During the years of war, many families were short of food and clothing.
Tips
history
Recorded in Ming-era writer Li Zhi's 焚书·复李渐老书 (Burning Books - Reply to Li Jianlao). The four characters literally read 'lacking 缺 clothing 衣, short on 少 food 食,' covering the two most basic survival needs.
usage
Often used in narratives about hardship - wars, famine, or rough childhoods. A near-synonym is 缺食无衣, with the same meaning but the 食/衣 order reversed.
