家徒四壁 Home with four walls
Explanation
形容家里十分贫困，一无所有。
Describes a house that only has four walls to describe extreme poverty.
Origin Story
西汉时期，司马相如在梁孝王死后回到家乡成都，家中十分贫寒，仅有四壁，生活艰苦。他的朋友王吉邀请他到富商卓王孙家做客，在那里，他遇到了卓王孙的寡妇女儿卓文君，两人一见钟情，私奔成婚。婚后，他们回到司马相如的家，面对家徒四壁的景象，开始了他们清贫却充满爱情的生活。虽然生活清苦，但他们相濡以沫，琴瑟和鸣，创造了属于他们的幸福。这个故事体现了爱情的伟大力量，即使面对物质的匮乏，也能拥有精神上的富足。
During the Western Han Dynasty, Sima Xiangru returned to his hometown of Chengdu after the death of Liang Xiaowang. His home was very poor, with only four walls, and life was difficult. His friend Wang Ji invited him to visit the wealthy merchant Zhuo Wangsun. There, he met Zhuo Wangsun's widowed daughter, Zhuo Wenjun, and they fell in love at first sight and eloped. After their marriage, they returned to Sima Xiangru's house, where they began a life of poverty but full of love, facing the sparse surroundings. Although their lives were hard, they lived in harmony and happiness, creating their own happiness. This story shows the great power of love; even in the face of material scarcity, they can possess spiritual wealth.
Usage
用于形容家庭贫穷，一贫如洗。
Used to describe a poor family, impoverished.
Examples
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他家徒四壁，生活十分贫困。
ta jia tu si bi, shenghuo shenfen pinkun
His family is very poor, living in poverty.
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虽然家徒四壁，但他依然乐观向上。
suiran jia tu si bi, dan ta yiran leguan xiangshang
Although his house only has four walls, he is still optimistic and positive.