穷则思变 — “When things reach an impasse or a state of extreme difficulty”
穷则思变 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “When things reach an impasse or a state of extreme difficulty”. One must seek solutions and adapt to change the current situation. Literally, “When at an end, one thinks of change”.
穷则思变 Pronunciation and Pinyin
穷则思变 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 穷则思变
Origin and Story of 穷则思变
In ancient times, Fuxi reigned as king. He invented the Eight Trigrams (Bagua) based on the scattered star patterns in the sky. Utilizing the principles of Bagua, he invented fishing nets, enabling people to catch more fish.
Later, Shennong became king. Based on the Bagua principle of 'when at its extreme, things change; with change comes adaptability; with adaptability comes longevity' (穷则变，变则通，通则久), he invented the wooden plow, cultivating vast areas of land.
Idioms Related to 穷则思变
Synonyms of 穷则思变
More idioms starting with 穷
- qióng穷bù不yǔ与fù富dòu斗，，fù富bù不yǔ与guān官dòu斗poor can't fight rich, rich can't fight officials
- qióng穷bù不shī失yì义Poor but righteous
- qióng穷qiě且yì益jiān坚adversity strengthens character
- qióng穷xiāng乡pì僻rǎng壤remote and backward place
- qióng穷chǐ侈jí极shē奢extremely extravagant and luxurious
- qióng穷chǐ侈jí极yù欲live in extreme luxury and indulgence
- qióng穷ér儿zhà乍fù富poor person suddenly becomes wealthy
- qióng穷ér儿bào暴fù富poor child suddenly rich
- qióng穷guāng光dàn蛋a penniless person
- qióng穷bīng兵jí极wǔ武exhaust military resources for aggressive wars
- qióng穷bīng兵dú黩wǔ武exhaust military resources in aggressive warfare
- qióng穷xiōng凶jí极è恶utterly vicious and ruthless
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Open the tool →Questions about 穷则思变
What does 穷则思变 mean?
穷则思变 (qióng zé sī biàn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “When things reach an impasse or a state of extreme difficulty”.
How do you pronounce 穷则思变?
穷则思变 is pronounced qióng zé sī biàn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 穷则思变 literally mean?
Literally, 穷则思变 means “When at an end, one thinks of change”. It is used to mean “When things reach an impasse or a state of extreme difficulty”.
Where does 穷则思变 come from?
穷则思变 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 穷则思变?
原指事物到了尽头就要发生变化。现指在穷困艰难的时候，就要想办法改变现状。