諺語 · a single proverb
世態炎涼
What does 世態炎涼 (shì tài yán liáng) mean?
世態炎涼 (shì tài yán liáng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "world's manner hot and cold." In use it means: The ways of the world are warm when you prosper and cold when you fall; human relationships follow fortune. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Fire note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rat.
Literally: "world's manner hot and cold."
The reading
The same people who filled the room when you were successful find themselves suddenly busy when your fortunes turn. This is not cynicism but information about the nature of circumstance-based affection. Those who remain when the room empties are the only ones who were there in the first place.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Traditional Chinese folk saying (common in literature and folk contexts)
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 Adversity & Resilience, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rat, Year of the Ox, and Year of the Tiger.
Questions
Is 世態炎涼 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 世態炎涼 (shì tài yán liáng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional Chinese folk saying (common in literature and folk contexts). 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 世態炎涼?
In Mandarin it is shì tài yán liáng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 世態炎涼 aloud in Mandarin.