Difference between revisions 1553033 and 1584713 on enwiki

< previous diff
next diff >
List of Chinese proverbs
[[fr:Proverbes chinois]]

These are the humble beginnings of a collection of [[China|Chinese]] [[Proverb|proverbs]] (&#27463;&#24460;&#35486; in [[pinyin]]: xie4 hou4 yu3; &#35578;&#35486; yan4 yu3) and idioms, given in (and sorted by) [[pinyin]] transcription. Formulaic saying/expression (&#25104;&#35486; cheng2 yu3) is the Chinese equivalent of the Japanese [[four-character idiom]].  

A wWide differences in [[pronunciation]] exist in between the dialect-languages for the more or less uniform [[Chinese character |writing system]] in the [[Chinese language]]s.  Some proverbs and idioms come from written documents, and thus would be accessible to most Chinese today.  Many other expressions, however, develop around a rhyme or rhythm of intonation, and because the verbal distinction is tied to the regional dialect, such a proverb or idiom would not necessarily be understood or used outside of that region.  But there are no clear geographical boundaries of dialect (particularly so today as the Chinese population becomes increasingly mobile), so it is difficult to sort the following proverbs by region.  

Some proverbs are literary, that is, from a written source.  (See [[Classical Chinese|the historical written language]] or the more [[Bai hua|modern written language]].) Others are originated among families, street vendors, and other commoners.

==[[Mandarin Chinese |Mandarin]] proverbs==

The following proverbs are sorted alphabetically by their [[pinyin]].  If you know the literary source, please add it!  Also add other pronunciations if you know them.

(contracted; show full)
:* Literally: Not only can [[water]] can float a craft, it can sink it also.
:* Moral: There are opposite aspects of any tool or power.
:* Note: This concept is related to [[yin-yang]].

:&#22825;&#19979;&#20044;&#40486;&#19968;&#26679;&#40657; (pinyin: tian1 xia4 wu1 ya1 yi2 yang4 hei1)
:* Literally: All [[crow]]s in the world are [[black]].
:* Meanings: There are seve
aral possible interpretations:
:*# A [[natural]] interpretation: Some rules, like those natural forces of the [[Universe]], are unbendable, regardless how much you may want it to change.
:*# A [[stereotypical]] interpretation: something or someone (bad) is no different from all the others.  (e.g., All government officials are corrupt, all lawyers are snakes, etc.).

:&#26143;&#26143;&#20043;&#28779;&#21487;&#20197;&#29134;&#21407; (pinyin: xing1 xing1 zhi1 huo3 ke3 yi3 liao2 yuan2)
:* Literally: a spark can start a [[fire]] that burns the entire [[prairie]].
:* Moral: don't underestimate the potential destructive power that a seemingly minor problems can spread.

:&#29066;&#30606;&#23376;&#25688;&#33502;&#31859;&#65292;&#25688;&#19968;&#20010;&#20002;&#19968;&#20010; (pinyin: xiong2 xia1 zi zhai1 bao1 mi3, zhai1 yi2 ge4 diu1 yi2 ge4)
:* Literally: blind bear picks corn, picks one and throws one
:* Meaning: Inability to appreciate what you have.

:&#25513;&#32819;&#30423;&#38083; (pinyin: yan3 er3 dao4 ling2)
:* Literally: covering one's ear when pilfering a [[bell]]
:* Moral: Fooling oneself by ignoring the facts.
:* Note: this is an example of a [[four-character idiom]].  The story behind it said a stupid thief covered his ear when he stole a bell and, believing that no one could hear the bell when he could not.


⏎

⏎
:&#20063;&#35201;&#39532;&#20799;&#22909;&#65292;&#20063;&#35201;&#39532;&#20799;&#19981;&#21507;&#33609; (pinyin: ye3 yao4 ma3 er2 hao3, ye3 yao4 ma3 er2  bu4 chi1 cao3)
:* Literally: want the [[horse]] to be the best, also want the horse not to eat any [[hay]]
:* Moral: You can't have your cake and eat it too (English equivalent)
:* Usage: someone has an unrealistic expectation. 
:* Note: 'best' and 'hay' rhyme in Mandarin
(contracted; show full)
:* Explanation: This is in reference to the rules in [[Chinese Chess]]. Normally the [[horse]] piece can only move in the 'sun' character (&#26085; or a 1x2 rectangle) pattern.
:* Moral: In an emergency, one can break the rules.

:&#29399;&#19978;&#29926;&#22353;&#26377;&#26781;&#36335; (penkyamp: Gaw2 seong5 nga5 hang1 yaw5 tiu4 low6)
:* Literally: When a dog climbs to the roof, it takes its usual path.
:* Meaning: A villain uses 
theirhis usual tricks, or behaves like any other villain. 
:* Usage: often used to imply an improper relationship, such as adultery.

:&#22825;&#19978;&#38647;&#20844;&#22320;&#19979;&#33285;&#20844; (penkyamp: Tin1 seong6 loy4 gonk1, dey6 seong6 kaw5 gonk1)
:* Literally: In heaven, there is the thunder god; on earth, there is brother of your mother.
(contracted; show full)

:&#39080;&#21561;&#38622;&#34507;&#27580;&#65292;&#36001;&#25955;&#20154;&#23433;&#27138; (penkyamp: Fonk1 coy1 gay1 dan2 hog3, coi4 san3 yant4 ngon1 log6)
:* Literally: Like wind blows on egg shells, when the money is gone a person feels light (at ease).
:* Moral: Money is a burden.
:* Usage: This is usually used by a gambler who just lost all his money, but needs a philosophy to make themselves feel better.
:* Note: the last syllable
s of the two phrases rhyme in Cantonese

:&#20900;&#35948;&#38957;&#37117;&#26371;&#36935;&#21040;&#33804;&#40763;&#33769;&#34217; (penkyamp: Yeun1 zeu1 taw4 dow1 wui5 yeu6 dow2 mank4 bey6 pow4 sad3)
:* Literally: Even a rotten pig head for offering will someday meet a bodhisattva with stuffed nose.
:* Moral: Regardless of any short  coming, there will be someone who doesn't mind.
:* Usage: Usually used in the context of matchmaking.

:&#22827;&#22971;&#26412;&#26159;&#21516;&#26519;&#40165;&#65292;&#22823;&#38627;&#33256;&#38957;&#21508;&#33258;&#39131; (penkyamp: Fu1 cay1 bun2 si6 tonk4 lamp4 niu5, dai6 nan6 lamp4 taw4 gog3 zi6 fey1)
:* Literally: Husband and wife are like birds in the woods, when trouble comes, they flee separately.
:* Explanation: This view reflects the lack of love in arranged marriages in ancient China.

:&#20818;&#22899;&#30524;&#21069;&#20900;&#65292;&#22827;&#22971;&#28193;&#23458;&#33337; (penkyamp: Yi4 noy5 ngan5 cin4 yeun1, fu1 cay1 dow6 hag3 seun4)
:* Literally: Children are eye sores; marriage is like an encounter on a ferry. 
:* Meaning: Marriages sometimes lead to disasters.
:* Note: 'eye sore' and 'boat' rhyme in Cantonese

:&#20804;&#24351;&#22914;&#25163;&#36275;&#65292;&#22827;&#23142;&#22914;&#34915;&#26381; (penkyamp: Henk1 day6 yeu4 saw2 zok1, fu1 fu5 yeu4 yi1 fok6)
:* Literally: Brothers are like arms and legs; husband and wife are like clothing 
:* Meaning: You're stuck with your family, but it's easy to change your spouse.
:* Note: 'leg' and 'clothes' rhyme in Cantonese⏎
⏎

⏎


⏎


==[[Hakka language |Hakka]] proverbs==
The [[Hakka language|Hakka]] proverbs are sorted by the number of strokes (few to many).  ''Please add Hakka pronunciations''

''Initial source: [http://raid.lcjh.tpc.edu.tw/&#23458;&#23478;&#35486;/guest5.htm &#23458;&#23478;&#35578;&#35486; (Hakka Proverbs)]''

:&#19968;&#19979;&#38647;&#40180;&#22825;&#19979;&#30693;
(contracted; show full)
:* Explanation: Empty on both ends; the container can't hold anything without the joints
:* Usage I: getting busy all over nothing.
:* Usage II: [[Jook-sing]]

:&#20379;&#23376;&#36523;&#65292;&#20871;&#20379;&#23376;&#24515;
:* Literally: Provide the offspring with bodies, but not the [[heart]]s.
:* Moral: Even though one is born of parents, his/her thoughts are his/her own, not of the parents. Parents can only influence their children to 
a certain extent.

:&#34892;&#33707;&#23254;&#65292;&#22352;&#33707;&#36077;
:* Literally: walk don't visit prostitutes; sit don't gamble.
:* Moral: Be virtuous not just in public, but in private as well.

:&#20320;&#26377;&#21021;&#19968;&#65292;&#25105;&#26377;&#21313;&#20116;
:* Literally: You have the first day of the month, I the fifteenth.
(contracted; show full)

==[[Taiwanese language]] proverbs==

'' Initial source: [http://www.taiwanese-oki.idv.tw/t03.htm &#21488;&#35486;&#20439;&#35578; (Taiwanese language proverbs)] ''

: &#24801;&#39340;&#24801;&#20154;&#39438;&#65292;&#33005;&#33026;&#39340;&#36935;&#33879;&#38364;&#32769;&#29242; (ok1 ve4 ok1 lang6 kia2, en6 zi6 ve4 du1 dior3 guan6 lor1 ia2)
:* Literally: Vicious [[horse]]s have vicious riders; a ro
ugue horse encounters Lord [[Guan Qingtian]].
:* Usage: No matter how ferocious -- or untamed for an animal -- you are, there is always a match who excels you, and often, controls your life.

: &#19968;&#21477;&#27595;&#30693;&#65292;&#30334;&#38917;&#28961;&#20195;  (zit5 gu4 m3 zai1, ba4 hang6 vor6/3 dai6)
:* Literally: Ignorant of one phrase, and there won't be anything [wrong] with the hundreds of the matters
:* Usage: Some people thiks that by accepting no responsibility, they would not get into troubles with the [[law]].

(contracted; show full)
:* Note: [[Hero]]es defeating ferocious tigers that eat livestocks and even human beings is the theme to various Chinese literature, such as ''[[The Water Margin]]''.

: &#24806;&#24806;&#36611;&#20871;&#34427; (diam3 diam6 ka4 vr6 vang4)
:* Literally: Accompanied with silence is less [[mosquito]]es.
:* Usage: If what one wishes is little attention, talk little. To avoid getting into an unnecessary quarrels, do not speak more than you need to. Perseverance 
of oneself is productive.

: &#20570;&#30002;&#27969;&#27735; &#23244;&#30002;&#27969;&#28734; (zor4 ga4 lau6 guann6&#65292;hiam6 ga4 lau6 nuann6.)
:* Literally: It takes [[sweat]] to work on things, but it only takes [[saliva]] to criticize things.
:* Usage: Criticism of others' hard work should be considerate, constructive and limited, and not free-flowing, since by not physically doing it, one cannot appreciate the difficulty of a task.



See also:
* [[English proverbs]]
* [[German proverbs]]
* [[French proverbs]]
* [[Spanish proverbs]]
* [[Polish proverbs]]
* [[Japanese proverbs]]