Chinese proverbs

Wáng yáng bŭ láo - It's never too late

The Chinese saying wáng yáng bŭ láo (亡羊补牢), “even if you have lost some sheep, it’s never too late to mend the fence," is a reminder that when we meet misfortune, we should not despair, instead, we should do our best to ensure the same mischance will not occur again.

21st March 2008 - Terhi Mikkolainen - Learn Chinese

Jié căo xián huán: Eternally grateful

When the Chinese want to express deep gratitude for someone's good work or generosity, they might say jié căo xián huán. It literally means “to tie grass into a bundle and hold a jade ring in the mouth.” And why would they use such a strange expression? Read on and find out.

20th February 2008 - Terhi Mikkolainen - Chinese proverbs

Qiān lĭ sòng ér máo – giving from the heart

With the Chinese New Year approaching, now would be a good time to remember the importance of gift-giving in Chinese culture. Giving and receiving gifts plays a big part in maintaining guanxi, or good relations, and this principle applies to personal as well as business relationships.

28th January 2008 - Terhi Mikkolainen - Chinese proverbs

Jīdàn lĭ tiāo gútou - to pick bones from an egg

Jīdàn lĭ tiāo gútou (鸡蛋里挑骨头) literally means "to pick bones from an egg." Jīdàn means egg, lĭ means to be inside something, tiāo means to pick and gútou means bones.

14th December 2007 - Terhi Mikkolainen - Chinese proverbs

Gŏu zhàng rén shì - A dog trusts his master's might

When he is with his master, the dog is likely to feel mighty and powerful – just because the master is mighty and powerful. This proverb talks about dogs and men, but actually it also applies to situations concerning men and men.

24th October 2006 - Terhi Mikkolainen - Chinese proverbs

Băi wén bù rú yī jiàn - Believe your own eyes

It is better not to trust other people's words when you can see the fact of the matter for yourself. This is the conclusion that the Chinese of the Han Dynasty came to.

18th July 2006 - Terhi Mikkolainen - Chinese proverbs