📖 Meaning
A household that enjoys a modest but comfortable standard of living, with enough to meet daily needs and some modest extras. It describes a family that is neither rich nor poor, but securely middle-class.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Chapter 83 of the Qing dynasty novel "Qilu Deng" (《歧路灯》) by Li Lüyuan. The passage notes that in a moderately well-off household, gambling implements were regarded as essential items for dispelling boredom. The term "小康" itself traces back to ancient Chinese political philosophy, notably in the "Book of Rites" (《礼记》), where it described a society of modest prosperity, one step below the ideal "Great Harmony" (大同). The idiom thus reflects a long-standing Chinese cultural ideal of a stable, comfortable family life.
💡 Example Usage
他们家虽不算富裕，但也是小康之家，日子过得安稳。
Though not wealthy, their family is a moderately well-off household, living a stable and comfortable life.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 小康之家
- Pinyin: xiǎo kāng zhī jiā
- Literal Translation: small, well-off, 's, family
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4