yǐn shuǐ sī yuán: 饮水思源 - Drink Water, Think of its Source; Gratitude for One's Origins

• Keywords: yin shui si yuan, yǐn shuǐ sī yuán, 饮水思源, Chinese idiom for gratitude, remember your roots, drink water think source, don't forget where you come from, Chinese proverbs, chengyu, filial piety, repaying kindness
• Summary: 饮水思源 (yǐn shuǐ sī yuán) is a profound Chinese idiom (Chengyu) that literally translates to “when you drink water, think of its source.” It serves as a powerful reminder to always be grateful for the origins of your success, happiness, and well-being. This concept is a cornerstone of Chinese culture, encouraging individuals to remember and appreciate the people, sacrifices, and circumstances that paved their way, whether it be parents, teachers, mentors, or their homeland.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yǐn shuǐ sī yuán
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) / Idiom
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced / Chengyu)
• Concise Definition: When you drink water, remember its source; never forget the people and things that have helped you.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine achieving a lifelong dream. This idiom is the voice in your head that reminds you to look back and thank everyone who supported you along the way. It’s a concept of active, humble gratitude. The “water” is any blessing you enjoy—knowledge, success, freedom, or even life itself. The “source” is where that blessing came from. To “饮水思源” is to live with a constant awareness and appreciation for your roots and the foundations of your success.

• 饮 (yǐn): To drink. This character sets the scene of receiving or enjoying something.
• 水 (shuǐ): Water. A symbol for life, sustenance, and any kind of blessing or good fortune.
• 思 (sī): To think, consider, or remember. This is the core action of the idiom—a conscious act of reflection.
• 源 (yuán): Source, origin, or spring (of a river). This represents the root cause or origin of the blessing.

Together, these characters create a vivid and memorable metaphor: “Drink Water, Think Source.” The simple, physical act of drinking water is elevated to a philosophical reminder to never take your blessings for granted and to always acknowledge their origins with gratitude.

• Deep-Rooted in Chinese Values: 饮水思源 is deeply intertwined with core Confucian values, particularly filial piety (孝顺, xiàoshùn). It's the philosophical basis for showing immense respect and gratitude towards one's parents and ancestors. This extends to teachers, mentors, and elders, who are seen as the “source” of one's knowledge and character.
• Western Comparison: “Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due”: An English speaker might equate this with “giving credit where credit is due.” However, there's a key difference in depth and obligation. “Giving credit” is often a professional or social courtesy, an act of acknowledgement. 饮水思源 is a moral imperative and a defining characteristic of a virtuous person. It implies a deep, personal sense of indebtedness and a desire to repay the kindness, not just acknowledge it. It’s less about a transaction and more about one's fundamental character.
• Broader Applications: The concept is also applied on a larger scale. A successful businessperson is expected to 饮水思源 by giving back to their hometown. Citizens are encouraged to 饮水思源 by remembering the sacrifices of national heroes and contributing to the country's future. It fosters a sense of interconnectedness and collective responsibility.

This is a formal and respected idiom, often used to convey sincerity and high moral character.

• In Formal Speeches: A CEO might use it when thanking early employees, or a politician might use it to evoke a sense of national pride and history. It adds weight and sincerity to their words.
• In Education: It's a common theme in moral education, taught to children from a young age to instill respect for parents and teachers. You'll often see it on posters in school hallways.
• In Business and Philanthropy: When a successful entrepreneur donates money to their former university or builds a factory in their hometown, the media will praise them for their spirit of 饮水思源.
• In Personal Conversations: While not used for trivial matters, it is appropriate when expressing deep, sincere gratitude for significant help, such as when a student thanks a mentor who guided their career, or when an adult reflects on the sacrifices their parents made for them.

• Example 1:
  • 我们今天的幸福生活来之不易，我们应该饮水思源，感谢革命先辈。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jīntiān de xìngfú shēnghuó láizhībùyì, wǒmen yīnggāi yǐn shuǐ sī yuán, gǎnxiè gémìng xiānbèi.
  • English: Our happy life today did not come easily; we should remember its source and be grateful to the revolutionary pioneers.
  • Analysis: This is a classic patriotic usage, often heard in official speeches or educational contexts, linking current prosperity to past sacrifices.
• Example 2:
  • 他成功后，没有忘记家乡的养育之恩，捐钱建了一所学校，真是饮水思源的典范。
  • Pinyin: Tā chénggōng hòu, méiyǒu wàngjì jiāxiāng de yǎngyù zhī ēn, juān qián jiànle yī suǒ xuéxiào, zhēnshi yǐn shuǐ sī yuán de diǎnfàn.
  • English: After becoming successful, he didn't forget the kindness of his hometown and donated money to build a school. He is truly a model of gratitude for one's origins.
  • Analysis: This example showcases the idiom in the context of philanthropy and giving back to one's roots.
• Example 3:
  • 老师，谢谢您多年的教导。我能有今天的成就，全靠您。我一定会饮水思源，不辜负您的期望。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, xièxiè nín duōnián de jiàodǎo. Wǒ néng yǒu jīntiān de chéngjiù, quán kào nín. Wǒ yīdìng huì yǐn shuǐ sī yuán, bù gūfù nín de qīwàng.
  • English: Teacher, thank you for your many years of guidance. My achievements today are all thanks to you. I will surely remember the source of my success and not let you down.
  • Analysis: A very common and appropriate way for a student to express deep, sincere gratitude to a teacher or mentor.
• Example 4:
  • 父母为我们付出了那么多，我们做子女的要懂得饮水思源，好好孝顺他们。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ wèi wǒmen fùchūle nàme duō, wǒmen zuò zǐnǚ de yào dǒngdé yǐn shuǐ sī yuán, hǎohǎo xiàoshùn tāmen.
  • English: Our parents have sacrificed so much for us; as their children, we must understand the principle of gratitude and be filial towards them.
  • Analysis: This directly connects 饮水思源 to the concept of filial piety (孝顺, xiàoshùn).
• Example 5:
  • 作为公司的老员工，我希望新来的年轻人能够饮水思源，记住是谁给了他们这个平台。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi gōngsī de lǎo yuángōng, wǒ xīwàng xīn lái de niánqīng rén nénggòu yǐn shuǐ sī yuán, jìzhù shì shéi gěile tāmen zhège píngtái.
  • English: As a senior employee of the company, I hope the young newcomers can be grateful for their opportunities and remember who gave them this platform.
  • Analysis: Used in a corporate context to foster loyalty and appreciation for the company's founders or senior leadership.
• Example 6:
  • 离开家乡去大城市发展是好事，但你千万不能忘了根，要时刻饮水思源。
  • Pinyin: Líkāi jiāxiāng qù dà chéngshì fāzhǎn shì hǎoshì, dàn nǐ qiānwàn bùnéng wàngle gēn, yào shíkè yǐn shuǐ sī yuán.
  • English: It's good to leave your hometown to develop in a big city, but you must never forget your roots; you must always remember where you came from.
  • Analysis: This is common advice given by elders to younger people who are leaving home, reminding them to stay humble and connected to their origins.
• Example 7:
  • 这个慈善基金会的成立，正是创始人饮水思源、回馈社会的一种方式。
  • Pinyin: Zhège císhàn jījīn huì de chénglì, zhèngshì chuàngshǐ rén yǐn shuǐ sī yuán, huíkuì shèhuì de yī zhǒng fāngshì.
  • English: The establishment of this charitable foundation is precisely a way for the founder to be grateful for their origins and give back to society.
  • Analysis: This shows the idiom being used to explain the motivation behind a positive social action.
• Example 8:
  • 我们的公司能渡过难关，全靠早期投资者的支持。现在我们成功了，一定要饮水思源。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de gōngsī néng dùguò nánguān, quán kào zǎoqí tóuzī zhě de zhīchí. Xiànzài wǒmen chénggōngle, yīdìng yào yǐn shuǐ sī yuán.
  • English: Our company was able to overcome its difficulties entirely thanks to the support of early investors. Now that we are successful, we must remember the source of our success.
  • Analysis: A classic business context, expressing gratitude to those who provided crucial early support.
• Example 9:
  • 看着孩子们快乐地在新公园里玩耍，市长感慨道：“我们不能忘记那些为城市建设付出汗水的人，要饮水思源啊。”
  • Pinyin: Kànzhe háizimen kuàilè de zài xīn gōngyuán lǐ wánshuǎ, shì zhǎng gǎnkǎi dào: “Wǒmen bùnéng wàngjì nàxiē wèi chéngshì jiànshè fùchū hànshuǐ de rén, yào yǐn shuǐ sī yuán a.”
  • English: Watching the children play happily in the new park, the mayor said with emotion: “We cannot forget those who toiled to build this city; we must be grateful for the source.”
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the idiom's use in a civic context, encouraging appreciation for community builders.
• Example 10:
  • 人要懂得饮水思源，无论你飞得多高，都不要忘记最初支持你的朋友。
  • Pinyin: Rén yào dǒngdé yǐn shuǐ sī yuán, wúlùn nǐ fēi dé duō gāo, dōu bùyào wàngjì zuìchū zhīchí nǐ de péngyǒu.
  • English: A person must know to be grateful for their origins; no matter how high you fly, don't forget the friends who first supported you.
  • Analysis: A piece of general life advice, emphasizing humility and loyalty to early supporters.

• Mistake: Using it for trivial matters.
  • This idiom is reserved for significant, foundational gratitude. You would not use it to thank someone for a small, everyday favor.
  • Incorrect: 他帮我捡起了笔，我真是对他饮水思源。(Tā bāng wǒ jiǎn qǐle bǐ, wǒ zhēnshi duì tā yǐn shuǐ sī yuán.) - “He helped me pick up my pen, I'm so grateful for his origins.” This sounds absurd and overly dramatic. A simple “谢谢 (xièxie)” is correct.
• False Friend: “Don't bite the hand that feeds you.”
  • While related to gratitude, the English phrase “Don't bite the hand that feeds you” is a warning against betrayal and often carries a negative, threatening undertone. It's about what you shouldn't do.
  • In contrast, 饮水思源 (yǐn shuǐ sī yuán) is overwhelmingly positive and proactive. It's about what you should do: actively remember, appreciate, and feel gratitude. It is a virtue to possess, not just a mistake to avoid.

• 知恩图报 (zhī ēn tú bào) - To know a kindness and plan to repay it. This is the logical next step after 饮水思源; it focuses on the action of repaying the debt of gratitude.
• 感恩 (gǎn'ēn) - Gratitude; to be thankful. This is the core emotion encapsulated within the idiom of 饮水思源.
• 过河拆桥 (guò hé chāi qiáo) - To tear down the bridge after crossing the river. The direct antonym of 饮水思源. It describes an ungrateful person who discards those who helped them once they've achieved success.
• 滴水之恩，当涌泉相报 (dī shuǐ zhī ēn, dāng yǒng quán xiāng bào) - A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. A popular proverb that expresses the magnitude of repayment expected when one feels the gratitude of 饮水思源.
• 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - Filial piety; to be dutiful to one's parents. This is a primary and specific application of the 饮水思源 principle within the family context.
• 不忘初心 (bù wàng chū xīn) - Don't forget your original intention/aspiration. While 饮水思源 is about remembering the external sources of help, 不忘初心 is about remembering your own internal source of motivation. Both are about staying true to one's origins.