歇后语
少女爱化妆——自信满满
Girls love to dress up - full of confidence
解释：比喻自我评点，每个人心中都有某种值得骄傲的别人没有的特长
Note: A metaphor for self-evaluation. Everyone has something in their heart that they are proud of that others do not have.
不知道是左脚先穿鞋还是右脚先穿鞋——没想过
Not knowing whether to put on the shoe with the left foot or the right foot first - Never thought about it.
解释：比喻平常事往往被人忽略
Note: It means that ordinary things are often ignored.
父母的美满婚姻——增添子女的幸福感
Parents' happy marriage – Uplifts the sense of happiness of offspring
解释：意喻人的幸福感是与家庭背景息息相关的
Note: It means that people's happiness is closely related to their family background
当闲云不再闲的时候——带伞
When the free clouds are no longer idle - Bring an umbrella
解释：比喻凡事都得事前做好准备，未雨绸缪
Note: A metaphor for being prepared for everything in advance
大众看电视——大戏看小戏
Watching TV – To see small games while watching big plays
解释：比喻人生如戏，含好学谦虚之意
Note: It is a metaphor that life is like a play, which implies one shall be studious and modest.
戏台上的脸孔——涂上去的
The faces on the stage - Painted
解释：意喻知人知面不知心
Note: It means knowing a person's face but not his heart
屡次受到鼓励——黄牛也会爬树
Repeated encouragement - Cattle can also climb up trees
解释：喻多数人受到激励或唤醒时会产生巨大的潜力和突破
Note: It means that most people will have great potential and breakthroughs when they are inspired or awakened.
欣尝“清明上河图”——身历其境
Viewing the scroll painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" - Immerse Yourself in the real scene
解释：比喻在某种情况下，人们有如置身其中的感觉，乃民间高境界之作
Note: It is a metaphor for the feeling that people feel as if they are in a certain real situation, the scroll painting is a masterpiece of high level.
三岁女童弹大提琴——女儿抱妈妈
Three-year-old girl plays cello - Daughter hugs mother
解释：比喻母女情深
Note: A metaphor for the deep love between mother and daughter
微风吹拂椰树叶——千姿百态
The breeze blows the coconut tree leaves - Various shapes and forms
解释：比喻自然之美，令人惊叹
Note: A metaphor for the amazing beauty of nature.
“敦煌”的艺术世界——神笔
The art world of "Dunhuang" - The magic brush
解释：比喻绘画艺术的高度发展与前景
Note: A metaphor for the high development and prospects of painting art.
上跑步机——原地踏步
Step on the treadmill - Marking time
解释：比喻有些事物看起来进步了，其实不然
Note: It means that some things seem to be progressing, but actually not.
地球自转——没感觉
The earth rotates - No feel
解释：比喻看起来不动的事物，却时刻都在变动
Note: A metaphor for something that seems to be motionless, but is constantly changing
大清晨听鸟儿歌唱——好时光
Listening to birds singing in the early morning - Good times
解释：喻在最美好的时候、最欢愉的时光，听一首美丽的曲子，含锦上添花之意
Note: It means listening to a beautiful song at the best time or the happiest time, which means adding icing on the cake.
猫头鹰晒太阳——增强免疫力
Owl basking in the sun - Enhance immunity
解释：喻对人们有好处的事物，皆不分彼此向往之
Note: It means that things that are good for people are longed for by everyone.
小男童扮齐白石——似模似样
Little boy impersonating Qi Baishi - Looks alike
解释：比喻真真假假， 难分辨
Note: A metaphor for hard to distinguish the true from false
拿下一颗星星贴在天花板上——当（光）官
Pick a star and stick it on the ceiling – As a light ( phonogram in Chinese, as an official)
解释：努力提升当官之象
Note: To strive to be promoted as an official.
金色锦服的天堂鸟——不在天堂
Bird of Paradise in Golden Feathers - Not in Heaven
解释：比喻令人羡慕的事物在人间也不难找到
Note: A metaphor for even things admirable are not so difficult to find in this world
李白杜甫王之涣相聚——诗意盎然
Li Bai, Du Fu, and Wang Zhihuan meet together - Poetic
解释：比喻志同道合的人在一起，倍感亲切
Note: It is a metaphor for like-minded people being together and feeling intimate and close.
早晨起身跑跑步——治未病
Getting up in the morning and running - Treat illness before it happens
解释：喻含预防胜于治疗之道，引中医理论：“治未病”
Note: It implies that prevention is better than cure, a reference from the theory of traditional Chinese medicine of "Treating illness before it happens".
今朝有兴弄彩墨——抒情
I am in the mood to draw and paint today - Lyrical
解释：比喻人在心情愉悦时往往寓情于精神内涵
Note: It means that when people are in a good mood, they often express their emotions with spiritual connotations.
金牌鸡饭处处飘香——点赞
The fragrance of the Golden Chicken Rice- Thumbs up
解释：比喻对于美好的事物，应鼎力支持
Note: It means one shall try the best to support beautiful things.
百岁老妇轻弹古筝——老妻老夫
A centenarian woman plays the Guzheng - Old couple
解释：比喻夫妻白头偕老天长地久
Note: A metaphor for a couple growing old together happily.
胡姬跳舞花当机器人——学非所用
Thought a Dancing Lady Orchid a robotic – Beyond one’s knowledge
解释：比喻理想与现实差距甚远，事与愿违
Note: A metaphor for the gap between ideal and reality, or things that go against one's wishes.
鲨鱼飞上天——多一个同伴
Sharks fly into the sky – have one more companion
解释：比喻多一个朋友多一条路
Note: A metaphor for one better to make more friends in case of emergency for help.
八哥说他叫“一哥”——自封第一
Mynah said he was "Boss" – A low ranking at 8th self-proclaimed as number one, exaggerating
解释：比喻自诩自夸
Note: A metaphor for cracking oneself up.
暗夜里的黑豆豆——一片黑
Black Beans in dark night - All black
解释：比喻某些东西无意的或特意的被隐藏起来，难以观察
Note: A metaphor for something being hidden intentionally or unintentionally, making it difficult to observe.
歌一首“夜上海”——不见周璇
Sing the song "Night Shanghai" - Missing Zhou Xuan
解释：比喻物换星移，人事已非，令人感慨
Note: It is a metaphor for changing times, some people are gone, which makes people sad.
牛车水——走过坑坑洞洞之路
Chinatown - Walking through the potholes on the road
解释：意喻美好的生活，必先经过磨难，历尽沧桑
Note: It means that a good life must first go through hardships and vicissitudes.
榴莲树到结果实的时候——榴莲季节
When the durian tree bears fruit – Durian season
解释：比喻榴莲之于榴莲树有如季节之于生活，生活因季节而充满兴奋和希望
Note: When durian tree bears fruits, it is time for a harvest season, and it is the same that life is full of excitement and hope because of the changing of seasons.
倒数到零——空
Count down to zero - Empty
解释：比喻生活每况愈下
Note: A metaphor for life going from bad to worse.
花猫吃鱼头——头头是道
Cat eating fish head – Head to head, being methodical and thorough
解释：比喻做事认真有条理
Note: A metaphor for doing things seriously and methodically.
沙漠中的仙人掌瘦带刺——顺应环境
The cactus in the desert is thin and has thorns - Adapting to the environment
解释：比喻适者生存之象
Note: A metaphor for the survival of the fittest
对世界有感情——社会情
Love the World - Social empathy
解释：比喻对社会有情，充满希望
Note: A metaphor for being empathetic about society and full of hope.
对国家有情感——国家情
Patriotic to the country – Country commitment
解释：意指对国家有情感，心系国家
Note: It means to have a strong commitment to the country.
把家庭紧紧地抱在怀里——亲情
Hold family tight in arms - Family love
解释：比喻对家庭亲人有感情，为家庭亲人之情与幸福会全力以赴
Note: It means to have strong affection for family and members, and be willing to go all out for their happiness.
紧握朋友的手——友情
Hand in hand with friends - Friendship
解释：比喻对朋友有情，向需要帮助的人伸出援手
Note: A metaphor for being loyal to friends and willing to help when needed.
相爱到天长地久——爱情
Embracing each other forever - Love
解释：意喻男女情爱，美好古今歌颂
Note: It means love between men and women, like a beautiful song from ancient times to the present.
对大自然有情——天地情
Longing for Nature – Respect to Heaven and Earth
解释：喻对天地有情感，天人合一
Note: It means to have deep feelings for heaven and earth, and the unity of heaven and man.
仙女抛绣球——接球
Fairy throws an embroidery ball - Catch the ball
解释：比喻美好事物人人追求
Note: A metaphor for beautiful things that everyone pursues.
爱因斯坦和牛顿见面——相对吃苹果
Einstein and Newton meet together - Eating apples relatively close to each other
解释：意指他们正与世人享用在理论物理学学说的研究成果
注： “相对”指爱因斯坦的“相对论”
“苹果”喻牛顿的万有引力学说
Note: It means that they are sharing the research results of theoretical physics with the world.
Note: "Relatively" refers to Einstein's "Theory of Relativity"
"Apple" refers to Newton's theory of universal gravitation
八十岁大汉蹲下撑不起来——老化
80-year-old man squats and can't stand up - Aging
解释：比喻人生没有永远的风光，会逐渐退出舞台
Note: It means that life does not last forever and will gradually fade away.
情侣漫步沙滩上——谈情
A couple walking on the beach - Talking about love
解释：比喻人生美谈令人羡慕
Note: A metaphor for a beautiful story in life that is enviable.
一袋白米散落满地——一幅点画
A bag of rice scattered all over the floor – A painting of dots
解释：比喻意外的错失有时会带来意想不到的效果，令人惊喜
Note: A metaphor for the unexpected miss that may sometimes bring wonderful results and surprises.
白鸽躲在乌云里——一点白
A white dove hiding in the dark clouds - A little white dot
解释：比喻自然美景洁白纯净，亦含众人皆醉唯我独醒之意
Note: A metaphor for the purity of natural beauty, also implies that everyone is drunk while I am sober.
来不及回潮的海星躺在海滩上——慢一步
The starfish lying on the beach late before the tide recedes - A step slower
解释：比喻错失良机，含后悔之意
Note: A metaphor for missing a good opportunity, is regret.
黎明，鸟儿飞去找食物——又是新的一天
At dawn, birds fly over to find food - A new day begins
解释：比喻好景就在眼前
Note: A metaphor for good things is just around the corner
千年老字典讨教新手机——不耻下问
A vintage dictionary asks for an updated explanation on a new mobile phone – Never shameful to ask
解释：老当益学，精神可嘉
Note: One shall give full respect to old people who are willing to learn more.
婆婆清晨起身——又多赚一天花红
Aged auntie gets up early in the morning – A bonus for making another day's living
解释：比喻福中知福
Note: A metaphor for being thankful for blessings.
路灯撞倒脚踏车（自行车）——瞎眼
A lamp post blocked the way and knocked down the bike - Blindness
解释：比喻看护者沦为窜祸者
Note: A metaphor for a caregiver becoming a troublemaker.
猴群森林里滑翔式荡秋千——展现本能
Monkeys gliding on a swing in the forest - Instinct
解释：比喻自然界万物生命的活泼，依存与平衡，展现精 彩的高境界
Note: A metaphor for the liveliness, dependence, and balance of all the beings in nature, it is a perfect wonder itself.
气候污染乌烟瘴气——一塌糊涂
Air pollution results in the smelly and foul – Quite a mess
解释：比喻环境极端，生活难煎熬
Note: A metaphor for the environment changed extremely and the making of life is more difficult.
老翁吃猪心——补不了
Old man eats pig heart – No way to make up for
解释：意喻补救不得法，没能收到预期效果
Note: It means that the remedy is not done properly and no expected effect is achieved.
大画家八大山人的小鸟作品——天价
The little bird drawn by the great painter Bada Shanren - Sky-high price
解释：意喻有价值的东西往往是小东西
Note: It means that valuable things are often small things.
画家赵无极打太极——画阴阳图
Painter Zao Wou-Ki practicing Tai Chi - Drawing the Yin-Yang diagram
解释：比喻善画者不离画，不离本行者乃人之常情
Note: It is a metaphor that a good painter will never give up painting, and it is human nature for a professional not to abandon his profession.
来一碗Kambing Soup（羊肉汤）——Banyak Sedap（好味道）
Have a bowl of Kambing Soup (mutton soup)—Banyak Sedap (good taste)
解释：比喻美食很吃香之意
Note: It means that the food is very popular locally.
我Suka Kopi O Siew Dai（少糖）——狮城语言
Less sugar for me Suka Kopi O Siew Dai - Singapore slang
解释：比喻新加坡式的独特语言文化
Note: A metaphor for Singapore's unique expressions in language and culture.
菜叶上小洞洞——正常
Small holes on vegetable leaves - Normal
解释：比喻自然，不完美即完美
Note: A metaphor for natural, imperfection is actually the perfect.
持拐杖的老翁劝年轻人多走路——经验之谈
An old man with a cane advises young people to walk more – Sharing the experience
解释：比喻经验是长期经事累积
Note: It is a metaphor for experience accumulated through the understanding of what happens in life in the long term.
老李卖什菜饭——五味杂陈
Old Mr. Li sells Cai Png (mixed vegetables and rice) - Indiscriminate reflections
解释：比喻心情复杂
Note: A metaphor for a complicated mood.
老婆婆向雨树求雨——糊里糊涂
An old woman prayed to the rain tree for rain – No sense
解释：比喻找错对象
Note: A metaphor for targeting wrong.
跟电台广播员谈笑身边事——听得到看不到
Talking leisurely with radio announcer about daily trifles - Can hear but can't see
解释：比喻科技看似让人亲近，其实却远离了
Note: It is a metaphor that technology seems to bring people closer, but it is farther away anyway.
故宫博物院——文明之震撼
The Palace Museum - The Shock of Civilization
解释：比喻人类文化精华的保存与承传
Note: A metaphor for the preservation and inheritance of the essence of human culture
老子获得文学奖——实至名归
Lao Zi won the literature award - Well-deserved
解释：比喻学问与荣耀是不受时空所局限，为人类造福乃是永恒的
Note: It is a metaphor that knowledge and glory are not limited by time and space, benefiting mankind eternally.
孔子老子周游当今列国——仁道之行
Confucius and Lao Zi traveled around the nations of the time – A journey of benevolence
解释：比喻传承爱与道
Note: A metaphor for the inheritance of love and Tao.
梅兰芳唱京剧——叫好
Mei Lanfang sings Peking Opera - Applause
解释：比喻才华出众者，人皆仰慕
Note: A metaphor for people with outstanding talents admired by everyone.
鸡饭加沙爹（Satay）——狮城风情
Chicken rice add Satay - Singapore style
解释：比喻不同饮食文化的融合，新加坡的文化特色
注：沙爹（羊肉串）为马来美食
Note: A metaphor for the fusion of different food cultures, it is the cultural characteristics of Singapore
Note: Satay (lamb skewers) is a Malay delicacy.
6岁姐妹到工地卖食物——小小当家
The 6-year-old sisters go to the construction site to sell food - Little Masters
解释：比喻从前贫穷人家的孩子小小年纪就懂事，肯吃苦
Note: It means that children from poor families in the past were sensible and willing to endure hardships at a young age.
红蚂蚁骑上蝴蝶背上——更上一层楼
The red ant rides on the butterfly's back - To a higher level
解释：比喻借助别人的力量，可以做自己一个人做不到的事
Note: A metaphor for being with the help of others, one can do something that cannot be done alone.
王沙野峰搞笑——Aka Aka就好
Wang Sha and Ye Feng play jokes - Just Aka Aka
解释：比喻对人对事宜恰到好处
注：Aka Aka（马来语），意即适可而止，不要过分
Note: A metaphor for being just right with people and things
Note: Aka Aka (Malay) means to stop at the right time, not overdo.
王沙野峰演京剧——不用化妆
Wang Sha and Ye Feng perform Peking Opera – No need to make up
解释：意喻有些人具有优越条件，事半功倍
Note: It means that some people who have great talents can achieve twice the result with half the effort.
王沙野峰唱出时代的心声——辛酸苦乐
Wang Sha and Ye Feng sing the voice of the times – A reflection of bitterness, joy, and sorrow
解释：比喻自嘲自处
Note: A metaphor for self-mockery.
家猫喵喵叫——只想吃
Pet cat meowing – Just want to eat
解释：指含贬意，老想不劳而获
Note: It has a derogatory meaning that there is someone who always wishes to get something for nothing.
传统报馆倒闭——回家抱（纸）子
Traditional newspapers close down - Go home and hug your child (hormones in Chinese with the word newspaper)
解释：喻家庭温暖，亲情之意
Note: A metaphor for family warmth and closeness.
请稻草人上餐馆——假大方
Invite a scarecrow to dine at a restaurant - Fake generosity
解释：比喻某些人表面上看来很慷慨，其实是个拒绝承诺来世请客吃饭的人
Note: It refers to someone who appears to be generous, but actually even refuses to promise to treat others a meal in the next life.
有时候喜欢阳光有时候不喜欢阳光——人之常情
Sometimes people like sunshine while sometimes not - Human nature
解释：意喻人对某种事物的取舍与否是凭当时他的感受而决定的
Note: It means that whether a person chooses something or not is determined by his feelings at the time.
雨点落在冰块上——融为一体
Raindrops falling on ice cubes – Melting as one
解释：意喻表面上看起来不同的事物，实际上是异形同体
Note: It means that things that appear different on the surface are actually different in form, and the same in substance.
太阳下山——拉不起来
The sun sets - Can't be pulled up
解释：比喻事物的兴衰是不以人的意志为转移的
Note: It means that the rise and fall of things are not subject to human will.
唱一首“天涯歌女”——多少人间泪
The song " The Wandering Songstress" - Tears of the people
解释：泛喻下层人群的困境，受尽人间疾苦
Note: A general metaphor for the plight of the lower class people’s suffering and struggling.
路边虫鸣兢深夜——好热闹
Insects chirping on the roadside at midnight – Noisely and lively
解释：意喻欢乐迎太平
Note: It means the joy and peace of the ordinary.
小童在母鸡后面跟着走——追蛋
The child follows the hen - Collecting eggs
解释：比喻欲求生活好，就要勤做事
Note: A metaphor that if one hopes to live a good life, one must work hard.
螳螂爬上军车——准备战斗
Mantis climbs onto a military vehicle - Ready to fight
解释：泛喻人们处事能做好事前准备，乃是成功之道
Note: A metaphor for the way to success when people are well prepared for things.
戏台下的笑声——真情流露
Laughter from the stage – Truly reaction
解释：比喻自然情感，没有做作之象
Note: A metaphor for natural emotions, without any affectation.
翠鸟披着灰衣裳——内卷
A beautiful Kingfisher in grey clothes - Involution
解释：比喻1. 外表平凡，内心强大 2. 要看清事物的本质须明察秋毫
Note: Metaphor 1. Ordinary appearance, strong heart 2. To see the essence of things, one must be observant.
顺其自然而然——“无为”
Let it be as what it is - "Wu Wei"( inactivity, letting things take their own course )
解释：意指不胡为，不妄为，做该做的而不加以不必要的人为的意思去做
Note: It means not to act recklessly, or act randomly, but to do what should be done without unnecessary artificiality.
母鸡孵咸蛋——没结果
A hen hatching salted eggs - No result
解释：喻事徒劳，得不到回报
Note: It means that something is in vain and will not be rewarded.
思想比光速快——谁比谁强
Think faster than the speed of light – See who is stronger
解释：比喻有些真实的东西是无法捉摸的
Note: It is a metaphor that some real things are elusive.
翡翠藏于乱山石——不露锋芒
Crystal jade hidden in mountain rocks – Hide one's candle under a bushel
解释：比喻静水流得深
Note: It is a metaphor for still water sometimes means deep and smart people always cover themselves instead of showing off.
青蛙掉落池塘——大口大口地喝水
Frog jumps into a pond - Drinking water mouth fully
解释：比喻本领虽高仍有失误得时候
Note: A metaphor for the time when one can make mistakes despite great abilities.
机器人驾飞机——心惊胆跳
Robot flying an airplane - Terrifying
解释：意喻人们对新事物心存疑虑和恐惧
Note: It means people are suspicious and afraid of new things.
电脑医生为病人开药方——冷冰冰
AI doctor prescribes medicine for patients – In a cold manner
解释：意喻高科技不能取代人与人之际的情感
Note: It means that high technology cannot replace the emotional connection between people.
黄牛扮黄狗——一眼看穿
Yellow cattle pretending to be yellow dog – Seen through at a glance
解释：意喻某些事物从表面上就可以看出它的真相
Note: It means that the truth of some things can be seen from the surface.
苏东坡梦里能题诗——绝技
Su Dongpo could write poems in dreams - Unique skill
解释：比喻诗人独创诗风，做常人做不到的事情
Note: It refers to the poet's original style of poetry that ordinary people cannot do.
梦里得黄金——高兴不久
Own gold in the dream – Not long-lasting happiness
解释：比喻不劳而获得东西，不能长久拥有
Note: It means that something obtained without effort will not be owned for long.
纸做得锁头——虚设
Paper lock - In name only
解释：比喻没有实际功能，做做样子罢了，含骗人骗己之意
Note: A metaphor for having no actual function, just for show, with the meaning of deceiving others and oneself.
“宫女闲坐话玄宗”——往事不堪回首
"The palace maids sat and talked about Emperor Xuanzong" - Unbearable to look back
解释：比喻往日得风光与今日的残烛
引：唐 行宫 元稹诗
Note: A metaphor for the glory of the past and the fading candles of today.
Quote: Tang Dynasty, Palace, A poem of Yuan Zhen
“醉卧沙场君莫笑”——战士自嘲
"Don't laugh at me lying drunk on the battlefield" - A soldier mocks himself
解释：比喻英雄的命不在自己的手上
引：唐 凉 州词 王翰诗
Note: A metaphor for a hero's life not being in his own hands.
Quote: Tang Dynasty, Liangzhou Ci, A poem of Wang Han
一群新生小鸡——跳又唱
A bunch of newborn chicks - Jumping and singing
解释：比喻 1.多才多艺 2. 青春与生命的光辉
Note: Metaphor 1. Versatile 2. The brilliance of youth and life
老奶奶上餐馆——一拐一拐的
The old lady goes to a restaurant – limping
解释：比喻处事犹豫，摇摆不定
Note: A metaphor for being hesitant and wavering.