Chinese Idiom: 画饼充饥 (Hua Bing Chong Ji)
English Translation: Drawing a cake to satisfy hunger
pīn yīn: huà bǐng chōng jī
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to relying on empty promises or illusions that cannot provide any real help or nourishment. It also implies using fantasies to comfort oneself without any practical benefit.
Historical Source: “Records of the Three Kingdoms” (《三国志·魏书 ·卢毓传》).
Idiom Story:
During the Three Kingdoms period, there was a man named Lu Yu (卢毓) who served as a court official under Emperor Wen of Wei (曹丕). Known for his integrity and deep knowledge, Lu Yu often provided candid advice to the emperor. Recognizing his capabilities, Emperor Wen appointed him as the Minister of Personnel and tasked him with recommending suitable candidates for various positions.
When asked to recommend someone trustworthy and capable, Lu Yu first suggested Zheng Chong. However, the emperor sought a candidate he was less familiar with. Lu Yu then recommended two more individuals, Ruan Wu and Sun Yong, ultimately leading to Sun Yong’s appointment.
At that time, there were several well-known figures like Zhuge Dan and Deng Yang in Wei, but Emperor Wen was wary of those who were merely famous for their empty talk and self-promotion. To emphasize the importance of practical qualifications over superficial fame, he issued a decree stating that relying on individuals with only a reputation was akin to drawing a cake on the ground to satisfy hunger—it looks good, but it cannot truly provide sustenance.
This story illustrates the idea that superficial appearances and empty claims are worthless and cannot fulfill real needs, giving rise to the idiom “画饼充饥” (drawing a cake to satisfy hunger).
