get reward without merit; unearned benefit
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to receive a salary or reward without having done any work; to profit without deserving it
formalOften used as a self-deprecating remark when receiving undeserved benefits, or as criticism of others. The negative form '无功不受禄' is commonly used as a polite refusal of gifts or rewards.
Wǒ我
shén什
me么
dōu都
méi没
zuò做
，
què却
ná拿
le了
jiǎng奖
jīn金
，
zhēn真
shì是
wú无
gōng功
shòu受
lù禄
。
I didn't do anything, yet I received a bonus—truly an unmerited reward.
Wú无
gōng功
shòu受
lù禄
，
qǐn寝
shí食
bù不
ān安
。
Receiving rewards without merit makes one restless even in sleep and eating.
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Tā他
zài在
gōng公
sī司
méi没
chū出
shén什
me么
lì力
，
què却
shēng升
le了
zhí职
，
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
shuō说
tā他
wú无
gōng功
shòu受
lù禄
。
He didn't contribute much at the company, yet he got promoted—everyone says he received an undeserved reward.