瓜熟蒂落
瓜熟蒂落 (guā shú dì luò) literally means “melon ripe stem falls” and expresses “things happen when ready”. 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: gua shu di luo, gua shu di luo,瓜熟蒂落 meaning, 瓜熟蒂落 in english
Things happen when ready
Pronunciation: guā shú dì luò
Literal meaning: Melon ripe stem falls
Origin & Usage
This agricultural metaphor describes how a melon (瓜) naturally falls from its stem (蒂) when ripe (熟), originating from peasant wisdom during the Spring and Autumn period. Farmers observed that forcing a melon from the vine before its time yielded poor results, while patience produced perfectly ripened fruit that separated naturally. The idiom gained prominence in Confucian texts discussing the importance of proper timing in governance and personal development. In modern contexts, it's often used in business and career discussions to emphasize how opportunities and achievements manifest organically when conditions are right, cautioning against rushing natural processes or forcing outcomes before their time.
Examples
English: "The project succeeded because they waited for the right moment"
Chinese: 项目成功是因为他们等待了适当的时机
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 瓜熟蒂落 mean in English?
瓜熟蒂落 (guā shú dì luò) literally translates to “Melon ripe stem falls” and is used to express “Things happen when ready”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 瓜熟蒂落 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving things happen when ready.
What is the pinyin for 瓜熟蒂落?
The pinyin pronunciation for 瓜熟蒂落 is “guā shú dì luò”.