📖 Meaning
Originally referred to wild beasts hiding in dense, remote places and rarely appearing. By extension, it describes someone who stays at home most of the time and seldom goes out into society. It conveys a reclusive or retiring lifestyle.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Tang Dynasty writer Han Yu (韩愈), in his preface 'Preface Sending Off the Monk Wenchang' (《送浮屠文畅师序》). He observed that beasts dwell deep in the mountains and rarely venture out, fearing that other creatures might harm them—yet even so, they cannot entirely escape danger. Later writers such as Qin Guan of the Song Dynasty adopted the expression to describe scholars who, after withdrawing from public life, lived secluded and disciplined, rarely engaging with the outside world.
💡 Example Usage
他退休后深居简出，整日读书写字，很少与外人往来。
After retiring, he lives a secluded life, reading and practicing calligraphy all day, with little contact with the outside world.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 深居简出
- Pinyin: shēn jū jiǎn chū
- Literal Translation: deep, dwell, sparingly, go out
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4