大树底下好乘凉

Traditional (Taiwan): 大樹底下好乘涼

dàshùdǐxiàhǎochéngliáng ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄨˋ ㄉㄧˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄏㄠˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄌㄧㄤˊ

    • lit. under a big tree the shade is plentiful (idiom)
    • fig. to benefit by proximity to an influential person

Character by character

Saying俗语俗語

Proverb谚语諺語 · In everyday use

Literally
it's good to enjoy the cool beneath a big tree
Meaning
Having a powerful patron or backer makes things easy. Often said with a hint of cynicism about relying on connections.

Sources