''Xiehouyu'' are a type of
Chinese proverb consisting of a former segment that presents a novel scenario, and a latter provides the rationale thereof. One would often only state the first part, expecting the listener to know the second. ''Xiehouyu'' are examples of
anapodota, a class of rhetorical device found across different languages. Compare English ''
an apple a day (keeps the doctor away)'' and ''
speak of the devil (and he shall appear)''.
The Chinese word may be literally translated as 'truncated witticism'.
Pun
A pun, also known as a paronomasia in the context of linguistics, is a form of word play that exploits multiple meanings of a term, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from t ...
s are often involved in . In this case, the second part is derived from the first through one meaning, but then another possible meaning of the second part is taken as the true meaning. Some analogous examples in English might sound like "get hospitalized" to mean "be patient", or "small transactions only" to mean "no big deal". Thus, a ''xiehouyu'' in one dialect can be unintelligible to a listener speaking another. Valuable linguistic data can sometimes be gleaned from ancient ''xiehouyu''.
Origin
''Xiehouyu'' have been coined since ancient times as short, funny and figurative sentences consisting of two parts. The leading part acts like a riddle, and the latter part completes the phrase.
Examples
*
**
gloss: as usual, as before
** Note: and are homophones, and means "according to" as well as "to illuminate"
*
** gloss: someone or something that is always wanted
*
** gloss: speaking hesitantly
** Note: (swallow and spit) is used describe someone speaking hesitantly
*
*
** gloss: A very large amount.
** Note: There are numerous stone lions on
Lu Gou Bridge.
*
** gloss: unable to say something
** Note: can mean both "opening" and "mouth".
*
*
** gloss: Insisting on getting to the bottom of a question or problem
** Note: (cracks) and (ask) have the same pronunciation
*
*
** gloss: Being cocky
** Note: (duster) and (guts) have the same pronunciation
*
** gloss: To describe someone being stubborn
** Note: literally means "smelly and hard", but is also used to say someone is stubborn
*
** gloss: Unable to make a decision
** Note: literally means "swinging back and forth", but is also used to express a situation where a decision is tough to be made
*
*
*
*
** Note: (anger of the public) and (feces) have the same pronunciation
See also
*
Chengyu
''Chengyu'' ( zh, t=, s=, first=t, p=chéngyǔ, tr=set phrase) are a type of traditional Chinese idiomatic expressions, most of which consist of four Chinese characters. ''Chengyu'' were widely used in Literary Chinese and are still common in ...
: Chinese "set phrases" reflecting conventional wisdom
*
Homophonic puns in Mandarin Chinese
*
Proverbs commonly said to be Chinese
References
* Rohsenow, John Snowden. ''A Chinese-English dictionary of enigmatic folk similes (xiēhòuyǔ)''. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1991.
* ''
Encyclopedia of China
The ''Encyclopedia of China'' () is the first large-entry modern encyclopedia in the Chinese language. The compilation began in 1978. Published by the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, the encyclopedia was issued one volume at a time, be ...
''. First Edition. Beijing; Shanghai:
Encyclopedia of China Publishing House
The Encyclopedia of China Publishing House () is a publishing company in China. It was established in Beijing on November 18, 1978.
The Publishing House publishes the ''Encyclopedia of China'' (中国大百科全书) and the Chinese version of t ...
. 1980–1993.
External links
A collection of ''xiehouyu''(archived page)
{{Chinese language
Chinese proverbs
Riddles