箪食瓢饮 — “To live a simple and frugal life, contented with poverty”
箪食瓢饮 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to live a simple and frugal life, contented with poverty”. Often used to describe a scholar who values integrity and learning over material possessions. Literally, “A bamboo dish of rice, a gourd of drink”.
箪食瓢饮 Pronunciation and Pinyin
箪食瓢饮 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 箪食瓢饮
Origin and Story of 箪食瓢饮
During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius's favorite student was Yan Hui, who deeply respected Confucius. Yan Hui would immediately correct any shortcomings Confucius pointed out.
Confucius once asked him why he didn't seek an official position. Yan Hui replied that as long as he learned his teacher's moral principles and knowledge, there was no need to become an official.
Confucius praised Yan Hui, saying he was a great sage who lived on a bamboo basket of rice and a gourd of water.
Idioms Related to 箪食瓢饮
Antonyms of 箪食瓢饮
More idioms starting with 箪
- dān箪piáo瓢lǚ屡kōng空always in dire poverty
- dān箪piáo瓢lǚ屡qìng罄constantly running out of food and water
- dān箪piáo瓢lòu陋shì室Content with simple, humble life
- dān箪piáo瓢lòu陋xiàng巷content with a simple, humble life
- dān箪dòu豆jiàn见sè色haggle over small gains
- dān箪láo醪tóu投chuān川share weal and woe with subordinates
- dān箪shí食hú壶jiāng浆people welcome and support a beloved army
- dān箪sì食hú壶jiǔ酒simple provisions
- dān箪shí食dòu豆gēng羹a meager meal or small profit
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Open the tool →Questions about 箪食瓢饮
What does 箪食瓢饮 mean?
箪食瓢饮 (dān sì piáo yǐn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to live a simple and frugal life, contented with poverty”.
How do you pronounce 箪食瓢饮?
箪食瓢饮 is pronounced dān sì piáo yǐn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 箪食瓢饮 literally mean?
Literally, 箪食瓢饮 means “a bamboo dish of rice, a gourd of drink”. It is used to mean “to live a simple and frugal life, contented with poverty”.
Where does 箪食瓢饮 come from?
箪食瓢饮 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 箪食瓢饮?
一箪食物，一瓢饮料。形容读书人安于贫穷的清高生活。