100 Chinese Idioms

Experiencing Chinese
100 Popular Chinese Idioms
compiled by
Tal
1
目录 Contents
感谢 4 Thanks and Appreciation
道歉 9 Apologizing
道别 12 Saying Goodbye
称赞 17 Compliment
评价 22 Appraisal
肯定 27 Affirmation
否定 31 Negation
同意 35 Agreement
反对 39 Opposition
安慰 44 Comforting
劝阻 49 Admonition
不满 57 Dissatisfaction
怀疑 63 Doubting
惊叹 68 Surprise
约定 74 Appointment
谢绝 77 Rejection
嘱咐 81 Warning and Advising
听任 84 To Let Go
无奈 88 Helplessness
质问 91 Challenge
祝贺祝愿 95 Congratulations and Wishes
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客套话 98 Formalities
附录 Appendix
歇后话 104 Allegorical Phrases
谚语 110 Proverbs
3
1 多谢。 Duöxiè. Thanks a lot.
A: 请把那个杯子递给我。
B: 给你。
A: 多谢。
A: Qîng bâ nàge bëizi dì gêi wô.

B: Gêi nî.
A: Duöxiè.
A: Please pass me the cup.

B: Here you are.
A: Thanks a lot.
A: 请问去动物园怎么走？
B: 从这里坐 22 路公交车可以直接到。
A: 多谢。
A: Qîngwèn qù dòngwùyuán zênme zôu?

B: Cóng zhèli zuò èrshí’èr lù göngjiäochë kêyî zhíjië dào.
A: Duöxiè.
A: Would you tell me how to get to the zoo, please.

B: Take bus No. 22 from here. It will take you right there.
A: Thanks a lot.
This is a commonly used expression to say thanks. You may use it to express gratitude
whenever someone helps you.
Synonymous Expressions
谢谢。 Xièxie.
非常感谢。 Fëicháng gânxiè.
4
2 麻烦您了。 Máfan nín le. Thanks for the
help.
A: 请问地铁站在哪儿？
B: 就在那边。
A: 谢谢，麻烦您了。
A: Qîngwèn dìtiê zhàn zài nâr?

B: Jiù zài nàbian.
A: Xièxie, máfan nín le.
A: Where’s the subway station please?

B: It’s right there.
A: Thanks for the help.
A: 你要的书我都帮你找到了。
B: 真是麻烦您了。
A: Nî yào de shü wô döu bäng nî zhâodào le.

B: Zhën shì máfan nín le.
A: I’ve found the books you asked for.

B: Thanks for the help.
This expression literally means “(sorry for) troubling you”, and is used to express
your gratitude to the person who takes the trouble to help you.
太麻烦您了。 Tài máfan nín le.
给您添麻烦了。 Gêi nín tiän máfan le.
5
3 辛苦了。 Xïnkû le. So much toil for you.
A: 昨天晚上我们工作了一个通宵。
B: 辛苦了！快回去休息吧。
A: Zuótiän wânshang wômen göngzuò le yí gè töngxiäo.

B: Xïnkû le! Kuài huíqù xiüxi ba.
A: We worked all through the night last night.

B: So much toil for you! Go back and have a rest now.
A: 老师，这个学期您辛苦了。
B: 哦，别这么说，应该的。
A: Lâoshï, zhège xuéqï nín xïnkû le.

B: Ï, bié zhème shuö, yïnggäi de.
A: Teacher, it’s been so much toil for you this semester.

B: It’s nothing really. I’ve done what I’m supposed to.
This expression is used to comfort and show understanding for the person who has put
great effort into something meaningful and positive.
受累了。 Shòulèi le. (受累 shòulèi = be put to much trouble.

e.g. Jiào nín shòulèi le. - I'm sorry to have put you
to so much trouble.)
6
4 哪儿的话。 Nâr de huà. Don’t mention it.
A: 谢谢你来机场送我。
B: 哪儿的话，我很高兴来为你送行。
A: Xièxie nî lái jïchâng sòng wô.

B: Nâr de huà, wô hên gäoxìng lái wèi nî sòngxíng.
A: Thank you for seeing me off at the airport.

B: Don’t mention it. I’m pleased to be able to say goodbye to you.
A: 谢谢你请我们吃饭。
B: 哪儿的话，我早就应该请你们吃饭了。
A: Xièxie nî qîng wômen chïfàn.

B: Nâr de huà, wô zâo jiù yïnggäi qîng nîmen chïfàn le.
A: Thank you for inviting us to dinner.

B: Don’t mention it. In fact, I should have invited you sooner.
This is a casual and idiomatic response to somebody saying thanks, which is often
used between acquaintances and good friends.
别这么说。 Bié zhème shuö.
别客气。 Bié kèqi.
7
5 应该的。 Yïnggäi de. It’s my pleasure.
A: 谢谢你的帮助。
B: 客气什么，咱们是朋友，应该的。
A: Xièxie nî de bängzhù.
B: Kèqi shénme, zánmen shì péngyou, yïnggäi de.
A: Thanks for your help.

B: You are too polite. We’re friends, it was my pleasure
A: 李老师，您每个星期都给我们补习功课，我们真不知道怎么感谢您才好。

B: 应该的，别客气。
A: Lî lâoshï, nín mêi ge xïngqï döu lái gêi wômen bûxí göngkè, wômen zhën bù
zhïdào zênme gânxiè nín cái hâo.
B: Yïnggäi de, bié kèqi.
A: Teacher Li, every week you come to give us a lesson after school. We really don’t
know how to thank you
B: You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure.
When others say thanks to you, you may reply with this expression to show that you
think it’s your obligation to help them.
这是我应该做的。 Zhè shì wô yïnggäi zuò de.
8
6 对不起。 Duìbuqî. I’m sorry.
A: 对不起，我把你的书弄丢了。
B: 没关系，我再买一本。
A: Duìbuqî, wô bâ nî de shü nòngdiü le.

B: Méiguänxi, wô zài mâi yì bên.
A: I’m sorry, I lost your book.

B: It doesn’t matter. I’ll buy a new copy.
A: 我又迟到了，对不起。
B: 快去工作吧，下次注意。
A: Wô yòu chídào le, duìbuqî.

B: Kuài qù göngzuò ba, xià cì zhùyì.
A: I’m late again. Sorry.

B: Get to work and don’t be late again.
If you ever think you’ve done something improper, you may use this commonly used
expression to ask for forgiveness.
请原谅! Qîng yuánliàng!
(e.g. Qîng yuánliàng, dârâo nín le. - Excuse me for interrupting you.)
9
7 真抱歉。 Zhën bàoqiàn. I’m really sorry.
A: 好久都没有跟你联系, 真抱歉！
B: 没关系，你一直很忙吧。
A: Hâo jiû döu méiyôu gën nî liánxì, zhën bàoqiàn!

B: Méiguänxi, nî yìzhí hên máng ba.
A: It’s been so long since I contacted you last, I’m really sorry.
B: It’s all right. You must have been really busy.
A: 今晚的宴会你能参加吗？
B: 真抱歉！我今晚正好有事。
A: Jïnwân de yànhuì nî néng cänjiä ma?

B: Zhën bàoqiàn! Wô jïnwân zhènghâo yôu shì.
A: Are you coming to the dinner party tonight.

B: I’m really sorry. I have an appointment tonight.
This is an expression used to apologize for mistakes or improper behavior. Here,

“ 真 (zhën，really)” indicates the sincerity of the speaker.
真不好意思! Zhën bù hâo yìsi!
10
8 没关系。 Méiguänxi. It doesn’t matter.
A: 对不起，让您久等了。
B: 没关系，我也刚到一会儿。
A: Duìbuqî, ràng nín jiû dêng le.

B: Méiguänxi, wô yê gäng dào yíhuìr.
A: Sorry to have kept you waiting.

B: It doesn’t matter. I just arrived a while ago.
A: 真抱歉，我帮不了你这个忙。
B: 没关系，我再想想办法。
A: Zhën bàoqiàn, wô bängbuliâo nî zhège máng.

B: Méiguänxi, wô zài xiângxiang bànfâ.
A: I’m really sorry, I can’t help you with that.

B: It doesn’t matter, I’ll try to find a way out.
This is a response to apologies such as “对不起 (duìbuqî, I’m sorry)”, “抱歉

(bàoqiàn, I apologize)”, and “请原谅 (qîng yuánliàng, please forgive me)”. This
expression is used to show your understanding and to console the apologizer.
没什么。 Méishénme.
11
9 不送了。 Bú sòng le. I’ll stop here.
A: 外面冷，您回去吧。
B: 好吧，那我就不送了。
A: Wàimian lêng, nín huíqù ba.

B: Hâo ba, nà wô jiù bú sòng le.
A: It’s cold outside, please go back.

B: Alright, I’ll stop here.
A: 这边的路我很熟，你们就别送我了。
B: 那好，我们不送了，您走好。
A: Zhèbian de lù wô hên shú, nîmen jiù bié sòng wô le.

B: Nà hâo, wômen bú sòng le, nín zôu hâo.
A: I’m quite familiar with the way. You don’t have to accompany me any further.
B: OK, we’ll stop here. Take care.
This is a casual expression used by hosts when they see a guest off. You may use this
phrase if you do not intend to accompany your guest further from your home.
不远送了。 Bù yuân sòng le.
就送到这儿了。 Jiù sòng dào zhèr le.
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10 慢走！ Màn zôu! Take care!
A: 我要回家了。
B: 好吧，那你慢走，我就不送了。
A: Wô yào huíjiä le.

B: Hâo ba, nà nî màn zôu, wô jiù bú sòng le.
A: I have to go home now.

B: Alright, take care. I’ll stop here.
A: 别送了，回去吧。
B: 好，你慢走，有空儿再来。
A: Bié sòng le, huíqù ba.

B: Hâo, nî màn zôu, yôu kòngr zài lái.
A: Please stop here and go back.

B: OK. Come again when you’re free. Take care.
This expression literally means “walk slowly”, which indicates that the host wishes
the guest “bon voyage”.
走好。 Zôu hâo.
请慢走。 Qîng màn zôu.
13
11 别送了。 Bié sòng le. There’s no need to
go any further.
A: 太晚了，你回去吧，别送了。
B: 好吧，你走好。
A: Tài wân le, nî huíqù ba, bié sòng le.

B: Hâo ba, nî zôu hâo.
A: It’s too late now, just go back please. There’s no need to go any further.
B: Alright, take care.
A: 别送了, 都是朋友，不用客气。
B: 那我就不送了，慢走。
A: Bié sòng le, döu shì péngyou, búyòng kèqi.

B: Nà wô jiù bú sòng le, màn zôu.
A: There’s no need to go any further. We’re friends, you don’t have to be so

courteous.
B: I’ll stop here then. Take care.
This expression is used by a guest. In China, some hosts have the custom of
accompanying guests out the door or farther when they leave to show respect and
friendliness.
回去吧。 Huíqù ba.
14
12 留步吧。 Liúbù ba. Please stop here.
A: 我不送你了，有空儿常来我家玩儿。
B: 留步吧，我会的。
A: Wô bú sòng nî le, yôu kòngr cháng lái wô jiä wánr.

B: Liúbù ba, wô huì de.
A: I’ll say goodbye here. Come again when you have time
B: Please stop here. I’ll surely come again
A: 你一定要照顾好自己。
B: 我知道了，您留步吧。
A: Nî yídìng yào zhàogù hâo zìjî.

B: Wô zhïdào le, nín liúbù ba.
A: Do take good care of yourself.

B: I will. Please stop here.
This expression is similar to “别送了 (bié sòng le, there’s no need to go any further)”
or “回去吧 (huíqù ba, please go back)”, but a little bit more formal.
请留步。 Qîng liúbù.
15
13 失陪了。 Shïpéi le. Excuse me, I have to go
now.
A: 公司有急事，我得马上回去。对不起，失陪了。
B: 没关系。
A: Göngsï yôu jí shì, wô dêi mâshàng huíqù. Duìbuqî, shïpéi le.

B: Méiguänxi.
A: Something urgent has come up at the company, I have to go back right away.
Sorry, I have to go
B: It doesn’t matter.
A: 你们谈吧，我还有别的事情，要先走了。失陪了。

B: 好，那你走吧。
A: Nîmen tán ba, wô hái yôu bié de shìqing, yào xiän zôu le. Shïpéi le.
B: Hâo, nà nî zôu ba.
A: Excuse me, I have to go now. I have something else to attend to. Please continue.
B: OK, see you.
This is a polite expression used when you have to leave your friends at gatherings.
对不起，我不能陪你们了。 Duìbuqî, wô bù néng péi nîmen le.
16
14 干得好！ Gàn de hâo! Well done!
A: 今天这场足球赛黄洪一个人就踢进了三个球。
B: 干得好！
A: Jïntiän zhè châng zúqiú sài Huáng Hóng yí ge rén jiù tïjìn le sän ge qiú.
B: Gàn de hâo!
A: In today’s football match, Huang Hong alone scored three goals.

B: Well done!
A: 那个小偷在偷自行车的时候，被我抓住了，我把他教训了一顿。

B: 干得好！
A: Nàge xiâotöu zài töu zìxíngchë de shíhou, bèi wô zhuäzhù le, wô bâ tä jiàoxùn le
yí dùn.
B: Gàn de hâo!
A: I caught a thief stealing a bike and gave him a dressing down.

B: Well done!
This expression is used to give praise or show admiration for good deeds.
干得不错！ Gàn de búcuò!
好样儿的！ Hâoyàngrde!
17
15 酷毙了！ Kù bì le! Cool!
A: 你看那个女孩的发型多新潮。
B: 哇塞！酷毙了！
A: Nî kàn nàge nÛhái de fàxíng duö xïncháo.

B: Wä sài! Kù bì le!
A: Look at that girl’s hairstyle, so chic.

B: Wow! Cool!
A: 你的太阳镜是在哪儿买的？酷毙了。
B: 是吗？你也买一个吧。
A: Nî de tàiyángjìng shì zài nâr mâi de? Kù bì le.

B: Shì ma? Nî yê mâi yí ge ba.
A: Where did you buy your sunglasses? They’re cool.

B: Really? You can buy a pair too.
The expression literally means “cool to the point of death”. The character “酷 (kù)” is
a transliteration of the English word “cool”. Young people often use this expression to
pay a compliment when they think someone or something is very modern or
fashionable.
真酷！ Zhën kù!
太酷了！ Tài kù le!
18
16 太棒了！ Tài bàng le! Great!
A: 你尝尝我做的菜，味道怎么样？
B: 嗯，太棒了，味道好极了。
A: Nî chángchang wô zuò de cài, wèidào zênmeyàng?

B: Ng, tài bàng le, wèidào hâo jí le.
A: Taste the dish I cooked. How is it?

B: Eh, great! It tastes fabulous.
A: 这本书怎么样？
B: 太棒了，你也拿去看看吧。
A: Zhè bên shü zênmeyàng?

B: Tài bàng le, nî yê náqù kànkan ba.
A: What do you think of this book?

B: Great! Just take it and have a look.
The expression is commonly used by the northerners in China to praise anything that
is admired: a dish, a book, a performance or a behavior.
棒极了！ Bàng jí le!
真棒！ Zhën bàng!
19
17 真了不起！ Zhën liâobuqî! It’s admirable!
A: 黎明这次考试又是全班第一。
B: 真了不起！他太聪明了。
A: Lí Míng zhè cì kâoshì yòu shì quán bän dìyï?

B: Zhën liâobuqî! Tä tài cöngming le.
A: Li Ming ranks first again in the examination this time.

B: Admirable! He’s so smart.
A: 我哥哥炒股票，一年就赚了五十万！
B: 你哥哥真了不起！。
A: Wô gëge châo gûpiào, yì nián jiù zhuàn le wûshí wàn.

B: Nî gëge zhën liâobuqî!
A: My brother speculated in the stock market and made half a million dollars in a
year!
B: Your brother is admirable.
This is an expression of admiration for somebody’s extraordinary conduct in words or

deeds.
真行！ Zhën xíng!
真不得了！ Zhën bùdéliâo!
20
18 真有两下子。 Zhën yôu liângxiàzi.
You’re so capable.
A: 这是我自己做的衣服。
B: 看不出来，你还真有两下子。
A: Zhè shì wô zìjî zuò de yïfu.

B: Kàn bu chülái, nî hái zhën yôu liângxiàzi.
A: I made the clothes myself.

B: I can’t believe it. You’re so capable.
A: 张飞已经把电脑修好了。
B: 他真有两下子，我修了两天都没修好。
A: Zhäng Fëi yîjïng bâ diànnâo xiühâo le.

B: Tä zhën yôu liângxiàzi，wô xiü le liâng tiän döu méi xiühâo.
A: Zhang Fei has fixed the computer.

B: He’s so capable. I tried to fix it for two days without success.
This expression is used to compliment someone who you think is capable and skilful.
真有本事。 Zhën yôu bênshi.
真不简单。 Zhën bù jiândän.
21
19 不太好! Bú tài hâo! Not too good!
A: 最近生意怎么样？
B: 不太好！很多货都卖不出去。
A: Zuìjìn shëngyi zênmeyàng?

B: Bú tài hâo! Hên duö huò döu mài bu chüqù.
A: How is your business lately?

B: Not too good! There are many goods in stock that can’t be sold.
A: 你妈妈身体怎么样？
B: 不太好，每天都得吃药。
A: Nî mäma shëntî zênmeyàng?

B: Bú tài hâo, mêitiän döu dêi chï yào.
A: How is your mother?

B: Not too good! She has to take medicine every day.
The Chinese and English versions of the expression are almost equivalent. Inserting
“太 (tài – too)” between “不 (bù - not” and “好 (hâo – good)” makes the tone more
mild and polite.
不怎么好。 Bù zênme hâo.
不太理想。 Bú tài lîxiâng.
22
20 就那么回事儿。 Jiù nàme huí shìr.
(It’s) nothing special.
A: 那个新建的游乐园你去了吗？感觉如何？
B: 去了。就那么回事儿。
A: Nàge xïn jiàn de yóulèyuán nî qù le ma? Gânjué rúhé?

B: Qù le. Jiù nàme huí shìr.
A: Did you go to the new amusement park? How is it?

B: I did. It’s nothing special.
A: 你儿子最近学习怎么样了？
B: 就那么回事儿，英语经常不及格。
A: Nî érzi zuìjìn xuéxí zênmeyàng le?

B: Jiù nàme huí shìr, Yïngyû jïngcháng bù jígé.
A: How is your son getting on with his studies?

B: Nothing special. He often fails his English tests.
You may use this expression to express your dissatisfaction if you think something is
humdrum or mediocre. The literal meaning of the expression is “it’s just like that”.
The tone is comparatively strong.
不怎么样。 Bù zênmeyàng.
23
21 还是老洋子。 Háishi lâo yàngzi.
Still the same old story.
A: 你和婆婆的关系怎么样了？
B: 还是老洋子，没有什么变化。
A: Nî hé pópo de guänxi zênmeyàng le?

B: Háishi lâo yàngzi, méiyôu shénme biànhuà.
A: How are you getting on with your mother-in-law?

B: It’s still the same old story. Nothing changes.
A: 你爸爸的病好了没？
B: 还是老洋子。
A: Nî bàba de bìng hâo le méi?

B: Háishi lâo yàngzi.
A: How is your father’s illness?

B: It’s still the same old story.
You use this expression to show your dissatisfaction or anxiety when someone or the
state of affairs are not progressing or changing.
没什么变化。 Méi shénme biànhuà.
24
22 还行。 Hái xíng. Acceptable.
A: 你觉得中央电视台的节目怎么样？
B: 还行，有的节目挺好的。
A: Nî juéde Zhöngyäng Diànshìtái de jiémù zênmeyàng?

B: Hái xíng, yôude jiémù ting hâo de.
A: What do you think of CCTV’s programs?

B: Acceptable. There are some good programs
A: 你看这套房子怎么样？
B: 还行，位置和环境都还可以。
A: Nî kàn zhè tào fángzi zênmeyang?

B: Hái xíng, wèizhì hé huánjìng döu hái kêyî.
A: What do you think of the house?

B: Acceptable. The location and environment are both alright.
If you think something is generally adequate, though not without some deficiencies,
use this expression.
还可以。 Hái kêyî.
还不错。 Hái búcuò.
25
23 马马虎虎。 Mâmâhühü. Passable.
A: 你觉得这篇论文怎么样？
B: 马马虎虎吧。
A: Nî juéde zhè piän lùnwén zênmeyàng?

B: Mâmâhühü ba.
A: What do you think of the thesis?

B: Just passable.
A: 你们公司今年的汽车销售量怎么样？
B: 马马虎虎，还过得去。
A: Nîmen göngsï jïnnián de xiäoshòuliàng zênmeyàng?

B: Mâmâhühü, hái guòdeqù.
A: How are your company’s auto sales this year?

B: Passable, and acceptable.
Use this expression to evaluate someone or something that is neither very good nor
very bad.
一般般。 Yìbänbän.
凑合。 Còuhe.
26
24 错不了！ Cuòbuliâo! It can’t be
wrong!
A: 这是黄校长的电话吗？
B: 错不了，我昨天还打过呢。
A: Zhè shì Huáng xiàozhâng de diànhuà ma?

B: Cuòbuliâo, wô zuótiän hái dâguo ne.
A: Is this the telephone number of President Huang?

B: It can’t be wrong. I dialed it just yesterday.
A: 小刘家是住这个楼吗？
B: 错不了，我来过他家。
A: Xiâo Liú jiä shì zhù zhège lóu ma?

B: Cuòbuliâo, wô láiguo tä jiä.
A: Is Xiao Liu’s home in this building?

B: It can’t be wrong. I visited his home once
Use this expression to reassure someone who somewhat doubts what you said or did.
没错。 Méi cuò.
不会错的。 Bú huì cuò de.
27
25 没问题。 Méi wèntí. No problem.
A: 已经十点了，咱们能赶上末班车吗？
B: 没问题。
A: Yîjïng shí diân le, zánmen néng gânshang mòbänchë ma?

B: Méi wèntí.
A: It’s ten o’clock already. Can we catch the last bus?

B: No problem.
A: 你觉得今天晚上的球赛咱们队能赢吗？
B: 没问题，肯定能赢。
A: Nî juéde jïntiän wânshang de qiúsài zánmen duì néng yíng ma?

B: Méi wèntí, kêndìng néng yíng.
A: Do you think our team will win the match tonight?

B: No problem. We will surely win.
When someone feels worried or lacks confidence in what you’re doing, you can use
this expression to reassure him. At the same time, it implies a promise.
问题不大。 Wèntí bú dà.
28
26 那当然! Nà dängrán! Of course!
A: 你太太让你看世界杯吗？
B: 那当然！她不让我看，我也要看。
A: Nî tàitai ràng nî kàn shìjièbëi ma?

B: Nà dängrán! Tä bú ràng wô kàn, wô yê yào kàn.
A: Does your wife allow you to watch the World Cup?

B: Of course! I’d watch it anyway, even if she disagrees.
A: 你是不是也喜欢体育运动？
B: 那当然，我每天都游泳。
A: Nî shìbushì yê xîhuan tîyù yùndòng?

B: Nà dängrán, wô mêitiän döu yóuyông.
A: Do you love sports too?

B: Of course, I swim every day.
This is an affirmative and confident expression that is used to dispel the doubts of
others when you think you have no problem in doing something.
当然！ Dängrán!
当然啦！ Dängrán la！
29
27 那还用说。 Nà hái yòng shuö. Absolutely!
A: 当飞行员身体素质一定要好。
B: 那还用说。
A: Däng fëixíngyuán shëntî sùzhì yídìng yào hâo.

B: Nà hái yòng shuö.
A: You need a good physique to become a pilot.

B: Absolutely.
A: 你还能记得我们上次遇险的地方吗？
B: 那还用说，我一辈子都忘不了。
A: Nî hái néng jìde wômen shàng cì yùxiân de dìfang ma?

B: Nà hái yòng shuö, wô yíbèizi döu wàngbuliâo.
A: Do you still remember the place where we had that emergency?

B: Absolutely, I’ll never forget it.
When someone expresses doubt about something you are proud of because they lack
full knowledge, you can respond with this expression. It has a sense of pride,
confidence, even complacency.
那是。 Nà shì.
30
28 不可能。 Bù kênéng. It’s impossible
A: 听说小王和小陈离婚了。
B: 不可能，昨天我还看见他们逛商场呢。
A: Tïngshuö Xiâo Wáng hé Xiâo Chén líhün le.

B: Bù kênéng, zuótiän wô hái kànjiàn tämen guàng shängchâng ne.
A: I hear Xiao Wang and Xiao Chen got divorced.

B: It’s impossible. I saw them window-shopping only yesterday.
A: 你们两个好好聊聊，矛盾就可能解决了。
B: 不可能，我们没什么好说的了。
A: Nîmen liâng ge hâohäo liáoliao, máodùn jiù kênéng jiêjué le.

B: Bù kênéng, wômen méi shénme hâo shuö de le.
A: You two have a good talk and maybe the conflict will be resolved.
B: It’s impossible. We have nothing to say to each other.
Use this expression when you think the odds of something happening are very low.
不会的。 Bú huì de.
31
29 鬼知道！ Guî zhïdào! Only the devil
knows!
A: 不知道明天天气怎么样。
B: 鬼知道！这几天天气老变，一会儿晴，一会儿阴。
A: Bù zhïdào míngtiän tiänqì zênmeyàng.

B: Guî zhïdào! Zhè jî tiän tiänqì lâo biàn, yíhuìr qíng, yíhuìr yïn.
A: Don’t know what the weather will be tomorrow.

B: Only the devil knows! The weather is always changing these days: cloudless one
hour and overcast the next.
A: 老板什么时候给我们加薪呀？
B: 鬼知道！
A: Lâobân shénme shíhou gêi wômen jiä xïn ya?

B: Guî zhïdào!
A: When will the boss give us a pay rise?

B: Only the devil knows.
This expression is one of denial that means: “I don’t know”. It expresses the idea that
you are unable to understand, are dissatisfied, or don’t care about something. It
conveys a tone of dissatisfaction and complaint.
谁知道。 Shéi zhïdào.
天知道。 Tiän zhïdào.
32
30 谁说的？ Shéi shuö de? Who said that?
A: 听说你要去国外发展？
B: 谁说的？我根本就没这个想法。
A: Tïngshuö nî yào qù guówài fäzhân?

B: Shéi shuö de? Wô gënbên jiù méi zhège xiângfâ.
A: I hear you’re going abroad for personal development.

B: Who said that? I’ve never had that idea at all.
A: 你们公司不是经营得不错吗？
B: 谁说的？都快倒闭了。
A: Nîmen göngsï bú jïngyíng de búcuò ma?

B: Shéi shuö de? Döu kuài dâobì le.
A: Your company has been running well, hasn’t it?

B: Who said that? It’s going bankrupt.
This is a way of expressing denial. It means: “不对 (bú duì - that’s not right)” or “不
是这样的 (bú shì zhè yàng de – it’s not like that)”. Sometimes it conveys a sense of
resentment.
没有这回事儿。 Méiyôu zhè huí shìr.
33
31 想得美！ Xiâng de mêi! In your dreams!
A: 明年咱们也买辆车吧？
B: 想得美！咱们哪有钱呀。
A: Míngnián zánmen yê mâi liàng chë ba?

B: Xiâng de mêi! Zánmen nâ yôu qián ya!
A: Shall we buy a car next year?

B: In your dreams! We don’t have the money.
A: 一个星期要是只工作三天多好啊！
B: 想得美！快干活吧。
A: Yí ge xïngqï yàoshi zhî göngzuò sän tiän duö hâo a!

B: Xiâng de mêi! Kuài gànhuó ba.
A: How nice it would be if we only had to work three days a week!

B: In your dreams! Just get on with your work.
The literal meaning of the Chinese expression is “(you) think so beautifully (that your
idea can never be realized)”. It is used to ridicule someone whose expectation is too
high or whose ideas are unrealistic. It shows that you are strongly opposed to
someone’s ideas or suggestions and want them to give up their position. Women
usually use it.
做梦！ Zuòmèng!
不可能！ Bù kênéng!
34
32 好说。 Hâoshuö. Alright.
A: 把你的自行车借给我用用行吗？
B: 好说，这是车钥匙，给你。
A: Bâ nî de zìxíngchë jiè gêi wô yòngyong xíng ma?

B: Hâoshuö, zhè shì chë yàoshi, gêi nî.
A: Can I borrow your bicycle?

B: Alright. Here’s the key.
A: 我想学打字，你能教教我吗？
B: 好说。你打算什么时候开始学？
A: Wô xiâng xué dâzì, nî néng jiäojiao wô ma?

B: Hâoshuö. Nî dâsuàn shénme shíhou käishî xué?
A: I want to learn to type. Can you show me how?

B: Alright. When do you want to start?
The literal meaning is close to “(I’m) easy to be persuaded”, and is used as a

light-hearted expression of agreement. When you say this, you show that you agree to
someone’s request and want to accede to the request.
没的说。 Méi de shuö.
没说的。 Méi shuö de.
35
33 好主意! Hâo zhûyi! Good idea!
A: 咱们开个网吧吧，现在上网的人很多，开网吧一定能挣钱。
B: 好主意！
A: Zánmen käi ge wângbä ba, xiànzài shàngwâng de rén hên duö, käi wângbä yídìng
néng zhèngqián.
B: Hâo zhûyi!
A: Let’s open an internet bar. I’m sure we can make money, because there are so
many web-surfers nowadays.
B: Good idea!
A: 这次旅游咱们坐火车去，坐飞机回来，怎么样？
B: 好主意！这样又不耽误时间，又便宜。
A: Zhè cì lÛyóu zánmen zuò huôchë qù, zuò fëijï huílái, zênmeyàng?
B: Hâo zhûyi! Zhèyàng yòu bù dänwù shíjiän, yòu piányi.
A: For this trip how about we go there by train and come back by plane?
B: Good idea! That way we can save both time and money.
Use this expression to show admiration for a good idea or suggestion.
太好了！ Tài hâo le！
好办法！ Hâo bànfâ！
好极了！ Hâojí le!
36
34 行。 Xíng. OK.
A: 咱们买一台 DVD 机吧，在家里看电影方便。

B: 行，你买吧。
A: Zánmen mâi yì tái DVD jï ba, zài jiäli kàn diànyîng fängbiàn.
B: Xíng, nî mâi ba.
A: Let’s buy a DVD player so we can watch movies at home.

B: OK, go ahead.
A: 咱们明天去爬山吧。
B: 行，几点出发？
A: Zánmen míngtiän qù páshän ba.

B: Xíng, jî diân chüfä?
A: Shall we go hiking in the mountains tomorrow?

B: OK, when shall we set out?
This is a simple and idiomatic way of expressing agreement. If you think someone’s
request or suggestion is reasonable, you can use this expression to show your
agreement.
好。 Hâo.
好吧。 Hâo ba.
可以。 Kêyî.
37
35 有道理！ Yôu dàolî! You’re right.
A: 你必须坚持做美容皮肤才会好。
B: 有道理。
A: Nî bìxü jiänchí zuò mêiróng pífü cái huì hâo.

B: Yôu dàolî.
A: You must have continuous beauty treatments in order to have good looking skin.
B: You’re right.
A: 早睡早起身体好。
B: 嗯，这话有道理。
A: Zâo shuì zâo qî shëntî hâo.

B: Ng, zhè huà yôu dàolî.
A: Early to bed and early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy, and wise.
B: Eh, you’re right.
This expression means that you agree with others’ suggestions or ideas, but without
commitment.
说的对！ Shuö de duì!
38
36 胡说八道！ Húshuö bädào! Nonsense!
A: 听说你不想参加 HSK 考试了。

B: 胡说八道！谁说的？
A: Tïngshuö nî bù xiâng cänjiä HSK kâoshì le.

B: Húshuö bädào! Shéi shuö de?
A: I hear you don’t want to take the HSK test.

B: Nonsense! Who said that?
A: 小刘说搞传销可以挣大钱。
B: 胡说八道！那可是违法的。
A: Xiâo Liú shuö gâo chuánxiäo kêyî zhèng dà qián.

B: Húshuö bädào! Nà kêshì wéifâ de.
A: Xiao Liu said you can make big money by pyramid selling.
B: Nonsense! That’s illegal.
This is an expression showing strong opposition. Use it with caution: it is

comparatively rude, unfriendly, and nearly abusive.
胡说！ Hú shuö!
胡扯！ Húchê!
39
37 话不能这么说。 Huà bù néng zhème shuö.
You can’t be that conclusive.
A: 我觉得买保险一点儿用都没有。
B: 话不能这么说，发生意外的时候就有用了。
A: Wô juéde mâi bâoxiân yìdiânr yòng döu méiyôu.

B: Huà bù néng zhème shuö, fäshëng yìwài de shíhou jiù yôu yòng le.
A: I think insurance is simply useless.

B: You can’t be that conclusive. It will be useful if an accident happens.
A: 电子游戏对孩子一点儿好处都没有。
B: 话不能这么说，玩儿电子游戏也能锻炼孩子的反应能力。
A: Diànzî yóuxì duì háizi yìdiânr hâochù döu méiyôu.

B: Huà bù néng zhème shuö, wánr diànzî yóuxì yê néng duànliàn háizi de fânyìng
nénglì.
A: Computer games can never do children any good.

B: You can’t be that conclusive. Computer games can surely strengthen children’s
reflexes.
Use this roundabout expression when you disagree with someone’s opinion, but don’t
want to embarrass him.
也不尽然。 Yê bújìnrán.
不尽然吧。 Bújìnrán ba.
40
38 没门儿！ Méiménr! No way!
A: 今天你做饭，我看电视剧去。
B: 没门儿！我还想看电视剧呢。
A: Jïntiän nî zuòfàn, wô kàn diànshìjù qù.

B: Méiménr! Wô hái xiâng kàn diànshìjù ne.
A: You cook today and I’ll watch the sitcoms.

B: No way! I want to watch the sitcoms too.
A: 咱俩老吵架，我看离婚算了。
B: 想跟我离婚，没门儿！。
A: Zán liâ lâo châojià, wô kàn líhün suàn le.

B: Xiâng gën wô líhün, méiménr!
A: We quarrel too much. We’d better divorce.

B: You want to divorce me? No way!
This is an abrupt and strong rejection to a request or suggestion made by someone

else. The tone is very strong.
做梦！ Zuòmèng!
休想！ Xiüxiâng!
41
39 那哪行啊！ Nà nâ xíng a! That’s
unacceptable!
A: 我借给你的钱就不用还了。
B: 那哪行啊，好借好还再借不难嘛。
A: Wô jiè gêi nî de qián jiù búyòng huán le.

B: Nà nâ xíng a, hâo jiè hâo huán zài jiè bù nán ma.
A: You don’t have to repay the money I lent you.

B: That’s unacceptable. As the saying goes: repay the borrowed money duly and you
may borrow again easily.
A: 你们先回去吧，剩下的事情我来做吧。
B: 那哪行啊，还是咱们一起做完再走吧。
A: Nîmen xiän huíqù ba, shèngxià de shìqing wô lái zuò ba.

B: Nà nâ xíng a, háishi zánmen yìqî zuò wán zài zôu ba.
A: You go back first, I’ll finish the rest.

B: That’s unacceptable! Let’s finish it together and then go.
This is an expression of disagreement or opposition to someone’s way of saying or

doing something. You can also simply say: “不行 (bù xíng)”.
那不行。 Nà bù xíng.
那怎么行啊！ Nà zênme xíng a!
42
40 你有病呀 ?！ Nî yôu bìng ya?! Are you
nuts?
A: 我把这个月的工资全买彩票了。
B: 你有病呀?! 那咱们吃什么呀?
A: Wô bâ zhège yuè de göngzï quán mâi câipiào le.

B: Nî yôu bìng ya ?! Nà zánmen chï shénme ya?
A: I’ve spent all of this month’s salary buying lottery tickets.

B: Are you nuts?! Then what do we live off?
A: 你看，我今天上街买了五件衣服。
B: 你有病呀?! 一下子买这么多衣服穿得完吗？
A: Nî kàn, wô jïntiän shàng jië mâi le wû jiàn yïfu.

B: Nî yôu bìng ya ?! Yí xià zî mâi zhème duö yïfu chuän de wán ma?
A: Look! I bought 5 pieces of clothing today.

B: Are you nuts?! Can you wear so many clothes?
This is an expression of scolding used to rebuke somebody for doing something

unreasonable or something that should not be done.
有毛病呀你！ Yôu máobìng ya nî!
43
41 别担心。 Bié dänxïn. Don’t worry.
A: 我这病怕是好不了了。
B: 别担心，会好的。
A: Wô zhè bìng pà shì hâobuliâo le.

B: Bié dänxïn, huì hâo de.
A: I’m afraid I can never recover from this illness.

B: Don’t worry, you’ll recover.
A: 你一个人在国外生活行吗？
B: 没问题，别担心。
A: Nî yí ge rén zài guówài shënghuó xíng ma?

B: Méi wèntí, bié dänxïn.
A: Is it alright for you to live alone in a foreign land?

B: No problem. Don’t worry.
This is an expression that is used to comfort your friend who is worried about
someone or something. Usually you add a reassuring reason before or after the
expression.
放心吧。 Fàngxïn ba.
放心。 Fàngxïn.
44
42 别急！ Bié jí ! Be patient!
A: 咱们什么时候结婚？
B: 别急！等有房子再说。
A: Zánmen shénme shíhou jiéhün?

B: Bié jí ! Dêng yôu fángzi zài shuö.
A: When will we get married?

B: Be patient! We’ll wait until we have a house.
A: 火车就要开了，他怎么还没来呀？
B: 别急！再等等。
A: Huôchë jiù yào käi le, tä zênme hái méi lái ya?
B: Bié jí ! Zài dêngdeng.
A: The train is about to leave. How come he hasn’t arrived yet?

B: Be patient! Just wait a while.
Use this expression to comfort someone who is getting impatient.
急什么。 Jí shénme.
着什么急。 Zháo shénme jí.
45
43 想开点儿。 Xiâng käi diânr. Look on the
bright side.
A: 我身体不好，太太又失业了，这日子可怎么过呀？
B: 想开点儿，一切都会好起来的。
A: Wô shëntî bù hâo, tàitai yòu shïyè le, zhè rìzi kê zênme guò ya?
B: Xiâng käi dianr, yíqiè döu huì hâoqîlái de.
A: My health isn’t good, and my wife is out of work again. How can I go on?
B: Look on the bright side. Everything will turn out fine.
A: 我跟经理一点儿也合不来，真不想在他手下干了。
B: 想开点儿，领导都这样。
A: Wô gën jïnglî yìdiânr yê hébulái, zhën bù xiâng zài tä shôu xià gàn le.
B: Xiâng käi dianr, lîngdâo döu zhèyàng.
A: I can never get along with the manager. I really don’t want to work under him any
more.
B: Look on the bright side; and besides, all superiors are alike.
When someone is caught up in difficulties, is in low spirits, looks on the dark side,
feels disappointed, and is even desperate, use this expression to console him, open his
mind to look at things from a different point of view, and relax his state of mind.
别老想不开。 Bié lâo xiângbukäi.
46
44 没事儿。 Méishìr. It’s nothing.
A: 我存在电脑里的文件都找不到了，急死我了！
B: 没事儿，我来帮你看看。
A: Wô cún zài diànnâo li de wénjiàn döu zhâobudào le, jí sî wô le!

B: Méishìr, wô lái bäng nî kànkan.
A: I can’t find my files in the computer. I’m feeling very anxious.

B: It’s nothing. Let me help you with it.
A: 我刚到北京，有些水土不服。
B: 没事儿，过几天就好了。
A: Wô gäng dào Bêijïng, yôu xië shuîtû bùfú.

B: Méishìr, guò jî tiän jiù hâo le.
A: I just arrived in Beijing, and I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
B: It’s nothing, you’ll be fine in a few days.
This is a friendly and idiomatic expression used to comfort an anxious person.
没什么。 Méishénme.
47
45 破财免灾。 Pòcái miânzäi. A loss of wealth is
a gain of health.
A: 我的手机又丢了。
B: 别心疼，破财免灾。
A: Wô de shôujï yòu diü le.

B: Bié xïnténg, pòcái miânzäi.
A: I lost my mobile phone again.

B: Don’t get distressed. A loss of wealth is a gain of health.
A: 我家今天被盗了，真气人。
B: 别生气，破财免灾。
A: Wô jiä jïntiän bèi dào le, zhën qì rén.

B: Bié shëngqì, pòcái miânzäi.
A: A burglar broke into my house today. It’s outrageous.

B: Don’t get angry. A loss of wealth is a gain of health.
“破财 (pò cái)” means “lose property” and “免灾 (miân zäi)” means “dispel
disaster”. The literal meaning of the expression is “if you lose your property, you’ll
dispel disaster.” If someone loses money or something valuable, you can use this
expression to console him.
折财人安。 Shécái rén’än.
48
46 别捣乱! Bié dâoluàn! Don’t make trouble!
A: 妈妈，陪我玩儿一会儿游戏吧。
B: 别捣乱！妈妈做饭呢，吃完饭再玩儿。
A: Mäma, péi wô wánr yíhuìr yóuxì ba.

B: Bié dâoluàn! Mäma zuòfàn ne, chï wán fàn zài wánr.
A: Mum, can you play games with me for a while?

B: Don’t make trouble! Mum is cooking, and will play with you after dinner.
A: 我来帮你钓鱼吧。
B: 别捣乱！鱼马上就要上钩了。
A: Wô lái bang nî diàoyú ba.

B: Bié dâoluàn! Yú mâshàng jiù yào shànggöu le.
A: Let me help you with your fishing.

B: Don’t make trouble! The fish is going to bite
The expression is used to admonish someone not to disrupt an ongoing work or

activity. For instance, you can use it with a child who is disrupting your work.
别胡闹。 Bié húnào. (胡闹 húnào = horse around; run wild.

e.g. Tä xiâoshíhou ài húnào. - He liked to
run wild when he was young.)
49
47 别多心! Bié duöxïn! Don’t be so sensitive!
A: 你认为我干不了这件事吗？
B: 别多心！我不是这个意思。
A: Nî rènwéi wô gànbuliâo zhè jiàn shì ma?

B: Bié duöxïn! Wô bú shì zhège yìsi.
A: You think I can’t do this?

B: Don’t be so sensitive. I didn’t mean that.
A: 王伟是不是生我的气了？
B: 别多心，不会的。
A: Wáng Wêi shìbushì shëng wô de qì le?

B: Bié duöxïn, bú huì de.
A: Is Wang Wei angry with me?

B: Don’t be so sensitive. I don’t think he is angry.
When someone is uneasy and suspicious as a result of misunderstanding what you or

others say or do, you can use this expression to reassure them.
别瞎猜！ Bié xiä cäi!
别瞎想！ Bié xiä xiâng!
50
48 别多嘴! Bié duözuî! Don’t interrupt!
A: 我认为他的这种说法不对。
B: 别多嘴，让他把话说完。
A: Wô rènwéi tä de zhè zhông shuöfâ bú duì.

B: Bié duözuî, ràng tä bâ huà shuö wán.
A: I think what he’s saying is not right.

B: Don’t interrupt. Let him finish.
A: 妈妈，你别老跟爸爸吵架了。
B: 别多嘴！大人的事情小孩少管。
A: Mäma, nî bié lâo gën bàba châojià le.

B: Bié duözuî! Dàrén de shìqing xiâohái shâo guân.
A: Mum, don’t quarrel with Dad anymore.

B: Don’t interrupt! You kids mind your own business.
This reprimand is used when you think someone speaks at the wrong time or is not
qualified to interrupt. For example, parents may use this expression to stop a child
from interrupting adults’ conversations.
不许多嘴。 Bùxù duözuî.
少多嘴。 Shâo duözuî.
51
49 别小看人。 Bié xiâokàn rén. Don’t
belittle others.
A: 这件事很复杂，你能处理好吗？
B: 别小看人，我一定会让你满意的。
A: Zhè jiàn shì hên fùzá, nî néng chûlî hâo ma?

B: Bié xiâokàn rén, wô yídìng huì ràng nî mânyì de.
A: This is a complex situation. Can you handle it well?

B: Don’t belittle me. I’ll surely make you satisfied.
A: 孩子，这个椅子很重，你能搬动吗？
B: 妈妈，你别小看人，我已经长大了。
A: Háizi, zhège yîzi hên zhòng, nî néng bändòng ma?.

B: Mäma, nî bié xiâokàn rén, wô yîjïng zhângdà le.
A: Hey kid, this chair is really heavy. Can you lift it?
B: Mum, don’t belittle me. I’ve already grown up.
This is a confident reply to someone who you think looks down on you or others. In
this expression, “小看 (xiâo kàn)” means “to look down upon, to despise”. If you
think someone looks down upon your ability, you can use this expression in response.
别瞧不起人呀。 Bié qiáobuqî rén ya.
52
50 何必呢？ Hébì ne? No need for that.
A: 工作压力太大，有时候都不想活了。
B: 何必呢？大不了换个工作。
A: Göngzuò yälì tài dà, yôushíhou wô döu bù xiâng huó le.

B: Hébì ne? Dàbuliâo huàn ge göngzuò.
A: I work under too much pressure. Sometimes I just don’t want to live any more.
B: No need for that. At worst, you can find another job.
A: 我真受不了我太太那个坏脾气，想跟她离婚算了。
B: 何必呢？孩子都那么大了。
A: Wô zhën shòubuliâo wô tàitai nàge huài píqì, xiâng gën tä líhün suàn le.
B: Hébì ne? Háizi döu nàme dà le.
A: I really can’t bear that bad temper of my wife. I just want to divorce her.
B: No need for that. After all, your kid has grown into such a big child.
This is an expression to console someone with goodwill in order to persuade him

against a poor idea, such as divorce, suicide, and so on. Usually something rational or
“reasonable” follows.
何苦呢？ Hékû ne?
有什么必要啊？ Yôu shénme bìyào a?
53
51 算了吧！ Suàn le ba! Just leave it as it is!
A: 这只烤鸭好像有点儿生，我去找服务员来换一只。
B: 算了吧，凑合吃吧。
A: Zhè zhï kâoyä hâoxiàng yôudiânr shëng, wô qù zhâo fúwùyuán lái huàn yì zhï.
B: Suàn le ba, còuhe chï ba.
A: The roast duck is a little raw. I’ll find the server to have it exchanged.
B: Just leave it as it is. I can put up with it.
A: 我明明买了两斤西红柿，怎么少了四两？我去找那个小贩说说。
B: 算了吧，以后不在他那儿买就行了。
A: Wô míngmíng mâi le liâng jïn xïhóngshì, zênme shâo le sì liâng? Wô qù zhâo

nàge xiâofàn shuöshuo.
B: Suàn le ba, yîhòu bú zài tä nàr mâi jiù xíng le.
A: I bought two jin of tomatoes. How come it’s four liang less? I’ll talk to the
peddler.
B: Just leave it as it is and don’t buy from him next time.
This is an expression that is used to persuade someone. For example, if your friend
has a conflict with someone, you can use this expression to persuade him to give up
his own position or to compromise in order to resolve the conflict.
行了。 Xíng le.
得了。 Dé le.
54
52 万万不可！ Wànwàn bùkê! Never do that!
A: 我觉得工作压力很大，真想辞职不干了。
B: 万万不可！现在工作可不好找了。
A: Wô juéde göngzuò yälì hên dà, zhën xiâng cízhí bú gàn le.
B: Wànwàn bùkê! Xiànzài göngzuò kê bù hâo zhâo le.
A: I work under too much pressure. I really want to resign.

B: Never do that! It’s very hard to get a job right now.
A: 咱们挪用点儿公款买房吧。
B: 那是违法的，万万不可！
A: Zánmen nuóyòng diânr göngkuân mâi fáng ba.

B: Nà shì wéifâ de, wànwàn bùkê!
A: Why don’t we appropriate a little public money to buy a house?

B: That’s illegal. Never do that!
When a friend is planning to do something rash and harmful you may use this
expression to admonish him not to do so in order to avoid bringing about a bad result.
The tone of the expression is both cordial and direct.
千万别！ Qiänwàn bié!
使不得！ Shîbudé!
55
53 最好别。 Zuìhâo bié. You’d better not.
A: 让我喝一点儿酒吧。
B: 最好别，你还要开车呢。
A: Ràng wô hë yìdiânr jiû ba.

B: Zuìhâo bié, nî háiyào käichë ne.
A: Let me drink a little.

B: You’d better not. You’re driving today.
A: 老刘的病很严重，咱们应该把病情告诉他。
B: 最好别，他会受不了的。
A: Lâo Liú de bìng hên yánzhòng, zánmen yïnggäi bâ bìngqíng gàosu tä.
B: Zuìhâo bié, tä huì shòubuliâo de.
A: Lao Liu is seriously ill. We should tell him the truth.

B: We’d better not. He won’t be able to take it.
This is an expression of both admonition and advice. Use this when you think
someone’s idea or conduct is improper or may entail adverse consequences.
最好不要吧。 Zuìhâo búyào ba.
56
54 不象话。 Búxiànghuà. That’s shocking!
A: 小李的父亲病的很重，他也不回家看看。
B: 太不象话了，哪有这样的孩子！
A: Xiâo Lî de fùqïn bìng de hên zhòng, tä yê bù huíjiä kànkan.

B: Tài búxiànghuà le, nâ yôu zhèyàng de háizi!
A: Xiao Li’s father fell seriously ill and he won’t go home to see him.
B: That’s shocking! How can a son be like that?
A: 他又把垃圾从阳台扔出去了。
B: 不象话，一点儿公德心都没有。
A: Tä yòu bâ läjï cóng yángtái rëng chüqù le.

B: Búxiànghuà, yìdiânr göngdéxïn döu méiyôu.
A: He threw rubbish from the balcony again.

B: That’s shocking. He has no sense of social morality at all.
If you think someone’s words or actions are contrary to common sense, even causing
people to be resentful or indignant, then you can use this expression to condemn him.
太不象话了。 Tài búxiànghuà le.
真不象话。 Zhën búxiànghuà.
57
55 太过分了！ Tài guòfèn le! He’s gone too far!
A: 老板已经三个月没给我们发工资了。
B: 太过分了，你们还不罢工？
A: Lâobân yîjïng sän ge yuè méi gêi wômen fä göngzï le.

B: Tài guòfèn le, nîmen hái bú bàgöng?
A: The boss hasn’t paid our salaries for three months!

B: He’s gone too far! Why don’t you go on strike?
A: 今天这场比赛裁判吹黑哨，特别不公平。
B: 是吗？太过分了！
A: Jïntiän zhè châng bîsài cáipàn chuï hëishào, tèbié bù göngpíng.

B: Shì ma? Tài guòfèn le!
A: The referee of today’s match is corrupt and outrageously unfair.

B: Really? He’s gone too far.
This is an expression of strong resentment and condemnation used when what

someone says or does exceeds the bearable limits of the average person.
太没天理了。 Tài méi tiänlî le.
58
56 郁闷！ Yùmèn! Sulk!
A: 我也想到国外去看看，但是没有钱，郁闷！
B: 急什么，等你找到了工作就有钱出国旅游了。
A: Wô yê xiâng dào guówài qù kànkan, dànshì méiyôu qián, yùmèn!

B: Jí shénme, dêng nî zhâo dào le göngzuò jiù yôu qián chü guó lÛyóu le.
A: I want to go abroad as well, but I don’t have the money. Sulk!

B: No hurry. You’ll have money to travel abroad after you find a job.
A: 我又被老板炒鱿鱼了，郁闷！
B: 有什么郁闷的，再找工作呗。
A: Wô yòu bèi lâobân châo yóuyú le, yùmèn!

B: Yôu shénme yùmèn de, zài zhâo göngzuò bei.
A: I got fired by the boss again. Sulk!

B: It’s nothing to sulk about really. Just find another job.
A very popular expression used by young people in China. This phrase implies a
sense of resentment and discontent. You can use this expression when something is
beyond your patience and you can’t stand it any more.
真受不了。 Zhën shòubuliâo.
59
57 怎么搞的？ Zênme gâo de? What happened?
A: 怎么搞的？突然停电了。
B: 是不是线路出故障了？
A: Zênme gâo de? Türán tíngdiàn le.

B: Shìbushì xiànlù chü gùzhàng le?
A: What happened? The electricity suddenly went out.

B: Is there something wrong with the power line?
A: 咱们订的货他们还没送来。
B: 怎么搞的？他们怎么这么不守信用。
A: Zánmen ding de huò tämen hái méi sònglái.

B: Zênme gâo de? Tämen zênme zhème bù shôuxìnyòng.
A: They still haven’t delivered the goods we ordered.

B: What happened? How could they fail to keep their promise?
When you can’t understand someone’s action or the result of something, you can use
this expression to question him. It has a sense of resentment, anxiety, and agitation.
怎么回事？ Zênme huí shì?
60
58 真是的！ Zhënshìde! What a pity!
A: 你看这手机，刚用了两天就出毛病了。
B: 真是的，质量真次。
A: Nî kàn zhè shôujï, gang yòng le liâng tiän jiù chü máobìng le.
B: Zhënshìde, zhìliàng zhën cì.
A: Look at this mobile phone. Something has gone wrong with it after I used it for
only two days.
B: What a pity! The quality is really bad.
A: 我这次 HSK 考试差一点儿就六级了。

B: 真是的，太可惜了。
A: Wô zhè cì HSK kâoshì chà yìdiânr jiù liù jí le.

B: Zhënshìde, tài kêxï le.
A: I just missed the chance to pass the HSK test band six this time.
B: Too bad. It’s a great pity.
This expression is used to show dissatisfaction, pity, and regret. An explanation of the
reason is given either before or after the expression.
怎么会这样啊！ Zênme huì zhè yàng a!
61
59 真无聊！ Zhën wúliáo! Tiresome!
A: 小李和小张俩总是为了一些小事吵架。
B: 真无聊！
A: Xiâo Lî hé Xiâo Zhäng liâ zôngshì wèile yìxië xiâo shì châojià.
B: Zhën wúliáo!
A: Xiao Li and Xiao Zhang always quarrel over minor trivialities.

B: Tiresome!
A: 刘飞特别喜欢在背后说别人的坏话。
B: 这种人，真无聊！
A: Liú Fëi tèbié xîhuan zài bèihòu shuö biéren de huàihuà.

B: Zhè zhông rén, zhën wúliáo!
A: Liu Fei simply loves to speak ill of others behind their backs.
B: This kind of person is tiresome!
If you have no interest in someone or something, you can use this expression. The
tone has a sense of dissatisfaction and disappointment.
真没意思。 Zhën méi yìsi.
真没趣。 Zhën méi qù.
62
60 不会吧。 Bú huì ba. That can’t be.
A: 听说咱们这儿要地震了。
B: 不会吧，一点儿征兆也没有啊。
A: Tïngshuö zánmen zhèr yào dìzhèn le.

B: Bú huì ba, yìdiânr zhëngzhào yê méiyôu a.
A: I hear there’s going to be an earthquake here.

B: That can’t be. There’s no sign of it at all.
A: 儿子现在还没回来，是不是出事了？
B: 不会吧，你别吓我。
A: Årzi xiànzài hái méi huílái, shìbushì chüshì le?

B: Bú huì ba, nî bié xià wô.
A: Our son hasn’t come back yet. Could there be something wrong?
B: That can’t be. Don’t scare me.
If you think what someone said is contrary to common sense, or is unbelievable, you
can use this expression to show your doubt.
哪儿会啊。 Nâr huì a.
63
61 吹牛！ Chuïniú! Braggart!
A: 我一小时就能把这些单词背完，你信不信？
B: 吹牛！我才不信呢。
A: Wô yì xiâoshí jiù néng bâ zhèxië däncí bèiwán, nî xìnbuxìn?

B: Chuïniú! Wô cái bú xìn ne.
A: I can recite these new words in an hour. Do you believe me?

B: Braggart! I don’t believe you.
A: 我一个人就可以把这个冰箱搬上楼。
B: 吹牛！这个冰箱沉着呢。
A: Wô yí ge rén jiù kêyî bâ zhège bïngxiäng bän shàng lóu.

B: Chuïniú! Zhège bïngxiäng chén zhe ne.
A: I can move this fridge upstairs by myself.

B: Braggart! This fridge is very heavy.
This expression literally means “blow the cow”. You can use this expression when
you think someone is exaggerating. It is usually used between close acquaintances.
别吹了。 Bié chuï le.
别吹牛了。 Bié chuïniú le.
64
62 太夸张了吧。 Tài kuäzhäng le ba. Unbelievable!
A: 今年冬天，南方的雪比北方的还大呢！
B: 南方的雪怎么会比北方的大呢？太夸张了吧。
A: Jïnnián döngtiän, nánfäng de xuê bî bêifäng de hái dà ne!

B: Nánfäng de xuê zênme huì bî bêifäng de dà ne? Tài kuäzhäng le ba.
A: This winter it snowed more in the south than in the north!

B: How could it snow more in the south? Unbelievable!
A: 听说老张今年炒股赚了三百万。
B: 太夸张了吧，明年我也去炒炒。
A: Tïngshuö Lâo Zhäng jïnnián châogû zhuàn le sänbâi wàn.

B: Tài kuäzhäng le ba, míngnián wô yê qù châochao.
A: I hear Lao Zhang made three million dollars by speculating in the stock market
this year.
B: Unbelievable! I’ll do the same next year.
Use this expression to show disbelief in response to an exaggeration.
可能吗？ Kênéng ma?
65
63 怎么会呢？ Zênme huì ne? How could that be?
A: 咱们走吧，老张他们可能不来了。
B: 怎么会呢？他说好来的。
A: Zánmen zôu ba, Lâo Zhäng tämen kênéng bù lái le.

B: Zênme huì ne? Tä shuö hâo lái de.
A: Let’s go. Lao Zhang and his company may not come.
B: How could that be? He promised to come.
A: 听说老板去美国了。
B: 怎么会呢？我昨天还看见他了呢。
A: Tïngshuö lâobân qù Mêiguó le.

B: Zênme huì ne? Wô zuótiän hái kànjiàn tä le ne.
A: I hear the boss has gone to the US.

B: How could that be? I saw him only yesterday.
When you doubt or disbelieve what someone said, you can use this expression as a
question in reply.
不会吧。 Bú huì ba.
不可能。 Bù kênéng.
66
64 真的吗？ Zhën de ma? Really?
A: 听说刘德华要举办个人演唱会了。
B: 真的吗？那咱们一定得去看看。
A: Tïngshuö Liú Déhuá yào jûbàn gèrén yânchànghuì le.

B: Zhënde ma? Nà zánmen yídìng dêi qù kànkan.
A: I hear Andy Lau is to give a concert.

B: Really? We really must go then.
A: 听说房子马上就要降价了。
B: 真的吗？如果真是这样就太好了。
A: Tïngshuö fángzi mâshàng jiù yào jiàngjià le.

B: Zhënde ma? Rúguô zhën shì zhèyàng jiù tài hâo le..
A: I hear the price of housing is going down.

B: Really? That’s great if it’s true.
When you feel that what someone said is unexpected or doubtful, you can use this
expression as a question in reply.
是吗？ Shì ma?
67
65 好家伙！ Hâojiähuo. Good gracious!
A: 你看我钓的这条鱼。
B: 好家伙！这么大个儿。
A: Nî kàn wô diào de zhè tiáo yú.

B: Hâojiähuo! Zhème dà gèr.
A: Look at this fish I got.

B: Good gracious! It’s so big.
A: 好家伙！混得不错嘛，自己有车了。
B: 和你比差远了。
A: Hâojiähuo! Hùn de búcuò ma, zìjí yôu chë le.

B: Hé nî bî chà yuàn le.
A: Good gracious! You have your own car, you’ve made your fortune I bet.
B: You are far ahead of me.
Use this expression of surprise when you encounter something unexpected.
哟嗬！ Yöhë!
68
66 天哪！ Tiän na! My God!
A: 天哪！我的钱包不见了。
B: 别急，你再好好找找。
A: Tiän na! Wôde qiánbäo bú jiàn le.

B: Bié jí, nî zài hâohäo zhâozhao.
A: My God! I’ve lost my wallet.

B: Don’t panic. Just try looking for it carefully.
A: 天哪！我中的是头奖呀！
B: 小声点儿，别让别人听见。
A: Tiän na! Wô zhòng de shì tóujiâng ya!

B: Xiâo shëng diânr, bié ràng biéren tïngjiàn.
A: My God! I’ve won the first prize in the lottery.

B: Quiet! Don’t let others hear you.
This is an expression commonly used to show various emotions, such as surprise, fear,
regret, or happiness.
我的天哪！ Wôde tiän na!
妈呀！ Mä ya!
我的妈呀！ Wôde mä ya!
69
67 哇塞！ Wä sài! Wow!
A: 这是我女儿。
B: 哇塞！长得好漂亮呀。
A: Zhè shì wô nÛ’ér.

B: Wä sài! Zhâng de hâo piàoliang ya.
A: This is my daughter.
B: Wow! She’s so beautiful.
A: 我写的书出版了。
B: 哇塞！你真厉害！
A: Wô xiê de shü chübân le.

B: Wä sài! Nî zhën lìhai!
A: My book has just been published.

B: Wow! You’re good!
Young people in China often use this expression to show surprise and admiration.
哇！ Wä!
70
68 原来如此！ Yuánlái rúcî! Oh, I see!
A: 玛丽的汉语怎么说得这么好呀？
B: 她七岁就跟爸爸妈妈到了中国，在中国已经生活了十年了。
A: 哦，原来如此。
A: Mâlì de Hànyû zênme shuö de zhème hâo ya?

B: Tä qï suì jiù gën bàba mäma dàole Zhöngguó, zài Zhöngguó yîjïng shënghuóle
shí nián le.
A: O, yuánlái rúcî.
A: How come Mary speaks Chinese so well?

B: She came to China with her parents when she was only seven, and she’s been
living in China for ten years.
A: Oh, I see.
A: 你怎么这么会炒菜？
B: 因为我爸爸是特级厨师呀。
A: 原来如此。
A: Nî zênme zhème huì châo cài?

B: Yïnweì wô bàba shì tèjí chúshï ya.
A: Yuánlái rúcî.
A: How come you can cook so well?

B: Because my dad is a master chef.
A: Oh, I see.
This expression is used by someone who has a sudden realization of the reason for, or
the truth of something and they no longer think it strange.
怪不得呢。 Guàibudé ne.
难怪呢。 Nánguài ne.
71
69 糟糕！ Zäogäo! What bad luck!
A: 怎么有股糊味？
B: 糟糕，米饭糊了。
A: Zênme yôu gû húwèi?

B: Zäogäo, mîfàn hú le.
A: Something’s burning?
B: What bad luck! It’s the rice burning.
A: 已经七点五十五了，糟糕，我要迟到了。
B: 急什么，老师已经通知了，今天不上课。
A: Yîjïng qï diân wûshíwû le, zäogäo, wô yào chídào le.

B: Jí shénme, lâoshï yîjïng töngzhï le, jïntiän bú shàng kè.
A: It’s 7:55 already. What bad luck! I’m going to be late.

B: No hurry. The teacher has already said that we don’t have class today.
This expression occurs spontaneously when someone suddenly realizes that there is a
problem.
坏了！ Huài le!
糟了！ Zäo le!
72
70 真没想到。 Zhën méi xiângdào. I never
knew that.
A: 小刘买了一套别墅。
B: 他那么有钱呀，真没想到。
A: Xiâo Liú mâi le yí tào biéshù.

B: Tä nàme yôuqián ya, zhën méi xiângdào.
A: Xiao Liu bought a villa.

B: He’s so rich! I never knew that.
A: 真没想到，她骗了我整整二十年。
B: 过去的事就别提它了。
A: Zhën méi xiângdào, tä piàn le wô zhêngzhêng èrshí nián.

B: Guòqu de shì jiù bié tí tä le.
A: I never knew that. She cheated me for twenty years!

B: Let bygones be bygones.
This expression is a response to an entirely unexpected event, which can be happy,

irritating, or pitiable.
谁能想到呢。 Shéi néng xiângdào ne.
73
71 不见不散。 Bú jiàn bú sàn. See you there.
A: 明天上午十点咱们公园门口见。
B: 好，不见不散。
A: Míngtiän shàngwû shí diân zánmen göngyuán ménkôu jiàn.

B: Hâo, bú jiàn bú sàn.
A: We’ll meet at the gate of the park at ten o’clock tomorrow morning.
B: OK, see you there.
A: 今天晚上六点我在电影院门口等你。
B: 好，不见不散。
A: Jïntiän wânshang liù diân wô zài diànyîngyuàn ménkôu dêng nî.

B: Hâo, bú jiàn bú sàn.
A: I’ll wait for you at the gate of the cinema at six this evening.
B: OK, see you there.
This expression is used to warn someone of an appointment. For example, you and
your friend have already agreed upon a time and place to meet, and then you use this
expression to emphasize that you will keep the appointment and you want your friend
to do the same.
(Editor’s Note: Chinese friends tell me this expression actually has a light-hearted
tone, indeed I have it seen it translated elsewhere as: ‘Be there or be square!’, not
something we really say in English nowadays but I hope you get the idea.)
到时候见。 Dào shíhou jiàn.
74
72 待会儿见。 Däi huìr jiàn. See you in a
minute.
A: 我在办公室等你。
B: 好，待会儿见。
A: Wô zài bàngöngshì dêng nî.

B: Hâo, däi huìr jiàn.
A: I’ll wait for you at the office.

B: OK, see you in a minute.
A: 我去办点儿事，一会儿去找你们。
B: 好的，待会儿见。
A: Wô qù bàn diânr shì, yíhuìr qù zhâo nîmen.

B: Hâode, däi huìr jiàn.
A: Excuse me for a minute. I’ll catch up with you later.

B: OK, see you in a minute.
This is a self-evident expression that is used when parting for a short time.
一会儿见。 Yíhuìr jiàn.
回头见。 Huítóu jiàn.
75
73 一言为定！ Yìyán wéidìng! It’s a deal!
A: 暑假咱们去欧洲旅行，怎么样？
B: 好！一言为定！
A: Shûjià zánmen qù Ìuzhöu lÛxíng, zênmeyàng?

B: Hâo! Yìyán wéidìng!
A: How about we go on a tour of Europe this summer vacation?

B: OK, it’s a deal!
A: 下星期五我们一手交钱，一手交货。
B: 那好！一言为定！
A: Xià xïngqïwû wômen yì shôu jiäo qián, yì shôu jiäo huò.

B: Nà hâo! Yìyán wéidìng!
A: Next Friday we will execute the transaction.

B: OK, it’s a deal!
This expression is used to indicate that something has been agreed to and will not
change.
说好了。 Shuö hâo le.
说定了。 Shuö dìng le.
76
74 不用了。 Bú yòng le. No need.
A: 我来做饭吧。
B: 不用了，你累了一天，歇会儿吧。
A: Wô lái zuòfàn ba.

B: Bú yòng le, nî lèi le yì tiän, xië huìr ba.
A: Let me cook the meal.

B: No need. You’ve been working all day, just take a rest.
A: 外面下雨了，带把伞吧。
B: 不用了，雨下得不大。
A: Wàimian xiàyû le, dài bâ sân ba.

B: Bú yòng le, yû xià de bú dà.
A: It’s raining outside. Take an umbrella.

B: No need. It’s a light rain.
This is an expression used to refuse an invitation or an offer of help. You can use this
expression when someone offers you help, but you don’t want to trouble him.
不必了。 Búbì le.
不需要。 Bù xüyào.
77
75 改天吧。 Gâitiän ba. Maybe some other time.
A: 咱们下午去买电脑吧。
B: 改天吧，我今天有事。
A: Zánmen xiàwû qù mâi diànnâo ba.

B: Gâitiän ba, wô jïntiän yôu shì.
A: Let’s go and buy a computer this afternoon.

B: Maybe some other time. I’m busy today.
A: 周末咱们去看看我父母吧。
B: 改天吧，周末我们公司加班。
A: Zhöumò zánmen qù kànkan wô fùmû ba.

B: Gâitiän ba, zhöumò wômen göngsï jiäbän.
A: Let’s visit my parents this weekend.

B: Maybe some other time. I have to work overtime at the company this weekend.
This is a polite rejection to an invitation. Its literal meaning is “(let’s do it) some other
day”. When you don’t want to accept someone’s invitation and you don’t want to say
so directly, you can use this expression to refuse in a roundabout way.
下次吧。 Xiàcì ba.
以后吧。 Yîhòu ba.
78
76 再说吧。 Zài shuö ba. Let’s talk it over later.
A: 咱们什么时候去看王老师？
B: 再说吧，我最近特别忙。
A: Zánmen shénme shíhou qù kàn Wáng lâoshï.

B: Zài shuö ba, wô zuìjìn tèbié máng.
A: When shall we visit Teacher Wang?

B: Let’s talk it over later. I’ve been very busy recently.
A: 咱们商量商量下次去哪儿玩儿。
B: 我现在有点儿急事，再说吧。
A: Zánmen shängliang shängliang xià cì qù nâr wánr.

B: Wô xiànzài yôu jí shì, zài shuö ba.
A: Let’s discuss where we will travel to next time.

B: I’m attending to something urgent. Let’s talk it over later.
Use this expression when you can neither accept nor overtly turn down a request to
put off a matter. This expression can also be understood as a roundabout way of
expressing a rejection.
回头再说吧。 Huítóu zài shuö ba.
以后再说。 Yîhòu zài shuö.
79
77 我手头也不富裕。 Wô shôutóu yê bú fùyù.
I’m feeling the pinch myself.
A: 我想买辆车，钱不够，你能借给我点儿吗？
B: 真抱歉，我手头也不富裕。
A: Wô xiâng mâi liàng chë, qián búgòu, nî néng jiè gêi wô diânr ma?.
B: Zhën bàoqiàn, wô shôutóu yê bú fùyù.
A: I want to buy a car, but I don’t have enough money. Could you lend me some?
B: Sorry, I’m feeling the pinch myself.
A: 我最近急需用钱，你能借我一些吗？
B: 恐怕不行，我手头也不富裕。
A: Wô zuìjìn jí xü yòng qián, nî néng jiè wô yìxië ma?

B: Kôngpà bùxíng, wô shôutóu yê bú fùyù.
A: I’m in urgent need of money right now. Would you lend me some?
B: I’m afraid I can’t. I’m feeling the pinch myself.
Use this expression to show a polite and tactful refusal to lend money to someone
when you do not have or are not willing to lend money.
我手头也缺钱。 Wô shôutóu yê quëqián.
我手头也不宽裕。 Wô shôutóu yê bù kuänyù.
80
78 当心！ Dängxïn! Watch out!
A: 当心！前面有车。
B: 谢谢你提醒我。
A: Dängxïn! Qiánmian yôu chë.

B: Xièxiè nî tíxîng wô.
A: Watch out! There’s a car ahead!

B: Thank you for reminding me.
A: 当心！那儿有警察，别开那么快！
B: 哦，我知道了。
A: Dängxïn! Nàr yôu jîngchá, bié käi nàme kuài!

B: O, wô zhïdào le.
A: Watch out! There’s a policeman, don’t drive too fast.

B: Oh, I see.
This is an expression of warning used to urge someone to pay attention to what’s

happening at the moment. The tone usually carries a sense of urgency.
小心！ Xiâoxïn!
81
79 多联系。 Duö liánxì. Stay in touch.
A: 你当了总经理，可别忘了我们呀，多联系！
B: 忘不了，我会常跟你们联系的！
A: Nî däng le zôngjïnglî, kê bié wàng le wômen ya, duö liánxì!

B: Wàngbuliâo, wô huì cháng gën nîmen liánxì de!
A: You’re general manager now. Don’t forget us, and stay in touch.
B: Of course I won’t forget you. I’ll contact you often.
A: 谢谢你打电话给我，以后我们多联系。
B: 好，多联系。
A: Xièxiè nî dâ diànhuà gêi wô, yîhòu wômen duö liánxì.

B: Hâo, duö liánxì.
A: Thank you for calling me. Let’s stay in touch from now on.
B: OK, stay in touch.
This expression can be said to a parting friend or a friend who is far away. The aim is
to encourage them to stay in touch.
保持联系。 Bâochí liánxì.
常联系。 Cháng liánxì.
82
80 慢点儿！ Màn diânr! Be careful.
A: 妈，我上班去了。
B: 慢点儿，路上车多。
A: Mä, wô shàngbän qù le.

B: Màn diânr, lùshang chë duö.
A: Mum, I’m going to work.

B: Be careful. The traffic is heavy.
A: 外面的雪下的真大。
B: 慢点儿，别摔了。
A: Wàimian de xuê xià de zhën dà.

B: Màn diânr, bié shuäi le.
A: It’s snowing heavily outside.

B: Be careful. Don’t slip.
This expression is used to show concern for someone. If your friend is preparing to do
something, you use this expression to warn him to be careful and not to be in a hurry.
小心点儿！ Xiâoxïn diânr!
83
81 听你的！ Tïng nî de! At your command!
A: 今天咱们吃饺子，还是吃面条？
B: 听你的！你做什么我就吃什么。
A: Jïntiän zánmen chï jiâozi, háishi chï miàntiáo?

B: Tïng nî de! Nî zuò shénme wô jiù chï shénme.
A: Shall we eat jiaozi or noodles today?

B: At your command! I’ll eat whatever you cook.
A: 咱们是星期六还是星期天去看我妈妈？
B: 哪天都行，听你的。
A: Zánmen shì xïngqïliù háishi xïngqïtiän qù kàn wô mäma?

B: Nâ tiän döu xíng, tïng nî de.
A: Shall we go and visit my mother this Saturday or Sunday?

B: Whatever, I’m at your command.
The use of this expression indicates you respect the wishes and choice of your partner.
随你。 Suí nî.
你说吧。 Nî shuö ba.
84
82 无所谓。 Wúsuôwèi. I don’t care.
A: 你知道别人怎么议论你吗？
B: 别人怎么说，我无所谓。
A: Nî zhïdào biéren zênme yìlùn nî ma?

B: Biéren zênme shuö, wô wúsuôwèi.
A: Do you know what other people are saying about you?

B: Whatever they’re saying, I don’t care.
A: 给你换个新办公桌吧。
B: 新旧无所谓，能用就行。
A: Gêi nî huàn ge xïn bàngöngzhuö ba.

B: Xïn jiù wúsuôwèi, néng yòng jiù xíng.
A: Let me get you a new desk.

B: I don’t care whether it’s old or new, as long as it’s usable.
This expression is used to indicate that you are very open and tolerant about the
choice to be made.
我不介意。 Wô bú jièyì.
我不在乎。 Wô bú zàihu.
85
83 信不信由你。 Xìnbuxìn yóu nî. Believe it or not.
A: 你说他开了一个公司？我不信。
B: 信不信由你。
A: Nî shuö tä käi le yíge göngsï? Wô bú xìn.

B: Xìnbuxìn yóu nî.
A: You say he started his own company? I don’t believe it.

B: Believe it or not.
A: 他怎么能赢呢？
B: 我不想跟你多解释什么了，信不信由你。
A: Tä zênme néng yíng ne?

B: Wô bù xiâng gën nî duö jiêshì shénme le, xìnbuxìn yóu nî.
A: How could he win?

B: Believe it or not! I won’t explain it any more.
The expression is used to indicate that you don’t care about the suspicion of others
when they doubt what you have said.
爱信不信。 Ãixìn búxìn.
不信拉倒。 Búxìn lädâo.
86
84 怎么都行。 Zênme döu xíng. Whatever.
A: 中秋节咱们买不买月饼？
B: 听你的，怎么都行。
A: Zhöngqiüjié zánmen mâibumâi yuèbîng.

B: Tïng nîde, zênme döu xíng.
A: Shall we buy moon cakes this Mid-Autumn Festival?

B: Whatever you want to do is fine.
A: 今年春节咱们去哪儿玩呀？
B: 你说吧，怎么都行。
A: Jïnnián Chünjié zénmen qù nâr wán ya?

B: Nî shuö ba, zênme döu xíng.
A: Where shall we travel to during the Spring Festival this year?

B: Whatever you want to do is fine.
The expression is used to transfer your right of making a decision to your partner. You
will abide by his decision.
随便。 Suíbiàn.
怎么都可以。 Zênme döu kêyî.
87
85 不干不行啊。 Bú gàn bù xíng a. I have no
choice.
A: 走，咱们去跳舞吧，别加班了。
B: 这是急活，不干不行啊。
A: Zôu, zánmen qù tiàowû ba, bié jiäbän le.

B: Zhè shì jí huó, bú gàn bù xíng a.
A: Let’s go dancing. Don’t work overtime any more.

B: This is urgent. I have no choice.
A: 你身体不好，别这么玩儿命工作了。
B: 不干不行啊，一家人都指望我呢。
A: Nî shëntî bù hâo, bié zhème wánr mìng göngzuò le.

B: Bú gàn bù xíng a, yì jiä rén döu zhîwàng wô ne.
A: You’re not in good health. Don’t work so hard.

B: I have no choice. My family depends on me.
This is a sighing expression of helplessness. Use it when you don’t want to do

something, but you have to it. Because if you don’t, there will be a very serious result.
没法子呀。 Méi fâzi ya.
88
86 没办法。 Méi bànfâ. There’s nothing I can do.
A: 你怎么又来晚了？
B: 没办法，路上堵车。
A: Nî zênme yòu lái wân le.

B: Méi bànfâ, lùshang dû chë.
A: Why are you late again?

B: There was nothing I could do. I encountered a traffic jam on the way.
A: 你们怎么天天加班呀？
B: 没办法，事情多，做不完。
A: Nîmen zênme tiäntiän jiäbän ya?

B: Méi bànfâ, shìqing duö, zuòbuwán.
A: Why do you work overtime every day?

B: There’s nothing I can do. There’s too much to do.
This expression has a tone of helplessness. It means that you have no control over
events. You can only let matters take their own course.
没辙。 Méi zhé.
89
87 听天由命吧。 Tïngtiän yóumìng ba. Just let it be.
A: 这次考试我一点儿把握也没有。
B: 别想了，听天由命吧。
A: Zhè cì kâoshì wô yìdiânr bâwò yê méiyôu.

B: Bié xiâng le, tïngtiän yóu mìng ba.
A: I’m not sure about this examination at all.

B: Don’t think about it anymore. Just let it be.
A: 食物和水几乎都没有了，怎么办啊？
B: 听天由命吧。
A: Shíwù hé shuî jïhü döu méiyôu le, zênme bàn a?

B: Tïngtiän yóu mìng ba.
A: Food and water are running out. What should we do?

B: Just let it be.
This expression has a tone of helplessness. It literally means “just let providence or
fate decide”. Use it when you have no recourse and can only leave matters to
providence.
看老天爷的了。 Kàn lâotiänyé de le.
90
88 你以为你是谁？ Nî yîwéi nî shì shéi? Who do you
think you are?
A: 你怎么总是对我指手画脚，你以为你是谁？
B: 真不知好歹，我是为你好。
A: Nî zênme zôngshì duì wô zhîshôu huàjiâo, nî yîwéi nî shì shéi?

B: Zhën bù zhï hâodâi, wô shì wèi nî hâo.
A: Why are you always criticizing me? Who do you think you are?
B: You must be senseless. I do it for your own good.
A: 小林，你欺负小同学是不对的，快向人家道歉。
B: 你以为你是谁？居然敢管我。
A: Xiâo Lín, nî qïfu xiâo tóngxué shì bú duì de, kuài xiàng rénjiä dàoqiàn.
B: Nî yîwéi nî shì shéi? Jürán gân guan wô.
A: Xiao Lin, you’re wrong to bully those younger classmates. You must apologize to
them at once.
B: Who do you think you are? How dare you poke your nose into my business?
If you think there are some problems with someone’s behavior or the way they do
things, such as being arrogant and looking down on others, you can say “你以为你是
谁 (nî yîwéi nî shì shéi)” to him. Your aim is to get him to realize that there is no
difference between him and others, and that he should respect other people.
你算老几！ Nî suàn lâo jî!
91
89 你这是什么态度？ Nî zhè shì shénme tàidù?
What kind of attitude is that?
A: 小明，以后不能玩儿得这么晚！
B: 别管我。
A: 你这是什么态度？
A: Xiâomíng, yîhòu bù néng wánr de zhème wân!

B: Bié guân wô.
A: Nî zhè shì shénme tàidù?
A: Xiao Ming, never play this late again!

B: Leave me alone.
A: What kind of attitude is that?
A: 别躺在床上看书。
B: 少烦我。
A: 你这是什么态度？真没礼貌。
A: Bié tâng zài chuáng shang kànshü.

B: Shâo fán wô.
A: Nî zhè shì shénme tàidù? Zhën méi lîmào.
A: Don’t read in bed.

B: Mind your own business.
A: What kind of attitude is that? You’re really rude.
This expression doesn’t mean that you want to know a person’s actual attitude, but is
used to express a strong resentment or protest against someone else’s bad attitude.
什么态度啊！ Shénme tàidù a!
92
90 这与你有什么关系？ Zhè yû nî yôu shénme guänxì?
What’s it to you?
A: 对不起，请您不要随便扔垃圾。
B: 这与你有什么关系？
A: Duìbuqî, qîng nín búyào suíbiàn rëng läjï.

B: Zhè yû nî yôu shénme guänxì?
A: Sorry, but please don’t throw litter everywhere.

B: What’s it to you?
A: 你的车怎么停在这儿了？
B: 停在这儿怎么了？这与你有什么关系？
A: Nî de chë zênme tíng zài zhèr le?

B: Tíng zài zhèr zênme le? Zhè yû nî yôu shénme guänxì?
A: Why did you park your car here?

B: Why can’t I park here? What’s it to you?
In the expression “这与你有什么关系 (zhè yû nî yôu shénme guänxì)”, “关系

(guänxì)” means “to have a bearing on”. This expression means: this has nothing to
do with you. The speaker doesn’t want anyone to interfere.
不关你的事！ Bù guan nî de shì!
关你什么事！ Guän nî shénme shì!
93
91 你有什么资格指责我？
Nî yôu shénme zïgé zhîzé wô?
Why do you think you’re good enough to blame me?
A: 你有什么资格指责我？
B: 你做得不对，我怎么能能说你！
A: Nî yôu shénme zïgé zhîzé wô?

B: Nî zuò de bú duì, wô zênme bù néng shuö nî!
A: Why do you think you’re good enough to blame me?

B: What you did is wrong. Of course I can criticize you.
A: 你怎么随便扔垃圾呢？
B: 你有什么资格指责我？你自己也是这样。
A: Nî zênme suíbiàn rëng läjï ne?

B: Nî yôu shénme zïgé zhîzé wô? Nî zìjî yê shì zhèyàng.
A: Why do you drop litter everywhere?

B: Why do you think you’re good enough to blame me? You do it too.
The literal meaning of this expression is “what qualifications do you have to blame
me?” It is a rhetorical question meaning: you are not qualified to find fault with me.
This is expresses strong resentment towards a person who lays blame on you.
还轮不到你说我呢！ Hái lúnbudào nî shuö wô ne!
94
92 恭喜恭喜！ Göngxî göngxî! Congratulations.
A: 告诉你一个好消息，我找到工作了。
B: 恭喜恭喜！你该请客了。
A: Gàosu nî yí ge hâo xiäoxi, wô zhâodào göngzuò le.

B: Göngxî göngxî! Nî gäi qîngkè le.
A: Let me tell you some good news: I’ve found a job.

B: Congratulations! You should give a party.
A: 下星期我结婚，你来喝喜酒吧。
B: 恭喜恭喜！我一定去。
A: Xià xïngqï wô jiéhün, nî lái hë xîjiû ba.

B: Göngxî göngxî! Wô yídìng qù.
A: I’m getting married next week. Please come to the party.

B: Congratulations! I’ll definitely go.
This is an expression of good wishes and congratulations on the occasion of a

marriage, birth of a child, promotion, getting a job, winning the lottery, and so on.
祝贺祝贺！ Zhùhè zhùhè!
95
93 一路顺风！ Yílù shùnfëng! Bon voyage!
A: 听说你明天就要去中国留学了，祝你一路顺风。
B: 谢谢！
A: Tïngshuö nî míngtiän jiù yào qù Zhöngguó liúxué le, zhù nî yílù shùnfëng.
B: Xièxie!
A: I hear you’re leaving to study in China tomorrow. Bon voyage!

B: Thanks!
A: 我明天就要去北京旅游了。
B: 真的？祝你一路顺风！
A: Wô míngtiän jiù yào qù Bêijïng lÛyóu le.

B: Zhënde? Zhù nî yílù shùnfëng!
A: I’m going to travel to Beijing tomorrow.

B: Really? Bon voyage!
This is an auspicious expression used when you see someone off. It is usually used at
an airport or train station. For example, if your friend is going to travel or study
abroad, you can use this to express good wishes to him at the airport when you say
goodbye.
一路平安！ Yílù ping’än!
96
94 祝你成功！ Zhù nî chénggöng! I wish you
success!
A: 我下决心要把这个企业办好。
B: 好样的，祝你成功。
A: Wô xià juéxïn yào bâ zhège qîyè bànhâo.

B: Hâoyàngde, zhù nî chénggöng.
A: I’m determined to make this business a successful one.

B: Good, I wish you success.
A: 明天我要参加汽车越野比赛。
B: 祝你成功！
A: Míngtiän wô yào cänjiä qìchë yuèyê bîsài.

B: Zhù nî chénggöng!
A: Tomorrow I’m going to take part in an off-road auto race.

B: I wish you success!
This expression conveys your wish for someone’s success when that someone faces
something important and they hope to succeed very much.
祝你吗到成功！ Zhù nî mâdào chénggöng!
97
95 过奖了！ Guòjiâng le! Not really!
A: 你的汉语说得真好，在哪儿学的？
B: 过奖了！我是自学的。
A: Nîde Hànyû shuö de zhën hâo, zài nâr xué de?

B: Guòjiâng le! Wô shì zìxué de.
A: You speak very good Chinese. Where did you learn it?
B: Not really! I taught myself.
A: 真看不出你还是个电脑高手呀！
B: 呵呵，过奖了！
A: Zhën kànbuchü nî háishi ge diànnâo gäoshôu ya!

B: Hëhë, guòjiâng le!
A: I never knew you were such a computer expert!

B: Oh, not really!
The literal meaning of this expression is “you’re overpraising me”, a typical Chinese
way of expressing contentment to show modesty. When someone praises you or your
family members and you feel that the praise is too great, you can use this expression.
不敢当。 Bùgândäng.
98
96 让您见笑了。 Ràng nín jiànxiào le. Don’t
restrain your criticisms.
A: 这首诗是你做的吧？
B: 嗯，让您见笑了。
A: Zhè shôu shï shì nî zuò de ba?

B: Ng, ràng nín jiànxiào le.
A: Did you write this poem?

B: Uh, don’t restrain your criticisms.
A: 你这篇论文写得真不错。
B: 哪里，让您见笑了。
A: Nî zhè piän lùnwén xiê de zhën búcuò.

B: Nâlî, ràng nín jiànxiào le.
A: Your thesis is really well written.

B: Oh, not really! Don’t restrain your criticisms.
This expression shows self-modesty. For example, when someone praises an article
that you wrote, you can say “写得不好，让您见笑了 (xiê de bù hâo, ràng nín
jiànxiào le)” to show your modesty.
见笑了。 Jiànxiào le.
99
97 哪里，哪里！ Nâlî, nâlî! Don’t say that.
A: 装修房子你是专家，我得向你请教。
B: 哪里，哪里！谈不上请教。
A: Zhuängxiü fángzi nî shì zhuänjiä, wô dêi xiàng nî qîngjiào.

B: Nâlî, nâlî! Tánbushàng qîngjiào.
A: You’re an expert in house decorating. I need your instruction.

B: Don’t say that. I can offer help, but not instruction.
A: 电脑方面你还得指导指导我。
B: 哪里，哪里！互相学习吧。
A: Diànnâo fängmiàn nî hái dêi zhîdâo zhîdâo wô.

B: Nâlî, nâlî! Hùxiäng xuéxí ba.
A: regarding the computer, you still have to give me guidance.

B: Don’t say that. We can learn from each other.
This expression can be used to show your modesty when someone praises you. It’s
literal meaning of “where, where” is a very Chinese response to a compliment.
哪儿呀！ Nâr ya!
100
98 请多多包涵。 Qîng duöduö bäohán.
Please forgive me.
A: 我刚来，对公司的情况还不太熟悉，不当之处，请多多包涵。
B: 哪里，哪里！我还得向你学习呢。
A: Wô gäng lái, duì göngsï de qíngkuàng hái bú tài shúxï, búdàng zhïchù, qîng
duöduö bäohán.
B: Nâlî, nâlî! Wô hái dêi xiàng nî xuéxí de.
A: I’m new here and unfamiliar with the company’s situation. Please forgive me if I
do anything inappropriate.
B: Don’t say that! I have to learn from you.
A: 我的孩子不太懂事，请多多包涵。
B: 您孩子挺不错的。
A: Wô de háizi bú tài dôngshì, qîng duöduö bäohán.

B: Nín háizi ting búcuò de.
A: My child is not too sensible. Please forgive him/her.

B: Your child is a good kid.
This is a polite expression used on formal occasions to solicit forgiveness for

improper conduct.
请多多指教。 Qîng duöduö zhîjiào.
101
99 让你破费了。 Ràng nî pòfèi le. You’ve
spent too much on this.
A: 这是我送给您的礼物。
B: 哟，买这么贵重的东西干什么！让您破费了。
A: Zhè shì wô song gêi nín de lîwù.

B: Yö, mâi zhème guìzhòng de döngxi gàn shénme! Ràng nín pòfèi le.
A: This is my present for you.

B: Oh, a very expensive gift! You’ve spent too much on this.
A: 今天这顿饭，让你破费了吧？
B: 哪里，我还得感谢你们赏光呢。
A: Jïntiän zhè dùn fàn, ràng nín pòfèi le ba?

B: Nâlî, wô hái dêi gânxiè nîmen shângguäng ne.
A: Haven’t you spent too much on the dinner today?

B: Don’t say that. I’m very grateful that you came.
This is an expression of gratitude, and as it were, a very Chinese one. In China, the
recipient of a gift uses this expression to indicate his understanding and appreciation
of the sender’s friendly feelings.
让你掏腰包了。 Ràng nî täo yäobäo le.
102
100 一切还好吧？ Yíqiè hái hâo ba? Is everything OK?
A: 好久不见了！一切还好吧？
B: 还行。
A: Hâojiû bú jiàn le! Yíqiè hái hâo ba?

B: Hái xíng.
A: Long time no see! Is everything OK?

B: Everything’s fine.
A: 您什么时候出的院？一切还好吧？
B: 还好，恢复得差不多了。
A: Nín shénme shíhou chü de yuàn? Yíqiè hái hâo ba?

B: Hái hâo, huïfù de chàbuduö le.
A: When did you leave the hospital? Is everything OK?

B: Everything’s fine. I’ve almost recovered.
This is a polite expression used when two people meet each other. It conveys one’s
respects and concern. You do not have to respond with a concrete answer. Saying only
“还行 (hái xíng)” or “不错 (bú cuò”, and so on is OK.
最近怎么样？ Zuìjìn zênmeyàng?
都挺好的吧？ Döu tîng hâo de ba?
103
附录 Appendix
歇后语 Allegorical Phrases
1. 茶壶里煮饺子 — 有口道（倒）不出
cháhú lî zhû jiâozi - yôu kôu dào (dào) bù chü
Dumplings in a teapot – cannot be poured out.

(Being unable to express oneself.)
(A play on the words 道 [dào] and 倒 [dào] ).
2. 打破砂锅 — 问（璺）到底
dâ pò shäguö - wèn (wèn) dào dî
Break an earthenware pot – cracked to the bottom.

(To interrogate thoroughly to get to the bottom of a matter.)
(A play on the words 问 [wèn] and 璺 [wèn] ).
3. 电线杆子绑鸡毛 — 好大胆（掸）子
diànxiàn gânzi bang jïmáo - hâo dà dân (dân) zi
Tie feathers to a power pole – what a big duster.

(What gall!)
(A play on the words 胆 [dân] and 掸 [dân] ).
4. 鳄鱼的眼泪 — 假慈悲
èyú de yânlèi - jiâ cíbëi
Shedding crocodile tears – insincere show of sorrow.
5. 飞蛾扑火 — 自取灭亡
fëi é pü huô - zì qû mièwáng
A moth flies into a fire – to court destruction.
6. 狗拿耗子 — 多管闲事
gôu ná hàozi - duöguân xiánshì
A dog that catches mice – to poke one’s nose into other people’s business.
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7. 狗撵鸭子 — 呱呱叫
gôu niân yäzi - guäguä jiào
A dog chasing ducks – the ducks call out “quack quack”.

(Implies that someone is great or excellent.)
8. 狗咬吕洞宾 — 不识好人心
gôu yâo LÛ Dòngbïn - bù shí hâo rén xïn
The dog bites Lu Dongbin – biting the hand that feeds you.
9. 韩信用兵 — 多多益善
hán Xìn yòng bïng - duö duö yì shàn
Like soldiers at war – the more the better.
10. 和尚打伞 — 无法（发）无天

héshang dâ sân - wú fâ (fà) wú tiän
A monk holding an umbrella – above his head there is no hair and no sky (shows
no respect for law or authority).
A play on the words 法 [fâ] and 发 [fà].
11. 和尚头上的虱子 — 明摆着

héshang tóu shang de shïzi - míng bâi zhe
A louse on the head of a monk – in plain sight.
12. 画蛇添足 — 多此一举

huà shé tiän zú - duö cî yì jû
Drawing a picture of a snake with feet - more than enough is too much.
13. 黄鼠狼给鸡拜年 — 没安好心

huángshûláng gêi jï bàinián - méi än hâo xïn
A weasel wishing Happy new Year to a chicken - harboring no good intention.
14. 鸡蛋里头跳骨头 — 无中生有

jïdàn li tou tiäo gûtou - wú zhöng shëng yôu
Looking for a bone in an egg - purely fictitious or fabricated.
105
15. 姜太公钓鱼 — 愿者上钩
Jiäng tàigöng diàoyú - yuàn zhê shànggöu
Jiang Taigong fishing (with a straight hook) - only the willing will get
hooked.
16. 孔夫子搬家 — 净是输（书）

Kông füzi bänjiä - jìng shì shü (shü)
Confucius moves to a new house - nothing but books (loses all the time) (a
play on the words 输 [shü] and 书 [shü] ).
17. 老虎屁股 — 摸不得

lâohû pìgu - möbude
A tiger’s buttocks - untouchable.
18. 临阵磨枪 — 不快也光

lín zhèn mó qiäng - bú kuài yê guäng
Sharpen a spear only before a battle - if it’s not sharp, at least it’s bright
(implies that someone starts to prepare only at the last moment).
19. 聋子耳朵 — 摆设
lóngzi êrduo - bâishè
A deaf man’s ears - just for show.
20. 麻布袋上绣花 — 底子太差

mábùdài shang xiùhuä - dîzi tài chà
Embroidering on a piece of sackcloth - the basis rots.
21. 泥菩萨过江 — 自身难保

ní púsà guò jiäng - zìshën nánbâo
A clay Buddha crossing a stream - hardly able to save oneself.
22. 骑驴看唱本 — 走着瞧

qí lú kàn chàngbên - zôu zhe qiáo
Reading a book on the donkey-back - wait and see how things work out.
106
23. 秋后的蚂蚱 — 蹦不了几天
qiü hòu de màzha - bèngbuliâo jî tiän
A grasshopper at the end of autumn - its jumping days are numbered (it will
die soon).
24. 肉包子打狗 — 有去无回

roù bäozi dâ gôu - yôu qù wú huí
Chasing a dog by throwing meat dumplings at it - gone, never to return (to

lose something instead of accomplishing a goal).
25. 三十六计 — 走为上

sänshíliù jì - zôu wéi shàng
Of the thirty-six stratagems - the best is running away.
26. 杀鸡用牛刀 — 小题大作

shä jï yòng niú däo - xiâo tí dà zuò
Use a pole-axe to kill a chicken - to overdo something.
27. 十五个吊桶打水 — 七上八下

shíwû ge diàotông dâ shuî - qï shàng bä xià
Fifteen buckets to draw water from a well - seven up and eight down (at sixes
and sevens, in disorder).
28. 铁公鸡 — 一毛不拔

tiê göngjï - yì máo bù bá
Like an iron rooster - not a feather can be pulled out (miserly, very stingy).
29. 头顶生疮，脚底流脓 — 坏透了

tóudîng shëng chuäng, jiâo dî liú nóng - huài tòu le
Ulcer on the head and pus on the foot - to be rotten to the core.
30. 兔子的尾巴 — 长不了

tùzi de wêiba - chángbuliâo
Like the tail of a hare - it can’t grow longer (something won’t last long).
31. 亡羊补牢 — 为时不晚
107
wáng yáng bû láo - wéi shí bù wân
Mend the fence after the sheep is lost - it’s not too late yet (it’s never too late).
32. 王八吃称砣 — 铁了心

wángba chï chèngtuó - tiê le xïn
Like a tortoise that has eaten a weight - its heart is as determined as iron.
33. 王婆卖瓜 — 自卖自夸

Wáng pó mài guä - zì mài zì kuä
Like Mother Wang selling melons - she praises what she sells (every potter
praises his own pots).
34. 鲜花插在牛粪上 — 不配
xiänhuä chä zài niúfèn shang - bú pèi
Like a flower placed in a lump of bullshit - unmatched.
35. 小葱拌豆腐 — 一清（青）二白

xiâo cöng bàn dòufu - yì qïng (qïng) èr bái
Small onions of azure blue and white mixed with white bean curd - one is
blue and the other is white (something is perfectly clear) (a play on the words 清
[qïng] and 青[qïng] ).
36. 芝麻开花 — 节节高

zhïma käihuä - jié jié gäo
Sesame stalk putting forth flowers - notch by notch, higher and higher (rising
steadily).
37. 周瑜打黄盖 — 一个愿打，一个愿挨

Zhöu Yú dâ Huáng Gài - yí ge yuàn dâ, yí ge yuàn ái
Like Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai - one is willing to beat and the other is
willing to be beaten.
(From a 14th century novel based on events that took place in the third century
A.D. Zhou Yu of the kingdom of Wu cruelly beat Huang Gai, another Wu
general who accepted the beating, and then sent him to the enemy camp in order
to win a battle by deceiving the enemy.)
108
38. 猪八戒照镜子 — 里外不是人
Zhü Bäjiè zhào jìngzi - lî wài bú shì rén
Zhu Bajie looking at himself in a mirror - not a person inside or outside (to be
blamed by everyone).
39. 猪鼻子插葱 — 装象
zhü bízi chä cöng - zhuäng xiàng
A pig sticking scallions into its nostrils - pretending to be an elephant (to

pretend to be other than what you really are).
40. 竹篮打水 — 一场空

zhú lán dâ shuî - yì châng köng
Like ladling water with a wicker basket - all in vain (wasted effort).
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谚语 Proverbs
1. 百闻不如一见。
Bâi wén bù rú yí jiàn.
Seeing is believing. (Seeing once is worth hearing a hundred times.)
2. 冰冻三尺非一日之寒。
Bïng dòng sän chî fëi yí rì zhï hán.
Rome was not built in a day. (One day of cold can’t form three feet of ice.)
3. 病从口入，祸从口出。
Bìng cóng kôu rù, huò cóng kôu chü.
A closed mouth catches no flies and careful talk avoids trouble. (Diseases go into
the mouth and misfortunes come out of it.)
4. 不打不成交。
Bù dâ bù chéng jiäo.
No discord, no concord. (Conflicts make a companion.)
5. 初生牛犊不怕虎。
Chü shëng niúdú bú pà hû.
The less wit, the more courage. (A new-born calf is not afraid of the tiger.)
6. 大树底下好乘凉。
Dà shù dî xià hâo chéngliáng.
Good shade is found under a big tree.
7. 刀子嘴，豆腐心。
Däozi zuî, dòufu xïn.
His bark is worse than his bite. (A mouth as sharp as a knife and a heart as soft as
bean-curd.)
8. 防君子不防小人。
Fáng jünzî bù fáng xiâorén.
The devil lurks behind the cross. (It can only guard against the good but not the
bad.)
110
9. 功夫不负有心人。
Göngfu bú fù yôuxïnrén.
Efforts never fail the aspiring.
10. 好的开端是成功的一半。
Hâo de käiduän shì chénggöng de yíbàn.
Well begun is half done.
11. 好借好还，再借不难。
Hâo jiè hâo huán, zài jiè bù nán.
He who borrows to repay may borrow yet another day. (Return what you
borrowed before and you may borrow once more.
12. 好事不出门，坏事传千里。
Hâo shì bù chümén, huài shì chuán qiän lî.
Bad news has wings. (Good deeds stay inside, and ill deeds travel far and wide.)
13. 患难见真情。
Huànnàn jiàn zhënqíng.
Adversity is the test of friendship. (A friend in need is a friend indeed.)
14. 机不可失，时不再来。
Jï bù kê shï, shí bú zài lái.
Opportunity seldom knocks twice. (A missed chance is missed for good.)
15. 家丑不可外扬。
Jiä chôu bù kê wài yáng.
Air your dirty linen at home. (A family stain is not to be aired.)
16. 家家有本难念的经。
Jiä jiä yôu bên nán niàn de jïng.
Every family has a skeleton in the closet. (Every family has its own sad story.)
111
17. 姜还是老的辣。
Jiäng háishi lâo de là.
The older, the wiser. (Ginger is spiciest when it matures.)
18. 来得早不如来得巧。
Lái de zâo bùrú lái de qiâo.
The hindmost dog may catch the hare. (Early is not as good as the right time.)
19. 来而不往非礼也。
Lái ér bù wâng fëi lî yê.
Mutuality is property.
20. 没有不透风的墙。
Méiyôu bú tòufëng de qiáng.
Walls have ears. (There’s no wall without a crack.)
21. 磨刀不误砍柴功。
Mó däo bú wù kân chái göng.
Sharpening your ax will not delay your job of cutting wood.
22. 强扭的瓜不甜。
Qiáng niû de guä bù tián.
Love cannot be forced. (A melon plucked too early is not sweet.)
23. 巧妇难为无米之炊。
Qiâo fù nán wéi wú mî zhï chuï.
Without rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook.
24. 亲兄弟，明算账。
Qïn xiöngdì, míng suànzhàng.
Even reckoning makes long friends. (The account must be clear even between
blood brothers.)
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25. 清官难断家务事。
Qïngguän nán duàn jiäwùshì.
Family affairs often confuse the cleverest judge.
26. 人多力量大。
Rén duö lìliang dà.
The more people, the more power.
27. 身正不怕影子斜。
Shën zhèng bú pà yîngzi xié.
A clean wants no washing. (An upright man does not worry about his crooked
shadow.)
28. 胜败乃兵家常事。
Shèng bài nâi bïngjiä chángshì.
You win some, you lose some. (Winning and losing are commonplace in war.)
29. 树挪死，人挪活。
Shù nuó sî, rén nuó huó.
A tree dies if moved, a man lives by moving.
30. 说曹操，曹操到。
Shuö cáocäo, cáocäo dào.
Speak of the devil and the devil appears.
31. 贪多嚼不烂。
Tän duö jiáo bú làn.
Don’t try to do too much at once. (Greed for food causes indigestion.)
32. 贪小便宜吃大亏。
Tän xiâo piányi chï dà kuï.
Penny wise, pound foolish. (The greed for small favors results in the loss of big
benefits.)
113
33. 兔子不吃窝边草。
Tùzi bù chï wö biän câo.
A man won’t harm the people around his home. (A hare won’t eat the grass near
his hole.)
34. 无风不起浪。
Wú fëng bù qî làng.
There’s no smoke without fire. (There’s no wave without wind.)
35. 五十步笑百步。
Wûshí bù xiào bâi bù.
The pot calls the kettle black. (It’s like a fifty-step escaper laughing at a one
hundred-step escaper.)
36. 新官上任三把火。
Xïn guan shàngrèn sän bâ huô.
The new broom sweeps clean.
37. 羊毛出在羊身上。
Yángmáo chü zài yang shën shang.
Wool comes from sheep.
38. 一分钱一分货。
Yì fën qián yì fën huò.
Nothing for nothing and very little for a half penny. (One cent of price, one
element of quality.)
39. 一个巴掌拍不响。
Yí ge bäzhang päi bù xiâng.
When one will not, two cannot quarrel. (A single hand cannot clap.)
40. 一年之计在于春。
Yì nián zhï jì zài yú chün.
A year’s plan starts with spring. (Spring is the queen of the year.)
114
41. 有得必有失。
Yôu dé bì yôu shï.
Omelets are not made without breaking eggs. (No pain, no gain.)
42. 远水救不了近火。
Yuân shuî jiùbuliâo jìn huô.
The far water cannot quench the near fire.
43. 早睡早起身体好。
Zâo shuì zâo qî shëntî hâo.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
44. 真金不怕火炼。
Zhën jïn bú pà huô liàn.
Real gold stands the test of fire.
45. 知足者常乐。
Zhï zú zhê cháng lè.
Contentment is happiness. (Those who feel satisfied are forever blessed.)
46. 纸里包不住火。
Zhî li bäo bú zhù huô.
The truth always prevails. (Paper cannot wrap up the fire.)
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2008 年 2 月 1 日星期五
116

100 Chinese Idioms

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100 Chinese Idioms

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Experiencing Chinese

100 Popular Chinese Idioms

感谢 4 Thanks and Appreciation

嘱咐 81 Warning and Advising

祝贺祝愿 95 Congratulations and Wishes

歇后话 104 Allegorical Phrases

A: Qîng bâ nàge bëizi dì gêi wô.

A: Please pass me the cup.

A: Qîngwèn qù dòngwùyuán zênme zôu?

A: Would you tell me how to get to the zoo, please.

非常感谢。 Fëicháng gânxiè.

A: Qîngwèn dìtiê zhàn zài nâr?

A: Where’s the subway station please?

A: Nî yào de shü wô döu bäng nî zhâodào le.

A: I’ve found the books you asked for.

太麻烦您了。 Tài máfan nín le.

给您添麻烦了。 Gêi nín tiän máfan le.

A: Zuótiän wânshang wômen göngzuò le yí gè töngxiäo.

A: We worked all through the night last night.

A: Lâoshï, zhège xuéqï nín xïnkû le.

A: Teacher, it’s been so much toil for you this semester.

受累了。 Shòulèi le. (受累 shòulèi = be put to much trouble.

A: Xièxie nî lái jïchâng sòng wô.

A: Thank you for seeing me off at the airport.

A: Xièxie nî qîng wômen chïfàn.

A: Thank you for inviting us to dinner.

别这么说。 Bié zhème shuö.

别客气。 Bié kèqi.

A: Thanks for your help.

A: 李老师， 您每个星期都给我们补习功课， 我们真不知道怎么感谢您才好。

这是我应该做的。 Zhè shì wô yïnggäi zuò de.

A: Duìbuqî, wô bâ nî de shü nòngdiü le.

A: I’m sorry, I lost your book.

A: Wô yòu chídào le, duìbuqî.

A: I’m late again. Sorry.

请原谅! Qîng yuánliàng!

A: Hâo jiû döu méiyôu gën nî liánxì, zhën bàoqiàn!

A: Jïnwân de yànhuì nî néng cänjiä ma?

A: Are you coming to the dinner party tonight.

This is an expression used to apologize for mistakes or improper behavior. Here,

真不好意思! Zhën bù hâo yìsi!

A: Duìbuqî, ràng nín jiû dêng le.

A: Sorry to have kept you waiting.

A: Zhën bàoqiàn, wô bängbuliâo nî zhège máng.

A: I’m really sorry, I can’t help you with that.

This is a response to apologies such as “对不起 (duìbuqî, I’m sorry)”, “抱歉

A: Wàimian lêng, nín huíqù ba.

A: It’s cold outside, please go back.

A: Zhèbian de lù wô hên shú, nîmen jiù bié sòng wô le.

不远送了。 Bù yuân sòng le.

就送到这儿了。 Jiù sòng dào zhèr le.

A: Wô yào huíjiä le.

A: I have to go home now.

A: Bié sòng le, huíqù ba.

A: Please stop here and go back.

走好。 Zôu hâo.

请慢走。 Qîng màn zôu.

A: Tài wân le, nî huíqù ba, bié sòng le.

A: Bié sòng le, döu shì péngyou, búyòng kèqi.

A: 李老师，您每个星期都给我们补习功课，我们真不知道怎么感谢您才好。

A: 你们谈吧，我还有别的事情，要先走了。失陪了。

对不起，我不能陪你们了。 Duìbuqî, wô bù néng péi nîmen le.

A: 那个小偷在偷自行车的时候，被我抓住了，我把他教训了一顿。