白手起家
白手起家 (bái shǒu qǐ jiā) literally means “white hands start a family/business” and expresses “build up from nothing; self-made”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: bai shou qi jia, bai shou qi jia,白手起家 meaning, 白手起家 in english
Build up from nothing; self-made
Pronunciation: bái shǒu qǐ jiā
Literal meaning: White hands start a family/business
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes starting a family or business with white/empty (白) hands (手) - meaning no inherited wealth or resources. The phrase celebrates self-made success achieved through one's own efforts without external help or initial capital. It appeared in texts describing merchants and officials who rose from humble origins. Modern usage particularly resonates with entrepreneurial narratives, praising those who build success without the advantage of inherited wealth or connections.
Examples
English: "He built his business empire from nothing through hard work."
Chinese: 他白手起家，通过努力建立了自己的商业帝国。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 白手起家 mean in English?
白手起家 (bái shǒu qǐ jiā) literally translates to “White hands start a family/business” and is used to express “Build up from nothing; self-made”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 白手起家 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving build up from nothing; self-made.
What is the pinyin for 白手起家?
The pinyin pronunciation for 白手起家 is “bái shǒu qǐ jiā”.