We are committed to providing free Chinese study materials. This series focuses on idioms and proverbs, rich in meaning and widely applicable. Today’s idiom is 「不食周粟」, with its explanation below.
The Chinese idiom we are introducing this time is 「不食周粟」. You can find its meaning and application outlined below.
Millet: millet, generally refers to grain. It originally refers to Boyi and Shuqi who died because they refused to eat Zhou’s grain after the fall of Shang. It is a metaphor for being loyal and steadfast, and not working for the enemy just because of difficulties in making a living.
The Mandarin pronunciation of this idiom is :
bù shí zhōu sù
while its Cantonese pinyin is :
bat1 sik6 jau1 suk1
Chinese idioms come in large numbers, with diverse meanings and usages, offering endless learning opportunities. We hope these resources make it easier for you to study Chinese.
