Home / Chinese Wisdom Cards / 吃不穷,穿不穷,不会算计一世穷
Money Easy

吃不穷,穿不穷,不会算计一世穷

chī bù qióng, chuān bù qióng, bù huì suàn jì yī shì qióng
Food won't make you poor, clothes won't make you poor, but failing to calculate will keep you poor for life.

Eating won't make you poor, dressing won't make you poor, not knowing how to calculate will make you poor for a lifetime.

This is a variant of the previous saying, emphasizing the im...

This is a variant of the previous saying, emphasizing the importance of 'calculation' — not just planning, but actively counting costs, weighing options, and managing resources. It's a reminder that financial literacy is a survival skill.

The word '算计' (suàn jì) carries a nuance of shrewdness and careful calculation. In Chinese culture, being 'good at calculating' is seen as a practical virtue in household management, though it can also imply being calculating in interpersonal matters.

Someone might say this when a family member makes an impulsive purchase or fails to compare prices, or when discussing someone who is always in debt despite earning well.

This variant places even more emphasis on active, ongoing calculation rather than passive planning. It signals that the speaker believes financial success requires constant attention and smart decision-making, not just occasional good intentions.

#money #wisdom #caution

Discover More Chinese Sayings

Draw random cards from hundreds of real Chinese folk sayings and proverbs. Each flip reveals what Chinese people actually mean.

🎴 Play Chinese Wisdom Cards