Chinese Allegorical 歇後語
Chinese (Cantonese) allegorical expressions, also known as “歇後語” in Chinese, a quintessential element of Chinese culture, embody succinct wisdom and humor. Consisting of two parts, they begin with a descriptive segment followed by a statement that encapsulates the theme, often with a touch of wit, satire, or insight. These linguistic gems serve various purposes, from imparting knowledge and moral lessons to offering humorous observations on life.
Proverbs are deeply rooted in Chinese Allegorical 歇後語 folk culture, permeating both written and spoken language. Their widespread use reflects their enduring popularity and relevance in daily communication. Moreover, proverbs often employ clever wordplay, such as homophones or puns, to convey hidden meanings, adding an extra layer of amusement and intrigue.
In our endeavor to showcase the charm of proverbs, we aim to utilize Cantonese (Yue Chinese) proverbs and present them through the engaging medium of comic illustrations. Our goal is to infuse these age-old sayings with contemporary humor, ensuring they resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Through our creative approach, we hope to foster a deeper appreciation for the richness and versatility of Cantonese proverbs while bringing joy and laughter to our audience.
Chinese Allegorical 歇後語
鐵公雞 - 一毛不拔
Iron Cock - Not willing to pluck out even a single hair (feather)
Iron Cock - Not willing to pluck out even a single hair (feather)
Later used to describe someone extremely stingy and selfish.
“一根頭髮都不願意拔。” 後來用來形容一個人極度小氣、自私。
豬八戒照鏡子 - 裡外不是人
Zhu Bajie looks in the mirror - Inside & outside not a human
Zhu Bajie looks in the mirror - Inside & outside not a human
Zhu Bajie (豬八戒) is a monster (not a human), so both side (inside & outside) not a human.
That means it can’t satisfy both parties in discord simultaneously.
姜太公釣魚: 願者上鉤
Jiang Taigong Fishing — Those Willing Take the Bait
(someone who accepts something willingly)
Jiang Taigong Fishing — Those Willing Take the Bait
(someone who accepts something willingly)
“Jiang Taigong Fishing — Those Willing Take the Bait” (姜太公釣魚，願者上鉤) is a well-known Chinese idiom used to describe someone who accepts something willingly, or a situation where someone deliberately sets a trap to lure others in.
Origin
According to legend, Jiang Taigong (also known as Jiang Ziya) used to fish by the Wei River with an unusual method — he used no bait, and his hook was held three feet above the water. He would say, “Those who wish to be caught will come to the hook themselves.”
One day, King Wen of Zhou passed by and was intrigued by Jiang Taigong’s strange fishing style. After speaking with him, King Wen discovered his great wisdom and talent, and appointed him as his chief strategist. Jiang Taigong was not really trying to catch fish, but rather waiting for the right person to recognize his worth.
Modern Meaning
- Willing acceptance: Used to describe someone who willingly or voluntarily accepts a situation or offer — for example, in business negotiations, one might wait patiently for a willing partner to come forward.
- Deliberate enticement: It can also mean using clever tactics to lure others into a trap, such as “phishing” on the internet, where someone sets bait to attract victims or responses.
In short, “Jiang Taigong Fishing — Those Willing Take the Bait” conveys both the wisdom of waiting patiently for opportunity and the cleverness of subtly enticing others to act on their own accord.
Example
他個性沉穩隨和，從不魯莽行事。他處理事情的方式就像姜太公釣魚-願者上鉤一樣，只是靜靜等待那些願意來找他的人。正因如此，很多人都信任他。
He is a calm and easy-going person who never acts hastily. He simply waits for those who are willing to come to him. Because of this, many people trust him.
老公撥扇 - 淒涼
Waving the Chinese fan for his wife - desolate
Waving the Chinese fan for his wife - desolate
Literally, it means when the husband fans his wife, she feels cool and comfortable.
However, “wife (妻)” and “chilly (淒)” sound similar in Cantonese, hence the phrase “chilly (淒)”
is used as a play on words, implying a sense of loneliness or desolation.
豉油撈飯-整色整水
Soy Sauce Rice — All style, no substance.
Soy Sauce Rice — All style, no substance.
“豉油撈飯”，意思是用醬油拌白飯。原本平淡無味的白飯，因為加了幾滴豉油，便多了顏色、鹹香與濕潤，看似更有滋味，但本質上，它仍然只是白飯。
這句「豉油撈飯-整色整水」是廣東話中的歇後語，用來比喻裝模作樣、徒有其表。
- **「豉油撈飯」**代表事情本質簡單、平凡。
- **「整色整水」**則形容外表花俏、刻意包裝，讓人以為內容豐富。
兩者結合起來，諷刺那些明明很簡單的事，卻偏要弄得花裡胡哨、故作高深，最終只是表面風光、內容空洞的行為。
“Soy Sauce Rice” (豉油捞饭) literally means mixing plain rice with soy sauce. The originally bland and simple white rice gains some color, flavor, and moisture from the soy sauce — yet, at its core, it remains just plain rice.
The Cantonese saying “Soy Sauce Rice — all color and show” (豉油捞饭，整色整水) is a metaphor used to describe someone who makes a big show out of something simple, or dresses up something plain to look impressive.
- “Soy Sauce Rice” symbolizes something basic or ordinary in nature.
- “All color and show” refers to flashy appearance or unnecessary embellishment that lacks real substance.
Together, the phrase mocks people or things that look fancy on the outside but are, in reality, simple and superficial — all style, no substance.
孔夫子搬家 - 儘是書
Confucius moves house - All failures
Confucius moves house - All failures
“Book” and “failure” are pronounced the same in Cantonese. Therefore, “all books” means “all failures”
Example
你賭錢賭足一年，沒有一次是贏的,真是孔夫子搬家 – 儘是書（輸）, 我見意你還是戒賭吧!
You’ve been gambling for a whole year and haven’t won even once — you’re really like Confucius moves house – All failures! I suggest you quit gambling!
披蓑衣救火 - 惹火上身
Wearing a straw raincoat to put out a fire - getting oneself in more trouble
Wearing a straw raincoat to put out a fire - getting oneself in more trouble
蓑衣 (Straw raincoat) is a traditional Chinese raincoat typically made of woven straw or reeds and can easily catch fire. Literally, it means attempting to extinguish a fire by wearing a straw raincoat, which is ineffective and may even exacerbate the situation. Metaphorically, it suggests taking actions that not only fail to address the problem but also worsen it, ultimately leading to personal harm or trouble.
茶瓜餸飯 - 好人有限
Pickled cucumber with rice - Not a good person
Pickled cucumber with rice - Not a good person
Healthy person Means “Good Person”
That Means not a Good Person.
濕水棉花：無得彈
Wet cotton: can’t bounce. (cannot criticize, perfect, Impeccable, flawless)
Wet cotton: can’t bounce. (cannot criticize, perfect, Impeccable, flawless)
Traditionally, “彈棉花” refers to the process of fluffing or beating raw cotton to make it soft and airy for use in bedding or clothing. If the cotton gets wet, it sticks together and loses its fluffiness.
In Cantonese, “冇得” means “cannot” and “彈” can imply criticism or fault-finding, the opposite of “讚” (praise).
So, “冇得彈” literally means “cannot criticize, perfect, Impeccable, flawless” and is used to describe something flawless or excellent, leaving no room for criticism.
Example
馬丁英俊、聰明、浪漫，廚藝也一流——真是個無可挑剔“濕水棉花”的男人。
Martin is handsome, smart, and romantic. He’s also great at cooking — a man you simply can’t criticize.
海軍鬥水兵 - 水鬥水
Navy VS Sailor - Water VS Water
Navy VS Sailor - Water VS Water
“Water” in Cantonese means weak.
That means both sides are very weak.
Example
這場籃球比賽打到完場也只有兩個入球，真是海軍鬥水兵 – 水鬥水，兩邊都表現得很弱.
This basketball game ended with only two points scored — it was really like a battle between weak teams, both sides performed poorly.
水瓜打狗 - 唔見咁一截
Loofah melon beating a dog - Have a certain loss
Loofah melon beating a dog - Have a certain loss
Loofah melon is easy to break, and it is not a good idea to beat dogs.
Metaphorically. This means a certain loss.
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