Chinese word

如鱼得水

Pronunciation

Pinyinrú yú dé shuǐ

Meaning

  • idiomthrive

Example

换了新环境，她马上如鱼得水。huàn le xīn huán jìng tā mǎ shàng rú yú dé shuǐ

After moving to a new environment, she immediately thrived.

Illustration for 如鱼得水 (thrive)

More examples

他加入了兴趣小组，很快在活动中如鱼得水。tā jiā rù le xìng qù xiáo zǔ hěn kuài zài huó dòng zhōng rú yú dé shuǐ

He joined an interest group and soon thrived in its activities.

Core concept

A person moves freely and performs at full strength because the surrounding setting suits them.

Common phrases

  • 显得如鱼得水xiǎn de rú yú dé shuǐ

    seem to thrive

  • 在新环境中如鱼得水zài xīn huán jìng zhōng rú yú dé shuǐ

    thrive in a new environment

Similar words

得心应手dé xīn yìng shǒu: Perform tasks smoothly and easily through experience or practice.
游刃有余yóu rèn yǒu yú: Handle work or problems skillfully with ease and plenty of room to spare.
驾轻就熟jià qīng jiù shú: Handle familiar tasks easily and smoothly because practice has made them natural.

Definition in Chinese

形容人在适合的环境或职位上非常自在，精神状态和能力都能充分发挥。xíng róng rén zài shì hé de huán jìng huò zhí wèi shàng fēi cháng zì zài jīng shén zhuàng tài hé néng lì dōu néng chōng fèn fā huī

Word origin

The idiom 如鱼得水 (rúyúdéshuǐ, "like a fish in water") presents a fish gaining the water it needs as a metaphor for a person finding a setting where their comfort and abilities can fully emerge.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, it fits a new job, team, school, or social setting when someone quickly settles in and performs well, not when the person merely enjoys the surroundings.

Other meanings

  • feel at homeidiom

Opposites

  • 如坐针毡rú zuò zhēn zhānfeel restless and uncomfortableidiom

Word lists with this word