諺語 · a single proverb
巧婦難為無米之炊
Simplified: 巧妇难为无米之炊
What does 巧婦難為無米之炊 (qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī) mean?
巧婦難為無米之炊 (qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "Even a clever wife cannot cook without rice." In use it means: No matter how skilled you are, you cannot accomplish anything without the basic necessary resources. Talent alone is not enough; materials and conditions matter. 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 Rabbit.
Literally: "Even a clever wife cannot cook without rice.."
The reading
Skill without material is just potential locked in a room with no door. The most gifted cook staring at an empty pantry is no different from someone who never learned to cook at all. This is not a failure of ability but a fact about how the world works: creation requires something to create with. Respecting this limitation is not defeat. It is the beginning of honest planning.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Song dynasty proverb, attributed to Lu You's writings; widely cited in classical literature
Sits beside
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 Wisdom & Learning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 巧婦難為無米之炊 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 巧婦難為無米之炊 (qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Song dynasty proverb, attributed to Lu You's writings; widely cited in classical literature. 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 巧婦難為無米之炊?
In Mandarin it is qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 巧婦難為無米之炊 aloud in Mandarin.