安分守己
安分守己 (ān fèn shǒu jǐ) literally means “be content and disciplined” and expresses “live modestly”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: an fen shou ji, an fen shou ji,安分守己 meaning, 安分守己 in english
Live modestly
Pronunciation: ān fèn shǒu jǐ Literal meaning: Be content and disciplined
Origin & Usage
The idiom 安分守己 (ān fèn shǒu jǐ) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe a philosophy of life that emphasizes contentment and self-discipline. It is derived from stories of individuals who, despite turbulent times, chose to live modestly and adhere to their duties without overreaching or seeking undue advancement. The characters 安 (ān) mean 'peace' or 'contentment,' 分 (fèn) means 'duty' or 'role,' 守 (shǒu) means 'to guard' or 'to keep,' and 己 (jǐ) means 'oneself.' Together, they convey the idea of being satisfied with one's position and responsibilities, maintaining integrity, and not overstepping boundaries. In modern usage, it encourages individuals to live honestly and responsibly, focusing on their own roles without unnecessary ambition.
Examples
English: "He always knows to stay within his limits and not overreach."
Chinese: 他总是安分守己，不会过分追求。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 安分守己 mean in English?
安分守己 (ān fèn shǒu jǐ) literally translates to “Be content and disciplined” and is used to express “Live modestly”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 安分守己 used?
Situation: He always knows to stay within his limits and not overreach.
What is the pinyin for 安分守己?
The pinyin pronunciation for 安分守己 is “ān fèn shǒu jǐ”.