一個巴掌拍不響

Chinese

one; single; a
one; single; a; (before verbs) as soon as, once; (before a noun) entire (family, etc.)
 
 (a measure word); individual palm; slap on the face
to clap; to pat; to beat
to clap; to pat; to beat; to hit; to slap; to take (a picture)
 
 not; no
to make a sound; to sound; to ring
to make a sound; to sound; to ring; (a measure word for sound); loud
 
trad. (一個巴掌拍不響) 一 個 巴掌 拍 不 響
simp. (一个巴掌拍不响) 一 个 巴掌 拍 不 响
Literally: “one hand clapping makes no sound”.

Etymology

Ultimately from Hanfeizi, Volume XXVIII:

人主之患在莫之應，故曰：“一手獨拍，雖疾無聲。” [Classical Chinese, trad.]
人主之患在莫之应，故曰：“一手独拍，虽疾无声。” [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Feizi, circa 2nd century BCE
Rénzhǔ zhī huàn zài mò zhī yìng, gù yuē: “Yīshǒu dú pāi, suī jí wú shēng.” [Pinyin]
The anxiety of the ruler comes from the absence of minister's responses to his call. Hence the saying: “It is silent to clap with one hand, however fast one moves it.”

Pronunciation

Proverb

一個巴掌拍不響

  1. it takes two to tango

See also

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