Class Notes: Chinese Versions of Common English Sayings

Objective

To introduce common Chinese idioms (成语 chéngyǔ or 俗语 súyǔ) that serve as equivalents for popular English sayings, including their meanings, backstories, and usage in context.

General Introduction

• The Chinese language has unique versions of many well-known English sayings such as "pot calling the kettle black" and "Rome wasn't built in a day."
• These Chinese idioms often come with interesting cultural differences and historical stories.
• 12 common and useful Chinese idioms are presented, along with their origins and how to use them in everyday conversation.

1. Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill

• Chinese Idiom: 杯弓蛇影 (bēi gōng shé yǐng) – "seeing a bow’s reflection in a cup as a snake's shadow"
• Story: A man thought he drank wine containing a snake, which made him sick. It turned out to be just the reflection of a bow. Upon realizing this, he recovered immediately.
• Meaning: To be paranoid or make a big deal out of a small issue.
• Example: After the earthquake, everyone becomes nervous about any noise—making a mountain out of a molehill.

2. A Drop in the Bucket

• Chinese Idiom: 杯水车薪 (bēi shuǐ chē xīn) – "a cup of water on a cartful of firewood"
• Alternative Idiom: 沧海一粟 (cāng hǎi yī sù) – "a grain of millet in the sea"
• Meaning: Something insignificant or insufficient compared to what is needed.
• Example: Your salary is just a drop in the bucket compared to family expenses.

3. Speak of the Devil

• Chinese Idiom: 说曹操，曹操到 (shuō Cáo Cāo, Cáo Cāo dào) – "speak of Cao Cao, and he arrives"
• Origin: From "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" when the general Cao Cao appears just as he is mentioned.
• Usage: Used when talking about someone and they suddenly appear.

4. When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do

• Chinese Idiom: 入乡随俗 (rù xiāng suí sú) – "enter a village and follow its customs"
• Related Phrase: 融入新环境 (róng rù xīn huán jìng) – "melt into a new environment"
• Meaning: Adapt to local customs and practices.
• Example: Adjusting to your spouse's financial management style when living in a different culture.

5. Judge a Book by Its Cover

• Chinese Idiom: 以貌取人 (yǐ mào qǔ rén) – "take people by their appearance"
• Story: Confucius misjudged students based on looks; later acknowledged his mistake.
• Meaning: Don’t evaluate people or things by their outer appearance.

6. Pot Calling the Kettle Black

• Chinese Idiom: 五十步笑百步 (wǔ shí bù xiào bǎi bù) – "the one who retreated fifty steps laughs at the one who retreated one hundred steps"
• Origin: Philosopher Mencius; mocking someone for a fault you also have.
• Meaning: Criticizing someone for something you yourself do.

7. Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day

• Chinese Idiom: 一口吃不成胖子 (yī kǒu chī bù chéng pàng zi) – "you can't become fat with one mouthful"
• Related saying: 慢慢来 (màn màn lái) – "take it slow/take your time"
• Meaning: Achievements require time and steady effort.

8. Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

• Chinese Idiom: 有志者事竟成 (yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng) – "where there’s determination, things get done"
• Origin: Emperor praised a general’s perseverance despite injury.
• Meaning: Anything is possible with determination.

9. The Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

• Chinese Idiom: 此山望着那山高 (cǐ shān wàng zhe nà shān gāo) – "from this mountain, that mountain looks higher"
• Origin: Ancient Qing Dynasty poem.
• Meaning: Others’ situations often seem better than your own.

10. You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

• Chinese Idiom: 鱼与熊掌不可兼得 (yú yǔ xióng zhǎng bù kě jiān dé) – "can't have both the fish and the bear's paw"
• Origin: From philosopher Mencius; must choose between two desirable things.
• Meaning: You can’t have it all; choices require sacrifice.

11. Running Around Like a Headless Chicken

• Chinese Idiom: 无头苍蝇 (wú tóu cāng yíng) – "a headless fly"
• Meaning: Acting in a panicked, unorganized manner.
• Example: Calm down; don’t act like a headless fly.

12. Gilding the Lily

• Chinese Idiom: 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú) – "draw legs on a snake"
• Story: In a snake-drawing contest, adding unnecessary legs led to losing the prize.
• Meaning: To overdo it; add unnecessary details or effort.

Additional Resources

• Free downloadable PDF with audio files and more examples available (refer to the video description or provided link).
• Access to community with lesson resources and language courses.

Summary Table

| English Saying | Chinese Idiom | Literal Meaning | Key Moral/Use Case | |--|||--| | Make a mountain out of a molehill | 杯弓蛇影 | Bow’s reflection as snake shadow | Overreacting | | A drop in the bucket | 杯水车薪 | Cup of water on a firewood cart | Insufficient effort | | Speak of the Devil | 说曹操曹操到 | Speak of Cao Cao, he arrives | Mention and appear | | When in Rome | 入乡随俗 | Enter village, follow custom | Adapt to customs | | Judge a book by its cover | 以貌取人 | Take people by their appearance | Don’t be superficial | | Pot calling the kettle black | 五十步笑百步 | 50 steps laugh at 100 steps | Hypocrisy | | Rome wasn’t built in a day | 一口吃不成胖子 | Can’t get fat in one bite | Things take time | | Where there’s a will, there’s a way | 有志者事竟成 | Will brings achievement | Determination prevails | | Grass is greener | 此山望着那山高 | This mountain sees that as taller | Envy | | Have cake and eat it | 鱼与熊掌不可兼得 | Can’t get fish & bear paw | Can’t have both | | Headless chicken | 无头苍蝇 | Headless fly | Disorganized panic | | Gilding the lily | 画蛇添足 | Draw legs on a snake | Overdoing it |

Tip: Using these idioms in everyday conversation will greatly improve your fluency and understanding of Chinese culture.