📖 Meaning
Originally referred to Han Xin, the Marquis of Huaiyin, who was a guest diner at the home of the pavilion head of Nanting in Xiaxiang. It now metaphorically denotes a person of talent who, not yet recognized, temporarily lodges under another's roof and depends on their hospitality.
📜 Origin Story
During the early Han Dynasty, Han Xin, who would later become the famed Marquis of Huaiyin, grew up poor in Huaiyin and was deemed lacking in conduct, unable to secure even a minor official post. For several months he took his meals at the home of the pavilion head of Nanting in Xiaxiang county, until the pavilion head's wife grew tired of feeding him and served breakfast before dawn to drive him away. The phrase 'guest of Chang Pavilion' thus came to symbolize a talented individual temporarily depending on another's charity before meeting his opportunity.
💡 Example Usage
他虽满腹经纶，却困居亲友家中，成了昌亭之客。
Though brimming with talent, he lodged with relatives and became a dependent guest with unrealized potential.
🏷️ Category
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➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 昌亭之客
- Pinyin: cháng tíng zhī kè
- Literal Translation: Chang Pavilion, of, guest
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4