To celebrate New Zealand Chinese Language Week this week, we’re sharing some classic Chinese proverbs.
Chinese is one of the world’s oldest languages, and has evolved over thousands of years. It’s not only rich with characters that evolved from pictographs but also full of timeless wisdom developed through history.
These sayings are brief but brimming with insight. Take a look and see how they resonate with your everyday life!
授人以鱼不如授人以渔 (Shòu rén yǐ yú, bù rú shòu rén yǐ yú)
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Translation: Giving someone food is nice, but teaching them how to catch it themselves is way better. In modern work or education, this is all about the long-term value of sharing skills over short-term help.
知足常乐 (Zhī zú cháng lè)
“Contentment brings happiness.”
Translation: Be happy with what you’ve got, and you’ll always feel joy. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s like a little reminder to chill out and find peace in life’s simple pleasures.
千里之行，始于足下 (Qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià)
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Translation: No matter how big your goal is, the first step is the most important. Whether you’re chasing a dream or just trying to get stuff done, this is the perfect little nudge to get started.
滴水穿石 (Dī shuǐ chuān shí)
“Dripping water wears through stone.”
Translation: With enough persistence, even tiny efforts can make a huge difference. Think of it as a motivational boost to keep going, even when things seem slow.
吃一堑，长一智 (Chī yī qiàn, zhǎng yī zhì)
“A fall into a pit, a gain in wisdom.”
Translation: Mess up once, and you’ll be smarter for it. Basically, every mistake is a lesson in disguise, making you sharper for next time.
三人行，必有我师 (Sān rén xíng, bì yǒu wǒ shī)
“When three people walk together, there is always something I can learn from one of them.”
Translation: If you’re hanging out with two other people, one of them is bound to know something you don’t. It’s all about staying humble and learning from everyone around you—whether it’s their good habits or their mistakes!