安步当车

安步當車

ānbùdàngchē

idiom

Meanings

1 to walk leisurely instead of riding (idiom)
2 to take an unhurried walk in lieu of a carriage
3 to do things at one's own relaxed pace

Characters

calm / peacefully

to treat as / serve as

carriage / vehicle

Examples

退休后他每天安步当车，去公园散步。

Tuìxiū hòu tā měitiān ānbùdàngchē, qù gōngyuán sànbù.

After retiring, he walks leisurely to the park every day instead of taking a ride.

城里堵车严重，不如安步当车。

Chéng lǐ dǔchē yánzhòng, bùrú ānbùdàngchē.

Traffic in the city is bad — better just to take a leisurely walk.

Tips

history

From the Strategies of the Warring States (《战国策·齐策四》): the recluse Yan Zhu (颜斶) refused King Xuan of Qi's offer of high office, saying he preferred 'eating late as if it were meat, walking calmly as if riding a carriage, doing no wrong as if it were honor' (晚食以当肉，安步以当车，无罪以当贵). The phrase celebrates contented simplicity.

Stroke Order

安 ān

步 bù

当 dāng

车 chē