mou4 sam1 caap3 lau5 lau5 sing4 jam3無心插柳柳成蔭无心插柳柳成荫

How it's used

This idiom describes a situation where an unintentional action leads to a surprisingly positive outcome. It is frequently paired with the first half of the couplet, 有心栽花花不開, to contrast deliberate effort that fails with casual actions that succeed. It carries a sense of serendipity and is often used to downplay one's own role in a success.