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Every Potter Praises His Own Pot: Exploring the Chinese Proverb “王婆卖瓜” - Chinese culture is rich with idioms and proverbs that carry deep wisdom and insight. One such proverb is "王婆卖瓜" (Wáng pó mài guā), which, when translated character by character, means "nanny-Wang-sell-melon." However, its true essence lies in its implied meaning, which can be summed up as 'to praise one's own work.' A functional translation of this proverb is 'every potter praises his own pot.' The Origin of the Proverb: The origin of the proverb "王婆卖瓜" can be traced back to ancient China. It likely emerged from observations of human behavior and tendencies. In the context of selling melons, it conveys the idea of someone overly promoting their own products, often to the point of exaggeration or even deception. This behavior is akin to a potter praising their own creation, believing it to be the best. Example 1: A: 他又在吹噓他儿子怎么怎么棒呢。 B: 老王卖瓜,自卖自夸。他那个儿子,学习成绩在班上倒数第一,他还真好意思夸奖。 In this example, someone is bragging excessively about their son's achievements. The response, "老王卖瓜,自卖自夸," means "Every potter praises his own pot." It emphasizes the irony of praising a child with poor academic performance, highlighting the tendency of individuals to exaggerate the qualities of their own offspring. Example 2: A: 他的评论有“王婆卖瓜”的嫌疑,对自己的产品表扬多,对其他家的产品批评多。 In this scenario, someone's comments are being scrutinized. The phrase "王婆卖瓜" is used to suggest that the person is excessively praising their own products while being critical of products from other sources. This usage of the proverb indicates that the individual may not be providing an unbiased or fair assessment. Usage and Variants: The proverb "王婆卖瓜" is typically used singly to convey the idea that someone is self-promoting or excessively praising their own work or products. It is important to note that this proverb carries a slightly derogatory meaning, as it often implies that the self-praise is unwarranted or exaggerated. A variant of this proverb is "老王卖瓜,自卖自夸" (Lǎo Wáng mài guā, zì mài zì kuā), which carries a similar meaning but includes the term "老王" (Lǎo Wáng) to emphasize the idea that this behavior is typical or expected from the person in question. In conclusion, the Chinese proverb "王婆卖瓜" serves as a reminder of the human tendency to promote one's own work or achievements excessively. It cautions against self-aggrandizement and encourages humility and fairness in self-assessment. This timeless proverb continues to offer valuable insights into human behavior and remains relevant in contemporary society.

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March 17, 2025

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Meaning

The Chinese proverb 远水解不了近渴 (Yuǎnshuǐ jiě bù liǎo jìn kě) translates to “Distant water won’t quench your immediate thirst.” It conveys the idea that help or solutions that are too far away—whether in time or distance—are useless for urgent problems. When facing an immediate need, relying on a future solution or distant resource will not resolve the issue.

This proverb is often used to emphasize the importance of timely action, self-reliance, and practical solutions over long-term plans that don’t address present difficulties.


Origin

This saying likely originates from ancient Chinese life, where water was essential for survival, especially during travel or drought. If someone was thirsty, water from a distant river or well wouldn’t help them survive—they needed a nearby source. Over time, this concept evolved into a metaphor for real-life situations where distant promises or delayed aid cannot resolve immediate concerns.

The proverb shares a similar sentiment with the English saying “A stitch in time saves nine,” which highlights the importance of acting promptly rather than waiting for future solutions.


Conversation Examples

Example 1: Workplace Stress

Lily: Management says they’ll increase our team size next quarter to reduce our workload.
James: That’s good, but 远水解不了近渴 (Yuǎnshuǐ jiě bù liǎo jìn kě)—we need help now, not months later.

Example 2: Financial Planning

Sophia: I’ll start saving for emergencies next year.
Ryan: That’s a smart idea, but 远水解不了近渴. If an emergency happens now, you won’t have anything set aside. It’s better to start small today.

Example 3: Technology Issues

Eric: My laptop is broken, but I ordered a new one. It’ll arrive in two weeks.
Tom: 远水解不了近渴! You should borrow one in the meantime so you don’t fall behind on work.


Applying This Proverb in Life

  • Prioritize immediate solutions rather than waiting for future fixes.
  • Take action now instead of relying on uncertain help.
  • Find alternatives nearby when distant resources aren’t accessible.
  • Plan for the future, but don’t ignore current needs.

This proverb serves as a reminder that while long-term planning is important, it should not come at the cost of neglecting immediate necessities.


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