Chinese Idiom 28

"天下没有免费的午餐" (tiānxià méiyǒu miǎnfèi de wǔcān) is a Chinese idiom that translates to "there is no free lunch in the world" in English. It is used to convey the idea that nothing comes without a cost or effort, and that one must work or pay for what they receive.

In this idiom, "天下" (tiānxià) means "the world" or "everywhere," "没有" (méiyǒu) means "does not have," "免费" (miǎnfèi) means "free," and "午餐" (wǔcān) means "lunch." Together, they emphasize the belief that nothing of value is obtained without some form of sacrifice, whether it be time, effort, or resources.

"天下没有免费的午餐" is often used to caution against expecting something for nothing and to remind individuals that they must work hard or make sacrifices to achieve their goals or obtain what they desire. It serves as a reminder that there are no shortcuts to success and that everything has a price. 

Overall, this idiom underscores the importance of hard work, diligence, and perseverance in achieving success, and it encourages individuals to be mindful of the effort required to attain their objectives.