live in caves and wilds; primitive living conditions
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to dwell in caves and live in the wild; describing the primitive living conditions of early humans before the invention of houses
formalDescribes the primitive lifestyle of ancient humans. Often used in historical, anthropological, or literary contexts to contrast with modern civilization.
Yuǎn远
gǔ古
shí时
dài代
，
rén人
lèi类
xué穴
jū居
yě野
chǔ处
，
kào靠
cǎi采
jí集
hé和
shòu狩
liè猎
wéi为
shēng生
。
In ancient times, humans lived in caves and dwelt in the wild, surviving by gathering and hunting.
Bǐ比
qǐ起
xué穴
jū居
yě野
chǔ处
de的
zǔ祖
xiān先
，
xiàn现
dài代
rén人
xiǎng享
shòu受
zhe着
gāo高
dù度
de的
wù物
zhì质
wén文
míng明
。
Compared to our ancestors who lived in caves and the wild, modern people enjoy a high degree of material civilization.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Kǎo考
gǔ古
xué学
jiā家
zài在
zhè这
gè个
shān山
gǔ谷
fā发
xiàn现
le了
xué穴
jū居
yě野
chǔ处
de的
yuán原
shǐ始
rén人
yí遗
jì迹
。
Archaeologists discovered remnants of primitive humans who dwelt in caves in this valley.