8 Funny Chinese Idioms with Hilarious Literal Meanings

Exactly identical

Literal meaning: One mold one appearance

Originating in Ming Dynasty craftsmen's guilds, this idiom literally means one (一) mold (模) produces one (一) appearance (样). It derives from the ancient art of bronze casting, where master craftsmen used precise molds to create identical pieces. The repetition of '一' (one) emphasizes perfect replica...

Love ease, hate work

Literal meaning: Love ease hate work

This idiom describes the human tendency to love (好) ease (逸) and hate (恶) work (劳). First appearing in pre-Qin philosophical texts, it was used by Mencius to warn against the natural but problematic inclination toward comfort over effort. The phrase gained particular significance during the Song Dyn...

Advantage from close connections

Literal meaning: Pavilion close to water

First appearing in Tang Dynasty poetry, this idiom describes pavilions (楼台) close (近) to water (水), referring to their advantageous position to catch the moon's reflection first. The phrase gained wider usage during the Song Dynasty as a metaphor for privileged access or favorable positioning. Origi...

Accept all with open mind

Literal meaning: 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...

Prepare before problems arise

Literal meaning: Prepare umbrella before rain

Dating to the Zhou Dynasty's Book of Changes, this idiom literally describes preparing (缪) with silk cords (绸) before (未) the rain (雨) arrives. It originated from the practice of reinforcing buildings during dry seasons to prevent leaks. Ancient carpenters would inspect and repair roof bindings pree...

Makes no sense

Literal meaning: Cannot name its wonder

Originating in Daoist texts describing inexplicable mysteries, this phrase captures the sensation of encountering something whose wonder (妙) cannot (莫) be named (名). During the Six Dynasties period, it was frequently used in poetry and philosophical writings to describe transcendent experiences. Bud...

Love extends to all connections

Literal meaning: Love house and its crow

This tender expression describes how love (爱) for a house (屋) extends (及) even to the crow (乌) perched on its roof. Dating back to the Warring States period, it first appeared in texts discussing how affection naturally spreads to associated things. The crow, often considered an unremarkable bird, b...

Keep secrets well

Literal meaning: Guard mouth like bottle

Comparing one's mouth to a sealed bottle (瓶), this idiom emerged during the Tang Dynasty when court intrigue made discretion essential for survival. The bottle (瓶) metaphor was inspired by valuable sealed containers used for storing precious liquids, which would lose their value if opened carelessly...