白手起家

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。