自食其果
自食其果 (zì shí qí guǒ) literally means “self eat its fruit” and expresses “reap what one sows; suffer consequences”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zi shi qi guo, zi shi qi guo,自食其果 meaning, 自食其果 in english
Reap what one sows; suffer consequences
Pronunciation: zì shí qí guǒ
Literal meaning: Self eat its fruit
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes eating (食) the fruit (果) of one's own (自其) actions - suffering the consequences of one's behavior. The agricultural metaphor connects actions to their natural outcomes, like trees producing fruit from seeds planted. The phrase reflects the Buddhist and Confucian concept of moral causation. Modern usage describes situations where negative actions return to harm their originator, emphasizing personal responsibility for consequences.
Examples
English: "His dishonesty eventually backfired on him."
Chinese: 他的不诚实最终让他自食其果。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 自食其果 mean in English?
自食其果 (zì shí qí guǒ) literally translates to “Self eat its fruit” and is used to express “Reap what one sows; suffer consequences”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 自食其果 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving reap what one sows; suffer consequences.
What is the pinyin for 自食其果?
The pinyin pronunciation for 自食其果 is “zì shí qí guǒ”.