Related explanations:

"When I first learned to cut hair, I met a beard-a problem (shaving)" is a metaphor for something that is not easy to do. It's a homophonic allegorical saying. This kind of two-part allegorical saying is homophonic or nearly homophonic, which leads to another meaning from the original meaning. Seeing this kind of two-part allegorical saying, it often takes several turns to suddenly realize, which is more interesting. Some books classify it as "pun", which is also reasonable.

Extended data

Appropriate metaphor is the common feature of two-part allegorical sayings. However, "metaphor is always a postscript." The first half of two-part allegorical sayings is sometimes inappropriate or undesirable, and some involve some physical defects, superstitions and old customs. In order to take some of its properties or characteristics, it leads to the meaning of the fable part.

The first part of "Learn to cut your hair as soon as you know your beard-the problem (shaving)" is a metaphor or metaphor, and the second part is an explanation of the meaning. In a certain language environment, you can understand and guess the original intention by saying the first half sentence and "resting" the second half sentence.

Related allegorical sayings:

1. Fried Shrimp-Red Man (Ren)

2. Chicken feathers-courage (dust removal)

3. Wax gourd skin as a retort pouch-indisputable (steamed)

4. Fried shrimp with bean sprouts (shrimp)-not worth two (straight)