治大国若烹小鲜

zhì dà guó ruò pēng xiǎo xiān

Definitions

1. ruling a large nation is like cooking a small delicacy (idiom)
2. effective government requires minimal intervention

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial · $49.99 / year

Sign up with Google

Continue with Email

Lifetime for $119.99 Try a practice session

Child Words of 治大国若烹小鲜

country; nation; state (CL:個|个[gè])

big; large; great

see 大夫[dài fu]

small

to rule

to seem

fresh

few

a power (i.e. a dominant country)

cooking method