諺語 · a single proverb
一分錢一分貨
Simplified: 一分钱一分货
What does 一分錢一分貨 (yī fēn qián yī fēn huò) mean?
一分錢一分貨 (yī fēn qián yī fēn huò) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "One cent of money, one cent of goods." In use it means: You get what you pay for. Quality corresponds to price, and expecting fine goods at a low price is self-deception. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Metal note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dog.
Literally: "One cent of money, one cent of goods.."
The reading
Bargain hunting has its limits, and this proverb marks the boundary. The cheapest cloth wears out fastest, and the cheapest rice feeds the least. Understanding value means looking past the price tag to the substance underneath. A buyer who respects the maker's labor will always find better goods. True economy lies in paying fairly for things that last.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Widespread folk proverb, documented in Qing-era marketplace sayings
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 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 一分錢一分貨 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 一分錢一分貨 (yī fēn qián yī fēn huò) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Widespread folk proverb, documented in Qing-era marketplace sayings. 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 一分錢一分貨?
In Mandarin it is yī fēn qián yī fēn huò. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 一分錢一分貨 aloud in Mandarin.