白手起家

bái shǒu qǐ jiā◆idiom

to start a business from nothing

他白手起家，现在是公司的老板。

He started from nothing and is now the company's boss.

◆ What It Really Means

To achieve success through hard work and determination, starting with no initial advantages or resources.

¶ Literal Meaning

To start a business with bare hands.

Literal Breakdown

白手bare hands+起家to establish a business

◇ Mental Image

The image of someone starting a business with nothing but their own hands, symbolizing self-reliance and hard work.

◈ When to Use

A person who starts a small business from scratch and grows it into a successful enterprise through their own efforts.

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects the Chinese cultural value of self-reliance and the belief that success can be achieved through hard work and perseverance, regardless of one's starting point.

formal

To build a successful business or career from nothing, relying solely on one's own efforts and resources without any initial advantages or wealth.

通过白手起家，他证明了任何人都可以成功。

By starting from nothing, he proved that anyone can succeed.

她白手起家，现在拥有多家连锁店。

She built her business from scratch and now owns several chain stores.

This idiom emphasizes self-reliance and perseverance in achieving success.

Collocations

白手起家的企业家self-made entrepreneur白手起家的故事rags-to-riches story

Synonyms

自力更生自主创业从零开始

Antonyms

依靠家族继承财富借助外力

Related Phrases

白手起家idiom

to start a business from nothing

自力更生phrase

to rely on oneself

Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is commonly used in business and motivational contexts to highlight the value of hard work and perseverance.

Gold Rule

Positive Connotation

The idiom carries a positive connotation, emphasizing the virtues of self-reliance and determination.

Word Origin

The idiom combines '白手' (bare hands) and '起家' (to establish a business), symbolizing starting with nothing but one's own hands and efforts.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used to describe individuals who have achieved success through hard work and determination, without relying on inherited wealth or external support.

Word Breakdown

白手

bare hands

root

起家

to establish a business

root

汉英词典

白手起家

bái shǒu qǐ jiā◆idiom

to start a business from nothing

他白手起家，现在是公司的老板。

He started from nothing and is now the company's boss.

◆ What It Really Means

To achieve success through hard work and determination, starting with no initial advantages or resources.

¶ Literal Meaning

To start a business with bare hands.

Literal Breakdown

白手bare hands+起家to establish a business

◇ Mental Image

The image of someone starting a business with nothing but their own hands, symbolizing self-reliance and hard work.

◈ When to Use

A person who starts a small business from scratch and grows it into a successful enterprise through their own efforts.

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects the Chinese cultural value of self-reliance and the belief that success can be achieved through hard work and perseverance, regardless of one's starting point.

formal

To build a successful business or career from nothing, relying solely on one's own efforts and resources without any initial advantages or wealth.

通过白手起家，他证明了任何人都可以成功。

By starting from nothing, he proved that anyone can succeed.

她白手起家，现在拥有多家连锁店。

She built her business from scratch and now owns several chain stores.

This idiom emphasizes self-reliance and perseverance in achieving success.

Collocations

白手起家的企业家self-made entrepreneur白手起家的故事rags-to-riches story

Synonyms

自力更生自主创业从零开始

Antonyms

依靠家族继承财富借助外力

Related Phrases

白手起家idiom

to start a business from nothing

自力更生phrase

to rely on oneself

Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is commonly used in business and motivational contexts to highlight the value of hard work and perseverance.

Gold Rule

Positive Connotation

The idiom carries a positive connotation, emphasizing the virtues of self-reliance and determination.

Word Origin

The idiom combines '白手' (bare hands) and '起家' (to establish a business), symbolizing starting with nothing but one's own hands and efforts.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used to describe individuals who have achieved success through hard work and determination, without relying on inherited wealth or external support.

Word Breakdown

白手

bare hands

root

起家

to establish a business

root

汉英词典