Chinese idiom · 成语
如鱼得水
Meaning
To thrive in a perfect environment; to be in one’s element.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountThe biography of Zhuge Liang in Sanguo Zhi (三國志), volume 35, describes Liu Bei seeking advice from the reclusive strategist. After their meeting, the two became increasingly close. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were displeased, so Liu Bei explained that having Kongming—Zhuge Liang’s courtesy name—was like a fish having water. His companions then stopped objecting.
The comparison concerns finding a person whose help is essential and congenial, rather than simply winning a battle. The familiar four-character idiom condenses the longer wording in the biography. Today it can describe thriving with suitable colleagues or in an environment that lets one’s abilities flourish.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
换到更适合自己的岗位后，她工作起来如鱼得水。
After moving to a role that suited her better, she was in her element at work.
Use for a good fit between a person and their environment or collaborators.