风餐露宿

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: fēng cān lù sù
• English Translation: Eating in the wind and sleeping under the dew; traveling while camping outdoors; enduring hardships of traveling exposed to the elements
• Idiom Composition: 「风」（Wind）＋「餐」（To eat, to have a meal）＋「露」（Dew）＋「宿」（To stay overnight, to lodge）
• Meaning: To eat while exposed to the wind and sleep under the dew. This idiom describes the hardships of traveling or living outdoors without shelter. It also metaphorically expresses persevering and striving despite difficult circumstances.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「风餐露宿」 contains the following nuances:

• Harsh environment: Describes harsh conditions of living or sleeping outdoors without the protection of a roof.
• Hardships of travel: Refers to the difficulties encountered during travel, such as lack of adequate food or lodging.
• Poverty and hardship: Expresses the hardship of having to live outdoors due to poverty or difficult circumstances.
• Endurance and effort: Can also describe the spirit of enduring harsh conditions and making efforts toward a goal without giving up.

3. Usage

「风餐露宿」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing travel: Used to depict journeys or adventures involving camping outdoors and enduring hardships.
  • Example:「为了寻找传说中的宝藏，他们风餐露宿，跋山涉水。」
    （To search for the legendary treasure, they traveled enduring hardships outdoors, crossing mountains and rivers.）
• Expressing hardships: Used to express a life full of difficulties and hardships.
  • Example:「他年轻时风餐露宿，四处打工，才积累了今天的财富。」
    （When he was young, he endured hardships traveling outdoors, working various jobs, and accumulated his wealth today.）
• Praising spirit: Used to praise the strong spirit of facing difficulties.
  • Example:「这些边防战士常年风餐露宿，保卫着祖国的边疆。」
    （These border guards have endured hardships outdoors for years, defending the country's frontiers.）

Additional Examples:

1. 古代的商队经常风餐露宿，穿越沙漠和草原。
   （Ancient caravans often traveled enduring hardships outdoors, crossing deserts and grasslands.）
2. 为了完成这项艰巨的任务，他们不得不风餐露宿，日夜兼程。
   （To complete this arduous task, they had to endure hardships outdoors, traveling day and night.）
3. 地震发生后，救援人员风餐露宿，争分夺秒地抢救伤员。
   （After the earthquake, rescue workers endured hardships outdoors, racing against time to save the injured.）
4. 尽管条件艰苦，但他们依然风餐露宿，坚持进行科学考察。
   （Despite harsh conditions, they still endured hardships outdoors and persisted in their scientific research.）
5. 他风餐露宿，历经千辛万苦，终于实现了自己的梦想。
   （He endured hardships outdoors, went through countless difficulties, and finally realized his dream.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Throughout Chinese history, many people have been forced to live a life of '风餐露宿' due to wars, famines, and natural disasters. This idiom reflects such historical backgrounds.
• '风餐露宿' is frequently used in classical Chinese literature and poetry to express the hardships of travel and the difficulties of life.
• In modern usage, it is often used metaphorically to mean enduring hardships or facing difficulties courageously, beyond its literal meaning.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 餐风宿露 (cān fēng sù lù): Eating in the wind and sleeping under the dew; has almost the same meaning as '风餐露宿'.
  • 风尘仆仆 (fēng chén pú pú): Describes being covered in dust and exhausted from travel.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 安居乐业 (ān jū lè yè): Living in stable housing and working happily; describes a peaceful and stable life.
  • 养尊处优 (yǎng zūn chǔ yōu): Living a comfortable and privileged life without hardships.

6. Summary

'风餐露宿' not only expresses the hardships of traveling or living in harsh environments but also symbolizes human strength and endurance in facing difficulties. This idiom is deeply connected with Chinese history, culture, and literature. Understanding its background allows for a deeper appreciation of its meaning.