- 难为情 nánwéiqíng embarrassedfeeling ashamed, shy, or awkward in a social situation
- 巧妇难为无米之炊 qiǎofùnánwéiwúmǐzhīchuī even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without riceEven the most capable person cannot accomplish anything without the necessary means or materials.
- 曾经沧海难为水 céngjīngcānghǎinánwéishuǐ seen it allHaving seen the vast ocean, other water seems insignificant; used to describe a person so experienced or well-traveled that ordinary things seem unremarkable. From a Tang dynasty poem by [[元稹|元稹|yuan2 zhen3]]
- 曾经沧海难为水，除却巫山不是云 céngjīngcānghǎinánwéishuǐchúquèwūshānbùshìyún no rivers compare after the ocean, no clouds compare after Mount WuLiterally translated as "no water is wide enough after one has seen the great ocean, and no clouds compare to those over Mount Wu." This poetic expression describes having seen the best of something or having experienced a deep love, such that nothing else can ever compare or satisfy.
