未雨绸缪
未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu) literally means “prepare umbrella before rain” and expresses “prepare before problems arise”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: wei yu chou mou, wei yu chou mou,未雨绸缪 meaning, 未雨绸缪 in english
Prepare before problems arise
Pronunciation: wèi yǔ chóu móu
Literal meaning: Prepare umbrella before rain
Origin & Usage
Dating to the Zhou Dynasty's Book of Changes, this idiom literally describes preparing (缪) with silk cords (绸) before (未) the rain (雨) arrives. It originated from the practice of reinforcing buildings during dry seasons to prevent leaks. Ancient carpenters would inspect and repair roof bindings preemptively, as wet conditions made repairs dangerous and ineffective. The wisdom proved valuable beyond construction – during the Tang Dynasty, it became associated with Chancellor Wei Zheng's famous advice about anticipating and preventing problems rather than solving crises. Today, it applies to all forms of proactive planning, from business risk management to personal financial preparation.
Examples
English: "She saved money each month for unexpected expenses"
Chinese: 她每月存钱以备不时之需
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 未雨绸缪 mean in English?
未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu) literally translates to “Prepare umbrella before rain” and is used to express “Prepare before problems arise”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 未雨绸缪 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving prepare before problems arise.
What is the pinyin for 未雨绸缪?
The pinyin pronunciation for 未雨绸缪 is “wèi yǔ chóu móu”.