Chinese proverbs condense centuries of wisdom and experience into brief yet profound expressions. In this comprehensive guide, each proverb is presented with its original Chinese text, a direct translation, the pinyin pronunciation, and an explanation to enhance understanding. These teachings are not only applicable to everyday life but also highly relevant in business and personal development. If you are interested in Chinese culture, tradition, and universal life lessons, read on to discover how these proverbs can inspire you to make wiser decisions in today’s complex world.
List of Famous Chinese Proverbs
- Una persona cava el pozo, mil beben de su agua
Original Chinese: 一人開井，萬人飲水
“When one person digs a well, many can drink from its water.”
This proverb highlights how an individual’s effort can benefit the entire community and emphasizes the value of the common good. - Lo que siembras, cosechas
Original Chinese: 一分耕耘，一分收穫
“You reap exactly what you sow.”
A clear invitation to value hard work and dedication, as the results are proportional to the effort invested. - Un centímetro de tiempo vale un centímetro de oro, pero el tiempo no se puede comprar
Original Chinese: 一寸光陰一寸金，光陰難買寸光陰
“Every moment is precious, yet no price can buy it.”
This proverb reminds us that time is an invaluable resource that cannot be reclaimed no matter how much we pay. - Un día con un maestro vale toda una vida con un padre
Original Chinese: 一日為師，終生為父
“Even one day of learning from a master is as valuable as a lifetime with a father.”
Emphasizes the importance of seizing every opportunity to learn. - Un grano de excremento de ratón puede arruinar toda una olla de gachas
Original Chinese: 一粒老鼠屎，壞了一鍋粥
“A small flaw can spoil a great effort.”
Warns that even a tiny imperfection can have disproportionately negative consequences. - 30% de talento, 70% de trabajo duro
Original Chinese: 三分天才七分學
“Success is 30% talent and 70% dedication.”
Emphasizes that while talent is important, perseverance and hard work are the decisive factors. - En cada oficio surge un campeón
Original Chinese: 三百六十行，行行出狀元
“In the 360 trades, there is always someone who excels.”
Reminds us that excellence is achievable in every field with determination and effort. - No temas lo habitual, pero cuídate de lo excepcional
Original Chinese: 不怕一萬，只怕萬一
“It is not the common risks you should fear, but the rare, unexpected ones.”
Advises vigilance against those rare events that can have a significant impact. - La experiencia es el mejor maestro
Original Chinese: 不經一事，不長一智
“Without experience, wisdom cannot grow.”
Emphasizes that true understanding comes only from firsthand experience. - Escucha a los mayores para evitar pérdidas inmediatas
Original Chinese: 不聽老人言，吃虧在眼前
“If you ignore the advice of your elders, you will soon suffer the consequences.”
Encourages valuing the wisdom of those who have lived longer. - No juzgues por las apariencias
Original Chinese: 人不可貌相，水不可斗量
“You cannot know a person by their appearance, just as you cannot measure water with a small cup.”
Invites us to look beyond the surface to understand true nature. - El hombre aspira a elevarse, así como el agua busca su camino
Original Chinese: 人往高處爬，水往低處流
“Man naturally strives for progress, just as water finds its way down.”
Celebrates the inherent human spirit of ambition and progress. - La fama trae consigo desafíos
Original Chinese: 人怕出名豬怕肥
“Fame comes with its own complications, much like a pig fears becoming too fat.”
Warns that public recognition often brings unexpected troubles. - El destino une a las personas
Original Chinese: 人生何處不相逢
“In life, encounters are inevitable.”
Reminds us to value every relationship, as fate always brings people together. - Sigue tu propio camino
Original Chinese: 你走你的陽關道，我過我的獨木橋
“Each person must follow their own path.”
Encourages respecting individual choices and the freedom to forge your own destiny. - Deja que tus descendientes encuentren su propia fortuna
Original Chinese: 兒孫自有兒孫福，莫為兒孫作馬牛
“Let your children and grandchildren follow their own destiny; do not overexert yourself for them.”
Advises allowing future generations to create their own paths. - Mira el cielo al salir y las expresiones al entrar
Original Chinese: 出門看天色，進門看眼色
“Before you leave, observe the sky; as you enter, take note of the expressions around you.”
A reminder to stay alert to your surroundings and the moods of those nearby. - Nueve de cada diez ciruelas son agrias, como nueve de cada diez funcionarios son codiciosos
Original Chinese: 十個梅子九個酸，十個官兒九個貪
“Most plums are sour, just as most officials act out of greed.”
A humorous yet critical comment on human nature and corruption. - Se necesitan diez años para compartir un barco y cien para compartir una almohada
Original Chinese: 十年修得同船渡，百年修得共枕眠
“It takes years to share a journey and a lifetime to build a deep bond.”
Emphasizes that genuine friendship and trust are rare treasures formed over time. - Los gobernantes tienen doble vara de medir
Original Chinese: 只准州官放火，不許百姓點燈
“While officials enjoy privileges, ordinary citizens must adhere to strict rules.”
A criticism of the double standards in the exercise of power. - Devuelve mucho más de lo que recibes
Original Chinese: 吃人一口，報人一斗
“If you accept a small favor, repay it in abundance.”
An invitation to reciprocity and generosity. - Los favores pueden debilitar la propia voz
Original Chinese: 吃人家的嘴軟，拿人家的手短
“Accepting favors can make it harder to assert your own opinions.”
A caution against losing independence after receiving help. - La virtud atrae la buena suerte
Original Chinese: 吉人自有天相
“Virtuous people naturally attract good fortune.”
Reinforces the idea that integrity and goodness lead to positive outcomes. - Al final, el destino alcanza a todos
Original Chinese: 善惡到頭終有報，高飛遠走也難逃
“Good and evil always receive their due; no matter how far you run, you cannot escape fate.”
Affirms that every action ultimately bears consequences. - Lo bueno será recompensado a su tiempo
Original Chinese: 善有善報，惡有惡報，不是不報，時機未到
“Just actions will be rewarded in due time.”
Encourages patience and trust in the natural order of retribution. - En casa confía en tus padres, fuera en tus amigos
Original Chinese: 在家靠父母，出外靠朋友
“At home, rely on your parents; when you’re out, rely on your friends.”
Stresses the importance of support networks both within the family and in society. - A veces, un infortunio es una bendición disfrazada
Original Chinese: 塞翁失馬，焉知非福
“What seems like misfortune may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.”
Invites us to see potential opportunities in unexpected setbacks. - Después de la adversidad, llega una fortuna mayor
Original Chinese: 大難不死，必有後福
“Overcome great hardships, and even greater rewards will follow.”
A message of hope and resilience in the face of challenges. - El fuerte devora al débil
Original Chinese: 大魚吃小魚，小魚吃蝦米
“Big fish eat small fish, and small fish eat shrimp.”
A stark observation of nature’s survival of the fittest. - Incluso en las relaciones más estrechas, la crisis revela la verdad
Original Chinese: 夫妻本是同林鳥，大難來時個自飛
“Even the closest couples may part ways when crisis strikes.”
Warns that adversity can reveal hidden weaknesses in relationships. - Elige bien a tu compañero de vida
Original Chinese: 嫁雞隨雞，嫁狗隨狗，嫁著螞螻隨山走，嫁著窮鬼眼淚流
“Marry wisely, for the partner you choose will shape your destiny.”
This vivid proverb underscores the critical importance of choosing the right life partner. - La grandeza se forja, no se hereda
Original Chinese: 將相本無種，男兒當自強
“Great leaders are not born—they are made through hard work and perseverance.”
Reminds us that true success is earned rather than inherited. - Tras la oscuridad, la luz renace
Original Chinese: 山窮水盡疑無路，柳暗花明又一村
“When all seems lost, a new hope appears.”
Even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of hope. - Siempre hay una salida, por muy difícil que parezca el camino
Original Chinese: 山高自有客行路，水深自有渡船人
“Even the highest mountain has a trail, and deep waters have ferries waiting.”
A message of optimism—solutions exist even when the path seems impassable. - Practica la clemencia cuando sea necesario
Original Chinese: 得饒人處且饒人
“Be merciful where appropriate.”
Encourages empathy and forgiveness rather than strict judgment. - Un corazón luminoso es como el paraíso, uno oscuro es un infierno
Original Chinese: 心裡光明是天堂，心裡黑暗是地獄
“A heart filled with light creates a heaven on earth; darkness within turns life into hell.”
Reflects how our inner state determines our quality of life. - Acompaña a los que amas hasta el final
Original Chinese: 救人救到底，送人送到家
“Help others wholeheartedly, and see them safely home.”
Emphasizes loyalty and commitment in supporting those you care about. - Donde hay voluntad, hay camino
Original Chinese: 有志者，事竟成
“Where there is a will, there is a way.”
A call to perseverance and determination in overcoming obstacles. - La integridad abre todas las puertas
Original Chinese: 有理走遍天下，無理寸步難行
“Act with justice and righteousness, and you can traverse the world.”
Highlights that ethical behavior paves the way for success. - A veces, se pasa por alto lo esencial
Original Chinese: 有眼不識泰山
“Even with eyes wide open, one might fail to recognize true greatness.”
An invitation not to be deceived by mere appearances. - El destino une a las personas indicadas
Original Chinese: 有緣千里來相會，無緣對面不相逢
“When fate is on your side, even vast distances cannot keep you apart.”
Celebrates the mysterious force that brings the right people together. - Aprender es vivir
Original Chinese: 活到老，學到老
“As long as you live, never stop learning.”
Stresses the importance of lifelong learning. - Incluso el funcionario más honesto lucha con los asuntos familiares
Original Chinese: 清官難斷家務事
“Even the most upright official finds it hard to solve family matters.”
Reflects the complexity of domestic issues beyond external judgment. - Una conciencia limpia brinda paz
Original Chinese: 為人不做虧心事，半夜不怕鬼敲門
“If you live with a clear conscience, even the darkness of night won’t scare you.”
Teaches that living true to your values brings inner peace. - Sin un objetivo, no hay grandes logros
Original Chinese: 無事不登三寶殿
“Without purpose, great achievements are impossible.”
Underscores the necessity of having clear goals to reach success. - La vida y la prosperidad dependen del destino
Original Chinese: 生死有命，富貴在天
“Life and wealth are ruled by fate, not entirely by our efforts.”
A reflection on the limits of human control in the face of destiny. - El trabajo duro siempre da frutos, sin distinción de género
Original Chinese: 男也勤，女也勤，麥如黃金棉如銀
“Hard work by both men and women yields rewards as precious as gold and silver.”
A call for perseverance regardless of gender. - Conserva lo esencial y lo pasajero no te hará daño
Original Chinese: 留得青山在，不怕沒材燒
“As long as the green mountains remain, you need not fear a shortage of firewood.”
A metaphor emphasizing the importance of maintaining one’s core values and resources. - La verdadera esencia se encuentra debajo de la superficie
Original Chinese: 畫虎畫皮難畫骨，知人知面不知心
“You can easily draw a tiger’s skin, but its bones remain hidden; you may see a person’s face, but not their heart.”
Encourages looking beyond appearances to understand true inner qualities. - El cielo recompensa al que se esfuerza
Original Chinese: 皇天不負苦心人
“Heaven does not disappoint those who work hard.”
A message of encouragement that assures sincere efforts are always recognized. - La desgracia nunca viene sola
Original Chinese: 福無雙至，禍不單行
“Blessings are rare, but misfortunes tend to come in groups.”
Observes that bad luck often strikes in succession. - Cuando el sabio se enfrenta al soldado, la lógica falla
Original Chinese: 秀才遇到兵，有理說不清
“A scholar’s arguments fall short in the face of brute force.”
A humorous remark on the limitations of logic when confronted by raw power. - Siembras lo que cosechas
Original Chinese: 種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆
“You reap what you sow.”
An eternal reminder of the law of cause and effect. - Levántate y vuelve a levantarte por ti mismo
Original Chinese: 自己跌倒自己爬，望人扶持都是假
“If you fall, get up on your own; relying on others can be unreliable.”
Underscores the importance of self-reliance and resilience. - Confía en que todo se resolverá
Original Chinese: 船到橋頭自然直
“When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally align.”
An optimistic message that encourages faith in the natural resolution of difficulties. - Una palabra amable calienta hasta en el frío más intenso
Original Chinese: 良言一句三冬暖，惡語傷人六月寒
“A kind word can warm the coldest winter, while harsh words can chill the soul.”
Highlights the transformative power of positive communication. - La belleza surge tras la adversidad
Original Chinese: 若非一番寒徹骨，那得梅花撲鼻香
“Without enduring the deepest cold, the plum blossom could never release its enchanting fragrance.”
Encourages viewing challenges as the precursor to great achievements. - Incluso los héroes tienen sus debilidades
Original Chinese: 英雄難過美人關
“Even heroes find it difficult to overcome matters of the heart.”
A humorous reminder that even the mighty are not immune to human vulnerabilities. - Las grandes construcciones nacen de un cimiento sólido
Original Chinese: 萬丈高樓平地起
“Even the tallest building starts from a level foundation.”
Emphasizes that grand success is built upon a strong base. - Todo está regido por el destino
Original Chinese: 萬般都是命，半點不由人
“Everything in life is determined by fate; nothing is entirely in our control.”
A reflective observation on the limitations of human influence. - El jengibre viejo es más picante
Original Chinese: 薑是老的辣，茶是後來釅
“Mature ginger is spicier; later-brewed tea is stronger.”
Praises the value of experience and the enhanced qualities that come with age. - Los poderosos a menudo pasan por alto los detalles
Original Chinese: 貴人多忘事
“Those in high positions tend to overlook the finer details.”
A reminder that success should not make one lose sight of what truly matters. - Cuanto más te relajas, más pereza se instala
Original Chinese: 越坐越懶，越吃越饞
“The more you sit and the more you eat, the more laziness and greed take hold.”
A caution against complacency and overindulgence. - Rodéate de personas de calidad
Original Chinese: 跟著好人學好人，跟著獅虎學咬人
“Surround yourself with good people, for their influence will shape you for the better.”
Highlights the decisive impact of one’s environment on personal growth. - A veces, lo que buscas llega sin esfuerzo
Original Chinese: 踏破鐵鞋無覓處，得來全不費工夫
“After a long search, what you desire may appear effortlessly.”
Suggests that perseverance can sometimes yield unexpected and effortless rewards. - El ambiente moldea tu carácter
Original Chinese: 近朱者赤，近墨者黑
“Those who dwell near vermilion become red; those near ink become black.”
Reminds us that our surroundings heavily influence who we become. - Cada virtud enfrenta sus desafíos
Original Chinese: 道高一尺，魔高一丈
“For every step forward, obstacles rise even higher.”
Illustrates the constant struggle between good intentions and the challenges that oppose them. - Los vecinos cercanos valen más que los parientes lejanos
Original Chinese: 遠水救不了近火，遠親不如近鄰
“Distant water cannot put out a nearby fire; close neighbors are more reliable than distant relatives.”
Highlights the importance of local support in times of need. - Los vicios pueden ser destructivos
Original Chinese: 酒是穿腸毒藥，色是刮骨鋼刀，財是惹禍根苗，氣是下山虎豹
“Alcohol poisons like a sharp knife, beauty can wound, wealth sows misfortune, and anger is as wild as a beast.”
A stark warning about the destructive power of excess. - Con un amigo de verdad, mil copas son poco
Original Chinese: 酒逢知己千杯少，話不投機半句多
“When you meet a true friend, a thousand cups are never enough; but with someone incompatible, even a few words feel burdensome.”
Celebrates the invaluable nature of genuine friendship. - La intención del bebedor no está solo en el vino
Original Chinese: 醉翁之意不在酒
“The old drunkard’s purpose lies beyond the wine.”
Suggests that there is always a deeper motive behind apparent actions. - Utiliza el silencio para reflexionar y evita el chisme
Original Chinese: 靜坐當思己過，閒談莫論人非
“When sitting quietly, reflect on your own mistakes; during idle chatter, refrain from speaking ill of others.”
Promotes introspection and respectful communication. - La unión hace la fuerza
Original Chinese: 風大就涼，人多就強
“When people come together, their strength multiplies.”
A timeless call to collaboration and teamwork. - Los dragones engendran dragones y los fénix engendran fénix
Original Chinese: 龍生龍，鳳生鳳，老鼠生的兒子會打洞
“Greatness begets greatness, and even a rat’s offspring fulfills its destiny.”
A humorous reflection on how heritage and environment shape character.
Chinese proverbs offer timeless lessons that remain relevant in everyday life, business, and personal growth. By delving into the context and essence of each saying, we gain valuable insights to make wiser decisions in our modern, complex world. Their brilliance transcends time and culture—integrate these teachings into your daily life and let them inspire you to build a better future.
Source: Baidu Encyclopedia (baike.baidu.com)
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