What does 量入为出 mean?

量入为出 (liàng rù wéi chū) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to live within one's means”.

How do you pronounce 量入为出?

量入为出 is pronounced liàng rù wéi chū in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 量入为出 literally mean?

Literally, 量入为出 means “Measure income to determine expenditure”. It is used to mean “to live within one's means”.

Where does 量入为出 come from?

量入为出 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 量入为出?

量：计量。根据收入的多少来定开支的限度。

量入为出 — “To live within one's means”

量入为出 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to live within one's means”. To regulate expenditure by income; to cut one's coat according to one's cloth. Literally, “Measure income to determine expenditure”.

Frequency

量入为出 Pronunciation and Pinyin

量liàng
入rù
为wéi
出chū

量入为出 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
量	liàng	12	measure, quantity, capacity
入	rù	2	to enter
为	wéi	4	to be or to do
出	chū	5	go or come out

Example Sentence with 量入为出

我们应该从小培养孩子量入为出的好习惯，这样他们长大后才能更好地管理自己的财务。

We should cultivate the good habit of living within one's means in children from an early age, so they can better manage their finances when they grow up.

Origin and Story of 量入为出

During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao sent his subordinate, Wei Kai, to Bashu (modern-day Sichuan) to establish contact with Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yizhou. Upon arriving in Guanzhong, Wei Kai observed that the local powers were too strong and would potentially harm the interests of the Cao family, so he advised strengthening control over the region.

Later, after Cao Rui ascended to the throne, he embarked on extensive construction projects, building magnificent palaces. This extravagance caused immense suffering among the people of Guanzhong. Wei Kai then submitted a memorial to Cao Rui, urging him to determine the limits of national expenditure based on the income of the imperial treasury.

Idioms Related to 量入为出

Synonyms of 量入为出

jīng精dǎ打xì细suàn算meticulous planning and careful calculation

Antonyms of 量入为出

rù入bù不fū敷chū出income not enough to cover expenditure

More idioms starting with 量

Questions about 量入为出

What does 量入为出 mean?: 量入为出 (liàng rù wéi chū) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to live within one's means”.
How do you pronounce 量入为出?: 量入为出 is pronounced liàng rù wéi chū in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 量入为出 literally mean?: Literally, 量入为出 means “Measure income to determine expenditure”. It is used to mean “to live within one's means”.
Where does 量入为出 come from?: 量入为出 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 量入为出?: 量：计量。根据收入的多少来定开支的限度。

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