皮之不存，毛将安傅 — “If the skin does not exist, where will the hair attach?”
皮之不存，毛将安傅 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “this idiom means that if the fundamental basis or condition for something's existence is lost, then that thing cannot continue to exist or adhere. It emphasizes the inseparable dependence of one thing on another”. Literally, “If the skin does not exist, where will the hair attach?”.
皮之不存，毛将安傅 Pronunciation and Pinyin
皮之不存，毛将安傅 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 皮之不存，毛将安傅
Origin and Story of 皮之不存，毛将安傅
During the Spring and Autumn period, Prince Yi Wu of Jin sought help from the State of Qin to ascend the throne, promising to cede five cities in return.
After Yi Wu became Duke Hui of Jin, he broke his promise.
Later, when the State of Qin faced a famine and requested grain from Jin, Duke Hui of Jin also refused.
His minister, Guo She, advised Duke Hui, saying, 'Even if we were to lend them grain now, it would not mend our relationship. It's like 'If the skin is gone, where can the hair attach?'' meaning that without a fundamental basis, nothing can truly adhere or be sustained.
Idioms Related to 皮之不存，毛将安傅
Synonyms of 皮之不存，毛将安傅
More idioms starting with 皮
- pí皮bù不cún存ér而máo毛yān焉fù附Without the skin, where can the fur attach?
- pí皮shāng伤ròu肉zhàn绽severely bruised and lacerated
- pí皮kāi开ròu肉pò破severely bruised and lacerated
- pí皮kāi开ròu肉zhàn绽skin torn and flesh split
- pí皮sōng松ròu肉jǐn紧Lax and careless
- pí皮sōng松gǔ骨yǎng痒outwardly calm, inwardly itching to act
- pí皮xiàng相zhī之shì士superficial person
- pí皮xiàng相zhī之jiàn见superficial view
- pí皮xiàng相zhī之tán谈superficial remarks
- pí皮pò破ròu肉làn烂skin torn and flesh mangled
- pí皮pò破xuè血liú流severely injured and bleeding
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Open the tool →Questions about 皮之不存，毛将安傅
What does 皮之不存，毛将安傅 mean?
皮之不存，毛将安傅 (pí zhī bù cún ， máo jiāng ān fù) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “this idiom means that if the fundamental basis or condition for something's existence is lost, then that thing cannot continue to exist or adhere. It emphasizes the inseparable dependence of one thing on another”.
How do you pronounce 皮之不存，毛将安傅?
皮之不存，毛将安傅 is pronounced pí zhī bù cún ， máo jiāng ān fù in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 皮之不存，毛将安傅 literally mean?
Literally, 皮之不存，毛将安傅 means “If the skin does not exist, where will the hair attach?”. It is used to mean “this idiom means that if the fundamental basis or condition for something's existence is lost, then that thing cannot continue to exist or adhere. It emphasizes the inseparable dependence of one thing on another”.
Where does 皮之不存，毛将安傅 come from?
皮之不存，毛将安傅 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 皮之不存，毛将安傅?
存：存留；附：附着。皮都没有了，毛往哪里依附呢？比喻事物失去了借以生存的基础，就不能存在