Love can't survive on romance alone; you also have to deal with the everyday stuff.
Tips
history
From Yuan-dynasty playwright Lan Chufang's sanqu 《粉蝶儿·恩情》: 学知些柴米油盐价 — 'she learned the prices of firewood, rice, oil and salt.' These four were the original 'open-door seven necessities' (开门七件事: 柴米油盐酱醋茶).
culture
Often used to contrast lofty ideals or romance with the grinding reality of running a household — the Chinese equivalent of 'bills and groceries.' A longer version is 柴米油盐酱醋茶 (adds soy sauce, vinegar, tea).
