看菜吃饭 Kàn cài chī fàn Cook according to the dishes

Explanation

比喻做事要根据具体情况而定,要灵活变通,不可墨守成规。

This idiom means that we should adapt our actions to the specific situation and circumstances. It is important to be flexible and not stick to rigid rules.

Origin Story

从前,有一个厨子,他做菜非常讲究。有一天,来了一个客人,客人说想吃鱼。厨子一看,鱼只有一条,不够做两道菜。于是,他灵机一动,先做了一道清蒸鱼,味道鲜美。接着,他又把鱼骨头熬汤,加了一些蔬菜,做了一道鲜美的鱼汤。客人吃得津津有味,赞不绝口。厨子说:"做菜要看菜吃饭,根据食材来决定做法,才能做出美味的菜肴。"

cóng qián, yǒu yīgè chú zi, tā zuò cài fēicháng jiǎng jiū. yǒu yī tiān, lái le yīgè kè rén, kè rén shuō xiǎng chī yú. chú zi yī kàn, yú zhǐ yǒu yī tiáo, bù gòu zuò liǎng dào cài. yú shì, tā líng jī yī dòng, xiān zuò le yī dào qīng zhēng yú, wèi dào xiān měi. jiē zhe, tā yòu bǎ yú gǔ tou áo tāng, jiā le yī xiē shū cài, zuò le yī dào xiān měi de yú tāng. kè rén chī de jīn jīn yǒu wèi, zàn bù jué kǒu. chú zi shuō: "zuò cài yào kàn cài chī fàn, gēn jù shí cái lái jué dìng zuò fǎ, cáinéng zuò chū měi wèi de cài yáo.

Once upon a time, there was a chef who was very particular about his cooking. One day, a guest came and asked for fish. The chef saw that there was only one fish, not enough for two dishes. So, he had a bright idea: he first made a steamed fish, which tasted delicious. Then, he used the fish bones to make a soup with some vegetables. The guest ate it with relish and praised the food. The chef said: "Cooking should depend on the ingredients to determine how to prepare the food, only then can delicious dishes be made."

Usage

用于形容做事要根据具体情况而定,要灵活变通,不可墨守成规。

yòng yú xíngróng zuò shì yào gēn jù jùtǐ qíngkuàng ér dìng, yào línghuó biàntōng, bùkě mòshǒuchéngguī

Used to describe doing things should be based on the specific situation, be flexible and adaptable, and not stick to rigid rules.

Examples

  • 做事情要量力而行,看菜吃饭,量体裁衣。

    zuò shì qing yào liàng lì ér xíng, kàn cài chī fàn, liàng tǐ cái yī

    We should do things according to our abilities, cook according to the dishes, and tailor clothes according to the body shape.

  • 这次任务虽然很艰巨,但我们也要看菜吃饭,量力而为。

    zhè cì rèn wù suī rán hěn jiān jù, dàn wǒ men yě yào kàn cài chī fàn, liàng lì ér wèi

    Although this task is very arduous, we should also adjust our actions based on the situation and our capabilities