Some Helpful Chinese language Proverbs and Expressions

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Under are just a few Chinese language proverbs or expressions that I’ve discovered extraordinarily helpful. They’re all written in pinyin as Chinese language characters might not show correctly right here.

Chinese language Pinyin: “mei chi putao shuo putao suan”

Literal translation – have not eaten grapes say grapes bitter

Imagine that grapes are bitter though you may have by no means eaten a grape.

This can be a pretty simple proverb to grasp and use. It is means you may have an opinion or judgment about one thing you may have by no means investigated or know little or no about i.e. your opinion has no basis and you haven’t any proper to be passing a judgment on a sure subject or factor. Identical to somebody who says grapes are bitter though they’ve by no means eaten one.

I discover this a really helpful proverb in China as I typically encounter individuals who’s opinions are simply heresay. For instance, when individuals discover out that I come from Canada the standard dialog that follows is one thing alongside the road of how wealthy and fantastic Canada is. I wish to ensure that Chinese language individuals know that Canada has poor individuals too, the streets AREN’T paved with gold regardless of what they could suppose or hear. One time I informed somebody that Canada had homeless individuals and the native refused to imagine me. He went on to inform ME what Canada was like though he had by no means been there. So the proverb above would have been helpful had I identified it at the moment.

There’s one other proverb nearly the identical because the proverb above however with a barely totally different which means:

Chinese language Pinyin: “chi budao putao shuo putao suan”

Literal translation – eat not arrive grape say grape bitter

Say/imagine grapes are bitter if you’re unable to eat them (in an effort to falsely consolation oneself)

This proverb or saying is sort of the identical as the primary however the which means is kind of totally different. It is common for us as people to envy what we do not have or cannot afford. So we frequently faux we do not need the factor we won’t have or afford in an effort to consolation ourselves, however we all know what thoughts video games we are attempting to play on ourselves and so do the individuals who hear us attempt to take action. That is mainly what this expression is which means. A pleasant new BMW automobile drives by and somebody says “Wow what a pleasant automobile” and also you say “Ah BMWs aren’t that nice anyway”. You do not truly imagine what you might be saying however you say it anyhow.

Chinese language Pinyin: “guangong mianqian shua dadao”

Literal translation – Guangong (identify of well-known warlord) in entrance of play sword

OR

Play with a sword within the presence of Guangong

This mainly means to aim to indicate ones restricted expertise within the presence of somebody who is extremely expert.

Guangong (also referred to as Guanyu) was a famous wonderful swordsman. Nobody dared problem him to a sword battle, kind of like a Billy the Child of Chinese language historical past. So in fact if somebody was making an attempt to indicate their swordsmanship in entrance of Guanyu it could be embarrassing, actually, as he could be no match for Guanyu.

I particularly just like the idioms that embody somewhat little bit of Chinese language tradition or historical past like this one. Any idiom involving Guanyu, Zhugeliang and such figures are all of the far more intriguing and attention-grabbing for my part.

The fashionable day utilization of this proverb I feel is fairly apparent. If anybody is attempting to flaunt their expertise within the presence of somebody who’s expertise surpass the “flaunter” then this proverb applies.

There are 2 sides to its utilization I feel. One utilization is that if maybe you need to specific your humility. If somebody is extra expert than you in one thing however you continue to perform the duty for no matter motive you’ll be able to say that you’re guan1gong1 mian4qian2 shua1 da4dao1. For those who say this on this scenario you might be assured to get a smile or snigger out of your chinese language buddy. Since you are basically admitting that they’re much higher than you at this talent (no matter it could be). So it is a strategy to give them a praise or give them some “face”. Additional, a foreigner utilizing an expression like this which is near their hearts is assured to have a wonderful reception.

In a destructive means this is also used to kind of put somebody of their place i.e. somebody who thinks somewhat bit an excessive amount of of themselves as a result of they’re limitedly expert in some space. If somebody is of their presence whom is significantly better then this proverb may very well be used to humble them or to allow them to realise they need to step apart and let the professional take over.

One other idiom that mainly carries the identical which means is ban1men2nong4fu3. The which means is mainly the identical, however I a lot favor utilizing guan1gong1 mian4qian2 shua1 da4dao1 due to the visible picture and the cultural content material.

Chinese language Pinyin: “luobo baicai ge you suo ai”

Literal translation – Turnip Chinese language Cabbage every has precise love

OR

Turnip, Cabbage everybody has their very own choice

It mainly means It means “Everyone has their very own private style” or “Every individuals likes and dislikes are totally different”

That is considered one of my MOST used expressions. For those who dwell in China then it is a MUST be taught. Cause being I used to be sick and uninterested in going into eating places and asking for dishes to be modified to the best way I like them (i.e. do not put any scorching peppers in, as I do not like spicy meals). Too many instances the waitress informed me it was “unimaginable”. Once I requested why was it “unimaginable” the reply was all the time “as a result of it will not style good that means”. I do not know the place this logic probably comes from and the way it may be so frequent nationwide, however it’s. So I used to be SO completely satisfied to come upon this idiom/phrase which mainly throws a spanner of their logic utilizing their very own language. Now I need not argue with the waitresses or clarify to them that I’ve the proper to determine what does and does not style good. As soon as I get any resistance from the workers concerning my wishes to alter the dishes to my liking I merely utter the proverb/saying above they usually usually smile (shocked a foreigner is aware of tips on how to use such an expression) they usually get the purpose. Unusual that such an expression exists of their language however but they insists on telling others what does and does not style good.

In any case, you’ll want to be taught this as you’ll use it nearly day by day (or not less than nearly each time you go to a restaurant).

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Source by Fred A