IntermediateChinese Idiom (成语)

坐享其成

zuò xiǎng qí chéng

“To sit idle and enjoy the fruits”

Meaning: To sit idle and enjoy the fruits of others' labor; to reap benefits without working; to benefit from others' efforts without contributing

Character-by-Character Breakdown

to enjoy / to benefit

The Story Behind 坐享其成

Source:《醒世恒言》

Period:Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Reaping Without Sowing

The idiom 坐享其成 comes from classical Chinese literature, describing people who benefit from others' work without contributing themselves.

It emphasizes the unfairness of enjoying the results of someone else's labor while doing nothing.

The phrase teaches that success should come from one's own efforts, not from taking advantage of others' work.

It warns against the moral problem of benefiting from others' hard work without giving anything in return.

Original Classical Chinese

坐享其成，不劳而获。

How to Use 坐享其成

This idiom is used to criticize people who benefit from others' work without contributing themselves.

It emphasizes the unfairness of enjoying the fruits of someone else's labor while doing nothing.

The idiom is often used to point out laziness or unfairness in situations where someone reaps benefits without working.

When to use:

Use when criticizing someone who benefits without working
Often used to point out unfairness or laziness
Can be used as a warning against relying on others' efforts

Common Mistake

Don't confuse this with simply receiving help or benefits. It specifically refers to enjoying the fruits of others' labor without contributing anything, emphasizing laziness and unfairness.

Example Sentences

他不想工作，只想坐享其成，靠别人的努力生活。

Tā bùxiǎng gōngzuò, zhǐ xiǎng zuò xiǎng qí chéng, kào biérén de nǔlì shēnghuó.

He doesn't want to work, he just wants to sit idle and enjoy the fruits, living off others' efforts.

这个项目是大家共同努力的结果，你不能坐享其成。

Zhège xiàngmù shì dàjiā gòngtóng nǔlì de jiéguǒ, nǐ bù néng zuò xiǎng qí chéng.

This project is the result of everyone's joint efforts. You can't just sit idle and enjoy the fruits.

他继承了父亲的财产，坐享其成，从不自己努力。

Tā jìchéng le fùqīn de cáichǎn, zuò xiǎng qí chéng, cóng bù zìjǐ nǔlì.

He inherited his father's wealth and sits idle enjoying the fruits, never working hard himself.

Practice Writing

Generate a free printable worksheet with all 4 characters from this idiom.

Generate Worksheet (4 Characters)

Or explore each character:

坐stroke order 享stroke order 其stroke order 成stroke order

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 坐享其成 (zuò xiǎng qí chéng) mean?

坐享其成 literally means "to sit idle and enjoy the fruits." Figuratively, it means to sit idle and enjoy the fruits of others' labor, to reap benefits without working, or to benefit from others' efforts without contributing. It criticizes laziness and unfairness.

What is the difference between 坐享其成 and 守株待兔?

Both idioms criticize passive behavior, but 坐享其成 specifically refers to enjoying the fruits of others' work without contributing, while 守株待兔 refers to waiting passively for opportunities based on luck. 坐享其成 emphasizes benefiting from others, 守株待兔 emphasizes waiting for luck.

How do you use 坐享其成 in a sentence?

Use 坐享其成 when criticizing someone who benefits without working. For example: "你不能坐享其成，要自己努力" (You can't just sit idle and enjoy the fruits, you need to work hard yourself).

Is 坐享其成 always negative?

Yes, 坐享其成 has a negative connotation. It's used to criticize people who benefit from others' work without contributing themselves. It emphasizes unfairness and laziness.

Is 坐享其成 difficult to learn?

坐享其成 is considered intermediate level. It uses characters of varying difficulty (坐 HSK1, 享 HSK5, 其 HSK3, 成 HSK2). The concept of "reaping without sowing" is universal and the idiom is commonly used.