山
海Shanhai StoryChinese stories for learners
Saved words
Menu
Stories/Chinese folklore/Waiting by the Tree for Rabbits
HSK 4 Chinese reading practice

守株待兔

shǒu zhū dài tù

Waiting by the Tree for Rabbits

A farmer mistakes one lucky accident for a way of life—and loses the field he stopped tending.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 4
READ5 min
HANZI119
Reading tools
Text size
文化
CULTURE

When luck becomes a trap

守株待兔 is now used for someone who waits passively for luck instead of adapting or working. The story comes from an ancient philosophical text associated with Han Feizi.

Key vocabulary8 words from this story
Open vocabulary →
阅读理解 · COMPREHENSION

Check your understanding

Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01第一只兔子是怎么死的？
02捡到兔子以后，农夫不再做什么？
03最后田里的庄稼怎么样了？
0 / 3questions answered
阅读练习完成

You finished the story.

Keep reading at the same level to build speed and confidence.

Chinese idiom guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 守株待兔

What does 守株待兔 mean in English?

守株待兔 (shǒu zhū dài tù) literally means “wait by a tree stump for a rabbit.” It describes waiting for luck instead of making an effort, or relying rigidly on a past accident.

When is 守株待兔 used?

Use 守株待兔 when someone expects the same lucky result to happen again without doing the necessary work. For example: Waiting for customers without improving the product is 守株待兔.

What is the pinyin for 守株待兔?

The pinyin pronunciation for 守株待兔 is “shǒu zhū dài tù.”