Family
Interesting
儿不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫
ér bù xián mǔ chǒu, gǒu bù xián jiā pín
Natural meaning
A child never thinks their mother is ugly; a dog never thinks its home is poor.
Literal translation
Child doesn't dislike mother's ugliness, dog doesn't dislike home's poverty.
What it means
True love and loyalty are unconditional. Family bonds and devotion to home should not be based on appearance or wealth.
Cultural context
This saying reflects the deep Confucian value of filial piety (孝) and loyalty to one's roots. It's often used to remind people not to be ashamed of their humble origins.
When Chinese people say this
Someone might say this when a person feels embarrassed about their poor family, or when reminding someone to be grateful to their aging parents.
Why Chinese people say this
Chinese culture places immense value on family loyalty. This saying uses the loyal dog as a metaphor to shame those who abandon or look down on their families due to pride or materialism.
💬 Real-life example
A:I'm ashamed to introduce my parents because they're not well-educated.
B:Don't think like that. 儿不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫. Family love is unconditional.
C:Exactly, true loyalty doesn't depend on status or appearance.
Tone
🟢 Reassuring · Philosophical
⚠️ Don't take it literally
It's not literally about dogs or ugly mothers; it's a metaphor for unconditional devotion.
📖 Story example
When Mei felt embarrassed by her mother's worn-out clothes at a parent-teacher meeting, her aunt gently told her, '孩子，记住儿不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫。' Mei realized that her mother's love was far more important than social judgments.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What does '儿不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫' mean in English?
It means true love and loyalty are unconditional, like a child never finding their mother ugly or a dog never嫌弃ing a poor home.
When is '儿不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫' used?
The saying reflects situations where someone needs to appreciate family bonds regardless of wealth or appearance.
Is this saying common in modern China?
Yes, it's still widely used to teach values of filial piety and gratitude.
What's an English saying similar to '儿不嫌母丑，狗不嫌家贫'?
There's no direct equivalent, but 'blood is thicker than water' captures the idea of family loyalty.
💕 Related Chinese sayings