Chinese proverbs - examples and translation. Chinese holidays Chinese proverb There are three occasions

Chinese proverbs and sayings are a storehouse of Chinese wisdom. China is one of the most ancient civilizations in the world. After all, only the written history of China is 3500 years old.

For many years, the Chinese people have collected the sayings and observations of the sages who lived on its land.

Their wisdom distinguishes a special view of the world and man's place in it. And although these words were written thousands of years ago, they can still help each of us in life and direct our thoughts, and therefore actions, in the right direction.

The wisdom of the Chinese people, proverbs and sayings in which a deep meaning is hidden:

Don't be afraid you don't know - be afraid you don't learn.
Meeting a friend in a distant land is like a long-awaited rain.
The one who points out your faults is not always your enemy; the one who talks about your virtues is not always your friend.
What happens, happens at the right time.
Always look at things from the bright side, and if there are none, rub the dark ones until they shine.
A hut where they laugh is richer than a palace where they are bored.
If one word did not come to reason, ten thousand will not come to reason.
If you stumble and fall, it does not mean that you are going the wrong way.
The one who drinks water should remember those who dug the well.
Until you fall for the bait, you will not become a connoisseur.
Only a beautiful bird is put in a cage.
The truth has many faces.
A fool has stupid happiness.
There are many roads that lead to the top. but the scenery stays the same.
Reflecting on the past, you learn about the future
Treat your thoughts like guests, and your desires like children.
Don't be afraid to slow down, be afraid to stop.
It is difficult for both good and bad to escape human rumor.
He who walks softly will go far on his path.
The strong will overcome the barrier, the wise all the way.
Don't befriend an ungrateful person.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
If there is a desire in the heart, then you can drill through a stone
Don't speak unless it improves the silence.
The trick of life is to die young, but as late as possible.
The temptation to give up will be especially strong shortly before victory.
Teachers only open doors, then you go on your own.
No matter how strong the wind blows, the mountain will not bow before it.
Live in peace. The time will come and the flowers will bloom themselves.
There is no friend without flaw; if you look for a flaw, you will be left without a friend.
Misfortune enters the door that was opened to him.
No one comes back from travel the way he was before.
Those who are able to blush cannot have a black heart.
Better one day to be a man than a thousand days to be a shadow.
Your home is where your thoughts are at peace.
If you make a mistake, it's better to laugh right away.
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The next best time is today.
When they talk about my virtues, they rob me; when they talk about my shortcomings, they teach me.
Having money and not helping others is like entering a cave with jewels and returning empty-handed.
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place and circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.
It's easy to be a saint sitting on Mount Tai Shan. It is much more difficult to remain holy while sitting in the bazaar.
The person who was able to move a mountain started by dragging small pebbles from place to place.
The wisest person is the one who does not forget suffering and torment even during the greatest fun. Live in peace.
Come spring, and the flowers bloom themselves.
The size of a tower is measured by the length of its shadow, and the greatness of a man is measured by the number of his envious people.
If you are there, nothing is added; if you are not, nothing is lost.
One of the main duties of a person is to make that bright beginning of the mind, which we receive from heaven, shine with all its might.
Knowledge is a treasure that follows the one who possesses it everywhere.
Those who walk together on the road love each other, those who do the same thing envy each other.
And an emperor cannot buy a thousand years of life.
It is better to leave one book to your son than a pot of gold.
Truth is the source of courage.
A large river flows quietly, an intelligent person does not raise his voice.
A hut where they laugh is richer than a palace where they are bored.
Always look at things from the bright side, and if there are none, rub the dark ones until they shine.
What will happen will happen beyond your anxiety.
Each failure adds intelligence.
The modesty of truly good people is expressed in oblivion: they are so absorbed in what they are doing now that they lose sight of what they have already done.
Looking for fire, you find it with smoke.
When you know the truth, you will also know the lie.
Every thing has two halves
And without one, you won't understand the other.

Over thousands of years of history, the Chinese language has been enriched with a huge number of proverbs, idioms and popular expressions, including those that came from the works of art of Chinese writers and poets, and those that came from folklore folk tales, the everyday life of ordinary people. For us, in most cases, these expressions and phrases in translation sound strange and unusual, but for the Chinese they are indispensable, like air, and it is not surprising that they actively use these phrases both in speech and in writing.

Of course, it is practically impossible to derive the meaning of a proverb or a catchphrase from the Russian translation alone, because behind most Chinese set expressions there are small or big stories, without knowing which, all the beauty and meaning of the phrase are lost in the non-obviousness or imaginary simplicity of images. In addition, Chinese sayings sound coherent in our native language, but in translation we can convey them either in boring prose or in a Russian expression that is appropriate in meaning.

This page contains a large selection of Chinese proverbs, wise phrases and sayings. We provide the original Chinese versions, their pinyin transcription, as well as a translation into Russian, including a literal reading and interpretation (if required), often using our equivalent expressions.

We hope this material will help you in your research, broaden your horizons or arouse interest in a more detailed study (in this case, we recommend the Proverbs section).

And for starters, a classic Chinese riddle:
万里追随你，从不迷路。不怕冷，不怕火，不吃又不喝。太阳西下，我便消失。
wànlǐ zhuīsuí nǐ, cóng bù mílù. bùpà lěng, bùpà huǒ, bù chī yòu bù hē. tàiyáng xī xià, wǒ biàn xiāoshī.
I can follow you for thousands of miles and not get lost. I am not afraid of frost and fire, I do not eat, I do not drink, but I disappear when the sun sets in the west. Who am I?

Answer:
你的影子
nǐ de yǐngzi
Your shadow.

欲速则不达
yù sù zé bù dá
If you are chasing speed, you will not achieve it (you go quieter, you will continue).

爱不是占有，是欣赏
ài bú shì zhàn yǒu, ér shì xīn shǎng
Love is not in possession, but in respect.

"您先请"是礼貌
"nín xiān qǐng" shì lǐ mào
After you - it's good manners.

萝卜青菜，各有所爱
luó bo qīng cài, gè yǒu suǒ ài
Everyone has their own hobby.

广交友，无深交
guǎng jiāo yǒu, wú shēn jiāo
A friend to all is a friend to no one.

一见钟情
yí jian zhōng qíng
Love at first sight. Usually in relation to people, but can be used for other physical objects.

山雨欲来风满楼
shān yǔ yù lái fēng mǎn lóu
A downpour is approaching in the mountains, and the whole tower is blown by the wind (clouds have gathered over someone).

不作死就不会死
bù zuō sǐ jiù bú huì sǐ
Don't do it, you won't die. This means that if you don't do stupid things, they won't hurt you.

书是随时携带的花园
shū shì suí shí xié dài de huā yuán
A book is like a garden in your pocket.

万事开头难
wàn shì kāi tou nán
It is very difficult to start any business (dashing trouble is the beginning).

活到老，学到老
huo dào lǎo, xué dào lǎo
Live to old age, study to old age (live and learn).

身正不怕影子斜
shēn zhèng bú pà yǐng zi xié
A straight leg is not afraid of a crooked boot.

爱屋及乌
Ai wū jí wū
Love the house, love the raven [on its roof] (love me, love my dog too). Spread your love for one person to all his surroundings.

好书如挚友
hǎo shū rú zhì yǒu
A good book is a good friend.

一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴
yí cùn guāng yīn yí cùn jīn, cùn jīn nán mǎi cùn guāng yīn
Time is money, money can't buy time.

机不可失，时不再来
jī bù kě shī, shí bú zai lái
Don't miss your chance, there won't be another one.

一言既出，驷马难追
yì yán jì chū, sì mǎ nán zhuī
If the word is said, it cannot be overtaken even on four horses.

好记性不如烂笔头
hǎo jì xìng bù rú làn bǐ tóu
A good memory is worse than the tip of a bad brush. Writing down is better than memorizing.

近水知鱼性，近山识鸟音
jìn shuǐ zhī yú xìng, jìn shān shí niǎo yīn
By the water we learn the fish, in the mountains we learn the songs of the birds.

愿得一人心，白首不相离
yuàn dé yī rén xīn, bái shǒu bù xiāng lí
If you want another's heart, never leave it.

人心齐，泰山移
rén xīn qí, tài shān yí
If people rally, then Mount Taishan will be moved. You can move mountains with hard work.

明人不用细说，响鼓不用重捶
míng rén bú yòng xì shuō, xiǎng gǔ bú yòng zhòng chuí
A smart person does not need to explain for a long time.

花有重开日，人无再少年
huā yǒu chóng kāi rì, rén wú zài shào nián
Flowers may bloom again, but a person will never have the opportunity to become young again. Don't waste time.

顾左右而言他
gù zuǒ yòuér yán tā
Walk away, change the subject.

几家欢喜几家愁
jǐ jiā huān xǐ jǐ jiā chóu
Some are happy, some are sad. Or the grief of one is the joy of another.

人无完人，金无足赤
rén wú wán rén, jīn wú zú chì
It is impossible to find the perfect person, just as it is impossible to find 100% pure gold.

有借有还，再借不难
yǒu jiè yǒu hái, zai jiè bù nán
Timely repayment of the loan makes it easier to borrow a second time.

失败是成功之母
shībai shì chénggōng zhī mǔ
Defeat is the mother of success. You won't become a master without messing things up.

人过留名，雁过留声
rén guò liú míng, yàn guò liú shēng
A man, passing, must leave behind a reputation, as a flying goose leaves behind a cry.

万事俱备，只欠东风
wàn shì jù bèi, zhǐ qiàn dōng fēng
Everything is prepared, only the east wind is missing (the absence of one of the most important conditions for the implementation of the plan).

常将有日思无日，莫将无时想有时
cháng jiāng yǒu rì sī wú rì, mò jiāng wú shí xiǎng yǒu shí
When you are rich, think of poverty, but don't think of wealth when you are poor. This proverb indicates that thrift is the best policy: be humble even if you are rich, and do not dream of being rich when you are poor, but work and be frugal.

塞翁失马，焉知非福
sài wēng shī mǎ, yān zhī fēi fú
The old man lost his horse, but who knows - maybe this is fortunately (no harm, no good). According to the book "Huainanzi - Lessons of Humanity", an old man living in the border region lost his horse and people came to console him, but he said, "It could be a blessing in disguise, who knows?" Indeed, the horse later returned to the man along with an excellent stallion. The full story can be read.

学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆
xuéér bù sī zé wǎng, sīér bù xué zé dài
To study and not to think is to learn nothing, to think and not to study is to follow a dangerous path.

书到用时方恨少
shū dào yòng shí fāng hèn shǎo
When you use what you've learned from books and want to read more about it. This proverb reminds us that we can never read enough.

千军易得，一将难求
qiān jūn yì dé, yī jiang nán qiú
It is easy to find a thousand soldiers, but it is difficult to find a good general. This proverb celebrates the difficulty of finding an outstanding leader.

小洞不补，大洞吃苦
xiǎo dòng bù bǔ, dà dòng chī kǔ
A small hole that is not patched up in time will become a big hole that is much more difficult to patch. Everything must be done on time.

读书须用意，一字值千金
dú shū xū yòng yì, yī zì zhí qiān jīn
When you read, don't let a single word escape your attention; one word can be worth a thousand gold coins. This proverb emphasizes the fact that research requires close attention. Not a single word should be omitted without understanding. Only in this way can learning be rewarded.

有理走遍天下，无理寸步难行
yǒu lǐ zǒu biàn tiān xià, wú lǐ cùn bù nán xíng
If the law is on your side, you can go anywhere; without it, you won't be able to take a step. Virtue will carry you through any difficulties, while without it your work will be doomed from the very beginning.

麻雀虽小，五脏俱全
má què suī xiǎo, wǔ zàng jù quán
Sparrow, although small, but all the organs are in place. Despite the small size, everything is as it should, everything is there.

但愿人长久，千里共婵娟
dàn yuàn rén cháng jiǔ, qiān lǐ gòng chán juān
Wish us a long life to share the beauty of this graceful moonlight, even thousands of miles apart.

听君一席话，胜读十年书
tīng jūn yīxíhuà, shèng yīng jiāng qí yì wèi shí nián shū
Listening to the sovereign's advice is better than reading books for ten years.

路遥知马力，日久见人心
lù yáo zhī mǎ lì, rì jiǔ jiàn rén xīn
The strength of a horse is known by a long journey, and the heart of a person is known by time.

灯不拨不亮，理不辩不明
dēng bù bō bù liàng, lǐ bù biàn bù míng
After cutting, the oil lamp becomes brighter, the truth becomes clearer after discussion.

凡人不可貌相，海水不可斗量
fán rén bù kě mào xiàng, hǎi shuǐ bù kě dòu liàng
A person is not judged by appearance, the sea is not measured with scoops.

桂林山水甲天下
guìlín shānshuǐ jiǎ tiānxià
The mountain and water landscapes of Guilin are the best in the world.

三人一条心，黄土变成金
sān rén yì tiáo xīn, huáng tǔ biàn chéng jīn
When three people have unanimity, even clay can be turned into gold.

当局者迷，旁观者清
dāng jú zhě mí, páng guān zhě qīng
More visible from the side. The person participating in something usually does not have a comprehensive view due to too much concentration on profit and loss, while observers, being more calm and objective, are more aware of what is happening.

大处着想，小处着手
dà chù zhuó xiǎng, xiǎo chù zhuó shǒu
Keep a common goal in sight while tackling everyday tasks. This proverb advises us to always keep the general situation in mind and be far-sighted while we are busy with worldly vanity.

吃一堑，长一智
chī yī qian, zhǎng yí zhì
Every failure makes a person smarter.

不能一口吃成胖子
bù néng yīkǒu chī chéng gè pàngzi
You can’t get fat from one sip (to achieve something, you have to work hard).

风无常顺，兵无常胜
fēng wú cháng shùn, bīng wú cháng shèng
The boat will not always sail with the wind; the army will not always win. This proverb encourages us to be prepared for difficulties and failures: everything cannot be smooth all the time.

水满则溢
shuǐ mǎn zé yì
If there is a lot of water, it pours out. This proverb indicates that things turn into their opposites when they reach their extremes.

有缘千里来相会
yǒu yuán qiān lǐ lái xiāng huì
Even for those who are far from each other, a meeting is destined for fate. This proverb says that (according to the Chinese) human relationships are determined by fate.

哑巴吃饺子，心里有数
yǎ ba chī jiǎo zi, xīn lǐ yǒu shù
When a dumb person eats dumplings (饺子 jiaozi), they know how much they have eaten, although they cannot tell. This expression is used to indicate that the person knows the situation well, even though they are silent.

只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针
zhǐ yào gōng fū shēn, tiě chǔ mó chéng zhēn
If you work hard enough, you can even grind down an iron rod to the size of a needle. Patience and a little effort.

种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆
zhòng guā dé guā, zhòng dòu dé dòu
You plant a melon, you get a melon, you plant beans, you get beans (you reap what you sow).

善有善报
shàn yǒu shàn bào
Good will turn into good.

人逢喜事精神爽
rén féng xǐ shì jīng shén shuǎng
Joy inspires a person.

水滴石穿，绳锯木断
shuǐ dī shí chuān, shéng jù mù duàn
Dripping water pierces the stone; a saw made of rope cuts through a tree through (water wears away a stone).

一日之计在于晨
yī rì zhī jì zai yú chén
The morning is wiser than the evening.

君子之交淡如水
jūn zǐ zhī jiāo dàn rú shuǐ
Friendship between gentlemen is as tasteless as water.

月到中秋分外明，每逢佳节倍思亲
yuè dào zhōng qiū fèn wài míng, měi féng jiā jié bèi sī qīn
The moon is at its brightest during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and homesickness will intensify during this traditional festival.

读万卷书不如行万里路
dú wàn juan shū bù rú xíng wàn lǐ lù
Traveling ten thousand li is better than reading ten thousand books (practical experience is more useful than theory).

静以修身
jìng yǐ xiū shēn
Silence and silence perfect the body.

强龙难压地头蛇
qiáng lóng nán yā dìtóu shé
Even the mighty dragon cannot handle the snakes here (be careful with strangers or in unfamiliar places).

一步一个脚印儿
yī bù yī gè jiǎo yìnr
Every step leaves a mark (work steadily and make significant progress).

一个萝卜一个坑儿
yī gè luó bo yī gè kēng er
One radish, one hole. Everyone has their own task, and no one is useless.

宰相肚里好撑船 / 宽容大量
zǎi xiànɡ dù lǐ nénɡ chēnɡ chuán / kuān hóng dà liàng
The prime minister's soul must be as wide as the sea (no matter what he hears).

冰冻三尺，非一日之寒
bīng dòng sān chǐ, fēi yī rì zhī hán
Meter ice is not formed in one day (Moscow was not built right away).

三个和尚没水喝
sān gè héshàng méi shuǐ hē
The three monks have no water to drink. "Too many cooks spoil the broth" or "seven nannies and a child without an eye."

一人难称百人心 / 众口难调
yī rén nán chèn bǎi rén xīn / zhòng kǒu nán tiáo
It is difficult to please everyone (there are no comrades for the taste and color).

难得糊涂
nan de hú tu
Where ignorance is bliss, it is foolish to be wise.

执子之手，与子偕老
zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xié lǎo
Holding hands, grow old together.

千里之行，始于足下
qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià
The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.

国以民为本，民以食为天
guó yǐ mín wéi běn, mín yǐ shí wéi tiān
People are the root of the country, and food is the first necessity of people.

儿行千里母担忧
ér xíng qiān lǐ mǔ dān yōu
When the son is away from home, the mother is worried.

没有规矩不成方圆
méi yǒu guī ju bù chéng fāng yuán
Nothing can be achieved without norms or standards.

否极泰来
pǐ jí tài lái
When the hexagram "Pi" ("Decay") reaches its limit, the hexagram "Tai" comes (a streak of bad luck is sometimes replaced by good luck).

前怕狼，后怕虎
qián pà láng, hòu pà hǔ
Be afraid of the wolf in front, and the tiger in the back (always be afraid of something).

青出于蓝而胜于蓝
qīng chū yú lánér shèng yú lán
Blue is born from blue, but much thicker than the latter (the student has surpassed the teacher).

老骥伏枥，志在千里
lǎo jì fú lì, zhì zài qiān lǐ
The old horse lies in a stall, but with his thought he rushes a thousand miles away (even though he is old in years, he is full of lofty aspirations).

十年树木，百年树人
shí nián shù mù, bǎi nián shù rén
A tree grows for ten years, a person for a hundred years (about the difficult and long work of education).

兵不厌诈
bīng bù yàn zhà
In war, tricks are not forbidden.

木已成舟
mù yǐ chéng zhōu
生米煮成熟饭
shēng mǐ zhǔ chéng shú fàn
The grain was cooked and turned into porridge (it's done - you can't return it).

身体力行
shēn tǐ lì xíng
To carry it out with all your energy.

惩前毖后
chéng qián bì hòu
Learn from the mistakes of the past as a lesson for the future.

一石二鸟
yī shí er niǎo
Shoot down two birds with one stone.

如坐针毡
rú zuò zhēn zhān
Sit on pins and needles.

星星之火，可以燎原
xīng xīng zhī huǒ, kě yǐ liáo yuán
A spark of fire can burn out the steppe. A spark can start a fire.

逆来顺受
nì lái shùn shòu
Obediently endure misfortune (injustice), do not resist evil.

化干戈为玉帛
huà gān gē wéi yù bó
End the war peacefully, change the situation for the better (reforge swords into plowshares).

此地无银三百两
cǐ dì wú yín sān bǎi liǎng
Give yourself away with your head (sewn with white threads).

严师出高徒
yán shī chū gāo tú
Good students are brought up by strict teachers.

三思而后行
sān sīér hòu xíng
Proceed to action, having only thought it over three times (measure seven times, cut once).

哀兵必胜
āi bīng bì sheng
An oppressed army fighting with desperate courage will surely win.

吃得苦中苦，方为人上人
chī dé kǔ zhōng kǔ, fāng wéi rén shàng rén
You can't even pull a fish out of a pond without difficulty.

先到先得
xiān dao xiān dé
Who gets up early, God gives him.

留得青山在，不怕没柴烧
liú dé qīng shān zai, bú pà méi chái shāo
There would be a forest, but there would be firewood (while I live, I hope).

祸从口出
huò cóng kǒu chū
All troubles come from the tongue (my tongue is my enemy).

一笑解千愁
yī xiào jiě qiān chóu
One smile can erase a million worries.

笑一笑，十年少
xiào yī xiào,shí nián shào
Who knows how to laugh, he becomes younger. Laughter prolongs life.

美名胜过美貌
měi míng shèng guò měi mao
Good fame is better than a good mine.

入乡随俗
rù xiāng suí su
When entering a country, follow its customs (they don’t go to a foreign monastery with their own charter).

大智若愚
da zhì ruò yú
Great wisdom is like stupidity (about an intelligent, educated person who does not know how or does not want to show himself).

捷足先登
jié zú xiān dēng
The one who walks fast is the first to reach the goal.

守得云开见月明
shǒu dé yún kāi jiàn yuè míng
Each cloud has a silver lining (there is no blessing in disguise).

患难见真情
huàn nàn jiàn zhēn qíng
Trouble sees the truth (a friend in trouble is known).

凡事都应量力而行
fán shì dōu yìng liàng lìér xíng
Man cannot do more than he can.

心旷神怡，事事顺利
xīn kuàng shén yí, shì shì shùn lì
The heart is in the open, the soul rejoices - [then] and every business is successful.

良药苦口
liáng yào kǔ kǒu
Good medicine is bitter in the mouth (though it hurts the eyes).

静以修身
jìng yǐ xiū shēn
Peace and quiet for self-improvement.

知音难觅
zhī yīn nán mì
A true friend is hard to find.

逆境出人才
nì jìng chū rén cái
Hard times give birth to great people (talents).

事实胜于雄辩
shì shí shèng yú xióng biàn
Facts are more convincing than any words (facts are stubborn things).

蜡烛照亮别人，却毁灭了自己
là zhú zhào liàng bié rén, què huǐ miè le zì jǐ
The candle illuminates others but destroys itself.

吹牛与说谎本是同宗
chuī niú yǔ shuō huǎng běn shì tóng zōng
Boasting and lying come from the same ancestor.

一鸟在手胜过双鸟在林
yī niǎo zai shǒu shèng guò shuāng niǎo zai lín
A bird in a hand is worth two birds in a thicket (a bird in the hand is better than a crane in the sky).

不会撑船怪河弯
bú huì chēng chuán guài hé wān
Not being able to steer a boat, but blaming the bend in the river (a bad dancer gets in the way, too).

不善始者不善终
bú shàn shǐ zhě bù shàn zhōng
A bad start is a bad end (you reap what you sow).

Chinese phrases and expressions related to the dragon

龙飞凤舞
longfēi fèngwǔ
The rise of the dragon and the dance of the phoenix (about an exceptionally beautiful handwriting; about a careless cursive handwriting; to swim majestically, to swim out).

龙马精神
longmǎ jīngshén
A horse with a dragon spirit (we are talking about a strong spirit in old age).

鱼龙混杂
yú lóng hùn za
Fish and dragons mixed up (everything mixed up, good and bad mixed up among themselves; there are both honest people and scum).

龙腾虎跃
longteng hǔyue
Like a dragon takes off, like a tiger jumps (perform a glorious deed; do a useful deed).

车水马龙
chē shuǐ mǎ long
The flow of carriages and a string of horses (about a large traffic).

龙潭虎穴
longtán-hǔxue
The abyss of the dragon (and the lair of the tiger) (about a dangerous place).

画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
When drawing a dragon, draw his pupils as well (finish, make the last one or two master strokes).

叶公好龙
yè gōng hào lóng
She-gun loves dragons (to love by hearsay; to love what he has never seen; to love only in words; according to the parable of She-gun, who really liked dragons and who constantly painted them, but when he saw a living dragon, he ran away in fright).

鲤鱼跳龙门
lǐyú tiào lóngmén
Karp jumped over the dragon gate (pass the state exam, get promoted and make a fast-paced career).