Chinese allegories
歇后語(yǔ)
Two-part allegorical saying (of which the first part, always stated, is descriptive, while the second part, often unstated, carries the message)

lú gōu qiáo de shí shī zi – shǔ bù qīng
盧溝橋的石獅子 – 數(shù)不清
There are numerous stone lions on Lugou Bridge. (Lugou Bridge, also known as Macro Polo Bridge, was first built in 1187 to the southwest of today's Beijing.) – a large amount

èr wàn wǔ qiān lǐ cháng zhēng – rèn zhòng dào yu?n
二萬(wàn)五千里長(zhǎng)征 – 任重道遠(yuǎn)
Long March of 25,000 li, or 12,500 kilometers (made by the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, 1934-1935) – the task is arduous and the road ahead is long; shoulder heavy responsibilities in years to come

bàn tiān kōng li guà k?u dài – zhuāng fēng (fēng)
半天空里掛口袋 – 裝瘋（風(fēng)）
Hanging a bag in mid-air – Literally, "裝風(fēng)" means "holding the wind". As its pun, "裝瘋" is hence implied to refer to "feigning madness".

bàn yè lǐ tōu táo chī – zh?o ru?n de niē
半夜里偷桃吃 – 找軟的捏
Steal peaches at midnight – pick only the soft ones; figuratively, bully the weak and cringe before bullies

páng xiè jiā wān dòu – lián pá dài gǔn
螃蟹夾豌豆 – 連爬帶滾
A crab carrying a pea – crawling and rolling. This saying is often used to describe those who flee in a panic after being defeated.

wén zi dīng pú sà – rèn cuò rén le
蚊子叮菩薩 – 認(rèn)錯(cuò)人了
A mosquito bites a clay idol. – mistaken identity; wrong identification of someone

xiā zi dài y?n jìng – duō cǐ yī jǔ
瞎子戴眼鏡 – 多此一舉
A blind man putting on glasses – an unnecessary action

dà rè tiān chuān mián ?o – bù shì shí hou
大熱天穿棉襖 – 不是時(shí)候
Wearing a padded coat on a hot day – out of season

View all lessons >>