轻车简从 qīng chē jiǎn cóng light carriage and simple retinue

Explanation

指出行或办事时，人员精简，随从不多，装束简便。多用于描写有地位的人为避免张扬而采取的低调作风。

Refers to traveling or conducting business with reduced personnel and few attendants, and simple attire. Often used to describe the low-key style adopted by people of high status to avoid attracting attention.

Origin Story

话说唐朝贞观年间，一位名叫李靖的将军率领大军凯旋而归。经过多年的征战，他深知战争的残酷和百姓的疾苦，心中充满了对和平的渴望。回朝途中，他并未像其他将军那样大张旗鼓，而是选择轻车简从，只带了少数亲兵和几个幕僚。他深知，炫耀武功只会招致嫉妒和纷争，唯有以低调谦逊的态度才能赢得百姓的爱戴和朝廷的信任。到达长安城后，李靖受到了皇帝的接见，并得到了最高的赞赏。他将这份荣耀归功于士兵们的英勇和百姓的支持，并继续为国家的安定与繁荣贡献自己的力量。轻车简从，不仅仅是一种作风，更是一种胸怀，一种境界。

huà shuō táng cháo zhēnguān nián jiān, yī wèi míng jiào lǐ jìng de jiāngjūn shuài lǐng dà jūn kǎixuán ér guī. jīngguò duō nián de zhēngzhàn, tā shēn zhī zhànzhēng de cánkù hé bǎixìng de jíkǔ, xīnzhōng chōngmǎn le duì hépíng de kěwàng. huí cháo túzhōng, tā bìng wèi xiàng qítā jiāngjūn nà yàng dà zhāng qí gǔ, ér shì xuǎnzé qīng chē jiǎn cóng, zhǐ dài le shǎoshù qīnbīng hé jǐ gè mùliáo. tā shēn zhī, xuànyào wǔgōng zhǐ huì zhāozhì jídù hé fēnzhēng, wéiyǒu yǐ diāo diào qiānxùn de tàidu cái néng yíngdé bǎixìng de àidài hé cháo tíng de xìnrèn. dàodá cháng'ān chéng hòu, lǐ jìng shòudào le huángdì de jiējiàn, bìng dédào le zuì gāo de zànshǎng. tā jiāng zhè fèn róngyào guīgōng yú shìbīng men de yīngyǒng hé bǎixìng de zhīchí, bìng jìxù wèi guójiā de āndìng yǔ fánróng gòngxiàn zìjǐ de lìliàng. qīng chē jiǎn cóng, bìng bù jǐn shì yī zhǒng zuòfēng, gèng shì yī zhǒng xiōnghuái, yī zhǒng jìngjiè.

During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, a general named Li Jing led his army to a triumphant return. After years of warfare, he deeply understood the cruelty of war and the suffering of the people, and his heart was filled with a longing for peace. On his way back to the capital, instead of making a grand entrance like other generals, he chose to travel simply and modestly, bringing only a few personal soldiers and several staff members. He knew that showing off military achievements would only lead to jealousy and disputes, and only a humble and modest attitude could win the love of the people and the trust of the court. Upon arriving in Chang'an, Li Jing was received by the emperor and received the highest praise. He attributed this glory to the bravery of his soldiers and the support of the people, and continued to contribute his strength to the stability and prosperity of the country. Traveling lightly and modestly was not just a style, but also a state of mind, a realm.

Usage

作谓语、定语；指行装简单，随从人员少。

zuò wèiyǔ, dìngyǔ; zhǐ xíngzhuāng jiǎndān, suícóng rényuán shǎo

As predicate or attributive; refers to simple baggage and few attendants.

Examples

• 他出行总是轻车简从，从不铺张浪费。

  tā chūxíng zǒng shì qīng chē jiǎn cóng, cóng bù pūzhāng làngfèi

  He always travels simply and modestly, never extravagant.

• 将军轻车简从，前往边境视察。

  jiāngjūn qīng chē jiǎn cóng, qiánwǎng biānjìng shìchá

  The general traveled with light equipment and a few companions to inspect the border.

• 他生活简朴，轻车简从，不追求物质享受。

  tā shēnghuó jiǎnpǔ, qīng chē jiǎn cóng, bù zhuīqiú wùzhì xiǎngshòu

  He lives simply and unpretentiously, without pursuing material comforts.

Related Idioms

• 轻车减从

• 简从

Opposite Idioms

• 前呼后拥

• 浩浩荡荡