Honglou Meng is an encyclopedia of Chinese language in which includes many different Chinese linguistic features, e.g. idioms, common sayings, poems etc. There are 109 Chinese common sayings in the first 80 chapters of the novel. Most Chinese common sayings contain figurative meanings and the images involved are usually vivid and culture-specific; therefore it is very difficult to translate them. It is found that David Hawkes is more creative and use more free translation while the Yangs use more literal translation. This supports Feng Qinghua’s suggestion that the Yangs prefer to use literal translation while David Hawkes is inclined to use free translation. Honglou Meng is an encyclopedia of Chinese language in which includes many different Chinese linguistic features, eg idioms, common sayings, poems etc. There are 109 Chinese common sayings in the first 80 chapters of the novel. Most Chinese common sayings include figurative meanings and the This is found that David Hawkes is more creative and use more free translation while the Yangs use more literal translation. This supports Feng Qinghua’s suggestion that the Yangs prefer to use literal translation while David Hawkes is inclined to use free translation.