諺語 · a single proverb

靠kào山shān吃chī山shān,，靠kào水shuǐ吃chī水shuǐ

kào shān chī shān, kào shuǐ chī shuǐ

What does 靠山吃山，靠水吃水 (kào shān chī shān, kào shuǐ chī shuǐ) mean?

靠山吃山，靠水吃水 (kào shān chī shān, kào shuǐ chī shuǐ) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "Near mountains, live off mountains; near water, live off water." In use it means: People adapt to and make use of whatever resources their environment provides. Survival favors those who work with what is at hand rather than longing for what is not. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Earth note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dog.

Literally: "Near mountains, live off mountains; near water, live off water.."

The reading

Contentment begins with seeing what is actually in front of you instead of aching for what is over the next ridge. The mountain dweller who envies the fisherman wastes the forest at his feet. Every landscape offers a livelihood to those willing to learn its particular language. Resourcefulness is not glamorous, but it is the difference between thriving and starving. The land gives to those who pay attention.

What kind of proverb it is

Source Traditional folk proverb, widely used across Chinese rural communities

Sits beside

一寸光陰一寸金

yī cùn guāng yīn yī cùn jīn

Time is as precious as gold.

一本萬利

yī běn wàn lì

A tiny investment yields an enormous return.

人為財死，鳥為食亡

rén wéi cái sǐ niǎo wéi shí wáng

The drive for material gain can be as fatal as any predator.

Keep reading

Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Wealth, Work & Diligence, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.

Questions

Is 靠山吃山，靠水吃水 a real Chinese proverb?

Yes. 靠山吃山，靠水吃水 (kào shān chī shān, kào shuǐ chī shuǐ) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional folk proverb, widely used across Chinese rural communities. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.

How do you pronounce 靠山吃山，靠水吃水?

In Mandarin it is kào shān chī shān, kào shuǐ chī shuǐ. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 靠山吃山，靠水吃水 aloud in Mandarin.