rú如likeyú鱼fishdé得obtainshuǐ水water
Like a fish in water; in one's element; feeling perfectly at home.
Literal meaning
like (如) — fish (鱼) — obtain (得) — water (水)
Origin
Describes someone who is in a comfortable and suitable environment. A classical four-character phrase.
Examples
lái来dào到xīn新gōng公sī司hòu后，tā他rú如yú鱼dé得shuǐ水，gōng工zuò作dé得xīn心yìng应shǒu手。
After arriving at the new company, he was like a fish in water, and his work went smoothly.
tā她duì对yīn音yuè乐hěn很yǒu有tiān天fù赋，zài在yuè乐duì队lǐ里rú如yú鱼dé得shuǐ水。
She is very talented in music and feels perfectly at home in the band.
Usage & nuances
Positive, describes a feeling of comfort and competence in a particular environment.
Learn idioms by speaking them
Idioms are most useful when they land in a real conversation. Practice them out loud in Kango — get instant feedback on tone and timing.
Download Kango on iOS