土階茅茨

土阶茅茨
tǔjiēmáocí
  1. lit. earthen steps and a thatched hut
  2. frugal living conditions (idiom)

CEDICT

以土為階，以茅蓋屋。比喻屋舍簡陋。漢．揚雄〈逐貧賦〉：「昔我乃祖，宗其明德。克佐帝堯，誓為典則。土階芧茨，匪彫匪飾。」也作「茅茨土階」、「茅室土階」、「土階茅屋」。

重編國語辭典

Entry Composition

1 土 tǔ
  1. earth
  2. dust
  3. clay
  4. local
  5. indigenous
  6. crude opium
  7. unsophisticated
  8. one of the eight categories of ancient musical instruments 八音 bāyīn
2 階 jiē
  1. rank or step
  2. stairs
3 茅 máo
  1. reeds
  2. rushes
4 茨 cí
  1. Caltrop or puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris)
  2. to thatch (a roof)

Related entries

土階茅屋 tǔjiēmáowū
  1. lit. earthen steps and a small cottage
  2. frugal living conditions (idiom)