门可罗雀 — “One can set up a net to catch sparrows at the door”
门可罗雀 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “describes a deserted place, especially a house or shop, where few or no visitors come; to have very few visitors; a place where one could set up a net to catch sparrows at the door due to lack of traffic”. Literally, “One can set up a net to catch sparrows at the door”.
门可罗雀 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 门mén
- 可kě
- 罗luó
- 雀què
门可罗雀 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 门可罗雀
Origin and Story of 门可罗雀
During the Western Han Dynasty, there were two prominent officials, Ji An and Zheng Zhuang, who were respected for their integrity and straightforwardness. When they held high positions, their homes were bustling with visitors. However, once they were dismissed from their posts, their houses became quiet and deserted.
Another famous story involves Zhai Gong, who once served as a high-ranking official. While in office, his home was constantly filled with guests, to the point where the entrance was crowded. But after he was dismissed, no one came to visit him anymore, and his doorway became so desolate that one could set up a net to catch sparrows there.
Later, Zhai Gong was reinstated to his former position. Immediately, his former guests began to flock back to his home. Deeply moved by this change, Zhai Gong wrote a reflection on his door: "In life and death, true friendship is known; in poverty and wealth, true social attitudes are seen; in honor and disgrace, true camaraderie is revealed."
Idioms Related to 门可罗雀
Synonyms of 门可罗雀
Antonyms of 门可罗雀
More idioms starting with 门
- mén门bù不tíng停bīn宾always welcoming guests promptly
- mén门bù不yè夜guān关doors unlocked at night, peaceful society
- mén门bù不yè夜jiōng扃peaceful and secure society
- mén门dào到hù户shuō说go door to door explaining
- mén门dān单hù户bó薄a family in decline
- mén门kě可zhāng张luó罗to be deserted
- mén门qiáng墙táo桃lǐ李disciples of a respected teacher
- mén门wài外hàn汉an amateur or outsider in a field
- mén门tíng庭rú如shì市a popular or thriving place
- mén门tíng庭hè赫yì奕prominent and illustrious family status
Questions about 门可罗雀
- What does 门可罗雀 mean?
- 门可罗雀 (mén kě luó què) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “describes a deserted place, especially a house or shop, where few or no visitors come; to have very few visitors; a place where one could set up a net to catch sparrows at the door due to lack of traffic”.
- How do you pronounce 门可罗雀?
- 门可罗雀 is pronounced mén kě luó què in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 门可罗雀 literally mean?
- Literally, 门可罗雀 means “one can set up a net to catch sparrows at the door”. It is used to mean “describes a deserted place, especially a house or shop, where few or no visitors come; to have very few visitors; a place where one could set up a net to catch sparrows at the door due to lack of traffic”.
- Where does 门可罗雀 come from?
- 门可罗雀 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 门可罗雀?
- 罗：张网捕捉。大门之前可以张起网来捕麻雀。形容十分冷落，宾客稀少。