This Chinese proverb refers to the act of profiting from somebody elses misfortune.趁火打劫 chèn ​huǒ​ dǎ​ jié​to loot a burning house Photo Source:Fli...

This Chinese proverb is one that is important for society and for one's self. To lead by example and to set yourself as a standard for other people to follow. In other words, by setting your good behavious and polite manners as an example. Other people around you will respect you with the same kindness and politeness.It is important for us to act in a way that we are happy for everyone else around us to act.以身作则yǐ shēn zuò zéTo set a good...

This Chinese proverb means to do something wholeheartedly. With all of your heart and belief behind something you will apply your mind much more succesfully. Most often this proverb is used to say "with all my heart" regarding missing or loving someone.全心全意 ​quán ​xīn quán yì​Entire heart entire mindPhoto Source:Fli...

This is another Guest Post just in time for #MandarinMonday It is written by my friend Greg over at Mandarin Segments and is his personal experiences of learning Mandarin. Greg has been learning for about 2 years, although has made amazing progress in the last two months. Here is Greg's learning process.DisclosuresBefore describing my journey in learning Chinese, I need to be open with you:When I began learning Mandarin: I did not have...

This Chinese proverb has two clear meanings. 1) to punish someone as a warning to others. 2) to accidently alert an enemy so that they are now on guard.打草惊蛇 ​ ​ ​ dǎ​ cǎo jīng shéTo beat the grass to frighten the snakeThe first meaning of this proverb is the original meaning, however the proverbs meaning has devoloped since. This is a story about the how this proverb may have come about.A county magistrate named Wang Lu was very greedy...

This Chinese proverb represents the process of bullying others because of your position or contacts. The proverb also can also be used when taking advantage of one's connections with powerful people.狗仗人势 ​ gǒu ​zhàng ​rén shì​The dog acts fierce when his master is pres...

Spicy Chilli - Sichuan Pork Balls w/ NoodlesServes 4 This Chinese recipe is influence from several other recipes, and completely original and sadly not authentic Chinese. Although you will never find this anywhere else it is very tasty. It combines Sichuan Spicy Pork, with a spicier chilli garlic sauce that I used in my Firecracker Beef Recipe.I also decided to coat the Pork in cornflour to give a nice texture, this can also be made with...

This Chinese proverb is used to describe someone that aggravates a situation, or someone that enrages people and make matters worse. Often this proverb will be used in English as 'adding fuel to the fire'. It is literally the act or intention of intensifying and making something worse.火上加油 ​ huǒ​ shàng ​jiā ​yóu​To add oil to the f...

This Chinese proverb is used in situations where you cannot explain someone's behaviour or times when anything else is tough to work out. It is very similiar in use to the English proverb "Unable to make head or tail of it". This proverbs translation, therefore could be much more simple in its ability to describe something that you are unable to explain. Such as 'inexplicable' or an 'unfathomable mystery'. I personally like the full translation...

The Great Wall of China is currently a symbol of Chinese National pride and has become iconic around the world. Somewhat ironically though, the one monument that China built to keep foreigners out is actually now the biggest tourist attraction in the country.The following statements about the Great Wall of China are all true and are then explained below. Please understand, I love the Great Wall, and it is an incredible testament to the...

This Chinese proverb is very similiar to the the English proverb, "to make your bed and lie on it". The proverb talks about taking responsibility for your actions, making sure that when you create a bad situation that you stand up and take the consequences.自作自受。zìzuòzìshòu.As the tree falls, so shall it lie.Photo Sourced From:Fli...

This Chinese proverb is an important idiom, that is used worldwide. Generally meaning that you are listening attentively, it can also be used whe you are eager to listen to what someone has to say. This proverb can also be used as a polite request to speak.The English variation below is certainly used when you are eager to hear something more than this Chinese version which is more about the respect of listening to what others say than...

琵琶 (pípá) Pipa is a Chinese folk instrument, often called the Chinese lute.The pipa has a pear-shaped wooden body with a varying number of frets (between 12–26). Although it may be colloquially known as a lute because it looks a bit like one, in fact, the instrument does not have an actual neck. Instead, the soundboard body spans the entire strings to the head of the instrument.Nearly two thousand years old, the pipa is one of the most...

I have used the proverb that the people over at ChinaPrime tweeted yesterday, as my daily Chinese proverb, today. I will freely admit not knowing its true meaning and where it would be used, but really made me smile when I read it for the first time.I am thinking it is probably used to describe temptations and how we might not be able to resist them, but we can prevent them taking over our lives.你无法阻止鸟儿在你的头顶飞翔，但你可以阻止它们在你的头发上做窝。nǐ wúfǎ zǔzhǐ...

This Chinese proverb is used when reminding someone to pay gratitude to those who fought to make the present possible. To remember that one must not forget to whom one is indebted. That more important than anything else, it is important to emember where your happiness comes from.饮水思源yǐn ​shuǐ ​sī ​yuán​When drinking Water, Think Of its Sour...

This proverb relates to following local customs when away from home. It is something I believe strongly in; that when travelling you should really try out the things that the locals do. Try their food, drinks, nights out and language.走乡随乡zǒu​xiāng​suí​xiāng​To follow local customsThe popular English variation of this Chinese proverb is: 'When in Rome, do as the Romans d...

This Chinese proverb comes from a tale in the Tang Dynasty. It is all about 'A gift of Sincere Wishes'. A man called Mian Bogao offering the emporer some goose feathers as a gift. The full story is below to give an explaination of why this proverb has such a strong meaning in Chinese culture. you may also be interested in the Chinese practise of giving gifts.千里送鵝毛qiān lǐ sòng ér máoA goose feather sent from afarGift-giving is an important...

Chinese farmer, Gao Xianzhang from the village of Hexia, in Hebia, northern China, has created baby buddha shaped pears. Gao spent six years perfecting the intricate baby shaped pears, carefully crafting each one which grows inside an individual, baby buddha shaped plastic mould.It is reported that Gao has made 10,000 of the baby buddha pears that he hopes to sell in the UK and EU. In China they are selling very well indeed and have certainly...

Giving gifts is an important part of Chinese tradition. This custom ranges from a house-warming gift to rites of passage, important events and festivals. Giving and receiving gifts plays a big part in maintaining guanxi, or good relations, and this principle applies to personal as well as business relationships.The Chinese believe that a gift is in the thought, rather than the expense or extravagance of a gift. This way of thinking came...

For me this proverb comes to mean, that friendship relies on the fact you tell the truth. Even, when it is painful to hear. And an argument that is based on honesty can often bloom into a true friendship.从一个打击，交流，友谊的增长cóng yī ge dǎjī, jiāoliú, yǒuyìde zēngzhǎngFrom an exchange of blows, friendship gr...

Tao Xiangli is a Chinese inventor who has created a working submarine from scrap metal. Despite rarely using rulers or measurements and just using his 'feeling' it seems that after tests it works fine. It took him over two years to build and the submarine is driven by electric motors and propellers. It also has some extra fixings including a periscope and a depth control tank.The entire submarine cost Xiangli $4,366, or about one year's...

This Chinese proverb comes from Mencius, essentially it means; Don't gloat over other peoples mistakes whilst you are making the same ones in a different fashion. Though it is never good to laugh at other peoples mistakes, it is more important not to laugh when you have made the same mistake but not as seriously.五十步笑一百步wǔshí bù xiào yī bùFifty steps, Laugh at a hundredThis proverb comes from the following Mencius quotation:孟子对曰：“王好战，请以战喻。填然鼓之，兵刃既接，弃甲曳兵而走。或百步而后止，或五十步而后止。以五十步笑百步，则何如？”Mèngzǐ...