Chinese Idiom: 一钱不值 (Yi Qian Bu Zhi)
English Translation: Not Worth A Penny
pīn yīn: yī qián bù zhí
Idiom Meaning: Worthless; of no value at all.
Historical Source: “Book of Han · Biography of Guan Fu.”
Idiom Story: During the Western Han Dynasty, Guan Fu was known for his straightforward and principled nature, adhering to his promises and respecting those of lower status while disrespecting higher officials. As a result, many talented yet low-ranking individuals were drawn to him.
Guan Fu enjoyed drinking and was known for his drunken behavior. One day, during a wedding hosted by Chancellor Tian Fen, Guan Fu had consumed a lot of alcohol. He went to Tian Fen to offer a toast, but Tian Fen refused to drink the entire glass, saying, “I cannot drink a full cup.”
Seeing Tian Fen’s refusal, Guan Fu sarcastically remarked, “Although you are a noble, you should at least drink this full cup of wine I am offering.” Tian Fen still did not drink. Feeling slighted, Guan Fu moved on to offer a toast to Lord Guan Xian of Linru, who was engaged in a private conversation with Cheng Bushi (formerly a border commander, later a high official) and showed no sign of acknowledging Guan Fu.
Guan Fu, already irked, couldn’t hold back his frustration and criticized Guan Xian, saying, “I always said Cheng Bushi is worthless, and now you’re imitating him by whispering like a woman!”
From that point on, when people wanted to express disdain or to say someone was utterly useless or of no worth, they used the idiom “worthless” or “not worth a penny.”
