📖 Meaning
Literally meaning to live under someone else's fence, this idiom is a metaphor for depending on others for a living or relying on someone else's support and shelter. It conveys a sense of lacking independence and being subject to another person's control or goodwill.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Biography of Zhang Rong in the 'History of the Southern Dynasties' (Nan Shi). Zhang Rong, a scholar-official of the Southern Qi dynasty, was known for his unconventional style and independent spirit. He once declared that a true man should create his own poetry, rites, and music rather than blindly follow and borrow from the work of predecessors. His remark about 'lodging under someone else's fence' criticized those who lacked originality and merely依附他人成就。Over time the phrase shifted from referring to literary imitation to describing dependence on others in life.
💡 Example Usage
他不愿寄人篱下看人脸色过日子，毅然决定独自创业。
Unwilling to live under someone else's roof and endure their moods, he resolutely decided to start his own business.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 寄人篱下
- Pinyin: jì rén lí xià
- Literal Translation: lodge, others, fence, under
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4