# 因陋就简

yīn lòu jiù jiǎn

Make do simply with limited conditions

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Use modest conditions and keep things simple

**Traditional Chinese:** 因陋就簡

**Register:** Practical · formal

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Praise practical economy when resources are scarce.

Must not excuse unsafe or unusable results.

## Understanding the expression

Instead of waiting for ideal facilities, people adapt what is available and reduce unnecessary complexity. Modern use describes events, workspaces, or practical projects carried out with limited money or equipment. It often praises resourcefulness and thrift. The result may be plain yet sufficient for its purpose. Essential requirements still matter, so making do should not remove safety, accessibility, or the basic quality that allows the activity to serve people properly.

## Examples

我们因陋就简，用旧桌办展。

### Traditional Chinese

我們因陋就簡，用舊桌辦展。

wǒ men yīn lòu jiù jiǎn ， yòng jiù zhuō bàn zhǎn 。

We made do with old tables for the exhibition.

工作室因陋就简，先从小规模开始。

### Traditional Chinese

工作室因陋就簡，先從小規模開始。

gōng zuò shì yīn lòu jiù jiǎn ， xiān cóng xiǎo guī mó kāi shǐ 。

The studio starts small with simple available resources.

他们因陋就简搭起临时教室。

### Traditional Chinese

他們因陋就簡搭起臨時教室。

tā men yīn lòu jiù jiǎn dā qǐ lín shí jiào shì 。

They built a simple temporary classroom with limited resources.

因陋就简也不能忽略安全。

### Traditional Chinese

因陋就簡也不能忽略安全。

yīn lòu jiù jiǎn yě bù néng hū lüè ān quán 。

Making do simply must not compromise safety.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%9B%A0%E9%99%8B%E5%B0%B1%E7%B0%A1)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=321&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [因势利导 yīn shì lì dǎo Guide development by working with circumstances ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yin-shi-li-dao)

- [因时制宜 yīn shí zhì yí Adapt arrangements to the circumstances of the time ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yin-shi-zhi-yi)

- [因小失大 yīn xiǎo shī dà Lose a greater benefit for a smaller one ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yin-xiao-shi-da)

- [因噎废食 yīn yē fèi shí Abandon something useful because of a risk ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yin-ye-fei-shi)

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