📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to charitable donations of food and money given to people in need. It describes the act of generously providing sustenance—both drink and grain—to the poor or to travelers, motivated by benevolence and righteousness rather than expectation of return.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom draws from two classical sources. In 'Soushen Ji' (In Search of the Supernatural), Yang Boyong of the Han dynasty drew water and set it out by the roadside so that passing travelers could drink freely. The 'Book of Later Han' (Hou Hanshu) records that during times of hardship, wealthy families each contributed charitable grain to assist officials in distributing relief to the needy. Together these stories embody the spirit of selfless giving—offering both drink (浆) and grain (粟) out of compassion and duty.
💡 Example Usage
每逢灾年，当地富户便散出仁浆义粟，救济流离失所的灾民。
In years of famine, the wealthy households of the region would distribute charitable food and supplies to relieve the displaced victims.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 仁浆义粟
- Pinyin: rén jiāng yì sù
- Literal Translation: benevolent broth, righteous grain
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4