📖 Meaning
Originally refers to the observation that eating soybeans causes weight gain and consuming elm induces drowsiness. Metaphorically describes how a person's inherent nature is difficult to change, just as these effects of foods are natural and inescapable.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from 'On Nourishing Life' (养生论) by Ji Kang (嵇康) of the Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period. Ji Kang, one of the renowned Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, wrote that 'beans make one heavy, elm makes one drowsy,' observing how certain foods naturally affect the body. Over time, this phrase was condensed into the four-character idiom '豆重榆瞑' and came to symbolize the difficulty of altering one's fundamental nature.
💡 Example Usage
他嗜赌成性，豆重榆瞑，再怎么劝也没有用。
He is addicted to gambling and his nature is hard to change—no amount of persuasion will work.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 豆重榆瞑
- Pinyin: dòu chóng yú míng
- Literal Translation: beans, heavy, elm, sleep
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4