为五斗米折腰了呗
“Just doing what it takes to make a living.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
“When did you become so tactful?”
为五斗米折腰 了 呗
“Just doing what it takes to make a living.”
大家来看一下
“Come take a look.”
“I hate acting like this, but I have bills to pay.”
Originating from the Jin dynasty poet who refused to fawn over corrupt officials for a petty salary, modern workers invoke this phrase with self-mockery when forced to sacrifice their dignity for practical financial realities.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
bow down for five pecks of rice; compromise one's integrity for livelihood
A classical idiom derived from poet Tao Yuanming, commonly used today to describe putting up with unpleasant work demands just to earn a living.
Marks a change of state, indicating the speaker has already made the concession.
Expresses helpless resignation, nonchalance, or pointing out an obvious fact.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“Thank you for frequently sending rice and provisions there. N-Not me.”
“Luckily, I was coming down the mountain hauling corn.”
“and think of it as rice. Get a few spoonfuls.”
“Didn't you take my steamed rice cakes this morning?”
“and got a good smack from the others.”
“Do you think Fifth Aunt would intentionally refuse to help?”