鼓盆之戚 — “The sorrow or grief over the death of one's wife”

鼓盆之戚 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the sorrow or grief over the death of one's wife”. The profound sadness of a widower, often alluding to Zhuangzi's initial grief but eventual acceptance of natural cycles. Literally, “Grief of drumming on a basin”.

Frequency

鼓盆之戚 Pronunciation and Pinyin

鼓盆之戚 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
鼓	gǔ	13	drum, beat, rouse, swell
盆	pén	9	basin, tub, or pot
之	zhī	4	possessive or connective particle
戚	qī	11	relatives, sorrowful

Example Sentence with 鼓盆之戚

自从经历鼓盆之戚后，他变得更加沉默寡言，但对家庭的责任感却更重了

Since experiencing the sorrow of losing his wife, he has become more reticent, but his sense of responsibility towards his family has grown stronger.

Origin and Story of 鼓盆之戚

During the Warring States period, the renowned philosopher Zhuangzi had a virtuous and capable wife. They loved each other deeply throughout their lives.

When his wife passed away due to illness, Zhuangzi's friend Huizi came to offer condolences.

To Huizi's surprise, he found Zhuangzi drumming on a basin with a wooden stick and singing.

Perplexed, Huizi asked why. Zhuangzi explained that life and death are natural cycles, just like the changing seasons, and one should accept them with equanimity.