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HSK 4 Chinese reading practice

塞翁失马

sài wēng shī mǎ

The Old Man Loses His Horse

An old man meets each turn of fortune calmly, knowing that good and bad luck can transform into one another.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 4
READ5 min
HANZI195
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文化
CULTURE

Good fortune and bad fortune can change

塞翁失马 comes from Huainanzi. The fuller saying, 塞翁失马，焉知非福, reminds us that an apparent loss may later bring good fortune—and the reverse can also happen.

Key vocabulary12 words from this story
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阅读理解 · COMPREHENSION

Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01丢失的马几个月后回来时还带来了什么？
02塞翁的儿子骑新马时发生了什么？
03战争开始后，儿子为什么能留在家里？
0 / 3questions answered
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Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 塞翁失马

What does 塞翁失马 mean in English?

塞翁失马 (sài wēng shī mǎ) literally means “the old frontier man loses his horse.” It describes a setback may lead to good fortune, while apparent good fortune may lead to trouble.

When is 塞翁失马 used?

Use 塞翁失马 when the final consequences of a lucky or unlucky event are not yet clear. For example: Missing that train led him to an important meeting—塞翁失马，焉知非福.

What is the pinyin for 塞翁失马?

The pinyin pronunciation for 塞翁失马 is “sài wēng shī mǎ.”