猴年马月 | Hóu Nián Mǎ Yuè

The idiom 猴年马月 (hóu nián mǎ yuè) "Year of the Monkey, Month of the Horse" or "Horse month of Monkey year" is used to describe an on-going matter without a specific deadline, or something that happens once in a blue moon. This idiom is derived from the Chinese Zodiac in which each year is assigned an animal. However, a less well known fact is that each month is assigned an animal too, called inner animals. 猴年 "Year of the Monkey" arrives every 12 years; thus, 猴年马月 (hóu nián mǎ yuè) only appears every 12 years. Coincidentally, according to the solar calendar, June 5th - July 3rd, 2016 is 猴年马月 (hóu nián mǎ yuè), making it a rare and auspicious month. Take this time to make rare, impossible things happen!

Usage Examples:
"你这样下去，猴年马月才能完成." | "If you continue this way, you will finish in the year of the Monkey, month of the Horse (never finish)"

"你不要相信这人吹牛,他说的事猴年马月才会出现." | "Don't believe this person's boasting, what he says will only appear during the year of the Monkey, month of the Horse (never appear)."

"一直斗到猴年马月,天下一统,世界大同." | "The fight continues into the year of the Monkey, month of the horse, until the world is unifed, and world harmony acheived (never ending fight)."

The 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac (begins with Rat):

  • Rat
  • Ox
  • Tiger
  • Rabbit
  • Dragon
  • Snake
  • Horse
  • Goat
  • Monkey
  • Rooster
  • Dog
  • Pig

The 12 Inner Animals of the Chinese Zodiac (begins in Spring with the Tiger, linked to the months of the solar year):

  • Tiger
  • Rabbit
  • Dragon
  • Snake
  • Horse
  • Goat
  • Monkey
  • Rooster
  • Dog
  • Pig
  • Rat
  • Ox