📖 Meaning
A loss may turn out to be a gain, and vice versa. Fortune and misfortune are interconnected and hard to judge in the moment.
📜 Origin Story
An old man on the frontier lost his horse. Neighbors consoled him, but he said 'How do you know this isn't a blessing?' The horse returned with a fine stallion. The story continues with fortunes reversing repeatedly.
💡 Example Usage
没拿到录用通知别太难过，塞翁失马焉知非福。
Don't be too upset about not getting the offer—a loss may be a blessing in disguise.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 塞翁失马
- Pinyin: sài wēng shī mǎ
- Literal Translation: old man loses horse
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4