📖 Meaning
Literally 'one rafter and one tile.' It refers to a simple, humble dwelling or the meager remnants of a building. It is often used to describe impoverished living conditions or the total destruction of a home leaving virtually nothing behind.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Yuan dynasty play 'He Han Shan' (合汗衫) by Zhang Guobin. In the second act, a character laments that their grand, prosperous mansion was consumed by fire, leaving not even a single rafter or tile behind. The phrase also appears in Qin Jianfu's Yuan play 'Zhao Li Rang Fei' (赵礼让肥), where it contrasts the lavish wealth of the rich with the destitution of common people who lacked even the most basic shelter.
💡 Example Usage
大火过后，昔日繁华的府邸连根椽片瓦都没剩下。
After the great fire, not even a single rafter or tile remained of the once-prosperous mansion.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 根椽片瓦
- Pinyin: gēn chuán piàn wǎ
- Literal Translation: one rafter, one tile
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4