萝卜青菜，各有所爱。(Luóbo qīnɡcài，ɡè yǒu suǒ ài. 20 Famous and wise Chinese proverbs ( 谚语 yanyu), sayings and quotes: Chinese, pinyin, English translation and Standing still – Jewel (lyrics) Posted on 06/05/2014 by Chinesetolearn 1 A bird does not sing because it has an answer. A good wife and health are man's best wealth. These ten Chinese proverbs about life just show us a restricted view of the wisdom of Chinese people. So, it’s okay to just say 闭月羞花 or 沉鱼落雁 if you want to shorten the proverb. 偕 means “in company with” and is found in other words that mean “together,” like 偕同 (xiétóng). Here, 守 tells us to “keep watch” until 云 (the clouds) 开 (open) and we can see the moon’s light. While 一刀两断 refers to a romantic breakup, you can discuss the disillusion of a formal relationship, such as a corporate or political relationship, by using 断交 (duànjiāo). Thanks for subscribing! 3. 'one look fall-in-love') — Love at first sight. – Mignon McLaughlin ∴ Falling in love is easy but remaining in love is actually complicated. 12. Perhaps these Chinese sayings about love can also help you express your feelings more eloquently and soulfully. 27. Your email address will not be published. ), 5. Please check your email for further instructions. This is one of the most simple yet most symbolic Chinese proverbs... “Lasting feelings lead to lasting consequences”. 一往情深 (yīwǎngqíngshēn) — To be deeply attached to. Give … Popular Origins. Hold your hand, and grow old with you. In the heaven we shall be birds flying side by side, and on the earth we shall be twinned trunks flowering sprigs on the same branch. 29. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” The flower has intentions, but the water has no feeling. Think “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” or “Life is like a box of chocolates.”. 在天愿作比翼鸟,在地愿为连理枝。(Zài tiān yuàn zuò bǐ yì niǎo, zài dì yuàn wéi lián lǐ zhī.). Some of them can go all the way back to the Dao De Jing and Yi Jing ancient classic. 屋 means “room” or “house,” and 乌 means “crow,” though when speaking about crows on their own, you’d normally use the longer word 乌鸦 (wūyā). 6. I like food that's very simple on the digestive system - I tend to keep it light. Famous Chinese Proverbs in English and Chinese + Their Meanings. The Japanese are world famous for their ancient wisdom and practices. In the classic “Peanuts” comics, Charles Schulz gave Charlie Brown the line, “Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love.” You can now eloquently express the same sentiment in Chinese. Here are some Chinese idioms about love and romance. Literally, this breaks down to “what you hear, take as false, what you see, take as true.”. Although marriage in China is on the decline, hopefully, there’s someone special out there for those who are looking. Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you “After you’ is good manners.”. “Love at first sight. No. Short Love Quotes. 有缘 is something connected by fate or karma. 执子之手，与子偕老。 (Zhí zǐ zhī shǒu，yǔ zǐ xié lǎo.). 34. Another Section of Intresting Chinese Proverbs Chinese Proverbs: Family. Access the Free Ebook: Top Common Proverbs in Chinese. You may have expressed similar sentiments to your friends as they’ve struggled to move on from a breakup. When it comes to heartache, how can we express our pain? I love Chinese food, like steamed dim sum, and I can have noodles morning, noon and night, hot or cold. “Who, being loved, is poor?” -Oscar Wilde, “At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.” -Plato, “Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.” -William Shakespeare. “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”. A more literal translation of this proverb is “with love, drinking water satisfies/fills; without love, eating food (still) hungry.” Each of these two parts breaks down into nicely matching segments: 有情 and 无情 mean that you have or don’t have love respectively, 饮水 and 食饭 mean that you drink water or eat food and 饱 and 饥 mean that you’re satisfied or hungry, respectively. FluentU takes real-world videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons. Sadly, not all romance leads to a life of bliss. Some of the most famous Chinese proverbs are 成语 (chéngyǔ) — these are proverbs that are four characters long, occasionally six.. For those longer, these proverbs are called 谚语 … Each of the four beauties has a different story, and at least one is a fictional character. There’s like, there’s love and then there’s deep attachment. Cecilia majored in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. The four parts of 沉鱼落雁闭月羞花 refer to each beauty: one whose looks can make a fish stop swimming and sink, one who can make a goose stop flying and fall out of the sky, one who can make the moon hide behind the clouds and one who can shame even the flowers. “A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.”. There’s like, there’s love and then there’s deep attachment. Chinese Proverbs and Phrases About Types of Love 4. – Chinese Proverb. Quotabulary gives you 77 funny and wise proverbs and sayings which you will certainly love. (Download). 11. 爱屋及乌 (Ài wū jí wū). This romantic sentiment can be found on posters and in cards, indicating the idea that your love was meant to be. Shilpa Shetty Add them to your repertoire to improve your flirting in Chinese. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Sign up for a free FluentU trial to access the extensive Chinese video library and try out the various learning tools. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Just as with other cultures, the Chinese have a lot of sayings about Love. 落花有意，流水无情。(Luò huā yǒu yì，liúshuǐ wú qínɡ.). Over their centuries-long history, the Chinese have composed an innumerable collection of proverbs, or short general truths and pieces of advice, that cover an endless number of topics—including food. 12 Chinese Proverbs about Love 1. This romantic... 5. Chinese Proverbs on Death & Dying (11 Proverbs) All of life is a dream walking, all of death is a going home. Also you will find some abstract quotes which are witty and bizarre in general. The translation of this Chinese saying is very similar in English. I understand a little Mandarin and would love to hear them in their original form as I have a son who can read them for me. Was just wondering if you also had them in traditional Chinese characters. Collection of some popular Chinese proverbs, sayings and quotes on problems in life with success mantra which are very inspiring and motivating. You also get BONUS Audio Lessons here at ChineseClass101. 30th of 79 Chinese Proverbs. 沉鱼落雁闭月羞花 can be used as one long phrase, or you can convey the same meaning by using select parts of the saying. The... 6. Love is an eternal theme for sayings, and it's no different in China. This particular Chinese proverb refers to China’s historical four great beauties. So, why not add some romantic vocabulary to your Chinese language repertoire by studying Chinese proverbs about love? Check out these 31 beautiful marriage quotes… ∴ A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. True, long-lasting love means accepting your partner’s imperfections, so you should love the whole house—even the crow sitting on it. Some of the funniest, and the most meaningful proverbs and sayings in the world are originally Chinese. Quotes tagged as "love" Showing 1-30 of 79,728 “I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. After one suffers heartbreak, things do get better eventually. Let’s all hope that this originated from a figurative description of the feeling rather than some terrible, true ancient story! (Chinese Proverb) ... Love Proverbs - Life Proverbs - Death & Dying Proverbs - Success Proverbs - Happiness Proverbs - Friendship Proverbs - View All Topics. Separated as we are, thousands of miles apart, we come together as if by destiny. FluentU brings Chinese to life with real-world videos. Another keyword is 让 (ràng), which means “to let/to allow,” like in the phrase 让我尝试 (ràng wǒ chángshì) — let me try. Learn Chinese vocabulary, phrases and words FAST with TONS of FREE lessons! FluentU is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn Chinese with real-world videos. Life goes past at great speed. And so, it’s fun to learn them. 有情人终成眷属 (Yǒu qínɡ rén zhōnɡ chénɡ juànshǔ.). “Love is not about possession, it’s all about appreciation .”. Chinese proverbs (or Chinese idioms) are sayings which originate from famous Chinese philosophers and writers. But whether you choose to study the origins of proverbs or not, learning these sayings will enrich your vocabulary and add nuance to the romantic ideas you want to express. 1. Whether you hold on loosely or fall deep into a passionate affair, there are several ways we can convey the type and depth of our romantic relationships. – Chinese Proverb. As an added bonus, this one’s nice to say and easy to remember because of the two words that are pronounced wū with a first tone. 断 means “to break” or “to snap off.”. It's generally used for people, but you can also use it for other physical things/activities... Tweet 2. Chinese Proverbs on Nature (34 Proverbs) Living at a river, one comes to know the nature of the fish therein; Dwelling by a mountain, one learns to recognize the language of the birds thereupon. “If you stand straight, do not fear a crooked shadow.”. The most beautiful Chinese love proverbs “People fix their hair everyday, why not the heart?”. Without a doubt, Love is a common theme throughout history because it is one of the most powerful human emotions that helps bind people together. Mandarin Chinese Language and Culture Blog, 20 Vegetables in Chinese for the Vocabulary-hungry Learner, Quick Guide to Learning Chinese Through Movies, Learn Chinese Through Music: Top 10 Modern Karaoke Classics, Chinese Listening Practice: Why and How to Get Started, Chinese Idioms Like a Boss: 15 Common and Useful Chinese Idioms, Learn Chinese through TV: 10 Great Shows To Get Started, 6 Awesome Chinese Podcasts You’ve Never Heard Of. One example of using this phrase would be 两人约定厮守终生 (Liǎng rén yuēdìng sī shǒu zhōngshēng), which means “they agreed to stay together for life.”. Best 133 motivational Chinese Quotes. These traditional Korean sayings (along with a number of idiomatic expressions inspired by English adages) are still commonly used today in the land of the morning calm.The following 12 proverbs are particularly wise, no matter your native language. These sayings are short but memorable proverbs and sayings that have stood the test of time. Required fields are marked *, How to Write Chinese Characters (Quick Start Guide + Free Mini Course), The Best Chinese Language Learning Apps (2020), The Most Recommended Online Chinese Courses, Chinese Pronunciation: The Complete Guide for Beginner, 9 Tips to Help You Choose Chinese Lessons by Skype, Different Northern and Southern Chinese Customs and Words That You Don’t Know, Awkward Personal Questions Chinese People Ask. Add words to FluentU’s customizable vocabulary lists and flashcard sets so you can practice later. Note: These aren’t native Japanese sayings but quotes translated into Japanese. 75 Chinese Proverbs Be inspired by this collection of Chinese Proverbs. – Chinese Proverb. By learning these Chinese old sayings, I believe that you could get resonance. Most don’t use inspirational quotes in daily conversations. Wondering how to memorize the Chinese phrases in this post? Fate brings people together no matter how far apart they may be. All Rights Reserved. The word 情 is a common word for “emotion” or “feeling” that you’ll see in other proverbs and phrases about relationships, while 深 is what makes it a “deep” emotion. Plus, everyone loves love quotes. 虚 means “false” here, but it can also mean “empty,” “weak” or “hollow”. Learning a few proverbs at a time in contexts that are meaningful to you is the key to mastering the use of chengyu (Chinese idiomatic expressions) in conversation. 愿得一人心，白首不相离。(Yuàndé yīrénxīn, báishǒu bùxiānglí. 在下雨天不值得去海滩 (zàixià yǔtiān bù zhídé qù hǎitān) — It’s not worth going to the beach on a rainy day. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. 一刀 here means “one cut,” but it can also mean “one knife” or “one sword,” like in the game titled 一刀传世 (yīdāochuánshì) — A Sword Passed Down from Ancient Times. 执子之手，与子偕老。(Zhí zǐ zhī shǒu，yǔ zǐ xié lǎo. On top of that, these saying typically relate to specific people or even places in Chinese history. Proverbs generally carry multiple layers of meaning despite the fact that they are commonly only comprised of four characters. Funny and Wise Chinese Proverbs and Sayings That are Pure Genius. And now, for our set of 15 Chinese proverbs and phrases about love! Do people use these in real life? She has vast experience in educating her students on how to listen to and speak Chinese, and is trained to teach HSK courses. “Outside noisy, inside empty.” – Chinese Proverb. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe, Sign up for our weekly blog newsletter for a chance to win a free FluentU Plus subscription (value $240), Get regular language learning tips, resources and updates, starting with the "Complete Guide to Foreign Language Immersion" e-book. Learning opposites like this is a great way to expand your vocabulary quickly (though it won’t help you with your romantic problems). 30. 28. “A friend to everybody is a friend to nobody. ), 2. Finally, have fun! Your email address will not be published. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Here are twelve Chinese proverbs about love which can help you understand this emotion from the point of view of Chinese culture: 1. 一见 (yījiàn) means “first sight” or “first time meeting you,” and 钟情 (zhōnɡqínɡ) means “fall in love.” The phrase doesn’t necessarily have to be about a person. If you love someone, you will love also the things associated with... 9. Literally, 各花 (gè huā) means “each flower,” 入 (rù) means “goes into” and 各眼 (gè yǎn) means “each eye.”. You can use this noun in simple sentences such as 他比我高两寸 (tā bǐ wǒ gāo liǎng cùn) — He is two inches taller than me. If you can’t explain why someone stands out from the crowd, you can simply say 各花入各眼. “A motionless dragon in deep waters becomes a prisoner to the crabs.-Chinese proverb- The word Chinese word for these proverbs is “Chengyu.” Almost all of these sayings are made up of four characters in Chinese.It’s an ideographic language, so every character has a wide range of meanings. In any language, proverbs come from many sources, including historical texts, poetry and pop culture. 7. Save the grand gestures and romantic speeches for your reception; sometimes brevity is key! If you’re talking to a native Chinese speaker, take the opportunity to try out some of these proverbs and phrases. 有缘千里来相会 (yǒu yuán qiān lǐ lái xiāng huì) — Fate/destiny has us meet from a thousand miles away.. 有情饮水饱，无情食饭饥。(Yǒuqínɡ yínshuǐ bǎo, wúqínɡ shífàn jī.). Chinese proverbs (諺語, yànyŭ) are popular sayings taken from literature, history, and famous people such as philosophers.The expressions are often used colloquially as statements of wisdom or advice. ... Love Proverbs - Life Proverbs - Death & Dying Proverbs - Success Proverbs - Happiness Proverbs - Friendship Proverbs - View All Topics. These old sayings usually espouse love or commitment to love. One of the keywords in building this phrase is 值得 (zhídé), which means “to be worth/to deserve.” Other examples include: 这件小事不值得你担心 (zhè jiàn xiǎoshì bù zhídé nǐ dānxīn) — This little thing isn’t worth your time. Famous Chinese proverbs about love. If you love someone, you will love also the things associated with that someone. Now that you’ve hooked the object of your affection through your clever use of Chinese proverbs, you can let your love grow. 一见钟情。 (Yíjiàn zhōngqíng. The following list of 15 Chinese proverbs and phrases about love will get you started! Click here to get a copy. While the Chinese share that love of food, they also have a love of language. Most sayings and proverbs in the Chinese language are hard to trace their origins. Chinese proverbs (諺語, yànyŭ) are an important aspect of Chinese culture and language. Love the house, also the crow. 实 is found in many words meaning “real,” “true” or “honest.” 为 is used in several useful grammatical constructions in Chinese, but in both instances in this proverb, it’s a verb that means “to take something as.”. They are just a small portion of Chinese proverbs about love, and truly understanding them can open the gate of your interest to Chinese culture and enrich your understanding of it. Proverbs are popular sayings that often dispense advice or speak the truth about the world. – Chinese Proverb. Love the wisdom shining from these proverbs. The World Needs The Wisdom Of Love Proverbs More Than Ever. When you catch someone’s heart, you will never be apart. Always Updated. Because these proverbs present not only Chinese culture and view of value, but also life philosophy which could make sense in the whole world. You'll get smiles for days. If you’re studying on your own, consider illustrating the phrases to help you memorize them. 寸 is an inch here. The waterside flower pining for love sheds petals, while the heartless brook babbles on. A hundred no’s are less agonizing than one insincere yes. Love isn’t about having, it’s about enjoying. A good husband makes a good wife. Simply see them used in authentic contexts with FluentU! FluentU brings Chinese to life with real-world videos. Plus, each video comes with interactive subtitles so you can click on any word or phrase to find out more about it and see it used in additional videos. can take anywhere. – Chinese Proverb. They are sayings that have been passed down and usually got there origins from famous Chinese writers and philosophers. A family in harmony will prosper in everything. A family with an old person has a living treasure of gold. On its own, 风流 more often means “distinguished” (it can also mean “romantic”) while 韵事 refers to a situation that’s elegant or poetic. Then, hop on over to quiz mode to test your memory! “Love is not about possession, it’s all about appreciation.” – Chinese Proverb. Love Quotes. “Tension is who you think you should be. Koreans have long been taught to live by the wisdom passed down from their ancestors. If you don’t want to draw them yourself, there are plenty of illustrated Chinese idiom books available for purchase. This page contains information about the famous top 100 Chinese quotes in many aspects, such as proverbs from Confucius, Lao Tzu, and other wise people, quotes that are entertaining, influencial and inspirational, or simply ridiculous and silly. Whether we’re deep in the throes of a passionate romance, cruising for our next crush or helping a friend recover from a difficult breakup, love is often on our minds. In Chinese, as in other languages, looking up the context of a proverb can illuminate a piece of classical literature or teach you about historical beliefs and customs. While the dropping flowers pine for love，the heartless brook babbles on. Chinese Quotes - Famous Top 100. That Dickens quote is one of the most-oft cited quotes about unrequited love. 愿得一心人，白首不相离。（Yuàn dé yī xīn rén, bái shǒu bù xiāng lí.）. How do Chinese people view life? 32. But like Estella, it leaves me a little cold. 33. – Chinese Proverb. These phrases should help you get started expressing love and attraction. Even though this idiom references the liver and gut, it’s really describing the feeling of having a broken heart. This phrase refers to a clean break: One cut, two pieces. No matter what language you’re speaking, few topics call for nuanced and expressive language more than love. Relaxation is who you are.” – Chinese Proverb . Chinese Proverbs about Love With love water is enough; without love food doesn’t satisfy. The lovers are finally together, all shall be well. Lists of chengyu aren’t meant to be dryly memorized but to serve as a launching pad for exploring the more playful and colorful side of the language. With affection, the lovers could feel enough though they only drink water, but without affection, the lovers could be hungry though they eat food. You might use this phrase to talk about a relationship that went sour because of lies or empty promises. I love Japanese food too - sushi, sashimi and miso soup. She has mastered the method and practice of teaching the structure, historical development, and relationships of languages as an academic subject, and has also done extensive research on Intercultural Communication and Sinology. Chinese proverbs (谚语, yànyǔ) are colloquial and compressed sentences that Chinese can easily pepper into daily conversations in Chinese language.The proverbs are usually passed down from ancient literature and contain truisms that reflect wisdom, experiences, values, and thoughts from past generations. Chinese has some great phrases that strike at the heart of the situation. Jot one of these short love sayings on a scrap of paper and leave it under the pillow of your partner or hide them around the house. There are hundreds of Chinese proverbs addressing all aspects of life, from education and work to personal goals and relationships. These 25 Meaningful Quotes And Sayings From Countries Around The Globe Will Remind You Of What Love Really Means And Why It's So Powerful. In the heaven we shall be birds... 8. Learning Chinese becomes fun and easy when you learn with movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talks. These 12 Chinese sayings show a little bit of the attitude, method, reflection and experiences for a fulfilling life. But what makes Chinese proverbs all the more extraordinary is that so much is communicated in so few characters. How do we account for why one person might catch our eye while another doesn’t? 1. 31. – Chinese Proverb. We are … We saw 断 in 一刀两断 above, and here again, it refers to a cut. People enjoy these quotes because it gives them something to think about. Married couples who love each other tell each other a thousand things without talking. Buddha’s teachings of love compassion and self-tolerance are very relevant in today’ s world and they inspire and … 有缘千里来相会 (Yǒu yuán qiān lǐ lái xiānghuì). I mean, do you!? These short love quotes prove that just a few short words can say everything. 深 can be used literally, as in 深雪 (shēnxuě), which means “deep snow,” or figuratively, as in 深入阅读 (shēnrù yuèdú), which means “read deeply.”, This phrase acts as a noun that distinguishes a torrid relationship from merely “going out” or “seeing each other.”. © 2020 Enux Education Limited.