- 叫花子上坟 jiàohuāzishàngfén to complain about being poor(xiehouyu) To complain about one's poverty; literally a beggar visiting a grave to weep for the dead, used to describe someone who constantly tells others how poor they are.
- 叫花子看戏 jiàohuāzikànxì to find joy in hardship(two-part allegorical saying) to be happy despite being poor; to find pleasure or make fun of oneself while in a difficult situation. Literally: 'a beggar watching a play'.