諺語 · a single proverb
飲水思源
Simplified: 饮水思源
What does 飲水思源 (yǐn shuǐ sī yuán) mean?
飲水思源 (yǐn shuǐ sī yuán) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "drink water, think of its source." In use it means: Remember your roots and honor those who made your good fortune possible. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Water note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Pig.
Literally: "drink water, think of its source."
The reading
Every cup you drink was carried to you by someone. To remember the spring is to keep the water sweet, and to keep yourself whole.
The story
The phrase is attributed to Yu Xin, a poet of the Northern Zhou who spent his later years stranded in the north, homesick for the southern Liang. In his 徵調曲 he pairs falling fruit thinking of its tree with flowing water recalling its source, giving voice to the ache of remembering where one came from.
Name the specific person who carried the water to you, the teacher, the parent, the first person who took a chance on you, and tell them so this week. Remembering the spring is what keeps the water sweet and keeps you whole.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Yu Xin 庾信 (Northern Zhou)
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 Home, Family & Roots, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Pig, Year of the Goat, Year of the Dog, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 飲水思源 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 飲水思源 (yǐn shuǐ sī yuán) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Yu Xin 庾信 (Northern Zhou). 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 飲水思源?
In Mandarin it is yǐn shuǐ sī yuán. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 飲水思源 aloud in Mandarin.