歇后语 Xiēhòuyǔ

歇后语 Xiēhòuyǔ  is a two-part allegorical saying, which starts off with a basic descriptive statement and finishes with a twist, sometimes unstated and clinching the point. The first part of a xiehouyu acts as a metaphor or primer for the latter part that carries the message. A pause separates the two parts, giving the listener time to guess the “answer.” You might think of it as a game of riddles!

Here are some examples:

井底看书 － 学问不浅

Jǐng dǐ kàn shū – xué wèn bù qiǎn

Reading a book at the bottom of a well — very deep knowledge (lit. knowledge not shallow)
Meaning: Wells are deep and books represent knowledge. Used to praise someone who is knowledgable.

叫花子打了碗 － 倾家荡产

Jiào huā zi dǎ le wǎn – qīng jiā dàng chǎn

A beggar breaks his bowl — bankrupted
Meaning: A beggar’s bowl is his only means of earning money, so he’s in trouble if it breaks. Used when someone loses everything he has.

猪八戒穿红袍 － 不伦不类

Zhū bā jiè chuān hóng páo – bù lún bú lèi

A pig wearing a red robe — he’s still a pig (lit. neither fish nor fowl)
Meaning:  Even if Zhubajie (pig character in the story Journey to the West) wears a red robe, it will not make him a human. It suggests we should follow convention.

八十老翁吹喇叭 － 有气无力

Bā shí lǎo wēng chuī lǎ bā – yǒu qì wú lì

An 80-year-old man playing the trumpet — so weakly (lit. breath but no power)
Meaning: An old man may have the will but not the energy for something. Used to describe someone who does not put any spirit or effort into a particular task.

吊死鬼瞪眼 － 死不瞑目

Diào sǐ guǐ dèng yǎn – sǐ bù míng mù

Hanged-ghosts stare at something — die with everlasting regret (lit. die with eyes open)
Meaning: A person who dies with his/her eyes open is said to have not died in peace, perhaps wronged or clinging to unfulfilled wishes.

警察蹲监狱 － 以身试法

Jǐng chá dūn jiān yù – yǐ shēn shì fǎ

A policeman in prision — defying the law (lit. personally testing the law)
Meaning: A policeman who ends up in prison shows that the law is fair.

Here are more examples:

瞎子点灯--白费蜡。 It is as useless as a blind man lighting a candle. 

黄鼠狼给鸡拜年--不怀好意。 A weasel wishing Happy New Year to a chicken-harboring no good intention. 

肉包子打狗--有去无回。 Chasing a dog by throwing meat dumplings at it-gone, never to return. 

竹篮打水--一场空。 Like ladling water with a wicker basket-all is empty (nothing). 

八仙过海--各显其能。 (Like) the Eight Immortals crossing the sea-each showing his or her special prowess. ( Each of them shows their true worth.) 

隔着门缝看人--把人瞧扁了。 If you peer at a person through a crack-he looks flat. 

兔子尾巴长不了。 The tail of a rabbit-cannot be long; won't last long.

Sometimes the second part of a xiehouyu is omitted altogether, much like these English sayings: a stitch in time (saves nine) and speak of the devil (and he will appear).

reference:

http://language.chinadaily.com.cn/trans/2009-09/15/content_8695423.htm