CHENGYU
四海为家(sì hǎi wéi jiā)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- literary
- Source:
- 《汉书·高帝纪》
MEANING
- Literal
- to make the four seas one's home
- Figurative meaning
- to feel at home anywhere in the world; to roam
ORIGIN STORY
The Book of Han says of the emperor: "The Son of Heaven makes the four seas his home." From the ruler's claim over all under heaven, the phrase came to mean a free spirit at home wherever they go.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to be a citizen of the world”
EXAMPLES
他四海为家，走遍了世界各地。Tā sì hǎi wéi jiā, zǒu biàn le shìjiè gèdì.HSK6
He makes the four seas his home and has traveled the whole world.
这些探险家四海为家。Zhèxiē tànxiǎnjiā sì hǎi wéi jiā.HSK6
These explorers are at home on any shore.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Note the reading: 为 is wéi. It is about roaming or openness, not about homelessness.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Tap a character to explore it
TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01