燕雀处屋 — “To be complacent in a seemingly secure situation”
燕雀处屋 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be complacent in a seemingly secure situation”. Oblivious to an impending danger or disaster. It describes someone who lives in a fool's paradise, unaware that a catastrophe is imminent. Literally, “Swallows and sparrows in a house”.
燕雀处屋 Pronunciation and Pinyin
燕雀处屋 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 燕雀处屋
Origin and Story of 燕雀处屋
In the late Warring States period, the State of Qin attacked the State of Zhao. Wei, Zhao's neighboring state, chose not to intervene, believing it would be advantageous to themselves.
However, Zisun, the Prime Minister of Wei, held a different view. He argued that Qin was a powerful and aggressive state, and Wei should not live a complacent life like swallows and sparrows under a roof. He warned that if the house were to catch fire, the swallows and sparrows would lose their roosting place.
Idioms Related to 燕雀处屋
Synonyms of 燕雀处屋
More idioms starting with 燕
- yàn燕lǚ侣yīng莺chóu俦A pair of young lovers
- yàn燕chóu俦yīng莺lǚ侣young lovers or female companions
- yàn燕zhuó啄huáng皇sūn孙treacherous plot to harm royal heir
- yàn燕chǔ处wēi危cháo巢in an extremely perilous situation
- yàn燕chǔ处fén焚cháo巢in an extremely dangerous situation
- yàn燕dù妒yīng莺cán惭swallows envy, orioles feel ashamed
- yàn燕wǎn婉zhī之huān欢joyful, harmonious marital affection
- yàn燕zǐ子xián衔shí食parents' selfless toil raising children
- yàn燕ān安dān酖dú毒indulging in comfort is like drinking poison
- yàn燕ān安zhèn鸩dú毒indulging in comfort is like drinking poison
- yàn燕ěr尔xīn新hūn婚newlywed bliss
- yān燕dài岱zhī之shí石mediocre talent or low quality
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Open the tool →Questions about 燕雀处屋
What does 燕雀处屋 mean?
燕雀处屋 (yàn què chǔ wū) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be complacent in a seemingly secure situation”.
How do you pronounce 燕雀处屋?
燕雀处屋 is pronounced yàn què chǔ wū in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 燕雀处屋 literally mean?
Literally, 燕雀处屋 means “Swallows and sparrows in a house”. It is used to mean “to be complacent in a seemingly secure situation”.
Where does 燕雀处屋 come from?
燕雀处屋 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 燕雀处屋?
比喻生活安定而失去警惕性。也比喻大祸临头而自己不知道。同“燕雀处堂”。