Literal translation – haven’t eaten grapes say grapes sourBelieve that grapes are sour even though you have never eaten a grape.
Category: Chinese Allegories
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
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.
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