Feeling stressed after a long day?
In this blog post, we'll explore some calming Chinese proverbs to help you unwind.
So, grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let's learn some Mandarin wisdom for a more peaceful you!
Timeless Chinese Proverbs to Help You Unwind
夜长梦多
Yè cháng mèng duō
Long nights, many dreams.
夜晚时间长，容易做很多梦。通常用来比喻事情拖延时间长，会产生许多变故或麻烦。
Yèwǎn shíjiān cháng, róngyì zuò hěnduō mèng. Tōngcháng yòng lái bǐyù shìqíng tuōyán shíjiān cháng, huì chǎnshēng xǔduō biàn gù huò máfan.
During long nights, it's easy to have many dreams. It's often used to describe procrastination leading to delays. Resulting in many mishaps or troubles.
Example:
项目进度总是推迟，夜长梦多，不知道会发生什么事。
Jǔlì shuōmíng: Xiàngmù jìndù zǒng shì tuōchí, yè cháng mèng duō, bù zhīdào huì fāshēng shénme shì.
Project progress always gets delayed. Long nights, many dreams. You never know what might happen.
月黑风高夜
Yuè hēi fēng gāo yè
The night is dark and the wind is high.
月亮不明亮、风势强劲的夜晚，常指危险的夜晚。
Jǐjiě yìsi: Yuèliàng bù míngliàng, fēng shì qiángjìn de yèwǎn, cháng zhǐ wéixiǎn de yèwǎn.
The moon is not bright. The wind is strong at night, often indicating a dangerous night.
Example：
月黑风高夜，他不敢出门。
Jǔlì shuōmíng: Yuè hēi fēng gāo yè, tā bù gǎn chūmén.
The night is dark and the wind is high. He dares not go out.
晚上不说人，半夜不说鬼
Wǎnshàng bù shuō rén, bànyè bù shuō guǐ
At night, don't speak ill of others, and at midnight, don't talk about ghosts.
晚上不要说别人是非，半夜不要谈论鬼怪。这是为避免不吉利。
Jǐjiě yìsi: Wǎnshàng bùyào shuō biérén shìfēi, bànyè bùyào tánlùn guǐguài. Zhè shì wèi bìmiǎn bù jílì.
Don't speak ill of others at night. Don't talk about ghosts at midnight. This is to avoid bad luck.
Example:
我们晚上在聊天时要注意，不说人不说鬼。
Jǔlì shuōmíng: Wǒmen wǎnshàng zài liáotiān shí yào zhùyì, bù shuō rén bù shuō guǐ.
We should pay attention when chatting at night. Don't speak ill of others , don't talk about ghosts.
夜猫子叫，鬼也不来
Yèmāozi jiào, guǐ yě bù lái
Cat yowls at night, ghosts don't come.
夜晚猫叫，这种情景可能听起来吓人，但实际并不意味着鬼怪出现。
Yèwǎn māo jiào, zhèzhǒng qíngjǐng kěnéng tīng qǐlái xiàrén, dàn shíjì bìng bù yìwèi zhe guǐguài chūxiàn.
Cats yowling at night, this situation may sound scary. But it doesn't actually mean ghosts appear.
Example：
听到猫叫不要怕，夜猫子叫，鬼也不来。
Tīng dào māo jiào bùyào pà, yèmāozi jiào, guǐ yě bù lái.
Don't be afraid when you hear a cat yowl, Cat yowls at night, ghosts don't come.
夜间无事故，天亮见分晓
Yèjiān wú shìgù, tiānliàng jiàn fēnxiǎo
No accidents at night, daybreak reveals the truth.
夜晚没有事故发生，到早上就能明了情况。
Yèwǎn méiyǒu shìgù fāshēng, dào zǎoshàng jiù néng míngliǎo qíngkuàng.
No accidents happened at night. The full picture of the situation will be clear by morning.
Example：
昨晚厂里没有事故发生，今天早上就能继续正常工作了。
Jǔlì shuōmíng: Zuó wǎn chǎng lǐ méiyǒu shìgù fāshēng, jīntiān zǎoshang jiù néng jìxù zhèngcháng gōngzuò le.
No accidents occurred at the factory last night. We can work normally this morning.
天黑前，闭好门
Tiān hēi qián, bì hǎo mén
Before it gets dark, close the door.
天黑之前要关好门窗，以确保安全。
Tiān hēi zhīqián yào guān hǎo ménchuāng, yǐ quèbǎo ānquán.
Before it gets dark, close the doors and windows. To ensure safety.
Example：
记得天黑前把门关好，以防小偷进来。
Jǔlì shuōmíng: Jìdé tiān hēi qián bǎ mén guān hǎo, yǐ fáng xiǎotōu jìnlái.
Remember to close the door before it gets dark. To prevent thieves from coming in.
夜路走多了，难免碰鬼
Yèlù zǒu duōle, nánmiǎn pèng guǐ
If you walk the night road too often, you will inevitably encounter ghosts.
比喻经常走夜路，难免遇到危险或意外的事情。
Bǐyù jīngcháng zǒu yèlù, nánmiǎn yù dào wéixiǎn huò yìwài de shìqíng.
Metaphorically, if you walk the night road often, you will inevitablly encounter danger and unexpected things.
Example：
别经常深夜回家，夜路走多了，难免碰鬼。
Jǔlì shuōmíng: Bié jīngcháng shēnyè huíjiā, yèlù zǒu duōle, nánmiǎn pèng guǐ.
Don't often come home late at night, If you walk the night road too often, you will inevitably encounter ghosts.
黑夜给了我黑色的眼睛，我却用它寻找光明
Hēiyè gěile wǒ hēisè de yǎnjīng, wǒ què yòng tā xúnzhǎo guāngmíng
The night gave me black eyes. But I use them to seek brightness.
这是诗人顾城的诗句，意思是尽管黑夜给了我黑色的眼睛，但我依然要用它去寻找希望和光明。
Zhè shì shīrén Gù Chéng de shījù, yìsi shì jǐnguǎn hēiyè gěile wǒ hēisè de yǎnjīng, dàn wǒ yīrán yào yòng tā qù xúnzhǎo xīwàng hé guāngmíng.
This is a verse from the poet Gu Cheng. It means: Even though the night gave us black eyes, I still want to use them to find hope and brightness.
Example：
即使生活中遇到困境，我们要像顾城那样，黑夜给了我黑色的眼睛，我却用它寻找光明。
Jíshǐ shēnghuó zhōng yù dào kùnjìng, wǒmen yào xiàng Gù Chéng nàyàng, hēiyè gěile wǒ hēisè de yǎnjīng, wǒ què yòng tā xúnzhǎo guāngmíng.
Even if we encounter difficulties in life, we should still be like Gu Cheng The night gave me black eyes. But I use them to seek brightness.
晚上不赶路
Wǎnshàng bù gǎn lù
Don't rush on the road at night.
夜晚行路危险，建议不要赶路。
Yèwǎn xínglù wéixiǎn, jiànyì bùyào gǎn lù.
It's dangerous to walk at night. It is recommended not to rush at night.
Example：
晚上太黑了，别出去赶路了，等天亮再走。
Jǔlì shuōmíng: Wǎnshàng tài hēi le, bié chūqù gǎnlù le, děng tiānliàng zài zǒu.
It's too dark at night. Don't go out and rush on the road. Wait until there's light to go.
#10
夜深人静好读书
Yèshēn rénjìng hǎo dúshū
It’s good to study in the dead of night
夜晚安静时适合读书学习，因为没有干扰，可以集中注意力。
Yèwǎn ānjìng shí shìhé dúshū xuéxí, yīnwèi méiyǒu gānrǎo, kěyǐ jízhōng zhùyì lì.
It’s suitable to study when it’s quiet at night because there is no disturbance. You can concentrate better.
Example：
夜深人静好读书，他常常晚上学习到深夜。
Yèshēn rénjìng hǎo dúshū, tā chángcháng wǎnshàng xuéxí dào shēnyè.
It’s good to study in the dead of night, He often studies until late at night.
#11
隔夜茶，毒如蛇
Géyè chá, dú rú shé
Overnight tea, poisonous like a snake.
过夜的茶不新鲜，对身体有害，类似于蛇的毒。
Guò yè de chá bù xīnxiān, duì shēntǐ yǒu hài, lèisì yú shé de dú.
Example：
茶水过夜千万别喝，隔夜茶，毒如蛇。
Cháshuǐ guò yè qiānwàn bié hē, géyè chá, dú rú shé.
Never drink overnight tea. Overnight tea, poisonous like a snake.
#12
雨打夜，落一夜
Yǔ dǎ yè, luò yī yè
Rain at night, lasts the whole night.
如果晚上开始下雨，那么可能会持续一整晚。
Rúguǒ wǎnshàng kāishǐ xiàyǔ, nàme kěnéng huì chíxù yī zhěng wǎn.
If it starts raining at night, it might continue all night long.
Example：
今天晚上开始下雨，雨打夜，落一夜。
Jīntiān wǎnshàng kāishǐ xiàyǔ, yǔ dǎ yè, luò yī yè.
It started raining tonight, Rain at night, lasts the whole night.
#13
一夜不睡，十夜不醒
Yī yè bù shuì, shí yè bù xǐng
One night without sleep, ten nights not awake.
一晚没睡好，可能接下来好几晚都无法充分休息。
Yī wǎn méi shuì hǎo, kěnéng jiēxiàlái hǎo jǐ wǎn dōu wúfǎ chōngfèn xiūxí.
Example：
昨晚失眠了，一夜不睡，十夜不醒。
Zuó wǎn shīmián le, yī yè bù shuì, shí yè bù xǐng.
Had insomnia last night. One night without sleep, ten nights not awake.
#14
日有所思，夜有所梦
Rì yǒu suǒ sī, yè yǒu suǒ mèng
During the day, one has thoughts; during the night, one has dreams
白天思虑的事情，晚上容易在梦中体现。
Bǎitiān sīlǜ de shìqíng, wǎnshàng róngyì zài mèng zhōng tǐxiàn.
Example：
他最近总是梦到工作上的事情，日有所思，夜有所梦。
Tā zuìjìn zǒng shì mèng dào gōngzuò shàng de shìqíng, rì yǒu suǒ sī, yè yǒu suǒ mèng.
Lately, he always dreams about work. During the day, one has thoughts; during the night, one has dreams.
#15
吃药十付，不如独宿一夜
Chī yào shí fù, bùrú dú xiǔ yī yè
Taking ten doses of medicine is not as good as spending one night alone.
独自一夜安稳睡觉，比吃十付药更有益健康。
Dúzì yī yè ānwěn shuìjiào, bǐ chī shí fù yào gèng yǒuyì jiànkāng.
Example：
你多休息一晚吧，吃药十付，不如独宿一夜。
Nǐ duō xiūxí yī wǎn ba, chī yào shí fù, bùrú dú xiǔ yī yè.
You should rest for another night. Taking ten doses of medicine is not as good as spending one night alone.
#16
白天喂误事，黑夜喂长膘
Báitiān wèi wù shì, hēiyè wèi zhǎng biāo
Feeding during the day is waste; feed during the night adds fat.
白天喂养牲畜可能会耽误其他事情，而晚上喂养有助于牲畜增肥。
Báitiān wèi yǎng shēngchù kěnéng huì dānwù qítā shìqíng, ér wǎnshàng wèi yǎng yǒuzhù yú shēngchù zēng fēi.
Feeding livestock during the day may delay other tasks, while feeding them at night aids in fattening them up.
Example:
养殖场的牛晚上喂食效果好，白天喂误事，黑夜喂长膘。
Yǎngzhí chǎng de niú wǎnshàng wèi shí xiàoguǒ hǎo, báitiān wèi wù shì, hēiyè wèi zhǎng biāo.
Feeding the cattle at night on the farm yields better results. Feed during the day is waste; feed during the night adds fat.
#17
伍子胥过昭关，一夜头发白
Wǔ Zǐxū guò Zhāo guān, yī yè tóufà bái
Wu Zixu passed through Zhao Gate, and his hair turned white overnight.
伍子胥在逃亡中，一夜间头发变白，表示压力和恐惧之大。
Wǔ Zǐxū zài táowáng zhōng, yī yè jiān tóufà biàn bái, biǎoshì yālì hé kǒngjù zhī dà.
Wu Zixu, during his escape, overnight his hair turned white, indicating immense pressure and fear.
Example：
他最近工作压力很大，犹如伍子胥过昭关，一夜头发白。
Tā zuìjìn gōngzuò yālì hěn dà, yóurú Wǔ Zǐxū guò Zhāo guān, yī yè tóufà bái.
He's been under a lot of work pressure recently. It's like Wu Zixu passing through Zhao Gate, his hair turning white overnight.
#18
田不耕不肥，马无夜草不壮
Tián bù gēng bù féi, mǎ wú yè cǎo bù zhuàng
If fields aren't plowed, they won't be fertile; if horses don't graze at night, they won't be strong.
农田不耕种就不会丰收，马没有夜草就不会长得强壮。
Nóngtián bù gēngzhòng jiù bù huì fēngshōu, mǎ méiyǒu yè cǎo jiù bù huì zhǎng dé qiángzhuàng.
Example：
要让农田丰收，田不耕不肥，马无夜草不壮。
Yào ràng nóngtián fēngshōu, tián bù gēng bù féi, mǎ wú yè cǎo bù zhuàng.
To ensure a bountiful harvest, If fields aren't plowed, they won't be fertile; if horses don't graze at night, they won't be strong.
#19
白天浅水晒秧，夜间深水护秧
Báitiān qiǎn shuǐ shài yāng, yèjiān shēn shuǐ hù yāng
In the daytime, shallow water suns the seedlings; at night, deep water protects them.
白天要让秧苗在浅水中晒太阳，晚上要深水护秧。
Báitiān yào ràng yāngmiáo zài qiǎnshuǐ zhōng shài tàiyáng, wǎnshàng yào shēn shuǐ hù yāng.
During the day, let seedlings bask in the sun in shallow water. At night, protect them with deep water.
Example：
农业生产中要遵循白天浅水晒秧，夜间深水护秧。
Nóngyè shēngchǎn zhōng yào zūnxún báitiān qiǎn shuǐ shài yāng, yèjiān shēn shuǐ hù yāng.
In agricultural production, one must adhere to these principles. In the daytime, shallow water suns the seedlings; at night, deep water protects them.
#20
菜不移栽不发，牛无夜草不肥
Cài bù yí zāi bù fā, niú wú yè cǎo bù féi
Vegetables won't grow without transplanting, cows won't fatten without night grazing.
蔬菜如果不移栽就不会生长，牛没有夜草就不会长得肥。
Shūcài rúguǒ bù yí zāi jiù bù huì shēngzhǎng, niú méiyǒu yè cǎo jiù bù huì zhǎng dé féi.
If vegetables aren't transplanted, they won't grow, Cows won't fatten without night grazing.
Example：
种菜时要注意移栽和浇水，菜不移栽不发，牛无夜草不肥。
Zhǒng cài shí yào zhùyì yí zāi hé jiāoshuǐ, cài bù yí zāi bù fā, niú wú yè cǎo bù féi.
When planting vegetables, pay attention to transplanting and watering. Vegetables won't grow without transplanting, cows won't fatten without night grazing.
#21
蚕无夜桑不饱，马无夜草不肥
Cán wú yè sāng bù bǎo, mǎ wú yè cǎo bù féi
Silkworms won't be satiated without mulberry leaves at night, horses won't fatten without night grazing.
蚕要在夜间吃桑叶才饱，马要夜间吃草才能肥。
Cán yào zài yèjiān chī sāngyè cái bǎo, mǎ yào yèjiān chī cǎo cáinéng féi.
Example：
蚕农们要注意蚕的饮食时间，蚕无夜桑不饱，马无夜草不肥。
Cánnóngmen yào zhùyì cán de yǐnshí shíjiān, cán wú yè sāng bù bǎo, mǎ wú yè cǎo bù féi.
Silkworm farmers need to pay attention to the feeding time of silkworms, Silkworms won't be satiated without mulberry leaves at night, horses won't fatten without night grazing.
#22
为人不做亏心事，夜半敲门心不惊
Wéirén bù zuò kuī xīn shì, yèbàn qiāo mén xīn bù jīng
If you do no wrong to others, you need not fear knocking at the door in the middle of the night.
如果行事正直，不做亏心事，那么即使半夜有人敲门也不会惊慌。
Rúguǒ xíngshì zhèngzhí, bù zuò kuī xīn shì, nàme jíshǐ bànyè yǒurén qiāo mén yě bù huì jīnghuāng.
Example:
做事要问心无愧，这样晚上有人敲门也不会害怕，为人不做亏心事，夜半敲门心不惊。
Zuò shì yào wènxīn wúkuì, zhèyàng wǎnshàng yǒurén qiāo mén yě bù huì hàipà, wéirén bù zuò kuī xīn shì, yèbàn qiāo mén xīn bù jīng.
If you act with integrity, do no wrong, then even if someone knocks on your door at midnight, you won't panic.
#23
天上星多黑夜明，地上树多成森林
Tiān shàng xīng duō hēiyè míng, dì shàng shù duō chéng sēnlín
The more stars in the sky, the brighter the night. Nights with many stars in the sky are very bright.
天上星星多的夜晚很明亮，地上树木多就成了森林。这是一种描述夜晚和地面的谚语。
Tiān shàng xīngxīng duō de yèwǎn hěn míngliàng, dì shàng shù mù duō jiù chéngle sēnlín. Zhè shì yī zhǒng miáoshù yèwǎn hé dìmiàn de yànyǔ.
Example：
今天天气晴朗，天上星多黑夜明，地上树多成森林。
Jīntiān tiānqì qínglǎng, tiān shàng xīng duō hēiyè míng, dì shàng shù duō chéng sēnlín.
Today's weather is clear and sunny. The more stars in the sky, the brighter the night. With many trees on the ground, a forest forms.
#24
平生不做亏心事，半夜敲门心不惊
Píngshēng bù zuò kuī xīn shì, bànyè qiāo mén xīn bù jīng
Do no wrong in one's lifetime, and one won't be startled by a knock at the door at midnight.
只要平时不做亏心事，即使半夜有人敲门也不会害怕。
Zhǐyào píngshí bù zuò kuī xīn shì, jíshǐ bànyè yǒurén qiāo mén yě bù huì hàipà.
As long as one doesn't do wrong in everyday life, even if someone knocks at the door at midnight, there won't be fear.
Example：
他行事光明磊落，所以平生不做亏心事，半夜敲门心不惊。
Tā xíngshì guāngmínglěiluò, suǒyǐ píngshēng bù zuò kuī xīn shì, bànyè qiāo mén xīn bù jīng.
He acts with integrity, so he never does wrong in his lifetime. And thus, he's not afraid when there's a knock at the door at midnight.
#25
日间不做亏心事，半夜敲门不吃惊
Rìjiān bù zuò kuī xīn shì, bànyè qiāo mén bù chī jīng
Do no wrong during the day, and you won't be startled by a knock at the door at night.
白天不做亏心事，半夜有人敲门也不会感到害怕。
Báitiān bù zuò kuī xīn shì, bànyè yǒurén qiāo mén yě bù huì gǎndào hàipà.
Example：
只要不做错事，日间不做亏心事，半夜敲门不吃惊。
Zhǐyào bù zuò cuò shì, rìjiān bù zuò kuī xīn shì, bànyè qiāo mén bù chī jīng.
As long as you don't do anything wrong, do no wrong during the day, and you won't be startled by a knock at the door at night.
#26
晚上下雨白天晴，晒得泥草青又青
Wǎnshàng xiàyǔ báitiān qíng, shài de ní cǎo qīng yòu qīng
At night it rains, during the day it's sunny, drying the grass and making it green again.
如果晚上下雨，白天晴朗，这样对农作物会有好处。
Rúguǒ wǎnshàng xiàyǔ, báitiān qínglǎng, zhèyàng duì nóngzuòwù huì yǒu hǎochù.
If it rains at night and is sunny during the day, it's beneficial for crops.
Example：
昨晚下雨了，今天白天阳光明媚，晚上下雨白天晴，晒得泥草青又青。
Zuówǎn xiàyǔ le, jīntiān báitiān yángguāng míngmèi, wǎnshàng xiàyǔ báitiān qíng, shài de ní cǎo qīng yòu qīng.
It rained last night, today, the sunlight is bright and beautiful, At night it rains, during the day it's sunny, drying the grass and making it green again.
#27
白天下雨晚上晴，连续三天不会停
Báitiān xiàyǔ wǎnshàng qíng, liánxù sān tiān bù huì tíng
It rains during the day, clears up at night, and won't stop for three consecutive days.
白天雨，晚上晴的话，接下来连续三天都会是晴天。
Báitiān yǔ, wǎnshàng qíng de huà, jiēxiàlái liánxù sān tiān dūhuì shì qíngtiān.
If it rains during the day and clears up at night, then the following three days will all be sunny.
Example：
今天白天下雨了，但晚上晴天，这预示着接下来会有几天好天气。
Jīntiān báitiān xiàyǔ le, dàn wǎnshàng qíngtiān, zhè yùshìzhe jiēxiàlái huì yǒu jǐ tiān hǎo tiānqì.
Today, it rained during the day, but it cleared up at night. This indicates that there will be good weather in the next few days.
#28
除了通过黑夜的道路，人们不会到达黎明
Chúle tōngguò hēiyè de dàolù, rénmen bù huì dàodá límíng
Except by passing through the road of darkness, people won't reach dawn.
只有经历黑暗的时刻，才能迎接光明的到来。
Zhǐyǒu jīnglì hēi'àn de shíkè, cáinéng yíngjiē guāngmíng de dàolái.
Example：
面对挑战时，要坚持不懈，因为除了通过黑夜的道路，人们不会到达黎明。
Miàn duì tiǎozhàn shí, yào jiānchí bùxiè, yīnwèi chúle tōngguò hēiyè de dàolù, rénmen bù huì dàodá límíng.
When facing challenges, one must persevere, because besides through the path of darkness, people won't reach dawn.
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