諺語 · a single proverb

小xiǎo蔥cōng拌bàn豆dòu腐fu——yī——一qīng清(qíng)（情èr）二bái白

Simplified: 小葱拌豆腐——一清（情）二白

xiǎo cōng bàn dòu fu——yī qīng (qíng) èr bái

What does 小蔥拌豆腐——一清（情）二白 (xiǎo cōng bàn dòu fu——yī qīng (qíng) èr bái) mean?

小蔥拌豆腐——一清（情）二白 (xiǎo cōng bàn dòu fu——yī qīng (qíng) èr bái) is a two-part riddle-saying (xiēhòuyǔ 歇後語). Word for word it reads "Scallions mixed with tofu-one part green (clear) and two parts white." In use it means: A pun on 清 (clear/pure) and 情 (feelings). Everything is transparent and above board, with nothing to hide. Describes a situation or relationship that is perfectly clear and innocent. 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 Rabbit.

Literally: "Scallions mixed with tofu-one part green (clear) and two parts white.."

The reading

Clarity between people is a dish that requires no seasoning beyond honesty. The green and white sit side by side without pretense, each visible for what it is. There is a kind of beauty in plainness when it is chosen rather than forced. Complicated arrangements often disguise simple truths that both parties already know. The cleanest relationships are the ones where neither side needs to guess.

What kind of proverb it is

Source Traditional homophonic xiehouyu from northern Chinese cooking culture

Sits beside

一個籬笆三個樁

yī gè lí ba sān gè zhuāng

Even the strongest person needs support.

三思而後行

sān sī ér hòu xíng

Deliberate before you act-turn a decision over more than once before letting it out of your hands.

人心隔肚皮

rén xīn gé dù pí

You can never truly see inside another person's heart.

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 Rabbit, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.

Questions

Is 小蔥拌豆腐——一清（情）二白 a real Chinese proverb?

Yes. 小蔥拌豆腐——一清（情）二白 (xiǎo cōng bàn dòu fu——yī qīng (qíng) èr bái) is a two-part riddle-saying (xiēhòuyǔ 歇後語), and it comes from Traditional homophonic xiehouyu from northern Chinese cooking culture. 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 小蔥拌豆腐——一清（情）二白?

In Mandarin it is xiǎo cōng bàn dòu fu——yī qīng (qíng) èr bái. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 小蔥拌豆腐——一清（情）二白 aloud in Mandarin.