📖 Meaning
Rising before dawn to dress and eating only after nightfall, this idiom describes someone who works tirelessly at state affairs from morning to night. It conveys supreme diligence and devotion to governance. Originally applied to emperors, it now praises anyone who labors exceedingly hard at official duties.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from a eulogy composed by Xu Ling of the Southern Dynasties Chen, titled 'Eulogy for Emperor Wen of Chen.' In it, he praised the emperor as 'diligent in governing the people, eating late and dressing at dawn.' Later, the Tang dynasty's 'Old Book of Tang' further solidified the expression, using it to describe rulers who devoted themselves day and night to the affairs of state.
💡 Example Usage
他宵衣旰食，治理国家，深得百姓爱戴。
He rose before dawn and ate only after dark, devoting himself entirely to governing the country and winning the people's deep affection.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 宵衣旰食
- Pinyin: xiāo yī gàn shí
- Literal Translation: dawn, clothes, late, eat
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4