the pronunciation and grammar of Chinese characters. Take the time to explore the cultural heritage behind each proverb. The family values ​​taught by the proverbs are timeless, cross-cultural, and can be understood by any parent, grandparent, or sibling.

From respecting parents to valuing siblings, these proverbs illustrate the importance of kinship and family members.

1.百善孝为先 (bǎi shàn xiào wéi xiān)

“Among hundreds of virtues, filial piety comes first.”

The essence of this Chinese proverb highlights the importance of respecting and honoring one’s parents in Chinese culture. It reminds us that intergenerational respect plays a fundamental role in family relationships and values.

2.儿行千里母担忧 (ér xíng qiānlǐ mǔ dānyōu)

“When children travel far, mothers worry.”

This sentence means that when children are away from home, mothers are always worried about them. It describes the sincerity and depth of maternal love. It is often used in writing essays.

3.家和万事兴 (Jiāhé wànshìxīnɡ)

“If a family is harmonious everything will go well.”

It’s like the Bible: “If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand.”

4. 家家有本难念的经 (Jiājiā yǒu běn nán niàn de jīnɡ)

“Every family has its problems.”

There are skeletons in every family’s closet.

5.清官难断家务事 (Qīnɡɡuān nán duàn jiāwùshì)

“Even an upright official finds it hard to settle a family quarrel.”

This sentence means that family disputes are complicated and even fair and honest officials find it difficult to judge right and wrong.

6.有其父，必有其子 (Yǒuqífù，bìyǒuqízǐ)

“Like father, like son.”

Where there’s a father, there’s his son. Generally speaking, a father has the most direct influence on his children.

7.金窝，银窝，不如自家的狗窝。 (Jīnwō, yínwō, bùrú zìjiā de ɡǒuwō)

“East, west, home is best.”

Describes that no place is as comfortable as your own home. For example: “Traveling abroad is certainly enjoyable, but there is no place like home. Your own home is the best.”

Chinese Proverbs about Friendship

Next, let’s explore some interesting proverbs about friendship that express centuries of wisdom.

From philosophical reflections on companionship to humorous expressions of friendship, these proverbs capture a range of emotions and reflect different cultures’ views on close relationships.

1.有缘千里来相会，无缘对面不相逢。(Yǒu yuán qiān lǐ lái xiàng huì, wú yuán duì miàn bù xiàng féng)

“Fate brings people together no matter how far apart they may be.”

The literal translation of this proverb is: If you are destined to meet, you will meet someone who is thousands of miles away; if you are destined to meet, even if you live next door to each other, you will never meet.

2.千里送鹅毛，礼轻情意重。(Qiān lǐ sòng é máo, lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng)

“Gifts given from the heart are priceless.”

Travel a thousand miles to bestow a goose feather; the gift may be small, but it’s a token of a profound friendship.

3.患难见真情。(Huàn nàn jiàn zhēn qíng)

“A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

This proverb means that only after going through common hardships can one discover one’s true friends.

4.有福同享，有难同当。(Yǒu fú tóng xiǎng, yǒu nàn tóng dāng.)

“To enjoy blessings and endure misfortune together (Chinese idioms); for better or for worse.”

It means that happiness is shared and suffering is shared.

5.有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？ (yǒu péng zì yuǎn fāng lái, bù yì lè hū?)

“Isn’t it delightful to have friends coming from afar?”

This Chinese quote from Confucius emphasizes the joy of connecting with friends from all walks of life and all backgrounds. It reminds us to cherish the various friendships we make throughout our lives.

6.朋友一生一起走 (péng yǒu yī shēng yī qǐ zǒu)

“Friends walk together throughout their lives.”

This proverb is about the importance of loyalty and commitment in long-lasting friendships. It reminds us that true friends are there for each other through life’s ups and downs.

Chinese Proverb about Chinese Philosophy

Philosophy comes from our daily lives. Each of us experiences and views life differently, but there are some universal words of wisdom we can all use to guide us or express our feelings. With that in mind, here are some Chinese proverbs about philosophy!

1.种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆。(Zhòng guā dé guā, zhòng dòu dé dòu)

“What goes around comes around.”

This proverb means that you will get what you deserve.

2.赠人玫瑰，手有余香。(Zèng rén méi guī, shǒu yǒu yú xiāng)

“The rose’s in her hand, the flavor in mine.”

This saying means that no matter in work or life, we are always helping others and being helped by others. Even a kind reminder, a simple greeting, or a bright smile can bring infinite warmth to others and warm ourselves at the same time.

3.机不可失，失不再来。(Jī bù kě shī, shī bú zài lái)

“Opportunity seldom knocks twice.”

We need to cherish every opportunity we have, otherwise we may lose it forever.

4.水满则溢 (Shuǐ mǎn zé yì)

“Water flows in only to flow out.”

This proverb is similar to “everything will turn into its opposite when it reaches it’s extreme”, which means that things will turn into a reverse when they reach their extreme. It comes from the ancient Chinese novel “Dream of the Red Chamber”.

5.三个和尚没水喝 (Sān gè héshàng méi shuǐ hē)

“Too many cooks spoil the broth.”

That is, if too many people try to do something, like three monks trying to carry a bucket of water, they will mess it up.

6.吃一堑，长一智。 (Chī yī qiàn, zhǎng yī zhì)

“A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit.”

This proverb literally translates into English as, every time you fail, you become smarter. It reminds us to learn from our mistakes.

7.姜还是老的辣 (Jiāng hái shì lǎo de là)

“The older,the wiser.”

This Chinese proverb refers to an older person’s rich experience, broad knowledge, and practical experience. For example: “As the saying goes: ‘Old ginger is the spicier.’ His way of dealing with people is much better than that of the younger generation after all.”

8.强扭的瓜不甜 (Qiáng niǔ de guā bù tián)

“There’s no forced happiness; unwillingness cannot produce desired results.”

This is a Chinese proverb, which means that forcing others to do something or accept a certain point of view may not get the expected results in the end, and may even cause resentment and dissatisfaction. It means that forcing people or things will not have good results.

9.路遥知马力，日久见人心。 (lù yáo zhī mǎ lì , rì jiǔ jiàn rén xīn)

“As distance tests a horse’s strength, time reveals a person’s character.”

Only after a long journey can we know the endurance of a horse; only after a long time can we see the good and evil of a person’s heart. It is a metaphor that judging things requires long-term observation.

11.守得云开见月明 (shǒu dé yún kāi jiàn yuè míng)

“Look on the bright side and remember that every cloud has a silver lining.”

This proverb expresses an optimistic spirit of persistence and never giving up. It means that only those who persist to the end can wait for the day when the clouds will clear and the moon will shine. It tells people that as long as they persist to the end, the rainbow will appear.

Chinese Proverb about Learning

Proverbs are a compelling way to learn a new language and gain insight into a culture. They often contain key points about life lessons, making proverbs easy to remember and (perhaps more importantly) entertaining.

Below we take a look at some of the most treasured proverbs used in traditional Chinese culture when discussing learning.

1.活到老，学到老 (huó dào lǎo, xué dào lǎo)

“Live to be old, learn to be old.”

This Chinese saying encourages lifelong learning and personal growth, regardless of age.

2.温故而知新 (wēn gù ér zhī xīn)

“Review the old and learn the new.”

This Chinese proverb reminds us that it is important to look back and draw on past knowledge to gain new insights and understanding. It reminds us that learning is an ongoing process and we should always keep an open mind and continue to expand our knowledge.

3.三人行，必有我师 (sān rén xíng, bì yǒu wǒ shī)

“When three people walk together, there must be one I can learn from.”

This proverb emphasizes the value of learning from others, regardless of their background or status. It reminds us that everyone has something to teach us if we are willing to learn from them.

4.学如逆水行舟，不进则退。 (xué rú nì shuǐ xíng zhōu , bù jìn zé tuì)

“Learning is like rowing upstream, not to advance is to drop back.”

This proverb means that learning requires continuous effort and progress. Just like a boat sailing against the current, if you don’t work hard to move forward, you will move backward.

5.好记性不如烂笔头 (Hǎojìxìng bù rú lànbǐtóu)

“The palest ink is better than the best memory.”

What this means is that no matter how good your brain is, it has limited storage capacity after all. It is better to “fix” it with Chinese characters in time so that when you recall it later, it will be as clear as before.

Chinese Famous Quotes

1.天行健，君子以自强不息 (Tiān xíng jiàn, jūn zǐ yǐ zì qiáng bù xī)

“The movement of Heaven is vigorous, and so the gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement.”

This quote comes from The Analects of Confucius. This famous quote emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement, which are core Confucian values.

2.道可道，非常道。名可名，非常名。 (Dào kě dào, fēi cháng dào. Míng kě míng, fēi cháng míng)

“The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.”

This quote captures the essence of Taoist philosophy, suggesting that the nature of reality cannot be fully grasped through language.

3.海纳百川，有容乃大 (Hǎi nà bǎi chuān, yǒu róng nǎi dà)

“The sea absorbs all the rivers; to be great, one must be tolerant.”

This quote emphasizes the importance of tolerance and an open mind in achieving great goals.

4.前事不忘，后事之师 (Qián shì bù wàng, hòu shì zhī shī)

“Learn from the past to guide the future.”

This quote underscores the importance of studying history and past experiences to inform future decisions.

FAQs on Chinese Proverbs in Chinese

Q.1: What are Chinese sayings and proverbs?

Chinese proverbs are created and refined by people in their daily work and life. They are usually vivid, concise, catchy, easy to learn and remember.

Chinese proverbs and idioms are usually phrases or rhymes in colloquial form, derived from literary works, history or famous philosophers, writers or poets, etc.

There are two types of Chinese proverbs and idioms: 1. 成语 (chéngyǔ), which usually has four characters; 2. 谚语 (yányǔ), which is relatively long. Both types contain many popular Chinese proverbs that express wisdom and give people wise advice.

Q.2: Are Chinese proverbs still relevant today?

Yes. Chinese proverbs still have relevance in modern life as their timeless wisdom can be applied to a variety of personal and professional challenges. Whether you are working towards your career goals, improving your relationships, or seeking personal growth, meaningful Chinese proverbs can provide valuable lessons that transcend cultural boundaries.

Conclusion

Think back, how many Chinese proverbs can you remember? Chinese proverbs are worth pondering because they encompass many people’s experiences and provide useful wisdom for our daily lives.

We hope this article was helpful to you. If you are interested in learning Chinese and Chinese culture, then you may consider taking WuKong Chinese online courses, and WuKong Chinese has a lot of resources to offer you! Whether you want to learn more about Chinese proverbs, culture, slang, grammar, or anything else, we may have something for you!