土階茅屋 tǔ jiē máo wū

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. earthen steps and a small cottage
  2. frugal living conditions (idiom)

CHARACTERS

土 tǔ
HSK 5
soil, earth; items made of earth
階 jiē stairs, steps; rank, degree
茅 máo reeds, rushes, grass; surname
屋 wū
HSK 5
house; room; building, shelter