Chinese Proverbs and the Wisdom of the Ages

Chinese proverbs are one of the most distinctive features of the Chinese language. These compressed expressions encode centuries of historical experience and practical wisdom, used daily in conversation, writing, and political speech.

Chengyu: Literary Proverbs

Chengyu (成语) are four-character expressions derived from classical texts and historical events. "To add feet to a snake" means to ruin something by adding unnecessary details. "Lost horse becoming blessing" means a blessing in disguise.

Yanyu: Folk Wisdom

Yanyu (谚语) are folk proverbs expressing practical wisdom: "Practice makes perfect," "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," "The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second best time is now."