Proverb 12: 牛不饮水,不能按牛头低

Learn Mandarin With Me! (Proverbs & Idioms)

 

 

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Chinese proverbs (諺語yànyŭ) are famous sayings taken from literature, history, and famous people like philosophers.

There are hundreds of Chinese proverbs addressing all aspects of life from education and work to personal goals and relationships.

 


 

牛不饮水,不能按牛头低 [niú bù yǐn shuǐ, bù néng àn niú tóu dī]

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Lit: You cannot push a cow's head down unless it is drinking water by it's own will.

 

Meaning If someone doesn't want to do the task at its' own will, no matter how hard you persuade, he/she will not do it. If you tried forcing him/her, he will retaliate.

Application
Used on obstinate/stubborn people.

 


Published: 27.02.2013, 8:16pm

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singingpromises #1
Chapter 48: 我感到有些惭愧因为自己是个华人但这里的成语认识的太少了。
nunchii #2
hi girl ^^ i know mandarin too ^^ It's my second language. I'm from Hong Kong. need a co-author?
Endhita_Lee
#3
I just found this.... Ill read....
I'm chinese mixed but i can't speak mandarin yet kk.... I think i have to learn XD
NanaShiningPrincess
#4
thanks for sharing such a good information ^^
kaistal_allthewayyy #5
Yaaaaaaaaaay! You're awesome for making this! I'm part Chinese and yet I have terrible mandarin 0.o but thanks to this, i'm going to learn! ^.^
th_oneandonly #6
wow. you're a chinese?
KarraAriana
#7
You're my favourite teacher chingu-ah~~~ !!!
selinie777
#8
Love this~ Thank you for making one! <3