Corresponding English and Chinese proverbs and phrases

1.World is but a little place, after all.

天涯原咫尺，到处可逢君

Explanation: it is used when a person meets someone he knows or is in someway connected with him in a place where he would never have expected to do so.

Example: Who would have thought I would bump into an old schoolmate on a trek up Mount Tai. The world is but a little place after all.

2. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

入乡随俗

Explanation: conform to the manners and customs of those amongst whom you live.

Example: I know you have egg and bacon for breakfast at home, but now you are on the Continent you will do as the Romans do and take coffee and rolls.

3. What you lose on the swings you get back on the roundabouts.

失之东隅，收之桑榆

Explanation: a rough way of starting a law of average; if you have bad luck on one day you have good on another; if one venture results in loss try a fresh one---it may succeed.

Example: he may always possess merits which make up for everything; if he loses on the swings, he may win on the roundabouts.

4.What are the odds so long as you are happy.

知足者常乐

Explanation: what does anything else matter if a person is happy.

Example: you complain so much, but you have a good family, parents, health, and money. What’s the odd so long as you’re happy.

5．Entertain an angel unawares.

有眼不识泰山

Explanation: to receive a great personage as a guest without knowing his merits.

Example: in the course of evening someone informed her that she was entertaining an angel unawares, in the shape of a composer of the greatest promise.

6.every dog has his day .

是人皆有出头日

Explanation: fortune comes to each in turn

Example: they say that every dog has his day; but mine seems a very long time coming.

7.every potter praises his own pot.

王婆买瓜，自卖自夸

Explanation: people are loath to refer to defects in their possessions or their family members

Example: he said that his teacher considered his work brilliant, but I would rather hear it from his teacher’s own mouth. Every potter praises his own pot.

Now come on! Have a try.试着翻译一下下面几个谚语！

hit the nail on the head

have an iron hand in a velvet glove

great minds think alike

good wine needs no bush

Give him enough rope and he will hang himself.

Evil does not always come to injure.