📖 Meaning
To reward people according to the size of their contributions or merits. It emphasizes a fair and merit-based system of granting rewards, where greater achievements earn greater compensation. The phrase is commonly used in contexts of leadership and governance.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from 'Yinglie Zhuan' (Tales of Heroes), a Ming Dynasty work attributed to Guo Xun. In Chapter 28, a leader addresses his ministers, urging them to work together with one heart to accomplish great deeds. He promises that all wealth and honors will be distributed according to each person's contributions, rewarding them based on their actual merit rather than favoritism.
💡 Example Usage
公司年终评优时，老板照功行赏，业绩最好的员工获得了最高奖金。
At the year-end evaluation, the boss rewarded according to merit, and the employee with the best performance received the highest bonus.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 照功行赏
- Pinyin: zhào gōng xíng shǎng
- Literal Translation: according to, merit, administer, reward
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4