雪里送炭 xuě lǐ sòng tàn Send charcoal in the snow

Explanation

比喻在别人急需时给以物质上或精神上的帮助。

To metaphorically describe providing material or spiritual help when someone is in urgent need.

Origin Story

凛冬将至，大雪封山，山村里的小路早已被厚厚的积雪覆盖。村里唯一的医生李大夫，为了给一位高烧不退的病人看病，冒着风雪跋涉在山路上。风雪越来越大，李大夫冻得瑟瑟发抖，身上衣服也早已湿透。就在这时，一位年轻力壮的小伙子，扛着一袋木炭，冒着风雪出现在李大夫面前，他二话不说，把木炭递给李大夫。李大夫接过木炭，心里暖暖的，有了木炭，他就能生起火，驱散寒气，坚持看完病人。这位小伙子，就是村里出了名的热心肠小刘。他平时总是乐于助人，在村里深受大家的好评。小刘雪中送炭的行为，也让李大夫更加敬佩他。

lǐng dōng jiāng zhì, dà xuě fēng shān, shān cūn lǐ de xiǎo lù zǎo yǐ bèi hòu hòu de jī xuě fù gài. cūn lǐ wéi yī de yī shēng lǐ dài fū, wèi le gěi yī wèi gāo shāo bù tuì de bìng rén kàn bìng, mào zhe fēng xuě bá shè zài shān lù shàng. fēng xuě yuè lái yuè dà, lǐ dài fū dòng de sè sè fǒu dǒu, shēn shàng yī fu yě zǎo yǐ shī tòu. jiù zài zhè shí, yī wèi nián qīng lì zhuàng de xiǎo huǒ zi, káng zhe yī dài mù tàn, mào zhe fēng xuě chū xiàn zài lǐ dài fū miàn qián, tā èr huà bù shuō, bǎ mù tàn dì gěi lǐ dài fū. lǐ dài fū jiē guò mù tàn, xīn lǐ nuǎn nuǎn de, yǒu le mù tàn, tā jiù néng shēng qǐ huǒ, qū sàn hán qì, jiān chí kàn wán bìng rén. zhè wèi xiǎo huǒ zi, jiù shì cūn lǐ chū le míng de rè xīn cháng xiǎo liú. tā píng shí zǒng shì lè yú zhù rén, zài cūn lǐ shēn shòu dà jiā de hǎo píng. xiǎo liú xuě zhōng sòng tàn de xíng wéi, yě ràng lǐ dài fū gèng jiā jìng pèi tā.

Winter is coming, heavy snow covers the mountain village, and the small roads are covered with thick snow. Li, the only doctor in the village, braves the wind and snow to treat a patient with a high fever. The wind and snow are getting stronger and stronger, Li is freezing, and his clothes are wet. At this moment, a young and strong man appears in front of Li with a bag of charcoal, and without saying a word, he gives the charcoal to Li. Li takes the charcoal and feels warm in his heart. With the charcoal, he can make a fire to drive away the cold and finish seeing the patient. This young man is Xiao Liu, known for his enthusiasm. He always likes to help people, and is well received in the village. Xiao Liu's act of sending charcoal in the snow makes Li admire him even more.

Usage

用于赞扬别人在危急时刻给予的帮助。

yòng yú zàn yang bié rén zài wēi jí shí kè gěi yǔ de bāng zhù

Used to praise the help given by others in times of crisis.

Examples

• 他雪中送炭，帮助了我很多。

  ta xuě zhōng sòng tàn, bāngzhù le wǒ hěn duō.

  He helped me a lot in my time of need.

• 危难之际，朋友雪里送炭，解燃眉之急。

  wēi nàn zhī jì, péngyou xuě lǐ sòng tàn, jiě rán méi zhī jí

  In times of crisis, a friend lends a helping hand

Related Idioms

• 雪中送炭

• 及时雨

Opposite Idioms

• 落井下石

• 袖手旁观