饮水思源

飲水思源
yǐnshuǐ-sīyuán
idiom #60,965

Meanings

  1. 1 when drinking water, think of its source
  2. 2 to remember where one's blessings come from
  3. 3 to be grateful for one's roots

Examples

HSK 2
Zuòrén yào yǐnshuǐ-sīyuán, bùnéng wàng le bāng guò nǐ de rén.
One should remember the source of one's blessings and never forget those who helped along the way.
HSK 7-9
Gōngsī fāzhǎn de zhème hǎo, wǒmen gèng yào yǐnshuǐ-sīyuán, huíkuì shèhuì.
Now that the company is doing so well, all the more reason to remember our roots and give back to society.
HSK 7-9
Xiàoyǒu men yǐnshuǐ-sīyuán, juānkuǎn zīzhù mǔxiào jiàn xīn túshūguǎn.
Mindful of where they came from, the alumni donated to fund a new library at their alma mater.

Tips

memory
Literally 'drink water, think source.' Every sip should remind you of the spring it came from.
history
From the Northern Zhou poet 庾信's 《徵调曲》: 落其实者思其树, 饮其流者怀其源 - those who eat the fruit think of the tree; those who drink the stream remember its source.

Stroke Order

饮 yǐn
水 shuǐ
思 sī
源 yuán