Movie Quotes in Chinese 🎥 Our Top 10

This is a guest blog post from TutorMandarin – an online Mandarin tutor service that teaches students how to speak Chinese using an innovative learn chinese app and PC Software.

Today let’s take a look at 10 famous quotes from classic movies in Chinese, and see if you can recall the memories!

1. “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” —Forrest Gump, 1994

生命就像一盒巧克力，你永远不知道你会拿到什么。—阿甘正传 – Shēngmìng jiù xiàng yī hé qiǎokèlì, nǐ yǒngyuǎn bù zhīdào nǐ huì ná dào shénme. — Ā gān zhèng zhuàn

or :

生命就像一盒巧克力，结果往往出人意料。(出人意料 means “unpredictable” ) – Shēngmìng jiù xiàng yī hé qiǎokèlì, jiéguǒ wǎngwǎng chūrényìliào.

“Run! Forrest, run!” Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, is one of the most classic films in the past 30 years.

The slow-witted but good-natured boy Forrest reflects “Stupid is as stupid does (傻人有傻福, Shǎ rén yǒu shǎ fú) and inspires people about being insisting on your specialty or interest and never give up.

2. “Remember, with great power, comes great responsibility.” —Spider Man, 2002

要记得，能力越强，责任越大。—蜘蛛侠 – Yào jìdé, nénglì yuè qiáng, zérèn yuè dà. —Zhīzhū xiá

This is a great quote from Uncle Ben to his nephew Peter.

Tragically, it comes at a time when Peter is acting impatient with Uncle Ben, who is trying to share this earnest wisdom.

However, after his untimely death, this quote stays with Peter and helps set the course for the rest of his life.

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3. “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it.” —The Lion King, 1994

是的，也许过去令人伤痛，但是你可以选择逃避，或者选择从中学习。 —狮子王 – Shì de, yěxǔ guòqù lìng rén shāng tòng, dànshì nǐ kěyǐ xuǎnzé táobì, huòzhě xuǎnzé cóngzhōng xuéxí.  —Shīzi wáng

In The Lion King, Rafiki encourage Simba to go home with this quote. Instead of telling him what to do, Rafiki uses this quote to lay out the two choices that Simba really has.

It is this scene that provokes Simba to finally make up his mind about reconciling his past and his future by going home to fight for himself, his pride, and the fate of the all the animals in his ecosystem.

Fancy learning some Disney songs in Chinese…?

4 . “The journey is what brings us happiness, not the destination.” —Peaceful Warrior, 2006

带给我们快乐的，是过程，不是结果。—和平战士 – Dài gěi wǒmen kuàilè de, shì guòchéng, bùshì jiéguǒ. — Hépíng zhànshì

(Movie translation in Taiwan: 深夜加油站遇见苏格拉底, Shēnyè jiāyóu zhàn yùjiàn sū gélā dǐ, meaning “At midnight car-service station meets Socrates”)

This philosophical drama film Peaceful Warrior depicts the life of a depressed and upset gymnast student Dan, who is originally a potential gymnasium champion.

However, all these success and popularity are destroyed in a car accident. Through the philosophic instructions and training from “Socrates”, or “Soc”, Dan realizes how to truly communicate with himself.

Listen deep inside yourself instead of getting the messages from the outside world all the time. “Only doing” with your pure and peaceful mind.

The last moment in Dan’s competition is also the most provoking scene, where Socrates’ words lead to Dan’s ultimate self-accomplishments.

“Where are you?” Here. “What time is it?” Now.  “Who are you?” This moment. (你在哪里？这里。你身在何时？现在。你是谁？当下此刻。)

5. “I figure life is a gift and I don’t intend on wasting it. You never know what hand you’re going to get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you.” —Titanic, 1997

我觉得生命是一份礼物，我不想浪费它，你不会知道下一手牌会是什么，要学会接受生活。—铁达尼号 – Wǒ juédé shēngmìng shì yī fèn lǐwù, wǒ bùxiǎng làngfèi tā, nǐ bù huì zhīdào xià yīshǒu pái huì shì shénme, yào xuéhuì jiēshòu shēnghuó. —Tiě dá ní hào

Jack is invited to dine with Rose, her mom and her fiance Cal.

Poor and homeless as Jack is, he’s good-natured, honest, and also optimistic towards life.

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6. “After all, tomorrow is another day!” — Gone With the Wild, 1939

无论如何，明天又是新的一天。—乱世佳人 – Wúlùn rúhé, míngtiān yòu shì xīn de yītiān. — Luànshì jiārén

This quote has become a very common saying nowadays.

“Tomorrow is another day.” People always look back on the miserable past, but more importantly we must move forward.

7. “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” —The Great Gatsby, 2013

每当你觉得想要批评什么人的时候，你要记得，这个世界上的人并非都具备你拥有的优势。 —大亨小传 – Měi dāng nǐ juédé xiǎng yào pīpíng shénme rén de shíhòu, nǐ yào jìdé, zhège shìjiè shàng de rén bìngfēi dōu jùbèi nǐ yǒngyǒu de yōushì. —Dàhēng xiǎozhuàn

At the beginning of The Great Gatsby, Nick Carraway quotes this line from his father.

Nick Carraway is also the narrator in this film as he’s encouraged to write down his thoughts.

Therefore, in the Great Gatsby Nick talks about Jay Gatsby, who he thought is the most hopeful man he has ever met.

8. “You’re the weak one. And you’ll never know love, or friendship. And I feel sorry for you.” — Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 2007

你才是懦弱的人，你永远不会懂得爱，也不懂得友情，我可怜你。—哈利波特: 凤凰会的密令 – Nǐ cái shì nuòruò de rén, nǐ yǒngyuǎn bù huì dǒngdé ài, yě bù dǒngdé yǒuqíng, wǒ kělián nǐ. —Hā lì bō tè: Fènghuáng huì de mìlìng

Haven’t you got goose bumps already? It’s just so touching and unforgettable!

When Harry is controlled and tortured by Voldemort inside Harry’s body and mind, this is what Harry says when he’s suffering in agony.

Overwhelmed with sadness and anger for just losing Sirius, Harry recalls his happy memories with friends and Sirius. A simple but powerful sentence not only repels Voldemort from Harry’s body (temporarily, though) but also creates the climax in this film.  

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HARRY? Check out our blog on Harry Potter in Chinese.

9. “The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up.” — Dumbo, 1941

在哪里失败，就从哪里再站起来。—小飞象 – Zài nǎlǐ shībài, jiù cóng nǎlǐ zài zhàn qǐlái. — xiǎo fēi xiàng

Disney, the childhood memory for almost everyone. There are also lots of inspiring quotes, stories and concepts conveyed in every piece of Disney animation.

Dumbo, personally, was the most touching Disney animation for me when I was growing up.

Never ignore or underestimate your potential even if you are born different.

Don’t ever feel yourself inferior just because of your weaknesses, many positive messages are portrayed.

Inspired by Timothy Mouse.

In truth though, there are so many Disney quotes we could use here! What’s your favourite?

10. “You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.” — The Pursuit of Happiness, 2006

如果你有梦想的话，就要去捍卫它。那些一事无成的人想告诉你你也成不了大器。如果你有理想的话，就要去努力实现。就这样。 —当幸福来敲门 – Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu mèngxiǎng dehuà, jiù yào qù hànwèi tā. Nàxiē yīshìwúchéng de rén xiǎng gàosù nǐ nǐ yě chéng bùliǎo dà qì. Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu lǐxiǎng dehuà, jiù yào qù nǔlì shíxiàn. Jiù zhèyàng.  — Dāng xìngfú lái qiāo mén

Although living in a tough time at the beginning, Chris always chooses to raise his son Christopher Jr. with positivity and encouragement.

The Pursuit of Happiness is full of touching scenes where Chris fails again and again, even becoming homeless and helpless at one point!

However, he never gave up on working hard, and on giving his son a better life with greater opportunities.

At the very end of the film, we are shown the final success of Chris’ perseverance.

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So there we have it, ten great movie quotes in Chinese. What’s your favourite?

Movies in Chinese – FAQ’s

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