两袖清风 liǎng xiù qīng fēng Clean sleeves

Explanation

两袖清风的意思是指衣袖中除了清风外，别无所有，比喻做官廉洁，没有私心。也比喻穷得一无所有。

This idiom means that someone has nothing but the fresh air in their sleeves. It describes an official who is honest and has no personal interests. It can also mean that someone is very poor and has nothing.

Origin Story

唐朝时，有一个名叫李白的诗人，他经常游历四方，喜欢结交朋友。有一次，他在一个酒馆里遇到一个官员，这个官员名叫王公，也是一个诗人。两人谈得很投机，于是便一起喝酒。王公是一个非常爱喝酒的人，喝了一壶又一壶，可是李白却只喝了一杯。王公奇怪地问李白：“你为什么只喝一杯酒呢？”李白笑着说：“我两袖清风，没有钱买酒，只能喝一杯。”王公听了哈哈大笑，说：“你真是一个有趣的人！我家里有的是酒，你尽管喝！”于是，王公便吩咐店小二拿出一坛最好的酒，两人一直喝到深夜才散去。李白在离开酒馆的时候，王公送他了一件价值连城的玉佩。李白推辞说：“我两袖清风，怎么能要你的玉佩呢？”王公说：“你不用客气，这玉佩是我送给你的礼物。”李白最后还是收下了玉佩。后来，李白回到家乡，他把王公送的玉佩卖了，用这笔钱帮助那些穷苦的人。

táng cháo shí, yǒu yī ge jiào lǐ bái de shī rén, tā jīng cháng yóu lì sì fāng, xǐ huan jié jiāo péng yǒu. yǒu yī cì, tā zài yī ge jiǔ guǎn lǐ yù dào yī ge guān yuán, zhè ge guān yuán jiào wáng gōng, yě shì yī ge shī rén. liǎng rén tán de hěn tóu jī, yú shì biàn yī qǐ hē jiǔ. wáng gōng shì yī ge fēi cháng ài hē jiǔ de rén, hē le yī hú yòu yī hú, kě shì lǐ bái què zhǐ hē le yī bēi. wáng gōng qí guài de wèn lǐ bái: “nǐ wèi shén me zhǐ hē yī bēi jiǔ ne?” lǐ bái xiào zhe shuō: “wǒ liǎng xiù qīng fēng, méi yǒu qián mǎi jiǔ, zhǐ néng hē yī bēi.” wáng gōng tīng le hā hā dà xiào, shuō: “nǐ zhēn shì yī ge yǒu qù de rén! wǒ jiā lǐ yǒu de shì jiǔ, nǐ jǐn guǎn hē!” yú shì, wáng gōng biàn fēng fú diàn xiǎo èr ná chū yī tán zuì hǎo de jiǔ, liǎng rén yī zhí hē dào shēn yè cái sàn qù. lǐ bái zài lí kāi jiǔ guǎn de shí hou, wáng gōng sòng tā le yī jiàn jià zhí lián chéng de yù pèi. lǐ bái tuī cí shuō: “wǒ liǎng xiù qīng fēng, zěn me néng yào nǐ de yù pèi ne?” wáng gōng shuō: “nǐ bù yòng kè qì, zhè yù pèi shì wǒ sòng gěi nǐ de lǐ wù.” lǐ bái zuì hòu hái shì shōu xià le yù pèi. hòu lái, lǐ bái huí dào jiā xiāng, tā bǎ wáng gōng sòng de yù pèi mài le, yòng zhè bǐ qián bāng zhù nà xiē qióng kǔ de rén.

During the Tang dynasty, there was a poet named Li Bai who often traveled far and wide and loved to make friends. Once, he met an official named Wang Gong in a tavern, who was also a poet. They got along well and had a drink together. Wang Gong was a very fond of drinking, and drank one pot after another, but Li Bai only had one cup. Wang Gong curiously asked Li Bai: “Why do you only drink one cup of wine?” Li Bai smiled and said, “I have nothing but the fresh air in my sleeves, I can't afford to buy wine, so I can only drink one cup.” Wang Gong laughed and said, “You're such a funny guy! I have plenty of wine at home, drink as much as you like!” So, Wang Gong ordered the waiter to bring out the best pot of wine, and the two drank together until late at night. When Li Bai left the tavern, Wang Gong gave him a valuable jade pendant. Li Bai declined and said, “I have nothing but the fresh air in my sleeves, how can I accept your jade pendant?” Wang Gong said, “Don't be polite, this is a gift from me.” Li Bai finally accepted the jade pendant. Later, Li Bai returned to his hometown and sold the jade pendant that Wang Gong had given him. He used the money to help those in need.

Usage

“两袖清风”这个成语通常用来形容官员廉洁奉公，不贪污腐败，也用来比喻人清贫，没有财产。

“liǎng xiù qīng fēng” zhè ge chéng yǔ tóng cháng yòng lái xíng róng guān yuán lián jié fèng gōng, bù tān wū fǔ bài, yě yòng lái bǐ yù rén qīng pín, méi yǒu cái chǎn.

The idiom “两袖清风” is usually used to describe officials who are honest and incorruptible, and do not engage in corruption. It is also used to describe people who are poor and have no possessions.

Examples

• 他一生清廉，两袖清风，深受百姓爱戴。

  tā yī shēng qīng lián, liǎng xiù qīng fēng, shēn shòu bǎi xìng ài dài.

  He is incorruptible and honest, a man of integrity throughout his life, and is deeply loved by the people.

• 这个官员两袖清风，一心为民。

  zhè ge guān yuán liǎng xiù qīng fēng, yī xīn wèi mín.

  This official is incorruptible and honest, dedicated to serving the people.

• 虽然生活清贫，但他依然保持着两袖清风的心态。

  suī rán shēng huó qīng pín, dàn tā yī rán bǎo chí zhe liǎng xiù qīng fēng de xīn tài.

  Although life is poor, he still maintains a clear conscience.

• 这个老先生两袖清风，过着简朴的生活。

  zhè ge lǎo xiān sheng liǎng xiù qīng fēng, guò zhe jiǎn pǔ de shēng huó.

  This old man is honest and lives a simple life.

• 做官应该两袖清风，不贪图钱财。

  zuò guān yīng gāi liǎng xiù qīng fēng, bù tān tú qián cái.

  Officials should be honest and incorruptible, not greedy for money.

Related Idioms

• 洁身自好

• 一贫如洗

• 廉洁奉公

• 清正廉洁

• 刚正不阿

• 一身正气

• 为民服务

Opposite Idioms

• 贪得无厌

• 贪赃枉法

• 一掷千金