吹箫乞食 — “To beg for alms by playing a musical instrument”

吹箫乞食 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to beg for alms by playing a musical instrument”. Typically a flute, symbolizing extreme poverty and destitution. Literally, “Play flute to beg for alms”.

Frequency

吹箫乞食 Pronunciation and Pinyin

吹箫乞食 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
吹	chuī	7	to blow; to brag; to fail
箫	xiāo	14	vertical bamboo flute
乞	qǐ	3	beg, ask for, seek
食	shí	9	eat food eclipse

Example Sentence with 吹箫乞食

他因为家道中落，不得已流落街头，过着吹箫乞食的生活。

After his family's fortunes declined, he was forced to wander the streets, living a life of playing the flute and begging for food.

Origin and Story of 吹箫乞食

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Fei Wuji, a treacherous official, incited King Ping of Chu to seize the new bride of Prince Jian. He then conspired to eliminate Prince Jian and the entire family of his tutor, Wu She.

Fei Wuji sent his son to Fancheng to deceive Wu Zixu (Wu Yuan), Wu She's son, into returning to the capital for execution. Upon learning of the plot, Wu Zixu managed to escape from Chu.

He eventually reached the market streets of the state of Wu, where he lived a destitute life, playing the flute and begging for sustenance. Later, his talents were recognized, and he was recommended to assist the King of Wu, eventually helping him to conquer Chu.