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.
