10 Fascinating Chinese Idioms and Proverbs Along with Their Historical Roots

Thousands of cultures and languages worldwide feature idioms and proverbs—while many share similar meanings, they often resist direct translation due to their deep ties to unique cultural phrases or traditions. From spectral tofu enthusiasts to an irate deity, discover 10 Chinese idioms and proverbs along with their fascinating backstories. (Note: Subheadings are in Traditional Chinese, with Simplified Chinese provided in the text.)

馬死落地行 (maa5 sei2 lok6 dei6 haang4) // “When the horse dies, dismount and walk”

This expression (in Simplified Chinese, 马死落地行, or mǎ sǐ luò dì xíng) traces its origins to Guangdong Province, during a time when horse travel was common. Naturally, if a horse died during a journey, travelers had no choice but to continue on foot, regardless of the challenges. Today, the phrase symbolizes perseverance through hardship or self-reliance. It can also carry a critical tone, referring to those accustomed to ease who are finally compelled to act when faced with dire circumstances.

豬籠入水 (zyu1 lung4 jap6 seoi2) // “Water flows into a pig basket”

In ancient China, farmers used bamboo cages to transport pigs to the market. These woven cages had small gaps, allowing water to flow in if submerged, such as in a lake. In Chinese culture, water symbolizes prosperity, so this idiom (猪笼入水, or zhū lóng rù shuǐ in Simplified Chinese) conveys the idea of “earning substantial wealth” or “experiencing financial success”—essentially, prosperity flowing in from every direction.

食碗面反碗底 (sik6 wun2 min2 faan2 wun2 dai2) // “To eat from a bowl then flip it over”

In Chinese tradition, flipping a bowl is reserved for rituals honoring ancestors. Since this act is linked to the deceased, doing it at a living person’s table is seen as highly disrespectful. Thus, this idiom (in Simplified Chinese, 食碗面反碗底, or shí wǎn miàn fǎn wǎn dǐ) signifies “ingratitude” or “betraying someone who has helped you.”

皇帝唔急太監急 (wong4 dai3 m4 gap1 taai3 gaam1 gap1) // “The emperor remains calm while the eunuchs rush”

In Imperial China, eunuchs handled a wide range of palace tasks, from daily chores like maintaining buildings, cooking meals, and tending to animals, to serving as the Emperor’s personal aides. While the Emperor enjoyed a relaxed lifestyle, the eunuchs were constantly occupied with their duties. This phrase (皇帝唔急太监急, or huáng dì bù jí tài jiàn jí in Simplified Chinese) conveys the idea of “fretting over someone else’s affairs when they themselves are unconcerned.” It’s used to describe individuals who meddle in matters that don’t involve them.

呃鬼食豆腐 (aak1 gwai2 sik6 dau6 fu6) // “To deceive a ghost into eating tofu”

The exact origin of this proverb is unclear, but one folktale recounts how a scholar in ancient China encountered a hungry ghost intent on devouring him. The scholar cleverly persuaded the ghost that tofu was a tastier option, enabling his escape. However, when he shared his story, others dismissed it as unbelievable. This is why the phrase (in Simplified Chinese, 呃鬼食豆腐, or è guǐ shí dòu fǔ) is now used to convey skepticism toward exaggerated or far-fetched stories, similar to saying “you’re joking” or “as if!”

多個香爐多隻鬼 (do1 go3 hoeng1 lou4 do1 zek3 gwai2) // “An extra incense burner brings an extra ghost”

Incense plays a central role in many traditional Chinese rituals, especially during worship of deities and ancestors. Adding another incense burner implies honoring another spirit, which is why this saying (多个香炉多只鬼, or duō gè xiāng lú duō zhī guǐ, in Simplified Chinese) is used to describe situations where involving more people leads to unnecessary complications, akin to “too many cooks spoil the broth.”

佛都有火 (fat6 dou1 jau5 fo2) // “Even Buddha gets angry”

Buddha is celebrated for his boundless patience and compassion (having achieved enlightenment), so when someone’s actions provoke even his anger, it underscores their extreme behavior. This phrase—meaning “enough is enough” (in Simplified Chinese, 佛都有火, or fó dū yǒu huǒ)—is used to convey that you’ve reached the end of your tolerance.

冬瓜豆腐 (dung1 gwaa1 dau6 fu6) // “Winter melon and tofu”

In traditional Chinese funeral customs, a vegetarian banquet of seven courses is served immediately after the ceremony. This meal signifies the beginning of the mourning period and is believed to dispel any misfortune associated with the death. Winter melon and tofu are staples in these dishes, making them symbols of misfortune and mortality. Thus, the phrase (冬瓜豆腐, or dōng guā dòu fǔ in Simplified Chinese) is often used to describe an unfortunate event, typically as a euphemism for death.

食鹽多過你食米 (sik6 jim4 do1 gwo3 nei5 sik6 mai5) // “I’ve consumed more salt than you’ve eaten rice”

Rice is the cornerstone of Chinese cuisine, making it nearly impossible for anyone, regardless of age, to eat more salt than the average Chinese person consumes rice. Despite this, elders frequently use this phrase (in Simplified Chinese, 食盐多过你食米, or shí yán duō guò nǐ shí mǐ) to assert their superior knowledge or experience when putting younger individuals in their place.

企喺城樓睇馬打交 (kei5 hai2 sing4 lau4 tai2 maa5 daa2 gaau1) // “To stand on a city wall and watch horses battle”

In ancient China, as in many other cultures, wars were waged on horseback, and cities were defended by fortresses and massive walls. This saying (in Simplified Chinese, 企喺城楼睇马打交, or qǐ xì chéng lóu dì mǎ dǎ jiāo), meaning “to stay uninvolved,” refers to those who avoid conflict and observe from a distance, much like soldiers who watched battles safely from their fortresses. The phrase is gradually being replaced by a more contemporary version: 食住花生等睇戲 (sik6 zyu6 faa1 saang1 dang2 tai2 hei3, or 食住花生等睇戏, shí zhù huā shēng děng dì xì, in Simplified Chinese), which translates to “eating peanuts while waiting to watch a show.”