不勞而獲

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Chinese

not; no toil
and; as well as; but (not)
and; as well as; but (not); yet (not); (shows causal relation); (shows change of state); (shows contrast)
 
to catch; to obtain; to capture
trad. (不勞而獲)
simp. (不劳而获)

Etymology

From Mozi:

有人場園桃李
有人场园桃李
From: Mozi, c. 4th century BCE
Jīn yǒurén yú cǐ, rù rén zhī chǎngyuán, qǔ rén zhī táolǐ guā jiāng zhě, shàng dé qiě fá zhī, zhòng wén zé fēi zhī, shì hé yě? Yuē: yù qí láo huò qí shí, yǐ fēi qí yǒu suǒ qǔ zhī gù.
Suppose someone sneaks into an orchard and steals peaches, plums, melons, and gingers. The government officials will punish him when they catch him, and people will condemn him when they hear about it. Why is that? Because the person did not participate in the labour but took the produce and property that do not belong to them.

Pronunciation


Idiom

不勞而獲

  1. to reap without sowing; to live off the toil of other people
    願意出生金湯匙富家子弟願意不勞而獲
    愿意出生金汤匙富家子弟愿意不劳而获
    Shéi bù yuànyì yī chūshēng jiù shì hán zhe jīntāngchí de fùjiā zǐdì, shéi bù yuànyì bùláo'érhuò?
    Who doesn't want to be a rich kid born with a silver spoon? Who doesn't want to get something for nothing?

Synonyms

Antonyms