📖 Meaning
Born without encountering a good time. An old expression indicating bad fate or being born at the wrong time. It laments that one's life circumstances did not align with favorable conditions.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Book of Odes (诗经), specifically the poem 'Sang Rou' (桑柔) in the 'Da Ya' (大雅) section, dating to the Western Zhou dynasty. The original line reads '我生不辰，逢天僤怒' — 'I was born at an ill time and met with Heaven's fierce wrath.' The poem is attributed to King Li of Zhou's era, lamenting political chaos and natural disasters. Over time, the phrase evolved into the four-character idiom '生不逢辰,' used to describe someone born into unfortunate circumstances.
💡 Example Usage
他才华横溢却生不逢辰，一生郁郁不得志。
He was full of talent but born at the wrong time, living his whole life in unfulfilled frustration.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 生不逢辰
- Pinyin: shēng bù féng chén
- Literal Translation: born, not, meet, time
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4