12 Best Chinese Proverbs With Meanings Explained
The most famous Chinese proverbs with full meanings explained. Each proverb includes literal translation, metaphorical meaning, and cultural context.
What makes a Chinese proverb truly great? It's the ability to compress profound wisdom into just a few characters. Here are 12 of the most celebrated Chinese proverbs, each with its full meaning, origin story, and cultural context explained.
百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náoUnshakeable despite adversity
Literal: Bend hundred times never yield
Dating to the Warring States period, this idiom describes bamboo that bends a hundred (百) times (折) but never (不) yields (挠). The imagery comes from ancient observations of bamboo groves surviving severe storms by bending rather than breaking. The metaphor gained particular significance during the T...
Example
Despite numerous rejections, she never gave up on her dreams
尽管屡次被拒绝，她从未放弃梦想
水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuānPersistence achieves anything
Literal: Water drops pierce stone
This idiom captures the power of persistence through the image of water (水) drops (滴) piercing (穿) stone (石). First documented in Han Dynasty texts, it was inspired by observations of natural cave formations created by centuries of dripping water. The imagery gained prominence during the Tang Dynast...
Example
With consistent practice, she finally mastered the difficult skill
通过持续练习，她终于掌握了这项难度很大的技能
塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎMisfortune might be a blessing
Literal: Old man loses horse
This profound idiom originates from the story of a wise old man (塞翁) living near the northern border who lost his prized horse (失马). When neighbors came to console him, he asked, 'How do you know this isn't good fortune?' Indeed, the horse later returned with a magnificent wild horse. When neighbors...
Example
Losing his job led him to find his true calling
失业反而让他找到了真正的使命
海纳百川
hǎi nà bǎi chuānAccept all with open mind
Literal: Sea accepts hundred rivers
This idiom describes how the sea (海) accepts (纳) a hundred (百) rivers (川), celebrating inclusivity and breadth of mind. It first gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty, reflecting China's cosmopolitan golden age when the capital Chang'an welcomed influences from across Asia. The metaphor draws po...
Example
The company welcomed diverse perspectives and ideas
公司欢迎不同的观点和想法
柳暗花明
liǔ àn huā míngHope appears in darkness
Literal: Dark willows bright flowers
This idiom comes from a line in Tang Dynasty poet Lu Zhaolin's work, describing a moment where a traveler, surrounded by dark willows (柳暗), suddenly discovers a bright clearing filled with flowers (花明). The imagery draws from classical Chinese garden design, where winding paths deliberately obscured...
Example
After months of setbacks, they finally had their breakthrough
经过几个月的挫折，他们终于取得了突破
铁杵成针
tiě chǔ chéng zhēnSuccess through persistence
Literal: Iron rod becomes needle
The tale of an elderly woman grinding an iron (铁) pestle (杵) into a needle (针) dates to the Northern Song Dynasty. When Li Bai saw her task, she explained that with enough persistence, even the impossible becomes possible. Her story became so influential that the actual grinding stone was preserved ...
Example
Through years of practice, the amateur artist became a master
通过多年练习，这位业余艺术家成为了大师
一诺千金
yī nuò qiān jīnKeep promises faithfully
Literal: One promise thousand gold
Emerging from the Spring and Autumn period, this idiom equates one (一) promise (诺) with a thousand in gold (千金). It gained prominence through the story of Ji Zha, who honored a posthumous promise despite great personal cost. The concept became central to merchant culture during the Tang Dynasty, whe...
Example
Despite better offers, she honored her original commitment to the client
尽管有更好的机会，她仍然信守对客户的承诺
高山流水
gāo shān liú shuǐPerfect artistic understanding between friends
Literal: High mountain flowing water
This aesthetic idiom pairs lofty (高) mountains (山) with flowing (流) water (水), originating from a famous friendship between Zhong Ziqi and musician Bo Ya during the Spring and Autumn period. Historical texts recount how Bo Ya would play his qin while Zhong Ziqi perfectly understood his musical inten...
Example
The virtuoso's performance demonstrated perfect artistic harmony and expression
这位大师的表演展示了完美的艺术和谐与表现力
愚公移山
yú gōng yí shānPersistence overcomes huge obstacles
Literal: Foolish old man moves mountains
This persistent idiom tells of a determined old man (愚公) who began removing (移) mountains (山) that blocked his path, originating from the 'Liezi' during the Warring States period. When ridiculed for attempting such an impossible task at his advanced age, he replied that while he might die, his desce...
Example
Despite overwhelming obstacles, the small team persisted until they revolutionized the industry
尽管面临巨大障碍，这个小团队坚持不懈，最终彻底改变了行业
知足常乐
zhī zú cháng lèContentment with what one has brings happiness
Literal: Know enough constant happiness
Laozi's profound insight in the 'Dao De Jing' teaches that knowing contentment (知足) leads to lasting happiness (常乐). The concept resonated deeply with both Daoist and Buddhist traditions, each recognizing how mental recognition of 'enough' creates more joy than endless acquisition. Tang Dynasty writ...
Example
Despite modest circumstances, the family found contentment in simple pleasures and each other's company
尽管条件简朴，这家人从简单的乐趣和彼此的陪伴中找到了满足
苦尽甘来
kǔ jìn gān láiAfter hardship comes happiness
Literal: Bitterness ends sweetness comes
This idiom describes bitterness (苦) ending (尽) and sweetness (甘) arriving (来). It offers hope that suffering is temporary and will be followed by better times. The phrase appeared in texts encouraging perseverance through hardship. It reflects the cyclical Chinese understanding of fortune where extr...
Example
After years of struggle, success finally arrived.
经过多年奋斗，终于苦尽甘来。
白头偕老
bái tóu xié lǎoGrow old together; lifelong partnership
Literal: White heads together in old age
This idiom describes white (白) heads (头) together (偕) in old age (老). It depicts couples who grow old together, their hair turning white side by side. The phrase is a common blessing at weddings. Modern usage expresses wishes for lasting marriages, the hope that couples will remain devoted until bot...
Example
They wished the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness together.
他们祝愿新婚夫妇白头偕老。
Quick Reference
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