literally firewood, rice, oil, and salt; refers to the essential items needed for daily life or the mundane realities of running a household

Literally "firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea"; refers to the basic necessities of daily life or the mundane tasks of running a household. Also known as the [[开门七件事|開門七件事|kai1 men2 qi1 jian4 shi4]].

A couple married for financial survival or basic livelihood rather than romance

a person who does not manage a household would not be aware of how expensive it is to live; often used to remind someone to be less wasteful or more appreciative of resources