Chinese idiom · 成语
一穷二白
Meaning
Poor and lacking a developed foundation; starting with very limited material, educational, or technical resources.
Character by character
Origin and story
modern political expressionThis modern expression is closely associated with Mao Zedong's discussion of China's development. In the published text of his 1956 speech On the Ten Major Relationships, he describes two disadvantages: limited industrial and agricultural development, and low cultural and scientific levels, pictured as a blank sheet of paper. He then argues politically that these conditions could also create an opportunity for transformation. The idiom condenses that characterization; it is not a claim that China had no history or culture. Later usage also describes a project or organization starting with very little money, equipment, expertise, or established foundation.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
工作室刚成立时一穷二白，连桌椅都是朋友借的。
When the studio first opened, it had almost no resources—even the tables and chairs were borrowed from friends.
Describes a very weak starting foundation; in historical contexts it often has economic, educational, and technical dimensions.