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 & perseverance.
Also searched as: bai shou qi jia, bai shou qi jia,白手起家 meaning, 白手起家 in english
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.
When to Use
Situation: He built his business empire from nothing through hard work.
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
匠心独运
jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
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独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
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别具一格
bié jù yī gé
Have unique style; be distinctive
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独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
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独占鳌头
dú zhàn áo tóu
Come first; win top honors
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出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
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功成名就
gōng chéng míng jiù
Achieve success and fame
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名利双收
míng lì shuāng shōu
Gain both fame and fortune
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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 theSuccess & Perseverance category..
When is 白手起家 used?
Situation: He built his business empire from nothing through hard work.
What is the pinyin for 白手起家?
The pinyin pronunciation for 白手起家 is “bái shǒu qǐ jiā”.
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