📖 Meaning
Literally meaning "harvest in autumn and store in winter," this idiom describes the seasonal cycle of agricultural work. It refers to the fundamental rhythm of farming life where crops are gathered in fall and provisions are conserved for winter use. Figuratively, it represents prudent planning—gathering resources when abundant and saving them for leaner times.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom stems from ancient Chinese agricultural wisdom and appears prominently in the Thousand Character Classic (千字文), a foundational educational text compiled by Zhou Xingsi during the Southern Dynasties (Liang), where the line reads "寒来暑往，秋收冬藏." The phrase reflects the traditional farming calendar that governed rural life for millennia, embodying the practical philosophy that sustained China's agrarian civilization. Over the centuries it evolved from literal farming advice into a broader metaphor for timely action, diligent preparation, and living in harmony with natural cycles.
💡 Example Usage
农民遵循秋收冬藏的规律，确保来年衣食无忧。
Farmers follow the rhythm of harvesting in autumn and storing for winter, ensuring they have ample food and clothing in the coming year.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 秋收冬藏
- Pinyin: qiū shōu dōng cáng
- Literal Translation: autumn, harvest, winter, store
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4