靠山吃山，靠水吃水 in English kao4 shan1 chi1 shan1 , kao4 shui3 chi1 shui3 Meaning

Meanings

• literally (word for word) the mountain dweller lives off the mountain, the shore dweller lives off the sea (idiomatic expression)
• metaphorically to make the best use of local resources
• to exploit one's position to advance oneself
• to find one's niche
• to live off the land

Pinyin

kao4 shan1 chi1 shan1 , kao4 shui3 chi1 shui3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

靠kao4to lean against or on 山shan1surname Shan 吃chi1to eat 山shan1surname Shan ， 靠kao4to lean against or on 水shui3surname Shui 吃chi1to eat 水shui3surname Shui