yànyǔ: 谚语 - Proverb, Saying, Adage

Keywords: Chinese proverbs, yanyu meaning, 谚语, yànyǔ, Chinese sayings, Chinese adages, folk wisdom, what is a yanyu, difference between yanyu and chengyu

Summary: Discover the meaning of 谚语 (yànyǔ), the common Chinese proverbs and folk sayings that form the bedrock of everyday wisdom. Unlike the classical idioms known as 成语 (chéngyǔ), a 谚语 is a simple, often anonymous phrase that offers practical advice, much like “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This guide will break down the characters, explore the cultural significance, and provide numerous examples to help you use Chinese proverbs naturally in conversation.

Pinyin (with tone marks): yànyǔ

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: A popular, common proverb or folk saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice.

In a Nutshell: A 谚语 (yànyǔ) is the Chinese equivalent of a folk proverb or an old saying like “A penny saved is a penny earned” or “Don't put all your eggs in one basket.” They are typically easy to understand, passed down through generations of common people, and offer practical, real-world wisdom. They are distinct from the more formal and literary four-character idioms called 成语 (chéngyǔ).

谚 (yàn): This character means “proverb.” It's composed of the radical 言 (yán), meaning “speech” or “words,” and the phonetic component 彦 (yàn), which means “talented” or “elegant.” You can think of it as “the elegant or wise words of the people.”

语 (yǔ): This character simply means “language,” “speech,” or “words.” It also contains the “speech” radical 言 (yán).

Together, 谚语 (yànyǔ) literally translates to “proverb-words” or “saying-language,” perfectly capturing its meaning as a specific category of wise, spoken sayings.

谚语 (yànyǔ) represent the collective wisdom of the masses. While 成语 (chéngyǔ) often originate from classical literature, historical events, or famous scholars, 谚语 come from the daily experiences of farmers, artisans, and ordinary people. They are the “street smarts” of Chinese culture, codified into memorable phrases.

Comparison to Western Proverbs: The concept is very similar to English proverbs. “活到老，学到老” (huó dào lǎo, xué dào lǎo) is a direct parallel to “You're never too old to learn.” The key difference is the cultural lens. Many 谚语 reflect traditional Chinese values like agricultural life (“种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆” - Plant melons get melons, plant beans get beans), the importance of community (“远亲不如近邻” - A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor), and pragmatism.

Related Values: Using a 谚语 demonstrates a connection to traditional, down-to-earth wisdom. It shows humility and an appreciation for time-tested knowledge over purely academic learning. They are a cornerstone of moral education for children and a way for elders to pass on life lessons in a concise, powerful way.

谚语 are very common in everyday conversation, especially in informal settings or among family and friends.

Giving Advice: A friend complaining about not making progress on a difficult project might be told, “一口吃不成胖子” (yī kǒu chī bùchéng pàngzi) - “You can't get fat from one bite,” meaning “take it one step at a time.”

Making a Point: In a discussion, someone might use a 谚语 to lend authority and common sense to their argument. For example, to emphasize the importance of firsthand experience, one might say, “百闻不如一见” (bǎi wén bùrú yī jiàn) - “Hearing something a hundred times isn't as good as seeing it once.”

On Social Media: While less formal than 成语 (chéngyǔ), they are still used in blogs and social media posts to add a touch of folksy wisdom or humor.

Formality: They are generally considered informal to neutral. While you might not use a 谚语 in a formal scientific paper, it would be perfectly acceptable in a speech, a presentation, or a newspaper column to make a point more relatable.

成语 (chéngyǔ) - The most important related term. A classical, four-character idiom with a literary or historical origin. More formal than a 谚语.

俗语 (súyǔ) - “Colloquial saying.” This term is very close to 谚语 and is often used interchangeably. 俗语 can sometimes be a bit more colloquial or slangy.

歇后语 (xiēhòuyǔ) - A two-part allegorical saying. The first part states a scenario, and the second part (often unstated) provides the meaning, like a punchline.

格言 (géyán) - A maxim or motto. Tends to be more philosophical or moral and is often associated with a specific school of thought or a written text.

名言 (míngyán) - A “famous quote” directly attributed to a specific, well-known person (e.g., a quote from Confucius or Lu Xun).

俗话 (súhuà) - “Common saying,” another term that largely overlaps with 谚语 and 俗语. The phrase 俗话说 (súhuà shuō) - “as the common saying goes” - is frequently used to introduce one.

口头禅 (kǒutóuchán) - A “pet phrase” or personal catchphrase that an individual uses habitually, not a piece of collective wisdom.