9 Funny Chinese Proverbs
Chinese proverbs known as “谚语” （yàn yǔ）are an integral part of the language. Thy reflect the rich culture and thoughts of the Chinese people. These proverbs are full of charm and wisdom, covering all Chinese people experience, from their joys, sorrows, and sorrows of life. Next, let’s study some funny Chinese proverbs together, and feel the cultural charm and wisdom behind them!
1.敲门砖（Qiāo mén zhuān）
Literal translation： “Knocking on Door Brick”
Explanation: “敲门砖“ means that brick picked up to knock on the door and thrown away when it has served its purpose..This proverb emphasizes a tool or method used as a means for fame and position.
2.骑驴找马（Qí lǘ zhǎo mǎ）
Literal Translation: “Riding a Donkey While Looking for a Horse”
Explanation: Its meaning is to make do with it before finding the target, use it if possible, and then replace the existing one when finding the target. This idiom is extended to holding a choice in hand, waiting for the next better choice.
3. 指鹿为马（Zhǐ lù wéi mǎ）
Literal Translation: “Pointing to a deer and calling it a horse”
Explanation: This proverb comes from an ancient Chinese story. Its original meaning is to point to a deer and say it’s a horse. It is used to describe behaviors or statements that intentionally distort facts and confuse the public. In modern Chinese, this sentence is often used to criticize or satirize words and actions that disregard facts.
4. 病急乱投医（Bìng jí luàn tóu yī）
Literal translation：“to turn to any doctor one can find when critically ill”
Explanation: “病急乱投医” means that someone’s condition is critical and severe and he or she seeks doctors everywhere. It is a metaphor for asking for help or thinking of ways when things are urgent.
5. 情人眼里出西施（Qíng rén yǎn lǐ chū xī shī）
Literal translation：“In Lover’s Eyes Emerges Xishi”
Explanation: This Chinese proverbs is similary to “Love is blind“ by Shakespeare.It can be translate as Beauty is the eyes of the beholder/ Beauty lies in lover’s eye.When people fall in love,they will see each other as beautiful and perfect because of their deep affection for them.
Watch this video to learn more about Xi Shi:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P50J-qZ1juU&pp=ygUfSW4gTG92ZXLigJlzIEV5ZXMgRW1lcmdlcyBYaXNoaQ%3D%3D
6.种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆（Zhòng guā dé guā, zhòng dòu dé dòu）
Translation: “You Reap What You Sow”
Explanation: What you sow, you will reap. If you plant good seeds (like kindness, hard work, and honesty), you will harvest good fruits. If you plant bad seeds (like laziness, greed, and deceit), you will reap bad consequences.
7.肥水不流外人田（Féi shuǐ bù liú wài rén tián）
Literal Translation:“Fertile water should not flow to outsiders’ fields”
Explanation: Refers to benefits that cannot be given to outsiders. Commonly used to describe that things that have benefits should prioritize taking care of one’s own people.
8.捡了芝麻丢了西瓜（Jiǎn le zhī ma diū le xī guā）
Literal Translation: “Picking Up Sesame Seeds and Losing a Watermelon”
Explanation: Explanation: This phrase describes focusing on small gains while missing out on larger and more important opportunities.
9. 狗嘴里吐不出象牙（Gǒu zuǐ lǐ tǔ bù chū xiàng yá）
Literal Translation: Ivory cannot be found in a dog’s mouth.
Explanation: The meaning of this proverb is that bad people or those with poor qualities cannot say anything good or do anything good. It is usually used to describe a person whose words or actions are always negative, without any positive or constructive expressions.
These Chinese proverbs are just the tip of the iceberg. Each one tells a unique story and captures the cultural wisdom and moral principles. Even as they make us chuckle with their funny literal translations, they remind us of the richness and depth of the Chinese language.
