Xiehouyu

Xiehouyu (simplified Chinese: 歇后语; traditional Chinese: 歇後語; pinyin: xiēhòuyǔ) is a special type of Chinese saying. It has two parts. The first part sets up a situation, like a riddle. The second part explains the meaning or gives the answer. Often, people only say the first part. They expect the listener to know the second part.

Think of it like English sayings such as "wikt:an apple a day" (which means "keeps the doctor away"). Or "wikt:speak of the devil" (which means "and he appears"). With Xiehouyu, the second part is often a clever play on words or a pun. This means the second part might sound like it means one thing, but it actually means something else. Because of these word plays, a Xiehouyu from one part of China might be hard to understand for someone from another part.

What is Xiehouyu?

Xiehouyu is a unique way of speaking that Chinese people have used for a very long time. It is a short, funny, and clever sentence. It works like a riddle with two parts. The first part is the "lead" or the riddle itself. The second part is the "answer" or the hidden meaning.

When people use a Xiehouyu, they usually say only the first part. They then "pause" or "rest" for the listener to figure out the second part. This is why it is called "Xiehouyu," which means "a saying with the latter part suspended."

The History of Xiehouyu

Chinese civilization has a very long history, going back thousands of years. Over this time, many brilliant forms of language art have been created. Xiehouyu is one of them. It has a special way of expressing ideas. It makes people think deeply and learn new things.

These sayings show the unique customs and culture of the Chinese people. They help us understand life and wisdom. Xiehouyu often holds deep meanings. A short saying can contain a lot of wisdom.

Examples of Xiehouyu

Here are some examples of Xiehouyu and what they mean:

• 外甥打燈籠——照舅 (舊) / 外甥打灯笼——照舅 (旧)
  • pinyin: wàishēng dǎ dēnglong—zhào jiù
  • Meaning: A nephew holding a lantern – it lights up his uncle (jiù). This sounds like "according to the old way" (jiù).
  • This means: As usual, or as before.

• 皇帝的女兒——不愁嫁 / 皇帝的女儿——不愁嫁
  • pinyin: huángdì de nǚér—bù chóu jià
  • Meaning: The emperor's daughter – she doesn't worry about getting married.
  • This means: Someone or something that is always wanted or easily accepted.

• 鯉魚吃水--吞吞吐吐/鲤鱼吃水--吞吞吐吐
  • pinyin: lǐ yú chī shuǐ-tūn tūn tǔ tǔ
  • Meaning: A carp drinks water – it drinks and spits.
  • This means: To speak hesitantly or to beat around the bush.

• 二萬五千里長征--任重道遠/二万五千里长征--任重道远
  • pinyin: èr wàn wǔ qiān lǐ chángzhēng -- rèn zhòng dào yuǎn
  • Meaning: The Long March was 25,000 miles long – a heavy responsibility and a long road.
  • This means: To describe a very difficult and long journey or task.

• 蘆溝橋上石獅子--數不清/芦沟桥上石狮子--数不清
  • pinyin: lúgōuqiáo shàng shí shīzi --shǔ bù qīng
  • Meaning: The stone lions on Lu Gou Bridge – too many to count.
  • This means: There is a very large amount of something.

• 茶壺裏煮餃子——有口倒不出/茶壶里煮饺子——有口倒不出
  • pinyin: chá hú lǐ zhǔ jiǎo zi -- yǒu kǒu dào bù chū
  • Meaning: Dumplings boiled in a teapot – they have mouths but can't be poured out.
  • This means: Someone has something to say but cannot express it.

• 打破沙鍋——問到底/打破沙锅——问到底
  • pinyin: dǎ pò shāguō ——wèn dào dǐ
  • Meaning: Breaking a clay pot – asking to the very bottom.
  • This means: To insist on getting to the bottom of something or to ask until you get a full answer.

• 黃鼠狼給雞拜年--不懷好意/黄鼠狼给鸡拜年--不怀好意
  • pinyin: huángshǔláng gěi jī bài nián --bú huái hǎo yì
  • Meaning: A weasel wishing a chicken Happy New Year – it has no good intentions.
  • This means: Someone is pretending to be friendly but has a bad plan.

• 肉包子打狗--有去無回/肉包子打狗--有去无回
  • pinyin: ròu bāozi dǎ gǒu -- yǒu qù wú huí
  • Meaning: Throwing a meat bun at a dog – it goes, but never comes back.
  • This means: Something is lost forever, or a bad investment.