📖 Meaning
To donate all of one's family wealth and property in order to help the nation overcome crisis or hardship. It embodies the spirit of selfless patriotism, where personal sacrifice is made for the greater good of the country. This idiom is synonymous with 毁家纾难.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom is a variant of 毁家纾难 (huǐ jiā shū nàn), which traces back to the Zuo Zhuan (左传), a classical chronicle of the Spring and Autumn period. The story centers on Dou Guwutu (斗谷於菟), also honored as Ling Yin Ziwen (令尹子文), who served as prime minister of the State of Chu. When the state faced a severe financial crisis, he voluntarily gave away his entire family fortune to the national treasury to relieve the burden. His selfless act became an enduring symbol of patriotic sacrifice in Chinese culture.
💡 Example Usage
他毁家纾国，捐尽家财支援抗战。
He sacrificed his family fortune to relieve the nation, donating all his wealth to support the war effort.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 毁家纾国
- Pinyin: huǐ jiā shū guó
- Literal Translation: destroy home, relieve state
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4