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箪瓢陋巷
箪瓢陋巷
箪瓢陋巷
箪瓢陋巷
箪瓢陋巷
箪瓢陋巷
箪瓢陋巷
箪瓢陋巷
箪瓢陋巷

箪瓢陋巷 — “To be content with a simple and humble life”

箪瓢陋巷 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be content with a simple and humble life”. To find joy in a plain lifestyle despite poverty. Literally, “A bamboo basket of food and a gourd ladle of water, in a humble alley”.

Frequency

箪瓢陋巷 Pronunciation and Pinyin

箪瓢陋巷 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
箪
dān14ancient round food container
瓢
piáo16ladle or scoop
陋
lòu9ugly, crude, or uncivilized
巷
xiàng9alley or narrow street

Example Sentence with 箪瓢陋巷

他虽然物质生活贫乏,却能安于箪瓢陋巷,专注于自己的精神追求。
Despite his meager material possessions, he was content with a simple and humble life, focusing on his spiritual pursuits.

Origin and Story of 箪瓢陋巷

During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius was most fond of his student Yan Hui, who greatly respected Confucius. Yan Hui would immediately correct any shortcomings Confucius pointed out.

Confucius once asked him why he didn't seek an official position. Yan Hui replied that as long as he learned the master's virtues and knowledge, there was no need to become an official.

Confucius praised Yan Hui, saying he ate from a bamboo basket, drank from a gourd ladle, and lived in a humble alley, yet he was a great sage.

Idioms Related to 箪瓢陋巷

Synonyms of 箪瓢陋巷

  • dān箪piáo瓢lǚ屡kōng空always in dire poverty
  • dān箪sì食piáo瓢yǐn饮live a simple and frugal life

More idioms starting with 箪

  • dān箪piáo瓢lǚ屡qìng罄constantly running out of food and water
  • dān箪piáo瓢lòu陋shì室Content with simple, humble life
  • dān箪dòu豆jiàn见sè色haggle over small gains
  • dān箪láo醪tóu投chuān川share weal and woe with subordinates
  • dān箪shí食hú壶jiāng浆people welcome and support a beloved army
  • dān箪sì食hú壶jiǔ酒simple provisions
  • dān箪shí食dòu豆gēng羹a meager meal or small profit

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Questions about 箪瓢陋巷

What does 箪瓢陋巷 mean?

箪瓢陋巷 (dān piáo lòu xiàng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be content with a simple and humble life”.

How do you pronounce 箪瓢陋巷?

箪瓢陋巷 is pronounced dān piáo lòu xiàng in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 箪瓢陋巷 literally mean?

Literally, 箪瓢陋巷 means “a bamboo basket of food and a gourd ladle of water, in a humble alley”. It is used to mean “to be content with a simple and humble life”.

Where does 箪瓢陋巷 come from?

箪瓢陋巷 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 箪瓢陋巷?

箪:古代盛饭的圆形竹器;瓢:古代装水的小容器。一箪食物,一瓢汤水。形容生活简朴,安贫乐道

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