How many times have you used a popular quote to express something? Being able to apply someone else’s words to our own lives is just so convenient!
But quotes hold so much more potential when you learn them in another language. Studying Chinese quotes can be an excellent way to improve your language skills, gain cultural insight, and learn to see the world through other people’s eyes.
In China, people love to use Chinese quotes and proverbs in their daily conversations. Using one effectively can convey the heart of one’s thoughts, making any conversation a little more meaningful. The Chinese quotes we’ve listed in this article will not only enrich your conversations, but also help you think a little deeper and advise you on your own path in life—they are the epitome of human wisdom, after all.
Let’s dive right into these classic Chinese quotes. To learn them for a lifetime, remember to keep them in your heart rather than in your brain!
Table of Contents
- Quotes About Success
- Quotes About Life
- Quotes About Time
- Quotes About Love
- Quotes About Family
- Quotes About Friendship
- Quotes About Food
- Quotes About Health
- Quotes About Language Learning
- Quotes About Studying
- Conclusion
1. Quotes About Success
Do you have big plans for the future, or maybe an upcoming project you’re concerned about? Read through these Chinese quotes on success for an extra jolt of motivation!
- → Make sure to look over our list of the Top 11 Chinese Quotes About Success for even more inspiration.
Success never comes easily.
良好的开端，等于成功的一半。
Pinyin: Liáng hǎo de kāi duān, děng yú chéng gōng de yī bàn.
Literal translation in English: “Well begun is half done.”
Meaning: A successful beginning is a significant step toward ultimate success.
Source: This quote is from the famous Athenian philosopher, Plato.
要做的事情总找得出时间和机会；不愿意做的事情也总能找得出借口。
Pinyin: Yào zuò de shì qing zǒng zhǎo de chū shí jiān hé jī huì; bú yuàn yì zuò de shì qing yě zǒng néng zhǎo de chū jiè kǒu.
Literal translation in English: “You will always find the time and opportunities for the things you truly want to achieve; you can always make excuses for things you don’t want to do.”
Meaning: If you truly want to do something, you will always manage to achieve it, with no excuses.
Source: Unknown.
没有最好，只有更好。
Pinyin: Méi yǒu zuì hǎo, zhǐ yǒu gèng hǎo.
Literal translation in English: “There is no such thing called ‘being the best,’ there is only ‘to be better’.”
Meaning: We should always seek to improve ourselves, no matter how much we achieve.
Source: Unknown.
2. Quotes About Life
Life can be peaceful, exciting, wonderful, or quite difficult—and sometimes all of those things at once! Wherever you are in your life journey, we think you’ll be inspired by these Chinese quotes about life.
- → Do you consider yourself an advanced Chinese learner? Then you may want to hear our audio lesson Life’s Difficult Lessons in China to learn some practical phrases.
生活就像一面镜子，你对他笑，他就对你笑；你对他哭，他也对你哭。
Pinyin: Shēng huó jiù xiàng yī miàn jìng zi, nǐ duì tā xiào, tā jiù duì nǐ xiào; nǐ duì tā kū, tā yě duì nǐ kū.
Literal translation in English: “Life is just like a mirror: he will smile back to you if you smile, he will cry back if you cry first.”
Meaning: Our attitude determines the way our life goes.
Source: This quote is originally from the famous British novelist, William Makepeace Thackeray.
生活不是一场赛跑，生活是一场旅行，要懂得好好欣赏每一段的风景。
Pinyin: Shēng huó bú shì yī chǎng sài pǎo, shēng huó shì yī chǎng lǚ xíng, yào dǒng dé hǎo hǎo xīn shǎng měi yī duàn de fēng jǐng.
Literal translation in English: “Life is not a race; life is a journey, and you need to appreciate every piece of the scenery.”
Meaning: We need to appreciate every chapter of our life.
Source: Unknown.
3. Quotes About Time
Time is what binds us to our own mortality, and there are several Chinese language quotes on the topic. Take a look!
- → Also check out our list of words for Talking About Time in Chinese!
种树最好的时机是二十年前，其次就是现在。
Pinyin: Zhǒng shù zuì hǎo de shí jī shì èr shí nián qián, qí cì jiù shì xiàn zài.
Literal translation in English: “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”
Source: This quote is translated from the book Dead Aid, written by Dambisa Moyo.
我把别人喝咖啡的时间用在工作上。
Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ bié rén hē kā fēi de shí jiān yòng lái gōng zuò shang.
Literal translation in English: “When other people are drinking coffee, I am working.”
Meaning: We have to use our time effectively, even when others are relaxing.
Source: This quote is originally from the famous Chinese writer, poet, and literary critic, Lu Xun.
时间就像海绵里的水，只要愿挤，总还是有的。
Pinyin: Shí jiān jiù xiàng hǎi mián lǐ de shuǐ, zhǐ yào yuàn jǐ, zǒng hái shì yǒu de.
Literal translation in English: “Time is just like the water in a sponge; it will come out as long as you make the effort to squeeze it.”
Meaning: Time can always be saved as long as you try hard enough.
Source: This quote is originally from the famous Chinese writer, poet, and literary critic, Lu Xun.
4. Quotes About Love
Are you in love? Or maybe you’re a hopeless romantic? Either way, we think you’ll enjoy reading these Chinese quotes on love.
- → Want more romance? See our lesson on 5 Amazing Love Quotes From Chinese Songs.
Cherish the love you have.
爱之深，责之切。
Pinyin: Ài zhī shēn, zé zhī qiè.
Literal translation in English: “The deeper the love is, the harsher the reproaches are.”
Meaning: Love makes people care so much that they’re willing to hurt the other person’s feelings if it’s for their own good.
Source: This quote is originally from part of the ancient Chinese text called Strategies of the Warring States.
两情若是长久时，又岂在朝朝暮暮。
Pinyin: Liǎng qíng ruò shì cháng jiǔ shí, yòu qǐ zài zhāo zhāo mù mù.
Literal translation in English: “Durable love keeps without living together day and night.”
Meaning: True love can withstand long distances.
Source: This quote is from the famous Chinese poet, Qin Guan, from the Song dynasty.
喜欢是放肆，爱是克制。
Pinyin: Xǐ huān shì fàng sì, ài shì kè zhì.
Literal translation in English: “Liking someone is to be free, loving someone is to control yourself.”
Meaning: True love needs restriction and sacrifice.
Source: Unknown.
如果你想要被爱，就要去爱，并要让自己值得被爱。
Pinyin: Rú guǒ nǐ xiǎng yào bèi ài, jiù yào qù ài, bìng yào ràng zì jǐ zhí dé bèi ài.
Literal translation in English: “If you would be loved, love, and be loveable.”
Meaning: Only when we deserve love are we able to be loved.
Source: This quote is originally from Benjamin Franklin.
5. Quotes About Family
Family is one of the most important aspects of life, even if they can be hard to get along with sometimes. Read these Chinese quotes about family to gain some cultural insight on family in Chinese culture.
- → To read even more, see our list of the Top 10 Chinese Quotes About Family.
Remember to always have some quality family time no matter how busy you are.
家永远是我们温暖的避风港。
Pinyin: Jiā yǒng yuǎn shì wǒ men wēn nuǎn de bì fēng gǎng.
Literal translation in English: “Our home will always be the warmest harbor.”
Meaning: Families are always there to support us.
Source: Unknown.
人生就是旅途，不管我们漂到哪，最终还是会回到家。
Pinyin: Rén shēng jiù shì lǚ tú, bù guǎn wǒ men piāo dào nǎ, zuì zhōng hái shì huì huí dào jiā.
Literal translation in English: “Life is a journey; no matter how far we go, we will eventually return to home.”
Meaning: We will always miss our home no matter where we go.
Source: Unknown.
6. Quotes About Friendship
True friends are one of life’s greatest joys and necessities. Can you relate to these Chinese quotes on friendship?
- → Read through the Top 10 Quotes About Friendship for even more wise words.
True friends will always be there for you.
时间会替你筛选出那些真正属于你身边的人。
Pinyin: Shí jiān huì tì nǐ shāi xuǎn chū nà xiē zhēn zhèng shǔ yú nǐ shēn biān de rén.
Literal translation in English: “Time will help you screen the friends who really belong to you.”
Meaning: True friends will always stand by you, no matter what happens.
Source: Unknown.
有福同享,有难同当。
Pinyin: Yǒu fú tóng xiǎng, yǒu nàn tóng dāng.
Literal translation in English: “Share the happiness together, go through the hardship together.”
Meaning: Friends go through everything together, both the good and the bad.
Source: This quote is originally from a Chinese novel from the Qing dynasty, called Officialdom Unmasked.
7. Quotes About Food
Who doesn’t love to enjoy some good food? Here are a couple of Chinese sayings and quotes about food we think you’ll relate to!
- → Listen to our audio lesson Can You Eat Spicy Chinese Food? to learn useful food-related phrases.
人是铁，饭是钢，一顿不吃饿得慌。
Pinyin: Rén shì tiě, fàn shì gāng, yī dùn bù chī è de huāng.
Literal translation in English: “Humans are iron, food is steel, you have to eat to stay away from hunger.”
Meaning: Meals give strength and nourishment to the human body and therefore cannot be skipped.
Source: Unknown.
好吃不过饺子。
Pinyin: Hǎo chī bú guò jiǎo zi.
Literal translation in English: “Nothing is more delicious than dumplings.”
Meaning: Chinese people dearly enjoy dumplings as their traditional food.
Source: Unknown.
8. Quotes About Health
Staying in good health should be the top priority in one’s life, because it allows you to fulfill other goals! These Chinese health quotes express the importance of maintaining good health.
- → Of course, even our best efforts can fail when it comes to health. See our vocabulary list of Common Health Concerns and be prepared for the next time you’re not feeling well.
身体是革命的本钱。
Pinyin: Shēn tǐ shì gé mìng de běn qián.
Literal translation in English: “Your health is the necessity of the revolution.”
Meaning: Health always comes first.
Source: This quote is originally from Chairman Mao.
健康是一个人最大的财富。
Pinyin: Jiàn kāng shì yī gè rén zuì dà de cái fù.
Literal translation in English: “The greatest wealth is health.”
Meaning: Health is the most valuable thing.
Source: This quote is originally from the Roman poet Virgil, who proposed that one’s well-being is essential to human happiness.
9. Quotes About Language Learning
Have you reached a plateau in your language learning and need some inspiration? You’re in the right place!
- → Our list of the Top 10 Quotes About Language Learning contains even more motivational words for you.
掌握另一种语言就是拥有第二个灵魂。
Pinyin: Zhǎng wò lìng yī zhǒng yǔ yán jiù shì yōng yǒu dì èr gè líng hún.
Literal translation in English: “To have another language is to possess a second soul.”
Meaning: Learning another language allows you to see the world through new eyes and makes you a more open-minded person. In a sense, it adds depth to who you are.
Source: This is originally from Charlemagne, who was also Emperor of the Romans and united the majority of Western and Central Europe.
语言是这世界上最强大的武器。
Pinyin: Yǔ yán shì zhè shì jiè shang zuì qiáng dà de wǔ qì.
Literal translation in English: “Languages are the most powerful weapon in the world.”
Meaning: Languages can become powerful if used correctly.
Source: Unknown.
10. Quotes About Studying
It can be really hard to sit down and study, we know! Hopefully the following quotes will help you see studying as something beautiful, and not something to be dreaded.
- → If you’re still struggling to get down to it, see our audio lesson on Why Your Worst Days Are the Best Days to Study Chinese.
Study hard whenever you can.
读书要眼到、口到、心到、手到、脑到。
Pinyin: Dú shū yào yǎn dào, kǒu dào, xīn dào, shǒu dào, nǎo dào.
Literal translation in English: “While reading a book, it is important to use your eyes, mouth, heart, hands, and brain.”
Meaning: When we read books, it is better to read, speak out loud, understand it with our heart, look up references and make notes, and think about it all at the same time.
Source: This quote is originally from the famous Chinese writer, poet, and literary critic, Lu Xun.
好好学习，天天向上。
Pinyin: Hǎo hǎo xué xí, tiān tiān xiàng shàng.
Literal translation in English: “Study hard and move up everyday.”
Meaning: Study hard and try to improve.
Source: This quote is originally from Chairman Mao.
11. Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed discovering some insightful philosophical ideas from these classic Chinese quotes. Now, contemplate on them; soon enough, you’ll be able to integrate them into your daily Chinese conversations. Whether you warm your loved one’s heart with Chinese love quotes or use Chinese quotes about language learning to motivate yourself, these words of wisdom are sure to benefit your life.
Of course, ChineseClass101.com always has more resources than you know. The quotes we outlined in this article are only the basics; by exploring our website and clicking on the links provided throughout the article, you can learn so much more Chinese!
ChineseClass101 will always serve as your beacon during your Chinese language learning journey!
