竭泽而渔
竭泽而渔 (jié zé ér yú) literally means “drain the pond to catch fish” and expresses “short-sighted exploitation”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: jie ze er yu, jie ze er yu,竭泽而渔 meaning, 竭泽而渔 in english
Short-sighted exploitation
Pronunciation: jié zé ér yú Literal meaning: Drain the pond to catch fish
Origin & Usage
The idiom 竭泽而渔 (jié zé ér yú) originates from the classical text 《吕氏春秋》 (Lüshi Chunqiu) compiled by the Qin statesman Lü Buwei. The story describes a scenario where a person drains a pond (泽, zé) to catch fish (渔, yú), achieving immediate gain but leaving no fish for the future. This tale was recounted during the Spring and Autumn period when the state of Song faced a military threat from the state of Chu. A minister advised against using deceitful tactics for short-term victory, likening it to draining a pond for fish. The idiom serves as a caution against sacrificing long-term benefits for temporary advantages. In modern usage, it warns against unsustainable practices that prioritize immediate profit over future well-being.
Examples
English: "If we exploit resources without care, we risk depleting them entirely."
Chinese: 如果我们不加节制地开发资源，就会面临枯竭的风险。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 竭泽而渔 mean in English?
竭泽而渔 (jié zé ér yú) literally translates to “Drain the pond to catch fish” and is used to express “Short-sighted exploitation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 竭泽而渔 used?
Situation: If we exploit resources without care, we risk depleting them entirely.
What is the pinyin for 竭泽而渔?
The pinyin pronunciation for 竭泽而渔 is “jié zé ér yú”.