杀鸡取卵
杀鸡取卵 (shā jī qǔ luǎn) literally means “kill chicken take eggs” and expresses “sacrifice long-term benefits for short-term gains”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: sha ji qu luan, sha ji qu luan,杀鸡取卵 meaning, 杀鸡取卵 in english
Sacrifice long-term benefits for short-term gains
Pronunciation: shā jī qǔ luǎn Literal meaning: Kill chicken take eggs
Origin & Usage
This idiom originated from Han Dynasty agricultural maxims, first appearing in economic discussions warning against sacrificing productive assets for immediate returns. During the Song Dynasty, it gained prominence in governmental policy debates about sustainable taxation. The metaphor of killing a hen (杀鸡) to extract all its eggs (取卵) at once was particularly instructive—hens produce eggs continuously when properly maintained, making their slaughter for a single collection catastrophically inefficient. Unlike terms simply meaning 'wasteful,' it specifically criticizes destroying sustainable income sources for immediate gain. Modern usage spans business practices to environmental policy, describing fundamentally unsustainable strategies that prioritize immediate returns over system preservation, particularly when apparently successful short-term results mask inevitable long-term collapse.
When to Use
Situation: The company maximized short-term profits by cutting essential research funding
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
万无一失
wàn wú yī shī
Absolutely sure; foolproof
Learn more →
密不透风
mì bù tòu fēng
Airtight; impenetrable
Learn more →
天罗地网
tiān luó dì wǎng
Inescapable net; dragnet
Learn more →
势在必行
shì zài bì xíng
Be imperative; must be done
Learn more →
稳扎稳打
wěn zhā wěn dǎ
Proceed steadily; consolidate before advancing
Learn more →
欲擒故纵
yù qín gù zòng
Give slack before tightening; let go to catch
Learn more →
围魏救赵
wéi wèi jiù zhào
Relieve pressure by attacking the source
Learn more →
以退为进
yǐ tuì wéi jìn
Strategic retreat for ultimate victory
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 杀鸡取卵 mean in English?
杀鸡取卵 (shā jī qǔ luǎn) literally translates to “Kill chicken take eggs” and is used to express “Sacrifice long-term benefits for short-term gains”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 杀鸡取卵 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving sacrifice long-term benefits for short-term gains.
What is the pinyin for 杀鸡取卵?
The pinyin pronunciation for 杀鸡取卵 is “shā jī qǔ luǎn”.