atitarev Posted October 8, 2009 at 11:19 PM Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 at 11:19 PM Does anyone know a similar idiom in Chinese? 白手起家 is sort of similar but not quite - "build up from nothing", "start from scratch". For comparison there are some nice idioms in other languages: Russian: из грязи в князи (iz gryázi v knyázi) - from dirt to princes. German: vom Tellerwäscher zum Millionär - from the dishwasher to the millionaire Japanese: 無一文から大金持ちに (muichimon-kara ōkanemochi-ni) - from penniless to very rich French: de la misère à la richesse - from misery to wealth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semantic nuance Posted October 9, 2009 at 03:19 AM Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 at 03:19 AM This comes to my mind: 暴發戶. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guoke Posted October 9, 2009 at 03:45 AM Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 at 03:45 AM I can only think of: 飞上枝头变凤凰 or 麻雀变凤凰 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atitarev Posted October 9, 2009 at 03:57 AM Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 at 03:57 AM Great guys, thank you. Very good expressions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted October 9, 2009 at 07:59 AM Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 at 07:59 AM Be careful with 暴发户 though it carries negative connotations (like nouveau riche), compared to "rags to riches" which is more often carries positive connotations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeyah Posted October 9, 2009 at 09:44 AM Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 at 09:44 AM 白手起家 sounds good enough, very plain but clear >> to rise in life by one's own efforts. How about 由赤贫而致富? = de la misère à la richesse 飞上枝头变凤凰 or 麻雀变凤凰 How poetic!! Be careful with 暴发户 though it carries negative connotations (like nouveau riche), Just like 骤贵 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guoke Posted October 9, 2009 at 10:04 AM Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 at 10:04 AM How about 由赤贫而致富? = de la misère à la richesse This reminds me of 从无到有。 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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