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Chinese Proverbs with Meanings and Pinyin

Explore 58 carefully explained Chinese proverbs, popular sayings, idioms, and classical quotations. Every expression has one permanent detail page.

千里之行，始于足下

qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià

Every large achievement starts with one practical first step.

不怕慢，就怕站

bù pà màn, jiù pà zhàn

Steady progress matters more than speed, while giving up guarantees no progress.

塞翁失马，焉知非福

sài wēng shī mǎ, yān zhī fēi fú

An apparent misfortune may lead to an unexpected benefit.

dī shuǐ chuān shí

Small, repeated efforts can overcome a formidable obstacle.

三思而后行

sān sī ér hòu xíng

Consider a decision carefully before taking action.

吃一堑，长一智

chī yí qiàn, zhǎng yí zhì

A mistake or setback can teach a valuable lesson.

百尺竿头，更进一步

bǎi chǐ gān tóu, gèng jìn yí bù

Even after reaching a high level, keep improving.

授人以鱼，不如授人以渔

shòu rén yǐ yú, bù rú shòu rén yǐ yú

Teaching a lasting skill is more valuable than providing one temporary solution.

滴水之恩，当涌泉相报

dī shuǐ zhī ēn, dāng yǒng quán xiāng bào

Remember even a small kindness and repay it generously.

有志者事竟成

yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng

Strong determination makes a difficult goal achievable.

失败是成功之母

shī bài shì chéng gōng zhī mǔ

Failure can provide the experience needed for later success.

shú néng shēng qiǎo

Repeated practice develops fluency and mastery.

只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针

zhǐ yào gōng fu shēn, tiě chǔ mó chéng zhēn

Extraordinary patience can accomplish what first appears impossible.

众人拾柴火焰高

zhòng rén shí chái huǒ yàn gāo

Collective effort produces a stronger result than isolated work.

人心齐，泰山移

rén xīn qí, tài shān yí

A united group can overcome an enormous challenge.

近朱者赤，近墨者黑

jìn zhū zhě chì, jìn mò zhě hēi

The people and environment around us shape our character and habits.

路遥知马力，日久见人心

lù yáo zhī mǎ lì, rì jiǔ jiàn rén xīn

True ability and character become clear through time and difficulty.

患难见真情

huàn nàn jiàn zhēn qíng

Genuine loyalty and affection become visible in difficult times.

家和万事兴

jiā hé wàn shì xīng

Harmony at home creates a foundation for wider well-being and success.

百善孝为先

bǎi shàn xiào wéi xiān

Respect and care for parents are treated as a foundational virtue.

在家靠父母，出门靠朋友

zài jiā kào fù mǔ, chū mén kào péng you

Family and trusted friends form essential networks of support.

lǐ shàng wǎng lái

Courtesy and kindness should be reciprocated.

己所不欲，勿施于人

jǐ suǒ bù yù, wù shī yú rén

Treat others with the consideration you would want for yourself.

hé qì shēng cái

Courtesy and good relationships help business prosper.

wèi yǔ chóu móu

Prepare for trouble before it arrives.

磨刀不误砍柴工

mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng

Good preparation saves time and improves execution.

机不可失，时不再来

jī bù kě shī, shí bù zài lái

Act when a valuable, time-sensitive opportunity appears.

知己知彼，百战不殆

zhī jǐ zhī bǐ, bǎi zhàn bù dài

Sound strategy begins with a realistic understanding of both sides.

船到桥头自然直

chuán dào qiáo tóu zì rán zhí

A solution often becomes clearer when the moment to act actually arrives.

柳暗花明又一村

liǔ àn huā míng yòu yì cūn

When the way seems blocked, a new possibility may suddenly emerge.

zhī zú cháng lè

Recognizing what is enough brings lasting peace and happiness.

lè jí shēng bēi

Excess or overconfidence at a high point can lead to reversal.

欲速则不达

yù sù zé bù dá

Rushing can prevent you from achieving the result at all.

hǎo shì duō mó

Worthwhile outcomes often meet complications before completion.

守得云开见月明

shǒu de yún kāi jiàn yuè míng

Patient endurance can carry you through uncertainty to clarity and hope.

活到老，学到老

huó dào lǎo, xué dào lǎo

Learning should continue throughout one’s entire life.

温故而知新

wēn gù ér zhī xīn

Revisiting prior knowledge can produce fresh understanding.

学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆

xué ér bù sī zé wǎng, sī ér bù xué zé dài

Real understanding requires both study and independent reflection.

书山有路勤为径，学海无涯苦作舟

shū shān yǒu lù qín wéi jìng, xué hǎi wú yá kǔ zuò zhōu

Diligence is the means by which a learner crosses an unlimited field of knowledge.

读万卷书，行万里路

dú wàn juàn shū, xíng wàn lǐ lù

Deep learning combines books with direct experience of the world.

青出于蓝而胜于蓝

qīng chū yú lán ér shèng yú lán

A student or later generation can surpass the teacher or predecessor.

一日之计在于晨，一年之计在于春

yí rì zhī jì zài yú chén, yì nián zhī jì zài yú chūn

A strong beginning and timely planning shape the success of a longer period.

光阴似箭，日月如梭

guāng yīn sì jiàn, rì yuè rú suō

Time passes with startling speed.

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 precious and, unlike money, cannot be recovered once spent.

亡羊补牢，为时未晚

wáng yáng bǔ láo, wéi shí bù wǎn

Correcting a problem after a loss can still prevent further harm.

huà shé tiān zú

An unnecessary addition can spoil something that was already complete.

物以类聚，人以群分

wù yǐ lèi jù, rén yǐ qún fēn

People with similar interests, values, or habits tend to associate.

金无足赤，人无完人

jīn wú zú chì, rén wú wán rén

Everyone has limitations, so perfection is an unrealistic standard.

当局者迷，旁观者清

dāng jú zhě mí, páng guān zhě qīng

Emotional involvement can obscure what an outsider notices more easily.

冰冻三尺，非一日之寒

bīng dòng sān chǐ, fēi yí rì zhī hán

A serious condition develops through accumulated causes over time.

养儿方知父母恩

yǎng ér fāng zhī fù mǔ ēn

Caring for the next generation can deepen appreciation for what one’s own parents gave.

远亲不如近邻

yuǎn qīn bù rú jìn lín

In an immediate need, dependable people close at hand may offer more practical help than distant family.

家家有本难念的经

jiā jiā yǒu běn nán niàn de jīng

Every household has private difficulties that outsiders may not see or fully understand.

清官难断家务事

qīng guān nán duàn jiā wù shì

Private family disputes are often too layered for an outsider to settle simply.

有情人终成眷属

yǒu qíng rén zhōng chéng juàn shǔ

Sincere lovers are wished a happy ending together despite obstacles.

情人眼里出西施

qíng rén yǎn lǐ chū Xī Shī

Affection makes the beloved seem exceptionally beautiful.

xiāng jìng rú bīn

Partners sustain a relationship through mutual courtesy and respect.

执子之手，与子偕老

zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xié lǎo

In modern usage, it expresses a promise of lifelong companionship.