








陋巷箪瓢 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to live in humble circumstances, often implying contentment with a simple, impoverished life and a focus on higher pursuits; subsisting on a meager diet in a humble dwelling”. Literally, “humble lane, bamboo basket, gourd dipper”.
During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius had a student named Yan Hui whom he particularly admired. Yan Hui deeply respected his teacher and would promptly correct any flaws Confucius pointed out.
One day, Confucius asked Yan Hui why he did not seek an official position. Yan Hui replied that as long as he could learn his teacher's moral principles and knowledge, there was no need for an official career.
Confucius greatly praised Yan Hui, marveling at his ability to live contentedly in a humble lane, subsisting on a single bamboo basket of rice and a gourd dipper of water, without pursuing fame or wealth, declaring him a true sage.

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Open the tool →陋巷箪瓢 (lòu xiàng dān piáo) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to live in humble circumstances, often implying contentment with a simple, impoverished life and a focus on higher pursuits; subsisting on a meager diet in a humble dwelling”.
陋巷箪瓢 is pronounced lòu xiàng dān piáo in Mandarin Chinese.
Literally, 陋巷箪瓢 means “humble lane, bamboo basket, gourd dipper”. It is used to mean “to live in humble circumstances, often implying contentment with a simple, impoverished life and a focus on higher pursuits; subsisting on a meager diet in a humble dwelling”.
陋巷箪瓢 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
陋:简陋,窄小;箪:古代盛饭用的圆形竹器。住在陋巷里,用箪吃饭,用瓢喝水。形容生活极为穷苦。