Literal translation – haven’t eaten grapes say grapes sourBelieve that grapes are sour even though you have never eaten a grape.
Category: Chinese phrases
Chinese Proverbs 小时偷针，大时偷金
xiǎo shí tōu zhēn, dà shí tōu jīn 小 时 偷 针， 大 时 偷 金 A child who steals
关公面前耍大刀 – guan1gong1 mian4qian2 shua1 da4dao1
Literal translation – Guangong (name of famous warlord) in front of play swordORPlay with a sword in the presence of Guangong
Chinese Proverbs 小洞不补，大洞叫苦
xiǎo dòng bù bǔ, dà dòng jiào kǔ 小 洞 不 补， 大 洞 叫 苦 A small hole which
Chinese Proverbs 王婆卖瓜，自卖自夸
wáng pó mài guā, zì mài zì kuā 王 婆 卖 瓜， 自 卖 自 夸 Every potter praises hit
小和尚念经，有口无心 – xiao3he2shang4nian4jing1,you3kou3wu2xin1
Literal meaning = small/little monk reads scriptures, have mouth not heart.This is a proverb about a monk who reads the scriptures, claims to be a monk etc but in his heart doesn’t really believe or practice i.e. a hypocrite.
Chinese Proverbs 万事俱备 ，只欠东风
wàng shì jù bèi, zhǐ qiàn dōng fēng 万 事 俱 备， 只 欠 东 风 Everything is ready except
道不同不相为谋 – dao4bu4tong2bu4xiang1wei2mou2
Literal meaning of each character – road/path – not – same – not – mutually – for/do/accomplish – idea/plan/scheme
师傅领进门修行在个人 – shi1fu ling3 jin4men2 xiu1xing2 zai4 ge4ren2
Word for word translation :teacher/master – lead/guide – enter door – practice/put into motion – at/in – individual
Chinese Proverbs 天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福
tiān yǒu bù cè fēng yún, rén yǒu dàn xī huò fú 天 有 不 测 风 云， 人 有
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