民以食为天

民以食為天

mínyǐshíwéitiān

idiom #60,652

Meanings

1 the people regard food as heaven
2 food is the people's paramount concern
3 eating is the most essential matter

Characters

to regard; to take as

heaven; the supreme thing

Examples

民以食为天，粮食安全是头等大事。

Mínyǐshíwéitiān, liángshi ānquán shì tóuděng dàshì.

The people treat food as heaven — food security is a matter of the highest priority.

俗话说民以食为天，中国人对吃特别讲究。

Súhuà shuō mínyǐshíwéitiān, Zhōngguórén duì chī tèbié jiǎngjiu.

As the saying goes, food is the people's heaven — Chinese people are particularly serious about eating.

Tips

history

From 《汉书·郦食其传》: '王者以民为天，而民以食为天' — a ruler treats the people as heaven, and the people treat food as heaven. The saying was used to warn rulers that no throne stands without full granaries.

Stroke Order

民 mín

以 yǐ

食 shí

为 wèi

天 tiān