諺語 · a single proverb
青山不改，綠水長來
Simplified: 青山不改，绿水长来
What does 青山不改，綠水長來 (qīng shān bù gǎi lǜ shuǐ cháng lái) mean?
青山不改，綠水長來 (qīng shān bù gǎi lǜ shuǐ cháng lái) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "green mountain does not change, green water always comes." In use it means: As long as the green mountains remain, we will meet again; a farewell of hope. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dragon.
Literally: "green mountain does not change, green water always comes."
The reading
The mountain will still be green when the river rounds back this way again, and this constancy is the promise. Parting is not permanent when the landscape itself has agreed to keep the appointment. We leave with the understanding that the enduring things hold the place until the reunion.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Traditional Chinese folk saying (common farewell and reassurance expression)
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Friendship, Trust & Speech, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dragon, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 青山不改，綠水長來 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 青山不改，綠水長來 (qīng shān bù gǎi lǜ shuǐ cháng lái) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional Chinese folk saying (common farewell and reassurance expression). It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 青山不改，綠水長來?
In Mandarin it is qīng shān bù gǎi lǜ shuǐ cháng lái. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 青山不改，綠水長來 aloud in Mandarin.