📖 Meaning
Describes something that is well-founded, traceable, and has a clear basis or origin. It indicates that a matter is not fabricated out of thin air but has identifiable clues and evidence to support it.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Ming dynasty vernacular story collection "石点头" (The Stone Nods), specifically in the tale "郭挺之榜前认子" (Guo Tingzhi Recognizes His Son Before the Examination Board). The narrator remarks that although the event was strange, it still had roots and sprouts — meaning it was traceable and could be recalled. The agricultural metaphor of roots and sprouts symbolizes something that can be followed back to its source.
💡 Example Usage
这件事有根有苗，查起来不难。
This matter has a clear basis and trail — it won't be hard to investigate.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 有根有苗
- Pinyin: yǒu gēn yǒu miáo
- Literal Translation: have root, have sprout
- Category: Logic
- Characters: 4