民不聊生

mínbù-liáoshēng

idiom #52,340

Meanings

1 the people cannot make a living
2 the populace in utter misery

Characters

to rely on (classical)

Examples

HSK 4

战争使民不聊生。

Zhànzhēng shǐ mínbù-liáoshēng.

War left the people with no means of livelihood.

HSK 7-9

当时苛捐杂税，民不聊生。

Dāngshí kējuān-záshuì, mínbù-liáoshēng.

At that time oppressive taxes left the common people destitute.

Tips

history

From 《史记·张耳陈余列传》: 财匮力尽，民不聊生 (resources exhausted, the people could not survive). 聊 here means 'to rely on'.

Stroke Order

民 mín

不 bù

聊 liáo

生 shēng