Definition
俗语 (sú yǔ) refers to a common saying or folk proverb that comes from everyday life and is passed down orally. It differs from 成语 (chéng yǔ), which are fixed 4-character expressions with historical origins, and from 名言 (míng yán), which are famous quotes attributed to a specific person. 俗语 is often introduced with 俗话说… ('as the saying goes…').
noun
common sayingproverbfolk saying
Examples
- “，”，俗语。Súhuà shuō “qiān lǐ sòng é máo, lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng”, zhè jù sú yǔ hěn yǒu dàolǐ.As the saying goes, 'A goose feather sent from a thousand li away is a light gift but carries deep meaning' — this common saying is very true.
- 俗语。Tā yǐnyòng le yí jù sú yǔ lái quàn péngyou bú yào qīngyì fàngqì.He quoted a common saying to advise his friend not to give up easily.
- 俗语。Zhèxiē sú yǔ fǎnyìng le lǎobǎixìng de shēnghuó zhìhuì.These folk sayings reflect the wisdom of ordinary people.
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