Keywords: 粗茶淡饭, simple living, plain food, Chinese idiom, frugality, modest life, traditional values, contentment, HSK vocabulary, Chinese culture, Confucian values, Chinese proverbs
Summary: 粗茶淡饭 (cū chá dàn fàn) literally translates to “rough tea and plain rice” and represents one of the most culturally resonant idioms in the Chinese language. This ancient expression encapsulates the philosophy of contentment with a simple, modest existence free from material excess. In contemporary usage, the term carries profound emotional weight, symbolizing both the virtue of frugality praised in Confucian teachings and the practical reality of everyday life for millions of Chinese families. The phrase appears across classical literature, modern media, and casual conversation, making it essential vocabulary for intermediate to advanced Chinese learners. Beyond its surface meaning, 粗茶淡饭 serves as a cultural touchstone that reveals how modern Chinese society negotiates its historical reverence for simplicity against the pressures of rapid economic development and consumer culture. Understanding this term unlocks deeper insights into Chinese values surrounding moderation, family, and the philosophical tension between ambition and contentment that shapes contemporary Chinese identity.
Core Information:
Pinyin: Cū chá dàn fàn
Part of Speech: Noun phrase, often used as subject, object, or predicate
HSK Level: HSK 5 (Intermediate-High)
Literal Translation: Rough tea and plain rice
Concise Definition: A simple, modest diet consisting of plain food and tea without luxury or extravagance; by extension, a lifestyle characterized by frugality and contentment with basic necessities.
The “In a Nutshell” Concept:
Imagine sitting at a wooden table in a rural Chinese village. The tea in your cup is not the carefully cultivated Longjing (龙井) from Hangzhou's misty hills or the aged Pu-erh (普洱) that collectors prize. Instead, it's the simple leaves your family has dried from the garden for generations. The rice in your bowl is not adorned with imported caviar or gourmet truffle shavings. It is white rice, perhaps with some vegetables from the small plot behind your house, maybe a bit of pork if times have been good. There is no ostentation, no attempt to impress, no pretense of wealth or refinement. Yet there is something profoundly satisfying about this meal. The tea is warm and familiar; the rice is filling and wholesome. You are not hungry. Your family sits around you. The evening light filters through the window. This, in essence, is 粗茶淡饭.
The phrase carries an emotional resonance that transcends its literal meaning. It evokes nostalgia for a simpler time, respect for those who live within their means, and a philosophical stance that material abundance is not the only path to fulfillment. When a Chinese person uses this expression, they are often invoking centuries of cultural wisdom that equates simplicity with virtue and excess with moral decay.
Evolution and Etymology:
The origins of 粗茶淡饭 can be traced to classical Chinese literature and philosophical thought. The character 粗 (cū), meaning “rough” or “coarse,” appears in ancient texts with both its literal sense of unrefined materials and its extended meaning of simple, unadorned qualities. The pairing of 茶 (chá, tea) and 饭 (fàn, rice) as a unit representing basic sustenance has roots in the agricultural foundation of Chinese civilization, where tea drinking and rice consumption formed the twin pillars of daily nutrition.
Historical records suggest that the complete four-character idiom 粗茶淡饭 emerged during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), a period that saw significant development in Chinese philosophy, art, and daily life. During this era, Neo-Confucian scholars emphasized the importance of moral cultivation through ordinary activities, including eating and drinking. The phrase gained literary prominence through its appearance in various texts, including Zen Buddhist records that used simple meals as metaphors for spiritual practice.
The classical text “菜根谭” (Cài Gēn Tán, Wisdom of the Vegetable Root), attributed to Hong Yingming (洪应明) from the Ming Dynasty, contains references to simple living that helped cement 粗茶淡饭 in Chinese cultural consciousness. This text, which has been continuously reprinted and studied for centuries, presents the philosophy that fundamental wisdom can be found in the most ordinary aspects of life, much like the nutrition found in common vegetables and humble meals.
By the time of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the expression had become a standard phrase in both written and spoken Chinese. It appeared in novels, plays, and daily correspondence, used by people from all social classes to describe either their actual living conditions or their philosophical approach to life. The term's flexibility allowed it to serve multiple purposes: a literal description of poverty, a humble affectation of modesty, or an aspirational statement about values.
In modern China, 粗茶淡饭 has undergone significant semantic evolution. While it retains its classical meaning of simple living, contemporary usage often carries ironic or self-deprecating undertones. Young urban professionals might use the phrase to describe their modest eating habits compared to their more affluent peers, while older family members invoke it as a contrast to the consumerist culture they observe in their children and grandchildren. The expression has also been popularized through television dramas, internet memes, and social media, ensuring its continued relevance in 21st-century China.
The following table situates 粗茶淡饭 within the broader landscape of Chinese vocabulary related to simplicity, contentment, and modest living. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for appropriate usage.
| Term | Nuance | Intensity | Typical Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| 粗茶淡饭 | Emphasizes the quality and simplicity of daily food; broader lifestyle implications; slightly literary tone | 7/10 | Used when discussing personal values, family life, or philosophical stances about material desires |
| 节衣缩食 | Focuses specifically on economizing and reducing expenditure; more practical and immediate | 8/10 | Used when describing actual financial situations or deliberate spending reduction |
| 清心寡欲 | Emphasizes spiritual and emotional dimension; desire reduction as a path to inner peace | 9/10 | Used in philosophical discussions, religious contexts, or when discussing personal spiritual development |
| 吃糠咽菜 | Carries stronger connotation of hardship and poverty; literal reference to chaff and wild vegetables | 10/10 | Used to describe genuine deprivation, often in historical or dramatic contexts about difficult times |
| 安贫乐道 | Combines acceptance of poverty with joy in one's principles or teachings; more philosophical | 8/10 | Used in discussions of values, morality, or when praising someone who maintains principles despite material scarcity |
The comparison reveals important distinctions in register, connotation, and emotional weight. While 粗茶淡饭 shares semantic territory with these related expressions, it occupies a unique position as both a description of modest living and a positive value statement. Unlike 吃糠咽菜, which emphasizes suffering and deprivation, 粗茶淡饭 suggests that simple fare is not merely endured but can be satisfying and even virtuous.
Where It Works (and Where It Fails):
The Workplace:
In professional settings, 粗茶淡饭 functions primarily as a tool for self-deprecation and relationship building rather than a literal description of one's diet. A manager might use the phrase when socializing with subordinates: “我这个人不讲究，粗茶淡饭就很满足了” (Wǒ zhège rén bù jiǎngjiū, cū chá dàn fàn jiù hěn mǎnzú le, “I'm not particular; I'm perfectly satisfied with simple fare”). This usage creates an impression of approachability and humility that can strengthen team dynamics in certain contexts.
However, the phrase must be deployed with careful attention to hierarchy and context. A junior employee should not use 粗茶淡饭 when addressing senior executives, as it might suggest an inappropriate familiarity or even an implied criticism of company-provided benefits. Similarly, in business negotiations involving meals, using the expression to describe one's preferences might backfire if the other party interprets it as a signal that elaborate hospitality is unnecessary and therefore saves face or costs at the expense of relationship building.
The workplace utility of 粗茶淡饭 is highest in informal conversations, team-building activities, and situations where establishing personal rapport takes precedence over formal protocol. It works particularly well when discussing work-life balance, personal values, or the importance of not chasing material success at the expense of health or family time.
Social Media and Slang:
Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu have developed unique usage patterns for 粗茶淡饭 that diverge from traditional contexts. Gen-Z users have adopted the phrase both sincerely and ironically, creating a spectrum of meanings that require cultural literacy to interpret correctly.
Sincere usage often appears in posts about healthy eating, minimalist lifestyles, or intentional simplicity. A food blogger might caption a photo of home-cooked vegetables and rice with “今天吃粗茶淡饭，感觉很舒服” (Jīntiān chī cū chá dàn fàn, gǎnjué hěn shūfu, “Today's simple meal feels great”). This usage aligns with broader cultural movements toward healthier eating and rejection of excessive consumption.
Ironic usage has become equally common, particularly among young people who use 粗茶淡饭 to deflect attention from their actual economic circumstances or to signal their resistance to materialistic values. When a user posts “粗茶淡饭的快乐你们不懂” (Cū chá dàn fàn de kuàilè nǐmen bù dǒng, “You wouldn't understand the joy of simple food”), they might be expressing genuine contentment or subtly suggesting that their apparent simplicity is a choice rather than a constraint.
The phrase has also spawned various memes and jokes that play on the contrast between 粗茶淡饭 and more extravagant dining. Image macros might show a humble bowl of rice alongside an elaborate feast with the caption “粗茶淡饭，也不错” (Cū chá dàn fàn, yě bùcuò, “Simple fare isn't bad either”), creating a humorous tension between stated modesty and implied aspiration.
The Hidden Codes:
Understanding the unwritten rules surrounding 粗茶淡饭 requires attention to several cultural dimensions:
First, the phrase carries significant moral weight in Chinese family contexts. Parents or grandparents who invoke 粗茶淡饭 are often transmitting values about thrift, contentment, and the importance of not becoming spoiled by material abundance. When an elderly family member says “现在的年轻人不懂粗茶淡饭的滋味” (Xiànzài de niánqīng rén bù dǒng cū chá dàn fàn de zīwèi, “Young people today don't understand the taste of simple food”), they are typically expressing concern about hedonism or ingratitude rather than merely discussing cuisine.
Second, the expression can serve as a face-saving mechanism in social situations. When declining an invitation to an expensive restaurant or refusing a luxury gift, invoking 粗茶淡饭 provides a culturally acceptable reason that emphasizes one's own simplicity rather than judging the other person's preferences. “我这人习惯了粗茶淡饭，不用破费” (Wǒ zhè rén xíguàn le cū chá dàn fàn, bù yòng pòfèi, “I'm used to simple food; no need to spend extra”) allows one to maintain relationships while establishing boundaries.
Third, the phrase reveals generational tensions in contemporary China. Older generations who experienced genuine scarcity often view 粗茶淡饭 as a virtue to be preserved, while younger generations may see it as an outdated concept that excuses inadequate living standards. Navigating these tensions requires sensitivity to the speaker's background and intentions.
Example 1:
Chinese Sentence: 父亲常说，人生不需要大富大贵，粗茶淡饭也能过得很幸福。
Pinyin: Fùqīn cháng shuō, rénshēng bù xūyào dàfù dàguì, cū chá dàn fàn yě néng guò de hěn xìngfú。
English: Father often says that life doesn't require great wealth; one can still be very happy with simple fare.
Deep Analysis: This example illustrates the most common usage of 粗茶淡饭 in family discourse. The father's statement presents a philosophy of contentment that contrasts with societal pressures to pursue material success. The use of 也能 (yě néng, “can also”) emphasizes that happiness is possible without wealth, making 粗茶淡饭 a positive choice rather than a concession to circumstance. This type of statement often appears in intergenerational conversations about values and life priorities.
Example 2:
Chinese Sentence: 退休后，他和妻子搬到乡下，过起了粗茶淡饭的日子。
Pinyin: Tuìxiū hòu, tā hé qīzi bān dào xiāngxià, guò qǐ le cū chá dàn fàn de rìzi。
English: After retiring, he and his wife moved to the countryside and began living a simple life.
Deep Analysis: This example demonstrates how 粗茶淡饭 describes not just diet but an entire lifestyle. The retirement context and move to the countryside reinforce the peaceful, unhurried nature of the simple living being described. The particle 了 (le) indicates the completion of this lifestyle transition, suggesting a settled, permanent choice rather than temporary situation.
Example 3:
Chinese Sentence: 山里的老人家一辈子都是粗茶淡饭，身体却硬朗得很。
Pinyin: Shān lǐ de lǎorénjiā yībèizi dōu shì cū chá dàn fàn, shēntǐ què yìnglǎng de hěn。
English: The old folks in the mountains have eaten simple food their whole lives, yet they're remarkably healthy.
Deep Analysis: This sentence connects 粗茶淡饭 to traditional beliefs about health and longevity. The contrast between the simplicity of the diet and the robustness of health suggests a belief in the benefits of natural, unprocessed food. This usage is common in discussions about traditional Chinese health practices and often appears in contexts promoting rural living or traditional diets.
Example 4:
Chinese Sentence: 他虽然在城里工作，但一直保持着粗茶淡饭的习惯。
Pinyin: Tā suīrán zài chénglǐ gōngzuò, dàn yīzhí bǎochí zhe cū chá dàn fàn de xíguàn。
English: Although he works in the city, he has maintained the habit of simple eating.
Deep Analysis: The contrast between urban work environment and simple eating habits highlights the flexibility of 粗茶淡饭 in contemporary contexts. This sentence suggests that the speaker values their traditional habits despite exposure to urban luxury. The verb 保持 (bǎochí, “maintain”) implies conscious effort, suggesting that simple living requires cultivation in a consumerist environment.
Example 5:
Chinese Sentence: 别看我们生活简单，粗茶淡饭的日子里也有不少乐趣。
Pinyin: Bié kàn wǒmen shēnghuó jiǎndān, cū chá dàn fàn de rìzi lǐ yě yǒu bùshǎo lèqù。
English: Don't think our life is simple; there is quite a lot of joy in our days of plain food.
Deep Analysis: This sentence defends simple living against potential pity or condescension. The phrase 别看 (biékàn, “don't think” or “don't judge by appearances”) preemptively addresses assumptions about inadequacy, while the assertion of 乐趣 (lèqù, joy/pleasure) reframes 粗茶淡饭 as a source of happiness rather than deprivation.
Example 6:
Chinese Sentence: 现在的年夜饭都是大鱼大肉，还不如小时候的粗茶淡饭有味道。
Pinyin: Xiànzài de niányèfàn dōu shì dàyú dàròu, hái bùrú xiǎo shíhòu de cū chá dàn fàn yǒu wèidào。
English: Today's New Year's Eve dinner is all fancy dishes, but it's not as flavorful as the simple meals of my childhood.
Deep Analysis: This nostalgic statement uses 粗茶淡饭 to evoke childhood memories and critique modern excess. The comparison with 年夜饭 (niányèfàn, New Year's Eve dinner) shows how the phrase can apply to specific meals while representing broader values. The nostalgic tone is common in Chinese cultural discourse, where childhood simplicity often symbolizes authenticity and emotional richness.
Example 7:
Chinese Sentence: 朋友邀请我去高档餐厅，我说习惯了粗茶淡饭，不太适应那些。
Pinyin: Péngyǒu yāoqǐng wǒ qù gāodàng cāntīng, wǒ shuō xíguàn le cū chá dàn fàn, bù tài shìyìng nàxiē。
English: A friend invited me to an upscale restaurant, but I said I'm used to simple food and wouldn't really enjoy those places.
Deep Analysis: This example shows 粗茶淡饭 used as a polite declination technique. The speaker invokes their simple preferences as a legitimate reason for refusal, avoiding potential offense that might arise from explicitly judging the restaurant or the friend's choice. The implication is not that the friend's taste is bad, but that the speaker's own tastes are simply different.
Example 8:
Chinese Sentence: 结婚后两人粗茶淡饭地过了十年，才慢慢有了积蓄。
Pinyin: Jiéhūn hòu liǎng rén cū chá dàn fàn de guò le shí nián, cái mànmàn yǒu le jīxù。
English: After getting married, the couple lived simply for ten years before they gradually built up savings.
Deep Analysis: This sentence presents 粗茶淡饭 as a deliberate financial strategy. The temporal marker 十年 (shí nián, ten years) emphasizes the long-term commitment to simple living, while 积蓄 (jīxù, savings) shows the practical outcome. This usage connects the traditional virtue of frugality with modern financial planning.
Example 9:
Chinese Sentence: 看他那副粗茶淡饭的样子，没想到他其实是个隐形富豪。
Pinyin: Kàn tā nà fù cū chá dàn fàn de yàngzi, méi xiǎngdào tā qíshí shì gè yǐnxíng fùháo。
English: Looking at his plain appearance and simple habits, who would have thought he's actually a hidden wealthy person.
Deep Analysis: This ironic usage contrasts surface simplicity with hidden wealth. The phrase here describes appearance and habits rather than actual diet, expanding the meaning of 粗茶淡饭 to encompass a general demeanor of unpretentiousness. This usage is common in discussions of Chinese wealthy people who maintain humble lifestyles.
Example 10:
Chinese Sentence: 修行的人讲究的是内心的平静，粗茶淡饭只是外在的表现。
Pinyin: Xiūxíng de rén jiǎngjiū de shì nèixīn de píngjìng, cū chá dàn fàn zhǐshì wàizài de biǎoxiàn。
English: Spiritual practitioners care about inner peace; simple food is merely the external expression.
Deep Analysis: This philosophical statement connects 粗茶淡饭 to spiritual practice, particularly Buddhist and Daoist traditions. The distinction between 外在 (wàizài, external) and the more important 内心 (nèixīn, inner mind) elevates the phrase from a dietary description to a symbol of spiritual discipline. This usage appears frequently in discussions of traditional Chinese philosophy.
Example 11:
Chinese Sentence: 虽然现在经济条件好了，但我们家还是保持着粗茶淡饭的传统。
Pinyin: Suīrán xiànzài jīngjì tiáojiàn hǎo le, dàn wǒmen jiā háishi bǎochí zhe cū chá dàn fàn de chuántǒng。
English: Although our economic situation has improved now, our family still maintains the tradition of simple living.
Deep Analysis: This sentence addresses the tension between prosperity and traditional values. The conjunction 但 (dàn, “but”) creates contrast between improved circumstances and maintained habits, suggesting that 粗茶淡饭 represents enduring family values rather than mere economic necessity. The word 传统 (chuántǒng, tradition) explicitly frames simple living as cultural inheritance.
Example 12:
Chinese Sentence: 医生说我的身体不需要什么山珍海味，粗茶淡饭反而最适合。
Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō wǒ de shēntǐ bù xūyào shénme shānzhēn hǎiwèi, cū chá dàn fàn fǎn'ér zuì shìhé。
English: The doctor said my body doesn't need any delicacies; simple food is actually most suitable.
Deep Analysis: This example connects 粗茶淡饭 to traditional Chinese medicine concepts about diet and health. The contrast with 山珍海味 (shānzhēn hǎiwèi, mountain and sea delicacies) establishes 粗茶淡饭 as the opposite of luxury dining. The doctor's endorsement grounds the preference for simple food in practical health considerations.
Understanding the register and social implications of 粗茶淡饭 is crucial for appropriate usage. The following common mistakes illustrate pitfalls that learners often encounter.
Mistake 1: Misjudging the Emotional Valence
Wrong: 我现在只能吃粗茶淡饭，真的很可怜。
Right: 我现在选择吃粗茶淡饭，觉得这样很舒服。
Explanation: The original sentence treats 粗茶淡饭 as a source of suffering, which contradicts the phrase's cultural meaning. In Chinese cultural context, describing simple food as pitiful suggests ingratitude and a failure to appreciate life's basic blessings. The corrected version presents simple eating as a positive choice, which aligns with the phrase's association with contentment and virtue. When discussing 粗茶淡饭, even when describing genuine economic constraints, framing the situation as a voluntary choice or a philosophical acceptance is generally more appropriate and culturally sensitive.
Mistake 2: Using the Phrase to Describe Someone Else Without Context
Wrong: 那个穷人就过着粗茶淡饭的生活。
Right: 虽然经济条件有限，但他依然保持着粗茶淡饭的生活习惯。
Explanation: Directly labeling another person's lifestyle as 粗茶淡饭 without additional context can sound condescending or judgmental, particularly if the listener interprets it as calling someone poor. The alternative phrasing acknowledges economic realities while emphasizing the person's agency and values. When describing others' situations, adding context about choice, values, or philosophy helps prevent misunderstandings and shows cultural sensitivity.
Mistake 3: Overusing the Phrase in Formal Writing
Wrong: 本公司的经营理念是粗茶淡饭，所以员工的午餐非常简单。
Right: 本公司倡导粗茶淡饭的理念，鼓励员工不为追求奢华而过度消费。
Explanation: While 粗茶淡饭 is appropriate for personal philosophy and lifestyle discussions, applying it directly to corporate culture or formal business practices can sound eccentric or even unprofessional. The modified version uses the phrase as an abstract concept being advocated rather than a literal description of company practices. In formal contexts, it's often better to discuss the underlying values (frugality, contentment) rather than using the idiom directly.
Mistake 4: Confusing 粗茶淡饭 with Eating Disorders or Extreme Dieting
Wrong: 为了减肥，我每天都吃粗茶淡饭，只喝粥吃咸菜。
Right: 我现在饮食比较清淡，以素食为主，感觉身体更健康了。
Explanation: Modern diet culture in China typically uses different vocabulary than 粗茶淡饭. The idiom carries connotations of traditional, wholesome simplicity rather than restrictive dieting or nutritional insufficiency. Describing an extreme diet as 粗茶淡饭 might cause listeners to worry about your health or interpret your statement as a complaint about poverty. For discussing health-conscious eating, consider alternatives like 清淡 (qīngdàn, light and bland) or 素食 (sùshí, vegetarian).
Mistake 5: Assuming All Contexts Value 粗茶淡饭 Equally
Wrong: 你为什么总是追求这些奢侈品？难道不能接受粗茶淡饭吗？
Right: 我个人更喜欢简单的生活方式，但我理解每个人有不同的追求。
Explanation: Not all Chinese people, particularly younger generations or those in certain urban professional contexts, view 粗茶淡饭 positively. Using the phrase as a moral judgment or implicit criticism can create defensiveness or conflict. The alternative phrasing respects different values while still expressing one's own preferences. Cultural sensitivity requires recognizing that traditional values like simple living are not universally embraced in contemporary China.
Mistake 6: Literal Interpretation in Hospitality Situations
Wrong: 主人问你想吃什么，你说粗茶淡饭就好，然后真的只接受最简单的食物。
Right: 当主人问你口味偏好时，可以礼貌地说“我不太挑食，简单的家常菜就很好了”。
Explanation: When Chinese hosts ask about your preferences, they typically expect you to defer to their hospitality rather than provide literal instructions. Saying 粗茶淡饭 in this context might be interpreted as either excessive humility or a criticism of the host's planned menu. The alternative phrasing expresses satisfaction with home-style cooking without using the culturally loaded idiom, ensuring smooth social interaction.
Mistake 7: Neglecting Tone and Delivery
Wrong: (Monotone) 我现在就是粗茶淡饭的生活。
Right: (Warm, nostalgic tone) 我现在就是粗茶淡饭的生活，感觉特别踏实。
Explanation: Beyond word choice, the emotional tone when using 粗茶淡饭 significantly affects interpretation. A flat, matter-of-fact delivery might suggest dissatisfaction or resignation, while a warm, philosophical tone conveys acceptance and contentment. Practice varying your tone to match the positive connotations the phrase typically carries.
The following terms share semantic, cultural, or practical connections with 粗茶淡饭. Understanding these relationships enriches your command of Chinese expressions about simplicity, contentment, and traditional values.
节俭 (Jiéjiǎn) - Frugality; thriftiness. This term relates to 粗茶淡饭 as the broader virtue that simple eating exemplifies. While 粗茶淡饭 focuses on diet, 节俭 encompasses all areas of spending and resource use.
淡泊名利 (Dànbó Mínglì) - Indifferent to fame and fortune. This philosophical stance is the psychological foundation that makes 粗茶淡饭 a natural expression. Someone who is 淡泊名利 would naturally prefer simple living.
知足常乐 (Zhīzú Chánglè) - Contentment brings lasting happiness. This proverb expresses the same philosophy as 粗茶淡饭, namely that satisfaction comes from appreciating what one has rather than pursuing more.
简朴 (Jiǎnpǔ) - Simple and plain; spartan. This adjective describes the general quality of 粗茶淡饭 living, extending beyond food to encompass lifestyle, clothing, and dwelling.
吃苦耐劳 (Chī Kǔ Nài Láo) - Enduring hardship and hard work. While related in the sense of not seeking comfort, this term emphasizes the ability to handle difficulties rather than the contentment with simplicity that 粗茶淡饭 conveys.
安贫乐道 (Ān Pín Lè Dào) - Contented in poverty and delighting in the Tao. This classical expression shares the acceptance of modest circumstances with 粗茶淡饭, though it adds a philosophical or spiritual dimension.
家常便饭 (Jiācháng Biànfàn) - Home-cooked meal; everyday food. While similar in referring to simple eating, 家常便饭 is more neutral and lacks the philosophical or value-laden connotations of 粗茶淡饭.
朴素 (Pǔsù) - Simple; plain; natural. This term describes the quality of being unadorned and unpretentious, which is the underlying aesthetic principle of 粗茶淡饭.
知足 (Zhīzú) - Knowing contentment; being satisfied with one's lot. This concept is the internal state that 粗茶淡饭 externalizes; one chooses simple food because one feels 知足.
清心寡欲 (Qīng Xīn Guǎ Yù) - Purifying the heart and curbing desires. This Buddhist-influenced expression describes the mental state that enables and results from 粗茶淡饭 living.