昼夜各有宜

晝夜各有宜

zhòuyègèyǒuyí

phrase

Meanings

1 day and night each has its proper use
2 (fig.) different times and circumstances each have their fitting activity / role
3 (lit.) day — night — each — have — fitting

Characters

fitting / appropriate

Examples

工作要有节奏，昼夜各有宜，不必硬撑。

Gōngzuò yào yǒu jiézòu, zhòu yè gè yǒu yí, bùbì yìng chēng.

Work needs rhythm — 'day and night each have their own proper use'; no need to force yourself through.

古人讲究昼夜各有宜，作息顺天而行。

Gǔrén jiǎngjiū zhòu yè gè yǒu yí, zuòxī shùn tiān ér xíng.

The ancients insisted that 'day and night each have their proper use,' ordering rest and work by nature.

Tips

history

From 曹植《当欲游南山行》 (Cao Zhi, Three Kingdoms, early 3rd c.): 日月不同光，昼夜各有宜 (Sun and moon do not share one light; day and night each has its own fitting time). The canonical companion line to 日月不同光 — the pair argues for recognizing each being's or time's proper role instead of forcing everything into one mold.

usage

宜 = 'fitting, appropriate, suitable.' 各有宜 is a tight classical construction: '[each] has [its] fitting [use].' Almost always quoted after 日月不同光.

Stroke Order

昼 zhòu

夜 yè

各 gè

有 yǒu

宜 yí